Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-12-27
OLD-TIME CHRISTMAS.

Written fer THE AMERICAN by =. +. G.
Hluehili Falls. Maine.
Al Christmas tide with It's gRity and
Joyous hustle, my thoughts turn back
ward TO the Christmas times OF long ago.
The good old ashioned winter, with Its
gltstening snow piled in huge banks
around the long, low farmhouse with its
}oot OF genuine hospitality, lends an AMI.
nation and ze4t to the jealous Christmas
workers.
One Christmas remember in particular.
How merrily we children romped through
the large old rooms in pursuit OF each
other, or examined every crack and
Granny IN vain hope OF finding some OF
the many presents, that we knew were
safely hidden away from our childish
eyes.
At last came thedRv before Christmas
and a clearer. colder day was never heard
of before. Tho winter OF 1867 was noted
for its cold, but We cared little for Jack
Frost and hiss icy fingers. for did not the
yawning treplaees with the huge logs
piled high, furnish all the warmth and
brightness necessary?
well remember tie spicy odors that
issued from that roomy old kitchen that
morning, and how louged to get In here
and help stone the raisius for the delie-
ious pudding That can never be made to
taste the same outside - New England
farmhouse. Ny brother Harold, more
yenture-oue than the rest - TIA, 81 last
4 70
to grief hefJrr tan minutes - up@etttug
bowl OF efaHtercy sauce; Ter IS hich he
was bsuj-hed TO exile tor two hours. II
WIS lesson to the rest u u~, and for
while we couteuted ourselves b. looking
at the queer old pictures on the Walls, and
telling stories. AID Running to the vim
dow 10 see Il uur uncle and aunt and
three small cousins were coming down
the long " htte road which led from the
neighboring town. At last We -ped
them and In twinking We were into
our jackets, caps aud mttten- and tumb-
ling out OF the door IN the vain endeavor
to be the first one to be taken into the
arms OF our CHEEKY old uncle and enter
into romp with him; which none en-
loyed more than ne.
At last the pranciug horses, jet and
Beauty, were brought to standstill and
hearty "Hulioa, children sounded
from the depth OF heavy fur coat. Then
the kindly voice OF Aunt Helen, caution-
ing the children to be careful lest they
drop the many bundles and satchels in
their haste to get out and begin a sham
battle in the snow. After the horses were
tabled and groomed. Uncle Henry sent
few snow balls spinning through the air
at our snoS fort; while grandpa at the
window, where his old easy chair rocked
to and fro in the warm sunlight, smiled
and nodded his delight at the fun.
Then the dinner bell rang and all gath
cred around the long table grooming with
its load of substantial food, well fitted TO
satisfy the rsvenous appetites OF us
youngsters. who could hardly wait until
grandpa hsd blessed the food, and our
plate should Ia passed to us, piled high
with some OF the good old billed DISH.
After the dishes were washed aad care
fully put away, the horses were hsrnessed
INTO the long red pung, twenty-five cents
were given 10 each OF Us children, and
Uncle Henry drove US out to the village
store 10 buy our presents for the Christ
mas tree tie following evening. As the
amount OF money was small, 1t had to be
spent very judIcIou-ly in order to make
both ends meet. For grandma ! got
thimbie, for two cents-s great bargain TO
my childish eyes. Then s..red bandana |
handkerchief for grandpa for which |
parted with five cents more OF my prec-
ious money. For papa Il small cake OF
soap, and for mamma cookie-cutter in
the shape OF pig took ten cents more. |
Three twisted sticks OF candy for Harold,
four-cent book for Elsie aud rubber |
ring for the baby completed my list OF
presents, and went home happy.
la the evening we all played games and |
sang songs, until it WAS time to hang up !
our stockings by the chimney place pre- |
paratory TO going to bed to dream OF
santa Claus, snow houses and reindeer. |
Our eyes were open at tie first peep OF day |
and soon we were knocking on the doors
behind which the older ones were sleep
ing and wishing to them "Merry Christ
mast"
Then a grand rush for the stockings.
What light gladdened our eyes! Stock
I