Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-04-05

Gays are CGleDTulGu. Ills up
plies especially to the Alaskan pen
insu.a and adjoining islands, where
many of the natives belong to the Rus
sian church with her Julian calendar.
1t is only since the coming of the
American public school and mission
that the american Christmas" has
been introduced in those parts. Ac-
cording to the Julian calendar, Christ
mas, Dec. %, falls on the day that is
Jan. z in the calendar elsewhere.
According to the Russian church in
Alaska, Christmas begins at 2 o'clock
In the morning, when the church bells
announce the birth of Christ, and
when the natives come out of their
huts they find a bright and beautiful
star of Bethlehem over the church
reckoning them. The church is a
small wooden building decorated with
pictures Of saints, lighted by candles,
without seats or heat. The two sexes
are ranged on the opposite sides of the
room, either standing or kneeling. On
this particular morning service is held
from 2 until 6 and is made up of sing
ing and reading. Although to white
people 1t would seem a very great
hardship to stand on the feet for four
hours on a cold winter morning, yet
the natives would consider it the worst
kind of punishment should they be
forced to stay away.
After the service the feasting and
rejoicing begin. In the evening there
takes place a very picturesque repre-
%sentation Of the wise men following
the star Of Bethlehem to where the
Christ Child IS. AS o as 1t is night
the young people separate into groups.
One of the group goes before, carry
Ing q large, beautifully trimmed star,
In which a candle burns. On entering
a house the party sings hymns and
carols, as It was done centuries ago.
These songs are either in the old
Russian or In the Aleutian language.
Many Of the voices have the softness
and sweetness SO peculiar to Indian
races, and this, combined with the
charming. old church music, produces
q very Agreeable effect. When they have
sung ana have been entertained the
wise men proceed to the next house.
This singing d kept up three nights
During the remaining nights OF the
Christmas week another Biblical scene
IL presented-Hdrod's men searching
for Jesus 10 kill him. Some one knocks
at the door. and when It Is opened g
small masked party enters very softly
and mutely and occupies itself in
searching, ana after somealittle time II
passes ont ~ silently as ~ came.
The new year - welcomed "a with
= grand masquerade ball, generally
given BY tho CHIEF Of the Village. The
dance hall - small room lighted by
dripping candles, Is just about high
enough for ono to stand up straight
ana the moor = FAR from SMOOTH A
squaw, Aleutian boy and half breed
furnish the music on an accordion,
harm0nicon ana guitar. Such airs As
The gqnaW Harbor Quadrille' can bs
playsd veil only ~ such an orchestra
~ Apeor Land.
1T lAnd 09 yours was mighty poor
when yon-boueht it,a friend of ours
renafkedto IT, wide awake owner Of
a69antiful hrm " passed the other
MISREPRESENTATION the owner delivered
h11ne9af Ce ! 111thfnl saying andswors
1taey0t ~ acceptatlon-or mighty near
Xc1te mistaken. q rs said.
4necke noeenyApc6f land when you
eA1estlo6G1 ltissa.true rule that
@shse11eMNN2tAaM1n than thexosi r
80