Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance, 1923-12-13, Page 12g11NA*1,1101bp) WM�,791!IW�IM u A Christmas Story By Sarah Bernhardt Christmas Eve is the greatest night in the yeitr, It is a night of ,fnyste.ry: W"hert everybody is in bed, except tate policeman, down the chimney comes an old gentleman in a red cloak, horde • ered with white 'wool, carrying over his back an immense sack 'stuffed With toys and bonbons, which he emp- ties into the, stockings of good little.. boys and girls asleep in their cots, The policeman does not see the old ktout;5ebreaker; the black soot does not smirch his beautiful red -and -white cloak; more wonderful still, the 'snmall- est chimney on the humblest roof of all the world is wide enough for his descent, sack and all. .The fact is, Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Father ' Christmas, IBonliomme Noel, Knecht Clobes ,or whatever else children may call the old gentleman with the sack --the fact is, he is a ghost, He is the ghost of that good St, Nicholaswho went about doing gen- erous acts in secret; who slipped mon- ey, silver and gold, through the key- holes or under the doors of poor peo- ple, and made homes happy without Jetting anyone know how it happened, Nicholas was a kind man and now he is a kind ghost. All over the world— in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and A.ustralasia, the ghost of this good old rnan on Christmas Eve passes down millions of chimneys, and fills . billions of stockings with trillions of toys and quadrillions of candies, Yes, really and truly, it is the spirit of St, Nicholas who comes across the snow on Christmas Eve. In France, Bonhomtne Noel, as they call Santa Claus, is accompanied by another ghost—a thin weasel -faced old gentleman, . with long grey beard, threatening dark eyes and a frowning forehead. This is Le Pere Fouettard, In French our word `whip' is `fottet; so you see that Le Pere Fouettard means in English, "Father Whipper." This Father Whipper who accompan- ies Father Christmas in France car- ries on his shoulder a wickerwork basket filled With tiny birch rods, and he leaves one of these whips for every child who has been naughty, or cross, or greedy ' during the year, Father Christmas of coarse, only conies to' children who are trying to .be good, There is another difference in France. Children do not hang up their stockings on Christnnas Eve; instead they put their little sabots, which are wooden shoes, in front of the hearth, close to the chimney, by which Father Christmas descends, If you have read Victor Hugo's wonderful book, "Lee Miserables," you will remember the story of the poor little ill-treated girl who put her shoes on the hearth year after year, and never received any- thing till Saint Nicholas in the shape of a poor but good man who had been in prison, visited the scene of her mis- ery and gave her happiness. Santa Claus very often takes a human form. There are so many chimneys in the world, and children will wake up so dreadfully early on Christmas morning, that nowadaye even a ghost has not time to go all round 'the. world in a single night. So the ghost of St. Nicholas splits itself up into little atoms of kindness, and these atoms, like seed thrown from a sower's hand, take root in the hearts of fathers and mothers, and uncles and aunts, and guardians and friends, and turns them all but for Christmas h.ve only, into Santa Clauses, "One Christmas morning," says a French author, "when I was in my eighth year, as I was searching in my sabots, I pulled out two big pennies which made me bitterly unhappy. Where had Father Christmas, the fairy giver of toys, unearthed this horrid greasy money? -Certainly not from heaven. I immediately suspect - lid that my father had placed this pro- saic money in my shoe simply to des- troy my faith in the legend of Father Christmas. My faith in dear old Fath- er Christmas and his donkey was com- pletely shattered, and it was from that anoinesrt that doubt entered nay infant soul for the first time.' ' But this little' boy should have said to •, himself : "No doubt my father put these pennies in my shoe; neverthe- •.less, he does not put pennies there every night in the year, and so it must have been Santa Claus who made him do it." And this, you will see, is the true explanation of Santa Claus. Perhaps it is only in 'very old-fashioned, out - of -the way places, that Father Christ - tilos really rides about on a donkey, and' clitrrbs on to roofs, and descends down the chimney with his sack of toys. But if there had never been n Saint Nicholas (who was a real titian) no stockings and no sabots—as the French call their shoes --would ever have been set' out on Christmas Eve Continued on last column of this page. C t. -,RISTMA, AND T E WAC �s HE'old English song has the true Cbristenes spirit:--� "A man. night then behold At Christmas in each hall, Good fires to curb tate cold, • And Meat for great and small. The neighbors were friendly bidden And all had tc•elcoine true, The poor frcnt gates were not chidden When this old cap was new." Asone gets old he sees the former customs, holidays, and incidental rural games vanish and become of no account, but Christmas holds its own, and many of its layout happenings are strong as ever, charity and goodwill abound while the very stores overflow with presents and good things for old and young,'. To me nothing is more beautiful than the full voiced choir, the pealing organ, the chiming of bells, and the gathering together of family and friends in full accord with the happiness that Christmas always brings. There is, however, one custom extremely ancient, connected with this season, which so old in years is ever young in our hearts—The Waits—r have a vivid recollection of a dream in which the most lovely melody mortal ever heard floated through my half awakened conscious- ness and I awoke with tears of joy running from my eyes. "Oh, it's only the„waits wJk of London and Westminster; the post could be purchased in London, but in West- miiister it was under the control of the High Constable and court of Burgesses, Purchasing is done away with and everything of'an official nature, anyonecan be a wait and play upon any instrument he may fancy, and rely upon a generous public for his remuneration; As the waits generally play during the night when all good citizens are in bed, or should be, one hardly knows what they look like, but T was coming home late on once occasion,' a very bitter night it was near Christmas, and I saw a little band of three of these ancient performers, The one who made my dream so beautiful could not possibly have looked like these three who were standing under the pro- tection of a friendly wall, They were dressed in heavy, but oh! such shabby great coats, mufflers were round their throats, caps with ear lappets were on their heads, their instruments, an ophicleide, trombone, and clarinet were covered with green Jelin, to keep them warm I suppose, and the notes from freezing, while at every chance the ophlcleide man beat hisfreezing breast with a hand as cold: Whatever they got for their services was well earned, every cent of it, When Washington Irving visited England he was entertained at a country mansion which he called Bracebridge Hall, and this is what he has to say of the waits. After a jovial supper which does one's heart good to read of he retired to rest:–"l had scarce got into bed when strains of music seemed to break forth on the air just below the window; ` I listened and found it proceeded from a band, which 1 concluded to be the waits from some neighboring village. They went round the after all," I said to myself, as the distant notes of a cornet came to my ears. So it was. Doesn't Keats say "Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter,' Now the terse "waits” is of uncertain origin, Dr, Busby tells us that the word is a corruption of "Wayghts," the old name of the hautboy and transferred from this instrument to the players who were musical watchmen engaged to pipe and watch nightly in the King's court from Michaelmas to Shrove Thursday and three times in the Summer. It was also their duty to make the "bon gate" at all doors to guard them against "pychers and pullers." They were established as early as 1400 at Exeter, and were most important personages, with many privileges, They ate in the hall with the minstrels, had a livery, were allowed plenty of food, candles, ale, bedding, with several other things, and in addition attended a knight on his being invested with the order of the Bath, their wage for so doing being the knight's "watch" clothing. Though the term "waits" has been traced to the hautboy, there is an analogy between the words "waits" and "waith," the latter meaning wanderer, and referring more particularly to the wandering minstrels of Scotland who were, like of those of Westminster, under municipal control. The City looked after then and gave them a livery at its own expense. A remnant of this custom still remains, so it is :said, for a sort of diploma is granted by the magistrate to certain respectable blind amen called waits who wander through the streets some two or three weeks before New Year's Day, for Christmas is not of much account in Scotland, These wandering minstrels play the violin and beautifully render the old Scot. tish melodies which the silence of the night renders most tender and more effective, Once on a time when a man was made free of the City of Alnwick he was met by a company of women dressed out in ribbons, bells, garlands of gum flowers and such like, who, with ringing of belts and dancing, welcomed the lucky fellow. These women bore the name of "timber waits," timber being a corruption of "tintbrel,"�–» tumbrel or tambourltte players, At one time in Old Landon the waits hadser aim official cities a t official standing in the cities ;sci. i NY 'MS WTLL1,nATroNA1, OVNOICA117, house, under the windows, •T drew aside the curtains to hear them more distinctly The moonbeams fell through the upper part of the casement, partially lighting up the antiquated apartment. The sounds as they receded became more soft and aerial, and seemed to accord with quiet and moonlight. I listened and listened— they became more and more tender and remote and as they gradually died away, my head sunk upon the pillow and I fell asleep. ADORATION Today the whole Christian world prostrates itself in adoration around the , Crib of Bethlehem and rehearses in accents of love a history which precedes all time and will endure throughout eternity. As if by an instinct of our higher, spire ittial nature, there well up from the depths of our hearts emotions which challenge the power of human expression. We seem to be lifted out of the sphere of natural endeavor, to put on a new life and to stretch forward in desire to a blessedness which, though not palpable, is eminently real. CHRISTMAS STARS The silent Christmas stars shine cool and clear Above a world of mingled joy and woe; On peaceful cottage homes, with thanks aglow For royal bounty of the grape -crowned year; And on red fields of blood, where many a tear Is wiped away by Death, a gentle foe, Moremercifulthan they who bade it flow. Shine, silver stars, rain down your blessed cheer! Comfort the/Meitner' with your Angel song! The Christ ixhild reigns. Behold His tiny hand Upraised in benediction warm and sweet! O'er evey joy and every bitter wrong The 4.B.ebe of Bethlehem hath siipretne command; Crottle, eieship, kings and peoples; at His feet! A Christmas Story Continued from first column. qr surprise gifts. So it is still a mystery, and it is still from, heal=eni. that this mystery comes, If you keep half an eye open,tbis: Christmas Eve and see, while yin pretend to be fast asleep, your, father and another enter the room with candles and ;parcels of toys, candies, and oranges; just say to yourself that Santa Claus is employing them to do his will, and that if Se Nicholas had not lived and done kindly things you would never naive had that box of soldiers, that farm yard, that automobile, that grocer's shop, that pair of reins, that book of fairy tales, those crack- ers, and that box of oandied fruit, Is it not much more mysterious titan Santa Claus himself? Do not think that you are very sharp and clever to have found out how the toys and candies come to you on Christnnas Eve, Tt is one' of the great mysteries of life, For once upon a time there lived a rich young matt who tried, becausehe so much admired the kind and gentle character of Christ, to make his money give other people happinss; He went about plac- ing coins and gifts in the ohments of poor people. He did good in secret.' The name of this young man was Nicholas. . When he died people called hint Saint Nicholas. He died and was buried like any ordinary man. But one man, whom men called Nicholas, has from his grave, for hundred of years, inspired the whole civilized world to be kind and generous on Chrinstmas Eve. He was not a mighty war- rior, but he has done more for the happiness, kindness and good -hum- or of the world than Caesar or Napoleon. Is that not a far greater mystery than Santa Claus and his donkey. Learn from this story that a beautiful character is more power- ful than any fairy, and "understand that your presents at Christmas are given to you secret only that you, when you grow up, may follow the example of Saint Nicholas, and give without telling, Santa Claus, even if, he come your father's or your mother's body is still the loving spirit of the good Nicholas, 411111.101111.0. 02.06011•11111.4.141.11•0 The 014 Man Named Scrooge Being a Christmas Carol in Prose Reprint of "Book of Knowledge" No. VII muu�rurwnou.®xr.ru.coo.�s.ue.ue•oe.o.wu.ra.enaorn.ro�nrco.soe.oepu.,aua! There was 'a very dreadful old man named Ebenezer Scrooge. What a fine name for a horrid old man! There never was, such an old grumpy, frumpy, ill-tempered, sour, unfriendly Old man. He had been in partnership for many years with one named Marley, sohis filen was known -es Scrooge and Marley. 'But Marley had been dead for seven years—"as dead as a doornail"—and Scrooge lived alone and shunned everybody. • He had a clerk in his office named Boh Cratchit, and he only paid the poor fellow who had a wife and four children—fifteen shill- ings a week, a wage that scarcely ,fed his family. The bare, ill -furnished office that Cratchit, sat in was, more like a tank than a room, and it. was as much as his place was worth to at- tempt to keep himself warm by putting on a good fire, even in the coldest 'weather. Old Scrooge grudged every piece of coal that was burned, and kept the coal -box in his own room. He never gave poor Bob a holi- day except on Christmas Day, and he hated the very thought of that day coming round. You really never heard of such a nasty, sour- - tempered old man. His nephew, Fred, was just the reverse—a jolly, good-natured young man, who determined that lie would always wish his uncle a merry Christmas, no matter how he was snubbed by him.. It was Christmas Eve, and into the office of Scrooge and Marley popped the jolly nephew, saying brightly to old Scrooge: 'A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!" "Ball!" said Scrooge. "Humbug!" "Christmas a humbug, uncle!" said Scrooge's nephew, You don't mean that, I am sure." "I do," said Scrooge. "Merry Christmas! What right have youto he merry? What reason have you to be merry? You're poor. enough!„ "Come, then," returned the nephew, gaily; "what right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be `morose? You're rich enough!" Scrooge, having no better answer ready on the spur of the mo- ment, said "Bahl" again, and followed it with "Humbug!" "Don't be cross, uncle!" said the nephew. "What else can I be," returned -the uncle, "when I live "in such TT -...T v e Merry Christ- mas! world of fools as this? Mena, Christmas! ,.1� upoi , vias! What's Christmas -time to you but a time for paying bills with- out money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing yourbooks and having every item in 'ern through a round dozen •of months presented dead against you? If I could work my will;' said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with `Merry Christmas' on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart, elle 'should!" "Uncle!" pleaded the nephew. "Nephew!" returned the uncle sternly. •'Keep' Christmas in • your own way, and let me keep it iiiinel" "Keep it!" repeated Scrooge's nephew: "But you don't keep it!" "Let me leave it alone then," said Scrooge. "Much good may do. you! Much good it has ever done you!" And so he went on, denouncing Christmas in a frightful way, and refusing utterly to say a good word about it or anybody or any, thing, until his good-natured nephew went away; Two gentlemen who called later in the clay for a subscription on behalf of. the poor were, of course, turned out without a penny. There were workhouses. What more, did the poor want. Old Scrooge would think himself mad to waste his money on them or on anybody, and poor Bob Crat- chit was told to be in. all••the earlier to work on Boxing Day, as he was having Christmas Day off, which was equal to stealing so much `of .his eanployer's time. What 'an old skint-flint1 Now, when the old curmudgeon went home that night to tate. dismal chambers he occupied—they had formerly been the roos of Itis dead. partner Marley—he was amazed to notice that the lcnocmlccr on the door was—old Marlc:y's facet This Was queer,. But the olcl • fellow went up the dark stairs as boldly as he could, and entered his dark, dreary, dismal rooms, 'Darkness was cheap, and so he liked it, the old raiser! "Sitting -room, bedroom, lumber -room. All as they should be. Nobody under the table, nobody tinder the, sofa; a small fire in the grate; spoon and basin ready, and thb little sausepan of gruel upon • the hob, for Scrooge had a cold in his head• Nobody under the bed; nobody in the :closet; •nobody in his dressing -gown, which was hang- ing up in a spicious attitude against the wall. Lumber -room as usual —old fire -guard, old shoes, two fish -baskets, washing -stand: on three legs, and a poker, ,• Quite satisfied, he closed the door, and locked himself in double -locked himself in „which was not his custom, Thus secured against surprize, he took off his cravat, pot on his dressing -gown attd slippers, and his nightcap, and sat down, before the fire to take his • gruel," As he sat looking at the low fire ho'•suddenl y realized that , every the about the grate had on it a copy of old Marley's face star-, tug at ltitte He now began to feel very creepy, you may be sure. 'There was an old bell high up in; the room, and it began to ring, while a' noise downstairs made Iiint start, and the sound of some» Continued on second last page.