The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-19
ST. y0SEPH'S DAY.
How March 10 Used u BE Celebrated
In Klein Deutschland.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: NY
early associations were among the Ger
mans OF the East Side. tho then Klein
Deutschland" OF New York. The Ger
man revolutionary movement Of 1888
which caused many of the leading spirits
TO flee the Fatherland also gave an i'm
petus to emigration from all parts OF
Germany. Among other customs brought
to the new country was the celebration
of Namcnstag. nauie day. Memory at
taches special Significance to st. Joseph's
Day, March 10. Its annual recurrence
was an occasion for happy reunions. ]
recall n parttc ularly old and cherries
March ~ spent at tie home Of a couple
for whom. by a happy coincidence. the
day had "a double significance. The man
was a mechanician, employed by a
plano firm founded by n German Of
strong native traits. The wife. thanks
10 "a delightful social nature. was able
to draw about her many Of her child
hood friends on these occasions.
Our hostess received In the living
room. II contained the ubiquitous hair
cloth furniture OF the mid-Vtctorian Pc
riod carpet patterned with enormous
lunches OF red roses. also true to the
period family likcnesses mounted In rus
tie frames, and the usual accessories tn
d!cating nominees and modest comfort.
What ave the room It's individuality
and made an unforgettable impression
was the musical clocks. They had been
made by the host In his leisure hours
and showed a remarkable ingenuity.
There was a tall grandfathcr's clock
with massive WEIGHTS attached and en-
closed In a carved abine q clock In
the form Of a tower with diminut've
figures cuckoo clocks, clocks to indi-
cate weather changes, besides other
curious pieces OF wood turning.
The friends arrived as best suited
their convenience. The women came In
directly after school hours. having by
the hand the ~favorite child Of the family.
upon whom deyolved the duty of pre-
sent.ng the conventional bouquet OF
wired flowers bound With perforated
paper. The men arrived after the days
work. An air of "gemuthlichkeit' soon
pervaded the room. "reminiscences and
anecdotes were In order. Youthful ro-
mantle attachments were teasinely re-
called the beaded slippers and purses
worked for brothers and sweethearts
starting on their apprenticeship journeys
described the fun of summer walks
and winter sports lived over again.
ok songs. such as only Germany can
boast of. with their tender sentiments
of love and home and the Fatherland
were sung. The simple hearts would
overflow and voices begin to auaver.
whercupon ono more self-posscssed than
the rest would raise hts glass and a
"Iioch sollst du leben" restored gay
spirits. followed by the more boisterous
folk song. Mus ! dem. muss denn."
The event OF the evening was the
playing Of the clocks. The great weights
were lifted and the ch'mes set. The
miniature Romeo and Juliet pirouetted In
the glass enclosed tower: the cuckoo
called the hour, appearing and disap-
pear'nS 'nys:eriously. Later the haus-
frauen reminded their lords OF duties
awaiting them in their own households.
Hearty congratulations. with many an
"Auf wiedersehen." ended the fun.
81. Joseph's Day comes and goes. Its
celebration Is only a memory Nearly
all ~ that alien company have gon 10
the far country. The afr and words
of Mignon's song:
Kennst du das Land, NO die 2kronen
bluhen.
I'm dunkein Laube die o%o,dsrans.n g,Hhsn.
Kennst du es wohl?
pah!n. dah'n mOcht ich NIT dt- y,ehsn.
heard l.! childish ears 70 many years
ago. come back to-day and recall That
little syrlpathetiC group OF voluntary
.xiles singing ~ the Fttherland In the
spirit Of uipnon yearnlns FOR the land
OF her youth. Y.
NEW York, March 10.