done a stitch y II of work II Thc whole de (OVQ)aQ)|, 11 lightful day; -; —v. t , I 11 I'm just too 2T 1 Hr 4 proud to set- Wti&t tie down Tnto the old time way. •Tls grandma's Christmas from the boys; It makes me young again, (With all the little ones at play. And ne'er an ache or pain. first came Dan's Nell, with precious g'.fts From all the neighbors near; Each sent a note with wishes sweet, 'Twould do you good to hear. This easy-chair's from Brother Tom; Jack sent this fur-lined hood: And here's Bob's check from Michigan, For winter's coal and wood. -And let me see—gold spectacles! From Dorothy, Dick's lass; They say she's famous as a belle— To think It's come to pass That Dick, my boy. my youngest one, Forever swapping things, Should be a magnate in the land. One o' them railroad kings. This box is labeled "from the kids"— They live In Idaho— A pair of silver candlesticks! I wonder if thpy know How often by the hickory fire I've spun both wool and thread. And only lighted candles, whin. We went upstairs to bed. They never In their modern home Worked as their grandpa did. "Who wore the sheep's rough skin and wool. And dined upon the kid: They want me, too, but bless their hearts, I couldn't live their way: I'm us-i d to this oid liri place. And here I intan to stay. I'm used to every homely thing Hallowed by smile and tear; 1 couldn't leave to stranger har.ds What love has made so dear; I'm fond of my old rocking-chair, Though brother's gift is line. For there once laid the silver hair, That changed as fast as mine. And down the road a little way, Then up the hillside steep, I almost see the granite cross Where "father" lies asleep; ■6O here I rest and haply, when Old Santa comes this way, He brings a whole year's happiness, Wrapped in a single day. «—Mary A. Deni.son, in Ladies' World, New York. Cl\ristmas. I 0, I AIN'T go 'u' to make * an j' Christ- V' m a s," said Mrs. Bennett, decisively, as she poured out her husband's second cup of tea. "The Lord ain't good to us, and 1 don't feel called upon to act as if I thought He was." "Why, Hannah, how you talk," and Samuel Bennett set his cup down so suddenly that some of the tea spilled •over upon the table. "It sounds kind «' sacrilegious." "I can't help it if it does. There! you've slopped your tea 011 the table cloth. Why ain't you careful?" "You kind o' s'prised me, sayin' that, and—" "Surprised you, did I?" and Mrs. Bennett wiped up the spilled tea with a cloth taken front the sink near at hand. "I don't know's I said any thing so very terrible. 1 guess it ain't no worse than actin' out a li<>, tryin' to have a Christinas when you don't feel it." "Hut the Lord is good to us, Han nah. They's a lot of folks worse off'n we be." "Then I'm sorry for 'em, Sam Ben nett. Look at us. We ain't had noth ing but bad luck this whole year Don't talk to me. It's settled." Samuel Bennett knew his wife too well to argue the question, so he left her and went out to do the "chores," while she went glumly about the task of washing the supper dishes. But in the old man's heart, as he went out to feed the cow and fix the marc's stall for the night, was the lonely feeling of a disappointed child. He liked Christmas. He had n ways looked forward to it with pleasurable an ticipation, although for many years the day had not meant so very much to him. But he had taken delight in trimming up the plain rooms of the little farmhouse with evergreens, and he always had managed to give Han nah a little present, while she had never failed to remember him with some useful product of her own handiwork. But these humble gifts ■were real treasures to him, for he measured them in love's own balance, and their brightness was a reflection of the effulgent Christmas glory. He and Hannah were alone in the world, their only child having died in in fancy. But they had been happy to gether and fairly prosperous, until within the past year. During this time, Samuel, as he ex pressed it, had "lost his holt." One thing after another had happened to discourage him and set him back. First, his horse died, leaving only the rather decrepit old mare to help him in his field work; then crops had failed. Never before had his few acres of ground yielded so sparingly, and the fruit trees were never so barren. Along about harvest time, as if to complete his misfortune, he was taken ill and for weeks was un able to work, while a doctor's bill ac cumulated. He was obliged to hire a fcan to do the work, and the farm produced hardly enough to pay for these services. This had all put him behind, and now, in the latter part of December, he seemed to have every reason to be discouraged. But it was Hannah who had given up. lie would still have been hopeful and looked on the bright side, but for her. She grumbled. "I feel awful kind o' bad not to have any Christmas," confided Samuel to the mare, as he laid the straw for her bed. "J know things ain't so bright, but Hannah hadn't ought to feel so. It might be worse. I guess we can pull through. Hut then, it'll have to be as Hannah says. If she won't have no Christmas, I can't." He felt like crying in his disappoint ment. Samuel Bennett was old enough to be getting a bit childish. In the house, Mrs. Bennett was put ting away the supper dishes in no amiable frame of mind. "I don't care," she muttered, "what he thinks. 1 ain't said a word but the truth. How we'll ever get along this winter, I don't know. Starve, mebby. The idea o' making a fi»ss about Christ mas when you ain't got a thing cheer- JUST LIKK SANTA CLAUS. fill to look ahead to! No, I ain't a going to do it. Sam can make the best of it.l mean what I say." That evening there was nothing further said about Christinas be tween the farmer and his wife. By nine o'clock they were in bed. It was Tuesday night and Thursday would be the holiday. As he lay there, Mr. Bennett wondered what he should do with the 50 cents which he had saved up to buy his wife a present. With no Christmas, of course there could be 110 present. He fell asleep, sad dened by the thought. The day before Christmas was bright and clear. There had been a generous fall of snow during the night and everything out of doors was covered with the pure white mantle. Samuel Bennett was out shoveling paths when the expressman drove along, with a well-filled sleigh. "Hello, there!" shouted the driver, cheerily. "Merry Christmas, Sam! It's a little ahead of time, I know, but I may not see you again." "Thanks. The same to you," an swered Samuel, leaning on his snow shovel. "(Jot lots of bundles, ain't you?" "Yes; everybody's got something." "That so? Ain't come to ours yet, have you?" The poor old man chuckled at his own pitiable little at tempt at a joke. "No, not yet," was the merry an swer from the sleigh. "I'll bring that around to-morrow, most likely. Well, good-by. Clang!" and on sped the sleigh with its jingling bells. "1 guess he won't, though," mused the other, as he fell to work shovel ing again. "''Tain't likely we'll get anything. There ain't nobody to send it to us, that I know of." And Hannah, looking out of the window, echoed his thought with one still more doleful. "Everybody'll get something but us," she mused. "I guess Christmas was intended for rich folks. Nobody gets that ain't got." That afternoon about three o'clock, a muffled-up little form trudged through the snow and up the road to the Bennetts' farmhouse. "Why, Amy Darrow, what you do ing here iti all this snow?" exclaimed Mrs. Bennett, as she opened the door and saw the little girl standing 011 the steps. "Come right in before you freeze." "Oli, Mis' Bennett," said the shiver ing child, in a voice choked with tears, "won't you come right over to our house? Ma's awful sick." "Is that so? What's the matter? Yes, I'll go right over." "It's one of her bad spells, only worse," wailed Amy. "She says she don't know but she'll die." "Oh, I guess it ain't as bad as that," said Mrs. Bennett, kindly. "Don't you be scart. Sam!" She was at the woodshed door now. "Hitch up the mare right off. I've got togo over to Mis' Harrow's. She's sick." Samuel dropped an armful of wood and hastened toward the barn. In less than 15 minutes the old-fash ioned cutter was at the door. Amy was tucked in between the farmer and his wife, and they were off as fast as the wheezy mare could con veniently carry them. Mrs. Bennett had her medicine bottles under her shawl. She was said by her neighbors to be "about as good as a doctor." The Darrows lived half a mile or more from the Bennetts, farther on away from the village, which was nearly two miles from the Bennett farm. Mrs. Darrow was suffering froiu a chill when her neighbor tn CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1901. tered, and there was 110 fire in the house. Two children, smaller than ten-year-old Amy, were shivering 011 the bed with their mother. "Ain't there no fire?" exclaimed Mrs. Bennett. "My sakes! This weather, too." "I couldn't cut the wood," said Amy. "It's all big sticks." Mrs. Bennett lost 110 time in giving the sick woman some of her home made cordial, and Samuel soon had a fire blazing in the kitchen stove. The heat gradually crept into the adjoin ing bedroom. '"You're so good," sighed the poor woman on the bed. "I felt so bad I had to do something, and there wasn't a thing but to send for you, Mis' Bennett. It was so far togo for the doctor, and—" "Which wasn't necessary," inter rupted Mrs. Bennett. "I guess you feel some better now. don't you?" "Ves; that medicine seemed to start my heart again. I thought it would just stop beating, one spell." "I guess you'll be all right now," said Mrs. Bennett, comfortingly. Her naturally kind heart had been touched by the sight of some one else in distress, and she forgot herself in ministering- to another. "It was good of you to come over," continued Mrs. Darrow. "I'm afraid it will spoil your Christmas. You must have been getting - ready for it, seeing it's Christmas eve." "Don't you worry. It ain't bother in' me a bit," responded Mrs. Ben nett. Hut something was bothering her. It was something in her heart that almost sent a moisture to her eyes. Hut she choked it down. "You need something to eat," she said, "some tea and toast. And these children must be half starved." "I'm afraid there ain't much to get," said Mrs. Darrow, feebly. "I don't know as there's anything but a little bread." "Well, that'll make toast." Mrs. Bennett knew that Widow Darrow was poor, but she never had known that the family were so desti tute as she found them to be, this day before Christmas. "It's dreadful," she thought, as she searched the bare cupboard. "They're jest starvin'." A moment later she was saying private ly to her husband: "Sam, you go home and get a loaf of bread and some of that tea. Then you get a pat of butter and a little ham and hurry right back with it. They're all starv in', sure's I'm born. 1 guess that's what ails Mis' Darrow. Now you hurry." "Yes, Hannah." The old mare seemed to realize that she was on an errand of mercy, and actually quickened her pace. It was not long before Mrs. Dar row had her toast and tea, and the children were enjoying what to them was a bountiful feast. It was dark when Mr. and Mrs. Bennett left for home. As they were riding along, Mrs. Bennett said: "Sam!" "Yes, Hannah." "Them children have hung up their stockin's." "Have they? Poor littJe things!" "But, Sam, there won't be any thing in 'em. They think there's a Santy Claus." "1 wish there was," sighed her hus band. "Hut there ain't," answered prac tical Mrs. Bennett, "and there won't be one thing 111 them stockin's, unless it's holes. Mis' Darrow cried about it. It's too bad." 'lhere was silence for a moment, then Mrs. Bennett continued: "Sam, there must be something putin 'em." I "How can they. Hannah?" "Well, I guess there can. You go down to the store and get something. I I guess we can spare a little." "I've got—" Samuel interrupted, land then he paused, almost afraid to ! tell the rest. He had always been a bit. afraid of his wife. "Well, what have you got?" "Fifty cents, Hannah. I kind o' saved it up, along, to buy you a —a Christma.s present, but—" "I don't want no present. That'll buy some candy and a few trinkets for them children. Then, while you're gone to the store, I'll pop some corn, and there's some red apples. You can go over and fill them stockings." "Jest like Santy Claus," said the old man, delighted. The thought warmed his kind old heart anew, and the Christmas spirit within him be gan to revive. That evening, tremu lous with joy, he filled tUe little stockings that hung in • row in the ba"o kitchen of the Darrow house, left a whole pumpkin pie in the cup board, and went home, leaving a promise to come again in the morning and see how the mother and children were getting along. Mrs. Darrow was much better. She said she thought she would be able to get up in the morning. Christmas morning, as soon as they had had their breakfast, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett again drove over to the Dar rows'. They found the mother sit ting up, happy with her children over their humble gifts. They had been sure that Santa Claus would bring them something, and he had not be trayed their childish confidence. "I declare," said Samuel Bennett, when he and his wife were again in the cutter, 011 their way home, "it seems kind o' Christmasy, after all." "I don't know but it does," admit ted Hannah. "I've kind o' made up my mind we ain't the worst off ever was.after all." She was learning the true lesson of Christmas time —that it is doing for"the least of these" that gives the deepest joy. But she was still to find the fuller happiness of that Christmas day. "Land!" she exclaimed, as they neared the house. "There's the ex pressman in front of our gate. What can he want?" "I don't know," replied Samuel. "It can't be anything for us." But it was. "1 brought your package," called the expressman, "only it's a box." The mysterious box was soon car ried into the house and opened. It was generous in size, anil as the cov er came off it was found to be well filled. "Here's a letter, Sam. Open it." Samuel Bennett opened the letter, which bore his name, and read it wonderingly. It said: "Dear Uncle: I guess you have forgotten me, but I am still alive and prosperous. As Christmas approached, I thought of you and Aunt Hannah, as the only living relatives 1 have, and I send you something to make you think of me." There was further explanation, and then the letter ended with: "Now, Uncle Samuel, if you need any assist ance, let me know. I shall be glad to help you. 1 have plenty and to spare, and if I can do anything for you it will be a blessing to 1111*. Write to me soon. Your affectionate nephew, John Bennett." "My brother Henry's boy," snid Samuel. "I never knew what had bu c.oe of him. Ain't it queer?" "Queer?" said Hannah, feelingly. "I call it a Godsend. And to think I grumbled and found fault with the Lord. Wasn't I wicked?" And then she sat down and began to weep. "Don't, Ilanna! 'Tain't nothin' to cry over. You didn't mean it, and the Lord'll forgive you. Let's take the things out of the box." There were many beautiful gifts for both of them, John Bennett had shown his liberality when he packed 1 the Christmas box. "Sam," remarked Mrs. Bennett, when they had examined and won dered at the last article, and the box had been removed to the woodshed, "I wonder if you couldn't go and get a few evergreens. We might trim up a little." "Of course, I could," answered Sam uel, radiantly. "It ain't far to the woods, and the snow ain't deep there. I could get some in no time." "Then you get some. And while you're gone, I'll goto work and get the best dinner 1 can. We'll have a Christmas, if it is a kind of a late one." "Oh, Hannah," cried the delighted old man, with a suspicions shake in his voice, "you make me so happy." "I feel that way myself, Sam," she replied. Then she did something which she had not done before in many years. She went up to her husband and kissed him. lie, surprised into silent eestacy, blushed like a boy, as ho went out after the evergreens. That kiss was the sweetest Christ mas gift he had ever received.—X. Y. Observer. XOT FAVORABLY IMPRESSED. Simmons—Do you know his wife? Kiinmons—Only through some ci gars she gave him Christmas.—Town Topics. Clirialma* with I In- OJIIM'M. In many countries the Christmas feast formerly lasted from TWO to three weeks, and it was believed that the angels partook of the earthly food. Denmark, even at this time, considers it obligatory to have break fast, dinner and supper of distinctive dishes on Christmas. Beefsteak and reindeer cutlets form part of the menu for breakfast. The dinner con sists of grod (a soup of oatmeal and rice), roast goose stuffed with apples and roast pork with beet roots aud gherkin pickles. IN A RECEIVER'S HANDS. The Omaha ieing so encircled with diamond rings that they could not close their hands. While here the pair disposed of $2,000 worth of jew elry. Portland. Ore.. Dec. 12. —Detectives have been watching a negro here who is suspected of having robbed A. P. Lowenthal of SIO,OOO worth of dia monds at the Portland hotel, Novem ber 21. and it is understood that he will soon be arrested. The police as sert that he committed the robbery and then turned the booty over to Wood and several companions, who went east. A DUEL ON THE STREET. Two Policemen mid a Kuneo Meerer or« Hilled at llouaton, Tex. Houston, Tex., Dec. 12.—-When Offi cers .1. C. .Tames and Herman Youngst attempted to arrest an alleged bunco steerer, Sid Preacher. Wednesday af ternoon, the latter opened fire with a shotgun. At the first fire he mortal ly wounded James, who fell, lie then tired at Youngst, knocking him down, and was on top of him beating the •officer, wtien James raised himself from the gutter and fired three times, killing Preacher. James and Youngst died within the same moment. There is great excitement over the matter. Preacher was well known to the po lice and had been arrested frequently. The police had been watching him closely during carnival week. With a shotgun he went to the police yes terday and complained that they were interfering in his business. '1 he police attempted to arrest him, when he opened fire on them. Several hundred people saw the duel. A warrant was sworn out last night for J. It. 1! rock man. Preacher's at torney, charging him with murder, and he has been landed in jail. It is charged by the police that the attor ney advised Preacher to use a shot gun in case any attempt should be made to arrest him. I.ate in the nf ternoon a boy with two shotguns and a large number of buckshot cart ridges" which he said he was carrying to Prockman's office, was arrested and the arms confiscated. Democrat Senator# fallen*. Washington, Dec. 12.—The demo cratic senators yesterday held their first caucus of the present session. All the senators elected as democrats, with the exception of Senator McLau rtn, of South Carolina, were present, as 'were all the senators who were elected as silver republicans or popu lists. All the independents exqf-pt Senator Teller, of Colorado, had en tered the democratic caucus held last March, but Senator Teller then re mained away. 'He was present, how ever. at yesterday's conference and participated in the proceedings. UNDER TWO RIVERS Tunnels for Railroads are to bo Run Into New York. Prraldent l amull, of (b« Penniflvanlft llailroad Co. Tells ol the I'lan* Laid l»3 that Corporation for Sccurluj; it New iork Ter uiluuii for It* Liucs. New York, Dec. 12. —A. J. Cassatt, president of the Pennsylvania Kail road -Co., yesterday mane public liis plan for securing a New York termi nus for his company. lie piade the following statement: "The Pennsylvania Railroad Co. is now prepared to carry out its policy, long- since adopted, of extending its railroad into .New iork City, thereby establishing a suitable passenger ter minus for the accommodation of the public. To accomplish this on a comprehensive plan the Long Island Extension itailroau Co. will withdraw its application for power to construct its terminal railroad, and in lieu of such independent construction it is now proposed to build, under the charter of the Pennsylvania-New York Extension Railroad Co., just or ganized, and a New Jersey railroad company about to be organized, a through underground connection be tween the Long island railroad and the Pennsylvania lines in New Jersey, and to construct a commodious joint underground terminal station in New York City for the Pennsylvania and Long Island route. "After years of study the conclu sion lias been reached that a tunnel line, operated by electricity, is in every way the most practical, eco nomical and the best, both for the in terests of the railroad company and of the city. The line as adopted, will traverse .he city of New York from the Hudson river to tlie East river and be under ground throughout and at such depth as not to interfere with future construction of subways by the city on all its avenues. "As the railroad will be wholly un derground and operated electrically, in the same manner as the recently constructed Orleans railway exten sion in Paris, it will not tie objection able in any way. There will not be any smoke, dirt or noise, and as all the surface property may be built upon after being utilized underneath for railroad purposes, the neighborhood of the station will be improved in stead of marred, as is so often the case when railroad lines are con structed on tiie surface or elevated. The company has acquired the bulk of its property for its principle sta tion. and means togo forward in the acquisition of such additional proper ties as will be required." Albany, N. Y., Dec. 12.—A railroad company, which includes among its directors officials of the Pennsylvania and Long Island railroad companies was incorporated yesterday to oper ate a railroad through an under ground funnel connecting New Jersey with Long Island. The name of the company is the Pennsylvania-New York Extension llailroad C », and its capital stock is $1,000,000. The pro posed road, which is to connect with a road of a company to be organized under the laws of New Jersey, will extend from a point on the line divid ing the states of New York and New Jersey, through a tunnel under the North river, borough of Manhattan and the East river to the borough of Queens, and is to terminate at a point near the property of the Long Island Railroad Co. in that borough. WRECKED BY DYNAMITE. Another Slreft far at Scrantoii, I'a., Strike* an Exploalve. Scranton, l'a., Dec. 12.—Another trolley car was dynamited on Capo use avenue last night. The w'heel that ran over the explosive was broken, the windows smashed and the ma chinery beneath the car deranged. The few persons aboard were severe ly shaken up, but no one was injured. This makes the third time that the crew aboard this car has encountered an explosion. Ten strikers have returned to work this week, making 2+ in all, who are back on the cars. The company has now succeeded in opening up all its lines from l'ittston to Carbondale, a distance of 22 miles, excepting small branches of two different city lines. The strikers' executive committee had a conference last night with Na tional President Mahan, of the Amal gamated Association of Street Rail way Employes. To-night they will conduct a mass meeting at which speeches will be made by some of the leaders of tin- American Federation of Labor convention. The Anti-Boycott league, composed of 3,000 citizens, will issue a state ment to-day declaring against the boycott of the ears and calling upon the public to resume its patronage and revive business. A $'250,000 Hlaze. New York, Dec. 12.—Fire broke out in the Dennison Paper Manufacturing Co.'s store building at 198 Broadway this morning. In a very short time it spread through this narrow six story building and attacked liege man's drug store at 196 Broadway. Within half an hour the Dennison < o.'s plant was a wreck. 'I he build ing was titled wiili a stock of paper. The fire attacked the .rear of liege man's drug store, but was kept front the principal stock. The loss it i* thought will reach $250,000. A Coal far I'aiuloe. Knoxville, Tenn., Dec. 12.— The coal car shortage, together with a notice from the Southern railway that it will confiscate coal for its use, threat ens grave danger to industries of four states which depend on Coal Creek and Jellico, Tenn., mines for their supply. So serious is the coal short - age becoming that textile industries in Tennessee, (ieorgia and North and Smith Carolina may be compelled to shut down. Coat operators of tbia section are losing thousands of dol lars through their inability to cars to move their output. 3