Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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g I fxx xx xx xx xv xx xx xx xx /\ xx xx It was about 4 o'clock on Christmas ovo and business W08 over as 1 olosod luy desk and rose with a weary yawn. There was little in my surroundings to remind mo of tho day, no frost Oil tho Windows, no BU0W Oil tho ground out Bitte and no sharp bracing cold in tho air The windows were ns wldo open an they could be, and tho steady swinging of the "punkah" overhead was all that! kept the room from being stitlingh hot and close, for the ollico was situated j somewhere about latitude 14 north, in tho faraway Philippine islands, where tho great, beautiful (lowers have no per- ! fume and tho wonderful birds UOVOT sing, where tho southern cross glitters over the land at night ami the great dipper is upside down and the sun nets within ?wo uiiuutoe of a quarter after 0 all tho year around. {So 1 bad before mo about two hours and a half of daylight, aial 1 was try ing to decide whether to utilize it by riding out to the tennis club ami hav ing afternoon lea, or walking to tho park to hear the hand play and sie tho Spanish dignitaries. The native clerks in tho outer room had dusted up and now came gliding in with bare, splay toed feet, like black headed ghosts iu their white el.it lies, to bid UIO '4 buenas ttoohes" aud a happy Christinas, ami in cidentally to receive each his holiday gift of one or perhaps live big silver dol lars, according to ins station, from Jose, the halt breed chief clerk, who on tho strength of his dignity and of his speak ing a little English le pt bis shirt tuck ed inside his tiuu -eis and wore embroid ered sandals, down to littlo NitO, tho errand boy, hardly more than u savage of tho wilderness. They had tho "Christmas feeling" anyway, and asso ciated it with tho mercury's ranging from so to 10? degrees, as we New Eng l?nders do its rambling from zero to freezing Tho last "muchas gracins, seuor," had been said, and the last clerk glided out, and the gray headed old "punkah cooly" was stealthily watching see mo take up my jacket, the sign.ii for his doparttiro, when the tramping of nnmistnkablo and evidently stout boots Bounded without, and with a prodigious crash of tho screen deer there entered into my sanctum stalwart Captain Halo of the gOOU whip Mouhegan, arrayed in snowy linen and crowned with a broad pith h?hnet, accompanied by stout and jolly Mrs. Hale, carrying a big basket and a brown gingham umbrella) with her cheerful face beaming from tho depths of a real old fashioned sunbonnet. "Good evening, sir," they both call ed out, and Mrs. Hale added: "Wish you a merry Christmas, Mr. 15. My, ain't it hot 1" subsiding Into tho bam boo chair which I had placed for her under tho punkah, with a "pica, bom bro" (faster, man), to old Pedro, tho cooly, who redoubled bis efforts with a disapproving grunt. "Good gracious, Mr. P.," exclaimed Mrs. Hale, "don't, for pity's sake, make that poor old feller work SO this hot day on my 'count. Stop it, " shaking her um brella vigorously at Pedro, who took this for a signal to go faster still, and tho big fan flapping madly back and forth till 1 called, " Dospaolo" (gently) Tho Mouhegan had been in tho bay fov a month past under charter to mo for Boston, and was now cleared and ready to .il tho next day. I bad spent many a pleasant hour on hoard with tho captain and his wifo, rejoicing in the homelike feeling it gave ino to hear their goi I old Yankee forms of speech. Tho very si^ht of their healthy faces, browned by the sun in many Bens, did mo good in my weary exilu, and their presence seemed to diffuse an atmos phere of the breezy pines and wind swept shores of Maine. And how good their primitive, shipboard food was aft er months of awful Spanish cooked din ners (3U shore 1 And now tho sound of their hearty voices scorned to givo tho oarthquake tent, dingy walls of tho old office build ing a pleasanter aspect. "You see, Mr. P.," said tho captain, "wo kinder thought we'd drop in and givo yo tho good wishes of tho season 'fore goin round to do our Christmnsin. Fact is," bo added, smiling, "tho old lady can't |et on without celebratin Christmas, Oo mattor whoro sho is, mid she's al ways bound to give BOmo presents to folks. If we're at sea, sho gives 'em to my crew, and if we're in port like this sho bunts up poor folks and gives 'em to 'em, heathens and all. Ain't that so, mother'/"' Mrs. Halo nodded. "That's a fact, father," sho said. "Why, 'twouldn't seem the h ast mite like Christmas if 1 couldn't givo presents, whether I he homo in Boothbay or not. As for hea thens, that don't make a bit of differ ence. It's Christmas jest the same, Whether they know it or not, and it tickles 'em jest as much to get presents, and mo to givo 'cm. And you're jest tho same, John. Yon know you bo." "Well, I don't know bat what I bo, Maria," acknowledged the captain, and they went on to tell of their queer ex periences while "Christmnsin" in out ol the way Chinese and African ports with chuckles and peals of laughter that set Pedro grinning by forco of example, though ho couldn't understand a word. "Ann spcaaiu or mat, mv. u. , - sain Mrs. Hale. "1 thought maybe I could make it a little more iirco Onrisrmus ro you and them other young men hero away from their own folks, so I made you this. " And with that sho extracted from her basket tho very grandfather of nil Christmas plum puddings?tho first ono I had see n for three years. "Maybe "tain't jest what you'd Ret at homo," she said, holding it out with both hands while tho cantain towered beside hor. BiA n ee or genuine Uoftg?t at my sur prise, " 'cause I didn't havo just tho right flxin's, hut I guess it'll go down pretty well. There, tako it and don't bother to say ono word." And I knew .... tho kind old stall saw that for tho mo ment I could as easily havo flown as Uttered the thanks I felt "Trust tho old lady to know what boys like," said the captain. "Wo had a hoy once ourselves. Ho'd bo jost about yonr ngo now, "ho added in a lower tono, ghuioing at his wifo. "V-'o'vo got him now, John, ns I'vo alwayr. said and always will," said Mrs. Hale quietly, rearranging her bas ket , Tho cantain went on in answer to my wondering look: "To" ?ee, our noy inn ' off when ho wa'n't more'n I?. Ho'd been kind of wild, as boys bo, and I'm afraid I was a littlo harsh to him Any way bo went off without a word, and wo ain't never heard of him sinco. I jj feel protty suro bo's dead, but mother , here sticks to it ho ain't." "And I'm goin to stick to it, John, till I know for suro." And then with a * ehoory smilo at mo: "It kind of does mo ' , good to kcop lookin forward to seoin ltufo again somo day. Now, coino along, ' John; it's gettin lato." , I slipped on my jackot, whereupon Pedro vanished, and accompanied tho worthy couplo down to tho door of tho building. On tho stairs Mrs. Halo turn ed and whispered to mo: "John talks as if he didn't enro much about Hufe's ttotn off. but now he. really does. Mr 1 13. IT he couia mm our ooy, '?\?uu!3 take ton years oil* hlsagoandlninotoo." I did uot doubt it, und I refrained from Baying that I thought it would probably odd ton years to Rufo's it ! ?> could roalize the sort of mother and fa thor ho had left BO many years ago. So I bads them good night, promising to see them in the morning and with hearty thanks for their thoughtful kind ness, and watched them as they trudged away toward the native quarters, their sturdy figures toworiug above the mot ley crowd of natives and ( hinamen who thronged (ho narrow street and tilled the air with their uncouth gabble. I sent my groom home with the pro clous pudding, and, mounting my pony, threaded my way around to the English club. There 1 found Metiregor, the old Scotch doctor, standing In the doorway nml amusing himself by tossing COppOVS one at a time to a crowd of lame, halt and blind beggars, who as each coin fell instantly became an appalling tangle of skinny arms and legs. "Hollo!" said ho as I drew up. "1 was just coining round after yon. "Su lul" (get away) to the beggars, who were plucking at various portions of his raiment, and, liko metamorphosed Oli ver Twists, asking for more. "Aren't you acting American consul just now?" be inquired. During the temporary abseneo of tho consul I had undertaken his not very arduous duties, being tho only other American resident in the place. "Well," continued tlie "medico," "I have* a follow countryman of yours Very bad with fever down in Malaoanan (native quarter), a sailorman, only just out of the Spanish jail for thumping a guardia (policeman) last year. 1 have my doubts of his lasting long, aud you'd better ooiue down if you will." Of course 1 would como, consul or uot. In these hidden corners of tho world any ono in trouble, vagabond sailor, "beach comber" or unlucky clerk out of employment, is as sure of help from more fortunate fellow countrymen as if he were in his native land?surer perhaps, unless he happen to bo a Chi naman, in which case his friends let him die unmolested and then pay tho I expenses of burying him in China, a I bnokbauded sort of philanthropy, very characteristic in Johu Chinaman. So tho doctor jumped into a public Carriage and rattled away toward Ma lncauait, while 1 followed on my pony, leaving tho beggars to philosophically squat dowu around tho club doorway and resume thoir everlasting wail of I "Charity, for love of heaven, charity I" Poor dd McGregor's story was a sad one. Long years before, as a young man, ho had como to the Philippines on a pleasure trip with his wife, and hero she died suddenly of cholera, that ter rible scourge of tin east, which then was claiming its victims by thousands, and for years the doctor had never left the island where sho lay, among tho tall palms in tho littlo English cemetery on Santa Ana hill. But many others had reason to bless tho cause that kept Dr. McGregor among them. From tho proudest Spanish official in his palace to tho humblest savage in his bamboo hut the doctor's time and skill were al ways at their service. And many a youngster fresh from homo had been saved from going wrong in that land of wild and lawless lifo by his kindly words of counsel and advice. Wo stopped at last before a miserable hut on the outskirts of the town, and giving tho pony in chargo of a passing native I followed tho doctor in. Tho in terior was dock and copiparatiYteJy cool An old native woman, HRo a groiestrne imago, was squatting on tho bamboo floor besido a heap of "nipa" leaves and pieces of matting, on which lay a whito man, tossing, turning and bab bling with delirium, in the full grip of tho jungle fever?a young man evident ly, his once powerful frame, fearfully reduced by illnessnndconfinement, cov ered by the ragged and grimy shirt and trousers of a sailor, lie became quieter is McGregor raised his head and drank tho medicine given him, but began mut tering again as tho doctor laid him down. "He was a wee bit more rational this afternoon," said McGregor, "and told mo a bit of his story, but he couldn't or wouldn't toll his name. I found him just outside oil the grass and brought him in here for want of a hotter place. " "Was there nothing in his pockets?" I asked. "Nought but these," showing a few centimes, at which the old woman glared grecany. "TIG may come to no Bensos a bit soon. Yo'd better bide awhilo." "Is ho past hope, Mae?" I nskod "Can't wo do anything?take him to n better house, I mean?" Tho doctor shook his bond. "If \vc could get him up north now, I'd snj he'd get well With the Constitution he has. It's the heat of the place that kocp.? him down Th I poor lad's made lik< ono of our ain collio dogs?strong and well in the cold, but when taken by fe ver in this olimato?whishl burns u] like gunpowder." It was torrible to see ono of my own raeo dying thus in the lowest degrade tion, like a wretched savage, nursed bv an ignorant old barbarian only for the sake of tho money sho know wo would givo her, more terrible as time went on, and tho poor parched lips never eensi d their childish, unintelligible chatter Oh, for a bit of ice or anything to cool that burning forehead I But nothing is cool there, nothing but death. So wo sat in silence, I with my bei mot fanning tho Unshed faeo, so drawn and haggard, which must have been strong aud handsome in health, and the doctor ever and anon raised the heavy head with tho gentleness of a woman and gavo medicine, wdiilo tho old hag oronohed in a corner and mumbled to herself, wonderim/ if when tho man was dead sho would got a Wholo silver po bo or not Outsido tho brown people chattered and laughed in thoir freedom from care, now and then peering in with curious faces and running away with fresh shouts. Thoir turn might como next, but littlo thoy cared. Tho proseut was theirs for enjoyment of Ufa Novor mind tomorrow. Suddenly tho tumi.lt seemed to in Or6886 and concentrato farther down tho road. Then it began to approach, tho soroams and happy laughter of children mingled with the clenror tonos of a for eigner's tonguo, and as tho crowd i'oaeh ed the hut I suddenly heard a familiar voico saying: "There, littlo boy, don't I you bo so greedy. Let that littlo girl have some. Ain't it uico, John, to sou how thoy enjoy it?" Metiregor looked up in wonder, and I roso and wont to tho door. Thcro I found Captain Halo and his wife, sur rounded by a perfect horde of dolightod children, ho tossing coppers about from a can .'as bag and sho distributing can dy, penny whistles and numerous odds and ends from her hugo baskot, both thoir faces perfect pictures of tho honest pleasure which changed to such pro found amazement at tho sight of mo that for a moment a combined assault by tho nativo infantry on thoir bams of supplies was almost successful, only provoutod by a vigorous uso of tho cap tain's bamboo stick and Mra Halo's gingham umbrella. I'started to explain why I was there, but before I finished Mra Halo, with an exolamation of, "Why, tho poor fol lowl" gave her basket a whirl which nein? us contents Uymg tu every aireo tion, thereby oreatiug n BC0U6 of riot which those peaceful tropic Bhados bad Dover witnessed tho liko of, aud theu trotted straight into tho hut, followed by hor husband, who beut his tall form nearly double tO enter tho door. Tho doctor rose and bowed with cour tesy of 50 years ago as the motherly old lady bent down by tho sult'erer's side, crying: "Oh, tho poor, poor fellow I .lust see him, John 1" 1 moved in from tho doorway, and the light of tho setting sun fell on tho invalid's face, and suddenly a cry went up that rann through the tiny hovel and far above tho noisy clamor outside ?a cry from the depths of a mother's heart: "Johul Father I It's our Kufe, Our own boy I Oh, Kufy. Uufy, after all these years I" ? ?????? Step out softly, hind old doctor Come with mo and watch tho sun go ing down in all its tropical glory bo hind tho great voleanio range, if you can see it, for I cannot. It is all a blur to mo. But I can seo this?a nohlo ship at anchor in the bay with all sails bent, ready to sail tomorrow and bear away from this burning land one fever strick en to the cool breezes of tho opOU sea and sure recovery under Iiis own moth er's care. And hark to tho bells of vespers this Ohristmas eve as they ring tho warning from church and gray cathedral, of the glorious word they will tell tomorrow to men of every faith and creed, "Glory to God in tho highost, aud on earth peace, good will toward men I"?Charles Bryant Howard in Short Storios. CHR'ST CHILD LEGENDS. Ut'tintH and lUrdn Iliivo n I'rninliioiit IM-*c?. In Christmas Lore. The story of the hunting of th.^ wren in the isle of Man every Ohristmas is well known, she is known as our La dy's hen, God 's chicken, Christ's bird, because she was present at Christ's birth, brought moss and leathers to cover the Holy Babe and made a nest in his cradle. In Franco the cuckoo was hntioved to have flown from a Christum? iog. A Latin poem of tho middle ages tolls that tho crossbill hatches uor eggs at Ohristmas and hor young birds (ly off in their full plumage at Kastor. The Mohammedans have many leg ends of lsa, or Jesus. One tells that ?when ho was 7 years old bo and his Companions made birds and beasts ot clay, and lsa proved his superiority by making his US' and walk as be com manded. In tho Tyrol they say the ravens used to have snow white plumage, tail ono day Jesus wanted to drink at a si ream, and they splashed and s i befouled the water that he could not, SO ho said, "Ungrateful birds, you are proud of your snow white feathers, but they ; shall become black and remain so until tho judgment day." A Russian legend tells that ho liorso flesh is cousidt red unolean because when Christ lay in his manger tho borso ato the hay from under his bed. but tho ox would not and brought back on Iiis horn;; to replace what the hoi s ? ate. Tho Britons boliovo that tho ox and I the ass talk together between 11 and 13 O'clock every Christinas eve. In Germany llio oattlo kneel in their stalls at that hoar. Another version says they stand up. The ass and tho cow are sacred bo cause they breathed upon tho Holy Dabo in bis stall. The ass is tho lUOBi Sliro footed of ani mals because ho carried tho holy fami ly to Egypt by night. lie has had a cross on his back ever since. Old women used to sprinkle holy wa ter on tho ass and the cow todriveaway disease Lees aro said to buzz in their hives at the exact hour of our Saviour's birth. In north Germany tho vorsion id' the man in tho moon is thus told: One Christmas eve a peasant greatly desired eabbago, but as lie had none in Iiis own garden lie stole Irian his neighbor. Just as ho filled his basket the Christ Child rode by ou his white horse and said, "Because thou has stolen on Christmas ovo thou .shall sit in the moon with thy eabbago basket." And there he still sits.?Philadelphia Ledg er. Christmas in Denmark. Tho tree is always lighted on Christ mas OVO in Denmark, and the family all meet together then. The older people get their presents on a plate at their places at the table, and the children's gifts aro on the tree. Roast goose is al ways the chief feature of our Christmas ovo dinner and a disli of rice is oaten on Christmas eve before dinner is serv ed. Apple fritters are eaten instead of plum pudding, Christmas day itself is observed strictly as a religious festival, but Hie day before and itio day after Christinas aro holidays. Tho theaters nro open, and tho young people give dances. Our little Danish children do not know about Santa ('laus. They have instead what they call a Nissen, meaning a Christmas brownie in the shape of a little old man wit Ii a largo gray beard Who is supposed to live un der the ground. Another Danish supor Btition is that at midnight Christmas ovo tho cows in tho stable rise and low iu salutation, aud on Ohristmas ovo young-maidens toll their fortunes by breaking tho wdiilo of an egg ii:^o a glass of water aud watching tho shapes it assumes. "Olagolig Jul!" is tho Danish greet ing for "Happy Christmas I"?Selected. Christmas in >.m:i?nd. I fancy an English Christinas is too Well known to need much description. English no* els have described it fully, ami tho I ..giisli illustrated papers at Christinas time give a good idea of tho festivities. Every ono who lias a coun try placo goes thoro for Christmas. There is generally a largo house party, and dancing aud skating help to pass tho time. The houses and churches aro decorated with holly and greens, and "mistletoe hangs on tho castle wall. " Tho tree is almost as universal an insti tution in England as iu Germany, ami tho evening is given over to amusing tho children, who play blind man's buff, snap dragon and hide and seek. Tho proverbial English Christmas din ner always includes roast beef and plum pudding. Every self respecting English* man goes to church on Christmas morn ing, and in somo country parishes tho "waits" still sing their carols from houso to houso ou Christmas evo. In other respects ii is kept vory much as tho American Christmas ?-British Consul in Chicago Tribune. tijiuro in? r.nnii tfi*l>OAil. How oheorlosa lg tho wind that swoops Tho hills of Onllloo, Whoro, murmur leas, tho Jordnn nroopa Down to tho deep Dead seal O'er bnrron rocks the dond vlnoa trail And by doad tendrils oltng, And on the hill and In tho vnle There la no breath of spring. Tho dying glanoe of Chris S the Ring Booms to have staid and atlltod Tho vol-o of ovory living thing Where Christ tho King waa lulled. Tho brooka, the blrda that alng with them, Have long alnoe pa as od away. And all about Jerusalem The earth la dead today. ?Oy Warman In New York Rnn CHRISTMAS CAROL. Hosannal Boaannal Ye nations bear tho story? Today ye are redeemed, Made bebte with elit ist in glory I Bring owl the silent harps Ami tune (hem nil unoWi Thon ?In? ti'l angola stand amazed? A Bavlour'a boi a to you. Mosnniiai Boaannal Twaa sii< pberUa t?>i?i I bo story? The sinr had led the way To n manger ?lb it with glory. Ring out. ye t bristinas bollBl Death's power bath passi u away. Ami heaven ? Inga with this ulnJ theme? Man is rodeuwod today. llosmmat llosniinal Ijfl heaven and earth repeat. Join seraphim ami cherub In h< mage at his foot. Lot bo tig of Having grace. With augol'a anthem vie, For unto Uod the sweetest sound I? a redeemed one's cry. HriiiK roses, sweet roHt'sl For unto you lagiveo A ransom from tho grave, A passport into heaven. Hwiiik Wide, jre pearly gntosl Lot ant in ins bave full Bway. The King of U lory left Ida throne t'pou thai Christ man tiny. ?William E. ShelUold In Brooklyn Eagle. NORWAY AND SWEDEN YULETIDE CUSTOMS IN THE LAND OF THE VIKINGS. Superstitions Regarding Nissen, tho Scan dinavian Santa Claus?Pranks ?f tho Hired Men - Lomond of tho ltrothcm IMv and (Jrliiim. Tho peasantry of Norway and Sweden generally build their homes as near oaob other as convenient. Often llvo to soveu families live adjoining, constituting a miniature village. Alter the first day has passed the enjoyment commences. Dancing is tho principal enjoyment for tho youth, while the old people and the children slay at homo and rehearse tales that are replete with orgies and "Nissen," or "Touitegubbou," as ho also is called. Tho latter is a miniature being that corresponds in many respects to tho Scotch brownie, but is quite Santa Clnusllke lU general appearance. Tho tales that are told have been handed down from generation to generation, and were at one time believed, and even in some districts considerable credence is still given to what is stated about these unnatural beings. Nissen is tho being that is of tho greatest interest to tho young. Ho is not a bad fellow at all, if ho can only havo bis way. Where ho lives no one knows. It is supposed that be spends tho days Bleeping in some of the bills or under tho ground. Although bo is small, bo is possessed with super natural power and can do much to shape tbo fate of a person, either good or bad (beat care is therelore oxer* cisetl to do what is known will please Nissen. Special attention must bo given him Christmas eve. sin mid he come around alter midnight and his favorite dish, romcgrod, has not been placed Outside near tho door, trouble will re sult. When the people awako in the morn ing, they can expect to find their cattlo in a terrible condition. Nissen general ly vents his vengeance on the animals of tho farm. They will be tired the next day, showing that Nissen has been playing some prank with them, thereby keeping sleep from them. Articles in tho barn will bo found topsy tin vy, while tbo horses havo been turned around in their stall, but if tho dish has been placed out for him ho is hap py. Ho shows hisgrati fulness in deeds. When the hired man in that case goes out to tho barn Christmas morning, ho may expect to (hid all his chores done. Tho horses have been curried ho they look Quo as silk, while the cows givo twice their usual amount of milk. In many cases tho wood has been split. Many superstitious people on this oc casion bar tho door with a piece of steel. They are afraid of him, ami steel is tho only thing that Nissen has no power over. He has often been known to havo entered the house and stolen food. Many a hired girl can vouch for the fact that she has heard him climbing about on the shelves of the larder, and even in a few cases ho has been set n. Tbo youth still in a manner retain tho habits of their ancestry. At eventide they gather together from the small villages and visit their neighbors. As a rule, the ground at this time of year is heavily covered with snow, ami tho trip has to bo made on skis. This is one of tho most delightful features of the cele bration. The ski is the national article of locomotion, and the hoys and girls are adepts in tho art of standing on them in the deep declines and ragged hills. Tho young people go from neigh bor to neighbor gathering more of them. They have often no particular destina tion, but know they will end some where. When they come to some partic ularly largo farmhouse, they drop their skis and go Inside. Hero everything is in readiness for them in tho way of food, drink and musio. Tho tiddler strikes up his merry tunes, and those present aro hurled into a vortex of mer riment. In most parts of the country this fea ture is in no way marred, and tbo danco goes on until lato in tho morning, when tho young go homo, only to moot somo where elso the following night. In some of the primitive parts of Nor way, an Culdbraudsdahin and Voss, lights woro indulged tu in years grmo by. This custom has not entirely chang ed, but the fatalities that wero so com mon then do not exist now. Then when a couplo went to ono of theso dances tho girl would generally take her lov er's funeral gown along, fully expect ing that ho would need it bdforo tho night bad gone In tho southern part of Sweden, Ynl lotta, a custom that is very beautiful, is recognized by tho peasantry Tbo early morning mass at 1 :!J0 Christmas day is attended by nearly overy mm Tho members of tho congregation havo often as far as seven miles to walk through tho snow. They come from all direc tions in delegations, cacli carrying a long pole upon which a piece of pitch is burning. As the Surroundings aro still in darkness, tho night of those moving lights toward ono center is im posing Tho hired men in this part of tho country havo a rather peculiar joko that thoy try to play upon each other Christmas morning. It is to try to got up early and go over to tho neighbors and perform tho ohoros of tho hired man thero before bo gots up Groat do light is taken in tho perpetration of this triok. In tho early part of tho coutury it was a bolief that on Christmas ovo all tho unnatural beings joined together in a grand carousal. Thoy woro led by Thor, tho god of tho oloments, and they flow through tho air. creating a terrible norso aim oiiou uamago. vOnan Wellia von's poom " AsgaardsToicu" tolls of a deud that was committed by this flock It was Christiana ovo, and n wedding was being colobratcd. Tho brido was of tho fairest and tho bridegroom tho worthiest Many had been invited, and tho general enjoyinont was enhanced by tho free flow of liquor. When overy ono was in a aloopy oonditlon from Its su perfluous uso, tho doors fl*w o: *n, anrl the brothers Grimm and Ulv entered. I ^?- J^XflOffllto^ by tho bride, and bo WUB'OUC Hu* revenge, itu Attack was made. Tbu women buddlod together, while tue m< u iriccl t<> rally Tb8 brothers had seized thol ridegroom, and Ulv was about to pluugo his dag ger Into bis broast. Thon a terrible trr>L was heard, and it seemed as if 10,000 demons were on the outside. Tho brothers Btood us it' transfixed. Tiny knew it was Asgtiurdsrclcu, and they faltorcd 'liH> doors Hew opi u, und Ulv was seized i>y tho throat and dragged on tho outside. Thcu tho |>ooplo fjathor cd In the house beard a shrill whiz, as of something dying through tho air, and then all was quiet, but I'lv was never seen again. His brother Grimm was badly hurt, hut recovered, and Oil Christinas evenings in years thereafter ho told to the children the wedding f08 tival that was visited by Asgaardsreicu. ?Minneapolis Tribune. In a noto following some quotations regarding Christ mas and w inter weather the author of an old London publication says, "Theso prognostics of weather, etc., I look upon as altogothor uncer tain, and were they narrowly observed would as often miss as hit. " BcBldoS being quoted as abovo the proverb Id varied as follows: "A hot May makes a fat churchyard" and "A green winter makes a fat churchyard." To the latter proverb is added this note, "This prov erb was sufficiently confuted in tho year 1007, when the winter was very mild, and yet no mortality or epidem ical disease ensued the summer or au tumn following."?Philadelphia Lcdg or. THE UNIVERSITY OF THE UNITED STATES. to ia?;\i> aijIj tiiio would. The idea Was Originated by George Washington and Has Como Down to iho Present Day. The bill to establish the University of the United States has again been in troduced in both houses of Congress. The bill in general terms provides for an institution of the highest possible type, for the graduates of accredited colleges and universities only with speelal reference to the work of origi nal research and investigation in all import! nt fields of Inquiry. Tho gov ernment, is vesletl in a hoard of regents and a university coune 1. The hoard t f regents embraces tho president of the United States, the Chief Justice of the United states, the Commissioner ol 1*'. lucatlon, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, tho president of the National Academy of Sciences, the president of the National Educational Association, the president of tho Uni versity and nine other ultizeus to ho appointed by the president by and with the. advice and consent of tho Sen-ate, no two of them shall be from tho s one State. Tho University Council is to have immediate charge of the work of instruction, research and investigation. It consists of the regents and twelve other members, to bo appointed by them from among eminent educators, with a like impartial distribution. All course- and ollic. r-> of instru tlon ana ul Uv b? i Ulm v. ?>> tili. UOUult.l, ai o ol regulations governing the Liter al management of th 2 institution. Neither sectarian nor political pr - crouces in any form are to b ) allowc hatover In the appointments or in ati of the operations of the. institution. Authority is given to establish with other institutions of learning such co operative relations as are deemed ad vantageous. Provision is made foi the use of what is known as " Univer sity Square," the site set apart by Wa-diington for university purposes and lately occupied by the Naval Ob servatory. Congress is now asked for but t nough means to enable the heard .1 ICgvU S to UlgttUtZo uuu pruowuuii, naugurate the instltltutlun. Gifts and btquests are tobedopositi >? a the United States Treasury in trus ,nd invested in bond<i of the Unite States hearing live, per cent, inter. - . The present hill is the outgrowt . o oire than IdO yenra of audtiiMon. Tl thought of a national university that oamo to Washington while command ing the revolutionary ifiny. Subsequently as president he repeat edly urged its establishment and in his last will and testament left $26,000 in stocks as a first endowment, the in terest tO 1)0 Compounded. Had ('.in gress fostered the plan this sum would now he nearly $5,000,000. Tno idea thus cherished by the father of his country was also indorsed by Prcsh o it? John AUUlue, Jiffol'bOU, kVlrtU.oOU, .w i roc, John Qulncy Adams and Juoksoii, and in more recent years by President' Grant and Hayes. During all this tim th j measure was advocated by men Hi m ist distinguished for learning and statesmanship, hut owing to the lack of organlz'xi < ITort nothing practical was accomplished. T..c uiuiu inouorn movement in thl cau>o may be said to have been ii a ignrnied In 1800 bv ?h" Naf.-i K lucational associatitm, after an appeal from Dr. John VV. Hoyt, of Wisconsin, at tho close of his educational tours of inspection in all the countries of Europe ana in tho American States, by autho '? i'y of the government. That great a - BOOiatlon thrice unanimously indorsed the university proposition, and through its committee, a bill was introduced and unanimously reported in tin House in 1873. Tho measure continued tt> receive the Indorsement of loading scholars and statesmen from time to time, and in 1800, u university hill was Introduced in tho Senate Oy Mr. K. munds, of Vermont, and upon his m< - tlon, referred to a select commute with Senator Proctor as chalrmai Tho present general movement wa n.-iMin at the l'an-re mh' o tmt*tirra* 1801, by the appointment of tho com mittee of promotion, to be enlarged in tho discretion of its chairman. ex-G0V. John W. Hoyt, which committee, by steady growth, became wiiat is knovn as the National University Committee of One Hundred?a coinmitto now grown to several hundreds, embracing the presidents of nil tho statu univer sities jiMil some 200 other leading in stitutions, the superintendents of pub lic instruction of all the States hut one, and many of our most distin guished statesmen, scholars, soientist. and men of affairs. In 1802 ex-Gov. Hoyt presented to the Senate a mem orial giving a complete history of tin efforts already minlo for a national uni versity, with tho arguments therofor, of which several editions have boon printed. In lNO.'l Senator ProotorV committee unanimously reported the bill, Senator Hunton, of Virginia, suc ceeded Senator Proctor ns chairman, and the committee was made the stand ing committee it now is. It likuwisi reported unanimously in ism and the bill was ubly discussed in the Senate. With tho approval of tho national University committee, patriotic women of tho country, under tho lead of Mrs. f?llen P, Rlohardson, of Boston, assum ing the early establishment of tho in stitution, have-organized the George Washington M mortal committee for auxiliary, though Independent work, t/hoir purpoBO boing to raisj by popu lar subscription $200,000 for tho erec tlon on Univorslty Square of a lirst uni versity building. Tno Indies engaged In this work uro of such character and Inlluence as to give groat hopo of tin success of their undertaking. More over, distinguished friends of art an planning for national art galleries to bo established in connection with and as a part of tho University of the United States. It Is the intention oftht nntional univorslty committee, that tin government and tho people shall co oporatejln tho establishment of tho pro posed university, and it is intondt djtlm' the bill shall he prosscd to early passngo so that July 0, 1800, tho ono hundredth anniversary of Washington's bequest, shall witness at least tho practical be ginning of what should becomo the loaning univorslty of the world. i Royal makes th.? ?<?~d pure, wholesome and delicious. POWDER Absolutely Puro rovai dakino rownrn ro., Nt*r vonK. THE RETURN. A CHRISTMAS BTOUY BY Q. t. PBI.RI& [Copyright, isia, by the Author.] Frustrated hope throw Its blight on the cheery old faco ns Mrs. Martin rend tho letter from hor son Paul, lie had been a wanderer for eight years and now w roto from South Africa. The snino fcollng haunted Kate I .c ickwood's llneeyes, though She bit her lip at the conscious revelation Hut Mrs. Martin did not see. ihre? ?:, were blurred And murmuring, "What could have happened to change his mind'." as if it wem the presage of some greater blow, shu went on with tho reading: "I'd give ii few 'sparklers' to ho with you on Christmas, as I had planned Hut a fellow can't always fulfill his own wish es It's better to have everything wound up before leaving. South Africa has treat ed mo pretty well up hero In Its diamond Heids, so I shouldn't kick if It keeps me in its clutch a little longer. I shan't he so ry to leave this furnace behind. When my letter reaches, .lack Frost will bo abroad with you in Vermont, clad in leo and snow, but hero n man will bo baking at IK) in the shade. I'm burned as black as any Katlir in tho mines, so thai you and Kate would scarcely know my swart h v phiz By tho way, you may tell that young woman from me that 1 don't half like her goings on witli tho Swlnton man Didn't she promise to wait for nie? I shall have a word to say to her about her faithless iiess " And so Paul's letter rambled on in n scmlolmlllng tone Koto's face had darkened to angry scarlet when Mrs Mar tin looked up and said: "Why. my dear yon mustn't take Paul's jokes so hard You know what 0 'tease' ho was from a boy.' That was precisely tho trouble Paul had always been joking, Kato feared. A distant cousin and reared in the family over since she had emerged Into woman hood a more tumultuous sweetness had mingled with tho calm affection she had once felt for Paul even as she had for his older brother Will When lie had gone away, she w as only 17, and keenly she had quivered with tho pang of parting Year after year bad slid by, and the rolling stone found no rest and tho girl's sore heart had certainly found no balm in the absent Paul's jocose phrases. Yet she hail sometimes fancied a thrill of sentiment anil toildertiess quickening his spurt Ivo al lusions At all events suitors had lacked fuel for their lire, and her friends rallied the young schoolteacher thai tho only men folk she liked were (he lads, with whom she could be "jolly good fellow" in a most fascinating way Her latest admirer, (he head of a prosperous factory and much liked by the Martins, had no better luck than predecessors. "There was a time," the old lady con tinued in reminiscent mood as she laid down the letter, "when 1 hoped you and Paul would come together some day; hu(, lackndny, that's all done with I can't understand tho girls now adays. 1 s'poso you ain't a feared of belli left an old maid, for, you know, you're good lookin"?and Mrs. Martin peered quizzically at' Kate over her glasses?"but still you might never have such a good offer /is Mr. Swill (on?plenty of money, not too old, and as good, as gold As for Paul's sta\in away anot her year"? " What's t hat a bun I Haul's not COIlllll home?" Mr. Martin's .jolly red face, now beginning to pucker with years and care, was lilled with dismay as he suddenly en tcrod the room. "Thai sea)legrace of ourn oughter be thrashed of he's a -goill to dis appoint usng'in." So Mrs. Marlin again read t he let ter aloud, w Idle Kate, amid (he varied comment of tho old couple, escaped for a hearty cry. K?rrner Martin's gloom had a deeper root than ordinary miscarriage of hope "I'd ruther looked to Haul's help of the wust comes," said he to bis wife, "for Will s got all he can shoulder. The inorl gage on the place has never 1)0011 easy to meet?what with poor crops and low prices 1 mot Sqillro Harber jes' now, ami 1 told hllll WO expected Haul. 'Kersure.' said he, and laughed with his'IIo, ho! liko somo danged olo hyeny, and then he said he hoped there wouldn't be any delay this year 'bout the mortgage money or BOincthln might, turn up, and then he ontS with another snicker. Confound his hide. It's as heart less as his sheepskin books, for I bad allUS reckoned him a friend afore." Though Christmas did not promise any appetizing sauce for Its turkey and mincf "what a TBASRl" plo, nctivo prepar.itIon went on as usual for Will and his children would bo there, and their hearts must be gladdened with Christmas sunshine Arlington! had in deed always kept theday w ith more fervol than is tho wont with niOft New Knglnnd country (owns. It was :>>u day before Christmas and (he farmer was returning from (he woods, whither ho hail gone to select the Christmas (reo. Thocrlsp, sweel nlr was musical w ith slclghbclls, for (he earth was sheathed in dazzling whlto. At no uirnni noo ilie mam street, nrs nonsicn almost collided with a fastender spinning homeward from ('luster, it was Squire Harber redli ning from tho county scat, Some eight miles distant, whero his law Office was located "Merry Christmas, If It Isn't too early!' ShotltOd the lawyer, pulling up "What have you got (here? 11 oily, and 08 I live inlstlotoo tOO I haven't seen any before for an ago. " "Yes," said Mr Martin, "It comes and goes In a curious way. 1 hain't found it. grow In fer ten years (ill I got (his from a half rotten npplo treo In (ho upper or chard ' And he held up a sprig of it with Its yellow leaves and whitish berries shin lug like enisled silver In tho winter sparkle of tho sun. "Tho old legend says It brings good luck," answered tho lawyer "I'll drop In this evening and see it hanging, for the elm. of 1.1 .mi' pretty KatO under the mistletoe, unless .vlnton gotfl ahead o mo." And ho chuckled heardly to liimsoll us Lr drove on. Tho Martins hail attended tho early service In tho church and were now gnth er,d In the big parlor whero tho Christinas fcrvo was set loaded with presents and tho ah'Id'-on wore all agog whit oqgerur m air. DWiUCOU was U gU?B( Ol MM) UCCttBTOU, though UOt much to Kale's pleasure. T!io trcohrtd boon almost Bt ripped of its burden Oinitl tho jubilation ol tl?;' youngsters, and even Paul's nbsenco couldn't unite quouoh the hourtsomo glow of tho old folk. "Ow l 'ood like to SCO Santy CaUfl his sef 'en ho comes down tho ohhnloy to night I" said little May Marlin, her mouth gorged with dripping sweets. ?lust tbon ii tremendous clashing of belli rang out as if a whole caravan ol sleighs wore coming up tho road. Loudei and louder - hlllicd the silvery music (ill it stopped before the door amid the pawing of horses' hoofs. "Whooan it be?" they all said to each other ??Perhaps il is Simla t'laus," wills pered Kate to little May Tho child cuughi now TUB OLD MOTIIKII CHIEU AND IIUOOB? IIIM. at tho entrancing thought and rushed to the front door They heard a scream of terror, and May darted hack, gasping and while, to hide her face in her father's lap Santa t'lae.s Indeed had COtUO to the child's invocation Framed In the door way and seeming almost to (ill it stood n great, fur clad figure, looking liko a gi gantic bear on its hind legs A fur hoi met covered tho whole face, with goggloa in tho eyelet holes, and on tlu- lurry arm hung a big basket w Ith bulging contents Amid the breathless silence and wonder the uncouth figure stalked to tho Christ mas trco and crowded its empty boughs with such a largess of parcels as to bend them low. As the pantomime went on Mr. Martin nodded to his wile and Kale and then toward their guest as If to say "This little comedy Is the pleasant sur prise of a rich man's wooing " Hut Swill ton's eyes were bent on Santa Claus with a queer look of dread and expectancy could they have gouged his thought Not a word was uttered till the fur clad image bad closed his task, when a hoarse rumbling voice, as if it had been modi raucous by shouting against polar blasts issued from under the fur liuod, ealllne them by name and summoning them l< receive their gifts The children's turn came first Tho trembling youngster* were loaded wiiii such gorgeous and won derfnl toys as they had never dreamed could exist. Will Martin got a box coll tabling a sealskin cap and gloves The wonderful fur cloak which Santa Clans threw around Mrs. Martin was (il for the Bhouldcrs of a queen, as she stood there quivering with curiosity and a dumb pre sa;re that feared to name itself and stain lUOt'lllg thanks thai choked in the throat In the fanner's hands was placed a large sealed envelope, and he blinked and peered as if be would unravel some clew to the Impassive mystery w hich faced him lie Itched to tear open the envelope, but wait ed. Kale Lockwood'8 name was called, and her trembling limbs could scarcely carry her forward A little box was snapped open and a superb diamond ring blazed like a star. She grow dizzy, for a blinding Hash of intelligence came even before that furry mask was torn olf with a swift ges tore and the bronzed face of Paul, twitch lllg with emotions of .joy and tenderness, appeared to them. How tho old mothci cried and bugged him till her arms were weary; how the men folk wrung his hand and overwhelmed him with broken, eager questioning, and how the children made shy acquaintance with tho unknown uncle Santa Clans need not he recounted. "And has my Kate no greeting?" Paul said She came forward with cheeks ol llamc from where she bad stood aloof, be wildered with a rush of feelings Ha gazed at hor shining eyes, and her heart leaped at the lover's deep look Then In happened to notice tho twisted vine of leal and berry that swayed over her head, tho time honored symbul of a thousand BWCCl mysteries " l oder the mistletoe, too," he laughed Ho was I he .same old teasing Paul. "That is as it should be. " And he took his privi lege then and there, drawing her sweet face to his and kissing her on tho lips be fore i hem all "Look," he whispered, "at the inner circle of the ring, "and there Kate saw ell graved, "From Paul to the woman 111! loves, "and that was Paul's proposal, an Bwcrcd to his satisfaction by ono Hashing glance, veiled as quickly by the modest eve, lasj?e?_ ?*l vo doom ringing and hammering at tho outer door for IIvo minutes, and no ono oqiuOi so 1 walked In," sold a mow voted as Squire Burbor ontored "I suppoM you've got ovorything Used to your wishes now, aud that tho uxistlotoo brought good luok." "You old fox, you know all ahout it," burst forth the furnier, and with a BUddoU thought he opened the OUVOlopoand saw it was a "mortgage satisfaction" paper. "So It was Paul and you that put up thU Christ mas joko." " Yes, thai, " paid Paul without n bit ot romorso. "1 think wo did it in pretty good stylo tOO I started from South Africa tit the same time 1 posted that let ter as a blind and lauded more than a fort Ulgllt since The rest was easily fixed, anil 1 determined to shake you all up with a big surprise Anil 1 havo proved such a success! id Santa flans t hat a certain young woman has concluded to let mo play Simla (.Mans to her for life." "Where s Mr S\\ i n t < in:-" said tho farm er, with a keen mol hot ion of incivility, for In the agitation ol the scene all had forgotten him Lovo is sometimes very Bvlllsh Their guest of the early evening had unobtrusively slipped away. Ho knew ho W as one too many ?Mrs. K i/.aboth Covington died at Whitney on Sunday. 12th Inst. Sho was between PK) und 105 years old. - Newspapers and bootblacks polish the understanding of their patrons. SAVIC TUB BABY! \ mother will risk her 'ii life many times er, to save her babe mi the horrors of by Opllobla. There art aver perils from which mother should protect /^"'hlVVixMrf [ n,'r child, A mad dog is l//-?nS5^*a rarity, but thousands W, ?A??'V of children die daily he. i , jffl. JQglCiUlso 1)1 Het'ds of e implanted in r little bodies be blrth. A woman may In sure the health of her babe if she sees to it that she is t h i) r o u g h 1 y stioiig and healthy ill a wo manly way dur ing the pel iod of gestation. Dr. Pieroe's Favorite Prescription cures all weakness and disease of the delicate an 1 important oin.ms that sustain the burden of maternity. It makes them strong, healthy, vigorous and elastic U banishes the Bqucniuisll spills of the expectant period und makes baby's introduction to the world easy and nearly painless. It rids maternity of peril. It insures the newcomer's health ami an ample supply of nourishment. It transforms sickly, m i eons, fretful, despond ent, childless women into healthy, happy, helpful, amiable wives and mothers. Over oo,ooo women have testified to the benefits derived from this marvelous medicine. It does away with the necessity for the em barrassing examinations and local treat* mi nt upon which most physicians insist. It substitutes certainty for the doubtful treatment of obscure physicians, who sel dom correctly diagnose these troubles. All medicine dealers sell it, and Dr. Pierce will cheerfully give free advice to ailing women wdio wi itc lit 111. Scores of women win have been perma nently eurod of ob-.Uii.ito and dangerous diseases by this great medicine, have permitted their names, nddresscs, expe riences and photographs to bo printed in Dr. riorco's Common Sense Medical Ad viser. This book is free and contains loott 'pages, telling the homo-treatment for most diseases. Send ?i one-cent stamps, to cover mailing only, for paper? covered copy. Cloth binding o stamps. Addioss ' ?r. R. V. Pierce, Buffalo, N. Y. W. II. MARTIN, Attorncy at Law, Lauhkns, - South Carolina. Will practice In nil Courts of this Stale Attention given to collections. t. T. johnson. w. it. kici1ky ?JOHNSON & RIC1II3Y, ATTO UN K Ys AT LAW. Ofkiok? Kloming 'Corner, N ort best side of Public Square. II. Y. SIMPSON. C. I?. UARKSDALF SIMPSON AI IIA It KSOALIO, Attorneys at Law, LAUHKNS, SOUTH CAROLINA S pecial attention given to the investi gation of titles and collection of elaims 11. w. ll.m.l.. i. w, sim kins. w. w. ha di. HALL, SIM KIN iS ?V HALL, Attorneys at Law, Laurkns, South Carolina. Will practice in all State and United Slates Conn. Special attention given col lections Who is Will Whitener? ? } / U| \ i He is our Fashionable Hair Cutter andSh t -IN BENDELLA HOXEL. Mill Men j Now is the time to place your orders for Saw and Grist MILLS. We are Headquarters for each in their respective lines. Write us. W. H.Gibbes & Co., iilill Supplies. , Vehicles and M:n ? 304 Gervais St. COLUMBIA, S. C.