St. Joseph County Independent, Volume 22, Number 23, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 26 December 1896 — Page 2

z\ w^B' JIMOI £T\ fc ' ■> (|>- '" " • : $/W :■ ’ %7 /»7T ’Sfc-fe^ ^7*s®. WELCOME CHRISTMAS. ®brlce welcome, day of (lavs! The skip* Ope wide their gates at thy command Ala Heaven's sublimest symphonies 801 l grandly over sea and land. Who dews of charily distill Their Incense everywhere, and comes A universal Joy to fill The highest and the humblest homes. Why son doth bless with holler kiss! Thy breath a grander these doth hymn! Thy wings do close the black abyss Os evil, and no longer dim Are valleys of eternal peace. Or land where Its own restores, Nut skies uncurtained show Increase Os glory on thy crystal shores! ▲nd thou dost light for me again The yule-log on the homestead hearth. The graves where long the dead have lain Do open, as a vernal garth, ▲nd bloom for me once more the loves That roseate made my youthful days; Within thv firelight lives and moves My mother, haloed with the rays Os Paradise, and as her twin Lips with the olden fondlings part, ▲nd I, enraptured, cuddle In The velvet haven of her heart, I see the pall of doubt unfold. And on the pathway of the sun God's finger writes In lines of gold The words, “For Home and Heaven are one!" Then, too, thy chimney glow reveals My father's face; the old armchair ft Els again, and Lulu kneels Beside him with her Christmas prayer; The sweet-voiced pleadings uttered'are, And grandpa's lips do part to say, “Thank God the gates are all ajar •Twixt Home aud Heaven x>n Christmas Day I” Then, welcome, day of days! Thy dawn ft vibrant with familiar tones. The veil that dims our sight is drawn. The farther shore thy sunlight zones. No growth of skeptic fancy now Our faith In glad^yeunion leavens, S'or 'tls engraven on thy brow That Heaven Is Home’s, and Home Is Heaven’s! —Century. FELLOW- TRAVELERS.

H RI STM AS eve away from home and the loved ones is a dreary period of the year. At least so thought Charles McKeena, as ho traversed the top of his nine cars of potatoes en route for the Southern market. He was one of the young dealers, and, as his opera-

w

Hons were not extensive it was imperative for him to personally “fire” hia own cars. If none of the potatoes were frozen before he reached New Orleans, a handtome profit would await him there, for there was a big margin just at this time. It was lonesome work at the best, not without an element of danger, and work Which required constant attention in or4er to keep the fires from going out Seated before the fire in one of the cars he rested his head on his hands and meditated about his wife and the two' little ♦nes. The fire glowed brightly and his heart was filled with hope, energy and ambition as he gazed mto its ruddy depths. The train was speeding along at a normal rate, and the steady rhythmic sound was resumed upon the rails and —then he fell esleep How long he rested in his chair he did sot know. Then he came to himself with a start, being almost thrown from ills chair by a jolt as the train again stopped an a switch. Drawing out his watch ha consulted it, and then gave an exclamation of alarm. He had overslept himself; the fires were probably out by this time; the frost had entered the potatoes, and he was ruined. Hastily making his way to the next car, to his surprise the fire in the stove was burning brightly, and the Interior, if anything, was too warm. He hurried to the next car. There it was even warmer than in the first car. He stared at the stove in amazement. “That’s funny,” he commented, pullat his mustache. The next five cars were in a like cona" ' gl P IOS ! A “hello,’ said m’keena.” Jltlen and he was immensely relieved more puzzled than ever. Who in world could have fired his stores for him? He entered the last car, and waa CSirprised to seo a tramp seated near the stove, toasting his toes to his heart’s •ratent. "Hello,” said McKeena. "Hello,” responded the tramp to MoKeena's exclamation.

!®W RWiaHHI

IN ENGLAND. AMONG all the Germanic nations Christmas has ever been the most popular of all church festivals. In England it was, and is, the one great national feast, and in the Anglican church and among the Lutherans of Germany the exclusion of many minor festivals from the calendar has only concentrated the popular affection upon Christmas. The Puritans made a vigorous battle against what they thought a superstition, and in 1652 it was ordered by Parliament “that no observation shall be had of the five-and-twentieth day of December, commonly called Christmas Day, nor any solemnity used or exercised in churches upon that day in respect thereof.” A little before, in 1647, the town crier of Canterbury proclaimed that “Christmas and all other superstitious festivals should be put down, and a market held upon Christmas Day.” But none of these orders had much effect. In Scotland John Knox did succeed in pretty effectually suppressins- the observance of Christmas, in the Lowlands, at least, but he simply transferred the popular customs and superstitions to New Year's Day. There is an English rhyme of thia period that Illustrates the popular feeling on the subject: ▲Il plums the prophets’ sons defy, And spfce-broths are too hot; Treason's in a December pye, * And death within the pot. Christmas, farewell, thy days I fear. And merry days are done; So they may keep feasts all the year. Our Saviour shall have none. In Germany. At home around the tree, is the culminating point of Teutonic revelry In Yuletide. The enthusiasm and the sentiment of youth and age have then attained their pitch, and they are permitted to give full vent to It for the evening. The tree Is illuminated at the appointed hour; “Still night, holy night,” is'sung In the domestic circle; a sweet vapor of domestic unity Is inhaled amid smiles and

BdLjEZF? CZZI—I \Z IEE>I T 1 CD CD I t 3 F^CDTvT'F^ rtf IftJog CbWimo MAYWm ’ I I -ft i S'feL: —V- -> —— ; i J H 'll m. 0 ▲ & A • — —j—l fl « S K IA \\ late RS 2 3 'X = > Asajm Kaoimv —New York Herald.

For a moment they stood there, and । then McKeena, waving his hand, said: , “Don’t mind me.” । “All right,” remarked the tramp, and < with that he seated himself again before the stove. McKeena also drew up a chair. Then he took a cigar case from his pocket. “Smoke?” he asked. “Thanks.” After a few whiffs the tramp remarked: “Be you the feller that runs the potatoes?” “I am.” McKeena himself lighted a weed and then said: “I presume it was you who fired the stoves?” “It were.” “Much obliged.” “Don’t mention it. You lemme ride and I’ll call it square, pard.” “Very welt How far are you going?” “New Orleans.” Then they'both smoked in silence. McKeena examined his companion casually. He was a tall man of athletic figure, and it was evident that he possessed enormous strength. His face was covered with, a bushy growth of whiskers and with eyes about as bright as two coals. He puffed at his cigar with evident enjoyment. “How’s potatoes?” he said. “Good.” “Any family?” “Yes; wife and two, and I miss them especially on Christmas eve.” The tramp took another whiff, and something like moisture appeared in his eyes. “I had a wife once,” he remarked. “Indeed!” said the oth^r with a show of interest. “Where is she now?” “She was sent to j I mean, she died. She had consumption.” “Had a kid, too,” ho remarked. “What’s become of him?” “He’e in the reform —that is to say.

tears, and the feast of the llatlvity is thus initiated. 1 T ’ In Norway. One of the prettiest of Christmas customs is the Norwegian practice of giving ’ on Christmas Day a dinner to the birds. On Christmas morning every gable, gateway, or barn-door is decorated with a sheaf of corn, fixed on the top of a tall pole, wherefrom ’it is intended that the birds shall make their Christmas dinner. Even the peasant will contrive to have 1 a handful set for this purpose; and what the birds do not eat on Christmas Day

\\\ \Vi yi n”7 7 / //////s'j/' a z\ ; L 4 st SERVIANS PREPARING THE NATIONAL DISH.

remains for them to finish at their leisure through the winter. In France. In Paris Christmas Day la kept as a religious festival, and many who would, not dream of going to church on Sundays mfike a point of attending mass on le Jour de Noel.^and the blaze of tha tapers falls on crowded congregations, men, women and . children, “kneeling, standing and sitting on the wide area of the Madeleine and Notre lsame. Os late years It has become chic to attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve, and so, pouring^down along the boulevards,

stranger, he is now a prosperous merchant in New York. He lives on Fifth avenue, he does, and has an English coachman.” “You don’t tell me?” commented Me“HI9 visitor ate ravenously.” Keena, endeavoring to look as though he believed the other's narration. “ 'Pon honor.” Again there was silence, which waa finally broken by the tramp. “Any vittels?” “Yes.” McKeena produced his lunch-banket and his visitor ate ravenously, as though he, had not touched food for twenty-four hours. “You turn in, pard,” remarked the tramp. “I’ll keep up the fires.” . The other hesitated, but finally laid down apd took a nap. All the way to New Orleans this programme was followed. Early ^pe morping as the train stopped, the tramp said:

i all the world and his wife try to find a place in one or other of the fashionable churches, and, after the service is over, all go round to see and criticise the , Creche. In Mexico. The devout of^Mexico go to early mass . on Christmas morning. The minority doI vot# themselves to a toothsome break- > fast, in which tortillas, chile con carne (boiled beef and red peppers), tomalis' i (cormhusks stuffed with force meat), are the leading features. After breakfast ■ come the festivities. These are of all

sorts njul are imbued with a religious spirit of almost another age. In each house, where the residence can afford it, a little nacimiento (altar) Is raised in parlor, drawing-room or library, which Is supi>osed to typify the birth of the Holy Child. Wealthy people go to great lengths at times, having.a manger and a barn constructed, and hire men to play the parts of the wise men of the East and’St. Joseph. Another curious custom consists in friends going from house to house, tapping on the door, nnd on being asked: “Who is there?” replying: “The Holy Virgin nnd Saint Joseph ask lodgings In

“Good-bye. I think I'll light out before we git to town.” Then he turned to the other and handed him an envelope. Before McKeena could answer he was gone. The former mechanically handled the envelope ai?d gazed doubtfully at ft the new, crisp S2O bill and the following message: “You Did me a good Turn. Bl a ^Christmas present fur de Kids. 1 wuz Hard pressed Wen i cum to de train an Ju Took a stranger in an Nourished Him. Glv ml Regards to de little wife;’ Likewise de Kids an Bl a Drum fer de Boy. at first 1 thought I'd Bore you, But I'm glad i diddent- No'w. I Had de gun on you wen' yu com In, but yu were Kerteous an 1 diddent Shoot. 1 wuz thinkin’ to Lay yu out an 1 Ain’t sory 1 diddent. with Kind reggards. From yur ole Pal, believe me,_ verry Faithfully yourn, Bill McGinnissy.” BUI McGinnissy was the name of the train-robber whose misdeeds had made him the terror of the South. He was wanted for about fifty crimes. The young merchant shuddered and then gazed doubtfully at the new, crisp S2O bin. SURPRISE WAS MUTUAL Exchange of New Year’s Gifts in tlie I’iffkine Ilonsehold.

HIS is the first Now Year’s Day in ten years that Maria hasn’t quarreled with me about giving up tobacco, and now I’ve done it of my own accord. How pleased and how surprised Maria will be” Thus Mr.

ST a w yja

Piffkins chuckled on the morning of Jan. 1. It was customary with the Piffkinses to exchange New Year’s gifts and hot to" tnake the presentation until after break-

your household. This custom continues for nine days before Christmas to illustrate the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem In Servia. The Servians have many curious Christmas customs, half pagan, half Christian In their origin. There Is the Badnjak, a piece of wood, corresponding . somewhat to the yule log, cut down and brought Into the house with great ceremony, and then, after being basted with honey and butter, in the hope that bees and cattle may be prosperous in the coming year, Is burned; and there is a sort of Father Christmas or Santa Claus, I in the person of a Polazenik, a specially | honored visitor, who is the first, person received Into the house on Christmas morning. Then there is the cooking of the national Christmas dish. What turkey is to the American, pork is to the Servian. Even the poorest family will save up all tho year round so as to be able, to purchase a pis at Christmas. On Christmas Eve the pig Is killed, nnd on the following day, after dinner has been served and the roast pig duly discussed, toasts are drunk, and heroic songs sung to the accompaniment of a one stringed instrument. The room is strewn with straw, in memory of the stable in which our Lord was born. In Austria. As early as the 6th of November, Vienna assumes an air of festivity; her citizens have not forgotten that it is the anniversary of their patron saint, St Nicholas. After a week's intermission, the public squares are once more crammed with booths of all dimensions and description, forming regular avenues, crowded several weeks before Christmas with representatives of every soclaJ grade. If we take a stroll through the Rpigstrasse, Christmas Eve, we shall find that aristocratic thoroughfare deserved, but all the flats or apartments are illuminated. Christmas trees?' loaded with presents, form the evening’s chief attraction.

i fast. Therefore, when Mr. Piffkins entered the dining-room, Mrs. Piffkins was apparently unconscious that he carried . a bulky parcel, while he in turn was quite ■ unaware that a small, queer-shaped pack--1 age lay beside his wife’s plate. > “My dear,” remarked Mr. Piffkins, as he set down his coffe cup and rolled up his napkin, “during our married life there ; has been only one serious cause for contention —well, perhaps two —but no mat- i ter. I intend to remove that cause.” i “I have also determined to turn over . a new leaf, as you wiH'presently, see,” i and she nodded mysteriously toward the i queer-shaped package. “I 'have resolved during the coming 1 year to discontinue the use of tobacco.” . And he awaited the burst of delighted , surprise to follow. I Mrs. Piffkins turned pale, doubtless with joy, replying tremulously: “I can- > not accept this sacrifice; but I have re- • solved to yield to your entreaties, abani don society and devote myself in future to i my home.” i “Say no more, Maria, I have hitherto ' • preferred to remain at home in order that I might smoke, but- —” “No, Silas, it is I "who ” “In token of reformation I have purchased with money I wohld have squandered on the weed the silk evening dress you so desired.” ’ “And I,” cried Mrs. Piffkins, “have ; 1 also prepared ’a surprise for you. With 1 the money I had saved to give a reception I‘have bought you a —a meerschaum ; ' pipe!” A Melancholy Sight. One of the most melancholy sights in I nature is a man trying to buy a Christ- . mas present for a Woman. He knows in . I a vtigue way that the present must not bo ' a pair of suspenders or a shaving set, but when he comes to particularize the poor pian lapses into perfect Imbecility, and ; gives his sister the money and tells her to buy the present

THE OLD YEAR. If all the old year's days could apeak, I wonder what they'd say— The snowy days, the blowy days. The flowery days of May: The summer days when shady ways Were made for children's feet; Vacation days, when for their plays The country was so sweet! If all the old year's days could speak— Just think of It awhile— Would'their report bring bitter tears. Or the sunshine of a smile? Ah! could they speak from week to week Os honest work well done. Os well-used powers in study hours. Os fairness in the fun? Os thankful thought for kindness wrougM Where homes are rich and glad; Os tender care to give or share Where homes are poor and sad; Os pleasant ways in dark, dull days; Os little, gentle deeds; Os earnest hours among heart’s flowers In plucking hurtful weeds? Can the year speak of patience meek Where grief has stopped awhile. Os courage bold, for the weak and old A loving word or smile? Methinks the year must seem most deay If thus Its speech can be; O’erf'i'l of joys for girls and boys— A year of jubilee. ■-The ’Congregationalist. WHEN THE STAR SHONE. 'lwai the Signal tor Bethlehem’s First Christmas. Nineteen hundred years ago, less four, witnessed one of the most remarkable epochs known to secular history, and the most remarkable period of which spiritual man has ever conceived. It was by the decree of Augustus, then emperor of Rome, that the prophet’s words were verified and the Christ born in the town of David. The circumstances were these: By an official order a census of the territory of Palestine was called for, and to that end from every part of the province the inhabitants betook themselves, according to the Jewish custom, to the town from which they claimed their origin. From Nazareth in the north to Bethlehem in tFe south was a long journey, eighty miles over wintry roads and up and down the hills <jf the rolling country. But Joseph, who was as good a subject as he was a Hebrew, obeyed the oomtnand. and started for the city of David at the bidding. The first stop was probably at the house of Chimham at Beeroth, which is fifteen miles from Nazareth, where, a thousand years before Ruth gleaned for Boaz, rn.. where •Jesse and David had rested. The remainder of the journey was made by easy stages, the humble couple stopping to rest at such quarters as their means could afford. They arrived in Bethlehem in the afternoon and found the little city crowded with a host of people bound on a mission similar to their own. Every caravansary i was filled. The streets were thronged with people seeking accommodation, and after repeated efforts to obtain quarters in the city proper, which numbered at that time only about 3,000 inhabitants, and was, therefore, unprepared for an emergency of Fais sort, the footsore wanderers struck out into the country. After traveling about a mile they found the ’Jttle khan, which is now known as the “Chapel of the Nativity,” and where a silver star set in white marble, with sixteen ever-burning lamps, commemorates the mightiest fact in the story of the human race. The little inn which was thus destined to be famous over the round world was set in a hollow over which waved the branches of an olive grove. It was built around a court whose open sides, cut in the limestone rock, were designed for tho stabling of horses and cattle which belonged to the guests who patronized the establishment. The rooms in that tavern I were all bespoken, and the sole place of shelter left to the travelers was one of these cell-like apartments, in which there was neither couch, table nor chair. It was understood that any guests who would accept these lowly quarters should provide their own bit of carpet as a proI tection against the damp and would be I content and satisfied with the bundle of fW': ...... aS “n r । .—I ; -J p «; ENTRANCE TO BETHLEnEM. straw which served as a bed. These were the surroundings of the Virgin Mother on the night of the advent of tha Son of God. At 11:30 I’. M. George—Well, the old year will soon be i going out. Ethel—Yes; a splendid custom, isn’t it? Why don’t you follow the example? —Truth. A Timely Question. “I can understand how Santa Clan* comes down, the chimney,” remaylied Edgar, “but I wonder how he goes up.”—Harper’s Young People.