The Elk Mountain pilot., 1916-12-14

Perhaps the first sign Of Christmas
IN the killing of the fat hogs, which have taken
On flesh rapidly since they were put up and hard
ened ON good sound ear corn. Hog-killing time
means a generous supply of "fresh." In other
words sausage sparerib, chine, cheese-souse, pigs
feet. and. of course, that fresh pork ham baked
during Christmas week. This Is fanked by a
baked ham two years old and sugar-cured. 1t
will all furnish mighty good eating for visitors
who drop In for little while, but have not time
to stay to the regular dinner.
: Those who have spent years tidewater Vir
Kiniz. plantation know just what hog killing time
means to host and hostess All through the coun
tryxide. from the humblest negro holding to the
largest river estate, preparation for Christmas
begins with hog killing dme for then the corn Is
snthered, the wOodpile is ready, and farm work in
general In In such condition that all are in pretty
Hood shape for the holidays.
That Christmas GobbIer.
; Two weeks before Christmas, the turkey COB
bier generally of the years raisng) is singled
out from the flock put up in a Slated coop in the
hack yard fed shelled corn till he is In proper
condition, killed the day before Christmas, hung
sp the north side of the porch and next day,
when cooked in the old-time kitchen by old
tRe negro Kitchen queen" forms the piece-de-
Fsa1stance for the big dinner. The Christmas
0enu rejOices in roast turkey stuffed with oysters
bsead crumbs. etc. A sugar-cured ham tfrom
to two years old), crisp celery, Irish and sweet
potatoes (the latter candied), satisfy and spinach
(an grown in the home "gyardin.D macaron
and, of course. cranberry sauce for the turkey
1Ae dessert consists of jelly (plenty of wine for
seaapninK), blanc mango, both white and choco
lafa meringues, fruits, such ns Malaga grapes
roaV-cheeked apples, bananas and oranges. Wine
u served at table and toddy of whisky, sugar
and water, with dash of nutmeg, will most likely
be taken by the gentlemen beforehand mt the side
board. Roauefort cheese and coffee end the feast
This menu is indicative of typical plantation
dinner; others will be in proportion to the taste
and means of the diners, but it can be safely as
serted that nowhere would guest or stranger
sit down to a meager feast on this day, for even
the negroes have prepared most literally for the
great occasion.
Christmas Decorations
The good old custom of decorating the houses
for Christmas still obtains, and the generous
supply of holly, running cedar and pine, growing
in the Virginia woods is used. Mansion, farm
house and cottage all decorated. Mantels,
halls and even bedrooms are witnesses to the sea-
son of jollity. Family portraits of ancestors, now
long laid Mt rest honored with wreath or
green and the red berries of the holly christmas
greeting from the stern canvas
What are the social customs that emphasize this
season in Tdewater, Virginia? On Christmas
morning glass of eggnog or toddy is taken by the
gentlemen as they go into breakfast After this
meal the company will separate. II is possible
that some of the party will go to the Colonial
church in the neighborhood for morning service
The ancient brick editice will always have beeh
decorated by loving hands for this season
Wreaths of evergreen intert"lne on WILLS ehahee
and pulpit.
The morning service over the congregation ex
change Christmas greetings outside Some pres
epts are taken to church for neighbors who live at
, distance: happy, Inexpensive recoections OF the
season. but appreciativey indicative OF the mo-
mentous occasion. Back from church, home toiks
and guests are ready for dinner
Hunting Parties.
Tho a.st yirginians have ever shown a penchant
sor hunting and chasing the fox behind a good
mack of hounds has always been sport par eS-
eeence This sport still exists In the country dis
tricts and in spite of wire fences, no" almost