8 THE ACORN have a star for the top, what can we do about it?" Well, I guess it' s good enough," said the old lady, "he won't miss the star." But the girl was not satisfied. "Why must there be a star?" asked the boy. "Don't you think the Christmas star the most beautiful thing in the world?" she said shyly. "You know the Christ child was born beneath a star; and I think it meant, for one thing, that for every new life there is a star set in heaven that will light that life all the way, if once we catch a glimpse of it and know it is for us." The boy listened breathless. He could not have told just what the girl's words meant, but the moral courage that had all day been struggling to live, took new strength and slowly began to shape itself into a resolution. The traveling man got some tinfoil from his grip and soon the star was made. Christmas morning Jamie awoke, round-eyed and expectant. "I want my tree," he said, "and I want my breakfast." Breakfast was hurried through and they all filed in where the tree was. With shouts of laughter the tree was soon despoiled of its offerings, and Jamie's cup of happiness was full. In the midst of the merriment Miss Marsh glanced at the boy. He was gazing at the star with a curious expression. In her bodice was thrust a pin whose head was a tiny golden star the badge of her class society. She drew it out and handed it to the boy with a "Merry Christmas." He saw it, and the tears came in his eyes and that little star weighed down his balance of decision on the right side, and made a man of him. But the girl never knew. When the laughing had quieted a little, Jamie turned confidently to Miss Marsh. "Now the story," said he. "What story, laddie?" she asked. The Christmas story. Mamma said there was a Christmas story, and she saved it up for Christmas day. 'It is the nicest story I ever heard,' mamma said." She lifted the little one gently to her knee and told the old sweet story of the Christ child. There were eloquent sermons preached in churches that day and wonderful music was sung, but as truly as in his visible temple, Christ was worshiped about that little tree, whose balsam breath went up as a frankincense and myrrh. A little later in the day, after the relief had come, and the train had pulled into the city station, the Christmas party stopped a moment for the last handshakings and farewells. The boy took a step toward Miss Marsh. One of her hands was tight in Jamie's chubby clasp, and the other was held in the old lady's. He looked a moment, then turned with a resolute face, and walked to the ticket office. Give me a ticket on the first train that goes to Twin Falls," he said. Edna M. Cardon, '99. THE ACORN 9 Christmas Day One night just before merry Christmas, Four neat little stockings that hung By the fireplace out in the kitchen, With sharp anguish the mother's heart wrung. She had heard the expectant wee owners Ask God, as they knelt down to pray, "To please send around dear Old Santa, Cause tomorrow is Christmas Day." Then, "Ah me!" cried the mother in sorrow, "How I wish that the story were true, That Old Santa might come with his 'goodies,' And he'd crawl down the wide chimney flue. Oh dear Thomas, my own darling husband, Why should you be taken away? We are poor, we are cold, we are hungry, And tomorrow is Christmas day!" While the tears in her cheeks were fast falling, There came a soft knock at the door; And in stepped a friend, a good neighbor, A Santa Claus come to the poor! He brought them good food and warm clothing, And the children bright toys for their play, He brought to them sweet joy and comfort, For a happy and glad Christmas day! Oh, he felt more than doubly rewarded, His was pleasure without its allay; And he learned that the only true pleasure Comes from bringing to others real joy. As he bade the kind woman "good evening," And a blessing received at his leave, Pure love in his heart made him happy, On this beautiful Christmas eve. Until late then the mother sat thinking, "Oh, how happy the children will be When they get up so glad in the morning And these beautiful things they shall see!" After filling those four little stockings She quietly knelt down to pray, And thanked the kind Lord for His blessings, And especially for Christmas day. Christmas, welcome, Oh, dear happy Christmas, Peace, love and good will upon earth! The time of Glad Tidings and comfort In honor of Christ's humble birth! Then let us all try to be like Him, Scatter sunshine all over the way; And thus pleasing Father above us, By making a real Christmas day. Louie Wade '08.