Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1859-12-15
SOUTH SIDE, Staten leland, !

South SIDE, Staten Island,
Richmond Co., N. Y, Dec 10th.
Now that the holidays are approach
ing, visions of plump breasted ,u,kies
roasted to a turn, "or nicely boiled, and
served up with oyster sauce, are wont TO
visit us in our dreams, and the little
folks are luxuriating in the anticipation
of a visit from Santa Claus,
"With his pipe, and pack, and RENDERS and all,
With his legs SO short, and his cap so tall
and boxes of Sugar plums, and bon bons,
presented by "kind, accommodating un-
cles," or benevolent aunts and grand
mothers, with open hearts and deep
pockets, who invariably come down from
the city to spend the holidays at the Old
homestead, and who always bring the
children "lots Of goodies" and the pic
torial Brother Jonathan" with its big
pictures and funny stories.
The holiday season is period of de-
light for the little folks, and the privi-
legcs then allowed are in strange con-
trast to the restraints Of school, where
the pedagogue sits grand, gloomy and
peculiar" and rules with birchen rod;
"For as tits mectc to soake ye feete,
Ye ailinge heade to mende;
Ye yonker's pate TO stimulate,
lie beats ye other ende"
The cose of the year is q period
equally gratifying to the merchant whose
ledger shows an ample balance oil the
right side. and also the farmer whose
crops arc all gathered, and who sits by
bis tire-side and enjoys his nuts and ap-
pies, hard cider and doug hnuts, totally
reg. rdless of VIM. ii. Stewards "b,u' al
and bloody manifesto" and the "l,rc-
pressiblc conflict"
Sleigh-ridlng is fayorite amusement
with the Inhabitants Of this locality du-
ring the winter season, and whisky
Skins" appear to be the universal bev-
eragc. While in search of cigar and a
place to warm my feet, after long ride
On a cold, winters day, l entered bar
room in which was assembled motley
group of bipeds, who we're talking very
loud, smoking bad cigars, and drinking
"whisky skins"
There is a peculiar method of con-
cocting and imbibing this popular bev
erage, which / then and there observed
The publican pours some whiskey into
tumbler, to which he adds little hot
water, then little sugar, then little
stirring about and ramming down with
an extensive flourish and little wood
On rammer, and then the "skin'' is prop
erly prepared; the imbiber, after eject
ing a huge qu,d oftobacco and copious
stream Of juice, throws back his head
takes it of in single gulp, without SC
much as even winking, and thus the
Skin" is finally disposed Of
A round faced man with fur cap and
red nose, entered the bar-room blow.
ing his fingers, and having volunteered
the assertion that it was a "devlish cod
lay" stepped up to the bar and called
for whisky skin" then thin faced
man, with a sharp nose and a seal skin
cap and CO at, came in, repeated the as
sertion OF the previous gentleman
stepped up to the bar and called for /:
wiskcy skin then conspicuous gentle
man, who gloriied in the appellation o
"big Ben," AMI who was warming hi:
shins before the stove, turned round te
the bar and exclaimed: "Look here
Jake, you may as well give me one o
them there whisky skins;" then liber
al gentleman who wanted to create s
sensation asked "the crowd" to take
"somcthlng," and each and every ind
vidual member Of the crowd took :
whisky skin!
have turned this subject over care
fully in my mind, and have come to thu
conclusion that if skins are at all ser
viceable in keeping out the cold, nc
Fifth Avenue belle III her crminc is bet
ter protected from the inclemency O
the weather than these tender-heartcC
Sepoys.
We are now in the midst of a ''cold
term ;" the snow has already spread it:
ermine mantle over the landscape, ane
the brooks are in "icy letters bound ;
and while the Christmas waits ave tn
ming their pipes, and the wassail bowl j.
hewing, permit me to take this occasion
to bid the readers of the DEMOCRAT AMI
News a final adieu, and wish them, on,
and all, "Merry Christmas" and ;
"IIappy New Year.''
| EprNrzup Sppor-r