* U * X How It Originated. How It Is Secured For the Market, and Some Interesting I.etf cnnsrmas ends ° f t,,c Dim past r By I ppn WALTON A A CC WILLIAMS Copyright, 1904. by American Frrss Association TUB Christinas tree goes so far buck into the night "1' time that it is quite impossible to tell where or by whom it was first introduced. Almost every country has its legend claiming for its own the tree which bears such generous fruit, in Scandinavia it is said to have sprung from the "service tree." which germi nated from soil soaked by the lilood of two unfortunate lovers, a claim sub- 1 Stantiated by the statement that at Christmastide inextinguishable lights gleamed from its green branches. In a French romance of the thirteenth cen tury a great tree is described whose ! branches are covered with burning candles and on whose top Is the vision of a child with a halo round its head, I the tree and candies representing man kind and the child the infant Saviour. ! A beautiful German story credits St. j Winfrcd with giving the Christmas tree to the world. The story Is illus trative of the gospel supplanting pa- i ganism. Before a group of converts : St. Winfred felled a great oak which had been an object of the worship to the Druids. A line young tir tree im mediately appeared In Its place, on see- i ing which St. Winfred said: "This lit- i TAKING HOME THE CHRISTMAS TREE. tie tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree tonight. It is the wood of peace, for your houses are built of fir. It is the sign of an end less life, for its leaves are ever green. See how it points upward to heaven. Let it be called the tree of the Christ Child. Gather about it, not in the wild- Wood. but in your homes. There II will shelter no deeds of blood, but lovlnp gifts- Many Germans hold that Martin Luther first conceived the Christmas tree. One of the most popular of Ger man engravlntrs represents him sitting in the bosom of his family, with a lighted Christmas tree on the table before him. Luther was traveling alone Christmas eve. The snow covered « Wntry and the trees gloamltu; it every with the reflected light of the wl itler moon made upon the great reformer the deepest Impression. Going home, he went Into the garden and. cutting a little iir tree brought It Into the nursery, put !»ouie candU on its branches ami II;. I ted them to re produce the effect c- the beautiful moonlit tre« - hi the ton »i. Antiquarians comic • the Christuma tree with the gre.-.i tree Ygvdn -il of Norse inytholopx or w !, t| , pine trees of the liotnr.n saturnalia, n.e Mgun forerunner of our Christum* Other look to the nn< eot Kuypllntw a» orlg limtors uf the plot Tli men were Wont to eccorate their hoe it ,u i|,,. time of the whiter ,• ( with hrauche* of the it to p-i| c: of Imworta! Tv and of tin- • arHt lir meat. In ti ni aeviil time* t'ei « n tradition thai i■ dim !nv. t« ' a JJ. luuiliiHtei' t . c--. were u 'by the Jew« In |l.ell t i, Lights, which wan valvhrnP I m ttil MHIHUH other children. The doll noticed that lie had great blue eyes, which seemed ever so large us he looked womleringly fit all that was going on. Then there came a knocking on the wall, and the children knew that it was a signal for them to get hack to bed and not take cold, and back they scrambled, laugh ing and tumbling over one another, and covered themselves up. Presently the father and mother came in and distributed the toys. The doll wis for one of the girls, but the boy insisted on having it himself. Then when all were loaded with presents they carried them down to the break fast room. What a day it was! The children were racing about, playing with their toys, and people were coming in con tinually to see the presents, and tlie sun shone brightly on the snow out side, and the lire shone brightly with in on the brass andirons and fender, and after dinner stories were told the children till they were all astonished by the number of wonderful things that happen. The boy with the light hair and blue eyes lay in his mother's arms, hugging the doll with her breast pressed against his, so that she could hoar liis heart beat. and slip wondered why there was no such boating in lior own heart. This was the happiest mo ment she had ever known. She was only a day old. but something told her that nothing in the world could ever make her happier. \\ hen the children went upstairs the boy Insisted on keeping tin- doll by him till he got Into bed. when his mother persuaded him to part with it till morning. She placed it on a chair before the tire where lie could nee i till he should got • sleep and the tirst thing on awakening in the nioruiug. When the children were all asleep the didl looked up front the chair a; the images on the mantel She was 100 happy tog i t.i sleep. "What a lovely day I have had," she laid. "Just wnli," replied the bay linagn. "till you lime becu knocked ah tut the world awhile and you'll sc lie look ftl us \\ ise ni an owl. "1 ililnk It xer\ nice," snld the girl linage, "s > long as y m are y am:. and pretty, but I don't like th< >■ ■ i t tllij, old and cia. ke I, perhap; liavlu; my arillH or lets br iketi o 112." The wind was rising without, an mtddeulj the fro bhtxitl with a chccr fill warmth. It wi.' very pie ,;i fr> IIH Idle bill pr« ently It seienc ti he to > hot, 'I e I 1.1 I !•• 111. hi .• I ,11 t I feel a b ifieiilug 111 he.- fe •• i< 1 |u"i kit >w what ii mount, hit li iriuhteiitd her. |l Mil M 'el I I 1,, 112 lag . I ... fell It tu l:« r arms nud at last in her fiv lilld I'Ce' . ,\|i i W ill fvi, 110 ol tin ro.ilH. nil., ll,e tire hi'4*l | 111: . h .(ter th in we Tli t| ill felt i l« nelthu; away. ' V 'u re u IIIIB," h.i!J b•> Hwun- CAMERON COUNT Y PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER ai, 1905. ou the mantel. "It's just as well; the world Isn't all like this household." "It's just as well," echoed the girl Image. "Your beauty will not have to fade." "I don't want togo," cried the doll mournfully. "I want to stay with my blue eyed boy. The world may be full of sadness, but there must be pleasure as well, for It is here." There was something so plaintive in her voice that even the images refrain ed from any further remarks. The tire blazed hotter, and the wax, which hart as yet only softened, began to melt Something spattered on the floor. It was a drop of melted wax. Ob. Unit her little boy would pet up and move her back from the fire! Tint he slept on peacefully, and as she had 110 voice for real children she couldn't call to him. So the doll fell that she was melting away. Drop by drop she fell on the floor. The room, with its rich hang ings, the children sleeping, the Wrelight flickering, the shadows and, above all. the memory of her brief existence for. after all,- a doll can only exist—seemed : to be gradually fading away. She sigh ed to think that she couldn't have been I born with a soul, to bo loved and go j 011 loving forever; that she could not grow up like a real child to see the un folding of all the wonderful things In j the world, passing from one existence I to another instead of going out alto j gether. Then she thought that she ; might never have Ik-oii born at all, j never have had the one glimpse of the | happy household, the one Christmas I the blue eyed boy and her single day j of love. So she said: "I can't under ; stand it. I will try not to murmur, but I trust that It is all for the best." j And then—and then she awoke! The horror of melting had only been a : dream. She had fallen asleep before j the hot lire, but some kind hand had drawn the chair back, and in a few j moments she was again clasped in the fond arms of her blue eyed boy. CHRISTMAS IN MEXICO. ' Hon* the Day ffc Oleliriileil In tin- I,ami of Dlnx. In Mexico Christmas eve Is observed, as in Spain, with the Xoclie Huena. i ; The streets and plazas are thronged ' | with people. Of all the shop windows so i gay and brilliant in their holiday at- ' tire none is so bright as the confection er's. Nowhere is the confectioner's art carried lo a greater 1 ■ rfoclion. At , midnight of the Nocho i.m na all Mex !«• ) forsake;; its plea lire; and repairs to the Misa del (lalio, or mass of the ! cock, a high mass of the most impos j ing character, which, in every one or ; the magnificent temples reared by the ; Catholic church in the City of Mexico, j is celebrated exactly at midnight on Christmas eve or morning to conimein ; orate the Saviour's birth. All the ; | churches have an augmented choir and i a large orchestra specially engaged for the occasion. The mass is celebrated ' with every concomitant that can heighten its effect and grandeur. Clii-lxlmnN Day In ItiiKHin. In certain parts of Itussia the chil dren at Christmas eve begin playing ' pranks that are as odd as they are j amusing. Chief am ing their drolleries is that of disguising themselves as ani mals and in tile assumed costume of wild beasts disporting themselves through the neighborhood. As many ; skins as possible are secured, aud in these the leading leys are clad. Wolves, bears, ostriches even, are represented. All of the bays gather in one party, those who are not posing as brutes forming a train far the escort and dis play of the psetulo menagerie. Some ! act as keepers, holding their disguised companions in cheek, while others star tle the quiet of the night by rude j strains drawn from harsh and primi- ; five lnusnai instruments. Torches arc borne, and in the lit ful light, opposed by black shadows, the scene is at once i grotesque and vivid. A Tlioiikli 1 ft: I 11 nulia nil. What is more touching at the holiday ! season than to see an old man planning I a pleasant surprise for his aged wife? j "I's tryin' ter raise money enough | ter git my wife a new dress for Christ- i mas, sail," said i'ncle Kbony to Mr. ! Featherstone. "Ah, I see. You want me to give you i some chores to do. uncle, eh?" "Well, no, sail. 1 t'ought perhaps you [ could git do old la/ly a job at washin'. | sah!" 4 lirl«l niav l*ri»Nrii In. The giving of presents ou Christmas j day undoubtedly owes Its origin to a i general Idea to carry into practice the ! biblical mandate, "Peace ou earth; good will to men." At first the j lords made presents to their retain* iti, j and the season was marked by nil' j versa I charity. My degrees the practice , of Christinas giving spread until now j everybody gives his or lior friends pres ! ents. \\ liy 'l'n in in > In lint ii 14 I'i-ua iii'«*. Orandina Are you looking forward I to your Christinas dinner, Tommy? Tommy Yep. grandma, but not u mudi as .lohmiy Jones. Orandmu Why *n, Thomas'.' Tommy IIU grandma died last j week, ami he'll gel all her I 'rNHlilll turkey t llUlltflllftC i •» III* ft* MA •!«••». Ill* chanu'« »l I*.11»u11> Slipping nit Ills Caen the Santa I 'tans > ma«k, lie made a triumphant entry 111 l«» the parlor With tin- bundle of toy*. Tbr !*«•! \i-raux Ilia- I'ra-xnl »>h ft it-I.. . I . I, , 1., , I A Hit »l I . |h| || h Ik IM* ] CHRISTMAS AT SAN DRINGHAIV How I lie Roy n I Family of l.rent llrlt ain < The royal family of Great Britali j keeps up Christinas at Sandringham it I a right royal and old fashioned way. Tasteful decorations with holly and . mistletoe abound everywhere. Every i one comes down to the dining room, I where breakfast is taken en faniille, j Every one has presents for some out ; else. All the servants and tenants arc I remembered, so that there are many happy hearts on Christmas morning. Substantial joints, geese and turkeys, j with other good things, have a delight l ful way of turning up at the very houses where they are most wanted. After breakfast the royal family and guests and the ladies and gentlemen of i the household goon a tour of inspec- I tion to view the decorations, aud then, ! provided the weather is flue, they ] walk to church, which, of course, has ! been tastefully adorned in appropriate and approved Christmas fashion. On the entry of the king and (jtteen the congregation rises —that is the only formality observed. The king's donies : tic chaplain takes the service—a bright choral service, with Christmas hymns I and an anthem. Then comes luncheon—which is the children's dinner attended by the king and queen and other members of ■ the family. The Christinas pudding is j brought In, blazing up merrily, to the | intense delight of the little princes and : princesses. The late afternoon is the most excit ing time for the juniors. The doors of a certain room have been kept rigor ously fastened since the previous even ing, her majesty and other members of her family having duly dressed a large Christmas tree therein. The door is opened, and the whole party troops in, while the royal children evince the greatest delight at (lie Christinas tree ablaze with lights and weighed down with presents. Afterward all sorts of games are entered into with a hearti ness and zest that must surely appeal to every one. Dinner comes along at 8:-l;">, to which all guests staying In the house and many of the household are invited by the king. The king and queen and guests assemble in the drawing room first, and then a procession is formed, led, of course, by their majesties, who are followed in order of precedence by the others. The tables are laid in the grand salon. The guests are seated at small oval tables, the king and queen sitting opposite each other at one, and are waited on by special footmen. Boar's head, baron of beef and plum pudding are the staple dishes of the royal Christmas dinner. After dinner there may be a dance or a command performance in tiie state ballroom, the walls of which are deco rated by g irgeous Indian trophies pre sentiil to his majesty when lie visited that country.—Pictorial Magazine. Tlie I iiivcrsnl DCNII-C. She was superbly dressed iu the pin nacle of fashion and would have been beautiful but f"<>r a certain stern, busi nesslike expression that rather marred the sweetness of her face. first looking up ami down, she dart ed swiftly info a narrow passageway and was so.lll knocking at a door cm blazoned with the legend: Oie i Margcrino. clairvoyant. Future Fore told." The door opened. "Where is the signor?" she nervously demanded. "In bed. mum." "Horrors! What's the matter wilti him?" prostration, brought on by overwork." '"Over work?"' "Yes. mum. Since September he's been busy peerin' into de future fer people wot wanted ter know tie value uv < 'hrislinus presents iley wuz gain' to get so's they'd know how much ter spend on theirs." Stifling a shriek of despair, she speil away on the hunt for some oilier clair voyant.—New York Herald. The Animals At Christmas SAID S&nti Claus, "*Tia Chriilm&i eve (The animals looked pleasant). And each of you will now receive Him yearly Christmas present. But I'd be glad if every guest Would mention what he'd like the best." The Tapir said: "That pleases me. I'll state succinctly, therefore. If I may be so bold and free The only thing I care for Would be those matches on the shelf. With which I'd like to light myself." His wish was granted- Then up spske A timid little Adder: "Sir, but a trifle it will take To make my Christmss gladder; A slste and pencil, if you please. Would let me do my sums with ease." The Krindeer ssid : "You may believe I'd be a happy fellow If I were sure I would receive A good sized umberrcilow ; And also I'd like lour golosh> Us and a rubber mackintosh." I he Pig a fountain pen desired { 1 lie Cow tin horns requested; The llcrse, (or a new hat scquired. His g'a*ituile attested. 1 he Caterpillar said: "I am Proud of my caterpilUrsham.*' So all oI them were gay and #lsd. And they were Itsppy, ter> ; fhey liked the presents that the* had And waaed eacec-ding merry Dear humaas. at >our Christmas feasts. I*rs» % loiun Irwm the b«i»ts. l«iul>n Wsll» mi Mssder. I »4H'*il nifty* on every 11 * A Quaint Tale of i JO I I Life In the Nun- ery When Little -a o , Boys and Girls Christmas i-y t °- a By LAWTON JOHNSON Copyiight, 1904, by C. N. I.urie ON'K Christinas eve a wax doll sat ou a chair in a pretty room in which a number of children wore in bed. A lire was burn ing 011 the hearth. Stockings were hanging to the mantel to be lilled with toys for the children who were sleep ing soundly, doubtless dreaming of what they were to receive in tlie morn ing. The face of one of them, a deli cate, fair haired boy. was turned to ward the doll, and she did not tire look ing at It, for the face, though pale aud thin, was very delicately molded. On the mantel were two figures in porcelain. One was a boy in an old fashioned coat and knee breeches, with a sasli around his waist and a cocked hat and feather. Ills right hand was thrust into his coat In front, and he looked like a figure of Napoleon. The other was a girl, with a short dress and a sailor hat. Her head was poised one side, and she looked very well satisfied with herself. Indeed, she was very pretty. "How do you do?" said the girl im age to the doll. "Don't you think this a pleasant room?" "Indeed it is. but I've not see many. 1 was only born"— She paused to WRITING TO DEAR OLD SANTA CLAUS. ' think again when she was born, but couldn't remember, so sbo said Instead, "Isn't It a beautiful world?" "Do you think so?" sold the boy. "My sister and I have bad a hard time getting into it. We were baked in it I furnace, and it was s<> hot" "Well, don't lell me about it." inter rupted tlx- (! >ll. ' I'd ratber hear ahoji: pleasant places." The figure;: told her n great many things, Inn the girl was very vain ©i* her beauty, anil the boy was taken up with what he knew about the world, of which the doll knew nothing at ail. so she didn't listen lone but foil asleep while tliey were talking. Suddenly she a wok. v.itb a start. M hat was that noise in tl< chimney ' Khe bad scarcely tin., t,> think übou: It when out oil 1 lie hearth popped a lit tic figure 111 fur lie unst!'a|.pcd a pad; he curried ami tilled nil the stockinvi with toys. Then lie liii iii back Into the chimney and wan go; <• inn twin kling. I Ills set Hie <1 il I woitdiH 111 more than ever Kverytliltig was agn.. « i cue the clock, which t|. i . ier> loii.l There were the clilhlrci i.Mli-ep' in l» | the little pale fined b..\ with his • i| tenting on bl* arm. the girl ima„-< on the mantel with her bead on otic si.te ! tMaktag tow prrttj -i.. »i h,. | boy thinking how much hi knew about the world Tile doll mhui unit to «i> a train In the nun Inn n|j< «u ~ kcii | by u Nhmilitui The cbiiiln i were run llillg ulhiiil m tin i n't ' i ullie t.ik inj; their lot* fr,.n, u , : m i.: ( h.m „|„| « Mkc iiiotiKi ; ! '»■ full I iff H tM) mil ll|< id | »•*' | , , llif.l mi 112 4,1 1 '• ' •• mi i ilke tiic The Greeks also rail Christmas the Feast of Lights. Tlie Humans in their saturnalia dec orated trees with images of KOIIIIIB gods as well iis with < unites aiul hum er.led until the sixteenth century. It appear- in a Gel l man manuscript, and, as the them rather, than to the Itouuuis must he aseribc& the honor of introducing it. It WHE< the marriage of Queen Victoria i is. German prince which brought tiie mod ern Christmas tree to Knglaud, and «. German immigrant started the custom' in America. The tlrst Christmas trt;e> In France was* lighted in the Tuileri**" in 1840 I »y the Duchess Helena. To view the great heaps of Christy | inas trees which line the market streets ! of our big cities jusi before tbe lio'H; i days one would fancy tlint scarcely n | tree could be left standing of (lie unif ' muring hetuloeks which consti tilled j Longfellow's forest primeval. Ky*, gy. j hard timber state fn the I'liiou 'is c:;I! Ed upon by Santa Clans for its trilnil.fi I of redolent balsam that he uinv havi ( plenty of places oti which to ban;, !•' presents. 112 There is only one true Christmas free the balsam lir. The hemlock proiu* ' has branches too drooping and flexit>!« I to hold m great weight of (Christina* gifts, and the spruce, while otherwise • suitable, hicks the spicy odor of lilt balsam. I'lils is fortunate, for flu 112 '.'f most prized for Christmas purposes is utterly despised by the liimhef t» fin nn acre. The ( 'hrial nut> tree cutters I egti work early, usually abou the mlddU of **» tohcl \\ bile some o! f|H> liicii 1 entitle others follow them ani come apart it. a! !;» pitiK At the ceiireMt depot 11 . « loaded Oil ears. ¥.{MIH trees to the e»r, The i ten r«s*eive #1 ,"n» i da\ 4 I toon I It take seven Men v> oil. 4 live week. 11l I # el oul ihre. eurlo.iils I'lte Chi ->l iii, i irt <• output de| i-e • 4 good de IL Oil tlie WIMCII I \V!f u open full, when Ihe iree* me . i< get at, il .1 crop Mill 1 11111H1 In III. ILL IK , , r„||, t Im>MVH> if tit. NilllM till its Mini I feWH * »li tl«t* t'l.»nc|i«'4 it 111 it k« • !!»•*». HN.I tl«»t »»»••.«♦*