The Hardin Tribune (Hardin, Mont.) 1908-1925, December 25, 1908, Image 2

s I T was at uncom- monly Lite hoar when Dan Derrick ' s3t out to get some- thing fes a Christ- mas demer. Tee bell in the village church chimed twelve, and the ! mu l e s ca m e fl oat - ing on 1::e teed, etill air of the forest. — Tis a feu night fur rabbiting, eh. Rough?\ raid Dan to his dog, es lie calve to a warren. \But bide a minute,\ he added. . hie eye had been attraeted by a lade mountaiii ash growing above the warren. Being a young tree. it had rot fe• t isi ed, autumnal leaves, and it was 'laden with hers ies. , \Now that would make a pretty Christ- mas -tree for the little ones,\ he said. lie pulled it up ley its roots from the Inas° earth, and put it under a neighbor- ing oak. .Takine b a net out of his pocket, he fieed it round some ef the rebbit-holes in the warren, and said to the dog : \Now raund 'ent ue, lad; round 'cm up!\ Rough knew his work well. He raced like a black shadow acroas the 'moonlit U waste of snow, to the nearest field ofV•intei cabbages. and there he silently rented out the rabbits, and sent them helter-skelter back to their holes. \Drat the net!\ said Dan, springing out from behind the oak. Somehow he had not fixed it 'firmly, and the rabbits knocked - it over and escaped. Only one I ot entangled in the loose meshes. \One wild rabbit isn't much of a Chriet- mas feast for man end wife and five little ones,\ said Dan ruefullyer he threw • it beside the mountain ash. • \Ali ha! I've caught you red-handed this time, Dan!\ Th.; poacher turned, and found a keep- er witching hint. • \I'm only after a rabbit,\ he t•xclaimed. \yes said the keeper; \I've been tracking you itt the. hopes that you were after the deer again. But it tlaUshl matter. • Soon as Cht- . .stivias is over I'll have yon up for it.' ' He walked away, leaving Dan Derrick in a state of hopeless'7na'siery. This capped it all. Dan was a weod-t•u ter. But the winter before his feht , arm hal been crushed by -a fallieg tree, reel . he hail lost the use of it. • With the' .help of Roueh. however, li had 'managed. since this acci ent, just to keep his wife and ch:1- drea horn st.srv :nee Now .401 that was , over. Tie: maeistra. • wou:d i.epose a fine on him, and, hav:ng no money to pay it, he would be see t t .3 pr .son. What would beeome at his wife and the five lIttle ones? ...Weil.\ he said. with at attem; t at cheerfalness, \I won't • spol their Christmas by tsliing thstn of what's waiting for ine a couple o' days after.\ He returned home by the way he came, and picked tia the rabb:t •and the -mote.- tam n aeh, and went to bed withouf saying I anything to his wife. It was to the merrymaking by candlelight that they all loaked forward. The morn- ing they spent in gathering holly, and the afternoon in decking the cottae with it; and Dan -himself forgot his trouhles in a secret work of decoration. Shuteng him- self in the shed, lie planted the mountain ash in a deep box filed with lerf mould, and clipped off a few unsightly leaves and tied b:ts of gayly colored paper on the branches. Whets the. rabbit pie we; at last placed on the table in the full light of el the solitary candle, he told his two eldest :ees to .bring in something which they , would find ii the she d. es • • in the meantime, his wife, Doll, served him with some of the pie. J tut with the • first pieee of rabbit that he ate, the thoueht r ' of his misfortune overcame him, and 'lie burst into tears, and tohl his wile what had happened. She took the news in a very •strange way. .\ that!\ she cried wildly, pointing to the mountain ash, which the bees were bringing in. \Yon pul.ed that up? Oh. now I understand! Now I understand! 'Tisn't the fitst fairy tree you've hurt 'What were yell doilfg last winter when the elm fell oil your arm? Oh, you mad. .neless man!\ She covered her face with d wept. rocking lieree4f to Utter grief. Dan g zed at blankly. Even now I e didn't _tend what she was rinsing about. Was Oho thought of his Misfortune driving rout of her mind? was bad enough. • ly. but she needn't IASI it in that man- lier. He came and beside her, and I tenderlyover . and tried to fort her. \Look at the Christ - tee, mammy!\ • ted the children, log with delight • Clapping their \Look at the as -tree, dad- -01s, isn't a lovely!\ 4 her hands and fro in her un- Coil/right? Tao* TRriE A Xmas Fairy 5rorrit- Children QD iy WIZIGHT The wit and husband loulael up in astonishment. The berries n the mountain ash were elowire with a deep, soft, red light. The tree teemed to he hung with lamps carved out of large unmet rubies. I'I' et inexpreeeibly beautiful re- diance grew richer and littler an:I brighter, flooding all the room, :111d transfiguring, with its strange tee red - red tint, the wondering faces of man, woman and chi'dren. \Listen!\ t aid Peegy. who lind the tinkle fre It sense of a wood- land child. Music sounded faintly in the distance, and then came nearer and nearer. Peggy ran to the door . and unlatched it, and into the room there sweat a troop of pretty little forest elves. They were all clad in Lincoln -green, ex- cept their Queen, and ehe wore a 1 odice and a kirtle of pure, snowy silk, with a girdle of gold and a golden hem. \Thank you 57.3 iiricle\she said to )et, '•i i tieing the fe:ry tree in out of the cold and the times. It will be much nicer for us to tla:e c by a we. in fire this weather than out in the chi:! forest.\ \I'm sorry we've nothing of a sunner for ou, ma'am,\ said Doll, Derrick. \But if you'd care to tas'e our rabbit pie?\ \No! flu!\ said the Queen•of the Elves, touchiag the tab'e vvith r her wand. \You inust permit me to provide a feast for you this Christmas.\ The t7Ne at on: - e became covered r with spLndid dinner. There were roast tulle, • and Christmas peel .itig and erapes, met ems and sweets, and boses Of crackers, ard every good thirg, its fact, that the heart of man could wish for. \Now raid the Oueen of the Elves, \while you are all ei;joying. yourselves we will do our Christmes homage toehe Lady ef the Mountain Ash. Strike up, my merry I arpers!\ Four little men, with four little harps. sat down by the fire, :111d began to metes a sweet, fiery music, and the Queen and the other elves took lio:d of hand:;, and danced round the red-lightt•d mountain ash. And as they danced they r111 . If there was one t' . -1; that little Peeey Derrick likcd even more than Chri puddiug it wa: denciee; and there wes, be - cities, a strare,e and CC- licions charm in the snesic that 4= ?Q' the elfin \ harpers were playie s e. let'e fo and dance, too.\ she cried, \and. finish t he feast afterwards.' She got down from the table, and her four, •erothers fol- lowed. Then her msther came, and at last Dan himself, noes trembling with anxiety, joined them. As they whirled round, the - lights on ,the mountain ash grew • el:m, and about the tree a soft incense gathered, and took on the for:n cf a lady of wild, un- speakable beauty, clad in vapory, trailing . robes. When the dancere rave over, she wan standing beside the tree in the center of the ring, and gez:ng at Dan Derrick. There was a kindness in her glance, bat, for all that, poor Dan's knees shoo.: tin! \Well al's well that ends well,\ sh • add. \But you were a very b e ld man, ben. to bring' me bee yaer liouFe in so unceremonious a fashion. I lied half a mind to slay you outright last night!\ Dan then bad a glorious inspiration. \It was well for you that you didn't hurt me, ma'am,\ he said very respectfully, vet firmly. \Look what I've done for you already. Some rabbit had burrowed under your tree, and the earth was so loose there that down you would surely have come in the nest rale. You oughtn't ta have set that keeper on me. you know.\ ''Yes; I'm sorry now for that,\ said the Lady of the Tree. \But hurry back :it once to the spot from wlOch you took me, and dig there and takeavbal you find.\ Away went Dan with ,a spade, and the Lady of the Tree and the Queen of the Elves began to talk together. When Dan returned, carrying, with some difficulty, a heavy sack on his shoulder, lie heard the Lady say to the Elfin Queen:\ . \Yes I think you are right. The motor- cars are a great nuisance. A quiet orchard on the skirts of the forest would be the very place for us.\ \I know of a fine fruit -farm for sale, ma'am.\ sad Dan. \And from what I can :PP, there's plentY of money in this sack to buy it.\ \V e ry well; buy it, my friend,\ said the Lady of the Tree, \and plant the mountain ash there; ,and the elves and I will Took after the fruit for you.\ Be fore departing back into the fairy tree, she stroked Dan's at - in: and he was able to open the 'door with it as he said good -night to the Queen of the Elves --vend her troop. Dan now grows the best apples in New England. and he has a veil good crop of them • in the worst season. • \I say. Mr. Der- rick,\ said a stranger one day, \why don't you root up that use- less mountain ash in the center there?\ . \Oh that's what some folks call a fairy tree! said Dan. \They say It brings a man luck.\ *1. In the streets Santa 7ior and the sick, that their ChriS - cheer. With the gi the heart is answe inch we are d_rayM into the,n1firrY- time. In :?3 . 4 minds)2s.r /ire Trning ove for this dear one i96t'what kilthat— an ....-- are less at - to-- joyous/in tP's day real joy of Christras: the doing f good\t happiness! --=_ _,.../-\ /\ There is the little girl we yp in e pine woods last summer who will be delighted with a p ay , k,the lame boy who sells Opers at the corner of Hit and Miss streets, the'' 1.vid w who takes in wishing 1 out in the suburb where we yit‘the jolly boy friend of a businer t s associ- ate who haz so many thinxi one' tannot Just, \decide on his present, the elevator man who has 916t Lig morning ,night with a cheery. good morning and a respectful geod night—and then there are the closer ones;. /. the mother, father, / wife thld babies!' - . What a galakyl needy folk—for all are needy, on Christmai'day! Those who do not need food, or clothing, or mTey; need something that will prove our love,rove that we ' have not forgotten them and that on this, the day commemorating the comifrig of the King of Bethlehem, our heart is attuned to t theirs in gladness and rejoicing. • ..... And now the hollr'and the mistletoe appear u t n the street corners and rushing business nap stop on their hurried wax homeward to buy wreaths of the green arid the rod to hang in the windovia of their homes and from the chandeliers of gieifjliving rooms. On and on surges the 1 - pirieFeChristmas! Like a mighty enveloping shaft — Or -sunshine, it breaks thrcugh the clouds of every -day mediocrity and racing across the world sends its glow- ing glory into every home! Garlands hang everywhere, bells chime ard merry laughter echoes through the halls of time. And with the ringing of the crystal spheres, pPnce spreads her mhntle like a cloak and plenty sits enthroned among .the merrymaking and the praise! \Peace on earth, good -will to men.\ _ rcr rrr. .\.- o r' fire' ,c• \ l' Cr, rerr r It COUNTY FINANCES liN GOOD CONDITION \\. The report of the county r f the year flvling November ilts centains scores of interest.tig items, and it is found that Yellowstone coun- 13 '\)r • ..... ty has prorpered in nearly 'every .de - Bridge p irtment. In the clerk's table , sh„w: I Bond nter mg at rerapitulatien of bahowes tis Sinking. discovered that in net rly ere . ey t ai m General school last ptstr ict schi ol the balance et the cl.,se of the The folli.wing table of interesting to peruse: Gene's' * 49,930 15 Contingent :16,746 43 Road • 29.288 39 1.1.7.45 22 1S.036 61. 14,3 '0 41.. eel; 4:' 62,1:23 65 1•:.6,S($1 40 129 50 sai; 1;) 2.1 90 36.691 57 funds) 89,017,60 1 $50 09 r t) . . 2,524 61 ,S5 Pe.testett t tees 1906 2,957 91 fiscal yeer s as greater substant Institute Estates NM> AMMO- ‘...1141.- ..114M 40=1M1.-.01=111.0 e \st‘l\s State (all fun(Is) City of Billings (all Town of Columbus in Truet fund (thetrict Reatenptien fund ) JOHN BOYLAN Dealer C 1 I Hard Preteettei taxes 190; Preteeteu tames 1901 .',•rsonai tuxes ltios . Arnold, druin ...... suburban uratet . t. 'raw lent taunt Danford urain . .... 10,177 0; 5.202 4;) 1.611. 94 138 r4 4.029 Dli 127 04 5,187 20 Total In round numbers the get et -al famt has a balance over 1907 of *4,800, and S oft the contingent fund is better • if by nearly $6,000. The road fund has a 1:irger balanee this year than last 1,y ,HAY AND GRAIN , uhiutt $1,700. neitwithetanding mere innty roads and many improvements HARDIN, • Owl Creek Monarch and metropolis Christmas trciarls upon thc heels of Thankskiv- eager to exploit its wares. The windows of the great stores, that have been fringed with Autumn leaves, now present the entire gamut of holiday goods. Images of Santa Claus appear in bas reliefs, backed with reindeer and sledges, capacious chimneys and lite-places. Toys and sweetmeats run riot upon the counters, and tmas shopper appears mincingly in the long aisles of thc great depa,rtiitöres. here are yet many days for making Christmas choices and the shopper has áout her none of that mad, scrambling air so noticeable d 1.h - elast few dlys of the runaway season. --cpOcr, asking alms for the needy too, may be brightened aid of good ces octhe — arowd take on a happier smile; to the mpOage of,ACod will on earth.\ Inch by , thustle and the spirit of the nd ove the problem of what lijt we include those who a —and now comes the makes our hearts sing with SAY? 4; . c ts A44 , thun for the year ended November 30, MONT live been made. „ oune _ imme ... a ...... a . m ..„ 0 . 11 .........0 The road fund has received duripg the year V35.974.41 and there hurt been paid from that fund 4C15.653.78. The bridge fund has a larger bal• ance by $4,200 now than at the end of 1107. During the yt•ar there hue been paid out of this fund 1..410.30. During 1908 the generul school fund has been tapped to the tune of $41'. - 049.32, and a balenc • remains of $62,621.65. or close to $7,000 more than remained in that fund at the end of 1907. The district school fund balance. of $126.1409.54 at present is compared with the balance November 30, OM, of $118.646.87. This fund durin4 .1. 1908 received $272.636.87, and from it was $87,982.96. The balance now is given city of Billings fund (all fithib0 was at $146,017.,10. There has bees 'added t4. the hind - during the year $91.122.93. and deducted $69.138.19. - Jonrnal. At the end of 1908 the balance in the paid out during the year $2144.374.70. balances is *554 109.48 Sifted Snow Flour. manufactured by the Sheridan Manufacturing Co.. Sheri dim Wyoming, sold by E. C. Spencer, is one,of the very best gnuleN of flour on ttRi 'market. Each and every sack guarant0d. If you want gotid flour Usk Spencer for Sifted Snow brand. -; •••••••••••••• •••••••••••• • *When you want goods of any kind • • v v remember that we are at the bottom • :on prices. Here are a few of them: Ceretana Flour, too lbs..i$3.50 t White Swan Flour, too lbs 3.25 *Rosebud Flour, too lbs 3.00 : • Granulated Sugar, too lbs 6.50 ‘ Tomatoes, per case 3.00 . 1 Corn 44 66 4 4 2.25 Pure Eruk Jam per can . 15 'w pint jar 25 : *Evaporated Peaches per lb 12 1-2c Apples \ \ 12 1-2c . i. Apricots \ - l'oc • 1 4011100. .01M11110-011111.0- -4411110- -01111111110. -461M10- -OM*. 4111=111111. .11111MIP•:-.4.11111111)•- .11011111*- * 641 64 66 -11411•1410 -4111:11110- AMMO- Capital, -----25,000.00 A Gen er al Bunking Business Iransacted Accounts Solicited : DIRECTORS J. B. ARNOLD T. A. SNIDOW CARL RANKIN E. A. HOWELL G. F. BURLA 64 • •_ nUR stock of Winter Wear for Men is complete in • ki every line from Fur Coats to Underwear. .00 , .4111.1.0.-4161100.-MMIlle. 4111M -4011.10..40•111..411..10-.1110.111.11111.10..41111.10.4411114. • • :F W. LEE & CO.: • •••••••••••••• •••••••••••. • Bachelier-Scott Lumber COIllpany—r-n-- Hardin, Mont. 4ti Dealers in LIMBER Builders' Supplies dE401101131ME.E5 let Us Figure With You 0. F. BURLA, E. A. HOWELL, President No. 9215 Cashier First National Bank • • OF HARDIN, MONIANA • • • 1 , 11 - \worsa..41' 01 11%...51.4 0 1'00-1111 - \Nawiett+1)1.41.11 -60 11aset 4011sIli1e.44. • The HARDIN HOTEL ROBERT ANDERSON, Propr, Finest Hotel in Central Montana BAR IN CONNECTION Carries a full line of Old • Homestead • Whiskey Awsmi Buciweiser Beer WINES, IMPORTED and DOMESTIC CIGARS HARDIN, MONT. livW1k-11-1.15•11.e%s• ea.• • ••••11.' 11•••••••••• E. C SPENCER, 1 sa e eiee General Merchandise Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots, Shoes, Clothing. $ Hardin, Mont. Stock Complete ig Horn Saloon, D. R. WILLS, Manager, Dispenser of FINE Wines, Liquors and Cigars HARDIN, MONT.