The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-12-08
THE BIG PRIZE TURKEY.

"A Merry Christmas, Bob" said
Sc. ooge, with an earnestness that
could not be mistaken, as he c!apped
him on the back. "A merrier Christ
mas, my good fellow, than have given
you for many q year. I'll raise your
salary. and We will discuss your affairs
this afternoon over a bowl of smoking
bishop. Make up the fires and buy
another coal-scuttle. Bob Cratchit."
And as ITO the big prize turkey which
the regenerated ScrOOge sent to Cam
den Town, do we not all know what
sort of bird 1t was? That turkey
never could have stood upon its legs,
Mr.. Dickens says. They must have
snapped short on like sticks OF sealing
wax. Hoy they managed to cook and
eat that phenomenon the author
doesn't say, as 1t was twice the size of
Tiny Tim. Yet they did 1t somehow, and
it was a mercy II the family (previous-
ly half stafved) didn't all fall i'll OF the
unwonted gorg.ng Of that wonderful
Christmas day.
Even assuming las We easily may)
that the transmutation of an old skin
flint like Scrooge into a high priest OF
charity was quite beyond the common
run of modern miracles, and that din
ners from such sources are as rare as
they are welcome. 1t still remains true
that human nature is apt to be at Its
best at Christmas. especially In Eng
land, where. OF all countries in Christ
endom. most Ia made of that gentle
and kindly holiday.
Yet, sad tn tell, the very jollity and
generosity of Christmas leads to re-
IL nd
drink too much, and suffer accordingly.
The roast and the boiled. the mince
pies. the plum puddtngs, the trench
dous fushings OF wine, beer, and other
beverages. These things overload the
stomach and give the digestion more
work than 1t can do. and punishment
follows. For Nature has no favorites;
she treats those who violate her laws
on the 25th December exactly as
though they had committed the offence
on the first Monday in August.
And as to the chronic dyspeptics, OF
whom there are enough in this old ISL
and to cram all the parks In London,
fhey catch 1t fearfully about Christmas
time For, in spite OF all warnings. they
riU go in for heavy meals and take the
chances. Often the penalty Is an acute
attack which may threaten Nfe. and
nearly always weeks OF pain and d.
sestiye disorders, whereof there are as
many kinds as the body has organs
and functions.
To them Christmas may he merry"
70. an hour or two: then their merri-
n.ent turns into misery, as October
fogs and rains succeed hot summer.
Now the writer is far from advising
a free indulgence In the gustatory and
bibulous festivities Of the country's
most popular holiday. but there Ia no
use protesting against the fixed reso-
tuition Of the people to enjoy them-
selves ON that occasion. The customs
and traditions OF centuries are be4iind
h., and you might as well whistle In the
teeth Of northeast gale.
As q prophylactic and "a cure for the
evils alluded 10, can only recommend
the universal use of Mother Seigel's
Syrup, known To all AS the best stimu-
liant and digestaDt IN the world,
In a letter dated January 10, 1893, a
gentleman Of Birmingham, who loves
the pleasures VI the table, and has
wants, writes thus IA 10 only fair
thai I should thank you, as | do with
all my heart, for the good don. me by
Mother selgols syrup, f0r years !
have been ynNsd with indigestion, ana
always HAD q iormsniins spell ~ u
after any pablo banquet or uncommon
Intake VI rirb food, siill, | Vac sslr
aom abls 20 rssiHi temptation, AT.
though ! undo,siood perfectly we'll