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

{.5 “A . _ n's. o§w¢w¢m§gfiom§mo§q€wgnaw0:0. and find out, ‘so as to Write :in‘dnlee ' f if you can’t get the money back. “Get back nothing!” said the farm- lll llllllll" ’m um .. d' ‘ 4'We11,'try. anyway. ‘11? won’t d0 0 any hurtto try. It may fall into the lHEPHlRl’S XMAS llllll. tiara-1123:: expressed the deepest disgust, was all ‘0 ‘0 0 O “.0 O 0.. 9 ooofifivotm O 6 “0...... th ly the farmer vouchsafed to u 0" wiggle he went out to the barn to 3 ‘ 3 harness. O W'3m1W4W'3W3MF"zm’:W°:""':" When he came back, just before . . . . , starting, to get his‘overcoat and mit- 10 v . v ' 9 ’ ~ . . “hale am you {mt lt’ Mdlm' tens, for the night was cold, 1118 Wife Egg?” the unmet” on the butt ry said, "For the land’s sake, Alonzo, "Good land!” said Alonzo Shepard. J’m t}: ifeep “"13- iofh‘?‘sefl‘;, .ff' stopping in the middle of his nightly bie‘nsnmn “‘W ‘V ‘2‘ 0° S 0 e task f winding the kitchen clock, ,, ‘ , ,, . ‘ an” tarnng around to look at his We ve been! shouted the farmer, “lie. “'l but is an awful careless place. That’s the very first DLJ'C a burglar would look. Don’t you re- member how Alvin Ruddy had her money and breastpin stoleout of her teapot?" “Sure enough!" exclaimed Mrs. Shepard. “So she did. I’ll put it somewhere else." She went into the pantry, from which the rattle of a teapot lid was soon heard, and a moment after re- appeared in the kitchen with a roll of bills in her hand. The farmer had that day been paid p #5850 for the lumber on a pine lot, and until he could deposit the money in the bank at Carey, the nearest large village, their riches Would be a source of embarrassment to himself and his wife. Mrs. Shepard remained standing in the middle of the room with the mon- ey tightly grasped in her ‘hand. At last "she‘disa’ppeared in a large closet H , , . . " . . _ ' Whiclf’opcned out of the kitchen, from I 1:“ some to" telegraph "1 “3‘3 which she finally emerged emptyâ€" morning 9'an Set _the 101d fellow 5’ handed, and looking relieved. money baCk’ ’ he Sald- “our ,tele‘ «What did you do with it?” her graph-office here is shut up at night; husband asked. else I Would send word now.” “I put it in the toe of one of my .The drummer was going on that stockings, and put the stocking at the mgh't' to ‘1 near'by urge town- Bemg bottom of the basket of dirty clothes. 3 man Who had ‘1 Shre‘Vd eye 01“? for Nobody would ever think of looking thi°_main Chime?» and haVillg n0 S'PeCi" there." 0.] interest in Alonzo Shepard, or “No’n said the farmer, “I guess moral principles in general, he sent a they won’t- But' if the House catch; telegram to a friend that night as es fire in the night, you be sure to ‘soon as he reamed an 9Pen 0mm: make a grab for the clothesâ€"basket.” ’Buy an the turkeys Shlpped from The next day the farmer had planâ€" â€"‘T*_ Comers to‘d’W» regardless “0f ned to devote to butchering the win- pl‘lf‘?’ and how “DUI You see me. {was stock of pork, working in com_ The next forenoon the farmer drove Deny with one of “his neighbors; so down to the store to see whether he could not go to town that day. there had been any news of the tur- It was late in the week before Christâ€" keys»_b"t 110‘ reply had been received mas, and every one was rushed with *9 th? tOICgl'am- , ‘TWO Women Who the season's work. In the afternoon, hved "1 one Of the houses at the 001” after the butchering Was 'done, the “er WatChOd him (hive 1331913- farmer hitched up a lumberâ€"waggon, “There goes Alonzo Shepard to the and went to carry home the neighâ€" store again," one of them said, “and bor’s hogs and a scalding-tub borâ€" lie was down there last night. They rowed for the occasion. When he must be going to make Christmas at came back and went into the house, their house this year.” . his Wife was not there. "You don't suppose that Sophrony "I shouldn’t have thought Maria is coming home, do yell?” said the Wauld have gone off and left the Other- house alone with all that money “I don’t know”. replied the W0- here,” he said to himself. “Must be man Who had spoken first. with' that she didn’t know I was gone_n unconscious deepening of interest in He pushed open the closet door, and her voice which indicates a reference looked in. The basket of clothes to a mystery or a scandal. 8t00d2in its accustomed place on the When Sophronia Shepard had marâ€" floor. As he stooped down so see ried, some ten years before, in open Whether the stocking with the money disregard of the wishes and will Of in it was at the bottom of the basâ€" her parents, she had left not only ket, there came a loud rap at the her home, but the State, and had door. Directly following the rap the never returned. ' 'door was pushed open from the outâ€" “You can rest your mind on one side. thing," the speaker went on. “If "Hello, Lon!” said a, man standing Sopliyrony ever does come home, it’ll on the door-step outside. “Excuse be because her folks ask her to.. I’ve me for not waiting for you to anâ€" heard people say that, when she Went swer my rap, but I’m in an awful away to be married, her father told hurry. Haven’t you) got one or .two her not to come whining back with a more good turkeys you can let me family for him to support; and So- have to flll out a box? I’ve got a phrony stood up straight, and said, hurryord'er just now, and I haven’t “I never shall comeback, father, un- got quite enough to fill it.” less you send for me.’ ” " Ve’vc got one big one We'd Baveg “Well, I should think they’d sand ‘01: Ourselves, am}. 011.0 exua 01.19: for her,” the other woman said. "I 591d the 1‘1"?er I S 9050 you mlght should think they'd be ashamed not have them. if It Would be any accom- to, if all that's and about their proâ€" modation to you; and I could kill perty is true. And folks say She's anothcr’f'or us. This is only Friday. cook for a family just out of Toâ€" isn't it? ronto, a, rich family, where she does "I wish you Would,” said the man, wellâ€"but a .cook! And her husband who was the proprietor of the nearâ€" dead. and she left with a, child.” est country store. "They’ll just fix “You don’t say!’? said the woman me out. I’ll give you two cents a at the window, as she watched the pound more than I did for the farmer hitch‘ his horses and go. into 'others‘," he a‘ddéd.fl . the store. The two men went into a back , ,, , u , ,, r'oom used as' a, cold store-room, and, ‘ taking down two fine dressed turkeys “Lemons, rice, raisins, citron or- hanging from stout nails in the wall, (Inge-peel, gelatine.” IA Woman Weighed them. The merchant, havâ€" standing at the table in the big kit. inf-l Pilid 10" “WIS. t00k them and clien of a huge house in one of the hurried aWaY‘ suburbs of Toronto checked off the In making the trade for the poultry different articles as the grocer’s boy the farmer forgot about the money, unpacked them from his basket. nor did he think of it again until A little girl leaning on a crutch beâ€" suppcrtime, When he heard his wife, side the table watched the operation who in clearing off the table lia'd gone with eager eyes. to carry some food into the back “Mother,” she said, when the boy room, give a scream. had gone, “tell me once more about “Alonzo!” she cried, hurrying back Christmas on the farm, when you into the kitchen. “Where are them were a girl at home, and raised the lturlzeys gone that were hanging up things you ate, instead of having to in there?" buy them as the folks do here.” "I sold them,” the farmer said, "to Then the mother told, for the fifti» 'Jim Richards, while you was over eth time, perhaps, to this child who '10 Cynthy’s. 'Why?" knew nothing of the country, and, ex- "Alonzo Shepard!” the woman said, cept for these rare holiday visits to white to her very lips, and sinking her mother, know little of any life helplessly 'down into the kitchen but that of a bleak boarding-house, rocker. "The money was in one of the story of the Shepard farm and them turkeys. I didn't like to leave, homeâ€"the turkeys and chickens and it in any one place too long, and so apples and pumpkins, all the spoil of i! changed it there to-day." the farmers’ harve‘stscason. The tWo looked at each other in Before the story was ended 'the area, Ei-knfje, bell‘rang again, and following the "Well, it’s gone, then,” said the ring came in the marketmnn with farmer. “Jim said he Was going to more baskets. send the box by express on the six “0 mother!" the child cried shrilly. o’clock train toâ€"night, and,” looking “He’s brought the turkeys." at the clock, "it’s half-past six now.” ,_ * 4, g , , "Do you know where he was going 'to send them?" Mrs. Shepard asked. "No." "Well you better hitch right up, 0 O the money in that turkey, I should like to know?” Then he went out and slammed the door. Jim‘ Richards was full of interest and sympathy. The Shepards were among his best customers, and he would not have liked to lose their trade. "I’ll telegraph to have the box held,” he said, “and the money lookâ€" ed for. That was stuffed turkey, all right, wasn’t it?” "And you won’t tell anybody?” reâ€" eated the farmer. “Sure not!” said the merchant. {And he did notâ€"that is, not anyâ€" body who lived around the Corners, who would have known the Shep~ ards. But the joke on the farmer seemed so' good that the ,merchant could not resist the temptation to tell the story to a drummer who call- ed on him that evening, swearing him to secrecy. " v- * Corners every day to take counsel with Jim Richards, and each day saw now, and urive over to the Corners. Him Come home more and more "des- as he buttoned his coat. "W110. put- Alonzo Shepard drove 'doWn to the . l/ y S ”'~‘. "'\...4}’ . pon'dent of ever recovering his. lost money. “He 'hadn’t heard nothing," 'Was all the reply he made to his wife’s anxious inquiries. On the fourth day the merchant met the farmer With‘ an open letter from which 'he ’drew a. slip of paper and handed to him. It was a, cheque for $850. “Well, I declare!,” said the farmer. "I’d give up expecting to ever see it again. How did you get it?”‘ The merchant looked at the letter in his hand, and then looked curious- ly at therman before him. ' . “That box of turkeys was missent, some way,” he said, "and didn’t get to market until a day later than it ought to. That was why we didn’t hear quicker. Coming that way, they got mixed up over my telegram, and this poultry had been sold before they got my letter, explaining what was‘ wanted, and why. Then they started out to try and trace the birds, and at almost the first house they found the money. The cook had found it. As soon as she knew all about it, she said right off, 'Send it back," and handed over the money.” “Do you know Uhat cook’s name?” inquired the farmer. “Yes,” said the merchant. The farmer unstrapped his Wallet, and took out a twentyâ€"dollar bill. “Send her that for me," he said. “The woman's name," the merchant said slowly, watching the man before him, “is Soplironia, Thompson.” There was no one in the store but the two men. In the pause which followed the merchant’s last words the room was absolutely still except for the ticking of a heavy wooden clock against the wall. The farmer had turned in his chair so that the other man could not see his face. A big yellow cat asleep in a square of sunlight on the floor got up, stretch- ed lazily, and jumped up on' the counter. “What day is it, Jim?" the farmer finally asked. His voice sounded hoarse, and as if a long way 011‘. "Wednesday," was the reply. “You telegraft for me toâ€"that cook *that her father and mother, want her and her little girl t0‘come home to Christmas. She can get here by toâ€"morrow noon." The next day Alonzo Shepard drove to tOWn'again. The. two Women in the house on the corner saw him. “It’s just about train-time," they said. "'I.et’s Watch and see if” he goes to the depot.” But the merchant handed the farm- or a yellow envelope with his mailâ€"- a telegram.- "Thank you, father,” the message read; “but I cannot le. ve my work." 0|- l- * * I" it “He had me read the message out loud to him, after he had read it once,” the merchant told some one afterward. "He acted as if he couldn't believe his own eyes. When I read it, all he said was just: ‘Huh! We’ll see,’ and went out; but the next afterward. "He acted as if he couldn’t believe his own eyes. When I read it. all he said was just: 'Huh! We’ll See,’ and went out:b’ut the next 'day after Christmas his hired manbrou‘ght him down to the village all fixed up to go to Toronto; and, when he came back, Soph’rony and her little girl came with him, to live; and they’ve lived at home ever since, and they‘re all as happy as you can often find folks. Good as a story, isn’t it?" In fact, the merchant thought it so good a story that the next time the 'drununcr came to the Corners, he ' g) 0 ’I«- C 3.: N .31 how the lost money was the drummer’s enthusi- tale You} see he consider- told him_ found. But asm in the denouemcnt of the did not seem very great. was reminded ably more of the sum, than a month’s salary, which he had lost in his recent specuâ€" lation in Christmas turkeysâ€"Chrisâ€" tian Endeavor World. â€"â€"-.â€"â€".+-â€"â€".â€" HOW TO GIVE CHRISTMAS GIFTS We have heard again and again from precept, Press, and pulpit t‘hat charity is a. sacred duty; that only he who gives, and gives liberally, to those in need is fulfilling his obligaâ€" tions to his fellowâ€"man. There is another consideration duty Which' is rarely considered, and the duty of obligation con- Be careful as to the manner Be careful how put another under obligation to you -â€"be very careful. . There are that is ferred. of your gift. you their those the many who make gifts gall and wormwood to who receive them. sortâ€"the Women who make it a, miint to say: “Did you see Mary in that little frock I gave her?” and the men who say boas-tingly: “I educated that boy, 511‘!” These loud reiterations of conferred are terribly hard to a senâ€" Ilut should the recipiâ€" ents 0f such advertised favors revolt, and refuse to receive anything ' furâ€" lizmds of their styled benefactors, then they are acâ€" cused of the rankest and blackest inâ€" gratitu'de. ,‘ Tactf‘ul giving is an art which few The chief requisites are a, desire to be genuinely kind and useful to another, a, perfectly natural manner when gliding the favor, afterwards an apparent forgetfulness that such a thing has ever been For many a. trifling. gift there has been exacted thrice. its Worth in spoken gratitude. gratitude is never real. likes to feel that the person who gave him anything is wondering why he does not say more about the gift. .______.+_._.._. (A NEW GUESSING GAME. You know favors ‘sitive person. ther from the selfâ€" acg‘uire. of it. and done. An exaggerated And no one The necessity for amusing and en- at evening as led to the invention of A new tertain-ing one’s guests gatherings 11 many guessing games. ingenious one consists of words ginning with câ€"aâ€"t, an'd Was called “A Quest for Queer Cats.” questions swers, are given below: 1. A place for (Catacomb.) (Catalepsy.) and be- There Were tv. cnty which, with an- the burial of the dead. 2. A swoon. ll. \Vliat is this book? (Catalog-He.) 4. 'A well k'noWn '(Cat.) . An domestic animal engine used for (Catapult) ancient throwing stones. 6. A raft Willi a sail. (Catamaran) 7. Niagara falls. 8-. Cold in the head. 9. A calamity. (Catastroph'y.) 10'. To sieze with the hand; (Catch) 11.â€"â€"A sauce. 12. To question. 13.â€"A well kriOWn plant. fCatnip.) 14. One of the finny tribe. (Cat-fish.) 15. A‘book used in Sunday school. (Catechism.) 16. A large church. 17. A violin string. 18. A whij}. 19. A dupe. 20. 'A plant. '( Cataract.) (Catarrh.) (Catmip.) (Catechise.) (Cathedral.) (Catgut.) (Cat-o-nlneâ€"i ails.) ‘(Catspawq (Cats foo f .) ’ CHRISTMAS CRIMES. Daydawn of nations’ joy and hope. Best day of all the year, Our hearts with anxious cares which" cope, , Are light, and void 0f fear. To-day, as in.the ancient time, He comes to bring “Good will And on earth Peace,” to every climo The angel voices thrill. Supremcst day to childhood given. How showored its blessings down! When the SWect Christâ€"child out of heaven, Came forth their lives to crown! 0!, Wondrous Babe of hallowed East, Not Bethlehem can claim Alone the right to hold thy feast, But all who name thy nameâ€"- Rejoice to-day, whate’er their creeds, lAnd in their souls upspr-ing The impulse high to kindly deeds, And sad hearts make to sing.- No' gift He asks. but He Will take, And bless it from above. If “Inasmuch” for Thy dear sake “The least of these” we love. St. Nicholas and Christmas Tree. Come with unmingled joys, And childâ€"hearts not unmindful be Of poorer girls and boys. "More blcst to give than to re- ceive," And surely this glad day, ‘ The blessings of the Christ-child- breathe, . - How shall we Him repay? N. E. Watts, Victoria Villa, Malton, Ont. CHRISTMAS CANDIES. Fudgeâ€"Put one tablespoon of butâ€" ter in a, saucepan, a-rld three cups of sugar and one cup of milk. When the sugar has melted add four or five level tablespoons cocoa. Stir and boil 15 minutes, take from the fire, add one teaspoonful vanilla, stir un- til creamy, pour upon buttered plates, and cut in squares. This is the best and cheapest rule, as the cocoa is more digestible than chocolate and the starch makes the fudge creamy. Some cocoas are richer than others, and four level tablespoons are sulfi- cient. Sugaer Popcornâ€"In a, large kettle put one tablespoon'ful of butter, one cupful granulatedsu‘gar, three tableâ€" spod‘nfuls of water. Boil until al- most candy, then add three quarts of popped corn, and stir with wooden cake spoon or fork until cool. Each‘ kernel will be separate and well suâ€" gared. If preferred the corn may be prepared-with flavored candy, colored with fruit coloring or red sugar, or, chocolate melted with the syrup. Nuts may be prepared in the same way. Peanut Brittleâ€"Shell. and chop roasted peanuts to measure one pint. Put two pounds of granulated sugar in a clean frying pan, over a slow fire. Stir after it lump‘s until it melts and colors slightly; then add the nuts and pour quickly upon but- tered tinsâ€"press out as thin as posâ€"- Bible and break up when cold. Butter Scotchâ€"One (-upful brown sugar, one-half cupful of water, one- tablespocmful of Vinegar and a gener- ous teaspoonl’ul of lmttm'. Boil for 30 minutes or until it threads. your on buttered tins, and when partly cool cut in squares. ' Paper from the inside of cracker boxes or \vaf’fors us well as all small boxes and candy boxes a-‘hl to the look of hmncnuulc candy. A certain number of girls who :Yways have charge of tho candy table at their rhurcli fair rsfâ€"z a.‘l their acquaint- ances to save as mnuxr pretty boxes for them as possible during the year.‘ They solicit nmnuyâ€"bt‘w materials and then refill the boxes with their own lion - bans. Everyone who buys knows that the name upon, the box is not the name of the maker, but judging by their‘ sales the candy must be considered “justas good.” ~+W A BIT 'OF CI‘IRISTIVIAS COUNSEL. When Christmas comes, it is well to get out of ourselves. Out of the rut, too, if possible. There are Christmas ruts, worn deep and fur- rowed as by ploughshares in the soil of our minds. We think we must. bestow a certain number of presents. We ticket off the names of kith and kin and acquaintance. We spend more than we can afford, and, if we are very foolish, we mortgage our, future.tranquillity by running into debt. ()nc hears a tired Christmas. shopper exclalm, with a breath of relief, "Well, I’m thankful there’ll be no more of this for another year!" Such Christmas-keeping is a des- poilment of the'glad day, a defaceâ€"v ment of God’s rich gift, sent us in lovingâ€"kindness. When bestowal is a burden and ac- ceptance becomes critical, and the dearest day of all arouses no en- thusiasm, the ungrateful Christian has missed the Christian benediction. Why not go forth and get something from the many Who have been light-- ing their little torches of-courago~ and hope at the world’s great bon- fire of glory and jOy? - Why not ex- pect something very precious and“ put yourself in the attitude of re- ceiving it? . ‘ ____~__.+___â€"â€"â€"- “ I hunting the 'wrcn' vis a Christmas; custom in the Isle of Man and pw‘ts: of Il'frl ml. . l. ,. )5 ,.. ‘3-“ .s .. 1' ‘A "L’Z‘A‘AWK . A .4- __-‘_____:.__..