Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-12-31

"WassailI Wassaill all over the town;
Our toast it is white, our ale it is
brown;
Our bowl it is made Of a moplin tree,
We be good fellows all; | drink to
thee"
VTVHIS is an old, old-time wassailer s
song, which is still sung ON New
= Years eve in Glmeestershire, the
singers bringing with them great
bowl, dressed with garlands and rib.
bons Gathering beneath the windows
Of the various houses in each neighbor.
hood, the inmates are supposed to be
40 delighted with the music that two
pence, or "pye" is contributed at
every place.
There are many customs and super.
stitions in various countries concerning
this date, but probably none moro beau
tiful than that practiced by the early
Anglo-Saxons. The word wassail is de.
rived from the Anglo-Saxon "waes
haei," which means ''be in health. -
The composition Of the contents was
ale, nutmeg, sugar, toast and roasted
crabs or apples, and "full many a cen.
tury it shone forth to grace, the festive
spirit Of tn Andarton race"
This pretty custom has, like many
Others, been practically forgotten, but
there are many ways and means in
vogue today to usher in each new year,
which are, to those participating in
them, equally delightful.
Many Salem homes will tonight, in
accordance with a more recent custom.
hold ''open house, when friends may
call without any special invitation, pass
q few moments in voicing well wishes
Tor the incoming year, with some re-.
manning to watch the new year in.
Members Of the Union Young Peo.
ple's societies OF the various churches
Will gather at nine o'clock in an an.
nnal watch party, at the First Pres.
byterian church, and groups of congen
lal friends will congregate at private
residences for the same purpose
All resident students and those from
oat Of town who are remaining in the
cay during the holidays, will usher in
the glad New Year tonight with an
out door party which will be held on
tho south Salem Hill. They will
gather around a huge bonfire, toast
marshmallows, apples, and other good
things and join in general merry
making.
The regular Saturday story hour at
the Public Library will be in the
nature Of Doll party tomorrow. All
the children Of the city who have new
dolls pretty dolls, curious dolls and
dolls with histories, are asked to come
and bring their doll families, at half
past nine o'clock. II is to be essen.
tally the dolls hour, and it is hoped
Sst all who have any Of the above,
viii be there with them and that there
viii be generous representation Of
Foreign as well as American dolls.
Mrs. Adna Smith.Flo, Mrs. Jean
Miller RAIN, and Miss Blanch Hammel,
all Of Albany. who appeared on the
program for the large musical given
yesterday afternoon in Masonic Hall,
were entertained during their stay, by
Mrs. George j. Pearce. Mrs Pearce
has also had with her Mrs. A. s. Brass
field Of Portland, Mrs. T.. II. Hopkins,
Of Albany both coming up with their
husbands, and the formers two sons,
Clifford and Robert, for Christmas and
remaining over for yesterdays event.
Mrs. H. @. Miller Of Walla Walla,
formerly Of Salem, has been enter.
tanned at the William III. Sleusloff
residence.
Miss Queen Linn of Portland, an in.
Btruetor at the Vernon school, is al
guest Of Mr.. aud Mrs. zodoc J. Riggs.
Yesterday afternoon, in the parlors
or Leslie Methodist church, the little
folk Of the primary departments were
entertained at merry holiday party.
Mrs Mary Bishop, superintendent Of
this department, had charge Of the af.
fair, and she was assisted by the var
i0us teachers Mrs. Ilazclton, Mrs Rose
Kightlinger, Miss Helen Moore Miss
Higgins and Miss Grace Sherwood Mrs,
Helen lngrey is secretary. There was
= largo attendance, and general good
time was enjoyed, games and informal
entertainment filling the hours,
The members OF the Epw0rth league |
OF this church will mold their regular
business meeting AZ the church tomor-
row evening beginning at eight o clock,
The special music rendered 1T the
Christmas day services Of st. Joeoph =
church win be repeated tomorrow at the
1880 mass, Miss johanna Domopalla 10
repeat the "'Adeste HdclesN with the
full choir assisting in the caorus
Marcos second mass win be given.
The marriage Of Miss Grace Stewart
TO William II. Barber was solemnigcd
yesterday NJ high noon at the homo Of
the brides parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.. l.,
Stewart, corner OF oxford and Nine,
ieenth streets. Only relatives Of the
two familiee we're present,
The bride wore pretty gown OF
wbito messaliuc, with lace Celebrations,
and she carried an arm bouquet Of
whitc carnations and fern. There were
no attendants. The service was read
by Rev. Mr.. Tatmpn, OF the United
Brethren church.
After the ceremony the young people !
left for Stayton, near which place they |
will take up their residence.
Miss Mary Fischer student at tho