A Christmas in Princeton: Not Too Long Ago

By Karen M. Caes and Charles J. Caes

A Christmas in Princeton

A Christmas in Princeton, is about holly, carols, and joy, but it also celebrates the very reasons for Christmas and its colorful traditions. It is a touching tale of friendship and inspiration, and the mysterious way in which giving can transform the giver. It is a breezy, little tale about the meaning and history of Christmas, and it is full of unexpected thoughtfulness and wisdom for young and old.

Tom Cooper is a young lad obsessed with getting whatever he wants. Not only is he self-centered in all his pursuits but he never reflects on the magic inherent in the world around him. That is, until one very special holiday season when a twist of fate brings him to the door of a rickety old shack. It serves as the home of a reclusive old gent who lives the most spartan existence. A friendship develops, and one that brings about a deep and lasting change in Tom. But Tom never fully understands what has happened to him until many years pass and the shack and its habitant are long gone.

Though this story was inspired by an old gentleman whose church provided him with a humble dwelling for his remaining years, the names of individuals and places have been changed, and unconnected events have been intertwined to weave the story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 16, 2008
• ISBN: 9781462822577

Karen M. Caes

Karen Caes lives in Warrenton, Virginia, with her husband, Charles. Having raised two children and now delighting in the role of being a grandmother, she knows well of the magic of Christmas for young and old, and its traditions. She has teamed with Charles to share this little story with others. Charles J. Caes is the author of books and articles on science, religion, and investment. He is also the author of Seven Hundred Years to Bethlehem: The Story of the Magi and the Birth of Jesus of Nazareth to be published through Xlibris.

Book preview

A CHRISTMAS IN

PRINCETON

Not Too Long Ago

Karen M. Caes

and

Charles J. Caes

Copyright © 2008 by Karen M. Caes and Charles J. Caes.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

48723

Contents

Chapter 1

Tom and His Friends

Chapter 2

Old Mr. Hoffman

Chapter 3

Warmth and Friendship

Chapter 4

The Excitement of Giving

Chapter 5

Christmas Eve

Chapter 6

Christmas Day

Chapter 7

A Smile from Father John

Chapter 8

Ten Years After

This little story is dedicated with love and affection

to our son, Stephen,

to our daughter, Pamela,

to our son-in-law, Michael,

and to our granddaughter, Caitlin

Chapter 1

Tom and His Friends

On the corner of Nassau Street and Palmer Square, in the quaint college town of Princeton, New Jersey, there is a metal sculpture of a man reading a book. It was here, just three days before Christmas some years ago, that eleven-year-old Tom Cooper met with his two best friends Edward Shakopee and Maria Sanchez. He was chairing the first meeting of their newly formed savings club. Tom thought this first meeting should be in a place of significance. As he had no money to rent a famous building, or bargain for a room at the university across the street, he thought gathering around the metal sculpture would provide a symbolic and memorable backdrop. This was an important undertaking for him, this little savings club, because, like always, he had a very special agenda. And it had to do with getting something he wanted. Like always.

But what if it snows? What if it rains? Maria asked. She was always asking questions, always worried about doing the right thing at the right time. As she spoke, she held out her hands, her open palms pointing skyward to catch—surprise!—a few drops of snow. Watching the flakes touch her skin and melt away, she cried out rather delightfully that there just might be snow for Christmas.

In the case of rain or snow, Maria, we will meet in the library, Tom answered.

And what if the library is closed? Edward asked.

Tom thought for a moment. Then we can meet at the Thomas Sweet Ice Cream and Chocolate shop.

Everyone liked that idea!

It was Tom’s proposal that the club would recruit as many members as possible. All through the school year, they would collect the money each had saved from their allowance and put it in the bank, maybe one day having enough to invest and make billions. Not merely millions, but billions!

It will help us save if we all do it together! Tom emphasized. Because my dad said money makes money.

Maybe we can become lawyers, Maria suggested.

We can’t do that by next Christmas, Tom cried out. Be real, Maria!

You have to go to school and more school—and pay lots of tuition and everything like that, Edward reminded.

None of their ideas sounded quite right at this time, so they decided they should each go home and give serious thought to an answer to their dilemma. On the next day, because snow was forecast, they decided they would meet at the Ice Cream and Chocolate shop to share their ideas.

The meeting is now over, Tom declared when their business was finished.

In a quick burst of speed, called a jump in cycle language, Tom led them down Nassau Street toward Cherry Street. Edward followed, and right behind him was Maria. They were all excited about their new Christmas club—and excited also about the large flakes of snow that were beginning to stick on the ground.

Snow, snow, snow! Tom cried out, saying it louder each time as he