"A CHRISTMAS CAROL. ,
Ho for I he yuletlde merry,
Tl), yuletlde merry ud gayj .
When every face
Quod will iloch grace,
Wd beautiful NM away
From every tout,
n her hood and Hole,
Drive cars, for the Uveloog day. '
, . . to the mlMletoe hoary,
nd the holly with berries red,
Oo rafter and beam
That glisten and gleam,
M they did In the day that are dead;
Love grow uoi uiu.
Nor do bean grow cold
With the yule branch above them spread, '
Here- to the Cbrtstmaa graeWug,
Sweet a the muilc of heaven
To the f rlendlee and lone.
To whom kindness' unknown,
Or to whom 'ti but seldom given;
Let us not forget
Sorrow's eye, tear wet.
Lest our heart with like grief be rlveo.
Ho for the yule log, burning
lii the wide old chimney place;
ile It higher, higher.
The Christmas fire.
Fill the house with warmth and cheer;
Then gather tlieiu In
From the haunt of ain.
To the Christ child, they Hill are dear.
Though the unbine of their childhood
Tiit'y have turned to blackest uight,
Starless and cold
It. the dismal world.
Ami again, some would find the light,
The dear Christ' care
U-t me lovingly hare.
To guide the wanderer aright.
Let the "Gloria In Excelsl,"
With Hi music, flood our soul
Ou chia Weaned day
May it swell nlway.
Till it lido 'er the broad earth roll,
For Christ child' known
From tone to lone,
Ami nts love uei uuiiiuiiB muvtvw.
.ajiah Louis" Morris in Chicago Inter-Ocean.
A ciiKisniAs vmm
You Irnvo inserted Joshua Prouty in the
. .: l. I',., ...-.' con of 111. I, u.i.
l-.'t lo I. ""Is' . '
k.. I unOc maenad '
-Yes, Mr. Prouty."
Thank you. And you havo entered the
r .......cl Pfonfv of I a, i, ... ...
,1... . t..i ,'o .if T lit, oo.-iT-oI -arms f '
"Yes."
"Thank you, MUs Rogers. If you are at
I hivi inv introduction ready for
iTL.i PrAiif v fimi lv in A mnrifja
- l.v ( 'hritfiiihi'P I'miitv whii
ii Pnirlfin1 in HlU with his wift
t:ii- .hI.J at Ilnrpliimtor
MIt is quite legible, Mr. Prouty."
Hie secretary spread the manuscript bo-
H i i il tkia mi'iir , it' nil nr n .
I WW
a.i ..,.,. 1 miJiul n w i nil nf hiP tliilVv
inih mi i r i.nr oi uer uiuu bus. uuu went
le. t U'.,rL-
Mr. Prouty went hack into his study,
1 ., . . . . . . , , iiiIm ii I j il i ii 1 1 1 . .1 t .
Ho. fjisv c in . no i M ill, iurwiuii, niui uu-
i , , .i ... 1 t ii tin. I rlu. t fii iii.u I
not that terrier oi i w next riiniii 111 wtucn
n. ii.. t i it
niiis s . iimiii ui tan in .fi, itiii,
.1 a I1 ... 1 iha ...ni,,... . .r
rnJr enjoyed that pleasure, r rom a like
Utlt I ! i T 1 ? lie wii wunu iu ui.t nieiiuu
He had btgUO tu im faintly suspicious that
Mttiiinr tHiiiit. in I 1 1 1 1 pi mini hit inn nf A
111V 1 hi V.
'He had undertaken it merely as a recrea-
aiiig 1 1 .' .it ani nts ueuiui, iresii loiu-
wai letire-l ii mi an inliu.'ited mercantile
nniHA with in i iinn i m hi iil in i'i nun iiMii
NUU IVI till, H'J Illlt llUfll IUO i i ) 'i .ill'
Bopwuniaty reuiuueration; iieexweted to
vno. .. .i.. ir.. Ut tiu !...,
UIUTV Ml' IT 'I'XN II' Til TV.
it ti;id gradually dawned UX)n him that the
;l- . i ii i - s n o. i no m v a i
alarming ty large and wulely scattered.
to i i i. -. i
. iiuuiv , mui inz i no past Mivoii in 'inn-,
alcd States; jvored over deelsand willsand
ge records in court hou.ses innutuera-
ana written .(nJ letters and reeeivetl
tu 1 1. 1 111 ii, uiiiii (ill ui nuiv.u iui , i i cuij
DtUll till) lutiuru A tut A Vi't t )ut 1 1 Kt nf V
W to speuk. iu a stage ot red and pulpy
e comparative feebleness and vanity of
wort, also, had now and then forced it-
UlMlIl Ills, iiiiiiuiii.iiunaaii It ai , u 'i'i-. I
um that w hether Tah TYnwtT had been
m i.JUor 1.J1. and when Melauetlion
IV IHi Miiirri.a.1 u.nv Mniumi ulul
less in the center of the coat of ann.i
r" "P ' 1 J VUI I i.i - i hi ivafc, aw
"TJ1 by lien wick Prouty, of New Or-
Ulxiii hv .iniiriin 'rmitv nt ( Hi'Hl'O
",,ull "IUUp, til'' III'iM U1U1WUUU MM
I1i7 nr.. I.I ' .1... I....
o f ""ss 's.i va s.v uu f .
antl three day till Christmas. Mr.
"feet tn'iieath Twenty-eighth street
.i ..iik iui uuku uia " uiuu iiiiv
uxof shopiiers from the bouses opposite,
r-""u "i iiiesaeuer oovs uuu eiii..-3a
una tiie rattling rush of dry goods de-
7 "ton. At the nresent moment Mr.
- .u' i i ir in eiwicr ii reciion. ihm io-
tvn lii.rl,!., .ii: ;i a
'fcioi uifloiuiiiar awau ca aiijuvnoi
1 foni t Ut! west, a tall voting ln 8
v ui lunir umca vrvaavusH n'
isir hi . I. .i.. t. - . i. ...
uuiu me eusL, a suoi i. juuui,
111 Ski..., , - . . m
ji.i,,. mum 'O. ( . anu w
tt- When tliA Ivll rnnir therefore.
la quick succession, Mr. Proutv eviuceil
W- the callers were bis nephews,
irrmitv. the son of budn-ensiil hroth-
tsUi B'niamin ToHil ,.omm, .tile hullWU
' 1 e mi o.si sisier s son. . w.
Tars Mr. prouty had contributed, un
arm- . l
me ;iuv LTI-Ul'.'i m..o- i
rt.
tit step of one of the maids of his
-red bachelor household sounded;
rphews were shown in.
Prouty sat down on a sofa with
iignity; Bub Todd threw himself
"r with haste and violence. Neither
.T.h . . I ..... . i .
jir rroutv: it was a lornuuii)
r"".' c'Hiim mlv omitted.
PJ5 cull weather," aaid Bub, deposit-
jaat ou a table hi last call bad been
pUrT.ne 0f citmrtintr tlie till nec-
f ir ;. , m- i IL.
1 " purcnaae ana nip ping mu
onth-i . .. ... .. !. .
in.un WlTh hi, ,1 I'm nHL '
' Where did von ret tbatf He
-MiU,eniivacroa the room to Stan
i
t think vou ware eettinz a gooi
"bm m . ... ki
p jwv nuv vuatf it cwi
I took a fancy to it " ankt Mr Pm "
apologetically. ' rrouty, ,
"Beastly, beastly!" Rut. , u. u. I
nppered ihoe ibarplv took an nrn.tiT , '
oout the room, and bolted off towards the
OBcretary't desk.
Bui, wa. generally understood to bean art
!. 8- priced tulio uptown,
pntronimd he beat models, ud ...nebed ,h.
art material .tor, at winch he dealt But
met i """ Mr. 1-rou.v, who
"'" to. exception of
nine winch Mr. Pro, had bought and pre
MM to friend,, he had ever m Jfc
r."M.O. !, .Ur. l,,Mtv -.
the nine iiainiin.s , t. ......i , ..
nine WMlM back ns.
save only on
un.ts When he w , .ineet.sl r i
wilderment might have been less. As it was.
" uepnew oopiotu explmia-
tion
nenrd gallery committees called ca.U
..in private collectors ruosters-in imaM
ym(iathy.
Selkirk Prouty loosened the red silk hand
kerchief which incased hi somewhat lengthy
neck, cleared his throat, and picked up a
Tolume from the table.
" '0. Umliert Robinson,' " he read, with
Mmosm "Is it possible that you admire
that luihei'ile's bohf"
"I think it-harmles:" Mr. Prouty fal
tered. "Ho is a fellow of tenth-rate ability," said
Selkirk, severely. "HU productions are
trnsh-doggen'L" He dropped the Issik in a
weariness of disguit, stroked hUchin with a
languid hand, and trolled iu the direction ol
the secretary.
Selkirk was literary; the fact, hv reason of
the peculiarities of bis apparel and the
length of his hair, was easily discerniole. He
had baKfaaior apartments on Washington
square, including an expensively tltt.nl study
and a largo library; and Selkirk employed
his time in writing poetry. What became
of it was dubious. He bad published a vol
ume at his owu expense or at Mr. I"routy ';
but the llrt editiou, with the exception of
press copies, still lay untouched on the pub
lishers' shelves. Mr. Prouty, while surprised
at the riistilt. was a firm lieliever.through the
iterations of his nephew. In the depraved
idiocy of reviewers and the crassitude of the
reading public.
Mr. Prouty looked through the door to
where his secretary sat, well hemmed in by
nis nepnews. lie was aware that tlieir TUN
had tripled in frequency and length during
the past seven months, and that the carpet
on either siile ot his secretary's desk had las
gun to look positively dingy and worn; ho
was aware, in short, that his nephew were
jointly and severally in bve with Pollv
Rogers.
Mr. Prouty had told hitaself that this state
of affairs was highly grairf -ng. He had be
come attachisl to his pretty secretary; he was
fully couscious of it Whut, then, could he so
much desire for her as mi eventual comforta
ble settlement I He was aware that, were his
showering hnud withdrawn, a settlement with
Bub Todd or Selkirk Prouty would not be
comfortable; but he had no intention of with
drawing it. Apparently, as the situation
promised, be should be able by proxy to
provide for Polly all the rest of her life; and
the thought was a pleasing one. Hut w hether
he should provide for Mrs. Hub Todd or Mrs.
Selkirk Prouty was a mystery which, though
Mr. Prouty had made some few delicate mid
hesitant attempts to light jii it, was as yet un
solved. His brooM clock struck twelve; Bub and
Selkirk ilet iclicd tlicmsclvt slowly from the
secretary's desk.
"How shall you spend Christinas T' Mr.
Prouty inquired, accompanying his nephews
to the door, with his usual cheerful cordial
ity, and quietly inserting an indorsed check
into tlio limn) of each, all attention which
Selkirk received with a bow in which short
whs uu element of condescension, nud itob
with a nonchalant waive of the hand.
"I shull join friends at Old Point Comfort,"
Selkirk rejoined, udjusting his red silk hand
kerchief. "Geoff Smith's going to have some of us
fellows up the river somewhere," sud Huh,
putting his lint on a corner of his hold
"Where will you lief ho added, incidently,
with his hca I in the hall.
"I shall ditto at home," Mr. Prouty replnd.
"I have invited your Aunt and I'tuie Tile
hals to dinner and Miss Rogers. Hat board
ing house dinner would uot be a cheerful one, I
you know.
"Nof" cried Bub, shortly.
"Indeed!" said Selkirk, with ironical em
phasis, closing the door with a snap. Mr.
Prouty, abished and bewildered, turned
luicl; Polly w us standing in the doorWM
wilh his manikieripj iu her hand, her slender
form mid peachy face aud soft, light hair
charmingly outlined against the half drawn
portiere Mr. Prouty forgot his perplexity
in the sight.
"I am mi sorry I havo not been able to
finish it," she was saying. "I will take it
home with me if I may." Polly's hours end
ed at twelve: in the afternoon she coined in a
downtown office.
"No, no; I will not allow it, Miss Rogers,"
her employer responded, quite warmly. "It
is through no fault of your own; you were
interrupted," bo added, with pleasant jocu
larity. Polly smiled in return.
"They are agreeable fellows-my nephews,"
Mr. Proutv pursued; "rather attractive."
"They seem pleasant," Polly napandtd.
'.Ti.v iir.i unlike, to I"' sure," said Mr.
Prouty, musingly
retsiso of manner
Selkirk has dignity nml ,
Benjamin, with equal sta
utiM of nhsnnter. I am sure, is more tin
r,.,t.o-u more e (fervescent Which style dc
you consider the most engaging
Mist
Rogers;
I have not thought of it," mid Folly,
meeting his eyes serenely, anil wnn tome gen- .
tie surprise.
"They are estimable young men, ts.th, -Mis'
Rogers,"" said Mr. Prouty, desperately. "1
believe th. m to lie of deep intrinsic worth,
with possibilities of warm affection and pro
tecting strength, suould-should there be oc
casion for it. .. .,
"1 do not doubt it, Mr. Prouty, said Polly,
tweetlv. ' , , .
"Thev would make gorsl husbands-they
would make a good husband, Mk, llog.-rs
said Mr I'n.utv, sp-uking lnr-ly m th
difficult emlmrrassment of bU eff. .rt
I am sure vou are right," said 1 oUy, SI
rai,-,l lier blue eyes m faint alarm, and spokt
"Sntv checked Jacket and h-r high
feathered hoi hung on a hook near Mc' 1-1
the latter on, and smiled np timidly at Mr
Proutv fnm, und-r a .-rap of vi-i which
"optsslattbet.n of her stra.ght little -Mr
Proutv hei,l her ...to her jacket, and
JSonsl b'er fallen handkerchief, an, stasj
Coking at her with the admiring ton Is mi
2X comfort which the sight of her a
ZfipnV "bile she pnllJ -n ber yel
tow gloves and buttoned the... with an a
ZZEl hair pin. and tnrtol ber hands into
Enkev sk. muff ml 2EL
i , s win low. m'l.r-i "d ! ti'f
mftenuTfn uet and w.tche.. her .ittm.
ou, o M -I,t. MM! the -i"n"K'y
..ri-levesof live successive men whom sb
rtSnd" Mr. Prouty that the.rao
SaSsSSr8
ftouty o highly agmble me, lie went '
"Ptair ami put on hi hat ami overcoat, with '
rUk "P ""' b"'1K He knew he
n',hlnS bout nu-Tln InrUtma present.
--() . t . .1 , i j ' ivitv v , mi t la
Kruck him that it would be a vert pleasant
thing to laiy a pnwut for Polly It would
be what he rarely owed her a tokeu of hi
esteem and of hi appreciation if her service.
It was A o'clock when be got back. Me bad
wnlked down Broadway looking Into win
dows, in helplea indecision, at velvet lion-
nets, and satin candy tsixes, and photograph
of actreawa and royal personages, and long
and J:iiuew bric-a-brac and sucet
music, ii i ,i.i !. ii drawn into Ilia crowd
surging westward along Fourteenth street,
and baia borne up Sixth avenue like a straw
in the rapids yelled at by the proprietors of
booth on either hand, aud gating confusedly
over the sea of surrounding beads at th e cent
Christmas cards, Bve cent cornucopias, live
cent jumping Jacks, live cent green tm alliga
tors, Bve cent pincushions on clamshell and
Bve cent plush WNtkayi on strings. He had
been carried round the comer and into
Twenty-third street, and been squeezed,
mussed mi l fatigued through a shadowy suc
cession of storm in hu h hundreds of pretty
girls bad shown him millions of articles, anil
In winch OMhbaJfl had rushed and floorwalk
ers hail perspired, and seaUkitimsl aoOnpan
had chattered deafeningly; and in which he
had grown more and more hoadesly loat.
I He had even (lrift.il. daiedly, into a toyshop
and lookisl at rubber doll and wooden , Id
lers and tin horses and flannel dogs ou w heel.
And he hail come home wearied, rumplisl and
empty handed.
Ho sat down with his chin in Ins hands,
thoughtfully He reflected that Ins impulse
hail been a foolish one and that the abortive
neasof hi. effort wa not to be Ptf Psttad.
Undoubtedly he should be able- possibly ssn
to indulge the fatherly warmth of his de
tiro In the presentation of a aoatdaDOM wel
ding gift. Mr. Prouty infonn.il himself that
he was exceedingly happy iu the contempla
tion of this prmqiect; he smiled btoadlv ntid
rublied his hand. He was oblig sl to keep
his mind faithfully opN the onUM and the
attrition of his hands in order to c ut iutiu
them, but he performed them with uiechau
iral regularity for some time.
At 12 o'clock on Christina day Mr. Prouty,
his tine form clothed in holiday attire and
his handsome face Bushed with eager antici
pation, awaited hi three excctcd guests in
his study.
Below, the parlom were thrown opooj, a
long vista of comfortable elegance, with
flowers in fancy basket and leaping grate
Bred; and the darkenis! dining room shone
with the bright army of silver and the
sprinkling of ttntad fairy lights and the scin
tillations of the laden sideboard; mid the
I- r of the little pig (latieutlv roasting In the
range mingled with the aroma of the plum
pudding sU'Uiiung above it, and gently Boat
ed in.
The bell rang, and Mr. Prouty, pacing his
study Hi sir null an irregularity of pleasura
ble emotion, hurried dow nward.
Selkirk Prou'y was removing bis outer gar
ments before the hall mirror. He wore a
turudown collar of some width, covens! in
the rear by his falling locks, and joined In
front by a blue silk scarf; and be carried a
incknge. He u'lattal Mr. Prouty, standing
ui speechless astonishment, with a gracious
smile.
"1 alteri-d mynrriiiigeinents," he explained,
with benignity, "and resolved to join you at
your Christinas dinner. Ah; rather cozy,"
bi admitted, rubbing his hands bafofl the
grate, with an mils-niing of complacent lie
nevolence. "Miss Rogers linn not arrived! I
have a slight token to present to her." He
unwrapjs'd a volume of his hkius mid placed
it at a consiiicuous isnni on the mantel.
Mr. Prout v ppanad bis lips forcibly, w ith a
gasp, and strove to ss-ak. He ns-iircd him
self, strenuously, that nothing more gratify
ing could s'ssilily have occurred. It would
be nil excellent opirtuiuty for the liirtber
ance of his hops, regarding Pally ; smsibly
the occasion would bring about a happy cul
mination, lie reproached himself for having
emitted Selkirk from bis prima arrange
ment "I wish to see Miss Rogers privately, by
Ihe way, "Selkirk continued. "1 have a mat
ter to ilis iiss with her which has been for
toino time upon my mind, ud it occurred
me to embrace this opsirtuuity."
"Certainly certainly," Mr. Prouty mur
mured. He lisikisi at hi nophaw hrpatnUy.
His well iisi-d dignit y, his sell oen'cred num
bness, had never iipicitrcd to greater ml van
tage, surely. If WON were u choice lietwooii
his nephews ns regarded their Utiles for Polly,
Mr. Prouty believed that Selkirk was that
choice.
"If some little management proves neces
sary for my seeing Miss Rogers privately,"
Selkirk added, spreading his blue tcarf, "I
may de'inl OB your assistance!"
"Assuredly, assuredly," Mr. Prouty re
sponded, with hurrhsl warmth.
"Ah, thanks!" Selkirk sank into a chair in
a languor of self recollection.
The Ml pealed; Mr. Prouty hastened into
the hall with a beating heart and stopped in
amazement.
It was Bub Todd and a messenger lxy
carrying a large ami very carefully enveloped
burden.
"Ilidii't look for me, chf" said Bub. remov
ing his ile gloves. "Well, changed my
plans and concluded I'd drop ill. Ju-t put on
another piats, Molly," be remarked to the
retreating girl.
"Two, Mary, Mr. rrouty iiiiutci.
Bub glanced into the parlor; frowned at
the disclosure of hi cousin, and lowered In
I voice
She ain't here vet I Bfoueht her a little
present; little thing I've been doing." Ho re
moved its w rappings and placed it ill an ad
vantageous light against the bat rack.
"How's that I" He rublasl his dangling gloso
with his scented handkerchief and seized Mr.
proiitv's lapel. "See lu re, I want to see her
when she comes; want bi haveaoutifnbabout
a little matter. Keep the gang off uud give
nie a clinnce, will you eh I"
Mr. Prouty hesitated, bewilderedly. Bult't
Impulsiveness, hii offhanded spontaneity
struck h.in wtth fresh force, and favorably.
Perha Polly' clinging tweetncot Mr.
Proutv was certain that Polly' nature wa
one of clinging swi-etness would crave mote
warmth, more demonstrative ardor than
fseikirk would lie likely tt lavish upon her;
perhaps-ye, surely Bub would make ber
happier.
"KliP Bub repeated, sharply.
"Whv. ves; to bo sure, my boy," mid Mr.
Prouty! with dazed oordiality, aud Hub saun
tered into the tarlor, yawning.
The bell jingled again, thi time with a
gentle timidity. Mr. Prouty felt a thrill,
half of poignant pleasure and half of painful
apprehension, tingle through hnn. He ent
forward at an unsteady pace.
Yes it was Polly. She met Mr. Prouty
with a pleasant untie, and a pretty flush, and
laid her gloved band in hi, with ber blue
eves swiftly raised to him; and covered hit
agitated silence by chatting brightly of the
day and the weather, a aha laid aside bar
Jacket, ami rolled np her gloves and put
them in her muff, and pinned ber veil
to ber hat, and pressed ber dextrous hands
to the shining blonde aureole above her
charming face, and wont with ber host into
the warm, Are lighted. Bower scented parlor.
She started bock in shy alarm at Iba
1
sight of the two masculm figure within.
Selkirk rose hastilv from tho chair In which
was half dozing,
Bub bounded from the
sofa upon which he wa unconventionally re
clining. They hurried forward simultaneous
ly, and Polly bowed to them each, with a
sweetly impartial .mile. Bub looked at Sel
kirk frowningly. Selkirk returned the look
with haughty cxildncm
"It Is a ilrliglitfully beautiful dav, Mia
Rogers," he remarked, draw lug a chair ueor
lo her.
"It is very pleasant." .aid Polly.
"The glad Christmas-tide ho doe not
welcome it I" Selkirk demanded. He looked
-u ;etlvcly and severely at Mr. rrouty, and
Mr. Prouty, with a sudden startled rviiiein
hrance, turned hastily to Hub.
"1 1 have some engravings 1 think you
luive uot seen. Heiijuiinu," bo said. "They
ire in the luick potior,"
Bub had slapped down a chair at Polly's
vacant side.
"Jolly day, Miss Rogersf he otwerved.
"They are from recent French painting,
benjamin." sai l Mr Prouty. anxiously.
'You will lie interested in examining them."
"I'm kwflltfaf glad you're on band, Mist
Rogers," said Bull, turning upon Mr. 1'routy
with an amasl mid threatening glare.
"It is a day of bright associations and
!ihcd boie," Selkirk procecdeil
"1 have uot shown vou my new edition of
Carlyle,- Selkirk." Mr. Prouty faltered.
struck by a wave of confused recollection.
"If you w ill (Mine upstairs for a moment to
the library"
"It i a season of paaOt and love," aaid Sel
kirk vt it Ii a stern gaze of w ruthful couslcrun
Hon nt Mr. Prouty.
"You're looking tip-top, Miss Rogers," Bub
put in.
"Tbev Include some Bonheurs nnd Melsso
niers, B 'iijaiiii i," stud Mr. rrouty, dazedly
"If vou will come into the back parlor"
Bab root to btl limited height with a vio
last jerk. Mr Prouty wisl the porspira
Kotl from bis forehead.
"There is a portrait and biography, Sel
kirk," h" g.isied, with Bub's tierce eyes iqion
Mm, "Shall we go up to the library f"
What do you menu by not going, lrP
Bub demanded, eyeing bis tall cousin fero
ciously. "To who- i ire vou shaking, sir!" Selkirk
rejoined, rising with stern dignity.
"Miss Ro ;icn, may I nspiest you to novum
puny me to lue further end of the rooml 1
lesire to speak to you privately; without 111-
latfaranoa.11
"Will you go into the hall with me, Miss
lingers!" Hub demanded, glowing with
wrath.
Pollv, standing with fluttering lirentb and
BOMpod bands, was timidly, nbriukiugly oV
lent
Bub glared at Selkirk.
"You're a cad. sir!" he remarked, with
savage force.
"You're a puppy," Selkirk responded, with
.siual ire
Mr Prouty mopped the anguished boadfl
from Ins Prow and g.ied at l olly. Polly
vi s were btlisl to bis Her lips were luirled
tremulously; her color rnine and went swift-
iv. her suit eyes loolosl into his own wilh
timorous iright and sweet npKial and yearn
nig triisil'ubiHafl auil
.Mr. Proutj tared at her in breathless won
der, in w ide evod lie wilderment, in dazed in
cr.slnhty mid delirious joy. A great light
burst over him. He P it bis face lulling and
his limbs trembling nud hi strength forsuk
nigh. in. but be Open id his arms wide. And
bis little secretary, bursting into a soft
shower of tears, lripssl into them and threw
bet-own Haaflr about his neck, mid buried
her tenderly tearful, smiling face iisiii Ins
breast.
There was a pause of some duration. The
rattle of ft conic -lionci' s wagon outside and
the thud of uu lot cream pail on the pave
lie nt resounded with a startling distinctness
The roast-pig-aid'iliii!i-puitiliiig odor wan
dered up and mingled with the fragrance of
Hie Bowers. The brass dog on the mantel
hsikisl down in ll!l)ui-sivo calm. Hub Todd
cniittisl a hug. low pitched whistle, strolhsl
uu and down the nsun for a Kpace. w ith bi
bands in nkpoofcaU; sauntered Into the ball
umi pi n ed Ins pointing with its (Ml towards
laebaatboard and suuntereil back. Selkirk
Prouty cle.ued bis throat, mechanically re
arriingiHl a duqilui'isl lock, went to the mMlal
and uffjooitsd ins rohuwol pQomi i a
large vase and il down reflectively. The
ball rang n loud and cheerful peal, and the
maid ciitiie up to admit the two remaining
gin-.ts and to announce the readiness of the
Chrutiiio dinner.
Mr. Trinity's secretary liecameMrs. Prouty
six week later, and sailed with her lute em
ployer on n BaVopeau wedding tour. The
numerous I'roulys resident In America have
not as ct received a gilt edged copy of their
family history for t ho reason that it ha never
ban completed. Kmma A. Opper iu Prank
Uwlio'a Illustrated Newspaper.
Christmas Proverb and Prediction.
A green Christmas make a full graveyard
A white Christmas, a lean graveyard.
Other buying connect Cbristuiaa with
Easter:
gris'ti i 'hrist mus indicateaa white Easter
A Warm Christmas, a cold Easter.
Hosier in snow, Christmas in mud.
Christina in snow, Easter in mud.
Its influence on the crop during the ensu
ing year I set forth in other proverbs:
If windy on Christina day, trees will bring
forth much Iruit
If it snows on Chrlstroai night, we expect
a good hop crop next year.
Christum wet gives empty granary and
Itnrrel.
"If on Christmas night," aayt a fienimn
Hoverb, "the wine feriiieiita heavily in the
barrels, a gmsl w me year bt to follow."
BomOOrlml uncertain is the prediction that
follow.:
If ut Christum Ico hangton the willow,
clover may lie cut ut Easter.
The proverb that follow it tomowhat ob
tcuro:
If Christmas finds a bridge, he'll bn-ak it
if be Buds none, he'll make one.
N i ui this one very clearly expreoted:
Wet causes more damage than front befort
than alter Christum.
An Knglisb proverb tcllt ut: If loe will
boo a mini bafora CbrUtnuu it will uot bear
a umuso afterwnrds
A Oanaaal saving deolare that: Tlie thep-
herd would rather tee hit wife pntr the
table on L'bi isima day than the tun. Ex
change.
Thr i . . some pHthtts In Till Joke.
Geiitlenian ilo itoor little bOT) WolL John
ny, del Santa Claus put anytblug in jour
amdUiaTl
Bov-No, he didn't; but bo would if It
hadn't a lieen for one thing.
iitleman-What'. thatl
Boy (showing a Issre foot through big
hole in bit shoei -That's that Washington
Critic.
A Larky Birth.
"Whatever are you doing, hanging up
both your t-kivigf" asked a mother of hw
little girl. "On la enough; baatdfi, you
shouldn't l so greedy, my door."
"1 tin t gn-.lv." M the philoaophlial
reply. "You mutt remember, ma, that I'm
a twin. "Judge.
CHRISTMAS THEN AND NOW.
We used to hanx up our stockings
When I wa a child, dear me;
Nor ever thought for a moment
Of hartnic an Xuiaa tree.
Ton tee. we were oil fashioned children.
Not else Mule women and men:
St Nicholas eauie down the chimney
We hul ide open fireplace thea
We eul to lad In the twilight
To waken ON el It wa dawn.
And empiv with trembling fingers
The stocking on Xma morn.
But now the tree with utaHr
Is lit on the eve tnsteail.
And hugging ItHsV Xma present
The lltlle otn go to bed
But then, pray shere Is the slocking
Could hold all Ihe wonderful Hung
The triumphs of human Invention
The ni.slern St Nicholas tullif'
Now steam islosMhe place or Ins leitntivr
Those fool, fsirv counter or voi-e.
And since ho haie dotted up lite i liiiiuier
lie uctsla must come in alllie d.sir
-Mrs. It f i ii.lv
FILSEY.
a ciirtisTMAS sKt rrii khom i.ikk ik nno
MKtUHIU.
"1 reckon thl is gum' tor ls er mister,"
tnid old I'ncle Billy Botsworth a bu came
Into the family tutting room of the old farm
louse with a great load of wood on his
shoulders. With a crush ho detoitod III
burden on the suiiious hearth, w hero a huge
Are was already tihiziiig, nud began lo pile
on the long, dry sticks of Umch and hickory
until in a few moment n perfect sheet of
flame was roaring up the wide throattsi
himney.
tlran.lma Botsworth, who sat in her no
ustotmsl corner by the "jamb," busy with
her knitting, made no reply, while Uncle
Billy pr.K-issbsl to remove his coat, bat and
bisits, nml, having tilled nnd bghtisl his pip.-,
Mit down to enjoy himself. Outside a furious
n ot storm was raging, and already the
arth was heavily QarpOOsd with whiti Priss
cut 1 V bistwo sons, Jacob und Milton, came
in from doing up t ne cborts, ami, like their
father, were sisui divested of cap, oivit and
l..s ts, and walisl Ih'fore the rousing lire talk
lug over the event of the day.
A little Inter Mrs. Botsworth joined them,
and then the filthily circle was complete. No,
not complete. either; ndaughter was missing,
rhres years ago this Christum eve she had
gone out from the iatvntnl roof to marry the
man she loved, but whom her father bad for
bidden some lime before to enter hi doors.
Hut Mart had gone, and she and her husband,
4 p...'i mechanic, went out west to build up
for themselves a homo and fortune. After
they were unit nisi, a dav or two Is'fore they
were to start for Dakota, Mary and ber hiis-
iinnd drove to the old home, where she got
lutoflbe buggy and started to go into the
house to say gotd-hy She did not ask nor
MMO forgiveness from her father for whut
she had done, but she knew ber mother nnd
her brothers still loved her, and would gladly
have her come to tee them. So she Just had
her bund ou (ho gate latch, and, with tear
llilcd eyes. win. taking in the dear and familiar
surroundings, w hen her father, coming round
the corner of Ihe house, saw her.
"Don't yer come in here," bo yelled, hoarse
ly, "Don't step your foot inside o' Hint gate,
Mary Ellen Hotaworth. You're no darter o'
mine. Take yer hatchet faced puint-sliugor
nil' git."
h'or ii moment slut stood us If stunned at
his words; then, without n word, turned nud
went lo ihe buggy. Her husliatul hi'l'd her
in, and then, standing up nud shaking his
oil I'ncle Hilly, said: "Bill Botswoiih,
if you wasn't my w il'e's father, I'd thrush you
till you couldn't walk (or a week. mi ol
jtvt to inn for a son-in-law only bOOMM I am
is sir : but I'll see the tint I can buy an' sell
ton's if ton wns black, .him you."
Here Mary laid her hand on his arm and
aaJd, "Stop, Will; it won't help things any bi
quarrel; let's go.
It tvus well Unit Will tussled her advice,
for old I'tuio Hilly bad started for the buggy
with murder in hi eye; nud I hero is no tell
Uig what might have huppem-d had not Mil
i.ui and Jacob at this juncture imido their
appearance nml urged him Ut 1st quiet.
So Mary went from homo an outcast ; and
as the Imggv .lisapis'iueil uronnd the Is-ud iu
the road, Millmi tuned to his father, and,
with tears in his eyes, said, reproachfully:
'Pap, you oiigbtenter have done It"
iul Mrs. Botsworth, who had come Ut the
door jllSt iu I one tO take iu tllU llffuil', echoed
her son's words:
"No, mp. t ou Ma, too hasty," the added
Mary Ellen was alius a mighty good girl;
an', though I'd ruther she'd not n Mrritd
Will Keiiin-y, yet 1 bojio the lird will pros
per them both."
ou are right, mother," said Jacob, the
elder of her sons, "you are right, mother.
Kilsey' Itbe nickname the boyt had bestowed
iikiii Mary wlienshowa a Uddler) wu the
l-t girl in liidiany; kind an lovln, an a
lister worth the bavin'."
At for Uncle Billy, teeing hit whole family
up in hi ii s agninat him, be vouchsafed no re
ply, but turning, atrode rapidly Iu the direc
tion of the barn.
From that tune on bo had never siken hit
daughter's inline. And ulthough tm knew
that mother and Ihe boyt got occasional
letter from her, yet be never by sign or in
quiry showed Hint he uver thought of her, or
had Ihe slight. -st interest in knowing whether
she was dead or alivo.
But ou the Christmas eve that I havo In
trisliiccd bun to your notice, he sat by the
lire thinking; and hi. thought were of her.
He bad long ago admitted to himself t hat he
was too host v when be drove hi only duugh-
Ur away from hi home; but ho as ill re
main. si silent. At each family reunion, al
ways h"ld on Christina day, he hud missed
her. And ns the coming one wa to lie held
at bis bouse, and hi brother and sister,
with their families would lie there, bo, with
some bitterness of feeling, wa broolilig
over the fact t hut. through no fault of his,
be reasoned, the pleasure of the day would
he murrid Everylssly iiiiiwsl Mary; the
children of hi nephew, and niece would usk
for her and talk alyiit her, despite the ail
ne ii.ii :.- !!n v t ad r-ce!ved Uj the contrary
A. bo was busy with bi thoughts, gazing
the w bile u, . i Into the Are, ami now ami
then punching up the fure stick in a ipiteful
tort of way, Oraiidina Botsworth suddeuly
pike up and said:
"Tomorreril be another white Christ ma.
Tl:is make two on 'em right baud ruiiniu'
Three year ago wot a mighty mild wintar,
and we hail a green Chmtinai that year."
Here t lie old lady paused and heaved a
ilgh. No one said anything and the ra.ntln
U..1. "I recolleck now there wa more burym's
that year in the Bald Hill buryiii' groun'
than there has been since all put together."
"Yet," aasentMl Mrs. Botsworth, reflective
ly, "a green Christina alien make a fat
graveyard, they say, on' I never k no wed it
to fail"
"I reckon UU ba good sleigbin' tomorrer,"
obaerveil Uncle Billy, "on' all the folki'll
come over In tiie bobs. Eh I what's that '
The exclamation with which he concluded
hi remark wa caused by tbe furious bark
of old "Maje tho watchdog, the sound of
voices in list front yard, and what teemed to
be tbe cry of a child m fear.
Tho two boyt started for the front door,
while tbe rwmaloilar of the family tat in-
. lently listening and wondering w ho could tm
their vUitors. They bail not long to wall;
for a minute latter the sitting room door woo
Bung open nud Jacoo strode In, lienrtng In
bit ornit a bright and Inny two-vear-old boy.
Almost matching the wrap from about it,
and holding the little fellow up, he shouted:
"'ap, look nt your grandson; Kilaey't come,
an' thit Is her boy."
"The devil it is," roared Uncle Billy.
springing to his feet, with a face a black aa
'hunderi loud. Take lum away; 1 aoui
want ler see turn
Hold on a untune," shouted a clear, strong
m . . .. ,
vol. . in the il.sirwnv It was ine son-in-ww
who had spoken, nnd who stepped Into tho
room, hi fgure ofaol and eyes binlug with
n:iger "Hold on a ininut", I say," he con
tinued; "I want n word Bill liotsworth, I
can nuv ami sell vou I am a ru n man, nut
you don't have to own me for a son-in law
on that account. As for ine, I can get aloeg
without ton. But Mart- lure wanted to
conic tuick and sec her mother and all of you
oi.ee more, and I said she should, and, mora
than flint, I said you should treat her ami
baby right, or I'd make you; and, by thun
der, I'll do itl Underslnnd me, 1 ask no fav
ors for myself, but for thi poor girl hem,
that you've treated to menu, and who still
love vou, but who want to come home
Only for a little while, I will seak for, ami
light for, too, if necessary." Even while ha
was talking, mother and daughter were
Moping in each other' embrace, and flrand
tua Botsworth, rising with difficulty from
her seat, laid her band on her ou' .boulder.
William," she said, "now't a good a tune
to give in a t oil ever have. If Mary an'
Will can afford to forgive you, 1 don t tee
how you ran help fergivbV them. Coma
now, sou, do right"
li'or an instant ho stood struggling with his
passion, then love conquered Extending his
hand to his son-in-law, ho said: "Billy, I
knock under; I've made a mistake on' am
torrv for it. daughter, eouin Here. "
With a glad cry Mary put her arm about
his neck and kissed him again and again.
"There, there, child I" tho old fellow mur
murod, in a roiM husky wilh emotion, "it'
all forgot now, nn"
Hut he did not lluish the sentence. And,
w hile Mary was kissing grandma and all were
silently crying for Joy, ho U-gau to hustle
round and get ou hit boots to go out nnd "are
alsitit tho horses." But, as Will uud Mary
had come to the station, only two mill's dis
tant, by rail, and had there hud a man and
team to bring thoin over, bis services in thi
direction were uot tussled.
lie did, however, build up inch a flro intho
old Bn'placo at it bad not teen for ninny a
day, and, as they nil sat m ound it and talked
until long after the ttroko of twelve, it wot
Inilis'd to them a happy Christmas, Ed K.
Pritohurd in Tho Arkuiisaw Traveler.
FOOD FOR REFLECTION.
Yea. Mister Turkey-cock, town
You make a gallant show
A In full fig you strut about
Male! Ically slow.
But would It, In t our puffed out I
(live you loo great a .hock
To know e'en swine look down on you.
Vain Mister Turkey -coekf
Yet so It Is; for tiv their eyes,
And gllttUTii pii'. of iecch,
1 know they scold you for your prtite.
And hnmWar iliouKhts would teack
"Y'ou silly hlnl ft hey seem tosay)i
Pray don't make such a clatter,
You're kept so well that you may look
Weil ou a Christina platter."
London Uraphio.
ltoiiianre and Facta.
8wlHy Wlmt did Santor C'laua
bring yer, Misery?
Mi oi i lb, I go a l.r.i i I now warm
on remit, nml it pair o' dandy piuita, and
a lot it' t unily nml sin'olher litllo thing
I cun t jest ratnetabtr. Wlmju git?
Qqrlpqjjj Oh. I gut n HeiilHkin cup, nn'
some w arm cloze uh gis-son miller tbew,
nn' fourteen dinner tickets, and lotno'
cundy M' tiling. Now, Misery, Htruight
wlia'd' yer git?
Mis. ry (voice just a llttlo Bhaky) 8y,
Swipesy, I liiingcd up my atockin' all
right, umi, do yr know, I never got n
bliMiinin thing!
Stt iK-sy (also slinky IW to voice) NoT
mo. in ii In r Smith, Uray & Co. 'a Illua
iratcil Monthly.
Ttis' Tula Iam.
In the noblest EnglUh bousoi of today they
observe the old ieosaut superstition of light
ing the yule log, "the ponderous ashen fagot
from tbe yard," and great ill luck It foretold
If its flume dua out in twelve days. Fru
menty (boiled porridge with milk, sugar,
wine, spices and raisintl U served, also in luce
pies and plum puddings. The Christmas pie
of Yorkshire It n "bra'gooea pi"-which
Derrick, in on of hit delightful verses, tho
defend?:
Come, guard thi night the Christ ma via.
That the thief, though ne'er to she
WUh hi flesh hooks, don t come nigh
To catch II
From blm whom all alone sits there.
Having hit eye still in bis con.
and a deal of nightly Caare,
To watch It
This was one of too famous tongs of at
waits, or singing boyt, who go about lyjadoa
still, tinging their Chrtomao carols-