Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-01-05
Christmas in Georgia.
MCINTOSH, Ca,
December 81, 1892.

1euy dHtTtCuH
We send you and our numerous friends
dwelling in the region known as "Ouay-
Dow-Neest," our most cordial Christmas
greetings, and wishes for Happy New
Year; and we can do this the more
appropriately, since this day is part
of our Christmas. The holiday extends
through three days with us this year,
counting the days according to the
old Jewish fashion; as we began it
with our annual Christmas dinner
on Saturday evening. at O'Clock. On
Sunday morning everybody was on the
alert with his Merry Christmas" or as it
is said down here, "ChrisIas gif." In
the afternoon we remembered the children
at the Mission schools with the present of
a scrap-book or bright picture-book for
each of the little ones, and an illustrated
magazine for those older. Do you ask
where we obtained so many gifts? They
were the work of some of our little
friends in various parts of the North.
The North" is an exhaustless mine of
good things and blessings generally to
these people. They seem to regard it as
Ell Dorado and Utopia combined. 1t was
very pleasant to see the little folks march
ing of, happy In the possession of a
brighter treasure than many of them had
ever seen before.
Now Is not here hint to some of the
hN, II,
such there are who Lave abundance of
bright cards and books and papers from
which they can cut pictures. These can
be pasted into old blank books containing
dozen or twenty leaves, each one making
a source of great pleasure and enjoyment
TO the many little people about US whose
homes are not frightened by anything in
the way of book or picture. And is
there any reason why our young friends at
the North NAV not take an hour or two
from their play now and then to get some
Of these things together? Why would it
not be 8 pleasant pGstin.e even for some
Sunday school class. class in day
school, or some circle Of friends to unite
in doing a little of this work: And would
people here!
But began to tell you something about
our Christmas and no doubt you think that
| have wandered of into begging mis-
sionary letter. | hope that when you think
of the habits | have fallen into and our
surroundings, you will forgive It, and will
also allow me to make one more suggest
ION. II isn't Bit too early Cor our Young
| friends to begin nor. Ne shall begin to
| prepare for next Christmas just as soon a.
the smoke of this one has blown away.
II is the only way in which we can hope
I to be ready where the work Is so great
| said that our Christmas began S4tur-
day evening. 1t was a mistake. 1t began
on Friday afternoon with the distribution
school They filed across to the church
and there the contents of four large sugar
barrels were distributed among them.
. This may appesr sired and lavish. But let
original package. The barrels contained
I clothing; one garment at less, fnI each Of
the hundred and fifty or more in thi, de-
partment
The real Christmas day occurred vest, r
I day, eliminating in the evening Proba.
bly, to new Northern eyes the most noyeI
part of the proceedings were those of tie
earlier part Of The day, which to he 50.
preciated must be seen. As cold Decem
Der rain lasted nearly the entire day, every
thing had TO take place In the church III
the rear stood row of tables for the sal,
OF oranges, nuts, apples, candy, fire.
crackers, etc, and two fancy tables sup.
piled from barrels sent us by friends
Down one side was a long table for the
sale Of sub.tantials cake, pies, swee,
potato custards p, rice boiled fried
fish, fried chicken, roast pork, boiled
pork, etc. This was the church fair
Despite the weather the people were gu,
in force, wet but jolly.
The evening exercises consisted Of 6
short program comprising Christmas reci
tations and Christmas soDgs,-the sing
ing really good-after which the event oc
Cured for which some three hundred ant
ffty pairs of eyes have been looking fol-
several weeks. When the last song haG
sunk to silence, long curtain across The
front Of the room was drawn aside and
the chariot of Santa Claus the minister.
wagon stood revealed prettily dccked il
beautiful holly and vines filed with pretty
green berries. Santa does not bring sledgt
and reindeer down here owing to lack OF
snow. The wagon was piled with such d
load as it probably never bore before -
coats, bonnets, hats, boots, pants, vests
/ dresses, books; these were among the
/ gifts distributed by the chldren's patron
saint who sat perched on high among his
4 wares
! 1t was very fortunate that Santa Claus
arrived with his load just when he did. for
this morning opened with sleet and to-
night the thermometer stands at 80 deg.
with cold wind blowing. There is a
deal Of discomfort, amounting to suffering
around US.
And now We begin again to prepare for
the next Xmas. Who wants to dress a
doll. send picturebook or a toy, prepare
garment, or send pair of boots or
stockings! OF course the greater part of
our useful goods We're second hand, and
they were very welcome indeed; but no
doubt something new now and then brings
feeling of satisfaction not realized by
those who have received nice things since
time which they cannot remember
FRED W. FOSTER.
Our Little Men and Women for December
is veritable Christmas number 1t opens
with The Night Before Christmas, q
suggestive picture, accompanied by story
well suited to it. There are bits of his
tory told in picture and story. capital
| article finely Him l.. Tho ShaItnr