The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-06-01

decked with ribbons and flowers He
carried in his hand long wand wreath
ed with blossoms, which he whlsked
about us he danced and afterward walk
ed with it, assuming a most ridiculous
pompOsity.
One of the prettiest professions of
Nav Day was formed by the milkmaids
those energetic damsels who are al
ways up and out before Five o'clock
in the morning.
90 In London, thirty years ago,
When pretty mikmaids went about,
II a goodly sight to see
Their May Day pageant drawn out
Themselves i'll comely colors drest,
Their shining garland i'll the middle,
pipe and tabor on before,
OR else the foot inspiring fiddle"
The garland here referred to was at
first a pile of brightly secured tins,
which were carried on the top of dam
sells head, and under which she tipped
the eight fantastic toe to the sound
of the violin.
But as the milkmaids grew more as
piring, they ceased to carry about their
light utensils themselves, but hired by
the hour the mjlkmaid's garland.
which was pyramidical frame covered
highly polished pieces of silver plate,
and these interspersed with bright
knots of ribbons and lunches of flow
ers. The whole was surmounted with
silver urn. and was borne through
the streets by two men, preceded by
the music, behind which the light foot
ed merry maids danced along their
way, while their graver companions fol-
lowed behind the garland.
But sometimes there CHANGED to be 1.
youthful dairy-maid who could i'll af-
| ford to spare her mites toward such a
| display-and as even the poorest joined
in celebrating the May, we find one
of these described as there joining in
| the universal merry-making ga
beautiful country girl drest in her
| best, and more Gaily athred than on
| any other day, with floral ornaments In
her neat little hat and on her bosom,
| led her cow by a rope depending from
it's horns, garlanded with flowers and
| knots of ribbons the horns, neck and
head of the COW were decorated in like
manner; q fine net, like those upon
| ladies' palfreys, tastefully stuck with
with flowers, covered Bess's back, and
even her tail was ornamented with pro-
ducts of the Spring and silken knots
| The proprietress of the COW a ne at,
| brisk, little matronly body, followed
on one side, i'll holiday array, with a
sprig in her country bonnet, bloom
ing posy IN her handkerchief, and rib
| bons on her stomacher. This scene
was in Westminster, near the old Alb
hey.
Alas If one should be up betimes
now days upon May morning, and
look abroad Tor the pretty milkmalds,
what vision would greet his eyes!
A score, or more, of ugly looking
carts, fitted with dingy cans, all hud
died around some antique looking
pump, previous to going their accus-
toned rounds, while as many rough
milkmen accost each other with any
| thing but pleasant morning salutations
as they amply dilute the Tactical fluid
in the cans with Croton.
| No wonder that life was more poeti-
cal IN the olden times, when even the
meanest occupation had their pretty
| festivals, than now, when living has be
come such a serious thing that we have
little leisure to gather flowers to strew
over its barrenness.
In the town OF bort, in Holland,
there is beautiful fountain, on the
pyramid Of which, III rCtteUo, is COW
under which is seated miIkmaid.
The coin of this pretty place has also
upon 1t the same design.
Both of these are intended as a me-
mento of honor to the beautiful daugh-
tiers of rich farmer, who were one May
morning on their way to the town to
sell their milk, wien they observed sew
eral Spanish soldiers concealed behind
some hedges. These wise little maid
ems took no notice of the strangers, but
went quietly on their way, and as-soon
as they reached the slumberinp city,
they yakened the burgomaster aud
warned him of the impending danger
| The siuices of bort were quickly open
ed, and a great number of the enemy.
who were concealed In the vicinity. lost
their lives. SO much for the heroism
of milkmaids We should not omit
to state that the magistrates of the place
honored the young girls with a visit to
present their thanks and among the
younger citizens, the most distinguish
ell sought 10 we'd the unpretending
maidens who had saved their country.
Celebrating the May seems to he a
custom in all countries. 1t had its
origin first III Rome where a beautiful
woman named Flora bequeathed her
palace to the city, on condition that
the people should annually celebrate
her memory with music. dancing, and
with floral tributes. She died 372
years before Christ.
The annual festivals given in her
memory were called Floralia, or Nav
games. After some years, the Senate
Of Rome decreed that Flora should be-
come one OF their thirty thousand
delties, as the goddess of flowers, and
they commanded her to be wofsbiured
for the protection of all the floral king
dom. In Rome, to this day, the stat
ues are garland with flowers in Nav,
and little children go about the streets
bearing from door TO door puppets of
the Madonna crowned with blossoms.
In the peaceful vale Of Afno. near Flor
ence, the peasants still weave their
garlands and deck themselves with
flowers upon the anniversary of the
Calendi Maggie.
Five or six Of the prettiest girls gaily
attired go singing from house to house,
wishing every one merry May" In
fact all their SONGS n but a succession
of good wishes, such as wishing that
you may enjoy all the pleasures of
youth; that You may be loved equally
we'll IN the moruinor and in tho -