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yj* ; w tmif f % i ^ : y < - \*w:i.i':y. IT' RECOMPENSE. I 6TMAS GHOSTS. FTtwixt the moon­ light and the fire In winter evenings I long ago. What ghosts I rais­ ed at your de­ sire To makt your l eap ing blood ran elowl How old, how grave, how wise, we growl What Christmas ghost oan make ns ave these that troop In mournful row-- The ghosts we aH can raise at will? ^ ie beasts can talk In barn and brye On Christmas eve, old legends know. As one by one the years retire. We men fall silent then, I trow-- "Such sights has memory to show, ' ' Such voices from the distance thrill. IM1, mel they come with Christmas Sao#-- ? The ghosts we all oan raise at wilL |h, children of the village choir, ! Your o&rols on the midnight throw! fh, hright across the mist and mire, j Ye ruddy hearts of Christmas glow! Jeat back the shades, beat down the ^ Renew the strength ef moral will: t |P© welcome, all, to come or go-- The ghosts we all can raise at wilL Friend, sursum corda, soon or slow. We part, like guests who've joyed fill; , Forget them not, nor mourn them so~ Ihe ghosts we all can raise at will! --Andrew Lao* IK * TRADE IN CHRISTMAS TREES. We now require a million or two of young evergreens for Christmas trees, and these, too, are cut and stored away in good time, the choppers often going into the woods soon after the 1st of No­ vember. A fall of snow in November or December greatly increases the difficulty, because the snow Is apt to melt and freeze, rendering the branches too brit­ tle for transportation. The woodmen therefore like to get their work forward and pile their trees in the woods along- side the road, where they will keep fresh •ad green for six weeks. The largest market for Christmas trees is Philadelphia, whence they are dis­ tributed to all parts of the country with­ in 1,000 miles. The woodmen get from f6 to $8 a hundred for their trees, which •ell in the citieft at prioes ranging from SO cents to |8. As for Christmas presents, they give employment to many important trades, the work upon which is continuous from the first of January to the last of De­ cember. Some knowing grandmothers and ingenious aunts, to say nothing of nncles and grandfathers, are on the look­ out all the year for Christmas surprises, which they hide away in unfathomable recesses, sometimes forgotten by them- mUrm. WHEN MEN OPEN THEIR HEARTS. There is nothing more effective or oft quoted than those lines from the "Christ­ mas Carol" of Charles Dickens: "There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I-dare say," returned Scrooge's nephew, •'Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas when it has come round- apart from the veneration due to its sa­ cred name and origin, if anything be­ longing to it can be apart from that--as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charita­ ble,pleasant time; the only time I know of in the long calendar of the year when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut up hearts freely and to think of people below them, as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And there­ fore, uncle, though it has never pot a •crap of gold or silver in my pocket. 1 believe that it has done me jjooti a no will do me good, and I say. God bless it V ORIGIN OF CAROLS. The singing of carols on Christina* eve and Christmas day is of inetlueval origin. A carol should be simple and melodious. There are many tine speci­ mens of them, but most of them are noi fine. Here is the first verse of a.favorite and ancient and famous one; God rest you, merry gentlemen; Let, nothing you dismay. For Jesus Christ, our Saviour, Was born upon this day To save us all from satan's power. When we had gone astray. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. For Jesus Christ, our Saviour, _ Was born on Christmas day. V CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. 4 Week of Successive Feasts and Rollick­ ing Festivities. Christmas in Germany is not limited to one day, but extends over a week of successive feasts and festivities. The family gatherings are usually very large and the merriment correspondingly great. The observances are usually in­ augurated on Christmas eve with a sup­ per. The tree, which fr comparatively small, is placed in tie ceftter of the ta­ ble, where it stands until after the Now Year, retaining its tinsel decorations. The gifts are not suspended from the tree, but are placed in parcels about it and under the table. The presents are distributed amid great hilarity by an el­ der son or brother, who makes up as a jovial St. Nicholas. The children, like children everywhere, enjoy their toys, which are less expensive and more prat> tical than ours, and their elders rejoice in additions to their personal wardrobes and household belongings. The supper is a comparatively plain one. The table is set forth with backerei, meat or sausage, herring salad, French cake or German tart and light beer or wine. After healths have been drunk and songs and choruses sung, the final ceremony is to bid every one "Froehliche Weihnacht," and the party disperses. The Christmas dinner is on a more elab­ orate scale. The piece de resistance con-/ sifits of roast goose, the national dish. It is stuffed with apples or chestnuts and preceded by a soup and accompanied by kartoffel (potatoes), blumenkohl (cauli­ flower) or rosenkraut (Brussels sprouts) and sauerkraut, the latter cooked and sea­ soned, and a compote of plums or other fruit cooked with vinegar, sugar and spioes. The dessert upon so important a day may consist of two dishes beside fruit, a pudding and apfel krapfen. This will perhaps be of rice stewed until tender in milk, and then blended while hot with fine chopped and sifted suet, raisins and eggs, whites and yolks both well beaten. This is a sort of German plum pudding, for it is boiled in a oloth or mold and served with hot and sweet wine sauce. These feasts are renewed everyday nntil the inception of the New Year, then whoever you meet, wherever you are, the greeting is passed, "Prosit Neu- jahr" (Happy New Year), and the Christ­ mas season comes to an end. SUITABLE Don't be too particular about giving useful Christmas presents, notwithstand­ ing that hosts of practical individuals, especially those of a philanthropic turn of mind, are fdrever advising just to the contrary. Of course where extreme poverty is in question, when the very necessities of life are lacking, a ton of coal or a basket of provisions is doubt­ less a more suitable gift than would be a silken table cover or an embroidered scarf; but, barring such extreme cases, the greatest degree of benefit and happi­ ness experienced by the exchange of gifts at the season of "good will to men" does not, as a rule, result from those of a strictly useful nature. After all, men and women are only boys and girls grown tall; and, pray, what healthy boy or girl would prefer a pair of boots to a toy pistol or a pair of skates, a doll or a box of candy, as his or her annual con­ tribution from Santa Clans? BELIEF IN SANTA CLAUS. "The belief in Santa Claus gave yeari of unqualified satisfaction," says Mrs. Burton Harrison. "Whether it was actually swallows in the chimney top or flying squirrels gamboling upon our eaves, I believed sundry noises of the night to be the pawing of tiny chargers on the roof. When recently I asked a small person of 6 whether he still be­ lieved in Santa Claus and he answered me in withering good English,41 never be­ lieved in Santa Claus; I always thought it was parents,' I felt quenched and de­ jected beyond reason." "May good digestion wait on appetite, and health on both," is a good motto for your Christmas dinner. In this connec­ tion it should be remembered that noth­ ing so promotes digestion as a cheerful heart and a clear conscience. f ^ about a week before Christmas Colonel Smith was wandering upon the main thoroughfare sf *!hf% fifty n? Wt! tm. - --t-- .» „ --- 4~w(»v<v«. JL W ViUIUUVli *»«•*» «*» *ull wa vli«; spirit of the merry sea- i the very air itself. He thought of the presents he was about to make and of those which he expected to receive m he cast his eyes about him and saw the shop windows full of the latest nov­ elties in toys. When he was lost in such a pleasant Christmas reverie as he hadn't had since he was a small boy, he happened to pass along in front of a great marble hotel. At the time he was passing a painter was engaged in the act of retoning some of the inside blinds at an open window. It is not likely that it will ever be known just how it happened,»but the painter, while probably preoccupied with dreams of the approaching holiday, toppled the pot of paint off the window sill, from which point it whirled through the chilly ashen air and deposited about three- quarters of its contents upon the colo- nel. The latter was as red with Vage as he was with paint when he flew into and through the main entrance of that hotel and presented himself at the office. "Sirt" exclaimed the colonel in a tow­ ering rage. "What kind of treatment do you call this, sir?" "Pretty rough," replied the elerk, not knowing exactly what to ft ay. kt^ause he was ignorant of the accident that had just happened. "I am glad," roared the colonel, with beautiful irony, "that you are at least kind enough to assume an attitude of sympathy, but I am here, sir, to demand satisfaction for damages. As I was pass­ ing, sir, one of your painters, sir, upset a pot of red paint upon me, sir!" Here the colonel paused for breath, and the clerk, learning the cause of his trouble, became very profuse in his apologies. "I am sorry it happened, sfcrt very sorry. But you should not be so unrea- also a very dignified and proud spirited person. And when she saw the colonel, enter the house bedaubed with red paint!' and heard that he had been gibed at by 1 boys as he passed along the street she; was completely undone and has sincei been confined to her bed. Her feelings! have got to be paid for too* The colonel! Is rSttllj Uiorc diniiH&oiHl virtu iiitt miiu-V feelings than anything else connected with this unfortunate affair, and he pro-! poses to fight it out on the basis of tlifrir feelings and wounded pride." **See here," said the hotel's attorney, 'Til tell you what we'll do. Well settle the thing for $88.75, and not a cent mom If this doesn't meet your views of a fair compromise, you must seek your remedy in the law* and then you will find what your client's feelings are worth." "Is that the best you will do?" "It is," replied the hotel's attorney. . On Christmas morning, when the bells; were ringing merrily in the frosty air,' Colonel Smith appeared in a pew suit of clothes to celebrate the occasion, for he had accepted the hotel's terms of $33.75 --$30 for his ruined clothing and $3.75 for his feelings and those of hiB dear old aunty. Castoria is Dr. Samuel Pitcher** preacriptioa for In&nts and Children* It contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Karcotic substance. I* Is a harmless substitute | for Paregoric, Drops, Soothing Syrups, and Castor Oil! ,3 It is Pleasant. Its guarantee is thirty years' use Millions of Mothers. Csatoria la the îmarni ---the Mother's Friend. * * ' * / -VY Castoria. 4* Castoria. "G* f V > fl ' <P$>U Vtx,"- TQ CHRISTMAS GIVERS. Sutffeition# "Cm tort* is so well adapted to children that t recommend it as superior to any prescription known to me." H. A. Auchsb, M. 111 Bo. Oxford St., Brooklyn, iff. Y. FBBTTY ROUGH TIUB&TMENT. sociable as to blame the establishment for what was the lault of a painter em* ployed by it." "You should employ only painters who understand their business, sir I" roared the colonel in a fine frenzy, "and I will teach you that paint cannot be poured uppn me with impunity, sir!" "We are willing," said the clerk, "to do what is right in the matter. We will pay for having your clothing cleaned, or we will buy you a new suit if necessary." " You cannot get out of it on any such ir. I am going to make you, sir, and inside of 24 And having made this >nel bustled out of the the street. [lowing day the oolonal representative to talk the see if it could not be ad- .tisfaction without the se of a legal contest, at the hotel's attorney ien the colonel's legal id the former said: .. tectly willing to do the fair thing by Colonel Smith. We admit that the colonel's clothing was ruined through the negligence of one of our em­ ployees, and we are willing to pay for it. We will give him a sufficient sum to purchase himself a new suit of clothes. worry was frien We How does "Sucl* the colj the ex- of mon making "Then torney. "It's his lawyer; longs to one of all the is as haughty gtrike you?' sition would not strike i" replied the friend is not the amount this thing that is »le." asked the hotel's at- j replied the other You know he be­ st and proudest families, and 1* ensitive as any KiKni makin teenth headqua to Appropriate (lolMay Presents. The gift which harinon .-«•» •• »tb its fu­ ture surroundings and £'• • in a va*. cant spot is the one which ..\c*t vajL» ued. The same rule applies to article! of dress. To the young brunette, whose evening gowns are generally pink or crimson, the pale blue fan, although lovely in itself, would not be as service­ able as a plainer one which she could um with her existing wardrobe. Before yon embroider the doilies or centerpieces for the housewife's table consider the eolor of her china and try to bring your work into affinity with her possessions. The friends in mourning and the in­ valid appreciate the thoughtnilness which adapts the gift to their saddened lives. The book, with its comforting message; the potted palm to brighten the darkened room, the soft knitted shawl or slippers --in fact, anything that evidences consid­ eration for their feelings, and does not jar by incongruity, is priceless. It is astonishing to note how much is frittered away on perishable trifles when the Christmas gift, of all others, should be something enduring. The elaborate card and beribboned booklet are prac*: tically useless, aside from the reinem-fl brance which prompts their giving. Al* most every one has a collection of satin hand painted vanities, lovely to look at, but the care of which is the despair of both mistress and maid. But some say: "Other things are beyond my means. 11 cannot afford to give substantial pres­ ents." It is a fact that the shops, espe­ cially during the hot months, are filled - with at least three articles which delight the hearts of homemakers the world over, and which many young girls love to collect against the wedding day. What are they, pray? Dainty individual coffee cups, harlequin spoons and single plates, suitable for the serving of fruits# cream or salad. Co-operation is a boon to the average purse. If the members of the family or a set of friends accustomed to exchange gifts unite their finances, they can give one handsome article in the place of sev­ eral makeshifts. Good taste discriminates between the needs of country and town and does not send an opera glass or party bag to the farmhouse. Neither does ft give the boy a book which he ought to like, but tries to select one to complete his favorite se­ ries. Children's stockings are sometimes filled from the standpoint of maturity. Utility and not suitability governs the choice of their contents. There has been many a disappointed, sorrowful heart on Christmas morning because the powers that be, forgetting their own childhood, had catered to the tastes of those of 4$ instead of to those of 4. On the principle of like attracting like, the most valuable gift too often finds its way to the one who needs it least. In, some cases good judgment dictates the; giving of money as the kindest thing to | be done. How often some poverty straitened one has sighed over the ex-| pensive gift, "If I only had the money this gift cost!" No field affords a wider; opportunity for the exercise of common; sense than Christmas giving. Women,: by exercising judgment, not only benefit? themselves, but are a positive blessing; in their example to the entire sex, and yuletide of 1898 will be a happy one in­ deed if common sense is more employed in Christmas gifts.--A. L. Fleming. - " The use of 'Csstoria' Is so unfteml and Us merits so well known that it seems a work ' of supererogation to endorse it. Few are the , intelligent families who do not keep Castoria ' within easy reach.** CUBBOEXJURM, D. Kew York Gttgr. C»storI» cures Oolic, Constipation, Sour Stomach, Diarrhoea, Eructatioa, Kills Worms, gives sleep, and prorootw dl- gestion, Without injurious medication. Mffor «*enl years I han reoommeaded your 'Castoria,1 and shall always continue to do so as it has Invariably produced results." EDWIW 1*. Fabdbb, X. D., Ittth Street and 7th Ave., New York at?. Th» CKKTAtra CoiiPAHY, 77 Muhut Stkhk, Hbw Tobk Cm * *1 OF FINS WATCHES 'AND Ever broughtto McHenry can toe seen at the atore oi Persons who are now on the Lookout fair CHRISTMAS TOYS. In no respect is the extravagance o] taste and the progress of me genius better exemplified thai ildren's toys of the present. Th^ inventors and manufacturer! .exerted to the utmost to brini [ties in Christmas playthings,] It this year is more attract rer before. Many of these! considerable practical value, >f tiiem sell for from $5 to same time toys that far playthings of other days >ed for comparatively in- es. The industry of toy- ,t Nuremberg in the fif- At present Paris is the r the manufacture of itoys, although Germany divides the honors with the French metropolis in many respects. In this country many And most of th«m are. will this store the place to get what they want, - , WATCHES - For Ladies and Gentlemm, JEWELRY For Old and SILVEHWABB Stock the Largest, Goods the Best, Lowest* * *&• spites _ • •• ENGAGBMKNT Susie--"Oh,Fnd,lam «othankfultortttori«g. Whmdli yon buy it?" Fred.--"At Heaman Bros., where they sell the finest Engagement Rings. The; ave elegant Holiday Goods, Susie, and I'll buy you a nice Christmas present, k»o. M II mi i fiycr, j'-Sil 'atterns. Window Shades, Curtains. se ankets, Robes, ON CHRISTMAS MORNING. other bearer of his name. Wi« feel­ ings have been deeply wounded, and they can never be.healed by the prioe of a suit of clothes." "It is pretty hard to ask us to pay for his feelings," said the hotel's attorney, with a smile, "because I do not see how we can appraise them in order to reach an intelligent idea of their monetary value." •:I?l "And then," broke in the other lawyer, #|ie is living with a maiden aunt who is large factori dustry in N Boston. ijdevoted to this in- Philadelphia and 'oceries, Provisions, Flour. pure Teas, Coffees and Spices kept in stock. JMk nsurance is Very Important. or the following sound and honorable companies: Liberal Policies, Low Rates. Kg 5henix of Brooklyn. . >. Rational of Harfcford, lockford of Rockford. Herman of Freeport agent for the White Star and North German Lloyd Ocefdt fJteamship Speeches be stuffed usuaL mpkin pies, oyster stews, the boys menus. From banquet* Witt this