National Republican., 1873-12-23
A oURJo US CHRisrMis TREE.
nv FRANK n. sToaxrpN.


When u became Ernerriiy knnwn that Aunt
Maiiv, was TO have . Chdsrnas rec the people
OF the nclghborhood took great interest In the
matter. John Walker nni irk Ford, two col.
ored men of the vicinity, volunteered to nei the
trco Hut whom they went out into the woods to
cut u eighteen other colorcd people big and iltc
followed them, some to help and some 10 give ad
vlee.
A very nne tree was selected. Il ws. = pine,
ten fect high, and when they brought II intoAunt
MAtlids's cabin they could not stand II upright,
for The old colored wop,sns ceiling w,s rather low.
When Harry and Kate csme home from school
thcy were rather surprised to see big tree, but
u was sach enc one that they thought they must
have AMER some confederation II was irier.
mined 10 erect II In deserted cabin near by which
hsd no upper floor and was high enough TO allow
thc Tree TO stand up sailshciorily. This was, In.
dced, sn excellent rranxcmrnt, ior u was better
~ keep the decoration ot the christmas tree
sscset from Aunt Ma,ila un, all was s9,apleted;
y. cisy noor of the old cabin. and the tree plant.
Q little colored boy named .fossphine'r Hobby
ciigtcd nearly TO the toniuo.l hranch without
~srk u dccorstina % lie tree wen, % on " Eysiybody
s::si; sss.yssay s;s%sS ia;lIasS y sss . se%s; e
lergs boi containing the DECORATIONS Of her last
oSttmas tree, and she AMI Harry hung spark
"a and biss paper angels. and candy s~ae., and
ssxas resrs, and giiflrrihg things et all sorts,
eepes and sizes upon the bu'Fhs Harry had y
I'D aruiy while he stood on u aud ,iea on the
osnsmsnm Very Soon the noiehbors began to
sssut WOODEN dress,whIcL was ,lraprd over aiower
tvaaoh whilc Mr. Loudon. who was not to be d..
yerted from bis original hiea, sent an army ban.
tree, ss 70 look as much ~ possible like gray
moss. Mr.. Darby, who kept tbs store, vent large
PAPER bag q sugar I and small bag Of iss which
Davis thought she ought To do something, and
she n,rbated a peek Of sweet pointoes which,
each tod to string. were soon dangling from the
brsnchcs. Then Mr. Truly Matthews, who did
mot wish TO be behind his nclghbnrs IN generosity.
sent shoalder Of bacon, which locked quite mag
nl1cent II swung about Tho middle of tho tree.
Other people sent bars Of soap, bags Of meal,
paskaEes of smoking tobacco, aud Hsnncl petit.
ersI pairs Of stockings, which were hicd with ap.
's:tsrsl Of the sehcol children gave stick, q
shlch vas suspended near this topoI the tree,
.s 4" e Ss and
Aalisi and the shoulder Of bacon she stuck full Of
50 eeIriea and holly leaves. Harry contributed
SsaA. . katc gave . shawl which was yellower
ehen sunnower, II such thing could be. And
na8R eorc ,he general expenses Of the extras"
When Christmas eve arrived everybody came
K ~ Aunt Matlldas Christmas trsr. kstc and
rsuyem.nts, and about my or sixty persons, col
ored end white, wero gathered around tho cioscd
door Of the old cabin. When all was ready Aunt
Meulda made her appearance, supported on
Uncle Braddock, 10 his many .coiored dressing.
gown, followed close behind. Then the door was
opened, and Aunt Matilda entered, followed by
ssna o. tho crowd q. could get IN. Il was
esftAiuly scene OF splendor. A wood nre blazed
IN the replace st one end Of the cabin, while
dsysas Of tsliow candles lighted np The tree The
E?ie aud silver stars glistensd, the many ycolored
xlAes balls shone among the green, pine bvughs;
me hhyuider OF bacon glow red Ike bed Of flowers
wMlc the Jug Of mclssses hung calm and serene
pusrounded by It's glitteriny beads. A universal
pay Of appreciation and delight arcse. No one
~ ever seen tueh n Christmas tree before,
3y4eg bough and every brnneh bore some thing
0Nl00 as we'll ns ofna mental. -
- for Aunt Matilda, Tor several moments she
sn3ieimed;
wss.massey! ms wuth while being poo-i
sos pinoty hvo years to git such \ trcc zt tust.N