THE OLD WIFE. Py the bod the old man, wailing, sat in vigil sad and tender, Where his aged wife lay dying; and the fwi- light shadows brown - hlowly from the wall aud window chased the sansot's golden splendor Going down, “tt imright 1” she whispered, waking, (for her spirit spammed to hover 1,008 between the noxt world’s sunrise and the bedtime cares of this}, And the old man, weak and tearful, trombling a8 he bent above her Answered, “You” «Ave the children in!” she sskod him, he tell her? All the treasures Of their housohaold lay in silance many years beneath tho snow; Bes her heart was with them living, back smong her toils and pl. asures. Long ago. Aed agein sho called at dew fall, in the swee old summer weather, 8 ‘Where is ttle Charlie, father? Robert —have th -y come?” “They sre safe,” the oli man the children are together, Safe at home” faltered ‘all than he murmured gentle soothings, but his grief graw strong and stron er, I'ii} it choked and stillod him as he held and kissed hor wrinkled hand, ir her soul, far out of hearing fondest words no longer Ucderstand < mid his stil the palo tips stammerad gnestions, lulla- bes, and broken verses, ex's loving heeds, While the midnight round the mourner to sorrow’s bitter mercies Wrapped its woeds, Phere was stillness on the pillow and the man listened lonely ill they led him from the chamber, with the burden on his breast, or the wife of seventy early ovo and only, Tay ail rest years, his manho “Fare vou well,” he sobbed, “my Sarah will meo:t the babes before "Tis a i ttle while, for neithor « long abide, And you'll come snd call me soon, I k and heaven will restore me To your side.” Brandon Ban me; an the part: 15 ho] A REGISTERED LETTER (*ROM THE FRESCH “A wild night, Marcaille,” sostmistress to the wad just come in, “Wild, indeed, Madame Lefevre,” re plied Marcaille, ** "twill be bad going to he midnight mass.” As he spoke, he shook his old aloak all white with snow, while the post mistress sorted the letters “Therel that is dope” ‘But warm yoursell before oat.” Marcaille threw down his leather bag siack and shiny in spots, and came close to the roariog stove. He was a nao. His face, browned by sun wind, was as wrinkled as an old apple. His nose was a thought too red, his eves sparkled, his mouth was smiling; it was s good face that called forth friendly sords and cordial bandgrasps, His mus- tache had a military ferocity, and on his sive blouse with ils red collar a worn scrap of yellow and green ribbon told all Gis past—drawn 1n the draft, seven years of service, re-enlisted, petty officer, vounded at Alma, wounded at Solferino, sonorably discharged. Then Marcaille aad beea given the place of postman on the Champaghole route—400 francs a said the letter-carrier who out she said you start total of 500 francs. And for ten years, for 500 francs, Mar. ciille mada twice a day, morning and eveving, his round--Cize, Philemoine, le Yaudoux, Chatelneuf, Maisonneuve and Siane, a Circuit of seven leagues im all weathers, With his 500 francs he took care of 8 wife and four children: the cidest was six. But Marcaille had acquired the bad habit of a little *‘taste,” as he called it. In every village he bad old acquaintan. ces, almost friends, In every j sn he found, in exchange for the letter he itn to put strength into his heart and his lege. His nose grew a little redder; it even lmppened onoe that he had lost a fetter, mot a very important one fortu- mately, but it might have taught him a lesson, 4 “Here they are, Marcaille,” said Mad. sme Lefevre, “‘two letters for Cize, one tor Pillemoine, one for le Vaudioux— nothing for Chatelneuf.” “That's good,” said Marcaille. That ‘‘vothing for Chateloauf” spared him a teague and a half of rongh walking. fevre; “‘pay attention! A registered let. Lar " ‘It is not the first.” “No. but——"" and Madame held up a great envelope, bristling with stamps wnd notices, beside which spread out, like riots of blood, five enormous red seals. 0 That's worth caring for,” said Mar- taille, laughing. * Whose is it 1” ‘* For mousieur, the Mayor.” “ Well, it will go through his hands, Hever fear.” ‘‘ Not any more than through yours," said aa, 8) ou, ‘* No, but more of it will stick to his.” With this philosophic reflection, Mar- calle d the letter into his leather bag, w he buckled carefully. He put on his cloak and opened the door. ** And above all,” cried madame after Lim, * don't on Christmas eve too soon |" ** Don't be A, Hy Marcaille was t. ing wind blow ” little IN iriponit of Bre, 4ry snow, arcaille jogged along kn, muttering) ‘* Not much for six and a Christmas | A mouthful ail, there are who hav » 'iulloy Maroaitle 5 cried veddanly s “A glass of wine?" said the voice, “Hum,” grumbled Marcaille to hime self, ‘attention, registered letter!” Then, aloud, “I'm late now; no, thunk you!” The window of the “Pineapple” pub- lic house! which had o Realy closed again, and Marcaille, ou of the victory over himself, went whistling out of the village. This was indecd courage. To refuse a glass of wine in such weather, when he had still three good leagues up the mountain before him. But how light journey. He felt light, but his bag seemed heavier than ever, Never bad it weighed so upon his shoulders, ‘This rascally bag,” he grumbled. “It is that letter. What can be in it? {If it should be bank-notes, judged by the weight, there should be a fortune. This rascally bag!” | And still grumbling, ‘The rascally bag!" and whistling at intervals, he went dowe toward Pillemoine. Below him stretehed the valley, lost in the shadow, dotted here and there with lights, for the night was almost black. But he knew every village and every house, and {in the blackness he recognized far away the house of the ironmaster, with every window lighted up. The joyous scene I “Yes, yes,” murmured t world. They have money, all they want, | and with money one can do anything. { Just get a little and it's like a snowball, {it rolls up bigger and bigger. Some { have all and others have none. | they are by the fire, and 1, out here in i the snow. And what they spend for i thair amusement to-night I couldn't earn ina year. And yet they suy God : ht ust. had never envied any one. Why then did he stop and gaze fiercely at the lights thinning below him? He shook himself together, “Forward, Marcaille,” he cried, “for- ward, march.” But the wind whistled and moaned in the pine trees like a crying baby, and Murcaille passing in thought from the ironmaster’s house to his own, saw his four little ones gathered around their mother, by a scanty fire of fagots; he bread crust; he them going to sleep, all four on the same little wretched straw mattress, Oh! poverty, it is hard! And to think that tight here, in his bag ~———— “Registered letter!” he thought. “If it should be bank Imbecile! It for the Mayor. It comes from the prefect It is probably only papers and they register it and put on these big r effect. Yes, but —if it should be bank bills” His face flushed red sat the thought that “| haven't drunk murmured, with a saw poverty, cond bills! is ure senls for a grand | had crossed his mind. anything either,” he ' shudder. He entered Pillemoine, f a peasant’s house he knocked, UOw opened, “Oh! It is Marcaille, He went in. “What ails you?" asked “You're pale. Have a wine." At the door A win Come in!" the ginss man. of dull voice. In rebuckling his bag he had felt the registered letter brush the tips of his fingers, The man had taken a glass, he held the bottle all ready to pour. No," repeated Marcaille, out another word he hurried out. ends of his fingers seemed to burn at the remembrance of the red seals lank bills, as many as there were there, how many things one could buy with them! He began to whistle, his breath failed { him and he felt his legs tremble beneath ‘him. Without intending to, without he had taken out the letter and in the { half-light reflected from the snow he saw, like drops of blood, the five great red seals, Quickly he took the letter and felt it carefvily to find out its secret. But the i envelope was thick and hard; the paper i while the night wind whistled in | Ars: | “Thief! thief! thief!" | “Who said Marcaille was a thief?” he | ing that he was alone, he came to him self and fell at the side of the road, crouching, his head in his hands | murmuring : “This is frightfol! | nothing.” Slowly he re-opened the leather bag slowly still he crossed the road. { hand held bim fast {| which he would have hurried away. { The road to Siane was straight before { him; a half hour more and he should | have finished his round, the letter would | be given to the Mayor and he would be | sdfe, i Then he put the letter back in the bag with an angry gesture, and marched on witha measured step, striking with bis heel and counting as be used to do in the regiment wren the march was long, “One, two: one, two.” The regiment! Ah! how far away it was at that time. How poor they seemed to him now, the brave joys of the soldier, which had made his heart beat for four. teen yenrs, What a fool he was to enlist ! Fighting in the field, hard fare in the camp, suffering in the ambulance. His medal! Great things indeed. A bit of ribbon on his blouse, How much better he would have done to start out, like his brother, to seek his fortune, “It was by this road he went,” thought Marcaille, as he started across the t road to Geneva, whose white len to his right stretched along by the forest of Siane, “by this road.” That long white road, he had only to travel along it-—and he Stopped. “The frontier,” he thonght, “is quite near, Ten what is that? Tak. ing time to go for the wife and babies, one could be there to-morrow morning. use of water | Bat, after cdi on Tine which lost itself in the night, he re. peated in a low voice, ** An honest man.” | His hand slipped under his cloak, un- buckled the leather bag, and trembled us it touched the five red seals, “Yea: but if I were wrong,” he mut- “if there were only papers in it.” Marcaille,” he cried, ‘‘on ve Y Come, with you!" But no, he remained there motionless | on that cursed road that led to the fron i tier. And for the third time, carried | away by irresistible temptation, he drew from tie bag the registered loiter, say- | ing: {i “I must know what is in it.” i i Very cheerfully with the point of his | knife he raised one corner of the en i velope enough to slip in his finger, and { draw up one of the papers it contained, | The task was a delicate one, he must go | | slowly, very slowly, in order to tear { nothing. If it were only re | The night-wind whistied in his ears, | “Thief ! thief ! thief |" But he did not hear it. He thought | { only of one thing, to know what was in | { that letter. He had only one fear, of | i mot succeeding or of deceiving himself, | | At Inst he got hold of a corner of the | | inclosure, i i i i He took a match, lit it, and | | by its light saw-—a bank note, i It was really bank notes, His head swam, The envelope was heavy, the sum must be enormous. He iE : stopped, ‘I need not hurry. I must plan out everything. A trifle spoils all some times I will home, I will Genevieve that we are going away. will begin to ask questions. She | want te know evervthing., Bah! I will make up a story, I will tell her but she will not believe me. Would she con sent?! Yes, yes, she must. To be rich, isn’t that before everything? Are there not hundreds and thousands whom al! the world bows down to, who begun just this way?! Not to be caught, that is all, We will put the babies into the little § cart, : frontier. The gendarmes? the gendarmes know : know that Marcaille man?” He folded the instead of replacing it in the bag, slipped it into his pocket Lis t hen with out, “Forward, are a rich man.” 3ut he had hardly taken a step for ward when his voice died in his throat, Behind him on the road he ha left clear and indistinot fr go Weil, don’t Don't they an honest med is letter, and leather It wai a strident voice he cried Marcail f ie pe, recietered wward! you n i just | piercing i murmur 4 ’ he heard voices, was like the crowd, “Christmas? “Thief?” the forest. Terrified, he tried to leave the vols : behind him, running faster and faster, And then a dizziness seized him, He knew not why he ran, was after him, that was all But who? His } the gendarmes, he knew not which. Where was the danger? Everywhere, In the shadows, to of { ried the voices o8 replied the sombre depths of I Doe one conscience or the right and to which followed him: the branches bent Terror at all these strange visions stran. gled him. Wildly he rn along, the i blood throbbing in his temples; then suddenly fell heavily in a desd faint. . * ® » > . When he came to himself, he was iy ing before the fire iu Ms own room. ' Genevieve and the children were kneel ing crying around him. He did not see them. The people of Biane, who, com ing from the midnight mass, had found him, were there also. He did sot see them “The letter! the letter!” he cried. | With one bound he sprang to the leather { bag, which had been thrown on the : ground in a corner. It was empty. i “The letter! the { Then he remembered, and drawing from i red seals—still unbroken-—he out like a madman straight to the May or's. “A registered letter!” he cried, {ing, “What a state you are in. wouid think you had come to ask pare don for a condemned criminal.” i “‘But take the letter first, | solled—1 fell down—]--I" His lie straogled him. “A drop too much,” said the Mayor. “No, I had drunk nothing,” said Mar- i reason that I have brought you my resig- nation.” smined the bank notes and glanced over the accompanying letter, ** Your resignation?” said he. “Well, “Ah! you know. | “1 know you are rich, my good fel. ! low.” Was this a joke? or had the Mayor in some way looked into his conscience and read the whole story! Marcaille became pale at the thought, “Rich?” he murmured. “Why, yes, there is no doubt about that, This letter tells me of the death of your brother, Jean Marcaille, who died at Toulouse, where he resided, co | the Sth of this month. Accord | ing to his last wishes all he possessed | has been disposed of by Michael Dulac, notary of that city, who sends to me the amount of twenty-four thousand francs, which I am instructed to turn over to yon." “Ah!” said Marcaille, overwhelmed, as he took mechanically into his hand the big envelope that the Mayor offered him, ‘‘ Jean is desd, and I am rich ¢” Then after a moment of silence, ‘it makes no difference,” he murmured, so low that the Mayor could not hear him, ** I should have been a thief, just the Then turning he added, loud enough this time, — “* But I am still an honest man, thank God!” ** No one ever doubted it, Marcaille,” said the Mayor. *‘But take my advice and be more careful. A glass of wine THE JOKERS BUDGET. | JESTS JAND YARNS DY FUNNY MEN OF THE TRESS, A Cranky Fatlent—Sure to Be a Fire--Fhe Intrepid Baron--One Plate—-Rather Hard, Ete, Ete, A CRANKY T'ATIERT. Docton (to patient)—1 do not wish to trighten you, but if you have no objec- brother Physician, Irascible Patient—All right! If you need any assistance in murdering me, call in your accomplices, —[ Texas Sift ings, AURE TO BE A PILE. “If you don't stop smoking in office hours you'll get fired, that's all,” said “It that quite just to one who does his work faithfully?’ asked the scribe, “Certainly. When there is so much smoke there must be a fire. ”—{ Harpers, THE INTREPID BARON, “Did you ever come face to face with a tiger when you were in India, baron” asked the young woman, “Once,” returned the traveller, “And did you kill it?" “No, madam; I am too humane for that. I simply skianed him and let him | { Judge. ORE PLATE. *Y e+ are willing to work, 1 dare eay?" Willing,’ mum? I'd work my laigs off ef I could git a chance, Jest a leectle more cream in the cawfy. Thanky.” And you would do any kind of honorable work, I presume?” “Yeou'm, nuvthing that's in my line, 1 blieeve in every man vtickin’ to his par fession,” “May 1 ask what your profession isi’ “I'm an inventor, mam.” “An inventor?” “Yea'm,” reaching for a doushnut, “inventor of a new process fur curin’ sunstrokes,” {Chicago Tribune. A WIDEAWAKE HELATIVE. Niece It's a pity, uncle, you visited us | to-day when we've only got pork for din- | ner. Now, if you were here to-morrow, I could give you a fine dish of hare venison, Uncle—~All right, ay dear. Til long my visit until the day after to mor row. | Fliegende Blactter Or Dro HE ENEW NINGLEY. Watts Pretty good story Bingley told this afternoon. Potts—Yes. Too {Indianapolis Journal good to be new, WILLING TO WAIT. Student] want vou to measure me for a pair of boots, but I haven't any money just at present, | Bhoemaker—Oh! that doesn’ I cau wait, Student (delighted)—Really? Shoemaker--To be sure; we will then make the shoes next month — Drake's matier “I'm going to give a dinner to my best friend to-night,” said Mawson “Who is that?” asked Witherub Sun, RATHER ITARD, Miss Budd—Do vour visiting cards! Cholly (pleased) — Why Did you thiok I had a title? Miss Budd — Yes. 1 thought be ‘Master. Vogue, you have "Mr." on IMMATERIAL, A fifteen-y in ap pe irance and engaged in n hye fashion, came i ar-old girl, lopsi ied ing ro gum in 8 laborious & ‘ hecked the regular movements 1 wong ery, and « enough to sav in HP f her jaws just distinctly to the grocer, in’ tea.” “Eh? What do 3 it for? asked the grocer “Poun’ tea, i the girl, her jaws g ing again. “TA pour 1 of tea. eh? Well, ind do you want, bla green “Um,” said the girl 2 to a sudden st "np i who O11 WAD my mother,” 5 k or don’t make n nee: maw, she's color blind THR CRXUISE ARTI Lady-~Are you sure this Fuglish breakfast tea? Talented Clerk — Well, madam. 1 had some of that tea at supper last evening and I dreamed all night that [ was fall off London Bridge New York Weekly. Ine ing TIT FOR TAT. ““Sevorita, will you favor next quadrille?” “Please ask mamma.” The young gentieman, the worthy matron's consent, came to the fair damsel and said “And now, perhaps, it would be well if you went also to permission,” after obtaining back 8% SPEAK GEXTLY OF THE ERRIXG She —~What do you think of the hero ine of Harry de Reiters new story? He American girl! 1 woader upon the public such a shallow, ostentatious woman as a type! And I wonder where he found his model She—Mr. de Reiter says he studied me for that character, how he put VERY APPROPRIATE. “George, this is the night of the ball; don’t you remember" “Can't help it. I'm sick and can’t go.” “But, George, don’t be stupid. This is to be a ball for the benefit pital.” ONLY A MATTER OF EXDURANCE, They were climbing the stairs towards sighed wearily and said: “I am so tired. 1 feel ms if I should die.” To which her companion in so attempt to be philosophical replied : “Well, we'll all die someotime, if we live long emough.” {New York World. GOOD ADVICE. May-—Is Mr. Foster as attentive as ever io youl Edith—Yes, but he’s a perfect riddle. May-—Hadn’t you better give him up, then? AN INCORRUPTIBLE WITNESS, Judge—8o0 the prisoner tried to in. duce you not to give testimony. Tellme, now, Www he proposed to close your mouth. Withesa—With two pair of old trons. ers aud Shree tattered shirts. Flicgende Bisette:, SWEETS TO THE SWRET. Mother (to her child, who bas just had some sweets given her by a fellow passes. r)-~What do you say to the gentleman, abel? Mabel-Have you got any more, please? ~«{ Punch, HER EXCUSE, He—80 you have been dancing with that cad, Flashpot, while I've been to get your ice! She—Well, dear, I thought I would Pet armed 4p v9 as to enjoy the ice, — y. HARMOKY IN THE HOUSEHOLD, Mrs. Brace--Do and husband ever disagree? you you Mrs, C No, indeed! At lost my husband never does. —{Puck. KATURE AGAINST HIM. “You have been walking about this ERS woman foi CRU¥ Boy ITY TO ANIMALS First Sav! our cat was Second Boy {(gleefullyi-—Was she? First Boy Yes, she was: an’ if yout {| mother don't stop puttin’ poison mest in | be r closet, I'll tell the Cruelty to An ‘or 1113 Hna« | man on DEPVPERDE OX THE BOY. A boy one day last week called on a { Jefferson avenue merchant concerning JRE, “1 want an off ! ply, ice boy,” ond fs for ake it I'd like to know if tl if pre said hat depends on had before he motion.” the merchant the here ov had been { Detroit Free Pr A CASE OF PIG | How the Eloquent Counsel for the Do feuse Got His Pay. A Washington lawyer of considerable promivence relates an amusing story in vidental to the first criminal in which ho was retained by the defense He was then practising in a small town | not far from Washington and the { was that of a character who had | purloiued a {at porker the property of his neighbor, At first matiers looked bad for the ae cused during the trial. but Mr. L.. the lawyer, was most eloquent in his defense, His speech abounded in rhetorical flowers | and figures, At times Was even pa thetic to such a degree that tears dimmed the eves of the jury, while the prisoner wept most copiously. The final outburst | of his eloquence brought everything { around to a climax of triumph, the jury | delivering the verdict of not guilty with- { out leaving their seats, although the evi- | dence of the prosecution nded to show a most conclusive guilt The released was most profuse in his words of gratitude, calling Mr. L. | his preserver, the champion of his honor, { his liberty and all that life held dear to { him, | Mr. I. acknowledged with becoming | modesty his flood of thanks, but at last ! seeing no end in sight of these extrara. { gauces began to hint that a financial | acknowledgment would be more in order ' “To be sure, to be sure,” exclaimed i the client, eagerly, “I won't forget about i that, and pay you handsomely, too. Say, Mr. L., you be in your office to-night at i2 snd I'll come around aud fix things all right.” “Twelve o'clock!” said the lawyer in | astonishment. ‘Bless me! Why do yiu | set that late hour?” ‘Never you mind, sir,” returned he, “never you mind; I mean to pay you, and pay you well. Don't forget; 12 o'clock, sure.” Lawyer and client departed their re. spective ways. That night Mr. L. sat in bis small office awaiting the coming of the man whose reputation he had cleared, There was a hushed commotion in the rear of his establishment promptly at midoight, then a muffled knock at the door. Mr. L. answered it, “8h!” whispered the client, hoarsely, “‘here | am.” ““But why do you make such a secret of it!" asked the lawyer, “Not too lond,” was the answer. “Didu’t 1say I'd pay you handsomely ©” “You did, indeed.” “Weill, I mean to keep my word, Mr, L., here it is. I brought you the pig!” And there, in the grimness of the mid- night's weird show, stood several hun. dred pounds of stolen bacon, calmly awaiting the transfer of ownership {Washington Herald. A AB AN Flowers for the slek. ““ Flowers for the sick” is a recog nized department in a florist’s business, Society, which would be burdened to pass a little time with an invalid friend, metes out its obligation with a drive to the flower market. *'I can always tell,” said a florist, recently, ** whether a tomer is interested in the sick whom he orders flowers, or is merely ro- turning some obligation or Case CRS : si OCH he i man - ks Xa Mr. Geo. W. Cook Of 81, Johnsbury, YL Like a Waterfall farent “uflering After the Crip Tremendous Roaring in the Head Patw tn the SMaomach, "ToC. 1 Hood & Co. lowell, Mans.’ “Two yours ago | hat ou severe atiack of the Girly, whieh } na terribly weak and de. siiltated condition, Last winter | bad another tack and was agein very badly of, nay heaith marly wrecked, My appetite was all gone, 1 hid no sirengin, (ell fired alt the Plime, had dissgreeable rosring noises in my head, like a waterfa il. | lind also severs headaches snd luff on MIL Ne 3 Severe Sinking Pains stock, medicines withoul ben wr much about Hood's fed to try it, and the re- All the disagreeable Cures I am free from imy i Lond eft. until, having heard . I nonce BTS Jue Y gralify. ng i is vers Hood’s fects of the Grip are go a na aod aches, and believe Hood's Sarsaps- rely curing my catsrrh. | recommend Gro. W. Coox, 5. Johnsbury, Vi MATER jarilis Fe il Wm = tto all” . - rs ——— Head's PI Is cure Naoess, sick Headache, indi potion, Billvuseess. Subd by all Sreggists. Dr. Kilmer's SWAMP-ROOT M.H McCOY, Yan Wert, Ohio. Acted like Magic! Suffered Years with Kidneys and Liver, LIFE WAS A BURDEN! Mr. MeOoy is a wealthy and influential ofts- sa of Van Wert, and a man known for miles sround, Boo what be say»: “For years 7 was a terrible sufferer with Kid. ney and Liver trouble, also nervous prog. tration and poor health in general. ¥ was all run down and life a burden. 1 tried physicians and every avallatde remedy, but found no relief, Was indooed to give Swamp-Root a trial, which acted like magic, and to-day | am entirely enred and as good 6 man as ever, It ks without question the greatest remedy in the world, Any one in doubt of this metro ont sans Adress me below™ MM. H. No0OY, Van wert, Ohio, + os Cuurantes — Use contents of Ones Id if you sre sot benefited, Drage AR will refund so yuu the price paid, “Loyaitds’ Suide te Mea¥l™ free and thousands of Tretimon Conpallation fros, Pr Limer & Co. Diarhanton X,Y. At Druggista, B0e and $1.00 Slee, wr “ — - —— “August Flower™ I had been troubled five months with Dyspepsia. 1 had a fullness after eating, and a heavy load in the pit of my stomach. Sometimes a deathly sickness would overtake me. 1 was working for Thomas McHenry, Druggist, Allegheny City, Pa., in whose employ I had been for seven years. [used August Flower for two weeks. I was relieved ofall trouble. I can now eat things I dared mot touch before. I have gained twenty pounds since my re- covery. J.D. Cox, Allegheny, Pa. @ Unlike the Dutch Process No Alkalies