and a package of grief is the prize that we draw. But if we would cut out the weeping and sighs, and quit pumping brine from our waterlogged eyes, we'd soon find our troubles and sorrows disperse; for there's nothing so bad that it couldn't be worse. It's well to reflect, when you're burdened with care and Trouble comes down with his feet in the air, that others have suffered as deeply as you, and raise just as much of a hullabaloo, and others have found that a bundle of woe is easy to lose. if you only think so. From the day you are born till you ride in the hearse, there is nothing so bad that it couldn't be worse. One day I

was ranting around, pretty glum, for a felon was holding the fort on my thumb; the surgeon came in with his saw, and avowed that I was a baby for yelling so loud; "I sawed off the leg of your neighbor," he said, "and never a whimper came out of his head." Oh, it's true as you live that excepting this verse-there is nothing so bad that it couldn't be worse!

A Letter With A History

A Prelude To The Christmas Spirit
"Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men"

On December 26, 1890, twenty-two years ago, the letter which we publish below was sent by Mr. W. B. Geroe, of Toledo, Ohio, to his school-boy friend, "Jimmy". Jimmy had gone out into the world and was then at the head of one of the big newspapers of the east. It came to him as a voice from the old homestead and he published it. Through the courtesy of Mr. Geroe we are able to pass it on, in the knowledge that it will again remind some busy business man of the happy, care-free days of boyhood,

"When life was like a story,

Holding neither sob nor sigh,

In the golden olden glory

Of the days gone by."

Men may grow old; they may ascend the heights of power and position or go down into the depths; they may wander far in material affairs and bear the scars of bitter contests and struggles: yet the finger of memory has but to touch them to blot out all these things. They are but incidents, for after all is said, human hearts are the great things in life and their issues are above all others.

At this Christmas season, and as you read this letter and catch its message may the fever and the struggle be forgotten. Let emmities and harsh feelings merge in brotherhood. Let not discouragement nor sorrows, nor ambition nor power beckon us astray. We are pilgrims on life's short road too often absorbed by smaller things to catch the sunlight above us and the great Providence which o'ershadows us. The message of Christmas is Love and Charity to all mankind. It was born above a humble cradle and a helpless babe. Its spirit is helpfulness, to make the way smooth and the burdens lighter, and to fill with happiness the hearts of men from childhood to old age. A Merry Christmas To All.

Jimmy's Christmas Letter

The Greatest And Best Day In The Year
By W. B. Geroe, Toledo, Ohio

Toledo, Ohio, December 26th, 1890.

DEAR OLD JIM-I hope you had a "bang up" good Christmas, and what few socks you possess were full to overflowing. Everybody deserved a good Christmas this year, in the first place, because. he was alive and, in the second place because it was Christmas.

Of all the holidays, Jim, this one on December 25th is nearest the hearts of the people. It is the holiday of their childhood. Long before they could fire "shooting crackers," or were allowed to gorge themselves with turkey and fixings along at Thanksgiving, they could have a tiny pair of stockings hung by the old chimney place and could sit up in the trundle bed at about four A. M. and

find out what old "Kris" had contributed.

Christmas is the very first holiday that I remember, and that first one happened more than twenty years ago, eh Jim? If ever there was a greeting on earth that sounds as though it came from the heart,-and in which no earthly business has a part-it is to see two big duffers, hardheaded, shrewd men of the world, grasp hands, and-"A MERRY CHRISTMAS." It sounds good, doesn't it Jim?-And as long as I live and can talk or make signs, I will work it off on the least provocation. It's old and has been used before, but it is good enough for me.

I would like to see a committee of Stranglers get hold of the man or woman who persists in writing it "Merry Xmas". Any full grown, ripe adult, who hasn't time to write it out full "Christmas" had better skip the word altogether. Am I right Jim?

Of course you sometimes get a few plums on the Christmas tree that look enough alike to be twins, for instance, suspendlers and slippers, and gloves, but then you would rather get doubles than get left. And then again you may get a dainty box of cigars from your wife or best girl-they usually come wrapped in silver or gold foil and taste mighty similar like to good, straight timothy hay, and when you smoke them in the house, the woman who is always smelling fire begins immediately to work "up wind", with nose held high, trying to locate the blaze. These Christmas cigars are not always awful bad and even if they are, they are good to carry around with you at New Year's time, to help swear off on.

And, Jim, the TIES-NECKTIES-that your friends of the gentler sex present to you-you can spot a man a block away with one on. The victim is bound to wear it the day after Christmas, and he knows he is IT. But I like 'em Jim. They keep a man from being too proud, and they cause his mind to dwell more on Foreign Missions and the lucky, wicked

beggars who don't have to wear saw tooth collars, and goo-goo eyed Christmas Ties.

And then, Jimmy, the tree that you and I have gone out into the woods and cut, with so much pride and judgment! The Christmas tree, with the entire Family gathered about it,-how every fellow looks and listens to hear his name announced as the packages are handed out! No matter whether he runs in the all-age stake or in the two-year old class, he's just as anxious to see what develops when the paper is pulled off. eh Jim? It's human nature, Boy, right now, as it was forty years ago.

And, Jim,-lucky indeed was the family gathering which did not look back and miss one little fat, chubby hand, eager for it's present-or a thin, wrinkled hand that reached hesitatingly when "Grandma" or "Grandpa", "Father" or "Mother" was called. When we miss those hands now, Jimmy, about the annual tree, how soft and low the greeting comes "MERRY CHRISTMAS"-and the memory of "Baby Hands", "Father's and Mother's Hands"-that memory, sweet and pleasing as the "Angelus", is all we hold.

GOOD NIGHT, JAMES-HAPPY NEW YEAR, BOY!

Supports The Movement For Reduced Telephone Toll Charges

Through the efforts of Mr. S. E. Lux, of Topeka, who is one of our thoroughly live wires and who believes in doing things, the Topeka Commercial Club passed the following resolution at a meeting of the Club held on December 5th.

RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS, there is an effort being made by the International Apple Shippers' Association to induce the American Telegraph & Telephone Company to reduce the toll rates on long distance messages, and

WHEREAS, the object of the movement is to ascertain from the representative heads of said telegraph and telephone companies, whether a reduction of twenty-five per cent cannot be effected without injury to the rights of said companies and without injury to the business of the public, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Directors of the Topeka Commercial Club, that we favor the action now being taken by the said International Apple Shippers' Association.

We, the undersigned, being respectively the President and Secretary of the Topeka Commercial Club, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a copy of a resolution adopted by said Club at a meeting held in the rooms of the Club, in Topeka, Kansas. on the fifth day of December, 1912.

L

(Signed) S. J. Hodgins, President.

EMORY C COOK, PRESIDENT OVERTON KENT, V PRESIDENT

CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK, MERCANTILE AGENCIES, PRODUCE REPORTER CO R.R. & EXPRESS COMPANIES.

MEMBERS:

Baltimore, Dec. 19, 1912

If you have anything to ship or to SELL, com

The Way To Do A Thing Is To Do It Assist The Telephone Campaign---Every Man Needed

At the very commencement of our campaign for the passage of the Sulzer Bill this Association adopted the slogan,-"The Way To Do A Thing Is To Do It." And then we did it. Splendid co-operation on the part of our membership and other organizations throughout the United States "Brought Things To Pass." There was enthusiasm, energy, work and positive action. Deeds were done today that could have been left until tomorrow. As a result we had Father Time on the run, instead of being chased by him.

The proposition now up is of the most vital concern to every user of the telephone for long distance calls. It is a case of actual dollars and cents to be saved and therefore to be earned. Every business man is immediately interested. Your local Chambers of Commerce will be glad of the opportunity to assist. Mr. Kerr has already enlisted probably the two most powerful and influential commercial bodies in the United States, viz., The Chicago Association of Commerce and The Merchants" Association of New York. We Need Them All. GET Your Local Association Behind This Movement.

Utah has succeeded and what is accomplished in one State CAN BE accomplished in the others. There is no question but that we are entitled to relief and WE INTEND TO GET IT. This can come, however, only through your red hot co-operation and the co-operation of all business men and commercial bodies. Let Us Go To It. The Way To Do A Thing Is To Do It.

The Chairman of the Telephone Committee has handled this proposition most ably and with unflagging energy and determination. He and his Committee have been doing things all the time. Make it a point to get in touch with him. He will tell you precisely what he wants you to do. HIS ADDRESS IS C. A. KERR, 79 WEST SOUTH WATER STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

New Members

It Is Time To Get Busy-Assist The Committee

Since the last issue of THE SPY another Associate Member has been admitted-The Scandinavian American Bank of Seattle, Washington, and credited to the good work of C. W. Wilmeroth of the Membership Committee. Since the Convention six regular and four associate members have been received.

It is now time to get busy for the coming year. We want a total membership of six hundred by August, 1913. Results are accomplished only by concerted action. The campaign which we now have under way for reduced telephone rates should command the support of every apple man and he should be eager to affiliate with an organization not only that has accomplished things but that is constantly pushing on.