The Minneapolis journal., 1903-12-12

to send a rem brance is interested
chiefly in books, but she is supplied
with everything ordinary Of the past
and [ always feel that she would ra-
ther select her own current books. I
was thinking of japanese print for
her, for my mind was running in that
direction. 1t would have been all
right, but couldn't get up any en-
thusiasn1s for the idea. SOL. 1kneW it
was particularly good and besides Is
cost more than II wanted to pay for
this gift, because with her want to
eliminate wholly the element of value
In turning over a variety of bright
things in aSrare book shop found a
sort Of picture book done in the Jap
anese manner but with the gayest
American spirit 1t is done by those
clever sisters. Helen and Mabel Hyde,
and the minute tspied it 1 knew my
search was ended insthis particular
case.
"It is only such unique. things that
are in the least worthy while for peo-
pie who have everything needful and
good deal more. IS They are the
troublesome people on, a list. One
wishes to keep out wholly the idea of
value. for it will drag in the idea of
obligation that few people are broad
enough to resist. If one can't act
ually find an inexpensive article that
proclaims it's trivial character along
with it's cleverness think one must
find refuge in perishable gifts; for the i
people who are overwhelmed with
friendly attentions do not want a clut-
ter of things to be preserved and ex-
hibited for at least considerable
time. 1 make it a principle not to
give bric-a-brac without the certain
knowledge that it is desired, say by
a young matron not oVerstocked with
pretty house trinkets. Flowers and
prettfly ornamented baskets of fancy
cakes or some of the great variety Of
candied ccnfections that orientals are
fond Of. If one lives at home and has
a special talent for any article for the
table: especially if it is novel, that
makes a fine gift for q. little remem-.
brance, according to my Christmas
philosophy. Jellies, cakes, jars of
spiced and preserved fruits, fruit
pastes, -salted nuts, pickles, etc, are
all very acceptable.
81 have had one compensation for
| my, brain-racking over all these peo7s
pie whose ideas are fixed and whose
| idiocycrasies must be consulted. Cor
| nelia's flock of nieceS and nephews are
gradually accepting me as a quasi
aunt. On my book shop incursion
| found the most charming lot of chill
dren's books that were not published
| merely to sell. An illustration of gen.
uine old folk songs like .Marjery
Daw,' and London Bridge done by
| Walter Crane. with the original music,
combine nestsinexhaustibIe pictorial de-
! lights with practical value, for chill
dren ought to know and sing these
1 famous old jingles,, but comparatively
/ few mothers know them well enough
to teach them to their children The
wee folks are all fond of music and
Cornelia and I are counting on lots of
Efun singing with them after Christ
I mas.
II was showing my purchases Of
1 childrenss books to a man caller who
knows and appreciates children and
we spent beautiful evening which
! crystallized in his brisk announcement
| when we were thru, that he must hunt
up some children to buy Christmas
| presents for, for that was worth do
ing, while he did not feel sure about
i the grown-ups.
Pacific Coast, Mid Winter Excursions.
On Jan. s.. Z, s and 8 the Northern
4 Pacific Railway company will sell spe-
i cial excursion tickets to the meeting
of the National Live Stock association.
8 at Portland, Ore, for $4,000 for the
> round trip. At the same time the
4 rate to San Francisco and return will
: be $63.50. Tickets good for the re