The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1916-12-15

kuISS | quarters. oo all get tlelF lHii measure
of gifts and turkey.
Perhaps the first sign of Christmas
Is the killing Of the fat hogs, which have taken
on flesh rapidly since they were put I'D and hard
ened ON good, sound ear corn. Hog-killing time
means generous supply of "fre.h," in other
words sausage sparerib, chine, cheese-sou3c, pigs
Feet, and, of course, that fresh pork ham baked
curing Christmas week. This is lanked by
baked ham two years old and sugar-cured. 1t
Will all furnish mighty good eating for visitors
who drop in for a little while, but have not time
to stay to the regular dinner
Ihose who have spent years on q tidewater Vir.
glnla, plantation know just what hog-killinc time
means to host and hostess All through the CONN.,
trSside from the humblest negro holding to the
iarsest river estate preparation for Christmas
begths with hog-king time, for then the corn ia
gathered, the woodpile is ready, and farm work in
general is In such condition that all are in nrettv
good shape for the HOLIDAYS
That Christmas eobbIer,
Two weeks before Christmas, the turkey pob.
i 'senei"ny one OF the years raising) is singled
out from the flock, put up in Slated coon IN t,o
oack yard fed on shelled corn till he is in nroner
CONDITION. Killed the day before Christmas hnnc
up on the north side of the porch and novt do,s
when cooked in the od-time kitchen nv an ola
une negro Kitchen queen" forms tho niaoo-ao-
resistance for the big dinner The cbr;str,.,
menu Fe@olces in roast turkey stuffed with oysters
oieau crumbs, etc. sugar-cured ham from ono
'" WV yours old), crisp celery, Irish and svoo+
po.toes tthe latter canded), satisfy and sninocb
Nun grown IN the home "gyardin,") nacaront
a.'u' vi course, cranberry sauce for the turler
1ne ueSsert consists Of jelly (plenty of wine for
seasohlnS), blanc mango both white and ohoa.
iate, meflngues, fruits, such as noIapa oro,os
rosy-cheeked apples, bananas and oranges W,nn
rs served at table and toddy of whisky sroor
anu water with dash of nutmeg, will most likely
pe taken by the gentlemen beforehand at tbe siao-
oodrd' hoquefort cheese and coffee end the fe,st
1htS menu IS indicative Of a typical plantation
Whit o'hels VIII be in proportion to the taste
anu ine"hs ol inc olners but it be safely as
'e''eu 'i''' nowhere would guest or stranger
slt down to meager feast on this day. for avon
the negroes have prepared most literally for tho
great OCCASION viz
Christmas Decorations
The good old custom of decorating tbo bo,,so,
,or Christmas still obtains and tho eenoro,,,
supply OF molly, running cedar and pine GROWING
n the virginia woods, is used Mansion, farm.
iouse ana cottage are all decorated Mantns
lahs, ana even bedrooms are witnesses to the sea
on OF JoHlty Family portraits Of ancestors, now
ong lald ut rest, are honored with q wreath of
reen ana the red berries Of the holly, Christmas
reeting from the stern canvas
What are the social customs that emphasize this
eason in Underwater, Virginia? On Christmas
l0rnnS glass of eggnog or teddy is taken bv the
antlenen as they go into breakfast After This
eal the company will separate. 1t is possible
lat some of the party will go to the Colonial
urch in the neighborlood for morning service
ne ancient brick edtce will always have been +
corated by loving hands for this season =
reathS OF evergreen intertwine walls, chancel
ID pulpit.
The morning service over the congregation ey "
ange Christmas greetings outside. Some pres f
Is are taken to church for neighbors who live at
distance; happy, inexpensive recollectons of the O
tson, but apprecatively indicative of the mo- "
ntous occasion. Back from church. home folks a.
! guests are ready for dinner. E,
Hunting Parties. h;
The east Virgnans have even shown penchant
hunting, and chasing the fox behind a good sr
k of hounds has always been sport par ex- kt
ence This sport still exists In the country dis Of
IT'S and in spite Of wire fences, now nlmost bl