The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-12-22
Colonel Carriers Christmas.
(Patrick H. Winston.)

OlIS "a LIZ Al1 LIN
that of colonel Carter of Cartersville"
for originality and humor. 1t Is the best
natured ridicule, the most humorous de-
| lineation of the character OF the true
Southern gentleman we have met WITH.
| Those that have enjoyed this story VIII
be a little disappointed when they begin
to read Colonel Carriers Christmas by
the same author, Mr.. F. Hopklnson Smith,
but before they finish the work the dear
old colonel Will be more loveable than
ever.
1t is a description of Christmas, at
the little house on Bedford Place, III New
York. where the Colonel had gone to sell
the bonds of his proposed railroad from
Gainesville. 1.-The garden spot OF Vir-
ginia," to the sea from which tact the
bonds We're to be known, ION the street.
when wrinted. as the Garden Spots"
What a Christmas! Fitz and the Major
and Aunt Nancy, 1.-The loveliest OF her
SEX" and Chad-dear old Uncle Chad
all were there. and Mr.. Klutchem, the
broker. whom the colonel had caned a
few weeks before for declaring that he
wouldn't give a yellow dog for enough
Of the Garden Spots to paper a church
and Mr.. Klutchem's Winsome little daugh-
ter, little Katy. and little yaller jim,
Aunt Nancy's little "tiger,' all were
there. Such d feast! Nobody ever saw such
oysters, nobody ever ate such terrapin;
nobody ever tasted such ducks, nobody
ever crunched such celery, nor reyeled
in such sweet potatoes; nor since the
beginning OF the world smacked their lips
over such a ham; all brought by Aunt
Nancy from Carriers Hall. the dear Cd
Virginia home.
And the Christmas tree brought from
the old Southern plantation, with a can
die for each of the guests, standing IN
the middle of the table ready to be lighted
after the dinner was eaten! Hear the dear
old man as he rises to light the candles.
"Befo' l kindle with the torch of my
love these little beacons which are to
light each one of us on our way until an
other Christmas season Overtakes US.
befo', l say, these sparks burst into life,
l want you to fill yo' glasses and drink
to the health and happiness of the lady
on my right, whose presence is always a
benediction and whose loyal affection IS
life!"
Then with a paper wisp balanced Ill his
hand, he began counting the candles,
peeping into the branches like a boy
.'one. two, three, TO; yes, plenty of them,
but we are going to begin with the top
one. This is yours, Nancy; this little
white one on the very tip-top. Just like
yO' eyes, my dear, burnin' steadily and
warmin' everybody
And. now. where is that darlin' little
Katy's; here it is. See, dearie, what a
beautiful blaze! May all you life be as
bright and happy"
And Fitz-dear old Fitz-do you know
Fitz, if l had my way, I'd light the whole
tree for you.
And the Major. All, the Major. Let's
see-yallcr? No, that will never &C fer
you, Major. Pink? That's better. here,
now, see how fine you look, and how
evenly you burn-just like yO' love, my
dear boy, that never fails me-"
Then a chorus of voices went up: You
have forgotten your own Colonel. Let
me light this one for you.
Zone minute" cried the Colonel. thine
enough; the absent ones fust,' and he
stopped down and peered among the
branches. Yes, that's just the very one
for our old Nanny Kenny, who is at
Carter Hall carin' for my property, and
who must be pretty lonely today. All,
there you go, Nanny. blazln away like
one O. yo' own fires!
''Oh! 1 came vehy near forgettin' this
little yaller candle is Jim's."
When it was all over and Aunt Nancy
herself had tied on little Katy's hat, and
tucked her tippet into her neck, and but
toned her coat SO that not a breath Of
cold air could get inside no wonder q
tear choked the voice Of The Yankee
broker as he passed from under the hos
pitablc roof of the old Virginian.