Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-01-02

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 deities 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
paid. New clothes bought. There toys
for the children. and picture cards that bring good
fortune and good to dream when tied
curely to the wooden pillow.
o. happy New Ieari Day will hardly dawn be-
fore each town and village will be stirring There
is much to do in celebration. First there will
the ceremonial breakfast. when the health
of all the family must be drunk in that rice wine
called "Zoni." Then visits must be paid all
acquaintance Father will the ira
ditonal 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 immemoral.
The children win be decked out in gorgeous
colors; they will throng the streets Gathering
along 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. exclaimng loudly
while
Hail hail We 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 hithef
and thlther through streets and temple gardens
1t Will be happy time for Japanese children.
For three glad days every little girl will expect
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 b,
in gala dress and gala mood.
Northern France 10 not far behind Japan in ap-
preciation of the significance of the New Year.
There Christmas. important calendar is
scarcely celebrated. except by attendance at mid
night 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 new year.
lie Jour de lan' lie Jour d'etrene" is dedicated
to the renewal Of friendship and 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. Canoy and flow
acceptable gifts in France, but there is
only real rule in the matter-a New Years
gift must not be useful.
In Scotch households in France New
Years day takes the place of Christmas. an evil
dence of ancient sympathy when both countries
regarded England mutual enemy. On the last
night of the year. in rural district groups of men
and boys go dsguished from house house sing
ing curious songs. such this:
Rise up, good wife. and shak' yer feathers.
Dinna think that beggars;
We are 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