Image provided by: Yamhill County Historical Society; McMinnville, OR
About The Yamhill County reporter. (McMinnville, Or.) 1886-1904 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 24, 1897)
THE CHPISTMAS STOCKING OLD FATHER TIME RECEIVES CHRISTMAS MUSINGS. YEAR. THE NEW ie ghostly light I'm Hlldilg UiUSmg of long dead Decem bers, Tile the siiapes are tl uuu out am embers a my hearthstone In mad races, und 1 marvel, for In seem ing can dimly see th faces ami the scene of which I’m dream Whate'«r the facts or fanel«i< of onr creed. They are dlvire If they but serve our neertot And hence the brightness of tluit glorious dt’U, That sit'll Is called “The Star of Bcthle- hetu”— A Star, b yond all other Btara, designed; 'l o sued a purer lustre on mankind, And through the various lense» of the soul To warm und cheer aud elevate the whole. And what, although Its broad supernal beam» May be but concentrations of the gleams That lit up many an eastern Buddha’s breast, lo shed erewhile their radiance o’er the west ? golden Cbrlitinu, days of yore! sweet anticipa- lou red tlielr Joys for lays before Their glorious reali zation ; And on the dawn Of Christmas morn My childish heart was unoc A wild tattoo. As ’twould break through. As I unhung my stocKing. Whate’er the grade or color of the flam®. In essence, light and love are all the same. Both myth and mystery must to all things cihig Else Progress has no source from whence to spring. Here none superior knowledge may assume, As mind anti matter are conceived tn gloom; Nor has .1 Veda or Apocalypse Dispelled one cloud of the «profound eclipse. But see’ ami 1 our happy homes we stand. throughout With peace and joy widespread ‘ the land. While merry little household ('hrists are born Of every song and Minile this Christmas morn. Each simple gift that came to hand, Bow marvelous I thought it! A treasure straight from Wonderlaud, For Santa Claus had brought it. And at my cries Of glad surprise The others all came llock!n0 To share my glee And view with me The contents of the st« utng. Then let our Inmost souls ascend In praise To that mysterious power who guides our ways; And let us truly thank him, one and all. For all Ids Christs and Vedas, great and small Years sped—J left each well-loved scene In Northern wilds to roam, And there, ’mid tossing pine tree« trreen, 1 made myself a home. We numbered three And blithe were we. At adverse fortune mocking. And Christ mast ide By our fireside Found hung the baby's stocking. But. oh, alas! that we should only see His love and rare in full prosperity! Or that discomfort for a single hour Should prompt us to deny bls fostering power! Oh! when shall It be clearly understood That evil’s but the darkest shade of good; That in some great equation may be blent Darkness as though ’twere light’s true corn* piemeat? Alas’ within our home to-night No sweet young voice is ringing, , through its silent rooms no light, Free, childish step Is springing. The wild winds rave O’er baby’s grave Where plumy pines are rocking. And crossed nt rest rr’i. marble breast Tho hands that tilled my stocking. But now that we are all assembled here Ou this glad day, the white atone of th» year- As on this elevated plane we stand. Let us give those below a helping hand. Let each produce what treasures he has got From any lore he loves—no matter what; lint all the Christian needs, on his account. Will simply be “the Sermon on the Mount,’* —Jenuess-Miller Monthly. With misty eve« but steady hand I raise m.v Christmas (’bailee: Here s to the children of the land In cabin or In palace: May each one hold The key of gold The gates of glen unlocking. • And hands be found _ «... "kole world round To fll! the Chrlstmns stocking. —Ladles’ Home Journal. X UNCLE .JERRY’S ♦ i CHRISTMAS. I A FLORIDA CHRISTMAS. How the Happy Day I h Celebrated in a Fair Southern City, any rate, all to once she give out and had to go ter bed. The next mornin’ she couldn’t get up, but Uncle Jerry didn’t think much about it. s’posed she’d be up bimeby; but when lie come in to dinner, there lay his wife jest the same, as if sh • hadn’t no thoughts o’ gettin* up. He didn’t know what under the sun to do, but he knew he must do somethin’, so he het a brick and put to her feet, and was jest making a mustard plaster to put on her somewhere» when Mis’ Hop kins happened in. She see how it was with Aunt Betsey in a minute. She’s awful cute about tome things, Mis’ Hopkins is. and she ain’t afraid o’ no man livin’. "Uncle Jerry,” says »he. matter of fact as you please, “your wife’s a very sick woman', ami she's goiu’ to die right off. I’m afraid, ’less we hyper round and do somethin’, and do it quick. But fust I’d better step over ’n’ fetch the doctor.” Uncle Jerry was wonderful took down. All of a sudden he realized that his wife was invaloonble to him; he felt that he N C L E J E II It Y Foster was too stin gy to live, and every body knew it. But everybody didn’t k n o w li o w poor Aunt Betsey, his wife, had to manage and contrive and skimp to get along. She never had the handling of an y money. Even the butter and egg mon ey. that most every farmer's wife has for her own use, all went into Uncle Jerry’s pocket«; anil if «he wanted n new gown or a bonnet or a pair o' shoes—I hadn’t orter any if she wanted ’em, but if she must have 'em, and there wa’n’t no possi ble alrthly way for him to «kill out o' get tin' ’em—then Uncle Jerry would go to the «tore with her and buy ’em and pay for ’em, jest as if she wan a child or an ijiot, and incapable o' dewin’ business on her own hook. If Aunt Betsey hadn't had the best dis- I position in the world, she wouldn't stood it nil them years. As it was, it wore on her, »nil told on her fearful. Though Uncle Jerry was one o' the richest men in town, she might ’a’ been the wife o' the poorest and niiser'blest, so fur's any out- wari Indication was consumed—or in ward Indications, cither—for she was al- wers half starved, and wa’nt nothin' hut ■ kin nnd bones, ns you might say. Uncle Jerry grew wuss 'n' wuss, and come along towards Christmas he got a brnn’-new crochet fer savin' into his head. It was nt family devotion one mornin', jest before the leadin', that he divulgated it to his wife. He finds the place in Xe- UNCLE JERRY SET A STATU . hemiar—lie nlwers read the long chapters could not get nlong without her, nohow. in fnll and winter and puts his thiini' in to keep it, then, drawin’ on a long face, He was as anxious to have the doctor as he looks nt Auivt Betsey over his spe'tu- Mis' Hopkins was, and told her to hurry and bring him. cles, aud says he: So she went—he lived near by—and she “Wife, I are of a notion that this ’ere Christmas business is all foolishness! snys to him: “Doctor Cross, now is your chance to Seems if it must be a sin in the sight o’ the Lord to eat so much one day iu the do a deed o’ humanity, and put a spoke year. 1 don't believe it’s necessary to ill Uncle Jerry Foster's wheel for all make pigs ’n' gluttons of ourselves in time! If he’s got any heart and feelin's order to have thankful hearts; and if we you must find ’em and work on to ’em for go to meetin', and so on, why ain’t that his wife’s sake. It would lie cruel to enough? I reckon we’ll sell the turkey bring her back to life, 'less you can do this year nd have our usual dinuer, somethin' to make that life endoorable. ’long's there ain't no children coniiu' Don't, I beg on ye, raise her up to live on in the same old skimpy tniser’ble way! home, nor nothin'.” Aunt Betsey set there with her hands Better let her die and done with it.” They discussed and considered over the In her lap. not exactly thinkin', but kinder wonderin’ and grievin’. And when they matter for a few minutes, then went to- kneeled down to pray she kept on wonder gather to the house. They found Aunt Betsey layin’ jist the in’ more'n ever. She wondered what she had to be thankful for, anyway. same only she stopped cryin’. The doctor "Now, if Ellen could come home!" Ellen examined her and diaggernosed her case was their dnlighter, all the child they had as well ns he could, then he mot iotied Un in the world, and she lived so far away de Jerry out into the other room aud ahet that she couldn't nfford to come home the door behind him. It seems the doctor took him awful ■ nd bring the children bein' she was a widder and poor hilt, oh, how her mother solium and in dead earnest, aud says he, did wanter see her! "What did she care to begin with: "Uncle Jerry, do you sot high rally on about turkey and plum puddin' if Ellen and the children couldn’t eat it with her? your wife's life?” “High rally on my wife's life?” says Yes. the money might ns well be put in Uncle Jerry, red in the face. “Of course I dew. What you talkin' about?” “I was here when you fetched her home a bride. I remember how handsome she was; plump as n pa’tridge, fresh as a flower, nnd as laughin' and chipper a girl ns I 'bout ever see. Changed, terribly changed, ain’t she?" turnin' to Uncle Jer ry and feelin' in his pocket fer his han’- k’chif to wipe away the tears. “It does beat nil how she’s changed," says he. "Changed!" says Uncle Jerry, U of a fluster, "of course she’s changed! Why, we've been married goin’ on 25 year! You can't expect a woman to stay 18 all her life!” ”1 know that farmers' wives grow old pretty fast as a gireral thing; break down “YOU* WIFK IS A VKIIT SICK WOMAN.” young, don't they? But, Uncle Jerry,” squarin' round on him suddenl/ aud look the batik; she didn't care." So she in' him in the eye. “I want to nsk you to thought on and on, not hardly sensin' the compare your wife's looks with the looks prayer a mite. of other women of her age in town, no She went out to her work in the kitch handsomer, no healthier than what she en feelin' all broke up. She didn’t know war when you married her. and tell me if «•¿■7 “h«, should l>e, 'less she'd been kind you think there's a difference. Now, er secretly hopin’ to have Ellen and the they're different from your wife, and cu!!*r"** Christmas was more than she why? I ask yon fair and candid, why could bear. There wa’n't nothin' to her, shouldn’t she look as happy, be as happy no time, as you might say. and this was and make as good a 'pearance every way the last straw on he camel's back. *T as them women« And why is U that she Jias took to her bed in the prime o’ life and don’t wanter live no longer? For I find that’s about the way it is with her.” When Uncle Jerry came back he went up to the bed and sat down beside his wife and looked at her. She was asleep, and Mis’ Hopkins thought he must ’a’ realized how pitiful she looked for she seen him draw his hand acrost his eyes two or three times on the sly. Binieby he got up and went out to Mis’ Hopkins, and, says he: “What was the doctor’s orders? What can I do to help ye?” “He ordered nourishin’ food, and wine, and so on,” she says, “and I guess the fust thing you may kill a chicken, if you’re minter, and git it ready fer the broth; then go over to Jim Jackson’s and buy a quart or so of that oldest grape wine o’ his’n. She’ll be awake by the time you get backwith it, I gues».” Uncle Jerry didn’t so much as wink at mention of the chicken, but when she spoke o’ the wine so offhand and matter o’ course he drawed in his breath once or twice killer spasmodicky, but he never opened his head. W hen the broth was ready Uncle r.v asked if he might take it in; so i Hopkins tilled one of the chiny bowls was Aunt Betsey’s mar’s and set it I plate with a cracker or two, and he ’em along. The broth was good and strong, when Aunt Betsey tasted on’t she looked at her husband real kinder scairt, and, says she: “Where did this ’ere come from?” And he ’aughed and says: “It’s made out o’ one of our best Plymouth Rocks; is it good?” A wonderin’, quiverin’ smile hovered for a minute on to her poor face; she didn’t know wha.t to make on’t. But when be lugged in the jug o’ wine and poured out a hull half a tumbler full and handed it to her, her eyes fairly «-tuck out of her head with astonishment. “Drink it; it’ll do you good,” says he. “It’s Jim Jackson s oldest grape wine you’ve hoard tell on.” “Why—why, husband!” she whispered, “didn’t it cost an awful sight o’ money?” “Only $.’» a gallon,” he answered, tryin’ to smile, but lookin’ rather ghastly. She sipped it slow, eyein’ him over the top o* the tumbler as she done so; but pretty soon she set it down and spoke again, awful moachin’, and ’pealin’, her lips tremblin’ as if she was going to cry. “I’m sorry to put you to so much ex pense. husband. I’m afraid—I’m afraid it ain’t wuth while!” He got up and blowed his nose with all his might and main. “I want yon to get well, Betsey. I want you to get well!” he managed to say. The strangest expression come into her face you ever see in any creature’s. Then, as if struck by somethin’ in his looks, she seemed to get a dim idee that he was dif ferent. and she tried to make out how it was, but couldn’t, and, bein’ too tired and weak to think much, she jest shot her eyes and give it all up. That night Uncle Jerry harnessed the old mare and went over and got Mary Buell to came ’n’ stay with ’em a spell. Mary’s an excellent good hand in cases o’ sickness, ami bein’ an old maid, she’s always ready to go and dew for the neigh bors. She’s a prime nuss ami honsekeep- er. and she’s good company, too—jest the kind o’ person to cheer Aunt Betsey up, you know. Wall, it come along the day —: ’ -~1 Another Year Is Dawning. Another year is dawning! Dear Muster, let It be. In working or in waiting. Another year with 'l’hee. Another year is leaning, Upon Thy loving breast <J. ever-deepening trustfulness. Of quiet, happy rest. TN TROOPED A PARCEL O CHILDREN. ’fore Christmas, and Aunt Betsey lay back in her easy chair in the cheerful Bit tin’ room. A pitcher full of late fall flow ers stood on the mantelshelf; a cracklin’ tire was burnin’ in the open tireplace, and the old tabby cat lay before it on the rug, purrin’ for all she was wuth—a perfect pictur' of content. The door was open into the kitchen, and she could see Mary steppin' round about her work, gettin’ ready for to-morrer. She could smell the stuffin' for the turkey, ami the plum puddin’ bakin' in the oven. She knew there was a hull shelf full o’ pies in the pantry— she see 'em yesterday —six mince, six punkin, three apple an’ three criuib’ry tart. She thought it was too many to make at once; and seemed so strange. She sighed and laid her head back, with the old look on her face. She was thinkin’ of Ellen and the children. 8he sat there, blamin’ herself and think in’ what a poor, weak kind of a mother she was, till the tears rolled down her cheeks. Then, all at once, she heard a noise outside. The stage had stopped, nnd there was the sound o’ voices talkin' and laughin’, and of feet hurryin' up the steps. Then the door opened—no, it was burst open— and in trooped a parcel o’ children, and behind ’em, not fur behind, with her hands stretched out and the happy tears stream in’ down her pretty face, come her daugh ter Ellen! win Ite Christmas holly overall tlx doors to N M rt rtTfot «infer sunsfrix ,a f flood ¿lory pot pours j ___ to 1ht umk r suns th N ,a lood ot of gloiy Hfapbf(l?nshw roses (ufiywhertwfdn, , T How them two Kissed ami clung to one ’n’ other, till the children got out o’ pa tience and wouldn’t wait no longer for their turn! Then Uncle Jerry came to the resky aud says, betwixt laughin’ and cry in’: “There, there, children! I guess that’ll dew! It’s my turn now,” and he took her to the lounge whe*e she could lay and rest and still be with ’em all. She pulled him down to her ami kissed him and whispered: “Oh, husband, how good you be! You’ve made me the happiest woman in the world!” Uncle Jerry got away as quick as he could, and went out to the barn and set down on the hay cutter and laughed and wiped his eyes till he was some calmer. Then he fell on his knees and thanked God reverently for showin’ him before he died what true happiness wuz, and how to get it for himself by bestowin’ it on others.—New York Tribune. Lf Hbenj brtafy tf)t ir sued souls mlljebtartof flan. miif rn lije Casern iiy calter loue and kindness futrare qc i Qlory betoQod on b'sb! IVaitaodgcoduiU fauard man/ Another year of mercies. Of faithfulness and grace; Another year of gladness. in the shining of Thy face. Another year of progress. Another year of praise; Another year of proving Thy presence all the days. Another year of service. Of witness for Thv love; Another year of training For holler works above. Another year Is dawning! Hear Master, let It be On heaven or else In henven. Another year for Thee. Don'ts About Girt». Don’t above all things ask the giver whether you may exchange her gift. Don't forget that it is the inward spirit that makes the real value of the offering. Don't express dissatisfaction with a gift, no matter how great your disappoint ment. Don’t above all things be guilty of mak ing a list of articles yon desire. This is a species of polite blackmail. Don’t, even in your innermost self, spec ulate as to whether your gift will bring a return, and above all a return in mone tary value. Don’t forget that the chief charm of a gift is essentially the surprise. Don’t, therefore, barter with a friend as to re ciprocal gifts. Don’t, if you have neglected to remem ber a friend, wound her pride by sending a New Year’s gift in exchange for her Christmas present. The motive is too ap parent. Don’t give gifts because yon feel com pel hsi to do so from a sense of social obli gation. There are other ways to acknowl edge indebtedness than by making the holiest of holidays a matter of trade and ba rter. Don't consider the intrinsic value of a gift when you are the recipient. / when you are the giver let the gift costly as thy purse can buy—don’t skimpy! II R I 8 T M A S in Florida is a novel ex perience to North erners. There the manner of observing this holiday is more like a Fourth of July celebration than anything else. The incessant firing of torpedoes and fire crackers in the niid- s die of the day and the display of pyro technics in the even ing rob the day of much of its mythol- ogical and sacred significance. A stroll through a typical town in the realm of fruits and flowers gives a person from The the North some startling ideas. show windows are full of firecrackers, Roman candles, sky rockets, packages of torpedoes and other fireworks. The July weather is present, aquatic and field sports are parried out in accordance with a regular picnic program, and the sight of thousands in holiday attire on a race track, the borders of some pretty lake or a baseball park, gives little hint of a cele bration which at the North is attended with sleighing, skating and Christmas trees. Only in the churches is the commemo ration suggestive and familiar. In some of these a great Christinas Ship, with evergreen-trimmed masts, is displayed. Bright little lads and pretty maids dress ed in white and carrying tinsel wands distribute presents to everybody. In the negro quarters, too, the real yuletide fer vor is shown. No one loves a holiday better than a negro, and the eating, drink ing and singing iu the rough, boarded huts is engaged in with ardent zeal. Through latticed windows and open doors may be seen the smoking turkey ar.d 'possum, hoe cake, pumpkin pies and watermelons. The patriarchal colored preacher summons all his dusky clientele to the rickety frame church in the after noon or evening, fixing the minds of his auditors on the sin of chicken stealing aud wandering in the white folks’ orangs groves after midnight. Then all hands join in the chorus of the old Christmas song: Shin’ on, shin' on; Doan’ git weary, chillun! Shin' on. shin’ on— Oh, Jerusalem! The weird chanting, accompanied by the regular tapping of the feet of ths singers on the pine floor, is followed by an adjournment to some large bam, where th" music from the negro orchestra’s vio lins and banjos for hours keep up the dance, between fragments of— “All de darkies am a weepin’, Massa's in de cold, cold groun,’" and "Suwanee River,” the plaintive strains being wafted sweetly through the swaying pines. ••Well?*’ Another Altered Will. Little Alice—Mamma says she arn’t ing to give yon anything for Christina» this year. Papa’s Maiden Sister—Oh, she isn’t, eh? Why not? Little Alice—’Cause the present she give yon last year was worth twice as much as what you give us. Will Receive Calls. MDo you expect to receive calls on New Year’s day?” asked Willie Hi collar. MYes.” answered Mamie Hollerton; “I’ll have to. The telephone exchange where I work wouldn’t give me the day off. Isn’t it mean?”—Washington »tar. A Clincher. Mr». Oobwigger—You are to aak only one more question the whole evening. Freddie—Then, ma, if Santa Claus really brings the present» why am I not to look out of the window if an express wagoo drives up to the door?—Judge. A Definition of Christman. Sunday School Teacher—Johnny, what does Christmas mean? Johnny—My pa ■ays Christmas means swapping a lot o' things you can't afford for a lot o’ things you don't want.—Lift. Nerd Not Interfere, “I don’t see your mistletoe,” »aid he. glancing up at the chandelier. “I, it real ly necessary?" replied «he, archly. Il wasn't.—Judge. I The Flirt. The mistletoe ahe keeps In view. And though she say* she won’t, 8be • angry with you If yon do» ▲nd cuts you if you don’t.