Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-12-30
The Christmas Tree.

The Christmas times were quiet
in Webster, but none the less en-
joyable for all that. On the day be-
fore Christmas our business houses
were full of eager buyers, and the
mysterious whisperngs, the family
conference, the gieeful happy laugh,
all indicated that each member of
the busy throng were intent on
making some friend or loved one
happy, by a Christmas rembrance.
The grand center of attraction
was the union Christmas tree at the
new NJ. L. Church. All the Con-
gregations in the city had united to
make one mammoth tree Cor the
people of the whole town. The ex.
ercises opened at half past seven,
sharp, on Christmas eve. with a
house crowded to Overlooking. ~
Prayer was offered by the Rev.
NodtYet Pastor of Lutheran Evan
gilical Alliance Church, in the Nor
wegian tongue. Then followed the
regular programme, which occupied
about an hour and comprised reci-
tations, songs, &c, by the children
of the several Sunday Schools in
town. Owing to the length of the
programme, it would be impossible
to give it in detail in the space we
have to devote to this occasion, suf-
fee it that it was finely executed
from first to last and was the de-
light of the large audience present. |
The opening chant, the echo song. |
the recitation by Miss Cloyd. and |
by Miss Ella Bush, the Christmas
prayer, by little Eva Warner, the
recitation by little Mollie Peterson, |
one by Mable Lee and two Others
and one by little Addie McKennett |
was the especial delight of the i'm
mense audience. The system and
order that prevailed throughout |
was ii noticeable feature and was
generally spoken of in terms of the
highest appreciation.
The church was beautifully deco
rated and two large trees, loaded
with presents occupied the large
platform. Before the distribution
of the presents a fairy car was
wheeled from behind a curtails
drawn by quartette of little girls
Lee, Minnie johnson, Eva
Warner and Lena Peabody fairy
four-in-hand indeed, and seated in
the car was Clara Gibson, repre-
senting the queen of fairies. From
this car the FAIRIES distributed cor
nucoplas of candies to
the waiting children. 1t was
beautiful thought and executed in
such "a manner as to bring shouts Of
wonder, surprise, admiration and
hearty appreciation from the audi
ence.
After this the loaded trees began
to be denuded of their freight and
soon cries of delight and happy
laughter ruled the hour. For near
ly three hours the presents found
their way to people in various parts
of the audienee-some were very
handsome and beautiful, Others
ludicrious, aud the expression ON
the faces of those receiving them
brought forth shouts Of laughter
from the friends around them.
1t was an occasion long to be re-
membered and let us hope marks
new era of christian union and fell
iowship among our people-,a union
of action, thought and purpose, that
shall rebound to the highest moral
good for all our people. -
Only two days and 1886 is dead
--forty-eight hours and the poor
old year will have been numbered
with the past, never again to return.
How much of JOY and sorrow it
bears in its bosom out upon the
shoreless ocean. How much Of
honest effort to elevate and enoble, |
md make better all the springs Of
luman life, thought aud action, has
It taken to tie somber shades that
S its eternal resting place. What
resolves have been broken, hopes
blasted, lives made miserable, in
consequence. As we look back over
its days of cloud and sunshine, can
we lay the flattering JUNCTION to our
souls that we have done our duty
have honestly tried to benefit orr
fellows. Have we responded to the
all of love in tones of harsh rebuke:
Have We made the fireside, the home
place where our children love to
finger: Have we helped the needy
md consoled and assisted the unfor-
tunate? or have we seltishly sought
our own good and lost the sweetest
blessings life can give IN the con-
tent that comes to us in making
others happy, Ia the year to come. |
'panned as it is to all, by the rain
DOW arch of promise, shall We not
each be found earnestly striving to
each the heights of pure and
nobler, better man and womanhood. |
Shall we always have that consider
ttion for Others that we ask for our
selves? and when the record Of the
2ear is made, shall We look back
over it, proud and happy in the
part we have played in the dramma
embraced in its brief span? and |
When the tide of years shall have |
oiled away, shall we have scaled |
he heights and look back over a |
life of good deeds and good Will to |
men? Let the new year speak tt |
our heart as it never spoke before
The New Meat Market. |
In Webster township lived man
And Knapp il was his uame
He's got pile of grit In him
And used it just the same
A Meat Markethe thought he'd start,
within the county Day.
Twas in the town Of Webster, too,
I've heard the people say.
The highest prices he will pay
For mutton. beef or pora,
And sell it cheaper than the rest
Engaged within tn work
Now friends Just listen unto me,
secret III relate;
Ii you viii patFonize this man
You'll get along frs rate.
Just bid all other firms adtcu.
And, when You've patronized
This Edwin Knapp week or two,
I'm sure yetIll he surprised