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Show urged the Tiorsec on over the last mile of the wind-swep- t way. Slowly they Anted with the spade, "Lying Da- turned In at tfie side road that led to vis" shuffled out of the grocery, fol- the farm home. Editor Grant and famlowed by the editor bent upon learn- ily In the lead. One by one they reined ing more of the details for his paper, their horses Into the farmyard and already being "made up by the fore- stopped. man that an early start might be seThe editor was preparing to leap to cured for press day. the ground and Grocer Compton had e The Weekly Clarion was In the thrown the robes over the dash-boarby 10 next morning, and sincere to liberate his legs, when there arose was the mourning for Hiram Sqiures. from behind the barn a series of blarThe merchants, possessed of that hu- ing yells: man sympathy always uppermost In a "HI there! Gol durn yer blanket) VI-SI- T rural community, laid aside their busi- blank picture, git inside that pen, will ness prejudices and decided to attend ye? Whoop! Here, ou gol darn lg- tho funeral In a body. Despite the noramus, what th' great horn spoons fact that the evening of the day of the be - a doin thee? Spot! Here, funeral was Christmas Eve and many Spot, sic em! Take em! III! Hi! trinkets for the Christmas trees In the Sooey! Suddenly there burst Into churches and homes wore SlIU unpur-chaseview from around the barn a contrary s Oiie Clu 1st mas Eve, while his par-rutlit-tl- o they set out dutifully toward hog, dashing at full speed for the wore out dining with friends, the home of the deceased, six miles open, followed by a Scotch collie dog Walter began a letter to bather west on the Pike road. There were and yes It was! it was Illram Christmas. To tell the truth, Walter something more than a dozen vehicles Squires himself! could only write straight strokes as yet, hut he set them side by side very while he evenly and neatly. All the himwith was writing, Walter argued self that Father Christmas would be able to read the exact meaning he had In mind. What Walter wanted was to visit the place where all Christmas toys are kept. "Oh. If only I might go Into that storehouse of things, he thought, and clapped his hands with Joy. I ought to have written it yestertoday, for he must be awfully busy so many can he But manage day. things at once. What trouble could my visit give him? 1 woald not stay long; I would look round very quickly, and come back to papa and mamma, who would not yet be home." These were the reflections that worked In Walter's brain, for hq was not a stupid boy. He had not finished hls page of strokes, when two little angels, one and one fair, who were looking through the window perhaps noting what toys were to be delivered at that house, silently came la and carried him off. Away went Walter, up through angel went space. The brown-haireon his way, but the fair one took Walter to be introduced to Father Christmas, who is the King of the Toys now and forever. After mounting thousands of white steps, Walter found himself In the The presence of Father Christmas. old man had a white, pointed hood on his head. His face was serious and his beard long and silvery. Behind him a wide staircase led up, up. and other stairs, too, led up to an Immense cathedral, as white as milk. Father Christmas looked hard at the little traveler and said to him: T have read your letter. I cannot in all and the procession was a solemn His face was red with exertion and allow you to go into that building, one. rage, one mitten was gone and be which la in my charge. But I can tell As they rode along through the breathed hard as he swung into full you this: It Is full to the dome with crunching snow, facing a biting De- pursuit behind the barking dog! toys which I shall send as presents all cember wind, they spoke softly of the Then, his eye caught the group of over the world this very night. But I virtues of Hiram Squires. Even his spectators, the sleighs will allow my messenger boys to take one gross fault, an habitual use of and the steaming horses! you into the forests of Christmas trees. You may help them to cut qualifying adjectives, frequently sigWal, by hlckry," he shouted, catchnificant of blasphemy, was forgotten. ing at bis breath, "what be all you down or pull up the fir trees, and then He was a good man and God rest him! fellers doin here? tie little toys and colored tapers This was the sentiment of brotherly There was a deep and eloquent si- to the branches. They will sew wings expression voiced by those who bad lence for a brief interim, during which to your shoulders that you may be known him best Editor Horace Grant looked sheepishly able to fly. Go. little ones! Nearer and nearer they drew to the Into the eyes of Grocer Compton. And Walter went with the fair ansnug farm residence where grief, like Grocer Compton shifted his gaze to- gel, not daring to look back at Father Klobe, all tears, was domiciled, and ward the pure, white snow and kept Christmas, who spoke to him so gravewhere the Black Camel of Deatn knelt hla peace. ly, nor at the white cathedral where at the gate in mute distress! "I reckon wed best go back t town wore such heaps and heaps of toys. Meanwhile Boreas and Jack Frost and ask Lying Davis, said Henry where shall we find the things were ripping and biting at the noses Somers, clambering into his vehicle, we"And are to fasten on to the branches mourners toes of the and as they "Gldap! the of the Christmas trees? Walter asked of his gentle companion. "They will be brought to us from all parts of the workshops where they are made. How many are there? "Three. In the first dolls are made and then dressed from head to foot. In the second weapons and armor are forged. Swords must be tempered and breastplates hammered out To say nothing of the castings of cannon and the making of lead soldiers. Our smiths and our chemists are very clever." "In tho third they make boats, and sailing boats and steambarges Christmas in Mexico. vlously; the plums and the currants, That Mexico Is strictly a fiesta-lovin- the citron and the allspice, the flour ships. The engineer angel who manages the business knows all the latest nation is attested by the fact and the eggs, I was happy. He himself has Inthat she has more feast days than calBut Just then a minion of the law Improvements. endar days, says a writer in the Led- laid his hand on Iruppcra shoulder vented a submarine vessel that can ger Monthly. A celebration that con- and hustled him off to tho Jail be- bo propelled about for six months besumes two weeks of these feast days cause he had, In tho excitement of low the surface without stopping. Tho vast forest of snow and pine Is the observance of Cbrlstmastide getting his Christmas materials tocelebrations that begin gether, forgotten to obey a summons trees stretched as far as the eye could to attend nt court. Thus he spent his see. The light of the inoon aud stars upon December 17th. Tho bustle and confusion down In Christmas In the company of John brightened tho pretty snow, which kept on falling. Tho straight trees the plaxas and out In the numerous Doe. stood as motionless as wooden solbooths and stalls that have sprung diers. Santa Claus a Modern Invention. up, seemingly by magic, are almost Now, let us go to the workshops, deafening with the voices of persons Of all Christmas customs the best said Walter, eagtrly. In Christmas shopping. engaged known la also the most recent. Santa "Not Just yet. It Is our business to And not only the cities, but insig- Claus Is a modern Improvement. St. dress and beautify some Christmas nificant pueblos whose Inhabitants Nicholas. It Is not to be denied, Is a trees. We will do that here, no as to ai;o too poor to hie themselves to largIostrlders corn er placos make grand preparations for fairly hoary figure, and he has long lose no time. the throngs that are sure to fill their been know as the patron saint of straight down from heaven with slolgha loaded with little toys, and w streets Just before ChrlHtmastldo. And children. Just why Is not clear. have to tie them with gilt twine what a heterogeneous humanity nothing U known of tho good only swarms at the various booths, like so saint except that he died archbishop to tho strong branches. And jet," said Walter, very timidof Myra lu tho fourth century. There many bees around a hive! are one or two legends connecting ly, "there are Christmas trees In th him with a love ami compassion for heusus before Christmas Day. Spent Christmas With John Doe. "A few days before, yea," A story written by Dickens while young people, but there are also legreplied tho But they have all AH the Year Round ends which cause him to ho associ- boen fair angel, be was editor of provided by us. In fact, there Is la comparatively unknown. It la call- ated with tailors. He is also clalmod a troop especially employod In that of In as a patron by brigands on account tho Company ed "Christmas He snys: of an adventure which ho la said to service. They set to work Immediate-l- y John Doe. after the Sunday before December "It was Christmas eve, and I my have hod with a band of freebooters. In seta of threes. They On naino laBrupper was taking my walk Lastly, he U claimed by the profes- carries a go lantern, the second tho toys crowdI sion of walked through the abroad. pawnbrokers, aud It Is a fact and the third the tree covered with ed Strand, elate, hilarious, benignant, that he Is usually represented In me- tapers. We shall soon be out of the was art the dieval with and three golden balls In forests. ,y for the feast prepared ,lttlo Md trQ wlth. guests were bidden. Such a turkey ouo outstretched hand. A century or In two flights of vaUr. th workshops for I bad ordered! Not the prize one two ago there was a custom In y toy, tw will begin with tho manufor all the parent In a town or with the ribbons I mistrusted that factory of dolls. to white breasted send the presents they do. of pretty creatures.You will see heaps but a plump, tender, village bird a king of turkey. It was to be signed for their children to one chos-e- n The Httlo angel and Walter went Individual, who called at each Into the broiled with oyster sauce, and the second paradise. rest of the dinner was to onnatst of house clad In a motley robe, a mask Hoapi of little ladles and gentle-me- n that noblo sirloin of roast beef and and a huge flaxen wig. Knocking on lay on the tables ,nd on th that Immortal rod's bead and shoul- the door ho called In a loud voice for floor, In the corners were piim, 0f ders! I had bought the materials for all tho good children to appear and bodies arm, and heads. Sculp the pudding, too, some half-hou- r pro celv tbo gifts. day after termorrer from the house i o'clock." post-offic- A la tbo galaxy of grocery-movfloor and liars, meekly toward the soft-pin"llez Davis easily occupied the soap- sighed. box throne. Ho was a sort of living "Taint no time t laugh an he gay refutation of the claim that tryth is with one o our best country residents h dead o heart disease! mighty and will prevail. In fact, Davis was a most marvelous Ho paused in solemn mien, his head and conscientious prevaricator. Nona low, his hands clasped between his bolievcd hltn capable of telling the knees. truth, hence no one expected him to Wary glances were exchanged beapeak aught but falsehood except on tween the strategists. None cared to one occasion, and even then repent- make the sally. ance followed quickly. Died an hour ago. Snuffed out like So gracefully, tenaciously and piousthe candle In a draught. Fell dead ly did "Ilea Davis lie, that away back upon the floor," resumed. In the nebulous state of Time, he had "Hex sadly, softly, much affected. been dubbed "Lying Deacon Davis, Whos dead? blurted Andrew The "Deacon poitton of the appellaIn the Shrader, aiming for a knot-hol- e tion was applied because of his strict floor with a kernel of com aud missattondance upon church services; and ing It. Whos dead? the wonderful religious lies associated Lying Davis took a long, deep with his ecclesiastical breath, and looking up suddenly, deof a night, when Morpheus and manded: were playing him tricks and Wbatg th matter with you fellers? fashioning for his imaginings strange Dont ye know that Hiram Squires is visions, were little short of miracles no more? It alnt no subject fer Jokin as related to a commuer strlngln; ye know hes dead as well as 1 do and a mighty sad Christmas nity next morning. Then, too, "llez occasionally acted itll be fer his poor wife and children, ts grave digger for the village dead; left with a big farm on their hands his, and lying, being about as mucti and none on em able t take keer of is one man In a quiet it. ural community could be expected to Tou dont mean to say that Illram ittend to well. Squires Is dead, llez? Interrupted But, after a time, as "Ilexs lying Horace Grant, editor of the Weekly eeame more chronic, and his grave Clarion, who had entered at this Juncllgglng loss pronounced, the Deacon ture to get the copy for a Christmas lolnt In the cognomen of his name was advertisement of the Corner GroIropped, and he approached the sun-le- t cery. of life with the short and undoalr-ibl- e Died lessn an hour ago, replied the Indomitable Davis, Illy concealing significance of Lying Davis. A3 such was be known on a blusterithe gratification he felt at being Interng, winter night two days before viewed by the intellectual head of the t Christmas, 1902, as he shambled Into leading village paper. the "Corner Grocery and took his acWant feelln well fer a day or two, customed place among the members of although I do believe he was in town the town "Strategy Board," ylstaday want he Compton? turning The accustomed grin of questioningly. toward the grocer who tinged with a curl of dis- was busily engaged In tying up a dain In which pity and Jealousy were package of light brown sugar for itrangely mingled, greeted his entry a customer. into the liars circle about the cavern-u- a Hiram Squires? Yes, he was In stove that glowed and flushed, as early yesterday morning. Came to if fretting and blushing for the outtown with a load of hogs. Stopped rageous falsehoods that nightly held here on his way back from the depot their rampant sway about its metal to buy a calico dress for Mandy. Must Ides. a bln mighty sudden." As he adjusted his coat tails care"So I heerd, acquiesced "Lying Dafully behind the soap box on which he vis, surreptitiously reaching for a sliat, "Ilex surveyed the group crit- ver from the tail of a cod-fisthat proically. truded from a near-bbox. He want Got a spade I kin borrer feelln overly scrumptious though fer mornln, Dill." addressing Compton, a week. I heerd his darter say so as the grocer. "I broke th' handle of I cum by there Jest now from spearin mine ylstaday pryln up a up in Dry Run. Been complainin of root." a pain In bis appendix and had a cold Coin inter gardenin? Inquired sweat an a bad dream t'other night A!f. Flskln, slyly nudging Hank Somthat want partlcklarly gratlfyln' fer ers alongside him on a sugar barrel. a man o his calibre. T'day he was "Caint be yeve had no revelations standln by the churn, o late, Hex. Are ye goin t' turn stoopin over like, Axin the crank er farmer fer a livin' and give up lyin'?" something and all to onct he uttered tnterjocted Roger Craig, taking a lib- - a faint groan and fell right where he e e Ile-tckla- milk-hous- e s Me-phls- news-famishe- able-bodie- d quasi-expectanc- 60-ce- h y boss-radis- h milk-hous- e d, . dark-haire- open-mouthe- d soml-rollglou- s True-tlcall- A Mighty fine man was Hiram Squires. aral bits off a slice of black plug and stood! Bitched forrard In a heap and never knowed a thingl Gasped once arter his wife got there and that was all! A mighty fine man was Illram Squires. Give money and vegetable t th poor and always allowed that all his stock could eat want wasted! Boys," here lies cleared his dry and rattly throat with an effort "Boys, It'll be our turn next! Deep atlenco greeted the forecart Wbatd you say about that Ihere "This ain't no time to he tollin' lies, spade, Horace? resumod "lies." "Kin I borrer It long enough t dig a grave hoys." Here the town liar cast hie eyes fer Illram In th' mornln'? Funeral's mtcklng his Ups. A suppressed titter rippled about the grocery stove at tho prod In an evident effort to awaken the frequently dormant sense of lying that, half coinaViso, had Its home within the graying head of Lying Dari. But "lies," refusing to accept the . challenge, merely shook his head admin-tstcro- sad-ir- d FATHER CHRISTMAS c- g -- TO Ger-man- d tors were putting them together, measuring them very accurately; painters were touching the cheek with pink and lips with red. Careful artists dressmakers, shoemakers and needlewomen did the rest. A poet even was engaged to teach the doll that could speak. Out of a chimney as tall as the oh llsk came a great cloud of smoke. I will order a suit of armor! cried Walter, clapping his hands. No, no. Nobody can give order here. Only Father Chrjstmas has a right to give orders. Nobody obeys any one but him, replied the angel. Walter saw he had made a mistake. He went In quite grave and silent He admired the forge, the bellows, th t iron. The smiths hammer beat in steady time, and the loud tones of the anvil rang out like a son of triumph amid the fireworks of sparks. The hammerman sang to th note of the anvil, to help himself to strike the Iron in a regular beat. Next they came to the place wher boats were made. Such a red-ho- scene! A wide rivulet of blue water flowed through a sunny meadow, and on It the carpenters and engineers of this heavenly navy were trying the vessels they had Just finished. There were sailing boats for fishermen, and steamers and Ironclads. Now, come away, hls winged comIt to panion whispered In hls ear. very late; I muRt be going down all the chimneys. Make haste! Together they went back to th shining path. As soon as they bad left the road they flew down on cloud of snow which were falling. Sooa they saw steeples and roofs. "Here, Walter, Is the town you Uv In. In five minutes you will be In bed. I must take off your wings, for they must never touch anything earthly. Walter awoke. The door of the bedroom was ope and hls mother, who had just corns la, hugged him very tightly. The chimney place was full of toys On tho floor by hls bed lay pago of neat straight strokes. Thank God for Christ Full nineteen hundred years Of history Of human Joy aud tears. Ami mystery Since Chi le! was born. Men ponder o'er the And whnt may be; past shall unlit the lost Imperfect see The path they tread. Yet OS they hurkward look And strive (u Ttut The men nt nit of the book f stoic la theirs. Their hearts oerllow witb While rre-and ennt Miami silent. Hlul they rsis Whoso prsls l The hlesseil t hunt. Thunk tiud for Christ James La A Ror Stock tow Christmas Fairy. In tho center of a room place large round tablo covered with green cloth scattered all over wit small boughs of evergreen, frosted from with tinsel. Suspended and chandelier, hanging Just enough npart to admit a little light from above, have garlands sparkling with frost, with the ends fastened t the sides of the table, three-quarte- r of tho way around It. The effect will bo that of a ent. Tho other quarter should be left open, so that one may look Inside and see aa Immense cornucopia covered with silver pap, with its open end toward the front A says the Ladles Home Journal. Christo the It though emerging from mas fairy (a wax doll), sparkling robes of white and allvcr, ahould be ahoui poised. A frosted wreath in end crown her golden curls, hand sho should hold a long all wand. The cornucopia ahould s' to be emptying Itself of bonbon an tr bright candles Into the glittering of the good Fairy. The gtfuihou bs piled Inside the tent and ben be quiw the tablo. The room should adminare children dark when the . |