The Florida agriculturist., 1885-02-25
For the FLORIDA AGRICULTURIsT.
Christmas in the Rocky Mountains.

OuIl6GIudS III buo 1COCAy AOuA1@AnS'
In the mining Gulch," +" away up 5000
feet, l find a real "no mans land; - a
mining camp where never Christmas
, tree was appropriated for festival, al
though abounding in most inviting
forms. The little ones never had a
Christmas! The older ones brought re-
membrance of the happy time from
"Father-land !" from New England fire.
sides; from Canada and other christian
homes, to lose it all in their forgetfulness
of all else in the search for gold
Christmas was approaching. With all
my heart filled with the memory of joy
GUS reunions, look down the mountains,
over the great plains, and witness the
busy, loving preparations for Merry
Christmas" With a sigh l look from
that picture to this. / view the land
scape o'er, canvassing all the possibili
ties of inviting Santa Claus to our
mountain top. Discouragement met my
inquiries in all directions, save from the
eager, expectant little ones. They put
their trust in my ability to do as l ,could.
The weather-wise predicted high winds
with drifting SHOWS, rendering roads i'm
passable, as BLOCKADE was the rule at
Christmas time. The mail even stops,
sometimes for weeks.
The poor miners had been realizing a
"panic," even here! They could hardly
afford the necessaries of life, which must
be garnered for the showing in" Cold
and hunger-the gaunt shadow upon the
Wallet from other times, makes the
most improvident thoughtful. So no
hope, or promise of merry time for the
children. They could wait The little
squirrel had gathered his stores, and
gone into winter quarters; the cattle and
horses driven to the plains to live as
best they may; all mining appliances
were "laid in - wood, in thousands of
cords, was piled like great walls around
the ''works." The log cabins must be
newly plastered and chinkeG. A miner
remarked, "the snow will be forced
through an inch board,'' so furiously
does the wind blow. Banking up'
every habitation is the rule, for we are
up in the "snowy range" where the
wind makes the chest time on record"
You will see that we were "hedged in'
on every side. What chance was there
for Christmas?
wrote of our need to some friends !;
back came a noble response so yes,
we will help" A Sunday school in New
York, headed by my little neighbor, An
\DlCCO Vi OllC 0ONCInOI VI
Utah), took in the situation, and most
thoughtfully and lovingly prepared box
of 100 pounds and sent it by express. 1t
arrived at Penn Gulch station, three and
one-half miles distant. By this time the
prediction of blockade was being full
filled. Our hearts almost misgave us,
for $50 near and yet so far" was too
much for Christmas nerves. But luck
for us! Some of the mining appliances
most necessary, gave out. They must be
obtained, if by forced marches through
snow tunnels. We knew that Christmas
would come even to "no-man's land"
1.-The Christmas box, the Christmas
box has come ~ was echoed from noun
tain top to mountain top. Anticipation
was on tip toe. We gathered a little
here and there until all, to certainty
could enjoy their first Christmas Storms
held lis 'weather-bound" until the very
ushering in of Christmas day, when the
sun-as if in sympathy with us-burst
forth in cloundess sky, and the winds
as if rebuked by Divine power, were
stilled. The older ones exclaimed, "The
storms and the winds approve, and why
not we?''-and mirabile dictul every
miner quit work, and came to rejoice anc
be glad. Such gathering was never
known IN the history OF the gold digg
ings."
Early in the morning all gathered t.
celebrate the day. The school house
| log cabin of one room-had been trim
/ med with evergreens and kinnikinic
with its lovely red berries; the rough
logs hidden by an artistic 'Rocky Noun
tain Decorator. :" Then the tree-a rea
beauty was placed in the center, Their
the opening of the christmas box Never
did the words appreciation, admiration
and anticipation stand for more Dolls
tops, brought forth EXPLANATIONS of de-
light. Closer pressed the eager crowd
Horses, wagons, cars, administrations
and rare; toys-ever so much longed fol
\ picture books, states, bright pictures
\ for decoration; Christmas cards of all
z designs; collars, ribbons, pocket-hand
\ kerchiefs, and ties candies, nuts, raisins