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THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH, .SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1892
, V , - 1B
THE KAISER'S fflS,
A Description of the Delight
M Exercises of Heil
iger Abend.
THE BOYAL PROCESSION
That Mores in Splendor From
the Schloss to the Chapel.
PEESENTS FOR THE PRINCES.
The State Enpper at Which the Topnlar
Impress Presides.
A MIDNIGHT FROLIC IS THE MARKET
rcoRRZSPOXDEXCI OF THE DISrATCH.1
Beklik, Dec. 14. Heiliger Abend
that is the name for our Christmas ere. At
the Kaiser Schloss it begins at G p. m. At
the moment the old cloct in the tower of
the ramshackle cathedral opposite, at last
doomed to destruction, calls out the sixth
hour, the electric lights are turned on in
every outside room of the castle with its
thousand windows, the guards in the inner
eourt draw up in line for inspection and the
Empress' body guard, clad in the uniform
of Frederick the Great's time, who are
Itaaioned about the corridors and vestibules,
draw their swords and assemble lor the
grand procession.
Five minutes later the bugler's corps
chant the great choral, "Nun Lobt Gott
den Herrn," "Here Ye and Praise God the
Lord," on their silver cornets and place
themselves at the head of the proud column,
composed of the Imperial family and their
household, which moves l6wlr ud with"
stately gait over the sloping terrace toward
the chapel erected over the triumphal arch
forming the "Western portals of the castle.
The Make-Up of the Procession.
The military is followed by a bevy of
pretty young pages, the offspring of the
highest nobility in the realm. These boys
are clad in red and silver doublets, velvet
breeches, silk stockings, patent leather I
pumps and white powdered wigs. In their
gloved hands they carry baskets with roses
and violets, intended to make the Empress'
path as sweet and fragrant as the poet
would have it The Imperial youngsters
march behind their playmates, preceded by
the Grand Marshal in his showy seven
teenth century costume and armed with a
gold staff, blazing -.with diamonds and
precious stones like the shepherd's crook of
a bishop.
The Crown Prince heads the group of
lusty boys with all the dignity a Lieutenant
of the First Guards is capable of expressing.
His thoughtful face looms up brightly under
the carmine helmet with the high gold
shield in front and his well developed chest
heaves proudly under the insignia of ex
alted orders and decorations. The eyes of
his brother Eitel Frederick, who, as the sec
ond son, wears the conventional sailor suit,
follow the elder brother with undisguised
admiration. He, too, will be a Lieutenant
in July next, when he attains bis tenth
year, and who knows but that he will cut as
swell a figure as William, for has not his
paternal great-grandmother promised him a
Captainship in the English Xavv? Papa is
an Admiral of the Queen, and so he will
serve him as well as his great-grandmother.
All of Them, Een the Baby.
The next pair ot boys are dressed in the
Eton suit, light trousers, patent leather
shoes, broadcloth jackets with white collars
and cufis., aud hold thiny silk hats in their
bands, i'nnce Oscar is done up in white
and laces, and the youngest, Joachim, is
carried by a nurse in the Spreewald
costume, consisting of a while stiff cap
wnu ircaeuuouj cows Deninu tae base of
the head, a black velvet bodice exposing at
the neck and Arms, a short-sleeved shirt
neatly embroidered, a carmine-colored
frock reaching to the knees over an im
mensity of enbonpointjblack, gold-threaded
stockings and low shoes. 2fow comes the
baby Princess, a bundle of laces and pink
and while with lace and arms soft as swans
doun, borne in right royal fashion on a
cushion ot silver cloth by a stalwart wet
nurse, who appears to be the most impor
tant personage in all this procession and
certainly considers herself so, swaying her
body to and fro and thrusting forth her
feet after the fashion prescribed bvthat
great soldier, King Frederick "William L,
tor his kidnaped giant soldiers.
Immediately behind her daughter walks
the Empress jrn the arm of her lord, who
on this occasion, as at all familv festivals,
dears the uniform of the Bod'y Hussars,
blue and gold, and fur-trimmed shoulder
coat of carmine red. "William was married
In this dress and naturally the Empress pre
fers to see him wear it. The beautiful Em
press is in full court costume. The chapel
exercises are short
Displaj Ins; the Christmas Gift.
The religious ceremony over, the pro
cession again forms itself aud quickly the
Knights Hall is reached, which, in the in
terval, has ben turned into a veritable
Christmas bazar. Tt is probably selected
for this purpose on account of its associa
tion, with the memory ot Martin Luther,
who spoke the battle cry of "the reformation
tinder the very crystal chandelier that hangs
from the middle ot the ceiling. This
girandole ot exquisite workmanship, aud
the only one in the palace that is still
lighted by wax candles, all the others being
converted into modern electric light bear
ers, was bought at auction by a Hohen
zollern. In this room, filled with light and
flagrant flowers, a profusion of small tables
hasjoeen placed, whereon the higher court
officials, ladies and gentlemen, including
the various preceptors of the Imperial
children, find their Christmas gifts. The
presents are- not of the quality the unin
itiated, perhaps, are given to associate with,
donors distinguished above all br affluence
and position. Bronze statues and groups of
military objects for the gentlemen, trinkets
and jewel cases lor the ladies, photographs,
with a few kind words of remembrance,
scribbled in one corner, silver watches for
the pages and pretty scarfs and laces for
the daughters of the courtiers are the usual
gifts, and their Majesties accept the thanks
of their servants in their own hearty man
ner. An American as a Royal Flunkey.
Meanwhile a small army of lackeys is
busy about the bullet filling tulip-shaped
crystal tumblers with "Heidsieck Royal"
under the observing eve of our American
friend, James Weigand, the Kaiser's cellar
master and cop bearer. Weigand is a Phil
adelphia bov, but his long residence in
Germany and at the cpurt has brought out
all his inherent Teutonic qualities, and in
his gorgeous livery ot black, red and sil
ver, white silk breeches and buckled
pumps he looks for all the world like the
ideal royal flunkey. The royal princes
meanwhile romp around with, laughing
faces, imparting little secrets to their spe
cial lriends among the guests, such as in
forming them which present was bough by
their on n small savings and what it cost.
The younger bois attach themselves to their
mother's train and beg and pray to know
when their own Heiliger Abend is to come.
2fow it strikes 8, and Her Majesty ob
serving that her babies are getting rather
sleepy and the elder becoming tired of
waiting, whispers to the "gentlemen of the
bedchamber" behind her to command the
court marshal that the assemblage be dis
solved. Three times that dignitary taps
the marble floor with his met it stick and
at once the conversation turns to leave
taking, the great doors are thrown open and
those not on duty retire, the line of body
guards presenting arms.
The Tamlly Part of Christmas.
"When all have gone the Kaiserin beckons
the nurses to her side, and with them and
the rest of the children makes off for her
boudoir, where she is divested of the tire
some state costume and the insignia of
royalty. "When, a quarter of an hour later,
SHE STATE ST7PPEB IN THE EMPEESS' SAT-OIC.
IlerMajesty appears in the yellow parlor,
adjoining the marine roooi.in the private
quarters of the castle, looking out upon the
bridge- of the Great Elector,- she wears- a
short evening dress of Indian silk andt the
simple silver ornaments of her childhood,
so dear to her as reminiscences of the sorry
events that at one time endowed her with
the title of Comtesse-Pretender, coined by
Bismarck when he made diplomatic war on
her unfortunate father. The Kaiser like
wise has donned undress unitorm and his
voungsters are playing hobby-horse with
his sword.
Suddenly the silvery tones of a bell in
the adjoining ball are heard.
"TheChristkindlthe Christkindf'cry the
children, clapping their hands and making
a break for the door that is instantly
opened upon a scene of light and beauty.
In the corners of the hall, made gav by the
garlands of greens, flowers aud buntins,
seven Christmas trees have been erected in
beds of moss and rocks descriptive of scenes
in the Holy Land, and dotted with tmall
statues of the Virgin and other imaee.
The Cronn Prince's tree is fully 10 feet
high, and the others crow smaller in pro
portion to the ages of the recipients.
Gifts for the Little Ones.
There are toys and toys, but the practical
gifts predominate. It seems almost in
credible that the scions of royalty should re
ceive as special bounty such necessaries as
fur collars, gloves and sets of handker
chiefs with their embroidered initials, but
the Kaiser's children are brought up in the
strictest economy aud with a view of im
pressing upon them profound gratitude for
the smallest ot favors and advantages. They
are indeed less used to elegance in personal
The Crown PHncc
attire than the children of the moderately
rich, and as a consequence are easily
pleased. The Crown Prince rejoices in the
possession of an extra'lientenanl's uniform,
and Prince Eitel with glistening eyes scans
the pages of some nautical woiks tnat may
aid him in his studies for the navy.
After a joyous interchange ot thanks
saying and embraces, the Crown Prince
starts off taking his mother by the hand,
w hile the other boys drag the Emperor
toward the nursery hall where they have
arranged their modest Christmas gifts for
pjpaaud mamma. Of course, the senior of
the little crowd has been able to distance
his brother in the matter of munificence,
for he has. bis Lieutenant's salary of S31
per mouth to draw upon while the little
ones' appange amounts "onlyJto so many
marks which will buy perhaps a modest
picture frame or a flower vase. But all
have Ione their best and are duly rewarded
for their zeal and devotion.
Another Pleasure for Them.
The sound of hoofs and carriage wheels
comes from the asphalt below. "Hurrah!
m
I- p
There , is grandmother and Aunt
Marguerite," cries one little Prince
who has gained the window first.
"And they bring a whole drag full of
Christmas things, cries another."
"May we be allowed to receive them at
the door?" this in chorus.
"Heiliger Abend comes only once a
year," pleads the Kaiser to his Iran.
The Empress laughs assent and the little
ones are off in a jifly.
The Empress Frederick, who appears a
minute later with her daughter, is not a
distinguished looking woman, but her mas
sive face betokens kindliness and intelli
gence. Since the death of her husband she
dresses always in gray silk and on festive
occasions wears a few beautiful diamonds
in the hair and at the low corsage. Prin
cess Marguerite, soon to bo married, is a
lithe fair girl, somewhat wanting in charac
ter, but with the generous heart of her late
father. - She looks pretty aud demure as
she kisses her sister-in-law's hand, who,
however, scolds her for her humility and
oilers her lips instead. In the new-comers'
train march a score of stalwart lackeys,
laden with the good things which the
aforesaid drag brought to the castle.
Scrvlns the State Supper.
At 9:30, when the children are safely
tucked away in their little brass beds, the
State supper is served in the Empress'
salon. The Kaiserin has it all iier own
way on Heiliger Abend, and therefore
only members of her immediate family
have been asked, namely, aside .from the
Emperor's mother and youngest sister, the
Meiningens, Prince and Princess Frederick
Leopold, Princess Frederick Charles and a
lew cousins to give each lady a partner.
The supper is quite informal, in spite of
the splendor ot toilet and plate; a few old
and trusted servants have been selected to
wait at table, and as the family has no
secrets before them the conversation is
animated, and -nil titles are thrown to the
winds. A single toast is drunk: "To the
Kaiserin and her baby daughter."
At midnight a curious deputation is an
nounced, the seniors of the lackies and of
the maid servants respectively, appear to
invite their gracious master and mistress
to the servants' balL Tho petition is
granted as a matter of course, and the
whole party descends lo the hall below,
where 200 or 300 couples trip the stately
waltz and polka to the music of a military
band.
, The Kaiser and the Princes immediately
make off for the maids, selecting their part
ners after the rule of seniority, while the
Kaiserin and young ladies beckon .their
favorite servants "to their sides. Even the
proud Empress Frederick unbends so far on
this occasion as to join hands with the stal
wart Majoi Domo, who reverently leads her
about. Carriages are ordered for 1 o'clook,
but only the grandmothers, the Empress
Frederick and Princess Frederiefc Charles
consent to final leave-taking at this early
hour. The younger people," always includ
ing the Kaiser, prepare for a clandestine
stroll to the Christmas market held in the
Lustgarien, in frout and around the
schloss.
The young ladies have brought heavy
shoes, great coats and hoods for the lark
that is to be, and His Majesty's Garderobier
disguises the gentleman in conventional
citizen's dress. Before they start on foot
through the servant's gate the Imperial
host invites all to take a fe- handfuls of
thalers and marks brought in on a salver,
for one must have plenty of change on an
errand like the intended.
The Emperor's Incognito Ontlngs.
The Christmas market is conducted in
small booths by the very poorest of peram
bulent dealers who stand behind their
counters day and night shivering in the
cold and imploring the passers by to pur
chase" pennyworth." To them the royal
visit is a godsend, a veritable Queen Anne's
bounty for augmenting their mean living.
It was probably one ot these secret visits to
the Christmas' mart that, some time ago,
caused the silly report of the Kaiser's
Haroun Al Baschid slnmming expedi
tions. It is early morning when these youBg
peopie, wno, in tne lamny council, weigh
the fates of the world on their tongue's
end, return to the castle arm in 'arm like as
many trunnt children, talking with sup
pressed boisterousness of the adventures
they enjoyed, and ot those they .might have
enjoyed it "William" was not so exces
sively strict
A glass of stiff "grog" awaits them in the
vestibule, they don their sables and ermine
cloaks, a last farewell and half a score of
gilded coaches thunder TJhter Den Linden
to scatter in various directions at the cross
ing of Friedrich strasse.
Henry "W. Fischeb.
HE. AND MBS. GLADSTONE.
The Grand Old Man Generally Has His
Own Sweot Way.
New Tort Evening Post.;
Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone were staying at
the country house of a friend of the writer,
and in accordance with their usual custom
attended o'clock service, before breakfast,
at the parish church.
Coming out of church, Mrs. Gladstone
was walking off one way when Mr. Glad
stone called to her, "Come this vay; this ii
nearest" She replied, "I "don't think it is
very near," and wanted to argue the point.
But, an unusual thing for him, he was in
no mood for arguing, and said, "We'll
easily settle this question as to which is the
shortest way. You go one way, I'll co the
other, and see who arrives home first"
Off he started oue way, she the other.
It is needless to say he arrived home easily
first He went as' bard as he could go, and
would have killed himself rather than she
should win; but whether it proved which
way was the shorter is another matter; any
way, ho was satisfied.
New Covering for Cotton Bales.
Anew covering for cotton bales has been
introduced. It is a fireproof asbestos mix
ture, in which wire is mingled to give it
stiffness apd strength, aud over the whole
wire netting is drawn. When this covering
was first brought out it was found to ex
clude the air from the cotton to an injurious
extent. Since that time the inventor has
succeeded in so modifying the material that
while the fire-repelling qualities are pre
served, sufficient air is admitted to the cot
ton, with the new covering the "bales do
not bulge; Its cost and weight are the same
as those of the old coverings.
NEW YORK PLUNGES.
As Enthusiastic in Observing Christ
mas as in Other Things.
GOSSIP FROM THE BIG TOWN.
Civil
Service reform and the Robberies
in the Hail Service.
TJ6ING THE EYES IV FLIMFLAMMING
tconnrspoyDiNCB or Tins DtsrATCR.t
New Yobk, Dec. 24. Christmas Day is
the day of human gladness throughout the
civilized world. Of whatever country or of
whatever clime, all who bask in the glori
ous sunshine of Christianity leel the same
quickening of the pulse, the same warming
of the heart toward the rest of humanity.
Tne artificial barriers reared by society
are weaker on this day than any other day
of the year. The bonds that restrain us
from the acknowledgment of our fellow
men are loosened by charity and love. On
this day of all other days we are glad be
cause others are glad. Christmas joys are
catehing. A divine unselfishness fills the
breast For once we rejoice in the happi
ness of our neighbors. A subtle sympathy
permeates the soul. Over the loweied
bars of distrust it goes out to cheer every
human creature.
Christmas Day in New York means much.
And much that it means could never be
quite understood by those without the
social pale of the great American metropo
lis. No staid old New England village
ever observes the Christmas holidays with
greater fervor than they arc kept in Gotham
town. The lion and the lamb of Wall
street lie down this blessed season together.
All the marts of trade are either closed or
hushed, save alone those that cater to the
universal joy of the time and these run 1
day and night The millionaire and the
poorest slave of the sweat-shop turn aside
from ordinary avocations to give Christmas
Day a royal welcome. And they are not to
be cheated out of the formal recognition by
the fact that Christmas falls now and then
on Sunday. Perish the thought
Sundays come and go every week. Christ
mas comes but once a year.
Hark to resonant glory of old Trinity.
How now booms the distant bells of sweet
St Patrick's chimes. And here and there
and everywhere the mellow metal chorus
joins.
This is New York. Talk not to me of old
St Paul's and the smoky fog of London.
This is a New York Christmas and the day
can be seen as well as heard.
The blessed bells. The heart softening
bells. Their sweetly shimmering sounds
vibrate on the frosty tympanum of
Gotham's Christmas day. Their solemn
music fills Broadway. It overpowers the
aristocratic upper town. It hangs a happy,
rythmical halo over all Manhattan. It falls
alike upon the listening ears ot the just and
uujust It bears into palace and hovel the
glad tidings with undiscriminating gentle
ness and love the tidings that Christ is
born.
No one has ever truly known Christmas
who has not heard the "bells ot New York
on Christmas morning. And nobody has
really seen Christmas until 'he has seen
what these musical messengers of heaven
bring forth. Pouring down from brick and
brown stone, they come, a mighty, well
clad, gladsome host From car and cab and
carriage they swell into Fifth avenue the
best dressed, handsomest and richest peo
ple in the world. There is but one other
day in the year when you can see such a
throng and tnat is on Easter Sunday. Then,
as now, their feet are turned churchward
and theirmindsnre bent upr.n Christ Theirs
are not the severely ascetic faces of the
earlier church, but the faces of modern Christ
ianity, that denies not the Innocent crav
ings of the flesh nor the freedom of relig
ious thought They tire the happy faces of
those who have fed well, who arc conscious
ot being dressed'well and who have no cares
that cannot be left over till to-morrow.
At work or play, on 'Change or at church,
New Yorkers never do anything by halves.
It is the great spirit ot trade that follows
the New Yorker through life the mental
and physical activity that makes leisure a
bore and rest a sort of punishment So on
Christmas holidays he plunges. If piously
inclined, he plunges into church matters.
If merely benevolent, he plunges into all
sorts of benevolent dissipations. If of a
Lrigidly domestic turn, he plunges into fam
ily surprises tor wile and children. II ot a
social disposition, he plunges into society.
If a man-about town, he plunges into the
customary whirl of late suppers and wine
ad libitum. In any case he plunges. Bear
this characteristic in mind in considering
the New Yorker's Chiistraas.
He Is Entitled to a Howard.
There are some philosophers who cling to
the belief that there is no future of rewards
and punishments, but that we get our just
dues as we go along. Once in a while there
seems to be some slight justification for this
doctrine. For instance, it happened that a
day or two ago a lady coming up on the
Sixth avenue elevated monopolized two
seats. I say it happened for a lady very
rarely does such a thing. The cars were
crowded, every seat being occupied, includ
ing the two occupied by this particular
sampie of the rentier sex. Several centle-
men came in, took a longing look at the
lady and at the small fragile parcel at her
side and politely seized the most convenient
strap. Whatever their thoughts, they did
not express them by word of mouth. Perhaps
tbey were of that school of philosophers of
whom I have just spoken. If they were they
were waiting for the retributive justice to
come along, and were possibly wondering
what form it would take. They didn't have
to wait very long, for a sudden lurch of the
car at the turn into Fifty-third street sent a
man weighing some 200 pounds plump into
the seat by the side of the astounded
monopolist. That individual gave one
plaintive scream and all was over, the
thoroughly frightened gentleman jumped to
his feet as soon as possible so quickly, in
deed, that he never could have been said to
hav-e been down, but lor the havoc he had
innocently wrought. For there, smashed as
flat as the traditional flounder was well,
whatever it was or had been!
Did the unfortunate lady turn and rend
him with her tongne? Did she tell him
what she thought of him? Not at all. She
simply gathered the miserable wreck into
her bosom and wept Nobody saw what
the wreck was and consequently could
arrive at no idea of its awful awfulness.
To tell the truth, the publio sympathy
was with the miserable wretch thus made
the blind instrument in the hands of Provi
dence to administer punishment to the
guilty as the guilty go along. He was tho
most unhappy mortal I ever saw. What I
wish to know is, when and how does he get
his reward?
The Latest Fad for Smokers.
The very latest thing out for cutting off
the tip of your cigar is a wheel operated by
electricity. When you happen to go into a
cigar1 store where one of these things is get
ting in its work it will De well with you if
you don't get your fingers nipped instead ot
the end of your cigar. There will be. a
sign hung above the machine warning care
less customers to look tor their fingers.
The best thing is to keep your fingers off
and then when you look for them you'll
know where to find them.
Tho changes in the appliances for clipping
the ends of cigars arc not, as a rule, re
markable for ingenuity. However, they
make it up in numbers. Go into almost
any cigar store and you will fiftd from two
to halt a dozen different kinds ot cutters.
Usually, aften you have tried one you'll
wish you'd tried the other one. In nine
eases out often the machine will be ont of
order. The electrical cutter fills a long felt
want It is a small buzz saw arrangement
covered, except as to the small orifice into
which you trust your cigar or finger, as the
case may be. Itmakes no noise, gives no
warning. Yon can't tell whether or not it
is really going. That is, not by looking at
it If you have any doubts about it you
simply insert the tip of your little finger in
the hole. If it isn't going you try another
'cutter. If it is going you try an ambulance
tor the nearest hospital. Bead the sign
afterward.
HorEyes Are Her Fortune.
"Did you ever notice her eyes?"
Be had just come out of a Nassau street
lunch place, and the "her" referred to was
the pretty cashier.
"There is something queer about them
or I wonder if I merely fancy it I"
When a young'man gets to looking into a
pretty girl's eyes, the eyes usually begin to
look queer in the course of time. I do not
know whether it is the fault of her eyes or
of his eyes, but things begin to look
tangled. I said I had noticed that much.
The 'queerness of this particular girl's eyes
niver struck me. '
"That'ssingular,"saidmv friend. "Why,
most everybody notices it"
"Then it's piural," said I.
"No, honestly now, I'm not joking. One
eve is a shade darker than the other. When
she looks at you they change color."
"Nonsense! When she looks at yon it is
you who change color. The girl is all
rightl"
Notwithstanding my incredulity, I
couldn't help think of the pretty cashier
with the queer eyes next time I happened
to be down that way and hungry. I didn't
get a good look at her as I went in, but as I
came out I took as good a look as possible
without staring.
Somehow I telt that she knew I wasjtry
ing my reading powers, and I'm satisfied I
cnanged color under the ordeal. 1 am also
satisfied that she changed a dollar note for
me; and flimflamined me out of 20 cents.
This, however, I did not discover in time to
remedy. But it did set me to thinking.
Was this a new scheme? Being interested
in the novel ways ot my fellow man, also
women, I took the earliest opportunity of
putting my suspicious to the test
In the first place, I f ouml that the pretty
cashier's eyes had a peculiar look. This
look was nbt wasted on anyone, however,
except in making change.' She had the
power to distract a customer's attention so
as to confuse him about his change. I no
ticed, however, that there were plenty who
didn't look at her at all, and some others who
scrutinized their change pretty closely.
Once in a while some gentleman pursued
his investigations of the pretty cashier's
eye? regardless of expense. When I met
my friend again he anticipated my discov
ery by admitting rather sheepishly that his
last experiment in reading eyes cost him
exactly ?1. She got that much out of a $2
note.
Civil Service Reform and Bobbery.
"There have been more mail robberies,"
says a Government official, "since the
operation of the civil rules in proportion to
the number or men employed than ever
occurred before. I do not undertake to ex
plain it, but it would appear that there is
something wrong either with the system or
with the administration of it. It seems im
possible that all of these arrests that have
been made in this city during the last year
of letter carriers and other employes ot the
postoffice can be explained on mere ordinary
and matter of fact grounds. They are ont
of all proportion to the record of dishonesty
in other walks of life. It you have paid any
attention to this matter it must strike you
so. My own opinion is that the competi
tive system cannot be relied-npon to dis
tinguish honesty from dishonesty. I am
aware there are a great many people who
are under the impression that education
makes men honest and women virtuous, but
I am not one of them. It is barely possible
that the postal service is, "on the whole,
more efficient to-day than ever it was I do
not dispute that But efficiency has noth
ing to do with a man's iioncsty. And it 13
right here the 'present system is weak. It
looks bad to note the arrest of a postal
official for robbery every three days."
Cuabxes Theodore Mureay.
A NEWSPAPER TREAT.
THE DISPATCH'S ASSIGNMENT FOR A
KOTKD CORRESPONDENT.
Frank G. Carpenter to Furnish Some Valu
able Interviews Durlmr the Coming
Tear America's Great Men to Contrib
ute for tho Pleasure and Instruction of
Pittsburg Readers.
Among the big features of the coming
year's special correspondence in The Dis
patch will be a series of striking inter
views by Mr. Frank G. Carpenter. Mr.
Carpenter's foreign letters will end with
Sunday, January 1, when he gives a talk
which he had in London with John T.
North, the nitrate king, whom Cyrus W.
Field called the richest man in the world.
During the past summer Mr. Carpenter
furnished interviews with Bismarck,
Madam Tolstoi and other notables abroad,
and he has the reputation of being able to
get the best men of the world for his talks.
During his tour around the globe a year'dr
so he chatted with the King of Corea and
gave striking talks with the King of
Greece, the Khedive of Egypt and other
Eastern potentate. He interviewed Li
Hung Chang, the "Viceroy of China, gave a
long talk with the Sultan of Jdhore and
introduced us to the Patriarch of Jerusa
lem, famous Buddhists and other thinkers
of the Oriental world. About a year ago
he interviewed President Diaz in his pal
ace in Mexico City and be has given spicy
conversations with the most of the leading
men of this country.
His letters the coming year will be large
ly confined to the United States, and ho
will give us face to face chats with some of
the greatest and most.exclusive men of the
nation. The most interesting characters of
Washington will chat through him to our
readers, and his talks will include famous
women as well as famous men. They will
be on all sorts of subjects, and the most of
them will be illustrated with snap shots
taken for his letters.
The Columbian Exposition will bring the
most famous men and women of the world
to America, and Mr. Carpenter's travels
and his knowledge will enable him 'to give
The Dispatch striking articles' through
talks with them. During the year he pro
poses to visit different -parts of the United
States on a -grand interview tour, and
among the other interviews already ar
ranged for is one with ex-President Hayes,
which will describe the home life and will
give some unwritten reminiscences of Mr.
Hayes.
In addition to these interviews, Sir.
Carpenter's work nill include some special
feature articles from Washington and other
parts of the. country, and it will contain a
number of gossipy stories of 'the men who
are uppermost from time to time.
Order Now f ot Christmas.
Cabinet photos $1 60 per doz. Panel pict
ure free with every doz. better grade. Guar
antee given with a'very order. Crayons
-from l SO up. Large assortment of frames.
Lowost prices. Lies? Portrait Studio, 10 and
IS Sixth street 7
0
Tha Happy Termination of a Christmas
Present Expedition.
WRITTEN TOR THE DISPATCH.
Yesterday morning I rose with the lark,
donned by best frock coat and silk hat, and
with a list of those I wished to remember
in my pocket, started out to do my Christ
mas shopping, and before I had finished, I
found I had not only spent the day, but
every cent I had, and every cent I expected
to have for the next six months. My ob
ject in starting so early was to avoid the
crowd, but when I reached Stiffiney's, the
local jeweler's I always go there, not be
cause "he has prettier things, but because he
charges more and is very swell I found
that all our set was either out to avoid the
crush, or had so many things to buy that it
would take the entire day to get through.
Anyhow, It seemed that everybody was
there.
Just as I was going in I met Brander
Peyton coming out. Brander had just got
ten home from New Haven, and, as we
have always been the best of friends, we
were, ot course, very glad to see one an
other. He is one of those chaps, you know,
who is always full of gossip, and, I daresay,
we would have had a most comfortable
little chat had not Ethel Selwick beckoned
to me which was very rude of her from
the back of the store. So we had to cut
our conversation short, and I was very
sorry, indeed, for I am sure it would have
resulted in a small bottle at the club. How.
ever, before he left he made me promise to
dine with him that evening.
Walking up to Ethel, I said to her; "You
are a very daring girl to sign to me in a
shop."
"But, Willie," she replied, "I am in such
a quandary, and I want you to help me out
few
Would You Wear It, Peggy 7
I have bought all my presents but one, and
but say, havo yon heard about Jack Hemp
stead and Nan Featherstone?"
"No."
"Well, their engagement is off."
"You don't say so. Which was to blame?"
"I really don't know, but Bosalind De
Jones told .me. that Nan's father wanted
Jack to give up his clubs, and Jack said
something about life withou clubs would
be as useless as a deck of sards without
them. And then Mr. Featherstone raved,
and, I believe, swore, but I wouldn't say'for
sure that he Hi 1 that, and ordered Jack'out
of the house."
"The old idiot!"
"But, Willie, you will admit that it
wasn't very flattering to Nan."
"Of course, I will; but, tell me, are you
goinc to Graybrides thts eyenins?"
"No, I was invited, though, and
would S-"
"Miss Selwick," broke in the clerk, "do
yon want either of these picture frames?"
"O, really, I forgot all about them.
Willie, do tell me which of these you think
the prettier."
"It all depends on which one you put
your photograph in."
"You flatterer; but you don't mean it
Put mine in one and Pegsry Blane's in the
other and I know which one you would
take."
"Where did you hear about Peggy?"
"As though everybody hadn't heard of
your engagement?"
"My engagement! No such luck, Ethel."
She gave a sly wink, as much as to say
she didn't believe me, and, turning to the
clerk, made her selection of frames, and
giving directions for the delivery of ail she
had bought, insisted on my calling Christ
mas afternoon and bade me adieu.
Taking the seat she had vacated, I asked
Mr. Lawford if he wonld wait on me, and
taking my list from my pocket, I settled
down to do my duty.
"Now, as I call these amounts off, you
take them down," I said to him. "I want
four things in silver at 510 apiece for girls;
six pins or buttons, or anything like that,
at $20 apiece. No, wait a minute: don't
put that down. Let me see Dick Peters,
what did he give me last vpar? Oh, yes, a
silver pencil. .Make that last five at twen
ty and one at five. Then I want something
for sister at 575, and something for my
mother at about the same price. I will
want, too, something rather rummy for
well, it .must be pretty, but I'll look'arouud
for it myself."
Mr. Lawford smiled, and sezmed to un
derstand. '.'Now you picz out the best and
most showy things you can, within the
price limit that I have given vou; I am go
ing to rely wholly upon vour judgment"
"Well, I'll do my best' he replied, "and
hope it will please you."
While he was looking around I fell into
a deep brown study oyer what I would buy
for Peggy. My, how I love that girt She
has completely ensnared my heart, and
somehow or other I can't come out like a
man and tell her all and ask her to be
mine. Knowing that it wonld take Mr.
Lawford some little time, I grew im
patient, and went to join Mr. and Mrs.
Jasamyne at the other end of the shop.
They were looking at some very expensive
rings, anil had just made a selection ot one,
an emerald set with diamonds.
"What do you think of this?" said Mr.
Jasamyne, holding it up to the light
"Beautiful," I replied; "is it for Mrs.
Jasamyne?"
"My dear Willie," exclaimed that lady,
"you are even greener than the stone.
We've been married for several years. That
is for Mr. Jasamyne's sister."
I thought to- myself that if Peggy and I
had been married lor 100 years we would
exchange beautiful presents just the same.
"Yes, this is for sister," said Mr. Jasa
myne, "but then she always gives Margie
(his wife) and me something very expen
sive." .
With that they moved away.and I sat
down and began looking at th'o tray of
rings, thoroughly fascinated by the brilliant
stones. "While thus engaged, the door
opened, and before I knew it some one was
standing by my side. I glanced Up and
there was Peggy, my sweet, dear, Peggy. I
imagined I saw 'the color come toiher cheeks
and a suspicious-like moisture gather in
her eves.
"Sb"e thinks," I said to myself, "that I
am buying this ring for some girL"
And how I ever had the presence of
mind, I don't know, but, on the instant, I
asked as I held up the most beautiful one
of the lot, "Do you think mv sister would
wear this?" ,"
"Your sister? Is it for her?" she. said.
"Ye yes." -,
"Of course,' she would; any girl would."
"Are you sure ?"
"Positive, for it is so beautiful."
"Would you wear it, Peggy?" I earnestly
whispered.
"If ray brother gave it to me, do you
mean ?"
"So, if I; if I slipped it on the third
finger of your left hand, and with it pledged
my love, would yon wear it ?" .
The pretty eyes drooped, and in the
faintest whisper she answered, "Yes."
"Mr. Manning," I heard a voice say, "I
have made the selections for you." I came
from heaven long enough to tear a leaf from
my note book, and, handing it to Mr. Law
ford, I sai,d: '"Send,all of those thinggs ac
cording to these directions, and kindly have,
this ring made a size smaller; I will call for
it this afternoon."
Mr. and Mrs. Jasamyne were just passing
out I stoppeS'tJiem, told thera what had
happened, andask'd tbeni,to chaperone us
at luncheon atthqjcluh. ' -,..
The luncheon cost? f45j the ring was the
finest in the tray, I didn't price it You
know what I spent for the other presents.
I'm busted, but I've got the sweetest heart
on earth. A merry Christmas? Well, I
should tar so.
A-CHRISTMAS BALLAD.
Beantifnl Sons of the Season From
the
, Pen or Gifted Mary E. Wllklns.
MaryE. Wilkms, the well-known anthor,
is spending a few weeks in Brooklyn, the
object of much more distinguished atten
tion and proffered hospitality than she can
accept Everybody there is surprised at
her youthful appearance, and no one dis
appointed in her individuality. She is
slender and not quite of average height,
with a mass of brown gold hair that seems
almost too ponderous for her small well
shaped head. She is fair and dolicately
featured, with graceful unassuming man
ners. It is, however, sot her apparent
personality that is the charm ot intercourse
with her; it is rather a curious sense of her
communion with things out of reach of the
average mortal an appreciation of her
treading of paths apart almost from human
ken which may be after all only the up
lifting touch of her rare and unique eenius.
Below is a Christmas ballad Miss Wilkins
wrote, perhaps a dozen years ago. It is
here printed almost for the first time:
At the sates of the palace the minstrels wore
crvlnsc:
"Fair kin? and fair nobles, 'twill please ye
to hear
The PrlnclleBoy Is born and Is Ivlng .
On a pillow of lllloi lu holy Judea."
"Noel, noeir sang tho minstrel boys
sweetly;
"On the mountains white dove wings the
olive boughs stir.
Now follow, sweet shepherds now follow
ye fleetly;
Now blossom out greenly, frankincense
andmyrru!"
In the palace the harp-strings were merrily
twaninc:
The branches of silver had blossomed In
itznt;
The mistletoe bough from the ceiling; was
hanging
And the glow of the yule-los was cheory
and bright.
The brown-bearded King at the banquet was
seated,
Tbo tall, stiver flagons were rosy with
wine,
The watts In the gateway all softly re
peated: "Now follow, sweet shepherds, and bow at
His snririe."
Proud lords and fair ladles were merrily fly
ing To the sound of the harp, down the glltter
1ns hall:
"Oh, tne glitter and savor," the minstrels
were crjfnir,
"Or the Jewels and splca round the child
in the stall!"
Ob, sad was the child, and the child he was
weeplnz;
How pa-scd ho the sentry that stood at the
doort i
All drowsy with wassail, I trow they were
sleenin;.
The child. -was so sad, and sora;jJ and
poor.
The stately court-dames, in their Jewels and
locos.
Drew back their rich robes as He meeKlv
went by. v
"Oh, tnrn!' sang the waits, "turn your boiu
tlfnl faces,
O phalanx of angels, toward where He doth
lie!"
He moved 'mid the dancers, who scornfully
eyed Him;
He knelt to the kin?, who was seated in
state.
"Away with the child!" cried the nobles
beside him:
"Awaken ye sentry, who sleep at the gate!"
"Sweet lords." cried the sentry, "the north
wind Is blowing.
All naked nnd lmre nro his fair, little feet;
TIs many an hour ero the cock will be
crnwintr.
And the clouds are all laden with needles
of sleet."
The king drained, the wine from his Jewel
rimmed chalice:
"Awavl" shouted he, with a laugh and a
Jest;
"On merry ynlenlcht, In my gocd royal
palace,
'TIs never a beggar we'll have for a guest!"
Then the wild wind went down, and softly
and sweetly.
In a fair, little garment, ail bordered with
nsnt.
Passed the.chlld, while the waits in the dis
tance sang sweetly,
"On a pillow of Hies they've laid Him to
night." Then the wild wind went down, nnd light,
like a fountain,
Burst forth from the sky, while the
B!esed Child sped
Away from the town, up tne moon-silvered
mountain.
"With a gartand of beams round his beau
tiful head.
The sentry who loved Him in want and
aDasemenr,
The waifs whefhad sung In the n!;;ht wind
so wild,
And, hern -and there, from some poor cot
ta?e casement,
A mother and babe saw the Blessed Christ
chlhl.
But the kinc and his court, who had shunned
Hfni with cornlnir.
High wa3.ill they held all that fair Christ
Tnas liny.
Nor knew tiil theyfliod, that on His birth
' morniiis
The Blessed Christ child they had driven
away.
THE HEW ELECIEIC LAUNCH.
Its Increased Cse Is Constantly Growing
in Favor In America.
The recent signs of activity in the build
ing of electric launches in this country
would indicate that the value of this admir
able means of water travel is likely soon to
be as much appreciated here as it has been
for some,years in England.
Fred Beckenzaum, who is one of tne first
authorities on the subject of electric boats,
calculates that the building of a complete
charging.pjant, with 12 launches, each cap
able of running G9 miles at six miles an
hour, could bo equipped, including all ex
penses for laud, etc, for 532,050. These
boats could run for fire months in the
year for $905 each,mnking a total run each
of 9,000 miles in that time. If they carried
about ten passengers each trip, the invest
ment would 'be .profitable even at the low
rate, of one cent per mile.
Frsz diamonds, rubles, emeralds, sap-
fihires, opals and other precious stones, set
n all the latest styles, at M. G. Cohen', 38
Fifth avenue. We set all our own good4 and
cave you jobbers' profits.
OUR CLUB WOMEN. -
&,$'
i
Mn. Atulieu Fusion, Traveltr'i Club.
The Travelers' Club.
When the Travelers' Club was organized
about thrci years ago none of the half dozen
ladies who composed it ever dreamed of it
reaching its present proportions. Mrs.
Andrew Eiston with some of her lady
friends who anticipated a trip abroad had
been discussing the pleasure and profit to
be derived from a preliminary imaginary
tour. The result of the talk was that one
day each lady received a note to
spend a certain evening with Mrs.
Eiston to further talk ot the proposed long
distance Investigation of the Old World.
Every woman enthusiastically accepted the
invitation and was as enthusiastically in
favor of permanent organization. For that
year the club met in Srs. Easron's parlors,
and its members were restricted to the
mntual friends of those interested, lira.
Kaston was elected President and Mrs. J. D.
Bryan, Secretary.
The papers and readings were of such
markad excellence, sneh a spirit or
liberality and proj-resiveness prevailed,
that women who knew anything df clubs
predicted a successful career if permanent
organization wero effected. At the end of
the year the question or organization was
decided affirmatively and Mrs. W. B. Glenn,
elected President Although ilrs. Zaston
still invited the club to meet in her parlors,
and several other ladios extended tne hos
pitality or their home, the growth or the
organization made the securing of larger
quarters necessary. The Carnegie mnslo
room was the place or meetlnjr for the entire
second year. n:land had been the subject
of stndy for the first yar, Scotland for the
second, nnd for the third year.as tho World's
Fair makes Interest center in the United
States, the club has decided to spend the
present twelvemonth at home.
The great event of the second year waa
the conference of women's clubs of West
ern Pennsylvania whieh was bronght about
mainly through Its efforts. In the third
year Miss Jennie Hindman was elected
President IS was decided to rent qnartors
for the clnb, tho ntte of the Helping Hand
Society's cosy lecture room beins seenred,
A printed programme containing an out
line or the year's work was distributed to
the memDers, nnd otherarranemonts mado
for mere tuoronzh study. Notable anions
these is the pari amantary drill conducted
by that experienced parliamentarian, lilss
Matilda Hindman.
Mrs. Easton, the founder and first Presi
dent, is the wife of the well-known physi
cian of that name, and her home is on Mont
gomery avenue, Allegheny. She is a great
lavorite with yonnz people, and is never
happier than tv hen wrltlnz something thas
will please thorn. She has written ranch and
Acceptably for Eastern magazines, as well as
local publications. She has been always an
active worker la charities. Much of her
time U devoted. to mental improvement, and
ho w she manages to attend to social duties,
be. present at numberless board meetinira
'and besides keep up an extensive course of
reading is a matter of conjecture to her
lriends. Unlike the homes of most Intel
lectual women hers is one of the prettiest
and most cheery in the city. She herself is
younr, handsome and charminir In manner.
She has a tail son, now at Princeton, who
thinks her perfection, and a pretty daughter
who adores her. Mrs- Eusto.i is spending
the present winter in Florida.
Union Meetins of Women's Clubs.
The long talked of conference or clubs ot
Western Pennsylvania, dated for January
still oeems as far distant as evor. The meet
ing was postponed Irom .fall until the
middle of the winter on account of the
nbsenco or many or the members at tnat
time. Tho committee appointed at last
spring's union meettn to report a plan or
union consisted or Mrs. C. L Wade, Chair
man; Mrs.Chnrlo Anh, Mrs.W.11. Gotollus,
Mrs. Simeon BIssell, litis Harriet Hor, Mrs.
Hugo Kosenberg and Miss Mary Mo
Candlcus. Mrs. Wade's Illness mado It Impossible for
her to do much lit the matter. Of the re
maining members MUs Harriet Iloag repre
senting tho Tourists' Club has withdrawn as
that organization does not euro to be In the
union, soinn or the members favoring it
but the malorlty being in opposition. Be
3 ond the preparation of a skeleton pro
gramme nothing seems to have bee.) dcio
nnd the majority of the co nmittee when
anestioned as to what they n doing con
less comp'ete ignorance, so what Is West
ern Pennsylvania going lodoabouchcrfed
eratlon of women's clubs?
Gossip From llio Clubs.
The Travelers Club has adopted
a new
constitution.
Tub successor to Mrs. Benjamin Harrison,
ns head of the Daughters of the American
Revolution has not beon yet appointed. Mrs.
Cabell is at present tho acting head.
Tue Bellamy Clnb, or Junction City, Kan.,
lias a co-operative kitchen which it claim
is a satisfactory solution or the domestic
problem Tor tho ladles co-inectcJ with the
clnb.
The New Century Club, of Wilmington,
Bel., although only four years old, has be
gun the erection of aolnb building for itself,
the design being nude by u Philadelphia,
woman, Mrs. Minerva Parker Nichols.
The usual holiday decrease In attendance
has been noticed at all the wome.i's clubs
nnd this is probably due to the fact that the
parsing hours werrf improved not in mental
culture, but in the construction or gifts for
Christmas.
The Women's Press Club's last social
meeting at the Kast End Hotel was made
enjoyable by soveral very clever bits of
speech making on tho part or the members.
The Jannary place or mc-tinz has not yet
been decided upon.
Tnz tuenty-flfth annual convention or the
National American .Suffrage Association
will be held in WashlngtonvD. C, January
lt-19. Hon. Carroll D. Wright has nccented
au invitation to be nresent and will speak
on "Women in Industry" Susnn B. An
thony is President or the Association.
The Social Science Club or Kansas and To
peka are tne originators or a movement
toward tho abolition or the smoking com
partment in Pullman slefp'ng cars. At a
recent meeting ot the club a resilutlon was
adopted u.-King Mr. Georgo Pullman to no
away with the smoker, which the ladles -claim
Is not only an annoyance to other
passengers, but nnhenlthlul. It is intended
to present tlil resolntion to every woman's
organization in tho country for signatures.
Miss MABr Allex West, ono of the rore
most workers for the advancement of
Tomon, died at Tokio, Japan, December 1,
whero slio had gone to do temperance work.
Shnwas tor the last seven years editor of
the Union Signal, the National organ or the
W. C T. V. Sho was one of the representa
tives or Cblcuuo at the International League
or Press Clubs held a ear ago, and was
Secretary or tho Sold tors' Aid tjociety. She
whs for many ears President or the Illinois
Women's Tress Association.
EVERYONE has heard or the club house the
women's clubs of Pittsburg and Allegheny
are anxious to build. A member of the
Women's Press Club, who is, it mnst be con
fessed. Just a trifle conservative, filed her
objection to the movement thu-: "Madam
President, I shall uevor consent to such a
thin.'. Why, Just imagine whanvould men
think or us! Nobody wonld know what we
were doing, smoking or drinking or playing
card, or anything awful. I couldn't consci
entiously belong to a clnb that had a club
house!" And she meant it.
The Now York Woman's Pross Club's new
quarters' at 126 East Twenty-third street,
consists of a suite or four apartments and a
bath room. Tne walls of the parlor are ot '
terra cotta, with a rrieze of deeper tones. 7
Tho coiling is or cream with delicate tliits"
or pink and green, and the floor or par-" ,,
quetery in dark and light woods. Acborry
mantel with a tiling of tawny brown U upon .
one side or the room, nnd against the op- A
poslte wall is the President's chair, with art ' -
oak table In front of it The chair is of S
black walnut upholstered in' leather audi. &Q
Gothle in style. The chair was the girt ot,. $
Mrs. Frank Leslie Wilde, wnlle thotablar
was presented bvtbe members of the mix- '.'
eoutlve Committee.