CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES, ETC.
The months pass quickly away. October, with its brilliant trophies of
the wood, has departed, leaving behind many pleasing memories of its
presence. November, in its raw and surly mood, is allowed to take
farewell without any expression of regret. The last of this numerous
family--December--is greeted with a hearty reception from every member
of the Douglas family. The purity of the soft snow flakes, falling in
myriads, are invested with indescribable charms. The clear, cold, and
frosty atmosphere is exhilarating to the bright, fresh countenances of
the youthful party sliding on the ponds and brooks. The river affords
amusement for skaters. The jingle of the bells is music sweet and
gratifying as the horses prance along with a keen sense of the pleasure
they afford to the beautiful ladies encased in costly furs and wrapped
in inviting buffalo robes.
A happy season is in prospective. Christmas is approaching with its
time-honored customs and endearing associations. High and low, rich and
poor, have the same fond anticipations. In the lowly cot, surrounded by
miles of wilderness, little faces brighten as quickly at mention of
Christmas as those who are reared in the lap of luxury and expectant of
fond remembrance in showers of valuable presents in endless variety.
Preparations were being commenced at Government House on an extensive
scale. Lady Douglas was remarkable for the labors of love in her family
at this approaching season. Christmas was to her a time of unalloyed
happiness. "Peace and good will" reigned supreme. Every minute was spent
in promoting happiness by devotion, recreation or charity. The last was
one of her most pleasing enjoyments, for which Lady Douglas received
many blessings. From her childhood this noble lady had exercised her
leisure moments in relieving the wants of the poor, often leaving to
them food and clothing with her own hands.
At the suggestion of Miss Douglas, who was always ready for any
important duty, a party was proposed to visit the woods to procure
boughs for greening the grand hall and drawing-room. Foremost was
Johnnie Douglas, master of ceremonies, whose presence on the occasion
was indispensable; so said Johnnie, throwing a mischievous glance at
Lady Rosamond as a reminder of his services on a former expedition. The
rising color on his victim's face brought a reprimand from Mary Douglas.
"Don't be of such importance, Johnnie, there are plenty of gentlemen at
our command."
"Ha, ha, ha," roared the young gentleman in undisguised and unsuppressed
fits of laughter.
"Miss Mary, don't be of too much importance; there may not be so many
gentlemen at your command as you reckon on," said Johnnie, bent on
following up his argument; "Mr. Howe is engaged, Mr. Trevelyan goes on
parade this morning, Charles is away; now where are the reserves?
Answer--Fred, and your humble servant."
"Well, Johnnie, you are holding your ground manfully," exclaimed Sir
Howard, smiling as he passed through the group in the lower hall, where
they still sat discussing the grounds of Johnnie's superiority.
Decision turning in favor of the champion, the party set off--boys,
ladies, and children--forming a pretty sight. Lady Douglas stood on the
balcony waving approval and beaming with happy smiles.
The shouts of Master Johnnie, laughter of the ladies, and romping of the
children, kept the woods busy in the constant repetition of echoes on
every side.
"Oh, Lady Rosamond," cried the hero of the expedition, eager to maintain
his position, "here is the brook, but where is the water to receive some
one with another cooling reception, and where is Mr. Trevelyan with his
gallant service and kind sympathy?--Not hinting of the hasty retreat of
your valuable pioneer!"
Mary Douglas, detecting a shade passing over Lady Rosamond's brow, came
to the rescue with another mild reprimand upon the incorrigible Johnnie.
"I am afraid, sir, that you take the opportunity of reminding Lady
Rosamond of your former importance without due regard to her feelings,
which, you are aware, is not very gentlemanly."
"If your ladyship is offended," said the mischievous but generous and
manly Johnnie, turning to Lady Rosamond, "I beg your pardon in the most
humble manner, feeling deeply sorry."
"Lady Rosamond you really do not think I would consciously give you
annoyance," said master Johnnie, throwing down the bough which he had
lopped from a tree near, and drawing up his boyish form with true
dignity and an amusing earnestness in his tone.
"Of course not, Johnnie," returned her ladyship, "you and I are on the
best of terms. Nothing that you say or do gives me any annoyance; on the
contrary, it always amuses me."
This last speech of Lady Rosamond had surprised Mary Douglas. Apparently
engaged in selecting the most suitable branches of fir and spruce, she
was more intently occupied in the study of her own thoughts. She was
wondering why the mention of the brook adventure had caused that look
which, notwithstanding protests to the contrary, recalled something
disagreeable to Lady Rosamond.
Being interrupted in these thoughts by her brother Fred's arrival with a
request to go home, Mary Douglas joined the merry party, each bearing
some burden as part of the spoil, while Johnnie collected and piled a
large heap to be conveyed thither when necessary.
On arriving in the courtyard, Johnnie set up three lusty cheers which
brought out Lady Douglas, accompanied by Mr. Howe and Lieutenant
Trevelyan.
"Thought you were on parade this morning, Mr. Trevelyan," exclaimed the
pioneer Johnnie, "else you might have formed another of our party."
"The ladies might not have accepted your decision," returned Mr.
Trevelyan, hastily; "however, I thank you kindly for your
consideration."
After the ladies had returned from making the change of toilet necessary
upon the tour of the woods, luncheon was served. Mr. Howe and Mr.
Trevelyan remained. Johnnie was full of adventure, but made no allusion
to the brook. Lady Rosamond was calm, possessed, and entertaining.
Everybody seemed inspired with the occasion. Sir Howard was deeply
immersed in the furtherance of those measures and means to be resorted
to for the benefit and advancement of the Province. "I have promised,"
said he, "to be able to give clearer views upon the improvement of New
Brunswick a year hence, and, in order to do so, must not neglect one
moment. Another object which claims my notice very urgently is the
establishment of laws regulating a better system of education. The
grammar school is in a state of mediocrity, its support not being
secured on a proper basis. We want a college--an institution where our
young men can receive a thorough education and be fitted for entering
upon any profession."
In every measure advocated by Sir Howard he had the full concurrence of
Lady Douglas and her intelligent and highly educated sons and daughters.
Perhaps to this cause may be attributed the amazing success which marked
Sir Howard's career through life. He had the entire and heartfelt
sympathy of his household. He was loved with the truest and fondest
affection as a husband and father. He, in return, placed every confidence
in his lovely and amiable wife and daughters, knowing that through them
he received great happiness; and, unfettered with those domestic trials
which attend some families, he was able to discharge the duties of state
with full and determined energy.
The hours that elapsed between luncheon and dinner were spent in the
various styles of decoration suggested by Lady Douglas. The important
Johnnie was under the direct supervision of Miss Cheenick, cutting off
and preparing little twigs for garlands, with occasional sallies of good
natured badinage.
Miss Douglas was making illuminated mottoes and texts in a quiet corner
of the apartment. Mary Douglas and her companion were busily weaving
pretty and graceful festooning. To each member was allotted some
especial part.
Every one participated in the preparation by noting each successive step
towards completion. Thus the work progressed until it was time for the
ladies to dress for dinner; after which the evening was spent in the
same occupation, with the valuable assistance of Mr. Howe and Captain
Douglas.
After several days had elapsed, the work was considered complete. The
design was choice and beautiful. Nothing was necessary to produce a more
graceful and pleasing effect. Holly there was none, but our woods
supplied the loss with lovely evergreens of native growth.
It was the day preceding Christmas eve. Mirth and joy revelled around
the glowing firesides. Happy faces beamed with radiating smiles. Each
was trying to do some small act of kindness for the benefit of the
household. A Christmas tree, in all its mysterious surroundings, was
being laden with beautiful presents. Loving tokens of friendship were
placed on its strong branches by lovely and delicate hands. Lady Douglas
presided over these mysteries, in the secret chamber, with the vigilance
of the dragon who guarded the golden apples in the classic shades of the
Hesperides. All busy little feet were turned towards the door, but
further entrance was barred by gentle admonition from her ladyship.
Lady Rosamond had been allowed the privacy of her own apartments without
interruption. She was preparing some tokens of regard for different
members of the family. Many chaste and valuable articles had been
received from home for this purpose, but she wished to make some choice
trinkets as her own work. Many times she had stolen a half-hour to
devote to this labor of love. An elegant silk purse had been netted for
Lady Douglas. For Mary Douglas she is engaged on a prettily-designed
portfolio. None were forgotten, not even Sir Howard, who was the
recipient of a neat dressing-case. As Lady Rosamond's deft fingers
wrought upon each article her mind was busy upon a far different, and,
to her, important matter. She longed for sympathy and advice. Her father
gave himself little concern regarding her ambiguously-written message.
He saw that his daughter was somewhat cold and indifferent to her
cousin's preference, but he expected that, on her return, she would
readily agree to anything which met his approval. Not wishing to repeat
the sentiment of the letter thus described, Sir Thomas Seymour had
considered moderation as the surest hope of success. Having thus
expressed his opinion to Lady Bereford, the Admiral was assured and
confident. On this Christmas season he had selected a costly locket,
studded with diamonds, as a gift to Lady Rosamond, and dwelt, with
loving pride, upon the many gentle qualities of the lovely girl; her
happy prospects as Lady Bereford, adored by a fond husband, beloved by
all.
Happy Lady Rosamond! in thy busy thoughts. Dared we venture for thee an
encouraging word, it would be "Every cloud has a silver lining."
Christmas eve was a scene of stir and excitement. Though work was done
in a systematic manner, the unusual tasks of labor and love were
hurrying upon each other with increasing rapidity. The servant's hall
was not to be passed over at this joyous time. Everyone, both family and
servants, shared in the festivity. How the graceful form of Mary Douglas
flew from room to room, arranging some pleasing surprise, planning some
little act of courtesy or civility. The housekeeper's room, stealthily
invaded by bribing another domestic, becomes the hiding place of a
handsome lace cap. Each maid finds under her pillow a sovereign and some
little trinket, as a ribbon, scarf or work box.
These were happy moments in the life of Mary Douglas. In the performance
of such acts of goodness she was truly happy. This lovely girl was
possessed of the united virtues of Sir Howard and Lady Douglas. Free from
the remotest clouds of sorrow or care, Mary Douglas was indeed to be
envied. Her father's smile was of more value to his gifted daughters than
the most flattering attention from the many admirers who vainly tried to
receive the slightest sign of encouragement.
That Lady Rosamond often longed for the happy and contented hours of her
companion--for a like participation of uninterrupted and halcyon days,
should form no ground for surprise. "How I should like to tell Mary my
trouble and receive her sweet counsel," murmured the sad girl. "I should
feel the burden lighter to bear, but it would seem almost a sacrilege to
invade upon such quiet harmony, for, with her sweet sympathizing nature,
I know that Mary would grieve over my sorrow. Dear girl, your Christmas
shall not be clouded by me," soliloquized Lady Rosamond, "I love you too
deeply to wish you care like mine. Ah, no, Mary darling, may you never
know the depth of sorrow such as mine."
Lady Rosamond stood before her mirror to place a tiny rosebud in the
raven hair that encircled her stately head in luxuriant coils. Slight
and graceful in form, she saw indeed a pretty picture reflected there.
It seemed to mock her with pitying gaze. Her black silk dress revealed
the snowy whiteness of her beautifully rounded shoulders and arms, pure
as the marble mantel upon which she rested. The costly locket, with its
flashing diamonds, suspended by a heavy gold chain, rested upon her
bosom. She thought of her father's kindness as she placed his gift to
her lips, exclaiming, "Poor, dear papa, how I should like to see him
to-night; I love him so fondly. If he knew what I am suffering perhaps
he might relent. No doubt he is lonely to-night and wishing to see his
'only little girl,' as he lovingly calls me."
Presently Lady Rosamond was formally ushered into the apartment where
the company, comprising the family and a few intimate friends, were
assembled to divest the Christmas tree of its gay clothing and
appendages.
As a veritable Santa Claus presented each present, the all-important
Johnnie was ready to exclaim: "Thank old Sandy for that, can't you? What
a hale old chap is Sandy!" Turning to Lieutenant Trevelyan, the
incorrigible ventured to ask who might be Sandy's tailor?
When among the presents a tiny case, lined with white velvet, revealed a
jewelled cross of exquisite design, Sir Howard exclaimed gaily, "Lady
Rosamond, a coincidence--the cross followed by an anchor!" producing at
the same time a costly ornament in the form of an anchor. "Have no fear,
your cross is outweighed by the anchor Hope in the end. What a beautiful
encouraging omen!"