Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1884-12-19
CHRISTMAS LITERATURE.
TREES THAR CONF Ar THE war
FROM MAINE.


A Christmas without Christmas tree In
regarded M very small affair by the little
ones and they will be glad to hear that these
essentials of the great Christian holiday nrc
very plentiful tho present season.
They como NIL tho way from Maine, the
good oncs, and they ran be bought for sums
raupinping from ffty cents 10 sl5 The
Jf,eeu-dollar trees ARC of siyo totally un-
necessary for homo decorations, and thoy are
only sold occasionally for church anniversa-
ries and Christmas festivals.
An opcn winter IL invariably bad one for
tho trade II gives too many sellers AN OPP
portunity To vcnd their wares In tho street,
TO the prejudice Of tho store keepers 4
good snow storm not only drives tho curb
stone yendcrs oil the street, but Il inspires
most pcoplo, more or loss, with the notion
that there Il nothing that makes such cozy
contrast toShe snowy streets outside M q
pretty Christmas tree inside.
As n rule activity mover begins In the tree
business till about tho fifth day before Christ
mas, because buyers do not care To have the
trees areund the house any longer than Just
during the holidays.
How 20 Put Up Christmas Tree.
Provide an evergreen trco OF suitable size
and shape and place IL IN room not
20 be used until Christmas day. The
tree may be held firmly In place by planting
II In q hole bored in n heavy aud square
block OF wood. III tho tree be small sot upon
table. If n largo size mako rude Platform
" suitable height and place 1t on that, Cover
tho tablo or platform with green bnize, or
better still, lot the children gather mosscs or
llchens and cover with these When wax
tapers cannot be iudulged in substitute ordi-
nary lanterns covered with gay colorod Han.
mel. Hang these ON the trco whero they viii
produce the best effect and make festoons OF
popcorn strung on threads, from which sus-
pond popcorn balls The effect Of the gay
lights and tho white popcorn among the
green Of the treo will prove pleasing sight
10 the littlo folk. The trce in now ready 60
roceive its burden and all articles TO bo placed
ON il should be given over to tho charge oil
one person to insure pleasant surprise.
The Origin of santa Claus.
The history OF Santa Claus--a curious
mixture Of truth and iable-goes Tar back
into ancient history. Centuries ago a child
was born In Asia Minor who received the
name Of ST. Nicholas. His parents were
rich and oi high rank, and desiring TO ex-
press their gratitude To God Tor the birth OF
their son. they resolved to educate him for
the Christian priesthood. Tho child was
sober aud thoughtful, and while vet young
his parents died and he Inherited their great
wealth. He considered the riches sacred
trust he fed the hungry, he clothed the dos
titute. and performed all kinds OF good deeds
a. secretly rs possible As . priest he was
greatly beloved as bishop he continued his
henevolenCc. After his DEATH the church
cannonized him and be became one of the
greatest patron saints, being rcvercd IS the
holp Of The poor, the protector Of the weak,
and ns the especial patron saint OF little
children, who were taught To believe that
their gifts came from him. St Nicholas was
tho name given him by tho monks, and this
was finally clipped down to Santa Claus, who
is still represented rs retaining his old habits
Of secret boucvolence and coming down the
chimney at nights laden with Christmas
presents for children. \ pleasant fiction 1t Is
To them under the cover of which that charm
ing secrecy concerning the donors of gifts Is
are keen, and Santa Claus is usually very
well known To them as much moro modern
parsonage than old ST. Nicholas But the
children enjoy the harmless pretense the
mysterious filling Of stockings and the heavily
laden Christmas troe