Glass High School - Crest Yearbook (Lynchburg, VA)

Page 17 text:

THE CRI TI C' 149 a liilantatinn Qlbristmas ANNE CUCULLU Christmas was always the big timev for the negroes on the plantation, but orie of the happiest was the Christmas when Lucindy and Mose were to be married. The adjoining plantations of Colonel Hill and Mr. Patter- son Were holding a common celebration, which took place at Colonel Hill's old home, because Mr. Patterson had lost most of his money and slaves, and was unable to entertain on a large scale. Besides Mr. Patterson and his servants, there were guests from all over the country-side, each bring- ing a maid or a body-servant. The negroes had their celebration in the large basement room. In the morning, Ole Marse and Ole Miss had given presents to them with a kind word for each. Lucindy had received her wedding-gifts joyfully and Mose also was made happy With a handsome gold Watch. Lucindy was a feather-brained young negress belonging to the Colonel. She was quite a belle among the slaves on both plantations. Mose, Whose courtship had extended over several months, was a big negro, as black as the ace of spades, and he was the property of Mr. Patterson. Mose had a firmly-rooted and tender affection for things alcoholic. This attachment, as we shall see, led to ruinous trouble. In the evening Was the big dance. It was held in the base- ment, which was profusely decorated with holly and ever- greens. One of the big chandeliers from upstair was hung in the middle of the ceiling, its numerous candles shedding

Page 16 text:

THE ORITIC Qlbristmas is ipmv FANNIE MINNICK Snowflakes fast are falling, And heaping on the ground, Just the thing that's wanted When Santa comes around. Christmas is here! A spicy smell of cedar Floats from the parlor door. Behold! The tree is loaded, Till it can hold no more! Christmas is here! Fruit cakes, hot and spicy Are safely stored from sight, Apples, nuts and candy Will stockings ill tonight. Christmas is here! Young folks all are happy, And the old feel young and spry When night drops down its curtain, And the moon peeps through the sky Christmas is here!

Page 18 text:

150 THE CRITICS' a bright light on the scene below. Suspended from it was a big bunch of mistletoe, its wax-like berries gleaming in the light. Great hickory logs blazed in a big fireplace at one end of the room. ' ' Jim Hunter, the favorite iiddler in the country, who had come over with his master, was tuning up, so ,the negroes chose partners and waited impatiently for the first dance. Lucindy and Mose were dancing together, and Mose's best man, Andy, danced with Maria, the maid of honor. Those who were not dancing at the start changed their minds and shook a foot. Jim's fiddling could not be resisted. There seemed to be countless numbers of little pickaninnies, all with braids sticking out in every direction and eyes as big as saucers. They were hopping in everybody's Way and squealing with excitement. There Was a great scuiiie under the mistletoe as the constantly changing figures swept back and forth at Jim's command. When the dance was over, Mose made a bee-line for the sideboard in the big house, where he knew that a large decanter of most excellent wine and another of whiskey was kept for the guests of the Colonel. Mose's 'drst drink was not his last. In fact, he drained the Wine bottle. It had been only two-thirds full, for the sideboard was a most popular resort for the gentlemen. And so, seeing that the Wine was no more, and that the Whiskey was not up to its usual stan- dard, he went in search of Jeems, the butler. Jeems, when Hnally found, was accosted with rebukes. I Lookahere, you Jeems, you sho' es done fall down on yo' job. Dar dat decan' empty an' all dem white-folks pinin' fer de wine. Whyn't you 'ten' yo' bus'ness? You' s gittin' mighty lazy these days. Moses, J eems replied knowingly, don't fegit you's gwine to be married tonight. An' you bettah be 'tendin' to yo' Lu--.