10 ST, #
i STRAYED
or STOLEN
By MARY WINTHROP
[Copyright, 1902, by T. C. ilcClure.]
ruau who said tliat a big
I apartment house was a vil
lage iu itself didn't know a
thing about it, or else he had
never been In a village. Lord! I would
say It was a collection of hostile camps,
with a Janitor as the only means of
communication."
By way of emphasis for his words
Frank Lane threw across the room the
jfayly Illustrated magazine lie had been
pretending to read. It landed with a
crash, bringing with it to the floor a
small vase which stood on the corner
of the mantel. Broken bits of porce
lain rolled in all directions.
The young man started to his feet.
The vase was one of his childish rel
ics. Every bit was precious. But he
sank back with a groan. lie bad for
gotten his sprained ankle.
The pain in it made him remember.
It was almost Intolerable for a few mo
ments. But that was not what brought
the tears to his eyes—tears of weak
ness and loneliness. He was remem
bering that It was the day before
Christmas and that he was shut up in
his bachelor apartments with a sprain
ed ankle. A solitary dinner at the club
"I WISH YOU WOULD LET ME KEEI" IT."
was never wildly festive for Christ
mas, but even that was to be denied
him this year.
There was a rattling at the hall door.
Lane hastily brushed aside the tears as
the wife of the Janitor came In. Wom
anlike, she was compassionate. Her
face beamed as she cried: "A package
for ye, Mester Lane. Th' postman Jest
left It, an' I hurried It up, thiukln' it
might cheer ye a bit. It's sure some
prisint a lady fren's been a-sendln' ye."
The Invalid laughed shortly. From
a lady friend! He had been raised in
an orphan asylum and as far as
his knowledge went had not a living
relation. Ills position in the business
world was entirely due to his own
pluck and energy. He had not had
time to make lady friends.
When the woman had gone, he still
looked curiously at the package in his
lap. It was in bad order. The string
was loosened and the enveloping paper
torn. The address was blurred, but he
could still make out faintly the In
scription "F. E. Lane" and the nanx
of the apartment house. It was really
for him.
Ills Angers trembled with eagerness
as he slipped off the outside wrapper
and disclosed dainty tissue paper and
ribbons. It must surely be from a girl,
he thought.
Inside was a creation of violet silk.
He eyed it dubiously, but then his face
cleared. lie had seen similar curios in
shop windows. It must be a handker
chief ca6c.
But the name of the sender? He
took hold of the case gingerly and
shook it. He carefully turned it Inside
out. No card appeared. It must have
slipped out on the way. lie sniffed
appreciatively. The case was strongly
scented with violets. It almost seemed
as If the fair donor herself was glorify
ing Ills room with her presence.
Yet the question of who had sent it
still remained unsolved. He knew whom
he wished had sent it—the girl in the
flat above. She was the girl who,
when she camejn from the oflice of an
evening, sat down at the piano and
irattled off a jolly twostep—that was
when things had gone well—or crept
In quietly and sang soothing lullabies—
that was when the day's work had left
her wornout and blue. Lane sympa
thized. for he had felt just that way
himself.
"B-r-r-r" rang the electric bell. Lane
frowned as he reached his hand back
for the button. Why need common
place realities in the shape of the Jan
itor break In upon his day dream?
Then he straightened up suddenly.
The figure standing in the doorway
! was not to be confused with the Jan
'ltor. It was a girl with rebellious
brown curls wandering down to ob
struct a pair of serious dark eyes, ft
was the girl of the flat above.
The girl stood uncertainly a moment
in the gathering dusk, then stepped
1 forward with sudden decision. "I beg
[your pardon for intruding on you/'
'•he Mid apologetically. "I don't be
lieve you enn even see who I am in
this seiukluii.uess. Won't you let me
light up'/ I tyu the girl from the llat
above." As she spoke she turned to
the switch. In a moment the room
flashed into a blaze of light.
Lane still stared at her as If at a
vision, but the years of business train
ing came to his aid. "Won't you sit
down. Miss Fane?" lie said courteous
ly. "I can't rise—a little trifle of a
sprained ankle."
"Yes, I know,"the girl interrupted
•ympnthetlcally. "The janitor told me.
I am so sorry." The man found her
pity very sweet.
"I don't want to trouble you," she
went on, "but I am looking for one of
my Christmas presents which Is lost,
strayed or stolen. It must have come,
for my cousin writes that it was mailed
some days ago."
Instinctively Lane spread his hands
over the dainty trifle lying in his lap.
Yes, the pillow hid it from view.
"It is a handkerchief case made of
purple silk. As our names look some
thing alike, I thought it might have
route to you by mistake." She looked
at him expectantly.
Now, Lane had been mentally plan
ning how he might keep that handker
chief caw. He was a thief In every
thing but the deed. But he could not
answer those searching brown eyes
with a He. "Yes, I have It. I thought
It was mine." And he held It out weak
ly. Then sudden inspiration came to
him. "I wish you would let me keep
U," he said pleadingly. "I will buy you
anything else in Its place that you like."
Miss Lane's color deepened. "Why?"
she asked wonderlngly.
"Because," he said vehemently, "it's
the only Christmas present I shall have.
I have been lying here in the dusk im
agining who might have sent it to me,
and I can't bear to give it up. I would
not eare so much if I was up and
around. You don't know how blue a
fellow gets shut up here all alone. Lit
tle things come to count a lot."
Me looked so helpless lying there ou
the couch that the girl's heart went out
to him, and she had a fashion of fol
lowing her heart more readily than her
head. "You poor fellow!" she said gen
tly. "I know Just how you feel. You
shall keep the handkerchief case. Cous
in Laura will never know, and I have
several others. And you must count it
as a real Christmas present from me.
Only don't give me anything in its place
except to wish me a merry Christmas
when I come down to see you in the
morning. I will bring some of the good
ies from my home box. They will make
you forget all about the ankle."
She hurried away. Lane did not know
that it was because she wished to hide
tears brought to her eyes by the dumb
look of gratitude on his face. And he
lay back and wished that the morrow
might come.
Before another Christmas the two
flats were empty. Mr. and Mrs. Lane
were keeping house in a large flat on
the ground floor. Ills wife always de
clares that he stole her heart and the
handkerchief case at one and the same
time on that memorable Christmas eve.
XMAS WITH THE GERMANS.
ficcueH In tlie? Shops and In the Re
tirement of Home.
As the handsome shops reveal the
Christmas of the rich Germans, also
we see the Christmas joys of the other,
the peasant class. The toy stores—the
dolls in all the national costumes of
the world, and windows all bristling
with combating soldiers. Candy shops!
Candy is distinctively American. In
Germany and France it is bonbons; iu
England sweets. The Germans do not
eat candy as a habit, as we do, but on
Christmas time, according to their
idiom, "it goes loose." But it is the
"pfefferklichen" that is the great dis
tinguishing delicacy of Christmastlde.
Not a house, family or person In Ger
many is without it. It is a sort of hard
spice cake, made in all sorts of shapes.
The writer spent last Christmas in
the home of Baron von Shierbrant.
The day before Christmas the drawing
rooms were closed. No one dare enter
except the baron and baroness, who
came in and out of those rooms very
quietly and mysteriously. On Christ
mas eve the lirst event of interest Is
the Christmas eve dinner, which is
characterized by the serving of "karp
fen in bier" and the bringing forth from
their secret hiding places of the fa
mous Christmas cakes, marzipan, pfef
fernuesse and pfefferkuchen. Dinner
ends with the joining of hands and all
saying, "Gesegnete mahl/.eit."—Wash
ington Post.
A Juvenile Impression.
"I'll be glad when I'm a grownup
man," said the thoughtful youngster.
"Why?"
"Because then I can get my Christ
mas presents without having to be
good beforehand."—Washington Star.
llaa Ileen There Himself.
•'Chris'mus kin be made so much
pleasanter ef the stern parunt will on'y
let his inin' wander back tew the time
fc'hen he made a dash fur the ole chitn
neyplece himself," says Ole Nutmeg.
IIIIIIIMIM of Yule.
Though some are dead and Some are fled
To lands of summer over sea.
The holly berry keeps his red.
The merry children keep their glee.
"Xhcy hoard with artless secrecy
This gift for Maude and that for Molly,
And Santa Claus he turns the key
On Christmas eve. Hclgh-ho, the holly!
Amid the snow the birds are lied;
The snow lies deep on land and lea;
The skies are shining overhead;
The robin's tame that was so free.
Far north at home the "barley bree"
They brew; they give the hour to folly.
How "Rab and Allen cam' to pree,"
They sing; we sing, Helgh-ho, the holly!
ENVOI.
Friends, let us pay the wonted fee.
The yearly tlthr. of mirth, be Jolly!
It Is a duty so to be.
Though half we sigh, Helgh-ho, th»
holly!
—Andrew Lang.
CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1903.
Th« Secret of Harmony.
Young Mrs. Mead, whose experience
of married life liad been brief and
happy, had just engaged two servants,
a man and his wife, for work at her
place.
"I am so glad you are married!" she
said to the man, with whom she had
made terms. "I hope you are very,
very happy, and that you and your
ndfe never have any difference of opin
ion."
"Faith, uia'am, Ol couldn't say that,"
replied the new servnnt, "for we have
a good manny, but Oi don't let Bridget
know of tliiin, and so we do be getting
along well."
A Spider Balloon.
Tremendous spiders can be see* lu
the forests of Java, the webs of these
creatures being so strong that It some
times requires a knlfo to cut through
them.
A Texas spider weaves a balloon four
f«et long and two feet wide, which It
fastens to a tree by a single thread,
then marches on board with its little
ones, cuts the thread, and away goes
the air ship to some distant place to
make a new home.
Bitter.
"No," said Mr. Crabbe; "I certainly
won't buy you that extravagant bonnet.
Isn't there anything else you'd be satis
fled to wear?"
"Oh, yes!" replied his wife. "I saw a
very plain and cheap one today that I'd
be delighted to wear."
"Indeed! Well?"
"Well, it's n widow's bonnet."—Phila
delphia Press.
Setaaiired.
Angelina (anxiously)— Are you sure,
dear, that you don't regret It and that
you don't sonieUmes miss your life as
a bachelor?
Edwin (with cheerful convlcUon)—
Not a bit. I tell you what, Angy, I
miss It so little that if I were to lose
jrou—a—l'm blessed if I wouldn't marry
again.
The Safer Method.
"Say," began the first inan, nibbling
his pen, "how do you spell 'gibbering'—
with a 'g' or a 'J?* "
"I don't spell It at all," replied the
other. "When I want to call a man
that sort of an idiot I Just say it. I'm
not fool enough to put it in writing."—
Washington Star.
The Proper Thing;.
Miss Keedick —Mr. Gilley actually of
fered himself to Miss Darley on a
postal card.
Miss Gasket—What did she do?
Miss Keedick—Refused him. She
said she preferred sealed proposals.
We find we can satisfy a friend we
fcave not seen before in twenty years
t>y telling him he doesn't look a day
Older, but if it is forty years we have
to make it an hour.—Atchison Globe.
R.C. DODSON,
THE
Bru^ist,
EMPORIUM, PA.
IS LOCATED IN THE CORNER STORE.
At Fourth and Chestnut Sts..
K.C. DODSON.
Telephone, 19-2.
LUDLAM'S Millinery Store
Special Sale of
Trimmed Hatß
You can save to *4 ou all
trimmed hats purchased
of us this month.
Women's Dress Hats
and Street Hats
All shapes and colors; these
hats are the newest, most
attractive of this season's
styles; some are for women,
girls and children. Don't
miss this splendid opportu
nity to save money.
All birds wings and ar
gretts at ]/ 2 price.
All Ostrich goods, off
of price.
Everything in the millin
ery line reduced.
A fine display of handker
chiefs, hosiery and silks for
the Holiday trade.
Ludlam's,
| Near Bank, Emporium, Pa. I
'ji^C^3<C^J«C.'^3oC^3CC^X3oC^3eC^3CC^
I HERE WE ARE AGAIN 112
| GIRLS AND BOYS. %
JA, Has had a severe trip this year but managed to land his great cargo from
r-j WONDERLAND and deposited same at ft
|H. A. ZARPS ik CO.'sf
1? v ' X
Popular Fair Store. £
jQ All the big and little gi rl s and boys have made our Holiday Season in Emporium pleas- f }
w ant in the past and this yea r r. Zarps and his large force ot beautiful young ladies captured
ft the cream of my cargo. Ct tid see. Never in the history of Cameron county has our pur- »
chases for the
j4k Surpassed our present beautiful line of goods, com
h IlUllUajf pris ! ng every thing imaginable in the toy line. All &
&of the latest. Our reputation will be maintained this year as usual. "lT
A Few of the Many Specialties. t?
p Fur Department China and Glass *
We have a larger assortment of the latest It is impossible to tell our thousands of cus- y
12 styles in Toadies Furs than was ever brought to torners how many hundreds of nice things we M
S Emporium. Beautiful line and the prices are have in this department. Suffice to say that we n
right to all. have the choicest and largest line of goods to be ft
ft ________ found this aide of Buffalo. Prices right.
Ladies Goods
>; Our purchase in Ladies CoatH, Suits, AVrops Silver and Jewelry
> and a thousand useful articles are just what you Beautiful and the most extensive line ever
need. No necessity in sending to the city. We purchased. We have the goods that will piease jnr
have the choicest line. you. S
—————————————
Handsome Umbrellas Leather Goods
What makes a more beautiful in<l useful The largest and best line in this county. *
V present than a handsome Umbrella. Nothing.
M fee the large line. They are beauties and cheap The best goods at the lowest prices. Come V
• for the quality of goods. Prices from $1.75 to in and examine our stock. &
Q 810. VV
ft we are headquarters as usual. Call early, select your goods $
$ and by paying a deposit will hold for you. jft
$ H. A. ZARPS & CO., £
ivL Proprietors of the Fair. rr
C DON'T CHASE OUT OF TOWN 112 j
C FOR SOMETHING FOREIGN. \
i You may send away and 112
I get your stationery a lit- J
i j tie cheaper, but you will 1
112 probably get an inferior s
> article. If you want a 112
t job that you can bank on S
s every time, come and I
> The |
I Q&tnefoli (Jodftty \
I £ress. \
112 H. H. MULLIN, Publisher. \
£ OUR REPUTATION for good \
3 work is established. You C
c know it, we know it. Why 4
i experiment by going else- C
S WHEN you want printing and \
C don't know how it should be C
1 done consult us. \
».i uOubi, TRY They have stood the test of yeast.
OTDHUn * and have cured thousands ol
kJ I nil Fall A M / ?//>cases of Nervous Diseases, such
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arc properly cured, their condition often worries them into Insanity. Consumption or Death.
Mailed sealed. Price $i per bo*: 6 boxes, with iron-clad legal guarantee to cure or refund the
money. $5.00. Send for fren book. Address, PEAL MEDICINE CO., Cleveland, 0.
© w f3.fe^^LOSTYIGOR
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sex), lmiHjtency, Atrophy, Varicocele and other weaknesses, from any cause, use
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troubles result fatally. Mailed anywhere, sealed, for $1.00; 6 boxes for $5.00. With
Reßlllt in 4 weeks. every fs"o order we give a legal guarantee | U cure or refund the money. Address
PEAL. MEDICINE <X).. Cleveland. Ohio.
BANK BY MAIL 1|
! 4&''~V£l et tlle * er ce,lt a,lnual and
I 'W--I absolute protection of this s'rong bank.
; J Assets over $7,700,000.
IgERMANIA SAVINGS
X WOOD AND DIAMOND STREETS PITTSBURG. PA J j
v