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o Bethlehem~.aslumber amidst t IThose fair Judaean pastures, wi The prayer of Priest and Prophe Dost hear, in dreams ecstatic, th( Dost see in wondrous vision, the IThe star-led Magi, speeding, their Dost see the Mother bending w 'O'er-that incarnate. Saviour- the ZOheart~dost-hear the story: .So weary with the vigil that hur Dost know that thou dost shell .The Son of God incarnate. and 'And as the star illumined The V Thy life may guide all wanderer O Bethlehem, awaken I 0 Hear jhis is the_Advent Glohous..the Aft- TH E rRY BOKK ADED was %the book keeper, for it had been a wearisome day in the oTlIce. An almost constant hum, hum of voices, and footsteps going in and out, and accustomed as he was to it, nolse grated on the bookkeeper's nerves, for It was near the close of the month's business, when the trial balaice would be on, and the balance of the year expected. He was tired, brain tired, nerve tired and soul tired, and the long rows of figures seemed instinct with life, little dancing imps trying to dodge and hide from his memory, lur ing hIm on to errors which would afterwards cause endless search and trouble to discover. The manager had gone home, and the other employes, having finished their work, were at liberty to go also. "Going home, Mr. Smith?" asked the clerk, a fresh checked young man, whose voice fell pleasantly on the bookkeeper's ear. Hle had been young, care free and sanguine him self once, and he had a tender feeling for young men. "Not just now, Charlie. About an hour's work here yet." [He looked after the jaunty', elastic figure, with a slight sIgh for his own lost youth. He was old: he felt it in every nerve, joint and brain cell, and he wonder'ed how many years of rest it .would take to obliterate the impress of life's toil. There must be figur'es imprinted on hIs brain, lie thought, and figures danced befor'e his eyes at night when he would sleep, in never ending pro cession. it's going to be cold to-night, Mr. Smith," said the janitor, when at last the safe was locked and the book keeper struggled into his overcoat far too thin for the weather, old and worn in the battle of life, like hitn self. "Yes. LIght the fIres a little early, Johnson, please, for I shall be on hand before the others." "All right, sIr." The janitor looked after him wvith a pitying smIle. "Poor -Oild duffer'. I expect he 'knows he's got to put in his best licks if he holds his job. It's a hard world, that's what it is." It was a small cotta'ge home where the we'ary footsteps at last haltet), and there was a female figure on the little porch in front. Is that youi, papa?" "Yes, Mattie. How is my dear to night.?" "How is my dear? Your dear is all right," she answered, with brisk l)leasantry, as she locked her arm In his, and swung the door wide open, "I know you are tired, 1 can feel your muscles quiver.." "Yes, Mattie. How warm and say 1.ory you smell in here," he said, inhal 1t( nlg the pleasant odor and warmth Sgratefully, It was such a cheerful' lit.tle sitting 'room, with pictures S. tastefully hung, draped window., and restful easy chairs invitingly piced. In one corner stood art organ and in the warmest corner atwouch, where the 'ather coul4 stretch hih weary limbg at night and listen 'to the old songs, which, better than tb*Atest operA# n usic, rested his fi ~d train and~ ited him out of lit re t int g A&pyter past 4t1 intd' le itt cog LSMessage iy -torilit hilmsk ose ancient lore 'dlfils, t, the hope of Heaven and Eartwi anthem of Love's birth ? aureole-crowned fgng,. precious gifts to bring ? th yearning heart and eyes, Lord of earth, and skies3?, 0 A or art thou too."AsIeep) nan hearts must keep er, like Bethlehem of old% gifts of-grace untold? Fay, that holy night. s. with. Love's eternal ii9h t, arise and sing' Birthday, of_thy King I 'Eli,abeth! Rug e OLD CMRI TMAJ TMAb opened, and credit given to a poor, weary, old bbokkeeper who has done his best. Just beyond, the little tea table with its snowy cloth and glimmer of modest silver and glassware, beck oned temptingly, but Mattie shook her finger in warning. "You are not even to look toward the dining room until I call you, papa," she said, laughingly. "I should have had sup per all on it you were not such an unpunctual party. Sit down now and get warm while I am gone." lie sank into the red covered rockei with the slippers standing suggestive ly before it, with a smile. It is a( good to be at home, and Mattie wai such a cheery little homekeeper thai his mantle of care slipped off for th( moment, and his weary eyes drooped dreamily In the warm firelight. "I do believe you have been nap ping, papa," Mattie said, as she came in ten minutes later. She did not tell him that she had dropped a tear, and a kiss as light and soft as a down) snowflake on his tired eyes to awaken him, as she stood beside him, her heart swelling with a great pity and love. "Come, dear, waffles and tea will rest you, I know, and Aunt Dean has sent in a platter of fried chicken and some of her fine, white-clover honey." "Quite a feast, my child," said the father, smilingly, as he took his seat before the p)late of steaming waffles. "Aren't you afraid I shall develop gout if we live so high?" It was their little joke, and each laughed merrily as Mattie pou-red the tea. "How is it to-day, papa?" she asked, wistfully, as the meal 'pro gressed. She dreaded, too, to bring in any of the day's worry or griev an.ce, but she had been so anxious. "Not much better, daughter. Mr. Rollins was coolly civil, that was all, and the manager fretted over a mis take which was more his fault than mine.' it is of no use to disguise the truth, dear. I can feel It in the air that there will soon be a younger bookkeeper at the desk, and the old man will have to take what he can get. I can s they put thcir .heads together and speak low, and are careful to, close doors when I am about. They mean to let me down easy, I suppose, aid not hurt my feel ings; as if anything would hurt worse than to know one has outlived hi? usefulness." And all the pain and trouble of the weeks past seemed con centrated in the trembling bitterness of his tone. ,"There, love, I have made you cry-forgive me, dear. It will be all right, Mattie. The Lord will never leave nor forsake me-we have His promise," an d his 'fingers threaded her brown hair gently,' and with a smile of trust, though the tears *were starting, as she clunig around his neck, patting; his withered cheek and telling him 'how she loved him, and how too dear and good he was to be the slave of heartless men who only cared for business and -money, and could not appreciate the honest, conscientious service he had gitren them. It was her' foolish, woman's away of Jooking o01 the one fidp'whefi her 1# e .throbbo so *rqooly ti her (seeto ~ rtig and - king wih ta we .'44 Wtt edin ato'y r e maletrin of 11! mnat0i'i limol:sh .- I d t iih.c' l silting ro.m. The world was t - c:b f, and surely .th, must be ample room somewhere 'f ol tired father whose lifelong record of faithfuln'ss and integrity had,4 ,en his capital. She sang for-hit% tender, quaint songs which cheere,danc soothed him, and pl9i-.d soft, rebtful melodies which binoothed theQ knotted, care worn brow into traiuillity, and filled her heart with serene peace. After ll, what did it matter? Only a few sl3ort years, and then rest-the rest which rema[ni, and whose deep mysteries none come back to tell. What would it 'matter there whether he finished hi1 life work with One or the other, so that it was finished honestly and faithfully. He went to bed early and stretched his tired limbs with deep thr.nkful ness for home and the home love which so took the sting out of life's contest. , Mattie was so like her moth er, dear girl. God had been very good to give him the d9yotioU of two such loving, faithful souls-and thinking so of her, he fell asleep. It was the day before Christmas, and struggle aginst it as he would, the bookkeePer's heart was still heavy. The first of the year would doubtless see the new incumbent, whoever it might be, installed in his place, and he watched every sus picious arrival with a feverish anx iety. There was more than ever the air of mystery in the office to-day, and the manager Mhisaered to the clerk, and the clerk directed off-hand in quiry, which might mean everything or nothipg to the cashier, and so it went until his. heart was like lead, and his hands trembled so with ner vous chill that he could scarcely make his figures. "The manager would like to see you, sir, in his private office." said Tom, the office boy, In his ear, and he arose, trembling. "Well, Mr. Smith," said the man ager, in his easy, prosperous tones; CHRIST AND 'I BY OTIL hehdhstosnd netd-e side hi postio, an ha no'nee heclo.I had tome,. inthe, ndeh mto worry ovrthe price tof catl or coe:Jauary,"Yo h aveaged fostrm mer aout. ten yea no,ed beive. face he which there wseno tracoo flor. withadiln fce, tn ahe was mto casrryl te nae wo sati hir mhistry v..Ys ir enja com Javeutry,ie manaed sir."j ment,oM. SIth, butad lokedr btoin thaim he only just, seen thwe ceoo btoo tisrableday caiwon swhit "Atltn all thes arciaton. Tom, youve begar f eait lonly.rwt thavacae."idto i. The itfiseonly came, sirnnng weithe b rat buhishldyceasin ithea manager's arms. "We have noticed, sir, that you ar4 growing old, as well as the rest of us, and that your step is not as elastic as When you first eas he eut'th # - a handsome ftr b oior of' which 809 X .rm,1th,."and that . over the Ure a little morietoq quontly, than when your young -b kept you warm, and as we wish ,tQ', keep you with us for anothef 'ten years, it yOa' desire it, we thought our most appr6priate gift would be some-, thing like ou* regard and esteem*for, you, something warm and lasting hangl it,- Smith, I told thq boys I couldn't make a speech-stand up here and try on this coat, for the tailor is waiting to exchange it if it doesn't fit." The dazed bookkeeper stepped for ward like one in a dream, and held out his arms mechanically, and the manager patted and 'smoothed the luxurious garment across the thin shoulders, which had lost their up right, sturdy carriage by long stoop ing Q.ver the books. "Such a time, sir, as' we have had getting your measure," remarked the cashier, with a genlal smile. "You were sure to look around if we had a word to say to each other." "If the rest are through with the floot, perhaps I can get in a word," added Mr. Rollins. "I am authorized, sir, to give' you an Assistant after Jaduary, and with that help your hours will be shorter, and the work less conflning." "I don't mind the work, indeed 1' don't," cried the bookkeeper, laugh ing like a boy, though the-great tears were rolling down his cheeks un heeded. "I've never been afraid of work, sir, but I -have felt that I no longer gave you satisfaction. I cannot tell you all this means to me," holding out his trembling hands to Mr. Rollins and the manager. "I think it is tlhe happiest day of my life, sirs." "What we meant it should be, a merry Christmas, and may there be many happy returns of the day to you, sir," replied the manager cor dially. Mattie war listening with the anx lous heart which she always carried HE CHILDREN. ROA DERSTEIN. Fromn "The Christ Fce in Art.": of late when her father stayed later than usual-, for the first sound of his famihl1ar step. The kettle was singing a merry invitation to tea in the kitchen, arnd a pair of fine, new slip pers stoo,d waiting before the fire for a pair of weary feet, Mattie's Christ mas gift to her father. She threw the door open wide -as he came quickly up the snowy steps, - and she hardly knew him when he stepped in, so wrapped in warmth andl loaded wvith bundles that ho looked like a veritable Santa Claus. his face radiant with joy.' "Is it merry Christmas, papa?" she asked, looking, up in his face with surprise and.hope. t "A merry Christmas, dear," he ( answered, lifting heri expectant face t for a kiss. "It was all a mistake, my darling, and I will tell you all about3 it as we take tea. "-Mrs. F. M. How- ' ard, in The Bookkeeper. Two French army dos.have drawn light ambulances, the invention of a lieutenant, with a loadl of 160 poundsd each, for some 375 miles, without a breakdown, showing how they can be used in war. - r - 1* d "tS SbpTwed:J00.O PRILE CARRIED, DUTcH FLAG rhe Gelderan4 Steams Into the Uar b 1 of Wiaatd Towing the a Coaatguard Ship Alex IyUg'the Dut(* plag and Sprt lng a Dutch Grew. Willeamstad,. Island of Curacao, 3peefal-:-Tle -Dute ur-o pecfam. to. h cruiser Gelder a4d. Cae into. this . port Sunday giorning towing the Venezeula coast Ship Aix .with the Duteli 'ag lying and a Dutch ri o boad. rhe Gelderland captured the Ali )ff Pierto Cabello on' Satui.iay. At hat time the Alix was-lying 'loseI ihore and notwithstanding the threat which. the Venezulean government ad made. to- fire- upon any of the. Dutch warships,.committing A hostile act, the GelderlUnd' steamed at full ;peed towards'th gnard ship and sent an officer and guard in a launch to seize her. No shoti came from the rorts on land. - The crew of the Alii was put ishore and the Dutch officer and mar ines remained on board, the Glder land finally taking the Alix in tow and steaming. away with her prize. The seizure of the Alix was in ac cordance with the plans of the Hol land government when- instructions were issued to the three Dutch war ships. now' in these waters to make a demonstration off the coast of Ven ezula and to capture any Venezulean ships. of war of. guard vessels that they might find. The people of Curacao are greatly rejoiced. The Governor of Curacao said: "The capture of our warships of coast *guards ,and war - vessls is not to be considered an unfriendly act against the Venezuleans. It .is mere ly a reprisal against Castro's govern ment which refuses to give satisfac tion for his unfriendly acts toward Holland. It is learned from the offlicers of the Gelderland that the battleship Jacob Van Hemskerk and the cruiser Friesland are now off La Guyra and that further captures may be expect ed at any time. Taft's .View of McKinley. New York, Special. - President elect William H. Taft, speaking Sun day night at the dedication of a Mc Kinley memorial organ in Metropoli tan Temple, told to. the audience the story of his official association with the late Prseident, and declared with reference to the Philippine Islands that the policy laid down by Mr. Mc Kinley in 1900 had been the policy of the present as it will he the policy f his own) administyation in the White House. Mr. Taft will remain bere until Thursday, when he leavea for Augusta, Ga., to spend the five wveeks precedling his pronosed1 depart are to the Panama canal. nAmerican Railway Company Asks ror a Charter. Hawkinsville, Ga., Special.-Chiar ~er was applied for by a -local attor iey on behalf of interested parties ~or a chlarter for ''The American Railway Company,'' which .proposes muildhing a line from Abbeville, Ga., o Winchester, in Macon county, Ga., ria Hawvkinsville and Grovania. The >roposed road will traverse one of he richest farming sections of the ftate. It will tap the Seaboard at ~bheville and the Gulf line at Hlaw :insville. Work will begin at once,, t is stated. 1908 Cotton Crop. Washington, Speciad.-Thme crop: 'eporting board of the bureau of sta istics of the Departent of 'Agrical ure fias estimated from reports of orrespondence agents of the, bureau. lhnt 'the total production of cotton 'a the United States for the year 908.9 would amount to tl,182,970,000 ounds. ngland Rushi More Troops te London, By Cable.-Aiiother heavy raft on Enuglish home regiments for mrvice' in Tndia was ordered by the ar offiee. 'The troops will be ready ethaa,k for India'as soon as pos. ble as the threatened Iy'aq~ up sing is believed to be imnmii t. Fri. my's drift with ' the heavy rein reem.en}s that started for India last ednesday, has reduced many, of the, )neJ battalions .to mare skele u,s 'dAly adi 1 for recruit. iooia be