Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-24

20, there are juba dances, and the Few re-
naming old plantation negroes are IN
the seventh heaven Of delight. Occasion
ally Campbellite preachers celebrate the
day in baptizing new converts.
A story told by Mr. Asher g. Caruth IS
worth repeating here. 1t was before the
war. A negro preacher had been holding
n powerful revival meeting. Many
negroes. some bad and others worse, had
been converted. All were to be baptized
on Christmas-Day. The imme rsion ~as in
Blue Lick creek. Several women had been
baptized, when "A tall, powerful EthlOp
was led into the stream by the officiating
clergyman. He seemed to be afraid OF
the creek. The preacher led him out
where the water nearly reached his arm
pits. After repeating the usual formula
he endeavored TO immerse him The
frightened convert slipped from him and
went down the stream. The current was
quite strong After a good deal OF splut-
tering and splashinR ne managed to reach
the opposite shore. There he climbed upon
a worm fence, surrounded by sympa-
thetc crowd, and sat shivering in the
sunlight Recovering his breath he gasped
out To those around him, Some Kentucky
gemmen is done gwlne 10 lose a niSger,
VII such foolishness as dis fore long
In John Aliens district the day Is
roast possum and baked weet-potatoes.
Squirrel pies are also served, and tho
turkey is not forgotten. John says that
they prefer dry turkey. Turkeys unlike
all Mississppians, are not always dry.
They frequently stun them with stale
bread, chestnuts. and sweet acorns Mr..
Allen says he objects to the acOrns. lie
ate a turkey once that was stuffed with
acorns from what he calls Barley oak.
The flavor was little too delicate. IL
left a bitter taste In the mouth which
quarts Of persimmon wine failed to wash
away.
In lower Mississippi in the district
represented by the Hon. Thomas Il. stock
tale, the Wild turkeys are usually stuned
Eph oysters. These shell hsh come from
Mississippi Sound. AMI are said to be the
most delicious in flavor OF any on tho
American coast
In Mobile and New orleans there is a
gorgeous Mardi-Gras display. The Mystic
Krewe. the Cowbellians. and the
Twelfth Night Rcvellers are out In pa
rade. and the whole city Is filled with
enthusiasm. The hre-cracker comes into
play. sky-rockets climb the heavens at
night. and the air is filed with tintln-
nabulations and music from the horns.
The observance of the day recalls Fourth
of-July celebrations i'm the North.
Away out I'm Texas In Grams. Culber-
sons and Buck Kilgore's districts there
are high old Christmas celebrations. Thai
great representative OF Texas life, Col
onol Bill Sterrett says that the most
extraordinary scene he ever saw on
Christmas was David r. Culberson adj
dressing his constituents. There We're
about TOO cowboys on horseback around
him." said Colonel Sterrett. leach hav-
ing a squirrel tail In his sombrero. on
the stand was that great statesman and
magnificent orator. Nat. .. Henderson.
As Judge CulbersOn closed his speech and
Henderson arose 10 deluge the crowd with
his eloquence the audience quailed. An
extraordinary scene occurred. The cow
bows drew their lartats and tried To lasso
each other. Then there were repeated
fusillades OF revOlvers One Of the lariats
reached the platform. and Henderson
gave way. He evidently felt that his eio-
duence would be wasted on such a crowd.
Many a man was yanked from his horse,
but fortunately none were hurt The cow
boys afterwards had scrub-race, and
at night surrounded n huge Christmas
tree erected on ranch owned by cat
ticking. The presents were numerous.
but not costly. The tree was strung with
popcorn. mesquite beans, fre-crackers,
and sugar-cane. The festival closed with
a grand candy-pulling. Not the least re-
markable part Of the scene. according 70
Bill Sterrett. was Judge Culberson run
actually running. sir"-tO catch
train"
AN ADVENTURE.
Ex-Congressman Charles DOugherty, Of
Florida. tells a remarkable story Of ad-
venture on Christmas-Day. He said no