Page 10 - HSLChristmasAnthology

HSL Christmas Anthology Page10

floor, for Old Coach. It was difficult to divide even an American
stagecoach into parts enough for every member of such a party to
represent one; but we managed it without allowing any of the
elderly folks to sit out. The grand fun of all was to make the
clergyman and an aunt or two get up and spin round. When they
were fairly practised in the game, I turned over my story to a
neighbour, and got away to help to light up the I tree.

It really looked beautiful; the room seemed in a blaze, and the
ornaments were so well hung on that no accident happened, except
that one doll's petticoat caught fire. There was a sponge tied to the
end of a stick to put out any supernumerary blaze, and no harm
ensued. I mounted the steps behind the tree to see the effect of
opening the doors. It was delightful. The children poured in, but in

a moment every voice was hushed. Their faces were upturned to the
blaze, all eyes wide open, all lips parted, all steps arrested. Nobody
spoke, only Charley leaped for joy. The first symptom of recovery
was the children's wandering round the tree. At last a quick pair of
eyes discovered that it bore something eatable, and from that
moment the babble began again. They were told that they might get
what they could without burning themselves; and we tall people
kept watch, and helped them with good things from the higher
branches. When all had had enough, we returned to the larger
room, and finished the evening with dancing. By ten o'clock all were
well warmed for the ride home with steaming mulled wine, and the
prosperous evening closed with shouts of mirth. By a little after
eleven Charley's father and mother and I were left by ourselves to
sit in the Newyear. I have little doubt the Christmas-tree will
become one of the most flourishing exotics of New-England.