davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-09-13
,,vv~so> ,ooN,~s ,,,y a n's IoaU,

New York. Sept lS-lt bgam5
kulWu yesterday that "a representative
yf lav German geVvrnmyut had cJR-
Ns>sed thy loy3l 6nauVnl 0eld with q
view Ca aSgtyt8jniug whether or uOt d
would De- feasible Go 3ttcmpi t1 toat a
lo8u tu this country Ebe amount OF
thc proposed loaN il NarionSlN cStim8t-
"a at trom SsAoooOoo "a $50pNe. .Oo0
Aust What amount of the l03n viii De-
taken Ia this country, IL Il is taken a,
al. Is a matter Of gueSSWOTk,
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-09-13
Nicht wntchmnn kimed hr nohhers

Marshall, Mo, Sept. H. II. Now
rey, night operator of the Chicago and
Alton railroad, was held up Thursday
night by three masked robbers. While
the men We're riiling the station money
drawer Night Watchman Aulgur ap.
peared, and pointing his pistol through
the partly open door commanded the
men to surrender. He was Immediate
ly shot in the eye by one of the rob.
bers and died soon after The rob
Lnrs n..nmDl
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-09-13
Wreck Victim Critically Ill.

Lansdale, Pa, Sept. 8.-Wellington
H. Rosenberg, member of the Penn
sylvania house of representatives from
Montgomery county who was injured
in the Hatfield wreck on Sunday, is
reported to be in a precarious condi-
tion. He had been improving, but yes
terday afternoon he took a turn for
the worse. Three doctors are constant
ly at his bedside
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-09-13

New York Sept. "a Magistrate Ohm
stead gave a decision yesterday which
affects the owners ana operators of
automobiles and locomhiles. lie decid-
ed that an operator Onnone of these
vehicles, which has less than ten horse
power, need not be q licensed engineer.
This win admit on the weatbier driy-
ters who have been unable tQ operate
their own vehicles ia tbisrc city,epWiug
.tQ the fact chat they wege not licensed
.engipeers and did not belong TO a labor
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-09-13

N.HH f.r#Hr y l StHt ~
fe r. sr %. rs..rs Uu GraNv.N
Err .n.rH. ur rH. Hr'th slic 20 thc
Net H.#.. nrH >.fstvre atrUa@ \
E.-.. r.rr..r ut r.a aFe Nkb'lus lec
F.see. H.E auA atAht a NaS WHa
rr.h Er.HHs fhat thv hnNJlnk> SPA
gr.....sr ~hEewHs Nfw We}V ssNyd
n.ns ssns-hEr sv.taF aNawr yt , D. A.
NhF.ff rS u tIuElr
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-09-13
storm Damage in Jamaica.

Kingston, Jam, Sept S.-A terrific
storm swept over this island Thursday
night. The rivers are all flooded and
great damage has been done to the
banana plantations. Miles of the rail
road track have been washed away
The torrential rains, which were q
feature of the storm, continue. The
losses will amount to thousands OF
pounds.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-09-13
lnni nnnk cn.nlsr cnarrea Ma Wwl.n n.sr rnett:

Yates Center, Kan, Sept. Sc A
Runyon a banker, has been arresteC
charged with the embezzlement Of S12.
GOO. The arrest was made on a war
rant sworn to by County Treasure
j. S Culver in behalf.of the officers o
the Citizens State bank, of which Run
yon was cashier,
Gen. McClernhnd's Condition Serious
Springfield, llls, SeptAS.r-The. condi
ton of Gen, John a. McClernand i.
critical His son Col Edward, Me.
Clenand, military governor at Map
tlat and his daugbtert Mrs. Fred. Fox
at PEORIA have been telegraphed
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-09-13
New York's Democratic Ticket.

Saratoga, N. Y, Sept. 1O.-For COVER
nor, John b. Stanchfield of Chemung;
lieutenant governor, William F. Mack
ey of Erie; secretary of state, John T
Norton; attorney general, George NJ
Palmer; state treasurer, Guy II. Clark;
comptroller, Martin Glynn. This is the
work of the Democratic slate makers
this morning. There is as much prob
ability of it being entirely changed by
the time the convention meets as there
Is that it will be put through.
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-09-13

TIWTV ' ~ IIIIIN'W 1|EFW ~ " - v =
New York, Sept S-The steamship
Trave which arrived yesterday.
drought back more of the Christian
Eudo9yur daega.os 10 tho international
convention at London. This IS said
to DE The Last CONTINGENT Many of
.this panty Ike those who. prqgeded
thgm huma Wure stranded in Nari9us
par.s or Lwarothyaugb ghe tQiWre "
lha p.aHa al lha tourists. agency Which
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-09-13
Emblem of RightfuI Sovereignty.

If our opponents would only practice az
well preach the doctrines of Abraham
Lincoln there would be no fear for the
safety of our institutions at home or the
rightful influence in any territory over
which our flags floats Empire has been
expelled from Porto Rico and the Philip
pines by American freemen. The flag OF
the republic now floats over these islands
as an emblem Of rightful sovereignty.
VIII the republic stay and dispense to
their inhabitants the blessings of liberty
education and free institutions. or steal
away. leaving them to anarchy or i'm
perialism?
The American question is between duty
and dcScrttOn--the American verdict will
be for duty and against desertion, for the
republic, against both anarchy and i'm
peralism.
The country has been fully advised of
the purposes of the United States In
China. and they will be faithfully ad-
herred to as already defined. The peo-
pie not alone of this land but of all
lands have watched and prayed through
the terrible stress and protracted agony
of the helpless sufferers in Pekin. and
while at times the dark tidings seemed
to make all hope vain. the rescuerS
never faltered in the heroic fulfillment
of their noble task, with a success that
is now the cause Of a worlds rejoicing.
Not only have we reason for thanksgiv-
ing for our material blessings but we
should rejoice in the complete unification
of the people OF all sections of our coun-
Try that has so happily developed in tks
last few years and made for us a more
perfect union.
The obEteration of old differences, the
common devotion to the flag and the COM
mon sacrifices for its honor. so con-
spicuously shown by the men of the
north and south in the Spanish war, have
so strengthened the ties of friendship and
mutual respect that nothing can ever
again divide US. The nation faces the
new century gratefully and hopefully,
with Increasing love Of country, with
firm faith I'm its free institute ms and
with high esolve that they shall not
perish from the earth
Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-09-13

The President Denies the Charges OF
His Political Opponents, and De-
theCampnign ~ the Money Question
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
Grattan Grange.

Grattan grange met for the regular
d spetch of business Thursday eveuiu,
December ODD.
Meeting was opened In due form
with an attendance OF about fifty.
Much business was brought before ii e
meeting, including a report from state
grange by w. M. John Emmons.
Many interesting features were men,
toned by Bro. Emmons, and In whole,
there was no lacking in the response.
Grange voted TO accept the Handy
Wagon entertainment which will be in
our town February I'd. Further par
ticulars Will be mentioned later.
AS Brother aud Sister Chaplin, OF An
trim, were present, talk was asked
for from each which was welcomely re.
ceived
Af,er the business part OF the meet
was completed the Worthy Lecturer,
Mrs. Alice Mason, called forth a
very fine program consisting OF the
following:
observation-disclosures Beach.
Song-Mrs. Mark Brown.
Recitation-Aun Bookey.
Paper-Mrs. o. /. Watkins.
hecitatIon-Clayton Scott.
Civic . Iestion-Otto Slayton.
Arrangements were planned for in.
stallation which will be held two weeks
from stated meeting.
Oyster supper with cakes, coffee, bis.
cults, pickles etc, are the articles
announced for the feast.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
OtiscO.

The Brink school closed last Friday
for two weeks vacation, aud Satur-
day evening good Christmas pro. ram
was carried out. Two trees well filled
with gifts, made up a part OF the enter
tainment, The following is the pro-
gram:
Song, Christmas Welcome" by the
school; Prayer, by Mrs. Martin Howe;
song cy all, "Joy to the World ";;"Christ.
mas Penses," Harry Moffatt; Johnny IS
Letter, " Dwight Bond; "A New Santa
Claus" Mabel Laux; Emily Jane -
Mary Honson; song, Gone Beyond Re-
call" Mr.. ana Mrs. Bert Snow, Clara
snow and Ida Beach; "Cbristmas Eve, -
Jennie Youngs; "A Letter to Santa
Claus Nettie Snow; THE Children s
Vote of Thanks" Lee Snow; Bessie Is
Christmas Dream" Belle Honson; song
by the school; "The secret viii Santa
Claus Matte b. Strain; "A Guess for
the Children" Harry Moffatt; Christ
mas Eve Snowflakes," Earnest Leach:
mistress Santa Claus, Mary Honson,
"Courtship in Old Kentucky" Miss
Margaret Kohn; Dialogue, what we
do at our House When Christmas Eve
Is nigh by" Onah Johnson, Matte 3.
Strain, Jennie Youngs and Nettie
Snow; song, Christmas time has Come
Again, Mr.. and Mrs. Bert Snow, Clara
Snow aud Ida Beach; Little Joe, -
Anna Honson; "Grandma's Mistake, "
Onah Johnson; Remarks by Mr. Howe;
song, Welcome Santa" Onah John.
son.
Miss Beach the teacher, received as
gifts from her pupils, lovely vase, a
book. a cup and saucer ant neat glass
inkstand.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
Last Weeks letter.

Mrs. p. c. Elkins OF Mill Creek, Is
visiting her father Frank Macarthur.
George Stickney OF Gowen, is the
new pharmacist at f. e. Lessiter' s
store.
Phin Tuthill is among those visiting
relatives at distance, he being at
Muskegon.
Revival meetings are being held at
the Centre. Do not know the minis
ters name.
The installation OF F. & a. Nj. officers
was largely attended last week and the
supper fine.
To Mr. and Mrs. James Doran, 1.-THE
latter nee Miss Irma Byrne of GrattanI
OF G., aud Rapids daughter.
Your scribe has been favored to call
on several of our young teachers In
town among them Miss Maude Hart,
OF the Nugrnt school, Miss Jessie Tut
hin OF the Mason and Miss Gertrude
Slayton Of Grattan in Eureka. Found
perfect order in each school and the
bright, well behaved pupils will honor
the work OF their competent teachers
1t brought back days OF old spent In
teaching-days fraught with tender
memories we would iain live over.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
Shiloh.

John Bates OF Ionia spent Christmas
at l.. 2. Guptill's.
Mr.. G. ID. Easterhrook is entertain
ing her sister from Wisconsin.
Miss Erma Maynard has gone TO
Cleveland Ohio, to spend the winter.
Will EULER and family OF Greenville
ate Christmas dinner at a. f. Decker's.
Henry Leach OF Grand Rapids is
speeding the holidays with relatives
here.
A number OF people from here were
In Ionia, Saturday, purchasing Christ
mas goods.
Quite number from here attended
the masquerade at, Davis's hall, Sheri'
dan, Christmas eve.
Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. w. Brown attend
ed the Emery Hannah wedding a'
Orleans Christmas eve.
Miss Gertrude Osborne, who has beer
at the home Of Will Selleck for some
time past, left for her home at Odesss
last week.
The Christmas tree, Saturday night
was quite we'll attended. The speak
ing by the children was very nice
Miss Ladow, the teacher, was giver
much praise.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

Mrs. p. w. BY rnes and Mrs. j. An
drews are among the sick.
Guy Norton has moved into Barney
Scalling's tenant house in Grattan.
Mrs John Hapeman is spending part
OF this week with her son Jud in East
Lowell.
Lizzie Veterboek is at her brother
Fred's in Grattan, helping TO care for
his sick ones.
Ralph Ford has concluded TO spend
the winter here and return in the
spring to work his gold mine, which
promises rich returns for his Ia Dor
He is wellpleased with the people and
the climate. He has brought back
some very fine specimens from his mine.
also some very nice copper specime
from the Poison Dock mining property
which Is owned by the McCurdy Bros.
We are sorry TO chronicle the sad
disappointment of one Of our young
gentlemen who waited at the depot a,
Lowell last Saturday night for Ger.
tain young lady who has two strings tC
her bow. She went to the Valley city
with the short one and promised tc
stop of on the train from that place
10 Lowell aud attend the show with the
| ing one. The train cane in but
brought no Joy to this young man.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
vergennes.

A happy New Year to all
Norma Church is visiting relatives
In Lowell
Guy Norton OF Grattan, assisted ID.
Church last week
Bert Redenstall OF Ionia, was a guest
at Warren Ford's Sunday.
DR.. "A. Camel aud father, of Lowell,
were callers at Fred Ford's Sunday.
Mr.. Helmer OF Grand Rapids, was a
guest OF Fred Ford 5 one day last week.
Paul Cramer of Cloverdale, visited
his mother. Mrs. w. Ford Sunday ana
Monday.
ID. Church had cistern built by Mr..
Dagin OF Lowell, last week. Its capac-
ity is 100 barrels.
Samuel Harrington and daughter, oil
Cannonsburg, visited at ID. Church's
Friday and Saturday.
Mrs. Abbott and granddaughter, OF
Keene, We're here last Friday, guests o
Mrs. Eugene Kennels.
Mr.. and Mrs. Warren Ford and son
Kirke and daughter, Mrs. II. Spencer
will spend Christmas In Egypt, guests
OF Mr.. and Mrs. Cramer.
The X .. Il. NJ elected the follow.
ing officers: Com, Guy G. Norton
Lieut. Com, Fred j. Ford: r. K, Do
rus A. Church; +. X John w. Bliss
Chaplain, Clarence +. Ford; Sarger I,
Glenn Ford; Master-at-arms, Jane
Houlihan; First Nj. Of G., Cliu,or
Weeks; Second M. OF G.. Chas. A. Biggs
Sentinel, Chas. Keech; Picket, Fay
Cummings.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
AltOn-MOseley.

Frank Whits lost Lorss, cast 10 the
stall.
The valley school district wall have
a Christmas tree.
Miss Maud Condor is nursing a sore
finger, badly jammed.
Jake Weitten brock has gone TO
Smyrna to work on the section.
William Condor and wife OF Lowell ,
visited Alton relatives Sunday.
Wish the editor and all correspond
ents merry Christmas and happy
New Year
Mr.. and Mrs. Burt OF Belding, will
spend Christmas with her parents, Mr..
and Mrs. p. W. Burns.
During the past good roads eight
teams we're hauling lumber from the
Holmes timber TO the railroad.
Geo. White from Ludington, came
home to spend Christmas with his
father and mother and his two boys,
Wedding bells ring at Mr.. and
Mrs. Frank Bachelors, their daught, r
Fern married to Mr. Dibbles OF Allie
gan
The annual Christian church meet
ing was not called. Elder Nudge and
wife have gone to Chicago to spend the
holidays
Frank Keech and wife of Jamestown,
aud his brother Charles aud wife, ate
dinner with their father and mother at
Alton, Sunday.
Mrs. Lurea White received nice
christmas present by mail, from Mrs.
Daniel Kerney of California. A nice
pin cushion and lowered Christmas
cards made o. orange wood.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
North keene.

Miss Annie Faber is still In Chicago
Arthur Jenkins Is In Berlin husking
corn.
MIR. Honson is in our town to spend
Christmas.
Albert Ellerson has fine new wind
mill on his farm.
Little Laurence Hammers is some
what worse again.
Mr.. w. Gibson sold fine lot Of fat
hogs to Joe Angel.
Mrs. Henry Faber visited at Mrs. M.
Schenden's one day last week.
Mrs. Frank Brewer, who had bad
spell with her heart last week, is better
now.
Robert Thompson sold a hog to
Thomas Porter which weighed over
500 pounds.
Mrs. Mary Cannon has gone to spend
the winter ia Ada at her daug htel g,
Jane Swan.
Miss Lucy Martin was in Bedding
Friday looking for Santa Claus. Lucy
is just right.
dr. George Hotchkiss and Harry
Os good took a fine load OF beef to
Grand Rapids. this week.
Mrs. Joe Hammers sold 20 turkeys TO
f. Fish, which she raised from four
hen turkeys. Who can beat this?
Mrs. George Retterstorf Is on the
sick list under DR.. Pinkham's care.
G brgc Retteretorf il some better.
+ ed Hoxey has just finished his
house which he has been repairiul
Joe Bessie had the JOB of hanging the
paper and putting down carpets. Joe
just the lad
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
lirattan.
No Green Christina" this year.
Mira Mary Byrne entertained rela-
,,,as f,hria,nas n beinp her birthday

No Green Christina" this year.
Mrs Mary Byrne entertained rela-
tives Christmas, IL being her birthday
also.
Fred Matice, who has been very sue
cessful 10 the creamery at Marlette, Is
home for the holidays.
Ashley church had happy time ana
Christmas tree Christmas eve
The little ones greatly enjoyed a
Christmas tree with Mr.. and Mrs. T..
l.. Brooks, evening OF Dec. "A,
Little Kitty Lessiter was very hper-
ally remembered by her aunties at Pe-
toskey. and Chicago. also home rela-
tiyes, Christmas.
Mrs Laura Clemens, who has been
with Grand Rapids friends some ume'
was Joined by her daughter, Miss
Sarah, over Christmas.
The Lessiter district has one week
vacation. and in the Union school, Mr.
and Mrs. II f Hawley, two. Ihey
are spending vacation at South Grand
Rapids
Messrs. C. J. Laduer and w j. Les
sitter entertained the Indian club Tues
day night with hop at E E.Lessiter' s
hall. Banquet at Hotel Grattan. All
report an enjoyable time
Melvin Byrue having reached his
2lst birthday, Dec. oath, his mother
Mrs. Mary Byrne, presented him with
a very fine gold watch and chain, the
admiration OF the company present at
the Christmas gathering.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
BartonyilIe.

&. f. Totten has very lame horse.
Miss Chapman is staying with Mrs.
Frank Jones.
f. j. Richmond sold a colt to Joe
Warner recently.
Peter Kohn, wife and son, spent last
Thursday at John Krupp's.
o. Beckwith was in this place last
week, hanging paper for Joe Warner.
Verne Davis and wife OF Smoky Row,
were entertained at his fathers De.
cember 10th.
Geordie and Ray Tower came home
from the M. A. e. last Saturday, 70
spend Christmas.
Quite number from this place at.
tended the donation given for Elder
Hills Of Greenville, at Smyrna, Decem
Der 18th.
MIR. and Mrs. Rowland Rider OF Low.
ell, and Sam Davis and wife, also Mrs
II. Davis, visited at Fred Richmond 4
December 10th.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
North Orleans.

Will Pretzel is home from Grand
Rapids.
Anna Kromau is visiting her parents
near Greenville.
Mr.. and Mrs. OFT from Lansing, is
visiting friends here.
Dora Bradley has gone to her home
In LYONS for a weeks vacation.
Mr.. aud Mrs. Frank Stevens spent
Friday evening with Mr.. and Mrs. AL
bert Brown.
The Chittle school closed last Fri
day. They will have one week of va
cation.
Mrs. Will Wheeler and son Ermond
went to Sand Lake Saturday TO visit
her parents.
Elder VanDoren breaches his fare
well 8, rmon next Sunday, at the
Chittle school house.
The Christmas tree at the Chittle
school house was decided success
Santa Claus had so much on his hands
this year he could not possibly get
there, so he sent his wife to take hi'
place.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

century, especially among the rural In
habitants. A few Of them have been
retained to this date, although the adj
vance Of civilization has almost exter-
minated superstition and has refined
manners. Besides the customs still re-
tanned the Swede had formerly much
to keep in mind at Christmas. Nothing
that necessitated a rotary motion
should be done on Christmas day. Any
body who visited a neighbor on that
day ran the risk of getting boiled water
thrown In his face. On Christmas eve
straw must be laid on the floor for the
children TO play in and for the men,
bers' of the family to sleep on during
the night.
Christmas day is still the greatest
holiday in Sweden The Swedes Of to-
day are more temperate than those Of
olden times, but no miser is so mean
that he does not prepare well for
Christmas, and no home is so poor that
1t Is not then better provided than
usual with the essentials Of good liv-
Ing. Especially in the rural home the
housewife is for many days busily en-
gagged In preparations for the great
holiday. Bread of different kinds must
be baked. Christmas beer brewed, the
Christmas pig killed and sausage made,
the dried lingfish must be soaked in
lye, and everything must be scrubbed
and cleaned. On Christmas eve as
much animal food Is cooked as the
house can afford, and In certain homes
where old customs are retained the din
ner is eaten in the kitchen, and every
body dips his bread In the hot broth In
which the pork has been boiled. The
day before Christmas Is therefore Of
ten In jest called 1.-THE great dipping
day" In order that all beings shall be
happy the farmer gives the cattle and
the horses extra food, lets loose the
watchdog and places a sheaf Of I'M
thrashed oats on pole for the birds.
This last custom prevails even In cities.
Fresh spruce trees are placed outside
the doors and on balconies.
After dinner the Christmas tree, a
young spruce, is dressed with fruit,
paper covered candy, bright colored
glass balls and ornaments and paper
flags of all nations. On each branch Is
hung a small candle or taper. These
are lighted in the evening, and the de-
lighted children are allowed to make a
merry ring dance around the tree.
Thereafter the members of the family
collect around the table, and the
Christmas presents are distributed.
Masked persons in picturesque cos
tunes are seen on the streets carrying
bundles of presents .or friends or rela-
tives They greet nearly everybody
they meet with the words, Merry
Christmas" and are answered, "Same
10 you" On and after Christmas day
Swede on meeting an acquaintance
will say, Good continuation of the
Christmas" until New Year. when the
same ceremony begins with the words,
"a good New Year" etc.
When the present bearers have re-
turned from their mission. all hands
partake of the supper. In which the
"lutfisk" dried lingfish or Goldfish soak
ed In I've and boiled, the Christmas
cheese and the rice porridge must not
be lacking Many familie usually have
also pigs head OH the lble. perhaps
memory of the god Frey's boar
With apple I'm the mouth"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
Just saved His Life

IL was a thrilling escape that Charles
Davis OF Bowerston, o., lately had from
frightful death. For two years Sc
we're lung trouble constantly grew
worse until 1t seemed as II he must die
OF Consumption. Then he began TO
use DR.. Kings New Discovery and
lately wrote: at gave instant relief
and effected permanent cure.' Such
wonderful cures have for % years,
proven it's power to cure all Throat,
Chest and Lung troubles. Price SOC
and 81 90. Every bottle guaranteed.
Trial bottles cree at Connell Bros
drug store,
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

Many have lost confidence and hope
as well as health. because they thought
their kidney disease was incurable.
Foley's Kidney Cure is positive cure
for the discouraged and disconsolate.
Take no other. W. / BENEDICT.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

The person who disturbed the con-
gregation last Sunday by coughing,
is requested To call on w. I. BENEDICT
and get bottle OF Foley's Honey and
Tar. 1t always gives relief.
w. l. BENEDICT.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27
Enr The Stacking.

Us chillun needs mo- civil rights;
DE white folks gotter make some laws,
Case some oh us on Christmas nights
Gifts clean fohgot by Santa Claus
Washington Star.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

Around the Tree.
~1ROM time immemorial Christ
mas has been the greatest OF
r. holidays in Sweden. In hea-
Cs80 then times the midwinter fes-
tlval was celebrated In honor Of the
sun, which had retreated more and
more since midsummer and now, after
the winter solstice. began to return.
causing darkness to be defeated by
light, says the Chicago Record. There
was then great feastlng in the chief
tains' banqueting halls, where the
bards sung songs in honor of fallen he
roes and where eating and drinking
played an important part. Touching
the head of the god Frey's boar, the
warriors made vows about the valor-
Gus deeds they would perform next
summer, when the ice which now held
their dragon ships fettered near the
shore would be melted by the sun. The
excessive eating and drinking at the
winter festival continued also during
the middle ages. when Christmas had
taken on new significance.
Many peculiar Christmas customs
prevailed until about the middle Of this
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-12-27

The BANNER until January /, 1902,
for one dollar.