The Washington herald., 1907-12-22

Christmas IN the woods:
i Is the ideal Christmas. the Yule-
tide Of n boys keenest joys and a
mans happiest memories.
That universal impulse which makes
young and old look hopefully toward
the skies on December "A in anticipa-
tiOn of those clouds that viii mean a
white Christmas" is but the expires
sion OF mans love for the open, FOR
thoughts OF the forest. tie snow-clad
fields. the frozen streams.
For hfty-one weeks Of the year this
longing of man for the natural. the
primitive is repressed BY the cares Of
business. But the softening influence
that comes with the greatest Of all
holidays makes him q boy again and
turns back the hands on the clock Of
times TO where he can find delight IN
the pure joys Of natures landscape.
Christmas in the woods eyokes a
picture OF snOw-laden bOUghs. a white
carpet, unbroken. unmarked. save
where some 'possum has made his way
10 the swamp in search Of a persim-
mon, better at Christmas time than
any other. when the meIIowness Of the
season has removed the last trace Of
the pucker and left remaining only a
most delicious ripened. candied mouth
fuI OF sweetness.
There are rabbit tracks. too. show
ing where bunny. unwilling 10 follow
the way OF the rest Of the world. has
stirred early and made his Christmas
feast at breakfast time instead OF din
ner.
Mistietoe, so Ike an Old nest in its
parasite style OF cIinging TO the trees.
IS one Of the most eloquent appeals
10 the sense 20 be found IN a Christ
mas ramble through the forest.
Tae tiny Sgreen leaves and the berries
recall the centuries in which men have
kissed blusing maidens finding their war
rant for the boldness in the time-honored
tradition that she who stood under the
mistIetoe had no right TO take oflense a.
the liberty.
English ladies in the run and great
dresses OF the time Of Elizabeth, great
court ladies, who resented not If knights
dared and kissed under the warrant OF
the mistletoe. country lasses a million
have blushed, laughed. struggled 10 es-
cape. and then submitted. perhaps not
unwilllngly. 10 the law made by none
knows who.
SIistIetOe Is Inspiring.
The man who can 90 through a wood
and see the mistIetoe without having
awakened in him whole train OF
romantic reverie. is something short Of
human. or else he has delved so deeply
into Iedgers. or bent his gaze so Unceas-
ingly on stock tickers that the last ounce
OF sentiment has 0ozed from his veins.
The very birds OF the forest seem less
shy IN the snowy Christmas season.
For one thing. their food is harder 20
get. and they must risk more. What can
be so readily obtained IL the fUllness Of
summer days becomes Infinitely more
troublesome when snow comes 10 hide
the ground.
Man may steal close 20 the tangled
vines and briars which make the table
for the Christmas feast Of the winter
birds. and II he come in kindness and
make no sign Of hostility his approach
viii not send them scurrying away.
Withering punches Of chicken grapes.
plump clusters Of the blue-black berries
OF the greenbriaT, large trees Of frUiting
holly. trailing partridge berry, winter
green. the berries Of the cedars. the
acOrns make a menu that leaves nothing
10 be desired in the esteem Of the feath-
cred epicure.
Cheer and company are here for him
who win but see The glow OF the green