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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExeter Advocate, 1913-10-18, Page 3Tr, Lr ONED TO Sian I. It w, ,an,<114nfasliiaued Ohristmae season=^ -bet nob in the accepted inanne;r oaf the term. Old-fashion- ed, becagee the streets were ear - voted wiela, ar-voted<rvith the 'inevitable inch' of mud; beeonee the air was damp axed ,caw, instead of being crisp and biting Because u drab mantle of wet mist hung over the city like tV ;shroud, breathing contempt on the frosted Christmas -carols in the shop evindows. So the brass plate that heralded a suite of offices .in Fore Street; hung with crystal beads of utoisture, and seemed to weep as though it knew of the little tragedy passing hi the top -floor attic: A woman lay there in a low, scantily -covered •bed, and the drawn ,cheeks and •transparent hands spoke of poverty and illness. In her eyes a light burned strange- ly 'bright -aa light that spoke , But death the little boy did not understand. ` He knew his mother to be ill, very ill, and his heart went out in childish love and sym- pathy. Ho almost .felt" the pain when he saw her eyes and lips close tightly, and heard the groan she tried in vain- to suppress. • He bent over her, concern in his wide, blue eyes. "Does you want your, beef -tea now mtufn10 be whispered. '<It's all. gone, dearie," She said. "tut .the: doctor said you woticd- m't get butter if you didn't have !beef -tea. . . And jelly; and cus •card,'' he added thoughtfully. "Mother hasn't any more. The, doctor didn'tknow that,"she told hispiratiou, Hie eyee grew wide with a great resolve. "I know!" he whispered to him- self, "x• knew.?" His mother was lying gaite still, and the gentle heaving of l>:er breast was almost perceptible. Gently lie tucked her up., Even the patchwo;ak valence was lifted up and wedged tightly, Then he tiptoed softly out of the roore, and down the steep, woe (to n stairs to the concrete passage of the fourth ..floor,. From ari' officeatethe encu came.. the spasznoctie' eliGlcing .of a -type-. writer. The other,chaanbers were deserted, Into one of the empty el- hoes the libtle boy stole quietly, glancing round, chil•dlilke, with un- necessary 'apprehension. Just inside the office -wee a wall telephone, and for some minutes ties eyed it with the eircumspectioe due town infernal machine. His mother had told him about that wonderful. thing once, and how it helped you to talk 'to 'anyone you liked. He.. had heard people speaking into it,. and had a child'snotion of the cor- rect procedure.. orrect'procedure.. With difficulty he carried an office stool to the spot,, and ,clambered up abreast of the mouthpiece, Then he took offthe receiver, and placed it tai his ear. -"Number, please !" For sr moment he was flabbergast- ed, He'd forgotten that a number was required. Then came to hina the recollection of alesson his Mo- ther had taught him. "Number, please !" What a sharp, nasty' voice For weeks -even months—she had felt the illness gathering' about her ; but she had worked on. People who rent off;.•oes are inclined to re- gard a caretaker a machine for keeping rooms clean. It seemed cruelly ironic that she had kept up until just before O'hristmas, Then came a burning fever, and only partial consciousness. The doctor had been called in. He ordered ,rest, and nourishment—the latter with a doctor's thoughtless - peas. That her weekly pittance was Inadequate to the slightest' luxury did not come within . his juriedic- tion. His business was to -diagnose and prescribe. "Mum," Ouriy said presently, 'why ain't you got a daddy?" The question startled her for . a moment. - .. "You're a little cha,tterbox," she parried. "Why ain't we got a daddy like other boys and muvyers ?" he per- sisted. `Your daddy has gone away," she said softly. "And can't -he come .back?" "No. That is, I don't think so. Now mother wants to have a nap. She closed her .eyes, . but not . to sleep. It had been almost a. come- dy that had parted them of pride and lack of humor had not turned it into a tragedy. He •was sensitive , and passionate, and, cursed with a sharp tongue, she had held the power to wound, hint. The quarrel arose from she could' hardly re- member ; but she had, said bitter things, and in his pas.3ion he had ,.struck her. Pride and folly had done the rest. She left him, taking her baby with her. In five -years• &he had not heard. from him nor seen him; but _.the bitterness had long since gone from her heart, 1ea-ving only pride and a dull aching. The, memory of it brought a pain more intense than the physical agony of her illness. It Wets mere than she 'could bear. Shp drifted into ei sleep 'bhab as half coma. The little • boy watched his mo- ther in silence. Her face was be- coming 'dimmer and dimmer ; he saw her as through a deepening mist. Something hot fell on his cheek, and tickled him as it ran down to his •chin. Then he drew his hand across his eyes. That was- n't a boy's' business. was. "One, two, three, four, piped. "One,„ two, three, four what ?I - Central?” .N What that meant he'd not the faintest notion; but something had got to be done. • °Yes,please," he said, with mouth pressed. octose to the instru= ment. And then, with fluttering heart he listened. it he IL Sir James Lancaster, M.P., Sher iff of the City of London, sat at hie desk, and chewed on the end of his cigar in it, manner that did not indicate the best of tempers.. That a rushof business should require his presence at the. office on the dray before Christmas Five was dis- tinctly annn3.ing., It wasn't in the nature of the man, 'however, to respect his own oonv''enience. Through ,steady ap- plication to work he had built. up a huge business, though some ` saw the secret of his success in the fact. that he knew by name every unit in the concern. Only this morning he had himself interviewed half a dozen odd hands for the Christmas pressure. Should any one of them prove possessed of capabilities be- yond those of odd hands, Lancaster would know it. _ the telephone -bell` rang for twentieth time that . morning. He snatched up the receiver im- patiently. "Hallo? What's that? Am I' what?" His voice became sudden- ly incredulous. "Am I 'Father •Christmasi" It was 'a little piping voice, ob- viously. not that of au adult. A twinkle .sprang into the great man's eyes. "Yes, I'.m Santa Claus," he said, in a softer voice. "Do I keep beef -tea -and grapes --and. custard 1 Here, hold en, lit- tle roan—one at a time. Now 1 "Can I bring your mummy some beef -tea and things? Why,' yes, I expect so." Heavens, what an 'experience 1 The sheriff's face lit Up at the thought of it. "But how big's'yoti.r chimney?" he said, very seriously, "Where do you live? "What's that? You've got a big chimney? Oh, good 1 -But where- abouts is your house ? Eh? Three hundred and sixty-two, Fore Street, 'City? Right you are. 1 won't for- get- you.', Be leaned back* in his chair, and gave vent to a prolonged chuckle. Then he listened again intently. This was no; joke, The little voice was`in deadly earnest. "Bring back your daddy?" re- peated thc•M.P. softly. ' "That's. rather a tall order for Father Christmas, spiy. What's happen- ed to hhe 1" For ,sone minutes he listened in silence, "What's your rnttmmy's name i" SACRED IMAGE OF THE CHRIST CHILD SHOWN AT CHRISTMAS, their medicinal properties; but love ie the finest healer, and there was new life in the sick woman's face as she sat with those she lov- ed in the firelight. "By the wcy, I'vo a letter for you,,,- Arthur Coleridge raid to the "man" en his knee. "Ws from someone you know," Curly took the letter, and open- ed it impetuously, With ;;ome as sistance be enelb it out. It earl "Dear Chick,—I am sending- along somne of the thing you ask- ed for, including your daddy: But I haven't dens; with you yet. Hang This sacred bambino, or image of the Christ child, is in the church of Ara Coeli in Rome. It is broughtout to public view every Christmas season and is literally covered with valuable jewels, the gifts of devout Christians. 410 Y4 ,, The rleus reS '1'I�at.A;ttts 4 Cliving In rilIaocss. Queen Victoria made a p-r,aGtdk®t of personally' choosing every eisYg'ler Ch ristmee, gift, „ which she 'Mode' to relations or friends, ,and. Queen Mary keepe bo the came eastoms Ai May easily he -supposed, such zw $er-. • 10c04n is no light' task, for there are not only. her. own Children, her friends, and her ,servants to be thought of, bet any hanhber of Con- tineiital Royalties, little ,and beg. .Even Lite younger ehildren of ,our up your stocking to• -morrow night, hug a'ed Queen are getting beyond and don't leave the fire -irons in the ago for the eon soldiers, model the fender.—With love and hisses, .caries, a334 picture -books which your old friend, were: their joy a few years ago. But Father Christmas," the Prince of Wales has been heard. Twice the Child spelt out the let- to eay that be never hada, mare de- ter carefully. Then, looking up at lightful Christmas gift than one'. his mother witiz a smile of con- given him six years ago by his late fidence he tucked it in his pocket. grandfa;t�her,, Loudon Answers: This was an amts' nest in a glass. box. He epent hours watching. the ICING 'i'lIE CARE. busy in sects and their curious ways acct habits, • Books delight the heart of , the Hero Is One Recipe Very C1om on 1?rin,cess Maryr, and she gets any ly Used by Confectioners. number each Christnhasteide. The Christmas cake should be From the Ruesi,an Court our kept in a tin box, .all ready for 3..unger. Royalties receive the Tenet ioin.g, until e few claya before it is magnificent -ben-bane wtioli •can be to be out. found anywhere. They are special The following, reo pe is the one ly imenufacturerd for the Tsar by a very commonly used by confection- Parisian fire, and ran` be obtained era for icing their cakes ; nowhere else, Take two pounds of good icing The Tear, toe, knows more about sugar --which- first eat' ; to free from! good tobacco than a,ny living mon- all lumps—five or six whites of arch, and the cigars which, he gives eggs, according to size, and half a at Christmas are justly appreciated teaspoonful ' of lesion -juice. Put by the, lucky recipients. the egg-whites in an earthenware Every Christnmas"a'splendid pluam- basin, , and add the .sugar to them, pudding, with other old English a llbble at a time; stir until 'quite Chrietinas delicacies, leaves Wind - hen .add the lemon- sor for the Court of Potsdam, a.cd smoodz, and then i juice. After this beat the mixture at the same tune a boar's head, vrgorouy sl > with a wooden spoon. usually from an animal shot by the. until. quitelight and ,stiff, r Before icing the Bake ,See that it is: tool==about nothing. That's all; a good shape and quite level. If it, '•had tel- practical He' d t laugh; but there Not quite all,"Lancaster to trim, ie. stand tl I have reason to h h is a trifle smaller d first. he suspec c a he felt convinced it was -'I sir.": is not', a eharp kt fes must be used joke, but " re- as d' the cake on & n't. trio o atzg , tli�an was a note of tragedy in that Tittle plied quietly. y.e e your wife has need' of you, ih Date so • that the ,sides of tlh child's voice which forbade it. I6 'believe basin which Kaiser himself, is sent from. Berlin to the British Court. The Kaiser is always generous, if somewhat erratic, in his present giving. For hiss own family, par - titularly for his consort, he, takes the e ,• : great trouble to ,choose personally latter overlap the edge of the ba -.sore magnificent, gift. For the resp sin: Next put ,-cane of the icing al- he has a list hnadeout, and opposite had held a world of trust and .sim- She is ill." "1111": The marl Almost scream- ed the words -as he sprang from the chair. "Where is she? For Heav- en's sake, sir, where is she -Sir James got up slowly from the chair. he iieep your seat, Coleridge," said softly. "There is no cause, I think, for alarm ! Then he pressed the odd man back into his chair, and told him what he knew, # ...* * That evening venin a man.could be seen mounting the stone staircase of e , euse in Fore Street. The stair" -':were steep, and ha was heav- ily! burdened with bulky parcels, but he went up two at a time till he Came to the attic landing. Then he hesitated -=and listened. The hum of feeble voices came Iron; within. He pushed open the, door, and crept inside. f'Arthur l" The woman started up and held out her hands. "My, girl I" he said thickly, And on his knees by the bedside he took her in his areas. ;a Beef -tea and other delicacies have ple faith. - He pressed a bell button, and a clerk came in. "Tell Coleridge to ,come to please," he -said. , The clerk looked surprised, "Do you mean the odd man we took on yesterday, sir 2" "Yes. Quickly 1" A few, minutes later the man came in. He was an old young man, with streaks of grey in his hair, and facial lines that spoke of •su:ffering. A. clean collar and tie gave'? him a subtle air of smartness belied by frayed 'trousers and ` a threadbare coat. "Take a seat," said Lancaster quietly. Then he leaned forward, and looked into the man's eyes. "Are you married; "Coleridge ?'" he asked pointedly. The odd hand started, and his face lost its color. "Yee, sir," he -said, and scrutin- ized the carpet.r,�. "Where' s your , wife ? -.said the vas a light almost •of defiance in his eyes. "Heaven knows 1" he said. "We me, etre glanced up and around—to as- certain if his vision had cleared, A prettily designed calendar was hanging on the wall. It had been given him: by a gentleman from one of the offices downstairs, That was last Christmas. Crumbs! And to -day was the twenty-third tmf `December. "Only. tWo more days 'to Christmas, when Santa Claus came in the dead of he asked presently. You don't night, and filled little boys' btook know i . Bub what do the people all ings with everything, the heart }ler--I mean, the butcher and the could wish for. He must be a fie Old ,chap, Father Christmas -and rich; too.` ' Curly stiffened suelde ly, Then he 'looked" over at his znother—and abthe empty basin on the chair by the bedside, "I wonder if Santa Claus' keeps beef -tea," he zxi::used----"anc1 Bustard and grapes?" • Teddy -bears and clockwork -trains; *meted snore its.' his line; but one never could tell. Then, where did lie live f The postman might kxiow;-- Once Wore the little frame stif-' milkman and the baker 1 4h, Mrs Coleridge!" At the mention of the name ho knitted his 'brows, and, leaning. back, remained for some minutes in deep thought, Could it be the same n:san ? After all, ;life was made up of strange—almost incredible— eel n °isle n °es. ncredible—coincidences. Theis, a though suddenly recollecting himself, he bent. for ward to the 'phone, "Are you there?" he -called. "Kra you there?" But there Dame no reply, The lit- tle voice had gone, Sir ,1 anee Laneaste.r ,pub up the par -ted five years ago -we quarrel - felled under the strain of sudden receiver like a man in "a dream. A* in bed, ready prepared in a basinby itself. and dilute it -,lightly' with harm water. But be careful not to make the icing too thin, or it will run off the cake, o of the Pour this on to the top oake, •spreading it smoothly with a clean, broad knife, The surplus g will'not stand round bee bc:�t- each name narks off a price, lean- ing. the selection: of the gift to one of his trusted secretaries: His lat- est portrait, _ suitably mounted, goes to a number of Royal rela fives. Last year he presented the whole of his salary as• colonel of }lis Gren- adier Guards to be spent in. pre - he .cake as, it woad. if sent•- Cor the rank and file of that tom of t at it were ,standing flat, instead of on the basin. After ,the first 'ooat. of icing, the cake should nott, be pet away- until the next day, when the process • must'be repeated. famous regiment. The Queen of Belgium is.' clever with her a ec•dle.. Our w.own Royal- atiemlasdS eutisbdulhlye-r roeweenivho- apdetay Cthrrinise From. their aunt, the Queen of Nc rway, our young Royalties' get delightful photographs of Norwag- ran. scenes, all taken- by he-reelf. And no• ,, :only taken, but dove ped,' and mounted by her own hands. The Queen' of. Spain is another' Royal lady who makes some, at tv�wsc>r least, of her own Christmas pre- ;� :` o nums!.e s E amts. To her relatives in England -----^-- l come. the daintiest handkerchiefs, Mrs. Blew—"Oh, d'oetor, what' embroidered by herself. She s'pend's ails him?" Doctor_"Iiheuniatorl- her spare time all the year round•in al anthritis." Mrs. Blew --"Oh, making these. doctor,we are very, poor; can't King Alfonso is•also very goner - you make it something cheaper 1" ens, and the Chri strias -tree for his own family uiil this year be a m.ar- THAT' CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.. SURIL1 ' NT eftoKE W ' 1 Woe `: 'SHE Frill Tt4oSE KlPS'1-L NfivE-ls wo't*-'• Metftg THAN YtiFT releARY C(sRs• rifts EV'ER`cdOOY s A vel of beauty and costliness. He, by the by, gets a very nice little presaene himself each Ohrist- m.as, By old custom, the town of Vahlentia-famous for its raisins -43 presents hint with a Cheque for about $15,000, which is paid, into the Royal •exchequer for his own personal use, The Dowager Queen Alexandra is one of the few—perhaps the only Royal 'lady --who designs; and •.paints her own Christnias cards. Near - ally, these axe, much prized by those who receive them. Christmas Burns. More lit,tle fingers get burnt at Christmas -time than at any other. Roast chestnuts, snapdragon, Chtisttnas-tree canidles,.etc., are responsible, A ,crying child, in pain, ie. shot .soothed ley -endear.= ments•, but by something which will take the pawn away. Here Are some .. simple and proven remedies: ;Solt - soap, lightly rubbed on a burn, in- stantly relieves the pain, Every !kind of soap hos not this effort, but in default of soft-soap, use ordi nary -yellow or white curd. Bub it's, worth while seeing that thereis soft-soap in the house. Charcoal, powdered, laid fairly fillies- : on a burin, has the same effect. and in addition, has healing properties. A 'evcre burn must have the air ex- cluded. Th'et'a what ,cauaos the in- tolerable" pian—:the exposure to air. Cover the bnrn with oil --linseed or relive -rots t floor upon that, and then cower with wool waddisig tar e piece of soft linen. Another rem- edy is a eat rag dipped in a; mix- ture of lime-tstatat and linseed oil•= equal pants. Iii. a very severe parse,. a doctor met be sent, for at once but, in the Meantime, rah1. And wheaten flour dusted on the ileslx, and the air excluded, is tho treat- ment. Of Course right thinking peeper are these who think as you du. ,(elite 14