IMFR An old gray house, on an old-time farm— 'Twan on a Chrlstrpns night— Thro' chinks were streaming ray 3 of charm In yellow shafts of light. An old gray white and an old gray black Were sitting by the blaze That curled and played 'gainst the chim ney haclc— Rat thinking their own old ways. Bald the old black man to the old white man: "Hit's fawty yeahs to-night Ben.se you gin to mc this piece er lan', An' the pootyes' gal in sight. "You gin us. rsides, dem papahs, too, Dat sot us bon' ones free, An' Nan an' me sung 'Hally, Hally Loo!' Laker song er Jubilee." "Well, what if I did?" said the old gray white, "Didn't both belong to rne? And didn't I have, by law, the right To set my niggahs free? "And, what Is more," said the old white man, "My farm wns broad and long. And didn't you, and your poor old Nan, Find life a sweeter song?" "Eawd bless you, marster, blessin's fell As fas' as drops er rain: Yes, every soun' was a silver bell. Till God called Nan ergaln. "But we wuz all de slaves you had, An' sense you b'eil so po' I'se felt dat we wuzactln' bad To wish for freedom so." "No more! no more!" said the old white man; "I'm richer than a king! You give me blessings, all you can; I need not anything. "And, more than all, am I not blest, While waiting for the call? I gave you Freedom, God's bequest, Intended for us all." ?W0 CH RISTMA3 Q FYS jiniHii 1:1 :n: niiin; ?/; in.., 11 r<, <.,, i, ; It was Christmas eve and the Dod gett s sat by thefirediscussingtheprob ability that they would receive pres ents of greater value than they liaci sent to their poor relatives; and as pood as they had sent to their rich ones. "I'gh, what a night it is," said Mrs. I lodge tt, "but it is just as well, for wo shall have no cullers, and I'm really nor fit to be seen." "You certainty are not;" candidly answered Mr. Dodgett, "it's a mystery what you have done wftli all the money you have gotten for dress. Now, I can go nowhere for lack of a decent dress suit." Instead of replying warmly, Mrs. Dodgett only smiled mysteriously. At that moment the maid entered, saying: "Please, ma'am, a tramp's at the back door begging for clothes." "Tell him to go away and be quick about It," said Mr. Dodgett, who was suffering from neuralgia and disap pointment that his wife would not quarrel. "Don't leave him alone in the kitch en," said Mrs. Dodgett; "he is most like ly a sneak thief." "Charitable, that remark," grunted her husband. "Ye-cs," she replied, absently, "by the way, dear, Mr. Blanque has given his wife another sealskin. I shall have to cut her, for I can't visit her any longer in my old wrap. It's one com fort, though, that he selected it him self; something is surety wrong with it." Looking anxiously at her hus band, she saw a half smile on his face. "It's a cold night for that poor wretch to be out half clad," he said. "I'll see if lie is gone," she returned, and both left the room by different doors. Soon they were both back with half pleased, half shame-faced looks. "It's Christmas eve, after all," said he. "Yes, we should he charitable to-day of all days." "M'hm; 1 gave that poor wretch my dress suit which was too shabby to wear. I had to hunt for it, too; it was—" "And I gave liim your old overcoat; it—" "Which overcoat?" "The black one; you—" "You did, eh? Well, you were too smart for once! In the pocket of that coat was concealed the money I had saved to buy a sealskin for your Christmas gift. Say, why did you hide my dress suit in your wardrobe?" Doth had risen, looking very pale. "You got that dress suit from mv wardrobe, did you? Well, it was a new one I had gotten for your Christmas gift, Silos Dodgett!" Two minutes later Mrs. Dodgett was In strong hysterics on the hearth rug, while the maddest man in town was mainly searchng for a tramp with anew dress suit and an old overcoat. II in Naino la I.cglon. For a (Trlr.tmas present now I arn saving up; That's vhy wrinkles line my brow And sot .' v/ tills my cup. -Truth. BY JOHN MAHIN. F —FFLLLUFFILL What profound emotions of prat itudo should swell up in every human heart at tlie mention of this now well-nigh universal holiday! Hut it is to bo feared that the vast majority of those who ob serve it have no true conception of its meaning. Even many of those whose idea of it is that it is a time to bestow and receive gifts do not fully compre hend what is meant by this hallowed and common custom. Christmas not only commemorates the birth of Christ, who gave His life as a ransom for a sinful world, but typifies the ineifable gift of God, who "so loved the world that He gave Ilis only be gotten Son, that whosoever believetli in llim should not perish but have everlast ing life." Paul tells us that salvation "is the gift of God," from whom, as James says, is "every good and perfect gift." Paul also declares in writing to the Ephesians that when Christ ascend ed upon high lie "led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men." What are some of these gifts which are thus typified and intended to be commemorated by the custom of gift giving in Christinas-tide? "Peace on earth, good will to men," is the boon it brings to mankind as a whole. The coming of Christ was the mani festation of God to men. There is no full revelation of God anywhere save in His incarnated Son. lie is the fullness of the God-head bodily. Christ was the ideal man, called by eminence "the Son of Man." In Him we mark the fulfill ment of all human enpabilit ics. Hy Him is reconciliation of sinful man and an offended God. Faith in Christ cruci fied—the gift of infinity to man—is the secret of salvation from Hie conse quences of sin. The gift of everlasting life is lo be had for the taking. Christmas, as a commemoration of tlio birth of Christ, without reference to Ilis sacrificial atonement, would be mean ingless. True, He taught grand lessons of love and duty, and of self-sacrifice for the good of others, but the sublime climax of nil these teachings was Ilis sufferings and death on the cross on ac count of the sins of mankind. This has been aptly called the tragedy of the \\ orld a tragedy in which every human soul has un interest, because it provides for human wants—a balm in Gilend, a fountain for uncleanness, redemption from sin, and a joy forever. These personal and spiritual gil'ls are not the only advantages that have been conferred upon mankind by the coming of Him whose birth is celebrated at Christmas. The world as a whole has had an uplift in direct ratio as the les sons of Ilis life and death have been re vealed to it. Genuine and helpful civ ilization waits on Christianity. The sign of the triple cross is not, as Inger.soll in his book makes it, the em blem of superstition, hate and cruelty, hich he transposes to telegraph poles labeled "for the use of man," but tin; cross, typifying Christianity, ever pre cedes enlightenment, invention and all that tends to human progress and hu man happiness. The later cartoon, rep resent ing the Christian church as a woman carrying the cross and the bright light of Christian truth,and thus penetrating the dark recesses of igno rance, tyranny and superstition, which are dispelled before her, while the em blems of civilization, the railroad train, the telegraph, the church, the school house and the busy city follow her; Ihis cartoon, 1 say, tells a truthful story of human progress. The most progressive, most enlightened, intelli gent and strongest nations of to-day, with the most of happiness among their people, are the Christian nations. Mr. Gladstone, the greatest statesman of this or any other ago, lately said: "Talk about the questions of the day; there is but one question, and that is the gospel. It can and will correct everything needing correction. All men at the head of groat movements are Christian men. During the many years I was in the cabinet I was brought into association with 00 master minds, and all but live of them were Chris tians. My only hope for the world is in bringing the human mind into eon tact with divine revelation." llow im portant, then, is it that in commemorat ing Christmas we should have a true c onception of what it moans! When Help WIIH Needed. *'oh, do come and help!" gasped a boy who ran up to a policeman; "tliere is an awful fight going on in our street 1" j "Who's fighting?" "My father and another man." • "How long have they been at it?" "Oh, half an hour." ! "J.!ut why didn't you come and tell me about it before?" "Why, because dad \vas%ctting the best of it up to ten minutes ago."— Pittsburgh Pullet in. A Mitigating Ciratlin*titnce. Stern Parent You used to write every week, but of late you lia\e only written every month. Yale Student—Yes, but you must ad mit that when I did write, of late, I asked for more money than 1 did when 1 wrote every week.—Texas Siftings. Kuny fOuougli. "Pupa, it says in this paper that the mule wasp never stings. Jlow can you j tell tlu' male from the female?" "Well, my son, first catch your wasp; then, if it stings you, it's a female; but ; if it doesn't, then it's a male."—N. Y. Journal. .JRFLLIM- Caleb Crimmlns was as sweet on Deb by Dander as a bumble bee 011 honey suckles. That was a well understood fact among the young folks of Drud bury, a back-country village of the mid dle west; and although Caleb had the reputation of being very "near" he Was known in a numberof instances to have "opened his heart" and his purse— slightly—in demonstration of that fact. And when Cale Crimmlns "went down into his jeans" (in the mellow flow of the village tongue wnggers) it meant that fret urn might he expected 011 the board in short order. That is to say, "folks was expectin' of n invite to the weddin' 'fore long." It pained Caleb intensely when he thought of the rapid succession of birthdays, Christmases and money taking holidays with which the year was crowded, and lie resolved that but few of them should elapse before he had the knot tied hard and fast with Miss Debby; and then they would go "kinder slow on the gosh blamed spemlin' business." Debby was not at all extravagant in her notions of gift taking, but she did think it was no more than right that she should be remem bered occasionally with some tangible demonstration of affection. t hristmas wasat hand, and Caleb was in the throes of a job of guessing wliat to get for Debby. "There's so tarnal much nonsense 'bout Christmas pres ents," said lie, "that a feller don't know v hat to git." I!ut lie held to his estab lished rule that it should lie "sonictliin* useful and onextravagnnt." Hut what Debliy needed most, tliut was tlie per plexing question. Caleb was to take Debbv totlio "Christ mas doin's" at the village church, where there was to be a tree for the young folks, and he thought it would IIE the proper caper to liang his present 011 the tree with the others, and have it handed out publicly, to show that lie was up and doing with the rest of them. And so it came to pass that among the good tilings hanging 011 the tree was a sealed envelope marked, "Merry Christinas to Deborah Dander, from Mr. Caleb Crim niius." This the minister, who offici ated as distributor, took down, and, with some sly remarks on its supposed contents, called upon the young lady to come forward and receive it. As Debby passed up the aisle she was accosted on either side by her ydung friends, who eagerly inquired: "What - & V T 0 '■ 1 IpaE V < vtr. MISS DEBBY IIECEIVINU UEll PIIEBENT. is it, Debby? Open it and lotus see!" With burning cheeks she took the mys terious envelope and returned to her seat beside the smiling donor, who ad vised her to open it. This she did and found within nothing* but a slip of pa per with some writing on it. She read the words, and blushing still more deep ly crumpled the paper in her hand; then turning to Caleb in an agitated manner, she said: "Mr. Crimrnins, we will go home, right off." Caleb forthwith conducted Debby li> her home, whore she hade him a frigid "good night, Mr. Crimndns," and left him to sneak off to his own abode, with a sort of "wish 1 hadh't" feeling rankling in his system. 1 he match was broken off short then and there, and it was some time before the why and wherefore were known to t'ie wondering friends of both. When the secret did leak out a broad grin overspread the face of all Itrudbury, and no wonder. Caleb's Christmas present to Debby was an order on the tillage dentist for "four dollars' worth of pullin' and fillJnV* A TIP TO SANTA CI.AL'S. Jimmj r —There, now, dat looks bul ly; 1 hope he'll take de hint an' put some new stockings dcre fore he does anything else.—.N. Y. World. THE BEST (II lilS'l'.M AS UP TO DATE! SHare of tire Good Tlring-s? This Season Is the Gift Makers' Great Opportunity for Bargains. The presents were never nicer nor never so numerous, and their cost has never been so low. This applies to every department. WATCHES, CLOCKS, JEWELRY, DIAMONDS, SILVERWARE AND NOVELTIES. 1 he field for selection is the widest, the prices are the lowest. You can't help being pleased when you see this beautiful holiday stock, which is as complete as it is handsome, and fully equipped to meet all your wants at prices below anything you have ever known. V. H. NITSCHE, 116 West Broad Street, Hazleton, Pa. PORTRAITS Christmas will soon be here. You will need a por trait of some kind to give to your relative or friend. We J v 3 Making* Them at all prices from $3.50 upwards. Our $3.50 crayon, 10x20, with white and gold frame, is very good indeed. Don't give your small photographs to strangers, but bring them to us, where you can rely upon the work and be sure of getting satisfaction. 11. lIISKIS, PDOTOCRAPIR, WKST 11KOAD STREET, HAZLETON. WASHINGTON LETTER. Washington, December 20, 1895. Such a wave of enthusiastic patriot ism as has greeted President Cleveland's . message notifying Great Britain that the Monroe doctrine is not a historical ! myth, but a tangible policy which the i I nited States is prepared to maintain by force of arms, lias not been seen by ; the present generation. The White ; House has been Hooded with messages by wire, and mail from all sections of the country, containing congratulations and offers of volunteers by thousands. To show that no bluff was being made a bill lias been introduced in both houses j of congress appropriating §100,000,000 for strengthening the military arraa ! inent. European nations must learn to j not make light of the Monroe doctrine, and if it takes a war to teach John Hull tin? lesson congress it satisfied to let it come. It, is about time that his bully ing career was halted. Secretary Dlnev is getting high com mendation for his masterly answer to ; ho I'd Salisbury, which is justly regard ed as the best interpretation of the Monroe doctrine ever printed, one which should be used as a text book in every school. It has placed him at one bound in tlie front rank of American states j men, and lias also caused his name to be frequently mentioned as the next Demo ! cratic candidate for president. Humors have already reached Wash ington of the intention of English iinan ! ei?rs to frighten the administration by attempting to bring on a money panic ! by unloading American securities hold ! by them. This causes no uneasiness j here; such action would bo more costly to the British than a war. 1 \\ hat-ever may be the opinion of peo ple as to the president's past acts it is j universally believed that his Monroe | doctrine message will be known in his j ton as the second declaration of inde pendence. j Senator Hill has introduced a bill to repeal the law which prohibits ox-con- I federates from holding commissions in the army and navy, and will push it I vigorously after the holiday recess. S. Only reliable goods at the Wear Well Shoe House. Advertise your wants in the TRIBUNE. It pays every time. l^iiraiisALri r '<is UO East Broad—2o-31 East Mine, Haslcton. ° A X ; .1 2. © © A great opportunity for © St holiday shoppers. We ft © offer all lines of no vel- © S ties and goods adapted © || for holiday presents, at Q © cut prices to close out © @ before the new year J t| arrives. Everything Q || goes. " || ft ANDRE W J. HAIRE. © w |p T. CAMPBELL, dcalor in Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots and Shoes. Alio PURE WINES and LIQUORS FOH FAMILY AND MEDICINAL PURPOSES. Cor. Centre and Main Streets, Freeland, The Choice Is Yours Whether or not you mil have T your house built by contractors who are jrreparcd to do work that is satisfactory. Knelly & Fredrick Contractors and Builders, will guarantee you a good job and have the facilities for doing any and all kinds of build ing in a reasonable time. Wholesale and retail lumber dealers—the best stocked yard In the city of Huzleton. All kinds of mill work promptly attended to. Agents for Adamcnt Wall Plaster and Key stone Calcined Plaster, which will be sold to contractors at factory prices Yard and office, cor. Pine and Holly streets. Long distance telephone. HAZLETON, PA. J. F. BARBER & CO. 120 W. Broad St., Hazleton. Dealers in Stoves, Tinware, House Furnishing Goods, Roofing, Cor nice Work, Mine Supplies. JOBBERS OF GROCERS' SUNDRIES. GEORGE FISHER, dealer in FRESH BEEF, PORK, VEAL, MUTTON, BOLOGNA, SMOKED MEATS, ETC., ETC. Call at No. 0 Walnut street, Freeland, or wait for the delivery wagons. VERY LOWEST PRICES. Read. - the - Tribune. Are the only HIGH GRADE and strict ly first class pianos sold direct from the factory to the final buyer. Are the only pianos on which you can save the dealers' profits and enor mous expenses, agents' salaries and music teachers' commissions. Are the only pianos every agront condemns, for the natural reason that NO AGENTS are em ployed by us. Are the only pianos which are not told in a single store in the United States, because we closed all our agencies over a year ago, and now sell only to the final buyer, at the actual cost of production at our factorj'. We have no store on Broad street, but the factory ware room is open every day till (i p. m., and Saturday evenings from 7 to 10. Kellmer Piano Co. m PHI FACTORY: CHESTNUT STREET, BETWEEN CHURCh AND LAUREL, UAZLETON. SPECIAL! Ladies' Wrappers Up To Date. We have just closed the larg est transaction of the season in a first quality fleeced back flannelette of good pattern. Style of wrapper is the one most approved by the trade in general, and has been a good seller. The fit is perfect and the make and finish absolutely as good as any and better than most at higher figures. Our Price is 99c. Size 34 to 44. P.DEISROTH Hazleton. lie Kricj Institute Harrisburg, Pa. FOR THE CURE OF Alcoholism, Narcotic Addictions, The Tobacco Habit. None but genuine Kccley remedies are used. No restraint. No risk. The treatment ahno lutely removes all desire for alcoholic stimu lants and drugs. IW Literature free. Correspondence confi dential. W. S. THOMAS, Mgr., P. O. Box 594, Ilarriiburg.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers