The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-12-20

Christmas eve or night have a tree, if you
possibly can. You can make beautiful or
naments with lite bits of wire COW
cred with yarn, dipped in strong so
luton of alum and hung from the
boughs Festoons of the white, feashery
popcorn will add TO the tree, and can be
made by the little folks themselves by string
ing the popped corn on strong thread. Care
fully save the eggshells from cake and pie
making and FASTING bits of gilt paper around
the edge of the perfect half; you can, by gilt
bands or ribbon cords, hang them from the
tips of the branches An artificial flower or
a little candy will be nice in each. Some
ladies crochet little bags of zephyr and put
the eggshells in them, then they make pref
ty ornaments to hang from chandeliers or
window curtains after they have served for
the tree. Raisin stems dipped in sealing
wax dyed deep with cochineal initiate coral
nicely, while fresh geraneum or rose leaves
put into alum water represent frost work
If around the base of your tree you make
miniature landscape you Will interest the
children. On the board or table put rocks
to represent mountains, little branches of ce-
dar or painters pine for trees, lichens and
moss to hide bare, ugly spots, and sand and
gravel for walks and the margin of your lake.
This you can make with bit of lOoking-glasS,
or better still pan of water nicely edged with
gravel and moss. \ rustic bridge, log
cabin or card board house, some tiny figures
and toy cattle will complete a pleasant pic
tare for the children. Make little stockings
of mosquito bar or coarse tarlatan, fill with
candy and hang here and there among the
branches, and you will then be ready for the
larger presents.
You have everything fixed for your loved
ones, from grandfather TO the baby, for
friends near and far, but there are some who
will have no merry Christmas" unless you,
busy as L know you are, remember them
The last winters dresses that the girls have
outgrown will make nice ones for the poor
shivering children in the hovel. But just as
you would not give an incomplete present
to any one else, fix them before you send
them over. The jacket and overcoat and
half worn pants that the boys have discarded
will gladden. the freezing little fellows who
have no father Your shawl or cloak will be
thankfully received by. your washer
scarcely get food for her children, never
warm clothing for herself. Those blankets
or quilts. unused and getting shabby, will
make comfortable the poor rheumatic in
valid and keep away the cold and pain that
have banished sleep. No matter how small
or humble the gift, it will cheer and gladden.
some poor soul, and it will have its re-
ward"
Let there be a stir and hustle, hints and
signs of good time coming in your home,
all the days from now till Christmas. pity
you if there are no children TO live on the
mysterious sounds and sights of these homes.
No matter how fortune has dealt with you
this year; no matter how cross and mOrOse
you may feel; no matter how many moods
of unkindness you may want to indulge in,
be cheerful, be generous, be loving, be tender
at Christmas time, If only for His sake who
was given because God so loved the world