Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-04-07

In the afternoon great numbers of grown f0iKs
come to see the fun, enjoying 1t almost as mucl
as the youngsters do. BY the time the sun gels
well into the western sky most of the eggs
have been broken, and then II Is that colored per
sons with large grins and cavernous stomachs come
around suggesting willingness to devour all the
eggs the children will give them. This is great
sport from the childrens point Of view, and the
number of eggs consumed by some of the volun'
teers Is really astonishing.
Finally 1t Is all over. The wreck that Is left be
hind is doleful indeed. Everywhere the grass Is
strewn with litter of broken eggs, brown paper
and other debris, and little feet have made many a
hole in the turf II cost STA one year to repair
the damage done on this day of jollifcation
But Uncle Sam paid the bill without murmur-
the fun was worth the money.
In Jerusalem, Holy week, between Palm Sunday
and Easter, besides being the occasion OF solemn
service inside the churches, sees many associated
ceremonies that are as picturesque devout. The
Via Doorosa tSorrowful Way), (supposed to be
the road over which Christ bore the cross to Cal
vary). is thronged with pilgrims from all parts OF
the world, who follow the route on their knees.
In Rome, in a small building near the Lateran
palace. similar devotees climb, upon their knees
the whole length of flight of % steps-the Scala
Santa (sacred stairway, which once stood In
Pilates palace at Jerusalem, and was trodden by
the Man of Sorrows, whom PLATE delivered up to
death.
In New Mexico a religious fraternity known as
tbe BROTHERS Of Penitence for over century cee-
brated the week before Easter with selftortures
of the most sckening description. The members
of the organization are not monks, but men who
live the rest of the year like their neghbors, as
commonplace farmers, herdsmen and traders. Only
Mt this season they take II upon themselves to offer
heaven the grewsbme sight Of human creatures
whining themselves with rawhide thongs and
pressing cactus thorns into their own flesh Not
many years ago they even used to nail one chosen
out of their own number TO a tall wooden cross.
set IN In the wilderness. Efforts in the main, sue
cessful, have been made of late years, to stop the
observance.
In Russia the Easter salutatlon is picturesque
s,rvivol from apostolic customs. Friends and
neIghbors, or even strangers, who chance to meet
on the street. say: Christ is risenp" ale is
risen indeed" the other person responds. And
very often kiss is exchanged even by two men,
IN token of the days significance. The religious
observance Is elaborate. This, of course, was In
the old Russia. Nobody seems to know what OBJ
servance there is, under Soviet rule
Our Filipino cousins, after going to church Eas-
TOR morning. will think the afternoon wasted UNI
less they see good cock fight. In Spain ana
most Spanish-speaking countries bull fight Is
both popular and distinctly fashionable as enter
tainment for the afternoon of Easter day.
Greece has local celebrations that are full of dig
nifty and beauty. One of these is the famous Choir
al dance, which takes place each year at Megara,
q few miles from Athens. 1t Is performed out OF
doors. I'm the presence Of thousands OF spectators
nv country girls of marrageable age, all dressed
in special holiday costume of singular beauty
and elegance. The dance is sedate and stately to
the last degree, and is said to have close resem-
blance to the religious dance of Greek maidens
1000 and 5000 years ago. But, though the dane
ers are most demure In their manners, 1t Is an
open secret that their appearance now Is prac-
tically bid for offers Of marriage. One would not
suppose this could be necessary to encourage WOO
ers. but the fact is the modern Greek stands out
rather stiffly for good dowry with his bride, and
a girl whose face is her fortune has to advertise It,
n. 7falxx. ------~
$780,