D The Contrabandist: :OR: One Life's OHAI'THIl XIX (Oonlltiticd.l They left I lin broken vehicle, the pros trate horses Hint struggled and kicked In vnln altciupl In fm thcmsolics from tlm luiiiioa mill rise, nml In lint darkness nml llio storm puraucd wllh nil pimnllilo IiikIii Din riiml lo Iliu chiitt'tiu, There was no shelter near. Tliu llitlit form of ltoso was as nothing In the alrong nrnu of llio innniula. Ilnpldly lm bore !" along, keeping I In folda of 111 clunk well wrapped iiliuiil lirr. "V urn nlinost nl llio village," Friinrla Egcrloit, ne lm supported Iili rotnpmiloii with n Iovit'm tenderness llmt met now with mi r.-piiUc. l'or Helen Muulnuhmi kuow nothing of II. Win win saying lii herself, "lit ll"n tlcnd? linn kIik esinpod me? Am I to lm spared my work n t Inst 7" She listen nl fur n slgh--n grnnn, from Hie llprf of Hint Inanimate figure llmt win liurmi bo fori" her, No miiuiil win hoard from tlii'in, Already, n strmigo fever of Jor mingled with tin' shivering irlli'in.'lit. I hi' nwe, I In' liorror, which lli'li'ti Mini tniilinn liml frit. Hho never heeded the rnln Hint poured uirr hi'r In sheeted tor rents; Hin wllil winds mgcd In vnln for her now; they wi'ri' unheard. Hho only longed fur llvhl-tliiht. lo tii'hulil llmt tlillitUli iniinlcnnnco lo know llio truth. lint no lii'nr worn llicy to Hi" form homes now Hint no delay wna made; tlm flritl ono won entered, and ltoso placed llion n couch, whllo tho farmers' wives trowdod ntiuul, w lilt earnest kin loess nml syuipnlhy. lo rrmlrr assistance, lint nl Hi" night of Hint pnlo, iulot face, tlioso rliMiil eyelids nml colorless lip", they were silent; nii'l oin whispered among llipuiKplvf. "Hhe Is dcnd!" whllo olhi'rn. with aenrre hope, yd seeking still for onr. worked over tho llfcleas form. Alil without stood llio innruuls nml llio Count do Clnlrrlllo mill I'rmicls Kgerlon hy Iho life In Iho limit fn nil kllchrii, In drend, silence nml mi lien w. Helen Montnuhmi nml thi eounless bail entered tho thniphcr whrro ltoso wan lull), mill rough yrt I'liinfortnlilc garments wore offered them to rcplnrn their own dripping ones. Tho countess wmi already making this welooino mil renlly ncrcs s'iry change; hut Helen Monlnuhan, thrusting them from her, pressed to tho couch. "Miami nlili!" the said lo tho wonun. Ami alio ktii'll ilown there to look nt Hint pallid fnce. roil tul whlrh the ilrlpplni; rhenium curls wero lylnn In shining manses. Once thoso whllo llpn parted reddened. "He in'! she llrm-he hrenlheil" lit trrel ono of tho women. In nil enm-r, tremnloiia lone, hiiIkIiicI nlmoat lo n rhlpcr-"h lltel" "It l n lie!" mtltternl Helen Monlnil bnn, helween Hiimo lienntlful nhul ti-elh. A moment rlnpiwl. The women Knth errnl, with cUil, ejclteil, hopeful eye, alxiut tlie eourh -thone poor, nlmple, lion et'honrlel ieniint women, prnylng for Hint yount life, whoae alemler Ihreail ou n ", them would ao itlnilly hnro area I'.-o. Anil llerrely wntrhpil Hint one, with n liuruliiK i; I nine, n henrt that atuo.l !' i allll. It wn no llol .-' ly Hiow lorely eyea uncluaeil, nml rttiei HtMin Hie clnil, amlllnic fnrea gnth- M i .itn, iI.m i.,,,!-!, IMiprrt vfnt on ree 0fti'l. In them nt drat: hut preaelitly, en-' ( the oil i loin fin lire of Hie Eool rounteaa, who Iwiit orer her, alio aliihetl faintly, nml piilllni! her Imnil lo her henil, whlapereil, "(, ea; I reniemher I ro- meinher now!" Helen Monlnuhan wna cono. In nn ml l.li.lna .liamluip allM rMtm.Vlk.1 lhl Hfltll rale.1 cnruienia alio liml worn, anil aiilr alltuliil for llirm the nppnrel ami rrom the clintenu ny n noiueaiie; men proceeu tni t,t iIim Lllehen. lollleil Iter fdther flllil hit roiupnuloiia, who hail jiial learuisl thnt ltoe liml revlriil. The heml of tho tnnniula wna IhiwoiI, hla fnro hurlril In hla hninla. The cnioilon of Krnlllmle ho frit nt Iho bringing hnrk of thnt young lire mmo! orrrrauio uiiu, Tho night pnaneil nml morning hroke. clrnr nml atlll nhoro tho earth, where no Inlely nil liml lieen coinmoiion. no toh- of the tempeat hml illeil nwny In alienee, ltAA.I Mt,.1 rtr tlm vonlli-ht ahotlo altori' tho plenannt rnlley. They Uiro Iloio ...11. ...nll,.,i..Ma mmiI fnm tmelf to tlln rhll tenu. Hho wna iulto III, nlmoat unnblo to tnoro n lluili rrom wennneM. ino in jurlea that allien hml eacnpeil, alio hni rAnlrr.l! nml from lieltli; to tontf OHIOtei to Iho alorm, Ihero wna every renaon to bellero Hint aerioua conaeijueiicea wouui rnauo. Anil tho npprehcnalon wna juatlfleil. During the tiny her Imllapojltlnn Inerena eil, nml nt night, forerlah nml ilellrlous. he toaaed upon Iter couch, with n wlhl brllllniUT In thoao aoft eyea, nml n acorchlng lluah upon her hemitifiil check. It wna pitiful to hear her wnmlerlng wonla, nml llaten to Iho Incoherent mlng llnga of aorrow mill Joy, In her wlhl ilo llrliim. Tho inaninla lookeil upon her once, nml then lurneil nwny with atreuui Ing eyea from Iho room, to aeelmlo hlm elf In tho library, where ho pnaseil tho night In watching", Tho Count Frederic nml Frnucla llgerton remnlneil till ilawn In tho antoon. Ilrery domeatlc In tho chnlenu kepi vigil during thoao loug nml mournful hours; for not nn eo could closo In alumber. Helen Montnuhnii nnd tho eouuleaa hml their poat In Hint nick chamber, bealdo Iho couch of Iho nick girl, who recognized neither of them. All night long alio rnved, mid tho lluah burn ed strung and sternly on her cheek, nnd tho llgntnlug'a tlnah wna not nioro brll limit than the flro aclntlllntlng from thoso dnrk eyes, Hlowly tho leaden night hours wnxed nnd waned! nml Helen Montnuhnii sat beside tho pillow of Itosc, regnrdleaa of lumber. Tho countess, sitting by the lire, (1111 wept nnd prnyed In silence. Tho doctor ennio to tho bedside, "You need rest, mademoiselle," he said; "cannot I prevail upon you to rctlro and natch a fow hours' reposo whllo I watch hero? Tho fntlguo mid ciposiiro of last night, though no present 111 effects are felt from them, mny bo prodiictlvo of evil consequence!, If your nerves continue thus overtaxed," "Your pardon," returned Helen, In cold and quiet tone, "but I anticipate no un pleasant results from our adventure of lost night; and you must bo conscious that, even If such wero not tho case, I should find It Impossible to sleep now. I must remain here." "Ah welll" sighed the good old mnni "If you are fully determined on this, It must bo so; and I trust all will bo well. Ho sat down by tho bed, leaned his head on his hand ami tlxed a thoughtful ami sorrowful glnneo upon tho feverish coiiutenanco turned towards him ou tho pillow, ltoso lookeil nt him with her wild, bright, plloous gaze. "Wliero Is I.ouls?" she aslicd; "whoro Is ho? Why do they keep him from mo j Tenrs stood In tho physician'! eyei. Ho laid his geutlo hand, with lt cool touch, on thnt butulug forehead. A TRUE STORY OF THE SOUTH OF FRANCE Secret! "Ho unlet, my child," ho sold. "Hi' will cnliin I,oiis will eoiue." ".No- no! ho will mil he will not coine!" alio cried, with feeble grief, "I hnvo mil seen him this long time, I though! wo were In be married, It was a ilrenm, was It mitV" Ami it ten In Ilia Iioiirt'lircnklng, sorrowful glaum wns II i eil on him, "I don't know why I nm lying hcic," .rfio murmured, sully, look Ing iihoiirher, "1 ought to bo rendy to meet him when lm routes, Hut I mil no weiik so tired! I believe I hnvo been Journeying somewhere, Hut mi h alrniign Journey I I don't think It ever will end: nml I nm wandering nil mono, And no weary, wenrir. wenrvl Ah. l.oun why iloit'l you emtio mid belli mo? You a lil you loved poor Itose!" .Mournful nml nlitlnllve tirew those rest less, feverish tones: lenrful mid troubled Iho brilliant eves: but atlll. though ex tin nl i'il by her eoualnnl ravings, nnd though her cheeks burned more hotly, mid her heart throbbed with terrible violence nml her brrnlhliig wns short nml painful Ihero wns no rest for her. Htlll alio rnved of Louis, nml begged him lo see how her fret wero torn nml bleeding with tho long mid wenry wny she rnme, nml then sho would iiiuiiii thnt ho never would como "never, never, never!" And Hint wlhl, mournful wnll might hsre ilrnwu tenrs from n alonet but Helen Moiitnuhnn wns more than n stone. The doctor went out, tenting Helen Mimtiiuhnn thorn to bnlho Hie Itenled forehead of the sick girl, and uffer water to I hum) pnri heil llpi, A II I aha snlil, looking ilu w n upon tho stricken form bo- fore her, "Hho Is In my tinner! Alns! only loo completely so! Mndo molaello Moutniiban hnd gathered Hint M. Mi ry hnd but n alight hope of Hiiro b rerovery. it must lie. No turii' lug hnrk, or flinching, or hesltntlng, for thai desperate nil lure now! Thnt hope must nerer become n stronger one! It wns hers to seo to It. l'ouring out the wnler fur which Hie sufferer prayed, ever mid nnon, her linud Inroluntnrlly rlutrli nl the tiny vlnl roiironlcd in her bosom. Yet no! A little delny; tho dlsenso might terminate fntnlly In a few days, nnd spare her the work for which sho wns prrpnred. Hut In rnso It were not so, tin ii It wns n nolaon, subtle nnd sure ns denth Itself. I'ew were there who knew of such; few nlmoat no tests, Hint could, delect Its presinre. To Helen Montmibnii hnd been glren a knowledge of Htla poison In by gouo years, and she had guarded thnt knowledge liko gold. The secret, ao loug preserved, wns likely to liecomo useful lu her now. It wns midnight. All orer the chateau there wns deep nnd heartfelt rejoicing; but It wns subdued lu Us mnnlfeatntlons, for Iho life that hnd so Intely been nro- nniiiiivil snfe wns only slowly nnd faintly Muttering up from tho edge of tho gravo; and erery volco spoke lu whispers, every footstep wns mulllcd. All dsy she hnd slept, nml Iho exhnustion produced hy lier violent nml protracted delirium wn so great thnt that slumber had hardly seemed like Iho rest of a living form, l'or senreo lite fnlutest breath conhl bo per ceived, or mo siigutest motion of that feebly beating heart, let bad the nlir slrtan filled tho breasts of thoso about him with a too delicious hope thnt hung for eerlnlnty upon iter awnkcnlng. Then had the evil desire of Helen .Mon tnuhnii grown to nil Intensity that wn fiendish. Wntehlng, with her haggard fnco nnd glenmlng eyes, beside that couch, she had fixed her serpent gaze up on Hie nlmosi nrcies being who Iny there. looking with cruel nnd terrible eagerness for the sign of death to set Itself upon thai young aufferer's brow. Yet It came not, and her eagerness grew almost Into madness. The one way remained. She would mako that sleep a lasting one! Hut there was another watcher there. Tho aged physician hnd taken up his post also by tho couch. He, too, was waiting; but It wns for tho nngel of life not that of denth; nnd ho stirred not from thnt plnce. Not n monel of food hnd passed his lips Hint day. Kluco dawn he hnd been there. And Helen .Montnuban, In her tlerco desperation at her own Innhll Ity to accomplish the work so long incll tated upon, wna almost lnsnne. Hllll he watched there; never for nn Instnnt wna his vlgllnnco relaxed, And the hours pnssed on mid ltoso nwoko safe! CIIAI'TKU XX. It wns nearly morning when the cure emno lo tho clintenu to request nn inter view with the marquis. He (old hi in that Hugh I.amonto was at tho village Inn nnd living. Tho maruuls. astonished anil affected nt this sudden announcement, In the midst of his Joy for the safety of Hose, prepared Immediately to visit mm; ml Iho physician, M. Mery. satlslled that tho most favorable change hnd tak en plttco In his patient's case, left her In tho care of Madcuioisello Montnuban jinl tho countess and accompanied the aiarquls. In a few moments Iho party arrived it tho auhcrgo. Maurice met them with a nolnluoiis countenance. "How Is he Is thero aujr change?" ask ed tho cure, anxiously. "None, monsieur," answered the man. "Ha raves still; but ho talks of some guil ty dred to bo atoned for some secret to bo confessed, I can mako nothing sat isfactory, though, out of what ho says, be wanden ao," Tho threo nscepded to the chamber above, whoro lav .tho dying mnu. The marquis started ns ho beheld him, stretch ed out upon tho couch, with ma wnu, un shorn and emaciated countenance, and coarse, rough garments, which ho had not suffered to bo removed, presenting a sneetiiela so wretched. Tho klud-licarlcd old man could acnrcely refrnlu from shed ding tear! ns ho gazed upon tho wreck of that ono proud form. "Is this Indeed Hugh i.amonto r no exclaimed, ndvnuclng towards tho couch. Who calls Hugh hainouto?" stiouieu tho sick man, sternly, "who calls him tho outcast tho robber? Who colls him, I aay? And who aro you?" Ilxlug ins wild, gleaming eyes upou tho countenance of tho marquis, "Ah, Armando Montnu ban, I kuow you I know you!" ho ut tered, fiercely, trying to miring upright, yet falling, from very wenkuess. "Don t como near mo, or I shall murder you! Whoro Is auldctto? where Is stioi xou have hidden her from mol xou novo wedded her; nnd sho was mine mine; You stole hor from mol I will have your blood I" . .. Ho sank back, exhausted, wun wnito Hps. "Look look." monsieur!" uttered the euro, springing to tho nldo of tho mar quis "look, M. Mery, tho marquis ii fainting!" . ... And even as he snoke, tne iieavy ran or hla friend attracted tho phylclnn' atten tion. Consternation and alarm wero vis- iblo lu bis features. "Let us carry him out Into another room quick I ' ho mild, excitedly. Together (hey bore him lo an ndjolnlng npiirlmelil, nnd Ihero commenced the application of restoratives. Hut some moments elapsed ere he betrayed signs of lelurnliig consciousness. Then ho reviv ed slowly, mid for soma lime gnr.nl II led ly upon Ilia fnro of ,M. .Mery. Then n low iiiuiiii escaped his Hps. "(luslnvr, 1 hnvo seen my brother!" lift llllert'd, "Your hrolher?" echoed M. Mery, In itsloiilshed elelli'liicnt. "It Is true! It la Henri who Ilea there - my brother Henri. It mo go to him. "My dear friend, bo calm, I command roil, urged tho nhra t in. ircnllv, "I nm calm; but I must go Instantly. If lie should tile nh, tare him, 1 entreat you." Weak mid Irembllug as he was, he ma do them nsslst liltti to re-enter tho oth er apartment. They advanied towards tho couch; Ihoni was a different sight Ihero now. From Iho height of delirium Hugh Lmnonto wns suddenly sinking Into a stiinor. Ills eves wero a most closed Only fiiiut, unlnlelllgibto murmurs broke from his lips nt limes. He did not see them approach. The cure mid M. Mery cast glnnees nt ench oilier. Tho marquis comprehended them. "You Ihlnk he Is dying, then?" ho ask rd. "Ah, save him, (luslave! We wero enemies once he nnd I. I't him live. Hint we may onto more embrace one an other!" "Ha ralm. mr dear friend." entreated the physician again, "nnd listen to the truth. No power on enrth ran save him now; he Is sinking fast. Hut maintain your energies; ho may revive before death, with tin; possession of his full rea son. "Ah, Henri!" murmured the mnrquls, with Indescribable emotion "my brotherl Hint I should recognize you thus, nfter nil these yenrsl Hee see, Oustnvel" nnd he llled the matted hair from the tem ples of the unconscious man "see where I struck him oncol I knew tho mark. Our father told mo he would bear It to Iho grate that near." "How." ssld M. .Mery, In a low voice, "con this bo your brother? this man, who, for twelve years, baa dwelt within half n lengue of you, mid who hns only been known ns n pensnnt?" "Ah, I recognlzo him but too welll" nnswrred the mnrquls, sndly; "It Is he I know him now through the disguise thnt has served him so long. And did you not hear hla words? He said I stole Ouldctto from him. Alas! It Is but too true, though I was Innocent of wrong. Henri my brother apeak to met ay that we arc frlenda once more!" llagerly he leaned over tho couch, with hla eyea fixed upon the alck man's face; but bo wna not recognized. There wna no Intelligence In that dying glance. Hugh or Henri, rather, awnkened from the dull stupor. Hut It wns only the sudden and fitful flare of the expir ing llnme of life. He lay, for an instant, glancing about the apartment; then look ing upwards, he encountered the regards of the good cure, who stood by the couch in silence. "Monsieur le cure, I recognize you," ho said. "I am dying Is It not so?" "It Is true," answerrd the good man, mournfully. "Hut there Is yet time for confession and repentance." "Confession repentance! You know, then, that I hare a couresslon to make sins to repent of?" "It Is a work which every dying man hns to do, my friend." The marquis advanced towards the couch. "Henri, ray brother!" he uttered, In sor rowful tones. "Ha! you know me, then? I have be- trtfVrd myself nt last tho brother who wore vcngriuce on the husband of auldctto?" He raised himself, with main strength, upon bis arm, and fiercely re garded the marquis, "Ah, Henri, forgiro me!" cried the grlef-strickeu man, "Never!" shouted Henri, mndly. "1 havo been revenged on you; I have brought sorrow and darkness to your hearthstone, nnd I am satisfied I I"or the sake of your child the angel who baa smiled upon a wretched life, nnd touched an evil heart with her Innocence for her sake I will atone, at this last hour, for the misery I have caused you. You shall bo happy once more; but I 'will not for give you for the wrong done to me nev er no. neverl" And mining his clenched hnnd lo heaven, he scaled tho declaration with a fearful oath. Then be sank down, exhausted. A shudder rnn through every form wlibln thnt chamber. "Henri," cried the mnrquls, throwing himself on his kneca besido tho couch, "recall those words, I conjuro you! Listen to me. I knew not of the wrong 1 had done you, till It was too late. Uuldette deceived me; she never told me that you loved her that she wna betrothed to you! I wedded her. thinking her free. Hut sho was a curse to mo. Ah, Henri, If you desired revenge, she was tho fittest In strument!" Iho dt ing man s eyes were fixed earn estly on his brother'n face. any It once more once more! he pnnted, eagerly; "tell mo again that you wero Innocent that you knew not of our betrothal that she deceived you, and was falso to mol ' 'It Is true. Listen. Henri; I awear it!" His faceajras pale; tho tears strennied from his eyes; bla clasped hnnds, uplift- 1 1 1 luun u. ,.,, , , , . .. ' men iiaruon me, Armauue, tor luo Injustice I havo dono you." I The marquis claspod that wasted hand tenderly within his own, Ills tears fell wn, strongly denounced ns a heathen fes upon It. i tlrnl. In England, during the Common- Henri, I have nothing to forgive. We havo both been uuhappy," he uttered, .Nay you do not know the misery 1 have caused you. Hut I repent. It ahull be confessed," Ills voice grew weaker, "Where Is ltoso?" be asked. "she Is at tho chateau. Sho has been III! but, thanks be to heaven, she Is re- corerlng!" answered the marquis, earn- cstly. "it i. .it nt.. t... - ii t t, slie will rccelvo It from me. when she knows all. I hnvo been a wretch; but she has been an angel In my miserable home. Ah, If the prayers of ono so good .,. -i ...i t i . .-.. i . t... en for my .alvntlon, .urely they would . bo heard! Ask her to forgive, and pray 1 for me. Armando." He paused, pautlug breath, and uuablo for a moment to for continue. Thero wna a terrible and mournful slleuco In the room. Suddenly he regnthcred his wasting energies. "Hear me, Armnude, my brother, while I have strength left to make atonement, Ua ueath tho hearth nt the cottage, you will n mi nn iron cnest; it contains my con wn8.' rnpld." fiUllng J moni'ciu.'nnSt resumed, turning onco mora bis fast-ob scuring eyes to his brother'! face. "It will toll you of your lost daughter of Marguerite!" he gasped. Of Marguerite! Sneak sneak. Hen ri!" crlod tho marquis, In terrible nglta- Soyoui HannorielVlcX Udyiii Hon; "tell mo I dlvlno It confess, I lm- u, lor a moment longer r no said, "lieu il, tell me; breathe but ono word; what of Mnrguerito?" Ho bene down nearer, waiting In awful suspense. Tho glazing eyes opened again, Tho lips moved. Armande, hearr were tho slow, pain fully whispered words, "Hose I stolo her! Sho Is-your child!" (To bo continued.) The celebration of Christmas la n com tneinorntloii of thnt night nt llcthlchem when the birth of n Child In a stable foreshadowed the birth of Ihrlstlnnlty, and yet lite festival Itself Is one that may be trneed bnck so fnr beyond thnt eent Hint It becomes lost In a tangle of hlktory nnd fable. It Is older thmi Chris tianity, It Is older than civilization, for It Is prnctlmlly nit ndnptnllon of the fes tival i! the n inter solstice, and the win ter solstice hns been observed as n sen sotTMif fenstlng nml revelry from the re mote nges of antiquity. The transformation of this festival TUB HO All's IIEAll. from tho Nome feast of Jul nnd the Ro man Hatumalla to tho Joyous Christmas celebration that we know wns a slow pro cess of evolution, for -each step marked a corresponding change In the conditions that prevailed throughout the world. In the days when men and women-stumbled blindly toward the light the doctrine of "pence on enrth nnd good will to men" inndo slow progress ngalust the Ignorance nnd license of paganism, nnd It was not until n new civilization had come tint the old frstlvnl assumed the fresh beauty nnd the nobto significance which have UHIKGINQ IN made our Christmas Day, with all Its sweet associations, a possibility. While It mny be the popular impression that Christmas Is tho exact annlrerjary of tho birth of Christ, there are no facts, historical or otherwise upon which one can logically baso such an assumption. In fact. Christmas as a festival was un known for many yean after the birth of Christianity, it being the latter part of the second century before the churches begnu to consider the advisability of ob serving such nn nnnlvcrnnry; while, even nt Hint time, tho enrly Christians were so mcertnln in regnrd to the nctunl dnte of he great event Hint they selected wide ly different dnys for their celebrations. While the enrly Christians were un doubtedly actuated by motives of expedi ency In Incorporating many pagan cut- H11IN01NQ MISTLETOE. ... . 1 . r,..i. -- tom! in IUO new ri-ugiuu, iue t uritnu rr ,, .. iu,. ,, .i.. nrnteat BB.init all such rites nnd ceremonies, and. ,,,!r thesa new conditions. Christinas ...niih nets of legislation were nassed forbidding It! observance. In 1041, for .rnuinl. Parliament ordered that Dec. 25 should be observed only as a solemn fast, at which all people should pass the day In humbly bemoaning tne great ua- tlonal sin which they and their anceston had committed on that day by the nrac- tlccs Hint hnd hitherto prevailed tho eating of boar's head and plum pudding. tho drinking or ale. and tne ronim Le "enth th.9 nl'e'oo. In 1047 this edict ""'"'''..-.""; r. ,c,,t . V'(h,? of, "isnwtod Pcr"on W.U " UC,I?n? to fesrc ! ovens and lardon and to seize nil the ,". tlmt fht l d''?"1-, , 1Uo. restoration of King Charh brought about, to a certain extent, the restoration of Chrlstuias; but the I'nt. In the l'lirltnu colonics tho feast contin ued to he stigmatized as a "heathen fes tival." lu Massachusetts Its observance wns forbidden by Inw, It being ordered thnt any person found colebrnthig the any, "either ny roruenrlng of labor, feast .""n! ,M nectlour, for a man to have a sprig of holly In his house on Christmas day was a crime for which he was punished by a flno of one shilling and confinement lu the town stock. In spite of all theso ef forts to orohlblt tho celebration of this flu'" th. country, Although It wns 10S1 bofore the nntl Christmas lawa were repealed, the Jovial Dutch at New Amsterdam never failed to make the day a cheerful one, and It was through their efforts that Krlsa Krln gle found his way across the ocean to the New World. Cor centuries the generous Christinas snlnt bad been the most sacred of person- agei to the Dutch youngsters, who firmlv believed that bla tiny reindeers dragged his heavy slelghload of toys orer the roofs of the houses, and that he stolo down the chimneys with his gifts some time between Christmas ere and Christ inas morning. While the Hants Claus myth has long been associated with the festivities of Christmas, historically spesklng the snlnt whose namo hns become synonymous for Christmas giving hnd absolutely no con nection with the annlrersnry Itself, Knntn Clans being the corruption of Ht. Nich olas, who wns n bishop of Myrn, In Asia Minor, during the fourth century. Ht. Nicholas wns a innn who wns as widely known for his generosity and char ity as for his piety, and there nre many pretty legends thnt show him to have been the friend and protector of the young. While the use of the mistletoe and holly as well as that of the Yule log, are cuatoma which may be traced to the day of the Druldlcnl obaerrance of the fes tival of Jul, the Chrlstmns tree Is not such a hentbenlsh plnnt, for Its appear ance In Yuletlde celebrations was not until long after the last sacrifice of the Druids bad become a decidedly misty tradition. John A. Mender In the Metropolitan. FAITHFUL DOOL Ouerded Treasure, bat Death Wai Ills Bole Reward. Here la a pathetic story told to my Informant, the venerable Judge N. A. Patterson, by bis father, as an Inci dent of which he know. In the early dnyi of North Caro lina a man rode a Ions distance on horseback to collect a debt of several hundred dollars. He took with him, for company and as s protection against robbers, a dog to wblcb he had long felt much attached. He col lected the money, all In sliver dollars. TUB YULE LOO. These he tied up In a strong sack, laahed It to the saddle behind him, and started for home. When they had traveled about half of the homeward Journey the dog man ifested a great deal of uneasiness, to which ho gave expression by nervous barkings and frequent dives at the horse's forelegs. The man was sorely puxzled, and watched the dog for some time to see If he could find an expla nation of its strange conduct His re luctant conclusion was that It had been bitten by a mad dog and was the victim of hydrophobia. And so to save his horse and to put the poor dog out of the misery be supposed It was suffering, he drew a pistol and shot It. Not wishing to see It die, he applied the spurs to his horse and rode rapidly for some distance. The thought came to him, "I would rather have lost the money than to hare been forced to kill that good dog." Thus reminded of the treasure, be put his hand around behind the sad dle, to see If the bag was Bafe, but It was not there. Ho turned and rapidly rode back. When ho reached the point where the dog first commenced to bark nnd plunge at the horse's legs he found the bng of coin, and the poor victim of bis cruel mistake dying there, with his paws resting patiently on either side of his master's treasure, lie bad tried so hard to make the mas ter understand, but bad failed, anil paid his life as the price of his fidel ity. Springfield ltepubllcan. Took It Literally. Englishmen are proverbially matter-of-fact, aud flud It hard to understand our modes of expression. One of them. In company with an American friend, was pushing and Bhovtng at a gateway of the Heading Terminal recently, thinking that he would be lato for his train. Tho guard, somewhat angrily, re monstrated with him, saying: "Just keep your shirt on, there. You'll get through In time." When ho finally got through ho turn ed and glared at the guard. Then turning to his friend, remarked: "I wonder If that beastly fellow thought I was going to pull my shirt oft light hero In public?" Had lloya In tho Parsonage, Mrs. Qoodart There was a little baby born at the parsonage this morn ing. Mrs. Fecrsome It's a girl, I hope. Mrs. Qoodart Yes, but why are you so anxious? Mrs. Feersome Well, you know how ministers' sons turn out as a rule. Philadelphia Inquirer. Always it Chanoe. Clarissa Frankly, I don't think I ever saw tho man I would marry. Kitty Oh, -well, dear, have paUenco; he mny heave In sight, you know. Boston Transcript. Only One. Boarder (sipping disapprovingly) This Is singular soup. Walter Yes, It's oyster. Bulgaria's Area and Population. Bulgaria corresponds In area to Ok lahoma and In population to Missouri. I1UM0E Olf THE WEEK STORIES TOLD DY FUNNY MEN OF THE PRESS. Odd) Curious Mud Laughable rbasee of Hitman Nature Urapltlcallj l'or trayed by Imminent Word Artiste of Our Own Day A Iludget of Fun. La Montt Wo hnvo nomo fnst auto mobiles out our wny. Tlicy go so fast you enn't seo anything but a strculc of maroon. La Moync That's nothing. -Somo of them go so fast out our way that yon can't see them nt all Just smell gasoline. 1'eai (llvenwny. "Yon used to put up somo pretty good turkey sandwiches," said the fas tldlous guest. "I want the anmo kind of turkey you hail Inst year." "Ills Is tie same kind, sail," replied the waller; "It's bceu In storage ebch since last yeah." Hie Objection. Enile I hear old Ktrongwood wns sternly opposetl to his daughter eloping In an automobile. Ida Yes, automobiles nre so uncer tain he wns afraid It would break down nnd be wouldn't get her off his hnnds after all. l!uvy. Ida I was reading about the polar explorers. The hook says they nerer had anything but frozen cream. May Uraclotis! It must have been delicious to have Ice cream three times a day. Bore of It. "You say Jack hns become quite a poet How do you know?" "Well, you can't understand any thing he writes now." A Frequent Catastrophe. "When Algernon left college we thought he had the world at his feet" "Yes," answered Miss Cayenne; "I have seen It frequently. A man ap pears to have the world at his feet. And then his foot slips." Washington Star. A Hot." Ultimate. "Do you think you are giving your city a good government?" asked the earnest man. Well," answered Mr. Do Graft after some deliberation; "It's as good as money can bur." Washington Star. Not Patented. Cltlman Are you still troubled with your neighbor's chickens? Suburb Not at all. They are kept shut up now. ClUman How did you manage? Suburb Every night I hid a lot of eggs In the grass, and every morning, when my neighbor was looking, I went out and brought them In. A nrlirbt Tbousbt. "Yes, ma'am," said the obsequious grocery clerk to Mrs. Brldey, who was ordering her first bill of supplies, "I've put down parlor matches; what next?" "Well er I suppose I ought to have some kitchen matches, too, oughtn't I?" Detroit Free Press. Revenge. Poet At last! The editor has ac cepted ten of my poems. Ills Wife He has probably had a fight with the management and Is go ing to leave. Judge. Ills View of It. . "But If I prefer another," she sug gested when he urged his suit; "what will you say then?" "I won't say anything." replied the foreign nobleman, "because I am too much of a gentleman to say anything that would reflect ou your taste." Chicago Post. Got ISven with a Rival. Frank I've got even with Jim at hist. Ned How did you do It? Frank I gave his girl a pair of pret ty vases and he will go broke keeping them nllwl with flowers. 61111 In Doubt, "I know his flancco Is plain because he says she's sensible." "Hut you can't be sure of It" "Oh. yes. 'No girl Is pretty who Is spoken of as 'sensible.' " "Hut how can sho be sensible? Isn't sho engaged to him?" Philadelphia Ledger. Iletter Than None. Ernlo They say Agnes la perfectly crary over elopements. Ida ies, she wns actually pleased when the horse ran away with her the other day. Friendly Tip. "What can I do to create a sensa tion?" asked tho theatrical star. "Well," replied tho advertising man ager, "you might tako lessons In act ing." fche Was Hopeful. Mrs. Neitdoor They say that the Widow Fllppertou la after another husband. Mrs, Homer Goodness me, I hope he Isn't after mine. No Regular Pay, "He tells me he's a professional actor now." "Ob, no, he's a scmlprofesslonal." "How do you menn?" "Well, a professional Is one who Is paid for his services. He's only half paid." Philadelphia Press. The Rutins Power. The Peddler I want to see the mis tesss of tho house. The Maotcr Do you? Then step around to tho kitchen door and ask for the cook. Near Neighbors, Sympathetic Parson (to prisoner) Ah, my tinfortunnto man, -what would your poor, old father think of your conduct? Prisoner Ask him; ho lodges In th next cell to tho right of mine. After the Prevailing Fashion. "You will marry again nfter you get your divorce, of cotirao?" "I suppose so." "Any particular preference In view?" "Not Just at present. But of course I can marry my lawyer If nothing bet ter suggest! Itself." Cleveland PUlu Dealer. Oreat Itesponslhlllly. Nodd Your baby and your cook art) both away, aro they? Todtl Yes. Nobody but my wife and myself nro left to run tho house. A Telltale Plan. 'Old Blinker Is a confirmed bache lor. Isn't hor "Yes, but I am sure that ho wns onco engaged." "Why?" "Because he tells mo there wag certain period of his life when he went to church regularly." Curiosity. "Let's go out an see what's burn In'," said Pat to Mike at the theater. "What d'yo mean?" "Thoso two men behind us said they were goln to tho foyer." Knar Outlet. Tall rickpocket De crowd at d football game was so dense dat people fainted. Short Pickpocket How In de world did you get out? Tall Plckpvokct I went through people's pockets. Should lie Cautions. Daughter Edwin says he -wants wife with good lungs. It shows bovr considerate be Is of her health. Mother I -wouldn't bo too sure. Iln might want her to blow the kitchen Are In the morning. Typical American. "ies, his painting attracts a great many people." "Great artist, eh?" "No, Just a house painter. He puts out a sign, 'Fresh Paint,' and every one touches It to see If it's dry." Time to Protest. "Look hero," telephoned the Irata man, "I didn't tell you to send me any school supplies." "School supplies?" echoed the amazed coal dealer. "Yes you sent me up a load of slate." Usual Tblnar. Brown So you bought that suburb an property, eh? Did you Investigate the title to see If It -was all right? Green Yes; and after living thero two weeks I have come to tho conclu sion that the title Is the only thing about the place that Isn't defective. Not a Joke. Giles Take two letters from "money" and one la left Miles Is that a Joke? I "Yes, verily." 1 "Well, I know of a fellow who took money from two letters." "That's a good Joke." "Not It; he got twelve months." Difference In Method But Traveler (In Europe) What are those two beautiful girls? Steamer Captain One Is a Circas sian whose parents are going to self her to a Turk; the other Is an Ameri can whose parents are going to give her to a nobleman. Liked Church But Sweet Girl Do you enjoy taking me to church? Lover; Not bo much as riding with you In a street car. Sweet Girl Goodness! Why? Lover The sexton never yells "Sit closer, please." There Were Others. "I seen you klssln' Ma me," said her little brother. "Well, here," said the dear girl's accepted lover, "If I give you a dime can I trust you to say nothing about It?" "Surel I never peached on any of the other fellows when tbey gave me money." Philadelphia Ledger. Goaslp-proof. Mrs. Crawford Have they much money? Mrs. Crabshaw Why, they're so rich that, If they preferred, they could af ford to stay In town all summer. Smart Set Question of Cash. "I hear you have been suffering with a very romantic love affair." "Yes, but I've recovered." "How much?" Cincinnati Commercial-Tribune. Anticipation va. Kxperlence, Old Gentleman Do you think, sir, that you are able to support my daugh ter without continually hovering on the verge of bankruptcy? Suitor Oh, yes, sir; I am suro I can. Old Gentleman Well, that's mors than I can do. Take her and he happy. The Secret of Harmony, Young Mrs. Mead, whoso experience of married life had been brief and happy, had Just engaged two servants, a man and bis wife, for work at her summer place. "I am so glad you are married!" she said to the man, with whom she had mado terms. "I hope you are very, very happy, and that you and your wife never have any difference of opin ion." "Fnltb, ma'am, I couldn't say that" rcpllod the new servant, "for we have a good manny) but 01 don't let Bridget know of thlm, an' so we do be getting -along well." i- Buelnees. Mr. Nurltch You tako orders for plxturcs hero? Art Dealer Yea, Mr Nurltch Well, I want you to send a man up to measuro my parlor walls fur about $10,000 worth o' hand painted plxturcs In good frameev Phil adelphia Press, BuUBSStlV. Knlcker Was It an up-to-date wed ding? Knocker Yes. Indeed; tney threw breakfast food Instead of rice, a if 1