10 fID you hear wliat the old man said to ine when he gave me the ten?" asked Robert Allerton of the bright-faced cashier as they prepared to close the office the night before Christmas. "He said: 'Take that and make a merry Christmas for your fam ily.' " "Well, wasn't that a very appropri ate Christmas suggestion?" inquired the cas4iier. "My family!" said the young man, flerceij'. "You tell me where my fam ily is, will you? Other fellows- have mothers and fathers and sisters to make a Christinas for. I never had a tingle soul on the face of the earth, far as 1 know, that I could call my family. What- good is Christmas, or t;ji-dollar gold pieces, or anything, for a fellow who don't belong any where?" and Robert gulped down something that sounded suspiciously like a sob. "Cheer up, and come over to our house to-morrow; we'll help you to forget your troubles," said his tender hearted companion. "It isn't merely a good time I want," said Robert; "I'm not a baby; it is to have somebody that belongs to me to make a good time for." "Why don't you adopt a family of your own for Christmas?" asked the girl, with a sudden inspiration. Robert stared at her in amazement. "Rut, really, why couldn't you? There are thousands of people, young and old, in this city, who never have anyone to make a Christmas for them. There's my car; sorry 1 must go. Don't get blue; take my advice, adopt a family of your own for Christmas," and the girl hurried away. "Adopt a family, great idea!" said Robert to himself; but the idea still lingered in his mind, and really there was something strangely fascinating in the thought of the ownership of a real, live family. He stood on the corner, undecided -where togo, because it did not really matter to anybody where he went; "a bright-eyed, clear-brained, loving bearted*youth, candidate for sonship lo some loving mother or father: pos sessed with a perfect passion for help ing those weaker than himself; a youth to make a mother's heart su premely happy, and a father proud and glad. "I'm earning enough," thought Rob ert. "I could support a mother and a sister, too; and I'm going to be pro moted. Mr. Wilkins, the manager, told me so to-day. But what's the use? It will only be a few more dol lars to put away in the bank. It does seem as if things- were pretty well tangled up in this world sometimes. I'd give up my job any day if I could have a family like John vVitherbee's, and yet he is always grumbling be cause he has to help at home." As Robert walked aimlessly down the street, he found himself uncon sciously scrutinizing every woman and child, with the idea of possible pro prietorship. The door of a church stood inviting ly open, and because Robert did not belong anywhere in particular, lie en tered and sat down in a corner. Some thing unusual was evidently in prog ress. A man stood on the platform, and seemed to l>e acting a* auctioneer. "\\ lio'll take tliem. a family of seven, two sick babies-, three little girls, an old grandmother, aod a lame father? Deacon ltliss-? 1 know your generous heart; you always bid" for Ihe biggest and hungriest* family. The next one is a sick mother and three small children. Perhaps I'd bet ter stop to explain before I proceed farther. I see there are a number of ctrangers who have come in since I was talking. We have 12 families on our list for a ( liristmas celebration none of them will know that to-mor row is ( hristinas unless yu help us to tell them. Now. fret in your l>l«ls quick, for they are going fast. J;f member Ibe good Lord's 'Whosoever,* i and snap them up lively;" U nd the voluble deacon proceedec with his list. Robert sat and listened with added interest. It i i)<• t ftieli a prep<>-tir* ous idea, after nil, this adopting a family for Christ mat," thought 111 "I wonder if there ate all) left that will fit im case." "Here"* the last on mv list," called out the deacon; "a niothei and a i little woman she i», too and two i little maidens of three and ten; her nul) soo iuii«ri in a jaiirwad accident i six months ago. Nobody want them? Dear me, that is too bad! Yes, I know you have every one of you taken your share; but we mustn't let that family go; I'll take it myself first, although I've five booked against my name al ready. What's that, young man? You'll take them? liless your heart, you'll never regret it. One shake of the dear old mother's hand will pay you." It did not take Robert more than five minutes to get directions as- to street and number, and all the time he was doing some close calculating as to the investment of the ten-dollar gold piece. "A fine dinner you're getting for your family," said the grocer, as he packed the basket full of good things. "Are there many of them?" "Only a mother and two little girls," Robert answered with a blush, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, "Supposing 1 should not like them?" he thought, as he knocked at the door of a tiny cottage on an unpretentious street. His first look into Mrs. Robbins' motherly, worried face settled that question. "1 think there must be some mis take, sir," said the little widow; "they're surely not for us," and her voice trembled as she looked down at the two little daughters who were hovering expectantly over the bulky basket. "Are you the grocer's young man, and are you sure you have the right number?" "Yes," answered Robert, "it's just the right number and description; a dear little mother and two little maid ens of three and ten." For a minute or two Mrs. Robbins ! feared she was harboring an escaped lunatic, but Robert, perceiving her | perplexity, hastened to explain. As he graciously listened to Mrs. Robbins' words of gratitude, he took ! a mental inventory of the possibilities I of the Robbins' household with a view ; to a Christmas-day celebration. The field was evidently undeveloped. Not i a doll, nor a picture-book; not a set ! of dishes nor a Noah's ark was to be seen. "It's all straight sailing on the I toy question," thought Robert, "and ; by the appearance of their clothes, I ! guess- I can't go far wrong if I lay in a complete wardrobe for the girls." ■ 0 sons- and brothers who grumble over Christmas shopping for mothers and sisters, you can never experience the zest with which Robert Allerton started upon his first Christmas shop ping tour. It was the realization of the accumulated dreams of a dozen years. When other boys had dreamed of fame and tender romances that were to come into their lives, Robert had longed only to satisfy the heart hunger of many motherless, sisterless years. It- would be impossible to describe the raptures of the next day, when Robert Allerton let loose upon the un suspecting Kohbins' household a pent-up Christmasi enthusiasm of years. "For 24 hours I'm going to abandon myself to the pleasant fancy that 1, like others, am the center of a home circle; for one Christmas day I'll have my ( liristmas rights." It was in the twilight of the ( lirist mas day, as Robert sat holding Nan nie in hi- arms, telling her for the seventh time the wonderful storv of Saint Nick, that the child drew his head down to her lips and whispered: "Jimie says- you're only a Cliristmas day brother. It isn't so, is it? You're an all-the-year-round brother, aren't you?" He satisfied Uie little one with a carets. A little later when Mother Kobbins bide him a motherly good-by, k lie said: "You've been so generous in your 1 gifts, dear hoy, and made the little ones so happy, and I've nothing to j give you in return but the love I've I been saving all these 17 years for my I own dear boy. who neeils it n.> more. 1 thought to lavi.-h it on him in hi* .voting inanh but the l.ord knew better. It's ready and waiting for such o not her brave, true ion." 1 ei haps, after a !, this i■- more a universe of law and order than I had I imagined," aid Hubert, lis he looked up at the Christina* atari* shining steadily in their appointed places "It was surely something more than inert elm nee that broei/ht me with mv long ing for n mother to the one dear little who most needed a »wu."— Laiou Siyuul. CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1902. ft tvaftfng fer th' holidays ; some j| "' 1 ho to it seems ter me I liW 1 ( I ' W%Mi an to hut they used ter be: I HFJSHSV MP**- Th' sunshine seems tots brighter. th' !, w,m sm sK. es a deeper blue ' I l" I Than any o' th' Christmuses 'at us old .1 fellers kfteto When tar touz harum scarum Kids, an' ~ laid atajaKe all night. An' toent tiptoein' doton th' hall afore it sKcrce to as light. An' fetched poor dad a-ramblin' round an' lookjn' almost froze. A-paddlin' bar-J-oot across the floor an' toigglin' of his toes. . ; JVotv standin' stork-like with one foot r-T.WW'* raised off th' cold, cold floor. J . | 'i\ i i £jmf An' lookjn' fer the tohis*ers 'at he toore 'TO BCdpil l //»* year before. —rw OJI': ■S'o's he could play at Santa Claus an' \\/l a fir ft fool us fellers. My! ! if, Hot*/ us Kids sneaked back. a-snigggrin' i I *'// toe toas like ter die! JiL- [ - l 'j_ An' cratuled bacK inter bed ag'in. "r-rs a-tuaitin' fer th' yells. The "Whoa! notu! you ol' reindeers!" an' janglin' o' the' bells At told us all toas ready: an' nuts, an' cake an' things "Riz up afore our %>ision, till toe toent doton stairs of, toings ! -•* ~■ • An' dad, he looKed so happy, an' mother smilin,' so - My! but they toas a happy pair! Them days toe didn't Knoto What Christmas day could mean ter F them, but no to I guess toe do. m,/' i! since toe'-Ve got youngsters o' our oton. 7y ol' feller, me an' you : |I J/ An' so th' toorld's lots brighter noto; o w they's somethin' in th' shine O' eyes a-looKin' in your face, an' eyes 'at looK in mine. An' in our hearts th' kind o' loxJc 'at makes a feller glad! Till toe're as happy noto. I guess, as mother toas. an' dad. Houston Post. "H n RnowN DRESSING THE TREE. llow It Mnj He Done to Secure the lSe»t EffectM, 'J lie Woman's Home Companion gives some hints on decorating a | Christmas tree safely. It is well ! known that when tapers are fixed to the laden branches, after the gifts are taken off the lightened | houghs spring up and often set each | other on lire. The mode indicated here avoids all that, j "First," says the Companion, "thin i cut the branches sufficiently to al ; low the gifts to show to good ad vantage. Then with an auger bore I holes in a spiral row about four ! or five inches apart the whole length tof the trunk. Have some flat sticks i prepared, an inch wide and half an i inch thick, and of varying lengths, j Sharpen one end, and insert them according to their graduated lengths, 1 giving each a blow or two with a hammer to insure its being firmly fixed. Paint them green. At the I TSe Sweets of Christmas Time. While children's hearts with gladness alow At happy Christinas time. And olders euj>er int'rest show As when in early prime. Not all the sweets for these are sent On that thrice*bleised day-. Kin|( Cupid in the merriment With Santa Claus holds ft wt&y. ji. wi.Leu. J outer end the candle holder is liriuly | fixed." I To the topmost branch before the j tree is put up, affix the "Christ-child" I —the winged doll, secured by slight i rubber bauds under the wings, liilt paper stars and crescents are pret ty, affixed here and there to the boughs. Gay silk and tarleton bags I full of nuts and candy, oranges and j r.pples, bundles of stick candy tied with ribbons, little baskets and j cornucopias of figs and raisins, gild ; ec> walnuts, popcorn balls, strings of | popcorn and cranberries, candy j canes, paper chains—all these and i other things they will suggest will | | decorate a tree so prettily that the children for whose pleasure it is con structed will forget, in their delight, that it is not weighted down with costly gifts. t liri*tinn* Etiquette. No holiuay joy can be complete to those who have not tried to make other hearts happier. This is Christ mas etiquette.—Ladies' Home Journal. FREDDY'S PRESENTS. Those He Received Were Alnnji of tile Iseful Kind. The following short story, says Youth's Companion, will excite vari ous emotions. Some readers will laugh at it; others will be indignant; and every boy that reads it will be glad his name is not Freddy Keedick. "T think I shall have to get a Christ mas present for little Freddy Keedick," said Mrs. Dillingham to h«r husband one evening early in Decem ber. "Don't you think you have enough little nephews and nieces to provide for in that way?" asked Mr. Dilling ham. "We have enough, that's true, but Mrs. Keedick was so very kind when Nellie was sick in the summer, that I feel somewhat under obligation to her." "Then I would get Freddy a Christ-' mas present, by all means. What do you suppose would l>e suitable?" "1 have not been able to make up my mind as to that. What do you think?" "Oh, don't ask me!" "I have an idea!" exclaimed Mrs. Dillingham. "I'll make a call on Mrs. Keedick this afternoon, and try to find out what sort of a present would be acceptable to Freddy." In pursuance of this resolve, Mrs. Dillingham was shown into Mrs. Kee dick's parlor on the afternoon of tlie next day, anil after a few preliminary exchanges of opinion on unimportant matters, thn conversation was led around to Christmas by the caller. "I suppose Freddy receives quite a number of gifts each Christmas," said she. "Oh, yes," replied Mrs. Keedick. "He has a few relatives who always remember him, but really the presents we appreciate the most are those his papa and I give him." "That is because you know what pleases liim best," said Mrs. Dilling- ham. "Yes, that's it. I haven't much pa tience with the toys that his Uncle Henry and his Aunt Polly bring." "Why not?" "Oh, 1 prefer something useful! Xow that French clock on the mantel there lias given me more satisfaction, than any other present Freddy has ever received at Christmas." "Was that a Christmas present to Freddy?" asked Mrs. Dillingham, in surprise. "Ves. We needed a clock in this room, and 1 told Mr. Keedick that as we had to get Freddy a Christmas present we might a* well buy him a clock." "Does Freddy like it V" "Well, he doesn't exactly go into raptures over it, but 1 find it very use ful indeed. Then Freddy has plenty of trash given to him at Christmas, so that it really doesn't matter. Then. I like him to have'useful things, you know. That writing-desk there was another Christmas present to Fred dy." "But that is a lady's writing-desk." "1 know it is. You see I had decided that he ought to have a writing-desk because it would be so useful, but when I went to buy it, I could not find j a desk suitable for a small boy. How ever, 1 saw that lovely lady's desk for sale at a bargain, and I thought it would be sinful to lose the opportun ity of getting it for Freddy, as T had gone out for the very purpose of buy ing him a desk." "I see," replied Mr?. Dillingham. "Then those lovely *ases in the par lor, which you have affmired so often, are also some of Freddy's Christmas presents. The way we happened to get them was this: Mr. Keedick could not think of anything useful to buy for FreiTdy last Christmas, and 1 hap pened to think of those vases', which 1 had seen at such a very reasonable price in a store down town. The par lor was so bare of ornaments that we needed them very badly, and so 1 went straight out and bought them for Freddy." Mrs. Dillingham rose togo, and as Mrs. Keedick followed her caller to the door, she continued to explain how much more sensible it was give children useful presents- rather than gimcracks, which are broken in a week or two. Mrs. Dillingham went home, and surprised her husband with the an nouncement that >he had decided to give Freddy Keedick a handsome sofa pillow for Christmas. Tile lllrilx' < li rl s I inn v In Norway, the cold northern land, the kind-hearted people wish to have every creature rejoice at the glad | Christmas season, and they think of the dear little birds; so then- is al ways a sheaf of wheat fastened hijrh j on a pole in every farmyard, that the birds may enjoy a good dinner ! of grain, and the little Norwegian < children are Santa ( laus' helpers, ( when they help to bring < hristmas to ( the birds. Detroit Free Press. @ooig|orTou) fo ttiryrmgrar frirni! ® ooJ morroiu.for r FrafflWfjj# mapprour.no man doth Irnout ,< 112 /' X Mlf(l)fr pf coiiip mitlj snnlf to bless, Hv;w®I r l V%scournr, no man cangurss. iiiorrom.ForfJafood uiorroiu.frirnd! arr cm p. ns on iup iiirnft, *\l_ Uluirliiir IVi^grs. U»~»i4.#WW. V kkM«IA THE MAN WHO SWORE OFF. lie Is DrarrvlnK of ltpiprc< and Ei> CO I! raise Hit- II t. Tlie w/irld, if it knows its business, will doff its hat to the man who swore off New Year's day. Notwith standing the guffaws of the crowd at the liar when they hear about it, that man, says the Chicago Daily News, is worthy of respect and en couragement. Having the desire to mend his ways, he has braved the jests of his associates, the sneers of those whose unworthy methods he hopes to forsake, and the curious glances of casual acquaintances, in order to exercise his will in resist ing evil habits. His militant man hood is worthy of praise. So, for your own sake as well as for his, do not laugh or sneer at liiin or take a patronizing attitude toward him because of your well-known an»l unassailable virtue. Kxpress confi dence in him and help him to stick to his good intentions. Why should not one resolve to for sake one's bad habits on the first day of the year? Why should not one resolve to forsake them 011 any oilier day? Having made the resolve and entered upon the effort neces sary to carry it out, why should one be the subject of jests, since there is nothing foolish nor dishonorable in trying to improve one's methods of life? If the school of experience teaches valuable lessons, as every one knows it does, why should not one profit by these lessons? Habit is mainly a relic of youth and ig norance, so far as it is not formed on good models or by the firm hands of wise elders. To improve one's hab its from year to year is the valuable privilege of the man or the woman who has been learning lessons in the world's academy of hard knocks. To take no advantage of those lessons is to write one's self down a fool. Pity, therefore, the man or the wom an who never swears off. ETIQUETTE. Mrs. Saurs (suspiciously)—Well r now, what do you want? (ieorge de Gent—Nuthin', lady, nuthin'! I)is is jus' me New Year'# call.—Chicago Daily News. (Sooil-Ily, Old Year. The minutes are flying, the Old Year Is o'ying. The time will soon come when the ol<S clock will clvime. When the year, bent and gray, will pas* quickly away, Audi the New Year will come In the foot prints of time. Old Year, you will go as you came, in the snow; For that emblem of childhood is waiting for all; And when in old age you will pass from life's stage, The snowtlakes will cover the place where you fall. For many you hold what is dearer than gold; We will never forget you, although you have lied. For the New Year Is here, and so good-by, Old Year; We will number you now with the years that are deadi —Marguerite M. Hillery (age 14), in SL Nicholas. Those New Year Reaolntionai. Meadowbrook—How line this world ! would be if we should all keep the I good resolutions we make on New 1 car's day, instead of breaking tliem ■ all within a week. Hempstead—Yes! 1 guess the few days after New Year's, each year, will be about as near as we will ever get to the millennium.—Brook lyn Eagle. A Time of Peril. Clarissa-—l'm always glad wlieo New Year's day is safely over. I* idelia N es; it is a saddening an ni versa ry. Clarissa—Oh, I don't mean that. Clarenee and I always have a horrid quarrel suggesting improvements in each other's conduct. Detroit Free l'ress.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers