Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-12-29
CHRISTMAS LEGIoNs.

very beautiful Protestant legend
makes Martin Luther the originator OF
the frat Christmas tree. The story runs
that he was travelling along through a
forest on Christmas eve; the sky gilt
tered with lnnumerable stars. 30 cheer
ing and inspiring the great reformer
that he cut u small Ar tree, and when
ne reached home fastened 70 II many
wax tapers and set IL up as an object
lesson TO his Children. 20 remind them
OF that evening In Bethlehem when
Christ was born the light OF the world
In some places, as In snabia, Il ~ q
Christmas custom for maidens. inquisi-
tive as to their prospective lovers. TO
draw stick of wood out OF heap to
see whether he will be long or short.
crooked or straight. At other times
they win pour melted lead into cold wa
ter. and from the figures formed will
prognosticate the trade or profession Of
their future husbands III they imagine
they see a plane, or last. or a pair Of
shears, Il signifies that he Is to be car
penter. Il shoemaker. or tailor; while a
hammer or pickaxe indicates a smith or
a common Iaborer
-
The maidens of Pfullingen. when they
wish TO ascertain which OF them will
first become wife. form a circle. and
place In the midst blindfolded gander,
and the one TO whom he goes first VIII
soon be bride: while the Tyrolese
peasants, ON the knocking nights"
listen at the baking ovens. and II they
hear music. II signifies an early wedding
but IL the ringing OF the bells IT forebodes
the death OF the iistner. Among many
others a favorite method OF forecasting
the future Is 10 sit upon the floor and
throw ones shoe with the foot over the
shoulder, and then to predict from the
position It assumes what Is about 70
transpire.
Many a pleasant tale could be told OF
the mistletoe, which was generally
placed, with much secrecy. over the
door. 1t was the privilege OF the SWANS
to kiss any maiden caught under the
mistletoe bough. and. according e
Archdeacon Mares. the tradition was
that the maid who was not kissed under
II at Christmas would not be married
| for a year. Brand says the ceremony
was not duly performed unless. berry
was piched or with each kiss. This
berry. Il is stated by other authorities
was TO he presented for good luck Is
the maiden kissed. and Washington
Irving adds that when the berries ar,
all plucked the privilege ceases"
| In Belgium the children hll theii
shoes with beans or carrots on Christ
mas eve and set them In the chime,
| place for the good saints horse. In IN,
| morning they expect 20 find them fillet
with sweetmeats and fruit In return 10
their good behavior.
| In Lapiand and Norway II is still
customary 10 set out cake In the snow
| iginally. In all probability. TO propitiat'
some pagan divinity. as II dates baci
to the times Of Thor the Thunderer.
|
| In Poland. and elsewhere. Il Is believ,
that on Christmas night the heavens ar
| opened. and the scene of Jacobs lodde
Is re-enacted, but IL is only permitte'
to the saints TO see IT,, says Harper
Magazine. Throughout Northern Ger
many the tables are spread and light
left burning during the entire night
that the yergin Mary. and the ange
who passes when every body sleeps
may find something to eat. In cetail
parts OF Austria they put candles in tn
windows. that the Christ-child may no
stumble in passing through the village