1878-12-20; Clare County Press

              ■***,
THE CHRISTMAS I'I'.EK.
Wlillo then-Inter snows aro dressing
AU tho trees in spotless white,
And tho twilight and tha nro-light,     ,
'Hound jny Ingle**
Ulead antl mlnglo,
Ami tho tiitrlat
Crcepcth on apace, thero lowers
On my hearth a irco whoso ilowore
Ban were boi-n In elflii bowurs
"far removed from inortal^Bight.
Tis the king ot all tho cedars,
Aud its branches, green aud fair,
With their Weight ot goldon fruitago
Bond and fills ten,
And t listen
While the air
Seems with bopisous roploto,
Which my lips and heart ropoat,
Boruo on incenso weird and sweet—
Incense sweet beyond compare.
Myriads ot dainty baubles
Nestled in its branches are;
Hanks Of shining, tinted tapers,
Hashing, gleaming,
Each one seaming
Like tho star
Which, through nil tho toil and dang
Led the magi to tho manger
Where, was bom the Itoyal Stranger
i'rom tho heavenly court afar.
. As tho tnpors, slowly burning,
Set in darkness onq by ono. '
And tho troops of rosy children
'lioundtnyiuglo
Throng and ininglo,
Whilo tho fun
And the look of glad surprise
"fade from out their sated oyos,
" lell us now," my Princess cries,
" Of Uio Iilosscd Virgin's Sou."
.   littla "Princess Golden-Locks,
Throned upon my kneo again,
Walts to hear tho old, old story,
New forover,
Whioh hath never
Ended been;
How tho Eastern sages bring
Treasures to the Peasant King,
And Iho hosts of heaven* sing,
" I'caco on earth, gooA-wllI to mod."
"■ViUTIKG.
Walling—jts, surely we're walling;
.    For whotj we know not all wo wait,
Hut whatever awalt.'i us, rchiting
To the joy or tho woo of our stato.
Walling for pleasure and sweetness;
1'or hopes all fulfilled in our lifo;
Waiting ivfuture completeness,
An end of our struggles and slrlfo.
For life all our struggling and striving
To end with our midlife in bloom;
Yet-waiting aud hoping, contriving,
Till we blossom iu w hito for the tomb.
Waiting forltonor and glory:
Waiting for greatness and fame,
Till wo repeat tlio old story,
"All we have found but in name.'*
Waiting, life's pleasures grow tasteless;
Waiting, life'a swu Incss turns sonrj
Walling, for treasures quite wasteless;
Waiting, all spent in an hour.
Waiting, life ebbs, lone and lonely;
Vail* still the body and breath;
One thing Is sure, if one only,
Ahi who Is waiting for death!
'•<«
T4*<J& >
V
15
Subscription! $1.50 peranum.      CLARE, MICHIGAN iBfiA-Y,' DECEMBER 20, 1878.        Single Copies: Five Cents.
Margaret Arnold's Ciiristmas.
'  • BV MAHY D. BRINE.
Margaret Arnold laid a letter on tho
toldo in tlio hall, where wore oilier letters awaiting the hour of moiling, and
tripped np stairs cheerily, with a smile
on her lips and in her dark eyes.
She even hummed a little song softly
as she passed through the nursery and
entered tho school-room, and the ckil-
dreii ceased their noisy play to run
after their governess and climb into her
ap.
"What makes you sing, Miss Arnold ? "
' questioned tlio little Elsie.   "You haven't
unrig'for so long, nnd you look so tired
- always.   Ton, don't look sorry to-night,
though.   What in making you glad? "
ThQ child laid her head against Margaret's shouldcrcaressingry as she spoke,
And patted her governess' cheek with a
soft, tiny hand.
"Why do I sing?" replied Margaret.
"Oh' *EUio, don't you know Christmas J
""oughtn't"-we, flcar?""   *    "
heart-, had grown ' yet  more   patient,
lifter "tho following line's were written
and addressed to " Mrs. M. Arnold, ,
Oonn.:"
My Darling Mothe-i: I bad thought to
spcatl this Ciiristmas with you, but Mrs,
Grangor Jiias doeided' thnt jny Borviaos aro
needed 'loro. I am paid for tlioso Borvlcea—
%hat right havo wo to grurablo? In fact, what
rights have, tho poor, at any timo, mother?
Does thia road bitterly y Woll, my heart has
vonturod to* rabol againi'tXatoalittlo^towiight,
for, oao hour ago, I was ho happy I fairly sang,
anil jny hoart waa so full of plans for you and
niysolf that I ovon regretted uio few days intor-
voning betweon now and the timo of my expected homoward start. Oh, mamma, dear, help
mo to bo patiouty nnd, above all^holp me to
"look ou tlio bright side, if thoroj.bo such a side,
to onr lives.
Yours, MAaaAMM'.
This letter was sent at last, and Margaret now awaited Christmas as though
it wero oiily tho usual Sunday which
would givo her- one day's rest iron}
study. Sho turned the light down low,
replenished tho firo and .drew her chair
close beside tlio glowing coals. Down
stairs the children were romping with
tlieir father. Isabel was singing at tho
piano, and Mrs. Granger, in her boudoir, was reading the last novel. Dinner would not bo ready for an hour
longer, and Margaret could havo that
hour all to herself if she chose.
So her thoughts went back to tho
past, and though, in doing so, thoy
opened a wound wliich time had not
quite healed—a wound which caused
her to shivor and nioan—yet there Wero
threads of joy and happiness whieh she
could gather up and weave backward
and forward until tlie old days, when
sho lived in sunshine and clover, woro
mado whole again, and sho lived thorn
over in. her memory till she grew calm
and quiet, and tlio old pain deadened
somewhat.
There had been such happy Chris t-
mas-times for her long ago, when sho
was tho idolized daughter of her
[wealthy parents. And thero had
boua true and noblo hearts laid
at her feet ere she
birthday; but her
jewels save the pearl pin which inclosed I see-tit last/1 «!>
her father's hair. rupted
If it had not beon for fear of annoy- "I do u6t un
anco from tho children, Isabel would confusedly, pas*!*
gladly have sent Margaret homo at tho eyes, and thon.
timo when sho expected so much com- idly.   "ArO you
pilny, lest by chance somo admiring eyo thought,atfflrst''i<
should discover hor. semblance, that >■
"Miss Arnold, can you put tho ohil- friend ot mine,*',
dren to bed to-night?  I havo sent nurse for—for—roanyiQi
on an errand, and she is detained; and " For three yc'si
I thought you wouldn't mind taking ho replied.   "Itist
charge of  them   to-night, you  know. —since—oh, "Mf
tVnd, afterward, would you mind coming mo a cruel and un,
down to help Isabel nnd her friend dress find you hero J—"i"1
for the- party at Miss Howe's?   Your stranger's house
taste is so good, you see, and really I'll "Sir,, lylm*"*"
bo very much obliged.   It isn't in t"io asl.   if , this, .orj,'
lino of your duties here, I know, but, usod i' to   know?
maybe—" tions one, and is
"I will oblige yon, certainly, niadnin>* :your name wheu'^
if you think mo competent lo suggest in auces?"           ,/Z
the matter of dress," replied Margaret, jjcr caliniiett^
quietly.
And sho put tho littlo ones to bed, ro-
warded for her care by hearing Harry's
loud whisper to Elsie that "ho thought
Sliss Arnold tho very prettiest lady in
tho world, and ho wished sho was his
own Bister 'stead of Isabel," and went
down into tho dressing-rooms to help
Isabel and her friend.
There she learned moro of their private affairs than interested her; but they J i w"*i not detain
talkod to* c*ach other of this and that,
j quite ignoring Margaret's presence, aiid
' she-know oro long that "Mr". Harold
Wei-ton was dead in love with Miss
Bcrlily"—Isabel's friend ,<.nd guest—»,
j "and "would no doubt pr.ypose Boon."
t Also, that "ho was to call for them that
t evening to attend tho party; that lie was
i handsome, and rich, aud splendid," .etc.
j    "'When we're, married,   I  mean   to
travel all over Europe," said Miss
! Berkly,  while Margaret knelt   besido
her and looped her rich ovcrskirt of lace
! a triflo higher.
But," interrupted Isabel, "you aren't
had scon hor 21st; fgngedyet, and J may win him away
woman's heart had from you, you luiow, with a littlo laugh,
chosen only to yield itself and its love The™' ¥1S8 Ain°ll\ 3'0U ma*~* <""<""
to Hpward Winthrop, a young book-j110*f* „ niank J'011' *ou havo very good
keeper in her father's -firm.     "Without i 'ftste'
means sufficient to marry, ho yet dared j And Margaret gladly returned to her
to fall in love with his employer's ; sehool-room and books,
daughter, and, despite tho amazement j "Well, Isabel Granger," exclaimed
of friends and relatives, Mr, Arnold had i her guest, jestingly, "you may thank
chosen to sanction the engagement, and your stars that your governess is not to
asked only that Howard would wait a ! be on exhibition to-morrow when Har-
few years ere ho claimed Margaret as his
bride.
"A fine young fellow," ho said privately, to his wife; "and if tho child
chooses to marry him, when sho might
havo her choice of a dozen rich fellows,
why, JshaVt hinder so long as he i
So" they were  engaged,  and   every-
Our house is jolly at Christmas time, j thing   was   going   on   woll until one '
I toll you," interrupted Harry, the boy '■ morning   a   letter   addressed to Mar- >
of 7 winters, who had himself been a i garct   in   tho   well-known   handwrit-;
Christmas-gift to his mother, and who, I ing of Winthrop was  found to contain
as a consequence, enjoyed an unusual , the following lines, evidently inclosed j
share of presents at "each return of his
birthday. "It's awfully jolly, and wo
havo lots of company. Do j*ou hav*
nice, times at your house, Miss Arnold?"
"We used to when I was a little girl,
Harry, but there are only two of us now
—mother and I—and our Christmas days
aro quiet, although very happy, when
we are together."
" Won't you be glad to get home again,
Miss Arnold? I'd be awfully homesick
away from mamma so long 1"
And Margaret replied, gently:
"Glad to get home? Oh, Harry, if
you only know how glad! "
The opening of tho school-room door
interrupted the conversation, and Mrs.
Granger entered. (
" Oh, hero you are, children. Papa :
was asking for you. Eun down stairs." j
Then, as tho little feet went merrily ;
pattering through the hall, tho lady j
turned to her governess. " I camo to
say, Miss Arnold, that it -will be impossi- ;
ble for you to go home this year for \
Christmas. My daughter Isabel expects }
company to remain with us during the |
holidays, and you can understand how
old Weston comes to dine. I tell you,
j neither you nor I would contrast favorably with her. I never saw such a perfect face, and those eyes!"
, "That girl puts oa airs, enough to
mako ono sick of her," was Isabel's
amiabl<* *oply.   "One would think he:
imesl T do wish that mamma would
send her away!"
The door-bell put a stop to further
discussion of poor Margaret, and '-Ir.
Weston was soon announced.
It was lato that night ere the party-
goers returned, imd Mai -.".arc't was dreaming of her mother, aud tho old days of
by mistake iu the wrong envelope:
'Wait awhile, Jack, my boy; the money will
bo miue in good time, aud* then j-ou will seo
how much lure count-i for iu my opini )il A
fellow can't live without money, aud, if a pretty
girl must bo thrown in to boot, why, so much
tlie Ix'ltcr, iimy/ir.'   I ran steer my b'oat lis well
as tho noxt one, von know.   Keep dark about i ,, i n   i l •      *" i      ,i.
thia   Don't keep this letter a minute; burn it, * ^rop, and that his arms were about her,
       """          " -       '        '  when the sound of voices in the lower
her cold hftutoil^''
his pride, helpoil'l
" This is no tin
matters. ,Iwill*W
dono mo grioyon
and that I ncvei>*i
turned to mo.
now bear ia sett
clo*s will, and,'
mado his heir.
I am in searcbMj
row. I vuludo if
loso it. If r
-me my'lifo thrill
-ine with aniiiljbr
bo grateful, wiul'j
less Sinful iny6ii
"I scarcely fcliiri
sary, sir," answe-j
paths lio far a**^r
cerely wish you *
married or uumitl
Sho held out Sin
with a sad sinik,*!^
ibly ashc-tookjs
moro tho little .'j
clasp.
"I shall ncvetl
A
can Ifitt
liit-'bl*
man
once ir
Good-by."        \
Thon ho w.6nt,
pleading sqme(
an early hour
And yet,"
five minutes
found tho^
on hor kn(
gift aho he!
and forgo
served it
wof a seal,
***&*&*£fij§*V
j-told- interr.
*   -'¥.       * si'
* »hq replied,
Bid noross her
' tip at him tim-
fc. Weston?   Ij
iv\jfi .thp\t6-
au—.an—old
' hfcve not seen
tills and-ycMs."
pwet Atnpid,-*,
j *inco yoiij
ejypu sout
•rid now^I
endcut iiTa
■e?   May  I
by "which  I
,-nm > tli<i'"''li'cti-*
■ bfibit to o     go
now acquaiut-
*<|Hiti* ->etnmed;
"|m deeply, and
"speak steadily.
jilaco to explain
jf thai you havo
; nil these years,
i *nole-,you re-
tho  namo I
m^,Jjy ,my im-
")*M*ldpMon| lip/as
'■11, Mi*s Arnold.
ngcr.*- The 'seal
i Jfdund to-mor-1
and; wouldjrnot'!
•Lall keep it by
|f you will honor
i-inorro\v> T will
i njjpcar a\ littlo
i cr«i long-."
("jitteo'iow neces-
Lirgarct^   "Our
and I can sin-
fj future, either
nd lis sho spoko
(lis own shook vis-*-
ong years, -<Jrice
|ithiH Ins strong
t
Miss Arnold,
h*ve loye.d but
dod bless you f
jjf-tho Toom, and,
the house nt
door had been
in him, Margaret]
«w*I.wept there*
'Ognizrd a litttji
g ago five**- 3*1*1
■-^-careiuijy pre-
»fter the form.
*b»d carried
was riot
Christinas (Jifls.
If ono has only tho will to do and
taste to fnshiou them, at a very trifling
cxponso many really beautiful Christmas
gifts can bo manufactured with only a
few days' care and labor.
Tho rough, irregular ends of the
branches from tho spruce tree can bo
twisted and turned in a variety of ways,
After gathering them and selecting
those wliich havo tho greatest number
of buds at tho ends, carefully remove
tho needle-like leaves; this is more easily
done after thoy havo been allowed to remain in tlio oven a short timo; not too
hot, for that would draw out tho resinous gum 'and mar tlio beauty of tlio
work, and, if too cool, both buds and
briuiehes will shrivel and bo useless.
Look them over carefully, now tho
leaves aro off, laying aside the perfectly
stinight and well-curved ones, discarding tho crooked aird linplinble. The
sprays should be from two to ten inches
in length, and have a cluster of buds at
tho end of each ono.
My first attempt was a hanging match-
safe, which was so easy to do, and cil'ect-
ivo when on tho wall, that I would advise a novice at tho business lo lot that
be tho firs'- effort.
Provide "a sharp pair of scissors, pins
both largo and small, pasteboard, necdlo
anil cotton-—or, what is bolter, silk—the
color of the wood, and a small pieco of
soiiM bright-colored material to cover
tho pasteboard which is used for tho
back of the match-safe. I used Turkey
red, and found it admirable, as tho varnish used when tho work is finished
docs not injuro tho color. Cut tho
pasteboard about four inches square,
and, pinning tho material smoothly on
the right side, fasten it securely by long
stitches from side to sido on the wrong.
2vow cover tho right sido of tho back
with tho sprays, putting thorn on perpendicularly, and lotting them project
about an inch nt both top and bottom;
tho first ono should bo so near the side
edge that the covering of tho pasteboard
will not show beyond it; let this first
ono have tho end with buds at tho top
of tho work, and fasten securely in place
by a stitch taken through tho pasteboard, allowing tho silk to pans ovt-v the
Wood, and not taking tlio needle through
it; do this at both top and bottom. The
next piece should lie as closely as possible to tho first, aud its buds should be
at the bottrm of tho back; fasten it in
the some wivy, and in this manner cover
the entire back on the right side, having the buds of every alternate pieco at
tho top nnd tho others at the bottom of
the work.
slow to woll up JiTMargarel's heart The httlo round boxes in which fatew-
again, and chance favored an explana- <*.rt s spool-eotton comes are iust the
tion between the t*ro ero many days- Slze> eraqrtuig a trifle too tall. Take off
an explanation which mado the two*' one end, and ent them down slightly;
hearts happy beyond measure. th9n. -1I!lY*.ne* 1  F«-*co   of  Turkey red
They never knew, but wo can point   nearly half again as wide as the height
out the rejected lover of that "long  °J the 1^, fi-ld in the raw cflees until
, -   . ,   , ,     ,,       ,   .f  .      ago," who concocted, out of his foolish   tbo  »»"!>  J»   tb°  "g1*4  *mdOi;  -niap
happiness, before sho loomed that,u j *^ ftnd jc,aou8T/tlie note which so around the box tightly and fasten in
man may seem to bo all that is noble,' ele/erl imJitnted Howard's penmanship | bo 1,n<* **\ a, f(W ^}}C3' m™S*
and yet bo a villain. j M to ■{.     misery ^ two w]^ j the sprays on the boxes in the same man-
She was dreaming of Howard Win- > wre n*- *n a*i to eacli other,
j uer as on the covered pasteboard, allow-
I'U pay all I owe in good
"iViSTiinop.
aud wait patiently
time.   Yours,
i    Margaret had loved well and truly,
but high-spirited as she was by nature,
i and scorning deceit and tin worthiness
j from the liotlnin nf her smi], her pride
could not brook the insult of this letter.
j She well understood how easily the
! mistake had happened.   Doubtless tho
letter which had been intended for her
j had been inclosed in an envelope to this
"Jack," whoever he might be, and, in
the hurry of sending tho letters, How- j
ard Winthrop had
error.
Eor ono moment the girl stood like
stone, with dry eyes and pale, set face;
then straight to her father sho wont,
and laid tho letter before him.
In less than  an hour Howard Winthrop received a letter from Mr. Ar-
But Margaret haTioith to believe her j inS tlu™ to project above and below
,.»,'. ™wi   o„,i  ■-,» „ior-i  f!W.(m„a. ■ not quite half an inch.    \\ hen finished,
hall aroused her. She heard Mr. Weston's " Good-night!" as Isabel and her
friend pancd from him at the door:
and something iu his voice   mingled
,,..,.   tut-  xt.l.....   oa.^J  ..It...   ...   ,«.uulUilOul|
and thrilled her long after the wheels of ' ^jth envy-
lover's word, and the glad Christmastime was true to tho motto of " Peace
on earth, good-will toward men," and
the first day of New Year saw an engagement-ring upon our Margaret's
finger, which drove Isabel nearly wild
its appearance; thistinio, perhaps, soiiie
kabobs, or a kind of hash, in which ay
good'quantity of vegetables rtro used,
In- go tho spoons onoo inore, aud the
feast continues.. Most probably the next
plat will bo outlets or fowls, whereupon
tho various pieces arc taken up with tho
lingers, and disposed of With some rapidity. And now comes tho critical alio?
mout for you, if you iU'Q present at this
feast as a stranger. "STou, as a European, will havo placed your meat o.ri'
your plate, and will bo carefully cutting
it ivp, when suddenly a moro than ordinarily juicy morsel" will bo pushed iiii-
to youv mouth by a pair of very greasy
fingers. **trOR must not resent this; it is
a token of loving-)undness, a Sign that
you ni'tfl'cspocted',"' esteemed, beloved.
Eat it; yon are a favored mortal. A
dish of vegetables, jnir ci simple, vory
likely succeed'', ami ^lipii one of pastry
iu which chopped jjpeat is conccided,
aud, lastly, what the1* Turks who speak
English tell you is the Ottoman plum-
pudding—pillaw—with just enough
moat in it to make it iialalablo. With
youv spoon onco moro you tako your
turn in tho general scramble; you eat]
till tho dish is empty, and thon, liko
your- friends, loan back till a jug and
ewer aro brought; witter is poured over
your hands, a cigarette is given you, and
the coffee comos. Your Turkish dinner
in the palaco of Sultan Abdul Hamid is
finished.—"Plevna, the Sultan and the
For le."—Gay.
THE   GOBBLKK'S   CHiSlSIStAS   CAHOli.
' l i   J.J1X bjUMLKS «.<W,OOK>
AliI JjnnRry roatler! Borratmillzer! *
Hojf bleat your lot, how foul ip mine I
J?rny reali7,o it—realign, ah I '
"Ulue 'Us to die Umt you inay'dimo I
When from tlieiialal suolll burated
To iledKitK" life nud parent lien,
Tliat pvecious li£o I littlo trusted
Would, bo sp^oon »lieUe<l ?ut agnln.,
Ainfd the born.yard's rare a'lractlqnB,
Btriittuig-tlle-1oathered herd araonp,
I Httle (IrOoulpd 8,,^! fowj e^gs-flctipus
On Chrlijtnia* holidays weceivrunsf,
I navcr troubled Ibi lioroaftcsr;
Tho present was sulftclent bliss—
Alaal ltisno oansoiorlaughter
To and your necke twirled short in thia,
Yet 'twas for this betimes I fattened,
Vov ihia alono so fully fed;
"Tliat when a Christmas day noxt happened"
My veins should not in -yain be bled.
" Tor ibis I proudly strutte"!, hobbled J
I dreamed not of tbe bitter cup.
Eong time* t Robbled, gobbled, nobbled,
But now, at last, I'm gobbled up.
Bay, wader, am I justly treated?
Should that wliich Is of right my meet
Be freely ont lo strangers meted?
Confersirriaw, X beg, cntrcot.   /
Eegohl'my end -with melancholy—
Drawn and quartered, basted. Bauced —
Aud when you Blng tho yule and holly
,    CWutcmplcl^tqa, the holoeaust.
*.-»
mm ASJ): .POCSXi       •     :
IJOOK out for Santa "Claus. -
HbaDqijartisks—A, pillow.
Oteiutohs on chango-^Pickpooketa.
Buna wait team—An eloping couple,
l?or.rn3 litoriititre—Books bf etiquette.
Who ifrs. once tu tsirO a WssT
Das Jilr. thing Jio, should not- Miss.   t   ..
OjnitSTMAS coniCB but once a year,*.
But whiSu-lt couu-6 it brings gOdd ehcer.
ticklod when
Attenpinct a bawl-rtMinding'the bar
by"s cxj".,
A max -v\ith whom it is all up^—The.
ballooiiist.
Getiinq. a  bear  living—.Capturing       _
bruin idivo. 7
A. Euienp in need—A Quaker in walii
of monoy. *"'
Sught of  hailil—Jlefnsing  a mar- *
riage-proposal.
A candidate is nover
tho voters seratch him. '«'*-'
Two noted Eves in history: " Mother
Eve and Christmas eve.
So Irishman* has a sinldng'of  the'
heart so ling as thoro's a bit of Cork in
I him. ■
TiiEartfiuuCHS of women |s increas-
ing. They <wen havo designs, OQ
pottery. * » •
See here, girls—"why not call a spooney
yolmg man "Eainwater? " ' llainwatoris,
soft, you know. 7
Wot'LD ox-Secretary Fish aijd j.iie
Princo of Wales bo the proper parties
lo adjust tho fisheries difficulty?
"Look out for paint 1" shouted a boy
Bills Before Congress.
Eoprescntativo Ulainey, of South Carolina, has introduced in tho House a
bill to regulate the manner of liolding
elections for Eeprpsentalivcf in Congress, aud punishing fraud at suoh elections. It declares that it shall not be
lawful at such elections to use ballots
which aro Written or printed upon tissuo
paper, or upon pieces Of paper less than,
five inches in length and throe inches
in width, aud that whoever casts such
ballots shall be guilty of felony, and,
upon conviction, shall be fined not moro I. ,. ., , -„, . mi. i
than $1,000 and imprisoned not more ! J? tJf g^fT oi"-OliMMgo ttieater-wliim
than two years. The bill provides that ( f»0 hel° o£ thc V]'W **■- 'ed tlle ^or<>™-
all such ballots shall bo rejected and not The manufacturor oi a "fly paper a
counted, and tliat every officer found J -nrote to a publisher asking his term"
guilty of counting them shall bo pun- r for an advertisement on tho fly-leaf of a
ished as aforesaid.   It provides further ! book.
that all ballote cast at such elections | ,r„„T„.T „ • „,. u\v.,nx ;„ L,,ara
shall be written or printed on plain 1. M*mc*?. ^"^"*- ^at is there
white paper, and shaU have- on the out- ^8*dcs etll« .,md ^SP^JS Jff°"
sido no distinguLshing marks, and that \ f»« raeoflSciousness? Student-
all ballots of a different description and     * *- clu""
having distinguishing marks on them      To AiA a merry Christmas; to the
shall be xejoctod.   The bill still further > big folk troops of friends, and to the
providus that any person who shall be j littlo folk armfuls of presents and end-,:
guilty of fraud at any election for *Rep- j less kind remembrances. '„  **""
ballot, or bycomiting or aiding to count rocking-c^hWaSS;s tt-«r day., « rnj
fraudulent bdlots, shall be deemed !Sure ,to/"U over one when, ho u in
guilty of felony, mid, upon con^-iction, J search of the ^M^0* 'lfte"• <lark*
bo fined $1,000 and imprisoned not less ! Woman's dress may be iiuperior to
than one nor more than five years. The ' man's, but we don't want r,o garments
•bill declares it to be a felony for any i around us that you have to stnnd up in
perscn to intimidate or prevent any j to get your hand in your xicket—and
voter from voting, and punishes tho j then not find what you aro looking for,
offender by fine and imprisonment, as
in case of other offenses mentioned
Eepresentativo Chalmers, of Missis*'
sippi,  offers a bill making it n penal !
offense to assess persons, in Government (
employ for election purposes.   Every
officer, or other person, violating the
-Keokuk Constitution.
An aristocratic papa,
tlie carriage died away.
"I hope Misa   Berkly's   experience
with love and trust may differ from
in ine, Heaven knows I" sho thought, aud
turned to her slumber again.
But this time  she dreamed onlv of
not discovered his j the cruel  letter, aud, when morning
! dawned, sho awoko with tears in her
eyes.
Miss  Berkly's  visit  was   suddenly j
ended.   Nobody dared hint why, but I
: Isabel knew it was pique that ailed hor j
i friend, and tho contagion did not escape I
s herself.
i    Margaret and her husband went to i
! Europe on a wedding-tour, and Mrs.
j Granger is looking for a governess.
<n  being requested by a rich and vulgar young
fellow for permission to marry " one of
Hs girls," gave this    rather-crashing
I reply:   " Cerlain.lv; whieh one would
outer person, violating tne , yoVprefer, the waitress or the cook?"
provisions of the bill will be. deemed iJ     *
guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on con- j    He had broken his promise to marry
viction, be fined not exceeding $1,000. ! the girl, aud her father wanted a money
It imposes the same line upon persons i consideration to help heal a wounded
convicted of soliciting, or otherwise at-1 heart.     The    young   man     said  he
tempting to induce, Government clerics : woidd consider a reasonable  proposi-
to contribute for election purposes.        ; tion.      "Well,   then,"  said   the  irato
Three or four resolutions have been ! father, who was seeking justice for his
House in roferenco to j daughter, " young man, how does $1.50
,   - ,. giving notice to tne North Gorman Con-i strike you?"—Turner's Falls Reporter
fastened in place.   At each  corner of * foclMBtion  to  terminate   tho treaty of      Tms  otaMtyNm •„ a terrible state of
the top and bottom sew pieces which . peb. 22 lg08-   0np ii^o-^ea b/Mr. '     lms offic(- ■*»<* in a to™ stnt0 of
project an inch from tho foundation, | Springer sets forth the provisions of
fasten the boxes securely together, using
| a needle and strong cotton; thon sew
i them to the back, right in tho middle,
i Havo two straight pieces about sLx
| inches long, which sew in the middle of
the pasteboard, at both top and bottom,
I allowing the ends that have the buds on
to project about four inches, tho other
ends Iving in tho other side of  tho
back. "Take a few stiches through the i introduced in tho Hoi
wood and board, and see they aro well j giving 110ticc to theN
troublesome the children will be with- j nold, inclosing one- from Margaret, in [ stairs" and she, wTtl"ilarr>* and ELsie,
out your care   I am sorry; but, after i which ho received his dismissal both   ha^ eaten their own cood dinner in the
.-ii     *i     ji i._ i.    .art-—«-. a.. I t i.:.. _rt li    2 1.1. _ j. ._ .-! t 1 .-...*"*..
all, it can't mako much difference to
yon, I presume, and, really, your presence will bo absolutely necessary to
me."
Sho withdrew herself and her trailing '
robes from the school-room, as Margaret
bowed a silent reply to tho coniniai'd i
which had previously driven tho gladness of only a few moments previous
from her heart.
What did she know of the glad plans
and hopes which the children's governess had ventured to form in honor of
tho coming season of joy and peace?
Or, if she had known, this woman of
fashion and ease, would she havo cared?
But tho twilight shadows came on
and filled tho school-room with gloom
as dark as the gloom wliich crowded tho
sunshine from out Margaret's heart, and
presently tho girl wont wearily out of
tho room and down the stairs.
Thomas, tho footman, was just gathering the letters from the table for the
purpose of mailing them, but Margaret's
voice arrested him.
'Thomas, there is a letter to my
mother amongst those; -will you kindly
hand it to me ? "
"An' doan't ye want it sint, miss? " he
asked, wonderingly.
He noticed that the governess' face
was white and drawn as sho stood in
the full glare of tho hall light, but her
voice was steady and quiet, and alio
smiled a "Thank you" as the man returned tho letter which had beon written so gladly but-an hour previous.
This time sho went slowly up tho
stairs, and, in place of the glad light
which before had filled her eyes, thero
were tears; and, instead of the song so
softly hummed, there was only a low,
half-restrained sob, as back into the
school-room, lighted only by the dull
grate-fire, Margaret Arnold walked with
flushed cheeks and aching heart.
The letter, with all its words of loving cheer nnu glad anticipations for the
lonely, widowed mother far away, was
laid quietly upon the coids aud burned
before Margaret's eyes ere she lighted
the gas and penned, with trembling
hand, another which must go in ite
luce.
*J**io teawvrws &$m$t &•? *pa|ienr
from his situation in tho firm and from t
Margaret's presence.
There were no words of explanation
sought by Margaret and her family.
Impulse had ruled with a high hand,
and pride kept the girl from a broken
heart, although sho quivered and
mooned with pain and grief for months
after.
Several letters from young Winthrop
received at the time of the affair wero
promptly retur'icd unopened, and soon
ho left tho city, and was seen no more
by his former friends.
Sinco then, Mr. Arnold's failure and
death had left his wife and daughter in
circumstances so different from former
days that they withdrew from society.
Mrs. Arnold settled herself in ono of
Connecticut's small villages, and Margaret had drifted, after many weary
days, into Mrs. Granger's family as governess. With tho children she was
peaceMly happy; with Mr. and Mrs.
Granger on terms of simple good feeling. With Isabel sho was a stranger,
save for tho formal morning and evening salutation.
The young lady, who ppssessed only
tho riches which her father's daily toil
had accumulated for her as her sole attraction, could hot well conceal her
envy of her little brother and sister's
governess, since the latter was beautiful
in face and figure, and attractive, oven
in her poverty and dependence, for the
refinement and delicacy of her nature.
Whatever Margaret Arnold woro—
whether a simple flower in hor hair,
brought her from the conservatory by
the loving hands of her little pupils, or
the plain white collar round her perfect
throat, or though she threw carelessly
about her shoulders the worsted shawl
which Isabel had cast aside as unfit for
wear and unfashionable—still tho contrast between thb governess and the
young lady of the house was by heavy
odds in favor of the former, and Isabel
grew sick <rt heart with envy.
Nothing that young damsel might
don, whether jewelry rich and rare, or
robes of silk and velvet, could cause or
help her outshine tho perfect loveliness
of quiofc, gontlo Margaret, who daily
9l9fe§cl hmU jfi %>"?; {•*$ -"yore no
A Christinas Stocking.
Tho grand Christmas dinner was over ■     The Christmas slipper for single cler-
at laft.   Isabel had enjoyed it because s gymen is now in press.—Boston Post.
Margaret, shy   of  meeting  so   many      As the children grow older they take
straugei-s, had declined to dine down-; loss  stockin'   Santa  Claus.— *To7iA"e7"s
Gazelle.
As the Christinas holidays approach,
j evergreen boughs arc met in tho streets,
piled kriss-cross in every direction.—
-"Vein York Graphic.
Tho crusty old bachelor now figures
up how many nephews and nieces he
has, and sits down on his pocketbook
with a weary sigh.—Ean ton Free Press.
The, average editor won't hang up his
slocking; but will indulge in profitless
regrets that, he was so imprudent as to
hangup his overcoat.—Worcester Press,
Tho Christmas slipper is now getting
soled—and, como to think of it, so will
be the happy recipient whon the shoemaker presents hifr«,bill.—Catskill Recorder.
When a boy c-tnmines his stocking
just before Christmas, and finds a big
hole in tho heel, he " darns " if, and then
hands it to liis mother to darn.—A**07*-
ristown Herald.
A new Christmas has been invented.
It is to slipper ton-dollar gold piece in
the hand of a deserving person on
Christmas. N. B.—We aro always at
homo on that day.—Whitehall Times.
With the approaching Ohristmastide
we encounter whole bushelfuls of fancy
yarns about the hotse, and tho tip-toe
of an unfinished pair of slippers poops
out from some obscure corner,—Rhine-
beck Gazette.
'Tis now the mil(l-eyed yonng lady
pensively gazes upon her rector's photograph looking doirti on her from tho
parlor mtiiitol, aiil meditatively observes, " I must woik him a pair of slippers for Ciiristmas."—New York Commercial.
It strikes us that,". in tho bright hereafter, when tho ang'ls sing," there will
bo a' front orchestra tjhair lesorved for
the man who shall have devised " a
noiseless ■drum" as ** Christmas present
for boys hero below.;—."Vew Yorh Commercial, j
There is no time, perhaps, when the
indulgent patent d! a family of girls
more fully realizes uio changes which
the years produce ilian when, on a
Christmas eve, ho Jjjtes the yearly increase in tho capacity of a suspended
row of stockings,—Worcester Press,
, uSU ^4— ^ ; .1   :■:     :
Tied question of l|ie day is: ""What
shall I give him foflGlirisiwas?"
nursery, all the plcosanter because minus
tho wearisome etiquette of tho largo
table. Harold Weston had enjoyed it
because tho two young ladies made the
fuss over him which it is perfectly natural any man should like.
But,, truth to tell, his heart was in no
danger, neither of tho ladies, notwithstanding Miss Berkly's confidential confession to Isabel, reaching his private
j standard as to true womanhood, and bc-
causo long ago he had decided all
women unworthy a man's trust and love.
But ho talked and laughed and played
the agreeable, and at tho proper time
tho ladies retired, leaving tho gentlo-
inen to their wine and cigars.
And presently littlo Harry ran from
the, conservatory, with a beautiful
white rose in his hand.
" It is for Miss Arnold," ho explained,
when Harold playfully caught tho little
hand and asked for tho rose.
"And who is Miss Arnold?" asked
Harold, moro seriously.
" Oh,   she's   a   beautiful   lady  who
teaches us lessons, and is awfully sweet."
" Only tho children's governess," explained Mr. Granger, and the conversation turned on other subjects.
But a httle later, as Margaret, who
had gone down to the dining-room for
something, paused a moment before the
fire and listened to tho sound of music
from tho parlors, Harold Weston entered, and, without seeing Margaret,
advanced to tho seat ho had occupied
at dinner, and looked for something beneath the table.
"ArO yon in search of something,
sir? " asked Margaret, who had not scon
the gentleman's face.
At tho sound of her voice he started
and turned around.
"I dropped a small seal from my
chain at dinner time, I think, and have
just missed it. I didn't wish to disturb
the fami'y, thinking I could easily find
it here.
Then as Margaret raised tho light, he
stood 1 ransfixeci, and she, with sudden
weakness, sat down in tho nearest chair,
"Pardon mo, I did not know  you
were—"
""?]■*, Mw|aret, is it ro&lly you; wliom
and betwi i n each one of these and tho
middle piece put two moro, grading I
them in height. Now tho foundation is
all ready, •.elect some of the prettiest
curved ones for tlio ornamentation.
Let them go diagonally across tho back
from the middle of each sido to both
top and bottom, extending beyond the
foundation, and forming u sort of lattice-work over it. Conceiding tho ends
without buds under those that have,
arrange a cluster of buds on each of the
holders. Dissolve gum-shellac in alcohol
until it is tho consistency of thin
varnish; theu with a fine brush or a
feather go over every part of tho -fork,
and, after it has dried in a warm room,
apply another coat. Paste paper over
tho back to conceal tho ends of tho
sprays and the stitches, a small piece of
sand-paper at the bottom of the holders,
and tho work is complete. With au occasional coat of shellac, thoy will keexi
bright for years.—Harper's Bazar.
A Dinner nt the Sultan's Palace.
Tho guest is not incumbered by too
much ceremony; no stiff, high-backed
chair bewilders him aud destroys his
case; may I say it?—ho has not the
care of alady whom ho must lead into
dinner, and upon whose wishes ho must
attend. He crosses his legs upon tho
cushion which is spread for him, takes
his spoon in one hand and his serviette
in the other, and without a word waits till
the dishes come. A minute or so elapses, and then attendants bearing a huge
round tray arrive, and deposit it between
tho convives. IJpon this tray there is
a large bowl of soup, together with a
little plate, and one knife and fork for
each guest. Thero aro, besides, several
tiny dishes, upon wliich are displayed
sweetmeats, pickles, caviare, and olives;
somo pieces of bread complete tho array. Eor a moment tho diners regard
tho tray, and perchance taste an olive or
a sweet. But tho chief of tho table, if
ho bo an intelligent person, does not
waste much time. With a wave of his
hand to encourage his friends, he dips
his spoon into tho soup-bowl, conveys
the rich gravy to his mouth, and in this
is at once imitated by all his guests.
Now and then one or other will drop a
pieco of bread into tho bowl, and fish it
out again, either for himself or a very
partieillai'friend,andsothodippinggoes
on till tho soup is finished—the bowl
empty, A pause ensues while some
call for Water, aud others rest in anticipation of tho ucxt courso and tho nest
I eflfprtr Yery shortly smother djali makes
the treaty, which aro that when a German-American citizen shall have ro-
turnod and remained in tho territory of
Germany longer than two years it shall
bo held that ho has renounced his citizenship in this country. Complaints
havo beeli made that such citizens have
been forced into the military servico,
and, as this works great injustice to
German-Americans who havo no intention to renounce their citizenship, it is
sought by tho terms of the treaty to
havo it terminate by giving tho required
notification.
A bill introduced by Eepresentativo
riiillips provides that tho redemption
of notes in coin shall bo suspended
whenever tho coin in tho treasury shall
be reduced to $50,OU*0,000, and that whon
tho amount of coin in the treasury exceeds $100,000,000 the surplus shall bo
used for the redemption of bonds bearing tho highest rate of interest that are
subject to call.
Fire-Proof Houses.
Tho houses in tho city of Buonos
Ayres aro said to be. almost firo-proof.
Thoy aro built of brick, and as follows:
Each floor, and the roof, wliich is nearly flat, are supported by joists of some
hard wood, that will not readily burn,
the joists being placed at regular distances. Across theso joists are laid rails
of tho same kind of hardwood, three by
tliree and one-half inches, and the space
between these is bridged over with thin
bricks or tiles, thirteen and one half
inches long; another layer of bricks is
then laid, and generally on this a layer
of fine tiles. Tho roof is exactly the
same, but, of course, has a slope to carry off the water. There is no boxing to
the window or door frames. Tho jambs
are thin and arc built solid in the walls.
There is no lathing,-no wainscot, nor
base-boards, and all tho timbers need in
the construction are made of hardwood,
and all tho doors, windows and shutters
are made of a peculiar kiild of cedar
that..ia Vory slow to ignite arid burns
with great difficulty. ' The Outside appearance oi these houses differs but littlo from that of modern houses in Cen--
h-al Europe.—American Builder,
In tho heart of tho Scotch Highlands
has been founded a largeBoman Catholic monastery and school. The buildings, which are not yet completed, will
cost $250,000. Lord Lovet gave the
sito, and tho institution is jn chm*go of
the Benedictine Pathorsi
confusion on Saturday, and for a time
it looked as if no paper would appear
that day. After a two-hours' search wo
found the original poem received in the
morning, and everything ran smoothly
again. P. S.—It is respectfully declined.—Korristoivn Herald.
A LiTTiE boy in Sunday-school put a
poser to his teacher. The lady was telling her claps how God punished tho
Egyptians by causiug the first-born of
each household to be slain. The littlo
boy listened attentively. At tho proper
interval he mildly inquired: "What
would God have done if thero had been
twins ?"—Indepnlden I.
Wistful Materfiunilins (reading evon-
ing paper)—" Hero's another of thoso
Ahington girls married!—and to that
young Carew, of the Grange, of all people! How well those girls go off, to bo
sure!" Paterfamilias—" Ah, awfully
good-looking girls, Ihoso Allingtoris."
Materfamilias (severely)—" It's not tho
good looks. It's because they're so
well brought up!" Chorus of daughters—" Oh, do bring us up well, mamma
dear!"
CHRISTMAS.
On Ciiristmas eve the .bells were rung;
On OhriRlinafl eve the mass was uung;
Tliat. only night, in oil tlio year.
Haw the utoled priest the chulu-e rear;
Tlun epen wide the Baron's hall
To vassal, tenant, serf aud all:
Power lnid his rod of rule aside.
And ceremony dfiifc-.! il.i pride,
Tlie heir, with i*ones In his slug's.
That night might village partner choose;
All hailed, with uncontrolled delight
And genera! voice, the happy uight, -
Tliat to the cottage, as the crown,
Brought tidings ot.salvaboii dt*wu.
Eimhmd wns merry England, -when
Old Christmas brought his sports again;
Twas Christinas broached tl e mightiest alo;
*Xwas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A ChristmaH gambol oft, would cheer
A poor man's heart through half the year.
Anderson.
Jim Anderson, the champion witness,
turns up in Navada, whence ho notifies
Senator Allison by telegraph that ho is
ready to testdfv inthe Stanley Matthews,
business—provided, of course, tlie committee will grant him mileage and witness fees. Senator Allison says he don't
think his testimony worth the price demanded, aud Jim will probably winter
in tho Sierras unless he makes a raise
among the miners; and, as they are nofc
so soft as the average Congressman, tills
is hardly probable.—- Washing ton Let,
ter.   ■	
A FAMTLt in Gloticester, Mass.> mourns
the less of it goose at the advanced age
of 70 years, but is consoled by tho survival of another goqgQ knQtfn to 1)0 **(")
jf oars old,
--LiriSi