The Elk Mountain pilot., 1881-01-06
THE CHRISTMAS TREE.

pared for our last edition, was una
voidably crowded out. but we think
its publication at this late day will not
rob it Of isinterest to many:
The ladies Of the Aid Society as per
agreement entertained the scholars Of
the Presbyterian Sunday School and
their friends, on the evening of the
24th ult., with Christmas tree. The
affair took place in the church room,
(which was decorated with such success
as to reflect much credit upon the
taste of the ladies. In addition to
other ornamention of the room, upon
he right hand as you entered was the
word Welcome" while upon the
left Merry Christmas to All" sa--
luted you, in letters of evergreen,
which we understand was the graceful
handlwork of Mrs. l.. l.. Harding.
At 6:3o precisely the oardles on the
tree were lighted, and not snly the
little ones, but some Of larger growth
gave vent to their surprise and adsni
ration in expressions of delight. 1t
was pretty sight, and had it been
less so could not have suffered by COM
parison, since it was the first Christ
mas tree ever displayed in Irwin.
Before the gifts were distributed a
number of children gave recitations,
the name of each piece being an
nounced by their teacher, as Mr.. E.
P. Stevens, the superintendent, was
unavoidably absent on account of ur-
gent business. To the credit of the
children, be it said, none had to be
prompted, from the least to the great
est. A Christmas hymn was also
sung, the solo being taken by Master
Frank Smith, all the class uniting in
the chorus. This was one of the most
pleasing features Of the evening.
These exercises being over Mes,rs.
Joyce and Graves were called upon to
assist in relieving the over-burdened
tree from its weight of gifts, and Miss
Eta Baney, assisted by Masters Percy
Stevens, Harry Dickinson and Frank
Smith summoned to convey the same
to the fortunate recipients. Every one
in the room was remembered in some
way. A smile went round as one of
our most promising young grocers was
presented with housekeeper, whom
he declared "sweet as peach and
none could gainsay it, since her face
evidently consisted of what must once
have been that delicious fruit, though
now r.uch dried and wrinkled. A
sweet companion was also found for
one who bewails his misfortune in
having to live in this county without
a ahelpmate. "Two more correspond
ents," formed of sugar, bore the name
of a young man who revels in large
quantities of mail matter received in
answer to his Personal" Mrs.
Stevens, who has charge of the young
er members of the school, was sur
prised by the presentation of hand
some pair of vases, from her class,
which we presume will be valued far
above their intrinsic worth as an ex-
preston of the children's affection.
Nearly every lady in town was re-
membered by Mr.. Cullom with can
of California fruit, while he made the
little ones quite happy by liberia!
package of candy. Several gentlemen
received moustache cups, some of
whom have such slight hirsute adorn-
ment that they may look upon them
as a joke. Indeed the gifts were so
numerous that we have space to men
ton but few. Probably the most
valuable was the elegant gold watch
and chain presented to Mrs. Spencer
by her husband. We also noticed
Mrs. H. T. Painter was the recipient
of a handsome writing desk, Mrs.
L. L. Harding pickle castor, Mrs.
E. c. Reid, some sifverware, Mrs,
Allison, cake basket, etc. In addi
ton to several trihes, We editor re-
Seiyed a fine inkstand supported BY a
stag's head in marine bronze, whose
horns will supply a resting place for
our pens and pencils many days to
come china cup and saucer hand
l. la.o-o<eJ hoor1rn thsS IN.