yiljiiMgllMllllillllllllliiilliiilililili Ktft of : Fxy7- i ----- a . hi 11 m (fir-'?' r I 1 I ... js-w ( II1 All the air with love Is laden. Where the Yule logs glow and flame. Hopeful youth and trustful maiden Softly chant the Master's name. Now, if there be any sad ones, Bid their tearful eyes be dried. Js'ow, If there be thoughtless glad ones, Be that gladness purified; For the bells of peace are ringing, Chiming snthems of the free. Earth and Heaven Join In singing Of the glories yet to be. Seek the boughs, so green and fragrant. Let the waxen tapers dance. Here Is hope for prince, for vagrant, Christ of every circumstance! Pile the leaping fagots higher, Let the wide-mouthed chimneys roar Clash the cymbals, twang the lyre. Angels wait at every door. Soft the Day of Peace Is breaking; Gladdest day of all the year; And sweet Flenty, want o'ertaklng. Spreads a feast of love and cheer. ...OUJI On the evening before Christmas, In the year of grace 1894, Mr. Kufua 1'ell created a mild sensation at his home by arriving with a parcel of huge dimensions. He made sure that none of the children were about the house before he entered and, when he had crossed the threshold he immediately concealed the mysterious bundle in a closet and locked the door upon it. Mrs. Bell at once demanded an ex planation, and her niece, Miss Rose Mayne, seconded the demand strongly; thereupon Mr. Bell struck the attitude popular with candidates when they say "My fellow-countrymen," and said: "Ladles, I am but human, singular as the statement may seem; but I am nevertheless a being of ideas and re sources" "We are always acquiring informa tion," Interrupted Mrs. Bell. "Rose," continued Mr. Bell, serenely, turning to the younger lady, "as a school-teacher you must have studied juvenile human nature, and you must Lave been shocked by the fuct that children cease to believe In the good old stories of Santa Claua and his rein deer almost as soon as they are able to walk; in fact, 1 have heard you com ment upon this sad truth. What 1b Christmas to a child, If the child doesn't believe in Santa Claus? Where are all the romance and poetry of the oe .mon? My own children are skeptical when 1 tell them the charming legend of Kris Kringle; I have undertaken to convince them that there is a Santa Claus; I have deckled to let them see anta Claus in person." 1 This announcementnaturallypleased the ladies; and their excitement was quite intense when Mr. Bell produced a bundle from the closet and opened it, producing a lot of ancient furs and a bearskin hut that had probably been used by u driua major 0 the town band; to please the ladies he donned his costume at once, and they voted liim u perfect Santa Claus, as he cer tainly was. I "NowMie said, when he had resumed Ills ordinary raiment, "I don't think it uite fair to reserve this entertainment or our own children exclusivlv, so I iave invited a few good little boys and girls of the neighborhood; and Mr. and Mrs. Brewster will be here, and younff Mr. Moon; I have let them into the se cret. You will tell the children to hang their hosiery in the north room, and In form them that you have reason to be lieve that they may see Fanta Clans if they sit up and keep perfectly still; at the proper time I'll ascend the roof and slide down the chimney; it Is just large enough for the purpose, And I guess thafi all.? . i Bogus r I ' - . 'i l Hi.,. Liwrn Juring the balance of the evening, until nine o'clock, there was a groat deal of active preparation in progress in the Bell mansion ; the north room was tidied, and a scml-clrclc of chairs placed for the expected guests, who be gan to arrive at the stipulated time. Mr. Bell was In a flue frenzy of excite ment; ho declared to his wife, in a whisper, that he felt like a boy again, and uho replied that she was ten years younger than sho was before, he tin folded his delicious scheme. By hnlf pnst nine nil the guests, large and small, were in their places; Mr. Moon, a young man who hnd been studying law for ten years, and who hoped soon to be ad mitted to the bar, sat next to Miss Ktso, upon whose hand ho hnd serious de signs, and his efforts to appear at ease were amusing and instructive; Mr. Brewster, who was small and timid looking, nestled beside his wife, who was massive and had a bass voice; si lence brooded over the throng until Mr. Bell, who was given to speeches, went into another attitude, and said: "Children, I have heard that you don't believe there is a Santa Claus? You have formed the unworthy idea that your parents and friends fill your stockings on Christmas eve, and that good old fur-clothed Santa is a myth. Now, I have here a letter from Santa. : (Great excitement among the chil dren.) "And he says that he will arrive here at ten o'clock, coming down the chim ney which you see before you. I must leave you for awhile, as I must keep watch outside; but you must all be quiet and keep your seats, or Santa Claus may become angry, and refuse to enter." ' Ten o'clock was announced by the tall clock in the adjoining room, and tho mellow chimes of that ancient time piece had scarcely died away before the children heard other sounds. Up over head there was a violent scratching and tearing, as though a poorly shod rein deer was trying to climb the roof, and they distinctly heard tho silvery tink ling of bells, and some of them believed that they could make out the grinding of the sleigh runners on the shingles. It wns a moment of awful excitement; Johnnie Bell, who had never quailed in danger's stormy hour, did not try to conceal the cold perspiration that stood on his forehead; Amelia Grimm, whost A PERFECT BANTA CLAUS. xurage was generally unswerving and uncompromising, tried to stifle a Bhrlek, and only half succeeded. .1.1 it the roof had been successfully ;i-cer.ded, they heard a great noise by the chimney, as though Santa had just r'.lgliied, and then they heard him den-end the interior of the chimney; low er and lower he came, until finally his h gs were in the room, and they kicked iuuvery human and pronalc way. After they had kicked for awhile, and no more of the visitor's body appeared, it be gan to dawn upon everybody that Santa vas in difficulties. The children and the older visitors sat staring at the legs for a few minutes, and then Mr. Moon, who was a man for an emergency, gal lantly rushed to the rescue. He seized Santa's ankles and pulled with all the force of a pair of gymnasium-educated arms, but he didn't seem to make any hendwny, for Santa yelled in a voice that sounded like a doleful cry from tho tomb that he was being wedged in tighter thnn ever, and he implored the company to do something for his relief. The elders held a council of war. Mr. Brewster mildly suggested that it would be a good plan to send in a fire alarm, but his wife crushed him with a look, and said that the only wny she suw was to take the bricks out of tho chimney; and she added: "This comes of a man trying to act the fool when he ought to be thinking of the world to come." Meanwhile Santa groaned and shrieked in a fearful manner in the chimney, and protested that if he wasn't soon released. Ua would ha .a THE COLUMBIAN, SPECIAL HOLIDAY EDITION. corpse. Mrs. Bell was fainting comfor tably in her armchair, and most of the children hud vanished. It was then that Miss Rose approached Mr. Moon, wring ing her hands und weeping beautifully, "Mr. Moon," she cried, "you see the sufferings of my uncle, and you stand here idle. Can you not rescue him?" "Miss Rose," snld the Intrepid youtij? man, "I can get him out of that in five minutes; it rests with you whether I EVERYBODY CIIOWDED ABOUT Mil. BELL. shall do it or not. The last timo I pro posed to you, you refused me, as usual. If you'll promse to marry me, I'll rescue your uncle; if you won't, I leave this town forever and your undo in the chimney. His kicks are growing feeble and labored; I don't think he can last more than three minutes." The young lady leveled a glance of scorn at him that should have withered him, but he stood firm. He felt that his whole future was at stake, and re flected that all's fair in love and war. There was a stern, cold silence for a minute or two. Meanwhile the vibra tions of Santa's legs became desultory and spasmodic, and his muffled groans betokened extreme exhaustion. "Wretch!" cried tho young lady, at last, "rescue my uncle ! You shall have the reward j-ou ask." The wretch bowed with noble grace und a moment later was on the roof, with a rope In his hand; he let the rope ;lown the chimney, and called to Santa Claus to grasp It and hang on. Santa did so, and tolled upward while Mr. Moon pulled; after IS minutes of dis tressing work, Santa emerged from the chimney, a poor, battered effigy of him self. Mr. Moon assisted him to the ground and into the house, where the children and the other guests crowded about him and laughed; for children al ways will laugh when they ought to weep. When Mr. Bell was recovered suffi ciently, he leaned against the back of a chair he was too weak for an attitude and said: "Children, if you tell about this around town, I'll have you all arrested and sent to the penitentiary for life. And you, Johnnie, for that titter I'll make you uw a cord of green wood. I want you all to go home and tell your parents that Santa Claus is the biggest hoax of the 10th century, and I'll guarantee every word you say." By careful nursing Mr. Bell was re stored to his normal health in a few days, and his first act was to have the old chimney taken down. One day in March Mr. Moon led his bride to the altar; he held his head high and his eye sparkled. After the cere mony there waa a dinner at Mr. Bell's residence, and Mr. Bell himself wns ra diant wih good humor and hospitality. He called the young couple aside, and indulged in an altitude and a speech: 'My beloved ones," he began, "the morning of life opens radiant to you; sunlight glimmers upon the waters, there are blue skies overhead, and cr the robin redbreasts are twittering on the boughs. But dark duys of tempest and storm may come; rolling waves may threaten your bark, and then re member that If you need a helping hand, you may call upon Rufus Bell." Mr. Moon looked dreamily out of tho window. "May I ask a favor pf you now?" he asked. "A hundred of them, my dear boy." "Well, I seo it's snowing, and there's enough on the ground to make sleigh ing. Will you lend us your reindeer and sled for awhile?" 8nnta Clans' Htoi klngs. Bald fianta Claus on Christmas eve, In lolly, good, fat glen: "To judge by nil these stockings here, ' They've t uniuU the hose on uie." liii Xi'HMnWiWWll'HM WWImWPlmiintWWw:rff'T"' ' . I LARGEST PIECE OF GOQD TOBACCO EVER SOLD FOR THE MONEY "He that works easily works sue cessfuly." Tis very easy to clean house with SAP O B. F. Sharpless, Pres. N. U. Funk, Sec, . C. H. Campbell, Treas. CBLOOMSBURCO LAUD IMPBOVEMEHT COMPAKY. Capital wStock, $30,000. Plotted property te in the coming business centre of the town. It includes also part of the factory district, and has no equal in desirability for residence purposes. s CHOICE LOTS are offered at values that will be doubled in a short time. No such opportunity can be liad elsewhere to make money. Lots secured on SMALL MONTHLY PAYMENTS- Maps of the town and of plotted property furnished on ap plication. Call upon or write to the Secretary, or J. S. "V00d3, Sales Agent, or any member of the Board of Directors. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. B. F. Sharpless; "J, L Dillon. C. V. Neal, A. G. Briggs, Dr. I. W. Willits, Dr. II. W. McReynolds, - N. U. Funk. 11-19- Iow ftiizji knd Gfaod Woifk. For the finest and best stoves, tinware, roofing, spouting and general job work, go to VV. W. Watts, on Iron street. Buildings heated by steam, hot air or hot water in a satisfac tory manner. Sanitary Plumbing a specialty. I have the exclusive control of the Thatcher steam, hot water and hot air heaters ior this territory, which is ackr owl edged to be the best heater on the market. All work euiM-an-teed. , IRON STREET. n.; v it ,.1 ABSOLUTELY PREVENT SLIPPING? mm YUU CAN GET f0 W. W. WATTS, Bloomsbur, Pa. . . UW-ly ONE TRIAL WILL r.OHUiure vnn Your bona being always sharp sh'od.i Ik read? for wrk. His feet aro always ' 1. . . u u not constantly! tllA lll&RlcHmlth1 hAini al.nvnu -....1 B du.i !uuui w U1L 1 ;...,, u. i::r- , w. .uo w vuu. xvuuiuiuuer. nnit. bhiui wi ."'""l'l jruumiu 0 Willy pill Q flCW 1 .n.unusu wimii RnmaB lueaaoe Lk m r mm ai'itm-your aorrAat "Atortfin," en hmnd mmauoMWlTHMOUTHUH. A.ntf ,.r oiir... u itnpttvm tirvutar with All tuwvuiiun. MAU.krj Mi A. J. KOAT.KINCSTON, Evarything in Hardware. m Grown Acme 2 Tho best burning oil that AT A.. can 00 maaoTrom poiro loum. It gives a brilliant light. It will not smoke the chimneys. It vill not chur the wick. It has a high fire test. It wilPMiot explode. It Is pre-eminently a family safety oil. We Challenge Comparison with any other illuminating oil made. We slake our Reputation, as Refiners upon the statement that it is Tie Best Oil If Till; WOHI.II. ASK YOUR DEALER FOR. Crown - Acme -:o: IIKG CO, BLOOMSBURG STATION, BLOOM SEUKG, TA THE MARKETS. I1L00MSBURG MARKETS. COKKICTID WIIILT. BB'TAIL PRIOBi. Butter per lb f $ ,ja Eggs per dozen a4 Lard per lb , to Hani per pound i2 Pork, whole, per pound .06 Beef, quarter, per pound, .. . .07 Wheat per bushel. Oats " " "28 Rye " " 50 Wheat flour per bbl 3 50 Hay per ton 13 t0 $14 Potatoes per bushel, .30 Turnips " 1$ Onions " " .5 Sweet potatoes per peck a 5 to .30 Tallow per lb 41 Shoulder " " Side meat " " o7 Vinegar, per qt ,07 Dried apples per lb .05 Dried cherries, pitted. , ..... .10 Raspberries 2 Cow Hides per lb ,jl Steer " " oS CalfSkin .go Sheep pelts , .75 Shelled corn per bus .60 Corn meal, cwt a.oo Bran, " llo Chop " I10 Middlings " iilo Chickens per lb new ,03 " " "old I0 Turkeys " " ,xo Geese " " IO Ducks " " 08 COAL. No. 6, delivered " 4 and s 3 S0 "6 at yard a.aJ " 4 and s at yard 3.15 E. A. RAWLINGS. DEALER IN All Kinds of Meat. Beef, Veal, Lamb. Mutton, Pork, Hams, Bacon, Tongaes, Bclogna, &c. Free Delivery to all parts of the town. CENTRE STREET, BLOOMSBURC, PA. "Telephone connection. PATENTS pintath. a,nd Trale MarkB obtained, and al FJtKH bU8lueM conducted for MODKKATK nl Z "? dllT1ct " cn truwft patent bust ? ,i,m8wm? f ud at Um C08' tuttn re luetetroin WashlLiftoB. tinawrdJ'!,?r8Tin8 or Phot. with desortp S?r'M e,uiise " Penrable or not, fieect TE, ' f not dutt till patent Is secured entn.. . 0w,oAlnI,atenta, with refer SJSTw.r C!SK1S your V. 0 Bring tho Babies. INSTANTANEOUS PROCESS USED. Strictly first-class guaranteed photographs, crayons and copy, at reasonable prices. We x exclusively the Collolion Art:,ti tye I a- eis, urns secsrmu giealer l.canlv of finish n. I -... t 1 - -v...ianrit-y hi results. tAl Wl.Ll., MARKET SQUARE GUiitnl- -iy. Over l!aiii:"iii' Store. YOUK JOB PRINTING DONE AT THE ' COLUMBIAN OFFICE 3IA I
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers