New-York tribune., 1895-12-22

again, ard the sport often lasts throughout whole
CHRISTMAS trees and festivals" are an important
feature with the black people in the holiday season.
on big plantation o. say 9vPl or 1D & actes, oete 80
these Will have d tree in turn, and VIII lend deco
ratons 10 those thai come after These trees are
fTsa - all ttat * gn, w6o want to do so can give
in the particular gifts they wish TO distribute ana
participate in the fun
THE CHRISTMAS TREES QUEER FRUIT.
People accustomed to the fairyke typical fir tree
with it's dazzling lights and beautiful gifts would be
partly amused partly p.tiful. over these grotesque
Christmas trees Of new growth. Flags left over
yedges Of cav coored fanneis bedragged sash-rib-
bons. frizzly plumes, mut.lated Chinese lanterns
brightness OF effect are among the queer 1ruts on
this marvellous tree. Popcorn, tatters OF tnssl,
hape OF sugar fish and birds. with sprlinK-
ling of bananas and oranges make up the coliec-
tree gets light from collection of lamps rgged up
high table behind H. The slits are ciusterse M @
of the slperintendent because movable arucleS
have an odd way of disappearing on these cnurcniy
Those who are not able to pay the small en-
trance fee stand outside and peer at the iqrnidueh
cpal of the evening is over they can go IN
and 9n IN Wh b rod iof ha hate oow and that is the
The negroes never dance except singly but they
uinlation now soft ami low shrill and piercing
in the night that this odd marching begins. There
is always a leader of such sports on every panta,
ton. d man whom the others regard as natural
This personaec takes his stand in the middle of
the floor fourshes his new Christmas handker-
chief and shouts loudly. March, march! ladies and
gentem who gwine march long Oh me Inc
company huddle together ana "arch the turn VI
events with breathlcss interest The girls elggie
and nudge each ohe eafn noPs and % Dn
hesitation loses them the chance, ., ,,,
gray wool knotted close beneath her bandana and
a wide reputation as a high stopper, advances
from the circle and places herself at the leader
Dem Young gals is so kittenish, holdn back. dat
Thc leader takes her hand. other couples spring
up as if by magic, and the Christmas march be;
gins Faster and faster they go. louder the chanted
song ascends: occasionally couple fall out and
seek bench outside TO recuperate and maybe re-
beau's pocketbook admits But the cocks are crow
ing for morn before the party breaks up
NOIsER THAN THE FOURTH.
Noise is after ALL the great thing on Christmas
The Fourth OF July is not observed to any extent
down South: the pent-up enthusiasm of the entire
year enervesces on the 18th of December;
out OF the gloom. the orange hedges cleaned in
the mornings light. when the Christmas guns are
wind joyfully. and small boys, and big boys, too
steal down into the yard to fire of the crackers ths
delight them. Early il Is, regular fuslllade
is kept up for hour more. guns. pistols, horns
hrccrackers and squeaking trumpets maintaining
For the older darkies there is no time Ike Christ
mas for TIP PACK ITO 70 az na aTSa mi 10 sge
taton. Black daddy and black nanny look odd
enough going Christmasng. trlcked out III their
Sunday best with al, sorts u bundles and budgets
dangling here and there, and an old-fashiOned car
pet bag, fat TO bursting swung at the norm OF the
saddle ~ nanny can get the loan or buggy or
wagon 10 go In much the better, but II not. she
will ride a mule OK. ami the particular
pullet she has destined for young Mass Henry
baby chile" will be tied on along with the other
parcels and 20 with her.
Changed conditions at the South make II pos
sihe FOR tho landowner to give presents only to
those negroes whose work brings them in direct
contact with the family: but all who come TO pay
their respects that dav understand that they are
To remain for dinner. and the rOOmy Kitchen on
Christmas evening l. filled with company more
joyful and care free, perhaps, than that in the
drawing room. 49,
asks Daddie Hector. who has come out from his
cabin beyond the mill ostensiby TO bring a hoary
old owl for Inspection. but in reality 10 get his
Christmas dram Daddie Hector is octoge-
marian AZ least No exactly guess his age
and he IS as gnarlcd and bent with accumulated
years as one OF the native live-oak stumps. rare
parsonage among negroes. he refuses 10 attend
meeting. even have the pastor visit him.
on being tod the religious meaning of the Christ
festival. he ponders on it for several seconds.
then bursts out.
Please marsah den. 'cordin' to dat exterpation
dis here time is dan Sunday"
There Is a great deal OF Christmas down South.
The love OF IL and the pressing observance came
directly to the people from their English fore
fathers. OF both high and low estate. who peopled
the Caronas and Virginia in the long ago. Their
country and the old traditions and customs yet OBJ
"A IN {