Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-12-24

and not nearly SO important as the work
of the polnpous butler. upon whom de-
volved the responsibility of carrying into
the dining-hall the great boar's head.
What Il bleak Christmas it would be
nowadays if gift-making were secondary
to bringing in Il boar's head!
The old-time Christmas began IL week
before the arrival of the day, just as the
shoppers of to-day rush out with fat
purses to lure the holiday bargain. But
purchasing gifts did not bother the heads
or weary the bodies of the old world folks.
Tho gathering of the holly and mistle-
toe for the decoration of house and
church was their initial task. and it was
performed by the village cn masse, head
ed by brave pipers and tiddlers, who filled
the forests with the joyful melodies of
Christmastide. 1t was the i'agans who
first used holly and mistlctoc for observ-
anccs, and the practice was adopted by
the carly Christian churches. The Greeks
and oman also used them in their relig-
lous ceremonies. as did the Drlids and
the Celtic and Gothic nations. So the
young maid of to-day who stands allur-
lnsly under Il sprig of mistictOe may find
satisfaction in knowing that she is follow
ing the precedent of centuries.
In Druiiical times the simple peasants
flocked in crowds to join the professions,
in which the Druidical priests We're the
foremost actors. The train was headed
by the bnrds singing canticles and hymns.
"A herald preceded three Druids, furnish
ed Will, implements for the purpose of
cutting the mystic plant-npright hatch
cts of brass. fixed to slaves. Then fol
lowed the prince or chief of the Druids.
m, ,;.I L.. Ill a.. Il..I. .,-l rn--.
ers. Tho chief mounted the oak. with IL
golden sickle dc,aclling the mistlctoe, and
presenting i, to the priests, who received
and bore the branches way with deep
reverence. On the first day of the year.
the branches. after resting on the Dmlidi-
cal affairs in the interval, were distrib-
utel among the people as II sacred and
holy plant. the Druids crying. "rhe mis-
tletne for the new wear"
Many We're the snpcrstitions attaching
To the mistlctoe. Among the latter day
charms associated with it. when suspend
cd in Il bunch in The servants hail, WAS
the traditionary and f~avoritc observance
OF kissing the maids under its branches.
the superstition prevailing that the maid
en- who missed being heartily kissed UNI
der her mistlctoe III Christmas would for
felt her chance of early mntrimony. and
certainly not be married i'll the ensuing
twelve months.
y medieval observance which ALWAYS
followed the gathering of holly and mis-
tlctue WAS the cutting and hauling home
OF the ulc log. The ~favoritc Iulc log
was II cross-graincd block of elm, or the
rugged root OF Il tree of Fantastic and
Erotesune form, and this WAS drawn home
to the kitchen, or great hall. with tho
same merry-mnlling that attended the
gathering of the holly. Before the crown
ing event of kindling the Christmas log
from the charrcd remains of its prclcces-
sor of the year before. there We're sports
in plenty to he performed.
Formerly the members of the family
II guests sat down in turn OH the Yule
log. the throne of the master of the revcls;
sang Il lule song and drank to Il merry
Christmas and happy New Year. AS
part of their feast. Yule dough or Yule
cakes We're consumed. These bore i'm
pressed figures in the shape of an image;
sometimes they We're made i'll the form of
an infant; nor was the Manager over
looked.
OF course the Christmas dinner was
h leading feature of the day. and the big
landowner was expected to entertain all
of his tenants and n%cighbors from day
break to midnight. The first dish to be
placed OH the table was the boar's head,
and great state and ceremony marked
this service. Musicians and trum,eters
led the procession, in which there were
linntslncn with long spears and
with drawn swords. Carols were intoned
as the procession moved into the dining
room and psalms were chantei, for il
some ingenious way the oldcn time people
connected the boar's head religiously witt
the celebration of the Holy Nativity.
ONE lM ~,