We Owe to Italy the Christmas Stocking.
HOW many of you know to which country we owe oui gratitude for
tho lovely old custom of hanging our Christmas stockings? Pet
haps you have never thought much about it. You have just rt
membered how you used to love to hang your stockings on Christmas eve
From Italy scents to have come the first legend out of which has
grown the pretty custom, as we know it today. Hong, long, lung ago in
Padua, Italy, when Christmas evu canto around the very poor people
would always leave their windows oi>en for they believed good old St
Nicholas would visit them. He brought with him for each house long
knitted purses, tied at both ends, and these he would toss through the
open windows. These purses were of yarn made something like a foot
less slocking.
After a while the poor people of th>- town began hanging these knitted
purses outside their windows, because they were afraid they might in
some way bo nilsst d. When money grew scarce In Italy then St. Nicholas
would till them with toys for children and useful gifts for grown people.
In the north country where it is chilly at Christmas it became the
custom to hang the purses on the mantelpiece, believing the good old
saint would And his way down the cUininey to fill them. Out of the cus
tom of hanging the long purses there grew that of the Christmas stock
ings.
Kven grown itcople like to forget their worries and they bang up
their stockings with those of the children. They,
too, enjoy the pretty old custom. So here Is an
other "thank you" to Italy, the country that hns
driven us se much that is lovely.
[UNCLE PETER-HEATHEN
BTMOP6I&
I’ncle refer cornea to live at tbe home
•f PrafcMor TreveDyn, father of Fru
lienee aad Patience, the twlua, who ap
peared In "The Trail of the Go-Hawk*/'
tie le very lonely alnce dear Aunt I'ro
donee went away and the twin* are de
lighted to have him come to their home
to live. He become* happier a* the da>M
go by and he I* *urrounded by love and
care. One afternoon the children **k
him to play croquet with them nnd lie
haa a fine time. After the game the
children *eat themaetre* nt the edge of
the lawn by the wooded grove which
they eall the Myntfe Wood, playing that
fatrleo live there. They make plan* for
a ehih and Rarhel suggeNt* that they
adopt t?aele l'eter. I
WOW GO ON WITH THE STORY.
(Continued from last Sun Joy >
“If we woulld take Uncle Potei
Into the club It would make ai
oven si*," reasoned Prudence.
“Hut having him In a club wouldn't
not be like adopting him. and tin
minister said It wmm the snaking of
those girls to adopt that baby. Most
likely he'd say the same about us ”
ltachel was one of a family apt to
quote the minister often, probably
due to the fact that the pride of
Mrs. Kirby's heart was her Sunday
school class.
Uncle Peter's fate hung for a mo
ment while the glrla pondered how
best to dispose of him. ltachel was
the first tto break the silence.
•“There are missionary societies in
churches."
"That's so,” replied Fatieni-e,
and if we want to we can make this
a missionary society.”
Jane objected at once to this
plan. "If we do that we'll hove to
look after heatheus all the time and
they arc always way off In Japan ot
Just as like as not the ones we'd
get would be at the North pole."
"I think It'd be lots more fun to
look after Uncle Peter and have pil
ules and parties.” Ruth was always
enthusiastic about anything thr. (
suggested possibilities for fun.
"Then why couldn't we play lie's
the heathen?” It was evident Ha
chel had no thought of losing the
main point of her argument.
"Wo could! We could!” cried Pru
dence, her eyes dancing, "and we'll
enlighten him, for that's what they
do with real church heathens, and
we'll save his soul from consump
tion and msnd his heart ”
"His heart does need mending
added Patience, “for Aunt Salih
raid it seemed sometimes to her tha
Ills poor old heart was broken.”
"I’ve always thought I’d like to
be n missionary when I am old. so
I’d love to play It now.” Rachel
felt as though she had won a vie
tory.
"Shall we keep it a secret?”
Rath’s social instincts were strong,
and child though she was. she rath
er courted publicity.
•'It seems aa though it would he
more edifying,” replied Rachel
stiffly.
“Well, it'd be more fun.” Ruth
knew the meaning of the word
"fun,” but waa hasy In her under
standing of "edifying.”
Patience toyed pensively with the
tiny gold trinket which hung from
a chain around her neck. “I think
I'll ask PTnc!e Peter for a piece of
Ms gray hair to wear in my locket.”
Will member winning prise
story for October Sfnd please
send name and correct address
to Happyiand.
——
Jane was envious. "It would bo
nice it w*e all could have some of
his hair. I have a lock, t, too.”
Fortunately for Uncle l'eter, Pru
dence came to his rescue, "lie
hasn’t ho very much hair and six
looks would be a good many to take
all at one time. He could spare
some of his whiskers easier.”
"Are we going to tell him we
want to adopt him and have him
for a heathen? mieht to get
•
that fixed before wc lake any of
his hair or whiskers.” ltachel
wanted all details settled.
They pondered over the question.
Filled with missionary zeal, each
longed for an Inspiration.
“I will find him and bring him
here,” volunteered Patience, "anil
we’ll take him just to the edge of
tho Mystic wood and tell him he
has to he a heathen for we are mis
sionSries and that he’s to tie ours.'
"We can’t speak above a wliispci
in the woods and tTncle Peter lias te
have you speak up plain.” Prudence
said as Patience went in search of
I'nele Peter. “We must each think
of something uplifting to say. be
cause this is to be our life work."
They were silent, frantically
searching their brains. It was never
so easy for the other girls to be
original as it as for the imaginative
child who had just spoken.
(Copyright. 1922.)
k'ontlnued Xext Sunday.)
TO
_rsc
BV BlUV somBRCL
As today is the birthday .nntvet
sary of one of our beloved poets.
John Greenleaf Whither, l am going
to give you a Whittier contest. The
answers are all the names of poems
written by the Quaker poet, so see
how many you can guess Do not
send your answers to Happy. Keep
them and see how many you guess
correctly. Answers will be published
next week.
1— Guess file name of the poem
shut in by the storm.
2— The poem without shoes or
sf lickings.
3— The poem of sunshine and rain.
4— The poem which gathered tits
hay in the field.
3—The poem w hich shared in the
games of my youth.
6— The poein w here lessons were
learned.
7— The pome which guarded the
flag from disgrace.
If one would be liappy, let him
forget himself and gs alout making
some one else happy.
POLLY’S
cook pit
BOOK ^
O » V»1 11 ll. lnlllu oil C 111"
.*ns eve the children are told to g
thd stand Ufore the fireplace an*
watch it very closely. Then rat
tling on the tiled floor came coo kit s
and hard candies. These are reall>
thrown by the father, who stands
hack, and the children do not see
him because they are so busy watch
ing the fireplace. The cookies and
candies tell them that soon Kris
Ktingle is coming.
I know you will find the recipe 1
am giving you today very interest
ing because it has been used many
times by n little Dutch girl.
Santa Claus Cookies.
One cup New Orleans molasses,
two cups brown sugar, one level
tablespoon anise seed and other
ing. Cook all together on stove un
til well dissolved. Then add to this
»nc teaspoon soda dissolved in a
little hot water, one tablespoon vine
gar or itendered alum, one large
tablespoon anise seed and other
spices, if you like. When this mix
lure in cool, add enough flour to
make it harder than piecrust. Roll
like stick candy and cut in sticks.
Sprinkle with buckwheat flour to
keep from sticking together. Bake
in hot oven. The cookies can be
made in shape of thimbles, t»*o.
These are the very cookies that
are thrown in Holland on Christmas
eve. Mother and 1 are going to
make some tomorrow, and why don't
you try them, too? PORLY.
In Hr hi and Forest
It is always a strange thing i
me hnw many people seem to think
that birds do not have any real love
for each other. You ami I know
better. When robins, catbirds, chick
aloes and many other kinds of birds
ire In distress their friends bravely
Hy to their rescue. What do birds
do when someone is robbing a nest?
They rush in a crowd to help drive
away the thief. Not only do they
scream and cry to show their anger
but they will fly at his face and peck
at his eyes. Sometimes when cruel
and thoughtless boys disturb a nest,
they have reason to wish they had
left it alone. Birds will fight with
all their strength to protect theii
little homes, and it is right that
they should.
Often have I seen birds old 01
blind, or with a wing or leg broken
or hurt in some other way that made
it hard to take care of themselves
Never have 1 known it to fail that
other birds will wait on them, feed
them and lead them to water where
hey may drink and bathe.
Sometimes birds linve been caught
in the lining of the nest and boon
held prisoners for weeks. Do you
imagine they are left to starve? No,
indeed! Other bird friends novel
fall to bring them food each day just
as long as they are prisoners Thost
who study birds constantly will se
many beautiful examples of the lo\
ing thoughtful care of birds for eac.
other. Itirds are so tiny that it dot
not seem as though there could b« |
any one in the world who would
want to harm them, dots it? Your
UNCL.E JOHN.
Tom House of Sullivan. Mo., has
two miles to walk to school, but
likes it because it is through the
woods and he secs squirrels and
birds.
i--—-t
Coupon for
Happy Tribe.
Kvery boy and girl reader of
th s paper who Wishes to join I
the Go-Hawk* I
Happy Tribe I
of wh.ch Jartii s- I
Whitcomb Rilej '
was the f.rst
U:g Chief, can
secure his of
flc.al button by
send.ng a 2-cent stamp with
your name, tine and address With
th.s coupon. Address your letter
to "Happy," cari/^ this paper.
Over 00.000 members!
Motto
"To Make the World a Hap
pier 1’laee."
Pledge
"I promise to help some one
every Jay. 1 will try to protect
the birds and all dumb animals.”
.. - ... . i
FAIRY ,GROm>
“ plays 1
B> K.MII.IK R1,A< K.MOBK ST.
, EMII.IK liLACKMORK NTAPP
mill ELKANOR C'A.MftRON.
I.ast Sunday the curtain rose on
i new play in HAPPYLAND. You
read just who would take part in
it. So many of you are following
these little plays from Sunday to
Sunday that are always waiting to
greej you In our FAIRY GROTTO,
your very own little theater in
HAPPYLAND. The name of this
month's play Is:
"THE CHRISTMAS STAR.”
(Continued From Lost Sunday.)
COSTUMES.
FAIRY WILFUL—Her fairy
dress must he slaioed and torn, as
she had traveled far. Wand is
bent and worn. Hair loose and
tangled.
FAIRY WILLING-Dainty white
dress, wings, headband md wand
with star at tip.
AUNT MARY—Long skirt of
some soft material. Kerchief, fichu
or hit of lace folded about the neck.
White cap. Flair powdered in
front.
DIEDRICH- Pajamas, overcoat
and overshoes er boots.
VIRGINIA—Nightdress, o v e r
shoes and coat.
EVERGREEN BOYS-As much
evergreen as possible tacked to
suits, and caps with smal' ever
green branch like a plume.
JELF— White suit on which lias
been tacked gold stars. Gold cape
and wand
PROPERTIES.
Three wands, one without star,
for Wilful, with star for Willing,
and a gold one for Jelf Large gold
star for tree. Small Christmas tree
already trimmed. Basket Idled with
tiny gifts in Christmas wrappings.
THE CHRISTMAS STAR.
Scene—Use for stage, if possible,
side of room where there are win
dows and fireplace. Otherwise, make
U’l‘ and KI.KANOIJ CAMKKON
window fiiiou* out of cardboard or
wood, that a face may be seen
through the opening. Fireplace may
be made out of cardboard marked
off with crayon pencil to look like
bricks. In the oval at bottom a
few oticks of wood may be laid and
some red crepe paper Ry using an
electric bulb in among the wood
and paper you will have the effect
of a lighted lire. Decorate the room
with Christmas wrelths and greens.
When the play opens A\int Mary is
discovered seated in a low rocking
chair locking at an old photograph
album.
AUNT MARY.
(Turning jeaves of album and
talking to herself as she looks at
the old photographs.)
Christmas eve f And for the first
time In all my life I am alone! What
good. OOOL> times we used to hav<. when
wo were all at home together
(She looks more closely at one
photograph.)
Mother, It seems a.s though you are
smiling In the picture anil trying to
say; “Merry Christmas. Mary! Merry
Christmas, Mury!" Just a.s you uted to
when 1 would run Into your room early
Christmas morning. And now—
(Rooks up bravely.)
Well, Merry Christmas to you. mothor
duur!
(Knock is heard at the door.)
AUNT MARY.
(Rooks up, startled, for she bad
decided she need expect no one to
break the loneliness of her Christ
mas ew.)
I wonder who that can he? Come in.
Come in.
(Kntor two children, Diedrich and
Virginia, carrying their empty
stockings. They throw off their
coats and overshoes and run over
to Aunt Mary’s chair—one stand
ing on either side of her.)
DIEDRICH.
(Addressing Aunt Mary earnestly.)
Oh. Aunt Mary, would ymi euro If
we hung our stockings by the fireplace?
We thought about It after we had gone
to bed and so we put on our coats and
overshoes and ran over here.
(Continued Next Sunday.)
____ ___ _ — -
Another Way to Be
a Good Go-Hawk
A good Go-Hawk docs not
forget the birds at Christmas
time. Ho makes a Christmas
tree for them by tieing bits of
suet to a tree with perhaps a
red apple or two. Then he
scatters cracked nuts, bread
(‘rumba, raw oatmeal or other
uncooked breakfast foods in
.he yard for the birds' Christ
mas feast. So, remember this
way to be a good Go Hawks.
One of tlu 1' as a Go-Hawks, whose
name is Florence Mitchell, has writ
ten and asked me to give a pattern
in my workshop for something new
u> Christmas place cards. So 1
have drawn a wooden shoe, and
some of the rest of you will enjoy
making enough shoes for your own
Christmas table. You know in 1 f«>1
bind the children always place Uni:
l.ttle wooden shoes by the fireplace
on Chritnias eve to wait the com
ing of Kris Kringle. First draw
the Jinttern ori your cards. Use
your water colors to paint the
shoos yellow arid then cut out.
Print plainly the name of each
< ’hristmus guest with black ink on
his shoe. PETER.
President Eeguia of Peru is en
gaging school teachers, surgeons,
administrators and engineers from
the United States in his effort to
modernize his country.
rv
I’llsn Ruse had gone lo her
mother with a request for a nand
kerchief. Searching through her
drawer, her mother could only find ,
some of her best handkerchiefs,
which she did not wish to give the
child.
“These are all my good ones,”
she said. “I can’t find any just for
common.”
"Oh.” interrupted Klsa Rose eag
erly. * I didn’t want one for com
mon. I wanted it for my nose.”
Donald, who was sitting near
'he kitchen stove, saw it was get
ting pretty hot. Running into tho
thor room, he called:
“Oh. mamma, come quick and
turn the wick down, for* the stove
is burning up.”
The Guide Post to Good
Books for Children.
Choose '>ne of these books to read
each week. Perhaps you had l»et
ter cut the list out each time and
take it with you to your city
library. It is prepared • for the
Happyland hoys and girls by Mias
Alice M Jordan, supervisor of chil
dren's work. Boston public library.
This week she suggests:
Baldwin James, "Story of Rol
and."
Burnet. S H., "Sara Crewe."
Hawk worth. Ha Ham. "Strange
Adventures of a Pebble.”
Edgar, Wagdalen. "Treasury of
Verse for IJttie Children.’'
Rhys. Ernest, compiler. "Fairy
Gold."
Setun. Ernest Thompson. ‘TLohn,
Roy and Vixon."
Hiftoka C.uikcr of Omega. Okl.,^
has a good many chickens and a^
little pet duck tlmt does many
tricks.
Christmas Tr*-o»
In Happyiiuid.
