M Maine psoked about oOU.nrtil cane of sardine this season. Possibly a fw small herring may have got in among them here and there. A new ninnfifactnrinfr. company of New Jersey announces that it is Roing to miinnfactnre a preparation which ft man on put on. li in face and remove bin beard without the aid of n rnor, Tho company is capitalized for (WOO, 000. A rule ban been adopted in New York forbidding the employment of married women as teachers in the pub lie schools. The married women may bo able to stand such a discrimination, but the blow will full heavily upon some of the married men. 'A Canadian paper has n cartoon on tho "unwonted activity" of England just now. t'nele Sam, smoking a "Manila" cigar, says to John Hull, striding along in sailor clothe, with a gun on his shoulder: "vYliar you goin' a gnnnin', John?" and Jc hn answers: "Tilest if I quite know vet, Sammy. Maybe h'over to I'nmiice. h'caglo 'niiting and then h'aga'iu may be h'over to l!oosber, bear 'untin' y'know." A student of Spanish uiiiul has tided an interesting chapter to the history of prices by. revealing from the archives of tho J'.scurhil what it cost to discover the Xew World. The stipends of the discoverers, at all events, did not amount to much. The pay of an able seaman was only, it seems, $2 a month, while a captain drew only 816 a month. As for Chris topher Columbus himself, hi e li n ings were at the rate of :lL!l per an num, Eveif in Spain anluri-'s have risen since those (lavs. The United States of CenUal Amer ica Salvador, Nicaragua and Hon duras start business as a federated republic with the usual grandiose an ticipations and performances. We wish them well, says the l'hiladelphia Record Under t lie muuag ng baud o a man like President Diaz, of Me co, who is practically u king uiinqiir ading as an elective ollicial, the new states might be glued together by something more substantial than wittten agreements. But there is Jiotbing in the pnst history of the Central American states to justify hopes for the future of se'tled govern ment. How much reverence have we ? Some years ngo at an auction iu Edin burgh two bones announced to have foi-med a part of Robert Brnce's anat omy, fetched 820, and one of the ver tebra of William the Conquero;- sold 'for $2150. What is called "u most interesting relic" 'was put under the j imm:nu- al JjOUiloll. It was a man s tjuniU-iit made of blue silrf and stained with blood. To this gory raiment there was a document attached, duly certified, which declared that it was worn liy Charles I when on the scaf fold, and became the property of Dr. Juxon, who attended the king during his last moments. The h story of this garment is then traced through ft numerous possesora up to today. The London Times says: "A good story of the 'things ons would rather have expressed differently' type is be iug whispered about Gloucester. Some 'crank' has been writing to the local papers complaining that during the festival he Is not -admitted to the catbetlral free, that being a place of worship. The 'crank' turned np at . the cathedral the other day and was told he could not be admitted without a ticket. 'Do you nieau to toll me,' he excitedly argued, 'that I shall re quire a ticket to enter the kingdom of heaven?' 'Well, no,' explained the polite steward, 'but you won't hear Mine Albaui in heaven.' And theni when the enormity of his remark dawned upon him, that steward turned and fled." One of the latest invention! is said to be a fug dispeller, an apparatus consisting of a horizontal outlook pipe, some eigui leet in lengtn auu i i i i i i .1 . eight feet in diameter, into which en ters a tube from below, connecting with a blower deep down iu a steam ship's interior. Thia blower vends i powerful stream of air into the tube, the eurrent of air, so to speak, bor ' ing aliole through the fog, aud in dooiug a cone, of clear atmosphere with ifca liwv at iltA mmttli tf ilia tab. By the aid of this apparatus a pilot who stands with his eye at the glass at the rear of the tube, can, it is claimed, pick np his buoys and look out for other vessels ahead. The in ventoi- hopes eventually to make the fog-diapeller" effective at a range of a thousaud feet. Certainly any sppnra tns or agency capable of dissipating fog at aaaor ou land, whether the b 1st be physical, tneutal, or spiritual. rtr i be a tarn te erk'ud. T was the day be- f Ar nhvlnimaa "iLJl! aid tMe now was :&yf?t8 fallins thick and fast. Among the people who hast ened along the streets of a large Western city.wss a lady, accom panied by two little girls, appar ently twins, All were poorly clad, and shivered, as the cold wintry wind rushed down the nearly deserted street. "Oh! mamma dear," cried one ot the little girls, as they were ap proaching a large shop, where many lovely holiday toys were displayed, "this mtiBt be one of Bauta Clans' shops." "Let's go in," pleaded the other little girl, "I do so want to see all the nice things." "My dear children," said the mother, sadly, "I can get none of the pretty books or toys for yon; I wish I could, bnt, you know, we are very, very poor. " "Well we could just look at 'em, if we can't have 'em," they cried. "Well, my dears, yon shall see them," said their mother, gently. "Oh! mamma," one of them ex claimed, "I just wish I could have a nice dolly, just like this one, that the lady has just laid down here; why, do you know, mamma, it shut its eyes just as tight as I do when I go to sleep." "Ah! Bessie, my dear child," said her mother, "I am a,fraid yon will only be discontented when you get home." "No, no, I'm only just wishing," said little Bessie. All this time a young girl had been standing near, watching the children and writing in a note-book. "Come, children," said the mother at last, "we must be going now, it is nearly four o'clock." The little group passed out, and the young girl followed them. "Mamma," said Jessie, "what would you like to hare for a Christmas pres ent? ' Molly Dean, the young girl who had watohed the children in the shop, was closely following them; she hastened her steps that she might hear the mother's answer. The mother sighed as she answered her little daughter's oliehtloii; ' "AU! my dear, u l comu nave your papa back again, I would be satisfied. But tue sea Beiaoiu gives uu un dead." She added, a moment later, as if to herself: "Not my will, dear Lord, but Thine." Molly followed them into an alley way, xne street was airty, ana me houses were poor, rue euuaren ana their mother entered ono of the small est houses. Molly looked about her curiously; she had never been in such a place before, although she was nearly sixteen. Soon she turned and hastened bank to the shop. . She handed her note-book to a clerk, tell ing him to have the articles, she bad written down, all ready when she re turned for them, whioh, she said, would be iu the evening. She also told him she would send some other purchases there, whioh she would eail for at the same time. "Dear me." she thonght, as she hastened homeward, "I wish I could give that lady her husband. I can give the children all they wished for, but her wish I am powerless to grant." She entered a handsome stone house in the most aristooratio part of the city, and rushed Into the library, where a gentleman sat reading. "Oh. Unola Dick!" she cried, eagerly, "I've got tome work for you to do." "What is it, my huckleberry?" asked her nnule in a teasing tone, as he pulled hor onto his knee. He was tail man, whose naturally sad face always brightened when he was speakiug to her; for shewas bis favorite nieoe. And she thonght there never was an uncle like him. "Wall," said Molly, "I want you to nut on jour bit- white for coat' (when it'sjiiee end dark). And then you'd If "5C wer f u eaxt tod some false "AND THEN HUKOITP THEIR STOCKINGS." whiskers, some great long, white ones, and take a nice big sack, and then we'll bnt I ' guess I won't tell yon the rest just now." "Oh! ho! I gness I see! Ion re going to make a Santa Clans of me." "Don't ask any questions, but just do as I tell yon to," said Molly. When it was quite dark, Molly and her nncle started out to make their visit. "What a splendid Santa Clans he does make," thonght Molly, as they walked along. They went to "The Star," aud Mr. Dixon (Molly's uncle) got a vehicle to take himself and Molly, with their many packages, to the poor little honse in the alley. After Bessie and Jessie had helped their mother wash the supper dishes that evening, they got ready for bed, and then hung up their stockings. , Then their mother called tbem to her for the little evening talk. They talked of the father, whom the chil dren could .not remember. He had Under the SH&- The Stupid tMn SttSJtleutthr, Ai if bouaa tightly totoscrtair! ,Tk Stolid thind? been a sailor. And one day he had sailed from port, leaving behind his wife and babies; he had never re turned, and, in a few months, news came that the Lady Gray, the vessel upon which he had sailed, had been wrecked. A few months later the mother moved to another town. She supported her children by taking in sewing. She resided there about four years, then she weut to this Western o"y- . While the three were busily talking there came a knock at the door. The mother opened it; as she stood gazing out, a man came into the room. He bad snowy hair, and a long white beard. Ha was dressed in fur from bead to foot. "Santa Clausl Santa Clans!" cried both children. When Mr. Dixon saw the face of the woman before him he started to ward her, then stopped and looked at the children. "Are there any good children here ?" he asked, in a gruff voice. "Oh! we tried to be good," said Bessie. " "Then," said their visitor, "just tell me your names." "Mj name is Bessie, na ners is Jessie, and we're twins. Please, is yonr name Santa Clans?" Til BHCHAMTED ZiAM. Bat Santa Claus did sot answer.- He threw down the great saok ha carried, aa4 bagan to tike oi the tbiagi. lilMli'lllllr. 10 First, the provisions, then the toys, and last the clothing and some peanuts and candy. The little girls were shouting and laughing, happy as could be. Bauta Clans, as the children called him, tnrned at last to the mother, who stood ama.ed. "Madam," he said, "your wish was, I believe, that your husband might come back to yon again." The lady looked amazed. "How do yon know my wish," she asked. "Because I am that Christmas pres. e'it," he cried, as he tore off the false whiskers and wig. Mrs. Dixon only cried, "Dick." Just then Molly came in. She had been waiting at the door. "Molly," said her nncle, "thia is yonr Aunt Lucy." Molly kissed her aunt, then she hugged and kissed the twins. "Oh! to think yon are my cousins, and I never knew it." Mr. Dixon took his little girls upon his knees, and Molly and Mrs. Dixou sat, one on each side of him. Then Mr. Dixon told them the story of the pBst few years. He had grasped a floating spar when the vessel sank, and for days he, had floated upon the water. Finally u ves sel bound for the Indies picked him np. He was carried from home, in stead of toward it, and it was two years before he again stood upon his native shore. Then Mrs. Dixon related the story of her trials aud sorrow. They sat for a long time talking of the strange- events. "To think," cried Molly, "how we've livod right in the same city all this time, and withiu a half mile of each other." "Let us thank Ood," said Mr. Dixou, Mistletoe. mr- Ha-d the nerve, whatpfrfect bttjj From thott red lips to take e-kijs' Hid. I the nerve', 'for His great love and divine mercy." They knelt down, and he offered up a prayer for their reunion. "We must be going," said Mr. Dixon, after prayer, as they still talked. Mrs. Dixon dressed herself and the children in the new warm olothes; they locked the door of the little house, and all entered the waiting carriage. Thus they left the old life, of toil aud poverty, for one in which they would never know want. A New XTny ot Distributing Presents. Let one corner of the room where the Christmas festivities are to take place be fitted up as a postoilloe, and another corner made to represent a bank. Have ready in the postofllce, envelopes, eaoh bearing the name of the one who is to receive a gift, and in each envelope a "check" in favor of the one to whom the envelope is addressed. This check may read as follows: NonTH Folk, Christmas, 1897. Snow Fkubt A Co., Bankers, Pay to tbn Order of Harry Haw thorne one pair of skates. Bant Ci.ics. Also have ready in the bank the presents whioh are to be giveu, eaoh one properly designated. On the evening of the festival let the post master call out the names upon the envelopes one by one; and eaoh child or person, as bis name is called, go to the office and receive his check. He may then take it to the bank, and pre senting it to the cashier, receive bis gift. An KzqaUlt Effect. While the candle in the socket is still the common method of lighting ' the Christmas tree, a most exquisite effect is produoed by the use of tiuy iucandescent lights, when expeuse need not be takeu iuto consideration. These are scuttered all over the tree, and protected by small glass globes, A alight pressure of the lever, and the tree bursts into rosy, radiant bloom. A Uaod I'alr. The Hon. Abraham Lincoln Brick has been elected to Congress from In diana. He would make a good pal:' with Mr. Mttdd, of Meryland.-Bicur 1 mond Tunes. oooooooooooooooooooo iCKRISTMAS ID OTHER LIKQS: oooooooooooooooooooooooi HP. children ia America anxious ly wait for Chriit mas Eve to come, that they may begin the im portant ceremony of hanging up their stockings. In vain mamma reiterates that "Santa -Clans can't come until it gets darker!" Wil lie and Sne and Kittie and Tom can't curb their impatience, and are deaf to reason. Santa CInus's reindeer may THE CUSTOM I OP.nMASY. be yet far iu the distance, but their part of the programme shall not be delnyed another instant. Up go the stockings ! A row swings upon the mantel-shelf in many a home. The baby's is in the middle, aud the older children's at the ends. The mantel-shelf must be cleared, as well as the floor around it. Santa Claus's generosity mnst not be restricted by lack of space to deposit his gifts. The little Gerinau children care more for Christmas trees than stock ings to hold their gifts. Bauta Claus does not come down the chimney for them. But the window of the Christmas-tree room is opened, that "Kueoht Huprecht" may have a chance to adorn their trees. And not only have they the large Christinas tree, but at each one's plate on Christmas morning is a tii.y tree, a perfect miniature copy of the large one, with a "Christmas box" under it. These little trees make the table look like a garden, and are pretty ouough to give a hint worth coppying. Little Qretcheu aud Hans do uot hang their stockings, though sometimes they stand their wooden shoes iu convenient spots, that the Christ-child may fill them. The Christmas tree is lavored throughout all the Northern couutries of Europe. Norway aud Sweden, Prussia and Poland alike delight in elaborately dressed trees covered with gifts for young and old. A pretty Swedish custom is to provide a Christ mas dinner as a Christmas tree for the birds, whose dinners are scarce iu winter iu that enow-covered region. A sheaf of wheat or corn ia tied to the top of a high pole erected in front of the house for the birds' convenience. Be sure it is soon surrounded by the okattering thankful recipients. The birds' Christmas tree is a kiud as well as a pretty thonght. The little Italian boys and girls do not hear as pretiy a logeud as Santa Claus aud his reindeer. Nurse tolls them often of Old Bofl'ana, who comes rid ing along on her broomstick, aud who will leave presents for good childreu, but who just as surely carries a rod for bail ones. In England, Christmas Eve is ush ered in with the ringing of bells and singing of carols, the singers go ing from house to bouse, coiieotiug Christmas gifts at each. Where old fashioned customs are kopt np the Yule log is pulled in and lit with much oeremony and rejoicing. Christmas trees aud eifts are common tuere as elsewbore, and our custom of Christ mas decoration with greens is carried to mr-oh greater extent. The holly has always been sacred to Christmas. A sprig of it is a talisman to conjure up a long procession of Christmas days and Christmas feasting. The story of Christmas, in both its sacred and its merry meauiu?, is told in a thousand ways and a thousand tongues to bright-eyed, listening babies. But of all the marvelous legends told, Santa Claus and his reindeer still seems the quaintest and prettiest. -T.ft ' Vnr. Clirlltlllfta. For Christmas, with Its lot and lots ot can dles, cakes ana toys. Was made, ttaey say, for proper kids, an' not for nauglity boys; So wab your face an' bruHO your nalr, and mtud yonr p's and q'. And don't bust out yar pantaloons, and don't wear out your sboes; Say "YesMim" to the ladles, an' "lessur" totbemen, An' when titer's company, don't pats yonr plate for pie again; But tlitnktn' of the tblngs ysr'd like to see upen that tre, Just 'fore Cbrlitmsa be as good as yer kin be! Eugene Field. WurklnrToa Santa's Sympathy. When Santa Clans sees that layout, we will surely be touched. The luifoonetts d er of Spain. is th national mm suit bs comi BOY ABDUCTED. Whit en Hn Way to School He Is S.t,d end Placed In s Covered Wegoa Police Art Invietlcatlnf. IVnn Ttronil. BK-d 9, who resld-s 1 1 r Jprcnilah Maxell, at hutelkeeper nc Hands Kriily, Northampton rounly, was abducted, whllp on his way to school n ffw days atn, by a mnn who placed him In a covered wnarni and drove off. The police have made an In vestlaatlon ami are of the opinion that the hoy was taken by his father, Frank Hrond, of Troy, N. Y., who formerly resided here and at Wllkesbarre. The following- pensions were aranted last week: I'htlnnder Churchill, Mills dale, Indlann, 16; Pamuel H. Temple ton, Tyrone, $10; Henry A. Oreenllcht. t'onneatitvllle, IB: Christopher A. Ken dall (dead). Tltusvllle, $12; Franx Ken er. New Castle, $; Alfred ". Hsker, Wells Tannery. Fulton, $6; Morris V. Powell, 1'lltKlnirsr. $10; Rnianuel nnm niel, Helknnp, Armstrong, $8 to $IH; Kdward O. Kustln, Ausi'n, Pottr, IU; Mary A. Kskln. Heaver Falls' $i; Mary A. Hrady. Washington, $S; John C. Casner, Mont Alto, Franklin, $8; Re s Thomas, Oil City, $S; James F. Mc- Inlrc, Homestead, $6; John W. Hen nett, Kelly. Htntlon, Armstrong, Stt: Win. Ewlnp-, Wampum, $10 to $1.'; Hc;h lli'gnrmn, New Castle, $0 to $"; Kllloti M. I.ydlik, Cookiiort, Indiana. s to $12: M"lvln 'A. Hlierman, Kast PprliiK fleld. Kile. $tf to $14; Jacob llano. North Freedom, Armstrong. $ to $S; James Carnahan, Houth Hurttett-town. $B to $8: Wm. K. Dalles, Ralsam, Tlogn. $14 to $17: Ml Hilly, Kdrl, Indiana. $s to $10; Mnllndn S. Howers, Port Royal, Juniata, $8; Moselle S. Ropesz. Wll llanisport, $8; Robert It. Zundel, Jamestown, $8: William C. Pockwell, llradford. $8: Moses Miles, Sunset, $0; Cleorge HoRirs, Fayettevllle, $6 to $10; John I., dray, Blalrsvllle, $4 M $10; Simon L. Lakes, Mansfield, $8 to $14: William P. Berlin, dead, Rochester Mills, Indiana, $8 to $12; James I en fold. Johnstown. $10 to $17; R. bert Uensmore, Falrchanee. $8 to $10; John . Htvayer. 8outh Wllllnmsnort. to $8; Lewis Ross. Uerry Htation, IIS to $14: Porter C. Montgomery, llradford. $10 to I2: William Partington, Hol ders' home, F.rle. $8 to $12; Andrew DoiiKherty, Mononaahela. $8 to $12: Theophilus J. Nichols, MahantanKo, Juniata. $ to $8; John O. Chase, F.dln- boro, $6 to $12; Hamuel B. Kelly. Merry Htation. 18 to 110: John Howard. toona. $17 to U: John Q. Fields. Hal burg, Center, $0 to 8; Anna E. HmllhT Reddsvllle. RlllHIn, $8; Julia A. Hoyt imysvine, Crawford, siii; Jennie M Cready, IHincansvllle, Blair. $12. Judge Hlmonton rendered a decision last week In favor of the trust-es of the Btate Insane Hospital at Norrls town and against the county of Phila delphia for $r.0.0:i2.Tl. The trustees brought an action against the county some time ago to recover a claim of $77,026 for board, clothing and medical treatment furnished by the hosultal to certain Indigent Insane persons from t'niiaueiphla. The case was hesrl by the Court by the agreement without a jury, and a verdict was rendered In favor of the hospital trustees for $4'i.- )fi.l.., with six ner rent, interest from April Id. 1S97, or $.ri0,032.71. On their way home from Bellnsarove to Bunion y, William Fenton and Stephen Teniplln drove across a high canal bridge at Bhamokfn Dam ami. lust as they emerged from It their heavy wagon plunged down an em bankment on ' the Ice below. Hotel guests who saw the accident hurried to the spot and found both men un conscious, Kenton being pinned under tne neavy wagon. They will recover. A 13-year-nlu son of Henry l.ythc. munnger of the Fort Pitt glnHS works. nt Ureensburg, arose Tuesday appar ently In the best of health, went to the school house and Joined his com panions In play. Hhortly after entering tho school room he was convulsed a If In severe phIii, uttered a groan and loll lifeless. A physician was sum moned, but the boy was beyond help. llnrry Kimtx, of Heaver Falls, while trying to raise the gates at the rnce in the lower part of town recently, allpp d and fell in. The water jammed his legs up uguinst the sides of tho gates m firmly that he could not move, and ho would have drowned had not U-ortte Cocheriour sprung In and held him up until tho luce tilled, thus llbeiatlna him. By the premature explosion of a blast st Oreensburg the other evening, ('has. and Jacob Htutchel were very seriously injured. Charles had one eye knocked nut, and the other Injured, so that he will lose Its sight. Otto Klein, a miner below Jacobs Creek, waa caught by a fall of slate and so badly crushed thut he cannot recover. Willlitim Harrison, aged 4 years. was found half frozen the other night u bout two miles from hla home at (Jreenvllle lying In the snow. He had started to walk from New Wilmington to his home early In the evening and fell and broke his leg. He was unable to move, and luy until found by u friend. William Boyer, a well-known busi ness man, of Phoeuixvllle, died a few days ago under peculiar circumstances. He was pretending to be asleep, una when they went to awaken him from his supposed slumber he was dead. He was 68 years of age. A mortgage for $2,!00,000 upon tho property of the Allegheny & Western railroad to the Guaranty Trust Company, of New York, was left for record at Butler. The Internal revenue stumps on the documents amount to lur.o. The 8-year-old sen of William Ilanna, of Greenville, tho 'other day placed hla tongue against an Iron wa ter hydrant. The member froze foal, and In releasing It a portion of hl tongue was torn off. In drawing city water from the apigr.t rt her home In Beaver Falls, Mrs. Strollck found a very handsome pearl, and Mrs. Thomas Kenouf later got a solid gold bracelet padlock key through the spigot. In a runaway accident at Lilly. Cumbria county, the other day. lVter Robine, a miner, aged 6! years, was Instantly killed, and hla companion, Uonnls Bradley, a farmer, probably fatally injured. Thomas, the 7-year-old son of 'Wil liam Clendenning of Black Diamond, near Monongahela, died a few days ago of acute alcohollo poisoning, which resulted from whisky procured ut the bouH of a neighbor. In the bleach of promise ease of Mary IS. Hullnss vs. Robert Orr, at Clarion, the jury rendered a verdict of $i2& for the plaintiff . A Grand Jury at Lebanon refused to Indict for murder Jacob Wetzel and Laura Ooodinan, who wore charged with killing a child. Fifteen young men at Johnstown have enlisted In the regular army and started for the Houth to Join regiments there. . The wife of Dr. James McKellar, of Haxelton. full on the Ice and sustained Injuries from which she died Inst week. Franklin will -sell $15 000 rodent bonds to pay for property on which to erect a new high school bul.dlng. c- I
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers