Bloomington Courier, Volume 10, Number 8, Bloomington, Monroe County, 22 December 1883 — Page 2

SATURDAY COURIER

BLOOMINGTON,

1KB.

laBny Holiday Presents.

. j For brothers there is no more accept-

aHe present than arciic overshoes. If any lady has a young and handsome j brother who is rather proud of his per- ! sonal appearance let her buy him a pair J of "arctics"." She should remember that arctics" cannot b? too large, and to j avoid the possibility of a mistake she

I had better ret the largest j,air she can A JDtj GoikIh Dereham Suceensf ui scheme find. If she personally appeals to her fur Ti tyhiff in a Vrtiv stock r brother !o wear the shoes for her sake litrrksi ; and begs, him. to let her know if they Pnck. . pinch his feet, she will do more than she But. there is anothe r scheme fur gett ing j tow gines in the way of promoting har-

PLAVNfU MAY AGAINST DEOKMBKU.

cheap clerks that the dry goods merchant essays, genciaily with great sitecess. It is this: A young man enters the store, and asks for something to do. The employer wrinkles his forehead, works his evebrows down on his nose to jrive him an appearance of being capable of profound thoughts, and says: fSo you wank work?' "Yes." WeH we are full at present. How much do you expect?" 14Ten dollars a week." ;Ten dollars a week! $10 a week!" re- . plies the merchant, snatching the young man's sentence and hurling it back at him like a brick. "Yes, sir," says the young man; "$10 a week;" Then the merchant lies baek in the chair and regards the young man with a patronizing air. "We never give such salary to young, fresh and inexperienced men. We can get men of 50, with years of experience for the sum yon ask. We have no use for boys because they are wild and more bother than they are worth. What we want are men of years and experience. We will give you $2 per week. The young man accepts and goes to work. " Then a man of about 50 walks in and solicits employment. The merchant lies back in his chair so farthat if he happens to be corpulent, he reminds one of the terrapin stretched out in front of a restaurant, with a placard on his under shell informing the pedestrain when he is to be served up. The merchant says, as he did to the young man: "So you want work?" "Yea." "Well we are full at present How much do you want?" - "Ten dollars a week." "Ten dollars a week!" savs the merchant, in a tone that shows that he is in a condition bordering on asphyxia. . fTes,sir,"respond3lheeId man, "$10 ner week." .

Then the merchant lies back in his

. ..chair so far that he barely escapes going all the way over and sliding along the floor on his spine. ,., "We never give such a large salary to old men, because they are slow and decrepit, and in their own way. We don't care for old men, because they have old ideas and are way behind tne times. For the sum you ask we can get bright voung men witn the light , of the morning of life in their feces. They have new ideas, and are mil of vim, and can work five times harder and longer than the fossils who base their claims on an experience that might have been valuable in 1840. We will give you $2 per weak." The old man accepts. And this is the way the merchant plays December off against May, and May oil against December. . . I notice one thing, the more jealous a fellow is of bis gal, the less he really loves her -: . :"-v-: v '

mony and strengthening fraternal affee

Hon. It is opinion of book publishers that: books make the best presents. There is some degree of truth in this, but the books should be selected with great care. Ladies are for the most par t unaware that a series of works of immense interest to thoughtful men has been published b" the United States Government with tho view of supplying the people with wholesome Utereature, This scries is entitled "Patent Office Reports "and each volume is sold seperately. There are few presents that a thoughtful and cultured man would appreciate more thoroughly than one or, two volumes of the Patent Office Report Series. There is nothing in theso books that could do the slightest harm. They are free from infidelity, Mormon -ism 'horses, or anything that could lead the weakest husband astray. When it is added that they are sold at a very low price their pre-eminent fitness for Christmas presents needs no further emphasis. Of course, the most acceptable present that a man can give his wife is a new bonnet. Many men , however, are afrai d to buy bonnets on account of the cost. In point of fact, a bonnet can be boaght ridiculously cheap at certain shops, and it is mere nonsense to pay fifty dollars to a fashionable bonnet-maker. If the astute husband goes to buy a beautiful bonnet trimmed with blue, red, green, and yellow ribbons, and ornamented with a beautiful chicken's wing for a dollar and a half, let him have a ticket marked 47 attached to this bonnet, and then present it to his wile with a neat little speech. She will bo overwhelmed witn delight, and will never for a moment doubt that the present was bought at a fashionable shop and cost $47. Indeed, her gratitude to her h usband will probably greatly astonish him. Gloves can also be bought very cheaply, and no one can tell them from the best kid gloves unless they examin e th em very closely. As for shoes, which are especially dear to the female heart, thej can be had at a quarter of their cost elsewhere. The wife of whom half a dozen pairs of these beautiful shoes are given will, in most cases, be too deeply moved to be able to express her feelings in words. - ' SMILES.

"'Why is it that lightning never strikes twice in the same place?" asked the boy of his parent. "Because it never needs to" was the gruff reply, "Bear Susie," wrote a Newport young man to his girl, "The new stove put up in our office is named Susie. How I will hug it on teal cold days." Some one has discovered that the word "Mormon" is a pare Greek word, meaning a monster, but this wont pre

vent the girls from wishing for more Shakspeare died in blissful ignorance

of the two facts that he wasn't author of

his own dramatic , works and that he didn't know how to spell his own same.

And all the angels in heaven shall sing, On Christmas Bay, on Christmas Bay ; And all the hells on earth shall ring, On Christinas Bay in the morning. Then let us all rejoice amain, On Christmas Bay, on Christmas Bay ; Then let us all rejoice again, On Christmas Bay in 4he morning.

7

The mistletoe,

BAHRY CORNWALL.

When winter nights, grow long. And winds without blow cold, We sit in a ring round the warm wood fire, And listen to stories old ! And we try to look grave (as maids should be) When the men bring in bows of the laurel-tree, Oh I the laurel, the evergreen tree ! ; The Poets have laurels, and why not we ?

Christmas Etra

God bless the little stocking AH over the land to-night, Hong in the choicest corners, In the glow of crimson light! The tiny, scarlet stocking, With a hole in the heel and toe, Worn by. wonderful journeys The darlings have to go.

!

Sata kits.

C. 13. MEAUE.

Sleepy eyes ari softly closing with this fading Christmas day, little dimpled hands are foldedlittle forms are tucked away! little feet all day so busynow so exquisitely curled; Mother thinks the group before her just the prettiest in the world! Bertie, lying like a picture, in his dainty little bed, ..... With his "pretty Christmas playthings" close beside ins curly head! Books and pictures, tops and marbles, whistles, rocking-horse and drumsBaby with her tiny stockings filled with choicest sugar-plums. While sweet Minnie precious darling! with her tumbled, sunny curls Falling o'er her "pitty dollie," robed in satin, laoe and pearls!

Each is equally the sweetest, and we love them all so well. Which of then we hold the dearest it would puzzle us to tell. From our darling, fair-haired Bertie (the dear firstling of our flock), To the precious, helptegs baby, hardly old enough to talk. Oft the mother-heart wilt question : " were we called upon to choose, Which of all ; the precious number we could best afford to lose?" Though I holi life's richest treasures,, mother-love can ne'er iose sight Of the thousand sorrowing mothers who are left alone to-night. Ah! how many hearts are bleeding! and what burning teardrops flow For the loved that blest their fireside only one short year ago ! K6w my heart goes out in pity for the mother-hearts bereft Somahave given one sweet darling others have no baby left ! And tty present joy is shaded with the sorrow that must be When otar first sweet lamb is taken one from out our precious three! , ... ; - ' . ... ..... And with a a tender mother's love and earnestness I pray : 'God in mew spire mat babies till another Christmas day."

v . i J 1

Nothing fills childhood with so much pure and nerfivl de light as its unshaken faith iii the existence of Santa ( -iaus. Beao;iftil thtme . Of childhood's dream ; Beautiful thoughts that mingle With all the joy Of girls and boys, Like tho bells' soft lingle. Beautiful hope Of crystal rope Son't snap it quick In twain : Let no Viord cold Unloose the hold On baby's heart and brain O, mysUc vel), Behind whoie pale The baby mind repose.', Don't lift it yet Or sad regret : Will mar Un-ir beds of roses. O, let them live In realms that gi "t Such pure and sweet del ! gut ! Nor break a charm. So free from harm, That fills their lives with light. O, parent, pause Ere Sania Claus : Is banished from your heft rth - Ere baby's sigh, And piteous cries, In place of joy and mirth. For, in life's spring Sweet flowers cling With tendrils trstiug,ver Let no rude blast Undo their clasp. And thus forever sever.

clay Aduhon received an invitation f r a week's shooting, and extended it to me, as h e wis on lip-top terms with the Holbrook family, who hud sent it. He said if 1 wo -ild not go he, of course, couldn't, and . H he was spooney on Beat ha Holhrouk, iie hosted inn to join hinr. We rntnS.rd v. ja valise, took his gnns. and dopr, and wd1 over the mountain on horseback Rome ten miles to a large oldfashionnd JVrm house nestled in abeantiful snow-dad valiry. The hosise was painted white am! I Horned up in the distance as we pnshel jur horce:? down a nnmuiuin slope towanls i t. Well,, old man, IMi skip a few days now, and toll you that we did very little flheolinsr -and a great deal of sleighing and skaiir, m

much m fact that btore-1 knew it I had

lost my Iioart to Hirttie Holbiook, nnd Aduhon had got along so well t hat i5erth had promised lo become his wife in the spring. I felt angry with myself for falling in love with Hattie, and still more so for iwnnitHng her to read my heart, hut heads and hearts generally c'ash in these mutters, and I found that the dear girl loved ine in return, m there was a sort of tacit and quiet understanding without a ibrmal engagement. You see I was just then on my Leant ends, Uvine a3 the impecunious gne i of an old school fellow aul with no immediate prospects, and! could not bring myself I o speak the words which" almost reached uxy tongue daily. "Our week had expired ard another commenced when old Mr, Holbrook returned from New York, where he had been to buy some implements he required. It was Christmas dny when he drove up to the farm as we all sat at breakfast arranging for ihe dinner party, for several voung "men andf ladies had been invited to meet Aduhon and . myself, who being city fellows were great cards in the mral districts. The girls ran out to welcome the old man, and Adubon and I strolled leisurely, after them, when what was my horror to find in the person of Mr. Holbrook

MY IMPBCDNIOUS CHRISTMAS.

A True Story.

gkg struck New York without the remquisite and didn't know a soul, so after the few dollars I had went I got worried. One night I was broke and pawned my watch, blew the proceeds in and, of course lost; then I moved into a cheap room in the Bowery for which I paid $1 25 a week. It had a lamp and stove in it but I hadn't oil or ftiel.so I used to go to bed after supper, when I had any. My chain, ring and scarf pin went next, and I advertised in all the papers but couldn't strike a jobthere were 40,000 young men out of work that winter. The Btove 1 had was tied together with pieces of wire, and I burned up the alternate slats in my bed, living for three weeks ON; MJPTBBN CENTS A DAY For meals in the meantime; then I burned up the bed-Blats which remained, propped up th e mattress with the stove

and hocked my overcoat to pay the rent. For two days I did not eat a bite, and slept most of the time to keep warm and forget my povertv and .want, because I was too proud to make my. condition known to any of the so-called charitable organizations. The next move I made was to go to a second-hand dealer and trade off my own clothes for a rig which was too large; but as I got $8 to boot I was glad to make the swap; After this was gone and all xay applications for work failed, I decided to leave the city and try my luck in Philadelphia. I crossed over to Jersey City and tackled a Pennsyl vani a railroad conductor, telling him I was broke and wanted to toxich the Quaker city, but he simply laid a hand on my left shoulder and I took the hint. Then I tackled a brakeman und he consoled me with the information that he put three or four oiF the train every night. I waited three or four trains and finally determined to beat my way, and so bought a pint bottle of whiskey, and as a midnight train pulled out I jumped on the pilot of the engine andt rode as far as New Brunswick. Here la

got oft as the depot lights made me conspicuous, but as the train pulled out I sprang on the front platform of the baggage wagon and rode to Trenton. As we left Trenton a brakeman happened to see me and ordered ine o the train, but I gave him my story, and handed him the bottle, told him to take a drink. He said he dared not drink there as ho might be seen and reported, but he'd take the bottle inside and bend his lonely elbow; 1 suppose he did for I never saw him or the bottle again, and I rode out to Philadelphia without further trouble, although I nearly froze to death. J couldn't ge t any work in Philadelphia and had a tencent time of it for r- week, and then beat the Reading: road to Reading where I arrived at midnight hungry, cold and penniless. I walked up and down the streets until I was tired out and got into a big dry goods box to sleep; Fd hardly had the traditional forty winks when a peeler came along and I was told to 'move on,' Expostulation availed not. I had to move, and I had to keep on moving, ior every policeman who came along and

found me sleeping on steps or reared up

Written Exproaely for Our Holiday Ediiicn Sata's tefntf

Little chUdren, pray y ou listen

Just i moment pause; While I tell you something novel 'Bout Old Santa Claus. I have seen his wondrous macaion, Looked among his toys, Which tea thousand magic finsera Shape for girls and boys. And within this mighty castle, Far beyond the sea, 8amta lives in gorgeous splendor, Jolly ae can be. Everythi ng that fancy pictures He does have in store, And his mighty host of helpers Still keep adding more.

Written Kirwly for our Holiday Edition.

Now then, Ponto, hold your head up, Else, my little canine youth, Youbeside our soldier Dodie Will Boem a yery raw recruit. Close your mouth, you naughty doggy ! Open up those great brown eyes; Leam the driU-and then, Dog Ponto, We'll tale the foeman by surprise. 9tandorectr-ah! try again, sir, If at first you don i succeed i You as well as older peopleMust have this motto for your creed. Now, be careful! Ah4 that's better! Brace those nimble little feet ; Don't step backward ! In a battle You must advance, and not retreat. Mark time, Ponto 1-right foot l-left foot! Shoulder : carry ! as you were ! Soldier of the paper headgearSoldier of the coat of fur. Pay attention J ground your armB ! Beppl Bight shoulder, companie! Ah, Dog Ponto ! in the combat, You will make the foeman flee.

w .

mmmt

mam

against a lamp-post said the same thing and I thought of the boy in Dickens who

had to 'move on' all through h is miserable life. My nest railroad trip was in a freight train, sandwiched in between a lot of pind boards in a skeleton car, and when the conductor found me at 5 o'clock one morning I was insensible irom cold and huncer and jammed in between the boards, wrhich had shifted. He put me off, and as the train was off the track and the hands alt busy I went into the caboose, warmed myself and STOLE THE CONDUCTOR'S BREAKFAST, Which I carried into the woods, and I don't think I had a qualm of conscience as I devoured that meal and dranl the coffee. Well, there I was, to all purposes a veritable tramp, and I didn't know whether to suicide or commit a felony so has to get taken care of for a month or two at the expense of the state. 'Why didn't you write to your friends for aid?'! - "That shows you don't know the world or human nature. I was too proud to beg, too honest to steal and couldn't get trusted, but I remembered an oU schoolfellow whom I knew I could trust, and so I started off to find him. . He was book-keeper in a large mill in the valley of the Blue Ridge, and what with walking, stealing rides'on the train and getting lifts from teamsters, I reached a point about twenty miles from the mill. After making a rt vcr toilet I went into the town and asked the telegraph Operator if he would send a message to my Mend, collect, and he kindly ,did so, so I wrote; "I am here, hungry, shabby and a miserable devil generally. I am not presentable to cDme to yon so please came

to me and throw a suit and change of

linen into youi valise. "An answer came in two hours saying that my friend would drive to town early next day and I should meet him at the post-office. , Gad, I slept in a barn that night and was up bright au d early, but as hungry as two men. I had hitherto not asked for a meal, but I was nearly fainished and seeing a jolly looking farm

er driving to town I stopped him and

asked him for a-.dime, I suppose I looked very 'bum' for he touch ed up h is h orse and shook his head. Old fellow, that was the first, last and only lime that I asked charity and the old man's refusal almost broke my heart. I lost the gnawing sense of hunger and sitting down upon the root of a tree burst into tears strangers to me since childhood. "I guess tbat weep done me good for I braced up and went back tq town to await the arrival of my old chum. I saw him drive up to the post-office and sent a lad with a note requesting him to drive a little way out of town as I wa3 so

disreputably clad, but like a noble fellow he followed the boy and insisting on my getting into the buggy so we could drive to the hotel a very decent place, where I stop when I find myself in that section. "Take a fresh cigar, dear boy, and I'll open the next bottle myself, the waiter makes such a botch of it. Where was I, he! I went to the hotel with my friend, and in an hour! had seen the barber.had a bath, and donned a new suit and fresh linen, so that I looked and felt that 'Richard was himself again or words to that effect. I went ho me with Adubon, my friend, and ' as I was a complete wreck from unaccustomed privations and mental worry, I concluded to stay with him a couple of weeks, and m the mean time have him write to several firms in my behalf. By the way, he introduced me to the New York firm I now represent, and I made the most of it, but that's neither here nor there, After I had rested and lived well for a week I was as FRESH AS A DAISY. My friend's clothes and linen fitted me to a nicety, and I was a heavy card out in that section, being an Eastern man. One

whom I had met on the road three

weeks before and asked for a dime to buy a loaf with. I turned red and pale, then a stinging sensation crept over me as though my blood had congealed, and I stopped on the threshold of the door and leaned against the jambs. Aduhon waited until the girls had kissed all the snowfiakes off their papa's beard and then walked down the stoop to welcome his future father-in-law who had not yet climbed down from his buggy. The girls called me to them with a view of inti-o-.ducing me to their father and I slowly walked down the steps with an indescrib

able feeling, but looked him boldly in the face. It was evident that he did not recognize me at the time and I recovered my self-possessiODi somewhat At dinner, as his honored guest, I occupied his right and Adubon his left while next to us were Bertha and Hattie. I do not know that I over ate a meal mere uncomfortably or failed to make myself agreeable to my table neighbors, but I certainly had very little to say upon that occasion and by sy mpthy Hattie wras quiet and reserved. " I imagined two or three times that the old gentleman looked askance at me and the color mounted high each time, but it might be that he was only examining the "young man who was his guest and had been much in the society

of his daughters for ten days. . After dinner I pleaded indisposition and went up to my chamber to smoke a quiet cigar and decide what to do in the premises. I was satisfied that it would not do . for me to remain longer and incur any risk of recognition, and yet to leave suddenly after accepting their invitation to remain until New Year's day would be bad taste and inexplicable. I dare not say a word to Adubon, for, although he would probably have stood by me in any event, yet t was not willing to compromise him with the Holbrooks. Before I retired I

wrote out a dispatch and sent a man off

to town witn it. -;. it was to a menu in Boston requesting him to wire me to come on, as business of importance required my immediate presence. loot an answer at noon the next day and thus had a good excuse to leave at once. Adubon was rather preplexed. but did

not push me for any explanation, and

after BORROWING $50 OF HIM I left for the East. Two weeks later I

nad engaged as clerk m tne house l re

present, and in six months I was on the

roaci ior tnem ax a salary wmcn enamea

me to reimburse Adubon for the loan.

but the other kindnesses can never be

repaid. He married- Bertha and they are in Philadelphia, where he has become

the junior partner in a large manufacture

mg concern. Jbill . up your glass once more, old pal, and hear the end of the

story. - I am going East to-morrow, in

time to be home on New Year's eve, for on New Year's day old Mr. Holbrook, his wife and the Adubons arrive on a visit to Hattie and me, who have been married

one year Jan.-1 .

.. . "Does the old gentleman know that

you are the man who boned him for the

dime. , .....

Bless your heart, yes, and he blushes

11K0 a gin to tninx ne reiusea me, wniie at the same time he laughs at the strait in which I was in on the occasion refer

red to and what is more head mo wledj

that on that Christmas day ne iancied he had seen me before but could nqtfor the life of him plac e me. Mind the step, old

man, merry Christmas and all that sort

of thing . and when you come to JNew

York I'll introduce you to Hattie and make you god-father of the next we've

got one three months old already.

leau of the birth of ChristNaeiwaiaito, with a ll of its accompanying scenei In this tableau, which is gotten up with -gorgeous effect, little girls and boys take part, the former personating angels and -the latter devils. Calcium lights are burned. AlUhat is possible is done to - render the occasion felicitous. This per formance is kept up nntil after midnight, presenting all the Scriptmal incideiite of the occassion. While this is going ou in the theatre the people outside are firing, ;. rockets not such large ones as we have in this country, but a small - one,-with a ? stick about a foot long, which is stuck in the ground and a match applied to the taper, when away it goes up in the blue vault, looking much like a meteor in its flight. The fires on the hills and huni'T": "''' ":"

u reus ui mfse mcioer rocKets m every direction give a weird loek to the night, -and if you are fortunate enough to get into the theatre to Naciamentoy you will be still further impressed with the Oriental aspect of the festival. Formeriy on Christmas Bay the Host , c was carried through the street by the - clergy, in full robes, but now. under the present laws of the Republic, no religious procession is permitted to parade in the public street. A priest is iaot allowed to come into the street wearing his clerir cal dress or any portion of attire which would indicate his calling. ' THE BULL-FIGHT; , Oil Christmas Day in every town in ;r Mexico a grand bull-fight takes place; On the occasion of the Christmas festivities the sons of the wealthy citizens of- v " ten take the place of the trained and experienced matadoi's (those wzo fight the bull ),as well as that of the picadors, who tease and wony the animal into a frenzy in the Plaza de Tord an immense am-

pnitneatre made to seat from two to n eight thousand persons according to the ; population of the place. On the occasion when these rich men volunteer to do the

fighting the proceeds from the exhibition -are given to charity. The usual price for the best seats is quarter real (fifty cents). Tliis price is graded down to a media (six and a quarter cents), this latter giving standing room for children only. Everyone, high and low, rich andpoor, men, women and children, attend

the bull-fight Notwithstanding the low

admission, large sums are realized in this way for charity. :: "

The men of wealth at this time also,

often throw open their palatial residen- .

ces for a grand masquerade ball. , An ad

mission price is charged, music and a supper provided. No one is admitted ex

cept m masque. : It is a public aflair; all go. ... No one unmasks and the proceeds are donated to the city. These balls are

gotten up on a scale of magnificence which would astonish our less obtrusive

people. Ill Mexican is notb mg unless

he is conspicuous. He is all rass and" feiithers, and when ;he , starts out for a

snow ne nas a Dig one. A FESTIVAL FOE THE WOMEN. During the feast of Naciamento the fen male portion of the community are air

lowed many liberties which ordinarily

they are deprived of. Women, as a rule in Mexico liave a dull and uneventml time. They are never allowed to see their gentlemen friends except in the presence of the family. . They never go

anywhere with their beaux unless oc-

f3

IS 4

.1

3T

m

-TO m

i 9

CHRISMS IN MEXICO.

Customs of the Merry Season in the ...1 . '.'; ..... : " Spanish-American Republic.

The Mexicans surpass all other people in the number and duration of their festivals. Between their religious and political holidays there are scarcely left three days out of the seven for business. Any pretext is seized upon to secure a holiday. It will afford a practical man much tliversion to take a Mexican almanac or calender, wherein all the least and fast days are marked with a circular red globe, on which the day of the month is printed; As all business is suspended, stores closed, etc., on both religious and political festival days and a Mexican won't work on a holiday, a live Yankee will at once proclaim a reversion of the old proverb: "All work and no fun makes Jack a dull boy." and read "All fun and no work" makes Pancho a poor man. ' The Christinas festival of Nacir.mento, as it is termed, lnfts usually for two weeks. Christmas Eve is what the Mexican caPs calls Noche Bueno. The day of this night you will see a large procession of men and women, on hoiseback and on foot,marching through the streets, dressed in the costumes of shepherds, after the ancient Scriptural styles. This is what is known as the Pastores. They will continue to march about until Noche Bueno, When darkness approaches the Pastores, and in fact people generally, light hundreds of fires on the hills and promontories in all directions. Anywhere in the Republic of Mexico on Christmas Eve night yon will see fires burning on all the el evated points in the neighborhood. It is a beautiful custom and has an impressive effect. Tho procession oi Pastores is also attractive. After night those in the procession retire to the theatre, ands1;here is, rendered the tab

I I

6

eompaniedby a chaperone. They have 1

no tete-a-tetes, ro association whatever

with gentlemen, except in a general way.

On the occasion of this feast thfnniea JW sonable rules are somewhat relaxed. At jh tliis time if a lady in the presence of .- others should strike you over the head, . with an egg blown full of silver or gold powder (such an act denotes a special preference and is the greatest compli- -ment a lady can show a gentleman), it , would not be considered indecorous, while at other times it would cost her i her reputation. These eggs, filled with c gold or silver powder, are called casce-. rones. They are sometimes tilled with '": flour and when a fellow gets one of these f j latter he is made the butt of the even- I ing. The senorita takes occasion to get ' even with one of the sterner sex who may have at some time slighted her by striMng him, Hnobeerved, with a casce rone of flour. . Another famous amusement at - this . time is cock-fighting. Passing down any of the principal streets you will see rows of men and boys standing in the streets' with cfeickn cocks under then arms in" front of. the cock-pit. If you wish to ; participate in the sport yen purchase a rooster, for which you will have te pay. from fifty cents to one doller and a hau pay your admission to the pit and on en- '. tering announce your; desfre for a con-J -test. Some fellow, who like yourself has become possessed of a game chicken, will wager you his rooster is the better J chicken. The master of the pit will inauire if vou desire slasherV'gaffe- - f

and if they are accepted he will attach Ml them to the natural spurs of the rooster-M w

and charge you a small tax for their use and the service. You can now handle ' your own bird in the contest or allow 'V the attaches of the pit to do so. This custom of allowing outsiders to bring and fight their own birds makes the spo r much more interesting. The admissions to all public entertainments pn Christmas are donated to charitable "purposes, a custom which our people might emulate y to advantage. One continual round X geyety is kept up for two AvceksM Ther v; theatre is kept open, operas performed, etc., "Faust" being the favorite for this season. Every device known for pleas- r ure is brought into requisition. Nothing; seems to be thought of except how for have a good time yourself and make others do the same. If you want to witness a saturnalia of pleasure be in Mex

ice on tne occasion oi tie lestivai or Naciamento. :r.-'"

Chrlsim Tree CulttvaUonB. . Plant your tree in a small washtub,S filled in with brickbats, or a kfd of harcp coal, or. any thing that is heavy and witt keep it ir place, and cover over the tulr with a gayiy-striped afghau, or a fur rob or a flag, and upon this base many-of tho larger articles, such ,as bopk8, jtesksi etc., can W"aiiTO;;;.e children can manufacture many beautiful decorations for the Christmas tree, in which feey will take quite as much? pleasure as W they were from the fancy ehops. Wifl: f a few sheets of gilt, blue, scar!iet and sE- i ver paper cut into tiny steipes four ini ches in length and half an inch in width you can make long chains to entwin . from bough to bough of the tree. With' a bottle of mucilage paste the two ends of the strips together until haM ! of them are made into rings; then make up some more by slipping one end: through two rings and joining them together. Let the three rings become dry and then& join them into four garlands. ; Suspend around the outer branches cf the tree from top to bottom. Twenty yards will be needed to trim a large tree, twelve fog ; a small one. -.' - " , If you possess a broken looldng glass carry it to the, glazier and have it cut,; into bits three inches by two. . Paste a bit of brown paper ever the back of the: glass and bind the edges with stoipa of . gilt or scarlet and blue papers, and pastea bit of ribbon or paper at the top to suspend them from the boughs. You can not have too many tiny mirroiB. : .

Little lace bags maae of bomnet lace or.wash illusion, by running them tocitttha wi th scarlet. ilue. and zold eolor-

ed worsteds, and using a bit of it for string to draw them together, are also. very desirable when mled nuts rf raisins, and sugar plumsfo? children, 3

1 - ,. ; H

5 r

I 'K ,

....fc.