i t
w to Kp Wafer Col.
Having tried It, I recommend tin
following mode of keeping Ice water for
t long time a common pitcher," says
writer In Woman's Home Companion.
Place between two sheet of thick;
brown paper a layer of cotton batting
ttbout half an lnc-U In thickness; faalen
the ends of the paper and batting to
gether, forming a circle, then now or1
paste a crown over one end, making a
box the ah ope of a stovepipe hat mlnja
the rim. Place thla over an ordinary
pitcher filled with Ice water, making It
6eep enough to rest on the table so as
to exclude the air, ami you will to as
tonlahed to see the length of time that
the Ice will keep and ths water remain
ohi after all the Ice turn melted."
KKLIO OF OLD LOUISBUEQ.
Har-rard'a Cross that Pepperell'a
Mea Bronht from Stronghold.
In a closet In the library at Harvard
College la stored one of the few exist
ing relics of the campaign of Sir Wlll
.'lam Pepperell and bis New Englandors
against the French stronghold of Louls
burg. In the year 1743.
Thla relic la an Iron cross that Is be
lieved to hare adorned a church In Lou
laburg. How It came Into the posses
sion of Harrard la not known at thla
time, aa no antiquarian has ever taken
the trouble, It appears, to establish its
history, since It became a college pos
session. .
About sixty years ago John I Bib
ley, then librarian at Harvard, found
the cross In a lot of discarded articles
stored In one of the smaller buildings
on the college grounds. It was marked
with a tag, on which was written the
statement that the crosa waa brought
from Louleburg by one of PeppcreU's
soldiers. Mr. Sibley attempted to traco
the history of the relic In order to dis
cover under what circumstances, and
. by whom, It waa presented to the col
lege, but, so far as his successor knows,
be made no headway In his quest.
I In 1841, Shortly after Us discovery by
,Mr. Sibley, the cross was stored In a
mall building that stood back of the
Charles River National Bank, near the
. college. The building waa burned In
1845, and the cross was found In its
ashes, undamaged except for alight pit
ting caused y the heat.
Taken - In hand by Justin Wlnsor,
then librarian, the cross was given a
beary coat of gliding, such as It bad
borne originally, and waa fixed to the
anwall of Gore Hall,ln the library
buLdlng. Here It remained for many
years, until alterations made Its remov
al from the wall necessary,
j It was next stored In the cellar of
,ths library, remaining there until tho
arly '80, when it waa firmly fixed In
the atone peak of the gable over the
entrance to the library. Here It re
mained an object of Interest to all who
saw It, and heard of Its origin until
October, 1S05, when some mischievous
, person broke it off near the base and
carried It away.
1 No trace of the thief waa obtained,
and hope of securing the return of the
Telle was given up, when,' in the nlgut
Jan. T, 1897, the cross waa returned
-to the roof of the library portico and
;placed at the base of the gable, prob
ably by the person who took It away.
Boston Globs.
' root Man I .
' Pearl It was a fashionable Juno
Wedding. Three columns were given
smr to a description of the bride,
i Ruby Gracious I And did the brlde
room attract much attention ?
( Pearl A little. He waa mentioned
)ftS "among those present."
ALMOST A SHADOW.
Caloed SO lbs. on Grape-Nats.
There's a wonderful difference be
tween a food which merely tustes good
and one which builds up strength and
.good healthy flesh.
' It makes no difference how much we
sat unless ws can digest It It is not
really food to the system until It is
absorbed. A Yorkstate woman aays:
"I bad been a sufferer for ten years
with stomach and liver trouble, and
had got so bad that the least bit of
food such as I then knew, would give
me untold misery for hours after eat
ing. ( "I lost flesh until I was almost a
shadow of my original self and my
friends were Quite alarmed about me.
"1'lrst I dropped coffee and used
Postuni, then began to use Grape-Nut a,
although I bad little fattb it would do
me any good.
"But 1 continued to use tbe food
and have gained twenty pounds In
weight and I feel like another person
In every way. I feel as If life bad
truly begun anew for me.
.' "I can eat anything 1 like now la
moderation, suffer no 111 effects, be on
my feet from . morning until night.
Whereas a year ago tbey bad to scud
tne away from home for rest while oth-
rs cleaned house for tue, tbls spring
I have been able to do It myself all
alone.
"My breakfast Is simply Grape-Nuts
with cream and a cup of Poatum, with
sometimes an egg and a piece of toast.
but generally only Grape-Nuts and
Postum. And I ran work until doou
and not feel as tired as one hour's
work would have made ni a year ago.'
. There's a Reason."
Name glreu by Postum Co., Dattle
, Creek. With. Read. "The Road to Well
Me." In pkga.
. Ever read (he above letter? A
tw one appears from time to time,
cy are genuine, troe, and full of
nan Interest.
Strong and Steady
By HORATIO
CH APT Kit XV. (Continued.)
The boy, who had made sure of a sale,
took hark the fruit reluctantly, and pass
ed on, crying out: "Here's your orange
and apples !"
Walter set about thinking whnt had
become of Ms money. The more he
thought, the more certain he felt that he
had put his pojekcthook in the pocket In
which he had first felt for It. Why was
It not there now? That was a que' ion
which he felt utterly Incompetent to r.n
ewer. "Have you lost anything?" Inquired a
gentlemnn who nt just behind Waiter.
Looking hack, he found Hint it was a
gentleman of fifty who addressed him.
"lVs, sir," he said, "1 have lost my
pocket book."
"Was there much money in It?"
"About forty dollars, sir."
, "Who was that young man who was
Bitting; with you a few rniutites since?''
"I don't know, sir."
"He was a stranger, then?" ,
"Yea, sir; I Dover met him till this
morning."
"Then I think I can tell you where
your money has gone."
"Where, sir?" demanded Walter, be
ginning to understand him.
. "I think your Into companion waa a
pickpocket, and relieved you of it, while
be pretended to be rending. I didn't like
bis appearance much."
"I don't see how he could have done it
without my feeling his hand In my
pocket."
"They understand their business find
can ensily relieve one of his purse unde
tected. 1 once had my watch stolen with
out being conscious of It. Your pocket
book was In the pocket toward the man.
and you were looking from the window.
It waa a very simple thing to relieve you
of It."'
CHAPTER XVI.
Walter went through two cars, looking'
about him on either side, thinking it pos
sible that the thief might have taken his
seat In one of them. There was very
little chance of this, however. Next bo
passed into the smoking car, where, to
his joy no less than his surprise, he found
the man of whom he was In search play
ing carda with three other passengers.
He looked up carelessly as Walter ap
proached, but did not botray the silght
est confusion or sign of guilt. To let the
reader into a secret, he bad actually taken
Waltcr'a pockctbook, but was too cunning
to keep it about him. lie had taken out
the money, and thrown the pocketbook
Itself from the car platform, taking an
opportunity when be thought himself un
observed. As the money consisted f
bills, which could r-t be Identified as Wal
ter's, be felt thai lie was In no danger
of detection. He thought that be could
afford to be Indifferent.
"Did you get tired of waiting?" he
esked, addressing our hero.
"May I speak to you a moment?" ask;
td Walter.
"Certainly."
"I mean alone."
"Then, gentlemen, I must beg to be ex
cused for five minutes," said the pick
pocket, ahrugglng bis shoulders, aa if to
express good-natured annoyance. "Now,
my young friend, I am at your service."
Walter proceeded to the other end of
the car, which chanced to be unoccupied.
Now that the moment had come, he bard-
knew bow to Introduce tbe subject.
Suppose that the person be addressed
were Innocent, -It would be rather an awk
ward matter to charge him with the theft.
"Did you see anything of my pocket-
book?" be said, at length.
Your pocketbook !" returned the pick
pocket, arching his brows. "Why, have
you lost It?"
"Yes."
"When did you discover Its loss?"
"Shortly after you left me," said Wal
ter, significantly.
I m very sorry Indeed. I did not sea
It nave you searched on the floor?"
"Yeas but It Isn't there." '
That's awkward. Was your ticket In
the pocketbook?"
"No, I bad that in my vest pocket."
"That's fortunate. On my honor, I'm
sorry for you. I haven't much money
with me, but I'll lend you a dollar or two
with the greatest of pleasure."
This offer quite bewildered Walter. He
felt confident that, the other had stolen
bis money, and now here he was offering
CO lena uim some or it. lie uiu not cars
to make such a compromise, or to be
bought off so cheap; so, though quite pen
Blless, be determined to reject the offer.
"I won t borrow," he said, coldly. "I
was hoping you had seen my money."
The pickpocket turned and went back
to hia game, and Walter slowly left the
car. Us bad Intended to ask him point
blank whether he had taken the money,
but couldn't summon the necessary cour
age, lie went hack to his old seat. '
"Well," said the old geutlemon who
sat behind him, "I suppose you did not
find your man?"
"Yes, I did."
"You didn't get your money?" he added.
In surprise.
"No, he was perfectly cool. Still, I
think be took it. He offered to lend mj
a dollar or two. Wbat would you ad
vise me to do?"
"Speak to the conductor.",
' Just at that moment the conductor en
tered the car. As be came up the aisle
Walter stopped him, and explained his
loss, and the suspicious he had formed.
"You say the man is in the smoking
car?" snid the conductor, who hud list
ened attentively. "Could you poiut hiin
out?"
"Yea."
"I m glad of It. . I have received
warning by telegraph that one of the New
York swell-mob Is on the train, probably
Intent on mischief, hut no description
came with it, and 1 had no clew to the
persou. I have no doubt that the man
you spank of is the party. If so, lie is
familiarly known as 'Slippery Pick."
"Do you tlilnK you can get. hack my
money?" asked Walter, anxiously.
"I think there is a chaiK-e of it. Come
with me and wint out your man."
Walter gladly accompanied the conduc
tor to the smoking cnr. His old acquaint'
ance was busily engaged as before in '
ame, and laughing heartily at some fa
Torabls turn.
"There he Is." said Walter, indicating
bim with Ms tinker.
The conductor walked up to him en
tapped him on the shoulder,
"What's wuiitrd?" he asked, looking up,
"You v looked at my tic ket.
''I wish to speak to you a moment-."
lie rose without muling any o poos I
Hon, and walked to the other end of tbe
ear.
- ".Well," be said, and there tu a slight
ALGER, JR.
nervousness In his tone, "what's the mat
ter? Wasn't my ticket all right?"
'No (rouble about that. The thins U,
will you restore this hoy's pocketbook"
"Sir," saiil the pickpocket, blustering.
'do you mean to Insult me? What nave
to do with his pockctlsiok t
"You sat beside him, and he mii;s"d it
directly after you left him."
'What is that to me? You may seatoh
me if you life. You will find only on.;
pockctbook upon me, and that is my
own.
"I am aware of that," snid the conduc
tor, coolly. "I saw you take the nnney
out and throw it from the car platform."
The pickpocket turned pnle.
"You are mistaken in the person," he
said.
"No, I am not. I advise you to re
store the money forthwith."
Without a word the thief, finding him
self cornered, took from his pocket a roll
of hills, which he handed to Walter.
"Is that right?" asked the conductor.
"Yes," snid our hero, after counting
his money.
"So far, so good. And now, Slippery
Dick," ho continued, turning to the tliief.
I advise you to leave the cars at the nex:
station or I will have you arrested. Take
your choice." '
The detected rogue was not long in
making his choice. Already the cars had
slackened their speed, and a short dis
tance ahead appeared a small station. The
place seemed to be of very little inipor-
ance. One mn, however, appeared to
have business there. Walter saw hi.'
quondam acquaintance jump on the plp.t-
f or in, and congratulated himself that his
only loss was a pocketbook whose valno
did not exceed one dollar.
The conductor on seeing the pocketbook
thrown awny had thought nothing of It,
supposing it to be an old one, but as soon
as he heard of the robbery suspected at
once the thief and bis motive.
CHAPTER XVII.
Walter stopped long enough at Iluffalii
to visit Niagara Falls, as he had intend
ed. Though he enjoyed the visit, and
found the famous cataract fully up lo !m
expectations, no Incident occurred during
the visit which deserves to be chronicled
here. He resumed his journey, and arriv
ed In due time at Cleveland.
He had no difficulty in finding tho oliicc
of Mr. Greene, the agent of Messrs. flint
& Pusher. Ha found that this gentleman,
besides his agency, had a book and sta
tionery business of bis own.
I don't go out myself," he said to
Walter ; "but I keep a supply of Flint's
bocks on hand, and forward them to his
agents as called for. Have you done
much in the business?"
"No, air; I am only a beginner. I have
done nothing yet,"
"I thought not. You look too young.'
"Mr. Pusher told me I bad better be
guided by your advice."
"You had better go fifty miles off at
least. The Immediate neighborhood has
been pretty well canvassed. There'
Karle, now, a flourishing and wealthy
town. Suppose you go there first?"
"I'll go thia afternoon."
"You are prompt."
Walter arrived In F.arle In time for
supper, lie went to a small public bouse,
where be found that be could board for
dollar and a half a day, or seven dol
lars by the week. He engaged a week's
board, reflecting that be could probably
work to advantage a week in so large a
place, or, if not, that five days at tbe
daily rate would amount to more ihan
the weekly terms.
He did not at first propose to do any
thing that evening, until it occurred to
him that be might perhaps dispose of a
copy of bis book to the landlord in parr
payment for bis board. He went into the
public room after supper.
Are you traveling alone?" asked tbe
landlord, who had his share of curiosity.
"Yes," said Walter. "I am a book
agent"
"Meeting with pretty good success'"
"I'm just beginning," said Walter, smll
lng. "If you'll be my first cutomer, I'll
stop with you a week."
"What klad of a book have you got?'
Walter showed it. It was got up in the
usual style of subscription books, with
abundance of illustrations.
"It's ona of the best books we 'ever
sent out," said Walter, in a professional
way. "Just look at the number of pic
tures. If you've got any children, they'll
like It; and, If you haven't, It will be
Just the book for your center table."
"I see you know how to talk," said the
landlord, smiling. "What Is the price?"
"Three dollars and a half.
"That's considerable."
"Hut you know I'm going to take it
out in board."
"Well, that's a consideration, to bo
sure. A man doesn't feel it so much ai
If he took the money out of hia pocket
and paid cash down. What do you say,'
Mrs. Iturton? uddressing his wir, who
just then entered the room. "This young
man wants to atay here a week, and pay
partly in a book be la agent for. Shall I
agree?"
"Let me eee the hook, said Mrs. Hur-
ton, who waa a comely, pleasant looking
woman of middle ags. "What's the name
of It?"
"'Scenes In Bible Lands,'" said Wal
ter.
He opened it, taking care to display
and point out tho pictures. So Walter
made the first sale, on which he realize'
a profit of one dollar and a quarter.
'It s a pretty easy way to earn money.
he reflected, with satisfaction. "If I can
only sell copies enough. One copy sold
will pay for a day'a board.
He went to bed uarly, and enjoyed
sound and refreshing sleep. He wa
cheered with hopes of suivess on tlv
morrow. ' If ho could sell four copies
day, that would give hi tu a profit of five
dollars, and live dollars would leave him
handsome profit after paying expense.
The next morning af'er breakfast he
started out, carrying with him three
hooks. Knowing nothing of the residents
of the village, he could only judge by
tho outward appearance of their houses.
Seeing a large and handsome house stand
ing hack from the street, be decided to
call.
"The people living here must be rich,''
he thought. "They won't mind paying
three dollars and a half for a nice book."
Accordingly he walked up the graveled
path and rang the front door Iteil. The
door was opened by a housemaid.
"Is the lady o! ths house at home?"
asknd Waller.
"lo you want to see ber?"
"Yes."
Then wsit here, snd I'.U tell her."
A tall woman, with a thlb face and a
pinched expression, presents! herself al
tar five SAittutes.
"Welt, rrwnf man," she asked, after a
harp glance, "what Is your buslnesj?"
Her expression was not very encourag
ing, but Walter wss bound not to lcs an
opportunity.
I should like to show you a new lw,
msdam," he commenced, "a book of
slue, Itoautifully Illustrated, whus Is
selling like wildfire."
"How msny copies nave you sold" In
quired the lsdy, sharply.
"One," answered alter, rather con
fused.
"Io you call that selling like wildlife?"
he demanded, with sarcasm.
"I only commenced last evening, said
Walter, "I referred to the sales of other
gents."'
"What's the name of the book?"
'"Scenes In IWbla Lands.'"
"Let me see It."
Walter displayed the book.
"Look at the beautiful pictures," he
said.
"I don't see anything remarkable about
em. The binding isn't very strong.
Shouldn't wonder if the book would go
to pieces In n week."
I don't think there'll be any trouble
hat way," said Walter.
"If it does, you'll be gone, ao It won't
rouble you."
"Willi ord'nary care It will hold long
enough."
'Oh, yes, of course you'd say so. I
expected it. llow much do you charge
for the hook?"
Three dollars and a half."
Three dollars and a half!" repeated
the womau. "You seem to think peopis
re made of money."
"I don't fix the price, mndam," said
Walter, rather provoked ; "the publishers
do Hint."
I warrant they make two-thirds profit.
Don't they, now?"
I don't know." said Walter. "I don't
know anything about the cost of publlsh-
ng liooks. Itut this Is a large one, and
here are a great many pictures la It.
i'hev must have cost considerable."
"Seems to me it's ridiculous to ask
such a price for a book. Why, it's enough
j buy a nice dress pattern 1
"Tl book will last longer then the
dress," said Walter.
'Rut it is not so necessary. I'll tell
you what I'll do. I'd like tbe book well
enough to put on my parlor table. Ill
give yon two dollars for It."
'Two dollars! ejaculated Waaler,
scarcely crediting the testimony of hia
far.
"Y'es, two dollars; and I warrant you'll
make money enough, then."
"I should lose money," said Walter, "t
couldn't think of accepting such an offer."
"In my opinion tnere isn t any book
worth even two dollars."
"I see we can't trade," said Waiter,
disgusted at such meanness in a lsdy whs
occupied so large a honse, and might b
supposed to have plenty of money.
(To be continued.)
ECCENTBIG GENIUSES.
Several Anecdotes Concerning Their
Queer llehavlvr and Ideas.
Some of the utou'ics of musicians
which buve come down to us for gen
erations are strangely lucklug In humor
ns well us in point of uuy sort, and are
responsible, as much as anything else,
for tihe sort of "holy horror" lu which
nniHloul geniuses are held by plain
everyday people of tbls day nud age.
Hera ure a few anecdotes, however,
which are really interesting and said
by the best authority to be true:
Hans You ltulow, the famous leader
und composer, wus oue of the moat
eccentric members of this profession
wherein eccentricity Is common. It is
related that one day while walking ths
streets of Vienna Bulow came upon a
regimental band on Its way to tins
cusUc. Immediately he ran to the mid
dle of the street and joined the small
boys about the drummer. Following
the baud, ho kept bowing to the sur
prised drummer, applauding him at al
most every beut.
That's rJiytbm! Excellent I That's
the way 1 like to hear it!" he con
tinued to ejuculute, to the surprise of
all, and to the great delight of ths
small boys.
l'crsous in the street begun to recog
nize the famous pianist and joined ths
procession, so that the band had one of
the largest audiences to which It bad
ever played.
liulow listened attentively to the end
of the last piece, and then made a deep
bow before tho drummer and bis In
strument.
"Thank you !" he suld. "That was rs
f rcshlug ! Thut puts my nerves In good
condition, again."
It Is said that when the drummer
learned who his straiige admirer wus
be w us the proudesb muu iu tho regi
ment.
A celebrated Italian tenor of the
uuuio of Muutlnl once became iuvolved,
politically Bpcukiug, with Czar Nich
olas I. of liussiu. The story, as told by
a chronicler of the times, possesses a
certain grim comicality.
It appears thut Nicholas was accus
tomed to walk tihe streets of St. Peters
burg alone, wrapped in a lurge gray
clouk. It was forbidden to speak to his
majesty; but the Czar sometimes fsr-
got that a subject could Hot obey the
prohibition, If the Emperor addressed
him. Once Iu a park the Czar met the
tenor, then a popular favorite of tho
Uusalun capital, and exchanged a few
words with him. Tlie moment the Em
peror was out ef sight the police ar
rested the timar. That evening the
Czar uttendod the operu, where, after
u long delay, the manager came for
ward wltfc tho announcement that
Muutlnl could not bo found. Nicholas,
Immediately siumlslng tlm reason, sent
au aide-de-camp to release the unfor
tunate singer.
Shortly thereafter the ruler and the
singer aga'ii met; whercuinm tho for
mer began, to apologize when the Ital
ian burs': out with ;
"May I Implore your majesty not to
sivuU to me ! Your majesty will com
promise me with the police!"
The coolness with which Adclina
Putt I always demanded tho largest
possible price was staggering to those
who had occasion to ucgVtlate for her
services. In thla connection a retort
by her has become historic.
When she was told that even tilts
President of the United States did not
receive nearly b much for his services
as she demanded fur hers, she an
swered : "Very well ; get the President
of the United (States to slug for you.'
The population of Canada, according
te the official estimates of that country,
was 6,504,000 oa April 1, cn Increase f
21 per cent la six years.
TEE VILLAGE
Somewhat ns tbe vagrant winds waft In the fragrance of the rose,
Or gleam of sunshine gilds the path that loads through drifted snow.
Tbe memory of the time comes buck o'er wastelands of tho past.
When clouds about our early ways no marring shadow cast;
And more thnn nil the Sunday munis, In similiter glory fair,
When mother sang the old-tlinu hymns, and father led In prayer.
How Tlvhl comes the picture of the church and village folk.
The solemn filing down the-aisle, the floor of sonndlng oak,
The benches rude with occupants from the country side,
The rustic lovers' tender looks Hint bushfulncss would hide;
While through the window nu'iiuov, -scents came on tho morning als
Whore mother sung the old-time lijiiins, nnd father led In prayer.
Out In the graveyard each white tomb loomed like a bonry bead
The near-by brook sung tirelessly to cheer the dreamless dend;
t'poa the hillsides one could t-co, where shimmering sunbeams lay,
Tho butterflies seemed flowers n-wlng, the lazy caltlo stray;
And up to God went thankful praise it welled from everywhere
And mother sung Hip otd-tluic liyn:i.s, nnd father led In prnycr.
O, church among the circling Iiilla, by well-nigh nil forgot I
O, voice that sang old "Huppy I);iy" us suints, 1 thought, could not!
O, sire who had your sha-e of wot, but walked the ways obscure
In patience and with dauntless bieust, with thoughts and motives pure!
If I could but be young a day, r.nd upend tlml tiny back whore
My mother sung the old-time iiynu,, and father led In prayer.
Will II. Hale.
4$HtHH$H$tjH$H$H$l ffJff
f
News of
As he laid aside the batch of letters,
Grandfather Hilditch sighed.
"Here, Janlc, don't you want to read
them?" he asked the young girl, who
sat at his feet reading her own mall.
"Tbe weekly budget from-tho uncles
nnd aunts? We are a methodical fam
ily, aren't we? Your children are faith
ful about those Monday letters, aren't
they, grandpa? ,1 know that every Sun
day father reminds mother, to write.
He lsu't mue'i of a baud at IctterSj
but lie certainly wants you to hear
from us, and mother 1 has N so much
time."
Yes, the children are all good about
writing. It Is a habit they learned
when they were away at school," re
plied grandfather, nnd again he sighed
I most imperceptibly. Janet looked at
him curiously, and then began with the
letters.
She read them through, and then
read them again. There was one from
her own mother, hoping that Father
Hilditch was quite well, and thnt
Janet's visit of a week would not prove
troublesome to him. She concluded
with, the Information that all were
well, that the weather was unsettled
In Atlanta, and that there was uo news
of interest.
There was a six-line note from Uncle
Sam, stating that It was rainy In Jack
sonville, nnd the mosquitoes still bad,
but thnt nil were well. No other news
of Interest.
Aunt Isabel wrote briefly that she
was suffering from a cold, thut they
were having lovely weather In Ashe
vllle, and that nothing worth mention
had transpired sluce her last.
Undo Tom's letter was comprised
within a very few typewritten sen
tences, hoping that bis father was well
and comfortable, and requesting to be
notified fit once should there be any
thing to tbe contrary. He udded that
his family was well, and taking advan
tage of the fine 'autumn weather to
make a little cruise with some friends
on their yacht. There waa nothing else
worth telling, except what father had
already seen In the newspapers.
Grandfather!" Janet sat up very
straight, after a few moments of deep
consideration. "I wonder what people
think tbey mean when they say, 'No
news of Interest?'"
"Eh?" He laid down the paper and
regarded her over his glasses. "News,
you say, honey?"
"Yes, news. These letters seem to
have so little in them."
"Oh, yes, yps. Except for tho dates,
tbey are pretty much the same every
week, but I am so tbankful lo hear
from the children, and to know that
they think enough of nie not to neglect
to write on the appointed day. I have
good children nud good grandchildren.
too." He smiled at her. "I tell you, It
pleased me mightily that ,my young
lady granddaughter should come to the
old place In the country In her round
of visits, when the other places are all
so gay and lively for young folks."
"I think It Is lovely here," replied
Janet, absently ; and then, returning
to the subject of the letters, "Do you
write every week to the others, as you
do to us at home?"
"Oh, yes, Indeed," said grandfather;
and then he proceeded to look over
the death notices In his paper.
Janet sat with folded bauds, trying to
remember just whut was in those thlu
letters (hat came weekly to ber home,
in their, ready-stamped envelopes. It
bad been a good while since she bad
even takcu the trouble to glanco over
one of them, and she knew how cureless
the others of her family were. Oi
Tuesdays her father would ask at din
ner, "Hear from father this morning?"
Yes, he Is quite well," her mother
would answer. "There was nothlug
else of any Importance." Aud yet
Janet recalled that the homely epistles
told of the thriving nnd jjarnoriug of
crops on the old furin. of neighliorliotsl
happenings, of the housekeeper's trib
ulations with her feathered lhw-Us, and
of the outlook for the cattle and swine
Uttlo things, that made up so much
of life to the lonely old man, who pre
ferred tbe Independence of his own
vine and fig-tree to. a phuv lu his chil
dren's homes.
"And thesu didn't tell lilm a single
thing!" said Janet Indignantly to ber:
self, and wondered why. A mischievous
little twinkle crept beneath her lowered
lids after she bad pondered a while.
"Grandfather," she exclaimed, sudden
ly, "I am going to stay four weeks with
jou. instead of one!"
"So? i'ou think yon can stand the
country that long?" He put his baud
softly on her head.
"I'll love it, If only you will let me
feel that I am helping- you."
"Helping me, little daughter? Why,
Of course. You shall do anything you
CHURCH.
Interest
like you can drive me round the farm
and rend to me In the evenings."
And I want to be your secretary,
too. See how your hand shakes. Let
me do all your writing farm accounts
and all."
"To be sure, to be sure."
"Well, then, this Is your day to an-
rer -thoBo lottnm Toll -id I., I
swer these letters. Tell mo Just wbat
to ay to them all."
urauclfather hesitated, and Janet
looked nway. She knew well that she
was asking him to give up one of his
greatest pleasures.
"Why, let them know that I am well,
and tell them the news about the place,
You know that as well as I do," he
said, slowly.
" Janet left him to his paper, and wrote
four letters exactly alike, Infortiing
the second generation of nildltches
that their father was in his accustom
cd health, that the weather was aus-
plclous for the cane crop, and that there
was no news of Interest
"And there isn't any of Interest to
them," she mused, cynically, as she
sealed the letters, and then put them
in the mall box beside tbe road.
It w as not very easy at first to either
of them, for Grandfather Hilditch was
not accustomed to being assisted about
everything he (JId, and Janet had to
compel herself to discuss her own af
fairs with him ; but as the days went
by, they gradually found common
ground. Janet discovered that there
was a certain fascination in driving
"GRANDFATHER, I AM QOINQ TO STAT IOUB
WEEKS WITH VOOl"
through the fields, watching wbat
chunges a day and night had made
there, and it was quite exciting to
count over the, big flock of turkeys
every night to see that not one was
missing. The bronze on their wings
glistened and glowed.
'This is a pine mast year, honey,'
grandfather explained, when she re
marked upon their beauty. "You know
It falls ouly every second year, and
It makes the finest turkey meat in the
world. See those four great two-year-
olders? I shall ship those to the chil
dren for Thanksgiving. I save the
pick of the gobblers In each year's
hatch to keep over. At two years
old they are at their best"
"Where shall you go for Thanks
giving this time, grandpa?" Janet in
quired.
"To tommy s, i reckon. xou re
member, I was at your father's last
year." '
Janet did remember. She bad not
thought of It nt the time, but she now
reeulled that although there bad been
a midday dinner, out of resjiect for
old times, her father had gone back to
his olliee Immediately afterward, her
mother had entertained callers nil the
, ufternism, und sho bad gone driving
with it party of young people. I low
grandfather had put In the time sh
had not the remotest Idea. At Uncle
Tom's It would bo exactly the same,
for Uncle Tom wus the busiest of men,
and his wife and daughters srpplleil
a great amount of material for the so
ciety pajH-rs.
''Stay at home this time, gnuulfiith
er. and you and I will have Thanks
giving all by ourselves, with niavbe
Knine of the neighbors!" s!io cried, liu
pulslvely.
."All right, honey, nil right!" he
agreed, heartily, and she saw a sudden
leap of brightness In his blue eyes.
The two Is'giin planning nt once, and
for the next fortnight there wus no
lack of common interest.
Miss Llndy, the old housekeeper, en
terej warmly into their consultations.
"But I won't say a word about it to
them," thought Janet, tho next XIlo
t
I PHI
day morning. So the letters which thf
wrote and mailed were tbe exact dupli
cates of those of the week before, ex
cept that circumstances demanded 1
report of the chilly weather. In oni
or two of those which came from ths
children that week were Inquiries as to
where grandfather would spend;
Thanksgiving, so In her next commu
nication Janet stated laconically that
her grandfather had decided to stay at
home.
"Something must surely bo the mat
ter with father," said Mrs. Isabel
Huntley, uneasily, when she received,
her letter. "He hasn't spent a single
holiday at home since mother died
fifteen years ago. I don't like these lit
tle notes of Janet's. She says fafTier
Is well, but I don't believe It, for If;
he was be would do the writing him
self I I'm going home!" So she can
celed a number of engagements and
went at once.
"Spending Thanksgiving nt hornet
Why, that Is queer!" mused Tom Hil
ditch. "I thought he was coming to
us this time. There Is something
wrong, or he never would let Janet
be attending to bis corresimndencs
this way." Ho sllpiwd tbe letter Into
his pocket, and called up his brother
Sam over the long-distance telephone.
"So yon don't know that anything
Is wrong? Well, I'm not taking any
chances on It; I shall go to-morrow.
What? Meet me iu Macon? Good!
If he is all right we can have a day
of it together, and If he Isn't Well,
good-by!" .;;!
At Janet's own home there was con
sternation. I don't know what on
earth to think, Magnus," her mother
said. "Janet was to have spent
Thanksgiving with Sam's daughters.
She has written such provoking little
notes, anvway, ever since she has been
at the farm. Something must be the
matter. Sam's girls are giving a
Thanksgiving ball for her, and yet"
. - '
Will you just pack a few things
Into a bag for 'me?" said Magnus Hil
ditch, abruptly. "Janet has already
remained with father three weeks
longer than she Intended she has
written all his letters. The probability
is that he has had an accident of soma
8ortt ttnd wlll not njlovr her to tefl
us. You know his Independence, and
his reluctance to give trouble. It Is
a particularly inoppertune time for me
to leave, but I must look after him."
Thanksgiving . morning found Janet
up bright aad early. She and Miss
Llndy had made the old house spick
aml gp,n frra TOof t0 Coor, and Jan-
et's artistic fingers had decked the
roetus with autumn foliage and fruits
Strange to say, Aunt Isabel had de
scended upon the household In the '
middle of tbe nlgnt There had been
no explanations, but she entered at
once Into the spirit of things, and trail
ed her rich dress through room after
room of her girlhood's home, as with
her father and niece she gave a last
look to see that everything was ready
for tbe coming of the neighbors. Big
oak fires burned In every room. In
big GpeQ fireplaces, and the cheery
flames were reflected upon brick
hearths and andirons, whitewashed In
the old-fashioned way, that always re
minded Janet of snow and of frosted
cakes.
"They're a-comlu' a'ready!" called
Miss Llndy; and sure enough, down
the road a team was kicking tip a
dust Tbe three went to the gate, ex
pecting' to greet some of the invited
guests, but lol
"The boys! The boys!" shouted
Grandfather Hilditch; and three big,
bearded men climbed down from the
wagon.
The old man's voice broke as he
welcomed them, and there was some
thing that made the three sons and
the daughter avoid each other's eyes,
and look tenderly upon the old man
and the young girl who stayed so close
to his side. They went within, and
gathered about the fireplace In "moth
er's room," with its memories.
"How did you all happen to come?
Mrs. Huntley asked her brothers.
"Why, It seemed a spontaneous up
rising of filial affection," responded
Magnus Hilditch. "We all felt a lit
tle anxious about father It Isn't easy
to.telrgraph ten miles from the rail
way and when we found he was
spending Thanksgiving at home, We
Just came. And how atiout yourself?"
"Oh, I had missed his letters o! I
was sure that he never would have
allowed Janet to write for him If he
was able to do it himself."
Grandfather looked deprecatlngly
down at Janet
"Since It served to bring you home.
Isabel, I don't regret it," he said, "but
I'll have to own up that I have prob
ably missed the writing of those let
ters more than you have tbe receiving
of them. My little girl wanted to help
me"
"Our little girl needs to take 8 course
In jCorrespondenco," laughed Uncle
Tom. "I never In all my days read
such unsatisfactory letters "
"Nor IT
"Nor II"
Janet could bear no more. Half-
laughing, half-crying, she sprang up,
and from the corner of the mantel
took down a budget of letters. The
children's letters always had lain there
from week to week.
"You needn't say a word not one
of you!" she crhnl. "I've taken my
course In correspondence, and I learn
ed right here from these very let
ters that there Isn't anything worth
writing about except the weuther and
the family health. I told you grand
father was well, and I told you the
kind of weather!"
She flew out of the room, and down
to tho kitchen to help Miss Llndy.
'They'll not misunderstand, either,"
she thought. "Father will give me a
lecture, hut I susiwct that he will do
his own writing after this, and that
the others won't dare not to do better.
Hut. oh, they do love him they do
love my swevt old grandfather, even
If they don't write to him as If he
was a real live man, and that Is news
of Interest to me, and I shouldn't won
der If It Is to hlin. too!" Youth's
Companion.
Wheu a man wins three cigars by
playing a slot machine, somehow It
makes ha feel that ho is a particu
larly goad player.
V
