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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance, 1917-12-20, Page 8it-telktreetell+itlete. Santa Claus Mistake +++++++14-+-..1-+++++++++4,•+ lo -• I;."1.1 was very early Christmas morning; it would hitY0 been quite dark in the bed- . room if it had not been for the street light outside the window. Side by elde against the wall stood two white beds. In one slept Charlie Kennedy, aged five; in the other, Donald Kennedy, aged seven, lay awake. Froni the foot of each bed Integ a stocking. "It looks likenight out of doors," thought Donald. "But 1 b %eve it is really. morning, and if it is miming I shall just have one peep into my stocking to see what Santa Claus has brought Donald slipped a bare pink foot cautiously out of bed, then the .other followed, and in his blue ancl white staiped pyjamas he erept to the well-filled stocking and emptied the contents on the quilt. In the dim light he could see a ball, a knife, a Chinese puzzle, an orange, and al box of sweets, also a clockwork motor boat. He pat the things carefully back, then looked longingly at his brother's stocking. "I'll just peep at Charlie's. That will be no harm," he thought. - Charlie had much the same as Donald, only in place of the clock- work motor boat, there was a can- non. Donald handled it lovingly. "Santa Claus ought to have known that I mean to be a soldier. He eltould have given me this can- non," he muttered, "Charlie is to be a sailor, so the motor boat would be just: the thing for him, Santa Clause has made a mistake —that's what be has done." • Donald put back Charlie's pres- ents and crept into his warm bed. Ent he could not sleep; he kept thinking of the cannon and the motor boat. "I am mire Santa Claus has made a muddle about us. I shall set things right." . And so saying, Donald got out of . bed once more, . and put Charlie's cannon in his own stock- ing, and gave his :brother .the. motor boat. Having done this, Donald mice more got into bed, and this time he soon went to sleep. It. 'It :was Christmas :Day and. • breakfast -time, Around the break- fast table in the dining -room, decorated with evergreens, sat Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy; Donald and Charlie,. end their sisters, Doris a'and Rose, whilst Uncle. Bob was - . placed between Donald and Charlie to see that they "behaved ' themselves," as he laughingly re- marked. • - As they were all chattering, El- -len, the parlormaid, entered with a tray. On the tray was a letter. "I wonder ;who it is from?" re- raarked Mrs. Kennedy. "I am sure the post has never arrived as early as this on Christmas Day." "It is addressed to Master Don- ald and Master Charlie, and I found: it in the drawing -room grate; •,Ma 'am. It looked. just as if it had fallen down the chim- ney," said Ellen. % "What in,peenliar place for a letter? Do let me see who it's from. Shell .1 read it out to you, boys?" asked his mother. 'Yes, please, mummy,I expect it is from Santa Claus. I dare say he dropped it down the chim- ney in passing," said Donald. Mother -and father smiled at this suggestion, whilst Uncle Bob grin- ned broadly. "Why, it is from Santa Claus, as you said," remarked Mrs..Ken- nedy, looking very surprised. He writes: ' "Dear Donald and Charlie,—A line in great haste to say that I hitere just found I have made .n. mistake about the things I put he your .stockings last night. I did not know before which of you had settled to be the sailor and which the soldier, or I should have given the -presents ,differently. Now I • know, and, to make up, please look * in the •porch, and the box of ,sol- diers you will find there is for the boy who had the moter boat, and -the boxesf sailers for the boy to whom I gave the cannon. I hope this will please you both. I should have loft the soldiers and Sailors in'your bedroom, but it is 'nearly light as I ee-rite this, and 1 ant of a nervone disposition, and &mild not like yon to see nie, ne • I am so shy, e '-`Your laving friend, "Santa Claus." `,I.Ibre thonghtfut of Snnta Clans to write 1" said Mrs, Kett. ndy. "I suppose Dontdd has the motor boat, so will get the box of soldiers; and Charlie has the can- non, so will have the sailors." "No; I have got the motor boat". said Charlie, "Awl Done ald has, the cannon." Donald did not say anything, but he looked very, very solemn. "Oh, Why did I •ehange my motet boat ler the cannon?" he thought. Ie teethed even more mine *till When the parcels -in the porch Were Opened, for the box of sol, diers Was the molt spleeldid one he had ev er eeeu. There were rows and rows of horse and foot soldiers, with shining swords and brightly -painted coats. The sail - Ors were very niee, but nothing came up to soldiers in Donald's eyes', "I think there has been some mistake," said Uncle Bob, notie- ing the piteous expression On his nephew's face, "I had a private talk with Santa Claus, and told hina paetieularly that you were to be the gallant soldierof the .Ken., nedy fainily, and Charlie tlee sailor boy. There has been a mistake somewhere, I am sure." As the hours of Christmas Day went by the Kennedy children, with happy, contented faces play- ed with their new toys—all but Donald, and he looked more and mere soleran, It Was Christmas night, Donald and Charlie were in bed. Charlie was asleep, but Donald lay awake. Presently manly footsteps passed the half -open door. Uncle, uncle—is that you?'' called Donald. "Yes; why aren't you asleep, young man?' "I can't sleep; I am worried, uncle, Please sit on my bed, quite dose to me. I want to con- fide in you." 'Uncle Bob smiled in the dark. "Speak on," he said. "Uncle, you seem to know more about Santa Claus than the rest of us; you are friends with him, aron 't you 7" "Yes; Santa Clans and I make little plans together sometimes. What is the matter?" "Well, it is like this,. I thought that Santa Claus had niade a mis- take when I saw the motor boat in my stocking and the cannon in Charlie's, so I thought I'd put the mistaknright. If I had left them as they were, I should have had the soldiers; and I do want them." "I thought something odd had happened, said Uncle Bob. "Ara other time you must leave Santa -Claus to rectify his own mistakes. I am sorry about the soldiers, but you must be content with the sailors," "I am awake," eame from the other bed. "Donald can have the soldiers. I'd really rather have the sailors, but I did not like to say so," said Charlie. So Donald had the soldiers and Charlie the sailors, and everyone was pleased. And Donald has made up his mind not to interfere with Santa Claus' plans another Christmas. • • 4 ▪ 44-4-••••4 t-•••••-•4-••44-4-•-•-•••• Prophetic These lines were foundamong the pa- pers left by Lieut. Lee Buchanan, B.A., LL.B. They were written in Brigland shortly before he crossed to France. A. few weeks later Ile was killed in action at St. Blot on. April lath, MG.—Toronto U niversal Monthly. A moment now to say "good-bye," The bugles fling their piercing cry; "Fall in, fall in," a thousand feet, Tramp to their places itt tho street. A moment fleet as flash of swords, Time Or a dozen grasping words— "Yet I shall live it o'er and o'er, In silent watch and battle roar. alive rne your hand—end may r choose, A guerdon for the things 1 lose; 'Twould be that from your inmost Mart, My ima.ge may not quite depart. So when In storm, and, dark and cold, A. thousand leagues away we hold Our solemn watch in pits of dread, Where lie entombed the myriad deed. That 1 may hold a solemn faith. That when across your. eyes, a, wraith, My face appears, a. shade of fear, /3rings to your eyes an unshed t tear. That when they' tell a thousand tales Of war, your cheek a little pales. And that you scan with pause of breatlt, The narrow print of deeds and death. For me„and It My name is there, And you should find a record fair, That you will pause and turn aside. And know a more than foolish pride. a SoMe day you'll hear the thrilling strain; "Fall in,'" for those who come again, If I am left on Mender's coast, • For me in echo, tho "Last Post." The moment's past, again good-bye,. The bugles fling their piercing cry, "Fall in, Vall in," a thousand feet, Tramp to their places in tho street. Risboro', lfingland, Tan. 14, 1916. - GIFT ACOESSOR.IES, There are tags. There aro seals. There are. labele. Labels aro gummed. Paper of all. sorts figures. Ribbons and twines are in. var- iety. There is no excuse for the slov- enly parcel, Better a modest gift in minis- ite form than a more expensive one sent "anyhow." First $1. gift should be. wrapped in tissue paper and tied up with gay Christinnesy ribbons. Then eornee the heavy paper, or strong box, covered with paper, which is tied neatly with twine and directed legibly, with :your own addeess up in the left corner. •-•44 • can affozd to watt. --Salmon Chase. -..409wenotvv.tr,-, • :sna, *********100W.~§~1001404404440;004W5140*~§1144 GETTING the SPIRIT Wei*****000***00144440;440001,iatiaitailtditkattlizatetit, 479.ri -qarrr ‘V,Wv, :P•rww CPTV, In7rlwr —1;71Prr OSE ANN shook her head vigorously and surrept itiously drew her hand kerchief from. the folds of her pegetop skirt Not surreptitiously enough, how- ever, to escape the eagle eye of her co-partuer in the notions at the Arcade Dry Goods Emporium, "Why the dew drops, sweet Rosie?" nagged Loretta of the skinkley hazel eyes and smooth auburn braids above her too per- fectly arched brows. "Oh, it's uo use, 'Botta. Hero it is Wednesday, only one more day to shop, and I've got no more Christmas spirit than a burned out fire 'cracker, What's ailing me? I've done without lunch the last week, trying to get it. Not a tingle down my spine, net a thrill when I see an ' express wagon. I've shopped my usual nickel's worth when the crowds were thiekeet, and I've done every- thing but write a letter to Santa Claus. It might as well. be Decor- ation Day for all the 'excitement ean gather." "Forget it, Rose Ann," said Lo- retta, shifting her Spearmint from bicuspid to molar somewhere in the rear. "Oh.," she added, see- ing Rose Ann's hopeless expres- sion, "go out and fell a pine or something. Get up a cantata, talk the weather man out of a snow- flake. Hurry up, let's cover up these counters and beat it, There's the gong, and I've got a lead -pipe eincli on a table de hoty dinner with Mr. Fister to -night." With leaden hands Rose Ann helped the nimble -fingered Loret- ta spread the drab gray covers over the notions. If one only worked in anything but nations at Christmastime. Nobody bought 'em; if they did, one 'could never guess what they might be making. In ribbons or laces one might get lots of new ideas. and even sug- gest a few to the interested buyer. But supporters and hooks and eyes, and hairpins andtape! Noth- ing red but elastic; nothing Christ- masy but the dusty red bells, and artificial holly festoonecfl above the tables. sharp orden3.; at her absolute lank - of spirit. - She could not bring herself to look at the "poor -but -honest," • Site could not let him see that she was calm and ,spiritless at this time of all the year. Again she forfeited her lunch to dash out into the cold, stinging air; to mingle with the gay, hurried throngs. But she came back at one -thirty a little disheveled, with one or two last-minute gifts, and —no spirit. The afternoon seemed eons long. When at seven o'clock the last shift came on for the Christmas eve rush, Rose Ann took off her black apron reluctantly. As site stooped to recover her pencil, Loretta remarked in no unkindly tone, "Even lookin' on the floor for your spirit, me little Rosie? Say, take a little more stock in things level with your eyes, and don't intensify so on the spirit, up or down! 'You'll find it sure. as soon as you stop lookin' for it. Merry Christmas,. Rose Ann, G 'night. " Rose Ann hurried home to help her mother estimate some remem- brances for the washwoman's chil- dren, The two of them made pop- corn balls, and gingerbread men withlunny faces; filled stockings with candy and trinkets, and wrote rhymes for each child's Mother Goose book, Rose Ann's eyes glistened and her hair tum- bled in riotous curls on her tem- ples. At length they finished the baskets of childish, sweet gifts for the kiddies, and Rose Ann open- ed the box couch and brought forth her unwrapped gifts. Her heart dragged; her mouth droop- ed. For fear her mother would notice her change or humor, she snatched up a sweater and ran onto the back porch. steps. For a, while she sat with chin in hand, -lancing first into one lighted win- dow and then another across the alleyway. . Suddenly she jumped up, catch- ing the post, strained her eyes across the darkness into a room in the opposite house. She brushed her hand across her forehead, and looked again. There in his second floor rear stood the "poor -but - honest," struggling with an awk- ward package on a table. Ile tried first one way and then an- other, then gave it up, clutching his hair, and tangling yards of red ribbon in his despair. Rose Ann had a wild. moment of indecision. Then, dashing into the house, she pretended a myster- though he traversed the aisle of- tener than his duties demanded. bus errand to her mother, and rushed out sped down the walk and knocked at the front door corresponding to the back window above. For a. brief moment her heart pounded and. she then& she meet run home. 13nt 0 'er .she could suit the action to the thought, the front door was thrown open, and there stood the "poor -but -honest." • "Er—well—oh," gasped Rose Ann, "I didn't know you lived here until I saw you from my back steps, and somehow, all of a sud- den, I just had t� come show you how to tie up that package. And sorry—T—that I haven't look- ed at you, and—oh, let's go fix up the Christmas package." And then the "poor -but -hon- est," because he wasn't poor in the real sense, and because he was eery honest, did not mince 'mat - tem He let her tie up the pack- age very carefully, because next morning it was to be for her. And he went home with her through In the tiny \cloak room Loretta adjusted her lace veil over a green toque, and fastened her flowing jabot with a rhinestone bar pin. "Sorry I can't wait, Rose Ann. But I promised Mr. Fister I'd meet him at six sharp. Anyway, think the new shoe department head would cherish a walk home with you. G'night." With which parting shot Lo- retta waltzed out of the room on her way to a real dinner. Rose Ann pulled her sailor down over her brown curls with trembling ha,nds. How did Loretta know the new head man in shoes had .even looked at her? 'Twits true., he had spoken to her once or twice, and he eometimes came down on the same ear with her, but as to his attentions warrant- ing an open jibe from Loretta— never! With head held high sha walked from the store with eyes to the front. She might have saved herself the trouble, for the new "poor but honest" as Loretta had dubbed him, was enroute home. For blocks Rose Ana walked, darting between package -laden pedestrians, pressing her nose to shop windows, even venturing into some particularly gay places in quest of her earnestly sought Christmas spirit. Arrived home, she explained her lateness to her mother by pleading a- headache, and the need of 'fresh air and a w al k. Long after her mother was asleep Rose Ann addressed her Christmas -cards and cut tissue paper for her simple little gifts. Finally she threw down the scis- sors.. her fingers wouldn't tie perky bows, her gifts all looked commonplace. She dumped the lot into the box -couch and dropped off to sleep., with a troubled heart. Was she growing old at twenty-three? No, that eouldn't be it—people at sev- enty-five still had Christmas spirit when they were supposed to. Was she ill? No, not when she could eat seven .hot rolls for dinner. The next morning found. her no nearer a solution.. But she was a normal girl, and site loved her mother dearly, and the sun was shining, So for the time she smil- ed and was happy. -But nee in the whirl of shoppers she was again disturbed at the lethargic panner in which she executed ••••••••*1.4.4 •••••••••• • anti•••••••••,.. .4o to. • .aram••••••••••••••••• ii•••••16, ••••• •••••••••*••••,..a.o.p*goariparol...0 ....wait*. .losma.....••••••hor Old Christmas Portents „, If you will go to the crossroads be. tween eleven and twelve on Chrloonae night you will hear whet moat eon. cerns you in the coming year, If on Christinaa Nye you make a little hoap of salt on the table, and It melts over night, you will din the next year; if, in the morning it rentaiumn. diminished, you. Will live. if ea sbirt beSpun, Wfrven and sew. ed by a pure, chaste maiden on Christ. ma s Day, it will be MU against lead o steel If you are born et starmon time ou Chriatrants morning you can see spir• Its. It you burn elder on Christinai EVO you 'will have revealed to you all the witches and sorcerers of the neighbor. hood. If you era a raw egg on Christmas mottling, fasting, you can carry heavy weights. it is tmluCky to carry anything forth front the house on Ohristmas morning until something hat been brought into it. If tho fire buns brightly 6A ehrist. Inal; morning It 1;001sens arotaertty; If it tonOulders, daVeriltr. 0••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• the still cold night, and let her tell him how she had suddenly "got- ten the spirit," by wanting to help somebody else. "That' the whole secret," she said happily. "I was too intent on doing Wags for Myself, To -night I had a real thrill, when I was helping mother fix the poor kiddies' baskets, Then when I came to my own thought —over gifts, .my heart eank again, and I had to go out and make myself get over it. Then I saw you struggling over that maze of ribbon, and the spirit came over me in a flood; and—,' They reached the steps. He took her face between his hands. "Was it only the holiday spirit, Rose Ann, my dearest," Her radiant ages answered his tgureosptily.one'er her lips could frame i In the distance the Christmas carolers were singing that sweet- est of Christmas songs: "It Came Upon the Midnight ClearN At ide ' 1.176meCoining (By Charles McCabe.) 4-4-4-4-4+444-4-•-•-4-4-04÷44-44 40 The club looked just the very thing Gerald Mannersley was craving for -- a sense of home. A few lines read accidentally in art out-of-date newspaper had made him restless with longing for the old scenes. And so he had traveled twO days and nights in a sleeper, vaguely connecting his journey's end with all the love and friendship hie starved nature was demanding. When he arrived at his old club on a chill, grey Christmas morning, it Was only to find that fifteen years' silent absence had been too severe a test for friendship. The place was empty of all but servants, and they wore strange, unwelcome faces. He stood at the club window, look- ing out in the desolate, deserted - street which he had always remem- bered as being thronged, and a great sadness swept over nim. This was not what he wanted. From his pocket he drew out the scrap of paper whin had really brought him so many miles, and looked at it bit- terly. It was only a death announce- ment cut from a paper of a year ago, and ran in the usual way --"Michael Townley, at his residence," etc. In fancy he saw a sweet-ineed maiden, who sought her happiness on- ly in the eyes of the youth by her side. There were joybells there, too, as they left the church with the fragrance of mutual love about them. The bells pealed on outside, antt willing fancy led him still further into the realm of "might have been." In an instant he made up his mind to visit once more The old-fashioned cottage not many miles away, to which he had hoped fifteen years bo- fore only added to his loneliness and -n- flea:: to take a bride. He would go and see it, even if its neglected co Two hours later he was striding through the crisp country air along a winding path which 'led to a ramb- ling, ivy-covered cottage. As the last turn brought him in sight of the house he stopped in sur- prise, He had expected to see dirt. ruln ancl " ed upon a trim, well-kcpt cottage, and a soft crooning song in a voice which reawakened the tender memories of long ago, came floating through the unlatched door.' Half believing that it must be fancy leading him still,. he entered the hone() softly, and following the voice went into the inner room, and stood in the glow of the warm firelight. The sweet, tired -faced, middle-aged singer turned as his shadow fell zeross the light, and then stood white and trenibling. "Gerald!" ;he whispered. "Gerald have you come to reproach me? Net to-day1 Not to -day" - The strong man's voiee broke as he held out his arms, "Nance" he cried, joyfully. In a moment she was crushed, sob- bing, to his reast. "Oh, Gerald, is it really you? God Is very good. I thought you must be dead." ••••?••••••••••••••=•arrrItsw•a•••=1••••••• •• eheereageeres All morns may be like Christmas morn To him who looks for them, And daily is the Christ , Child born In some new Bethlehem. Who walks with faith and quiet will Through unknown ways and dim, Who keeps his heart a child's heart, st:11 The Christ Child dwells with him. For him the heavens aro made anew. Lit by a guiding star, With singing angels surging through From hierarchs afar, A new earth at his feet shall spring, With love and life astir; With shepherdand wise kings evIto brio Gold, frankincense and myrrh. His ears shall hear, his eyes shall see The angels and the kings, If but his heart a manger be Where Love her beet -born brings. —ROBERT anannT WELSH, 4 11 • • flOr several momeate they stood thus, the strong Man's team falling on her gray tinged hair, Thfln gently Milted her into uOW. "You are not alone?" he asked, at his eyes caught sight a a little table laid for two, daintilly spread with Christmas fare. "Yes," she answered. "1 ant quite alone. 1 have often co;no down here." "But you, are expecting some- body?" he said, calling attention to the table. She flushed prettily, looking almost as min; as she had in his dreams et the morning, as she replied: tie was expecting you, eteraid." „He smiled happily at her; then the smile faded, and he sighed as he sank into a chair, "This is all foolishness, Nance," ha said, sadly, "You could not live hore In the old days, you could do so less now, and 1 could not live here on an- other man thousands." A smile hovered over the woman's face as she flitted here and there. busily preparing things for a meal, Then she slipped behind a chair, and leaning over whispered with burning cheeks: 'Perhaps you do not know, Gerald, that 111' T I ' Y goes ack to his family if --if I marry again." The man sprang to his feet and to his family If I marry again." "It 19 not too late,".he erod. "Wq are still young. Will you let me try to make you happy?" Her answer was drowned in- the burst of Christmas bells that pealed Ifrom the village church close by. But he did not need her Words; he could see her eyes. AEROPLANE PROGRESS. Boat Body Machines Do Not Rake the Air Like Harrows. The one unmistakable improve - went which has been adopted for aeroplanes ie a boatlike body in which the aviator sits. No longer does he perch on the lower wing or a biplane and, watch,the earth drift back between his legs. The boat body was adopted npt to spare his emotions or shield his body film ,the wind, but to en- able the machine to plow on with the least possible disturbance cif the air. Each piano, each strut, each projection, leaves a wake ot its own. A single wake, which marks the easy flowing together of air behind a single body, is better. The modern aeroplaneap- proaches this ideal; the' old ma- chine raked the air like a harrow. I That change in form we owe to the 6cientist and. his laborator;),. Ho measured the resisting. °fleet of wires vibrating in the wind, of braces, of fuel tanks, of radiators ticl of human legs hnd arms. He tound that the sum total was en- ormous. The aeroplane builder w:ts compelled to abandon his cherished idea that to obtain speed aslittle surface and bulk as possible should be exposed. He has learned from the scientist that a large, correctly designed bulk inelosiug passengers, 'en- gines, stecrui,g wheels and tanks slips through the air inore easily than an -aggregation of small, ir- ; regular shapes widely scattered. o 1 dr FOR THE GHRISMAS TREE. Make your Christmas free orna- ' ments. Get ready plenty of glittering things. String popecru, cranberries and gilt paper balls. - Cut iive-pointed stars of card- board, and cover with gilt paper Make tiny paper dolls and dress itaheeem like fairies to hano on the Use White popcorn freely on the tree ; with pin attach a sinoic piece of popcorn to the tip of each branch or twig. It takes a little time, but repays the effort, giving the tree a beautiful snow -rusted appearance. Little peanut do;is dressed in gay colors make good tree orna- ments. Use yellow tartetan or netting • to make small bags and fill the bags with popeore. Pink ancl white popcorn, wi.rect in different hapes, is very niee for the Chrietmas tree. 1 • .4 4 yy Christmas Trees ++++++4 -.4 -ort 4-+ +++4e +4 +++4+1 I From Time Immemorial Part of the Holiday Oelebr,ation, •"1•141••••••••••••• From time immemorial a tree has been a part of the Christmas eelebration, it may be seen out- side the traditional mange's itt the missals and early paintings of the preraphaelite Italian seheol.. In the tree or near it are seen Aarlg(42 in flowing robes singing out of • .scroll of illuminated paper the ; "Peace on Earth end Good Will !Toward Men" or "Glory, Glory, Halleluiah!" IThe eorreet ,German Christmas ; tree always has an angel or a Christkind on the topmost braneh, , with a tilled star at the end of a staff, like a pantomime fairy, and if the tree belongs.to a very ortha dOk family there is usually at its foot a smalltop group represent- ing the Saviour's birth in th,: stable of Bethlehem. The lights on the tree are saik' to be of Jewish origin. In thv ninth month of the Jewish year, corresponding nearly to our De- cem.ber, and on the twenty-fiftl! day, the Jews celebrated the fensi of dedication -of their temple. 11 had been desecrated ott that dae by Antiochus. It was dedicate(' by. Judas lfacenbeue, and then, ee ! cording to the jewish legend, M- I ficient oil was found in the tompla ! to last for the seven beam:lied candlestick for seven day, and it I would have taken seven days to I prepare new oil. Accordingly the jaws were wont on the 25th el Kisleu in every house to light e candle, on the 'next day two, and so on till on the seventh and las tdayinkl•tilitie evfeast seven candle: w ery house. It is not easy ro fix the exact date of tho Nntivity, but it fell most probably en the last day of Kisleu, when every ;lowish house in Bethlehem and jerusalein was twinkling with lights. 1 t is worthy of notice that the German name for Christmas is Weiheacht (the night of dedication), as though it were associated with this feast. The Greeks also call Christmas the feast of lights, and, indeed, this was else the name given to the clexcpliie.easts. io.n festival, Chanuka, by the JeW-- 53. --New York Mail and s ' Popular Yokes. The most popular joke which has been published in any lan- guage in the history of the world is slatted to be that which appear- ed in en abscure corner of the Punch almanac for 1845, It read: "...Wein to persons about to niarry—Don II" it would be hi- teresting 16 know who was its author. Another, founded on a sirriiiar subject. was the "Advice to persons who have 'fallen in love —Ian out 1 ' Orte of the most brilliant things that ever ap neared in our contemporary was tbe Ivicif dialogue between an (miring child and his impatient parent "Whet is mind?" "No matter," " What is matter?'' "Never mind !"---Westminster Gazette, SMARTEST DRESS LINES. High collars. Draped sashes. Long tight sleeves. Suggestions of the Redingoto Princess front that belted back. IIINNER WEAR. It may be diaphanous, With it east: prolonged to a train. ..4nal sleeves that aro winged and r teeefula •rhe baci . of the neck should be chastely high. but the trent may be quite, oh, quite abstut! Sir John Lubbock said that ants re - Cognise each other, not by sight, but ber smell, and Sir John knew as much about ants as any man Of kis day. A Yuletide Tragedy When. Josiah Gibbs found that his wife "had it in for him," as he called it, and had bought hini a box of cigars for hie Christmas peesent he grew wise and, With apparent sorrow, seid to her isn't it too bad, my level 1 discovered that cigar smoking was beeoming so injurious to me that 1 have quit it and have to eon - tent myself with a few NOUN now and then en my pipe with mild to- baeeo. Now, isn't it too bad!" '`I'm so sorry, dear saki Josiah Gibbs' wife. "Bat your Mende will enjoy ahena'and I not sure Chet will plense you," albite smiled griinly and, as his wife departed, winked knowingly at himself in the looking glass. And when he saw his friend Joe Spieer he toid him how he had escaped his wife's Christmas eigars--joe f.;_ipicer, the best judga, of a good cigar that over hit off the end of a two -for -a -half. And joo smiled primly, too. Iint every time Joe Spieer ealled et Gibbs', which was often—he was an old friend of Gibbs—be smoked one or mere of. Josiah's wife's Christmas cigars. "Gallant and diplomatic of you, old man I" Gibbs would sty to Spicer on opportunity And smile his knowing eieile. Ain't joe woulIl emile hie. And by and by the cigars were all smoked by Spicer, and Gibbs' wife Was led to say to Gibbs: "It's just a perteet shame, Jos- iah, that you couldn't take any pleasure in thoee cigars and that your friend Spicer should have had them all." At which Josiah smiled his knowing smile and sitid "Oh, well, my love, never nand, joe seemed to enjoy them," " Yes, indeed!" saki Josiah's wife, evIty shouldn't he?" Which made josiah emile mere and more and teltnoet euekie. But he snit! nothing. "Yes, indeed," repeated Mrs. Gibbs, why shouldn't he? you lamw, Josiah, you told me that a woman ahOuld TrinCV choose cigars fur a Christmas present to her husband. As a wontan knows noth., ing about their guilty, so I asked doe Spieer, having heard yon say often what an exeelleet judge oe a cigar he was, to viva a box for me—the best he eould get—and he did, and''— Josiah Gibbe had instant busi- ness down at the office, where he tore, his hair and flung his pipe and tobacco out of the window. .And he 'weed Joe Spieer without bowing and with late wieg Ate& Dilt :roe ••.:'!". were his Brow»rrig s . • 1 AOME MA E TOYS It the chdareit make toe's. The home-made toys Are attar:We Children eau make toys to .givo to others. Get together some boxes, wire spools and toothpieks, • In addition have some construe - Lion paper, Paste and cardboard. Dolls cart be made front eveeye thing, ineluding clothespins and bottles. The clothespin doll is easily uade, with paper pants and -Twice-cap ou his head. Children can easily make Lk 'bottle baby," tying to the bottle •ieek a stuffed white ball for a. head, A. trolley car is made from an tbloun. box, using spools for wheers and cardboard extensions. Pripet' boats and caps are simple oys which children love to make •tud can do successfully. Toy furniture is easily made, its., ng some stiff paper, with scissor I cut the forms. . - Sleds are made by folding and !rifting paperor cardboard, and ables are readily eat out. The larger children can attempt .nore elaborate toys. such as dolt louses, merryzo-rounds, etc. A beautiful doll house is made nside a large pasteboard box, par- itioned off in rooms. The furniture, all made of lapel!, is appropriate to each room, ncluditig .beds, bureau e and even t piano. . Big ribbon bolts are handy for flaking wagoos; the body of the vagon Tieing it box and the rib- .= bolts • are the eheels. A boy will like to Make a loeo- notive ; in this he will use a card- eoard cylinder for the boiler and t smaller -one set on the end for he front part; spools serve as vheels and a tender may be et - ached. The merry-go:grounds can be lade by children using cardboard lisks and wire; small wooden Noah's aek) animals (on which o give the doll a ride) may be aetened on by tiny tacks. THE REINDEER. Jpon a starlit night, The best of horn and hoof, Ight noble reindeer stood : And stamped upon a roof. I. sudden shot raug out, A shot that fatal sped. lit in a mortal spot— Down fell the eight deer dead. 3eneath the snow spread roof A man in ruthless cause Cad told a little boy There was no Santa, Claus. • rnd after they were killed Throughout his life's long grind rhe little boy saw not Another of their kind. Vhereof the moral lies: In sport's fair playing name 'ray let December be Close season for tb.e game. —New York Times. CHRISTMAS CARDS, W. A. Dobson, It is Claim- ed, Was Their Originator. Until now most people who took in interest in the matter would tave credited either the late Sir eienry Cole or J. C. Horsley, R.A.., erith the production of the first eltrietmas card, and they would. lave put the date down as 1846. Int a new- clahnaut is now put 'orward, the late W. A. Dobson, and his claim is supported -vith circumstantial detail. The birth of the Christmas card S put back two years, to 1884. Mr. dobson wes a louely young man, xlit) ono day . conceived the idea cf acknowledging the kindness of a riend by sending him a picture Ilnstrative of the festive season -- e cheerful family group surround- ..;t(,Issbifv-it:t511.e familiar Christmas ae- . The distant ,friend was delight- ed, showed it to other friends, and DOblon was encouraged •tho ellowing year to secure the aid at the local lithographer. Then awn,. imitators 0110 after another until ten years later the businese man stepped in to make money out Jt' what was originally a work of love. But the ambitions Christ - men cards of to -day are a long re- move from the primitive Father illirtstosses and Robin Racad=' breast3 of eixty years ago,—Lon- don Chronicle. • ••• • ••• • • • • v.. Keen Observation. "%eve you .evee bad any exotriente itt bat.Oliiiir ltigh OttlaS wino?" asked. the Gooier in mid -a -brae of an noutleatit•fce v.ork. t:t." xca.) the replY, "but think can do it. ".Suppose." Paid the dealer, "You Ike- eleendy. brolie a 'C37 Valuable porcell'.11 Vero west titti.i Vett dill" '1 ihu1d »tit it earefully tovtlier," rte. 14.e.i The mail, "rued spt it WhAre 4. V' en :1) r CULit 5.M' woutd be sure to knock it over again."'Vont:bat youreelf enganed," teald 'Um dealcr. "Now, tell Ino whete you learn- ed that twit et the trade.' "A 'few 305re aryl," answered the -etlt- was ppe rat the 'wealthy .cneia toraf4' 'a-NM:burg Pont. •InShen the Mare gtv." qr.oteal the Wloe Cny. "fiure," atteent. d the Sinvle 'lin. "Yon aril tan 1? -1 ntnomb1.. t ?hOt." Ni:83 An:'.,que-4 rto togee') f. Wing rtd. Mi4 Canoti(tno -Yeti, 11 gisil You it) epnettliTet, tet lrff- e Or it for Mat.