The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-23
A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Mrs Gladstone is especially charming
on these occasions, for it is just what she
enjoys. She never used to rest a moment.
Dut gave the greater number of presents
70 the children with her own hands
Ihough age tells wonderfully little upon
her, stu she has to allow others to help
her now more than she used to do.
Mr.. and Mrs. Gladstone's BIRTHDAYS both
fal within the Christmas season-AIr.
Gladstone's, as all the world knows.
on Dec. %, and Mrs. Gladstone's on Jan.
b. On both these days there are sure to
be happy social gatherings
Within the grounds of Hawarden castle
stands very old house, which used To he
the dover house of the iRavenscrofts a
family who in olden times owned part of
the parish Their estate was united 10 the
part belonging to the Glynnes by the mar
riage of the heir of that family to the
heiress of the Ravenscrofts. Mrs. Glad
stone has had this old house comfortab1v
done up, and there dwell her orphan
boys, succession of whom have for thirty
years made the old walls resound with
noise and mirth as the manner Of bows is
They have a fine, free natural life. Each
day they march up to the bows school NOT
walking in formal order, but playing, by
the way. on Saturdays they have famous
rambles in the woods, or games of cricket
or foot ball. OF course, when Christ
mas comes around they are not forgotten
by Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone Their fete is
a very important day indeed. Many of the
old boys are now useful citizens, and they
sometimes turn up at this joyous season
TO greet their old friends at the castle and
orphanage. The big fellows occasion much
excitement in the minds of the present lit
tie inmates.
The church and churchyard stand on
the edge of the hill in fun view of this
great sweep of country, and so does the
which Mr nd
stone enter to be affectionately saluted by
their little grandchildren, their son, the
rector, and his wife.
Then perhaps the pony carriage comes
for them, or they walk quietly through
the village to greet their friends on their
way down TO the castle. They always
return again to the morning service in
church at il O'Clock. at which. until
quite lately Mr.. Gladstone read the les
sons for the day. 1t was treat to hear
the beautiful words Of Isaiah in Mr.. Glad
stones sonorous voice, which suited we'll
the majestic language of the prophet.
Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone, like other par
ents who are fortunate enough to have
their children and grandchildren with
them at this happy season, have a house
full of life. If the frost is hard enough
there is skating on the lake in the park.
About 4 O'Clock Mr.. and Mrs. Gladstone
may appear in the pony carriage, which
of sticks is turn to Hawarden as hon
ored visitors.
One or two of Mrs. Gladstone's boys
are settled in the village, and have wives
and children of their own. One was ap-
prenticed to the principal tailor, and
great was his pride as we can well inn
agine, when he was considered competent
to make q. complete suit of clothes for
Mr. Gladstone.
Before leaving Hawarden let us stroll
through the park. The charming frosty
morning has been followed by a winters
day full of bright sunshine, which is
now waning. The early setting sun is
throwing a ruddy glow behind the trees
between the old castle and the village.
AS we walk along enjoying these lovely
tints of nature we hear in the distance
the thud of the woodman's AK. We
hasten in the direction from which the
sound seems to come in the hope of
finding that Mr.. Gladstone is the wood
man at work. Happily we are not dis
appointed. There he is with his sons
in shirtsleeves telling a mighty tree,
whose time has come to give its timber
for other uses than beauty alone. Mrs.
Gladstone and her daughters and some
of the grandchildren are looking
on, with a few neighbors. When we ar
rive at the spot the tree is nearly fall
ing, and down it comes with mighty
crash, ropes having been previously at
tached to make it fall in a safe direction.
1 have often been asked, Has Mr.. Glad
stone left any trees standing in Ha-
warden Park? / should like these inquir-
ers to visit the woods and groves and
judge for themselves. They would see
that the skilled woodsman only cuts
down trees to make room for the beauti-
full growth of those which need more light
and air.
once Mr.. Gladstone had been cutting
down a tree in the presence of a large
concourse of people, including a num-
Der of "cheap-trippers. but this was not
at Christmas When the tree had fallen
and the prime minister and some of the
family who were with him were moving
away there was a rush for the chips.
one of the trippers secured a big piece,
and exclaimed, Hey lads, when l dee
this shall go in my coffin Then cried
his wife, a shrewd, motherly old woman,
with a merry twinkle in her eye, Sam,
lad. If thou'd worship God as thou wor-
ships Gladstoneht. thou'd stand a better
chance Of going where they chip wouldna
burnrp Mary G. Burnett.