The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-01-08
Washington Letter.
Congress Adjourns for the HoIidays. CHRIS
mas Musings.
From our regular Correspondent.)
WAsHIGToN, d. G., Dec. "a, 1Ss

(FrOm our regular Correspondent
WAsHGToN, ID. G., Dec. "a, 1880.
After week eventfu chiefly for a disgrace
full quarrel in the house, congress has taken a
recess tor fourteen days, and we are in the
midst of the Christmas festivities, which are
enjoyed, by young and old, in more whole
souled and thorough way than they have been
enjoyed at any time since the great financial
crash of 1873 The young rejoice in greater
opuence of presents and their parents are
happy in their greater power TO give. There
is no lack of those who lament that Christ
mas is no longer the series of happy festivals
of by gone years, but they belong to that class
who describe golden age which exists only
IN the imagination. 1t Is difficult to believe,
in the lace of ocular demonstration, that there
is any decline in the appetite Of the children
Of to-day; their laughter Is as genuine, their
happiness as simple and spontaneous as ever.
Nor are the young folks who are by this time
too old to be called children, 50 artificial as
some would have us believe 1t Is true that
their tastes are IN certain sense more cxtrava.
giant than were those of their fathers and
mothers at the same age. The increase of
national wealth has taught all how many
pleasant things money can get-things not
only pleasant in themselves, but positively
harmless, except where the expense they en-
tail is selfish or unj UNSUITABLE. The girls know
how pleasant it is to ride along ringing
frosty road on well.trained, easy gong pony
to drive fautless horse in pretty phaeton
to have sleigh ready should an exceptional
fall OF snow give opportunity for it; and to be
able to crafty that most harmless of all
tastes, the love of what is pretty in itself, IN
new dresses upon appropriate occasions. The
boys, too, know the delight of shoulderng a
gun, of bestriding bicycle and o: indulging
in other manly pursuits, the only drawback to
which is that they cost money. But because
we learned to appreciate the almighty dollar
we have not on that account become slaves to
1t, and we may safely believe that the hearts
of our young folk are as true rs ever, their
instincts as generous, their appreciation OF
what is straightforward and simple and Loyal
as keen az it ever was. And Christmas, now
more than ever, is the time to test such feel
| ings. 1t Is the time when from every side
appeals are made to us; the time when we car
all, each in his own way, do something at any
rate to make others happier, Even those who
cannot give in substance can spare their time
and trouble; and there are kindly words ant
deeds and thoughts more precious than gifts
and equally pleasant both to those who give
and those who take. Day by day, as the dea
festival draws nearer, memories and associa
tons cluster round us. We are year olde
than we were, and, though year is but {
short time in itself, yet but few years go t.
the making of life. We are a perceptibl
step further removed from our youth, with it
many.sided pleasures and restless vitality
step nearer to the last rest Of all, whicl
those need least dreed whose lives have beer
happy because they have made happy an,
bright the lives Of others. Christmas ma,
change Its customs and habits. and Christina
in Washington IN this year Of grace 1880 ]