Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-12-13


Another method of learning of the appearance of
u lover (ths time his features) would be to pour
melted lead into bowl of water, and, from the
shape which the CONCEALED metal took when it
cooled, imagine some one who appeared like that.
Christmas in Russia Is very bustlng
time. (Remember, this means prewar and pre-
revolution times in Russia.) The peasants pre-
pare to- and eventually do, form into q procession
and march through the village. They to
pass the houses of the nobility, the mayor and
other officials, stopping at each sing carols
and receive, In return copper. This habit OF
begging is called 'Kolenda." masquerade fol-
lows the procession, and the evening
star arises the supper is spread.
Paris INDUCES in great fete the night before
Christmas. 1t finds everyone eating sumptu-
Gus dinner. and the restaurants taxed to their
greatest capacity, for Christmas eve, If at
no other time of the year he has a full meal the
Frenchman has it then. At the Founding hos
ptal in Lyons practice is maintained which Gin
the light of recent statements about the decreas-
ing birth rate in France) is somewhat humorous
A royal welcome is prepared for the first infant
received that day. This special honor, however
has very beautiful meaning-it being intended
to contrast the humble story of our Savior with
that of this founding.
In sunny Italy sumptuous banquet is pre-
pared, consisting mainly of fish cooked in many
different ways Fish is eaten for week previous
to Christmas and its feast day. Che churches
are largely attended and the italian is careful to
see that his children go also. The children have
their part of the rejoicing In what is called the
urn of fate" In receptacle, preferably an
urn, placed written fortunes, and the chill
dren and their friends, in the order their ages,
draw lots. Great merriment is occasioned by
some of the ludierous results. This is to them
what the Christmas tree is to the American child.
Peru presents scene of varied activity at this
time of the year; people are bustling to and fro
and having a jolly good time; suddenly the
church bell rings, calling them to the midnight
mass The interest of the next morning, Christ
mas day, is usually centered about a bull fight,
the most popular of the year and in
which it is said the take more interest
@I,s-
From Germany get the Christmas tree; San
ia Claus from Holland; from Belgium and France
the Christmas stocking. and MERRY Christmas"
from England.
And Merry Christmas it was, with its ruddy
glow from the kindling Yule logs and the CLEAN
from the pearly berries of the mistletoe. There
early records of the miStletoe having been
used decoration, and it held in great
reverence by the Celtic nations
The bringing in of the Yule log had origin in a
really interesting manner. days when
England young it the custom of the serfs
to bring fuel with them to the baronial hall. The
dinner which they received there to last as
long the wood burned. This called bring
ing wet wheel" The wet wheel was usually a
green branch or limb of a tree. and it is obvious
how, since their dinner depended upon the size
OF the stick furnished, the stick eventually be-
came larger and larger until it assumed the pro-
portions of log. The term "Yule" which is pre-
fixed to it simply signifies that it is log of the
''Yule' season.
In the old days the feast of ST. Martin, Novem-
Der 1. opened the Christmas season From that
time mummery and merriment were king.
Elizabethan England, and England of q
later period, is rich in traditions and supersti-
tiouS beliefs.
Anyone turning a mattress Christmas day
would die within the year; but the baking of
bread was commended, and 1oaves baked that
day would never grow moldy.
Yule cakes were supposed to have miraculous
power, and on them representations Of Jesus were
sometimes pressed.
In some places In Oxfordshfre every maid serv-
ant had the privilege and frequently exercised it.
of asking man for ivy to decorate the house. II
the man assented, well and good; but If he re-
fused, the maid stole pair of his breeches. The
next day they could be nailed to the gate on
the highway.
The first maid to pass under this evergreen on
Christmas day to be married within the
year, and equally of being kissed-for that
was the penalty to be paid by any maid who
passed under it. After each ofense a berry was
plucked, while the privilege was supposed cease
with the last berry.
For anyone but darkskinned person cross
the threshold first Christmas day consid-
cred unlucky In parts of Scotland, the reason for
this being that Judas had red hair. No would
think of giving light or matches at this time
In certain counties. and the bees supposed
to this sprig of holly had been placed on the
hive. Mortals who die that night are certain
of immediate and perennial happiness.
But enough of these children of the imagination.
citizens of the past Do not hear just outside
cur chamber door. youthful choir singing a
carol, did Washington Irving on that Christ
mas morning when he at Bracebridge hall
And through the night. were there not voices eth