In holiday goods consist of a vast number of beautiful and newly designed arti
cles In Alufllors , Silk Handkerchiefs , Neckwear , Gloves , Fine Fancy Underwear ,
I'ur and Sealskin Caps , Night Kobcs in Flannel. Canton Flannel and Fine Hand-
l.irclilef effect. A largo number of Ovcrcoato and Suits ) , suitable and bought ex
pressly for the holidays. I'lne leather and alligator Traveling Hags. Any ono
of thcHO articles would make a very acceptable pro'ftit , an.l one that will be ap
preciated.
E2J5 1223
S
52221
ALL HAIL THE FESTAL DAY !
Witblts Ancient JOJE aud Youthful Toys
and Stockings Gaping Wide.
KRIS KRINGUE'S MERRY CALL.
\ Itcvy of Kllllipsoim ; ISoniilleH
nnd linked I'or Iho Oo-
A. Foam for Hlg
and Iilttlo
The Christmas Trm- .
O ,
the
Christ
mas tree
go bright
and KrwM )
awaits Old
Santa CIuus.
And Iho ctdui-
ney place all mvopt
and clean KIIJIOJ wide
Its Doaderous JIVWH.
The little stockinet ) are
all hunt ; up , nnd bnby'a
Just makes four. Won't
Old Santa Clnn.s bnsurprlsod
wlien he finds there is one
morel T hero's an elegant
place up in the tree to linns
Johnny's pun , and u jilaco for
Mil ) imil one for Kato to leave
their dulls upon. Dutlor little baby
blue ayes a lower branch ho must
choose , whore bho may reach and liud
the pliioo he's hiui ) ; her llr.it now
shoes. Turn down the llsht a little , now ,
90 Old Santa Clans can't see. And
baby and all must no to bed and
be as good as good can be ,
and to-morrow morn not up
early , alter a long nlght'tt
sleep ,
a n u
. come
softly
down
to the
Xmas
trod
n n d
see
Who will yet the Ural peep.
Dr. 'Jnlm.ico on ClirlstinnH.
Christmas bells rimr in family reunions !
Tlio rail trains crowded with children
coining homo The poultry.fed as noTcr
since they were born , stand wondering at
the farmer's generosity. The markets
are full of massacred barnyards. The
great table will bo spread and crowded
with two or three or four ccnerations.
' 1'lant the fork astride the breast bone.
} and with skillful twitch , tlmt wo could
I never learn , give to all tiic hungry
J lookers on a specimen of holiday
J anatomy. Florence is disposed to soar ;
} give her the wing. The boy is fond of
music ; give him the drumstick. The min
ister is dlitin" with you ; give him the par-
Ron's nose. Alay the joy reach from grand
father , who is.so dreadfully old that ho can
hardly find tlm way to his jilato , down to
tlie baby in the high-chair , who , with
ono smart pull of the table-cloth , upsets
the gravy into the cranberry. Send trom
your table a liberal portion to the table
of the poor , some of tlio while meat as
well as the dark , not confining j'onr
generosity to gi7./ards and scraps. Do
not , as in some families , keep a plate and
chair for those who are dead and gone ,
Vo'ur holiday feast would bo but poor
faro for them : they are at a better
banquet in the skies. Let Iho whole laud
be full of chime and carol. Let bells ,
silver and bra/en , lake their sweetest
voice , and all the towers of Christendom
Sain imifiio.
Jlls ClirltamiiH ( Jin.
IttMte Chandler ,
It sroriH llko a hundred years aco.
That wo traveled once through the drifted
snow
To meet round the Olnlstmns-tree.
Vim weiu a child , with a fair , round face ,
And yon lain ; ; on the tiee , with a shy , sweet
craee.
Your Christmas picseni for mo.
'Twas ' a scarlet , beaded pincushion hwiit ,
Brilliant nnd bldny a triumph of nit
With a bend bin ! on It a itovo
'Twas bought ot a "sijimw" ( who spoke witli
u bropno ) ,
And youeaidln your note dear little rogiic
That you gave it to me with your love ,
U'i'll , tlmt little rod heart lias iR-on with mo
Through distant countries tar over the MMI ,
Grossed river , mountain and lake ,
Though never a pin tiuve its tough sides
Knimn ,
For the heart was as hard ns I'lmraoh's own ,
ilut 11'jvcd It lor your calco ,
Wo'ro very nmrh oliltir nnd wiser now ,
Wo met with a formal word and bow ,
Ami nmny moro things we know ;
Wo Uon't hnni ; our Imam on trees , i believe ,
Nor wmr thorn either iiiwin oartilcovo ;
Is It bettor , I wonder , so ?
The tieo U Jaih'ii with gifts tn-nkht.
And the rolorcd tapnrg nro ( 'hMtalns blight ,
And Iho Chrjst-Chllil limits above ;
Hut my hoped-for u'lft Isn't on ( lie true ,
1 want u heait will you wive ii HIP ,
As you dm lipfoii' , "with your lovo1
anil the 1'iiritaii I < 'oro >
1'athoiH.
Harriett IVoseott Spotlbrd : So much
tlmu indeed , had been spent and , in their
.Slew , so iiiucn evu done in making merry
vur Christmas nud Its attendeiit train
f holidays , that our forefathers foil it a
solemn duty to discontinue Its observance
and to take no other notice of the day
than to denounce everything associated
with it. ' 1 hey wore not of these who
would make such a day memorable to
their children by a Christmas dinner ,
where n peacock was baked in a huge
pie , the magnificent tall spread at one
bide , the head with Us nest protrndgiiig
at the other and holding in the gilded
beak a sop soaknd m spirits and set on
lire , a dnh so sacred that oath could be
taken on it , and that must Ijo served , HO-
rordmg to time-gray custom , only lo the
rhief guest , and only by tno lady
of I no house , with miisio go
'
ing before and'ull her damscla
ig after. Nor this at all because
they hndn'l the peacock ; they would not
if they had had a wilderness of peacocks !
Nor would these unco good people con
descend to sec at a Christmas dinner the
pigs head stuffed with shajlots and herbs
and spices , soaked in vinegar , and slin-
moved in Mierry , in imitation of the
royal wild boar's head , a dish moro an
cient than the time of Ivanhoe , served
them on gold and silver , with llourish of
trumpets , as became the king of the for
est. The went further ; they would have
no Christmas dinner at all , and in their
hatred of everything that had once had
part in what they esteemed popish
idolatry , they extended their horror of
the all'air oven to the traditional mince-
pie , for no other reason than that it had
been wont to belong to the day's feasting ,
to be called Christmas pie , and that its
crust had originally been shaped to rep
resent a manger , allhongh possibly every
Pnrllandid not know that circumstance.
A Symbol of the Season ,
From the VonAcrt ( lauttr ,
As birds to sun-land wing their
way in blithesome bevies and
with soinr. so from the gift hand ,
Christmas Day. flow tokens that
life's joys Drolong. The sea
son's smbol , like a o'larm , wish
and delight. Is Interlocking and
plainest gifts the heart will warm
be they but fouud within a stock-
lug ! # * # Time can destroy the
dearest whim : the sweetest ley
iiw'O can bedim ; but on life's
way all love to pause each vear
a day with Santa Olaus , Tho'
heads be bowed with weight
o t' ' yea rs. and o n w a r d
crowd 11 f o's sadd ing
cares , the laem'ry turns
nt Christmas tide In
cr o o v e s o child
hood Joys to elide.
* * Then Hung
the stockimrs
great and small
Our chimney-
sprite wilt
k n o w them
ull I Ho reads
tlio wMi in
every mind
and tries tlio
wl.slicd-torayoto
find. Yes ! ham ;
tliostocklng-younjr
and old. Let Saint
Nick's legend
be retold I Let
old heads
play the
0 hr Is tm as
j ) a r t s ,
w hie h
prove that
naught
can age
yo u n ( ;
hear
Wlmt to Give anil How to Give It.
Rules for giving Christmas presents ,
according to the San Francisco Chronicle :
Always give the girl who loves you some
thing cheap. Sonie other follow who
wants to win her is sure to give her some
thing handsomer than you do , anyway ,
and you will suiler by comparison what
ever you givo. She will estimate your
g ift by the richness of your nflection.
b he'll gauge the other chap by the value
of his present , and it's ' two to ono 3'ou'ro
left in any case.
Always send the girl you want to secure
cure something she doosn's need. If you
send her anything useful it will never"ap
peal to her sentiment , and if she can nso
it every day she will forgot all about you
on tlio third day out. But if yougivo her
something she can only use on oxcop
tioual occasions she'll make as many exceptional -
ceptional occasions as she can and thinli
kindly of you for years.
( Jive an old man a white satin scarf , era
a dude scarf-pin. He'll never wear itbut
ho will be tickled to death and ho'll leave
you something in his will , if he's got no
relations to prove him insane posthu
mously.
Give an old lady something. She only
enjoys the all'eclion and fooling that go
with it , and old ladies are the most easily
made happy and crateful. They have no
vanity about things like that , and they
have reached that stage whore they would
give you back a present that you might
sell it and liavo fun with the money , but
they will always cherish the memory that
you gave it lo them.
on Iho GhrlMintls Tree.
How came the lights on the Christina5
tree ? asked a writer in thn Cornhill
Magazine , and then answers the question
as follow :
In Iho ninth month of the Jewish year ,
corresponding nearly to our December ,
and on tlio twenty-lift li day , tlio Jews
celebrated the Feast of Dedication of their
Temple. It had been dcsercrated on
thai day by Antlochusj it was redcdi-
cated by Judas Maccabiuus and then , ac
cording to the Jewish legend , snlllcient
oil was found in the temple to last for
the seven-branched candlestick for seven
days , and it would have takou seven
days to prepare now oil. Accordingly
the Jews were wont on the twenty-liftli
of Kislon in every house to light a candle ,
and on tlio next two and so till on the
seventh and last day of the fea.it seven
candles twinkled in every house.
It Is not easy to lix the nxact date of the
nativity , but it tell , most probably.on the
last day of Kislon , when every Jewish
house in Hcthlchcm and Jerusalem was
twinkling with lights. It Is worthy of no-
lice that the German name for Christmas
\Veihnacht \ , the Night of Dedication , as
though it were associated with this feast.
Tim ( Jrccks also call Christmas the Feast
of Lights , and indeed this was also a
name given lo the Dedication festival ,
Chanuka , by the Jews.
In every house the sevon-noz/.led lamp ,
or seven branched candlestick , symbol
ized Itiu suven-branchnd candlestick in
the temple. This latter was , moreover ,
made like a true , and each lamp was li'
a flower on the treo.
Many seven-branched candlesticks
were in use in the ( Jerman churches iu
the middle ages ; the most magnificent
that remains id one in the cathedral o !
Kssen , dating from 1003 , standing nearly
nine feel high. Another Is at Brunswick ,
standing fourteen and .1 half fe'ut high. .
For the holidays wo liavo bought an enormous lot of Overcoats , Pea Jacket. * ,
and suits for boys and men. Beginning with the Ovcrcoals , wo are going to sell
for the holidays only , a number of chinchilla and beaver Overcoats for ? } , $ , " ,
and $0. that cannot bo bought elsewhere for from $ S , $10 and $15. The Pea
Jackets wo sell for $0.50 , arc worth at least & . They are ALL WOOL AND
FLANNKL LINKI ) . A most suitable present would bo one of our Jersey Ollicc
Coats which can bo bought for $ ! ! , if 1.00 and $ .ViO. Underwear , wo will sell from
7i5c a still to $15. A fine ull wool worsted suit for f 10 , worth $15 ,
Many others oxi.sl , The writer saw a
very beatitilul Iron work fland of seven
candles in Iceland , made in imitation of
ngelica leaves. Ho was told this was
only liirlited on Christmas evo.
In Milan is ono of the thirteenth ecu-
! ury called the tree of the virgin , with
four rivers represented as issuing from
the base. Eggcrasill had but three. A
superb tree of seven brandies was pre
sented to Canterbury in the twelfth cen
tury ; another \Vinclntcr by King
Canute in JdlW. Anthony Beck , bishop
'
of Durham bequer.thcil'what seems tote
to have been ono of silver gilt , with an
imago of the virgin and child at the too\ \ ,
to his cathedral. The Blessed Virgin
takes tlio place of the Korea Hertha by
the well or spring. A seven branched
candlestick remains at Litchlicld ; several
remain in France , at Lyons , Angers.
Tours. Vienna. iThey were placed at the
entrance to the choir , and were certainly
lighted nt Ihe midnight mass on Christ
mas eve , as the Pascliai candle was
lighted at Easter.
KrlM Urlnulo'f ) Visit.
U'lio dashes on In sleet and snow ,
U'ith ears and checks a iiuldy glo > v ,
With whoop and shout ami merry jinclcV
Good folks , look out , 'tis old Kris ICi-inglc.
Ills cap ho raises with n shout ,
His beard and hair blow nil about ,
Ho stamps his feet. Mid simiis his linger ,
For uot an instant can 1m linger , a
lie cracks his whin , now left , now rinht ,
Tlio reindeer speed with all their might ,
A million stocKliiKs must he tilled ,
And not a single to
J.ook out now there's a pled broke loose ,
A nd thitre's a doll caught in a noose
Now hasten , hasten every one ,
Or soon we'll see the rising sun.
Now , first RO through this narrow frlivet ;
We'll liivo the children here a treat ,
For once a vear , nt least , I'll see
The poorest child shall happy be.
There , halt ! Flow hlsh this chimney 13 !
"I'ls welt 1 undeistitnd my bl/ ,
For unvcr mortal .saw before
So tiirht a squeeze us this , I'm sure.
Now dash away o'er hill and dale ,
The stars and moon ho ln to pale ,
And Mrs. Krlnjdo will not wait
She never likes her breakfast late.
Ttic Nluht He for o Christina * .
.1 trench Vtiilutmf ( Ictnctit U. Moon't Millions
It was Christmas during the night ,
when not a being down to a mouse was
promenading itself throughout the
whole of tlio mansion. The stockings be
low the mantel-piece had been suspended
carefully , in the hopes Hint Saint
Nicholas would render his visit with
speed. The infants had retired them
selves to their couches , and all of
them wore exceedingly comfortable , dur
ing which periods some dreams of the
confectionery made a dance within their
heads. The mother with her handker
chief and 1 myself haying assumed my cap
had that moment arranged our brains in
the condition of a sleep of the lengthy
winter , and an excitement so groa't
made itself to bo heard outside
within the court yard , that from the
bottom of my bed I made a spring in order
to ascertain to myself the cause. To the
window as a Hash of lightning I myself
shot , the shutters pushed with a violence
extreme , and tlio framework raised. The
moon , down upon the bosom of the snow
now fallen , Imparted a brightness of tlio
broad day below tlio objects , when before
my eyes , lost in the astonishment , came
a small sleigh and eight reindeer , very
little , with an aged coachman , al.-o very
small , very animated , very jerky , anil
this man. I knew it at once , must be
Saint Nick. Than the eaglets a great
deal more rapidly his steeds advanced
themselves ; ho mentioned how they were
called , with a whistling , a crying out :
Pusher-oil I Walt/crl Kiser-Up-on-IIis-
Two-Hind. 'FeetTermagant ! ! Como now !
Make yourself to go on io the roof of the
piazza , to the portion of the fence the
moat elevated ! Be in a hurry , be ina
hurry I"
As the withered leaves Impeded in lite
cyclone make for themselves to the sky's
height the passage , in the same manner
the reindeer the ridge of the mansion as
cended with celerity , bearing with them
thoshiigli of playthings full , Saint Nich
olas with them going also. Afterward ,
in tlio time it takes ono a eye to be winked ,
upon the roof I discovered of each small
hoof the scrape , the gambol also.
As my head to the interior of the apart
ment I had brought , and was of myself
making the turn , St. Nicholas bounded
himself down into the fireplace of the
chimneys. From his head oven down to
his fout in the fur he was clothed , and
upon him the ashes and -oot lay as a
thick covering , tarnishing him ; on his
back a great abundance of the playthings
ho had cast , and , in fact , the resemblance
of him to a peddler was very close.
HH eyes blinked ; he posscstcil joyous
dimples ! His oheoka were ot Ihe roses ;
his nose possessed the appearance
of a cherry ! His small month was
puckered up as the bow ; his beard was
whim , suggesting a similarity to the
snow ; a .short pipe , of which the smoke
engarlanded his head , was between his
teeth. He possessed a broad vi ugc ; a
circular stomach.ulso , When he laughed ,
the latter was agitated as the jelly which
is placed in the bowl. Hound , corpulent ,
excessively hilaroiis , ho caused mo to
burst out laughing in smto of my serious
eflorts at the cohtrol of 1113self. 11U
winking eye and twisting head immed
iately gave mo lo Know ho was harmless. :
Silently he inaugurated his tusk , tilling
witli playthings the stockings ; then he
himself turned , alongside of his nine his l
linger placed and , giving to mo of politeness -
ness the salutation , took again the
chimney.
Within his sleigh he cast himself , whis
tling , and as a foalher tlcw his team.
Nevertheless , I heard him exclaim , im
mediately in the advance of his driving
afar oflV "To everybody the Happy
.Chirtmas and the good uijjhU"
Hongs of liovc.
.
Sound over all waters , reach out from all
lands ,
The churns of voice * , the clnsplng of hand.0 ;
Sini ; hymns tlmt were saiif ; by the stars ol
the morn ,
Sins sonas of tno angels when JCMIS was
burn !
Christmas Hints.
Don't wait until you can catch your
best , girl under the mistletoe bough. Kis > s
her wherever you find her.
In Illling up her stocking have a care
not to "put your foot in it. "
A ton of coal and a barrel of Hour
would not bo too much for many stock
ings.
Ahhapelv foot , notlo go any frrlher , is
about as neat a thing as can be put into a
stocking.
The stocking that contains a pair of
diamond earrings may not give any
more happiness thau one with a t n rat
tle. !
tle.Somo
Some people think that their slocking
would look about right if stuljcd with a
sealskin cloak and a sable muIV.
6ti Don't hang up any long red stockings
this Christmas. Kriss Ivringlo may not
mind them , but there is a possibility that
IIt Ihe man of Iho house may come homo
slightly befuddled and mistaking them
for iv lire , alarm the entire neighbor
hood.
Amonir the Norwegian It is a super
stition that , if a. turkey is killed on Christ
mas day something terrible yill happen.
Among Americans it is believed some
thing terrible will happen if a turkey is
not killed on Christmos day or there
abouts.
This will be a green Christinas for the
girl whose sister carries oil" the sealskin
sacquo palm , as it were. She'll bo green
\ witli \ envy. |
Hartford Post : They were sitting by
the lire , Job Shuttle and Ills wife. The
children had gone to bed and tlio subject
of Christmas presents were under dis
cussion.
"J suppose Jack wants a sled , " sug
gested Mrs. Shuttle , "and Jennie wants
a pair of skates. "
"Now 1 think the sled , should go to
Jennie and thoskalcs lo Jack , " said Job.
"Why not give us both sleds and
skates ? " sounded a piping voice from the
inner bedroom.
"Von .slm'n't have a solitary thing al
all. " said Job excitedly.
. But they will. Kvory bureau drawer in
the house is chock lull of truck for the
children.
A Christians Chorus.
Lcc C. lliirliitt ' "
I.
Now till up J > nr glasses of champagne and
sherry
And turn to the bumper of eircnopf acaln ;
The first stroke of. mill night must iind us alt
merry ,
A ml this be tbe chorus that marks the
it'f rain :
Oh ! Christmas Is here ,
Tlio best of thu year
\Vo'll \ meet It with love , as each heart may
decree
No sorrow shall darken
Our souls , as we hai'ken
To th' joj bells that rinc In the yesu's jubl-
lei ) I
n.
Let beauty and cayety trip to the measure
Which musical cadences mark for their
ff-et
The ma/.o of ( lie dance Is a well-sprint ; of
pleasure ,
And adds its own charm to this festival
sweet.
Oh ! Christmas Is here ,
The best of thu year !
Then hail It with jolltv , cruel It with dance ,
For pulses are bentini ;
And warm hands aiu meetingi i
While ihythm of mu-ili ; the senses entrance !
in.
Of feasting and plenty 'tis litly the season ,
So ( 'ivn to the Indigent part of your stoie ;
For ho who withholds it , duos charity treason
And tails In Ills duty lo think of the poor.
Oh I Christmas Is here ,
The best of the year
The day that wo love ami an era of glee ;
The doom clouds nhMI lighten
Fioin heaits us wo brixhten
The hoiiwsof the needy with gifts full nnd
free.
IV.
A toast for the Christmas tide ! drink It In
Wish "peace to the woild , unto all men
Alay the sun.iliino ot joy plcrco the shadows
ol
And life fur imrijuaflliiK , its chulco wines
diitlll ! ;
Oh I Christmas Is here ,
The best ol the year ,
The season of merriment , rlmrlty , bong
Such mum'rieij entwine it ,
Kadi heart shall iiiahrinu ) It
Amid the affections which KCOKi'wu ami
strong I
_
Origin ol' n 1'opular Custom ,
In the good old times Iho custom of
"Kissing under the mistlvloii" was very
quaintly defined. Kvery berry on the
mistletoe bough hung in the center of the
hall entitled a young gallant to a kiss
from any member of thn fair f-ex who
pasi ud beneath it. Aftisr exacting the
penally from thn maiden' ho had to pluck
a berry irnm tno bough 'and ' hand it to
her as a peace oll'cring. To bo strictly
correct the young lady then had to throw
the berry on to the burning ynlo log in the
open grate and decide by the time it took
in cracking her luck during the ensuing
year Nowadays the diatom has been
shorn of ull its formalities , but the lead
ing feature of it has not been forgotten
or abamumod , Scores of legends abound
IB to thu origin of the custom , one of Iho
quaintest of which is worth recording.
A prince of royal blood and of fine
> liy itio ( ] got separated from his com
panions while out hunting. Ho wan
dered through the woods and al night ar
rived at an old ruined castlo. He knocked
at the gate and having s > alislicil the watch
man that hoii not a robber or a dan
gerous character , was allowed to outer.
Tiio only inmiites of the ca tla was a
ludeoiu old burou and bi * lovely daugh
ter
itock
Our stock has never been in such u splendid condition ( o meet Iho demand. * of
the people. Being entirely new and ninde expressly for us , there is not another
stock of goods in tlio city so desirable to chooeo from. The stock * of Overcoats ,
Suite , Underwear , gloves , Hats and Caps , Ties , Shirts , Childrens' and Hoys'
Overcoats , Suits and Furnishing ( foods , are as complete now as a large , well se
lected line of goods can make them.
TVow Vorlt nntl Oinrilm Clntliin ; ; ( ' 41 , Is tlio 3trnluurtIT : * I'or
( neil ( tHoiU nml H MV
The Welcome accorded to the wnndorof
was not of the most enthusiastic charac
ter , and when in tiio morning ho pa'.d
some well-wonted compliments to the
baron' * daughter ho was seized rudely
by command of the iratit parent and
turned out of the castle. Ho wandetcil
about for several days , and when almost
dead from fatigue and hungry , encoun
tered a fairy , to whom he told his adven
tu . Shu informed him that if lie re
tu to the castle urmcd with a mis
tletoe t ) < bough the power of the baron
over his ladylove would cease and ho
could win her with a kiss , lint the bough
Cdm
must be plucked from a hollow oakgrow-
ing by the. side of a stream , on the opposite
bank : of which stood a weeping willow
with all its loaves torn off save two. For
weeks the love-sick prince searched for
this particular oak , out without success.
At last lie fcl1 asleep one night under an
oak tree , and when ho woke in the morn
ing ho observed to his surprise a rivulet
just at his feet and a weeping willow on
the opposite bank which answered ox-
aetly the fairy's description. Ho speedily
climbed tlio tree , plucked a bough of
mistletoe which grow at its summit , re
paired : to the castle and won his bride.
A OHEISTMAS TRAGEDY.
11y Jnl In \VliiUna \ < Utc Sprlnuflcltl , ( .V.I.'S. )
Last year , while taking n horseback
ride through a section of a southern
slate inailo desolate by the war , I chanced
one afternoon just at twilight on what
once had been u stately avenue , and 1
wondered . at the neglect now visible ,
still more , as I idly traced it , it opened
upon a lawn where stood an imposing
mansion.
I hesitated to approacli it , and waited
underneath the trees , thinking to accost
some servant , and aslc Iho name of ils
owner. No servant appeared , and , as I
wailed in the gathering gloom , I fell
something uncanny about thu place :
Tlmt said , na plain as whisper In the ear ,
The place is Inumtcdl
Almost fearful.yet desirous to solve the
myslerv , I rode up to the veranda that
shaded the front of the lower story , and
then perceived how fallen to decay it was.
The steps that had led from it were quite
gone , while the heavy door that opened
into the once hospitable hull sagged upon
Its rusty hinges and blood hull open , a
grctat pile of dead loaves choking the
entrance ; and now I observed the broken
panes in the long I'rcnch ' windows.
Oppressed by tlio silent inlluencu of the
place unit half ashamed of my tears , I
turned away and sought the highroad.
Kemainini ; in the neighborhood for
some days , I visited the deserted mansion
again , and wondered much why this
house , once so delightful , and even now
in its decay so full of charm , had been
doscrtcd. While I questioned it for an
answer its silence dyuied mo , I forbore to
ask those that might liavo told mo , lost
the mystery might bo violently dissolved.
lint one day , riding in a new direction.
chance brought me to a house wiicro an
old lady sat on thn porch , occupied only
with her thoughts it would seem , as her
hands lay idly in her lap , and she started
as 1 addressed tier. Asking her my way
she answered courteously , and I was
about' ' lo take my leave , when the thought
struck mo that hero.if anj where , 1 should
hear of tlio deserted house. So I said :
"Can yon tell mo the history of that
lonely house that stands in the grove of
of live-oaks on the Ghent road ? "
She gave a sharp glance , as she an
swered : "Xo ono knows as well as I.
Why do j-oti ask Leave it to itself. "
I assured her I had none but a trav
eler's interest , and , at length she told mo
its history. Hut lust , she turned toward
the open door , she called "Zoo ! " three or
four times , and on a smart colored girl
appearing ordered her to fetch wine , As
she appeared again with decanter and
glass tiio old Taily poured wmo for me
herself , and wo drank with great cere
mony. Desiiring mo to bo seated she be
gan lior ( ale , preluding it with "If I am
not mistaken you own other blood limn
Kmrlish. ] There is mixture of the fiery
Frenoh with your cooler Saxon V"
I assured her that she was right , I
was \ proud to number among my ancestry
eome from "fair Proven.c. . "
4-lt pie vails witli yon , young man , and
you will sympathi/.o in the passions tlmt
iiKidii this story possible. It was long
ago yes , fifty years ago tlmt it happened.
I was a young girl , and a beauty , sir ,
with young gallants at my call , ah mo !
"That house is the old ( irantloy hotiso ,
and Lucille ( intnlloy , my dear cousin ,
wan tlio only chilil and heir. Wit were ot
an ago , and fondly attached. How can 1
describe my beautiful cousin ! How paint
her charm ! The ( Jrantloy * on the
mother's dido were of French origin , and
to Unit HIO owed her graceful form , tiery
glance , and dark , glowing ciieel ; ; but ,
look , " said the old lady handing me a
locki-t , going on with her description ,
while I I ga/.ud at the pictured face
within.
It was Indeed a magnificently beauti
ful face that met my ga/o. In the MJinbor
ynt liury eye there shown the possibility
of any fate. The hair wiis swept away
from the face in rich mms , and the deli
cate aijiilline nose , melting lipi. and robe-
tinted cheeks miiite a vision 10 charm one.
In gu/.ing at Iho ininiatnro , I had loit
what tne old lady was Buying. I looked
up to apologue , but siio u\eui > nd mo , say
ing : "No one could ga/.o on Lucille , and
think of aught else. Is she not beautiful ?
All well !
"Lucille hud many suitors , among them
Dick Floyd , and alas ! my own dear
brother Hugh. I know Ltioillu's heart ,
and had long known that her ufioction
was given to Floyd. That secret was
buried in my breast , not even to Lucille
di'l I brontlio my knowledge. I have
said that wo were cotiiirM. and as our
plantations joined , our fiuiillies were in
the h.iblt of spending the Christmas hol
iday , now \\ilh the GrnntloyH , now with
us , us , the years alternated. Thul ObrUt1 1
mas wo kept the day at the ( irantleys1 ,
and Mrs. ( irautley gave a ball. Many n
beautiful girl ami gay gallant were there ,
that night that now'lie in tliolr g'.avca ,
or are old and sad like me ! After dinner
we girls went uu stairs to driv s , and , bofo
mi' ready lirst , ran across the corridor
to Lucillc's room. Never had I seen her
look so beautiful ; I little thought U was
the last time ! Her simple white gown ,
with no ornament saving a great dlaai
inotid cross , a family jewel , that blazed
upon her throat , well became her sumpw
luous beauty.
" 'Ah , Lucille , ' I cried , 'How exquisite !
There's many a heart will nehe to-nightl'
anil 1 whispered in her car , Ton look
like a brido. .
" 'Hush , you silly girl , said Lucille. I I
'Hut I wish lo look by host to-night. ' j
" 'Why , Floyd would admire you in
homespun , ' I said. [ !
" 'Hush , don't breath his nanin. My
mother ' atsho spoke Mrs. Orant.lcy I i
appeared at the door lo hasten us down | '
stairs. '
SIb "My cousin led the dance with mytt
brother Hugh , and never had she nueened
It moro royally. All the young men
looked 1 ( after them vrilli envious eyes and
Hugh 1 seemed in a transport. AH they
swept past me in the dance 1 heard Hugh
jvhisuor. 'Would that this might last for-
over ! I would ask no better heaven than
liS bo forever by your si'.to. ' I saw her
smile in answer , and marked the glad
light spring into Hugh's eye , and pitticd
him for the disappointment in store for
him.
lir him."Tho hours How by , 1 was sought by
many , and listening to the murmured
wonts of compliment , and whirling down | I
the long hall in the wallI had not '
marked the absence of Lucille , until , rest
ing iit iii i after a dance , while my partner went
to fetch me a glass of wine , 1 became
aware of a sudden excitement in the
room , and I overheard a neighbor , Mrs.
Stanley , saying to a friend , 'Why , she
j ha1 * boon gone for the three last dances ,
and , Mrs. Grantloy has disappeared also. '
"When my parlnnr returned 1 asked
him for an explanation , but ho could
only tell me that there seemed to be a
feeling that something was wrong.
"However , the bam ! struck up'and all
wore di'.ncing , when all at once the music
ceased , and all was confusion. Kvery
eve was turned toward the door , and
there appeared Mrs. Granthsy holdin < ;
Lucillo's hand tightly in her own , bolh
mother and daughter palo as ashes !
"For an instant I caught Lucillo's oye.
She looked away and shuddered !
"Mrs. ( Jrantley led her daughter into
the mUNt of the hushed assembly then ,
releasing her with a gesture that looked
like renouncement , she turned to Floyd ,
who had elo ely followed their footstep * .
Waiving him to LncUlc's side , she turncil
to the guests , and said :
"Is there not. a clergyman hcreV" and
her eye sought among the crowd , while
from Luoilie's lips there breathed a mur
mur of 'Ho merciful ! '
"Unheeding this interruption , Mrs.
tirantloy said in a distant , hard voice. 'I
think I numbered the Kev. Mr. Ingails
among tbo friends I askcct to spend
Christmas night with us ? '
"As she spoke a servant came in from
the library , with the gentleman. 'Como
here , if you please , Mr. Ingails , your
services are required. ' While the clergy
man was crossing the hall Mrs. ( Sranlluy
resumed , in her even tones :
" 'As wo grow older wo grow dull in
invention , but our children ottcn prepare
sm prises for us. My daughter , I find,1
with a wave of the hand in nor direction ,
'with the help of our young friend , Air.
Floyd , had arranged a marriage , to make
'
'
the festivities more joyous ! '
Mother ! " said Lucille , impl oringly.
"Mrs , ( irantley went on , unheeding ,
'On .special occasions all should bo in
cluded in the enjoyment of the house ,
and 1 have prevailed on these foolish
young people to share , their pleasure
with us. Proceed with the ceremony ,
Mr. Ingails.1
" 'Ahe.ml'saiit tlio embarrassed clergy
man , 'This is quite irregular , I hardly
line to-- '
" 'Do ' not f give it my sanction ? Pray
go on. '
"Thus adjured , Mr , Ingails began the
marriage service , iiiniil a breathless
silence. All eyes were lixed upon the ex
traordinary group. It seemed much
more like a burial than a marriage , and
there wa a horror over the assembly that
seemed to fix all in their places. Whim
it was over and thu minister stepped
uway from the iioivjy wcdtled pair , there
was a s'.ir ' of uncertainty. None know
whether to wish them jov.
"Mrs. ( irnnlloy , .still in that ley voice ,
( Said , 'Arn thorn none then to congrutu-
liili1. the bridoV
" .Mother ! " cried Lucille , making as If
she would fall upon her neck. "Forgive
mo ! ( jive me your blessing ! "
Her mother repelled herandsald , "You
spoil the play by mich improvised
speeches. ForgivciiiJiS in not bet down
in my part. "
Floyd now spoke for the lirst time.
Taking his young wife by the Jmnd ho
said : "Sho is not to blame. On DID the
fault lies. "
"On you " Air ? , ( iranllny pauecd a
moment as if for words , then her fury
broke forth. "The farce is over 1 have
no finther wish for yon ! Farewell. Mrs.
Floyd ! Lucy she calk-d bur maid , who
fitoou with the othnrnTvants in the door
way , surveying the scene , "I'ray fetch
your yinnig mistress' wraps for Mrs.
Floyd. The night is cold and thcso young
pi-'ijilo tal.e Ilio boat. "
There was a terrible scene. Lucille
throw herself at her mother's feet , and
with sobs and cries bebought her for for (
givoness. Her mother looked down upon
her while u dreadful smile illumined her
lace. O ; . a sudden she drew herself
away and said : "Enough of this. ( Jet
up. For shame ! "
"Some of the friends now came for
ward , soiin. helped to raise Lucille from
th's Hour , while others , among them , my
mothiT , rcniutifitnrti'd with Mr.s ( lianl-
Iny : 'y < ni have-punished her f-nikugli. if
she Imsdu'Tivvd you , rumeml > " .r
" ' '
Is-Ml"
Our Present
Something which ha * never hcfora
been done is what wo are now dolngthat
is giving away an article that is not trash
anil worthies. ! . We give lo those who buy
$15 worth or more , a gold ho.idcd cane ,
tlmt H retailed at $3. This Is something
thiit you v/ill not bo given every day am >
" 'My daughter linvo no daughter , '
said Airs. t'.iMiitloy. 'I do not Unow .Mr.
and Mrs. Floyd. ' Turning with niiiuli
politeness to them again , slio said : "Do
not let us hinder you. It ij nearly t ina
for the boat to reach Urn landing. U'o
must nut tiotain these young people , just
about taking their wedding trip ! '
"Arcopling- - wrans brought by Luoy ,
Lucille and Floyd loft tlio room , without
another word , closely followed by MM.
Urantlcy , waving them out of tlio house
with an 'An rcvoir ! ' and a whnpeiod In-
iunelion to her old butler ; who followed
Ills ' younir mistress down ihti walk , as wo
aftiirward learned , with instructions not
to lose sight of them until the boarded the
boat. "
"What a horrible scenol" said I , speak-
Ing for the tiist time.
"Do you call thhi horrible ? " said the
old i lady. "That was nothing to what
followed. lon'l interrupt mo , listen ! "
"U'o returned to the parlor , to wonder
and surmise on tlio all'air , while Mrs.
rirantloy ( shut herself up in the library.
From \ oiui ot the servants wo learned that
Mrs. ( jrantlcy liad come upon the lovora
In ] the conservatory , and had heard Floyd
urge , anl Lueillo consent to an clopo-
niont ) , anil had taken this way to avenge
herself. j , , A poor revenge , yoii think ? It
was , indeed , and recoiled upon herself.
"Tho tragedy of Unit night was but be-
mm. , A half-hour passed , ami the guusl.1
began \ ( ( o slip away , when the old butler
burst | into the room , and rushing up to
my , , mother , exclaimed , "My Uodl Mis'
Clarion ' , who's gwmo to toll missis ? It'll
kill'her shol } ! '
" 'Toll her what , Robert ? What baa
happancd | ( ? '
"Miss Lueillo and Mars1 Floyd , bof
dead , down yander , on the landin' ! Bol
of 'emI Doro doy lie ! '
"Tiiero arose a chorus of .shrieks and
exclamations , to which liobort answered ,
'This gwinu kill Missus ! Jfshe lof thai
poor chile alone this never happened1 !
'Itcold outside , so ( ley wont in do shed
down on the landin' , till tlio boat coino ;
Miss oryJn1 and Mars' Floyd tryiu" lo
comfort her. Mars' Floyd hear nolso
outside , and say ho guess boat comin *
and ho go out , then we hoarhimspoakin'
with some one. lirst low like , then louder ,
and Miss 'Mo' troublol'
say , and she
open the door , and 1 hear herssty 'Nol
Jso ! Yon shall not hurt him ! ' and den
hear a shot , and don another , and a
scream---and a fall and den 1 run out.
and dero doy liosl with the blood runnin1
on her white dross ! an1 I raise 'em. but
they bof jrono dead oof of 'emI
" 'Who's dead If' demanded a terrible
voice Mrs. Grant ley stood in the door.
She was answered by the tramp of feel
without , the door opened , and men
brought , in , on an improvised bier , the
bodies of Lucille and Floyd !
"With a shriek that still rings in my
cars , Mrs. Urantloj'Haw all in ono swift
glance , threw up tier hands in frantio
appeal , and sank forward over her
daughter' * body. They ran to lift her up
but she also was dead !
"They wore buried on New Year's day.
The faces of Lueillo and her bridegroom
seejimd transfigured with immortal hap
piness. She was buried in the dross siio
wore that fatal night , a cloud of lace cov
ered the ominous slain over that still
heart ! Mrs. Grantloy's features , fro/.en
into marble stillness , yet worn that look
of horror with which she died. Tlio
three were buried , and silence fell upon
that house , once so full of lifo and gayety -
oty : silence foil upon their history. It
seemed strange lo me , who knew but too
well out no one guessed the imii'dorir'a
name. 1 knew ! "
The old lady paused , and wrung her
bands ai it the tragedy she told was fresh.
After a few moments she collected her
self and resinned :
"Why should I conceal it longer ? IIo
must be beyond reach of reprisal long
ago. , It was my brother ! My poor
brother ! When I , at last , reached my
room that dreadful night , I found or. my
pillow a noto. Half beside myself , I
locked my door , and read that Hugh ,
maddened by Ins passion for Lueillo , had
followed them to the boat landing , and
when Floyd came out lo listen for tlio
boat taunted and stung him to the quick.
His rage partly satisfied be would liavo
left the spot ; but when Lncillo appeared
and hung upon her husband's arm , it
drove him beside himself , and ho lired
toseuLneillo throw herself between Imr
hiiftlmnd and harm , and then received
tbo second shot ! Hugh , so Iho letter ran.
not daring to sen what he had done , lieu
trom the sjmt , and lunching home , how
he know not , had gathered together what
money was at hand , penned the confes
sion , and throwing himself on a ( lent
hor.io , was miles away as 1 mid. Ho
called himself her murderer , and
charged me not to seek him.
"U'lmt could 1 do but bury the secret
in mv heart , and wonder , and mourn ,
with tlio rent , over Hugh's diwippcar-
: ui' ' ! . It was laid to hi * grief at Lncilln's
death , ami as years pussi-il. and ho did
not return , it was supposed that he had
met death in some sol.tudo and so it
mav be no word his : overcome to nm "
Hi-ru ( hi ) old Jndy paiiacd so long iliit
at length I ventured to ask why the house
was left to decay.
" \Vcll \ , " she answered , "Iho ( iranlh y.s
wore singularly without relatives , and
with the df'afli of Lucille and her in oilier
they vanished from the earth. A time
ijiisted , Ihu ostatii twirled to tlin ulato ,
but the man.tioii was left to fall to ruin ,
and many a ghost story has been told of
it. "
And so nd < ! i ! the etory of a Christmas
day. 1 wish my renders could liavo Ki-on
lie old lady that told it. As site pro
ceeded with bur narration her bent form
grew moro erect , a Hush rose in her failed
olicok , her uyos grew bright , and I saw ,
for the time , llui beauty of long ago. As
tbu story ended , she rclapsou oneo moro
into decrepit age. and it was again a bent
a'ld feeble old lady that thanked mo for
my attention , and bade me " ( Jwod duyl"
' 'J i.su.in . to.siifh a powder that defies
ili'-mUi'ii ' b.itu.f ! ' , .vuui'3 to improve *
tin.