Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1882-12-22
CHRISTMAS.

We are not going to write you an
elaborate essay on "Santa Klaus, nor
are we expecting to give a long winded
and empty essay upon the hallowed as
sociations. the delightful memories,
and the social joys which cluster round
thistle anniversary of the Savior's birth
but l do want to tell you what we
did one far-away Christmas, that many
who wish to "do something" on that
day and have empty purses may 60
and do likewise, or as near likewise as
possible.
We lived in the country; we were
plain, unassuming farmers and their
families. Yet we read ofthe wonder
full preparations in neighboring cities,
made to welcome the advent Of Santa"
and his "reindeers" and sighed because
we. toe. were not one ofthe happy NUM-
Der who could witness and have share
in such splendors.
But it was not to be; but fortune,
in the shape ola cousin Mary, who had
been everywhere, and knew how to
make everything, came to our aid IN
our distress, with such available hints
of what we might do for nothing that
we we're almost wild with excitement
and delight.
Obedient to her instructions, we set
TO work about two weeks before Christ
mas. to prepare for tree; 1t was to
be sure.enough evergreen, with no
make-believe greenness ahoutit. We
brought it from the pine woods. -fas.
tened it firmly to its pedestal, and
placing it in the centre of the room, set
apart for its USE we complacently lock-
ed the door, and were ready to CONF
mence on the decorations,
There were six families of us who
were to assist in the merchandising
thirty people in all---and we each Of
us wanted TO make present, be it ever
so small, to every one of the remaining
twenty-nine.
OF course all the little folks must
have doll apiece, and every one had
to have package Of raisins, candies.
sweetmeats, and popcorn ball tied
with blue ribbon. Each family con-
tributed dollar which was carefully
expeneed by cousin Mary in purchasing
the gilt paper, bright colored card
board, tissue paper, ETC., which was
needed for the decorations, the whole
work of which was left to her nimble
fingers. Lit lie candlesticks Of tin were
fastened here and there all over the tree
and as the tin was old fruit cans. and
looked unsightly, it was covered with
gilt paper. Clusters Of roses-red,
pins and white made of tissue paper,
the branches, and popcorn
balls and little baskets made of cigar
tor each were suspended
from them. Everything about it was
made as gay and bright as possible.
There were more homemade articles
than any other kind used for presents,
and many of them were not new. but
they gave pleasure all the same. An
old china sugar bowl which had been
in the possession of my grandmother
for sixty years, and which had belonged
to her grandmother, was placed in a
position, and marked
Miranda Now Miranda was one of
the cousins who delighted in the rare,
The curious, and the beautiful; and
who would rather have a shell, or a
picture or book, than the handsomest
,ilk dress ever manufactured by Worth,
md of course was duly delighted with
The old sugar bowl.
There were slippers, watch cases,
amp and teile. mats, chair tides, rugs
led, rugs braided, rugs knit. rugs
,rocheted, and rugs made of every
,nown article under the sun. There
vas a set of drawing books for the
amily artist, roll of sheet music for
he singer, yarn for grandmother, a
ct Of brackets made Of pine boards and
tanned and vanished, for the family
ride who was just getting ready to
;eep house, set OF framed chro-
aos for grandmothers room, mug for
or each of the three babies, and ocean
nd loads of other homemade and USE
III articles. Every one IN the family
contributed something for every othes
ne, and no one thought of grumbling
r ceiling sighted. The gifts were
attributed by an old bachelor, just re-
urned from Idaho; and as he happen
/ to have great bear skin overcoat
nd fur cap. we managed to transfurml