Deming graphic., 1921-12-20
Hard Chnistmases
for C. Washington

Ell George wsshInEtoD's Christ
masses. But from the record
of his life we learn how he spent some
Of his Christmas days
II was a very cold Christmsstids In
l777 at Valley Forge. Snow was on
the hills. Everything was frozen. And
washington's army was in great need
Of food. clothing and shelter.
Instructions Of parties OF men to 20
fcraglng for food are entered in the
orderly book for that Christmas day
at Valley Forge. which was suything
but merry for Washington.
still more desperate were the food
conditions at Morristown, in 1779.
when Washington reported that his
army was on half allowance and near
starvation. 1--WE have never expe-
rienced n like extremity at any period
Of the war;" declared Washington.
pleading that food be sent. E.
There was a welcome Christmas
present for Washington and his men
at New Windsor In 1850 when a big
Christmas wagon came with over 1900
shirts and other comforts made by
Philadelphia women patriots--things
needed by the men under Washington,
who we're cheerfully suffering all sorts
OF hardship in order that this country
might be free. The Philadelphia wom-
en- also raised. that year. over $780,
900 In aid OF the soldiers. .
The fne old Colonial mansion (the
Craigie house) in Cambridge. Mass,
(now widely known as the home OF
Henry w. Longfellow), was the place
wnere Washington spent his first
Christmas as commander of the Rev
olutionary army In ITS. Mrs. Wash
lngton was there with him (as she wa
later at Valley Forge), and there was
some pleasure in the midst Of the
heavy cares and responsibilities car
ried by the great Washington.
A year later Christmas day found
Washington at the head OF his 2. 400
brave men making his celebrated
miles above Trenton. The snow and
sleet we're binding. II is recorded, and
the cold was Intense. But hearts
we're brave.
Wherever he was at Christmastide. |
Washington was cheered with the
thought that the cause OF the strug-
Cling colonies would surely win. A
few days before Christmas, 17T6, he
wrote TO his older brother, John Au-
gustine Washington: Between you
and me, our AFFAIRS are In a very bad
situation. However, under a
full persuasion Of the justice OF our
cause, cannot entertain an idea that
II will finally sink. though It may re-
main for some time under a cloud"
Washington must have had some
very merry Christmases At Mount Yer
non. There were no children Of his
own with whom Washington could
romp. But we can easily imagiae
the big-hearted general putting on
false beard OF fuzzy white whlskers
and singing a pack over his back for
the delight Of be little ones in the
nelghborhood.
General Washington was truly the
Father Of His Country" and we have
n very good idea Of the sort Of holiday
spirit In which he observed the glad
ChristmastIds" when our republic was
in Its Infancy.
No one in all our bright history as
Il nation has handed down a more ra- |
dlant Christmas message OF hope and /
fs'tk
chestnuts steN~ed in Gravy.
Boil the large chestnuts for ten .
minutes. take them out, shell and peel /
them, having care to break them as
little as possible. Skim and strain
the liquor In which the glblets were
boiled, season II TO taste. with salt
and pepper, and to a pint OF II add a
tablespoonful Of Drowned -four rubbed
smooth with a teaspoonful OF butter.
In this gravy place the peeled chest
nuts and let them simmer ten or fifteen
minutes at the side OF the stove. Serve
as vegetable.-The Dellneator.
4 EhnEPS MOT GREAT TAI KERc