The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-01-09

prosperous age plant" miniature pine tree.
some bamboo. and some plum twigs, to win for
her horne by 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 are
paid. New clothes are bought There are toys
for children and picture cards that bring good
fortune and are good to dream when tied
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 more the ira
dtional 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 immemoria
The children will be decked out in gorgeous
coIors; 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 omehs are In the air. and the universe is
full cf lucky signs"
To accompaniment of flute and drum two
legged lions will give the lions Dance In
masque. Strange maSqueraders VIII dart htthef
and thither through streets and temple gardens
1t will be happy time for Japanese children
For three glad days every little girl will expect
to play her favorite game of shuttlecock and bat
tIedore. The boys will fly their brand 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 be
in gala dress and gala mood
Northern France is not far behind Japan in APP
probation OF the significance of the New Year
There Christmas. so important on calendar is
scarcely celebrated, except by attendance at mid
night mass and by festal supper But the last
night CT the year. the Vigil of ST Svestre" calls
for observance, and the first day OF the new year.
"le jour de lan." lie 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 bonnie etrene" good fortune
and NAL etrenne" misfortune. Candy and flow
ers are acceptable gifts in France but there is
only real rule In the mattcr--a New Years
gift must not be useful
In most Scotch households in France New
Years day takes the place OF Christmas an evi.
dence of ancient sympathy when both countries
regarded England as mutual enemy. On the last
night OF the year, in rural DISTRICT, groups of men
and boys go disguIshed 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.
Zee up ard give US hogmanay
~ey have received the cakes and coins
$tey go on 10 the next place. first
~%%~-" \chaiked the house. in token of
Norning all the children get up
vide and Interested eyes the