Smyrna times., 1893-12-27
Christmas, and its Incidents.

This has been a peculiar Christmas,
but none the less enjoyed perhaps on
that account. The peculiar feature
was the weather, more like May than
December. 1t had been warm for two
or three days, the mercury reaching up
into the sixties on Saturday and Sun
day, with dandaliOn here aud there
struggling into bloom, and Christmas
day the temperature being in the
vicinity of seventy. Overcoats were a
burden, but the fine weather was in
vlting for outdoor exercise, and there
was more than the usual amount of
riding and pTOmenading. Tuesday
morning, however brought decided
change and sent people again to the
freside.
Very early Monday morning, about
O'Clock few boys were out singing
and discharging firearms. Somewhere
about the same time, some one as if to
carry out the delusion that there was
snow, rode through the streets scatter
ing the sound of the merry jingle of
sleighbells. A little yOungster who
hasn't gotten beyond that pleasurable
myth of "Old Kriss" thought it was
the vertible old Elf himself coming
with his basket, and little Miss who
had also been awakened and was en-
joying to the fullest extent the same
thought, said "Oh papa, don't let him
know Pm awake"
From time immemOrial, it has been
the custom to hold a six o'clock meet
ing at the Methodist church, the sex
ton ringing the bell as Aurora threw
the hrst gray streaks across the East
ern sky. Pastor Stengle, to whom it
seemed to be somewhat of u new feat
ure, was surprised to find Cungrega-
tlon of possibly $50 people. A pleasant
hour of prayer and personal testimoney
was enjoyed by the attendants.
The balmy air called the people out
early and the streets were well filled
throughout the day. There was relig-
lous service only at the Episcopal and
Catholic churchs. The great featurewith
all was the Christmas dinner,and in this
particular thing, it was not unlike any
other year.
A crowd of small lads, who were
we'll remembered Ay old Kriss, in the
drum and tin whistle line if nothing
else formed band early in the morn.
ing and entertained the town until
near night fall by their discordant
music. There were about twenty in
number who formed and marched in
line, procociOus it may have been but
very initiative of their seniors in show
parades. They all strived to keep in
time but each one had different tune
the harmony of which can be better i'm
imagined than described.
When you see proud papa carry
ing a drum home. you can gamble on
1t that it's his first youngster.
Inc coIored bandcame out during the
DAY and gave some excellent music but
they remained very short time in
Smyrna, having had previous engage
ment to go to Clayton. They were fol.
lowed by a crowd to that place where
they spent part of the afternoon.
The Calef Comedy Co., had the
boards of the Opera House for the
evening. What was expected in secur.
ing them by the Athletic Association
was the Calef Company that was here
last winter, but it turned out that this
company had but one member of the
former In 1t, the pianist. 1t was evi.
dent from the first that it was what is
called "snide" concern, without char.
acter Or ability, and to make matters
worse, the man who took the LEADING
place was intoxicated and behaved in
a maudlin, incOherent wav. About
half the audience got up and left the
mouse IN the second act, and it is gen
orally spoken of as one of the biggest
sells that ever came to town. Tbev
were engaged for two nights, but the
athletic management summarily dis
missed them and made an apology TO
the audience for the sell.
The entertainments throughout the
season have heretofore been good the
most of them excellent: for Miss Sara
JeHerls elocutionary entertainment
New Years night, $50 tickets have
been already sold. She is we'll known
and there COULD be- no hetter evidence
OF appreciation of merited talent.
1t would hardly be Christmas with.
out acertain class indulglng excessively
IN intoxicants, but we are pleased ~
say, at least that was our observation
that this number was comparativeIv
small as compared with former wears
And not much of this was seen outside
OF the back yard at the saloon. Con.
slderlng that our business men sneak
well OF the week, we may saw. In Look
Ing back at it, that it has been a first
class Christmas.