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 â- ^Tf? »iu- THE LEQEK I) J)r SAISI .IiIGRQMgt In old Italian Ktorf, «re 11»a0oe went astray, Cfl^, ^vf^' t ?^ Misled by wealth and glory, in stem, sad Dante's day, ' i A certain Knight, in hard-foofht fight, was captoied by his foe. Who swore a fierce, nnknij^^^ oi^ iM would not let him go Withoat a ransom snch as might a king or prince set free â€" Jen thousand eolden crowns paid down â€" and that right speedily. The Knight renised these cruel terms they cast him then straightway Into the castle's ovhliette, where one poor lMf a day And draught of water â€" less and less â€" were let down by a cord. While a hoarse voice above exclaimed " By otder of my lord Again I ask, wilt thou, Sir Knight, make t«ms f or thy release? If not â€" to-morrow â€" any day â€" uiy dole of food may cease." " I will not cast my children's bread to dogs," the answer came. " I will not bring my babes and wife to beggary and shune. I cannot raise ten thousand crowns â€" nor would I if I could. Far better that my enemy should triumph in my blood Than Pia with her sweet sad eyes, and Nella with her smiles. And sweet Costanza, rosy-lipped, all kisses and all wUes, Should com« to poverty through me for who is there but knows The hardships that a maid of rank, undowered, undergoes!" ' But his lady fair discovered where her lord was held in prison. In her woman's might, for her own true Knight, to the rescue she has risen. She has mortgaged their castle stem and grim, and all she can sell has sold She has pledged the dower she brought to him for three thousand crowns in gold She has pawned her tapestries, lace and plate, her jewels and robes and furs â€" There is nothing in all her cofifers left of the treasures that once were hers. Still, lands and stuflf were not enough to set the captive tree A thousand golden crowns she lacks to buy his liberty. She has takeii her three little girls by the hand, Costanza, NeUa, and Pia, And she stands with shame on her glowing face, in open day in the market-place. She holds out her hand with a piteous grace, and alms drop down at her feet apace. For her wifely courage and woeful case melt the hearts of all who see her. The ransom was completed thus by public charity. They weighed the gold, its tale they told they set the captive free. The gallant Knight with armor bright he to the fight had sped A broken cripple he came back, with bowed and silvered head. He entered his courtyard still and bare no wife came forth with greeting Costanza, Pia, and Nella were there, with tearful eyes and a frightened stare, " Where is your mother, children â€" where Is this our longed-for meeting?" '• Oh father, come you must make her wake she lies all white on her bed." They took his hand and they led him up to the chamber of the dead. A dull despair came over him there, and it lasted many a day. The damp, the mould, the cruel cold of that fatal cell on his life had told They had made him a man prematurely old, and had turned his black locks gray. Not far from the good Knight's garden wall a little low hut there stood, Where he whom we call Saint Nicholas dwelt, then only known as the Good. We know how he looks from our story-books, as he travels our land of snow. But he was a Florentine cobbler once, in the far off Long Ago. He was old and gray, and merry, they say, and his cheeks though withered, were red. His dress was leather, whatever the weather, with a hood to pull over his head. He saw the Knight sit night after night alone in a big straw chair He could hear him groan as he sat alone, and wrestled with dumb despaip. " I shall die I am dying," was ever his plaint "and alas when I am gone. My three poor portionless pretty maids will be left in the world alone. These poor little feeble creatures left to the cruel mercies of men â€" Costanz I seven, and Nella eight, and Pia, the eldest, ten. I cannot even provide the fee each convent asks with a nun, Father, strengthen my heart for me till I say, Thy will be done " " Alas alas " good Nicholas cried, when he heard the sad Knight's words, " I see it needs hope to prop up faith and to bend our wills to the Lord's. Last night I saw Costanza sweet feed a bird with her scanty bread. And blithe little Nella blew me a kiss as she mounted the stairs to bed And motherly, patient, pious, and good is the eldest of all of them â€" Pia 1 think the angels must love tat child as they bend from their thrcnes and see her Patiently sewing and mending by night, and hearing her sisters prarers. And folding their clothes and making them neat, with her little motherly airs. I have gold in my chest the Lord has blessed my labors from day to day Three thousand crowns in gold I hold till He shall give it away. 'Twas His by vow, long, long ago, and now I wait His word To say in my heart, 'Rise, do thy part, bestow the gift of the Lord-' I seem to hear that voice draw near. Speak, Lord is it really so My dearest Lord, may I spend my hoard In Thy name may I go " And rain on this desolate house a shower, a shower of golden rain. Till each sweet flower beneath its power shall blossom in hope again But, ah I must do my part in stealth, for kindness may be unkind If it woundeth the pride of a noble race, and leaveth a sting behind." He sat down then on his cobbler's bench, and he made him a bag to hold, Packed close and tight, a thousand bright red crowns of Venetian gold. The bells at midnight rang ojit clear on Christmas Eve so merrily When the good man crept like a thief in the night on his errand of charity. The sad Knight keeping his lonely watch sat still in his big straw chair, And the maidens three in their purity asleep in their chamber were. He gave one lookâ€" good aim he took â€" the bag fell flop on the floor It burst, and out of it round the Knight a golden shower did pour. Upon the bag there was written thus " Take this and dower thy Pia, (iod loves the faithful, and His eyes with sweet approval see her." Down on his face the father fell, the gold all scattered round him. ' Cod will provide," a kind voice cried " never again misdoubt Him." The next night came good Nicholas, cautious, by by-paths creeping. When all the town had gone to rest, and the three babes were sleeping. ' How shall I fling my bag," he said, " to-night for little Nella I Would not have it miss its mark, and yet to-night the house is dark I cannot see of light a spark, from coping-stone to cellar." But as he spake out peeped the Moon â€" sweet Lady Moon soft-hearted. And with a smile the curtain clouds that hid her face she parted. She let a shining beamlet fall where the old Knight was lying, And in a moment, quick as thought, another bag came flying. The Knight sprang quickly to his feet, still deeming he was dreaming. But through the window on the floor a flood of light was stre»ming, And Lady Moon peeped down to see (for she had none to tell her) How tlie glad father jojrfuUy received the bag marked ' Nella." The third night came, this time all black with clouds and drenching rain. Saint Nicholas to his good work crept stealthily again. He carried in his hand a bag on v hich were writ these words • For her who, though in need herself, yet fed God's little birds." j But as he raised his arm to fling this his last gift of gold, Two arms behind him clasped him tight, with a convulsive hold. The arms that grasped him were the Knight's. " Oh, Nicholas," cried he, " Servant of God, why should you seek to hide yourself from me Here in my little maidens' names I humbly kiss thy hands, And pray this deed that thou hast done be told through many lands." " Nay, nay, Sir Knight, I beg, I prayâ€" I kneel upon my knee- Let this tiling be a secret kept between thyself and me. I love, when all are sound asleep, to creep by stealth at night. And comfort little lonely babes, or add some new delight To those that happy homes provide for good girls and good boys. If watched, how could I carry round my sweetmeats, cakes, and toys Bo silent, then. Sir Knight some day my mission wiU be over Then tell them all (for then you may) I was the children's lover." I5ut as he spoke the midnight bells seemed as by one endeavor To ring out softly like a chime. T?"r-»^cr_e-.-er â€" ever Foreverâ€" everâ€" ever Eight hundred years have passed, and still the good saint has permission Ou every Christmas Eve to start upon his happy mission. y.e o rries roimd the world that night (to fill «ur hearts with wonder) itts to niVse children's Chri3tma8l)right, and burst their socks asunder. J lis name is now a household word, to no one land restricted, But world-wide and " for evermore," as the church chimes predicted. ^Ve know him, love him his pet name we hail with glad applause. All happy children's patron saint, our own dear Santa Glaus. â€" Harper's Magazine for December. A Fine Fellow. He may he, but if he tells you that any Premnition in the world is as good as Put- •wni's Paiak^ss Com Extractor distrast the aivice. Imititions only prove the value of l;ntiiani"s Painless Corn Extractor. See JJo'iahire on each bottle of Poison Co. 'St '•Putnam's." The question why soften," "hasten," t" is silent in "often," castle," and kindred *ords, has been explained tm ti»e groitndof physiology and environment. This e:qilBa- «iou ia entirely correct, the " t" in the *«rl3 named being placed between conson- ants which are pronounced more easily than the hard and sharp " t " is As a matter of convenience or laziness therefore the •' t " was dropped, and the less pedantic pnaran- elation hiu become the standard. Colonel Ingersoll declares that " no nUkn Iia»ft fudrt to efwn mora land than he can nse"^heG^neI'skodd explain theqses he has for one half a ranch in New Mexico, ninety -miles long and axty miles wide. time enberttiubi «t dinner and aoMmg tiww peeâ€" it jbei»kii^rfte«fid tt^, ^, looki, etc., as the style ti tiikt cIms of AmeriquiB who are alwrai hnMlkg thdr nationality in the dwt in tiw ^fiv^ to extract their individnal independfldoe. T particnhur gentienan, over tha winea a^ w«lnats after Anaer, in order -io his own independence rf dispoaitian, which he was loadly boastful, remarked to General Jackscm " I always vote against yon, sir. The comnany was naturally rendered speechleas by this onexpected' diaclowire, and the aceme actually kioked aqnally Irat Crmeral Jackson pat a stopper oo tiie boast- ful individual and avoided fnrthw troable by smilii^Iy remarking " And I, sir, have always fonght the bat- tles of my country that you might enjoy that privilege." Anouier instance of a happy response is that of an old Southern judge, but whether judge by courtesy or in fact, the writer can- not state, who must have had the faculty of quick and appropriate reply pretty well developed, if the story related of him is true. Speaking at a certain place one evening in the interest of his own candidcMsy ^f Con gress, some one in the audience, who evi ctently had a good memory, inquired " Didn't you speak here just before the war?" " I did," promptly responded the judge. " And didn't you say we could whip the dumed Yankees with pop-guns " "I did," replied the unabashed judge, " but confound 'em, they wouldn't fight that way." Peculiarities of the Trout. A writer in Chambers' Journal says, put a quarter pound trout, along I with others, into a periectly' barren loch. In two years some of these trout attained to four and a quarter pounds weight, develop- ing huge fins and square or rounded tails, lost all spots, took on a coat of dark slime, grew huge teeth and became ferocious in that short time. The conamon brown trout, taken from a very high bum in the hills, in two years became indistinguishable from the sainlo ferex. The first year they grew to a pound or a pound and a half, took on a bright silver sheen of scales, were deep and hiKn shouldered, lusty and powerful. This was when their feeding and condition were at their best but as the food decreased the trout rapidly increased in number, spawning in innumerable quantities, and with no ene- mies the larger fish began to prey on the smaller, grew big teeth, swam deep and lost color, grew large fins and a big head, and be- came salmo ferex, so called." a e**t forty yeara ago; is* now worth flOO,- 000. His 'fortune is all »«ia!g to his own Energy, indnatry and imgallty, and thHaot that an undo recently left him $99,999.99. TOITKC! 1IIE?I suffering from the effects of early evil habitB, the result ot ignortmce and folly, who find themselves weak, nen'oua and exhausted also Uis- DLa-AOSO and Old Hbx who are broken down from the effects of abuse or over-work, and in advanced life feel the consequences of youthful excess, send for and HAD M. V. Lubon's Treatise on Diseases of Hen. The book will be sent sealed to any address on receipt of two 3c. stamps. Address If. Y. LUBOK, 47 WeUing:. ton St E. Toronto. Ont Troubles are hard to take, though they strengthen the soul. Tonics are always bit- ter.â€"?' DtWitt Talmage. A CFRE FOR DRUXKBIOfESS, opium, morphine, chloral, tobacco,, and ieuKdrt* habit*. The medicine may be given in tea or coffee without the knowlec^e of the person taking it if to deairtd. Send 6c in stamps, for book and testimonials from those who have been cured. Address M. V. Lubon, 47 Wellington St. East, Toronto, Ont. Cut this out for future reference. When writinsr mention this paper. Slippery places may fling up the heels of great giants, and little temptations may overthrow well-grown Christians. â€" Lee. Catarrh, Catarrhal Beafness and Hay Fever. Sufferers are not generally aware that these diseases are contagious, or that they are due to the presence of living parasites in the lining membrane of the nose and eustachian tubes. Microscopic research, however, has proved this to be a fact, -and the result is that a simple remedy has been formulated whereby catarrh, catarrhal deafness and hay fever are cured in from one to three simple applications made at home. A pamphlet explainmg th new treatment is sent free oo receipt of stamp by A. H. Dixon b Son, 808 iKing Street West, Toronto, Canada. A. P. 311. F«R SALE CHEAPâ€" On Easy Termsâ€" Im- proved Farm of 200 acres, valued at 88.000 to 910,000. Price only 930 per acre. Address M. J.' KENT, London, Onl SONGS inn nnn sheets of 6 loc. music; '30.000 lUUfUuU Plays,' Brass Inst's, VVioUns,' 'Flutes,' 'Fifes,' and Musical Inst. Trimmings, at reduced prices. B. B. BUTLAND, 37 King^ W., Toronto. 100 new and popular songrs sent free to all who send 4 cents to payposfa^e. 1 00 pieces choice music 6c. Catalogue P. O. VICKERY, Augusta, Maine. " â€" 11 I II â- --â- '!- T GCELPH BnBlBesR College, Gnelpta, Ont. Began the Third Year Sept. Ist, having already received patronage from Ten States and Provinces. Young men and boys thoroughly prepared for busi- ness pursuits graduates eminently successful ' special courses in Shorthand, French and German; ladies admittM. For terms, etc., address M.MA0CORMICK Principa]. free. LBAKN SHORTH.l}n» AT HOMEâ€" AND GET BIO PAY. Pitman's Shorthand is the most iLUivsiiOCBLT siMPLB AND THoitoueH in tke world. It ia complete in ftftbbn IiBBSOSS, and we guarantee can be tiioroughly mastered by our course of mail lessons. Don't fail to send at once for circulars. UsiON Short- Hakdbrs' Acaobmt, Mail Lesson Dept., 89 Adelaide Street East, Toronto. • I w R. SPENCE CO. I Consumers will find it to their advantage to ask the trade for our make of files and Rasps. Re^nttlng a Specialty. Send for price list and terms. h' HAMILTOW ONT, YOUNG WIVES 1 Tas MAMtTABB OnnB for the marrird and those intending to marry, including evenHiing relating to tlie philos- ophy of generation and the mntoal relations ot aaa and woman â€" 400 pages copiously illustrated by en- gravings and oolorM platesâ€" post-paid f5.00. J. H. GRAM, Box 356, Toronto GET GOOD ^GUNS Thb LAnessT SroRTnra Goods Dku.br jh Caxabx 09 BAY ST., TORONTO. I)ickeiJnan Hwmmerless Single Breecfa-Loader, c]iol[ed,tniaRUBteedpattem with each gnn. $U 00 Remington Carbine, fiO od., aocorate shooter, :^:^£ouis^it«,r, Whi^rtarted w^hwitf^*^-^;,^^^^^^^^ ^^ SideaiapEagUih'DoaUevBnaeMiMdflif,' W-M-dOiireB 69 Bay St., Toronto. ahtemMit fMm ITBiliail. fHssiiMlilii ** Sw L" YiowMt pfioMlotbs tmd*. Ws«i« I in euada tor MeSiMrt OrtrimtodffMra Om- Writs tar qiytsttgin. "'â- "' " rABKAMV CtrirtiM g Carte liy M. Onr Cud PaAagM for ttie Msaon 188IK7 ate IMW i«a4y. and ambrace the beat Cards of the leadinc maksn, all wdl asMitedâ€" no two in a packet alikeâ€" INWti^Ce prepaid. riBcket He. 1, Ito U eeats. It CBvis, " », " w " i» " « S, ** M ** U ** ** " 4, « T5 " It •• " ' S, ** ^1 M, It ** ** 8ILK-FRINQED CARDS. racket N*. 1, for ts ecats. « Cards, aaaarfcd. *â-  a « »m 4( |» «t « f 9 ti AA "ft " " " 4. " 75 " A " ** 5, " $1 M, • " •, " 1 a», • " " Birthday Cards may be assorted with large packets. Orders also filled for Satin Cards, Screens, Book Marks, c., at lowest rates â€" rash or stamps to accom- pany orders. To Agents, Teachers, Dealen, or any one ordering $5.00 worth, an extra One Dollars' value will be sent free. A $10.00 remittuice will insure an extra Three Dollars' valne. MATTHEWS BROS. CO.. 93Y0NCEST. TORONTO TH£ 8ETH THOMAS WATUH It its- indnce* â€" t dspos lL sad uader ttw sapsnirioeol Imonuies.PsiMraaeiitKtOttsws CowpfdtipSjiolfciHiiil,; AMriM. GsBM^ Manager, 1 t« WwHBt^Mt. 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I have made jlic diaeaaeorPlTS, KPILRa'ST orFALIr IMG SICKNESS a llfe-lonr atndr. 1 warrant mTremedr to care the worat caaea. Because nthera h.Ts (ailed la no Nsaon for not now receWInc a cttre. Seud at once for • tnattae and a Prse Bottle ol mj tnraUlblv remedy, aiv* bpreat and Post Office. It cosM yon nothlBc for â-  trUL •nd I will cure yon. Addreta DK. U. O. KOOT, 6raicli(lce,37Iiiii£eSt,Tiirosti. Silver Plated Ware. Artistic Designs, combined with Unequalled Durability and Finish. HAMILTON, ONT. __ HAMILTON i SCALE CO. RtRMERS'HAY CATTLE SCALES. One of these Scales makes an elegant XMASPRESENT CHAMPION UNION SCALE Capacity ioc to 240 lbs. With weights oom- AQ plete, • • vOs Every household should have one. Mention this paper. OSBORNL M'Y.,?^„^^ DMMCa^irE. Hamilton, OMt. Capacity ios. to lO lbs. »6. •THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT -«^ GLYCERINE AND OIL W DRESSING A BEAUTIFUL VyATERPROOF. A PATENT LEATHER POLISH FOR BO0TS.SHOES RUBBERS -SOLDEVERYWHERE- Cmmli'sRnlilierFoctetMal^ OZONIZmNiuLANT. CUKB FOR COLDS, CATARRH and BRONCHITIS Alwayr ready. Recognized by the Pr^ fession. 600,000 In «â- â€¢â€¢â€¢ See Drug- gists, if not kept by them, sent by mail or aipress en receipt of 91.00. CONSUiPTIVES. Send Stamp for Pamphlet on LUNO POOD. New and snocessfel treat- ment, for- the delicate, the enfisebled, the emaciated of either tez and ot anv age. HQTUItJI ^AN BE CURED. â€" Send for Mv i nDlfl Pamphlet. W. R. OrwNb. M. D^ St. Cacharinas, Out. Canada. la:CMUUUe WOOD J ONES â- INGRAVLR â- QRONTO CONSUMFTION. I hsT* a poiltlTe reasd J tar tbe iliora at Mue b r It* ne« ueiiHnda oteaeet of tli* worn kind au-i of Iodk stuidiiic â- av* bMB eared. Iide«d,.«a strong l my faith In lu •Oeaey, tbet I wM eend TWO BUTTUS PBKE. toKetbkr with • yxVajLSlM TaBJTIM on tUi iBium i« anv â- srer. OlTeeipntn and P. O. addreM. OS. T. A. SLOOUM, B r aa o hOffle9,37Yange St., Toronto The Best Xmas Gift. A MAGNIFICENT FAMILY BIBLE, contoininjr the Authorized Edition of the NewTestament I and the Revised Version of 1881, arranged iu parallel columns, with Cmden's Complete Concordance em ""cing eveiy passage of Scripture in the largest editions A comprehensive Bible Dictionary in which every important Scriptural Word is fully expluned A complete history of each book of the Bible beautifully illustrated Cities of the Bible, with descriptive sct^nes ancl events in PaUstioe- Jewish and' Egyptian antiquities Bible Soeneiy Manners and Customs of the Ancients National Historv • Bible Aids for Social Prayer A History of the Jewish Worship Bible Antiquities Recent Explorations in Bible Lands Historj' of Herod, King of the Jews, etc., etc. Apocrypha and Psahns A concise histon- of all reli nous de nominations, and many other important and useful aids to the study of the Holy Scriptures ail written to increase the interest in and simplify the study of the Word of God, by the following eminent Bibliesil writeâ„¢ and authors :â€" Rev. Alex. Nevin. D.D., Rev. Thos. H. Home, D.D-.Hev. Wm. H. Monroe. Rev Son-uel P^^ D.D., Rev. G. F. Maclear, D.D.. Rev. F. W. Farrar, B.D., Rev. Jno. Esdie, D.D., LL.D. Rev Wm F" I' Jackson, Prof. A. L. Rawson, LL.D., Rev. Wm. Smith, LL.D., Rev. W. Houghton, M.A.. Major C W Wilisnn' R. K the whole embeUished with TWO THOUSAND ILLUSTRATIONS inrteel, and wood and in cZâ„¢' Chromo-Uthographs of Scriptural Natural History, Botany, and Zooloev. Elegantly bound in heavv em bossed gilt leaUier, making a most durable bopk. Bibles no better have been and ate being sold dailv throughout the oountiy by agents for twenty dollars. I wiU rive any one this Bible free if they ^1 send m^ only WOHT TSARLT stTBSCRiBBKa, or sixteen half-yearly subscribers to Truth, tog^er with the aubscrintinii price at the rate of three dollars (SS) per year. Or I will sell the Piblk for Eight Dollabs akd Fiftt Ckâ„¢ (9a50), receiver to pay express charges. 8. FRANK WILSMI, Truth Office, Toronto, Can. v^»"â„¢ FARMERS AND THRESHERS I USE OW YOUR IWAOHIN ERY ONLY -THE WELL-KNOWI^ PeerlessOil 8AMUEL ROQER8 '^fm^^^^ Ca TORONTO. M ^iagSjjSmi^ mM