Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18


southland in town whose every fiber
vibrates with superstition. She's
dear, lovable creature, devoutly believ-
ing in BLACK Mammys' current prog
nostications. The rhyme and reason
for it all are so delightfully."- told by
the coy unreasoner that her words be-
come persuasive eloquence," resulting
in many converts; hence the Yule log
makes its initial bow to polite society
in the erstwhile kingdom of fragrant
fagots. The little agitator contends
the Christmas love, spirit and good
cheer abide within but through its
burning.
Mere mention Of this prophetic SEN
tinel provokes smile, maybe of in
credulity or perhaps pleasant memo
ries. None of us who have ever spent
the last days of December at our Aiken
houses can fail to recall Ebony SAM"
the woodchopper and his varicolored
helpers welding their axes to the tune
of "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah," or Crap
by Dan, de Spo'tin Man." as the spirit
moved them So I've come to be real
believer, and, barring the musical din
which precedes the Christmas wood
chopping at Pinevale. we are going
to live up to the tradition.
Place the Yule log fiat against the
chimney. Pile high with good oak
sticks the sturdy brass andirons. Light
the fire on Christmas day. Replenish
often, so that consistent glow may
be maintained throughout the night
time. Do this daily. Keep vigil until
winding sheet surrounds our old friend
of yesterday and the Ginning bells do
honor to the glad New Year of 1899.
If all goes we'll, the great guard log
suddenly crackles, blazes for a brief
moment, then breaks asunder. Accord
ing to BLACK Nanny" this prophesies
health, happiness and luck for the fam
lily. Woe unto the household wherein
the Yule log on that last eventful night
fails to flicker! A saddened lot will be
the watchers, for it is written In the
Book of Hoodoo," vouched for by the
same authority, "direst calamity will
surely befall.'
Fashionable hostelries and shops
take on welcoming attitude the first
weeks Of the month, so that visitors
or struggling wayfarers are given
continuous performance of fantastic
festooning in holly, cedar and cotton
snow, to the melody Of the street ur-
chin's trumpet and the small house
hold gods drum All this begets re-
ioicing.
Christmas, 1898, is to be a grand fes-
sival season for the unfortunates of
this great busy metropolis. There's
more kind-heartedness and benevolence
TO the square inch in Manhattan bor-
ough than exist elsewhere on the globe.
There are to be on this day no supper
less lads, no unfed men and women,
nor toyless tots. 1t is to eat, drink and
be merry.
One great daily paper proposes to
make 1000 little ones happy by dis
tributing Kris Kringles bounty from
its heavy laden trees Parishioners
have collected suitable gifts for the
army of Sunday school scholars. Men
and women of high degree have given
thought to the care Of slum habitues
as we'll as the worthy. And when we
assemble about our own festive boards
we will remember there is peace on
earth, good will toward men"
We are glad it's over. though. The
brain raeking and tiresome trips to re-
mote sections in search of novelties
for Christmas giving have become
thing Of the past, not to be regretted.
felt always like congratulating myself
when reached home after one of these
suburban jaunts because of my extreme
good nature.
One morning, I confess. l was cross.
I'd been poked in the ribs by horde
of fussy nondescript women, showed
and elbowed incontinently by NAMES
mamma striving to reach the bargain
counter wherein lay the coveted wax
baby that opens and shuts its eyes"
has real hair" and is dressed like
lady"
Because of these things and others
l was i'll prepared to be gracious %
the unkept man jerking at my coat
tails. When / turned about, brawny
fellow sidled close, tugged nervously at
his greasy wooden cap by way of apol-
ogy and said: Its me, loidy, who
hasn't a mint to spare. You're next.
Won't you jist reach over and get EN-