Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-21
CHRISTMAS AT HAND.
Preparations for the Joyous Day by
the little Ones.

Preparations for the Joyous Day by
the Little Ones.
You, ole Santa Claus, you jes cum
down of dat chImply an gimme dem
Christmas tings."
A group of ragged little darkies was
Iooking up at the relocated and gray
whiskered old st. Nicholas that has wealth
cred dozen Chrlstmases on the top OF the
chimney OF Meyers toy store, at Whitaker
and President streets. yesterday morning.
The old man didn't "come down off dat
chimblt," cut he cast a sideways look at
the little ebony faced urchin as much as
to say, 81 won't forget YOU"
me anything but merry looking old
saint and his stuffed pack were gazed at
all day by little toddlers, who will have to
i've several years yet before they know
the true 1nWardness OF the Santa Claus
business.
The beginning of the week before Christ
mas was a busy one for everybody, but
the little ones were the busiest, and they
VIII be from now until after
they have gone through the long
stocking that will be hung up on Friday
night close by the side OF the chimney,
wnere Santa Claus or anybody else that
comes down can't help but see 1t, and
nave emptied it of the things that at any
other time Of the year would never get
into stocking.
The small boy has already begun
10 draw on his iron bank for nlckels
to buy poppers and torpedoes With,
and in the next few DAYS there will
be heavy draft on his exchequer. The
street corner fruit stands have biossomed
out with their Christmas stocks Of fire.
works, and the goat, dog or cat that is
not made target Of for the rest of the
week will have to rnost high.
The market dealers are beginning to
bring in Christmas evergrecns, and every
family that's to have Christmas tree will
be apt to smuggle it in the back way to
morrow or next day, and busy hands
will transform its rough branches Into
glittering arms laden with all sorts of
things On every side there Is preparation
Tor Christmas aud Christmas eve. There
are all sorts of legends and child
stories about the night before Christmas.
In Germany Christmas eve is the season
or all others when fairies are supposed to
be most active. Hence, on Christmas eve,
persons are recommended to stay at home.
because the fairies On this night delight to
Waylay the lonely traveller, conn polling him
to take draught OF Christmas cheer
from their enc. anted goblet,
Among the large class Of folk tales con-
nected with this superstition may be
quoted one which tells how, when a
Christmas feast was being given in q Ger
man village, one of the guests, attracted
ny the sound Of music from without, was
induced to leave the festive scene indoors
and to wander toward the spot where the
music seemed To come. He had, however,
not gone many steps when be was met
ny two beautiful girls, who asked him to
JOIN their Christmas gambOls in a neigh
boring Held, which, after d little perSua-
sion, he consented TO DO.
On arriving at the fairies gathering,
for such 1t was, he was surrounded by
numberless little beings all anxious to
welcome him. one OF whom handed him
cup OF Wine. after drinking which he for
got his former state and thought OF moth
ing except the feasting and dancing ofthe
fairies. When he had been ENJOYING
himself in this manner for soma time, the
fairies reminded him OF his own home;
but what was his astonishment when, on
passing through the village TO find every-
thing IN decay and all mis- relations and
friends dead, Tor the spell OF the fairies
cup had lasted 100 years.
Outside Of the stories which the nurses
tell. and which the child books contain,
Savannah children do not pin their faith
on fairy tales, although they, like all
children, love to listen to them. The
only fairies nowadays are the little tinsei
and gold-winGed figures in the toy win
dOws that the little girls rave over and
call dolls, and these seem to answer every
purpose.
In the churches preparations are going
on, and there will be the usual decorations
of evergreens and holiday flowers that
bloom so beautifully just now.
The season is one of gayety, and
everybody expects to enjoy it in
the spirit Of ''Peace on earth, good will
to men," The world itself keeps Christ
mas, has come to be altogether true. In
the next day or two 1t will have put on
Its Christmas dress, aud every body will
indulge i'll the seasons festivities. The
churches will throw open their doors TO
De festive in some way, and to rejoice
and bring happiness TO those 10 whom
happiness is stranger.