Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Chrii$tma$' SmiieH (Copyright.) HI but you couldn't real ly," Molly cried; incred ulously. "Yea, I can," Mre. Pbelpa Insisted. She bed a fancy to see bow tbls pretty creature would take tuw wen or ner set. "I can lend you a sown and a hat and wrap, and you can take Vera Patterson's place. She has Just telephoned that her cold Is worse and that she can't be with us for Christmas dinner." "I'd love It." Molly's eyes were like ?tars. "But ? " "There are no 'huts,' " Mrs. Phelps ?aid calmly. "If I choose to add an* other guest to my Christmas dinner no One can possibly criticise." "I've never dlne.d In any o t the big hotels," Molly confessed. "Terry want ed tq make me once, but I couldn't? not In my old clothes." "I don't see why you don't have some nice gowns," Mrs. Phelps said. She had taken a fanoy to her little seamstress; the girl's youth and beau ty wade her different from the usual ouUtnd-drled splnsUrs who work by the day. "You could go around s lot if you bad the things to wear.** Molly shook her head. "There art mother and father and Billy and Babe," oho eald. "I hare to help out with the family expenaee, and 1 mustn't spend everything on myself." "Bo yon just sit at home and stag nate," Mrs. Phelps complained. Molly laughed. "Oh, Tarry takes tn? oat now and then." ? "Who is Terry r* "Well, he's a yery nice boy who .likes me," Molly confessed, ?^"?nd I suppose you'll marry him jU be poor the rest of your life," was mk. Phelps' comment "You're very k(?y. Molly." Molly began to wonder If she wasn't silly. . Here was ah opportunity star ?ing her in the face. Opportunity tc meet rich men, opportunity to vre?u beautiful clothes. "Do you really want me to go to your dinner?" she asked, half timidly. "Of course,"' Mrs. Phelps said; "and I want you to try on the gown now." It was a wonderful gown of white chiffon with the hem heavy with ell* ver. There was a twist of white tulli which handed Molly's red-gold hair, with a silver rose at the Aide. Th? slippers were silver, and a little loo*4 on Molly's tiny feet "They oan be Ued on with ribbons," Mrs. Phelps decided, "and they wonl show under that long skirt." In front of the long mirror Moll} saw a wonderful vision. Mrs. Phelps brought from a box s ' long wrap of laoe and ermine and rose colored velvet "I was afraid that color wouldn't gc with your hair," she said, "but it give* you distinction, after all." On her way home, again clothed la ? her shabby suit Molly told Tern about It / "She is going to give a Ohrlstmaa dinner at the Belvidere," she said, "and one of her guests has disap pointed her. She wants me to talu her place, and I'm going to do it, Terry." Terry's face fell. "Then you wonl have dinner with us," he said. "We'll miss you, Molly." "Oh, but it's my opportunity," he? face was glowing. "Think of th? people IH meet" He did think of the people sh? would meet, as he tramped hom? alone in the cold twilight Terry -knew something of the World, something ol the men who would be at that dinner. Babe and Billy protested strongly when they learned that Molly, th? light of the household, was to spend her Christmas evening away from them. "It will spoil all our fun," they said. Terry will be here," Molly told them. "Mother has planned a lats dinner, because he has to work part of the day." She felt a little conscience-stricken, however, as she left them, and not un til she had donned the beautiful gown at Mrs. Phelps* oould she put th?, thought of their tearful faces out of her mind. ^ty'was'a wonderful experience to ride through the streets in the' llmou* sine, wrapped In the roee-oolored cloak, with a great bufcoh of valley lilies in her hand. She felt like a princess. She had the air of a prin cess^ too, as she swept through the wide corridor of the hotel, following Mra. Phelps. Her pleasure was ended, however, when she met the other guests and sat down at the big round table. There was a confusing display of Mffetnlvee and forks and spoons, but her ^?Uve wit prevented any awkward 3r' ?pwas the men on each side of her. frever, who alarmed her. Molly never been at a loss foi a word at * **7 retort until now. But the people ti round bur Uvea in a, world of t.olr own. They talked of operas, oj sports, of pluce^ of which Molly knew uoth* Ing. Bhe didn't kuow that her pretty, blushing bhynugy charmed (he multl millionaire at her left and piquet tha curtoaity of the ambassador on her right. Bhe was uncomfortable und self-conscious as she tried to At her stammering little phrases to thin new environment. Gradually, as ahe gained polite, ahe confessed to heraelf that she waa hav ing a very stupid time. It wasn't a bit like Christmas; although the color schemo of the table waa green and red, there was no holly, no mistletoe, lust gorgeous American beautiea and tin ribbons. Bhe had a vision of the table sat in the shabby dining room at home. In the center would be a great bunch of holly, and above It would hang a little wax angel. At ono end she saw her father, his knife cutting through the crackling brown of the turkey's breast. The delicate faro of tho hotel paled in comparison to her mother's cooking. At homo' thero would be large helpings of mashed potatoes and turnlpa and gravy. The cranberry sauce would bo served la big dishes. Aa they drovo home together, Mra. Phclpa aald: "You were a aucccf,3. my dear. If you will let me, 111 bring you out. Perhaps you will make a grand marriage. It would be a groat thing for a girl like you." Molly's response was not enthusias tic. 8ho did not like to appear un grateful, but ahe had had a most un happy time. Bhe had been a stranger in a strange land. When she had changed her dresi Mra. Phelps aent her home In her car. Terry m?t her at tho door. Back of him was the red light of tho din ing-room lamp. Babe and Billy fell on her neck and welcomed her, and fa ther and mother smiled In tho back ground. Molly had glfta for all of them. The lilies went bn the center of the table, and she had tied up candles and al monds In tho corner or her handker chief. T had an awful tlmo hiding them," aho confeaaed, "but I knevi how you'd like them." Sho had a red rose for Terry. "The multl-mllllonalre gave It tc me," ahe said. "Mra. Phelps wantJ me to marry him." Terry looked at her with his heart In hla eyes, but be didn't say a word The Multimillionaire Want* to Meal You Again." Was Molly going to be shallowed up la that strange world, whtfir* men had millions and didn't hare to work 7 But Molly was demanding some of her mother's turkey. ? '1 hardly ate' a thing at dinner," sh? 4 said. "It was awful sitting up then and haying people stare at me.** They brought It to her with delight, and she had to taste a little bit oi vr erythlng and praise It When It was time for Terry to go she went with him to the front door, and they stood for a moment undei the stars. "Will you be going back to tbemF Terry askei}, jealously. "Why should IT" Molly asked. "To* couldnt go with me, could you, Terry T" The next morning, when Molly went back to her sewing, Mrs. Phelps said, "The multi-millionaire wants to meet you again. "Whea shall we plan for It, Molly V I "Never," said Molly calmly. "1 am going to marry Terry, and then 1 won't have any time for multi-million aires, will IT" Why We Rejoloe. , In tk? manger at Bethlehem was cradled the hope of the world. That 1b why Christmas is the universal fes tival. That Is why the woVld re joice*. But the manger must be in* terpreted largely. In the babe is ths promise of the man and the Sarlor. It is not the birth alone that makes the gospel i* It is, also the life, the pas sion, the death, the resurrection, the ascension. Christmas oarrlee all this In its happy content. Thfcre is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep, who lc&deth His flock to greon pastures and beside still waters and whose honor and good name are pledged to His leading us in ways of righteousness and paths of pesce. and there is the promise1 of Jesus that He will be with us "all the days" *v?a unto th? end of the world. It is li-v cause of thoso aspects of the CUr?<-,t life and because of these that the world rejoices and win ***-? A LIVES AND WRITINGS UNLIKE 4*n cf Letters Often Havo Descn-.td Best That Which They Never Havo Sxpsrlenctd. Finally, a m W <r > ttlttOf when lif wrlL: u a book, and "iM the good corner rushing into his soul," la in ?n abnormal state, and iior.ce, the lives of men of letters havo often been In glar ing contrast to their writings. Mon taigne tells us that he always ob served super-celestial opinions to be accompanied with subterranean mor ula; on the other hand, the most latl tudinarlan professors of epicureanism have ofton livid like anchorites or trapplsts, Some of tho best sea songs JWYfi. bfifla written by men. who. noyer snuffed a salt water breeze; stirring war songs have been written by timid men and women who would have shrieked at the sight of a mouse; and hymns steeped In the very spirit of devotion have beeriVwrltten by men of doubtful morality, who were never less at homo than in u Christian church. Clmrles Lamb was ready to wager that Milton's morning hymn in Paradise wan penned at midnight; and wo know positively that Thompson, who sang the praises of early rising In tho "Seasons," used to lie abed till noon. Sir Richard Steele could dis course eloquently on temperance ? when ho was not drunk; Woodworth, in his "Old Oaken Bucket," sang the pralso of cold water under the insplr* tlon of brandy. Doctor Johnson, who wrote so well on politeness, Interrupt ed his opponents with "You lie, sir I" "You are a vile Whig, sir!" Burns was & compound of "dirt and deity;" Rousseau, who was always filling peo ple's eyes with tears, betrayed and slandered his benefuctoife in turn, and ?ent his children t& tttfe foundlings hospital. When Moveo proposed to Scott to go and see Melroso Abbey, as Sir Walter had described It, by moon light, "Pooh, pooh," said Scott, "you don't suppose I ever saw It by moon Ughtl" ? -William Matthews. RULER MAKES THE SEASONS When Emperor of China Dcolsraslt ft Summer People All Doff White Clothing. The emperor of China has somi strange duties. One of these Is the ordering of the seabons. It Is summer In America when the sun warms the earth, and ndt until then, but in China, it is summer when the emperor (or, at the present time, the regent) says it is summer. As soon aa the emperor declares that summer has come every body In China puts off, winter clothing, and arrays himself In summer garb, no matter what his feelings on the sub ject may be. All domestic arrange ments are made to suit the season, as proclaimed by the emperor, although they may not suit the Individual at all. The nearest approach to the Chinese system of ordering the seasons is the practice observed In France In all pub lic buildings. There it le winter on and after October 1. Fires are then lighted in all gpverament offices, and the employes exchange their white summer -waistcoats for tho thicker and darker ones of winter. At that date the public libraries are closed at four, and In the streets the sellers of toasted chestnuts make their appear ance. In official France It is winter, no matter what the weather may say, atid no matter what unofficial France may think. ? v Ruskln up a Grocer. Ruskln was once a grocer. In 1874 He opened a shop in Paddington street, Nottlng Hill, In order, as he an nounced, "to supply the poor with pure tea In packets as small as tier choose to bur, without making a prof it on the subdivision, larger orders be ing, of course, equally acceptable from anrbodr who cares to promote honest dealing." The shop did not attract, Ruskln complained in "Fors Clavigera" that "the poor only like to bur their tea, where it is brilllantlr lighted and eloquently ticketed; and as 1 resolute ly refuse to compete with my neigh boring tradesmen, either in gas or rhetorio, the patient subdivision of mr parcels passes little recognised as an advantage br mr uncalculating pub lic." The shop soon closed down, and the grocerr trade lost the most dis tinguished representative it is ever likely to possess. ? London Chronicle He Called It Luck. Michael Meehan was the proud pos sessor of a brand new silk high hat At the wake of .hie dearest enemy he had guarded It carefully, and as a con sequence was strolling home with the tile unscathed. As he passed the site of a building operation, a woman ac quaintance nodded pleasantly. With aa ostentatious wave of the hat, which exhibited it to exoellent advantage, Michael bowed. At the same moment a brick sailed down from an upper floor and bounced from his bared skull. Upon coming to, he inquired anxiously for the hat A bystander re stored tt unharmed. Mike felt the egg-slse lump on his' head occasioned by the Impact of the brick, and then regarded his undamaged tile. "B'gor* ry," he sighed in satisfaction, "It's lucky it is X saw the loldy la tolme!N ? Lipplncott's Magazine. No Mors Pudding. Margaret, a little girl of four, was flatting her grandparents. There were a number ol aunts who were somewhat careful after looks as well as morals. When ready to go home Margaret said: "When.! get home I*a not going to wash my feet, I'm not going to say mr prarers, and I am not gcthg to put pudding on mr face" Do Your Christmas Shopping Early OUR - new and beautiful line of Holiday Goods full of choice selections for the Christmas trade is now ready for the inspection and approval of the public ? useful, beautiful and appropriate presents for the little or big, old or young. Don't fail to see our special attractions in toys, books etc. COMPLETE STOCK OF AT ALL TIMES ? ' V-.- ' ' ?> - fi - i ALL SIZES OF SPECIAL HOLIDAY PACKAGES CAMDEN DRUG COMPANY > MILLINERY C*Wv RIBBONS ???????????? NOVELTIES ? ' . V ' ? - ? . ? ? ? r .S-'f NECKWEAR : .? ? ? . v.;. ? \.. ... . ... V . ' . ? . . ? ' % ?' ? The Misses Gerald extend to you the greetings of the season ? thank you for your liberal patronage during the past year and ask that it be continued throi SOME VERY APPROPRIATE HOLipAY GIFTS MAY BE FOUND IN OUR COMPLETE STOCK ( . /J We are offering all Fall and Winter goods at greatly ? ? 1 reduced prices, and will be glad to have you call and be convinced. THE MISSES "*rV.-T .?A' "Everything in Millinery"