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I’ Canny, J ples'and dried plums to Gelynotte and Morean to fill the sabots of the little ones. Et in secula seculorum,” mur- mured M. le Cure. who then resumed the reading of his breviary, which had been interrupted by the numberless preparations for the fete of the follow. ing day. He bent his spectacles anew over the book, closing his ears in vain to the joyous outbursts which rang throughout the place on this the eve of the day so blessed. Joy filled the air and troubled his meditations. He could not prevent his paternal heart from sharing in the innocent pleasures of the flock over which he had watched and to which he had ministered for more than 30 years. This year, for the first time in his life. the cure was to celebrate the hoiy anniversary with a delight less intense. :/' Father Lamlers 'fi L-- New (assock. .) “Jeanne. you will give nuts, red ,LL- “mum-2w, navn YOU MY CASSOCK?" a heart less light. than usual. Care ir- ritated and troubled his serene benevoâ€" lence and checked his compassion for others, his forgiveness of wrongdoing. Play actors were installed opposite the rectory, at the Hotel du Dauphin, at the other side of the square. What a trial it had been for him! For ten days they had been there. Soulaire had seemed as though seized with a fever. At each corner of the street many col- ored posters were to be seen, and in front of them groups of people gath- ered, commenting upon the spectacle of the previous night or that heralded for ‘ the coming evening. The streets, which. i as a rule. were deserted at 9 o'clock. were thronged until after midnight. From end to end of the little town the merits of the respective players were talked of. A roll of drums was heard beneath the window. and M. Lamier sprang to his feet. The nasal voice of Father Onesime. ’the public crier and game- keeper. was heard distinctly calling aloud in the same tone as the worthy man ordinarily invited the citizens to kill the white worms or to muzzle their dogs: A bird upon a holly spray, Sang sweetly all on Xmas day: “Good momw, folks. How do you do? A merrie Xmas, all of you!” Ye rich, ye poor, ye old, ye young, Heard welcome of yts joyous tongue, And all were glad to hear yt day Eâ€"bii'd upon 'ye holly spray. And if you do belieiTe ys true Wt I have told here_i_n to you ‘2; gird upon ye holly spray Shall surely say to you today: “Good marrow. friends. How do you do? Peace and good will to yours and you.” â€"Eugene Field. “Hochary Troupe. Soulaire Theatre (Grain Market), this evening. For the first time the great success. ‘The Abbe Constantin,’ comedy by Ludovio 11:1- levy of the Academie Francaisc. M. Artemon of the Chatelet will fill the role of the Abbe Constantin. Mlle. Valerie. from the theaters of Brest and Algeria. will appear as Bettina. The usual price of admission.” A CHRISTMAS SONG. A roll of wheels announced the ar- rival of the diligence. which halted at the hotel opposite. and the passengers alighted with a great deal of noise. the women precipitating themselves from the interior like a cloud of wasps, deaf- ening the driver. "Late. as usual, Matthew. Where is my new muff? Matthew, where is Totor’s mechanical horse?” And Matthew. with his fat face flushed and framed in the ear laps of his cap. dived down into the hood of the Imperial, which was inflated like a balloon, and withdrew packages and boxes. “Come. Matthew. the abbe’s new cassock.” said Jeanne. “Matthew. have you my cassock?” suddenly’ cried from a window in the, Hotel du Dauphin :1 man who display- ed :1 face covered with soap. a napkin around his neck and a shaving brush in his hand. The driver Introduced his arm anew into the hood and after a careful search drew forth two parcels of un- equal size. “Here is something for you. Mlle. Jeanne. And here. M. Artemon, is all that was given me for M. Hochary’s company. And from the top of the diligence be held out a long. narrow card box to the comedian, who leanell forward to receive it. In its aerial transit the cover, which had been bad- ly tied on. fell to the ground. and a wig of yellow hair was caught by Artemon on the wing. like a flag float- ing in the wind. “Bottina‘s wig!" exclaimed the ex- cited actor. “Bettina's wig and not my cassock. the cassock of the Abbe Constantin. Where the devil have you put it. rascal?” - - A _ALL 750}; {fly ’word 0: honor. I have noth- ing else." asserted Matthew, display- lnz his empty hands- “HOW annoying, fellow! There has been some mistake, mademoiselleu Mademoiselle,” he called despairingly to Jeanne, who had turned away with a majestic air, “are you sure that you have not the cassock?” “Scamp!” said the haughty house- keeper disdainfully. - Down the stairs M. Artemon flew, four steps at a time, and rushed into the greenroom, Where the rest of the company were assembled. His hurried entrance filled them all with conster- nation. - - 7-: A_-_IA Llu. LIV“. “My friends,” he exclaimed tragic. ally, “the posters must be changed or the performance postponed. I can-. not play the role of the Abbe Constan- tin tonight." , y “Artemon,” said a cavernous voice, “what is the meaning of this caprice? LL“ Lvubau .- “Artemon,” said a cavernous voice, “what is the meaning of this caprice? What of the box office money, the ex- penses of the programmes and the ad- vertisements? You know' as well as I do that we are at the end of our re- sources and that our last venture was a failure. Don’t try your Mlle. Mars on us, my good fellow. We play to- night!” “But can you not understand? I have not a cassock!” gasped the un- happy Artemon. letting his arms fall with dejection. 1â€"-_..-..1nn .‘I VV Lliu ULJ»»~.v.â€"- “Cannot a cassock be improvised with a black dress and a cloak of one of the ladies?” hazarded Hochary. “The ladies are much too short and slight,” groaned Artemon, who re- joiced in an imposing corpulency. ' “As for me, I have only the Figaro costume. Peruvian pantaloons and the black coat for Pierrot and a flowered morning gown," said the manager pen- “As for me. costume. Peru‘ black coat for morning gown. sively. tul 1H1 [JU Lcu I. L 650- Suddenly Artemon strilck his fore head violently, and his entire bearing denoted a genuine inspiration. “Ah. my friends.” he exclaimed, In a voice full of emotion, “what a wild hope! So much the worse. I will at. tempt the adventure. It is our only hope ot salvation.” In a few words he explained. “Come to my a'rms. my son!” ex- claimed M. Hochary. extending his legs with enthusiasm. .. ‘ n 7'~L LI.- ICba II ‘5“ _________ And Artemon ran 06 to finish his shaving, to don his black frock coat‘ and then direct his steps to the cure’s. Happily for the actor, Jeanne was absent putting the last touches on the church decorations, and it was one of the chorus children who innocently opened the door of the rectory and in- troduced the visitor into the room where the good cure was terminating his seat like a statue. His good. rosy visage, usually so calm. was now flush- ed to the roots of his thin. white hair. and instinctively he clasped his book to his breast. Meanwhile satan's instrument bowed ; deferentially. ._ _,._ . 7AA “No, M. 1e Cure alms we ask. D cassock!" “My onssock!" mior. astonished. sock?" “The (Most and most wdrnout In your pussession. one that you may have thrown aside,” Artemoni hastened to huhv Iv â€"~__ say. “I am to play tonight the role or the Abbe Constantin. and I cannot repâ€" resont my character without conform- i-::.- la its demands and carrying out its sacerdotal dignity.” M. Lamier sprang from his seat. “Do you think for a moment. mon- sieur,” he said, overcome by surprise and anger, “to profane a gown that has served at worship and to make me the accomplice of these sinful amuse- ments? Your ignorance respecting holy things and religion is your only exâ€" cuse.” “Pardon me, M. le Cure," continued the‘ actor, slightly embarrassed, but not the less determined. “It would not be the first time religion has lent‘lts aid to the drama. Do you recall the celebrat- ed mysteries of the middle ages? More- over, I was educated in a seminary, and it was there I was led to adopt the vocation of actor in playing the role or Athalie for the fete of the superior.” M. Lamier. Without being disarmed. looked again at the actor with new interest. If this unhappy man had followed a bad calling. his point of departure. had at least been good. His heart could not, therefore, be corroded throughout, and perhaps it would be possible to point out to him the error of his ways. ‘ V “How cbmes It.” said the abbe, with bitterness, “that you play on Christ- mas ewe?” “Alas. M. le Cure." replied Artemon. with simplicity, “we must eat on that night, as on any other!” M. Lamier was touched to the heart by this reply. “Poor fellow!” The soul of the good priest was filled with grief. He felt too unhappy to refuse the speaker anythinfi-_ “Bl-1t,” he gréaned. looking plaintive- ly at Artemon, “can you not choose another piece rathey than expose a servant 6t God to the risk of such a. sacrilege and also to risk perverting the souls of those disposed to be ter- vent ‘2” Ivgxi’c'emon approached him‘ confiden- tlally. “You see, M. 1e Cure. you have never attended the theater.” V‘V‘Butâ€"well. certainly not,” replied the abbe, startled by the very idea. “It is for that very reason that you regard It as a place at evil. Why. the 71:2 Cure," be said; “it is not ask. Lend us simply your gasped the Abbe. La- “You wish my cas- theater is the school of morals whicfi seconds those of the church. Our dra- mas are simply sermons put into ac- tion. There is no piece in which virtue v.â€" is not lauded and vice and hypocrisy scourged. Ah, it is a noble work, that of the comedian, in the eyes of those who understand it!” “What a pity this Artemon is not a. preacher!” thought M. Lamier, fasci- nated. “His large face, closely shaved, with its cheeks like 3. Dominican, would look very well in a pulpit, and his insinuating voice and speaking gestures would be very eflective for good.” â€" ‘ â€"‘â€"â€" A‘-A_A -.... “Among us, I dare to say. there are many good fellows," continued Arte- mon. “Unftedi'househoms, good moth- ers of families. good citizens, abound with us.” ‘V -vâ€" â€"~- He proceeded to cite examples. Mlle. Valerie, a child of the stage. who was the support of her parents; M. and Mme. Hocharay, models of conjugal ten- dernessâ€"one and all held their hearts in their hands and never refused a service or kindness to a comrade. never refused to do a good work. a good ac- tion. hav-u “Is an actor ever'to be seen on the culprit’s stool except for debt?” said the comedian, bringing his warm pan- egyric to a close. “It is true we'are, for the most part. roving grasshoppers, and grasshoppers have not any more chance today than they had in La Fontaine’s time.” The words were spoken with dis- couragement, owing to the immovabil- ity of the cure. As he spoke the actor arose and brushed his hat with gloomy energy. ‘ “ ‘ , n1...11 CMDLbJ . “Well,” he sighed, “we alone shall pass a sad Christmas while all the world besides will be blithe and hap- “Vl- I When, before the gloriously illumi- nated altar. the good pastor extended his arms lovingly above the crowd kneeling before him. be trembled with joy to perceive. at the lower end of the lateral aisle, among the workmen and laborers. a group of men and women with weary faces and varied cos- tu-t'r-I-eszins bowed their heads CLOTHES TO THE THEATER?" specti‘ully under the benediction. The poor people had also arranged a little surprise for their benefactor. and the weak but expressive voice of Valerie sang with warmth the “Christmas of Adam." accompanied by a harmonium. “WHAT? ARE YOU GOING TO L'END txuauu. “CLULMI JJJJJJ _, Whatever may have been their past. 01‘ whatsoever the future might have in store for them, for that hour at least a ray of God's grace had filled their souls, recalling the sweet and holy remembrances of thelr childhood. “Peace on emth and good will to- wald men! Hosanna In the highest!” The Abbe Lamier. in an ecstasy of mercy and love. raised his dazzled eyes toward the vaulted root and seemed to see at this sacred moment. among the quivering wings of the anâ€" gels and the sparkle of the stars. the luminous smile of the Saviour who walked upon the roads of Samaria and Galilee. surrounded by the miserable and worthless. and whose feet the sin' tul woman had wiped with her golden limits-San Francisco Call. ‘WATCHMAN-WARDER: YOIm HRISTMAS the festival of all others most closely identi- fied with the home. The 210‘ stirs our patriot- ism. E 3st e r brings the glad- ness of opening spring and out- d o o r freedom, but Christmas-i tide, coming, as it does, in the winter season, invites to indoor cheer and cozy hospitalities. Besides, it is pre« eminently the children’s celebration and their glad vacation from the tone tine of school. They say, with our Hoosier poet: Ust to almost cry fer Christmas, like a youngster will. Fourth o' July’s nothin to it. New Year’s ain't It is also the tenderest, honest nou- day because of the religious observance of the birth of Him who brought us the new teaching of peace and good will to all men. If the farm is the‘ ideal home, then we should endeavor to observe this home festival in the ideal manner. Our great farmhouses must not be cheerless barracks. They must become the cen- ters of old fashioned merriment, visit- ing, feasting and hospitality. They must cling closely to the ancient tradi- tions of the day and follow the same spirit of geniality. of present giving. minstrelsy. harmless revelry. and, above all, of kindly benevolence and thought of others. An ideal Christmas requires thought long beforehand unless the purse is unlimited. Costly gifts are not neces- sary for a joyous day. but loving kind- ness must illuminate each little remem- brance, or the candles on the tree will i be but dim tapers. The glad day comes. The usual church or Sabbath school celebration has been enjoyed the evening before by all the children. but it is in the home festivities we are interested. For an ideal day we shall have the wee ones trooping down in the early morning. waking every one with their “Merry Christmas!" to see what Santa has put in their stock- tags. A month harp. a jackknlfe or a doll. some joke and a bit of: candy they find and scamper back to bed happy as need be. After breakfast the good cheer of the morning is in the arrival Vuvw- 'â€" of the married children or other rela- tives and friends with the greetings and joy of reunion. Now the gifts are interchanged. Perhaps a real Christ- mas tree. with its queer fruit from all lands and its gaudy trappings. glad~ dens the heart of all. but the chief glo- When {be my. haired lather Ices round his bond The old. broken links of mecdon restored; When the can waded man seek: his mother one: below. ant moisten: the lip "Id win: brightens the eye. What all: back the put, hue the rich pumpkin pie! more And the m unavâ€" ' show. sing “Suwanee River." “Down the Ohio.” “Honey. You’s My Lady Love." recite Riley’s “Mighty Lonen some Waitln When the Folks Is Gone" or “Little John's Christmas." one of Uncle Remus’ stories of his “Hard Road to Trabhle.” A single person may give an evening’s delight for the whole party in reading aloud “Bird‘s Christ- mas Carol" by Miss Wiggin. After all is over the young people. disguised as wandering troubadours. may serenade their neighbors with Christmas carols. Who would run away from life on the farm because of its dreariness if the luv-w ~â€"‘â€"â€"..- homes were thus made attractive?â€" Breeder’s Gazette. A Belgium Christmas Legend. The children of Belgium have a charming Christmas legend about San- ta Claus’ pony. They always place their woolen sabots on the window ledge. stuffed full or oats. hay and fodder for the “dear Christmas pony." In the early morning they run on tip- toe to look. and, behold. the hay is all goue, and the shoes are brimming over with toys and sweatmeats! Then the children clap their hands with glee and wish they could only have waked in time to see the pony munching his oats. That would have been such fun! -â€"Ella F. Mosby in St. Nicholas. of theiday is the family dinner ..' Oysters. Chlckeh Gumbo. Patties of Mushrooms Broiled Shad. Cucumbers. Saddle of Mutton. English Style. Potato Croquettea. Turkey with Chestnuts and Trufllec. Stufled Green Peppers. Roast Sweet Potatoel. Ruddy Duck: Escatole Salad. Brie Cheese. Plum Puddtng. Hard Sauce. Ice, Cream. Fruits Cakes: lint: and Mn I Not Necessary For :1 Joy- Harmless Revelry to Cel- 1e Most Tender ot Holi- : Children’s Day. l' worn matron smiles when the girl smiled tenderest, holiest holi- Ch ru‘tmul Menu. CHRISTMAS Decoration of Evergreen- and. Flow- ‘ er: In of Pusan Origin. The Christmas decorations may have originated in the saturnalia or in the old Teutonic practice of hanging the interior of dwellings with evergreen as a refuge for sylvan spirits from the inclemency of the winter, but the Christmas tree is of German origin. It is their chief ornament and symbol. It is not used for the hanging of gifts, but it is used entirely as a bright orna- ment. being made to glisten with lights and tinsel. It is kept throughout the 12 days of ‘ Christmas and at intervals is lighted and on New Year’s eve is lighted for all night. The custom of decorating dwellings In": no; “'F' -,,, , _ Christmas and at intervals is lighted and on New Year’s eve is lighted for all night. The custom of decorating dwellings and churches with evergreen was known by the Christians to be a rem- nant of paganism and was forbidden by the council, but it had too strong a hold to be given ug. “' 1 an. UVL‘J Irv ~v G' Evenin Boston Justice Samuel Sew- all cried out against it, but it crept to its place by degrees. Holly and ivy were favorites in Great Britain, being regarded as sacred emblems of the season. - -avâ€"- families to insure a lucky year. "iiâ€"he mistletoe was held in so much veneration by the pagans that it was cut with a golden sickle by the prince of the pears. The introduction of flowers to the tokens of festivity seems to have ex- isted universally and at all times of history. It was a pagan manifesta- tion of rejoicing, and. although forbid~ den by the early church and de- nounced by the Puritans of New Eng- land, it became a general custom. While ohliged tovgive credit to early and heathen notions for much of the Christmas which we so fondly cherish, we can but remember 0111' 0WD Ben- Shanda-axon a Diversion Popular In England. Little known in this country, snap- dragon is a diversion in which in Eng- land young and old participate through- out the Christmas season. Apparently it is a dangerous pastime. Really it is harmless. and no one ever suflers an accident through playing it. Babies of 3 or 4 years engage in it with great glee, in which there is an admixture of fear, but nerve generally conquers, and once in the game they cannot be and once in I kept. out of it. The requisites ot snapdragon are one or two large platters such as roasts are served on, some large, fat raisins, a little brandy or gin. a match and a darkened room. The platters are ar- ranged thus: If there is but one and ,A 2â€" CHRISTMAS GREENS. the number of participants is large, then two platters are laid. one at each end of the table, or there may be two small tables. with a platter on each. Next the raisins are laid over each platter, singly and at short distances apart. A small quantity of brandy or gin is then poured over each platter and ignited. Put out all the lights in‘ the room. leaving none but that from the dancing blue flames in the platters. Everybody looks weird and feels un- canny. and the fun begins. Each par- ticipant “snaps” at a raisin on the dish, and, hit or miss. the blue flame clings to the fingers in writhing. forked tongues. thus providing the “dragon.” The raisins are all finally secured, the flames die out. the lights are turned on. and the company is ready for another diversion. unless. as is often the case, there is a call for a repetition of the fun just ended-San Francisco Post {nééé‘is a call for a repetition of the fun just endedâ€"San Francisco Post Magazine. Bearing Home the Yule Log. In the Black mountains at the pres- ent day the custom of bearing home the Yule log is still carefully observed in all its ancient detail. The housefa- ther tells the chosen trees. Then he utters a prayer and carefully lifts up his log and hears it home on his shoul- der. His sons follow his example. each bearing a log for himself. The fa- ther then leans his leg up against the house. being very careful that the freshly cut end is uppermost. The lesser logs of the other members sur- round it. and this is the Glavni Badn- jak. As the housefather places each log he says. “Veseh badnji danl" or “A merry log day!" . The tire thus kindled was not allow- ed to go out until the following year or great evil would befall the house- hold. The fagots of the old fire lighted the new logs and then were carefully extinguished and stored away among the household treasures. 7 ln the high- lands of Scotland to this day it is con sidered a great misfortune if the fire is allowed to go out. and .often one hears it said. “Yae nae luck, ye’ve lect oot the fler."â€"Boston Herald. Roast Turkey \Vith Chestnutl. Draw. singe. pare. truss and remove the breastbone the same as for roast- ing. Chop up separately 10 ounces of kernel of veal and 16 ounces of pig’s leaf lard and then mix together. Sea- son with salt and spice. adding a lit tle shallot and the liver. both well chopped. To this add also the peelâ€"i lugs of-a dozen medium sized truffles. Put this into a mortar with a gill of stock. pound well and place in a sau- toir to cook for 15 minutes. Let it cook and stir in 40 cooked chestnuts and the dozen peeled truffles. Stuff the turkey with this preparation and roast. dress and pour over a little good gravy.â€"â€"Ex- change. The Christmas carol. with its elevat- ing , and inspiring efleets, corresponds in many ways to the song of praise by the heathens for Saturn at the festival ‘ at ancient m. - Drufds, with whom it first ap- YULETIDE GAMES. much Event of a “1.4. n and making his escape, Venus forging the bolts fall of Phaeton. the lov and its fatal catastroph and Beauty setting the fire with their united p0 0t Jove, e of Se: 9. and ] univers. Wet. From the time of Bear?“ nearly the close of the sevente‘ tury boar’s head was a farm-it. Christmas day. This was an great pomp and ceremony. 1 guests had assembled around five board the procession of appeared. Thenâ€" While round the merry wafi Garnished with ribbons but: At Queen’s college, < bringing in of the boat‘s 1 The turkey as a Christmas (5:; Introduced into England in th: teenth century and is therefore0 antiquity than the huge Sirloin of or the mince pie. Mince pies Were shaped like a manger, as m» Yule cakes given out by 111913;}; their customers. Mince pig Was long ago accepted as mm 0 riches and spices brought bubs wise men to the Child in 2:9 ' The plum porridge later d9: into the plum pudding, Which from 1675. At the old Ch: feasts peacocks and cranes I some of the dishes. Before bun. ed the peacock was carefufly g and after leaving the org; 1; was reclothed with its old 3,1» Boston Herald. A Christmas Tree Feud Dancing Christmas fairies a1“ hance the children's delight 1 Christmas tree and once made. used year after year. Buy up; or more of 5 and 10 cent (10115.: add to the variety have am number some Japanese and 1 dolls. Dress these to represen: in bright hues of Spangled gm iatan or tissue paper and E sprinkle their hair and game: diamond dust powder. Each (101] be provided with a dainty pain wings made from Spangled us least motion will set this 5;) quivering, caan the wings as it in flight. In like Lumen spiral wire to attach the dolls in in; positions over and around t: The eflect is magical. Every fl muses jar enough 10 sum the dancing and circling above and: the tree. as if the invisiblefzil the air had come down to 501 Christmas gleeâ€"Woman's Hon! panion. DECEMBER Glblet Dre-nu To make a giblet dressinsf‘ turkey Fput the Simets and ne saucepan with cold waterand onion, salt and pepper 83“ dry bread that has been brown in the oven. 303 until lets are done. Then main and Chop the giblets fine and Pu: and the stock back into the an dredge with a little flour and 8‘ brown gravy from the bottom pen in which the fowl was COOP er skimming of! the fat. serve 11 gravy boatâ€"Selected. Wu brought the lusty brawn By old blue coated serving m; Then the grim boat’s had from Created with bays and rosem- m Bethlehcm's plains 8" “ Bethlehem's harvest 5‘ As when angel b31135 “1 flaking luminous the = But for long has €935 Sung by that 55m? And for long has 93S That apoalrpse 0‘ Still to Lustrous ‘0" And to Lovg’ s A Christan! uenry m I a favorite dial amt" -‘2‘ met-n HS IO am: 201'.