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The Quiet Observer CHRISTMAS WILL ENDURE. Christmas Is quite safe as Don Marquis lias pointed out in "Life." It has been taken up by the Depart- mental stores and for good reasons such as appeal to store managers' Christmas will not be allowed to lapse. Santa Claus has quite usurped the place of Father Christmas and this also is the work of the departmental stores. Santa Clans or Kris Krinkle or whatever we may call him used to arrive on a sleigh drawn by reindeer. More recently he came in a motor car. Now he is said to arrive ap- propriately at the chimney top by airplane. At all events he gets here and manages to overlook very few. and. let us hope, only the naughty and undeserving. The season has been observed, however, from time memorial, probably since that remote perioU, when it is declared, one of the early races on the Lemurian con- tinent, millions of years aga. Invented the zodiac. From ihe earliest agos the great spiritual teachers of the earth have been associated with the Yule-tide date, and the first car- tain mention of Christmas as on De- cember 25th was in 3*4 A.D. Var- ious other dates have been mention- ed, but there is little doubt that the presently accepted date was fixed '.ipon to synchronize with the ancient festivals that celebrated the birth of the Sun-Gods of antiquity. Krishna, Cuddha. Mlthra. as well as Opheus. Zoroaster. Horns, Bel. Bacchus, Bal- der. Apollo, Tammuz, Quetbalcoatl, Adonis, and other reputed saviours of the world all had their births cele- brated at the winter solstice when the sun stands still for three days and nights and then on December 25th turns north again to bring the spring aud the new life of rhe year. It has always beem a season of joy and gild- ness, and rhe ancient sages who as- sociated it with the Sun of Righteous- nees undoubtedly wished to make the aiasees understand all the love and beauty and gladness on which the universe rests though they did not forget what one of their school wrote two centuries and a half ago: Though Christ a thousand times In Bethlehem be born. And not within thyself Thy soul Is still forlorn SOCIAL SERVICE MARKS PROGRESS. Dr. Bernet R. Briekner. the new chief Rabbi in Toronto of Holy Blos- som Synagogue, made his first pu-b- iic appearance in that city at a Cana- dian Club luncheon recently and spoko on "Social Progress Through Social Service." He is a young man. under thirty, and has just become vhe 'ather of an infant daughter. He is gifted with eloquence, which a pow- erful voice, makes impressive, and his fund of common sense and evi- dent original thought and breadth of view, indicate a distinct addition to the intellectual forces of the prov- ince. He obtaine-1 his doctorate from Columbia University and came from Cincinnati to succeed the late Rabbi Jacobs la Toronto. As a distinguish- ed social worker he spoke with au- thority on the topic chosen. He op?ned his address with a personal nott> on his marriage and home lift? and ta!d how hia wife had been first his college chum and afterwards his sweetheart. She wajited a boy. but he wanted a girl, for he desired to *ee her grow up and be her mother over again. He paid a tribute to th<? Hritif* nation which had been the first to do justice to his people. 'If we are the people of the Book the Knglish ought to be called the people of the Bible." he said. We recalled a striking illustration of (he lapse of time and the passage of great periods proposed by one writer. If our pres- ent era was likened to (ha face of a great clock Indicating twelve hours of iO.OOO years, then we. stood at the point of noon of eleven hours and forty minutes of the first part of the 54 we know practically nothing. The Eabylonian and Egyptian civiliza- tions began ab^ut twenty minutes to 12 when every minute represented 333 1-3 years. At seven minutes to 12 the Creeks and Romans flourished. \t one minute to twelve Bacon wrote his advancement of learning. Plato and Aristotle were our contemporar- ies. Shakspeare was our playmate and we might say we had Bacon for dinner. In this vast period life gen- erated change but change and evolu- tion were not equivalent. Progress involves the recognizatlon and pur- suit of ideals. There is a force in the world ruling it, pushing it for- ward. Man is imbued with a tiny spark of that divine nature. Our duty as men was to develop it so that we go in the direction dictated. When we become socially minded, said Dr. Brickner, we become truly divine. "That is my conception of social progress. When I see you and others banded together for social progress then I know that God is in the warld, and that there is a divine spark in men. Philanthropy is not a means of finding the way to heaven or of 'helping oilier fellows to get there, it is not a question of saving man's soul, but of saving man." His view of civilization was that the present system was virtually turning out a race of virtual savages, drifting to a stage of intellectual lassitude and in- difference. School statistics showed an alarming proportion of feeble- minded, defectives or morons. We had been living on the storage batteries ' of past intellectual achievement and unless we generated new force society would inevitably decay. MR. ROWELL AND ARTICLE X Hon. Newton Roweil has made a distinct impression in Europe by his speech setting forth the objections to Article X of the 'League of Nations Covenant. "Fifty thousand Cana- dians under the sod of France and Flanders is the price that Canada has paid for European statesmanship. It was European policy and European ambition which drenched the world in blood and precipated the situation from which we have suffered and are still suffering We are not prepared to allow any European leagu> to set- tle world problems for us." In this sentence he summed up the attitude of the new diplomacy towards the old. He voiced the sentiment of all the new-world nations. Naturally the European statesmen have not fallen In with this view with alacrity. It Is not so much A reflection oa them as on the system of which they are tlie offspring. They could have passed over a personal criticism, but that which involves their patriotism, thtir dominant love for their own lands and Institutions does not com- mand their sympathy when it adopts ton* of disparagement. But after all thi.t would be a purely surface con- sideration. The matter goes much deeper. Sir Robert Borden in cor- roborating the statement of Mr. Rowell on the Canadian viewpoint. calls attention to tare* positions to v.-hich signatories of the covenant committed themse-ivt's. These are that all existing territorial delimitations are just and expedient; that they will continue indefinitely to be just and expedient; and that. th- signatories will be responsible for them. It Is cbvious tint not to accept these points would be to sacrifice everything that had not already been attained and in- cluded In t.hi> present hiatus. To de- clare that all existing condition* are just and expedient is a tacit invita- tion to r?bellkm or revolution fric- tion or some description with all Vho think differently. The old difficulty of dogmatic affirmation without ade- quate opportunities for modiflcatiju or change of view should not be per- petuated. It ha< led us in the past into all manner of bitterness, envy, hatred and malice. The scientific method is one of co-operation, care- ful enquiry, complete tolerance, total absence of prejudice and of anything but that which makes for the general welfare as well as for the spec- ial beneficiary. There is a sincere desire, among the more enlightened nations at all events, to arrive at such an order and disposition as would en- able all reasonable alms to be realized without heat cr piuu^. and without in- jurious expense to others. Should the great nations decree a universal and self-denying ordinance of peace the lesser nations would more readily follow such August examples thin their unimplemented precepts. MACHINES NOW FRADE Quit? METAL MARKET ALSU HAS BROKEN, AND DEALERS ARE REFUSING TO BUY MATERIAL. In the summary o! the iron, steel, /iietal and machinery markets, Cana- dian, Machinery and Manufacturing News, Toronto, makes the toUowtog comment: A. few nice orders were secured in the machine tool market during tht- week aud these provide the bright spots. Otherwise trade was not up to the mark. Several of the prin- cipal makers have notified their agents that they will protect buyers against price declines for the coming six months. Buyers do not seem to be taking advantage of the fact that it is a buyers' market now, and they could probably come in with their re- quirements ta much better advantage than at any time during the past three or four years. Local warehouses have announced new prices on some lines. Bar iron and steel are selling at 5c base. Sheets and plates were also put on a lower level. There is a fairly lirge stock of sheets In store, quite enough to take care of the present requirements ot the trade. Manufacturers still send out lists of surplus material on hand, and the peculiar situation is found at times of the dealer trying to sell the manufacturer the very materials that the manufacturer would like to see She former taking off ^his hands for resale. One of the largest dealers in scrap metals notified some 3.000 firms dur- ing the week that for the present they" were entirely cut of the market as far as taking on anything in the line of brass, copper, zinc, lead, pelter. etc. is concerned. In fa.-t they are out of the whole non-ferrous line, and In iron and steol they are buying only igainst contracts. This is the first time in the history of their business that they have sent out such notiiv-i. Tlu-y inliMid to keep out until some- thins definite is established as a working base in the metal market. Outing the> past month they have haf to write off so'\it> hundreds of thou- sands by way of depreciation on stock in their yards and warehouses. DOMINION WOOL MARKET REPORT. Tlmv has beon considerable evl deuce during the past ten days of a general steadying of prices in the wool market. \Ve are getting back to about pre-waj- prices, and there is a tendency, noted for the first time sinco the war commenced, toward a greater equalization of grade prices. Movements of Canadian wools re- cently reported comprise considerable qualities of western fine clolhing. fine stable, half-blood clothing, half-blood staple and seedy. This activity, fol- lowing a very dull period, is encour- aging. The Critlsh wool market has rfot improved. The sales of [December were not at all successful; only 10 per c?nt. of the offerings were sold. The Government reserve limits were reduced 10 per cent., but even at that, I very few bidders came up to the re- aerve limit. HOME SWEET HOME by Earl Hurst THANKS HATTIE-VOUOE A DOR TO MEND THAT POCKET - 8X THE WAV- I MAY NOT BE ABU TO CAT AT HOME ~ . \_ sea i ' ""^ 1S A Po .~f 1 1 SHALL t? oc Sf^ I I'LL SEND CHE BOV OvE0 W!TH_A i R '\1 NOTE. IP i AM- / (J WK>. c T7 i^Sk.; r^5 < JUST rouND T^E HuTZ ^ft.^, ! S"^ JWHEN I WAS FlXlNfc YCOR COATV%ig morse was bread in him. Frankto had given way about the marriage for Mme. Kain's sake. All through she had given that oth- ers might take. The curtain fell again on the thun- der of applause. The last scene came on Carmen's death scene Carmen, who, too, gave right to the end. Leon made a swift resolution. Love poor, weak love which would not bii denied, came to him at laat not as a power with which he obtained, but as a power with which to give. Beast, brute that lie had been! He could have kissed Prankle's feet in his humility. (To be continued). FOOLISH FRANCESCA '. By Olive Wadsley Savinge got in beside her and the | sima would halp her Save her from that. She sat huddled up in a corner of the big car: from his corner Savinge car started Her confused thoughts were brok- ^n by Savinge's voice. "I think I mght to tell you,'" he said in rathe* i strained voice, "that before taking" vou to the opera. I am taking you to a lawyer's office where we are to be married.'' Frankie had not listened to first part of the sentence; the The half-dead memory of Frankie stirred faintly in his mind; little by little the ship espide came back Cad- What a beastly dull voyage It (had been- Frankie had helped to brighten it $ little, at any rate. He smiled>i^ he remembered the moonlight walks and talks, and the child had adorned him in her rum lit- tle way, though, or course, the Paris incident. Frankie actually calling ai his hotel in the evening and expecting him. like some medieval knight, to ller curiously ' but he did metaphorically catch her in his arms. At the opera house Mme. Kain was waiting impatiently. "Late. Bebe. you will be late." Then the I to the dresser; "The frock so then- last i the shawl n* like this idiot so words awoke her like a heavy blow. I draped on the 1-ft-the rouge Gott Sho caught Savinge's coat sleeve. how' ale ou - enchamed land, had been deuced an- noying and too absurd! And now she had become a cele- brity apparently! He had come in very late, and had heard and seen her without connecting Uie adorning, She caught Saringe's coat sleeve. "It's a He; you daren't do it. I won't marry you: no one cau force me to "I think you are wrong there," Sa- vinge sai'l in the same cheerfully controlled voice. "I think you will agree to marry uie when I explain J few things to you. how pale you are! Ye-anso -and the powder, no idiot, a bit of if on her nose, so-yes. now then the yourself, Bebe look" Franceses saw herself in Uie large winger mirror, a small, vivid scarlet- clad being, her hair wound round her head, a scarlet passion flower stuck "The first is, that there will be no i over one ear C'-armen- at the opera house tonight' , she looke(J ,, d Bohel)ian t . you do not marry me. The car iv( , d .... .... .>' if will simply drive about till midnight, that is all, and I think you will cwa I am strong enough to conquer any physical struggle for freedom, you may make. The second reason is that I have already notified the lead- ing papers of our marriage this even- ing. That is all." Frankie cowered in a corner. Wild thoughts of japping from the car, of screaming, of trying to fight Savinge and escape came to her. but Either she must marry him or else make herself and Mme. Kaiue a luusching stock. Tears gathered in her eyes and f"ll. Savinge saw tln'iu fall, and did not Uke his eyes from her. "That you should be so absolutely owardiy and despicable as to do this. 1 Frankie said, her eyes burning through the tears. "I do not propose to play fast and lots- with in the way you affect.'' ;iviuge said indifferently. "Neither do I" his voice hardened "propose to become a laughing stock on your account. Our engagement had been announced by Mme. Kaiu. and I do not quite se-e myself being twitted by all my friends tomorrow morning, when the truth is published. Yourself, your wounded feelings, your name." Frankie flashed at him. "And yesterday I thought I loved yon!" 'You acted magnificently," he as- sured her bitterly. The light of the streets flashed into the car. The clang, clang of the mo- "My throat is absolutely drv,' she i j . " said; "utterly dry." Mme. Kaine actually laughed. "That we know! Wait until Uie hour arrives and then you shall have something which make it not feel ab- solutely, utterly, dry. Think of that long second song; do not at that fi>t note wait your breath Is failing; do not try to hury ou. waic. let It come, it will come. The bell. 1 must go." She looked at age, beautifully dressed, Jeweled and scented. beautifully I "Adieu, moln Kind." she said with ] tears iu her eyes. Frankie sat quite along for the and the cries music from the of the lighted tor buses, Presse, the cafes. Time was going, there was only an- other hour U-ft before the opera be- next few minutes ia her dressing room. She could hear the sounds of laughter coming from some ot the | other rooms, which were shared, and far uway the faiat souud of 'seats falling into place. This was perhaps the greatest night of her life, she thought; ii did not seem so. And suddenly, as she sat there, the vast impunetnable night seemed to . close all round her; it was as though '"Bunting, she was alone, a tiny unit to fight Whur, ,. against huge massed forces that com- bated with her. This was real stage fright, she knew that. She rose and walked up and down, for the time she had forgotten Leon's very existence, she was simply a sing- er who was to sing. "Carman Car-men." she heard the caller's voice, the double roll on the r's. She caught up her shawl, her cigarettes, aud ran swiftly down the corridor. The opera house in Pari.s is perliaps more suited to the first production of a voice than any other iu the world, going mad. he smoked his cigarette In the he let his memory run back over the episodes of the voyage. He lounged back in his seat as the curtain rose. a:id sat with his glasses up during the whole act. He felt neither languid nor amused as he weac of the foyer when the curtain had fallen. Not pretty, perhaps, but. by Jove, how amazingly seduisanie! And what fire of life, what intense attrac- tion! He bit the end of his short mustache, a habit he had when he was excited. This girl, this being of name, had once been the outre little kid who had clung to him and kissed him and ac- tually believed his easy acceptance of her childish ardor meant anything serious. It seemed too amazing lj be true, but It was true, and if Frankie had cared for He was swept off hU feet by her sudden brilliant charm. !ier appealing, heart-searching, liquid voice. His usual dilettante embarkation on a love affair deserted him. leaning the wall he hastily scrawled a note on Uie back of his card ask- ing Frankie to see him for a moment; he signed the message "Kit.'' A louis in an attendant hand Insured its safe transit. He seat through the act memorizing every detail of that long-forgotten voyage on the troop ship, his eager vanity ai'lume. his sense of conquest it has that reputation at least, but the description should be amplified a little so that to the uninitiated it may be clear that structural excellence 'Is gan, and Frunkie had to dres*. and already she knew Mme. Kain would becoming anxious. A sick dread clutched her at th- thought of marrying Savtege was afraid of him now, afraid of mar- j nit meant to be a predominating iu- riage, terrilipd by everything. An- j dulgencc, but the audience itself. Other train of thought held her. A French audience Is expressive, ap- Mme Kain h:id given her this mar- j preolatire, in a way which no other velous training, had b.-on s> bound- I nation quite understands, a facl which lessly generous to her s>ht> could not' is vi>ry largely a result of tile star" -- ..... TM, nt.nf fail her at the last instant. The chef iforchestre of the opera house had given her I'arineu after endless 1,-bates, and at the end of it all it was really Mine. Kain's had won the day. She 1ml been > com in of Kiuukie's voice that she had forced others to belU-vc in it. too. performance prevalent tuere. It is said that every artist feels the mood of his or her audience. Frank:,' she fail her. After all she had done fcr her. after all UK' forbearance ami gentleness and belief? l"il marry you." Frankio said, tor Mme. Kato'B sak-. 1 can't KO back MI her I can't full her. and 1 tell you thai with all my strength 1 loathe anil despise you. Si) drive to your lawyer's and be quick; if I am late will tell every one what you have ilon \ whatever it costs me." -You will not be late." Saving felt as she came up the stage just as word which i though some rather kindly person smi'ed at her. Mine. Shubert Kain was adored by the Parisians, the girl was her pro- tegee, the mi'lienc" was pleasantly an- !iciiu;ive. The house was picked. F.'.inkie had be-'n skill'ullv "boomed." issurcd her gravely, porier at the flat to Anil I told the telephone to Mi'ii,'.' Kain as soon as we had staneii saying you would be a little _latt> as you wanted to go for a drive." Frankie flushed. He had been as- sured of her as that then! He had actually prepared for this thing to happen! The ceremony at. the office was so short that. Frankie would almost have believed it of no value, had she not signed the paper with Us govern- ment stamp and had not Savinge care- fully placed a wedding ring on her finger. CHAPTER XIII. Bis Bis! Brs! They drove in silence to the theatre What was to happen later Frankie did ami Pnris which counted for a:iv- When a slip 01 paper with the word "Yes' 1 on it. signed "Frankie." was pushed into his hand, he gave an in- voluntary, almost noiseless laugh of sheer triumph. During the long wait Leon, in a box was conscious of an old woman touching his arm. He knew that some one had been pushed into the box just as the curtain rose, and he turned to hear an Knglish voice say: "You'll excuse me, sir. but I know Carmen." Leon faced round swiftly, his glass in his eye. He saw a middle-*ige<l woman in black satin heavily trimmed with bugles, smiling at him a little anxiously. "Do you?" he asked. ".Nursed 'er when s!ie was a baby." Mrs. IJaggs said proudly. "Lived with me till madanie took her up eight months ago." "Lived with you?" Savinge re- peated. "In my boarding-'onse. sir Miss Frankie was in a tea shop then. w:is to \lVe K , )tll , ,j |h,, '.,]],<. | )ut w ' ls j|| and lost 'er voice for a bit lived with working 'ard. I tell you, sir. for more than a year." "I should thing Miss - er Trent would be successful in her work In I any work she tonk up." Loon said. "Successful!" Mrs. Uaggs snorti-il. "Ten shillings a week. sir. you'll b<'- ge-ionnis as they're nia.'n'." II could pviure Frankie laughing aiul paying v. i'fk after week. Oarmen, ^ is singing thi? love-song me and tips: and she paid me penny frr penny all she owed every Frankie, thing was there. One or two men in the stalls suM s uiit'ih'.ng about hor plainness when shi 1 appeared; then, as she began to s!u complete silence pervade! tlw j j^" ' leli^iiTas'TnVre'madp \ audltcnum. Her voice trembled dis- ' favorite t in- tinct:y in thy first note; one note was ' c- uo wa ' s <fve:l " " keep u- tip. Mine. l\;;::n' RrijipeJ 'IT glasses i:i [glT Facts About Canada Lying to the eastward of the coast line of New Brunswick is the Province of Prince Edward Island a small portion of the Dominion but one of its most beautiful areas. So charming did the early adventurers who came across the Atlwtic find it that t}iey sought the land from the English King. As a result in one day he virtually gave away the en- tire public domain to absentee land- lords. At the time this seemed o* litt'e consequence, but later it was destined to delay the progress of the island a great deal. It became necessary for the local Government in the last century to repurchase the land from the overseas holders. In 1873 ': was estimated that about 4oO;000 acres of the 1,390,721) acres given away was repurchased and transferred to actual settlers. When the question of federation with the other provinces became a live issue one of the difficulties en- countered was the land question and the Dominion was forced to make a big money grant to the island in order to provide for the 'administration of public business. The first suggestion was a gift of $800.000 for the lose of such public lauda, the proceeds of the sale of which could, as in The other British colonies, be apportioned to- wards local improvements and the maintenance of Government. Another suggestion in the proposals of the is- and electors was Unt the Dominion Lroverument should assist it in the policy of buying back the Crown ands that had been alienated iu the pioneer days. This agreement was" ratified at length and although It was costly .process it has resulted fairly satisfactorily for Prince Edward Is- and. As a result, partly of the policy, partly from the natural wealth of the stand cui.l also from the thrift of its nhabitauts that part of the Dominion making rapid progress. ONTARIO SELLS A $15,000,000 ISSUE ORIGINAL $6.000,000 RAISED WHEN ABSORPTION WAS DIS- COVERED TO BE EASY. Ontario's bond sale came to a suc- essful climai when the syndicate of eighteen bond houses handling the Is- sue were able to announce, that, iti- ud of the original $6.000.000 offered to the public, they had actually dis- posed of no lees than 115.000,000. When it became known that the Issue was meeting with unexpectedly good welcome from the investing public, it seemed desirable to extend the offer- ing beyond the original plan, and the first step was to raise It to $12.000,000. which was afterwards again enlarged' to the $15.000.000 mentioned. The situation surrounding the On- tario Issue was uncommonly inter- esting, and not without its anxieties to those engaged in it. The re-listing of Victory bonds es- tablished a new level of values in Can- ada, and Victory bonds must always be the basis of bond values in this country. The province of Ontario loan came upon tile market at a time o'll these new values are being es- tablished ami created confidence which not only resulted in the ab- sorption of the Ontario bonds, but had a steadying effect on the Victory b.ni'.is. Frequently during the last year or two in the United States, which is the one large free market for securities today, a new issue placed by a strong group in a compre- hensive way has restored confidence, and re-opened a buying power which seemeit tj have disappeared. wen , ,, f d . .,.,. (j(J ^ , () ( ,. y .^j Vou know what 1 mean. her lianils. Tliun. as though t'eur di<l not exist. Frnnkip recovtred hersel 1 '. Cannon sang as only Cannon could sing- -fire, deviltry, sheer gorgeous music was in her voice. A tear slid The tnrtaiu rose aiul she stopped ' speaking. L.'on watch ^d t'le stage; watched : Frankie, his wife, the nirl ho had ! iiuri'ied to save hi;iie'.f from riilicn'.o. . c. [down Mine Kams face making a lit- ( ,, ha( , npve , n ,, a ,. d , b , tie fnrniw in us nowder. <:*.. tie furrow in its powder. "Wait, wait," she told the audience silently. life. He had indeed ratli.M 1 taken it to himself for generosity; that he had Frankie was bowing her thanks, her j been willing to marry her without face alight, her hands clasping and i knowing. Through the deadening lay- unclasplng nervously. "Bis. bis. bis." the audience roar- ed; no claque was needed here! "Bis" The curtain fell, the lights flared up long before the clapping was stilled. The English ambassador returned the Intense grip warmly. He had heard Mme. Kain sing "Carmen" In not know, but ahe did know that sfcethait very house ten years before, and meant never to go to Savinge, Carls he reminded her of the fact. of selfishness his life had created on him a thought of shame pierced. The old woman's story or Frankie had influenced him, too: "She's as her lithe, thin body alive with infec- tious abandon and youth. "Si je t'alme, prends garde a toi." and yesterday she had lain In hia arm and kissed him frantically yesterday and since then what had re done to her? A sudden feeling of real re- morse was sudden feeling of real re- BEST FERTILIZERS FOR POTATOES. The advantage of the use of fer- tili/er are shown in the results ot a put a to experimental plot on the farm of Stanley Mern'.l. Cannloc Town- ship. An acre of |i,tatoes was plant- e,l in five sections. Three of the sections were t; eated with varying 'iHints of fertilizer, the other two sections being on ground on which no fertilizer was used. The yield from [':,>> whole acrt|| was more than 200 bushels. The greatest yield w:is obtained from a plot on which an average of I.HIMP pounds of fertilizer to the acre was used. This section of the plot save a yield of 300 bus. to the acre. A plot on which 750 pounds of fer- tilizer to the acre was used gave a yield of 216 bus. to the acre, and a plot on which 300 Ibs. to the acre was used gave 187 1-2 bus. to the acre. The two plots on 'which no fertilizer was used showed a yield of 137 1-2 bus. to the acre. CLAD LIKE THSW PARENTS. The children of Holland are dressed iu exactly the same manner as their parents. In the matter of their garb there is very little variety in that country and It is sometimes difficult to determine the difference between (be children, aud adults. \