Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1913-12-23
Festal Day In Dixie
A Carnival Of Cheer

more or the OLD English holiday
when the wassail bowl was filed TO the
brim. when the Yule log glowed and
the boars head was borne into the
banquet 1t was in the good old DAYS
before the war that the folks of the
south observed this joyous season with
prodigaIity more lavish and hospitality
more extensive than We're dreamed OF
even IN the annals of Bracebridge Halt
Then calne the true carnival Of mer-
riment The old manor was ablaze
with life and beauty From the sur.
rounding country all the bellies and the
beaus had gathered Morning brought
a meet III daybreak for the fox hunt,
and nighttime called for "Old Uncle
Ephraim, the plantation fiddler. whose
reels were famous throughout the
Whole country. Feast followed feast
anG lie spirit of celebration extended
fronr the master down to the field
hands. each of whom received a jug
filed With good whisky when he called
for his Christmas rltions
But these are the days that have
gone, and with their going departed
many characteristics which made the
Christmas time down south so distinc-
tive. While the fate OF war and chang
ed conditions have curt1iled the prodi-
gality of former days. most of the an
eient customs remain. and in many in
stances Christmas in the villages and
the country is but mild repetition Of
antebellum obSeryances.
A 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 darkles have been
away during the year they always re-
appear with the approach of the Christ.
| mas holidays and assume duties about
the household The old NANNY" 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.
lions of the family kitchen. The In
gradients of this wonderful cake have
been handed down from generation
to generation. and 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-
| tesy Of the season and the exchange
of compliments of the day. a slice Of
| Grantland cake is on the same plate
| with slice of Dubignon cake. Not
infrequentIy these cakes are cooked a
year in advance. by which time they
are fully seasoned and settled. although
| the cracks in the icing and its yellow
| tint mar the beauty somewhat. Its
cooking can be intrusted to no hands
except those of the antebellum family
cook or her descendants.
| Not alone this old cook, but all
| branches of the service In vogue dur
ing the days OF slavery are usually
represented about Christmas time. The
son of your fathers and your grand
| fathers coachman comes. and on rare
days the old man himself hobbies to
the house and spins out marvellous
tales of the past
These old darkies are all presented
| with gifts. and for each of their chill
dren a 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
been keeping eager watch at the door
Of the room where Santa Claus has
made his visit No one is allowed to
enter this sacred precinct until the
paterfamilias gives the signal. but be
fore this signal is given every member
of the household must be dressed and
ready for breakfast and the morning
prayers must have been said.
i When everything is ready the chill
dren are allowed to rush in aud exam
inc the contents Of their stockings
Some of the largest children still have
implicit faith in the wonderful person
atty of old Santa Claus Forged notes
from the old fellow. admonishing them
to make their behavior according t.
the precept of their mother. are eagerly
read and compared The Interchange
of presents among the older members
of the family usually takes place Mt the
breakfast table. but IN most instances
they are allowed to mingle with the
bounties Of old Santa Claus and are
plucked from the same holly tree from
which his presents hang.
| The hunt for the holly and the mis-
| tletoe, while not as exciting as the
chase for the boar's head, is just as
| much a feature as that old English
custom and equally enjoyable. Sew
eral days before Christmas eve a big
wagon, filed with straw and brimmine
full of pretty girls and boys, too, Is
driven into the woods, where the
! search for the holly Is carried on. II
requires most agile youngster tc
scale to the height where the mistle
toe grows, and he Is always sure OF
a generous reward Of kisses from the
girls below.
Christmas day is always quiet
Sometimes the boys and girls have
been taught carols. which they sing
at home or in the village chapel hard
by. Night brings mirth and youthful
| jollity again when the darkies come
once more and sing old songs OF par
| ticipate In outdoor games.
About it all there has been quaint
old time favor Everybody Is happy
and yet there is tinge OF sadness
about 1t all. for the southern Christmas
now is but a faint echo Of days
gone By.