Life — December 2, 1899 — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

456 Christmas in the Country. AUR RTD ERE IOS CHRISTMAS in the country! 'Tis whero I Jove to bo! Tho chooks aglow, tho gleaming snow Aro blissful things to mo. I lovo tho crispy sleighing, Tho good substantial meals, Tho feather bed, wherein my head paesbes No knotty problem feels. I love the open fireplace, Tho shadows and the flames: I lovo the homely stories And all tho kissing games. But thero’s ono thing I do not love Bs fey (A subject not for laughter): Tho fit of indigestion I havo for six weeks after. Tom Masson, By Tuvor Janxs* anv Dorrie.p Ospornr, ITHIN compara- tively recent times * there was a prin- cess whohada beautiful father, Hehadalovely golden beard, deep violet eyes, a musical second-tenor voice,and the most charming dis- position in the whole world. The queen was a long time deceased, little regretted by her subjects, and the prin- cess thought that she should enjoy having a stepmother. So one day she summoned her father to her audience room and told him that she thought he had been a widower quite long enough. “You know,” said she, ‘tbat while you do your very best, we haven't had any thoroughly good preserves since dear mamma was no more, The Friday cleaning is much neglected, and the bric-a-brac has not been dusted sisce I don't know when." “True, my dear,” said the king sweetly. “Well, papa, how docs the idea strike you?” “Favorably, my love,” said the king. ‘I feel that I am not the housekeeper your mother , and the marketing weighs on my mind, I am tired of hominy and of oatmeal. BAe Buckwheat cakes are not wholesome if eaten to excess, and’ really I am sometimes so puzzled to know what to have for breakfast that I can't sleep at night and wake up in the morning all of a twitter—just like the dear little birdies.” “Poor papa!” said the princess, thoughtfully. ‘It is quite possible that a stepmother queen would relieve you of many of these details, At all events, I should like to have you marry somebody, if you don’t mind very much.” “Certainly not,” said the exccllent king. ‘* But I would like my bride to be as patrician and aristocratic as possible.” “Of course,” said his daughter, delighted that her father made no graver conditions. So she sent for her private stenographer and typewriter, and caused the following notice to be published in all the newspapers next morning: **AAA, Wanted—A stepmother to the royal princess. Must be of highest lineage, good housekeeper, domestic and come well-recommended. Apply atthe palace fur three days between twelve and four. No triflers.” This advertisement attracted some attention. As there happened to be no railway disasters or explosions for the three days during which it appeared, there was little to occupy the people's minds, and the stepmother vacancy was much discussed. In a remote suburb of the capital a graceful and slender widow's son of some twenty-five summers was sent by his mother to buy a loaf of bread, Usually the widow made her own bread, but that day there had been something the matter with the yeast cake, and the rising had not arisen as it should have done. ‘Mr. Jenks’ name was inadvertently omitted In the announcement of this story as winning the third prize in our competition.—(ED. LIFE. comichooks.