BEFORE THE BLOSSOM. In tho tassel time of spring Love's the only song to aing; Ere the ranks of solid shade Hide the bluebird's flitting wing. While in open forest glade No mysterious sound or thing Haunt of green has found or made. Love's tho only song to sing. Though in May each bush bo dressed Like a bride, and every nest Learn Love's joyous repetend. Yet the half told tale is best At the budding—with its end Much too secret to be guessed. And its fancies that attend April's passion unexpressed. Love and Nature communing Gave us Arcady. Still ring- Vales across and groves among— Wistful memories, echoing Pan's faroff and fluty song. Poet, nothing harsher sing; Be, like Love and Nature, young In the tasseltime of spring. —Robert N. Johnson. A STUUGGLIN CHIEL. It's a' aboot my ainsil', when I was yet / auld Dunblane. Fayther's wee bit o' a cottage was by the noo famous cathe dral ruins that are visited by tourists frae a' parts. Some auld beeches pro- j tected us frae the simmer's heat an win ter's cauld, an we were vera hoppy the gither afore oor separation. But we were sae ptiir i' those far back days I ! Mother wore the same manteele year after year, an fayther's claes an mine wero always o' raploch, a vera coarse i cloth. Yet oor chimla lug was a warm spot an I hao na seen its equal sin'. Fay- ; ther was simply unlucky, an ir.ither an i me offen suffered i' consequence. Sao : little o' beuk learnin fell to my share, nor did I blame my parents for it. But j 1 had my ain way to mak', an I sune re- 1 solved that I wad gae to Edinburgh to ! mak' it. But puir mi ther wasna willin. ! "Better bide at liaine, laddie," she wad whisper again an again. "Stay wi' fay- ; ther an me, an dinna fret." "But we'll a' bo starvin," I wad arguo i' turn. "Better let me gang awa' i' ; search o' siller." "No, Jockie! Dinna think aboot itl | Edinburgh is a braw town an a wicked I one! Dunblane an tho Allan are far j better." Sae, though I secretly rebelled, I still j staid i' the auld home, wi' little to eat I save wateVbrose, which wither made o' meal an water, wi'oot the pleasant addi tion o' milk an butter. An then cam' the struggle of which I maun tell, recht there i' Dunblane. I warked wi' fayther at any day's labor that cam' to his diligent hand, an one au tumn momin it chanced to be oot Kip penross way. We walked alang the Allan i' silence, niver ance lookin up at the grand auld beeches owreheid, for we were baith thinkin an thinkin hard. My ecu were 011 tho groun, or I wadna hae foun w'at I did. It was something brccht an shinin directly i' my path, an I stoopt an pockited it i* a flash. "W'at was it?" askt fay ther carelessly. "A braw bit o' a pebble," I answered. "It can gae 011 mither's shelf." An wi' that we hurried on to the wark that waited us. But mony times that day 1 drew forth the stano an leukt it owre. That it was mair than a pobble 1 had kenned at first glance. If it was really a diamond, who was its owner? There wero lairds an j ladies 11a sae far awa', an they often cam' | to walk alang tho bonnie Allan. Perhaps a hue and cry wad be raised aboot tho lost jewel. Or it might hae lain for weeks, juist where I foun it, and there wad bo 11a further question. I' tho latter case I could gao to Edinburgh an sell my lucky find, an sae get a start i' life, such as I had lung hoped for. I didna stop to think how wrung it wad a' be, for I had but my ain selfish advancemen' in view. "Where's the pebble you foun for mither, Jock?" askt fayther that nicht. "1 maun hae lost it again," I stam mered, for it was my first lio to either him or mither. I wanted to tell them the trowth then an' there, but yet I kep' it back because I was sat; plackless, for they wad baith say, "Your pebble may prove a diamond, an you maun find its rightfu' owner, Jockie Blaeklock!" But that wasna at a' to my notion, an I stole out under the moon an stars instead, j to bo alane wi' my struggle 'tween recht j and wrung. An ivry ance an awhile I i wad leuk tho stane in my pockit owro. W'at a sparkle it had! Perhaps it was worth a hundred pounds or mair! An whose was it? Weel, I hoped then that I might never ken. But tho vera next nicht, as I cam' slow from work along the Allan, I saw a man i' a braw velvet plaid seerchin' ! the spot where I had foun my stane. I He had a blackthorn stick i' his han, an he was scatterin the beech leaves ! recht an lef. A second glance tauld j me it was auld Laird Kinross, o' Edin burgh, who had a sliootin box near by. i He didna leuk up at my approach, an I j juist stood an watched liim i' silence. I j wanted to pass on. but somehow I couldna do it, for the brecht thing ho seoreht for was in my pockit. Conscience whispcrt, "Be honest an true, Jock Blaeklock!" But satan shoutit: "Keep the auld laird's stane! He has many anither, an this une will gie you a stert i' Edinburgh." Sao I hesitated for a spell. But Laird Kinross leukt up at las'. "My glide lad," he said kindly, "I hae lost a diamond o' mooch value. It was yestermorn when we cam* through to tho hunt, an it was recht here by the Allan. Perhaps you hae heard o' its findin." An the gude God aboon gied me strength to answer, "I hae, my laird." His keen gray een quickly leukt me owre. "You may hae foun it your ain selV* An I answered again; "I did that, my laird, an hero is your precious stane. It has been a load 011 my heart an con science, though lic'.it as a bit feather i' my pockit." "You wanted to keep it?" he speirt as ho tuk it Jrae my tremblin han." "Yea, my laird." "But you hae been an honest lad for a' that, an I shall reward you as you de serve. W'at is your name?" "Jock Blaeklock, my laird." "Aye, mayhap a descendant o' the puir i poet Burns' gude friend, Dr. Blaeklock." | "I dinnft k*n. I fear na," I returned. "I am juist the son 0' my fayther, James Blaeklock, an lie is Dunblane born." j "How wad you like to gae to Edin -1 burgh?" he speirt next. My lieert gied a great boun. "It's the ane wish o' my life!" I cried. 1 The old laird smiled. "Ane o' my friens there is a hanker. lie needs an honest lad o' your ain age, an you shall hae the place as sune as you wish." ! I fell on my knees i' gratitude, hut he bid mo rise at ance. "Hae you a mither, Jock?" he speirt again. "Aye, my laird." "Then tak' me to her an we'll arrange aboot the Edinburgh matter." I led the way to oor cottage wi' falter j ing footstep. I had lied to fayther aboot the "pebble," an how could I confess it a* to mither? She met us at the door stane wi' wond'rin een, courtesyin low, j as was her humble fashion. "I am Laird Kinross," the auld noble man began. "Your son Jock foun an re stored to me the diamond I had lost, an" , But juist hero my ain fayther stepped oot. "Was it the pebble you lied to me ! aboot, Jock?" I An 1 had to admit that it was. Oh, ! the shame an sorrow o' w'at wad othor ; wise hae bin the proodest minute o' my i life. I "It was a sair temptation," said gude Laird Kinross. "Dinna be hard 011 the lad. He is as honest as you an his mither ; would wish him, an I hae come to tak' 1 him awa' to Edinburgh, wi' your con sent." ! Fayther leukt at mither, mither leukt at fayther, an then they baith leukt at Laird Kinross. But I couldna leuk ane o' them i' the een, because o' yestreen's j falsehood. . "Ye want Jock?" he stammered. "Oor j puir, weak Jock. Yo wad trust him j aifter a'?" "Yes," said Laird Kinross, "a gude 1 place i' an Edinburgh bank awaits him j if he will but tak' it, wi' your permis i sion." "Oh, Jockie!" sighed mither, "I wad 1 hae staked my ain life on your trowth, j but noo" 1 "Ho shall mak' a fresh start!" pit i' the I gude auld laird. "An you maun trust j him again for his youth's Bake!" | "That we will, mither!" cried fayther. "Jock's a steady goin lad, but the findin o' tho diamond turned his heid. It was his first lie, an" "It shall be my las'!" I cried, wi' a burst o' tears. Mither kissed me then, an Laird Kin ross tuk frae his pockit a heavy purse, also pittin a han fu' o' gowd on the ha' table. "It's for Jock's ootfit an his find in o' my diamond," he said. "Dinna re fuse it! the laddie deserves it a'; an on the morrow he shall gae wi' me to Edin burgh." Sae fayther an mither thanked him heartily, but I couldna say a word. Laird Kinross pit his ungloved han on my worthless heid at parting—"Puir laddie," he said. "It will bo a gude les son to you, an one you will niver forget. God keep you a' till tho morrow!" All wi* that ho ganged awa', his braw plaid flyin back 011 the stiff mornin breeze. Then I turned me quick to dear fay ther an mither. "Forgie!" I cried. "I hae deceived you baith! But it shall 11a occur again! I promise to be true an I honest to tho day o' my death an ne'er disgrace tho name you hae given me!" "You hue our blessing to tak' wi' you to Edinburgh," said fayther. "Mither an me will forgio an try to forget if we can, but it was a lio you told me, Jock; always remember that. When you are tempted again say to yoursel', 'I told fayther my first and las' lio. I canna tell anither!'" "Nor will I," I cried sadly, as mither kisst 1110 unco mair. I went to Edinburgh the next day wi' Laird Kinross, as agreed upon. Mr. Brayham, the banker, proved a gude maister. My position at the first was a lowly ane, but step by step I rose, as any ither laddie can an will. Laird Kinross' generous handfu* o' gowd kept fayther and mither free frae want till 1 was able to help them my ainsel*. I cam' to America at las', and they didna hesitate to come wi' me. I prospered here also an am noo called a mono' means. But the foundation o' my suc cess was laid the autumn mornin I re stored to Laird Kinross his braw dia mond against my own selfish desire. Fayther and mither died five years apart, an they baith died blessing me. "You have been a gude son," they said i' turn, "honest an true, as you promist. God keep you, Jockie, to tlio end!" An their loving blessing follows me still like a constant benediction. Surely they are wateliin and waitin aboon. An I maun meet them there. —Mrs. Finley Bradcn in New York Observer. Proper Ventilation of Rooms. There are various contrivances for ventilating rooms, all of which are more or less expensive and a large majority of them quite worthless. The best way to ventilate a room is by means of open fires. However, open fires are not suf fieiently warm in winter, and there are few houses that are provided with the ideal heutiug arrangement of modified steam heat with grates. Lacking this and indeed under any circumstances, a sleeping room or a silting room should le, so to put it, washed out with pure air every day. Whatever the temperature outside, every window should be opened, and the outer air allowed to pour through it j from ten to twenty minutes each day. : As a rule rooms are kept too warm. No room should be kept heated beyond a : temperature of 08 degs. The system of a person living in a superheated atmos i phere becomes so vitiated that it shivers at the slightest change and takes cold on the least provocation.—New York Tele gram. Ono Tent of Economy, The Husband —You're not economical. The Wife—Well, if you don't Call a woman economical who saves her wed ding dress for a possible second marriage, I'd like to know what you think economy is.—Exchange. WHIP AND SPUR. Tlie estimated value of the Futurity of 1895 is SIOO,OOO. Vinctte, 2:00%, holds the world's pacing record for a mare. Eighteen years ago the V:IS list contained but one performer. Frank Vau Ness, formerly driver of Harry Wilkes, 2:l3|£, is said to have won $50,040 with his stable of runners in 1892. •'he pacer Wisconsin King, 2:11, started the season minus u record. He won four teen out of eighteen races during the past Of the twelve yearlings that have beaten 2:39 six obtained their records the past sea son. Seven of them are trotters and live pacers. Frank C McVey, of the Jewett farm, owns the dam of Viotta—yearling record, 2:27—and -be is uow in foai to Patcheo Wilkes. It is said that W. O. B. MacDonough. who paid $150,000 for Ormonde, has invest ed $750,000 in horses during the past six months. Baron Hirsch's eight race horses won twenty-two races worth SIOO,OOO on the Eng lish turf during 1892, making the average value of each race over $7,500. G. W. Williams is out with another S2OO, 000 programme for a two weeks' meeting in 1893 and starts it off with thirteen $5,000 stakes with low entrance fees. The newest thing in sulkies is a jointed shaft, 40-pound affair, built for Robert Bonner. The jointed shaft is expected to do away with all horse motion. Marcus Daly's ranch in 'Montana con tains 12,0(K) acres. There are on the place three tracks, one of a mile, a covered track of a half a mile for the thoroughbreds and a 6-furloug track for the trotters. FASHION'S MIRROR. Morning robes with fur lining are one of the latest luxuries. Evening hats are made of the light bro cades for wear with the short capes that will be retained through the evening. A blouse that will be just the thing for genuine home wear is the long Russian blouse of black India silk, finished around the bottom with hem and drawn work. The preferred evening furs are white fox, ermine, Mondarin lamb and Thibet. The large muffs supposed to be in vogue this season are seen much oftener for evening use than with street furs. No woman who professes to maintain any sort of a wardrobe can dispense with a va ried supply of the dainty collarettes, neck and shoulder drapings, girdles, scarfs and like folderols that are offered now in such multiplicity. Chiffon and lace drapings for decollete gowns are so made that they can be udded to any low necked bodice that is without | trimming. Thus a pink drapery may be worn on a pink gown, or again on a white or pale green lodice. A house gown for morning is of light wool, with jacket fronts and corselet back. The plaited yoke at the back and the full vest or blouse in front are of white silk. The latter is finished with a wide crush girdle, shirred down the middle. Blouse waists of net, chiffon or lace, are gathered very full into yoke and belt. Sometimes the yoke is of different material from the rest, of the waist, or the same ma terial is disposed differently and the yoke outlined by feather or ribbon trimming.— New York Times. WASHINGTON SOLONS. * In the house of representatives the man j with the longest name is Archibald Hen derson Arrington Williams, of North Caro lina. The heaviest man is John W. Rife, of Pennsylvania. A special chuir is provided for his use. The handsomest man is Allan Cathcart Durborow, Jr., of Illinois. The homeliest man is William F. Par rett, of Indiana. The oldest man is Edward Scull, of Penn sylvania. He was horn in 1818. The youngest man is Joseph W. Bailey, of Texas. lie was born Oct. 0, 1803. The best dressed man is Henry 11. Bing hum, of Pennsylvania. The wittiest man is Thomas Brackett Reed, of Maine. The tallest man is Newton Martin Cur tis, of New Y'ork. His height is 0 feet C inches. The shortest man is John R. Fellows, of New York. The thinnest man is James D. Richard sou, of Tennessee. The richest man is John L. Mitchell, of Wisconsin. His wealth is estimated at from $25,000,000 to $35,en daily from 0 a. in. to 4p. in. Saturday j evenings from 6 to 8. SPECIAL CLEARING SALE! Hero is the place to find a MAMMOTH STOCK OF HA KG A INS suitable at this season. THOUSANDS OF PRETTY NOVKLTIKS. Ladies? Coats, Furs, Glares, Caps, Hats, Underwear, Hosiery, Dress Patterns, Corsets, Linens, Trimmings, Etc., Etc. Childrens' and Infants' Goods In great variety, and a storeroom filled with the prettiest sort of useful and ornamental goods that you will want during the holidays. SPLENDID SOUVENIR UIFTS to all persons pur cluising to the amount of $1 and over. MRS B. A. CRIMES, Centre Street, - Below Front, - Freeland. CASTOBIA for Infanta and Children. "Caatorl a is so well adapted to children that I recommend it as superior to any prescription known to me." 11. A. ARCHER, M. D., I 111 So. Oxford St., Brooklyn, N. Y. "The use of 'Castoria' is so universal and its merits so well known that it seems u work of supererogation to endorse it. Few are the intelligent families who do uol keep Castoria within easy reach.'' CARLOS MARTYN, T).D., New York City. Late Pastor Bloomingdale Reformed Church. THE CENTAUR COMPANY, 77 MURRAY STREET, NEW YORE. Htlll M'S III): sET,rr You can depend upon us for tills. Shapely, genteel, perfect fitting Men's and Boys' Clothing, guaranteed to give 100 cents in wear and service for every dollar you put into tlieni. You can pick from a great assortment of strictly new and decidedly popular styles. Men's Suits, Overcoats, Boys' Suits, All Styles and Sizes, Children's Suits, Clients' Furnishings. All for the least money, quality considered. We lead witli newest styles and best grades in Neckwear, Shirts, Handkerchiefs,' Underwear Collars, CulFs, Umbrellas, Hosiery, Gloves, Trunks, Hats, Caps, Boots and Shoes. You get the best of it every time you trade with JOHN SMITH, BIRKBECK - BRICK, - CENTRE STREET, - FREEHAND. H. M. BRISLIN. UNDERTAKER EMBALMER. HORSEMEN ALL KNOW THAT Wise's Harness Store Is still here and doing busi ness on the same old principle of good goods and low prices. " I wish I had one." HORSE : GOODS. Blankets, Buffalo Robes, Har ness, and in fact every thing needed by Horsemen. Good workmanship and low prices is my motto. GEO. WISE, Jeddo, and No. 135 Centre St. TALES FROM TOWN TOPICS. O/-I year of the most successful Quarterly ever published. More than LEADING NEWS PAPERS in North America have complimented this publication during its first year, and uni versally concede that its numbers afford the brightest and most entertaining reading that can be had. Published ist day of September, December, March and June. Ask Newsdealer for it, or send the price, 60 cents, n stamps or postal note to TOWN TOPICS, 21 West 23d St., New York. IV* Thi9 brilliant Quarterly Is not made up from the current issues of TOWN TOPICS, but contains the best stories, sketches, bur lesques, poems, witticisms, etc., from the back numbers of that unique journal, admittedly the crispest, raciest, most complete, and to all ITCEN AN IS WOMEN the most interest ing weekly ever issued. Subscription Price: Town Topics, per year, - -$4 CO Talei Troa Town Topics, per year, 2.00 The two clubbed, - - • C.OO # TOWN TOPICS sent 3 tuoutlis on trial for N. B.— Previous Nos. of " TAI.ES" will be liO ceutt ' orv^ r^ P°* l P*Rl, receipt of Castorla cures Colic, Constipation, Sour Stomach, Ihurrhoea. Eructation, Kills Worms, gives sleep, aud promotes di gestion. Without injurious medication. " For several years I have recommended your ' Castoria, 1 and shall always continue to ao so as it has invariably produced beneficial results." EDWIN F. PARDEE, M. D. F "The Winthrop," liJsth Street and 7th Ave., New York City. GO TO Fisher Bros. Livery Stable FOR FH3ST-CLASS TURNOUTS At Short Notice, for Weddings, Putties and Funerals. Front Street, two squares below Free)and Opera House. GEO. CHESTNUT, The Shoemaker, Sells Boots aid Sloes —at— Lcw Frices. Twenty yonrs' experiences in leather ought to s be a guarantee that he knows what he sells I and whatever goods In- guarantees can be lied upon. Repairing and custom work a spe eialt\. Everything in the footwear line is in his store. Also novelties of every description. 93 Centre street. Freeiand. Eltill RAILROAD SYSTEM. — 7 LEHIGH VALLEY pB mviiioN .Anthracite coal used cxclu - 11 lively, insuring cleanliness and |f comlort. ARRANGEMENT OP PASSENGER TRAINS. DEC. 4, 1802. LEAVE FREELAND. tl.lo, 8.35, 0.40, 10.41 A. M., 12.25, 1.50, 2.43, 3.50. 4. .', 0.41, 7.12, 8.4T P. M., for Drifton, Jeddo, Lainber ) aid, Stockton and ila/.leton. 0.10. 0.4(1 A. M., 1.50, 350 P. M., for Mnuch ( hunk, Allei.t. wn, Bethlehem, Philu., Easton iintj New lork. 8.35 A. M. lor Bethlehem, Easton and Phila delphia. 7.20, 10.50 A. M., 12.16. 4.50 P. M. (via Highland Bronchi, rr White Haven, (ilea Summit, U ilkes-Bane, Pittston and E. and B. Junction. SUNDAY TRAINS. 11.40 A. M. nnd 3.45 P. M. for Drifton, Jeddo, Lumber \ ard ami II a/let on. 3.45 P. M. lor Delano, Mahnnoy City, Shen andoah, New York and Philadelphia. ARRIVE AT FREELAND. 5.50, 7.00, 7.20. 0.18, 10.50 A. M., 12.10, 1.15,2.33, 4.50, 7.03 and 8.37 P. M. from lla/loton, Stock ton, Lumber Yard, Jeddo and Drifton. 7.20,0.18, 10.50 A. M., 12.10. 2.33, 4.50, 7.03 P. M. from Delano, Muhutioy City and Shenundoah (via New Boston Branch). 1.15 and I'. M. from New York, Easton, I hilach li hia. Bethlehem, Alleiitowu and Muucli t hunk. 0.18 and 10.50 A. M. front Easton, Philadel phia. Bethlehem and Muueh Chunk. 0.18, 10.41 A. M., 2.43, 0 II P. M trom White Haven, (Hen Summit, Wilkes-Burro, Pittston and L. and B. Junetion (via Highland Brunch). SUNDAY TRAINS. 11.21 A. M. nnd 3.31 P. M. from Hazleton, Cumber 1 ard, Jeddo and Drifton. 11.31 A M. trom Delano, Hav.leton, Philadel phia and Easton. 3.31 P. M. from Pottsville and Delnno. For further information inquire of Ticket Agents. I. A. SWEIGAItD, Gen. Mgr. C. G. HANCOCK, Gen. Pass. Agt. Philadelphia, Pa. A. W. NONNEMACH. H, Ass'tG. P. A., South Bethlehem, Pa.