9 "ALWAYS THE CHEAPEST," OUR MOTTO. The great 4ceNT storg J. B. LADWIC, PROP., 310 LACKAWANNA AVENUE. BRANCH : 111 SOUTH MAIN AVENUE. Come and let us prove this motto to you ouly give us a look compare our prices to auy other mercha.it iu the state we like competition it keeps us busy with the carving knife we have convinced others, let us convince you low prices are your best friends we will stay with you. LOQK FOR THE LOOK FOR THE Main Floor Bargains. Second Floor Down Stairs Department. Trade Bringers. THE SCItANTON TRIBUNE WEDNESD AX MORNING, NOVEMBER 425, 18G. Red Sign Red Sign Notions, Etc. Clark's Spool Cotton.... 2 for 5c Crochet Silk, spool 4c Hair Curlers 4c .Wash Silk, two skeins 5c SaNy Pins, nickled 4c Embroidery Silk, J doz. spools. 4c Horn Hair Tins, 1 doz..- 4c Lamp Wicks, 1 doz 4c Kid Curlers, I doz 4c Agate Buttons, 12 doz 4c Fearl Buttons, 1 doz 4c loc Bottle Petroleum Jelly.... 4c Needle Books, with 5 packa- ges needles, 10 darners 4c Coate's Thread 4c Hat Pins, 1 doz 4c Ironing Wax 4c Pocket Toilets 4c . Black Fine Combs 4c Shoe Laces, 1 doz 4c Linen Thread 4c Corset Clasps 4c Cologne Bottle 4c Handkerchiefs 4c Toweling, 1 yard 4c Y DELYNORES DDALL 0 ABERYSTWYTH She Could Speak No English Nor Play Aoy English Tunes. THE LAYS OF THE BARDS OP OLD The Blind Ilnrpcr Played the Fall of Llewelyn, nnd Broke Forth in a Rapid Tumultuos Movement Ek prcssive of the Battles He had Fought and tho Laurels He had s Won She Sang of tho Blessings of Light, and Portrayed in Cadence the Sorrow of the Blind. In an old tour through England and V'ales (author unknown) and written at the close of the lust century. Is the following description of Aberystwlth, now the most fashionable summer re tort of Wales: "Aberystwlth, a pleasing little town altuated on an easy elevation by the seaside. In a spacious valley between two hills, and at the months of the IVstwIth and Kyddol. It affords a Rood shore for bathing, and Is frequented by-many families during the summer. We spent the evening in the Talbot Inn, a very respectable house, and re markable for the cleanliness of its ac commodation. Here we had for the first time since we entered Wales the pleasure of hearing the music of tho country In Its pure rtate from a poor, blind female harper. She could speak no English, nor play any English tunes, except "Captain Maclntoch" and the "While Cockade." There was so much nature simplicity in her appearance, and the features of sorrow were so Visible in her countenance, that no one could behold her unmoved. She was led In by the waiter, dressed, after the Style of her countrywomen. In a course woolen gown and a hat of black beaver. She had seated herself in a corner of a room, and by involuntary motive I drew my chair close to hers. A pre dellotlon for Welsh music would alone have disposed one to listen to the harp, but our blind minstrel, with her un taught harmony, called forth all our admiration, and attention became the tribute of pity. When she touched the strings she displayed all the execution and taste of a most refined master. Her mode of fingering was graceful, light and elegant, her cadences Inexpressibly sweet; we had never before heard such tones from tho good old harp. She ran through all 'the male of Welsh harmony, and delighted us with the lays of the bards of old. She seemed to celebrate the days of her forefathers, and fancy led me to In terpret the tenor of her melody. It sang the fall of Llywelyn, and broke forth in a rapid tumultuous movement expressive of the battles he had fought and the laurels he had won. "All at once she changed the strain, the movement became slow, soft, mel oncholy; it was a dirge for the memory of the slaughtered bards, the departed poets of other times. An air was In troduced after a momentary pause, which vibrated upon our very heart strings. With trembling hands, and In a tone of peculiar melody, she told us the sad tale of her distress. She sang of the blessings of light, and portrayed In cadences the sorrow of the blind. "Without any support but her harp, deprived of sight, friendless, and poor, she had wandered from place to place depending entirely upon the charity of strangers. We were told that she con trived to obtain a decent living by her . talent for music; nor did we wonder at It, for who can refuse pHy to the sufferings of humanity, jrhere the voice of melody breaks forth in Its behalf." Toys, Etc. Christmas Tree Ornaments. Now open; come and see some of the good things we have to 'offer for 4c. Jack in Box 4C Harmonicas 4C Flutes 4c Tin Rattles 4c Noah's Arks 4C Horses 4C Humming Tops.. 4C Rubber Balls 4C Drawing Slates 4c Nursing Bottles 4c Rubber Dolls 4c Paint Boxes 4c Watches 4c Building Blocks 4c Toy Sad Irons 4c Iron Banks...... 4c Tin Banks 4c Pop Pistols 4c Toy Buckets 4c Picture Sets 4c Toy Wash Boards 4c The same writer sums up his opin ion of the Welsh of the last century thus: "There Is a simplicity in the style of a Welshman's conversation which prejudices every stranger In his favor. They are honest, hospitable nnd good-nntured, and although of an irri table disposition, are not disposed, like the Irish, to eut one another's throaits without reason. They are much given to drinking, and in general the lower sort of people estimate a man's merit In proportion to the quantity of ale he can Imbibe. They consider this as the most wholesome and beneficial of all liquors, and prefer it to any other. I once asked an old Wesh hurper why he was so fond of ale. 'Because,' said he, 'it makes me feel as full as a pig.' There was no arguing against this, for the old minstrel had a most princely carcass. The women as well as the men appear In broad, black beaver hats, and In the midst of sum mer wear a long woolen cloak. Their feet are always almost bare, and they drive the plough, mount the cart horses, and manage a team with full as much facility as the men. THE DR. PARRY TESTIMONIAL. - Hon. Anthony Howell, the United mates consul to Cardiff, Wales, writes the following letter, giving an account of the testimonial to Dr. Parry, of Car diff, the noted musical composer: "Having received some contributions to the Dr. Parry testimonial fund, after the presentation was made at the Llandudno eisteddfod, and as the mut ter is now closed and the proceeds turned over to Dr. Parry, I thought as treasurer of the testimonial. I ought to publish the ending of the same, so that the American friends of the fund (such as Judge Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Con nell. Franklin Howell and others of Scranton; Senator M. B. Williams. Dan iel Edwards, T. L. Newell, Dr. Cynon fardd Edwards and others around Wllkes-Burre; Mrs. Gelsinger, of Dan ville; Hon. John R. Davis and John Ludwig. of Youngstown; W. J. Morgan, of Cleveland, and others from Ohio; Evan Lloyd, Chicago, and others In different parts of the states) shouldl niivn ,11c i.un ciiiiiiiiii ikcivcu unit from what source derived. "Knowing no better method to adopt than to have It published in the fore most Welsh papers of the past, as well as the present, and as I hope it will prove In the futre, I Kspectflly ask its publication in Tho Tribune. The total net proceeds paid over to Dr. Parry was 628 4s. Id. (about $3,100). made us as follows: Rcelved In Wales, 494 9s. Id; United States. C11S 9s.; Interest, 15, 6s. The amount is somewhat less than was hoped for by the promoters of the movement, yet Dr. Parry has reason to feel proud, because, I am told, that It Is the largest sum ever subscribed for a similar purpose for any Welshman. Dr. Parry merits this recognition from his countymen. Indeed, I might say, that if he had composed nothing more than the tune "Aberystwlth," a tune that will be sung as long as the human voice Is capable of singing, he would have merited all that he has received, and in my opinion, much less than he deserves. Anthony Howells." NOTES. The London Truth makes the follow ing comment on the unseemly Incident that occurred at the Aberdare police court some time ago: "A little scene which took place at the Aberdare police court Illustrates one advantage at least of the stipendiary magistrate over the 'Great Unpaid.' In the absence of the Stipendiary, the bench was occupied by sundry J. P.'s, Including a Mr. Thomas and a Mr. Rhys. Mr. Rhys Is chairman of the district council. Cer tain charges of wasting water were down for hearing. In one of these cases Mr. Rhys said he would not take part In the decision, and upon a fine of ten shillings and coats being Imposed by the chairman and the other magis trates Mr. Rhys lost his temper, and commenced to attack the chairman in the most violent and unseemly manner. Carpet Beaters Wire or willow. worth 19c Oar Price 10c Sbelf Oil Clotb new patterns, scalloped edge, best goods, worth ioc yd. Oar Price 6c yard Table Oil Clotb one and one-quarter yards wide; all new patterns, best grade, worth 25c yard. Our Price 19c a Yard Floor Oil Clotb new patterns, same as our regu lar high quality Price 29c Yard Sbade Strips to hang shades to any size win dow, very handy, worth ioc. Oar Price 4c Floor Mats made of cocoa, good and heavy thick, hand-made, garnet bor der, worth 75c. Oar Price 49c We arc opening every day large shipments of Toys, Dolls, and all kinds of Holiday Goods, at prices that will surprise you. asking Mr. Thomas "Why are you sit ting in my chair?" and other impertin ences of the same kind, the truth being thut Mr. Thomas hud taken the chair at the request of Mr. Rhys himself. In the end the worthy Rhys called apon Mr. Thomas to "come out of that chair," which the latter did at once, and Mr. Rhys then proceeded to remand the re maining cases for u week, the motive of this step presumably being to obtain a tribunal less inclined to show mercy towards the crime of wasting water. One advantage of a stipendiary magis trate is that he is independent of the local interests und prepossessions which seem to have prompted the un seemly behavior In this Instance, und it Is to be hoped that the Aberdare Sti pendiary will soon be in his pluce again. According to a daily contemporary there lived In 176 a vicar of Merthyr named David Griffiths, who was also master of the grammar school at Brec on. It would be Interesting to know how this versatile cleric performed ...e double duty of Incumbent and school master. It Is only reasonable to sup pose that parents would not allow their children's education to be neglected, and It is more than reasonable to be lieve that the vicar would not neglect the collection of the school fees. In order to have officiated at Merthyr ev ery Sunday it would have been neces sary for him to travel thirty-six miles In a day. Local church records have no mention of so noble an Instance of self-sacrlice as this. The cure of souls was a function no doubt more honored In tho breach than the observance, which may account for the lively pic tures of the morality of the village which we get about this period. Tho Rev. Elwyn Thomas, of Newport, who has been writing short storks late ly to several English periodicals, has Just commenced another series of Welsh idylls in the Independent. It is hoped by his friends that Elwyn will soon see his way clear to put these productions of his pen in book form and publish them. An Interesting story Is told of "Lleurwg," the veteran Welsh preach er. When quite a lad he left his plough to preach, and. among other invita tions, he was asked to officiate at Ara rat Baptist chapel, Wountreoda, White church. He did ne? appear to be a great success, however, and at the inevitable after meeting one of the brethren slipped a shilling Into the young man's hand, nnd advised him to stick to the plough. This was Just the. kind of speech to make the hid more determined than ever to succeed, and from that hour he worked with re doubled energy, with the result that his name now occupies a high position on the roll of honored Welsh ministers. A sale of pictures In Glasgow recently the following pictures were sold: "View In South Wales." by E. Ellis. S. B. A., realized nine guinea and a half; "Ro man Bridge, Bettws-y-Coed." by S. Johnson thirteen guineas and a half; and "Old Ccttagn Near Bettws-y-Coed," by A. Eraser, 11. S. A., forty gulntas. "Olasynys" wm one of the sweetest poets and romancers of Wales during the present century. He levelled In Welsh folk-lore and antiquities. Ho once made a pllgrlmmage to Stone henge, and vlfited Devizes. While at the ancient Wiltshire town he came ncroFs a lady with whom he had in teresting conversations. Before leav ing "Gins" (as he was familiarly called by his friends) .presented her with his photo, on the back of which he wrote a pennill, In which he expressed the thought that nfter he had gone his fnce would still linger on the card. Death had already beckoned on him. "Punch" (London) Is obliged to ad mit that sometimes there .i something In a name. For Instance, tho pictures que and apparently harmless one of Pentremoch, a village In .Flintshire, Alarm Clocks best made and guaranteed to you worth $1.50 This Week 98c China Clocks decorated, fancy shapes, war ranted to keep good time, worth $3-oo. Our Price $1.98 Eight-Day Oak Frame Clocks stand about 28 inches high, fc'.ncy frame, warranted, wortli $5-oo. Our Price $2.98 Wisp Brooms very good quality, same as our 15c broom. This Week 10c Decorated Dinner Sets 100 pieces all you need for din ner service, w orth $8.00. Our Price $6.48 Crumb Tray and Brush nickel-plated tray and back of brush, worth 50c. Our Price 24c contains more than meets the eye of mortal man unversed in the Welsh language; for in this tongue Pentre moch signifies nothing less than "Pigs' Village." We are not surprised to learn that that the inhabitants of the place are clamoring at their parish council to "give it a name" other than its present appellation. Yet "Pigs' Vil lage" would seem a hamlet. Perhnps when Pentremoch is discarded it still may find a resting place and "pan out well" on the shores of Lake Michi ganas a synonym for "Poikopoliu!" Dr. Morgan ("Lleuvwg"), Llanelly, had several cousins who were also in the ministry, two of them with the Corph. One Saturday evening, some years atfo, the late Rev. Mr. 'Edmunds ("Lleurwg's" cousin) went to Llanelly to preach. Before leaving home tho cousins had arranged to exchange pul pits on the Sunday evening "Lleurwg" was to go to the Methodist chapel, and Mr. Edmunds to Capel Zlon. On Sat urday evening Mr. Edmunds went to "Lleurwg's" house, where Mrn. Mor gan told him that her husband was In tha study. Thither Mr. Edmunds went, and to his satisfaction Mr. Mor gan was not in, but a brand new ser mon was left on the desk. Mr. Ed munds took 'away the sermon, and preached It at Capel Zlon the follow ing evening. Pleton Castle, the stately residence of Sir Charles and Lady Phllipps, and family, has a remarkable history. Dur ing the Civil war Sir Richard Phllipps garrisoned It on behalf of tho king. The castle sustained a long siege, und wnuli not have surrendered whim It did but for the following circumstance: In the lower story of one of the bas tions was tho nursery, havins in It n small window, at which a maidservant was stnnding, with Sir Erasmus Phll ipps, tlien an infant, in her nrms, when a trooper of the parliamentary forces approached It on horseback with a tla? of truce and a letter, to receive which tho girl opened the window, and while she ftretched forward the soldi T lifting himself on his ptirrupg, snatched the child from her arms, and rode with him Into tho camp. A message wrs then forwarded to the governor of the garrison Informing him that unless the castle was Immediately surrendered the child would be put to death. On this the garrison yielded and was al lowed to march out with tho honors of wr.r. It wns paid that tho parlia mentary general was so touched by tho loyalty of lr Richard that he gave orders thnt Pleton castle rhould not bo demolished, ns was the fate of the other fortresses In Pembrokeshire. Thus saved, the castle and domains passed from father to son to the fifth baronet, Sir Erasmus Phllipps, who was drowned in Hath In 1743, nnd was suc ceeded by Sir John Phllipps, of Kll getlj. The Robert Morris Lodge eisteddfod has been postponed from tho 17th of March to April 1, 1S97. ELECTION BETS. , "Rattle hl3 bones Over the stones." Ho rides on a rail on a bet with Jones. Hold him down For the yelling town Ho sl:rds on tila head six hours for llrown. Not for his crimes His dollars or dimes He'll be ducked In tho mill pond fifteen times. With neve' a flaw (Or a weakening Juw) Ho must sing "Sweet Home" for his mother-in-law. And he ends the strife With a bet with his wlfo, And he mllitls the babies the rest of his lift I Stanton, In Tltnes-Hsrald Pillow-Sham Holders just received very serviceable, strongly made, worth 50c. Our Price 24c 12-Piece Toilet Set new, fancy shapes, decorated in colors, worth $5.00. This Week $3.98 Dinner Plates full size, trimmed in gold, with colored flowers, worth 15c. This Week 10c Royal Blue Cups and Saucers in tea or coffee size, very fine goods, worth 25c. This Week Cup and Saucer 10c Engraved Lamp Chimneys, any size. Our Price 10c Jardiniers fancy blended colors, 6 inch size, worth 25c. Our Price 10c Look over our large assortment of Enamel Ware 10c a Piece New Things Added Ev ery Day. MEMORABLE DAYS OF THANKSGIVING Historical Evolution ol the National Home Festival. SOME OF THE EARLY OBSERVANCES Its Origin Traced Back to the Early Years of the Seventeenth Century, When Uovcrnor Bradford Pro claimed tho First Thanksgiving Upon American Soil-Tho liny Has Been Observed Annually by the Nn tion Since the Latter Period of the Civil Mar. With grateful hearts, a nation blest, Come! Join y? Che harvest feast. In prayer, in songi let praise ascend To Ood, whose mercy doth on us attend. In obedience to the proclamation of President Cleveland, and of tne gover nors of the various states, Thursday, Nov. 2G, Is to be observed ns a day of national thanksgiving. Throughout the T'nited States it is the annual thanks giving for the mercies of the closing year, a national harvest festival, and a legal holiday. It is on? of three dis tinctively and generally observed American national festivals Independ ence Day and Memorial Day being the other two. and this, notwithstanding tho fact that days of thanksgiving, in foreign lands, antedated the founding of the American colonies. Such a fes tival, It Is said, was suggested by the Hebrew Feast of Tabernacles, a feast of Ingathering at the end of tho year, but, however that may be, the occa sional observance of u day of thanks giving, recommended by civil author ity, was not unusual in r.urope, and such a day was observed In Leyden, Holland, Oct. 3. 1575 the first anni versary of the deliverance of that city from siege. In 1608 the Pilgrim church, exiled from England, went to Holland and remnined there until 1620, when It sent off the Mayflower colony to New England. After the first harvest of tne colonists at Plymouth, In 1621. Gover nor Bradford proclaimed the (list thanksgiving upon American soil, anil it muy well be that the idea came from the Hollahdish association.. It wns a time of great despondency among the first settlers of New i.ngland, nnd it was proposed, at a public meeting, to proclaim a fast. An aged farmer arose and spoke of their provoking heaven with complaints, of the many mercies thpy had received, and of the cause they had for thanksgiving. He then mndo a motion that Instead of appointing a day of fasting, they should appoint a day of thanksgiving, and to this the assembly generally agreed. So. the first Thanksgiving Day was kept amid circumstances most unpropitlous, and with gaunt famine hovering over the rude ami cheerless dwellings of the little colony. The summer of 1621, fol lowing upon tho landing at Plymoutn, had yielded scanty harvest, and unl- ss speedy supplies came from r.urope the sturdy colonists saw they would be re duced to the point of starvation; yet, amid such surroundings, Governor Bradford, the harvest being gathered in, sent four men out fowling, so that they might, aft?r a more special man ner, rejoice toi'ethnr niter they had gathered tho fuult of th?lr labor. And thus, as it has been said, While sickness lurked, nnd death assailed. And foes beset on every hand, tho first rovernor of New England In stituted the "American Harvest Home." KEPT nY THE PILGRIMS. The harvest thanksgiving thus Insti tuted was kept by the Pilgrim Fathers repeatedly during the century, and to Glass Water Sets ? qt. jug, six tumblers and tray, worth 50c. Our Price 39c Imported Water Sets colored glass, fancy flowers, decorated with gold, worth $2.50, Our Trice $1.49 Decorated Vase Lamps stand 25 inches high.shadc dec crated to match, central draft bur ner, loose front, worth $5.00. Our Trice $2.49 Cupid Brass Lamps banquet size with fine silk shade, worth $5.00. Our Trice $2.9S rietal Night Lamp' with metal shade to match brass burner and globe very durable all complete, worth 50 cents. Our Trice 24c China Cuspidore parlor shape decorated, worth 50 cents. This Week 24c Enamel Cuspidore was 74 cents. This Week 49c this day nowhere Is It kept with so much zest as in the New England states, where it ranks as a great family feast, taking the place which is ac counted elsewhere to Christmas. In July, 1623, a day of fasting and prayer was appointed, on account of the drouth. Rain came abundantly, it Is stated, while they were praying, and the governor appointed a day of thanksgiving, which was observed with religious service. The Charles town records show a similar change of fust day Into a day of thanksgiv ing in 1K31, on account of the arrival of supplies from Ireland. In June, 1632, Governor Wlnthrop, of Massachusetts Bay Colony, recom mended a day of thanksgiving on ac count of the action of the British privy council favorable to the colonies, and invited the governor of the Plymouth colony to unite with. him. The records show the oillcial appointment of days In Massachusetts Bay In 1633-34. 1637-38-39, sometimes for more than one day, and in Plymouth Colony in 1651, 1668. lfifcO, 1G89-U0, and occasional days of thanksgiving were also appointed by the Dutch governor of New Nether lands (New York) In 1644, etc., and by English governors of New York In 1755 and 1760. Congress recommended days of thanksgiving annually during the Rev olution, and In 1781, for the return of peace. Washington appointed such a day in 1781, after the adoption of the constitution, and in 1795 for general benefits and the welfare of tho nation. The Episcopal church formally rec ognized the civil government's author ity to appoint such a feast, but it was not until 1SS8 that the Roman Catholic church also decided to honor a festival which had been so long and so generally observed. President Madison, by request of con gress, recommended a day of thanks giving for pence. In April, 1815. In New York, the day was regularly adopted in 1817, and in southern states, later. In 1855 Governor Johnson, of Virginia, recommended a day, but in 1857 Governor Wise, being requested to do so, publicly declined, because he was "unauthorized to interfere in re ligious matters." GENERAL OBSERVANCE. In 1858 Thanksgiving Day proclama tions were Issued by eight governors of Southern states. Lincoln, In 1S62-63, reoonimendrd special thanksgiving for victory, und a national proclamation of the annual Thanksgiving Day In 18G3-64, since which time it has been annually issued by nil presidents, gov ernors of stntos, and mayors of prin cipal cities. It Is noticeable that, whereas Christ mas and other church festivals were frowned uyon and severely put down by early Protestants, to prevent what they deemed to bu "heathenish and Popish observation of days, months and years," so that they might be forgotten custom Is stronger than pre cept, and that when the Thanksgiv ing t.'ny ot the lilsrim Fathers be came annual. It borrowed many of the essential features of the English Christ mas. It was a day of family reunion, on which the Puritan partook of turkey and pumpkin tiles, instead of boars' head.- nmv plum pudding. The day was Ion:: In becoming fixed, however, and It is on record that one town took the liberty of postponing the fes tival tor one week, in order to get In a supply of molasses with which to sweeten the pumpkin pies. With latter Thanksgiving Days, the general public Is familiar. It is a day essentially of rejoicing; the people be ing given to attendance upon divine service during the morning hours, and the offering up of thanks to (he Su premo ltelns for all the mercies and blessings which have been bestowed upon them during the year, both as Individuals and as a nation: for the reign of peace, nnd for plentiful hur veBts: and, notwithstanding that some may have been hardly dealt with, re turning thanks tor those blessings which they have cnJ6yed, and prayer Nickel-lMated Tea Kettles No. 7 or No. 8, plated or copper, very well made, no seam on bot tom so they can't leak, extra plate and finish, worth $1.50. Our Price 98c Tin Wash Bowl with handle on side, very handy, and strongly made, worth 15c Our Trice 8c Knives and Forks strongly made, capped and bols stered, with fancy red handles, worth $i. 25. Our Trice 98c Patent Dust Tans fastens to your foot and you can use a broom and dust the floor without stooping, just new. Come and see it, worth 25c. Our Trice 10c One Quart Bottle Ammonia worth 19c. Our Trice 10c for future benefits. The remainder of the day is generally given over to the family reunion, and dinner, and social enjoyment, care being exercised or should be to Impress upon the young er generation the true meaning of the festival of what it represents, both to the family and the nation. A BOOK TO BE LOVED. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. i "The Bonnie Brier Bush" of Dr. John Watson seems to be animated by the same immortal fire that blazed In the bush that the great Hebrew law-giver saw in his exile. Its flame continues and must for generations continue to warm nnd cheer the heart of Its read ers. The popularity of this work is on of the most cheering literary signs of our time. Here are genuiness, sympa thy, purity, nobleness of character, loftiness of aspiration, the sweetest hu mor, the crlspest of wit, the divlnest charity, all combined In portraying the lowly fortunes nnd experiences of a re mute and isolated community. Yet the story has captured the heart of Eng lish readers everywhere. The author, like others before him who have achieved fame at a bound, evidently never dreamed of what was to come when he gave that book to the world. A sincere, natural, large-hearted man, he wrote what he thought and felt and knew. He told a simple story in a simple way, but the breath of life was in it and It has gone out from him to become for aye a blessing to man kind. In a day when so much that Is mere tricious, or dubious, or positively dis tressing for its uncleanllness, seemB to command populur favor, we ought not to overlook the hearty, even hungry, acceptance by the multitude of such a work as "The Bonnie Brier Bush." Ev ery success like that is a direct Incen tive to a thousand endeavors in the same general direction. Not that spe cific imitators of Ian Maclaren are de sirable, for that little patch of heather is peculiarly his own; but whoever shows that purity and truthfulness and altitude of thought in a writer of stories are not doomed to neglect or contempt, has opened up a highway in the right direction for feet other than his own to tread. It Is refreshing to listen to the gentle, simple, pathetic yet humorous story this man has to tell after one's experi ence with tho strained, artificial and morbid fiction that pours in such copi ous streams from the press. The very title, quaint and humble us it is, sug gests the balm as well as the thorns ol life. Only genius, however, could look beneath the commonplace Into the heart of things and uncover from the hard, dry stubble the fragrant and lovely flowers blooming so near the soil. Stem and harsh as most of those characters would appear to the ordinary observers, Ian Maclaren discerned the souls of heroes and martys, the virtues of self denial, patience, helpfulness and char ity, and the world is the richer for the discovery. America welcomes many guests In many garbs from the Old World, but rarely Is she so honored as by the visit of this manly Christian clergyman with his large, warm heart and his earnest and brilliant Intellect. STRWCERS. A moment ere the dance began A lady and a gentleman You introduced. Ah! by the way. They're waltzing now, who are tnejr, pray ? "Don't know them, eh? That's puzzling, quite. The gentleman Is Mr. White. The lady Is, upon my life, None other than his lawful wife. Funny, you say? Well, circumstance For meeting gives them little chance, For she's ull day In cycle flight And he is .at club all night.' Boston CeuilM