Newspaper Page Text
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*” ~r •
December 22, 190(5.
THE StyNNY SOUTH
SEVENTH PAGE
Household Letters
CONTINUED PROM SIXTH PAGE.
COME, SHAB® THE YULETIDE
CHEER.
I>ray nigh the festive 'board
And share the Yuletide cheer
rw e have fared together
And fhjfjl many a bygone year;
A 2? J. hase we meet no more
shall have our tribute tear. ,
Around the festive board,
uith all its memories dear
A\ o meet this glad Yuletide ’
.Mid scenes
we revere;
And each of us can feel
1 hat spirits blest are near.
Wll ° have h'ft us.
Here’s to f i .' e | S<? Wll ° stul are here;
iieres to the hopes bereft us
. I lores to the Yuletide cheer-
' l-'ull mam"' 1 h 1 ea , rts beat through
« tux many a glad good year!
bachelor parson.
MY CHRISTMAS IN TEXAS
She was
homely
woman,
dainty hit of
.. ai -’l °l uncertain age but of fi
wealthv P b ~x H!y ', ShefV^en^;
She was alwllva ,la< er f one sad reverses
of the cleverest? wmiest’ Und ' Wa - 8
a,, persons I eve-
She was greatly respected and
ho
rnet,
loved
the f offiee ^ ° f "Pourparler- m
a“enev r , , m ° st Prominent teacher
> .-r o’tcvL , , U ! al 1 woul 'l go with
o lexas to help her make a sue-
little French scliool. Th?
1 ess of her
salary
- Inry was not alluring, but -ihe x <= i,
IT'S, 'zv ‘
11 in her
agreeable.
power to make everythin.
And she did. And then 1
Pined (is that good English? n comes
Dixi. that this trip an 1
would be jui education
from Doro tiii-
stay in Texas
tor mo.
A'tei what I thought a most reinarka-
"! , Journey wo reached Dallas r,,-
"h uiow T ,n! 'V' t - as having seen Uni
. .i.itlov of a redskin, or the lasso of -x
i i,. ; i : a ., raro , oisxippointment, indeed-
1 det ided tliat Indian Territorv was iusr
k .'n ornamentiV'- name. hut kern ni-
: lioughts to myself, fearing to appear I-1
noram. Miss Blank introduced me 7.x
U:-- governor of Texas, wiio had com ■>
mi
mu win
-i me train tlvev
:fiends. Pii lure
' eing able lo s!
pleasantly addres
lexas." It seem
there wet
1- m, nor no soldiei
it her
on t!
seemed to bo
my satisfaction at mv
lake lianas and being
ie d by • a governor of
eir-e,| strange to me that
special officials to escort
line the streets.
oaiui in bray a neleome
•e be was talking to mo
-My carefully modeled
hiding with
as we pleased. From the moment we
rose in tile morning until it was time
to retire at night, there were standing
■at the gate saddled horses and buggies
and carriages with impatient teams,
awaiting our good pleasure. I had am
ple opportunity to indulge in my one
great passion—riding. The young cousins
brought ahd introduced their militavy
eadet cousins and we daily rode off
hunting. They gallantly declared that
my rifle did all the game slaying!
Everybody wanted me to ride his horse,
being "the best on the cotton planta
tion." or shoot bis rifle, being the "best
rifle out." Well, We raced around and
dashed about until—my walking capaci
ties got tile worst of it.
And then there was an ever-inviting
wonderfully supplied dining room with
delicious cakes of all sizes and kinds,
turkeys of dimensions to turn the presi
dent of tlie United Stales green with
envy and every available goody in
creation. Two points were added lo
my education—"the magic power of the
mistletoe and the deceiving velvety yel
low foam liquid, eggnog." The first
found me unaware when coming tip to
the porch with the girls. Dick did not
loose ids time on the struggling feminini
ties. I looked on amazed at this embracing
anew—hadn’t they kissed at the sta
tion? Evidently, "Texas custom." mj
mind kept on commenting, they are a?
effusive as Frenchmen. But. my vaga
bonding spirit as in company of the
spellbound seif, were held fast as a
stately masculine form stooped down
under the trembling white-berried mis
tletoe and J gingerly offered first one
cheek then the otlief. (French people
never kiss on the mouth—except lovers.)
They all just screamed at my sereneness,
but beginning to feel somewhat con
scious, I turned to Miss Blank—herself
a victim. •‘Did you not impress on
me that I must do exactly as the
others did?" ,and there was an indif
ferent little shrug as they laughed more
and more. Dick winked at his wife and
stepped forth. “Mademoiselle. never
mind; I'll give them hack to you.” but
mademoiselle began to understand and
waved him off. Then l lie law of the
weed overhead was explained to me.
One evening, two handsomely attired
Mexicans with sombreros, lariats, high-
heeled hoots and all. called "just on
me." i was informed of their being
genuine Texan cowboys. Their grace
and charming manners nearly bewitched
me—where had 1 seen such hows before?
Ah. yes, at the station meeting Dick.
Those rascals were two cousins who
wanted to surprise me, of course, I
failed to recognize them in their pic
turesque attire. Then we all went out
in tiie yard—the plantation lay in
drowsy rest as if held under a spell by
tlie clear soft moonlight—weird and fas
cinating- darkey melodies, accompanied
hy thrumming on tlie banjo, were faintly
earried to us hy the soft night breeze.
Some ,attic- had been turned loose and
ly grow morbid, like "*Iariana in tlie; terested and appreciative reader, ho sure by thinking how many more people it will
moated grange." and weave into tlie; of that. A short letter will do. Write Seach and help in its new torn}
woof of her daily life dreams as im- and cheer my lonely hours. Address, ,
possible of realization as were those of THOMA'S F. LOCKHART,
Wellington, Mo.
P. S.—With our editor's perniission i
will tell you how I earn my living. 1
have written four booksr as follows:
“Twenty Years in a Mattress Grave,"
the story of my life, 20 cents; “Ideas of
an Invalid,” 30 cents; "llis Mysterious
tlie “Lady of Shalott." If a girl so shut
out from congenial association gets the
opportunity—for a few weeks—once In
a year to mingle with her kind, she
finds it is hard to adapt herself to the
ways and speech of cultured persons.
Before tiie awkwardness wears off, she
must go hack to tlie same surroundings
and lit lierself into the same old rut. .
Am I picturing my own life? Well, I
am. to a certain extent. 1 am not a
-shining star in my neighborhood, hut 1
am sufficiently cultured to be a misfit,
among nfv associates. 1 try hard to do
as Elaine suggests—make the best jof
everything and radiate what sunshine 1
can absorb to others. I find tills sug
gestion in one of Phoebe Carey's sweet,
i homely poems:
"Suppose the world doesn't please you.
Nor the way some people do,
Do you think tlie whole creation
Will be altered—just for you?
And isn’t it—my girl or boy—
The best and bravest plan.
Whatever comes or doesn't come,
To do tlie best you can,”
But what girl is there, with a heart
and mind, who will not sigh for con
genial companionship, and some of tlie
-pleasures that belong by right to youth?
What would the Mariana^ Tlo if it were
not for books? They are true friends.
Good novels are great helps. Do you
know, friends, that I think few novels
are so good for girls to read as those
of E. P. Roe? They are so true to life—
so cheerful and inspiring. I believe every
girl u ho reads them will be brightened
and bettered by it.
WOODLAND MAID.
A THOUGHT FOB CHRISTMAS.
On the Savior’s natal day
Let us cast all hate away.
All our sense of wrong and strife
And begin a sweeter life.
Try to make lire coming years
Full of faith instead of fears.
Tims we’ll live from day to day
With Christmas in our hearts alway.
ADAM HOPPER.
“And we shall have to give up our
Household!" each wail continues. My
dear friends, I cannot believe It. In my
newspaper experience I've found that a
department like ours always pays. And
Uncle Remus has too much business sense
and is in too close touch with tlie people
to think about throwing away a thing
that his competitors would pay for if they
could get it. This change will mean to
us, I’m sure, merely that we shall have
to write 'better to .get in. And that will
be good for us. you know.
A number of my guests have asked me
to tell in tlie Household how my letter
party turned out, so I'll send a short
account of it when tiie returns are all in.
This is to thank each and every one who
wrote to me-and to wish you ail as happy
a. Thanksgiving as you have given me.
That's I lie best wish 1 can think of just
now. And here's a. loving thought for
each to rule the wisli in with. Gratefully,
LOMACJTA.
and no brass
h"ine. No; h
Ike a friend,
phrases beginning
A oi l- excellency.'• died on my lips, and
7 thought like Columbus—-‘America is a.
■g'-eat country."
Mi.-s Blank's relations and friends were
.I lovely to me. inviting me to tlici"
homes and taking me out driving. Tin
cousins, women of wealth and distin -
'ion. and their young sons were panic- of daring. Then dogs barked, children
ularly dear to me. How often "we bovs" "r.d grown-ups grew excited—it cannot
use i to sit on the floor of cieniugs and ,,e real. it must ail he a magic vision,
nlay marbles or some other "maul." a mental, delusion as of a bullfight
gcirie. Or else, we'd serenade "the judge" under a splendid sky on moorish land
as Mrs. A. used to say when she wanted wvre giving an ovation to tl
ilie -children to give us some music, and Toreador? No it was all real, beauti
tiny all played some Instrument well I 1 "1- grand life.
Oiristmas drew near, and Miss Blank 1 Ho "' different to tlie Christmas cel
ml to me one day. "Mademoiselle, well
CHRISTMAS EVE IN DOOLAN’S
SALOON.
Bill Doolan stood behind his bar
And chewed tlie end of a cigar.
And watched the loafers come and go.
Outside the ground was white with snow,
Wfthin tlie fire was burning- bright.
Defying tlie cold Christmas night.
Each man walked up and drank ills fill
And talked and swore as rough men will.
Then cards came out. and on the hoard
Dice from the cup of chance were poured.
The games waxed hot. tlie men were loud
Tobacco smoke hung like a cloud
From tlie room’s ceiling to tlie floor,
When softly opened wide tlie door
And some one entered—when lie came
None knew—nor ever guessed liis name.
His garb was coarse and old and worn,
The wavside briers his coat had torn.
Yet in liis hearing there was grace
Harry M. Dean.
Way," an illustrated novel that' is pure
and clean, 50 cents, and "Plain Talks
and Tales,” 40 cents. If you desire to
make me a Christmas gift, inclose the
price of one or all of my books.
A CHEER EOR THE NEW SUNNY
AND A TE AR FOR THE OLD.
brow seemed the white
high than men have
my Mi xtcans performed marvelous deeds And gentle kindness in Ills fae
And his broad
throne
Of thoughts nior
known.
He said. "Good evening to you friends;
Our Lord another Christmas sends.
The birthday of your truest Friend,
On Whom your hopes of heaven depend,
lie walked among His brother men
dii Christmas on the plantation with
mv relatives." I replied that 1 intended
" stay in Dallas, as it would he bad
' " in to impose tiie presence of a stranger
n family festivities.
Tut. tut. mademoiselle, you don’t know
Texas hospitality; you'll do exactly as if
" > were one Of us. and ! insist tliat you
" icy." You will see that I followed her
Instructions to the lette'.
A few days later the
am one of them nm
Whits set out in sea
lion a short distance farther south. As
i he locomotive pantingl.v took a rest we
.11 rolled out to be welcomed by soni?
• ■■re enthusiastic relatives. A sturly
mg fellow in tlie thirties picked up my
ini" principal, kissed and hugged her
: h delight, then kissed two ,,-tiling lady
-ins. When lie advanced toward me
hnoi knowing what "Texas customs"
ired of me. looked quickly about for
\ principal, who hastily saved the sit
uation. by calling out: “Why, Dick, this ,, , , , . . , ...
Mademoiselle!" and then there was a humble and slmering, breathing
sweeping bow. as the hat caw.e down w ° r<UeSF I1raycl '' Ab - tho:l lutl<
who went born poor and humble,
help me hear poverty and suffering
Ah. the mockery of it all!
But let us return to Texas. great
hearted
recalled
liration in my native France. There tlie
deeply religious country people toil and
wade through the snow as. lantern in
hand, and whispering to each oilier a
pious snlutinn, they make their way to
tin' little village church for the mid
night nifl.-s and thank the Father God
for the gift of his blessed son. the Re
deemer. In tiie great French capital
there are magnificent cathedrals, ablaze
‘with hundreds of candles, the clergy is
Dallas relation* < I ' " arI> '‘' 1 ,n their most gorgeous vest-
holidav inon '- s - wearing a laughter and sterner
liille st-V- expression than usual. The recognized i
star of tlie operatic world engaged at j
a fabulous sum to sing lhe touching,
“Minuit Chretien." hy Adam, as the
archbishop pompously performs at the
high altar. With studied mannerism and
superior attitude he handles tlie Littie
Child of lhe transfiguration ns the
I music pleads, the voice appeals and tlie
i words show "Heaven descending on
I earth.”
j And way hack in tiie shadow behind
| the pillows stand the shabby, poor, cold.
' humble and shivering, breathing in a
| jiild.
a hearty handshake.* How
i'ely well-mannered lie was.
I was trying to dispose of some suita
hie English, when lie turned around. , ,
"Aunt Ida, does Mademoiselle spea.t j hearted and generous! Duty and work
English?” . recalled us to tlie deep regret of thi
exqillo-
Then I babbled on and those dear
strangers answered all wrong, still we
got along capitally well. And the good
times to come! No one apparently took
the least pains to amuse us all, and yet
wo had a glorious time.
We came -and went and did exactly
, tender-hearted simpleton! Those new
' lovely hospitable friends must be left
behind. A last stormy farewell, and
with true Texan chivalry we were help
ed again into a comfortable ehairear.
bundles of things relegated lo the care
of our male cousins. Dick is busy with
train farewells—my turn comes—I anx
iously look around. "Texas custom" is
all I hear as my cheeks are aware of a
prickling sensation. The train moves
amid shouts and merry laughter, and I
hear the exclamation; "I declare, French
girls are great!" Though Texas is the
only state I have stayed in where I had
no sweetheart or great masculine friends,
it is tiie state of my heart. I thorough
ly appreciate tlie north, I lieanlly like
lhe south, and I immensely admire the
west, but I love Texas. Its people are
more genuine than elsewhere, and there
is a chance for everyone to succeed.
Three cheers for Texas!
HELVETIA.
A Little P. S.—Just like a woman!
What a pity that we all must part! Why
i does not some great paper buy the priv
ilege of -thi-' Household circle, appoint
our staunch little friend. M. E. B.. as
i director? For instance, tlie National
Dally, of Sit. Louis. Mr. Lewis knows
j a good thing when he secs it. My heart
! bleeds at telling you all adieu, for it can
not be an revoir. I feel like Schiller:
|
I "Men meet and get acquainted.
Make friends and must part!”
This is my swan song to the dear old
And shared their joys and sorrows then.
Taught them the ways of brotherhood
The joy or living lo do good.
The duty owed to friend, wife and child.
Of gentle speeeli and answer mild.
Forgiveness, mercy, truth and love,
getting His life His teachings prove.
Sealing them with His deatli and pai
That you. dear friends. should live
again;
His life tonight will you recall?
His teachings—will you heed them all?
And thus bring peace into your life
And peace to children, home and wife.
Making thrice blessed t liis Christmas
day,
1 pray our Father that you may."
He ceased to speak, but still his smile
Shone with deep tenderness tlie while.
As turning from tlie warmth and light
Ife went into tlie bitter nigiit.
lie had departed as lie came
And none had even asked Ills name.
Bill Doolan's eyes were steady set
Upon tiie door half open yet.
As though he saw a spirit there
Dissolve into the snow-filled air.
•'id Sandv Pete rose up and said.
"What ails you. Bill? You've lost your
head."
“Boys," whispered Bill, “that face! Look
there!"
Tie pointed on the wall to where
His little girl had hung that day
The Savior's picture half in play
That she might wreathe it round with
green.
That face—of Him—the Nazarene.
How like the Stranger we had seen!
The same deep eyes and brow serene!
"Boys," Doolan said, "companions boon.
You's seen the last of Bill's saloon.
Tomorrow 'twill he shut up fast.
Stay on tonight—it is your last."
"Each man rose up all mute and white
'ml strode out in tlie stormy night.
Dili shut his door and locked it tight.
He went to work on New Year’s day
To earn his bread an honest way,
And all men who gathered tlmre
Dead sober lives, with standing fair
The stranger's words that Christmas
night
7 /Cd them to seek tiie patli of right.
HARRY DEAN.
Here’* a chance for any woman to getaway
from the washboard forever. Simply drop us
a postal card, asking for a Spotless V\ as her,
and we wiL'.rend you one, on trial, tor BO days.
It will cost you only a penny. We even nay
the freight* If yen don t Ukelt. if i.doesn tdo
the wash quicker, lictter and with less labor
than any other machine, tell us so, and we’ll
pay the freight back. If yor. do like it we
Win snake terms of payment fa such easy
Installments tfcat anyone ean buy It. There
are no strings to this offer. It’s a, square deal.
We make it, because we know that the
SPOTLESS
WASHER
la the best machine made. It does most of the
work Itself. You only have to guide It, and
you can do this sitting or standing. Operates
fn either direction. Slade of finest selected
Virginia White Cndai . Steam-tight—never
comes loose. Meukanlsm ail enclosed—no
danger of hands or clothing being caught.
Ballbearing—lightest running.
Send to-day for full particular#* or this
remarkable offer ond our proposition.
SPOTLESS COMPANY, Inc.
Box,664 AR,Chicago, III.
89 AR,NowYork,N.V.64 AR.BIohmond.Vk.
HAECKEL’S "LAST WORDS ON
EVOLUTION. ”
After a silence of years, Ernest Haeck
el, the distinguished scientist and pupil
of Darwin, comes forward with a book
eorxajning his maturisit beliefs as to
evolution and th e creator of the uni
verse. Haeckel has been accused of be-
• r ing an atheist. In this respect, he sets
j all doubts at rest toy this emphatic dec-
! laration: "Our monistic God—tlie all em
bracing essence of *the world—the Na
ture-god of Spinoza and Goethe is iden
tical with the eternal, all inspiring en
ergy, and is one in infinite substance
with space filling matter. God lives
and moves in all things, as the Gospel
tells. We find God in natural law. The
will of God is a.t work in every falling
drop of rain, and every growing crystal;
in the scent of the rose and in the spirit
of man.” M. E. B.
"TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE.”
(With Apologies to HamletA
To give, or not to give; that is the ques
tion:
Whether 'tis better at Christmastlde
To groan beneath n load of debt or run
The risk of being called "a mean old
thins."
Ah! 'tis those gifts that make calamlt
Of this most blessed season of the year
'Tis time to pause! We should not far
dels hear
When we ourselves could a quietus make
With firm resolve. This consummation Is
Devoutly to he wished: No bartered gifts
No custom to make cowards of us all,
Puzling the will and forcing us to hear
Some ills we have. To truly noble
minds
Rich gifts wax poor should e'er the
giver prove
Unkind or tlireach’rous. All the per
fume's lost
Tf love be not sole prompter of the gift.
MARY PETTITS THO.. -
MANUSCRIPTS
Revised and Typewritten, and assistance given in
Marketing.
Newspaper Clippings on any subject furnished.
Lectures, Essays, etc., written to order or data
furnished for same. Information on any subject
procured.
Prompt and expert service in every department.
Send stamp for circular.
WPtTCR 1 ^’ ■ PAtfaa ib-
INFORMATION AND CLIPPING BUREAU,
60? Austell Bldg., Atlanta, Ga.
Mrs. Rosa F. Monnish. M. D.
SPECIALTY: Diseases of Women.
Graduate^ of European and American
hospitals and colleges; 26 years’ experi
ence. All diseases treated. First-class
accommodations for a limited number of
ladies during treatment. Offices at resi- aiul mingles freely with them, she is
dence, 349 Peachtree street, corner For- more apt. to "lower to their level" than
rest. Bell phone main 1343, Atlanta 1 to l| Pli£ht them to her plane of thought,
ohone 827. 1 If she secludes herself, she will present-
MARIANA IN THE MOATED
GRANGE.
Elaine's essay on the value of laughter
was as true as it was brilliant. It Is the
best for us and for those with whom we
love to go through .life cheerily; but,
dear Elaine, how con a mere mortal
overcome an environment that acts like
a wet blanket pr a London fog on one's
spirits? Society and recreation are as
essential as light, but picture to your
self a girl with some culture and refine
ment set down through no fault of hers
in a community of well-meaning, respect
able people, who care nothing about
reading, whose thoughts never go beyond
tlie most commonplace matters, and
whose speech is coarse and—sometimes
borders on vulgarity. What Is such a
girl to do? Set out to reform her neigh
bors? That would he a herculean task,
and one that, however tactfully man
aged. would make her misunderstood and
disagreeable. If she conquers her natural
impulse to shrink from such associates
A LETTER* PA RTY.
Dear Editor: One more year lias gone
into eternity since T last requested a let
ter party from your readers. I now come
with the same request. Next Christmas
day will toe twenty-one years since I was
taken to my bed with rheumatism. It
isn’t worth while to describe my deplora
ble condition, hut for the benefit of new
readers will say that I am entirely help
less, my joints have become as solid as
oone; even my jaws are set and I am
unable to eat anytning save liquid or
soft food. 1 have lost father, mother,
urotlier and sister since the heavy hand
of affliction was laid upon me. Motner
was the last to go. God called her home
nearly five years ago. 1 was left help
less In the world with absolutely nothing
to depend upon for a liveliliood. I had
no means, tout abundant faith in uod.
He has been with me in my efforts to
earn my own living, and not toe a bur
den to any one. I had only a finger and
thumb to work with, and tlie pen was
the only tool that I could handle. Where
there is a will God will always provide
a way. If you are interested and want
to learn more about me write a letter to
reach me some time during the Christ
mas holidays. I was stricken down
twenty-one years ago on Christmas day.
I want all my friends to give me a let
ter party on that day to celebrate the
anniversary of my helpless, bedridden
life. You who arc well and enjoying
life 'cannot begin to realize what it is to
toe deprived of the freedom of limb and
muscles, to be shut away from tlie pleas
ures of life In the four walls of a little
room and to know that you must lie
and suffer till death unlocks your prison
doors. But after all, friends, life Is brief,
so it is not worth while to worry when
everything Is not as we would have it.
God knows best.
Letters mean much to me, shut in as
T am! so write to me. I may not be able
to answer all, but you will have an In-
Annie Valentine, you are forgiven, ant 1
bore are my thanks into tiie bargain. I
had been feeling mighty lonesome with
out my heart, 1 can tell you. Even the
fact that Samotii promised to give me a
gourd with a handle 2 feet long for a
wedding present didn't quite console me.
Just between you and the gate post, 1
don't believe much in litis Ihing of swap
ping hearts. I’d rather hang to the one
J'm a little acquainted with. Trading
hearts is like trading horses, you don't
always know exactly what you are get
ting till tlie "crittur” begins to balk.
You are all right, Annie Valentine;
you've got the Texas way of settling dif
ficulties. J'm going to vote for you for
president in 1908. \Ye need somebody
like you to get in behind congress and
tlie trusts. A good stimulating dose of
rope is tlie very best remedy that can
lie applied to tlie fellow who won't pay
any attention to other people's rights.
No, don't understand me to say that
I'm in favor of the full program at a
hanging bee. 1 just believe in choking
the scoundrel till he. hollers “ 'nuff!“
When you get him in that happy frame
or min'd he'll drop the goods—and as
that is all that's necessary, you can turn
Him loose then with a promise to choke
him a little harder next time. The death
penalty enforced in a few cases isn't
half as efficacious :is a milder sentence
enforced every time. Besides capital
punishment in any ease is wrong In
itself, for it is committing in the name
of law the same crime (often a worse
one) that the law stands against. Ft is a
relic of barbarism, and as long as such
a disgrace lies upon our statutes we
shall continue to have crimes commit
ted. for we reap wliat we sow.
There! I've gone and got serious when
I meant to be enteryiining. You have set
us all a good example, Annie Valentine;
the saving sense of humor is the west
friend we can cultivate. Deliver me from
the person who takes himself too seri
ously! He is almost as had to have
around as tlie on- who thinks he t
saint. In fact the two ideas usually
hand in hand.
Aren't we all tickled over the dear old
Sunny’s enlarged scope of usi fulnesi
And to think Uncle Remus will he at tl
helm! 1 have loved him ever since Bret
Rabbit and the Tar Baby set the tears
streaming down my cheeks, lie ou
ho canonized for that one thing if for
nothing else. I've seen an entir
db nee smothering with laughter while
that selection was being rendered. Suc
cess to the new Sunny!
And 1 hone our Household will bestir
themselves and keep up with the pro
cession. Of course, our department wn!
he continued In the new magazine. I
suppose. Other first-class magazines :>r<
working vainly to get up department:
like this, but there Isn't another one h
the United Stales can compare with ours
1 keep up with all the leading period! al
and so am prepared to give an jinproji.
diced opinion. "Everybody’s Straigh
Talk” is the only other department tint:
has ever tempted me to write for it.
Loyally. LOMACITA.
Thanksgiving Day—I didn't get to sen
- his in till today, so now I want to tel
you that this is the very h.tnpie-
i’hanksgiving I ever spent In my wlinh
life—all due to my friends in the dear ot.
Sunny. Letters are coming’ in ot
e“ery train, eaelt one so overflow
ng with goodwill that I don’t kno
which lias helped me most. How can
ever thank you?
But you have fractured one of my pe
beliefs. The cornerstone of my relight,
is Christ’s most emphatic utterap.c
"Whatever a man soweth that shall !:■
also reap.” But 1 haven't done any
tiling to deserve, all this. You all writ
like you thought l had been trying to hcl;
you. through the Household, so I'o
bound to relieve my conscience by telling
vou that I never ha<j any such intention
for the very simple reason that it never
occurred to me that I could. To teh
tlie whole ugly truth. I wrote to lit.
Household for my own selfish pleasure,
because I’d get so full of some subject
under discussion that J knew therc'd he
an explosion if I didn't open a valvi
somewhere. I've been using you all fu
a safety appliance, and ltere you come
thanking me for it. I'm sure 1 coulu
crawl through a keyhole right this min
etc—but I’m absurdly happy at the same
time.
On second consideration, that last slat,
ment seems to contradict itself—hut
’is so, all the same. One minute F
certain I’ll have to apply at a drug
store for a remedy for swell-head, a.;:
the next I am plunged into an abyss o
shame that I have not lived up to pen
pie's opinion of me. But you can bt
your new Sunday-go-to-meetin' hat tlia
riiis experience is going to make me try
ss I’ve never tried before. Whenever
in tlie future, 1 am tempted to “let thing
go," just one little thought of the conn
rten-ee you have expressed In me will ii
rufficient to bring me up standing.
s.ni'Ply couldn’t find it in me to pli,
traitor to faith like that. »I understan i
now how faith can work miracles. Yts;
I’m going to do my level best to be wha
vou think 1 am; and if 1 ever amount,
to Anything, you can appropriate a larg
slice of it to the credit of yourselves. *
already owed M. E. B. a bigger debt n.
gratitude along this line titan I can ever
hope to repay, and now each one of yoi
has my name on the debit side of the
books. Well, it's tlie only kind of dem
I ever heard of that was a pleasure.
Maybe I can get to repay you in par.
sometime; if not, >1 ’ll try to cancel tin-
obligation toy passing on your klhdnes-
to those around.
Some of you write that you never ex
pect to see me—why. I live in daily hop
of seeing you every one. if not here, then
fairer world. We are all bound
for the same place, you know, whatever
our differing creeds. Creeds don't make
a bit of difference, anyhow, if th heart
is right. I'd risk my hope of heaven any
day on the man who loves his felTow me:-
for "love is the fulfilling of tiie law.
One of the tilings that tickles me mos.
in my letters is the love and loyalty ex
pressed for our little motner. ~ Tin
writers can't say enough good about her,
and that is as it should toe, for she is otn
of the noblest women that ever breathed.
And hy the way. almost every lette:
contains a wail of woe about the proposed
change of The Sunny from a weekly to
a monthly. "I can't give it up—I jus;
■can’t!” they say. I had my little weep
several weeks ago when I first read about
it, but I’ve managed to console myself j
HER LOVELY HAND WORK.
Yesterday r took advantage of the
warm, spring-like sunshine and went to
see a sweet neighbor, who is known to
tlie Household as Sunbeam—a name typi
cal of her nature. T found her in bed
(site is a shut-in) but iter little lingers
were busy making an ocean wave sofa
pillow, and all around iter on tlie bed
and table lay fancy articles made by
her. prettier and better made'than any
one buys in a store. She furnishes these
to buyers at very low prices, considering
the work upon hem. Ocean wave sofa I with all my heart
pillow cushions with tucks and ruffles the now one.
are $1.50; Maltese cross sofa pillows are! Almost Christma.-
Tait is so interested, and certainly want and sat down toy net- and taTTfed about
a copy of it should it be successfully, the things we found in it until we had
completed. I am sure it will he a sue- j passed a pleasant hour. ■ Was that wrong,
cessi, itoo, when such an indomitable t btt; * e mother?
spirit as Julia Coman Tait is push
ing it.
GEORGE, M. MORELAND,
Camp Jossman, Guimaras Island, P. I.
A SONG OF HOLLY.
Whatever tlie wind—whatever the
weather
Holly and happiness come together.
In spite of tite snowing and frost and
blowing
Tlie leaves are green, and tiie berries
glowing.
So. looking on it new hope T borrow
To brighten today and cheer tomorrow.
Since God, who pities our fear and folly,
Sends for my comfort hope and holly.
O. life grows stale like a cup of wine.
And tlie stiirs of youth forget to sitine;
But something or other is still divine,
For hope and holly may still be mine.
ARTHUR GOODENOUGH.
HAIL AND FAREWELL.
f can hardly reconcile myself to the
fact that the dear old Sunny is soon to he
no more, even though it i s to be sup
planted by something more in accord
with the demands of progress and art.
Rut there is one consoling thought—that
our dear mater is to he a part
new dispensation, and though I
refrain from shedding a. tear at the ras
ing away of tlie old Sunny. I shall wisl
On my way- back home I met an old
gentleman who listed me a question
that led to a little talk, and I learned
that each of us knew relatives of the
other, so we had something of mutual
interest to talk about. He was In poor
health and informed me that he was on
his way to his old home in Kansas for
the last time. We found that a young
Baptist preacher was on the car and as
the old gentleman was a preacher in tho
Methodist church we asked him to join
us, and when the crowd was augmented
by the presence of a jolly blacksmith, we
had a lively time for most of one nigiit.
I pad to call the blacksmith to order
when lie began to tell a doubtful kind of
a story, hy reminding him that our mu
tual friends were of the "cloth."
There is only one other person that I
will write about, and I would not write
of him only because of the lesson we can
get out of coming into contact with such
a character. His trouble, when ■summed
up. was this: His son got too big for tlie
old man; his mother took his part and
when it became a choice between the
two. the old lady told the father he
might go. A .pitiful story to be sure,
and one that should have been known
f the j only to the parties concerned, but it
moot | seemed impossible to keep tlie poor man’s
| talk from turning to his wrongs. We
advised him to cultivate a spirit of for-
$1; pin cushions, some round, some heart
shaped, all nicely made, are 35 cents
each. Book marks, embroidered and rib
boned, are priced according to work and
width of ribbon, from 50 to 75 cents.
I looked at tlie pretty things and bought
two book marks and a pillow cushion.
When 1 paid for them I said:
“You must use this money to get you
ti. nice flannel wrapper or a tonic or
some wine.’’
"No." she answered, "(ltere is some
thing I want more than any of these
It is it, roller chair wit;, springs. My j joy.
chair has none, and it has become al
most useless to me. \as my nervous sys
tem is so out of tune that tlie least jolt
or jar gives me keen pain."
"It i-s truly a pity that you, who have
helped a number of the shut-ins lo t/rl
nice springy chairs should have none,
now that you need it most.”
‘‘Oh. well, it will come.” she exclaimed,
with that radiant smile which causes .her
friends to call her Sunbeam. I will sell
all these and people will lie pleased and
order more, and-before you know it I
will have a nice "-heel chair. I hope it
will he before tiie spring, that r may sing
the song—
for the success of j giveness, and hope that all would come
I right, in the end. The moral I woulcl
! Just one more ! get from the above is: Keep your worries
week, tind I shall he speeding southward j to yourself,
to my dear old Alabama home. Only I visited tiie Mormon temple, saw Brig-
those who are far away from home and j ham Young's grave, hut did not get to
loved ones, and who are living in pleas- carry away even a pebble as a memento,
ant anticipation of a. happy reunion I as it was fenced in and the gate se«
around tlie old fireside at that festal [curdy locked. I cannot refrain from
time, can grasp tlie happiness hidden in ! mentioning an Alabama, boy that I be-
thoso magic word-'. The past year 11 came acquainted with as we crossed tho
have spent in Nashville, having accept- j plains; lie was a Pullman conductor on
ed a position here with the Southern | tlie road, so knew all about tlio differ-
Raitway Company, but now. as tlie time I enl places we went through. He showed
draws near for a visit to tlie dear home me where rite engine -jumped off tho
folks, I am filled with almost childish 1 bridge across tlie Platt river and went
"Wheel me intc
AVhere there art
the sunshine
flowers in bloom.”
f sincerely trust. dear Household
friends, that you will not forget this
sweet one, who is prone to forget her
self. If you order some of her lovely
work, address “Sunbeam, Box 38, Che-
burne. III.." and if any of you know
where Absent Brother lives, in Arizona,
do let )]er know liis name and address,
as si e is very anxious to commend to
his friendship a dear friend whom ill
health compels to refugee to the land
of perpetual sunshine. Heartily wishing
you a Happy Christmas and a Glad
New Year, 1 sign myself a
FRIEND OF SUNBEAM.
And yet my heart saddens at the
thought, for since last Yuletide the
home circle has broken, and there will
he a vacant chair.
O, that saddest of September days,
when just as my day's work was ended,
I was suddenly confronted with a tele
gram bearing the message of the tragic
deatli of my dear young brother.
down in tlie quicksand, carrying the en
gineer and fireman with it. What a find
it will toe two or three thousand years
hence when some explorer digs it out!
Just before getting to the city of Den
ver. where the Alabama hoy lived, lie
kindly offered to take me over that
beautiful city and showed me the princi
pal places of interest: I could not re-
i fuse so kind an offer, and after wa
| visited the capitol building we went out
' to the beautiful parki 1 have visited
Deatli ha.s transported to lhe realms un
known, j to the beautiful parki l have visited
As fair a flower as Time lias ever j Central Park, New York, and Fairmount
blown. ! Park, Philadelphia, and some others, but
Hushed is tlie voice that in dear, toy- j the park at Denver city stands ahead of
gone day* | them ail in many respects. One thing
Gladdened our hearts in home’s familiar i very noticeable was tlie .provision made
ways. for the enjoyment of the children. There
was no "Keep off the grass" there, and
Silenced the step so full of buoyant , to see the abandon and keen enjoyment
! of the children as they roll and tumble
Tlie Texas Wonder
Cures all Kidney. Bladder and Tiliett-
matic troubles; sold by all druggists, or
two months’ treatment by mail for $1.
i)r. B. \V. Hall, Olive street, St.
Louis, Mo.
A LETTER FROM THE PHILIP
PINES.
For a long time 1 have been reading
the interesting letters in the Household,
and have often longed to join the merry
Dand, but 1 am a timid man, and hes
itated long before I would dare enter
such a learned crowd. However, l just
can't resist tlie temptation tills tune aft
er reading one ot Durward's tetters
about Sait Lake city. Annice's fine let
ter, and one from tno facile pen of our
Julia Coman Tait. Durward, l was one
ilme s.ai.oned at Fort Douglas, Utah,
and 1 know you saw only a glimpse of
Balt. Lakes beauties in 48 hours, l was
there several months, and never tired
of looking at the mystic temple, the
grand tabernacle, and the thousand
0 tier interesting sights about the city.
And the ideal dlimate is not tiie least ad-
mi.aole thing in that wonderful land.
No one can ever visit the land ol deseret
and not admire some of the traits of
tlie Mormons. Their religion is not the
worst in tho world, for with eacli other
they certainly obey tlie rule, “Whatso
ever ye would that men should do to you
do ye even so to them,’ and that is more
than some of us will do. Julia Coman
tait. I aatnire your loiters so much, be-
.ag especially interested in you, because
you are from Mempnis. I one time
fired m Glut city, and have spent many
pleasant and profitable hours in the Cos-
sit library on tlie bluff. My home is in
.Mississippi, just below Memphis.
1 wish all lh“ Householders were here
in this fairy land with me today. We
would first to out into the jungles and
capture a python, which, I am sure,
would please .Mattie Howard and others
of our number who delight in telling
snake stories. Some of tlie soldiers
nt a python, which measured 8 feet.
2 inches the other day. They brought it
io tiie quarters, and kept it overnight.
was perfectly gentle, and we might
have kept it longer, but being ignorant
of tiie diet of the reptile we killed it in
order to keep it from starving. The na-
ives here •never kill the python, since
ney like to have them around 'their
.tomes to kill the vermin and rats with
vvuieh ihis land is overflowing. The
python is perfectly harmless. They kill
.iteir prey hy squeezing it to death with
i .e large, strong coils of their body, and
rarely, if ever, harm man.
We also nave an active volcano in plain
- iew of the camp where 1 am now sta-
.toned. It is jusi across a narrow ehan-
.icl from this island oa tlie larger and
liore important island of Negros. It is
vailed toy the Spaniards Malispina, but
me Filipinos call it Canlaon. The Amer
icans accept either name. Sometimes
when it is very active great clouds of
smoke pour forth from both its craters,
presenting a magnificent spectacle from
t.te island of Guimaras. At night a red
haze hovers over its pinnacle, which looks
grand indeed. The mountain reaches the
imposing height of 8.192 feet, being one
of the highest points of land in all the
Philippine islands. Few people have
ever ascended to its crater, since the
jangles on the ascent are almost im
penetrable. The na.ives who live fat-
hack in the mountains are only semi-
ivi-lized, and are not always peaceful.
We have many beautiful flowers here,
but few of them are very fragrant. Of
.11 our host of beautiful plumed birds,
only the dear little mockingbird ever
sings, a>id it does not sing- as much as it
does in Mississippi, nor as sweetly,
either. To me, th e dear little mocking
birds of the south are the queen of all
the tribe of birds. Tlie mockingbirds-]
iters look very much like our own lit-
11 e songster, and is tlie most familiar:
object I have ever seen in these is- !
lands. Ordinarily, everything here is I
very different to anything in tlie states, i
The vegetation, the animal life, the for- I
motion of tlie land, the customs of the 1
people, and even their religious rites are
very different to our own. Some time
later I will teil you about the people
here and their customs.
1 am very much interested in tha,t
Household book in which Julia Coman
ltope-
Death's hand has darkened his fair hor
oscope.
Hushed is tlie voice
gone days
Gladdened our hearts in innocent joys
1 ever tlie grass makes one sfiad that
tltere is a city that thinks more of her
that in the by- j children than it does of the dollars it
J takes to keep its park in order. I won
dered if Judge Lindsey, whose name
I reverence, did not have a good deal to
do in providing such a lovely place for
the children.
I count the time spent with my friend
in tlie city of Denvej as enjoyable as any
Ah, could wo but push ajar the gates
of life,
And see beyond, and God's wise pur
pose know;
Then might we put aside all doubt and i I had while away from home; I surely
strife.
And mystic Deatli might lose its sting
o{ woe.
Lovingly. LITTLE WTDOW.
Nashville, Tenn., December 14.
MY TRIP ACROSS THE CONTI
NENT.
Before T started on my journey I made
up my mind to get all tliat I could out
of it, so I made my will, paid all my
debts that the sheriffs might not toother
tno anil started out with no especial idea
as to making connections? along the route.
The result was I was care free; when l
reached a city and found my train to the
next point along the -way would not leave
for some hours. I simply checked m v
hand baggage and went out to take in
tlie sights.
Also ii made tip my mind tliat tite trav
eling public is too conventional, to its
own discomfort and unhappiness, and that
1 would see how much sunshine I, in my
humble way, could shed about me white
whirling along through cities and across
mountains and tho groat plains. I want
to tell you that it paid me big. too. I
found that people are much the same
everywhere you find them; they will be
sociable and smile with those who smite
at them. T invested in a little cheer by
laying in a supply of sweets with which
to catch the children. It was tne biggest
investment I made for tlie trip. Did it
pay? I should say it did pay. Every
where 1 soon gathered a crowd of little
people about me tliat made the time pass
pleasantly. It did not require much ma
neuvering b.i order to catch tlie little
folks; just a sntile and a friendly offer
of tlie bag of sweets and it. was done.
At first tiie mamas looked to see what
kind of hands tots had gotten into, and
to my credit, be it said, none of them
came after their young hopefuls. One
little girl in her play took a “header”
from tite top of a, seat and fell, striking
her mouth ami cutting it 'badly. Ot
course, I could not lose the opportunity
to help, so i proffered my assistance to
the mother, who at first declined my
offer of the camphor bottle, but .after
wards sent for it and thanked me kindly
for tlie use of it.
A sick man of the poor class sat behind
me once on the train. Tie was drowsy,
but afraid to go to sleep lest he should
forget to take his medicine at the proper
time. After he had several times asked
me what time it was. 1 told him to rest
and I would wake him at the hour speci
fied. It was not much trouble to me and
a rest to him.
A young lady and iter father, who
seemed to toe under tho influence of drink,
got on at a station. The man went to
sleep at once and tlie girl had an anxious
time trying to keep him from getting his
head or arm out of the window. I felt
sorry for lief. When she left iter seat
to get a drink of water, tlie man woke
with a start and Iiefati to call lustily for
"Bessie.” I assured him that she was
all right and after some difficulty got him
pacified toy the time she returned. Her
thanks were ample reward. This was
one of the only two drunk men I saw
while away for six weeks.
T make acquaintance with two Ken
tucky boys at Ogden. Utah, and we made
a .congenial party as we, journeyed to
gether. We exchanged addresses, and 1
intend to write to them some time. Tliey
were going out to Nevada as cowboys,
I also met a school girl as we crossed
the plains, who looked very lonely and
tired. I knew that it is not best for one
like her to allow attentions shown her
toy -strangers, but after considering tlie
matter I concluded that I could make
my standing good with Iter, so I took
our college annual, which I had with me.
and went hack and introduced myself
appreciated his exceeding kindness, and
it was like our southern hoys for him
til do it.
I know this is getting too long, but I
want to mention the courtesy and good
nature 'shown us by the conductor and
head brak'-man on one of the trains lead
ing- into Ogden from the west. They
were so patient with ns tliat the above
mentioned ministers and myself agreed to
make especial mention of them by letter
•to headquarters, which I have done, and
presume them have.
TENNESSEEAN.
WAS IT NOT SUPERNATURAL?
A few years ago -tite organist of a coun
try. church in South Carolina died, and
preparations were being made for her
funeral. The graveyard was nearby the
church, and on the morning of the day
I o* her funeral some negroes were dig
ging the grave under tite guidance of one
of tlie church members. Presently there
seemed to conic to their ears sounds of
music from the closed church, the ne
groes became frightened, but the white
man silenced their fears by telling them
it was tlie sighing of the wind in the
pines. It wasn't long before he distin
guished tho sound of tiie music, and go
ing towards the church lie could hear
the familiar hymn, "Ilark From the
Tomb a Doleful Sound,” toeing played on
•tho organ.
He approached a window, and turned
tlie slats when the music ceased, on
looking in he observed the organ tight
ly fastened tip.
This alarmed him very much, and it
was only by xiie most heroic effort did
lie remain to see the grave completed.
The gravediggers said nothing of their
experience to anyone else, and that af -
ernoon tlie corpse wah brought to the
church, the preacher coming to make the
usual address. He got up and announced
tlie first hymn chosen for tlie occasion
to be "Hark From the Tomb a Doleful
Sound.”
This story was vouched for by a good
friend of mine, who knew nil parties
concerned, and believed in tlieir truth
fulness.
JIM DUMPS.
THE LESSON OF THE BROWN
FIELDS.
"Tlie melancholy days have conic.” X
sang to a plaintive tune as I wandered
across a field, bare and brown, tout still
and restful.
“Oli. you dear brown tiling^, are you
sad thus to lose the summer and your
sweet, joyful life!" I exclaimed as I look
ed around at the silvery brown cornstalks,
tlie torown daisies and golden rod, f
seemed to hear a small sweet voice whis
per through tlie long brown grass, “Not
so. We have had our life, filled with sun
shine and rain and dew, with storms and
drought sometimes. We have borne blos
soms and seed and grain for the pleasure
and benefit of others, and having fulfilled
our part, we - are content to how our
brown heads and drop to mother earth,
there to rest—yes, to rest.” From far-off
mountain, to field and wood come the
same soft chanting:
'' Res t—res t—rest—rest—’’
Like some hidden lyre sang soft and
clear the musical rythm the call of the
crow, the whirr of wings o'erhead. the
late birds’ low cry. all seemed to blend
in, forming a perfect harmony. Mortal-
like. I sat down among these brown chil
dren and joined in with their wild, sweet
lullaby. ANNICE.
Cabbage Plants, Celery Plants,
and all kinds of garden plants. Can now
furnish all kinds of cabbage plants, grown
in the open air and will stand great cold.
Grown from seed of the most reliable
seedsmen. We use the same plants' on our
thousand-acre truck farm. Plants carefully
counted and properly packed. Celery ready
last of December. Lettuce, Onion and
Beet plants same time or earlier. Cab
bage ready now. Reduced express rates promised, which, when effective,
will give us 60 per cent less than merchandise rates. Prices: Small lots, $1.50
per thousand; large lots, $1.00 or $1.25 per thousand f.o.b. Meggetts, S. C.
“Special Garden Fertilizer’’ $5.00 per sack of 200 pounds, f.o.b. Meggetts,
Bouth Carolina. The United States Agricultural Department has established
an experimental station on our farms', to test all kinds of vegetables, espe
cially Cabbages. The result of these experiments we will be pleased to give
you at any time. Yours respectfully,
N. H. B 1 i t c h Co.,
• MEGGETTS, S. C. ''