North Carolina Newspapers

y t)atl)avx Berorb. H. A.. LONDON, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION, 31.50 PER YIAB Strictly in Advance. Cthatftam decora. RATES '. , ADVERTIOmO One square, one insertion One square, two insertion One square, one month . $1.0 1.50 WO VOL. XXII. PITTSBORO, CHATHAM COUNTY, N. C, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21; 1899. NO. 18. Fox larger aArerbsements liberal eon ttaoU will be made. tii -Mm BETA'S By HELEN (Copyright by Robert Bonner's Son.) CHAPTER XXVIII. "i AM BSETA DANTOX. " We left Eric Brentwood and his charge on the train bound for Brent Wood Park. When he told her that she needed rest,, she did not hesitate to submit to his superior judgment. Already her heart acknowledged him as its mas ter, and that knowledge caused her to be more reticent than she would otherwise have been. At last they had reached the end of their journey, and, assisting her from the car, he was obliged to hire the eame conveyance that took Breta Dan ton (?) to Brentwood Park six months before. As they neared the park, Ms com panion exclaimed: "Oh, what a lovely place! I know I shall be happy here. Is this your home?" "Yes," he answered, as he assisted her from the carriage. "This is Brent wood Park, my home." As he mentioned that name she Uttered a startling cry. "Brentwood Park! Ah, I remem ber now! I was coming to Brentwood Park!" She spoke so wildly and excitedly that Eric looked at her in amazement and doubt. Had she not entirely recovered from her delirium, after all? She coming to Brentwood Park? What did she mean? Before he had time to question her, his mother came hurriedly down the steps to meet him. "Oh, Eric, have you returned at ..last?" Prom her son's face her gaze -wandered to that of the girl he was assist ing to alight, and she uttered a star tled exclamation, falling back a step or two. "What is the matter, mother? You look as if you had seen a ghost!" "Who is that girl?" she asked wild ly, her eye3 still riveted on the fair beauty of the girl by his side. "If I didn't know that "Valerie Danton was dead and in her grave I would say that Bhe stood beside you, as I saw her last before she left America." As Mrs. Brentwood spoke the name of Valerie Danton, the girl clasped Eric's arm convulsively, and she breathed a sigh of thanksgiving. "Oh, sir, I remember everything now! I forget no longer all that I have been puzzling my brain to re member so long. Oh, how strange that you should have saved me! You, above all persons I For it was 'here that mamma sent me here to ' her dearest friend. I am Breta Danton. Oh, thank God, that at last I am safe With friends!" At he-? declaration that she was Breta Danton, Eric and his mother both gave a startled cry. She Breta Danton? Who, then, -was that other girl who had come to them, claiming to be Valerie Danton's daugh ter? For not a doubt entered either mind but that the. fair, pure -looking girl before them spoke the truth. To Mrs. Brentwood her face was confirma tion of her words; but, although Eric never saw Valerie Danton, his beliel in the girl who had taken possession of his heart was boundless. Mrs. Brentwood took the pale but lovely girl in her arms, while Eric stooi by, filled with envy and a desire to do likewise. But honor forbade him. Not until she had learned to care for him would he presume to force his love upon her. "Come in," he said unsteadily. 'She is not overstrong, mother mine, and must not be exerted too much. Come in, and we will hear what she has to tell us of herself." And taking off his hat he reverently said: "Thank God that I have been the means of bringing her to the friends to whom her mother intrusted her." Tears filled Breta's eyes as she looked up into his noble face, and the look he bent upon her set her heart beating madly. Ah! What made her pulses thrill so Wildly? Was she learning to love this man, who had proven to be her guard ian angel? A fiusn suffused -her face as she thought that she was giving her love unasked. But what meant that look in his eyes whenever they met hers? .- As she walked between mother and Bon, a feeling of contentment and peace that she had not known for many days came to her. Conducting her to the drawing-room, and ensconcing her ia a huge cush ioned chair, Eric said: "Now, little girl, tell us all your troubles and how you came to be in so strange a position. Perhaps you can unravel a mystery that has been puz zling us since you told us that you are Breta Danton. CHAPTER XXIX. v A CLEW. ' f The foul murder of- Gerald Danton Was soon reported in the village, and everybody was up in arms. If the -murderer could have been found .then and there, no doubt they would have lynched him. : Cecil Doniphan joined in the search of the premises in the hope of finding something that would confirm his con victions. The murder has been com mitted by means of a dagger, judging M i.1 1 . 1 1 5 - - Jixoiu me snape oi me wouna near xne i heart. But no weapon of any kind 1 IP JDOUBLE V. GREYSON. had been found so far by either Cecil Doniphan or the servants. , Several hours later the detective ar rived from New York. "Have you found any clew to this affair?" he asked Cecil. "None whatever," he answered. But at that juncture a servant rushed into the room in the greatest excite ment. "Oh, Mr. Cecil, I have fonnd it! The bloody dagger all stained with poor Mr. Danton's blood!" "Where is it?" asked Cecil and the detective in a breath. ' 'Down there in the gully to the right of the house. Come, sir, I will show you." "Why did you not bring it with you?" asked the detective. "Uh! I wouldn't like to touch the bloody thing; and, besides, I thought it best to let the detective get it him self." "All right," said Detective Ingram. "Come, Mr. Doniphan, we will see if it really is the weapon that was used." They followed the servant to the spot, and there they found the murderous weapon that had been used to inflict the wound that caused Gerald Dan ton's death. The detective took it up and exam hied it. - "Why," he exclaimed, "here is a name engraved on a plute on the han dle !" Rubbing the blood off the spot, he read the name aloud: "'Inez Monteri. Do you know of such a person?' he asked, turning to Cecil Doniphan. "No, I never heard the nam be fore. Jorkins," turning to the servant who had made the discovery, "leave us; twish to speak to the detective alone." For the next twenty minutes they were engaged in a confidential conver sation, the detective's face wearing a puzzled expression. He took a trip to theyillage, making inquiries for one George Bertram; and found that he had left the hotel two days before; but Cecil Doniphan had seen him talking to his cousin, the day preceding the murder. No trace of him could be found, so the detective turned his attention to the immediate household &t Ravensmere. Gerald Danton's cranddauerhter was a silent but interested looker-on of all that transpired. She had not, how ever, been apprised of the fact of the finding of the dagger. If she had, she would have been puzzled to know the meaning of it. With the cunning of a cat, she tried to keep track of their proceedings, but it was very little she could learn from either Cecil Doniphan or the servants who had been warned to hold their tongues. After a consultation with the detec tive, Cecil Doniphan sent the follow ing telegram to New York: "Doctob Monti-okd: Gerald Danton foully murdered. Come at once. Services may be needed." CHAPTER XXX. A REVELATION. Eric and Mr3. Brentwood listened in consternation as Breta, Danton re cited her experiences since she laid her mother to rest in sunny Italy, and started for America in the com pany of the girl who called herself Inez. "Who was the girl you called Inez?" asked Eric. "She said that she was an orphan, her mother, who was an American, having died of fever, a year before she came to live with mamma and me. I have not seen her since she so-cruelly pushed me into the water. She had always seemed kind enough to me be-i fore, but it seemed to me that she) must have hated me, or she would noti have wished to drown me. I did not' think that she would stain her hands; with crime for a few hundred dollars.' Whether she reached America alive or not, I do not know." "Well, my dear child, I can tell you that she did, and that she has been here at Brentwood Park under the name of Breta Danton." "Oh, Mr. Brentwood! You do no! mean to say that she stole my name and came here to live in my stead?" "That is just what she did," he re, turned. 'Oil fTlO vrrlolraA I now? How is re tnatsne is not nerer "Because she is now installed in the home of Gerald Danton, further act ing her duplicity by palming herseH off as his granddaughter. I never liked the girl, and even went so fas as to doubt her sincerity, but such treachery as this I never thought of." "But how did she find out my grand father? I am sure- that she never heard mamma and me speak of him." "That was through Doctor Mont, ford. He apprised Gerald Danton of the fact that he had a granddaughter living, whose proper home was at Kavensmere. So your grandfather sent for you, and that girl took your place." "But," Said Mrs. Brentwood, ' "it can all be set right. Gerald Danton must learn'of the fraud that has been practiced upon him by that unprin cipled girl. As for that man who kepd you confined in that old house " "Wait a moment," said Eric, inter rupting his mother in his impatience. "Do you think it possible that he and that Inez are in league with each ather?" addressing Breta Danton. ' "I haven't a doubt of it, now that 1 bare learned of the fraud she has practiced on you and my grandfather. Besides, you say that the place from which you rescued me was close to Ravensmere, and that makes me feel confident that they were working together to cheat me out of my posi tion." , - "The fiends!" exclaimed Eric. "They shall pay dearly for -this! I mean to have that fellow under lock and key before I'm a day older; and as for the girl" "Let her go," said Breta. "When, she finds that she has failed to secure the wealth- she coveted, her punish ment will be complete." "At all events, I must not delay my visit to Ravensmere. It is. only just that Gerald Danton should learn that the girl is an impostor, and the sooner the oetter," said Eric. "Yes, my son, it is your imperative duty; and although I am sorry to see you leave home again after so long an absence, still I say: Go." ."I'll soon return this time, mother mine. You see, before, I was search ing for this little girl, and I could not return until I had found, her and brought her to you." - "And I feel as if I never can repay him for all hia kindness to me." said Breta, with tears in her eyes. "Don't mention it, little girl," re turned Eric. "The happiness I have experienced at my success in rescuing you from your enemies fully repays me. And now good-bye for a little while. Take good care of her, mother, and persuade her to rest." CHAPTER XXXI. "what! you accuse heb op that CBIME?" "Guiltiness will speak, though tongues were out of use." It would be impossible to describe the surprise and horror depicted on the face of Doctor Montford when he received the intelligence of the sad fate of his old friend, Gerald Danton. But what puzzled him most was the sentence stating that his services might be needed. What did they want of him? It surely could not be anything concern ing the nature of the wound that they wished to consult him about, for there were hundreds of physicians nearer Ravensmere than he. However, he lost no time in making preparations for his hurried journey. Placing his patients in charge of his assistant, he took the train and started to see the last of his old college chum. It had been a good while since he had seen Gerald Danton, but he did not think that their next meeting would be like that. He wondered how Breta, the little girl that had won his affection while he was nursing her back almost from the grave, stood the excitement that he naturally thought was prevailing at Ra rensmere. - And who could have been the dastard to commit so foul a murder? Never once had he heard from Breta Danton since she left the hos pital to go to her friends at Brent wood Park, . only being answered by Erio Brentwood that she had arrived there safely. Now he was to meet her in the honva of her poor murdered grandfather. He found the carriage at the station awaiting him, for he had telegraphed in return that he would come immediately. He was met at jthe door by Cecil Doniphan, who con ducted him into the darkened room j where his uncl Jay. "Poor Gerald!" murmured Doctor 'Montford. "What a irad ending to your life!" Turning to "Cecil Doni phan, he asked: "Who did this ter rible thing? Have you the least idea?" "I have my theory on the subject, and it was at my suggestion that the detective decided to have you dis patched for immediately." - "Well, my friend, what can I do for you? How can I help you to solve the mystery?" "Well, Doctor Montford, I must first tell you my suspicion. T think that this murder was either committed by his granddaughter, Breta Danton, or her accomplice." "What! You accuse that pure child of such a heinous crime? Absurd, Mr: Doniphan. I am surprised that you should entertain so wild an idea as that. I would as soon say that I did the deed myself as accuse her of it." To be continued. China Hag a- Klondike ( A Tien-tsin letter ' from native sources reports that a foreign mining engineer who was engaged by Li Hung .Chang, while in Europe, to make a j special survey after gold in the Jeho region and Manchuria as far as the 'Chinese Amur territory, has recently (returned to Tien-tsin from the north ern trip, and has reported to the Viceroy Wang, that he has found the Whole country visited by him very rich in the precious metal, and that ithe farther he went the better and richer did he find the indications. jThe Chinese officials are quite ex cited at the receipt of this news and measures will be taken to have the mines "worked by the Government, especially in the Amur, before the Russians make a move in the matter. China Mail. Prints and Embosiei. - -. A machine has been produced which prints and embosses in one impression from a steel die, giving the finest pos sible results. The speed is a matter most generally determined by the operator, and, while a general average would be about 9000 impressions per day, the machine has a record of 17, 000 in less than eleven hours. The impressions are clean, sharp and bright. . Absolutely perfect register is assured for burnishing bronzed work by the fact that the machine is pro vided with an automatic lock, which holds the bed in position while the im pression is being made. CO TO SLEEP, LITTLE FELLOWS! HEN the Christmas skies are snowing, or the Christmas stars are bright, Go to sleep, little fel low, go to sieepl For Santa Claus Is coming down the chimney- in the night. With a heavy sack of ". toys, and a frosty beard and white, uo to sleep, little lei lows go to sleep! When tie Christmas winds are singing rouna ine omuiney wun aeugnt, G& to sleep, little fellows go to sleep! If you wake and watch the chimney Oh, you know it isn't right! You will never see old Santa coming down - . it in the night, Go to sleep, little fellows go to sleep! Once, two wakeful little fellows, on a snowy Christmas eve, -(Go to sleep, little fellows go to sleep!) Kept their, heads beneath, the cover but 'twas only make-believe And Santa Clans forgot em and he left 'em both to grieve, Go to sleep, little fellowo go to sleep! For Santa Clans is funny, and is easy scared away -Go to sleep, little fellows, go to sleep! Just kiss good night to mother when she's beard the prayers you say, And you'll find your stockings brimming when you wake at break o day, Go to sleep, little fellows go to sieepl Aunt Deborah's -Surprise. AY, girls, have you heard the news? It's too funny for anything!" Grace Derby cam running up to the little group around the school house steps, with her face full of laughter and mystery. , "What's-the news?" "Tell us about it!" "Go on, Grace!" The girls crowded around her eagerly. "Why, Aunt Deborah Thorpe is go ing to give a Christmas party." "You're, fooling!" cried half a dozen voices. ' "Oh.bnt she is,truly," cried Grace. "I've got my invitation, and she wanted me to ask the rest of you here's the list." She waved a paper aloft and then began to read the names upon it. Every girl there was invited, and a buzz of pleased comment went around as soon as the reading was fin ished. . - "But I haven't told you the fun niest part of it," began Grace again. "We're each one of us to bring her a Christmas present. Did you ever hear of such a thing? Fancy her not leaving that for us to decidel" They all laughed at this, but the laugh was a good-natured One. Every body respected Aunt Deborah. They joked about her peculiarities and her "tightness," but, for. all that, the farmers and villagers of the thrifty New England community admired those qualities which had produced one of the finest farms in the whole county, and its owner was known to be kind-hearted, as well as to possess plenty of good, sound, practical sense, which appealed to all; while not a man in the neighborhood was better posted in the affairs of the country at large. The girls went on discussing the party with eager comments, talking over the presents which were to be bought and wondering what other odd freak would be developed before the eventful night. It was Thursday now, and Monday was Christmas. "Maybe she'll change her mind," suggested Daisy; "though I guess she isn't given to that," "No," said a sweet-looking girl, who had not spoken before. "Aunt Deborah always does as she agrees." "That's so, Molly," cried Grace, while there were several exclamations of assent. "When sho makes up her mind it stays made up for good and all. But how in the world did you get so well acquainted with her? I'm always a little afraid of her." . Molly smiled wistfully. "I don't know," she said. "It just seemed natural, that's all." - The tears came into her eyes, and SHE TOOK TP THE CAED.,') she turned and went in hurriedly. Her father had died only a few months before, and she could scarcely remem ber her mother at all; so Aunt De borah's interest in her had been com forting. The girls were quiet for a minute; then Daisy said, in a lew voice: "I don't see how Molly Andrews can get her anything, and she'll never go a step if she can't." There were sympathetic murmurs all around, for Molly was a favorite. "I wish we could - help her," said Dorothy, voicing the general thought. "But we can't," sighed Maude. "You know-how proud she is. She'd rather stay awayhan haye us do any thiP about it." w it Well, Mrs. Barton won't give her a cent to buy a present with we all know that," said Grace. ."Oh, don't you remember Molly earned $2 getting names for that mag azine?" put in Maude. "She told me she was going to save it toward music lessons her heart is just set on music, you know and, with ail her talent, it is a shame she can't do any thing about it. But it's just like her to go and spend every cent of that money on a present for Aunt Deborah." "That's so." "It's too bad!" "Well,. I think Molly Andrews is the bravest girl I ever knew," said Grace. "How many of us would work for our board and go to school and wear out old clothes qnd everything, as she does?" "But you never think of the clothes," said Daisy, "No, but she does," said Maude. a Nothing but the . party was talked about for the remainder of the week, and on Saturday twenty boys and girls were busy selecting gifts for Aunt Deborah. All the boys and girls, with the ex ception of Molly Andrews, belonged to well-to-do families. Molly's father had been one of the wealthiest men in the village until a year before, when he had failed in business and taken every cent of his property to pay his debts. Since his' death Molly had been living with Mrs. Barton, working for her board and going to school, and her life was not very comfortable. Her dearest dream had always, been to cultivate her musical talent, but that dream seemed hopeless enough now. She bought a pretty silver souvenir IT Vn4? '-AW W We Are tkeVei(e3 ef 7:d5 ArCd We are fke tftnrtf of hmKdf We M-e the We We Arc tKe 0)9 eur spoon for Aunt Deborah, and it took every cent that she had been saving toward the musio lessons, but she never said a word about it, and none of the girls dared mention it to her. - Christmas night was beautiful and clear, with a great full moon and sharp, healthful air, and tha partyjof boys and girls that came trooping up to the door of the big farmhouse were rosy-cheeked and bright-eyed and as merry as need be. Aunt Deborah welcomed them cordially and they soon felt quite at home. - ' In the sitting room a table had been spread out for the reception of the gifts, which Grace and Maud arranged tastefully. Then Aunt Deborah ex amined them with great care, noting critically each name and giving atten tion to each piece as though she were one of the judges at a county fair, as, indeed, she often had been. But when she came to the souvenir spoon some of the girls thought she made up the little sneeze which gave her an ex cuse for using her handkerchief. Any way, she took the spoon up again the last of all and held it in her hand while she oleared her throat twice before she tried to speak. "My young friend," said Aunt Deborah, slowly, "I am well aware that you think I have done a rather strange thing in asking you to bring these presents, but I had an object in it which I am not going to explain to any one. I am very much pleased with the gifts, however, and I thank you for them. Now if you will step across the hall with me you will find your own presents waiting for you, and a little surprise besides, which, I think, will please you all." They had noticed the closed door of the "best room," but ' had thought it only one of Aunt Deborah's peculiar ities. They, trooped after her. won dering and excited, with little whis pered guesses and queries which no one could answer, and when they had crossed the threshold they all stopped for a moment with exclamations of delight. . "Who would hare believed it?" whispered Grace. "It's just like fairyland," Maude whispered back. It was very pretty, indeed. The parlor was decorated with holly and mistletoe and branches of" evergreen, and in one corner was a great Christ mas tree, sparkling with candles and loaded with presents. In the op posite corner stood a handsome new piano. They stood and stared nntil Aunt Deborah's voice called them for ward, and then they surged over to the tree to hunt up their gifts. The tree was soon cleared, and every one in the room, with a single exception, had found a present. Molly stood on the edge of the crowd with a pale face and lips that quivered in spite of her efforts at "elf-contjol, WAY' P-rS3 Awl while Frank was beside her, looking indignant and unhappy. Everybody noticed, and sympathetic glances went around. But all at once Aunt De borah spoke again. m "If you will raise the lid of the piano, Molly, you will find your name mere. : The girl's hands trembled so that Frank had to help her. She took up the card and read it, her face flushing and paling, and looked aronnd help lessly at the surprised and delighted races. Then she turned and threw her arms around . Aunt Deborah't neck without a word. Altera little appreciative hush they all crowded around her with eager congratula tions, but Aunt Deborah waved them back. u- "Wait a minute," sho said, laugh ; n i.i . - - . ing, aiinougn mere was a tremble in her voice, "Molly doesn't know it 1 " !'. i -W nerseii, duc a am sure sue is coming to uve witn me. I've decided that I need her, .and T. want to hear that piano. She shall take lessons, and you will all be welcome to come and enjoy the music whenever you like.' ; How they cheered! . - "'mi. i '.. " ' ice rest oi me evening was as merry as merry could be, and the feast was a triumph of New England skill. - . ' A Christmas-Tree Feature. Dancing Christmas fairies always enhance the children s delight in the Christmas tree, and once made can be used year after year. Buy up a dozen or more of five and ten cent dolls, and to add to the variety have among the number some Japanese and colored dolls. Dress these to represent fairies in bright hues oc spangled gauze, tar 7 .e.,i.rv8' Swelliag teTlia.i. llb-ef Ike jflbi'kitt Sleebffn.. J Ms Whe drea.ned ef a jta.r Ve burble ctO 1 v Vr,ji QC3cri3 u ,CVCI -Ka 'OKCi lWe Arc tRe (WuJ of JuietM jgkefeKerc j ' We we the nete th.t frem HeAvfcawere UroC rronv tKe aelden f Ane-eft hr:! " teardrop of grief of frewi' . latan or tissue-paper, and liberally sprinkle their hair and garments with diamond-dust- powder. Each doll should be provided with a dainty pair of fairy: wings made from spangled tissue-paper and fastened to the body by means of concealed wires. ' These wires should be coiled to obtain motion in the wings, and, nothing better can be used than the fine spiral coils that come out of worn-out, wire-stitched brooms. The least motion will set this spiral to quivering, causing, the wings to move as if in flight. In like manner use the spiral wire to attach the dolls in hovering positions- over and around, the - tree. - .The effect is magical; every footstep causes jar enough to start the dolls dancing and circling above and around the tree, as if the invisible fairies of the air had como down to join the Christmas glee. Woman's Home Companion. . : , , , ' Happy Chrlgtmastide. Holly berries red and bright, Wealth of candles flick'rlng light, Christmas in the air! . Childish faces all aglow. Outside sleigh bells in the snow. Banished is dull care. Older wiseheads for the time Join in sport and song and rhyme, Happy Curistmastlde! Mem'ry brings back golden youth, Eyes then seeing only truth Ever at its side. J oy t'o-tnight is crowned the queen OI the festive Christmas scene, ' May her rule be long! None can claim a rebel heart With her foli'wers forms a part, Theirs a gladsome EODgl Gertrude Eloise Bealer. .Hl Choice. " . Mrs.' Cobwigger" What kind a stocking would you like to have of to hang up for Christmas?" - Freddie "Well, ma, I'm not par ticular about its being all wool, but I would like to have it a yard wide." Judge. s A Tp For St. Nick. Young Mechanic "Y--trap. It jes' fit Santa Clan- "'..' but ' see. it a 9f .reA.Cc or t-AftKi let TKv cfood will reil 1 t . - . - - J. V Sl AJ - 11 PA breK ,i.leKCe R CKhsCatA nwn.V xVAcKe.iVr fcerV 1 our ckimblj, jind ;J ail c?ayti - 'r - M - - CHRISTMAS IN THE DEPTHS; Unique Celebration. Held in the Salxbarg Salt Bllnee. From bleak St. Bernard to blossom, ing Salzburg is about three hundred miles, but around one is perpetual winter, with snow seldom absent, and the fringe of the continuing mantle ever near at hand; while in. the mines of the other is unending summer. At Christmastide 100 degrees of temper ature separate the two, and while the boundless snow covered hills of one glisten in the broadest diffused and brightest light known to earth, the contracted crystal walls of the other CHRISTMAS IN SAXZBCRCi SALT MINES. scintillate Under the feeble rays from restricted lanterns. Thirty degrees below zero is a fre quent temperature at the hospitable Monastery of St. -Bernard on Christ- mas Day. There is seldom a traveller over the famous pass of the Fenine chain of Alps in that season, but there is never a Christmas eve or Christmas Day that visitors do not join with the , two score monks of the Augustinian order in the mass of their church and in the joys of the feast. . x Then in the salt mines, miles away and thousands of feet below, are all of these things, for iri the vaulted chambers, amid massive pillars of salt, is a population of human beings, not only miners who work one thousand feet under ground, but a permanent population living in homes along streets hewn out of mountain masses of crystal that glistens under the arti ficial light necessary in these depths. Many of this population seldom see the light of day. They are there from Christmas to Christmas, in the miler and miles of galleries that extend, un der the Carpathians and Alps gal leries of different levels, ascending .and descending, crossing each other at various angles and reaching far under the overlying salt, rock and earth. This subterranean population is a happy one, as happy as the one in the sunshine at the many mouths of the great salt pits. There are joy and sorrow there, births, deaths and mar riages. Holidays are celebrated thei e, and among the greatest of these is Christmas. In the narrow salt bound galleries the petitioned Christ child walks bearing precious gifts; there enters the welcome St. Nicholas, and he is followed by dreaded hobgoblins, who frighten refractory children into good behavioj. ' On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day the echoes of the rock ribbed caverns are awakened by the children's voices. The song,' the merry laugh, . the joyous shout in childish games and sports,- are heard. . There are musio and the dance, feasting and merry making, the brilliantly lighted and decorated gift 'bearing tree that illumines - diamondlike crystals that gather up the light, divide it into pris matic beauty and cast it back again. A Miniature Tree. ' A miniature Christmas tree or a Santa Claus laden with bonbons has been a Welcome decoration for a long ' time. In place of the single tree.-it is a novel plan to have four tiny trees placed at the corners of a mat made of a square of sheet wadding. Pull the wadding apart and place the smooth Bide next to the table; outline this mat with sprays of holly; Bcatter thickly over the mat and trees frost powder or powdered isinglass, which will glisten in the candlelight like frost, and provide as many little robins -or birds of any other kind ae you have guests, arranging them prettily upon the trees, keeping several to place upon the snow mat. Another plan is to use two small cultivated pines, placing one at each end of a long mat. In place of the mat an oval looking-glass may be used, and with the frost powder scat tered lightly over it the glass has the appearance of frozen water. A fine wire should be strung between the tops of the trees and three or four of the smallest birds fastened to it. - TIi First Celebration of Clirirtmaf. Christmas was first celebrated in the year 98, but it was forty years later before it was officially adopted as a tJnristmas festival; nor was it until about the fifth" century that the day of its celebration , became permanently fixed on the twenty-fifth of December. Up to that time it had been irregularly observed at various times of the year in December, in April, and in May, but most frequent ly in January. Ladies Home Jour nal. - Christina: bv Lasy Bbjmer. boy; toys; joys; noise. . . .... .... .... blocks; . -in box; . full soekc; cost "xocki." , dollef ta-ng folk; .... dead broke! JobnO'Seefe. Preparing For !(. - That Dlek boutlge.t the dqll and brooin And Beth the,hoe,aDd,8pade ' ' 1 . WQuld.roake.oaa tbtnk. quite Jikely .A niiftake omewherew8 made. " ;But no; the future Sunta read's, M fr ft lv ' t-i-w; - . ' ?