, 1880-12-31
OUR LAST CHRISTMAS.
A GIRLS STORY.
BY q. DE B,


day presents We knew OF several
families, a great deal better off than we
were. who had given out among their
friends that they would ''neither give
nor receive. this year." so we thought
we might as we'll follow their example.
ITS nothing but an old heathenish
custom, anyway" said Lou, the eldest OF
rs three, and our walking encyclopedia.
"The Romans, you know, gave presents
oF cold and silver fruits and coins to one
another ON the first day of the new year,
and tLe old Germans used to burn the
.vule log about that time of year, and so,
when the early Christians took the
twentv-ffth day of December on which
to celebrate the birth of our Saviour,
they adopted both customs, and IN that
way we get our gifts and our Christmas
tree-nothing but an. old heathenish
custom.
We all tossed our heads upon receiving
this information, and congratulated
ourselves upon being sensible and civil
lied sufficiently to put away these old
time Roman and Saxon observances.
We missed the pleasant little secret
preparatlons, however, which had always
riven n certain air of excitement to the
few weeks previous to our holidays; the
whisking in closets of some half finished
little gift whenever the recipient-elect
made her appearance, the little, bright
tag ends of ribbon, and velvet, zephyr,
that used to make our dingy sitting
room carpet look almost like Turkish
rug, with its bright patches Of color
scattered here and there; indeed the
whole house had very different sort of
flavor about it, and in our secret hearts l
believe we all felt sad regret over
our decision not to make each other any
present.
"What shall we do tomorrow, girls?"
cried Nell, as we sat talking together
after our return from the church, where
we had been helping festoon the holly
and cyergreens for the morrows ser
vices.
"'Do. Why do as we always have
done. of course" replied Lou, II little
sharply. $50 to church in the morning
come home to turkey and cranberry
sauce, and then sit at the parlor window
the rest of the day"
"And see the children's bright, happy
faces as they troop by, going to grand,
mas; little girls with new dollies, and
boys with drums and horns" and |
almost sighed as | thought there would
be real giving Christmases in some
houses if there wasn't in ours.
Bah! Those terrible horns" said Lou
with Il shudder. Il don't see why they
arc not prohibited! They no doubt are
a relic of barbarous ages also. Why
can't people be civilized and sensible in
their observances of the day?'
But that is such little thing, Lon,
spoke up Nell; "and it seems to give the
rogues such exquisite pleasure to blow
them. For my part, like to hear them;
they seem to say over and over again,
Merry Christmay is come; let all the
world reioiceH"
"Yes," said ! Ginning in with Nell;
THEY'RE like the trumpet in the organ,
when our orgGnist accompanies the choir
in the Christmas carol, Peace on earth
and good will toward menE What does
good will mean, LouY
"What q question:" replied Lou, col
oring little as she explained. "As II
you didn't know it meant the feeling OF
kind-heartedness, charity, and generosity
toward one another!'
Generosity. Then it must mean
giving, Lou" said l with curious
sort OF smile.
"And the old Romans were right after
all, them cried Nell, little timidly,
however, rs THOUGH she felt she was
uttering heresy.
''Pshaw" said Lou, III cross sort OF
voice; II believe both of you girls are
Pagans at heart, you harp so continually
upon heathenish customs. | actually
think Gussie would like to have an idol,
have seen her fairly bow down before
that statue in Mr. Harrison's gallery.
why, Lou Waters! How hateful you
talk, To be sure | do worship the
beautiiul--but an idol, Who ever heard
Of such an accusation III the nineteenth
century, and now [ was cross.
See here, girls, where did the custom
OF decorating churches with greens
originate? Do you know, Lou? and
Nell, who was always our peacemaker,
and usually threw oils upon our troubled
waters, asked" this question, knowing
Lou would prefer answering it to con
timing our little squabble.
Il don't recollect the first introduction
Of decorating churches, but / dare say
it is q continuation of the old custom Of
the Druids, who strewed their affairs
with holly and misletoe duling the per-
tormance of religious rites. They re-
garded the misletoe as an especial gift OF
heaven and thought it contained some
divine virtue. The Romans and Greeks
also decked and ornamented their tenn
pies, You remember, and
And So" interrupted J., hotly, sit
was just set of g0od old heathens who
have set our good old fashions-for it is
J0od custom, that of giving presents;
and beautiful one, that of the Christ
mas tree; and holy, rightful one, that
OF adorning the church in commemora-
tt.,V, ,,gl l l. 4