West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-01-03

OF the past generation. Their Christ.
mas lnRts until after New Years. with
their ancestors however life I'm this
quiet and distant land was an almost
perpetual Christmas.
Now. ns in former times. the VII
layers make presents more of useful
nature thnn otherwise. such as poul.
try, vegetables. fruits aud pprlnps
sheep or nm AndalusInn pony. The re.
turn presents are OF equal value This
Is point of honor. aud to return n
! bauble TO the donor OF valuable pres
ent would subject that person to end.
less rldlculc.
On New Years day the principal don
OF the village or settlement gives n
grand dinner 90 which everybody IL in
vitod. Aud they generally come. The
don In the olden days sent his maJo
domO around with verbal invitation
for everybody to honor the don by Mt
tending his annual New Years din.
ner Now there Is not 80 much for
mallty This dinner lasts all day and
the next or as long as any OF the
guests continue to honor the host by
their presence.
%
and tie barbccued meats. the fruits,
wines ana other /edlbles which have
been collected for the past week ARE
served by the pretty senoritas OF the
don's household. some Of his numerous
relatives OF course assisting I'm dispens.
Ing the honors. During the day there
are the usual horse racing. cooking
mains and perhaps a buIlnght The
lnticr. however. rs not so fashionable
now as In the early and good old
days
IN the evening the nmusements lead
OF with what Is called the lottery or
love" by this lottery u Is determined
who nrc TO be swecthearts FOR the COM
Ing year The name OF each young
lady present is written upon slip OF
paper and placed In n box. and the
name 81 cach young man IL placed I'm
another lo9 little girl and little
boy are bl,ndf0lded. and each draws n
name simultaneously The senor and
scnoriia thus mated by chance are TO
be "c0mpadrOs." or companions. for the
year beginning with that evening. The
sen0r must accompany her TO every
feast. haile or public entertainment
that takes place iu the village or set
tlcmcnt 81 least hr must invite her.
rnd 10 shr refuse he is then at liberty
TO invite somo one clso When the
'ouplc are not happily mnted. this re-
fnsal Is usually The casc. aud. while
both understand That the Cupids have
mismnied them. the fOrmalities must
bc kept 90 nevertheless.
After this lottery the bale. or gran
dance Is announced by the don. who
IN few nowcry compliments again
thanks his guests. and the baile opens
Wits contra dance. the first step be.
ine n half turn 10 the right and en-
brace partners. tho senior very delicate
ly putting bis arms around the senorita
ns 10 about 90 waltz. This figure OF the
dance IS omitted only when intimate
friends compose the "set." It isa very
prciif hgure. and the grace with which
ihr sruor makes n fclut 10 embrace
The Sly senOrita ls captivating.
CosqucrOnls arc still IN vogue. and Il
is q high compliment TO senior when
sen0rita crumblcs one Of these egg
shells or eiit spangles and cologne over
bis head Tie must then ask her 10
dance with him. and. though she may
refuse. he should nsk again for that IL
why she did e. Not 10 ask for dance
IN return for This testimonial IL con.
sidcrd 90 be- n slight.
81 midnight there Is a supper Of
fruit cakes, wines aud other light del
icaciea The dance IS resumed and
continues unl morning. Whm TIM