South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1893-01-06

uTes
Ny DEAR GIRLs:
You want to know all about
Christmas in Romney. To begin,
the weather was clear, crisp and
cold, with light fall Of snow, and
enough electricity in tto air 10
make every one feel buoyant and in
accordance with the happy season.
The actual anniversary coming on
the Sabbath prolonged The celebrs-
ton OF the day into three, Saturday
and Monday being the merry max
ing part, and the intervening Sab
bath brought TO mary souls the
higher sense OF the Festival, the
Christ child coming to men as the
Prince OF Peace, giving good gifts
to rs Of he 10Th century better than
we ever dreamed Of. To all in our
circle-peacc and good will-for VIC
all determined to let no shadow of
past affections nor thought OF flu
ture ills fall upon this day Of days
and truly the Christ was with as
TO make it especially blessed.
The first gathering OF which l
take note was the visit OF Santa
Claus to the children OF ID ID. & b.
Institution. At z o'clock Satur-
day evening wo were promptly on
hand, under festoons OF can :;
two trees wero planted in the new
ohspel-the audiencs room being
filled with eager, expectant faces,
the pupils marched into the chapel
to inspiring muic from the Institu-
ton choir-when Mr.. Hayes step
ped to the back OF The platform
where chimney and mantel were
provided for the good genius of the
season-He stopped to light the
fire, presumably, when "whst to
our wondering eyes should appear"
but dear old Santa, frosty and old
but always dear. "He .said not
word" but in signs gave greeting
and calling his as sistants, the
teachers of the Institution, the
work of gathering and distributing
the varied fruits from the illumina-
ted trees began-nuts, oranges aad
boxes Of candy from Mr.. John K.
Shaw of Baltimore. lin speaking
of this gentleman, / need only give
his name. You and Romney know
part, but indeed not all of his ever
ready liberality.) Next came gifts
interchanged among teachers and
pupils, and lastly gift for each
child under l4-provided by the
Stste-snd rs far as possIble-what
the child most desires. The hour
OF enjoyment was closed by a seloc-
ton by the choir of the Institution,
"Boautiful Star" Santa Claus
wished Cherry Christmas to all
and to all good night" and was
Immediately tranformed into -,
Mr. Chichester. From the chapel
we were invited to the play room for
the blind, where another happy |
half hour was spent in exchange of |
gifts from q worry handsome and
we'll laden trss So many OF the !
gifts had been prepared by the chill
dren themselves, the pleasure OF
giving was added to that of receiv-
ing.
Thus ended thu fret happy day
the Sabbath was bright AMI peaceful
service in the II. Il
Church, South, with a beautiful
Christmas sermon by the Presiding
Elder, Rev. G.. t. Tyler. from the
text GLORY to God in the highest
The large number of young men
among the COMMITMENTS was es-
pecially noted and speaks well for
the r. ligious influence in this town.
In the evening, services in both
Methodist churches were well at
tended, appropriate music rendered
and sermons preached.
At last Monday camo, and we
had exercised great deal OF pa
thence in keeping the Christmas
surprises secret, as our tree was not
to he shown till evening. At the
breakfast table MIR. Il put a
handsome new call bell before his
wife. In the gladness of her sur
prise she forgot her liege lord, and
after waiting until he thought he
could wait no longer, he said in
very quiet voice, Twill you kindly
send me your old call bell so that
can order my cup Of Coffee" It's
needless to cay that the only Belle
needed to supply the deficiency was
the one at the head OF the table.
After delicious Christmas din
ner, no were invited to go over to
the parlor and for awhile we were
all children from grandpa Sheetz to
the little three year old "tot,"
The tree was loaded down with
gifts, made = handsome appearance
and no one was forgotten.
About twenty, including family
and guests, entered fully into the
spirit Of the occasion, aud after
every one had been surprised and
received "just what they wanted"
With lots Of merry making and fun
thrown in, the last surprise Of the
evening was an invitation to the
dining room where ice cream, cakos
in variety, bon bonS, nuts and raj
sins and coffee we're served. When
the good nights were said, thus en-
ded the third and last day Of the
good and happy time.
In each day since has como hap
~ roeetiug Nth friends around