The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1889-12-21

something, for that something would pur-
chase the needed present. And it did. Be-
sides I had the dog left. >r.. @
CHEAP CHRISTMAS GIFTS.
A Few of the Low Priced Articles Suit
able for Presents.
Il is the Christmas gifts that represent
the most love and affection that are usually
most acceptable. The good will Of the sea-
son of the Nativity is measured more by the
heart, than by the purse in all family and
friendly relations.
'sIt is in my heart to make you q Christi
mas present." said q young, person to .
popular writer, t'but I am not able. lido
give you the best love Of my heart.
ssThat,'' said the author, swas the most
valued present of the year, and the n
longest remember. I only wanted the
spirit Of the gift from q Woodworking girl
like her."
There are many gifts more substantial
than a word Of lov that express personal
and affectionate feeling and respect, which
yet cost but little money. They cost time
and effort, and, to q thoughtful mind, those
gifts have most value which imply on
the part Of the giver something more
tQ6u d MOu10AU . N&SN6AS ~NA-6 e~E
ping tour.
One of these is a Christmas cane, or
walking stick. Canes are coming into more
common use among all classes Of people
than formerly. There is, to be sure, a GER
tain prejudice against the carrying Of canes
by boys and young people who do not need
the support of a stick, but it is wearing
away to some extent. just as one may be
we'll dressed without being foppish, so even
a young person may carry a stick without
being a "dude." It is an agreeable thing
to lave a long right arm and hand-one
that reaches to the ground. Besides, 1t
gives one gracesa and ease, and a use for the
hand and arm.
The latest popular facy is long canes for
ladies. These are made after very elegant
patterns, and of choice woods. There is p
reason why a lady should not carry a cane
if it adds to her safety and comfort and
means Of exercise.
Every one prizes a stick made from q
tree which has a local or historic associa-
ton. A cane from one of the old home
trees in the country would be especially &C
ceptable to families who have moved from
the country to the city.
A stick cut from some old and loved tree
on the home farm in such a case would
have more worth than al expensive Christ
mas card. So also with sticks cut at ia
nous places, and those which carry with
them happy recollections. or inspiring asso-
Citations. Some people have canes which
they hold to be too valuable for use, be-
cause of their associations with noble peo-
pie, or places, or events.
If you are not able to have the stick head
ed with metal n engraved, cut with q
knife the name Of the person to whom you
are to give it, in the wood near the top.
Odd canes Of peculiar woods, and woods
of peculiar formation or color, or that have
a natural bend in the handle, are always
objects Of curiosity. Cane collecting IS an
innocent and rather pleasant pastime. and
is becoming common. The writer has .
cane from the top Of Lookout Mountain,
Tenn, which is highly priced. 1t came by
express, well wrapped in paper, and direct
ed like an ordinary express package.
There stands on my desk as l write, an
inkstand of very simple but curious con-
%struction. 1t has a pleasant history. It
came from Los Angeles, Cal. The giver
wrote: ''You nee did one Of my family q
favor; I wish to make you a little present
in return. I send you an inkstand Of
native ores''
The inkstand consists Of a common ink
bottle set in a pyramid of California stones,
of many colors. Most Of the "stones'' are
really ores, or containing bright bits of
metal. The collection is like a mound of
flowers, so beautiful are the colors. 1t is
too interesting for practical use. I keep
it as an ornament, and a very pretty orna-
ment it is.
1t was made by e~ncasing an inkstand
in common cement, and inserting the stones
and ores into the cement so as to form a
pyramid about six inches high. A few
cents worth Of cement, an old inkbottle,
and a collection of beautiful stones with
rough edges are all that is needed to
make such an inkstand. Clock cases may
be made in the same general way. Such
but it could not be sent by express 30
easily as a walking stick.
If person had skill in such work,a min
iature stone church.and tower might be made,
and a watch set in the tower after the man
ner of a town clock. The church could be
made to initiate some old historic church in
England, or in one Of the early New Eng
land towns.
A curious autograph album which I re-
Gently saw, and which is a popular gift in
certain New England towns, well suits the
holidays. It consists Of nice slips Of COM
mon wraping-paper tied together by q
handsome ribbon. It is taken to the friends
Of the person to whom it is to be given, and
they are to write sentiments and their names
on the slips. It is thus made a delightful
message Of good will and affection.
The little album messenger Of this kind
that was shown to me was a gaudy affair,
by reason of the huge bow of ribbon that
confined it at the top. The bow was as
large as the album leaves, and the whole
looked like a large butterfly. It was tho
sentiment of the pretty messenger that
gave it value. 49,.
But the gift that most people desire ID
the expression of love from a friendly heart.
II you are able to make q friend no
martial gift, you can OF loast express your
sympathy and regard for him, and he will
probably feel that he has received what
money cannot buy, if you sincerely do
only this. We help people by having
faith in them, and appreciation is LIES
best gift. " .
THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.