An Old-time Christmas

Victoria Moughton, as shc turnnil over her embroidery silks tu quest of a desircd sluuio, cxelaimcd, "Well, 1 begin to think Christmas s about raed upt" "Why, Yic, what a wicked thing to :i :" and her sister Bell Btopped, quite Startled, in the centre of the room. "Not the day itself or the event ii conimemorates, of coursc, so don't look so frightened, Bell. I mean our manner of celebrating it. We work för weeks preparing for the graad holiday, and when it comes it always falls b our expectations. Stockingsand Christtnas trees have lost their charms, and [ think that after we have ceasedtobe children the 25th of December Is adisappointingday." "Bul waai could we doP" asked Bell. "I would liketo sec the real old Christinas oustoma revived- the was&ail bowl, the bpar's head, and the waits singing I froin door to door. Then the holiuays were nierrj in deed and name;'1 and eyes -parkJed. "Not a bad idea, my Early English maiden," laughed a heartj roice, and hoi li girl turned to welcome a cheeryfaoed old gentleman with soft, snowy hair. I did not know, grandpa, that :im one was listening," aid Victoria, with ai blush. "Bat I think with you, my dear, tha1 familiarity has made balls and sugar]iluins b fcrtfle 'flat. atale, and unprofitable.' Perhaps, witli your assistance, we can makt' a ehange this year, and eren in this nineteenth century have a sortof old-timeClmstma.s al Hollywood." "Oh, that will bc charming!" cried Victoria, beginning at once to ransack the library for any book that might give ' suggestions. Hollywood was a delightful old mansión not many miles from New York. and in days gono by had sheltered a myriad happy boys and girls, but one by one the birds had flown from the home nest, nntil onlv fat her and mot her Houghton and the young si son remainedbencath the quaint gable roof: and símil noW Arcille, lilis la-t child. was to say farewell, and go to seek his fortune in far-awaj Japan. But Curistmas was a time of reunión, when children and grandchildren came to spend the happy, holv seafton with "the nl.l fniya n the whole year in the history of flollywood. This year the day before Christmas was the coldest of ihe season, but not one was missing from the bevj of eouisin- tliat gathered about dusk in the (rand Central Depot, from Dick Bartlett, ayoung oollegian, down to baby Bilis, erowing and capering in lns nurse's arms. There were eight Houghton's, live Bartlett's. three Ellises, and one Hastings, who with párente and attendants trooped guily into the warm Car, and were whirlcd awav to the liltle station nearesl to Hollywood. An omnibus sleigh is in waiting, and, wel] tucked uj in furs. all are packed in, and dash off ïrp the winding road to the old homestead, from which many üghts are twiiiklinjr a welcome, while tlie boys shout at the top of their Lusty young lungs "A Merry Christmas and a Happy Xeu Vcar." Victoria, assisted bj grandpa and Bell, has done hor work well. Krom the moment of their their arrival the ni-u corners meet with a series of surprises. Scarcely are greetings exchanged and wraps laid away before a loucl-voiced bel! summons them to the dining-room. The long table seems fairly groaning beneath its weight of good enoer, evevything being set on together, as in in i fie simple old days, and thcre are .several dishes which none of them has ever seen or tasted. Before grandpa stands ;i tureen of plum porridge, while grandma's end of the board S adorned with with aji enormous "Christmas pye," shaped liké a manger, and füled with a composition ol cows' tongues, geese eggs, sugar, raisins, lemoii and orange peel, according to a very ancient and i'amous recipe. But what picase the children most are the linie Yüle-doughs, or baby cakes quaint little images made oí paste and baked a line light brown; and they have great sport over these old-tlme Christmas dolls. "Where are' the boys?"' asks Gladys Ellis, suddenly missing her brothers and bo cousins. But at that moment the shrill notes of aJíí'11.1.'" J)ni.'.V'UíJ"íaííi'ir.1: j-i b sona; te ii Dick, bearing a platter m which ri-!- tlie crown of the Christmas feast, iiamely, the boar'fl head (althougli it : bears a striking resemblanee to a fat piiri. decked with ribbons and garlands, a iemon in its mouth. and roseman in its ear8. This with great ceremony they set npon tho table, singing meanwhileí .'Tlic Boar' head Id hand Ihíhíc fWith garlande gay and rosemary. I pray you ;ill syngfi merrfly, íííi Lsfu "í convivio.11 This s received with great applause, and amidst the clapping of hands, the boys take their seats at the bounteous board. The Christmas-eve supper was caten with jokes and langhter and fun. and afterward thej all assembled around the glorïous wood lire. Then grandpa had his surprise. His face was a StUUy wlien, as .Mk Hastings struck a few chords on the piano, there entered littl' Dolly Houghton and Max Ellis dressed like a lady and gentleman of the ancien regime, in run and farthingale, three-cojrnered bat andhight polished Hoor, saluted their hosts. and with amusing dignity commenced the iir.-t ,-tately steps of the minuct ilc Ja cour. It was indeed a oharming pieture, and the dainty little pair wenl tlirongh the difficult dance with perfect acciiracy. Sueh high steps and QÜSSades, siichdeep courtesies and courtly bows, sueh reveronce on the part of the gentleman, and Buch gentle condescension from the little lady! Ilow deftly Max hopped on one foot and clapped his wouden together, and how coqucttisbJy wee Dolly ti-s('d lier pretty golden head and gave lier tiny white hand to In-r partner! until at leiiglh they ended with the balflilCC rotah-, joining hands and making a prol'ounil reverence to the OOmpany. "You preeious darlings!" cried grandma, riishing to embrace them: and suddenly divestéd of their dignity. the little dancéis were passed round to lic kissed and admired, and were soon romping alucrrily as the rest in a grand game of lilindman's-buff. "Tlie stoekings must not be given up, on account of the little one-," said grandpa; "80 we must lo bed in time to give St. Nicholas :i chance;" and soon a motley array of red, blue. and brown hose were swinging beforti the dying embers of the great Yule-log. Then. Gladys playing a gay air. all oined in au old Cliristnins c:irl. tho chorus of which was: "Hall, FathcrChristmiis! hef] to theel Honored ever shalt thou Jje! All the sweets tbat lovc bestowt, Endlcss pleasures, rait on lbosc Who, llke vassals brave aud true, Glvc to Christmas homagc due."