Til 13 ( XMA1IA DAILY 1VI3I3 ni3OI3MHI3U 120 , 1S 0. 15) )
liter , thry ncto nt n IOKM to account for
that P'IIBO ' of the ultunllon. It wim not
It ig before nc\vn from Cleveland reached
- bur llttlo town , allowing that Stuart had
ill8.ijpr.ircd also , leaving his wlfo nnd
daughter In reduced circumstances. It
crcnm ho Imd sold out Ills huMncsfi. turned
nil his ponscMlono Into money except hln
residence , and had dropped out of night.
"When I left our little town , about ten
years after this occurrence , the matter was
still a subject for discussion nt all the
i sewing circles , but the good women had
Jj ; it fluttceded In learning anything further
7 ni.out the fa to of Stuart and Madge Darker.
"I carna out to Nebraska and occured a
position as court reporter at Lincoln. After
I had been there about three ycnm a lawyer
whom I had known very well In Lincoln
was elected Judge of the district court In
one of the newly organized cotmtkn. HID
court wan located nt Allen , the county
neat , and ho offered mo the position of re
porter under him. I accepted the position
and was soon on the epot.
"I had not been In the town twenty-four
hours when who should I meet , walking
down the main street , but I.orln Stuart.
Of course , he didn't recognize me as being
nny onu he had ever seen , and 1 did not
Hpcnk to him.
"To make a long story short. I learned
hy quiet Inquiry that Stuart was the most
Important man In the little town , being
the owner of the townslte. Ho had mar
ried Madge Darker and they were living
In ono of the most Imposing houses In the
town. It scorns that when Mrs. Darker
nnd Stuart disappeared from their homes
they had gone to Colorado , where they
lived for two years as man and wife. Hlch-
ard Darker , the woman's son , who had
disappeared about the same tlrnc they did ,
Jind followed them to Colorado and had
licen living with them all the time. After
leaving Colorado these three had como to
Nebraska , and Stuart nnd Mrs. Darker had
each homestcaded a claim. The two claims
were adjoining , and Stuart had "boarded"
with the woman and her son. When their
titles had been perfected they were mar
ried , John Darker having In the meantime
secured a divorce from his wife on the
ground uf desertion. Soon afterwards the
town of Allen was laid out on the claim of
the woman , nnd when I appeared on the
scene this town had reached n respectable
clze.
clze."As the owner of the town site , and by
dint of his superior ability , Stuart had
become a strong factor In politics , nnd had
become. In a small way , a dictator and din-
iicnser of patronage. He had been elected
to the state senate , and nt the time I ar
rived In town he was a candidate for elec
tion as stitc treasurer.
"Through Stuart's Influence with the
authorities at Washington Hlchard Darker
/ ' had been appointed postmaster at Allen
f about two years before.
"A few days before I reached Allen Post
master Darker trail married Mabel Ander-
non , the belle of the town , and the only
daughter of ono of the most prominent
families. She was"a beautiful young
woman , n decided brunette , with dark ,
flashing eyes , nnd regular features of a
rather strong type ,
> . "I had not been In town a month be-
x /ore I heard rumors floating about to the
effect that Stuart and young Mrs. Darker
were more affectionate thnn their relative
circumstances seemed to require. These
rumors increased rapidly , and It was soo.i
common talk that Stuart had supplanted
Ills stepson In Mrs. Darker's affections.
"You will remember that I said In the
beginning that Richard Darker resembled
his father In the matter of brains. That
will account for the fact that he did not
seem to be much concerned about the ac
tions of hla wlfo and Stuart , although It
was Impossible for him not to have known
nil about their doings.
"While this was going on the suspicions
of Mrs. Stuart had been nrouscd , and the
nclghborn told of frequent family Jars In
the Stuart family. One day the whole
town wns thrown Into n great state of ex
citement by a personal encounter between
the two women. They had met on the main
street In the busleot part of town one
afternoon and Mrs. Stuart drew a revolver
from the pocket of her dress and attempted
to shoot her daughter-in-law. The weapon
failed to explode , however , and was taken
fro.n the Infuriated woman by n bystander.
Mrs. Stuart warned Mrs. Darker that If
she didn't leave town inside of twenty-four
* hours shi ) would kill her.
"This threat had the dctlrcd effect , nnd
the next day It was announced that Mrs.
Darker had gone to Omaha for medical
treatment. Her departure did not put n
stop to the dissensions In the Stuart fam
ily , however , and they were constant ! )
quarreling. Mrs. Stuart refused to Join
her husband In executing deeds to buyers
of their land , and he sold 11 anyway. He
made frequent trips to Omaha and would
lie gone several days each time. Finally
lie took up his residence In Omaha alto
gether , and Mrs. Stuart secured a divorce
on the ground of desertion , Stuart making
no defense.
"I had occasion to go to Omaha frequently
in business , and learned that Stuart and
"
< f"Mrs , Darker were living together In the
* northern part of the city. This condition
of affaire continued for about two years
when Stuart removed to Itcd Wood , a
Bmall town In the western part of the
Htnte. Mrs. Darker followed him there , and
he bought her n fine homo In the town , liv
ing with her under the guise of relation
ship. He died shortly afterward , and when
his will was filed for probate at Allen ,
\\hcro all his property was situated , It
1 - ivas seen that everything had been willed
to Mabnl Darker , and she was appointed
administratrix without bond.
"The will was probated , but within less
than a week afterwards a contest was In
stituted In the district court In the name
of Helen Stuart , who claimed to be the
daughter and solo heir of Stuart. She
had been living In Cleveland since the
death of her mother , several years before
I lad learned this Incidentally nome time
before Stuart died. It Is not material how
Helen Stuart had learned of the death of
her father and the disposition he had made
of hit property.
"There was great dllllculty In getting a
Jury , and several days were consumed In
finding twelve men who were not biased or
prejudiced ono way or another by their
knowledge of the case.
"A Jury was at last secured , and the
case commenced , Helen Stuart produced
the marriage certificate In proof of her
mother's marriage to Stuart In Cleveland
years before and produced proofs of her own
relationship to Stuart. She testified that
her mother had never been divorced from
Stuart. It was also shown Incidentally
that Just before his death Stuart had trans
ferred his entire bank account In the bank
nt Allen , amounting to about $11,000 , to
the credit of Mabel Darker , and she had
drawn It all out Immediately after hs !
death. The claim of Helen Stuart , that
, lie was the solo surviving relative of her
fathtr , was proved most conclusively.
"Tho attorneys for Mabel Darker were
fllmply astounded at the evidence confront
ing them , but they made a strong fight.
Kvery resource known to the profession
was brought to bear on the case , and alto
gether It was one of the most brilliant legal
conlllcts I ever witnessed. The arguments
were gcrns of legal logic combined with
rhetorical flights which fairly made the
old town hall ring. The case was sub
mitted to the jury on the 19th of December ,
and , as I said at the beginning , the Jury
\\as still out when ChrUtmaa eve rolled
around.
"Our little party fairly haunted that old
town hall waiting for the verdict that
penned so near and yet so far. There were
the two women and their attorneys , the
Jndgo and myself. All day long and until
midnight every night wo waited. Then we
would disperse , only to assemble the next
morning and repeat the process. It seemed
Ha though none of us could stay away. As
. _ Christmas morning approached the strain
\sceincd to grow more Intense. The weather
was Intensely cold , and the barn-like room
was anything but comfortable , notwith
standing an Immense utovc that was white
hot. Two small lamps throw n fitful lighten
on the scene and filled the room with
dancing shadows. The silence was op
pressive. No one had uttered a sound dur
ing what seemed to mo to be ueveral hours.
1 had looked ut rny watch for the forty-
. ninth time to find that the hour was slowly
T * ' approaching midnight , when the bailiff re
ported that the Jury had agreed ,
"They were promptly brought In from
an adjoining room and seated In the Im
provised jury box. They looked fatigued
nnil worn , but there was nothing In their
faces to Indicate what the verdict was. 1
watched the two vomcn , Helen Stuart wai )
elm and collected , and her large , blue
eyes nurvrycd the faces of the jurors with
out n muscle of her fact * betraying nny
sign of emotion. Mnble Darker wns JuM
the reverse. Her oyea wi-ro rcatltsg nnd
shitted rapidly from one object to another.
She hewed < tlgn of n great rnentnl strain
nnd her mouth twitched nervously.
"Tho usual form wan gone through with
and the verdict passed to me to read. It
found for Helen Stuart , nnd also found
that Mnhlc Darker was not entitled to any
part of the Stuart property.
"As the estate was valued at about $1CO-
000. MlM Stuart received a very substantial
Christmas present. She returned to her
home In Cleveland , leaving her property In
the hands of an agent , and 1 learned that
she la married to a phyalclnn. Mnble Dar
ker was living In the house at Hed Wood
bought hy Stuart , the last I heard of her. "
F. D. M.
MOW SA.VI'A n.Al'S ' CAUI4.
Clnrcncc Ilnwkes In Tlirrc Little Folks.
Lust Christmas eve , when wo were snug In
lied.
And nil the lights were out , Tommy , li
said ,
"I'd like to know how 'tis , with pack nnd
all ,
That Santa Claris got down the chimney
hole. "
"Let's lie awake and see nnd then we'll
know ;
Won't It bo fun to see him squeezed up
so ? "
And so we laid nwnke , and by nnd by ,
got sleeping some with my left eye- .
Hut still I saw the chimney with my right ,
And by nnd by there enrne the queerest
sight ;
A little man no blrecr thnn Tom Thumb ,
With n little park no bigger than rny drum
Came sliding down the chimney more and
more ,
I'ntll he went kcrburnp upon the floor ;
And then he looked nround the room n spell ,
Hut very soon his pack begun to swell.
It kept n-swelllng more and more nnd more ,
'Till It was bigger than the parlor door.
And then I saw that It wns full of toys ,
And books and dolls , and things for girls
and boys.
And soon the little mnn had grown so tall ,
He didn't seem to bo n dwarf nt all ,
And then he took .some things out of his
pack ,
And filled my stocking until I thought
'twould crack.
And then the pack grew small , nnd small ,
nnd smnll.
Until It wnsn't blgger'n nothln' 'tall ,
And Santa Clans he was a dwarf once
more.
And climbed up back ns he had come be
fore.
Just then , ns Santa Claus pot out of sight ,
I opened my left eye. and It was light ,
And there were atl the things for Tommy
'n1 mo ,
A-burstlriK out , Just ns I knowed they'd be.
Hut when I told him Tommy laughed and
said ,
I was a foolish little sleepy head ,
llut by nnd by he mild. "It must be so.
I-or Santa Clans had left the things , you
know. "
TOM ) OUT OK COritT.
Anceiliiti-H nnil IiiclilrnlN
( III1,1'Klll I'mfl'MNlllll.
In answer to n complaint that the court en-
forceo a rule art to abstracts by holding that
"crrcrs In the record , but not cliown by the
abstract , are not visible , " the opinion of the
Illinois appellate court says the amount of
business Is tlio Justification , nnd adds :
"Thirty-six years ago the supreme court en
deavored to conipei observance of the rule
by a threat. Kcllcher against Tlsdalc , 23
111.103. . Four yeani later that court , with
out executing , repented the throat. Shacklc-
fcrd against llalley. 35 III. . 3S7. So the
Judicious mother secures the obedience of
her wayward children. "
Illinois t'hlnes In the reflected glory of
vast quantities of legal erudition. An attor
ney from the cast hail occasion to try a
case recently In n city on the cast bank
of the Mississippi. The c/ppo > ! ng attorney
inlsed the point n to twice placing n per-
t'jn'o "llfo or limb" In Jeopardy for the
same offense. Ho rounded up n number of
periods with the word "Joppcrdy. " Trip
pingly It from his " "
came tongue , "Joppenly.
"Jopperdy , " and thrice ho repeated It , "Jap-
perdy , " "Jopperdy. " The eastern attorney
smiled at first , but when the words rose In
a scries to n climax bo coughed vlolentiy
to hide his laughter. The presiding genluc
of the bench knew that something was
wrens. Ho fidgeted In his chair , frowned
and finally walked down to confer with the
visiting attorney.
liven a Justice of the peace occasionally
learns things , relates the Chicago Chronicle.
The other day Justice Kerplen added the
word "rubberneck" to his vocabulary.
Mrs. Hrigel was before him charged with
disorderly conduct. Mrs. II. Lutz , a neigh
bor , said Mrs. Drlp.el had C3lled her many
liarsh things. Mr . Drlgel took the sand
and denied all the allegations but one.
"I admit , your honor , " said she , "that
when Mrs. Lutz pass-cd me I said , 'Thcro
goes a rubberneck , ' right out loud , your
honor. She Is a rubberneck , and "
Justice Kerstcn , whoso face had aswrrnc.l
a puzzled expression , hero Interrupted with :
"What Is a rubberneck ? "
The officials nnd the sncctators einllcd at
the court's Innocence. Somebody explained
and Justlco Kerstcn said :
"TIilo Djoms to bo a very opprobrious epi
thet. I'll just hold the defendant In peace
bonds. "
"It will bo difficult for our legislature
and Impossible for our courts , " says a recent
opinion , "to establish . definite and fixed
rulea that will preserve from their own Im-
nrovldenco the estates of maiden billet ) who
give their hearts , hands and property to the
knights of their choice. "
Referring to a railroad whose operating
expenses always exceeded Its earnings , an
opinion of the United States. ' supreme court
says : "Counsel sav that 'It Is familiarly
known In Texas no n teazcr. and If It ever
paioes beyond this Interesting but unprofit
able stage , even Its friends will bo surprlsfd. '
U'o are not advised and wo can htirdly be
expected to tnko judicial notice of what Is
meant by the term 'teazer , ' but It Is clearly
disclosed by the record that this wa an
unprofitable road. "
A late English bishop of a somewhat In
quisitorial character once wrcto the follow
ing query to the church wcrdcns of ft par
ish In his diocese : "Aro the conversation
and carriage of your clcigyman consistent
with his holy nfilco ? " Tha reply was : " \Ve
can't say nothing about tils conversation ,
but ho don't keep no kcrrldftc. "
Mr. Dodson , the Hngll&h actor , recently
told n story about a clergyman whom ho
heard at a parish church In Kent. The
clergyman wns rending the notices for ( he
week , and ended by uayln. ; : "There will
bo christening next Sunday at 10:30. : " He
then slowly walked to thepulpit. . Suddenly
turning toward the congregation he re
marked In severe tones , "Hcmernbcr. Mrs ,
Tomllnson , I said 10:30 : , A year ago you
wcro late , I believe. "
Some years ago. relates Harper's Hound
Table , there lived In England a certain
bishop who was extremely pompous , and
very fond of Impressing upon the minds of
the poorer people the evil of doing wrong.
As they never eecrned to do aught but
wrong In the worthy man's opinion , It some
times became Irksome to these people to
hear him constantly admonishing them to
do right. Onu of the bishop's habits was to
vUlt the miners a short distance from his
city , and his presence grow familiar to
those tollers. During one of his calls ho
found a group of ( hern talking together , and
after a few preliminary words on hli > cus
tomary subject'of doing right , ho asked
them what they wcro talking- .
"You see. " said ono uf the men , "wo
found a kettle , and us has been cr trying
who can tell ( he biggest lot to own the
kettle. "
The bishop was duly surprised , and read
the men a lecture In which ho spoke of
how strongly the offense of lying had been
Impressed upon him when ho was young ,
arid how ho had never told a He In the
wholu course of his life. Ho had hardly
finished when one of the men cried out ;
"Ol'o him the. kettle , Jim ! Ql'o him the
kettle. "
The Dutch , the Danes and the I'ruefdans
each have a rnllu that Ui 18-140 feet long , or
three and one-half time * tt length of
oura.
The Christmas Feast
Tit _ , r-N rf < i
at Braceondge
_ "
Aji - iji
i I Btj WASHINGTON HIVING. fc
tfI , " ! . -I ? -t ? > t ? ! . . * > if i
"I.o , now Is come our Joyful'Ht feast !
Let every mnn lie Jolly.
Hneh roome with yvlo leaves Is drcKt.
Anil every post with holly.
Now nil our nelchlior * ' chimney * smoke.
And Christmas Mocks nro ImniltiK ;
Their oveiiH they with bak't meats choke ,
And nil their spits nrc turn I up.
Without t'hc ' door lot Sorrow lie ,
And If. for eold , It Imp to die ,
Wee'l liury 't In n Christmas pye ,
And evermore he merry , "
\Vllhers' Juvenilia.
The dinner was served up In the great
hall , where the 'ecjulrc always held his
Christmas hatiiiet. | A blazing , crackling
fire of logs had been heaped lip to warm
the spacious apartment , and the flame went
sparkling and wreathing up the wide-
mouthed chimney. The great picture of the
crusader and his white horse had been
profusely decorated with greens for the
occasion ; and holly and Ivy had likewise
been wreathed round the helmet and
weapons on the opposite wall , which I
understood were the arms of the same
\varrlor. I must own , hy-thc-hy , I had
strong doubts about the authenticity of the
painting and armor ns having belonged to
the crusader , they certainly having the
fltnnip of more recent days ; but I wag told
that the painting had been ? o considered
time out of mind and that , as to the armor ,
'
It had been found In a lumber room , and
elevated to Its present situation hy the
'eciulre , who at once determined It to bo
the armor of the family hero ; and as he
was absolute authority on all such sub
jects In his own household , the matter had
passed Into current acceptations. A aide-
board was ret out Just under this chlvalrlc
trophy , which was n display of plate that
might have vied ( at least In variety ) with
Delshazzar's parade of the vessels of the
temple ; "llagons , cans , cups , beakers ,
goblets , barlns , and ewers ; " the gorgeous
utenrlls of good companionship that had
gradually accumulated through many gen
eration of Jovial housekeepers. 'Before '
these stood the two Yule candles , beaming
like two stars of the first magnitude ; other
lights were distributed In branches , and
the whole array glittered like a firmament
of silver.
\Ve were1 unnoted Into this banqueting
scene with the sound of minstrelsy ; the
old harper being seated on a stool beside the
fireplace , and twanging his Instrument with
a vast deal more power than melody. Never
did Christmas hoard display n more goodly
and gracious assemblage of countenances ;
those who were not handsome were at least
happy ; and happiness Is n rare Improver
of your hard-favored visage. I always con
sider an old Ungllsh family as well worth
studying as a collection of Holbein's
portraits , or Albert Durcr's prints. There
is much antiquarian lore to be acquired ;
much knowledge of the physiognomies of
former times. Perhaps It may he from hav
ing continually before their eyes those rows
of old family portraits , with which the
mansions of this country arc stocked ;
certain It Is , that the quaint features of
antiquity arc often more faithfully per
petuated In these ancient lines ; and I
have traced an old family nose through a
whole picture gallery , legitimately handed
down from generation to generation , al
most from the time of the c'onquest. Some
thing of the kind wns to he observed In
the worthy company around me. Many of
their facts had evidently originated In a
gothlc age , and been merely copied hy suc
ceeding generations ; and there was one
little Klrl , In particular , of staid demeanor
meaner , with a high Uoinan nosu and an
antlquo vinegar aspect who wan a great
favorite of the 'entire's being , as he said ,
a Ilraccbrldge all over , and the very counterpart -
part of one of his ancestors who llgured In
the court of Henry VIII.
The parson said grace , which wa not a
short familiar one , such ns Is commonly
addressed to the Deity In these uncere
monious days , but a long , courtly , well
worded ono of the ancient school. There
was now a pause , as If something was ex-
pcctcd , when suddenly the butler entered
the hall with sotno degree of bustle ; he
was attended by a servant on each side with
a large wax-light , and bore a silver dish ,
on which was an enormous pig's head , deco
rated with rosemary , with a lemon In Its
mouth , which was placed with great for
mality at the head of the table. The mo
ment this pageant made Its appearance the
harper struck up a flourish , at the conclu
sion of which the young Oxonian , on re
ceiving n hint from the 'squire , gave , with
an air of the meat comic gravity , an old air
the first verse of which was an follows :
"Cnput unrl defero
Itrddcns laiiilL" ! domino.
The bo.'ir'H hrnil In hand bring I.
With Karlnnds iny ami rosemary.
I pray you nil synge merrily
Qul csitlH in convlvln. "
Though prepared to witness many of these
llttlo eccentricities , from being apprised o !
the peculiar hobby of ntlno host , yet I
confess the parade with which so odd n dish
was Introduced somewhat perplexed me , un
til I gathered from the conversation of
the 'squire and the parson that It was
meant to represent the bringing In of the"
boar's head a dish formerly served up with
much ceremony , nnd the sound of mln-
atrclsy and song at great tables on Christ
inas day.
The table was literally loaded with good
cheer and presented an epitome of coun
try abundance. In thh season of overflowing
larders. A distinguished post was allotted
to "ancient sirloin , " as mine host termed It ;
being , as he added , "the standard of old
England's hospitality , and a Joint of goodly
presence and full of expectation. " There
were eeveral dishes quaintly decorated , and
which had evidently something traditional
In their embellishments , but about which ,
as I did not like to appear over curious , I
asked no questions.
I could not , however , but notice a pie ,
magnificently decorated with peacock's
feathers. In Imitation of that bird , which
overshadowed a considerable tract of the
table. Thlli , the 'squire confessed , with
some little hesitation , was a pheasant pic ,
though a peacock pie was certainly the
most authentlcal ; hut there had been such
a mortality among the peacocks thin
season that ho could not prevail upon him
self to have one killed.
* * *
When the cloth was removed the butler
brought In a hugo silver vessel of rare
and curious workmanship , which ho placed
before the 'squire. Its appearance was
hailed with acclamation , being the Was
sail bowl , so renowned In Christmas fes
tivity. The contents had been prepared by
the 'squire himself , for It was a beverage
In the skillful mixture of which he particu
larly prided himself , alleging that It was too
abstruse and complex for the comprehension
of an ordinary servant. It was a potation ,
Indeed , that might well make the heart
of a toper leap within him , being composed
of the richest and raciest wines , highly
spiced and sweetened , with roasted ap
ples bobbing about the surface.
The old gentleman's whole countenance
beamed with a serene look of Indwelling
de-light as ho stirred this mighty bowl
Having raised It to his lips , with a hearty
wish of a merry Christmas to all
present , he sent It brimming around the
board , for everyone to follow his example
according to the primitive style ; pronounc
ing It "tho ancient fountain of good feelIng - i
Ing , where all hearts met together. "
There was much laughing and rallying , as
the honest emblem of Christmas Joviality
circulated , and was kissed rather coyly by
the ladles. Hut when It reached Master
Simon he railed It In both hands , and with
the air of a boon companion , struck up an
old Wassail Chanson :
"Tho brown bowle ,
The merry brown bowle ,
An It goes round about-n ,
Kill
Still ,
Let the world sny what It will ,
And drink your till all out-a.
"Tho den' online ,
The merry deep cniine ,
AH thou dost freely quaff-n ,
Sling
r" Bl
.
He as merry us a klnir.
And sound a lusty Inugh-n , "
The ) dinner-time passed away la this flow
; f. ! . ! . lIf -l i . ! . - IIf > ' ! . ! .
of Innocent hilarity , and though the old
hall may have resounded In Its time with
many a scene of broader rout and revel ,
yet I1 doubt whether 11 ever wltrjwsed more
honest and genuine enjoyment. How easy
It Is for ono benevolent being to diffuse
pleasure around him ; and how truly la a
kind heart a fountain of Kindness , making
everything In Us vicinity to freshen Into
smiles. The Joyous disposition of the
worthy 'squire was perfectly contagious ; he
was happy himself , nnd disposed to make
all the world happy : and the llttlo
eccentricities of his humor did hut season ,
In a 'manner , the sweetness of his philan
thropy.
After the dinner table was removed the
hall was given up to the younger members
of the family , who , prompted to all kinds of
noisy mirth by the Oxonian and Master
Simon , made Its old walls ring with their
merriment , as they played at romping
gnmes. I delight In witnessing the gambols
of children , ( .ml particularly at thU happy
holiday season , and could not help stealing
out of the drawing room on hearing one
of their peals of laughter. I found
them at the game of bllnd-man'p-bufr.
Master Simon , who was the leader
of their revels , and seemed on
all occasions to fulfill the ofltce of that
ancient potentate , the Lord of Misrule , was
blinded In the midst of the hall. The lltllo
beings wore as busy about him as the rnock
fairies about Kalstaff , pinching him , pluckIng -
Ing at the skirts of his coat and tickling
him with straws. One flue blue-eyed girl
of about 13 , with her flaxen hulr all In beau
tiful confusion , her frolic face In a glow ,
her frock half toni oft her shoulders , a com
plete picture of n romp , was the chief tor
mentor , and from the shyness with which
Master Simon avoided the smaller game and
hemmed thU wild llttlo nymph In corners
and obliged her to Jump shrieking over
chalra , I suspected the rogue of being not a
whit more blind than was convenient.
When I returned to the drawing room I
found the company seated round the fire ,
listening to the parson , who was deeply
ensconced In a high-backed oaken chair , the
work of some cunning artificer of yore , which
had been brought from HIP library for his
particular accommodation. From this ven
erable piece of furniture , with which his
shadowy figure and dark , weazen face so
admirably accorded , he was dealing forth
strange accounts of the popular supersti
tions and legends of the surrounding coun
try , with which he had become acquainted
In the course of his antiquarian rcsoai-chcs.
* * * * * * * * *
While wo were all attention to the par
son's stories our ears were suddenly assailed
by a burst of heterogeneous sounds from the
hall. In which vere mingled something like
the clang of rude minstrelsy , with the up
roar of many small voices and glrllah laugh
ter.The door suddenly flew open and a
train came trooping Into the room that might
almost have been mistaken fov the breaking
up of the court of Fairy. That Indefatigable
spirit , Master Simon , In the faithful dis
charge of his duties , cs lord'of misrule , had
conceived the Idea of a Christmas mummery
or masking , and having called In to his
assistance the Oxonian and the young officer ,
who were equally ripe for anything that
should occcslon romping .and merriment ,
they had carried It Into Instant effect. The
old housekeeper had been consulted ; the an
tique clothes presses anil wardrobes rum
maged and made to yield up.tho rcllca of
Ilnery that had not ecen the Ilglit for nev-
cral generations ; the younger part of the
company had been privately.convened from
parlor to .hall , and the \\liolo had been
bedizened out Into a uurlcaquq Imitation of
an antlquo mask.
Master Simon led the van. as "Ancient
Christmas , " quaintly appareled In a ruff , a
short cloak , which had very much the as
pect of one of the old housekeeper's potit-
coata , and a hat that mlght'lmve scrvcdi for
a village steeple and must Indubitably have
figured In the days of the Covcnr.ntcrs.
From under this hli ncso curved boldly
forth , flushed with a. frost-bitten bloom that
seemed the very trophy of a December blast.
Ho was accompanied by the blue-eyed romp ,
dialled up cs Dame Mlneo Pie , In the venera
ble magnificence of faded brocade , long
stomacher , peaked hat and high-heeled shoes.
The young officer appeared ns Hobln
Hood , In n sporting dress uf Kendal green ,
and a foraging cap with a gild tassel.
The costume , to bo sure , did not hear
testimony to deep research , and there was
an evident eye to the picturesque , natural
to n young gallant In presence of his mis
tress. The fair Julia hung on his arm
In < i pretty rustic draw , as Maid Marian.
The rest of the train had been metamor
phosed in various ways. The girls trussed
up In the finery of the ancient belles of
the Hracebrldgc line , and Lhc striplings be-
whlskcred with burnt cork , and gravely clad
In broad skirts , hanging sleeves , and full-
bottomed WKS ! , to represent the characters
of Hoast Ilcef , IMuni I'uddlng , and other
worthies celebrated In ancient maoklngs.
The whole waa under the control of the
Oxonian , In the appropriate character of
Misrule ; and I observed that he exercised
rather a mischievous-sway with his wand
over the smaller personages of tlio pageant.
The eruption of this motley crow , with
beat of drum , according to ancient custom ,
was the consummation of uproar and mcrrl-
r/rnt. Master Simon covered himself with
glory by the statellnees with which , as An
cient Christinas , he walked a minuet with
the peerlCEa , though giggling. Dame Mince
1'lc. It was followed by a dance of all the
characters , which , from Its medley of cos-
turned , seemed C8 though the old family
portraits had skipped down from their
frames to join In the sport. Different cen
turies wore figuring at cross-haniM and right
and left ; the dark ages were cutting pirou
ettes and rlgadoons ; and the day * of Queen
Hcsa. Jigging merrily down the middle ,
through n line of succeeding generations.
The worthy 'squire contemplated these
fantastic sports , and this resurrection of
his old wardrobe , with simple relish or
childish delight. He stood chuckling and
rubbing ho ! hands , and scarcely hearing a
word the parson said , notwithstanding that
the latter was discoursing rncst authentic
ally on the ancient and stately dance of
the I'avou. or peacock , from which ho con
ceived the minuet to be derived. For my
part I was In a continual excitement from
tlio varied scenes of whim and Innocent
gaycty passing before me. It was Inspiring
to see wild-eyed frolic and warm-hearted
hospitality breaking out from among the
chills and glooms of winter , and old ago
throwing off his apathy , and catching once
more the frcshneecj of youthful enjoyment.
I felt also an Interest In the scene , from
thd consideration that these fleeting cus
toms werepcstlng fast Into oblivion , and
this was , perhaps , the only , family In Eng
land In which tlio wholu ofithem were still
punctiliously observed. There was n quaintness -
ness , too , mingled with all this revelry ,
that gave It a peculiar'zest ; It xvna suited
to the time and place ; and as the old manor
house almost reeled with mirth and wassail ,
It seemed echoing back thoijovlallty of long-
departed years. ; i n
MTTI.i : .STOCKIMJS IV ,1 HOW.
HoHton Trnnrprliit.
Dreaming by the Christina : * fireside.
When the ItchtH nrufuJHt and low ,
I ran sco beside the chimney
Uttlo stockings In a rpn.
Filled with dainties , overflowing1.
Bulging out with liooks'rind toys ,
Dolls and cartH nnd childish treasures !
That delight wee glrlH nnd boys !
Safe In bed each llttlo olecper.
And I softly nay."Cood-nljht ! "
They will wake with Joyous preotlug
In the welcome morning lls'.it ' ,
liut alas ! a hush comes o or me ,
And jny dreams of long ago
Vanish , for I see no longer ,
Utilu stockings In a rowl
Many years within the old house ,
Blnre the sound of little feet
And the shouts of merry voices
Filled the rooms with music Hwcct ;
And my Wllllo'H now n roldlcr ,
Uttlu Nell liven In the weat ,
Clare and Arthur crossed the ocean
Illrdlliigs nil have left rny nest !
Never , only In my dreaming.
When the lights are faint and low ,
Shall I see at Chrlstrnna rven
Kittle stockings In a row !
Dless them nil , my crown-up babies !
Mother's heart yearns for you so ,
For the llttlo prayers nt twilight
And the stockings in a rowl
EXTRA EXTRA EXTAORDINAI
SALE OF
One $500 Klmbnll t'pilght Piano , largest
size , Illiest tone .
Ono JIM Whitney Vprlght Piano , largest
size , Frinch walnut case .
One $100 Ivers & Pond I'prlght Piano , largest -
est size , llncst piano they innke .
One W7R Vose .t Sons 1'prlght Piano , largest
size , tine fancy case. . . . ' . . .
Two $300 Vose & Sons I'prlght Pianos , me- Ol\
dlum size , fancy cases , choice . t\JJ
One } ( WO Kranleh & llach , largest , Rxnulno
Circassian walnut .
STOOL AXI1 SC-AHF INCLfnKOALL
GUAUANTTKU FOU K1VH YliAltS.
OneJUS Klmbnll Organ , 11 otnpinlmit
case , 75 Inches high , plate glass mirror. . . .
Oiui $123 Wllcox .t Whlto Organ , 11 stops , CQ
clabor.itely carved case , very large . ljt'
One J110 Sterling Organ , oak case , mirror , CC
very fnney , 11 stops and couplers . t-1- '
One. { 100 Klmb.ill Organ , 10 stop * , 75 Inches
high , finest tone .
One JOO Kstey Organ , walnut ease , p.oven
stops .
Ono $ ! X ) It linen Organ , walnut case , 10
stops , chimes attachment .
Ono $70 Sterling- Organ , onk case. 10 stops.
fancy ease .
One $ CO Ktmball Organ , walnut case , eight
stops . II. .
rPHESE instruments will be
1 sold for cabh or on easy terms.
A chance of a lifetime to secure
a genuine bargain for Christmas.
Mail orders rilled and Guaranteed
o
satisfactory.
1513 Douglas St. ,
Omaha
Remember Ours is the Greatest Holiday Art and Music Emporium.
I'OII OLD FOLKS.
Cliiirnilimr Holiday SuiivonlrH Cnlcii-
llllcil to TU'UliTheir I'niu-j.
A muff footstool Is the sort of n Christmas
gift with which to cater to the weakness of a
grandmother or elderly aunt. Cold feet Is
sure to be a weak point with any dear old
lady , and the muff footstool almost docj
away with such discomfort. It looks quite like
nny ordinary round foot prop , of leather ,
standing about three Inches high , but In
Its tufted depths It conceals a Japanese stove.
When chill draughts then come wandering
by and nip elderly toes , one-half the stool's
top can be lifted up and the feet thrust Into
woolly deptha , where a tiny stove throws out
a gentle , heat.
When a steve Is not used a small rubber
water bottle fits Into the stool , and. If filled
once a day. It kecrs the Inside of the stool
cosy for twenty-four houra. A stout ribbon
loop at one side of the cushion enables its
owner to carry It about handily , to drop It
under the dinner table , use It In the car
riage , the theater , and even at church , and ,
when made of embroidered brown leather or
bottle green velvet. It Is quite ornamental as
an Invaluable comfort.
Distinct utility should nearly always dis
tinguish gifts for elderly folks , and this
sczflon they nrc selling all irnnner of knitted
things for grandfathers as well as grand
mothers. For the former are knitted ollk and
a now sort of silk beaver skull cap , not like
the tall , round black silk cap usually worn.
The new and Improved ono Is made flat , cir
cular and to flt the head like the cap a cardi
nal weain over his tonsure. It not only
comes lu black silk , but the rich ecclesiasti
cal red and purple , so often highly becoming
to whitc-halrcd , hand&ome old gentlemen.
Every grandmother thin Christmas should
iccclve at least one pair of silk mittens , not
to wear for beauty alone , but to keep her
hand. ? warm and supple. Black ones are
the best and those with four half-fingers
and separated thumbs arc the nicest , If the
wearer Is u nccdlo woman. Mittens for
warmth reach not only half way down the
fingers , but nearly to the elbow , and some
of them have coquettish scarlet ribbons ,
Inced through at the wrist , and tied Into
small neat bows at the back of the hand.
In place of worsted bedroom slippers one
can buy at present smart lose colored , blue
and palo yellow , knitted lanib'n wool bed
Decks , to keep old folks' feet warm after
retiring , and coax 'them to Bleep. They are
appropriate for eldcrlles of both sexes , but
for excellence the choice gift for an Invalid
aged person , who Is nevertheless fond of
entertaining , In his or her sick room , Is a
visitor's register. The reglatcr Is a big
black book that sets on a dictionary stand ,
bolide the Invalid's bed or chair , and Its
pages are arranged much llko a diary , while
a fountain pen fits Into a slot at the top of
ono cover. In this book , under the proper
date , every visitor registers his or her name ,
while , on the page opposite the names ,
spaces are marked off. In which the Invalid
can Jot down any good bit of news , or Joke ,
or trine of Information that comes his or
her way. This keeps Interest In the out
side world alive and the registry proves
who were the busy , careless young folk , or
hurried friends , or favorite gossips that
dropped selfish joys to como In for a chat
and the whole supplies something for the
Invalid to think about as well as nn amus
ing record to glance over.
For the bedside table of any elderly per
son treasure trove may bo bought just now
In the form of an electric 'night clock or
gong. The clock works are so sunk In I In
wood cascir.uit as to nUsolutcly give out but
the faintest ticking , whllo by pressing thb
button the whole face Is Illuminated and the
flight of tlnio can be seen. The gong la
In reality a charming chime of silver bells
moved by electricity , and set by clock work
to ring out the hour arranged for taking
medicine or meals.
To tickle an old lady's gentle vanity Is
an easy feat with the pretty pearl topped cap
pins Jewelers are nhowlng. Thu pins are of
gold , with ash pearl heads for a lady In
mourning , and pink and white pearls or a
cluster of very small marguerites for one
who titlll wears colors , A woman clever
with four long nccdlcu will bo apt to like
a very Improved knitting bag of soft white
wicker , capable of holding a very big ball
of yarn or wool and having In the top of Its
cover a halo through which the thread can
bo drawn ,
Another charming fancy work appliance
for a lady of yearn Is a largo square bag
of very soft brown leather beautifully col
ored and decorated after the Moorish patterns
and having corda , to swing It from thu arm
or top of a chair. Such a bag holds knit
ting , crochet work , etc. , whllo to screw at
an angle and on any chair Is the prettiest
black butterfly screen. Klderly people UBQ
painted ellk or paper conveniences to
Hheltcr their eyeo from too strong light or
from an open fire heat , and for the old father
who imps In his clinlr one can get an admir
able gift In the form of a bellnglo rug , a big
soft light blanket , half wool , half silk , to
throw over the knees and ward oft draughts.
LO.VCi AKOlti : 1IH K\0\Vr-l > .
James Wliltcotnb Ulley.
Jes' a little bit o' feller I remember still
Ust to almost cry for Christinas , like a
youngster will.
Fourth o' July's uothln' to It ! New Year's
ain't a xrnell.
Uaster Sunday Circus day Jcs' all dead In
the shell !
Lordy though ! nt night , j-ou know , to set
around and hear
The old folks work Jhc story off about the
sledge and deer.
And "Sanly" Hkootln" 'round the roof , all
wrapped up In fur nnd fuzz-
Long afore
I knowed who
"Santy Claim" wuz !
Ust to wnlt , nnd set up late , a week or two
ahead
Couldn't hardly keep nwake , ner wouldn't
go to bed.
Kittle stowln' on the lire and mother settln'
hero
Darnln' socks and rockln' In Kio shreeky
rockln' cheer ;
I'np gap , and wunder where It was the
money went.
And rinar'l with his frosted heels , and spill
his liniment.
And me n dronmln' slelch bells when the
clock 'ud whirr and buzz ,
Long afore
1 knowed who
"Santy Clnus" wuz1
Size the fireplace up , nnd flgger how "Old
Santy" could
Manage to come down the chlmbly , like they
said ho would ;
Wlsht that f could hide nnd see Ciltnvnn -
dercd what he'd nay
Hf he ketched n feller layln' for him thata-
way !
Hut I bet on him , and liked him , sarno an If
he had
Turned to pat rno on the back nnd say.
"Look here , my lad ,
Here's my pack Jes' hc'p yourso'f , like all
good boys does ! "
Long afore
I knowed who
"Santy Claris" wuz !
Wlsht that yarn wns true about him , ns It
penred to be
Truth made out o' lies llko Hint nil's good
enough fcr me !
Wlsht I still was so confidlii' ; I could Jcs' go
wild
Over haniMn' up rny stockrn'n llko the llttlo
child
Cllmbln' In my lap tonight nnd bcggln' mete
to tell
'Dout them reindeers nnd "Old Santy" that
elm loves . o well
I'm hnlf sorry for this llttlo girl sweetheart
of Ills-
Long afore
aforoShe knows who
"Santy Claus" la ,
OUT OK Till ! OHDI.VAUV.
The enlary of the president for ono year ,
If paid In gold , would weigh almost exactly
200 pounds.
It taken the planet Urnnus about eighty-
four of our years to make ono complete
revolution around the sun. .
The most extensive cemetery In the world
Us that at Home , In which over 6,000,000
human beings have been Interred ,
The largest trco In the United States Is
In Tulare county California. It Is 2TS feet
high and IOC feet In diameter at the bcse.
Experts In the snake branch of natural
history say that the largest rattle snakes
never strike above the knco of a standing
man.
If all the locomotives nnd passenger and
freight cars In the United States were rnado
up Into ono train It would have a length
of over 7,000 miles.
A load In the possession of Harry Hender
son of I'lttsburg , I'a. , was found In a snug
little hole under seventeen feet of hardpan
at Tacoma , Wash ,
An Indianapolis highwayman tried to rob
a St. Louis lawyer on a dark back street the
other night , and now the lawyer In wearing
a now gold watch.
Marguerite Kvelyn Yost ID a 14-rnonths-old
mlfH of Heading , I'a. , who rejoices In the
rather unique distinction of having four great
giundmothers living. Dut nno of these
-grandmothera wears npoctaccs ! , and all
live- within a short distance of the homo of
this presumably well-coddled rnlsa ,
After a priest had performed the last rltcfl
over the body of a workman In the cemetery
ut Arras , In Franco , a friend of the dead
man appeared with two great bottles of gin
In his hands , Opening ono of these , ho
tiplllcd Itu contents Into the grave , thus com
plying , as ho said In a short epcoch , with thu
wished of his dead comrade. The other bottle
tle was opened for the refreshment of the
mourncru. .
One Tholisait& for Oj
( Trade Mark. )
ACCIDENT TICKETS.
THE INTER-STATE
disunity Coniimiiy ot New York.
s THKEE MONrHS' insurance ,
$1,000 for $1.00 ,
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betuetn IS anil CO yearn uf HKO , against fatal
Etrect Accidents a-foot. or on lilcyclca , lloiaei ,
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Drltlec. Trolley ana Cnblo earn. Kteumahlya.
Blcambonts and Steam 1'crrlcti. 1100,000 ilrpoM'.ed
with the Insurance Department of the elatz o/
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For Snle by
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1502 Douclnn Sticet.
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tlen $ anit tnttaiioiu. At IrugUii , or irod 4r.
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L'HD ' lllj ; J for iinmturat
ilUchurei'K , Inflainnintloui.
Irrlliilloiis or ulrcrnllona
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IrrtTtati coaitiioo. i alulrBs , anil r.ot aitrla *
: or [ '
f I > nirfr ! U ,
or unit In plain wr n > er.
hy I'Jiprrip.i prrptlil , luc
II. Hi , ur 2 toltlm ,
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