The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-04-20
Easter Eggs.

the celebration OF high religious festi-
walls none are more agreeable than those
prevailing at Easter
Easter Sunday, as the readers of
Vide A1Oake know, varies its date with
different seasons, being always the first
Sunday following the full moon after
the 2lst of March Lent being then
ended, eggs, which form during the
long fast one of the chief articles of
diet, appear in many ornamented forms.
One sees in shop windows real eggs
and artificial eggs arrayed in tempting
gulse for the attraction of young and
old. Poor children on the continent
tap their eggs, making at each end a
small aperture, through which they
blow out with their own breath the vel
low and white contents. Perhaps they
enjoy Easter eggs more than the boys
and girls do whose ornamented gifts
are found in great cities. The real eeg
is, to my taste, far prettier than its
copies in wood or sugar; but these are,
of course, more durable.
The exhibition and purchase of Easter
eggs IS now common in this country,
having sailed across the ocean with
other customs. But one observance
connected with these colored TOYS is, |
think, unknown in the United States. [
mean the pretty habit of playing hide
and-go-seek with the eggs.
German children turn the presenta-
ton of eggs into a game, and choose
this occasion for making and receiving
presents. My introduction to the Gus
tom took place in the year 1870, at
which time lived on the shore of Lake
Geneva. The family circle at PEN
sion Bel Air was composed most
ly of Germans, and as Easter APP
preached they prepared to celebrate
it after their national manner. The an
nouncement was received with pleasure
by the Americans resident in the house,
and they looked forward to a liberal
sprinkling of bright-colored eggs on
the appointed day. But they did not
understand what charming novelty
was in store for them.
Our kind hostess proposed that walk
should commemorate the occasion, and
that we should carry out Easter eggs to
Chailli, a village distant about mile
from Clarens.
Little by little did the plan unfold
itself Not only were the eggs to be
taken, but other gifts were to be added,
and all were to be hidden. Then,
there was to be the fun of finding. What
a delightful prospect!
Our little party set off in high spirits,
armed with baskets containing their
treasures. 1t was not long before young
feet had climbed stone wall. which
held within bounds a brook flowing
from northern hills into the lake. This
wall, being broad enough for pedestri-
ans, allowed our party to go in single
file across vineyards to the main road
beyond, thus shortening the distance to
Chailli. Once on the other side of the
vineyards, with the modern Chateau
Rouge on one hand and ancient Chateau
Chatelard on the other, we pulled up
the short ascent to our village, the scene
of coming festivities. Arrived at the
Pension, where we were to take our
afternoon lunch, or g0uter, as Continent
al people call it, exploration of the
premises was Immediately made.
The garden was decided on as place
of concealment for our Easter eggs.
Business began, and mysterious bust
ness it was. Spring was a laggard that
year and scanty were leaves amid the
shrubbery.
But we were none of us discouraged
and set to work resolutely to hide our
riches. Much whispering took place
among the younger members of our
party. They gathered in knots for con-
sultation, then they disbanded, going
singly or in pairs to out-of-way hooks,
they poked into corners and behind the
the bushes.
Sometimes, several encountered each
other seeking the same hiding-place.
What hard work it was to tuck away
those Eastereg Mine looked as bold
as peonies. Rose stalks showed little
foliage; grass was short and thin, and
fresh-sprouting plants stood not more
than an inch from the ground 1t re-
CURED such maneuvers to place the
pink eggs where they should be almost,
but not quite Invisible. The harder it
was, the funnier; and the joy of the
hider seemed almost enough for the
day. But when it came to finding,
pleasure reached its height.
As the search began, calls of surprise
came from all sides. Cries of delight
rang on the ear. Not only were Easter
eggs discovered but close to their pink
cheeks lay dainty gifts marked with
names of donors and receivers. Mid
spears of grass lay blue and white and
crimson eggs; in tufts of leaves were
tucked ribbons and bits of lace A pin
ball here, watch-case there, were
found by nimble fingers.
The search was not a long one, for
young eyes soon spied out the hiding
places.
AT length, it being evident that every
thing had been discovered, each member
of our party left the garden bearing her
gifts to the dinlng-room of the Pension
Here we partook of bread, butter and
coffee with appetites made keen by our
race in the garden. Nobody wanted to
go home, but the sun was fast declining
and we were compelled to say good-by
to the Pension at Chailli.
We returned to Clarens through vine
yards, convinced that, of all the social
customs we had known, one of the very
pleasantest was the presentation of
Easter eggs.-Mary BartoI, IN Vide
Quake.
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The Collins Brothers, the Philadel-
| L.