The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-01-10

| WIZ i''d hotii'hS 10 shave, and pills anl
court plaster for the doctors.
There were cotton curls
| For grown up girs,
| Tops aud toys
| For little bows
And sugar plums
(bc'ng ambitious to establish for myscl
apoctical reputation, would have you crit
'c'sc this, my first ctfu>ion, and say whethe,
or not it will suit a lady's AIIum)
But, seriously, to look around upon those
joyous f'ces, and to know that there throl
bed III !!iat room SO many glad and limo.
cent hearts, was very pleasing episode il,
the life Of one accustomed to tho stern
countenanccs Of discontcuted or SAVAGE
men.
This custom of the Christmas tree is f;,,
more refined than that of the hanging
stocking, and may be made to afford much
amusement. 1t may also DC converted into
very modest way Of expressing the high
estimation in which one holds the amiaLlr
features of anothcr's character. The affair
ls conducted. rs [ am told, pretty much af-
ter this fashion: An evergreen is procured,
and, having been fixed in box, is placed
i" room suitable for the purpose. Some
particular person has charge of it. The ar
t'cles intended for presents should he done
up neatly, according to the taste of the do
nor, say in white paper, and tied with rib
bon. Next, address them somewhat in this
form
10 Miss JuLIANNA JOHNSON,
from her friend, Bill Schnarps,
Dec. 25th. 1865.
Ample scope, however, is granted Mr..
Schnarps for the display Of his ingenuity
and fancy, in the supcrscripiion. Moreover,
great latitude is allowed him that he may
word it to suit circumstances. Thus, in
stead OF the word friend, may be put IA
thcr, brother, DE. Or, if Miss Julanna
Happens to be his beau ideal, he is at per-
iect liberty to use the words a,lmircr, lover,
adorcr, worshippcr, slave, &C.. &c, or any
complimentary little cpithct, scores of which
are sure to present themselves to his disor-
dcre'l imagination.
Again, he may omit everything but his
parayons initials. Ii he does not wish her
to know whence comes the gift, let him
get friend to put them on for him, that
his writing may not betray him.
The bundles, dc, are handed to the per-
son having control Of the arrangements,
who secs nothing hut the exterior of the
packages, and who reveals nothing as re-
CARDS tho giver Of any particular parcel.
TO declare silently your regard for
any one, send to the tree something
leaving some reference 10 that point in their
disposition for which you would signify
your admiration. Thus, if you consider a
person sincerely and consistently pious,
Send copy of Sermons, Essay on the Sab
bath, &c, dc. If you esteem lady friend
for Industrious habits, send work box,
filled with appropriate articles. And so on,
for all other estimabIe qualities.
But as | have said enough for this time,
shall wind up with a partial list of the
articles in the bachelors contribution to the
Christians tree. These were scle.tcl from,
my own private jewels, put np in box,
and intended as "Token Of Friendship
for our brother bachelor DR.. w. 1nce.
lccted, however, to send tl.cln in:
No. l. Pair scissors; half of one blade
broken of, the other slightly bent handles
just rs good as new.
2. An iron tlimbe, open at the end. SO
that if it docs not fit the end Of the finger,
it may be pushed up till it does fit. al
ways used it on my thumb. 1t is little
rusty, but that can be scraped off.
3. An assortment Of needles; q very
large one, wlicl, used about sunset, when
could not see to thread any other; n very
small one, that never use,l Mt all, because
| l could not tell which end tho eye was in
Lastly, midding sized one, about hall
way between the large aud small one. A
small piece Of tlte sharp end is gone, but
the rest is perfectly good yet-a genuine
drilled-cycd needle, as was told by man
who knew all about needles. Also, nee
die cushion, being q fragment of Cooley.
Lady's Book, and having lady's face or
it. One eye is now much disfgured, ant
the nose not a little damaged.
4. A piece Of white thread, which shoult
judge to be several feet long, if it could b,
Strengthened out. always used white
but if it was necessary to make a very nea
JOB, when the cloth was black, the thrcat
was easily soaked mink, or drawn over tn
bottom of the frying pan.
/ 5. A small piece Of tallow candle;
pretty fair substitute for wax =
6.rRemnant Of mazarine blue, formerl,
used for ,mendiqg coats, pants, shirts, &c.
4 II. Assortment. Of buttons, Of divers. col