Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-26

tudes thronging the churches. Twenty
years later, Antioch had taken IT
up with great popular enthusiasm. And
in little more tian fifty years from Its
earliest suggestion, the Observance OF
December 25 as the day of the Nativity
had become the universal practice OF
Christians st. Chrysostom, in Chris
tan sermon preached at Antioch. called
it the fundamental feast, or the root from
which all other Christian feetivalsgrow.
Home For Christmas"
The life of q commercial traveller IS
both hard and dangerous. He sells
goods all day, and rides all night. An
accident on the rode may kill or cripple
him. Exposure may develope consump-
ton, or ill cooked food may make him
dyspeptic. He is assailed by tempta-
tons, which would be powerless amid
the restraint at home. But WEAKNESS OF
mind and body, and the necessity OF be-
ing friendly with customers, often tempt
him to do that which degrades his soul
and enfeebles his body. He is to be con-
graduated if he goes off "the road" as
pure and strong as when he went on.
Some do, and what is more, develope
christian character while exposed to the
vicissitudes and temptations of the
"drummer's" life. Our readers sympa-
thies will go cut to this class, as they
read this tender sketch published in the
Detroit Free Press:
81 have taken my last order. l am
going home" he eaid, as the clock struck
the midnight hour.
The nurse looked at the doctor with
-. .,1o ism
lis mind wanders."
Presently he lifted his feverish head
from its pillow. "Any letters from the
house?" he inquired. "There ought to
be letters here"
Then he slept, and in his sleep he was
a boy again; babbled of fishing streams,
where the trout played; OF school-hours
and romps with his mates. At twelve
he suddenly awakened.
GAIL right" he called in strong voice.
"I'm ready!'
He thought the porter had called him
for an early train. The doctor laid
soothing hand on him, and he slept. In
his sleep he murmured,-
"Show you samples of our goods? I'm
going off the road now. This order closes
me out. The house has called me In:
Going to have my first vacation, but
shall lose time-time-tlme
He drowsed off, and the doctor count
ed his pulse. Suddenly the sick mar
started up.
"Give me letter from home. Ellen
always writes to me here. Dear girl she
never disappointed me yet-and the
children.
"They will forget me if my trips are
! toe long. l have only few more towns
to sell. Ipromised to be homs-prom
| ised"-
He slept again, and again awakened
with start.
"No word from the house yet?'
He was going fast now. The docto
bent over him, and repeated, in a com,
forting voice, the precious words o
promise:
"In my Fathers house are many man
sions. If it were not 80, would moi
have told you."s
:Yes-yes," said the dying traveller
at is clear statement. 1t is a goot
house to travel for. 1t deals fare ane
square with its men,"
The chilly December morning dawnec
the end was very near. The sick mar
was approaching the undiscovered lane
from whose bourne no traveller returns
"I've changed my route" he murmur.
ed, family. "The house i, calling me IN
Write to Ellen and the children that I'm
--on-my--way-home-it's In my sam
ple.case-withou money and wlthou
price-a good house-tills all its order
as agreed.
Call Mo for the first TRAIN. I am goin
to make the round trip, and get hom
for Christmas"
They laid his head back on the pillow
He had made the round trip. He hat
gone home for Christmas.
| A Rocky Mountain Christmas.
lis surprising to know OF the poss1bll
ties of enjoyment there are On the drear.
end desolate heights of the Rock,
mountains. The sturdy mountaiEeer
are ever ready for bit of fun, and are
sure to make the most of their Limited
resources in that direction. Il happened
to be in the very heart of the Rocky
mountains during the holiday season o
1881" writes a correspondent. "Tht
little cabin in which I stayed was the
only one 1 could see in the narrow
gloomy sulch, with great mountain
walls rising high on either side.
"It was late in the afternoon of the
day before Christmas when l arrived a
the cabin, and Immediately after supper
nay host said,- :.
@Me an the gals an the ole CONAN il
goin' to some party doin's tonight, up te
Bill Dixon's. Mebbe you'd like to jine
u.s."
SsWell, I-I-hardly know
ooh, you'd BETTER interrupted the
'ole CONAN" 'It'sgoin' to be areg'lal
tearin' down time
Il wanted to 60, but could not hell
saving
"Inyitedp sneered the old man, con
temptuously. All the invite you neet
is to go an bang on the door an walk Id
PlI interdooce you round. l reckon
it'll b4 the biggest doin's ever hid IN thl
gulch.'
"Tbe gals consisted of two girls abou
Is and IS years old. l am sorry tina
lack of space forbids detailed descrip
ton of their costumes. did not sup
nose that the entire gulch contained
snch a quantity OF artificial flowers, odd
and ends of ribbons, jewelry and callc'
| f1oupces as those two gals wore.
eve walked three miles 10 Dixon'e
His house consisted of long, low cabi1
of hewn logs, divided into two rooms
There was the sound of revelry' in
side undoubted, distinct revelry.
'"Mis' Dixon herself greeted us with
shout.
I "sHere's Bod Dyer an his folks! Feer
Won WANT comm. Come in, Mis- Dyer
How de do, Mary Jane and Cindy? Com
right in, stiangerp :,
"sHe didn't want to come 'cause b
WANT invited proclaimed MIR. Dye
pointing one finger towards me.
"sHe didn't calculated Mr.. Dixor
why, man, the hull gulch is invited t