Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 38, Number 303, Decatur, Adams County, 23 December 1940 — Page 16

Superstitions About Christmas

SIGNIFICANT meanings r to superstitions believed < In Holstein. Mistletoe is not only supposed to be a cure for all green wounds, but will insure *ucc*m In the chase and give strength to the wrestler C Early Norsemen believed for centuries that the Mistletoe would give protection sgainst both bodily ailments and evil spirits. «. A pert n who is bora on Christmas wUI have power to see and command spirits, according to s Scottish belief < French peasants believe that babies bom < n Christmas have the gift of phophecy < If a baby la bom at term >n time on Christmas Eve in Middle Europe, it portends that someone in the bouse will die within the year. < Daughters bom in the Vosges. Frame, on December 25 will be wise, witty and virtuous. < A baby bora on Christmas in Silesia will become either a lawyer or a thief. < Girls in the ancient Duchy of flwavia seldom missed the opportunity offered by Christmas to look into the future at their future husbands. On Christmas Eve they would go to the woodpile to draw sticks. If a girl pulled a thick stick, her husband would be stout. it a king stick, he would be tall, if a crooked stick, he would be deformed. They would determine the business of their fu-

Just The Same Old Greeting But Backed .jpK by a world of Sincerity Merry Christmas Happy New Year, Too Paul H. Graham Co. **'2s " e C an ’t Say <>re Thnn A MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEU YEAR APPELMAN'S GROCERY wi ™ THE BEST OF SOOD WISHES FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR FROM EACH OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS FIRM TO EACH OF YOU. Morris -Joe's Barber Shop lib ChriMmas, anil with it* coming we welcome the fine spirit of friendliness that goes with it, and are desirous of sending this Greeting to all those we serve and those whom we hope to serve. LOSE BROTHERS RESTAURANT — — TOBACCOS

around Christmas, according in various parts of the world, tur* husbands by dropping melted toad into a pan of cold water. Th* molten metal would Inrm various ■hapsi to cooling, ind thus rmmlbki Uw inslgni* of his occupation ham UMtf shßpo, a orputT, ihew ihßjn. a cobbler Every piece of toad roeembted some occupwtion to tbe o.d wive* < A maidan in gwitaortand who aecepto a bunch of Edelwetaa at CtorUrt ma* also accepts the mea who proffart it ’ C Ail animate bi the Oarman Alps can apeak on Chrtotma* Eve. « It la behaved in tbe Netherlands that nothing low* on Christmas Eva will perish. Even teed town tn the ■now will live. < A B ohemian wife will die within a year if the burnt a Christmas eak* < To insure an abundant harvest in Denmark. lotne of the bread baked oa Christmas to kept until sowing tun*, when it u mixed with the teed. < It I* said that bread baked on Christmas in England never be- \ comet moldy. ( Ashes must not be thrown out on Christmas day in some sections at Europe, for fear they might ba thrown into the Savior’s face. < Some families in Senndtnavia place all their those together on . Christmas. This will cause them to live in harmony '.hrugbosit the year.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT, DECATUR, INDIANA.

Htj aA [ _ __ I ■ vjr l w - 4L-' Say, Joe. is there rrss/Iy a Santa Class*.* I don't knnu. Vary. But you'll rrnsemher hr didn't Hop herr loti vrar. Z ML - " Wai . » , — ifb.-tyil/Z/zy I I ■ 4‘l . VWa | i—ll ’to .. -a .. " Mat Ar lhat’t Santa knackmf at thr door nou! lon onatoer if, Iff'

Thanhs. Mr. Gnodfellou! Nou mw KNOB thrre'i a SeiUa Clout! HAPPILY enough. each yew hod- ■ the f-oedfellow's Club growti murh Iwger. There is no fair/ eapres•ion at the ChrMnMM spirit than rhar itablr activities, either through group er individual e*erl. Il fa the Good fellow who ht» prrfrrllv into the Christ — —-—A-. -»— Tis»- ( .anstrif wl laaM —kw to* row psriorr snr trtwtMriiuw wr ss» man or warn— fa keenly rvgnisani of the fuel that all over thia broad the farm, mill lour of children of the peer ore (erred to wonder if Santa Claus will rnme la them. Be a Goodfellow thia Christmas reason' Help acme needs family and asperience that added richness of spirit which onia comes from free giving Virtue in Toys I I i-J’ I nn M m as I 'T a* ft"- w <q£|l u , O Hare listed are the virtues of a good toy as described by experts in kindergarten training at the National College of Education at Evanston. DL; The successful plaything is durable Flimsy toys make children careless and destructive. It stimulates its owner s imagination and encourages him to dramatde play. Although it io not bunglesome er awkward, the well-designed toy is large and simple enough not to cause eye and muscle strain. It is easy to keep clean. It is safe. It does not have splintery edges or rims of sharp tin. Up to the minute play materials are not static, nor do they merely provide entertainment Every child has two types of toys —those which stimulate Individual play and those which encourage him to group activity. Make Face Ma»k of Santa Any bright boy or girl can make a large face mask of Santa Claus from heavy wrapping paper and water color paints. The mask should be cut from a sheet <4 wrapping ■w~» ofanyt Mby •* tnehoa Sketch or trace the features with a pencil then color with water color pointe Bod should be used for the bat, white for the whiskers, blue for the eyes, and pink tor the cheeks. Out Um toese colors with black Ums, and the mask is ftauhed.

A Bußjtar Cliisimas gatiria fhge/ f T WAS midnight on Chriat--1 mas Eve, Seven-year-old Jack, having baffled the sandman since eight o’clock, tossed back the coven and crept downstairs. Now, st long list, he would learn the truth about Santa Claus. Man or myth? Chimney sweeper or a lovable old red -nosed gentleman’ When the clock struck one Jack was still sitting patiently In the chair by the fireplace, watching the embers glow and wane Tinsel on th* nearby Christmas tree glistened. It was all very exciting, but where was Kris Krtngle’ The noise Jack heard a moment later might have been Santa but it didn't come from the chimney. Quickly th* boy jumped back In the shadow* white be beard th* dining room window rate* slowly A gush of cold air. heavy footstep*, end then Jack heard th* window cleat Frightened he crept forward until he could see where blue moonlight Altered into the dining room There Jack saw—mot Santa Claus but a masked burglar, systematically looting the silverware! Seconds later his softly slippered feet carried the lad upstairs into hi* parents' bedroom The boy shook bi* father. "Dad"' he whispered loudly, eye* blaring "Dad* Wake up!” "Grrummph." came tbe sleepy answer ''A burglar. Dad! Wake up! Call the police!” Not waiting, Jack reached for th* bedside telephone himself. His mother still slumbered "Operator?” he asked, "fiend tbe police over to our house right array! There's a burglar downstairs!” By that tune it was out of Jack's hand*. Hi* parent* were wide awake now, clinging to their hero S', flk X_A Jack reached far tbe telephone son and listening. During the next two minute* they heard a stark drama—downstairs the dining room window opened and closed. In the distance, growing ever nearer, was the hum of a motor which they knew would be the police car. They heard It stop outside. Then came a about, "Stop thief!” A brief scuffle, and they knew the burglar was captured. Next morning Jack was awakenea by hl* father. "Son,” he began, eye* twinkling. ”1 forgot to ask last night how you happened to hear that burglar.” Jack blushed. "I was downstair*. Dad, waiting for Santa Claus. Wanted to see if he really does com* on Christmas eve." Hi* father laughed heartily. ■'But Jack!" be protested. "Don't you know that Santa Claus never comes when little boy* and girl* ar* watching? I'll bet be'* been here by this tune, though. Let’s go seel" Downstair* Jack's surprise was divided between two equally fascinating subject*. Around the Christmas tree were more present* than he’d ever seen before, including a brand new bicycle! But off to on* aide was a jolly looking, blue-uniformed policeman. "Sonny," the copper began. “That burglar you captured last night wa» 'Lightning Pet*,' a most notorious house breaker." Jack's jaw dropped. "Best of all,” the policemen continued, "there's a 8800 reward for his capture, and it all belongs to you. Here's the check.” Jack could barely My "Thank you." so amazed was he. "I guess," be finally mumbled, "’hat Santa Claus is wearing a blue uniform this year." I Release* by Western Newspaper Union ), Shepherd Village Playa Bethlehem Lea Baux in France, a village of shepherd*, put* on on* of the mon dramatic Christmas celebrations in the world, and ha* done it yearly tor over a thousand years. The peasants act out th* whole Bethlehem story with real oxen. Thousand* of visitor* com* every Christmas eve to see the event. Chrtotma* in fwt/cn Sweden celebrate* her Christmas December M with fish and rice porridge.

Cte«W*B« WIS.SWOM BILL YARDLEY poked a tentative eye outside hi* blanket. It waa daylight, at last. Across the tiny cabin Jim was snooting quietly, his measured breath almost drowned by the roaring tvind outaide. Bill’s eyes purveyed the cabin with its old stove and rickety furniture. Coiy enough, perhaps, but this was no way to spend an entire winter, even for the sake of geographical accuracy Several hundred mite* to the south, in Winnipeg, the government office was waiting tor early spring when Bill and Jim could finish their surveying assignment and bring back a report. Tbe pitot damped everbeard a hug* Ahead, meanwhile, were two month* og this maddening enowbound giBill's glance drifted to the calendar. Suddenly he caught his breath—- " Jim!" be shrieked "Wake up! Wake up! Do you know what day this to?" Jim groaned, stirred a bit. and answered sleepily. •Tuesday. ain't it? And so what?" "Jim! It's Christmas Eve!” A few minutes later they found themselves startag blankly out the window, almost wishing they'd never discovered it was Christmas It was kind of childish to let on that you cared. Bill thought So he put on hi* parka and headed for tbe door. "Let's forget It Jim," he advised "I'm going to look at our trap* and get some freeh air. Be back soon’" It we* no picnic, trudging through knee-deep drifts tor two hours. To make it woree. the trap* were all empty Even the animal* were staytny inside in this weather "Wonder if they'll mis* Christmas, too?" he mused aa be neared th* cabin. Suddenly be heard a faint hum in the sky. It grew nearer Unmistakably a motet—an airplane! Bill raced for the cabin door.

"A plane. J|m!” he cried. "Get some black emoke going up the chimney!" Then he raced out to the clearing. Tbe pilot mw him gesticulating srjldly, or else he saw the freeh black smoke over the cabin. The big ship circled, flew off to the north, turned and came back, flying low. Over the clearing it almost stalled a* the pilot dumped overboard a huge bundle that plummeted into the snow almost st Bill’s feet. Then be waved and sped away. They got it maid*, eomehow, though they wanted to open the bundle right where it landed. Once tbe rope was torn loose an oilskin poueh flew out A note was inside. From the boss: "In case you boy* have forgotten." it read, "tomorrow's Christmas. Herewith the making*, including tom* present* your families asked us to send along.” Bill and Jim looked at each other. then they cheered. "Merry Chriatmas?" asked BUI "Why. it's the best ever! Wait’U you taste this turkey!!" U Nundsy* to Year According to th* Gregorian calendar, every year ha* 53 day* of the one it begin* on Generally speaking. the year contain* 53 Sunday* every five or six year*. Thf* occurred in I>2>. 1833. !«#. and again in 19M. 1850. ISM. 1881, 1887. etc. The United State* naval observatory point* out that In any continuous Mria* of » year*. Ave havn 53 Sunday*, unless the serie* include* a year whose number ends in two ciphers without it* being a toap year, as in 1700. 18M. 1800. When leap year begin* on Saturday, two of the six-year H «riod* fall consecutively. —Philadelphia Inquirer. (Aelaaaed by Western Newspaper Union ) Old-Time New Year iterteus Oldtlm* New England was serious on New Year's, a* witness the title of a book published there in th* year of 1702 by one Richard Standfast: "A New Year's Gift for Fainting Souls, or. a inti* handful of cordial comforts seattered through several snswwrt ta 18 questions and objections: Aa also doubting Christians invited to Christ" Chinese New Year'* Greeting The Cbmew New Year'* greeting to "faiWM." « "May foF y«» 8."

J. UL Oar Oirtotmas m<-«eagr to beet eapressed l*y our sinerre wish ihet yee mey hem a seey Merry OwtotaM* * Sad a Heppr sed Free. V pmm New Year. PSI IOTA XI CHRisTmas GRMTinCS AND IST WISHES FORA n eill ® ww® •wwl ww OF STALEY’S CONFECTIONERY

"K 5 Greetings Friendp Thank* for the fine muperalion you have Riven aa. May we have your continued patronage. Our Pledge Better Service Better Quality Idiwer Price* to you. Merry C'hrMtma* Friend* J. D. BAKER OpptMile City Hall (fer the present) AMO FOt TWI N. A. BIXLER, O. D. I

MONDAY, DECEMBER, 23, j

T» »t»r Ihtohful aid hietMs cherished new friends w* M y A MERRY Cl I RIS'I 'MAS f Mey the New Year be • happy sad Htrivswf Mte far yen, and may d be *», ptivfhte fa add fa its success I HOLTHOUSE DRUG CO.

owsnnfls ? Am you gather around i« ChrinlßUM Tree, ton si know we are thinking i you and winhing for tt the choice*l bleooing* of 11 MBML MERRY CHRISTMAS TOEVERYOM VAPO BATH TOM IMM’GHERTY Ellin Bldg. IBTS.Seceed.’i MERRY CHRISTMAS and thanks for the many favors shown us during the year. May the . Christmas bells bring to you and yours Health. Happiness and Prosperity. COMMERCIAL PRINT SHOP Frank W. Dbww iWjT ' We welcome thia opportunity •” greet each one of you, to with all potwible happineaa and g""* 1 luck, and to nay MERRY CHRISTMAS FRICKLE FOILENRAIII’ (Frickle’H Place)