The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-12-25


Day-Touch not tie Vine Cup--A Day Of
Thanksgioing-SdnM Claus Heard Them
Mixed aoiM the Fourth Of July-How to Basic
tie Turkey, Etc.
Merry Christmas"
"Oh, goody goody caught you first !"
Then another little trowsly head is seen at the
door A rush A scream" Christmas gift!
Oh isn't this fun? ?"
l suppose that similar happy salutations have
been heard by every reader of Home Circle"
this morning. Oh, what happy day How
many glad-hearled children there are in Florida
in the UniOn-in the world-tO-day SO many
little darlings. gladdened by the nice presents
left tor them by old Santa last night, while they
slept. And then-yes, Ills but too true-there
is another side of the picture-the dark side.
While we are surrounded by loved-ones and
peace and Happiness and plenty, there are thou
sands of Gods poor who have nothing-notlingt
No, not even ii crumb OF cake for Christmas.
To-day--,he birthday of Him who died that
we might be saved He who said: Suffer little
children to come unto Me, Tor of such is the
Kingdom of Heaven"-we should remember
the poor, and endeavor 10 brighten their usu-
ally dark and gloomy lives. Little bare feet
need covering Little cupboards need filling.
Little hearts need kind words. Many little
things that we could give, and not miss, would
brighten the lives of the poor and make the
Christmas a merry one to them. Help 20 make
it go Every act of kindness will find its re-
ward above.
How are you enjoying the day?
do hope that there are none among you who
are indulgiDg in the brimming bowl to-day,
or tempting others TO drink. Few men can re-
fuse wine when offered to them by fair hand,
even though they know that their appetite for
strong drink is such that one drink will but start
them off, and that they will keep at il until
beastly drunk. Oh, woman--in the name Of
heaven--do not tempt your gentlemen friends to
drink!
This should be an unusually happy Christ
mas to us who dwell in Florida. God, in his
infinite mercy, has at last stayed the hand OF
pcsilence, and has called off the demons who
have been reveling in a carnival of death in
some portions Of our dear State. This should be
day of thanksgiving. True. The recent cpl
demic held sway in but few towns, but what is
bv all, and we of the towns which escaped the
plagne. have that much more reason to be
thankful.
Verify, this Christmas day should be one of
Thanksgiving.
As write this letter this morning a half
dozen little ones ure swarming around me and
appealing to me TO decide whose doll is dressed
the prettiest or who has the incest collection of
presents "Oh, auntie" says little Tot, {" / des
! know old Santa heard me, for my doll is dwessed
! des like said wanted it," And all the others
wonder how old Santa knew 80 we'll just what
| they wanted.
| Innocent little darlings. how do love them
| and when they are happy around me 1t makes
| me happy also. How much j',y they do find in
Q simple new toyi What happiness few shil-
| lings expended In toys can bringI But those
hornd fire crackers declare they mar half
| the pleasure for me. Somehow l never feel
right TO hear the pop and phiz Of such things on
Christmas day. 1t seems 70 me 20 out OF place.
And catch myself wondering If it really u
Christmas, or whether, by some queer presto
move, the Fourth of July has come in the month
of December.
I cannot get myself In the proper frame te
write OF cookies or Of fancy work, or of fashions
to-day. Christmas Christmas ! Christmas
keeps running in my mind, and can think o.
nothing else. My little nieces are pleading with
mo 70 quit writing and join them in their sport
70 admire their now dolls; TO play their new
games With them. The boys vsns mo - %