Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-12-24

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tide is certain to turn out i'll, this bt
ing the time of holy rest.
Once, when Hulda was going be
Christmas rounds, an accident har
pened to one of the wheels of her char
lot, which was repaired by an industri
Gus peasant. When Hulda had de
parted, the clippings of the chario
which were left behind were found t,
be of the purcst gold, and thus was tn
peasant rewarded.
When the sun shines, Hulda is sal,
to be combing her hair, but the dam
seems to have been particularly note,
for her disheveled tresses; hence,
any person goes about with tangled
uncombed locks, he is said to "hay,
been riding with Hulda."
When it SHOWS, Hulda is reported K
be spreading her couch. This divinity
was not gifted with beauty, but is spok
en- of as an ugly old crone, who is
terror to all evil doors, but full of kind
ness to the worker of good.
On the banks of the River Wesser
no good wife spins during the twelve
Christmas days, lest they spin toads
into the house, and get black buildings
instead of yarn.
One of the popular beliefs regarding
the Christmas tree is that when its
candles are all lighted, and the shadows
OF the assembled company are reflected
upon the wall, if any shadow lacks q
head, that person will die during the
ensuing year.
At Christmas Eve, if an onion be cut
In half, thus forming twelve small cups.
these cups will represent the twelve
months of the year. The cups must
then be filed with salt, and left stand
ing until the following morning. Those
cups in which the salt is found to be
dry represent pleasant months, and
those which contain wet salt foreteII
wet and stormy weather.
When Christmas happens on Sunday.
1t is thought to usher in happy year.
The custom of decorating churches,
and also private dwellings, with Christ
mas garlands, was doubtless derived
from the custom of the Druids to gather
the mistletoe-boughs at this time of the
year. The mistletoe was gathered with
great solemnity, being cut with golden
sickle and placed upon a white cloth by
the chief of the Druid priests. All the
attending priests were clad in white
robes, and the mistletoe was regarded
with great reverence by the people.
1t was believed that sprigs of the
mlstletoe worn around the neck would
protect the wearer from the witches. In
modern times the mistletoe branches
are hung above the doorways at Christ
mas, or suspended from ceilings. and
under these every young man is priv
legged to snatch kiss from any passing
maiden.
In Sicily and Germany the mistletoe
is placed in the house for the Christ
mas tree.
In olden times the Christmas gar
lands were all scrupulously removed by
Candlemas Day. lest they should draw
evil beings to the house or sanctuary.
Now they are frequently kept until the
of Lent.
The gossips aver that upon Christmas
Eve all water is changed into wine, and
that whoever is tempted by this knowl-
edge to draw water upon this night
from the we'll or pond at twelve O'Clock
will be punished for his temerity.
They relate that, once upon time. a
foolish woman was SO imprudent as to
go alone to well to draw water at this
holy hour, and she heard voice from
the depths of the well saying:
"All water IS wine,
And thy two eyes are mine,r
and Immediately the woman was de-
prived of both her eyes.
Others believe that if water be drawn
in silence, upon Christmas or st. Johns
Eve, from some fountain which has
been consecratedato divinity. and this
water be used as bath, it will impart
beauty and youth to the bather.
One of the most beautiful legends is
hat of the Glastonbury thorn, which is
said to have budded upon Christmas
Eve; and another of the hop-yine,
which creeps out from the deepest snow |
Upon this sacred eve, is covered with |
bright green leaves, and then mysteri-
,usly disappears.
And thus even Nature herself paws !
ribute to the solemn, consecrated |
hight. And through all the quaint and !
beautiful legends there seems to run
ne same thought, that not only the |
'arth, but all who dwell thereon-beast,
md shrub, and fower-proffer their |
United alteration of the blessed Christ
Child upon the hallowed Christmas |
Eve.