CHILDHOOD'S SLEEP UAS.WBAPPED . HER
BOUND , .
SHUT OUT EV'BY SIGHT AND SOUND ,
AND OF SANTA GLAUS SHE DREAMS-
BRIGHT AND CLEAR THE VISION SEEMS.
CHRISTMAS EVE THIS MAIDEN SEES ,
WHILE SHE SLUMBERS AT HER EASE ,
LEAVES OF JOYOUS MISTLETOE ,
DANCING , GASLIGHT , AND A BEAU.
1
PETER'S CHRISTMAS.
A HOLIDAY STOEY OF LIFE AMONG THE
BOOTBLACKS.
1
[ Copyright by American Press Association. ]
, ETE lived at the
I Newsboys' home
Jin a big Ameri
can city. Pete
Was not-a news
boy , but'the ' way
She camo'tqibe.-at
jthe "h'ome was
] this : His brother
'
| Patsey , 9 years
7 old , was father ,
r mother and all to
Pete , and Patsey
was a newsboy.
Pete was but 0 ,
and too young to
peddle papers , so
Patsey thought ,
and as he was
quite a supcessful newsboy himself , he
could afford to "have his family with
Mm , " as he said. Pete was his family.
There were only those two , and neither
could remember when there had been
any one else in the family circle. It did
not cost very much to live at the home ,
for the charge each day was five cents for
supper , six for lodging and six for break
fast , which for both boys would amount
to not quite two dollars and a half a
week , and "find yer own lunch. "
But first it must be explained that the
home is a place where newsbojTs who
Lave no other place to live can sleep
comfortably and get their breakfasts and
suppers besides , if they wish , for the
small sums mentioned above. Its object
is not only to give them good places to
sleep , but to help them in other ways.
It furnishes its inmates with schooling ,
"books to read and baths , free. It gives
them a chance to save their pennies by
affording each a place in the bank a
great table whose top is full of numbered
slits and offering a reward for the boy
\Viiu uas esuveu iuu niuuuuu
the bank is opened at the end of each
month. It also makes them keep good
hours by refusing admittance to all who
come very late at night. A "home"
isn't the worst place in the world for a
boy who has no parents. In fact , it is a
pretty good place.
But to come back to Pete. He staid
at the lodging house most of the time ,
because Patsey was afraid to have "sech
a little chap" on the streets , and the ma
tron , Mrs. Brown , was very good to
him. She allowed him to remain with
her during the day , and gave him his
dinner when she took hers , because she
said he was a "real help to her , so he
was , " in her , work. He was a quiet lit
tle fellow and very sweet tempered.
The newsboys all loved him , and many
a lad remembered to bring Pete a flower
or a bit of fruit at night. Newsboys are
rough in speech and action , but many a
one has a kinder heart than beats under
a fine jacket.
Patsey , as I have said , supported him
self and" Pete ; but you must not think it
was an easy task. In order to do this
and put pennies away in the bank he
had to work early and late. He sold late
papers because there were not so many
newsboys on the streets then and not so
much competition. Sometimes ho did
not come in until little Pete , who went
to bed directly after he had his supper ,
had been asleep for hours in his little
bunk , with its neat white pillow and
blue coverlet. The great dormitory had
TOWS and rows of beds , built one over
another , like berths in ships , and when
the word "Bed" was spoken on the stroke
of 9 in the room where many of the boys
spent their evenings reading , all had to
go , and those out .much later were fined.
Indeed , no boy was allowed to come in
after 11 , and Patsey was a real hgro to
stay out after that time so that all his
papers might be sold , and then sleep
anywhere he could find a place. Mrs.
Brown knew why he staid , and was sure
he did not hang around the streets until
11 just for a lark , as the boys sometimes
did ; but the rule was strict , and she
could not set it aside for one boy. How
ever , Patsoy was bright and good nat-
tired , and quite a favorite with a certain
set of people'who used to buy his papers
pretty regularly , and he was not often
left with any on his .hands . as late as 11.
It was nearing Christmas time , and
great were the calculations which Pat
sey was making about u "Chrismuss
treat .fur little Pete. " Ho talked it over
with the matron ono 'night , just after
the announcement had been made that
the banks in the big table would be
opened on the'23d of : Dacember , instead
of compelling the.boysto ; wait until the
first of the.mohth ; as Was the rule.
"Ain't it jolly , Mrs. "Brown1 said Pat
sey. "I believe there'll bo a couple of
dollars in my bank , and I'll spqnd every
red cent of it fur Pete. It's lander tough
on-a little chap like him not to have any
folks when Chrismuss comes asTlgive
'iin presents an' turkey an' all therthings
that everybody has then. But I'll make
it up ter him. as well ao I kin , you be .
He's a-gcin' ter hang up his stocMn' , an'
I'm a-goin' ter take him out fur tiptop
grub ter one of them er..in' houses res-
tyurants , us the swell follia calls 'em , an'
we're argoia' ter have turkey an' mince
pie , Mrs. Brown. What d'ye say to
that ? ' And Patsey stopped from sheer
want of breath.
"I don't think Pete need mind want-
hag frinus , Patsey McCull. Isn't it your
self that is u good cnoa Ii friend to him
ter make up for all the rest ? What more
does he want than what you have
planned ? Nothing but a. tree , and may
be we can fix him up with one ; who
knows ? "
"I could git a tree , but there'd be
nothin' to put on it , " said Ptsey.
"Never mind , Patsey , " replied Mrs.
Brown mysteriously : "you find the tree ,
and I will see what we can find to put
on it"
She was thinking of a pair of bright
red mittens she was herself knitting for
the express purpose of keeping Pete's
hands warm when he went out. And
visions of scalloped cakes she meant
to have baked for the little chap and the
bag of candy she had made up her mind
10 uuy mm passed oeiore ner , oniy now
she seemed to see them on a tree in
stead of being laid under his pillow , as
she had intended.
"Hooray fur ye , Mrs. Brown , " shouted
Patsey. "Yer a brick , an' no mean
rough one either , but a nice , smooth
Filadelfy brick , what they uses to build
fine houses with , that's what ye are !
Til find a tree ; trust me for that. " And
the delighted boy when to his bed , di-
PETEIl'S STOCKING.
rectiy over the one occupied by little
Pete , to dream of all sorts of Christmas
delights.
And Mrs. Brown good naturedly for
gave Patsey's somewhat unconventional
enthusiasm.
The treat for the newsboys this par
ticular year was an entertainment
given by some young people who were
charitably inclined and who had nothing
else to give. It was presented in a hall
very near the homo the 'night before
Christmas , and all the boys having re
ceived free tickets were glad to go.
Among other attractive numbers on the
programme was. ono song , ' sung by a
beautiful little girl with yellow hair ,
who was dressed all in white and seemed
ke an angel to the newsboys , who looked
at her with awe. The boys could hear
every Trord , for a child's' utterance in
singing is always very'distinct , and the
voice that sung to them was BO soft and
musical that it seemed to float all around
the room. This is what they heard :
Fear not : for behold , I bring'you ' good tidings
of great joy , which shall be to all people. For
unto you is born this day , in the city of David , a
Saviour , which is Christ the Lord.
The song repeated itself as the music
changed , and again the boys heard :
For unto you is born this day
In the city of David ,
In the city of David ,
A Saviour , a Saviour , vhich is Christ the Lord.
There were other features humorous ,
beautiful and bright , but none took such
hold on little Pete as this. He dreamed
THE CHRISTMAS TREE.
of the golden haired singer that night ,
when other little ones were having "vis
ions of sugar plums , " and Santa Clans ,
and a big dinner. His stocking was hung
close by the narrow bed , and after Pete
had fallen asleep Patsey had filled it
with peanuts and candy , and an orange
or two.
The tree stood ready , and there was
hardly'a boy who had not contributed
something to put on it. This was the
matron's secret , for not even Patsey knew
that she had told the newsboys about his
plans for his brother's Christmas. One
raarired chart cave a bricht new five cent
piece , which Mrs. Brown had some trou
ble in fastening on the tree. Another
brought an Easter egg , which had long
been one of his cherished possessions , and
some put their money together to get Pete
a knife. There was also a toy cap pistol
left over from some.one's lastFourth , of
July , a jumping jack , lots of apples and
popcorn cakes , some candy , a penny
picture book , and "other things too
numerous to mention. " The red mit
tens , hung gayly from one branch and a
squeaking bird from another. A brass
watch'and chain , bought on the street ,
swung fromthe tip end of a third branch ,
.and altogether the small tree was a
startling sight , or would be to some chil
dren used to the graceful , wsix candle
trimmed ones of grand parlors.
When the little fellow woke early
Christmas morning he made a dive for
the knobby stocking which hung by his
bed. Then there was a cry of delight as
he held it up in true orthodox fashion
by the toe , and the peanuts tumbled out
over the oranges and the candy over
the peanuts.
. "Oh ! oh ! Patsey , is they all fur me ? "
he called out. This waked some of the
other boys , and they , with Fatsey , rolled
out of bed and began to dress , because
papers must be sold Christmas morning
as well as any other time.
"Course they is , Pete , " answered Pat
sey. "Ain't that yer stocMn' , an'
didn't ye hang it up to see what udbe
in it in the mornm ? Go 'long wid ye
now ; I don't want none o' yer goodies , "
as Pete held out a handful.
Then the delighted little fellow began
to offer the other boys some , and this so
touched them that they vented their
feelings by various characteristic re
marks :
"Pitch inter 'em yerself , Pete. "
"You're a goose to giveaway what
was give to you. "
"T ilnn'fc pjit nandv before breakfus.
'causa it dent agree with me constitoo-
shun. "
"You're a jolly chap , Pete , that's what
you are. "
"Three cheers fur Pete an' hisstocMn , "
said Komo one. They were given with a
' *
win-'though it was , against the rules'to
xoa ejinoisern. the dormitory , but every
one overlooks such demonstrations at
Christmas , and so did Mrs. Brown.
When all the boys had gene she took
charge of Pete , bat kept him out of her
sitting rconvmnch to his surprise , bid
ding him wait till Patsey should come
home ; eo he played around contentedly
for a while.
"Does you know where the City of
David is ? ' he asked suddenly. "I heard
about it las' night , " he said. "I think it
was a angel that sung it. "
Mrs. Brown was busy just then , and
fihe gave little heed _ to the child's prat
tle and he said no more , but in his mind
was a .vague idea .that ho. should like to
find the place because that beautiful lit
tle girl had sung about it , and so it
must be very nice.
When Patsey came back he looked in
quiringly at Mrs. Brown , and she said
at once , "Come into my sitting room ,
boys. I have something to show you. "
Fatsey's astonishment was nearly as
great iis Pete's , for he thought the small
tree , would not have much on it. There
it was , well filled , and as Mrs. Brown
gave Pete the things she told who each
donor was. Both boys were wild with
delight , but as it was nearly noon when
the tree was bare , they begged a place
to put the treasures in , and started out ,
Pete with his red mittens on proud
hands , to the "restynrant. "
"Patsey , do you know where the city
of David is ? ' asked Pete , as they walked
gayly along.
'Now , Pete , what makes yer talk so
silly ? No , I don't , an' , what's more , I
don't want ter , " said Patsey decidedly.
"This city suits me well enough. "
' "Didn't ye hear 'bout it las' night ,
Patsey , when the angel were singin' ? '
"That were a girl , Pete ; but she did
look like a angel , sure 'nough. I don't
remember the city of David , though. "
Pete trudged on with a sigh. He was
used to having his questions remain un
answered. After a good dinner the boys
started back to the home , but as they
neared the place a group of Patsey's
chums came up and asked him to join
them in some fun thev had nlanned.
The home was a block or so away , and
Pete said he could go the rest of the way
alone , so Patsey left him and went witn
the boys. The little fellow trotted on ,
looking so happy in spite of his worn
clothes and cheap , clumsy shoes that
many whom he met smiled at him.
A fragment of that beautiful song
again sounded in his ears. The city of
David ! He would find it himself , Pete
thought , and though it was but a step
further to the home he turned and went
up another street , resolved to ask a po
liceman. None appeared , and he walked
on and on , thinking that perhaps the
city he sought was next to his own city ,
and if he could only get outside of that
great place he could find what he sought.
More arid more tired grew the little feet ,
and at last , frightened and chilled , he
stumbled on a crossing , just as a dashing
team driven by one of four young men
in the carriage behind came around the
corner. It struck the child and threw
him to one side , the carriage never stop
ping.
There was a rush of bystanders for
the little 'figure , and when picked up
Pete was very limp and weak , but con
scious , and he begged them to take him
to the home. Of course this could not
be done , and Pete was carried in an am
bulance to the nearest hospital , after
which word was sent to Mrs. Brown. It
did not take her and Patsey long to find
their way to the place where Pete lay ,
and she mourned over the sick child as
if he were one of her own. Patsey's grief
when he saw Pete lying in the hospital
cot knew no bounds , and he remorse
fully blamed himself for leaving his
brother alone ; but the boy tried tocon- ,
sole him by saying : "I ain't hurted much ,
Patsey. Don't ye mind. "
"What fur did ye go off , Pete ? ' asked
Patsey.
"I wanted ter find the city as the little
girl sung about , " said Pete. "Nobody
tolled me , so I thought maybe I'd find it
meself. "
When they left him he was bravely
smiling , to try to make them think he
didn't mind being left without them.
They went to visit him as often as the
rules allowed , and each time he said
"Better" when asked how he felt. He
complained of no pain , but simply
wished to lie quiet. tThe newsboys sent
all sorts of nice things to him , and these
attentions were consoling to Patsey as
well as to the sick boy.
For days he lay in bed , growing more
and more feeble , but often talking to
Patsey about how much he wished to
find the city of his search.
"Good-by , Patsey dear , " he said one
day , his arms around his brother's neck.
"I'm a-goin' ter sleep as soon as it's dark ,
so I km get up early in the mornin' an'
find the city. 111 ask every one I meet ,
' ' 11 know. "
an' sure some one
The brothers.kissed each other. Then
Patsey went slowly away to sell his
evening papers. At dusk little Pete fell
tranquillyasleep. . Some time in the
night his search for all things earthly
was ended , and when morning dawned
there was only his body left , still and
white , but with the old sweet smile on
the face. ANNIE ISABEL WILLIS.
Not Up to the Standard.
Mr. Bingo I want to give my wife a
Christmas present of a pet deg.
Dealer ( displaying handsome speci
men ) What do you think of that fellow ?
Mr. Bingo ( promptly ) Not ugly
enough.
What is
'f J ,
Castoria is Dr. Samuel Pitcher's prescription for Infants
and Children. It contains neither Opium , Morphine nor
other Narcotic substance. It Is a harmless substitute
Friend.'f
for Paregoric , Drops , Soothing Syrups , and Castor Oil.
It is Pleasant. Its guarantee is thirty years' use by
Millions of Mothers. Castoria destroys Worms and allays
feverishness. Castoria prevents vomiting Sour Curd ,
cures Diarrhoea and Wind Colic. Castoria relieves
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Castoria assimilates the food , regulates the stomach
and bowels , giving healthy and natural sleep. Cas
toria is the Children's Panacea the Mother's Friend.
Oastoria.
"Castoria is on excellent medicine for chil
dren. Mothers have repeatedly told mo of its
good effect upon their children. "
Da. Q. C. OSQOOD ,
Lowell , Mass.
Castoria is the best remedy for children of
*
which I am acquainted. I hope the day is not
far distant when mothers Trill consider the real
interest of their children , and use Castoria in
stead of thevariousquacknostrumsvrhichare
destroying their loved ones , by forcing opium ,
morphine , soothing syrup and other hurtful
agents down their throats , thereby sending
them to premature graves. "
Da , J. F. KENCHELOK ,
Conway , Ark.
- Castoria.
" Castoria is so well adapted to children that
I recommend It as superior to any prescription
known to me. "
H. A. AXCHKS , M. D. ,
Ill So. Oxford St , Brooklyn , N. T.
" Our physicians in the children's depart
ment , have spoken highly of their experi
ence in their outside practice with Castoria ,
and although we only have among our
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merits of Castoria has won us to look with
faror upon it. "
UNITED HOSPITAL AND DISPENSARY ,
Boston ,
AIXZH C. Surra , Pres. ,
The Centaur Company , TT Murray Street , Now York City.
W. 0. BULLARD & CO.
-toj-
LIMB , HARD
CEMENT ,
LUMBER.HARD AND
WINDOWS DOORS , , , ; LUMBER. SOFT
BLINDS. ' COAL.
O
-toj-
RED CEDAR AND OAK POSTS.
J" . WARRRN , Manager.
TkEffi&I IFF Fn ,
'DEALERS IN
LUMBER !
SASH , BOOKS , BLINDS , OEBBEKT , LIME ,
Also Hard and Soft Coal.
Humpty
Dumpty
on tfy wall ,
soaps have a great fallen
ii7 SANTA CLAUS SOAP
_ , yonr Grocer- W corses tfyeir way ;
yon htuf have " NK'S SOAP
fias corne to s-ay
MADE ONLY BV
NKfAlRBANK&CaCHCM (
H. KAPKE , The Leader ,
FRIGES AND II ? STYLISH WORK ,
Calls attention to the fact that he has just received an
other shipment of the latest and most stylish fall goods , and
that he is prepared to make them up in the most stylish mode
and at the lowest figures. Call and see for yourself.