Wh has the key of Chrstonas Land? J Dear baby hearts in Christmas Land, ‘We want to be near, "And you wait for what Santa sends— Whohas the key of Christmas Land? Charity -. By thy grace, let us oa ohare be None of God's poor in Christmas Land, William Lule.’ 4 ap ) CHATNAS sre Br = rmLLIPS orrmmEznL. oy there i is one thing more than another "when & bachelor commences to doubt whether his state of single blessedness is the most desirable form of existence itis at Christmas time, The joys of the sea: ~ son are. domestic joys; and ~ pvery one is either looking forward to bi meting witha . of rela- E an ends or a y reunion with his own family. At pit of a tine a © middle-aged bachelor with no relations feels rather ont of it. ; Now, although I m lead guilty to {en years of hcholomoon, T Fatty © ‘one of the misanthropical . I was single (observe the past tense) not from Lond but merely from force of cir- cumstances; and I was never addicted to + shutting myself up with my books and a eat, and growling cynical remarks at the pleasure seeking world. On the con- * ‘trary, I am of a somewhat jovial disposi. _ tion, and was always fond of society. - Christmas time Iliked to spend at a jolly : country ‘house, and could turn my mind to charades, dancing, rompiog with the children, conjuring and mn roe In fact, z he ofspeading Ohilstenas in in any ! solitary rooms, with only my lsndlady j and her domestic to talk to was a con- f which I had never contem- d for a moment; but last year I ‘was very neatly brought face to face os i 1 generally had at least two or “three invitations to select from, and “ghore the one where I should be likely to meet. the most interesting set of people; ‘but on this occasion my usual «invitations did: not arrive. The Har- ‘ woods, with whom I had spent the Christmas before, had lost a child, and . were in mourning; the Houldens were wintering at Nice (Mrs. Houlden was. Gelisate) and at Houghton Grange both’ the girls were married; and “the Christ mas house parties were things of the st. These were my stock invitation; and as I recollected others among my circle of acquaintances to whom some- thing or other had happened since last year it slowly dawned npon me that if I desired to avoid a Christmas in Lon- don I had better make arrangements to remove myself either to a northern hy- dropathic establishment which I. had’ occasionally honored with my presence, or to a Brighton hotel, where I was sure of falling in with some pleasant com- pany, Just as I had arrived at this melancholy decision, however, & letter _ arrived which afforded me the greatest nds ns! $'WITH MY BACK TOWARD THE ENGINE.’ “hotel. ‘did the mischief. Bhe would expose | fore very long my sympathy was diverted: ‘| in some: measure from ‘my host to my: ‘d circumstances, without some explana- | wif * I'here for a day or: two, there is some: satisfaction. It was an invitation to d a week or two with my old friend, Fred Halleton, at his place in Leicester- shire; and with the vivid recollection before me of a ‘pleasant Christmas spent . at Gaulby Hall some three years ago, 1 Jost no time in penning a cordial assent. to the welcome invitation. A few days later beheld me, followed -by a porter rying my various impediments, on the rm of St. Pancras, prepared to oy journey down to Leicester by ast three Manchester and Liv- press. The Pullman was with a pack ef nosy. school- ye, 80 I eschewed it and selected an empty first-class carriage. I took pos- f my favorite corner seat, with |! the. ‘ rapping 1 tics. ug felt iio but op alortable “y’M GOING TO CHUCK HER DOWN.” During our drive to Gaulby I hazarded a few remarks, with a view to ascertain- ing what sort of a there was col- lected at the Hall, but I got nothing de- finite out of him. He was quite unlike hie old self, snd I came to the conclusion that he must be ill. As we drove up the avenue I leaned out the window to gaze at the fine old mansion, and it struck me at once as looking cold and uninviting, | while ‘the grounds were certainly very much neglected. Something seemed | si wrotg all round, and I began to feel al- most sorry I bad come. ‘We overtook Mrs. Hallston at the hall door, Just re- turned from a walk. She was as gracious and as pleasant a3 she had ever been to her manner and appearance somethin of the ill being which seemed to exist around her, ‘We all three entered together, and the moment we through the door 1 felt convinced that my expectations of a jolly Christmas party were doomed to dis- appointment. There were no decorations about, only one doleful looking servant and apparently nothing stirring. ~~ Ifelt sure something was rong, but at any rate I consoled myself with the reflection that I had lost little by coming, asithad been a choice between here and the But, all the same, I did not feel particularly cheerful ‘as I followed the doleful looking servant upstairs, along wide corridors, across ges, upstairs again, and then down a long corridor, until at last we reached my room in the 5 2 ne so,” T assented, de- voutly hoping a fit was not then pend- {ings Boon I.managed to make my I made myself once more in the hall. my way to Eurdett's room, but he had gone to bed, and seeing it.-was nearly 11 Slack. I decided to go. to ‘bed -| preceded by a servant (I have found the way myself), I mounted again the wide re and threaded the humerous passages which led to my It was at the end of a wide cor- dor, on either side of which were six doors. “Does any one sleep 9p be here?” I asked the man as he bade me good | He pointed to a door exactly opposite mine. ¢“That is replied; and the one at the: bottom end is Mrs. Hallaton’s. in this part of the house. The servants’ rooms are all in the north wing." 1 am generally able to sleep at what- ever hour I retire; but it was early, and the fire looked tempting; so, instead of immediately undressing, I coat for a smoking jacket, and, a pipe, made myself comfortable in an chair. easy Boo light footsteps ascend the stairs, and the door of her room open Jittle while afterward Fred halted out- side my door to bid me a cheery good- sight, and then entered the room oppo- How ong I sat there T cannot tell, for I fell into a heavy doze, and when I woke up with a sudden start it was with ‘the uneisy eonsciousness that something unusual had awakened me. me, but I fancied that I could detect in {my feet and looked fearfully around. The flickering flames of my fire, almost burned out, were still sufficient %o show me that no one had entered the room; but while I stood there with strained senses I heard a sound which made my blood run cold within me; and, although I am no coward; I Tt was the half-muffled shriek of a Woman in agony,and it came from Mrs, Hallaton’s room. For a moment I was powerless to move; then door, and, knocked at hers. There was no answer. I tried the handle; it was locked; but, listening for & moment, 1 could hear the sound of a woman gasping for breath. I rushed back along the corridor to Fred's room. unlocked, and I threw it open. , and, could never night. the master’s room, sir,” he No one else sleeps n I heard Mrs. Hallaton’s and close, and a I sprang to vered with fear, | hastily unlocked my ‘down the corridor, The door was closed, but west wing. My surmises were correct. ‘When I desonden. ‘after “prolonged. and careful toilette, my host was lounging about in a shooting jacket and he and his wife were the only occupants of the room. I was the only gu “I've something very serious to say to jou, Neillson,” he a slowly (Neilleon is my name). ‘I'm «going to make a confidant of you, if I may, old man.” Ibowed my head aud listened. **¥ou haven't noticed anything pae- | ticular about my wife, I don’t suppose. glance. I admitted had thought her strangely silent, ‘and apparently having some satiety weighing upon her mind. He laughed; a short unpleasant laugh, and leaned over to me confidentially. 4+] rely upon your discretion, you: know, Neillson.. I wouldn’t have it have you?” he asked, with 8 searching. ; h “wren mem Terrie. HAND IN MINE.” known for the world; but my wife is mad » ited 1" I stared at him facrodulously. “Yes, mad,” he repeated impatiently. ¢Tt ‘was the sun in India last year that herself to'it. The doctor whom I have consulted advised me to send her toa private asylum, but I’haven’t the heart to doit. She's perfectly harmless, you know; but, of course, its sn awful trial: to me.” 1 stammered out an expression of sym- pathy. To tell the truth,I scarcely knew what to say. I was bewildered at this painful explanation of the gloom which reigned over the house. Presently Fred closed his eyes and left me to digest this strange and unweleome piece of news. 1 am naturally somewhat selfish, sbe- self. It occurred to me that if was by: no means a pleasant prospect to be a guest in a house the mistress of which. was miad.. Ft was not altogether kind of Fred to invite me, I thought, under the tion of his wife's state. 1 began to feel quite ar injured man. I was quite tired of my own company, and Fred was fast asleep. Bo I opened the door softly and made my way down to the hall. As I | passed an open door Mrs. Hallaton ap-| ga burst eared and beckoned mein. Ihad no alternative but to obey her invitation. ¢‘Mr. Neillson,” she said, in an agi- tated tone, ‘‘as you are going to stop | gro thing connected with this household which you ought to know. Has ‘my husband told you anything?” _ I bowed and told her gravely that I| knew all; and that she had my profound- est sympathy. “She sighed. #Perhaps you are retailed ‘that 1 should ask whether Fred had told you,” she said, turning a little away from me. +¢It; seems sirange, doesn’t it, thet one should: be mad and . be conscious of it? It only comes. on in fits, and. they. are terrible. _ ghe shuddered, and 80, to tell the truth, did I. egnch a phase of Sitios is probably not incurable,” I ventured fo suggest timidly. * Incurable! of course it is not incurs able,” she answered, vehemently. Vid 1 edged a little toward the door. I had no experience in talking with ous ground. my ing corroidor, see.a light at the other end, and know- ing it must lead into Mrs. Hallaton’s | room, I caught up the candlesnd a ing almost double half ran, half crept along it, until I other extremity and found myselfin Mrs. Hal- | laton’s room. glanced half eagerly, half fearfully | ‘The room was empty, but the ‘window direct y opposite to me was open, i and as xay, eyes arms, hand,” help, but. “Fred!” I cried; but Fred was not there, nor had ‘the bed heen slept on. A candle was burning on the dressing’ | table, and in the right hand corner of the room was what appeared to be a hole in the wall, bot when I stood Before it I saw at once that it wasa secret a ang nerveless fin Mechanically I'rushed to the balcony and strove to wrench from his encircling grasp the fainting form of his wife. Like a flash his imbecile grin vanished and his eyes filled with a ‘malignant fury as he let go his grasp of his wife and sprang at me like a tiger cat. It was in vain that 1: wrestled with him. arms were around me and held me as’ if | I were in a vice. I.tried to shout for of my mouth, and’ a: all the sound 1 could command. ig hearer we drew to the parallel with the down it, I could reached its other 1 stood upright and Di upon jt I stood a dull sickenitig” horror, pe Coa en dropped with a crash from |» There was a} miniature balcony outside the window, and on this stood ‘Fred: Hallaton, hold: | in an embrace, which was certainly nek 0 of love, the fainting form of his The moon was shining full on his face, ghostly and demoniacal, with the | raging fire of the madman in his eyes |, and the imbecile grin of the lunatic on |. his thin )ips. In a moment the truth | flashed upon me, and asl stood there and horror struck he saw me and to a fit of wild laughter. s¢Ha, ha, ha! You Neillson? Whats joke! 1 So id be afraid. ' Does the height make ‘you ‘dizzy? ’ It’s ‘made her; and’ he S otioned to the insensible figure of his. wife, whom he still held clasped in his “Do you know what I am going. to-do with her? - down there,” and he pointed ‘to the gar- den below, use to anyone. gers. what a glorious view of the Come and bend over, man; I'm gong to ae her 4A mad woman is of no Come and lend mea Hie ons. my tongue Slesved to the roof faint gurgling was Nearer pet's p lawn ie fend then my | my : the carols being composed during the ‘end language, such as “The Carol of { the Holy. Well: . | We're CL » | goes to your postofiice, or the last Christmas” that crosses Jour by Oh, | : feet scemed to a wi Swe wild sol of: SY sicuntet| Leicester”. i € my na sipped fom my” s train was slowly Ss = station, and there, stan platform, smiling and robust, looking the very picture of health, was Fred Halston. That Christmas party at Gaulby Hall was the most enjoyable I was ever at, and the people (the house was full of visitors) the most entertaining and agreeable I ever met. There was one young person especially—a Miss Alice Pratison she was then—with whom I gos on remarkably well. ' I never enjoyed a visit eo much 1 my life as I did that one, nor a ride so much asione afternoon when Miss Pratison and I, after a capital run, rode home together with her little hand in mine and our horses very close together. Next Christmas, if Alice doesn’t object, I mean to-have a jolly little house party of my own. Semele Christmas Carols. Musical specialists divide carols into two classes, the sacred and the secular, although there Is a third, the words of "which are a curious admixture “of both, as for example: If the sun shines through the apple tree on Cristmas Day there will be an abundant crop the following year. Now the timeis come wherein Savior 3 larder’s full of beef and pork The garner's corn. The music is often excellent, many of best days of the ecclesiastical masters, and in not 8 few of these compositions ppear fugue, - counterpoint, and even canon of excellent Spmposition and har- mony. They were originally sung in all the churches at Christmas time, instead of the hymns for the day, and in the rural districts of England this custom is still observed, But more frequently at pres- ent they are heard from the lips of stroli- ing bands of singers, while a solitary warbler sometimes serves to recall the carroller in Dickens's Christmas story, who begins outside the door with: ¢¢God bless you, merry gentlemen, may nothing you dismay,” when old Scrooge outs the song short with a ruler. Many collections of carols have been rade, and some of them are really re- markable compositions, being fugues in three to six parts, and the words of not a few convey ancient legends, occasion. ally remarkably poetical, both in idea All under the leaves, the leaves of lite, I met with virgins sev And.oneof them was mild; .. Our Lord's mother of Heaven. Oh, what are you seeking, you seven fair * ‘All under the leaves of life? Come come tell what seek you 3 Fi fore Jpg pele fog for noleaves, Thomas, Wire fosling fon uo leaves To be our guide and thine, Christmas Hints. Buy no more than you can afford. Give no gift where you do not Qe- light to. Shop no more than you have the Strength for. Entertain only within you means, Keep your Christmas nerve and muscle 4 heir aad hope and cheer first for your own. home, your own fireside, your dearest, your closest, your sweetest—and then for the homeless, the fireless, the unloved, the ssundeared, " and be true, true, true to the last Ohristtss card that Santa. Claus +4One of the bis s has ing on me, but he’s going to get badly left.” RARER aa AAS . Christmas Proverbs and Saws. A warm Christmas, a cold Easter. A green Christmas makes a fat grave If ice will bear a man before Christ- mas it will not bear him afterward. If Christmas finds a bridge be'll break it; il he finds none he'll make one. The she wife enter the stables: on Christmas Day: than the sun. EE and Yule is - And we haw, Getting Ready for Christmas. Husband who is aot 1 the carpet)— been trying to ring in his father's pry erd would rather see his: WORDS OF WISDOM. Lies run. Truth walks. ** Wrong doing begins with wrong think. Real geod never shrinks from any kind of a test. most like good. and put to plowing. The man who has one talent and is improving it will soon have ten. ‘We can help one another to live, but no man can help another to die. Of all counterfeits there is none more contemptible than counterfeit humility. No man can harm his brother until he has first killed all love for him in him. self. ‘When you find a chronic fault-finder you generally find a person who loafs too mu There are people who wouldnt li with the lip for anything, and yet they live a lie every day in the week. Looking too closely at a dollar doesn't make it any bigger, but: it very ofter makes the soul a good deal smaller. If some people could have their way, when they pray for rain they would pick out the ground for it to fall upon. There is never any difficulty in finding people to play the first fiddle, but oh, ow hard it is to get the rest of the or. chestra. It comes so much easier to forgive those who have caused us suffering, when we learn that we too have made others to suffer. There 18 a difference between sitting beiore the fire and thinking about doing good, and going out into the cold and doing it. : The laborers who were sent into the vineyard at the eleventh hour had prob- ably been at work somewhere else up to that time. Writing poetry about how to reach the masses ig an altogether different matter from going at it with beth hands and trying to save. the people as they come.~— Indianapolis (Ind.) Ram's Horn. Remarkable Water System. No city in the world is supplied more abundantly with water than Fez, one of the capitals of Morocco and the usual place of residence of. the Sultan. This capital, with a population of about 100,- 000 people, gets its water supply ina remarkable manner, The town lies in & river valley. The Wady el Fez rises among the hills a few miles southwest of the city. By the time the stream reaches the outskirts of the town it is wide and deep. Its natural course lies through the heart of the city, but the in- habitants have diverted all the water from the large channel into a number of canals. Then from these cauals the water is conducted by hundreds of little channels to every garden ‘and house of the town. The river bed itself through- out the length of the city as it winds | through the valley is perfectly dry. When Doctor Lenz was there a few no other city in the world with so fine a water supply as Fez. Unfortunately, the natives do not know how to value and properly utilize their great bless ing. Though a stream of pure water runs through every house and garden, the town is extremely dirty. Ludwig Pietsch, who ‘accompanied the Dutch Embassy to Fez in 1878, said; * “There is'no city in the world, with the exception of Rome and perhaps Vienna, which has so splendid a water system. The brooks gurgle through every garden in the town. The city has other blessings, too, for its climate is glorious, the soil of the country round ‘is very fruitful, and the landscape is of surpassing beauty, but the people do not know how to utilize their blessings. Their streets are extremely dirty, their houses are badly ventilated, and they have made insalubrious a town that could be one of the healthiest in the world.” ‘After the water has flowed through the city in these many hundreds of little channels, what is left of it. is ‘gathered into the river again east of the town, and then it flows north to join the Sebu River, the largest in Morocco. It is the only instance in the world where a whole river is thus utilized to provide a large city with water.-— New York Sun. ee —