Smyrna times., 1875-01-13
III iSc eIIU2I e OM S .
A Christmas Sleigh-Ride.


ties OF Christmas Eve came to an end But at
last the cand es on the Chrstmas,tree burned
out The children were put TO bed, and
started to walk home. 1t was cold star
lighted night, and the ground was we'll covered
with snow.
When | reached the outskirts of the town
took to the middle Of the road, for there the
snow was beaten down more compactly than
| on the sidewalks.
me the Jingle Of sleigh bells Although it ap
preached slowly the sleigh soon overlook me-
aud as stopped aside to let it pass, the driver
| pulled up.
"Will you ride?" said he. ''It is a cold
and cherries night to walk.
do you care for companyP' / said, little
surprised, when l recognized him, although
| the invitation was given in a very cordial tone.
u shall be very glad, indeed, Of it, said
he.
So stepped in and sat down by him, draw.
ing part Of his great fur robe over my knees.
you are driving slowly tonight said l,
when We had gone little way.
| Yes, he answered. There is no need to
hurry. | Used to drive about like mad, but,
year by year, my work grows less, and my
trips shorter, and now | have time enough,
and to spare, to do all that ie left me to do. :"
"And why is it," | asked, after a pause,
|
diminish, and your coming is looked for with
less interest as the year rolls on?"
You have noticed that, have you?" said
he.
''Oh, yss!" said L Il could not help
noticing it."
"Ofoourse not, he said Everybody knows
it. 1t is not thing that can be easily con.
ceAlsd. But there are great many reasons
for it. The world is changing"
L baff Ettlo
| don't see why the world need lose its belief
10 yen.
"The general spread of intelligence" said
he, lis a great thing-tor some people"
There was no denying this statement, SO |
said nothing
''See what load have" he said directly,
motiOning with his head to the back part Of
the sleigh. And | shall carry the greater
part Of it home with me. 1 can't get rid Of it
to-nipht, I'm sure"
"What are you carrying now2' | asked,
with considerable curiosity.
'tlf you'll take the lines III show you, he
said. But perhaps you are not used to driv-
ing reindeer p
"No, am not used to it, but I'll try" and
so saying | took the lines from his hands.
found no difficulty at all in managing the rein
deer. They logged along as gently as old farm
horses. Vixen gave a few signs Of impatiance
word from his master queted him instantly
The old gentleman pulled bag from behinC
the seat, and taking it on his lap proceeded t
show me some Ofthe contents.
''They seem to be old.fashioned toys" I re
marked
Yes, he said, with sigh, "these new
tangled affairs are of no service to nae. Yol
couldn't get paddls-wheel steamer, with
real engine, into common stocking. YOu't
/ fha lar he nd
scarcely girl in the land who wears a stock
ing large enough to hold dolls trunk
furnished with silk dresses bonnets, and all tn
necessary underclothss. No, have to confn
myself to such things as bear proper proper
tion to the feet and legs of children. There
one thing, said he turning upon me his st
jolly old cOuntsnance, that has had more in
iuence than anything else in causing tn
general Indifference with which am now re
garded.'
"And what's that?" I asked.
Furnace heat" he said. What senslbl
person, old or young, could expect felo'
with a bag on his back to come down tiu
and through an iron register? Il would b
absurd to try to make even a child believe th'
any thing of the sort is possible.
And then he put away his bag and took til
lines again. with look of resignation,
"It's all wrong" said /, ''all wrong Th
old way was the best"
"No doubt of it," said he, "but what ca
you expect? Everything old is changing
changing changing"
. "dow about old furniture p L asket
'"That seems popular enough"
'That changing, too, he answered, "Cou
ing down out Of the garrett into the parlor
80 to people, in general, scarcely know what
make of them. There will soon be ne sue
thing as Christmas. Hereabouts it's losir
ground every year, and New Years day
taking its place. The jolly old Ohristm
festivities are almost forgotten, and the your
men are satisfied to trot around on New Year
day and nibble cake and drink wine at hu
dred different places while the wonen sit al
smile at hundred different men-some frien
and some strangers-till the days don
What's all that to the grand old times we us,