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* '4 SHTMAS, 1894 M ^ ma mum swptjzMmt.« v^. NEW YEAE * 'ir none jjayer than this l.-ap-year dance, M»“j3r thought a moment. • I'll U'll and as tin* girls, after it was over, were , you, Amy. You run over Ik* for.* break- going upstairs Amy said: "Oh, 1 wish fast and see Aunt Annie. She dearly - ' V .• rr- Yi HRICK new dolls sat on three little chairs. Waiting for C h r i s t m as day: And they wondered, when she saw them. What the little girl would say. 'they hoped that the nursery life was gay; And they hoped that they would Bnd The little girl often played with dolls; Ar.d they hoped that she was kind. .Vear by sat an old doll neatly dressed In a new frock, black and red; She smiled at the French dolls—"As to that, ?»on't feel afraid." she said. The new dolls turned their waxen heads. And looked with a haughty stare. As if they never had seen before Th »t a doll was sitting there. ** Oh. we're not in the least afraid," said one. We are'quite too tine and new; Mat perhaps you yourself will tint! that now She will searcely care for you." The old doll shook her bead and smiled >-tie smiled, although she knew Her pi.'.st r nose was almost gone And her cheeks were faded, too. And now it was day; in came the child. And there, all gay and bright. Sat three new dolls In little chairs - It was a lovely sight. Sne praised their curls, and noticed, too How ilnely the,' were dressed, Hut the oid doll all the while was held f iasped close against her breast. Katharine Pyle, in St. Nicholas. this weren't Saturday night—I don't wan’t to go home—I know I shall never have another waltz like that last one with Al." The room was in full chatter, for all the girls wore likes a joke, you know, and she will help us manage it. She'll l>e sure then to have him at the door. You shall have half the candy. You won't for get. will you?" "Oh. Al Van Decker, ho.v did come here?" "Thought I'd stroll around and see that you and Amy got here all right, and I was just taking the short cut home. And,” he added, as the last stroke of twelve from the old town clock died away: "I wish you a very you AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR. >n the last evening of *'i.' that the Van Decker girls gave their : leap-year party. At eight, o’clock that evcniDg ''I iss Margarethe Van Decker shod before the glass in the front chamber of the old Van Decker house buttoning her gloves. She was short . a I and plain]) and almost eighteen, and if she was not exactly pretty she made most people think she was, but Miss Van Decker, or Meg, as she was fa miliarly called, had a grievance. "1 wf.uldn’t care if it were anybody but Al." she was saying, “but he is al ways getting the l>est of me. and last time when he wished me ‘A Happy New Year' lirst he lH*t a pound of candy he would do it this year. Why. just think." continued this small per son. as she snapped the last button into its buttonhole, "he has said ‘Happy New Year!’ to me first every time sine - I was twelve years old. It seems silly to care, but he does it to tease me: he knows I mean to get ahead of him. and then forget it every time." The little nose which was inclined to snub went up with a sniff as Meg shook out her red skirts and looked over her shoulder at the place where her train would have been if she had been old enough to wear ohe. “And boys are so conceited, anyway!” she continued. "If we didn't take pains and outwit them once in awhile they would be simply unendurable. Al : shall not be first this time, for I think.” she added, firmlv, "that when •> I have once made up my mind to do a thing 1 can carry it out as well as Al Van Decker or anylxxly else in the Van Decker family.” "Come. Meg! Hurry up, Amy!"called Hess Van Decker. "The boys will be here in a jiffy, ami we must fa: ready to receive them." "Come on, .\jii3'. we shall 1h* the last down, as usual." and Meg gave another touch to her crinkly brown tiair. flow downstairs and landed with a skip and a twirl at the tiottoiii Meg Van Decker was one of the Van Decker con dn*. and so was Amy, and so was He-s and Sarah and all the rest of the iort . -on ■ of the younger gencr- ■ ation of the Van Deckers who lived at the corner The family formed the principal part of th • small suburban settlement and (pute ruled it in a ho-| * i«tl way. indee ! ;it this little party there was hardl . i guest who was not' a cousin, or who did not expect to Iks a cousin some time Of all ihe dances of there were fa.. ' * ». P* r*’ i- H A a j.;i|WI;li i.% •nilAHi y I+-: . mfiTii .j-.. . ff 1 as*: jjP*;., -"Wag: : - Ir ‘WPPfifWa ikjiSiiPrjt 4 P ; " " “tijiluTI^- rr;'-v _ W* *' 5 IMH*’' •' 4*1 * .n^u.,., 7f.ni.i- ffc- crowded into it. trying to find their wraps. Hut high above the baliel rose the voice of Miss Sarah. " Girls, you must hurry! It's twenty min utes to twelve now, and Aunt Annie said if grandma let u.s have the party here we must all be home and in o ii r beds at twelve. After twelve it's the Sabbath." "Where’s my other gaiter?” cried Meg. T’ye got to see Al home myself be fore S u n d a y morning. Car riages?" she eon- .tinued, "did you girls all engage carriages? I did n't. It doesn’t pay just to take Al round the cor ner. Couldn't af ford it anyway." A moment lat er. when there was a lull, Meg called: “Amy. Amy Van Decker, won't you come here a minute? I want to ask you something.” Amy came, but tonhook in hand, and seating her self on a foot stool. liegan but toning her boots. Meg lowered her voice: "Have you that old brown dress that you wore at the mas querade last fall, and the hat?" Amj' nodded her head, stamping her left fixit tirm- ly into the boot. "Well, I want to Ixirrow them to-morrow morn- ing.” "What for?" “Oh. it's a joke on Al that has |just popped into m3' head. Y o u know that he bet me that pound "Well, the things are up in the gar-1 "Happy Now Year!'"—Florence of chocolat he would wish me a ret. and eight o'clock is prett}' early Scoville. in St. Louis Republic. •Ilapp3' Xi Year!' first again this to get up. but if yon reall3' want year. He doesn't expect to see j them—3'es. I will. Goodnight. Happy me until the big fuinil3' dinner dreams!” lt . i>(, ’Hm. . V- * W 1 4 : Mil! 44 Y»-ab-ba-b&! Crisrpu? GifM" Cbristrp&s in tbe 5unoy 5outb* A Time to .SrrioiMljr Think of Oar Fitalts, Failures and Miatak.-a. The close of the year is always a | time for serious though* and re flee-; tion. Ihe past crowds upon us at such a time with far more than usual intensity and es pecially forces up on our attention our faults, f a i 1- > ures and mistakes. Let us look them squarely in the face and profit by ! them. The wise j man always does this, hut the fool never. The latter goes on commit ting the same fol- 1 ies and making < the s a m e m i s- takes. never prof iting by his exper ience. to xuj' n< >th- ing of the experi ence of others. Every man makes mistakes. It may not be his fault the first time, but it is if he makes the same mistakes a second time. We believe that the secret of success with those who sueceecj. and the cause of failure j with those who i fail, will be found | largely in icabil-! ily unddisposition \ tostudy thecauscs of both suec“s.s! and failure, not onl3' in one’s own experience but in that of others. The farmer now has leisure to re view the opera-i lions of the year. ] and he should do | it candidly and; critically. Make a complete analysis of ever3 - impor- tant ope ration- i Find t h e w e a k ' places in it and trace them to their origin. Nothing { will prepare one so thoroughly for the operations of the 3’ear to come as this kind of i searching invest!- ; gation. A n d while we j are about this bus- iness we should look just as care- full3' into our rec ord of moral re- sponsibilit)’. We should be far! improve eharac- morals than to F ALL the old year's days could speak. I wonder what they 'd say - me snowy days, the blowy days. The flowery days of May; The summer days, when shady ways Were made for children s feet: \ .(cation days, when for their pla^s The country was so sweet! If all the old year's days could speak— •lust think of It awhile— Would their report brinx bitter tears. Or the sunshine of a smile? Ah: could they speak from week to week Of honest work well done. Of well-used powers in study hours. Of fairness In the fun? Of thankful thought for kindness wrought When homes are rich and clad; Of tender cure to xive or share Where homes are poor and sad: Of pleasant ways in dark, dull days; Of little, gentle deeds; Of earnest hours among heart's flowers. In plucking hurtful weeds; Can the year speak of patience meek Where grief has stopped aw hile. Of courage bold, for weak and old A loving word or smile? Methlnks the year must seem most dear If thus its speech can be. O'erfull of joys for girls and boys— A year of jubilee. -Mrs. M. F. Butts, In X. W. Christian Advo cate. Ills Cunning Scheme. Mr. Drcffleshort—Sophrouia. I wish you would look at that paper again and tell me the exact date when that train robbery took place on the Missouri Pacific. Mrs. Drcffleshort—Why, what are \'ou doing. James? Mr. Drcffleshort (who is busily writ- iinr letters to various relatives out west)—I want to locate a lot of bundles of costly Christmas gifts—that we didn't send—on that particular train.— Chicago Tribune. Some New Year Advice, Don't wait for the wagon while the walking is good. Don't grieve over spilt milk while there’s one cow left in the pasture. Don’t sa3' the world is growing worse when you are doing nothing to make it better. Don't tell the world your troubles. You can't borrow ten dollars on them. Don't let the grass grow under your feet. The cows can't get at it there.— Atlanta Constitution. W. (more anxious to ter, mind and to-morrow, and by that time I dare j say that I shall be talking so fast I shall forget all about it. as usual. Hut 1 am going to dress up so he won't know me, and then in the morning, when the poor children go to his house j for the New Year's cakes 1 am going to get in with a crowd of them and just wish him a 'Happy New Year!* For | once I am glad I live in a Dutchy New York town, else there wouldn't be an}’ poor children going around asking for cakes." Amt' laughed and agreed, and Meg tied a gauze scarf under her chin and said: “Now, I ‘hink I'm ready. And Amy. 3'ou take Harry up to the house, and I will take Al. and then we will meet at the corner and go home to gether. Mind. now. that von don't let Harr\' go home with you." "Come, girls.” called Cousin Sarah. "The carriages have been here for ever so long." The girls trooped downstairs to the hall, where the boys were wait ing, and with some blushing and much laughter each girl escorted her charge to the carriage, or walked with him, as the case might be. If Al Van Decker had an3’ idea of , taking a slow promenade with Meg. he was soon disabused of the notion, for she started him away at u great pace, saying: "I can't dawdle. It's nearl}’ j midnight and we should have lieen home half an hour ago." And in less than five minutes Mr. Albert Van Decker had arrived at his own door. "Now. Cousin Meg.” he said, "it's my turn." "Nonsense! There is Amy now. Auf Wiedersehcn!" And away sped little Miss Van Decker across the street. "It didn't take long, did it?" said Meg, as she slipped her arm in Amy’s. "That is a girl's way of doing things right to the point. Hut 1 want to In sure about the old gown; have it ready by eight o'clock. I want to go over about nine. Al will come to the door; he alwayslikestogive away the cakes." “Yes." said Amy. "He did it when he was little; yet suppose he shouldn't answer the tiell." Meg turned from Amy's door and Kiiny Knoiurli. "What I don't understand,” small Jaekv. "is that Nanta Claus 'W: <> f EACH GIRL ESCORTED HER CHARGE. improve our farms. Serious study of our weak points and of means to strengthen them is a very profitable business at any time, and if pursued assiduously will strengthen and develop all that is good and admirable in our natures, and make us better, stronger, nobler men and women Us the years go by. And the time will come in the life of every one when such a record of honest, earnest, persistent effort to im prove will afford far greater satisfac tion than anything else in his account with this world. We can wish no In-t- ter thing for all our readers than that they begin the new year animated by a firm resolve to turn all its experience into profit for themselves, mentally, morally, socially and materially, and then to faithfully carry out the resolu tion.—Ohio Farmer. The Old and the New. The Old Year laid upon the p >rt:i!s of the past A treinbliu£ hand. And said: "Oh. let me die and he at rest Within thy misty land:" Then all the years that lived and died before Reached forth, and drew the wanderer safe within the door. The New Year laid upon the portals of to-day A firm younc hand. And said: "Oh. let me come and live and work Within thy shinini; land:" Then all the years that ar<- to be replied: ••This is your world." and drew the youth in-ide. —Kathleen R. Wheeler, in Lippincott s. walked back to the crossing: but just before she reached it she saw someone vault the low fence that ran around the lawn. She started, and then stood still. “Don’t l>e frightened,” said a well- known voice, "it's onh' me ” understand the letters that I write to him when 1 don't know how to write.” “Hof" jeered Mollie. "That's easy enough. Sant3' Claus can read scrib blin’ as well as writiu'.”—Harper’s Ha- zar. The Bent One. Editor—I want *an original Christ mas story. Can you write it? Writer—Of course not. You'll find the original Christmas story in the New Testament.—Detroit Free Press. Christma* Belli*. O happy hells! through coming years We hear, in jour glad sending. The message still of peace, good-will All jarring discords blending. O bells of God! ring on, our souls To grander action nerving. Till all our days are Christmas days Of living and of serving. —Caroline A. Dugan, in Home. Will Receive Calls. "Do you expect to receive calls on New Year day?" asked Willie Ilicollar “Yes,” answered Mamie llollertoii; “I'll have to. The telephone exchange where I work wouldn't give rmrthe da} - off. Isn't it mean?' Washington Star. Old Skinflint's Generosity. "My dear.” said old Skinflint to his wife, "we ought to do something for the poor people around here this Christ ina-.'’ ^ "I think so. too. What do you p^^ pose to do?” asked Mrs. S. ^ "Suppose we have our Christmas din ner at night and leave the dining-room shades up, so that they can see our plum pudding?”—Harper’s Hazar. HU Reason. "How did Charlie come to give up smoking so suddenly?” "He was afraid it was going to make him disregard the truth.” “How do you mean?” "He knew he would have to sa3' he was pleased with those his wife would give him Christinas.”—Inter Ocean. Kncouraginjt. "Grace.” he liegan, tenderly, on New Year's eve, “I—I—” when she inter rupted him. “Wait until twelve o’clock,” she whispered. "I had enough proposals last year *0 suit anyone, but 1 want '‘»5 to beat it—so please wait."—Harper's Hazar. Thinks Ills Want* Are Covered. “Fve written a letter to Santa Claus.” said Willie. “And I think it covers everything I want.” .' That's good,” said mamma. "What did you ask for?” "Two toy shops and a candy store,” said Willie.—Harper's Hazar. Kemeiubering the Widow. "I don't know much about the father less.” musedOldsport, reflectively, "but 1 guess this Christmas season is a good time to remember the widow.” Having arrived at this decision he went down-town and ordered a dia mond bracelet.—Detroit Tribune. Knllghtencd I'hilaiithropy. Primus—Jobson is a philanthropist. Secundua—What does he do? Primus—He's so sorry for poor chil dren who have no Christmas that he spends the year telling them that Santa Claus is a myth.—Puck. A New Year'* Wish. A Happy New Year to you. little one, Who-o Happy New Years are just Ix-gCml And tnay your life lie »* sweet and true As the wishes, to-day, that art wished for you! 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