The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-17
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS.
The Country Store Keepers Holt
day Trade Described.
DELIGHTFUL TRIP TO TIE WOODS

For nIistIetoe, Holly. Cedar and
There Ferns, Moses and
Berries are Gathered for wreathes,
Stars and Anohors..church Dccora.
tors. KitohOn Industry = Crullers,
Doughnuts and Pies
[coFEMsa7, lsa2, by CHRISTINE rENnuxE MN.
RlcE.l
The preparations for Christmas go on
no less vigorously in the country than
they do in town, but they are less evil
dent there. True, the country store
keeper" may offer collection Of novel
ties that arc in reality the antiquities
OF last season and of shops in town, and
he will undoubtedly lay in a double
supply OF candies and other goodies.
But nearly every ono goes or sends to
the city for gifts, and chlldren's toys,
psrfumery, startling novelties. and gay
handkerchiefs are about the only pres
ents that can be found at the real coun-
try 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 flr.trees, for branches OF
hemlock, cedar, and pine. In some
lucky nelghborhooda the holly grows,
and sometimes the mistletoe, with its
mystic, poetical associations, is to be
found. In the depths of the woods
are sheltered spots whore hardy ferns
and moses are still green, while the
scarlet berries Of the dogwood, and the
burning-bush, and the red-and-yellow
fruit Of the bitter.sweet will do their
part in making the decorations gay.
Sothe children and youths bring in
all they can, and cheerfully prick their
fingers and give Themselves backaches
weaving their greens 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 tho usually
staid aspect OF the chambers, and give q
fresh assurance to every eye that Christ
mas has como.
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 professional decorators. In the
country it 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 rs much enthusiasm
Us attended, in old times, tho bringing
in OF the Yule long.
KITCHEN AND HOUSE ACTIVITY.
It is not only in the decoration de-
partment that there are great labors on
foot the day before Christmas. The
kitchen is veritable hive Of industry.
The mince meat has been prepared days
ago, and has been ripening in great
stone crock in the cellar, but to-day the
pies arc to be made-pies OF many kinds,
us BELTS an American household;
Crullers and doughnuts are to be mixed
and fried, cranberry sauce TO be COM
pounded, the materials for the plum
pudding to be prepared, cakes, jellies,
blanc-manges, tarts, and other goodies
brought to a 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 tomorrow, 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
restrictions Ibid unnE nearly every
member Of the family concerning his or
her free access to some part OF the
house. The eldest boy, whose chief de-
sire for months has been a bicycle, IS
warned to give the woodshed o wide
berth. The closet in the guest chamber
is forbidden ground to the mother,
while mono OF the children are allowed
to 90 near tho linen closet, where
mamma has stored her gifts.
Everything in the house is in a state
of shining cleanliness by tho time the
day falls. Perhaps there is touch OF
superstition in tho housewifery which
ordains that there shall be no dust or
untidyness in the house when tits made
ready for the coming OF the Christ
Child, but it is harmless aud helpful
fancy, and lends thoroughness as we'll
as touch OF sacredness to the strokes
OF broom and buster.
The house is fragrant with the odors
Of spruce and pine, and looks q very
bowor OF greenery by the time that the
tinkle of tho slcigh-bells. or more prob
ably tho rattle OF tho wheels-tor in
these degenerate days snow does not al
ways come for Christmas-announces
the arrival OF the guests.
CITY VISITORS AND MERRTMENT.
From the city come the scattered
mcmbers of tho flock, who would travel
any distance sooner than miss assem-.
bling for Christmas under the homo
roof tree. They come with laden arms
and gay greetings, bringing in n rush OF
cold air and fresh influx OF the Christ
mas spirit. They arc full OF stories
about the trip in the train, Of the coun-
try people and their parcels, Of the
children going home to grandtather's
for Christmas, Of the parties OF young
people eager for days skating or