nitn gwMWHWcyj.tfi,aa -. Oir-'Vil ' "trf 01 CHRISTMAS TDK WHAT CAME OF KfLUNQ A BICH CKCLB. By MAEK LEMOH. ' "Dance with me, Letty Green," said George Poynter, to a pretty girl with bluo eves and "hair that shamed the morn." Her ample ball dres3 was of the purest white muslin, fastened at the sleeves and round the waist with blue ribbon bluer than her eyes. "Yes," answered Letty, "I want to dance with you." The Linco at an end, Letty tried to smooth her golden curls into order with her little hands, and then, opening her pretty blue eyes to their full, said: "George Poynter, I should like some orange." "es, Letty," said the young gentle man addressed; "and there's lemonade and negus and such a sponge cake." "I like dancing with you better than any one, Letty," said George, to his pretty partner. "Do you? Wliyr replied Letty, her voice rather obstructed by the sponge cake. "I think it is because I like you you are so pretty, replied the young gauanu "You musn't say that, or mamma will scold you, Georgy. She scolds every one who tells me I am pretty," said the young lady. But the words had been spoken, and from that night until the end of the Christmas holidays, George and Letty said they were sweethearts. IL Some four or five years had passed and Letty Green and her mamma were sitting together under the veranda of their pretty cottage, working, and talk ing of a pleasant uav they had spent at Mr. Poynter's, when Master George came, he said, to hid them good-by, as ho was returning to school on the following morning. "And I want to ask you a favor, Mrs. Green, and Lett a favor," 6aid George, coloi iug slightly. Mrs. Green would grant it, of course, anil so would Letty, if she could. "1 want Letty to ride Rufus, my pony, whilst I am at school. Papa has no use for it. and it carries a lady beautifully." "But to accept this proposal would give so much trouble." "Not in the least, Tom that's our groom saj-s it won't, and papa says it won't, and I say the same; so please say you'll use the ony. Straps, the harness maker, will lend u side saddle." Mrs. Green accepted George's offer, as Letty was rather fragile, and pony riding had been declared to bo good for her: hut Mrs. Green's income would not allow of the expense, she said. There were eop!o who called Mrs. Green a mean woman, and hinted that she loved money liettcr than her child. George Poynter went to school very beery, because he had made such a cap ital arrangement about his pony, and he olten thought, when the weather was hue. of Rufus. and wondered if Letty were riding him. George had not for gotten, perhaps, tliat years years ago he and Letty liad called themselves sweethearts. III. More years liad passed, and brought their cliangcs. George and Letty were alone together in a small book room in Mrs. Given':i house, the windows open ing tot iu- garden. George was attired in deep mourning, and thero were strips or black ribbon here and thero onLetty's whiLocircss. They liad been talking'of death and borrow until both liad become silent. After a time Letty took George's hand, and said: "Dear George, you must strive to meet your great affliction with a brave spirit indeed you must. "I liave I do strive," replied George, looking away from Letty; "but remcin licr what has come to me. Two years ago my father died. A year before that villain. .Jackson, ruined my father broke hu heart killed him. O Letty! what have I done to deserve this? Wliat can I dor" "Trust still to the father of tho father less," replied Letty. "We do not know why great afflictions are permitted to overtake us any moro than we can tell why great good comes to ns when wo least expect or deserve it, dear George. You are young, clever, good and have many friends, and out. who is more than a friend.' She raised George's hand to her lips when he had said this (they were tni" sweethearts now), and he-"-what could he do but press her to his bosom, and kisa her cheek burning with blushes? Mn. Green had been walking in tho garden, evidently bus- with her thoughts. Sho had stopjicd near tho book room window, near enough to hear wliat tho sweethearts were saying to each other, and fcho appeared "to be made more thoughtful ny what she heard. When Mr. Poynter was a tlirivingmer cliant Mrs. Green had been moro than a consenting party to her daughter's ac ceptance of George Poynter's attentions indeed, she liad by" several indirect means encouraged tho young people to think lovingly of each other. But now matters were clianged. Master George, as ho was generally called, liad neither houses nor lauds, nor liad ho "ships gone to a far countrie," and Mrs. Green was perplexed how to act. She knew tliat Letty loved her first sweetheart, and would perhaps love lain more now that ho was poor. Mrs. Green was relieved from her per plexity more agreeably than she de served to liavo been, as Georgo Poynter called the next day, bringing with him a letter from his uncle, rich old Silas Cliecseman. promising to provide for Ids only sister's only son, and hinting that George might by good conduct look to Ik? heir to all his thrifty savings. Silas was a bachelor, having been muyucu in ins youtn. tie then took tu loving money, and had been a most suc cessful wooer, as thoso clever Jpcople who know everylKxlv's business but their own declared old Silas Cheese man to bo worth his hundred thousand pounds "moie or less." Uncle Silas had also procured a situa tion for George in the neighboring town of St. Gaits merely a probationary sit uation, as cltTk to a timber merchant, who was ur.dc-r iecuniary obligations to Silas. Ail thh was very cheering, and very kind of Uncle Silas, although 3Ir. Bawk, che timber merchant, was indeli cate enough to surmise that George was Disced ia nis establishment as a spy. and fo watch the interests of las uncle. George would have scorned such a posi tion for all Uncle Silas had to give. rv Before wo pass on to the events of the next few years, we will introduce Chaun ccyGibbs, a f riend of George Poynter. Chaunccy hh pat-onvm of Gibbs was rarely mentioned Chaunoey was a good naturcd, good for nothing, unsettled, amusing fellow, who contrived to live a gypsy kind of life on 200. a year, stead fastly refusing to encumber himself with any employment or to incur responsibili ties more (to quote Chaunccv) than his Iiat wculd cover. He was a native of St Gnats and known to everybody in the town, but he liad no regular abiding place, as he chose to wander at will, and George Poynter would not have been sur- Krised to have received oneof Chauncev's rief letters dated from London, Pans, Vienna or Pelrin. He mostly affected England, however, and London espe cially in the winter. When money was scarce Chauncey walked: when he was -I in funds he availed himself of any cheap conveyance which offered, sometimes never inquiring its destination, but making himself equally at homo wher ever he was stranded. At Christmas time he al.vays returned to St. Gnats, and was a welcome guest at many hospitable tables in that thriving town, nnking his headquarters, however, with his old friend and school chum, George Poyn ter. He had written to announce his return to St. Gnats for the Christmas approaching the end of the two Tears which had intervened since George Poynter had assumed the stool of office at If r, Bawk's, and supplies of tobacco aftd Utter beer were already secured for th welcome pocted guest Ctnmtctry liad a favorite lounge in hvtfltti. a tobacconist's in an out of the itt tim ntoborhood of St Maty Axe. The proprietor was a beadle, or some officialof that character, to one of the companies, and tho tobacco business was conducted during the early part of the day by the beadle's wife and daughter. It was Chauncey'e pleasure to sit on a snuff tub in front of the counter and smoke, in turn, all the varieties of to bacco sold at the beadle's, beguiling the time, also, with animated conversations with the daughter, whose powers of repartee were more ready than refined. It is not our intention to chronicle more than Chauncev's parting interview and what came of it, as slang from a wo man's lips is our abhorrence. Chauncey was about to leave the shop after one of liis long sittings, when the younger lady said: "You won't see me again, I expect, Mr. Chauncev; I'm going to be married." "You maimed! "Yes, me; why not, I should like to know?" asked the lady, a little piqued. "I'm sure I envy the happy man," re plied Chauncey. "It's not the Scotch man at the shop door, is it?" "Well, I'm sure!" said the young lady, and without another word she bounced into the little parlor at the back of the shop. "Now you've regularly offended Becky," said Mrs. Beadle, "and such old friends as you was and she to be married to-morrow, and so respectable." "Well, I'm glad to hear that, said Chauncey. "Where's the wedding to be? I'll buy a bundle of water cresses and strew her way into church as an apology for my rudeness." "Oh! she won't want no apology from you she knows what you are Mr. Chaun cey; but slic's to be married at 10 to-morrow, at St Mary Axo's, but wo don't want it spoke of, as the bridegroom's nervous," said Mrs. Beadle, in a whisper. "I'll be there in time," replied Chaun cey. "I suppose her father will give her away in full costume, cocked hat, staff, and all that" "He will do all things that is proper, Mr. Chauncey," said Mrs. Beadle, with much dignity, and Becky at that moment calling "Mother!" in rather an hysterical tone, Chauncey was allowed to find his way out of the shop as he pleased. On the following morning Chauncey was at tho church of St Mary Axe a quarter of an hour before tho time ap pointed for tho ceremony wliich was to unite Miss Beadle and somebody to their lives' end. hale old gentleman between 60 and 70, perhaps, was the next arrival. Having maae some very confidential communi cation to tho old pew opener, ho was con ducted, evidently in great trepidation, to the vestrv, and there immured until tho arrival of tho tobacconist and family but without tho emblematical Scotch man. Cliauncey concluded, therefore, that Miss Beadle liad captivated tho old gentleman now awaiting his doom in the condemned cell called the vestry. The Bcadlo was in mufti, but his cos tume rtill partook of the splendor of his oiiicc, and a canary colored waistcoat with glittering buttons of ruby glass ren dered him bomewhat conspicuous even in tho gloom of St Marv Axe. His gen eral expression and bearing was that of a tempered indignation, as though ho were about to consent to the infliction of some injury which ho could avoid if ho pleased. A word, a look, might have provoked him to have torn the license lroui the parson's hands and to havo dragged his daughter from the altar, lie was therefore allowed to walk up the aLlo unmolested. Mrs. Beadlu was very lively on her en trance to the church moro lively, per hajs3. than black tea and the occasion warnuiled; but, whatever had been the stimulating cause of her cheerfulness, it ran in plenteous drops from her eyes as she approached tho altar, and must have leeii exhausted entirely by the end of tho ceremony. Niobo weeping for her children would have been a dry nurse compared with Mrs. Beadle. Miss Beadle was resigned, as became her to be at 31. With closed eyes and dioopiug head she leaned upon her mother's arm until, with pardonable confusion, siij released her hand to put u; her parasol as she drew near the altar. Chauncey rushed to her relief, and with some difficulty possessed himself of the incumbrance, aud as there were no at tendant bridesmaids the impudent fellow attached himself to the wedding party, to he, ns ho said, "generally useful and to pick up tho pieces." The ceremony proceeded with all proper solemnity, but thero was some associa tion with the name of one of the con tracting parties which made Chauncey fairly start, and then determine to wit nesj the signing of the certificate, to satisfy a doubt which had suddenly en tered his mind. The wedding party retired to tho ves try when "Amazement" had ended the ce"i eniony , and proceeded to sign the reg isters attesting the union which had just been solemnized Mr. Chauncey Gibbs being, as he said, a friend of the family, .signed also, and there read what had better lie revealed in tho next chapter. V. Any one had only to have walked down the High street of St Gnats to have known that Christmas was at rumr!, Tho grocers' windows were overrunning with Iusciousncss; tho butchers' shops were so choke full of beef and mutton tliat the butchers themselves would havo to cut their wav out into tho 6treet; tho poulterers had laid in such stocks of tur keys, geese and chickens, that Mr. Bab- bi'.gc's calculating machine could aloen h.i.e computed them mere human in tellect would have failed. The window frames of the houses seemed sprouting with holly and "the ivy green, and no doubt but mistletoe hung, kiss provok ing, within. Mrs. Green had made every room in her cottage an anagram of her name, as it was holly decked everywhere. Nor wjis the &acred bough forgotten "on the young people's account' she said, "though Letty and George had lone c&ised to want an excuse for a kiss." George Poynter was waiting the ar rival of his friend, Chauncey Gibbs. A glorious fire blazed within the grate; the table was spread to welcome the coming guest, for whose delectation a faultless rumpsteak pie was browning in the oven. The train, punctual to ite time, was beard screaming into the station close by, and in a few minutes after the two friends were together. If you are hungrv it is fanfaliring to listen to the particulars of a dinner you are not to snare; if you are sated, you are bored by the recapitulation of dain ties you care not to touch, and therefore we will allow the friends to take their meal in peace. Neither will we join their after revel when two or three old cronies came in and made a night of it, until George and Chauncey sought their beds fairly tired out with jollity. When breakfast was over the next morning, and -Chauncey found that George had excused himself from at tendance at the timber yard, he 6aid: "I am glad you can give the morning to me, as I have 6ome news for vou that may, perhaps, surprise and annoy vou." "Indeedr replied George. "'What is it?" "I woulAot touch upon it last night, although I think some immediate action should be taken by you or your friends," continued Chauncey, looking verv ser ious. "Pray speak out," said George. "Oh yes. I must do that, for I have no tact, never had, to make an unpleas ant matter agreeable. Have you heard from your uncle lately?" "Yes, two days ago principally on Mr.Bawk's business," replied George. "My old boy, your uncle never in tended you any good when he shut you up in that log house of Bawk's. He put you there f orhis own selfish purpose and nothing else." "Why do you say that? asked George. "He has led you to suppose that you were to be his heir some day, has he ''Hehasnoversaidtbatmdirecttenns; but he certainly has hinted at such a pos sibility." "Then he's an old scamp, if he don't deserve a harder name," said Chaunoey, thumping the table. "Two days ago he did Ins best to disinherit you. You may stare, but I saw with my own eyes, heard with my own ears, that old ragamuffin marry a bouncing woman of thirty." "Harrv! Uncle Silas marry!" "Fast a St Mary Asa could do it to a snuirseuers tCUgnter;" and then Chaunccy, to the astonishment of his friend, narrated what we already know of the wedding at which Mr. Chauncey had so officiously assisted. "This is indeed a terrible blow," said George, "an unexpected blow." s "Yes; I am afraid, knowing the hands he lias fallen into, that he wont have a will of liis own when a few months have passed," said Chauncey. "I found out now the matter came about Old Silas was very ill. and wouldn't have a doctor; but a Beadle. 1 call nun cot at luni. and then introduced hia. daughter as ' nurse. They first physicked nun nearly to death, and then brought him round with bottled porter. They told the old fool they saved his life, and he be lieved it; and out of gratitude, and the want of a nurse, he proposed to Miss High-dried, and married'her." "This hits me harder than you know, Chauncey much harder. Poor Letty and I can never hoiie now" "Oh, nonsensef replied Chauncey. "Keep your uncle's secret, as he will if he can, marry Letty, and let Mother Green storm afterwards." George shood his head, and then said: "Chauncey, you advise that which is dishonorable." "All fair in love, old boy," replied Chauncey, with a laugh: "and if I were you, to gain the woman who loves me, whom I love, I'd kill my uncle." "Great heaven! wliat do you say? But I see you were joking. No; my'course is perfectly clear so far as Mrs. Green and Lettyaro concerned. I go to them at once, and tell what has taken place. If I am forbidden to continue my visits by Mrs. Green sho shall be obeyed. Letty, I know, will bo always true to me; and when I can make a home for her, I can claim her with honor." "Devilish pretty speech," said Chaun ccy," and all right. I have no doubt I still say, kill old Silas Choeseman, and get married; or, stay perhaps yes you sliall write to luni, now that he's hoacmoon struck tell him you want to foliow his example, and require ten thousand jounds to do it" "I understand this nonsense, Chaun cey," replied George, with a sad smile. "Your friendly chaff i3 well meant; but my case is very serious. And so good-by for an hour or two. You will find me here after tliat time." The road to Mrs. Green's cottago never seemed so long before to George Poynter as it did now that ho felt liis fate. Tho happiness, for a time at least, of his dar ling Letty depended upon the interview ho was seeking with her mother. He was not without romo justification for the misgivings which beset him. as Jlrs. . Green liad moro than twice or thrice casually hinted at what a mother's course should be to prevent a child "marrying into poverty. Indeed, she had once told him, when Letty was not present, how glad sho was when his uncle's recognition of him produced such a favorablo turn in George's fortunes, as it liad spared them all the pain which she rhould have felt it her duty to liavo inflicted. The crisis had only been deferred. There were tears from Sirs. Green regrets and pity; but there wero were also cold, cruel words, which wero not to bo gainsaid, unless Letty could disobey the mother who liad loved her all her life, and lived only to see her happy. George spared his Letty and her mother any contest ns to the decision to be made. He promised to obey Mrs. Green in all she required of liim; but he promised Letty also, when they were left alone, that his love never should change, nor rhcul.l a doubt ever liavo placo in liis tlioughts that die could change one tittle in her !:vo for him. And as lie held her t o lil L-eating heart not for the last time, no! no! he toM her how ho would strive to make a home for both tliat their pro oaiiuu would he&hoit if a brave resolu tion could only lind tho means to work with. And they would come they al- , vays did; for had not they been piouiised ny the one which could not lie." "Poor heart.! they parted very sadlv: but a good angel was already busying himself for their reunion. And such an angel! Chauncey Gibbs! "He won't write to old Silas?" Then I will," said Chauncey, half aloud, when George had left bun. "He won't kill his uncle an old fool? Then I will." He opened the long blade of liis penknife and trimmed a quill wliich he found on George's desk. There were paper and ink, astcay be supjio&ed, aud there was also the ready writer, Chauncey, who began: "St. Gnats, Dec. 20, 16. "Dear Sir As my friend, Mr. George Poynter, is unfortunately suffer ing at this time from a severe blow hi his chest ('That's perfectly true') I have placed nivself at his service; and although 1 sliall not express myself as he would liave done on the subject ('That's true again, I fancy') I hope you will tako the will for tho deed. News lias reached us here, dear sir 'He'll like tliat dear sir) that after many years of deliberate calculation ('No, not calculation) consideration, you have discovered tliat man was not made to live alone, and therefore, with a wise regard for your own happiness, you have sought connubial felicity at the altar of St Mary Axe. ('Very good!' muttered Chaunccy; 'the name of the church will show that his secret is known to us.) I know not whether it is your wish that your blissful union should be made gen erally known; but I cannot hesitate (on the part of my friend, 1 mean) to offer you my sincerest congratulations, and to wish you all the happiness you deserve. ('That's true; and I should like to add, all you are likely to find.') I am aware that wliat you have done must neces sarily interfere largely, if not entirely, with those expectations which you once or twice ('Sliall I say promised? No') encouraged me to entertain ('What would old George say to that?") and though I descend from the clouds ('Good figure that') to the substratum of daily toil and permanent anxiety, I sliall know that you are sitting happy at your domestic hearth, smoking the pipe of peace ('It wants something else to round off the sentence') and and ('Oh. blow it!') rocking the cradle. "31ay I request if not asking too much at this blissful period of your life a line, to tell me that I may add to my affection ate remembrances an Aunt Choeseman? "I remain, dear sir, "Your affectionate nephew, "For George Poynter" Chauncey paused. "It won't do to sign my name, or Mrs. C. will remember it Yes I have it they never heard the name of C. Gibbs." Having sealed and directed his letter, Chauncey proceeded to post it In traveling down from London Chauncey had learned that a projected branch railway from St Gnats was in high favor with all the moneyed interest of tho place; and when he suggested the propriety of lolling old Silas he liad this railway in his mind, as on the following day the allotment of shares was to take place. Chauncey knew as he knew everybody Mr. Golding, the banker and chairman pro tem. of the projected coin- 1any. Without tho least misgiving or icsitation he called upon that highly re spectable gentleman, and, after a few minutes' interview, gave the conversa tion an extraordinary twist, or jerk, as thus: "You've heard of the great windfall to our townsman, George Poynter, I sup pose," said Chauncey. "No? Well, per haps it was hardly to bo expected, seeing what a retiring fellow he is." "What is it?" asked Mr. Golding. "He is a young man for whom I have the greatest respect I shall be glad to hear of any good fortune to him." "And it is a good fortune! His uncle, you know, was immensely rich," said Chauncey. "The old bachelor is no more went off three days ago and my friend Georgo was long ago his appointed heir." "Silas Cheeseman goner remarked Mr. Golding, with a shrug; "a very money getting man; and must have died very rich very rich." "E-nor-mously rich! Single man many years; no expenses, you know,'' said Chauncey. "I witnessed the last moments of the old bachelor at St Mary Axe. Went off quite composedly after his will was accomplished. By the bye, it strikes me yon might secure the interest of young Georee." "How, my dear air?' asked Mr. Gold ing; "we are always glad to secure a good client" "And with snch wealth!" aid-Chaxm- cey. you ano snares m the at. unats Junction to-morrow, do you not?" " "Yes," repli the banker; "and the applications exceed anything I ever knew; tho shares wfll be five or six premium before to-morrow is over." "That's your plan, then! Secure him a thousand." "A thousand!" exclaimed Mr. Golding. "Well, half a thousand sav five hun dredfor George Poynter; rll let him know whoso influence ho has to thank for them. You'll be the banker' of his immense wealth his friend adviser." "But ho has not applied," said Mr. Golding. "But you have. What's a paltry five hundred to you in comparison to after gain or to him? He won't care for the money, but the friendliness of the thing," said Chauncey. with a flourish of the j hand, as though he were proposing the merest trifle of a sacrifice. "And you, my dear sir?" asked Mr. Golding. "Oh, nothing; I want nothing; and you may rely upon my secrecy." Mr. Golding pressed Chauncey 's hand, and thanked him for the friendly sug- tion. Mr. Golding had but one confidant, Mr. Baxter, who at that moment entered the bank, and was announced as being there. "Do you object to my naming the mat ter to my friend Baxter? great influence at tho board," said Golding. "Not in the least; perhaps he may help you to make the allotment a thousand, replied Cliauncey. "Oh,' impossible, my" good friend," said tho banker. "Show in Mr. Baxter." Chauncev's communication having been repeated to Mr. Baxter, tho diplo matist thought he liad better retire; out ho liad not gone many yards from the bank when Mr. Baxter overtook him. "Delighted to hear what you have told us concerning your friend Poynter an excellent young man, and deserves all he gets." "I am sure of that," said Chaunoey, "whatever good it may be." "He'll reside at St. Gnats, I suppose?" "Yes," answered Chauncey. "And will want a houso suitable to his new position?" "Yes." "Now I am wanting to sell Prospect House yonder fine garden, abundance of water and all that would it suit him, do vou think?" i Chaunccy was rather posed by this in- ' quify. and'eaid therefore. "Perhaps." i ' ' t hink it would; 3.500 is what I ask and could get it, but I dislike the man. You know Capt Banger? of course you must," 8aid Baxter, with emphasis. Cliauncey did not and would not know Capt Banger. "He is a troublesome fellow, and I should be glad if he would leave the place," said Mr. Baxter. "If Mr. Poyn ter will buy he shall have the prefer ence." Chauncey saw no objection to that, and promised to speak to his friend if Mr. Baxter would make the offer in writ ing; but 3,000, he thought, would be the utmost that Mr. Poynter would give for a house. Mr. Baxter paused for a moment, and as they were opposite his counting house he invited Chauncey in, and subsequently gavo him a letter to Mr. George Poynter, containing an unconditional offer of Prospect House for 3,000. Chauncey carefully put away tho letter and bade Mr. Baxter good day. Poor George had returned to his lodg ing when Chauncey had transacted all the unportant business wo havo recorded, and not all his friend's good spirits could rouse luni from almost despondency. "Mv old boy," said Cliauncey, "you'll kink down, down, if you show the white feather in tliis way. You're j-ouiur enough to work, and like it I never did." "It id not hard work hard fighting with tho world, that I am fearing; it is the effect of this day's cruel trial upon Ioor Letty." . And then George told Cliauncey all tliat had passed. "Well, vou would bo so hastily honor able." replied Chauncey; "you had better been advised by me waited a day or two until you liad killed your uncle." George looked at his fnend and saw a cunning twinkle in his eye; but Chaun cey baa his own reasons for saying no more on the subject George was very ill the next morning too ill to go to the timber yard; so Chauncey offered to see Mr. Bawk, and, if business pressed, to supply George's placo for a day or two. Mr. Bawk de clined Mr. Chauncey's services, and was to excessively polite and anxious in his inquiries about Mr. George that Chaun cey thought tho story of yesterday had reached Mr. Bawk. It was not so; but Capt Banger had been to the timber yard to see Mr. Poyn ter, and had surprised Mr. Bawk by as suring him that his clerk must have come into money, as he liad bought Prospect house at a sum which he (Capt Ran ger) had refused to give. He had, however, left a commission with Mr. Bawk; and Chauncey wormed out of the timber merchant the following particu lars: Captain Ranger, it appeared, liad mar ried a lady with money not always a desirable exchange for a man's life and the lady never allowed him to forget the pecuniary part of their engagement. She liad taken a fancy the word is not strong enough a longing for Prospect House, and the captain liad undertaken to obtain it; but, being fond of a bar gain, ho liad disgusted Mr. Baxter with a tiresome negotiation, and tho house had slipped from him. To confess this to Mrs. Captain Ranger would be to in voke a conjugal tempest; and in his ex tremity ho liatl come to Mr. Bawk to in tercede with hi3 clerk to transfer his purchase. "Well," said Cliauncey, "George is a good natured fellow too good natured and I will undertake to say that tho cap tain shall liave Prospect House for 4, 000." "Four thousand pounds!" exclaimed Mr. Bawk. "And not one shilling less," said Chauncey firmly. "Tho house is worth it as it stands; 'but compute its value to Captain Ranger, and it is cheap at any money. Mr. Bawk pleaded to a stone agent when he tried to soften Mr. Chaunccy; and Captain Ranger coming into the counting house at the moment, heard the terms proposed, raved like a maniac for ten minutes, and then consented to be swindled robbed, for the sake of peace and quietness. Chauncey could be a man of business when he pleased, and ho was now in a business mood. He therefore trotted off the ungry captain to an attorney's, made the transfer, and secured a prospective 1,000 for his friend Georgo by killing his uncle. As the day wore on, Chauncey waited upon Mr. Golding, and found that gen tleman writing to Mr. Poynter, and ex pressing the great pleasure it gave him to hand hini a letter of allotment for 500 shares in the St Gnats Junction, etc. etc. etc. Railway; adding a hope that tho firm of Golding, Silverton & Co. might have Mr. Poynter's name on their books as an honored client. Chauncey undertook to deliver the let ter, and to use his influence with his friend to make the only acknowledgment ho could for such disinterested gener osity. Poor George was very ill at case when lu3 friend Chauncey returned, and at first was disposed to be angry at what be felt to be liis inconsiderate raillery. "I am serious, old ooy, quite serious, said Chauncey, throwing Golding's letter and tho transfer on the table. "I havo killed old Silas Cheeseman, and there are some of the proceeds of the transaction. Open read and satisfy yourself." George opened tho envelope containing the transfer, and then Mr. Golding's let ter. He was in a mist. He thought he was delirious and had lost his reason; and Chauncey was a long time making luni comprehend how he liad come to be pos sessed of Profit oa transfer Profit on 500 she re, premium 5 per tbare. 1,000 Total JdM and all by killing old Silas Cheeseman! Poor George was hard to satisfy that these large gains wero honorably come by, and when he went to sleep he dreamt that be had robbed the bank and had set ProspectJIouse on fire. Tho following moraine- hmucht a latter from Uncle Silas. The poor old dotard expressed himself so pleased at his nephew's forgiveness of an act which he had thought would have ' provoked only reviling and wicked wishes, that ho enclosed a check for 1, 000'and his avunclar blessing. Was ever another fortune made by ; suenmeansr Georgo had all the money; Mr. Golding begging liis retention of the shares, as his commercial acuteness might bo dam aged by a disclosure of the trick which had been practised upon his cupidity, and Capt. Ranger was submissively satis fied, having told his cara sposa that he had bought Prospect House a decided bargain. Mrs. Green would have had to endure many mortifying reflections had it not been Christmas time when Letty and George, and all other estranged friends, arc willing to forget their old grievances, and, in thankfulness that such a season was vouelisafed to erring man, humWy imitate the Great Forgiver. JACK TAR'S CHRISTMAS. . Tho remarks of the Chinese sailor listed aboard a United States man-of-war, "Mellee Clistmas, me no sabey he! so he came down from the foretopsail yard, where he had been lending a hand to furl the remnant of a topsau, blown almost to ribbons by the fierce winter's galo that was howling one Christmas morning, and began blowing on his frost bitten fingers and rubbing them in the snow which covered the vessel's deck, is a very good exposition of the practical side of our universal Christian noliday, as frequently seen by the hardy toilers of the sea. Stern necessity sometimes demands that the work must be done and the ship made safe and snug before Jack Tar can think of bean soap or Christmas pud ding and other fixings, and not infre quently, as the sea remembers nothing and pays no homage to customs, no mat ter how ancient, imagination of a grand banquet can alone be relied upon to ap pease the appetite; as "hot water and spoons" are very apt to be about all that can be obtained in the way of a square meal, and even tho luxury of tho hot water is often omitted, as the tossing, restless ship, lurching about from side to side, makes it impossible to keep any thing on top or the galley stove, if, in deed, it be a practicable thing to keep up tho fires at afi. In such a case tho cud of discontent, so to 6peak, must be rep resented, as the song gives it, by the starboard side or an old sou wester. Christmas away from home is, how ever, always kept in some way or another, even under such adverse cir cumstances as those mentioned; as a little something to warm him up is quietly given to the half frozen man by some kindhearted officer as he comes down from aloft, and before drinking he manages, as a rule, to pull off his cap and to say "Merry Christmas,'' which is about all the circumstances of the case will admit of. Wind and weather per mitting, however, only the absolutely necessary tilings are done, and the Christmas dinner is made as sumptuous as the paymaster's stores will permit, or tho foresight of the mess caterer in lay ing in bomething extra before the ship left port has provided. The ration gives more or less variety of things that put up to keep during the cruise, but Jack prefers the things that are not made to keep, and, being proverbially improvi dent, tho day generally finds him depending on plum duff as tho grand piece de resistance, and no matter how much of tho resistance there may be about tho compound tho relish with which it disappears is proof sufficient of its ability to take the place of other pos sibly more digestiblo articles. The bags containing tho sailors' personal effects are piped up and the men given an op portunity to overhaul their clothing, write letters or do whatever the limit of the slup will admit Smoking is per mitted outside the daily regulation hours, and everything is done to make the men as comfortable and the day as much of a holiday as possible, having, of course, due regard for the handling of the vessel. When, however, the snips are in port, and it happens to be one where there is a good market, all that it affords is brought off to grace the board, and the scene pre sented on the berth deck of one of our men-of-war on such occasions is lively and picturesque in tho extreme. The mess tables are screened off with canvas and bunting, and very often evergreens are used to complete the ornamentation, each mess vying with the others to see which can make the prettiest show. An extra dollar or two apiece is usually served out, "to put in tho mess," the aggregate sum making great possibilities in tho wav of Drocurine the eood tilings which are not found in the daily ration. The tin pot, pan and spoon which form Jack's cover are made to shine like polished silver, the mess cooks takin pride in getting the brightest ofpo) for the occasion. Some more stylish, though perhaps less thrifty, messes, get crockery from shore, which sets off the table very prettily, and possibly to some of them seems more homelike and gives an air of paying a little more attention to the observances of the day; one might say, I suppose, a little better relish, per haps, to the feast But whoever knew of a sailor's not being ready for a good square meal at any hour of the day? Ono who has watched the rush for the hatchway when the order "pipe to din ner is given, is quite apt to be convinced tliat Jack's "stomach is as sharp as a shark's," and that he "never was in finer condition for feeding" at any one time moro than at any other. When every preparation has been made for dinner and tho viands set forth, tho officers are, as a general rule, invited to inspect, and very often to sample, tho good things; the captain of tho vessel generally grants the request for a bottle of beer or light wine apiece, and in fact most any reasonable departure from the ordinary daily cus toms is allowed. In the afternoon, if the request is made, a large liberty party goes ashore, and is permitted to remain away from tho vessel until the following morning. Boat racing is fre quently the amusement, especially if there are foreign vessels in the same port, and great is the excitement in the inter national contests. .Prizes are offered, and as many boats are entered as can bo spared from the different ships. Water tournaments, catamaran races and va rious other aquatic sports are indulged in, as Christmas is not always in the win ter season, much of a vessel's cruising being done in tho southern hemisphere, and the 23th of December often finds the thermometer so high that a plunge in the unuy is uu immense reuei. Tho great evening amusement is a min strel or variety show, which brings out an amusing display of talent that one would hardly believe possible until he had witnessed some of the character fiieces or listen to the fine 6inging often leard in a ship's company. The original jokes, which very often spare nobody, from the cabin windows to tho hawse poles, are always amusing, and serve for -many a day after to hurl at the head of tho poor un fortunate whoso peculiarities have been sufficiently pronounced to catch the ever ready eye or ear of the humor ist, who lias them carefully stowed away until come such occasion 'as this gives him a chance to unmercifully bring them forth. When "pipe down" comes, the verdict is that, although away from home, relatives and the conventionalities of the holiday season that one's earlier years have been accustomed to, the day has been what the morning greeting in tends it should be a merry Christmas. Ta ttaVCUkCM Prisons. A writer in The Chinese Times says of Chinese prisons that tho amount of ex tortion that goes on in them ia amazing, and the warders and others display sur prising ingenuity in extracting money from the unhappy prisoners. Tne new comer almost invariably forgets to fee the night watchman. The consequence is that sleep is rendered almost unpos rible by the terrible noise which is kept up outside his window all night, and he speedily apologizes for his forgetf umess and makes good tne oversight. If the coolie who cleans out the cell is not satis fied he collects all the insects he can find and introduces several hundreds into the apartment of his victim; who is then only trio ctkul. to call hia nm iiinaajn tn rnauisf- t tion to get rid of them again, even at an wonwMi price. .Many or tne warders and servants are criminals who have es caped capital punishment by theomision of the emperor to mark their names for death when the list for the autumn exe cutions is submitted to him. This list, which sets forth the name and condition of the criminal andthecircum- ' stances of his crime, is divided into three parts. The first contains the new cara. the second those which were not marked the previous year, the third those which have escaped marking for two years. It is said that tho emperor marks about eight names in ten, and that a man who escapes once b safe from subsequent marking, although he has to go down to the execution ground the two following years. The list is brought from the pal ace direct to the place of execution, and until its arrival neither criminals nor officials know who are to die, the un happy victims only being sure of their fate upon hearing themselves called out to pay the last penalty. The prisoners who have escaped are imprisoned for life, but they have a very easy exist ence, and as they are employed in the prison and share in the extortions prac ticed on other prisoners, they often amass considerable wealth. London Times. HeraeafcoM Made of Straw. The cart horses of Japan are very cu rious. There comes one along the nar row business street of Tokio now. Ho is led by a rope halter in the hands of a brown skinned old man, who has a flat round piece of closely braided straw as big around as a good sued parasol on his head. His feet and those of his horse are shod with straw, and tho straw shoes are in both cases tied around tho ankles with straw rope and are made of ordi nary rice straw braided, so that they form a sole for the foot about half an inch thick. These 6boes cost about a cent a pair, and when they are worn off they are thrown away. Every '.cart has a stock of fresh new Ehoes tied to the horse or to the front part of the cart, and in the country here it was formerly the custom to measure distance largely by the number of horse shoes it took to make the distance. So many horseshoes made a day's journey, and the average 6hoe lasted, if my mem ory serves me, for about eight miles of travel. It is the same with the coolies. They throw away their shoes when they are worn out, und last night when I was riding in one of these man power baby carriages my ostrich like steed stopped, threw away his 6traw shoes, and went barefooted. As he did so I watched the roadway and counted eight pairs of worn out straw shoes in a single olock. Frank G. Carpenter's Letter. saaBO Salaam Fbhlas This important industry is annually gaining in volume. The catch this year, although not as large as expected on ac count of the delayed fall rains, will be about 15,000 cases, four dozen cans per case. There are five factories engaged in the business. The largest lias a rapacity for canning 20,000 pounds of fish per day, and employs six eeinc3. costing, with the necessary skiffs and scows, $1,.C0 each, manned by Indian crews. The packing is done by Chinese, of whom 150 are employed at 1 per day per head, boarding themselves. The cost of the fish is $10 per one hun dred 10 cents each. The average weight is sis pounds. Single specimens arc fre quently caught exceeding twenty pounds, hut the smaller sizes aro more jxilatahle and more in demand for home consump tion. They are caught in tho bays and har bors of tho sound. After running up into the fresh water streams to spawn the fish soon lose their flavor. Trolling for the fish is exciting sport, and much indulged in. They are gamcy and fight to the end, but are not as te nacious of lifo as the bluefish of the At lantic coast, and are more easily hausted. Scientific American. ex- Dtup at Loaf Usage. Considerable space is taken up in a French periodical with the discussion of phenomena whose genuineness in not recognized, particularly with Dr. Luy's experiments upon the action of drugs at a distance. A committee of the Academy of Medicine was appointed to examine the correctness of Dr. Luy's conclusions, and they find unconscious suggestion to be at the basis of it all. When the con tents of the vials containing the drugs were unknown to those presvnt, the sub ject also failed to be appropriately af fected by them. So, again, these pre tended mysteries fall to tho ground, and exemplify tho pitfalls of the subject is well as the uncritical nature of mothci often adopted by eminent scientists. Mention should also be made of the fact that the church has recently entered into relations with hypnotism by a letter from the bishop of Madrid, warning his breth ren against the evils of the now move ment and placing it in line with the for bidden treatment of miracles. Science Maale by Telephone. While the reception was being held at Mrs. Dickson's, a gentleman went to the telephono to speak to a friend in another part of the city, when ho was attracted by the sweetest music imaginable that camo over tho wires. Ho listened for a while, and said the distance and hour to gether mado tho sounds as sweet as seraphs' harps. Atlanta Journal. The dally tmisumptton of needles In tliis country is said to be 4.200.000. most of which come from Redditeh. England. Tke Love that Live. "Youth fades, love droops, the leave i of friendship fall A mother's secret hope outlives them ahV She will not believe her dimpled dar ling must die. The baby eyes look to her for help and there is help. Hasten to the nearest druggist and procure Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery, and your child may be restored, for it cures consumption, which is only scrofula of the lungs, if taken in time, as readily as it cures scrofula affecting other parte and organs. A perfect specific, Dr. Sage's Catarrh Remedy. Wine ever pays for his lodging. MrteaeXJaiakT By dispelling the symptoms so often mistaken for Consumption. SANTA .ii3EE has brought gladness to many a nousehold. By its prompt use for break ing up the cold that too often develops into that fatal disease, thousands can be saved from an untimely grave. Tou make no mistake by keeping a bottle of this pleasant remedy in your house. CALI FORNIA CAT-R-CURE is equally ef fective in eradicating all traces of Nasal Catarrh. Both of these wonderful Cali fornia remedies are sold and warranted by Dowty & Becher. 81.00 a package, 3 forSLSO. Wine that costs nothing is digested before it be drunk. At this season of the year people can not be too careful about keeping their bowels regular. Bilious and malarial diseases are often brought on by allow ing the bowels to become torpid. An occasional dose of St. Patrick's Pills is all that would be required, and might prevent serious sickness. For sale by Dowty & Becher. Wine makes all sorts table. of creatures at English Spavin Liniment removes all hard, soft or calloused lumps and blem ishes from horses; blood spavin, curbs, splints, sweeney, ring-bone, stifles, sprains, all swolen throats, coughs, etc. ffewaSWhw'liaafafnnafviMla-Wavramfofi I Sold by C. B. fWUman, dr. Co- ambus. LI My Don't Wait Cntil yoar hair becomes dry, tliia, aad gray before giving the attentioa aeeded to preserve its beauty aud vitality. Keen OB votir tnitt.iahlt m. Imttlft nt f"Sh";!?d.!? jvm ft; IUI IUU IWU WW iOVailllWi daily, to preserve the natural color aad prevent baldness. Thomas Muaday, Sharon Grove, Ky.. writes : "Several months ago say hair commenced falling out, and la a few weeks my head was almost bald. I tried many remedies, but they did bo good. I finally bought a bottle of Ayer's Hair Vigor, and, after using only a part of the contents, my head was covered with a heavy growth of hair. I recom mend yonr preparation as the best hair restorer in the world." "My hair wan failed and dry," writes Mabel C. Hardy, of Delavan, 111.; "but after using a bottle of Ayer's Hair Vigor it became black and glossy." - m Ayer s Hair Vigor, Sold by Druggists and Perfumers. Pimples and Blotches, So disfiguring to the face, forehead, and neck, may be entirely removed by the use of Ayer's Sarsaparlllavthe lxvst and safest Alterative and Blood-Puri rier ever discovered. Or. J. C. Ayer It Co., Lowell, Mass. Sold byDnifzUU; 1; six bottles for Si. This is the Top of the Genuine Pearl Top Lamp Chimney. Allothers, similar arc imitation. This exact Label is on each Pearl Top Chimney. A dealer n;ay say and think he has others as jood, BUT HE HAS NOT. Insist upon the Exact Lahciand Top P0t SALE EYErvKlE JMZcBBLY EY FQ,A. MAGBElIc" w- h M lately. Bart lfial" kkataar. Wurmnud. iUary Faoua vow mine vaMa Dacaat aad aucBlBemb Bock Iadtaa'aa4 ihuiim with worta aa4 taa at aiaal alaaK rtBM!l laaach locality caaaaearaoaa rME. Bowlsthtoaoaalbtaf Waiaaaii aial par aoa la aacfc locality, to law t ftaaa was call, acaawUt Maaofoar j . eaawiML aataa lnh.aaaanlftia.aai a jua ar laaaa air a auntha aad ahoam uoai i aaii mr taaaralla , namaajiiaiiaproBtry; " "traaa oaar, araaiac im aw C TV aaamlca tn. aa laaaaowtacof ta tay tacaMIr, al wara raaaHa la a larra trad for raaaalai asaa aaaa la a locality tor a aMwtk or ta l eat ftaai to ta trada tnm Vtm aaimiiiillag wastry. Tata, tho swot aroatorfol ocfcr mr kaoaaM4aBoraortaatowaulaBMytDlac4atoaco waarataaycaa aa ma, all owr amarlca. Writ at oaco.and ilanoflU rtuta, aaatarttwUlaabardlyaaytraabla yoa to akow MaaaaaaM to thoao who nay call at yoar boom aadyoarr aM wBlta Bant Hani lory. Apootalcanloa arnica to anttaaacoata feaci coat aad altar yoakaowall.tr yoa to Bet cara to to feruar, why ao kana la doaatBat If yoo aa raaaranMoaeo, yoacaaatcara araiaia.oaa ocua tjold watchat la taa world aad vox larca llaoof .w auaaaa'B.aia. TTtaar iiniiin i Wav. mn aaua awn,in to. PATENTS Caveats and Trade Marks obtained, nnd all Pat. t?nt boaineea conducted for MODERATE FEES. OUK OFFICE IS OPPOSITE U. S. PATENT OcfrlCE. We have no snb-aKencieu, all bortincaa direct, hence we can transact patent business in lese time and at LESS COST titan those remote from Washington. Send model, drawing, or photo, with descrip tion. We advitw if patentable or not, free of charge. Our fee not due till patent in secured. A book, "How to Obtain Patents," with refer ences to actual clients in yonr state, county or town, sent free. Address Opposite Patent'Office, Washington, D. C The Passenger Department of the Union Pacific, "The Overland Route," has issued a neat little pamphlet, pocket size, entitled "National Platform Book," ut ntai.ifng the democratic, republican and prohibition platforms, together with the addresses of acceptance of Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison and Clin ton B. Fisk; also tabulated tables show ing the plurality vote, the electoral vote and an analysis of the vote as cast for Cleveland and Blaine in 1884. This book is just what is needed at this time and should be in the hands of every voter. It plainly sets forth what each party has to offer and every reader can draw his own comparisons. Sent to any address on application. Address, J. S. Tebbets, Gen'l Passenger Ag't, Union facinc Ky, Omaha, Neb. The dainties of the great are tho tear for the poor. ContanptioR Snrely Cared. To the Editor Please inform your readers that I have a positive remedy for the above named disease. By its timely use thousands of hopeless cases have been permanently cured. I shall be glad to send two bottles of my reme dy free to any of your readers who have consumption if they will send me their express and post office address. Respect fully, T. A. Sloccm, M. C, 181 Pearl street, New York. 30y Castles are forests of stones. Kaow all Xea by these Preseats: That the Union Pacific, the Overland Ronte, and the Chicago, Milwaukee, & St. Paul Ry., commenced Sunday, Oc tober 28th, to run Pullman Palace Sleepers through daily from Denver to Chicago via Omaha and Council Bluffs 28-7t Good horses make short miles. Aa Absolate Care. The ORIGINAL ABIETINE OLYx MENT is only put up in large two-ounce tin boxes, and is an absolute cure for old sores, burns, wounds, chapped hands and all kinds of skin eruptions. Will positively cure all kinds of piles. Aakfor the ORIGINAL ABITINE OINTMENT Sold by Dowty k Becher at 25 cents per box by mail 30 cents. mar7y Armor is light at table. Cholera Morbus is one of the most painful and dangerous diseases, many deaths result from it each year, usually because it is not properly treated. The most severe cases may be cured, by us ing Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy. It never fails. Sold by Dowty k Becher. Trees eat but once. laaertaat. Every voter should know that the Un on Pacific, "the Overland Route," and the Chicago k North-Western Ry., com menced Sunday, October 14th, to run Pullman and Wagner Veatibuled Palace Slaepers through from Denver to Chica- SL fiZtrSiJSf J"'" "- ...m. LaBaaSiB!lfViBTl &LawwmmBaV BUR sStBssSf y ; r. -WpLW aMwfffir wm mtumftm canaro waaaaaE as-7 NEBRASKA. i FAMILY : JOURNAL. A Weekly Newspaper israei ereiy WetBesJay. 32 CeliBis tf reaiiig Batter, eta- sistiigef Nebraska State Newi Iteas, Selected Stories aai Miseellaay. IVSaaipIe copiM teat free to any ahtre."Yi I , . . Subscription price, . $ a h Jf " ssawsssnuje Address: M. K. Tciunm Co., Columbus, Platte Co., Nebr. SOOTTS EMULSION OF PORE COD LIVER OIL Almost as Palatable as MHk. So dbnlifd tkAt it dab Sm k. eultiva acosnek, whea h ptela u tuaui m cejaraieax aaa mm tba bitiHtUm eftfce all nlth the ypl pmitos is Bancu more omemeioum. JLttoili'ali m a leJl srefecrr. Fensa gab rspldljr walk taltag M. SCOTTSE3IULSION is acinowledgedby ?hysc:a"8 to bo the Finest end Best prepa ration ia ths world for the reli. f and core of CCNSUMFTiO?!. SCROFULA. tSESERAl. DEBILITY, WASTING DISEASES, EMACIATION, COJ.DS sni CJtROJJlC COUGHS. 77i jr-.f i.-.-Wy f,r CorsuntpKrtn, and "c''"!-! "i '(...'. .SLW 'v r,!i Druggists. LOUIS SCHKEIBER. BladcsMitti ail Wanoo Maker. All kiids of ReMirng daie Skert Notice. Biggies, Wag ing, etc., Made t order, aad all wrk uai aateed. Also sell the world-faaout Walter A. Wood Mowers. leajMrs, Coaibia- ed MackinM, jurresters, aad Self-biadari-tae fceetaade. "Shop opposite the " Tatteraall," on Olfvs St.. COLUMBUS. -m for an Incurable case of Catarrh la the naaS by the proprietors of Ml SAKS CATAUM SEMEN. tVBBBtnaanl wf rUlTTh TTrsrtaraaT obstruction of nose, discharges falling- Into throat, sometime proruse. watery, ana acna. at others, thick, tenacious, mucous, purulent, bloody and putrid ; eyes weak, ringing; in ears, deafness, difficulty of clearing throat, expecto ration of offensive Baattsr: Dreath offensive: smell and taste impaired, aad general debility. Only a few of these syatptoma likely to be pres ent at once. "Thousands of cases result in con sumption, and end la tha grave. By its mild, soothing, aad healing properties. Or. Sage's Remedy cages tha worst cases. 50c. The Original 1IHU LmeiPus. Purttv FVarf j bU A HarjnUts. UnequaledasalMverFin. 8aiallest,cbesp est, easiest to take. Owe ,aelle a ateae. Cure sick Headache, miloaa Headache, aMzzlaeaa, CoaaUaatleu, ItHllKestleu, sMIieHa Attack, and ull derangements of the stomach and bowels. 25 cts. by druggists. CATARRH COLD HEAP. Try tho Cure, Ely'sCreamBalm Cleanses tho liasal Passages. Al ia vs Inflammation. Heals tho Sores. Rcstorea tho Senses of T&stc, Small ' and Hearing. A particle la ayplled lata each aicwtrn aad la agreeable. Price SOe. at Bracgiafa mr bw . ki.v KKmnKwsywiiRtHW yore. .tASrr.T-DcATHTpcoiCUCf SMI MKni-ra aJB B s DiSFKKwriTROAT-i ttLriM&s r-S.V. Gwa r.irDir4v: i2rIU.-Vi . t.ar thcONLY- CUPiE" TOT? Auaw&ti CATARRH ABICTWPMCTaV0R0VlILE CALJ AND I MT-IWK DOWTY Se HECIII2II. TndeMpplil by the U. T. Cuu Daco Co... fLav37 PNPi n-f J J&nfl aBTBaaaTBITnBBBBBBBBBaSaVaBBBBBfaaaa if lb vai ns .-- fra itra-sF&sfifltk S1H : - j -m a i i .a a i , . ..& j jhjra Tk na jav M I j T xi y '