VOL. LVII.
BARTER,
AUCTIONEER,
MILLHKIM, PA.
J- C. SPRINGER,
Fashionable Barber,
Next Door to JOURNAL Store,
MILLHRIH, PA.
HOUSE,
ALLEGHENY STREET,
BELLEFONTE, - - - PA
c. O. McMILLEN,
PROPRIETOR.
Good Sample Room on First Floor.
t*Free Ban to sad from all Train*. Special
rates to witaeasea and Juror*. 4-4
IRVIN HOUSE,
(Most Central Hotel In CltyJ
Corner MAIN and JAY Streets,
Lock Havea, Pa.
8. WOODS CALW ELL, Proprietor.
Good Sample Rooms for Commercial
Travelers on first floor.
D. H. MINGLE,
Physician and Surgeon,
MAIN Street, MILLHKIM, Pa.
JJR. JOHN F. HARTER,
PRACTICAL DENTIST,
Office la 2d story of Tomlinson'i Gro
cery Store,
\
On MAIN Street, MILLEKIM, Pa.
BF KINTFK.
• FASHIONABLE BOOT ft SHOE MAKER
Shop next door to Foote'S Store, Main St.,
Boots, Shoes and Gaiters made to order, and sat
isfactory work guaranteed. Repairing done prompt
' LY and cheaply, and In a neat style.
C. T. Alexander. C. M. Bower.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Office in Qarm&n's new building.
JOHN B. LINN,
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Office on Allegheny Street.
QLEMENT DALE,
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Northweat corner of Diamond,
HOY,
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Orphans Court business a Specialty.
C. HEINLE,
' ATTORNEY AT LAW.
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Practices in all the courts of Centre County.
Special attention to Collections. Consultation!
in German or English.
J. A. Beaver. J W. Gephart.
JGEAVER 6 GEPHART,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW.
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Office on Alleghany Street, North of High.
Y° CUM & HARSHBERGER,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
BELLEFONTE, PA.
JQ S. KELLER,
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
BELLEFONTE, PA
Consultations In English or German. Office
tn Lyon's Building, Allegheny Street.
DTHT EUBTDCOS. WTFTBJMDBR.
U ASTINGB & REEDER,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
• BELLEFONTE, PA •
Office on Allegheny street, two doors east of the
offl< e occupied by uu lase Ann of te~— * Hast
tnjk 4fl-t7
Our minds are as different as our
faces; we are all traveling to our desti
nation—happiness. But few go the
same road.
How common to see wealthy people
who have to resort to arrogance of
manner to prevent their innate vulgarity
J; torn being detected.
•WORSHIP IN TIIK WOOD#.
How rich the embroidered carpet spread,
On either utile the common way;
Ar. ure ami purple, gold ami red,
Russet ami white, and green ami gray,
iVltli shades between,
Woven with light in looms unseen.
The dandelion's disk of gold,
With lustre decks the meadow green.
And multiplied a million told,
The daisy lights the verdant scene;
The blue mint's plumes
luvlte the bees to their perfumes.
A wrinkled ribbon seemes the road,
I'uspooled from silent lulls afar;
Rest, like an angel, lifts the load
And in my path lets down the bar,
Aud here it brings
A lease of life on healing wings.
The summer leisure of the cloud
That wanders with its trumpeter.
The wind, Is mine; no wrangling crowd
Annoys the humble worshiper
in the white tent
Beneath a listening firmament.
l'P-floatmg on tne ambient air,
Sweet songs of sacred music rise,
Ami uow a voice distinct in prayer.
Like the lark's hymn, reaches the skies,
Ami the "Amen"
Is echoed from the hills and glen.
The wood a vast cathedral seems.
Us dome the overarching sky:
The light through trembling branches streams
From open windows lifted high;
Under the flrs
Soft shadows shield the worshipers.
UIS RAT'HKL.
"Going away! Ah, thank Heaven,
goiug away!"'
It was a joyous cry of ineffable glad
ness and relief, and Clec Lyuu, talking
half to her bounding heart, and half to
the dantp painting before her, to which
she had just giveu the finishing touch,
clasped her tired brown hands at tiie
back of lier head, her eyes seeking the
pale wrhite-llecked strip of sky above—
eyes misty with unshed tears.
it was a curious place for a studio—
the tumble-down disused back
of Mrs. Black's ugly farmhouse, sup
posed to be habited only by mice and
spiders, while, instead, "the girl" spent
every stolen moment there at her easel,
revelling in her own creations, so pre
cious because so dearly won, and so
entirely her own, starting at every
sound, "communing with her heart and
the little mice that came out of their
holes to watch her curiously.
She dressed badly, shabbily; none
knew it better than she, who hated and
loathed ttie ragged untidy calicoes, and
coarse shoes; but on tins particular
mormng she laughed at herself and ner
dress triumphantly, until the pretty
straggling curls all about her wide
white brow bobbed comically.
"No more hard drudgery."
"No more harsh words and bitter
hurlings of poverty and dependence
against my teeth, under which my spirit
chafes." •
"Better to beg in the streets of the
great city I read of, than longer endure
this life—than eat of the bread so grud
gingly given."
"Going away! Oh, thank Heaven,
going away!"
"Cleo, what are you sayiug,"
The girl sprang to her feet as if to
shield her picture fiom unkind curious
gaze, standing as a lioness at bay, her
eyes flashing angrily upon the speaker
through their tears.
{Swinging himself up through the
smaU opening into the loft, William
Black advanced toward the girl, a start
led look on his lace, that; though clear
cut, even patrician in features, under
the large slouch hat, port ray ed no
emotion—was cold, stern, aiM indiffer
ent usually.
He was Mrs. Black's brother—a man
who roamed about always, but was
seen very rarely at his own house.
"You are going away, Cleo, litttle
Cleo?"
"Why, J shall miss you when I come
h >me."
He looked at the girl wistfully, liftiug
his hat from the long thick hair on his
brow, white and strangely in contrast
with his bronzed cheeks.
All the pent-up bitterness of the
miserable life passed beneath his roof
broke forth madly.
"Yes, William Black, going away
from a life of heartache and misery.
"Oh no, you never thought, you
never cared all these years for the child
left you by dying patients.
"I have been tempted to curse my
own dead lather for consigning me to
your care."
"Why do they not hang, shoot, the
orphans when parents die?"
"It would be a mercy."
"God in His mercy grant when I
leave you here, that I may never look
on the face of a Black again I"
With one hand on her heart as if she
would still its mad suffocating throbs,
she stood m an attitude of pale scorn
and defiance.
William Black had recoiled as if
shaken by a mighty wind before this
passionate anathema, and now stood
watching her in silent wonder and
pained amazement.
"Why, Cleo, little Cleo, I never thought
but you were happy.
j
"Stop!
"Make me no excuses; you come
with them too late.
"All I ask of you is to leave me—to
keep out of my sight, to which a Black
is hateful.
"I hear ycur sister calling me to car
ry the farm hands' dinner—for the last
time, thank Heaven!
"To-morrow 1 go tor ever !"
"Stop!"
Stepping hastily forward to bar her
egress, William Black laid his hand
heavily on her shoulders, and the pas
sion tnat leapt up into the chill face
startled the girl into obedience.
"You shall not go, for, Cleo, little
I love you better than my hope of
H javen!
•T did not dream of it until now—
until I was about to lose you.
"Wait; I am not poor, and I will take
you away now, to-morrow, to the great
cities you long for.
"Forgive my neglect all these years
—be merciful, little Cleo."
He had tlirown his arm around her
Ml Id .11 KIM. PA., THURSDAY, JANUARY 11.1888.
and drawn lior close to his side, looking
down with huugry eyes into the pule
faoe; but, wrenching herself flee, Cleo
replied mockingly—
"What! rnarrv you, Will Blacx?
"1 am uot a dog to lick the hand that
has struck me.
"Marry you, and oontiuuo to bo a
slave—a pensioner ou your bounty ?
"Never!"
Defiance rang through the girlish
voice, and without a word or sign Wil
liam ltlaek, palo as death, turned away
and the stables, and, in a
few moment* the rocky road around the
cliff resounded with the pounding of his
horse's hoof-beats.
Cleo Lynn knelt before her picture
offering up a fervent prayer to Heaven
to sanctify it, then stood a minute bid
ding the dear old loft, where she had
spent the fe.v happy moments of her
life, good-bye, and ran across the back
garden bareheaded, an unwonted bril
liancy in her eyes, a flush on her pi
quant elfish face, into the great, clear
odorous kitchen where Mrs. Blaek
awaited her, angrily, impatiently.
"Take these pails and be oft* with you,
you lacy, careless "
"Madaml"
It was not the tone nor the word that
made Mrs. Black jump with a slight
shriek, but the flash in the eyes that was
almost murderous, ami so out through
the glaring scorching noon sunshine
Cleo Lynn went —for the last time.
"I am so tired of this struggle for
fame and a crust of bread."
"I thought long ere this to wear a
crown of laurel, but, instead, it is one
of thorns and cypress."
It was a i>oor room.
Every one nas seen sucii rooms in
squulid houses, without warmth, cheer,
comfort, though it was bitter weather.
"A woman's form wiiu arms outflung,
the gesture of despuir, the same figure
last seen flitting across the hot dry
fields back of Mrs, Black's farmhouse,
though thinner, more poorly clad.
Lifting her face at length against the
grey streak of twilight at her one win
dow, the once round cheeks were thin,
the hair dishevelled, and the eyes
strained and unnatural in expression.
"Destitute, friendless, almost blind."
Slipping her hand into her dress she
drew out a vial of darkish fluid, holding
it up between the light and dim, dim,
vision.
There cams a sound of steps up the
rickety stair, then a rap, Arm, quick, at
her door,
"Come!"
The door swung wide, and a man,
tall, muflied in a great coat, entered,
and half crossed the bare floor.
Rising, the girl leaned her clasped
hands on her chair waiting.
"Mi*s Lee?"
She bowed her head, the white hands
suddeuly clutekiug the chair-back, icy
cold.
"I saw one of your paintings at the
Academy and wish to purchase it, the
one called the "Cow Boy."
"What are your terms?"
The girls voice as she made answer
was so hoarse aud unnatural that she
scarcely knew it herself,
"What you are willing to give," lean
ing forward a little in the dim light,
with numb chill lingers interlaced,
while the tall haughty figure seemed
dancing wildly, uudignitiedly.
"Three hundred dollars for the "Cow
Boy," or say six hundred dollars for
the two—"My Studio," as a surprise
for my wife."
"The room, the bed, the chair, every
thing swan wildly before her eyes.
"Sir you are liberal," was all she
eould murmur.
Counting out the roll of notes the
man handed them to her.
Then bowing and saying, as lie gave
her a street number—
"Order them to be sent arouud to
my house," he withdrew, and, as the
door closed behind him, Cleo Ly uu
fell forward prone on the floor with the
bank notes clutched desperately in one
hand and a shattered vial of dark fluid
in the other one.
"Oh, Will, Will, and I loved you so,
yet was too proud, too hateful to con
fess it even to myself."
"Oh, what madness has goaded me
on to my well-earned misery?"
It was a tastily-dressed figure in a
grey cloak and hat that stepped out of
the rambling old stage in the village of
Grayson, passing swiftly toward the
dark ugiy Black farmhouse.
The hall door was open that led mto
the cool tidy parlor so well rememliered,
and entering, the stranger beheld a
man's figure bowed before a table, his
head in his folded arms, while directly
above him hung a pretty rustic paint
ing, her woik, under which stood a
glass of fresh-cut flowers.
Passing softly up, the girl laid her
hand on the bowed head tenderly,
timidlv, on hair streaked with grey.
"Will!"
The bowed head was lifted eagerly,
the black electric eyes seeming to
lighten as they rested on the fail* face
before him.
"Little Cleo!"
"You—back here again?" and he
trembled as he spoke.
"I have come back to tiie old home
to see you all once more."
"I have won fame, and shall win
wealth, for the money you gave me, in
the hour of my deepest despair, lifted
me into prosperity.
"I owe it all to you."
"I do not understand, be replied
dreamily.
"I only know you are back again
when I never thought to see you here
more."
Cleo looked wistfully around as if to
see expectant faces, as she asked—
"And your sister?"
"She is dead, and I am all alone,
Cleo."
"Seven years, Cleo—and—and liachel
has come."
"Where is your—your wife, Will?"
He stared at her even more wonder
ingly.
"Mv wife?"
90
"Have you forgotten—forgiven the
past, Cleo, and do you come back to
stay?"
Without heeding the pleading hand-
some face, that outstretched arms, Cleo
Lynn pointed towards the painting,
"You—you bought that from a pix>r
artist
He interrupted her, wouderingly,
"My brother, whom you never knew
—an older brother—bought it while oil
a visit to Loudon, and, because it re
minded me of you, I begged him to give
it to me,"
Throwing back, with a quick passion
ate movement, the grey traveling cloak,
Cleo Lynn dropped on her knees at
William Black's feet,"
"I am unworthy."
"It waa ft bitter, bitter lesson that
learned me the value of a love that
would have shielded me all these years.
"If you can forgive, if 1 may come
back to the old homo nest, will you tuke
your Buchel, for whom you have served
seven years?"
That was the way Cleo Lynn went
back to the home nest ami sheltering
care of the man she had cursed seven
years before, and learned in the restful
home life of the years as they sjied,
how infinitely above all fume, all
wealth, was the consciousness of satis
fied love.
Katteru Carpet*.
It Is not easy for a European who has
never been in the East to realize what an
important position the carpet tills there.
To an Arab hia rug is his most treasured
possession. Without one he is a pauper.
It is necessary to his devotions, it is often
his bed, sometimes his saddle and gener
ally the only decoration of his tent. This
has been the case for centuries and over a
vast extent of territory. The prices given
in ancient times would now lie thought
extravagant even by the collector who
will offer thousands of pounds for a Meis
sonier a few inches square. A million of
money Is said to been paid by a
former Guikwar of B iroda for a cover tor
the Prophet's tomb, and, though the
greater portion j)f this sum represented the
jewels interwoven, still jabout XoO.OOU re
mained as the value oi* the grouudwoik.
Major Evan Snath meutions that he saw
at Kerman a carpet urn'te for the shrine of
Mashad which was to cost at the rate of
£7 the square yard. It; was 11 yards long
by brtwul, and would take two years to
make. This means a still larger price
when labor becomes mote valuable, which
it must do even in Eastern countries.
Then, too, modem cheufißtry has done its
l>est to ruin the colors, anil dyers are not
proof against the temptation of the cheap
ness of anilines as a sub-dilute lor the more
expensive but lasting pqpnents. Mr. Viu
ceut Hobinsou tells us that lveruies, the
best red ever discovered, was in the Middle
Ages in general use all over Europe. It
was known to the Greeks and R mans,
the Turks, Cossacks aud Ve
netian red was n.adu nOni U, aud the
Spaniards paid tribute to Home with its
grains. Tbe serfs in Germany were bound
annually to deliver a certain quantity to
the convents, iiellot speaks of it in old
Flemish tapestries as having lasted two
huudred years .without fading. Mr. Wil
liam Morris has determined to revive this
valuable dye, for there is DO red known in
modern tunes that can supplant it tor last
ing qualities. Whether it can be procured
at a price which is likely to bring it luto
general use, remains a question yet to be
solved.
]UeM HIM bear Heart.
In a very elegant palace car entered a
weary-faced, poorly-ilressed woman with
three little children—one a babe in hei
arms. A look of joy crept into tier face
as she settled down into one of the luxu
rious chairs, but it was quickly dispelled
as she was asked rudely to "start her
boot." A smile of amusement was seen
on several faces as the frightened group
hurried out to enter one of tbe commou
can. Upon one young face however,
there was a look which shamed the coun
tenance of the others. "Auutie," said
the boy to the lady beside him, "I am
going to carry my basket of fruit and this
box of sandwiches to the poor womau in
the next car. You are willing, of course?"
fie spoke eagerly, but she answered:
"Don't be foolish, dear, you may need
them yoursi lt, and perhaps ibe woman is
an impostor." "No, I'll not need them,"
he answered decidedly, but in a very low
tone." "lou know I had a hearty break
fast, and don't need a lunch. The woman
looked hungry, auutie, aud so good, too,
with those three little babies clinging to
ber. I'll be back in a minute, auntie; 1
know mother wouldn't like it if 1 didn't
speak a kind word to the least of these
when I meet them." The worldly aunt
blushed a tear from her eye after the boy
left her. aud said, audibly: "Just like bis
dear mother." About five miuutes later,
as the lady passed the mother aud the
three children, she saw a pretty sight—the
family feasting as perhaps they had never
done before; the dainty sandwiches were
eagerly eaten, the fruit basket stood open.
The eldest cliiki, with her mouth filled
with bread and butter, said: "Was the
pretty boy an angel, mamma?" "No,"
answered the mother, and a grateful look
brightened her faded eyes; "but he is doing
angels' work, bless his dear heard" And
we, too, said, "Bless his dear heart!"
The I'rleat and a Heretic.
Father O'Rafferty, an Austin clergy
man, met Mike Sullivan the other day,
and during the conversation Father
O'Raflerty said:
"Mister Sullivan, how is it that yez
being an Oirishman yez do not belong
to the howly Catholic Church?"
" Because 1 lost all confidence in the
howly church twinty years ago, sor."
"And how did you come to lose all
confidence in the howly church?"
"I'll tell yez how it was, Father
O'Raflerty. Me y ungest brothei was
married to a hiritic, but in the howly
church by a praste. It was a mixed
marriage, as it is called. Well, sor,
the praste made me brotlierfpronribe that
all the children should be brought up
in the Catholic faith."
"And how did that cause yez to lose
faith in the infallible church?"
"Bedad, sor, they have been married
now, sor, more than twinty years, and
divil a kid have they got yit, sor."
"Misther Sullivan," said the priest
solemnly, "it would have been betther
for yer sowl if yer father, instead of
yer brother had married a hiritic."
The priest had him there.
The lteaimii Why.
"Say, Schneider!" exclaimed Matson
and Blifkins as they entered the cheerful
little room In the rear of the grocery, with
nearly as much noise and haste us is ob
servable when two boys come tearing into
the house together and announce In tumult
uous tones, "There ain't no school to-,
morrow, Ma, 'cause its Christmas!" their
louseled pates chocK full of Santa Clans
ami new skates.
"Say, Schneider, the Meat Inspector is
coming around to look at that cheese of
yours out there in the front room that
keeps the little children from coming in
and teasing you for apples!"
"Dhere don't vos eny meat in dot
scheese vor heem to inschpect. Dot was
a limburger scheese uutvos all richt!"
"I believe you, Schneider!" exclaimed
Bill. "A rat couldn't live in that cheese,
lie's coming, though, tor 1 read it in 'The
Free Press" that the Health Officer was
going to send the inspector around to smell
of the strong cheese, and he'll come right
here the first thing, for that cheese of
yours has been strong for the last five
years. You ought to take 11 out into the
back yard aed bury it."
"That wouldn't do," said Blifkins.
"The sanitary police would have you in
the Recorder's Court within a week. Tell
you what to do, Schueuler. Scoop out the
inside, build a tire in it and send for tbe
Boiler Inspector!"
"By colly, poys! I guess you vos make
fools oef me, dou'l it?'' said Schneider in
quiringly, as he dropped in the lemon peel
and reached for the nutmeg grater.
"Yes, Schneider," said Bill, sentcn
liously, as he took a sip and then set the
steaming decoction upon the end of the
bar to cool, "but everybody is being fooled
by comebody ail the time. The police
fool you luto the lielief that you must
close this whisk)' shop of yours at 10
o'clock, while the big saloons down town
that sell more liquor m a day than you do
in a week, haveu't turned the key in their
front door, Sundays nor no time, for a
year. The lawyers fool the juries, ami
the jury fools tbe judge. The pupil fools
the teacher, and the teacher fools the
pupil.
"The people a*-e fooled in a hundred
different ways; that fast and reckless
driving will soon he abolished, and the
streets become safe for pedestrians; that
one-half the public offices are necessary for
tne good government of tbe city, or that
half oi them are worthily filled; that they
can buy cheaper at the public maraet
than they can within a block of their
homes. B >gus agents and quack doctors
fool them; slreet peddlers and street beg
gars take them in. Everybody is fooled
except the Common Council."
"Does nobody fool that body?" inquired
Blifkins doubtingly.
"it's unnecessary. Come around this
evening, 15' I f, and I'll tell you the leason
why."
An Insect Carpet-llaggi-r.
An experimenter in Southern agri
culture told me the followiug historiette
of Northern bees in the South. He
took a colony of the little gratuitous
honeymakers down to Florida. Tbe
first year they reveled, tluove and
stored honey nearly all tbe unvaried
summer time. But the second year a
few of tbe more reflective bees evi
dently turned tbe thing over in their
minds thus; "this country has no win
ter to provide against; what is the use
of laying up honey where the flowers
blossom all the year round?" These
bees exerted enough influence among
their friends to keep a good many bees
from laying by any sweet merchandise
the second year of their exile. But
the prudential instinct, so strong in
the little msect, prevailed with the
majority. They evidently said to them
selves; "Perhaps this had been an
exceptional year. Next season may
bring cold and snow aud dearth of
flowers." So there was quite a stock
of honey laid by on the second year in
spite of a few strikers. But by the
third year the conviction had evidently
thoroughly penetrated the bee mind
that it was foolish to lay up in a land
of eternal blossom. They made just
enough to last from day to day, aban
doning themselves to living from hand
to mouth as recklessly as does any
tropic-born butt erfly.
lluelllui; In tlie Gritinu Army.
For an officer ot the army to refuse
to fight a iluel is still regarded by the
German military authories as a grievous
offense. A little while siuce an officer
in the battalion of Laudwehrin Cologne
offended two of his comrades by some
remarks on their conduit. Though
j these officers could not justify them
selves, they were nevertheless aggrieved,
and challenged the offender. This gen
tleman refused to accept the challenge,
alleging conscientious scruples. The
mutter was referred to a court ot honor,
and the court decided that the officer
challenged must fight. Thereupon he
called upon his Colonel and informed
him of his desire to resign his commis
sion, as he was suffering from a neural
gic affection of the heart. In reply the
Colonel suggested that he had probably
refused to accept the challenge because
he was in ill-health, and nervous, and
mentally debilitated through sickness.
The officer, however, not only declined
to adopt this suggestion, but again
declared that under no circumstances
whatsoever would he engage in a duel.
Thereupon the mutter was again re
ferred to the court of honor, with the
result that the poor man, instead of
being allowed to resign his commission,
was dismissed from the service.
Be silent, and safe; silence never be -
trays you.
Don't start the day's work without a
good breakfast, ,
Don't sleep in a room without venti
lation of some kind.
After the battle of arms comes the
battle of history.
Don't stuff a cold lest you be next
obliged to starve a fever.
Ohristmait lu Mexico.
The Mexicans surpass all other peo
ple in the number and duration of their
festivals. Between their religious and
political holidays there are scarcely left
three days out of the seven for busiuess.
Any pretext is seized upon to secure a
holiday. It will afford a practical man
much diversion to take a Mexican alma
nac or calendar, wherein all the feast
aud fast days are marked with a circular
red globe, on which the day of the
month is printed. As all business is
suspended, stores closed, etc., on both
religious and political festival days and
a Mexican won't work on a holiday, a
liye Yankee will at once proclaim a re
version of the old proverb : ' 'All work
aud no fun makes Jack a dull boy,"and
red "Ali fun and no work" makes Pau
oho a poor man.
The Christmas festival of Naciamen
to, as it is termed, lasts usually for two
weeks. Christmas Eve is what the
Mexican calls Noche Bueuo. The day
of tiiis night you will see a large pro
cession of men and women, on hoise
back and on loot, marching through
the street, dressed in the costumes of
shepherds, after the ancient htoripturui
styles. This is what is known as the
Pastures. They will continue to march
about uutil Noche Bueno. When dark
ness approaches the Pastures, and in
fact people generally, light hundreds of
fires on the hills and promontories in
all directions. Anywhere in tne lie
public ol Mexico on Christmas Eve
night you will see tires burning on all
the eloyated points in the neighborhood.
It is a beuutiiui custom and Uas an im
pressive effect. The procession ol Pas
tores is also attractive. Alter night
those in the procession retire to the
thestre, and tnere is rendered the tab
leau ol the birth ol Christ—Naciameu
to, with all of its accompanying scenes,
in tins tableau, whicn is gotten up
with gorgeous effect, little girls and
boys take part, the former personating
angels and the lutter devils. Calcium
iigUts are burned. All that is possible
is done to render the occasion felicitous.
This performance is kept up uutil after
midnight, presenting ail the Scriptural
incidents ol tne occasion. While this
is going on in the theatre tne people
ouisiue are firing rockets —not such
large ones as we have in this country,
but a small one, Willi a stick about a
loot long, which is stuck m the ground
and a match applied to the taper, when
away it goes up in the blue vault, look
ing uiucu like a meteor m its flight.
Tne tires ou the hills and hundreds ol
these meteor rockets in every direction
give a weird look to the night, and if
you are iortuuate enough to get into tne
theatre to the Naciamunto, you will be
stiii l irther in pressed wun tue Oriental
aspect of the lestiv&i.
Formerly on Christmas Day the Host
was carried through the street by the
clergy, m fail robes, but now, under
tne present laws ol the Republic, uo
religious procession is permitted to
parade m tue public street, A priest
is uot allowed to come into the street
wearing his clerical dress or any portion
ol it.
Un Christmas Day in every town in
Mexico a grand buli-iiight takes place.
On the occasion oi the Christmas fes
tivities the sous ol tne wealthy citizens
olten take tne place of the trained and
experienced matadors (those who fight
the bull), as well as that of the picadors,
who tease and worry the animal mto a
irenzy in the Plaza de Toro—an im
mense amphitheatre made to seat irom
two to eignt thousand persons, accord
to tne population of the place. On the
occasion when these ricn men volunteer
to do the lighting the proceeds from the
exhibition are given to cliatity. The
usual price for the best seats is a quarter
real (fifty cents). This price is graded
down to a media (six aud a quarter
cents), this latter giving standing room
for children only. Everyone, higu ana
low, ricn and poor, men, women and
chndren, attend the bull-fight. Not
withstanding the low admission, large
sums are realized in this way for charity,
Tne men of wealth ut this time also
often throw open their palatial residen
ces lor a grand masquerade ball. An
a amission price is charged, music aud
a supper provided. No one is admit
ted except in masque. It is a public
ailair ; ail go. No oue unmasks and the
proceeds are donated to the city. These
calls are gotteu up on a scale of inug
mlicence which would astonish our less
obtrusive people. The Mexican is
nothing unless lie is conspicuous. He
is ah luss and leathers, and when he
starts out lor a show he huS a big one,
During the least of Nacrimeino to
the leinu.e portion of tne community
are allowed many iiberties which ordi
narily tUey are ueprived of. Worneu, as
a I uie, m Mexico nay e a dull and une
ventful time. They are never allowed
to see their gentlemen trieiuls except in
Uie presence oi the family. They never
go any w J lore with beuux unless accom
panied uy a chaperone. They have no
lete-a-tctes, no association whatever
with genilmen, except m a general way.
On tlic occasion ol this feast these un
reasonable rules are somewhat relaxed.
At this time il a lady IU the preseuoe oi
others should (tfriku you over tue head
with ah egg blomi lud ol silver or gold
powder (ouch au act denotes a special
preference and is the greatest* compli
ment a lauy CULL show a gentleman), it
would not be considered indecorous,
while at other tiues it would cost iier
ner reputation. These eggs, filled with
gold or silver powder, are called cascer
ones. They are sometimes tilled with
hour and wneu a leliow gets one of these
latter he is made the butt oi the even
ing. The senorita takes occassiou to
get even with one oi tne sterner sex
who may have at some time slighted her
oy stiikiug him, unobserved, with a
easceroiie of Hour.
Another iamoas amusement at this
time is cock-fighting, Passing down
auy ol the principal streets you will
see rows of men and boys standing in
tne streets with chicken cocks undei
their arms in front ol the cock- pit. Il
you wish to participate in the sport you
purcnase a rooster, for which you will
nave to pay Irom litty cents to one dol
lar and a half, pay your admission to
the pit and on entering announce your
desire for a contest. fck>me fellow, who
like yourself has become possessed of
a game chicken, will wager yon his roos
ter is the better chicken. The master
of the pit will inquire if you desire
"slashers"—gaffs—and if they are ac
cepted he will proceed to attach them
to the natural spurs of the rooster and
charge you a small tax for their use and
the service. You can now handle your
own bird in the contest or allow the at
taches of the pit to do so. This custom
of allowing outsiders to bring and fight
their own birds makes the sport much
more interesting, The admissions to
all public entertainments of Christmas
are donated to charitable purposes, a
custom which our people might emulate
to advantage. One continued round of
gayety is kept up for two weeks. The
theatre is kept open, operas performed,
etc., "Faust" being the favorite for
this season. Eyery device known for
pleasure is brought into requisition.
Nothing seems to be thought of except
how to have a good time yourself and
make others do the same. If you want
to witness a saturnalia of pleasure be
i . Mexico on the occassion of the festi
val of Nuciamento.
A Cou-ttry Chrlfttuaaa Tree.
There were nearly three hundred orna
ments on our tree before any of the presents
went on, said a correa|ondeat. They
were nearly all home-made. We cut out
of rather stiff bristol-board some five
pointed stars, little boots, Maltese crosses,
butterflies, shields, arrows and horseshoes.
Several of each kind were made, a large
bowl of boiled paste prepared, and each
was covered on both sides with colored
paper, mostly silver and gill, and some
with red and blue. We found a piece of
broken looking glass in the attic and had
it cut up into many little pieces, bound
each one wi*h lute-string ribbon pasted on,
and when dry furnished each with strings
by which to hang them up. They reflect
all the lights and maae the effect very
brilliant.
Cornucopias we were able to make very
easily, for we had a carpenter prepare us
a slender wooden cone, just the shape of
one, and it is very pleasant work to place
thein together over this model, put a pretty
embossed picture on each and then slip off
to dry. The prettiest of all trinkets we
made as follows: Taking a quantity of
English walnuts we split them (one at a
time) into halves, filled one-half with little
"carraway comfits," glued on the other
half, first slipping in a little loop of ribbon
at the top, and laid each one aside till dry.
Then each was gilded with liquid gilding.
We used the 4i ße.ssemer gold paint,' and
there are many other preparations equally
good. These little 4 Tattle-boxes'' are
lovely, and everybody will want one. A
lot of tiny rosy-cheeked apples were pol
ished up and furnished with strings.
But the prettiest of all were the "crys
tallized ornaments.'' First I made some
small baskets of annealed wire anil wound
them very profusely with bright-colored
zephyr. The ro-eoolored and the light
green proved to be the prettiest, also one
that 1 wound in shaded green, with little
dots of red, but tbe light blue and lemon
colored were not to be despised. Then I
procured five pounds of alum and a large
stone crock and made a hot solution of
alum and put in the crock, laid a stick
across the top and suspended my baskets,
one at a time, in tbe not alum water, leav
ing them about twelve hours undisturbed.
Sometimes I had better success than others,
but generally they looked like tne most
luscious French candy when taken out, as
the color of the zephyr showed through
the frosting. Then I hung the basket up
to dry, reheated the solution, sometimes
making it stronger, and started again. I
aiso crystallized grasses and branches with
lovely effect. *
Our way of mounting the tree proved
very substantial and strong: Two pieces
of scantling, six feet long and two inches
by four, were morticed and put together
in the form of a cross. At the point where
they crossed the tree was fastened upright
by being nailed on with long spikes. Four
braces were then added, making the who'e
very strong. Laying stout brown paper
underneath we covered the boards trom
sight with quantities of gray moss and
trailing vines, and sprinkled all well with
the watering-pot as a precaution against
fire should any ornament blaze up aud
fall.
Golden Gat* Nabobs.
The biggest fortunes ou the Pacific
are those of the Central Pacific Railroad
magnates, and Ex-Governor Stanford is
the richest of the gioup. Ilis wealth is
estimated at $75,000,000; that is. his
yearly income' is equal to the interest en
such a capital, and his property is con
stantly increasing in value. lie owus
more than $5,000,000 alone in San Fran
cisco in real estate, to say nothing of his
farms, vineyards, breeding ranches, etc.
The ex-Governor has but one child, Le
land, Jr., a lad of about fifteen. The
richest widow on the Pacific coast, or in
the country for that matter, with the pos
sible exception of Mrs. Cornelia Stewart,
is Mrs. Mark Hopkins, widow of one of
the Central Pacific syndicate. Her hus
band's estate proved up to $23,000,000,
and the only two men in California who
could justify on the widow's bond as ex
ecutrix were Leland Stanford and Charles
Crocker, two of ner husband's business
associates. They were compelled to jus
tify in twice the amount of the estate and
each swore that he was worth $40,000,000.
Mrs. Hopkins is an elderly woman. They
had no children, but had adopted a son,
whom Mrs. Hopkins has just married to a
Miss Crittenden, a protege of hers, provi
ding her with the dot of a princess. There
are other heirs tc the estate, but the adop
ted son, Tim, will get the bulk of it.
The richest young and unmaried woman
on the Pacific coast is Miss Jennie Flood,
only daughter of the bonanza king. The
richest prospective heiress in California
is Miss Hattie Crocker, the only daughter
of Charles Crocker, another of the railroad
syndicate. She, also, is a charming girl,
and, like Miss Flood, is rather plaia in
appearance. She is noted for her chari
ties and domestic virtues. The whole
value of Uncle Billy O'Brien's estate was
a little over $9,000,000. After the lega
cies were paid the residue was turned
orer to Mr. O'Brien's two sisters, Mrs.
Coleman and Mrs, Joseph McDonough.
The two ladies inherited $3,500,000 each.
JS T 0.2.