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The Herald, 1914-12-24, Page 5ca,,,,mosa,aracwimmerawalgoav_atIssil 4 THE PUDDINGS mitteetieeliteeeeleatteeetleettle:eteeeeee: "There 'won't be much of the. 'festive eteaeon' about it with uS this year," leldward Garnett sighed: "Why, if we have a Christmas dinner at all, it'll be a mighty poor one." "No pudding, rm afraid." His wife shook her head slowty. "They won't send us one, of course. My folks, I mean, or yours." "Not much fear of that." "My Mother has always made six or eight. She'a weir known for her pud- dings. •And your mother, too, Ted— hers are rather nice." "13eist I'Ve ever eaterf!" declared Ed- ward Garnett rather gruffly. Do you remember lag year, wheif I took you round, there on Boxing Dtty to intro duce you?" "It tasted very neaely as good as the One we hadat home." "Better! There's no one to touch my mother at cooking." Hie wife Smiled warily. "Areyhove,• there'll be none for us this Christmas." "I met my old dad last week la the Big1iStreet. 1 don't know whether 1. neentfoned it to yet, did 1? no jest said it was a fine day, and Went on. Might have been speaking to a stranger!" "And 1-4 saw mother about, a fort- , night ago She stopped and spoke to met bet only said he wondered if I'd had enough cif married Me yet, and she supposed I was finding out the bfg mistake rdmadee didn't tell you at the time, Ted, because she •was quite wrong. I haven't made a mis- take at all!'" "You still say that?"' "'Of course 1 do f You know how happy we've been- Things havee gone bay lately, that's all." "Couldn't very wen be worse! We've hardly a penny, owe rent, and I'm out of a fob. Seems as if none of the build- ers want a clerk. Fact iss trade's so lack they're turning their 'workmen "Leckll change soon. It's bound to," his wife declared stoutly. "And there's your invention. That's going to bring us a fortune, one day." les hunched Ida shoulders resent- fetFirms won't lock at my Calculating machine. Think of the hours I spent over it, Peggy—worked all my spare • tim.e—late at ntght, often, I was a fool ever to think so." "Crossway's have the model now, haven't they' Well, they might buy the patent, you never know." "How many people have refused it! I forget the number of times it's been sent back. Why should Cross -way be different from the rest? Tehah! I'm sick of the sight of the thing!" Misfortune had soured Edward Garnett. His voice was bitter. He glanced across at his wife's white face, and blamed himself for ever having persuaded her to leave a comfortable home. She seemed to read his thoughts, for she bent forward and laid a hand on his knee. "Don't you imagine I'm ever sorry I married you, Ted, whatever happens. It was a pity that father and mother never liked you very mueh—said you weren't well-off enough, and quarelled with me about it. I'd love to be friends with them again; but still—" His face brightened, and he threw off his depression for a moment. "And my people—it was my share of the housekeeping money they mis- eed. They were against mY getting married at all. But a fellow can't stop at home for ever. He wants a wife, Peggy, and a place of his own. It's 'only natural." He drooped forwards in hie chair again. "A place of his own," he echoed un- steadily. "Two rooms on the third floor, in a street miserable enough to give you the blues!" "You're going to apply at Marx & Soper's to -mono*, Ted," his wife re- minded him, with an effort at cheerful - Aces. "With that letter ofeintroduction -to Mr. Soper', you'll very likely get' a job. Seeing it's the day before Christ- ens, he'll very likely feel in a good • humour," "I'm not counting on anything like that. Luck's' dead against me, kr-W- eyer, better get to bed, I suppose" In. the morning his wife woke him In good time, but at first he would not Move. "What's the use of going? I know very well what old Soper's answer will "For my sake, Ted!" Shamefacedly he roused himself directly she had left the room. Their breakfast was a scanty otto, and he declared that he was not hungry, so that she might have the larger portion. His wife, however, understood his in- teution, and insisted on sharing equally. With a new warmth at his heart he Set out for Marx & Soper's. The door- keeper at the builder's yard received him abruptly. "What a day to ome worryite the guednor for a berth!" "It's all the same to me what day It ig," O:Yard Garnett retorted; "1 Only Itnow I'm out of week, t may be itearistraas tomorrowe bet znoaeY's earce, and I 'want to get 'taken on so'i 1 can start fleet week." • "All right, you'd better nit. I dun - no if 'ell see you, thotigh." The firms employees joked end tetaleoe one water as they Word Their wages lyete, due, AO atua I bones wottld beeetitle to them t ptar the, Seefiell, When. Tr. gaper arrived o was 1)0E4;111114 MOW')ward Barnett took this for a good sign, Ralf an hour later, however, he'Wee leaving with lagging steps and bent leholdeleteee xf.is Atter of poommenda- At two other builders' offices a like reception awaited him, Although he knew that hie wife would be anxiously expecting news, he determined not to return till after clinnereime, so that she would not have to provide a meal for him. But he had already pulled the elotl azide and; dieeresed Cedesevay' & Sons label. His half -incoherent exclamation ,showed that he guessedits seven cance, "Ala, my carenfetor beek—thrown on My hands oriole more! No one wants :it. Of course not! lie lat1ghett harshly. This final blow almost overwhelmed him "Here's a letter, toot You were try Ing:to hide it, were you, Peggy? 'Dear 'Siit, we regret that we are disinclined to consfder----, Why, of mum, Crk W ossWay's thins n& goodat Mr!' toldyou. sole His trife stepped cloeerslipping hei arm round his shoulders. "Don't take it to heart, Ted. You must try not to mind," "They've even sent it back without the box 1 made for it! Well, if that i'Etri"t the limit'. Ill just pay therm a call presently; and Tel ask them what they mean by „felting some of my propertyL" "I wouldn't trouble about that, Ted. It's not much loss." "I'll have my right, though!" He had raised his voice furiously. "I'll go an talk to them, you see if I dwell" Late in the afternoon Edward Garnett set oft determinedly to Messrs Crossway & Sons' offices.. "I don't see why I s'aouldiett have m box," he repeated. "They've no right to keep it. FU just call in there—if they've lost it they'll have to find • again, that's alt—and then we'll go out for a bit of a walk, Peggy. How much can we afford to' spend on our Cbrfst mas shopping—eh?" "Three shillings—that's the most we can really spare." He nodded ruefully, and turned away. His wife felt a lump in her throat as she watched him wearily depart. It was perhaps two hours after- wards that he came back, flying up the stairs, bursting in at the door so that she started up in alarni. He was panting for breath; his face was work- ing strangely, and his eyes shone. "You'll hardly believe it!" he began jerkily. "Peggy, you've been crying, but you. needn't cry any more. Listen, my dear! There's good news --good news at last! Crossway's kept the box on purpose, because of the fasten- ing. Remember it?" He caught her shoulders, pulling her close. She stared in amazement. "That sort of catch you made or it?" hi "Yes! Old Crossway—I 'saw m himself—been talking to him best part of an hour—old Crossway says its the neatest arrangement he's ever seen It's got to be patented, he says, that little fastening. I never dreamed it was any real use, Peggy. Just thought of it one day last week, and fitted it to the box for my own convenience." "And is it worth any money?" "Worth? I don't know what it's worth yet! He's going to manufacture it and sell it. They'll use it on trunks and bags—ordinary bags and ladies' handbags, purses, and all sorts of things. It can be altered a bit, you know, and made to be used on pretty nearly everything." He tumbled in his pocket. "Look here!" She gasped. "A five -pound note, Ted!" "Old Crossway, he gave it to me on account. 'It isn't business,' he said, 'and it's nothing to do with the firm.; but you tales this,' he said; 'as it's Christmas-tifee, you may find it useful.' Peggy', Pegg, we've turned the corner at last!" - His voice oiled away. Reaction had come, and r.ii helped him 10 a seat. Presently when he had recovered, they discussed this totally uneipected wind- fall in excitement and joy. "We'll have Money to spare later on!" he exclaimed. "We won't be hard -up any more. My folks'll be pretty surprised When they hear about it; and yours, too, they'll be a bit sorry, I shouldn't wonder—sort of disappointed." "I wish they'd make it up with us again," put hi his wife gently. "That's the only thing that's bothering me now. If only they'd—they'd send us a Christ- mas -card or a pudding, to show they wanted to see us again!" He shrugged his shoulders. "Anyway, we're going out, Peggy. We're going to pay up our rent, and then we're going to buy each other a present. Do you hear?" It was late when they returned, carrying various parcels and an arm- ful of holly, Both assumed high spirits, but, as they entered, their faces fell. "Nothing's come for us by the post," eald Mrs. Garnett regretfully'. Or husband Set the things on the table. "Noe extern not. And tleere Wene't bo another delivery 0)4414 Your mother hasn't sent a pudding, nor mine either." "Might come in the merging, Tod." "Stiro net to! Wouldn't be in time tor dinner. No, nO; they don't want to have anything more to do with Us, dear, Never Mier "But I de delude de r, 110001ww," her htlaba end , "Still, plOn't let's think aline theet. Seer '4It'fi tee bad br, yOur mother to bear a loud ascended the stairs at test, and was obliged to confess his failures. She was: trying to comfort him when he caught sight of a bundle in, the corner of the room, "Hanoi What have you got Mae, Peggy, covered up with the table- cloth?" "Don't touch it, Ted," she requested .queckly. "we—notilifng.''' c 4 411' •• 16;11#4;419111,411„Iii ft Bu OsheY frpat ch tr d ri rtn vi aa bei s --01 ..1:(1:24,clirif oft,sof 7/ eiribedtiAa • 0 -7, de, (1/7 te--- .. ea...art Tliat gather ineatk- ,4%. . ,- ' • . Virh-a‘kiaCk5:144 Te".4-lif.:" "1;-, 40y ha.i,i*al--of 41w -parte ''')N i•Nliii, - Where the wintettroit, ,•v • !..i/ frheyanisoufieii 4461* ,..fain7'w. ouletli , - ii\ *iihin7 and laugh at :414. IL: true& c Xing fieetlychirn.s.t USwitt,'sw1,14, r They are'macte_ottheinmiii ' -P- friVosell ,..-tease,''eagiteicii." Ciiiiiiinftsi yiisie- the,t4pil,Ehildseii thr,Ong: Alf,T Under the. holly boligh, and hti, shadov4, ireeernek.;',flieaboilt?, t t , e mother, then, wila* died - - - ,--:4 ,,..• - i .,.... , ..v. „-, .,.. ,t.%.; ,0,-,,,,,,,24 -4, ,,i• e;gree4-.ffere sereo„-ia§triristmas-tide?, iliirehiniei! CeVigreaser (11 e;guesaathd: w.: -TA SHEI3I-IgRO'S VISION DEPIoTED, Announcement of the Birth of the Saviour. It must have been about midnight, writes Thomas Nelson Page in Scrib- ner's. The moon had crept elowly up the sky and flooded the hills with light. The oldest of the shepherds was on watch, while the others slept. Many things revolved in his mine—the promises to Abraham and to his seed forever—the words of peace that the traveller from Nazareth had spoken, swept through his memory. Ile began to dream. And the . fest thing that struck hint was the strange behavior of the sheep in the folds. They rose from the. ground and: facing towards the mountain, knelt as lambs kneel, at their mother's- sides.. But they were all still,, as still. as it carved of stone. And while he wondered, suddenly there stood near him—so suddenly ,that it wasas it he had drooped down upon him—a presence. He had no time to question—a light—a glory un- imaginable—brfghter than the moon— more glorionsthan the sun—like the glory of the Lord. It awoke some ot the others. It was round about them, and they were sore afraid. Then a voice sounded in their ears—and the angel said unto them—'Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidingof great joy, which shall be to all pedelee for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, whieh is eehrist the, Lord, and this shalt be a sign unto you; ye shall find the- babe wrapped. in swaddling clothes lying ini a manger." Astonished and still terrified—stun- ned beyond tliought—the shepherds lay as they had 'been found—and sude dozily there was witis the angel a multi- tude of the Heavenly, heat, peals:Me God, and saying, "Glory to God in the Highestand on earth peace- to men cif good -will." Then they went away upward—up into the Heaven.—and: only the shepherds were left on the earth withtheir flocks. When they re- covered their courage and looked uo, the sky was as usual on dear and cloudless nights—and only the moon was shining down, flooding the fields with light. They began to talk in low tones of what they had !men and heard, and to wonder what it all meant. COAT HANGERS FOR XMAS. A novel kind of coat hanger well within the Weill of little fingers to make is of raphia in gay color. Thread a coarse needle with the raphia, and buttonhole the entire framework ot a wire coat hanger in such a way that the puri comes on the fnside of the opening of the ends. Over the hook put the buttonhole stitches so close that the metal is covered. To fill in the openings, thread a needle with a different color of raphia and cat -stitch through the buttonhole stitches until the space is covered. If you want the coat hanger sweet - scented, make little bags from three- inch ribbon folded across, the edges overcast and the ends turned into a casing, Use baby ribbon for a draw. string and fill each bag with cotton, thickly sprinkled with satchet. Hang a bag from each end of the hanger. ISANTA CLAUS KIDDIE "Yes; and 1 do think yours might have shown'a bit of kindness, esteicial- ly et Christmas!" , Gloomily they set about their task of putting on tee holly. They spoke "This might have been the happiest day of our lives, Ted." She broke down suddenly. He eros - sed and took her in his arms, trying to comfort her. A. rap at the -door roused them. Thee recognised the woman on the landing as one who lived on the floor below. She held out two packages. "Sorry I 'aven't brought these up before, but I've only just got back from my sister's. They came for you this Veiling.. I took charge of 'em; an', seelle as 'ow you were out, I put 'em in my own room for safety." "Thanks—thanks very much!" Feverishly they' seized the parcels, guessing what they contained. "Well, good night, an' a merry Christmas!" called their neighbour, departing. • They could scarcely' answer. Loft alone, they looked at one another with misty eyes. "Puddings!" she faltered. "One from your mother, and one from mine!" "They want to make it my with us, Peggy," "Wonder whieh'll taste the nicer?" She was half crying, be oraadl" he salsi chains - 'Peggy, we% reind and soo all the folks to -morrow, a Seep. as we've ganapled their Puddings,' —London AnsWers. Q UAINT CHRISMAS -CU ST9 MS. • A pretty oust= is still obseryed in parts of Devonshire. at -Chrst- mas-time. The farmer, with his faintly and friends, partake of a meal of hot cakes and cider—the fore being eaten: The whole party then repair to the .•qchard, led by the farmer bearitg hot cakes and cider as an offering to the- principal apple -tree. The d'ild i+d ceremoniously clopositeclin a fl.mit: of the tree, .while eider is thrown over it. During this .0p-era-I.:ion the men fire off guns. and pi:Stela, and the girle .sing a -.song ;asking the tree to heft -"barrifuls' bagels, and tdadk- vacs heang .cleppe.d in the ,ebtler e - It used to be. and perhaps ,still is, a custom in Cheshire, fpr famt set - 'MIAS, to engage themselves te their mast -era from New Yeaes Itve fio Christmas Day. LIIiS loft theoz the flays between for o.Uity befittinee t e season, though t muia6 otLen alto heel). lara.eltal inoovenlent -ler the farther anhs s ttamilk, A bei4ef 04,11, flingers ye tt..1 pante tef NaM's.va01.1. iheib m4410311,610 ObrIstinais gvo heeati4 n etalls fall, down- ep. , 1300$ Aro oloo antd to 611,4g in Iivett t boar, Land it $0 'I wvoti. Do Your Duty 'New. These are Rome of the untertuus,44 +Me ones whoillt. Th -c tolaa14 liome.31ade Curtahr a Token for the Yuletide If you axe aware of the: size oiety friend's windows, buy net. by the y decorate it witti data* borderer mercerized cottons asedk for Uardan work, and give curtains for a Cht matt gift: Get a firm, squaire-raeshed aet. sure the windoWs and allow for and casing at the top, 'Use tapes needles as their blunt eget will catch, Leng skein.ed„ netetty oat can lie had in white or ecru, as:regal by tone of net. Couventiemil pattenee Leer darn may be bought eeparately er can ptcked out from book; en thee point form or needlework Moose tie vetoes tines are pot too intricate call for many *tinge ot the, thre When ends meat Tie leAsted, r thein together fot o, hall -Wong and w a fine thread. ofereaat on the wro side and lade faetettIng under a set The difficulty lir darateg is to ma an even pattern. Where, there is border on both eiclee ane across bottom lay the front and feottoin h ane leave the other until, the darn' done, that the Uwe may tie an ete distance, from the deelgo, it is oft easier to start 'Vete pattern: in corner and work in two; (erections. Do not finish one tine, eettrely then begin on the areata lieete. IT two or three needlec at the same tire A mistake is then easily detected. will be iml?ossiblo to count meshes curately, but do have a general of distance and-boett ate' times design must he repeated to cense r evenly at the corners %there rhea • only a border acroee the hettetti eau. bag is simplified. Sometimes the nee' are darned I colored cottons, bat as the effe against the hat leaner, met, a hcavie One than if the, work were to he don on an opaque surfaoe Those who like erceet-atitob embrot ery will rejoice In a nether new mate] lea called =mato catteatt It is divide( into blocks by ce heavy thread which when worked givea e. peetilier 111040.i effect. The canvaa is ea tuataras wid so it outs economleteely Besides being adapted to cross stitehlug, this cavatt makes es efteo five background for beeline etitch, th lazy daisy stitch, tapeetcy and eve satin stitch. Re soft teettrel ton snakes it an admitable eackground fos colored embroideries, te-Vt. Games for Little Failfgi- Several lively ga,rots ter y041.24 folks have coma dowrk increasing popIlarity ;,e1446-,colcir 1 days. Among tb.ena,. "Going toJ aim," are the best keek7C:t:thl'ai and the last are ;lotion, ganios, the .second Is pottethly the meat at ing. For "Going to Jerusalem" It is sary to clear the centre at the rem,. Then, in reversed order. lin'estettf chairs is arrange& there being mee,at the piano start% a ateren .cid the play- ers, forming In tine, march rtmind the. chairs. Suddenly the tous.:2 Then there is e scramble at ng tile players for a chair. Of cour, after each chair is occupied erne player will remain unseated, and tau ant of the game. When -the music eterte again, a chair is retteereel eel the ceatehing recommences to evei an befareeePeet- ually, two playere will he left, tele:well arountea single ehair gad this pee tette is left "etandleg etb.eothe delete eetishe for the last time; -t.;74 In other worde, if forfe.thk .have been. decided upon, tee luckteete pieyer inteet pay it. Gossip, unlike the last game thee not require any monies a.round. In fact, absolutely quiet is almost esselizi tial to iteeettecees.. earat, the leteeee'id, seat thereeetees ore the doer le a ctrele. Then one iteeta leans ever -Ad- whispers something leen the Oir layer on the telt -In telt-atlas player Whispers it to thenext, athlete som thing to wha h tai told. the story gotei the ramids, the player to reeetve it role:feting ai. what lie wa tole. This in theeett pared with tie etatenient, of course the zoniparison creiktes lok.. of ainus2anent. Spinning ilia platLer is' to well known to reTkice varia4 tions 'are aoreetenee inhodacal wheee several pile-el.:el are to be' korit epie- ping at th seer? 1' TIM -'quires a great dee: 'teePetilite oa elle prat ::og tb' playore 'antrrte -often ateei tied bet Iinany grotettaetattemieve. . Spotting itteetiettoiber game pieeeee with plates...,:ithis case .C!o bottom. of a plate or „teeeter In eoeted bybe- ing held fn 4' ,n:14 eeer a gas jet or In a eantileteeaetee " Thou each of the' player le ''gletettee. the ,spotted; plate being nniinis Mom, kitnn- • ono -111 ueleoted te setjhe ex.ample, and at the commend, • lesi do,." each of the • pla,e'ere dre'•,17 his fingers' a.ozoss the' bottom of plate; dnd. proceeds te pees it ove.r. iit iaeas Was delis by. the director. . • Spred; ger'i;Ite Trouble. aif.1141:9,,,,,, ,v.,4.,,i1,,e,c,ciolftj,e8,•bbioiii.4, La, ieee Wontan,-014,4; you ,m,'04.1j.rortad I was foist gainto f.ocid ham.. 1,713,0or tpgravi.ormo!,iti,04* the 'ditittgeelcvg,Iferk:ivive,t'eleAtn1;e , 00034X)0,000 15)04,0,fAilogit;,-4