6 The Acorn I drew in my head, and was turning around, When in through the air shaft he came with a bound. His coat was of broadcloth the finest I've seen Though it smelled rather strongly of gasoline. A bundle of banknotes he had in a sack, And he looked like a winner just home from the track. His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; He'd the air of a man who is satisfied very! A fragrant Perfecto he held in his teeth, While its smoke crowned his ten-dollar tile like a wreath. He had a broad face and a well nourished belly He was chubby and plump, like a shrewd-looking guy And there gleamed through his goggles a keen little eye. He spoke not a word, but the foxy old elf Just walked to the mantle and laid on the shelf A letter, typewritten in businesslike style, Then down the dumb-waiter he sped with a smile. He jumped in his car, and with three loud, "honk honks" He whizzed 'round the corner and off toward the Bronx. I opened the letter, the message I read, And then I crawled silently back into bed; For here's what I saw with dismay and disgust: "Retired From Business Sold Out To The Trust." CARL WERNER in The Saturday Evening Post The Acorn 7 A Parable And I say unto you, the contrast between the false and true Christmas spirits, is likened unto two young men; One being poor, in humble circumstances, had not wherewith to buy presents for his friends; And he said, "I have nothing to give,therefore, no pleasure will I receive. Great is the curse of being poor." And it came to pass, this same young man,with mournful conutenance, made known to his friends and relatives his poor condition. And he also pointed out to them wherein they too were weak and afflicted. And this he did on that Christmas day. And behold, there was much complaining and sorrowing because of what he had said, and there was no peace and joy. And again, there was another young man, and he, too, being in adverse circumstances, had not wealth wherewith to buy those things which he wished to give to his friends and relatives on that same Christmas day. And he said, "Money wherewith to buy presents I have none, but such as I have I will freely give." So it came to pass that this young man, though he had not money, gave that which he had. And it was good will. For on that same Christmas day with a smiling, cheerful, countenance he went among his friends, giving each a gracious smile, a pleasant word, or a hearty handshake, pointing out to each a blessing which the day had brought. Also among those who were very destitute or those whe wore afflicted he visited, giving unto them the same gifts. And behold, wherever he went there was gladness of heart, and warmth of soul. All those around him rejoiced, for verily I say unto you he had the true spirit of Christmas and of Christ. RUTH LARSON '09 When we give our minds to pleasure, When in politics we're whirled, Then with man our strength we measure, Using as our goal the world. When our minds in thought are turning Thought that purifies the soul, Then the higher life we're learning, One with God, in Him our goal. CHAS OWEN '08