The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-12-13
[From Godey's Lady's Book
IN E 7 TIES PRAYER.
BY MARION HARLAND.

Mrs. Dryden was crossl She would have
been at loss to specify what especial
grounds she had for the discomfort that
possessed her on this particular night. If
she probably would have re-
turned an evasive reply to the effect that
| it was none Of the questioner's business
how she felt or looked, SO long as she did
not obtrude her happiness upon other
people. Everybody had his or her own
troubles with which others had no right
to intermeddle. She was responsible to
no one for her behavior; nobody should
hinder her from being -spirited,i if she
pleased to be so. She was out of humor
with the whole world, herself included.
The children were troublesome; the ser
wants needless; her husband Indifferent to
her grievances-and it was Christmas
eve.
"Really," she said peevishly, at tea
time, sone would suppose that Christmas
came but once in century instead of once
a yearl Everybody is as crazy to night as
if there never were to be another 25th of
December
"By the way" said her husband, look
ing up from his paper, II suppose you
have baked some mince- pies and fried
some dough-nuts-haven't you2"
81 have mince-pies and turkey for to-
morrowl" was the curt reply. 81 knew
tyou would not be satisfied unless you had
as good dinner as your neighbors. But
as for dough-nuts-they are oily, rank,
|indigestible denominations, fit only for an
ostrich's stomach, and one doesn't get the
/ II Al lok fok 20 Ia
two weeks after they have been cooked.
l never mean to make another while 1
liye.''
Two pairs of sorrowful eyes stole a
glance of mutual pity at one another,
when this announcement was made; two
pairs OF cherry lips took piteous curl,
for second; two curly heads bent lower
over the plates set before their owners
Not that there was any dearth of sweet
things in the Dryden larder, or that Ally
!, and Nettie, the proprietors of the eyes,
i lips, and heads, aforesaid were gormand.
izers. But this matter of frying dough
nuts was great fun to them as it is to most
other small people who have ever been
permitted to stand by and see the rings
leaves, birds, circles, triangles, and the
endless variety of nondescript figures
l leave the kneading- board pale, fat surfa-
ces of soft dough, and upon being throw
into the bubbling fat, sinking, like leader
l shapes, with a tremendous splutter and
"fzz," arise slowly and majestically to
| the top of the caldron, as Mr.. Weller has
it, Swelling wisibly'' before the enrap
); tured eye into puffy, crisp. toothsomt
morsels, fit, in the estimation of the jul
:. venile partakers thereof, for Queens
/ luncheon. Last year, the brother ane
a sister had spent Christmas week with an
n aunt in another tewn. This lady being
f the indulgent mamma of half a dozeI
, boys and girls, enjoyed nothing SO much
r as making them merry and happy. Th'
: six days passed in her abode lived in tn,
O memory of nephew and niece as dream
of Paradisaical delight. But, this sea
son, the holidays were to be kept a
/, home, and the prospect was, to say tn
least, not eminently fattering.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dryden were estimabl
people in their way, but they had studie,
> to make themselves intensely and pure
), ly matter-of- fact. They prided them
SELVES secretly upon growing wiser ant
3 more practical---less poetical-with eacl
v revolving cycle. Each year, life assume
q a more positive and less romantic aspect
n their own duties seemed more momentou
. and imperative; the things which other
! call recreation and innocent amusement
. were puerile and unworthy. Mr.. Dryde
4 was making money; Mrs. Dryden was
! notable housekeeper, and, SO far as tn
ss physical needs of the children were con
c..l -
i ones, three boys and girl, claimed he
! love and maternal Offices. Allison, th
: eldest, was eight years o.d; Nettie six; an
? pair of twin babies were in their thir
: winter. The mothers hands were Gel
,e tainly full, however admirable might
4 her faculty of accomplishing with spec
:, the work setsfor her to do. 1t was M
surprising that she should sometimes wei
; haggard, anxious look, or that, now an
then, she should be, as she now expresse
10 lit, nworried out Of her senses.''
,e 81 don't see, for my part" she brol
re forth, impatleutly, presently, show pc,
3, pie find time or have the heart to frolic
Il observe holidays and the like frivolo'
IN carryings-on onl With me it is work, wor
~ work. from morning until night, and fro
AZ morning uusil hight, anu ifoHi ouo year
: end to another. It frets me to see grow
r. up men and women, who ought to kno
r :: something about the cares and solen
OF responsibilities of life, acting like sill
ut children. What is Christmas more thu
an any other time--when one takes sobe
th common sense view of the matter?" ssl
.u "That is what nobody does in this a
of nonsense and dissipation return
ad her 4husband. "I don't know what t
he world is coming tol" 80
ne aWasn't our Savior born on Christm
an day, mammal asked Nettie's timid vol,
au 'sThat is not certain, by any meal
ne child. And if it were true, there is
20 the more scandal in making frolic Of
e II there were to be prayer meetings he
= all over the world to celebrate the eve
- it would be far more appropriate"
civ The polysyllable staggered Nettie
- little, but she retained sufficient coura
81 to reply: ssOur teacher told US last Sa
hit bath, that everybody ought to be We
happy upon the Savior's birthday"