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mmr?^ ~ - ^, ? HADDON'S LOCALS. HS M New winter millinery at Haddons. New dress goods at Haddons. (Carpets from 25ct yard up at Haddons. Corsets from 25ct up. Thompsons glove fitting corsets white anc b I actios i Haddons. R. G. corsets all numbers at Haddons. Our 30c corset the best at the price at Had dons. Ladles fine shoes greatly reduced in price a Haddons. Eiderdown flannels reduced at Haddons. If you want a fine shoe at reduced price cal at Haddons. If you wish a practical Christmas presen] examine our line. Chenille portlers, chenllh ([ table covers. Ingrain carpets, raoie uucuo window shades, bed quilts, lace curtains, &c. at Haddons. ' The best kid gloves for SI at Haddons. Black dress silks at Haddons. JCJold dress silks at Haddons. Just in at Haddons 1 case 50 capes. 1 bale 36 inches wide sea island at Haddons, 1 bale 36 inch shirting at Haddon's. 1 bale plaid homspun at Haddons. 1 case bleach homspuns at Haddons. 1 case outings and ginghams at Haddons. 1 case flannels, repellent, broad cloth at Haddons. Stamped linens for fancy work at Haddons, t.'mhrniriorv silks at Haddons. Embroidery cotton at Haddons. School claims wanted cash or trade at Had don'K. Our line staple goods kept up all the year al Haddon's. i i / W. T. ro*?" Locals. New citron at 15 cents per pound. Good raisins at 3 pounds for 2T> cents. Large raisins, 2 ponnds for 25 cents. Candy, 20 cents per pound,3 pounds for 25c, Delicious pickels, grated end sliced pine apple, 20 cents per can. 3 pound tomatoes at 10 cents. Salmon at 10 cents per can. Best cream cheese at 15 cents per pound, -r nnontltv at rodnced Drloe. I A nice line candy for Christmas. W. F. CROSS. Abbeville Snpply Co.'n Locals. Bargains la Boar. Come and see us for prices on one to ten barrels. Abbeville Supply Co. Best cream cheese, 15 cents a pound. Ralsons 3 pounds for 25 cents. French candy 8 pounds for 25 cents. Best mixed nuts 10 cents a pound. Almonds and walnuts fre6h. Big lot stick candy fresh. Plumes large and fine 10 oents a pound. Low prices on dried fruits. Come and see us and get ready for Christmas. Abbeville Supply Co. Wanted. A regular correspondent from Greenwood who will make weekly reports for the Pres> E Banner. For such service a iair prict je paid in cash. If Ton Want nt a bouse, apply to W. G. Chaptman. in suit you in price and locality. ? Is the time to buy your Zngiain car at Haddon's. le linens* all grades, at Haddon's. . P. Hammond A Co.'a Locals. [ and see our line of toilet, slippers for Lmas. les over gaiters. Prices from 35 cents to our line of sboes. C. P. Hammond & Co. on and Organs Will be Closed ont Cheap for Cash. & Cochran have changed their bast an now be found at the "Bosenber? on the corner near the Episcopal church they will be glad to serve the public, l Mr. Jas. A. Hllldt A. M. Hill & Sons Jas. S. Cochran with R. W. Cannon ou will be supplied in the "musical I Fresh OyHtera. Brace's restaurant will from this date furisb fresh oysters at all hours. x \ #4^^ Cbeneille portlers for window or hall, at [addon's. If you wish a useful Christmas present get n Ingrain carpet from Haddon's. -RENTAL NOTICE. S. F. Killings worth, No. 4 Seal Block, Abbeville, S. C. ?p ?? Stolen Mare. 'TOLEN from me a bay mare on Thursday * nigbt, the 12th. It was a red bay mare itb a blaze In her face and a scar on<ber >se, bind feet white, and sbe is very crabbed id a pacer. ROBERT McADAMS, Dec. 18.1895, Due West, S. C. 'he State of South Carolina, I COUNTY OF ABBEVILLE. PROBATE COORT. i the matter of the Estate of M. Richardson, Deceased. Notice to Debtors and Creditors. . iLL perwons indebted to said estate mast t settle without delay, and tboce holding ilma against the estate must present them operly attested to 1 CORRIE M. RICHARDSON, Monterey, S. C. Executrix. Tor Sale or Rent. HE HAMMOND HOUSE in Fort Pickens. Lot four acres, more or less, witb good celling bouse. Apply to FARMERS BANK. Sov. 20,18H5, tf ' Lost. OST?one black bound, wblte breast and j red feet, red around eyes, witb white line wn nose. Any information will he paid H. B. LIVINGSTON. )ec. 10,1895,4t' Heardmont, Ga. I THREE VALUABLE H for Si DFFER FOR SALE THREE TRACTS OF extra fine farming lands of about Twenty-Five Acres h, lying in the incorporate limits of tbe 'n of Abbeville, on Branch street running Lo within a quarter of a mite of tbe Court use and lu a high state of cultivation, rt of tbe lands recently clared, and well pted to tbe production of cotton, corn, ill grain and grapes, and especially suited truck farming to supply vegetables for ratlves of tbe Cotton Factory, Railroad J -? ? AKKo.rtllo I bine snops ttuu ux avuo*uiv rt House. iese tracts of land lie east of Abbeville rt House, on depot branch and Carllle cb, and are of the best quality of up i with ten acres of fine bottom lands, m offering these valuable farms for sale use 1 am UDable to attend to the cultlvaof then). On account of old age, and of health. Iso offer for sale a tract of 250 Acres nd near Mount Carmell and Calhoun ton Bellots creeks, formerly belonging lo K Talmaii. Terms favorable and prices Ie8 perfect. ' Persona wishing to purchase d do well to examine these lots or tracts ad, and for further information apply to i _J. W, W. MARSHALL, j Magazine Hill, Abbeville, 8. C. t. 25,1895. I LITTLE JIM, THE CARRIER.. Ho camo along one April day And seemed a very part of spring. It must have been his joyous way, Or else the sweet and hearty ring Of song and truth within his voice. . At any rate, the office choice For carrier went at once to him As if the plaoe had waited long And patiently for Little Jim, The lad whose work and merry song Went hand in hand, whose winning srail t Was waiting for you all the while. : 1 / Why Little Jim was made his name Not any one around could tell. He was little. All the same , The title seemed to fit him well. For there wore gentleness and grace And wistfulness within his face; Likewise the solid place he had In every heart by all the men Was a protector to the lad. The editor within his den And every other felt that he was waicnmg o er ouu h ucstiuy. The lad was slender, but it seemed His suppleness thereby increased. His eyes were blue and ever beamed With kindly light. They never ceased To have a look of candor, bold. But way within their depths was told A tale of sadness, though he tried To keep them twinkling, merry, bright, And bi^vely sought to always hide Whate'er distress, ho knew. And frighi Had never known the time or how To placo its mark upon his brow. His lips were cherry red and "round, But gathered for his whistling oft, And tuneful was the cheefy sound Ho made, so sweet and clear and soft. His hearers listened, filled with joy, And smiling said, "God bless the boyl" His hair, light brown and all astray, Curled ever at its graceful will. His nose, half pugged, in saucy way Provoked your warm affection still, And scattered freckles, growing dim, Completed "looks" for Little Jim. Beneath appearances which showed The youngster rather homely, plain, He had a heart which ever flowed With gentleness, and never pain He caused to anything if he * Could help it, and to always bo Of some assistance seemed his aim. 'Twas Jim'to whom the office cat First showed a sign of being tame; ' 'Twas he who made her sleek and fat By giving from his lunch the meat. In fact, he saved her from the street. Of friends within the printing "shop" The editor was first and best. The foreman, too, would always 6top To say a word. Quoth he, "I'm blessed If Little Jim ain't just the lad ,Of whom I!d lite to be the dad." The pressman, sullen said to be, Was glad to have the youngster n6ar, And everybody smiled to see The strangely large and glistening tear That trembled in hi3 saddened eye? He looked on Jim through years gone by. The men who daily at the "case" Set up the type would always turn To see the bright and gentfle face. Reporters, young or old and 6tern, Could better stories write, said they, / While cheered by Little Jim each day. When on his route ho made his rounds, His friends were vcounted hundreds strong, And many, listening for his sounds, Looked out to see him romp along. He never failed, was never late With paperp at the door or gate. 'Twas strange perhaps, yet simple quite, That no one knew except by day This winsome boy, for when at night , He wended home the weary way, It was with fast and pnzzling pace He sped, as if he ran a nice With any who might watch to know The winding alley, wretched street To which he always had to go To gain his home, his poor retreat, The dreary spot which only he Could bravely guard from misery. Within the low and crumbling (walis To which he nightly went to sleep His gayest, lightest, sweetest calls, Which told of love, devotion deep, Wore: "Mother, 6ister, here we are. How jolly that it isn't far To come!" And, bless his loving heart, He'd run above a mile. Then they ? Who'd listened for his lively dart Along the path would quickly say How glad they were to have him there, And none betrayed an aching care. No wonder Little Jim was brave With two such dear, unselfish souls To wait for him and always save Some dainty morsel on the coals, * To greet him with a hug and kiss? The only things abundant. This Darkened place, made clean and bright And.fortified by love and cheer, Vouchsafed by Jimmie's "salary night," Was rest and peace, sweet home anc ^ dear. , They three ne'er mentioned wretchedness Nor would admit the plain distress. The mother's face was thin and sad In spite of patient smiles and sweet, But otherwise much like the lad She looked. His fconest ways, his neat And curling hair so prone to stray He had from her. Her haii- now gray And thinning, waved in curves above A whitened brow, whereon, engraved By patience, which is born of love, Were records of her trials braved. The goodness, in Jim's face assured, Hers had, refined by things endured. Jim's sister was a little maid Of summers ten and brave as he, And though you saw her dresses frayed You noticed in her face that she Was lovelier than princess fair, And anything which she might wear ?ii 1 B. K. Bi Contractor \ ?AND DEALER I ABBEVI] Was neat and clean, though worn and old. And she it was who made their life Loss bitter. She it was who told The fairy tales of hope. The strife To keep their home quite fresh and bright She half performed eaoh morn and night. t L ?Lrrw* Five years before the father, strong, Had shouldered gayly all the work And made tholr lives a simple song Of peace. But ever dangers lurk t To drag protectors down, and so He, big and hearty, had to go. 'Twas where they dig the glistening coal . He daily labored, and at last, With many another gen'rous soul, He fell, a victim to a blast, And from the little home so bright The tender three came, worlds to fight. So long as she could stand the strain i.1 J? /> An/1 J.lit? UiUI/iiUJL' iriUU w a&jliv*. Bub, far too weak, the daily pain Was more than she could bear. Her mind, So cheerful once, had filled at length With clouds, and all her little strength Exhausted in the struggle soon Had left them hopeless. Then the boy, Our Little Jim, a lively boon To dear ones precious, leapt with joy To fight the battle hard and great Against the grinding world and fate. At first the lad had found it hard To earn a penny, but the way ' ts rarely 'gainst persistence barred, j. And Jim was at it every day. His creed was everlasting cheer And honesty and never fear._ When, after struggling here and there To keep them all alive, the place j As carrier came, the world seemed fair, And just to see the radiant face Which Jim took home would make a saint Declare that heavenly joys were faint. So there they were. This home whloh soemed ' So very lowly, black and small Knew happiness. No one had dreamed How little's needful, after all, When cheerfulness and peace and love Arrayed o'er misery stand above. They at the office never knew That Jim was brother, father, son, Nor of the things he had to do, \ Nor of the many he had done, But all the time he found some way Of adding to his scanty pay. * * * . *" I And thus the spring and summer sped Quite happily, and thus the three, Contented with their little, said That all was well, and thankfully They livefl, though hard it was to know How far to make each penny go That Jimmie earned. It's very sure That sweet denial formed a part [ ! Of each one's life. They could endure The daily hardships, for the heart Of each, by growing love sustained, Could not by trials small be pained. ; The autumn winds, which, strong and cold, Laid bare the twigs upon the trees, Proclaimed the year was growing old. And may times a obilling breeze Through gaping chinks along the wall Made cold the little home, and all Were made to shiver aDd to dread The wintry days of ice and snow, And Jimmie puzzled in his head Tho way to keep them warm to know And doubled all his efforts brave i Their hearts from misery to save. December, dreary, cold and bleak, Found Jimmie muoh too jioorly clad And though he dauntless seemed his cheek Grew thin and purple. Gen'rous lad, \ He bore too muoh, nor ever told How like a knife he felt the oold. He overtaxed himself at last With extra work, but still denied His sicknqps till it came so fast He barely reaohed his home. He sighed In anguish then and fell at length, Prostrated in his mind and strength. ,t|y Poor boy, the load that he had borne O'erthrew him quite. The gentle two Who nursed him feared that every morn Would seo the end. What love could do, Unbounded love, they did for Jim And daily saw his light grow dim. I In wild despair the inothor went To seek a doctor, beg his aid, And one, as if by heaven sent, Was glad to come, was more than paid By sacred prayers. To save the lad He used the utmost power he had. * ? * ? * . When Little Jim his record broke And at the office failed to be, The men lookod queer, but no one spoke AC nrst, Decause may comaa i ee? Just what it meant. But when the "boss" Said, "Where is Little Jim?" the loss 4 Was personal to every one, And all inquired and worried, too, And though their daily tasks were done They plainly showed their feelings blue. No ono had realized tho vim Inspired each hour by Little Jim. \ Of course another youngster smart They had to have without delay, Rftnhftm UWVXJLVUUJl^ and Builder, N ALL KINDS OFMaterial. . . LjIJB, s. O. ? ''-".'A ' And got one, but in every heart Th< The thought, "This new one cannot Bt?y \ A minute after Jim comes baclf," At Was shared by all. No subtle knaok I Of learning fast, no effort great Re] To please displayed by carrier new, Bui Could change affec^on sealed by fate * To Or ever Jimmie's place undo. 1 'Twas plain that now his blithesome call Am W^as sadly missed by one and all. I To . An I I | When two or three long days had gone Coi And Little Jim had not returned, An The men were plainly all forlorn Nor tried to hide how much they yearned To see his smile, and all agreed A i He must be ill. They didn't need 1 To have one say no fault or.blame A 1 Could fall on Jim, no scheme or trlok "V Explain bis absence, and they came To saying: "He was looking sick A i A week ago. Has any word Wa About the little lad been heard?" Wa I And then subscribers going by Thi finmmflneed to'ston. look in and ask: ~ .1 "Where is that boy whose merry ey^p He Made children glad?" And so the task j?e Of saying sadly: "WiBh we knew. We don't know what we're going to do Ha Without him," was a burden drear. \ The editor had grumbled low He For several days, and then "See here,*" ^ Said he to all, "I want to know Poi Why no one tn the shop here gives An Me notice where our Jimmie lives." "A f I The men looked stupidly around A I And scanned each other's faces blank, \ But no one made an answering sound, Fr< While eaoh one's heart within him sank; Hi: 'Twas plain that anxious, willing, they , Had never known and could not say Wii Where home for Little Jim might be. ^ And when they found tho breath to An speak A They wondered how it was that he Th Had never let them know. "We'll seek An Him out at onpe," the chief then said, As And wondering how he scratched his head. 1 AD The best reporter with "a nose I For nows''?sagaoious, too, was he? A t The editor then quickly chose An To hunt the lad up speedily. "Just drop your other work today," j, Said he, "and do this right away." The scribbler issued forth, and glad Of this assignment did ho feel, For in his heart he liked the lad ^i[Ll And washed he might promote his weaL But though he searched with patient skill nj I The home was undiscovered still. ^ J Ashamed he felt. He'd "fallen down" (jt With all his splendid effort made. Too well he knew the threat'ning frown Which no excuse had e'er delayed. But, strange enough, the chief well knew He'd failed despite what skill-oould do, And only said, "I'll try again . And keep on trying till we're beat." Wnrf rloT? onnf.Koi* nf hia m?n With patient tramp through muddy Street And alley searched and then came back To say they still were oft the traok. And then began about the place A contest strange, a silence queer; A mystery was in each face, On For all were hunting far and near, I And all were striving on the sly jjii To be the first to get an eye , j On Little Jim. The foreman gray, * An Reporters, and the pressman, too, . <ph Were spending part of every day A. t To try some scheme or theory new, \ But not a one would e'er admit Sta He daily made a fluke of It. WM. H. PARKER, President. JULIUS II. DoPR The Farmers' Ban!: DEPOSITS SC Does general banking business. Buy Hons. A Savings Department has been esta wards. Interest at 4 per cent, payable quarterly,? j increase rapidly. ? S -. * ? : J- v : ' V * ' t-V . ' lip 3 editor, Just like the rest, 7as soft at heart on Jim, and so lonorth nnnn this hnnfllfififl onest le felt a strange desire to go. porter Instinct, long forgot; b latent in his brain, grew hot. \ best his men was one desire, 'o find his boy a stronger one, d thus with all his youthful Are le searohed, although 'twas little fun walk around through snow or rain d always find his labor vain. " 4 n, every one the houss had passed There Jlmmie lay, but no one thought 3 place Inhabited nor cast l look within this hovel fraught ;h dismal things and always quite dark and silent as the night. q day before bright Christmas came ?he people woke to look on snow. ) editor that morn the same ls ever plodded forth to go search of Jim. "Great Scott," thought he, hat will his Christmas season be?" d thinking sadly as he went le neared unconsciously the spot , sought, and as his head he bent le saw within the snow, which not' 'ore disturbed had been, the track one who'd come, but not gone back, d what was odd was that the feet lad been directed to the door An o4 wonf tiiOb wuiau maimjr vu uuu diuuuv) Vhioh he had never thought before itained a living sonl. He stood, d something In these tracks seemed good. noment later opened wide Lhe weather beaten door, and there ittle woman stood Inside 71th sad, sweet face and marked with care. nan, who seemed a doctor kind, s leaving, and his worried mind s easier. "He's safe at last," le smiling said and came away. a editor, whose heart beat fast, ust mattered, "Heaven bless the dayl" knew, though short the glance of Joy, d found the mother and the boy. If wondering be stood, then stole 71th guilty tread around until found a little crack, a fcole ' [ Vhich, near the sagging window sill, rmltted just a narrow view, d there he stuck his eye like glue. little Bister, I declare," le whispered, and adown his cheek ear was flowing. "Glad that there tfas any ohance to know/' and, weak Dm very happiness, he braced mself and toward the office raced. thin the little house that morn !7as thankfulness before unknown, d hope at last had been reborn, i.nd dark despair at length bad flown, e fever's fearful course had turned, d Jimmie's brow no longer burned, poaceful as a babe he lay Lnd softly slept. His face, though white d thin, now smiled the lovely way t had before, and gay and bright sunbeam fell across the floor d seemed to whisper, "Weep no more." r~ e moment Little Jim awoke, , jooked up and saw two faces near. 3 weary smile, due cneenui, urono jiko light from heaven on those dear d faithful ones. His look caressed em; then he sighed and turned to rest, deep as gentle as the dew Vhioh kisses all the upturned flowers ile on the lad. He never knew Che flight of sweet and restful hours. A. W. SMITH, Yice President. E, Cashier. : of Abbeville. )TJCITED. $75,000 0,500 s and sells Exchange and niakes Colec.bllahed. Amounta received of 81 and nplanuary, April, Jnly, October. Small savI ind then at lefl Aid a dream fhich made tn^^Hkhanted seem. H le thought that In abanfauet hall Were loaded tables brlgat and gay; H ?hatr mother, Bister, be ano all T1 The office force were thcne to stay, Lnd that a private crowd they made, T1 Che honored of all there armyed. tad then such things to see\and eat, A Such glofioua heaps, brought steaming ' )f turkeys plump and pudding sweet f H And such a hearty noise ana din 0 )f rattling cups and forks and\ knives Phey'd never heard in all their lives. Ti Lnd later on it seemed that each , q, Of those who from the office ci^ne jj 3ot up to make a brilliant speech, And all began them just the sapm B rhey started, "My dear madam, you"? Vnd so n^tll they all were througra rnrned always, plainly to address \ Themselves to Jimmle's mother, laud h [Jpon their words they laid suoh stress l That he could hardly understand 0 rhe meaning of it all, but still , I / So felt his loving heartstrings thrill.\ h Hie first to speak, the foreman gray, \ A Said, "Well?ahem?I feel that thia-4- ~ That this?I don't know what to say \ Except that in this hour of bliss ' rp ['m happy for the. trifling part That I can take." He gave a start. \ p 'You see?what was that- sentence? OS,Yes. Don't you see on such a day \ ^ We old ones don't know where to go, \ ^ And feel so?feel?well, anyway ^ There's no such spot as this in town." \ And thereupon he sat him down. ^ Then that reporter, oldest, best \ Of all the staff, arose. Said he: "We feel today that we are blessed; That you?that Is to ?>y, that we S Arc here, and, on the other hand"? And here he tried to firmly stand? . "The fact is, madam, every one Of us.is wrapped up in the lad' ? And fe^ls ashamed that we have done T No better in the time we've had. We know?we?well, I'll have to quit Y I can't make speeches worth a bit." "I don't see what he means, by that," ^ ' Thought Little Jim, but then broae > The pressman; and he held his hat 1 i T And robbed with nervous band his pose "There's nothing much to say," he said, And swallowed air and scratched his head, J "And you?yon know, of course yon do, Just how we feel?just how?of oouree? ? And that's the way we feol toward you. _ Eiouse me; I'm a little hoarse." * And so he was, and on his chair ~ He sat and wisely lingered there. 1 'fWell, this is getting funny/' thought A Our Little Jim, "and every man Who's tried to speak has tripped and T caught. * I never saw a queerer plan. I wish t?e editor would show 1 Them how a banquet speech should go." And then, as if his wish to fill, , The editor arose, but now p He looked as if he might be ill. f! No sternness sat upon his brow. i; His manner gruff was gone, and quaint He stood, as gentle as a saint. ^ "Our hearts are full," he said at last,. V "And I have heard in every voice . The welling tears that came so fast C That none could speak. Bat we rejoloe To find yon all, and, God be praised, A To find the'clouds ordarkness raised. These friends, who now for many years ' Have been companion?yes, and more? V Have told you brokeuly the fears ? That made our lonesome hearts so sore. I'll have to ceas^ My eyes are dim. ' ? God bless you both and Little Jiml" C His voice indeed -was ohoked. His faoe , No longer bid bis feelings strong, ? And wben be finished gone tbe place, And gone the tables and tbe throng, . And Jimmie's eyes now pierced tbe gloom Within bis own dark, lowly room. Ho knew that he bad dreamed, but now ^ He saw with waking eyes that they Who spoke wore In his home, and how They found the house he could not say. But there they were, and bundles big Were piled around on every rig. Yes, bundles, boxeg, baskets, bags, For all these men were big ip soul, And theirs were hearts to bleed when rags Were clothes and people froze for coal. That foreman gray had known a year When want and misery were near. A newsboy once, barefooted, he With brother younger strove to make A living, and, tkough tenderly He tried to watoh, death came to take The little f^low. Thus ho had A heart to love this Jimmie lad. rfcffE?i ,^||| : I] That old and sharp reporter, too, j Was tender hearted, though he tried To stolid be; his eyes of blue Now all indifference boiled. r He called a wretched timo tu lylnd When all the world had been unkind; < When, as an office "devil," he j Had helped support a mother, and P R ' I . U, UJJVVU SELLS JOHNSON'S C TONIC, and guarantee: or money refunded. W. fail to call and see my s1 P. B. e thought in?did not f times remembered? e'd been a carrier onoe Id f help?it was because his Had been so foil of longing^B^^B0^^^H3^^fl 5 have a son, and when his Had died he felt his faith". and^fl^H^^^^HP^JHH i with her; then this Little ad waked mysterious chords in v v^nn at, oh, that sullen pressman ther<^^^^^^HHHH No longer sullen, only sad?' ' ho, looking now with blinded star^^^^^HHHH Saw only in the past a lad; if. cnr> tia irrng nnH intrf". nhnnf Ike Jim, except he wasn't stout f arm and limb. And every day, fl When Jinl's true eyes had met his e felt the tears and turned away, It seemed that backward years had nd once again his darling boy as filling all his soul with joy.' bus these and all the other men, W So used to business ways and hard, elt all their pulses beat again, VU| Affection's gates again unbarred, ndwhen of Jimmies life they knew ?| hev felt that all tiiat tbev oould do ras not enough. The mother stood HH With face made holy In the light hich these rough angels cast, nor could V She speak. Her little girl so bright, lung happy at her side?the pair picture niade surpassing fair. ? nd seeing all with wonderment V The weakened boy raised up in bed, 1 lid one, whose eyes were on him bent, 1 That editor, came quick and said, Why, Jimmie, boy, awake at last? hank God you're well ?the danger's ou rogue, why did/you never tell Us .where you were and let us know ou were not feeling strong and well? I don't know when we've worried so." hus gently chiding, he caressed he head upon the pillow pressed. im'n mnthflf n.nd his sister then Came quickly forward, and the crowd f awkward, kind and tender men Could not resist, and feeling proud o see again the winsome look n Jimmies face came up and iook heir places near. The Jad, abashed, Blushed faintly thus to have them stand round his cot. His eye then flashed With merry fun; he raised his hand ' 'o feebly shake with all and said, I'm sorry to reoeive In bed." ^ hey loudly laughed, but it was queer To see their brimming eyes and see hem all oonfused because a tear Would come, provoked by gayefcy, tat talking lively every one hey made the place resound with fun. , hey spoke of Christmas, Jim the while In wonder lost?he'd been so ,111 [e/didn't know 'twas come. His smile Was lovely then, and with a will [e rose up straight, that he oould call . A Merry Christmas to you all!" hoy almost shouted forth in glee |W Their answers back, and then at length hey said goodby to ail thfe three. They, feared to tax their laddie's strength iy staying longert but before hey went they wanted one thing more? . promise?whloh they got?that they Could oome to spend the afternoon Jid bring the dinner Christmas day. . And as they went It seemed too soon *o leave that hallowed, dear retreat i hich looked so shabby from the street. . ' ' 'he mother in amazement sat And thought and blessed, when all had . i 8?ne- '{Ml he little maid, with soothing chat, , >. Made Jimmie sleep. His faoe, though ' wan, 7as happyv and the fever's flash [ad 'gone and left a lovely bloah if health upon his wasted che?V She then, with silent, lively ftet, t ipproached the mother?not to speak, ' *' But just to join the blessings,s^eet ; rhich .there ascended?and the men foo g&ve ware all rewardbd then-- ! /ithin the bags and boxes brought ' \ By all those friends, unknown before, !bey found that all that careful thought , Could e'er suggest was there, and more. if dresses, garments, shawls and wraps / ' i u Lnd shoes and all the other traps v I Pbat people need the^e was a sight, j Besides a wondrous large supply }f things to eat and presents bright : ' vj For every one?they had to cry n happiness again that they - ; Vere thus remembered Christmas day. . J i Such joyfulness on every face I For all tbd "offloe" bad to go, . [ And thus they filled the little bulte brimming full, and merrlxn^^^^^^^^^^^H fust overflowed and babbling went^^^H^^H^^H r0 every hoart, and every hoar I Was gayer?aye, and far more brl^^H^H^^^H pan Jim had dreamed?bat, oh, thfi I Of all the goodness of the sight t ?as that compassion, aid and love, i Tlxed deep in man by him above. Here's nothing more to telL The zeiiflH^H|Bn Of sorrow ceased, and dread despair Vnd hunger, with their throes of palny^m^NH^I Wore banished, and a joy was theig^^^^B^D^H ro take their places. All the men Became protectors, and again fhe three were cared for tenderly, And Jim this blessing gave: "I pi^HH^HB^H| rhat every one's New Years may be As sweet as you've made ours today^R^flMH^H 5od bless him?more he could not ?or that included me and you. PHILIP MIGHElBfllj^^^H FEvll^H s it to cure CHILlfllH^H ten in Abbeville do 1 ;oek. I ?T3Tr.Tmr> IBB