Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1908 — Mexico’s Christmas Eve [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Mexico’s Christmas Eve

Christmas in Mexico lasts for nine days, ending with Christmas eve. They are described as “the'nine days’ wanderings.” being symbolical of the wanderings of the Virgin Mary and Joseph in search of shelter prior to the birth of Jesus. One custom is to have niQe familes of friends or relatives take part In this quaint observation. Each family entertains in turn for one evening all the others. Both adults and children participate in the wanderings. Arriving at a house, they apply at the door of each room for shelter, which is refused by those within. Finally all are admitted to tbe largest room, where refreshments of cold meats, cakes and wine are served. In many Instances tbe children are garbed in fanciful costumes.

The last night of the wanderings. Christmas eve, means to Mexican chil-

dren what the gathering of Christmas tree fruit means to the children of the United States, though there is no Christinas tree. There is instead the pinatn, otherwise a human figure made of tough paper, suspended from the ceiling. Sometime# there is an olla or earthenware pot similarly suspended. One child Is blindfolded, turned around a few times and invited to break the pinata with a cane or rod. Three strokes are permitted, and it happens that the cane hits only impalpable air. After an hour or so of failures somebody hits the pinata a smart blow, and the legs and trunk of the grotesque figure split open. Down to the floor, in scattering confusion. fall the Christmas presents with which the funny figure was stuffed. Then there is a merry scramble forthe "favors.” The one who succeeds In breaking the pinata or the olla gets a special present and is placed in the seat of honor for the evening.

The Kaiser mm m World Politician. It M probably owing as much to ths needs and desires of tbe German na tlon as to the kaiser’s streuuousness and ambition that world politics add to the excitement of Berlin. For the second time In the coarse of a few months the German emperor has been scolded by his own people for “putting his foot in it” by writing and saying the wrong things to and about the English. The German people are not Inclined to be tender to tbe feelings of King Edward’s subjects. If tbe English didn’t like tbe kaiser’s advice about their navy Or his more recent dings at English temper and ingratitude, no matter. Tbe question for Germans is the world’s opinion of their head man. The tone of the German press, even of some loyal supporters of the ruler, has been bitter against ths emperor’s last “bad break,” the interview en the English, printed In the London Telegraph. It la not to be explained away In tbe usual diplomatic manner. Such expressions as “blunder follows blunder,” “would be laughable were the results not so serious,” “we shudder breathless” and “public excitement runs high” appeared in the most Influential journals of the empire. Demand ha a been made for a new deal In the palace that would place a balance wheel near the throne. More modern statesmanship is called for In order that Teutonic dignity shall be upheld before all tbe world. If tbe kaiser were tbe whole thing the “mall* ed fist" would make good somehow, but In the world politics there are often kinks that no big army and navy can iron out. We have heard much on the side about bad advisers near the emperor. Thq. dignified German press calls it bad statesmanship In the palace, when forced to speak out

EACH BLINDFOLDED CHILD TRIES TO HIT THE PINATA.