The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-12-08
ST. NICHOLAS
Day Is Observed In Holland
On Sunday

Holland exercises a more enchanting
spell over both old and young than the
Dutchman's Feast of st. Nicholas"
The jolly old patron saint of children
corresponds in Holland to our Father
Christmas though coming three weeks
carrier, on the birthday of the old
Spanish bishop, which falls on Dec. 6.
The feast of st. Nicholas has its
pathetic side this year, for, while the
children are to gather this evening to
sing the old songs and welcome the
coming of Santa, their elders are pray
ing that the efforts of the good Queen
Wilheimina to induce the warning ma
tions to accept peace may result in
the restoration of happiness through
out stricken Europe. The queen has
sent message by the American min
lister to President Wilson at Washing
ton, and the good people of Holland
are hoping that something can be
done.
The original custom was for the
children to place their little wooden
shoes upon the hearth on the eve of
st. Nicholas Day, the legend being
that on that night the holy man rode
over the housetops on a snow-white
steed accompanied by his little black
servant, Moorish negro.
"Sinta Klaas" was supposed to car
ry with him a large bag, full of toys
and sweets of all kinds for the good
children, and riding over the roofs he
threw the presents in passing down
the chimneys into the shoes below.
After him came the little black boy
carrying birch rod as a souvenir for
the very naughty ones.
In the early days, the eve of st.
Nicholas was given over to the chill
dren entirely, but by degrees the
grown-ups have come more and more
to share in 1t, until now In Holland it
is great gathering for big and little
ones alike. People send presents one
TO anothr, and good deal Of teasing
people about their pet weaknesses is
indulged in.
st. Nicholas Day Is for all Dutch
children day of tremendous excite
ment, OF alternate hopes and fears
tthe latter for the naughty boys with
a wholesome dread of the rod, and
al that dntt thnu taIl <,f, ~ In
else but "Sinta Klaas." AS rule din
Der is taken an hour earlier than us
nal and after the meal Is eaten a
cosy red cover is spread over the ta-
BILE, according to the old Dutch GUS
tom, and all sit around the table, the
biggest children being supplied with
scissors to cut the strings for the
parcels
The father then says Children,
| think st. Nicholas may be here at
any moment; let us sing him little
song that he may hear you are all
good children and are expecting him."
Whereupon, all lights are turned down
and in the fever of expectation the lit
tie ones chant some quaint old song
While these songs are being sung, one
hears a ring at the door bell and q
shufIling of feet on the threshold out
side announces that at last the great
moment has arrived and old Father
Nicholas and his little back boy are
here. Steps are heard along the pas
sage, and then In walks the good old
saint himself, venerable, white
bearded man. clad in long flowing
robe of red or purple and leaning
heavily upon his golden staff. His
mantle Is trimmed with golden en-
broideries, and he wears golden
mltre. Silence falls upon every one;
even the children are too overwhelm-
ed by the solemnity of the moment to
chatter.
AS he enters. he holds out hand,
first to mother and then to father and
clasps them both; then he asks them
II all the children have been good
throughout the year. and calls each
child by name to come and shake
hands with him. And II Is indeed
marvellous thing how st. Nicholas
seems to know all of their little faults
and failings, and very often II has a
Nerv good effect on the children when
he tells them how 1t grieves him when
they are naughty. The black boy con-
ceals his birch rod and opens the bag,
and the presents are handed round to
each and all, but not till st. Nicholas
has gone away are the lights turned
on and the presents examined.
Then the children are hurried off to
bed, tired and happy, after which the
elders gather for their own celebra-
tion.
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LoRlLLARD- HUNTER WEDDING