, 1874-01-03
THE MlSERIES OF CHRISTMAS.
A Bill Of Damages Presented by One
Who Eaas Been There.

VINO R1aS Been 1heTGs
from the Rochester {y. ~ Union-
Now Just let us SEQ what Christmas has in
store tor many good, easy man who happens
to be the head OF family respectable in pum-
bers and department During the past few
weeks there Inns been steady drain on tue e1-
looked with disnay upon his uns.tisfac-
tory balances md abbreviated cash ac-
count at the Office. There has been an
air OF mystery about the house for many
whenever ho has seated himself in his armchair
after the days work has been finished, and he
has settled down for week of enjoyment. His
family go about like conepirators, and he, know
ing all the vL.le just what they are up to. as
sunes the air OF IN imbccile in pretending that
he is obliyious to all that is passing around him.
In due tine it becomes necessary Tor hlm TO
make lot of purchases, which he does With
the feeling that he il being swindled, and run
ming the risk Of having his pockets picked
ily, he finds that the children wanted some-
thing else, OF, his wife is cross because MEs.
Smith across the way received q finer present
than she did, while Smith is not looked upon as
being worth half as much as the good, easy man.
He 1nutters :. Poor Smith" When it comes to
his presents he is astonished to behold pair Of
new slippers which he can't begin to get on his
feat, bead-wogked smoling-cap wel2hln. shout
four pounds, very ornamental, an embroidered
boot-jack which ho destroys in his first attempt
he mistakes for necktles besides number
Of other tokens OF love and affection.
which he has the sublime satisfaction Of know
ing that lo has paid for, as the bills were Hent
in. OF course the good, easy man remains at
home Christmas day, and has feeling that 1t
is an extra Sunday or that there is q funeral ia
the house without the usual alaccompauimente. He
over-eats dinner, and il denied the pleasure OF
cigar on the account OF the presence OF hls
m-tn-r-in-law, who Is nervous anu cant
,11r1 &3aaf oT,17 f1a fv1aA
the street he meets an array OF beggors
who, though as we'll able to support themselves
Is he il, under the cloak ct Christmas
practice unblushingly tho profession of
box OF She butcher, the baker, OF the CANDLE
stick-naker. he il looked upon ns niggard, and
feels that he ought to apologize for having
neglected q sacred duty.
The children, bless their dear hearts, having
eaten so much candy, raisins, and other trash
that they have no appetite for dinner, spend tho
time auarreling about their presents, and crying
over the many niAhepB that have befallcn them.
The sudden change OF diet which they have in
dulged in hns surprised their etonachs,
and IN internal revolution he's teen the
result The candy Of the morning has be-
come the camphor OF the evening, and sugar
plums have been supplanted by pateSor1c~ Tho
family physician. vito was just sitting down 70
his Chrlstrnas-dinnor. is abruptly called away 70
minister to injured innoceuts. He feels that he
has been w1ooged, and makes it up by doubling
his fee.
The air is full Of nothing but Christmas
from morning until night Men meet one
another in the street and sing ous Il Merry
Christmas" and ''same to you,' without the
least care whether the other is merry Or sud,
gay or gloomy. The newspapers repent the
same old story, and inform their readers that
Christmas grew out OF the saturnalia. and that
in oldcn times it was celebrated with great cere~
monies by our English ancestors, and much
more to the same effect. The words OF Ilny
t,iernbly familiar with s'ILe Night Before
Christmas" We miss the story that We used TO
look for at this time, since the hand VI the mas
ter has grown cold and this, too. gives us afeel-
ing Of sadnee8.