FOR TOMS
SAKE
A Tree Which
Bore Good Fruit
——
By OTHO B. SENGA
[Copyright, 1904, by Otho B. Senga.]
MOST avonderful and gorgeous
Christmas tree stood in the
window of the great store of
. Warden & Joyce. All day a
vonstantly changing throng of small
dmirers exclaimed at its magnificence
i nd registered extravagant wishes be-
fore it,
Children richly clad and full of joy-
ous antieipations, children in comfort-
less rags, who knew Christmas only by
the sight of the happiness of others,
stood side by side and gazed with long-
ing eyes at the bewildering array of
costly gifts and brilliant decorations.
A small girl of twelve or fourteen,
with face unnaturally old and sharp,
unsmiling eyes, critically examined the
{ree in silence. Up and down, from
side to side, her keen gaze wandered.
“I bet it’s empty at the back,” she
finally muttered.
Poor child! Her brief experience had
already taught her the unreality and
falsity of many glittering things. She
stepped quickly into the vestibule where
she could see that part of the tree away
{rom the window. A sudden joy flashed
into her face. -
“It’s true—that tree is true,” she
whispered eagerly, “The back is as
good as the front.”
She hesitated an instant and then
raised her clasped hands beseechingly.
“God,” she cried, “send me a tree for
Tommy!”
Her intense longing made her voice
sharply imperative, and the first word
struck harshly on the ear of a richly
dressed young lady who was passing
close to her.
“You mustn’t swear, child!” she ex-
claimed hurriedly.
“I wasn't swéaring,” the girl an-
swered calmly, without resentment. “I
was praying for a‘tree thr Tommy.”
An elegant carriage waited at the
curb, and as the young lady stepped to
MISS STANHOPE GAVE ONE LOOK AT THE
TALL MAN.
the sidewalk the footman threw open
the door. She stood for an instant, as
if thinking, and then, turning quickly,
she went back into the vestibule, where
the child was still standing.
“Will you come with me a minute?
Out of the crowd,” she added hastily
as the girl faced her with surprised
eyes and an unchildlike, repelling look
on her thin face.
“Will you step into the carriage?
Please do. I want you to tell me
something, and it is so very cold”—
The girl seated herself on the luxu-
rious cushions, the young lady fol-
lowed, and the inwardly disgusted
footman closed the door.
“Will you tell me your name and
where you live?’ the lady questioned
gently.
The child regarded her earnestly.
“Depends on who you are and what
you want. You ain't a charity worker
nor a slum visitor?”
The young lady smiled understand-
ingly. :
“My name is Margaret Stanhope, and
1 live on Commonwealth avenue. You
—you spoke of Tommy.”
The girl's face softened.
_ “Yes; he’s my brother. My name is
Maggie Taylor, and I live on Burnham
street,” adding with a return of her
former manner, “but it ain't a slum
street, and I don’t want no charity.”
Miss Stanhope smiled radiantly.
“But I do, Maggie. I am so glad our
names are the same. I need just what
you do not—-charity. Tell me some-
thing about Tommy.” She lingered
lovingly over the name. “Why did you
pray for a treedor him?”
“Because he’s sick. He's only twelve,
and he works in an office, and his boss
is away, and Tommy took sick after
he'd gone. Tommy feels sure that if
he was here he'd send his wages to
him just the same, for he's a good boss
and awfully kind to everybody. but the
other man--his pardner—is different.”
“Maggie,” said Miss Stanhope ear-
nestly, “I wish you'd help me to have
a happy Christmas. I am all alone in
the world, without any one to care for
me, and I want to do something for
some one—for some one named Tom-
my, becausé—because six months ago
I did a wroug and cruel thing to some
one by that name. It would help make
my Christmas happy if you would let
me arrange a tree for your Tommy.
Will you?”
The girl drew a long breath,
“It ain’t charity?’ she asked doubt
fully.
“Not to you nor to Tommy,” cnswer-
J
«©. 5 Stanhope joyously, “but it will
be to me.” .
“lor Tommy's sake,” murmured the
girl asientingly. si
“I'or Tom's sake,” echoed Miss Stan
hope tenderly. $i
mnbending footman was still
disgusted when he was directed
to muke another round of the stores,
wud his bearing was absolutely frigid
The
more
twviren he was required to carry a most |
uithecoming load of bundles up the
stairs to the little home on Burnham
street. That the indignity of a good
sized tree was laid upon him also re-
quired the concentration of all hs
thoughts upon the generous wages
Miss Stanhope paid to enable him to
endure the present situation.
“1 keep house for father and Tom-
my,” whispered Maggie, leading the
way. “Tommy's in the kitchen. I left
Lim there nn the big chair ’cause it's
warmer. We'll take all these things in
here” opening the door of a ‘neat sit-
ting rooin—"and when we get the tree
fixed I'l push him in in the chair.”
Surely never before was a tree so
quickly nade to blossom and bring
forth fruit, and it was a “true” tree,
witli gifts on every side.
Maggie surveyed it with joyful pride,
her iliin face losing its careworn look
and becoming almost childlike with
the flu:h of happy excitement.
“Miss tai liope,” she whispered posi-
tively, “peal ers are answered—I know
it now.”
Always, in the way he thinks best,”
answered Miss Stanhope earnestly,
adding in her heart, “Lord, I believe—
help tiou mine unbelief!”
“I'll bring Tommy in now,” Mag-
gie said, and went softly out to the
kitchen.
She returned almost immediately.
“His boss is there!” she exclaimed
excitedly. vile got back yesterday.
Ain't be awfully good to come so soon
to sce Tommy? Tommy looks better
I ihe boss ’ll push him in.”
both turned toward the door
as it was opeield, and a big armchair
with the sick boy in it was pushed
care tli over the threshold.
Miss Stanhope gave one look at the
tall man beiind the chair and started
forward.
his is Tommy's boss,” began Mag-
giv, mindful of her duties as hostess,
but the greeiing of her two guests quite
disconceirted her, for Tommy’s boss
caught the aristocratic Miss Stanhope
in a close em! ace, while Miss Stan-
hope cried penitently, “Oh, Tom, Tom,
I have been so sorry, and I have want-
ed you so!”
The Origin of Santa Claus,
Santa Claus is of German origin.
This is true if only because that is the
German name for St. Nicholas. That
he is an old man is because in the an-
cient pagan feasts in celebration of
the decay of the old year and the birth
of the new an old man played the prin-
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cipal part.
mans it was Saturn, the father of all
the gods, and among the Norsemen it
was Thor, who was long bearded and
white haired, That the saint is St.
Nicholas is due to the fact that that
venerable personage’s feast day was
celebrated at about that period. St.
Nicholas was a bishop of Myra, who
flourished early in the fourth century.
He is the patron saint of children and
schoolboys. and hence it was natural
that he should be a part of a celebra-
tion when the children received gifts
and when they were allowed to be
“heard as well as seen.”—New York
Mail and Express.
i Christmas In Rome,
A characteristic sight which precedes
a Roman Christmas is the so called
cottio, or sale of fish by auction, which
is held at San Teodoro, near the forum,
in the small hours of the morning, and
buyers and sightseers. It is a sight
worth seeing, the vast circular market
literally packed with row upon row of
baskets, in which the scaly fry are
carefully arranged, the light glancing
off their many colored scales in a
thousand prismatic reflections, while
the owner cof each stall shouts at the
top of his voice and the merry crowd
goes round laughing and bargaining
and trying to cheapen the fish, for at
Christmastide it often reaches fabulous
prices, and one is reminded of the ex-
travagance of the ancient Romans, one
of whom is said to have paid 20,000
sesterces for a single gray mullet.—
London Mail.
Christmas Presents.
The giving of presents on Christmas
day undoubtedly owes its origin to a
general idea to carry into practice the
biblical mandate, “Peace on earth;
good will to men.” At first the great
lords made presents to their retainers,
and the season was marked by uni-
of Christmas giving spread until now
everybody gives his or her friends pres-
ents.
Why Tommy Is Doing Penance,
Grandma-—Are you looking forward
to your Christmas dinner, Tommy?
Tommy—Yep, grandma, but not 0
much as Johnny Jones.
Grandma—\Why so, Thomas?
Tommy -— His grandma died
last
turkey.
Changing Countenance.
He changed countenance rapidly,
Slipping on his face the Santa Claus
mask, he made a triumphant entry in-
to the parlor with the bundle of toys.
t The Past Versus the Present.
| Oh, Christmas time is coming fast,
f So cheer up, girls; be pleasant
And shake the fellow with the past
For that one with the present.
.
every year attracts large crowds of
versal charity. By degrees the practice |
week, and he'll get all Ler Crissmus !
, searce.
Among the Greeks and Ro- |
An
The ‘Animals
At Christmas
AID Santa Claus, *'Tis Christmas eve
S (The animals looked pleasant),
And each of you will now receive
His yearly Christmas present.
But I'd be glad if every guest
Would mention what he'd like the best.”
The Tapir said: “That pleases me.
I'll state succinctly, therefore,
if 1 may be so bold and free—
Tk- only thing I care for
Would be those matches on the shelf,
With which I'd like to light myself.”
His wish was granted Then up spake
A timid little Adder:
“Sir, but a trifle it will take 2
To make my Christmas gladder;
A slate and pencil, if you please,
Would let me do my sums with ease.”
The Reindeer caid: ‘You may believe
I'd be a happy feliow
If I were sure 1 would receive
A good sized umberrallow;
And also I'd like four golosh-
Es and a rubber mackintosh.”
The Pig a fountain pen desired; -
The Cow tin horns requested;
The Horse, for a new hat acquired,
His gratiiude attested.
The Caterpillar said: “l am
Proud of my caterpillursham.”
So all of them were gay and glad,
And they were happy, very;
They liked the presents that they had
And waxed exceeding merry.
Dear humans, at your Christmas feasts,
Pray take o lecscn from the beasts. ;
— Carolyn Wells in Reader.
HIS CHRISTMAS SERMON.
Aged Wayfarer Who Taught a
Curate Contentment.
An Ingiish clergyman declares that
the best Christmas sermon he ever
heard was preached by a worian—and
in three words!
“In my little parizl, under the sweep
of the Hussex downs,” he says, “I was
walking swiftly home one night buffet-
ed about by the gray clouds of driving
rain that the fierce sou’'wester swept
landward from the sea when a poor,
helpless, aged woman asked me for a
tritle for a night's lodging.
“Curates are supposed always to be
poor. It was Christmas time, and I
had just parted with my last sixpence
at a lonely hamlet where work was
Still I could not leave my
stranger in the street, so I asked her
to come with me to my lodgings.
“She shambled along through the
mud with her streaming clothes and
clouted boots, and we entered my little
room. My ihoughtful landlady bad
made my table ready. A plate of hot
toast was standing in the fender; the
kettle sang vociferously, as if impa-
tient to Le used; in front of the fire
stood my slippers and an easy chair.
: -
LR ES ESSER
9
Your Troubles Will Be Few
If you find it hard to think of a
Suitable Christmas Gift for Him
COME TO FAUBLE
Your task will be an easy one. Every-
thing that. Man or Boy wears in large as-
sortments. The right. sort,, the kind that
you will like at, satisfactory prices. It.
will cost. you nothing tc look at. the
many new and useful things suitable for
Gifts THAT WE ARE SHOWING. A
- look can’t, hurt.
Try it.
IT MAY HELP.
FAUBLE’S.
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“To my surprise, my poor, worn, hag-
gard companion. raised her dripping
hands and burst into tears with’ the
words, ‘Ob, what luxury! 2
“That was the best Christmas ser-
mon I ever heard, and the only one I
have never forgotten.”—Youth’'s Com-
panion. 3
Christmas Day In Russia.
In certain parts of Russia the chil-
dren at Christmas eve begin playing
pranks that are as odd as they are
amusing. Gliief among their drolleries
is that of #lisguising themselves as ani-
mals and in the assumed costume of
wild beasts disporting themselves
through _the fishborhiod. “As many
skins as spossible are ‘secured, and in
these the lading boys are clad. Wolves,
bears, ostriches even, are represented.
All of the-boys gather .in one party,
those who are not posing as brutes
forming a train for the escort and dis-
play of the pseudo menagerie. Some
act as keepers, holding their disguised -
companions in check, while others star-
tle the quiet of the night by rude
strains drawn from harsh and primi-
tive musical instruments. Torches are
borne, and in the fitful light, opposed
by black shadows, the scene is at once
grotesque and vivid.
A Thoughtful Husband.
What is more touching at the holiday
season than to see an old man planning
a pleasant surprise for his aged wife?
“I's tryin’ ter raise money enough
ter git my wife a new dress for Christ-
mas, sah,” said Uncle Ebony to Mr.
Featherstone,
“Al. I see. You want me to give you
some chores to do, uncle, eh?”
“Tell, no, «=. I tought perhaps you
could git Cc 0. 1xly a job at washin’,
sah!”
seniema.
Jack (bit: 5-1 suppose that young
Richman yr...» comes to see you so
often will #ive you such an expensive
Christmas g:£t that you won't want the
trifling present 1 can afford to buy
you? ;
Marie (coyly)—No. I think you had
better save your money for—er—future
contingencies, Jack.
Chris’mus Times In Dixie.
Oh, Chris'mus come ter de lan’ er cotton—
Bet you 'twon t be soon fergotten—
Look away,
Look away, ;
Fer de Chris’raus times in Dixie!
Don’t keer ef de weather fair or murky—
Big fat possum en a gobblin’ turkey—
Look away,
Look away,
Fer de Chris'mus times in Dixie!
—Frank Stanton in Atlanta Constitution.
Christmas In Cornwall.
In Cornwall Christmas eve is a spe-
cial holidar with children, who are al-
lowed to sit up till midnight and drink
to the “mock,” as the Yule log is called
there.
hi -
EE ——————————————
CHRISTMAS AT L/.NDRINGHAM
How the Royal "amily of Great Brit-
ain Celebrates,
The royal family of Great Britain
keeps up Christmas at Sandringham in
a right royal and old fashioned way.
Tasteful decorations with ‘holly and
mistletoe abound everywhere. Every
one comes down to the dining room,
where breakfast is taken en famille:
Every one has presents for some one
else. All the servants and tenants are
remen bered. so that there are many
nappy hearts on Christmas morning.
Substantial joints, geese and turkeys,
with other good things, have a delight-
ful way of turning up at the very
houses where they are most wanted. :
After breakfast the royal family and
guests and the ladies and gentlemen of
the household go on a tour of inspec-
tion to view the decorations, and then,
provided the weather is fine, they
walk to church, which, of course, has *
been tastefully adorned in appropriate
and approved Christmas fashion. On
the entry of the king and queen the
congregation rises — that is the only
formality observed. The king's domes-
tic chaplain takes the service—a bright
choral service, with Christmas hymns
and an anthem. :
Then comes luncheon—which is the
children’s dinner — attended by the
king and queen and other members of
the family. The Christmas pudding is
brought in, blazing up merrily, to the
intense delight of the little princes ‘and
princesses.
The late afternoon is the most exeit-
ing time for the juniors. The doors of
a certain room have been kept rigor-
ously fastened since the previous even-
ing, her majésty and other members -
of her family having duly dressed a
large Christmas tree therein. The door
is opened, and ‘the whole party troops
in, while the royal children evitice the
greatest slelight at the Christmas tree |
ablaze with lights and weighed down’
with presents. Afterward all sorts of
games, are cutered into with a hearti-
ness and zest that must surely appeal
to every one.
Dinner comes along at 8:45, to which
all guests staying in the house and
many of the houschold are invited by *
the king. The king and quéen-‘and
guests ussemble in the drawing room
first, and then a procession is formed,
led, of course, by their majesties, who
are followed in order of precedence by
the others. The tables are laid in the
grand sialon. The guests are seated at
small oval tables, the king and queen *
sitting opposite each other at one, and
are waited on by special footmen.
Boar's head, baron of beef and plum
pudding are the staple dishes of the
royal Christmas dinner. ie
After dinner there may be a dance or
a command performance in the state
ballroom. the walls of which are deco- .
rated by gorgeous Indian trophies pre: z
sented to his majesty when he visited
that country.—Pictorial Magazine.
The Universal Desire. eh aa
She was superbly dressed in the pin-
nacle of fashion'and would have been
beautiful but for a certain stern, busi-
| nesslike expression that rather marred
the sweetness of her face.
First looking up and down, she dart:
ed swiftly into a narrow passageway
and was soon knocking at a door em-
blazoned with the legend: “Signor Oleo
Margerino. Clairvoyant. Future Fore-
told.” SE
The door opened. yo
“Where is the signor?”’ she nervously
demanded. 3
“In bed, mum.”
“Horrors! What's the matter with
him 22.» s
“Nervotis prostration, brought. on by
overwork.”
“Overwork ?” .
“Yes, mum. Since September he’s
been busy peerin’ into de future fer
people wot wanted ter know de value
uy. Christmus presents dey wuz goin’
to get so's they’d know how much ter ’
spend on theirs.” 3
Stifling a shriek of despair, she sped
“away on the hunt for some other clair-
voyant.—New York Herald.
A Topsy Turvy Party, i
A topsy turvy party is good: fun at
Christmas. Everything is done at ‘this
party “the other way around.” For in-
stance, a very small Christmas tree is
fastened to the ceiling upside down.
On the floor a number of packages
should be laid.
must be sure to have the topsy turvy
scheme: In all those intended for the
girls you should put only such things *
as boys like or use, and the older the
guest the simpler should the toys be.
‘The next thing in this topsy turvy par-
ty after the distribution of the pack-
ages is to have some one enter the
room dressed as Santa Claus with an
empty basket on his back or in his
hand, but instead of giving each person
a present he must demand one from
each person. Later on in the evening
the guests play a game of forfeits.
when they have a chance of getting
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back their gifts. SN
A Few Christmas Don’ts.
Don’t fuss, don’t hurry, don’t worry,
don’t fret. Christmas has come and
gone many times and will come and go
again. Don't do one single thing, then,
for at Jeast two weeks that will jar
you into forgetting that it was the
birthday of peace and good will.—Phil-
adelphia Record. Pi
Christmas at the North Pole.
The candles burn on the Christmas tree; a
They burn with a ruddy flame, £
And the little Eskimo looks with glee
Upon picture book and game.
He dances in ecstasies of delight,
And he. claps his hands for joy
And then climbs ‘inte the branches bright,
here jingles the rosy toy. ‘
Then with an expression of peace supreme
And a twinkle of heartfelt fun
The candles he plucks in a lotos dream
And gobbles them one by one.- ¥
-R. K. Munkittrick in New York Herald.
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