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3w » , v».,,'/ a" â€" r . rich Wm-Wo4cvw - Dave Arnold’s; Chrisfmas . t Wm mmwmwo. “Six years ago I, Dare Arnold, was in the ruck; just one of the great crowd who sweated away their days for a weekly wage thatany one -of you would give for a good dinn- er. My overalls were just as greasy, my hands as grimy as those of any toiler who turned out from the works at the clang of the bell. The difference lay in the fact that they, with a Union behind them that guaranteed work, were content with their lot, while I, with the excite- ment of something that dimly was shaping itself in my mind, was not. A happy inspiration had set my brain at work on the evolution of a labor-saving machine that, could I perfect it, would revolutionize an existing process and make me a man. “Step by step, as I worked at the problem nightly in my garret, the way became clearer. lEvery hour made its possibility more apparent. Slowly the model grew beneath my hands until one night I went to sleep, successful and exultant. Theoretically it was sound. To prove it so in practice could only e done by actual experiment. "I was a poor man. I had no means whatever of patenting the in- vention. But I was not to be deâ€" tcrred. The reward of my endeav- Dr was at my finger ends, and I meant to grasp it. Seizing the first opportunity I approached the prin- CJpal and requested an interview. My shopmates eyed me askance as I followed him to his office, for I was not popular. "Inside his room I told him of my discovery. At first he was frankly incredulous. Was I not but an ordinary mechanic? It was imâ€" possible that such a man could have achieved this wonderful thingl I read his veiled distrust and my face flushed beneath the grime. I told him as much as was polite until an understanding had been arranged, and saw his expression change. My earnestness of manner impressed him. The possibility of success made him tolerant. finished he was half convinced of its practicability. I left him with the promise that he would place the necessary power and materials at my disposal, and I should have a corner of the shop partitioned off in which to erect the machine, con- ditionally that if it succeeded he had the option of acquiring it. “Next morning the work comâ€" menced. “From the first the men evidenced ‘ With 3' drunken laugh' their feelings in no uncertain man‘ net. It galled them to think that I, under the favor of the head, had climbed above them and that they were, at least for the time, at my beck. “Regardless of it all I pursued my course. Day and night I lab- ored on to perfect the machine. The fever that consumed me allow- ed me scarce time for sleep. As the idea took shape under my hands a growing anxiety kept me chained‘ by it. The open threats of the men and the fear of its destruction bade me guard it zealously, and the chief, convinced by the manifest; signal of discontent, gave me per- mission to sleep in the shop. For For three weeks I never passed be- yond the gates, and the only crea- ture who entered my shop beside myself was the little chap who ‘ brought my meals. “‘He was a bright little fellow~ the son of a widow with whom I[ lodged. When the great works, save for that one bright corner, were wrapped in gloom, his signal at the window which overlookedthe . canal at the rear of the premises would gain him admittance. “One night about the time I was anticipating his visit, a gentle‘ knock came at the door of my room. dent, I ignored. so flagrant that I was compelled, for my own protection, to report it, and the perpetratorâ€"my erstwhile foremanâ€"was summarily dismissed. That afternoonâ€"it was Christmas Eveâ€"a deputation of the most vioâ€" lent among the malcontents called me out and delivered their ultiâ€" niatum. “Rumor of the purpose for which my invention was intended had leaked out, and the blind fools imagined that it would rob them of their means of livelihood. Deaf to reason, they showered upon me taunts and curses, and finally left after allotting me twentyâ€"four hours in which to make up my mind. “Twenty-four hours! Why, yes, I could have no objection to that, for by the Christmas night my work would be ended. The machine stood in the room merely requiring the finishing touches. An adjustment here, an alteration of the gear there, and it would be ready for the test. Oh, yes, they might come on the morrow night if they chose. I would desist willingly enough. “All through that night and late into the Christmas Day I labored like a man possessed. oblivious to everything but my work I strove on, and when at last I threw down the wrench and staggered back to feast my eyes upon its perfection before applying the power my trembling legs could scarce support my body. For the last hour my lips had been uttering foolish confidences to it. Reeling into the darksome work- shop I started the gas~engine and, racing back, pulled over the lever. The belt slid gently on the pulley, and on the instant the machine sprang into being. “I had done it! Intoxicated with success I danced irrationally around it, gloating over the wonder of its action. I ¢s*‘-<"eniembei' laughing aloud at tMe with which it accomplished its purpose; and then, with the laugh on my lips, came a stunning blow on the back of my head, and after thatâ€"darkness! “I came back to consciousness to find myself in a strange position. My legs were tied together, my arms were trussed behind my back, and I stood erect, supported by a pendant rope which had been passâ€" ed under my arms, looking down on the dimly-illumined workshop from what seemed to me a raised platâ€" Before I had , form beneath my feet. When I tried ito move my swimming head, I disâ€" covered that a chain had been loop- ed round my neck. “Below me stood two men, whom I recognized as the discharged foreman and one of his deputation. Terror-stricken I stood, wondering at their intent, and involuntarily a great groan burst from my lips. “ ‘A merry Christmas, Mr. In- ventorl’ burst out one of them, ‘You hardâ€" ly expected us, did yoc'l Now lis- ten to me, you dog. Listen to the men you kicked out o’ of the place he’s worked at sauce a lad, for by th’ Lord Harry it'll be the last speech ye’ll iver hear on this earth. We come ’erc th' night to stop this thing gooin’ on. We’m late. But, curse ’ee! we’m none too late to finish ’ec. That machine 0’ yourn shall send ’ee to perditionl “ ‘Let me tell ’ce now how yo‘ stand,’ he went on, thickly. ‘Under thy feet, lad, is th’ gas-holder, an’ round thy neck is the chain 0’ the travelling crane. We'm agoin’ to start the engine. . . Yo’ know what that means. When Jim ’ei'e cuts that rope which is about thy infer- nal body theer's three links of chain atween you an’ the hanging yo' deserve. Yo’ shall hear that machine 0' yourn a-runnin’ merrily, au' know that ivery whirr of its wheels is tightening the chain round thy neck and draggin’ ’ee nearer to death.’ “For a brief instant, as I realized their horrible intention, my heart's pulsations seemed to stop. The next, I was ,straiuing at the rope like a madman. “ ‘Cut it, Jim!‘ he laughed, ‘an’ see the fool hang ’is blessed self.” “His words arrested my strugg- Knowing that the works, save for myself, were deserted. my hand! stole to the revolver I had thought it advisable to purchase. “ ‘Who’s there?’ I shouted. “ ‘Mel’ came back the childish treble. Laughing at my fears, I unlocked the door and stornly bade, bun tell me how he had gained ridâ€"I misswn. l t‘ ‘I thought I'd surprise yer,’ he said, gleefully. ‘You see where the cut comes into the works there‘s a ledge under the bridge. I come” round to~night.’ “L Judy I rebuked him. warning him of the danger of a slip. Hc'i protested his competence to do it1 on his hands, and the incidan cud-i ed in a mutual laugh. “During those three weeks two‘ attempts were made to incapacitateI me. The first, presumably an acci-l L ling and, even as the rope was sevâ€" ered, I stood inert. The least movement now would tighten the chain and make an end. Springing to the engine the pair set it runnâ€" ing, and the cogs in my machine started off with a. whiff. The blas- phcming \vrctches stood glaring up at me for a moment: then, as I shrickcd aloud in mortal terror, with a final burst of mocking lauglr for they were gone. “Again and again I slirickcd. but only the echoes of my screams rung through the great workshop. “I was on a tolcsc<:>pic gas-holder. The engine was absorbing the- gas. The holder would gradually sink beneath my feet. How long Would those links give me? Merciful heavens! How long? “The inexhorahle whirr of the machine maddencd my brain. The rhythmical explosion of the gas seemed to be ticking off my spell of life. I tried to calculate the capac- ity of four inches of the holder and check my minutes by the quantity necessary to drive the engine pm- hour. But it was useless. My brain refused to act. A jumble of figures swam confuscdly in my head. “My legs threatened to give way. The thought that if I lost control but for a second I was doomed calmed me.’ Gradually I dropped into a comaâ€"the coma of despairâ€"- and one by one the loose links tightened on the chain. “Wild-eyed and mad with the torâ€" ture, I stood there waiting for death. Suddenly the last link jerkâ€" ed into line, and as I felt the pres- sure beneath my ear 3. hoarse scream burst from my lips. As the echo of it died away I thought I heard an answering cry. Surely my brain was fooling me! And yet . . it came again . . . a childish halloa. . . . “Great heavens! It was the boy. He had come by way of the ledge. Runhing into the shop he gazed around him bewilderly. “ ‘Willio!’ I whispered, hoarsely. He could not hear me, and the chain was even then lifting my heels from their support. Moistâ€" ing my lips with mv tongue, I cried his name again. He looked up. He saw me and, with a startled cry, came slowly forward. “ ‘The engine 1’ I whispered. ‘Pull that handle down, quickly!’ He grasped my meaning and flew to the engine room. Clambcring on to a box, he managed to reach the lever, and, pulling it down, shut off the inflow of the gas. The engine slowed; the explosions came less frequent, and, at last. the great fly~wheel stopped dead. Running back, he looked up into my face with wide, staring eyes. “ ‘That piece of wood, Willie,’ I muttered. ‘Get up here, and push it under me.’ He understood. Clambering up with difficulty, he thrust it carefully beneath my feet. “Taking his knife from his pocket be hacked away at the bonds that secured my arms. Presently the ropes fell away, and, lifting them, I managed to remove the loop from about my neck, to collapse the next instant a. shuddering heap at the boy’s feet. He bent solicitously over me and cut away the ropes from my legs. “And then, with a great choking cry of heartfelt thanks to Heaven, I twined my arms round his neck and kissed his face again and again.” v 51, CHRISTMAS GIFTS. Notwithstanding the fact that to the philosophical mind Christmas is a great comedy of errors in which the actors go about purchasing or- naments for those who want util- ities, utilities for those who want ornaments, and both for those who want neither, there is something about the Christmas spirit that time cannot wither or custom stale. The impediment, as Emerson says, lies in the choosing, and the holiday reform that is so devoutly desired by some Christmas socio- logists ought to be directed toâ€" wards the assistance of the chooser rather than towards the abolish- ment of the giver. To choose a gift Wisely is to understand the human heart. The dark, unfathomed corners of closets and bureau drawers bear testimony to the num- ber of gifts, the smoking jackets and shaving cases, for which the reâ€" cipients blushed unseen and the oceans of perfume destined to waste its sweetness on the desert air. Yet, in spite of this fact, the true gift giver is not to be daunted by misfits or mis applied extracts, and “some shape of disgruntled recip- ient. In giving, Emerson says, a ray of beauty outvalucs any utilâ€" ity, though he admits that the ne« ccssity of the prospective recipient is an aid to the gift giver, “since, if the man at my door is without shoes, I have not to consider wheth- er I shall give him a paint box.” The holiday pessimist believes that modern gift givingconsists in givâ€" ing paints to the shoclcss and shoes 'to the lover of paint. but the blCSS~ cdncss of giving shines through all such errors and makes the Christ~ mas spirit more eager with the coming of each year. v r; And there are girls who dislike being kissedâ€"by the wrong fellow, inf one lemon. Bent 'Fl‘f‘llCl) Ll‘ mm with the fingers until it is soft Pound Cakeâ€"One pound butter. lq'1-‘l creamy and flavor sligm1,~v_-ithl (1,135th is he“) ,one pound sugar, one pound {MU-.1 ‘ ‘ . lnine eggs. the grater rind and juice the sugar and ..:n How longlbutter to a llillt “€301; add the itl‘fi‘“ 3‘ CHRI STMA S SECRETS. You musn’t look in corners, And you musn't hear a sound, Because a llock of secrets Is flying all around. They'll perch upon the Christmas treks When weary of their flight. Or they'll build their nests in stock- ings In the middle of the night. But catch them Christmas morn~ ing- For dear old Santa sends In every one a sweet surprise To his loving little friends. d‘ YULETIDE WISHES. We wish you a merry Christmas While the joy bells sweetly ring, \Vltll happiest hearts and voices Praise we our Heavenly King. Let us join in the song of angels With its “peace on earth, good will,” While the star which has shone f0;- ages Our hearts and our bosoms thrill. May the peace which passes knowl- edge All hearts this Christmas tide Fill full, and its joyous message For aye with us abide. __ +_.__ FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS. As Christmas approaches and you prepare your gift list, resolve: To buy no present that you canâ€" not afford. To give no present that you would rather keep yourself. To send no present that might as well be labeled at once R. R.â€" “Receive and Recriprocate.” To remember that the- shop girl is human and not a machine. To do your shopping as early as possible. ( To shop only as much as you have strength for, so that when Christâ€" mas comes you won’t be “just tired to death.” To make up your mind as far as possible what you want to buy, and about how much you can spend, before you enter a shop. To keep your temper always. To observe the law of suitability in giving of presents; why send the poorest of your friends a fifty-cent present and almost break yourself by spending as many dollars for a gift for the woman whose life is a regular cake walk of luxuries? To remember that painstaking care exercised in the choice of a gift is an evidence of love on the part of th: donor. To be happy as you can and make others as happy as you can. To remember your sick or sorâ€" rowful friend. To realize that it is useless to ex~ pdct a. merry Christmas if you have to face the New Year in a financial condition verging upon bankruptcy. To try, when buying the doll for your own little girl, to get one that some poor child can bug to its warm little .heart. To remember that children never forget their early Christmas days, and it is worth a sacrifice to make them so full of joy that in after years the memory of them shall be a precious pessession gilding all their childhood. To hear in mind and never lose sight of these facts: That the keynote of Christmas is giving, not getting: that generosity is false when it is forced; that barâ€" ter and exchange‘are not giving; that Christmas will be truly happy to us just in proportion that we bring happiness to others; that the very first Christmas gifts of all were laid at the feet of a child of the poor. ._. 1 ~. A? TWO CHRISTMAS CANDIES. To make opera creams take two cups of sugar, three-fourths of a cup of sour cream, threeâ€"fourths of a cup of broken walnut meats, one teaspoon of vanilla, a pinch each of cream of tartar and salt. Mix sugar, cream of tartar, sour cream and salt. Cool: on stove, stirring carefully to remove all grains. When the mixture is perfectly smooth, move to the front of the stove and boil about five minutes, or until a soft ball is formed, when a few drops are put into cold water. Remove from the fire and boat until a cream is formed, then add nuts and flavoring. Pour, cool. and cut into squares. For Sultana Chocolates~Soak over night a small amount of the best sultr-na raisins in a little :indy. Work plain fund» van“... Mold the fondant into 1 I llc of ouch. .id until the Olll>lti9 is dry H the back of, ur-d balls with a raisin in; Let fix: 0 (cuâ€" , '- wâ€"‘W_- _ I ' 'â€"_"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"-â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"-_â€"â€"-â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"_-â€"_‘-'-¢7 __ 7 I -_ -â€"â€"â€"â€"‘ The second was feet and strangled me? How long? CHRISTMAS “DONTS.” Woman Tells of Pitfalls to no Avoided by Stcrucr Sex. A woman correspondent to the London Daily Mail gives the follow- mg advice to men: .“Why should Christmas depres- 'emn be monopolized by men.” she asks, “when women are troubling hmr hearts about the harrowing ~ul‘Dl‘lSOS which await 'thcm on Christmas morning in the shape of presents from their mcnfolk’l "The following don’t should be learned by heart: “Don‘t go into a fashionable mil- liner‘s and order the most expen- sivc hat she can make. A woman would rather have a. 30 cent model that suits her than a $25 one that does not. “Don‘t buy gloves of the sire ‘she’ confesses to. Be on the safe Side and order half a size larger. “Don’t buy her a jet necklace be- cause your grandmother used to wear one. ‘She’ is not your grand- mother, and she likes something that sparkles. "Don't buy your wife an improv- ing book on ‘How to Keep House on 50 cents a week.’ The houseL keeping bills will increase if you i do. “Don’t buy the baby a new frock and call it a Christmas present for your wife. She intended to make you buy that frock after Christmas. “Don‘t get Isomething useful for the house.’ She cannot rid herself of the impression that it is six for her and half a dozen for yourself. “Don’t buy your financce a mistletoe brooch, and then be fur- ious if other men endeavor to follow an ancient custom. “Don't buy 'her’ skates if she can't skate. She will expect you to teach her. “Don't be too proud to take these ‘don’ts’ from a. mere woman.” at THE FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS. Far back in the mists of antiq~ uity, historians find various naâ€" tions that celebrated the birth of the new year with feasts and adornments of evergreen, holly and mistletoe. The early Christians adopted some of the customs of the early ages, this among others. It is wise to keep the birthday of the Prince of Peace as a festival, that around it may cluster our most hal- lowed associations. It is the time for all that is good and beautiful to be cherished anew; for the giving of good gifts and good wishes. It is the time for broken links to be mended, for strife to be forgotten, for kind words and deeds, and for sweet forgiveness. It is the time for those who have wealth to think of the poor and needy; of the homes where the Christmas guests will be only want and care; where there is no hope in the heart and no light in the house. Those who are in sheltered homes surrounded by all that makes life beautiful and glad, upon whom rich gifts are lavished, should think deeply of these things this Christmastide. The coming of Christmas to the children is an event looked forward to with undisguised delight. Their belief in Santa Claus, and a host of other jucvciiile myths, recalls our own juvenile interest in bygone days. It a. beautiful belief, and there is'no need to destroy it. The practical duties of life will all too soon dispel the illusion. The ro- mantic, the fairy~likc, the unreal Christmas lore of all nations has furnished substance for brush and pen from time immemorial. It lingers with us of adult years like a pleasing dream, and serves to keep our hearts younger and fresh- er, and more alive with human symâ€" lpathy. On Tuesday the Christmas chimes will pcal from ocean to ocean. and [will fill this great continent with lone grand swell of melody. - Glad ropes, and Iringcrs will pull the = Christmas with its wonder, its , sweetness, and its mystery, “'1” ‘burst upon us once more. The full lchoir and the organs (lispason will lfill the churches with triumphant beauty and harmony. The choral melodies pealing far and near bring to humanity the f« rec of the mean- ing of the word Christmasâ€"â€"‘Clii'istâ€" mas.’ How blessodlv ring out the 3sti'ains ‘Gloria in Excelsis Dco,’ ,‘most beautiful and hicde because .it is everywhere the Day of our‘ iLord. Heart touch- 1.: «fibrin ' ('lzrislmas, day of . natal day of the Saviour, and r temperate pulses throb with ;(',l‘;ll'kCllCEl life and the promise and . rm: . . . 1 . . i ‘ . i would it be before I felt the chain 1:;0lks (beaten light), the lemon, then and firm. then dip into ine;tcd bit» potency. of toe future. when to the gripping my throat. tighter, even the whites (beaten to a stiff froth), ter chocolate and drip 0D “‘23 tighter, until it lifted me from my and,lastly, the flour. Bake slowly. paper, curls (-f the earth will be felt the :‘Gcodwill in the sacred remiss. p