Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-12-25
!. Original 9hftel),
Written for the Advertiser
A STORY FOR THE HOLIDAYS.


IT was Christmas-merry, merry Christmas
Christmas in the glowingfT cheerful parlors-
Christmas in the yard, shouted forth n3lout
-huzzas by merry children and happyglccful ser
van,s-Chrstmas in the fumes from dcliciou.
viauds, stealing almost impcrccptibly from tho
kitchcnAand Christmas cleaning from tho
cloudlcss, sunny skies. -
z \ merry party had assembled at the hosptablt
mansion of Col Sam. Rivers. Two large lant
handsome parlors had been thrown open to the
gucsts-tie one. appropriated to the old-the
o;licr to the young folks. And never was seen
a rucrrier groupc than filled the latter apartment
thirty or forty youths, of both sexes, enjoying
Themselves in various ways. One party had gol
upSa game of,some' sort in corner. a very
interesting couplez--the gentleman being sixteen,
ttieiadyt yttwo, years youngcr--birtcd nicely ,on
a ets.a5sasseshg
sentimental Ideas consisting Of nlot'os: Another
couple, more sensible, were employing CONVERSE
ton cards for the same purpose. At the piano
rat young lady Of seventeen, just from INC
boarding school. ,She sported watch, an album,
and silver medal On one. side Of this medal
was cngravcn figure ascending an aeIlyltu. ,.,,,
the top of which stood i9Ne.rf SMcr Of pisa-on the
mus9 N hSxtnaigc Sxagc capitals, "REwARD OF MERIT"
Said medal was given for a composition in Eng
lish, written for her by gentleman to whom she
had once been pupil, and who hoped at some
future day, to stand in nearer relation TO her,
az her father was rich, and he, the cx-tutor, Il
dcvout worshipcr Of the golden calf" Very
near Miss Melinda Brown, the above mentioned
fair ono, stood a youth, who boasted as many ad-
.rantagcs as the lady. These advantages consist
ed in a haxcn moustachc, ringletss Of the same
hue, a walking cane and ring, which he wore
on his lille finger. On the ring could easily be
detected the initials, "F. R." Dick Groves,
the wcarer, seemed anxious that it should be
noticed, for he had toyed with it necessarily for
full ten minutes. The ring had certainly attract
ed the attention Of very fine looking young
man, who leaned against window with an an
nual in his hand for at sudden movement
made by the dandy, which turned his hand full
to the light, Edwin cambridge started, and a
rich glow sped like lightning over his hitherto
pale brow.
At this moment servant announced Miss
Florence Rivers, at which an universal "merry
Christn,as' rcsounded from both parlors.
"a merry welcome to you, Florey dear: said
good uncle Sam as he gave his fair niece hearty
kiss. ",Why, we thought you were not coming,
darling! Your old uncle had concluded to sus-
pend all pleasure for the day. at least as far as
his own qualification was concerned for without
my child am as dull as q rainy day."
AS Miss Rivers entered the young peoples
parlor, she was greeted with smiles and sincere
welcomes by all but very few of that large
company. Dick Groves, in great trcpidation,
(Which happily for him passed uuobscrvcd,) }
thrust the.riug into Ills pocket.
Edwin cambridge bowed coldly-tllc flush
faded quickly from his brow, leaving i. even
palcr than before, aud {" Miss Rivers" were the
only word that escaped his lips.
Two young lluleS WHO sal ny WORCESTERSHIRE
one coarse both in manner and in speech, Il C
other good looking, rather graceful in style, but
in whose sly hints, indirect sarcasms and sweet,
pursuasirc tones to those whom she wished to
hattcr, were betrayed art-decp art had been
attcntivcly regarding Edwin Dandrilgc. a
curl Of the lip and toss of the head was the up-
ladylkc response Of the coarse Miss Serena
Harden to the graceful and pleasant good morn
ing of Florence, while I" How do you do, dear
Florence !eOh am so glad to see you' began
Miss Hart. " We had all given you out, and
are.perfcctly delighted at being so agrecably dis:
appointed. Why really thought Mr.. Groves
would sigh himself sick at your non-appcar-
s nnce." tss
"Nddlcstiekf,' said q juvenile Burehcll, :
who was devouring Robinson Crusoc, his Man
Friday, sayagcs and all near bye" you know
you hate her and every body else; you'll change
your tune as soon as she lcarcs-scca Il you
DON'T" d., &