Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-03-25
EASTER EGGS.
They Date Back to Ancient Times
How to Decorate Them.

EASTER EGGS.
They Date Back to Ancient Times
How to Decorate Them.
All the traditions connected with the
Easter egg, it's decoration, cooking and
eating, are, of course, decidedly old
world, and yet there is some myth
among the legends of the Inca Indians
which tells Of a magic egg and how 1t
may be found in some mysterious spot,
and Of it's wonderful power. Whether or
not this is one Of the superstitions Of
the far east which Nance Capac
brought with him from the other side
Of the Pacific is altogether unknown,
but certain 1t is that in Asia, Africa
and Europe feasts were kept In most
ancient times when the egg played q
prominent part. The Jews used eggs
in their feast Of the Passover long be-
fore the coming Of Christ. In Persia
colored eggs are presented at the cell
ebration Of the solar New Years, an
extremely ancient custom with this
people.
From Germany comes the singular
connection Of rabbit with the Easter
eggs. It is believed that this little
animal steals into the house when all Is
quiet and hides store Of pretty eggs
in most impossible places, giving the
children, who must search for them, a
great deal Of trouble and excitement in
finding them. The house mother pre-
pares by procuring quantity of eggs
and colors them herself, by wrapping
them in colored calicoes, some plain
and some figured.
To the country boy or girl Of America
Easter or "Paas," in rural vernactllar,
resolves itself first and foremost into a
contest to see who can accumulate.
the greatest store Of eggs, and, second
ly, who can eat the most. For weeks
before Easter the hens are the recipi-
ents Of marked and unremitted atten-
tion. Their daily habits are closely
scrutinized, and the "cut-cut-cut-ca-
da-cut!" that announces new contri-
button to the food supply Of the coun-
try Is the signal for rush on the part
Of the children to obtain the coveted
treasure.
Each child has long before this Sc
lected hiding place in the fragrant
haymow, and thither in secrecy the
lucky finder bears each new addition.
Then when Easter morning dawns the
boarded contents are all brought forth,
and proud indeed is the lucky boy or
girl whose "Paas'' outnumbers his fell
lows. Then the Easter breakfast!
Boiled or fried, with juicy, pinky ham,
egg after egg disappears until "the
wonder grows how one small" stomach
can hold the wealth Of eggs committed
to its care. At Sunday school Easter
Sunday in all the hamlets Of the state
the story of the resurrection, It Is safe
to say, will be overshadowed in many
a small boys mind by the more present
question, How many eggs did you
have for 'Paas""
In the simpler forms the eggs are
swiftly colored in rainbow hues with
aniline dyes, then daintily etched with
a sharp pointed knife, or they are coat
ed with metallic paints, or they are
frosted with diamond dust. For de-
corating by whatever method the eggs
are either hard boiled or the contents
are blown out by means Of a tiny hole
at either end and the eggs are then
finished with narrow ribbons for
hanging
An exquisite greeting is this bit OF
natures porcelain when transformed
into vase and filed with violets.
The support for the vase is made Of
three pieces Of bronzed wire, each
three inches long, twisted together in
the form Of tripod.
To make vase, carefully break of
the smaller end Of the shell. Leave the
edges jagged and gild them heavily.
Decorate the outer shell with tiny
sprigs of blue flowers in oil. A dainty
bit Of white and blue china is the re-
suit.
BY tinting the shell a delicate yellow,
gliding the jagged edges Of the open
ing and then adding light designs In
red and gold lines the vase is sugges-
tive of royal Worchester.
A great variety Of vases can be made.
They should in every case be filled
with dainty spring flowers.
Prior to the applications Of paints to
the shell it must be well washed, thor
oughly dried and rubbed with benzine.
After this treatment there Is no more
difficulty in painting on eggshells than
on paper.
Prettily decorated eggs nesting in the
fragrant depths Of flowers or In nest
Of fresh grass breathe Of glad spring.
time.
A quaint wooden shoe, gilded and
supplied with white satin ribbon for
carrying, may be filled with smilax,
posies and eggs.
A large straw hat with ribbon ham
dies in pale and deep green lined with
sweet grass is dainty nest for colored
eggs. Eggs decorated with comic faces
are much appreciated by the children
New York Tribune.