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About Dakota County herald. (Dakota City, Neb.) 1891-1965 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 29, 1921)
u DAKOTA COUNTY HERALD jnpngsEScSHsarastisHrdsasE OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOC Started With a Smile Neu Ijear's Lore &H A m y! l5HS13ESESZ5ES2BSHFESaESa5E15E5I153252SESH5H (OOOOOOOOOOO - 71 m t ' i ,t k Sr 1 Y m ; - v 'nwSpe Copyrleht, 1921. Weatern Newspaper Union. lORMAN HARDY was born on New (Year's day, and deemed the fact a decided misfortune. There was one s feature In which his father 1 . tnnnlnllvnil ot'cfntn nml 7 this Involved discipline. "A I idtM strict disciplinarian.',' lie would boast to his neigh bors. "That's me," and he looked it nnd acted It out until Norman fancied he had been placed In the world simply to become the butt and victim of rigid rules. When Norman's tenth birthday was only eight hours distant, his father pave the order, sternly spoken: "You will be In the house for the night at seven o'clock," and Noriiiau moped In a mnrtyrllke way, envying his boy friends who" had mnpped out a joyous New Year's eve program of skating, hill sliding, and like boyish pranks. He wondered what was coming, but his father simply viewed him (specu latively and sent him to bed at Uie usual time. lie was awakened to llnd his father roughly pulling nt his arm. "Get up, Norman, and come down to the kitchen," said Joel Hardly; "you needn't dress." Norman arose, rubbed his eyes, and followed his father downstairs. There was a light on the table and besldo It the house clock. Norman noticed that it told the time as ten' min utes to twelve. All was still and solemn except Its monotonous tick, and outside an oc casional echo of sit out life, an nouncing Impa tient celebrants already prepared to herald In the new year. "My boy," spoke ills father after n moment of ominous deliberation, "when 1 was a lad of ten, my father taught me a lesson that has left Its Impress on my whole life In a salu tary way. Upon the tick of midnight just preceding my birthday ho always railed me down to the kitchen nnd cave me a good sound strapping. It hurt hlra more than it did me, lie used to say, but the reminder would be ever present with me. Until I was twenty-one, regularly, upon each birth day the strap played Its part and I think it did a good deal towards teaching mo that I had a master and in making mo a better man. I have concluded to adopt that feature with my1 system. You're a pretty good boy, lint for fear you might kick over the traces I'm going to bulk the system until you arc of age. Now, then, take your punishment like a man." Joel Hardy produced a short, thick piece of tanned cowhldo and Norman winced, but did not cry out during the unique castlgatlon. It was five yqars later, nnd with the usual routine late In the afternoon Joel Hardy re minded Norman of the pending mid night event. 'His eyes bulged and his face betrayed overwhelming amaze ment as Norman stood up before liltu, n tall, well-knit stripling, nlmost men acing in his bearing as he said : "Father, there will be no strapping M0a"MnaMiWMM' The New Year I Til the whirling and drifting of snows C o m o breathless the wild New Year; While bitter north wind blows, O'er the fields that lie stark and drear. Yet hope is alight in her ayes As she looks from the heart of tho storm, "Earth sleeps in her shroud," she cries, "But the life in her heart is warm. "Death is but a droam of the night And the hymn of joy is begun, For slowly seeking the light Tho great globe turns to the sun. "Behold, I will bring delight In place of darkness and cold; Safe under the meadows so white Is hiding the buttercup gold. "And summer's splendor shall reign In place of the winter's dearth, Her color and music again Shall gladden the patient earth." Hark to the New Year's Voice Through the murk of winter drear 1 Oh, children of men, rejoice! At tho tidings of hope and cheer. , ' Cella Thuxter. this time. I'm through with It. Half the town has heard of It, and tho boys taunt me and tho girls twit mo. Not that I care far any of them ex cept Milly Daniels, nnd she's true blue and stands by me, and I won't have her humbled and shamed. I'm going to spend this New Year's eve with the crowd, and I'll be home to breakfast." "If you don't report here by ten o'clock I'll feend the town marshal after you," pronounced his father, with lire In his eye. Norman marched out of the house, hung around downtown until eight o'clock, and then repaired to tlie agrecd-on rendezvous of the crowd, an old buggy shed attached to n great barn owned by Furmcr Logan. He felt uneasy, stubborn and nettled. Hc ccntly ho had been dared by rfls com panions to smoke a cigarette. He hud met the dare and now, with two of them In his pocket, he lit one, and, in sheer rebellion against his father's system, was about to pun: out his re sentment when the signal cry of his comrades echoed forth. Carelessly throwing the lighted cigarette Into a corner of the shed, be bounded out and for over an hour forgot all save the excitement of the moment. The unruly coterie rolled a ginnt snowball nnd let It slide down the hill leading to the town common ; they got up Into the town hall tower and rang Its bell. In the midst of setting loose a drove of cattle from a live stock enclosure they were attracted by tho dash and rush of the village Are cart, mating for a vivid, spreading glare. "Why, it's Fnnner Logan's plncol" shouted a chorus of excited voices, and Norman Hardy's heart stood still. Ho recalled the cigarette and the littered woodshed. Ho stood dumb and scared. Tho flames completely en gulfed the great frame barn. Norman slunk off alone by himself, oppressed with an appalling sense of guilt. His emotions wero doubly Intensified when he heard home one say ; . "Logan thinks It was set ntilazc. Arson. 1 pity tho firebug If he's caught. It's straight 1-J years in the penitentiary." "It will ruin Logan, they say," spoke fsriT.TEfll another. "The barn was stored with grain nnd machinery and the insur ance ran out last week." Norman wns crushed with a sense of his culpability. Ho felt like flying from homo, town and all the peo ple he had ever known. Ho skulked behind a hedge as a group of glrlij came along. They were discussing the fire so excitedly thnt they paid no attention to n lone member of their group trailing on behind them. Nor man noticed her, however. She was Milly Daniels. He startled her by stepping directly In her path. "Just linger for a moment, will you, Milly?" he spoke under high agita tion, "or I'll walk with you a bit. I'm in terrible trouble, and I'm going to leave town for good," and Norman re cited the entire story of the evening. "There's only one way out, don't you see it, Milly?" he said. "I don't dare to face Farmer Logan ; I'm going awny to make something of myself, nnd tho day I have got the money to make lt square with Mr. Logan I'm coming buck. And Milly, dear, you have been my truest friend and, have always stood by me. Will you try to think of me while I'm gone, will you will you wait for me? For I shall never love anybody but you." Five years went by. Not a word had been heard from tho truant son. Joel Hardy had forbidden even the mention of his name In tho home. Mrs. Hardy, half heartbroken, repined in silence. Milly Daniels became an orphan, and when Mrs. Hardy needed a nurse and then a companion, lt came about that she found n per manent home with the mother of the man she loved. She anil Mrs. Hardy, with the tyrant father, nil unaware of It, cherished a mut ual memory of tho absent youth and took comfort In watching and hoping for his 're turn. It was a fow minutes after midnight, live years to a day since Norman Hardy had gone forth Into the world to seek his fortune, Milly had pleaded to sit up and watch the old year out and tho new year In. All three of the family, though In different ways, wore thinking of the boy who hud run nway from home. Tho bells had Just finished n resonant chime 'when the knob of tho outsldo door turned. There stepped Into the room a bronzed, slulwart young man, at a sight of whom Joel Hardy gasped IncrediP lously, his wife uttered n Joyous scream, and Milly stood brcat.hlcssund llutterlng. "1 wnltcd till I was sure thetlnal hour of discipline and .the strap wns past and gone," spoke Norman Hardy. "Mother," a warm embrace. "Father," and a stiirdy hand reached out. "Milly," nnd tho young girl swayed to and fro and would have fallen nad not Normnn caught tier. "1 said 1 wouldn't come back, till i could pay for the damage 1 did to good old Farmer Logan," continued Norman. "I've kept my word. I hear you aro struggling with n two-thou-sand-dollar mortgage, father; 1 can pay lt off nnd loan you us much more if you need It. Milly. dear, am I wel come? I hnve come to keep my promise true." Joel Hardy left tho room, He re turned with tho strap that had been so famlllnr to his son. Tnklrig out his pockntknlfe, the old pinn proceeded to cut tho btrup to pieces nnd-llung them Into the blazing grate, "You've chented mo out of several years, my son," lip observed, "hut I forgive you. It's enough to know that you are back home safe nnd sound this blessed New Year's dayl' 5fjBV YEAR'S night quiet and cienr indicates u prosperous year. On New Year's eve whllo the clock is striking 12 re peat three times: "Good St. Anne, good St. Anne, send mo a mnn ns fast as you can," and you will be en piped within the year. Spend on New Year, spend all the year. The Chinese say thnt if n man sits up for ten years In succession nnd sees tho new yenr come In ho will Imvo a long life, It U unlucky to refuse n beggar any thing on New Year's day, or to refuse n request of any kind. It Is lucky to rise early on Now Year's morning. If (ho first carol singer whp tomes to th door on New Year's morning is brought In at tho front door, taken all t'.rough tho house, mid let out tit the back door, lt will bring luck to the house for a year. When the wind blows on Now Year's night, It Is a sign of pestilence. If jour first caller on New Year's lay la a male, you will have good luck and mnny friends; if a female, bad ltick and few friends. The Chinese think Now Yeafs day Is the luckiest of the year. If you wash clothes on Now Year's dny, You'll bo sure to wash a friend away. Turn your pillow at midnight of tho 81st of December nnd you will dream of the ono you nre to marry. It brings good luck to place a piece of money on the window on Now Year's eve. If the first man you speak to on New Year's morning has ids hands In his pockets, you will have a hard time get ting what money you want during the yenr. ' It is an old Dutch superstition that If you want to marry tho girl you love, your voice 'must be the first ono she hears and your face tho first she sees on New Year's morning. Superstitious folk consider It Impor tant to notice whom you meet the first thing on New Year's day. If lt Is n man, you will hnvo good luck, If n woman, bad luck ; If a priest, you will die within a year; If a policeman, you will have litigation. The first person of tho opposlto sex you meet on New Year's day will bear the Christian namo of your' future partner. If Ice melts on January 1 It will Ateeze on April 1. Feed the birds well on New Year's morning by placing a sheaf of wheat or. barley or some bread outside your house, Mien good luck will nttend. you, nnd good crops nnd prosperity como to ydu during the whole year. On New Year's eve take your hymn bpok to your bedroom, blow out tho Inmp, "open your book, nnd mark a hymn (In the dark), put It under your pillow, nnd sleep on It. Next mo.ning read .the hymn, and lt will indicate the events of the year. It Is unlucky to hnvo clothes hang ing on the Hue when the New Year is born. Cook cabbage on New Yenr's day rtnd you will have good luck all the year. Decorated apples stuck on three skewers aro exchanged for luck on New Year's day In Great Britain. Burn nil the visiting cards that have been received throughout the yenr on January 1. If you keep them from yenr to year you will have bad luck. If you have not provided 'yourself with a calendar before the Now Year comes in you will be behind hand In all your undertakings during tho year. In Japan oranges are hung up on New Yenr's day as a charm to insure tiio long life of the family. Tho Chinese believe It bad luck to pay all of outstanding accounts on (he last, of the year and begin fresh and straight on New Year's day. Just before midnight on New Year's eve tho Chinese put on new or clean garments, so as to enter tho new yenr purely, und thus gain good fortune to themselves. On New Year's night It wns an old Welsh custom with tho wise nnd cour ageous old men of the parish to sit up all night In tho church porch. On that night, It was said, u voice, eman ating from beneath the altar table, pronounced the names of those who should ille within the coming year. Your conduct on New Year's dny Is a forerunner of your couduct all tho year. NOT STINGY. "No, Genevieve, I ain't got stingy, but I made a resolution that all me pennies goes to the heathens this year!" Peanut Butter Taffy. 2 cupfuls molasses, 1 cupful peanut butter. Boll the molnsses nnd pennut. butter to tho crnek stage, nnd then pour Into pans, When partly cool pull like any tnfTy, Cut off Into two-lnc.li pieces with sharp scissors. Isswi (HN ACROSS the gardens of Life A strange, ilkmated pair; By paths where naught but By paths neglected where .Put hand in hand, through jo VK fcare gardens of Life virv;??5- i8feMwags" Icsask-- The one is old, and His eyes stare off, Across his breast his AOSOSSrttK ivt TmwmM The sands in his glass fall day bu day; Ouer his shoulder And he is old, ill AndxTKe is young, and bright, and fair;. The "golden curls about T-n Shine as a halo; his red lips dare The birds in song; he knows no care, i : Ui- i 1 1 uuy iu ma uean is never He Hues to love and he! is i Hoarcheaded Time was newer young. And Loue on earth can not grow old; yfZ k And yet, since first Since first his tender sotig he sung, Since first his love-tale he had tolcL And to a dart his Together, through ways of Though one is old and By paths where naught l?ut blossoms blow, By paths neglected where Together, a strange, Across the gardens of Life J. ... -a.j.-st... jL-fi-j---- m.. .m. .-.Aji..a. ityttttTTTTTtTTTtTWVTTt New Year's Ghost Party W"H"frM"f-M"M4 HERB Is a pleasant old su perstition thnt Jollity In u house during the first week of the New Yenr brings pleasure and happiness to that household during tho entire year. There nre mnny interest ing ways ODcntertnlnlng u New Year's party, but tho favorite of nil Is the musked dance or party, nnd the most Interesting way of having this sort of entcrtulnment is to glvo a ghost pnrty. The Invitations read in this manner: Our good old Father Time Has promised to convene Tho shades of many notables To meet you New Year's e'en. We'll look for ydu, you know, To help to make thliifc-s co. And Incldontnlty to meet Borne ghosts you're suro to know. There should bo 20 or more guests, and nfter tho invitations have gone out, tho hostess has a llttlo private chat with her guests oyer the tele phone. She requests them to come dressed to represent omo famous per son now dead, pantomime, words, ges tures nnd costume being used to enrry cut tho Impersonation. Dressed In n misty black robe cov ered with sturs cut from gold paper, the hostess will receive her guests in a room draped all In white. Sheots or cheesecloth can bo used for this. No word Is spoken until a ilttle red Imp distributes cards und pencils to the assembled guests. Then each In turn speaks somo word or does some stunt to suit his or her chnracter. The person guessing the greatest number correctly receives a pretty eppy of the book, "Ghosts I Have Met." Games, contests and dancing will follow, anil tho supper or refresh ment tablo will be filled with things tempting enough to attract even the most ghostly appetite. Tho tablo dec orations should correspond with tho festivities of tho season, .A, Now Year's pie mndo of crepo paper over a 'deep pan is filled with dainty llttlo favors for the guests or cards upon which somo funny rhymo Is written for each Individual guest. Part of tho entertainment for the evening may be tho telling of fortunes, informing each guest of their fate for tho com ing year. Whatovor you do, don't let nnyono shatter your fulth in Now Yenr's reso lutions. They aro tho best things over if you know how to hnndlo them, and It ho most discouraging, things If you don't. , Lr--,.., ',--' lid bloss gaunt sds they gbr ttE&'T- BBS grim, and gray, like one in dreams; white locks stray; his scutheblade gu lams, arld'-grim,. and grau. yi J& rM his head w i j . " a.e.cy Ja to that hand he clung -bow had strung.- joy, of woe, one is fair, gaunt weeds grow. ill-mated pair, T they go. - BmMc DtvurMl Uwd I UduuplU . MWWWWWWiVM i: :: I! Resolutions &VVWkWV kVWAWMW Let's us girls form llttlo clubs an boycott th mop top hair cut Let's brenk up th' practice o wearla cloth top shoes with broken arches. Let's all resolve t' spend our moncj; at home. Mothers, keep n closer surveillance, on your daughters In 1022. Abo Martlu, Iodine Stains. , Iodine stnlns will disappear over night If left In water to which bus been added eouimou dry mustard. . 1 ctw-y O ibbBHCw "" Q&f)