Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-02
Gales aud Sketthes.
Our Christmas Near The North Pole.
BY LIEUT.. GREEDY.


of Fahrenheit For two days, however, a
severe storm of high wind and drifting
snow had prevailed. rendering our usual
out-of-door exercise difficult and danger
Gus. For ~ days the cherries gloom
and darkness of the long Arctic night had
been upon US. leaving their impress in the
shape of failing appetites, fading color
and depressed spirits. Now more than
ever came to our minds sense OF isola-
ton and a remembrance of that world
from which we were separated by long
and drearv expanses OF ice and snow.
But Christmas Eve had come and it was
time to bestir ourselves and, in spirit OF
unison with our fellow-men, prepare to
celebrate the Advent of our Lord. Amidst
the storm and gloom and darkness OF this
dav we had made shift to do honor to the
birthday of one of our party-Corporal
Saler-but would storm and wind allav
and give us brighter Christmas? This
was the question which disturbed our
minds.
At noon, to our delight, the wind fell
and a few hours later, the snowy clouds
vanished as if by magic and once again
the starry beauties of the polar Heaven
shone forth in all their glory. This sud-
den change spoke well for the morrow
and gave new vigor to Sergeants Rice and
Brainard, who had set their hearts upon a
fitting celebration of the coming day
They asked the use of all flags, banners
and other decorative articles, intimating
at the same time that nv absence from
the mems quarters until P. NJ was de-
sirable. AT that hour, entering the mems
quarters, the results of their work stood
disclosed. The bright flags. neat banners
and gay guidons were tastefully arranged
and presented marked and delightful
contrast to the smoke-begrimed walls and
ceiling. In the most prominent place was
hung an afghan, whose alterations of
snowy wilderness and crimson color were
broken by various devices in delicate
needle-work. Its golden anchor OF hope,
its silver horseshoe of luck, its white
lilies of purity, its sweet violets of re-
membrance, its polar star and its cross of
faith, were to US all emblems ever dear.
Wrought by loving hands in other, climes.
its first usefulness served to cheer and
brighten our lonely Arctic quarters on
this Christmas Eve.
After pleasant and careful inspection of
the decorations and genial comments on
the care and taste displayed, the distribu-
ton of our Christmas gifts came in order.
Unfortunately we could not conform to
traditional customs. for the Christmas
tree was wanting. A thorough search the
previous autumn had satisfied US all that
Grinnell Land contained but a single liv-
ing variety of shrub or tree-the Arctic
willow. The largest specimen of it seen
by us was but creeping shrub, as thick
as ones thumb and a foot in length. So
we were content to distribute our gifts in
more prosac manner. Our stock of
presents was not large. The greater part
of them had been contributed through he
kindness of lady in New York City, who
though unacquainted with any member of
the expedition, had, with considerable
thoughtfulness, forwarded some little gift
to each one of the party. The present for
Lieut.. Kislingbury, when opened, caused
considerable merriment. it being a little
wooden dog. 1t elected from the Lieuten-
ant a question to Private Schneider, which
has been often heard in lower ATTITUDES:
'Ah, Schneider, don't you want to buy a
dog?" The appropriateness of the re-
mark lay in the fact that Schneider had
devoted himself to the Eskimo puppies
and was then caring especially for two
litters of them. The officers mess was
the recipient of an excellent imitation of
an Irish potato. The commanding officer
received fan. which was hardly needed
to recall the cimes for which it was made.
The presents for the men nearly always
included pipes or tobacco, with the addi-
ton of books. states, pencils, wristlets.
etc. Sergeant Rice thought it an adverse
fate which sent to him-a non-smoker-a
pouch filled with goodly quantity of the
weed. Sergeant Gardner was greatly
delighted and surprised by receiving from
his sister comforter knit by her hands.
Others who had been the recipients of APP
propriate presents for their outfit. on
leaving the United States, somewhat
envied Gardner his Christmas gift from
home. A handsome rug, sent for one of
the men who had been ordered back in the
steamer Proteus, in 1881, was disposed of
by rattle. and fell to Corporal Ellison. The
distribution of these gifts was made by
Sergeant Rice, who, in presenting them.
added in each instance a few words of con-
graduation, or well meant badinage, as
best befitted the individual.
The gifts from the commanding officer
were now in order. Twenty-four cans of
uniform size. numbered from one up
wards. were set out on the table and dis
posed of by chance. The highest throw
had first choice and selected a number
which entitled him to the corresponding
can. AS with Portals sealed caskets, the
privilege of external examination was
granted and as in that case where weghty
gold and shining silver lost the prize, so
here the heavier and more attractive cans
were not always the most valuable. In
general the heavier cans were filled with
beans, nuts or rice. while the lighter con-
tanned orders for confections. fruits rum,
etc. One fortunate individual. Sergeant
Gardiner drew an order for ton of ice
A second. an order Good for nothing"
and a third a ticket "Good for passage
to St. Johns by the first steamer" As
TRANSFERRED Two years later. Gardiner
poor fel,ow-had it in mind to turn the
joke upon me and pay me off in my own
com. On one of the bright days that
came to us in the spring-time at Sabine
for even amidst all our sufferings and ter
rible privations, our spirits never entirely
left us, and some days were bright and
cheerful to us-he opened his wallet and
said
II have here, Major, a paper that may
interest you. had intended to present
it to you to be honored on our arrival