Colorado as passed California and taken first rank as a gold bearing state. The halo of monarchy still shine. A drawing room of Louis XV, consist ing of a sofa, six armchairs and some old Beauvais tapestry, bos Just been sold In Paris to a dealer from dingy London for 70,000. Those who are fond of com paring the condition of the people in England and the United States will be interested in the statistics recently published which show that in London one per son in forty-five is maintained by pub lio charity, while in New York the proportion is one in 200. Boys the Chicago Times-Herald: If ' women are supplanting men in some occupations, men "begon it." The spinning, the knitting, even the weav ing, the making of garments, all of cooking and preserving, the products of the doiry, were not nmnyyenrs ago household duties performed almost entirely by women. These occupa tions now give employment to lnrge numbers of men as well as of women. Bo that if he reproaches her with en croaching upon his industrial domain, she can truthfully accuse him of first being an intruder and tresspasser npon hers. Owing to the increasing industrial ism in Germany, the bodily length and strength of the factory population is steadily diminishing. This is a fac tor which is beginning to be felt seri ously in making up the annual quota of recruits for the army. Borne of the exclusively industrial districts by the Rhine and in Westphalia, as well as in Silesia, Saxony and Thnringia, do not furnish fifty per cent, of the re cruits they did fifteen yeors ago. In one whole village, a populous one of more than 3000 inhabitants near Cott bus, not a single young man of mili tary age fit to bear arms was found. As an evidence of the invasion of foreign markets by the manufacturers of the United States, the Baldwin locomotive works of Philadelphia have received within two weeks orders for fifty-nine locomotives of various types, which will involve an expenditure of abont $000,000. These are the larg est foreign orders that the Baldwin company has ever had on its books at one time. Ten passenger and twelve freight locomotives are ordered by the Russian government for the street railway of Finland; sixteen freight and eight passenger by the Central railway of Brazil; ten freight engines by the Grand Trnnk railway of Can' ada; one fast passenger locomotive by the government railway of Norway, and one of the Penoles company of Mexico. The lsrgest single order ever received from abroad by the Baldwin company was forty-fonr lo comotives from the government of Japan. For several months a new system of trading has been in vogue in Wash ington, known as "the stamp plan." A customer going into a store which belongs to the association, relates the Chicago Reoord, is given a ten cent stamp with every dollar's worth of merchandise purchased. That stamp is aoeepted in payment for other mer chandise purchased at a central agency conducted by the manager of the as sociation. This system bas become quite popular, but has been com plained of by merchants who have not adopted it, and at their instigation the authorities arrested the manager and one of the most prominent mer chants in town on the charge of con ducting a gift enterprise in violation of an act of congress. The defendants were convicted and fined S100 each, lot their attorney gave notice of an appeal, and they were released npon bonds of $i0 until a test case may be carried to the n)per courts to deter mine the onnstitntionality of the law. The counsel for the stamp company Argued that the offering of a premium -equally to all customers is sat viola tion of the law, because the element of chance does not enter into the (transaction- the merchant simply gives the eimto.uer a discount or a re bate Upon the purchase prioe. Ho holds that if the stamp system it un lawful, the Rochdale system and all other co-operative enterprises are equally so, and that tea merchaats and others who give away china and glassware and chronios are guilty of a violation of the law. Several aoap companies and cigar dealers offer pre miums for patrouage in the same manner. The stamp system is ia use Ln several other cities, and the mana ger claims its legality baa never be fore bieu questioned. It will be several months bufore the oourt of appeals can bear the- ease, but the de cision will be a matte, of general in-rwi "MDaimi A -fliMinnji; P 5v IS) ANNIE AND WILLIE'S PRAYER. 'Twos the eve before Christinas; "Good- night" had neenanin, t,t innln anil Willie had CWtlt ItltO bfll! There were tenrs on their pillows and tears . . ,n "."'' . Ana eoon lime nosom wn in-nvy u,i ninun. For tn.nlatit their stern futher's command had been Riven That th mint retire nroolselv nt seven Instead of elaht: for they troubled him mom With questions unheard of thnn everts fore. He told them he thought this delusion I in No sueh a thing as "Snnla Claus" ever hod tieen. And he hoped, after this, he should never more near How he scrambled down chimneys with tiraunntft ent'h Year. And this Is the reason why two little heads Bo restlessly tossed ou their soft, downy beds. Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeple tolled ten Not a word had been spoken by either till then; When Willie's sad face from the blanket did neen. And whispered, "Dear Annie, Is you fast asleep?" "Why, no; brother Willie," a sweet voice replies. I've tried In vnln, but I enn't shut my eves: For somehow It makes me so sorry because Pear pnpa hail ssldtlierels no tfanta uiaus; Now we know there is, and It can't be de nied, For he come every year before mamma died; But then I've been thinking that ihe used to pray. And God would hear everything mamma would say, And perhnps she asked him to send Santa Clous hero With the saoks full of presents he brought every year." "Well, why tou t we p'ny dest as mamma did then, And asked Him to send him with presents aden?" "I've been thinking so, too," and without a word more Four bare little feet bounded out on the floor, And four little knees the soft carpet pressed. And two tiny hands were clasped close to each breast. "Now. Willie, you know we must firmly be lieve That the presents we ask for we're sure to receive. You must wnlt Just as still till I say amen, And by that you will know that your turn has oome then Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me, And grant us the favor wo're asking of Thee: I want a nice book full of pictures, a ring, A writing desk, too, that shuts with a spring. Blest papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to tee That Santa Clout loves ut as much even as he: Don't let him get Iretful and angry again At dear brother Willie and Annie, amenl" "Please, Desus, 't banta Taut tome down to-night, And bring ut tome prosentt before It Is Mght. I want he should dive me a bright little box, Full of ao'obats, some other nloe blocks, And a bag fall of tandy, a book and a toy Amen, and then, Desus, I'll beadood boy." Their prayers being ended, they raised up their heads. And with hearts light and cheerful again sought their bods; They were soon lost In slumber both neaoetuland deep. And with fairies ln dreamland were roam ing ln sleep. Eight, nine and the little French elock had struck ten Ere the father had thought of his children again; He seemt now to hear Annie's half-smoth ered tight. And to see the big tears standing la Willie's blue eyes. "I was baron with my darlings," he man- (any eaia, "And should not have sent them so earl) to bed: But when I was troubled my feelings found vent. For bank stock to-day bas gone down ten par cent. But of oourse they'd forgot their troubles ert this. Bat then I denleA them the thrlee Mked for kiss: Bat just to make Sure I'll steal ap to the door. For I never tpoke harth to my darUngs be- iore." And arriving at their door beard both- of abedr prayer. Bit Aaole's "bleat papa" draws forth the Din tear And Willie's grave promise tails sweet en hlafrAr. "Strange, strange, I've forgotten," said he who "Howl loooed wliea a ehlld to have Christ- mm draw rfjrh. I'll atone for nvr nrthae," be Inwardly said, "By enawertaf their prayer, ere I sleep ln y bed." then he turned ta taw stain aad softly wont down, Tbmw off velvet sOpm awd silk dtcstag gown, Deaaed bet, eoat attf boots, w In the street A millionaire facing the sold wVw tt; Be Ant went to a woadarfal "Hact Ua-s" tor (H kuv it. tor he'4 pasted tt the uV to fore,) Aal there he lowed orowdt ea the tt10 errand b( XaUaar parebas of pretests, with g-x. Kor stopped be uotll he bad bong at every- tiling From a box fall ot eeadv te a Hay geld ring. ladeed, he kept adding so math to bis store That the various presents outnumbered a seorvl Than homeward be tamed with hit holiday load. And with lost Vary's "aid la the aarsery 'twas stowed. MlasDollv wa mated btaaath a pin tree, Br the tide Ol a taiila anvaajl Aiii Inm m. t. writing desk tlaa la the eeatrc was laid. And on It a ring for which Annie bad proved; Four acrobats painted In yellow and red Btood with a blook house on a beautiful alottl There were balls, dogs and horses, books pleasing to see And birds of all colors were perched In tbs tree; While Hanta Claus, laughing, stood up In tne top, As It getting ready for mora presents to drop; And ns the fond father the picture surveyed lie thought for bis trouble he hod amply i ..u, And he sold to himself as he brushed off a tear, "I'm bnppler to-nlg'it thon I hove been for a yeor, I've enjoyed more true pleosuro than ever ueroro. What care I It bank stock falls ton per eent. more? Hereafter I'll moke It a rule, I believe, To have Hanta Clous visit us each Christ mot Eve." 8o thinking he gently extinguished the lignt, And tripped downstairs to retire for the n ulit. As soon as the benms ot the bright morning sun Put the darkness to flight nnd the stars one ly one. Four little blue eyes out ot sleep opened wide. And nt the same moment the presents espied. Then out ot their beds they sprang with a hound, The very gltts prayed for wore all of them found: They laughed and they cried In their Inno cent glee. And shouted for papa to come quick and see What presents old Bnnta Claus had brought in the night (Just the things they had wanted) nnd left uciore ngnt. "And now," said Annie, In a voice soft and low, "You'll believe there's a Santa Clnus, papa I know:" While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee, Determined no secret between them should be: And told, In soft whispers, how Annie had sold. That their denr, blessed mamma, so long ago uean, Used to kneel down and pray by the side oi ner eitntr. And Hint God, up ln heaven, hnd answered ner pro yen Thon we dot up nnd prayed dust as well ns we tould. And Dod answered ourprayers;nowwasn't Ho doodf" "I should soy that lie was It lie sent you all thnso. And knew Just what presents my children would piensa (Well, well, lot blm think so, the dear lit tie eir, Twould he cruel to tell htm I did It my aelf.") Blind fntherl who caused your stern heart to relent? And the hasty word spoken to soon to re pent? 'Twos the Doing who bade you steal softly up stairs. And made you Ills ngont to answer their prayers, Sophia P. Snow, Legend of the '& Mistletoe. ( nV FLAVEL SCOTT MINKS. I O II T merrily blitzed the yule log in the square opon lire place. and the dark oak panels of the lit tle room caught and threw back again in softer color the red light of the flamos. The room was filled with the rosy glow, and black shadows danced in time to the nickering firelight on the floor and walls. At times the fierce wind outside blew down the chimney a shower of snow whioh fell with a sizzle upon" the oraokling log, but the Humes only burned the bright er as though determined to outdo the Christmas storm, and the noise of the gale was lost in the merry splutter and crack of the Are. Before the log sat a youth and maidon, and for a little time they sat in silence reading their future in the redooals; and though neither told the other of their dream eaoh felt that their futures were the same. Sudden ly the young man turned toward the girl. "I bought a bit of lmstletoo to day," he said; "do yon know the origin of its use? Shall I tell yon the story?" Sue looked at him dreamily. "Yes," she answered, her lips soaroely moving. "And will you promise not to in terrupt?" "Y-es," was the low reply. Ha laid the green spray with its crimson berries npon ber brown curls, and bending near her began: "Baldnr, the son of Odin, tbe old Norse god, was called the Good because of bis kind aud loving nature, and wherever he went among the gods or men he was rooeived with the kiss of peaoe," The young man hesitated a moment, then he caught sight of the green spray that orowned the fair face of the girl and he was emboldened. "Like this," he whispered. Ha waited a moment and then seeing the brown eyes turned inquiringly toward hist ha oontinaed, "ButBuldur in his dreams waa warned that hit life was ia peril, so he called the goda together and giv ing theua the kiss of peaoe (lie gads vera numbered by the aoore," K plaiaed, "and yo proaaitad not ta ia terropi. He told then ef bia feara and taey resolved to do all in their power to prevent the calamity. Frigga, the wife of Odin, made all thing oa earth swear not to injure him, but the overlooked the mistletoe, which she boaght too puny. Sba did not know t power as I do. All right, Tit eoa BUS. After this 3aldar need to sr. ply a.H the fun (or the gods, who would throw i' aorU thinR at bias and improve ,eir because they koew ha oould not harmed. Aad Baldtur aed to return a i-" 'or eh blow, and if Jm cot hit six tin Jm i would give afc like this. But oM, that nnpleasaat fallow whom no tU Used to over kiss, M ' (like thU) Uaxned fUtoi SANTA CLAUS MOST ENTHUSIASTIC ADMIRER. had. token no onth, lo be got a little spray and sharpeutl it and then went to watch the f un. There was an old Mind god called llolur who couldn't hit llaldiir because heconldn't see him, and Lokl went up to him nnd whis pered, 'Don't yor want to bit Baldur and get a kiss?' (Ike this) and Hodur said 'Yep.' So uiki gave him the mistletoe and gilded his throw and Baldur was piered through and he fell dead aud helouldu't kiss anybody any more, (liko lliis) and everybody was strirkon will sorrow. So after trying to get birk bis life they gave up the job and l id him on bis ship, plnced a spray if mistletoe over his head and all tho Valkyrs, a lot of pretty girls whtusod to be messenger boys for the gels, came aud kissed him, (like tbis-and this) nnd that is why on Christias eve anybody can kiss anybody tse (like this) if they only have a spay of mistletoe over thoirhead." "What has Ckistmas Eve got to do with it?" asked be maiden, reaching for the spray in her hnir. As she snid it she startet "Oh, Torn!" she oried, "these borics nre red! How could ynu make nch a mistake? All your time wastedind " The young ma looked pcrploxed. now had ho tiled, he wondered? The rosults of mistletoe could not have been diflurnt. He was about to ask whim the grl started to her feet and like a fripiteued spirit passed through the poriores. Was she dis pleased, and vts this his dismissal? As he pouderd thus a hand thrust aside the curtails and a face that was rosy as the gloiing coals looked shyly through. "Tom," she faltered, "yon know that holly didt count holly never does. It wasnifair, so so I've got a pieoo of real mistlotoe. Now tell me all nbat Baldur." Munscy. Tit Vule Log. In some part of G or ninny tho Yule log is placed oi tho hearth on Christ mas Eve, and, I possible, kept burn ing for two c three days. Then a piece of it is lr.d asido for the purpose of lighting the next year's log and of guarding the household from harm, rioces of flrood charred, but not quite bnrnt ort in the Christmas fire, are also placid under the fumily bed in some Oernnn villages to avert the dreaded lighjning stroke, which ap pears in this relation to be the type of lire in its evl anpect, in contradistinc tion from the solar orb, the represen tative of beneficent light and warmth. The custom of burning a Yule log for three days and nights in eaoh home stead is almost certainly a survival from the adoration onee offered to the ann at the winter solstioe. Three oenturies after the Christian era sun worship was still maintained in Brittany; and in Normandy, not mora than a hundred years ago, the household fire was extinguished on December 34, and the Christmas log was ignited by the aid of a flame pro cured from the lamp burning in the neighboring ehureh. This faot affords a curious instance oi toe proDame transference of respect and reverenoe from the sacred fire of a pnrely heathen creed to the eooleslastlcal lights of Catholioism. When the pagan rites for procuring unsullied fire were forbidden, at fell into desuetude, the ideas to which they owed tbefr origin and development, instead of perishing, continued to exiat store or less por feotlv. by attuobiutT themeelvee ta aagee aud eareatooiee having no di rect asaooiatiou with tiiem. Gentle man's Magaatae Cite ?! tt. When the rut low aura a no the health, With MTdl, aaraia and Chrtai an at ebear, nra tnnaia nasi ia mi sobi f gladdeu alt tb eomlng year) 1 lam te brlrtiUMt bwariii aad home, Aad twhM a well f or et he ey. F4 by od 4md wkish still glow on dlai and sold the yule log lie. Ma life ae rear bat t may kaow A spark of this divtaatt fir. He lit to beautiful aad rtoh Bat still. fUsMV-lik. M Br amir. Tusa kladla rat log far aad wide To barn oa every happy hearth, Tit symbols ol th faith aad lova Tlia,lpurlia.'!s the earth. ..-.-. rfctwJta V . Aleott. Growth of American Christmas Custom. America has welcomed and adopted tile Christmas tree with cordial affec tion and treated it as if it were a prod uct of her own inventive brain. Trans planted to the United States by the early Dutch settlers of New York and by the Germans who established them selves in Pennsylvania, it grew and flourished as it did in its native soil. Its advance was slow, but in 1830 the Christmas tree bad become a fixed factor in the holiday celobrations, not only in families of direct German descent, but among that composite population called American. Small cedar trees were first used, and were colled "Christinas bushes." Thev were decorated with rosy amies, natter flowers, a few small candles, gilded nuts and "Christmas cakes." This last confection seems to be entirely out of date. It took the form of small horses, di gs, cows, hearts and dia monds, and was a combination of flour and water paste and white and oolored sugar frosting. Even bv those who recall the Christmas cake with fondest reoollection it is admitted to have been rather a delight to the eye than a joy to the palate or the digestion. As years went on. and the vonng nation grew older and richer and the life of the people more luxurious and complex, the "Christmas bushes," with their paper flowers, and "Christ mas cakes," developed into a tree, which is often an elaborate and expen sive afluir. But it is not in civilized or Chris tian lands alone that this wonderful Christmas tree grows. Missionaries have planted it in China, in Japan, in India, Africa, in the islands of the sea, so that yellow, brown and black fnoos, as well as white, gaze tip at it with delight. New York Mail and Ex press, Cake For CltrUttnas, In the United States Americans of German origin still imitate the ways of their Fartberlnnd, and make par ticular cakes for the Christmas holi days, and so follow the ideas of their forefathers. The Puritan rather frowned down such little matters. Early New England, however, retained something like the plum pudding and tho Christinas pastries. There are, however, not many special survivals of special food to be consume I on par ticular religious festivals in the United States. In old Fngtind, long after the Reformation, ou eortaiu days coke was distributed in churches, and penny loaves were thrown from chnrch towers, to be sorambled for. Hot oross bnns are barely in vogue in the United States. Once at. Valentine's Day was oelebrated in England by the sending of cakes. Fancy cards and stationary are modern innovations. Hanging th Holly. The English holly is finer in quality than that grown on American shores. The leaves are a better green and the berries larger, and before the holiday season sets in great hampers of it are shipped from the English ports to da- light American eyes and hearts. An attractive manner of using it is to tie big bunches with long satin ribbon loopa and ends, malohlng in shade tha hue ot the berries, and place them over piotnrts or mantel shelf, or fasten against tha wall, es pecially ln soma picturesque1 nook or corner. Underneath tha mantol, when there is na fireplace, tha spaoe may ba banked with masse of tha spiny leave aad bright berries; jars or vases may ba Ailed with thm, while holly wreath aad ropes ara another form of decoration, very fftctive ia both large aad small aparUueata. Caat a-N llvwyb-dy. Jowler "lou'v been rolling aretry ,High for a good while, Bowler. Now, th'at it's New Tear, why dont you r olVa to aettl down?" Bowler- "Now ins seel Too want ma to start in with the Now Year and settle dVwn, aud here's a lot of chap writing tnw and wanting to kaow if it wouldn't b a good time for me to set tle up I Wtrat's follow going to do, anhowt . QUIPS FOR CHRISTMAS. Good Santa Claus may well grow wild, and go out on a strike, if every woman, man and child insist they want a bike. Judge. Buy up the Christmas books liber allr. and next taf tha niinn nt get royalties enough to dine at a restaurant. Atlanta Constitution. "Pana." nid Tnmm, think Santa Clans wonld be offended if I nnt a nnta info l,t,n- told him in which toy store they kept the best fire engines?" Harper'a Bazar. Mrs. Sumatra "I An wlaf, T Ann 1j9 get my husband to Swear nfT m n lr t n for a while." Mrs. RtnrlWK- don t yon give him a box of cigars for Christmas?" Philadelphia North American. He "I mean to trlvn vnn an alorrant engagement ring, and we'll call it your Christmas present." She "I'm not to be outdone in trnnernnitv T'll it right back again." Detroit Frea ITS", "Mamie trot a diamond rinu tnr ha Christmas." "How did she set it?" 'Hung no her stockincra ." "JaW course?" "But how did Jack iret it?" "Hnnff UO his wa.tnh ' Tlln.tr.ta.1 Monthly. First Newsboy "Goin' to Tonr stockin' Christmoa Kr Ka ond Newsboy "Naw." First News- Doy -uetter do it. You might git em tilled. " Second Newsboy "They're filled now." Viral Ka-aL. "What with?" Second Newsbov Holes." Cleveland Leader. The npnroachincr Christm u under discussion in a Bellefleld hnnaa. hold. "What would vou like Santa Claus to bring, little girl?" asked tha papa of his small daughter. "I would like him to brinff Chriatma annnar ' replied the maiden. Pittsburg Chron- icie-xeiegrapn. "What are von going to give Georora for Christmas?" "Well. I thnmrht I'd work him something, but I'm so mod at what he said that I don't feel like giving him a thing." "What did he sav?" "I In snid ha linno1 T wouldn't spoil my eyes aud rack my Drain trying to make him a present." -wen, tuat was all right, wasn't it?" "Then he added thnt I conKl tin something so muoh better and cheaper. x m angry enougu to go ana get that toilet table set for him that I have wanted so long!" Cleveland Plain Dealer. Rome Christmas Pies. Cranberry Tart Wash and pick over the berries. Pnt into a porcelain saucepan with a very little water and simmer nntil they burst open and be come soft. Bun through a colander to remove the skins and sweeten to taste. Bake in pastry shells with a crossbar of piecrust over the top. Marion norland. Dried Apple Pie Home-dried ap ples should be stewed very soft and mashed through a colander; when stewing put in two or three small' pieces of lemon peel and flavor with a little spice. Before putting in to the piepan, sweeten and stir in a beaten egg. Bake with two crusts, rolled thin, and warm slightly before serving. I Cranberry Pie Line a pie dish with plain paste, then fill it with un cooked cranberries, add one-half cup molasses, four tablespoons sugar, oover with an upper crust and bake in 1 quick oven thirty minutes. JApple Custard Pie Peel sour ap ples and stew until soft and not muoh water is leftjin them; then rnb through a colander. Beat three ecrss for each pie and put in the proportion of one cup butter, one enp sugar for three pies and season with nutmeg. Pumpkin Pie One rmntt pumpkin. stewed and strained, one quart milk, one cup sugar, seven eggs beaten very light, one teaspoon ginger and the same of mace and cinnnmon. Beat all well together and bake in a orust without a cover. Chicago Record. An Early Intimation. "Johnny," said the boy's father, " I suppose that you are going to hang up your stocking next Christmas. "No, I m not," was the reply, after some thought. "Why not?" "Because," he answered, looking his father straight in the eye, "you couldn't put a bicycle in my stocking.' Washington Star. A Hisaadarttandliig. "I notioe Jenks doesn't speak to yon. What's the matter?" : "1 can't help it. I started to talk to him about Christmas decorations, the other day, and he thought I re ferred to the black ayes bra got in a.' broil with a mutual friend recently." 1 1 A Latter Tram Ted. Pear Santa Olauts I want a sled And skates, all new and aioai But plaaM dont sand 'em lata you A lot of laowaatoa,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers