THE l!L*o£ ®*f Jl c \ZJ P und home-loving nnd home happiness are the bright features of the Christ day through out the metes und bounds of Christendom. Callous is the heart, and dead to all impressions of light and gladness, which is not quickened to gentleness and unselfishness upon the natal day of Ilini who taught the broad est humanity and the most disinterest ed love. Had Dickens written only of Christmas, he should occupy a com manding place in the affection of hu manity because of the cheer)' scenes he pictured nnd the cheery halos he cast about this day of all days in the year. The ve-y pathos, which at times setmed o part of himself, when he wrote, quick ened and brightened under the light of that day until it was nearly divested of all its sndness. The tragedy of Calvary was years after the birth scene at Bethlehem. The God-child had need to grow up 1o man's estate nnd wrap about liim tlie mantle of infinite deity before He be came a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. The Christ-day tells of the vir gin mother and her glad smile of joy as she looked u|on the face of her new ly-born child. It recalls the cherubic song of the angels that startled the shepherds of Salem and 'the effulgent star that guided the wise men to the manger in which He lay. It brings out of the past the happy circumstances of those who were led into the Divine presenee, bringing with them gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. So. too. clearer than when first uttered, be cause now better understood, is heard after the lapse of 2,000 years the llea\- enly promise of peace, good will to met'.. ! Conies also the teaching of mercy, for giveness nnd charity as substitute for the older law of eye for eye and tooth for tooth. When lie came the dark night of cruelty and wrong and oppres sion rolled away, ushering in the gray dawn of an endless day of love for ene mies and prayers for those that use their neighbors despitefully. The example of the sages who cnftie as gift-hearer is universally followed, and meet is it that it should he so. because the heart that gives in love has a sure promise of a bless ing from the Lord. The inspiring motive of donatives is the love that thinks no evil against the recipient of the favor, and love is the dominant ruler of the heart that is good. The Christ taught nothing if lie did not teach the infinite beauty of home life that is builded upon love. The heart that loves and is cheerful gives freely, thus communicating pleasure to others in the reflection that they are not for gotten. and happiness to the donor in that he perceives he has communicated happiness. Love is contagious, as hap piness is contagious, and blessed and thrice blessed is that household which welcomes Christians with ringing of hells and singing of glad songs, with laughter nnd merry voices, and that makes memorable the day by tokens of affection, whose value rests in the mo tive which prompted the giving of them. Did He sorrow? Not for His sins or follies did He grieve. Did lie sweat great drops of blood in His agony? Then was it that men might he freed from sin nnd he capnble of appreciat ing and commemorating and imitating the infinite good of Ilis nature. The face that was marred is now lit with the jineffnble joy that comes of man's re demption, nn(L from His great throne He regards all earth's children in love and smiles responsive to the gladness of those homes which make merry and bright the Christ-day, Christmas. WILLIAM ROSSER COBDE. r CHRISTMAS EVE WARNING. Clara (in bed) —Come Into bed, quick, Sally 1 Santy Claus ain't 110 fool. If he sees you a-walkin' aroun' with fhem legs, he'll know that stockin' don't be long to you I—Truth. llad a Limit. He could lift three hundred pounds, Box for ten or twenty rounds; He could snrlnt a wondrous distance with out stopping; But his triumphs found a check; He came out a total wreck When he finished up a tour of Christmas shopping. —Washington Star. The Mao for the Hour. "The loveliest fellow is going to visit me this Christmas, lie's absolutely color blind." "Is that why he is so lovely?" "To he sure. Just think of it, he cannot tell the difference between'bollv aud mistletoe berries and—and the house is full of holly."—Truth. The Best lie Could Promise. "Papa," suid Benny Bloohumper, "1 ' wan'tn I>ig hassdrum for Christmas." "I'm a-fraid you can't have dhat," re turned Mr. Bloohumper, "hut you may have a big turkey drumstick."—Detroit I jfc'ree Press. l M" We have always shown an un 8 I ~ | I ,/XVN, /• J" L SpecialtiesfoniieHolidays! in Fancy Work and ( |M!!!! jX" v' MAPI Willi Sterling Silver Jewelry. \fm ROCHESTER LAMES' FINE SHOES V' NllbjJUlAi Mrs. J. MATHERS. || |UJ =sy .. ~ >rvWJfi Hoine-Made Grain and Kangaroo Calf Slices. ©T WI Fine Slippers, largest and most corn- vV wf UilfcdJnUlS plete stock of Rubbers ever ! .\Y //t- . !>.• .-...1 1. r I .w. ~xK Yv by' brought to Freeland. K // * Mart in" Freeland "loi( More M{ "' B A "° BOV4 ' FHTS AKB BVJBS Bf AU B * UTV A " B fa MrfVV # ' ff Than Ten Years. I I HWUV MAIN STREET, %^/fSX i(t Toys In Abundance! " 1 j MERKT'S ™ ™1 ! [* wm. I,.~kbiMkT k l] \ |LfLj| ..... lie. 1 ii * rp rv f I —M- _JL A. m M. Centre Street, Above Main. i ill I ao/4!/v i i • ! I• ? 1 i ™ we are displaying tins year, iwo £5 IP Pvorvti.i,,r!.!. ,i <• .. . r. , ! H Leading Jeweler (Established im.) hi 13 \\ SB iLw... .+'..11 ,A : • i.i " i i. i " #> .. ( ' r ytl fng imaginable for the children's stockings, and a great manv ! n, i :} \ V 110018 11111, containing the latest and /jT clangs which will interest the older people. For the little ones we have | Jj Centre Street .... Above Main \\ handsomest products of the Toy- GO // Toys and. Tree Ornaments ra „ . , . n . . R I \\ maker s art. JJ P f ' niit.l—all of tlicm haiidsoniu and pleasing, manv of tliciu useful and y HG(I(lQll3.lt61 S 101 DldlllOliOS, If lilfjiiGS. CIOCKS t'J !'I \\ T . . ._ „ , _ , j // lasting. Priues to suit the times. For young men wo hare pd ' til ! // Pi Pes. Cigar Holders, Smoking Sets j " AXDJEU ■KI.UYOV.IU. Kixi w. #| a g-A aa a i who spread the dinner table,^wo can furuish all the delicacies of the seaioti. [ ■' *—r }" ' The largest and finest line of { 1 jj li j Watches, Clocks, * Jewelry kMI i 6ILLEJPIE& CURRY f| I fjf i at Reasonable Prices I jm 'V ';■>)! The choicest eatable for a , *rp ltf'TTl?l> w i/ti/V* Sa \ - JvmJiM I the holidays and all II Al , U I VF in \ lC K S m, ¥m\ I Other days. Every- (a LOIRS, Ltc. 0 Do not forget the old folks or your married friends. Santa Claus will 1 f if \\\ Kiegnnt siik-gßantikerciiiefti—Many varie- j.* take good care of the children, while the duty devolves upon you to Ift General Store. V \ tie.—suitable fur Holiday fre.enis. ji remember your parents and aged relatives. Make this a Happy New ' 11 u \ f Numerous Bargains for the Holidays 11 f, tj Jm4iWj I pleased and-Will bless you. We are carrying an extra large stock this i| 11 w —'•"•■■■ jd I season and will guarantee every purchaser a bargain. \ ft i_ rd/v4-Uinrf j n 'i |X WM F. H. ILBEET. n In Clothing and Furniture. hi \ —T_\\ FRESH GROCERIES OF ALL KINDS, j/ 4/ WILUAMJOrfS® \ ■"mmmSSrVSk // Lj offers to holiday buyers aj\ hatteii<.i.iuu...r Birkbeck Street, /v / (IM choice selection of useful' tW| co3a.fsction.er3r IS ,%'vV s „„ n , n L . bL .,. tim I 'lf articles in Hardware. All IW| B , . , arLdL Fni its !!• X/X) J sorts of presents for trades- .1} IjUllbllcll 8 „... f men. A big stock of Fancy H E>pea,iiiy m the | V • '-■* " | I Lamps, any one of which j}| i H _ J l||i will be sure to please your t ,i/||j Igftaa I - L— ■ ■ % . . —r-k \l\ married friends. Skates, ||| 8 OVS 3§t \ Closing out entire stock j W V Pocket Knives, for the boys. /||| - ||f | TWTT r I I XT of Clothing, Gents' Fu- I Vt \ FULL LINE OF STOVES, HEATERS AND JiiJlM j . P"l kvHf IftV H' 3 .^, B Goocis - Boots \\ GENERAL HftRDWAFiE. M J U | ( | f j ?" d I Vt .ys. it, 1. , / '/yfjLrrr-A Cm 1 nig out ot business. A rnk Washington and Front f -v-M s reat opportunity to buy gifts In Hankerchiefs, Gloves. streets. > 1 V JUKI} . Ijj Auction Sale Every Saturday Night.