The Little Mixer - Lillian Shearon

President Barack Obama. Virginia, we are counting on you. Republicans want to steal enough seats in

Congress to raid the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years. But you can stop

them by voting yes by April 21st. Help put our elections back on a level playing field and let

voters decide not politicians. Vote yes by April 21st. Paid for by Virginians for fair elections.

Hi, this is Alex Cantrowitz. I'm the host of Big Technology podcast a long time reporter and an

on air contributor to CNBC. And if you're like me, you're trying to figure out how artificial

intelligence is changing the business world and our lives. So each week on Big Technology,

I bring on key actors from companies building AI tech and outsiders trying to influence it.

Asking where this is all going. They come from places like Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon and plenty more.

So if you want to be smart with your wallet, your career choices and meetings with your

colleagues and at dinner parties, listen to Big Technology podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

President Barack Obama. Virginia, we are counting on you. Republicans want to steal enough seats

in Congress to raid the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years. But you can

stop them by voting yes by April 21st. Help put our elections back on a level playing field and

let voters decide not politicians. Vote yes by April 21st. Paid for by Virginians for fair elections.

The little mixer by Lily Nicholas Sheeran. There was no fault to be found with the present itself,

the trouble lay in the method of transportation. This thought was definite enough in Ham's mind,

but she had to rely upon a seven-year-old vocabulary for expression and grown-ups are nofably

dull of comprehension. Even mothers don't always understand without being told exactly in so many words.

I didn't say the kimono wasn't nice mama, explain Hannah. And of course cousin Kerry was all

for good to send it to me, but but Santa Claus is going to bring Virginia one tomorrow night

down the chimney. Rose Joseph slipped the absurd little garment over her daughter's dainty lingerie

frock and stood her on a chair that she might view herself in the narrow mirror between the windows

of the living room. The child was as lovely as a flower, but vanity was still sound asleep in her

soul and she glanced indifferently at the reflection her body sagging with disappointment.

It is just like those little Japanese girls wear for mother cried in that over-enthusiastic adult

tone which warns a child he is about to be the recipient of a gold brick. I am sure Virginia's

can't be any nicer than this one, but mama Santa Claus is going to bring hers down the chimney.

Mine her voice dropped to a mournful key. Mine came through the door, but darling what difference

does it make? Just so you get it. Pity for her mother's barren childhood shown in Hannah's soft

black eyes, that's that's no way for presents to come. She explained mama, it's Christmas.

It is Hanukkah Mrs. Joseph replied firmly, remember you are a Jewish dear. I can't never forget

it said the child with a catch in her voice, especially at Christmas, but darling the Jewish

children have Hanukkah. It comes about the same time as Christmas and amounts to the same thing.

Hannah Shukrabrog's curls. Hanukkah is because the children of Israel took Jerusalem and the

temple away from the bad people. She recited globally and you say prayers in light candles,

eight days and and all your uncles and aunts and cousins send you things, but sati clothes,

he don't pay any attention to Hanukkah. Christmas is just one day and sati clothes comes down

the chimney and brings things to all good children, set little Jews because it is the birthday of

our Savior. Mrs. Joseph was silent so long that Hannah felt that she had convinced her mother

the superiority of the Gentile Christmas over the Jewish Hanukkah and she continued more in detail

and the children's kin folks just give sati clothes money and tell him what to buy and he brings

the presents and nobody asks to bother about it, except him. Hanukkah Mrs. Joseph interrupts

you coldly. We told you about the birthday of the Savior. Nelly Halloran answered Hannah

and Virginia too. They've they've got the same one, the same what, the same Savior Hannah explain.

Darling hasn't mama told you many times that you must never, never talk about religion to Nelly

and Virginia. Oh we don't mama, never, never, but of course we got to talk about sati clothes and

things. There seemed to be no reasonable objection to that so Mrs. Joseph dropped the subject.

She spent a great deal of time folding the despised and rejected kimono into its tissue paper

wrappings. Presently she brought a narrow parcel from another room, see what uncle Aaron has sent

she dear she cried daily. A little man you wind him up in the back with this key so and then he

dances and plays the fiddle. Hannah forced to polite giggle at the little man's antics. He too

rested under the band of having come through the door and her attention soon wandered. Nelly got a

jumpy jacket very top of her stocking last Christmas because she's such a jumping jack herself for

papa said. You know mama, sati clothes puts nuts and candy and little things in your stocking

it puts your big things all around the room. Sometimes he brings a tree and hangs them all on the tree

Virginia and Nelly want a tree and a new doll. Virginia gets a new doll every Christmas and she got

every doll sent he ever brought her even her little baby rubber doll. She's eight years old and will

have eight dolls but Nelly ain't hasn't saved a single one and she's scared she won't get one

this Christmas office scared. Why dear asked Mrs. Joseph when Hannah paused for breath because the

doll sent he brought Nelly last Christmas you know what she was playing Indian with her brother

one day and chopped her head off and Nelly's mama said she don't know whether old Santa is going

to forget that or not but Nelly she says she prays hard to the virgin Mary every night if she

don't go to sleep too quick. Mama what's a virgin? Mama what's a virgin is a lady who has never

been married answered Mrs. Joseph putting neglected musician back into his box. Hannah wrestled

a load for a moment with a mighty ecclesiastical problem and then gave it up. The virgin Mary is

God's mother Hannah continued that's her picture over our fireplace pointing to a copy of a crude

13th century Madonna and child in a carved Gothic frame which Eli and Rose Joseph had bought in

Italy while on their wedding trip flanked now by Candle's burning and silver candelabra

in honor of Hanukkah it gave the mantle a passing resemblance to a Catholic shrine.

I don't think God's mother is very pretty do you mama and I think Nelly's little brother is a

heat prettier in God when he was the baby Mrs. Joseph showed signs of having reached the limit.

Hannah she said firmly it is time you were in bed but papa hasn't come home yet

papa will be late tonight dear the Christmas rush side Hannah. Mama you haven't looked

on my throat today she had it playing for time Mrs. Joseph went through the daily ritual

it looks all right she pronounced it is all right came the triumphant answer it is never going to

be sore again Virginia says never mind what Virginia says if your throat ever hurts you the least

little bit you are to come to me instantly and tell me do you understand yes mama but it isn't

going to hurt anymore Hannah insisted come on upstairs to bed still Hannah hung back she'd not

played her trump card yet and the time was short she caught her mother slim white hand at hers

and finger nervously at the rings mama she almost whispered Virginia says it's Jewish

mama's fault that Santa Claus don't come to see Jewish children if the momos would just go to

Santa and tell him to come you will won't you mama please mama Hannah not another word about

Christmas and Santa Claus not another word Hannah swallowed something that came in her throat

and bravely went back tears kept Mandy put me to bed no dear Mandy is busy in the kitchen mama will

put you to bed and tell you stories she bent down and kissed the child tenderly Hannah flung her

arms about her mother's neck she loved the feel of the soft throat and the gently curving bosom

against her little cheek and the fragrance of her mother's hair and silk and laces she didn't

know that her mother looked like a portrait by Raphael but she didn't know that her mama was the

prettiest sweetest mom in all the world and yet mama I'm so tired of stories about the children

of Israel they never did anything funny Mandy tells me tales about the old plantation when her mom

was a slave and old Mars and old Miz go into town and giving Santa Claus money so as he bring beads

and juice harps and things to the little niggers and he never forgot one from the biggest to the

little is darky Santa didn't the child's body began to tremble with repressed sobs

I I wish I was a little darky it's it's awful sad to be a little Jewish child at christmas time

and then the storm broke President Barack Obama Virginia we are counting on you Republicans want

to steal enough seats in congress to raid the next election and wield unchecked power for two more

years but you can stop them by voting yes by April 21st help put our elections back on a level

playing field and let voters decide not politicians vote yes by April 21st paid for by Virginians for

fair elections hi this is Alex Cantrowicz I'm the host of big technology podcast a longtime reporter

and an on air contributor to cmbc and if you're like me you're trying to figure out how artificial

intelligence is changing the business world and our lives so each week on big technology I bring

on key actors from companies building AI tech and outsiders trying to influence it asking where

this is all going they come from places like Nvidia Microsoft Amazon and plenty more so if you want

to be smart with your wallet your career choices and meetings with your colleagues and at dinner parties

listen to big technology podcast or ever you get your podcasts president Barack Obama Virginia we

are counting on you Republicans want to steal enough seats in congress to raid the next election

and wield unchecked power for two more years but you can stop them by voting yes by April 21st

help put our elections back on a level playing field and let voters decide not politicians vote yes

by April 21st paid for by Virginians for fair elections

two hours later Eli Joseph's tired step sounded on the veranda rose hurried to admit him lifting

a silencing hand as soon as he crossed the threshold Hannah has just gone to sleep she was

burned no no she's not sick at all he placed a norm around her and drew her into the library

Eli your overcoat is what she exclaimed untwining her arms from his neck

snow he said is good looking boy face lighting up with pleasure seems we are to have a white

Christmas after all Christmas she cried I wish I could never hear that word again

well I'm glad it only comes once a year tonight ends my siege though tomorrow night's time goes

on duty and I come home for dinner to stay rose darling you look old tired out you shouldn't wait

up for me it isn't that it's Hannah she cried for more than an hour tonight and but for Mandy

and her tales I believe she would still be crying and she detailed the scene to him but good gracious

rose let Santa Claus bring her presents to her set Eli when she had finished Hannah's nothing but a

baby she is beginning to think for herself as you did at a very early age you reminded her

and your father the strictest of orthodox rabbis how old were you when you began slipping off

to the reformed temple I broke my father's heart she sits somberly I'll be punished through Hannah

not unless you let Hannah think faster than you do and remember he had it teasing me if you hadn't

run off to the reformed temple you would never have met me outside at the foot of the step she

I would never have met you inside maybe I'm a lax he acknowledged but it seems to me that if you

are living a decent life yourself giving the other fellow a square deal you are pretty nearly

fulfilling the law in the prophets and what do you suppose is happening to Hannah with a Christian

science family on one side and Roman Catholics on the other she demanded tragically she's decided

not to take any more medicine because Virginia Lawrence doesn't she has nilly halorans every

expression about virgin and the savior not only that but she has made friends with a Christian

science practitioner through the lawrences and calls him my friend Mr. Jackson she runs to meet him

walks the length of the block within every time he passes Hannah is certainly a natural born

mixer left the father we are saving ourselves troubled by giving her the best there is to mix

with Eli I'm afraid we have made a mistake moving out here away from all her people

no we didn't make a mistake he declared mercilessly the square was no place to bring up Hannah

among those pauvines of Jews we have the prettiest home on the heights in the best people in town

or neighbors our child is losing her identity as a jewish let her find it again as an american

frankly rose I don't lose any sleep over trying to keep my identity as a jew intact if a jew

doesn't like it here let him go back to Palestine or did the country that oppressed him I say

I've got the same amount of patience with these hyphenated americans as I have with the Jews

who try to segregate themselves and dot them up with new Jerusalem's where's the sense and throwing

yourself into the melting pot glad of the chance and then kicking because you come out something

different come on to bet dear you are as pale as a ghost and I'm so tired I can't see straight

our baby is alright don't you worry snow falls on the just to the unjust there is quite as much of

it and Hannah's backyard is in either for jane's or nellies perhaps even a little more had drifted

into the fence corners Hannah's joy in discovering that in this respect she had not been slighted

crowded her troubles into the background immediately after breakfast bundle up snugly she stood

in her yard and threw snowballs toward her neighbor's homes while she squealed with delight in a very

few minutes three little girls were playing were only one had played before the two newcomers

Virginia Lawrence and nellie halaran presented an interesting contrast

Virginia slim and tall for her age with long flat yellow braids handled the snow dantily

even gingerly nellie fat and dimple their curls tassled into a flame colored halo

rolled over an over on the snow and then shook herself like a puppy until the advent of Hannah

a subtle antagonism that existed between the two children

Virginia's favorite game is playing lady with a train floating gracefully behind her

nellie's chief joy in life was seeing how long she could stand on her head

her short skirts abandoned laws of gravity all the while

Hannah however vibrated obligingly between the two sports and kept the peace in violet

romping in the snow is hard play and presently the little girls sat panting on the top step

of the Joseph's back porch immediately nellie produced a string of amestice colored beads from

her coat pocket with the announcement that she would say her prayers while resting

what kind of beads are those as Hannah rosary beads coarse responded nellie

Hannah you don't know anything i do too but you don't even know about the mother of god

until i told you i reckon i thought god was an orphan Hannah pleaded in extenuation

but what about god's poppa sheep demand of his sudden inspiration you're so smart he told me

about that oh god didn't have to have a father nellie answered easily everything is free in heaven

so he didn't have to have a father to work for him when he was little then why did he have to have

a mama to tell him what to do of course you know how it is you ask your pop anything don't he always

say go ask your mama and i had noticed the shifting of masculine responsibility more than once

that's so she asked then a terrible thought struck her i don't want to go to him i don't want

to go anywhere unless my papa can go to nellie's nimble Irish wits were ready i just said god

didn't need any papa of course our poppas will go to heaven because that's the only place they

can quit working didn't i hear my papa say one time he hoped he'd get a little rest in heaven

because he never got any on this earth but you have to die before you get to heaven inside Hannah

Virginia who had maintained the most dignified silence looked as if she must speak or explode

no you don't heaven it begins here and now she recited and if you are good you are well and happy

and that's heaven kiss and scoff nellie do you see any angel fly around in this year yard i don't

Hannah rather took to Virginia's argument and resolved to have conversation with her sometime

undamned by nellie's skepticism if there could be feasting on the joys of heaven year and now

Hannah had every intention of being at the banquet table at present moment however the rose

rebates were a fascinating interest she must hold them in her own hands and watch the play of

purple lights upon the snow as she flashed them in the sun questions about the crucifix she found

brought on an embarrassing silence nellie looked at Virginia Virginia looked at nellie then the

two excused themselves for a whispered colloquy at the other end of the yard when they returned

Virginia acted as spokesman fixing nellie with an unrelenting eye that is Jesus nailed to the

crosshanna some very wicked people did it there was nothing exciting in this to Hannah

wicked people were doing wicked things the world over all the time the statement fell flat

and nellie disappointed at the lack of dramatic effect broke treaty i spec the joys did it she said

they did not Hannah's voice trembled the jews are nice people they wouldn't do a wicked thing

like that Virginia put an arm across to Hannah's shoulders now see what she done she snapped at nellie

oh i spec the irish helped him nellie had it magnanimously my papa says the irish are into

everything not having to bear the ignominy alone Hannah was comforted what makes you say prayers

on the beach she asked because i want santi to bring me a doll tonight i wrote him about sixteen

letters and i'm going to say my rosary a dozen times today tomorrow was christmas day and his face

fell all her sorrows returned with a rush have you got any more of those beach she asked yes but they

wouldn't do you any good nellie answered with quick understanding you're not a catholic couldn't

that be one not unless your baptize with holy water the priest does it the leaven had begun to work

what did your mama say about asking santi claustic convergeny inquired with a quick glance toward the

beads Hannah shook her head speechless she pressed her lips into a tight line with an effort

itself control but two large tears rolled down her cheeks and splashed on her scarlet coat

again virginia placed an arm protectively across Hannah's shoulders

nellie's bright blue eyes grew soft with pity i tell you what she's going i'll baptize Hannah

then she'll be a gentile and santi claustic will come no matter what and when your mama sees how

nice it is she won't care but you said a priest has to baptize anybody to check it virginia

he does less it's a time of danger and you can't get any priests than any catholic can baptize

anybody my mama baptized our washer woman's little baby because they knew it was going to die

before father murphy could get there and ate this a time of danger nobody's dying virginia was

distressingly literal Hannah looked from one friend to the other hoping against hope

no but there's danger santi claustic won't come to see Hannah less something has done mighty quick

cannellie's ready reply you can we get a priest you'll go get one virgin you go get one

clearly there was no answer this hi this is Alex Cantrowitz i'm the host of big technology podcast

a long time reporter and an on air contributor to cmbc and if you're like me you're trying to figure

out how artificial intelligence is changing the business world and our lives so each week on big

technology i bring on key actors from companies building a i tech and outsiders trying to influence it

asking where this is all going they come from places like in video microsoft amazon and plenty more

so if you want to be smart with your wallet your career choices and meetings with your

colleagues and at dinner parties listen to big technology podcast or ever you get your podcasts

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damage dot org brought to you by virginia dmv hi this is Alex Cantrowitz i'm the host of big technology

podcast a long time reporter and an on air contributor to cmbc and if you're like me you're trying

to figure out how artificial intelligence is changing the business world and our lives so each

week on big technology i bring on key actors from companies building a i tech and outsiders trying

to influence it asking where this is all going they come from places like in video microsoft amazon

and plenty more so if you want to be smart with your wallet your career choices and meetings with

your colleagues and at dinner parties listen to big technology podcast wherever you get your

podcasts the ceremony was set for early afternoon when grandmother halaran took her nap and

nellie could borrow the bottle of holy water from her shelf as to the place there were six boys

at the halaran's always in the way mrs. Lawrence had guests obviously the baptismal right would

have to be performed at hannes house after lunch the children assembled in the sunflower of the

joseph home and full view of mrs. joseph who sat boydering in the library the french door closed

between them so that she could not hear nellie had secured the bottle of holy water in a raid in

her brother jose long black raincoat a talibat her neck for a stole acted as priest

virginia not to be left out of such an important affair consented to be godmother

in lieu of a prayer manual nellie used one of hanna's story books she chose a verse which because

she knew it by heart she could read exceptionally well little boy blue come blow your horn

the sheep are in the metal and the cows are in the corn then she poured a little of the holy water

on hanna's forehead wet hair might occasion unanswerable questions and baptize her hanna agnus

joseph called upon for a response the godmother recited very impressively the scientific statement

of being is found in the christian side textbook and hanna was pronounced the gentah and the Catholic

one thing more remained to be done hanna ran to her mother cheeks ago mama may i trade my

stripe ball to nellie for some beads why of course darling if you wish the exchange was made

sometime was spent in mastery the use of the rosary all three of the children knew the

our father though there were some difference of opinion as to debts and trespasses which is

apt to hold in all mixed congregations the hell marry proved a bit difficult for hanna and she

finally abandoned it i'll say hero israel the lord our god the lord is one she said i already

know that and a prayer is a prayer isn't it now he refilled the holy water bottle from the

kitchen hydrant and hurried home to replace it before her grandmother should awaken hanna spent

the next hour alive flat under stomach printing letters appealing to virginia from time to time

for aid as to the speller virginia being either a superior speller this is joseph was busy with

collars when virginia went home and hanna was left to her own devices suddenly she thought

of one stone that had been left unturned there was her friend mr. jaxon to whom the loritz is

always appealed in times of stress she knew the formula she knew his number ground the list by

the loritz's telephone his name like abubin adams led all the rest made one two three four

was easy's counting she slipped into the telephone closet and closed the door

there was no trouble with hanna that night she went to bed early and didn't care

to have any stories told she could go to sleep by herself quite the change of hard day

elide commented therosis they sat by the living fire after telling their little girl good night

she's been like that all day playing as happily as you please rose responded i suppose she

got it all out of her system in last night's scene elide drumed abstractively on the arm of his

chair i don't feel quite right about it even so he said maybe you will think me inconsistent she

confessed blushing but hanna was so indifferent about the present center for hannica i only showed her

too i've saved the others to give her christmas day so she will have something of her own to show

when the other children bring their's over elide didn't seem any too pleased or a little night

a murmur yes this is joseph it was bridged hallenan's old family servant calling softly from the hall

obi aftertaken the prisons he stored away for us allow them on the back porch he carry them over

when the children are all asleep nellies in bed like a little angel lesser heart

but then devilish boys do be a snooping and every crack in corner

missus joseph unlocked a closet under the stairs and loaded bridged its arms with heavy and bulky

parcels sure and as i said christmas will be having saying the children mister tini him that's old

missus hallenan's youngest but old enough to know better the option runs away today and marries

a prodigy girl and if you open your windy the bit have a crack you'll hear the poor old lady this

minute well and like a banshee but mister timidly is such a nice young man he must have married a lovely

girl bridging said rose sure and that may be but she is a Protestant missus joseph she runs away

from her folks and he runs away from his and they get married but the justice of peace and no

peace will come a such thing lord and mercy on their souls oh poor grandma hallenan

for lover city lie when bridged it gone i'll wait you they had the very deuce of a time

with both sides no sooner have they settled themselves again then the door knocker sounded

elia admitted mister jackson the christian science practitioner i have only a minute he said

i just dropped by to leave the doll my wife dressed for your little girl

she chose one that we thought looked like hannan oh but this is kind of you rose looked her gratitude

mister florins has told me i'll busy with you and your wife always are and to take time to think

of our little girl i had intended to give it to her myself mister jackson continued but after her

talk with me today i decided she would enjoy it more if i asked Santa Claus to bring it

his eyes twinkle reminiscently she called me up by telephone and asked me to give Santa Claus a

treatment she seemed to think that he would pass her by i could assure her that he wouldn't as

i had already seen the doll hanna is a wonderful child we thanks so smile elia i'm sure we thank you

and wish you the very maria's christmas and it will be a happy christmas for me the answer

i'm going to the station to meet my father and mother some years ago they felt a strange for me

they're both staunch presbyterians of the old school and it nearly broke their hearts when i

went into christian science work but they're beginning to look more tolerantly upon my calling

and they are on their way now to spend christmas with us you can guess how happy that makes me

peace on her goodwill to men it is a wonder working thought it is indeed elia gree heartily

when the door i closed upon their visitor rose and elia stood staring at each other rather foolishly

she was the first to speak as there no end to the fight between the old and the new generation

we're just beginning to scrap what our new generation he said she called him up and asked for

christian science help i wonder what else that little monkey has been up to they soon found out

carrying the doll mr. jackson had brought rose tiptoed after elia into the nursery and

gradually turned on the light the first object to meet their eyes was Hannah's stocking

hanged precariously to a pin driven into the mantle pin to the wall were several messages

neatly printed in pencil which told her own tale dear santi nelly baptize me holy water

Hannah dear santi i want things in my stocking Hannah

dear santi clause i'm a gentile nelly baptize me i'm a gentile catholic c s

Hannah dear santi bring me any nice things you got left would love Hannah

dear santi don't let my mama and papa get mad about you Hannah

elia began to chortle and Hannah stirred in her sleep throwing both chubby arms over her head

clutch tightly in her left hand they saw a rosary of pharmacist colored beads

rose snapped off the light and pushed elia out into the hall

he sat down on the stairs and laughed until he cried the dog gone a little mixery chuckled

a gentile catholic christian scientist is she if she has ever happened to hear anything

about Muhammad believe me she's sleeping with her feet toward mecca right now

rose was weakened silently over the little message don't let my mama and my papa get mad

about you she touched her husband on the shoulder elia what shall we do about it

do he stood up and set his jaw determinedly he spoke just now the fight between the old and

the new generations do you see what we are coming to if we don't concede our child or legitimate

rights she will seek them out and take them by force and never forgive us for withholding them that's

what every child who has ever heard of santa claus has a right to enjoy the met didn't I give

a hundred dollars to the elks and a hundred dollars to the big brothers who were looking after

the empty stockings of the poor children while my own baby he reached the bedroom door and was

kicking off his house slippers elia where are you going downtown to see santa claus if I have

to break open a dozen stores he answered determinedly it seemed that santa claus never having

visited hana before had a mind to make up for lost time and overflowing stocking hung from the

mantle the tree loaded with presents and tinsels stood by her bed without the room were placed

large gifts everything a little girl might wish for hana was gazed she didn't see her mother

and father standing in the doorway of the nursery their arms without each other and smiling

she took that her window until it opened and then called the nellie across the intervening space

he came he came she screamed as a tassel flame colored ed showed at the window opposite

and a brushed by her parents and running to the window nearest Virginia's room

repeated her message then she came back into the nursery still oblivious of mother and father

and stared about in her ecstasy occasion called for some expression of thanksgiving

what could it be the seven-year-old child hasn't words for such a big emotion she could think of

what one thing to do reverently bowing her little bronze head she made the sign of the cross

upside down and out the little mixer by lily and nicklson shearing