Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1872-02-29

them any token of our goodwill that
might be within our means, but with
cowardice peculiar to US among civil
lied nations, we dare not offer the
small gift we can offord, but, looking
ing upon the cards of invitation as SO
many polite demands for backsheesh,
proceed to ponder upon possible re-
trenchments in our charitable Qona
tions and home comforts, that we may
he able to purchase an ice-6owl or
pitcher, set of corals or of laces, that
shall equal those given by "old Ba-
ker" to Tim Browns" daughter on
her wedding day, and which was hon
orably mentioned the next week in the
''Flunkies' Journal"
Still this tax can be endured, as one
does not know exactly when such tri-
ais are to be apprehended. and can af-
ter each cheat ones self into the hope
that it may be a good while be-
fore any other Of ones friends will be
mat:imonially inclined. But there is
ominously in the face the whole year
round
From Thanksgiving day (Which we
think might be more appropriate if
celebrated two months later than it is }
there is no peace until after New
Years. Holiday Presents" meet
your weary eye at every angel and in
every window. At each turn you are
reminded that not only must you buy
presents for your own wife and chill
dren. but for the wives and children
of all your "mother's brothers cous-
in's sisters mothers sons" and those
of all your business acsuaintances and
their relations. And each gift must
be something you would mot be
ashamed of' That is, if your friend
is wealthy, your offering must be Of a
value consistent with his position; OF
if the reverse is the case, the gift must
be costly, or it will be said you tho't
''Gnything was good enough for So
and so.'
The business man must make pres
ents to all his subordinates, giving
equal valne to deserving or unworthy,
lest he be accused of favoritism; and
the subordinates in turn must present
their foreman with many fair words
and gold watch, which it is suppos-
ed will obIige him to be leuient in re-
gard to late morning hours or "slack'
workmanship. Scholars are taxed to
give teachers their ninety ninth ''al-
! bunl," while teachers must hestow up
on each scholar some gift which, how
ever trif1ing in inself becomes a bur
den when multiplied by fifty or sixty.
And even the joyful nature of Sunday
school Christmas tree festivals is get
ting to be fretted by q rising desire on
the part of committees to outvie each
other in the number and value of theil
presents.
In addition to all these more refined
calls for backsheesh, you are beset OF
all sides by those who, having beer
literally and regularly paid for worE
often lily and irregularly done, nov
make loud demands for a hoIida,
gift.
The letter carrier, having been for
hidden by law, no longer asks for hi
present, but the man of whom you ge
your morning paper Graves backsheesl
for an address in intolerable doggere
the ''expressman" claims his presen
without even that equivalent til
''cartman" displays no modesty i
pressing his attentions, and the lash
man. declines to empty your garbage
barrel if you fail to satisfy his nc
slender expectations. The restauran
waiter who spills cup of coffee int
your best beaver; the bootblack fror
whom-if not to whom-you ''take
shine;" and every old coat or bonne
, in tue street, thinks itself entitled to
, gift for having breathed an odorou
MERRY Christmas" or Happy NeN
Year. under your shrinking nostrils
Now we have all of us cravenly sui
nlitted for this year, each fearing to b
t called "mean" if he resist the imposi
ton, vut mas much as in combination
is strength, let US unite to proclaim
that in future we will stand fast b
our colors, and never give anothe
present from any motives but genuin
affection for those near and dear t
/ us, or benevolence to those who ar
} unable to work and so eally need ou
help, while all brazen appeals fo
a backsheesh shall receive the contemr
: they merit.-HeuFth and Home