Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-31

since Father Time is not generally supposed to
be solicitous of society unless he is planning de-
struction. His benevolent expression, though
coupled with the fact that he was to all ap.
pearances, totally unarmed-not a sign Of q
scythe or sickle or any of those reaping i'm
PIGMENTS with which be is popularity pictured
as going about and moving down helpless
humanity, he even being guitless of that in
nocuous machine. a lawn mower-reassured
HE STAR man, 80 he stopped as hidden.
Arent you the young man whose inter-
view with Mr.. Christmas 1 noticed in your
paper a week or 80 ago?"
Yes, sire, ', replied The STAR man, selecting
as respectful An address as his memory could
muster up, II did have little talk with Father
Christmas"
'Mr. Christmas, If you please, nv soa. am
the only person in the world to whom the
venerable title Of father rightfully belongs. OF
call him Santa Claus if you prefer, or, indeed
any other Of his aliases, but not Fatherr'
HE did not seem to object to my so address,
ing him." ventured THE STAR man.
Chaos and old night! my son, he was in such
hurry, judging from the way your account
read, that he hardly knew what he himself was
taking abont. much less what you were saying.
But then 1t is quite likely he wouldn't object
anyway, for he feels vastly experienced and old
does Mr.. Christmas-the conceit of youth, the
conceit of youth. muttered Father Time "And
very few Of us who will probably live always, be
should bear in mind that he has not always
lived, as IL the case with Inc. Holy Isis, 1 was
graybeard whom Mr.. Christmas was born He
Is promising young man. though. a promising
young man, and liked what he said about the
perpetunting of the old holiday customs, only
like most self-centered people he was too selfish
in his remarks-talked entirely Of himself, and
his celebration and his fetes. when mineso closely
press on them that 1t really looks-only that
know his hurry scurry way of doing things sc
weil-as If the omission of any reference to me
were Intentional
But that's the very thing that want to sec
you about, ny son. he went on. ''Now the
day of my celebration ia a most significant time
IN the year, for on that day by doing certain
things or neglecting to do others people can
bring positive disaster or positive ioy upon
themselves for the remainder of the year. Hall
OF them are ignorant of all this. They have
forgotten the traditions of their sensible fore
fathers and they are living too fast to relearr
ANYTHING. Bat l like Washington-admire
the way it has OF conserving tho past in its ma
tional museum. in George Washington's home
and in preserving old landmarks | will
just give you few items for your paper that il
needed by the people will result in their being
the most favored mortals in the United Sta.
Tor this entire year, and for all years long az
they pay attention to these great facts. Fore
warned, YOU know, is forearmed.
IHE STAR man acqulesced and assured
Father Time that he was convinced that he was
lie i'll saying that he would be only too de-
lighted to know how to act or how not to act
In order to insure year OF prosperity.
"Do you keep colored man servant, nv
soI?' Intercepted Father Time.
The STAR man, much surprised the ques-
ton seemed SO malapropos-confessed that he
had not vet attained to that luxury, great as
were his aspirations in that direction But ~
he added. as a look of disappointment passed
over Father Times wrinkled visage. there is
one about the house where | board believe"
(He didn't know but that Father Time desired
NJ, errand of trust performed and was looking
for q messenger with references)
Probably goes to his own home nights, as is
largely the custom with your Washington serv-
ants. eh?'
Yes" said The STAR man. again completely
ut sea.
THAT is WELL that is very well, indeed" said
Father Time, and then continuing, now. my
son. il you will see to it that this colored man
servant IL the very first person to enter the
house tomorrow morning it will insure good
luck to that house for whole year. A dark
complexioned white man would do of course.
but 1t ism well to put one self at the mercy of
chance callers. for the frs: one might be man
of fair skin, when it would be all day with YOU,
still worse, the FIRST visitor might be q
woman, when Jupiter preserve you, for nothing
ia SO unlucky.
''Back two hundred years. indeed, people
were much more sensible in this particular than
now, since no well-regulated household would
be SO wild as to think for q moment of passing
New Year eve without the presence in its
midst OF some dark-complexioned man, who,
just before the stroke OF midnight would 20
out of the house and remain till the New Year
had fairly arrived. when he would knock at the
door for admittance. After the inmates had
fairly assured themselves that no trick was
being played upon them by the enemy in the
suise of this dark man the door would be
swung open to him, when general merry max
ing would ensue over 80 suspicious begin
ming of the New Year. So just keep your house
tightly closed, son, till the arrival of this
colored man servant of yours
But this isn't all shades Of Minerva and Juno,
no. 1t u merely one item. The next thing to
insist upon is that something is brought into
your house before nything goes out, even if it
isn't ANYTHING more than piece Of coal There
are some wonderfully true verses which embody
this great truth in compact form:
Take out then take in,
Bad luck will begin.
Take in. then take out,
Good luck comes about
"And any one wants to preserve his family
circle intact during the coming year he should
be exceeding careful that no light is taken out
Of the house OH New Year day, for that means
Al ~.