it ISIIEP 1-' s of Publication, viry Wednesday nioniing at i" mifiw .i.l iu advance, otherwise t ' wta b discontinued anul jo"-'' aB. postmasters ncg I "r"'fx us wben subscriber, do not i--tU. ,.'n from one potfflc l , t!i- name of '" form- Iit office- Address i,.MrKST, Pa. t Tiif T-UI. Jr.. .nrrir. t Ai'"" svireraev r. -ro-.il A IUlll. " .1 L' KKS. -tia so'-1 ' ,. , . r ! u bu. - ... wm be at- kip:u. au :LY-AT-1-A. lAliVl-LliUC SOf .-If A- It a- "'-NAX-LAW Somerset ITU a.- ,,,-l-y V llLliKBkl, a ,2cc Ui t ' ,( .lle , bant- 'iSv-AT-LAW. somerset, ra. . a lo.r:i &oek. UP suure. fici-ia 1'I.L, ti-Al-LAW, feuWcrsel, r How, oiioiW Court h ..KNEY-AI-LAW, A - CHiiuensel, r- OLl .e-r L, 1"- J. U. CHiLE. .::"t'r '."L"TaiTt-iiu'uUjoiuiiii VALiMit UAV A. L (i- HAY. AY 1Y.AT-IW. HhtV-AX-LAV,. ' iU COiitxT- ioHX 0. KIMMEL, J Aiiuii-Ntl-Al-LAM, ,ut t ua 4oiiu ou;. ... u.l-ll.v. omc" rtx, auv tua.m' orocery 6.ore. U bin c wvui AIK.K-Ni-V.AX-LAW Sou" ' r. En oiiKtiou i'.'KX Oil Mill, inw n""- ATluKNt-Vs-Al-LA, Somerset, P. . ,k.nr... ....?m..i u our cre will be i-jtifiii'i''wi- tk-oionl and adjoin k -.anti MirvrwiM: ud oouveynucui HL BAER. . ATTU rn ey-at-law . tSonieraeU P r;i p!nipe la Somerset and adioinine tic. A,l lvil.e euLruieU u ixim wUi t ppjuipi'.teuuor. 4. H. COFFKOTH. W. H. BCPPKL. rmWTH A RITPEU Ij Anyt-NtYs-Al-UW, boiaeraet. Pa. A" bosii eutrunted to their care will ba 1 ,TL1 Uiili' ui.ly atitDded to. t'flKW ji tro tunl, ofposiU) ilaminotU tcKA. T W. (WROTH EES. M- D.. J PHYsAX S am sLKotOS. Somerstt, Fa. 03 oo P'J- o. Bireet, oppoai C. B 4 n ckli at oCoa. DS. P. F. SHAFFER, PHYSICIAN a-NDSCKGEON, tHtmeraet, Pa. l"cd-r hi pnfri'.rti! pervtct t tbe eiti Mavi nn-i viciu.iy. office corner aiiJ INITIO suvet. DR. J. M. Lct"THER. I HiviA.N i.Mi RGEOS, 'Cjoc lL.m f'.rt-rt. tar of L'ruf (tore. D a H. KIMMELL, .ir.nl ic to tbe elU-it.-;unv. I'uiexa pro- . i (K j eHi.-.-.t - r!. (k- i.iund at liia oi- T)a J t?.M.MILLKX, ur.u-c ia lH:uulry.) tt.Tf .,,u..,,a IO tt.e prerTatlon JWtti te-.u. rf.ao-. ku luaertnl. l'' 5l mr L ii cllice V. H. COFFROTH, Fuueral Director. Flcsideuoe, Si PaU-iot tSU p2AXK B. FLUCK, L-nd Surveyor ""ulNXEER. little, Pm. OPERATIVE MUTl'AL FIRE t 4cara at actual bv iusur- P' p-r v. Wriiv for informatioa. J A.','. J. ZORN, Secretary H. HlTox, Undertaker and Err.balmer. A GOOD HEARSE, rrrr ' . uUi v rotMuraia faro MERset . ' . pa .V-'a of t eoCLtl-r Mn t ... 1AX1A. f a k of than lieu, a . nuirtiinff ftt J ; .. ...... iu I - m i 11 i n i I 3 .r;.r r" r a i l 1 IIV t'.J I JL JJLC7 ' kJ VOL. XLYIL NO. Your rtnows Toar doctor knows all about foods and ruodicinea. The next time you see him. 1 just ask Lira what ho thinks of SCCII'S of Cod-Liver Oil vri h Hypo- photphitt-a. We are wiLiasr to trust in his answer. For twenty-flve years doc tors have prescribed our Emulsion for palcnoss, weak ness, nervous eecheuFtion, and for all diseases that catiso loss in flesh. - Its creamy color and its nleasant taFte make it es pecially useful for thin ana delicate children. Ko other preparation of cod- iivcr oil is lifr it. Con't lose ti.-ne and risk your health by taking' something unknown and untried. Keep in mind that SCOTT S EMVLSION has stood the test tor a quarter of a century. toe ti oo: U drcriH't. SCOTT & BOWSE, Chwrui, New York. THE- First lational Bail Somerset, JPenn'a. Capital, S50.000. Surplus, S34.000. OCPOSITS MCCCIVC I n L HOC M D M ALl wouNTe, Ttt om olo accounTa o (KCHmt. ARfa, toc ocatCRS. and oimih suuicitco DISCOUNTS DAILY. - BOARD OF DIRECTOR CHA. O. SCi l.U CiKti. K. S I LL, JAM HIS fl-'.U, W. H. M1U.KK. joex k. Nfcrr. kokt. scuix. EDWARD SITU, : : PBESTDENT VAi KMiXh HAY, : VICE PP.KSIl'KNT. UAKVEY M. BfcttKLEY. t-AteUltK-Th fnniu .rid wiritie of thU banK art-se curely proin-d in a celebrated Corliss bm 6UKPiioiirMii. fue only aafe made abso- iotelv burs;ar-pnxix. Jicob D. Swank, Witchmaker and Jeweler, Next 3oor West or Lutnertn unurcr., Somerset. - Pa. Am Now prepared to supply the public with ClfH-ks, Watches, and Jew elry of all descriptions, as Cheap as the Cheapest. KEPAIRISG A SPECIALTY. Ail work guaranteed. Look fct stock before making your purchases. mv J. D. SWANK. KEfFER'S NEW SHOE STORE! BEH'S BOYS'. WOUEICS. 6IKLS CHiLUtit" SHOES, OXFORDS td SLIPPERS. Black and Tan. Itt Styles and Shapes at lowest .....CASH PRICES- - Adjoining Mrs. A. E. UhL South-earf corner of square. SOMERSET, PA. a Cl N 2 ; C . St 2 S p w 5 & s C3 J2 o E o o o 6 Get an Education Tb. fcMt ootat la nr.. B.M avxaod. a4 at CEXTRAl STATE llr.UJlL SCH2& gtmcMT raHf, i rx library, ha'X-tAvl tins. mt ZMX .1 to IC- dt fa 1 '(t " r-r c rar, tav tr wort rd C Macac,ft-tftae.Tj9 frumt f iaisrttld rttvft. f i imv. rue rw u4 F. 60 YEARS' V EXPERIENCE .'Ml' COTMKT9 AC I!ifk3l!WHha. liv.aaf-a Sdtmine flntricaiu. la' 1 f-: a 9 5 f :" itiUi To. r . wau p. u 28. A L03T CHEISTilAS. fJtt'.e Gladys lost hr trist.-n Just a yearaco, M hen tb. aorld nra bright with hoily An 1 giiurriuf llt with snow. A hatful f.-vTlraron, Witlj f.vt-p Hkea raoju, All Ihf dniii of ulgltL my dsrn, ( rt-pt aoflly through the hou?w, Th drugon' wicked art, dears, CauEiit GU.Iy'n io a spell, Aid iu a tower' very top For wi k the had to dwell. Tli dortor 'mr nr.ined hr AnJ tit otr lif roldt-n bair. And ncvera sound of Christmas Klole up Ii-r g jardd atalr. At thth'.nmir halth-anirt'U (Vine w.nJenn from theaky. And before thplr hreatb of life, dears, Tbe fl.:ml was fain to fly. But Kprine Uh lisria and flowers Tripped down the hills amain IVforewur little darliug Was auleaud well ag iiu. And so she loxt ber Christmas ! It wait to vry aad To be lying; iy wttb fever, 'Vben all the world was glad. Not any Christinas plt-asure, But weary hours of pain ; Foryotlen, to he ure dears. When ttie child ras well auln. This year her hr ppy mother, With tyeti tliat Khme for Joy, H;u planned a double ChrUunaK, With doll. aa.J tree, and toy.' And a lovely Christmas party, And a merry Christ mits p ay. To make her pr -lotis trensure. If Ios.ilile, ta tee gay. "Two Clir'stnkax days in one, dear. Because of that you lo.t. When the cruel fever burned you. And In bed you raved and toRsed," "But not all to myself, p ease?" Our little 'iladys said, For the wlwioin of the Christ-child The little maiden led. hospital for children. Where little ones arff brought In sickness aud iu suffering. Our ttladys In in tliou'LU There many a tiny col, dears. Will have its share of Joy From Uladys this dear CliriMmas, In fljwerand doll and toy. Hit 'twas not wholly lost, dears. Last year that Christmas day, 1 bough the Christmas aijr U tarried !- long up.n the way. There are little fcices beainlng. And eyta alight with chiyr For a CUristmu) shared w.ui UUdys l'hls happy, happy year. A LIVELY OLD PAIR. Ilarders Flint, Ewj , lawyer, sat alone in his bachelor's dea la a big easy chair, bis feet incaed hi a pair of di lapidated old slippers, resting on the fender, bis hands thrust half way into his trouser p.x-ket and his head beut forward until his chin rested on his breast. On the table beside him lay a couple of newspapers and a yellow cov ered law boot, open at the' page he had been consulting. . Lawyer Flint was deep in perplexing thought, to judge by the expression of his face, for bis brow was clouded and bis lips compressed, and occasionally he turned Lis head toward the open volume as if inclined to seek further aid from it, but with a slight shake of the bead retapsed agaia into his former att:tude. He had (tat thus f.r a long time when there was a knock at the door. 'Come in," said the lawyer, without looking up. A servant girl entered, handed him a note and withdrew. Lawyer Flint opened the note read it, utteriug an excl&matioa of impa tience, arose and paced up and down the room. "So Rjlingold can't meet me to-morrow because it's Christmas," "he mutr tered, as be stalked across the floor; "every day is important in this matter and yet be, the ou m:st interested, d.'lajs proceedings tweuty-f ur hours simply because it happens to be Christ mas. (J id ! I can't -e how a busi ness man like Rolingold can be so fooi Uh. . Well, he continued, "let him take bis hol'uLiy and enjoy it if he can ; I ouldn't It's many and many a long day since Chris '.an interfered with my business.' He returned to bis chair, but the train of his thought bad beeu inter rupted and his tace now woreaeynicil, hard look as be gazed into the crack ling fire. Oaee, long ago, his Christ en v- days bad been bright, too, but their brightness was obscarei by more vived r?c Elections f other Chr stmxs times in later years, when ambition an j disappointment and poverty and greed had steeled his heart asd lft no rovm for Christmas thoughts. Ob, the ; years thtt he had worked aud starved aad hoarded toreaeh bis pre-ent con dition of comfortable iudepsnd?nc ! As be lik back up m tbem aow ais l;p-c!oJ tighter an4 the bitterness depeued in his face. Ffom a distant part of tbe house came tbe aouud of muiic, aud tbe Uughter, of children, and the hum of an versaiion. Hut the lawyer rem tin el m j'-ioalesa with his head Upon bis bvast. lUt-tat, rattat, rattle-Uttle, ratt'e tattle, rat-ut, rattk-tattle, mt-Ut-taL Wnat was that? It seemed to come from the closet at tbe other side of tbe room. The lawyer went over ana opened the closet door ; there was noth ing to be seeti except a lot of old law books piled upoa the shelves and a pair of heavy old boots on the fl tor. "That noise must have come from below stairs, after all," he said, "but it seeuied to be right in the room ; sounded just like some one dancing on a bare fl xr." "I wss jut thinking of Uncle Tom," be contiuued, "aud there are the boots the old ui&n left here when be gut his new ones at the close of his visit, a month ao. I must tell Joe to taks them away." lie went over to tbe chair and sat down again. "Uncle Tom," be said to himself. "Bah I boj-e enjoyed his visit here. I didn't I'd go crary wiib that blundering old man around me, nudging me ana flapping me oa the bark, 'tryibg to get a little fun out of me, as be tid, with that everla-4- ing, good aatttred laugh of bis. CbrUt mas 'il soon be here,' hestid, as be was leaving, "a I hope you'll brace up Harder, and enjoy yourself. I'd show you how to do il if I could slay with you.' Well, I wonder now what he'd d t to show me how to eijoy Christmas 8id tbe lawyer, as he aetlied down in his chair. i Again tbe Hounds of lai'gbter and i o m SOMERSET, PA., convernaiiou came faintly from bolow. The vi.lins struck up a lively air and little-te-tat-te, ratile-te tat-te, rat-te-tattle-te rattle-te-Ut ! Tbe lawyer looked quickly toward the closet, the d-r of wbica ha had J left open Hj rubled bis eyes and look- cl again. Yes, there could be no mis- j Uke abut it, there were Uncle Tom's j boots stepping about on the closet floor, rattling off the time with heel and toe, sliding across and back, rig'.it boot flrsf, left boot first, up with the right, up with the left, nd, as the music grew louder, up with both, crack ! crack ! tbe heels ciiue together twice ia the air, landing ou tbe floor in exact time with the music, and finishing up w ith a lively raUle tat-te-ratlle-tattle, rat-tat-tat. Then they came briskly over toward the astonished lawyer exactly as though they bad feet and !egs iu them. Over to the fire they walked, turned heels toward it and stood there wide apart. Involuntarily, Lawyer Flint glanced up as if expecting to see the ruddy, jovial face and portly form of his Un cle Tom. There were the boots just as the uM man would have placed them, hut Uncle Tom was not there, "Bless my soul !" excluinied the law yer, ''but this is mighty curious." The toe of tbe right bt began tap ping tbe carpet gently, then they mov ed over to the window, stood still a moment and then walked out into the hallway. "(Jad !" said Lawyer Fliut excitedly, "I believe they are ging out. I must see the end of this thing." He threw off hit dressing gown, hur ried into his shoes, overcoat and hat, and followed tbe boots oJt of the street door, which had opened at their ap proach. Down the steps they tripped gayly and turned toward the brilliant ly lighted avenue. Tbe still, starlit night was bitterly cold, and Liwyer Fliut shivered as he buttoned his heavy coat close up around bis neck. Up the street be hastened, following the empty boots, which slipped sideways at every other tep and jammed their heels in to the trodden snow, but made their way rapidly, nevertheless. Around the corner, into the avenue, in and out among tbe throngs of Christ mas eve jedestriain, d.xlging here and there, stepping on tots, stopping ia front of show windows, kicking them selves together and stamping "n the grouud thus went the old boots, and after them followed the excited law yer. They turned into a big store. "Now," thought Lawyer Flint, as he entered the door, "some one will be sure to se them," but strange to say, the bxts were entirely unnoticed by the buzzing, laughing, : hippy people who thronged the store. The lawyer leaned against the toy coun'erand watched the boots as they shuffl d around on the fTxr. "Something for the little ones?' The question was asked by a pretty salesgi'l, and it was addressed to Har !ers Flint, He s'arted, and for tbe Crst time realized that he was in a rath er peculiar position. Why was he standing arouud there, the people would a-k, if he did not wish to buy ? How long would be ba obliged to re main? He couldn't tell. Should he say that he was waiting for those old boots? No, no; he didn't wish tn anj account to call attention to the ridicu lous performance they were going through. "Yes," he snid, coloring, "some thing for tbe little ones ;' and then be went about selecting tin boms, and sliver bells, and wooly dogs and wood en monkeys, and trumpets, ami check er?, and dominoes, growing white and red by turns at he thought of the fear ful extravagance, and, glancing fur tively, w ith Increasing impatience and anger, at tbe boots, which seemed livelier than ever as bis purchases In creased. "Seven dollars and forty cents, please," said the salesgirl. Ioto the silver bail went a good ten dollar bili ! click, ciick, it shot upward and slid across the cashier's desk, while the lawyer groaned and waited fur bis change. Ittttle-te-tat-te, rattle-te-tat-te, rattle-te-te-Ut-te, rat-ra-tat ! went the old bioU close by bis side. Several people looked at him with smiles of amuse ment. "Happy time, isn't It?" sahl a jolly little fat man, glancing at the lawyer's big bundle. "I feel like dano log myself." "Change, fir; thank you. Merry Christmas !' Tne exasperated lawyer grasped his bundle and hurried after tbe boots, which dow seemed anxious to get away from the store. hen he struck the cold air and again drew his coat around him be seemed somehow to feel less annoyance. Tbe excitement of the chase bad warmed bis blood. It was a curious feeling that began now to steal over him, tbe like of which he had nev er experienced before, or at least not for many years, be said to himself, as be stopped before a candy store and followed tbe boots inside. "Candy for Christmas?" He smiled aim t to think that he, Harders Flint, should hear such a question addressed to himself, and more astounding yet was tbe fact that be did want to buy some candy for Christmas, and that be really stood there pocketbook in band. waiting for it. RAtlle-te-Ut, te-Ut-te-Ut ! A t mile broke over tbe salesgirl's face as she banded him tbe package of candy and away went tbe lawyer, after tbe b ioU, which seemed determined to give him a lively chase before the evening was over. Again be was in the biMng air, but the warm blood coursed thrcaj a e rery vein iu his body as he hu fried along. Again and agaio they stopped, gatil tbs iawyei's purse was nearly empty aud bis arms more than full, Tbe old boots seemed fairly wild with delight, aud Lawyer Flint could not, to SAve his tife, help laughing at them as .bey skipped and slipped and danced along tbe sidewalk. Away they led him, out of the ave nue, down the dark side streets, until he beard tbe soucd of children singing. Iu this direction the old boots hasten ed and stopped before the bouse from whence tbe singing came. Up the t-p tbey went ; the door opened, and somehow tbe lawyer, too much fluster e r ESTABLISHED 1827. WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 21, 1898. ed and confused to know bow It was exactly, found bhr.seif in a room filled with children, and a lovely lady was saying to him: "Ah! you're in time, Thank you so much. We haven't dis tributed the prewuts yet. You will nuke a good mary little hearts glad to-night, sir." Aud all around him was warmth and liht anil music and a clattering of happy tongues, and al together such a Joyous atmosphere as be would not have believed could pot sibly exist anyt here. "( Jood night ! Merry Christmas !" The sound raug in bis ears as be fal lowed tbe lively old boots out of tbe door aud back through the dark streets iuto the avenue. "I wonder where they'll take me now?" he said, chuckling and laugh ing softly. "Uad !' he continued, "I had more than forty dollars in that poeke'.tx'Ok, and there isn't enough left to-bello ! there they go into a cigar store, H-m, cigars are too great a luxu ry for Harders Flint ; not to-night though," he laughed. "I'll smoke to night,'' and he came out of the store a niorueut later with a box of choice cigars in his hand, . And then tbe old boots led him back at a moderate pace to his bachelor's quarters. He whistled softly as he re moved his coat and got iuto his dress ing gown and slippers; tbeu be lit a cigar, threw himself into the big chair before the fire and sat contentedly putt ing the fragrant smoke and watching it curl upward toward the ceiling, and be laughed wbeu from tbe closet he heard the old boots dancing again. Rattle-te, rattle-te, rattle-te-tat, ral-tat-uii tat-tat-tat-tat tat "They must be tired," thought the lawyer, as the lively rattle dwindled iuto a regular monotonous tapping. Then he started, sat up straight and opened his eyes. The tapping did not come from tbe closet but from the ball door. It was Joe, come to replenish the fire. "I've been dreaming," said Lawyer Hint to himself. He turned bis back to the fire, looked over towards the closet and smiled. Then be walked to the window aud looked out Into the fetrtet. He took out bis watch and looked at it, while a light shone in his eyes aud bis mouth worked curiously. 'There's time enough yet," be said, and Joe was surprised to see him hur ry on his coat and hut ; but not balf so surprised as he was when he stood alone in the room a moment later with a big silver dollar in bis baud. A lazy liver makes a lazy man. Bur dock Blood Bitters Is the natural, never failing remedy for a lazy liver. An Insect Engineer. Several members of the.United States corps were interisted witneesof a feat of insect engineering near tbe road on which they were working. Oueof tlieir uumltT found a blue grouud wa-p drag ging along the ground a dead swamp spider, .one-quarter the size of a full grown tarantula. Wbetber'the wasp killed tbe spider or found it dead, is a question beyond solution. He was hav ing a bard time drugging bis prey along, and presently left it to go pros pecting for bis abode. The discoverer of the wasp called his companions, and one of them stepped upon the wa-p's ground bole, crushing down some blades of .dried grass across ft. This caurd no little trouble to tbe iusect, which, Uou locating the bole, nip; veil away at the obstructing stalks with bis strong mandibles until he bad cleared a passage. Then he went back and sized up the spider, walking around the big body and surveyicg it from all sides. "He's reckoning that the hole isn't big enough," said one of the engineers. "That's all right; he'll fix it," said another, as tbe insect went back and commenced vigorously widening the entrance to his domicile. Again he returned to the spider, seiz it aud dragged it to within a foot of the orifice. To the spectators it was evi dent that more work would have to be done before the spider cool 1 b. dragged in. This struck the wasp, too, for again be ran around the body, examining it carefully, and returned to the bole to take measurements. He went to dig ging a second time. Having dug for two minutes, be brought his prey to the edge of the bole, nipped out a piece of dirt here, cut away a grass stem there, and after fifteen minuUs of htrd and skillful la hordisappeared underground, dragging the spider after him, doubtless to form the "piece de resistance" In a winter storehouse. The engineers then resum ed their work, exchanging comments of admiration. Chicago Inter-Ocear. Eicape of the Gloucester. Captaia "Bob" Evans is quoted in Leslie's Weekly as telling of tbe nar row escape of tbe Gloucester in the bat tle of Santiago as follows : "Captain Taylor, of the Indiana, which was elosest In towards the Span iards, caught sight of their torpedo boats and thought the rest of us couldn't see them. He ran up tbe signal 'Ene my's torredo boats coming out.' Dick Wainwrigbt, iu charge t the (Jlouce tur, misread tbe signal. He took it to hi ttuoboats attack the enemy's torpedo-boats.' He started right in after those torpedo-boats. "I saw the Gloucester without recog nizing her, and saying to myself, 'Well, here's some devilish new torpedo boat coming from somewhere,' turned two 8 inch guns ou her. One of my oflieers then sai-i to me, "Captain, if you don't look out you'll sink the Gloucester.' 'Why,' said I, 'where the devil ia the Gloucester? Sure enough, there she was, ba between, spitting fire as bard as she could." Working Day and Sight Tbe busiest and migbtiAt little thing that ever was made is Dr. King New Life P.Ha. Every pill is a sugar coated globule of health, that changes weak ness into strength, listlessness into energy, braia-ftg into mental power. They're wonderful la building up the health. Oaly 25 per box. SldatJ. N. Snyder'a Drug Store, Somerset, Pa, and G. W. Brallser'a Drug Store, Ber lin, Pa, A CHRISTMAS WITCH. I Yes. It was Chris'maa Eve nirain all the city was alight such crowds of peo-! pie hurrying by ! Such visions dnz-z!:ng-bright gleaming in gy shop win dows ! Such ringing of laugh and jest ! Such nipping, biting, tweaking cold blown out from tbe far North west ! All tbe laden carts seemed rattling and rumbline loudu r than ever before ! And bow, through glare of torpedo and j rocket, the rt-stlei horses tore! Tbe very air, In some strange way, seemed tilled with a faint, sweet stir, like the echo of small, far reindeer-hoofs, and fairy chariot's whir ! Then, every eye was bright with a smile, as far as one could see ; yes, all, except Why, who's this? "Oh, just a waif frim Italy V says the bustling crwd and it bustles on while another sweeps in place. But who has tle to heed a lad with a heartbreak on his face? "Nello, the little fiddler boy," they call him on Dismal Row, at the farthest end of Drear. side street, where he turned just now to go ; for there Is tbe dark aad bare little rooru. which is all be barf known of borne since be and Tessa the little sister lodged in the streets of Rome. He aud Tessa are orphans, and have t-ecn since either knew Tepsa says they were orphan-born and he half believes it too. But, nevertheless, when he has bad luck they have never gone hungry long, for there has been always tbe violin and sometimes with It, a song to coax in a penny now here, now there till at the end of a busy day, with buns and corfee for Tessa and him, it was worth one's while to play. The busiest day he bad ever known bad been this Christmas Eve ; tired and hungry and cold enough he bad never dared to leave the streets where the glad throngs came and went for they seemed more pleased to-day with the plaintive tones that the music took whatever lie sought to play. He bad thought to give them his merriest tunes, but they fled beyond his ill ; the longings that swelled bis heart it seemed too, his violin loved to flih Yet, strangely enough, the crowd l'Hiked pleased, so he pluyed on there till night ; for what but a good warm dress for Tessa should mean those pen nies bright now tucked away in his pocket deep a dress, and may le a shawl ! and and just a morsel for both to-night if the money would do for all ! At last, with these glad thoughts in bis mind as fast as he well could go for the crowd on the crossing he turn ed his steps in the way of Dimal Row. The streets were blaz-ng with colored lights the Uy bombs bursting loud what wonder the horses of careless ri ders shied at the ncise and crowd ! Such a one was it that, spurred straight on by bis rider, as though pot?sesel, bore then toward the surging crowd through which yourg Nello pred. An instant's jiwtle and knocking about tbe next, as the p?ople rushed, the violin lay 'neath the horse's horfs in to splintered fragments crushed ! His violin ! He could make no moau. One little gasping cry, half starting out from his parched up throat, seem iog on his tongue to die ! Half of the people not so muc'i as saw, some othf rs said:"Uinph! th.t's smashed! The little boy s fiddle!" "Look there !"' "Well, well, I thought we all should be mashed !' "Nobody's killed !" said one, with a laugh, "nobody's killed but a fiddle !" The face of the little lad bending above its wreck was an unread riddle. As one iu a dream went Nello home, but bis landlady, Mr. Molloy, meeting him on the steps, stopped short in dis may at sight .f the boy," for bis eyes were filled with deep despair, and she saw, hugging up to his chin, what seemed like tbe handle and broken bits of a worn old violin ! How her kindly heart tried all known ways to soothe bis gruf, when she heard ! How Tessa gave comfort of kiss carrss and every sof, loving word ! But the violin ! it bad been a part of himelf and the friend that had brought them bread. It was Christ mas Eve ! but be sobbed himself to sleep on his pallet-bed. In a bright-lit, handsome up-town house, good Mrs. Molloy all day had b.eu htlping the maids at their chores, aud had only Just stolen away "To give the old man a bit of a sup," as she said and that being done, went back to finish her part of tbe preparation for next day's fun. A rich woman lived in this beautiful house a woman tbe world called cold. Twas said that she cared for one per soi aloue her daughter, just eight years old a fair little maid, who, with eye stretched; stood list'niog while Mrs. Molloy, perched on a step-ladder, hung up the greens and told of the "Eye-talian boy." "Why, mum," concluded Mrs, Mol loy t the hdy near, wreathing green, "h was that detracted wid grief, be looked loike bis seuses bad left him clean. Iudade, and be s cause to feel bad, worsj luck ! for 'tis them will be put to their wits wid sorra a mou'ful but coinei from the fiddle and that jist broken to bits !"' ' "OUT' crU d the little grl, trvmulou ly, "oa Christmas Eve, Mrs, Molloy?" So wretched as that to-night?" "Mamma ! suppose he were your lit tle boy ! If Tessa were me, aud Nello my little brother that died !'' Sbe went over quickly with tear- brimmed eyes and stood at her moth er's side. "When I tblok of tbem crying them selves to sleep," she said, "I can't del glad that It's Christmas time for sup pose 'twere me and my little brother so sad ! Mamma, 'twould he easy tosend down town ! If you'd only let me take to Nello tomorrow a violin! for little Reggie's sake ! Tbe rich woman reached out her arms to the child at tbe name of her own lout boy, and brokenly said : "Is that you just you! are you mother's pI angel, IVy f It was Christmas morn ; the sun had ecarce had time to salute the wow, when a little tap was heard at the rooru of an attic ou Dismal Row, and as Nello ojvened the door what then should meet his wondering ft":ght but a little fair girl with silken curls, all fluffy in furs of white, who a-ked : "Are you Nello?" and smiled so SAeetly, with dimples in chin and cheek, that be scarcely dared answer the sprite la such poor English as he could spak. But, be nr-dlipg, s';e all smiles, en tered tbe r.xtu, unwrapped and laid on a chair the tvl i shaped bundle she held iu her arms, and call -d him to "please come there." He saw an old-time vicliu case; the tears would rush to bis eyes; but the little maid's smiles grew still more bright, and her look more arch and wise, "Open it Nello.!" she cried with glee, "It has something for you within !" He obeyed like one ia a dream, and there lay a rare old violin ! So like the one he had used so long only by far more fine. He looked at the fair little girl before him. "Nello's?" he murmured. "Miner' How happy her eyes! How bright was her hair ! "Are you a fairy?" be said. Tbe little girl laughed. "Santa Chtus couldn't come, so he sent it by me instead," was all that she told him, but Tessa then chancirg to bring in good Mrs. Molloy, that lady exclaimed ia astonishment great : "Why, glory ! Here's little Miss Floy !" I must add how, that evening, two happy waifs stocd by a Christmas tree blooming with everything good. How Ttssa a pretty dress found on that tree, and Nello a suit of clothes warm as could be. Now all sorts of goodie? eompletid their joy, aud how, gladdest of all, was that little witch, Floy. A Contract Job. "I was only ten years o'.d when I se cured my first contract," said a well- known contractor, who was in a talka tive mood. "My father was living on a farm at the time, and as winter drew nigh be Conceived the plan of turning the little creek that ran through the firm Into a hollow near by, thus forming a pond from which to cut ice during the win ter. 'My father figured up the cost, and finding that it amounted to more than be had thought it would was about to give it up, when I looked the situation over and bld him that I would take the contract for 10. He laughed and told me to go ahead, not dreaming fr an instant that I would have the ambi tion to begin on tbe work, as up to that time I had not shown a liking for bard labor. "I called the boys of the neighbor hood together, and placed the situation before them. The nearest pond was a matter of tea miles away, and even a boy with a pair of brand new skates di I not thrill at the prospect of walking Ctat far for a skate. I showed them bow, with a little work, wecould have a place to skate right at home. They Ml in with tbe idea, and we went to work to carry out the plan. "We were over a month working at it ; that is, the other boys were, while I stood around and bossed the jot. "I was proud of the work when it was finished, and I think my father was too, although he couldn't see f r the life of him bow 1 managed to se cure so much help fr nothing. "With the first heavy freeze there was a rush for the ponu ty tne boys that was only equaled by the rush away from it when father discovered them there and started afur them with a horsewhip. "He said that he wasn't gf in' to have a lot of fine ice spoilt by a pack of pes ky boys skatin' on it. "I think tbe incident bad a certain influence' upon my choice of a profes sion, as it taught me that there was money iu contracting." Detroit Free Press Long-Drawn Out They may supply us with all the pin trajs tbe imaginatious of the design ers can norjure up, and no matter how attractive these same trays may be, wo mankind will never consider her dress er as looking at its best unless a plump, pretty pincushion rests upon it. Why It is one can't tell, but the pincush ion seems to respand to artistic treat ment better than almost any other bit of work. I t's a question whether the new long, slender ones are any prettier than the older square ones, though, of course, their newness recommend tbem to novelty-seekers. Tbey are from eighteen to thirty inches long; perhaps the one who designed them patterned them after the kiss of which Bryoo said "it must be reckoned by its length,'' you kno"w. These pretty cush ions do not score on accouut of their length alone, for tbey are bits of love liness long drawn out. You may baye tbem in embroidered linen. China silk. with a dainty lace rurtl, or, if expense doesn't count, in painted bolting cloth over some exquisite tint of silk. Wild ro&ess or pansies lend themselves ex quisitely, and ia a setting of fine fluffy lace, with dainty ribbon tows, make an affair so dainty that oue hasn't the heart to stab ttem with a pin. A X arrow Escape, Thankful words written by Mrs. Ada Hart, of Groton, S. D. "Was taken with a bad cold which settled on my lungs ; cough set in and finally termin ated in Consumption, Four Doctors gave me up, saying I could live but a short time. I gave myself up to my Saviour, determined if I could not stay with my friends on earth, I would meet my abseut ones above. My hus band was advised to get Dr. King's New Discovery f. r Consumption, Coughs and Colds. I gave It a trial, took in all eight bottles. It baa cured me, and thank God, I am saved and now a well and healthy woman." Trial bottle free at J. N. Snyder't rrug Sfcire, Somerset, Pa, and U. W. iral lier's Drug Store, Berlin, Pa. A course often served jist before deaaert u cheese custard, thin brown tread sandwiches being sent around with it- WHOLE NO. 2173. WAS IT DOROTHY? "Now, Uuch Buttoiiba'.L I think you ere foolishly prejudiced alout it.' Mr. Benedict Buttonball, commonly called "Uncle Bill," shook bis head at Frank Worrall's levity. "May be I am," said he, "but we're not to blanid fr our convictions. I can't hp mine, anyhow. And I couldn't any ni re marry in the face of my promise t- Hep'isibah than I could join the Mormons!" j Tauiiua Pepper is a pretty girl," said Frank, "and a good girl, too ; al though not young." "If she was she wouldn't be suitable tome!" said Mr. Buttonball, "I don't deny that it's all true enough, what you say. But, you jercelve, I'm the victim of circumstance." "Circumstance be hanged '." ejacu lated Frank Worrall, losiug his tem per at last and banging the d.r be hind him, as he hurried out of the room. While Mr. B ittonball again sho jk his head, took his silver specifies out of their c-ase an 1 unfolded the news paper. "Poliy Pepper would make a nice wife," he thought to himself. "As plump, and round, and fresh-colored as a September peach, or a cabbage rose ; and a woman, too, that thorough ly understands house keeping. I al most wish I hadn't promised my dear departed Hephsibah never to marry aain ."' But it's all past and over and it cau't be undone, niore's the pity !'' "Isn't he a fool !" said Dorothy Mar tin. "And is be really so superstitious aljout breaking the promise that that unrea-ouable virago of a wife extract ed from hint ''' "Unquestionably he is," said Frank Worrall. "I suppose he actually le lieves that my Aunt Hephsibah would haunt him if he inarrLnl again, without her ex press permission. For a man of ordinary intelligence, Uncle Buttonball is superstitiiRis." "How ?" queried Dro'.hy. "On, he sb-js winding sheets in the candle, believes there will be a death ia the faru:!y if a dog chances to howl under the window, and would sooner cut oir his right band than begin hay ing or go on a journey of a Friday." "Frank!" hesitating' began Doro thy. -Well r "What sort of a woman was your Aunt Hephsibah ? You know . I never saw her. She died before I came to Hoptou to live." "A little, fat woman, with spectacles and a brown foretop, who always wore brown gingham and talked through her nose. I forgot, though she had a monstrosity cf a cap, with a frill tw. inc'ies wide all arouud it, and a col ssal low of snuff-colored ribbon perched on the very top a guy of a cap, only fit for a scarecrow." "Not at ail lik? Pauline Pepper," said D irotby. "Aud Paulina really likes Mr. Buttonball and she needs a home, poor thing. Not to speak of Mr. Buttonball's evident admiration for Paulina It would certainly be a match if" "If it wasn't for the departed saint in snutfeolored ribbons," said Frank, with n Irreverent imitation of his Uncle Buttonball's peculiar intonation when speaking of hisdeparted wife.' "Poor Paulina !" said Dorothy. "And poor Uncle Buttonball !"' echoed Frank Worrall. "Upon the whole, darling, it looks like a hard case." "Pastil o'clock,"-said Uncle But tonball, looking up at the clock over the rims of his silver spectacles. "Well, I hadn't an idea it was so late. And snowing and blowing like all pos essed and the wind howling down the chimney fit to set a man's teeth on edge. Just such a night as poor Heph sibah died four years ago, and bless me," with a slight cold sbivtr down his spinal column, "if it ain't the '.h of November the identical annivers ary of tbe sad event. Poor H?phy folding his hands and looking thought fully iuto the lire ; I hope she's happy in the other world. S'ie never took much comfort ia this, what with flies and dust and poor kitchen help.'" An i then Mr. Buttonball fell into a doz or a reverie he never eould be quite certain which from wbich he was aroused by the old kitchen clock striking 12. "Midnight ! It ain't possible !" cried Mr. Buttonball, chilly, uncomfortable and superstithaii. "And the fire e'en a-most out. I guess I'll rake it up and go to bed." But as he rose with a sort of rbtu matic stiffness from his chair the door leading from the buttery creaked slight ly, a slow, heavy fotstep sounded on the floor, ' and, looking around with s'artled and dilated eyes Mr. Button ball beheld the departed Hephsibah. "Benedict !" spoke out the quaver ing and nasal voice. "Benedict ! Bene dict r ( It was al ways so, Uncle Buttonball remembered, in' all well authenticated ghost stories, the summons wasdisl inct-' ly enunciated three times. ; "W w well, my dear," stuttered Mr. Buttonball, holding tightly t tbe arms of bis chair lest his teeth should chatter him off from it- "I have brought a message from the other world, Benedict," solemnly ut tered The Presence. "You want to marry again !'" "N not if you object toil, my dear," faltered the shaking widower. "I I that is-'' "Peace ! Disturb not the voice of a higher sphere." "No, my dear, I won't," aaid tbe submissive husband. "Peace, I say f Hephaibah's old way of putting him down, without a loophole for argument) "and listen: you are absolved from your promise to contract no second marriage. You are a free Agent. My eyes are now opened to many things, among them the folly of my earthly jealousies. Go, marry whom you will, and my blesaiu; rest upon your bride Tbe word is spoken, the oracle Is closed. ' Slowly the brown-ginghamed form retreated backward, with gleaming spectacles and uplifted fingi-r, through the buttery door, into the black kitchen, while Uacle But too ball sat staring and transfixed with an agony of suprtti tious terror. "He has really asked you to marry him Paulina?" "Yea, really," said Paulina Pepper, her bl'jouing face all smiles and diit-pl-s, "And I'm so glad ! Because hpra can't b any barm In now, Pofothy, d"T -I ri'd hit IiIm cer so much." "He's a very nice old man I mean mid. lie-aged gent!men,' said Dorothy Martin, demurely. "But I thought he bad determined never to marry Again." "Oh, that's ail settled," cried Paul ina, looking complacently down, at the red shine of her garnet engagement ' ring. "He thinks be has had a vision that his departed wife appeared to him and released him from bis vows." "Dear me!" said Dorothy. "II w very strange !"' "Of course, the dear fellow must have l-ecn ailecp and dreaming, though don't you think so?'' "Undoubtedly," said Dorothy. "For what are you laughing at, dear?" Paulina Pepp-r broke otr to say. "Nothing, nothing ; only it seems so ridiculous that lu this age of the world people can blieve in ghosts !" crid Dorothy, giving way to a hearty ptal of laughter, as she caught up hr em broidery and hurried out of the room. Frank Worrall followed her. "Dorothy," said he; "it was you T' "What do you mean V "The ghost." "Prove it, if you can !" cried Doro thy, saucily. And that wasall she would everadmit.--New York News. Useful Hint. A new invention for supplementing a lack of closet roopt is proving a toou to sojourners iu summer hotels or d wel lers in flats. -The article in question consists of wine arms of Bessemer sh el, which, actiDg as a spring, holds tight ly together two flat clamps of hard wood. When the clamp opens the band of a shirt evenly folded, the front breadth lying flat, may be laid in and slipped up so that it is held firmly iu ptace. Tbe wire arms of the frame meanwhile receive the bodice and hold it in shape. Coats and trousers may also be hung on this device, the bot tom of the trousers folded evenly to gether aud slipped through the clamp. This not ouly holds them iu shape but presses them as well. A ha!f-doeu of these frames susjeuded from a rod uu der a closet shelf or arro-vs the corner of the cottage bedroom will accomo date a fair-sized wardrobe and remit r its owner superior to limitations of closet space. The stereotyped and much-maiigiud Ne England pie Is beginning to cast aside its under crust, and now frequent ly appears in a deep di.-h with ouly the top crust, after the manner of its French cousiu. Apples quartered, sweetened andJlavored with nutmegorcinnamon; plums with their pits still iu, and peaches balvtd and sugared, and tuck ed under the protecting upper crust, are all seasonable and delicious. To keep a pitcher of ice.vatcr iu the bedroom a!! night without any per ceptible melting of the icj, wrap iu several thicknesses of uewspajer with the ends tightly twisted together to ex cludejthe air. Many of the 1-e-t housekeepers have forsworn the use of stove polish on the kitchen rane. excepting ottce or twice in a season, and grease the monarch of the kitchen instead. O.p-e a week the stove I washed off iu greasy witer, and on the days between is merely wiped with a grea-y cloth. When carafes or vinegar cruets ta' e on a dingy hue that refuses to yield t-i ordinary treatment fill with water to which a teasp wnful of household am monia has been a I lid and allow them to stand over night. In the morning rinse thoroughly and the glass will be found crystal cleur. Change dishes upoa which meat, poultry or fish is kept daily. Wipe out the breadpan every morning. Hang meat ia col l weather for several das before cooking ; flour it before you hang it up. Turkeys b jcome much more ten der by hanging. Pork is said to be much more digestible from being rub bed over with salt for tweuty-four hours before roasting it. Home-made ice cream sometimes turns out buttery, to the dismay and surprise of its producer. To prevent this condition it is obligatory that the scalded and unbeaten cream should be put together and thoroughly, chilled before the dasher of the freezer is turn ed. It should not be forgotten that a lit tle salt makes a poor apple eatable and a good apple better. Spain's Greatest Jfeed. Mr. R. P. Olivia, of Karcelona, Spain, spend his winters at Aiken, S. ('. Weak nerves hail caused severe pales ia the back of his head. On using Electric Bitters, America's greatest UUxkI and Nerve Remedy, all pain soon left him. He says this graud medicine is what hiscoun:ry needs. All America knows that it cures liver and kidney trouble, purities the blood, tones up the stomach, strengthens the nerves, puts vim, vigor and new life into every muscle, nerve and organ of the body. If weak, tired or ailing you need it. Evry- bottle guaranteed. Only ) cents. Sold at J. N. Snyder's Drug Store, Somerset, Pa., and G. W. Bral lier's, Drug Store, Berlin, Pa. Her Expectation. "A wife has a right to expect much of her husband," remarked the philo sophically inclined person, musingly. "Yes, I expect she has," replied the meek-appearing man with wilted lo k ing whiskers; "I expect she ha; but when she expects him to live up stead ily and without swerving to the mot to ou her first husband's tombstone, I kinder expect she U expe ting more than she really ought to expect to ex pect from a common, every-day earthly man." Put k- Red Hot From the Gan Was the ball that bit G. B. Steadmaa of Newark, Mich., in the Civil War. It caused horrible Ulcers that no trea' ment helped for iS years. Then Buck lea's Arnica Salve cured him. Cures Cuts, Bruist. Burns, Boils, Felons, Corns, Skin Eruption. Best Pile cure on earth. 2 cents a box. Cure guar anteed. Sold at J. N. Snyder's Drug Store, Somerset, Pa, aid G W. Bral lle.r's Drug Store, Berlin, Pa An Indistinct Impression. "1 dunao's I exactly agree wif dat fikuh," remarked Kra-4i Plnklej, as be was walking home from the lec ture with Mm Miami Brown. "At what pcint doeayoh omprehen-s;-venens get stalled ?" "Well, ef he says he Uvn de policy of expansion, I duouo'a I ua'stan's 'im. But ef he favors de expauaiou o policy, T right wlf 'laa." Washing ton Star. i s . i f ."
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers