Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1906-04-12

Once more the Easter Rabbit has
arrived TO fulfil his annual mission.
Only day his merry reign will last.
and then--such is the memorable de-
cree-he must return TO the abode
where Santa Claus, fairies. brownies
and other mysterious friends Of little
folk hold goodly company.
With what joyous anticipation
eager eyes have watched for his APP
pearance at the confectioners win
dows, how many busy little hands
have constructed nests of moss and
twigs for his reception, or have
framed notes of invitation in the
most endearing terms TO this gener-
Gus little guest! All. indeed. the Eas-
ter Rabbit has won the hearts OF all,
and bids fair to vie even with the ven
cradle Christmas saint in popularity.
And now he is here, and has no
doubt. responded most graciously TO
all requests and has filed the nests
and pockets of the child world TO over
flowing with his gayly colored gifts.
But who is this CHEEKY stranger, at
ace and hut alike are opened with
hearty welcome? We merely know
he is of German descent but his true
origin and significance time has hid
den from most Of us, and TO lift the
veil we must wander back thousands
of years into the very heart of the
Fatherland.
1t is still winter lakes and streams
are icebound, and the snow secms
loath to withdraw its glistening man
tie from the bleak and dreary fields.
Yet in the heart of the Pagan mother
is JOY; she has heard to-day the note
of songbird and has seen the, viii
lows stretch forth their silver hooded
buds: there is no doubt Ostara. the
goddess of spring, is on the way.
Gladly she hastens home with the
good tidings, gathers her children
around her and whispers TO them:
The hare of .Ostara has been here.
little ones. Do you know what that
means? We must prepare for the
Osterfestival. Father is already in
the forest, gathering wood for the fire
that shall greet the kind goddess at
her arrival
But how did the little hare know,
mother dear"
"Ah. my child" said the mother
smiling. there was no need of it, My
grandsire told me the story of Os-
tara's hare when ! was not older than
thou art now. Listen to me, little
ones. and | will tell you what he
said.
Long. long years ago. when The
earth was still young. fearful winter
visited this land Ice and snow would
not cease, and man and beast perish
ed from cold and hunger All, how
grieved the gentle goddess Ostara
was when she looked down from on
high and bchcld the misery OF her
children, We'll she knew that before
long her reign would begin. and grass
and flowers spring mp wherever her
foot touched the ground. and the air
become fragrant with her breath. But.
alas, hope had died within the hearts
OF the people. and she longed TO com
fort them. Oh for a fleet messenger
who would spread the news Of her
coming over the sorrow stricken land,
tell the buds TO come forth and the
birds to build their nests ana lift.their
voices In a chorus of Joy. and bid men
to mourn no longer, but look upon all
these signs and know that New Life
was az hand
Thus the goddess ;sighed, but no
one heard-no ono hut the little hare,
who had always been sharp. wonder
fully sharp. of hearing He pricked
up his long ears and listened. and
then he was off with a bound. and
sped through the country as though
he had wings on his feet. Soon his
message was given TO each and all,
and when shortly after the goddess
held her triumphant entry in the
German lands she was welcomed and
honored as never before by the crate
full people. Yet the happiest of all
was the swift footed hare whom fair