The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-12-31
MK#SER4R.;Ekges'
i0LAND and Scotland have 70
tainsd many Of their interest


H. talned many Of their interest,"
ing customs Of olden dmsA-
this being especially true Of Scotland.
Weeks before the New Year begins.
the village boys. With great secrecy.
meet in out-ofths-way places and 70
hearse their favorits ballads. A. tho
time draws near they don improvised
masks and 60 about from house to
house singing and cutting many
quaint capsrs.
The thirty first Of December II
called "Hogmanay." and the children
are told that II they 60 to the cor
ner they will see . man with ~ many
eyes a. the year has days. The chill
dren Of the poorer classes 90 from
house to house In the better districts
with q large pocket fastened to their
dresses or q large shawl with . fold
in front. Each one receives an oaten
cake, Q piece Of cheese. or sometimes
q sweet cake. and goes homo at night
with q good supply Of homely New
Year cheer for the rest Of the family.
The Scottish elders celebrate the
day with q supper party. and as the
clock "chaps" 10. friend greets friend
and wishes him "a guide New Year
and mony o. them" Then. with great
formaIity the door Is unbarred to let
the Old Year out and the New Year
in, and all the guests sally forth into
the street to "first foot" their &C
Quaintancee.
In Edinburgh a great crowd gathers
| Tn r \
and anxiously watches the clock
There is absolute silence from the
f,rst stroke OF 70 until the last.
The old folks now go to bed but
the young have other business on
hand. Each girl Is expecting the "firs'
foot" from her sweetheart. and there
IL much stratagem displayed in out
whiting her occasionally. and having
some serving maid or grandmother
. open the door to her lover.
The weather II carefully observed
at this season. for It 10 supposed Il
betoken that which IL to come. Their
, 10 . rhyme current In Scotland which
runs thus:
II New Years eve the night wind blow
eth south
, | II betokeneth warmth and growth.
II west much milk. and nsh In the sea:
II east, the trees will bear much fruit:
II northeast. nee II. man and brute.
During the last century all work va
laid aside on the afternoon Of tn
I thirty .frst. and the men Of the ham
let went to the woods and brough
: home loads Of Juniper bushes. Fac
y household also procured . pitcher Q
n water from tho dead and living ford.
4 meaning the ford In q river. BY whic
passengers and funerals crossed. Thi
S was brought In perfect silence an
v without being allowed to touch tn
ground In It's progress. ~ contas
3 with the earth would have destroye
u the charm.
The rites next morning were SUI
posed to protect the househol
against witchcraft. the 'evi eye" IN
other devilmsnts. The father ros
frst. and taking the charmed wats
s and . brush. treated the rest Of Ii
y family to . vigorous baptism. whic
a was generally acknowledged with an
!, thing but gratitude.
!" Coming back. the thrifty 6cotc
le man closed al the doors and window
Al and put the Juniper bough On the dr
When the smoke reached the sufloca
I" ing point. the fresh air was readml
r ted. Thea the cattle were fumlgatl
I in the same manner. and the paint
solemnities Of the morning were ove
On New Years day . superstitio,
ecotchman viii neither lend nor O.
anything whatever out q his houa
for he fears that his luck may 60 q
RI and for the same reason. the DO
must not b swept II the dre 60
50 cut 4 % Q sign Of death.