The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-12-27
From Fridays Daily.
Miss REYNOLDS at Minnesota Lake.

a
fort 1t had cost them.
The high school room and hall
had been beautifully decorated with
Christmas bells and greens by the
Misses Jordan, Sorenson. Roster
and Mrs. Mat Garding, president of
the club: s..
The exercises were opened by an
instrumental solo. by Miss Selma
Wrucke. which evidenced great mu-
steal ability OF the player and was
enjoyed by all.
Mrs. Garding then introduced the
speaker, Miss Reynolds Of Mankato
state normal school, who gave a
very helpful and interesting talk on
christmas and Christmas Gifts
She spoke of the origin of Christ
mas as beginning far, far back in
the early ages, when just at this
season Of the year festival of the
sun was held and light aud love
was brought into the. world by the
sun god Baldur. There really has
always been a Christmas and not as
we are accustomed to think Christ.
mas did not begin with the birth Of
Christ.
The speaker gave the Christmas
customs of other lands. Germany
gave to the world the Christmas
tree Martin Luther, wandering in
the snow-clad hills one moonlight
night, saw a beautiful little ever
green and the stars shining down
from above made the sight so beau.
tiful that he wished his children
might see it and as he could not
bring them there he cut it down,
carried it home and placed candles
on it to represent the stars.
In England the carol singing and
the waits who stand under the win.
dows waiting for the coppers.
Then the beautiful custom Of Nor,
way, that of feeding the birds with
the grain cleaned from the fields
by the children and saved Until cold
December for the birds Christmas
dinner Thus the child is trained
not only to think of friends but OF
Gods helpless creatures as well.
This thought was emphasized that
America is a nation made up of all
nations, and customs of all nations
are practiced here. For that reason
the American Christmas should be a
greater festivity here than any.
other. 81 ~. h.'- '';
Every home should keep Christ
mas as did their ancestors. -
Miss Reynolds believed that chill
dren's gifts should be useful, dur
able and strong, not too many or
too expensive. -. ,s.....-' --...~ -.
All present enjoyed the two stories
that Miss Reynolds gave and many
expressed their desire to have her
come again. - II, - .......
At the close of the talk. .. Mrs.
Gardiug presented Miss Reynolds a
bouquet in behalf of the Mothers
club. 49, r.. .<=t - !,
A cornet solo was given by Mr..
and Mrs. Ralph Townsend. AS all
know OF Mr.. Towpsend's ability as
coruet player, no need to, say it
was highly appreciated. 49, - -
The cake and coffee. were deli,
ciOus and much credit belongs to
the ladies who served. +. s,. .,...z,.
Special Program at High School,. :
A regular old fashioned Christmas
program was carried out at the
high school this morning by the
senior class. "A large Christmas
tree was richly decorated and hung
profusely with presents for every
one in the high school. faculty and
all. The presents are said to have
all been purchased at the ten cent
stores, but nevertheless are quite
as capable of holding remem-
brance of the occasion as if they
had been more costly. All were of
the kind that are usually given to
kindergarten children and great
deal of fun was had over. the funny
gifts. There were toy watches,
dolls. blocks, Noah's arks. toy We
hicles. etc. With each present a
verse Of improvised poetry Leroy
Bowen in the role of Santa Claus
read the inscriptions and the name
attached and the person whose
name was called came to the front
and made a speech before he re.
ceiyed his gift. Mr.. Jorgenson, the
principal, was given kodak. and
was forced to take picture of the
school with 1t. AS he snapped the
lever, spring arrangement propell-
cd dolls head forcibly into a
bevy Of girls. Superintendent Sperry
was given a pair of rubber heels
SO that he would make less noise
when walking through the halls.
Mr.. Cooper, the manual :, training
teacher and manager Of the football
team. was presented with a toy
watch to commemorate the occasion
Of his awaking too late to catch
the early morning train to Faribault
when the football team played in
that city. Coach Palon was given
a bag of popcorn on account of his
chasing out in the street after some
one night and falling headlong over.
a railing. Miss O'Donnell was given
q miniature hot water bottle to put
on her tongue to cure her cold.
Victor Jones was given marriage
license allowing him to marry one
of. the high school girls, but in his
speech Mr.. Jones prayed for time
to consider the matter as he said
that he was not quite ready for the
brave step. Miss Haas was, present
cd with beautiful bouquet Of VIC
lets from the senior class.
The program started with the
regular chapel exercises. After this
a musical program was rendered by
the high school. High school songs
were sung and Miss 1rma Heinze
sang solo. After the presents had
all been given out the faculty and
the alumni members present were