Connecticut western news., 1871-12-22
Under the Mistlet0e.


 most interesting description of { Christmas scene. What reader can tak' in the story as told below, without cheer of enthusiasm over Christmas ane it's joys. Says the author
 From the centre of the ceiling of tn, kitchen, old Warlle had just suspended with his own hands, huge branch o mistletoe, and this same branch of mis tletoe instantaneously gave rise to { scene of general and most delightful struggling and confusion in the mids of which, Mir. Pickwick, with a gallantry that would have done honor to descend ant of Lady Tollimglower herself, took the old lady by the hand, led her be- meath the mystic branch, and salute6 her in all courtesy and decorum. The old lady submitted to this piece of prac- tieal politeness with all the dignity which beftted so important and serious a so- lemnity, but the younger ladies, not being so thoroughly imbued with su- perstitious .veneration for the custom or imagining that the value of salute is very much enhanced if it cost q little trouble to obtain it !; screamed and strug- gled, and ran into corners, and threat ened and reconstructed, and did every thing but leave the room, until some of the less adventurous gentlemen were on the point of desisting, when they all at once found it useless to resist any longer, and submitted to be kissed with good grace. Mir. Wrinkle kissed the young lady with the black eyes, and MT. Snod- grass kissed Emily, and MT. Weller, not being particular about the form of being under the mistletoe, kissed Emma and the other female servants, just as he caught them. As to the poor relations, they kissed everybody, not excepting the palmer portions of the young lady visi- tors, who, in their excessive confusion, ran right under the mistletoe, as soon as it was hung up, without knowing it Wardle stood with his back to the fire, surveying the whole scene, with the utmost satisfaction and the fat boy took the opportunity of appropriating to his own use, and summarily devouring, particularly fine mince-pie, that had been carefully put by, for somebody else.
 Now, the screaming had subdued, and faces were in glow, and curls in tan. gle, and MT. Pickwick, after kissing the old lady as before mentioned, was stand ing under the raistletoe, looking with 2 very pleased countenance on all that was passing around him, when the young lady with the black eyes, after. a little whispering with the other young ladies. made @ sudden dart forward, and putting her arm round MT. Pickwick's neck, saluted him affectionately on the left cheek; and before MT. Pickwick dis, tinctly knew what was the matter, he was surrounded by the whole body, and kissed by every one of them.
 It was pleasant thing. to see MT, Pickwick in the centre of the group now pulled this way, and then that, and first kissed on the chin, and then on the nose, and then on the spectacles and to hear the peals of laughter which were raised on every side but it was a stil more pleasant thing to see MT. Pickwick blinded shortly afterwards with silk handkerchief, falling up against the wall, and scrambling into corners, and going through all the mysteries of blind-man's buff, with the utmost relish for the game until at last hs caught one of the pool relations, and then had to evade the blind-man himself, which.he did with g AluDlOu0SS duu dSA11VJ tu6o CilSAVCN une admiration and applause of all beholders. The poor relations caught the people who they thought would like it, and when the game Jagged, got caught them. selves When they were all tired oi blind-man's buff, there was great game at snap dragon, and when fingers enough were burned with that, and all the raisins were gone, they sat down by the huge fire of blazing logs to substantial sup per, and mighty bowl of wassall, some thing smaller than an ordinary wash house copper, in which the hot apples were hissing and bubbling with Q rich look, and jolly sound that were per- fectly irresistible. ....-.....
 "This," said MT. Pickwick, looking round him, this is, indeed, comfort J
 "Our invariable custom" replied MT. Wardle. Everybody sits down with us on Christmas eve, as you see them now-servants and all and here we wait, until the clock strikes twelve, to usher Christmas in, and beguile the time with forfeits and old stories. Trundle, my boy, rake up the fire"
 Up flew the bright sparks in myriads as the logs were stirred. The deep red blaze sent forth rick glow, that pene tratsd into the furthest corners of the room, and cast its cheerful tint on every face.