Christmas Bonus Episode: "The Real Christmas Spirit"

What if the true essence of Christmas could shine brighter without the glitz and glamour of extravagant parties and expensive gifts? Join us on this heartwarming adventure with the Davenport family in Cedar Hill as they face financial struggles that threaten to dampen their annual Christmas recital. But hold on - Christmas isn't cancelled! Through courage and creativity, James Jr. and his sister, Sis, teach us an invaluable lesson about the power of family, sacrifice and the genuine spirit of Christmas, showing us that joy and warmth can be found even in the simplest of celebrations.

As we continue this festive journey, your spirits are sure to be lifted by the sight of Cedar Hill's unique Christmas Eve gathering. An event that exemplifies the resilience and creativity of the Davenport family, it sees the guests arriving in festive costumes made from....newspapers and comic strips! Yes, you heard that right. We also touch upon a special Christmas tradition that has been carried on for 25 years, a gathering that serves as a reminder of unity and joy. And to top it off, we leave you with a beautiful hymn sung by the youngest Luddington, capturing the true essence of Christmas. So tune in, and let's revel in the warmth and joy of a Christmas that's truly rich in spirit.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:17

Welcome to another special holiday bonus episode. Gather the family and enjoy this holiday story, the Real Christmas Spirit, by Helen E Richards. In a prosperous middle-western town on the east side, at the upper end of a long avenue of comfortable homes, the street veers suddenly to the right and ends in Cedar Hill, a blind but beautiful alley bordered with lawns, decorated at this time of year with strange figures of gunny sacking, wound with cord and with piles of straw overlaid with boards. Back of these suggestions of the landscape gardener stand four houses, wide-spreading luxurious Cedar Hill homes of the Davenport, the Clydes, the Lees and the Luddingtons. On Christmas Eve it was custom for Cordelia Davenport to give a recital and the Clydes and the Lees and the Luddingtons came laden with their articles of commerce and hung them on the Davenport Christmas tree at the end of a long drawing room. The little group of families on Cedar Hill always celebrated royally because it was within the power of Cedar Hill residents to do so. And Cedar Hill leads the town quoted James Davenport Jr to his sister.

Speaker 1: 1:46

James Jr was taller than his father and he carried himself with a regal air in spite of his extreme youth. He drew down the library shades and flung himself into an armchair. Sis, what do you say to going to Meredith's for programs? They have some gorgeous new leather things. I say white Morocco, with the Davenport coat of arms in golden blue how does that strike you? And mistletoe, instead of holly Borts, is taking orders. Now supplemented Sis, and I want Mother to try that new caterer on West Fifth. They say he is so much better than…. She stops suddenly and looked up at James with a startled expression.

Speaker 1: 2:26

Both listened intently. They heard the voice of their mother talking to James Sr in the music room. It isn't right, james, with all the financial reverses you have suffered this year and all the calls there are for charity that we should spend so lavishly. I shall never forget how nearly we came to losing the old home itself. We ought not to have any recital at all. No recital. James Sr gasped. What will the Luddington say, he cried. The Luddingtons can be thankful that they live in well-favored America and not in starving Germany.

Speaker 1: 2:59

James Junior slipped from his chair and caught his sister's arm. What is it, he whispered. What are they talking about, hush? James Sr was speaking again. We can manage the recital, I think, cordelia, and have something to give besides, he said in a low, generous voice, then we ought to give twice as much and go without the recital, insisted Mrs Davenport. It would be positively wicked for us to have the usual orgy of presence and feasting while there is such great need. The Davenports have always led, let us lead now in giving in sacrifice.

Speaker 1: 3:34

What will the children say, asked her husband suddenly. Never mind what they say, james, they need just this kind of experience. They are sprend drifts. Both of them, jim Junior, hasn't the first notion of the value of money. And as for Sis, we've encouraged her in. Oh well, never mind. We always had more than enough until the stock company failed. Perhaps it hasn't been best not to let them know about our worries, she added thoughtfully.

Speaker 1: 4:03

Sis gazed at her brother solemnly. Are we that bad, jim? She questioned under her breath. He was silent. The fire in the great crackled and snapped and leaped and fell. The voices in the music room had dropped to a lower key. What about stock failing? James Junior asked finally. I heard rumors at college, but I didn't suppose it was really so.

Speaker 1: 4:25

When Dad didn't mention anything, james Junior slung himself forward, resting his chin in his hands. Sis watched him in silence. We'll let the Morocco programs go away, sis. He laughed shortly. Then he looked up see here, how much money have you? Not more than five dollars, I guess I spent the rest for, and I haven't a cent. She gazed at him tremulously we can't have any Christmas, she faltered.

Speaker 1: 4:54

James Junior stood up In the firelight against the dark background of the library. He loomed like a young giant, his features standing out white, vivid, forceful, with all the Davenport pride and reserve. Quietly he put his hands in his pockets and stared into the fire. We have always led, sis, as Mother says, and our house has always been happy at Christmas time. We have to keep it up. But the money, jim. If we can celebrate Christmas without money, what's family pride? For? It isn't money pride, sis, it's the real article. We'll have our party just the same, and we'll do it on what money we can scare up.

Speaker 1: 5:37

Between us, the time had been years before when the Cedar Hill families were poor, when the Davenport Christmas party had been very happy but very economical. But of late years money and social rivalry had increased the expenditure and stunted the happiness. Cordelia Davenport had been the leader, and if sometimes she sighed for more sincerity and less show in their social affairs, still it had not occurred to her that the situation could be remedied. So used had she become to professional singers and high priced caterers that to forgo these luxuries, even from a sense of duty, meant no Christmas festivity. And she sighed as she thought how they would miss the annual gathering.

Speaker 1: 6:23

James Sr, too much as he hated the stately social functions, began to realize a loss as the holidays approached. No Christmas this year, he said with a shrug as he met Mr Clyde at the corner and they turned toward Cedar Hill for dinner. That's alright, declared Clyde seriously. We're cutting out some things too rather hard on the children. Silently, the two men strode up on the hill and it did not occur to either of them that they could celebrate without an outlay. What can you do without money, asked Davenport gloomily. I know, nodded Clyde, it doesn't rain Christmas doings, you have to buy them.

Speaker 1: 7:05

It was a few days before Christmas and Cordelia Davenport was making her afternoon toilet before a tall mirror in the dressing room. Tall mirrors were rather a specialty with her and if any one of her family wished to give her an expensive present, he knew without asking that she could find space somewhere for another mirror or for a cut glass candlestick. She was not sure which of these she liked best. James Jr once said that his mother ought to live in a glass house. Today, as Mrs Davenport dressed, she saw, reflected in her mirror, the figure of a woman crossing the street and aiming straight for her front door. It was a portly figure, increased to absurdity by a huge collaret and a muff the size of two Angora cats. Madam Luddington, exclaimed Cordelia, what can she possibly want? This question did not imply that Madam's calls were infrequent, but merely that her movements were sometimes social maneuvers.

Speaker 1: 8:06

The recent stricture in the Christmas expenditure of the Davenports altered the social opportunities. It is so lovely of you to have us. Just the same as ever. Madam greeted Mrs Davenport sincerely and cordially. Just lovely, it's the true Christmas spirit. You don't know how we all appreciate it. Cordelia Davenport smiled vaguely. Was this sarcasm? She remembered uncomfortably the costly present she had received from Madam a year ago. Yes, she parried pleasantly, and the invitations are too delightful, so informal, I told Sis I hoped she would always come here after to deliver them. She is growing into a very charming young lady. Yes, cordelia assented. I'm very proud of my girl. She is so trustworthy. What had Sis done? What had happened? But Sis was trustworthy. Mrs Davenport said it over and over frantically to herself as she smiled at her guest we are all so delighted with your idea of entertaining us. Simply, it is so different.

Speaker 1: 9:13

Madam Luddington's good faith was evident, but Cordelia could scarcely appreciate it. She was too much alarmed. I think she said with sudden inspiration and she marveled at herself as she said it that a merry Christmas is not dependent on a bank account. The plump, shrewd face of her neighbor lighted suddenly, but we had forgotten that, she exclaimed. When James Sr came home for dinner he was unusually happy. His wife told him of Madam Luddington's visit. Trust the Davenports for upholding the family honor. He laughed easily. They've never failed yet and they never will.

Speaker 1: 9:50

James Jr and Cis came into the office this afternoon and told me they were going to entertain the usual crowd on five dollars. What do you think of that? Cis said she would bake four dozen cookies after some recipes she learned at school. Cordelia stared Four dozen cookies? She cried. They aren't expecting to feed Madame Luddington and the rest on cookies.

Speaker 1: 10:14

James Sr looked alarmed. This appalling deduction had not occurred to him, but relief at the attitude of his son and daughter had made him feel lighthearted. Well, perhaps that isn't enough. He returned quickly. Madame is a hearty eater and they both laughed till they cried. It will be perfectly awful, she sobbed to give those people cookies, but the children mean well. Then she dried her eyes and went to arrange her hair, but she stopped short at astonishment. James, she called James, come here.

Speaker 1: 10:44

Before them, where the long, broad mirror had hung was a plain, bare wall, and near the center, in an inadequate attempt to fill the space on James Sr's shaving glass, stuck to the wall with a pin, was a bit of paper scrawled in the handwriting of Jim Junior. Merry Christmas folks. It challenged. They were disarmed. There was nothing to do but laugh and wonder. A little paper as much as said don't ask any questions. James Sr was silent for a space.

Speaker 1: 11:12

Cordelia, he said finally we've grown away, far away from the old, simple good times. Perhaps the children can bring us back. Let's not worry about their plans, we can trust them. Let's be game. Mrs Davenport gazed at him contemplatively, a slight smile beginning to curl about the corners of her mouth. She was very shy. She hesitated why? Perhaps you're right. That night, when James Sr came downstairs to dinner, he tripped on an innocent-looking yellow bag which stood on the lower step. By an agile leap he saved his life and landed on the rug while a little stream of lemons rolled across the polished floor. There muttered Jim Junior to siss in the dining room. I forgot to take away that bag.

Speaker 1: 11:59

A new faction had arisen at Cedar Hill, eager and inventive, at work for the preservation of a nearly lost holiday. All that Merry Christmas had met, all that had failed to mean because of worldliness and social bickering hovered fantastically before the residents of Cedar Hill. Secrecy met them at every turn. As the days passed on, the atmosphere became charged to its utmost with the current of mystery such as Merry Christmas had not brought for years.

Speaker 1: 12:28

On Christmas Eve there was a final rendezvous in the Davenport Drawing Room, a flurry, joyous bunch of 14 Cedar Hill young folks whom James and Sis had pressed into service for the occasion. They ranged in age, from the youngest Luddington, a five-year-old wee manny in curls and kilts, to the Lee Twins, just of age in decked in swallowtails and white shirt fronts. James Jr, who had passed his 20th birthday and overtopped the Lees by two inches, was master of ceremonies and led proceedings in his gravely dignified way. Next to him was Isabelle Clyde, the tall blonde, beautiful and blue chiffon. And then Sis, black crowned Sis, whose graceful ways and glorious blue-black hair were attractions that made one forget the color of her gown.

Speaker 1: 13:17

Hastily they stationed themselves in the front hall, the Lee Twins butler-wise on either side of the drawing room entrance, ready to pull the curtains, james Jr and Sis waiting to receive, and the rest hustling to the place allotted to them to tune their various instruments. There was indeed an orchestra. It consisted of one piano, one violin, four ukuleles and three combs, well-papered, well-tuned. What a travesty. On the usual Davenport recital, will the proud cedar hill heights be game? Is the contrast too great? Is it indeed true that it does not rain Christmas festivities, that we must buy them At this moment? Sis turned an appealing glance toward James Jr. Did he too feel the inadequacy of their attempt? But her brother's eyes were fixed toward the top of the carved oak staircase where his mother and father were descending, evidently determined to be game whatever the cost, and smilingly concealing any misgivings.

Speaker 1: 14:21

As they reached the hall below, cordelia glanced at the floor. The rugs were gone and from the big front door stretched a strip of canvas fastened carefully with thumbtacks. What's this for, she asked in surprise. Turning to her son, we don't know Mother. James Jr told her with a grin. Mr Lee asked us to put it down. Mr Lee, at that instant sounded a lugubrious thud on the front porch followed by a shouts of laughter. The door burst open and in rushed Mr Lee, mr Luddington, mr Clyde and all the other guests dragging a heavy weight across the mysterious canvas.

Speaker 1: 15:02

Hello, davenport, got a place for this thing. Oh, oh, a yule log all decorated with holly. How perfectly lovely. Wait, I'll help. Pushing and laughing. The orchestra piled into the hall to see. It ought to have come at sundown, explained Clyde, but the invitation said eight o'clock. So he gave a final heave and the huge thing settled into place and a festive fire was lighted.

Speaker 1: 15:29

Never had the Davenport Christmas entertainment started in so unceremonious a fashion. The company stood about talking excitedly and not till the old yule log was actually beginning to kindle did they go upstairs to remove their wraps. Cordelia turned to Sis and James Jr. It's going to be perfectly splendid, she said under her breath. Your father and I almost worried, but they are taking it beautifully. The music had begun, the violin wailed, the combs buzzed. Sis seized her mother's arm and pointed Cordelia. Davenport gasped.

Speaker 1: 16:07

Down the staircase came Mr and Mrs Lee, arm in arm, in solemnity unequaled, and behind them trooped the other guests, all arrayed in costumes the splendor of which no Davenport recital had ever witnessed. Mrs Lee's gown was composed completely of ruffles from the Sunday comic section, in pink and red and blue. Her husband was in black and white, as became a gentleman, with narrow spiral ruffles of the Daily Tribune and the Argus Herald encasing each leg and arm. Were they game, could anything and all. The great town with its wealth and pride, its poverty and greater pride, its struggle and sorrows, its jealousies and joys, equal the true Christmas spirit of haughty grandmother Luddington in her rustling gown of fine print wontons. The youngest Luddington jumped before her and clapped his hands and cried oh, gamma, gamma. He jumped again and lost his balance on the waxed floor and had to be hugged and comforted.

Speaker 1: 17:10

The orchestra trembled and squeaked and failed in laughter. The guests rustled and swished and laughed while the Lee twins, faithful to their office, drew back the heavy crimson portiers and revealed the Christmas drawing room. There were no festoons of ground pine, no holly wreaths, not even the ancient bunch of mistletoe, but a blaze of glory that dazzled and blinded. The walls were lined with plate glass mirrors, full length, expansive, reflecting and reflecting in bewildering infinity, multiplying in a thousand fold. The candles burning in Cordelia Davenport's cut glass candlesticks. There was the big library mirror with its gilded frame, the mirrors from the dining room, hall and guest rooms and all the family-looking glasses, everything that would reflect. And in the center of the room, upon a tiny table, stood a diminutive Davenport Christmas tree, its tiny candles glittering and winking at their million reproductions, reflected on every side. There were fifty Christmas trees, there were hundreds, thousands, it seemed. There were twenty-five guests, there were fifty, there were a hundred.

Speaker 1: 18:23

And then the recital began with the opening chorus led by the Cedar Hill Junior Fourteen, a quaint old Christmas carol they had learned at school. After the singing was over, luddington turned to James Sr. This is great. He cried. Why didn't we ever do it before? What's this sis Going to give these to me? He went on comically. She had paused before him with a silver tray of tiny cards. This laughed. No, sir, you may have just one. We're going to set you all to work. The card will tell you what to do.

Speaker 1: 18:57

Number 4. Number 4. Where's Number 4, called Archie Clyde, rushing frantically about oh, isabelle, are you 7? You and I are to beat the eggs. Number 4. Number 4. James Sr roused. What's this all about? Why I'm Number 4, my card is marked 4. Here, archie, what do you want? The boy poised on one leg in front of him and read from his card Help, number 4.

Speaker 1: 19:21

Turn the freezers when the gong sounds. Lead the way to the kitchen. Read Mrs Lee meditatively. Why, where is the kitchen? Madam Luddington was adjusting her eyeglasses. Here somebody, she cried. Do read my card for me. She handed it to a curly-headed Luddington. Oh, grandma, you are to cut the cake. Oh, isn't this fun. Wait, I'll tell you what it says. Please cut the cake, which you will find on the broad shelf in the serving room. There is a knife in the left-hand upper drawer of the kitchen cabinet. Oh, cried Madam, how can I ever do anything in these paper furbelos? A gong sounded above the din. Come on. Everybody called Mrs Lee. We're going to the kitchen. The freezers are all packed. All you have to do is keep them rolling, explained James Sr to Archie After an examination of the two rounded tubs which seemed screwed to the table.

Speaker 1: 20:15

Where's the egg beater? Where's the? Can it tell why? Yes, on hanger above the sink. Here it is. Such laughter, such informality. Never had been known.

Speaker 1: 20:26

The newspaper guests flew back and forth. They folded paper napkins, they arranged plates of cookies, they beat eggs and turned them stiff and foaming into the lemon sherbet. They carried chairs, they drew water and filled glasses. I'm to light the candles on the cake, saying, mrs Clyde, but where are the matches here here in this tin box? That last all was ready and the company returned to the Christmas drawing room to eat what they themselves had prepared and served. You see, we couldn't have a caterer, cis explained. Ladies and gentlemen, the voice of James Jr rose above the din and they looked to where he stood, straight and tall between the bay windows.

Speaker 1: 21:06

Ladies and gentlemen, twenty-five years ago tonight on Cedar Hill, in the Davenport Parlor, nine persons gathered to celebrate Christmas Eve. Around that night, a compact was made, in the light of the Christmas candles, to the effect that, so long as they were neighbors in sickness or in health, in adversity as well as prosperity, they would, unless unavoidably pre-prevented, spend each ensuing Christmas night together. Those nine persons were Mr and Mrs Frank Clyde, mr and Mrs Walter Lee, mr and Mrs Eugene Luddington, madam Luddington and Mr and Mrs James Davenport. Therefore we, the children and heirs of the aforesaid persons have determined that, so long as the power lies within us, we will, with sincerity and goodwill to all, aid and abet the aforesaid persons and if, at any time, their courage fails or money is otherwise diverted, we will, by reason of our inherited ability and traditional inventiveness, provide such entertainment as may be needed for the annual occasion In tokenware of. We present you with this birthday cake holding twenty-five candles, each one of which represents a single Christmas celebration during the past quarter-century. And he added with a grin as there are now twenty-five of us, including two guests, there is just one piece-a-piece with a candle for each.

Speaker 1: 22:32

Cordelia Davenport's eyes glowed. She turned to her daughter. Oh, sis, she breathed. How did you know? Who told you, madam Luddington. And oh, mother, she's been just the best help. She suggested the paper costumes too. Do look at her. The old lady was shaking with laughter while she tried to repair a damaged paper flounce with pins.

Speaker 1: 22:57

And then at last, amid the clamor of tongues, there sounded distant sweet chords. Intrigued, the guests sought the source. In the music room, the youngest Luddington, the little Manny in curls and kilts, stood by the grand piano looking at sis. All the lanterns and candles, but one had been extinguished. There was a sudden hush. Sis played the opening chord of Martin Luther's beloved children's hymn. Then the child turned and began to sing Away. In a manger no crib for a bed the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. Across the room where the singer gazed as he sang was a nativity illuminated by three candles. As the last notes died away into the night, there followed absolute silence. Christ had returned to Cedar Hill. Christmas, the end.