Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1912-05-02

come of the Spanish-Amer
ican 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
for banquets and speech-making.
To go at once to the other extreme In cata-
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 a
general fitting to and fro of the folk who live in
rented houses and In apartments or flats In
some communities April l is generally OBJ
served moving day" than is May l. but in
most sections Of the country the later date is
preferred. In more recent years, too, custom has
given October 1 some significance as a moving
DAY, but for the great majority Of people who
move only once year, at most, May 1 still has
the call as a fixed festival for the shifting of
household shrines
May Day is date marked for its own by or
gained labor not only in the United States but
pretty much throughout the civilized world In
many cities there are on this day each wear
monster parades of the union labor organizations
and 1t has long been accepted as the most auspi-
clous occasion for inauguratng great general
strikes In the various trades Some MAY DAYS
have been rendered memorable by riotous dis.
turbances, but during the past few years the OBJ.
servance of the holiday has, for the most mart
passed off quietly.
To all American children May Day ia an event
to be looked forward to. There are May-pole
dances and frolics of various kinds in the parks
If the weather permits and these are so Organized
as to enlist the participation of the kndergart-
eners and the smallest children as we'll as the
older ones. When weather or other conditions
prevent the festivities in the open air speciaI
exercises held in the school rooms. In short
May Day Is for the whole body of American Young
people an occasion Of relaxation and jolty but
for all that there are so many froics dancing
parties and social gatherings the date there Is
one dlscordant note in the dearth of weddings
May l. and, indeed every day in May, would seem
to be ideal for weddings but the old SUPERSTITION
chat May marriages unlucky restricts the
number of brides on May Day and on the thirty
days that follow.
May Day, although not always of course known
oy that name is one of the oldest holidays on the
calendar, In the church calendar the first of
May is the combined day of st. Phlp the Anostla
and ST. James the Less but the festivities which
mark the day in Great Britain France Germany
ana other countries are what may be termed the
olrect descendants of the ancient Roman Floralia
and the Druidic feasts in honor of the god Bel
the Baal of the Scriptures. Indeed, the origin of
the holiday seems to date still farther back in
the history of India and Egypt and in both of
those ancient countries the May-pole was recoe
nized and conspicuous emblem
history relates that the Druids celebrated the
nrst OF May by lighting immense fires in honor
of this deity, and it is interesting to note that
this same custom for all that it has lost its re
hg1ous sgnifcance) is yet followed by the Irish
and the Scotch Highlanders. Among these rem.
nants OF the Celtic stock the festival is to this
day referred to as Betine or Beataine-mean.
ing, literally, the day of Bells fire" There are
other reminders of the ancient May Day rites vet
to be observed in certain portions of Ireland and
Scotland, but these have lapsed to a certain ex.
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 its pristine glory must pene-
trate nowadays to some 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 ia 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-.
sbers 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