Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-01-01
AN OLD-TIME CHRISTMAS.

think Christmas is about used up!"
"Why, Vic, what wicked thing to
say!" and her sister Bell stopped. quite
startled, in the centre of the room.
mot the day itself or the event IL
commentaries. of course, so don't look
so frightened. Bell. | mean our man.
ner of celebrating il. We work for
weeks preparing for the grand holiday,
and when il comes it always falls below
our expectations. Stockings and Christ
mas trees have lost their charms, and
| think that after we have ceased 10 be
children the 25th of December IL u dis
appointing day"
"But what could we dop" asked Bell.
II would like to see the real old Christ
mas customs reviyed-the wassail bowl,
the boar's head, and the waits singing
from door to door. Then the holidays
were merry in deed and name;" and
Victoria's eyes sparkled.
"Not bad idea, my Early English
maidcn,r laughed hearty voice, and
both girls turned to welcome CHEEKY
faced old gentleman with soft, snowy
hair.
II did not know. grandpa. that any one
was listening said Victoria, with a
blush.
But think with you, my dear, that
familiarity has made balls and sugar
plums triflc flat. stale, and unproiit-
able. Perhaps, with your assistance,
we can make change this year, and
even in this nineteenth century have a
sort Of old-time Christmas at Hollywood. "
"Oh, that will be charming" cried
Victoria, beginning ut once 10 ransack
the library for any book that might give
suggestions.
Hollywood was delightful old man
sion not many miles from New York,
and in days gone by had sheltered q
myriad happy boys and girls, but one by
one the birds had flown from the home
nest, until only father and mother
Houghton and the youngest son remain
cd beneath the quaint gable roof; and
soon now Archie, this last child, was to
say farewell, and GO TO seek his fortune
in PARKWAY Japan. But Christmas was
time of reunion, when children and
grandchildren came to spend the happy,
| holy season with .'the old folks mt
home" and was the "red-lctter day" of
the whole year in the history of Holly
wood
This year the day before Christmas
was the coolest of the season, but not
one was missing from the bevy of couis-
ms that gathered about dusk in the
Grand Central Depot, from Dick Bart
lett, young collegian, down to baby
Ellis, Growing and capering in his
nurses arms. There were eight Hough-
J tons. five Bartlett :, three Ellises. and
one Hastings. who with parents and at
PENDANTS trooped gaily into the warm
car and were whrlcd away to the little
station nearest TO Hollywood.
An omnibus sleigh is in waiting, and,
well tucked up in furs, all are packed in,
and dash off up the winding road to tho
old homestead, from which many lights
are twinkling welcome, while the boys
shout at the top of their lusty young
lungs "A Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year"
Victoria, assisted by grandpa and Bell,
has done her work well. From the mo-
ment of their their arrival the new COM
ers meet with series of surprises.
Scarcely are greetings exchanged and
wraps laid away before loud-voiced
bell summons them to the dining-room.
The long table seems fairly grooming be-
meath its weight of good cheer. every
thing being set on together, rs in in the
simple old days, and there are several
dishes which none of them has ever
seen or tasted
Before grandpa stands a tureen of
plum porridge, while grandma's end OF
the board is adorned with with IN enor-
nous christmas pye." shaped like a
Manager. and filled with composition Of
cows tongues. geese eggs, sugar, rails
ms, lemon and orange peel, according to
very ancient and famous recipe. But
what please the children most are the
little Yule-doughS. or baby cakes
quaint little images made of paste and
baked fine light brown; and they have
great sport over these old-time Christ
mas dolls.
"Where are the boys?" asks Gladys
Ellis. suddenly missing her brothers and
boy cousins.
But at that moment the shrill notes of
fife are heard. the door is thrown open,
and in come the lads in procession, led
by Dick. bearing a platter on which
rests the crown of the Christmas feast,
namely. the boar's head (although it
bears striking resemblance to a fat
pig), decked with ribbons and garlands,
a lemon in its mouth, and rosemary in
its ears. This with great ceremony they
set upon the table, singing meanwhile:
THE Bears head in hand bring |,
With garlands gay and rosemary.
lpray you all synge merrily
QUi estis ia cOnUiyi0."
This is received with great applause,
md amidst the clapping of hands, the
boys take their seats at the bounteous
board.
The Christmas-eve supper was eaten
with Jokes and laughter and fun, and
afterward they all assembled around the
glorious wood fire.
Then grandpa had his surprise. His
face was n study when, as Mrs. Hast
ings struck few chords on the piano,
there entered little Dolly Houghton and
Max Ellis dressed like lady and gentle
man of the dnctcn regime, in ruff and
farthngalc, thrce-cornered hat and high
heeled shoes. They took their places on
the polished floor, saluted their hosts,
and with amusing dignity commenced
the first stately steps of the n,tnuet de
| la cour.
II was indeed charming picture, and
| the dainty little pair went through the
difficult dance with perfect accuracy.
Such high steps and glisSades, such deep
courtesies and courtly bows, such rev.
erence on the part of the gentleman, and
such gentle condescension from the little
lady! How deity Max hoped on one
foot and clapped his wooden heels to-
o,ether and how couuettishlv wee Dolly