Happy New Year
gf Many Nations
EW YEAR'S day has for
for generations been the
occasion of revels. It has
come down to us from the
old German custom of di
viding the year at the close
of those months when it was no longer
possible to keep cattle out doers.
This was made quite a fece and In
the sixth century * was merged into
the feast of St. Martin , November 11 ,
on waich 3ay the opening of the New
Year was celebrated.
While in Germany .Marthjmas and
the New Year were Identical , with
the introduction of the Roman calen
dar the celebration was gradually
itransferred to the first of January , and
with it went many of the jolly Martin
mas customs.
Traces of these old New Year ob
servances and supersltions can still be
traced In the way the season is kept
in different lands. /
Our decorations of greens , 1'or in
stance , are a relic of the old Roman
superstition of presenting branches of
trees for good luck In the coming
year.
t
1 The giving of presents has also come
to us from the Romans. They outdid
even the generous Americans , for they
used to ask for gifts , If not received ,
until one of the emperors forbade his
subjects demanding gifts save on the
New Year.
One of the favorite New Year's gifts
after pins were invented in England , in
the sixteenth century , were the rough
land-made pieces of metal that took
.the place of bone and wood skewers
Later pin money was substituted.
A gift that must never be omitted
was an orange stuck with cloves to
grace the wassail bowl. Apples , nuts
and fat fowl were popular offerings of
the season.
Gloves and glove money is a very
old New Year custom which is still
kept up In the increasing use of gloves
as holiday gifts.
Even more curious are the old New
Year customs. Many of these are still
observed by old-fashioned people who
cling to the old traditions.
The old-fashioned Englishman will
formally open the outer door of his
house on New Year's eve just at the
approach of midnight. This is to let
out the old year and usher in the new.
The Scotch make much of New Year.
It Is generally ushered in with a "hot
pint , " brewed at home and drunk by
the family standing around the bowl
just as midnight strikes. .
After hearty greetings to the New
Year , the "hot pint , " with bread ,
cheese and cakes , is taken to the
houses of the neighbors. The firat to
enter another's home on the first of
January bestows good luck on the fam-
lly'fof the year.
In many of the Scottish regiments
even yet the ushering in of New Year
*
Is most picturesque. At five minutes
before twelve the soldiers , headed by
the oldest man in the regiment dressed
as Father Time , march out of bar
racks headed by the band playing
"Auld Lang Sync. "
Just at the stroke of twelve there
comes a knock at the gate.
"Who goes there ? " calls the sentry.
"The New Year , " is the answer.
"Advance , New Year , " is called back.
The gates are thrown open and the
smallest drummer lad in the regiment ,
dressed in Highland costume , is car
ried in on the shoulders of the men ,
and marched around the barracks to
the pipers' tunes. The rest of the
night is spent in carousing.
fr flfc fr'fr tfft V Iffr
God , in whom
ETERNAL of all our
years , reraaonber us in Thy
mercy also in this new year of
our Lord. Reveal Thy glory
in the experience of its joys and
sorrows. Forestall its tears with
the abiding comfort of Thy
presence. Make us strong
rightly to measure all our gains
and to endure with patience
every loss Thy love allows.
Show us Thy meaning in the
gifts and opportunities of each
new day. Assure us of Thy
help "in labor , Thy delight in
our joys. Qyicken our minds
tp clear vision and our hearts to
cheerful content Provide for
our bodies such vigor as shall
be needful for our allotted work.
We leave to Thee the mystery
of the year's events , assured that
Thou wilt guide our way. With
hold from iis all gifts which
would prevent Thy purpose for
our growth in wisdom and in
service. Only deny us not Thy
self Thy Spirit to instruct our
hearts , Thy work to share , Thy
peace to szJU our restlessness , 'Thy
presence 4o resolve our doubts.
In the sifling of temptation grant
that our teith fail not , and when
our years are ended bring us to
Thyself , through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Happy New Year
Just at the turn of midnight ,
When the children are fas * asleep ,
The tired Old Year slips out by himself.
Glad of a chance to be laid on the shelf ,
And the New Year takes a peep.
Gift of tt
The passing of years is like the
coming of dawn slow , silent , inevit
able. The most eager cannot hasten
the quiet , Irresistible movement , and
the most reluctant cannot forbid. Some
gifts the years bring which we would
fain decline age , sorrow , disappoint
ment. Some treasures they take wliich
we would keep forever youtfe , beauty.
innocence. But there are more prec
ious treasures which time cannot
supply and the years cannot remove
friendship , patience , faith and love.
Herbert L. Willett.
The wind blew there and
the wind blew here.
And brought from Some
where the small New
Year.
It tapped for him at each
door and pane
And never once was a
knock In vain !
All"good folks waited the
coming child , _ _
Their doors they opened and on him
smiled.
Inside he stepped , with a happy face ,
And softly slipped in the Old Year's
place.
Said he : "I bring you a Box'of Days.
Tied round wtih tissue of rainbow rays ;
I give it joyfwily , for I know ,
Though all days may not with gladness
glow.
Each gift holds some precious bit of
cheer
To win your thanks. " said the sweet
Child Year !
Good New Year's Resolves
The New Year is a good time to
"leave the low-vaulted past , " to drop
the yesterdays , to forget bitter mem
ories.
Resolve that when you cross the line
between the old and the new year you
will close the door on everything in
the past that pains and cannot help
you. Free yourself from everything
which handicaps you , keeps you back
j.nd makes you unhappy. Throw away
all useless baggage , drop everything
that Is a drag , that hinders your prog
ress. *
Enter the door of the new year with
a clear slate and a free mind. Don't be
mortgaged to the past , and never look
back. Orison Swett Mard'en in Suc
cess Magazine.
Origin of New Year Gifts
Like the customs of Christmas ,
which , in their origin , are a curious
mixture of poetry and symbolism and
of superstition , those that belong to
the observance of New Year's day are
also relics of ideas that date from
early heathen ages. The French de
rive their term for New Year pres
ents from the Latin word , Strenia ,
the name of a go'ddess whom the Ro
mans venerated as the patroness of
gifts. There was a grove in Rome
dedicated to this goddess , where it was
customary to get fresh twigs , to give
as presents to friends and relatives on
New Year's day. During the sway of
the emperors , Roman subjects made
New Year's gifts to their sovereign.
Augustus received such quantities of
these that he had gold and silver
statues made of them. Tiberius did
away with the'usaga , because he con
sidered it too troublesome to express
thanks for tfie gifts. Caligula , on the
contrary , reintroduced the custom , and
even made up for his predecessor's re
fusal to receive presents by requir
ing those that had been offered to him
to be given to himself as arrearages.
The custom of making New Year's
gifts , notwithstanding attempts to sup
press it , was continued , after Europe
had become Christian. For a time pres
ent making was transferred to Easter ,
but later It was again ! associated with
the first day of January.
\
NOVEL APPLE FEAST
DELICIOUS FRUIT AS BASIS OP
ENTIRE MENU.
fireakfast or Luncheon With Rosy *
Cheeked Fruit in Chief Role
Gives Hostess Chance to
Exercise Ingenuity.
While our delicious apples still re
main a delicacy in contradistinction
to the household standby they form
later In the season , the apple motive
can be used as the basis of an entire
menu with piquant success. For in
stance , the entertainer who loves to
seek out the unusual in even her les
ser affairs might arrange an apple
breakfast , in which the rosy-cheeked
fruit plays chief role. With a slight
difference in the hour appointed , such ,
a function becomes an apple luncheon ,
but there is a freshness to the former
name which is attractive , and then at
this time of year the cooler earlier
hours are frequently chosen.
Whatever the hour decide'd upon ,
the invitations can be extremely pret
ty. Prepare them in this way : Have ,
heavy linen notes sheets for them,1
'and at the head of each sheet paint
in water color a spray of leaves in
Kates Greenway style , with one rosy'
apple pendant therefrom. Below each *
apple bough could be a quotation
about the fruit. It adds to the effect
if this quotation is written in red ink
and fancy lettering is employed.
Lunch cloths -with a design of ap
ples are easily embroidered by the
needleworker , or they can be obtained
in the shops , and one of these , when
practicable , makes such a pretty touch ,
in the decorations.
For this centerpiece , have a charm
ing , old-fashioned epegyne piled high
with the fruit of the occasion , and
some pretty foliage of the apple tree.
It is effective to have apples of , a dif
ferent color on each tier , beginning
with the tiny lady apples , alternating
if these are obtainable at the time , on
the top of the dish.
Have strings , of red and green ap
ples crossing each other , suspended
above the table , and for place cards
have rosy apples cut from art paper
and colored , or apple bonbonnieres
filled with candies can have conven
tional place cards of small size tied
to their stems with ribbon.
At an apple feast given about this
time last year the first course was a
fruit salad served in porcelain ap
ples , the red and green of which added
a very charming note to the scheme.
Where these are not available , the
natural fruit can be cut in half and
used as cups. When the "lid" is added
the effect is that of a whole fruit on
the plate.
Let the principle course of the
menu , which may be either chops ,
beefsteak or an omelet , come to the
table decorated with bacon and fried
apples. With any one of these French j
fried potatoes would be appetizing , ' i
and hot biscuit or toast with butter.
The salad might be a combination
of pineapple , with grapes and bits of
apple , served in apple baskets , or in
green apple forms of crepe paper , over
cardboard.
With this pass the coffee , cream
cheese. ( having a few walnut meats
stirred into it ) , and toasted crackers.
Reserved for Onions.
The vegetable board in a certain
kitchen has a big round O burned on
one side of it. This is the space used
for slicing and mincing onions. A
wooden spoon is the best spoon in the
world for stirring most foods in cook
ing , but it should never be used where
there is high seasoning or onion sea
soning , as the wood retains flavors.
The grater used for onions should be
washed in cold water. Few house
keepers realize the great absorbing
qualities of cold water.
To Polish Oak Floors.
To look well a hardwood floor muse
be kept in good condition. Oak floors
should be polished once a week. First
sweep off all dust and wipe thorough
ly clean with a duster. Apply
a polish made of two ounces of bees
wax and one ounce of hard yellow
soap ; add enough turpentine to cover.
Allow this to stand by the side of the
stove until dissolved , stirring now and
again. This must be rubbed in well
and the floor then polished.
It Brightens Carpet.
A teaspoonful of spirits of turpen
tine added to two gallons of warm
water will restore the brightness" to
carpets that are dulled with dust.
After sweeping the carpet thoroughly ,
wring a cloth out of the water and
wipe the surface of the carpet , first
againsfe the grain and then with it.
This also prevents moths from eating
away the nap of woolen carpets.
Honey Candy.
Put half a pound of honey into a
saucepan , add half a pound of sugar/
one tablespoonful of cream and a des
sertspoonful of cold water , then mix
and stir well. Allow to stand for one
hour. Put over a moderate fire and
cook , stirring gently until it is stiff
enough to pull. Pour into buttered
tins. When cool enough to handle , pull
and cut into small pieces.
Cowboy Graham Gems.
One pint sour or buttermilk , one
teaspoon soda. Stir well. Add one-
lialf cup sugar , one cup flour , one-half
cup corn meal , two cups graham flour ,
'one-half cup molasses , . .one teaspoon
salt. Bake 30 to 40 minutes in gem
pane.
NEVER COUNTED THE GIRLS ]
Prince's Answer to Question Typical
. of Life in the Countries
of the Orient.
The big punkah flopped and flagged
between the columns , as we sat and
talked. Mem Sahib , who was born in
the Caucasus amid Georgian and Cir
cassian dignitaries , and so had a hap
py way with Oriental princes , took us
all back by suddenly asking the good
gray prince how many brothers he
had. His highness looked at her with
a queer little smile , half tolerant ,
half amused , and began , with great
show of seriousness , to count them
on his fingers , first of the right hand ,
then of the left ; after going once or
twice round , he halted , started again ,
then stopped and said :
"I am afraid I must ask my secre
tary ! "
The secretary replied , with dignity :
"Your highness had a hundred and
nineteen brothers ! "
Mem-Sahib , not whit abashed , then
asked this good Oriental nobleman
concerning his sisters.
He smiled very charmingly , saying :
"I am afraid I do not know ; we
never counted them ! " Charles John
ston in the Atlantic Monthly.
BURNING ITCH WAS CURED
"I deem it my duty to tell about a
cure that the Cuticura Soap and Oint
ment have made on mysolf. My trou
ble began in splotches breaking out
right in the edge of my hair on the
forehead , and spread over the front
part of the top of my head from ear to
ear , and over my ears which caused a
most fearful burning itch , or eczema.
"For three years I had this terrible
breaking- out on my forehead and
scalp. I tried our family doctor and
he failed to cure it. Then I tried the
Cuticura Soap and Ointment and used
them for two months with the result
of a complete cure. Cuticura Soap
and Ointment should have the credit
due , and I have advised a lot of people
ple to use them. " ( Signed ) C. D.
Tharrington , Creek , N. C. , Jan. ' 26,1911.
Itching Scalp Hair Fell Out.
"I will say that I have been suffer
ing with an Itching on my scalp for
the past few years. My hair fell out
in spots all over my head. My scalp
started to trouble me with sores , then
the sores healed up , and crusts
formed on the top. Then the hair fell
out and left me three bald spots the
shape of a half dollar. I went to more
than one doctor , but.could not get any
relief , so I started to use the Cuticura
Remedies. I tried one bar of Cuticura
Soap and some Cuticura Ointment ,
and felt relieved right away. Now the
bald spots havjb disappeared , and m
hair has grown , thanks to the Cuti
cura Soap and Ointment. I highly
recommend the Cuticura Remedies to
all that are suffering with scalp trou
ble. " ( Signed ) Samuel Stern , 236
Floyd St. , Brooklyn , N. Y. , Feb. 7 ,
1911. Although Cuticura Soap and
Ointment are sold by druggists and
dealers everywhere , a sample of each ,
with 32-page book , will be mailed
free on application to "Cuticura , "
Dept. 9 K , Boston.
Her Credit Was Strained.
A young country merchant who had
something of a reputation for close
figuring was especially attentive to
the village schoolma'am. The young
woman had a sweet tooth and was not
at all retiring about making the fact
known. Accordingly , she hinted to
her admirer that a box of chocolates
would be greatly appreciated on the
occasion of his next visit. Later the
suggestion was repeated and again
duly heeded. The third time the sub
ject was broached , however , the dis
penser of sweets turned a deaf ear to
the entreaty.
"I don't kasw about taking that girl
any more candy , " he confided to a
companion next day. "She's owin' me
sixty cents for chocolates already. "
Lippincott's Magazine.
He Was the Man.
A young New Haven man , returning
home from a health trip to Colorado ,
told his father about buying a silver
mine for $3,000. "I knew they'd rope
you in ! " exclaimed the old man. "So
you were ass enough to buy a humbug
mine. "
"Yes , but I didn't lose anything , i
formed a company , and sold half-the
stock to a Connecticut man fcr
*
$7,000. "
"Y-you did ? " gasped the old man as
he turned white. "I'll bet I'm the
one who bought it. "
"I know you are , " coolly observed
the young man as he crossed his legs
and tried to appear very much at
home.
Shakespeare Footnote.
Ole Mammy Lize was dusting the
southern woman's drawing room. She
came to a small 'bronze bust of
Shakespeare and began carefully go
ing over him with" her rag.
"Mis' Juliet , chile , who am dis yere
gemmun ? "
"That is Shakespeare , Lize , a won
derful poet who died centuries ago. "
"Dat him , missy ? Lor' , I'se done
hyear o * Mistah Shakespeare a lot o
times. Ever'body seems to know him.
'Deed , I done hyear so ihuch 'bout
him dat I allus thought he was a
white gemmun. "
Calling a Halt.
He I can marry any woman I
please.
She Ah , but do you please any ?
Baltimore American.
A man may be a member of the Elks
and wear an overcoat with a fur col
lar and still not be an actcr.
9 oo DROPS
For Infants and Children.
The Kind You Have
Always Bought
ALCOHOL-3 PER CENT
AVegeteble Preparation for As
similating iheFoodandltegula- Bears the
ting rhe Stomachs and Bowels of
Promotes DigestionCheerful-
nessandResl.Contains neither of
Opium .Morphine nor Mineral
NOT NARCOTIC
Pumpkin SttJ -
Mx.Stnna
fftthtllt Salts - ,
Anit * 5 < td
npptrmint Warm Stid - In
Clarified Sugar- .
Winbrgrttn flavor.
A perfect Remedy forConstipa- Use
lion , Sour Stomach.Diarrhoea ,
.Feverish-
Worms .Convulsions
ness and LOSS OF SLEEP. For Over
facsimile Signature of
Thirty Years
THE CENTAUR COMPANY ; .
NEW YORK.
Ato'rnoriths old
35 DO.SEJ&J5 CE CSSTORIA
! Guaranteed under the Foodanj ,
Exact Copy of Wrapper rum CINTAUR COMPANY. NBW YORK OITT.
Lamps and
Lanterns
The strong , steady light.
Rayo lamps and lanterns give most light for the oil they burn.
Do not flicker. Will not blow or jar out.
Simple , reliable and durable and sold at a price that will surprise you.
Ask your dealer to show'you his line of Rayo lamps and lanterns , or write to any agency of .
Standard Oil Company
( Incorporated )
EXPLANATION.
The Kid Honest , Mr. Blackbird , I
ain't after eggs ! I'm lookin' fer ap
ples p p pineapples !
His Idea of Heaven.
The Sunday school teacher had been
telling her infant class of the delights
of heaven. One youngster paid close
attention and after Sunday school was
over , walked up tp the teacher.
"Teacher , " he said , "do they have
billy goats with long whiskers up
there ? I want one awful bad , but
grandpa says I can't have one. If
they don't have billy goats up in
heaven I don't believe I want to go. "
In Boston.
Teacher Waldo , name one of the
best known characters in fiction.
Waldo ( aged five , superciliously )
Santa Glaus. Puck.
a !
Splendid Crops
in Saskatchewan ( Westirn Canada )
8OO Bushels from 2O acres
of wheat was the threstxri's
return from a LlaytJ-
1 minster farm in the
season of 191CL Many
fields in that ao wcH as
other districts yield
ed from 25 to 35 too-
' shels of wheat to tiic
| acre. Other grates in
[ proportion.
LARGE PROFITS
are thus derived
from tke FREE
_ _ OMESTEAD LANDS
of Western Canada.
This excellent showing esnes
prices to advance. Land Tainos
snonlddonblelntwo years * time.
Grain enmlncrrnlxed Taw-
Ing : , cattle ralBUifi : and dairy
ing are all profitable. JPrtre
Homesteads of 16O acres xro
to be bad In the very best
districts : 16O acre pre-m -
tlonsatSS.OO per aero -witii-
in certain areas. SchooIsan J
churches In every settle
ment , climate unexcelled ,
soil the richest ; irood , trat-
and building material
plentiful. , , 39
For particulars as to location ,
low settlers' railway rates na
descriptive illustrated pamphlet.
"Last Best "West , " and other 1s-
fonnatlon , write U > Su p't of lunal-
Kratlon , OttaTfa , Canada , or 10
Canadian Government Agent.
L T. Holna. 315 Jacboa SL , SL Past
J.H.HKlKblao. Drmrl97Hattrt w.S. ,
x. Please write to the agent nearertyon
You Can Save Money by buying
OLD BUCK ROQFliffi
direct from factory at manufacturer * prlcoc.
prepaid , to your nearest railroad town.
feet to the roll GUARANTEED.
nails and cement included ready to lay. 'WKTTZ
TODAY for free samples and prices that win esarJBce. J
BUCK ROOFING CO. , Dept. 21 - , St. Loeia , I * v
-16 OODCCS CD
DEFI1NGE STARCH- !
the p&efceg *
other starches only 12 ounces same price xss
'DEFIANCE" IS SUPERIOR QUALTXV.
W. N. U. , SIOUX CITYr NO.
Remedies are Needed
"Were we perfect , which we are not , medicines would
not often be needed. Bat since our systems have be
come weakened , impaired and broken down through
indiscretions which have gone on from the early ages ,
through countless generations , remedies are needed to
eid Nature in correcting our inherited and otherwise
acquired weaknesses. To reach the seat of stomach
weakness and consequent digestive troubles , there is
nothing so good as Dr. Picrce's Golden Medical Discov
ery , a glycerio compound , extracted from native medic *
inal roots sold for over forty years with great satisfaction to all users. Focr
"Weak Stomach , Biliousness , Liver Complaint , Pain in the Stomach after eatiag , .
Heartburn , Bad Breath , Belching of food , Chronic Diarrhea and other Intestiaai.
Derangements , the "Discovery" is a time-proven and most efficient remedy. .
The genuine has on
outside wrapper the
Signature
You cant afford to accept a secret nostrum as a substitute for this nonalcoholic
holic , medicine OF KNOWN COMPOSITION , not even though the urgent dealer may *
thereby make a little bigger profit.
Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets regulate and invigorate stomach , fiver
bowels. Sugar-coated , tiny granules , easy to take as candy.
PERFECTION
In every cold weather emergency you need a Perfecnoa
Smokeless Oil Heater. Is your oedroom cold woes you dies
or undress ? Do your water pipei freeze in the cellar ? Is k
chilly when the wind whistles around the exposed comers of
your bouse ?
A Perfection Smokeless Oil Heater brings complete com
fort. Cab be carried anywhere. Always ready for use *
glowing heat from the minute h is lighted.
A k your deafer to ihovr you a Perfection SasoMea OO Hes&tf : of
WItCe for Gexripuve circular to any agency cl
Standard Oil