Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1879-12-24
rcoxr1SnEp FROM FIRST pAGE.l

much a1ected, tncv all tnree rcPaheu
70 the large kitchen, in which the fam
ily were by tLis time assembled, ac-
cording to annual custom on Christmas
eve, observed by old Wardle's fore
fathers from time immemorial.
From the centre of the ceiling OF
this kitchen, old Wardle had just sus-
pended, with his own hands, huge
branch of mistletoe, and this same
branch of mistletoe instantaneousiy
gave rise to a scene of general and
most delightful struggling and con-
fusion; in the midst of which, Mr..
Pickwick, with gallantry that would
have done honor to q descendant of
Lady Tolimglower herself, took the
old lady by the hand, led her beneath
the mystic branch, and saluted her in
all courtesy and decorum. The old
lady submitted to this piece of practi-
cal politeness with all the dignity
which beftted so important and serious
. solemnity; but the younger ladies,
not being so thoroughly imbued with
a superstitious veneration for the Gus
tom or imagining that the value of
a salute is very much enhanced if it
cost little trouble to obtain it !;
screamed and struggled, and ran into
corners, and threatened and remon-
strated, and did everything but leave
!. the room, until some of the less adven-
turous gentlemen were on the point of
desisting, when they all at once found
it useless to resist any longer, and
submitted to be kissed with a good
grace. Mr.. Wrinkle kissed the young
lady with the black eyes, and Mr..
Snodgrass kissed Emily, and MIR. Wei
Ter, not being particular about the form
of being under the mistletoe, kissed
Emma and the other female servants,
Just as he caught them. AS to the
poor relations, they kissed everybody,
not even excepting the palmer portions
of the yolng-lady visitors, who, IN
their excessive confusion, ran right
under the mistletoe, as soon as it was
hung up, without knowing it! Wardle
stood with bis back to the fire, survey
ing the whole scene, with the utmost
satisfaction and the fat boy took the
opportunity of appropriating TO his
own use, and summarily devouring, a
particularly fine minccpie, that had
been carefully put by, for somebody
else.
Now, the screaming had subsidized,
: and faces were in glow, and curls in
a tangle, and Mr.. Pickwick, after kissing
the old lady as before mentioned, was
standing under the mistletoe, looking
a very pleased countenance on all that
was passing around him, when the
young lady with the black eyes, after a
little whispering with the other young
ladies. made a sudden dart forward,
and, putting her arm around MIR. Pick
wick's neck, saluted him affectionately
on the left cheek and before Mr.. Pick
wick distinctly knew what was the
matter, he was surrounded by the
whole body, and kissed by every one OF
them.
1t was q pleasant thing to see MIR.
Pickwick in the centre of the group,
now pulled this way, and then that,
and first kissed on the chin, and then
on the nose, and then ON the spectacles ;
and to hear the peals of laughter which
were raised on every side; but it was
still more pleasant thing to see MIR.
Pickwick, blinded shortly afterwards
with silk handkerchief, falling up
against the wall, and scrambling into
corners, and going through all the mys-
teries of blind-man's-bu with the ut
most relish for the game, until at last
he caught one of the poor relations,
and then had to evade the blindman
himself, which he did with a nimble-
ness and agility that elected the admi-
ration and applause Of all beholders.
The poor relations caught the people
who they thought would like it, and
when the game tagged, got caught
themselves. When they were all tired
of blindman's buff there was great
game at snapdragon, and when fingers
enough were burned with that, and all
the raisins were gone, they sat down
by the huge fire of blazing logs to a
substantial supper, and a mighty bowl
of wassail, something smaller than an
ordinary wash-house cooper, in which
the hot apples were kissing and bub-
bling with a rich look and q jolly
sound that were perfectly irresistible.
s"This, nsaid Mr.. Pickwick, looking
round him, "this is, indeed, comfort. ("
o"Our invariable custom, replied Mr..
Wardle. Everybody sits down with
US on Christmas eve, as you see them
now-servants and all; and here we
wait, until the clock strikes twelve, to
usher Christmas in, and beguile the
time with forfeits and old stories.
Trundle, my bob, rake up the fire.
Up few the bright sparks in myr-
lads as the logs were stirred. The
deep red blaze sent forth a rich glow,
that penetrated into the furthest cor
ner Of the room, and cast its cheerful
tint on every face
Come said Wardle, "a song-a
Christmas song! I'll give you one, in
default of better"
Bravo :" said Mr.. Pickwick.
"Fill up" cried Wardlc. ut will
be two hours, good, before you sec the
bottom of the bowl through the deep
rich color of the wassail gil up all
round, and now for the song"
Thus saying, the merry old gentle.
man, in good, round, sturdy voice,
commenced without more ado:
A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
care not for Spring on his tickle wing
Let the blossoms and buds be borne;
He woos them amain with his treacherous rain
And he scatters them ere the morn.
An inconsistent elf, he knows not HIMSELF
Nor his own changing mind an hour
He'll smile in your face, and, with wry grimace
He'll wither your youngest flower.
Let the Summer sun to his bright home run,
lie shall never be sought by me;
When he's dimmed by a cloud can laugh aloud
And care not how sulky he be
For his darling child is the madness wild
That sports in fierce fever's train
And when love is too strong, it don't last long