The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, December 20, 1938, Page 21

Lonely North Carolina Town Marks Christmas Jammry 9 ODANTHE, N. C., town in America, Christmas twice each year. Christmas comes December 25 but just as regularly on January 5 the inhabitants of this isolated town ob- serve ‘“Old” Christmas, a carry-over from the days before our current calendar was generally accepted. Nekdeion Christmas trees must be imported, (Ladfim X Nyipe e L] 2 for Rodanthe has only one tree (see W‘ roty But the kids ZZaWR \ easternmost celebrates ew” o r% }mmnau% ol ARENT gy heck " Fairfl e it ln'}lh‘u below), a gnarled oak. U enjoy this plan, be: visits them twice. fishermen and coast island that is little ing sand dune, participate tically in both celet Boatswain’s Mate P. A. Tillett, biggest man in.the coast guard service, is Santa Claus for Rodanthe’s 0ld Christmas part y had to send to the main- land to get red cloth spa- cious enough for his suit. Each Old Christmas cele- bration is held in the school building where the only ‘“‘furrin the school teach To the present teacher, a girl from Virginia, Old Christmas is the world’s most puzzling custom. But seasoned resic look at it that way. Ta them, Old Chri s no more unusual than the Fourth of July. On their isolated island has been celebrated by generation after gencration, and will probably continue for generations to corae. is nts of Hatteras A>] and don't THE DAILY ALASKA EMPIRE, TUESDAY, DEC. 20, 1938. The Little Fir Tree By Henry Harding very little sunlight The trees were 50 big up The and own in al trees. tried tc Look- stars anc the brigh ther their shake thei nself ed to bie 1e moon ild say; rustling of would and aid to be muct squirrel said tc day as he jumped intc and brushed the to imbs with his bushy It take sun make anything grov trong and tall so little af oing a little r one branches to fir stretchec and kept his hed pointec the spot of sunlight he up through the maze o ree groy He could be t and upstanding, even if he hadn’t grown t Today the ground was all coverec with the snow which stayed white n the forest. All but a few bird I gone south. Every once in ¢ while there was the sound of stee triking against wood, and in tentiy a crashing sound of falling the tree rimself up toward all all a re tremble But this one mur- n one ¢ “Have they tall trees began to dcutters are out time of year the other snow birds ten that e t Christm; e Christmas ked cut down the trees and in the ho and put them so they look like s and spangles that look like snow shining in the moonlight. And the people sing songs and give each ther gifts, and it is a time of being " the little sncw bird twittered Oh, I wish they would take me,” > little tree cried in excitement love to see it all. I'd love to people happy. But I'm toc little,” and he sighed unhappily. “Sh! Let’s all be quiet,” one of the tall trees exclaimed “The woodsmen are coming ne: us. We must be quiet so they won't notice Then,we won't be cut down and to die.” But in spite he v s a funny ¥ vear trees?” trees?” the them andles on 'd make us left of their silence, the men drew near. They looked at the | ees, and one of them said:» “Oh,’ 1 too tall. No house or could hold them. Let's get church on. Just then a little lad who was rid- “1 never saw a more beautiful tree,” he said. ‘It seems to glow.” ing the sled, called to his father: “Dad, can we find a litile tree for sister? Couldn’t we find a cute lit- | tle tree to put in her room on Christ- Rodanthe children believe in “Old Buck,” an ogre with hoofs and norns who comes at Old Christmas to punish the naughty boys and girls, just as St. Nicholas rewards the good youngsters. None of the islanders remember how “Old Buck” originated, but he’s definitely a part of the selebration. MINIATURE VANITY NEW TRAVEL-IRON One little vanity is a miniature Small enough to fit into any metal suitcase, with replicas of | traveling kit, made to plug in any hotel labels .to.give it that dash-|socket, is a travel-iron—surely a away look. wrinkle-dispelling gift! mas day!” The ]ads {amer ansvmred, .sad]y little fir | { | | had and Sure- for Yes, my little girl will. She infantile paralysis last summer 1asn't been able to walk since ly we'll find a little tree rer Here I et me,” 1stily ind and away Why ree over straight tree. alled The man got out from the sled e walked to the tree and fondled it jently. “T never saw a more beauti- ul tree. It to glow. Molly vill love it.” he said with a smile sy ie tree was sc hap) son. 1 tree am! come and called out turned »mbling flying her little the littie boy branches t snow bird am the And saw the the little dad, there is a cute little there. Such a beautiful Wouldn't that do?” he seems litt X that cut him to the g vhen they put him into t till happy. The to F led litt] he wind blow And the ightedly when inch- ed de- he tre S little tree laug > - 3ANKER PLAYS ROLE OF SANTA . FOR PRISONERS Distributed' Money to Charity Under Name, "Mickey Finn" SIOUX CITY. us Santa Claus vealed only 37. will be hrisimas as one Towa—A whos his mysteri- identity was th early in i here ecach oux City's at remember: of character was Ed I man st beloy ame tate ht Yui U cu wrney, and banker who joy tc hundreds with anonymous contributions to inmates of prisons mis His gifts were always accompanied by poorly written letters bearing the signature, “Mickey Finn. A sample of Kearney’s unusual etters has been uncovered in the note written to the sheriff of Cook County, Ill, in 1930 cHicaGo ilI deC 2 0 1930 e sHeriF pLesE usE tHe sMal cHecK in- ClosEd to bY sUm nUts er kandY eR fRutE fEr enY poRe pepUl yoU maY haV wiTh yOu iN yUre jAle N cRisMus daY fR mE. aN teL. eN sTraTe aN doNt iRInK eNy feR tHe roTin sTuf wE giTs noW wiL suR kIl aNy oNe wHo dRinks iT i bIn Ck aN kaNt git mUc¢h wOrk aN aM hArD uP mYself buT |1 gO sTratE Now feR i fOnd oUt tHat crUkidNiss dOn pAy nuN aN giVe eM aL tHe t 10v aN wighiss uV thEr tRew frEn aN weL wiSHir. | was | dence, | he yUrrs tRewLy, mIckeY fiNn, The identity of “Mickey Finn not discovered ‘until Kearney was in a Sioux City hospital during his last illness. A daughter, pos- sessed of some circumstantial evi- confronted her father with he question ard he confessed that was “Mickey Fir When his private papers were examined clip- pings were found substantiating his | confession The character of Mickey Finn wa created early in the 1900s when Mr Kearney was president of a bank at Jackson, Neb. He met many bank- ers from over the country at con- ventions and when he started his Santa Claus role in the person of “Mickey Finn,” he simply wrote hi banker friends in other cities and obtained their cooperation in send- ing the chec tity secret. < -~ MINIATURE TO Everything that goes in a really truly kitchen, can be found miniature for the girl-child — wee electric iron, that lly works, di- minutive muffin tins, a tiny perc lator; egg-beater, mixing bowls, ng pans, singing tea-kettles made to scale for a p]ay-th' - BOXING GLOVES For those pugilistic youngsters, give a pair of boxing gloves. in s and keeping his iden- | \ 7 ASHINGTON.—The holiday mosphere that grips Amer each December also finds its way to the White House, home of our chief executives for nearly 140 years and scene of many a colorful Yuletide party in bygone years. White House history is rich with anecdotes of such gatherings since the building was occupied by the country’s Second chief executive, John Adams. For his granddaugh- ter, four-year-old Suzannah, Presi- dent Adams gave the first Christmas party ever held in the White House. Those were the days before the mansion was finished, when Mrs Adams is said to have hung out her wash in the great East room. Suzannah’s party w but one of her guests broke a doll dish belonging to the little hostess Suzannah retaliated by biting off the nose of the young guest’s new wax doll. President Adams had to re sort to diplomacy. Jefferson Played Violin. Christmas has always aided chief executives in discarding their digni- ty for a brief return to the simplicity of their childhood days. It was the widower President Jefferson who played the violin for his young guests, and the aged Andrew Jack- son threw wide the White House doors to hundreds of orphans who listened to the President himself tell them wild tales of Indian wars Dolly Madison, most famous White House hostess in history, was in charge of President Jefferson's party in 1805 when nearly 100 guests were present. Mrs. Madison also served as hostess at 13 other Christ- mas dinners in the White House dur- ing the two terms each of Jefferson and her own husband, James Mad- ison. Once the Madisons had to flee from the mansion when the British invaded Washington in 1812. Jackson's party for the orphans was inspired by his own sad boy- hood. At his party Santa Claus came to the White House as usual, a success | leaving many gifts for the homeless | Roosevell's Greefings To U.S. Navy WASHINGTON Christmas from President Rooseve high ranking officials of the Department will be flashed 25 eve from the radio tow- ers at Arlington, Va. to the fleet and naval ships and stations throughout the world. The message is an annual custom, awaited by American “gobs” and officers alike in their iron-clad battleships thou- ands of miles from home. - Celebration of Christmas Dates Back fo 354 A.D. The earliest elebration of the birth of Chr! vear, took place in the fourth cen- tury, and the custom spread from the westgrn to the eastern church Before that date tion of Christ’s nativity and baptism took place January 6. First mention of Christmas found in a Roman document known the “Philocalian calendar,” in | the year 354, and the first English | celebration of the festival was in 598, when St. Augustine baptized 110,000 concerts. In 567, the Council France, declared a 12-day festival from Christmas to Epiphany, and later, from 991 to 1016, the laws of Ethelred ordained that all strife should cease at Christmas. In Ger- ‘m:my, Christmas was established in | 813 by the Synod of Mainz, and in Norway by King Hakon the Good, | in 950. is of Tours, AND A FULL NEW YEAR OF GOOD FORTUNE Juneau's Own Store =7 Tomorrow's Styles Today the commemora- 3§ Entrance to the White House at Washington as it appears e | during the Christmas season. youngsters. Jackson himself found a corncob pipe and warm carpet slippers in his bulging stocking. Jackson in Snow Fight. “Old Hickory" is said to have par- ticipated in a snowball fight at the party, aided by Vice President Mar- tin Van Buren. As his little guests scattered over the moonlit White House lawn he turned to a friend and said: “They remind me of the one who came to the knees of Jesus, and of whom He said, ‘Suffer little chil- dren to come unto Me, and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of Heaven." ” In modern times much more cere- mony has been attached to official Washington’s celebration of the Yuletide. Each year the chief ex- ecutive radios holiday greetings to American soldiers, sailors, marines BATH ITEMS AN IDEA FOR GIVING LISTS With |J.\lh|<m|v)~ gone glorified what a chance for the gift-list You can shower the presents, from dres- sing table to soap. The dressing table, to fit in small pacz, are composition and wash- able and mirrored. The soaps are everything from those nice Ap- on-rope to hank round your neck to scented soap powders, instantly dissolved And in between curtains in all their sibilities, splashed with waterlilie: or stars, or impudent fishes Whole sets of matched bottles will hold bathing lotions. Glass shelves come with their own hooks to hold glamorous gadgets. Rubber pads for the tub keep one from skidding Long-handled bath brushes reach that spot between the shoulder. There’s a shelf that hooks on th tub for the leisurely tc read in the tub. And you can rub off any gift problem if you Jewel-toned bath toweis. consider shower anslucent pos- select t, December 25 of each| _ g;j’.fzv@e::gee@gegegzm ch year and diplomatic representatives throughout the world. His most im- portant official duty is a Christmas eve addr to the nation, a custom that has probably become perma- nent. The nation’s *‘official” Christmas tree in Washington is lighted annu- ally by the President as he participates in colorful ceremonies broadcast throughout the country. During the past decade and a haif, four Presidents have used the same switch box for this purpose. Last year a new silver plate was attached to the box bearing the names of these men. Another recent innovation at the ceremony is the use of a four-toned chime to signal the lighting of the tree. The chimes ring out as the President presses the button light- ing the tree, broadcast as a signal to millions of listening Americans. REAL GIFTS FOR HIM You can't vhmk of a thing to give him? Prowl through the leather goods aisles. You'll find cases to hold his club script, his passports ind membership cards. Leacher sus- penders and leather belts. Wallets o1 design, some with secret | bill pockets, and innumerable com- partments. Flat traveling clock in And fitted cases ry description. Miniature cock- tail metal cups that tumblesized shaker, all in one small leather case. A compass in leather. s, chips, cards. Shaving needs el need: 10-gets-about desir: --— Trim, Light Coats nest Some of the new sports coats for one who likes | iing, hunting. fishing—and also | some of the street topcoats—this year come with detachable wool inings, complete coats in them- elve Thus extra warmth the cold da a trim light coat for other wear, for or of | inside a | and anything «m-; Are Extra Warm o ANCIENT HOLLY STILLSPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER throughout Ameriea the holly plant will -old duty of spread- spirit, a custom that the pagan tribes of Yulet back to the holly grew wild in ates over a range from Missouri and south Texas. But too much in northeastern United destroyed much of the wth. Today most holly is m Norfolk, Va,, to Florida 0 or 60 miles of the Atlan- and westward in the Gulf ana popularity of the holly is wuation of the tom of asts which honored the holly in pagan rites. tribes under Roman branches to each of good will cont > Dr In Europe sent cus ne the holly as evidence Homes and churches were decorated with holly laden with crimson ber- ries when the pagans celebrated the. feast of Saturnalia, the “turning on of the sun Yuletide. Celtic sun came the and the holy made to the finally be- Christmas, /m as the acred tree Christmas® the feast god, Yaioul, celebration of holly tree, kn became the at our tree, for decorations festivals Holly does not bear berries un- til it is five years old. Before thaf . time the male and female trees cane ' not be told apart. There are more than 300 species of the plant, all ot them native to the temperate and tropical regions of both hemis= pheres Only holly the American and English s have rich green leaves. These are outlined with sharp spines ; or teeth, and the fruiting bmnches have round crimson berries. e AMERICAN TURKEY HAS FOREIGN NAME You'll eat your turkey and like it this Christmas, but do you know where this festive bird got its name? The turkey is the only species of | poultry native to this country. Its ‘u(nn:- is attributed by some to its call notes, “turk-turk-turk”; others® | believe that its head ornaments, re- | sembling the fez worn by natives of: Turkey, gave rise to its name. Anoth explanation is seen in the fact that the first turkeys from America were sold in Spain, largely’ by Hebrew merchants. Since the: bird was frequently confused with the peacock, it is said that the He= brew traders called it “tukki” thei! name for the peacoc With thes use of this name i sily became the pxesq GOOD CHEER! CHRISTMAS GREETINGS and NEW YEAR’S WISHES TO ALL ALASKA LAUNDRY