то MY MERRY LITTLE PLAYFELLOW, GERTRUDE VAN COURTLANDT, THE DAUGHTER OF MY DEAR FRIEND, MRS. ANNIE VAN RENSSELAER WELLS, This Little Book IS LOVINGLY OFFERED. PREFACE. IN appearing again before the public, the Author has to extend her heartfelt thanks for the kindness with which "Easter Holidays at Cedar Grove" was received, not only in this country, but in England. She is gratefully aware, that the credit given to her intention called forth the commendations, rather than the fulfilment of her design. Thus encouraged, she has attempted to cull out from the mass of scattered information respecting Christmas-tide such matter as may be pleasant and profitable. Of course, precedence was due to the ceremonies and sports of olden time in our mother-land, but she trusts no descendant of Diedrich Knickerbocker can complain that honor has not been given to St. Nicholas and his appropriate festivals of Kerstydt and Nieuw Jar. Above all, if, like its predecessor, this simple story calls forth bright smiles from rosy young faces-if children's voices thank the writer for telling them of Christmas-tide at the old stone house, all toil will be repaid-ample reward received. August, 1858. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS At Cedar Grove. CHAPTER I. "My masters all, this is St. Thomas's day, THE morning sun was flashing through the icicled trees, and sparkling the frozen snowflakes which covered the ground, or lay in long white drifts along the road-side. The frosty air was snapping in its own invisible way, giving a clearer ring to the silvery sleigh-bells. It would be difficult to imagine any thing clearer or more silvery than the bell-music of Mr. Ruthven's horses as, harnessed to the old lumber-sleigh, they were dashing merrily along a lonely mountain road. Even old Tim's clear |
