Identifier: oldchristmas00irviuoft (find matches)
Title: Old Christmas
Year: 1916 (1910s)
Authors: Irving, Washington, 1783-1859
Subjects: Christmas stories
Publisher: New York : G.P. Putnam
Contributing Library: Scott - York University Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Ontario Council of University Libraries and Member Libraries

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-jack made its cease-less clanking beside the fireplace, and a clock 28 Zbc Stage Coacb ticked in one corner. A well-scoured deal tableextended along one side of the kitchen, witha cold round of beef, and other hearty viandsupon it, over which two foaming tankards ofale seemed mounting guard. Travellers of in-ferior order were preparing to attack this stoutrepast, while others sat smoking and gossipingover their ale on two high-backed oaken settlesbeside the fire. Trim housemaids were hurryingbackwards and forwards under the directionsof a fresh, bustling landlady; but still seizingan occasional moment to exchange a flippantword, and have a rallying laugh, with thegroup round the fire. The scene completelyrealised Poor Robins humble idea of the com-forts of midwinter: Now trees their leafy hats do bareTo reverence Winters silver hair;A handsome hostess, merry host,A pot of ale now and a toast,Tobacco and a good coal fire,Are things this season doth require.1 Poor Robins Almanac, 1684.
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Gbe Stage Coacb 29 I had not been long at the inn when a post-chaise drove up to the door. A young gentle-man stept out, and by the light of the lampsI caught a glimpse of a countenance which Ithought I knew. I moved forward to get anearer view, when his eye caught mine. I wasnot mistaken; it was Frank Bracebridge, asprightly, good-humoured young fellow, withwhom I had once travelled on the continent.Our meeting was extremely cordial, for the coun-tenance of an old fellow-traveller always bringsup the recollection of a thousand pleasant scenes,odd adventures, and excellent jokes. To dis-cuss all these in a transient interview at an innwas impossible; and finding that I was not pressedfor time, and was merely making a tour of ob-servation, he insisted that I should give him aday or two at his fathers country seat, to whichhe was going to pass the holidays, and which layat a few miles distance. It is better than eat-ing a solitary Christmas dinner at an inn, saidhe, and I can assure you

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