The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1883-12-25
ERsTIT
Connected with the Yule-Log. the
Mistletoe and the Holly.
The Luck OF Christmas Candles
Bad Luck NJ n Christmas Eve
supper+--Omens OF Good
and OF Ill.

lharpsrs bazAf.J
From the remotest times of the burning OF
the Yulo or Christmas log, 1t has had all
kinds Of superstitions connected with It. In
some parts of Europe the log must be OF a
certain kind Of wood, as In Devonshire It con-
sists OF fagots OF ash bound together, and an
extra glass from the cider barrel Is expected
by the guest for every crack made by the
blazing fagot- One log Is the general GUS
tom, but we have known a hod OF coal se
lected for that purpose when wood was In
accessible. A bit Of the Christmas log must
always be saved 20 light next years Christ
mas fire with, and be sure that the fire does
not go out during the night, nor until Christ
mas day at shutdown. In many homes music
is played during the ceremony of lighting the
DIRE, but on no account must 1t be lighted be-
fore the proper time, which Is at sunset,
Christmas I'VE Tbs Yule or Christmas
candles should be lit soon after, but
for good luck the light must be taken
from the Christmas fire. 1t Is very bad
luck TO snuff them, and they should be set on
the highest shelf or table in the room. Ths
oldest person present must e~1tingutsh them,
but a bit Of each must be saved to relight on
New Years eve, to see the old year out and
the new year in 1t ia considered a very bad
omen for any one TO leave the table during
supper on Christmas Eve until all are through,
and see that there Is an even number of
guests, If you will make friends during the
year. Be sure and have a cheese and cake
untouched In the house, and let no one tempt
you to cut them before the proper time,
Never refuse to take or give food and shelter
at Christmas time,
One OF the earliest customs Ia the decorating
of our homes and churches with evergreens
at Christmas time, for our forefathers DO
heved that the decoration of hrivate dwell.
ings In recognition of the incarnation of thu
divinity would, by marking the homes of
the believers. preserve them from the intru-
sion and evil auspices of fiends.
1t Is regarded as a very unlucky circum-
stance If any Leaves or sprigs are dropped or
remain behind on the removal Of the church
or home decorations, and all must be cleared
away before C~andlemas-day February q;
and on no account should tho sacred mlstle-
toe bough-the standing symbol of rough.
and-reahy Irritation, without consciousness
or necessity of harm be cast into the street
or carelessly thrown aside; for love luck 1t
must be bnrned by the dest unmarried
member OF the family, male or female.
II one wishes to revive an old Roman Gus
tom. let him send a holly branch to his
friends as typical of good wishes, and 1t may
have Il double meaning by adding a sprig OF
mistletoe, the cleaning berries conveying a
message OF nope, for II the holly carries good
wishes and foresight or forethought. the mis-
tletoe Is an assurance Of 81 surmount diff
%culties, " and many u wife has been won by
this little token Of assurance.
1t is very lucky for a child to be born on
Christmas day. especially il the day falls on
a Sunday. And the girl who is a bride on
the 18th OF December Is said to have nothing
TO fear.
At no other time Is a black cat-a strange
black cat-thought to be lucky but at Christ
mas. If one comes into the house, 1t Is a SURE
sign OF money.
No person but the boys must presume to GO
out-of-doors on Christmas morning until the
threshold has been consecrated by the moon,
ing footsteps of a man.
Dem folks what hab short talking [quar.
rels] on Christmas day or night won't hab no
luck In friendship, love, or pocket" said an
old colored NANNY; and e sure you wish
some one a "Merry~ Chrstmasn before you
put your shoes and stockings on; and for
real good luck kiss the oldest person In the
house first on Christmas morning, and ths
youngest or New Years morning.