Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-03-12
TEXAN CORRESPONDENCE.
Tirrs Co, TAxAs, Jan. 81, 90
Erian.l - ,xrsrRs,

Friend SANDERS:
We have al last some |
thing like northern winter,, ice and Keen
cold air, and leahess trees white with irost
OF morning, but the poor earth, brown aid
dus,v. seems only s humble peasant girl IN
her russell gown beside the high-born Dame
who in our northern latitude enolds htri
bosom in mantle Of ermine, and smiles al
the storm.
And now ss;ci siss, rings and grnmohhgs'
such cloakings and blankctings, such heap-
ings up OF line and patchwork quits saeh
thin congregations of Sabbath nave
never seen under the combined minI,tro-
tons of zero and Boreas.
What contrast 10 Christmas week :.
That was the lovcliest time ever eypsri-
cncea in any season or country the sky
wore a soft and winning hue, like gentle
eve. and the mir soothed with quiet sense
OF repose. In short. just such Il week as
should have been put by for claspng the
old and new year in seven days sabbath,
in which man may pause in his mad chase
after N9mmon. and rise from the altar OF
self 10 remember that life has higher aim
than gold, and a hol!er worship than self
alteration.
Whether these thoughts had anything to
10 with the Christmas celebration OF tho
town, | think rather doubtful, for the track
of the wierd midnight hour was scarcely
,di,cernable before NEST dealening salute
was fired, and the startled air was allowed
few moments of quiet for the next twenty
four, although all the powder in town was
in the hands Of Dutch grocer, who doled
It out at four dollars per pound
Santa Claus, of course, made his accus-
toned visit, and candy stems. and storm
par,es'' were the order OF the day.
But to no class of people in any country
does Christmas bring such wild JOY, such
uarestrainej merrinent as 10 the negro
slave. Custom, stronger than law, has
oiven him this tine as his own and very few
masters desire t. eneroacn upon H. ieur
toilette is sure to be well attended to on
that morning, and yoar wardrobe inspected
with longing eyes, while you are assured
over and over again with regard TO hals-a-
4 zen articles you thought as good as new,
that Miss Saliie wouldn't sure wear dat no
more," with sundry very complimentary
hints as to your eyes~and complexion.
Talk OF the batteries Of French
Temme-da- chambre ! the mostaecompiished
might take lessons to advantage from tits
soft and seryila race. Then toe, Christ
mas gift "Chris,mas gift grects you
from window and kitchen. Darkes stroll
past with canes and standing collars. kissing
their hands to their Dulcinas in fine dresses,
rich ribbons and bright brass earrings,
while those somewhat sobered with years
carry to their wives, if they are 50 fortunate
as not to reside on the same plantation,
the proceeds OF their night and Sundays
toll with the diaas they have Glanced to
accumulate ia other ways, in cotton hand
kerchisfs and new shoes.
There has been, however, one drawback
on the pleasures Of the season. All bills
fall due Christmas, and in consequence Of
the failure in the corn and cotton crops,
and other reasons there Is n money in the
country
or course some unpleasant consequences
follow IN country where man feels HIM
! self dsgraced to have outstanding accounts
after that time Red river takes nominal
rise in December hut il is not yet up and
the little cotton in the country is still On
hand There has been no new supplies Of
groceries and the whole upper country Is
completely destitute, particularly Of -four
land candles.
am writing by the blaze Of the pine, til
last candle having few moments since
lexpirci. Still, mine is not 50 pitilble a
caee as might be supposed by one unac-
customed to such primitive usagcs. Il is
hard sometimes to distinguish between tie
demands Of habit and necessity.
II. y.