A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Chi Clu-istria lays of ago.
("mi you not give one day to m
One i;f your merry mua1er back,
Just a a il u.-e-.l to be;
"T: hut a little time to spare
I rem nil the ion.jgpn past,
Ti: it onre wjk mine runl r.ov is yours.
Orv (! too sweet to lat.
Yei v.'ouM no l niss it from ycr.r
Ktcra.
"While I ah! v.-onLs arc vain
Ar..l when th evening conies, you
knov,',
I'll give it hark again.
I've jxiven you so much, oh! 1'ast,
Aly life, my love, ami nil beside,
Yet when I ask this simple boon-
I find myself denied:
It. would not rob a single heart
To have mine happy, too.
To have the 'hrifi mas 1'ay come in
Just as it used to do.
T!k-.i why n.t jr.it my childish wish?
Lot me forget I'm trrown!
.la..-! the past comes back again
In memory alone.
MAPtSE- AHTliUIl
It was the first Christmas after the
v:u Appomattox had not been for
i'Jtfen, and desolation still hung over
:ie South like a great black shadow.
The plenty of the past, the .poverty
o:' tin? prefont. tho dark uncertainty
e'' the future, haunted memories, and
! crtches and tears wore in the
l'!ac-j joyous feeling and ghtdt'ul
K-.iiies. The terrors of yesterday, the
; aifeting of the to-day. and the fore
bodiags of the morrow would form no
1 .icUgroimd for a Christmas like those
cf the used-to-be.
The James tiowed on t the sea.
v-iis-hing its muddy waters against the
i c- bordered banks. A light snow on
t lie hard, unyielding earth only added
i the gloom. The wind moaned
in rough I ho winter-swept pines.
Fences strewed the dirt roads still
i .aiked by the heavy ruts of artillery,
l.eie and there were the charred aud
I ackened wreck of some barn or
.i ,'.'i;i."iry : here the whitened bones of
tome faithful horse whose rider lay,
i ?rhaps. beneath an unmarked mound
t;te little burying ground about the
i 'e:i-oatteied chuivh. ilie spire of
vhuh just rose- above the hills in the
c ....re. V.'hat a picture of despair!
And it was Christmas morning
(. '.:ri.-'tinas morning! And the great
v. iM was echoing with the angelic
i.:t!ouy, "Peace on earth, good will to
nun."
With unbending figure he stood
Fai.ing against one of the heavy pil-1,-ifs
that supported the portico to one
cf the historic mansions. A black
rlotich hat was pulled down over the
lji;g gray hair. The suit he wore was
f -il.v partly civilian. The coat was
rrcy and tightly buttoned about the
a a is: ths one relic, besides the
f I'li-e, of the gallant ctvalry that was
r ) more. Was he thinking of the last
( i.iistmas in camp, of a forage before
f ur.r;o. a roa-ted pig held over the
1; ,ts with bayonets, an interrupted
f:-:i-!, and a cb.irge on Christinas
v:i;ag that had written the names
heroes cm the page of history? Was
i- t!at?
Across the field the smoke floated
reward from the mud-sineared chim
i of a hut several huts. It was
v a "re the negroes lived. Two totter
i; i 'j'.d men. two boys, big enough to
v r1; in the field, and one old woman
chat was all. The rest had gone.
ue of the boys was bringing the
1 r- from water. As it followed its
r r.M groom along the road il made
: rtuisc contrast with the suvrotind
l for, f it and sleek, it seemed aa
i there must be plenty everywhere
; "i. ..-. barn, like everything else, was
a
.-t depleted. How closelv he
v. ven eel the animal! From the call to
a n:s until the bugle sounded for the
l- n'l taps it had been bis constant
c-.mp.ini'on. Ami iben, after all was
0- they had come back through
J : :,r.iiinil and then to the old home.
F -i: mailed when he remembered how
1-.y and the boy had hooked up the
cM charger and a solitary mule to a
pi jv,- and worked until the faithful
r ule had died. There was not enough
i:i the field, or the stable for-two.
The old men and the boys had
j'.lned each other and were coming
a --rets to the house. In the kitchen
" untie" was making corn bread and
frying bacon. Christmas morning in
a iii.msion on the James and corn
t. :;! and bacon for breakfast! In
ti c dining room she she who had
b rne so much was setting the ta
b'e (two plates. How sfte thought of
tie faces that had gathered three
jvai:s ago: some that were no more.
lie finished, and going up stairs
brought down a gingham apron. She
irade it herself made it over from
an old one she had worn. With eye
fall of tears she handed it to the
dear old "Auntie'' and whispered
'Merry Christmas." She could say
r o more. Memory was bringing up
visions of the old days. The Christ
irs days in the servants" quarters
au apron for each woman, a dress for
e-.ch child, with a coin in each
racket. Iiut those days were gone
end the slaves had vanished.
The four colored men had stopped
in the rond and were talking. He
came in from the porch and said a
ord to her, and they sat down by
the window. He gazed over the riv
er, and she laid her head on his arm
and cried softly to herself. Both were
1 oking into the past, and both saw
t'-i? &ame pictures. It was Christmas
rooming on the plantation. The house
v as full of young people. In the par
lor a log fire crackled on the hearth,
a:-.d. there were laughter and shouts
e" merriment. And such a breakfast!
What stores were brought from the
Medicine That Is Medicine.
"I have suffered, a good deal with
malaria and stomach complaints, but
1 have mow found a remedy that keeps
m-i we!, and that remedy is Electric
Bi ters ; a medicine that is medicine
to stomach and liver troubles, and for
n. i down conditions," says W. C.
K jstler, of Halliday, Ark. Electric
B ters purify and enrich the blood,
to up the nerves, and impart vigor and
energy to the weak. Your money will
be refunded if it fails to help you. 50e,
at E. T. Whitehead Company's drug
tore- .
i
i
i
i
; smokehouse, how proud were all the
negro women as they bote them along
the board walk that led from the
great old-fashioned kite-ken to the
; dining-room in the mansion. Th"ii
i after the breakt'ost all had gathered
on the front porch. On the steps
I were all the negro men. How they
bowed and scraped as "Marsc" At
! thv.v came out of the door with "Mis
i sue" on his arm. Then came the
' Mack boys with groat waiters of hot
' coff'.-e. I low the eyes of the men
j grew big as the cups when handed to
' them. How each drank it down uutil
! a coin at the bottom of the cup struck
against his teeth. And then a
"Thanks. Marse Arthur: Cawd bless
yo' an' Missus." And then they would
; go off for a holiday. He looked at
her and sighed.
'Oh, Arthur!" she said.
He stroked her bend and then
arose and walked to the cupboard. He
; took down a coffee jar and held it to
; the window, li was scarcely half
i filled. Then, turning, he called:
"Fannie!""
; '"Auntie" came tottering in.
"Yes, Sah." she said, with a low
: bow.
"Make four cups of coffee and bring
them to me on a waiter,' he said,
i She took the jar and went to the
I kitchen. From the window the wo
: man arose and threw her arms about
his neck, and they stood by the man
. tel silent.
; Presently Fannie came in the door
; with the waiter and the cups filled
with hot cOit'ee. Ho pulled from his
: trousers pocket a purse and. ttretch
, ing it open, four coins fell to the ta
ble. He picked them up and threw
i the old poclcetbook into the fireplace.
: Then he dropped a coin in each cup
i and motioned for Fannie to follow
him.
- Just as she had done years before
the war "Missus" took his arm, and
they walked through the broad hall to
' the porch, followed by 'Auntie," who
proudly carried the waster above her
head. The men were on the steps.
: They pulled off their hats and bowed
: low to the ground.
"Good mawnin", boys," he said, and
! there was no quiver in his voice. She
' still held his arm. "I want you all to
: have a holiday to-day and remember
: that it's Christmas."
And then Fannie passed down the
steps with the waiter and handed
around the hot coffee. The men drop
ped their hats on the ground and
drank, and then broad smiles came
: over the black faces as the -coins
I struck their teeth.
"Gawd bless yo", Marse Arthur and
' Misses!" came a chorus, and then they
' turned to go all except the oldest.
: He loked up to the old master and
' held out the coin. Tears were stream
; ing down his face.
'I can't tuk it dis time, Marse Ar
; thur," he said.
lie. standing on the porch, waved
j his hand, and the olde.-t of the faith
i ful walked away mumbling to hini
j self. Fannie had gone back to the
: kitchen. They were in the doorway
! alone. She looked up at him and he
! kissed her, and then she turned. It
was too mueli to near. lie took her
in his arms and kissed her again and
i then she went. lie pulled his hat
i down over his eyes and, looking into
: the hall, called out:
I "Guess I'll go over to the stable
i and feed P.ob."
WFLI.S HAWKS.
Very Much So.
V..':5"
-cy-.isst
First Turkey So,
poor Gobbler met a
sudden end?
Second Turkey
Yes. and the police
say it was an inside
job.
Christmas Menu.
Oysters Served on Half Shell.
Consomme.
Olives. Almonds.
Fish, Continental, Oyster Sauce.
Browned Potatoes.
Turkey. Cranberry Molds.
Creamed Cauliflower.
Celery, Mayonnaise, Wafers.
Pumpkin Pie.
White House Ice Cream.
Cocoanut Pointlets.
Steamed Uaisins. Bonlxms.
Crab Cider Coffee.
Didn't Kill Him.
2 p. m.:
"Fapa, is Santa Clans a really':'
"Why, certainly."
2.10 p. m..
'Papa, is it true wot th' Bible says
about Ananias "
"Of course, Willie."
2.11 p. m.:
"Say, papa! You must have a won
derful constitution!" Bath News.
The Reason Why
Mr. Juack Why did you run so fast
when the cook came out?
Mr Bronze Gobbler Fd rather have
the family say "Can't he run fast"
than "Don't he taste good?"
"I would not be a goose," said the
turkey, proudly, to his long-necked
friend. "Perhaps you wouldn't, but
my chances for remaining a goose,
are better than youps are for contin
uing a turkey."
You may eat all the pood sensible
food you like if you will let Kodol di
gest it for you. Don't worry about dy
spepsia or indigestion, for worry only
tends to make you more nervous. Be
sides you don't have to worry . any
more about what you rat, because Ko
dol for Dyspepsia and Indigestion will
digest any and all food at any and all
times. Kodol is guaranteed to give
prompt relief. Sold by E. T. White
head Co.
Subscribe to The Commonwealth,
TOMMYS BURGLAR.
By Kate L ouise Brown.
There wr..; a great roaring fire on
the hearth ih?.t autumn night. On
one side sat Tommy .Icy. on the o.her
B.lly IMtrs. They were two little
cousins who had met for the first
time.
Tommy ley was ns round a? an
apple, with red cheeks ar.d a dimple
in 'its cMn.
Billy Bliss was tall for his age,
brown almost as an Indian boy, and
with very blccl: eyes and hair.
Tommy lived in Nov.' York City.
Billy's home was en a 'large farm In
the Northwest. They bad come to
Grandma Clark's in Maine for the
golden .wedding.
At first the two had very little to
say. They stared at one another
across the tire, then looked away,
only to turn and sir.ro again.
"I hr ve a watch," sa.'d Tommy at
la?t, "but it's only a play watch.
When I'm bigger I sh?ll have a real
one that t lis ilrr.e."
"I Lave a jack-knife," said Billy,
"it's real and cuts. I've cut all i.iy
fingers so far."
"Let me see ii! I like to cut!"
die! Tommy, hopping up from bis
chair.
"Mother made me leave it at
home," replied Billy sadly. "I'd
like to see your watch."
There was silence for a moment,
the fire alone having some thing to
say.
"There's an engine house around
the corner of our street," burst out
Tommy.
"There's a windmill back of our
house on a little hill," said Billy.
"It pumps water into the house and
all the barns, too."
"Well, I've seen a big machine
that cuts down wheat and then ties it
In bundles," cried Billy, not to bo
outdone.
"But you never saw a burglar!"
"My grandpa Bliss saw a bear
once! "
"But burglars are worse than
bears. A bear maks a noise! You
can hear Mm and run and get a
gun. A burglar is very still, but It
is nor safe to meet him."
"How do you know?" Did you
ever see one, Tommy?"
"There was one in the next house
last winter. He may come to us this
winter. I shall not be afraid!"
"What will you do?" cried Billy
hopping out cf his chair.
"I'll run at him and tip him down
stairs," cried Tommy, and over went
the candle stand with its dish of ap
ples. "Dear me, Dear me! What's
this?" cried Cranima Clark, jump
ing up from her knitting.
"It tipped itself! I never meant
to touch it!" said Tommy, very
much scared. "I va snowing Billy
how I would tip a burglar down
stairs. Will that dish cost a great
deal, grandma? Must I pay for it
out cf my Ave ee'nts a week?"
oa, tne nisn isn i Dronen, saia
dear grandma. "Just help me pick
up the apples and I'll set the stand
in the corner. There isn't room for
boys and candle-stands, too."
The cousins were to sdep in the
same room at the end of the house.
When Tommy sank down in the
feather bed. he cried out, "Where am
I going?" Biily was too sleepy to gig
gle, ll-i thought Tommy Joy a fun
ny fellow.
" The candle was taken away and
both boys closed their eyes. In an
other rr.cm.cnt they would have been
sound asleep
Tommy started up in bed. "What's
that?" he cried. From the attic
above came the sound of heavy f jot
siepn Just over their heads.
"It's a burglar! ""'he cried, diving
under the clothes.
"You said burglars didn't
make any noise," said Billy, in a
very shaky whisper.
Tommy didn't reply, for the foot
steps sounded again, louder, heavier
than ever.
"Let's go up and see," said Billy,
with sudden, courage.
"I I can't," gasped Tommy.
"He'll he'll kill us."
"Let's go downstairs and tell
grandma."
"I'm 'frakl," -replied Tommy, in a
very small voire.
"So am T," replied Billy, his cour
age dying away.
At last Tommy oegan to cry.
Grandma came to see what the mat
tre wan.
"It's a burglar up in the attic,"
moaned Tommy. "Yes," chimed in
Billy. " Hear his feet!"
G'i.nlma laughed so she had to sit
down. "Ill go and get the burglar,
boyf," she said.
"Don't so! He i! k!!! yowl" wail
ed the- boy?.
"Don't j.va be scare.!, grandma's
little man," said the dear o: t lady.
"That bur.lar and I are the In :;t of
friends. He won't hurt me."
Little by little they pulled down
the sheet until grandma could see
two head top;", two nose tips, and two
pcirs of eyes. Grandma held in her
arms Vilas, the big house cat.
"Here's -your burglar, boys! Vilas
sleeps all day but at night he likes to
go up into the attic to watch for
mice. He does step heavy, almost
as heavy as a man, good old kitty!"
Grandma put the old cat down on
the bed. Vilas walked over the
spread and kissed each boy. Then
ho lay down between them and began
to sing. In less time than"it take3
to say It both boys were asleep and
their burglar, too.
A j,rvcat many people have kidney
and Bladder trouble, mainly due to
neglect of the occassional pains in the
back, slight rheumatic pains, urinary
disorders, etc. Delay in such cases is
dangerous. " Take DcWitt's Kidney
and Bladder Pills. They are for weak
back, backache rheumatic pains and
all kidney and bladder trouble. Sooth
ing and antisepitic. Regular size 50c.
Sold by E. T. Whitehead Co.
Send us your order for Job Print
ing. .. .
fe non-intoxicating remedy, recommended to girls and
pjl women, of all ages, for womanly pains, irregularity,
fj falling feelings, nervousness, weakness, and any
It Will
Mrs. A. C. Beaver, of Unicoi, Route No. 1, Mar
ij bleton, Tenn., writes: "I suffered with bearing-
down pains, feet swelled, pain in right side, headache,
S pains in shoulders, nervous palpitation, and other
jjsg troubles I cannot mention, but I took Wine of Cardui
lf and have found it the best medicine I ever used,
II for female troubles." Try Cardui.
M AX ALIi U&UGr STORES
fee? .
iff !fs '(ft
il 11 11!
m
For Kidney and Bladder diseases has no
w:'! furbish free of cos! a case of any other water
prove t!;?t Buckhom Lithia is the mosi ev'jve of
v o-Ci on the kidneys.
ii i: :.:cs net cure Ir-Timntjcrt fef tbfi'a
For Sale by all Mineral Water
,t ov vvii'3 direct Fo;
,
Gok! Glasses
FOR
1 Xmas Presents !
Lenses changed to suit wearer
at no extra charge.
Tucker, Hall & Co.,
The Expert Opticians,
53 Granby St., Norfolk, Va.
Catalogue on Application.
ESS
Administrator's Notice.
Having qualified as administrator
upon the estate of W. H. Harrell,
deceased, I hereby notify all persons
having claims against said estate to
present them to me for payment
within one year from the date of this
notice, or said notice will be pleaded
in bar of their recovery. All per
sons indebted to said estate will
please make immediate settlement.
This November 2Gt.h 1908.
i W. T. Ruffin,
i Admr. W. H. Harrell, Dcd.
Kitchin & Smith, Attorneys.
ll-26-6t
KELLthe COUCH
IAK3 CURE the LUNGS
WITH
PEICE
HIM ruuino roc & si.no.
wii VOLDS Trial Bottle Free
AND ALL THROAT AND LUNG TROUBLES.
! GUARANTEED SATISFACTORY!
OR NONEY REFUNDED.
n
J
Hi
J w
Help You
1
equal
Dealers
v3
THE BEST REELECTION
that strikes the eye and wins the
approval of all our customers for
FINE TAILORING
is, the acme of style and finish in
every detail. Perfectly-fitting shoul
ders, the most graceful curves, every
lapel put on for use and style a coat
and entire suit that speaks volumes
for a destinctive difference in any
crowd. Why buy ready-made cloth
ing that never fits, when for a
slight difference in price, we can
make you Clothing that fits and
fits well? Come in and let us sur
prise you with our reasonable prices.
P. B. MERTZ, - - Tarboro N. C.
repair or remodel any kind cf building ? Send
far cur CAULCSS-f af tu.ldina materials, sash,
door, blintfs. hardwire, nn'ntets.pjints. !. qas
& electric fiifurci &c.
Savage Seeds
We have in stock the follow
ing varieties of new seed such
as German or Crimson Clover,
Seed Rye, Seed Oats, Old Fash
ion Clover Seed, Timothy,
Herds Grass Seed, Ky. Blue
Grass, Orchard Grass. We al
so handle Grain, Hay, Mill
Feed, Etc.
Write Us for Prices
and Samples ......
We sell the purest and best Seed
Grain and Grass Seed grown in this
country. Guarantee quality as good
and prices as reasonable as any other
house in the trade.
We are also large buyers of Home
Grown Seed Grain and G.rass Seeds.
Send Samples and we Avill make you
offer delivered at your station.
N. R. Savage & Son, Richmond, Va.
10-15-fim - r
I U I I f I iTKSrcdntxxf 2f'' ; --4-4, ."-O.' ' C , . s J! T - . 1
to W'M GET
&MSJKJ RID
pj&ay ACID .
5 If toi
msm-
0M0-0-0-K
ON NOV.
-WE
n flic jf anu. uu3
In the Howard Block, next to Macnair's Dru;; Stc t , .
and will have for your inspection a complete line of 0
Toys and
of every kind and description for q
The Holiday Trade!?
We invite you to call and mak (iiissim..
your headquarters when in the f ii v
Robt. M.
Tarboro, N. C.
6OOOOOOO0OO0O
Monuments & Gravestones
In all First Class Varieties of Marble and Granite
lLargest Stock in the Sooth,
4 V
2 . Remember, we pay
U t 3 As we employ no Agents the item of commissions i:;
eluded in our prices.
o
UX IliClLClltli cXllVA IU illllOll lb UCILCI Llirl.l 1 ell t l lot. , tiu"
a1. ' J o Tin. xt r ii ii
LfifR
(Established
iHUX'S KITCHEN,:
Next Door to S. A. L. Ticket Office, WeWcn, N. C.
1 fYVCTTBC? Served on Short Notice, Any Style. OVQTTJK i .
X U I d I Eiw i. Full Dinner 50c. Hot and Cold v I Ol Ll . J
f Lunches. A First-Class Dining Room for Ladies and Gentlemen. J
Lady Clerks in Attendance. Good Meals at All Hours.
C00K-0-C-0-0
You can get one any time,
for I keep them in stock.
All Repair Work Done
employed
W. A. BRANTLEY,
OOOOOOOOOOOO-
WHY NOT TAKE A TRIP TO t
FLORSOA qUBA
THiS WINTER? BOTH HAVr.
BEEN BROUGHT WITHIN
EASY BEACH BY THE
SPLENDID THROUGH TRAIN
SERVICE OF THE
ATLAHTICCflASTLIliE
WRITE FCR RATES
SCHEDULES, RESERVATIONS
AMD ILLUSTRATED BCCKLLT3 TO
w. j. cpsaig t. c. v.:;t;:
PA3S H TRAFFIC Mtm CtM L PASS til-
WILMINGTON, N- C.
jiii i Him nisi ii i sin ii ii i i ii tut - II IH I HI J U 1 I I 1 i--
IJ Mil
r.
(iXrOKPORATEI).)
Save 5.00 on one course or $10.00 on combined coui
by purchasing your scholarship before January 5, r.''!
This is a school with a reputation. Oldest, largest ii"'1
best equipped business college in the Carolina. AVrit t
day for our special offers and catalogue. Address,
KING'S BUSINESS COLLEGE,
Raleigh, North Carolina. Charlotte, North Carolina-
OOOOCKH0OK.
1 St ;
OPENED -
Novelties
0 -
0
V
Q
0- '
awls,
c
c
6
OOOOOCXHKXKH)
the freight and guarantee pafen!. 'iv. r
This enables us to u?e a higher ;
worm consiuering : vvnen m jnoitoik caii '-n;:-You
will find what you want; see and know whs:
you are buying, and will get it quickly.
The Couper Marble Works,
184S.) 159-163 Bank St., Norfolk. V
O-OOOOOC OO-O-O GC
Promptly. Best Workmen
all the lime.
Scotland Neck, Ii C. o
'0
OOOOOOOOOOOO'
!J"j"n'iVtV ;
T. PETERS 1
-BUT.G
t.-cv v'-c-vSv-iy-1 'AC-" ;