Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1888-03-30

dren when they have eaten boiled egg
always to push the spoon through the bot
tom OF the shell, in order ''to hinder the
witches from making a boat of it," In
France similar custom prevails, but tho
reason assigned for it is that magiciaps
formerly used the egg for their dabolical
witcheries. They emptied it adroitly and
traced on the interior cabalistic characters
able to cause much evil. The faithful
were therefore instructed to break at the
same time the shell and the spell.
1t Is difficult to ascertain the precise
origin of the graceful custom of Offering
| eggs at the festival of Easter The Per-
slams gave each other eggs at the New
Year, the Russians at the festival of
Easter. Among the Romans the year be-
gan at Easter, as it did among the Franks
under the Capets. Mutual presents were
bestowed, and as the egg is the emblem
of the beginning of all things, nothing
better could be found as an Offering. The
symbolic meaning is striking. Eggs are
the germ of fecundity and abundance, and
we wish our friends all the blessings COLI
tanned within the slender shell when we
o1er this gift, whose fragilty represents
that OF happiness here below
In some remote districts Of France the
belief still fingers that during Passion
week the bells Of the churches set out for
Rome In order to get themselves by the
pope. During this period of mourning
the bells are mute in their belfries and re-
main SO until their return on the morning
OF the resurrection, when they will send
1orth Joyous peals. Easter to these SIM
pie folks was like a second New Years
day, and on Easter Monday came the
dance OF eggs by high and low.
The marriage aux pufs' between the
beautiful Marguerite of Austria and Phil
lDert the Handsome Duke of SAVOY.
forms picturesque page in the romantic
chronicles OF Savoy and Austria. The
royal lady had come on a pilgrimage into
the charming district Of Bresse, lying on
the western slope of the Alps, where, nc
cordins TO legend, young girl may in
sure indefinitely her youth and beauty.
The castle of Brou was gay, Marguerite
had taken up her abode there, and serfs
ana mobiles alike shared her hospitality.
fhlllbert the Handsome, who was hunting
IN the nelghborhoOd came to the castle in
order to render homage to the fair prin-
cess of Austria.
1t was Easter Monday, high and low
danced together on the green. The old |
men drew their bows on barrel filled !
win wine, and when one succeeded in
painting his arrow firmly in it he was
privileged to drink as much as he pleased.
hundred eggs were scattered on a
level space covered with sand, and a lad
ana lass holding each other by the hand
came forward to execute a dance Of the
country According to the ancient Gus
.om, II they succeeded in finishing the
'Dranle' without breaking a single egg.
.hey became afiianced; even the will of
heir parents might not avail to break
their union.
Three couples had already tried it I'M
and shouts of laughter de-
rided their failure, when the sound OF a
norm was heard, and Philibert of SAVOY.
'adiant with youth and happiness, ap-
'eared ON the scene. lie bent his knees
before the noble chatelaine and besought
ler hospitality. And as the games con.
lnucd he proposed to his hostess to ESSAY
win MN the merry dance of eggs. How
oeautilul they looked as they stepped for
" 'ru hah.l IN hand! savoy and Austria"
shouted the crowd. The dance was finished
without the breaking of an egg and Tho
'iuShihg Marguerite allowed her hand tn
'emaln within that of Philibert. MS he
said: W. ~
Let us adopt the custom Of Brcsse.n
80 they were affianced, and their
marriage soon took place A few wears
Il exquisite happiness were their portion.
'ut an untimely death carried Off the
husband. Marguerite lived long. but
lever forgot her beloved Philibert. She
auseu to be built, and in 1911 dedicated
o his memory, the beautiful church of
sotre Dame of Brou Within it i. his
omb, and there Marguerite. too, rests by
ne side OF her beloved husband. Visitors
III admire the magnificent architecture
'hich enshrincs the buried love Of Mar
uerite and Phlibcrt