The age-herald., 1902-03-10
For Aud Lana SYne.

The American people are fast rival 9ing the Chinese in the number of their gpublic holidays. In China there is no 5welcome Sunday which comes once sweek to give overworked man rest. lbut Sunday is not missed there, for Fhoidays are so many that a week inever passes without one or more ldays being thus observed.
 China is an old country, exactly fhow many thousands of years old it is mot necessary to count. In all this time there has been opportunity for lgreat deeds and for the rise and fall of great men, and in the passing cen 'rturies many have been deemed worthy fof honor and memory by holidays. ! Thus the year is largely filled in China with days of rest.
 America, the youngest, and as it considers itself the noblest offspring of time, is fast following Chinas ex- ample in this respect. With a history lyounger than that of any other great i country, she has managed to fill her icalendar with numerous days set lapart as holidays in honor of various events and various persons. The diff ferent States have followed the exam iple of the national government until the number of State and national holi- days if faithfully observed would ileave not so very much time for work If this custom continues it Is only matter of time, and comparatively lit tie tine when there will be three hundred and sixty-five holidays in the lyear, and the happy time of living without working will have arrived.
 Fortunately for the progress of the country and it's myriad industries State mondays and most of the nation al ones are practically unobserved, except by the banks and postoffices Bank clerks have the holiday habit,
 
 on holiday unless the work of the day previous has been neglected. They are not to be blamed for this perhaps any more than the Irishman who with his load of brick when with in one step of the top of a five story building at the sound of the twelve o'clock whistle will promptly descend bricks and all for his dinner.
 Practically the only holidays which are observed by the public are Christ mas, New Years, the Fourth of July and Memorial Day. It is fitting that Christmas should be religiously ob- served in memory of the birth of Christ, and that the memory of the heroes of old should be honored. It is well, too, to propitiate the New Year with it's wealth of sorrows by festivi- ties in it's honor, and of course a big fellow like Uncle Sam should cele- brate his birthday.
 Before all the days in the year, how ever, are engaged as holidays there should be one day set aside in mem- ory of Auld Lang Syne, a day devoted by all in memory of old friends, old loves, and the tender recollections of bygone years. Nothing is so beautiful as true friendship, but like everything else to flourish it should be encourag- ed. In the college hall and in the camp men sit by the fire and speak of their former comrades. It is a custom that should spread, for 1t is a noble trait to remember. Love but little, but love for long.
 Perhaps in this money age when gold can accomplish so much friends are not needed as they once were. Is this why we forget? Is it the cry of money which says, Love me all, love others none.
 
 A Day at the White House.