The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1909-12-12

(rcrtinued from page thrce)
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the vast pile with triumphant har-
mony.
II is a beautiful arrangement, also,
derived from the days OF yore, that
this festival. which commentaries
the announcement Of the religion ~
peace and love, has been made the
season for gathering together closcr
again those bands Of kindred hearts.
which the cares and pleasures and
sorrows e the world are continually
operating to cast loose. of calling
back the children of family, who
have launched forth In life and wan
dcred widely asunder once moro to
assemble about the patcrnal hearth
that rallying place OF the affec.
items, there to grow young and loe-
ing again among mtmcntos of child
hood
There rs something in the very
season OF the year that gives
charm to the fcsuyity of Christmas
At other times Vc derive a great
portion of our pleasures from the
mere beauties of nature. Our feel
ings sally forth and dissipate them.
selves over the sunny landscape,
and We live abroad and every
where The song of the bird, the
murmur OF the stream, the breathing
fragrance of spring the soft volupt.
uOusness II summer, the golden
pomp Of autumn; earth, with its
mantle oI refreshing green, and
heaven, with its deep, delicious blue
and its cloudy magnificence, all fill
Us with mute but exquisite delight.
and we rcvel in the luxury of mere
sensation. But IN the depth cf win
ter, when nature lies dcspoiled of
every charm and wrapped in her
shroud OF shectcd snow. we turn
i.r our gratif ations 10 moral
H'NI' VIZ Nv ul'dl mess anu u'SOld-
lion of our landscape: the short,
gloomy days and darksome nights,
while they cir.umscribe our wan
derings. shut m our feelings also
from rambling abroad. and make Us
more keenly disp scd for the pleas
ureS ot the social circle. Our
thoughts are more concentrated: our
friendly sympathies more aroused
We feel more scusibly the charm of
each others society. and are brought
more closely together by dependence
on each other for enjoyment. 4 sea.
son when heart calling unto heart.
The pitchy gloom without makes
the heart dilate on entering the
room filled with the glow and
warmth OF the cvning fire The rud.
dy blaze diffuses an artificial sum
mer and sunshine through the room.
and light mp each countenance with
q Nndlicr welcome. Where does
the honest face of hospitality ex-
pand into a broader and more cor
dial where is the shy glance
of love more sweet,y cloquent-than
Dy the winter iircside? And. a. the
hollow blast Of wintry wind rushes
through the hall, clasps the distant
door, whistles about the easement.
ana rUmblcs down the chimney
what can be more grateful than
that feeling Of sober and sheltered
'ccurity with which We look around
upen the comfortable chamber and
the scene of domestic hilarity?
Amidst the general call to happi.
ness, the hustle of spirits, and stir
oi the affections, which prevail at
this period, what bosom can remain
nscnsible II is. indeed, the season
Of rcgenerated fceling-the season
for kindling not merely the fire
ei hospitality in the hall. hut the
genial flame of charity in the h"ar;
Surely happiness is reflective, like
the Hight of heaven; and every conn
tcnance, bright with smiles and glow
ing with innocent enjoyment. is !
mirror transmitting Ito others tn
rays OF supreme and cver-shinins
benevolence. He who can turn churl.
ishly away from contemplating the
felicity OF his fellow-beings, and can
sit down darklinr and repinms in
his loneliness when all around l.
Joyful, may have his moments of .
strong excitement and selfish graf.
ification. but he wants the genial |
and social sympathes which consti- |
ute the charm OF a merry Christ
mas
Il
Here and There.