The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1880-01-15
Christmas in q Lumberman's
Camp.
Extracts from a private letter.)

Our family Of from thirty to thirty
FIVE demands some time and thought, and
have had to prepare bedding for about
the same number at the other camp, but
we hire . family there to keep the house,
and beyond getting them ready, have
no further responsibility. We had hoped
to spend the holidays in Ohio, but there
were too many interests here to leave at
present, 90 We spent . very pleasant
evening here. Our large dining hall
was tsstefully trimmed with evcrgreens
and the Christmas tree fastened to its
place and decorated with fanciful fes-
toons Of strung popcorn, little lace
and gay Chinese lanterns. Then supper,
consisting in part of oysters, boned chick
en- and other cold meats, fruit and frost
ed cake, pickles. etc., to which our men
came in, all dressed in their black dress
suits like gentleman, instead OF mill
hands. Thon after supper there was
light work. The tables were cleared
and carried out, and . smaller one
brought in and placed under the tree to
hold heavy articles. All the chairs in
the house and four long benches were
pl6C6u IN IOWS, ~ VIC OuCC dSS0 W ~
range them to play meeting"
The presents were then brought and
placed upon the tree; the tapers lighted
and the big bell rung to inform the boys
that all was ready, then while they were
coming in, examining and admiring the
gifts and taking their seats, We sang
some pieces We had prepared, to which
played an accompaniment on my new
II ~ tall fa
very handsome, sweet toned intrument,
Ga thing Of beauty and joy forever"
When we turned to face the audience,
I was perfectly astonished at the sea Of
faces. The house was full, large as it is.
and overaowed out onto the porch. We
had no idea of such q crowd. Then
came the plucking Of the fruit, with
which our tree was heavily laden.
Presents were plenty and some OF them
valuable There were three nice cash
mere dresses among other things; We
made presents to each Of our girls, and
to some Of our boys, those that had been
with US for years. Some OF the men put
ON gifts for each Of the Eve girls. One
of the boys gave E. large leather bound
volume Of Shakespere,s complete works.
One of the girls gave me . very handsome
pair of vases, the incest ever saw, and
another who had cooked for me over .
year, presented IN ottowan, the uphol-
stery Of which was embroidered by her.
self in style she learned of Mrs. John
Brown, of Berea, o. But the last and
crowning gift of all was an elegant sill.
yer cake basket to myself frOm four Of
our girls, two Of whom have lived with
me now 3 year. II WAS entirely unex.
pected and was obliged 10 interview
my handkerchief . moment while my
long Santa Claus kept the stten.
ton of the audience.
think never felt such an interest In
those not related to me anywhere, a.
do for these young people in our employ,
and for the time committed to our care
l used to feel deeply interested in the
pupils I taught, and / remember q
noble class Of fifteen boys in . Sunday
school, that seemed very near to me; and
by the way, one of those same fifteen II
with us now and has been for years
Have / told you of >the boys buying 6
pony engine and surprising my husband
by making him q present Of itf w,
gave them q party few weeks after il
recognition of their kindness, and all en-
joyed it ever SO much. - ss .
We hope to have in time to renew
our subscription to the ENTERPRISE be
fore it expires, as we prize il too highly
to miss Q number. have had splendit
health since coming North, and hav'
been only happy in this work that wheI
undertaken seemed like Q sort of mar
tyrdom. What blind creatures We are
We never know what 10 best for N
Truly we can say, "Ths Lord has beel
better to rs than our fears"