The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-12-27

prosperous age plant" miniature pine tree,
some bamboo. and some plum twigs, to win for
her home by ornaments like these the favor of the
Jealous deities that guard the future
The city streets resound with the mallet blows
OF the dough Founders making "mochi" the Jap
anese equivalent of plum pudding. All debts are
paid New clothes are bought. There are TOYS
for the children, and picture cards that bring GOOD
fortune and are good to dream on when tieo Sc
curely to the wooden pillow
o, happy New Year. Day will hardly dawu no
fore each town and village will be stirring There
is so much to do in celebration. First there viii
come the ceremonial breakfast when the health
OF all the family must be drunk in that rice vine
caHeo zonl Then visits must be paid to all
acquaintance Father will wear no more the fra
ditional costume, fantastic and peculiar For him
the frock coat now of European manufacture Pint
mother in her quaint kimono and elaborate haod
dress. will look Just as she has looked on Now
fears day since time immemorial
Inc cnldren Will be decked out In gorgeous
coiors; they will throng the streets clatterine
along on their wooden clogs in pigeon toed but
JoyIul naste and shouting "Banzai." to friends
ana foreigners In the streets clowns will per
form strange antics. exclaiming loudly mean
while:
Hail. hail. We gods of heaven and earth, S,p
nihcant omens are in the air. and the universe ia
full of lucky signs" 80
10 accompaniment of flute and drum. two.
in
masque. Strange masqueraders will dart bitbo,
and thither through streets and temple gardens
IL VIII De happy time for Japanese children
FOR three glad days every little girl will exnect
10 play her favorite game of shuttlecock and hot
tledore. The boys will fly their brand new kites
Inc children will play games with brightly col.
ored balls, chanting countless rbvmes Cro,
people VIII play New Years card games. The
firemen will give acrobatic exhibitions On tbair
ladders Every nook and corner of Japan will no
In gala dress and gala mood
northern France Is not far behind Japan in nm
probation of the significance of the New Ye.r
mere Christmas, SO important on our calendar is
scarcely ceieprated except by attendance at mid
night mass and by festal supper. But the loo,
night OF the year, the vigil Of St Sivestre caIIs
dor observance and the first day of the new wear
lie jour de ran, or lie jour d'etrene" is dedicated
giving eoNe'ai ele
30 universal. In fact, has the custom become n,
giving presents and pretty little souvenirs that tho
bonnie etrene" means co.. tnH. .ne
and NAL etrenne' misfortune Candy and e.,
ers are acceptable gifts in France but there 20
only one real rule in the NATTER New yeor,s
gift must not be useful
:, In most Scotch households. as in France Nev
ear Jay taxes the place of Christmas. an evi.
.sno.se y, snc,en. sympathy when both countries
leearded england as mutual enemy. On the Iost
nignt OF the year. in rural district groups ~ 49,
and boys go disguished from house to bnuso .,N en
ng curious songs such as this: sing
rise up, good wife, and shak' yer feathers
Dinna think that we are beggars.
We are bairnies come to play
Rise up and give us hogmanay
when tney have received the cakes and min.
ney expect they go on to the next place. frs,
lowever having chalked the house. in toten y,
200 luck Next morning all the children 90, M
ariy and view with wide and interested eves ,Sp