Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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SPECTATOR 15 stocking was amazed to see a very old, white-bearded gen- tleman in a red cloak, with a hood on his head, descending to the hearth. The night light burned suddenly brighter; the room became warm and cheerful. The stocking, which was too wonder-struck to speak, thought that it had never seen such a quaint old man in all its life. The old gentleman, who was no other person than Father Christmas, advanced to the bed and let a large bag, which he had been carrying, fall to the ground. “Ha!” he said, laughing, this is the only night in the year when the foot of the bed has a stocking.” He patted his hand on the stocking, and said, “Well, master woolyribs, how do you find yourself tonight?” “Rather lonely,” answered the stocking. “I miss my mate terribly, and its cold.” “Oh, I’ll warm you quick enough!” said Father Christ- mas, and diving into his sack and pulling out all kinds of toys and boxes of sweets, he began to cram the stocking with presents. “Not so hard,” cried the stocking, “you’ll split my sides, if you aren’t careful. What next, I wonder? I’m a stock- ing. What do you take me for, a toy shop?” Father Christmas laughed. “You’re new to this game, then?” he asked. “I was only born this winter,” said the stocking. “I grew on a very nice sheep in Russia until the beginning of spring. Then I was cut off, sent to the mill, and woven into the handsome stocking which you see I am now. “After a few minutes, he disappeared the same way in which he came and I was left alone once more until morning, when my mistress came to relieve me of my burden, and placed me back in the cupboard with my mate.”

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14 SPECTATOR way clear to meet Percy’s expenses during the last half of the college term, so accept this check for three hundred dol- lars and send him back. Jasper.” Mr. Bradcliff gasped with joy. With tears in his eyes he grasped Uncle Jasper’s hand and exclaimed. “Forgive me, my dear old friend! For our boy’s sake, I accept.” With a light heart Mr. Bradcliff rounded up the family and scolded them for their discourtesy and ingratitude. “The motive back of the gift is all that counts!” declared Mr. Bradcliff as he soothed and quieted his indignant family. Uncle Jasper explained with many expressions of regret that he had no intention to hurt the feelings of any one. He withdrew all conditions upon which the gifts were given. Each one was to use the money as he or she wished. When good feeling was restored, Uncle Jasper announced When good feeling was restored, Uncle Jasper announc- ed, “I resign from membership in the impudent and insolent order of ‘Spugs.’ ” Told by a Christmas Stocking Coover Greer T7 It was long past midnight, and the Stocking began to be angry. “To be taken out of a nice comfortable drawer on a winter night,” it said querulously, “and not to be hung on a nice chair in front of the fire is a great misfortune.” A little girl lay fast asleep in the bed. The curtains were drawn across the window. A light burned nearby. The clothes of the sleeper lay neatly folded on a chair be- side the wall; the stockings which she had worn the day pre- vious hung dreaming over the back of this chair, and un- derneath were her little button shoes, both of them snoring. “I miss my mate,” said the stocking, glancing at the folded pair of sleeping stockings.” Just as it finished speaking, there was a noise in the chimney, and looking in the direction of the fireplace, the

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16 SPECTATOR ‘Qie Christmas Tree Leona Powelson T7 Colored popcorn on a string, Canary birds which do not sing, Little candles dribbling wax, Bangles, spangles, jumping jacks, Jack-in-boxes, rubber toys, China Cupids, mostly boys; Fancy gewgaws, globes of glass, Children’s watches made of brass, Cheap tin horses, sheep and goats, Paper dolls and wooden boats, Lots of toys which run on wheels, A ball which, when you squeeze it, squeals, Tinsel tassels just for show, A candy clock which doesn’t go. Rosy apples, gilded nuts, A pocket knife which never cuts, Horns of plenty full of candy, Tooting horns for Bill and Andy, A drum for Tom, a sled for Ned, A dandy pair of skates for Fred. A blue necktie for dear old Dad— The prettiest one he ever had, A handkerchief for Mamma, too, And a sachet bag for Sister Lou; All these things and plenty more, On the tree and on the floor.