Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-12-22
CHRISTMAS IN THE OLD SOUTH.
.(Bv Mrs. Blake i. Woodson. ]

Christmas in tha old south! What
tender memories cluster around that
timei Memories, which like immor-
telles will last forever.
who OF us that lived in those blessed
days can forget. Truly it was hallow-
ed season and one which we will never
see again.
The passing away OF the old life in
the south after the civil war was to be
deplored , for with it died SO many
beautiful customs and none more so
than those which surrounded the Christ
mas season.
Everywhere the true holiday spirit
prevailed, which made giving a pleasure
from the heart, and not, as now, a
favor.
In that blessed time, friendships
were formed, which lasted for gen
erations, and were handed down with
othor precious legacies from father to
son.
The commercial value, which is the
basis of most modern friendship, was
unknown. A mans integrity, sterling
character and moral worth was rated OF
greater value than his financial status.
Who of us that lived south before the
civil war can forget the grand old man
sions where good cheer reigned su-
preme, and whose great hall door stood
open all the time, rs il to bespeak the
hospitality one was sure to enjoy when
once within its portals.
The families in those days were large,
for Gods laws we're observed in all
things, and to be childless, or to have
but one or two children, WAS considered
deplorable misfortune if not dis
grace.
Entertaining was second nature,
and through all the year, there was o
generous hospitality everywhere; it was
at the Christmas season that 1t reach
ed the zenith of its perfection in its
lavishness.
For weeks beforehand, huge boxes
arrived by boat and train, and we're
cmptied Of their contents behind closed
doors. ''oIe Marse" and ole Miss"
with perhaps trusted few, attended to
this, after which the great store room
vas locked and the key placed safely
away. Oh, those blessed old days, when,
to us children, everything was wrapped
in delicious mystery, for thank God, we
had old-fashioned mothers, whose ex-
ample and teachings kept us pure and
innocent, and our belief in dear old
Santa Claus was unshaken.
Don't YOU remember, you OF my
readers who lived there, as it neared
Christmas, how we went in the big
wagon and hunted the wood and low
land for mistletoe, moss and other
eyergreens, and what fun to ride home
on the top of the load, our laughing
voices making the welkin ring? Then
how we watched for the glossy holly
sure to come to us from the upper
country.
Christmas eve, young men and
maidcns, the boys and girls, would
gather in the old home, and make gar
lands and wreaths of evergreen, twin.
ing here and there bright holly anc
pearly mistletoe. Many a romance wa!
woven in with the glossy leaves ane
bright berries.
Oh those were days OF innocent JOYS
and pastimes, when the stolen kiss from
under the mistletos was so pure thai
even the angels must have smiled
benediction on Loves young dream.
On Christmas eve too you will re
member that delicious time when ou
noses we're regaled with odors sweetel
than those of "Araby the blest;'
emanating from pantry and kitchen
when Aunt Chloe, with head handker
chief awry and sleeves rolled up: was
busy With her assistants making tooth
some delicacies such as you moderl
cooks never dreamed Of. BLESSED
Aunt Chloe! Had I the power
would rear monument to her and TIT
many other faithful darkies who mad'
the shadowy back ground to a mos
beautiful picture, one which was
portrayal of perfect ciQilization ofSal
ideal life.
Late in the evening what a sight l
was to see big Jim and Pompey Will
others bring in the huge back log ant
place it in the great hall fireplace, tha
precious Yule log which was lightet
solennly with q charred chunk lei
from the year before, and which hat