Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-24
Christmas in the South.
Editor of The Kennebec Journal,
Augusta, Maine.

Editor OF The kennebee Journal,
Augusta, Maine.
Dear Sir:
l wonder if the northern boys and
girls would be interested in hearing a
little about a real southern Christ
mas. While you alp are skating and
possibly sleighing and coasting. your
checks Redeemed and your fingers and
toes tingling in the cold, clear air OF
a normal Christmas. these boys and
girls, most of whom have never seen
more than a few wandering flakes of
snow and who have no idea of what a
real snow storm is like, often without
wraps and bare headed, are prancing
about blowing horns and popping fire
crackers and pistols until if you were
suddenly dropped down here, you
would certainly think you had landed
in the midst of a mad, merry Fourth
of July celebration which, in effect it
really is, for when July comes in, Of
ten after weeks Of intense heat. no
child, however active, has sufficient en-
ergy to enjoy frisking and reveling in
n strenuous Fourth; so, with true
philosophy, they combine the two, and
Christmas becomes at once the happi-
est and noisiest day of the year.
For weeks beforehand all kinds of
fireworks are advertised and unfor-
tunate is the child. be he white or
black, whose stocking does not contain
ar least a few of the coveted noise
producers.
Other than that, the southern Christ
mas is not so unlike our own Holly.
with its shining leaves and red berries
and the mistletoe with waxy berries
Of greenish white, take the place of
our fir wreaths and the Christmas
trees which the grocer displays at SIPS
and upwards come from the northern
forests, aud, at the price, are only for
the children of the well TO do.
The jolly big, family dinner. with its
candied and dressed sweet potato tor
yellow YAM, and the inevitable rice
without which, as a vegetable, no
southern dinner seems complete, is
otherwise, not so different from ours.
During this day the servants all are
asrln ana each and every one is
treated TO glass CT wine, fruit and
candy besides the presents which they
expect, and often frankly ask, from
every member Of the household. Some
times, too. during the day, you are
sure of a call from all the outside SER
wants Who have served you at any
time during the year; the paper boy.
the boy or man who delivers groceries,
dry goods, pressed Clothes in fact all
from the butcher the baker and the
candlestick maker" call upon you on
Christmas. each, with childlike faith in
your ability and generosity, asking
artlessly, for christmas gif Missis.
and each accepting whatever YOU
chose to give with a low bow. a serape
of the foot, a flash of cleaning white
teeth and CHEEKY thank 70 Ma'am.'
which more than pays for the trifie be-
slowed
The churches have their services, the
Salvation Army and the various
charitable associations do their part
in making the day memorable for the
poor, and, for the past few years, the
morning paper has opened subscrip-
ticn by which q large amount of mon
ey has been raised so that the many
trusting Riddles who write each year
their little wants to the good Santa
may not be disappointed in reasonable
requests.
So the day speeds on to its happy
close and at last the tender mother
gathers her tired, noise surfeited chill
drcn about her, the dear old hymns
are sung, and she tells once again that
old, yet ever new story of the Babe of
Bethlehem whose advent brought
peace ard good will to the waiting
world and whose birthday is Christ
mas
NJ. w. HAMBLIN.
Savannah Ga. Dec. 20. 1912.