The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

TO SANTA I. > It vM an old-fashioned Christmas easqn b\lt not in the accepted * mannet *t the term. Old-fashion- ., ed, because the streets were car- peted with the inevitable inch of mud ; becwnse the air was damp and * raw, instead of being crisp and , biting ; because a drab mantle of wet mist hung over the city like a ' shroud, breathing contempt on the inspiration. His eyes grew wide with a great resolve. "I know!" he whispered to him- self. '/I know!" His mother was lying quite still, and the gentle heaving of her breast was almost perceptible. Gently he tucked her up. Even the patchwork valence was lifted up and wedged tightly. Then he tiptoed softly out of the room, and down the steep, wooden stairs to the concrete passage of the fourth floor. From an office at the end came the spasmodic clicking of a type- writer. Tha other chambers were frosted Christmas-cards in the ! deserted. Into one of the empty of- ihop windows. i Sees the little boy stole quietly, So the brass plate that heralded ; glancing round, childlike, with un- suite of offices in Fore Street, B.C.. hung with crystal beads of moisture, and seemed to weep as though it kne-w of the little tragedy necessary apprehension. Just inside the office was a wall telephone, and f-ir some minutes he eyed it with the circumspection due SACRED IMAGE OF THE CHRIST CHILD SHOWN AT CHRISTMAS. to an infernal machine. His mother had told him about th'it wonderful thing once, and how it helped you to talk to anyone you liked. He had hoard people speaking into it, and had a child's notion of the cor- rect procedure. Wiih difficulty he carried an office st-jol to the spot, passing in the top-floor attic. A woman lay there in a low, , scantily-covered bed, and the drawn cheeks and transparent hands spoke of poverty and illness. In her eyes a light burned strange - . ly bright a light that spoke . . . But death the little boy did noti car , understand. He knew hi, mother I and J.bered up f**^ ' to be ill, very ill, and his heart i mouthpiece. Then he took off the went out in chrldish love and sym- "T e ' ver ; , and P laced ..^ to hls e ' lr ' p*thv. He almost felt the pain ^'"nher, please . when he saw her eves and lips close , For moment he was flabbergast . Vi i i v, j i.u v lct He d forgotten that a number tight Iv, and heard the groan she . ' , was required. Then came to h:m tried in vaan to suppress. , TT i . . , , the recollection of a lesson his mo- wide, blue eyes. "Does you want your beef-tea now, mum'!" he whispered. "It's all gone, dearie," she said. 'But- the doctor said you would- n't get better if you didn't have beef-tea. . . . And jelly and cus- tard," ho added thoughtfully. ''Mother hasn't any more. The 'doctor didn't know that," she told him. - For weeks even months she had felt the illness gathering about her ; but she had worked on. People who rent offices arc inclined to re- gard a caretaker a machine for keeping rooms clean. It seemed cruelly ironic that she had kept up until just before Christmas. Then ''Number, please !" What was. "One. piped. "One. two, three, a sharp, na=ty voice it two, three, four,'' he four what 1 ? meant he'd not the This sacred bambino, or image of the Christ child, is in the church of Ara Coeli in Rome. It is brought out to public view ,.=; SLTK; ^E. a; w.q-^s f-ssi.-A.isJis;*' "-* with vsluable gofc ^ be "Yes, please," mouth sed c jewels, the gifts of devout Christians. he said, with (o th(? instru . And then, with fluttering heart he listened. II. Sir James Lancaster, M.P.. Sher- carnr a burning fever, and only iff of the City of London, sat at his partial consciousness. desk, and chewed on the end of The doctor had been called in. He ! his cigar in a manner that did not ordered rest and nourishment the > indicate the best of tempers. Thati latter with doctor's thoughtless- ! a rush of business should require I ness. That her weekly pittance was Inadequate to the slightest luxury his presence at the office on the dav before Christmas Eve was dis- did not come within his jurisdic- tinctly annoying. lion. His business waste diagnose) It wasn't in the nature of the ' nd prescribe. (man, however, to respect his own Mum,'.' Curly said presently, ! convenience. Through steady ap- "why ain't you got a daddy?" plication to work he had built up The question startled her for a a huge business, though some saw i the secret of his success in the fact that he knew by name every unit , in the concern. Only this morning < he had himself interviewed ha'f a moment. 'You're & little chatterbox," she parried. "Why ain't we got a daddy like first he had suspected a practical joke, but he felt convinced it was- n't. He tried to laugh; but there was a note of tragedy in that little child's voice which forbade it. It had held a world of trust and sim- ple faith. He pressed a bell button, and a clerk caine in. ''Teil (Vie ridge to come to me, please. ' he said. The clerk looked surprised. ''Do you mean the odd man we took on yesterday, sir :' "Yes. Quickly!" A few minutes later the m:in came in. He was an old young man. with streaks of grey in his hair, and facial Sines that spake cf suffering. led -about nothing. That's all, sir." "Not quite all," Lancaster re- their medicinal properties ; but love is the finest healer, and there was new life in th" sick woman's face as she sat with those she lov- ed in the firelight. ''By the way, I've a letter f>)r you," Arthur Coleridge raid to the "man" on his knee. ''J'.'s from someone you know." Curly took the letter, and open- ed it impetuously. With some as- sistance he spelt it out. It ran : "Dear Chick, I am sending IN ROYAL STOCKINGS. Th. Pleasures That Attend ri"*ufc' Giving In FaJaccM. Queen Victoria made a practice- "f p-Tsonally choosing every single Chmtnuui gift which she n<i to relations or friends, and Qx.<"'n Mary keeps to the sam" custotv. A* may easi-iy be supposed, such a. se- lection is no iigJM, task, for tiers are not only her own children, hr friends, and her servants to ha - , , 1C..V.T, tt-LH I IIGI OKI rMIWV 1A^ m along uorae of the things you ask- 1 thougllfc of but Eny number of Con- ed for. including your daddy. But Lin) , Iltal Royalties, little and biff. I haven't done with you yet. Hang ; Kveu the vollnger ehiidr^n of our up your stocking to-morrow night, K , ;ng A , d Q ueen are getl i n g beyond and don't, leave the fire-irons in th;? w f . r Ule toy g..^^,,. mo d.l the fender.-With love and kisses, trait13< a , ui p i c ture-txx>ks which mr old friend, wert , t j !P j r j,, v a f ew years a?>. But Father Christmas.' til ,, Pr ;, ;t . e ,., f ' Wa ,,,, ^ k^ heard Twice the child spelt out the let- ' to ray that he never had a mar? de- ter carefully. Then, looking up at lightful Christmas girt thaa one his mother with a smile of con- x ; ven !.!:!>. -!x years ago by his late fidence, he tucked it ia his pocket, uraiidfather. This w.i- an ants' nest in a glaM London Answers. KING THE CAKE. b -\. He spent hours watohing the busy ;nse.-.'ts and their curious ways Here Is One Rwipe Very Common- PmM ly Tsod by Confrt-tioncrs. : h rt rtf th she gets any ***** MM Mars, an ,,,,.;/ The Christmas caJte, should lie From the Ru-si.-n Court our kept in a tin box, all ready fir \ mn^er Royaliit^s receive the most icing, until a few d<ayt> before it is niajfuficent boo-bou which can be to b cut. i found a.nywhe-re. Tliey are speeial- The following recipe ia fie one K- manuf-urtured for the Tsar by a very commonly used by confection P^r-sian firm, and can be obtained ers for icing their cakes: n. where else. Take two pounds of good icing The Tsar, t->. kn--ws more about sugar which first sift to fre from i{i;< d tobacco than any liviug mon- aJl lumps five or six whites of arrh. a>jd the cigars which he (fives eggs, according to size, and half a nc Christmas are justly appreciated teaspoonful of lemon-juice. Put by the lucky recipients the egg-whites in an earthenware Every Christmas a splendid phun- basin, and add the sugar to the-m, pudding, with other old Emrli.h a little at a time; stir until quite Christmas delicacies, icnrrs Wind> smooth, af.d then add the lernou- imr for the Court of Potsdam, and juice. After this beat the mixture at the fame time a boar's head, vigorously with a wooden sp-xin. \isiiailv fn TH a>i animal shot by 'Jit until quit* li*ht an<l stiff. Ka ser hirnseif. is sent from Berlin Before icing the cake see that it ia to the British Court. a gocd shape and quite level. If it The Kaiser is always generous. H is not, a sharp knife must be used ! somewhat erratic, in his present to trim it. Stand the cake on a 'giving. For his own family, par- plied quietly. ''I have reason to basin, which is a trifle smaller than ticularly for his consort, he takei believe your wife has need of you. j tn e> cake, so that th sides cf the gre.it trouble to choose personally She is ill." ! latter overlap the edg of the ba- i some magnificena gift. For the res* "111 !' The man almost scream- s ; n Xext put eorno of the icing al- he has a lift made out, and opposite ed the words as he sprang from th ready prepared in a basin by i:e'.f. oaoi, name murks off a price, leav- chair. "Where is she? For Heav- j an< j dilute it slightly with warm i ing the selection "f th gift tn >! en's sake, sir, where is she !" , water. But be carefu! nit t-> make <- -f his trusted secretaries. His lat- Sir James go-t up slowly from the ! the icing too thin, or it will run off , est portrait, suitably mounted. chair. Keep your seat, Coleridge," he said softly. "There is no cause, I think, for alarm ! the cake. Pour this on to the top of the , rive?. it- >* to a number of Royai re's cake, spreading it smoothly with j clean, broad knife. The mrplui Then he pressed the odd man back icing will not stand round uiie b. i int ) his chair, and told him what torn of the cake as it would do if year l\c pr.^entetl the whole f his *a'.ry a-s colonel of his Gren- ;IO.,T (luards to be i-pent in pre- <--:u* for th> rank and tile of that he knew. Tint evening a man could IM it were standing flat, instead of ,.n famous regiment the basin. Th" Queen of Belgium is clever After the first coat of icing, th- wi:h her needle. Cur < wn l{/>\a.!- other b.iys and nuivvers .-" he per-! dozen odd hands for the Christina* listed. 'pressure. Should any one of them Your daddy has gone away," she | prove possessed of capabilities be-' said softly. iyond thoe of odd hands. Lancaster would know it. must be repeated. ._*- A clean collar and tie gave him a se<jn raountlng t h e stone staircase subtle air of smartness behcu by t of n , K>u , e in Fore street. The* tho n f xt "i w , her frayed trousers and a threadbare | stairs were su , ( . p and he was heav _ <"' I ilv burdened with bulky parcels, "Take a seat, ' said Lancaster l)u , , R< weut up two at a tim t m quietly. ' he came to the attic landing. Then Then he leaned forward, and . he hes ; tate d_- a nd listened, looked into the man s eyes. T)le hllm o{ f ee bl e voices came cake should notHje put away until ; .> usually receive pretty trifles the pr'i-."iv made by her own hauds.it Christ- "And can't he come back!" "No. That is. I don't think so. Xow mother wants to have a nap. The telephone-bell rang -for twentieth time that morning. Slu- closed her eyes, but not to j snatched up leep. It had been almost a come- patiently. dy tint had parted them if pride the receiver the He im- What's thai ? Am I Hallo : and lack of hiinior had not turned it what!" lfi voice became sudden- into n tragedy. Ho was sensitive ly incredulous. "Am I Father and passionate, and, cursed with a^ Christmas?" sharp tongue, she ha held the! It was a little piping voice, ob- power to wound him. The quarrel viously not that of a adult. A arose from-she could hardly re-| twinkle sprang into the great man's: member; but she had said bitter eyes. things, and in his pa^ion he had, "Yes, I'm Santa Claus." he said, struck her. j in a softer voice. Pride and folly had done the rest.' "Do I keep beef-cea- and grapes She left him, taking her baby with - and custard! Here, hold on. lit- her. In five years she had not heard tie man- one at a time. Now : from him nor seen him: but the "Can I bring your mummy some bitterness had long since gone from beef-tea and things! Why, yes, I her heart, leaving only pride and expect so." a dull aching. Heavens, what an experience! The memory of it brought a pain The sheriff's face lit up at the more intense than the physical thought of it. agonv of her illness. It was more ; "But how big's your cliimney !' than' she oould bear. She drifted he said, very seriously. 'Where do into a sleep that i ? as half coma. | you live? The little boy watched his mo- 'What'!- that? You'\ got a big ther in silence. Her face was be- chimney! Oh, good! But where- coming dimmer and dimmer; he|abouts is your house! Eh! Three aw her as through a deepening hundred and sixty-two. Fore Street, mist. Something hot fell on his 'City.' Right you are. 1 won't tor- cheek, and tickled him as it ran get you." down to his chin. Then he drew He leaned bac-k in his chair, and his hand across his eyes. That was- ' gave vent to a prolonged chuckle, n't a boy's business. (Then he likened again intently. He glanced up and around to as This was no joke. The little voice certain if his vision had cleared. A was in deadly earnest, prettily designed calendar was j "Bring back your daddy !' re- hanging on the wall. It had been peated the M.P. softly. "That's given him >bv a gentleman from rather a tall ord-er for Father one of the offices downstairs. That Christinas, sonny. What's happen- wa-s lust Christmas. | cd to him!" Crumbs! And to-day was the i For some minutes he listened 10 twenty-third of Doe-ember, duly ! silence. frwo more days to ChrisUnaa. hen! "What's your mummy .< name, Santa Claus came in the dead of he asked presently. "You don't night, nnd filled little boys' stock- ; know I But what do (ho peop'e call ings with everything the heart t her- I mean, the butcher and the oould wish for. 'lie must be a tine milkman and the baker! Ah, Mrs. old chap. Father Christinas -and Coleridge '.' rich, too. ! At the mention of the name he Curlv stiffened suddenly. Then knitted his brows, and. leaning h looked over at his mother and, back, remained for some minutes in at the emptv basin on the chair by deep thought. Could it be the the bedside." | same man ! After all, life was made ''I wonder if Santa C"iaus keeps 'up of strange -almost in., -redible beef tf a," he mused --"and custard' coincidences. Then, ns though *ml grapes!" j suddenly recollecting himself, he Teddv-bears and clockwork trains j bent forward to the 'phone, neemed more in his line ; but one ' *- vnn then-!' he "A^e y..iu married, C'oleridge !' he asked point-edly. The odd hand started, and his] face lost its color. "Yes. sir," he said, and scrutin- ized the carpet. "Where's your wife?" t-n:d the was ;i '.l-tiii almost of defiance in his eyes. "Heaven knows!" he said. "\Ve paned five years ago we quarrel- froni within. He pushed open the door, and crept inside. "Arthur !" The woman started up in bed, and held out her hands. My sir! !" lie said thickly. And on his knees by the bedside he took her in his arms. * * * * Beef tea and other delicacies ha-vc Mr.-. Blew ' Oh. .'.. '.-T. Vu; ails him?" Doctor -"Rheumafcori al anthritis." Mr-, doctor, we are very mas t:,i . Fn m their aunt, ilie Queen of i Norway, our young Royalties get [delightful photograph* ! N-rw*g- ian -rcencs. all taken by hersrlf Ar.l not i-n!y take:,, but developed ; and mounted by her own h-uids. The Quce-i of Spnin is another . FI -\;i' lady wiio makes ::.. at least, of her . v. ;i christ:i::,s pre- s'lit.s. To her ix''u : vi's ill Ku l/i<i come t';e d- .inok Tchiffs. e:iil)r'.':di-red by herself. SI:-- her spare time a!! tho ye:ir round in B!'--\v -"Oh, leaking these. p. r : can't King A'.f-.n.-o :, a:-i very TIIAT CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. never could tell. Then, again, where did he live? TLo postman might know ; but Oneo more the little frame stif fi-ned under the strain of sudden he called. Are you there "Are you there ?" But there came no reply. The lit tie voice had gone. Sir James Lancaster put up the receiver like a man in a dream. At you make it something cheaper?" ,,.>s. and the Christ'i-as-tree. for his A -i family " -ear be a mar- M-; 'f beauty and costlin--- H->. by the by. gets a very nic present himself eac!i Christ- iras. By old custom, the town of V .,' it.ia -famous for its raisins prett-nU him with a cheque for ab.-ut $15,000. which is paid into the R \ a-1 <-.\i-hequer for his own personal use. Tho Dowager Queen A'fxjiiidra. is one of tlio few perhaps the only R-'.'. a', lady -who designs aud paint* her own Christmas cards. Natur- ally, these are much prized by who receive then,. Ckrtotaua HUI-IIH. Moro litt-lo fingers get burnt at Christmas-time than at any c-ther. Roast. chestnuts, snapdragon^ Christmas-tree candles., etc.. are responsible. A crying child, in pain, is not southed by eiulcar- ments, but by something- which wjll take the pain away. Fu-rearc simple aa'.d proven remedie* : > i soap, lightly rubbed on a burn, in- j sLantly relieves tho pai:i Kvery : kind of soap has not this effect, but i iu default of s*>ft -soap. ;:<e ordi- nary \o!low or whit.r curd. But it's .worth whiio seeing tJiat tiiere is , sufi siiap in tho house. Charrool, IMiwdered. laid fairly thick on a burn, has the <amf effect, and in ndditu>n, has healing pr-. x Triies. A <,-\t-re burn must have the air ex- cluded. That's what causes the in- to'i-rnb'e ]-;ii!i- theex' . > air. Cover the burn with oil -linswd or 'olive -cTust lli.'iir \\\-\>i\ t.!-..i.'. ;'.i<l 'then coTer vitJi 'v- <' watkl'*:.: '" a piece <'f -oft, linen V^oth^r rom- cdy is a. soft rn* dipped iu a irux- 'ture of lime water an-1 ' -oo<l oil 'equal parts. In .1 very .iv.-ro ca*^, ^n doctor must be *?nt f-r ;if oncei but, in tho meantime, oil MM wheat*!! flour dust'-'l o-i t.lie flesh, an<l tlii- aiv t-\c'udxi. i< the tr-M-t- Iment. Of wurse rijHit tnin'<:n^ p-opli are those who think as VCH do.