The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-01-09

r
from the fohr corners and brought
their love and their rations with them.
New York btought huge bog Of de.
corations for the Christmas tree. It
vas beautiful beyond description.
Dolls of silk and satin and paper, all
covered with giitsering spangles-lit-
tie angels with pearly wings suspend
ed by threads Of invisible rubber, gold
en- harps and hearts aud wreaths Of
spun glass III rainbow coiors-soores
Of little waxen candles to illuminate
the scene. Oh, it was like a fairy
vision, and every limb and twig Of the
stately long leaf pino was burdened
with Christmas gifts for old and young.
There were twenty-four Of the family
present, and ittook half the night to
unite and unfold the surprises, for all
were remembered over and over again
by old Santa. Yes, all, even to the
venerable old patriarch-the "Pater-
fanilias," the antique ancestor, for hs
brought nae ball and monkey jack
and some candy, because he he'd heard
that was .he boy-the only boy
about the house. But later ON I dis
covered silk cap and pair Of slip
pers, some handkerchief and an ink
stand that the little grandchildren
can't spill the ink out Of if thsy do
turn it over. Little Mary Lon, who is
Jessie's child, got 80 many dolls and
pretty things that she looked tired
and, drawing o long breath, said:
"Granpa, it's too much, and I can't
hardly stand it, There were toys
aud books, and vases and perfumes,
and baskets and gloves, and jewels and
other gifts too numerous to mention.
Mexico brought beautiful hand
woven castilian shawl for my wife,
and she struts around as 1.-the and gay
as Eden's garden bird. i'My boy
brought it from Mexico" she says,
forty times day. ''My boy and my.
children" a.e always ON the tip Of her
tongue. Well, that's all right. They;
are her boys, SURE enough, and she
knows it. There may be some doubt,
sometimes, about who is the father Of
child, but everybody knows who is
its mother. Downstairs has Oh been.
clothed with mistletoe and holly.
Geraniums from the pit are placed all
around, and some beautiful roses lift
up their lovely forms from beautiful
vases that old Santa Claus brought.
Bunchcs Of mistletoe dang from every
chandelier, and every time lthese mer-
ry, mischiesous girla snd me standing
under one. they slip up uugwares and
claim kiss. Even Mrs. Arp lost her
normal dignity and, oo@ing slyly be-
hind me, suddenly wrapped ,she dra-
perry of her castilian shawl around me
and claimed q mistletee kiss from my.
connubial lips.
But the old marble clock that for
nearly fifty years has stood upon the
mantel ticking the moments and re-,
cOrding the hours as they pass did not
stop on Christmas night and at mid
night the happy group retired to rest
and happy dreams. Next day came
the feast-the Christmes dinner.
Every leaf was placed on the long ex-
tension table. AT each end was
large wel[bEowned, wsli-done turieey,
and all the intermediate space crowded
With luxuries for the inner man and
woman. Eighteen Of the family were
the welcome guests at the table, while
Six OF the infantiles surrounded
smaller one nearby. I never asked q
blessing with q more grateful heart.
for Providence has been kind, and
since last wc met no aflietisp orcalam-
lty has befallen us. Verify, Ahe
lines have fallen TO ns "a pleasant
places. Would that all our k;Dared
and friends--yes, would thas every
family in the lapd-the rich aad the
poor-could have like happy and un-
elouded Christmas. As T. survey che
happy scene it is enough 70 look upon
the serenity Of the maternal aneestor
IS she grazes fondly upon her boys
Yes, her boys. who have come so far TO
give her Joy and comfort. Oh, ye
0oys-ye young mon and middle aged. /
whom fortune or fate has removed far
from good old mothers tender care
and solicitude, don't forget her yearn-
,,1gs, and ifyou cannot 60 to her at
least once q year, write to her every
h'nth and comfort her with your Ioy-s
lug letters. The papers are full Of
I crimes Of all descriptions: but in my &
opinion, there is mono that will more
en- Il $50