davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01
Special CORRESPONDENCE of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
LONDON, December u, 1910
~NE Of the first things an American
who starts housekeeping in Eng
~ land has to find out is that IL he
doesn't look uncommonly sharp he will
be cheated right and left by the trades
men who supply him with the daily ne
cessities English honesty is a tradition,
but it hasn't penetrated down to the small
tradesman, nor indeed to some of the
big ones. In fact, the legal motto 'caveat
emptor''-let the buyer beware-is still the
keynote of all dealings In the British
Isles.
Except in some of the big stores, where
the American influence has made itself
felt, the one-price system is unknown. and
the little local man charges any and every
price that he thinks he can get. The
grocer and the butcher and the vegetable
man don't even stop at that If you dom
scrutinize your bills closely you will find
yourself paying for grapes that never
were delivered and for groceries that You
never have eaten. When you draw atten-
ton to the mistake" the tradesman tells
you blandly that they ought to have
been charged to Mrs. Smith next door.
But one would hardly expect that gov
ernmental institutions are run on much
the same principles. One would think, for
instance. that the great British govern
ment would Scorn to exact more taxes
than were it's due or that a British mu-
nicipality would be ashamed to over
charge you for your share of carrying
away the ashes and garbage and keeping
the streets clean. but in dealing with
these public bodies one must also bear
in mind the motto ''caveat emptor"
One of the favorite tricks Of the Brit
ish municipality is the overassessment
of real estate held by small owners. who
may be assumed to be ignorant of the
proper methods of fixing taxation. Big
real estate companies never are over
assessed because they wouldn't stand
for it and an attempt to do so might lead
to expensive and unpleasant litigation.
Here is a typical case of an attempt to
fleece . small property owner which ac-
tually occurred in a London suburb few
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

music Hired girl walked downcast be-
side mistress. on pretext that the lady
needed exercise ard enjoyed helping
market" Groceries, dried vegeta bles
hams. poultry. wines, oil, fruits-every-
thing out butcher. baker, milk and eggs
she got from Potin. the great Paris pro-
visioner. The poor girls never saw an
order. She consulted Angelo
Resign the situation said the nat
ural-born dance musician.
Not till 1 get my New Year present.
worried the other.
1t was mid November.
Meanwhile a new place may be found
for you said Angelo What else she
said is mere SaDlonyfle quarter gossip
Did madame's marketing get spoiled In
Ceoklng-or was it bad quality? Did
Pctin's provisions underweigh? Surely
they used up quickly. Sabotage is a
strong word for poor girls, properly APP
piled to discontinued factory hands who
injure machinery and products. Did q
general alarm go out by servants wire
less? Did some twenty good girls-per-
sOnally unknown to her-seek a good
place for the stricken one? l think so.
Certainly, January j, the misguided
family of reformers found themselves
left in the lurch-after SO New Year
present given and accepted. The girl was
''called home to her family"-consecrated
falsehOod-and instead of working or
after eight days legal notice. quit in
stanter by renouncing eight days pay
Certainly, also. the deserted family
went six days without a servant-till they
found all applicants were being intimi-
dated by wild stories to the disadvantage
of the place. One new girl stayed two
days, another three. At last-because
poor servants cannot fight a moneyed
household morose, severe. courageous
middle-aged woman took the job at s.. 80
per week, unprecedented wages, at the
price of servant-girl society.
The mistress wOn-but at the price OF
smoldering dislike in an apartment
house. where bread. milk and the morn
ing papers can disappear from their place
by the kitchen door on the back stairs;
where ones telephone communication can
be interrupted; where carpet can be
beaten over your open window; where
a flower pot can be watered over your
airing carpet; where the janitress. in
turn. can secretly work for the servant
coalition. refuse your coal on the back
stairs after 10 o'clock in the morning,
neglect your callers. and give you a bad
name to no matter what confidential
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

he may owe and so on, but makes calls
on all those above him in rank. This part
of the festivities is restricted entirely to
the men, the women taking no part what
eve-. AS with US. cards sometimes serve
the same purpose as visit. These are
red strips of paper with the name en-
sraved in black. and perhaps bearing
New Year wish in addition. AS the
thick and fast: "Kung-hi kung- HIT
humbly wish you joy: or 'Sin-h Sim
hf'-"May joy be yours"
The manner in which the first day of
the year is celebrated in many places is
interesting. and many of the customs so
prevalent i'm this country can be traced
to those which flourished in Europe many
years ago.
The ancient Druids opened the new
year with worship to Salus, and, like the
Romans, presented branches. These were
cut out from sacred plants by priests
who distributed them. Wishing the early
Britons well. the Druids presented them
with branches of the sacred mistletoe.
This was cut, with great solemnty on
the eve of New Year from an oak tree in
d forest dedicated to their gods.
Scotland. SO full of quaint customs rs
not behindhand regarding New Year. and
many strange ways of celebrating the
or another. There the new year. includ-
ing the preceding day as well. is called
Daft DAYS, or Crazy days" a name
which we'll defines the spirit which pre-
vailed on such occasions The eve of the
new year was called "Hogmanay," and
one custom specially i'm connection with
this is unusually interesting. In the prim-
tive Scottish towns the poor children
would go out in little bands. and at the
door of each well-tO-do citizen would call
"HOgmanay." There was no need to in
quire into their wants. They had come
for their "hogmanay." a small portion of
cat cake, and In the case of special favor
ties cheese in addition. knowing before
hand what was expected OF them, the
work hard for days before so as to have
sufficient supply. and then the air
would ring with the song of the children:
Rise up guide WIFE and shake your feathers,
Dtnna think that we are heggars
We arc BARNS come to play
And to seek our hogmanay"
Another custom of Scotland was that of
the first foot" Every family expected
the first foot" which was simply the
first visitor to step over the threshold
after the striking OF the chimes announc-
ing the birth Of a new year. Hospitality
was to be found in every home, and first
foot parties went the rounds whether or
not others had preceded them. In Edin-
burgh, in olden times, New Year eve was a
festival occasion indeed The streets
were crowded and merriment was every
where. Any young girl. escorted or not.
could be kissed If she was on the streets
after a certain hour. This festival sea-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

leans out. Then. with glass raised. they
all cry "Prosit Neujahr.'' And as the cry
rings through the air the new year is
born. But before the last stroke has
sounded. the echoes have died away. the
windows are closed and quiet reigns.
In France and Spain New Year is much
the same as in America Christmas day.
In the early morning little French chill
dren get up to see what ST. Nicholas has
put in their stockings. If one member of
the family has died during the past year,
the family gathers at. the grave and says
prayers After the midday meal is finish
ed the younger members call upon the
older members of their family, and at
dinner time gather at the home of the
Oldest member, who is considered the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

each house are decorated, each object In
the arrangement having some different
symbolic Specification. These are usually
composed of green arches. Here also the
legal festival lasts three days.
Even the american Indians observe tho
day more or less. The Moqui celebrate
is called 'So-yal-u-na, and consists Of
an elaborate two-part mystic drama Or
ferinGs are made to the effigies OF the
great plume-headed serpent. the enemy OF
the sum- which is followed by their
famous sun dance.
The custom of ringing out the old and
in the new year is one which is observed
in many countries. while horns and other
noise-making arrangements also add to
the general excitement.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

ence in the reckoning OF time 'he
Chinese. Roman, Egyptian ana 1No'"'
nedan New Year begins at various
neriods. There is. however. one generai
characteristic which is to be found In
sverv opening of the new year. and that
q. General rejoicing and feasting. whether
u he lew or Gentle. Egyptian or Chi-
n.se Rut in the manner in wnich the
rejoicing and feasting were carried on are
rourd some quaint and unusual customs
hitch so,,nd strange in this year OF our
Lord 1911.
The Jewish civil year begins in the
month of Tishri or in October. put inc"
ecclesiastical year opens In Nissan. vi
Anril. The civil year cannot begin sun
dav. Wednesday or Friday, while the New
Year celebration continues two days, WIN
New Year eve being observed by fasuns-
The Jewish New Year is called "Rosh
Hoshshanah," and also .'Yom Hardin
This last means day of Judgment. it
heiuS an old belief that God as a Judge
opens the three heavenly ledgers to
reckon up the sins OF the past III the
sins are repented during the ten succeed
ING DAYS between New Year day and
the Day of Atonement, the name Is sup
posed to be inscribed in the BOOK oi
life The Jewish salutation on this DAY
New Year" The Gentle custom of say
ing Happy New Year" Is said to be
simply contraction of this ancient Jew
ish salute.
At various times in the history of the
world Christmas day. March %. Easter
day and March I have all shared with the
LIST of January as the beginning of the
new year. but whenever it fell the day
was regarded as one Of special impor
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

is bedecked with greens and followed by
the pea and wheat brigade taken to the
home of the nobleman. There the boys
are admitted and given small coins:
while the horse is given to the lord and
master of the village. Then follows a
procession of children driving cows. oxen
and similar animals, while the old women
of the village drive fowls before them, all
of which are as gifts to the nobleman.
The Russian peasants believe that with
the arrival of each new year the miracle
of the feast Of Cana of Galilee can be re-
peated If they have faith enough. And
SO as the clocks strike each family group
gathers around a jar of water and waits
for it to turn into wine. This Is also
followed out in some parts of Germany.
The second day of the new year is given
over to visiting, in which the young as
we'll as old take part. But after the Wis
it's have been paid. the parties separate,
and there is a general scramble on the
part of the young people to get out Of
reach of the older members of the family.
Many interesting customs have been fol-
lowed in Germany at various times N
Berlin especially was one custom fol-
lowed. much to the dismay and generally
the sorrow of unknowing visitors. On
the eve of the new year it was permissi-
BILE for any one to strike with the fist a
person seen on the street after dark
wearing high hat. Let any one appear
thus attired, and the cry of Hut abb
HAT Off'-wOuld ring through the air. \
crowd would form only too soon, and the
unfortunate wearer of the high hat would
soon find that article of dress mashed into
a shapeless mass, while even he himself
might have bruises to show for the af-
fair ..-
1t is told of Emperor William the sec
Ond that he often went abroad on this
claimed. he Joined the crowd waging war
on. high hats and. coming up to one old
gentleman, brought his fist down with
considerable force Alas, the contact was
fateful. The old gentleman had gone out
prepared. and wore a skull cap studded
with nails, the ends up. The emperors
hand was so lacerated that q surgeon had
to be called. This custom is said to have
originated in 184S when on the eve of
the new year the lower classes showed
their hostility by striking all the high hats
possible, that article of wearing apparel
being distinctive to that class.
In the Rhenish provinces an interest
ing custom is observed. AS one walks
down the street friend stealthily ap-
proaches and whispers in his ear. "Prosit
Neujahr." The person thus accosted must
pay a fine. some small gift such as
good cigar, wine. ETC. At Frankfort-on-
the-Main the whole city salutes itself at
the same time. Festivals are held to
watch the old year out. and as the first
stroke sounds from the great dome of the
cathedral everybody, glass in hand.
rushes to the window. throws it open and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01
w yE EAR CUSTOMS HERE aq&lnERE.

head of the family. The family includes
all the relatives. Paris is agog with ex-
element. and the streets and boulevardS
are thronged with carriages. Over in the
Latin quarter the students make merry
with dinners and dances. while everywhere
there are to be seen beggars, who on this
France it is the custom to send all ones
relatives and friends cards. and so the
post Office clerks are fairly swamped with
the thousands upon thousands of cards.
The Japanese New Year, which falls
at the same time ours does, is celebrated
much as is the Chinese. The portals of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

son was regularly observed until 1911
when a band of toughs robbed many OF
the wealthy citizens, defied the law until
an early hour. and killed some persons
Several of the band were arrested and
executed in April of the new year, but
after that the observance became less and
less each succeeding year. The New
Year feast in Scotland is what the Christ
mas feast is in the United States. and Is
looked upon as an equally important Oc-
casion. They also have a unique method
of fOretelling what the year Will Drlns
them. Before breakfast a Bible is placed
table. The persons anxious to know
what the year holds for them open the
book at random and choose quickly a
verse the page where the book has
opened. That verse is supposed to be APP
propriate in some way to the events
which will happen.
presidential reception on New Year day
is followed in similar manner in the
majority of courts i'll Europe. and most
of the heads of the nations hold a solemn
audience at which the dignitares are pres
ent. The President of France also fellows
the same custom.
The kaiser holds a New Year reception.
while at Vienna at one time quaint Gus
tom was followed on this day. The en-
peror and archducheSs. representing the
empress. would hold what was known as
"cercle." At this affair the different
circles would be separated-that is, the
diplomats would be i'm one room, the
army officers in another, and so on. The
emperor and archduchess would then go
from room to room. At their approach
the women would line up on one side, the
men on the other, and the emperor would
start with the men and go around, the
archduchess with the women, until each
had received New Year greeting In
Spain the servants in the royal palace are
all given "aguinaldos' or a present with
which to make their own feast. re-
ception also is held in the palace.
~
In Belgium the children work hard in
order TO get sugar aunt or sugar
uncle" as the case may be. All the chill
dren in one family form a conspiracy Tor
their general good. In the morning all
the keys OF the various doors in the
house disappear. Then woe betide the
member of the family caught unawares
in a room alone. Presto. and the door is
shut and locked, and he is prisoner. If
he Is in a hurry, all the worse. while ii
he is impatient, still worse. For he re-
mains a prisoner until he consents to pay
in sweets the ransom which his jailers
demand Once the promise is made, the
prisoner is released and the children revel
in their success.
In rural Russia the first day of the
year is pre-eminently a children's festi-
val. Long before sunrise the boys of each
village are up and armed with peas and
wheat. Then they make the rounds OF
the homes. AS none of the doors is
locked. they have little trouble in entering
land waking their enemies with lombard.
mentS OF peas, and their friends with 9
gentle sprinkle Of wheat. After break.
fast the handsomest horse in the village
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

HE English speak
ing people have
ushered in the year
1911. So have the
people of the Laun
countries. as well
as Japan and other
countrie $. But
there still remain
several countries In
which the old year
reigns supreme. On
account Of a diner
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

I New Year every
Paris servant girl
gets a ten-dOllar bill
from her employers,
extra. as a gift of
good will.
Some get more.
Louise gets So.
Therefore Angelo,
next door. gets 81,
not to be made
jealous. Being good
friends. with adj
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

says Louise. 1t is SIS for three persons
and Louise. We'll, pay it" you say and,
every servant carries something like
S1GD cash for the convenience of her mas
terS Louise advances the SIS, gets the
book receipted, and puts back into her
pocket ninety cents rebate. which she
rushes quick to the post Office. 1t is her
honest ; per cent commission, given her
by the butcher as an adj. not tackled on
to the bill of her employers.
Her employers know it, They are glad
she gets it. 1t keeps her contented. Some
times a tenderfoot. paying monthly bills
by check. will hesitate and ask: 'Ba-
thilde. will you get your sou of the franc
all the samer' ''Oh, yes. monsieur. she
answers .'Oh. yes! l should say so"'
So with the grocer, milk-butter- and
cheese dealer. baker. fruit-and- primeur-
vegetables man. laundry. cleaner. fowl
and-game dealer-all the furnishers. All
give the : per cent commission
Recently. when Welter. principal wood
and coal dealer of Neuilly suburb. tried
to substitute a two or three dollar gift
at New Year. the girls of a hundred flats
and villas cabaled against him so effect
lively that he rushed back to 1.-The Sou
with precipitation.
Telephone orders arrived late: it was
proved his fault. His delivery men, In
hurry, had to stand and ring ten min
utes. His wood was too wet to burn:
and customers complained. Who wet it:
His coal burned too quickly. Hum, hum,
"A
girls intriguing for their rights.
Let me introduce Henrietta. In
mountain village this side of MOntauban
and near Auvergne there is homely,
hearty, honest inn or tavern, center of
simple social life. including marriages
and baptisms. The innkeeper'S daughters
stand high: but his orphan mecca husky
Cinderella-preferred earning her living
and perhaps save up a marriage portion
in rich Paris.
Keep the marriage portion we'll in mind.
1t is the secret motif of the ''danse du
panier''
Behold Henriette at domestic service in
Neuily-which is Paris. For girl of
honorable peasant family, it is the one
kind of work that is respectable. Her
uncle looked up her employers before
Henriette could take the place.
The young master. quick and noisy, had
frightened off or angered away her three
predecessors; but when he begins to Row
with Henriette she laughs with a rich
accent: .Oh, you are not dangerous.
What can you do with girl who smiles
superior when you correct her? She
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

tance. Considerable trouble arose in the
Roman empire regarding the time on
which the year began. but January l was
finally chosen. and the month dedicated
TO the god Janus. This god is represent
ed as having two faces, one looking to-
ward the old, the other toward the new
year. and he was thus believed to stand
between the two years.
Throughout the entire month OF Janu-
airy the Romans offered sacrifices to
Janus upon twelve affairs. while on the
first day OF that month they were care
full of their conduct, that by word ana
action the new year might be a happy
augury of the ensuing months All strife
and animosity ceased and foes became
reconciled. everybody exchanging visits
and presents. This New Year festival
in honor Of Janus was Instituted by the
Roman king Numa. The people always
made the emperor presents OF strenae,
branches of bay or palms. which custom
became so general that the people used
to go en- masse to present them and
wish him a Happy New Year.
With the Mohammedans the first day
of each year fell on no particular dav.
as theirs was lunar calendar, but with
the beginning Of each new year they held
festivals and celebrated The Egyptians
also Toasted and celebrated somewhat as
the Romans did, their year starting in
September.
The Chinese New Year begins not
earlier than January II and no later than
February 10. On the new year all debts
must be paid. The legal festivity lasts
three days. but the actual celebration is
often carried on much longer. sometimes
stores remaining closed for a fortnight.
The Chinese cities assume a festive ap-
pearance. being decorated with fantas-
tically shaped lanterns and strange arti-
fetal flowers. Strips of red paper adorn-
ed with notices festOon the doorways,
while blue paper in their midst denotes
a death in the family during the past
year. The streets overflow with the
merry thrOngs that come and go. with
everybody dressed In gala attire. On this
occasion the rich wear their best, while
the poor often hire a pawnshop festive
raiment. II there are any too poor to
even hire suitable clothing they refuse
to be seen, but hide away in their homes
In China the custom of making and re-
ceiving calls is still an important feature
of the day. Every Chinaman. except of
the lowest class. expects callers. A
Chinaman receives calls from all those
below him in station, pays them what
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

THE Servant Girl Ques-
J. ton in the French Capt.
tal-New Year Presents and
Their Effect - How the
Servants Get Five Per
Cent Rebate From Dealers
Housekeepers Ignore Few
Added Expenses-All Bills
Paid at End of Month by
the Servants.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01

Special Correspondence of The Star.
PARIS, December -, /!
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-01-04
WATER SUPPLY OF
CRUCES FREEZES UP

Las Cruces. n. NJ. Jan 4.-Yester-
day morning was severely cold in Las
Cruces. but after the sun came up the
weather moderated considerably.
The water supply o. the town was
cut of by freezing during most Of the
morning and considerable trouble vas
experienced with the steam heating
plants.
The government Thermometer at rhe
Agricultural college registered. three
and three-quarters degrees above zero
during the early morning hours, Wniie
otner thermometers in the valley and
in Las Cruces registered all the way
from four above to four below
Reports from the Organ mountain
districts. especially at Van Patterns
Dripping Springs and the town Of Or
gan are to the effect that the coolest
it reached there was about 90 above,
the mountains seemingly proving 10 be
a protection from the cold There
has been no snow fall with this cold
wave. the atmosphere remaining ex-
tremely clear.