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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance, 1911-12-28, Page 31 Decorations for the Christmas Dinner Table For own° -tyeeks prior to Christmas the methodical housewite is buay with her many preparatione for the festive *often: and alto will eventually save herself a good deal of anxiety if she also gives some little thought to the future adernmerit (if her dinner table; for by o doiug, and malaria an early division and choice of otyle, many of the little aecessoriee can be manufae. turd and laid aside ready for use; In this way, a great deal of time, thought and Moe will be saved when the inevit- able rueli tomes. Front satiny pretty and novel decora- tive echenies suitable feat Yuletide, that of au ice earuival in minieture is one a the most a/tractive; and though It remliree care and neat manipulation, it is not at all difficult to construct; this i$ an instance, also, where a good deal of work can be prepared beforehend, In all probability the table on this was. mien will be extended to its utmost ca- Micity in order to seat the large fam- ily party. If ao, all ille better for the decoration% as they will appear to greater adventage. Flint of all,*procure a strip of g• rouna glass,, which muet be determined, in lexigth and width by the proportions and ahem) of the table. Underneath this spread a piece of grey material in order to give it the appearanee of ice. Cut some 3.in, strips of white cotton wad- ding, which is laid on the table to cover the edge of the glass, Later on, wheri other details are ompleted, the wad ding, -which ie to be fluffed up,its edges being draweb out over the ice, to look like snow sweepings. Some time beforehand, delicate bare branches and twigs Jihoula be collected from the gar. den, as well as fir cones, small pieces of golden brncken, outlet rose seeds, or any otther tleings likely to prove use. ful, All may be covered with an imita- tion ice, by making a eolution of one poupd alum to one quart of water, and boiling until quite dissolved, then the articles to be coated with rime are suspended in this for about 24 hQur If apao permit, make a small island In the centre of the lake and firmly plant the taller branches in a low jar of• shot, or sand; around the roots of which draw some frozen twigs. snow and brachen, etc. If preferred, the trees can be arranged at either end of the lake inehead of in. the middle. A length of silver tinsel ribbon in - swilled with =deo- and Christmas greetings is. next to be laid irregularly along the outside of the now bank, with here and there a cluster of twigs, icicles and 'berries, or some of those beautifully tinted bramble leaves, so plentiful in the autumn. These with the addition. of a few pieees of frosted golden bracken will give the neeessary note of warm eolor to the scene. If a epeolally fine effect be desired, place in the bare trees a -number of tiny 'elec- tric lamps about the size of a Biteee. lona nut,theseare to be connected with a small battery hidden underneatk a heap of snow. CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTIONS; • NEW THINGS IN HANDICRAFT. Among the new and lovely furnish- ings for desks, library tables, and dens are mats, searfs, blotting pads, temp shades, and such articles made from two pieces of felt, the one superimposed upon the other. Contrasting or harmon. izing colors are selected, and the two pieee is cut out in Magical, geometrical, or eiew art designs. The result is inde- scribably lovely. The felt thus arrang- ed has in appearance all the softness of suede /either and as the loveliest color effects and most artistic designs are pos- sible, the pieces. when fieished, are a -delight to the eye and decidedly usehd as Well. It ie. one of the newest things In handicraft. Dainty and useful is a little combin. ation sachet and lingerie ribbon bolder. It tau be made of any desired material --ribbon, silk, satin, even from fine flowered cretonne. It is tode in the shape of the envelope used for every day eorrespondence. and is about the Name tsize. It is lined, of comae, and betenien the covering and the Ileina is the thin sheet of cotton wadding sprink- led -with the sachet powder. The lingerie ribbon is slipped into the envelope and eyelets are worked in the Bele anti back of the envelope through which the rib bo run is slipped to hold the e flap down Several deinty now ideas are brought out In sacnete this year, and sachets are always a welcome gift. Quite the new- est he sachets ia a little slip like a mieia tvael pillow ease, the top of hana cto- ebeted lace, the back of firte lawn or line•n. Into this the sachet pad, ecrieeed with sateen or silkoline in some dainty o'er, is slipped. The lace gives a lech effect, and the dainty color shining through the filmy meshes adds to the r•••• Specialist Did Skin • Trouble No Good Very Itchy and 'Disfiguring. Got a Little Cuticura Soap and Oint- ment and Was Cured. , "For two summers I suffered with eirin trouble on iny arms, and on my lege tram ray knee* clown. Aly arms wore badly disfigured, and I kept them covered. It came like the bivest and was very itchy. 1. consulted a specialise, who gave rue medioine, as well as au ointment, but seemed to do no good. le was beginning to appear on ray face. "I got a little Cuticura Ointinent and some Cutieura Soap. The filet touch of Ointment seemed to relieve, and before the Cutieure, Ointment was finished I wae cured. I have not the lead sign of trouble. I think it would have spread over my whole body if Cuticura Soap and Ointment had not cured me. 1 atri delighted with them, and do feel plecaed to think I have some- thing I havo confidence In. I tell all my friends about thorn, and I think Cuticura Ointment is the best; I ever ow." (Signed) E. J. Boddy, 73 McCaul St., Toronto, Dee. 22, 1910, Cold -Sore Began to Heal With First Use of Cuticura Ointment. "Cuticura Ointment cured a very bad cold -sore that gave me hours of severe pain and loss of sleep. I tried lots of other remedies but nothing did me any good till I tried Cuticura Cant- ment, and from the very first applica- tion it began to heal and now there is not even a ecar left." (Signed) Mrs. W. Boyce, Mermaid Farm, P.E.I., Jae. 8, '11. For more than a generation Cuticura Soap and Cuticura Ointment have afforded the speediest, safest and inost economical treatment for skin and scalp troubles, of young and old. Although they are sold by druggists and dealers everywhere, a liberal saraple of each may be obtained free, from the Potter Drug & Chem. Corp, sole props,. 57 Columbus Ave., Boaton, U. S. A. prettiness. In addition, the lace Is pract tieal as well as dainty, for one can thus always have her sachets perfectly fr ish, Another eathet that ean be quickly and inexpenelvely made is in the feeni of a flower. Odds and ends of ribben or satin can be utilized for it. The petal', are cut from the ribbon or satin and simply snipeed into shape with the sob- sors. A dab or two ef paint to ettermst stamens or variegated coloring may be necessary, tnough statuette on Well be found among the (Worded flowers from meal ole hats. Underneath .one of the petals is fastened a tiny ba j con, taining the sachet. Ono suck sachet resembled a panty. The upper petals were snipped frail la- vender ribbon, the three lower ones from white. In the centre and on the edges of the white petals were n few dabs of lavnder paint. The result was as dainto O little sachet as could bo imagined..Yet the cost was trifling. Poinsetta would be most appropriate to Christmas and easily Made from odd pieces of scarlet ribbon or satin. Little jewel cases made of han'i em- broidered white linen, with the chiunois bag insideharo new and dainty. The • cover is easily and satisfaeterily laundered. Fier the tvoman who motors mush in cold weather an acceptable gift would be one of 4.11e new crocheted auto toques They combine smartness and warmth, for they are wonderfully good looeine, and, being crocheted from soft eider- down yarn, are as warm as toast. They can be pulled down over the head so that the stiffest breeze will not disettrb them, and they are altogether an Meal head. covering for the motorist i11 old weather, Another nevelty is the dainty. hand embroidered belt buckle or belt pin. The belt or pin is covered with the hand em- broidered material and is quite a distin- guished and individual finish to the dress. 4•4 SANTA ON THE WAY. (W. D. Nesbit in The Land of Make. Believe," in Harper's.) . I can hear him singing faintly, As he urgee on his deer, And his song is mellowed quaintly As the measures strike the ear. But the lilt of it is jolly, And the words of it are gay: "Get the mistletoe and. holly; I have started on the way." 1 can hear .the hoof -beats thuddhig, Ae the snow is flung behind. While the laden sleigh Is seuddhig With the swiftness of the wind: And tho echoes now are flinging Broken murmurs of the song That old Santa Claws is singing While the reindeer speed along: "Little fellow, little fellow, while you sit and dream or me, And the marvel of the morning that shall show the wondrous tree, For your trust in all the fancies of the shatiew and the gleam, I am starting on my journey down the highway of your dream." hahheelVethYAMMW Clean, Dry Heat Clean, dry heat, with no smoke or odor and with no flying ashes or soot— that is what you get with a Perfection Smokeless Oil Heater. zetaito IL-1km The Perfection is the most reli. able and convenient heating device you can find. It is alwaysready for use. Thete are no pipes or flues ot wires to bother you, You can pick it op and take it wherever extra warmth is wanted. Every Inechattical improvement that experiefice could /ingest wet already embodied in the Perfection Heater. This year we have tried to add to its appearance. The drums are finished either in tarqnoite..blue enamel or plain steel, as you prefer; nickel, trirranings; as ornamental as it is indispensable to comfort, A spatial staorsotie tkviee osoleielt twee** tumid* All pets call, rimmed. Galen tom; tuts DIM Loath Col hiedle; anima( fop. Dolma mersviestes overlie (of aseiriethe eirealer is ses ascot, or Tito ()neat City en Comp a t.: 'letters ' TUE STRANGER—A I LAUGHS WITH JOY! T CHURCH AND CHRISTMAS TIMT.( His face was grave, and marked as if by want or inirron. fljs eyee, deep ,sunken as with care, were habitually .eaet down, and his shoulders stooped as though he had long borne heavy linr- deas, He might, but for his gentle ea- pressiom have been a workman out of work, who had known better days, but eountenaneteas he talked. to some lit - tie children, who had stopped by him, '",•1.311.,470 was kind and gentle, and had, something childlike in it. As he stood talking with, end enjoying them, a • nunther of the elrurclagoers observed hint and, after consultation, one turned back and sail ;something to the children in a command- ing voice, at which they started and ran f? looking looking bolt, now at the stranger Wel now at the gentleman, who still remained in sight as if to see that 1de veers were obeyed, The tranger too gazed after the children, as if in a sort plensant dream. From this he wee aroused by another churelogoer with an official mien. who, after a casual glance at him, paused at the thresholci and then turned. 'melt. In his gloved hand le carried a small gold -headed cane, as fine ea a reed, with which he pointed at the stranger as he approached him, and milled in a tone of authority, "Don't hang around the church—Go on." ;So the stranger kept on until he bad 'crossed the street, when he turned just In time to •see the gentleman enter the church. As the latter passed a bowing usher be paused to say, "I am expect- ing in my pew to -day ---Lord and Lady ---('the name was lost), so do not show any strangers to it. The usher bowed. Close on his heeLs came another who said, "No strangers in my pew, they annoy me," "Yes, air," bowed the usher, At that moment a poor woman, dressed like a widow, in a thin, shabby, black dress, long worn threadbare, and with shoo old and broken, .ptiesed by, and entering the church etood in the aisle just within the door, timidly waiting to be allowed to sit down. in one 'of the empty peWs. The official.look. Ing gentleman passed' her; but as he passed a verger he old to him, with, a jerk of the head, "Give ber a seat; don't let people block the aisles."—From "The Stranger's Pew" by Thomas Nel- son Page, in the December (Christmas) Scribner. 0* ' NOTHING LIKE THEM FOR A SORE BACK Dodd's Kidney Pills still doing great work. Mrs. T. G. Alexander, of Hawthorne, After Twelve Years' Suffering, Tells the Public What They Are Doing For Her. Hawthorne, Ont., Dec. 18.—(Special)-- The1e is nothing like Dodd's Kidney Pills for a sore back." That is the state- ment of Ma. T. G. Alexander, of this place, and all her neighbors agree that she should know. "I suffered for twelve years from a, pain in my back, Rheuma- tism and Heart Disease.' Mrs. Alexander continues. "I was always tired and ner- vous and my sleep was broken and unre. freshing. Since taking Dodd's Kidnen Pills I an feeling so much better that I feel I must say a pea word for them," No anatter how long you have suf- fered Dodd's Icidney Pills cannot fail to help you if ybur trouble is of the Kid- neys. If you use Dodd's Kidney Pills oar, ly the cure will be quick. If your trou- ble is of long standing it will take them longer to cure you. But they always' eure. People from all parts of Canada who have been cured are tellieg about it in the newspapers almbst every day. 4i • • JESUS COME (The Presbyterian.) "At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas tomes but once a year." Christmas has a meaning and mes- sage for this questioning, aggressive twentieth century, as it had for all its predecessors. :Whatever is purest and. best among us is due to the elevating power of the message in the days that have gone by. No one is so uninformed or cynical as to deny it. Worthy then is the joyous festival of our highest reit- sious and social regard. The world has 4 Savior, and that means everything to the world. As a little child Ile came, and that la a fact of encalculable significance. In dtself childhood is little, but it is a growing power via& et once challenges the serious attention of all light -minded people, and for the obvious reason that the future behnigs to the child. Lying capsulate in every infant heart are mighty possibilities awaiting to be tak- en up and developed according to the Lora own spirit and likeness. And the Advent time is supremely fitted to make us think worthily of these grave and unavoidable things. The child, our mitred care now, will be our judge some day, the child of our fireside and school. If ;alive to our own opportunity, he is doing much to save us from the perilous adoration of mere brute force, material interests and unrelieved selfishness. Emily this thought shades into the glory which the Advent sheds on human diuty and manhood. Jesus the child grew to be Jesus the man, and Ile lived so nobly that Ile hat been the perfect pattern of life ever since. In every- thing that was Ills to do He was faith- ful to the last jot and tittle, and Ilis character and exempt° and saving Work have come to be the fadeless glory of the race. Christmas le a rebuke to eveey degrading tendency of thought and life, and a reminder of the loftiness with which manhood should be modelled af- ter His. And there Is the Advent message Of peace for the heart mid foe the world. These two tentences from another lmod will fill out the thought: "Itutnan life Will continue to be burdened with the Old weight of cares, shadowed by mani- fold itOrrOWils tormented by unappeas- able desires, but herieeforth, increasing- ly, it will be lightened and relieved by the sweet reinistriee of Christian commis- sion, The frailty of infancy, the Weak. tees of weinanhoixi, the sacred, (sorrow of motherhood, the outeast destitution of poverty, the desolateness of °perm - ion -all thee% mussing into the ligbt of tbe birth of Bethlehem, !shall becterie tratisfigureil into the most pricelese treasures of humanity." The Printe of' Poo holds in Ilits hands the sceptre of a redeemed world ttna seeds fortheniorig U!( men the matulate ef Ilis authority and Noising. otVe hoar the Chrietmes angels The great, glad tiairsgs tell; QKS to 111, tibiae with ns, Imutetweel." NO MORE INDIGESTION Montreal Man So III, Thought lie Would Die of Stomach Disorders, Just read what Mr. Larose says of the curative powers of Dr. Hamilton's Pills; "I suffered from dyspepsia and in- digestioa for five years. I suffered so much that I could hardly attend to ray work. I was weak arid lost all courage. I enjoyed no rest until I decided to fol- low your treatment. To my great sur- prise I immediately began to feel better. I am now using the second box of Dr. Hamilton's Pills, and I feel so well that I want to tell you that I owe this great change to your famous pills. I room. mend Dr, Hamilton's Pills to every per. min who is suffering from dyspepsia. Your grateful servant D, R. Larose, 33$ jolliette St., Montreal, P,Q." All who have, weak stomach and those who suffer with indigestion, headeches, biliousness, can be perfectly cured by Dr. Hamilton's Pills. Successfully used for many years, mild and safe, 25e per box of all dealers, or The Catarrhozone Co., Ihingetort, Ont. er SANTA CLAUSE THE WORLD OVER. • Christmas is essentially the childienei time, but they would think there WAS something radically wrong if it lacked. the visit of their dear old Father Christ. mas, or, as he is often called, from the example set by our Amerlean cousins, Santa Olaus. The original Santa Claus was St. Nich- olas, the wonderful boy bishop of Myra, who died in 343, and who was the par- ticular friend of children. He was the patron saint of Russia, and often repre- sented oleo as being that of butchers, thieves, maidens, parish clerks and sail- ors. This no doubt has something to do with the remarkable energy displayed by Santa Claus in December. When he reached Holland the Dutch called. him "St. Nikolass," and soon the name became abbreviated to Sanklass. This latter title was carried to New York by the Dutch emigrants, where the English colonists Anglicised it to Beatty, and aftenvards Santa Clans. The date allotted to Saint Nicholas in the church calendar is December 6, and it is on this date atilt that he visits Austria. When the saint's feast is be- ing kept up, the house door is suddenly opened. A fair-haired boy, dressed in all in white, carrying a sceptre in his hand and wearing a mitre on his head, enters the room. He is symbolical of the boy bishop. Following him are two lit- tle bends of children, one tot dressed in white to representangels, and the other in black to typify demons. "The bishop" then is given a chair, and the children of the house are put through their cate- chism. Those who answer well receive O nice gift from the "angels," and the others are given a black dog by the demons. The black doggies are so fascinating that. alas! children have been known to answer badly in order to obtain one! In Holland, too, St. Nikolatts pays his yearly visit to the children on De- cember 0, when he finds many pairs of shoes on the various hearths waiting to be filled with gifts. French children also put their shoes on the hearthstone or mantel piece, to receive presents from Jean. Noel. In Germany, Christmas is an even greater festival than it is in England. Santa Claus as the' Christ -child comes before Christmas Eve, in order to dis- cover how the children of the house have behaved during the past year. A very delightful custom is still preserved on Christmas Eve among some of the German peasants. A table is spread for a meet in the feast room, and many can- dles kept burning throughout the whole night, in case tho Virgin and her Child, when bringing the children's gifts, should needtrefreshment. Despite St. Nicholas being the patron saint of the country, Santa Claus, strangely enough, pays no recognized visit to Russia. The little Finns, however, look for- ward to the visit of Santa Claus with great zest, who comes from an unknown island in the Arctic seas to bring them all that they want most; and in Fin- land he wehrs an immense far coat and rides in his own traditional sleigh, drawn by four galloping reindeer. In ono country only is Santa Claus supposed to receive any help in the dis- tribution of presents. This is in Switzer- land, where he is always accompanied by his wife Lucy, who wears the Swiss peasant costume and cameo the things which are given to the little girls. In China., Santa, Claus pays his annual visit on New Year's Day, which is, of course, the great day of the year to the yellow man. In that country he is rep- resented by a tea trader, who carries on a bamboo polo two ordinary fiat Chi - nue trays slung across his _shoulder% These are filled with presents, which are distributed among the children, In America end the colonies, at in England, the hhildren hang up their stoking on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus to leave his gifts inlie is goer - ally regarded in these countries as being a very jovial, berly old gentleman, Vali 4 long White beard spa a fur trimmed scarlet coat, which has very capacious pockets. The latter garmene he must find rath- er Walln and eumbersorae while doing duty in Australia and India, TO STOP A CRYING BABY Babies cry beenuee they are sick. It may be a pale in the stomach, eolie, or etamps--but in nny ease a few drops of Nerviline soothes away the distress and allows this baby to sleep peecefully. Where there are young children there should. also be Nerviline, It etrres the minor aliments ;lost as promptly an the doetor—and not se expensive.. For nearly fifty year, Poleon's Nerviline hat been the great household tem* al ratuuht.. Soi4 everywhere in large Ill% bottle. THE HOWIE OF MYSTERY. Strange Actions by Father, Mother and Children at Chrietrnae Time, The mystery began with the hus- band cozulug home hall an hour later than usual, oo as to have the cover of darkness When leaving a package behind the vestibule doeee, while he entered the fume with a very innocent look on his face and tolht of his streee ear being bioeked. At Inidnight of that night, while hie innocent -hearted wife was sleeping by his side, he waked/ out of bed and down stairs and secured the pack. age and hia it in a cioset. The peat step Was taken by his wife, She took down front the pantry a Pitcher in. whicl she had been stor- ing up dimes and nickels and pennies for months and months, and, after counting them over, she sneaked down town In the forenoon and bought and lugged a parcel home and hid it away on the top ;shelf of a clothespress. Then. one of the children came in one day aud looked and actea very mystertous, and shortly afterward might have been found hiding sinne-' thing among the rafters of the garret. Then, as the mother suddenly and unexpectedly entered the parlor one afternoon, She almost stumbled over a daughter who was down en her knees and reaching under the sofa. The mother cried out in her surprise, but asked for no explanations, Thedesk and bureau drawers that had not been locked for a year were found closed tighter than a drum. Closet doors that had stood wide open were made fad. There was lingering behind • when others went to bed. There was get- ting up before the others in the morn- ing. Each member of the family went around trying to look as innocent as a sheep, but at the time bearing a load of guilt on his conscience. The strain was intense, The mys- tery could, not last. The day came when the murder wits solved. It was the day before Christmas. That fam- ily had simply been preparing to Santa Claus each other. It always acts that way, and it always turns out happily, BANK OF MONTREAL Ninety -Fourth Manual Meeiind of Shareholders. The Hank of Montrol has just com- pleted 94 years of businees in Canada, which in .the history of a young coun- try Is no inconsiderable period. The 94th annual meeting was held on De-, eember 4th, with President R. B. .Angus in the cheer. In many ways the meet- ing was one of the most memorable in the history of the, bank, owing to the fact that the net profits for the year were the largest on record and that the retirement of Sir Edward Clouston as general manager was announced. An- other feature of more than ordinary interest was the re -adjustment of the values of the bank premises. For years these were valued. at $000,000, but a recent appraisal increased this to $4,000,.000. The $3,400,000 thus secured was partly used in increasing the rest siecotint, which now stands at a sum equal to the paid-up capital, while the balance was carried to the profit and loss acommt. The total assets of the bank now stand at $230,000,000, making it one of the strongest financial institutions, on the continent. A more detailed examin- ation of the report shows that the -net profits for the year amounted to $2,- 270,518, as compared with $1,797,992 for the previous year. The balance of pro- fit and losscarried forward for the present year was $1,855,185, or practical- ly double the figures for 1910, which am- ounted to $9131,789. Premiums cet new bank stock issued by the bank during the year amounted to $365,077, while the re -adjustment of the bank premises account brought in an additional $3,- 400,000. Thus a total of slightly over $7,000,000 was made available for dia. ribution this year, of which $1,440,000 was expended in dividends, $3,000,000 credited to the rest account and $708,- 000 to new premises account, leaving a balance of $1,855,000 to be carried for- ward as balance of profit and loss. A further examination of the report shows that the bank has deposits bearing in- terest of nearly $136,000,000, while its deposits now bearing interest amount to over $40,000,000. The amount of call and short loans in Great Britain and the United States consists of over $42,- 600,000, while the current loans and dis- counts in Canada and elsewhere amount to over $121,000,000. The latter shows an increa.se of over $0,000,0o0, which indicates that the bank continues to do its full share in furthering the develop- ment of the country and that it con- tinues to grow with the country. To call and short loans which the bankk keeps in New York and London, while return- ing only a small rate of interest, is found to be a wise provision. The call of these loans placed in London and New York is far less disturbing to Can- adian business than if they were on call in Canada. Altogether the showing made by the Bank of Montreal is a very satisfactory one and reflects the highest credit upon the directors and upon the general Man- ager, who is now relinquishing the posi- tion which he has held for so many years. His successor will be birhii. V. Meredith, who has been associated all his life with the bank, whose affaire, he will in future direct. The address of President R. 13. Angus was, ds usual, a careful resume of the financial, commereiel ana industrial ex- penslon of the Dontirtion, The Bank of Montreal, with its many branches scat. tared throughout the country and its letimate relationthip with every phese Of our national life, is able to present authoritative reports regarding the country's growth and development. Without exception thie yea's report by the president Wee full of Optimism. That this was not unfounded jg Mutton by the billet's record for 1911, which wag the most imekeasful in the 64 years of its history. - - CHRISTMAS COMING. Christmase Is toirlinn 1 hear It nellutro • mir thru their chhubly-mlime outer their num 'Turkey* are smellire It, old hone aro • tellhe it Evereoneee , feella' it Plumb thee and Rub ItItiolt :heir andirons—keen 'ern a4111n- • 1n'; StobUrriontiri, the pewter, ate cePPer an' •Vetch up their kettle with poreelath i .6..te re reek rio their (millets to turn into eagle. • Leer) Uri til r Christmas green, hang up their bony ne thel; r mistletoe over their e.eilt6itTeve Mies taw done heretofore. tecrat as we aline hey done hereterfore. 'Tibet no wit thinklin of trouble an' h Porter -- Thiele* that Ma by ain't no pier* in • °Mrrooltoriel: Cihrtitmia. a woos from term memo, Aa' Met trate the, Tillman thee trona. he starts. CHRISTMAS AND CH#ISTIVIAS GIFTS Fc' probably know just how Decem- ber 25th .originally happened to he'c:fixed as Chrietutas Day. About 340 A. D. St. Cyril made careful inquiry as thi the date of the Birth of Christ and rep rted ) December 25th as the correct data. -tope Julius accepted this and some' ears later established the festival at gone+, on, this date. Before the close ohethe century it was accepted by ever, 'na- tion in Ohriztendom. . Tee actual ye' of the Nativity is unknown, and it it :ex- tain that the month and day can eiver be recovered. They were absolutely un- known to early fathers of the CM 'eh. Critics generally accept 4 13. C. as he probable year. There arc only two known dates to work with. Herod fiihe Great died 714 years after the founding of Roine, that is to say, lie died. 4 H. P. as we know it. We kuow that there was an eclipse of the moon on Mareli nth, 4 B. O. on which night Herod ordered some Jewish Rabbis to be burnt forIn- citing their pupils to. tear down the Golden Eagle. We also know that liered was dead Were the Passover. voile!' took place on Apra. 1204.4 B. 0, Chrett therefore must have been born before February of the year 4 11, C. Tradition says that Christmas ` wee first observed in 08 ek. D., and was or- dered to be held as a solemn !east by Pope Telesphorus in 137 A. D. The first traces of its observance are found about 140. A. a It is not known who first Celebrated It, nor where, nor how. There is no record of any commemora- tion of it diving the life of Christ, as the early Christians looked upon the celebrations of birthdaye as heathenish, and even the celebration of the Lord Himself was not excepted. The custom of making presents at Christmas wits derived from the Ro- mans, mem made gifts to one another during the great _winter festival, the Saturnalia. The early Christians made presents to their children on Christmas morning under the pretense that they had been dropped by the Christ child in passing over the house at night. The word "Santa Claus" is an English perversion of the Netherlands word "Sinter Maas," meaning St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children. The word is also used to designate St. Nicholas Day, which in The Netherlands is cele- brated on December Gth. The real St. Nicholas, it is said, was the Bishop of Myra in Lyda, who died about 820 A. 1). His personal histary is almost entirely unknown, but numerous legends show him to have been a most generous end kindly man, lit some parts of Germany it is still a custom for some -one to dress up as Et bishop on St, Nicholas Eve and distribute presents to tlee children. The custom, however, is practically obso- lete, St. Nicholas having been super- seded by Sante Claus. Why Santa Claus is always represented as an old man no one knows. Some writers claim that it dates back to the Priapua of Viretil and Petronitts, who held in his capacious bosom all menner of fruits and dainties. It is more probable, how- ever, that the jolly, kindly character of Santa, Claus is easier to show as an old man with white hair and beard, and rud- dy face. In some parts of Germany Santa Claus is called Pelsnichol (Nicho- las of the Furs) from the fur cap and coat which the impersonator wore and it eeems to have been the custom for many years to aesociate Sante Claus with the North. it. was formerly the custom to have some brie impersonate Sante Claus and distribute gifts to the children in person. Gradually this cus- tom died out and the presents were left for them on the hearthstone. As the giv- er was no longer seen by the children, . mime explanation was necessary and the little ones were told that Spada Claim had come down the chimney, left their presents and departed the same way. Undoubtedly the poem "'Twas the Night before Christmas," published in the United States in 1822, spread the myth ternioesrmously in English speaking out - Originally children hung up their stockings on St. Nicholas Eve (Dec. Oth). Young women in convents all over Europe also placed their stotkings at the door of the Abbess. This was an adoption of the custem to young wo- men praying to St. Nicholas to provide them with good huabanda and a tier. liege dowry. According to tradition, St. Nicholas onee under cover of the night,. threw three purses of gold into the house of a nobleman who was unithle to provide foe his three daughters. The money was their dowry and enabled them to marry. Some claim that the shape of the purees of that day, which were much like stockings, gave rise to the custom of hanging the stockings, for St, Nicholas, Gradnally the banging up of stoekinge on St. Nicholas Eve tensed and the custom beam ineorpor- ated into oar Christmas festivities. San- ta OTitue rehideer Are supposed to have emanated from an old Spitzhergen le- gend, Ily this tele ivies:leer bearing certain marks Were believed to come yearly from an Unknown but inhabited country of the far north. Reindeer, however, do not seem to be assoelated with Santa Onus. In many foreigmt coun- tries, although the chbeneyearyth exists there. rn the Netherlands for example, Santa, Cisme rides a while horse. In the poem, "Twee the Isiiglit Defoe Christ- mas," English minuet are given to six '4)1thhelleeight ri7otllr elit;; Tdles on the Christ- faa tree was undoubtedly It suggestion from the ,Iewieli Feast of tights, which tomes gamut Ithe same time as Christ. mas. It is flicely tlitt the lights were twitakling le .,'everer Jewish iteitie it Bletiottera and Netatreth At the very tiro* of Ora rth of elitist. This ens- WM lily merged IMO the len o e Christiania 1 the eandies are a survival of the huge Yule candle used, as a go of the Light that came Into, the worle as prophesied by John the Baptist. Yule, or Yuul,, toe the name given by the ancient Goths and sszons to their great festival of the winter solstice, or turning of the year, and the name has survived, The burning of the log was a very old Yuletimo custom of the Scandinav- ians wbo, at the festival, kindled huge bon fires to the God Thor. Burning the log was practiced in Scandinavia, Eng- land, Italy, and parts of Frame and Servia. The charred ashes were sup- posed to have magic powers. • The plum pudding, originally known as the Christmas pudding, is said to be emblematical of the rich offerings made by the Wise Men to the Infant Christ in the etable at Bethlehem. Like the mince pie, it date a back to the early Christians. Both were considered a test 'of orthodoxy ae the eseulents were held Li abomination by the Jews. The mince pie was formerly made in the shape of a cradle, emblematical of the manlier in which Jesus laid. The custom of usiug holly at Christ. nets time is of great antiquity and is believed to bave come from the ancient pagan festivals. it was used at Christ - /MI6 by the early Christians. Accord- ing to tredition, holly it the bush in which Jehovah appeared to Moses. It over 160 varieties, so th it flourishes grows in every country) d there are in every clime. The mistletoe was connected with the heathen Saturnalia and was adopted into the Christian festivities. It was an object of special veneration liy the ancient Druids'but only. when it grew upon an oak tree. At the time of the winter solstice the Druids gathered the mistletoe Neith great ceremony and the people bung sprays of it over their doors as an offer of shelter to the gods of the forest during the cold season. it was first hung in the servants' hall in England, but soon invaded the parlor and deeming room. The idea of kissing under, the mistletoe IS a relie of Scan- dinavian mythology. Loki hated Bal. de, the Appollo of the North. Every- thing that springs from earth,fire, air and water had given its promiseunder oath not to hurt Balder except the mis- tletoe, which was deemed too insignifi- cant to be asked, Loki made an arrow of mistletoe which he gave to blind Hoder to shoot and which killed Balder, who was restored to life at the request of the gods. The mistletoe was then given to the Goddess of Love to keep and. every one who passed under it re- ceived a kiss to show that it was the emblem of love, not of death. ' e WHY HE SPANKED CHILDREN. --- How the Settler Prepared the Young Ones for Christmas. On the morning of the day before Christmas 1 dismounted' at the door of a North Dakota cabin to inquire the whereabouts of a man living in that neighborhood, and the sounds from within told me that. one of the child- ren was being spanked. When tile spanking had been concluded the set- tler opened the door and Invited me in. I saw nine children standing up in a row, and the tenth one sitting down on the other side of the room. The mat thought some explanation should. be made. and Ile said: "It's the way 3. do every Chrietmaa time, and 1 had just begun when you rode up. Can you wait till 3. have spanked the other nine?" '01 course, but may 1 ask why you do it?. They look to me to be nice, wole-behaved ehildiren." "They are as good children as you wilt find in the state, sir; but the spanking must go one" "Yes, the spanking must go on," add- ed the wife. "1 couldn't say any more, of course, and I went out to the gate and tvaited. The nine were called up one after an- other and put through the Machine, and then the man, who was breathing hard from his exertions, joined me at the gate and said: "There, the last one of 'em hem been licked, and new I'll show you where Drown lives." "Thanks, but would you take it amiss if I asked what you tett children had done to deserve punishment?" "You may ask, sir, and I wilt ex- plain," he repeated. "They hadn't done hothing. I was licking tem so they wouldn't expeet any Christmas presents in their stockings tonightl" A MOTHER'S PRAISE OP BABY'S OWN TABLETS Mrs. Allen Meson, Carleton, N. B., writes: "I have tteeil Why's Own Tab- lets ever einee X have had children, and that is going on fifteen years. I have always found them entirely satisfactory for all the aihneets of little ones, and feel that I cannot praise them too high. lye' MIS. Mason's praise is lest that of thousands of mothers who eousider Baby's Own Tablets the only safe aud sure remedy to keep in the house for their Hale 41111(.8. 1tI, Welke are sold I)3 medicine &alms -or my men at eents a box from The Dr. Wil ' Medicine to, iltoehrille, 0 Dino IN CHRISTMA A halasterved partridge e, Christmas tree shippea fr A. Hellas, in Waterbure tree Ma been ti ft prisoner. fed it tesived. "I4 clootor °And did you aet it inaployed anotlwi Ttioaetipt. It was tiee 4sy hardworking postmen 6 way through Anew and *old wt heel; of mammal adze on hie hetek. Ile abounded the spattioue ittepti ofie west end residenre, and in *newer te his ring a manservant in rkis livery ao- peered, "Welt •a moment, phew," 044 servant, as he took the Patton,. 'lta mietrees wishea to Amok to you." The postman's eyo brighteaed. It was the holiday season. Ile had demo hts 4uty with fidelity. Now, *a doubt, in recognition of his regular awl faith- ful— "I shall be glad," he said politely, 'no await yeur mietresee plosive -to' In a few mieutes the lady appeared. "Are you," ehe aeked, "our resew postman t ' "Yes, madam." heit aneetered, bow- leg. "Do you come in the\knorningl" "yes, madam." "Aseletin the afteraeoe tavd evening," Again..hia assented—, eralritta eagerly. Then tpt lady mid: "Well, woe it you who b bell?" oll.Rxmlis trrocra The Chthitinas tree teall fee% "Splendid" in filet, arid howe ti, int it looks with the candles and bright tinted balls an eggs and hearts and stars over it, but it is nothin ing in the chimney ph u Eve. Have the treeeby s. if you want to make the children happY don't omit thy'stacklirgs. ,Lt is English and fashionehle to have the tree, with all the emits and uncleis and emselas a.shed, and gifts for teverybedy, and Monte arid dancing arid git riTid calte.s a.ne, oranges and co,ndiee ouade and funny recitations, scuts of things, But, oh, the stocki When everyone bee brought a pair the longeat and biggest, and papa h. taken pains to hangthem eo that they are strong,i and all s quite still In the street and it le bedtime, what wondarfut leas come into the little minds, eat pleaeaut memories into tilos grown-ups. What mother w Iite to miss the little exhibition of h and faith. The child who trusts in ardently in the benevolent Santa. C will be most likely to put faith in en's mercies iu his after life; for San Claus always conies when he is ezpec edt and when raother and father ha the stockings up he is sure to pat thing in them, How swiftly the little feet fly 1.r stairs when mamma Calla:. "Beall, dealings," How little frocks and aline slip from the pretty shoulders; a. when the prayers are old, theehea OIC r: dy fel the white Wow% every little eye filmes up at once. The children are going to sleep "night off," to bring morning nearer. But when the lights are out, it is not so easy, leuxely, that was the tinkle of sleigh, bells. Sure- ly, that is a sound in the chimney. "Sup- ,. pose poor Santa Claus should get stuck there some night, and be smothered be- fore be was gotten out." Bessie eug- gases that. But Daisy sa.ys: "He could - let. He isn't like folks." And they are glad to think it. Tom, with a troubled conscience—he did nip that piece out of the minee pie ' on the pantry shelf—asks Willie if he believes that Smits, Claus ever puts rods in bad boys' stockinge to whip them with. And Willie replies, with a thrill in his voice, for he feels that the idea is an insult to his old saint: "No, of course not. He is too nice. Ile is like grandpa." Then Tom says that he has a mind to go down stairs and take a peep. And how jollyit would be to see Santa Claus' legs coming dawn! He says this every Christmas Eve; but he never dots it, and he never will. "Tinkle Tinkle! Tieklele Certainly that Ls on the -roof. Some one Ls moving in the dining room. Tom rove:re his head with the quilt, ana does not say what he wag going to say, about asking Santa Claus to take hixa out with him some night, as the milkman aid one morning in hie sleigh. Tom feels thah this is a solemn moment, and that he had better go to lateen. And suddenly it is morning. They have eel been sound asleep. Bow funny all those hours aro gone! It seems such a, waste of tbne to wash and dress and have curls Wished, but it must be doae. Then down dater the little feet, and there sit mamma and papa., and their opinion is that the stockings are Ix -ay NIL as indeed they are. The old Saint hasarea to Mit some of his gifta on the unt, ,el -piece or on chairs. And oh, the dolls! Oh, the ten -set! Oh, the ear% and horses arid steam engineat Oh, the wonderful beriatiful gifts! "How did Sant. , Claus know that I wanted, my den to Imve a parasol?' cries lleaziz. And there is nothing but joy in Tom's heart,. for he haa a little photo- graphic outfit. "Santa Clans," he says, "is the kind- est person I ever heard of." Oh, it is out of the stocking that the great Christmas fun comes for the chil- dren. Let us have them alweys by our firosides while there are children.in homes. 1 — • Christmas hoard the hello on Christ:nab Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The Warde repeat Of "Peace on earth, good -will to n5u. And though hoer, as the der had ooaae, The belfries of all Christendom Now toll along The unbroken C•011g Of 'Too ototearth, good -win te zee." Tin rineinic. amen& on its war. The world revelved from night to ds, A Velee, a ohinity A *Tatra sublime, 0/ "Peace on' earth. good -Will to =eV. bet in despair 1 bowel my tame* "Thas is no peito es testa, 1 esid; ,-,trot hate LI • stro1ig. and•reoeks the sena Ot 'Petite 551 earth. tood-wth to 'Then peeled the belle, wax* "Gad is not deed; nor (loth 'rho tong clutll fall. the Id With peate on earth, s Chr istin Christina bat year the possibi permit. the