Newspaper Page Text
!T A CHRISTMAS STORY, gj
HY G. T, FERHIS. K6S
[Copjrtght, 1897, by the Author.]
Frustrated hope threw its blight on the i
cheery old face as Mrs. Martin read the
letter from her son Paul. He had been a
wanderer for eight years and now wrote
from South Africa. The same feeling
haunted Kate Lockwood’s flneeyes, though
she bit her lip at the conscious revelation.
But Mrs. Martin did not see. Her eyes
were blurred And murmuring, “What
oould have happened to change his mind?”
as if it were the presage of some greater
blow, she went on with the reading:
“I’d give a few ‘sparklers’ to be with
you on Christmas, as I had planned. But
a fellow can’t always fulfill his own wish
es. It’s better to have everything wound
up before leaving. South Africa has treat
ed me pretty well up here in its diamond
fields, so I shouldn’t kick if it keeps me in
its clutch a little longer. I shan't be sor
ry to leave this furnace behind. “When my
letter reaches. Jack Frost will be abroad
with you in Vermont, clad in ice and
snow, but here a man will bo baking at
96 in the shade. I’m burned as black as
any Kaffir in the mines, so that you and
Kate would scarcely know my swarthy
phiz By the way, you may tell that young
woman from me that I don’t half like her
goings on with the Swinton man. Didn’t
she promise to wait for me? I shall have
a word to say to her about her faithless
ness. *' And so Paul’s letter rambled on
In a semichaffing tone. Kate’s face had
darkened to angry scarlet when Mrs. Mar
tin looked up and said: “Why, my dear,
you mustn’t take Paul’s jokes so hard
You know what a ‘tease’ he was from a
boy. ”
That was precisely the trouble. Paul
had always been joking, Kate feared. A
distant cousin and reared in the family,
ever since she had emerged into woman
hood a more tumultuous sweetness had
mingled with the calm affection she had
once felt for Paul even as she had for his
.elder brother Will When he had gone
Away, she was only 17, and keenly she had
lulvered with the nang of parting. Year
11 IJI I
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I 18.
“WHAT A TEASE!’’ ' .
alter year had slid by, and the rolling
stone found no rest and the girl’s sore
heart had certainly found no balm in the
absent Paul’s jocose phrases Yet she had
sometimes fancied a thrill of sentiment
and tenderness quickening his sportive al
lusions At ail events suitors bad lacked
fuel for their fire, and her friends rallied
the young schoolteacher that the only men
folk she liked were the lads, with whom
she could be “jolly good fellow” in a most
fascinating way Her latest admirer, the
head of a prosperous factory and much
liked by the Martins, had no better luck
than predecessors
“There was a time,’’the old lady con
tinued in reminiscent mood as she laid
down the letter, “when I hoped you and
Paul would come together some day; but,
lackaday, that’s all done with, I can't
understand the girls nowadays.’ 1 s’pose
you ain’t afcared of bein left an.old maid,
fer, you know, you’re good lookin’’—and
Mrs. Martin peered quizzically at Kate
over her glasses—‘‘but- still you might
never have such a good offer as Mr. Swin
ton—plenty of money, not too old, and as
good as gold As for Paul’s stayin away
anotbpr —.
A sickly, fretful
<“ ' baby is a distress-
ul burden to both
of the parents. As-
v/xjw \ ter P ass ' n K worried
and sleepless
■StvCX. n 'khts the father
MAiRuBB is unfitted for bus
iness and the
HP] mother for her
1 Mfl household duties.
W a woman will
r. jl '77 J&sßk USqj take proper care
of herself during
l ' lc period preci d-
Kgfll lESflHfl HI! '"S motherhood.
IwSi ancl see t° it tl>a t
Ur fl 1 ’‘the organs that
■Bl »r.Xt!S bear the burdens
■■l KwKw maternity are
KB I K| W kept strong and healthy,
H her cHildren will be ro-
bust and good-natured.
•W " The best medicine for
keeping these delicate and important or
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Thousands of women have testified to the
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and almost free from pain. Women who
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forts of the period of gestation. It is the
most marvelous medicine ever known for
wives and mothers. It is the preparation
of an eminent and skillful specialist, Dr. R.
V. Pierce, who has been for thirty years
chief consulting physician to the Invalids’
Hotel and Surgical Institute, at Buffalo,
N. Y. Women who wish to know niore
about it should write him.
“ About six years ago my wife became afflicted
with female weakness,” writes the Rev. I. J.
Coppedge, of Elmo, Kaufman County, Texas.
“She could not stand on her feet or get in any
position in which she did not suffer great pain.
She was naturally a strong woman. I had
several physicians to treat her without any per
manent relief. She despaired of ever again be
ing well. She saw an advertisement of your
‘ Favorite Prescription ’ and spoke to me about
it. I got her a bottle of the medicine which she
soon found was helping her. She kept on until
she had taken six bottles. Since taking the last
she has not suffered a moment with the old
trouble. She has been well nearly twelve
months. The • Favorite Prescription ’ was all the
medicine she took. She is in good health and
we are happy."
■‘Wlk.T's C.iat about Paul’s not comln
home?” Mr. Martin’s jolly red face, now
beginning to pucker with years and care,
was filled with dismay as he suddenly en
tered the room. “That scapegrace of ourn
oughter be thrashed es he’s a-goin to dis
appoint us ag’in. ” So Mrs. Martin again
read the letter aloud, while Kate, amid the
varied comment of the old couple, escaped
for a hearty cry.
Farmer Martin's gloom had a deeper
root than ordinary miscarriage of hope.
“I’d ruther looked to Paul’s help es the
wust comes,” said he to his wife, “fer
Will’s got all he can shoulder. The mort
gage on the place has never been easy to
meet—what with poor crops and low
prices. I met Squire Barber jes’ now, and
I told him wo expected PauL ‘ Fer sure, ’
said he, and laughed with his‘Ho, ho!’
like some danged ole hyeny, and then he
said he hoped there wouldn’t be any delay
this year ’bout the mortgage money or
somethin might turn up, and then he outs
with another snicker. Confound his hide,
it’s as heartless as his sheepskin books, fer
I had alius reckoned him a friend afore. ”
Though Christmas did not promise any
appetizing sauce for its turkey and mince
fie, active pre'paratiori’went on as usual,
for Will and his children would be there,
and their hearts must be gladdened with
Christmas sunshine. Arlingford had in
deed always kept the day with more' fervor
than is the wont with most New England
country towns It was the day before
Christmas and the farmer was returning
from the woods, whither he had gone to
select the Christmas tree. The crisp, sweet
air was musical with sleighbells, for the
earth was sheathed in dazzling white. As
he turned into the main street, his bobsled
almost collided with a fast cutter spinning
homeward from Chester. It was Squire
Barber returning from the county seat,
some eight miles distant, where his law
office was located.
“Merry Christmas, if it isn’t too early!’
shouted the lawyer, pulling up. “W’hat
have you got there? Holly, and as I live
mistletoe too I haven’t seen any before
for an age. ”
“Yes,” said Mr. Martin, “it comes and
goes in a curious way. I hain’t found it
growin fer ten years till I got this from
a half rotten apple tree in the upper or
chard. ” And he held up a sprig of It with
its yellow leaves and whitish berries shin
ing like crusted silver in the winter sparkle
of the sun.
“The old legend says it brings good
luck,” answered the lawyer. “I’ll drop
in this evening and see it hanging, for the
chance of kissing pretty Kate under the
mistletoe, unless Swinton gets ahead o.
me.” And he chuckled heartily to himself
as he drove on.
The Martins had attended the, early
service ip the church and were now gath
ered in the big parlor where the Christmas
tree was set loaded with presents and the
children were all agog with eagerness.
Mr. Swinton was a guest of the occasion,
though not much to Kate’s pleasure. The
tree had been almost stripped of its burden
amid the jubilation of the youngsters, and
even Paul’s absence couldn’t quite quench
the heartsome glow of the old folk.
“Ow I ’ood like to see Santy Caus his
ses ’en he comes down the chimley to
night!” said little May Martin, her mouth
gorged with dripping sweets.
Just then a tremendous clashing of
bells rang out as if a whole caravan of
sleighs were coming up the road. Louder
and louder chimed the silvery music till it
stopped before the door amid the pawing
of horses’ hoofs.
“Who can it be?” they all said to each
other. “Perhaps it is Santa Claus,” whis
pered Kate to little May. The child caught
w- o
lid I®/ u
HOW THE OI.D MOTHER CRIED AND HUGGED
HIM.
at the entrancing thought and rushed to
the front door. They heard a scream of
terror, and May darted back, gasping and
white, to hide her face in her father’s lap.
Santa Claus indeed had come to the
child’s invocation. Framed in the door
way and seeming almost to fill it stood a
great, fur clad figure, looking like a gi
gantic bear on its hind legs. A fur hel
met covered the whole face, with goggles
in the eyelet holes, and on the furry arm
hung a big basket with bulging contents.
Amid the breathless silence and wonder
the uncouth figure stalked to the Christ
mas tree and crowded its empty boughs
with such a largess of parcels as to bend
them low. As the pantomime went on
Mr. Martin nodded to his wife and Kate
and then toward their guest as if to say,
“This little comedy is the pleasant sur
prise of a rich man’s wooing. ” But Swin
ton s eyes were bent on Santa Claus with
a queer look of dread and expectancy
could they have gauged his thought.
Not a word was uttered till the fur clad
image had closed his task, when a hoarse,
rumbling voice, as if it had been made
raucous by shouting against polar blasts,
issued from under the fur hood, calling
them by name and summoning them to
receive their gifts. The children’s turn
came first. The trembling youngsters
were loaded with such gorgeous and won
derful toys as they had never dreamed
could exist Will Martin got a box con
taining a sealskin cap and gloves. The
wonderful fur cloak which Santa Claus
threw around Mrs. Martin was fit for the
shoulders of a queen, as she stood there
quivering with curiosity and a dumb pre
sage that feared to name itself and stam
mering thanks that choked' in tne throat
In the farmer’s hands was placed a large
sealed envelope, and he blinked and (jeered
as if he would unravel some clew to the
impassive mystery which faced him. He
itched to tear open the envelope, but wait
ed.
j Kate Lockwood’s name was called, and
her trembling limbs could scarcely.parry
TUB ROUE TRIBLNE. SATURDAY DECEMBER 25. 1897,
her forward. A little box was snappeu
open and a superb diamond ring blazed
like a star. Shp grew dizzy, for a blinding
flash of iijtelJlgence came even before that
furry mask was torn off with a swift ges
ture and the bronzed face of Paul, twitch
ing with emotions of -joy and -tenderness,
appeared to 'them. How the old mother
cried and hugged him till her arms were
weary; how the men folk wrung his hand
and overwhelmed him with broken, eager
questioning, and how the children made
shy acquaintance with the unknown uncle
Santa Claus need not be ppcounted.
“And has my Kate no greeting?” Paul
said. She came forward with cheeks of
flame from where she had stood aloof, be
wildered with a rush of feelings. He
gazed at her shining eyes, and her heart
leaped at the lover’s deep look. Then he
happened to notice the twisted vine of leaf
and berry that swayed over her head, the
time honored symbol of a thousand sweet
mysteries.
“Under the mistletoe, too,” he laughed
He was the same old teasing Paul. ‘ • That
Is as it should be. ” And ho took his privi
lege then and there, drawing her sweet
« face to his and kissing her on the lips be
fore them all.
“Look,” he whispered, “at the inner
circle of the ring,” and there Kate saw en
graved, “From Paul to the woman he
loves, ” and that was Paul’s proposal, an
swered to his satisfaction by one flashing
glance, veiled as quickly by the modest
eyelashes.
“I've been ringing and hammering at
the outer door for five minutes, and no one
came, so I walked in,” said a new voice
as Squire Barber entered. “I suppose
you’ve got everything fixed to your wishes
now, and that the mistletoe brought good
luck ”
“You old fox, you knew all about it,”
burst forth the farmer, and with a sudden
thought he opened the envelope and saw it
was a “mortgage satisfaction” paper. “So
it was Paul and you that put up this
Christmas joke. ”
“Yes, dad,” said Paul without a bit of
remorse. “I think we did it in pretty
good style too. I started from South
Africa at the same time I posted that let
ter as a blind and landed more than a fort
night since. The rest was easily fixed,
and I determined to shake you all up with
a big surprise. And I have proved such a
successful Santa Claus that a certain young
woman has concluded to let me play
Santa Claus to her for life. ”
“Where's Mr. Swinton?” said the farm
er, with a keen recollection of incivility,
for in the agitation of the scene all had
forgotten him Love is sometimes very
selfish. Their guest of the early evening
had unobtrusively slipped away He knew
be was one too many.
RELIEF IN SIX HOURS.
Distressing Kidney and Bladder dis
eas s relieved in six hours by the “New
Great South American Kidney Cure.”
This new remedy is a great surprise on
account of its exceeding promptness in
relieving pain in the bladder, kidney, t
back and every part of the urinary pas
sages in male or female. It relieves re
tention of water and pain in passing is
almost immediately. If you want quick
relief and cure this is your remedy.
Sold by Curry-Arri' gtoa Co., druggists,
Rome, Ga. tb-fr-sat & w.
MR. COLEMAN’S FATHER DEAD.
The Venerable Gentleman Passed Away
Last Week Wednesday.
Editor W. S. Celeman received a
telegram last week Wednesday that
his father, Mr. Watson R. Coleman,
was dangerously ill, and with his wife
left at once for his parents’ home at
Ellijay, says the Standard. Owing to
poor railroad connections of the M.
& N. G., they could not reach Ellijay
until Thursday noon, and in the
meantime the grim reaper, Death,
had accomplished bis fatal mission.
His death, which occurred Wednes
day night, resulted from paralysis
caused by a blood clot on the brain.
Mr. Coleman was eighty-one years
of age. and his life was as useful as
well as long. He has been engaged in
farming and general merchandise
nearly all his life, having been in
business at Cartersville, Talking Rock
and Ellijay. He was a prominent
Methodist and a mason, and was
highly esteemed in his community.
He leaves a wife and four eons to
mourn his loss —Dr. W, L. Coleman
of Canton, Col. E. W. Coleman of
Chattanooga, Mr. Jas. Coleman of
Atlanta, and Editor W. S. Coleman
of the Standard.
Editor Coleman and wife have the
sympathy of this community and of
many friends throughout the state in
their bereavement.
A Clever Trick.
It certainly looks like it, but there is
really no trick about it. Anybody can
try it who has Lame Back and Weak
Kidneys, Malaria or nervous troubles.
We mean he can cure himself right
away by taking Electric Bitters. This
medicine tones up the whole system,
acts as a stimulent to the Liver and
Kidneys, is a blood purifier and nerve
tonic- It cures Constipation, Headache,
Fainting Spells, Sleeplessness and Mel
ancholy. It is purely vegetable, a mild
laxative, and restores the system to its
natural vigor. Try Electric Bitters and
be convinced that they are a miracle
worker. Everv bottle guaranteed, Only
500 a bottle at Curry-Arrington Com
pany’s Drug Store.
CA-STORIA.
The fto- _
iiaiio /ir //f>.
Sleeping Car Rome to St. Tonis, [via
Southern Railway, Without Change.
The Southern railway will on De
cember 26th inaugurate a through
sleeping car line between Jackson
ville and St. Louis, via Louisville.
This sleeper will pass Rome daily at
7:15 a. m., and arrive St. Louis 6:55
the next morning.
This will afford excellent accommo
dations to parties enroute to all points
northwest.
For further information, x call on
Mr. J. N. Harrison, city passenger
and ticket agent, Armstrong hotel
telephone No. 39.
u SAM JONES’ CHRISTMAS.
Will Dine Over One Hundred Ydung
Men Today. '«<
Rev. Sam Jones has issued invitations
to all the young men of Cartersville >H>d
vicinity to dine with him on Christmas
day, and will probably have 125 yougg
men of the community from 18 to 25 years
of age at his table says the Cartersville
correspondent of the Atlanta Journal.
The only explanation he gives the pub
lic for this invitation is that he feels as
if he has never ceased to be a young
man, and doesn’t want the boys, because
he is 50 years old. to cease to number
him among their kith and kin. He
further says:
“I doubt if the old men keep close
enough to the boys. If men of experi
ence would be more companionable with
the boys and manifest more sympathy
with them in their troubles and follies,
perhaps there would be fewer boys going
astray, and more boys who have gone
astray would be rescued.
“Not only the welfare of the home,
but the future of our country, rests upon
the character of the boys growing up.
A good boy is worth his weight in gold
to any community, but the devil never
put a worse thing off on a communitv
than a bad boy.
Mr, Jones has invited all classes of
boys to his home, the good and the bad.
“They range,” he said, “from the
bum to the dude. That completes the
circle, for the bum and the dude touch
each other as the clircle closes up. Car
tersville has had many noble young
men, but, like Atlanta, it has some who
need to look after their characters
Their reputation is clean gone already.’
Don’t Tobacco Spit and Smoke Yi-nr Life Away.
If you want to quit tobacco using easily
and forever, be made well, strong, magnetic,
full of new life and vigor, take No-To-Bac,
the wonder-worker, that makes weak men
strong. Many gain ten pounds in ten days.
Over 400.000 cured. Buy No-To-Bac of your
druggist, under guarantee to cure, 50c or
SI.OO. Booklet and sample mailed free. Ad.
Sterling Remedy Co., Chicago ot Now York.
QUICK TIME.
Through Sleeping Car Service to Jackson
ville, Tampa and Florida Points.
The Southern Railway has resumed its
fast winter schedule between Rome, Ga.,
Jacksonville, Tampa and Florida Points,
leaving Rome 8:20 p. m., arrive Jackson
ville 8:40 a. tn. and arriving Tampa 6:15
p. m., making the quickest time between
these points. This is a solid train carry
ing elegant day coaches and Pullman
Sleeping Car, Rome to Jacksonville
without change; alno Pullman Sleeping
Car, Rome to Tampa, Without change.
Winter tourist tickets are now on sale to
all principal winter resorts in Florida.
For information, call on J. N. Harri
son, City Ticket Agent, Armstrong Hotel,
Teiphone No. 39.
CASTOR IA
Tor Infants and Children.
She f»e
ilsalla ic
Slgsature/ e W
it
CHEAP HOLIDAY RATES.
The Western & Atlantic R. R., Offers
Many Advantages.
During the holidays the Western
& Atlantic R. R., offers exceedingly
low rates to all points in this territory.
Tickets on sale for all trains Dec. 22,
23i 24, 25, also Dec. 30, 31 1897 and
January 4th 1898. This is your op
portunity to visit your relatives and
friends at a very small cost.
“Special Rate Schools and Colleges.
For students of schools and colleges
the Western & Atlantic R. R., will sell
round trip tickets at very low rates
upon presentation of certificates
signed by the superintendents, prin
cipals or presidents, thereof, on
on Dec. 16th to 25th 1897 inclusive
limited until January 4th 1898. For
any other information -telephone No.
20 or call or write to C. K, Ayer, P.
and T. A. C. E. Harman, G. ■P. R.
Rome, Ga.
When bilcus or costive, eat a Cascaret
candj cathartic, cure guaranteed, 10, 25c
0./X-SSTOXtI-A..
simile /CJz s / ®
it /-c&ccyL&zc
Christinas Holiday Excursion Rates.
On December 22 , 23, 24, 25; also
December 30 31.1897, and January 1,
1898, the Southern railway will sell
holiday excursion tickets at very low
rates, with extreme limit returning
January 4,1898.
For Student, of Schools and Colleges.
Upon presentation of certificates
signed by the superintendents, prin
cipals or presidents thereof, tickets
will be sold December 16 to 25, 1897
with extreme limit returning January
4,1898. For tickets and full informa
tion, call on or write to J. N. Harrison
C. T. A. No. 14 Armstrong building.
Blood poisow
A SPECIALTYo p n
tlary BLOOD POISON pernnanertl.
cured in 15 t 035 days. You can be treated at
home for same price nnucr same guaran
ty. If you prefer to come here we will coo.
tract to pay railroad fareaudbotelbUlw.and
noebarge, it we fail to euro. If von have taken mer
cury, iouide nocash, and still have aches and
pains, Mnceusl’atehee in mouth, Sore Throat,
Pimples, Copper Colored Spots, Ulcers on
any part of the body, Hair or ISyebro ws falling
out, it is this Secondary ULOOD POISON
we guarantee to cure. We solicit the most obsti
nate cases aud challenge the world for a
case we cannot cure. This dbease has always
baffled the a kill of the most eminent physi
cians. $500,000 capital behind our uncondi
tional guaranty. Absolute proofs sent sealed on
application. Address COOK REMEDY CO-.
ovS Hason>~ '"emple, CHICAGO, IIJ. „
QEfeaSel
derangement of the
|jjhibfl rtl stomach, torpid liver, E2
flflfl rj flel or constipation can be E*
readily cured by a
pleasant draught of • s
Tarrant’s Seltzer Aperi- *
ent taken before break- 3
B fast and on retiring at 5
50c. and sl. All Druggists. -x
TARBAKT A CO., Chemists, Hew York. HlgHl.
M'cost sales
I
Retiring from Business or another kind of sales are not
in it when compared to the sale" we will make in
THE NEXT THIRTY DAYS!
Suits, Overcoats and Trousers
Choice of any suit in our house for sl2 50.
They are worth firm $16.00 to $20.00.
150 Good All-Woolen Suits,
new and stylish patterns, for
$6.50, worth $10,00!
Our Entire Line of Trousers
at prices that have never been matched in Rome,
We don’t intend to carry over any winter clothing and are determined
to make this the biggest sale of big bargains ever seen
in Rome. Come and see us,
J. A. GAMMON & CO.,
New Stock of Short Pant Suits just Received,
Your Physician Aims
To put all his knowledge, experience and skill into
the prescription he writes. It is an for the
combination of remedies ycur case demauds.
Pure and Reliable.
He cannot rely on results unless the ingredients are
pure and reliable and are properly compounded.
Bring your prescriptions to the
ROME PHARMACY,
Where is carried one of the best stocks of drugs in
town, and a complete line of Squibbs’ Shemicais for
prescription use. Everything of the purest quality
that money can buy or experience select
Prescriptions compounded
By a careful and experienced prescriptionist.
Everything at reasonable prices.
ROME PHARMACY,
309 Clark Building, Broad Street, Rome, Ga.
JOHN H. REYNOLDS, President. B. I. HUGHES, Cashier.
P. H. HARDIN, Vice-President.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
ROME. GEORGIA.
Capital and Surplus $300,000.
All Accommodations Consistent With Sa's Banking Ex
tended to Our Customers.
Tyner’s Dyspepsia Remedy cures indigestion, Bad
Breath, Sour Stomach, Hiccoughs, Heart-bum.
r^“Guaranteed.