The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-12-26

prosperous age plant" a 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
nnese equivalent Of plum pudding. All debts
paid New clothes bought There toys
for the children and picture cards that bring good
fortune and are good to dream on when tied
curely to the wooden pillow.
p O, happy New Year! Day will hardly dawn be-
fore each town and village will be stirring There
IN 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 more the ira.
ditional costume. fantastic and peculiar. For him
the frock coat now of European manufacture. But
mother in her quaint kimono 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
colors they will throng the streets Gathering
along on their wooden clogs in pigeon toed but
Joyful haste, and shouting "Banzai!" 60 friends
and foreigners. In the streets clowns will per-
form strange antics, eXcaiming loudly mean
while:
HAIL hail. ye gods OF heaven and EARTH Sig
nihcant 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" I'm
masque Strange masqueraders will dart hither
and thither through streets and temple gardens
IL will be happy time for Japanese children
For three glad days every little girl will expect
20 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
nremen will give acrobatic exhibitions on their
ladders Every nook and corner a Japan will be
in gala dress and gala mood
s NJ far hph In
probation OF the significance OF the New Year.
There Christmas. so important on our calendar is
scarcely celebrated except by attendance at mid
night mass and by n festa supper. But the last
night of the year. the Vigil of St Silvestre" calls
for observance. and the first day of the year.
'le jour de an" "le jour detrene." is dedicated
20 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 how-
ers are acceptable gifts in France. but there is
only one real rule in the 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 as a mutual enemy. On the last
night OF the year In rural district groups OF men
and boys go disgulshed from house to house sing
ing curious songs, such as this:
Rise up good wife, and shak' yer feathers
Dinna think that are beggars;
We are barnies come to play
Rise up and give us hogmanay
When they have received the cakes end coins
tley expect they 20 on TO tie next place first
however having chalked the house. in token OF
rood luck. Next morning all the children get up
tarly and view with wide and interested eyes the