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Bellefonte, Pa., December 18, 1925.
THE OXEN.
Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock,
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.
We pictured the meek, mild creatures
where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.
So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If some one said on Christmas Eve,
“Come; see the oxen kneel
“In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,”
1 should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.
—Thomas Hardy.
commen es te fp eee ee.
PLEASANT GAP PHILOSOPHY.
By Levi A. Miller.
Let me point the reader to true re-
ligion; that pure, bright gift of God,
whose joys you must experience to
understand its magic influence. It
calms the ruffled scenes of life, and
makes them glide peacefully away. 1t
soothes the mind in its last hours, and
gives that sweet tranquility and as-
surance of the passport of the soul to
an endless life of happiness and bliss.
Parents in making choice of schools,
should select those presided over by
teachers who know and do their duty
better than to whip dull children for
not learning, or progressing as they
should. So far as the public is con-
cerned, the school directors should
know when any such outrage has been
‘perpetrated, and send adrift any
teacher, at once, who should thus vio-
late the dictates of common sense
and common humanity. It is unques-
tionably true that decided reforma-
tions are necessary, in many instanc-
es, in our country, in the management
of schools; ad we are greatly gratified
that the subject is meeting the ser-
ious consideration of the public. Who
can suppose that a boy, whipped for
not learning his lesson well, will be
likely to learn it better thereafter, or
that he will be likely to ascertain the
true reason why he should learn at
all? An important matter for consid-
eration.
We live in an age of light and
knowledge. An age in which the sci-
ences and arts are marching onward
with gigantic strides. Our patent of-
fice at Washington, D. C. is daily
‘turning out useful and beneficial pat-
‘ents; devices that are of unaccounta-
ble value to mankind. I was just
‘thinking that I don’t know of any pat-
ent that meets with the approbation
«of the public more than the safety-pin.
Insignificant in appearance, but very
‘handy in hundreds of ways. I keep 2
‘card of these invaluables in my desk
all the time and find them indispensa-
banishing untold embarrassments. A
very reputable lady, while discussing
with me the vatuc-of this great inven-
‘tion said that when absent from home
“she always carried safety-pins with
her with a view of avoiding: embar-
rassments and humiliations. “Why
‘sir,” said she, “for instance, should
you be away from home and unfortu-
nately should lose some of the buttons
from your clothing, all you have to do
is to call into requisition your safety
‘pin and the misery disappears in an
instant.
“Barly to bed and early to rise,
‘makes a man healthy, wealthy and
‘wise.” This is an old saying and it is
as true as gospel. There is a fresh-
ness, a purity, in early morning, de-
lightful and refreshing. Every ecir-
cumstance contributes to early rising,
and is advisable for those who are in
pursuit of health, or those who desire
‘the enjoyment of it. There is no time
‘equal in beauty and freshness to the
morning. When nature has just part-
ed with the gloomy mantle which
night had flung over her, and stands
before us like a young bride, from
whose face the veil which covered her
loveliness has been withdrawn. The
whole material world has a vivifying
appearance. Almost all the great and
laborious men in the world have been
early risers. An hour lost in bed in
the morning, is far more injurious
than the time lost in the evening. In-
-dustrious men do not feel the need of
sleep as much as idlers. One hour
lost in sleep is forever lost, without
bestowing any benefit upon the loser.
The world is but little better for such
a man while he is in it, and he will be
but little thought of when heis out of
it. Our whole lives should be a state
of moderate, yet constant enjoyment,
It is in our power so to live as to
possess an almost entire immunity
from disease, and death ought to be
the sequel of old age. The great se-
cret of health and happiness consists
in being reconciled to your lot, and
never sighing for the splendor of rich-
es, or the magnificence of fashion or
power. Persons who are constantly
employed, and go cheerfully to their
daily tasks, are the most happy, and
at night sleep with perfect composure;
while the rich, the idle, and dissipat-
ed are never contented; the springs of
life are rusting out, the functions of
life perform their duty sluggishly, the
health becomes impaired, the consti-
tution gradually sinks, dissipation
rapidly wastes the energies of nature,
and premature old age is the conse-
quence, or at least ill-health, and re-
lief through medicine is sought in
vain. A ride of half a dozen miles be-
fore breakfast lends a bloom to the
cheek and a spark to the eye of beau-
ty, which no cosmetic can supply, to
say nothing of the famous appetite
that follows in their train. At least
two hours a day should be spent in
the open air. Walking is the best and
most natural exercise for mankind.
For the Bridge Player.
For the bridge fiend comes a score
pad of two hundred and fifty sheets,
with his name engraved at top of
each.
*——Subscribe for the “Watchman.”
-—
Trimming the
Tree 5 Frances Grinsiead
HE decorated tree,
around which our
Christmas holiday
centers, has an
origin older than
Christianity itself.
In ancient days
trees were held sa-
cred to various
good and evil spirits and offerings to
them were hung upon the branches.
To the Teutons the fir tree, with its
symmetrical spreading branches, was
a symbol of the sun and they cele-
brated the winter season by decking
it in tinsel, flowers, toys and other or-
naments. :
Christian use of the tree symbol
probably began in Germany, but there
are many stories of the first Christ-
mas tree. One is that Martin Luther,
walking under the stars one Christ
mas Eve, was moved by their wonder
as a revelation of the nearness of God
to man. When he reached home, he
took a little fir tree and put lighted
candles on its branches to explain his
thought to the children.
With age-old traditions behind it, it
is fitting that the typical Christmas
tree in these days is decorated purely
for the sake of its own beauty. Small
and graceful, it often stands on the
library table, gifts heaped around its
base, or in miniature form graces the
dining table, the center of cheer until
New Year's. If it is to shine in the
memories of children through years to
come, its ornaments must be hung
with as much thought as ever the old
Teutons gave to the placing of their
sun-festival gifts. The secret of dec-
orating a tree effectively is to make
its decorations look as if they grew
there. One secret of that Is to place
the ornaments at the points of growth,
where the limbs branch and where the
twigs leave the branches; the other
is to place ornaments that look heavy
where the tree looks strongest, well
back on the branches and toward the
lower part of the tree.
It is a good thing to lay out the
materials for decoration with those of
like shape and color together and to
handle one kind of decorations at a
time. In this way it is easy to dis-
tribute masses of trimming and spots
‘ble on many occasions in aiding me ini: of color evenly and to see that the dif-
ferent kinds are well intermingled. It
is a common mistake to place most of
the orhaments on the tip ends of the
branches, under the impression that
they will show up best there. As a
matter of fact, a few ornaments well
placed on the body of the tree are
more effective than if they are scat-
tered on the outer circumference.
The remainder of lights reflected |
from various ornaments should also
be considered; those wish glassy sur-
faces shine with a different glow from
that of' tinsel, and apples, oranges and
cornucopias of candy must not be ex-
pected to counterbalance brighter sur-
faces. So distribute the decorations
having a different kind of surface.
The glassy ornaments will relieve the
dark masses of the tree if they are
hung well back in it, but dull-surfaced
objects, if not too large, should be
hung in nearer view. A good place for
fruits, which are heavy but too dull
to show in the body of the tree unless
there is a break in the foliage, is on
the sturdy lower limbs,
The small electric lights which have
superseded candles for the Christmas |
tree should be arranged in orderly
gradation from the lower limbs to the
top. A pretty effect is produced if
tiny white bulbs are substituted for
the vari-colored ones that usually
make up these circuits and each light
enclosed in a small paper cone of soft
yellow or orange. These cones pro-
jecting downward give much the same
impression as the vertical effect of
candles,
Zhains of tinsel and colored paper
are effective decorations if they are
used rightly. They should not be sim-
ply strung around the tree, weighing
on the tips of its branches, so that
they seem to fetter it. If they wind
branches, as a vine might, they seem
to belong in the tree.
Toys may have their place on the
tree itself, if they are decorative. An
amusing doll perched on a limb, a
bright-colored horn gleaming in the
shadows, a rubber ball suspended high
in the branches, will delight the chil-
dren. >
The grown-up who trims a Christ:
mas tree has a chance for once in the
yaar to be an artist—with the most ap-
preclative public in the world. The
children on Christmas morning will |
recognize his work as a masterpiece if |
hé énly remembers two rules: First,
the tree’s the thing; it must be treated
as a unit and every bit of decoration
must further the total effect. Second,
don’t overload it; if it is not smoth-
ered with trimming, the tree itself is
the very best part of the decoration.
(®, 1975, Western Newspapnr Union.)
New Experience
for Santa Claus
By W.D. PENNYPACKER
APTAIN and Mrs.
Pickering promised
to play Santa
Claus. They loved
to do a little to-
wards making the
day bright and
spreading the holi-
day spirit. Christ-
mas after Christmas they had taken
some part—Iif not for the children,
then for the sick or aged—but always
some part.
This time it was different. They,
themselves, nervously awaited the day.
It was to be unique. They were to
help in a festive occasion at a state’s
prison. They were to carry gladness
and the spirit of Christmas with them
and radiate it within four sombre
stone walls. It
seemed almost im-
possible.
The Pickerings
were to imperson-
ate Santa and
Mrs. Santa Claus.
When the time
arrived and every-
thing else was in
readiness Mr. and
Mrs. Santa Claus
found there was
but one way to
get into the as-
sembly hall to
create the proper
effect. That was
by climbing three
tiers of fire escape
and entering a
window. This was the plan chosen as
there was no dressing room in connec-
tion with the hall and no place where
Santa and his party could be detained
in comfort throughout the first half of
a lengthy program without being ob-
served by all.
To climb three storles of fire escape
on a winter's night with ever so small
a bundle is difficult enough, but to
ascend the cold iron stairway each
with a large basket or bag filled with
oranges and candy, and to have to re-
plenish their supply through this same
dangerous way was almost more than
they bargained for or were, indeed,
able to do. It was work, and Captain
and Mrs. Pickering never denied it.
When Santa poked his bewhiskered
head through the window and dragged
his lumbering bundle after him there
was a hum of suppressed voices, and
a marked increase in noise and mer-
riment when Mrs. Santa appeared.
All the time they were distributing
candy and fruit they were besieged
by questions from the crowd, ang re-
plied with as much spirit and gaiety
as the place and the condition of the
assembled audience would allow. Ti
is but fair to say that Santa and Mrs.
Santa both enjoyed their visit to that
unusual place, and that they lingered
longer than their usual custom on
holiday visits.
Christmas is always a day of joyful
interest, and Santa was glad to look
squarely into the faces of the many
gathered in that hall that night. In
spite of the clouds and mists of cir
cumstances that engulfed them his
visit during that holiday season
was welcome in the memory of each.
Countenances at first hard, softened
with the recollections of happier years.
Flashes came into eyes that bespoke
all that is good, and ambitious, and
noble. Regrets, and remorse, and sor-
rows—if there were any—were this
day swallowed up in the more séntl-
mental and : ro-
mantic myths
about Christmas.
That was a
memorable day for
Mr. and Mrs,
Pickering. They
had given a little
of themselves in
thelr desire to
cheer others, and
in doing so the
chimes of glad-
ness were started
with renewed vig-
or in their hearts,
They had learned
something, too.
They were wiser.
They became con-
scious that there
is no soil so dark that it will not re-
spond promptly to the sunshine and
gladness of Christmas. The almost
instantaneous change in the expres-
sions of many faces was entirely con-
vineing. Christmas had come, and
again it had impressed the old, old
message of peace and good will to men.
When the Pickerings went back ta
thelr own comfortable home that night
and sat in front of a welcome log fire
they were conscious of wishing that
this good spirit of Christmas might
last throughout the entire year. It
doesn’t, of coarse, for human nature
will be human nature while the world
lasts. And they felt grateful for the
sense of good will which it had
brought them, and hopeful that it
might linger with them for many
weeks, at least.
As for the scores of persons who
that day had seen their first Santa
{ Claus since their happy childhood
| days in the old home, there cen be
i no question but that their hard, un-
responsive feelings were temporarily
swallowed up in the more tender, hu-
manizing strains of the shepherds’
hymr:
Glory to God in the highest,
i And on carth, peace, good wili to men.
| (®, 275, Western Newspaper Unisn.)
seemed to have touched a chord that :
Real Christmas Giving.
Christmas gift-giving should be
more than a mere game of give and
take. Real Christmas giving is a
game of love. Unless you realize this
and your Christmas list is made up of
friends and loved ones whose happi-
ness you have at heart, isn’t your list,
no matter how long it may be, a mere
travesty on Christmas?
Go over your list, delete the names
of persons to whom you send “return
gifts”—persons who have completely
gone out of your life—people you
never think of except at Christmas
and to whom you send gifts to repay
them for the ones they sent you. If
you go over your list honestly you
may be surprised to see it begins to
shrink until perhaps your conscience
may trouble you.
In which case you can easily fill in
the vacancies with other names—
names of people who may be longing
for but not expecting gifts.
It is human to enjoy surprises, es-
pecially when they come to see us in
the form of Christmas gifts. Such
gifts will carry real joy with them,
and in return will bring a depth of
happiness to you.
So during these next two weeks of
hurry and excitement try and put a
little more you into your gift-giving.
Try to get a little closer in spirit to
each friend as you select the gift
which is to be your share in making
their Christmas a truly happy one.
Gifts which are prompted by real lov-
ing generosity are sure to be the only
really givable gifts.
Electrical Hints.
Have a bracket light installed beside
the refrigerator and just high enough
to illuminate the interior, the globe to
be protected by wire.
A red light or buzzer at the head
of the cellar stairs or at the foot of
the attic stairs gives warning that the
lights are not turned off.
There should be lights in all impor-
tant closets, to be controlled by auto-
matic door switches.
Service outlet is needed in the bath-
room for electric shaving cup and out-
let for radiant heater.
A specially-wired sick room, or a
bedroom wired so that it can be con-
verted into a sick room if necessary,
is a modern home conenivence. This
room should contain extension tele-
phone, bell extensions, switches for
side and centre lights, special service
outlets for heating pad, immersion
heater, radiant heater, fan or other
appliances as desired.
——Put furniture on the list. For
the home-lover, man or woman, come
many attractive pieces.
S AL
B|L
R
EES
For Liver lls
You can’t
feel so good
but what NR
will make you
feel better,
RUNKLE’S DRUG STORE,
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Caldwell & Son
Bellefonte, Pa.
Plumbing
and Heating
By Hot Water
Vapor
Steam
Pipeless Furnaces
Cheerfully ana Promptly Furnished
68-15
Full Line of Pipe and Fit-
tings and Mill Supplies
All Sizes of Terra Cotta
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JEWELERS.....BELLEFONTE, PA.
JAN o WN ( 2) & SAVY
PANN My
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How Pleasant :
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this Bank—a courteous saluta-
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Yes, we are here to give the
best care and attention to your
banking business.
SSI IR EIAAN
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THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
STATE COLLEGE, PA.
ANN 5 SEIS ANN
MEMBER FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
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Lyon & Co.
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Santa Claus
has made us an early visit,
ARIA IARRIRIAR
WFP NS
and left many beautiful
gifts for every member
of the family.
For Father
For Mother
Towel Sets—all colors.
Linen Luncheon Sets.
Nighties.
Silk Hose.
Umbrellas—silk and cotton.
Boudoir Caps.
Handsome Leather
and Bead Bags.
Gloves.
Hose.
Neckties.
Shirts.
Linen and Cotton
Handkerchiefs.
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) For Big Sister
) Silk Scarfs, beautifully fringed—Silk Hose, Chiffon and Plain,
: in all colors—Wool Scarfs, all colors and designs—Vanities—
) Powder and Rouge Compacts—Handkies, any kind at any
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price ; lovely Linen ones, too— Bedroom Slippers—Jazz Gar-
ters, all colors.
For the Tiny Tot
All kinds of Dolls, ‘Ma Ma,”’ Nelke, and just plain—Handker-
chiefs in folders, with all nursery rhymes pictured—Rattles—
Beaded Bags; just the thing for the tiny Miss—Teddy Bear
Suits, all colors— Stockings, to be filled on Christmas Eve.
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Everything in Every Department to
Help Make your Xmas Shopping Easy
Lyon & Coes Lyon & Co.
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