& 1. ii ! 1 I HE ADVERTISER Published every Thursday by FAIRBROTHER & HACKEE, Proprietors. hPM' " ' . j tf 1 fOf (M l1 fit fk 4k &- "" ' THE ADTERTISEfe ttrUWk IH ifA W M . A ft A A-.A. 1 H . ft jk I 'NTlM I A A J, A ?fe . A L A i ADVERTISING SATES.- Bft j H nBxm B'H ?t rW i BxA VW s lA flr 9 4&k(xt fitfkyL' i H AYwy FIttbi m7- l - ry m i ibv l&m Hj yi .. 9 W Y Hl S 19 & lWT -space lw imis V H I Mf " H H 2B " B rSft 2f i""L i H Wl I HT H 7lBI H "" inch w, lftW IK. B IHI He rfll 9b SB IBl aV Mi . WlBwJ HI ! H I HM Hi 91 19a 9M 9h inches .. )Wm l "ftf , WBMky "k "(H 1BLVIH awfl US I nil W HI. W vflf , f A BL. v Sli "U HI Hn y Ht- x inches,..- MsJ AHH7 VHBr A9k Hh Alhr VHkAHv -HV9ft (Ov 9bV9b JHHHF HH9 A9W HViHW A99ht AHk i HHy HF MlwHr A99bi a 12 inches ?i oo 52 00 1 2 50 4 00 4 00 600 7 00 10 00 12 CO 18 00 .. m ,. Titnoir. tinmntrsa ifllee lio.7 Jicrncraim . -- - 35 soar t 80 100 BKOWNVILLE, NEBRASKA. ii i r Legaladvertisements atlegalrates: One square (lOllneof Nonpareil space, of-lesaj) flrat loser tlon- l.CC; eacksubsequentlnsertlon, 50ii. , . t , . 3Alltran3Clcnt advertisements must be paid orlnidvance. Terms, in Advance: ,ecopy.oneyear -82 0, . i ob 50 1 0e copy, six months ne copy, three monins E VlilXG HAT TEROX EVERY rAGE SOCIAIi DIRECTORY. ..,,,lor LoACc No, I?. 1C. TWtfn vi- own ran in uu"----; i: . rotn?enm'Ic)4eeK.lnt xac". .Y'rrmVmnn's store VlsiiinK uro :W-l'rtralV invited. A.G.GATE8.r,.u. " CocaBAS-.Secy. ofTcm. rVUVe"IeverV Friday evening in Odd .jr-ce, Ie.1 v;' r vickeirs druc store. Main f 'ngen "border vWUne thec.ty S n Itdto meet HI i us. B.3L Bajlu . . ws&fifrf: rnCoTloniarin fcu month. It. rnrmclCo."SnnrKVh'mVnth. '? d c'" at MoSJnlc llaU onlhe fifth Mon- uavw- o xTr l:. IV. 1L L U yjkSsioS&thGd Monday In each month. iijn .. -. rt.onttlifilixsternoiar. wnnrilKS. .. o,r!rM each Sabbath IeiIiodltE. t-l'TS? sanaay School at tli-a. mj SZAng Thursday evening. J.SL1 nAitw. Pastor. c . &abbBth P 1 : 5:i.ni 'hbath school at 2 o'clock pfm. J. T.Baibd. Pastor- f-TTV OFFICEKS. hir rounrll-Meets the Flnt gg m".th. Major, f. A. T.sdel Ai Warfl p. ro'VceJudge.J..Stull. COUNTY OFFICERS. GRMGE DIRECTORY Offlccr- of the National Gmnee. n w. Adanw. Master. Wankon. Iowa. O. 11. K".cy.?crretery, Washington. D. C. oniccru of the State Crnncc. Wra.U.Porter,Ma8ter; Wm McCatg. faccretary: Unci n. ... .1 Nrinaha County Central Association. rv?n-'i HTne. President. Sherman : W.G wnn. Rro" pvllle: S.KoberUon. Howard. Git AN (5 ES. OBAKfrB. UASTBR. SBCBETABT. Am ty IJ'Vtjn t ft jn UiartrOak I jr. tt.row FtlUne Orand Prairie . II ;!..and II i y Crock. . II viiB Ha:id-I-ji! Ian- - L'bertv Larayette. .. NetnuMa tie naliaCntre Vemnha Valley S.rma' Church IIowe..wm. r.n . O. P. Avery-. B. II. Bailey J.Gilbert -; It. V. Black G. Watban Wm. Uannaford A. a Leeper. X. J. I larmes , Mrs.! . Schnyder tit Wond Itobt. Skillon V P "Weader. CMeader. f ..'Uliusow WW. Smith Ttiii- S.Webber J.'ir.Peery W.1L Harris ILCuilds. F. Patrick. J.HIgclns.. S. Itobertson w.M stokes T. C. Klmsey ITho3. IJurress Wm. Watklns. A XJnltT B. F. Senior. T. J. Majors 'J. M.l'ettu C Campbell I Itobt. Coleman. Wm Jones IJ. Mnrlntte Lellov Mason .. U. L. Mason JolmStrain C. Barrus O. B. Hew ett ' J. B. Piper. Perry Buckelsi -.-.- Wm. Bagley. ' W. Bridge A. J.Skeen Gpo. Crow- Wm. F. Paris 'll. O. MI nick . S.Cochran 1 J. Maxwell Chas. Blodgett O. J Matthews. J. A. Glel C.M.Glel PieatantlUdge PlcasantValley Plcas-.r.t II in Vi t -'.en PrjrT1C"-t . ItCW3fd It sin? Star lUstne Sun.. Se-ar.ty I'lity- trash -:-ton Zion TIME SCHEDULES. RAILROAD TIME TABLES. Burlington &. Jllssonrl River Ratlroail In NcljrnsUa. LVIN LINE. 1 1 25 a.m. jeave. I .PIattsmoutn I 2.-05 p.m.arrlve i4p.m . Lincoln ll:ir.a.m. leave '0 03 p.m. arrive J .Kearney Jiinci oho a.m n. OMAILV BRANCH. 1 n m. leave I .Plattsmouth 1 12:15 a m. arrive i W p.m. arrive 1 Omaha 1 10-.50 a.m. lea e BEATRICE RRANCH. 3i5p.ru. leave Crete I 7: a.m. arrive 6 05 p.m. arrive I Beatrice. I 5:lia.m. leave Chicago fc NortU AVcstcrll itallway. Vrainsat Council Bluffs nrrlveanddepartasfollows OOIVO WEST Day Express Night Lxpreia AnniVE 1 aoiso kast pepakt 10An.ui. I Da v Express &40a,m. . e.l5a.m. I Nigtit Express. 4-05 p.m. Ex. Freight 10J0a.m. W. H. STENXETT. Gen. Pas. A gf . Kansas City, St. .Toe. fc C. B. Railroad. Trains leave Phelps Station as follows: Coin? Xorth,. 'Joing Xorth .5 30 a. m. I Going South, frJB a. m. .4; p.m. I Going South, CAo p. m. A. C. DAWES. Gen. Pass. Agent. Miaiand I'acllic Railway. jvim 5 05 p m 2fi)pin STpm ()pm s.5jpm J 40 pm lu-.tapm Nebraska City 1 2;00 p m -1 50 p m VLlncoln'( , uvSfim io-io n m I iir.. Seward I 90 am 8.30 am J. N. CONrERSE, Sup't. BUSINESS CARDS. ATTORNEYS. B. C. Parker,' AT LAW. LAND AND TAX A raying Agent. Howard.Neb. Will xtr U gent attention toany legal business eBtraatgg to te Ward -W. 1 . ie. .- - ---n 7 TW d u'ard- wSuFreJricuVrkeMa Sn tJ.l). Docker. Treausrer.J Binke. e - care. ji E. E. Enrlght, TTORXEY AT LAW, Notary public aBd Real A. Estate Ag&nt. Olllce in Court House Bulld "w; I!roMiille Neb. T. L. Schlclc, A1 TTORXEY AT LAW.-MAY BE CONSULT L ml in tho fZormtn lnnirnnire. Office next door to Countv Clerk's OOlce. Court House Bulld ias.Brovruvilie.Xebraska. 19-6y J. S. Stnll, vn fYinXKETXiR AT LAW. TTORXEY Office.iio.fo Main street.(upstalrs,)Brown- viiie.Xeb. 18-Cy v J. H. Broady, I TTORXEY AXI) nonxsELOR AT LAW.- - Office over State Bank. Brownville.Neb. E. W. Thomas, TTORXEY AT LAW. OfTice.front room over J. tvenson & Cross's Hardware Store, Brown ville.Xeb. V. T. Rogers, TTORXEY AXD COUNSELOR AT LAW. -- Will cive diligent attention to any legal amjinessentrusted to his care. Office in'Cotirt Huse Building, Brown ville. Neb. PHYSICIANS. K S. HOLT. AD AY, M.D.. Physician. Surgeon -fi. and Obstetrician. Graduated. In 1S5I. Loca ted in Urownville 1SS5. Office. Lett & Creigh's Prug Store. McPhcrson '.Block. Special attention psid to Obstetrics and diseases or "V omen and Children. 10-6al HL. MATHEWS. Physician and Surgeon. OIHce in City Drug Store, No. 32 Main street, Brown vilie, Xeb. NOTARIES COLLECTION AGENTS A. Bergmann, tr.TC AXD CONVE VOTARY PrBLIC AND CONVEYANCER. , Oftlce, No. 41 Main street, Brownville. Neb. LAND AGENTS. fILLIAM H. HOOVER, Real Estate and Tax ' Paying Agent. Office in Dbtrlct Court Room, will give prompt attention to the sale of Real Es tate and Payment of Taxes throughout the Nemaha taa .District. n BLACICSJnTHS. .T. IV. Gibson, BLACKSMITH AXD HORSE SHOER. First strfefnet.veen Main and Atlantic, Brownville, Aeb Work done to order and satisfaction guaran d. HOTELS. A 2IERICAX HOUSE, 1 D.Roblson. Proprietor. p-Front street, between Main and College. Good Hou an Uvery Stable in connection with this ,etter"heads, , i98 BILL HEAD rc?Uyprintedat thlsofllce. ESTABLISHED 1856. Oldest Paper in tho State . A REaUIEM. BY PELEO arkwkioht. That dorg ras every Inch a dorg, He knowed his duty straight; He never ihlssed a light or fire, Nor never turned up late. 2Iy heart is broke, I'm much diturbed ; He was the steadfast pup That ever spoke for scraps of meat, Or chawed a liver up. There's many dorgS that useless is, Could better have been spared ; But though he's dead, my comfort Is, I think ho was prepared. My heart is broke I'm much depressed ; Ho was the earnestest pup That ever eot upon his tail. And cocked his left ear up. He took his part with other dorgE He never shirked, not he, His comrads to Investigate, 4 .- Nor missed a post or tree'. , 2Iy heart Is broke, I'm much annoyed ; He was tho check lest pup That ever growled about a bono, "When other dorgs come up. He never failed on no account, Old women to annoy ; An organ-grlnder.to torment. Was his especial Joy. My heart is" broke I'm much distressed ; He was" tho cheerfulest pup That ever tared a lady's skirt, Or chawed a slipper up.' For cats he had grcai sympathy. And showed It in a way That made 'em glad to see him 'round, 'Most any time o' day. My henrt is broke, I'm much concerned ; Ho wasthe liveliest pup That ever treed a Thomas-cat, Or chawed a kitten up. For settin' hens.his.feelln's wd Jocose to a dVgteo; Ho made 'em take new Interest in This world of misery. My heart is broken, I'm much oppressed ; He was iho pcrsistentest pup That ever chased a rooster 'round, Or chawed a chicken up. He's gone! The world is darknd drear, I'm sad and lonely now, And gloomy retrospection bits Upon this achin' brow. t My heart is broke, I'm much cllagrired ; He was the aOectlonatest pup That ever wagged a friendly tail, Or coughed n breakfast up. TAFFY WHITE'S CHRISTMAS. BY CHARLES E. HURD. It was the twenty-fourth of Decem ber. A sharp, stinging Bort of a day, that made the boys on their way to school pull their capB down tighter over their ears and stick their well mittened .hands deeper into their pockets. The icicles which hung from the eaves were brittle with the cold. The snow looked whiter and the ice in the meadow bluer and smoother. There was not a breath of air stirring. Theemoke rose straight up from the chimneys, and the half dozen withered leaves that still clung to the scraggy limbs of tiie maples in Deacon Washburn's door-yard hung aB still as if they were only parts of a painted picture and had never moved at all. On the front steps of the Washburn mansion stood a sturdy little fellow of four years, vigorously kicking the lower panels of the door and endeav oring by shouts to attract the atten tion of the inmates. He was" well pro tected from the cold ; his warm fur cap and heavy woolen comforter showing hardlv more than the tip of Ills little nose, which tile slrarp air had painted a bright pink color. "'Emme comein! 'Em me come In!" he shouted, impatiently, as he ceased kicking for a moment, to rat tle the door-knob. The door Sucfdenly opened. "Now, Taffy Whito, go right away from the front-door, this minute. Your feet are all over snow and I ain't going to have you stomping through the front entry all day. There's enough to do in the kitchen, without keeping a girl to run 'round after you with a broom. If you wa'nt to come in, go 'round the other way." "But I want to oome in thia door, Gran'ma Was'bun. I got some busi ness.'7 "Your business ain't very driving, I guess. Why don you go and stay with Silas, in the back kitchen? It's nice and warm there, and maybe he will tell you a story.' "I don't want any story. I want to come in tho front door, and I want my papa's letter." "Bless the boy," said Mrs. Wash burn, impatiently, "he will have his own way, and there can't any of us help it. Come in, then, and don't keep me standing In tho door, with my bare arras, air day." Taffy's point was gained, and he marched behind his grandmother in to the kitchen, consoious of having achieved a signal victory. Such a delicious whiff of mince meat, and spicea, and plum-cake, and hot pies and doughnuts a satuted his nostrils as he entered the room! There was flour over everj' thing ; raisen-stems and apple-pairings were scattered about; and paper bags, with mysterious contents, fresh from the grocery, nlleu tne side-table. .Piles of plates stood in the chairs, and the great brick oven sent forth Its hot breath every time it was opened for the inspection of its contents. "There," said Mrs. Washburn, wip ing the flour from her fingers on her apron and taking down a Jettcr from behind the clock. "There's your let ter. And now what are you going to do with it?" "Keep it," replied Taffy. "But 3'ou can't read it. I should think you'd' want to keep it nice, to show papa, when he comes." "I want you to read it tome, then." "I've read it to you, over and over, and so has every body else the Go house. I can't spare the time. and get Silas to read it." "I want you to read It," and Taffy's chin quivered and his voice grew louder. "Don't cry. Mercy on U, child, don't you see how busy everybody is? Your papa'll be Here to-morrow, perhaps, and that'll be ever so much better than your letter." But taffy insisted. "Well, then, do read it t6 him, Jane. It's the quickest way to get rid of him. We aba'n't have any peace till you do." So Jane stopped chopping mince meat for a moment, leaning on her knife while she read the letter aloud : My Dear Little Boy : I shall leave California by the 1st of Decem ber, and hope to bo with you Christ mas. I send this inside Grandma Washburn's letter, so it will go safe. I hope to find TafFy a good boy. You must come with Grandpa to meet me at the station, Cbristma3 Eve. With ever so many kisses. Papa. Taffy listened as intently as if he had never heard a word of it before, and as soon as it was thro' demanded a second reading.of it. Jane was obstinate. "Well read on the outside, then, you didn't read that." "'Taffy White, Esq.' That's all. iSow don't plague' me any longer. Run out, like a good boy." But Taffy knew his power too well to be go't rid of so easily, and it re quired the combined bribe of two Baldwin apples, a stem of raisins, a doughnut, and two figs to get him in to the back kitchen, where Silas was boiling potatoes for the pics. Here for ten miutes ho watched the kettle and questioned Silas; and then, get ting restless, insisted upon being let out into the dooryard again. "Now, don't ye go to fussin' with the ax," said Silas, as he lifted him down the slippery step. "I knowed a little boy once 'bout asbig as" you be 't cut all his toes cri one foot olean off, jest playin' with bis father's ax." The ax had been Taffy's objective point; but this bloody precedent, manufactured out of whole cloth up on the instant, by tho ingenious Silas, rather stagcered him, and he turned his attention in another direction. "I shall skate some on my little sled, then," he said in a disappointed tone. "Well, sbate-away," returned Silas. "Only don't get under the bosses' feet in the road; Why don'tyego up back of the house, an' slide down hill? I would, if I was 3'ou. The wind cuts awfully down in the road and ye'll freeze to death in ten min utes." This advice was given with' chat tering teeth and was lost on Taffy, who dragged his sled into and along the road while Silas retired to his warm quarters in the back kitchen. Hardly had the door closed upon him when, with a prodig'ious jingling of bells, a big double sleigh dashed along the road past the house, toward the village, scarcely a mile away. Had Taffy been a size smaller or had the driver not been looking directly at him, he might not have bet-n seen, and the horses might have gone over him before he had Known they were there. As it was, the team was pull ed up just In time. "Hallo, Taffy!" shouted one of the party. "Aren't you getting lost? Jump in and have a ride. We're coming right track." Taffy waB only to willing. "Let me tie your sled on behind," said the driver, one of the' neighbor's boys and a great friend of TalTy's. "We're just going to the store, after some cooking things, and the folks won't know you're gone till you get back." So the sleigh skimmed along the ground after the ' horses, till the vil lage store was reache'd and the boys got out. t "You'd better stay in the sleigh, Taffy," said one of the boys, the larg est. "Wesha'n't bo more than ten minutes, for the women folks are in an awful hurry for their stuff." Five minutes passed. It seemed a long time to Taffy. He tried to crack the whip ; but It was too long and heavy and every attempt was a mel ancholly failure. He stood upon the seat. Then he formed the idea of climbing upon the horses' backs. Whether he would have successfully accomplished this feat will never be known, for at that instant the shrill sound of the approaching train struck his ears. "It's the cars," said Taffy to him self. "No body ever lets me see the cars, much as I want to ; and gran'pa Was'bun always pulls my hands so when they go by.-" In an instant he was out of the sleigh, and going as fast as his little Iega would carry him to the station, which was hard by. When" the train rolled up to the platform, Taffy was there awaiting it; and hardly had it .stopped before he was on the steps of the rear car. "I'll jest peek in" he thought. "Gran'pa Was'bun won't let mo see nmitlilnir ol'OP " The brokeman opened the door for him' and closed it behind him, and the DText instant the train was off again. Taffy wasn't frightened. Far from it. He clumbered into a seat by .the side of a fat old woman and looked' around him very composedly. And now, while Jie is sitting there, trundling awaj from home at tho rate of'twenty miles an hour, we will selzo the opportunity to tell the read- BROWFVILLE, 3TOBRASKA, er who Taffy was. In the first place, his name wasn't Taffy at all; only plain Johnny. fancied likeness to the pictu'ee in "Mother Goose" of the legendary Welshman gave him the name, while he was yet in arms, and it stuck to him. Taffy's mother died before he was two years old, and he was left in the care of his grandmoth er, who spoiled him, pretty much as all grandmothers spoil their child ren's children, when the opportunity is given them. His father, unsettled by his loss, went to Australia, and af terward to California; and now, after two years' absence, was on his way back again. He was, according to his letter, to reach homo on Christ mas Eve, ttnd here was Christmas Eve coming tin as fast as the hande'of the clock could scramble roune the dial plate. By and by the conductor came along. "Where are you going, my little man ?" "California." "California?" "Yes. Goln' to And my papa." "When do you exDect to cret there ? Are you alone? Where did you get on the train?" To all these questions Taffy only looked straight at the conductor aud nodded his head. "You're a runaway. I'm afraid. Where's your ticket ? How are you going to pay for your rida?" Very delibertely and slowly Taffy put his hand in his pocket arid took out tho remaining Baldwin apple, which he laid in tlie lirfrtd of tho con ductor. . "You'll do," said the ofiicial, laugh ing. "I'll look orit for j'ou when we get to Springfield." And he passed on.' It was four o'clock wheu""Tafly com-, menced his journey, and it was half past six when the train rolled' into Springfield station. Something un usual ha'd happened, as was evident from tho excitement among the throng of people upon the platform. "What's the matter?" asked one of 'the passengers, as he stepped from tho car. "The eastern express has run Into a freight train, a mile out, and the track will be blocked till after mid night." Taffy heard the question and reply, but understood neither. Ho had o vague idea that he was in California, and, undismayed, set out in search of his father. It was bitter cold; but he pulled on his mittens and walked into the street. The shouts of the hack-drivers and the glare of the lights confused him somewhat ; but he kept on, looking into all the stores and shops where the lights were the brightest. "I guess my papa would be where 'twas awful warm to-night," said he to himself. "I just wis he'd come out!" Just in front of one of the largest and most brilliantly lighted stores on the street his foot slipped and he fell. One of his mittens came off and his cap rolled into the street. Somebody stooped to pick him up, and said "Boor little fellow!" and his heart gave way all at once. He was carried, loud in lamentation, into the store, and set in the warmeBt place, in the midst of a sympathetic din that con fused him still more. The most in genious questioning and cross-questioning failed to extract any further information than that his name was Taffy, that he lived with Gran'pa Was'bun, and that he had come to California on the cars to find his papa. By and by he was left to himself, after having been furnished with a superfluity of buns and candy, and his tears were soon dried in contem plation of the ever varying crowd of visitors which thronged the various departments of the establishment. After a while he got to wondering at the big pile's of blankets which tower ed high above his head on the count ers, aud what they did with them, and where all the beds were they be longed to ; and at the long shelves of clothes and calicoes and little square boxes ; and at the rows of ribbons and big and little stockings, and "many queer things ho had never seen before which hung above the counters. Then he began to .feel very comfort able, and all the things and clerks and the people he had been watching gradually seemed to mingle and melt together. His eyelids dropped slow ly and Taffy was asleep. How long he slept he could not have told ; but.he was awakened by voices talking, it seemed to him, In his ear. Ho lazily opened his eyes, aud saw close by the pile of blankets, against which his back was leaning, a tali, pleasant-looking man, with big whiskers. "You may put in two pairs of the nicest ones," he was saying. "With the dress-patterns and the roll of cot ton cloth, they'll make something of a load. The acoident on tlfe railroad has delayed my journey home for a few hours; 'and, as I have the chance, I may as well take something with me to make my welcome warmer. Christmas, too, you know." "Where will yox have them sent, sir?" asked the clerk. "There," said the tall gentleman, handing him a hotel card. "Send them In any time before ten o'clock. Ishall remain until the first morning train, I presume, though I'd glvo a hundred dollars If T could get to my jonrney's end to-uight. I have plan ned getting home Christmas Evo for six months past, and its hard to be disappointed," THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 1875. "Yos, sir. Must be, Bir," said the busy clerk. "Here, Tom 1" Tom came. "Get down that long basket and put in those packages, on the counter and two pairsof those best Middlesex blaukets." Taffy's eyes closed again, but open ed when Tom reappeared, with a huge basket, something like a cradle in shape, in into which the goods were carefully deposited, the blankets on the top, aud overall a white cotton covering, to keep them froni being soiled. "How much its looks like a bed," thought Taffy. It did look inviting, truly. And it wouId.be so much warmer and nicer than sitting on a hard box with cap and boots on. The basket was near him so near he could put his hand on It. The clerks were all busy and and none of the orowd came near to that corner of the store, which was quite in the shade. The longer Taffy looked the more Irresfstable was the temptation, untillat last he pulled off his boots and put them deep down in basket; then his cap aud comforter; aud finally, after making sure that no one was looking, got in himself, bury ing himself out of sight between the two great blankets. In another min ute he he was fast asleep a3 he ever was in his own little crib" at home. Half an hour afterward the basket was seized by a strong clerk, tossed into the express sleigh with a score of other baskets and bundles, and a few minutes Inter was tossed again upon the hotel piazza, whence it was taken up by the porter to the room of a tall gentleman, who was impatiently awaiting it. Two or three huge trunks were in the room, one of them open, apparently ready to receive the newly made purchases. "Boy'll call for the basket in half an hour," said the porter, and went out. AS soon as tho door closed the tall gentleman move the basket 4to the side of the open trunk. Then he took off the cotton covering and threw it on a chair. The he lifted the top blank et; but no sooner had he done so than he let it fall again not back In to the basket, but upon the floor and stood staring with all his might at what it had covered. There lay Taffy, his arm Under his head, his brown curls knotted and tangled, his eyes shut, sleeping away as peacefully as if he had been in a real bed; and un der tho direct eye of his grand mother. The longer the tall gentleman gazed the more he wondered. "How on earth, " he t thought to himself, "did this HttlV chap get mixed up with my purchases? He couldn't have been packed in by mistake, and I certainly don't re member buying a boy. He may be able to tell me some'thing about him self. Here, Tommy, JacKy, Billy, or what's your name, wake up!" Taffy opened his eyes not very wide at flrs ; but in a minute or two, becomming concious that he was no longer In the store, but in strange room, he grew wide owake, and sat up in tho basket. Then he felt for his boots and" very deliberate- drew them on, keeping his ej'es all the while fixed on the tall gentleman, who, in return, watched him with a sqrt of amused astonisnm'ent. Then he pnton his cap and wound his com forter twice round his neck. "Well," said the tall gentleman, in a pleasaut sort of voice, "and what are you going to do now?'' "Find my pa'paVsaid Tafiy, stout ly. "Your papa?, What's his name." "Papa. 'At's all his name." "But where is he?" "California." "You've got a7 some ways to' go, my dear little fellow, before you find him, then. Where did you come from?'' "Gran'pa Wa3'bun'B.' "Wbat!,i said the tall gentleman, quickly. "Say that again. What's your name?' "Taffy White." Tho tall gentleman caught him up under his arms and held him under gas light. "Are you sure you're Taffy White ?" he asked earnestly so earn estly that Taffy thought he tvas scold ing and' began to cry. "Where were you going? How came you here? What were you doing in that bask et?" "I guess I run away. I just peeked In the cars, and theu they kept going till I got to California. 'Em me get down! Papa! I want my pa pa !" He pulled his little haukerchief from his pocket, as he found his feet again, aud with it came his treasured letter. The tall gentleman caught sight of it, glanced at the Inside, and then snatched Taffy up for the second time; not, however, to examine him by the gaslight, but to hug and kiss him over and over again. Don't you know me.'my dear, dar ling, precious liltle boy ?" he said at lost. "Don't you remember Papa? Of course, you don't; but I am your, papa, for all that. How did you come here In that basket? I can't under stand It." Taffy was too much bewildered at first to make any explanation, and it took some minutes to make him duly appreciate the fact that he had found his papa; or, rather, that his papa had .found him. Then, whenhe had lit tle by little related the main faots of his journey and his subsequent ad ventures, there was more kissing arid hugging and a little crying; but it i, was' t for eorrow. "We'll send Grandpa Washburn a dispatch right off, Tffy, boy," aaid his father. 'For I've no doubt they've offered a reward for you al ready. Then we'll have supper, for for you must be empty as a tin can by this time. And after supper, If you are not too sleepy, weli take a run round among the toy stores. They won't shut up till late, and it's only nine o'clock now." It wasn't too late, and they did take a tour among the toy shops, Taffy coming home so loaded down with brown-paper parcels and packages that he looked like a miniature St. Nicholas; but not more so than the lad who toiled on behind, covered from-view, all but his legs, with! a choice selections of rocking-horses, go-carts hand sleds, and other miscel laneous articles, enough to set him up In a very respectble hussiness That night the little hotel bed-room was a chamber of peace; and when the church-bells rang in the blessed Christmas no heart with their sound felt the benign influences of the time more deeply, or swelled with a purer gratitude toward Him whose birth it commemated than that whlph beat against the tired little head of the wandering Taffy. The Independent EAtlTUUIN,, SCENE. E. A. B. STREET. The squirrel chatters merrily, The nut falls rips and brown. And Jem-like, from the jewelled trco The leaf comes flattering down, And restless in Its pfumage gay. From bush to bush, loud screams tho jay. SENSUALITY. Make his reason serve his passions, That Is what man never should; To the devil's kitchen angels Never carry wood. o OLD JIMSjDRATTOX. How He Happened to "Swcsr-Off." From the Detroit Free Press. He came up town last night to drink the old year out and the new year in. There are menTLwho can remember when he had a cottage of his own ; when he was well-dressed and hud a frank, honest face; when his chil dren went to Sunday school and his wife was well clothed and carried a happy face. Old Jim found" himself going down the hill, and most in a year he had changed from, a hard working, respectable man to a ragged, lazy sot, aud no effort on the part of those who joved him could stop his descent. His home went, his furni ture went, good clothes aud happy faces disappeared, and wretchedness and poverty moved into the old tene ment house on Beoublen street with him. Do'vou remember when h'is child was run over and killed ? Old Jim was dead drunk while the body lay In the house. Were you""ever at the Central Station Court when he was sent up for drunkenness or beating his wife? Have you never seen him sleeping his druuken sleep in the al ley ? Haven't you heard the police speak of "Old Jim Drayton?" A red, wicked face, having not one soft line in it red eyes, looking" stupidly and vacantly at you a battered hat ragged clothes you surely must have met him at some time. Old Jim meant to haveabfg.drunk. That was a good way to wind the old 3'ear up. He had been drunk Thanks giving he had staggered home drunk Christmas night, and when his boys were heard wishing that Santa Claus had not passed them by, the father became ang'erecTond beat them. The bar-keeper knew him as he entered tho saloon and called'for drinks. He had called there dozens of times be fore, and his face was as familiar as the sight of tho big decanter from which he poured his drink. "Wait a minute," said the bar keeper, who was wiping off the bar ; and old Jim eatdown at one of the tables. Two young men oame.in and sat down near him. Jim was in the shadow, and they did not know who It was. As they drank their beer they spoke of the dying year, and of their resolves to break off some of their bad habits,; and finafly one of them said : "Some one was saying that old Jim Drayton had'eut his throat!" "It's good news, if true," replied the other. "No one will miss the old sot not even his family. His wife and children are in rags, his home hasn't a comfort, and if he'd only die folks would feel like helping them. He's the lowest drunkard in Detroit." "Yes, I've often wondered why he didn't jump Into the river," rejoined the other. "If I ever get as low and ragged and mean as old Jim Drayton I'll shoot myself." Old Jim heard every 'word. If he had had a glass of whiskey down ho'd have loaped up and cursed them, but he wasifober as sober as he had ever been for ten years, and he made no move. Wo3 he low ariii mean ? Did everybody feel that way toward him ? Did everybody ifotlco his poor old house, his ragged children, his red face and watery eyes? Did men spe tk to each other of hia degreda tlon, his neglect of his family would hia death be good news to the publio?r "Do you want whiskey or gin?'' asked the bar-tender, but old Jim did not hear him. He had leaned back against the wall, pulled his hat over his eyes and was thinking. Drink had robbed him of his honest look, his frank tone and his strength and skill, but it bad not robbed him of memory. He could go back over tho VOL. 19.-N0. 31. decades and remember his pleasant home, his happy family and his own honest, independent frellng. Shame oame with memory. He had not got so low but words could stride him. Two or three other men came in. and while they were drinking one of them aslled ; "Isn't that old Jim Drayton in the corner?" "Yes, that's the old sot,' answered another. "Wonder if he Isn't going to swear off ha! ha! ha!" laughed the third. The words stung old Jim again. They called up something of his old spirit, and he sprang up out of his chair aud exclaimed : "Yes, I am going to swear off!" " You swear off you ha! ha! ha !" laughed tho men. "But I wUl.'I know I'm a drunk ard, and that I'm ragged and low, but I can reform !" "That's good !" they laughed, "big gest thing out! Old Jim Drayton swearing off ha. ha!" "I will with God's help, 1 will!" he replied, striking the bar with his fist. Their shouts of laughter followed him as he went out, but they strength ened hia pudden resolution. He walk ed directly home. He stopped for a moment at the gate and wondered why he had never before noticed how gloomy and wretohed; and lonesomp tho old hovel looked. It was a fit home for a drunkard""and d wlfe-beat-er. Ho opened the gate, paused, then turned and went to tho grocery on the corner, and with the money he meant to get drunk on he purchased a few little toys for. the children and returned and entered his desolate home. He stood in the door for an instant and looked around at the bare aud battered walls, the bare floors, the wretchedness and poveriy. His wife crept away, fearing his drunken wrath. He knew what moved her, and it cut him like a knife. "Mary, como here!" he said, as he closed the do'or aud held out his hand; "lam not drunk; to-night I" She slowly approached him, won dering if drink had not crazed htm. "Mary," he said, as ho clasped her hand, "I haven't drank a drop to night!" "Oh, James!" shesobbed, breaking right down in an iustant. "They call me old Jim Drayton ; say I'm a sot; wonder why .1 don't die ; say I can't reform," he went on, "but I'm &oing to stop drinking I have stopped!" She put her arms around his neok, butoould not speak. "From to-night, as. long as I live, I'll be James Drayton again sober steady a kind husband aud a good father! Go'ali'd wake up the chil dren, Mary, and let us all pray to gether!" "Is father going to kill us?" they whispered as they were aroused from their wretched beds. "No no, he's sober he's goiug to be good again,'" she sobbed. At midnight the voice of prayer, broken by sobs, was heard in the old hovel, and old Jim Drayton, kneeling at his cliair, said : help me to be a" better man!" So may it. THE 5U5TOiI OPJDUXJIOW. One sunny autumn day, hundreds of years ago, when tho religion of Rome prevailed in England, the pri or of the old Convent ofDunmow, a gentle and holy man, was told that two young strangers were at 'he door and solicited an Interview with him. He rose, and accompanied by two or three of the'brothers betook himself to the portul of the convent, where he found a very handsome young man and a fair young woman kneeling reverently on the stones. They were dressed like peasants, but the youth had a stately'air, while the beauty of his companion shone through her coarse dress likea,star from a cold, gray cloud. "What is it you desire, my children and why do you kneel here so humbly?" asked the kind hearted old prior. The young man looked up with a happy smile most beautiful to see, and replied : "Father, twelve njonths and a day have passed since we- were wadded and from that blessed hour we have lived In perfect peace, confidence and love. Not one word of bitterness, uukindness or dissention has passed between us. We have gone on, growing more and more happy, grate ful and loving day bj' day, and now we have come to this holy house of our blessed Lady of Dunmow to crave your ble-sing on the wedded love that f has stood so good Rte6t." The prior smiled benignly, and, stretching out his thin-, white hands, he blessed them fervently, rejoicing, devout old monk though he was, in their beauteous youth, their faith and joy and tender love. The wedded Iovere bowed their fair heads yet more humbly, seeming to feel that gracious benediction falling upon them like an invisible celestial shower. Then they rose up, mur mured their thanks, and were about to turn away from the door when they caught sight, of the convent cook coming down into the court bearing on his back a huge flitch of brown bacon. The cook was a fat, lazy, short-breathed old fellow, and he seemed so overwhelmed by hia bur den that the happy young couple, be holding him, laughed out right mer rily. The old prior laughed also, and OFFICIAL PAPER OF TIIE COURT even the solemn monks behind him seemed glad of an opportunity to' stretch tho stiff muscles about their mouths and smiled grimly at the liit dicrous sight. . y All at once a pleasant thought;' seemed to strike the venerable priory and he said to the pleoeant young; couple : , "My children, take yon that mlgti--ty flitch of bacon aa a testimonial foe' your fidelity and tender affection tb ward one another. Math inks such love as yours maketh the whole w,c.2lflj better and brighter, "the oto7jrbf"ifr hath given a sweetness to this sum-' mer morn beyoud the sweetnessof' summer roses. So take your lovely" gift feast your friends upon it, and think sometimes on tho Convent '' Dunmow, and on the old man who has done with the life of the world but not with the gentle, human sym-' patnfes." ' ,t The j'oun$ man seemed greatly"2 touched, and smiled solfty as h're- plied: , "We thank thee, good prior, for tby' gift. -It is dear to us, not for its val-i ue, but because it proves that thouea teemetft our love a good and beautiful thing, and that the blessing of the priest came from the heart of the man. I now give in return, to that Convent of Dunmow, certain broad' lands near by, which will yields th.ee and the holy brothers a thousand marks a year. But'to this grant Tan-' nex this condition : Whenever a wed", ded pair shall come to the convent and swear by tho blessed Lady, o -. "Si Dunmow that they have lived as w have lived, in perfect love and con cord for a year and a day, they shal, receive a goodly flitch. of bacon .So;, reverened fatnet, out of a simple chance a useful and pleasant custom shall grow and as long as hungry folks Bhall relish'good baoon the ex--ample of our love shall endure, and our names and thine be blessed, mote it he I" Scy pThe prior and the monks looked at the speaker in silent astonishment, and it was noticed that even the pret'7 t3T young wife stepped a little back from her husband and gazed at him fixedly, like one bewildered. "My son," at length spoke tti.B pri or "th oh art light-hearted 'as be- seemetb one of Jhy ypars, but thou should'st not jest with""reverned men like us if so be thou dost jest if not, who art thousand of what degree ?' "Nay, father, replied Ihe young man gravely, "I do not jestC In me? thi u aeest thy neighbor, Sir Begin-, aid Fitzwater. I am, as thou know est, rich enough to fulfill my promise to the convent. I am Indeed the richest of men, "'slncej Heaven hath blessed me with this priceless treas ure" and he drew to his breast the beautiful lady, who still gazed on him,' in blushing bewilderment;. Then ber continued : "It wa3 by a happy chance, while journeying Idly, far from my own domain, thafl first say? my love, the sweetest ilower of wo manhood, blooming Iivra cottage gar den. In the disguise"! of a peasant I woed and won her, crd'noYJt' oftet our trial of a year and a day I am conducting her In pride and joy to the noble halls she is to crace and brighten. Dear love, pardon me that I did play a part.J" I have been happy in sharing thy lowly condition, may you be happi' in sharing my higher estate. Holy prior and my good fathers, I will send a man and a mule for the convent's gift mine may you all live many years to enjoy." There was great rejoicing afc thfj convent but greater at the castle,, when SirRegiuald, who had been; sorely missed, came walking quietly and smilingly through Its great arch ed portal, with his gentle bride and when the rare JJaeaufy of the young couple came otifa from under t"Se eclipse of their rude peasant dresB, and shone resplendent in the rich costume becoming their station. But all said that the light of love and con tent in the young husband's eyes-was a rarer aud more beautiful sight to.ses" than the diamond circlet Be placed on the fair head of his bride and that even Chose costly jewels seemed' tct pale in the radieucu of her sweet; Sjmple graclousftess the "ornament of a meek and qulet spirit." which she always wore. It is said that Sir Reginald, and Lad3' Fitzwater lived many happy years, end died on the same day, and were bnrried in one grave; Grace Greenwood. A Band, of Robber Brokea Up., A band of robbers has just been broken up in Paris. They called themselves "Chevaliers des Cravattes Verges," and were known to eaclu ofhef Oy" a peculfar green necKtit which each wore. The band contains 143 members, all young men of gooof fhmi.Jy connections, and were com manded by 3 former captain of thp commune named Gbdard. Early ir;. December one of the band, Gassnrr.. was arrested in the act of commitlirtc a- robbery. He showed the whM feather, and told the agent of the po lice where to- find some of hiscou-. rades. Godard, the leader, and fiftc of his associates in crime were arriv ed, and the detectives were put on 11 tiail of forty-nine others. In U pocket of each of the robhera w..- found the green necktie, the badgv v the order. One by one the roses fade. It L now boldly denied that men wh wearlong hair are possessed of an; more talent than men who have i snipped close. 1 'in ' i I