Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-07-18

AA!lANJl
She ran to the top of the stairs and
called.
What is it, my chlld?' said nam
ma.
"oh. the lace. took it." cried
Katie. trembling in the cold and
fright.
What lace?"
why that in your lace-box. took
1t for my dolls dress, and Hannah
told me not to. There is the voice
from the trees again. And Katie
burst into tears.
Il hear nothing" said mamma. com
ing up the stairs. hurriedly.
There. there"
why that is only Fall katydid,
"a kind of grasshopper striking his
wings together. But am glad that
you told me about the lace, my little
girl, and l think that you will never
go to my lace-box again" And mann
ma kissed the fearful face and tucked
her safely back into bed again.Ey-
cry Other Sunday.
THE STORY OF THE MAY-POLE.
Less than 200 years ago the may
pole was as indispensable in an Eng
glish village as were its pillory and
its stocks. 1t is pleasant to think
of the beauty and simplicity of life
in the gala days of the village May
pole.
They rose up early to observe
| The rite of May"
1t was an early exodus which sent
the villagers. "a-Maying" in time to
return with their trophies from the
woods at the sunrise hour.
The fairest maid was enthroned in
floral bower-that was the May
queen. Near her upon the village
| green the lads and lassies danced in
circles about the gayly decorated May
pole nearly all day long. Each May
morning the poles were bedecked in
original and fantastic fashion. AT
first these decorations were simply
wreaths- of flowers. But as time pass
ed new styles of poles were intro
duced. England We'd with Holland,
France and Switzerland IN unique de-
| signs.
There were painted May poles
striped with diagonal lines of black
and yellow. Sometimes the colors
uSad uoro whita ,ua ,yroo, odd ,vhito
and blue.
The garlands were suspended on
hoops near the top of the pole, from
which hung glittering golden PEN
dants. A flower POT containing tree
was placed on the apex, and stuck
all around with gay flags. The base
was planted in triple grass.covered
mound embarked by timber work.
In Switzerland an incongruous eff
feet was given by large wooden dolls
dressed in linen and cloth. These
were nailed to the pole by the hands
and knees as if ascending. Birds and
stays were sometimes used in place
of dolls.
The deterioration of the May pole
caused its Punishment. The delicate
bloom of innocence and simplicity
vanished from the May festival. Fa-
nous radicals that they were, the
Puritans sent every trivering, tawdry
May pole to earth with their quaint
edict of 1644-"All and singular May
poles that are or shall be enacted
shall be taken down"
This was blow from which the
poles never really recovered. al
though they came up for a time more
naughty than ever. That was after
the Restoration, but 1t was not for
long.
In France the liberty pole and flag
staff have displaced the fallen May
pole in popular affection. In other
countries also 1t is a thing Of the
past.
Today all that remains of the once
worshipped and honored May pole is
to be found in certain rural parts
of England and France, where little
girls. going from house to house sing
ing for pennies on May day morning,
carry in their hands small painted,
garlaned sticks.-Philadelphia Rec
ord.