Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 1914)
THE SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE. NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA. Mil feirs limeKomc lost in Modem GtiP QwxJya tSai' Ml grandfathers did not glvo up $50 each for tlio privilege of spending Now Yenr's eve In crowded restaur- nnts. Neither did they, nt the stroke of twelve, put on caps of colored paper, ring cow bells, und throw con fetti at strungers Vet wo, who rldl- culo their traditions and superstitions, can find, it seems, no more satisfac tory wny in which to speed the old year and welcome the new. 4 Perhaps wo might profitably follow their example. Certainly their way of waiting for (hn now year at homo, or at the homo of their frlonds, with games and songs and domestic cheer, was less expensive than our way. Also It Is a inattor for regret that the pleasant customs of fcmying New Year's calls mid of giving Now Year's iirenouts has disappeared. All tho litual of the day s gono; oven tho newsboy brings only a prosaic calendar nowadays, Instead of tho elaborate poetic address which In years gono by set forth his Halms on the world's generosity. And Now Year's losolqtlons oxlst chlolly in tho imagination of hu knoroiitt writers. Now, It is true that the apparently harmless (customs of paying calls and giving presents on New Year's dny were not regarded with favor by nil critics of morals nnd rimnneis. Early In tho nlghtocnth century Henry Hourne, M. A., "curato of Hie parochial chapel of All Saints', In Newcastle upon Tyno," wrote "AntlquituteB vulgarcs, or tho antiquities of tho common people, giving an liccount of tholr opinions nnd ceremonies, with Iiroper reflections upon each of them: showing which may bo retained and which ought to bo iald nsldo." And ho folt that ho must bo very careful Indood with his discussion of Now Year's culls and gifts. He approved of them, in modera tion; but he wanted to be on tho safo side. l! "As the vulgar aro always very careful to end Hie old yenr well," ho wrote, (pointing his satire liy means of Italics,) "so they aro also careful of 'noglnnlng well tho now one. As thoy ond the former with a hearty compotatlon, bo thoy be ;ln tho lattor with tho sending of presents, which aro termed Now Year'B gifts to tholr friends and acquaintances; tho orlglnnl of both which cus toms Is superstitious mid sinful; and was observed that tho succeeding year might bo prosperous and successful." lie calls many writers to witness tho antiquity of these customs, quotlug.from Bishop StUllngllcct, (Mains Wormlus, Schoffor, "Snorro Sturleson," and "tho poet Naogeorgus." Then ho writes: "And no doubt, those Christians wore highly worthy of censure, who Imagined, as tho heathens did, that the sending of a presont then was In any wny lucky, and nn omen of tho success of tho following year. For this was tho very thing that mado sov oral holy men, mid some general councils, tako iiotlco of, and forbid nny such custom; becauso tho observance of It, out of any such design and view, was suporstltlous and sinful, wo mo told, In a place of St. Austin, tho observation of tho calends of January Is forbid, tho songs which woro wont to ho Bung on that dny, the foastlngs, nnd the presents which woro thon sent as a token and omen of a good year. Hut to send a present nt that time, out of oBteom, or grntltude, or charity, lu tin trf i nrn f rtrtt I 1 . ... .. ...,. .. ...... m "On tho contrary, It Is praiseworthy. For tho n ancient tamers uiu venomenuy uivuigii ukuiuhl iuu K, observations of tho calends of January; yot It wins not becuuso of thoso presents and tokens of mutual affection and love that passed; but becauso tho day Itself waB dedicated to Idols, and becauso f some prophano rites and coiemonles thoy ob served in solemnizing It. "If thon I send n Now Year'B gift to my friend, H shall be n token of my friendship; It to my bone factor, a token of my gratltudo; If to tho poor (which nt this tlmo must never bo forgot) It shall 1)0 to make their hearts slug for Joy, mid glvo Iiralso and ndorntlou to tho giver of all good gifts." At nny rate, wo still say "Happy New Year!" whether or not tho words have any special sig nificance to ire. In tho time of tho learned Hourno thuro were those who reguidod this phraso with deep suspicion. Ho writes: "Another old custom at this tlmo Ib tho wishing of a good Now Year, olthcr whon a Now Year's gift Ib presented, or m whnn friends moot. Now. tho original of this custom Is heathenish, as appears bj the feasting and presents beforo mentioned, which woio a wish for a good year, nnd It was customary among tho henthoiiB on the cnlonds of January, to go about and sing n Now Year's song llosplnlan. thoro. $ fore, tolls that when night comes on, not oniy inn young, but also tho old of botli soxes. iuu nnoui liero and thoro, and sing a song at tho doors of tho wealthier peoplo, In which they wish them n liappy Now Year This he speaks Indeed of tho hristluns, but ho calls it an exact copy of tho Iieathen'B custom. "Hut, however, I cannot see tho harm of retain ing this nnclont ceremony, so it bo not used super Hlltlously, nor attended with obsconity and lewd ness For thon, thero will bo no moro hnrm than wishing n good each othors welfmo and prosper ity; no moro harm, than wishing a good day, or good night; than In bidding ouo godspeed." In Philadelphia thoro bus been preserved up to recent years tho custom of Now Year's "mum ming." Hoys and girls mon and women also, to HOin extent dressed in fantastic clothes and with their fnccB pnlntcd or musked. could bo soon In (he streets, up to recently, begging and playing pi.ieticnl Jokes. Thoy did Blmllar things In eight-i-iiiMi century London, by no means to tho approv ti rf the cuiaio of tho parochial chupel of All p, in Nowciisilo-on-Tyno. Ho wiitcs "Thero I III I IIBW' v' ''"' : M AffiNP '; ' 'V-$ is another custom observed at this tlmo. which is cnlled among us mumming; which is a changing of clothes between men and women; who when dressed In each others' habits go from ono neigh bor's houso to another, and mako merry with them In disguise, by dancing and singing, and such like merriments It wore to be wished this custom which Is still so common nmong us at this season of tho year wero laid aside; as It Is directly opposite to the word of Clod." It is possible that "mumming" Is related In some wny to tho performance which marked "Hog manay" In England and Scotland. "Hogmanay" was the last day of the year. Somo scholars think tho word comes from the Greek "agla mono," ("holy month"); others from tho Saxon "hallg monnth," which has tho same meaning; still others from tho French phrase "Au gui monez" ("to tho mistletoe go!") which mummors anciently cried In Franco nt Christmas, or from "Au gueux mencz," ("nrlng to tho beggars!"). Whatever tho origin of tho word may bo, Hogmanay was tho tlmo for much amateur begging. Tho children went from house to house, singing such songs ns: "Hogmnnny, tfollolay, Olvo as of your white bread. But nono of your grey, Hogmonn, Hogmcnn, Olvo. us cako and chocee, and let us go nway." As thoy sang they collected what they called their "farls" oaten enko and cheese. From this developed tho "letting In" of tho now year. Par ties of men and boys went through tho town. Thoy stopped at tho front door of overy houso and sang until thoy wore admitted. Thon they received a small gift of moiioy, went through tho houso und left by tho back door. That n man should bo tho llrst visitor of tho year was a general belief In tho British Isles for centuries, nor Is It yet ex tinct. In Scotland tho ceremony of "first-footing" has nlmost entirely died out, but lu somo of tho re moter pnrts of that country It Is pleasantly re membored. At tho approach of 12 on Now Year's ovo n "hot pint" was prepared. Tills was n kettle of waim spiced or sweetened ale. with a liberal Infusion of spirits. When tho clock stiuck, overy member of the family drank to tho now yenr. Then tho elders of the family went out Into the strcot, carrying tho kottlo of spiced ale and a supply of buns, cakes, bread, nnd cheese. When thoy met a party of friends similarly engaged, thoy stopped to exchange greetings and sips of alo. They went to tho houses of their neighbors, sent tho kettle from ft lend to frlond, and spent tho hours boforo dawn lu socinblllty and good cheer. If they woro the llrst to enter a house after twelve o'clock thoy were tho "llrst-foot" and re ceived especial favor. In England, the llrst-footlng pintles weio mado up generally of the poor boya of tho village, who carried a "wassail-howi" decorated with ribbons, and received In return for their pi offered drinks mid good wishes, cakes and cups of ale. Hut In Scotland ns recently as 100 years ago first-footing was n democratic social Institution, in which fow wore too proud to share. Tho piinclpnl strcots of Edinburgh, It 1b said, wero moro crowded bo tween twelve and ono on New Year's day morning than nt noon on business days A slinplo cei oniony, not jot obsolete, consisted in unban lug tho front doot as the clock Btruck twelve, to let tho old jonr out and tho now year In. lu tho Island of Guernsoy tho chlldron paraded the streets carrying the elllgy of a man, emble matic of tho dying year. This thoy burled at midnight on tho senbhoro, with elaboiato ritual At Buighheud In Morayshire, thoy kept Now Year's ee by "Hurtling tho cluvlo." Thoy mndo hugo idles of hen lug barrels, and set llro to thorn with peat. Tho burning embers thoy carried homo to their houses hb a protection against whatover evils tho year might bring. On Now Year's day tho Scotch of bygono gen-, orations bolleved no llro should go out of tho houso. If It woro given, mlsfortuno might bo pre sented by throwing burning poat into n tub of water. Thoro is something suggestive of tho IluBslun Easto- lu ono "llrst-footlng" custom onto popular in Scotland and England. The first visitor to a house on Now Year's morning had tho piivilego of kissing tho pei son that opened the door. Perhaps there is a reminiscence of ancient Arc worship In the Shropshire custom of stirring tho fire on Now Year's morning before uttering a word. Although there are few houses where New Year's day is observed with its oldtlmo hospital ity, the day is not wholly divorced from tho thought of good things to eat. The ridiculous Now Year's eve dinners In tho Hroadway restaurants hnvo no special significance, but there arc ceituin dishes Inseparably associated with the day One of these Is roast goose, which is perhaps moro liked in England than America. Hut oven moro characteristic are those admirable little cakes which come from Germany, and which are Imported In tin boxes. German cooks have made them for centuries, have lavished their time and energy on new designs and new flavors, and the result is a cako so excellent that it must always be tho special delight of the New Year feast. This point of ritual, surely, must bo left us So excellent Is the German New Year's cake that It cannot bo used for a charm, like tho New Year's evo cako of Ireland. For this was thrown against tho wall and broken Into pieces. Tho first fragment to touch the ground was eagerly sought, for he who ate It was sure of a year's happiness Thero was much pleasure In tho baking of the cake. It was placed on a gridiron before the open fire, and Incantations were sung to secure tho sue cess of the charm. CO-OPERATIVE PLAN OF BUYING STALLION THE CALL OF THE NEW YEAR A Christian man sat In the Master's piesence thinking of tho coming of tho now year. It was a good but solemn thing to do. Tho man's thoughts in that presence ran thus: "Seeing him 1 am sure that ovory year Is 'tho ,year of our Lord.' It ought to be 'begun, continued and ended In him.' He will be with mo nil the days. My days must bo In his hands." The Christian man continued his meditation always in his pres ence, "What sort of man ought I to be, this year and all years?" Tho answer came out of an old word which had now nienning, in his presence: "Complete in him." Again ho asked: "What kind of work ought I to do this year nnd all years?" The centuries fudo away and he seems to hear again: "Whatsoever ho saith unto you do It" He asked again -"Where shall I go to be his man nnd do his work?" Once more old words leap Into now times- "To your household, to your neighbor, and to all tho woild." "How can 1 do all this?" "The entranco of his word glveth light," therefore gHo joursolf to Hiblo study: "not by might nor by power but by my Spirit, salth tho Lord of hosts," the'reforo glvo otiiself to prayer; "J can do all things through Christ," thereforo gio your self to work; "In all things ho shall havo tho pro eminence" therefore give yourself to him. And tho man nroso from tho meditation to make the now year and all years, years of tho Lord And tho Master uroso nnd went with tho man. -.Mlshop McUow ell THE NEW YEAR. Julln Ward Howo was no believer In Now Year's resolutions. "Wo should mnko and keep good resolutions all tho your round," tho celebrated author once said in Boston. "I nm no great bo llevor in Now Year's vows, for, although they are splendid things, thoy really don't amount to mucr. moro than Oliver Wendell Holmes' tobacco ieso lutlon. "Mr. Holmes, with affected guuity, sutd to a friend on tho first day of tho your: i really nuibt not sinoUo so persistently; I must turn over a now loaf a tobacco leaf and h.ivo a cigar only after each' horo ho paused as If to say 'meal,' but ho continued 'after each cigar.'" An Arabian Horse. Until we begin to pay moro atten tion to the kind of stallions to which wo are breeding our mares we will not greatly improve the stock of horses we are growing on our farms. There are hcores of good horses in this and In other communities, but for some mysterious reason there aro scores of men who will pass these good animals by every spring and lead their mares to somo underbred animal whose get cannot begin to compare with that of the real stallions Of course It is not' so very myste rious after nil. The fee is tho thing that stmul3 in the way, says an Indi ana writer In Farm Progress. It'n funny that some men will pay a few dollars less and be fairly contented with a cat-hammed, sclssor-hocked colt that will never be in demand by any body for anything, when they might have added a few dollars to the stal lion fee and had a colt that would bo far moro salable and worth a good deal more money. It takes as much feed and pasture and fully as much care to make a second-rate animal out of one of theso mongrel-bred colts as it does to mako a real horso out of a colt that has some breeding on the sire's side. Stal lion registration laws such as havo been passed, but not enforced by many states, would help in wiping out much of this shiftless evil that is really costing many a country com munity a considerable amount of money every jear. As long, however, as there 13 a de mand for the cheap and underbred stallion's services, nndno law to drive him out of the country, he will linger in most communities. It seems to me that a mare that is worth breeding at all is worth breed- TUBERCULOUS HOGS ARE JNOT WANTED Many Dairy Districts Known to Harbor Diseased Cows Being Discriminated Against. It Is a well established fact that hogs contract tuberculosis very readily from tuberculous cattle, being fed the diseased milk, or following stock cat tle. There has been a too-general objec tion to any method employed to rid tho country of diseased cattlo. The tuberculin test has been declared a worthless test, the state laws havo been drastically opposed as tyrannical. Farmers havo declared it was nobody' business If thoy wanted to keep tuber culous cattlo. It Is somebody's busi ness, and nobody's more than the farmers themselves. Tho consumer i milk and meat wants to be satisfied that he is getting wholesome foods, nnd every honest farmer is anxious to know that he is producing wholesome foods. Hut aside from this the farmer iv.intR In know that he and his nelch- bors aro producing wholesome foods becauso of tho llnnncinl reaction that is bound to come soon if tho disease Is not stopped. Just as sure as nnythlng there is p tlmo coming when the fnrmers will sell tholr cattlo and hogs subject to Inspec tion or not at all if thoy do not mako overy effort to get rid of tuberculosis. Many dirty districts now known to harbor tuberculous cows mo being dis criminated against in the hog markets. Their hogs are not wanted at any price. Tho dairymen in such localities could do not better than make a great effort to remove every cause for tho discrim ination What is true of hogs will bo true of' cattlo somo dny. Cattle aro inspected at tho btockyards but the day will come whon there will bo no buyers soliciting in certain localities where tho farmers feel that it is "no body's buslnoss ' whether they hnvo diseased stock or not lng to a horse that is of somo value und whoso colts havo the points that will make for future valuo In them What Is the sense In wasting good feed and barn room, to say nothing of pasture for two or threo years, on a second or third-rato colt, when you might havo ono that had all the mak ings of a good horse about him from tho beginning? Tho difference in the amount that must bo paid for the two classes ot stallion service amounts to but little in view of the fact that the colt of tho really good stallion may be worth twico as much to his owner as that of tho underbred horse. It is ono of thoso curious things that help to keep soino men from ever getting as much out of their farming and stock raising as they should have. Of course tho cooperatlvo plan of a fow farmeis in a neighborhood buy ing a good stallion is au excellent one If the horse is bought of an absolutely reliable dealer and is the right kind of an animal. This plan Is being fol lowed in a good many neighborhoods and Is working out fairly well. Co operation will not come, of course, un til the people havo awakened to the fact that the only kind of horses that are worth the trouble and cost of rais ing are those .that are properly bred. The man who hopes to mako a little money out of tho colts he Is going to raise ought to travel a long way to reach a high-priced stallion rather than to accept free the services of a poor horso kopt on a neighboring farm. It will pay to rldo two days, one going and another coming back, to reach the right kind of a horse. The other kind Is the animal that is re sponsible for so many scrub horses at tho present time. SUDDEN CHANGE OF FEED IS DANGEROUS Dietetic Disturbances Cause Gen eral Disorder and Several Dead Sheep Are Found. Loss of a few lambs in tho feed lots is to be expected. Out this loss in somo instances is far greater than it should be. When rnngo lambs are placed on a fattening ration the change of feed is so sudden that dietetic disturbances cause a general disorder and several dead sheep are found in the pens each morning. This invariably leads to tho suspicion that they aro dying of somo inlectious disease. In some cases the ration Is not well balanced to securo the best gains and tho conditions of care and handling might be better, but theso things will account for only a very small loss. Tho ehango from grass to alfalfa, corn, barloy, molasses aud straw en silage, etc , must be made gradually and heroin lies the secret of the heavy losses of Iambs in tho feed lots In tho early fall Tho desire to get tho lambs on a fattening ration an early as possible and failing to appre ciate the danger of too heavy feeding and change of ration, has helped to mako Iamb feeding an unprofitable business in some instances. A sudden change of feed or over feeding, should bo guarded against with all domestic animals. Hut it Ib especially impoitant with tho horso and sheep. A CASUAL OBSItrtVATION. "We aro living in nn ago of exceptional cul ture" said tho woman with angular feature. ".Mebbe we nro," said Fnrmor Corntossel "Hut I can't help notlcln' that people walk right up to tho news stand to buy homo prettv Huffy stuff. while it takes a inlght pood book agent to work off a set of Shakespeare " Winter Protection. Touder varieties of bluckborrles, grapes, etc., may bo bent down along the row and covered with an earth blanket tor whiter protection in so vero climatos. If a llttlo soil is re moved from ono side of tho roots canes will bend down easier; If nec essary tho can be held In phico with wooden pegs Hardwood Ashes. Ashes from hardwoods (deciduous trees) uro rirlier In both phosphorus and potash than those from pines and other softwoods (conifers). Ashes from oak, elm, mnplo and hickory have moro potnsh than thoso from pine. Tho ashes of twigs (faggots for ex ample) nro worth moro for agricultu ral purposes than tho ashes of heart wood taken from tho middlo of an old tree. In gonerul, tho smaller and youngor the wood burned, tho bottor ashes. The ashes of coal do not con tain enough potash to muko thorn valu able in this connection Silage for Horses. Silage which is not moldy or spoiled in any way lb splendid horso feed in amounts of from ten to llfteen pounds per head dallj
