Under the Mistletoe
Bu M. P. Heatherlnaton
(Copyright by Western Nnwspap^r Union.)
It was an Ideal Yuletlde. The aweet
notea of church chimea throbbing out
melodioualy, "1'eace on earth, good
will to men," announced It; laughter,
am 11 on, gay greeiinga among tho
atreet crowda emphaalzed it. Two
men going In tho aanm direction,
strangers one to the other, yet oddly
mutually Involved In a fateful circum
atunce of the hour, unconacioualy
Iftaaened their gait to catch the final
notea from the diatant belfry.
He in advance, awarthy. . evjleyed,
bearing a neatly covered box under
hla arm, uttered an ugly, alniater
chuckle.
"11* fore thai hour atrlkea again ?
thla!" he hiaaed malevolently rather
than uttered, and he tapped the box
and atrode onr grim with aome pro- -
found purpoae,
The man ten pacea behind him,
young, hundaome, neat, but none too
fashionably clad, carried u thin, aquare
package suggesting a canvaa, for hla
waa an artiat'a face, and he waa an
artist ? Chaae Merwyn.
Had he apokon It Ih (mart's thougfit
ho would have whiapered ao
"Before this hour atrik<fe again I
ahall have Haid good-by Jfo all 1 love."
He of the einlatoriwfeblance atrode
on and turned intf>4i fuahlonable real
dnnc.o thoj^tj^ffure. Unconacloualy
liko a^Jfrudow, th<J other kept almoat
evAj^pttce ? with him. Under an arc
H0W> Cha?*e Merwyn paused to look
over tho package ho carried. His ob
1 jectlvo point waa a manaion, a daz
zling place of light and luxury, and
before It tho ainlator-looking man had
halted a poorly-dreaaod fellow strug
gling along without an overcoat, and
bluo and pinched with the cold.
Tho twain wore converaing and tho
man with the box handed it to the
other, pointed to the doorway of the
rannnion ana
passed on. His
messenger pro
ceeded up the
steps, which Mer
wyn mounted also.
It was in tlmo to
see a servant
open the door and
to hear the other
say:
"A present for
Mr. Worthinftton;
to bo opened tomorrow."
"Oh, of courso that," smilod the
servant, taking tho box. "I will place
it with tho other gifts. Ah, Mr. Mer
wyn," and the servant stepped aside
to admit htm.
"For Miss Worthington," said Mer
wyn, handing his gift to t)io other.
His gift was a picture ho had painted,
and with it was a lettor.
* ' ? . * ? * * ? -
Slowly Morwyn descended the stops.
He paused for a few moments on tho
pavement to take a last look at tho
home that hold so much for him. A
slinking liguro approached him from
tho shadows.
"Mister," ho stammered, "I'm poor
and I need tho gold coin a man gave
mo for delivering a box to that houso
tonight, but?"
"Ah, 1 remember!" observed Mer
wyn, recalling man and circumstance.
"A gold coin is so rare for a trifling
service," resumed the other, "that I
was suspicious. Then again I didn't
like the face of the man who gave it
to mo; I followed him. He mot some
others like himself. I heard him laugh
over an explosion about midnight."
"Greaf heavens!" ejaculated Mor
wyn, cotnprehendlng, and was up the
steps in a flash.
"Quick! Quick
open!" he cried to
tho servant, Just
setting tho chain
on the inside,
"The music
^oom!" , uttered
Merwyn excitedly
and hurried thith
er, turned on tho
light switch and
made a dash for
the table. Ho romembered tho shape j
?and bIzo of tho box. His eyos made
out one corresponding to it.
Merwyn gavo it a fling through the
window, thero was a flash, and outside
a dotouatlon that shook the house.
Some flying object thudded against
his head and ho foil to the floor.
It was Christmas day when he
opened his eyos. He lay upon a couch
pulled directly under the chandolier.
Daylight was streaming into tho room.
The wrecked window frame was bar
ricaded. His head was bandaged, and
seated at a littlo distance was Esther.
"Oh, I am so glad!" she cried a?
she noticed that his eyes had opened.
"THe surgeon has Just left, and papa ?
he says you saved us all and that you
are a hero! And tho beautiful picture i
you intended for me ? it was riddled
with window glass, but ? I found tho
letter. Why did you write so sadly?"
"Hecause ? because I feared to write
all tho truth," Morwyn confessed.
"Tho man who warned you told us
enough to havo us guess tho truth,"
spoke Ethel, confusedly changing the
Bubjoct, and then she followed tho
glanco of Merwyn. His eyes rested
on the mistletoe right over his head.
"Why this is Christmas morning,
euro enough." fluttered Esthor, "and
we are the first ? "
' "Ethel," spoke Merwyn irroslfit?bly,
?"I love >ou!"
! His arms wero lifted towards her
and a world of pleading was in his
long?r?ir ayes. She did not hesitate, j
Their Hps met that strangely beautiful I
Christmas morn ? under the mistletoe. |
Old Bill's Gift
Bu Octavla Roberts
(Copyright by WtiUi n Newppapv.r Union.)
Dili, more familiarly "Old UIH"--he
had never been known to mention a
family name ? looked around hi*
"haven of holiday comfort," as he
termed it, with a chuckle of supreme
satisfaction.
"U'h great!" he gloated, "with only
one thing missing? a Christmas tree."
Hill was a character. The tovms
people designated him a tramp. Home
how, however, the appellation did not
seem to fit. He did not drluk nor
swear. lie did not beg. His willing
ways had made him popular, and when
isill w:is "down on his luck" and
paused a doorway hungry-looking, his
wants were generally provided for un
solicited.
It was the day before Oferiotmas. De
hind the patient gloafa In "Old Dill's"
eyeti lurked some sentiment of memory
that Impelled him to celebrate. This es
pecial yo^r he had been preparing for
the ev^nt with the eager ardor of a
schorf boy. BUI had made no confl
dantB. Quietly and
enjoyably he had
laid his pjans.
These wore now
perfected. A week
back lilll had
"gone to house
keeping." He had
discovered an old
abandoned bam
just beyond the
town limits. The
lower part had
lost doorH und windows and was bleak
and cheerless indeed. A rickety
stairs, however, led to a room In one
corner of the loft. It was cozy and
warm and at one tlmo had been a har
ness room. Here Hill had "camped."
He had fished out an old oil stove, a
cot? a table and chair from the town
dumping heap.
A particular housewife had present
ed him with a roasted chicken because
one Bide was slightly charred. On (he
rude table beside it were half a dozen
homemade doughnuts and a real
mlnpe pie.
Dill took a last look at the goodly
array of comfort then weqt out to seek
a branch of arbor vitae which would
servo as a Christmas tree.
As ho neared the barn on his return
ho came to a spoody halt.
A light glowed over at one corner of
the place. It proceeded from a lantern
set in the foefl box of a manger. In
the manger itsolf across the stale hay
it contained a blanket was spread,
and, Bwathed in coverings upon this,
as rovopled by the lantern rays, lay a
little sleeping babe.
Noar by a sorious-faced man was
shaking the snow from his shoulders.
Heside him, seated on an old suitcase,
was a comely but care-worn woman.
The man^ogan to speak. Bill, agape,
drew into the shadow and listened. It
was to hoar enough to learn that bad
luck was driving these homeless ones
from thoir former
homo, penniless,
on foot, to the fa
ther of the wife,
ten miles further
on. The storm had
driven them to
temporary shelter.
Tho husband
and father had
taken a well
thumbed volume
from his pocket.
He began reading aloud. It was of
"an upper room," of a master and his
beloved disciples, of a supper never
to be forgotten In the memory of man
kind.
BUI stood like one transfixed. What
tender chord had been struck that he
closed his eyes! He was back forty
yoars In memory, at his mother's knee.
How vivid, how appealing ? a picture
she had shown him of the Christ-child
In a manger, of the devoted father and
mother, as here before him, a proto-.
type of that holy eve so real, so touch
ing?the First Christmas I
A mighty thought moved him as he
quietly spoke:
"Friend, upstairs you will find com
fort till the storm is over. Call it a
Christmas greeting ? seo?" and was
gone. * ?
"I'll strike out for Farmer Dale's
haymow," shivered Bill, after half an
hour'B dosultory wandering, and he
turned about ? to start, to shout out,
and then to run.
For thore in the distance the fa
miliar farmhouse showed no illumina
tion within, but beyond it a glare shot
up ? a haystack on fire!
Bill reached the farmyard. The
wind had blown the flames against one
gable of the houso and it waa burn- ;
ing. He ran to tho stable for a pitch
fork. Then began a fierce battle.
Bucket after bucket of water ho car* {
ried. Tho last spark was dashed out, i
and Bill sank exhausted to the ground ;
as tho farmer and his family, visiting
at a neighbor's and attractod by the
blaze, came rushing upon the scene, j
"Ye9," declared Farmer Dale, two
hours later, as ho showed Bill up the
stairs and into a comfortable chamber,
"this is your room, and you will sleep
here, and you're a free boarder long as
you like, understand? Why, there'd
bo no houso to sleep in if it wasn't for
you!"
Old Bill was a long timo Rotting into
bed. Like to a child ho sank into a
peaceful slumber, hla auftoned spirit
in radiant dreams wandering through
that "uppf r room" filled with the souls
of tho?'., however humble, who had !
helped to make true "Peace on eartt 1
good will to men."
Vh* Qtoy's CSurtetnMBi Tow.
A woman, they My, (bought of the
first community Christum* tree. It
wan erected In Madison ?<juart?, in New
York city. There wh* something
stimulating, something highly infec
tions. in the lUca^lvjr now cities and
village* all over Am. rl< a are erecting
Christmas treea In their public squares,
says the Delineator.
* They aru wonderful things. tbcttt
community Christmas treea, not for
their beauty alone, but for the aplrlt
they arouse in the towna where they
nre found. They are the village center
for (^hrlstmas Joy. CfrrJjit tufts servjees.
without sectarian barriers, art; held
about them. Cbrlai'maa ' ciTrols urn
sung ot their bases. None ao |x?or or
so world worn or so hurried but he
must see, must thrill with friend and
stranger alike to this tree for all the
world. It brings the child in the
manger to every soul in the com
munity.
The Christmas tro; la essentially a
aymbol of (he north and of the home.
Yet it Is Inextricably blended in our
minds witli our faith, which is desert
bred.
Most of the great religions of the
world were born of some solitary spirit
who sought the lonely sand waste and
thcro wrought out that which made
the desert of Ids soul "blossom like
the rose." He who gave us the great
faith went again and again out Into
the burning yellow barrens. wbare (ft*
lender, brooding, violet sky awaited
tiim : win*!.- ill the deaert world, mo
fearful lu Ita unadornmeut. ao over
whelming In Ita aolltude, founfl focuaed
in tilui ail its pulsing radiance, aa
j though in blm were centered tiie heart,
best of tba universe. In the rerdura
less. Hand driven, star bung deaert (be
Babe with IdH listening ear beard,
with hla dreaming eyea saw, with bla
throbbing haart fai^ the faltb that
turned men's faces forever from the
clod to the cross.
Why. then, should the Mr tree atand
lu our public square. aign and aymbol
of that deaert birth? Whatever ita
physical history, why ahould breatbleaa
thousands, hungry of body or of spirit,
looking on the great pino tree bung
with electric bulbs, backed by sky
scrapers, topped by sinuke, find In Ita
incoherent beauty the urge aet In mo
tion by the deaert bred Babe?
One would have aald of the home
Christmas trees that, after all. It was
the gifts that gave them tbelr glamour.
There are uo gifts on the community
Christmas trees, yet thousands and
thousands of us look on them with the
I thrill that belongs to faltb alone. One
wonders why,
Perhaps this is the reason: The com
inunlty Christmas tree symbolizes that
which the home Christmas tree does
not. It symbolizes Christmas for all
the world. It meuns that the dawn of
real brotherhood Is tinting our horizon.
It meaus, au'U particularly thin Christ
man it means, that tu sylto of poverty
and bloodshed, In spite of greed and
despair, there are in Increasing uum
bern lu the world thou? who would
share with tl?o world all that sacred
beauty un<l hoj?e tb&t ore tbe Individ
uul'a boly of holies, tbe most difficult of
all oue's spiritual rlcbea to share.
It la tbo symbol of green forest beau
ty, of tbo diuld's wild faith, of tbe
Teuton's large*** aud always of giving,
giving. Not strauge that forever In our
minds It sbould be inseparable from
tbe birthday of hlui who gave supreme
ly; not strange, but utterly soul sat
isfying, that finally we have Joined
our haiida aud placed the Christmas
tree in tbe market place -symbol that,
at last, man may give himself to man.
"God bless us!" said Tiny Tim on
Christmas day. 'jGod blesa us every
ouel" Dickeus dreamed of a Christ
mas festival that should belong to all.
Ills Tiny Tim, lame and wistful, might
have foreshadowed the joy starved
world that now crowds around th?
market place tree, saylug as he said,
"(lod blesa ua every one!"
1 ' U '
Washington's City Christmas.
"Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men.**
This sentence, biasing from a bril
liantly lighted electric placard raised
nlnjost to the dome of the capitol, re
flected the predominant sentiment of
thousands who assembled at the capitol
plate to celebrate Wa*hingto^^59
...unity Chrlatmaa." A giant Nonjl
spruce, |llumluated with KUmnaJi
, . (I, white and blue electric bulbt;2I
Marine band, a huge electric mi, J
the ea?t ? cliorua of 1,000 ifejS
with ti.o capltol iiMfif outlined aa3
background against the dark curt?wl
of the aky, made a acene of '-|-|J
beauty. Tableaux repre#euting twl
story of the Nativity were pnumI
in the improvise*} ampbltbeai,
the audience were many m?a and w%|
en well known throughout the count?) 1
including high government offlcUW. 1
' -?
Santa In th? City. ^
Bantu Clays touched the bufo,
which summoned his foreman.
"Yes, sir," said the foreman, lonil*
In froUHhe sbop. : ? -W
"What are you worklug on?"
"Doll Huts. sir." -
Banta Claus turned in his chair ttA
regarded his foreman doubtfully. ]
"Doll flats!" he exclaimed, "fal
mean doll houses." <9
"No, sir," the foreman anairer**
"These are for city distribution, what
the children don't know anything at**
houses." ? St. Louis Post* Dispatch.
. .. ????*? !????? V V
Unselfishness la the kef to
Christmas happiness.
Complete Stocks-Mo derate Prices-Efficient Service
There are Reasons why This will be your "Rush Time" place to Shop
It is truly gratifying" to see the enormous crowds that are daily thronging thru
this "Cheerful Christmas Store" ? of a thousand Gifts.
In every .department, thru every aisle, at every turn of your elbow," you will j
meet many of your friends who are making this Store their Christmas Shopping
Headquarters. You, too, will find this a dependable store for the right kind of
Christmas merchandise, the right kind of service, the right kind of prices and the
right kind of spirit surrounding the purchase you make.
Can we have the pleasure of serving you tomorrow? Early in the morning, if you please. Make our store your
headquarters. You folks who are visiting Camden during the holidays are cheerfully invited to make our store your
headquarters. Pleasant surroundings and accomodations have been arranged whereby you can leave your parcels,
and meet your friends. Whether you buy or not ? we're glad to see you ? the hospitality of this store is at your ser
vice.
nrrseid
THE FIRST BIG CLEARANCE OF WOMEN'S SUITS STARTS TOMORROW AT
AMAZING REDUCTIONS. -
Right before Christmas ? in the height of the Winter Season comes this welcomed
announcement. You need not wait any longer until after Christmas for your suit
come and pay the January Clearance ?rice ? You will save $5 to $15 and secure an
additional Month's wear without extra cost.
Misses and Women's New Winter Suits, worth at regular Value $20, $25 and $30,
to be sold at $14.75
Included in this lot of Suits are the new Russian Blouse and Semi-Belted models
English JBox Coats and Military effect ? tailored in fine Chiffon Broadcloth, Wool Pop
lin, Whipcord, Gabardine and Serges, in colors of Navy blue, Black, Brown, Green
Plum and Grey.
rrm
THIS COUPON
Will Pay Your Railroad Fare to
Camden Free.
To any person living within 100 1
miles of Oamden who comes to
this store and purchases 125.00
worth of merchandise, we will
refund your Railroad Fare, Pro
_ _ r?J
vlded you present this coupon
and your return railroad ticket
Fine Solid Gold Top Jewelry
Put up in Gift Boxes at
25 and 50c.
Special line of neatly box
ed Jewelry, the very thing
for inexpensive gifts. In the
lot are Gold Brooches, Cuff
Pins, Waist Sets, Tie Clasps,
Scarf Pins, also lot of gen
uine Tennessee Pearl Nov
elties, all neatly boxed, rea
dy to give. Values up to
75c, for 25c and 50c.
Ladies' Plain Linen Hand
kerchiefs, 5c to 50c.
.Novelty Hand Bags for
Christmas.
Leather hand bags, in
black, genuine leather, silk
lined, plain or Persian ef
fects, mirror and coin purse.
Up to $3, starting at.. $1.00
Black and Colored Hand
Bags, in genuine leather, Sil
ver, Gilt, or Gun Metal
mountings, Silk brocade or
Persian lined ? mirror, coin
purse,, note book, etc., $2.00
$2.50 and $5.00.
Children's Purses, in col
ors, 25c and 50c.
Ladies' Fine French Hand
Embroidered Handkerchiefs
in lovely designs, 50c.
Men's Soft Cotton Hand
kerchiefs, with narrow
hems, 5c and 10c. -
Men's Plain Linen Hand
kerchiefs, neatly hemstitch
ed, 10c, 12 l-2c to 50c.
Camden's Handkerchief ,
Store*
People look to us always
for the prettiest assortment
we never disappoint them.
Handkerchiefs for Ladies
and Men in Batiste, Linen,
Silk and Crepe de Chine.
Ladies' Embroidered Lin
en Handkerchiefs, 15c to
75c.
NECKWEAR ? The Thing to Give. Choose a nice set or piece of Neckwear from oiir new Christmas stocks
you'll come n^ar to pleasing any woman. It is made of Georgette Crepes, Crepe de Chines and Organdie, dainui
hand embroidered or some lace trimmed. Vests, Collars and Collar and Cuff Sets, 25c to $4.66. ^
Ladies* Neckwear in Gift Boxes ? the Gift That Always Pleases. ..A dainty bit of Neckwear, & JUpll&r, a
a Collar Set, a Shoulder Corsage and numbers of other dainty little remembrances.
HIRSCH BROS. & CO.
CAMDEN, - v -;>?
South Carolina
*? : V T" ? ? ? - * -?