The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-12-26

of mince pies, with all of the rest of
the good things, were passed in re-
view. But what amused Gordon
most was the boar's head, stuffed
with truffles and all sorts of good
things, with an orange in its mouth.
The immense fireplace, where the
meat was roasting on spit before
the open fire, was a source of wonder
to him.
1t was busy scene; twenty maid
servants and several men went to and
fro, as jolly and merry as they could
be, and yet all SO methodical and
quiet that Gordon could not suffic-
iently admire the stout and dignifed-
looking housekeeper, who, as Gordon
expressed it, iran the show" and he
was quite disappointed when this
same lady sent him off with his cous-
ins that they might go early to bed.
For the waits will be sure to keep
you awake half the night" she
added.
Gordon wished to ask her what she
meant, but he felt too much in awe
of her at present, so he ran off, in
tending to ask Maurice. However.
he dropped to sleep without doing so
and was awakened suddenly in the
middle of the long, dark night by the
sound of music beneath his window
The boys sat up IL bed and listened
to the Message of the Angels" sung
by the village waits. Men, women
and children singing simple Christ
mas carols to the accompaniment of a
violin and violincello. Maurice had
seen them before, but Gordon could
not resist peep at them through the
window. Not much angel about
them, Gordon thought. The players
were both old men, bent with years,
and all wore muff1ed coats and wraps
and carried lanterns. The music
sounded very sweet as it rose on the
clear night air: christians Awake"
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen" "
and many another old Christmas
carol; and the last thing heard, as he
fell asleep, was:
Hank! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new born King
Christmas Day broke fair and sunny
and away they all went to the village
church, which had been decked with
holly and ivy by the busy village folk,
and then home to the Christmas din
nsr; and what dinner it was. Near
ly a hundred of the village people,
who were in some way employed by
his uncle, were invited to the Hall.
Dinner was spread for them in the
sevants' hall and in the evening they
danced under the big mistletoe
bough, old and young, rich and poor.
His aunt led the dance with the but
Ter, while his uncle led out the digni-
fed housekeeper.
The next evening the children of
the village were invited and an i'm
mense Christmas tree was prepared
for them in the great hall, while a
great yule log blazed on the hearth.
Gordon helped his cousins to strip
the tree and distribute the gifts to
the youngsters and he laughed to see
the girls all curtsey low and the boys
pull their forelocks to the "young
masters" Then all adjourned to the
big kitchen where they had Snap
dragon. A large tray was piled high
with raisins, spirits poured over it
and set on fire, while the children
We'd with each other in seeing who
could pick out the most fruit from
the flames. What fun it was. Cor
don and Maurice busted themselves
for the little tots who feared the
flames, when just as the fun was fast
and furious, the housekeeper threw
salt on it and then all looked go
funny in the blue light that they
laughed and shouted. The blue
flames flickered out, the children said
goodnight and went home to dream
of Santa Claus and Snapdragon.
Gordon will not soon forget his
first Christmas in England. Next
time we hear from him he will have
left England far behind.-You'ag
Folks World.