llr WAHRK MIARLE littlo Max fonnd out about the wenkness of the flesh nnd the will i n g n e a a of tho npirit nt about the enmo timo tbnt bis first real disap pointments enme to him, and imme diately after bis first attempt to commit the virtue of self-sacrifice. Max was six years old. His dog "Jack" was an amiable creature, and bad endeared bimnolf very much to his master. Jack had to get in the way of a truck, and Jack died. The Lope of Max's heart was the fact thnt when he, too, died, which because of tho death of Jack he then hoped would bo very soon, he would meet Jack in heaven. Somebody some unimaginative person told Max that dogs did not go to heaven, thnt they had no souls. That was Max's first great disappointment. The second was like nuto it. The same somebody one of those bothersome bodies who put shoes and stockings on little boys on rainy days in the summer, and make them wear uncomfortable olotheswhen they go in swimming told Max the whole story of Santa Clans. Max took his sorrowful heart to his mother's knee, and, hoping against hope, told her what he had heard, and when it was all over he felt bet ter, for in place of tho beautiful story he had lost she had told him another. In tho long, cool grass down near the water's edgo, he thought of the new story, and the more he thought of it the bettor he liked it. "If Dot was to fall in that water there," he said half aloud, as be sat up and looked out over the dancing wavelets of the lake, " I'd dive in after her. Maybe I'd be drownod," he hesitated for a moment and shud dered "but what of that? I'd bo nelf-sacrifloing. Snpposin' I was drowned; onyhow, they'd put me in tho parlor, and everybody would cry and say I was a good boy, and bad given up my life for Dot. And I would give it up for ber, that I would." Whereupon Max began to think of such terrible things that might hap pen to his sister Dot, who was only four years old, and of still more ter rible things that might happen to him, if he should try to sacriiice himself for her, that pretty soon he began to feel a little weak in the knees, and it ' bean to got oold down in the grass, and the little boy deoided to whistle and go to see the pigs. While he was poking them in the ribs, Max had au idea. It suddenly occurred to- him that there was no sense in his making it a matter of life and death just to sacrifice himself. His mother had told him that men and women gave gifts to their littlo children at Christmas to make them happy, and that self-denial and self saoriiioe were the true essence of the Christmas spirit. Max had a littlo fortune stored away in bis bank. This fortune he decided to spend to make Dot happv. Full of this idea, he ran to his mother. Her consent was a matter of course, and Max arranged the pre liminaries. "Dot," he said that night, as they lay in their cribs, "how do you like Christmases?" Dot's eyes grow big. She remera bered the dolls of the past winter, aud the lights of the Christmas tree, and Mux thanked his stars that he had thought of such a grand schema, when the very idea of it made Dot bo happy. "Well," said ho, when she had told him in the strongest terms how very much she liked Christmases, "you last watou out day after to-morrow, and hang up your stocking to-morrow, and you 11 nee Another Christmas, That's what." Dot suggested that it was summer time. But Max said that was all right that Kris Eringle was coming in i hoy-wagon, and that the reindeer had keen turned ipto mules with great Jong ears. Dot fell asleep with won derful thoughts of reindeer turned in to uiulea with long ears, and Mux sighed, remembering his own fond fauoies about Kris Kringle, and how lie, too, had been happy onoe. The next day was full of work for the little boy. First, ho had to keep Dot's thoughts keyed up to the most intense pituh, for the little girl could not got over her doubts about the reindeer and the snow. Then he had to ooust.lt the bank. He found there jut sixty -six cents in it. fit HRISTWAS. Ths tittle folks ore looking for Bnnta Clnns each monli They ever lienr the mnslo o( hi toy-lnden wheel. They love the ehlmne- corner when ths evonlnir shadows (nil. For t bore's where nil the Morklngs bniiR the very bent uf nlll They're Jv.et the sweetest children now that over Jrou have known. And nil the world In brighter (or those denr ways of thi'lr own, They lovo the ehlmnoy corner (or there' where Hntiln comes, And lie n hrlnttinK thera their rattles, end nil their dulls nnd drums. FESTAL CMI5KI. ITenp on more wood! the wind In chill: J'.iit let It whistle ni It will, AVoMI ket p our Christmas merry Mill, inch nifo linn deemed the newborn yonr 1 lie fitted time (or festnl cheer. N MoVlilf In tho first excitement of his desire to sacriflco himself h bad decided to spend every cent he had; but uow, on second thoughts, he concluded that half of bis fortune would buy enough things to fill his sinter's stocking, and then he would still have a little money loft. . Finally, he compromised on twenty-five cents for Dot, and with junt a little feeling that he was not as gonerons as he should be, he went down into the village to make his purchases. He bought a large orange for the toe of the stocking, and an apple to go next, and then a lot of candy and kisses, and thou A banana to poop out of the top. With bis purchases tucked under bis coat, be stole homo, and though Dot wns fast asleep in the nursery, taking her afternoon nap, Max bad all the fun and mystery of stealing cau- "Jj-US J40USEJ-10LD JtylS in. A TOAST. Hero's to Chrlstmns time la Cuba, where It's ninety In the shade; Hiiro's to Christines In Aluskn, nenr where Hantn's toys are made; Here's to Christmas In Hnwitll and in Porto ltleo, toot , Hero's to Olirlstmns In Manila, with our soldier boys In blue; Here's to Uncle Mammy's Christmas, though we qiinrrel o'er Its size; Here's to Christmas, merry Christmas, whore'or the old ling fllesl tionsly into the house through the rear cellar door. He tiptoed upstairs, and hid his things in the darkest oorner of the garret, and then, with much impa tience, he waited for night. Night oame, and the little girl was tucked away in her bed. The mother and father had gone out for the even ing, and Max bad the whole house to himself. So, after Dot was fast asleep, be got out of his orib and went up iu to the garret for the good things he had bought that day. Then he tiptoed down to the nnrsery again, aud, after lookiug At his sister to make sure that she was fast asleep, he began to fill her stocking. This done, he sat down near the 'HA BAT SOWN NEAB THE NIGUTLAMP, AND GONTEMPLATBD HIS WOKK." night-lamp, And contemplated his work. The stocking really did look very beautiful. The orange and the Apple made big lamps At the toe, and on end of the banana peeped oat At the top of the stocking, very inviting and met. litis Hi Mai deolded to nit tip And bear what his mother bid to nay about bin work, lie knew thnt she would take him on ber Up and kiss him, nd cull him A good little boy, and maybe, bethought, nlie wcnld cry A little. Mas always llillll mmmm ox TnR pt.oon lav this IiIttlh tat of a nrMAX hp.ino, cnrijfo) as if him iirakt wot;i,n miF.AK." liked it whon his cothcr cried over him. It made him feel queer and nice. The minutes crept along, and still the little boy sat in tho dim light watching the stocking,listening to Dot breathing lazily iu her sleep, and thinking of what a good boy be had been, aud how nice it was to sacrifice yourself for another's happiness. And then all of a sudden it oo enrred to him that there was nothing in the world that be liked bettor than bananas. The one he had bought for Dot was the very best one in tho mar ket, thick aud rich and yellow. Max hadn't tasted a banana in a month, and the more he looked nt tho tempt ing bauana in Dot's stocking the more he yearned for just one bite o! it. Max arose and went over to the stocking. He bad made up his mind just to take it out and smell it, and then to put it back where it bad been. It smelled very good indeed, and SICE LSJ Max held it at arm's length and looked at it again with increasing pleasure. and thought what a wonderfully fine banana it was, to be sure. Then it occurred to him that Dot wouldn't mind a bit if he took half of it. He could tell her all about it in the morning. She always gave him half of everything she bad and besides, hadn't he bought all those things for her? and even if he ate the whole banana there would be plenty of fruit left for her. So he ate the whole of it, And then, half ashamed of himself, he hid the skin under the chair and took another look at his sis ter to make sure that she had not seen him. And still the stocking looked so full and good and tempting that Max thought if he oould only have one candy, or one of the kisses, he would be supremely happy; and so he took one out and tasted it, and it was so good that he ate another and an othor Until, all of a sudden, before he half knew what he had done, the door flew open, and there stood his father and mother. And on the floor lay the little tot of a human being, crying as if his heart would break, for the stocking hung flat and empty, And Max had begun to realize that all of his self-sacrifice bad been in vain; that he was nothing but a selfish, thoughtless little boy, and that his sister, Dot, would have nothing but disappointed tears for him in the morning. St. Nicholas. Christinas Day Was Unkuown. Christmas Day was uuknown to Clement of Alexandria, and only adopt ed at Autiooh from Borne in 376 A. IX, According to Chrysostom. The Romau festival ooinoided with the old dies uatalis Invioti Solis. In England the Christmas decora tions may remain in tbo churches during the month of January, but most all be cleared Away before Feb ruary 2, or Caudloniaa Day. ' CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. ! New anil Inesnenslve Hints for Psrttet In the Holiday Benson. Christmas would hardly seem like Christmas without an abnndatiee of evergreens, the wax-like mistletoe, the glossy holly with its bright red berries and ribbons to match these berries everywhere. Parties and re unions come with the holiday vaca tions. An ingenlons hostess delighted not only the little folks, but their elders ns well, with a unique anil beautiful ice mountaiu for the table at a child ren's party. To mnke this mountaiu, place in the centre of the table a quart preserve jar. Around this jar arrange at equal distances four pint jars, and still outside of this have six inverted tumblers. Upon the top of each jar and tumbler placo a tiny glass dish to) bold a small) night lamp or candle, such as is nned in illuminated flowers for dinner decorations. Havonthand a supply of largo lumps of plain wash ing soda. Begin outside the tumblers and fill each part up with .uneven pieces of soda until every part is cov ered excopt the small lights. Spriukle the wbolo freely with frost powdor and whon tho eleven littlo wicks are lighted the effect is all that could be desired. In the original scheme smaller pieces of soda were scattered around below the mountain, whore two tiny Eskimos with shovels were making a path for a miniotnre sleigh drawn by four curly dogs. The bonben boxes were la the form of sleighs. An unusual and very pretty decora tion is made with a split log of wood about the size ot one used in a mod ern fireplace. Lay the wood upon a bed made of mosses aud evergreens. With the aid of long tacks or brads fasten red candles to the log, placing thera irregularly. Lay pieces of ground pine in nnd out over the log and candles, letting it trait about nn tho damask cloth with holly sprays here and there. Dace little patches of white wadding over the greuu aud tbeu sprinkle thickly with frost pow der. A bell composed of holly and mistle toe or a bell formed of red immortelles, and suspended by red ribbons from the chaudelier just high enough to es cape the candle light, is a great addi tion to a room. Christinas Curiosities. The colebration of Christmas as A special festival is said to have begun iu tho iirtt century, aud during the lifo of the Apostle John, one tradition of the church accredits him with in augurating the custom. In France it is a common practice to celebrate Christmas by giving au extra ration to all domestia animals, on the theory that all creatures should rejoice at this season. Among the English common peo ple, Christmas is lucky when it falls on Suuday, and unlucky when Satur day is the day of the nativity. In Spain it is believed by the com- mou people that tue ants Hold re ligious service ou Christmas Day. . In old England plum porridge was always served with the first course of a Christinas dinner. The Eastern church formerly ob served Christmas on Jauttary 0. lli'ljiulng; In tile Hour's Head. i.UUiti; among the few Christ mas viuuds of "Merry Eng land," which seem never to have fallen un der the special ban of puritanic proscription, were the "boron of bcof" consisting of two sirloins (a baron beiug, as an old writer tells us. "twico the dignity of a knight"), and thnt lordly dish, prec ious in the eyes aud fragrant in the nostrils of our fathers tho boar's head. That worthy old chronicler, Dug dale, describing ancient Christmas customs, says: "Service iu the church ended, the gentlemen presently repair into the hall to breakfast with brawn, mustard and Malmsey. At dinner, at the first coarse, is served a lair and large boar's head upon A silver plotter, with minstrelsy." A later writer tells ns that "Among the earliest books published in England was a collection of carols prepared- to be sung as an acoompauiinent to tile grand entree ot the boar's head." Superstitions About Holly. Many are the legends nnd supersti tions connected with the holly. Old authors write of the tree as the hul wor and the holm, while in our old ballads it is nearly always thehollin tree. The holly used for decorations, both iu church aud house, should be taken down on Candlemas Eve, or misfor tune will come on parish or people. In taking down holly in some parts of England it is thought unlucky to prick the finger if blood comes, but if a leaf stick to dresa or coat it ia a good omen. In old days a branch of holly picked on Christmas Eve was as efficacious as the rowan, or mountain-ash, ia protecting from witohes and warlocks of ovil spells. Celling Absent-Mluiled. EantaClani "Hravennt noral've been redy for tea iniuutea aud can' ' liud my mitteuM" NEW YORK Designs For Costumes That Have Be come Popular in tho Metropolis. Nrw Yo::k Citv. (Special). What nearly every woman aspires to owufor her winter wearing in a directoire uiado wholly of velvet, ils wido upturned rouudingbrim faeod with whito waved J.A nELLB ELDORADO. chiflon, aud the crowning glory of it a rhincstone sunburst set aside, at tho base of the britn, where it flares up from the face. Tho sunburst is really the corner stene round which the properly de signed directoire is built, aud osido from its virtues as an ornament it serves the noble purpose of bracing back the brim so that it forms the proper sort of arch above the face. Whether the crown of her directoire rakes exaggeratedly forward or not, whether the whole hat itself is com posed of velvet thnt is of the common place weave, or that variety known us antique, are almost unimportant de tails of the woman who has staked nil her claims to beauty on her strings. The directoire that is a force in the millinery realms always has strings, nofsn oowx. STr.r.r.T but as yo.i h'old dear yonr hopes of looking your best iu your new winter hnt, don't iurcst iu ribbou strings. The most popular hat seen at tho recent horse show in tho "La Belle Eldorado." which stylo is often worn by Mrs. John K. Drexel, Mrs. Joseph Widener, Mrs. William L. Cartor, of Philadelphia, aud othor prominent women. It is a flaring round (urban in style, worn off ttio face, and is usually of sable or chinchilla, with a huge choux of velvet or tulle in front. Three retching CoMumti. Good-by to the perfectly plain skirt. The Paquiu plait, a single box plait of medium width running right down tho middle of the Bkirt's back, aud fastened only at the waistband so that it flares grauefully at the hem, is the hallmark Of all the newest dress skirts aud most acceptably. No woman of good tastu can but bail the eclipse of the plain kirt with delight, and everybody must realize the increase of comfort entailed by the Baquin plait. Gowns may con tinue to sweep the streets aud to wiud themselves inextricably abont tho wearers' heels, but so long as they do not deprive her of tho privilege of sit ting down which is what the lato nu lamented plain skirt succeeded iu do ing she cau forgive much. In the large engraving thfee of the most popular types of gowns, takeu from Harper's Buzar, are shown. House or reception gowu ia of white olotli with lace applique at the bottom ot the over-skirt. A tight-fitting waist of cream guipure luce, with short jacket of tucked whito taffeta com plete the costume. The street gown is of green cloth trimmed with bands of mauhiue stitch ing and edgod with black Persian lamb fur. The iuside waist is of dark green velvet. The figured silk dinuer gown ia I trimmed with rullien aud, flounoes of 1 pleated taffeta silk. Lace revera Are .I mf vM f'fe fir it ' I I II Jill ; ill FASHIONS. 8fl on the front and bonk of waist, ant bands of Ince insertion cutliue the rnf ties ou the over-skirt. The Newest Feminine Taney. "The uewent thing to wear ia a sot of bags hanging from your belt, made of the same mntorial as yonr tailor made suit," writes Edith Lawrence in the Ladies' Home Journal. "For in stance, Gladys describes a set of three to me which she had just made ot the cheviot, a sort of mixed stuff, such as her gown was made of. Ono was for her pockctbook, one for her card case and one for her pocket handkerchief. Thoy wero different sizes and were lined with silk. They were suspend ed by narrow bands of cloth, which were ntitched ou both sides aud stiff ened." retching Smell (Mores. f When a glove is too small 'and splits, it is worse than useless to sew up the re: I; it must be patched. The patch must be of kid of the same color. Turn the part inside out, having trimmed the hole round so that the edges are even, and cut the patch of kid to the right size. Then, with fine needle and cotton, sew in the patch, taking care only to take up the inside of the kid and to keep the seam flat. If this be done neatly, the glove will be nearly as good as new. C.nrft Cee Vor Women. The newest card cases are of fine leather, with a jewel set iu the clasp like the parent fastener on gloves, ex cept that they clasp through a but tonhole in order to show ou the out side. Genuine stones only Are used by tbo best dressed Women. Often the birth stone is chosen, although the diamond, pink pearl and sapphire are shown mostly in the best jewelry stores. Wnrl4f the Prophet. The prophet says: That sleeves are not so tight byauy means as they are going to be. That the box plait means skirts fuller and gradually more full. That by spring draperies will be ia sight. That the vogue of the bolero will continue. now. nixsr.B OOWJ. That for evening dross the most fashionable materials will be velvet ia combination with transparent stuffs. The Mo.t Fnpuler Undlre. A novel neck arrangement in the) chief feature of the bodico pictured ia the accompanying cut from the New York Suu. Tho throat is open both back aud front and there is no attempt at finish beyond tho narrow, flat lines of embroidery banding tue shoulders aud beading tho blouse part of tha corsage both buck and front. Black lisse embroidered in gold and mounted upon black satin are the materials em- NOVETi "neck arranobment. ployed; tho embroidery is gold tureaJ upon blaok satin ribbon. The double curving bands holdiug tho bodioe ful ness in place upon the) shoulders is t noteworthy detail. 'She sleeves are lined And have a raplike epaulet of the embroidered itke edged witb blaok lace. Lace fuilla are at the wxiati. til -.r. i i i i. '0 r
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers