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* * ' S . * * * v i > , , 4 , * i i " ^ - ^ ^ ^ 1 » '<;f\ '• A->;;'». > \ X ^ r S . - r ' - \ u * y1 • 5;\ .^f r- >-# -V, <W*>\'V* :4$ >M *&'•" k/ ,.« , "i*'fr " - r> 4 •:. > *~ .*/vv*\wv y, ^* T ,;; ^ 4^t./ - ^* i * / - * .<*" **" -* ' r'°v ' ' v>* , imI ,; f'- \ & *•*< '* t •• ;w-/'*'"v.#- '*•*;; •; •«• #Mgi "•f^ if' iCV-i'., THE H'EKNST PLAINDKALBR, THURSDAY, DEO. 13 S' t: p.'i'- """ rf t S? J5aeK fiome Bij NoraC.Boiletj 1NDFUL of the icy air, ICoIUe shook the great feather bed and turned It over. Her block eyes sparkled as she sang, "Where e'er we go, we'll not forget--" *!Mollle! Ain't yon ever comin* to help get breakfast? John Henry's got the Chores done. I hear him comin' with ,<[fae milk." Sue, calling from the kitchen, was skimming frozen cream--yellow and thick--frosa earthenware Crocks. "Horry, Mollie, take up the .Sausage and put the eggs in the skll- ,|et. Set the pies on or Johnnie won't .....Jtnow he's had breakfast. Here he Monies, open the door quick. Are yon ,' * tnost fro re, Johnnie!" "By golly, it is cold, Sue." He dev posited the huge pail, palled olf his • |IT' frozen gloves, laid them on the stove i dearth to thaw and stood breaking *' : . J|its of ice from his mustache. Scrap- ^ , |ng caked snow from his boots on the ' ** fdge of the wood-box, he Said, rjfM^YTroow, Tve got an idee if this keeps •. lip well have a white Christmas." "You'd Joke if you's gona be hung. * j^Tou know tomorrow's Christmas an* itH spoil everything. Too deep for yleighs now--sh--here comes Ma" I "Ain't breakfast ready yet?" complained Ma. Since Mollie and Sue ht bad grown up, Ha--old at forty-flve-- *?&£•.'A1 M:** • ' John Henry, "but I guess hain't so bad after wh i.Jhad donned hei/ lace cap, retired to tier chimney corner to smoke her pipe, init and piece quilts. Her husband ;jiad been shot by bushwhackers; her . , .youngest son had never come back , Jfrom war; so she brooded and grieved. Pretending preparations were for their "8ingin' school crowd" the young folk had invited her brothers and sls- *V; ters to "spend Christmas with her and / icheer her up." "Do you think Uncle '• Ike," Mollie began; but, at a kick un- ^ jder the table, she turned to Ma, "do you think Uncle Ike will ever come ^back?" "Land sakes, no, whatever put that >|pnto your head, child? Who'd leave ! • ipCaliforny to comeback here an' freeze ! %to death?" ifjm "Well, I reckon most folks wanti go #1:^to Californy WHne time," commented the old farm all, when the crops |1 Is fair an' that's most generally. They's still plenty o' firewood and ^ they's apples an' turnips an' 'taters an' a few other things In the cellar. Bossy an' Baldy ain't failed us yet an' they's plenty o' meat la the smoker '.-,0 bouse. Oranges an' fresh lettuce la ^ it mighty fine, but they don't lay heavy . on yer stummick." . i.-i ' "Sour grapes," chlded Sue. "You ' know you'd love to go out there an' %[[j( see all them party flowers an' go ;jpf;vwls swimmin' at Christmas time an' never fy > £ have to go out in the cold to do the _ ^ v/- }/. chores." "Danged if I would," re- \yJ *~J< sponded the loyal one, "the old farm's good enough for me. Christmas ain't no proper time fer swimmin', nohow, "t- a, an' I ain't never been hurt doln' _.' % chorea." </? Throughout the meal, the young peo- • • ' p i e c o n t i n u e d t h e i r b a n t e r ; t h e n J o h n Henry followed the girls to the kltch- J fi en. "They's tracks around the barn," •rf ^ ; he confided; "don't scare ma, but it " might be that half-wit hired man I* """I. fired last fall--up to the Lord knows " what! You gals keep to the house js; an' don't let no stranger in." Appre- Vv., u, hensive of the worst, they promised. Presently the sky cleared. Sunshine * and melting snow were making roads , v more impassable throughout the day. though we cross the ocean blue, no friends well find one-half so true." John Henry carried a shovel of glowing coals to the kitchen and started a fire. Going to the door he examined the gun and set it near. "He don't like them tra<5ks, Mollie," Sue confided over the boiling sirup. "I'll bet It is that half-wit." Their eyes grew big and round. Early to bed and whistling wind brought restfal rfeep and with morning came sleigh bells. Mollie scratched a pe^p-hole in the fantastic frost forest on the window" pane. "It's Uncle Jimmie and Mary Ann. Meet? 'em quick an' tell 'em not to let Ma catch on." "Bet y' we're first ones here," he began, but Sue cautioned him as he gave her a snowy hug. By the time Uncle Hiram and Aunt Betsy and their Ethelbert and Aunt Emerine and Hannah had arrived, Ma had begun to surmise; but at the next familiar Jingle, she actually arose and peered out the window herself. "Fer the iauu sakes, !f it sin t bister Catherine and Sary Jane and Billy all the way from Pike county. Johnnie, what are you children up to anyhow? Who else is comin'?" MDepends on the weather, lfa. Seekon you've guessed It's your party." Ma dropped into her chair, speechless, and began puffing vigorously on her pipe. Her eyes told them she was almost happy. By noon they w«r# there, those brothers and sisters and their children. Some had traveled many miles. Of course, they couldn't expect Ike; but he was often In their thoughts and conversation. "Guess Ike's about forgot what Christmas back home le like," some one ventured. But Ike had not forgotten. He had long been yearning for a fslglft of God's country and some real snow." As soon as be heard of the reunion he decided to eat turkey back home. Ike had gone out West with the fortyniners-- hadn't found much gold; but the city had spread oat att over his land and he had "got rich in spite of himself' Dotfft on the farm t^e dinner table presented a typical feast of the early eighties. "Turkey's done. Where's Johnnie r said Mary'Ann, taking up a hot mince pie. *T11 get 'lm." Impulsive Mollie, forgetful of his warning, ran to the barn. No sooner had yj>m In the Ind All Agreed With the Scotch Proverb. II -- S fcAInt Breakfast Ready Yetf Complained Ma. That night as they sat around the fireplace, a gust of wind overburdened ^the snow on the roof and a portion slid to the ground with a thud and the rattle of breaking Icicles. The girls screamed. Realizing their nervousness was due to the tracks around the barn, John Henry laughed heartily, set , some apples roasting on the hearth, by way of diversion, and cracked black walnuts on the side of a flatiron. Sue fretted about "all them inince pies;" Ma said it was a shame IheyM killed both turkeys, and Mollie declared she was never "so put out In her life." Suddenly/the wind howled angrily, "•Golly, Ma, it's gettin* cold again * feet y' it'll crust the snow over to tolght." "Like as not," Ma agreed, and tike driving wind continued. John Henry added a log to the tire and began fehelling popcorn. Sue nudged tier sister. "He means 'make the popcorn balls.'" Mollie began to fine "Alshe stepped inkide than she saw the "half-wit" dash out into the corral. She screamed. A moment later she heard an intensified "gosh" and a scuffle in the frozen snow. Grasping a pitchfork, she started to follow when a rough hand caught her and pulled her back. Blindly she fought--like a young tigress--biting and scratching. Through the barn door came John Henry half dragging his victim. Bee, you don't need no help," said the man who held Mollie In his grasp. "Was comin' but this young wildcat gave me too much to do. Reckon you're John Henry .and this one o' Samanthy's gals. I'm your 'Uncle Ike Just dropped in for that Christmas dinner. But that varmint you'r^ draggln' In, you'd oughta finished him." "You don't say so! You Jcnow who he is?" asked John Henry. "Reckon if you'd took a second look you'd a knowed yourself." With a loud guffaw, he caught the now reviving young man by the arm and said, "George, meet your affectionate brother and acknowledge your hearty welcome home." "Well, I'll be gol dinged! Thank the Lord I didn't have the gun!" Hugging and shaking his brother alternately, John Henry added, "It's sure one on us, Mollie." He explained how he had been "layin' fer the barn loft boarder" when he heard her scream and caught the man whom he fully expected to be the "half wit." Mollie said she'd "a swore it was him." After the war George had heard that the family were driven out by Order No. 11. Not knowing where to find them, he went to California hoping to find his uncle and obtain news. His long search ended Just as Ike consummated his plans for Christmas; so they decided to make the trip together and "give 'em a big surprise," Arriving aforetime, they slept in the hay and spent a day hunting down by the river. "Our horses are down in the old corn crib," he concluded, "and here we are--a fine looking pair to present at tl^e banquet table." ^ Disheveled they were--bat oh, how welcome I Ma looked twenty years younger. Uncle Ike told his dreams of remodeling the old home; Ma said she wouldn't have "none o' them newfangled things" /In her house. Ike and George finally decided to stay and help harvest the spring wheat. John Henry conceded he might go back with them and pick some oranges off the trees. So; home and California went round the long table. In the end all agreed with the old Scotch proverb, "East or West, home's best." But many a grandchild heard the tale of the wanderers' unusual welcome home for Christmas. (©. m«. NASH GIVES IMPRESSIONS AFTER EUROPEAN TRIP American automobile manufacturers and the American industry generally will not have to guard against any European invasion of the field of Yankee motor car design and engineering in 1929, but lower prices on cars in volume production on the Continent may be expected to add to American car competition overseas, in the opinion of C. W. Nash, president of the Nash Motors company, whose return from a tour of Northern European countries and the annual motor expositions in Paris and London has brought new light on the always interesting- foreign motor car situation. "Mechanically there has been a marked improvement in European motor car design," he said, in Slumming up his impressions of the two months' tour, which included not only studies of the Paris and London shows, but also inspections of key industrial plants in Sweden, Germany, France and England. "The American Industry is credited with remaining comfortably in advance in this respect and also with developing some of the most important of the mechanical features of the manufacturing year; but to my mind both French and English made cars are better today than they were a year ago, and their manufacturers have been able to considerably reduce prices of the cars that are produced in volume." One of the most important changes noted lies in the trend of the European coachwork. "The bigger manufacturers in Europe and we in America are thinking more nearly along the same lines of design this year than ever before," Mr. Nash pointed out. "I have never been more pleased with our own Salon body design and the general charm of the '400* Series cars than after viewing the best efforts of European coachbuilders at the Paris and London ex^ hibitions. The general trend qf the most popular European design follows the Salon lines as far as moulding treatment, length, lowness and grace is concerned. ItjT also parallels our development in composite body building, which makes hardwood complement steel and steel strengthen hardwood in the '400' models. It is no small satisfaction to realize that our own body builders and artists of Europe are of one mind in the matter of 1929 styles. "A year ago at the Continental shows the fabric body was an important feature. This year fev^ fabric bodies were seen while steel and wood construction had come into its own. Excellent work has been done in tailoring and finish by the European builders. The show cars revealed many advanced and pleasing ideas in coloring and striping asd interiors were even more luxurious than in former years. , "American made machinery is now turning out cars for the volume producers of Europe, and the .straightline production system has taken the place of the old and tedious European methods which elevated production costs for so many years. Manufacturers over there have done considerable organizing for their protection in European markets. In England particularly the high import duties, coupled with almost prohibitive horsepower taxes and the high cost of automobile fuel, give the English industries an advantage over American manufacturers that may be computed as approximately a fifty percent handicap. "It is particularly interesting to note t^at in France the pressure of American made six cylinder cars has compelled the French manufacturers to go to the six. French buyers are no longer content with the low powered four cylinder cars they have nursed over the highways for years. They are tired of having to shift gears in order to mount the smallest rises in the ground; and the volume producers have brought out six cylinder models in order to mjeet the national demand. In the big motoring centers American car advancements are keenly felt. Our motor efficiency has awakened the public to new values and has also awakened the overseas makers to a realization of their need for immediate manufacturing improvements. It is hard to put the finger on any other outstanding feature of either the Pans or London shows. I liked the English exhibition best. It was staged better than that in Paris and held more displays than our own national shows, r'llty body builders had separate displays in London and the show committee went to unusual lengtfts in decorating their building and making every display distinctive and interesting." Mr. Nash was the guest of honor at motor functions in ail of the countries he visited Dinners and receptions were arranged for the Nash party, which included Mr and Mrs. Nash, Harold Seaman, president of the Seaman boay company which is controlled by the Nash interests; Eric Wahlberg, chief engineer of the Advanced Six Division; an?t Earl Gunn, chief engineer of the Standard Six Division. In Stockholm the American leader addressed a special Nash organization meeting; and in Paris, where eighteen countries were represented by Nash; dealers and distributors, he was the chief speaker at another internationa Naah meeting. B^r. Nash was also one of the principal speakers at pre-show banquets for European industrial' leaders in both Paris and London. SPRING GROVE Mx. and Mrs. Ernest Peacock were Wednesday callers at the home of R. A. Oxtoby and while there was shaking hands with Mx. and Mrs. Thomas Oxtoby. Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Oxtoby and guests, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Oxtoby, were Wilrnot callers Wednesday at the ho em of Mir. and Mrs. William Volbracht. Mrs. John BAcGainiss and Mrs. John Weber were Chicago shoppers Thursday. .Mr. and Mrs. John Steinke of Chicago spent Saturday and Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Nulk. Miss Fannie Bretz atid Mrs. Mamie Hoffmar. of Kenilworth spent Wednesday with their parents. MSss Fannie Bretz and MSss Veronica Bretz motored to McHenry Wednesday afternoon. Nick Nett, who is employed in the city was home over Sunday. MJrs. Evelyn Mathison of Hebron was in town Tuesday, Mrs. Miaud Carey and daughter, Silvia, returned from San Antonio, Texas, after having spent the past thirteen months with her daughter, Beulah. Mrs. F. J. Wagner entertained the L. C„ W. C. Wednesday at the club rooms. Mrs. Roy Todd of Richmond amended the Lotus club meeting Wednesday. Mrs. John Weber entertained the Afternoon Euchre club at her home Wednesday. > Mr. and Mrs. William Engles expect to move in their new home this week. Miss Keefer, who has been sick the past two weeks, is at this writing a little better. MJr. and MVs. Frank Sandes and family of Hebron were Tuesday evening callers at the R. D. Carr home. Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Oxtoby and Mir. and Mrs. Thomas Oxtoby of Oaks, "N. Dak., were Sunday dinner guests of R. D. Carr. Other callers were Mrs. Ivy Moran and daughter of Trevor, Wis. A little son was bom Sunday night, Dec. 9, at the home of MT. and Mrs. Norbert Klause. Norbert is wearing a broad smile. Mrs. Leon VanEveory entertained the Afternoon Five Hundred ?) Tuesday, at her home. | COTTA Francis Schepers of Crystal Lake visited at the home of B. J» Shine Sunday. • < Merton Gracy of St. Charles spent Sunday at his home here. t ^ , Mrs. Edward J. Knox and daughter* Patricia, of Harvard visited with relatives here Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. John Miller of Woodstock an<| their guest, Mrs. Cromford of Kentucky, cailed on, Mrs. Nels Person and Miss Alice Leisner, Monday. Mr. and Mrs:. Glenn Cole and son of Spring Grove visited at the home of P. A. Huffman Sunday eveniftg. Waliace A. Preston and Stanley Zick of t Benton Harbor, Mish., spent the week-end at the home of M.' Knox. Clinton Sanders of Hebron visited at the home of Merton Gracy Sunday. Raymond J. Riley and Major E. Gates were Joliet visitors a couple of days last week. Mr.and Mrs. M. J. Walsh and son, Quentin, and Miss Ellen Doherty of McHenry visited at the home of M. Knox Tuesday evening. Miss Mabel Knox visited at the home of J. J. Doherty a few days last Mr. and Mrs. Henry MicMillan wet# Wheaton visitors Tuesday. Glenn McMillan is quite sick at the home of his sister, Mrs. J. S. Lynott in Wheaton. Frank Peck of Chicago spent Thursday evening at the home of Henry McMillan. « Charles Davis of Michigan spent last week at the home of his sister. Mrs. Henry McMillan. ^ Sky Loswjt H* ttni The sky is losing Its blue color til some parts of tl e world, according tP Sir Napier Shaw, English meteorologist. who explains that It Is due to the presence of chemical or iroistvp particles produced b> volcanic erofr tfons. Sqhw Diffsrmet If yon want to know the between an old-faskloned blacksmith and the modern garage man, read Longfellow's poem on the smith and then read the bill the garage man has sent you and think of the service he gave you.--Cincinnati Enquirer. Monty Pound One nice thing about lending your hard earned money to the wife's relatives and the like 13 that If one of 'em ever does make a small payment oa account It oeems Just like a Christmas present.--Ohio State Journal. Montreal Old City ^ ^ Montreal Is situated oo an IsIandi^PV ,-5G miles by 10 miles wide, at thefe-"vh-"" confluence of the St. Lawrence nnd^ 1 i Ottawa rivers, it Is one of th* oldew^ * cities In North America. Undo Eben **De man dat sits around doln' nuffin," said Uncl& Eben, "is oftln liable to find lncouragement Some folks, de more dey tries to bresk out an' be Industrious, de more dey gits in de way."--Washington 8tar. ' • > ; 5 » ; ?ejrT^ Bird** Bath . WlHtt the canary refuses te ' bath in tb^bird tub try sprinkling a little clean sand In the bottom of tub before filling with water. The « pery bottom ef the dish is frequently! the reasop for the bird's he about a tub bath. 'fSt J- • v- i *v >'i A * r * E 0 I A i-'Mf l"V • » r£- v. •. V.J * • " Aid to the maid, with a BUA OB iniod -»r. .v y, •*. i f - - - v ; ••• :*kk' 'M Diogmne* Under Suspicion We suppose one rumor they started about old Diogenes as be went peering around looking for an honest man was that he probably stole his lantern.-- Columbus. Ohio. $jtatj> Journal. Biblical Warning Woe unto you who build your pal* aces with the sweat of others I Each stone, each brick of which It Is built is a slnl--From the Book of Enoch. Hebrew work of the Second century B. <V ' - * - Shirts for His Gift or Pajamas f He z^df then. And even: if he had plenty, heM welcome morei--like these. Shirts with preshmnk collars, form-fit shoulders, and exact sleeve lengths that insures perfect fit. ; ; tv .00, $2.50 <*d$3a»d $* Pajamas and lift w/t Decorate Outdoor^ too, at ChriHliMiz Everywhere the custom is growing, of decorating homes for Christmasf outside as well a# inside. With electric lighting and inexpensive strings of gay colored lamps, it is ever so easy to lignt up the porch and, yard, the shrubs ana trees. The lamps used in these aets are specialljl designed to withstand outdoor use and will laslL a' long time. Place wteaths in the windows^J too, with electric candles bravely shining forth the jolly messages of die season. & AltruUtic Position •- p. "We should eat more raw carrots and fewer rare beefsteaks, says a dietician, and Jnsi to prove our aueeitlshoess we are ready (<• turn over all our raw carrots to him in exchange for his fare steaks.--Rprlngfleld Uolnn. I • ta • N«ub*jf 7|ipG«otl*«MHM». simplicity and (. sincere *' fegarri for the rights of one's com (MTiiottR. are the distinguishing marks i»f » fine rharjiHer. TUby" fa ^Skyscraper.** Traveling in a special "skyscraper* crate, a baby giraffe recently went from Its former home in ^outh Africa to Its new abode in England The crate had to be specially con structed because of the animal's long neck, and exceptional precautions were taken to guard Its health tn Its change from the tropical to the temperate climate, giraffes being delicate and subject to many ailments in northern climates. >/•" .r-t/*. f'rea t h with I 0m*Aaor Lighting Set, r j-.'Jlmdoor tree set, $1.93 Arthur extenakm as*, $1.3$ ' VSreotfc with I MUlionairm in Word*., A lot of people Is like one tJC that comes In here regular, observed^ Cash Miller, ctgtfr store philosopher.' He Is fuller erf words on any subject^ than an Ingmince policy and about, as entertaining.--Thrift Magazine. H^tPuVBc SarvUm Store* for ~ far ^Decorating your Soma far ChrUtmm*. ML: •2M-" "" ill- PUBLICSERVIC^ COMPANY it? OF NORTHERNaUN©!* M" it) _,0utant ACconottij; to the latest mates/ the North star Is 300 light years from the earth; In bther words, If at any moment the North star ceased to give out light, the fact would he Unknown on the e«rth for 300 years. S - > * 101 Williams St^ Crystal Lake Telephone 280 f 4. A. Schabeck, District Managdfr 'ds v. •