THE 8EMLWEEKLY TRIBUNE, NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA.
Y1LET1DE
OLE VIRG
TARNOWSKI AN ABLE DIPLOMAT
-
iBi i b i i ibii ii mm mug in nmn m ,iiiini.i nwai nmm
cJ.bel:
How folks in the tidewater section of
state that mothers presidents celebrate
during Christmas season. Some of the
spirit of Merrie England 150 years ago
pervades that part of America today,
MS visitor to an old itlnntntlon In tide
wntcr Vlrglnln, nt Christmas tlmo wht
no doubt bo agreeably surprised to And
that ninny of the old customs survive
und aro regularly observed, not only
on tho largo plantations, but on tho
RtTinllnr fiirniH mill riven In tho lipcro
ifywf quarters. So alt got their full measure
Perhaps tho first sign of Christmas
11a tho killing of tho fut hogs, which havo taken
on flesh rapidly since they wcro put up and hard
loncd oa good, sound enr corn. Hog-kllllng time
moans a generous supply of "fresh," In other
words sausago, spurcrlh, chine, chceso-sousc, pig's
tfect, and, of course, that fresh pork lmin baked
during ChristmaH week. This Is flanked by a
baked ham two years old and sugar-cured. It
will all fu nil nil mlchtv coori eutlnc for visitors
Who drop In for u Uttlo wfillo, but havo not time
Ho stay to tho regular dinner.
Thoao who havo spoilt ycurs on a tidewater Vir
ginia, plantation know JiiBt what hog-kllllng time
meana to host and hostess. AH through tho coun
trynlde, from Uio humblest negro holding to tho
largest ' river estate, preparation for Christmas
begins with hog-kllllng tlmo, for then tho corn is
gathered, tbo woodpllo Is ready, and farm work In
general Is In such condition thut all are lu protty
good shapo for tho holidays.
That Christmas Gobbler.
Two weeks before Christmas, the turkoy gob
bler (generally ono of tho year's rulslng) Is'slngled
out from tho flock, put up In a slatted coop In tho
back yard, fed on shelled corn till ho Is lu proper
condition, killed tho day beforo Christmas, hung
up on tho north sldo of tho porch und next day,
when cooked in tho old-tlmo kitchen by an old
Urna negro "kitchen queen," forms tho pleco-do-redstanco
fbr tho big dinner. Tho Christmas
menu rojolcca In roast turkey stuffed with oysters,
bread crumbs, etc. A sugar-cured ham (from ono
to two ycara old), crisp celery, Irish,, ntul avvoot
potatoes (tho latter candled), salsify nud spinach
all grown in tho homo "gynrdln,") macaroni,
and, of courso, cranberry sauco for tho turkey.
Mw dessert consists of Jelly (plenty of wluo for
seasoning), blanc mango, both white and choco
late, meringues, fruits, such as Malaga grapes,
rosy-cheeked apples, bananas nnd oranges. Wlno
la served at tablo nnd a toddy of whisky, sugar
and water, with u dash of nutmeg, will most likely
bo taken by tho gcntlcmon beforehand at tho side
board. Roquefort cheese and coffeo end tho feast.
Tula menu Is Indicative of a typical plantation
kMnnor: others will bo lu proportion to tho tnsto
and means of tho diners, but It can bo safely oh-
kerted thut uowhoro would a guest or a stranger
sit down to a meager feast on tills day, for oven
tbo negroes havo prepared most liberally for tho
great occasion.
Christmas Decorations,
Tho good old custom of decorating tho houses
for ChrlstmaB still obtntns, and tho generous
(supply of holly, running cedar und pine, growing
In tho Virginia woods, is used. Mansion, farm-
houao and coltngo are all decorated. Mantels,
hulls, and even bedrooms nro witnesses to tho sen-
son of Jollity. Family portraits of ancestors, now
long laid nt rest, are honored with a wreath of
green and the rod berries of tho holly, a Christmas
greeting from tho stern canvus.
Whut uro tho social customs that emphaslr.o this
Reason in Tidewater, Virginia? On Christmas
morning a glass of eggnog or toddy is taken by tho
gentlemen us they go Into breakfast. After this
meal, tho company will separate. It Is possible
that soma ot tho party will go to tho Colonial
church In tho neighborhood for morning service.
Tho undent brick edlflco will always huvo been
decorated by loving hands for this season.
Wreaths of overgreon Intertwine on wulls, chuncel
and pulpit
The morning sorvlco over, tho congregation ex
change Christmas greetings outside. Somo pres
ents uro taken to church for neighbors who live at
a distance; happy, Inexpensive recollections of tho
season, but appreciatively Indicative of tho mo
mentous occasion. Hack from church, homo folks
ud guests aro ready for dinner.
Hunting Parties.
The east Virginians huvo over shown a penchant
for hunting, nnd chasing thu fox behind u good
pack of hounds has ulwaye boon a sport par ex
cellence. This sport still exists in the country dis
trict, und lu spite, ot wire feacea, now almost
..... .vS'M
universal, you will hear tho baying of tho hounds
and tho cheering of tho mounted hunters as they
pursue tho crafty fox through Holds and woods on
a Christmas morning.
Tho Christmas dinner Is more or less n formal
function and it Is Ilkoly that tho family nnd tho
guests will bo In placo when tho blessing Is asked
by tho host. Even tho allurements of tho hunt will
not muko tho men overlook tho tlmo-honored cus
tom of being In placo when tho stuffed gobbler Is
served.
The Country Dance.
In tho evening nil Join in the old-time country
dance. Tho very namo suggests quadrilles, lan
cers, two-steps, waltzes and even, perhups, tho
schottlsh. Theso delightful recreations, still ob
served, come from tho "mother country," und havo
flourished In east Virginia for three centuries.
Nothing is more Joyous than n Ohrlstmus danco
on n Virginia plantation, whero observnuco of tho
season Is inherited, whero tho servants nro ne
groes, tho llddlers aro negroes nnd thoroughly fa
miliar with the dear old danco music so fondly re
membered by thoso of nnto bellum dnys. Invita
tions have brought out tho countrysldo, whoso
social posltiou deserves tho courtesy. Tho "great
houso" is decorated with all tho evergreens of the
season. Bright Arcs uro burning and tho servants
nro on hand to wait on tho "wlto fokes."
Tho night Is n starry ono, and n rime of frost
has settled over Uio landscape. Outside thero Is a
rumble of vehicles over tho slightly frozen road
leading to tho houso, buggies, carriages, perhaps a
four-mula wagon, with Its gny crowd of young
people, the blnck Jehu guiding his team and com
ing In n rapid trot Thero may bo ono or two au
tomobiles. Tho big front door is thrown open, n blaze of
gonial light welcomes the Incoming guests, who
shako hands with tho host and hostess standing
within tho portals. Upstairs go tho "gyrls" to tho
"ladles' room," whllo the gentlemen go to tho room
assigned them. All Is bustle und happy prepara
tion for tho coming danco.
Nino o'clock chimes from .tho timepiece on .tho
parlor mantel. Tho lively bevy of maidens aro
trooplug down the brond stairs. What visions of
loveliness nro theso highbred Virginia girls 1 and
thoy charge tho vory atmosphere with coquotry.
Young gentlemen otter hurried requests for Uio
dance. Then tho reul revelry begins with tho
tiddler's cull of "Chooso yo' pahdnnhs fo' de fus'
quaddrlll."
"Turkey In the Straw."
Thero Is n graceful iwccp of skirts across tho
well-waxed floor, u claxp of hands us tho couples
fall In place, Thu scraping of violins to tho tuno
of Turkey in tho Straw," and tho heiul flddler
calls "fohwud fo'." Ono danco follows another
with short Intermission, ontil suppor Is announced
nt 12 o'clock. Then tho musicians play a inurch
for tho couplos as they make their way to tho
big dining room.
Around tho lengthened mahogany table is
spread a feust tU for Uio gods. Cold turkey, tur
key sulud, pickled oysters, cold hnm, celery,
ollveB, beaten biscuit, Uilu wafers, fruits, enko and
black coffee. At 1:80 dancing is resumed. There
have been quip nnd Jest around tho hospltnbU
board. Lovo nffnlrs begun, and harmless Jealousy
can bo easily discerned. Tho "lancers" Is the next
Hgure. A couplo stenls oil after the set Is over, a
secluded loungo In tho hall offers opportunity for
tho "sweet nothings," or maybe truo lo'vo called
forth by Uio propitious tlmo and plnce.
The negro servants stand around the hall door
and watch with fascinated gnzo tho ninny couples
as they go through tho dnnccs. Hupplness fairly
gleams on their dark faces.
The night Is waning, already tho roosters havo
crowed for "three o'clock." Prom now on until "de
brek er dny" the dancing keeps up, nnd when tho
Hrst red Btrcnk appears on tho horizon tho violins
play "Home, Sweet Home." It seems that tho fid
dlers fairly excel themselves as they draw Uielr
bows for this, tho last waltz. Tho dancers swing
to the steady rhythm of tho music. The music
censes. Tho danco Is over nnd ono moro old-tlmo
Virginia Christmas gathering Is n memory. Tho host
and hostess speed tho parting guests, nnd pres
ently tho "great houso" Is quiet
The Customs Inherited.
Thu customs Inherited from English ancestors
will never bo forgotten in this section of "Olo
Vlrglnny," where tho plantnUon owner was a very
king, whero the smaller farmers had their own
peculiar pleasures, and whero oven tho negroes
(following tho exnmplo of "do wito fokes") huvo
nlways mado merry In tho Yulctldo senson, fol
lowing tho time-honored customs which havo ox
istcd so long that llko tho common law, "tho mem
ory of man runneth not to the contrary."
Changes have taken placo In this favored sec
tion, many of tho oldest families havo sold their
ancestral homes und moved to tho cities. Tho
numerous well-known estntes havo passed into the
bunds of wealthy persons from tho North nnd
West, but In splto of changes, tho spirit of Christ
mas animates the natives of nil classes nnd is
caught by tho "straugers within tho gates," for
tho Northern nnd Western folks that havo settled
and mndo their homes with us In nearly overy
cuso enter Into the soclnl life ot tho communities
In which thoy reside, and during tho holiday sea
son Join hands with tho nuUvcs all in humor fo
tho week of frolicking.
FISHERMEN SAVED MOOSE.
When Austria-Hungary named
Count TarnowskI ns nmbussador to
Washington it selected one of its best
diplomats. lie is n Pole nnd proud of
it, but none tho less a pntrlotlc Aus
trian, ne was one of the chief factors
In smoothing nwny tho dllllcultles be
tween Austria-Hungary and Germany
In tho Polish question, nnd his diplo
matic ability mado Itself felt and was
recognized.
Count TarnowskI is of distin
guished bearing. Ho is somewhat
younger, perhaps, than Count von
Bernstorff, to whom he bears some
resemblnnco both In nppenrnnce and
In manner. Count TarnowskI has
proved himself ono of tho nblest dip
lomatists in the Austro-nungnrlan
service In recent years. Ho is cool,
very deliberate nnd firm ; not easily In
fluenced or rushed off his feet
The Countess TarnowskI was a
Princess Czetvyertinskn nnd Is Rus
sian Polish. She is an accomplished nnd benutlful woman of natural simplicity
nnd grace of manner. Both tho count and countess speak good English. Tho
countess has never been in America.
RHODE ISLAND'S NEW SENATOR
Though Peter Goclct Gerry, senator-elect
from Ilhodo Island, is a man
of wealth nnd assured social position,
ho Is far from being one of tho "Idle
rich."
Known in society ns a polo player,
n conchlng whip and thorough sports
mnn, Mr, Gerry nlso Is known to his
friends ns n student of politics and
economics.
His first uppenrnnce In politics
was In 1012, when ho was elected a
delegate to the Democratic national
convention from Rhode Island. He
wns appointed a member of tho com
mittee to notify Woodrow Wilson of
his nomination, nnd next appeared as
the orgnnlzer of n series of Wilson
clubs in his state.
Old-lino politicians declined at
first to take Mr. Gerry's efforts seri
ously, nnd mild surprise was expressed
at the announcement of his nomination
for representative In congress from the
Second district, although he was not n voter there. After his opponents had
looked up tho law and found that, although unusual, thero was nothing illegal
In this, little Interest was taken by them In Mr. perry's campaign. It was
taken for granted that a man qonsplcuous In fashionable society, running In an
alien district strong In factory workers, would be overwhelmingly defeated.
Mr. Gerry, however, was returned a winner.
His rnco for tho United States senatorshlp nppeared at a casual glance
oven moro hopeless. Senator Llppltt was considered thoroughly Intrenched,
nnd it had become almost a tradition in Rhode Island that its senators
should be Republican. It was tho first election in the state at which tho
senator had been elected by the popular vote, and Mr. Gerry waged his
campaign with his accustomed vigor.
Mr. Gerry'g family has been prominent for moro than a century. He Is
tho son of Commodore Elbrldgo T. Gerry. His great-grandfather, Elbrldge
Gerry, wns elected vice president of the United States with President Madison
In 1812.
A graduate of Harvard university, ho wns admitted to tho bar of Rhode
Island In 1000 and Uiree yenrs later to practice beforo tho Supremo court of
tho United States. He murrlod Miss Mathlldo T. Townsend, dnughter of Mrs.
Richard Townsend.
CITY MARKETING EXPERT
A bull iijoose was seen lately, pursued by n benr,
closo to tho town of Plucdalo in tho stuto of
.Wyoming. Two men, fishing lu Fnyetto lako early
ono morning; were greatly astonished to seo him
. emerge from tho timber nt a high rato of speed
and rush toward tho water. A few seconds lutor,
howovcr, thvy wero able to grasp tho reason for
this singular conduct, ns n lurgo black bear enmo
Into view iWt tho snmo spot, but on beholding tho
men ho nt once took fright and mado Into tho
wooats After splashing round In Uio lako for
some time tho mooso camo out, blow tho water
from his nostrils nnd stood only a few yards nwny
from tho fishermen, eying them serenely. Ho was
of unusual slzo and had u magnlllceut net bf
horns. Ho skirted tho shoro of tho lake at a leis
urely gait for about a mllo and then darted Into
tho woods.
One of tho most Interesting nnd
rapidly growing of tho ofllces In the
department of agriculture is concern
ing itself entirely with the question of
chenper nnd moro efllclent methods of
distributing nnd marketing food prod
ucts. In charge of much of this work
Is Miss Achsah Llpplncott, nsslstant
In city marketing Investigations jn the
ofllco of markets and rural organiza
tion. It Is interesting to note that Miss
Llpplncott is the only woman in the
country connected with government
marketing Investigations of this na
ture. It was not until January, 1015,
however, that sho entered tho ofllco In
Washington. For two yenrs previous
to that time she was In charge of Uio
city markets of Philadelphia. Miss
Llpplncott Is a graduate of the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania, nnd whllo in
college studied economics, chemistry
nnd other subjects relative to her work.
AlUiough her headquarters aro in Washington, her Investigations have carried
her into n number of othor cities whero public markets are conducted.
WATSON LOST THIS VOTE
James E. Watson. United Stntcs
senator-elect from Indiana, was mak
ing an earnest campaign appeal for
tho success of Uio Republican ticket nt
Ft Wayne. Some fellow out in tho
audience shouted out:
"Give it to them, Jim I"
Watson paused, nnd, turning to
ward tho fellow In tho crowd, snUU
"Well, my friend, that is Just what
I nm attempting to do."
The man in tho audience then
said :
"You nro nil right Jim, but you
won't got my vote."
"I am sorvy, sir," said Watson,
"to know that 1 would llko to havo
you vote foi mo. Would you mind
telling mo tho reason why you will not
vote for mo?" Inquired Watson.
Amid groat laughter on tho part
of everyone In tho audience tho man
shouted:
"It Is absolutely impossible, Jim,
because I live over in tho state of Illinois."
V