The record-union., 1892-12-17


The preparations for Christmas go on
no less vigorously in the country than
they do in town, but they are less evident
there. True, the country ''storekeeper''
may offer collection of novelties that
are in reality The antiquities of last sea-
son and of shops in town, and he will I'M
doubleday lay in a double supply of can
dies and other goodies. But nearly every
one goes or sends to the city for gifts. and
children's toys. perfumery, startling
novelties and gay handkerchiefs are
about the only presents that can be found
at the real country store
Nevertheless the spirit of Christmas is
abroad there as well as in town.
IN WOODS AND CHURCH.
There are great expeditions to the
woods for running cedar or ground pine.
for spruce and fir-trees, for branches of
hemlock, cedar and pine. In some lucky
neighborhoods the holly grows, and some
times mistletoe, with its mystic, poetical
associations, is to be found. In the DEPTHS
of the woods are sheltered spots where
hardy ferns and MOSES are still green,
while the scarlet berries of the lockwood
and the burning-bush, and the red and
yellow fruit Of the btter-sweet will 40
their part in making the decorations
gay.
SO the children and youths bring in all
they can, and cheerfully prick their
fingers and give themselves backaches
weaving their green's into wreaths and
stars and anchors and long garlands. and
then putting these around the room.
over windows and doors, about pictures
and ornaments, wherever they can
brighten or tighten the usually staid
aspect of the chambers, and give a fresh
assurance to every eye that Christmas
| has come.
Often the little church must be adorned
for the great feast day, and this cannot be
done, as in the city, by hands of paid pro
1essional decorators. In the country il
must be labor of love, and busy hands
must work early and late to make the
trimming of the church all they would
have it.
Then, too, the day before Christmas the
Christmas tree-chosen and marked long
before-must be cut and carried home
with almost as much enthusiasm as at,
tended, in old times, the bringing in of
the Nule log.
KITCHEN AND HOUSE ACTIVITY,
1t is not only in the decoration DEPART
ment that there are great labors on foot
the day before Christmas. The kitchen
v. L
meat has been prepared days ago, and has
been ripening in a great stone crock in
the cellar, but to-day the pies are to be
made-pies OF many kinds, as BELTS an
American household. Crullers and
doughnuts are to be mixed and fried
cranberry sauce to be compounded, the
materials for the plum-puddine to be pre-
pared, cakes, jellies, blanc manges, tarts.
and other goodies brought to state of
perfection.
1t is not possible to send out here, as in
town, and repair deficiencies in the larder
at the last moment. Everything must be
in hand that will be needed. and that
there may be not too much to do to-mor-
row. the turkey, and the chickens for
broiling or frying or for chicken-pie,
must be picked and dressed The house
is full of all sorts of good smells.
Outside OF the kitchen there is an air of
subdued mystery. There have been re-
strictlons laid upon nearly every member
of the family concerning his or her free
access to some part of the house. The
eldest boy, whose chief desire for months
has been bicycle, is warned to give the
woodshed a wide berth. The closet in
the guest cham Der is forbidden ground ~
the mother, while none Of the children
are allowed to go near the linen-cIosat
where mamma has stored her gifts.
Everything in the house is in a state of
shining cleanliness by the time the dav
falls. Perhaps there is a touch of super
stition in the housewifery which ordains
that there shall be no dust or untidiness
in the house when it is made ready for
the coming of the Christ-Child. hut il is a
harmless and helpful fancy, and lends
thoroughness as well as touch of sacred
ness to the strokes of broom and buster.
The house is fragrant with odors of
spruce and pine, and looks very bower
of greenery by the time that the tinIle Of
the sleigh-bells, or more probably the
rattle OF the wheels-for in these deren-
crate days snow does not always come for
Christmas-announces the arrival of the
guests.
CITY VISITORS AND MERRIMFNT.
From the city come the scattered men,
bers Of the flock, who would travel anv
distance sooner than missing assembling
for Christmas under the home roof-tree,
They come with laden arms and cav
greetings. bringing in rush of cold air
and fresh influx of the Christmas spirit.
They are full of stories about the trip in
the train, OF the country people and their