, 1872-12-22

uned most astonishing variety Of steps,-stspt
from breakdowns and j1gs, from clog and fancy
dances, and some steps entirely ori:2nal,-aad
when they ended with grand double-shufae,
tho applause was long and loud
Then tho obligins couple sang coarse song,
with dancing accompaniment, sad the entluai-
asn rose to 80 high 8 pitch that when Mike,
from the table, called for three cheers for Mr.
Farnow and the ladies, the excited crowd Of lit
tie ones gave them six. and = ''tiger" extra
Just as the noise died away, tho white curtaia
was dro5n aside, and the Treo loaded with gifts
and ablaze with lights stood reTealsd-
For moment the children seemed das to .1 30
one little fellow found voice to say:
':O-ah ! but l,ain't that gay !" ..
Then what time there was! The uoiso WAS
terrific, the pressure immense; but there "ers
= sscro1sing." ; Thsy pressed about the trco, arI
received their gifts With ontburs:s Of childish
pleasure; and even tho uoaono1ssrasive Nike.
who had been unnaturaly Gtayo and pompous
before. was heard to shout at tnis stage Of tbs
proceedings. There was no marching, aad al
confusion was not obviated but somehow all
the gifts we're distributed, md each received
share.
Whca the tree had bccn completely stripped.
tho children held a hurried consultation, a1d
then Mike, as their spokesman, cama to tarnoW:
and sad: -,
sTne boys aud girls, they say as how it's
gttin' late, and they'd like to hare ycu say some
There vas = moisture in Fa=nov's eJes IS hs
roso to comply, and looked upon ths little ones
gathered around Linz,
story OF the day, and little faces frightened and
grew earnest as little minds began to compze%
bend that which had always seemed mystery;
A silence fell upon them. broken only by the
joy,-her honest, kindly face fairly as1ow; an9
thus they stood for moment after he ha5
closed. Then tho children pressed forward, ana
showercd thanks upon them, individually ana
came straight from grateful little hearts, and,
with the gentlo lesson OF the day fresh n tneu
! minds, tie children departed, and the part5 "aa
over. ..-..,
| Bnt, Us it docs not como within my premise, !
can only say that the proceedings OF the after,
noon furnished fruitful topic for con
versatien; and SO eager were the guests
t1 hs9F the Rateu}rs tef sad 80 s1
that Facnow nas the lion Of the evening. His
wonderful aow Of spirits surprised everybody
] (afr- Bohlandar even darkly limited that they
spirits, but the idea was secuted and it's or.Gl~
nator ignored), and he Was voted mott joV.at,'
delightful man.
He had, also, an opportunity Of seeing his lost
Jemima and the little seams:re5s side bJ s1de,
aud, strange to soy, he laughed [to hirnself) ar
the object Of his youthful adoratior, aud c..
clared (again to hinself) shat she was aa a1eot-'
ed old catam1Fan-
! That night, before he went to bed, be looked
into the glass at his face and tried to looa Toful
| then broke down and c1uck1ed IS he said, hall.
| aloud: .sWell. by George! do believe that l.
+, have enjoyed myself. FsrnoW, you're not far
now;" then he chuck1ed again at that u1pre~
neltatod pun, and laughed himself to sleep.
! So Farnow's Christmas Party was over. Wa;s.
YVES It over2 True, the night had fallen, tne
children had departed, and Farnow was asseep
| dreaming pleasant dreams; bat was this ~
| Who knows but from this seed OF slEapla
| 11indliness brave fruit may grow? Who Eno"s
but from this day Of pleasure great years may
spring? One summer-day will str tao LIE "a
/ Beods which grow to oaks; and rho can ted
but thai the germs from which spring noDle
| thoughts and deeds were quicaened Into Afe
by this ono day of warmth aud love?
| And had Faruow lived in vain? answer, NO.
No man has lived in vain who has ca1sea 70
| sound in little ears, unaccustomed TO cuco
stra;ns, the Angels chorus:
I Peace On earth, good win to nsa.
Psi have since heard that Farnow, cca7~
pletaly cured Of his melancholy, courted the 1t
tie seatustucss, and that they are to be narr1co
! soon. How true this report may be, am u1-
| able to say; but I met him the other day, aaa
| from his appearance (he has ralsed mouatacac,
and wears scarlet neek-tie) I'm Inclined TO
believe it. At any rate, he Is melancholy no
/ longer, and, as he became good-Eunored ana
| smiled ct tho puns, their number gradually dl-
| 1ninished, and now strangers are the only ooas
who ATTEMPT tllen. While earnestly endea7or-
ing to tighten the burden Of others, he lost his
| oHn.
Is it not always so? LOUIS DOM