The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-12-31
Christmas Associations
S6NIITHY is it that chrysanthe-

RRN9S 9HY is it that chrysanthe-
WV NUNS always bring to-
mind roasted chestnuts?"
asked pretty Betty yesterday as lit
tie group of us sat about talking over
our various and sundry "Christmases,"
and likewise chatting as did the AN
cient Mariner" about everything from
'walruses' to kings
Maybe it's because I'm so fond of
both" she said as she told us about
the great heaps of flowers She re-
ceived from best beaux" and things
Christmas. "The scent Of the flowers
and the odor, of roasting chestnuts, as
you pazs the little vendors carts in the
street around about Thanksgiving time
somehow always reminds me of each
other. and are the same pleasure to me
as the scents of Araby are to the best
of strong perfumes to matinee girl
They all happen in the winter sug-
gested somebody In the little group,
who was more practical that's the
real association of Thanksgiving and
chrysanthemums and chestnuts."
Somehow, though, pretty little Bet
ty with her big brown eyes and her
pink cheeks had opened up by her
casual little remark a train of thought
which is rather interesting.
How really much, when you come to
think of it, are our ideas of seasons
made UP of doors and sounds:
"Dogwood spells spring, and Arbutus
flowers suggest the rain pattering
upon the new mown hay"
There is the early summer" perfume
of roses and strawberries, and, what
more fully and completely suggests the
"latter part Of the summer than the
delicious fumes from the kitchen when
pickles and preserves and jellies are
cooking?
Chrysanthemums and roasting chest
nuts and the wood fires of the winter
mix deliciousIy with the fumes of
pies and fruit cakes.
And as for sounds, what would
Christmas be without the blowing of
horns, even if it's only the little penny
horns (oI&y they are 10 cents now),
which the babies blow early in the
morning on Christmas Day.
II remember reading astory" Betty
picked up the conversation again aft
err our few minutes of silence. ut was
called "A Certain Rich Man The
heroine is forced to marry the wrong
man, and, of course, the poor little
thing regrets it her whole life long
1t was June and the lilacs Were in
bloom, when he told her that he loved
her. Ever after in her mind, even in
her dreams. when her lover appears
there are lilacs all around him, and
the air is heavy with their perfume.
He dies in that very garden-in lilac
time"
Such instances are true in real life
as well.
l recall lover who, ere now, has
doubtless forgotten what he said to the
girl of his heart the first time he met
her; but still locked away in his heart
is the memory that she wore violets.
Always when he sees violets or
smells their perfume he declares the
scene of that first meeting comes up
! in every detail her sweet, shy smile;
the way her hair curled about her ears,
and the sauey manner in which she
held her pretty little chin.
In 1.-THE Bells that wonderful play
that the late Sir Henry Irving made
famous, the sound of church bells ring
ing as they rang the night old Matthias
murdered the Jew, is as torture to his
soul, They reenact in his throbbing
| brain every horrid feature of that ter
rible night so many, many years gone,
Talking about odors and the way
they remind you of other things" Betty
babbled on again, when l smell cat
sup cooking it makes me want to go
back to school"
$50 do l." responded, taking long
breath as they advise you to do in the
gymnasium classes. 1T reminds me of
little new bingham frocks, and love
of little hat, with plaid ribbon
around it. and new shoes with patent
leather tips"
MY recollections of peach preserves
are not of the pleasantest kind" Betty
have been visiting Mrs. Smiths father,
Mr. IoaIJ1uip will lava Friday for