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VOL. XX PITTSBORO, CHATHAM COUNTV, N. C, THURSDAY, DKCEMliEK 23, 1607 NO. 17.
J contracts will bo made.
(LjlEtjlEBl
8)
ROYAL RANGER RALPH;
Tho Waif of ihe Western Prairies.
DY WELDOIl J. COED.
rilAPTrU XXV-Contlmicd.
1 ha Indlnn prin oss had extinguished
tho llsht. Parrel stopped forward and
railed liar namo Sho stoppod islowly
Into view nnd peore 1 su-spl dously into
Lis face. Then shn sieze 1 his baud lm
pu's.voly. "Tho ranger's friend!" the criel.
-vH
"Then you escaped from tho Crow, as
cy fntuer promised?"
I uid. liave you lizard from tho
ran;or.'"
"No. Ii'-.f. ho !s a'.ivo and on tbo trail
it 1:1.4 oirmies " .
liowdoyou know this?"
'I'll" moninr.lii hfiruit says It must bo
i.), p.. though ho l.ttJ not been ablo to
linl him."
it was lie I saw with you a few mo
ments tdnee?" akod Darrcl.
"Ves ilo .v uoiaoi tac ranger's friend
lirlolly, Parrel Informed her of his
r. !v, ir,ures f in o Inst thoy mot. Mia
toid him i f l)i us m tho cave when Pus
par I 1 ad icmo to demand Inez Traoov's
lo:!!i!.o ;-iio ha 1 .scoured tho racket of
JO'.vi U, and had lie vimc lost, in tho hor
iwit a place of abide in tho mountains.
Wlu-n i-lio found hor way to liberty,
r.r.id i t int tea. ios, tho ensuing day,
sue found Ui.it hor father's tribo had
Ctr.u
And was thegiil Inez a prisoner with
then;'.' 1 asked Pane! anxious!)-.
"l s "
She wont on to r-ay that she had Mai to I
after them, whi n she came across tlio
n d heru.t Uallotd. Ilo had lost tra o
of l.iMi.i r l!a pli. but wan himsolf do
t. rmii,. il ;o r cm tin) daughter of his
old l'l'.iii l 'J'i ai:r y. Together they fol
l.,'v. d t!f tribe. Two days previous
t!.i v aire mi with a wounded warrior
of 'the M: l.n-.i. Mo told tlnm that a
1 ortVn of lii spar d's band had pursued
;n;.l IV.,: taken th" Modoc.". A liorro
ro;r i had ensue. I, resulting in tlio
r.: i r il. f of tin) Indians. Tho out
jv..i I r. I v. re ted a largo ireasuro from
l l.ado-v and forced him to lly.
A:
! t!..' irl Ji'U tho Modocs tool;
!h tai in'.'"
The nut: :iws rescued her?'1
' Tii' n ti e campon tho mountain' ''
-j a the;- 'J hoy havo tbo girl with
tiioui. mid are .-hing their old leader,
iJi! a:d '
I'.i.ie! t'Jivy lo.-atue greatly excited at
this Int. Hiv i.eo
'Ana t h-rnit?'' ho asked.
1 nacod the out aws here, and vis
Iti;J tho uciguu orhoud cf their camp an
kr.ur .-iii.o."
''i on si.v Inc.'?''
' I saw tl:o covered wagon in whlrh
ihi is I if tiiii'j d tj tho hermit. Ho
ii -. ;;!i:.l to iv.vc her "
how.'"
!y iUMtopy. Ho wi l tell me no'.h
Ii.;, nsocpt that l.c tol uvas ho can to
luii: hi r iiayl you aro not going?"
j'Oi."
' i i tho o:;t!,iws camp?"
I u-.u-t. I wi,i aid W'a'ford "
-You may defeat all his plans "
1 will act with tho ntuiost cau-
tloa. "
A ra.'r.sts 'at-T he was cn h's way to
..iii ilia puii.t iu tho vii do where a
i,;; r.ow pa li lo I to tlio e'ilfs abovo.
aantiiiiO, a fori had precodoJ him
v.: sti:. o iii.-!aiic Tiio old hermit was
ri.riu,iiiy an adept at disguises, for ho
piCreiit. J n i familiar resomblar.co to
La natural eiiuiaeti.r.
lio re a hed tlio clliTs and lookod
Kaii.hinsly around him. Somo distunco
nv.ay h '. .-.iw tho reilection of a camp
i re an 1 made his way toward It at onco.
As ho neai'id it ho could mako out a
bc-iro of li.iires and a covered wagon.
J ir a moiiior.t ho pansvl, engaged In
(h cp tiiou..;h!, as if to declda on a dof
1 i lo plan' of action. Then ho placed
t!i: reed he toro in Ills hand to his lips,
l iiime.iiately a wl d, weird strain uwo.io
the si rut eehoos of tho eno.
At tho ramp lie pard and Danton had
Ji.st b.en wi Icomod with ilia most o
tr ivajant o Libit ons of dolisht
Tlio eiulio lia'.i 1 B'artod In suspicion
n rl a'arm ai tlio stiango music reached
thuir In arinit
- hai is that?" domandad nospard.
Tli j others Sel.ed their guns and stood
c.i the dnfousivo. Noaror and nearer
i'. a mo tlio miisiti. Into tho open spaod
t!kim tho camp was a strango lorm
Suddenly emerged.
At him ih'i outlaws starad in tho pro
fouiidest surprise To alt soeminsr ho
wa s tomo dementad creat.ire so engross,
cd in his music as not to uotica tln m.
It apiioared as If ho would walk past
tlioni and n through tho woods. A sus
picions look eamo into Dospard's face.
"Tu 3 nieaustoaictkins," ha whispered
to i aiiton.
"Von think 60?"
, 'li!o.
"v ha ?"
"Tr aciicry a spy a trap."
'1 think net lioseomsto he soma crazy
rroodsanan Ila don't oven look at us."
"J'robably all assumed."
' Til hud out "
i Dautoa caught the old man ty tho
urm-
; "Men, " ho or.lorod.
Tlio 'disguised Waiford halted, and
eUiod at him wo,:d(M inily ,
- hat ilo you want?1' ho asked.
; -Who aro yon?"
'Tho kins; of tho woods."
-V ci'. what aro you doing hero?"
'Getting ready for my thow. "
What show'.'"
Walford tappod tho box on his shoul
der. "llavo you got a fdiow there?" asked
rianton."
"Yes."
-no's stark mad," said Danton to Dcs'
panl.
' "I don't know that," replied the latter,
"jco here, stranger; whj sent you here?"
No one. "
"Vou'rii a spy."
"Am 1'.' NoUidy ever called mo that
liefoie." replied Ualfor.1, innocently.
'( hi re (.cut einen," lm called, "I am
tilo .t to bein IU1) groatest show on
earth. A''.nii-sion freo. (Jather around
and S'o if tli3 old king of tho woods
uln't a regular professional."
And nil' ii,' a caper that seorr.o 1
1i i'i ':.ovi-iih iisiii'ii n of Ids sanity.
Waifcrd i!m g I.. J hat on the grouiul am!
Jaeo I the aavi-e l and nirious outlaws
, , (.RAFTER XXVI.
I1JC IlESCl'U.
So fantastic and unreal wcro tho ac
tions of tho hermit that Despard hal
evidently abandom I li s suspicions of
his being a spy. Liko Danton, ho began
to believe that their straugo visitor was
eoniQ ono of llioso demented creatures
often mot with on tho frontier.
Tho hermit hal openoi his hat and
had takou from it several small pack-.
0?C3.
"Tho first thing will bo a balloon
ascension," ho said
Ho had prodneod and lightod a small
nlcohol lamp, and ho allowed tho hot air
it produced to ascnud into a lino rub-,
biii' object ho had in his hand.
"Wat'.'h tho balloon, geritlomon," ho
laid, ' and you'll eco it ascond and ex
plode in m!dJi,
Tho bag begun to fill, and finally aroso
in tho air. Every ;yo was lifted to watch
its course, and tho hermit proparod for
his final inovo in his clever game to de
iudo tho bandits. Tho balloon ar6o a
few feet Middenly it exploded.
Sirauitaneons Howls of pain nroio
from tho tin on;. Every man seemed
gono w.ld suddenly Tho bai'oor:, a?
Walford had intended, i:i expl din had
released Eomo caycnno pepper, which
had fallen inio tlioejcr' of tho gap:ni
bandits lllindel and in pal:?, they were
for tho most p:irt hlplov".
Despard ami Tantm. ho-vevcr, had
rseaDed tl.a a- norn1 'offerincr. as thoy
had wattheil t!io liormit at alittle dls
taneo As Walford notirod this, ha
flung a package of powder over tho
lamp. Immi diato y a donso vapor
spread over tho scene.
'I ho girl tho wsgonl" cried Despard.
'This is all a trick of our enemies. See.
Uei man has disappeared!"
The, hermit had i eriaiii'y left tho pit
where last they had n him Desnurd
and Danton made a slninltaneoiis rusli
for the wngnn At Its rear stood tho
maa they sought
Danton sel.ed him by tin arm and
held him linnly. Despard toio osido thy
r.invas and peered into the vehicle
"The gh l is pone!" he cried.
Walford started, fully a much nnifls"d
lis the bandit
"(ioiii.''.'" eil.oed Danton, Ineredu
Ioih'v. "Vi s. It was all u iK.t Who ! as
taken her?" he demanded of Walfur l.
Tell me, or I ill kill you "
'T do not know "
'Von do it was som'-1 friend of yours "'
In his rnge, liespar l di n t the hei niit,
a lilow that felled him to the. ground in
S'lisible. Then he rushed back to hU
men. Dy this tiuie they hal ot the
pepper u .tof their ryes, hut wore still
in deep pain. Hastily, l.'e-inrd ex
plained what had ore n reil. Ilo diviih il
I the men into pa: ties, and sent them out
in seaivh of the ui!s.sin't Iwr.
He hiiii'-elf aiid Danton, with soveral
of tho nu n. a so stalled on tlio Ci.i -t
Thoy learned lat-r what, liad ically oc
curred.
Darrcl Grey had rescued Inez Tracer.
De had reached tho bandit camp, arid
while the hermit inga.ed tho intention
of tho o itlaw-i, had hurried hor away,
lie went direct to tlio raviuo. Tho hap
ry Inez did not delay tholr lltuht by
rii.rstloiiiii-' I, lm Tosvher they ri uched
tlio placo wheio Whito 1'iwii iiwait'd
thont. Darrel hast ly explaiiiod all that
had oca rred.
'U'o must not remain here, " sal 1 tho
Modoc pr ncoss
"Is It not a safe retreat?"
"No. "
"Why not?"
"Wo will to purs :od.
"lint the h rmit "
'TIo will eara for himself. Como. "
She led tho way rapidly down tha ra
vino. Lookl" she sUd. after thoy bad pro
ee.ded somsdbtai! o "W o am pursued."
Th'jycou'd see hurrying forms behind
them.
W'o must reach tho cliffs," taid White
Fawn.
Slio finally found a path leading from
the va'lcy It was a toilsomo usoont,
but they finally gainel iho to - of tho
elitf. It proved to bo a kind of natural
foitlficatlon. cn tho other slue a stream
flowed lifty feet to'ow.
Thoro was r.o way of coins cn. Thoy
must remain where they wcro, or retreat
tho way ihoy had come.
"Wu uro II a t.ap," murmured Whits
Fawn.
"Tlio o it'a ws may not traoi us here,"
remarked L'arroi.
They erouehod behind somo ro dcs and
v.'aitcd. White I'awn wiitehod tlio ra
vinololow. It was just boj.iinlns to
get light. l ay was breaking. (Sho saw
several dusky forms coming up tho nar
row mountain path.
"V'c aro pursued," she said. "Let tho
Hanger s frlond prepare fo a UCiporato
coni.lct "
CHAtTEli XXVI.
THE ESCATZ.
Thcra was little doubt but that tho
outlaws would toon discover tho fugi
tives Several of them were coming
diroctly up tl o path mo latter baud pur
sued In their flight, and must inetftaidy
como upon Darrcl and his compa. ilons.
Tha breaking light of day showed a
grim do termination in the laco of tho
Modoc princess.
"Von aro armed?" sho aslcc-J of
Darrel.
"No, my revolver was taken away
from mo b Despard."
Tho princess handed him a sma2l re
volver, ond hersuf polsolasmal riilo
sho bo o over tho oJ.o of tho natural
fortification behind which th '.v wcro con
cea'ed. This commanded a view of the
path loading up to tho placo.
"Wo cust hold tljaai at bay," said
Whitfl l awn determinedly.
"They may not find us "
"Yes; they aro coming directly up tho
pafh "
Thero was a brief spell of sihmco.
Through tho intrrstlccs of tholr rocky
barrlcaio, Iho ibrro beleaguered fugi
tives watched tho advance of their eno
mlos. Ono party was searching tho
ravlno for them. Das ord led them.
Tho other dlvison of tho outlaws, headed
by Danton, consisted of half ft dozen
men, and these wero rapidly noarinir tho
crest of tho cliff.
( lack!
Tho ril'o In tho hands of Whito Fawn
gavo forth a sharp rouort. Its echoes
ended with the yell of a woundod bandit
lifty feet bo ow. Instantly tho bandits
knew wliero thtur enemies wero located
They disapi carol behind sheltering
rocks as if by niagle.
"You have revealed our hlding-placo
to them," said Durrel
1 "They would have eomo upon us, and
got still nearer if wo had not done so."
replied White Fawn. "Take my rillo
and liro If they make any advance "
"Where aro yon Kolim? '
"To seo If there is not somo means of
escape from hero "
Tlio Indian princess crept cautiously
in l In) shelter of Iho locks tewarJ the
other ed((o of tho cliff.
Danol watchod tho mountain path and
raviuo closely, lie saw Danton rctroat
cautiously to tho valley. Hero ha Joined
Despard and his parly, and a closa con
sultation was held. Thoy scorned to bo
devising somo plan to surround and cap
turo tho fugitives. Darrol's cbserva
t ons wero Interrupted by tlio appear-1
onco of Wh'to 1 awn. I
"What have you discovered?" Ua
r.skon. '
"A moans of escape; Hut it Is a ocrl'- j
ousono."
"In what wav?" I
"Wo must lower onrsclvos from cliff to
cliff, tu tlio other sldo of tho valley." I
"Then let us not delay."
"Somo ono must remain horo to keep
back tlio outlaws and givo tlmo for the i
escapo. " I
Darrol g aicol anxiously at Inez, but
said. "I will do that. "
' Como,' said Whito Fawn to Inoz.
Tho latter cast a tonder 1 ok at hor
brave lover, and fo'lowed the Indian girl.
1 ami's attention was now o-.tireiy
contored on tho foes ho was to keen at,
bay. Ho had confidence iu Whito Fawn, i
oi.d know that hor long familiarity with i
frontier lifo'onst itutrd her a safo guard-
j Ian of tho woman ho l ived.
! Despard and his moil, to DarrcPs sat-
Jsfa:tion, did not apparent y suspect tha !
attempt; to escapo. Tlxiy appeared in-j
j sitd, to h.1 combining thitfr forcos for a
general assault o i t"io summit of tho
cliif. whero tho lono dofeudor was sta- !
tionod.
fovcral times thoy startod boldly for-
ward up tho torturo is mou itain path,
l'arrel's steady fire, however, dismayed
them, and drove them to cover aaain.
Each onslaught brought them nearer to
i lm fort of rocks, and this fact the young
' s-ont noted with somo an'iety.
A glnnco beh'nd him showed no sign
of his recent companions. White Fawn
and Inez had disappeared, ami ho hoped
ihe had found a means of csjapo to the
viil cy in safety.
Meantime it had begun to rain, and a
dim mist began t gather over tho
ravine It partially shut out tho post
' tion of his enemies, and ho feared would
enab'o them to liuiko a serret advanco
to his stronchold
In this Ills fears wero not groundless,
but I he I'll in a x came in a di Il'eren t m a n no r
from what he had apprehended. It seemed
that the bandit leader had, a few mo
ments previous, been made .vvaro of tlio
exact position of alfalrs A man ho had
sent lo reeonuoit-r had returned very
liiiieh excited.
Well, what hnvo you learnod?" asked
DesiarJ.
"That there's only enn person In tho
fort up yonder. "
"Then th" girl who escaped?'
"T don't know where she is; fr.e ain't
in the place there."
Despard looked porpiosed. Ho had
believed that, whoever was defending
tho fort, tlio rescued luoz wan alsij thcro.
"If there is on'iv ono person," lie san'i
to Danton, ' the. girl ha3 been sent away,"
"Where?"
"Perhaps there Is a dc?cct to tho
other side of the valley."
Dan ton start -d.
"ilai I never thought of that," ho
muttered.
"And wh.o'vor is in tlio fort Is simply
holding M at hay to cover the girl's es
capo. "
- hat shall wo do?"
"i-'ome of tis hurry around to that sido
of tlio ravine."
"We lan't do thai, Captain," spoke tha
mm who hai roporte 1 tha stato of af
fairs. "Why n-t?"
"Hicar.so. wo'ra in a bad fix "
"A bad fix' What do you mean, man?"
"Indians."
"Whit?"
"Yes, t'aptao.; Modocs. 1 saw thonj ,
in tiio vaney froM over yonder."
Despard lojked very much concerned.
"Aro thoro many of thorn?"
"Two to ono against us."
".v adow fenoko s men "
'Thov look like It. I saw them before :
the m:.'t eamo down ripen us. "
Despard and llnnton dlfciissed tho
sltuatn.ii for some tlmo. Thoy linally '
decided to louiiuuo t' cv ascout, but in
a lino beyond tho fort, 'ihe.ir enemy
did not notice their movements, or did
not i are to attack them, fi r their prog- j
res: was uuluterriipto.1. I
Thoy rea hod tlio eminence, and Dos
pard at onco bogan to investigate tho
other aiiia of tno cillT. In h's wander-
inirs ho eamo to a plao whore soma
twisted graps vines showed signs of a
recant passage from rock to rock. A !
bis of clotii torn by a bramble from a
ilross to'd him that Inez must havo Had
ths way.
"We're on t'ao right irall," ho said to
Danton, confidently.
"You think tlio ufil has gone this
way?" asked tho latter.
"1 am suro of it."
"lint thero scorns no way to reach the
valley."
"Except by careful climbing from rock
to rook."
"Can Too. go that way In eafotv?"
"i ho girl seems to have dono so "
"Wry well; wo can try it."
io tie CONTINUES.
Tlio Answer of rr,Yii
The nusver .f pr.iyer tumls knocli
lug nt the door of the prayer tucGtiug In
Acts lil: lo. Thut v.-ns too uaespeeiod
au occurreneo for the assembly of be
Itcms. They uvotvcl that tho nuiid
bearing the information was either
:rnzy or had seen n host. How sur
prised faithful Christians often nro if a
prayer is really heard. Answers to
prayer aro reconntod with uueuding
Dxclnmntic-n marks, v. bereas answer of
Inio prayer ought to be considered the
most natural experience In God's nui
rcrso. Much graying Is a mere pti
Formauce. A larmci" coining to town
read nt a physician's door, "Please pull
tTie bell." Ilo pulled until a head was
poked out of Hie window inquiring,
"Well;" "Oh, I've read tho sign and
thought it no more than polite u pull,"
was his response, Tho only responso
that could perhaps be given by ninny
Who feel themselves called upou iu tho
Dlble to pray. Thoy do not read that
Ihe young Pharisee transacted many a
prayer before heaven Mild of lilm, 'Be
hold, ho rrnyoth." Their arrows shot
heavenward have plenty of feather but
no point. They do not spread the lleeoe,
like (Jideoii, for the dew to descend tip-Wi.-F.
W. C. Meyer.
Inlicrlteil.
'Is that joiiug ono going to 6tay
awake all night'" asked Mr. Lushforth,
indignantly.
"Tin to U t o right for you to com
plain," ivtoitcd his wife, "lie inherits
the hal it from you." .,
SVEET CHRISTMAS Ti'!t.
Oh Ciiris-lmns cliiines O Christmas tiir.cl Xlio goo 1 old man will p'.ot nnd plan
The sweetest and tho l-rPihti'.-l:
When heart beat hili and pull's r.y.
And elilidiioo l'.s blepHiir" lU'.iicstl
Vt'aen la hlv elieeks nro ruddiest.
And r-d lira lilie a eliorry.
OCiirii-.tm iM'seai! O Ciirislma', herd
So sparklii) and to merivl
Old fi.inta C'.au-wUii nmplo cau',
r.'reliil,)i'e:i nil u.lora him
While they're n.'.eep. takes n.'iuy a o
At ti uniilc-'oo Is 1'ofoi'o him;
And then lie laiisrlis not In his tkavo,
For thai is full, b-H )ve it,
Of Chii- tuKn toys, f.r girls nn I b.iyj,
AuJ c jail not well twelve it.
.iTS .n'.y.Ouv.u O'C OUOOJCwU.J
f2
SMALL PERT ATE RS'
CHRISTMAS PARTY
t'-l;3
Cy MARGARET J3YTINCE.
V-:'- 1l-'-l As'-'rV '. .Wn? )'-6.'y
Nw7r was about ninoi'cnt ou nt.iin, eavrrin? it with hia,
S3 o'clock on C'hri ,t -
ini fro Hninit
l'er taters was
siauding oa ouo
lo. withlhcothr' -
twisted around it,
looking into one
of tho windows of
I'ureoll's laifro
bakery, lie could
smell tho mince
pics, that, fro: h
i -oiii the oven a
' iiortlimc b d'oro,
had just been
placed iu it.
"Ihev smells
loillir ir.wid " li..
aid, giving a
great snili'. " "I
wished I ha 1 one."
l!ut he illicit its we!!, pour little fel
low, have wished fur tho moon (!i"
would have stood ni f.oj l a chance of
gelliug il), for not (me rout was there,
either in th'J la.:' ;e I pockols of his
rasped trousers,'.':' tiie ragged pocket
of his lajj '.l rut. iTIii t coat ha I
onco boon the spring ovtreont of soiue
ono twice ns In f a- Small Pi i lalris.
and it whs worn 1,1 a frintte nil ninuu
th-! botiotu fro :i trailing n:i the
'round. )
"I'd riiiliei . " . ai'i Small i'i ttaicvs,
"have ouo of thorn nor nny t!iiii' else.
TheyV meat an' v.e""titbles nn' camiv
an' enko nil to wunst, they is An'
how ln-o'vii tliei" hirers is. 1 novi-r
koou sieb worry brown kivers ou n pie
afore."
At this moment a gentleman and n
lovely f.iir-hnire.l litilo pill, followed
by n :mail white dog, went into tht'
shop, st.iyid tlicrc a short t hue, nnd
comiu?; out. .i.v.-'i'i, liaMened up tho
avenue. Small I'ertatera (rased nfu-r
them.
"Her hair was jist hue shiny o!o,"
ho said, ",-j'peet she has mince pie
every day of her life. lint it's no uso
mo btantliii' here. II makes mo hun
prer an' hungrcr lookiu' u'. them pie?.
I'll fjo home an' eat my supper; an'
'taiu't every boy what : f;ot a sotip
bone, with' a 'dot of marrer in it au' c.
hunk of au i -tio fi'i' meat a-hauijin' to
it, ail' a ii'.v.'t biscuit, aV a c.olo biied
perlate;', i:i lii.i coat tail poehct."
And, turr.iii! quickly from Iho win
dow, Jio spied the small white dog
which hid l ica follinvi:: the cutle
niau and tho gol.lcn hair? 1 child siiiii'
ijg at tin snma coat-tail pecket.
"Jimmy .links!" sail .Small IV:--titers;
"if that hog of a iio,: nin'L a
tryiu' to Lo.U my bone. An' I rn'eot
ho h-ts mo.'o sjuo bones v.cv whn: he
Icnows what to do with v.-hr.reho lives,
for ho'ii a nobby dog, he i.. Oil out,
you swell pup."
An 1 tii ".swell pup,'
fjt out, discovered t!m'.
his m.i.'ici- aud roislieii
' stavlin to
he h-.d lv. ,1
!, and ran to
and fro, with nose to tbo .' iio'.v-c.ovevc l
pavement, eagerly seeking a trail of
tliem, for livo or ten uiinutes. Then,
Pjiving up iu despair, ho f-eated him
silf before (ho boy, who stood vateh
incr 1 1 i ia , nn 1 ahakiuo; l.is muddy little
pa.i.s, looked up into his f.ie iu tho
mort beseechino; mauney.
'It'r, too bad," said :;i:.i;t'.l Pertntcrs,
palling his head with a very diiiy
hand. "Claass they mu '. havo roto:i
to a c.r, ede feller; au' the best ihin;;
yoa kin do is to como home with me,
u' we'll look for 'cm t o-morer."
And, as ihougu ho understood his
new friend perfectly, tho dog trotted
after him ni he went a few blocks
down tho avenue, and turned, first
into ihirtceuth t.trect, and then into
Gansevoort street. Hero tho bov
utrode. quickly along, whistling cheer
ily, his hands in what was left of his
troiisern pockets, until ho stumbled
over Koiaethi'ig that was lying on the
Mdcwaik. stooping to seo what, it was,
bo found a blown hen, with her legi '
Kticking up ; lrni;dit und still". !
"It's got shut out of its lo loin's'"
Raid ho, "an" li's froze. P.at p'r'ps
'taiu't a hull holier. I'll git it loose,
an' take it homo with me, anyhow."
So ho searched about until ho found
p. st me. with v.hi''! ho broke the ko
nro.ui.! the 1- and, M-tting it iiTe,
Mtt'.i thy lo ..f a few featht;;, he
v J
1 I
" 'mrr smells r.rr.tT goopue said." j
:uiv cy.uit eoaimanier.
Or f.'.vi'o iP'it) ,s?as thuyouug to I'leasc-
As ill I tlio liravo Lennd-i'.
1' only pa ;ks of jamnliiif-jaeks
A lorn lii-.il nn.'.- shoaMers,
Hut hat i a-i.l I .'.Ms nn I stylisa suits
.V4M.ii.sll uil huiuld'.'.-?.
O OiirUtmnsbeJU. your !iitt!e talis
V tali of jov aiei gladness
Of (IreshPi )., a ;. of siveoi in jl'Oai J
And nor a laio of naduosa;
I'oi- nvea I'oveny lids up
ler thoiisan I, lhoit:i!id vo!eo.,
i:i l for t'lii ti n", this rme bright li.no
U' gjodly c'.ior, fejoi'-esl
:.Ir. 21. A. Kidder.
-r... ;, '-.:,; r:-r. :&-.) cj, .3. -n ,1-rtxijfb''; fl
! tiio dox oliil folio wins. Bat ho had
1 oii'V cono ii block farther, when ho ;
, hoard a pitii'u' mewing come from au J
: ash-barrel that stood before a tenc-j
! mcnt hotue, aud, peepius in. ho saw '
' a black and whiio ki.tcn sitting on the
ashes.
"Tear? ta me. I'm boun' lo haro n
pan v ler-night," said Small Pertaters.
'JIere'3 another young friend a-wnit-in'
lo como home with mo. All right,
pusy; hero r;oc;." And lie lifted her
out i.t (he barrel, nnd stowed her awny
itjsida of hi ; birr coat. "Xin ro's noth
in' mean 'bout ae, Vpeciaily ro.ia'
Cbri::lmns times."
ii'l in another minute or two he
! and his three cruc-ts had arrived at :
' tho end of tlio ttreet, ami the end of i
! their journey. Tiicy had reached J
I Small Pcrtate'rs' home "sweet, nweet ;
homo," in.'li'.' l, in one cense of the
word; for v.!, it do you think it w.v
An old moia-: e.i I'li'-k l.viier upon its
:-idt! o:i the : harf, near the river, j
Get i in? d va ii on his hands and knees, j
Sio i'.l IVrtatcrs. bv the aid of a street
lamp tn.'O. siootl near by, took a sur
vey oi tiio insido of tho cask, aul
iiii ling no iiji. ii.lcr there, crawled in,
I dow:i the hen and latter., and
th.-n went lui.-k for tho do.', who Hu-
tiic entrar.e-.'.
r.r.i car.isxMAS,
and was making o.T.when Small Pcrta
ters sprung out aud liourished tho
b. oae before hi-nose. The temptation
v..-.? too mneh. Ma-trr Dog pined
tho paiuy ia tho mo'.nsos cas'.:; and,
vhen the f, upper was reived, Small
Porlnters gave him tho larger part of
t:.e Ke.it nud r.ris'tle, and, t-prcadins
tbo marrow as v.eli a i h: cou'.d for it
v.-ns hard and cold o,i the biscuit, ho
fed hsU f,f it to the kitten, keeping the
0-.'usr half and the coll potato fjr him
R.i'ii". A) for tho , olio loy ou Lor
1-uiM; as siia as over.
"Gaesi fiho must be fcozo all
through," t-aid Small Pcrtalcrs; and
11311, with a sigh, In m '.rnv.rvd: "I
riu'r so v.eiry full no I might be
Whhed I had one of -t hem
mineo " and f:!l fast asleep, the rat
and dog snuggled up, one "each side
of him!
I'. iu'ht and early C'hri: irna morning
a Rrnlleman r.n.'l a lovely litl'.e p.ivl
c. iiled upon tho owner of too bakery
into tho window of which Small Pol
luters had been lookiu ; the night be
fore. "Did you seo anything cf a littlo
whiie do.i', after wo left your shop las;
night?" thoy both ashed, iu tho same
brca.ii.
"No; I did not, I am sorry to ray,"
w.i", thw answer.
Too lcai-3 itarlcd to the child'
eye?.
" "Don't cry, dear," raid her papa.
' Too haven't hu'f looked for him yet.
Vt'c'll lind tho policeman who wan no
t'.ii.t beat at tho time wo losi. him, and
v.-iy likely ho m toll irn fo nethiug
about him. If bo can't, I I1 r.dverliso
ia ail the papers to-morrow."
Hut, fortunately, tao loiioouau
whom they soon sound, rememue'-eii
.;.Minr i eni.ill vliite do-' (v.oMin'? nfter
j a boy, between 9 aud 10 o'cloc; the
; night before.
i "Tho boy was Small Pcrtnteis," he
I said, "and'that's the rce'-on J didn't
n-k anvthinst about tho do. He s an
houeHt, fioo.l-heai'ted littlo chap,
though he ia a reg'lar rtreet-boy, with
iio friends except such a i he luukor, in
tlio street. They call him '.Small Per
taters' 'causo he'd no bigger thnu a
boy of ti or 7, though he must bo 9 or
it'. Put, small us he in, ho can bcnL
e.tid boy I ever naw at climbing uud
! jii'uping. And, ns T was snying, when
j 1 ,-aw the dog with him I ilidu't give
it u second thought. "
"Whco dots he live?" asked the
child, eagerly,
' ".Most nnywhere, I jfttesf. Mis',"
' an were I the pc'.ii'cmau, ' lie niu'l
' got any l e'lar home."
'
I
"t'loiiie in, o;c f. lit r. f-ai-t he coax
iiioiy. !
1 Hat the doe. suddenly turned tail, 1
"Ml
"And you cati't teil us wbora to CnJ
LLui?'' saiil tho gentloaaan. "Aly lit
tle girl's Chriiituias won't La a very
merry ono nuloss ihe gets so.ue tidiu3i
of he;' pat."
"Well, sir, you mifilit lnako airy fo-.'
it. Go alont; tho north side of Gansc
voovt street till you come to the river;
Small l'ci'talers has a sleeping placo
Bouiewhero ia that noiglibovhood, an.l
maybe. you'll meet liina coming over to
tlio avenue a looking for his breakfast."
fiio, leaving tuauy thanks aud a sil
ver dollar for tho officer's baby sou be
hind them, U13 chill aud her father
started ofT again, and. reaching Ganse
voort etreel, turned into it, walking
slowly along aud watching both sides
of tho way, when, ju3t as thoy arrived
at tho last corner, they met another
polioecian.
"Small fcrtatevs?" raid he, in an
ewer to a OjUostiou of Mr. Mitchell's
(that was tho natae cf tho little girl's
father). "I guess you'll fmd him ai,
home."
"And is his liouio near?'' askod
Dolly (that was tho liame of the little
girl herself).
r.igat over there, replica the po'
Mieema'i. 13ut, as lucre was ni houo
where ho noitited. Iho roulleuiau be
Ran to laujpi. "Do yoa rto that nio
lasses cask?" said he. "Well, that';
Small Pertaters' home."
"What a queer home!" faid Doliy;
aud, running across tho street, she
stooped and looked into the rar-k.
There lay the poor boy, a piece of car
pet wrapped around him, fast asleep.
On his brcar.t fat tho kitten washing
lipr face, nad from his side, with a joy
ful bark, bounded a little white dog to
p;reet hir. beloved mistress. The bark
awokn tho sleeping boy. ID; rubbed
hisj eves with his knuckles opened
them, saw a lovely faeo looking in at
him. heard a sweet vjico call "Merry
Christmas, Small Porlnters," nnd
scrambled, winking and blinking, out
into the sunlight.
"Jimmy Jinks! it I didn t think you
wa, ono of them Christum" angels,
fust." ho said, whh n curious mixtuv.i
of rshync.s., nud boldiiffs. "'J'hen J
'membeivd 'twas you 1 seen Inst night
cumin' out of a mineo pie I mean n
baker shop. An' I foitn' your litl'.e
doig, nn' I picked up a kitten an' a
froze chicking. Jimmy Jcuks' if i-iio
niii't incited," ho exclaimed, as Ihe
ic:i eamo slowlv walking out of the
ci "An' I wen; halves with my
supper ati' had a regular Christmas
party."
1 I'm ever so nnioh obliged to you,"
fc::Li. pektatebs."
sai.l Dolly; "and wo'd like to have
you como lo our Lou5-! aud have a
Christmas dimi;:'. V.'onldu't we,
papa?" sho r.ddod, turning to hor
father, who now :-too:l beside her.
"ludeed wo would, replied tno
fa', her.
"I don't loo!: pood encugh," blam
rjercd Small Pcrtaler?, glancing at
his ragged clOi.hco.
"Dm you are gosd enough, all tho
ramo," t'aid Polly. "Any boy that'll
t.'.ko ho.no ix lo -t d"g and cat and
ehieUer!, when lil.i hour's ncthinc; but
a big barrel, uud pivot Uiem their sup
per, vl'cii ho tha'; h.'-n v where ho'll
get his bvca'.fast r.cst uornin?, u
g.iod enough to c,o anywhere. And
you eau bring your company with
you."
And off thev all slartod tho litdo
irirl carrying i ho chiekcu in her arms,
tho dog inii'.iiug oe.yly by her side,
'hiiall Pcrlatas foliowiug with the
strugiOin.T he a hugged close to his
breast. Ai.d a'tsr thoy loachyd tho
nentleiaan'o houco it wasn't- Jong bo-ft-iro
tho nnoxp-'cted visitor had bad n
warm batii ninl a warm breakfast, and
onlv a liitlo lotvjer befovo ho found
i himself dressed iu new clothes from
' l..l ...
j IU ict nest d:lV luight-fuce.l,
i nent-Iookiug h i tacked n paper, on
I ivhiohwns printed the words "To Lot,"
j 0n tho bin- molasses ca-ak that lav on
Uio wliavf, a, i l th":i, stepjiing back
ne.rd a few f lep he madi! u Hying
leap over it, nnd ran nwav from his
old .street life forever.
Leather I nliickv nt ClirlMiiinn.
Christmas being tho period iu vhich
gii'is aro numerous il ccmn rather
euriou'3 that it bhould be tho.tghl un
lucky to bring shoes or leather arti
cles into the house at this period, but,
such things are forbiddeu in nil Eng
lish county. In another it is countod
unlucky to bring any holly into tho
bouse before Christina'! ll 'e, uud iu
London . it must nil be burned ou
i 'IVclfth Pity morniutj. .-..n..
m TO UTpf
The CUritima Tree.
A stately fir troo rears its hea l,
With stirs nnd tapers till u jiuio;
Aud riuiveriii i:l I'm fairy ray,
Tno glittering loaded bracL'ius spreal.
And childish eysaro snnrkling bright,
And childish licaris with joy o'enlow.
m tee
And on that Birthday long ?
They poa ler with a giavo dolljhi.
Than t their gifts thoy turn enso more,
nd in the pres -nt t-:mf him! lott ,
Thoy fear iio future te:npe.',t to.--5'J,
Cut iuto fairy regions hear.
Two l egends of tlio Chiist-t'hlltl.
Tho following quaint riory is from
the history of "The 2s"a'.ivityof Mary,"
a work that has for centui ie furnishc "I
themes for poets mul a:li:l:-: ".Mary
ond the child Jesus were resting iu u
cave with Joseph and a maid and three
boys, who were with them u their
journey. There came suddenly out of
tho tides of tho rave a great number
of dragons, and when Jesus, slipping
down from hi i mother's knee, stood
on His feet before thorn, ti'" dragons
fell down aud worshipped il.ai. Then
tho Divine Child, seeing that Mary
and Joseph wero lilled whli terror lest
He should bo harmed, aid to thciu,
'Do not be afraid and do not c-jtinidev
Me a"-a littlo child, for I am and al
ways havo boon perfect, and r.l! IL"
beasts of th" ik!d inn-1 be tamo o,.:..
Me "' Many of the old p.iinLcrs have
given us the t .Triii' r'.riekc'i "roup iu
the cave, inelnditi tho .'.!' and tho
three boys, but rinu i loo i.iov:tCV.
who caused them such a fri.chl.
The moat beautiful of nil tli-': ioge:td.'
is "Jho Light of tho World.'' which
Gouguereau has f.o csquisitely pic
tured for us in his "litposeiii Lgypt "
ir'oate travelers crossing the desert fi.iv.
u brilliant light proceeding apparently
from the Spiiin:.. Knowing t'ar.i. tho
al'.av of the :u:i rl..o l liieve, they
u-dtcd of one another r.i aiv.a.w "Can
tho pcop'o bo sacr;!i.-i:;g again to tho
eunV And when they drev. iiravir
they saw that a little grcup of wan
derers was rest iug beneath the shadow
of the mystery oi the desert. A man
of niddlo ago. dutihy r. i,l travel
stained, was feeding a small gray fts,
while on tbo arms of tlio Sphinx
rested n young woman holding an in
t'aut to her breast. The radiant HfjUi
which ha i dazzled them him-io from
the faeoof the youuj ehiid with a jrea".
and csjjepiug brilliancy. lovt tho
travelers going on their wey, wero
filied with awe and astonishment. Yet
iheydid not know tint thoy had be
held tha "Light oi tho World."
Dernorcst.
Iloliy.
It has been thought that'hiliy" is
only another name for "holy," as tho
trco was onco considered aa 'rod, but
it i.s likely tiint tha nauo is from tho
Welsh word for armor oa atVotr.it of
tho spear-shaped leaves. Tiio holly
ia a slow growing ties wh.su does not
usualiy attain grca-. size. English
holly is uot quita hardy here, bat
may bo grown with Eomo rrotoaiion.
The loaves arc a bright rr grrcn and
tha berries a decprr rod t'.m-i ti:c.-r
of our r.ativo holiy. Soma pur' s of
tha tree aro pool io: uadiclital par
poses. The wood of tho hohy is very hard
and therefore useful for cabinet work.
A vaviciy of holly wa-, u'c.l in iho
timo of " Henry 'fl- in Login- J to
make fkewers. pick?, a ul con pins
for drosses. The inner bark has a te
nacious 6ubbLanco from which bird
lime is made. Thero is a x.triciyof
holly in South America from tno burfc
or leaves of which "mate." or Jesuit
tea ia made.
Besides the red-beme 1 holly thoi a
nro other varieties hearing while,
yellow, and black f.'uir. O:io Uud
without borries bear fiagia it !1owc"l
Tho holly blooms in May 1 ..-a- ing pis-
lillafo and sinminato hov, . rs on dii.or
cnt trees. Tha nic i cuiious thing
aboat tho holly is thai c.i tho lo ver
br.mchcr, tho 'leaves aro mio'ted, as
for a protection, but the foli i'-0 higher
up in smooth. Lvoiyn, i tbi.s fumotin
g.irdon, u.-cd holly in a Lo.ilg-', and a,
very beautiful hedge il m J- Lava
been.
On Cln'i:uii.
"The churt'h-bells o? i.mu ncrablo
seels aro all chimo-lie'ls to-day, ring
ing in sweet accordant tlivoitghnit
many lands and awaking n great joy
in tho heart of oarcommon humanily."
lie v. Dr. C'hapi.i.
A Natural Mistake.
i
Signer FranehcrJ, tho rag piekti
(meeting Santa Clans in tlio cnilv
xnoruing) "IleljspalJJow'ii busmessV