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Persons who are not subscribers, receiving a copy of “Woman s Work,” are requested to give it a careful examination and favor me by their patronage. If this notice is marked it is evidence that the time for which you have subscribed to “Woman’* Work,” expires with this number. Please remit for renewal at once. Unlike ndtny published we do not send the paper until ordered to stop it, but dis continue at expiration of subscription. This is the only business method which is just to both publisher and subscriber. I am sure “ Woman’s Work” will be a blessing in your home. Don't let it stop. Do not forget the claims of our adver tisers. The person who never reads the advertising columns of a clean paper misses more than he or she thinks. Our patrons are reliable and for your interests, their in terests and our interests, we ask you not to ignore V We are surprised that our subscribers do not more liberally patronize the one cent a word column. The expense is trifling, and the opportunity to dispose of various bits of handiwork, second-hand articles, books, etc., either by sale or exchange, is unsur passed. Do not overlook its advantages. • ■ Elsewhere will be found the advertise ment of Ollie J. Pease, offering “one of the most useful articles ever conceived.” We have been favored with this article and find it to be a well arranged and neatly printed wash-list, a copy of which will admirably supply the need of every family for from six it-o eighteen months. You like Woman’s Work. Are you doing any thing to extend its usefulness ? Doubling its present patronage will not in crease the subscription price, but will add greatly to its value. Only one new name from each subscriber will accomplish this. ■Could you make a friend a more accepta ble present than a year’s subscription ? Wonder is frequently expressed that Woman’s Work can be furnished at only 50 cents a year. It could not be were its circulation not continually widening. Eriends of the paper will you help to ex tend its usefulness, and enable the addition of other desirable features by inducing your acquaintances to “come with us?” Remember only one name from each will double our list. The number of advertisers who - appreci ate the advantages of Woman’s Work is constantly increasing. We ask our read ers to remember that these are friends to the paper, helping to support it, and their claims should be carefully considered when you need articles they<ha\dle. We believe they are all good firing Io deal with (if found otherwise they dropped from our columns) and whenyfc-patronize you help yourself and Woman’s Work. In writing them please mention the paper. Advertisements will not be allowed to en croach on reading matter. When this point is reached we will add more pages. The expiration of many subscriptions draws near. numerous and wide spread expressions or esteem for Woman’s Work, we do not think many homes which it has visited, will be content to let its vis its cease. For this reason we call attention to the importance of renewing early so that no issue will be missed. If your renewal reaches us before the expiration of time already paid for. the time will be properly extended to embrace both. Ladies should be careful to give name as we have it on our list. For instance, if we have mailed the paper to Mrs. J no. Smith, it will cause confusion for her to renew as Mrs. Julia Smith. Let no friend forsake us, but let each help to increase our band. All parties will be benefitted. For Woman’s Work. MAUDIE’S CHRISTMAS. BY MRS. S. C. HAZLETT BEVIS. “ Oh, mamma, see pity, pity picture, all white,an bu.an dold—see mamma,see ” and little Maudie Graham, tugged and pulled at her mother’s skirts with one little dim pled hand, whi e with the other she held up for her mother’s a book in pamph let form, with a gay cove», upon which was a picture in blue and gold, with a snowy Santa Claus, laden with gifts in the center. Mrs. Graham was looking moodily out of the window, seated in an easy chair, with her head resting on her hand her elbow upon the broad arm of and her dark eyes filled with a sullen dis content. She was frowning, too, and ap parently watching the leaden sunset, her heart in unison with it. She sighed heavily as the child touched her, and the frown grew deepen “Go away Maudie.” she said sharply, drawing her dainty skirts away from the clinging tinkers not looking at the book hehl towards her by the other tiny white hand. Mrs. Hattie Graham had no. care, or thought for babies and books just then ; she was too deeply absorbed in the contempla tion of her own selfish and imaginary troubles. “ Why could not she dress as well, if not better than a certain neighbor of hers, whose husband received the same salary as that of her husband, and who had far more expensive habits, and here Christmas was so near, ana she could not imagine how she was going to make out, with the small sum she had on hand, only forty dollars,” she sighed again, looking more doleful than ever. She did not pause for a moment and consider that she had a pleasant and com fortable home, all ber own, while the neigh bor she in twq..rooms, finely furnished wHjhfegaudy, second-hand furni ture, while, although her home appoint ments were far from elegant, they were in perfect taste and keeping, and very nice. Hattie Graham never knew what it was to want for comforts, although her husband was only first clerk in a large retail mer chant establishment. She knew she could not afford many luxuries, but she had a fit of the blues, and thought herself a much abused person. She had only been married four years, but they had been very pleasant years, and 1/ttle Maudie, aged three, was their only dhild. * * ■ > She was’a sweet, delicate little girl, who chattered from morning till night, and “ dess heped mama all see tood.” Charlie Graham was an earnest worker, and did everything he could for the happi ness of the two he loved best on earth, his wife and child. He was a handsome blonde man, not very strong physically, and his little daughter was like him both in looks and in consti tution. Hattie Graham was a decided brunette, with perfect health, and a charming woman, when not in a fit of the sulks, her one bad fault. Then all the world looked dark to ber, and she was apt to see things wrongly; she was not heartless, but thoughtless, and selfish because she had always been well Cared lor. Little Maudie loosened her hold of ber mother's skirts, waited a moment, and then began to urge her claim again. See mamma do see mamma, its Tismas, ike\>o said to me, wif Sania Taus, an all white, an bu.4in dold; so pity ; tan I have .tismas ike dat?” £ The beautiful blue eyes were raised earnestly, and the dewy lips of the c«|W would have been irresistible at any otnffll 'lime, but not now. y She turned fiercely upon’ the frightened little thingthis time, and shook herseverely. “Didn’t I tell you to go away,” she stamped her foot, "you bad, naughty little girl, now mind me this instant; Christmas indeed ! I don’t know anything about your blue and gold Christmas, you may have a brown one, lor all I care.” And then this seemingly heartless mother turned again to her gloomy meditations, while the baby girl, scarcely old enough to understand the meaning of all thistirade, turned and ran away, with a terrified look on her sweet face. How long Mrs Graham sat thus in the shadow of the soft white curtains, she did not know, but the fire smouldered low in the grate, darkness settled down about her and she grew chilled, while outside the feathery snow flakes fell softly. The sound of stamping feet aroused her. “ Why, how late it must be. The fire is nearlv out, no supper, and the lamp not lighted, and here is Charlie.” She arose hurriedly as she spoke, and met her hus band as he opened the parlor door. “What, all in the dark ?” he asked in surprise, “ fire out, and no light? What is the matter? And where is Maudie— asleep?” This last in a whisper, lest he might awaken her. Maudie? Sure enough, strange to say Mrs. Graham had forgotton her; but the little terrified face rose before her in all its pallor. She hurriedly lit the pari >r lamp. a r 'd looked about. Maudie was not in the parlor; out in the dining room—she was not there. “ Maudie, Mauiie,” she called; her voice showed its nervous tremor. “ Maudie. why. where can she be?” By this >ime M r. Graham had replenished the waning fire, lit the hall lamp, and that in the dining room, and he too, became alarmed. “ When did you see her last, Hattie?” he asked excitedly. Hattie c<>uld not tell, but she wrung her hands and said, “ Ob, my baby, my baby.” She did not dare tell of the severe repri mand she had given the sweet little one, and without cause. Ah, how her heart smote her. A cold air blew into the house, as from an open door, and searching they found a back door wide open, and in the newly fallen snow, tracks of the tiny feet, leading to the road. Had it not been for the lamp Mr. Graham held, the prints of the little feet would not have been seen, it bad grown so dark; there was no time for words. Mr. Graham ha-tilysat the lamp upon the kitchen table, and catching up a summer hat, hanging near, put it on his head, and sprang out into the night, never thinking of his overcoat or rubbers, or of what he wore upon his head. Precious 1 ttle Maudie, she was her papa’s idol. The air was very raw and cold, the snow had ceased to fall, but it was a perfect slush of snow and mud und:rfoot. Mrs. Graham paused long enough to wrap a shawl about her shoulders, and tak ing Maudie’s warm cloak and hood from a closet, she hurried after her husband. She could not see him, but she could fol low him by the sound of his footsteps, and could hear him almost constantly calling “ Maudie.” The nearest neighbor lived about half a mile away, and thither he seemed to be proceeding, attracted no doubt, as was she, by the bright light from a bay window ; it seemed to beckon them on. Mrs. Graham did not reach her husband’s side until he stood panting and breathless at the door steps. Together they stepped upon the wide porch, and just as they did so the tall form of Mr. Stibbins. the neighbor, came out of the door. “ Why, good evening,” said he, a little startled. “ I was just starting over to your house.” | Mr. Grahmii didinot reply to Mr. Stib bin’s evening salutation, he simply gasped “ Have you seen Maudie ?” “ That was what I was coming to tell you about, but come in, come in, no cause fdr alarm, I think.” And hearty Mr. Steb bin’s ushered the young terror-stricken parents into the warm sitting room, where little Maudie lay fast asleep upon a low couch before the glowing tire, watched over by the kindly form of good Mrs. Stebbins. There was a quick, glad cry from the lips of Hattie Graham, who sank down on the floor by the little one’s side - ; but the reac tion was so great at finding his darling ap parently safe, that Charlie Graham reeled and would have fallen but fur Mr. Stebbins’ good right arm. “Steady, steady, my boy; there, sit down. ’ placing him in an easy chair. “ v\ hy. you are completely unstrung,” and he watched Mr. Graham anxiously, as he, (Charlie) wip d the great beads of perspi ration from ins pale lace, which had grown haggard with this last half hour’s intense misery. Then Mrs. Stebbins told her guests how, >just before dark, watching for her hiifebaiid. she saw little Maudie playing in and water in front of the house, and seeing her alone and without wraps, she came to the conclusion at once, that she had run away from home, and went out and brought her in, and changeiWier clothing, at<d put dry shoes and stockings upon her, for'the little thing was chillecrthrough. “1 gave her some warm milk to drink, and she fell asleep in my arms,” she added. Charlie Graham was listening attentively with a great thankfulness in his heart, and leaned bis head back in his chair wearily. But the mother had heard nothing of all this; she was too intently watching little Maudie, listening to ber breathing, feeling the little wrist in search oi the baby pulse, and noting the unusual flush upon the us ually delicately tinted cheeks. There was a new terror in her eyes, and her husband saw her at length. He sprang to her side. “What js it, Hattie?” huskily. “Oh, Charlie, Maudie is ill. I know it. I feel it. We must take her home at once.” They began wrapping ber up. Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins tried to ease the pain of these young parents’ hearts by say ing “1 think she has taken a slight cold,” but in her own motherly heart she feared more. The exposure had been so great, In a very few moments Mr. Graham, with Maudie well wrapped up, was on h.s way home, repentant Hattie close by his side, and after seein? that her own little ones were safe for the night, Mrs. Stebbins followed with her husband, who went im mediately for the physician. Maudie did not arouse all of this time from her heavy death-like slumber, not even when put into the warm bath, nor when briskly rubbed. She was narcotized with fever, but before morning she began to cry out. roll her eyes, and pull at her golden curls. “It is brain fever,” whispered Mrs. Steb bins to her husband, who came the next day to inquire concerning the little one, and to offer her services. It was pitiful to hear the cries from the sweet baby lips. “Don’t,mamma, Maudie dood,” and “see, mamma, see all white and bu and dold, so pitv.” Over and over again, until Hattie Gra ham could bear it no longer, and kneeling at ber husband’s feet she told him of her sin, and how, in her selfish neglect, little Maudie strayed away. He stroked her bowed head and spoke kindly, although so deeply grieved, for he saw how soon she would need all his kindly care. Poor Hattie! poor Charlie Graham ! It was only one day more of suffering. The Sunday evening before Christmas the tiny spark in the little life went out. Maudie Graham was dead. Nothing had been left undone, but it all proved unavailing. God knew best—but if tears, and prayers, and pleadings and penitence, would have availed, Maudie would be living to-day. It was not to be. Christmas morning dawned, not bright and clear, but dull and dreary. A sudden thaw had melted all the snow away, and the ea th, like the trees, was brown and bare. How the brown earth mocked the broken hearted mother, and the long arms of the great trees, as they waved to and fro in the wind, seemed to jeer at h.r. A brown Christmas and Maudie’s funeral day. The cruel words, “I don’t know anything about a white, a blue and a gold Christmas, you may have a brown one for all I care,” came back to her, over and over again, and the pleading look in those blue eyes, now closed in death, would haunt her forever. “All white, an’ bu and dold; tan I have ’Tismas ike dat?” Oh, the sweet tones of that silvery voice. | Maudie. It was queer taste, some of Mrs. Gra ham’s neighbors remarked, that the exquis ite, tiny white casket should have linings of old gold satin, instead of white, and that the flowers held in the waxen fingers and strewn ov<r her should be fragrant forget-me-nots, blue as dead Maudie’s eyes, but they did not know why Hattie Gra ham Wished this, nor that her husband wished it too, when he heard his darling’s sweet words repeated by his repentant wife. “All white, an’ bu and dold.” Ah, little heart, she had reached the blue skies, studded with golden stars, and rested at God’s white throne. Maudie’s Christmas was realized. Jhlistribccs Safanun For the benefit of those who desire to insert short notices of articles for sale or exchange, inquiries and any unobjectiona ble matter, we will print them in this col umn at the rate of one cent, per word each insertion. Cash must be sent with order. Claiborne Games and B. B. Red Game bßantams. for sale at reasonable prices, by Miss Annie C. Parks, Adams’ Station. To the Deaf.—A person cured of deaf ness and noises in the head of 33 years’ standing by a simple remedy, will send a description of it free to any person who applies t<> Nicholson, 188 MacDaugall St., New York. Dressmaking.— Ladies wishing patterns cut to actual measure, or ii struetions in cutting ladies’ or children’s garments can be sure of satisfaction. For sample pattern and instructions in taking measures, Ad dress. Mrs. W. A. Allen, Marinette, VVis. Agents wanted. Western Literary Bureau.— Maude Meredith, manager.— Criticism, correction or advice, and also a list of Periodicals that pay Contributors. For particulars address with stamp. Maude Meredith. Dubuque, la. Interesting to Mothers. A lady writes: “I cannot speak too highly of the preparatory treatment for prospective moth ers by Dr. Staiuhack Wilson, Atlanta, Ga. My physician says he never saw such an easy time. Sick just three-quarters of an hour from time taken. Only two short pains. Satisfied his med icine is a great thiug, ami advise all prospective mothers to send to him for further information, and my name if desired.”