Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-01-10
A Portland Letter.

y
like to hear how the holidays were spent
on the sea-shore, send you few words
of greeting. Portland is one of the
ioveliest places in summer everyone will
acknowledge; but, in winter, / am free
to confess, rather dreary, unless you
belong to the young peoples club, which
includes all kinds of gaity. Our city
has improved within the past two years
very much in the way of new and beau
tlful residences in the west part of the
city, and fine blocks of splendid stores,
which vie with each other in their show
windows. The great elm trees all
over the city, with their giant arms at
every blast that comes from the sea, or
the White Mountains, which later can
be plainly seen from High street in
pleasant weatherwithth their snow-capped
SUBMITS, almost out of sight among the
clouds. Most of the stores had more or
less OF holiday goods. Owen & Moore's
window held "Santa Claus " house, the
sleigh and reindeers at the door, wait
ing for old Nick, who is seen in his fur
robes loaded with presents, just coming
out with merry twinkle in his eyes as
he looks at the crowd of small bows
waiting for him, dolls dressed, of all
sizes to represent the would be grown
10 boys, who look in at the window.
Inside of the store is every conceivable
thing that man or woman, girl, boy or
baby, could ever dream of wishing for.
At Shaw's grocery, farther up Congress
street, are large windows in room,
the carpet of candy arranged in pat
terms, the fireplace to represent tiles, a
''Christmas tree" in one corner. an
old fashioned tall clock, in another, tick
ing the hours away. A bedstead with
handsome appointments, occupy one
side of the ras4a, in which are two fine
dolls, their eyes closed, evidently fast
asleep dreaming of tomorrow. Their
clothes hang across the foot-board. A
kerosene stove near the window, to keep
off the frost. that outsiders may look in,
adds to the delusion that it is real.
Many other stores are equally attractive.
The weather has been unusually mild
but occasionally cold wave would pass
over, lingering long enough to freeze up
everything and give good sleighing.
which all improved till it was almost an
impossibiity for pedestrians to cross the
business streets. Every store was
crowded to its utmost capacity, and nm
less one went shopping very early in
the morning, they found great difficulty
in being waited upon. Last year
Christmas club was formed by Miss
Sargent, of the kindergarten. Every
child who paid ten cents became men,
Der, soon it counted / POO members.
yearthey gave a turkey dinner to six
hundred poor children, then Christmas
tree, and q good play in the large hall,
with music by Chandler's band. This
year the same was carried out only each
child that belonged, was asked to send
his part worn clothes, book and one
or more of their toys he was tired
of to give away. The 9th proved
rainy day. but no one will doubt they
had good time, not at all minding the
weather and went home much refreshed
as regarded the inner boy or girl, out
wardly well pleased with what they car
ried with them. There are four Kinder
garten's in the city, now they have a
free one on Centre street, where it will
be a God.send to the poor children, the
mothers as well. Anyone acquainted
with Portland, will understand how
necessary one is there Last night we
had n heavy rain, with thunder and
lightning, that carried off much of the
snow, but before morning it turned cold
freezing the ground SO the sleighing is
quite good yet. 1t is showing a little now
) } it may be remedied for the New Years
festivities. There has been talk of
carnival for that day, whether it will be
carried out remains to be seen. With
the compliments of the season.
l.. S. V. A.
PORTLAND, Maine. Dec. 81, 1888