Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-21

Gseeu md usual Christmas holly. with its
shining red berries, contrasting 0ncly with
the white posts and walls. In the centre
81 circle formed By ths different tabItaux
stood coptpicuously two large platforms:
The 6rst one was occupied bf o full.drcssed
wedding party; the other the reception.
room proper Of the dolls. Who OF US "
not interested In q marriage! Therefore
TO crafty the curiosity Of the little girls
(the big ones, too, might be safely added
who missed seeing Il, more than hurried
glance Is due this particular scene.
The floor and pulpit platform were COW
cred with white, as 10 usual. The preacher,
dressed IN q most clerical suit OF black,
seemed TO fully appreciate the responsibility
resting upon him. The four bridesmaids,
dressed in trailing robes and flowing rib
bons, looked, az was said by one standing
near, az II they were up TO all the fun and
alive 10 all the chances OF having good
time, Just as any sure-enough girls would
have been. The glory OF all OF these. how
ever, was dimmcd IN measure by the pres.
ence OF the central figures OF bride and
groom. One young lady, after critl.
cslly viewing the entire "getup"
Of the bride, remarked, with a deep
drawn sigh: "Oh. II when am
married my train will only hang In such
graceful folds as that The dress was Of
white satin. with the customary flowers
and veil enveIoping the entire figure. The
groom was study. He wore the conven-
t!onal dress-suit, and his face, turned par
tally towards the bride, betrayed the hap
pines one would naturally expect but
some girl surely no man would have done
~, with an eve more TO business than TO
sentiment, had marked in big, clear letters,
and pinned in CONSPICUOUS place on his
coat the single word, Sold.
Among the most original tableauN was,
first I'm order, the "Sick Child" There
Law the poor little thing in its bed, with
ewes bali. closed and It's face flushed with
fever, the doctor, q benign.looking old fel-
low In spectacles, feeling its pulse, and the
faithful nurse standing TO lend her assist
ance; for the mother, rendered incapable
from excessive grief, was sitting in big
chair with her face buried in her handker-
chief, which bad 10 be constantly removed
In order that the little one might
be satisfied as 10 whether she was actually
crying. Next in order was kitchen,
which would do credit TO any welI-reg,i-
lated household. As one stood before the
stove and watched the knowing look OF the
old woman IN charge OF the culinary de-
partment, he became fully prepared for
the dellcacles spread ont upon the table.
which, with is eight hlppy-looking dolls,
formed the next tableau-the Xmas
Dinner. The village school might
be mentioned a. the most unique
In cOnccption-from the school mistress,
whose stern, Incorporating look OF Ji''
tice was made 10 seem even more severe 10y
the long rod she held, down TO the naughty
scholar, who was at once recognized by
eveiy boy and girl, eating her lunch during
school hours, shielded by her big atlas
placed so as 10 conceal II, and producing
the impression that she was hard mt work
map.druwing. The young ladies deserve
great credit in getting up 80 charming an
entertainment, and, with the more substan'
tial things served In their restaurant, II l.
10 be hoped they were tinanci lily rewarded.
II somebody had not said that truth Is
stranger than fiction, should scarcely dare
make the following statement, which,
though ii seems most improbable. is verb
table fact certain young society man,
who, among other things, Is noted Tor his
dreamy, far.away look. has been for a iong
time frequent visitor at the house OF a
rare and radiant maiden, to whom he Is
strongly attached. A few evenings
ago. while on his way TO call on
arOlher Young lady il CHANGED thd
he had to pass his sweetheart's house.
| nthil kingly, he asceuded the steps, pulled
the bell.bande, and did not realize that his
destination had moi been reached until the
servant opened the door and sand, Walk
~" "0h. didn't intend to come here.
Please don't say that | called" be SIAM
m,rcd ont, and as the servant grlnued he
buried ingloriously down the steps and
plunged into the darkness to cover his con.
fusion. ALLY -. MEACER.