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house. It was the duty of a servant to Joosen the sandals of his master and â€"â€"He understood _ the character and power of him whose coming he heralded. Shoesâ€"These were sandals simply covâ€" erihg the soles af the feet and bound upon them with thongs, or leathern atrings. Not worthy to bearâ€"The sanâ€" dals were removed _ upon entering a 11. He that cometh after meâ€" John does not lose sight of the fact that he is but the forerunner of Jesus, nor is he silent regarding it. Mightier than I 10. and even now (R. V.)â€"Moral and spiritual character from this time is the test that determines destiny. No mere externalism avails anything. the axe is laid unto the roof of the treesâ€"The figâ€" ure is that of a woodman who is examinâ€" ing the trees of his orchard to determine which are profitable and which are not, with a view to cutting down the latter. This may refér to the Jewish nation which was soon to be destroyed because of their rejection of Jesus, but it also has emphatic reference to _ individual character and destiny. _ bringeth not forth good fruitâ€"This expression teaches individual responsibility. What we are determines our fruit, and our fruit shows what we are. III. Christ‘s mission announced (ve. 11, 12). the H:Itintâ€"â€"!le was the son‘of Zacharâ€" las a Elizabeth, both of the priestly wike (Luke 1: 5.) Klizabeth was a couâ€" sin of Mary, hence John and Jesus were second cousins. John was consecrated as a Nazarine (Luke 1: 15), according to the yow given in Num. 6. All that we know of his history from his birth to the beginning of his public ministry is contained in the verse, "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was on the deserts till the day of his showing _ into Israel" (Luke 1; 90.) Preachingâ€"John was divinely commisâ€" sioned, therefore he had a message. Me proclaimed the speedy coming of the Christ. Wildernessâ€"This was not an unâ€" inbabited region, but one thinly populatâ€" ewd. It was the wild country west of the Jordan and the Dead Sea. 2. Kepent ye »â€"Repentance includes sorrow _ for sin and and a turning from it. ‘Fo repent implies a change of purpose and that rew purpose shown by right conduct. Kingdom of heavenâ€"IThe _ Jews . were Jooking for the Messiah and expected Their boast was vain. If simply to be the descendents of Abraham would seeure the favor of God, there could easâ€" ily be multitudes in that class, for God would take the stones lying along the Jordan and make of them children of Abraham. in the deserts where _ locusts abount. Wild honeyâ€"Honey was found in abundâ€" anmce, deposited by. bees in trees _ and clefts of the rocks. Honey and locusts were often mixed as an article of food. EKlijah was a type of John. The two were alike in their disposition and manâ€" ner of living. 5. Went out to himâ€" Jehn‘s preaching place was in the desert but the people found him. ‘There was intense itnerest. The Messiah was being anounced. Multitudes came from near and from far, insomuch that Matthew says, _ "All Judea, and all the region round about Jordan." 6. Baptizedâ€" John was preaching reepntance, and in presenting themselves for baptism . the rnple declared that they did repent. ‘his application of: water to the body was a sign of the inward work of reâ€" pentance. ‘HW. The Pharisees reproved (vs. 7â€"10). T. Pharisees and Sadduceesâ€"The interest arused by John‘s preaching affected all classes. ‘The Phaisees were a set of Jews claiming to be the strict observers of the law. Their name means "separaâ€" tion." At this time their religion was formal and lifeless. The Sadducees were materialists, denying the resurrection and the existence of spiritual beings. come to his baptismâ€"The announcement of the coming Christ attracted them. Some were doubtless genuine seekers afâ€" ter truth, but more were merely curious or seeking after worldly advancement. generation of vipersâ€"The serpent in the Bible is an emblem of evil. John underâ€" stood the character of those to whom he spoke and addressed them as a brood of vipers or serpents. who hath warned youâ€"Has any preaching or exhortation moved you to realize the deceitfulness and selfishness of your hearts? the wrath to comeâ€"The divine indignation, or the punishment that will come on the guilty.â€"â€"Barnes. This can be escaped only by experiencing the inward change set forth by this fearless preacher. 8. fruit worthy of repentance (R. V.)â€" They had not shown themselves truly penitent. The fact that they desired baptism, or even that they had been baptized did not change their nature. Repentance is manifested by an awkâ€" ened conscience, godly sorrow for sin, conftession and reformation. 9. we have Abraham to our fatherâ€"Th eJews boastâ€" ed of their descent from Abraham and depended upon that fact largely for fuâ€" ture salvation. Even the added advanâ€" tage of baptism would not constitute them children of God. Ancestry could not save them. children unto Abraham 1. In those daysâ€"About midsunumer A. 1». 26 John the Baptist began his minâ€" istry and continued a half year before Christ appeared as a public _ teacher. Jesus was still living at Nazareth. John Sunday School. 3. This is heâ€"â€"Matthew refers now to the prophecy concerning‘ John. _ Esiasâ€" This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Isaish, ‘The propheey oceurs in Isa. 40: 3. ‘The voice â€"Attention is not drawn to the person of the speaker, but to the message. John did not wish to exalt himself. He was willing to be simâ€" piy a "voice" proclaiming th ecoming King. Crying in the wildernessâ€"There wus activity and earnestness in deliver iny the message. ‘The propheey was litâ€" erally fulfilled as to the messenger, the message and the place. Prepare ye the wayâ€"â€"The King was soon to come and suwtable preparations must be made. In ancient times the approach of a monarch was heralded long enough beforehand for the inhabitants of the country through which he wa« to pass to put the road in readiness. Valleys were filled and hills lowered. raiment of camel‘s hair _ was nothing elec than that sackeloth of which we read so much in the seriptures." Leathâ€" erv girdleâ€"Undressed skin. The girdle was used to gather in and hold _ the loose flowing garments worn in the East. Meatâ€"*"Food"â€"R.. V. _ Locustsâ€""The common _ brown locust is about three inches in length and the general form is that of the â€" grasshopper."â€"Harris. This was the food.of the poor who lived him to establish a kingdom of earthly splendor. ‘Their views were wrong, brit they maintained them tenaciously. ‘The new kingdom was to be spiritual. Christ was to be King, to rule in the hearts of men. At handâ€"It was only _ a _ few months, or possibly a few days, before the King would appear to establish the 4. A raiment of camel‘s hairâ€"A cloth made from the long and shaggy hair of the camel. Bishop Porteous says, "This lt“-nwy.â€"l. John‘s coming . (vs €). % kingdom LESSON 1.â€"JAN. 2, 1910. Heâ€"Why, then, they just suit your golden hair.â€"â€"Meggendorfer Blaetter, Sheâ€"I have just discovered that the diamonds in the diadem you gave me last vear are false. Then we may bless its r‘ecloul things It earthly cheer should come, Or gladsome mount on angel .ngs If thou shouldst take us home. Our hearts in tears may oft run o‘er But, Lord, thy smile still beams; Our sins are awelilng evermo®e; Lord! from this year more service win More glory, more delight! O make its hours lees sad with sin! Its days with thee more bright! Break, newâ€"born year, on glad eyes break Melodious voices move! On. rolling Time! thou canst not make The Father cease to love. The parted year had winged feet; The Savior still doth stay; The New Year comes; but Spirit sweet, Thou goest not away. And swearing, also, I‘ll avoid; Please don‘t say that I seoff, For swearing I hate so very much, I‘ll e‘en stop swearing off. And spending money, too, I‘ll quitâ€"â€" As soon as it‘s all goneâ€" That is, unless my wa‘tch will bring Ten dollars more in pawn! And flirting? Well, it‘s rather hard; But like eures like, they say â€"â€" And so to break myself T‘ll try The homeopathic way! to mare for them. This was a lowly service, yet John declares himself upâ€" worthy to perform it. Baptize you with the Holy Ghostâ€"The baptism . with water was an outward act, the baptism with the Holy Spirit was inward. "While John could only bid them repent, and symbolize their â€" purification | by the washing of water, Jesus could â€"really purify them, and give them a new heart by the Holy Spirit, and the fire of divine life and love."â€"Abbott. 12. Fan is in his handâ€"Reference is made to a winnowing fan, or shovel, by means of which the chaff could be sepâ€" arated from the wheat by exposing them to the wind. Purgeâ€"Cleanse. Floorâ€" The Oriental threshing ficor was a flatâ€" tened space of ground made hard for threshing the grain. Wheat into the garnerâ€"The wheat was to be placed in the granary, where it would be safe from the elements and from enemies. It is here used as a figure of heaven, as fire is the figure of hell. (Questions..â€"Who were the parents of John and what was their character‘ What is meant by the _ wilderness? What was the theme of John‘s preachâ€" ing?t What was the prophecy concernâ€" ing him?t â€" Describe John the Baptist with respect to his clothing and food. Where did he preach* Who heard him* What Old Testament prophet did he resemble?* What did John say to the Pharisees _ and _ Sadducees? _ Describe these classes of people. How did John compare himself with Jesus* What is meant by the fan and the threshing floor? ‘The garner? The fire? f PRACTICAL APPLCATIONS . The preacher. _ Four hundreds years before John came, Malachi had written, The Proclaimed. John _ was always disciples heard John and followed Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. John only baptized with water (v. 11). Jesus was "the Word" (John 1. 1). John was only "the voice" to draw man to his great Successor (John _ 1. 23). Jesus must increase, _ John must deâ€" crease (John 3. 30). Jesus was preferred before John (John 1. 27, 30), for the disciples heard John and followed Jesus (John 1. 37). Jesus was "the Christ," John only ‘‘sent‘‘ John 1. 20; 3. 28). Jesus was "that prophet," John was only His herald (John 1. 21). Jesus was "the Light," John was "a witness."" John was ‘"a witness" (John *. 7). Jesus was the Bridegroom, John oaly the Brideâ€" groom‘s friend (John 3. _ 20). John‘s words and his work all pointed to anâ€" other, who was soon to appear. resemble? â€" What did Pharisees _ and _ Sad« these classes of people compare himself with meant by the fan a floor* ‘The garner? "Behold, 1 will send my â€" messenger" (Mal. 3: 1). Seven hundred years beâ€" fore Isaiah had written, "The voice of him that crieth" (Isa. 40: 3). John was more than a prophet (Matt. 11: 11). He was not only the last prophet of the old dispensation (Matt. 11: 13), but the beginner of the new (Acts 1: 21, 22; 10: 37). In personality and preaching he belonged with the Old Testament proâ€" phets; in humility and devotion, with ‘‘Make his paths straight" (v. 3). Have no crooked ways. Indulge in no underâ€" hand practises. Do not slyly take a few peanuts from a fruitâ€"stand, nor rob a melon patch or corn field, nor steal a ride on a car, nor copy the example of of some industrious pupil, _ nor cheat even for fun in playing games, nor play for keeps, nor follow the crooked ways of the mercantile world. Be straightforâ€" ward, be honest, be true. How? By lookâ€" ing constantly at the Christ. If you look at cirecumstances, discouragements, past failures, or the wrongâ€"doings of others, your path will be crooked. You can only make his paths straight by "looking" to Him (Heb. 12. 1, 2). 3. "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance‘"‘ (v. 8). Repentance is a prominent scripture theme. Our Lord preached repentance (Matt. 4. 17). He _ commanded _ us to preach it (Luke 24. 47). It was the theme of apostolic preaching (Acts 2. 38; 3. 19; 17. 30; 26. 20). True repentâ€" ance is a heart broken for sin, and a life broken from sin. 4. "He shall bapâ€" tize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire" (v. 11). Fire _ burns, _ brightens, blesses. John the apostle _ saw "seven lamps of fire..which are the seven spirâ€" its of God," the fulness of the Holy Spirit (Rev. 4. 5). "The spirit of holiâ€" ness"‘ (Rom. 1. 4), "the spirit of .... burning"‘ (Isa. 4. 4), consumes, refines, purifies, sanctifies, _ makes holy. Fire warms, soothes, melts and moves. _ The tongue of fire (Acts. 2. 3) is God‘s mesâ€" sage of blessing. Prayer under the powâ€" er of the Holy Spirit brings conviction to sinners, and encouragement to saints. To drink no more I now desireâ€" Exceps when I am dry; And smoking, too, I‘ll shun, of courseâ€"â€" At least, that is, I‘ll try! But pardoning grace still streams proel A New Year‘s Hymn. New Year Resolutions. Appropriate. â€"Bohemian H. Gill Hamiton reports say a good retail trade is moving in all lines of trade there. Holiday goods are in active deâ€" mand, and the total volume of trade is going to hbe exceedingly heavy. Toronto reports to Bradstreet‘s say the retail holiday trade is now in full swing and the volume of business being done is well up to the optimistie exâ€" pectations of earliet in the season. Wholesale trade is moderate, although a great many reâ€"orders for Christmas goods are coming in. Western orders are particularly good. Quebec reports to Bradstreet‘s: More snow has had a desirable effect and roads are reported in good condition. . Vancouver and Victoria reports say an excellent trade is moving all along the coast. Montreal reports to Bradstreet‘s say trade there has shown _ little change during the past week. The weather has been hardly cold enough to much enâ€" courage the movement of heavy winter dry goods, but there is now an excellent business moving in all sorts of holiday lines, and reâ€"orders for these goods are not infrequent. The volume of general wholesale trade is seasonably light, alâ€" though a good volume of business is still coming in for spring goods. Country trade is reported active. ; Winnipeg reports _ say an excellent trade is moving in all lines of business. TORONTO LIVE STOCK. Trade was brisk, considering that it is soclo.etotheendoltluym. It is many years since all classes of live stock sold at such high prices as are now beâ€" ing paid. MONTREAL LIVE STOCK, Montrealâ€"About 1,368 head of butehâ€" ers‘ cattle, 85 milch cows and springers, 200 calves, 538 sheep and lambs and 935 hogs were offered for sale at the east end abattoir this forenoon. Trade in cattle was dull. None of the sales toâ€" day exceeded 6 1â€"4¢ per pound, and from that down to 43â€"4¢ per pound for prime beeves; pretty good cattle sold at 3 12 to 4 1â€"2¢, and the common stock at 2 1â€"2 to 3 12e per pound. There were a few superior cows and springers, which sold at from $55 to $65 each, the others bringing from $35 to $50 each. Calves sold at from $3 to $12 each. Sheep sold at 4 1â€"2¢ per pound. Lambs at xtn 6 1â€"2¢. (Good lots of fat hogs sold at 83â€"4¢c per pound. BRADSTREET‘S TRADE REVIEW Butchersâ€"Geo. Rowntree bought for the Harris Abattoir Company, 292 catâ€" tleâ€"butchers‘ steers and heifers at $4.60 to $5.40; cows, $1.75 to $4.35; bulls at $2 to $4.35 per cewt. ° The receipts of grain toâ€"day . were about 600 bushels. Prices generally unâ€" changed. _ About 200 bushels of fall wheat sold at $1.09, and cereal would bring #1.10. _ Barley unchanged, there being sales of 200 bushels at 63 to (&w. Oats are steady, with sales of 200 bushâ€" els at 41c. Hay, quiet and firm, there being sales of 18 loads at 817 to $21 a ton for timeâ€" thy, and at $10 and $16 for mixed and clover, _A load of bundled straw sold at $17. Stockers and Feedersâ€"Mr. Murby ports prices strong at unchanged . 1,050 lbs. each, at $4 to $4.60; best steers, 800 to 900 lbs. each, $3.75 to $4.15; best stockers, 600 to 700 lbs. ea., at $3.40 to $3.80. Milkers and Springersâ€"Christmas holâ€" idays being at hand, the demand _ for milkers and springers has fallen off,; and prices are easier. Prices for those ofâ€" fered toâ€"daz ranged at from $30 to $60 each. Extra quality cows would bring more money. WINNIPEG WHEAT MARKET, Wheat â€"December $1.0116, May $1.043%. Or.tsâ€"December 34%c, May 37c. London.â€"London cables for cattle are steady at 13 to 141§e per lb. for live catâ€" tle, dressed weight; Liverpool, 12%, to 1314¢; refrigerator beef steady, at 104 to 101%e per lb. Veal calvesâ€"Receipts _ of veal calves were light ; prices firm, at $4 to $7 per owt. Dressed hogs are steady, with prices ruling at $10.75 to $11.25. Wheat, white, new .. ..$% 1 00 $ 1 10 Do., red, new .. .. .. EO8# 1 10 Do., gooce,.. .. .. .. â€"$1‘04 1 05 Outs, busik‘. .. :‘." .. ... *.. / Y 40 0 41 Pean, busk .: . .:. _...... 0 88 0 00 Burley, busk .. .. ..~..* 0 68 0 64 ye, busk.:. .. ... :. . T0 0 72 liay, timothy, ton .. . ... 17 00 _ 21 00 Do., mixed, ton .. .. 10 00 _ 16 00 Sheep and Lambsâ€"Export ewes, . $4 to $4.50; culls and rams, $3 to $3.2%5; lambs, $6.50 to $6.90 per ewt. Hogsâ€"Mr. Harris reports the market steady at $8 per ewt. for selects, fed and watered, and $7.75 f.o.b. cars at counâ€" try points. D; fresh.. alsl.a . 0O Chickens, Ib.. .. .. .. 0 Duckss"Ib..> .. 0. .... Turkeys. It.:. ... ..~:.;/; creese Ip.. .. .._..* .. 0 Fowrk lt .: ..>.:/....:~ .0 epples, ‘Dbr...:... .: /c...._ 2 Potatoes, bay, by load .. 0 Celery, doten .. .. .... 0 Onigns, Dag :.‘ ...> .. A Cauliflower, dozen .. .. 0 Cabbage, dozen .. .. .. 0 Beef, hindquarters . . . 8 Do., forequarters . . t Do., choice, careass . . 8 Do., medium, vercass 6 Mutton, per ewt .. .. .. 8 Veal, prime, per ewt .... 8 Spring lamb, per ewt ... 11 SUGAR MARKET Do., mixed, Straw, perton Secasâ€" Londonâ€"London cables for cattle are steady at 13 to 14 1â€"2¢ per pound for live cattle, dressed. weight; Liverpool, 12 12 to 13 1%c; refrigerator beef steady, at 10 1â€"4 to 10 12e per pound. ne., No. k .. .. .: nc., ho. 2 :. ... po.,. Xo.% .. .. .. Red elover, No. 1, h irimothy =... : .:. . . Dressed hogs .. .. Botter, dairy .. .. . Do.. ‘inferior °...~ .. Eggs, new laid, dozen St. Lawrence sugars are quoted as folâ€" lows: Granulated, $4.85 per ewt. in barâ€" rels; No. 1 golden, $4.45 per ewt., in barâ€" rels. _ Beaver, $4,55 per ewt. in bags. These prices are for delivery here. Car lots 5e less. In 100â€"4b. bags, prices are 5¢ less. 00 PMICES SCIONG al unchanged quoâ€" ations, as follows: Best steers, 903 to Alsike, faney BRITISH CATTLE MARKETS TORONTO MARKETS. FARMERS‘ MARKET OTHER MARKETS bush 1. bush ~UWUTN IAKKIUV ma 0 40 U 88 0 63 0 70 17 00 10 00 10 75 0 26 0 22 0 45 0 35 0 15 0 15 6 t 0 21 0 13 0 11 2 00 O0 16 6O 350 40 30 00 50 50 (1) On) O 50 0 41 0 00 0 64 0 72 21 00 16 00 17 Cons 10 00 11 43 0 30 0 24 0 55 0 40 0 17 0 17 0 23 0 15 0 13 10 6 d () 0 <0 50 35 85 60 50 00 50 10 age Robinson Watson, who is a brother of the poet, wrote to certain newspapers a few days ago from Montreal a long statement to the effect that his brother was mentally unbalanced, and that his much discussed poem, "The Woman With the Serpent‘s Tongue," was due to that eondition, Ottawa reports say there has been no change in business conditions there durâ€" ing the week other than a pronounced increase in the retail trade in holiday "Mr. Robinson Watson‘s message to New York newspapers is a wicked atâ€" tempt to ruin my husband‘s reputation. It accords well with his conduct for years past." London reports say retail trade is now active. A New York, Dec. 27.â€"The Sun has reâ€" ceived this message from Mrs. Watson, who, with her husband, the poet, is now in Havana; DEAR CHARMS. Gypsy Woman Got Over $5,000 From Mrs. Wolf, Police Say. Victim, It Is Said, Was Wrought Up Poet‘s Wife Indignant at Brother‘s Charge of William‘s Insanity. In the case of victory it is expected that John Burns, president of the local government board, will succeed Mr.: Gladstone as home _ secretary. Winston Spencer Churchill, president of the Board of Trade, will succeed Mr. Burns and Lewis Harcourt, first commissioner of works, will replace Mr. Churchill. Under the new arrangement all these officers will command the same salary, $25,000 yearly. Buffalo, Dec. 27.â€"Not only did Minâ€" nie McGill, a gypsy, get $538 last Monâ€" day from Mrs. Louis J. Wolf» of No. 94 Fox street, as the price fo iremoviuf & spell from the latter‘s hy{e, the police allege, but previous to that she had proâ€" cured $1,800 and had Mrs. Wolf worked up to a frame of mind whereby _ she agreed to part with $2,900 more. _ London, Dec. 27,.â€"The appointment of Herbert Gladstone, the home seeâ€" retary, as governorâ€"general of Scuth Africa, leaves a vacancy in the cabiâ€" net, which probably will not be filled unless the Liberals are victorious at the elections. The gypsy is one of a band which is wintering near Lancaster. She was arâ€" rested last Monday for the alleged theft of the $538. The case has been adjournâ€" ed in Police Court since and will come up again toâ€"day. There will probably be another adjournment, as Mrs. Wolf is said to be to ill to appear in court. Mrs. Wolf is possessed of considerable money in her own right. She has a a daughter, ten years old, who is in poor health. It was to effect a cure in the child‘s case that she began dealing with the gypsy woman. It is charged that the fortuneâ€"teller represented to Mrs. Wolf that there was an evil spell on the house, which, if removed, would remove all trouble from the family. _ Besides the murder of Semoff, Stefoff confessed to murdering an Englishman at Terre Haute, Ind, He did not give the Englishman name, nor the time of the affair. All he said was that he shot the Englishman dead in a quarrel, the shooting taking place at 10 o‘clock at night. The police, he said, got on his track, but fellow Macedonians in the city hid him and put the police on the wrong scent, and so he escaped. Stefoff â€" spent a restless night last night, according to the @uard. _ He reâ€" fused breakfast this morning, satisfying himself with ‘a glass of water. _ The hanging was performed by executioner Radeliffe, and was witnessed by none but a few medical students outside of the jail officials and guards, about fifâ€" teen persons in all May Succeed Gladstone as Home Secretary. On the strength of the representation Mrs. Wolf is said to have first parted with clothes, a toilet set and other household articles. The removal of the articles was expected to remove the spell. On _ September 22, 1908, Mrs. Wolf claims she made a cash payment _ of $1.500 to the gypsy and the next day paid $300 more to her. _ Dealings were not again resumed until last week. Then the gypsy called again, and, it is allegâ€" ed, received $38, all the money at the time in the house. It was bargained that she wasâ€"to receive $500 more, which, the police say, was drawn by. Mrs. Wolf through the lawyers, who have charge of her estate. She says that she gave the money to Minnie McGill. Then $2,900 more was demanded from Mrs. Wolf. It was when she asked her lawyers to _ procure this sum for her that they became suspicious. The mat ter was referred to the Watts detective agency. The arrest of the gypsy reâ€" sulted. It was said at police headquarters that Minnic McGill does not deny _ the transactions. _ The charms which she worked, she told the police, had producâ€" ed cures in her own tribe. She was surâ€" prised that they did not work so well in ‘Toronto despatch: With the conâ€" fession that he had murdered two men upon his lips, Paval Stefoff, convieted of the murder of Vani Semoff last April, ealmly went to his death in Toronto jail this morning. ‘The drop was made at 8.08 and seven minutes later the doector in attendance declared that life was extinet The body was allowed to hang for five minutes more, when it was cat down and removed to the medicai room. . Hers the Coroner‘s jury empanelled viewed the remains, which were then placed in a pine box and interred in the jail yard, Stefofi‘s confession . of th8 two murâ€" ders was made to his spiritual advisors about an hour before the doomed man was conducted from his cell to the death chamber. ‘The man protested his innoâ€" cence almost up to the last, confcs ing only when he had decided in his own mind that death would be soon upon him. the Wolf case HANGEDIN TORONTO Macedonmian Pays the Penalty for 4 Murder. * TORONTO TBE WATSONS. Over Daughter‘s liness. JOHN BURNS C qo n t in P e nsl C romachl Pnsc are A€00, 00â€" Te AANEG HOF Cheer up, man, honest man. There |in the Lord Jehovah is _ ey is that coming even wâ€"coming |strengthâ€"Isaiah xxi., 4th vers within three streets‘ le of theeâ€"| George Hawkesworth Armst which will raise thee up{above want | Pearl street south, . for all time! Cheer up! \This is the 3 omm iinftremmmens last hour any of you showld want for| _ Th¢ way to the sorrow free ] fireâ€"the last hour you | shall want | ty to free some life from soj for candleâ€"light. You shgll keep your| Th¢ heart without fellow fe squirrel, Marry! Bessies thau shalt have noâ€"room for divine. faith felt very unhappy and (i angry as the baby eonth;‘l It was in the beginning of the new year (in a village of Yorkshire, Engâ€" land), when the weather was very eold; it neither froze nor did it thaw, but between the twoâ€"it was damp and cold, penetrating to the veTry bone, even to those who had carpetâ€" ed rooms, large fires on the hearth, and were warmly clad. It was on such a night that the little children, seven in number, of a weaver of the name of David Baird, were huddled together in a small room, beside & very small fire, which was burning very comfortlessly. A baby lay ‘in Mary went into a little dark chamâ€" ber to bed: with her sister, and the mother tried to hush the cryknfi baby. David Baird was distracted.;, He was cold, hungry, weary and in gloom. All he loved was about hint, but he thought of them as born to poverty, thought of them as born 12’ poverty, uneasiness and care, like Rimself. He A NIGHT SCENE IN A POOR MAN‘S HOUSE. "Go to bed with her, tary.” said the mother, "as you wete up very early to do the washing, and put your clothes on the bed to keep you warm." ‘"Those children‘s coughs are no better,"" remarked the father, Verj impatientyl. And the baby swakened, and so did Bessie, who had fallen aâ€" sleep on the floor, unobse?ed, crying out, "I am so cold, mother dear, I am so cold. 1 "Lord, help us!"‘ again said David, and some of the children began to cough. e oi vaf ) 45 9 fls 54 22. 5 2000000000 B itc insd I a wooden cradle in one corner of the hearth.\The fire gave a little light, because "it had boiled an iron pOt full of potatoes, but it gave no cheerâ€" fulness to the room. The mother had divided the evening mealâ€"a few poâ€" tatoesâ€"to each one, and then she sat down by a table, lighted a farth, ing candle and was preparing to do some little piece of work for the house. ‘"No," said the wife; "goals are raised." a ‘"There is none!" replied Mary, "we burnt out the other the last might." ‘"Have you a farthing, David?} asked the wife. f ‘"Not one," he replied, hastily. " Nor have we one in the house,‘ said the wife; "I paid all the money we had for bread. ( "Stir up the fire!" then exclaimed David. A ‘"‘May!" cried the mother, "bring the other candle," as the one they had been using burnt out t the socket and went out. _"Can I start the fire?"" sighed Juâ€" dith, the second girl. _ _ _ e ‘"We will pay it in the summer, said the wife, hopefully, "but now coals are raised in price and bread wili rise also before the week is out. ‘ ‘"Lord, help us!" exclaimed: the father, internally.. ; J« "Poor dear!" sigl;;:s' the mother, "I wish vou had better ones." * ‘"‘There‘s a pair," called out Joseph briskly at Tommy Nix, "one‘s for only fourteenâ€"pence. "Fourteen pence?" replied th mothâ€" er. "it would take a long time for us to get that sum." "Matthew Willis," called out Josâ€" ph, ‘"begged a pair of nice warm boots." ed,. nor had he any disturbance with his master, but the life of any post man is a very uneasy oneâ€"a life of care, weariness _ and â€" neverâ€"ending struggling. No wonder, then, if Mis face had a joyless look. The childten made room for their father, so that he could go to the fire; Susie and 8dâ€" ward placed themselves between @18 knces, and his wife handed him 1# supper. May, the eldest girl, was sitting on a box, engaged in feedmg a squirrel with the portion of bread her mother had given her; she was very happy and kissed the squirré many times. Judith was sitting bt side her, while David held a cup, out of which the squirrel drank. ‘"‘They will not, now," said the younger David, "for it is three months since we found it." "You might sell it for halfâ€"aâ€"crown,‘ said the father. Mary was frightened and held the squirrel to her bosom. "Joseph‘s feet are very bad," reâ€" marked the mother. ‘"And the doctor‘s bill has never been paid," said the fatherâ€""absut seventeen and six pence." "I always take the back lane, to avoid passing his door," said the father; and he has asked me about it several times." "We will never beg," said the mother, "if we can help it; but let me see your shoes?" and Joseph put up one of his frostâ€"bitten feet on his mother‘s knee." 4 "Bless thee, my dear boy," said the mother, "thou shall not go to work acain until the weather becomes warm." ‘"‘That is more money than we egtn in a week," replied the mothers _ ‘"Mother," called out little Susie ‘"‘May 1 have some more potatoes?‘ ‘"‘There is no more," she replied ‘"but I have a large loaf yet." _ _ "Oh dear, oh dear, how nice," callâ€" ed out the children, clapping their hands. "And give Joseph the bottom crust,‘ said one of them, "because he has frostâ€"bitten feet." "And give me a large piece," said Susie, holding out a fat hand. _ . Baird was a very tall and thin man, with a very unesasy lookâ€"not that he had any new cause for being that wayâ€"his wages were not lowered, his working hours had not been increa®â€" "His anyone enquired after that squirrel?" asked the father, looking at them. ‘"No," replied Mary; "and 1 hope no one will." The mother portioned out the loaf, setting aside a large piece for her husband, and presently he arrives. "It rains, and is very cold," said he, with a shiver. "Please God," said the mother, "i will be warmer after the rain." & y poi A STORY FOR NEW YEARS. very have plenty of blankets to warm thee ! That doctor‘s bill will be paid, and David, thou shalt not skulk by back ways, or through lanes to avoid the unfortunate creditor, Joseph, thou shalt turn the wheel no longer. Thy feet shall get well, clad in woollen stockings and warm shoes at five shillings the pair. You shall no more want salt to your potatoes, nor shall Susie again be short of her su&:er. But of all this, good people, you know nothing; and you sit hopeless and comfortless and know nothing about T Anticame vair uon PoG. +. P 8(9 "Wife, sren&flt.h;'c}; let us talk over this gether," {. David Baird was in distracted; but now different inlfi‘s feelings. He could have done a thousand extravagant things; he could, have la hed, cried, sung, leaped about, nay r:fiod on the floor, for joy; but he did none of these thingsâ€"he sat calm, and looked almost grave. At length he said: j "~}e shall have coats and blankets, and stockings and shoes!" cried Joseph all alert, yet still remembering his poor frostâ€"bitten feet. "We shall have roast beef and plumâ€" pudding," said Susan, "We shall have rice pudding every day," cried Neddy. "And let me have a horse, father," said young David. The way to the gorrow free land is try to free some life from sorrow. The heart without fellow feeling ho wwn ~Snm ceemdree S onl > n s n me mtc PP "Is the house on fire?" screamed Mary, at the top of the stairs, _ "for there is such a blaze!" "We are burning a mould candle!" said Judith, "and have such a big fire!" "Come here, Mary," said the father; and Mary elid downstairs, wrapped in an old cloak. "Father‘s a rich man, we‘re all richâ€" and shall live in afrand castle!" laughâ€" ed out young David. "We shall have coats and blankets, and stockings and shoes!" cried Joseph all alert, yet still remembering his poor frostâ€"bitten feet. the relief As 7 ttle baby, as LhON Wi‘"s /"")"° v; r frostâ€"bitten feet Joseph, by iR fire; muse in sadness on thy poverâ€" tÂ¥, David Baird, yet a few moments lonâ€" ger; it cannot do you any harm, for the good news is even now turning the corner of the street. Knock, knock, knock! David started from his mood. "Some one is at the door," said the JuiApadir oi n 4 Pvo F 1 m it eE "Mind the fire!‘ said the mother; and her son David put on a shovelful of coal, and stirred out the ashes. "Kiss me, my children!" exclaimed the father, with emotion; "kiss me, and bless God, for we shall never want bread in}" "Is :I.:l house an fira®" annonunsq wife, and HUIC PEFTD $"" P adng o "If it is our neighbor, Mrs. Wood, coming to borrow some meal, you can zive her a cupful," said the mother, a8 Tthe knocking continued. Up rose David Baird, and thinking of the doctor‘s bill, »pened the door vyery reluctantly. "Are you David Baird ?" asked the letâ€" ter carrier, who had knocked. "I am," said David." "This, then, is for you; and there is twentyâ€"two pence to pay on it," holding forth a large letter. "Is it a summons?" cried the wife, in Bamovâ€" "for what is David Baird sumâ€" "Meaven be praised," ejaculated the wife, while she hugged the baby in her arms. "And," continued David, "the great Nir David Baird was our ancestor, but we never looked for anything from that quarter," "No," said the let terâ€"can out, "I‘ll call for that toâ€" "Bolt the door, wife," sai she shut the door after the money requires safe keeping XALâ€" 3 44 s E. 9: A "It is," replied the other impatiently; "what a fuss is here about opening a letter!t" "Then the letter is for you*?" asked the man, "It is. Please Heaven, to _ make us thankful for it," saidll)u\'inl, seriously ; "but," hesitated he, "you want the mone y "Is it a SUMUMMONSI UEADN "1", . lismay; "for what is David Baird moned?" and she rushed to the with the baby in her arms. "It js no summons," replied the but a money letter. I think." "It is not for me," said David slad to escape paying the tw« twenty pence. I ul lapes e ie n s CA "Lord bless me!" exclaimed the letterâ€" carrier and gave David the younger four rom-e to buy a half a pound. David and iis wife were in a state of perplexity; and the letter man shook the wet from his cap. In a few moments the candles came and the letter was put into David‘s hands. "Sirâ€"You, David Baird, weaver, of â€"â€"â€", and son of the late David Baird, of Mardenâ€"onâ€"Wear, lineal descendant 0f Sir David Baird, of Monkshaughton Casâ€" tle, County of York, and sole heir of Sir Peter Baird, of _ Monkshaughton aforesaid, lately deceased, are requested to meet Mr. Denmis, solicitor, at York, as soon after the receipt of this as posâ€" sible; It will be necessary for you to bring your family with you; and to covâ€" @r travelling and other expenses, you will receive enclosed a‘bill for one hunâ€" dred pounds, payable at sight. "But are you not DMVIL AFHEMM, . TD weaver ?" "I am." said David. "Then," continued the letterâ€"carrier, ‘pay me the twentyâ€"two pence; and if it is not right, they will return you the money at the postâ€"office." a M es ! i.. Clais c 2t "Twenty â€"two ‘Pence!" repeated DMAVIC, ishamed to confess his poverty. "One shilling and ten pence," said the wife; "we have not so much money by us, good man." "Light a candle," said the letterâ€"carâ€" ier, coming into the house, "and hunt ip what you have." David was pushed to the extremity. "We have mone," said he; we have not money to buy a candle!" "Is it for me? vid. "What is this!" exclaimed David, tak ing out a bill for one hundred pounds "Oh!" sighed the wife, "if after all it should not be for us! but read the letâ€" ter, David." And he read it. 1 have the honor to be, «ir, your humble servant, . Baird, ther." "Oh, oh, oh!" chuckled out little Daâ€" vid, as he hopped about behind the group ‘a hundred pounds and a castle!" "7‘6;;-11 it, can‘t you*" said the letter J. Smith, for Mr. Dennis." "Sure enough," said David, _ "David of Mardenâ€"onâ€"Wear, was my fa ief, and such a at even now 1 Ird was again distracted ; ferent in fil feelings. He one a thousand extravagant could, have laughed. cried the Vehih:l;"en not David Baird, the letterâ€"carrier, going that toâ€"morrow." wife," said David, as after the man; "this again inquired Da thou wilt; nurse Wighatp 4b itc ca s B c c good fortune to ;(;i{livtl the man, I think." said David, hal! nothing AVUU® . splendid one. is approaching repeated David, Armstrong, 44 ‘ivh:F(‘\;\'rt; and sum> door ROYAL MEWS IN LONDON. State Equipages Kept at Bucking. ham Palace. The Creamâ€"Colored Ponies Repre. senting White Horse of Hanover. London, Dec. 27. â€"Since King Edw.g) came to the throme one of his greatest pleasures has been to renovate the variâ€" ous royal palaces neglected during Queen Victoria‘s reign. Nor has he devoted his attention exclusively to _ the palaces themselves; the outbuildings and st bles have also received their share improvements. Nowhere have | gr changes taken place than in the stablesa djoining Buckingham P This autumn the mews have larged and improved, so tha e commodation is provided for a stud of over 200 horses. Of course it is only on very rare occasions, such as a coronation that so many horses would have to be kept there. Just now owing to the in creasing use of motor cars by the royal family there are only fifty horses. _ The establishment includes repairiny shops, forges, forage and other store houses, a brand new motor garage and an elaborate office of the master of t). horse‘s department. The earriage houses contain some fifty carriages, as it is n« cessary on state and semiâ€"state occasions to empioy horse drawn vehicles of vari ous types, and all these are kept at t One of the latest tric illumination is links. Hundreds o St. Paul Train Nitched by Spreading senger train No. 43, running north at 35 miles an hour, spread the rails one half mile east of Good Thunder, Minn., near Mankato, and plunged into the ditch last night. Forty passengers were hurt, none fatally, it is believed. The mail car rolled down a thirtyfoot em bankment and caught fire. The injured were taken to Mankato. On Ke occasion of a court, a levee, a state ball or the formal opening of Par liament the coaches, landaus . and Lroughams are sent from the palace to bring high court officials who are to at tend upon the King and Queen, and the royal scarlet and gold liveries are a fam iliar sight in London. An American, th« Countess Granard, made her first publi appearance in England last winter in one of the King‘s carriages, when she and Lord Granard, who is the present maste, of the horse, drove to the opening oi Parliament. < Buekiilélum Ambassadors and Ministers desiring to preserit themselves to the King and suh mit their credentials on first arriving in the country also go to the palace not in their own carriages, but in those sent hy the King. : The chief item of interest in the royal stables is the old state coach, heavily gilt and ornamented, in which the King and Queen travel from the palace to the Houses of Parliament. This carriage is very old and is an excellent specimen of its class. The panels were painted by an Italian artist, Cipriani, and the cost of the coach was $40,000 originally. 1t has a special department to itself when not in use. The sleek well groomed ponies which London expects to see in all state pro cessions used to be kept at Windsor, where they could roam about at will in the shady paddocks of the home farm. Now the King has had his stables so arâ€" ranged that there is plenty of room for them in London, so they have been moy ed permanently to the city. It is highly important that the horses should be trninflrt‘n ignore the cheering of the crowds in the streets, so very carly in the morning a battalion of Foot Guards from Wellington barracks is« marchm, down to the exercising ground of th« royal horses and the animals are led slowly by while the men cheer at the top of their voices at irregular intervals. Any horse that shows fear or a tendency to shy is at once put back for further training They are beautiful little creatures of a delicate cream color with long flowing manes and tails. They are of the pur Flemish breed that is rapidly becoming extinet, and were originally brought into England by George 1. as emblematic oi the sign of his house, the White Horse of Hanover, Ever since that time they have been employed to draw the state carriages of the British sovercign. The officers of the department of the master of the horse are carefully chosen men. One of their most important tasks is rehearsing and training the horses for any state procession for several days before it takes place, The rehearsals are carried out in exactly the same manue as the procession itself. The whole of the route is gone over and the various turns and places of waiting for the horses and carriages are examined and tested so that all possibility of a hitch is reduced to a minimum. Unfortunately they have been inbred at Windsor to so great an extent since they were first imported that they have greatly deteriorated in both size and strength. Some years ago it was d/ cided to try to improve them by the im portation of new stock and annually rep resentatives of the royal stables have been sent to Holland and Belgium t seek young horses and mares of the no cessary purity of blood to add to the stud farm at Windsor. Next in importance to the cream pon ies in the royal mews come the bright bay horses that are employed on semi state occasions and to draw the . cm riages of the royal family when private visits are made to friends or relatives Most of the other horses have also been bred by the King at Windsor and Hamp ton Court, All his home bred horses« are renowned throughout Europe, and upon the rare occasions when any of them. are offered in open market the competition to secure them is very keen. 8t. Paul, Minn A*EC FORTY HURT. by Electric Light. lighting of golf tions of elec St. Paul pas Bohemian € pu.lam-s _ and sti k rshare e gro the ll e l C DOGTORS Aut use Wonderty} Colds, F To cure chest. to 18 ess¢ BREAIRE CATARRBOLONE the thro that «179 stit By â€" pany rm Milk td Faist hink iq ud d Â¥ou A RF It h t snould smy @f A n< tens A y vat 1 Cure for Cat Bronchitis, Thro Weakness. [A READY roRr US .d... water, closets and for many othe Sode. hund Sold 4 can equa‘)® T ronto, © red purp Gitlert C JN ANY »44 Usety