Sammies Uncle Dick By RUBY DOUGLAS J*""™! ILEXIA stood over the y ( jf a kitchen range popping corn, and the reflection j of the crimson coals in \ her cheeks was like a a full-blown blush rose. ' It was 1 he day before flji'jatm Christmas and. save for the long strands of popcorn Alexia was preparing, her great "j\ Christmas tree was - dieted. It stood in the dining-room, its branches projecting about the windows heavily laden with mysterious berib boned parcels and rainbow-hued orna ments. "A real Christmas, after all," cried Alexia, and the smile which accom panied the words would have led one to believe that she was in her sixth winter instead of in her three-times that-many with a few years added— just a few years, though! The fam ily Bible said Alexia was two-and twenty. A great gust of wind drew her at tention suddenly without. She stool by the Window wondering if it was to bo a real blizzard like they had in the west. The heap of snow was growing larger and larger, and she watched the feathery fiakes pile up on each other affectionately. All at once a white something, larger and more substan tial than a snowflake, was drifted onto the heap. It was a tiny white en velope. When she had finished the popper of corn Alexia opened the window and picked tip the damp little paper. One short word was written in a much blurred and childish hand: "God." Alexia would not have been so sur prised if it had been Santa Claus. Children often write to him. Out of the envelope she pulled a piece of note paper—probably surrep titiously borrowed —on which was writ ten in the undeveloped hand of a little one: "Dear God. please make me a Christ mas tree like the one in the window across the court. I can see it. I will put this on the roof so's you'll get it sooner. Yours truly, Sammie." So Sammie was the name of the lit tle boy she had seen so often in the opposite window. He seemed lonely; she judged that his mother was dead and that the child's father was a busy, thoughtless man. An old housekeeper was the only person she ever saw about the apartment. It was because Alexia had been a lit tle lonely herself as Christmas drew near—her first Yuletide in the city— that she had gathered this little circle of poor children and planned a party for them. Her reasons were not purely philanthropic. There was no need of two persons being lonely. Alexia philosophized, and she straightway went over to inter view the old housekeeper in regard to Sammie. She did not mention the note, for, should the child find out, his faith would be shattered. On Christmas morning, before Alexia was fully dressed, a small young male visitor was announced. No name was given, and she wondered if some of the poor little children, in his joyful an ticipation of the day. had been unable to restrain himself until the appointed hour of the party. But it was Sammie. He stood breath lessly in the hall without either coat or hat, his little cheeks bright with the nipping breath of Jack Frost. "Uncle Dick's come," he said, by way of introduction to his mission. "My Uncle Dick came last night, and — and I can't leave him all alone. Please can't he come, too?" "Of course, Sammie, bring Uncle Dick along." she said, taking his little round face in her hands. Alexia's children had all arrived but Sammie, and the dining-room was filled with ejaculations of delight ai each new view of the splendid tree. She was beginning to wonder wheth er or not i'ncle Dick had prevented Sainmio's coming when an impatient tingle of the bell seemed to say "Sam mie." Alexia answered the ring herself. ■'Here's I'ncle Dick," said her small Triend before she could open the door Tor him. "Where's the tree?" he cried, lis childish excitement and importance it bringing a visitor running away ,-jtn patience. WltliouiVa s ' s " an introduction, ammies'-anNi® 1 11" 1 " 1 ~own ,he ha!l ward the dlnin)?<rooin. leaving I'ncle >lck standing in ilw doorway. •I'ncle Dick!" Alexia when he could get her brea t*. "TM, Alexia," s-IIFL ulfle Dick—hot was not old. "Siuiiirtl" said I was tvited. Am I?" He mi! out his hand. II must be Fate, dear, filial! we defy ?" "Or was it Sanunie?" asked Alexia. 'Mint; her band in his. lint before he could continue the xumeiit the young man In <|ue*tian ipeared. "Aren't you coming, I'ncle Dick?" asKed. a toni-li'd thn' anyone cotilil atuin o long aw i ■ from sin li < nt|c g sivhtn as tii«' dining-room h"ld. "Yes, Eammi" l>ut, I s»y, come here." ininie came, reluctantly. \nd, I eraus ■ he s.as v ry young and ••y much inter, ted in a Ciirii 11 ia« •a, he did not notice how tenderly i I'ncle D'rk kl- >| him, and how tuy time# Alexia took hltu In her a» liiat day hiißK«d him TRUCE OF CHRISTMAS DAY Song of Israel Causes Suspension of Hostilities Which Neither Army Could Resist. "On the night preceding the 25th of December, 1870," began a captain, according to the Methodist Recorder, "I was in command of a company of volunteers engaged in the defense of Paris. The siege had already lasted three months, and in the trenches my brave comrades were enduring martyr dom of suffering and privation. The cold was biting bitterly; the stars were shivering in a cloudless sky; the moon shone brightly on the snow-clad plain between us and the enemy; the Gen man trenches were so close to us that we could hear the passwords of their sentinels as, hour by hour, they were relieved and passed into their camp. "As I was walking about to keep my feet from freezing, one of my men came up to me, and, saluting, said: 'Captain, I have a strange request to make; I want you to permit me for a little while to leave the trenches.' " 'Leave the trenches?' I replied. 'But why? Because it is so cold? It will he warm enough when we begin to fight.' " 'lt is not that. I ask you, as a favor, to allow me for a little while to leave my post. I cannot tell you why; hut, if you grant me leave, 1 promise you you won't regret it.' " 'lmpossible! You want togo to Paris. If I give you leave, I cannot well deny it to tne rest.' " 'No, not to Paris,' said he, smil ing, 'but in that direction,' pointing toward the German lines. 'I shan't be long.' "He had aroused my curiosity. I granted him permission, but warned him that he would most probably get killed. " 'No fear,' he said, and, leaping over the ramparts, he walked into the mid dle of the plain. "We followed him with our eyes, listening for the sharp crack of the enemy's rifles, and expecting at every step to see him fall. Not a sound, save the crunching of the frozen snow beneath his feet! As soon as he had come within hearing of the German sentries he paused, saluted, and began to sing a well-known Christmas hymn, with the refrain: "Noel! Not-!! Christ is King o, Israel!" "It was so unexpected and so simply done, the strain took from the night, the scene, the circumstances, such a beauty and sublimity that the least religious of us hung upon his lips, and the hardest hearted in our trench were moved. The Germans neither spoke nor stirred. It seemed as if a speii had bound them all in silence and in immobility. The simple strain had doubtless made them think of home and of the happy groups around the glittering Christmas trees beyond the Rhine. They were evidently listening. | for no other sound was audible —not j a step, not a movement of arms. As j soon as X had done his hymn j he gave another military salute, turned | on his heel as on a pivot, and delib- | erately walked back to our line. " 'Well, captain,' said he, 'are you ! sorry that you gave me leave?' "Before I could reply, a soldier had begun to move across the snow from ' the opposite eamp. He, like X , saluted, and, between the companies of armed men, he sang a German ver sion of the 'Noel, Noel,' that the French recruit had sung. I had given orders, though they were superfluous, not to fire on him. He sang the hymn through, verse by verse, and when he i came to the refrain, the soldiers in both camps joined in the chorus: "Noel! Noel! Christ hath ransomed Israel!" "The same emotion filled all hearts'. All diversities and enmities had been forgottten in the presence of the Prince of Peace. The soldier then de parted to the German lines and dis appeared. A few hours later we be gan to fire again." A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION. (I'VE MADE JOME NORfl oF THOSE Lavt uy Bi3-] I'V *-7 Cu i lcoK lcoK <? £ 112 Mr. Newiywed resolves to take out a life insurance policy. Origin of Gift Giving. The practice of making presents on Christmas day undoubtedly owes its origin to a general idea to carry into practice the liiblical mandate: "Peace on earth; good will to men." At first the great lords made presents to their retainers, and the season was marked by universal charity. Ity degrees the practice of Ch'lstmas giving spread until now everybody gives friend erescnts. —Detroit Free Press. Easy to Be Happy. Mrs. Nexdoor- Aren't >ou always worried half to death when it miner to buying a Christmas present for your liu.~i.and? Mr Suns' iu** Vly. no! I buy my husband something I want for myself. I and le- hu,me something lie wants for him« If. and then we trade. Madonna's Coloir. In n«arlv all <>!<| paintings of the Holy I ,i t?I! y tint |onna wears re« anil blue, 11 l* inp the hue of love, and symbol! at 0 f Heaven CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1905. HER RULE OF XMAS GIFTS. Painstaking Aunt Hai a System of Hei Own by Which She Distributes Gifts tp Her Relatives. The right rule for a gift, according to Emerson, is that it should be some thing which will "convey to some per son that which properly belongs to his character, and is easily associated with him in thought." There are few people indeed who i'o not at least try to consider the particular taste and character of the friends to whom they give, says the Youth s Companion. Hut once iti awhile a matter-of-fact person quite tails to perceive that this is necessary A good thing is a good thing, in the eyes of such a giver, and it may be assumed that the recipient will_ there fore like it, and be grateful, unless, in deed, he happens to have it already, which is the one possibility to bo dreaded. There is a placid, painstaking, pro saic, but much beloved aged aunt to a iarge flock of youthful nephews and nieces whose system, based upon this comfortably simple view, refuses to consider even the drawback of du plication. Every Christmas she everything she gives, and her pres pnts are of two kinds: one for gir'.s and one for boys. One year it may be penwipers for the brothers and needlebooks for th-3 bisters, the next, mufflers for the one and mittens for the other. Theso articles she patiently and leisurely produces for weeks beforehand. They are always tasteful in tint and ex quisitely made, and are usually wel come. An unfortunate schoolgirl whose birthday in November had brought her already two pairs of bed-shoes, in what she had discovered to be Aunc Elmira's bed-shoe year, tried to avoid a third pair by a word in season con veyed discreetly through a cousin. "Dear, dear!" murmured Aunt El lnira, softly, halting her knitting needles for an instant. "Both pairs blue, did you say, child? I must bo sure that my pair is pink, and —yes, that is a very good idea —I'll knit them a size or two larger, so she can wear out the other first, and be quite sure they will fit when she is ready for them. Pink with a white finish should be pretty." Very gently the cousin hinted at some other present, but Aunt Elmira's head was shaken at once, a slight but decisive shake. "No, dear," she affirmed, tranquilly, "two kinds of gifts are all I can make in one year without feeling myself worried and flurried. Ruth will find her bed-shoes just as serviceable and just as pretty a year or two later, if she can't wear them now; it doesn't matter. My mind was made up long ago, my dear, that too many Christ mases were spoiled by worrying." Perhaps Ruth was not wholly grate ful for the pink shoes, and the system may-be questioned; but Aunt Elmira's lrienus certainly find the spectacle of one person always unhurried, unwor ried and unruffled, even in the wild weeks before Christmas, a soothing and refreshing sight. CHRISTMAS TREE FEATURE. Dancing Dolls Above Parlor Decor ation Produces Pretty Effect for Holiday. Dancing Christmas fairies always en hance the children's delight in the Christmas tree, and once made can bo used year after year, says Woman's Home Companion. Buy up a dozen or more of five and ten-cent dolls, and to add to the variety have among the num ber some Japanese and colored dolls. Dress these to represent fairies in bright hues of spangled gau/.e, tarlatan or tis sue paper, and liberally sprinkle their hair and garments with diamond-dust powder. Each doll should be provided with a dainty pair of fairy wings made from spangled tissue paper and fastened to the body by means of concealed wires. These wires should be coiled to obtain motion in the wings, and nothing better can be used than the fine spiral coils that come out of worn-out. wire-stitched brooms. The least motion will set this spiral to quivering, causing the wings to move as if in flight. In like manner use the spiral wire to attach the dolls in hovering positions over and around the tree. The effect is magical; every foot step causes jar enough to start the dolls dancing and circling above and around the tree, as if invisible fairies of the air had come down to join him in the Christmas glee. Holiday Magic. On Christmas Eve put nine mistle toe berries 10 steep in equal parts of honey and vinegar, quaff the decoc tion on an empty stomach, retire be fore midnight and your dream will be your destiny. On New Year's Eve a girl should pull 12 hairs from her head, make them into a ring, put it into the prayer-book at the marriage service and sleep with the book under her pillow. Her future husband will figure in her dreams, but if she has no dream site will live und die mi litated. Wonderfully Made. Ted—Why don't you use that Christ inas present your girl made you? Ked — I'm afraid to. I don't know whether she Intended it a a tobacco pouch or a necktie. Town Topics. No Credit foi Dad. It Is hard to be saving up every cent for a kid's Christ mas when you know old Santa is to get ail the credit for it.— Atlanla Journal. Baby's Stocking. The liaiipli I home i<t where a ba by's stocking '» hung up for Ino tlr.it Christinas. HAS NEW GOVERNOR, CAPT. FRANTZ TO SUCCT.ED FER- I GUSON OF OKLAHOMA. President Selects Ex-"Rough Rider" for Post—How a Political Career Was Begun by a Boxing Con test with Roosevelt. Washington.—Capt. Frank Franta will be the next governor of Oklahoma. I Ho will succeed Gov. Ferguson when j the latter's term expires, January 13. Mr. Roosevelt had shown his confi- j dence iu the "ex-Rough Rider" captain j by appointing him postmaster at Enid, and later Osage Indian agent. He j eagerly acted upon the suggestion that Frantz be named as the successor of j Gov. Ferguson. If Capt. Frantz should live to receive , his commission as governor of Okla homa, he will be 33 years old, by far the youngest of the six governors who have served the people of Oklahoma. Capt. Frantz was born in Woodford county, Illinois, May 7, 1872. He is the son of a farmer of Virginia ancestry. ! He is a man of athletic bu..d, direct and vigorous in his manner and con versation. He has the address of the successful, educated business man, and his amiability invites friends iip. A slight impediment in his speech an- j noys him at times. He is a mixer, ! but has never engaged sufficiently in j politics to show his ability as an or- j ganizer. He was educated in Eureka college, Eureka, 111., removed to Wellington, Kan., in 1890, and mined for several years in California, Arizona and New Mexico. In 1893 he went to Okla homa. The Spanish-American war aroused his patriotism, and he enlisted in Arizona as a private. Gov. McCord, of that territory, ap pointed him first lieutenant, and when Capt. "Ducky" O'Neil fell in battle, Frantz led his captainless Troop A through the engagement and was given the commission left vacant by O'Neil. He was mentioned in general orders for his bravery, and was recommend ed by Gen. Joseph Wheeler for a brevet commission at the close of the war. But congress refused to grant breveta CAPT FRANK FRANZ. (Who will euccet d Ferguson as Governor of Oklahoma.) to volunteer officers. On the back of his discharge from the army, in Col. Roosevelt's handwriting, are these words: "1 promoted him for gallantry and efficiency in the fight of July 1." After the close of the war, Cap' Frantz returned to his home in hind and engaged in the mercantile busi ness. He married Miss Matilda Evans, of Enid, in 1900. They have three chil dren, two boys and one girl. Soon after President Roosevelt en tered the white house Capt. Frantz called upon him. During their con versation Frantz remarked that he had boxed some at Harvard. Then nothing would do but he must put on the gloves with the president. "Bully!" exclaimed Mr. Roosevelt as he got up rubbing his jaw aftei the first punch had put him off hia feet. "But you can't do it again." They sparred for a few seconds, then —biff! And the president of the United States lay on his back on the gymna sium floor. A right hook to the jaw had done the work. Mr. Roosevelt was not out, but he was not so eager to get up and "mix" it again. The boxing bout was ended and Frantz' political career begun. He was first made postmaster at Enid. Then he declined the Osage Indian agency because the salary of SI,BOO was not enough. He nr-t Secretary Hitchcock iu St. Louis l>y request. "J didn't indorse you for the posi tion," admitted Secretary Hitchcock, "but the president wants you. He says there has been considerable graft at the Osage agency, and he wants you to clean it up." "All right," answered Capt. Frantz, "if the president asked me togo to South Africa, and there wasn't a cent in it, I'd take the trip. I'll take the place." Frantz was installed as agent for the Osage Indians, and there has been no hint of graft since. Now this same Harvard rough-rider-boxer has been named governor of Oklahoma. There are four Frantz brothers. Or ville, who is also a white house caller is a wrestler. He has never thrown the president, and has no office, lie was known as "Home-run" Frantz at Harvard, and he will pitch for the St. Louis cardinals next year. John and Walter .re amateur uihletes of note. The father <>f <'apt. Krant/. once wu« ! prominent in Illinois politics, lie was 1 leader of the Independents iu the Illi nois iS7(>. '1 lie Independ ents elected Huvl.l l»a\i- to the Fill ted States senate after taking him from the United Htates supreme beucli, ' thereby cUaiiKlnK the complexion of 1 th<» commit -*-n m-I*m ted to decide (lit looniest Utwu u liases and TUdcu. The Fashions of the Winter One is impressed by the combination | of thin stuffs and velvet, almost every good .dressmaker will have a model showing this feature of the season's styles. Net and velvet are united, and with good effect, the net heavy and sub stantial, the velvet used as band at the bottom and rather sparingly otherwise. One excellent model of brown net thus trimmed was brought to our attention, and also a good black, made up over white. The brown had a brown founda tion. A peacock-blue broadcloth embroid ered elaborately in the feathers of this proud bird, was completed by a hat of \t^ A GRACEFUL GOW N. velvet in the peacock blue, one of the small tip-tilted affairs we expect and see on every other woman we meet. Although the style is common, many of the individual hats are not at all com mon, still spell style. A peacock green cloth of softest, most beautiful appear ance, had one feature particularly no ticeable; the sleeves slashed to the shoulder to disclose cream net under sleeves. and the vest made with a V at the neck to give another hint of the net waist. Brown, which we seemed to think quite out of fashion, promises presently to be in the height of fashion. A warm shade in velvet is most effective when employed with rich dark fu.s, and re cently we were attracted by a handsome seal coat made with rolling fronts and a straight, loose front of brown velvet, embroidered delicately in gold. Brown crepe de chine is exquisite. This well appreciated material now comes in all shades. Crepe de chine loses none of its vogue; we should say it is more in favor than ever. The lovely dahlia shades are particularly lovely in crepe; and also the lighter shades of red at present so much approved, the old rose and pinks. Yesterday a girl out for a walk flashed by in a chic costume of rose broadcloth, Fancies in Feminine Dress Icy winds may blow, snow lie deep on the ground, yet Milady appears on the street as well as In the house with sleeves cut off at the elbow. The three quarter sleeve is a long one these days; banished the one-time wrist length, save for shirt-waist and such strictly utili tarian garment. Of course this means expensive long gloves. What is saved in sleeves is more than lost in "hand shuhe." The fashionable long glove for even ing wear is the white suede, and it is often seen with the dressier afternoon costumes. It makes one long for the excellent and cheap London glove; here in America we have to pay so much for this trifle of the toilette. To those in- I terested in economy we would add that the long black suede glove is in excel lent style, and that long glove may mean the 8. 12 or 24 button. A black glove makes the hand look small, and the suede outlines the arm prettily. We note the number of attractive hats j that are trimmed with illusion. This I morning we saw a very good one with I a lace crown, the crown a low cone, the brim edged with white velvet; a ruff of white illusion almost concealed the brim and mounted well upon the crown; a dusted of three camelias nestled in the illusion on one side, well toward the front, and under the turned-up back was a quantity of ribbon the same soft shade as the camelias, a pinky white. A beautiful largish hat—none of the hats this year are very big— of violet j panne, was a dream. The panne tilted [ smoothly, this giving a satin sheen | much better than folds or pulls would have been. The shape was uot unlike a longisli sailor of years agone, theouly I trimming a ruche of white illusion. | And concerning the color of hat one ! should wear, taste is divided between ; the hut that matches the costume exact ly and the one that contrasts. An ele | gant gray gown nnd wrap were worn with a hat of i>eacock blue velvet; the effect very good. Peacock blue and peacock green are In highest favor in ! both millinery and gowns; the cheap l feathers have not driven them out. A ma line neck rufl usually proves very becoming, and not a few are seen at opera and theater. I hey conie in the do I icai" shade*, perhaps are most pop ular in «hite For afternoon occasions furs take their place. Afternoon toilettes I sre iimked by rich colors evening I guwt.s t<iem best this ye'ir when in th'' j dellosle shades Nothing In In higher : favor than pale blue, pluk ai;d old rose the skirt a high princess, the coat short, with waistcoat of lace showing. One meets, day and evening, both light shades and dark; there is not now suctk criticism of overdressing as once there was. In the current phrase, everything goes. A new shade is apricot, a pinkish yel low that, in spite of prejudice, is very fetching, and very becoming when be coming at all. It is especially good in soft cloths and in millinery. Glaring colors and combinations, we rejoice to say, are relegated to the background— are quite banished. Long may they stay away! The peacocks are brilliant, but they are beautifully, not crudely, brilliant. The tinsel used is not the cheap, showy sort, but of rich beauty, and lovely embroidered beltings are seen at the exclusive shops. It may not be out of place to speak or the coiffure of the season and the style of comb in favor. The hair is done bigli on the head, with a very loose, puffy ar rangement at back and sides. The pref erence is given to a single back comb, a wide, elaborate one. For the puff at the back many make use of the "rat;" alas, many who present a most untidy appearance, the pad showing througa and adding to the disheveledness. This style is good when not exaggerated; very bad when untidy. Lovely combs may be had with an edge of gold filagree, the first cost considerable, but they never tarnfgh, can be banded down as an heir loom. Taken by and large women this year present a neat, smart appearance, the tailored suits to have the credit. To be sure, there are loose effects, but the lines are long and straight. The neat wom an does not necessarily mean prim; to day it means smart. A few weeks ago we chronicled the use of ribbons as trimming, and wouhl again call attention to the fact that they are distinctly in style. A show window may have on display a half dozen cos tumes trimmed with ribbon, and to-day we paused before one filled with net evening gowns adorned with rows and rows of ribbon frills, the frills narrow; and in colors. One white net had laven der frills; a prettier costume was or pink and white and one equal to this in prettiness was of blue and white. A very white toque went well with the last, its sole trimming a soft Huff of pale blue high on one side. To obtain the fashionable low tiare for the skirt there is now in use a feath erbone framework with silk ilounce at the foot. It does not interfere with the natural lines of the figure and does bolct the skirt out gracefully. Some dress makers make use of hair cloth flounces, but the featherbone frame has goon points. It is made up daintily as pos sible, the bones covered with shirred ribbon. It is not so expensive nor so heavy as a much befrilied petticoat, and gives the right hang to the skirt above A smart raincoat is in box coat style, and has'pockets above and below the waist. The favored colors are tans, Ox fords and olive greens, and the coats now come in heavier materials than for merly, meeting the demand for a win ter wrap. The separate long coat is growing in favor, a coat that may be worn with different gowns. Women have got tired of the suit with its ten dency for the skirt to fade and present ly not match the jacket; welcome the separate warp. I KI-HOW 81.EEVK8 IS MIOWINTKH Soft materials lea<l, the clinging kinit. White lawn untl nainsook waist* have un unprecedented VORUO; where*.lk considered (he only choiceot waist. tin* we have tin* dainty and st-enilhKly pit* lawn and nainsook I beie material* an* ilnu forward fort lii iniM'itc utnl undemleeve with gown nf velvet or broadcloth. the while goodx daintily hand tucked. It t» a very pretty lunb lon. KM I NotiMUM'K StoNn Thunder. Son* orators In.. 4 line iXJinusaml of other in* D M lamj-uee.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers