384 
AMEHICAN AGRICULTURISTi 
[Decembeh, 
THE CHRISTMAS TREE. — Engraved for the American Agriculturist. 
CEaii*istBBia.S is Coamirng:. 
How many days from now until Christmas ? Our boys 
and girls can answer tliat question without stopping to 
count; they have been reckoning the time every day for 
weeks, and tlioughts of what Christmas is to bring have 
given pleasant hours and brought many briglit dreams. 
One little fellow lias been gliding about (in imagination) 
half the summer on a pair of Christmas skates ; and some 
of the girls are sure that a new set of dishes for the play¬ 
house will come this time. This holiday ought to open 
everybody’s heart. It commemorates the greatest and 
best gift to man ; that whicli brings within his reach all 
other good things. The observance of this season is be¬ 
coming more general every year. In Europe, it has 
been kept up for many centuries with great ceremonies, 
which commence the previous evening. The churches 
arc splendidly ornamented with evergreens and other 
decorations. Solemn service is lield at midnight, and all 
the church bells arc rung. Formerly parties of musi¬ 
cians strolled about carrying torches, singing Christmas 
carols, dancing and carousing ; and intemperate rcveli y 
was the order of the night and of several days following. 
This jicrversion of the proper celebration of Christinas, 
and the superstitions that had grown up, caused many to 
nondemn all Christmas observances. Latterly, howev¬ 
er, since this festival is kept up in a more rational man¬ 
ner, it is becoming more po[iular, and the stockings hung 
by the chimney, or “Christmas Trees,” arc found in 
almost every household. Our engraving this month 
shows a Inqipy group around the Christmas Tree, enjoy¬ 
ing the gifts provided for Diem by their kind friends.- 
We wish am, our readeu.s a “ Merry Christmas.” 
'I’tic B'^orcc ol’ oai a, !^«E«E54 »b% 
•V friend recently related the follow iiig incident: A 
young man who had lieen for years a soldier became in¬ 
sane, and was confiiied in an asylum. Frevious to this 
he had been much attached to the Governor of the State 
wliere he lived, but during his insanity he conceived a 
great dislike for his former friend, so much so that he de¬ 
clared his purpose of killing the Governor whenever 
he should meet him. One day he escaped from confine¬ 
ment and by some means procured a musket with bay¬ 
onet attached. Passing along the street he met the Gov¬ 
ernor, and at once bringing his musket to the “ charge ” 
was about to rush upon him. The Governor, however, 
fortunately did not lose his presence of mind, but in a 
commanding tone gave the order “ Halt.” The former 
soldier from mere force of habit, which was stronger 
than even his insanity, instantly stopped. “ Shoulder 
arms,” continued the Governor, “Rightabout face,” 
“Forward, march,” and each order was promptly obeyed, 
and the lunatic soon found himself in his proper place. 
S’artiMg' witla am Old Friemd. 
In a hospital at Nashville, during the war, a wounded 
hero was placed on the amputating table, under the influ¬ 
ence of chloroform. They cut off his right arm and cast 
it, all bleeding, upon the pile of human limbs. They then 
laid him gently upon his couch. He woke from his stu¬ 
por and missed his arm. With his left arm he lifted the 
cloth, and there was nothing but the gory stump 1 
“ AVhere’s my arm ?” he cried ; “ get my arm ; I want to 
see it once more—my strong right arm.” They brought 
it to him. He took hold of the cold, clammy fingers, and 
looking steadfastly at the poor dead member, thus ad¬ 
dressed it with tearful earnestness: “ Good-by, old arm. 
We have been a long time together. We must part now. 
Good-by, old arm. Yon’ll never fire another carbine nor 
swing another saber for the Government,” and Die tears 
rolled down his checks. He then said to those standing 
by, “Understand, I don’t regret its loss. It has been 
torn from my body that notone State .«houtd be torn from 
this glorious Union.” It wa.s by such heroic devotion 
that the icbelUon was finally overpowered. 
A <Soo4l Blasiy ISoys and ®irls 
Are now engaged in getting up premium clubs of sub¬ 
scribers, and several hundreds, if not thousands of them 
will obtain one or more of the good premiums we offer 
on another page. At least one of them will have the 16 
great volumes of the Cyclopedia, and anotiier a Mclodcon. 
A great many will carry off the large Dictionary, and 
several are getting Wringing Machines for their mothers. 
Very many are to have books, seeds, grape vines, etc., etc. 
Weil, there is room enough in this broad country for a 
thousand more boys and girls to each obtain a premium, 
and the' business part of obtaining subscribers will be 
useful to all who engage in it. We could name an active 
young man in business in Philadelphia, whose first 
business experience was gained while a farmer-boy in 
New Jersey, in getting 90 subscribers for the Agricultur¬ 
ist. ten years ago. He refers to it with ideasure, as his 
first stepping stone. Lot enterprising boys and girls try 
their skill this month. If they get but few names this 
year, they will do some good to themselves and others, 
and learn how to do more another yeiu'. .Select the pre¬ 
mium you want most and try for it. The premium 
offers will be kept open several months yel, but begin the 
work to-day. Send the names on every week, so that 
people may begin to receive the jiaiier, and they will 
help you. The premium will be sent as soon as all the 
subscribers required are received. They need not come 
all together, nor all from the same post oflice. Only let 
us know with each name to w hom it is to be credited for 
a premium. Perhaps your father will help you. 
Puzzi.es for the Tongue. —Repeat the following 
rapidly three or four times : Six gay green geese greased. 
Also: A erntv ,/lew over the river with a lump of raw 
liver. Also: Repeat rapidly': Mix a batch of bisruit. 
Bible Questions. —What did Adam first plant in 
the Garden ..f Eden? Whose daughter was Noah'' 
