New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-23

first occasion that any public gathering occurs IN
their neighborhood those who entertained them al
Christmas expected to take up their abode with
them. that hospitslities may be returned. 1t Is a
great treat for a housekeeper. who has. perhaps
never taken a meal away from her own table for
year or more 20 partake OF dccacies about whose
connection she has had no need to feel concern ana
70 escape the cares of ONE duties for few days.
II is also a pleasure to her to note how her friend
or sster-in-law manages her domestic machinery,
her chickens. gardens. dairy. smokehouse and the
like. and the visiting farmer finds pleasure in com
pairing his neighbours methods of conducting work
with the routine to which he Is accustomed
As every knows. in the old days all the
servants hidden to feast, well as the field
hands and every slave the place received a
present marching up to the house steps to take 1t
from the masters hand. Only those whose
work brings them in contact with the planters fam
lily now expect receive. and do receive presents,
but many others call in al the kitchen on Christ
mas to pay their respects and told 10 remain for
dinner. privilege of which they eagerly avail them
selves.
Everything that make q noise is resorted to
dddler is tuning up his INSTRUMENT for the coming
frolics. and. after the evening fires are lighted.
from every cabin will come the sounds Of jewsharp
accordion. mouth organ. contribute, the rafting
Of the bones the clappng OF rhythmic palms and
the shutiing OF unshod feet all IN harmony VIII
the spirit OF the Christmas season.
THE CHURCH TREE
I.uxuriant young hollys, gemmed with scarlet
berries brlstling cedars whose slender limbs jut
AZ intervals from the stem, are severed
from the and borne church. or schoolhouse.
drawing room. there to wear unwoned append
ages and give delight to onookers. little and big.
Then. when the eventful day does arrive what
firing OF guns and pistols and nre-crackers' A
never-ending fusillade: ear-spltting sound
scarce dying away before another, even more as,
founding explosion takes place What blowing OF
horns. footing OF ,rumPets sizzing OF gnnpowler:
had mad in wild desire 10 fill the air with
dscordant sound
In the evening there skyrockets and fireworks
the great house. and bonires at the quarter ana
fresh relay Of fuss and noise and excitement. as
much IN the ho.ly-garlanded halls OF the planter,
whore old ard young join In the Virginia reel az IN
the humble cabins Of his tenants where the bare
walls are liehtened and whcned with newspapers
pasted over the smoke-grimmed boards and where
the brightly blazing light wood fire is the most cheer
ful object 10 b" seen.
\ new phasc Of ChrIs,masing has appeared among
'crprlslng spirit among them, usually recently
graduated university girl. writes to the northern
African Methodist and represents the destitute
condition Of that spe ,ial congregation In response
sent To- her address. Armed with this source Of
eit making. she has larger-sizei Christmas tree
Bountlful' - her grateful neighbors
The benche. N one corner Of the tabernacle are
moth tree il decked with dresses cloaks jackets
and shoes: a very useful tree indeed the young coli
es!an mounting u box and acting Santa Claus.
Many heart -burnings and even alterations arise
from this method Of procedure. however. The
mother whose thirteen yenr-o,i boy has got doll
of tho ire" and whose twin daughters come into
possession OF TN trumpeis and cushions becomes
furl0usly angry with some other matron whose chill
dren have been awarded respectively nice pair OF
sho,s. pink cashmere dress. with wonderful gar
niture. and comfortable winter jacket. Indeed. it
Is quit. on the cards that unless onookers interfere
the pink cashmere Will be- forcbly taken away from
owner iihds- ne distribution OF these church do
nations Invariably gives rise TO jealousies disputes
and de"2-seded ven1etlas between certain families
In the ngregaton-feengs not likely TO be pacifed
with the light Of time. as the appearance OF the
lucky owners. decked out IN the mnch-coveted gar
ments on each successive Sunday or high day but
adds fuel to the Are Of resentment already burning
barrel or box are usually the friends Of the young
student who secured them and who feels that she
having solicited tho gifts.
WEDDING 1T THE CABINS
In de MAS Is the mos; approved time for
weddings on the plantation 'Joela gwine marry
tree days cen Christmas two days cen Christ
mas. Is the usual announcement. and there is the
most harmonious understanding between the diff
ferent brides az between the congregations of the
different churches. relative to their Christmas en-
tertainments. each being anxious to have a crowd
and taking every possible care not to conflict with
the time appointed by the others for the
mony There are many unique customs and OBJ
s.rvances AT these Christmas weddings IL Is good
form FOR the bride to change her dress three times
during the evening or afternoon in order to dis
benefit OF the COMPANY First she wears the wed
ding dress Of white. usually well starchei and set
ting round and full over the volumnous petit
coats beneath. finished with veil wreath and
cotton. The veil only covers her face and head
Then. after the congratulations. she dons ano,ner
dress for paraking of the supper and yet another
for the marching and promenading about the yard
and premises which comes At late hour, when
mode Of serving the eatabcs on these occasions Is
also worthy of mention Fat. comfortable mau-
send the plates OF cake. pies sweetened
bread from smaller house used as kitchen.
various intimate masculine friends of the bride
acting as walters.
got de Of S %Sa had one o
with his tray 70 be reple a,i
Well" said the mistress OF ceremonies II ain
gwine sen anudier ting cen dere ill you go back
serve and who amt. when dey all is mix up and
confuse? Go git UNI straight cen line: and den I'll
Owing to the roughness OF the country roads or
the fear OF spelling the wedding raiment. the
the bride and many OF the guests from distance
bTnf their ,sk ssr and nSo shoes in
their head. dressing at some house convenient TO
toilet always matter Of deep to his
intmates and TO himself. From early in the morn
po S time he BUSY eoeng he Various c
cessories. which properly applied. will enable him
lie borrows or hires buggy and tears round the
eGus socks ds In one Rs srS se on s0y ns
when the minister has arrived and all things wait
on a painting mule with the important high collar
cuffs. necktle and handkerchief. just purchased In
the nearest town.
For lack OF room in the cabins these Christmas
ceremonies are usually celebrated out In the yard
and the bride and attending bridesmaids. in their
white costumes Ghat appear whittier than ever. In
contrast with the wearer's sable hue) crowned
with white flowers and decked with bows and
streamers. each hanging on the arm Of tire
mendously gotten up swain. who boasts an expanse
OF shirt front and width OF waistband startling to
behold-not to mention his regulation white gloves
and formal air-are an interesting picture. The
cbon minister although unable to read conducts
the ceremony In an able. offhand manner that i'm
presses his audience. Then. when the twain are
nccd
The agItat ed bride the groomsmen Joke with their
partners and the walters rush of for the wedding
cake.
THE BLACK MOLE or CALCUTTA OUTDOyE
From The London Truth
Mr. Reginald Wilberforce. the eldest son and biog-
rapher of the Bishop. has just published a book en-
titled IAN I'nrecorded Chapter OF the Indian
Mutiny" which contains the following astouud-