Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1913-12-25

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 deitles 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 tied Sc
cprelY- to the wooden pillow.
o. happy New Year! Day will hardly dawn be-
fore each town and village will be stirring There
is so 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 wear no more the ira
ditional costume fantastic and peculiar. For him
the frock coat now. OF European manufacture But.
mother, In her quaint klmono and elaborate head
dress, Will look Just as she has looked on New
Years day since time immemorial
The children will be decked out in gorgeous
colors they will throng the streets, Gathering
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, exclaming loudly mean
while:
Hail, hail, ye gods OF heaven and earth! Sig
nihcant 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
Innsque. Strange masQueraders will dart hitheP
and thither through streets and temple gardens
II 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
fledore. 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
firemen win give acrobatc 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. 30 important on our calendar is
scarcely celebrated except by attendance ut mid
night mass and by q festal supper But the last
night Of the year, the vigil Of St. Svestre" calls
for observance. and the first day of the new year,
Gle jour de Fam. or '1e jour detrene" is dedicated
20 the. renewal Of friendship and to general gift
giving
30 universal. in fact, has the custom become of
giving presents and pretty little souvenirs that the
expression "bonne etrene" means good fortune
and mai etrenne" misfortune Candy and Aow-
eFs are acceptable gifts In France. but there Is
only one real rule In the matter-a New Years
slfl must not be useful
N most Scotch households as In Franco New
Years day takes the place Of Christmas an evI-
donce Of ancient sympathy when both countries
REGARDED England as 4 mutual enemy. On the last
nllt 0f the year, in rural district groups OF men
and boys 80 dlsguiShed from house to house sing.
InE curious songs, such a. this
R,se up good wife, and shak yer feathsrs.
Dina think that We are beggars;
We are baiFnies come to play.
Rise up and give us hogmAnay.
when they have received the cakes and coins
lh4 ftpect they 50 On a sfhs next place, frst.
hoNeFbr having chaIEsd the house. IN token of
11pf luck next morning ~ ne chIldra1 gst ID
early md view via Eiqs end interested 49, ne