davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20

Of veneration of the Roman god, Janus,
he Of the two faces-the one looking
back in retrospect and the other look
ing forward in hope and anticipation.
Yet the mythology of the new world Of
Father Time, falling and dying and a
newborn personification rising out Of
his decreptitude. is no less pagan In
its essentials. Both are nevertheless
beautiful and expressive and worthy of
perpetuity.
Watch night" is probably the most
distinctive feature of the coming of
the new year. Religious services are
held in almost every church and some
times three or four sermons are
preached. There are also many gath
erings in clubs and homes ito watch
the old year out" and they are occa-
sions of much revelry and the repeat
ing in humorous ways the supersti-
lions believed in in olden times. Much
of the social prestige of the day re-
mains, such as calling and exchanging
gifts, is due to the early Dutch set
tiers, who kept the old customs alive
until the middle of the last century.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
Newton Mac lavish
When
The Year. )
Begins

One of the queerest features OF the
first day of the year is the fact that It
has been celebrated on many different
dates. With us the year begins on
January 1, according to the calen-
dar prepared by order Of Julius Cae-
sar, and later revised from time to
time as necessity seemed to require.
Hardly month in the year but what
has been regarded at some time, by
some people, as the first OF the IL,
and consequently the beginning OF the
new year. Sometimes the date was
logical, determined by the position OF
the sun In the heavens.
Sometimes it was fixed by agricultu-
raj or Industrial conditions, sometimes
by a great historical event. and occa-
sionally it was merely arbitrary, de-
termined without any special reason
being assigned At one time the
Greeks began their year September |;
| at another on the first day of July,
| the beginning of the Olympian games.
| In what is called the Alexandrian era
| the year began on August TO- One
Jewish chronology assigns October
as the date on which the creation OF
the world began, and consequently
| adopts that New Years day. At one
4 time the Romans began their year on
April "a, at another on March l, and
finally as we do now. tf9
According to the meteoric cycle. the
year began on July 15.. During the Pc
Rod of Alexanders empire the COM
mencement of the year was on Sep
TENDER L; the era of the Maccabees
was dated from November "a. The
people of Tyre began their year on
October 10, while the so-called Sido.
nian era commenced on October /.
and the Augustan era made February
IA the first day Of the new year. The
ancient Egyptians began their year
with the overflow of the Nile, when
ever that might occur, while In India
the annual flood of the Ganges fur
nished a date for popular chronology,
and the Mexicans, although they had
a complicated system of calculating
time, popularity reckoned their year
to begin with the spring planting.
The Jewish rabbis had four begin
nings of the year, the first OF the
month Nissan, supposed to be the date
of the Exodus; the first of Tishri
which began the agricultural year;
the first of Flu, the day on which the
cattle were numbered, and the first
of Shebat, which was called the new
year for trees. Christmas day, East
!, er, the beginning of each solstice ant
4 many other dates have been observed
. at different times by various nations
, even now in Russia the day of tn,
i new year is IL days behind that o
a our calendar, the Russians having
G never adopted the Gregorian calendar
/ which, indeed, did not come into gen
e eral use until about the middle of thi
e eighteenth century.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20

dOuSed with the peas, Wnlle tHcy
shower the wheat upon their friends
A curious custom also is festooning
the handsomest horse in the village
and leading him to the house OF
nobleman The pea and wheat shoot
ers follow in droves. Both guests
and horse are admitted to the parlor
of the lord and the guests receive pres
ents of small coins. The origin OF
the custom is not known, but 1t Is
interpreted to mean greeting OF
the peasants to their lord. While
the horse is being entertained in the
parlor, there comes to the house a
drove of oxen, goats, hogs, ETC., gayly
decorated and led by the children.
These are not admitted, but admired
from the window by the lord. Next
appear old women with barnyard
fowls, decorated with evergreens and
berries. These are given to the lord
as present.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
THE NEW
YEAR WHAT WE
MAKE 1T
By Ada c. Sweet

1.-THE only consistent pessimist Is a
dead pessimist," but unfortunately
there are a good many of these hap
less brethren of ours alive. Never are
they more active, and happily unhap-
by, than toward New Years day, when
all the rest of the world is looking
hopefully and cheerfully forward, in
expectation of good luck and kind for
tune during the next 365.
The pessimist delights in derision
of the good resolutions which mark
the celebration of New Year in the
minds Of many people. Shame upon
the man or woman who would duh the
bright ambitions and desires for the
better of any human being! But
there is little tim. to give to habitual
mourners and augurs of evil. The
new year will be what we make it,
so far as our individual lives are con-
cerned, and the man or woman who
resolves to be happy in healthful,
unselfish way, is taking the first road
toward happiness.
We are all after happiness, in one
way or another. Even the recluse,
even the martyrs Of old, were on the
endless search for happiness. though
the Joy of heaven rather than that
| of earth was the goal fixed upon in
the eyes of those who sacrificed the
! present for the future. Eternal hap
| piness was what they desired.
Unselfish happiness is always wait
ing, right around the corner, If we will
only take our eyes off the far distance
and look nearer home. The resolve
to make next year happy one TO
those nearest us will bring good dea
of real joy and satisfaction to thu
maker of the resolution, If he hold
out well.
Silent resolve is a good thing, toe
Sometimes ones enthusiasm evapC
rates when 1t is much spoken of. Blu
don't let us allow the enemies of tn
race of man to discourage us in mai
ing good resolutions; and then don
let us fail to keep those that we max
to the best of our ability.
There is room for improvement !
all of US, and when we have acknow
edged that, and set ourselves to In
prove, why, we are on the neares
road to success and happiness.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
Noticed the Omission.

Some dramatic authors seem to re-
gard construction as unnecessary
frills. On the first night of the only
drama that the novelist, Miss Bradden,
wrote, scene was introduced in which
a child was kidnapped from it's mother
AT the end, when all were made happy
SO much had been left to the general
imagination that no pains had been
taken to effect the restoration OF. the
stolen child, OF course it was an I'M
workmanlike lapse on the part of the
dramatist, and it seemed to have
passed unnoticed until a god leaned
over the gallery rail and solemnly in
ouired: "Hi What about that kid2''
The piece was swamped in food OF
inextinguishable laughter.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20

st. Basil's eve. The city is decorated
and the shops TEEN with toys, sweet
meats and festoons. Women, days be-
fore, squat and joke around a low
table making st. Basil's cake, of which
they bake great quantities. On New
Years eve the Rajah boys in droves
go on the rounds Of houses, knocking
at doors, until the master of the
house responds, according to the Gus
tom:
Let the boys in at once. Give them
money, fruit and all that they can
carry of st. Basil's cake. Come on
servants, fill their pockets while they
give us their song. The boys then sing
customary song, ending by calling
down blessings upon the household.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20

caught wearing tall silk hat. The
victim is greeted by the cry, Hut alb,
Hut abb" and ere he is aware his fine
hat Is smashed down over his ears
by crowd Of jokers who surround
him. This custom had its origin in the
riots on Sylvester's day, 1848, when
the lower classes resorted to this
method of displaying their hostility to
the bourseoisie, most Of whom wore
the high hat.
The salutation, "Prosit Neujahr."
however, is more universal and better
characteristic of the New Year cele-
bration by the Germans. Thus greet
ed, one is made captive by custom
and must pay ransom. not, however,
until he has acknowledged his captor's
sovereignty by the answer, "Meister."
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20

caused by your trsacherous dart, and it
was not until the flowers Of May began
to bloom that it would heal. But three
shorts months and yet they seemed like
years, like centuries. to me"
Dan Cupid-Good sir, the fault was
yours, not mine. Across that page can
you not read the promises you made the
budding year9 How did you keep them'
Not at all. Had you but been the angel
you started out to be. fair Eleanor would
have had no grounds for the curt refusal
she meted out to you.
The Bachelor-Ah, well, Dan, was
but human-that is, to err. She married,
yes, and | suppose believed she had
captured the one real matrimonial prize.
But yesterday twas good to read the
courts had cast asunder the bonds that
bound, and set her free to wound another
heart.
Dan Cupid-But you shall credit me
with other opportunities that made for
you-opportunities more in keeping with
your deserts.
The Bachelor-Yes, Dan, there was
Jessica, Of the yachting party. The wound
she left was not long in healing, but was
painful at FIRST. Then, later, there was
Isabel. How adored her. Your aim
was sure, and the bow was strong that
send that shaft into my heart. Never can
forget the tender words with which
,>wooed her at the seashore, nor the pull
sations Of my heart when she answered
yes" But, Dan. you rascal, you know
her. But once since those summer days
have seen her. She served me coffee
and rolls in quick lunch roomon No
yember. did not ask her where might
redeem the ring.
"Yes, Dan, there were others. Blu
why review them2 And Ill forgive you
you imp. Ill lay not up against you
single pang-or dollar-they have cos
neon one condition-that you shall
, not, for this next year, point your darts II
, my direction. Do you agree9 lhel
wei burn the book, and think no NOR
i, Of it," (Casts it into the fire.
|. "And now, then, Dan, the year is dy
E ing. A toast to it and its fond memories
to your escapades and my escapades; t
the fair girls who caused the heart throt
/ Of season; to the broken promises tn;
i saved me troubles; to the Old Yea
!. And another, Dan, to the year ju
e 'borning' to the anticipations which
4 brings. The bells are ringing; the u
;. Year is dead; the New Year lives, an
d now, good night. but please rememb
,e that you have promised not to aim yo
d darts in my direction"
(E.xit Dan Cupid and Curtain.)
j Wright A. Patterso
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20

There is, however, striking exception
to this rule in France. New Years is
the chief festival of the year. and the
gift" is the chief feature of the festi-
val. 1t is believed that the French OBJ
servance of the day combines the an,
cient customs of the Druids, Romans
and Christians, since it involves the
highest homage 10 womanhood, sa
turnalian effect in liberties to bonds
men, and the gala day of romping free
dom to children. New Years day Is
everybody's day. Each one of these
features has it's special history which
would require the space of specia
story to tell.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20

in calling on friends and the giving Of
'.awabi," a kind of mussel SHE'LL as
emblem of times long ago when their
forefathers were of necessity very fru-
gal. This is also interpreted as a
warning against luxury. In China the
people meet in the streets on New
Years day and salute each other
with: "Kungh Kung-hi."-'I hum.
bly, wish you JOY" or hi,"-"May
Joy be yours" The cities are gayly
decorated with lanterns and artificial
flowers, with red paper notices on
the houses. Where blue paper is
seen it is sign that there has been
a death during the year.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
Eattenina the Bride.

In Tunis, when man wants to take
another wife, he picks out a girl, and
then carries to her father pair of
bracelets, and pair of anklets from
one OF the other ladies of his house
hold. The bracelets and anklets are
slipped on the young woman, and sew
eral months are allowed for her fatten-
ing. She must fatten until she COM
pletely fills the four ornaments. or
otherwise the man has right to re-
fuse her. For in Tunis fat is beauty
and a permanently slender girl has no
chance of age.-Philadelphia Bull
letin.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
x.Raxs and Pearls.

An interesting application of the x
rays is for the detection Of the pearl
inside the closed shell of the mulfusk
In paper contributed to the Complies
Rendus of the Biological society Of
Paris r. Dubois gives an account of
photographs which he has made, show
ing a pearl inside species of pearl
bearing mussel. He notes also that a
similar photograph of a pearl inside a
shell was made by Auguste Lumiere
and exhibited at the Colonial exhibi-
ton at Marseilles in 1906.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
GERMANY.

N MANY German
cities, and especial
ly in Berlin, New
Years eve, or other
wise known as Syl-
westerns Nacht, is
the occasion Of a
rough yet ludicrous
onslaught upon in
nocent and unwary
persons W b o are
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
ENGLAND.

USTOMS in Eng
land are very SINH
lar and in many
cases interchange
able with those of
Scotland. Even to
this day the an
c | e n t salutation,
"Wass hael," OF
ITO your health, y
is jovially given
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
The Happy Man.

Happy is the man who has nothing
to swear off and therefore swears off
nothing. He will not have to invent
reasons for smashing his pledge few
days hence.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
TURKEY.

QUAINT New Year
custom is observed
in the Turkish orr
ent, where t h e
Greek subjects of
the sultan live. 1t
is the special event
in Caesarea, where
st. Basil was born.
New Years eve
&, x,aora offnn BALLAD
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
FRANCE.

n EUROPE 1t was
the custom, until
the time Of Oliver
Cromwell, of ex-
changing presents
on New Years day.
But in the western
world generally the
practice has been
absorbed by the
Christmas festival
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
RUSSIA.

Y T H q country
town of Russia
New Years is the
great feast day for
the children. Boys
fill their pockets
with dried peas
and wheat and go in
bands from house
to house. People
they have a n y
grudge against are
= .l.s1 III ~
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
THE FAR EAST.

Y JAPAN the New
Years day of the
Gregorian calendar
is observed. 1t is
a universal rule
there and in China
that all debts must
be settled at the
end of the year.
But the feature of
the day in Japan is
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
The Mornina After.

Up to Date Child-Did you and papa
enjoy the party last night, mamma?
Mother-Yes, darling.
Up to Date Child-Whieh Of you
won the most?-Judge.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20

EW YEAR is not
the day in the
United States that
1t is in foreign
countries. In early
New England days
1t received quite a
setback by the Pill
grims, who believed
that it's observance
WAS q racopnitiOn
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20

present and passed out the back door.
To admit one having curved initials,
like. G or o, means bad luck for a
year.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
SCOTLAND.

) IN France, SO in
S C 0 t | a n d, N e W
Years is the chief
festival of the year.
The eve of the day
and the day itself
are called Daft
Days, - or azy
day. And the eve
separated from its
daft" associate is
C a | / e d "Hogma-
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20

Scene-The Rping room of a 10ealfhy
bachelors apartments.
Time-Ne1D Years Ebe.
THE Bachelor-How bright the FIRE.
How CHEEKY the cracking logs.
Outside the Dying Year battles with
the raging Storm.
what has the Old Year brought to
me that should mourn its passing1
Loves in plenty. But were they loves
or were they passing fantasies - bright
spots Of blue peeping through the Stormy
sky. It's many sorry trick Dan Cupid
has played me during the past twelve
months. Could but have him here I'd
review him for his benefit.
"Ah, the bell rings! What friend or
foe has brayed the elements and come to
disturb my reveries Of New Years
Evep"
ENTER Butler)
The Bachelor A wee, small gentle
man to see me, James, you say. But
rust a sweet-faced child. His card -
Dan Cupid Yes, | know him, and you
may show him up. But, James. you're
not judge Of character. He's not a
child, he's old as time. and as full OF
deviish pranks as that neighbours brat OF
whom you so complain.
Games departs and returns usherins in
Dan Cupid.)
Dan Cupid-Ha. ha. dear sir. us mol
love-. night. Business is dull. and so
come to beg a chat with you and may
perchance, reyle you for the shortcom'
ings Of the year that is passing.
The BachelorSRevile me, you imE
Of Satanl Why, twas but momen
before your ring that | wished for yo'
that might review for your benefit thu
times you've played me false. Now 81
you down and let's turn back the page
Of the passing year and see the record
1t surely will show you up in your tfu
colors.
(Gets volume from the shel)
well start with January, and vii
Eleanor. Dan, you rogue, you wounde
me for fair with her. should not hay
cared had time and eternity been mac
up of Januarys could but have ha
Eleanor to sit beside me before the crac
ling FIRE throughout them all. lpleade
well my case. but she would have mol
Of it, and then learned that you hi
played me false. Through Febfuar
March and April | nursed the wouI
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
Tbe Turnt,sg Of tbe c1las5

~ - ~ - ~'~
1T has come once more to the turning OF the glass.
The sand is all but spent, and the days Of he old
year are as chaff in a,e wake OF Che wind. By
Che gray light in he western shack, at Che heaped
tables Of Ae rch within e great places OF exchange
and even amongst those who 50 out upon Ae high
seas, men will give pause. For It Is hs time Of
reckoning, and sober thought must 60 to &e balance
against mirth and merrymakins. Il is Ae supreme
hour Of resolution May Ae trend Of worship be
not towards Che god Of gold May men not overlean
towards Che side Of materialism. May there be
reverence for simple things, for he young babe
in Ae cradle and Che old man nearing he valley.
May Ae milk Of human kindness and the good
hand Of common sympathy go forth to Ae natal
feast. Then might he New Year dawn bright.
and people Ae world over could repeat with de poets
"Turn again as wasted slass
Kinsly crown and warrior Greet
Are lot worth hs blade 81 Grass
God fashions Tor As swallows nest.
The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-12-20
New Year Day
The World Around.
By DANIEL CLEVERTON.

Copyright, 1907, BY Wright A. Patterson.
The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1907-12-06
SMYRNA NOTES.

Rev. c. Gardener, of Nashville, took
an active part in the Sunday school
work at the Baptist church and
preached for Rev. Florer's congrega-
ton in the evening.
Mrs. Luella Kennedy, of Chicago, is
visiting her mother, Mrs. Tennie
Johns.
Mrs. pillie Hawkins and sister, Miss
l.. Perry, visited their parents al Sand
Hill last week.
Mrs. Mary l.. Beatty, Esther B. Dar-
den and Ncssrs. BENJAMIN and Haw-
Kin Narden returned to the city Sun
dav evening.
The Womqu's Auxiliary is doing eX-
Cel'ert work.
Tho state Board of the VI. A. SOci-
r'v v'-N~s all to know that Rev A. l..
~ Leu 20 longer OCCUPIES an Office in
IT'S 0lgari7ation,
The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1907-12-06
ENJOYABLE AFFAIR.

Miss Lizzie Curry, of 1920 Cone
street. entertained a few friends one
evening the first of the week. in hon.
or of Miss J.. Goodloe and Mr.. Oz2ie
Beasley. The evening was very pleas
antly7 spent in dancing and games.
Those present were Miss J.. GOodloe.
Mr.. Ozzie Beasley, Misses Lille and
Lou Willie Goodloe. Miss Daisy Muir
rell and Dr.. Watson, Miss Dean Ran
kins, Miss Blanche Perkins, Miss Lon
isa Smith, Miss Amanda TrOtter, of
Columbia; Mr.. Sweeuy. Miss Jenkins
Nr. Cotton, Mr.. Folk Fitzgerald. Mr..
Thos. Alternately and Mr., Harvey Eos.
ter. An ice course was served dur
ing the evening. the cake being de-
cotated with white and mink roses.
Music was furnished by Mr.. Charles
Watkins and Mrs. Thomas Cotton.
The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1907-12-06
CAT HON

Those who were so fortunate as to
visit Rock Hill School last Wednesday
were delightfully."- entertained. An in
teresting program was rendered by the
children, after which twenty guests
were served with delicious cream, to-
mato soup and waters, made by the
cooking class. After this the friends
were shown about three dozen en-
b%roidered doilies made by the boys
md girls. Every n seemed delight
d with the work, and surprised to
know that boys could emhroider. The
children of this school have made
nearly $40 from making and selling
their work. Among the friends who
came were Mr.. Jas. A. Myers, Of Fisk,
9nd Mr.. Felix White.
Mrs. Josie Pennington gave a good
practical talk which was enjoyed by
all.
This school is under the efficient
management of Mrs. ]. e. Miller and
Miss Esther p. Berry.
The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1907-12-06
ELABORATE SUPPER.

Miss M. E. Hargrave, of 11OG Twelfth
avenue, South, set an elaborate sup
per on Thanksgiving evening and had
a few of her friends out. The table
was beautifully decorated and loaded
with the good things of the season.
After supper there was several must
cal numbers rendered by the Misses
Hargrave, Madame Tart, of Mobile,
Ala, sang several of her beautiful
selections. in the number being, "a
Dream" love Me and the World is
Nine and "Some Day When Dreams
Come True" Those who partook of
Miss Hargrave's hospitality were Ma
dame NJ. Tart, Mrs. Naomi Allen, Mr..
Eugene Martin, Mr., Benjamin Man
ming. Mr.. Horace Harrison. Mr., Fred l..
Reed. Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. B. Reed, Mr..
VIM. Hargrave. Mrs. Mary Hargrave
acted as hostess.
The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1907-12-06
TWELFTH ANNIVERSARY CELE
DRAFTED,

Nj. and Mrs. Clarence Pinkston cele-
bratCd the twelfth anniversary of their
marriage Thursday evening, Novem-
er Is, at their home on Thomas
street The house was beautifully de-
co'at'd with palms and ferns. The
bride was Gawnet' in beautiful cream
null with trimmings of filet lace.
about her waist was a handsome sash
of cream taffetta ribbon, which eS-
tended the full length of her skirt. In
ser hair was a lovely bow Of cream
ribbon fastened with a gold butterfly
with diamond setting. In her hand
she carried a cream hand embroidered
fan. The bride marched in on the arm
If the groom to an appropriate march
nlayed by Miss Gertrude Lewis, where
THEW uastor, DR.. Denny, awaited them
and the marriage took place. Her sis
ter, Miss Y. A. Donelson, of Lebanon
was gowned in a pink silk and carried
rink Chrysanthemiims. The dining
room was decorated with flowers of
the season and in the centre of the
table sat the brides cake mounted
with twelve dainty wax candles, which
we've lighted in turn by twelve of III"
hihe's best friends as they marched
into the dining-room. At one end of
he table stood Mr.. and Mrs. e. Wal.
ton, at the other the bride and groom.
The following menu was served:
Cock tail, turkey. cranberry sauce
boiled ham, olives, pickles. beaten his
cults, salmon salad, parsley, notato
salad, lettuce, pine apple, sherbet
gold. silver and ribbon cake. fruit
They received many handsome pres
entS.