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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1903-12-17, Page 6Major Snellcombe s E Discovery I. Major Sitellcombo sat along in his rooms. lie loa.nt back in his easy their and watched the dames leaping up the chimney. His keen oyes Wore rather a cynical expression. '"If I were in a Christmas story," he muttered, "a little cherub would at'lpear from somewhere to comfort ate," and he smiled grimly, But no littlo cherub appeared. The t„tock on the mantelpiece ticked through another hour, and still the Major sat and stared into the fire. The flames had died down now, and left a, great, red glow. lu the glow ho saw the face of his life-long friend Dick Delver. He tried to reckon up snow ninny Christmases they had spent together till he went away and they had lost sight of each other for years. Dick used to be quite a great man in the City, but In hoe heard of some financial crash in which he was said to have been overwhelmed. Ile wondered what had become of his only child, Nell —pretty Nell; and now he, too, was gone. Averyone seemed to have cried eeept the Major. He had 'only been- out once to -day, just to his bank to draw out a hun- dred pounds for current expenses. Ile had decided not to go out again. A. slight sound by the door made him turn. His eyes, blinded by the glow of the. fire, stoned bewildered straight into the muzzle of a revolver. "If you move,” said a clear, steady voice, "I will shoot. I want some of the money you brought home Seem the bank this morning." Tho Major's eyes had cleared. Be saw. standing just within the door a tall, fair-haired young fellow, with desperate blue eyes and a very, steady hand, •'Oh, certainly," said the Major, blandly; "come and have a chat first, will you?" The revolver did not move; only the blue eyes scanned the Major's face with the desperation of a hunt- ed animal. 'Where's the money?" said the young fellow. "I give you my word of honor not to move or to call assistance," said the Major. With an incongruous grace, that called a momentary twinkle to the Major's eyes, the young fellow lower- ed the revolver and bowed. "No one will come here," pursued the Major; "if they should I will say nothing. Sit down, won't you?" he waved his hand towards the emp- ty arm -chair. With an effort, that the Major's keen eye detected, the young fellow answered to his mood. "Thanks," he said, and flung himself into the chair. The Major nodded approval; he could admire pluck, of whatever de- scription. IIo held out his cigar -case. "So glad you looked in," he said genial- ly; "I was about sick of my own company.,' _;'Yon -host "have' been," said the young fellow, with ahard little laugh, Unobtrucively, the Major studied the face opposite. His study con- firmed his first impression. Then tho young fellow rose. "Sorry to have to leave you," he said; and his face was as hard as rock; "but I want that money now. I mean to have it, you know. ' The Major knocked the ash from his cigar. "Quite so," he said. "This is your first—er—attempt, is it not?" "Yes," curtly; "I don't say," grimly, "it's my last." The Major rose and stood beside Min.. "X shall be pleased to lend you any little sum you require," he saki. The blue eyes, staring drearily in- to his, opened incredulously; there was a little pause. "Thanks," said the young fellow, huskily. "Not at all, my dear fellow, not at all!" "I think I ought to warn you that I see no prospect of ever paying you back," said the young fellow, dully, "we haven't known each other long," said Major Snellcomhe, "but our introduction was a 11it--er—uu- usual, I Suppose you don't feel liko telling nae what—er—inchlcod you to _.cr—" "Steal," said the other. "An ugly word," said the Major; "but let it stand. He waited. The young fellow faced him. "I'd do it again," Ile said. "Yes. Been ill?" He nodded. "But I'm (juke sane, 7 can't put in a plea of temporary insanity," with a miserable laugh, Presently ho resumed, curtly, "Iiad influenza; was in bed for a. mantle; they didn't keep place open; couldn't get work anywhere." Ile paused. "The little chap had it too; doctor said ho was to be tempted to eat, My wife's worn. out—she's starved, tin's tho little chap," he looked straight at tho Major, 'literally, I mean," lie said. "I cane here this afternoon -to rooms a good bit above this --to try end borrow a few sltil- lfngs from Barton. Pie couldn't lend me' any. ITe was cleaning his revol- ver.- Ilq said: 'slope the old soldier low n below's got a toy like this. Ho brought a pot of money Iti from the bank this lemming.' ITo's in the bank, yon ]:now," explaining, drear- ily; "then he went out and left • ane 1hem to getwarn, he' said. The revolver lvts on the table.It's not loaded, , That's all.". There . Was e, pause. •'What, sort of work can you do?" risked the Afajor, "Journelfstic, T MIS on the 'Lit - every Era.' " "Ahi"' 'he pulled his White 1ntme- tacln0, thoughtfully, ". Know. , the 'Leading Net4s'?" he said. The young fellow's eyes kindled for a moment, "Oh, yes," he said, "I've inllueece there," said the Major, "After Christmas 1'11 gat you taken on—sure I can, You're not a fool by the look of you, and you wouldn't have been on the 'Lit- erary Era' if you were. They pay well, too, Good old, solid firm, you know, You'll soon be paying Mo. back—" the Major rambled on, be - cense for the first time. the young fellow had turned away his ]teal, "You're going shopping now, of course?" went on the Major. "It suppose an old fogey would be hi the way?" The young fellow turned round, "No," he said; "only—look here," he blurted out, "you're forgetting---" "No, I'm forgetting nothing; shall it be a secret between us? Yrs! Jove, it flakes me feel quite young again to have a secret," said the Major, gleefully. "Now I'll get that money, and then we'll go and do our shopping"—he tugged at his mous- tache—"hang their bustle and their cheery faces!" he said, "I have Chtistmas shopping to do as well as they!" He looked at the young fellow and laughed, "I thought per- haps a Christmas cherub would ap- pear," ho said. "I suppose you're he—up-to-date, eh?" Il. A girl sat by a meagre fire in a shabby, bare little room. Her eyes wandered desperately from the fire to the small, sleeping figure on the sofa, then round the bare walls. "No- thing," she murmured, "not a thing to sell now." Iter hands, small and thin, Were clasped tightly together. "I wonder," she mused, "how much it takes to send people tnad!" She unlocked her hands and pushed the soft brown hair from her brow. "Phil looked—desperate," she whis- pered, in a little, frightened voice. "Oh, poor Phil!" sho pressed her hands to her eyes. "Poor Phil," she murmured. The little figure on the sofa stirred. She rose swiftly and knelt beside it. "Had a nice sleep, darling?" she said, brightly. The big blue eyes looked at her in a troubled little way; the brown head so like her own was shaken, "No, mother, there was hurts and things. When will the hurts go 'way, mother?" "Soon, I hope, dear."• "It's always soon,' isn't it, mo- ther?" Wistfully, "where's dad?" "Gone out dear," The blue eyes brightened suddenly; a littlo flush crept to the white cheeks. "lie went out last Cliss- mass Eve," he said, in a mysterious whisper. She turned her head aside. "Mother, do you ermember?" the shrill voice rose excitedly, "and he came home wif big -ho, bigger'n big —parcels, mother! He did!" "Hush, Jerry," she said, gently, and kissed the palm of the cold lit- tle hand she held in hers. "But but," the voice was very sober now, "it's diffent this Cliss- mas Eve, isn't it, mother?" "Yes, dear," the words were drag- ged from her. "Never mind, mother," he patted her cheek with his thin little hand, with a queer assumption of manli- ness, "p raps Father Clissmas will come just the same. P'r'aps," his eyes sparkling, his voice rising again, "he'll bling things to eat, mother, this year! A turkey, or p'r'aps a cake, or some gravy. Wouldn't you just love sweetie nice. to eat, mother?" "I must see to the fire," sho said, and rose, but she did not touch the fire. From the sofa rose a weary cry. "Mother," the voice was full of tears, "ca11y me." She picked him up and sat down before the fire with him on her knee, Pro buried his face in her bosom and sobbed miserably. "Jerry! oh, don't cry, darling." "It's such a bad ole Clissmas this year," he sobbed, wearily,"and I'm so hungry, mother, Don't want ole bread," in answer to her murmur; won't have ole bread," he cried, peevishly. Then he flung his thin little arms round her neck, "I won't cry any more," ho sobbed; "big boys don't cry—do they, mother? I just couldn't help it—" She was listening—her great, aux- huts eyes on the door, Sho had heard footsteps. Presently the door was burst open and a fail' -haired young fellow, with eager . blue eyes and laden with parcels, came stumbling in. 1 3' �h �---- O begets 'Nall It s al right--" h 1! it' Seream r • 1 d his but a wild little sc (a u d o110 1 1 Voice., "Pie's got the big parcels!" and Jerry flung himself elf his mother's lap. But his legs were weak and ho stumbled. :the put him on tho sofa mechanical) her beautiful oyes were dazed. The young follow was explaining rapidly—"ire's outside," 110 wound up, "Noll, darling, don't look like that." "I—I don't understand," she said, faintly, putting up her hand to her forehead. "Deer, you needn't understand more than this. He is a real friend —leo has lent us money—he has prom- ised mo work directly after Christ- mas. I have bought soup, Nell, for the boy. And a turkey; and a meat pie." IIo hold her close, "Do you understand now, sweetheart?" A. little pink color was stealing to her checks; her lips parted in a trem- ulous smile. "It's—true, Phil?" she said, wonderingly. "Quite true. May he come In, dear?" "Yes, oh, yes." She ran to the door and opened it wide. "0h, come in," she cried, hold'ung out both hands. "Colne in—" her voice broke. "Thanks, dear lady," said the Major, cheerfully, "I'm afraid] I can't shako !lands just yot. So that's the boy, is it? Busy on a Parcel already!" wit ecstatic little laughcame from the sofa, 'It's Father Clissmas! But he didn't come down the chhn- lcy, did he?" "The chimney's a trifle warm and more than a trifle dirty," observed the Major. "Where may I put ley parcels? Christmas shopping, you know," with a chuckle. Nell had broken down; she fled sobbing from the room. Of course, Phil went after her. When they came back the Major and Jerry were engrossed in wonderful toys, over which they had become first friends. ' r * * * * w "Well, to think that I should find my old friend Dick Dalve•'s daugh- ter, Nell—pretty Nell—in that ex- traordinary way," said the Major. "Whyl it is simply ma•vollousl" SEASONABLE RECIPES. How to Make Delicious Christmas Candies. It is possible to make just a5 de- licious candy at ]some as can be bought of the highest -class candy manufacturers; and as labor is an expensive item in the cost of candies, it follows that if one can afford the time,—and not a great deal is requir- ed --one can make Christmas candies for home use and fill gift boxes for very much less than it costs to buy the best candies. Any candies but the best aro not Dt to eat. To make candy that requires cook- ing, and to be successful, the sugar must be boiled to just the right degree. Savona technical names are used by confectioners for the different degrees of heat to which the syrup is brought in the operation of candy - making. The smooth degree indi- cates a thick syrup; dip a stick into it, and if it is oily to the toucan the degree is reached. This may be used for crystalizing purpoecs. The thread state is reached when the syrup, tak- en from the stick with the 'finger, se- parates quickly and hangs in small threads. The feather condition is when it may be drawn out, lino fine hairs, without breaking it. Tho ball degree is reached when on taking the stick from the syrup and dipping it into cold water the sugar can be worked like putty. The crack de- gree is when the sugar leaves the stick clean when dipped into cold water, and snaps into pieces when hit. The caramel is the last stage. Irn it the Syrup becomes dark color- ed, and care is required that it shall not remain too long over the fire. A. smooth stick is the best thing to use for testing boiling sugar. Dip the stick f'rst into ice water, then into syrup, and again into water. After sugar is melted it should not be stirred, A )inc11 of cream of tartar added ed to the sugar when thus placed over "PI'1Tl)wi3 cI0lbTIT B1.i'OItlt A FALL." is -�P �1the farmer is feeding ale he frust think "Young n Ile 0y y the "wily g. I'1n a pretty Dna birds Old (Iobbler—Y'es, but don't got :stuffed up too attain, or Lite .first thing yeti know you'll lose your ]lead entirely, the flre will often prevent its grain- ing, If the sugar boils mail ,t le too hard, and a spoonful of water and try it again, and if the sugar be- lls working it,a be- gins to groin when t of ng littlo tatter Must be added and it must be boiled once more, 'Gbud(ulti s 1he foundation for all French rnndies, and it may be rept for 00(10 time if the creamed mix- ture is put into self-sealing fare. '1'o make 1011011011, put ilhte a saucepan three cups of granulated 5ugu1' and olio and one-half cups of water; let it stand half an hour, then add Half a salt spoon of cream of tarter; place the pan over the fire anti stir rho sugar until it is dlte:olved and heated through. Sugar crystals will fowl around the inside of the pan, and may bo removed with a damp cloth or brush, taking care not to touch the boiling sug(u• or jar the pan. When the eyrup has boiled a few minutes, continence testing it with a stick, and when it has reached the ball degree take from the lire and pour carefully over a marble mould- ing board or table and let .t cool a few moments. If the finger leaves a dent when the mixture is presecd it may then be rolled up and kneaded with the hauls or with a wooden spoon until it is a soft, creamy paste- It may bo used to loran into a variety of candies. Although boiled sugar is preferred for creast candies, an uncooked cream may be quickly and easily made, and is very satisfactory. To prepare the cream, beat the whites of two eggs to a froth, add as much water as there were eggs before they were beaten, and gradually stir into this confectioners' sugar until it is a paste thick enough to be moulded with the Singers and retains its shape. To color the creams pink, place in a glans a quarter of an .ounce each of powdered cochineal, alum and cream of tartar; mix and add four ounces of warm water and the suite quantity of alcohol; cover and allow the mixture to stand over night, strain and bottle; stir a few drops at a time into the cream until as deep a color is obtained as is re- quired. For coloring yellow, take half an ounce of saffron and add to it two ounces of alcohol and four of water. Let the mixture stand several days before using. It has a deep orange color, and used in small quantities gives a beautiful yellow shade. To color green, crush and cook a few spinach leaves in water, strafe them and use the liquid. Fruit juices also make aur excellent coloring for creams, To make fruit glace take quarters of orange, white grapes, or any fruit from which the juice does not run too freely, and dip them into the melted fondant and place on oiled paper until dry, Fondant also malces delicious icing for cakes. Of all the delicacies from fondant perhaps that most generally liked are chocolate cream drops. To prepare them take the cream, flavour it and form it into little balls or cones and place on plates. Let the cones harden slightly on the surface—an (lour will be sufficient—before cover- ing. Break into small pieces a carte of plain chocolate and place in a saucepan, sett the pan in another con- taining boiling water and stand over the fire until the chocolate becomes entirely melted; drop two or three of the cream balls into the molted chocolate at one time and • roll around to cover all sides; lift them out with a two -tined forte or a piece of wire twisted into a loop, hold a moment to allow the extra chocolate to drain off, tend place them on pap- er or buttered plates until they be- come cold. When less chocolate is required the covering may be premix- ed thus : Fut half a pound of choco- late in a pan and set over boiling water. When it is soft add four ounces of confection's' sugar ands flavor with vanilla extract; rnix well and' cover tate cream balls with plain chocolate. Chopped nuts may be mixed with the cream to make a variety. To make Creamed Almonds, flavor or color the foundation cream to suit the taste; take small pieces and form it with the fingers around al- mond moats; roll them while moist in fine granulated sugar. For cream ed walnuts, make the balls as for chocolate creams, and as fast as they are formed place halves of English walnuts on both sides of the brill and press then) firmly together. For Nut Bass, use the fondant and stir into it coarsely chopped nut meats. Poul' it into a shallow tin lined with buttered page; when cold lift out the paper and cut the cream into bars. Cocoa ut may be used in place of the chopped meats. To prepare i to legis in Balls, divide the means into small portions; color MC portion with yellow and flavor with orange; another colo' green and flavor with pistachio or bitter al- mond; use pink coloring for a third and rove flavoring; mix a littlo melt- ed chocolate with ono portion, and add vanilla extract; ]coop one portion white and use lemon flavor; snake the creams into small balls with the lingers, chop blanched abnonds fine and roll the balls in theist as soon as they aro fort/Jed. Burnt Almonds are delicious. Put into a saucepan one. and one-half cups of brown sugar and three table- spoonfuls of water; stir until the sugar Is dissolved; when the syrup boils put in oho cup of shelled al- monds and stir until the nuts ere well covered and a little hymned; turn them onto a buttered dish and separate each mgt; )repeat tho process if the almonds requite a thiolter cow. Pulled Chocolate Crean. Candy, boil together four cups of granulated 'sugar and ]calf a cup '01 sweet erv;ani. Di+solve. a pinch of soda in a min of Water and acid with one Utile - spoonful of butter. Cook rho inix- ture until it is a thiclo syrup, Place in another saucepan half a cup of sweet Cronin and 1001' tablespbons of grated chocolate, and cook slowly over the back of the fire until the mixture is sprite thick, When the wliit:0 illixtue0 15 ready to take from'' the fire etir into it .quickly .two teaspooufulll of ;vanilla extract, than stir two largo=spoolfuls into the ahoc'o15(0 mixture and turn the re- 01811n(le1' 011toa buttered dish.' .!'our 111"00.0.0600&00000 00000000 I CHRISTMAS . CUSTOMS 00000000000.448,410000M0 010 5 610 0 Christmas celebrations are drawn from diverse sources and aro by no means all of Oiuistfan origin, in so far as the eerommnies and festivities aro concerned. In fact, many of theist antedate the religion of Christ. Ie the countries of Bement; descant the Roman Saturnalia has heft dis- tinct traces, This great festival in honor of the Roman Cod of Agricul- ture, Saturin, wee celebrated in old Rome every December. Children and slaves were overwhelmed with pre- sents, and merrdinent reigned in every form for a whole work. Southern Europe and Spanish and Portugueco America have retained Clu•istmas mostly as an ocelestial festival, but a joyful one, a time of public rejoic- ing; while in the northern countries its celebration has a more domestic character. It is a honio and family feast. The derivation of Northern customs may bo traced to tho gods of "Edda," the greatest source of northern mythology. Its scriptures were found In Iceland. The customs derived from Saturnalia and thoee front northern myths were by and by partly amalgamated through the mixture of peoples, but still every country has tits own peculiar cere- monies of Christmas. YULETIDE. Tho customs of Scandinavia and Iceland rely most distinctly an tho old northern myths. Tho celebration '0f the solstice was a great festival 111 olden times. For a long time it was behoved that the year stood stili at the solstice. With it began again the reign of Freyr, tho sun god. The Yuletide, the Scandinavians call Christmas, "YuI' means wheel. The old inhabitants of Scandinavia imag- ined the sun to bo liko a wheel, "Yuleklapp" signifies the clapping of the wheels and the expression is still in use for the manner in which the presents aro distributed in the north of Europe. They are thrown into u room and packed in a mysterious manner, so that nobody can guess what the contents are. Verses gen- erally accompany each bundle direct- ing the presents from one person to another. This peculiar usage is de- rived from the mysterious manner in which the sun god gave his pre- sents, 1. e., tho Powers, the green grass and the leaves. Therefore, the green decoration is still in use for Christmas. Also the Christmas tree is derived front early sources. It is of tight a fir tree bocause this re - tumble always green. It symbolizes eternal spring. Christmas applied to it the worship of Christ because through slim eternal spring began for humanity. Tho candles signify eternal light, which came into the world with Christ. In Scandinavia there is, probably, the greatest veneration for Yuletide of all countries. The courts are closed, old quarrels forgotten, feuds adjusted. A pretty symbol of the spirit that reigns is the practice of placing in a row every pair of shoes in each household, so that during the year the family will live in peace and harmony. Candles are left burn- ing to show the way to Yule Trumpte (the Christmas Spirit), who brings the gifts. Ono sots a cake of heal in the snow as a Christmas offering; for the birds a sheaf of Wheat is placed on a pole In front of each house to provide them with food. The family itself has n0 time to take a regular meal on the 24, although baking and cooking begin about four weeks before. On the day of the celebration, at noon, the. whole household will assemble in the kitchen and dip a piece of bread in the ham broth. Then everybody has to prepare again for the Yulo- klapp and the great supper following, After this games are played. They aro usually interrupted by a knock at the door. Four or five boys dressed in white enter. One carries a star- shaped lantern and another an orna- mented box containing two dolls, the Virgin and the Christ child. The boys sing Christmas carols. After - the chocolate mixture over this, and, as soon as it is possible to handle, pull it and cut it into pieces. This mattes a striped candy. To make Peppermint Drops, place over the fire, in a granite pan, one large cup of granulated sugar and four tablespoonfuls of hot water. When the mixture cones to a boil, cook just throe minutes. Meanwhile have ready four tablespoonfuls of confectioners' sugar and a few drops of peppermint. Turn tide into the boiling syrup and stir quickly. Take from the 111.e and sot the pan 10n - Joining the mixture in one of hot water, and with a 81)0011 drop • the 11 - quid in spots the sire of a nickel On marb'o, or on oiled paper. For (linger Drops, boat 111 a .mar- ble mortar an ounce of candied or- ange peel with some lump sugar, and when it is rmloot11 like a paste add half a pound more of the 13011)0 kind of 511500 and half an ounce of pow- dered ginger. Dissolve the sugar with a little wvttor and boil tho Whole to a candy and drop the syrup from the point or a knife on writing paper, when cold keep the drops is a tin box. A favorite English confection fs Tve'ten tally, '1'o make it take three patinae of the best brow su- gar and boll with one and ono -half pinto of touter until the randy har- dens in cold water. Then add a hall pouted of butter, which will 801101) the cantly. l}oil a few moments un- til it again hardens. flavor with lemon mid peer into nee, English °reale Taffy is Made with four cups of 115111 brews su50', half a cup of water, oto tablespoonful of butter and the 1311010 (Menthe, . of 'lfnega'. Boil until it 1s brittle when hosted, add a tableepbonful of vol ilia anti tern Into bettered plates. Olrl fashioned) Molasaoi 0aedy, such a8 was rna(10 by old grandmothers in the days when le"renCll: reveille We•1) Seldom ewe, : Will always be welcom- ed. The more t.i:o cantly fs worked the lighter 11, will be 111 color. ward appear masked performers, who 010 triefcs and play pantomimes,. Resides Scandinavia and Iceland, England bas most faithfully levees". ed the custom of Yulelog. It is a r11as51'1•e ono of wood, 11s01011y the rugged root of an oak, which is kept 1110111115 at Christmas time for twelve days, A piece is kept for the fol- lowing yeer. It was fl^ t lit in honor of the heathen sun god, thou the custohn was transferred to signi- fy the ]Eternal Light. The log is drawn i11 telonip11 from its resting place aurid shouts of laughter, every Wayfarer dolling his hat as it pass- es. Formerly the lninstrels hauled, with song and music. This is an example of the old Yule. song :— Part must be lcopt wherewilh'to tend The Christmas log next yoare, And where 'tis safety kept the fend Can do no mischief there, In England a very important sym- bol of decoration is the mistletoe. It is customary for every young reran to try to bring his beloved under the mistletoe, where he is allowed to kiss her, For this custom WO are indebted to Scandinavdan mythology. The plant was dedicated to tho god- dess ledge, 11 was the emblem of love, and everyone who passed under It received a kiss. ST. NICHOLAS. St. Nicholas is especially venerated in Russia. The emperors mostly carry his name. In the rural life of Russia, Christmas evening is an important event. At sunset young and old assemble, forming a proces- sion, and virit the viaage dignitaries singing carols and receiving coppers. This part of the ceremony is galled "Kolenda,'r which means bogging for money or presents. A masquerade follows In which the adults trans- form themselves into cows, pigs, and other animals in remembrance of the Nativity in the manger.. In the evening supper is served on a table covered with straw. Tho feast be- gins by dividing the blessed water. An old Christmas custom in Busada is to singe a boar. An old woman, a mint and a boy execute that lune - tion'. The gold brdstletl animal is symbolic of light. Bringing in the boar's head was formerly an elabor- ate ceremony awing the Christmas day repast at all mansions of the wealthy—Queen Victoria kept up this always. Tho boar appears on Christ- mas Day, with a lent in his mouth the old symbol of plenty. In Franco 11•e find a mixture of var- ious customs. The up-to-date Pari- sian divides his Chudstras dinner, taking each at a different place and the "Roveillon" into many courses, reaching home for the last cup of coffee at breakfast time. The hang- ing ap.ing up of stockings Christmas night is a common French custom. The children receive. their presents hidden in these like the Roman children at the time of the Saturnalia. The Pro- v'enca.ls in the south of France vener- ate the Yulelog called there "Cacho tlo.' TIDS BASIS OF HAPPINESS, Christmas is the anniversary of a Gift. It inspired the anthem of peace and good -will. Hatred and strife are not provoked by giving. They come from self-seeking. Alexan- der wept because he had no more worlds to conquer• lint he devoted himself to the happiness of his fellow men rather than to his own glory he would have rejoiced at the oppor- t,nity for helpfulness that his posi- tion afforded. The basis of happiness is giving rather thmlyreceiving. The philoso- phies, ancient and modern, more or less dimly reeog111 0 this fundamental truth. One of the last century's philosophical novellsts 8a3d that there could be no perfect happiness without complete solf-forgetfulness. The Nirvana of the Buddhist is such complete absorption in things out- side of self as to leave no room for thought of self. A certain itchiness once sought the recipe for happiness, and the Teacher told him to give his wealth to the needy. All this is well known, if ono only stops to recall it. The secret of happiness was disclosed when the first mother gave birth to the first child. Her joy consisted not in the Pleasure of possession, but in the opportunity for devotion. The world is hold together not by the eoheelv'e power of public plunder, but by the ,adhesive force of sacrifice. The fam- ily persists because all natare con- spires for the protection of the young through the devotion of the old. The state continues because that motor - nal instinct sometimes called patrio- tism impels to its defense. 'And when the family of nations recognize that friendly co-operation is better than hostile cowl/Milieu, the battle - flags will be furled Mid "the kindly earth shall slumber, lapt in ulnieer6al 15,10." 0111n5 is the impelling force of pro- vers. The man who sits in hie office reaching out after flower and wealth for their own sake does not advance hi1nself, but pulls wealth and power back to 111111. On the other hand the giver of that which he has is drawn forward by the beneficent attraction of his good decide,, This is the • Region of Christmas, 11 Is not sectarian nor theological nor mystical, hat is intensely practi- cal. It may be accepted by men of all creeds and of none. Indeed, It is st the basis of ethics as well as hap- 1)lhess. _;r. 971431] !MAS 0001 .11, Here is a very psora] hint regeted'• Mg this bird for those who would 101111) to enjoy the cafing of slime without any sifter ill effects from over -greasiness, which fs this bir'd's only fault. After cleaning incl dressing the goose for roasting, rub it 1111 1x'0" insid0 and out with catered Mister, salt:. (10t a basloct woven loosely at bottom, place birri in this, enol allow the. sell, as It melte, to drip through. , IIave it hung in a cool place, i>lecing a pan beneath 10 catch the melted Salt., • Let -it Ta. Main thus for three clams Before cooking wash the goose thoroughly free front salt, All the coarse, fatly »natter coln08 a1cny, suet the flee)) v11 iso asedelleete and lender. ns a turlooy, d1hi8 is a vn111ab1e 8115508-. tioaa, at the 1101111es5 of goose fr e- mie1111y, eal,teeS untold misery, HOLIDAY FAMILY iDWNNER ICrtser.c551501 aint i8®taose i s®+la0+vd'a16 'roma () Soup,—Uee one aft. can of tomatoes, Strain, place on flre, lvilh a little cold water, mix smooth- ly one nal fespoon coenstarelh, acid to tho tomatoes, and stir till It thick- ens. Then add 2 tablespoons but- ter, one dash of cayen310 and some salt. Serve hot with oysterottos. Chicken Croquettes.: One pint 01 cooked chopped chicken, 1 pt, broad crumbs, 1 cup rich milk or cream, throe eggs, one tablespoon eael1 of salt, flour and lemon juice, three tablespoons butter, half teaspoon pepper. Scald the cream or milk mix flour and butter together 1111 smooth and stir in hot cream, then add ohicken and seasoning. Boil ttvo hninutes, then add bread crumbs and two beaten eggs. Set to cool. Shape into balls when cold, roll in w011 -beaten egg, then into powdered cracker. Fry in deep fat till golden brown. Servo hot. Garnish alter- nately with sprigs of parsley and slices of lemon. Pimolas greatly improve them. Saute Potatoes -Pare white pota- toes, Select small Ones, or if largo, cut 0110 unlf0rm sire. Place into the bottom 0f turkey pan and brown Cold Slaw.—Shave cabbage very fine. Servo with mayonnaise upon small plates, Take cold sliced beets cut into circles and cut again a thole in center, forming rings. Place ono or two rings upon top of the cabbage. Christmas Pudding.—One pound of chopped suet, two lbs. each of cur- rants and raisins, one Ib. brown su- gar, one lb. each of candied peole (lemon, orange, citron), chopped fine, five eggs, one qt. milk, one teospooe soda, two of baking powder, one tea spoon salt, 2 lbs. flour. Itub raisins, citron and currants 1(11 with flour, else they 1111 sink to the bottom. Add more flour to pudding if not still enough. 13011 two hours and a half. This recipe makes four small puddings. Hang up in storeroom till required. Then freshen by steaming. Serve with hard sauce. Maple Mousse in Holly Cups.—Whip dry one pt. cream. 'Add to this one cup of maple syrup and ono table- spoon powdered sugar. Flavor with vanilla. Beat all together, put in mold and pack in ice and salt. Buy the little paper cups at any caterer's. and sow twigs of holly around them, fill cups and servo with almond whip- overs. Almond Whipovors.—Take one cup almonds and blanch by pouring boil - on water over them, let stand a few minutes till skins rub oft easily. Place a small piece of butter into panwith the skiunecl almonds and place in moderate oven to brown. Stir frequently so as not to burn. When cool, chop (Inc. Sift together each one tablespoon powdered sugar„ flour and half snitsp0oh salt. Boat white of one egg a little, and add to sugar and flour enough to utak° creamy. Grease pan lightly and sprinkle with flour. Drop batter with spoon and spread out thinly into water. Bake ill moderato oven. When edges arc brown, turn or doub- le over the wafers quickly and lot remain till all brown, watching con- stantly onstantly that they do not burn. Servo with 01017550. A LITTLE AIERRIMENT. After the Christmas dinner, when the children begin to get what the old colored mammy called "obstre- pus," give thein pencil and paper and let then] liavo a travelling' party. Two wefl-known places about 100 miles apart are chosen, ai>c1 they are supposed to write the names of the towns and villages along the route at which an accommodation train would stop, Perhaps the "grown ups" would enjoy guessing tho authors and poets described below A dimdnutive and what a child calls its father-Oelda. Something found in the sea and the most used vowel—Shelley. A domestic animal and a sound of contentment—Cowper. A well-known game and the orb of day. -Tennyson. A letter of the alphabet and a child's hod,—Scott. An exelalnation unci a state of health: Lowell. What a father said to his son when the meat was tough -Chaucer. Fourth letter of the alphabet anal a groasy liquid—Doyle. What never dies—Nope. A direction given to oxen and what every rose has—Hawthorne. What a spider is noted for and to ,nix—Webster. A last testament and the plural of relations—wflkins, But old and ,youn.g tvi111 join gladly In a game of observation.: On a tab. le have a tnuntber of small articles, env about 30 in all, such as a pen, pencil, pad, hook, pair ,of spectacles, apl)lel ball, etc. Allow all to see rho things at the same 11101110111, and 511'0 than three minutes to view them. Then cover the table, while they have five min- utes in which they ere to write down 11'11(1 they. saw. No talking allow- ed. 01T1IISTMAS i3OXES, It was aucieutly a custom to car- ry a box from door to doom foe the colloctiou of little preseets at Christ.- Inas. hristutas. In an old work Ontitled: "The Athenian Oracle," it is stated that; formerly, it Was a e11510)1) 1.0 offer. Mass fol. the 110fety of all ships that . 1.011 01long voya505, (0c11 of 10111111 n, littlo box tuns nllixodli0',. under the custody If thepriest into which 1 , the salines put money 0r outer vale nbles, in order to 50011'0 lira ])rayers of the church. At 0hustnute these balms were opened and were theeco rallr.cl 'Ol'iSttnns boxes,' Tn o•doe that no persan should nilt 'i10)110 presents, the poo' Were 0ne'aural cd to beg "bar: -money of their r1Che0 neighbor's lel enable therm to add to' T I is the priest s pot' tiIt H Os.