'.&
! :l fly g3gffi&&g).;
: ! ""-1ri,sr"V tt !l- f"k -n. lifV7'" i
'T.I V . I
A cabin st'iinttin- on the side uf a
hill: tree:- l.uu-.iijj back as though
afraul of lulling- into the ravine below;
grass jfroen under the brow of a rock
s if hitting from a cow that stood in
the hollow. rinsriTiff her boll; a hawk
sailiujr round anil round, darting' his
covetous, hungry glanse at a piff sty
whereunder a hen had taken refuge;
the yurgle of water pouring over a
shelf-like ledge of slate stone; a boy
and n girl standing under a tree,
dreamily gazing into a blue pool. The
month was June, the scene, the back
woods of Kentucky.
"If I was that bass down there,"
said the boy "and you.was that perch,
I wouldn't let them common fish come
a nigh you."
She laughed. ' "Oh, you'd want to
eat me all by yourself."
He gave her a look of troubled re
proach. She laughed merrily. "You
can"t take a joke yet, can you?" she
asked.
"Why yet?" he replied.
"Because you've got to be so well ac
quainted with me," she rejoined.
"Is that a reason why I ought to take
a joke?"
"Yes; for I ain't nothin' more than a
joke."
"Well then," he said, "I can take a
joke I could take you." .
"Oh, could you"? But that wouldn't
be a joke. It would be awful serious
to me."
"Nell, don't talk to me that way.
You know why I am stayin' here you
know that if it wan't for you I'd go
away somewhere and be a . poet. You
know the school-teacher said he
couldn't learn me any more, and I take
it that when Bill Jimison can't learn
anybody anything he's goin' to be a
poet. Jimison told me that I ought to
go away somewhere said there never
would be any chance for me here.- And
do you reckon I'd plow over yonder in
that blazin' field if it wan't for you?
OH, QUIT'" SUE CRIED.
There ain't nothin' in the ground for
me to dig. out my fortune and my
fame are in the air and the woods."
"Oh, shucks. Sam. why don't you
grabble all that foolishness out of your
head and go To work. I reckon I've
fjODe to school as much as you have,
and I never have thought about bein" a
poet."
''Maybe it is because you never have
been in love," he replied, half piti
fully. "Maybe so," she rejoined, and then
in excitement cried: "Look there! the
bass has caught the perch!" And she
had not more than said this when he
seized her in his arms and passionately,
violently kissed her.
"Oh. quit!" she cried. "Don't I tell
you! Mother is in the door and will
see you. Go away, you you fool!"
. He released her and stood gazing at
her. "I despise you," she said.
"Ah, I have squeezed the trut.i ....
of you, have I ?"
If yon have you put yourself to un
necessary trouble you might have
known it before."
"Yes, I might, for the poet always
has been despised."
"Oh. has he? Bnt if that's the case
you ought to be loved."
"Nell, you'll force me to hate you."
"I will? But why should you want
to make me so happy?" She took up
her sunbonnet, which had fallen to the
ground, and, holding it by the strings,
stood swinging it like a pendulum.
"Do you mean that?" he asked.
"Of course. Why shouldn't I, Sam;
yon have made me miserable all my
life- ' Yes, you have, now. All the
time at school, whenever nobody was
lookin' you'd all the time try to kiss
me, and I hate to be kissed all the time.
Why, you don't know how tiresome it
is. There, mother's callin' me, and I
just know she's goin' to give me an aw
ful goin' over for .standin' round here
foolin' with you. Good-by, and I hope
IH never see you again all 'the time
tryin to kiss me. Yes-um!" she cried,
"I'm comin'."
She ran np the bill, striking' at the
trees with her bonnet. A woman, flushed
and angry-looking, met her near the
door, and pointing to a churn standing
in the shade near the corner of the
house, said:
"Thar's that thing standin' thar all
the mornin' and you a foolin' round
down thar on the branch. You air gest
a gittin' so yo' ain't no manner account
lilt.. it.-, . vutrf wu- v , i ,.v " J
that down thar a serappin' with you?
But you neenter tell me I know. It
was that good-for-nothin' Sam Foster.
A triilin'er wretch never lived on the
face of the earth."
'He's goin' to be a poet," the girl re
plied, taking an apron off a lilac bush
$ "And what's that, for goodness' sake?"
'the woman exclaimed. "He'd better
(be thinkin' about cuttin' them sprouts
faten that pore old hill-side field that
i
i
he's alinetcd wan. conscience alive, 1
pity the woman he niairies."
"I don't reckon he's old enough yet
to think about mairvin" anybody," the
girl replied. Having tucked up her
skirts she had begun to ply the churn
dasher.
"Not old enough," the woman
snapped. "My sakes. alive. I'd like to
see a fool too young to think about
gittin" married these here days. And I
warrant you that thar air gals fool
enough to marry him. Oh you neenter
jerk that dasher around, for you know
it's a fact. I do believe you'd be fool
enough yourself." '
The irirl was silent. She had ceased
to ply the churn dasher, she stood mo
tionless, gazing down the slope toward
the pool where she and the young fel
low had watched the bass and the
perch.
"Yes," the woman repeated, "I do
believe that you'd be fool enough to
marry him yourself."
'"Well,, if I was to, I might not have
to churn all the time," the girl replied,
resuming her work.
"That's a fact," the woman quiekly
agreed. "Yes, that's a fact, for you
wouldn't have nothin' to churn."
"Well, I'd rather not have nothin' to
churn. I wish there wasn't a cow no
where. I hate 'em. All the time goin'
about caTJsin' folks to churn. If 1 was
THE GIRI. STOOD IX THE DOOR.
to marry a man I'd see that he didn't
have a cow."
"You can safely marry Sam, then.
He'll never have one he'll never have
anything."
"He'll have a wife if he marries, I
reckon."
"Don't you sass me, Nell. I won't
have it.'
"I wouldn't sass you, mammy. You
know I wouldn't: bnt he would have a
wife if he married, wouldn't he? If he
didn't there wouldn't be any use in
marry in", would there?"
"Hush sich foolishness. It would de
pend altogether on the woman he got.""
"Suppose he got me?"
"Look here. Nell. You ain't thinkin'
about marryin' him. air you?"
" 'Lowed I might, as he ain't got a
cow, and that's afx.-ut all I'd ask of
him. I'.it, mammy, suppose I was to
tell you that I love him'.'"
"I would think you had lost your
senses."
"Well, then, I reckon I have, for I
do love hira. Yes, I love him so much
that I despise him and I could knock
him down."
"Gracious alive!" the woman cried.
"You've upset the churn and all the
milk's gone. Come back here to me.
You'll break your neck a runnin" off
down thar. You are the fetchtakedest
creetcr I ever seed."
The girl came back, laughing an
apology for the mischief which she had
wrought, and the woman was scolding
her, thoug-h with lessening harshness,
when the mirthful apolujry ar.d the
reprimand were put o au end by the
sudden appearance of a man. who.
lazily turning a bend in the p;:ih that
ran round a corner of the hou-e. came
slouching toward the woman. He held
up a piece of paper, fluttered it, and
drawlingly said:
"Got tiiis here fer Miss Nell."
"For niu." the girl cried, running to
ward him. She snatched the piece of
paper, ran away a short distance,
halted, and read the following:
"Now that I bavcound oul you iiatc me and
dnn'i xr-ial to tc kissel alt the lime. 1 am coin
away to be a poet, and when I am one I l:aow
you will love me some and will let mc Uiss you
a part of the time at least. It I Cotx'i txrcotne
a poet I never will come back uu.itn. for Item' a
poet is the only way I can win your love. lor
tbat is the only way I can learn to tell you bow
much I love you. and when 1 have done that
you can't belp lovin' me. for then you will see
my soul all blazin' for you. I don't reckon I
can get to be s poet before Christmas, but I
am sure I will by tben. so you may look for mc
Christmas: and if by any strange possibility X
don't tret to be a poet In time to reach home by
Christmas, you lust keep on a desptsin' mc as
much as you please, but you must keep on a
waltin'. and don't let anybody else trrab you up
like the bass done the pearch, for as I tell you
I'll be back.
"Yours, Saji "
A change came with the reading of
the note. The noon in her eyes so
bered into a twilight. For the first
time in her life she was serious. She
turned to her mother and said:
"1 am awful sorry I turned over that
churn."
The woman was surprised. "What's
the matter, dear? Never mind about
the churn. What's in the note, Nellie?"
"Nothin"; only Sam has gone away
and won't come back tell he's a poet
and I'm afraid he won't be one before
Christmas and I want him now."
"But maybe he can git the job before
then. It's a good while till Christmas,
and a good many things mout turn up
'twixt now and then. Don't fret none."
But she did fret.., She fretted for
weeks at a time; at morning when she
saw the dew on the trumpet vine, at
noon when she stood, gazing into the
blue pool, at evening when the whip
poorwill sang his sad song. The season
ripened, the grain was reaped, the
leaves had fallen Christmas was ap
proaching, coming slowly down, it
seemed, from the browning hills.
Christmas Eve, Christmas nifrht. The
girl stood in the door, listening. No
sounds except the faint hack, hack,
hack of an evening's woodchopper, far
away, and the lowing of a cold and des
olate cow in the 'ravine. He did not
come.
The grass was green again, the
leaves came out, the blackberry briai ;
were in ih.hmii. me water m.ui nig over
the shelf of slate struck a sweeter, sad
der nolo. Tiie srasnh (liv.v. a, long
breath iitmlher change e:'U:e.
It was I'hriMmns night, am. the girl
stood i:i the door. The belated woimI-cliop;t'i-Y,
hack, hack, hack was heard,
and tin: :ame cold cow was lowing in
the ravine.
"(iond evening."
"tiraeious alive, is thisyou. Sam?"
"Yes." he said, stiil standing back
from her. The firelight falling upon
him showed that, he v. :d. well dressed.
"Won't you come in. Sam'.'"
"No. for you'll still have to despise
me."
"Why?"
Because I'm not a poet."
"What arc you, Sam?"
"I am an agent for a patent churn
dasher."
She sprang forward and threw her
arms about hint. "Oh, I am so glad,"
she cried. "And you may kiss me all
the time." v
A CONSIDERATE LOTHARIO.
Don Juan OTJafferty Sure, and
shave smooth tiie convexity of me up
per lip. 1 want to make it aisy for the
ladies until this missletoe business is
over. Texas Sittings.
Something for the Hoy.
Office Boy Are you going to give me
anything for Christmas?
Boss Oh. yes: a few errands to do.
An Kvrn exchange
Mrs. Bride I suppose you and Fred
will give each other handsome holiday
presents?
Miss Fiance Yes: we have promised
to surrender our liberties to each other
right away. Baymond's Monthly.
HIS CftRISTMAS AUVENTCRE.
"Pi.i .. .-i;s Phair under' the
mistlet.- lul night?"
Yes. and then went cut under ker
father's mh-'-iio-'. -v." Judge.
A Slip.
Dr. Thirdly I wish you would hold
the missionary box until after Christ
mas: I may want to send some things.
Elder Iierry I know what you are
thinking of; but they don't wear slip
pers in Alaska. Puck.
r.iH!; :
The man in the moon hangs np his
stocking. Golden Days.
ACROSS THE SEAS.
The manuscript of Tannhauser has
just been sold to a Lcipsic amataur for
10,000 marks (22.50U.).
Is the Marquesas group the recent
absolute prohibition of the sale of
opium husincrcosed ntonce the demand
for liquor.
The forest land owned by the state
is in Germany 33 per cent, of all forests;
in Scandinavia. 15 to 20: in France. 10;
in Switzerland, 4. and in Italy, not 2.
The English postmaster general has
just announced that private cards with
a half-penny stamp affixed will be
accepted as postal cards within the
United Kingdom.
Tm: largest electric locomotive in the
world, 2.000 horse power, was built at
.Zurich. Switzerland, in 1802.
Sitgak fifteen times sweeter than the
sugar beet product has been extracted
from cottonseed meal by a German
chemist.
The first barrel of "coal oil" was
commercially used in 1820. In 18S3
38,820,300 barrels of that product were
consumed.
Sevehai. live frogs and toads and a
great many small round pebbles fell
during the great hailstorm which re
cently visited Prussia. ,
Detaim.k, the celebru.ed painter of
army life, looks himself a great deal
like a soldier. He is tall, slender and
erect, and with his ample cavalryman
mustache and close-fitting jacket,
which is not unlike an undress uniform,
the military effect is heightened.
j
en n't
THE FAD OK TUC HOI K.
FAULT'S UIliUSiMAS UiFl'S.
BY FRANK It. WELCH.
Young Mr. l'adley was in a worry.
He bad n.mik. t.'iirlstaias presents to
buy, and what to fet was what wor
ried him. l'"ir.,t au l foremast, there
was Miss l)'r.uon. upon whom he was
unx.nns t l eivate an impression she
mot. I have :,o;nethiuif appro;riate and
i:le:'"::;i. whether anybody cine (rt
anything or not. Then there was his
bosom friend and constant companion
Harvey, a good fellow who had placed
him under obligation times without
ntiinber-rhim he could not forget.
This lviivr the case, l'adley started out
Lo runimaire the stores.
He overhauled all the leading shops
in town, an 1 by Cliri .-.tnius Eve had col
lected tviiit he thought was a pretty
sensible lot of presents for an amateur
Santa Clans to get together. For the
lady of his choice he had a 'handsome
toilet outfit of 'comlis. brushes, powder
puffs ami b jxes, manicure implements,
hand mirrors, and no end of other ele
gant articles for feminine use. These
were all inclosed in an elaborately be
plushed an.l inlaid case which was
neatly wrapped and all ready to be
sent to the intended recipient. For
his friend Harvey lie had an elegant
shaving set. consisting of razors,
brushes, cups, hones, etc., done up in a
substantial case which was also ready
to be dispatched to the home of his
friend.
Not daring to trust a messenger with
the pr..vents for fear of some mistake
l'adley started out himself to deliver
them. First he called at Ilarvev's
house, timing his call so as not to catch
his friend at home. With his friend's
mother he intrusted the package, she
promising that it should not be tam
pered with until Harvey should open
"jrST AS IP I WERE IX XEED OF A
SHAVE."
it himself the next morning. Then he
called at the abode of Miss Dnmon.
The ring was answered by c servant,
who said the young lady was out doing
her Christmas shopping. Here was a
piece of good luck. Leaving the pack
age with explicit instructions as to its
delivery Kadlev said he would call.
Christinas nijjht. as per previous ar
rangement with the young lady.
There was a big job off his hands,
and r'adloy mentally patted himself on
the back at having done it up so neatly.
He pictured to himself the glad sur
prise of Miss Damon when she should
receive the substantial evidence of his
regard, and chuckled over the little
surprise in store for his dear friend
and chum. Harvey. Early Christmas
morning Miss Damon received her
package, upon opening which she ex
claimed: "Well. I never: Just as if I were in
need of a shavi?. Who ever has Iven
so ki:;d as to furnish me with this ton
sri:il i tit fit?'" Then h-r eye caught
the corner of a cr.rd sticking out of one
of the com;art:uent.s of the ease. This
she drew forth and read:
Kro:n yours faithfully.
1L Ira Fapixt."
"Oh!" said the mischievous voung
lady; "Mr. Fadley. eh? Well", just
wait till he comes this evening. I'll
bawl 'Next" at him: see if I don't."
Of all the mortified swains that ever
got into a pickle Fadley felt the worst
when the idol of his heart flashed the
shaving tods on him. lie was utterly
speechless, until it occurred to him
that his friend Harvey had his dvar
one's toilet set and one of the sweetest
of little notes that ever a lovesick fel
low put together.
"Great snakes!" thought Fadley; "if
he reads that note I'll never hear the
last of it." Then he explained the
mistake and begged off long enough to
hasten over to his friend's house to
exchange the packages. He found
Harvey at home, and as that amiable
young man jerked him into the hall he
simpcringly inquired:
"Is my hat on straight, Ira dear, and
how do my bangs look?"
"Say!" fiercely ejaculated Fadley, "if
you don't shut vour head I'll break it
for you!"
Hut there was no time to be lost, so
Fadley, after duly acknowledging that
the cigars were on him, gathered up
the toilet set and sped back with it to
the one for whom it was intended.
That was not the last of the joke on
him, by any means. The thing leaked
out, as such things invariably do, and
poor Fadley was so annoyed by face
tious allusions to his Santa Claus ex
perience that he was compelled to
threaten with consequences dire any
one who mentioned the subject.
lie Waft Surprised.
Mrs. Gazzam I've pot a bos of cipars
for my husband's Christmas present,
which will surprise him.
Sirs. Maddux Women don't know
how to buy cigars for men.
Mrs. Gazzniu I know thut. so I got
brother Jack to get them for me.
Judge.
Hell, nml limn.
Mrs. Kewlywed How I love to hear
the merry Christmas bells.
Mr. Newly wed I'd like to hear them,
too, if Christmas bells were not so con
foundedly suggestive of Christmas
bills.
Castoria is Dr. Samuel Pitcher's prescription for Infants
and Children. It contains neither Opium, Blorpliinc nor
other Narcotic' substance. It is a liartulcss substitute
for Paregoric, Drops, Soothing Syrups, and Castor Oil.
It is Pleasant. Its guarantee is thirty years' use by
Millions of Mothers. Castoria destroys Worms and allays
fevcrishness. Castoria prevents vomiting Sour Curd,
cures Diarrhoea and Wind Colic. Castoria relieves
teething troubles, cures constipation and flatulency.
Castoria assimilates the food, regulates the stomach,
and bowels, giving healthy and natural sleep. Cas
toria is the Children's Panacea the Mother's Friend.
Castoria.
"Castoria Is an excellent medicine for chil
dren. Mothers have repeatedly told me of its
good effect upon their children."
Da. G. C. O5000D,
Lowell, lXas.
Crjr&c is the bet remedy for children cf
vhica 1 urn acquainted. I hops the dir is cot
fardiitaiit when mothers willcoasider the real
liitcrrst of their children, and use Casutria in
stead of the vsriousquack nostrums vhich are
destroying their loved ones, by forcing optum.
morphine, soothing syrup and other hurtful
agents down their throats, thereby sendrng
them to premature graves."
Da. J. F. EocBELOs,
Conway, Ark.
The Centaur Company, T7
i
Union Liivery Stables,
FRANK iMLNGUS, Proprietor,
"Successor to ED. WOR.MAN. ...
i ii.tvuij: titv .iir."!.-!.-.! mi
i r.ow ris. saf.- '-ul t':it :-:'.n- am
the traveling ;ii'.!:i- i i a s.i't-f.i-.-tory manner.
C'lriNKH SMVENTII AND II. MEDFORD. OREGON.
BaM to a Delicate
That's the hel tbiujj a housewife can say for a cook stove or range.
The stove that cooks wcH is the stove lat suits, providde it is eco
iiotuicii! on fe.el. I have ao exteti-ive -took of cock stores and
and rane-s. m:d ach one i the very bet-t stove that niiy wil'.oiy
Best baker, b oiier. K-st burner all bel. I also carry
! Hardware, Tinware and Fine Building Material,
Cutlery, Fishing Tackle, Ammunition, Etc.
Red Jacket Force Pumps.
For Deep or Shallow Wells.
JjICISDi.ILLE WM Wilt
J. C. YVT1I PP- Propr.
'Does General Contrasting in a" of -
I GRANITE AND MARBLE WORK.
! o . - -.v CEMETERY. WORK A SPECIALTY
i eTacksonvillo. - - Oregon.
MEDFORD BRICK
a. Y. PRIDDY, PropV.
MEDFORD, - OREGON.
First-class quality of Brick always on hand. Larsre and small orderr
promptly filled. . . . . .
BRICK WORK OF ALL KINDS PROMPTLY EXECUTED
Give me a call when in need of anything in niv line.
Known
Everywhere.
Sold Everywhere.
Grown Evervwhere.
Rrrys Seed:
ask your ikir lor tnrm t'tirt tor
rcrryii Annunl for lf.V.
invwtiaDiionu planters ami lovtrs
ol Unr ffiprtaNrs and Beautiful
lowers. ritp tor it Free.
Notice of Final Settlement.
Iu the County Court of the State of Oregon,
for Jack sou County.
In the matter or the estate of Barbara Virion,
tfeceusoil, ,
N'OTICK Is hereby given thnl theailtutstrator
of the csiute ot llurbaru Uirieu, deceased
has tiled in the County Court his final account
In said mutter und by order of satd Court.
Tuesd.iy. Jaruary S, ISM. ut the hour of 10
o'clock a.m., is set for hearing thereof. AU
persons interested are hereby notified to ap
pear und ttle his objections to said account on
or before said day.
Published by order of Hon. J. R. Neil, Judge
of said Court.
Dated Nov. 30, 1AM.
VM. VUKICH.
Administrator of suid estate.
hat is
ta ffir w-; t-r.m
ri :
Cator:a is so well adrsr..
I recommend it as super: vru
known lo me."
" .'rent
IT. A. Accnest, IL D.,
l:: So. Oxford St., Brooklyn, S. Y.
" Our pbysieiara ia the children's depart
ment hve 5;j-t"I1 h&Lly of their experi
ence in their outside practice with Castoria,
and aithou-h we only have aznon? err
i:.ii:i-.d supplies what is known as regular
products, yet we are free to confess that the
menu of Castoria has won us to look with
tarorupon it."
Csrrzn Hosprral. ass Dnrcmir,
Boston, Kass.
Aura C Smth. Pre
Murray Street, Nnr York City.
...(nnar siao:- anu ;ocsea i; wun
now prepared t meet the wants of
Brown..
D. Ii. MILLER.
YARD, -
All Aboard....
S LOUDEN STAGE
Upper Applegate. Elliott Creek,
Squaw Lake. Steamboat, Cin
nabar Springs, Watkins : : :
. am! way stations. Siae leaves
' Jacksonville" Mondays and Kri
la)s,retuniicgihe(olloringilays a
Hunters will liiid this a ulcasand Dva
reachini; the tinest nsbing and huvan
; grounds ia the world. Freight and passes
t 6..iti'. mink Apivy w
JAS. LOUDEN, Prop'r.,
JACKSONVILLE, OREGON.
SHOW IT..
A young mau informed his sweet heait ot
his love foi her, and she said, tf you do,
show it," So docs
Wilson's Monarch Sarsapariiia
show you what a pewor it is to elcnnse the
blood and the entire svstem, removinir
l'implcs, noils and all dlseiisvs arising from
iminrc and wenk blood.
Try a .'HV: IkjIIIo aud you will have no other
MONARCH SARSAPARILLA s true to hs name
On. Rush, iouikut ot Hush Mevlieal t.jl
leire, onv said this remetly is the World's great
est remedy for the blood. Try it, and let it
show you what it can do.
Mfs.,by WILLSON BROS.. Edgertoa. Wis.
consiu. Kor sale by is. H. HASK1NS, Medtord.