The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-12-20
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

This edition of The Hustler brings
r US to the happy milestone, Christ
mas, the day above all others that
little folks long to see from year
: to year. The season for joyous
festivity and family reunions and
, all the greatest pleasures of the
year. Old Santa will be around
next Monday night to make the
good children happy. He is said
to be "a stout. elderly, conserva>
tive, self-made saint with a jov-
ial temperament" and is popular
beyond description. Both the old
and young like Santa Claus and
the quaint old man is always a.
welcome visitor. Christmas marks
our progress in life and recalls
pleasurable events of former
years. May be to some in advan
ced life the recurrence of the day
has, in a measure ceased to bring
such decided happiness as in the
past, yet there is an ever increas-
ing throng of younger people
coming on, who take the places of
their elders ID the joys and festiv-
tiles OF the Christmastide. The num-
Der increases, year by year. as he cir
Gle of happy ones is swelled with light
hearts and smiling c~ountenances.
Christmas has long been a fixed fes-
tival in the life OF all enlightened ma
tiOns and in the ages 10 come it will
continue to be hailed with glad acclaim
from the rivers to the ends of the
earth" 1t is a day usually given to
feasting and repose-the merriest day,
the brightest day, the happiest day of
all the year. 1t is the day when tables
are laden with turkey, cranberry sauce,
celery, plum pudding, pound cake-and
every imaginable deIectable Wand is
spread before the family and friends.
In other words, 'the big pot is put into
the little one, - TO the end that a great
spread may be realized and all "have a
good time" This is the time for giving
and receiving tokens of friendship and
appreciation, when kindness, good feel
ing and generosity is poured out. bring
ing cheer and coptentment to those en-
tering into the spirit of the occasion
And so it will always be. We are SIM
ply following the example that has been
set US and seek to do good to our fellows,
at least during the blessed Christmas
tide, and it is the effort that makes the
and the happiness and the
brightness of the season.
Furthermore, it is becoming that the
inhabitants of all the Earth keep the
of the natal day of the Savior
of mankind. Its religious purport be.
of greater interest with each
year and Christians rejoice to-
in disseminating the lessons of
love and fellowship taught by
Him in Whose honor the day is kept.
Let us not repress these natural emo
lions and sentiments, but use the Occa-
sion to crafty them as far as our cir
.,umstances permit, particularly remem
oer1ng the poor. the widowed and the {
and try to make their lives -.
brighter and happier, even at a cost of =
some slight sacrifice of our comfort. ,
But this is not all: look first after the ,
home. Do not allow the wife and little {
ones to be disappointed. "Charity be- 7
gins at home"-the larger Charity 6
owe and affection, kind words, tender
less. Let the Christmastide be a season I
If love around the family hearth. There !
6 where our earthly heaven should be. :
The Hustler wishes one and all a merry =
chris tmas and many happy returns. r