The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 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 malet blows
of the dough Founders making "mochi," the Jap
anese equivalent of plum pudding. All debts
paid New clothes are bought There toys
for the children. and picture cards that bring good
fortune and good to dream on when tied Sc
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 viii
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 more the ira.
dittonal 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 immemorial.
The children will be decked out in gorgeous
coors; they will throng the streets clattering
along on their wooden clogs in pigeon toed but
joyful haste. and shouting ''Banzai" 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
nincant omens 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 hthei
and thither through streets and temple gardens
1t will be happy time for Japanese children
For three glad days every little girl will expect
to play her favorite game Of shuttlecock and bat
tledore. 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
fremen will give acrobatic exhibitions on their
ladders Every nook and corner Of Japan will be
in gala dress and gala mood.
Northern France is not far behind Japan in ap
probation Of the significance Of the New Year
There Christmas important calendar Is
scarcely celebrated except by attendance at mid
night mass and by festal supper. But the last
night of the year the vigil of St. Silvestre" calls
for observance, and the first day OF the year.
"ls four de Fan" or le jour detrene," is dedicated
to the renewal Of friendship and to general gift
giving.
.tvng presents and pretty little souvenirs that the
kpression "bonne etrene" means good fortune
and NAL etrenne' misfortune Candy and flow.
ers are acceptable gifts in France but there s
only one real rule in the matter-a New Years
gift must not be useful
In most Scotch households in France New
Years day takes the place Of Christmas, an evil
dence of ancient sympathy when both countries
REGARDED England a mutual enemy. On the last
pixht Of the year, in rural district, groups of men
and boys 20 disguished from house to house sing
ing curious eongs. such as this:
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 they have received the cakes and coins
they expect they 20 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