The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-12-15
THE HOLIDAYS
OF To-day and Those of the Dreamy
Past.

Another Christmas is near at
hand, and to the writer one of
many, must confess its return is
always welcome. Its enjoyments
of late years could not be such as
in days 81 wore when youth lntensi-
fed everything Of a social character,
| still we bid it welcome, because it
brings Joy to the hearts OF so many
and too, it furnishes us with de-
hghtfal vehicle to travel back among
scenes and pleasures closely akin to
their own realities. All know of
the hilarties of the holidays Of
the present but only the few now
know how they were kept in the ex-
tnet past, where memories are
prone to go free.
A few incidents of such may in
terest some of your readers and en-
able them to associate the past and
present and compare the two if
they will.
In those good old times there was
just as much anxiety and longing
for the coming Of Xmas as now, but
everything was on smaller, simpler
and cheaper scale than now, when
preparations are by far more elabor-
ate, snowy and expensive, still
not so hearty and sincere as afore-
time. Now presents mostly costly
are the main feature of the Holt
days. Many for mere FORMS sake, or
to requit some former obligation or
favor, or perhaps to induce another
present IN return of greater value.
Presents in those DAYS were COM
mon, but plain and simple as well
as in point. Persons often ehal-
lenged each other for Xmas gift,
and the one who spoke first was en-
titled and generally received it, be
it ever so small Some times it
would be treat at a tavern bar if
one shoald be convenient.
Once a neighbor boy solicited a
gift from Mr. Geo. Bruce. The
modest boy was asked what it
should be. Reply piece of @heat
bread as such bread in those times
was rare. Wheaton -four was re-
served for holidays, and pies, etc.
Rye, backwheat and corn were the
staples.
But the main Features of the Holt
days, festivities were slelghing and
balls at the many hotels along the
National road. Deep SHOWS then
covered the ground during all the
winter months and the sleighing
upon the ola pixies was superb and
enjoyed to the utmost. Most of
the Young men could sport sleigh
and horse. Some times great CON
vows of them would move together,
and it can be easily imagined how
joyful the sport was, but the poor
horses had to suffer from fast drlv-
ing and excessive cold, bat still
they bore it without much injury.
Balls were very frequent an6
unanimously attended by we'll be-
haved and we'll dressed Young ladies
and men. Occasionally tins writer
looked on. We recall having made
the acquaintance on such occasions
of two very prominent young men
from Cumberland: p. Roman and
NJ. Topham Evans, both LAWYERS of
fine talents. Indeed Cumberland
ers often patronized mountain balls.
An amusing occurrence is re-
called as of a Christmas eve. A
large party gaily equipped with
sleighs and sleds were on their way
to a ball to celebrate the occasion.
\ The musician, the faithful old
colored man of Mr.. Truman FAIR
all was seated at the tail end of a
two horse sled with the tuhefdl fid-
1 ale at his side. The team next in
rear was pushed to the utmost, and
one of the goaded horses planted a
\ foot upon the instrument that was
soon to make merry an anxious
crowd. You can easily imagine
what befell the fiddle and what was
the feeling of the crowd go bent on
enjoyment. There was no music,
dancing or waltzine, that night.
Some hard cursing no doubt.
Bat there was no class of people
who so much enjoyed the holiday
season as the colored folks, espee.
rally the slaves. To them Christ
mas never came often or speedily
enough. The anxiety for its APP
prosch was almost unbearable.
When it did come their enjoyments
were a source OF real pleasure to
the whites to see the negroes in the
extries of their amusements, which
usually lasted a week or more. One
good old master (Jesse Tomlinson)
had a custom of giving his fsvorite
Ephrsin as long as a good stoat
|, back log would last in the old time
q chimney in his little log house.
d The old master was always solicitors