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FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH BY MARY N. PRESCOTT. .c' f«eg3 itras the Sttle maid-of-alS- , work in a big bowrding-houie. She. waited on table, answered the doer-j b«tl| ran errands and washed dishes,, doitif whatsoever her Uttle rough, bands found to do with all her might. Yet, she was scolded much of the time I>«cause she was too slow or too quick. The- cook scolded; so poor. Peggy was in hot water e'v«n when she j was not washing dishes or' scouring . floors. I If Anything was missing, Peggy had ^ niisiaid it, of course; if anything was broken, Peggy was to blame; if the' fire was low, slie had forg<otten to feed It; if the lamp smoked, Peggy was at the bottom of it. I'm not sure thatj they didnt take h^r to do when the weather waa bad. AU the help she had was from the dumb Betty. Maybe you think the dumb Betty Is a girl who cannot apeak? But though it is nothing of the kind, yet it runs up and down i>e- tween the kitchen and the dinlng-rootn on errands, sends up the brealcfast piping hot, and carries down the dishes without breaking a handle oif a cup. It saved Peggy many a step. She felt as if it w«re a friend to tier. At Christmas time, Peggy used to wonder what the little children were going to have in tlteir stockings. Slie thought she vould like to see Santa Olaus filling them up with toys and sweetmeats, anil rather wondered why he noxrer happened in at Miss Crane's boarding-house. At any rate, it waa a comfort to know that pretty things were in the world for somebody to enjoy, even if she could not have any of them. She was so used to being neglected and forgotten, that it never occurred to her anybody oug.it to remember her. Who w^s there to rememl>er herT Once she had hung up her stocking, to-be- Bure, on the door-iwll of the basement, and had found it nearly filled with snow in the morning. It wasn't very encouraging. She used to wonner if she would ever know how to read. She waa twelve years old, but small and child- ish looking. She had learned some of the lotterii of the alphabet from the signs or the stores where she vrtLB sent on errandr. Mr. MlHct, the grocer, began with an "M," that was plain enough â€" a great gilt letter that anybody might know. Tii.'^n she knew where to look for "B" at the baker's. She sometimes asked Bridget how to spell this or that simple word, and Bridget, who had no ambition to learn, but was yet ashamed to confess her igrnorance, would tell her there would be a scolding spel'l if she didn't leave learning alone, which was for her bet- tors, and think about her work. If any of the boarders gave Peggy a few coppers for running an errand, or if anything was left over from her wages after buyin'g her clothes, she would put the money av/ay in an old tin mustard'-bo.x, thinking that some time she might get enough togetlier to pay for some schooling. She never knew how much ah^ had, not being abl» to count above tsn; but she used to take all the pieces out, by way of recreation, and look at them lovingly after she had gone up to bod, aiid before her incli of candle had burned out. One day she heard Miss Goodenough saying at the breakfast table: "If we can raise money enough, Ilt- tlo Susan Flynn, the washerwoman's Qhild, will have the cataracts removed foom her eyes aiKi Le able to see again." "Dear me!" thought Peggy. "She's ^Qtce off than nvel Supposing I couldn't, see to set the dishes or any- Uiing? And then there's a sight of mings a girl Ukes to 1< ok at. TheroS iho green grass and the trees, and thy lairds on the common, and the shop- windows, and people's faces, and r.l\c it^rs after you've gone to bed^ nlght-.i" "I don't know %s we shall get enough money," Miss Goodenough was saying. "I've begged right and jeft. Susan'f moth«r has to lea v.) htr alone, days ifhen she has work, to «rop« her way about, tidying: up the house and keep- in K the flre bright. V/hat long dayi: they must be to her! 1 think I'll try to raise a col^ctioi: here among the boarders." Peggy took out her treasure-box tl^at night, and looked at the bright pieces lovingly. Then she began to build her poor little castle in the air. She was at school; she had a real ^ader; she could speU words of three lyllables. When she had reached the third Itorey of her castle, her tiny bit of candle went out and left Iter in dark- ness. That i-eminded her of blind! SOMD. 'T.tl give It all-^very cent of itâ€" | to Mi»3 Goodenough," she thought, | "for Mind Susan, to buy daylight for I her for a Christmas present. I never i made a Christmas present before â€" I Mver, in all my life! Oh, dear!â€" fiut "1 never learn to read if I do ; and pa Susan will never see again U T oon't I should like td give « CI^Btmas present just once ; and how jB^riptiscd Susan will be when sh^ sees h«^ui; and the blue sky I I should Ike to know how to read; but Susan Kynn ougn\ to have her own eyes." Just then the Christmas bells began to ring. Peggy thought of all the stockinet har?ging in the chimney corners of comfoi tabic homes; of little children dreaming in wa'.ir. beds; of the infant Jtcu.i in the manger, and the wise man bringing gifts of frankincense and myrrh. She didn't know what firankincense and myrrh might be ; but something w«rth giving, she supposed. One of the Itousemaids had told her the Bible story of Christmas. If she gave all her money to blind Susan,! wouldn't that ba something like frank- incense and myrrh? I Before the bells had done ringing, she was knocking at Miss Good- enough's door, with the tin mustard- Imx In her hand. "It's for blind Susan," said Peggy. "It's a Christmas present to hnip her see all the meautif ut things other folks see." "Where did you get it, Peggy?" asked Miss Goodenough. "I saved it. I've been a long time saving of it. I thought maybe some- time there'd be enough to pay for some learning, you know, and a real reader; but I don't care about that now. Su- san oughter see things fust. It's a Christmas present to her. I navsr made one beSfore," a little proudly. "Thank you!" said Miss Good- enough, rather shortly. She didn't dare trust her voice to say more. Peggy, the little slip-shod maid-of-all-work, seemed sudden'y to wear a halo about her head. They bad been entertaining an angel un- awares in the fooarding<-house kitchen. Peggy was singing about her work on Christmas morning. Tha dumb Betty had just come up with a hot breakfast, and she was busy setting it upon the table, when Miss Good- enough came down stairs. "I wish you a merry Christmas, P«Srgy." said she. "Thank you! There waa a bit of snow last night, and the plum-bush in the yard looks like a Christmas-tree." "Did you ever see a Christmas- tree T" "No, marm; but I guessed what It was like. I watched the children across tha way this morning. They had very long legs to their stockings, all full to tha toes." "I've been talking to your mistress about you, Peggy," said Miss Good- enough, "and she says you may go to tha evening school, where you will ba taught how to read and write; and you may begin to-morrow night." "Me?" cried Peggy. "If ever I heard of such a thing! You're sure it's me? It is a merry Christmas, ain't it, though? My, it's as good as frankincenge and myrrh! It's â€" it's â€" " But Pejgy was crying on Christmas morning, and the halo was around Miss Goodenough's head this time. o Everywhere. Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night! I Christmas in lands of the flr-tree and | pine, i Christmas in lands of the palm-tree | and vine, j Christmas where snowpcaks stand j solemn and white, Christmas where corn fields lie sunny and bright; Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night ! Christmas where children are hopeful and gay, Christmas where old men are patient and gray; , Christmas where peace, like a dove in its flight. Broods o'er brave men In the heart of the fight; Everywhere, everywhere Christmas to-night 1 . .^ . The Jolly Jelly Clan. A clever gift idea is to decorate the sensible glass of jelly in such a man- ner that the decorations are almost as attractive as the glistening con- tents. Crejie or issue paper is ar- ranged around the glass to form a dress for a doll. Next a cap is adjusted. This is made of stiff white paper which is folded down around the edges of the glass and ties in place with a large bow, to which is attached a card saying, "We are from the Jolly Jelly Clan, and bring good cheer to you," or any other appropriate greeting. The card should be covered with tiny sketches of elfln figures. The face is made of an oval bit of white paper, with the features outlined upon it. This requires but a few minutes' work and is especially diverting as a gift to an invalid. Princo of \Val«6 laying a wrenlli at the l^enotapk In Loudon, as i>art of the exercises on Armistice Day, when the eighth annlv-eisar}' of the oes- aartlon of hoatiUtiee • in the greait waa- was marked with .,^lomn graadiour In Lonnon. NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM StM waa the niglit in Bethlehem â€" Fi-agi'ant and still ; And u»der the shag of a little lilll That sheltered them, Drow»y and wai-m lay the liuddled sheep, While the sheep-boys- beside them, half asleep, StiiTeil, uneasy, and seemed to keep Watch for they knew no^vhat good or UL Oh, still was the night in Bethlehem- Holy and still! Then through the dusk of the darkling ndigiit, Through the brooding gloom, There broka a flare, the sudden bk)om Of ineffable light; A mighty noise as of rushing wings ; And all thi'ough the dazzle and thu.nderings A deep strange thrill of unspeakable things That on earth could scai-ce find room. Oh, full was the night in Bethlehem Of glory and light! Sui-prised and dazzled and sore distraught The sheep-boys lay. In a radiar.t'e greater than any day, Wliich tlhey fathomed not. And they i-eem^d to hear from a choiring tlirong Tho rhythm of some celestial song. Through tlie aethers lifted and borne along Fnrni the deepest deeps to the faraway. Oh, gl.^d was the night in Bethlehem For the coming day ! "Glory and gloiy !" the voices sang, "Glory and peace I" In a diream of uneiarthly harmonies The anthem rang. "This night Is born to the souls of men A light tliat can never go out again. Whatever tumults or wot\s they ken ; For this is the guerdon of Man's release!" Oh, glory thei-e v,-as m Bethlehem â€" Glory and peace 1 â€" Think not the evanig<el given us CouUl forfeit be. Nor the pi-oinise become to humanity Less glorious ; ^ For that pe^ice of God is our heritage. DovTi the centuries comes the gage, â€" Freedom and power to evei:y age. Beyond all dreams of mortahty : And the light shines ever fi-om Bethleliem Victorious ! â€" Julia P. Dabney. At Bethlehem. Thr shepherds came in haste. And left to angels' caro The sheep upon the waste. And saw a sight most fali«â€" Baby and mother lay Warm in the manger's hay. No burning lamp gave light, But through the open door Stars shcne across the night Mope bright than ere before â€" Ciod's candles flickering Soft lit the new-born King. Jesus, who lightened them With starry candle-flamo Coming to BethUihem To praise thy holy name. At thy Nativity- Be thou II Light to me. . â€" Wostminsber Gnrette. Cradle Hyma. Away in a nvunger, no crib for a bed, Tlie little Ix)rd Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars In the bri.erht sky looked down where he lay â€" The little Ijord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes. But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. I love Thee, I^rd Jesus: I»ok do\vn from the sky And stav by my cradle tiH morning is nigh. â- -Martin I-iuther. Holly for Health. When you hang up holly and mis tletoo this year just remcmhor that, | although now regarded solely as a! Christmas decoration, these plants' have other uses, which our fore-j fathers were not ."slow to e.Kploit. j In olden times holly leaves were ; used to make medicine for gout, .\fterl being soaked in water for two days,' the leaves were boileil, and the liquid' thus obtained was said to be of great healing value. The juice of mistletoe berries was also used in the preparation of a medi- cine for the cure of the various ail- ments which folioweil over-eating at Christmas time. Early Christmas Service. In Finland it is a custom to attend church serviccH at u o'clock on Christ- mar, morning. A Christmas Talk. Holly is the plant of the optimist. It shines best and looks loveliest when the lights are low, when the curtains are closed. It is the symbol of cheer within, wh'.:i the storm rapes without. Holly is a winter green; it bears its brightest fruit when other trees are as bare as broomsticks. Shakespeaio wrote: "Hoigh-0 the holly! This life is most jolly!" He had just Ijeen talking about "man's Ingratitude," and "friend re- membered not." He says. In effect: "Never mind, there are good fellows left who have a sprig af holly in their nature; who can be cheerful when things are groggy; who can put forth the leaves of hope when everybody else is shedding them; who can deck themselves with the scarlet l)erries of good nature, thankfulness, kindness, charity, when other pdRple button up their pockets and harden their hearts!" He calls these people "the salt of tha oarth," sunshiny souls in the midst of sulky gloom. And he wi\s right. 9 The First Christmas. Where rnan was ail too luiirred with sin, Tho lowly kine wero bidden in; Where angels wore unfit to come, rUese humble entertMl hulydom â€" There in tho stable with the beast, The Christmas Child hath »pread His feast. Tliese His adortr- woro before Tho king.s and shopherds thronged the door. And whero no angels knelt there kneeled. The innocent creatures of the field. Cranberry Salad. Soften a half twx of gelatine in one- half cop of coUl vnter, add two and one-half cups of boiiing cranberry juice, «n^ tablespoonftil lemon juice, a dafU of salt, and swinsten with sugar to taste. Stir until cold and beginning to thicken, add one cup of finely cut colery and one cup of finely cut meats. Turn into .small wet moulds and set aside to harden. Serve in nests of A DRESS OF DISTINCTION. Dignity and smartness are combined) in this charming frock of moire. Th«| ;.w.jt of the bodice is joined to the' sklrf and the back is in one piece. The deep V opening, shawl collar, and' plaited apron tunic, are becoming fea-| tures and give the much rowtedi slenderizirvg lines. The vestee andl lower section of the sleeves add a! smart note of color «ontrast. No. 14611 is in sizes 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 inches' bust. Size 88 requires SMs yards 89-1 inch moire, and % yards 36-inch con- trasting for sleeves and vestee. 20c.| Every woman's desire is to uthiev« that smart different appearance which draws favorable comnvent from the observing public. The designs illus- trated Ln our new Fashion Book arel- originated in the heart of the style' centres and will help you to acquire that much desired air of individuality.' Price of the boolc 10 cents the copy. HOW TO ORDER PATTERNS. Write your name and address plain.] ly, giving number and size of su;h' patterns aa yoa want Enciose 20c iai itampt or coin (coin preferred; wrapl it carefully) for each number and' aouress your order to Pattern Dept,! WtlBou Publishing Co.. 73 West Ad*>' talde St.. Toronto. Patters* seat bf< return m&U. fli Origin of Christmas Card. The current use of the decoratec^ Christmas card for tho purpose o< offering holiday greetings found its earliest manifestation, according to most authorities, in tho year 1846,] when Sir Henry Cole, an Englishman,' commissioned J. C. Horsley, an artist if the Royal .-Vcademy, to design an' appropriate Christmas greeting whichi he might send to his friends. This early Christmas card was lithograph-l ed and copied by hand and only 1,000, copies wer« made. The decoration consisted of a trellis of rustic work divided into a centre and tv,-o side Living Christmas Trees. lettuce loaves with a garrish of may- Pan«>'8- '''ho two outer panel: held .•igures representing two acts of char- ity, "feeding tlie hungry," and "cloth- ing the naked," while in the centre a merry family of three Renerations,' Why not plant a tree instead of I grandparents to grandchildren, waa depicted drinking draughts of wine. Tho Christma.s card, however, did not reach any high degree of decor- ative excellence until 1867 when an English firm secured some well-known artists to execute desifpis for cards and large numbers of skiifiiily decor- ated greeting cards we're circulated at the Christma.s season. Among the artists who did this work was Kate Greenaway, who.se figures of littlo maidens made her well remembered. cutting one for Christmas? A living tree is infinitely more precious than a dead one. "Heap on more wood! Tho wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will. We'll keep our Christmas merry still!" â€" Sir Walter Scott. 15ctty (I'-oking up narrow chim- ney) : "Well, I hope Santa Claus has gone on a diet!" lajj^T '3 ..^Si^\ HT^ ^'•««2W^ J^^H The. Canadian Homemaker ji jeHts ^ yoesft/y drtic/is PLANNING . BUILDING . FINANClNQ DECOftATiNQ . FURNlSHlNq . qARDENiNG INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT AVOIDS WASTED SPACE 2ane^Qrey The famous author, as he appeared aboard his three-maatod schocucr Pish eir man. Improvenjtout In vonlilatlon Ideas have enabled modern arehltvots to re- duce the height of ceilings without Im- pairing hoallh. The saving In build- ing costs and In heiut-lng expense, on that accouut, is well worth calculat- ing. Th» most raarked advancement In tlntoilcr urninKemeut, however, Is Iho glowing ulilizalion of spaot* th.it other- wiso nilK'it ''0 "asli'd for bulU-ln fca- vyrts vni h iis bir ol", chin.a olcsels, liJtcheu cftWnets, book-cae-e®, oosy-cor- ! nci-s, etc. All of these Ihtnge save I lime and steps In th6 hou^ekeftjfer's j scheme of things. They do not .. s a |ru;o coJlcct as must dust and iHrt as tho ordiiia!-y i:ortnblo furniluro, nor do they have to bo nioved .iboiit in or- der to swr>ep .niul cleaji behind thorn. I-i€3» tiresome to Uie housekeeper, i they are also less oxiwnslve than the Individual portable items which they replace. Greater satisfaction will ho assured If, befoj"? building oporattuus aro com-! nionced, yiu havo a prolirainnry set of plans made. You caoi then study each room, put the plans aslile for a while, and then pick th-oin up again, tlius, over a perlo.l of titno, fnmlUarizlng you;siO(Lf with what the vnriwia room.s will be llkp, nlraost as though you wc>ro actually living in ihi>m. By so dicing yoa will douijtiess hs struck from time to timo witli iinprovcimeutH (hat might bu niado, and aftor think- ing thes(^ over, a rovlsod set of plans can be lulxio from which the home finally wiU bo buliu Dr. Adolph Lor^nz World liinwrua bloodless aurgoon, who has ooroo to America to a now cliula aatabUahed for his itsa.