BRIGHTE9T AND BESTT '
BrlKbtest and b"rt of the M of tUo morn,D'
iMwn oo our darkness and loud ut tblna aid j
Btnr of tlie rant, the horizon adurulnsf.
Guide wlwre our Infant Itatoemcr l 'f
Cold ou bis c-odle tbe dewdroj are fcUluliw.
1).-. hi. Ii-ad with the l'" .
od-Mt. 1.1 :i I I.iiht rtvllnlntf.
Mater and Monarch and Bavluur i-f til.
Bay, liall re yield hlra In costly devotion,
DffcrlDL' divine.
Rem. from the mountain or pearl, from the oeean,
Myrrh from the forest or K'i "
Taluly we offer each ampl'T oblation.
Vainly with giru would his favor secure.
Blclior by far In the heart adoration,
l)arcrtoaodaretbe.ra)irof thepow.
Old Hymn.
ONE CHRISTMAS.
JJT OLIVE IIARPKR.
"Thnt there Mnrthy Avery Is the foolish
!,..? pvit lived. I Bwnn to mup
her futhcr dead, ami (the left with
11 4t.nf tipmul (if her stepmother's, young
ones; and Instead of seudlu' 'em to their
orandfutber site tips ana says
to support 'cm herself. Blie won't get my
jXz If that's her idee, for I'll just put
my foot down."
"There's three gala mid a boy baby, nnu
m.n nnr claim on her.
incy i.uiu v ..... - -
There's them as would make her a gx ,
: n.vi.i..p imt no man wou t
Vf .Won Ishandstoonct
i.'. im.l enniurli marrying wldders, but
1.1 .cnnl. R lilt of BlcUV YOUng OIICI
a-cuting up all the substance of a farm,
'Wall, you know, Mrs. Hemphill, Mnr
. . if ti.n pl.lhlren lies as good 1
right as herself to the farm; they was her
"Yea; but he didn't mako no will, and
the form ami me mum V"" ,
Lifts Atvn ttif .th.-r'M. so nobody cant tna
(into her claim. Ik-sides, what docs ft slip
,f a ulrl liko that know 'Ismt carryiu' ou
1 b farm, I'd like to know?"
t.i.t. lint, ns vou say, slio
i,Unt u u tn innimL'o a farm.
am greatly exercised for her. and 1 11 ask
the sisterhood to make her a subject of an
Hddress to me uirone ... -
rlni;le ns she Kave n little sigh, and
folded up her kit thin to lake her scat ut
Mrs. Hemphill's well ililed tea table, for
she hml ridden over to spuiid the aftor
noon nnd have a tfood visit.
Jnlie., Mr Hempliill's only son, and
Ids father came In and took their accus
tomed places, and the father asked a very
lona blesHlnu, and reached his hand out
nnd captured a biscuit at the same mo-(
inent that he delivered his "amen."
Jultez was a handsome, frank young
fellow, who worked very hard und had no
Vices, but who possessed a fair share of
Minnly virtues.
it., r.iim.l time, somdiow, nftertlio mul
tifarious duties on a larm were done, to
study, nnd to Blip over to tho Avery farm
verv often.
Uclng n steady nnd handsome young
fniw i.i mother naturally looked on
him with pride, und now she felt that slio
was doing her duty as a wlso mother in
.llaprmntpimticlnif SUC h n fiKillsh action on
Martha's part ns adopting her three lltllo
half Bisters nnd baby brother.
Meanwhile, Martha was working, ns V.
l.pr lift ilenemled upon it, over a refrac-
i.,vr rlininliiu. und her pretty faco was
wrlnli led into a frown and her cheeks
llamcd crimson, nnd little shirks of anger
seemed to slusit from her eyes that had
vnt. i hii nlelon of tears not far off.
mm ii.rUed tlio dasher with vindictive
little movements, ns if she wished she had
Komo particular person under the dasher,
n, it nil 1 1 Ul seem ns u iaui uuui-
i-n. luni ItehiHl.
I .l.m't nnniler it WOtl't Come," Said
TVfnrth.i. lit lust. "Hateful old thing! A
if I ilencnded ution her. or ns if I wanted
imp '.IiiIm-e.' I itucss I can innnago
fnrm: at nnv rate, 1 must try, for with
Cod's h -lp I will take caro of Hu so poor
lit 1 1 children. Addle can help take caro
of tho others and 1 think she is cruel
Oh!"
This exclnmntlon was h.ought forth by
the sudden sllit of Jabe. a.i l.o sprung
over the fence nnd w::lked I.Uo the well
kept kitehon without a word of warning
nr IlivltMtlilll.
lie wnlkml directly up to Martha nnd
clasped both of his hands around hers ns
she held the "dasher," and said cheerily:
"Well, Mnrtle, how are you? llenv)ou
sit dow u nnd let me do tlds, and I can
look nt you all tho while, und thut will
lay mo for my work."
t,.pd awav her tears, and smooitred tne
curly tendrils of her hair; and before sat
knew It his btrong arm wus around her
waist and ho hud kissed her.
In a few minutes she recovered her
calm, but her dignity h".
was only a weua wuii. "- '
wus striving to do her plain duty; and she
tried to free herself from the strong young
nrms that held her In so close and I so . com
forting a clasp; Ir, poor uu.m, ...
wus ouly a week dcadl
"Don't, Julxtz," was an
. a .i Munlb? Why shall I
not love and comfort my dear little wife
that Is to be? ....w
"Oh, uearl" snia Manus, ucbj.....
Oh. dearl Oh, Jabcz, piease uou i, v.
this 1 not isnalble."
"And why not, Warner " "
were able to talk I have known you and
Med you; ao all my life I
trying to desere you. You have loed
iijuia .i-.i ti,pli. wbv
mo, too, naveni juu.
Ixn't It possible, please tell me?
"Ilaveu't you heard? Don't yon know?
Jubcz, I feelus if U tomy
take care oi tuesc poor un
not let them suffer. Father left nothing
but the furm; out mere
enough for us all, and I must try to do
?," i f,.r them. And your-you
I think we had bettor not see each other
uy more, tor ... Vnn .rfl
"There, mat s jui c..uuB... -- -willing
to throw me off for the sake o
those children wno nave i.u V "r
upon you. You could send them to their
poor old grandfather, but you prefer to
I""'., r. . ...i nml iimtrov
shoulder uie uumeu
nil your dreams of happiness, and devote
nil your life to them, and forget the life
long love Ve had for you?"
It Is my uuiy, .
i . .... iviiiinir to sncr flee all to
them, and they may turn out ungrateful
or wicked; and you know me, and that , 1
love you deurly, utue wuruo, mm w.,
will "
"I can't help It, Jabe. I can't see It
In the same light. 1 feel as if the hand of
tho dead lay uiwn me, nnd I must oley.
Ik-sides, I do It because 1 icci n
Don't muko it huraer ior me iuu .
Jnbez." . ,
lif..ln mo IIITIA WHO."
"I would be very happy so, Jabez, Dut
I know your mother novcr womu
sent, and I couldn't bear to cause a dis
ngreement In your family." j
"I can manage mm, wi"t j
ngreo to be my wife next Monday.
. ..T.ti i ....... f.inrrin.1
Will go OVcr lO V llKesmirro wF"
there quietly, and return and settle down
nt once lido a new edition of Darby and
Joan. What do you say?" .
Ioor little Martha hung ner neuu, u..u
reflected ns well ns she conld. Mother
nnd father were both dead, nnd she had
no ono to ndvlse or counsel her; all she
could do was to let him have one swift
I'lunce from her downcast eyes, which was
. t
Lucindv," and sne began to cry, wncre
upon Jabez hurried oir.
The next morning Jabez was gono, no
one knew where, und tho whole farm
wemed to want him bock: though It was
noonday, there was no work done, und
l. und Mrs. Hemphill ut dejectly in the
"best room." . , ,
"Father" said at last, knocking the
ishej out of his pipe:
"I knowed Saturday that snmpin was
up. but I never guesseu wmu, u
blamed If I ain't sorry for him to go and
toko up with thut shiftless Lucludy, when
be might a' had Murthy, only for your
... IT..,,, .Hn- them poor little young-
sters; and I think Murthy was a-doin' her
duty. I'm blamed sorry."
"Mr. Hemphill, don't swear, nnd don t
say I broke off the match. I never dono
uuthln', only Friday I told Murthy my
opinion about it, and she got mad, and I
.pose said something that maddened
Jubez, for the next day he went off, and
I s'poso he usked Lucindy.
"Oh, what on earth -hall I do? He s
such a good boy, and to throw himself
AWllV BO!"
"Well, if you told her your mind In tho
same way you tell it to me I don't bluine
Murthy u bit for glttin- man.-
At this Juncture Mrs. Hemphill gave
.....i until the noise of wheels on
the gravel outside aroused them both, nnd.
they looked out to soe Jubcz nnd Martba
both looking very happy in the buggy.
Mnrtha WM. not in mourning, mu
PETER PERKINS' DREAM.
BT EMILT AUTUUB.
Inasmuch as y. hare dona It totttoutol
thorny children, y. nave don. it uuu, me.
"There Is that ham, It Is too old to sell,
and this barrel of wormy dried apples,
and a barrel of meal and one of flour,
which are both a little moldy, but s 11
Kood enough to give to the poor, and thut
7 ...r,r thnt the kerosene was
tan uurrc. ul ou' , .. .
spilt in, and thoj twosucks o r eta
Las weevils, ami you "--J"
stale bread. Tuoy win " " " ?ii hend the
Imr nud I guess my name will beau tne
5 Z My else would give so much.
......... 1 pun Ki-t as de. Mark, and
XZrVwiwntmm carried round to
be society's rooms with my compliments.
Ahal This will help many a poor family
io enjoy a good Christm.is dinner, and
10 ., , . 3 A it i, n. v customers. livery
btxly k sTgene ou8 man, but few of the
Kthreu will mako us goo.1 a display as I
El to-morroy. I guess I'll gc l,on o
now, Mark, ana, nn, nere
Chr.st.nas. 1 can't afford n.ore. You
know business Is slack, well, goou
night,"
la
i ... p .lid sweet and Infuntlno, agalo It
S2 tender .uTplttful, then It looked a.
kmShave dona when he suld, "Come
to Z all ye weary and heavy laden,
was W-d full of aonoM r merc ;
ful gooduesB, auu vut-u
awi.u!" t... ti,vin noticed that there
was a throng ever Increasing and reach
C far below them so that the end of
ng IU ZZ f.f sltrht. and these
Se 7m singly to the 'f.K.t of the
Sur and there laid a gift wh ch w as In
stantly Uken by the angels and laid upon
Blttn,y. ..io iii,.h .lid not measure by
uTBMrf the gift Itself, but the
motive which lay like a living heart in-
DAUGHTERS' or eve -
Mrs. M. Ixiuise Thomas, prwldcnt uf w
is, Is a x keeper, and guthert 10 uirJ0
of honey a year.
Little Miss Lizzlo Boll Sineklr j d .
town, N. J., celebrated her tw.ir.k T
recently by completing a bad qmi. Zr J
tains 11,210 pioeea. H nm
Delva Lockwood hoi annexed toUu
office at Washington a bureau for Z
-1.1- it.
Blue in. , , . hn
Then Peter l-crKinssnw ui
had not yet offered their gift had a bur
dea to carry, large or small, and he sud
denly became aware that the bi rden fast
ened upon his own back was enormous
and was very heavy. Dut he turned to
the stranger and said: "When will it be
my turn?" , ,
Whan nil nf these shall have passed.'
i . - ... , . i. . i
tiicre wuii mo
wivos for men who aro tm ........
their time in courting.
Quoon Victoria keeps alwayi In her tri, ,
apartment a statuette of the Uunew j 1.
Urowu, which oei wherever tlieqitou!
self travels. lis usual lilnee U on hw
writing desk. - . tn"
On Jenny Liul's .i:!n was placedw. u
uoiusciimmt awr-th. myrt.leiniid.fcl
a iron t)1niifji viru n - , . . "
tlwiKnatiinw
plucUi
' aiinfTlmw,
'f'-tolfUa
all tho answer ho needed.
"II TUOUOHT TOU LIKED MARTHTl"
One lomr embrace, and one shy, Bweet
kiss ratilled this Bilent promise.
1'ut on that pretty lilac (iress, .uumr,
Monday morning, and meet me ui o
'disk Just bcyonti tne ewnyiu uiuu., u-.
ono hour we will be one, aim say noin-
tn nnvlMX V. un. yes; uuo om"
something glittered on her wedding 11a-
"Mother, father, let me Introduce to'
you Mrs. Martha Hemphill. I hone you
will Ihj pleased to form hor acquuint-
word. Jabez." said
his mother, who caught happy little
M,.rthn. In lier rather long arms, and tbe
fmlier shook Jabcz's hands like pump
handles, whilo he tried hard to speaK
without tears.
Aftop n w hile everything was explaineU,
n.,,1 it. was a merry Christmas dinner
to which they all sat down the next
ii iti.mnlilll. Sr.. said she was
thankful above everything that Martha
hud upheld her principle, and she added
sotto voce, uud saved her from thut awful
"fumbly."
CH.'llSTMAS MORNING.
Keen blew the wind across tbe naked wold,
Glimmered the snow fields white.
Aweary with louirlnR, doubt and pain,
1 watched tbe silent night.
Ah, mel Joy cornea and Roes, but grief remains;
My days shall comfort bring;
But hark I Upon the Trosty wiuier air
Tbe Christmas chlmings rlug.
And, like a irullly ghost at breath of dawn, .
My coward moanluRS fly;
Echoes BRttln th' adoring song that woke
Beneath Judea's sky.
And sweeter, clearer, louder, cuinie od cu..uo,
Ring out. 0, happy bells!
For every peal with Jubilant refrain,
The wondrous tidings tells.
Louise Both-Hendrlkson.
herself in tlioa)uiie (
irom tier weaning wr.
Before going to Oak t
privlng Day Mrs. Clo.-b'
lug of flowers from the
7ntory to the Central l'uv
.ir..t,il linp.li.4. ntirl iliiifltk. 1.. i- .t.
. ...... .....Wi, 'nmiti,
11 Iks Husnn u. Anllwiny Is onm. ii .
king wonuin suffrugo clul at varlotar,
l,t fiuliiiiii. nml bnpnn.uMila nt k
i.i ...'..i.'. , - 1 huh uri'd
forts bavo rosulUd In muny aocetslouid,.
army of women who behove tbey hti ,
ngiu w vomj.
Milwaukoo has a bowling club of
fair damsels who pructico religlounlj
times a week and have become ttrmi
robust from the exorcise. They are vm .
... i 41 11 .1 . , . . J
itiirr. n i. Lull 171111111 uiiii (jiiiiiiiimii iv anu .
- .,n..v " - n ' J
ance as ll oi nir. auwu v.-- - vanquisu any ciuu oi gentlemen that tn
church, which wus ns so much paper, ana clue,,K0 them. '
A ml aim
Ipht unon his shoulders
7. i hmira nr ilnvs. or years, he did
not know which, while all these people
ir nntipnil ft mnn who staggered by
and laid a heavy weight of gold chalices
.mi Pinirch cnndlestlcks and othsr em
blems nt his feot, nnd Peter Perkins saw
with surprise that they new up in me -
then a poor old woman in rags staggered
along w ith a cup oi com wuier u u
offering. Tills sent the scales down, down,
ns if it weighed a ton, and then a palo,
nnd offered only a tour.
This. too. weighed heavier than gold
old broken toy. or some
CHaJUH" ,
m npn mirmetits. or even a crust oi
Vtwtnail nna lull 1 nt bis feet, and these, too,
henvv on lUOBO wouuenui
When the principal for atwmlnaryfortiii
in Washington, Pa., staruxl to tab W
jcholurs homo from church the other 8m
day evening she found iho usual crowd ,j
young men watting outside tbe doort
madothogiru go bacK, aachagauut tin
will, and would not budge until a poliMt
whom suo sent ior, mauo tne noyt go in;.
wm
"IT'S TlH) BAD."
Mnrtlia bad Intendwl to be very dlgnl
fleil nnd cold, nnd to show thnt she did
nut need tho advice, assistance nor the
love of any of the Hemphill family, after
the v'sit t lint Mrs. Hemphill liau maup,
nn.l rementberlnii ull that she had said
l.nt in th rreetH"rof Jnls nil this heroio
rpwliitlon imsM-d away like mist U-fore
.it Htiimliinp. and iiisteiid cf her dignitled
rK-rvi she put her two plump little hands
l f,ir lier Luc nud Uvau to ob ami cry,
nt r.,nis Jalicz w:is Instantly di-
trp.l to Mich an extent thnt be dnpied
:ie drtadu-r Into the churn and sprang to
UrC'e -de; and there he Vycm auj
111 IT
thing. Will you trust tho children to me
to bring up? Will you givo mem mio m.
cmiirdiiuishln completely? Answer yes,
without question."
"Why certainly, muco wo
"All right. Now I must really go, for
there's a thousand things to uo. iou
will bo there?" nnd ns she answered yes,
he caught her plump little form to ins
heart again, and kissed her again for
goodby; nnd ho leaped tho fence at a
bound, anil in a lew miuuu-a -";
about his "chores," with n light heart, for
i.a 1......1 Miiri n trulv aim wen, ami ue
now saw his way to happiness with the
ono girl ho loved.
Sunday ho went away in me mormon,
nnd was gono all day, ami only returned
In time tor supper.
After tho table was cleared, nnu mis.
Hemphill sat down to rest, with a clean
pocket handkerchief folded over her knees,
.... in. iu 1... m llll.ln
to save her iiiiu k sua umw, mm
in her hands, for sho always held her
Bible thus every Sunday evening, inougu
no one could remember ever seeing her
rend in it, Jubcz arose from his seat nnd
walked up und down tho room in slletico.
Ills mother watched him uneasily.
At ln.it ho spoke:
"Mother, 1 am thinking of getting mar
ried." It was out at last!
Her fear was well placed, and the shock
uiia irtHMit.
"Mother, how woulf? you like Lucinda
Ilosencrnnts for a daughter?"
In nil her Imaginings she had never let
her fancy run riot to nn extent that could
have permitted Lucinda Kosencrnnts to
enter her head as tho possible choice of
her son.
Pretty enough, but coarse nnd Ignorant;
.i.i..iit..p of two idle, dissolute parents;
lany and slovenly lierseir, auu iouu i
-dancing and party going, and nil the very
tilings that Mrs. Hemphill aonormi, m
no wonder that she sat pule and Bhockod
nnd speechless.
Of nil the girls inai sue Knew, or uu
ever heard of, Lucinda was tho last one
that she wonld have chosen, aim sue coum
not Iwar it. ,
1-1 thought you liked warmy, sou
said, tremulously.
I do liko Martna; oui you wuu o
much"
"1 rather you'd a picked her out
"She refused me."
"Refused you I I guess you're ns good
as she any time. Any gal ougnt to i
prendton-tyou"
"She (Inl HOI lUlllK so, aim .vi.i.T...
did not hurt me long, vwiai oo jou
think of Lucinda?"
"Oti, Jalicz, don t ask. I never enn
give In to your marrying Into thut awful
family. Just think of what a set they
ire, anil Lucindu'll lw Just the sumo.
There ain't another gill that can hold a
rnndle to Murthy it it wasn't for them
ili.'M. children."
"She gave them all away yesterday, 1
hennt. to a rmirdiau."
"Julics, don't you think yon could
rhanue her resolution? Ye ain't bound tc
Lucindv. I ye?"
"You know, mother, I never bn-uk my
word."
Mrs. Hemphill cronnrd,
"I'd ruther you had a took Martl-.y
nta tea young uui to teed and raise Uuu
The Mummers of Scotland.
The mummers, guisers or guizards oc
cupied a prominent placo in all Christmas
observances in the early history of Scot
land, and this form of Christmas amuse
ment was evidently a survlvul from the
HouiRU Saturnalia. In 1377 there wero
mummers on Chrlstmns Eve in London.
numminc.n wus for
bidden by royal edict. An old piece of
verse auent the mummers rends:
To shorten winter's sadness,
Pee where tbe folks with gladness
Dissul'fd are all n-comliiK,
Bight wautonly a-mummiug,
Fa la. r
Whilst youthful siwrts are lasting,
To feasting turn out fustinR.
W ith revels nnd with wassails.
Make grief and caro our vassals, '
Fa la. I
Tor youth it well beseemetb,
Tnst pleasure bo csteemeih,
And sullen age is huted.
That inlnb would have diluted,
Fa la.
A riirlstmaa Comedy.
Mrs. Porter gives
hint thnt she would
for her Christmas.
Mr. Porter a gentle
like a seubjkiu suck
She irets a sealsh'n handing, nnd her
Innocent hnsbnnd cuu't imngiue wliut she
is crying for.
ChrlMnins,
As commemorating the birth of the
founder of the Christian religion, it is a
religious feast. Hut in tho popular ap
prehension its religious character has
been superseded by its social and chnr-
itablo signlllcance. n nas nccome me
feast of pxkI fellowship in the highest
geuso good fellowship with a religious
sanction. Nominally it in the birthday of
the rounder of Christianity. Practically
it is the day of St. Nicholas, the feast ot
Santa Clans, the iitron of ull chiUlreu.
Harper's Weekly
rnltnl 8tatp Pota(r Stamp.
The United States has been, without
doubt, the nn t prolific of all countries In
the world In the Issue of postal stamps
hnvlni put forth over 500 different varie
ties altogether. The numlier of distinct
varieties issued by the various govern
ments throughout the world Is variously
animated, but 8,000 would probably cover
the whole. Chicago lieruld.
"IT 18 TOO OLD TO BELL.
And wizened old Peter Perkins got Into
his old overcoat and went home through
i.n mront where tho snow lay thick nnd
heavy until he reached his comfortnblo
looking three story house. After ho rang
the bell ho muttered to himself:
"I might just ns well have only given
Murk $1 instead of $3. He'd n'been just
as thankful, and I'd a'saved that much.
And all those things there wny, i coum
have sold them at a discount, but then,
after it all, I wus losing ground in church
custom by whut they call my stinginess,
nn.l now. well. I euess after nil I'm glad
I givo them. The poor who get them can't
complain. Oh, here she comes at last t And
she will expect a present, tool It seems
ns if everybody was besot ChriBtmas timel
I'm sick of it. Hu!"
At this Instant Mrs. Warner, who was
servaut und housckcoper both, opened tho
door, her rather long face wreathed in
smiles and her form dressed in her best
black silk gown. Peter Perkins was as
tonished nnd surprised ns she led tho way
... . .1. ..... 1 .1 ... n . 1 a
to the dining room, wnere mo u.t.
dinner was laid, for on the table smoked
a 'splendid turkey, while several other
dainty and toothsome dishes stood about,
among them a noble mluce pie that gave
out a mellow, luscious odor that mortal
could not withstand, and yet ho turned,
saying fiercely:
"Mary Warner! Who gave you author
ity to. do this? Why, hero is dinner
enough for twenty, nnd such extrava
gance! I told you this morning I didn't
believe in holiday nonsense, and I told you
to cook half a mackerel and a potato,
dliln't I?"
"You did, sir, and I was going to do it:
nnlv this morning my sister in the coun
try sent me a Christmas box, and these
wero in it, and as I couldn't eat them nil
myself I made bold to offer you half, sir.
and no offense, I hopo."
"Oh, well, thnt alters the case. Well,
yes, I don't caro if I do," and ho allows
himself to fall in the chair she pushed for
ward, and ho fell to nnd in a Bhort time
hud cnten a most excellent dinner, which
he finished with a great golden doughnut
and piece of cheese. He 'ook theso r.s in
r dream, ono in each hand, nnd made
alternate bites of doughnut nnd chceso in
a reflective nnd even retrospective man-
nnp ns llP thollllllt:
"Why don't city folks learn to make
crullers liko this? For lovo nor money
you couldn't buy anything like this in all
this great city. They taste just ns
mother used to make them. Her tin
cruller box was never empty and how
good they were; the older they were tho
mellower and better they were. I re
member she used to make mo a boy and a
mouse every time she fried crullers, nnd
always two P's for my letters. And
Christmas nnd New Yenr's she put enr
nway soed candies all over mine. I won
der how sho did it. That mince pio was
trood. I think I will take another piece.
It hain't cost anything nnd it makes me
think of old times."
And so the miserly old man snt and ate
until his usnal bedtime came, when ho lit
his candle, for he never would have gas,
nnd went to bed.'
Scnrccly hud he got warm and comfort
able when lie saw standing by his bedsido
a stranger whoso face was carefully
turned away, and who wore a long, looso
garment of Borne unknown fashion, and
instinctively l'eter rerkins put ms nanu
nmer his pillow after his revolver, think
ing of robbers, but the stranger said in a
low voice, which yet had such authority
In it thnt the wretched man dared not
disobey:
"Arise, dress yourself and follow me."
As In a dream the little miser followed,
but they went so swiftly that he could
not see where they were going until at
last the stranger said:
"Open your eyes and tell me what you
see."
Peter Perkins stood and gazed with his
wizened face pale and frightened. He
seemed to bo in a vast place, so vast that
it nppenred to lie visible illimitable space.
There was no beginning nor end to any
I where, and yet he was there in the midst
of this Infinity of distance, and before
him upon nothing stood great tables upon
which was piled a heterogeneous collection
ot everything imaginable., and while he
was trying to understand this confusion,
he noticed thnt there had appeared, rank
ou rank and file on file, limitless, count
less numbers of cherubim and serhphim,
and in the midst of this throng sat upon
a crystal throne Christ, the benign, the
loving, the pitiful, and his features seemed
to exude sweetness an ! mercy from evc-y
lineament, aud his smile was ineffably
tender.
The cherubim and scrnpnira sang
"Glorr, glory to Cod la the highest and
wero very
Peter Perkins noticed, too, that those
whose gifts were light disappeared from
view, and ho watched until he saw them
f,.n intn Knnce nnd fado away In distance,
yhllo the angels sent pitying glances after
tnem.
eiuiiinniv tlm Saviour said
"Now. Peter Perkins, what gift have
you brought to the Lord on this his birth'
"Ohl I am willing to give you all I
have, but this bundle upon my bock was
not intended for you, but for the poor. If
you will let me go back I will return with
"Tint what have you in that bundle?"
"nnlv some flour, and meal, und sugar,
and hum, and rice, which are not quite
fresh and good, but I thought they would
do for the poor"
"An.i lmve vou never heard of my
words, when I said: 'Inasmuch as ye do it
nntn the k-nst of these, my children, yo
do it unto me?' Look, that cup or water
was given by a sick and suffering woman
to one who suffered worse. That holy
tenr was civen from a pure heart that had
nothing else to offer, but you, out of your
ni.nnii.inee. offer only that which Is unfit
tnr foo.1. nnd in offerintr thut to tho uu
fort unate noor vou have offered it to me.''
"I did not knowl un, piease let me go
back and I will do differently"
"Alas! you have lived youi life, an
you must, like all that throng you have
seeu, take your deeds with you to plead,
for or against you. You can return no
more than they. All men bring their
passports of good or evil actions with
them here, nnd once they have como
naught can change. They must bear meir
fate. Some of them did not know but you
had a mother who taught you aright, but
you forgot her words of wisdom or put
thpm nsiilo. So. now. co your way."
And with these words Peter Perkins
fnir. himself fallinn Into perdition, weight'
ed down by the moldy flour and spoiled
bread nnd sucar. Down, down ho went,
faster than many others who were on tho
w-nv. and he cried out in his agony of
fear, when suddenly with that cry ho
awoke and sat up in bed. This then had
been a dream! But it had opened his
eyes, and he began to see things as he
never had done before. Ho remembered
his mother's teachings, und he slept no
more that night. But ns soon ns dnylight
dawned ho dressed and went to the storo
where poor, faithful Mark, who had sluveu
ten vears for him. was packing those
wretched things Into the wagon.
BASEBALL TALK.
Ah A P-
The league salary limit for nrapimi
mid to be $1,500.
Tbo California league has adopted !
double umpire system.
Catcher Henry Yaiek, of Detroit,
jigned with M hoellug,
The Browns and Detroit! contemplttt .
ipring series of exhibition games.
The Yule pitcher, Hutchinson, nen
1,800 from Dos Moines hist season
The new Chicago club is said to be rata
plating tho engagement of Larry McKen
The New York combination, it sttii
will remain in 'Frisco until Feb. 15tk
Not ono of the original lirowmwill gat
with St. Louis next year. Bill Gkmn
the lust to go.
After refusing many eastern offer, fa
ham, tho Harvard rollogo pitcher, baispi
with the St. l'aul club.
President Day intends sending hit ac
outhnexttairing. This will give bit
men a chance to show what they am da
Tho American association is goingtoBl
its games doubly attractive next year by
ing ull of the best umpires in iuo coumn.
Tho Washinirton club has already mail
nineemonts for tho spring opening Ut
jcaaon. The Cleveland club will bo t
iug attraction.
Pnilunt Von dcr Aho ssyi tut
Brooklyn and Cincinnati will bavo s
nines next year, and both should maker
flklit for tho pennant.
P..1.-U F.wlnir is doiiis some pliewr
pitching since the New York combiu l
started for California. It is a groat pin :
was not given a trial during uie sum.
Who.. President Vi 11 der AM KT-
asked Director Doylo if ho wanted to
! twin ....i.i- "Yps.and VOUIKS
U1UU ill! . .v . , . , i.
I will give frw.OlX) for tne wauio uu- f
SPORTING AND ATHLETIC.
Sir Dixon is tho most popular
for the next Kentucky ueruy.
The Dwyers have engagements iff
om noil nf stnkos next season.
' James Quirk, the Canadian spnnW
gone to England to try uis iuc
caps.
It is not at all improbable thD;
McCaffrey nnd Peter Nolan wiUnwM
ueapolis somo time next month.
tl.n world"! ft
Jumr.hasdochledtoquJ
go on witti nis post b""""
University of Pennsylvania.
Hondlso, the great English rsM J
in. i timii.i was rel"11
wnomanoucr ui i te,4
vpars nt-bbv his owner, a
. " -. t nn ere
now has nearly tuui " -- M
takes wou, and is still souuu
... i,n tlm honor
Uillioruia mm .....JW
tho best trotting rew'-"
M.l vir. Ycarlins. Norkunc, i;
Wihlflower. 2:21: J?r
" . i i W.nMnia.'-
Wilkes, 3:1U; 4-year-om, "--7 ,
T-ETEIl PERKISS' DREAM.
"Mark." said he, "throw all that stuff
away and tnke double the nmount of tho
best, and tuke poultry nnd fruit nnd ten
and coffee nnd bread aud sngur nnd but
ter, yes, and anything else you fancy, and
make them up into separate parcels and
give one good, generous basketful to every
poor family you know. Yes, Mark, and
then, if your mother Is able to bear it,
tnke her in a carriage and come down to
tr.y house this evening to dinner, nnd we
will discuss our new sign with Perkins
nnd Hancock on iU Yes, God bless us!
Oh, no, I'm not crazy! I've just come to
my senses," and he hurried home and as
tonished Mrs. Warner by a handsome
crisp note for t'A) nnd ordered a dinner
which would have staggered her it she
had not had so good a beginning from her
sister's farm.
Ten years have passed since that time.
Peter Perkins is a round, happy man. To
see his jolly, benign face clow at you from
over his counter makes you involuntarily
loot rouna for the other Cheeryble
brother; and now if he was called he
would not go empty handed before his
Lioru anu baviour.
Come, bring with a noise,
Ut niprrr, nw-ry boya,
Th Cbrwrf.M log to the firing,
Vbile my ir.od dame she
Bids you all be trea
A J druA to jour kurtr dealruut. "
"Iteddy" Gallagher, of Clw
Riley, of Franklin,
Nov. SB, and signea aru - ,
six rouml giovo in,..- - - ;urt;
ghor's weight is 153 pound, --v
Toff Wall, tho middle
England, after "fS"
land, expects to leave -for
latter part -VVi.b-
scy for from w, .
miuuie wcigui
P0UT1CALP!CKINGS.
rhofornmtionoflanclU,?f
in Maine. f
AUbutfouroftheir-n-.
In Georgia are agaianv
tho war taxes.
Senator Teller, of Colora. ,,
fectly satisfied witn tC
(or tho presidency if M
able to win tho light as- -
Tf i tmu thnt wo bavo v
i..i, th or national convW
doubtful whether tho big
con-ect thing for an imi- r- ,
vcntion.-Hartford Courant lW (,
The AUanta Constitu-ion- :
of warning against our ,
to watch tho Fren A f
1 . w.iiovp that the careu
J . ntflC"---
United SUtes ana r -
Tho Iowa Prohibition.
th United Ut)or ticket
iff
majority of sni
The deliberations
1 fiiit'l
be added to. the Kepuu..- w
maUng the majority n
moc-rocy. ThU would g'rt.
legislature are enauif ior
nfyof theDritishhoff
presiding officers nro u . rff,
oftheflneUue,
..nJJ--v , rjf
session wnn -itoto,
relics ot colwualdT