HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1918-12-19, Page 34th
THE 1114. 051.11. QGIVING.
By IlethernHafl Dixon
Eleanor rocked slowly and squeals;•
:fly in 't'he Loanhouse living-royxn�-
=not the "white house with green ;Mut*
Iters auli red 'barn" farmhouse of On-
tario, but a 'two -room shack on a
'southern Alberta irrigation 'tract.
Suddenly, with a sigh that pronoune-
„#cl itself the period to a Mug reverie,
,She rose and walked to a cheat at one
'end of the room,
She lifted the cover, and as she did
se a letter slipped to the floor, t!e
"lensed from an accidental hiding
place. It was sealed and addressed
-'but not' stamped,
"Now, bow in the world—I" ex-
claimed Eleanor picking up the let -
'ter, and, after examining it, "My first
letter to Eva, and i had to write an-
other."
She tore open the letter and be-
came immediately engrossed by the
lines from her own pen, written six
:menthe before to her dearest girl
'friend back in Toronto," her own form-
-tar home. It avas like meeting a
ghost of herself to come face to faee
'with her thoughts of six months ago
'set down in black end white,
i'John built our little home him-
self," she read, "And what do you
',suppose I have in the kitchen? A
'sink!" Just where it ought to be, I
suppose you'll say, but I want you to
'know that I'm the first woman on this
tract to have a sink.
"Our home has just two rooms. The
'combination living -room and bed -
'room is 16 by 16, and the dining -
room and kitchen is 9 by 16, John
stained the living -room woodwork in
brown mission, to match the furni-
'ture we bought.. We have one large
'window in the front, where we get a
beaubiful view of the mountains in
'the distance, and the rest of the win-
dows arethe small -cottage style. I
'have curtained them in scrim. Our
-rug is tan and the walls are covered
with burlap. Our bed pulls up to
' 'the wall in daytime and does service
as a mantel. So you see, Eva, when
'we get our pictures hong it will be
very homelike.'.'
Eleanor looked around, The pie -
'tures were hung. It was homelike.
"There isn't much room for argu-
ment in my little kitchen," she con-
tinued in the letter,."bub there are
advantages in being able to stand in
the middle of the floor and reach
'everything you want"
And then came the details in ar-
rangement of the kitchen, told with
'such accuracy that Eva might have
:entered in the night and have put her
hand- on any pot or kettle.
While this was a truthful descrip-
'e* 'tion of her new home, there .was
'something which Eleanor had not
'told about her 'arrival in the little
'town of Murvale, and that was of the
big lump that had come into her
throat when the train began to slow
down for the station and her eyes
could see nothing but miles and miles
of 'sagebrush from the car window.
Timidly she had touched John's coat -
sleeve and strained back the tears as
she had asked:
"Why, John, why—where is Mur -
vale? Where is the town, John?"
And how sweet and patient and
jolly he had looked when he had
bent down to say:
"Cheer up, dearie. There's a cow
standing in front of it."
And then they had both laughed
and the day hat been saved. John
was always saving the day. Eleanor
blas the only woman on the tract who
had a sink. Christmas was 'but ten
days away. She had exactly sixty-
three cents with which to get a pres-
ent for John her John! So the
thoughts jangled about in her 'head,
She returned to the letter.
"I really haven't had time to get
homesick and I think I'll keep so
ibusy that 1 never shall have the time
. I know that you and all
our friends are still wondering why
we came out here. John came in
March to prepare the way when you
thought it was a business trip, POT
menthe there had been a heavy black
cloud over our little home by the lake.
It seems to me like a nightmare now
:those terrible days when John had
to stagger home from world in semi -
blindness. And then came the ver -
diet of the specialist—unless John
could break entirely away from the
office; iba'fidon ' his law, and live out
of doors he would be blind in a few
months."'
In spite of her cheerful resolve not
"to be homesick, and in spite of the
work which ltacl kept Eleanor's fin-
gers constantly busy, there had been,
days when her heart was so heavy
that it seemed by virtue of its vett'
preponderance to drag her mind, oilt
ly-nilly,: back to the little home they
had lett, And never had this feel-
ing seemed -harder to confiner than in
'these clays just before Christmas. She
missed the bustle and hum, the shop-
ping hordes, the gayly trimmed store
windows and red .Santa en the street
morners,,the parcel -laden delivery
wagons—all of which bespoke for
'weeks before'hand, in the city, of pre -
t parations for the holiday season.
'Out here—well, even :the great
'thrill of empire -building had not yet
had time to overcome her Love for
the old order. Choses went on,
chickens were tended, cows milked,
' • e......-.fioxses led -to water, fences patched.
Where were any hints of thrills to
opine? Any sweet mystery of an-.
ablolpated joys?
13 exit horse there would have been
a big dinner on Christmas eve, ,w.lth
`o es'bs and' gii!ts and good things
eat, and John world have worn his
dresri Solt acid she would have 'worn
her 'wedding dress, which was her
only party gown and bespoke the
'nest extravagant gayety. Why not
'have the dinner party anyway? It
would be minus the guests por'haps,
but site co'u'ld cook a good dinner and
John had his dress •suit and she liar
'wedding gown,
Once more she lifted the lid of the
ehest, and. -this time she took from
it a soft, shapeless paokag'e 'that
rustled strangely 'amid the "severity
of mission furniture. She loosened
a few pins, and the tissue paper
wrappings fell away, releasing a
aloud of white satin that billowed
frdni her hand tothe floor like a
foamy meringue and lay silently glis-
tening with a soft dull splendor as she
hold It up at arm's length, her bosom
heaving with unexpected emotion at
the sight,
Her wedding gown! As she ga•zecl,
faces rose in tiers before her, glad,
tender fades with shining eyes and
smiling lips—her friends as she had
looked upon thein when sire bad turn-
ed from the altar by John's side a
year-ago, She remembered how her
slippered feet' had scarcely seemed
to touch the rose -strewn aisle, and
she felt as if she were again floating
to the majestic tones of the organ re-
cessional, her hand enveloped in the
curve of John's proudly extended
arm. A queer noise brought her to
the present with a start. It was the
teakettle boiling over!
There seems to be a teakettle in
:the life of everyone. As she walk-
led.to the stove to set the kettle back
Ther hens were unloosing tlre'fasten-
ings of her gingham house dress, but
in a moment a new thought assailed
her. Suppose -suppose she had
changed too much!
The absurdity of the thought was
lost upon her, and she sprang in real
anxiety to the narrow mirror that
hung over 'her sewing machine, and
'stood staring' into her own reflection
with tense interest.
Except for the 'lines which fatigue
had deepened around her mouth,
:'there was nothing especially the
matter with what she saw. Her hair
still waved. It wes nice hair, red -
brown with gold glints in it. Her
forehead wasn't intellectual. It was
too low for soaring intellect, but it
was broad and smooth. No fault Was
to be found with thetbrown eyes, and
the nose was unobjectionable except
for the faint, hardly visible glints"
of a few freckles which last sum-
mer's sun had whipped into being.
Reassured that she would be spared
the pain of seeing an old -worn face
above her beloved gown, she caught
up the wedding dress and with a few
deft motions slipped it over her head.
Then she becania absorbed •before the
narrow mirror in an endeavor to get
an accurate reflection of herself in
foto by presenting a rapid succession
of longitudinal strips.,.
Suddenly the door. behind her burst
open, She wheeled, and confronted
the pop -eyed countenance of Mrs.
Valentine, wife of the chief construc-
tion engine'hr for the big irrigation
project of which John and Eleanor
owned eighty acres. Mrs. Valen-
tine's love of finery was attested 'by
one glance at 'her purple broad-
clothed person. She was very short
and very fat—one of those women
who change when they reach- thirty,
become good, simple, and fat, and
then do not change any more at all.
"Oh!" she gasped at Eleanor.
"Ohl" Eleanor returned in startled
echo.
Then she recovered enough to add
explainingly:
"My wedding dress."
"Lovely, perfectly lovely, my dear!"
gushed Mrs. Valentine, advancing to
'touch appreciatively with a pudgy
forefinger the delicate tracery of lilies
of the valley embroidered in pearls
upon the bodice, the work of Elean-
or's own fingers.
"I wonder— No, I shouldn't dare
ask it," she declared with a ponder-
ous sigh. "Clothes are such a prob-
lem out here. You wouldn't, I sup-
pose—" Once more she stopped.
Eleanor stared inquiringly. What
favor could the ehief's wife possibly
wish of her? Mrs. Valentine was
like a roly-poly kitten whom you hat-
ed to deny things. -
"What is it?" Eleanor asked en-
couragingly.
"I really oughtn't to ask it. The
•Oddfellow's Ball is to be on January
fourth. We have received an invi-
tation, and Jim has to be in Calgary
that very week. It seems too
good a chance to lose, but I haven't
anything to wear—not anything!
You wouldn't sell—" she fingered the
bugled sleeve suggestively. Eleanor
drew back as if stung by the touch.
"Oh, I couldn't, Mrs, Valentine:
It's my wedding dress. I made it
every stitch myself and it's the dear-
est thing I own."
Mrs. Valentine turned away with
a Panty look of defeat.
' "Just as you feel about it. It's
a dream, and the style's as good as
when it was made_. Hand embroidery
is always good, and especially in
'pearls. The fullness about the waist
could easily be adjusted to fit me. If
you should change your. mind, I'll
give you—fifty 'dollars for it."
.After Mrs. Valentine's visit, Elwin,
or, as a vent to het -feelings, plunged
ante a frenzy of house-cleaning. With
n armful of garments to be shaken
she 'went out to the' 'clothesline in the
back yard. She , was surprised to
hear voices, and, shielding her eyes
frons the glare of a blanket of anew
Under the bright Alberta stun she SAY/
John in conversation with a 'stranger
on horeebaek, As sise flung the
clothes over the line their eonservaa.
tion came clearly to her oars through
the still :frosty air.
"TVs first -clues," affirmed the
stranger, "Gen -u -wino rawhide
cantle, hand -stitched, brass cap, and
this here's real russet leather."
Most of this unintelligible to
Eleanor, but not the answer to
John's question:
"How much do you went for it?"
"Fifty dollars," was the answer.
Once more in the house Eleanor
went oto the telephone. Rural ser-
vice in this new country was slow.
"Hello!" she called. "hello, Opera-
tor, get me the company's camp,
please. I want to talk to Mrs, Valen-
tine,"
As she rose from the 'telephone,
Eleanor looked through the kitchen
window just in°time to see John lead -
Sing Beppo out to be admired.
John, too, had a prized possession,
It was a 'thoroughbred riding horse,
gift e
Ontario
-th t of a wealthy uncle.
e.
It laid been presented to John when
he came West, the 'uncle's idea of
ranching being, apparently, to mount
a blooded steed and ride over vast
estates each day. John had not
questioned his necessity for the :beau-
tiful creature, but had accepted him
enthusiastically because Isis natural
love of animals had been intensified
by years of city life.
Beppo was never put to the heavy
fatm implements, never hitched at
all, in fact. John could not ride him
because he didn't have a saddle. Once
he bad tried him bareback, but, being
an inexperienced mount, he had not
cared to 'repeat the trial. Beppo,
-.therefore, was enjoyed only through
the medium of •caresses and groom-
ing and display to visitors, as great
'That" had 'been a: tiny string 0
pearls in one corner, and he had hop*•
pentad to read the tag attached. It
had made him -turn away thea. Tie
remembered It w1s;tfully now,
Ito reached h:o'iite, µnhitched with
numb fingers and heavy heart, .fad
and bedded hie horses, and turned to
leave the stable tyhen a soft sound,
half -snort and half-whinny—s horse's
plea for recognitdon•-••,arrested itiana
le turned back, entered Boppo's stall,
and took the satiny nose in his hand.
On Christmas eve the table in the
little ranch -house k be'ben was set
with the 'best silver andlinen for 4
formal dinner --for two, Aunt
Julia's silver candlesticks shell a soft
pink -Shaded light, A sliver fern
dish reflected in a fiat mirror stood
in lieu of flowers for the centrepiece,
and wedding -present china and glass-
ware completed the appointments.
Eleanor In a summer dread of fig-
ured lawn announced the .meal, and
from the living -room Strode John in
full evening dress, a majestic, per-
fect John as he had looked back
home.
He stopped in 'the doorway,
"Why didn't you wear—"
"SAI" cautioned Eleanor. "Don't
speil things by askingany questions
to-nighb, Shall we have aur gifts
first?»
• She led him to the centre of the liv-
ing -room and touched his eyes light-
ly with her fingers tips to close them.
He heard a pullingand straining
that ended with a final bump •and a
huge bundle lodged at labs feet.
"Wait a minute," he begged, and,
stopping to the table, he drew from
the drawer a tiny jewel ease which
he presented to her,
"Now!" he announced, and both be-
came busy with wrappings,
As John rose from his stooping
posture 'their eyes met in a peculiar
look, It was not anger, nor sur
"I wab talking to him about 1t1110
only a few moments ago when I
found him leaning over your gate as
1 drove -up, By Jove, sir, the old boy
knew me."
"I'll go right out and put him up
while I"lleanor makes you comfort-
able," said John.
"Here, nut so fast!" ,
Uncle Stove stepped to the back
door and dragged from the porch a
big 'bundle which he set before John.
From his coal pocket the produced a
smaller package for Eleanor,
"Open 'em right away and tell me
if I'm a good prophet," he said with
a 'twinkle in his eye.
The rustle of wrapping paper
drowned all remarlcs.
Eleanor pushed en ivory button in
a little plush ease and held up—a
string of pearls!
At John's feet lav a shining new
saddle,
"For Beppo," chuckled -Uncle Steve;
"that is," he added severely, "if you
promise to treat 'tint better, So you
didn't know he was lost, eh? Well,
where" in tarnation did you think 1e
was?
"Yes, I—I—knew he was gone,"
John made answer. "You see, Uncle
Steve, I sold ---I mean, I loaned him
to e ditch rider at the irrigation
camp. He must have broken away"
Eleanor could hold in no longer.
"But it's all so wonderful! What
brought you away out here, Uncle
Steve?"
Uncle Steve emitted a thunderous
guffaw,
"That's a good one, I've owned
the 160 acres alongside of you here
for the last four years. In fact, I
sent the agent' to John in the first
place for the very purpose of getting
you out here. I'm sort of particular
about my neighbors, you see, Where
you going?" he broke off to inquire
as Eleanor suddenly turned away.
At the kitchen door she turned.
"I'm going to 'tell Mrs. Valentine
that I shall be glad to loan her my
wedding gown," she said happily.
�_. ey
THE TRAPPER.
11,11 h,!It1 0303
•
"Dearie," he whispered, "I'm going to put my Christmas pres:.n` away
for a while. It's—it's too nice to use right away."
an object of pride, no doubt, as
Joseph's coat or the Queen of Sheba's
jewels. In the long meantimes he
pastured contently in the corral or
champed impatiently in his stall.
Eleanor did not know it, but
thoughts of Christmas had also
come to John. Driving home from
town one evening he had wondered
about it. She needed a sweater
coat and a pair of heavy mountain
boots, he 'thought, and then a feeling
of shame swept over him. Eleanor
was the same Eleanor, whether city
dweller or rancher's wife. And be lov-
,ed her, not because she worked bard
and was helpful, but because she had
nice hair, red -brown with gold
glints in it, and a forehead that
wasn't intellectual, perhaps, but was
broad and smooth; because no fault
could be found with• her brown eyes
and her nose had a few glints of
freckles on it; because she had an
adorable mouth that, for all it had a
tired droop in "the last few months,
still seemed made only for smiles and
hisses.
Hotly he rebuked the thoughts that
had Baited her Christmas with a
sweater coat and mountain boots, I1'0
remembered a day when they had
stood in front of a Jeweler's window.
Every shade and glitter 'mown to
iridescence was caught and lay gold -
imprisoned in the purple bed of that
window; a fortune in green fire, an-
other in red flame, another in costly
white light, beside the beautiful
gleam of turquoise, topaz, sapphire,
and jade.
"What will you Have?" he had
laughingly inquired of her.
"Oh, that!" 'she had glowed back
over her black muff at • Shim. "It
would look so sweet with my wedding
gown,"
prise, nor disapproval, nor horror.
They simply stared.
Then, with a laugh that held in it
a sob and a myraid of unreadable
things, Eleanor wentstraight to her
husband, warm lips and arms and
starry eyes.
"Dearie," he whispered, "I'm go-
ing to put my Christmas present
away for a while. It's—it's too nice
to use right away."
"Oh, John, don't you like it?" she
asked with a catch 1n her voice.
"It isn't that, little 'wife," he con-
fessed, giving her a mighty squeeze.
"I may as well be honeet. You see
I—well, I can't' use that `" handsome
saddle because I sold Beppo to get
this," and he pointed to the jewel
ease.
"John! Did you? Why, how funny!
'1 can't wear niy pearls either because
I sold my wedding dress to get—
this," and she tapped the''.saddle. -
At the, same moment they both
straightened to a listening attitude.
"It sounded like a sleigh," she
whispered. "Listen!"
"Uncle Stevel" they both' cried in
unison a few moments later to the
muffled figure stamping himself free
of snow on their little back porch.
"Merry Christma•sl" cane from
under the mufiiers, accompanied by
a plume of frosty breath.
"How in the world— Do come in to
the fire. When did you— Wisy didn't
you 'tell us-"
"Hold on1 Hold on!" begged Uncle
Steve. Turning to John he said
sternly;
"What kind of a stock raiser are
you, young man, to leave a thor-
oug'hbred,'.Ontario-raised horse out
in this weather?"
"Beppo? What do you mean, Uncle
Steve? Heppe—is-isn't here. Ile—"
Raccoon Trapping Methods.
After finding raccoon runs and
trails near lake or stream, set trap
out in-water'deep enough to cover it,
"
Then cuttwo separate pieces of
brush, scent with the best raccoon
bait, and place one on each side of
the trap. Or the trap may be con-
cealed in a path made by the coon,
covered 'carefully lwbth loose earth
and baited. On catching the scent
the coon will be sure to investigate.
Another good place to set coon traps
is at the mouth of small creeks or
at the bottom of old logs that have
fallen across a stream.
'Coons are attracted by bright ob-
jects and always investigate the un-
usual. In the majority of eases their
curiosity proves fatal to them. A
bright tin fish to be attached to the
pan of tate trap will glitter in the
sun or moonlight and will draw the
coon over to the trap.
• In preparing for the market coon
should be talsen off open. When
trapped in the northern and central
sections of the country, the furs
should be stretched in their natural
shape, care being taken not to over-
stretch. Southern pelts should be
stretched as nearly, square as pos-
sible. All ,superfluous meat and fat
should be reproved, but :the pelt
should not be scraped too closeIy.
`Skins should be dried in cool place,
not in sun or near fire. They are
(ready to ship when dry enough to
'hold their shape.
7'
Christmas Carol.
The eaith has giown old with its bur-
den of care
But at Christmas it always is young,
The heart of the jewel burns lustrous
and fair
And its soul full of music bursts
forth on the air
When the song of the angels is sung.
It is coming, Old .Barth, itis coming
to -night!
On the snow fakes which cover thy
sod;
The feet of the Christ -child tells gentle
and white,
And the voice of the Christ -child
tails out with delight
That mankind are the children of God.
The feet of the humblest may walk In
the field
Where the feet of the Holiest trod,
This, then, is the marvel to mortals re-
vealed
When the silvery trumpets of Christ-
man have pealed
That mankind are the children of Cod.
--Phillips Brooks,
Christmas Day, 1518,
Ile shall come down like showers
Upon the fruitful earth;
And love, joy, hope, like flowers,
Spring in his path to birth;
Before him on the mountains,
Shall Peace, the herald go;
And ltiglsteousness, in fountains,
Prom 11111 to valley flow,
w Furs
VOX, COON, SKUNE
WASTO
SHIP NOW 'FOR HIGH PRIcas
Wo pay naprcoe I5*40 7t''ortaa'o, 3e.enn4t
Within, 24 gears.
Send for Illustrated Booklet and
Price List
OLIVER SPANNER & CO.
rogi49x?i410t4:
243 ELM' sTREE'1'e• TORONTO
The Future of the Live Stock Iiidust.ry
The arrival of peace has created
new conditions in the export of meat
and produce and some uncertainty in
the minds of Canadian farmers as to
future markets. Information in the
hands of The Honorable T. A, Crerar,
Minister of Agriculture, convinces
him that the export market will con-
tinue to absorb at farm prices, as cam •
pared with the prices fon,,all other
agricultural products, every pound of
beef, bacon and other Animal pro-
ducts that Canada can _supply, Iii
discussing the situation the Honor-
able Mr. Crerar said: "In view of
the great soaroity of cattle and live
•stock of all kinds in Europe, and be-
cause of the great demand for live
stock and live Stock products of all
kinds sure to continue for some
years at least, I am going to ask the
farmers and live stock men of Can-
ada to maintain their 'breeding opera-
tions on a war time scale, to properly
finish all feeding stock, and to con-
serve all good breeding females, and
to still further improve their herds
and flocks by using even greater care
in the selection of the sine,"
Star Song.
Tell as thou clear and heav'nly tongue,
Where is the Babe that lately sprung?
Lies he the lily banks among?
Or say if this new birth of ours
Sleeps laid within some ark of flowers,
Spangled with dewlight:" thou oanst
clear
All doubts and manifest the where.
Declare to us, bright star. if we shall
seek
I•Iim in the morning's blushing cheek,
Or search the beds of spices through
To find him out?
Robert -Herrick.
PFLTRY
of all kinds.
Better quality preferred.
Write for priced.
STANFORD'S, Limited
125 Mansfield St, - - Montreal
Rl ri'dW Ffed OYS ma k.t yriaeelfor
RAW FURS and GINSENG ROOT
21 years of reliable trading.
Reference—Union Bk, of Canada,
Write for Price List and Tags
14. SILVER see St. Paaadonni, t.e
The Highest Price
N. RAW FURS
to us, no matter what quantity, We
pay the highest price, also express
charges.
Try once and you are assured of
satisfaction,
ABBEY FUDR COMPANY
310 St. Paul W. Montreal, P.Q.
Reference: Bank of Aoobelaga. St.
73enry.
In business for 30 years
You Cant Afford
to take chances!!!
Send your
428
Si. Paul St.
Wast
MONTREAL
Being manufacturers, and not buying to re.
sell we always 0,50,0 the fairest grading and
the highest market prices. Quick returns!
alaaazt
We want millions of muskrat, skunk,
coon, mink opossum, Emu/elf-eye rabbit
skins -and will pay spot cash, highest
prices! Funaten's relabtegradin gets you
every, cent of value in your furs, enever
Promise impossible prices and t ten cut
do tt
v n� rade What yourors re
rimeg a
Checl, le what we th tis sengintolls
Check sent you within 2Q hours,
Write for Free Shipping Tags and Trap-
pers' Guide, Market Reports, etc
nsteR>1 ;, a'os0 & Co
intnmallanal Fur e,ahaapa
002 HaaaetessBasilaitg
g0o lIS, MO,
A Chlicee Sona of Chrletrnae,.
Aly counterpane is soft as
My blanicets white ne preemy lufilr,
The hay was soft le I1im, 1 anew;
Our little Lord of long ago.
Above the roof the pigcone ny;.
In silver wheels•aoroatathe• sky.
The steible-cloves they 'cooed to 'them,
Mary and Christ in Betlilehent,
Bright shines the eun'across the drinte,
And beasts upon my Clirietmaa,gifts.
They brought I:lim'ineeisse, ruyrrli rand
Our litt:v Lord who lived"of old,
0, soft and clear our mother singe
Of Christmas joys and • Christtnae
things.' .
God's holy angels sang to them,
Mary and Christ in Bethlehem.
Our hearts they hold all Clu'ietnaas
deaf,
And earth seen'is sweet and heaven
emus near.
0, Heaven was in His sight, i lamer,
That little Child of long ago.
--Marjorie L. 0. Pickthall
a----_-
Winter Music.
Far off, the mellow music
Of silver -sounding bells;
The lowing' of the cattle;
The tale the swung axe toils;
The hoarse "Bailee" of hunter's;
The baying of the hound;—
Fall through the realm of snowflakeri
With soft and soothing sound,
Near by, the chirp of sparrows;
The saucy "thiels -a -dee:"
And faint foot -falls of feathery flakes
Make up the minstrelsy.
A Seventeenth Century Carol.
So now is come our joyful feast,
Let every man he jolly;
Each room with ivy leaves is drest,
And every post with bolly.
Though some churls at our mirth re,
pine,
Round your foreheads garlands twine,
Drown sorrow le a cup of wine,
And let us all be. merry.
Now all our neighiors' cilatneya'
smoke,
And Christmas blocks are burning;
Their ovens they with baked meats
choke,
And all their spits are turning.
Without the door let sorrow lye,
And if for cold ithap to dye,
We'll bury't in a Christmas -nye
And evermore be merry!
How to Live Twloe.
(A Now Year's Lesson for Youth).
To -day my friend is seventy -live;
He tells his tale with no regret:
His brave old eyes are steadfast yet
His heart the lightest heard alive.
IIe sees behind him, green and :ride,
The pathway of his pilgrim years;
He sees tite shore, and dreadless
hears
The whisper of the creeping tide.
For out of all his days not one
Has passed and left its onlaid ghost
To seek a light forever lost
Or wail a deed for ever done.
So for reward of lifelong truth
He lives again. as good men can,
Redoubling his allotted span
With memories of a stainless youth -
Old and New.
A toast to the old year; a toast to the
new,
May its pleasures be many—its sot'.
rows be few.
A hope for the future—a sigh for the
past --
A smile for the present -the hours
speeding fast.
A toast to the old friends—a toast to
the new,
A toast to the clear friends—and one
to the true;
A prayer to our Maker—in reverent
fear,
When we meet in a twelvemonth-.,
that all may be here.
A Christmas Song.
When mother -love makes all things
bright,
When joy comes with the morning
light,
When children gather round their troop
Thos, Christmas Babe;
We sing to Thee!
When shadows of the valley fall,
Wen sin and death the soul appall,
Onfe light we through the darkness see;
Christ on the Cross,
1Ve cry to Thee!
Christmas Invocation.
Upon you I bestow this meagre token,
Not as full measure of that which is
spoken;
But as the bearer of thoughts never
spoken--
Thoughts which invoke Cod's bless-
ings down from heaven
Upon you in this time of love and giv-
Ing.
May His gift for the Yuletide be no
less
Than blessings which make lite •quell
worth the living:
Faith, health, love, peace;—all wrap-
ped in happiness!
"Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas
to -night,
Christmas where snow peaks stand sol-
emn mid whits, .
Christmas where cornfields Us manna
and bright,
Everywhere, everywhere, 'Cbr stmae to-
night,"