The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-01-06
"YE OLDEN TINES.
s'Old Timer" Writes of Christmas
Now and Years Ago.

events only make one page in his
tory; the deeds done alone stand for
ever and will go down in the annals
of eternity for good or evil and will
stand the mile stone marking the
destiny of thousands. These thoughts
come as idly musing alone with the
pipe of peace nearby, the happy faces
of the day gone to a sociable IN a
home not far away, there to renew
for the evening the fun and games
and dance that has held high carni-
val for a week past and will for some
time to come perhaps, and while the
young are having a royal time the
old sit by the fire trying to keep
warm and waiting for dinner to be
announced, when the turkey, spare
ribs and backbone are to be served
telling wonderful tales of exploits
done long ago, and days when the
rosy Tipped lasses clad in home made
checks and sun bonnets made cheer
full the day and walked or rode horse
back to the different places to spend
a social evening in games Of all kinds,
picking out some one to play all sorts
of pranks on, and what fun.
The contrast then and now comes
next, and you can't make an old man
see that big hats bedecked with rib
bons and feathers and gowns made of
satins and silks, ruf1es and frills
makes the lasses in the modern two
steps any prettier than the old time
girl under the merry bush, or blind
mans buff, or puss wants a corner.
But then as now the human tastes
are the same. Some of the boys
would feel much better by the side
of the girl Of his choice and soft
and low and sweet things were said
Just as now, and as proud the pos
SCISSOR of a small golden ring given
her by the lad of her choice, as is the
modern belle of her diamond or gar
net or emerald, and she strove as
hard to hide it with her hand as does
the girl OF to-day, and she made just
as poor out hiding it. Then some
one overheard little things as now.
Not long ago was this done. and here
was what was heard:
He: feel like was in my liquor.
She: You do. He: They say kiss
a girl the lamps will flicker. She:
Then let it flicker, and it flickered,
flickered out.
But times change, men change,
change everywhere. How different
the Xmas of 1909 and 1869; then
Xmas morning was ushered in by
heavy powder guns being fired of
and the echoes would roll for miles
on the crisp morning air, the men
going in companies from one house
to another and mean was considered
the man who did not get up and un-
cork suspicious looking jug and
join the band after all taking a little,
with Xmas sweets thrown in to keep
up good cheer and to keep from get
ting hungry on the way, and just be-
fore dawn the small boy would be
up hunting for the gifts from Santa
Claus. Then the fire crackers would
begin and such popping and laughter
would be INDUCED in, and Christmas
night, the negroes for miles would
congregate, build huge fire, form a
circle around it aid sing: 20, Miss
Sarah Jane, Miss Sarah Jane," or
Went to de wedding to stay all
night" the while all Joined in the
dance. Then some young ones would
get a set of quills made from joints
OF cane, and begin in low musical
strain odle, odle do, and some one
would lead others to follow, then the
jigs and clog dancing began amid
the cheers and laughter of the crowd
as some one would cut an extra fig
ure, then some old one would come
forward and sing and dance to his