davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

for everybody to Es4mprF9is he can. There
is scarcely need to tell that in the fatherland
OIL Christmas eve, houses everywhere have
the Christmas tree in the principal room.
The little people wait in an adjoining apart
ment till the signal is given for them to
enter where the tree is. Then what
rush and how. sweet picture. There
on long table in the middle of the room
stands the Chrlstmas%tree, every branch
gl1ttering with light tapers. FL sorts of
gifts and ornaments hang suspended in pro-
fusion from the branches of the tree. In
deed, there is an overflow on the table on
which the tree stands. Every present is
labelled with the name OF the donee to be-
The distribution is a succession of surprises
and a continuous joy. The custom now has
Il wider scope than when it originated, in
north Germany, of children making Christ
mas presents To their parents and to each
other, and parents to their children. In the
early days of this beautiful custom the
youngsters spent three or four months in
secret preparation. On the evening before
Christmas Day they lighted up the parlor,
permitted to go. A great yew
Dough had been FASTENED on the table, at
little distance from the wall. Many small
lighted tapers were fixed on the bough,
in such way IS not to burn it until nearly
consumed. Colored paper tutternd here
and there from the tWigS. Under the
bough the children laid out in great style
the presents intended for their parents.
but those FOL one an0.hcr they kept CON
cealed III their pockets. When the parents
came i'll each child presented his gift.
Then pockets were e!npted and brothers
and sisters exchanged gifts with kisses
and embraces. On Christmas day came
the turn of the parents, who laid out pres
ents for their children. A grave proceeding
accompanied the distribution; the mother
taking occasion 10 praise or rehUke her
daughters as their behavior for the year
justified, and the father J. s sons There
may be readers old enough to remember
when in North Germany the celebration
was as exactly us described In North
Germany too the custom was observed
long of sending the knecht Rupert with
presents for the children, effectually dis
gused in high boots, white robe. and mask
and an enormously large fiaXel4 wig. On
Christmas night this messenger went from
house 10 house, with toys for good children
and a rod for naughty ones. He was receiv-
cd With pomp and reverence by the elders,
and held in much fear by, say Il few, of
the children. The custom OF hanging up
the stocking for Christmas gifts originated
in Germany 1t was first observed on this
continent in the state of Pennsylvania,
where Kirsh-Kinkle descended with gifts
for all good children, and Pclsnichol with
the birch-rod for use on the persons of
naughty ones. In orr American way, we
ignore the terrible Pelsnichol altogether.
Tn Rome Christmas eve and Christmas
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

United States. The Calvinistic denomina-
tons are being gradually converted to the
usage of churchmen, Catholics. and Luth-
Grams, who have always made Christmas
time of worship and rejoicing. 1t is no
reflection upon the possibilities of Ameri
can resources and hospitality that no incon-
siderable number of our German and
Scandinavian citizens take a trip home for
the enjoyment of the festival
In hundreds of Swedish homes today the
-newconu2 from distant America tells his
kindred OF the great republic of the west,
the activities of which he will rejoin in
few weeks. Meanwhile he will make the
most of the feast he has gone home to en-
joy. III will be present at the distribution
of pr 9eAts on Christmas eve. when Ameri-
can prosperity will find affectionate and
generous expression. The song and dance
round the Christmas tree will revive the
recollections and pleasures Of his youth.
On Christmas morning he will be seen at
the . O'Clock service at the church, which
everybody attends who possibly can. Spe
cal music-the Lutherans love singing
and the organ-decorations and brilliant
illumination give distinction to the service,
perhaps above all in the year. The rest of
the day is sacred to family joys. On sub
sequent days neghbOrS exchange hOSpi-
tahties., Merry sleigh parties awaken ech-
oes IN the romantic and picturesque scenery
OF the country. Preliminary to these fes-
tivities great has been the preparation at
the farmnouses scattered here and there
In Scandinavian cities Christmas is cele-
brated with no less enjoyment than in the
country.
Comfortable little Denmark shares no less
in the wise foresight of Martin Luther,
whose IDEAS of reform were sufficiently lib
erai to enable him to see that departure
from the faith of his ancestors in what he
regarded as essential points of doctrine.
need not include the abolition of a festival
which is the most effective comment posi-
bic on the song of the angels: Peace and
good will to men
The Eastern church, that of holy Russia
and modern Greeks agreed with the west
ern. about $50 A. D., that Christmas day
should be on December 18th Its observ-
ance is associated chiefly with services at
church, special and splendid in character.
The stranger i'll a Russian church on such
an occasion is struck with the absence of
instrumental music; the merits of the vocal
music, which is comprehensive and eminent;
the magnificent appearance of the priests
in their gold embroidered robes; and the de-
voutness of the people. The geor-
geous ceremonial of the Greek
church is assisted in great measure by the
successive appearance and absence behind
a screen, of the officiating clergy. Superb
music IS assisted by the skil!ful use of the
churcl hc''s at appropriate times. Great
pro'tircnch is given in the ritual to the
le~di8g Of -, Bible, and pictures and bas-
relief figures Instruct a generally iiiiteri-te
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

CHRISTMAS GltT.
people in the faith. AS in the Roman, so
III the Greek church, at Christmas time the
manger, the hcly family, etc, are repre-
scented at large in some of the churches,
for the edification Of simple and devout
folks.
IN Roman Catholic countries provision is
made in galore for the midwinter festival
Should Christmas day fall on a Friday, the
fast day becomes Il feast day On Christ
mas eve, however, fresh meat is not eaten.
| Three services. one on Christmas eve. one
very early on Christmas morning, and the
third later III the forenoon, give the faith
| ful the opportunity of performing religious
duty.
Spain is the country of their 'AIost Christ
ian MajestiCs." According to the notions
Of the country, unmoCiiied by the prevalence
of travel, which is tending to make all
countries pretty much alike. those who
speak Spanish or Christians. Spanish
these simple souls The people are emil
nentiy deNout, and the three masses named
above are attended with Il subducd religious
feryor which the traveller is glad to note in
his book of observations. A Well-equippcd
writer describes the Christmas music in
Spanish cathedrals and churches as far
exceeding that OF Italy. He says no service
in Italy can compare with the solemn bursts
of music which follow the thrilling solos
sung in those old Spanish churches, where
the service of the orchestra. Not less
striking is the effect of the multitude of
yelled figures WI knee between the choir
and the altar The gravity of the Spanish
character is seen best in his conduct of
( the ceremonial of the church. He re-
sents the footballs of the stranger as an in
trusion and an impertinence. In Spanish
worship the rich and the poor meet to-
gether in republican simplicity kneeling on
the floor of 49, churches The women sit
en- the floor and when tired are not ex-
pected to kneel The men stand usually
when not required to kneel.
Madrid presents a lovely aspect in antic-
ipaton of Christmas Flocks of fat tur-
keys gobble about the streets for weeks
before hand. Shows of meat and vegeta-
bles remind one of England in their pro
| fusion, and grapes, pomegranates and
oranges Of sunny skies. Stalls are loaded
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

family gatherings and the interchange of
gifts the innocent and noisy mrth OF
childhood, abundance and the endowment
of good eating and drinking, fun and frol-
&c, music, dancing, the theater, and all the
pleasantest things imaginable Of indoor
enjoyment. The pen fingers lovingly over
the survey
Ages before the birth of Christ q mid
winter festival was celebrated in various
countries. A quaint writer speaks of this
festival as carrying the mind back to the
golden age until we stumble against the
tower of Babel or are stopped by the
Prov or the ark, and then decline going
any farther" The Roman Satlrnalia was
a December feast during which masters
waited on their slaves and permitted
themselves to he sport for those articles
of property. Early in the history of the
Christian church existent feaSts were
adopted by the young organization. When
temples were transformed into churches
and the statues OF gods renamed after
saints, it was 4 convenient thing to con
tinue heather feaStS as Christian foSti-
walls; and this was done Tine Sdtu1ralia
was converted into Christmas. Wreaths
and @allands Formerly used in heather
Worship became symbols OF Christian re-
jOicin@.
III ilotlffrn europe ne Gliin dtNl t5ilitNt-
" feast of the SCandnavianS i'll which
they drank ale out of the skulls Of their
enemies, developed. under Christian in
fiuenceS. into celebrations. coarse indeed
in their abundance and gross excuses,
but gentle III the comparison. The Brit
OnS We're converted to Christianity III
earlier times, and the niistietoe Of the
DruidS retained its hon0red place in the
new festival Of Christmas.
The research of the antiquary has prov
ed unequal TO the discovery when the mis-
tletoe was first used for ornamental and
festival purposes. Ii was thus employed
by the Greeks an, Romans i'll the antique
days. and by the Druids and Celtic ma
tons. who attached religious Importance
to the plant Odd. growing out of an oak
or other tree to which its appearance III
iicates no relationship, and beautiful in
its glossy leaves and tiny shapely globes,
mistletoe has been an object of admiration
from time immcmOrial. As late rs the
seventeenth century superstition found in
g niece of the plant worn around the neck
q safeguard against witches. IL these de-
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27
CHRISTMAS ON A RED RIVER PLANTATION.

The first indication OF the annual return of
this season of hilarty is hog killing time. This
comes early or late, according to frost. but
from that time on-be it late or early-ttere
is more work in the darkes. no more study
in white children. no more picking up chips and
minding the baby in picaninuies. They have
"Christmas in de bones!'
The darkies begin TO save up eggs and nuts.
70 make persimmon beer and to watch for the
latest possum haunts in the bottom, while
The children black and white begin to save
up hog bladderS inflated and dried. for a can
nonnde before the big house door at daybreak
Christmas morning.
The cotton is nearly all picked. only scrappy
remnants - it whitenS here and there over the
brown field of stalks. Great stacks of it arg
heaped about the barn doors. and the old gin
sings and groans, and creaks and fuses. from
sunrise to sunset. like some huge. greedy mon
ster trying to eat up years rations in q day
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27
PRICE 5 CENT s

and many wonderful consequences are said
to have been due to its appearances at the
proper festival. The Italians nave a good
tine at Christmas, but the carnival exceeds
it as Il period of merriment and abandon
France and Italy share the disgrace. for
which France is more largely responsible,
of certain scandalous Christmas usages,
one of the Feast of Fools, and the other
the Feast of Asses. The latter was cele-
brated at Rouen chiefly. 1t COM
memorated the flight into Egypt A
young woman carrying a child rode an ass.
followed by the bishop and clergy into
church. where a sermon was preached.
The practice was abolished by decree
in the fifteenth century. The Feast OF
Fools, which resembled the Saturnala If
ancient Rome i'll some of its features
lasted from Christmas to the last Sunday Of
the Epiphany. Originally young boys and
sarcristans on.y had part in it, but later
all inferior servants of the church assisted
in its chief Junction. which was the cleo
ton of Il boy bishop from among their num-
Der, the bishop and superior clergy form
ing the audience. The bishop-elect was con-
secrated with burlesque ceremonial Then
a mass was said. Afterwards masks and
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

POPES FAMOUS
TINS KIND were shaped like manger, as were
tne !uie cakes given by bakers to their Gus
toners. The first mention of plum pudding
IS III 1919. Its predecessor was plum-por-
ridge, horrible decoction. indeed. This
was the celebrated predecessor Of the de
hclouS pudding which yankee ingenuity
turns out by the ton with the aid of ma
chlnery. 1t was served with the first course
OF the English dinner. It's stock" was beef
or mutton broth This was thckcned with
brown bread. When half boiled rasins,
currants' prunes; cloves, mace and ginger
odd compound was served with Che best
meats Peacocks and cranes were dishes
at old English Christmas feasts
The splendid bird first named was
slammed very carefully before being
roasted, not feather discomposed.
After the cook had done with him his
skin was replaced, and he appeared in his
natural glory at the table. with Il @ilded
heaE to assist nature, as it were. Some
times he figured il pie the lovely pluncs
OF ms head emerging from an end of the
dish. and the mdgniiicenre Of his tail from
the other. When in HI. Henry, II and
his court ate theft Christmas dinner
in Dublin, the Pat of those days laughed
to see the English eat cranes as we'll he
might. This is a Christmas dish of the
same period: Almond milk, the
s spices Oh chickens Spo"S' pa rbehe and
chopped, sometimes with the addition of
fat From Henry Wits time until to-
ward the end of the seventeenth century,
bears head was a great dish on Christmas
day, served with professional honors and
much mustard. Drawn, prepared from
swine's flesh and with abundant condimen-
tary mustard. was also indispensable to the
perfect Christmas dinner.
The Puritan hated Christ and
de creed its adjustment. Their
days passed, but Christmas sur
vved not less vigorous because some of its
excuses had been abatcd by puritanica OPP
position. Royalsts settling in Virginia
brought Christmas customs with them. as
matter OF course. Equally as IL matter
of course, the Massachusetts Puritans re-
pudiated an institution which was half
popish and half heathensh in their esti-
nation. Now, it is safe to affirm,
Christmas is observed generally in the
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

DISCUSSES were assumed, and songs and
dances said to have been, some OF them, OIL
an indecent character, were INDUCED III 70
the prescribed time. Some features OIL
this feast are preserved In the carnival.
An Abbot of Unreason had placed IN the
Christmas festivities of Scotland. In 1853
his duties were ended by act of parhament.
The religious French keep Christmas with
pious loyalty. In the Tudor period OF
English. hiStor, when was the Jolllest oo-
servantf Of the festival, France resembled
England III tie heal tiness with which it
was enjoyed. 1t is noteworthy that the
,nstletoe is the sign of a tavern IN parts
of Brittany. In Normandy there was a
custom, and probably still is, of the chill
dreu assembling on Christmas eve. lighting
ing and singing. The torches were sprinkled
with holy water to be kept the. whole
year through. In the event of thunder
storm they were lighted as a sure protec-
ton against the destruction wrought by
lightning German Catholics along the
Rhine INDUCED in the same faith, and
there is no record of its having been a.
failure.
Christmas is the festival combining most
successfully the indulgence o. the social
with the religious impulses of human na-
turc. Its observance continues to gam on
the misrepresentation which aimed at blot
ting it out of the church calendar. The
unbelicyer loves Christmas for its good
cheer and s0cability. though he ignores its
religious character; nat that Christian is
not to be found VINO enjoys the festival
the less because it possesses 50 much of
good cheer and good fellowship. There is
good reason indeed why everybody should
love Christmas; and the writer puts down
his pen in sure and certain expectation of Il
general response 10 his cordial wish that
every reader may enjoy a merry Christ
mas and a happy New Year
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

where they readily terminate and take
root So much for the genesis OF the mis-
tletoe as we hope to find it in our CHRIST
mas rejoicings-a mighty prosy 81 % as
compared with that of the whiHsSoed
Druid, cutting the sacred pla$t' from
its fostering oak with his golden
knife. and the solemn accompaniment Of
sacrifice of which VIE used to read in our
school days.
'N.errie England is still prominently
the Christmas-keeping country. The hol-
idays there means Christmas, Trains are
loaded in every direction with people. go
ing home to enjoy the festival, and freight
and baggage ears to an incredible numr4s'
are choked to the doors with good things
to eat and drink in tranitu. Churches,
stores. and dwellings, are decorated with red
berried holly and mistletoe, yew and flr and
other decorative sprays and branches, light
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

~ NE thinks of Christmas in variety
4 of ways and all of them give us
EpIeasure or instruction. Christmas
| Emarks the turning point in the his
" tory of the world. The Christian
dwells upon this great historic
fact 1t comes, too. just after the shortest
day of the year, when the gloomiest Pc
ROD of winter is past and the future IS
bright with expectation. Then, in all the
leading countries of the world, Christmas
is the festival which is most enjoyed by
the plain people, as good Abraham
Lincoln was wont to call them. It's name
suggests hospitality, good feeling, kind
ness TO the poor, and TO the servceable
n fhs>~ shape of Christmas boxes, sweet
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

CHRISTMAS WOESHTPPERS
generate days Of matter of fact and dollar
making, mistletoe is bought by the cart
load in the New York market. LlIXul-
ating in the kiss which its overhanging
presence warrants, the young American
has no sordid Thought Of the power OF
its getting where he delights to ind it;
bat we read that the thrifty Norman peas
art bruises the berries, and by means OF
their Fiscidity causes tlrem to adhere TO
the bark OF apple and other fruit trees,
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

rn;pe are ushered in with solemn rehs-
mof tinn than I his fellow-Catholic observes
t fp,sa1o The churches are beautifully deco
r at N AN Snajn the people worship kneelin!g
s Aa or sitting on the floor figures IL
Illustrating the nativity are not p 'neoiI has
;ons services, which, as before remarked
t 1Ho' I+aI;,n seems to regard with less ven
,me ' image of the Saviour of the world.
Wrought by an angel from heaven. This Is
an object of devout attention at Christmas,
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

strange star in the east; but palatial merri-
mcnt in modern England is proper to the re-
tincment of the age, and the widowed con-
dition of d pious queen. The long parlia-
nent dealt heavy blows at Christmas jolli-
ty, from which it has never recovered.
From the days of the Saxon kings until
towards the end of the seventeenth cen
tury the court was the center Of Christmas
hospitality and rcvery. During centuries
of Christmases the lord of misrule welded
1lproarouS power for twelve days; and the
The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-27

The negroes sing, too, and laugh and Joke
and play hockey. When 10 should be killing
notatoos he is leaning on his hoe making bets
with his neghbor as to who will catch the
others Chris mus Gil ; and when Ben is pre-
sumably hunting the cows, he is loatinG under
the big bare o+ks III the bottom singing:
"Chris'mus comes put onct year,
Oh hi. no my honey
Every Niger wants his shear (share),
Oh Ill., no my honey!
The old apple house on the side Of the Hill
is full of winter apples and the cider press il
CONTINUED First Column Third Pags.l
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-24
| | | ' | / /
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The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-04-14

The loss Of nine lives in Boston har-
Dor is by no means the first tragedy of
what has come to be known as the
drowning season, but it is one of the
most pitable affairs of tie kind ever
told by the wires. As in the case Of
the disaster at New Haven on Satnr-
day, in which three lives were lost,
this latter catastrophe was due to the
capsizing Of boat having but a sin
gle sail. 1t does not follow that boats
of this character are less secure than
others; but the two tragedies happen
ing so close together, on the threshold
6f the boating season, may point their
own moral, with an added emphasis
which may not be wholly lost on those
who venture into such frail crafts,
very often without the slightest ex-
perience in their management.
The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-04-14

The German Kaiser has kept pretty
quiet for about month past, or at
least there have not been any reports
OF his indulging in that wild kind Of
talk with which he agitated his sub
jects last January and February. He
has found out within short time that
even he cannot say everything he
thinks, and that, though he is quite
powerful, there are limits to his au.
thority. The German people have
given him to understand that he had
better not go too far, and that he must
curb his tongue if he would keep his
throne. It would not be surprising
however, to see him break ont again
at any time.
The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-04-14
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