Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-25
Mr.. Wallace. Indian Experience.

for me the pathway OF life. l look for
ward 10 its recurrence with faint heart
ana little hope. and backward with recoi-
lections not unmixed with many Incidents
Of a joyful and saddening character.
Our custom OF keeping the holidays has
obviously descended to US from our Eng
lish friends over the seas, who them
selves, like US. have departed pretty mucn
from the practices and pageants of their
forefathers.
England was merry England when
Old Christmas brought his sports again
Twas Christmas preached the mighty
ale.
Twas Christmas told the merriest tale.
At Christmas gambols oft could cheer
The poor mans heart through half the
year
The mighty ale no longer cheers the
hospitable table Of the rich, nor the fru-
gal board Of the poor, nor do we witness
here In Virginia those innocent gambols OF
the young and old which were wont to
brighten an atmosphere usually murl<y,
cold, and otherwise cOmfOrtless-thOse
pageants attending the yule-plough and
the yule-log with harlequins and sword
dancers, who made the welllin ring with
jest and song. and various mummerics.
Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus perform
the functions of those mysterious beings
who formerly held the child's Imagination
In awe. / remember neither Of those I'M
ported and fanciful saints In my younger
days. who come now with sleighs and
sleigh-bells and teams OF northern deer,
bringing rich gifts TO gladden. the hearts
Of expectant children. Nor can ] call 10
mind the blowing Of horns the laundering
cannon shots. which shake the founda-
tons and disturb with senseless noise
holiday that should be observed with in
nocent pastime by those who are sccu-
larry inclined and with respect by others
who remember its divine descent. Christ
mas in Richmond was many years ago
heralded in with the constant popping o!
Chinese crackers-no firing OF rockets then
nor Of pistols or guns.
/ remember one night TO have heard
from some gossip that a gentleman or
the sporting kind was setting aroar a hum
dred or more boxes OF lire-crackers. The
scene OF this, 10 me sensational exhibit
tion, was the old Eagle Square. / hur-
ried away with the nimble limbs of boy
not yet in his teens, ana had my curiosity
increased upon beholding on the sidewalk
nearly opposite 10 the Dispatch building
the terrible figure Of an Indian moving
majestically towards me. A quick glance
at the painted face-Which had been red
dened with ochre or other frightful pig
ment-assured me that the man behind
the mask was no other than the noted
Phil. Daugherty, who will be remembered
by our elderly gentlemen as a wag, if not
a humorlst, Of the first quality
Although l was frightened out Of my
wits by this painted devil-so fascinated
was I as TO be unable TO retrace my steps
/ allowed him to approach me with
war-whoop that foreboded instant death.
Making a gesture with his var-ciub, which
struck me forclbly, as / thought. ana
another with a flashing scaiping-knfe,
which grazed the top Of my head-he ut
tered the accustomed scalp-halloo to give
intelligence TO his supposed fellOw-war-
riors OF another victim done 10 death by
the prowess OF his mighty arm.
After being delivered from this terror
I wended my way homeward, not fully re-
covered from the shock OF that most
unique and probably not uninteresting en-
counter.
4 child takes 10 an element OF the mar
vellous as naturally as duck takes TO
water. He is Of ima gination all compact,
and 1t is probably wisely ordered that he
should be. SO-called realities come soon
enough to vex and harden his manhood
one Of the finest passages in Sartor-
Resartus is Teufelsdrock's apostrophe 10
childhood In another, but not less poeti-
cal strain. IS 8. Z. LIS reference 10 the
ideal beings who charm tho infantile
heart as well in tho poor mans cottage as
in the nurseries OF kings
" How the heart Of childhood dances
Upon a sunny day.
1t has its own romances
And wide wide world have they!
a world where phantasie is king.
Made all Of eager dreaming.
When once grown up and tall;
Now is the time for schemlng,
Then we shall do them all.
DO such pleasant fancies spring
For Red-Ridingh0od. the darling,
The flower Of fairy lore"
c. ~ WALLACE.