New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-12-27
:, The Christmas Tree

1IesSrS. EditorS-It was my good fortune on
Christmas Eve, to be present at of the most de-
lghtful and joyous reunions that in my desultory
and funloving life have ever witnessed. The event
was the Inauguration of the q Christmas Tree g at
friends house, who is prince of good fellows, and
with the aable courtesy and the amiabe manners of
his good lady made all feel at home and contributed
much in carrying out every arrangement with entire
satisfaction.
The tree, with all its manifold presents and orna-
ments, had been secretly reared under lock and key
in one of the apartments, and for several days many
little curious and peerng eyes had tried in vain to
discover the hidden mysteries of that room. beau.
tfu myrtle of about eight feet high reared its head
in an appropriate box in the center OF large stand,
surrounded with steps, upon which were placed the
many gifts. Ornamented with gay cOlored ribbons
and Illuminated with hundreds of small wax candles,
it presented most delightful coup d'oeil !; again,
to the right and left were two other stands also filled
with souvenirs for the young aud old for be it known
that this large assembage of over sixty sonls was
composed with but few exceptions) of the members
of one family headed by the dear grandmother,
with her sweet smiles and bland and gentle manners,
moving about among her children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren with love and Cheerfulness and
more astonishing to relate, this yeritabe maron has,
within the past season, worked, by herself, in the
most elaborate style, nine of the most beautiful hand
kerchiefs for keepsaes to some of her Grandchildren
and great grandchildren. Oh! what a glorious and
cheerful sight to witness those dear, happy faces,
great feature Of the evening was the advent of a
veritable true flesh and blood Santa Claus While
the two parlors were filled with the juveniles con-
tinued ringing of the doorbell and great humping
at the front entrance caused quite sensation when
the host in tones loud and clear, demanded
Who comes here,
And makes such noise
LITE children do not fear,
be friendly -
At this instant the intruder entered, and uttered
@ Santa Clausn What picture for the pencil of an
artist The various expressions some of fear but
most of unbounded surprise, for sure enough instead
Of the mythical patron of the Christmas festival who
usually descends chimneys in the dead hour of the
night to distribute his gifts there stood the Yertable
in propra.persona dressed in full costume boots
bells and all. As soon as the cider members greeted
and cordially met him, the younger ones were in.
spired with more confidence, and then came thou
sand questions, a Where did he come from y q How
did he get here y He answered, On the wings of
the hOary North wind" that be had travelled far that
night to meet them and wish them all merry
Christmas y and to distribute his gifts which he car.
ried in an immense sack on his back but ere be dis.
tributed them, he read them moral lecture, told
them he knew the bad children who were before him
as well as the good ones and cautioned the first named
to become BETTER on next year he would bring for
them bunch of rods that be always kept in pickle ;
to the good ones he gave his kindes congratulations
and begged them to continne improving.
Then followed the wild excitement of his grab,bag,
each one plunging in and drawing out something
pleasing. When they had emptied it, he arranged
them in couples, placing himself at their head, per
ambulated all over the premises, all singing Aud
Lang Syne,n Home, sweet Aome,n and winding up
with " Yankee Doodle" which brought them to the
mysterious chamber; that in The meantime had been
brilliantly Illuminated, and after placing them in
proper positions to receive their presents Santa Claus
mysterously and suddenly disappeared, no doubt
through the chimney
1t was the merriest and most cheerful collection
have seen for long time, and will be treasured ant
appreciated in the pleasant memories of all present
and by none more than