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

_+o-eo+oâ€"4-o¢o+o+osfvc+o+o+d dent, I ignored. The secon 5 . § i have smoking Christmas 3 WW NWWWQ “Six years ago I, Dave Arnold, was innthe ruck; just one of the great crowd who sweated away their days for a weekly wage that any one of you would give for a good dinn- er. My overalls were just as greasy, my hands as "grimy as those of any toiler who turned out from the works at the clang of the bell. The difference lay in the fact that they, With a Union behind them that guaranteed work, were content with their lot, while I, with the excite- ment of something that dimly was . shaping itself in my mind, was not. A happy inspiration had set my brain at work on the evolution‘of a labor-saving machine that, could I perfect it, would revolutionize an ex1st1ng process and make me a rich man. “Step by step, as I worked at the problem nightly in my garret, the way became clearer. Every hour made its possibility more apparent. Slowly the model grew beneath my hands until one night I went to sleep, successful and .exultant. Theoretically it was sound. To prove it so in practice could only e done by actual experiment. “I was a poor man. I had no means whatever of patenting the inâ€" vention. But I was not to be de- terred.” The reward of my endeavâ€" or was at my finger ends, ' and I meant to grasp it. Seizing the first opportunity I approached the prin- c1pal and requested an interview. My shopmates eyed me askance as I followed him to his office, for I was not popular. . “Inside his room I told him 0 my discovery. At first he was frankly incredulous. Was I not but an ordinary mechanic? It was im- possible that such a man could have achieved this wonderful thing! I read his veiled distrust and my face flushed beneath the grime. I told him as much as was polite until an understanding had been arranged, and saw his expression change. My earnestness of manner impressed him. The possibility of success made him tolerant. Before I had finished he was half convinced of its practicability. I left him with the promise that he would place the necessary power and materials at my disposal, and I should have a corner of the shop partitioned off in which to erect the machine, con": ditionally that if it succeeded he had the option of acquiring it. “Next morning the work com- menced. ‘ “From the first the men evidenced their feelings in no uncertain man- ner. It galled them to think that I, under the favor of the head, had climbed above them and that they were, at least for the time, at my heck. I. “Regardless of it all I pursued my course. “Day and night I lab- ored on to perfect the machine. The fever that consumed me allowâ€" ed me scarce time for sleep. As the idea took shape under my hands a growing anxiety kept me chained by it. The open threats of the men and the fear of its destruction bade me guard it zealously, and the chief, convinced by the manifest signs of discontent, gave me per- mission to sleep in the shop. For For three weeks I never passed be- yond the gates, and the only crea- ture who entered my shop beside myself was the little chap who brought my meals.- “He was a bright little fellowâ€" the son of a widow with whom I lodged. When the great works, save for that one bright corner, were wrapped in gloom, his signal at the window which overlooked the canal at the rear of the premises would gain him admittance. “One night about the time I was anticipating his visit, a gentle knock came at the door of my room. Knowing that the works, save for myself, were deserted, my hand stole to the revolver I had thought it advisable to purchase. “ ‘Who’s there ‘2’ I shouted. “ ‘Mel’ came back the childish treble. Laughing at my fears, I unlocked the door and sternly bade hiin tell me how he had gained ad- mission. “ ‘I thought I'd surprise yer,’ he said, gleefully. ‘You see where the cut comes into the works there’s a ledge under the bridge. round to-night.’ “Gently I rebuked him, warning ‘him of the danger of a slip. He‘ protested his competence to do it on his hands, and the incident end- ed in a mutual laugh. “During those three weeks two attempts were made to incapacitate me. The first, presumably an acci- for my own protection, to report it, and the perpetratorâ€"my erstwhile foremanâ€"was summarily dismissed. That afternoonâ€"it was Christmas Eveâ€"a deputation of the most vio- lent among the malcontents called me out and delivered their ulti- matum. ‘ “Rumor of the purpose for which my invention was intended had leaked out; and the blind fools imagined that it would rob them of their means of livelihood. Deaf to reason, they showered upon me taunt". and curses, and finally left after allotting me twentyâ€"four hours in which to make up my mind. “Twentyâ€"four hours! Why, yes, I could have no objection to that, for by the Christmas night my work would be ended. The machine stood in the room merely requiring the finishing touches. An adjustment here, an alteration of the gear there, and it would be ready for the test. Oh, yes, they might come on the morrow night if they chose. I would desist willingly enough. “All through that night and late 3 into the Christmas Day I labored like a man possessed. Cblivious to everything but my work I strove on, and when at last I' threw down the wrench and staggered back to feast my eyes upon its perfection before applying the power . my trembling legs could scarce support my body. For the last hour my lips had been uttering foolish confidences to it. Reeling into the darksome work- shop I started the gas-engine and, racing back, pulled over the lever. The belt slid gently on the pulley, and on the instant ,the machine sprang into being. . “I had done it! Intoxicated with success I danced irrationally around it, gloating over the wonder of its action. I can remember laughing aloud at the ease with which it accomplished its purpose; and then, with the laugh on my lips, came a stunning blow on the back of my head, and after thatâ€"darkness! “I came back to consciousness to find myself in a strange position. My legs were tied together, my arms were trussed behind my back, and I stood erect, supported by a pendant rope which had been. passâ€" ed under my arms, looking downon the dimly-illumined workshop from what seemed to me a raised plat- form beneath my feet. When I tried to move my swimming head, I dis- covered that a chain had been loop- ed round my neck. “Below me stood two men, whom I recognized as the discharged foreman and one of his deputation. Terror-stricken I stood, wondering at their intent, and involuntarily a great groan burst from my lips. “ ‘A merry Christmas, Mr. Inâ€" ventor!’ burst out one of them, with a drunken laugh. ‘You hard- ly expected us, did yor'l Now lis- ten to me, you dog. Listen to the mon you kicked out o’ of the place he’s worked at sence a lad, for by th’ Lord Harry it’ll be the last speech ye’ll iver hear on this earth. We come ’ere th’ night to stop this thing gooin’ on. We’m late. But, curse ’ee! we’m none too late to finish"ce. That machine 0’ yourn shall send ’ce to perdition! “ ‘Let me tell ’ee now how yo‘ stand,’ he went on, thickly. ‘Under thy feet, lad, is th’ gas-holder, an’ round thy neck is the chain 0’ the travelling crane. -\Ve’m agoin’ t9 start the engine. . . Yo’ know what that means. When Jim ’erc cuts lthat rope which is about thy infer- nal body theer’s three links of chain atwecn you an’ the hanging yo’ deserve. Yo’ shall hear that machine 0’ yourn aâ€"runnin’ merrily, an’ know that ivory whirr of its wheels is tightening the chain round thy neck and draggin’ ’ee nearer to death.’ - “For a brief instant, as I realized their horrible intention, my heart’s pulsations seemed to stop. The next, I was straining at the rope like a madman. “ ‘Cut it, Jim!’ he laughed, ‘an’ see the fool hang ’is blessed self!’ “His words arrested my struggâ€" ling and, even as the rope was sev- ered, I stood inert. The least movement now would tighten the chain and make an end. Springing to the engine the pair set it runnâ€" ing, and the cogs in my machine started off with a whiff. The blas- pheming wretches stood glaring up at me for a moment; then, as I shrickcd aloud in - mortal terror, with a final burst of mocking laugh- ter they were gone. “Again and again I shrieked, but I come, only the echoes of my screams rang through the great workshop. , “I was on a telescopic gas-holder. The engine was absorbing the‘ gas. The holder would gradually sink beneath my feet. How long would those links give me? How long would it be before I felt the chain gripping my throat, tighter, even tighter, until it lifted me from my __________________________________________.__.__._â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€" PM . d was feet and strangled me’! How long? so flagrant that I was compelled, Merciful heavens! How leng’l “The inexhorable whirr of the machine maddened my brain. The rhythmical explosion of the gas seemed to be ticking off my spell of life. I tried to calculate the capacâ€" ity of four inches of the holder and check my minutes by the quantity necessary to drive the engine per hour. But it was useless. My brain refused to act. Ajumble of figures swam confusedly in my head. “My legs threatened ‘to give way. The thought that if I lost control but for a second I was doomed calmed me. Gradually I dropped into a comaâ€"the coma of despairâ€" and one by one the loose links tightened on the chain. “Wildâ€"eyed and mad With the tor- . ture, I stood there waiting for death. Suddenly the last link jerk- ed into line, and as I felt the pres- sure beneath my ear a hoarse scream burst from my lips. As the echo of it died away I thought I heard an answering cry. Surely my brain wasâ€"fooling me! And yet . . . it came again . . . a childish halloa. . . . i ‘ “Great heavens! It was the boy. He had come by .way of the ledge. Running into the shop he gazed around him bewilderly. ‘ “ ‘Willie !’ I whispered, hoarsely. He could not hear me, and the chain was even then lifting my heels from their support. Moist-’ ing my lips with my tongue, I cried his name again. He looked up. He saw me and, with a startled cry, came slowly forward. “ ‘Theu engine 1’ I whispered. ‘I’ull that handle down, quickly!’ He grasped my meaning and flew to the engine room. Clambering on to a box, he managed to reach the lever, and, pulling it down, shut off the inflow of the gas. The engine slowed; the explosions came less frequent, and,.at last, the great flyâ€"wheel stopped dead. ‘Running back, he looked up into my face with wide, staring eye's. “ ‘That piece of wood, Willie,’ I muttered. ‘Get up here, and push it under me.’ He understood. Clambering up with difficulty, he thrust it carefully beneath my feet. / “Taking his knife from his pocket he hacked away at the bonds that secured my arms. Presently the ropes fell away, and, lifting them, I managed to remove the loop from about my neck, to collapse the next linstant a shuddering Cheap at the boy’s feet. He bent solicitously over me and cut away the ropes from my legs. “And then, with a great choking cry of heartfelt thanks to Heaven, I twined my arms round his neck and kissed his face again and again.” v )5. , CHRISTMAS GIFTS. Notwithstanding the fact that to the philosophical mind Christmas is a great comedy of errors in which the actor‘s go about purchasing orâ€" naments for those who want utilâ€" ities, utilities for those who waist ornaments, and both for those who want neither, there is some-thing about the Christmas Spirit that time cannot wither or custom stale. The impediment, as Emerson says, lies in the choosing, and the holiday reform that is so devoutly desired by some Christmas socio- logists ought to be directed to- wards the assistance of the chooser rather than towards the abolish- mcnt of the giver. To choose a gift Wisely is to understand the human heart. ' The dark, unfathomed corners of closets and bureau drawers bear testimony to the numâ€" ber of gifts, the smoking jackets and shaving cases, for which the re- cipients blushed unseen and the oceans of perfume destined to waste 'its sweetness on the desert air. Yet, in spite of this fact, the true ,gift giver is not to be daunted by misfits or mis applied extracts, and “some shape of disgruntled recip- ient. In giving, Emerson says, a ray of beauty outvalues any utilâ€" ity, though he admits that the ne- cessity of the prospective‘ recipient is an aid to the 'gift giver, “since, if the man at my door is without shoes, I have not to consider wheth- er I shall give him a paint box.” The holiday pessimist believes that modern gift giving consists in giv- ing paints to the shoeless and shoes to the lover of paint, but the bless- edncss of giving shines through all such errors and makes the Christ- mas spirit more eager with the coming of each year. V FA! And there are girls who dislike being kissedâ€"by the wrong fellow. Pound Cakeâ€"One pound butter, one pound sugar, one pound flour, nine eggs, the grater rind and juice of one lemon. Beat the sugar and butter to a light cream; add the yolks (beaten light), the lemon, then the whites (beaten to a stiff froth); _and,lastly, the flour. Bake slowly. You'musn’txlook in corners, CHRISTMAS SECRETS. And you ’musn't hear a scund, Because a flock of secrets Is flying all around. i They’ll perch upon theChristma‘sâ€"i I. trees , When weary of their flight, Or they’ll build their nests in stock- ings In the middle of the night. But catch them Christmas more: lugâ€"- For dear old Santa sends In every one a sweet surprise To his loving littlefriends. YULETIDE WISHES. We wish you a merry Christmas While the joy bells sweetly ring, \n'ith happiesthearts and voices ' Praisewe ourgfieavenly’King. Let us join ,in the song of angels With its “peace on earth, good . 1 Will,” ' . While the star“ which has Slione for ages v _, ,. 1 Our hearts and our bosoms thrill; May the peace which passes knowl- edge All hearts this Christmas tide: Eill full, and its joyous massage For aye with us abide. ‘- . â€"- .z:â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€" FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS. As Christmas approaches and you prepare your gift list, resolve: To buy no present that you canâ€" not afford. : . To givefnio present that you would rather keepyourself. ~ To send no present that might as well be labeled at onceaR. R.-'â€"-. “Receive and Recriprccaté.” To remember that the shop girl is human and not a machine. To do your shopping as early as possible. ( strength for, so that when Christâ€" mas Eomes you won’t be “just tired to death.” To.make up your mind as far as possible what you want to buy, and about how much you can spend, before you enter a shop.- ., To keep your temper always; To observe the law of suitability . . . p in givmg of presents; why send the poorest of your friends a fiftyâ€"cent present and almost break yourself by spending as many dollars for a gift for the woman whose life is-a regular cake walk of luxuries? To remember that painstaking care exercised in the choice' of a gift is an evidence of love'on the part of the donor. ‘ To be happy as you can and make others as happy as you can. To remember your'sick or sor- rowful friend. ‘ To realize that it is useless to ex- pdct a merry Christmas if you have to face the New Year in a financial condition verging upon bankruptcy. To try, when buying the doll for your own little girl, to get one that - CHRISTMAS “DONTS.” â€"_ ’ ms..- (rein~ ofx~Pltfallsfmto be Avoided by Sterner Sex. A woman correspondent to the London Daily Mail gives the follow- ingadvice to men: . “Why sli’ciuldi‘i Christmas depres- sion beflmonopolized by men,” she asks, “when women are troubling iheir hearts about the harrowing; surprises; which await them on' presents from their'menfolk’l learned by heart: ‘. ‘_ ,1 I “Don’t go into a fashionable mil- would rather have a 30 cent model does not. _ . . “Don’tlbuy gloves of thesire' side and.or_c_ler..half a size’darger. “Don’t buy her a jet necklace be- cause your grandmother used to that Sparkles. “Don’t buy your wife an improve mg book on ‘How to Keep, House do._. your wife. “Don’t get ‘somvethin-g usefuliforj' of the impression thatitis sigior ~ “Don’t buy your finan'c'ee‘_~ a‘ mistletoe brooch, and then ber'fur-i- an ancient customs “Don’t buy ‘her’ skates if She '~ 1 I ~ ’ ' ’_ - . C‘ ' ' ‘ . _ To Shop only as muchflsvyou have can t skate. ohe Wlll expectiyou to teach her. _ . ~‘--‘Don’t be too proud to take these- ‘don’ts’ froma merewoman.” I ' ‘1‘." . . ' tions that celebrated the birth of the‘ new yearvywith feasts and adornments of evergreen, holly and ’ mistletoe. ' The. early Christians adopted some of 'the customs bf the early ages, this among others. It is wise to keep the birthday of the Prince of Peace as a festival, that around it may cluster our most halâ€" lowed associations. It is’the time for all that is good and beautiful to be cherished anew; for the-giving of good gifts-and good, wishes. It is the time for broken links'to be mended, for strife to be forgotten, ” for kind words and deeds, and for sweet forgiveness, It.is the time for those who have wealth to think of the poor and needy; of the homes where the Christmas guests will be . only want and care; where'there is some poor Chlld can hug ,to itsan hope in the heart ands-no light warm little heart. ' To remember that children never forget their early Christmas days, and it is worth a sacrifice to make them so full of joy that in after years the memory of them shall be a precious possession gilding all their childhocdg‘ ~ To bear in mind and never lose sight of these facts: That the keynote of Christmas is giving, not getting; that generosity is false when it is forced; that bar- ter and exchange are not giving; that Christmas will be truly happy to us just in proportion that we bring happiness to others; that the very first Christmas gifts of all were laid at the feet of a child of TWO CHRISTMAS CANDIES. To make opera creams take two cups of sugar, threeâ€"fourths of a cup of sour cream, three-fourths of a cup of broken walnut meats, one teaspoon of vanilla, 3. pinch each of cream of tartar and salt. Mix sugar, cream of tartar, sour cream and salt. Cook on the back of stove, stirring carefully to remove all grains. When the mixture is Christmas in the house. Those who are in sheltered homes a . surrounded by all that'makes life,“ I beautiful and glad, upon whom'fl should I, , . think deeply of these things this}; “ rich gifts are lavished, Christmastide. The coming of Christmas to the childrejn is an event looked forward to with undisguised delight. Their belief in Santa Claus, and a host of other juevenile myths, recalls our own juvenile interest in bygone days. It a beautiful belief, and there is no need to destroy it. The practical duties of life will all too soon dispel the illusion. The roâ€" mantic, the fairy~like, the unreal Christmas lore of all nations has furnished substance for brush and pen from time immemorial. It lingers with us of adult years like. a pleasing dream, and serves to keep our hearts younger and fresh- er, and more alive with human sym- pathy. On Tuesday the Christmas chimes will peal from ocean to ocean, and will fill this great continent with one grand swell of melody. Glad ringers will pull the ropes, and with its wonder, its perfectly smooth, move to the front sweetness, and its mystery, will of the stove and minutes, or until a soft ball is formed, when a few drops are put into cold water. Remove from the fire and beat until a cream is formed, then add nuts and flavoring. Pour, cool, and cut into squares. For Sultana Chocolates.~«Soak over night a small amount of the best sultana raisins in a little French Brandy. Work plain fond- ant with the fingers until it is soft and creamy and flavor slightly with vanilla. Mold the fondant into small round balls with a raisin in the middle of each. Let these cen- tres stand until the outside is dry and firm, then dip into melted bit- ter cliOCUlat-e and drop on wax paper. boil about five burst upon us once- more. The full [choir and the organ’s diapason will fill the churches with triumphant beauty and harmony. The choral melodies pcaling far and near bring to humanity the force of the mean- ing of the word Christmasâ€"JChrigt- mas.’ How blessedly ring out the strains ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo,’ most beautiful and blessed because it is everywhere the Day of our} Lord. . Christmas is here. Heart touch- ing, joy-bringing Christmas, day of days, natal day of the Saviour, and our tempe‘f'atc pulses throb with quickened life and the promise and gpotency, of the future. when to the lends of the earth will be felt the I‘Good-will’ in the sacred promise. "Christmas \m‘oiin‘i'ng‘? in - the shape. of. ' “The following don”t shouldbev: liner’s and order the meet expenâ€" i SlVe hat she can make. 'A woman ' ‘ that suits her than a'$25 l i wear one. C‘She’ not your grand- , 'mother,“and she likes something; on 50 cents a weekfi, The lieuset I' keeping bills will'increase If‘you; " ""Don’t buy thekbaby a newt-frock? H . and “call it a Christmas presientforj "“i'g‘fi‘, She intended'to}:make'i : “ you buy that frockafter 'Ch'ristmas._," the house}. She. cannot rid‘hcrsel-fr I her and half adOZen 'forybniéSelfifiji ious if other men endeavor. to fellow . ,j THE FESTIVAL Lori cHnISTnAS‘; _’ Far back in thcfimiSts .of antiqg, " uity, historians .find‘ various na- ‘she’ confesses to. Be on_.thei.safe . , n“ ;-« 5.1.3.5...) x x_ - =-_ I I‘y‘imil ‘4 l l - --..<v.-s' i 1’ - ) ,> 7 . .P :‘i I l P i ‘1’ .) ( ‘-.'-‘ J i l M" A .n kg..- .“ j 1â€",. “3. V 1.