; ' m rllilf ' ' ''" ' ' ' 1 " ' i - IWWOWIW! ., , , , , .1 , - ' ' ' ' , - ' " - ' ., n ir II ' ... l V K V """ 'li' ' prepared a supper wWch the trav- HERE'S TOMTHE MISTLETOE. otmonld and will require the f l I j fti HXvrNrv MijCdd elor seemed to relish with a zest that be- time allowed for cooking. Christmas Ui'IW'B!!(iLCA WB I $ V intST" I II V?iV, tokened a keen appetite. Having finished When I grew in oak groves In the ages past, puddings should be made at least six davs f?v5VC 1 O&VTS? 3 Alfl&U his meal he relit his pipe, drew his chatr hDn XXAWJ P V v"viV Vg" vX MSvl) n6t''r 8 ame more commum- Cut me down from the bough where I clung When a pudding is taken out of the pot fpjtL, S. 'j ' j$fYXi "I SrW SV2S Ca"Yo seem to be a conversable man," To ffd'tatnelr mystic rite. S uuSrto "teWS iOSwC, 4S!W A 1 VSr , ' LV V JLjGWMirr said the host, "and I'm proud of your They have passed away, those days of old, that may drain from it. The day it is to ((VCTj Ar" WiftSF fl f iT.'.'SlTV- XlvfS 55 company; if you like to sleep under this But their ehosts still llncer where be enren nlnnce U into hnllim wnt.r p.nl O iV TVwyM. I ,1 A , J VM1?33 IL , rmt xslitsl rfmmmMmj r; i WHEN DADDY LIGHTS THE TREE. WE have our share of tips and downs, Of cares like other folk; The pocketbook Is sometimes full, We're sometimes nigh dead broke; But once a yeur, at Christmas time, Our hearth Is bright to see; The baby's hand Jnsl touches heaven When Daddy lights the tree. For weeks and weeks the little ones Have lotted on this hour; And mother, she has planned for It Since the summer's sun and shower. . With here a nickel, there a dime, Tut by where uoue could see, A loving hoard against the night When Daddy lights the tree. The tiny tapers glow like stars; They mind us of the flame That rifted once the steel-blue sky The morn the Christ-child came; The blessed angels sang to earth Above that far conn tree We think they sing above our hearth When Daddy lights the tree. The weest kid In mother's arms Laughs out and chips her hands, The rest of us on tiptoe wait; The grown-up brother stands Where he can reach the topmost branch, Our Santa Claus to be, In that sweet hour of breathless Joy When Daddy lights the tree. Our grandpa says 'twas Just as fine In days when be was young; For every Christmas ages through The happy bells have rung. And Daddy's head Is growing gray. But yet a boy Is he, As merry as the rest of us When Daddy lights the tree. 'TIs love that makes the world go rout us love tnnt ligntens toll, TIs love that lays up treasure which Nor moth nor rust can spoil; And Love Is In our humble home, In largesse full and free, We all are very eliae to heaven When Daddy lights the tree. Woman's Home Companion. The Christmas Guest had prepared a supper which the trav eler seemed to relish with a zest that be tokened a keen appetite. Having finished his meal he relit his pipe, drew his chair near the fire and became more communi cative. "You seem to be a conversable man," said the host, "and I'm proud of your company; if you like to sleep under this roof to-night you are heartily welkini, and we'll spend a pleasant Christmas day together." "You are too kind, sir," said the stranger. "But I accept the invitation." "Of course,," said the farmer, "you'll have to take pot luck with us; he have no dainties to offer you, but there was a time when a prince couldn't find fault with our table on Christmas day, when we could spread before you turkey, geese, ham, lamb and almost every delicacy un der the blessed sun, but them times have passed away like the snow." "God bless you and your good wife, sir, for the cordial welcome you have given to the poor stranger. It reminds me of the gay old times when I was a happy boy under the roof-tree of my parents, when we loved to pass the Christmas eve by tho cheerful fireside, singing the old songs of our persecuted laud, and listen ing to the ghost stories and the fairy tales until the hour arrived to attend the midnight mass. In. an evil hour I was caught with my pike while attending a moonlight drill in the mountain gap. A mock trial took place, and a packed jury found me guilty of high treason. I was loaded with chains and hurried off in a convict ship to Western Australia. I es caped, and after many perils I was re ceived with open arms in the land of the Stars and Stripes by my expatriated ON id. xam&u?&zz0z&3a Oh, merry and brave Is the mistletoe bough When winter storm winds blow. And tho clouds hang heavy with snow, Like glittering pearls are my berries now, Their dark green leaves below. GOOD FOR SOMETHING. How the Maine Fir Forests Are Turned Into Gold. A It M E It S in Maine say that while the Creator no doubt meant all right when He made a Dr tree, they can find no use for one. It has too many limbs to make it profitable for cord wood, and when cut the grain is so coarse that it burns without giv ing out enough bent to keep a room warm or boil the tea kettle. All the trees which are mm large enough to make timber are hollow and full of ants, and it is a saying in Maine that "a whole township of fir is THE ROOFS OF EUROPE. out a mould and will require the same time allowed for cooking. Christma puddiugs should be made at least six days before they are required for the table. When a pudding is taken out of tho pot hang it up immediately and put a plate or saucer underneath to catch the water that may drain from it. The day it is to bt enten plnnire It into bnilinj wntor ptid keep it boiling for at least "two hours, then turn it out of the mould and serve with bvandy sauce. On Christmas day place a sprig of holly in the middle of the pudding and pour about two wine glassfuls of brandy around it Light this at the moment of serving. This amount will serve fourteen or six teen people. Halve recipe for smaller number. Five or six of these puddings should bo made at one time, as they will keep for many weeks, and are suitable for festive occasions until March. A FEW GIFT SUGGESTIONS. Clever Fingers Can Devise Some Very Attractive Presents. Hat boxes, padded and perfumed and covered with flowered cretonne, or paint ed silk, are made by the beauty-loving maiden for her' airy theater bonnets, her plumed hat and other perishable head gear. An odd penwiper has a cover of ooze leather, with a picture of a prcternatur ally wise looking owl writing a letter as the pokerwork design. The leather is cut to silhouette the head and tail feath ers of the bird, giving an amusing and grotesque effect. Toys for men are' not uncommon this season. Cigars and cigarettes packed in such perfect imitation of real cigar and THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. B KAUTF.OUS Start once brightly beam lug In the far-off Orient clime; SI 111 thy brilliant rayH are streaming Down the minster-aisles of time. Not alone, thou heavenly beacon, For the Magi dost thou shine; Not alone they heed thy token. Hastening to Messiah's shrine. We who dwell in later ages, Hail the glorious Savior's birth; We, with Oriental sages, Bearing gifts, would hasten forth. Not with Incense and with spices, Shall our offerings be given; Broken hearts for sacrifices, Better please the Lord of heaven. Oh! we love to bear the story, How the Lord of life and light, Left his blissful home In glory, To Illumine earth's dark night. Shine thou on, Oh, starry stranger; Tell the aged and the young, Of the Infant In the manger. Of the song the angels sung. Look to heaven. Oh, weary pllprim, Kre life's desert sands are crossed; Thou canst see the Star of Bethlehem, Shining 'mid the heavenly host. Shine thou on, Oh, heavenly beacon. To remotest regions shine, Till nil nations thou shnlt beckon. To Messiah's lowly snrlne; Chicago Times-Herald. INFLUENCE SANTA CLAUS. The Good Which the Holiday Does Children. Myth iT is not well to alto gether overthrow the Santa Claus myth, for an immense mor al influence dwells in it. The belief, which is very general among children, that his favor depends up on their good beha vior, has on unoijual ch! soothlnxr rton'er I'Obrl.lUUB C.(T10-