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jk A Christmas Litany Jk gajllll By ALICE CRARY. >L\ Oh Christ, the true and living Vine, As Christmas garlands we entwine, Adorn for us each heart’s time shrine; We pray Thee ’ Holy Jeeu fr%g::ss j , v •'-p - Oh Christ, of all this world the Light, f K ** i As Christmas tapers W£ ignite, Shine on our lives and make them bright; We pmy Thee ’ Holy Jesu * r Oh Christ, the heavens were arift ; ;f f jfe ffixy i When Thou didst come, the Father’s Gift, Through Christmas tokens souls uplift; JfifW We pray Thee, Holy Jesu. iaffl ® jHli Thy Cross shines through the Star to-day, Lead on until the perfect day; f|^We pray Thee, Holy Jesu. { —American Home Monthly. A CHRISTMAS LEGEND. (Translated From the French by H. Twitchell.) NCE upon a time long, long ago, when the wonderful things told Vpf2:TN of in legends hap / P eued > the smiling }wv~ - \*~S country of Avignon i < A a _„ Q v/ in France was not as beautiful as it is now. *£& d* N 0 white cottages and green'vineyards adorned the hillside. Only a shepherd’s hut was to be seen. Here lived Eudes, his wife and two children. One cold, stormy Christmas night, as Eudes was plodding homeward after sheltering his flock,* he was a prey to the most melancholy reflec tions. He thought of his hard lot, his poverty, and felt that the future held nothing in store for him. As he neared his home the north wind redoubled its fury, and lie heard the chimes of the nearest church ringing out through the frosty air. S “Christmas chimes!” he thought. “Christmas is for happy and rich peo ple, not for poor shepherds like me.” His dark humor did not escape the notice of his wife when he entered his lowly hut. She sent the children to amuse him, and soon saw him smile as he listened to their prattle. As the evening wore on the storm Increased, but seated before the fire blazing in the chimney, Eudes forgot his discontent, happy at being shel tered from the raging tempest. When the family -were about to sit down to their evening meal they heard a loud knock, and a voice outside cried: “Open the door, my good man, for love of the living God, whose birth w r e celebrate this night!” “Who are you?” asked "Eudes. "“I am an old man who has traveled many a weary mile in this terrible cold. lam at the end of my strength and can go no further. Open the door, if thou hast any kindness in thy heart! ” Now, Eudes had a great deal of kindness in his heart, so he opened the door at once. On the stood a stately old man, beautiful to behold, with luxuriant white beard ■and clear, blue eyes. There was nothing sordid in his dress. He car ried a heavy cane, upon which he leaned with dignity and grace. “Welcome, old man,” said the shepherd, cordially. “I thank thee, my son. My bless ings be upon thy house.” The vis itor spoke slowly, and his voice w r as like soothing music. “May I ask you to share our frugal meal?” asked Eudes. “I thank thee again. Thy repast will be indeed w T elcome, and on listen ing to thy words of welcome my heart is already cheered.” Going up to the cradle where the children were sleeping, he paused, and contemplated them. “The cherubs! How peacefully they sleep, and how sweet their dreams must be! On this Christmas night visions of the Child Jesus doubtless smile upon them.” Eudes and his wife felt themselves -moved in a mysterious way as they listened to the sweet voice: “Long ago the Redeemer was born in a far-away land, where the air is ' :kh,‘ light and pure, and where lilies grow on the mountainside. The skies were not overcast on that night, and the stars sang together.” Soon after they sat down to the humble meal. The guest praised the order and cleanliness which he saw everywhere. On hearing this Eudes began to lament because of his pov erty and his laborious life. He spoke of his discouragement and failure, and referred to the future with utter hopelessness. Butt he old man consoled him. He spoke of the charm of a life so full of liberty. “The shepherd, dreaming on the mountainside, is not an unfortunate being,” he said. “Think of those who are pent up in palaces. It is in these splendid abodes that people die of weariness and disease. Those whom thy imagination pictures as powerful and happy are often infinitely un happy and unfortunate.” As he spoke his head w r as sur rounded by an aureole, and a light emanated from his entire person. He continued: “Happy the humble man who, like thee, Eudes, walks peacefully along the pathway of life. I have wandered far over this world, and have seen many strange things. I have lived In splendid palaces of marble and in - v) ' the cottages of the poor, and I have found the greatest happiness under humble roofs.” 4 . As he ceased speaking the room was suddenly flooded with light. The poor shepherds recognized their di vine guest and prostrated themselves in prayer. “Have no fear,” said the guest. “I am He who brings peace to all. Live in happiness and contentment, and thy children shall bring thee joy. I will take envy out of thy heart; also, the desire for what thou canst not have. Ai;d I will adorn thy land with flowers and fruits, so that shalt praise My name every day. If Eudes and his wife were speechless with awe, and when they recovered themselves their divine guest had vanished. They never forgot His words, how ever, and contentment and peace reigned ever after under their lowly roof They never forgot that the lot of the>femble had been called blessed by theWbrd on that stormy Christmas night. * The Kgend runs that the land of AvignorMblossomed like the rose ev ery yeaiMafter that eventful night.— Ep wort™ Herald. Hora Cliristi. I, MaryfijiA'.nbling wait The to be; I shall ha<W ved so high a part In His namjj-'W Oh, wonderfum. ;.ce wonderful, My God hatliH tii>to me! For this mine hour^^/Npam, The travail I must^‘ai#v, There shall be gladness through the years; And where my tears shall flow The bloom of Love shall burst in flower, For God hath told me so. How gladly shall I bear All sorrow for His sake! 1 only tremble lest with love Mine eager heart should break, For He shall rest within mine arms Ere the white dawn shall wake! —Charles Hanson Towne, in Christmas Number, Lippincott s Magazine. CHRISTMAS CHIMES FROM MANY CLIMES Christmas is always a season of good wishes and loving kindness. In America almost all children hang up their stockings on Christmas eve, to be filled by kind old Santa Claus. , In Germany they make more of Christmas than we do in Ameri ca. Everywhere the Christmas-tree is used. If a family is too poor to have a whole tree, a single branch only will stand in a conspicuous place, hung with the few simple gifts. A week before Christmas St. Nich olas visits the children, to find out who have been good enough to re ceive the gifts the Christ-child will bring them on Christmas eve. It is a very usual thing to see on a German Christmas-tree, up in the very topmost branch, an image or doll representing the Christ-child, while below are sometimes placed other images representing angels with outspread wings. After the tree is lighted the family gather round it, and sing a Christmas hymn. In France may be almost univers ally seen representations of the man ger in which Christ was born, with A Christmas Messenger. figures of Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus, and cattle feeding near by. Often these representations are decorated with flowers, and lighted candles burn softly before them. In Norway the people have a de lightful custom of putting on the BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD. roof of the barn, or on a pole in the yard, a large sheaf of wheat for the bird3, who fully appreciate their Christmas feast. In England almost every one who can do so has a family party on Christmas eve. Young and old join in the games, many of which belong especially to Christmas time. From the ceiling of one of the rooms a large bunch of mistletoe is hung. Mfcyty little maid is caught the one who catches her take a kiss from her rosy lips. In Holland the little Dutch girl puts her wooden shoe in the chim ney-place ready for gifts, just as the little American girl hangs up her stocking. And so in some way all over the Christian world on the eve of the twenty-fifth day of December the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is cel ebrated. Everywhere the Christmas chimes are ringing out the message the angels brought to Bethlehem— *‘Peace on earth, good-will to men." —Youth’s Companion. The Plum Pudding Holly and Blazing SujA*. Christmas in Dixie. (Uncle Ned’s Explanation to a Northern Visitor.) Go ’long, boss, an’ quit yo’ foolin’— Yo’ ain’t seed no Chris’mas, man; D' ain’t no Chris’mas in de Norf, sah, Dat kin beat old Dixie Lan’! Ev’body’s free an' ekul, An’ each malTjfes’ has his way; White er black —it makes no dif’ence ’Way down Souf on Chris’mas Day. Does we go to chu’ch! Oh, no, sah; We don t have no time fur dat — ’Twouldn’t be no sorter Chris’mas Jes’ to go whar meetin’s at! But I sho do b’lieves in meetin’s, Yet I wants ’em in deir place; An’ I’m sho no Chris’mas meetin’ Wouldn't suit dis culled race. You ies’ gimme a little cidah, Aa a little tas’e uv rye, Don’t furgit de rum fur aig-nog, Nur de mince-meat fur de pie; Den you let de fiddle strike up, Let Miss Dinah step dis way, An’ I’ll show you how we shuffles ’Way down Souf on Chris’mas Day. All do pickanninnies playin’ Jes’ like roostahs ’fo’ de do’, ’Lijah in his boots wid red tops An’ de brasses on de toe; Lucy wid huh white dawl baby, From the painting by Sinkel. ’Rastus wid a big tin ho’n, Caesar wid anew goat waggin— Man, dey’s happy sho’s you bo’n! Chris’mas sho wuz made fur darkies, An’ de law don’t cut no ice, White mens w'id'deir clubs an’ blue-coats Lays ez low an’ still ez mice; Black Mariah don’t ride nobody, Ev’y darkey has full sway, An’ they sho do ac’ like white folks 'Way down Souf on Chris’mas Day. S' To be sho at night we en’s up Wid a gran’ Jim Dandy spree-- One uv dese cake-walks Er a big co’n shuckin’ bee; An’ sah, ef it’s one er t’othah, It’ll las’ ’mos’ th’oo de night, Den we’ll go home wid de ladies At de break uv mawnin’ light. Dat’s de way we spen’s ouah Chris'mas— You jes’ shet 30’ mouf up, man; D’ ain’t no Chris’mas in de worl’, sah, Dat kin beat de ole Dixie Lan’. Ev’y body’s free an’ ekul, An’ each man jes’ has his way; White er black—it makes no dif’ence ’Wav down on Chris’mas Day. —feilas X. Floyd, in Leslie’s Weekly. Christmas Present *or Mother. You couldn’t please many a house wife better than to treat her to a freshly-papered room for Christmas. There are the loveliest broche and damask effects for drawing-rooms. The silk frocks are superb. There’s a Dußarry rose which is exquisite, and there are greens which make one forget the lovely woodlands. The one color effects are to many the most fascinating, though there are two color combinations so beautiful as to fairly outshine them. Delicate peach and ivory blend most exquisitely. There’s anew castor shade with pinky suggestions that will be just the thing for some rooms. The pressed papers are also lovely, especially in the Marie Antoinette colorings. New York City. —No style ever suited young girls better than that of the overblouse, and it not only retains its vogue, but is constantly increasing in favor. This one is charmingly girlish and attractive and can be treated in a number of ways. In the Illustration it is made from a bor dered voile and the border has been cut off and utilized for the trimming, but cashmere is being much worn this season, and makes lovely blouses and dresses for young girls; the simple I r* 1 " silks are much in vogue, wool taffeta and a whole host of other ma#j;rials might be suggested with trim ming anything irf' contiw Band ings are exceedingly beautiful, and are always easy to apply, braiding with soutache is handsome and sim pler effects can be obtained by the use of straight rows of braid or other trimming. In this instance the guimpe is separate, and is made of all-over lace, but the blouse can be made all in one if liked, and the long sleeves can be of the same material as the over blouse, or they can be of thin material in matching color, while the yoke is of white. Again they al low a choice of full or three-quarter length. The over blouse is made with front and back portions that are tucked over the shoulders and is finished with the fancy collar and the narrow sleeves. The guimpe consists of the front and back with the mousquetaire sleeves, which form the foundation. The quantity of material required for the sixteen-year size is two and an eighth yards twenty-one or twenty four, one and five-eighth yards thir ty-tw r o or one and three-eighth yards forty-four inches wide, with tw’o and three-eighth yards eighteen inches wide for the yoke and sleeves, tw r o and a quarter yards of banding three inches wide for the trimming. Taupe and Amethyst. There is no abatement of the rage for taupe color and amathyst shades. Embroidery. Embroideries are among the fav ored millinery specialties this fall. They are in high relief and adorn the wide-brimmed hats when no drapery, and few feathers are used. Olive Green Hats. The olive green hats have been taken up with enthusiasm by young girls. Some of these have the pheas ant’s wing in the front just as it is worn in the Alps. Black Bridesmaids’ Hats The large picture hats of L. maids are in stretched blaov * encircled with wreaths of d* sati and white camellias, and they h” k handsome chains with jeweils ear dants. Jeweled Pen . Sheath Skirts of Satin Sheath skirts in dahlia satin ta , h ioned on long lines—reachimr the waist line, with a oack—are exceedingly handsome the short blouse of lace worn them echoes the color of the its embroideries or similar decoration Fasten In Front. It looks as though ail the garment, of this season will fasten In front,, stead of the back. From shin to ball •gowns one sees the sa ! method of fastening. This * e cially true of one-piece suits, of orate blouses and of classic nartt gowns. Black Dress. This year the most elegant of all dresses are the black ones, made in fine silky broadcloth which has the richness of silk. A gown of this char acter, made in the modified long di' rectoire lines, will prove one of the best investments the woman of small means can make. Infant’s Wrapper. Such a little garment as this one belongs In every layette. It can be slipped on at a moment’s notice, and mornings are exceedingly apt to b cool and to require such a condor* able wrapper, while it can be ma 0 from almost any soft, warm materia' French and Scotch flannels are ia' oi ites, but many of the flannelettes a.e pretty and satisfactory. In the il u * tration the gown is shown in u front view made of dotted fi anDe ! while in the back view it is ma - plain blue N flannel, with the e g scalloped with heavy embroider} si • The wrapper is made with 10 and back which a~e tucked at t e tres, and is finished with a An Tr over collar, while it is held b.* ties. There are comfortable - finished ~i The quantity of is tw r o and five-eighth > a! n( j four or twenty-seven, ° ne ~o r quarter yards thirty-two o* inches wide. Two-Incli Ruchin e * The neat little edgj- 0 made of crepe lisse 01 j n girls have been wearing ius t n** stocks looks old fashion ; g The new' ruching is two is triple and very full- Challis For Indoor ' U^ e3 j Silk and w'ool challis h ‘% o ffrl anew lustre this week- I for indoor frocks in u ‘ id tones, in stripes and m 1