The Raymer enterprise., 1913-12-25


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 deites that guard the future.
The city streets resound with the mallet blows
OF the dough Founders making 'mochl" 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 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 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 kimono and elaborate head.
dress, will look just as she has looked on New
Years day since time lmmemorial
The children will be decked out In gorgeous
coors; 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. exclaiming 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" In
masque. Strange masqueraders will dart hithe,
and thither through streets and temple gardens
II will be a happy time for Japanese children
For three glad days every little girl will expect
to play her fayorite game OF shuttecock 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
firemen win 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 an.
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 festa supper But the last
night OF the year, the vigil OF St Silyestre calls
for observance, and the first day of the new year,
'le Jour de l'an, "le Jour detrene" Is 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 ctrcne" means good fortune
and NAL etrenne' misfortune Candy and flow.
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 20 disgulshed from house to house sing.
Ing curious songs 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 on 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