The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-20

Has not the characteristic impctuos.
ny or our time and rae led US to mar
gag: beautiful holiday by the very zeal
vain which We observe 1T? liz It not true
that the secret feeling of many toward
Christmas Is n OF dread? There is SO
much work to be lone for 1t, SO much
expense. and 20 many perplexing prob
lens to be solved.
Many there are who bemoan the
few as yet who nave the courage of
their convictions sufficiently to attempt
any reform. They say, and say truly.
that It is easier to criticize than to
correct. Yet II we know that a thing
We are doing - wrong. there should
e no sv@d'ns our duty to try to right
Perhaps the greatest evil OF the sea-
eon is h indiscriminate, extravagant
exchange OF gifts. Long lists of names
are made out, of people who have sent
x1fts last year and who therefore must
receive this year a present OF at least
equal value. The tendency in such ex-
changes is for the gifts to grow more
expensive each Christmas. If the truth
were KNOWN. both parties to the tran
oaction would be greatly relieved II
b exchange were to be eliminated by
h simple method of cancellation. Of
ten the receipt OF a handsome gift
brings only dismay to the recipient.
LILLIAN Bell tells of a woman who was
presented with a fish set costing at
SeaSt $500. She viewed the magnificent
gift with white face and clenched
hands. She knew an exchange was ex-
pected by h giver--a thing simply Inn
possible for her to do. In this case the
matter seemed to the unhappy woman
nothing short OF q tragedy.
Desperate cases require desperate
remedies. 30 in some instances the best
cure will be to write all ones friends
early In the autumn that one will give
absolutely no Christmas presents that
year ana requesting hat as a token Of
their friendship they should e non
% the writer. The following year the
held will be clear so that a list a be
made out just of those to whom one can
really give In the r Christmas spirit. |
r the least idea OF exchange is embod-
led In any name. It should be omitted.
There are many friends for whom one
AAs the most genuine kindly feelings.
to express this feeling to all these
friends by means of merchantable ar
ucles 10 a heavy burden and places
them under an obligation. Why not ex-
press these sentiments directly in words
instead OF %obscurely conveying them
through the medium of things which
they could easily buy for themselves.
A Christmas letter may give free ex-
preston to all the appreciative loving
thoughts n has of ones friend. And
% In u day we do not often permit
ourselves unreserved expressions of our
deepest feelings, the receipt of such a
letter will warm The heart of ones true
friend AZ few presents would.
Two classes OF people there are. how
.ver. who should be remembered with
tangible gifts-the little children and
tho poor. In thus adding to their hap
We will be carrying put the
idea OF the little child who
AID: w must nah Jesus enjoy this
nlIthday, mustn't we mamma? z"
Tracing he custom OF giving pres
ents at Christmas back to It's origin we
and It began on that first holy Christ
day when the wise men Of the
brought gifts of gold. franklin
n and myrrh and laid before the
child. They brought Of their best, az a
token Of their love ard reverence for
One who raj to be the Savior of J
We can do no better than
@ remember in all our Christmas plans
their spirit and that Of the SONG of the
angels. Peace on earth, good viii to
men"
historic Customs and Superstition. Of
Christmas.
In everything thai is connected with
Dur Christmas time tradition plays q
part.
The holly with which our homes are
decorated vas in olden times, consid-
"a wa tho crown Of Christ
The old story told OF the Christmas
tree 10 this: "When Eve plucked the
fatal apple Immediately the leaves be-
AM needle points and h bright
and became evergreen the whole
ound thereby preaching the story
Of mans fall. and only on Christmas
does It bloom with lights and love
Hits. The curse is changed to a
The custom OF feasting and merri-
.ment on Christmas day dates back for
centuries. In the days of Queen Eliza
meat were often served" Bears
was the piece de resistance. fol-
lowed by Drawn, geese. turkeys. ca
pons and sometimes roasted swan.
Shred pies. as ssnince pies were first
called. and PLAN buildings Of huge
WSA0 oNNCRIOA dIl1ClCS Il
Df dessert. Drinking was an import
mt part Of the feast. The wassail
bowl with its contents Of spiced sweet
ened wine. with an apple floating on
The top. was passed around the table
again and again.
At the latter part Of the eighteenth
century the feasting seemed to be the
important feature of Christmas
Benjamin Franklin con-
Eributed to these occasions his receipt
punch in the following verse:
boy, bring q bowl of china here!
Etll It with water, cool and clear.
Decanter with jamaica ripe,
And spoon OF silver, clear and BRIGHT.
Sugar, twice find, in pieces cut,
KNIFE. sieve and glass in order put;
Bring forth the fragrant fruit and then
We're happy till the clock strikes tent"
We still eat. drink and make merry
m this festal day. The old traditions
come down to us through the centuries ,
Ioftened but invested with the charm
II h long ago Though fanciful. ex- {
and at times even gruesome.
:hese traditions were always reverent.
Of the twentieth century with all
,ur new ideas may learn from these I
I'D legends the spirit OF reverence,
LMM Ia