The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

* Presents This Year you will be looking for something something useful as a Christmas Present. Couch, Johnston & Cryderman have made great preparations to meet this want.and are now showing showing a lovely lot of Handkerchiefs of all kinds, Ladies? and Gents Neckwear, Ladies' and Gents' Gloves and Mitts, Men's Braces, Ladies' and Gents' Scarfs, Ladies' and Gent's Umbrellas, Knitted Goods in Toques, Hoods and Sweaters, Hosiery and Underwear of all kinds and sizes. FANCY LINENS--Doylies, Centerpieces, Tray Cloths, 5 O'Clock Cloths, Embroidered Pillow Covërs, Shams and Runners. Luncheon Sëts, Table Linens.and Napkins to match. LADIES' AND CHILDREN'S COATS, all new, selling from one- third to one-half below regular prices. A lot of Ladies'; Suits at half-price MEN'S SUITS AND OVERCOATS AT REDUCED PRICES. Couch, Johnston Si Many are wondering if they should celebrate celebrate Christmas in the usual joyous way. A remarkable little book by Rev. David Baines-Griffiths, New Yoi k, has just been issued, the title being "Our Brother of Joy". Reviewing the book Christian Work says, One cannot read the gospels as carefully as the author of this book has . done without feeling that Christ would ! not have us turn absolutely from joy be- cause of the pain of .. the world. Christ bearing 1 the pain of the world upon his heart went to the wedding feast at Cana. And not only did his presence cast no gloom, but he evidently enjoyed himself as did the other guests^ He- wept over Jerusalem, as all of us have wept over Europe, but yet he took his" evening meal with Mary and Martha and brought great cheer into the home. Should we stop all our mirth and laughter, discontinue our comic papers, stay away from festivals and socials, play only mournful music, sing dirges only, bang our Christmas trees with mourning, stop all our sports and games? We think it would be better not so to do. Even for our own sakes it would not be wise. It renders no help to the Belgians or to the widows and orphans orphans of Europe for us to refrain from our common joys. The relaxation of our most liked pleasures will even help ns to be strong to sympathize and aid. It may be a good thing for some nation to keep joy alive in the world that those poor stricken nations that have lost it may recognize it after the desolation is oyer. Yes, let us have our festive gatherings, our family re-unions, let the young folk enjoy their games, sing and play our liveliest liveliest music and so may all have a merry Christmas. We need the good cheer and mirth to offset despondency and gloom. Dr. Frederick Lynch writes, Let us keep cheerful faces, greet the morning with thanksgiving and seek our beds in peace, play with the children, pursue our wonted games, attend socials and receptions, dinners dinners and parties, and try to carry sunlight with us. Let us hear the music we like and feel no sin. Let us decorate the Christmas tree for the children and remember remember those we love with gifts and withal do something toj-elieve the burden of the needy and sorrowing. Going Home For Christmas, OUR SOLDIER BOYS, He was seated in his desk-chair with a time-card in his hand And a smile upon his features that I could not understand,. When I found him at the office, after hours, all alone; The lamps had long been lighted, the whistle long since blown; He had evidently been reading from a letter there in sight Which a woman's hand had written if my guess was half way right. And something in its contents must have had a pleasing part, For he did not hear me enter and my first word made him start, "Well, old chap" says I, "why linger,.when your busy mates have gone?. Don't you know it's past the hour, and-you still toiling on ? " He reached out for the letter as though he did not hear, Just opened it and read a part and smiled from ear to ear. "Well, I'm going home for Christmas, going home for Christmas Day,. I am going to see my mother, many, many miles away. Here's a letter she has written, asking that her boys come home The family now is scattered and she's living thtre alone; So I've wired her that I'm coming and I'm looking up a train, And really I can hardly wait to get back home again. Of course our work is heavy right at this time of the year, M> desk is piled with matters that need my attention here; But I can' resist her letter, let me read you just a line; "Come home and I will feed yo» on those mincemeat 'pies of mine; I'll let you try my nefw preserves and sample all my "jell," And bake some of those cookies that you always loved so well; Then at the end she says ; "Please come, I'm. getting old you know, You've been away these several years, I want to see you so.' So I'm going home for Christmas, for I can't resist the call. It's the only place one ought to be on Christmas, after all; I've wired her that I'm coming, and I'm looking up the tra And really I can hardly wait to get back home again.' Snappy Letter from Salisbury Plains --Bowmanville Boys -all well Excepting Colds. train, THE EDITOR TALKS. Cryderman Our citizens will be glad to read the letter from Mr. J. R. Finkle in another column and to know that Mrs. Finkle and he are enjoying life in that land of midwinter midwinter fruit and flowers"where frost never comes." The picture of their pretty bungalow bungalow appeals to us as a most ebsev hospitable hospitable home as we know it is. Sorry the distance is so great.or we should drop in some fine day for an internal survey. We were all sorry to lose two such good citizens but are glad to learn that they are doing well in the sunny "Sunset State;" HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS VISITFACTORY AND FARM. MUNICIPALITIES' GIFT. Besides the $500 per month granted by the Counties of Northumberland and Durham as a patriotic fund while this war lasts the different municipalities have made the following grants of goods, money and produce--Cartwright town ship $540; Cavan township $500; Clarke $1,000; Darlington $340; Hamilton $1,575? ; Hope $2,000; Man vers $600; Percy $2,ooo; I Seymour $1,010; Hastings $537? Newcastle Newcastle $223. Conditions are such in this big country of ours that many will not be able to go to the old home for Christmas but there is one thing all can do--send a loving letter timed to reach mother and father or sister and brother the day before or on that day. "God help you to write a letter to your dear old mother and dad." Send them something substantial, any small token of love. Tell them by word and deed that théy are lovingly remembered at this Christmas time. Write also to distant brothers, sisters, aunts, when you cannot visit them or they you. Keep up the family ties "tho distance lies between." Mrs. N. D. Snetsinger was engaged at a salary of $500 a year to teach in the place of Miss Munsie, who resigned her position in Colborne Public School. GRAND TRUNK system^ CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR FARES SINGLE FARE Dec- 24-25, good for return until Dec. 26; also Dec. 31, 1914. and Jan. 1, 1915, -valid for return until Jan. 2," 1915. FARE and ONE-THIRD Dec. 22-23-24-25, good for return until Dec-28; also Dec-30 and 31 1914, and J in. 1. 1915, valid tor return until Jan. 4, 1915. Afcave reiliced fares apply between all stations ie Ctnala east of Port Arthur and to Detroit Pert Harun. Mieh., buffalo, Black Rock, and Niacara Falls and Suspension Bridge, N. x. , . 3 ,1 von from Rnwi TicKefce sold at 1 educed lares from Bowman- sta- rille to Toronto, Montreal or intermediate tiow main line, or trçm above station to Parkdale #r Sannyside, will not be valid for on trains Nos. 1 an.l 11. Wckete aew oa sale at G. T. B. ticket offices 3le matter where yon ary going, call phone 78 %f#r information. We will gladly .deliver tickets - aay taoase in town. j. H. H. JURY, Local Agent, House Phone 51 Buy Fruit At A FRUIT STORE and you will get better quality and befter values in all kinds of fruits than elsewhere. All I ask is that you give me an order to convince you that you can he served best at my store opposite opposite Goodyear Club on Division St. Choice juicy Oranges, all sizes, at lowest prices. Grape Fruit, very large size, at 4 for 25c. Malaga Grapes, Cranberries, nuts of all kinds, just fresh in for Christmas trade. Ter j meaty Dates and Figs, some at 10c lb., extra choice at 15c lb. Christmas Day will be here and gone before next week's paper will reach some of our distant readers, so we now wish that while sorrow may becloud some homes that the joys and blessings of the festive season may be many and great and tend to assuage the sorrows. As each Christmastide comes round in most homes conditions have in some measure changed. This is a world of change and nowhere more "noticeable than in family circles. Whatever the conditions may be this Christmas it behoves us to make the very best we can of the situation and hold- the family gatherings just the same if at less expense. Keep up ihe sacred memories of the home-coming and the joyous greetings. greetings. - To Make Christmas Shopping Easy 1 U"l Once a customer always a customer--because customer--because I give satisfaction. satisfaction. J. Retail and Wholesale Fruit Store Bowmanville - Ontario for you has-been foremost in our minds when purchasing purchasing our Christmas goods for this season. We have assembled a line of Jewelry and Novelty Goods which we are justly proud of and which will appeal to those looking for moderate priced presents which are useful as well as ornamental. Here are just a few of the many suggestions which we might make for you : it 12 MF»' 'to, !n<£ [S3] m I'M Jr FOR MOTHER--A beautiful piece of silver plated ware, a gift that would be in excellent taste and would be greatly appreciated by her. FOR FATHER--One of our high grade Watches which we can supply in South Bend, Waltham or Elgin makes at the lowest possible prices. This is the most serviceable and lasting gift vou can give a man. FOR SISTERt--A locket and chain or one of our newest designs in gold or gold filled pend^bts. This is a gift which any young lady will be proud to receive and you will be proud to offer. FOR BROTHER--One of Waterman's Ideal Fountain Fountain Pens which we can supply in numerous styles. He will find it a great convenience and it will prove a very acceptable gift. FOR BABY--Nothing is more useful and appropriate appropriate than a spoon. We can supply these in various patterns with straight or curved handles. These are only a few of the things we might suggest. Come in and look over our very -complete stock and you will get a great number of suggestions. .0 Last week we gave an account of a parents' meeting in The Bronx School No. 12. These meetings are very helpful in bridging the chasm between the home and the school as they serve to bring together together the teachers of the children and their parents. In such meetings many problems are discussed bearing on the moral and ethical development of the children and the sympathy, interest and these meetings The Middle School class in Agriculture made a trip to the Hampton Butter Factory- Factory- on Friday afternoon. Mr.T.Welsh who has charge of the factory, had everything everything in readiness for a demonstration in churning, salting, mixing, washing and printing the butter in pound prints. The .class was much interested in all the operations operations connected with butter-making and the visit proved both instructive and interesting. interesting. The factory is very neat and clean and the water used is the very best of spring water piped in from a spring some distance away. It was pointed out that one of the difficulties in the manufacture manufacture of good butter arises out of the fact that some farmers are not as careful as they might be in the handling of the milk and cream before the cream reaches the factory. Before leaving the factory, the class expressed its thanks to Mr. Welsh and his two "white-aproned" boys for their kindness in explaining all the details. details. The churning is usually done in morning but on this occasion it was postponed postponed until the afternoon for the accommodation accommodation of the class. Vernon Welsh is a second year High School student and was glad to welcome his school mates and they were glad to see him dressed in spotless spotless white manipulating butter paper with such marvellous dexterity. The class then proceeded to Mr. Wesley Wesley Hoskin's farm on the Manvers Road to see a modern Dairy Stable, and also to see cows milked with a gas engine and milking machine. The machine milked eight cows while the class looked on in wonder. The chief feature of the operation, operation, to the student, is the fact that the milk reaches the closed can absolutely uncontarainated, and if there is such a thing as "guaranteed milk" it should b£ that which was milked by such a machine. Mr. Hoskin pronounces it a success generally, generally, and states that a twelve year old boy could handle the whole operation including including the starting of the engine. As the students arrived at this barn before five o'clock they were able to see the barn in day-light, with modern feed- troughs, stençhions, cement walls and plenty of light. The class expressed its appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Hoskin for the kind reception reception as well as for the demonstration. Mr. Hoskin replied neatly and cordially, and was sorry that all his plans had not knowledge fostered in ,~i„ fAi- o more complete euuca- 1 uccuiiuut w ethical and religious tioned that Mr. Hoskin expects What is .desired in I one or two other modern features to his make^trongly °for 'am ore complete educl- I been quite completed. It might be men tion of the moral, life of the children, the education of the young is the laying of a sure foundation upon which to build the highest4ype of character--one that shall show forth the highest moral quality and shed the best kind of personal influence. to add As the season is at hand for subscribing for newspapers and magazines we wish to call attention to that favorite old family weekly. The Montreal Witness. From our view point it is now the best weekly secular newspaper in this Dominion. It stands for something definite, making it a dairy barn. The class reached home with a feeling of appreciation of wh t is being done in our own township right at our very doors. Mr. Hoskin deserves great credit for his enterprise, and a 'man of his stamp is of inestimable value to a farming community. community. Just before leaving, the boys and girls gave the high school yell for Mr. and Mrs. Hoskin and it was 11 * l '~ K '"'" stood on firm foundations On Friday evening, Dec. 18th, (this week) the High School will give its.Com- mencement Exercises. The funds realiz safe paper for the homes of Canada, its influence being always for the uplifting of e d are to be devoted to athletic appliance, the people morally, socially, religiously. | The program is to be given entirely by Besides being a good newspaper we consider consider that it has the best editorial page with comments on current events of any weekly journal in this country. No country country home where there are readers should be without The Montreal Weekly Witness and Canadian Homestead. Its annual price is one dollar and subscriptions are taken at James Publishing House. See our clubbing rates in another column. the school. School closes on Tuesday, Dec. 22nd The sports prizes are to awarded on that day. A circular is received from the Education Education Department stating that students are expected to be familiar with the present European war history and intimates that questions will be set covering this phase of modern history. [ T«r by THE WAY, our line of Pearl Jewelry is well worth a special visit to our store. Whether interested in buying or not you will be made welcome C. H. Haddy .Jeweler 6English families everywhere celebrate Christmas and few are the homes of this "Homeland of Durham" but are scenes of Dundas County, like West Hamilton a iov and gladness on the 25th of December f ew weeks ago, has reduced the Conserva- J J 6 r, 1 soc ial and in- I * * • ~--i J--.*- w«r o rom a rVQ hi A amount as every year. Of the many teresting family occasions none are more attractive than the joyous gathering under the parental roof of sons and daughters who on the side of fortune have drifted out from the parental home to work out their future in this wide and busy world. With what feeling ot delight will such return though but for à day, to visit the charming scenes of childhoods happy home made more happy by a father s loving loving smile and a mother's tender care. Here the clock of time appears to have been put back and the sun to shine m all the brightness of life's gay .morn. Such feelings though but for the passing will brighten up the path of life for many days or years to come. How many homes in this locality will have(been made happy at this time by the holiday visits of scat-1 Dec. tered members of the family would be difficult to state but we know| there will I be very many. tive majority by a remarkable amount as the following table expresses it : June 1914. Nov. and Dec. 1914- West Hamiltou, Con. Ma j., 14H 39 Dundas County, Con. Maj, 7 6 3 59 From Our Own Correspondent. Dear Mr. James,--We are kept ia today, today, as usual raining too hard for anything anything but ducks. I mean the rain is "as usual." Some days, as last Saturday, we go out and plough through it, and°the mud too Some of the boys have bad colds, and many more will get them, if we do not soon move into the huts. We came if necessary, to die for our country, but not of colds--we could have done that at home with very little trouble. We have had one big change--we are not getting stew now. The cooks got new stovesand now we get roast meat,, and good it is. You see its such a long time ago siace we tasted it, that it was just like mediciae ta us(?) If you want us to go up ia the air, when we return, just say STEW 1 I believe believe it would have just the same effect as Shun ! does now when we arc ia line. The 46th boys are still going strong Our present Captain has placed us hoys in the first section of his company, which, I guess, sho'ws we are not the worst at our drill, in his company. We represewted "H" Company, on the boat, for the best drilledsecticn. "H" Company though the last in the 2nd Battalion, is not the last in sports, either. We have Gordon H. Graham Graham of Lakefield--in the 46th who refused to take the heavy weight championship for boxing, on the boat. "Scotty" Davidson Davidson from Kingston, hurt his hand in the semi-finals, the day previous, soif Graham wished, he could have claimed the day, but like the sport he is, he refused to take the prize on default. Then we have Richardson of the , 42 n d-"H 1 ' Co., the champion wrestler of the boat to all comérs. Our Captain, Mr, Hooper of Carleton Place, is one of the best, and he knows how to get the best out of his men. We get an equal show with his own men in everything, so we do not miss the fact of not having one of our own officers with us. „ , ... We are back to the old Company drill again and I think we satisfy the Captain the way we do it (sometimes). The Newfoundlanders Newfoundlanders have camped in the old P.P.C.L.L, lines, which are a short distance distance from us, and we have made many friends among them. We-still have the sing-song in"the Perfects' tent "which you, Mr. Editor, will remember, you were in. One doesn't know how much talent there is with a crowd of-boys, until it is drawn out by the happy hours which we spend - now and again, in the evenings together. One of the NFLD boys a Mr. Dueling, will keep us doubled up, laughing at his stump speeches. Then another, a Mr. Summers, has the sweetest voice I have heard for some, time, and he has a good audience as far as listening goes. "Happy" "Happy" Martin thinks he is passable, almost as good as himself he thinks (showers of oddments follow this statement). "8ro:h- erly love" as usual abounds in our tent. Everything in the tent belongs to everybody everybody in general, so what one hasn't got the next has. As "Happy" says "What's yours is mine and what's mine is mine, if (?) I can keep it. Only one in the tent has any sort of authority over "Happy" that's "Lady Carev"--his sleeping partner. When it got so cold, we bunked together to keep warm at night, and Harold and Ken went together. I guess a good many will be. surprised to hear of Harold asserting asserting himself to this extent, but as "Happy" says, one must give way to one's "wife" or the sake of peace. All have their "nick-names" ia the teat now, for instance, there is Carey, as I said before "Lady," then there is myself, "Sliver" possibly due to my being so sharp (but more likely because I am so fat (?) Then there is Ira Scott, our "Baby," 'Keg French, because he's "so small and neat and round." Then there are other boys, Ernest Honors from Newcastle, "Perfect because the doctors at Yalcartier said so. Gordon Grhham of Lakefield is known as "Biscuits." Roy MacDonald, owing to his having been training for the ministry before joining, has the name of "Minister. Ross Mac Heard is called "Scotty , his name gives the reason. A happier bunca in the whole camp (as our visitors say) would be hard to find. Lieut. Dick Jones was in to see us the other night. He is still the smiling, good- natured fellow he always was, aad he is very popular everywhere. Glad to hear Bowmanville was to the fore (as usual) in the Second Contingent. They certainly should put the headquarters headquarters where feeling is strongest. Though Bowmanville is the town of "rubbernecks" "rubbernecks" it shows they don't raise^ cold- feet." I only wish I had had the chance to give them a shout as they went off. Let some of the stay-at-homes see the sights that one can at the Alexandra Palace, Palace, London, of the poor Belgian children, with hands cut off and ears too. Perhaps that might bring them to their senses. One's blood boils to see the wav the poor innocents have been treated. I don t think I am naturally blood-thirstv, (tho I am Scotch), but the sights that one sees there, would arouse passions, generally reserved for the "Cultured" since this war commenced. Our best wishes to all the boys at King- Tell Bert Cooper that -- Majority reduced from 2174 to 98 There has been a reduction of Government Government majority in these two bye-elections held since Mr. Héârst became Premier, of over 2,000 votes. ston Camp. we HORSES WANTED. Mr. T. A. Crow, Toronto, will be at the Hotel Bowman, Bowmanville, Thursday 17, all day, to purchase horses, weighing from 1150 to 1350 lbs., height 15.1 to 15.3; ages from 5 to 9 years. Good prices will be paid. would like to have had him with us all right, but we had a young lieutenant, who had his same snap, with his order and we had to jump just as much as we would with him. Tell everybody that we aren t "down hearted" though we may be good and wet sometimes. We had a review last Friday, but just half the contingent, bv Gen. Campbell. It was the sight ot a lifetime to see those 15,000 men, marching down one hill and up another. We had a sham battle afterwards, but we were oa the reserves (.ask an old soldier what we did). Kind regards to your staff and all at home including yourself, from all the bovs. DAN D., No. 8433."H" Coy., 2nd Battalion, Canadian Contingent, Bustard Camp, Salisbury Plain, England. November 30, IÇI4- 1