The Comanche Chief and Pioneer Exponent (Comanche, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 15, Ed. 1 Friday, December 12, 1913 Page: 4 of 6
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ISTMAS REVERIE
By
Christopher
i
ERE every C lirislmas of which we have
been present at the celebration, painted
according to nature—what a gallery of
pictures! True that a sameness would
pervade them all—but only that kind of
sameness that pervades the nocturnal heavens.
One clear night always is, to common eyes, just
like another;-for what hath any night to show
but qne ntoon and some stars—a blue vault, with
here a few braided, and there a few castellated,
clouds? Yet no two nights ever bore more than
a family resemblance to each other before the
Studious and instructed eyes of him who has
long commuinjd with nature, and is familiar with
every smile ami frown on her changeful, but not
capricious, countenance. Even so with the an-
nual festivals of the stars that illumine those
.skies—and on ourselves it depends whether they
shall be black a$ Erebus or brighter than Aurora.
"Thoughts! that like spirit^ trackless come and
go”—is a fine line of Charles Lloyd’s. But no
bird skims, no arrow pierces the air, without
producing some change in the universe, which
will last to the day of doom. No coming and
going is absolutely trackless; nor irrecoverable
by nature’s law is aiiv consciousness, however
ghostlike; though many a one, even the most
return, but seems to be bur-
d. Yet they arc not dead-—
lough to us who recall them
not" they' are as they had never been, and we,
wretched ingra,tes, let them lie forever in ob-
livion I How passing^riveet when of our own
accord they arise to greet ys in our solitude!—
as a friend who, having sailed away to a foreign
land in our youth, has been thought to have died
many long years ago, may suddenly stand be-
fore us, with face still familiar and name reviv-
ing in a moment, and all that lie once was to us
brought from utter forgetfulness close upon our
heart.
My Father’s House! How it is ringing like
a grove in spring, with the din of creatures hap-
pier, a thousand times happier, than all the birds
on earth. It is the Christmas holidays?—Christ-
mas day itself—Christmas Night—and joy in
every bosom intensifies love. Never before were
we brothers and sisters so dear to onej another
—never before- had our hearts so yerfrned to-
ward the authors of our being—our blissful be-
ing! There they sat—silent in all that outcry—
composed in alf that disarray—still in all that
joyous holiday tumult. One old game treads on
the heels of another—twenty within an hour—and
many a new game never heard of before or since,
struck out by the collision of kindred spirits in
their glee, the transitory fancies of genius in-
ventive through very delight. Then, all at once,
there is a hush, profound as ever falls on some
little plat within a forest when the moon drops
behind the. mountain, and small green-robed peo-
ple of peace at once cease their pastime and
vanish. For she—the silver-tongued—is about
to sing an old ballad, words and all alike hun-
dreds of years old—and sing she doth, while
ears begin to fall, with a voice too mournfully
beautiful long to breathe below—and, ere an-
other Christmas ^>hall have come with the falling
snow’s, doomed to he mute on earth—but to be
hymning in heaven.
.Whether we were indeed all so witty as we
thought ourselves—-imcles, aunts, brothers, sis-
lers, nephews, nieces, cousins and “the rest,” it
might he presumptuous in us; who considered
ourselves and a few others not the least amus-
ing of the whole set, at -this distance of time to
decide—especially in the affirmative; but how
the roof did ring with sally, pun, retort and rep-
artee! Ay, with pun—a species-of impertinence
for which wc have therefore a kindness even (rir>
this day. Had incomparable Thomas Hood llad
the good fortune to have been born a cousih of
- 'V
ours,- ht»4v with that fine fancy of his would he
have shone at those Christmas festivals, eclips-
ing us afl! Our family, through all its different
branches had ever been famous for had voices,
hut good ears; and we think w’e hear ^urselves—
Vail those uncles and aunts, nephews, and nieces,
apd cousins—singing now! Easy it is to “war-
ble melody” as to breathe air. But we hope
harmony is the most difficult to all people in
general, for to us it was impossible; and what
-•^tempt ours w'as to be at seconds! Yet the
most woeful failures were rapturously, encored;
and ere the night was done we spoke with most
extraordinary voices indeed, every one hyarser
than another, till at last, walking home with a
fair lady, there was nothing left of it all but a
tender glance of the eye—a tender pressure of
the hand. 1
On rolled suns and seasons—the old died—
the elderly became old — and the young, ont
after another, were wafted joyously away on the
wings of hope, like birds almost as soon as they
caa fly, ungratefully forsaking their nests and
the groves in whose safe shadow they first es-
sayed their pinions; or like pinnaces that, after
having for a few days trinyned their snow-white
sails in the land-locked bay, close to whose shores
of silvery sand had grown the trees that fur-
nished timber both for hull and mast, slip their
tiny cables on some summer day, and gathering
every breeze that blow^ go dancing over the
waves in sunshine, and nrelt far off into the main.
Or, haply, some were like young trees, trans-
planted during no favorable season, arid never
to take root in another soil, hut soon leaf and
branch to wither beneath the tropic sun, and die
almost unheeded by those who- know not how
beautiful they had been beneath the dews and
•mist of their own native climate.
Vain images! therefore chosen by fancy not
too plainly to touch the heart. For some hearts
grew cold and forbidding with selfish cares—
some, warm as ever in their own generous glow,
were touched by the chill of fortune's frowns,
even worst* to bear when suddenly succeeding
her smiles—some to rid themselves of painful
regrets, took refuge in forgetfulness, and closed
their eyes to the past—duty banished some abroad
and duty imprisoned others at /home—estrange-
ments there were, at first unconscious and unin-
tended, yet ere long, though causeless, complete
—changes were wrought insensible, irivisihle, (
even id the innermost nature of those who being1
friends knew no guile, yet came thereby at last
to be friends no more—unrequited love broke
- - ’-f •—-------
some bonds -r required Jovt r«laxed
—the death of one altered the cone
of many — and so — year after Yf*r
Christmas meeting was interrupted, «ler «
till finally it ceased with one accord imr«
and unrcnewahle. For when some things!
time—that time turns out to be rora
good many years wc have been I
winter,by'tetters as tine as irost-v
could not break without destro-ii
for a
For a
town in
vthich we
whole world of endearment* That
scure iiftage; but it means wrist the Vq
would call in English—our winter enviro
YVe are imprisoned iy a net ; yet we car
when we chri^se—just as a bird can see,
chooses, the wires of his cage, that are
in his happiness, as he keeps hopping
tering about all day long, or haply dm
his perch with his poll under his plume#
in confinement as if let loose into the r
sky. That seems an obscure image,|
* we mean, in truth, the prison unto vjnfl
i doom ourselves no., prison is; a,,{' ,we have im-
proved on that idea, for we have built our owir—
and are prisoners, tufnkey, and jailer all in one,
and ’tis noiseless as the house of sleep. (>r what
if we declare that Christopher North is a king
in his palace, with no subjects but his own
thoughts—his rule peaceful over those lights and
shadows—and undisputed to reign over them his
right divine.
The opening year jin a to>vn, how answers in
all things to our heart’s desire. How beautiful
the .smoky air 1 The clouds have a homely look
as they hang over the happy families of houses,
and seem as if they loved their birthplace all
unlike those heartless clouds that kpep strag-
gling over mountain-tops, and have no domicile
in the sky I " ■
But a truce to comparisons; for we are be-
ginning to feel contrition for our crime against
the country, and, with humbled head and heart,
we beseech you to pardon us—ve rocks of ages,
the pillared palaces of the storms—ye clouds,
now wreathing a diadem for the forehead of Hy-
perion—ye trees, that hang the shadows of your
undying beauty over the "one perfect chryso-
lite,” of blessed Christmas.
Our meaning is transparent now as the hand
of an apparition waving peace and good. will
to all dwellers in the land of drcam9. In plainer
hut not simpler words (for words are like flow-
ers. often rich in their simplicity—witness the
Lily, and Solomon's Song)—Christian people all.
we Wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year in town or in country—or in ships at sea.
___________:____2
NCLE SAM AS SANTA GLAUS
THE ARMY AND NAVY DINNER
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T COSTS Uncle Sain approximately
$150,(xx) to give li is hoys of the army
and navy a Christmas dinner. In round
numbers the United States has 77,000
soldiers and 50,000 sailors. Obviously,
we are not a warlike nation. Still, witli 127,000
men in uniform, there are few families with neith-
er kinsman nor friend in some branch of the
service. So docs the immense amount of in-
terest ever centered round the army and navy
become natural.
\nd this interest is all the more evident at
’ Christmas,- during the Yuletide when one’s,
thoughts turn ever to Someone else—and how
they fiire I or with. Christmas, you see, 4-’nclc
Sam is paternally coliceijned^ To his sons, afloat
and ashore, come tlmughts/of the day, once No-
veniher has passed. And thinking they begin
its preparations.
It is trite to say that “the 25th of December
only occurs once in twelve months,” hut that's
the way Vtfcle Sam look£ at it. Naturally he
endeavors to make the most of the day when
It docs come, and to this tusk every nerve is
trained. Christmas must he a success for the
•oldiers and sailors. The men know ^t. feel it.
and so do their officers. Every effort is ably
seconded by their superiors. Harmony reigns.
The commissioned ranks unbend to a marked
extent. The most cordial relations, exist between
all grades. The reins of discipline are-relaxed
temporarily. A' genera! air of “standing At ease”
pervades the scrvjcc. It is the . leveling ' spirit
aj{ ChristmasAlmt-onakes the day of special mark
to the wearer of the uniform wherever he may
be stafiontft- at San Antonio, Texas, in the Man-
ama Canal zone, at Fort Riley, Texas, at Hono-
lulu, at West Point or in the Philippines., No
matter where the poor may be. down among the
pafni trees and * sugar canck Wt Porto Rico, up
among the snows of the OAnadian border—the
"hoy# in khaki must have tjfeo turkey and. mine*
pie—*vmbols .of fellowship.- Indeed for Christ-
mas day j he. arm v eoiomissariat is called upfln
the M|<uIdcs:” '(
ixiuniL. of Jurkrv. f
Twenty-five thousau^ pounds of beef.
.Twenty thousand ptftmds of pudding.
Eighteen thousand, pounds of ice cream.
Eighteen thousand pounds of mince pies.
One thousand pounds of cake.
But Christmas throughout the army is ob-
served in a manner that is extremely character-
istic of the American soldier. It is thorough.
Nothing in the least degree slipshod is permit-
ted to pass muster. Everything relative to the
day’s routine is precise. As a matter of fact the
twenty-fifth js approached in a spirit almost akin
to sblemnity. Upon those charged with the di-
rection of the many preparations a heavy re-
sponsibility rests.
In the army proverbial connection* between
Christmas and good cheer is observed to the let-
ter. Always must a large quantity of refresh-
ments—both of solid and liquid—be procured.
On this day of days, you tee. the rather Spar-
tanlike diet upon which the soldier is usually
sustained is now replaced by a generous menu.
Turkey, beef, ham, salad, plum puddifig, ice
cream and fruit are served in,abundance.
Just as coming events cast their shadows be-
fore them, so will a visit to a barrack room on
Governor's Island, for instance, tell thfc .story.
The few days preceding the great festival inev-
itably make clear what season is at hand. In
the barracks groups of men will be seen sitting
round the stove, their fingers working, busily
occupied stoning raisins for the pudding. Others
fashioning festoons of holly for decorative pur-
poses. ’And still another group will be making
thepiselves useful as messengers between tl|e
cook-house and quarters.
Indeed, because space-in so limited in the coo
house part of tjic preliminary culinary prepari
tions must he carried out in barracks. Hesid
press of work makes this assistance very wel
come to the poor chefs, who, lyko. stokers" on «a
battleship, perform their work, “gnhonored a
unsung.'
And to see a typical Christmas in the army,
imagine yourself on Governor’s l/land—that o|d
vine-covered post in New York harbor.
At 6 a. in. the sounding of reville cuts the
air, intimating to all concerned that Christmas
day has at last arrived. Ere the last sound of
the'call has finally died into the frosty air, the
pile of old, weather-beaten buildings, older than
a century, put up by the British and now hou$-
iug 700 United States troops, bustle with com-
motion. Lights twinkle in the windows, doors
are openihg; feet thump along the hare hall#.
Tli£ men are passing rapidly along for morning
ablutions. Thus completed, bed.* have to he
neatly made Up* floors swept and rooms gener-
ally garnished.
■ ’'There is no drill carried out today; in the
army Sunday routine is "observed oiT'Christmas
morning Accordingly as soon as breakfast is
<->vcr. all hands t<> work to amartenAhemaelvefr
up for church parade. Tlii “fall in” , for tl)is
ceremony Jpunds at - half-past ten, the troopp
marching behind a band to the church. ,
There #the service is short. Having concluded
devotions, the troops are marched back th badr
racks and dismissed to theft"own quarters. Ehne
ing their absence men retailed to acts as “cooks.’
mates" have been busily employed, with prepara-
tions for dinner. A-V4- work swtftlv. for “
f
\
twenty minutes to one the bugle peals out its
welcome bidding:
“Come to the cook-house d-o-o-r, boys."
At the "d-b-oVjthe company cooks give them
the dishes allotted to their respective messes.
£Hiickly these are carried back to quarters, where
another squad of helpers descend upon them.
Then the orderlies bring dinners tQ the men
on quarter-guard. Also, fare for others, absent
oil picket duty, is pirt aside’. On the stroke of
1 o’clock the hard-worked bugler sounds again,
and every one is now required to he sitting down
in his place at table. Five minutes later a busi-
ness-like attack is being carried out upon the
good cheer that loads the board. Imperative de-
mands for “another yard of., ham here,” or "a
pountfTor two off the turkey—vyith plenty of
padding, corporal,” arise on ever!’ side.
Suddenly the color-sergeant, who is tempo-
rarily presiding, orders a cessation of hostilities.
Sharply he calls every one to attention. His
quick ear has detected a clanking of swords and
jingling of spurred heels in the corridor without?
He knows that the colonel, accompanied by the
adjutant and subaltern of the day, is going the
rounds of the barracks.
“Are you enjoying yourselves?” asks the colo-
nel, sticking his head into the room.
"Yes, sir.” shotit back the men.
“Well, then, good-bye boys.”
"Beg vbur pardon, sir,” puts in the cqlor-scr-
geant, “but we would like to drink your health.’’
"Dear me,” exclaims the colonel, feigning in-
tense surprise, “that is very kind of you.”
The colonel’s health is drunk and as his foot-
steps grow fainter and fainter down the corridor
there rises tjie chorus, “For He’s a Jolly Good
Fellow.”
And the colonel, hearing, smiles.
"My boys!" he whispcTs to the adjutant.
And now having disposed of the government
fare, the soldiers push hack their chairs. Tin-
cover is taken off, tile piano or the phonograph
is brought out and an impromptu concert begins. .
ThrOasts all afternoon, and by half-past 5 the
men arc ready for another meal. This time ev-
.ervthing is cold, but the menu is lavish. Besides
an abundance oi meat, there are dishes stacked
high with cake and fruit.
In the evening another concert is given ana
by the time the bugle calls “Lights oitt,” every-
body is more than ready for bed.
On ships of the North Atlantic squadron much
the same programme is carried out. Most of the
larger ships in the navy have a regular stock
company to eater to the.dramatic wants of their
crews. -True1, the stock is limited, but Jack never
gets tired of listening to “The Boatswain's Sweet-
heart," “RoUnding tlje Horn;” or “Who Ate the
Admiral's Terrier ?” Never does he weary of one
or other of the fifty-seven varieties known to the
navy of “Uncle font’s CJabin.” Just to show
the'broadness of .the sailors’ taste, it is ten to
oiie that the evening’s entertainment is wound
up with a couple of six-round bouts. Jack, you
see. cannot forget that he. is a fighter—even on
Christmas day.»
ARGENTINE CORN IMPORTATION.
’The Wichita Mill & Elevator Co. of Wich-
ita Falls, Texas, has purchased three car-
gm.s of Argentine corn, each cargo consist-
. ing of 800,000 bushels. This is the first im-
portation of Argentine corn into4he United
states and will have a tendency to bear the
market, as this corn, at the present 'prevail-
ing prices, can be laid down in Texas towns
slightly cheaper than native corn. This corn
is n fine yellow corn, small of grain but firm
and sound. It is not as yet known whether
this variety of corn will grow in the United
States. Mr. Priddy, sales manager of Wich-
ita Mill & Elevator Co., says his company
expects to do a little experimenting in the
growing of this corn near Wichita Falls this
year.
A NEW YEAR THOUGHT.
The manufacturers and Jobbers of
Texas, believing that the ]>eople of Tex-
as are interested in Texas development,
whether or not they may live in large
or small towns, herewith submit their
advertisements and ask the people of
Texaf, all things being equal, to pat-
ronise them by buying of the merchants
in their respective towns products hear-
ing* the trade-marks of Texas manufac-
turers and jobbers. Bv so doing they
Jill KEEP TEN AS MONEY IN TEX-
A8, increase the pay rolls of Texi^s fac-
tories and thereby increase-the impu-
tation apd prosperity of the Mute
large. As the Buyer towns in Te<»s art
the customers of the products of tlj®
smaller towns, so should tlm xmaU®r
towns became the customers of the pro«*.
nets of the larger towns. A great*r T*x
as mVnns a greater valuation to all* ”
erty in the state and a greater/T
to each citizen individually.♦
^ AT YULETIDE.
White if^lie frost upon thp fir, ■
And white'the rime upon the thorn;
An ashen cloud, with tureat'of snow
Has veiled the eyes of morn.
The wind is like a burdened heart
That may not still its plaintive moan,
And sobs behind the wooaed hills
In eerie undertone.
And yet within the chimney’s throat
The back log sings with lyric glee, <
And there is sound of children’s mirth,
And buoyant minstrelsy. ,
m
t
\
And down the spacious aisles of air
Triumphant mu&c sinks and swells; *
Their “peace on earth, good will to men!,r
Peal out the Christmas bells.
-By Clinton Scollard.
Don’t send an opera-glass bag or a chafing,
dish apron'to that friend of yours who
on a farm and does her share of the fj|
work. She would not say it, of course, j
renfnrc that n book
= ' .
sub#
her d
----
>tion to a good magazine woi
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Bell, Tom H. The Comanche Chief and Pioneer Exponent (Comanche, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 15, Ed. 1 Friday, December 12, 1913, newspaper, December 12, 1913; Comanche, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth870410/m1/4/: accessed July 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Comanche Public Library.