Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-01-04
Under the Mistlet0e.

most interesting description of a Christ
mas scene. What reader can take in the
story as told below, without a cheer of en-
thusiasm over Christmas and it's joys.
Says the author:
From the centre of the ceiling of the
kitchen, old Wardle had just suspended,
with his own hands, a huge branch Of mis-
tletoe, and this same branch of mistletoe
instantaneously gave rise to scene OF
general and most delightful struggling
and confusion; in the midst of which, Mr..
Pickwick, with a gallantry that would
have done honor to descendant of Lady
TollimgloW er herself, took the old lady by
the hand, led her beneath the mystic
branch, and saluted her in all courtesy
and decorum. The old lady submitted to
this piece of practical politeness with all
the dignity which beftted so important
and serious solemnity, but the younger
ladies, not being so thoroughly imbued
with superstitious veneration for the
custom; or imagining that the value OF
a salute is very much enhanced if it costa
little trouble, to obtain it; screamed and
struggled, and ran into corners, and
threatened and demonstrated, and did ev-
erything 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. Mr.. Wrinkle kissed the young lady
with the black eyes, and Mr.. Snodgrass
kissed Emily, and Mr.. Weller not being
particular about the form Of being under
the mistletoe, kissed Emily and the other
female servants, just as he caught them.
As to the poor relations, they kissed ev-
erybody, not excepting the palmer por-
tions of the young lady visitors, who in
their confusion, ran right under the mis-
tletoe, 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 appropriatlng
to his own use, and summarily deyouring,
particularly fine mince-pie, that had
been carefully put by, for somebody else:
Now, the screaming had subdued, and
faces were in a glow, and curls. in tan
gle, and Mr.. Pickwick, after kissing the
old lady as before mentioned, was stand
ing under the fnistletoe, looking with
very pleased countenance on all that was
passing around him, when the young lady
with the black eyes, after a little whisper
ing with the other young ladies, made
sudden dart forward, and putting her arm
around Mr.. Pickwiek's neck, saluted him
affectionately on the left cheek; and be-
fore Mr.. PickWick knew what was the
matter, he was surrounded by the whole
body, and kissed by every one of them.
1t was pleasant thing to see Mr.. Pick
wick 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 laisedon
every side; but it was a still more pleas
ant thing To see Mr.. Pickwick, blinded
shortly afterward with silk handker-
chief, falling up against the wall, and
scrambling into corners, and going
through all the mysteries of blind mans
buff, with the utmost relish for the game,
until at last he caught one of the poor re-
lations, and then had to evade the blind
man himself, which we did with a nimble-
ness and agility that elected the admira-
ton and applause Of all beholders. The
poor relation caught the people who they
thought would like it, and when the game
tagged, got caught themselves. When
they were all tired of blind-man's buff,
there was a 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 supper, and mighty
bowl of wassail, something smaller than
an ordinary wash-house copper, in which
the hot apples were Kissing and bubbling
with a rich look, and jolly sound that
were perfectly irresistible.
"This," said Mr.. Pickwlck, looking
round him, "this is indeed comfort"
"Our invariable CUSTOM" replied Mr..
Wardle. Everybody sits down with Us
on Chistmas eve, as you see them now