Pike County Democrat, Volume 29, Number 33, Petersburg, Pike County, 23 December 1898 — Page 3

<m a snowy itmai eve I lered down street. adventure thinking to before tppeared uvu< , .aloti fair. With eyes of blue and cheeks of rose, and waves of golden hair.

Bad stood behind a little group of children poorly clad. Who gazed upon some wondrous show a shopman's window had; And as they wished for this and that, and pointed hero and there. The fairy took me by the hand and tossed > her golden hair; And standing on her Uttle toes, she whispered tn my ear The sweet request that I should bless these little children here. Within my Inmost soul I felt that I must do her wllL I bade her tell them what I knew Aielr Uttle hearts would thrill. Thus each small waif became the owner of the longed-for toy. And sweet It was to know that 1 had brought them Christmas Joy. X stole away and left them with their happy faces there. And wandered through the busy streets to breathe the spruce-rich air. Not long It was. I felt those Angers stealing through my own; My fairy had come back again, those eyes were hers alone. 6be smiled with tender sweetness, and her cheeks were rosy red; “You were so kind to me. good sir. to do just what 1 said. I want to show you how I make this good old city glad. And how 1 carry joy and peace to hearts so often sad." Then, aided by her magic power. 1 fallowed where she led; Above the city's twinkling lights we rose and onward sped. Beyond a shadowy spire we met old 8anta CTaus' sleigh. And took a aeat behind him as the reindeer sprang sway. From house to house we flew, the while the fairy'laughed with glee. And squeezed the good old Santa's hand; I wished that 1 were he. How danced her merry eyes so bright, the good old salat to aid. For as he filled edth stocking small, a present she. too. made. Then, as the midnight chimes rang out. we left the lvtng of Snow. And hurried off to other homes where Santa could not go. Upon each sleeping face my fair companion T left a kiss. Tqat when the sleeper woke he should remember only this. That he had dreamed a happy dream that vanished not with night. But lingered with the Christmas morning's glad and blessed light. Again the fairy clasped my hand, this time m to say farewell. “Before 1 go 1 am quite sure my name I ought to tell. And w'hy I am so happy on this night of all the year. •Tie Christmas day that's dawning; see, its light is drawing near. And soon 'twill be ir.y,birthday, sir. for X .am Love, you know. And Love was born on Christmas day, two thousand.years ago.” —Arthur Cleveland Palmer, In N. Y. Stin, _

sT all came about— the best and happ i e a t Christinas that the Jones family had ever known — through Mr. Jones missing

the train to the city two day® before Christmas. A heavy snow and nun storm had come up is the night, and in the morning the stiburb of Jonesville «ai a thing of beauty to the eye. but a thing of discomfort to the feet of pedestrian*, especially to those who must eatch the early morning train to the city. Breakfaat had been a little late; the coffee had been poor, the muffins underdone and the eggs oterdone; the dining-room was cold and Mr. Jones in one of his most irritable humors. Had his wife been at the breakfast table he would have indulged in a few sarcastic remarks about the Incompetence of women to manage a household or to train and direct servants, but the poor woman had not come down owing to the fact that the baby had wakened and aet up a loud demand for attention just as the breakfast bell rang, little Robbie, three years old, had come downstairs half dressed and had been sent back with a sharp reprimand and— must it be confessed—a sharp slap on his little bare legs. Yea, Mr. Jones was an educated, Christian gentleman, but all the same he slapped his little son no I smartly that the child cried out with pain and started to climb the staira to hia mother. For a moment Mr. Jones realized the atrocity of his act and it* utterly unwarranted nature, and theu | he excused himself to his conscience by sarinc that he was naturally irritable,

and that a cold house, a poor breakfast and the prospect of wading through the unbroken snowdrifts to the train were too much for human nature—his human nature—to bear. As he thusexcused himself his temper began to rise again, and just before leaving the house he called to his wife from the foot of the stairs: "Tell that oH fool Hans that if he ean’t manage the furnace so aa to get the house warm in the morning he can get another job.** Then, remembering that for several dajs hit wife had been telling him that something about the furnace was wrong that Hans could not fix. and had asked him te see about it, he hurried off to avoid hearing her rep|j Ha hta wiffe would fee! ba&br . £ lILkr

= . 1 .'l1!?- - to bare Robbie hear hi* father call names and exploit his ill-temper, bat Mr. Jones was in that very common, very human, yet very cruel frame of mind that finds a satisfaction in ventinf its disoomfort and ill-temper on some other human being; and although he loved his wife and was in the main a Icind husband, yet when he was in one of his “irritable spells’* she was usually the victim. * It was a good half mile to the station, and when Mr. Jones reached it he was In a glow of perspiration, besides being almost exhausted with his walk through the deep unbroken snow. Arriving there, he learned what he had net suspected before, that the storm was one of the heaviest and most disastrous of the season; that wires were down in all directions and that no trains had passed or were likely to pass for some hours. The alternative seemed to be either to stay in the cold and dismal station or to return home. Tlie idea of a morning at home was not very alluring to Mr. Jones. He was at home so little except on Sundays that he really felt quite awkward and out of place there at any time but evenings and Sundays. Then he had not forgotten the encounter with Robbie, nor forgiven the household management for the poor breakfast and the cold house. Just at this juncture a neighbor drove up to the station in a beautiful cutter, filled with furs. His horses were full of life and spirit and their silver bells jingled merrily on the Srosty air. He was accompanied by his wife, w hose rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes and

“Well, Bridget, I believe the best thing in this kitchen would be s new stove entirely.” Bridget’s face brightened. “O sir,” she said, “if only I had a good stove, and the pump fixed, sure I’d stay. I gave the mistress warning this morning.** Again Mr. Jones* conscience pricked him. How often had his wife asked him to be sure and send the plumber to fix that pump. But it had seemed a very small thing to him that stove and pump were out of order, and so he had paid no attention to the matter. Passing into the furnace-room his eye fell on poor old Hans, the man whom he paid a dollar a week to take care of the furnace. He was on his knees in front of the furnace trying with all his poor old strength to shake the heavy grate by means of the iron lever. It was a pathetic face and figure the old man presented. Bridget had overheard Mr. Jones* message about the furnace and had conveyed it to Hans, who had received it as the knell of his hopes; for the poor little dollar that he thus earned was all that enabled him to keep peace with the shrewish daughter-in-law who gave him shelter and a bed. But for some reason the shaking of the furnace had been almost impossible for more than a week, and old Hans was in despair. 'When he saw Mr. Jones he thought the end had come, and the expression of his face as he looked up at him was ludicrously appealing. “What’s the matter, Hans? Has the grate got stuck? Let me try it.” Mr. Jones was a strong roan, but he could not budge the furnace grate. In

THE SLEIGH RIDE.

merry smile told of her enjoyment of the fide. On learning the state of affairs regarding the trains, he said: “Well, wife, it’s no use fretting; there mayn’t be a train till noon. Let’s go home and get the children and have a jolly sleigh-ride. It will be a real lark to have an extra morning with them. ' Here, Jones, jump in and we’ll take you home.” Mr. Jones climbed into the sleigh, well pleased to be saved the laborious walk home. But what affected him roost was the unaffected good humor olf his friend and his friend’s wife. Both were enthusiastically remarking ojn the beauty-of the morning, the trees covered with icicles to the tip of every slender, leafless branch; on the brightness and intense blue of the sky; on the feathery snowdrifts piled on every side. Mr. Jones had noticed none of t hese things; he had been affected only by the inconvenience of the walking and the loss of bis day in the city. But such good humor as that shown by his neighbors was contagious, and, since his attention was directed to it, he realised that the snow-covered landscape virus truly magnificent. “No artist could ever begin to represent its beauty,” said Ms neighbor’s wife. “What Were all the art galleries of the wor’d compared to this?” Bv the time Mr. Jones was set down f at Ids own door, his feelings had undergone an entire change. He felt

ashamed of his petulance, and especially of the slap he had given Eobbie. He determined to find the little fellow and make the best amends he could. He also felt a glow of kindly sympathy for his wife in her care for the babies that was somewhat unusual to the hurried business man. Yetihe shrank from meeting hia wife directly; he was not quite ready to acknowledge the meanness of his irritability and language of the morning, so he decided to go through the dining-room, which was still very cold, and make a detour through the basement and kitchen to look at the furnace. In the kitehen Bridget, who had long teen the faithful maid of all work, stood gazing into the cooking stove, where smouldered a few black dying coals. Her countenance wore an expression that was a mixture of distress and anger. An hour before Mr. Jones would have begun st once to rate her sharply for her badly prepared breakfast. but now he only said: “Why. Bridget, what's the matter with the stove?” “Well, sir, aura there's no dhraft at all at all. and whin 1 thry to make a quick fire there's t^e way it serves me. Sure it's the grate that's broken and dropped down that chokes the fire. A poor gell can't do any cotklng on that stove.** Mr. Jones' conscience pricked him. Mis wife had told him several times about the broken grate; had written down the name and number of the stove and begged him send it from the city, but he had forgotten it. He saw the impossibility of doing any good work with such a poor instrument as this, and then he said: .

stead, however, of calling old Hans a fool and threatening him with dismissal he only said kindly: “Well, Hans, let me go upstairs and get an old coat and we’ll see what’s the matter.” When Mrs. Jones saw Mr. Jones coming up the stairs her heart sank within her. She divined what was the reason oi his return, but what with the baby crying, Robbie still ^undressed, the house cold and Bridget in a temper and g-ciug to leave, she felt utterly overwhelmed, and felt aiso that her husband’s presence would only add to the perplexity of the situation. She had never been accustomed to special help or sympathy from him in her household troubles, and so she regarded him as he entered the room with eyes that were half inquiring and half resentful. “Hello, Robbie, hurry up and get dressed and maybe we’ll take a sleighride,” was Mr. Jones’ first rather sheepish yet altogether pleasant remark addressed to the little fellow who had started to run to his mother on first sight of his father. “And wife,” he continued, “as I can’t get to the city this morning I believe I will just stay at home all day and see if 1 can’t fix up a few things. I am going down now to help old Hans find out what is the matter with the furnace.” Mrs. Jones’ surprise was judiciously concealed while Mr. Jones donned some

old clothes* and then disappeared: into the basement. Two hands proved better than one, and when main strength had dug out a lot of impacted clinkers, the furnace grate swung easily on its pivot and old Hans’ face wan lit up with pleasure. In a little time the furnace began to glow and a pleasant warmth to diffuse itself through the house. Bridget was instructed not to worry trying to make a fire in the kitchen stove, as Mr. Jones expressed the intention of having a new one before noon if a suitable one could be bought in Jonesville. With a bright face she had gone upstairs and informed her mistress of Mr. Jones’ intentions in regard to the stove and the pump, and had said that she would like to withdraw her “warning.” The comfortable glow of the doctored furnace was, however, a small circumstance compared with the comfortable glow of the household atmosphere when Mr. Jones again appeared in his wife's room. What a transformation from the chill, petulant, misery-begetting domestic atmosphere of the early morning. Robbie with the sweet forgiveness of childhood held up his little.face for a kiss and asked about the sleighride. The baby, soothed by the warmth, had dropped off asleep, and Mrs. Jones* cheeks grew pink and her eyes bright tinder the genial looks and conduct of Mr. Jones. “It’s a good thing for a man to stay at home once in awhile,” said Mr. Jones, “and find out the things that need his attention. I declare, wife, I don’t know how Bridget has gotten along with that stove at all. And poor old Hans! ho was not strong enough to move that furnace grats. But it*s all right

now. And as to the sleig}*-ride, I propose, wife, to go and get a sleigh ami take you down to the Tillage to see If wo can’t buy S new store for the kitchen.** “And the pump,” said Mrs. Jones, “can we hare that fixed, too?” “Certainly we can. I’ll devote the day to things. Now Robbie, be ready in half an hour and papa will be hero with a sleigh and bells.” Half an hour later saw Mr. Jones and his wife and Robbie wrapped in furs and dashing through the snow as gayly as his good neighbor had done in the morning. The stove was found In the only little hardware store in the village, and the check that Mr. Jones gave the careworn-looking man who kept the store caused a brightening f of his countenance to a degree that ( attracted the attention of both Mr. and Mrs. Jones. How easy after all to spread happiness! What simple acts will procure and dispense that which money alone can never buy. And since his thoughts had been turned in that direction, Mr. Jones thought it would be a good'thing to buy a snow shovel and give poor old Hans a job of cleaning the walks, thus enabling him to put a special Christinas dollar in his poor old pockets. And so by noon the new stove was set up. and Bridget surpassed herself in the lunch she prepared by its help. Such delicate flaky biscuits, such deftly broiled ham and such perfectly baked potatoes had never been seen under the regime of the old stove. And as Mr. and Mrs. Jones lingered over the cheerful table, Mrs. Jones said:

‘Oh, what a burden is lifted from my heart. Day after to-morrow is Christmas, and this morning I looked forward to it not only with no pleasure, but with dread.' What a transformation, dear, has your being at home today and your loving thoughtfulness wrought in every surrounding of our home. We were cold and inconvenienced and cross; now we are warm, rich in conveniences and comfort, and happy. That was a beautiful snowstorm, but its best beauty for us was keeping you home a day. I feel now as if I wanted to get up a splendid Christmas dinner and share it and our happiness w?ith some one else who is less fortunate than we are.” Mr. Jones smiled. He, too, had thought a few days before that they ought to share their Christmas with friends, but he had checked the impulse with the thought that with the babies and Bridget’s incompetence it was no use to try; it wouldn’t pay. But with the new spirit and atmosphere that had begun to develop in his home his heart went out in genejrous feelings towards others; so true is it that h. f*py homes are the seed-beds of kindness for the world. “There is your cousin John with his wife and two children, and my consin Will with his little ones. Both of them are struggling along with small salaries and I suppose the last thing they would think of would be an invitation from us to dinner, Shall we invite them? If so, I will go to the city this afternoon if there is a train, and invite them and lay in a special stock of good things for the occasion.” As it proved, there was a train about three o’clock; and the man who went to the city on it, bound on his errand of kindness, was an entirely different man from the petulant, moody, disgruntled one who had missed it in the morning. And the final outcome of the whole matter was the happiest and best Christmas that the Jones family had ever known.—Helen E. Starrett, in Chicago Interior. the: mean thing. . i. » n • •

Amy—What did Charley bring you for a Christmas present? Mabel—The mean thing didn’t bring me anything but a sprig of mistletoe.— Bay City Chat. Good Deeds for Christmas. Don’t shut your door to pity the poor, i Give the children a bushel of happi- j ness, and they’ll share it with you. Raise the preacher’s salary—but not so high that he can’t reach it. Make the Christmas tree a green spot in memory. Don’t lose sight of the fact that you J were a boy yourself in the early years of the century. Don’t let the tin horn blast your happiness. Christmas will soon blow over. Make somebody happy, even if you hare to settle an old bill to do it—Atlanta Constitution. Christmas Ere. Secrets, secrets everywhere. Swarms of secrets in the sir! Something's hid from papa's eyes. May and Slyboots look so wise. Even baby’s Ups are close. Folded like a crimson rose; Wee. sweet secrets everywhere, I can feel them in the air! —Youth's Companion. Time Is Besalrcd. “My wife has to take two weeks to do her Christmas shopping.” “Does she buy so many presents?” “No; but she has to go downtown every day and exchange all the thing* she got the day before.”—Chicago Beoord. By Mail or Express. » Oh, sing me not of Christinas past, Forthough that may be pleasant. And Christmas future Just aa bright, I want the Christmas present -M. l^ndburgh Wilson, in Brooklyn Ufa.

HOT WE ATE 131 All the Latest Patterns and Styles to Select from. Suits, $16 and up. Pants, $4 and up. Call and See our Piece Goods and Trimmings. > . C. A. Burger & Bro., Merchant Tailors.

Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis G. Railroad Tim* tebl« In effect Not. 28,1887: Si. Lome Fast Exp. 8:00 a.in 10:4$ a.m 11:08 a.m 11:22 a.m. 11:38 a.m, 8:20 p.m. 8t. Loots Limited. 8:00 p.m. 11:40 p.m. 12:01 a.m. 12:14 a.m. 12:30 a.m. 7:12 a.m. Stations. Leave .Louisville ..... ..arrive Leave.Huntingburg.arrive Leave.Velpen . arrive Leave.Winslow ..arrive Leave.Oakland City—..arrive Arrive.St. Louis*.- .Leave Lontsville Limited. 7.80 a.m. 4:23 a.m. 4:02 a.m. 8:52 a.m 8:37 a.m. 9:15 p.m. LoulsvllhS Fast'Exp. 5:451 :■ 2:35 pan. 2:30 p.m. 2.16 p.m. 1:57 p.m 7:521 Night trains stop at Winslow and Velpen on signal only. R. A. Campbell, G.P.A., St. Louis. J. P. Hurt, agent, Oakland City.

RICHARDSON A TAYLOR, Attorneys at Law. Prompt attention given to all business. A Nota ry Public constantly In the office. Office In Carpenter building, Eighth and Main-sts., Petersburg, ind. ASHBY a COFFEY. O. B. Ashby, 4. C. A. Coffey. Attorneys at Law. Will practice In all coart*. .Special attention given to all civil business. Notary Public constantly lu the office. Collections made and promptly remitted. Office over W. L. Barrett’s store, Petersburg, Ind. g Q. DAVENPORT, Attorney at Law. Prompt attention given to all bntlness. Office over J. R. Adams A Son’s drug store, Petersburg, Indiana. S. M. A C. L. HOLCOMB, Attorneys at Law. Will practice in all courts. Prompt attention given to all business. Office In Carpenter block, fltst floor on Eighth-si., Petersburg. E. WOOLSEY, Attorney at Law. All business promptly attended to. Collections promptly made and remitted. Abstract* of Title a specialty. Office In Frank’s building, opposite Press office, Petersburg, Ind. TH - R. RICE, Physician and Surgeon. Chronic Diseases a specialty.. Office over Citizens’ Blate Bank, Petetsburg, Indiana. T. W. BASINGER, Physician and Surgeon, Office over Bergen A Ollpbant’s drag store, room No. 9, Petersburg, Ind. All calls promptly answered. Telephone No. 42, office and residence.

H.STONECIPHER, W. Dental Surgeon. Office In rooms 8 and 7. in Carpenter build* ing. Petersburg. Indiana. Operations first* class. All work warranted. Anaesthetics ueed for painless extraction of teeth. Q C. MURPHY, Dental Surgeon. Parlors in the Carpenter building, Peters* burg, Indiana. ■*. . Crown and Bridge Work a specialty. All work guaranteed to give satisfaction. fTOTICE is hereby given to all persons lull teres ted that 1 will attend in my office st my residence EVERY MONDAY. To transrct business connected with the office »f trustee of Marion township. All persons having business With said office will please take notice. T. C NELSON, trustee. Postoffice address: Winslow. NOTICE Is hereby given to all parties concerned that I will attend at my residence EVERY WEDNESDAY, To transact business connected with the office of trustee of Madison township. Positively no busluess transacted except on office days. J. D. BARKER, Trustee. Postoffice address: Petersburg, lud. NOTICE is hereby given to alt parties Interested that I will attend at my office in Binds!. EVERY SATURDAY, To transact business connected with the office of trustee of Lockhart township. All persons having business with said office will please take notice. J. L. BASS, Trustee.

NOTICK is hereby giTea to all parties coocorned that I will oe at my offloo at PleasMONDAY AND SATURDAY of each week, to attend to business connected with the office of trustee of Monroe township. Positively no business transacted only on office lays. J M. DAVIS, Trustee Postoffice address Spurgaoa. NOTICE to hereby given to all persons concerned that l will attend at tuy office EVERY MONDAY To transact business connected with the sfflce of trustee of Jefferson township. ■-- Trustee L. B TRAYLOR. Pneloffice address: Algiers, Ind.

THE Short Line TO INDIANAPOU3 CINCINNATI, PI iTSBURGH, WASHINGTON BALTIMORE, NEW YORK, BOSTON, AND ALL POINTS EAST.

No.Sl.south... 6:45am No. 82, north .....*. 10:85am No. 8S. south..... 1:85pm No.84, north.. ... 5:45 pm Per sleeping oar reservations, mans, rate* and further information, call on you nearest ticket agent, or address, F. P. JEPKRi ES,G. P. A T. 4.. H. R. GRISWOLD, A.G.P.A T.A. Evansville, lad. E. B. GUNCKEU Agent, Petersburg, Ind. B.&O. S-W. RY. Trains leave Washington as follows for

BAST BOUND. No. 6 . ... 2:W a. m* No. 12.8:17 a. mf No. 4.7:17 a. m* So. 2. 1:08 p. m* o. 8. 1:13 a. m+ No. 14. arr. 11:40 p. mf • Daily.

WEST BOUND. No. 3 — 1:21 ar. nt No. 13, l’ves 6:00 a. m No. 5.6:01 a. m No. 7 ... .12:19 p. n*| No. 1. 1:12 p. m No. 9.11:08 p. mf

t juaiiy except sunaay. For detail information regarding rates, time on connecting Hues, sleeping, parlor cart, etc., address THOS. DONAHUE. Ticket Agent, B. A O. S-W. Ry., Washington, Ind. J. M. CH E9BROUGH, General Passenger Agent, f St. Louie, Mo ILLINOIS CENTRALRy. ANNOUNCEMENTS. SOUTHERN GUIDE A new 1898, wilt ion .entirely rewritten, and giving facta and conditions, brought H0MESEEKERS1S3H has just been Issued. It is a page illustrated pamphlet, contains a large number of letters from northern farmem now prosperously located on the line of tbo IlUhols Central railroad In the states of Kentucky. Tennessee. Mississippi and Louisiana, and also a detailed write-up of the oltlea, towns and country onand adjacent to that line. To homeseekera or those in search of » farm, this pamphlet will furnish reliable in* formation concerning the most accessible and prosperous portion of the South. Free coplen can be had by applying to the nearest of thn undersigned. Tickets and fnll Information as to rates in connection with the above can be bad of agent* of the Central and connecting llnee. W*. Mcrkat, Div. Pans* Aft., New Or lee an, John A. ScoiT. Die. Pass. Agent, Memphis. 8. G. Hatch, Div. Pass. Agent, Cincinnati. F. ft. WHEELER, O.P.8T. A., I.C.R.R..Evansville,Ind. A. H. Hanson, Q. P. A.. Chicago. W.A.KIUOXD.A.Q. P. A., Louisville M

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