THKKK was uot liiiiR wanting.
The beautiful big library
wore a festive nir. as indeed
6 It should. Wits It not Chrlst
inn Ere and wan there not a child in
the house? In the bow window stood
the tree. Surely no expense hud been
ftpared to ninke it beautiful, nnd In
Rtend of being lighted in the old t'nslt
loned way with little baby candles
which drip on thlug and hnve to le
watched, it was Korgcoiml.r llluiulu
ntoil with trite electric llghti. A spp
cial man bad beeu there that morning
to fix the wires, aud another had come
to decorate the tree so that it would be
" 'TBERK ISN'T AST SANTA CI, ACS.'"
correct and artistic. And all for one
little Kill only ten years old. She felt
very small and queer as she sat, curled
Up in a great leather ehiiir. watching
the man put the llnUliinit touches to
her Christinas tree.
"Well, nils. I suppose Santa Clans
will be along after a while with his bag
f presents. You should run away and
give Ii i ill a chance?" said he, coming
down from tho ladder.
"There iRn't any Santa Clnus. I'm
too big to believe in him, and my pres.
ents are all piled up on the hall seat.
You may have seen them there are
quite a lot." The forlorn little voice
caused the man to pause again as he
was hurrying away.
"No Santa Claus? Well, that Is just
as little people believe. You know peo
ple, little or big. can't all think alike,
but my little ones say that every one
1- a Santa Claus who gives a gift, or
does a kind deed at Christmas time.
Good night, and a Merny Christinas to
yon. miss."
"Does a kind doed," thought the
child, hugging lier dear Fritz closer.
"Mother said she gave $2." to the or
phan asylum for me and I saw it iu
the list in the paper 'Mrs. .lames Marcus-Crowes,
for her daughter, Howe
na, $25.' I wonder if the man wouldn't
think that a kind deed?"
Fritz was a sympathetic, tiny brown
dog, and he knew that when his little
mistress squeezed him like thutaround
the neck she needed liiin badly, so he
snuggled up closer and put his cold
nose on her cheek. Sure euough, the
tears did come, and this poor little
girlie sobbed aud sobbed, and Fritz
could no nothing more to comfort her.
She drew in her breath suddenly and
topped when she heard some one en
Her the room, and looking up, saw
Bally come to light the lamps.
"Well, aiid crylu' are yo, ye poor lit
tle lamb? What Is troubllu' ye now?
, The same old story, sure; no one to
play -with."
Just then there was a rustle in the
BATING THB OOOD TBIlfdS.
ball and a perfect rislou burst from
the doorway.
"Mother!" cried Ruweua. rushiug
tor ward, "I never saw you ao beauti
ful." "Wgr. what flattery from one's own
llttl girl!" said the vision,, stooping
and placlni; a kiss somewhere abbut
Kowemi's forehead. "Well, good
night, little one, we are late, for this
Is to be au early dinner so that we
shall be la time for the opera after
wards."
She turned with a smile to the man
. behind her holding ber beautiful wrap.
"Such pretty picture that was.
didn't you think sot The trees, the
child, the dog and evea Sail, with
amifif fast tddod ts Ue picture.
Iplfft
fTVT I f I
I don't think we neglected anything,
do you, dear, for the child's Christ
mas?" "No, my dearest, and If she Is not a
happy little puss, it is her own fault."
"Oh. 1 don't know I sometimes
think she seems like such a forlorn
child sometimes," answered the moth
er as they drove away.
Howctia was Indeed forlorn, sitting
there alone, though with her dog and
a great lighted Christmas live oue
would think she might be very happy.
"I will bring your dinner in here to
you. miss, and you can have It on this
little table," said Sally.
"Sally, did you ever see any of those
little orpli.ius':"
"That 1 did. Miss. There's little
Katie Shannon, nil orphan, and It's of
ten I look In on the lamb."
Howena sat thinking.
"Ye ain't eat In" lit for a bird. Miss,"
remonstrated tiie girl.
"Xo, I'm thinking about them, Sally.
Io you thilik they have n Christmas
tree?"
"I dun n o. Miss, they may have, but
they mostly needs close. That money,
the 'Christmas fund,' they're calllu' It,
Is to buy each wan something to wear,
nu' each of them poor binibs wan pi is
int apiece. That's what the ninlrou
loldy told me."
"Oh, do you know the matrou?"
'Yes. an' a line young person she Is,
then," answered the liinld.
"Sally, oh, my deur Sally, why
A Midnight Alarm.
couldn't we have some of them here
to-uight to see my tree?" exclaimed
Ilowena excitedly.
" 'Twould nlver do. Miss. Wuat'iver
would ye're mllher say!"
"Now, Sally, you know she would
uot caw. She never cares what I do,
anil we could telephone now and have
them come right off," nnd she was half
way up the stairs with Fritz barking
at her heels.
"It's not a sthroke of the blame I'll
take. Ml. slch an idee!"
"May I speak to the matron?" Ilo
wena was saying over the telephone h
minute later.
"Oh. this Is Ilowena Marcus-Crewes.
of Fll'ty-tlrst street, and we, 1 wculd
like some of your or, children, to come
and see my tree. It Is very pit try,
aud I have lots of presents, too."
The matrou recognized the name of
oue of the fashionable women of the
"board," and. uot understanding that
It was only the luvltutiou of a child,
said she would, wlih pleasure, senil
some of tho children who were not iu
bed.
"She asked If twenty would be
euough, and I said that would do,"
said Ilowena, dancing about with de
light, while Sally . just stood and
looked at her.
"Will, there's wan thing I do know,
au' that's they must eat!" and away
she went to prepare for this queer
party.
They came. Twenty of them, with
bright, expectant fuces, uud not oue
of them was as embarrassed or shy
as was Ilowena Marcus-Crewcs. But
the delight of having all those children
there for her to make happy overcame
everything, and it would be hard to
say which had the best time, all those
laughlug children, Itoweua, or the dog.
The fuu was at Its height when Sally
came In. bearing a tray heaped with
good thlugs. She hud found some diffi
culty lu getting awuy from the kllcbeu
this last time. Her youug mau was
gettiug Impatient.
"Pat, now, ye nlver would hluder
me If ye could see thut child. I nlver
saw the Ivub that happy, au' I don't
care If I leave me place for It, I'll help
this party along." ,:
Aud with that Pat had to be con
tent, though this was not his Idea of
spending Christmas Eve.
"Oh, must they go?" said Roweua,
as the shabby hoods am cloaks were
being gathered together. At last they
were gone, merry little troop and not
went empty banded. The room looked
as though a small whirlwind bad
truck It, but who cared.
"I never had such a good (line." ssld
Ilowena, "anil t shall do that every
Christmas."
HOT ONB WP.NT r.MPTT-H ANDKU.
"Oh. Miss, whatlver will your mlther
sny about nil your lolne prisents? I
dare to think, not at all."
"1 haven't one left., and I'm so glad,
so glad! Mother won't care at least
I hope she won't. Sally, do you think
my beautiful mother will care?"
'Terhaps not. my darllu', If you ask
her pretty like that."
This was the beginning of Itowenn's
charity work, mid though she Is now n
grown-up young woman, there has
never passed a Christinas F.ve that
she has not gathered together it little
group of poor children whom she
makes happy. Petrolt Free I'less.
CtirUtnia Trvm Mmle Snr,
The fatalities and accidents that at
tend the deioi'iiliou of Christmas trees
with lighted candles cau now be lu n
large measure avoided by the use of
the convenient handle-holder Just pat
ented. This little device Is so designed
that the candle is always malutnined
In ao upright position no matter what
the position or movement of the limb
to which it Is attached. 'Ibis is accom
plished by uieans of a euudle holder
nnd accompanying ,irj,, ,.pt roVided
with a weight suspended ou n univer
sal Joint. As will be readily observed
by nil inspection of the Illustration,
when the candle-holder Is placed ou
the limb of n tree by menus of 111
hook, the weight falls five, uud, be
ing heavier than the candle-holder and
candle, It keeps tho latter in an up
right position. Auy oue who hns hud
t5
experience with the disagreeable melt
ed caudle grease all over the floor cov
ering and tree hangings will appreciate
the value of this little device, which
though effective. Is simplicity Itself.
Youug Aiuvrlca.
A sled st Christmas once could clear
All gloom from sny youngster's brow,
But times giw swifter every yeur
He wants u horseluiw carriage, uuw
Pips
mm
TIik War or a Man.
Mrs. Crawford "What does utr
husband regard as a useful Chrlstt'ias
present ?"
Mrs. Crabshaw "Something he
would have to buy me anyway."
Puck.
Ills Thrnry.
Papa "There were no such toys us
those when 1 was a boy."
.lol.nny "Mnybe Santa Clans was
only learning his trade tlieu." Puck.
Too I'nlitlc.
Sarnh-"I think this custom of hnt.fr
lug mistletoe ou the chandelier is sim
ply Idiotic!"
Sally "So do 1. Why can't they
hang it lu the conservatory or lu n
window-scat or some place like that'"
-Pink.
A Hiiro HIixii,
Dr. Probe "I guess that Pclerly
doesn't .Intend to pay his bill ilils
year."
Mis. Probe "What makes you think
so'.'"
lr. Probe "I Just got a Christinas
present from him this morning."
Urooklyu Life.
; Holh HmU.
"I am very iuuc!i afrit til Willie Isn't
enjoying his Christmas."
"Why not?"
"It's almost 5 o'clock In the after
noon ntul he hasn't yet complained of
stomach ache." Washington Star.
In Huston.
Mttle Waldo "I have come to the
conclusion that there Is uo such per
son us Simla Clans."
1.1 1 1 le Fmerscn " I ndeed ?"
Mttle Wiildo-' Ycs. It Is hardly pos
sible that one producer should be able
to supply the wants of so tnituy con
sumers." Puck.
His lViiillnr Way.
I. idle P.i b (mtisiuglyi "There's one
funny tiling about old Santa Claus."
Mttle Willy-" W lint's that':"
Mttle I'.ob "Why. you ask him for
whatever you want, but you'll never
get anything but Just what your folks
tbluk Is good for you." Puck.
Implicit Direct Ions.
Small Boy "1 to you see that big
drum iu the window?"
Storekeeper "Yes. my lad."
Small Hoy "Well, you keep It under
Ihe counter for a few days. Santa
Claus will be around here to get it for
me." Puck.
Lighting I tin Ylllvtlilr Log.
U custom ut one time prevalent In
Kuglaud, nnd still observed In some
of the northern districts of the old
country, It that of placing nu Immense
log of wood suuiet lines the root of a
great trie In the wide chimney place.
This is often callei the Yule log, and
it was on Christmas F.ve that It was
put nu the wide hearth. Around It
would gather the cut ire family, and
its cuh'iiuce was the occasion of a
groat deal of ceremony. There were
music nud rejoicing, while the oue au
thorized to light It was obliged to have
clean hands.
It was always lighted with a brand
left over from the log of the previous
year, which hud beeu carefully pre
served for the purpose. A poet slugs
of it in this way: .
"With the last year's brand
Light the new block and
For good success iu his spending
Ou you.- psaltrles play,
That sweet luck may
.Come while the log Is a-tendlng."
The Yule log was supposed to be a
protection against evil spirits, and It
was considered a bad omen If the Are
went out before the eveuing was over.
The family aud guests used to seat
themselves iu front of the brightly
burning -lie, and many a story aud
merry jest weut rouud the happy
group,
4
Uscorations For tha IMnlua Koom.
Decorations for the dining room on
Christmas Day may consist of the
evergreen garland, festooned ou the
wull from the picture molding, each
loop caught with a cluster of holly.
Over doors nud window casings the
festoons drop low, to mingle with
boughs nnd hunches of mistletoe and
holly. Ju the centre of the (able may
be placed n low cui-glass bowl tilled
with scatfet and while piuks, nnd
sprays of holly may be laid here aud
there ou the cloth ae well as at each
plute,
I'lirUlnius Aloriilnir.
Oh. dar, what ran tiie nintter be?
Oh, such s null down tho stair!
Joey nnd Jiinmie uud golden haired Minnie
And iiiamuia and Imliy m there.
Now whut have they come down to see .
So early in the morning? '
What, but tha splendid Christmas tree
With all its guy adorning!
On every branch hanga something nice,
Fine dolliei by the dozens,
And toys and sweet stuff, cati and mice
For brothers, sisters, couiina.
Then ho, aud ney, for Christmas Day,
When Christmas bells are ringing,
And dance in glee sround the tree
And join yeur binds while siuiingl
CATS AND COLORS,
What Happen,! When Mllk-Whlt pass
tipaet ttia ttlulns Bottle.
"I never knew uutll recently that
cats knew so much about colors," said
V bright little woman who lives In the
tipper part of ti e city, "but I have lid
doubt whatever of the matter now.
The fact was brought to my attention
In a rather singular way.
"We have a nest of cuts nt our home,
and we hove always been very much
attached to the feline tribe. They nre
ail pets. But there' Is one cat lu the
group that we have been unusually
kind to. She wits the particular pet
of the family.
"Her body was covered with the
prettiest while fur t ever saw. It was
without a blemish, and we came to
look upon her as the prettiest tat on
the face of the earth.. But something
happened to her one day while she
was rummaging nroitnd in an old pan
try, nud It changed the course of her
life completely. She got mixed up
with a lot of bluing bottles, nnd when
she scrambled out of the pantry she
was as blue as she could be.
"She was fearfully distressed about
the matter and seemed to be some
what alarmed over the sudden change
In her appearance. But the surprise
she felt was nothing compared to the
surprise shown by her relatives nnd
associates. In the moment of her
alarm she turned to the mother cat of
the tribe, nnd there is where the In
teresting point comes in. The old
cat would have nothing to do with
her. She resented her approaches by
spitting nt her, otid manifested her
dislike of It all In other ways equally
as unmistakable.
"Front that time on she became nn
outcast; her relatives nnd nssoclates
would slink away from her. nnd she
continued to live in isolation, nnd all
on account of the change which had
tnken place In the color of her hair."
New Orleans Tlnn s-Keniocrau
KstieRft Torn Apart.
The attention of the Kansas State
Board of Agriculture hits been called
to occurrences which nre mystifying
the alfalfa farmers of Jewell aud lie
public counties. It Is reported that
great cracks aud sink boles are ap
pearing lu the alfalfa Ileitis there.
The cracks are sometimes rods ill
length,, from two to six feet in depth,
uud from oue to ten feet wide. Thej
appear only in alfalfa fields, uud the
farmers have never before seen any
thing like them.
They do not come ;rrailually. but
suddenly. , It Is becoming dnugerouy
to drive u team acros: iilfalfa fields
because the ground may suddenly sink
beneath it.
Some section hands were working
ou u railroad track n few days ago
near nu alfalfa lield ou the farm of
P.itwiird llandull, not far from Jewell
City. They heard a cow low but there
was uo cow lu sight. The sound
seemed to come from under the
ground.
They made a search nud discovered
the cow lu un alfalfa sink hole, sev
eral feet below the surface. The cow
was so weak thut she could uot staut
after she bad beeu dug out.
The alfalfa plants have very long
roots. Oue theory Is that these roofs
loosen the ground so thut It is washed
awny by au underflow. New York
Sun.
Ainerlvau Bolillers Great tiuiu Cliowera
The American soldiers ure, perhaps,
the chewing gum manufacturers' best
customers, and during the war with
Cuba the sales of gum were enormous.
Manila is now becoming a good gum
market. Honolulu Is another. Aus
tralians chew a greut deal of gum.
Samoa culls for a large supply.
The older countries are more con
servative; uud In them chewing gum
makes head way very slowly, although
a trade has sprung up In China, Ja
liiu nud Iudlu, aud considerable con
signments go to France and Scandi
navia. Wes'.ern Cauuda, beyond Win
nipeg, Is a great chewing gum district,
uud it is rather iuterestiug to note
thut the new country poluls at which
nervous energy Is booming progress,
ure Identical with the points where
chewing gum finds Its ready sale. The
man ou a nervous strain seems to tlud
a relief in the mechanical action of
his Jaws. It may be added thut, after
soldiers and bicyclists, the habitual
visitors to racetracks are said to be
the most continued gum chewers lu
the world.
Democracy in Swttierlauil.
The Swiss girl Is taught to be hum
ble aud practical from the moment,
when at four, she euters the lufauts'
cluss, until at eighteen, when she re
turns Mulshed from peuslou. There
Is absolutely no difference between the
treatment of the masses aud the
classes. They sit together et school,
are taught the same subject by the
same masters, receive the same puu
IshmeutH and the same pruls. Mttle
cares the daughter of the mlllloualre
If her bosom friend Is the dumliter of
her owu father's coachman; they have
been brought up together, uud remain
together without let or hludruuce. The
Swiss girl Is never ushutued of being
seen at her work, be that work of the
most humble descrlptlou. Newcustle
lEug.) Chroulcle.
1 A Hotanlcal Curloitty.
One of the strangest botanical curi
osities lu the world Is the "Wonder
Wonder" flower, fouud In the Malay
peninsula. It Is simply u blossom,
without leaves, vine or stein, aud grows
as a parasite on decayed wood.
Karope's IllluU 1'opulution.
Norway, Irelauil nud Spalu have
more blind people. In proportion to
population than any other European
countries. Spalu has 21U pur 1000;
Norway 308 and Ireland 111.
Huv tin:
COLUMBIAN
Stoves find kanes and run no rikr
ua they tire 1eyonil question
The Handsomest,
Most Durable, and
Perfect Working
Stove Manufactured.
EVERY STOVE
GUARANTEED.
If ti(it.is represented, money refunded.
Citll and see our fine 1tif stiek just
received. Heats anything ever sliown
iu the town.
KEYSTONE HARDWARE CO
Opposite
Undertaking
and Embalming.
FIHSr fLASS Wit UK
tH'AHASii:t:it.
!
I am also headquarters for!'
PICTURE FRAMING.
I can have your picture enlarged
at a reasonable price.
I also
RE-SILVER MIRRORS.
OUtce aud ware room in rear of
G. V. Klepfer's 3 and 10
cent store.
J. H. Htioiies.
N. HANAU,
The Cheapest Place.
The liest Goods for less- Money than
any other store in town.
CLOTHING.
Suits IW and W suits now for V.."i0.
tine Clay Worsteds, to $H.0t.
fine 1). B. Clay Worsted, li dollar suit, to-day price 410.
Overcoats, $.1.(10. '
Overcoat. 15.00. , ? , .
Klne OvcrciiHtu 7 ,n , .
Mens'
Men's
Men's
Men's
Men's
Men's
Hove'
Hove'
Ilovs'
llovs'
$5.00 Overcoat for .50.
Koeter. ai. :.'.
Knee lHntM. 1'J iwnfji
tleeocil Underwear, 40
Men's
all-wool I ndtM'wcar,
$1.50.
Dre.ssD
Hluclt Henrietta, L'5 cents. Black Henrlottu, 75 eeuts.
Black Henrietta, 45 cent. Blue Henrietta, 25 cents.
Blue Honrlottu, 45 cent.-.. Black and Bluo Skirtin", 4tc.
DrcHttl'luiil 15, 1M, JO cents, now for Ui cents.
Ladies' tlannelette night gowDg, Ml cents.
Misses' tlanneletto nitfht kowos,45 cents,
Fluisher yarn, 00 cents per poiiud.
COME J A' AND SEE FOli YOUltSELF.
I'clebnittril
Hotel Helnap.
run.; a sit ut
ft:.T srttitE or
G. W. KLEPF&R
... ww.
is headquarters for dolls and
toys of every description.
jj Fine Line to Select ,
iui.i jur t sun (I. s.
I am closing out Ladies' and
C hildren'sWool and Heavy
Fleeced Line
Underwear at a Sacritice.
Call and see them.
I carry n large line of
..Queensware, Glassware.
Notions. Etc.
My prices are away down.
G.W. Klepfer.
'
cents.
G oocls.
I '