Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-12-24
OUR NORTH POLE CHRISTMAS.

| Lieut.. Greeley in the Chicago Currcnt.l
1t was Christmas eve in Grinnell
| land, as in all the world beside. The
| temperature was moderate for the sea-
son, ranging from 25 to 80 degrees be
low zero of Fahrenheit, For two days,
however, Il severe storm OF high wind
and drifting snow had prevailed, rem
dering our usual out-of-door exercise
difficult and dangerous For seventy
days the chccrless gloom and darkness
of the long Arctic night had been up
on us, leaving their impress in the
shape OF failing appctitcS, fading color
and depressed spirits. Now more
| than ever came to our minds sense
of isolation and Il remembrance of that
world from which we were separated
by long aud drtary cxpansc OF ice and
snow.
But Christmas eve had come and it
was time to hestir ourselves and, in a
spirit of unsion with our fellow men,
prepare to celebrate the advent of our
Lord. Amidst the storm and gloom
and darkness OF the day, we had made
shift to do honor to the birthday OF
one OF our party-Corporal Saler-but
would storm and wind allay and give
us brighter Christmas This was
the question that disturbed oui
minds.
At noon, to our delight, the wind
fell and few hours later the snowy
clouds vanished as if my magic, and
once again the starry beauties of the
polar heaven shone forth in all thcil
glory. This sudden change spoke
we'll for the morrow and gave new
vIgor to Sergts. Rice and Drained
who had set their hearts upon &
fitting celebration of the coming day
They asked the use Of all flags, ban
ners and other decorative articles, i'll
timating at the same time that my
absence from the mems quarters unit
9 p. NJ. was desirable. At that hour
entering the mems quarters, the re
suits of their work stood disclosed
The bright flags, neat banners and gay
guidons were tastefully arranged ant
presented a marked and delightful con
trast to the smoked-begrimmcd walls
and ceiling. In the most prominent
place hung an afghan, whose alterna
tions of snowy .whiteness and crimson
color were broken by various devices
to indicate needlework. Its colder
anchor of hope, its silver horseshoe o
luck, its white lilies of purity, it
sweet violets of remembrance, its eros
of faith, were to us all emblems evel
dear. Wrought by loving hands il
other climcs, its first usefulness servct
to cheer and brighten our lionel,
Arctic quarters on this Christina
eve.
After pleasant and careful inspec
ton of the decorations and genera
/ comments on the care and taste dis
played, the distribution OF our Christ
mas gifts came in order Unfortunate
", We could not conform to the tradi
tional Gus ON, for the Christmas-trc'
was wanting. A thorough search TIN
previous autumn had satisfied us tha
all Grinnell-land contained but Il sin
gle living variety of shrub or trec-th
Arctic willow. The largest specimen
of it seen by Us was but a creepin!
shrub, as thick as ones thumb an'
about Il foot in length. So we wer
content to distribute our gifts IN
more prosaic manner. Our stock o
presents was not large. The create
part of them had been contributes
through the kindness OF lady i'll NeN
York City, who, although unacquaint
ed with any member OF this expedition
had, with considerable thoughtfulncss
, forwarded some little gift for each @
, the party. The present for Lieut.
Kislingbury, when opened, cause'
: considerable mcrriment, it being Il lit
tie wooden dog. 1t elected from tn
Lieutenant question to privat
Schneider, which has been often hear'
in lower ATTITUDES: "Ah, Schneider
don't you want to buy dog ?" Th
appropriateness of the remark lay il
the fact that Schneider had devoted
himself to the Eskimo puppies, ant
was then caring especially for two lit
tiers of them. The officers mess wa
the recipient of an excellent limitation
/ Il