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BY E. B. MURRAY & CO. ANDERSON, S. C., THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 23, 1880. Vf \T TTAIT? VT7-T UTT/^W n A r> nrw?s TUB rriGirr IUOBECKIBR? Bil" BY r.lM?AB FAWCETT. With ?now in pale Tctomee, by Barege windi burled. The night baum Cb rta mu bu wrapt tho wild worli; And now to 1U liol?*? Ibo little one? hirk Where the noraery window looks l.irtb cn tb* ?ark. While weirdly egilost the blick bl?nk of the eky Theo? phantom* ot anow-cloud pjas hurrying by, The bril DI of tbe children iii ope form af u-r form Vrom out the wan vapory wblrl of tho /tonis; lluie Hun*that rauip; inixbty hon?? that prance; W bile wallowlog whalci of prodigious cx|?n.e Ttl! now tb?y dlsc-rii a lOauge figure, whose bick, Ie beni by the weight of a iwnderuus pack, And itreamlna 'a trout of him, plainer than day, Th? beard of Kr.? Kringle like blown ocean epray ! Ab, happy roung drwmorr, dream on aa ye will '. Beemrrry 8t. Nicholas trudging lo QU, Through harsh wintry gust*, with boueYrlent tread, Tho sCicklnitB you hang tv ?. mai ti i ur bed I Hug fut your drluuloD, O ?o.", dluip o 1 arm?, And Kain while you cm lu Uluaory charma I Tooloon will reality'a band texr aside Tho ?wc t Tall of fancy vbun Ch?nenla bide, Like the blemlub, d<*-p-iuuk lo Ihn rose's red youth, Thateton dlsappoluitnrnt, life's actual truth! And yet, darline t-alotl, content lu your circd, How Ideal were your fite through HIP future. Indeed, Il each disenchantment ou earth ?eft h-iiltid Buch a precious result as awakening to Und That In place ot your Banu Claus, wrought from a cloud, Waa thr lore that engirds you, fond, ?i?il nt, proud! LoTe eager to bring, ere 'tho morrow ?Itali rise, New mirth to your laughter, new light to your crest A Christmas Tableau Vivant. OT WILLIAM H. r-USBXELU "Jerusalem!" It waa a favorite expletivo of good beacon Parks when excitement got tho 'otter of his usual placid way, and his /ifo looked up in astonishment as ho came stampr^ is?to the house, slammed the door after 1 iin und stirred up tho liro util tho hickory blitzed and roared like n incipient volcano. "Gracious! What is tho matter now, Job?" she exclaimed, pausing in her baking operations, wiping the dour from her banda upon lier hugo apron aud lowering her glasses from her forehead to her nose to obtain a hotter look ot her husband and satisfy herself that ho had not suddenly lost his wits. "Why, day niter to-morrow is Christ mas!" "As if I didn't know that! Haven't I been making preparations for it for more than a week? Catch mo without mince-pies and fried cakes and cranberry jelly anti a great, bouncing turkey?" and she smiled complacently nt the thought of tho good things already prepared. "Ana I nevar thought of it until just now-been so busy, you know," he apologized, as if in reality lie had been guilty of some great crime. ITCH, Alf UUii V Hiiiuvi, uOu, CU1U A wouldn't worry about it, for I have token care of everything for tho blessed day and Minerva will ba home from teaching school. Poor child! how olio must buffer thia weather, sleeping in cold rooms and like as not without a feather-bed and-" "It's all lier own fault. Hannah. Tho good Lord knows wo have plenty for her aud half a dozen moro, and if she will persist in wearing herself out in teaching other people's bruta, then-" "What then?" questioned a merry voice, aa a pretty, rosy piece of mischief came bounding into tho room, shaking tho enc" frorr her long, golden curls, and running up to her father, fairly (?mothered him for a moment with kisses and thon darted away, laughing, to her mother, twined her arms about ner neck and greeted her as warmly. "JeniEalem!" exclaimed tho oldman QB soon as he could regain his breath, though with bis honest face flushed with joy and his lips quivering with emotion, for his daughter waa indeed as the apple of his oyo and the ono thing upon earth altogether lovely. "My dear, precious lamb," whispered tho fond mother, through team of happi ness, as with busy Augers abo removed tho jaunty little cap, furs, cloak and gloves, "to think you have come safe ly back to me once moro and-" "Now," interrapted the girl, "I should Uko to know what father was talking about whou I came in." "So unexpected," said the mother. "We did not look for you until to-mor-' row night." "Oh, I had ft chance to rido home," replied tho girl, blushing, "and got per missiou to let out school. But you wero talkiug about roo, father?" "Well, yea," ho answered, with a mer ry twinklo in his eyes, "and I waa about to say whon you carno rushing in like a ?oung boar-about to say, though mind, didn't-that if you kopt on teaching other people'a brats you wouldn't have strength to teach 70UX own-when you got them," and he laughed loudly at tho changed expression of her face. "For ahorne," responded Minerva. "But I'll pay you for that, father. Re member, I am a young lady now, and you can't joko with me with impunity, os you onco did." "A young Indy? Whew! Andi sup pose Borne young gentleman put him self to immenso troubla to bring you homo through the cold abd storm and didn't forget to collect toll at all the bridges. Aren't your lips Boro, daugh ter?" The girl colored G till moro deeply, and bustled around to help her mother set the table for dinner, that BIIO might cs - cape the teasing; but her father enjoyed it too much, and asked: "Who was it, child? Some of them scape-grace clerks from Beaverton, I'll be bound." "You know I never associate with them," she responded iudiguaiiily. "Mr. Frank Emmons brought me home." "O-h?" with a low whistlo. "Yes. ha fe a nico and proper young man, ana has such pretty black hair ana oyes, and teeth ana moustache, and such white hands, and Binga liko half a dozen angels pp.i ????lim ???5 ?isutlv." ind tho o?- ^"T?tlo man arose on cl strutted mincingly around the room in burlesque imitation of the attendant ot his daughter. Minerva could not but laugh, yet pro tending to take no notice, glided about wronging tho disheo, and uer mother asked where tho young man was. "I know," said lifer father, answering tho question for her. "Our daughter has rolled him up in pink cotton and sprinkled him with cologne and put him in a bandbox for fear ho will got mussed." "Ho will bo hero Christmas Eve," in-, torrupted Minerva, with a strong effort at sobriety; "be arni a number of others. I know you would not caro, father, if I . invited them." " Not I," anftwered tho ?ld man heart ily, and biking tho I curly head between ins brood pairas he drow her tenderly to him and kissed the rosy and dimpled checks. " Yon are truly our one lamb, aud everything will oomo day bo yours. Yes, yon dui pejfeotly right, and it will be pleasant to nave tho house filled with youug folka and have a ron**og, merry time. That is how Christmas ought to bo kriiL" "We are going to have tableaux vivant?, and one ox them will surprise yon, father." He waa that already, and had about aa much conception of what was intended as of tho lucid (V) explanations of Her bert Spencer of tho Darwinian theory, and for him to have repeated the words with tho French accent given by Ina child would havo been an titter impossi bility, HO he pretended knowlochio. ah his head sagely, g*Y9 . vsry v. ink, but kept silent and soon found . that pressing busineea required bia ab? ? neuer-. But the doting mother was taken into 1 full confidence and she and Minerva bad a lung, earnest aud apparently deeply interesting conversation upon the sub jects-oue that continued for over an hour; j indeed it bad not concluded when the old man returned, for ho caught the I name of ibo minister and asked: " What oro you going to have Donan? ? Martiu hero for, child?" "Oh, just because I Uko bim, and bis I wife ia such a dear old lady, and they I will bo very lonely on auch a day, with their children r?l married and away from home. Bo I thought you would like to I see thom, and if ho is hero everything will be B?ro to go right, and it is Christ I mas, you know, and-" I Hold on, for mercy's sake!" ox ' claimed ber father, ': or you won't bavo ; breath enough left to eat your dinner, ' and that would bo very bad." " But you wanted to know, and-" " You bavo told me sufficient to satisfy : any reasonable mortal man," be said at '? ho took bis place at the tablo and began i loading ber plato as if sho bad been in J danger of starvation for a mouth. Dinner over-it waa ono of tho sub ; stantial, old-fashioned kind, tbougb thc j motlier bad added the richest of dessert delicacies to tempt ber child, aa ii thor. I wau no snob thing as dyspepsia in tl.-? I land-and tho Deacou took an onay chai' ! by tho broad hearth, lighted Iiis pipe i and between tba curling clouds of smoki ! resumed tbe eubject of -tho morning con j vernation. ** How many aro you going to have daughter?" bo questioned. * "Al' tho boys and girls." "BoyB first, every timo with your sex j and girls with tho other," ho laughed I "but all means how many?" j "Well (refiectively,) from fifty to BOY cnty-five. ' J "Gracious! the old bouse will soaroel bold them, and will- bo certain to bo tor down with their romping. But who ! does mother Bay?" i I i"Ob, she ia perfectly satisfied, oren j you mother, de.'-y ?" and a look of undoi ' standing passed between parent an daughter. "Then all I have to do is to help tb riot along, for riot it will be with so mau youngsters together. But -what -waa you said you wero going to have?" j "A tub'lo vovnng," was aoswerod wit tho broadest possibls Frenoh accen ation. ? "Ab, yes, I remember, and no donl ! it will be grand." ! "I think von will find it r.olomi ( lather." 1 "Yes, yea," and fearful she Bhould st bo- muon ho was puzzled, ho instant changed the subject and continu?e "Well, it will take o tot to feed so man boys and girls. They are always hun gr; and can devour more than so mai wolves. So, Hannah, I fear you havoc provided one quarter enough." ; "You are light," responded his trif . "since our pot told me about her pta and bow many would be hero I ha been calculating." j "Well, they shan't go away hungr if Ibero is enough in tbe land to fe* them. I'll have Mike kindle a fire nnd tho big f arm kettle, and kill lota of chic ens und turkeys, and send him for Mi Smith to help dress them, and when go over to town to-morrow TO bril i home some oysters and-well, any thi j else you need to have a good time." j "?hl bow much I thank yon, de i father,"said Minerva, impulsivelyspric ing to his sido and kissing him. "Y I are tbe kindest and best father in all t ? world." I "All talk," ho laughed, though H .pleasuro was visible m his ?.\CG, "a ' you'll get married some day and for* ail about mo." "Married!" exclaimed tbo girl, si denly growing ashy palo. "Never ! mean." she continued, with her ft flu si. ; to tho deepest crimson, "I mc that I'll never forget you." "Whew," be whi?tled, "I never s the wind chop around more sudden Catch r. girl saying sho'll never j married! They wotdd as soon think not being handsome and having pre dresses. But you needn't blush so. j all right and proper, and tho natural o dition of womankind,'' "Then," asked sho, archly an conti ishly st muling beforo bim with one Iii finger thrust between ber red Ups in m< ? modesty and boohfulnesa. 1 'You woulc object to my getting Married?" "No, not~to u good, honest, industri man. Why should I? A human he and especially of your BOX, without lc ?B as good as wrecked. No. my darli find a good man whom you can love v your whola heart, and who loves you trune, for I am oid-fashioned enougt believe in such things, and Ul not c give my consent but my blessing, so: thing woith having for a Btart in life, such a wending as will moko tho raf tera ring." "And suppose, father," questioned blooming girl, half way between atc and tears, "suppose it should happe: be Frank-Mr. Emmons, I mean? ."Humph! I don't know. Ho is "Juat as nico a young feUow as < Uvcd." interposed bis wifo. "Yes, yea. ? can't aay aught ago bim, but-"; "I know," langhcd Minerva at his i fusion, "when you reaUy como to tl of giving mo up it is too mucb. Tl it?"_ "I. believe you are right, child. B must go and seo about an extra ruipp'l provisions. GrnciousPit will bo fe unto if we don't have a famine." Ho wiped away tho mist from h? oven, brought tliere by tbe thouglil j daughter bad suggested; tried to wh I bravely dowu the very .situation, ho with the touch of rugged ?loquence fended, and hastened to coll his mai aU-work and give him instructions. ' nervo hos como bock. Mike," he "and is going to have som o kind blow-out on Christmas Eva. She cid] tabler vovaught, or something ol kind. "A f what ?" questioned the Irishi scratching bis bead in the most pm manner. "That'a what sticks mo, Miko, th< I did not lot her know it. Anyhow! is to bo acmo kind of a female circus, the animals will want plenty to eat. " "Blessings on tho bright eyea of and ita ivry thing on the old form ri if she wants it, thodarlin'." "Yea, I believe you. That girl si to have a faculty of twisting every around her finger, and-" "Divil a won more thin hor ould fi er," said Mike aa ho proceeded to the orders he had received, "an* mt lashins of poultry," well knowing bia share of tbo feast would be no eti one. To a late honr the making ready continued, and ?ll went to bed tiree happy. And the next day waa a conti bustle. Extra help was summoned, tho kitchen fires roared, and the menso Dutch oven glowed and p] ruled triumphant, wnilo tho old do wu* in bia glory bringing supplies town and making hiuiseu userai as aa'moat provokingly officious. So tho day paaswd oed the night < with everything ready for the g tim? Early tho house began to bo filled with a merry company, and were welcomed by father, mother and daughter, tho latter respleudaut in relies of fleecy whit.', abundantly trimmed with soft, floating lacea und looped with artificial flowers, while natural roses, fringed with myrtle and luuiiax, were half hidden amid her golden hair and pulsated upon her joy ously throbbing bosom. For an hour there appeared to bo ft ceaseless chiming of sleigh-bells, and rosy, laughing loads deposited at tho door. Indeed, GO many were tho teams that Miko was frantic to know what to do with them. But tho Deacon helmed \ in "thc moro tho merrier" principle, and 1 kept every ono busy and contented. Yoi ! for oil tho gaily dancing and Binging | company, a shade of perplexity now ana then crossed his face. He had not solved the mystery of tho tableau, and it hung upon him aa a troublesome nightmare. For honrB the house rana and trembled upon ita strong foundation. It was a veritable beo-bivo of fun and frolic, and many a soft cheek took on deeper rosea from stolen kisses; many an innocent heart bounded moro swiftly from the en circling arm and many a pair o? oars tingled from tho slpppiog of white hands in paymout for aaucy jest or pilfered caress. But good, buxom darno Hannah had I almost an much pride in her cooking aa j I in lier ono dcor lamb, and whon tho I I ancient clock mode its huge, hea'jy, j i coffin-like caso throb with the ringing of ten, r.ho whispered to her husband, good, j prudent soul that she was, that "tho ? children must bo gutting hungry, and j she was going to ECO about tho tables." ' In responso to her suggestion, ho Bought their daughter and told her thoy wera going to have Bupper, and that tho ! young folks had better stop romping and cool off, or Bomo of them would bo cer tain to tako their death. "Yes, ff.iher," sho answered: "but wo , must hove tho tableau first, and abo looked up, blushing moro deeply than a d'-..'task rose in Juno into tho face of Mr. , Fri ak Emmons, upon whose ann she happened to be leinung, | "All right," responded tho old man with a sign of relief, for the burdon would soon bo lifted from bis HO ul. "Do you want mo to help you?" "No; but tell motlier, pleoso, I want her." And M?BS Minerva darted away to her own private room, while the old man told the fiddlers to adjourn to the kitchen and make themselves corniortablo until wanted again. i Evidently some of the girls understood what was going on, if the deacon did not, for they cleared ono end of tho hall, hung a pu BMW patch-work bed-quilt f:CrC_-.j and marshalled tho company into some thing like order. Then, after abrief pause, in which there was much whis pering, tho improvised curtain was drawn I asido and disclosed Misa Minerva stand I ing hand in hand with Mr. Frank Em : mons, with a young lady and gentleman as supporters, and the old minister be fore them. * Amazed, but silent, tho Deacon looked ? on. He did not comprehend the affair at all, had np practical knowledge of charades, but when certain words had been spoken mid a ring passed, n sud- j den light broko in upon the darkness of his lindern tan ding, and he exclaimed with an earnestness that startled all : "Je-ru-sa-lein ! It looks Uko a mar riage 1" Tho hearty laugh that followed Bufficed i for a full explanation aud it needed not j the assurance of the minister to convierto ' him that his daughter was honestly sud j legally married to the man of her choice, j And yet at first he was disposed tobe an I gry. Then ho saw tho foolishness of I such a proceeding, especially os ho hud {ireviously given his assent to the so- ! action of his daughter, und entered heartily into the laugh against him self. "That's what you call a-Jerusalem! I can't Bp?al : tho uew fangled nome-ia it?, Yet it wasn't hardly fair to fool the old mau BO, Minerva. I did expect you would find something in your stockings to-night, child, but not n great, Uve man. However it is all right (anything oho could have done would have been so) and I we'll make tho best of it, and your moth ! er and I will have plenty to do in getting things ready to fill tho Uttle stockings that-" A soft white, "land stopped bi: -jrords, red and ripe lips wero pressed upon his own, a silken face was laid upon his wrinkled ono, a few tears of happiness j were rained down upou his broad breast, I and with faltering tongue tho old mau j called the young husband to his side. ' gavo him tho hand of his darUng, ana said, "Toko har and may God bless you ' both, my children. If I have lest a daughter ? havo found a ?on and shall have another arm to lean upon when my eyes grow dim and steps unsteady and-' I Moro ho would havo said but a great ringing of bells summoned them to B?p pel?-and suoh a supper. It would havo ? modo grim Famine commit suicide in de spair to have looked upon the tables, and Time throw away his hour-glass and sit blythely down and enjoyed tho feast. ? Tba good mother had known the Beeret j from the first, aud with her prido stitrm '? lated lind distanced ail former efforts; : oven to produoo a Christmas supper, ena ' the ouly complaint wea of exces&ive full : ness, when again tho violins cumiuouod the party to the halL ' A fow more honra of such bappiuesa as rarely conies to earth and tho old house liecamc silout Tho company had departed, but uot before, tho Deacon had invited nil to be present that day year, whispering nt the carno timo something in the ear of Iiis daughter that sent tho blood bounding to her cheeks and caused her io iurn suddenly and shamefaced away. Waa ho right? Como with mo this joyous, blccsed day. You will he welcomed right royal ly. Come and assist in the festivities and taste to repletion of tho good cheer, aud when the" bright-eyed babe is christ cucd, join with all in wishing to him, ayo even to all upon earth, a happy, merry, bountiful Christmas. The Mistletoe. It is natural for us to ?..ig when, wo aro glad, and carol singing .mee formed a principal feature at all great feasts or banquets. But in later times tho carol seems to hare been devoted to Chris tm aa alone, and when the Yule log was blazing brightly ^ upon the wide hearth, and tho green mistletoe bouglis hung from thc waU and decorated windows and doors, tho wassail-bowl was filled to overflowing, I and true friends pledged each other with a joyful Christmas song; and under tho mistletoe boughs tho young people joined handB in tho old-faohionea dance and chanted a blithe carol to which their feet kept time. We, of modern days, have liHlo idea of tho raro virtues which wero once op Sropriated to the mistletoe. Ho who ung mistletoe "roand his neck believed that tho witches, would havo no power to harm him, and that waa ?truly a comfort ablo thought in days when the firm be lief in witches was almost universal. Tito Druids and tho Celtic nations attrib uted the moat valuablo medicinal prop erties to the mistletoe, calling it all heal. In WolcB.it was known as guULh?l Merry Chriutir.ee! CHRISTMAS MELODIES* B'liToi.A'M rnhaor. Poor, tweet Plccola! DU jou hear NV lint happened to Plcoila. children deart Til ?eldo .. Fer! tine oucii l?Tur (rants As (ell to this little auld ol France 'Twas Chriattna? time, and her pirrili* pw Could hardly dnvo th* wolf (rom the door, Striving with poverty'* palleot pain Only (olive nu mamar again. KogHtsforPIceolsl Bid were titer , Whett dawned tho morning of Christmas day ; Their lltiiedarhiig no Joy tuUbt sur, bt. Nicholas nothing would bring to h erl ?ut Plccola n?ver doubted at sit hut eomethlnc beautiful must befall Beery child upon Chrtatiuas <-ay, And so she slept Hil the dawn was gray. And lull o( (?Ith, when at last ?ho woke. the stol* to her ?hos as thu tnnmtng broke; uch sounds ot lindum* Oiled the air, 'Twas plain St. Nicholas had been thorn! In rushed Picco?asweet, ball wild; NorcT was seen inch a Jojriul child, bee what the good ?alnt brought!" the Crt od, And mother and 'allier must peep Inside, Now men a ?tor? who evr hcirdT Thine wst a Ititi? shivering hird) A "pirrow, that in the window flow, Had crept luto Piccola't tiny shoo! lTow good poor Plccola must have been! She cited, as hsppy rs >ny queen, Wfatla the starving sparrow she (ed ?nd warmed, And danced with rapture, tho was so charmed. Children, this story I tell you, Ol Plccol? sweet aud hsr bird, ls true, In tho (ar offland ol France, thoy tay, Still do they lite to Ibis vory day. THOSE <IIrtIST5I*\8 BlIXB. Those Carin DU* bil'tl these Oirintrast btlUt How mnny a heart with anguish fill?. When knocks, and ring?, nod rx?tuion'a feet Make echoic;- noises thr lugh the street ; And pa-slag round from door to door, Dcave horrid noxs which thus "implora Tour kind at tanti in ; pl ase to pay ; Our books ar? closed on New Years' Day." The wine we hougtit ts a'l us?d out And left no trace (except the ROUI), Yet port and merry, pile and brown, In hideous OolutDDJ aro put dova. The butcher, tool lt cu / bc that So tunny Joints < f lean ami fat Were all consumed within this house; Which cook asserts would starve a mouse. I'll not believe ll, nor that tea Coti'd sue j a mure s of i tilts be. And aniQlv this can't he the price Of Ces ?na almanda, prim a and spice! We have n't li vc 1 on Isrl or ches.*, Yet rows of fig'ircs stand for these. And herc's thu drawer! Now my vrlla Has gouu In debi, I'll bet my life. If Eve In Eden stolo the (mit. At la ?.st ?ho wore no silken suit, Ind Adam had no bills ot lit ra For gems, or lace, or sealskin furs. ? Oh, bsppy time! oh, peicvftil houri! ui tusking inve ?mi t.numi flower?; The t'.inple biasings II -mon grants Uood gtaclour, here's a Lill (or planta' I'll read no more, tbs, "J drive ma wild, I'll have my own "petition flied," We've ridden at the " pace that til '?," I cannot pay thew Christmas bills. -ifity/air. V.NDESl THE IIIBUT9AS ?KT. BT HELEN M. COOUK. Ont In thc cold thoy hunger and shiver, D ar little children with brave humsn hearts; W here is th. ir Ood to save and deliver? Where ls the comfort lits pity imparts! Wranped In the folds nt comfortable clothing, DOST little childi a-, with tweet, tender eyes, Daze for a moment, tuen turu away loathing. Under these wonderful, glad Chrlttmasikles! Under the bardan of tin, and of sorrow, Is there a hand thut ts hidden, and warm? Ia there a sun thst will mu on tba monow, Over the clouds of misfortune and MoraiT Out from th? meld will the daisies ind clover, Into perfection ul color and sr.ee, Spring la theirterfumr, to glad the world OTC? Where is the bloom, then, (or each little fact? - IVnAer* OazrlU. PftOUD bud of the barnvard, blithesome and free, A murderous bludgeon ta hovrr ng o'er thee A flrtt-footed urchin, a herd*;.tarted hub, Will hit theo a np with more n a stuffed club. Hake the meit of thy time, (or soon thoult be caught And thy own precious bejd to the block'll be brought. Then goblilel and gobble! and gobble away; Thyself will be gobbled on Christmas Day. A rest to thy soul and pcuco to thy anthea; A dinner thou'it make and auntiry cheap hashes; ? breakfast, periup*, and a light tupper, tao, Avt then bo dissolve! )n r. thin carcara stew. A LOUD and laughing welcome to tba merry Christ mas b Us. AU hail with happy gladnets the well-known chant thal swells; Wa Utt tiie pealing anthem cUotd, we hear the mid nlxht strata, And, lute the tidings that proclaim a Chilstiuas-tld* tgaln. s But thi re mutt he a m*!oly, ol puter, deover sound. A rich key-note, whose tc ?io, runs through all tba music roo nd; Let kindly voices ring beneath low-root ox palacc KOT thrso a'lone sro Chrltlraa* chimes that blusa Curiums* Hone. WHITE, "This ls tho baby's ?tocking, Tb?t bann I" the corner here; You nc u r hsvo aeen her, banu, FUT alie only asme this year: Dut sile's Ju-tths blessedest baby; And now, tie! re you go, Ju-t cram her ttocUluit? with Roodles, From the top clear down to the toe." HKRK'S Christens*- let ut boldly greet hha. We tusy ss will, (or none can cheat bin-; He will ?trat on, and ?Hiv sprinUo The firs' groy H dr. d Ant faint ntinkle. And yei methinks li little matters. What ttsil ot Itltln-uio ? be scatter?, Bo that amid ll we contrive To keep Tiulh'a heariease ?till aliva Xl ul.I,. , .,, |,r. (i ? Do you BOO tho i>oor, thiu until? How sad it ia to bo poor, and have no tur-key to oat. Who ia tho mau? Ho ia nu ed i-tor. What ia au cd-i tor? Au ed-i-tor is a man who robs his own stomach to fill tho heads of otb-er peo-plt\ Poor man! I will send him a big, tat tur-key for his Chriat-niaa din-ner. Do you seo tho fat, thick mau? Yea, I can soo lrim with ono eye. Doc?, tho fat man love tur-koy ? You bet Is bo an cd-i-tor, too, Ma-ma? Niz-ee, my child, nix-oo. %lMORnsoLTj may defy brimstone and 'lonbt the renlity of a "Sweet Byp and 8yo." but if ho uudcrtakea to pluck a bugle bristlo from the beard cl Santa Claus, there- will be a row. OTB CHRISTMAS BEA? STOBT. It was a Christmas Eve, and Undo ? Bob sat before a blazing fire, a little nephew on ono knee and a little niece on the other, while Aunt Katie, sat quietly knitting in her own particular ooruer. Unelo Bob hos two children of his own now, und that mido his heart all tho warme,' toward every child he mot. "Tell us a story, undo," aaid littlo ; Dan, looking up from Unelo Bob's left knee. "I know a pretty good bear-story," j replied Vuelo Bob, with a sly glance at Aunt Katie. "Oh, tell us that, please," cried littlo Fannie, from Undo Bob's other knee, ! her pretty face all narlow with eager curi osity. 'Thirty years ago," Undo Bob began, ? "It was a wild country out here. Tho wood? was full of bears and wolves, not to speak of other varment, and the set tlors had to keep a sharp lookout, I toll you. "I was a young man then, and reek- j oucd tho best looking chap in those parts," Uncle Bob continued, with anoth er glance at Auut Katie. Tlio latter looked bock at Undo Bob, with her usual quiot Bmilo. "You kuow ityourself, Katie."returned : Uuclo Bob; "leastways yon thought so ouce." Aunt Kntio blushed, and wont on with lier knitting. "Whatever may bo said of mo," Un cle Bob resumed, "there was a gal iu tho neighborhood as hadn't her match for ; fifty miles around" "Now, Robert," expostulated Aunt I Kntio, "what put such nouesouso in your ; head to-night?*' "It's only tho Bocrod truth," Undo 1 Bob protested; "she was my first sweet- ? heart, and her name waa Katio." "Tho samo as auntie's," interrupted ! little Dan. "Jest so," said Uncle Bob. "That's ? what they call a coiucidonco." Tho big word roduced littlo Dan to Bi- ; lenco, and Uncle Bob proceeded: "Kr.lie's father was tho richest mau in tho settlemeut. Ho had moved out early, had holpod fight tho Indians, hod boon I sent to tho Legislature, was o Justice of tho Peace, and owned moro than a thous- I m. d acres of laud. Wo called him tho 'Squire, "Katio aud mo hud been aa good aa engnged for a oouplo of years; but, you seo, I was too sheepish to speak to tho . 'Squire. I wau ted Katie to do it, but she said it was'u't nono ol her {dace, and so j matters stood. "At last a sui pt ions looking chap-lus ' name was Sam Tibbetts-como ont and started a store aud grocery at tho eross roads. Ho woro s toro clothes and had i long curly hair, which lie kept oiled to ? Buen an extent as dvivusted ell tho fol- ' lera and enchanted alt tho gals. "None of ns had any chanco when ho j was about. It was nobody but Mr. Tib- ! botts. He out us all out by turns. II! 1 you took a gal to moctiu' or to singiu' school, oxpectiu' to BOO her homo, jost es you stcpt up at tho close of tho exercises to offer her your arm, tou to ono but Mr. Tibbetts would Bcrongo in altead, and your gal would walk off with him, lea vi n' you tue mitten. "Ho carno it ovor tho 'Squire by agreein' with him in politics, especially on the wolf-r.colp bounty question; so t when ho begun to pay attention to Katie, tho 'Squire looked pleased like. "I don't know if Kntie wante*l to moko mo jealous, so's to bring mo to tho p'int; | anyhow, sh.- ?eemed to toko a shine to Mr. Tibbetts, which dravo me half mad. I'd a thrashed that gent?o youth outer his paten' leather hoots, but ho was alias BO polite that thero wa'u't no decent way o' quar'lin' with him." "But you're a long while comin' to tho bear, Undo," putin littlo Dan. "We're a'mostat him now," said Undo Bob. '"Nancy Hopkins gave a quiltin' and everybody was invited. The gala was* to quilt tho quilt durin* tho day, and the boys was to coma and dance with th em iu tho evenin' and thou seo 'em home. "I wont over to the 'Squire's to engage Katie, but alie enid, with a sassy look, sho was much . ableeged-Mr. Tibbottn had just boen there afore me. Tho end of it was that I went away in tho sulks, aud didn't go to the quiltin' at all. "Well, that night, os Mr. Tibbettawaa Eceiu' Katio home, they was walkin' along, tolkin' po'try about tho moon, which was three-quarters full and shinin' down bright, what do you think eomo bulgin' out into tho path right aforo 'em'' '.^.iobear!" exclaimed littlo Dan, ex citedly. "Tho bear !" ochood little Fannie, turn ing pale. "Well, yes," ?aid Undo Bob, "it waa a big black bear. He give ono fierce Ko wi, and Mr. Tibbutts, ;.-.-kin' bia arm ose from Katie, took to his heels aud run for dear lifo. He didn't holler murder! for fear tho bear'd hear him and take him at his word." "The big coward!" muttered little Dan, clenching his tiny fists. "So he was," said undo Bob. "But poor Miss Katio?" inquired Util o Fannie, from whose oyes the tears began to drop. "Tho bear," continued Uncle Bob, ' wing excited aa he neared the climax of bio story, '*iest r'ared up on bud, cotohed hold of Katio with his fo~ pawn, hugged her to his shaggy breast, and give ono bound, csrryu7her off iuto the forest!" Littlo Fonnio Bobbed. Littlo Dan's oyes flashed, but in Bpite of bim, were ftdl of tears. "Obi Robert, you shouldn't fright*.!, tho ohildren so," said Aunt Katie, look ing up and dropping a stitch. "Don't cry, my dears," said Uncle Bob. patting each of tho littlo heads; "all s well as ends well." "Mr. Tibbetta had hardly finished tellin' the 'Squire about bis darter bein' kerned off by tho bear, in spite of Mr. Tibbetts gallant efforts to rcscoo her (in Eroof of which he showed tho Bcratdiea e'd got iu runnin' through the bushes), and the 'Squiro hedn't near gotd one call in' bim all sorta o' hard names, when who should walk in, safo and sound, but Katie herself, and me escortin' of her. "'Bob Staples,'says tho 'Squire,grasp in* of my hand, 'accept a father B bles flin'!' " 1 do,' says I, bowin' my head " 'Buttha Var?' saya the 'Squire. " 'I'll make yon a present of his hido to-morrow,' Bays I, loo kin' big. " 'HOT, ken I reward you ?' says he. " 'Now's tlx tim? nor never I' ?.sys I to myself, phickin' up courage. 'By giviu' mo your darter for a wife, I auswered. " 'Air you willin, Katio?' aaya tho "'Squire. " 'I am,' saya the. " 'Mo, too,' says I, not waiting to be "axed. " 'Jina your right hands,' aaya tho "'Sauire. "We jined 'em. "By virchoo of the authority vested in me aa a i ea tice of the peace, said tho 'Squire, solemnly, 'I pronounce you man and wife. Who. God hath j m od to gether let no man put asunder!'-and no man hain't neither," added Uncle Bobjproudly. rtfeduffi^^ ?ou over BO much frightened when tho oar carried you off? "Sho would havo been," said Uncle Bob, "but you BO? tho bear, a? ho whisked her away, whispered Bomo tiling in ber eur." " "How could a bu u-whisper, I should , liko to know ?" objected doubting Dan. "Well," replied Uncle Bob, "I may aa well como to the moral of my story. It waa myself, dressed in a bear's skill, that carried oft'your uunt and frightened poor Tibbctsout ai bia wita." Tba littlo ones cluppod their bauds with gleo. "Now bang up your stockings for Santa Claus, say your prayers like good cbildrou and go "to bed,'' said Unelo Bob, suiting down his bafouera mid going across to plant a kiss on Aunt Katio'a ruddy cheek. A vnaiarnas t-Anoi,. ACT I. Th?? uro th? days Tbal utarried men ii\\r Christin?.* pr? tent* s:ut Untu their hutu?* Hy their de ll ?riv?, On ("liri.?tn>*? errand* bent. ACT IL Theda;* roll by, Aud C'hrlitms* morn He Mle* i linn on tho *helt; He nr\it? a month Tb? bill conn .1 In He pay* (ur them himself. ! *tr UL Known only to married mon. ' - Elmira (Jc:tlle. ? Tho Wlfa'a Christmas Prcsont. Tliey sat at tho breakfast table. "My dear," said she, "I'm going to get you something very handsome for a present." His countonauco fell so quick it hurt itself, but bo Buccoodcd in saying with a semblance of pleasure: " Are you, my love?" while at tho sama timo be began figuring bow much these two bills-tho one for bis own "band, somo present" and that for the equally baudsomo ono expected in return-would increase tho quarterly outlay. Thus does the prodigal hand of Santa Claus make much happiness and allow the thoughtful helpme?t to get the bulge. A Tight-Fisted Man's Chrlatman. Oh 1 but he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone. Soroogo t A squeezing, wenching, grasping, clutching, covet ous old ninner ! The cold within bim froze in his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shriveled his cheek ; made Iiis eyes rod, his lips bluo, and spoke out nhrowdly in hii grating voice. Ho car ried bia low temperature always about with him ; bo iced bis office in dog days and didn't thaw it out ono degrco nt Canis tau, Once noon o time, old Scrooge oat busy in bis counting-house. Ho could hear tho pooplo in the court outside go wheezing np and down, stamping their feat upon the pavement stone* to warm them. The fog came pouring in at every obink and keyhole, and was so dense without that tue bouses opposite were mero phantoms. "A merry Christmas, uncle ! Uod save you !" cried n cheerful voice. "Bali!" said Scrooge "Humbug 1" "Christmaa a humbug, uncle I You don't moan that, I am sure ?" "I do," ?aid Sorooge. "Merry Christ, mas I What right have you to bo morry ? You're poor enough." "Como, then, returned the naphow, "what right have you to bo dismal? You're rich enough. "What else can I bo when I livo ia such a world of fools aa this ? Out upon merry Christmas t If I could wish my will every idiot who goes about with .Merry Christmaa' on bi" Upo should ba boiled with bis own pv .d og and buried with a stake of holly t un through bia heart. Keep Christmas in your own way and let mo koop it mino." AOAlit at Ch ri ?Un?? did we weave Th? I...H ? ? ti; n*.-***-"r . The lile?t saow posaesaed th* earth, And calmly (?ll on Christina* eve. The Tule-loz sparkled keen with frost, Ho ?lui of wind tho rt*rten swap*. Bul ?Tor all th! agu brood I ct slept Tb* tjolet santa of someiblng Txt. Who thowtd a token of dlitr?**?T Hottofl* tear, no type of nala j O sorrow, then can Karo rr wan?? O grief, can grftf be Changed lo lean? HArry, happy, happy Christmns, that can wiu us bnck to tho dulutdons of our childish days; that can recall to thu old mao the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the Bailors nnd travelers thou sands of milos away, back to his own fireside and his quiet homo! YOUNO man, don't hesitato atjlhia hob day season of tho year to bo lavish with your means in buying presents for your parents. At such n timo and in euch a causo no ono will blame you for being tho Prodigal Son. Nsw Jersey is still troubled with mo squitoes. There is a faint suspicion that the residents dou't know tho difference between mosquitoes and Christmas tur key*. EVXUY t-?dd has a righi to Christines end all the happiness the word implies. "Wrara the weather is mild st Christ mas, cold weather lasts tiU spring." SANTA CLAUSE is ? discriminating old fellow and seldom makes a mistake. By iba way, what did yea get in your stock npff! I " Those bills, those bills, Those Christmas bills." CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS. Tba Ort via ot (hrblwu M m ITolSetaT -Tho Manner of Ita OletoruUon aaa ?If IVreat Countries. Tho 25th of Docomber is tb* day on which tho sun is near tho most utfiern point in its apparent annual journey, and for so long us wo havo historical record, it has been celebrated by oeromonies and rejoicings. Tho Hindoos on this dav deoorato their bornes with garlauds of Howers and pa pers of gold aud tinsel, and the ono tom ut making presenta to relatives and friands is universally observed. Tho Egyptians recognized it by their festival in honor of tho birth of their god HoruB. lu China it is a goneral holiday, tho ?hops arc shut and tho courts dosed. No journey would uudor nuy circum stances bo commenced on this day. Tho Persians kept it as the birthday of Mithras tho Mediator, a spirit of tito sun, with ceremonies of uncommon splendor. Thc old Romans held high festival in honor of Bacchus, rejoicing with him that tho sun was about to return and re vivify tho vineyards. They designated the day the birthday of tho invincible Bun. There is no record that tho birthday of Jcsuu tho Christ, was observed till tho second century. At tho suggestion of Popo TelcBphorua BOUIO of tho Eastern ohurchos recognized tho 6th of January ' ns tho day, whilo thoso of tho West added it to other celebration!-, in tho lost week of December. In tho fourth contury Pope Julius m odo an order assembling tho chief the ologians of tho timo, for tho purpose of examining all evidence bearing upon tho dato of tho birth of Jesus, that they should, if possible, lix tho day, in ordor that its observance might bo universal. After duo deliberation thoy decided that it was ou December tho 2?th. This de cision was, at tho timo, behoved by many of tho fathers iu tho church to bo er roneous, and they went so far as to assert that tho examiners lind been biased iu their decision by tho desiro to please the public, to whom this day had already be come to bo a uoted oue. Popular feel ing, however, sustained tho council in ?.heir decision, which was finally uni versally accepted and commemorated, although it is now generally behoved to be wrong. On tho publication of tho de cision tho Roman Church decreed and in stituted special prayers to priests, to bo said ou that day, which aro known aa Christ masses. But we find another derivation for tho name. Tho old Saxons had a word Miana, by which thoy designated all days freed from labor, whether holidays or "fast days. Tho holidays kept in re? mombranco of tho birth of Christ, wero Christ massa. Tho spread of the Christian religion carried with it tho observance of Christ mas as a religious festival with which became conuectod other observances varying with tho customs and babita of d?n?rent nations. With tho Gormans, Christmas is es teemed tho "Children's Festival," and with them originated tho world-famous myth of "Saint Nicholas," alias "Santa Claus." alla? "KrisKringlo," tho patron of Yule-ti do and tho friend of all proper I . nd prettily behaved girls. Hap I...J reforms in tho obscrvanco of tho day, which began in Germany, reached and was copied in other portions of Europe. Christ maa is also now "Chil dren's Day" in England and France. In boys and confections for tho period the children are distinctly rememberer' In Italy, and in Amalea tho Chrishnu Tree, tho "stockings hung by tho chim ney with caro," and tho harmless merry games and innocent glee of childhood supplant much of tho boisterous carousal which once tended to render tho day rollicking and riotous. It was formerly the custom, and is still tho practico in sonio of tho small villages in North Ger many, to commission the personage of "Knecht Rupert," corm-pon ding with aur "Santa Claus," to distribute all tba presents made by parents and friends to children. Disguised by a mask, wearing in enormous flaxen beard, clad in a long trilito robo, nod shod in tall bucVjkina, "Knecht Rupert" went from house to lionse, was received by tho parents with great coremony, called for tue children,, md after the strictest investigation into their deserving, dispensed gifts accord ingly. "Santa Claus," we all knorr, reporta himself differently. j.x-!_r-, . ?ii _I-1 - -rn \Jlt xjuimiuiao uivi uiu^j wu ^ioiiuDi'v, laria image man finds his harvest. The ador has sowed, aud the plastor-of-paria ian comes around to reap. At least it 2om2 ?eT Your husband, IT you ari ? larri ed woman, probably has n warm 1st er with fish-horn buttons on the >ack. You aro aware thu* a broomstick i ono of tho most warming things iii the rorld, and your osthetio tastes argue, hat's the uso of tho ulster to him ? You, aer?foro, make a trade. You get a laater-of-paris cat ia sevon colors, and iako homo i beautiful, oven if the head f the family docs tear his hair. Christmas In Norway. lu tho mountain districts the day is ;opt with hearty hospitality. All work s suspended for thirteen days. Tho ea rn nco of every house is decorated, and ho walls of tho kitchen are roughly dornod with gandy pictures, fontaatic ily painted in water colors. Through ut Ciiristmas Evo and Christmas Day ho merry-making is entirely domestic, estricted to tho members of each hoase old. Not oven a friendly visit is paid >n tho following days the neighbors as smblo at each other's houses by turns, ir carousing. No regular meal ia pro id ed, but open house is kopt, the tables ichly spread for all cornera. No strim er is permitted to leave the house until e haa partaken of tho strong Yulo ale, rhioh v* served up in true Norwegian isidor., cask following cask in rapid sue ession. On these occasions the servants it at tho sarao tablo with the host, his ifo and family. All aro dressed in their ala attire of rich colored cloth, trimmed ?Uh gold and silver braid, the woman ?naring caps and aprons of brilliant nea. A ?OEisTiiA? turkey in the hand is orth two in the market J jun J? v ?.~--r\vj. Christmas Pleasures. - Thora is alway? a good reason for that which has obtained a strong bold upoE tho hearts of the people, and probably there is rio festival-no experience in the wholo range of human enjoyment, which ia participated in by so many, which is anticipated with such eager delight, which creates 9ueb vivid ' transformation in thc look of tho outer world, and de velops io many now and pretty indus tries, aa this ?ia yet over-new celebra tion. Ono of tho hardest things to endure in n lifo that has few pleasures, that is cir cumscribed and limite'', by want of op portunities, and barrow mcauB, is the routine. Whr.iever occura to break thia np, to change the current of thought, to stimulate activity, to give a motive that ts sweet ana pleasurable to lifo and work, is of benefit to body and mind, and when it comes to us os part of the general order of things, and can be en joyed without breaking in upon our lives, or interfering with tho performance of our regular duties, we should cultivate it religiously as an invaluable aid to health and happiness. Tho t h colegie : <.l aspect of it siuks, into utter insignificance besido the human, tho physiological, and tho hygienic as pects, of which so fow os t?mate tho im portance. Wo can remember tho day? and the event which gives its significance, upon our knees; but tho gift we present may have occupied our thoughts, and warmed our hearts, and given brightness to li'i for weeks, though it wero only o trillo of our own making. The em blematic green also smiles down upon us as a reminder, and a sacred prom ino; while tho hospitable preparations which wo make, even at a little sacrifice, en large tho boundary of our daily vision, and compel us to put a new and broader interest into our lives. Christmas loses its cbaiacter and its u'guificanoo when it ia mode a mero ex 2UB0 for display, for grand entertainments which mean nothing, or o grudging hos pitality which counts its cost as moro than ita gain. It is, above all other fes tivals, tho ono that typifies lovo and care lor others*, and its greatest charm is in sincerity and spontaneity. It is especially, too, tho fniniiy festi val, beloved of the children, and a 11 C hristinas" would not be o Christmas [rom which they were exclude*."'. Ita proper and joyous observance is one of 'ho privileges, not to say possibilities, of ibo family, one that can not bo enjoyed by the bachelor, and compensates for somowhat of that "freodom" of which ho boasts, and which ho wonld gladly barter, ia the years roll on, for a chubby, hearty boy, or swoot, rosy girl. If a bachelor ?ujoys Christmas at all, it rr ust be in tho louse of nome married man, and if he lever envied him before, ho does thou; ?. it li bis children about him, bia board ipreod with homo-made Christmas dain tea, and tho tight of a conscious integri ?, and harmony between himself and e plan of God's creation expressing it iclf in tho sereno 'satisfaction of Iiis soul. Lifo is difficult ot best, and those who mt themselves off from tho blessing of a lome of their own, from children, from ho constant surprises and delight which ho growth, tho varied circumstances, ind development of now Uves, afford, aro lubjecta for profound pity and commis eration-none tho less so because an i? ?oraiit selfishness, and fear of manly i? iponsibility, often hes at tho bottom of t. Tho woy to really get all tho good ind happiness out of life is to take hold >f it "strongly," aa Goethe soyB, and not io afraid of its duties or its responsibiti iee; be sure wo rd mil find unexpected imes of comfort in thom in tho days hat are to come, when pleasure, aspleas iro, has palled upon us, and oven Chriat nos is cared for moro for tho delight it is o others, than tho actual enjoyment it .fiords to ourselvco. /hoop-la! Good Will to Everybody Christmas. Sentiment* Says o writer in tho Yonker'a Gaze tic ? ' Thero is so much about Christmas that avors cf harmony, concord, peace-a loaco that means not merely the cessa ion of hostilities between conflicting in ercsts hi our social world, but that Be en er, broader, deeper peace which mites man to man by all tho ties of riendly intercourse which pioceed out of ? universal desire to mako Christmas a ?right spot among tho fading memories I tho year. I like tho sentiment the nora because it pervades every comma, ity and brings to view tho bettor side of very man's character. Not a Scroogo mr a Gradgrind on earth can wholly tcel himself against its humanizing to luenes, and though the closing of tho day say find no charity dispensed or glad icss awakened, yet ii wiii ui least surely nd the edgo ot his habitual severity hinted, ii thero is ever "peace on arth,"_in its fullest sense, it is on Christ ian, i do not behove that custom oed sage alono have made thc modem anni ersary day of the Saviour'? nativity mw f rejoicing; it has ever r. jcurred to me ist since first the glad tidings went' out rom Bethlehem tho event has-loft its im rcs8 on each succeeding generation, ad that each recurring "happy morn" os found tho chord of human sympathy ad love responsive to tho mystic glow. t. *his were not no I think we should BOC ssa baud-shaking and cordial greetings ian we do now, a more limited Bphero f action for tho alms gatherer, fewer vis B from "Santa Clans," fewer Christmas poe festivals, liston to poorer and less ex iting homely old stories of legendary Dre, hear less caro ling of "Christians woko," find a sparser harvest of mistlo >o, and we would have far more eon rooted views of our life-cloud's silver ning. And thon, too, I Uko tho moth da we have token as a nation to show ar appr?ciation of that day. They are cautil ul; they are just They help ns > consecrate our lkr.ca and to shape them i the cbc -?el thai ia best suited to their lora! d? .opmenfc. Where thought? ad motives are pure and simple, wo may ?ok for good doods. Where tho obaerv iioo of Christmaa is made known through enevolent acto, kind words to the dis leased, family gathering?, happy chu rch and the distribution of gifts, wheth r the celebration bo to honor tho day for io day*a ?ilcoor not, tho occasion is One lat wo should bo truly thankful for. his world of ours is bettered by Christ ian and every ono of us should help to lake it memorable SOME folks will hang up tiioh stocking* :ristmas ovo, and some will hnngnp e bartender.