V
Christmas Tree
Translated from'theSwta'ih of Jtnix Drown
UP ON the bill, a short dis
tnnre from the hut stood a
lonely pine tree, tlint fath
er bnd promised to cut
down on Christum eve. It
lwas so beautiful, where It stood, and
stretched Its dark green branches out
over the white snow. Hans walked
round and round It and looked at It
from all sides. It had grown so even,
and was Juxt high enough to find room
under the low roof of the but. In bis
Imagination the little six-year-old saw
It In all its benuty, with gilt paper
tars, ginger bread hearts, rosy
checked apples and lighted candles.
"Poor as I am, Hans." father had
aid, "you shall have a Christmas tree,
apd fine It shall be, that I promise
you."
And bow the little child's heart palpi
tated with pleasure and expectation!
Father bad gone into town and was
not expected to return before noon.
.Would be be long in bringing back all
the beautiful things be was to buy at
the same time be was getting the
other Christmas things for mother?
Time and again Hans went out on the
doorsteps and looked down the long,
snowy road. At length father was seen
tn the distance. Hans started to meet
blm, and was permitted to carry the
package father said was bis.
But how tired and pale father looked.
Be did not feel well, he said, but Hans
must not worry over that It was only
a result of the bard labor that be now
began to feel. It would soon pass
way. And Hans believed that, too.
"Mother, father has come," cried Hans,
and pushed the door wide open.
The noonday meal was ready. But
father could not eat anything, and laid
himself down on the wooden bench
and complained of pains n bis chest.
Mother laid aside the bag of rice and
the coffee aud sugar father bod
brought home. Father was ill.' Ho
had to admit It; he was suffering more
pain than he would tell. Mother com
pelled him to go to bed and prepared
a flannel saturated with turpentine
that she spread on the chest. It was
" too bad that he should be taken sick.
and on Christmas eve, but there was
r.o help for it. In his rejoicing over
the beautiful things for the ChrlRtuins
tree, little Hans for a few moments did
not think of father. But when be
looked to the bed where father was
lying, moaning with pain, Hans did as
mother bad done. He pushed aside
the beautiful Christmas tree things and
knelt down by the bed.
"Poor father!" and with bis little
bands he stroked the bearded cheeks,
"Don't worry, my boy; you shall
bave your Christmas tree. Speak to
Neighbor Jerker, and he will help
you."
This was all well snd good, but
father was ill. and ihe Christmas pleus
tire spoiled. And such a Christmas
that they bad expected! Last year
they bad no means to provide for u
Christmas tree or any extra pleasure,
"I am going to the doctor," said
toother, as she tied the shawl over ber
bead.
"lou stay with father, Hans; I will
burry back soon."
The doctor did not live very far
away. He did not like to be disturbed
on Christmas eve, but be wrote out a
prescription after finding out from tbo
woman what the symptoms were. To
Lilt the sick man wns not to be ex
pected of the doctor on Christmas eve.
"Give him this every two hours and
the pain will soon pnss nway. Il'm,
well, as It Is Christmas eve. I will only
charge fifty ore" he bad the right to
deinnnd a crown, but he felt charit
able, and the poor woman's last sli
er piece lnuded In the doctor's pock
et. He did not Inquire if she bnd anv
money left for the medicine, and she
did not care to tell hiiu that It was ber
last piece of money, and that father
had spent his last crown for the things
to decorate little Hans' Christmas tree.
She a I ho had her pride, and she knew
what remarks would be made. Poor
men's children have no right to pleas
ure or luxuries. The gingerbread and
candles and appleswould be considered
an awful waste and extravagance. To
the doctor's children it would have
uoked a poor pleasure, but for ber own
little boy It was a sinful luxury. How
different Cod provided for the people
n this world, was the poor woman's
thought, as, heavy hearted, she walked
homo with the prescription In ber
band. Had the poor no right to have
0 wS ) W 1
about lils Christmas tree, snd be bnd
promised them that they should see it
In all its beauty and splendor oh
Christmas eve. . Now be would nffect
Indifference and pretend that he did
not care for n Christmas tree, but
would sell It in town so father could
get money for medicine.
Jerkrn. the eldest of the neighbor's
children, cut down the tree. Hans was
crying, Intt stoutly swallowed bis tears
and made .Icrkcr promise him to tell
his mother that Hans had gone to town
to buy a Christmas present. The
mother was very much surprised.
Where could Hans have got the money.
Rhe could not understand It. Jerker
did not know. He only told her what
Hans had told him, and that he would
not return before evening, and they
must not worry about blm.
How cold little Hans felt, and how
that little heart of his felt heavy and
sorrowful. Young as be was, be had
nlready learned a lesson from life's
story tho lesson of self-denlnl. He
felt cold, bis ront was short and
threadbare, the shoes In poor condi
tion and bis mittens full of boles. But
he knew that Christmas eve would
bring 111 in a new pair of mittens. From
bis bed in the but at night be bnd seen
mother knitting a pair of mittens that
were too small for father. 80, surely,
they must be for him.
But with alVhts sorrow there was a
warm glow at his henrt. Was ho not
wealthy? He had sold his Christmas
tree for two large silver crowns. Had
bought the medicine for father and
l.ad a Inrgo silver crown left as a
Christmas gift for mother. God bnd
helped blm. Hod not mother said that
(iod watches over little children, nnd
had he not sent a wealthy Inuy that
had given iiltu two Inrgo silver crowns
for bis tree, notwithstanding be had
been told It was not worth fifty ore?
A little golden-haired girl htd met
htm In the beautiful richly rurnlslipd
room where he bad brought the tree.
It was placed on a table, and the lit
tle girl was greatly pleased over the
tree. He wondered if the little girl
had known why he bad sold bis tree,
and that alt of his Christmas pleasure
was lost, would she have been Just as
highly pleased? He followed her with
f-w
1
- - x.X- -X
X' -", x,
S, Vwi M
' C x
ixjv
x, w&W3
other child had his tree. He thought
of his tree as a living being, and that
It felt the separation as much as he.
But now be was home. Father
slept and mother was at the hearth
prepnrlng the evening meal.
"Hans, where have you been?" in
quired mother.
Into town, mother, and 1 have a
Christmas present for father."
"You? Where did you get It? Have
you money, Hans?" inquired me motn
er In her astonishment as Hans placed
the bottle of medicine on the table.
"Where did yon get It. boy?"
Hans Inclined his bead, and smiling
ly pushed his mother townrd the win
dow. He drew nway the curtain nnd
pointed to the hill. Mother could look
out In the starlight night and at once
noticed that the tree was gone. Yes.
she saw plainly Hint little Hans'
Christmas tree wns not there. She un
derstood It nil; she could read. It In the
big blue eyes thnt sparkled tip toward
her. Phe lifted the child In her arms
and pressed blm toward her, too deep
ly moved to find words for her feel
ings. But she felt so happy, so proud
that this was her child, and the poor
mother In all her poverty and humil
ity would not have exchanged ber lot
for n queen's coronet.
'.Mother. 1 have n Christmas present
for you nlso." whispered Hans, nnd
placed the silver crown In her band.
Jlnns bad renounced much, had de
nied himself nil. nnd therefore his gift
wns above ordinary value.
THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
1
--x,xJ
Twu the night before Christmas,
in eaco uuie oouse
Tu children were waiting
As still as a mouse
To hear tb puff pud
And th pith, chugg ana squeal
' CM food old bt. NiclioW
AstoaoluWI
-Illustrated Bits.
a heart that could feel and suffer?
"The doctor gave me this prescrip
tion," said mother, "and the turpen
tine cloth wns to remain, and you will
soon be well, father."
"Ob, I dou't believe the medicine
will do me any good, snd we will Just
let It alone."
The mother understood, and she
could not keep back her tears. Father
bnd no money left for the medicine.
"Don't cry, mother, don't cry," ex
claimed little Hans, as be tried to pull
the mother down to blm by ber dress.
"Father should not have bought the
things for the Christmas tree, then be
could have got the medicine. I under
stand that well enough," remarked lit
tle Hans, with a precocious mien.
"No, no, Hans, it would not have
helped me," Interrupted father from
his pluce In the bed. "But thank you
for your kind heart You shall have
your Christmas tree as I promised
you."
Little Hans went out of the but and
ran to his tree on the bill. He walked
around it, snd the tears came In bis
eyes. But be wiped them away witb
the back of bis band. No, be must not
cry; be must not feel or show any sor
row over the sacrifice that would bring
gladness and blessing to the home. He
put bis bands In bis pockets and tried
to look glad and free from care when
be entered tb neighbor's but Tbt
children bad for weeks beard blm brag
CHRISTMAS IS DAWSOS CITY.
-lr itfTSi l-
ftf
Klondike Ike "Wot did yer Bnd In
yer stockln' this mornln'?"
Cbllkoot Tcte '.'Frost bitten toes."
A Funny Umm,
I had a funny dream last night.
As strange as tlrange could lie
I dreamed that 1 was Santa Claus
And Santa Claus was me.
And when 1 came to Santa's house,
(Where we live now, you know)
I took out nrar a hundred things
And laid them in a row;
A bicycle with bevel-gear,
A nun that shoota teal shot;
A pair of skates, a new canoe,
Were some thinto that 1 brought.
And then 1 said, "For fear I've muted
A little thing or two,
I'll leave this pocketbonk well filled,
That's jimt what 1 will do."
Of coump it only was a dream.
Hut still I think 'twould he
JuM great if I was Santa Claus
Anu Santa Claus was me.
Johnstone Murray.
A ChrUlinns Cro.
No fir-tree in the forest dark
Hut humbly hoars ita rroas:
' No human heart in God's wide world
Hut mourn its bitter loss.
Yet Christmas-tide can clothe the fir
In spli'lulora all ungui'sfed,
Ami bring to every eutlering heart
Its joy, its ixvace, ita rest. "
God rest yon, then, my gentle friend,
And take your crosa away,
Or clothe it with a radiance new,
On this glad t'hrifctmaa Day.
-Willis Boyd Allen, in Youth' Compan
ion. CHRISTMAS GIFT.
The Tendency to Shorten
Presidential Campaigns
0
BusmrasrAKDt.
Q St. SUDONAU).
ATTORfHTATLAW,
Hntary FiiMM, teal ratal aunt, fstaafs
Secured, criilTtlnn ma'la protnrt)?. OlSae
la n Heals bunuinf , Kernojdtrilla, fa.
By a Political Seer. , Cjf
ROBABLY the National Conventions of 1908 will be hold in
September. The tendency of the times is to abbreviate
long campaigns. The contests of the present year show
that there Is nothing to be gained by holding conventions In
June or July, and waiting for six or eight weeks in which
to notify the nominees.
Sooner or later the whole business will be done In the
fall. This will give the politicians time to have their vaca
tions and return in better condition to make up the tickets.
Of course the candidates will have to hustle a bit to get out their letters of
acceptance. All the better. Thoy will cut them short. The notification com
mittees will probnbly go from the convention balls direct to the homes of
nominees and 'deliver the goods' officially. The candidates will get down to
their letters at once and the campaign will begin In October.
The country will welcome the change. It won't be kept on the political
spit for two or three months. And, what Is more to be desired than anything
else, the coat of conducting a presidential campaign will be considerably di
minished. This arrangement would not conflict with state conventions. They could
meet the week before national conventions, or the week after, as seemed most
desirable, and the whole political business of the year could bo bunched and
done with.
If you will look up the hlBtory of national conventions you will see that
the tendency to shorter campaigns has been gathering Imperceptibly for
many years.
Away back In 1824, which was before conventions were known as they
are now known, the candidates were before the public for a year and a half.
The first convention was held In December, and the opposing party hold theirs
In the May following. Subsequent conventions were held In February, and
then May became the popular month. Then one party, the Whigs, fell back
to December, but after that candidates were nominated In the same year as
that in which the election occurred.
I believe the Democrats were the first to Bhorten up the campaign by
holding a convention In June. That was the year Pierce was nominated. The
Whigs met a few weeks later.
If I am correct there was one national convention that met as late as
September. That was the Whig convention in 185C. The celebrated Charles
ton convention of 1800 met In April, but the country was more interested In
politics that year than It had ever been before or ever has been since. The
campaign began within a fortnight
The Republicans met In 1808 In May, and the Democrats met July 4. The
campaigns were under hot headway by the middle of August or soon after.
The conventions which named Garfield, Blnlne, Cleveland, Harrison and Mo
Klnley met in June; Bryan was nominated boUi times In July, and this year
the Republicans did not meet until almost the lost of June, while the Demo
crats went over again to July. The McKinley-Bryan campaign of 1896 was
under headway in August The organizations were further along In their
work that month than the organization of either party is now. But that was
an exceptional campaign.
The country now sees that It Is possible to have a short presidential cam
paign, and everybody is Just as well satisfied. The conventions of the future
will be held later than ever. Those of 1908 may not be held In the fall, but
those of .1912 will come mighty near It Make a note of the prediction.
Does the Human ramuy
Eat Too Much
By the Editor of What-to-Eat. w
T last there seems to be common agreement among scientific
investigators that the human family eats too much. This,
of rnuran rinpa nnt. nnnlv In everv tnHI vlflufil for there Is no
5V 1 dispute about tho fact that thousands of people are poorly
I fed and Improperly nourished; and singularly enough, these
t S I do not belong always among the poorer classes. As a matter
of fact, the middle classes are tho well-to-do classes when It
comes to the question of the adequate nourishment of the
human body to fit it for tho daily and mental domands that
are made upon it. People who are well off in tho world's goods are not always
the ones who adopt the most liberal and most rational policy In the matter of
selecting a diet that will contribute to their highest physical welfare and their
greatest personal enjoyment The table of the poor is not only the table of
Intelligence and the table of plenty, but is quite often the table of hygienic and
dietetic selection; for it is deprived of many of the vile culinary concoctions
which are dangerous and deleterious and which only the well-filled purse sup
plies. Moreover, the employments of the poor are better calculated to bring
about perfect alimentation and assimilation; and the penuriousness of the rich
quite often makes them scanty providers, depriving themselves of the more
nourishing edibles that are to be found in the markets; but taking the general
average of tho human family, It may be stated as a well-proven proposition
that the diet of civilized people is too ample, too hearty. In other words, we
all eat too much.
Americans are undoubtedly the great meat eaters of the world, notwith
standing the fact that we have the most bountiful supply of all the most nour
ishing foods that are the products of widely diversified climate and many vari
eties of soil. The British soldiers in Africa, Instead of being fed on rare roast
beef; as we might naturally suppose from our notions of British diet, were giv
en a moderate allotment of vegetable and cereal foods with an occasional
touch of jam to sweeten their rations and cheer their flagging spirits after the
long march. The Japanese soldiers who are fighting In the far east live chiefly
on rice and dried fish, while the Russian Infantry and cavalry have a somewhat
hardier diet because of tho rigors of the climate In which they have to conduct
their campaign. It will be remembered that many hundred tons of candy were
shipped to our own soldiers in tho Philippines during the campaign of occupa
tion which followed the raising of our flag in the Archipelago. Since it has
been found that mixing a moderate amount of sweets with a limited diet of
vegetables and other nourishing foods is good for the soldiers, who can con
tend that it is not good for the man In the ordinary walks of life?
Jjti. B. R HOOVKH.
rkvkolcstillb, ra.
RmMant doritlst. li. th II cot. f kalMlaa
aln rt (irntonos In of-rntm.
J) It. L. 1a MEANS,
DENTIST.
Office on second floor of First Na
tional bank buliiinfr, Main (.treat
D
R. It. DEVKE ICIKO,
DENTIST.
Office on second floor neynoldsrllle.
r.si.u 1 iiuuoing, jiuin street.
nnklNTliln, Pa.
Meal
liny
ft NEFF,
bis eyes as she ran round tbo large
room and clupped ber small band, full
of pleasure. She banded blm a large
sugar cake and filled his pockets with
apples and nuts snd raisins. She had
so much. A table in the room bad sev
eral large dlsbes filled with more beau
tiful things than he ever bad seeu be
fore. And the kind lady gave- him
two shining silver crowns. But before
be left the room his eyes went back to
the tree. He would never see It again.
It was as If he had separated from a
dear friend from a playfellow, lie
sat down on the staircase and tears
streamed from bis eyes. His mother's
words rang In bis ears: "Poor men's
children must learn to practice self
denial." But now Hans was glad again as he
ran through the snow as fust as his
little feet could carry blm, pulling the
sleigh after him. He felt cold and
tired. It was dark and the slurs shone
in the heavens. He knew them all.
Father bad told blm all about them,
snd be thought of the little Christ
child, and how the whole Christian
world celebrated Christmas with trees
and candles and Christmas gifts. But
little Hans bad neither the one nor the
otber. True, the forest was fnll of
Christmas trees, but It was not his, the
one that bad grown on the bill near
bis borne, slid over wblcb be bad re
joiced so much. But It sras gone; an-
AN ARTISTIC PLANT STAND.
Gmn'iuolhrr's Talk.
Gran'mother aaya, while ahe's sittin' there,
At the fireside, in her old armchair:
"Am t any Chrntmaa now, my dear,
Like the ones of long agol
When I waa s girl there was more of light
An' aong in the world a Chriatmaa night;
The green just blosaomed over the white
In the Christmas long ago."
She talks that way, 'cause she's old, yon
know.
An' her hair is whiter than whitest snow,
An' she thinks that her time is come to go
To a Chriatmaa in the akiea.
But my arma around her neek I throw,
An' say: "(Jran'inother, in the long ago,
Did you have anybody to love you so: '
An' she smiles, an' wipes her eyes.
F. L. Stanton, in Atlanta Conatitutioa,
'aw ,' 4Mr 1
urn, oii OmtfMit I
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
Aud Heal Eslati Ayent.
Heynohlsville), Pa,
(jjMITn M. MoCKEIGHT,
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW.
: uwiiv uj j or 1 nnisio Asnn, vl
iMiiout will rcftivft ifmit ftitntton. OfDo
... ,unifriiia jinrtiwar vo. auiiUlBfe
UaloatrMt, KtjuoliJaviHn,
tUBBUMXCI
YOUNG'S
PLANING
MILL
You will find Sash, Doors.
Frames and Finish of all
kinds, Rough and Dressed
Lumber, High Grade Var
nishes, Lead and Oil Colon
in all shades. And also an
overstock of Nails which
I will sell cheap.
J. V. TOUNO, Prop.
The 'Westmoreland county commiss
ioners have appointed William X.
Potts, of Llgonler, mercantile ap
praiser. The appointment was made
at the Instance of George M. Earnest,
the oldest member of the board.
Paul Blair, of Latrobe, was killed
by a train within a short distance of
tre home of his parents at Beatty sta
tion, and the body was taken to Der
ry. He was a well-known foot ball
prayer.
Shortage of water has caused a
shutdown of the three blast furnaces
of the Carnegie Steel company at
South Sharon. Six hundred men are
affected.
G I
f When Gossip is Harmless
By Jignes Repplier. v0C
OSS1P, after all, Is fairly harmless, provided it Is sensible and
innocent. The chief thing is that you receive it for what it
is worth, and not magnify your friend's prattle or give Idle
words a terrible significance. All of us like to talk about our
friends; all of us do talk about thorn, and we will to the end
of time; but that doesn't mean that we like them less or
have the less confidence in thom. You must take into con
sideration the spirit of gossip, not the letter. I tell you in
privacy that my Uncle Joseph is a cranky old gentleman,
very pernickety in bis ways. Are you, then, justified In going to Uncle Joseph
and telling htm that I said he was a crank? If you have a bit of sense you
know very well that his crankiness is what particularly endears blm to me,
and that he has a thousand other virtues which Outweigh that fault. Uncle
Joseph, on the other hand, might tell you that I am a thoughtless fellow, given
to taking the world lightly. Is it Just to repeat to me that Uncle Joseph
thinks me light-minded and brainless? You forget that Uncle Joseph wculd
be the first to combat you if you said aught against me, and that down In his
beart be thinks I am one of the most promising lads of his acquaintance. Gos
sip, then, is rarely evil In Intention when It deals with friends. We speak of
faults, but in our hearts are a thousand reservations and the memory of many
virtues. Knowing our own feelings, we hesltuto less to criticise. The great
thing we must learn is that gossip is to be heard in the same kindly spirit, and
that It Is not to be repeated. Whoever hears wrongly, or whoever carries ill
words wilfully, is in the devil's service. Gossip you will if you are human, but
be above carrying It, and be above misinterpreting a thing that has been said
about yourself. Laugh at the criticisms of your friends if they meet your
ears; smile Indulgently and be nice to your critics, for you can assure yourself
that if they talk of your faults, they also appreciate your virtues. Gossip so
received Is robbed of chance venom, and the person who receives it cheerfully
U doubly armed against the stings of fortune. Woman's Home Companion.
PITTSBURG.
Grain, Flour and Feed.
WbMt-Xn. red "
KyeNn. 0
Corn Nn. ( reilow. far M
No. t yellow, thellwl...... M
Mlxeil ear 44
Oats-No. Sirhl ta ..... mv
ho. S whlto ... . 31
floor Winter pnlnt.........
Stralelit winter 0
llajr ISo. HI motor ' w
Clover No. 1 W no
Farri-Ko I whit mid. ton 10)
Rrownmlddlmsa " M
Bran, bulk IS O0
Straw-Wheat - T no
Oat 7 01
, Dairy Products.
Butter Zlftln creamery M
Oblo creainry IS
Fancy country roll 1
CfctfMj Ohio, new tl
Kaw York, new 11
Poultry, Etc.
Bens per lb..... . 12
Cblcaeua (lreeaed ... , 1U
Turkeys, live to
Kwa-fa. and Ohio, frean
Fruits and Vegetables.
Potato New par bu M
C'alibaiie .er bbl H
Onlotin per barrel ...MHM 17)
Apple per barrel 13j
BALTIMORE.
Flour Winter Patent II 51
Wheal No. U red ..... 1 U
Corn mixed. a)
fcgu
butter Crauirv S3
PHILADELPHIA .
rionr Vt tmer Patent O
Wtt No. II red ...... t 10
Curu No. gmtxed mm, fr
Oata No.. wUlt M
butter Creamery, extra m ... 5
- Fuuajrlvau UraU....M.M.M K
NEW YORK.
riour-raUnt.. .... ...9 W
W bent-No, 3 rti.......... I H
Corn No. 1 bS
Bale No, a White. .. 80
jtter Creamery So
.- m... Hi
LIVE STOCK.
Union Stock Yards, Pittsburg.
Cattle.
Extra beavy. 14(0 to KM lb.
Pi line, lktiuto 1400 lb
Medium, law to UuO lba.M.
1'lu.y. looj to 1160
Butcher. WO u nog lb
Common to lair
Oxeu. couilllun to fa
Common toaood tut bull aud cowa H 50
Uucuvowe, aaoh. 10 II
Hogs.
Prim heavy bos
Prime medium weight....
tiood plaaand llsbtyorkar.,
Plvai common togood
Boiigua
btags
Shsep.
xtra, medium wtbr
OoiMl to cuoic
Medium
Common to fair
Sfrlug Lamb
Calves,
Vtal, extra
V eai , good to cholo
V!, voiu won beavv
.5 15
, 5 0J
. 40
, .10
, UuO
S7J
1 0
VI
M
61
4
84
l
6 hi
laoo
11! 5.1
ill M
so i
m m
7 W
7 SO
B
ID
14
li
U
13
17
. IS
04
51
1 no
1 8
a
a bo
1 13
(10
Itn
SO
7i
1 II
M
7
HI
e 50
1 10
00
87
00
M
5 10
0 10 '
4 00
4 SO
8 75
S76
400
850
50 00
,.1 4 75 4kV
... 4 70 4 7S
Im. 4 50 4 05
... 4 4 4.1
.. 4 00 4 .S
... 8 70 4 lu
.. 85 85j
...1 600 505
... 4 75 4K5
,.. 8H5 405
... tOO 50
... 400 Cod
... 6 00 7 50
, 850 45J
... 800 8 70
Alligator Hunters Wanted.
Alligator hunters are wanted In
Venezuela, where those animals are
said to exist in untold numbers. The
hunting Is good sport, the skins are
valuable, and the oil, which Is used
for medicinal purposes, also fetches a
cood price, i