davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28

Hogmanay was the chief night for the per
pormances Of the guisers OF gysards or gull
yards, although they did not confine themselves
to that evening, their season" continuing right
through the Daft Days. In places in which
guising still goes on the performances, how
ever, are nearly always on the evening Of Hog
manay. The guisers are masquers, and their
drama bears some resemblance to the old
Twelfth Night mumming in England. and like
1t. Is believed to be q relic of the mystery
plays.
The versions found in different parts OF the
country are not identical, but they bear GER
tain family resemblance to each other. The
dressing was not by rule. but was entirely
dependent on the available wardrobe"
Sometimes the boy performers donned shirts
which had belonged to their fathers, adorned
their heads with paper caps and had brilliant
sashes round their waists In which were hung
swords Of lath, or metal II they could be OBJ
tanned. The most simple form OF guising was
that in which two boys sang while a third. who
was dressed as girl, and known as Bessie.
engaged in a number Of antics.
But moro ambitious form was that OF the
Galashans, or Galatians, or Galoshens-the
name varies The Galashans wore hideous
masks. paper caps. and such odd garments as
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28

One Of the most common rhymes was the
following brief couplet Sometimes II was
tackled on to one or other of those already
given:
"Oor feets cauld, DOR shoon's thin,
Giles piece an let's rim"
Another version has It:
"Gies oor cakes. and let's rim"
Still another old greeting is:
"Hogmanay
Trolloday,
Gie's o. your white bread. an name o. your
gray"
There are many others; the children In some
places singing long ditty.
A Hogmanay custom of very curious kind
is peculiar to certain parts Of the highlands
Young and old In the district gather at the
house of some substantial farmer, and one of
the stoutest OF the company drags the dried
hide of a COW round the house behind him,
three times. The rest follow, beating the hide
with sticks and singing the following extraor-
binary rhyme:
"Hogmanay, yellow bag,
Beat the skin
Carlin in neuk, carlin in kirk.
Carlin ben at the fire,
Spit in her two eyes, spit In her stomach,
Hogmanay"
This is supposed to have something to do
with warding Off fairy spells. the evil eye and
the effect of witchcraft generally After COM
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28

buster at midnight on Hogmanay than at mid
day. A vast crowd still gathers every year at
the Iron Kirk In Edinburgh waiting till
twelve o'clock strikes. similar gathering In
found at the town house or principal church
In many other towns. In some places the bells
are rung. In Dundee the advent Of the new
year is announced by the boom Of the time
gun.
Immediately the clock strikes twelve the
crowds melt az by magic. Everybody rushes
on to be "hrst-foot" to some Of his friends.
Formerly the nrstfooters carried 0 spiced
bowl Of wassail. mixture composed Of hot
spicsd ale, with a dash of whisky in II, and
sometimes sugar and other Ingredients. The
concoction was known In Scotland a. the hot
pint" In these days bottle of whisky u
carried.
No "nrstfoot" must enter q house empty
handed" OF course the whisky bottle pre-
vents any calamity happening on this score.
The personality Of the "frstfoot," however.
counts for much. It is Of vital Importance to
have lucky "frstfoot" and fortunately there
are many marks to distinguish the lucky from
the unlucky There are still persons to be
found who would as soon admit his Satanic
majesty as their first visitor for the year as
an unlucky "frstfoot." In some places the
"first-foot" must be a bachelor. but this is not
a common restriction. Among those who are
to be reckoned lucky as 'frstfoot" are cler-
gymen, persons who spread out their feet, per
sons who were born feet FIRST, persons noted
for kindness, a sweetheart, etc. horse is Q
lucky "hrst-foot" So Ia q hem Among those
who are unlucky In the role Of "hrst-foot" we
find associated persons with nat feet, thieves,
persons who walk with their toes turned In.
deformed persons. persons whose eyebrows
meet, the hangman. the grave digger and (tell
It not among members of the Women's Social
and Political union. whisper II not in the ears
Of members Of the Women's League of Free
dom) women generally. A pig is an unlucky
"frstfoot." and so is a hare. Perhaps this
may be useful information to some readers.
On New Years day, and still more frequent
iy on Handsel Monday, there used to be popu-
lar shooting matches or Wapinschaws. But
difficulties with regard to the gun tar have
ruined these.
Handse Monday, as I have already men,
toned, Is the first Monday after New Years
day. Il was so called because on this day
servants children and friends were presented
with their handsel-a generic term for gifts
in money or kind. In the towns Christmas
boxes are supplanting handsel. OF course the
thing is the same-the only difference being
In the name.
At Wemyss, on the Fifeshire shore OF the
Firth OF Forth. a curious New Year game
known as Yettlins has been played since time
immemorial. 1t appears to be peculiar to the
locality. The play takes place over a portion
of the shore called the skelleys. Thenams In
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28

est Of waists with businesslike but,
ton; others are tied in futtery bows.
None of them 10 gathered onto the
waistband--all At snugly around the
belt In manner to adorn.
There is something about an apron
that suggests homeyness. as well as
coquetry. The psychological effect Of
an apron in an once can scarcely be
measured. It Is not the young man
solely who is affected BY the apron.
The most grouchy senior partner can
be propitiated into all sorts OF sal
ary-raising folly By the sight OF a
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28

they were able to get hold Of One OF them
announced himself thus:
"Galashan, Galashan
Galashan Is my name,
Sword and hucker by my side.
hope to win the game"
To which another promptly and fercely re-
tortsd:
The game. SIR the game, sir.
Is not within your power;
I'll cut you down in inches
In less than half an hour"
terrific battle ensued. and at last one OF the
performers was "cut down." A doctor was
called for. and there entered boy clad In q
dark suit and battered tall hat, carrying
bag supposed to contain the implements OF his
profession. He announced himself as:
"Dr. Brown
The very best doctor In all the town"
After number OF antics. including the comic
administration of pills from q huge box the
dead man" was restored TO life. Then "Bes
sic" went round with money-box.
1t is customary in Scotland to sit out" the
old year. In the towns the custom dates from
time immemorial. but in the country 1t was
long considered unlucky to be out OF bed when
the new year was ushered In. Early In the
evening the children were washed and put to
bed. An oat cake. known as hammock. was
baked for each, and great care had to be taken
In the process Of baking. for a child whose
hammock was broken while being fred would
not survive the following year. At halfpast
eleven the seniors went to bed. but before
retiring they covered the fire and carefully
swept up the hearth, carrying out OF the house
every particle Of ash. An anxious eye was kept
on the fire. however. for to have allowed II to
expire before the new year began would have
been unlucky.
But II was different In the towns Then, az
now. the streets were crowded at twelve
o'clock at night on Hogmanay. It has been
said that generation ago the streets were
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28

products of the place upon their neat
skirts and blouses. But they are also
worn by the girls in the ONCE build
ing. where the mussiest thing they
have to touch, apparently. Is type
writer or box Of fling cards. Maybe
they have taken the cue from their
sisters In the factory building. for all
of them sport aprons Of the fetch
INCEST pattern. Some Of these cute
affairs are but the merest square OF
dotted swiss and lace. Some are
touched with ribbon. Some have lit
tie near-bibs. Some clasp the small
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
BURNING ITCH WAS CURED

II deem 1t my duty to tell about q
cure that the Cuticura Soap and Oint-
ment have made on myself. My trou-
BILE began in splotches breaking out
right In the edge Of my hair on the
forehead, and spread over the front
part of the top of my head from ear to
ear, and over my ears which caused
most fearful burning itch, or eczema.
For three years had this terrible
breaking out on my forehead and
scalp. ! tried our family doctor and
he failed to cure 1t. Then tried the
Cuticura Soap and Ointment and used
them for two months with the result
of complete cure. Cuticura Soap
and Ointment should have the credit
due, and have advised a let of peo-
pie to use them" (Signed) c. D.
Harrington. Creek, N. c.. Jan. 26. 1911.
Itching ScaIp--HaIr Fell Out.
Il will say that have been suffer
ing with an itching on my scalp for
the past few years. My hair fell out
In spots all over my head. My scalp
started to trouble me with sores, then
the sores healed up, and crusts
formed on the top. Then the hair fell
out and left me three bald spots the
shape Of half dollar. went to more
than one doctor. but could not get any
relief, SO started to use the Cuticura
Remedies. ! tried one bar OF Cuticura
Soap and some Cuticura Ointment,
and felt relieved right away. Now the
bald spots have disappeared, and my
hair has grown, thanks to the Cuti.
cura Soap and Ointment l highly
recommend the Cuticura Remedies to
all that are suffering with scalp trou.
ble." (Signed) Samuel Stern, 236
Floyd st., Brooklyn. N. Y. Feb. 4,
1911. Although Cuticura Soap and
Ointment are sold by druggists and
dealers everywhere. q sample of each,
with 32-page book, win be mailed
free on application to "Cuticura,"
Dept. 9 X, Boston.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
Pantomlms Code.

James T. Fields Of the firm Of Tick
nor & Fields wore flowing beard.
as many men of his time did. He was
scrupulous in the care of II. and In
the main managed It at the table
with skill.
His wife was always on watch for
him. too. when they went out to din
ner together. They had a pantomime
code and few expressive spoken sig
mails. Should bread crumb catch In
the floss Mrs. Fields would say:
my dear. theresa gazelle in the
garden"
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28

s been dcaes the of the place for Skeeys IL
3 were old Scots word used to describe stretch
OF fiat rocks of a shelving formation. The
course, II such It can be called. is about q mile
In length. and Is the rocks all the way. At each
end 10 goal marked by huge boulder. The yettlins
which give their to the game balls of iron
about two and onehaf inches in diameter weighing
about pound and half Each player has ball. and
the object of the is by repeated throws
the distance between the goals. The who reaches
the goal In fewest throws hail." and certain
number of halls constitute game. The yettlin goes
at immense speed when is thrown delivery In
pretty high.
Another very remarkable local custom connected
with the New Year is the burning of the cavie 1t takes
place In the little village OF Burghead southern
shore Of the Moray Firth, few miles north OF Egin
and Is quite unique The ceremony Is held invariably on
New Years old style The clavie which built ac-
cordng to regulations rgidly fixed by ancient custom
consists of half archangel tar barrel supported on
stout pole. II is packed with wood which is piled up
foot above the brim after which is poured over
1t copiousy. Into space which been left in the
center piece of turf is put 1t being imperative that no
match should be employed While the flame is gather
ing strength the crowd gives three for the king
the provost the town. the harbor and the railway Then
stawart fisherman seizes the blazing cave and car.
ries 1t of AS he reaches the junction of two
streets he is relieved and in this way cave is car.
ried round the At every corner the bearer
Is changed There is keen competition the honor az
carrying the cave but It is light task Not ONLY IA
II heavy burden but the bearer runs some risk OF bs
ing scaded by the boiling tar which bubbles and dropa
Moreover. It is imperative the bearer run In spts
of the fact that stumble implies his own death dur.
ing the year and Misfortune to the town.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
He Was the Man.

A young New Haven man. returning
home from health trip to Colorado,
told his father about buying silver
mine for $4,000 Il knew they'd rope
you int" exclaimed the old man. so
you we're ass enough 20 buy humbug
mine" yes. but | didn't lose any
thing. formed company and sold
half the stock to Connecticut man
for $1,000" "Y-you did," gasped the
old man as he turned white. "rll bet
I'm the one who bought It," 81 know
you are" coolly observed the young
man as he crossed his legs and tried
to appear very much at home.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28

batiste RUNE being nervously rolled
and unrolled by thumb and finger
while pair Of eyes ere downcast and
timid mouth makes bold to ask for
an extra three week
I'VE find them very useful" replied
cute thing with the fingers OF one
hand tucked into her apron pocket.
answering the visitors query as to
why they wore them. Il think It is
just coincidence that so many Of US
in the office happen to be engaged
But the visitor didn't think So She
knew 1t was those aprons.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
Saving Farmer.

"
A man with New England small
town recollections says that one Kan
kee storekeeper used to pull q fig
In two to make the pound weight bal
arice to hair.
This same man was also road con-
tractor, and had to provide lunch, to
be eaten by the wayside by the farm
ers who gave their time to the county
two or three days year.
There was considerable kicking
about the lunch. especially the bread
and butter.
Il always knew old man Jones was
pretty tight" said one farmer. "and
l know that butter Is skeerce and high,
but didn't think he cut bread with
greasy knife"
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28

KNOWN
as Yettns, Has Been Played Since Time I'm
memorial"
pleting the third round the company halt at
the door and each person proceeds in a rough
rhyme, more OF less extemporized, to extol the
hospitality OF the owner of the house, upon
which all are RECALLED with bread and butter.
cheese and whisky. But the strange perform
ance has an equally curious sequel Before
leaving the house one of the visitors, having
solemnly burned the breast part OF the skin OF
q sheep, puts 1t to the nose of everyone that
he or she may smell It. There is no difficulty
in doing SO. II may not be NICE but as a pro-
lection against witchcraft 1t is infallible Il 10
also said to protect from infection.
In Carlisle-yes, know Carlisle is not In
Scotland, but 1t is SO close to the border that
I am not travelling very wide Of my subject In
mentioning a custom there. In Carlisle for
weeks before the New Year householders are
serenaded by boys who seek to entertain them
with an odd mixture of the comic and the re-
ligious. generally winding up with a refrain
after this fashion:
IF you cannot spare a penny,
You can spare halfpenny;
And II you haven't G halfpenny,
God bless you"
The poetry halts badly. but the concluding
sentiment is excellent.
In Elginshire and some other parts In the
north there was a curious ditty called The
Thiggars' Chant" which was sung by band
of young persons who visited number OF
houses on New Years Day. 1t begins:
The guild New Year is moo begun.
Besouthen, besouthen.
An a. the beggars begin to run,
An ava by southern toon."
The guidwife is appealed to be nae sweir" to
deal her "fordes to the puir," and she is also
warned that II she has plenty and will not give
anything "the dell will get ye when ye dee"
Even were she disinclined to be generous such
q therat would, OF course, compel hospitality.
The party Is invited to enter:
Come In come ben, you're welcome here.
Besouthen, besouthen:
Yen get share O. DOR New Year cheer,
An away by southern toon."
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
NO HARD PROBLEM TO SOLVE
eeIIboy's Suggestion Would Seem to
Be Natural Way to Get Around
Situation.

The Englishman who has been
wearing top hat and frock coat
impressed all who saw him with his
distinguished appearance as he
strolled about with an expansive air
In one Of the more expensive hotels.
On Wednesday morning he came up
to a clerk.
Il would like to have shirt lsun-
dered." he said. II must have 1t back
by 1--WE o'clock"
The clerk told him that the time
was unusually short. but he would do
what he could, and the shirt was de-
hvered on time.
He came down Thursday morning
and said he wanted another shirt
Numbered, but that this one must be
back by two o'clock In the afternoon.
The clerk said that would be too
short time. The Briton grew angry
and demanded to see the proprietor.
He got a. far ~ the bell boy captain,
to whom he protested that he would
not stand for such treatment The
bell boy suggested the purchase Of .
third shirt---New York Sun.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
APRONS ARE VERY FETCHING
WIss Young Girls Realize That They
Suggest Homeynsss 40 Well
az Coquetry.

Foxy little girls who know the cap
tivatingness of an apron! Over In
Jersey City there is big factory and
beside It an equally big office building
connected with the same. Now. when
the girls in the factory wear the
aprons, you attribute 1t to the ikeli-
hood of their getting some Of the
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
Immediately the clock strikes II everybody
PUSHES OF to be 'hrstsoor to some Of his


friends" Bes
-. . Vel
the battle Of life return to the old bsae and
the old hearth; when ancient feuds are healed;
when friends abroad remembered with love
and friends at home entertained II is spirit OF gene
GUS hospitality which, the year draws to close leads
the guidman and the gudwife to lay in their kepouca
Ia cheese) and stock of shortbread currant bun ana
other indigeetible luxuries
The first and, In most parts Of Scotland the grea1es'
of the Daft Days Hogmanay photographers have
PUZZLED greatly this term, and many guesses nave
been its derivation and origin II Is said py
some TO come from the Scandinavian hoggu-nott hoge
nat or hogg night while Others perhaps the majority
hold that It from the French The opening words
Of an old Scots ditty. "Hogmanay Troloday are sup
posed to be corruption of Homme est neTrois Rois la
And Hogmanay is also said to be derived from Au gu
menez-a cry used by boys and girls In some parts OF
France when visiting houses the last day OF the year
Jameson great authority the Scots language gives
be selection of derivations and writer who quotes
several observes very ingenuousy that he reader may
select for that which he considers the most prob
able"
II used to be customary In Scotland and is still in
sora places for bands OF children visit the houses
OF the weodo the last day OF the year for the pur
nose of receiving "Hogmanay piece" The piece con-
sists sometimes Of oatmeal cake and cheese but
frequently Of richer dainties such shortbread It Is
not regarded by either gvers recipients as dole;
n n hospitable gift In recognition OF the season
Rhymes are recited by the children but these vary In
derent localities. One which Is still In use In Aber
aaenshire and the north OF Scotland runs thus:
sect up guidwife an shak' your feathers.
An dinna think that beggars;
For we are BARNS come DOT to play;
Get up an gfe's DOR Hogmanay"
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
Use Of Time,

Il saved ten minutes day at lunch
for twenty years..
What Of itr'
"Oh. It was well that saved all this
time. for now spend two hours daily
In the anteroom Of . dyspepsia special
ist" Z
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
Turkish Medicines.

Old-fashioned physicians have plenty
of reliable remedies for cholera. An
agate in the pocket and hyacinth ON
the neck are much esteemed. but the
bone of dead child carried in the
pocket is nearly as efficacious. Chol
era. we learn, is caused by the moon.
Therefore drink decoctions of laurel
while Mars or Mercury is in the az
cendant. since these planets are UNI
friendly to the moon. We are glad to
know this. as we have always had our
doubts about the moon.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
D


EA&A dauntless courage whose rigid
H ~ adherence to their convictions
.A compes respect 1t was also re-
sponsible for a certain narrow
/ ness of vision and for intoler-
ance In some directions. To
S] these less estimable character
istics Scotland owed the doubt
ful distinction which she enjoyed till within
the past few years OF being the only Christian
country In the world in which the greatest of
the Christian festivals was ignored. Ignored
1t was. absolutely. Christian observances and
Christmas festivities were anathema to the
true-blue Scot Of a generation ago. Not be It
noted, because he objected to lnirth and 10
Vitality In themselves. Those who imagine that
the old life OF Scotland from years end to
years end was dull. gray and colorless make
profound mistake The observance of Christ
mas was ignored because It offended the relig-
ious susceptibilties of the Scot
Even yet non-observance Of Christmas
must. In truth, be reckoned among the pecul-
iarities Of Scotland. A better, kinder and more
tolerant spirit exists, but the old feeling is not
quite dead. Moreover national customs and
Tho usages Of centuries are not to be changed
quickly. Christmas observance In Scotland IL.
q the best. only in its infancy.
II IL when Christmas festivities have come
to an end, and roast turkey, goose. plum pud-
ding and mince pies are but memories (more
or less pleasantly. that Scotland enters upon
her great annual saturnalia- From time i'm
memorial boisterous. and in many cases bac-
chanalian revelry has been associated with the
close of the old and the opening OF the new
year. Formerly the period was distinguished
by the significant title of 1.-THE Daft Days" The
name was given more particularly to the sea,
son between Hogmanay (the last day OF the
year, and Handsel Monday 1.-THE first Monday
after New Years day., but like the generos-
ity which characterized It, the time was not
strictly limited.
The name indicates very expressivey the
mirth, fun and uproarious joviality of the pc
Rod and the responsibility of the jewellers
While the Daft Days have now been shorn OF
some Of their glory, much Of the spirit re-
mains And although 1t is still. as It has been
in the past, associated with foolish errors of
Judgment. 1t Is on the whole, a spirit to be
cherished For It is genial spirit. spirit Of
good will, Of generosity and of hospitality II
fl the Spirit of Christmas trine belated
The New Year in Scotland sees the union
Of sundered households. Now is the time when
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
More.

First Kid-My papa's got so much
money he don't know how to spend
1t.
Second Kid-That's nothing. NY
papa's got so much money that mann
ma can't even spend 1t.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28
PessImlstIc.

Papa. is there such thing az q
reform cooking school?"
II doubt II. Johnny; II there is. Il
hasn't any pupils"
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28

Irrigation projects are receiving the
serious attention Of the government
Of Brazil
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-12-28

Judge-Don't you know that you
should try and make your married life
pleasant, like our FIRST parentsi Adam
never quarreled with Eve.
Prisoner-Dat's berry true. jedge,
but yo' see Adam didn't have no moth
er-in-law.