The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-12-25

IN the Columns OF the great city papers
] have been impressed with the con
trasi between the present time and the
condition Of the Southern country thir-
iy-one years ago. but Notwithstanding
the great facilities Of the present time
have been unable TO decide whether 20
the young Il was not as say then a.
now.
That Christmas season was usherCd
In under the thickcst clouds; every one
fet the cataclysm which impondcd t
but the rosy, expec,ant faces OF our lit
nS children were a conslaa; reminder
that seii-sacriice must be the personal
offering Of each mother OF the family.
How TO satisfy the children that moth
ing better could be done than the little
makeahlfls attalnahle In the confedcr-
acy was the problem OF the older mem
bers OF each household There were
no curFants. ralsins. or other ingre-
dents to an the old Virginia recipe for
mlnce pie. and the children considered
that at least slice Of that much-coy-
ctod dainty wSs their right. and the
price Of indigestion paid for Il was a
debt OF honor due from them to the
seasons exactionn. Apple trees grew
and bore In spite Of wars alarms, so
the foundation Of the mixture was as
sured. The many exquisite housekeep-
ers in Richmond had preserved all the
fruits attainable. and these were sub
mittod for the time-honored raisins
and curmnts. The brandy required for
seasoning at one hundred dollars a bot
tie was forthcoming. the cider was OBJ
iained. the suet at a dollar a pound
was ordored-and the pies seemed a
blessed eertainty-hut the eggnog-
now where were the eggs and liquors
10 be procured? without which Christ
mas would be a failure 10 the negroes.
"Ef IFS only a little wlneglass." said
the little dusty-looking negro rubber
In the stables who brought In the back
log (our substitute for the yule logl.
4 dunno how we gwine sit along with
out no eggnog." So, after redouhled
efforts. the eggs and ether ingredients
were secured In advance. The little
Jackets. ploced together cut OF the cloth
remaining when uniforms were turned
ont by the tailors, were issued TO the
children Of the soldiers. amid the re-
monstrances Of the mothers that the
pattern Of them wasn't worth n cent"
Rice. -four. mOlaEses and tiny pieces
Of meat. most OF them seat to the Pres
dents wife anonymously TO be dis
pcnsed to tho poor. had all been weigh
cd and Issued. and the playtime Of the
family began. but like a clap OF thun-
der out Of a clear sky came the infoT-
nation that the orphans OF the Eplsoo-
pallan Home had been promised
Christmas tree and the toys. candy and
cakes must be provided. ss well es enc
pretty prize for the most orderly girl
among the orphans. The kind-hearted
confcctioner was interviewed but our
committee OF managers. and he prom
lscd a certain amount Of hla simpler
kinds OF candy. which he sold easily
at a dollar and a half pound, but he
drew the line az cornucopias 10 hold Il,
as sueaVd fruits to hang on the tree,
and all the other vcs;igcs Of Christmas
creations which had lain on his hands
for years. The ladies dispersed IN
anxious squads q toy-hunters. and
each one turned over the store Of her
childrcns treasures for a contribution
TO the orphans tree. my little ones
rushed over the great house looking up
their treasures-eyeless dolls. three
logged horses. tops with the upper pet
broken OF. rubber tops. monkeys with
all the squeak gone silent and all the
ruck OF childrcn's toys that gaiher In a
nursery closet.
Some small feathered chickens and
parrots which nodded their heads In
obedience 70 weight beneath them were
furnished with new tail feathers. lamb.
minus much OF their wool were sup
piled with a cotton wool substitute. Rl
dools were pumped out and recovered
with clean cloth. and the young ladle.
painted their faces In bright colors ant
furnished them with beads for eyes.
But the tug Of war was how to gCl
something with which TO decorate IN,
orphans' tree. Our man servant. Rob
ori Brown. was much interested ant
offered 10 make the prize toy. He con
,empla,ed a sure enough house. with
four rooms" His part in the domestic
service was delegated TO another ant
he gave himself over In silence ant
solitudc to the labors Of an architect.
My sister painted mantel shelves
door panels. pictures and frames 10
the walls. and finished with blacl
gratea In which there hlazod a roarinl
are, which was pronounced marvel
lousy realistic. We all made furnitur
OF twigs and pastCboard. end my moth
or made pillows. mattresses. sheets an,
/ pillow cases for the two little bed
rooms.
Christmas Eve a number Of youni
people were invited to come and strinl
applos and popcorn for the tree;
/ nclghbor very dofi In domestic arts hal
tiny candle moulds made and Furnished
an the candles for the tree. However
The puzzle and triumph Of all was IN
construction Of large number Of cor
nucoplas. AT last some one suggested
oonical block OF wood about whicl
the drawing paper could be wound an
pasted. In a little book shop a humble
Of small. highly colored pictures Gu
out and ready TO apply were unearthed
and our old confectioner friend. MI
rns..f.r ........s.I ...llh . l.....l ~.,.ft.