The Arvada enterprise., 1913-12-25

prosperous age plant" miniature pine tree
some bamboo, and some plum twigs. to win for
her home by ornaments ike these the favor of the
Jealous deties that guard the future.
The city streets resound with the mallet blows
OF the dough Founders making "moch" the Jap
anese equivalent of plum pudding. All debts are
paid New clothes are bought There toys
for the children and picture cards that bring good
fortune and are good to dream on when tied se-
curely to the wooden pillow.
o. happy New Year! Day will hardly dawn be.
fore each town and village will be stirring There
is much to do in celebration. First there will
come the ceremonial breakfast, when the health
OF all the family must be drunk in that rice wine
called "zoni." Then visits must be paid to all
acquaintance Father will no more the ira.
ditional costume. fantastic and peculiar For him
the frock coat now. of European manufacture But
mother. in her quaint kmono and elaborate head.
dress. will look just she has looked on New
Years day since time immemoral.
The children will be decked out In gorgeous
colors; they will throng the streets Gathering
along their wooden clogs in pigeon toed but
joyful haste, and shouting "Banzal" to friends
and foreigners. In the streets clowns will per.
form strange antics, exclaiming loudly mean
while:
Hail hail ye gods of heaven and earth! sig.
nifcant omens are in the air. and the universe is
full OF lucky signs"
To accompaniment of flute and drum. two
legged lions will give the lions dance" in
masque Strange masqueraders will dart hithe,
and thither through streets and temple gardens
II will be happy time for Japanese children
For three glad days every lttle girl will expect
TO play her favorite game Of shuttlecock and bat
tedore. The boys will fly their brand new kites
The children will play games with brightly col
ored balls chanting countless rhymes Grown
people will play New Years card games. The
hremen will give acrobatc exhibitions on their
addets Every nook and corner OF Japan will be
in gala dress and gala mood.
&or Ia fnr Inp I,
probation OF the significance Of the New Year
There Christmas. so important our calendar is
scarcely celebrated. except by attendance at mid.
night mass and by a festal supper. Hut the last
night OF the year. the vigil OF st Slvestre" calls
for observance. and the first day of the year.
le Jour de lan." 'le jour d'etrene," ia dedicated
to the renewal OF friendship and to general gift
giving,
SO universal. in fact, has the custom become OF
giving presents and pretty little souvenirs that the
expression "bonne etrene" means good fortune
and NAL etrenne" misfortune Candy and flow.
ers are acceptable gifts in France, but there is
only one real rule In tho matter-a New Years
gift must not be useful.
In most Scotch households. as in France New
Years day takes the place OF Christmas. an evi.
dence OF ancient sympathy when both countries
regarded England n mutual enemy. on the last
night OF the year, in rural district groups OF men
and boys go dsgulshed from house to house sing.
ing curious songs. such this
Rise up. good wife. and shak yer feathers.
Dinna think that we beggars,
We bairnes come to play,
Rise up and give us hogmanay.
When they have received the cakes and coins
they expect they go to the next place. first
however, having chalked the house. In token OF
good luck Next morning all the children get up
early and view with wide and interested eyes the