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About The Loup City northwestern. (Loup City, Neb.) 189?-1917 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 1896)
I / INTERNATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION CHAPTER VIII. HE conclusion was in her mind often enough every day of bpr life to be come hackneyed, yet It al ways brought with It a atra n g e, sweet thrill. Truly sis terly affection wus a holy and a beau tiful thing! She had read as much In moral philosophy, and likewise In poetry. Few feelings could compare with it in unselfish fer vor and constancy. And, as she bad said, Edward was one brother In ten thousand and not to be compared with common men. She began the preparations for the drive at half-past two, pursuant to her husband's directions. Not that she expected to leave the house that after noon, Edward's Judgment being, in her estimation, but one remove from infal libility; she could not believe that the trial of the horses would result as Mr. Withers had predicted, but that they would be remanded to the stable and custody of the unreliable Jockey with out approaching her door, or gladden ing Harriet's eyes. Nevertheless, the order had gone forth that she should don her cloak, furs, hat and gloves be fore three o'cloek, and Mr. Withers would be displeased were he to return at five and find her in her home dress. Harriet tapped at her door before Hhe was half ready. ^ “Just to remind you, my dear ma <lam, she said, sweetly, or wnac n y cousin said about keeping the horses standing.” She wus equipped cap-a ple for the excursion, and Constance re newed her silent accusation of Imper tinent forwardness as she saw her trip ,, down stairs to take her station at a I?: front window, that "my cousin” might »ee, at the first glance, that she was f ‘ ready and eager for the promised and because promised by hint—certain pleasure of the Jaunt. Constance was surprised, five minutes I before the hour designated, to hear a bustle and men’s voices In the lower ball. They had really come, then, In ■pile of her prognost lent Ions. Draw ing ori her gloves that she might not ' be accused of dll; lorlm t a, she walked | .to the door ot her chamber, when it .;>V‘'was thrown wide against her by her Wi maid. |«L “Oh, ma’am!” she blubbered, her *■ :m cheeks like ashes and her eyes bulging from their sockets, "May all the b ed saints have mercy upon ve! There’s been the dreadfullest accident! Them 'i brutes of horses has run away, and Mr. Witherses and Mr. Edward Is both _ killed dead! They’re a bringing them I up-etalra this blessed rninit, and”— catching her mistress’s skirt as she k dashed past her."you're not to be i frightened, ma'am, the doctor says! He ■r sent me up for to tell you careful!” ” Unhearing ami unheeding, Constance | wrested her dress from the girl's hold, and met upon the upper landing of the staircase four men bearing a senseless form. The head was sunk upon the breast, and the fcce hidden by the shoulders of those who carried him, hut rner eyes rcir instantly upon tno r>g,it hand, which hung lootciy by his side. She recognized the fur gauntlet that c covered It as one ol a pair of riding gloves she had given Edward Withers at, Christmas, and which he had worn since whenever he drove or rode. She had seen him pocket them that morn ing before going out. “Mrs. Withers! my dear lady! you really must, not touch him yet!” said the attendant physician, preventing her when she would have thrown her arms about the Injured man. He pulled her back by main force, that the body might be carried into the chamber she had just quitted. “Let me go! Lot me go! Do you hear me?” her voice rising into a shrill scream that chilled (he veins aud pained the hearts of all who hoard it. "Dead or alive, he belougs to me, and to no one else! Man! how dare you hold me? You do not know how much I loved him- my darling! Oh, my dar ling!” The doctor was a muscular man. but. In her agony of despair, she was ^-Monger than h'\ bade fair to master ~ hint, as she wivstied to undo hi., grasp ntion her arms. ‘ Is there uo one in thlM place who ran persuade her to l»e calm?” he asked, Imploringly, looking back down the stairs. There was a movement at the foot of the steps, then the crowd parted In stantly and silently, unnoticed by the frantic woman She was still strug gling, threatening and praying to lie released; when a pallid face, str-aked with blood, confronted her a tender hand touched her arm. “Const auee, my dear sister, aty poor girl, cotua with tne! Wtll you not?" said rout passionate tunes. "Hhe hss fainted That Is the best thing that couW hsv# happened,” said lbs doctor sustaining the dead welg.il of tbs slaking figure with more ism Ihsa ks had held Ik* wrtlbtng one They Pure bar across Iks kail is Ed ward a room as Iks must • »>n* eutent ir treat for bar in her Insensible state, end white Ike maid servant loosened hr Ires# and applied restoratives, a mm » savivut group was gathered in her apartment about b«r husband Ilia via itel# I ft.) *441## tiff §#%•*#*, If tiul tUm^i 0HI Mill rftilif ft til ftftfti AIM tvft bftilrA tntl |l ft 4 * * ft* I tHfefft 1M ifttttfftftt ft II I Aiuit* #ftf i »M# ft Hit Jttti ft# ft ftftftfl 8Ht) ft liti))aft tfthftft lilt P*ltl?ft III t tiAft l i |* Atfti ft ftlttftftftft ft ft* |# f|Mill ill# ftftfHNlllt l< f ’Ift "She do call for you lUl the time, sir, or I would not have made so hold as to disturb ye,” said the girl who bad beckoned him to the entrance. “She Is a bit out of her head, poor lady!” “Where Is Miss Field? Why do*s she not attend to Mrs. Withers?” asked Edward, glancing reluctantly at his brother's bed. In after days he could smile at the recollection of the reply, uttered with contemptuous Indifference: “Oh, .he'e a-going Into high ctrlkes on the hack parlor sofy.” At the time, he was only conscious of Impatience at the call of pity that obliged him to leave his perhaps .lying relative In the hands of comparative strangers. He ceased to regret his com pliance when the tears that hurst from Constance's eyes at sight of him were not attended by the ravings which had terrified her attendants. He sat down upon the edge of the bed, and leaned over to kiss the sobbing lips. “My dear sister, precious child!” he said, as a mother might soothe an affrighted daughter, and she dropped her hpad upon his shoulder, to weep herself Into silence, If not composure. When she could listen, he gave her the history of the misadventure in a few words. Mr. Withers had Insisted upon handling the reins himself. This accounted to the auditor for his use of Edward's gloves as being thicker than his, although their owner made no men tion of having lent them to him. The horses had behaved tolerably well un til they were within three blocks of home, when they had shied violently at a passing omnibus, jerked the reins from the driver's hands, and dashed down the street, the sleigh upset at the first corner, and both the occupants were thrown out, Mr. Withers striking forcibly against a lamp-post, while Ed ward was partially stunned against the curb-stone, They had been brought to their own door In a carriage, the younger brother reviving in time to alight, with a little assistance from a friendly bystander, and to superin tend the other's removal to the house and up the stairs. Constance heard him through with out Interruption or comment, volun tarlly raised her head from Its resting place, and lay back upon her pillows, covering her face with her hands. One or two quiet tears made their way be tween her fingers ere she removed them, but her hysterical sobbing had ceased. “I am thankful for your safe ty,” she said so composedly that it sounded coldly unfeeling. "Now go back to your brother. He needs you, and I do not. I shall be better soon, and then I must bear my part in nurs ing him. If he should ask for me, let me know without delay." She sent her servants out when he had gone, and locked her door on the inside. "Who’d have thought that she and Mr. Eilward would take it so hard?” said the cook, as exponent of the views of the kitchen cabinet. "If so be the rnasther shouldn’t get over this, It will go nigh to killing her. I never knowed she were that fond of him. Ah, well, fn. l4'« Iw.'ll well provided for, I'll be bound! Them as lias heaps to i'ave has plenty to mourn for them.” An hour elapsed before Mr. Withers understood aright where he was and what had happened, and then his wife’s face was the first object he recognized, ft was almost as bloodless as his, yet she was collected and helpful, a more efliclent coadjutor to the surgeons than was fidgety Harriet, whose buzzings and hoverings over the wounded man reminded Kdward of a noisy and per sistent gad fly. The moved gentleness of Constance’s tone in answering the patient’s in quiries was mistaken by the attendants for fondest commiseration, and the family physician’s unspoken thought would have chimed In well with the servant’s verdict. Mr. and Mrs. With ers were not reputed to be a loving couple, hut in moments of distress and danger, the truth generally came to light. No husband, however idolized, could lie nursed more faithfully or have excited greater anguish of solicitude than spoke sn her dry eyee and rigid features, even If her wild outbreak at first seeing him had not betrayed her real sentiments. In her calmer review of the scene, Constance could feel grateful for tho spectators’ misconception which had shielded her from the consequences of her msdness. could shudder at the thought of the Ignominy she had nar rowly escaped Hut this was not the gulf from which she now recoiled with horror and self-loathing that led her to avuld meeting the eye* bent rurloua ly or ay inpat helically upon her, and to cling to the nerveless band of him whose trust she had betrayed To him. her husband. she had not given a thought when the dread tidings of disaster and death wera brought ta her. What ta her was an empty mar riage vow, what the worlda reproha tloa. when she believed that Kdward lay lifeless before her* "Mao’ you do not bauw h*>w I loved him*** ahe had said tfbe might have added. "I neve* knew It myself until new 1 And what was this love coming when, and ns It did hut a crime a atn to tie fruwtved upon by llrtut and denounced by m-it ’ t bl« wish shi-h If t« upon k r b «» as t eaa spat b< r » ni *“11 condemn be* lo be ranked with vb out (Alt •** % tit* ffMl i|f*4 vhtttil fct4*t« iHI lift** ttf ||Hil|Kiil frwfcft*, ftlt t fMif* ill glfc» It* « *4*n,k CHAPTER IX. HALE you be .'x> \ much engaged at I the office today, I Edward, to drive | out with Constance at noon?” questiU. ed Mr. Withers one morning when his brother came to his room to inquire after his health, and to receive his commands for the business day. ‘ Certainly not! Nothing would give me more pleasure!” As he said it, the respondent turned with a pleasant smile to his sister-in-law, who was pouring out her husband’s chocolate at a stand set In front of his lounge. She started perceptibly at the prop osition and her hand shook in replacing the sliver pot ttpon the tray. ’’I could not think of it!" she said hastily. “It Is kind and thoughtful in you to sug gest It, Einathan, but, Indeed, I greatly prefer to remain at home.” "It is my preference that you should go!” The Invalid spoke decidedly, but less irascibly than he would have done to anyone else who resisted his author ity. “It Is now four weeks since my accident,and you have scarcely left the house in all that lime. You are grow ing thin and pale from want of sleep and exercise.” “I practice calisthenics every day, as you and I)r. Weldon advised,” re joined Constance, timidly. "But within doors. You need the fresh out-door air, child. You have taken such good care of me, that I should be very remiss in my duty, were I to allow you to neglect your own health,” He had grown very fond of her with 111 lur i miu lit: imii iimuuuucu, hum showed it, in hi* weakness, more open ly than dignity would have permitted, had he been well. He put his hand up on her shoulder a* *he *at upon a stool beside him, the cup of chocolate in her hand. "Recollect! I mint get an other nur*e should your health fall. You see how selfish I am?” A Jest from him was noteworthy, for its rarity; but Constance could not form her lip* Into a smile. They trembled instead in replying. "I see how good and generous you are! I will drive, if you Insist upon it, but there is not the slightest, necessity for your brother's escort. John is very careful and attentive. Or, if you wish me to have company, I will call for Mrs. Mel lon. She has no carriage, you know?” "Send yours for her whenever you like, by all means. But, until f am able to accompany you, It Is my desire that Edward shall be with you in your drives whenever this is pratlcable. My late adventure has made me fearful, I suppose. Call tills a sick man’s fancy. If you will, my dear, but indulge it. At twelve, then, Edward, the carriage will be ready. Ascertain for yourself before you set out that the harness is all right, an<l have an eye to the coach* man’s management of the horses.” (TO IIa COKTIXOBU.I FEATHERED LOVERS. Til® Male Song lllril Studies III® l.a<|j ® WHilts. A class of lovers that may well be considered is that of which the blue bird is one conspicuous example and the goldfinch another—the class in which the females do all the work of nest-building, while the males devote themselves to singing, says the Chau tauquan. At first thought these males are so very much like some men that we all know—men who are pretty and are given to compliments and who are enabled to dress well through the wis dom and labor of their wives—that they are slightingly spoken of by near ly all students of bird habits. Even the gorgeous Baltimore oriole is but half complimented, for he only occa sionally helps at the nest-making. But let the observer consider the eases o? these birds a little further and it ap pears that the oriole, at least, is de-1 serving of sympathy rather than faint praise. Xo one can watch the oriole lady at her knitting for any length of time without seeing her good man try Y. 1 IT _ ...til .. __I offer to weave it In, but the chances are that the madam will first order him off and then, if he persists, make a dash at him with her bill that sends him mourning to another tree, lie really mourns, too, though in silence. I have known of a case where a male oriole sat watching his wife for a half hour without singing a single note. The bluebird, too, is often treated very brusquely by bis little better half. The truth ts the poor fellows who have liceit derided for singing In idle de light while their wives tolled are not a little henpecked. The goldfinch can not be railed henpecked but he certain ly lines nol deserve censure. Madam builds her nest because she can do it better than he can. That be would like to help is perfectly plain (o one who watches, for he goes with her a* she Ales away for material, sits by hei as she picks It up ami A lea back with her aa she returns to the nest to weave it in And wherever he goes he bub bleu over with song. IVople who blame the malea for not helping to build ds nol understand, I think, the difference between work as we see it and work as birds see It. To us tabor Is drudg ary, in the birds It ie delightful play Hew ll WaepaneU. Aunt Mary * ttut tell m*. how did you happen tu marry him?" "Merth* - "Why you see, everything waa ready | |t. '. >d *>*i I is.. t«. have him and |j k . I v. i .Hi' l h« had pits ut«d th. It -use aud • nsagol th* clergy melt and ' | hid sent out card* and ofdired the . . .1. iw yuit we. we thought that •« I might an * it go through with It j There, aunt, that hi the r*aeun na near j aa I t in i * member It Ihutton t mv ■ I FARM AND GARDEN. MATTERS OF INTEREST TO AGRICULTURISTS. Home I'p-to-dalr Hint* About Cullivn tlon <»f the Holl mill VIoIiIn Thereof llortU ylture. Viticulture nn«l Flori culture. ULLETIN 119, of Cornell University experiment station, speaking of the texture of soli, says: Kvery good far mer known that a hard and lumpy soil will not grow good crops, no mat ter how much plant food It may contain. A clay soil which has been producing good crops for any number of years may be so seriously Injured l,y one Injudicious plowing In a wet time as to ruin It for the growing of crops for two or three years. The Injury lies In the modification of Its physical texture, not In the lessening of its fertility. A sandy soil may also be seriously Impaired for the growing of any crop if the humus or decaying organic matter Is allowed to burn out of It. It then becomes leachy, It quickly loses Its molcture, and becomes excessively hot In bright sunny weather. Similar remarks may be applied to all soils. That Is, the texture or physical condi tion of the soil Is nearly always more Important than its mere richness In plant food. A finely divided, mellow, friable soil Is more productive than a hard and lumpy one of the same chem ical composition because: It holds and retains more moisture; holds more air; nro.nn * a .ii.fann < n fhn rrWlfl' promotes nitrification; hastens the de composllon of mineral elements; has less variable extremes of temperature; allows a better root-hold to the plant. In all these ways, and others, the mel lowness of the soil renders the plant food more available and affords a con genial and comfortable place In which the plant may grow. The reader will now tee the folly ol applying commercial or concentrated fertilizers to lamia of poor texture. He will see that If potash, for example, were applied to the hard lumps of clay It could not he expected to aid In the growth of plants, because plants cannot grow on such soil. If the same quantity were applied to proper soil, however, the greater part of It would be pre sented to the roots of plants at once, and Its effects would no doubt be ap parent In the season's crop. The read er will readily understand that It ie useless to apply commercial fertilizers to lands which are not in proper phys ical condition for the very best growth of crops. Farmers do not appreciate the Im portance of humus as an ainellutor ol land. In larm lands, It Is usually sup plied In the form of green crops, stub ble or sward, and barn manures. When humus Is absent, sandy soils become too loose and leachy and hot, t nd clay soils bake and become lumpy. The writer has much of this hard unproductive land. What Is to be done with it? To cover it with commercial fertilizer would be of little benefit. It must first be put In lit condition for the growing of crops. A crop of clovei plowed under would quickly Improve It, but the land is newly planted to or chard and he does not care to seed II down. The next recourse la stable ma nure. Of this enough can be had te cover the hardest spots. For the rest catch or cover crops must be used. Fol lowing beans or potatejes, be can sow rye and plow It under very early In the spring. Now and then ho can use i fall crop cf sowed corn or oats or some thing of the kind. After a time, h< may be able to get the land in such £ condition of tilth as to secure an occa sional stand of crimson clover. Thh practice, continued Judiciously for £ few vears ought to radically change (he character of the land; but all thb will be of little avail unicast the plow ing and cultivation--which are now »c inadequate—can bo done in a tlmelj and Intelligent way. All this will taki time and patience. Ho wishes thui there were some short-cut and lazy waj of Improving this land by making somt application of fertilizer to It, but then is not. The most he can do Is to slow Ij bring It into such condition that 11 wll pay to put concentrated fertilizers oi It. In short, the tlrst step In the enrich ment of unproductive land Is to im prove Its physical condition by means of careful ami thorough tillage, by th< addition of humus, aud perhaps by un derdratnage. It must tlrst be put It such condition that plants can grow Ir It. After thut, the addition of chem ical fertilizers may pay by gtvtug addi tional or reduudant growth. L. II. Hatley. Iloritt-ullural Mutes, I'rof. J. L. Hudd. writing In the loan Htate Register, give* souse Imporlani suggestions, which we republish, as lol lows: Cherry on Own lloote: Careful ole eervatloa will show that the eherrj tree* that are spruuiiag la gardca aa>l orchard are mostly oa their ewa roots Our cherry trees are either budded or Mabaleb storks or crown grafted or Maaaard seed Hugs 1 he mabaleb root never sprouts Hu If sp>uwls appear II •tees that the tree haw beea planter! deep enough so that roots come Iron the eetoa which throw* up sprouts Th« Maeaard trot utav sprout, bo' as usual ly planted It rarely does If R doer sprout, the Nat U au peculiar that It ear be d«-te« t«d at once, t he point we wish to make IS that ever) little sprout of l vnt.-ahie variety. If set In nnrwery to# will make a valuable tree Within tbs peat w*eb we have teen valuable sprouts ta farmer* gardens who wars IsIsiSI stsi-jl b * lug too, e ih MV tre**e Wv n, i fa*pet that the -prout from s I good variety is more valuable tlidn a grafted tree. « • • Clean Up and Plow the Garden: We cgnin repeat the statement that the garden cleaned up and plowed in the fall Is in better condition for planting in the spring, and It Is rarely infested with cut worms. Indeed, during the past twenty-five years we have not failed to plow the garden lu the fall end we have rarely had a plant cut off by a cut worm. We also never fall to turn over In the fall land on which we ex pect to plant the spring small fruits, tree or shrub Heeds or root grafts. With this care little If any damage Is done by cut worms. But It hat happened that not quite enough plowing was dono in the fall. In every case the part planted In the spring plowing suffered from cut worms, and plum scedllpgs were totally destroyed. « • • Why so Few Plums: Several have asked why the native plums here so shyly this season, as they blossomed very full and we had u mild winter and no frost. The reason Is very simple. While the blossoms were expanded we had continuous moist or rainy weather In most neighborhoods, which was not favorable for pollination. In some neighborhoods the sun shone more and plmns were quite plentiful. But on soils where the trees suffered severely last summer from drouth the blossoms last spring of the native plums were not perfect. On the college grounds our trees on hardpan, within six feet of the surface, blossomed very full, but not one blossom In a hundred was perfect. In our work In crossing It was dlfllcult to find a blossom with a perfect pistil and not one of our crossed blossoms developed a plum. But ou more fuvor able soil the blossoms were perfect and fruited well where a few hours of sun shine came at the right time. Many com neias also snow me euecis moist weather. When the period came for Ailing out the ears several days of moist weather prevented the flying of pollen. Hence in some neigbbornoods the corn Is not filled out on most of the ears, while In others where the weather favored the ears are perfect. I’lmitlng Apple Herd*. Having planted more or less each year for the last forty-two years, and tried spring and fall with varied suc cess, the fall planting did the best, writes P. M. Gideon in the Cultivator. 1 sow the seed In the drill and cover not more than one inch deep, and so planted, scarcely a seed will fail to germinate the next spring. The seeds to do their best should be planted tru. less than one Inch apart, and If to be grown as orchard trees without graft ing, they should take one winter In nursery to test their hardiness, and then reject all that fall to make a hardy growth and a perfect terminal bud. Take up and set in orchard at one year old, for at that age the tap root can be had entire and easily planted. In growing a healthy tree the most import ant part Is tho tap root. Small fibrous side roots are better cut ofT, doing more Injury than good. I grow and fruit thousands of seedlings, and In a pro miscuous lot not more than one in fifty will he a fairly good apple. To make seedlings a success requires experience and careful culling. My best success was 1,200 culled from 10,000, and even then some poor ones. Nitrogen tlatlierem. Nitrogen is the most costly constltu ent of commercial fertilizers; and, In many Instances, the Increased cost of the fertilizer due to the nitrogen it contains will balance or even exceed tho Increase in the proceeds from the crop, due to the nitrogen. Fortunately, we are not obliged to rely entirely upon commercial fertilizers for our supply of nitrogen to enrich our soils. tteceill HlVOBUKttlltriir* ua*v (lmt the class of plants called "legum inous plants,” to which the clovers, peas, beans, etc., belong, have the power of deriving from the air a part of the nitrogen required in their growth. For this reuson they ar. sometimes called "nitrogen-gatherers.” This fact helps to explain why clover Is so valuable in restoring und enrich ing poor soils. The clover plant Is rich in nitrogenous matters and, when the crop Is plowed under, they decay In the soil and add to its supply of nitro gen for the next crop. (1 round and Cooked Feed the Heat.— All animals are provided with a means of crushing or grinding or putrlfying their food, preparatory for the uctlon ol the digestive fluids. The digestive sys tem of the chicken is provided with a strong muscular organ, containing more or less gravel, by which the food Is ground up. The cow has four stom achs, In the first of which the food is macerated and then returned to the mouth for tlnal mastication. The hog gulps his food down and depends on the length of hie alimentary canal to aecurr proper digestion. Throughout the whole animal economy, whatever may tie th« method of taking and directing food thorough mechanical division Orlnd Ing and cracking feed therefore assist! nature has provided largely for IU nature'* effort*. Hr goals* Keep your begonltut free from dual When sweeping, cover with an apron or sheet If you wish t« sponge I heir leaves, do so In the morn Ing. that they may have a chance iu dry off be for* night Drupe of water remaining on H*i begonia* wilt rot a hate in Ih* leave*, which mahas the plant look unsightly,— K» In on* een#lg«m*«t recently a tenth I er dealer la ls»nden received s uae j birds ef paradise, MU.ouo birds of van j eus binds from the Kast Indies, and } too ooo humming bird* In three Ei lit K**t ***** THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. LESSON XII. DEC. 20- BIRTH OF CHRIST. Golden Text: "And the Angel Said (Into Them, 'Fear Not: for Itehold I llrlng Tiding! of Great Joy'" — Christina. Lesson. HE section Included In this lesson, the whole of which should he read. In cludes John 1: 1-18; Luke 1: 1-80: and Matt. 1: 1-23; 2: 1-12. Historical Setting. Time. The last of December. B. C. 5. four years before the commencement ol our common era. A. D. 1 (Anno Domini, year of the Lord), so that Christ was horn 1900 not 1890 years ngo. The visit of tho wise men was In February. II. C. 4, when Jesus was six or eight weeks old. I'larc. Bethlehem of Judea, a village live or s x miles south of Jerusalem. Beth lehem means "House of Bread." a very tilting name for the place where he was horn who was Hie Bread of Life "Tile for east” Included the lands of tho captivities,—Assyria. Babylonia, and Per sia, where Kseklel prophesied, and Daniel ruled, and Ksther was queen. To-day's lesson, Mail. 2, verses 1-12. follows: 1. "Now when Jesus was horn.” Jesus, l he divine son of Ood, became man by being horn of the Virgin Mary. "In Bethlehem of Judea,” probably about Dec. 28, B. C. 5. It Is not told In Matthew how Jesus came to he In Bethlehem. For that wi turn to Luke. "In the days of Herod the king." Herod died April 1, B. C. 4 (Lowin'* Fasti Sacrl) at Jericho, at th# age of seventy, so that the visit of the wise men must have been a few weeks previous. This Herod was Herod the Great, founder of the Ilerodlan family. 2. Huvlnv "VV'hxiru is kin flint la hnrl king of the Jews?" The Inquiry, more literally translated, Is, Where Is the born King; that Is, the newly born King of the Jews? The Mugl expected, no doubt, to find him In the eapltul city and In the royal palaee,—Morlson. “For we have seen his star In the east.” Seen by them In the eastern countries, or seen In the enstern sky. "And are come to worship him." To acknowledge hie worthshlp; to do homage to him. 3. “When Herod the king had heard these things." The tidings would run like an electric shock through the palace of the usurping Herod.—Trench. "He was troubled," agitated, disturbed, lest he should lose his throne and his power. He was old, and feeble, und wicked, ills life had been full of crimes. He knew he was hated by his subjects. The least disturbance would Inttnme bis conscience nel arouse Ills fears. "And ull Jerusalem 'tv 11h him." 4. "And when he had galln red all the thief priests and scribes.” The chief priests were probably tin heads of the twenty-four courses Into wTileh the sons of Aaron were divided (2 Chron. 23: 8; Luke 1: !i), but the term may have In cluded those who had, though only for a time, held the office of high priest. Tho "scribes” were Iho Irfterprcters of the luw, casuists, and collectors of the trudl lIons of the elders, for the most part Pharisees.—Klllcoti. "lie demanded (rath er, inquired) of them where Christ," In the original. The Christ, not the proper name, but the Messiah, the official title of the promised Deliverer, "should be born.” What do ybur scriptures say? What Is your expectation? 5. "And they said," I. o,, the chief priests, etc. The unswer seems to have been given without uny hesitation, us a matter perfectly well understood und set tled by divine authority. — Alexander. "Thus It Is written.” What Is quoted In the next verse. "Ily the prophet” (Mlcah, In chap. S: 2). It should be noticed that "by" is literally "through,” and that in every case this expression is used. 6. "And thou Bethlehem." This Is quo ted freely from the Heptuaglnt (tho Greek version of the Old Testament), Just as such quotations wire popularly made at lhat time, for there were no Bibles In circulation, and quotations must ho mado chiefly as remembered from hearing them read. "Bethlehem, In the land of Judah,” In the original there Is no “In the” but the expression Is, “Bethlehem, land of Ju dah," as we say "Chicago, ill.,” or "New- • port, it. I.” "Princes" Ik, according to a usual llffure, put for the toWns where tho princes, or loads of thousands, lived. 7. "Then Herod . . • privily (privately) called the wise men.” Pr vily, for he was already hatching, still more privily, his mallcloua plot. "Inquired of them dill gently; or, ratner, osccriaineu irom them accurately.—Morlaoni The verb for ••Inquired diligently” In derived from ‘•akros," a point. The Idea Is, he ascer tained to the last point.—M. R. Vincent. "What time the star appeared.” That he might know wlmt war the exact age of the Infant whom he wished to slay.—Ab bott. 8. "He sent (or directed) them to Beth lehem,” a short six miles Trom Jerusa lem. "Search diligently.” Better, as be fore, accurately, carefully. 9. "I.O, the star." Unexpectedly the star they had seen In ihe east (It was riot now In the east, hut In Ihe south) appeared lo them In the evening ns they went toward Bethlehem. Stood over where the young child was”: I. e., over the house, as implied by verse 11; not merely over the village of Bethlehem, to. "When they suw the star.” guiding them, and pointing oui Ihe place. "They rejoiced.” Because their Journey was now ended, their search was successful. 11. "When they were come into the house.” This could scarcely have been the stable where the l.ord was horn, Jo seph and Mary remained for 10 days In Bethlehem, and would And temporary lodgings. 12 "And fell down.” In the Oriental manner of showing homage and worship. ' And worshipped him.” Opened their treasures.” The word |>olnla In caskets, or chests, which they had brought with them Kllicott. "They presented unto him gifts.” According to ihe oriental cue tom In paying visits lo royalty, gelling forth greater truths than they knew, they offered to Ihe gun of man and Mon of Hod myrrh, hinting at Ihe resurrection of Iho dead Ihe royal gold and frankincense that breathes prayer, 'mvrrh lo a mor tal' goM to a king, frankincense la ltad.’* — I phsma Wise Men. frankincense'* II, Being warned of Oud In a dream. In Ihe same manner as tlod may have spoken lo them before ' Into Htelr awn country am-that way They could easily go dti rust Bethlehem to the Jordan Biter, Baying Jerusalem iw the north and •sal. (<t M* OP THOUGHT. A man inns* be #g.»**lrw| stupid, ka I wall as uncharitable, wou belteraa them i la no ylrtww hut on hia own side Ad* I Mean Trouble la a thing that atU coma without mu salt, but true jny all! bat spring gp without outsetraw lllshop l*W<rteb piateomaaahip is ihe at* ef under* ' «4a»dthg a«4 leading Hi- nmu Its gtety la lu Had ih*m u >1 a here they i earn la go. hUI abate they u«glit la ga. ' ~J)e*lbeft