y fi rT '
1(1 ( TITTS OMAHA DAILY BEE : StfNDA\r , PEHRUATIY 1I ! , 185)3. )
= L
TOM KENT'S VALENTINE ,
Hy .Margaret Holmes Hates *
I.
"I wouldn't do It. Tom. "
"You don't know what jou'd do If you had
a stepmother. "
"Maybe I don't , but I'm sure of one thing
I wouldn't bo the first to do something
wrong If I know It. "
"Everybody speaks his mind on Valentino'
day. and as for doing wrong , she was th
first. She'd no business to be my step
mother. "
"Como away , Tom , and let's talk It over
Don't buy one of those hideous pictures now
Walt until you wx.lk to my gate and bac !
lioro. "
"All right , but I'll come back , Just th
.same. I'll tell you what's the matter , Pannr
You ilon'i appreciate the situation. You
don't know how you'd feel to have seen
Klrl , not more than 8 or 10 > ears older than
yourself , In your mother's place. "
"Mo , I suppose I don't understand It nl
i well as you do ; but doesn't Aunt Harrlc
try to be agreeable to you and all the house
hold ? "
"I suppose she tries , If you're , a mind to
call her aunt. "
1 "She Is my aunt , and mamma says sh
makes the house seem like home again. "
"Your mother said that , and my mother
her own sister ? "
"Vcs , she said that very thing , and she
fealil , too , when she knew Undo Horace twas
going to be married , that she was ready to
love any woman who would be kind to you
And didn't Aunt Harriet give you nice
Christmas presents ? "
" 0 , of course. Everybody gives Christ
mas presents whether they care for pcoplo
or not. There's lots of cheap sentiment about
Christmas , but , as 1 s-.ld 'before ' , on Valen
tine's day people tell the truth. "
"Well , then , Tool , Just tell me the plain
truth , two dajs he'oro Valentine's day.
Don't Mark and John Farrcll say a great
many things to you against jour new
mother ? "
"Say stepmother. "
"Well , stepmother , then , " and Fanny
Drlscoll , In her earnestness , stopped am
lield her cous.n by the sleeve. ' Now
tell mo. "
"Why , of course ; Mirk and John say II
their father ever brings home a second wife
they'll do a lot of things , nd "
" .Vow listen to me. Don't you remem-
'l ' > or how nice It used to bo to go to Mr.
Tamil's ? "
"Vcs It's nice no\v. "
"O , no , Tom. " and Fanny shook her heat
slowly , and they walked on. "Mama
doesn't allow Charlie to go there at all. Yoi
know It Isn't like It used to be , and it Isn't
llko jour own home. "
"No ; we lx > y get very noisy sometlmen
but John and Mark like It , and when their
old auntie objects they make her go Intc
another room and shut the door. "
"And weren't the curtains set on flrc cint
evening' "
"Yes ; wo didn't mean to do that , but .x
stepmother Isn't mother , and I'm going to
let MrB. Kent know It. "
"Uy sending Ucr u comic valentine ? "
"How else could I ? "
"Sure enough ! Since she has been Just as
kind to you as she possibly could be for
the four months she has been your step
mother. Now , Tom , think it over. If Aunt
Harriet has done any wilfully wrong thing
besides being your stepmother ; It She has
said one single unkind woid "
"Oh , pshaw , Funnyi whore's the use ? "
"Well , since you mean to tell the truth
" ' : "
on "Valentino's day
"Hut I meant to send that \igly picture
with the versa Just to let her know what
.1 think of her. "
"What i the verso ? Do you remember
It ? "
"I1 think so :
O , long-tongued vixen , wiry scold !
I and my little brother
Unto You because jou're plain and old ,
And 'eausu you're our stepmother.
"Seems to ma there Is no truth In that.
You luve no little brother , neither Is Aunt
Harriet 'plain and old , ' nor Is she a scold "
"Well , she's my stepmother , and I can't
find eiiC'ther ' blepmother valentine In town. "
"It seems to me , then , that If you must
have a valentine , and If you really want to
tell Aunt Harriet the truth because of the
daj , you'd better make one. "
"Hawcould I make one ? "
"Vcfy easily at least you and I together
could irake a valentine , much more appro
priate for Aunt Hanlet , than anything you'd
FANNY AT WORK.
find la the store * . Wo can take a piece ol
plain cardboard ami I'll put on a border ol
HcnvifB In water colors , and you make
rhymrfl so easily , you know. "
"What would I make rhymes for ? "
"Why , to tell your utipmothcr the truth
end to say , llko a man , no morn under cove
of the day than you'd bo ready to ity to
lier face. " a
They wcro standing at Fanny's gate , and
Tom leaned against It and kicked the snow
off his boothrclo.
"Oh , well , of course , If you look at It tha
way "
"Now , Tom , lioncstly , wouldn't you rather
be on fvlendly terms with your stepmother
than not ? "
"O , I never meant to quarrel with her
but I'm not going to make love to her , "
"No , but It < would only be a nice little
6Ui > 3 on flro with torturing , ,
itching , burning , bleeding , ecaly , and pimply
Iiumon , Initamly relieved by a warm bath
wlthCimcL-iu SOAIa single application of
CUTICBIU ( ointment ) , the great lUu euro ,
and a full tloto ol Cimcuiu. ltr.soi.vcxT ,
( uticuia
ll uiiUr aioul Uv < rU. roTn P * C Coir felt
attention to send her n neat , pretty valen
tine , and say something pleasant by It. You
know how nice your father In to your friends ,
and now's your time to be nice to his. "
"Well all right , Fanny ; have you got a
plcco of wrdboard ? Fix It up , and I'll inako
a rhyme ; but It won't be anything fine , "
"Just tell the truth , " Fanny said , Bayly ,
as she ran up the walk , "that Is the finest
tiling In the world. "
It.
Next morning on his way to school , Tom
oillcd , as usual , for Cousin Fanny. She met
him at the door.
"You'ro early , and I'm glad of It , Como
In. I've something to show you. "
She hurried him Into the library and
showed htm a a turn-tinted card a trlflo
larger than a cabinet photograph. It had a
border In delicately tinted flowers. 'Tansies
for thought , " oho explained , "here and tUere
an orange blossom , Just a gallant little re
minder ot her wedding day a few mouths
ago , and these blue forgotmcnots. Aunt
Knnt took tno small parcels from the side
board , handing one to Tom , the other to
his father. iMr. Kent found a beautifully
bound copy of Mrs. Browning's sonnets , and
Tom could ho believe his eyes ? a handsome -
some new watch I
Christine came In/ / with a handful of mall.
Tom's head swam. 0 , It ho had made a
mistake ! Ho rubbed his eyes , Surely It
uas no dream that heamU Fanny had made
that pretty valentine. No , tbcro was the
big , strong manllla envelope in Mrs. Kent's
hands.
"AH ha ! " said Mr. JCent. "That looks
suspiciously like an old sweetheart sending
a reminder of long syne. "
Mrs. Kent's hands shook a little as she
held the card and read the lines. Bho an
swered Mr. Kent gaily :
"No Indeed ; no old sweetheart , a young ,
new one ; ono I've been eo anxious to win , "
and she passed the card to her husband ,
giving Tom such a glance from her tear-
wct eyes as set his boyish heart Jumping.
"Well done , Toml" Mr. Kent exclaimed :
"And cousin Fanny Is the artist. Now I
call that clever handsomely done , for both
of you ! "
Tom drew a long sigh. What an escape
ho had had ! Ho told Fanny all about It ,
adding :
"And now little cousin , I want you to re
member thte : Whenever you know of mo
Intending to do a low-down , mean trick , or
whenever I got a notion that It's smart to
treat any ono unjustly , I wlah you'-d re
st IK SHOWED HIM A CREAM-TINTED CARD.
Harriet will not begrudge you as a little
memorial of your love for your own mother
irhlle behaving like a gentleman to her. Now
f you can think of anything else "
"No , Fanny , that's all right. You're a
daisy. Now here's my contribution. I guess
I've told the truth ; read It. "
And Fanny read :
I'm not a sturdy , stalwart oak ,
You're not n ellnglns vine ;
I may not bo the boy you'd choose
For your own valentine ,
I3ut still since circumstances make
My life with yours to blend ,
I'll count myself aa honored quite.
If I may be your friend.
" 0 , Tom ! That's magnificent ! Just llko
you ! After school you must come in and
wrlto It on the card In those queer , long-
tailed letters you make so well. "
"Well , 1 suy. Fun , how will the good lady
mow who It's from. "
"Why , put your name to It , of course.
Look hero , " nnJ Fanny pointed out , half hid
len by a spray of .forgct-me-nots , her own
name. "All nrtlsts sign their work and
lon't believe In anonymous things. "
"All right , and after wo get It all don
anil mailed wo'll goto the pond. Franl
Shaffer says the Ice Is like glass. "
III.
It was growing dusk before they left the
pond , and who.n Tom reached home It was
lulte dark. He found the house very quiet
? ho girl who lot him In said Mr. and MrB
Cent had gone out for a slelghrlde. Tom
dropped his skates , heavy coat and cop In
ho liall and himself on a courh heaped will
Cushions that stood near the open flre In
hoparlor.-There , was no .light but that from
ho fire , and the room wan very pleasan
with Its waveringshadows. . Tom reme-m
> rroil what Fanny's mother had sold aboil
ho new Mrs. Kent making the house seen
Ike homo and , looking about htm , he knew
hat It was true , There were flowers on the
able among new magazines nnd there was
a dainty little sowing basket , nnd Tom
voulfl have gone on with his Inventory , bu
10 'brgnn ' to feel very sleepy. H'n eyes
lORed. He was dreaming confusedly o
cbool nnd skated and slolgh bells and val-
ntliipp , nnd then , mingling with all , there
vas talking and pcoplo coining In and bang-
IIK o door , and then some ono saying
'Hli-hVhl" Then very plainly he heard h's
ather say noftly , "Ah , Tom ! how much the
ascal loiks llko his mother In this light"
"Yes. " a gentle voice answered. "I wish
IB would allow mo 1o love him , for her Bake
f not for hln own. "
"Ho patient you'll ' win him. His moth
r's son must lie a gentleman. "
Then , Tom felt his father's hands under
his ankles , nnd his feet were lifted from
ho floor to the couch , Another pair of
hands tucked an afghan over lilm and tno
wo left the room.
Tom stretched himself , opened his eyes
nd was wide awake.
"Good old daddy ! " ho whispered. "I guests
It wasn't very mean of me to just stay
asleep. "It's hard of mo to Just waken sud
denly , and that little mamma ! She acted as
If I was a baby , with her 'sh-h-h ! ' " am
Tom turned his face agaln&t the cushions anj
laughed. "Now I'll hurry. The governor ex-
pecta me to bo a gentleman , nnd It'd be a
mean trick to disappoint him. "
"Dear me ! " Tom thought. ' 'I never dreamed
of dishonoring my dear mother's memory
I've been greatly mistaken. Dehavlng llko
a boor and a lout Is a shame to her , especially
when I look like her , "
IV.
Next morning Tom was tip early. IIo was
anxious to bo by when the valentine came.
It would surely be delivered In the flrst'mall.
Karly as It was , Mrs. Kent was In the dinIng -
Ing room directing the awkward new malil
about her work , She turned with a smile as
Tom entered , and ho could see that there
was a shade of something very near llko fear
In the dark eyes. He felt hie face grow hot
with slmnio that li'a ' behavior bad made
such a slender , glrllch woman feel half afraid
of him.
In that Instant a great resolve took pos-
secslon of him. With about the same feel
ing ho had of mornlncs on approaching the
tub for his cold plunge , ho walked straight
to her as he had u od to approach his own
mother , and , with a tremulous "Good mornIng -
Ing , llltlo mamma , " ho kissed her pink check ,
While his hand still rested on her shoul
der , and her face was a mixture of smiles ,
wonder and loycly color , Mr. Kent came In.
"Hello , you early birds ; what are you up
to ? "
Mrs. Kent answered.
"I wai teaching Christine her duties , and
1 wanted to bo euro to have your valentine
and Tom's by your plates. I didn't expect
anv one oho to be up 10 early. "
Juit thru the postman'a short , iharp
ring , and Christine.went to the door , JJrs , '
mind mo of this Valentino's day. " Fanny
said she would. ' ' ,
PRATTLE OP TUB YOUNGSTERS/
"Johnny ! Johnny Ye'Il kill ycrself ! Tllat's
fourteen cakes yo'vo ott ! "
"I kiiow It , Nora. I was cfrald to stop at
thirteen. "
Mamma ( to daughter who haa prepared the
turkey for dinner for the first time alone ) !
Alice , It seems to me that this turkey han r
most peculiar flavor. What do you suppose
the trouble Is ? It Is like nothing I have ever
tasted before.
Alice I don't know , I am sure , mamma.
I was very careful and I know H must be
clean , for I scrubbed it thoroughly with soap.
And this Is n true history of a Jereey
maiden and a Jersey turkey. '
"But , Tommy , unless you forgive every
body you can't be good and you can't go to
heaven. "
"Is It because Adam sinned that all of us
are born so bad ? "
"Yes dc-.r. "
"Well , then , I'm going to stay toad awhile.
I can't forgive Adam. "
Little Harry had a picture book of animals
and h s father sometimes described the traits
nnd peculiarities of those represented , Ono
day In describing a hare , among other things
ha said the hare had no tall to speak of.
Next day he asked : '
"Harry , whul did I tell you about the hare
yesterday ? "
"Oh , " replied Harry , "you said he had a
tall , but If wasn't to .be talked about. "
Dorofhy was saying her prayers. She had
finished the stereotyped petition and reached
the extemporaneous part , where the family
nlwiiyn lls'lened ' for something 'Interesting. '
"Please , God , " she slid on this special
occasion , 'taiake- Dorothy a good girl. Dut
never mind about baby brother ; I'll look
after him. "
State Superintendent of Schools Stetson
was visiting a school down In Pembroke , re
lates the L'cngor ( Me. ) Commercial , when ho
got Into the pleasant mazes of nature studies
and aaked some Interesting questions about
the little things of the world about us.
"How many seed comportments nre there
In an apple ? " he queried. No one know.
"And yet , " said the state superintendent , "all
of you eat many apples In the course of a
year and see the fruit every day , probably.
"You must learn to notice the little ( Clings
in nature. Now , perhaps some little boy who
has driven the cows to pasture every day this
summer can tell mo on which Jaw the cow
has her teeth ? "
No answer. Rather was there blank aston
ishment at Inst pierced by ono little fellow-
volunteering the Informatlcn that "our cow
I as teeth on bath Jaws 'cause she chaws hay
all up ftac. "
"If that Is so , my boy. " replied the head of
the state schools , "I'd advise you to cell that
wonderful cow with toelh on both Jaws to
some museum. I'm afraid , children , that
you haven't studied nature quite closely
enough. "
You may be sure that the talk of the state
superintendent deeply Impressed the chil
dren. They earnestly discussed the matter
at recess time and the teacher the next day
overheard this conversation In the play yard.
A little girl got some of her companions
around her and gravely said : "Now , chil
dren , make believe that I'm Mr. StoUon.
You'\o got to know more about common
things. If you don't you'll all grow up to be
fools. "
"Now , tell mo. " she said , looking sternly
at a playmate , -"how many feathers lias a
hen ? "
HlMV Illl AllKt'l I/OOUK.
nobln holding his mother's hand.
Says "Good night" to the. big folks nil ,
ThroAS some k. ! > 8 from rosy ling. '
Lnushs with K'.CO ' through the. lighted hall ,
Then In his own erlb , warm-and deep
Hobln la tucked for a long night's sleep.
Grntle mother , with Fond caress ,
Sltp her hand through his soft , brown
hair.
Thinks of his fortune , oil unknown ,
Speaks aloud in an earnest i > rayer ,
"Holy angels , keep -watch nnd ward !
God's good angela , my baby guard ) "
"Mamma , what Is nn nntrel Ilka ? "
Asked the boy , In wondering1 tone ;
"How win they look If they come here ,
Watching me'while I'm alone ? " '
HalfjiMth shrinking nnd fear spoke tie.
Answered the mother tenderly :
"Prettiest faces ever were known ,
Kindest volcea nnd sweetest eyes. "
Itobln. waiting for nothing more.
Cried , and lookejl with a pleased surprise.
Love and trust In hla eyes of blue.
" * ' tnan\al They/ro .Just Jlko you , "
This willtbe -.X
the biggest PRICES
week of under
selling sver
seen in Omaha. ALE STILL
A fine stock
of salable FURNITURE CARPETS STOVES
merchandise
will be placed Removal Sale prices. Removal Sale Prices. Removal Sale Prices.
QUICK MEAL GASOLINE. . r tf\
STOVE O. IU
on sale lower STEEL RANGE nr-
3-pirccK DCD IIOO.M AX5I1N8TEII 4O./O
13.00 " " /
. 98c "Slur Estate"
SUIT , . , t. . CARPETS .
than ever C-11OLH RANGE AND
BED LOUNGE
9.75 72c RESERVOIR
. . CARPETS .
BIjr Bargain
BASE BURNER
before. IRON BED 2.75 TAPI3ST11Y UHUSSEI S ; 48c Guaranteed
, . . I CAHPI'TTS
Brass trimmed
STHEL OVEN-
\
1 1\
i ALL WOOL
CHAin , 44c For Gasoline Stove "
Wood Sent . . . . . . .r. , 32c i 1NOHA1N
The few prices CHAIR Antique , cnne sqat 69c ' MATTING 38c 18c 10.50
here WOVEN WIHE i i 95c LINOLEUM
quoted COTS CARPET BWEEPKR . . 1.25 CROCKERY
'
KITCHEN f lt ' Broom 'Action
can only give CWBOAUp , " . 2.75 HASSOCKS 35c
EXTENSION TABL1 > - Big1 variety * LAMPS
a faint idea Antique . .i. . . . ; . . . . ' . . 395 DOOR 35c
MATS '
of what we- BAMBOO EASELS .A. . * 32c RAG Per Yard CARPET . . . , ' 22c Removal Sale Prices
will do this FOLDING BEDS , ' i 13.50 INGRAIN STAIR 27c
HALL TRME 5.65 BRUSSELS . 56.c 1CO-PIECE ENGLISH
week. Solid oak STAIR . DINNER SET 7.85
COAT HACKS 8c STAIR PADS 9c CHINA SET TEA 7.75
HIOH 95c Misfits . > mt lO-l'IKCE TOILET 285
SET
It is CHAIRS
positively 0x9-0 Tapestry Ilitjp 9.25 DECORATED CUPS AND 30c
LIBRARY )
. 2.40 Bordered SAUCERS per set of six
TABLES
compulsory 10xlOCi Moquettc Rug 19.50 BANQUET LAMP mid 2.95
COHULEU nOCKEH- 2.75 Bordered GLOBE
that we closeout O.ik . . 10fixlOBody ! ) Brussels Rug 1950 HANGING LAMP nnd 4.75
SIDEBOARD 13.00 llordervd SHADE
out our entire Solid onk . - . . . , PARLOlt 95c
LADIES' . . 98c LAMP
HEED UOCKER 1WACKBT LAMP nnd 29c
stock before Rellcctor , complete
and I.OUNGCVV . . 3.45
y.
moving "
, Removal Stile Price
LEATHER 9.85 on n MM or i ? 10.00
these prices COUCH cln Xot I/nco Cnrtiilii 11 OO 11 or > ! < I v ur
JAPANESE SCREENS 3.75 i-lN Tivt I.u ' - Curlnliix .Sit MM ) rr month.
. If i >
four fold . . . . ; * . . . . : . : . . .r. Irlxlt Point I.liftOurtaliiM . .tjlii
will surely , ourdiliiM
, uxtrit HUM
CENTER TABTJE f\ ' 1.30 Novelty on n Mil or tjiuo.nn
'
Poll'-hed ' oak TiUNtry { 'iirtiiliiM il U.i pi-r n rck or
do it. * " " ' ' Taiu'Nlry Citrlnlti * , - , . .
month.
TOWEL RINGS ! * ( > < > per
9c . .
. . Noltiiiulmiu 'l.iti-e Curtains
Each ,
t" llrasK HllllH , | KT foot . ' .
On a Mil of jf.'W.OO
. '
MEDICINE Comfort , - nice .1 ? !
* vt-ry
CABINET . ' . . . ' . . . 98c ( 'oiufortN , MK- bargain . . . . . $1. Terms $1. . O per MffU . or
On or about . It ) f < i ( III IDT month.
AVARDHOBE 5.50 I'lllimn , ! > < T pair
Antique . . . On a hill of ijr.O.OO
Feb. 20th
. CHIFFONIER tjtlUlO IIIT week or
ti drawers C . 'TC Ifs.dO IIIT intmlli.
we move to Antique O.yO
' on a MM or srr. < MI _
16th and Ear- CHILD'S FOLDING 3.60 ( ji-.ir ii i * r in o nth . or
CRIB ijill.OO per month.
nam-sts.bldg. CHINA CLOSiET-
.
Hlghest On n Mil of } ? 100.00
Grade $ i.r O IIIT A < ! * or
formerly occupied
' " .
BOOK CASE 10OO per month.
pied by "Morse nnd Combined Desk IO.OVI - SiC On n Mil or ijcoo.ni >
IjSI.OO iior irfi'k or
Goods Co. KITCHEN 85C .
Dry . TABLES tjtin.OO per month.
COMMODEO 05
Big Bargain . . . * - " - '
DIVERSE mmOMIYMNS
A. Qostion of Some Mcnnnt Answered by
' - Distinguished Clergymen.
INTERESTIfG EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION
Personal I'ri'fereiiecH oT Xotcil Ami-r-
ICHII HIvIni'M Snlviitloii Army
IlymiiH SIIIIK ilk Tufiit13lKlit
Different '
A discussion -world-wide Interest has
been started by Editor W. T. Stead's recently
published opinion that "Hock of Ages" 1s the
most helpful and popular hymn In tfie English
language. Mr. Stead gives this DS his de
liberate Judgment , formed after personal In
quiry addressed to d large number of eminent
persons. Written by Toplady , the Calvinlstlc
vicar of a parish In Devonshire , England ,
"Hock of Ages" ha "made the tour of the
world , side by side with the bible. " Mr.
*
Gladstone has translated It Into Latin Greek
and Italian. The prince conaort , to his dying
hour ; asked to hear It. When the London
went down In the Day of Biscay , January 11 ,
1S6C , the last thing ; heard by the few sur
vivors who le/t / her side In a boat was the
voices of the doomed passengers slnglog those
familiar lines :
Other refuge have I none.
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee.
Yet thcce Is room for doubt whether Mr.
Stead Is not dogmatic In saying that "no
other English hymn can be named which has
laid so broad and tlrm a grasp on the English-
speaking world. " That many leading Amorl-
can clergymen glvo other hymns ttie pre
cedence Is evident from the following ex
pressions of opinion , obtained In answer to
the questions , What hymn In the English
language do you regard as the most helpful
and popular ? And what Is jour own favorite
hymn ?
Without naming bis own preference , Dr.
Lyman Abbott replies : "Hvmcis are but the
expression of a religious feeling or mood. I
cannot cay that 'Hoclt of Ages' or aiiy other
ono hymn has been meat helpful In enured
work. "
Dr. John Hall , tlie venerable pastor of the
Fifth Avenue Prejytorlan clurch , also differs
with Mr. Stead. Jltj ays : " 'Rock of Ages'
Is mot the first andigreatest hymn In the
English languago.ims' ' so many moods must
bo expressed and human feeling vary so
greatly. In many cases a stirring martial
hymn would appeal Ito a greater number. "
DR. THEOUORB CUTLER'S VIEW.
Dr. Theodore L. Cuylcr of Brooklyn says :
"Artistically , 'Hdofcof Ages' Is by for tdo
greatest ot all hynioa. The only American
hymn which 1ms attained world-wide popu
larity cad which may contend with H Is Kay
Palmer's 'My I < IUilLookB Up to Thee. ' Next
I would place 'Jesus ; Lover of My Soul , ' and
'Lead. Kindly LlgUe" "
Hev. William HayotfWard , editor of the In
dependent , mys :
"Thero Is no-more popular hymn than
'Rock of Ages.1 Ata prayers 'Jesus , Lover
of My Soul1 and 'My ( Fulth Looks Up to Thee'
are equally useful. ! As an expression ol
Chrlullan loyaltyanttifalth 'I Love Thy King
dom , Lord , ' 'O , Could I Speak' and 'How
Firm a Foundation1can hardly fall behind.
'Holy , Holy , Holy,1 nd 'Abide With Me1 are
also very popular , but too esthetic to bo
classed with the others.
"In the last 100 years I believe that
'Just 'As I Am' has done the most good to
the greatest number , " Is the opinion ex
pressed'by Dwigit I * Moody , the noted
ovangellst.
Wrltlnif from bis ituiy In Tremont temple ,
Iloston , Dr. George C. Larimer says :
"It 1s not easy to answer your question.
I am not quite euro that any hynm fa pre
eminently popular and helpful. The soul
has BO many moods that various hymns be
come In turns the most acceptable organ of
expression. I notice that ray congregation
turns most frequently to 'Jesus , Lover of My
lioul , ' 'Rock of Agea , ' 'Just as I Am,1 'Lead.
Kindly ( Light. ' and 'How Firm a 'Foundation. ' '
"nut of all , my own soul finds most to
Inspire and thrill 4a Luther's 'Kin Feste
Burg1 I often repeat It before going Into
the puli/.t , and In the severest hours of trial
recall the sentiment * that made the Held of
Korev r glorlou * . Mr. W , T , Stead' *
favorite Is also very precious to me , and I
know It Is to nujltjtudes of bel evers. "
UNITARIAN OPINION'S.
Dr. Edward Everett Halo says : "It Is
certain that 'Nearer , My God , to Thee,1 by
SarUi Flower Adams , Is the hymn most used
In public service now. "
Another eminent Unitarian minister. Dr.
Ollnot J. Savage , says :
' ; By no .means , wpuld I place 'Rock of
Ages' as the first hymn. There's ' something
very re\oltlng to me In the line about the
'fountain , of blood , ' and In fact the whole
tenor of the words Is too gross e\cn for
the time In , which If. was written. I should
say that 'Nearer , My God. to Thee. ' Judg
ing from thoiiumber.c { dlffcient collections
of which It forms a part. Is the miwt use
ful and popular hymn. It w..s written by
Sarah Flower Adams an English Unitarian ,
and ' t Is a notoAorthy fact that nearly all
ihe great hymns of the last tlfty years have
been written by Unitarians. Music and
sentiment b.vo much to do with a hymn's
power , nnd some crude pocitry Is popular as
a song on account of Its swing and the
beauty cf Its music. "
Rev. Robert Collyer siys :
"I well remember one day 'When ' this sub
ject was the object of a discussion between
Ralph Waldo 'Emerson ' and Dr. Oliver Wen
dell Holmes. The latter said that many of
the so-called hymns were mere pieces of
cabinet work. The writers 'had ' tkcn , : a num
ber of pretty phrases , glued them together
and called the result a hymn. In his keen
and Inimitable way he satirized many
Then his voice deepened , his eyes shone , as
we romenVbor him In his noblest momenta ,
us he said : 'One hymn I think supreme. '
Emerson Uirew his hend iback , > : s he always
did 'when his attention was arrested , and
watcheJ. Dr. Holmes repeated the first
verso :
Thou hidden love of God , whose height ,
Whoso depth , unfnthorned , no man knows.
I see from fnr thy beauteous llgit ;
Inly 1 alBl for thy repose.
My heart la pained , nor can It bo
At rest , till It llnd rest In thce.
" 'I know I know , ' exclaimed Emerfoc ,
'That Is the supreme hymn. ' This has al-
WBJB been a favorite of mine. It was trans
lated from the German by John Wesley.
Another , written by Dr. Holmes , 'Lord ot
All Being , Whoso Glory Flames from Sun
and Star , ' and 'Nearer , My God to Theo , '
are also of great worth. "
"LEADl KINDLY LIGHT. "
Writing from Chicago , Rev. John Henry
Barrows
"Tho most helpful and popubr hymn writ
ten In the English language Is , In my
opinion , Charles Wesley's 'Jesus , Lover of
Sly Soul.1 My own favorite hymn Is 'Lead ,
Kindly Light. ' This teems to me the finest
expression of faith In our language. It has
ono great advantage over some other excel
lent hymns In that It Is noble poetry. Fur
thermore , It speaks to the universal re
ligious consciousness , and may be sung by
men of genuine faith In all the churches. "
Mrs. Booth-Tucker , consul ot the Salva-
tlon lArmy , oxprejv ea herself on the sub
ject as follows :
"My experience In song Is rtlffcmit prob
ably from that of minister. ? of every other
faith , Ono peculiarity of the Salvation
Army Is the placing1 of sacred words to
secular music ; In utilizing street songs for
religious purposes. Wo are thus able to
necuro the heartiest co-operation of the
masses , every one knowing the ulr and sing
Itig with a will.
"Our eongs are In twenty-eight different
languages now , and are adapted \o many of
Uie popular 'airs of each people. In India
wo use a peculiar ! chant or dirge , as It !
the only music that appeals to the native * .
Many ( people are opposed to the class of
melodies wo use , thinking It almo.it
sacrilege ,
" "Rock ot Ages. ' Is a hymn that touches
a chord In every lieart. 'Just as I Am' is
andther beautiful hymn , and I think that
no ono hymn lias been the means of saving
as many souls as the latter ono has. 'When
the Trumpet Blows I am Heady to Go , ' ono
of our Salvation Army hymns , has also been
producthe of much good. "
Dr. Louis Klopsch of New York , who has
conducted some of the largest revivals ,
says : "I have found that the hymn/i / 'Jcsu * .
Lover of My Soul , ' and ' .My Faith Looks Up
to Thee , ' are sung with the most enthu
siasm , and seem to be the most popular , I
think a great deal depends upon the charac
ter of the music. 'Rock of Ages' veems
more In the passive mood , but 'Jcsur , Lover
of My Soul , ' has direct action In It.
FAVORITES OP MAiNY ,
Writing from Columbus , O. , Rev. Wash
ington Gladden says :
"I have DO means of knowing which Is the
most helpful and popular ityma written la
the English language. The most helpful
might not bo the most popular ; some thai
aru very popular are 'hurtful rather than
helpful.
"My own favorites are many ; on the whole ,
ho.vover , I think I value most and use most
frequently Charles Wesley's 'Love Divine ,
All 'Lave ' Excelling. ' "
Dr. F. W. Gunsaulus , president of the
Armour institute ot Technology , Chicago ,
says :
"I cannot think of any hymn which has
been more helpful-and popular than 'Rock
of Apes. ' "
Uov. Louis Albert Banks of Cleveland , 0. ,
writes :
"I think Charles Wesley's 'Jesus , Lover
of My Soul , ' certainly challenges the right
of Toplady's 'Rock cf Ages , ' to be named as
the most helpful and popular hymn ever
written 'm ' the English language. Personally ,
Cardinal Nawmnn's 'Lead , Kindly Light , '
has for many > ears been my favorite hymn.
It soothes my unrest and feeds an3 Inspires
all that Is noble In my soul. "
"Personally , I prefer such hymns as 'Lead ,
Kindly Light , ' 'Amid the Encircling Gloom , '
but I uually select hymns which the people
can sing , " sa > s Rev. Madison C. Peters ot '
New York. "Come , Thou Almighty King.
is a favorite wlh me I select hymns which
have a rousing element. At our evening
service wo frequently use Daring-Gould's
'Onward , Christian Soldiers , ' and I doubt
If any hymn Is more helpful and uplifting
at the close ot a service than 'God De With
You Till We Meet Again. ' "
Rev. J. D. Burrell , pastor of the Marble
Collegiate church , New York , says :
"Tho two most popular and useful hymns ,
in my Judgment , are 'Jesus , Lover of lly
Soul , ' and 'Rock of Ages. ' Both are wholly
evangelical and highly devotional. Of the
two 1 should say the former has Ihe deeper
and more permanent place In the heart of the
church. This , no doubt. Is partly due to the
fact that 'Martyn' Is a better tune than 'Top-
lady. ' Anyway , the pcoplo seem to carry It
more easily and heartily. "
A HYMN-WRITER'S JUDGMENT.
Rev. John W. Clmdwlck , who 1ms himself
written hymns thai are sung by muny drnom-
( nations , says :
" 1 admire greatly Luther's hymn , 'Eln
Festo Burg , ' though I prefer Dr. Hodges'
translation to that of Carllwle , 'Lead , Kindly
Light , ' Is Interesting to Unitarians , espe
cially Ueeaueo It was first Introduced In
America by Samuel Longfellow and Samuel
Johnson , In their hymn book , and was con
sidered at that time a very radical departure.
In our ( Unitarian ) faith J BIJOIIICI say tnat
Samuel Johnson's 'Father In Thy Mysterious
Prcnenco Kneeling' has doubtless been the
most helpful. Next I should place 'Nearer
My God to Thee , ' by Sarah F. Adams , ono
of the HlHters to whom Browning was BO
profoundly attached. Of 'Rock of Aies' I
should say that It WIIH an admirable expres
sion of sacrificial theology , and of vivacious
atonement. It Is vastly superior to thu pop
ular picture , 'Rock of Ages,1 which repre
sents a woman clinging tb the crob and sur
rounded by a turbulent sea , when | n reality
the rock means a rock In a desert , In whoso
shade the weary find rest , "
The last word In this symposium Id from
Rev. Russell H. Conwell , the popular
preacher of the Temple In Philadelphia , who
says : "In my estimation 'Jesus , Lover of
My Soul , ' Is the best hymn published In the
Englltih language , "
- CO\M < IIIAMTIiS.
In Cincinnati a young man and young
woman tried to commit sulcldo and foiled.
Ttien they got married.
A young Maryland widow set a boar trap
In front of her wmoke house door and her
first catch wr-a tlio man who was courting
her.
her.When a young man Is courting a girl It
takes him from five to len minutes to help
her to put on her wraps. After marriage If
gho doesn't get them on In half a minute
without aeslstance he tells her to huiry up
and not keep him waiting all day.
Edward Jolltfe , aged CC , and MUD ally
Slnc'nlr , aged CO , have Just been married In
Baltimore. In youth , when they lived near
Charlestown , W , Va. , they wcro lovers , but
for ( some reason separated , Mr , Jollffe located
at Woodstock , Va , , where he married Last
jcar , after ho had become a widower , he met
Ills old sweetheart In Baltimore and the
romance HOB renewed , with the result above
stated ,
.MIia ! Harriet Dalnbrldgu RIcliarducn and
James Tandy KIIU , the Kentucky poet , will
be married In June , They were ooliool chil
dren together and had t > em lovers from
youth , b'lt ' some time ago a Borarallon oc
curred and MUl Richardson became engaged
to CooErefgman Utumdtt of.IJrboklyu. For
some reason or older this engagement >
, Irolten off. Boon thereafter the famous con
troversy over christening the battleship Kentucky -
| tucky arose and Mr , Ellis coming gallantly
I forward In defense of Mlai Rlchardson'a
claims , the old relatLim were resumed and
now their engagement Is fonv.ally announced.
An elopement occurred at Plney , Tonn. ,
thirty miles from Clarksvlllo , recently.
Hunry Herroll and his cousin , Jennie Corry.
wcro the principals. Ho Is IS and she Is 1C.
Tlicy fled fro-n their home at noon , the
young < woman riding behind her lo\er , both
on a mule , 'but their parents soon learned
of their ' 'ntenllons anJ engaged In 'hot ' pur
suit. With half a mile dv. ntnie Hi rroll
reached the residence of iMrs. Ilcliorts , in
the cellar of which 'S < iure ! Fielder per
formed the ceremony , while the angry par
ents searched the hous ? above them. After
the ceremony had been concluded the-
'squire quietly lorkcd the cellar door , whcro
the newly married couple were left alone ,
safe from their outwitted piicntx , until they
could 'make ' their appearance without creat
ing a scene.
An amusing account comes from a conti
nental correspondent of a faro.cal scene'
'which he witnessed In the Roman Catholic
church of a German town. An oDicial of
one of the railway depots had wooed and
won a fair damsel wlioso father was do d ,
but who had a brother a dashing young
officer. On the wedding clay this gay pro
tector of the 'blushing bride was fairly In
his element. He hurried her off to churili
and fussed about to such an extent that the
sacristan , who was a tart ot despot In hU
way , 'mistook ' him for the bridegroom ,
ushered him up to the altar and forthwith ,
summoned the priest to perform the cere
mony. iBut meanwhile the rural bridegroom
had arrived , only to be hustled Into a blilo
scat 'by ' the lordly sacrlatun and given to
understand that ho must remain theru
quietly or quit the church. The bewildered ,
railway man , who was a Protest nt and ,
unfamiliar with Roman Catholic procedure ,
thought It v-a all part ot the ccrem ny and
obeyed orders with humble submission.
Meanwhile the unconscious pileU went IUK- |
Kedly along with the service , the bride ,
wept agitatedly , the brother consoled and
fussed around her , and a'.togt theri flno
tangle was being negotiated , until Rome of
the bride's relatlvvs ventured to murmur to
the haughty sacristan that tliry ratlur
thought there was s methlni ; wiong "What
do you mean ? " he demanded. " 'Hut's h"r
own 'brother ' , " they objected. "Her own
brother ? Then why In hcavi'ii'b name didn't
> ou tell me ? " Explanat ons followed , with
the result th. t the sacilatan , considerably
ruflled , had to rush after the dopartlnir
1 > rlcBt nnd get him to perform the function
all over again. Whether ho got a double
fee for hlu trouble In not stated.
Kl.livUIIKH ,10M ; .
Mrrrilltli Nicholson ,
Baby , yau stand by a Kate that lends :
Into u land of drcnniH ;
There'H a drowsy watchman hero who hecdi
Never the Htrangllng fleams
Of light Unit Htruy from this fur-off sun
Always for him Its twinkling begun
And we Mnnd by the gate ,
And watch und wait ,
And watch and waltl
! Little one , hear whut the stream HliigB of
Here In this quiet land ;
It uliiFH of the , joy of mother love
BlngH to birds In tlu < Hand-
To thu strange , tall blrdx , with dreamy eyes.
That look at you , dcur , In mutt * Hurprlnu ,
While we stand by the Kiite ,
And watch and wnlt.
And watch and waltl
If you open the gate no ono will know ;
The guard will never KUOSH.
You must open II gently , slowly no ,
No onu lutH heard , unices
Tnoxc dreamful birds , or the dreamland
Hhtx-p ,
Heard you stealing through their land of
Uli't'p
Wtillo I stood liy the eale ,
And watch und wait ,
And wiitch and waltl
Oh , Bt ran no are the blrdu und the sheep thaf
dwell
Here In the lands of drciimu ,
But you must not Hue , und you must not
tell ,
However B trim go It BO ems ,
Or they'll never let yju In again ,
And It would not please you , baby , then.
Just to stum ) ut the gate ,
And watch and wall ,
And witch and waltl
Cluiiiilifrlnlii'H Ciiiiuli Itrineilr
U a medicine of great worth and merit.
Try It when you have a cough or cold
you are certain to be pleated with the quick
relief which U affords. It Ii pleasant l
taUo and can alwayt l > .depeudfti upetu
