, 1897-12-24
Each Dom with ivy leaves is dress'd.
And every post with holly"
600

ed their temples and houses with holly,
have suggested the custom to the early
Christians, who often sanctified pagan
rites, when innocent, by uniting them
with their purer ones, to please their
converts. Some think it is in memor
Of the palms strewn before Christ. on
his entry into Jerusalem, while others
suppose that il is commemorative of
the time when the old Jewish feast of
tabernaclcs was celebrated, when the
children of Israel were commanded to
dwell in booths, in memory of the time
when they were travellers in the wilder
ness.
The mistletoe was excluded from the
churches because Of the peculiar pagan
associations connected with it in early
times, and yet it was venerated among
the Druids for its symbolism of the
Trinity. both its leaves and berries
one stalk. They called it the "All Heal"
and at Yule tide the Arch-Druid. robed
in white, the emblem of purity. cut it
from h oak with a sickle of gold, the
metal sacred to God, and with great
pomp placed it upon the altar.
1t is said that once the mistletoe was
tall and large like any other tree, but
our Savior's cross having been made
from it.. it withered away. and became
merely the parasite it 10Y is.
In olden times, a branch was usually
hung in the kitchen and halls; when
ever a girl happened to stand beneath
1t. any man present could steal a kiss.
The tradition is that the maid who is
not kissed under the mistletoe will not
be married that year.
1t was formerly a custom in many
countries, and is still a practice in. the
southern part of Scotland. for little
troops of boys and girls to go from
house to house. singing Christmas
carols, and whistling people a Merry
Christmas" In return for this. they
get apples and nuts and sometimes
money.
The Druids sent young men from
house to house with a branch of mis-
~tletoe, praying that they might receive
good fortune and happiness throughout
the ensuing year.
/ pnp;r,trr u-;th Thr;,t,,e w III,
week will be replete with festivities and
social gatherings.
This evening the cowboys of the Lar
annie plains will hold their annual ball.
Tomorrow night the Danish Brother
hood gives a grand masquerade ball.
On New Years eve the Owl club
members will dance en- masque.
On the same evening the first annual
ball of Gem City Hose No. . will take
place.
The evening of the Goth, the Wood
men of the World will meet at Odd Eel
How hall. when an address will be made
by Bishop Talbot.
On New Years day the Laramie
Maeunerchor has planned for a grand
celebration, both in the afternoon and
evening.
A number of private parties will also
be given.
The most recherche event of the week,
in fact. might say Of the season,
was the banquet given by some Of the
Tilicums on Monday evening at the
residence of Mr.. J. Fred Hesse, jr. The
house had been especially decorated fol-
the occasion and Mr.. Hesse canont be
surpassed as a host. The menu cards
inscribed in red ink, were as follows;
Tilicums. Dec. 20. 81.
SEELEY DINNER.
Mulligatawney. Wild Duck,
Tomato Sauce.
Roast Dog, a la Maitre D'Hotel.
Fried Onions.
Mayonnaise Dressing.
Pie (Any kind your little heart desires).
Olives. Cheese.
Ice Cream.
The Tilicums, however, are not so
barbarous IS might be supposed from
reading the above, and a fine turkey,
with dressing, gravy and cranberries,
took the place of the canine roast. Ed.
Finfrock carved the turkey, t 0 the great
amusement Of all except himself. The
wishbone was hung up on the wall for
good luck, but for some reason was
quickly taken down. Those seated
around the first board were Misses Til
lie Liebler, Annie and Matte Haley.
Grace Davis and Nellie Dean. Mrs.
Buck; Messrs. Hesse, Champion, Spald-
ing, Coburn and Finfrock.
900
Mrs. H. G.. Balch will leave Sunday
for an extended visit through the east.
During her ~sojourn she will visit
friends and relatives in Boston. New
York. Saratoga. Philadelphia, and will
spend some time in Washington. She
expects % be absent about two months.
900
Last Saturday evening the chimes Of
sleighbelis were heard. and a four-horsc
bobsled carried a merry crowd Of boys
and girls over the frozen SNOW. The
young folks were chaperoned by Mrs.
Schalk and Mrs. Flemming and the par
ty included Helen Manasse, Bessie