Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-04-26

come of the Spanish-Amer-
lean To be sure. it is not the custom of the
nation to indulge in spectacular observances OF
Dewey Day" but there is general display of
the flag on residences and public buildings in
honor OF the occasion and it is favorite occasion
Tor banquets and speech-making
To go at once to the other extreme in cata-
4 loguing the functions of May Day it may be noted
that May Day is also moving day." meaning the
date on which expire most leases of residential
property and when, in consequence there is
general fitting to and fro of the folk who live in
rented houses and in apartments or fats In
some communities April 1 is more generally OBJ
served as moving day. than is May 1 but in
most sections of the country the later date is
preferred In more recent years, too custom has
gwen October 1 some significance as a moving
Gay Dut Tor the great majority OF our people who
move only once year, at most May still has
the call as fixed festival for the shifting OF
household shrines
May Day is date marked for its own bv or
ganlzed labor not only in the United States but
pretty much throughout the civilized world In
many cities there on this day each wear
monster parades of the union labor organizations
and lt mas long been accepted the most auspi.
cious occasion for inaugurating great general
strikes In the various trades Some Nav nav.
nave been rendered memorable by riotous dis.
turDances. but during the past few years the OBJ
servance of the holiday has, for the most mart
passed of quietly
n
TO De looked forward to- There are Mav-nola
dances and frolics Of various kinds in the marks
IL the weather permits and these are SO organized
SIS to enlist the participation of the kinderrart
eners and the smallest children as well ss thu
older ones When weather or other conditions
prevent the festivities in the open air sneciaI
exercises are held in the school rooms. In sbor+
May Day ia for the whole body of American younp
people occasion of relaxation and iolIi+v h+
Tor all 'nat there are so many frolics, dancing
parties and social gatherings on the date there e
lone discordant note in the dearth of wedding.
May 1, and indeed every day in Nav womb saen
nc be ideal for weddings, but the old supersttttor
Vhat May marriages are unlucky restricts tho
number OF brides on May Day and on the tbirtv
days that follow
May Day although not always. of course known
oy that name, is Of the Oldest holidays on the
calendar. In the church calendar tba 6ru+ -
May Is the combined day of ST. Philip the APOSTLE
ana 81 James the Less, but the festivities which
mark the day in Great Britain France Germany
anu otner countries are what may be termed the
darect descendants of the ancient Roman F1oraIia
ana rne Druidc feasts in honor OF the god BEL
the Baal OF the Scriptures Indeed the origin Of
the monday seems to date still farther back in
the history of India and Egypt, and In both Of
those ancient countries the May-pole was recog
nized and conspicuous emblem
History relates that the Dr,1i6s ce1ahrotsa +ha
first OF May by lighting immense fires in honor
or this deity. and it is interesting to note that
this same custom (for all that it has lost ita ra
hgous signlncance) Is yet followed by the Irish
and the SccSch Highlanders. Among these rem
nants or the Celtic stock the festival is to this
day referred to as Beltine or Bealtaine-mean-
ing, literally the day of Bells fire." There are
other reminders OF the ancient May Day rites vet
TO De observed in certain portions OF ireland and
Scotland, but these have lapsed to a certain az
tent with the advance of time and the invasion
OF new population and the curious person who
would behold the observance of the traditions
OF May Day In all It's pristine glory must pene-
trate nowadays to remote or isolated ham
let in the Highlands
Where the Old customs yet obtain all the youths
OF township or village meet on May Day on
the nearest moor. round table or altar is cut
in the green sod and the entire company station
themselves in trench which is formed around
the table fire is kindled and a custard pre-
pared OF eggs and milk, huge cake of oatmeal
being meanwhile kneaded and baked on the en-
bers. The custard is eaten but the cake is merely
divided into as many pieces as there are persons
in the company and these pieces are all thrown