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PATROLMAN N tN FERGUSON'S NEW YEAR'S EVE By ROBERT R. FAXON. M AT\OLOt\\ Fl cR G 1S O f1ON whis-tled merrily as he b \walked along his beat that " night. Lie was unusually 1 happy. And why .hItldnn't he have been? In two hours he would be through t with his work and he could then, go home to his family and stay man) g hours. for the next lay was his aay oft. But. there were other things which h served to put Ferguson in an ahiiable frame i.f mind. His superior officer, a when lie reported for work after sup- re per that evening, had complimented ri him on his wnrk. "Three arrests in one day isn't so bad." the policeman said to himself. \ reass-urinely. "and all of them good w onets, t,. G;etting colder," he added, h as lie buttoned his coat; "thankful I don't have to work to-morrow. It'll he r the first New Year's I've spent with ir tvy wife in many imoons. (uless I'll I step in and fet w::rted up a bit." Ther'e were -everal men conglilrit- a ed in the c( rner cig'ar store w\heln i''r- h gu-,-n n cered, ani they were earnest ly (i-cu- irg .isome matter of general h intert -t aii)uit that timne. "Here'le'- l"'I'eriusln now," said one of ther . "'\\ it 3yilu who arrested lc- c Carthy?" t "'Y.'e. \\hy?" "'aluoe it \\ s a low shanty trick. t that's ush 1. You had no right to do i it in the" tir-t place. Hle wasn't doing I anything. was lie?" "W\Vho actas i haven't a right to pinch nnvlyboy 1 ant to?" the policeman re- i tortedi, anl -:'ily. "Haven't I instrue lions to land 11any crook I find?" "Yes,. if you catch them doing some- I thing, w hich McCarthy wasn't." "No fault of his, pro bably. Lying t around waiting for a chance, I take t it."E "That's just where you're wr( nr i "McCarthy. I admit, isn't just exactly i the best sort of a ):-rson to have in the neighborhood, but at that he's not the I kind of a man he used to be. lie's re- 1 formted. Is good to his' fariily now and tl was going to start ;n s cilk to-minrre w. hut 3you come along andt grab hintm p. 1 He'll be in for two days at. least, and 1 his job'1il he gone." "You n:en make me tired," the po liceman muttered, as he turned to ward the dolor. "McCarthy's a crook I and is safe to have around only when he's behind the bars. I know my busi ness- and can attend to it; you keep) jour noses out of it." With that he was gone. "Put a suit of blue clothes on an Irishman. sew on some brass buttons, place a club in his hand and a gun in his pocket and call him a policeman and it's all uip with him," continued the man who was talking after the policeman had gone out. "Who is this man McCarthy?" one of the others asked. "Oh, he doesn't amount to much." answered the other. "He's a laborer by trade. but 'too lazy to work. Lives in a shanty around the corner with his wife and a lot of half-starved kids. Hung around with a tough crowd for a long time and was as bad as any of them, I guess. Been locked up any number if times, and once, I believe, wvas sent up for two years for robbery. But that's not what I'm kickingalmout. It's the blamed habit the cops' have got into of nabbing him every time they -catch hiin standing still. My wife went over there this afternoon to take the , ids so(nlethIng to eat, and Mrs. Mc ('arthy said Pat would be all right if the poice_ wuild let him alone. She's more wocrried abliut himni losing tile job ofercdi himi than anythiIng else, -he says." "I winder if 1 did do wrong in lock ing Mc('arthy utp," F'erguson laid to * h-imself after he had walked several l'ckli., thinking of the matter all the time. "l)in't really believe I did. I've had orders ltoi bring in all the suspi <.iou characters 1 find during the ho! idnays,. and if McC('arthy isn't one I don't know who is. Guess I'll goaround and aee the family anyway. Maybe they're in hard lines and need help," he con tinuetl, after a moment's reflection. "'Funny that man should spring the _-ame gag in me that McCarthy did iablout that job." Mrs. McCarthy wasn't very deeply grieved that afternoon when one of her many children came running into the ho-ue andtl tioldl her that a police nmln ltad taken the father away in the laLtrol. It had happened so often be fore thait tle novelty of it.all hadil worn otTff. lti ihe ciiuldn't undlerstand what he had lben doing, for only half an hour tearlivr he had left her as cheer fuil Ia. co1uid ie over the prospect of .g ct ing iperclanieit w ork the next day. lie \\as onl3 giliiug over to the ctrner ti get -iulte tlobaa'co, he told her, and w\ouii Ibte back :-oofn. IPerhaps he got into a tihit. -lie thoughiit, and let it go :it thiat. Mrs. Mcartllhy had so much to do ihat -he i \\;, I, - ept up very late that i'ht. lThlr't'e of the hliildren had the criiup. \ iiih c:lled for mnuch dcoping andt :-ii.i::; after thte had been put to lin : :.ilthier f them hadnii't a whole phic ,ff clothing to hi- back. huiud lhe p liiilit little moiuther waiiS foirc'ed t i ~pil! c-niiderable time tatching a.dl darningl. In atiiitiin to thiis she was making a: d res for a wom an which had to be delivered the first thing in thle iloirnilg. It vwa. close on ti midnilight when she finished it. Just as she was putting away her work there anal' a rap on the door. "Oh, it's you, is it?" she said whea she saw the policeman. "'Tell. ycu're too late. Some of your palrd- got ahead of 3ou this time. lie's gone. WI They- got h:im this afternoon. For what I dtrn't know." "I didn't come to get your husband," Ferguson said. "I know where he is. 1 came to see if you needed help." ne "\We wouldn't need help if 3 oi'd let re: Mack alone. You mugs worry the life the out of him and me, too. lie ain't so be. bad as you think he is. Just 'cause he ye; was once doesn't mean he's alwaysgo- thi ing to be the sa.me, does it?" the The woman was shivering with the be cold as she spoke, and Ferguson no- Iat ticed it. lie "Did Mack tell you anything about be going to work to-morrow?" he asked. im "Yes. lie had a good thing offered th him, but 1 suppose it's all off now." lif As the officer's eyes were directed fa about the squalid, dingy room they nt' rested for a second on the pile of ragged blankets in the corner which s, served for a bed, and they discovered that the tire in the little coal stove El was almost out and that the cial '!ox was nearly empty. Their owner's or heart was touched. fr "1)o you suppose it woull do any to good if I brought Mack hack toi- le night?" he asked of the hra',e little ,: I, woman near him. gi "Could you do it?" she exclaimed, anxiously, laying her thin. withered 1t hand on the lpolicemnan'sarn. o ito "I think -,."' wa. the answer. "IIe I han't bht.n hIlooked yet." i "Tlihen fr (;God's ake do so!" she Scried, breaking dovlwn and s.obbing. "I I can't dlo w\ithout hint now,." she con- of tinned later. "I'm almost sick. 1e sides, it'll enp incoturlc: e .lack. Ile means II to do right now. I kniw. for he tprom- di i-sej m lie he would, and I'm sure he'll keep hi word if he's given a fair t show." I "I'll do it," said the policeman, rush- e ing from the room. 11 half an hour later McCarthy was tl Sback in his homie. and there was a fi bucket if coal and a basket of food g there, too,. Fergiu-on had hurried to e the patrol box, called up the desk ser- I geant, explained matters to him and asked that the prisoner be sent home a v in the wagon. E S "'lPut in a scuttle of coal, and a has- b t ket of grub. too," he added; "they need it. And to-morrow have some t body go around to see if anything else can be tdone. I wvon't be in to . niiht. bill. tHappy New Year. Good- h d night." "What kept you so late, Fred ?" Fer g, sotn's wife as-ked him when he ,. reached home. "You said you would 5 k he here to watch the Old Year out ( n with ate, so I sat up for you. But it's h i_ after one o'clock now." "I know it." hlie answered. "but I was unavoidably detained. Sorry, though. hi Rut you'll forgive me, I know," he ad del. "when 1 tell you that by staying I believe I have helped to give a man a n fresh start on life. It's a good way to s, begin the New Year." he said as he in put his arms around the little woman an and gave her a violent hug.-Chicago xd Evening Post. THE ART OF LETTING GO. le 1 To Learn to Be Absolute Master of One's Own Mind Is One of First er Lessons in Life. es is We held on to a great many things I last ear which we should have let go r --shaken off entirely. In the first of place we sh)ould expel from our minds 13 completely the things which cannot e, be helped-our past misfortunes, the y' trivial occurrences which ha\e morti ft.ed or humiliated us. Thinking of ot themi not only noes no good. but it ey robss tus of peace and comfort. The art nt of forgetting useless things is a great he ne, and we should learn it at a:y cost. It is just as imlportant, says Suc f cess, to learn to let go as to hohl on. e Anything that cannot help us to get he on and up in the world; anythiingthat Sis a drig. a itumbling block, or a hin dirance, shoultd be cxpunged from oiur mlt mory. Many people seemt to take a p:- sitive pleasure in recalling past mis-. ti fortiunes, sufferings' and failures. They rtl dwell upon such experiences, and re he paint the dark pictures tuntil the mind ve becomes melancholy and sad. If they pi- would only learn to drive them out, o- and banish their attempts to return, n't as they would banish a thief from the nd house. those painful thoughts would re cease to demand entrance. We want un- all we can get of sunshine, encourage on. ment and inspiration. Life is too the short to tdwell upon things which only did hinder our growth. If we keep the mind filled with bright, hopeful pic ply tures, and wholesome thought~-the of things only which can help us on and to up in the world-we shall make in ice- tinitely greater progress than by the burying ourselves in glowing retro be- spection. irn One of the first lessons in life is to htt learn to be absolute master of one's an own mind. to clear it of its enemies. er- and to keep it clear. A well-trained of mind \vill never harbor thouights in ny. imicall to success or happiness. You er hase the ability to choose your mind's and cnompany; you can call up at will any gtt guest you p!ease. Then why not go choose the noblest and best? The Scotch Bible Test. do On New Y;Year's l)ay a hard-headed hat Scotichman will take a Ilible and place the it upon a tabtle, letting it fall open ol (ing its ownu accord. Then, without looking, put he wvill place his tinger upon the page taI where it has opened and read tihe ack. verse on whiich it rests. This is sup asi posedi to indlicate his fortune for the itte coning twelvemtItth.-(cincinnati En ato i ]iuirer. _ _ _ _ _ irst Siame 01' Story. lose /"St,nie people." said Uncle Eben, J it. "turns ovuh a new leaf on dtie fus' o' de urk year. But befo' Febrairy dey's writid de same ol' story on it."--Woashingtor hen Star. NEW YEAR IN THE HOME. WHhatever the Life HaU Been the Stl True-Hearted Meet the New Year f with Hope for Beitterment. There are few that enter upon a new year without the hope of the ne resolution that however good or poor tit the life, work and pleasure, have la: been during the past. the coming TI year shall witness improvement in me their quality. Those who feel that pa the record of the previous year has th been, in the main, good, are stimu- de lated to further efforts; those whose te hearts are sore because of what lies m before them long earnestly for an ch improved condition of affairs during at the days to come. So, whatever the to life has been, however the work has p1 fared, the true-hearted everywhere ye meet the new year with a hope and of a prayer that in its months they may of "Rise on stepping stores of their dead selves to higher thlngs." It is not to be expected, writes ti Elizabeth Lord (Condit, in Minneapolis }lousekeeper, that the homekeeper D or the housewife shall be exemptt from the number of those who desire eT to reach greater excellence. With her it may not mean more of indliid ual work. but it mlay mlealn more of b giving the mind to, work ;hat is un pilasant or dlihlikedl. It miay mean a r stronger effort to systematize wvork. II or to perform it in orderly fashion en the part of those who have little nietlod in work, or who do things 1 in a desultory, haphazard w\ay. It may mean for some the putting tl of con-ci(ence into the work; for others the gradual apprehension of the uplifting truth that only in the discharge of duty-whether it be the 1 perfiormnance of homely househol d tasks that often seem to exhaust h body and mind or in more congenial e employment-they advance toward the realization of the highest ideals; 1I and. ;f the spirit has serene control, a this is accomplished with the least friction possible, the least waste of r physical and mental strength. When a womian conies to recognize her personal responsibility in the faithful, cheerful doing of her work as essential to the fulfillment of the Divine plan-not simply for herself, but for the betterment of the world -she becomes a conscious worker with God, and desire for self-advance ment gradually recedes into the background. She does not efface herself, she respects herself, and thus comn ands--whatever her work -the respect of every right-minded person, and grows inuto a broader, stronger, sweeter, nobler soul day by t lay. Her outlook embraces both horizons-the earthly and the heavenly. This much of comfort every ear nest and tired worker should take for her refreshment at the beginning of the year. When eyes ache because of close scrutiny, nothing rests the strained or weary nerve like the far off gaze. The broader field of vision calls into play a fresh set of muscles, the tension is relaxed, and, after a little, the eye can return to the nar rowest limits with renewed vigor and brightness. So it is with the wearied home keeper. There is such a sameness in 'I the necessary round of housework; such a daily repetition of toil; three meals a (lay to be prepared by one's own hands or planined for another to provide; the family "fig leaves" to a' be made ready and looked after for t dlaily or special use; the house to be is kept fresh, in order, and ready for it family occupation or friendly visit; te and the general oversight of the i- home with all that implies of fore if thought which may include a range it of months. If, to all this, is added rt the care and training of a growing at family. and also a very limited finan t* cial ability. the strain otn a strong C- woiman's strength is tremeniidous; oni n. a weaker wolman is often imore than t she can bear. it Sec, then, the need of deliberately a- changing the range of vision at least Iir once a "ear. I'erlhanps the relief ob a tainedl then will convince of the wis s dom of more frequent looking off be e yond the narrower horizon of home e- cares, duties anid pleasures. into the id broader one of God's great world, ey and the still broader one where mind it, and spirit learn to interplret the n great truths of life and love to the me material comprehension and redemp Id tlion. May the New Year bring this joy and refreshment to all! Ie- - 00 New Year's Superu4itionm. S"Don't take a light out of the house he before one has been brought in," is the ie- solemn injunction on New Year's-night he of the peasautry of Lincolnshire, Eng nd land. DL)eath is certain to result if this in- advice is not followed. by To permit a woman to enter the house first on New Year's day is said - to be a sure forerunner of evil. The to same results are said to follow the e's throwing of dirty water, ashes or e any" kind of refuse. ed In sweeping the house the dlust must in- be swept from the door to the hearth ou or death will be the conseqtuence. A\ d' custtoln largely observed at present is after making the fire in the morning Sto spread t he ashes v,\er the threshold. If in the morning there is an implires sion of a fomt lradiing frim the house. a death in that family is so firmily le lieved in that preparations aire made ed for it, but if tlht footmart k leads to ace wards the house a birth during the o ear is sure, and preparttiCns are made accordingly.-- N. O. l'icayune. the AlwaYs Worth Thltle. . "You say you encourageid our friend the to make another Sew Year's resolu En- tlon?" "I did," answered the slangy mnian, whose heart is all right. ".But don't you know he'll break it en, at the end of six weeks at the least ' de calculation." "ti "I hope nut. And even if he does, tor he'll be six weeks ahead of the game." -Washington Star. BROKEN RESOLUTIONS. Strearth and Courage to Make New Mr. Resolve' After Former Failures R a Healthful and Hopeful Sign. A New Year possibility, a whole new year! It is a fresh beginning day time-when all that we failed to do yOU last year can really be tried again. for The studies of problems, near, or re mote, that we thought we should hus pursue, the books we meant to read, era the new work we were going to un dertake, above all, the faults we in- wai tended to conquer, the virtues we goc meant to cultivate, the growth in character which we both resolved gin and failed to acquire, now, we can ma; take a fresh start and really accom- yot plish some vital things, for the new the year is so rich in promise, so full citi of hope so alluring in its suggestion ma of beautiful possibilities! fe Are we sometime tempted to look Spe a bit cynically at this ever-recurring jus tide of hope, of belief in our better the endeavor, and better performance? at Does it sometines seem a mere mock- for cry-perhaps hypocri.y-that we a should so regard the New Year? Are a we tempted to say-- will make no fo New Year's resolutions to be again yet broken aitl next year again renewed? ba If this is our experience, let us the reimember, says the Washington Ilome Magazine, the very fact that an we have the hope and courage to make new resolves, after all our fail- Mr ures, is a healthful and hopeful sign. fa Some wise teacher has pointed out an that one of the most ditfficult things in the world is to retain our self- te ri spe t sufficiently to retrieve our selves after a mistake or failure. So g long as we keep a clean record we can go on, although the way may be fa hard. But once having failed, the effect of a broken record paralyzes, and renders it far .easier to fall out by the way than to "about face!" and start again. Yet one of the greatest of victories is ours when ga realizing and deploring our mistakes, our "manifold sins, negligences and ignorances," we yet refuse to simply be sit and moan over them, but re solutely rise up, press on, saying: i I failed that time, but I shall not always. I can and will learn to be "tiore than conqueror through One who loved us, One whose strength in is in our weakness perfect" leaning ai on Him, remembering that true re d pentance consists not in mere re- hi rnmorse but it regret that bears fruit sc d in new life; we shall find that our worst failures may become part of hi Y that "stepping stone" on which we rise to higher things.--Washington ti Home 'Maga'zine. a r NEW YEAR'S CALLS. d .e This Practice of Former Years Might B e Become Once More a Custom It Revived by the Children. As merry a day as Christmas is for the children. it is usually rather quiet for the grown people, their principal d occupation being to watch the young folks enjoy themselves. From Christ- it mas until New Year, though, the grown people make up in gayety for a their Sunday-like quiet on the 25th, e but the children have just as much s fun at the same time. s There are more parties at Christmas o time than there are even during the ro long summnner holidays, and they are r jollier, because the children feel more energetic and bright and lively with the cold weather and the happy spirit oif the season. There are so many delightfull ways to entertain, too; so e- me iany games and things that are only suitable for indoors. There is one holiday practice which has almost pas-ed with history, and Syet it is a beautiful one which the chil dren might do well to revive. It is the t n old custiom of New Year's calls. Un til a few years ago it was the usual thinr for everybody to call on every t bod3 else the firbt day of the year. SI'elile who hadl homes opened them -to their friends, and popular people had a stenady stream of callers all day ewho paidl their respects, were served he refreshments andt went on their way to the next friend's home. It was d all very pleasant. but it has passed h out. although efforts are being made toi renew the practice. he Why should not the children help Sin this revival? They have nothing Sto do, as a rule. on New Year's day, and they would doubtless find it delight ful to put on their best bib and tucker se and call on all their young friends. It he wiould be a splendid opportunity to ht display their new Christmas finery, ag- and at the Fame time extend to their his friends their cordial good wishes for a happy year. Should the children be he gin calling. it would be a habit with iii them and thus as they grow older 'he New Year's calls would become an es he tablished custom, as it used to be. Not Dying. ist The old year is not dying. It is sim th ply about t o go aside into the witness A rtoim of Godl's court. there to await is the judgment.-C(hicago Interior. i DECEMBER .ii 1. tesr day of all the year. since I d ;ty s(e th pas anr.d' krow sC. That if thou ctst rot !eavi me h'gh e- Thou has r.not founl me low. Ade Ar:d sinOe, as I behild thee die. Thou leavest me the right to say toThat I to-morrw still mray vie the With them that keep the upward way. are Bnr day of all t' y'ar tor me, Since I tray start ald gaze Across the grayish past and.see So many cr,((ktd ways nd That might have ltd to misery, lu- Or. hap)ly, er.dd at Ifsgrace Best day since thou dolt leave me free To look the futur, in the face. Dest day of all days of the year, kit That was so kin.d, so good. Since thou dost: leave me still the rear ast old faith in brotherhood Best day sir.ce 4, still striving here. oes May view the past with small regret, A.d, undisturbed by doubts or fear, Seek paths that are untrod as yet. -S. E. Kiser, in Chicago Record'Herald. A COMPROMISE. Mr. and Mrs. Buglias' New Year's The Resolutions and How They Were Ye Finally Disposed Of. "John Henry," said Mrs. Buggins, a U day or two before New Year's, "have cha you made your good resolutions yet pas for the coming year?" the "No. Have you?" :esponded her act husband, bearing down with consid- pre erable emphasis on the final word. tioi "Have 1? Why, no; I thought it scr was only the men who needed to make tra. good resolutions." jori "And the women are perfect to be- scil gin with, eh? Well, Mrs. Buggins, that res may be your view of the matter, but gin you wvill find, when you come to discuss of the question with an intelligent male cu: citizen--especially if he happens to be er married-that there is a radical dif- I ference of opinion on the subject. the Speaking for myself, I think there is ba! just as much, or even more, need of sol the women making good resolutions fig at this time of the year than there is of for the men to do so. Now, just for br4 a change, suppose we each draw up a a set of say seven good resolutions eyl for the other to sign for the coming re: year, and see how they look. Is it a m bargain?" fa! "Agreed," said Mrs. Buggins, and an they set to work. At the end of half is an hour they exchanged papers, and Wa these are the "Good Resolutions" that a Mrs. Buggins found staring her in the 0w face. write, Will S. Gidley, in the Wom- fo1 an's Home Companion: ce "1. Resolved, that I will keep my us temper on all occasions and not talk back to my husband, no matter how wi great the provocation may be. 'The rnt least said the soonest mended.' th "2. That I will refrain from finding fu fault or showing him that I am an- se noyed when he is late to dinner or is m: away from home evenings oftener or o0 later than seems really necessary. cr "3. That I will not attend every 'bar- e` gain-sale' I hear of, nor buy anew eC dress or hat every time I see some th other woman wearing one that like. he "4. That I will look after my hus- i" band's clothing more carefully, and he see that in the future he does not go hi with half the buttons either hanging de by one thread or off entirely. al "5. That I will give up running P around the neighborhood and gossip- tI ing. and attend strictly to my own g affairs and my home duties. "6. That I will remember that $20 m bills are like angels' visits, somewhat m scarce, and that I will not pout and sulk of r for half a oay eve.r' time I ask my a f husband for one and fail to get it. a C "7. That my husband, being wiser n than I. I will defer to his judgment t( and allow him to have his own way Vt in all things, as a good wife should do." 0 The good resolutions which Mrs. Ii t Buggins had drawn up for Mr. Bug gins' guidance were much briefer, but 11 they were right to the point. They c were as follows: r "1. Resolved, that I will give up smoking. Al "2. That I will resign from the club 1 g and stay home evenings with my fam- c ily. e "3. That I will keep out of politics f1 r and spend no more money trying to 5 h' get into office or to keep on the right side of 'the boys.' "4. That I will cheerfully furnish s such sums of money as my wife in her e judgment may deem necessary for household and personal expenses. e "3. That I will not growl because I th my wife spends more tinme than I think a she really ought to in calling or in uy entertaining company. "6. That I will receive my wife's ly mother with open arms and a glad smile, no mafter how often she may visit us nor how long she stays. "7. That I will be guided wholly by -e my wife's sound judgment in all ques tions affecting rny personal habits or Shome-life." S"Well?" said Mrs. Buggins. inquir * ingly, after they had finished reading r. the two sets of resolutions. e"I'll never sign 'enr! I'd rather be a mummy in a gilded sarcophagus e than attach my signalture to such a ed set of resolutions!" declared Mr. Bug- i y gins, stoutly as "And I'll never sign the horrid set de you drew up;, never!" exclaimed Mrs. Buggins, with a very red face. "Tell you what we'd better do," said np Bugging, somewhat more mildly. a "Let's work the problem out by can cellation. I'll cancel my seven 'good Sresolutions' against your seven, and er we'll let things slide along as before. to though we will both probably be the Sbetter in some respects for having ' drawn out each other's side on the nr subject. What do you say. Amanda?" S"I'm willing if you are." said Mrs. Buggins, softly, and in this sensible er fashion the threateningwar-cloud was es- dispersed. NEW -EAR'S ASPIRATIONS. Throughout this year of grace begun im- ay nothing said, or nothing done mBy me, Cs Bring to my face the blush of shame, ait Nor bring reproach upon Thy name, My God and' King. My first al!eglance due to Thee, For all I am or hope to be, To Thee I owe; Ar. may I faithfully discharge My duties to the world at large, To friend and foe. What others may or may not do, Let me be ever just ar.d true, And pay my vows. When truth assailed opposes wrong. May I with purpose firm and strong The truth espouse. Then let Thy precepts be my guide, And let me In Thy love abide, Come weal or woe; And may I through the months ar.d days, Acknowledge Thee in all my ways, Wher'er I go. But if before Its days are doo.e, That I my earthly race have run, ThIs Is my plea, That my unselfish deeds may last. My faultes. like the forgotten past May die with me. -Matthew T. Lindsay, in United Presby . terian. STARTING RIGHT. The Custom of Making Good ZNew Year Resolutions One of Indef Inite and Fortunate Tenaclty. Unless there has been a markedi change in'human nature during the past year, as many people will begin the new with a series of good, if not actually new, resolutions as began the preceding year under similar condi tions. Not all of these will sub scribe to a complete formulated con tract for improved behavior-the ma jority, in fact, will resolve subcon sciously. But the yearly making of resolutions comes so pat with the be ginning of a fresh calendar on the first of each succeeding January that the custom has an indefinite and altogeth er fortunate tenacity. It has been often repeated that these good resolutions are like glass balls, in that they are made for the sole purpose of being broken. The figure shows an indequate knowledge of the uses of glass balls; before breaking they are intended to serve a more useful purpose in training the eye and hand of a marksman. A good resolution, even when broken, gives mental training very much in the same fashion. The process of making it and of honestly trying to carry it out is a long and necessary first step to ward the mental strength that makes a human being actually master of his own actions. A faculty for comfort. for example, is a pleasant thing to carry on a journey, but. laziness is a useless piece of luggage. Successful resolutions, all comic writers to the contrary, are really made on the first of every January. but they depend, like genuinely success ful politics, much more on common sense than on emotional impulse. A man who has been intemperate in his r own comfort-to keep to the one con crete example of laziness, or to its even worse form, procrastination- r can hardly leap into activity and hold e the pace very long at a time. HIe can, however, divide his daily existence into two parts, during one of which d he may busily tie up the loose ends of o his occupations, and during the other devote himself to doing nothing with all the success to be expected of his g past experience. Even if he fails in the effort the attempt is something n toward a future success along the same line of endeavor. There is much o more reason to respect the man who t makes and breaks a yearly set of res k olutions, than to respect the discour y aged individual who gives up trying a fter a few failures. r If the whole nation should start out t to keep the same resolution the real value of individual endeavor would d stand out more clearly, and the result, one may be optimistic enough to be . lieve1 might prove a revelation to those who advance the broken glass t theory. There is the subject of good y citizenship, for instance. We have re cently seen, writes R. W. Bergetigren, in the Philadelphia Saturday Evening Post, in one case, the result that fol ib lows when -a whole community be - comes vitally interested in its polities, and in another the result that comes a from a merely conventional interest. to Suppose that every citizen in the coun t try should resolve for one year to un derstand political questions, to think h for himself. and to act up to his con er victions. Even counting those who r fall by the wayside, the result might bring back the generally informed po litical earnestness of our first. nation k al elections; and the actual power felt in by each man, in the strength of his own knowledge, might. go far to re affirm that resolution universally on ad the first of next January. SOME FOREIGN CUSTOMS. New Year's the Great Day of the Year or in France-Boys Masters of the Situation 'In Russia. In France New Year's day is the great day of the year. It is to the e French child what 'Christmas is to us the young people of America-the a day for the giving and receiving of g- Iresents. In the gloomy old royal palace of et Madrid, also, the first day of the rs. year is a happy and merry festival. The queen regent takes care that all, sid even to the humblest servants, have . a share in the socalled aguinaldos, or New Year's bounties. od But it is in Russia that the boys nd find themselves most completely remasters of the situation on New he Year's day, says the Youth's Com ng panion, for in that land the opening the day of the year is especially the child s?" ren'sfestival. r. ThU boys rise with the sun, taking ble care to fill their pockets with dried .ns peas and wheat. Then they go from house to house in a riot of fun. As doors are never locked it is easy for them to effect an entrance. The dried peas are to be thrown at their enemies, but the wheat is for their friends. They sprinkle it upon any of their friends whom they may be f.rtunate enough to find asleep, and hurl the peas with stinging force at their enemies. After breakfast the handsomest horse in the village is brought out, its trappings are decorated with evergreen and berries, and the animal is led to the house of the nobleman of the place, followed by the pea and wheat-shooters of the early morn ing. The lord admits horse and guests to his parlor, where all his family are gathered. This is the greeting of the peasants, old and Syoung, to their lord and master. The t,rigin of the custom is shrouded in mystery, but it is supposed to date from very early times. The Old, Old Stoary. Blinks--I suplose you will swear off the first of the year. sby- Jinks--Oh, yes; off and on, as usual -Chicago Daily News.