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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 24, 1914)
fi4,aMvMr RED CLOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF - p .- jft,mtim W1.WP . & a i a ,1V r ! J M I w line I ffl0f' !?.! J niSe A ffl & W . . liiPfeirs Old IimclTOinci Lost in Modem floisc Til frrnfirlfntlinra rllrl nrtf trlvn tin SFifl 01 each for the prlvilcgo of upending I Now Year's evo In crowded restaur ants. Neither did thoy, at tho Btroko I of twelve, put on caps of colored I paper, ring cow bells, and throw con Ifettl at strangers. Yet wo, who ridl- culo their traditions and superstitions, can find, it seems, no moro satisfac tory way In which to speed the old year and welcome tho now. Perhaps wo might profitably follow their example Certainly their way of waiting for tho now year at homo, or at tho homo of their friends, with games and songs and domestic cheer, was less expensive than our way. Also It is a matter for regret that tho pleasant customs of paying Now Year's calls and of giving Now Year's presents has disappeared. All tho ritual of tho day Is gone; even tho newsboy brings only a prosaic calendar nowadays, Instead of the claborato poetic address which in years gone by Bet forth bis claims on tho world's generosity. And New Year's resolutions exist chiefly In tho imagination of hu morous writers. Now, It la true that the apparently harmless customs of paying calls and giving presents on Now Year's day were not regarded with favor by all critics of morals and manners. Early in the eighteenth century Henry Dourne, M. A., "curate of the parochial chapel of All Saints', In Newcastle upon Tyne," wrote "Antlquitates vulgares, or the antiquities of the common people, giving an account of their opinions and ceremonies, with proper reflections upon each of them; shewing which may bo retained and which ought to be laid aside." And he felt that bo must be very careful indeed with his discussion of New Year's colls and Rifts. Ho approved of them, in modera tion; but ho wanted to be on the safe sido. "As tho vulgar are always very careful to end the old year well," ho wrote, (pointing his satire by means of Italics,) "so they aro also careful of beginning well tho n v ono. As they end the former with a hearty compotatlon, so they be gin the latter with the sending of presents, which are termed New Year's gifts to their friends and acquaintances; the original of both which cus toms is superstitious and sinful; and was observed that the succeeding year might bo prosperous and successful" He calls many writers to witness the antiquity of these customs, quoting from Bishop Stllllngflcet, Claus Wormius, Scheffer, "Snorro Sturleson," and "the poet NaogeorguB." Then ho writes: "And no doubt, those Christians were highly worthy of censure, who Imagined, as the heathens did, that the sending of a present then was in any way lucky, and an omen of tho success of tho following year. For this was the very thing that made sev eral holy men, and somo general councils, take notico of, and forbid any such custom; because the observanco of It, out of any such design and view, was superstitious and sinful, wo aro told, In a place of Bt. Austin, the observation of the calends of January Is forbid, the songs which were wont to be sung on that day, the feastlngs, and the presents which wero then sent as a token and omen of a good year. But to Bend a present at that time, out of esteem, or gratitude, or charity, Is no whero forbid. "On tho contrary, It is praiseworthy. For the ancient fathers did vehemently Inveigh against the observations of the calends of January; yet It was not because of those presents and tokens of mutual affection and love that passed; but because the day Itself was dedicated to Idols, and because of somo prophane rites and ceremonleB they ob served in solemnizing It. "If then 1 send a Now Yenr's gift to my friend, tt shall bo a token of my friendship; if to my bene factor, a token of my gratltudo; if to the poor (which at this tlmo must never bo forgot) it shall bo to make their hearts sing for Joy, and give pralBO and adoration to tho giver of all good gifts." At any mto, wo still say "Happy New Year!" whether or not tho words havo any special sig nificance to us. In tho tlmo of tho learned Bourne thoro wero those who regarded this phraso with deep suspicion. Ho writes: "Another old custom at this tlmo is tho wishing of n good Now Year, cither when a New Year's gift is presented, or when friends mpct. Now, tho original of this custom Is heathenish, as appears by tho feasting and presents before mentioned, which were a wish for a good year, and It was customary among tho heathens on tho calends of January, to go about and Blng a .Now Year's song. Hosplnlan, there fore, tells that when night comes on, not only tho young, but also tho old of both sexes, run about here and there, and sing n song at tho doors of the wealthier people, in which thoy wUh them a happy New Year. This ho speaks Indeed of tho Christians, but be calls "it an oxact copy of tho heathen's custom. "But, howover, I cannot see tho harm of retain ing this ancient ceremony, bo it bo not usod Buper stltlously, nor attended with obscenity and lewd ness. For tbon thoro will bo no more harm) than wishing a good each othors welfare and prosper ity; no mok-o harm, than wishing a good day, or good night; than In bidding ono godspoed." , In Philadelphia there has been preserved up - to recent years tho custom of Now Year's "mum ming" Boys and girls men and women also, to somo cxtctot dressed In fantastio clothes and with their faces painted or masked, could bo seen In v tho streets, up to recently, begging and playing practical JokeB. They" did Blmllar things In eight eenth century London, by no-means to the approv al of the curato of tho parochial chapel of All BatntB In Nowcaatle-on-Tyne. . Ha writes: "There MBi i ni$i!$liKFJK&' etBw. 'iaaaa l J& i&kjtyz&$&te$i'4 " W i vMaaaaaal BBaweaaBaflai" T7 A J I Is another custom observed at this time, which 1b called among us mumming; which'1 Is a changing of clothes between men and women; who when dressed in each others' habits go from ono neigh bor's house to another, and make morry with them In disguise, by dancing and singing, and such llko merriments. It wero to be wished this custom which is still so common among us at this season of tho year were laid aside; as It Is directly opposite to tho word of God." It is possible that "mumming" is related In somo way to tho performance which marked "Hog manay" in England and Scotland. "Hogmanay" was tho last day of the year. Somo scholars think the word comes from the Greek "agla mono," ("holy month"); others from tho Saxon "hallg monath," which has tho same meaning; still others from the French phraso "Au gui menez" ("to tho mistletoe go!") which mummers anciently cried in Franco at Christmas, or from "Au gueux menez," ("Bring to tho beggars!"). Whatever the origin of tho word may be, Hogmanay was the time for much amateur begging. The children went from house to house, singing such songs as: "Hogmanay, trollolay, Give us of your white bread, But none of your grey, Hogmena, Hogmena, Give us cake and cheese, and let us go away." As they sang they collected what they called their "farls" oaten cake and cheese. From this developed the "letting In" of the new year. Par ties of men and boys went through the town. They stopped at the front door of every houso and sang until they were admitted. Then they received a small gift of money, went through tho house and left by the back door. That a man should bo the first visitor of tho year was a general belief In the British isles for centuries, nor 1b It yet ex tinct. In Scotland tho ceremony of "flrst-fooilng" has almost entirely died out, but in some of the re moter parts of that country 'It Is pleasantly re membered. At tho approach of 12 on Now Year's eve a "hot pint" was prepared. ThlB was a kettlo of warm spiced or sweetened alo, with a liberal Infusion of spirits. When tho clock struck, every member of tho family drank to the new year. Then tho elders of tho family went out Into tho street, carrying tho kettlo, of spiced alo and a supply of buns, cakeB, bread, and cheeso. When thoy met a party of friends similarly engaged, they stopped to exchango greetings and sips of ale. They went to tho houses of their neighbors, sent tho kettle from friend to friend, and spent tho hours boforo dawn in sociability and good cheer. If thoy wero tho first to enter a houso after twclvo o'clock they wore tho "first-foot" and re ceived especial favor. In England, tho first-footing pnrties wero mado up generally of tho poor boys of tho village, who carried a "wassall-bowl" decorated with ribbons, and received in return for their proffered drinks and good wishes, cakes and cups of alo. But in Scotland as recently ns 100 years ago first-footing was a democratic social institution, in which few were too proud to sliaro. Tho principal streets of Edinburgh, it Is said, wero more crowded be tween twelve and ono on Now Year's day morning than at noon on business days. A Btmplo ceremony, not yet obsolete, consisted In unbarring the front door as the clock struck twelve, to let tho old year out and tho new year in. In tho Island of Guernsey tho children paraded the streets carrying tho cfllgy of a man, emble matic of tho dying year. This thoy buried at midnight on tho seashore, with elaborate ritual. At Burghhcad In Morayshire, they kept New Year's eve by "Burning tho clavlo." Thoy mado huge piles of herring barrels, and set fire to them with peat. Tho burping embers tbey carried homo to their houses as a protection against whatever evils the year might bring. OnjNow Year's day the Scotch of bygone gen- eratlons believed no fire should go out ot tho, bouse. If it wero given, misfortune might bo pre sented by throwing burning poat Into a tub. of water. Thoro is something suggestive of the Russian Easter in one "first-footing" custom once popular in Scotland and England. Tho first visitor to a house on Now Year's morning had tho privilege ot klBBtng the person that opened tho door. Perhaps thoro is a reminiscence of ancient Are worship 1 tho Shropshire custom of stirring the fire on New Year's morning before uttering a word. Although there are fow houses whore New Year's day Is observed with its oldtlmo hospital ity, tho day is not wholly divorced from the thought of good things to rat. Tho ridiculous New Year's evo dinners in tho Broadway restaurants havo no special significance, but thero aro ccrtnln dishes inseparably associated with tho day. Ono of theso Is roast goose, which is perhaps moro liked In England than America. But even 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 nnd now flavors, and the result is a cake so excellent that it must always be tho special delight of tho Now Year feast. This point of ritual, surely, must bo left us. So excellent is tho German New Year's cake that it cannot bo used for a charm, llko tho New Year's evo cake of Ireland. For this was thrown against the wnll and broken into pieces. The first fragment to touch tho ground was eagerly sought, for he who nte it was suro of a year's happiness. Thero was much pleasure In tho baking of the cake. It was placed on n gridiron before tho open Are, nnd Incantations were sung to secure the sue cess of tho charm. THE CALL OF THE NEW YEAR A Christian man sat In tho Master's presence thinking of tho coming of the new year. It was a good but solemn thing to do. The man's thoughts in that presence ran thus: "Seeing him I am suro that every year Is 'the year of our Lord.' It ought to be 'begun, continued and ended in him.' He will be with me all tho days. My days must bo in his hands." The Christian man continued his meditation nlways In his pres ence, "What sort of man ought I to be, this year and all years 7" Tho answer camo out of an old word which had new meaning, in his presence: "Complete In him." Again ho Cukod: "What kind of work ought I to do thlB year and all years T" Tho centuries fade away and be seems to bear again: "Whatsoever bo saith unto you do it." He asked again: "Where shall I go to bo his man and do his work?" Once more old words leap into now times: "To your household, to your neighbor, and to all tho world." "How can I do all UiIb?" "Tho entrance of his word gtveth light," therefore givo yourself to Biblo study; "not by might nor by power but by my Spirit, saith the Lord o! hosts," thoroforo givo yourself to prayer; "I can do nil things through Christ,"' theroforo givo your self to work; "in all things he shall havo the pre eminence," therefore give yourself to hlra. And tho man arose from tho meditation to mako the now year and all years, ycarB of tho Lord. And tho Master aroso and went with tho man. Bishop McDowell. His Only Potseoslon. Al KoKcrs whs traveling through n loin I v Kcctlou In (lie miburlm of llos ton ono night, a itlmit whllo ago, ulioii ho was staitlcil by hearing UiIh jilti" oiih appeal: "Will tlii' kind gentleman please help a poor unfortunate man? I " At this point Al felt to locate his watch. The other continued "I have uothlu' In the woihl but this loaded revolver." The Drummer's Work. "Au tlicHu moving pictures of the war a u th en tic?" "Of ruti i so. All lint tin ruiiibto of nrtillcry. That's Imitated by the drummer." u ouuu. v I Paradoxical Result. "What's tliii matter with my labor theories?" "They won't work." Good devils' food is made of Van Houtcn's Rona Cocoa instead of grated or melted chocolate. Use less cocoa. Half pound red can I 25c ggjaMalB(j3ggaBlwJIMaJiTniiiw Yes, waiting for every farmer or farmer's son any Industrious American who is anxious to establish for himself a happy home and prosperity. Canada's hearty in vitation this year is more attractive than ever. Wheat is hiKher but her farm land just as cheap and In the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta ICO Acra Homesteads ara Actually Fraa to Stttlers and Other Land at From $15 to $20 per Acra The people of European countries as well as the American continent must be fed-thus an even greater demand for Canadian Wheat will keep up the price. Any farmer who can buy land at $15.00 to $30.00 per acre -get a dollar for wheat and raise 20 to 45 bushels to the acre it bound to make money that's what you can expect in Western Canada. Wonder ful yields also of OaU, Barley and Flax. Mixed Farming is fully as prof itable an industry as grain raising. The excellent grasses, full of nutrition, are the only food required either for beef or dairy purposes. Good schools, markets convenient, climate excellent Military service it not compulsory In Canada but there It an unusual demand for farm tnbor to replace the many younu men who have volunteered lor aervlco mUowtr. Write for literature and particular at to reduced railway rates to Supenotesuest imniigraiKia, uimwi, wanaua; ur iu W.V. Benne(t,220l7fh St., Ream 4. Deo DfclldiBB, Omaha, Nebr. Canadian Goverment Aneart? MODERN LIVING COMES HIGH Observer Think There Are Too Many "Necessities" In Demand at the Present Time. "Ono of tho reaBoiiH for tho cost of living," observes a wise clubman, "lies In the fact that people buy wholly unnecessary things. I hnd a convocation with tho proprietor of a novelty jBhoi) In Fifth nvenuo a fow days ago. A shiny object had attract ed my attention, ami I required about its IIHl'. " 'Those,' said the proprietor, 'are glided plneers to pick up luttors ono haa placed on tho letter-scales.' "'Ami that Ivory stick, carved nnd forked ut tho end?' " Teoplo use that to fish out things they have dropped into carafes.' " 'That squaro of morocco, about tho size of a nut what is that for?' " 'That'H a tampon used to press down stamps after sticking them on envelopes.' " 'That ornamental box with a whole battery of llttlo bri'shoB?' "'Those aro to clean other brushes; brushes to clean hair-brushes, brushes to cleau tooth-brushes.' " New York Evening Post. THE NEW YEAR. Julia Ward Howo was no bollover In Now Year's resolutions. "Wo should mako and keep good resolutions all the year round," tho celebrated author once said in Iloston. "I nm no great be t llever in New Yearvs vows, for, although thoy are ' eplendld things, thoy really don't amount to much more than Oliver Wendell Holmes' tobacco rcso lutlon. "Mr. Holmes, with affected gravity, said to a friend on tho first day of tho year: 'I really must not smoke so persistently; I must turn over a new leaf a tobacco loaf and havo a cigar only after each' -hero ho paused ns if to Bay 'meal,' but ho continued 'after each cigar.'" A CASUAL OBSERVATION. """" i "We aro living In an ago of exceptional cul ture," said tho woman with angular features. ' "Mobbe wo aro," said Farmer CorntoBsol. "Dut J can't help notlcln' that people walk right up to tho news stand to buy aorao pretty fluffy etuff, whilo it takes a mighty good book agent to work off a set of Shakespeare." Walking Graveyards. Some ot tho Indian princes havo given over two million dollars apleco to Hrltaln for tho war. llosldo such gifts, tho glftB of London business millionaires seem small. , "In fact," said Jamea Douglau, in an Interview, "In fact, tho gifts of tho nizam of Hyderabad and tho mnhara Jah of Mysoro nnd tho gaekwar of Ha oda givo our English merchant prlnceB, wbo owo England bo much more, a look of avarice; and you know the definition ot avarice. "Avarice, llko a graveyard, takes in all it can get, and novcr gives any thing back." Why Thomas Concurred. Whack, whack, whack! Tommy was, undergoing a painful punishment at tho hands of his loving mother for eat-Ing-tlio Jam. "Tommy," Bhe Bald Borlously, when she was forced to pauso, "this hurts mo far more than It does you." And when Tommy was alone with his brother ho produced a square board ho had concealed, and thought fully murmured: "I thought all along that bit of wood wouldn't do her any good!" At the First Signs Of falling 'hair got Cuticura. It works wonders. Touch spots of dan druff nnd itching with Cuticura Oint ment, and follow next morning with a hot shampoo of Cuticura Soap. This nt oncn arrests falling hair and pro motes hair growth. For free sample each with 32-p. Skin Book, address ' poBt card: Cuticura, Dopt. X, Boston. Sold everywhere. Adv. Seeking Worthy Objects. "DodBWorth tells me that be is a practical philanthropist." "That's Just what ho is. Before of fering a dime to a beggar Dodsworth asks him bo many disagreeable Ques tions that tho poor devil is glad to es capo without tho dime." The Peeling Kind. "Mamma," said a little boy. "tho place whero I got stung last Sunday down at Uncle Jim's is nil peeling off." Brother Bruce took a look at tho Injury. "That's ho," ho grinned, "I guess you must have been stung by a husk ing beo." Inconsistent. "Tho English aro queor people." "You think so?" "Yes. In tlmo of poaco thoy treated Tommy Atkins with contempt nnd I mado him sore, and- now In tlmo of war thoy treat him with so much good liquor that they mnke him drunk." War Styles. "Have you heard uuythlng nbout the fall fashions as yet?" "Not ns to how tho gowns will bo made. I suppose tho girls are bound to wenr cartridge belts, of course." Marble to Retain. Knlcker Joiicb has a remarkable memory. Bockor Wonderful; ho romomborH a winter that wasn't Just llko this, Fow of tho mon who aro willing to ?lve-you a recommendation would give you n Job. Important to Mothers Rxnrninn cnrnfullv nvnrv Tnnttl nf CASTORIA, a safe and sure remedy for Infants and children, and see that It Ttnnvci tin Signature of (&&Z7ee2u&U In Uso For Over 30 Years. Children Cry for Fletcher's Cutoria : Tho Test "Is ho a good lawyer?" "I should iiy he Is. He's acquitted somo of our most notorious criminals." yorjR own nncooitwixTKo, too Trr Marine Uyo KerondTtor lUd, WakkT WtUfT Kjus and Urunulauxl Bjolldai No Hmaruar-. Iutl !Sr comfort. Wrllo (ur liook ot the Brya j mall Krue. Murluo Kje Itomvdr Co.. CUloaa You nover believe a man when be flatters you, but you like to bear It Just the same. Don't Persecute Your Bowels Cut out cathartics nnd purgatives. They uiULUif uaiDiii uimcic9aijr a J CARTER'S LITTLE LIVER PILLS Purely vegetable. Act. gently on tne elimlnnte bile. soot ho the delicate piembraneottlie bouel. Cure Comllpallon, Blllouinrn, SltkllHil. acht tat InJIfeitlon, tt millions kotw. SMALL PILL, SMALL DOSE, SMALL PRICE. ' Genuine must bear Signature Mfla 8. B 2f bbbbbi miTcnc and .BBB7BS bhiwi e- anfSjBBBr ajivtrv aaHalV PILLS. 0T af- ' ' " I V&u4&s2rzg ?ZJr BLACK LEG LOSSES SURELY PREVEHTa to Cttttr'o OlMklw Plllt. Idv rrlced. fmh, nlUUtol pnrtmd t WMtcrn lockman. mmum tt pniHi antra ewtr tuoiim nil. Writs far booklet and (oUmooitli, lO-dOM pk. BtMtltf Mill 11.00 ouuom biuum run .uo 11m any Injector, tut Cutter txtt. Ttit uperiortty or Cutter broducu 1 dne to ottr II r di iptcMiuina- in vaoeiau ana ttruiat eaiy. lailit ta Cutter's. If unobtainable, aider direct. yean of pecUiliin in yanlaea aad ttruiat taly, lailit aa Cutter'a. If unAtitAlnihla. amAur Aiwmt Tat Cutter Laboratory, Berkeley, Ctl.. ar Cbleate. Ill W. N. U, LINCOLN, NO. 62-1914. jtBR ammmmm COLT DISTEMPER Tm handled ctt caeUy. Tha eltlc aro oured. end all otben In netablii. no matter howwKevd."krt from haelntT ilia die- 'I ho frmtrue.or III feud. Acta on tlio blood and uipele germt of all fnnoii of dletomiior. IUet remedy orer knowu for ruarw ta foal, onaboitlovuarantrrutoturaonaraeo. eouaniiltabottleiteaiid luuoii-uiiiuruKai'leanunanireaavaien.orinniczpreaapaid by nanufacturvn). Cut eliowa bow to poultice tlirvate. Our frva lookletKlYraoTerylbluir. I-ocal atrenu wanted, tarveat eUUur iorw muwly lu ututeuoa twetra yeans. CPOHN MEDICAL CO.,CaiUUa4BetatlUlet, OOStlMe lit O.S. Ae I ( I l i M ii. 7 Jb' fi&xnsmsxss Ve&tSttXintfnKXt&tU!V?&WVfiZ HiaiONVfVtcKinnmivyUMrai,t wwkwwwwwntt UMMyvimvuAm