The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-12
The Winter Evening Fireside.
From Maryland Farmer for December.
with his ice, and snow, and rime,
Let bleak winter sternly comet
There's not SUMMER cline,
IIINIO IIOI o oUIIIIIOI OII8ICl
Than the loye-lit winter home

There's not a SUMMER Cline,
Than the love-lit winter home"
So sang A. A. Watts, an English bard
and so sing we. December, as it herald!
in the winter, so it brings to the farmer in
our semi-Northern cline cessation from the
busy duties of cropping and harvesting
and puts him more within doors, to enjoy
for time more of the amenities of domes.
tic life, and the silent, though inspiring
cOmpanionship of books, than has been his
privilege to share for many months past.
All seasons bring their compensations, and
to the refined and educated farmer-for
there are many such-winter is not unwel-
come. Although it is time when focks
and herds must receive careful daily atten-
ton, time too when the fruits of the sum-
mer's labors are being rapidly consumed,
and little or no work a doing, yet ever
mindful of the golden promise that links
the years together in one unbroken round
-"While the earth remaineth, seed time
and harvest, etc., shall not cease, the
prosperous farmer, with his bins and barns
stored with needful provender, and every,
thing snug and cosy about him, can look
from his chamber window out upon the
SHOWS and rains without dread, and fear,
lessly sing, 'Let the storm come down"
December is time for general rejoicing
and social visiting throughout farmland.
Preparations are making for the Christmas
holidays The wood-house is filled with
the best of fuel, dry and well-seasoned.
The wood pile is heaped high with the oak
and hickory logs and split wood. The va
cant sheds and stalls are stored with forest
leaves for winter bedding The poultry
houses are mended and chinked to keep
out the weasel and other "varmints." And
the home dwelling and surroundings receive
thorough renovation. Loads of evergreen
find their way into parlor, sitting room,
and chamber. The geese and turkeys are
fed to repletion, preparatory to the "grand
slaughter of the innocents." Parties of
pleasure begin to be talked of, and the in
vitations sent out, and everything gives
token that peace and plenty, like guardian
angels, brood over the land.
Such is faint picture of the rural life
in December. But the brightest hour in
lIlC . ldllS Uu UuC WluUcT
evening, when he shuts himself within
doors, and, as COwper sings:
wheels the sofa round,
And while the bubbling and loud kissing urn
Throws up steamy column, and the cups
Which cheer but not inebriate, wait on each,
Thus welcomes peaceful evening in."
With his books before him-the old-time
standard poets, like Thomson, Goldsmith,
Cowper, Young, Hemans, Campbell, and
few others that sing of the seasons chang
ing moods-for few of our modern poets
do-he lolls back in his easy chair to re-
freshen his memories of the past and bright
en- up his imagination. Or it NAV be his
tory, or literature, or the more abstruse
contemplation of science engages his atten-
ton. Or does he turn to music and song,
and play with the little ones? All, thrice
happy the man who has such treasures,
and thrice wise he who can find time to
join in their plays, sports, tableaux, and
charades.
Such is the winter freside as it may be
and often is in our rural homes. 1t is de-
lightful to picture it thus. 1t is an in
spring topic. As Hewitt says: "All our
ideas of comfort, of domestic affection, of
social and literary enjoyment, are combined
in the picture they draw of the winter fire.
side"