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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance, 1918-12-19, Page 7• s. • • • • • • 0 • • 0 • • • • • •e. .. • e • • # 0 • 0 9 • 0 • • • • • • • • • • • 0 • 0 0 •0 •0 • • * • * • • • • •••-•••••-•+•+++++++0+14-0-• Their Christmas +++++++9-•*4-0-4-•±*-e•-4-•99,4,a-4-4. "Now, what do you want,' quoth. Toramy the younger. " dare you tot tell!" "What I want an' whet I'll get are two different affairs," growl - ea John, the elder. "Olnistmases ain't for kids like us." "I ain't wantire a thing 'cep -tin' lots an' lots to eat," piped Susie, The Widow Jones looked at her brood—healthy, active, each one clamoring for a Special Christmas gift, and wondered where on earth the gifts were coming from There were seven children, and she hadn't $7 to her name. With so many mouths to feed and go many feet to be shod, and so little to do it with, it didn't seem as if Christmaa gifts were possible. The children were all -healthy, that VMS .one blessing, and if there wasn't much to eat each one was Able to do full justice to what was set before him. Year, before Sue Morris had married handsome Tom Jones against the .advice of her friends. He was a ,genial, good-tempered fellow, but a dreamer. She never regretted doing it, not even when he died, leaving- her seven little children and nothing but that rooky hillside farm to keep them on, - People said the land was worth- less, and perhaps it was; but the house was good and furnished a • pleasant home for them, with the greet walnut tree casting its shade over the yard, There had been a fine growth of maples be- hind the house, but the trees had been cut- down, -and. now their ugly stumps made unsightly blotches on the landecape. , The widow of- ten wished the, stumps were out of the way so that something worth while might be grown in their stetid. But she lacked means to pay for having the work done, and they remained. Her husband had meant to clear the land and had uprooted a few of them when his untimely death.put an end to the project, . His widow made a living as wo- men do in country plates. She sewed for her neighbors and sometimes cooked for them, too,' • and farmed her hillside acres the best way. she could. It was a scanty living, it must be owned. There were trying times when the flour was low in the barrel and the meat entirely gone. • It eeem- ed to the worried mother that at such periods 'the appetite of the youngsters was at its li-veliest. She remembered once when the clip- board was barest little Tommy awoke in the night crying: "Mammy, did I have my three niears to -day ?" and she had hush- ed him with the quick assurance: "Why, sonny, of course, you did," knowing all the while the child really had not satisfied his hun- ger once during the whole day long. But it was not -often their extremity was so dire. - &net how there would be some- thing coming from the sale of .the walnuts, and revolving the prob- lem of how to make one oiler do the work -of ten she' set the chil- dren at work shelling the nuts end preparing them for market. There would be fully six bushels after the hulls were off, and this meant at, least two pairs of shoes, even at -the low prieed offered for the nuts. Still she eould see noth- ing ahead of her that looked like Christmas cheer for the children. They must be satisfied with a promise for the future. She was pondering on ways and means when there mine a thundering rap on the door. . "Some neighbor," thought the widow. "It's butchering time, and maybe I'm wanted somewhere to help out with the work." With this ,she opened the door, It was no neighbor that confront- ed her. A barley .stranger stood OlA the porch, keen -eyed, deep - voiced. "Morning, ma'am," ho rum- bled, "I'ni told yeti own that stumpage back of the house "Yes," said the Wondering wo- man, "I regret to say that I do." "'Nothing to regret, ma'am," he Said. "On the watery, be glad. Had my eye, on it last ten day. Want to sell it?" "The landt" "Stumps," "Are you crazy?" eriedeehe, "Not 'taliTimber buyer for furniture •concern in East. Down here on hunt for certain sorts wood. Rock maple one of 'em; walnut another. Offer $75 for walnut tree in front yard. Take it?" Seventy-five dollars for one • IVES there a woman with an average member. of names to her Christmas list who has not wished at the eleventh hour on December twenty-fourth that she had spent lust a little more time with her needle, and had to show for it some dainty remembrances which would cheer up some few of these people for whom she has not provided? If there is such a paragon of virtues as this let her pass this helpful article by and hie herself atonee to heravell- earned niche in the hall of fame. She has it coming to her, These hints are given for the foolish vir- gins who must at the last minute be orgiinel and at the same time quick about -it. They tell how to combine a few simple twists of the wrist with a- little- ingenuity, more or less material, and the nec- essary implements. The results will be worth any trouble that may have been caused, for these descriptions have all been tried, and have met with many flatter- ing expressions of the daggner's artistry. (No names given 11) And how much. more fitting they will be than. the extravagant, em- bossed Christmas cards whish have been so in demand the past few y -ears. These cards were primarily sent -as thoughts of hap- piness, and were meant to create within the heart of the reeipient a feeling of great joy. The cus- tom has grown to -such. enormous and foolishly extravagant proper - dons that the aforesaid feeling is apt to be change to one of wonder as to where we will put the next batch the postman. brings; and that isn't saying anything about how 'the postman must feel about it. However, it seems Much more appropriate, en these day's of sen- sible things, t0 eschew' -the U11;• necessaries and -buy Red Cross stamps, while we can -easily make for our intimates some of the many useful and attractive little gifts Which may be evolved at small outlay, and mean so much in thoughtfulness. For the woman who is even a little dexterous with her paint- bruah, the field is practically un- limited for originel ideas in gift - making, In a little side street shop I found same unfinished wooden candlesticks—a whole tableful of them, •at five cents each. What an orgy one might have with some colored enamels, square dandles to top the finished products, and a resulting gift which would grace any mantel- piece or boudoir. Ordinary -chip baskets, the old- fashioned affairs made of oak withes, are taking perky airs unto theniselves. An artistic girl I know was in a rather tight place the other day, and her originality Was put to a -hard test. She emerged • triumphant, with the kindling basket painted a wild -rose pink, and •ornamented with a cluster of • common day fruit, painted in natural colorings. An oak tray- is left unpainted except in the centre, where a stencil is done in bright yellows and blues. The handle is enamel- ed in the two -colors, and two wooden beads painted like apples are attached with a purple eord. Tomato cans, metal shears, sole der and .patience are the required ingredients for -a number of un- usual ideas in tin. Painted, nose- gays are the regular decorations • for thesesconces, candle sticks, flower pots, etc. Pipettes ordinarily used in letleavatory work are not half bad. lemonade straws when they aro all dressed up in bands Of enamel. Por needleworkers there are many dainty affairs which can be made from remnants and rag - tags. One of the most novel and easily made laundry bags I have seen in a long time was made from nothing less than a cretonue lam- brequin. A strip two and one- half yards long was folded to- gether, and seamed down each side, the extra half yard being left on one side. This flap was braid -bound, and snapped up onto the bag proper. The fold of the. bag was fitted with braes rings, so that it might hang flat against one's closet door, The front side had a vertical opening which was also braid -bound. The prineipal advantage of this bag .is that it never has to be removed from its hooks. Simply unsnap the flap, and your launclry emerges in a neat pile. Luncheon sets of colored Tinen or near linen are quite the vogue. Most of them are pieoted along the edges. Cross-stitching would be enueli prettier if one had the time. • Stunning.mules for the boudoir are made of velvet in soft tones, with a rhinestone buckle or a tight little bouquet of lower on the toe. sm. •Knitting bags ad libitum can be evolved from bits of satin, trimmed with oilcloth flowers, or simply attached to the top of the old silver purse. Nothing is nicer than the small gift which may be tucked into a letter and mailed at the last min- ute. Handmade , handkerchiefs, spectacle chamois, veils and sachet s are 'among the little things; similar ones or new ones may be suggested by the meter,- ials one has on hand. V1/411)Vas) Wit *At ee', 2e: #4-1-#44-#4-4-#--+ *It VOMIVAMMINAVNAVIM VtAl nee Upon a Time 04#4k My child comes to my knee, And tugging, pleads that he may climb Into my lap and hear me tell The Christmas tale he loves so well— A tale my mother told to me, Begiaming, "Once upon a time." It is a tale of skies that rang • , • With angel rhapsodies sublime; • Of that great.host serene and. white, The shepherds saw one winter night— And of the glorious stars that sang An anthem, once upon a time. This story of the hallowed years Tells of the sacrifice sublime; Of one who prayed alone and wept J. ttt While his awearied followers slept— And now his blood and Mary's tears Commingled, once upon a time.'" And now xny darling at nay side And echoes of the distant chime, i Bring that sv eet story ba.ck to me 1 Of Bethlehem and Calvary, And of the gentle Christ that died For sinners, once upon a time. • The mi. ghty deeds that men have told In ponderous tones or flowing rhyme Like misty shadows fade away— ' 13ut this sweet story bides for aye, And like the stars that song of old, We sing of "Once upon atime." —Eugene Field. VP) VIM WIMMIV-n WilWAs) V%) V'M %V MVIAMM 3 +449-94-64-94944-49-699-44-99-694-649-944-994-6+++.+4+4.44:+4. • >94++++++44 -49-#4,94-694-94-94-44.64.944.946-644044.-94944-4-444+ ially. "Quite so)" said he, "hang stockings.'' tree! The widow gasped. Surely here was the craziest man, outside of an insane asylum. Yet he look- ed at her in the friendliest fa- shioii, and his -eyes seemed sane enough. But $751 It was out of reason! "Oan. sell tree for more?" he rambled anxiously. "Would have take it up, pay for shipping SAM, taking risks transportation seventy-five good, fair price, • widow; better close up trade; Sign receipt here. Received sev- en ty-five—earect. " Before she realized the fact the thing was done and the money lay in her hand, Wide eyed the children eared at the unusual sight. Suddenly they laughed "Now WO 1.1 have Christmas," they yelled in ohorus, "an' Christ- mas gifts." The timber Myer smiled gen- eash on spot!' Ile took a roll of money from his pocket big as his big fist. "Hate trade women," he went on, "but won't cheat 'eni. 'You've got kida here 1 won't take bread mouths bates.. Come) yes or nol" "If you're sure you know what you are doing--" hoitated the widow. "Iia, hum! Alwaya know that. „It 06 6 • • But the -widow was worried. "It's P, big price to pay," she fal- tered. "Big tree," replied the man in n his Blipped eentelices. "Eight •u feet through—fifty to first limbo; m worth it. Take whole thing— t mote, braiiehes--nothing lost theee days, Stuittpage—" 1 the Vat diliOse Christmas in (By Walton 'Williams.) In mediaeval times, when learn.- • ing was rare And confined mostly to the regular clergy living in mo- nastic communities, it became the fashion to illustrate the gospel narratives by means of more or less realistie dramatic represen, • tation. This method of instruct- ing the unlettered was borrowed from the old heathen inyeteries; • and the monk- and nuns who de- • vised the pious scheme made every effort to impart a reveren- tial understanding of the subject • illustrated, This is the 'origin of the mystery or miracle plays and also of the sacred talileaux vi- Val/its which in time were enacted in the- rural churches, These liv- ing pictures always illustrated some Biblical subject and were probably of great spiritual bene- fit -eo those who could not read. It was thus that the great fea- tures Zif the Christian religion were made intelligible to the pub- lic. The practice began Nally in the tenth century and grew in favor for ht least 200 years. In the thirteenth century, however; the east -an had become so subject to abuse that the clergy began to -frown upornx it, and finally they prohibited all forms of Biblical re - Presentation in the churches. In time moot of the Easter -mys- tery *tures disappeared from the ehurches, but many of the Christmas illustrations had ac- quired such a firm hold upon -the popular heart that they remained and have been brought down to the present day in a. somewhat modified form. Such is the "Bam- bino," which is seen to -day in all parts of the Christian world and Which has come to possess almost a ritualistic significance. An other Christmas mystery which still survives, although its perpetuation is -confined to a lim- ited region, is the quaint and de-. cidedly A impressive Christmas ceremonial known as "the offer- ing." e This 'custom has been re- peated far centuries on ChTistmas • day in the churches of the Italian. highlands. It is illustrative of • the visit of the magi to the infant Jesus at Bethlehem. A little boy is chosen to represent the Saviohr. Dressed in a white'robe, wearing a gilded erown and holding a globe in ibis hands, he stands upon an altar surrounded by olive branches and a multitude of light- ed candles. Votive lamps haug above him, and abundant offer- ings of fruit and flowers are a t his feet. A crowd of peasants, both men and women, elad in fes- tival attire and wearing the pic- turesque head coverings of the Tuscan mountaineers, bring or- anges and .. pomegranates from, their tiny gardens and offer them devoutly to the weary little repre- sentative of the Lord of the har- vest. 44-44-44-1-4-44-4-4-4-#44-444-4-4-•-•4-•+ "Yours and weleome 1" cried she quickly. Ile shook his head. "Not busi- ness. Woman don't knew value timber. flock maple—, hurl—, veneering, furniture, costly. Cer- tain woods hard find—rase. Know What doing—make offer." And the price he mentioned made her dizzy. "Why, it can't be," she eried, shedding tears; "it'a riches—al- 3110St. " • Ite stared thoughtfully at the widow. "Worth it," said he. Again he produced a receipt. This dope he eig'hed and offered her a card. "Name," he remarked "Lone man; homesick; got no home; Chrismue four day off; like kids—" with an appealing glance at the children, "Might dine—" He stopped. But she understood. Without looking at the name on the card she suggestedly "Have Christmas with us. Thanks to yon it will be a good one." He was pleased, "I will, ma'am. Glad eomc." He bowed and was gone. The widow's promise was fulfilled; she could cook, and she did her very best. The day came, and the guest with it, and it was e day and a dinner not easily forgotten by those who participated in the en- joyment. And it heralded the be. inning of . better times for the vidow and her flock, When the big walnut tree came own the big man pleated a will- ut slip in its plaee. But the mple Mumps were not all re- oved before Mrs. Jollies ceased o be a widow and the Ione maxi was alone no MOlk, their future tolidays being spent together. 6 o • 00 • • • ,11 • *4\0 • • •,4 6,6 6)6 /S • • 99++ +++.494-94.94-944-46 TIE SO IAL JID (F CHAISTML +9+94$4699+9,..11$94.9,694-4-64-9.91,0 A TBIE OF FAailLY REU.NI0p4S. In Christian tom:toles Christine eelebretions are much the same, •. • of "palm and pine" in which theY are though the widely different climate* • aeld would seem to lend a variety to them that does not in reality egist, England% eastoms cot celebrating the birth uf the, Christ child have been carried into the uttermost Parte •Of the earth whither her Sons And daugh- ters have gone to make ,their tomes. Wherever the English or the -ie des - i cerideuts are found, there Will •he *• found also a strong sentiMent in 4fa., vor of perpetuating the old familiar customs that are at outs sot pieturee- eue aod so heartsotne, custom EP dear lb that they never fail to charm and de-' light. And first of all,. all the world tries to go home at Chrietteaa, because the season is especially a festival 'tit * the home. With the approach of Mid- Dteember Overt' limn, woMan, yanth and maiden whO have been COMP011ed 4. to go out into the great world to win • a living or make a home, find in, their • hearts an indescribable, irrepressible longing fax the fireside beside whicli they were brought up and played•in ' happy childhood. Your cynic will tell you that it is merely a euestiee of cheap rates that tempts the Wan. • derers back to the old town, or village, or farm, where they were, horn. DLit it is something deeper, finer, more touching than this, Were there no • ,eheap rates whatever, there would • still be an amazing exodus of people from the large cities at the Christmas- tido. It is the most matural, the most genial, the most beautiful feeling stir- ring in the heart that turns all the world harnewara; for the, hanieleffe 9 ones, the people who dwell in board- ing-houses and have nq old homestead, • iibwever poor or plain, to return .to, the world has nothing but comma -Won and sympathy. For the workers away from home, Christmas bright particular day in the year'S calendar that is looked forward to as no other season is—i& is so associat- e ed with childhood and youth, with the p sacred memories of home, of mother and father, brother and sister; it is such a period of peace and good will, of joyous reunions and reminiscenses, that it stands out unique, a gleaming • white milestone in the long road of • days so full of anxiety anti. worry and • work, to which all gladly turn when December conies. THE GOOD OLD ENGLISH Cl -g • No writer bas' IgSivTeMnAtShe world out- , side of England so graphic, vivid and o ' delightful -a pieture of English Christ- mas customs as Dickens. He shows • us that Christinas iS the season most • •yloved by the great masses of the peo- : pIe, the season that brings out all the • best that is In, thena. • "The'ChristmaS • Carol" is one at the most exquisite and most, totiching things this great man has done, it embodies the verY • spirit that should animate the world e at this season,. Me spirit of love, good-- • • • will, forgiveness, generosity; good •• 9 cheer, and 'genital friendliness to an the world. To speak of the English Christmas is to call up visions of . • ., holly -decorated *-- cathedrals, and , •• churches, and boy choristera. with • voices like -seraphim, soaring up and about the beautiful old grey arches • ,and timbered roofs, the sang of the • i• carol singers, under one's windows at. • ter the solemn' midnight has boomed . ,,on the still night air of Christmas Eve, glowing grate fires, hearty joy- • • ,Ous family gatherings unto the third .• and fourth generations the exchange of • gins, and generous dinner wherein the roast turkey or goose, and flam- ing Alum -lidding with its crowning • • sprig of holly are the essential points of interest for young, and old alike, All this makes up a curious medleY • ili 0 , of heavenly and...earthly things, but • one once seen, once enjoyed, Once ex-• ., perienced, is never forgotten. Indeed the Charm of an English Chriatmas, °V' with its Merry house parties and in- • nocent revelries, is so great that all •- the world to a great extent imitates , it. The holly, with its stiff glossy. sprinkled leaves and glowing crim- son berries finds its way into every: corner of the earth, where the Eng- . es will be seen on every coat lapelp • ° • `lis,li are; and where the holly never 'grew, there, as Christmas • appr.tiaoll-: g,.. ...4. on every woman's breast, the eprit ' that proclaims the advent of Christ- . nuts day. : ! lailaienkdirithat y hbuav teenothing yth,oa t conferyo • f • ind little to perceive.---Tillot • said was in ;stria Confidence? Ethel—, Boston Transcript, wliono; ilropdoldrn'ttootweagotbhp,r ttoo rtebpirtookt:_it • Sift ten* ounces of flour into a Ohristrass Ce. • basin; weigh one-half pound-. of op , powdered sugar, two ounces of . candied citron, of raisins and one -ha -If pound of one-fourth paund • butter:' You need, besides theee, fours eggs and a lemon. Beat the butter (washed and squeezed • "dry) to a ereain with your Mend; add to it a tablespoonful of flour. one of sugar and one egg; miinx thoroughly and then go- on t.he same way, using the materia[ gradually until they are all in; grate the lemon and add the fruit, warmed and floured; line a tin with buttered paper, using ttvo thicknesses at the bottom; bake in a moderate oven two hours. ... ORN PRIGES OAR (canadian Press 'wire.) ' . 1 • * , tS. Chicago, Dee. 12. ---Stunning a& vances in the price of •arn resulted to -day from the Ow/emit:unit Crop re.. pert, showing that the yield for 191$ is the smallest in five year.. Val, ran up as iuuclt as seven MO at bushel over yesterday% finish. Stputeitte "FM Sausage," The Itainabolta" or "fish sausage' o2 thq Japanese is described by a can• • report 1111 made by chopping the 'white meat Of Atte' tish, Pastime through a C011atidery and making it into a paste, with g flavoring of sus" • stilt and reiearewed A100110114 boverego Wiled "Minn." The paste is made into loaves, steal:Ilea on boards on hot and a half to three innire, and et once lacked in cans. 121,...w......1**4.6... You never can tell. Many a hale* with money to Wet may live to elm the ashes.