The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-12-30
FestaI Day In Dixie
cam aI be-!

Y. :
4 - a Christmas down in Dixie n
Il culiary fascinating. Ii. sayo
more Of the old English holds
when the wassail bowl was filed to ii
brtm. when the Ydle log gIowed AT
thef boar's head was borne into Il
banquet. II was in the good old DAY
before the war that the folks OF II
south observed this joyous season wit
prodIgality more lavish ana llospitalit
more extensive than were dreamed I
even in theannals Of BraceErldge Hall
Then came the TIDE carnival Of me,
rfnent. Tie oil manor was ahlaz
with life and beauty. From the SUI
roundipg country all the bellies and til
beaus had gathered. Morning bmugll
meet at dayhrcak for the fox hum
and nighttime called for odd Uncl
Enhrninl," the plantation fiddler who's
reels were famous throughout th
whole country. Feast followed feast
and the spirit Of celebration extended
from the master down to ihe tielC
hands. eadll Of whom received 10.
filled with good whisky when lie called
for his Christmas ntiOnS.
But these are the days that have
gone, and with their going departed
many characteristics which made the
Christmas time down south so dlstinc
tive. While the fate Of war aud chang.
ell conditions have curtailed the prodi
gllity Of former days, most OF tile an,
cient customs remain, and III many III.
stances Christmas in the villages and
the country is but mild repetition OF
anIebeIIum ObSCrvances.
4 few of the large country homes
still have some Of the old servants who
were with the family in slavery days.
II these old family darllies have been
away during the year they always re.
appear with the approach ofthe Christ
mas holidays and assume duties about
the household. Tile old "mammy." al
though her services have been engaged
elsewhere during the rest Of the year,
reports to make the fruit cake for
Christmas dinner
She alone knows the culinary tradi-
ti0nS of the family kitchen. The in
gradients of this wonderful cake have
been handed down from generation
to generation. AMI the spice and the
brandy and the citrOn and all such
things are compounded according to
the proportions laid down years and
years agOne.
These fruit cakes bear the family
name, and Some time. through the cOur-
tcSy uC the season and tile exchange
Of compliments Of the day, a slice or
t;mntl:lld cake is on the same plate
with slice of 1)ubiSnon cake. Not
iMfrcqucrtly these cakes are cooked Il
year III advance, by which time they
are fully. scaSonUlantl settled, although
the cracks in the icing and its yellow
tint mar the beauty somewhat. It's
ruOkin" can be inlruSted to no hands
except those Of the antcbcllum family
cnok or her descendants.
Not alone this old cook, but al!
branches Of the service in vogue dur
Ing the days Of slavery are usually
rrprpSentWl Ilmut Christmas time. Tie
sou Of your fathers aud your grand
fathers coachnmM comes. and on rare
DAYS the old man himself hobbies to
the house and spins out marvellous
tales OF lie past.
These old tarkicS arc all presented
with gifts, and for Gfch Of their chill
drcn Il present Of some sort has been
prepared. This feature generally comes
in the southern home before the rest
Of the family has been attended, TO-
IN the meantime the children have
men keeping eager watch at the door
Of the room where Santa Claus. has
made his visit 30 one is allowed TO
enter this sacred precinct until tue
mtrrfamilias gives the signal. but he
fore this signal Is given every member
Of the household must he tlrcSS"l anu
ready for breakfast and lie morning
PRAYERS must have been said.
When everything is ready The emil
lcn arc allowed to rll$ll III AMI GSam'
inc the contents Of their stockings
Some Of the largest children still have
implicit faith in the wonderful person
aIiy of old Santa Claus. Forged notes
from the old fellow, adm"niShlnE them
10 make their behavior according To
tlc prcccpt OF their mother. are eagerly
road and compared. The INTERVENING"
Of prcspntS among the older members
Of ihc family usually takes place at tue
breakfast table. Int IN most Instances
thcy arc allowed 10 mInglG with the
munticS OF old Santa Claus and arc
nurkcd from the Samc holly tree from
| which his presents hang.
The hunt for The holly aud the mis-
tlrtoe, willie not as exciting as thr
chase for the boars head. is just rs
much II feature us that old English
custom and equally enjoyable, Sew
eul DAYS before christmas eve big
wagon, filled with straw und'brimmtng
mlI of pretty girls and boys, loo, Is
driven into the woods. where Il"
search for tie holly is carried on. II
requires most agile younEStrr t"
sraIc to the height where the missile
toe grows. and lie IS, always sure CT
n generous reward Of kisses from th'