The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-02

! took my seat as my fathers vice, the usual
! place for the son and heir on such occasions.
And it was sight, and dinner was such as you
only get in the house of a country gentleman
at this season. The sight was, indeed, one to
be remembered. The dining hall was blaze
of light, showing up the artistic decorations OF
holly, ivy, mistletoe, laurel, ETC., and in vGri-
GUS parts of the hall were suspended the
mistletoe or kisses bush.
Notices were placed around worked by
loving hands, huge logs burned in the open
fireplace, the huge table fairly groaning with
its weight of luXurieS was spread the entire
length of the hail. at which four bowers Of
honor were erected for father, my mother, my
oldest sister and myself. There was such
beef that would make Texans mouth water
for months after. The boar's head, dedicated
to Freyr, goddess of peace and plenty, and the
paraphernalia of Christmas table for decora-
ton or eating was there. The rich Christmas
pudding again graced the table, bottle of
brandy was broken over it, the spirit ignited
and burnt until it impaired a delicious mel
lowness to it. Wine was freely served during
dinner, but champagne was CONSPICUOUS by its
absence because the host was fine old Eng
lish gentleman who disliked such innovations,
but in their place was some full-bodied old
port that had been cellared at the hall for fifty
years, and some of Duff Gordon's sherry, such
as cheered the heart and delighted the con
nesseur. The "Wassail bowl was there and
in great requisition. The table was cleared,
its dimensions reduced and it was elaborated
with wine, goodies and other things pro bono
public. Some friends engaged in cards,
others talked, some played games or found the
hundred and one way of amusing themselves
at such season. My cousin George
produced his violin, which has so
often entranced the visitors to the
Aquarium, and did a little work
a la Remenyi. AS for me was be-
seiged. My sister Elienor, who had become
Mrs. Adams, bothered me to notice the pranks
of the new member of the Adams family who
had recently arrived from Babyland. My
brother-in-law, James, a decorative artistic,
and his dear little wife, Hannah, would ex-
plain some new points of artistic design a Ia
Oscar Wilde. Friend Tobson wanted some
points of Mexican life for his new book; my
sister Fanny had something to tell me about
an engagement. My brother William had 4
good deal TO say about a new horse ne had
bought; Councillor Joe had much to say Of the
city management of my native borough, Stock
ingtown. Aunt Liza wanted to interest me in
mothers meetings; Mabel Roberts was full
of her engagement to the curate of her parish,
and wanted to give me the history of mission
airy work. John Smith, a relation by mar
riage, connected with railway interests, tried
to (ell me of the romances of railway life, and
other kind friends were for monopOlzing me
in one way or the other, and SO the time
passed pleasantly. The clock of the old
church warned US by the three-quarter chime
|, - 49,, all
charged glasses were handed round. We
came. Ding, dong, ding, dell. A Happy
bumper to the new year as the hour
was toIled, A knock was heard at the outer
door and the visitors bell rung. "Who can
it be p" we wondered. "Will it be fair or
a dark man? for on that depends the omen as
to whether the fortunes of the "house" shall
be good or bad. The door opened and in
came neighbor, Squire Stanford, a very fair
man with blue eyes, so our luck for the year
at least is assured. He laid down the usual
presents, drank his wine and became one of
us. A.ruSh was then made for the lawn, hats,
CloakS, coats were seized and we stood in the
cold air listening to the merry bells Ginning in
the new year. With it came the sonerous
tone of the village church organ and the voices
of those who had assembled in the church
'to pray the old year out and the new year in"
was heard singing the "Te Deum laudamus,"
"We praise Thee, o Cod" and far off was
heard the non-conformist song of praise
which, though of a more humble character,
was none the less sincere. Ugh, it's cold
here. We shivered and said and sought the
genial atmosphere of the hall and continued
the sport, but, practically, the reception
Of the new year was over beyond
giving and receiving friendly calls.
The loving cup, or grace cup, as we call it
Oxford was brought round filled with rare old
wines. tits huge cup with two handle
which is held by both-one watches whilst
the other drinkS-and is custom commemera-
ting the murder Of King Edward, the martyr
in o7s, who was stabbed at his step mother,
Queen Elfrida's instgation, whilst he was
drinking at the door of her house, in order to
promote the succession of her own son Ethel
red.
Warmed by the generous wine
sat and chatted my with brother William
On some boyhood escapade and listened 10
40 interesting "yarn' he spun and at the con
slusion of his story he gave me friendly dig
in the ribs with his elbow, and then | heard
sharp voice, say ''for goodness sake do be
quiet, you have been rolling about all night, 4
and | cannot get wink of Sleep"
II was the voice of my wife. And this
had been a dream. | was still an exile,
though voluntary and happy one, and still a
resident of the Alamo city, but for all that the
dream showed nothing but facts drawn from
the store house Of my memory, and if they
serve to instruct some readers, in the manner