New Britain Herald Newspaper, December 3, 1924, Page 13

NEW BRITAIN DAILY HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 38, 1924, S Ll e T sldered an omen of storms, fires and ' foolish,”" others acclaim them “inter- [gg:,o Realized Through icemen, Inot be possible to take this money nature's own unparalled ballrooms. l. ven ‘war, For mere good luck too, | esting and picturesque’ and we even = rh 2 The local war veterans are pleased 'from the street bond sinking fund Whilo the forelgn winter guests |many w person will avold encounter- are antiquated enough to hope that | Forget-Me-Not Drive [with the response and wish to ex- and expend it for other purposes are the chief figures i Switzerland's |ing & woman on New Year's morn- they will never die qut entirely, Dewey O. Selander who acted as | Press their appreciation to those who | KFor that reason the charter revision winter frolics, many experts in the [ing; to meet men or children, how e chalrman of the committee under cooperated either through selling or |committee will be asked at its next manifold varloties of winter sport |ever, 18 considered lucky. ’\\Im.w direction the sule of forget- |buylng forget-me-nots. meeting to so amend the city's laws are recruited from the natives, |nr| | me-nots was conducted Ly local dis- that It will be possible to transfer o e TR T e rinks are more and more hailed hn‘ Christmas Customs In Switzerland By Marle Widmer Japanese Speaker ai Why do such anclent and curious It 1s on the day before Christ. mas and the dear little mountain village is almost burled in sparkling, pure-driven snow, vision In white with its fleckless beauty still accentuated by the sapphire bluc of the sky, the healthy sepla tan of the chalets and the sombre green of the stately pines.| That indegcribably sweet perfume of the Christmas season floats through the alr and every bush and tres wears proudly the dazzling decorations which nature has so lavishly provided in her own ar- tistio designs, We behold a new world, gloriously beautiful and humble in spirit at the same time; a world full of mystic charm as it appears now in the dellcate Jllumi- nation of a crescent moon and its endless company of stars, Here and there a merry tinkling of bells! Sleigh riders homeward bound, ecager to reach a friendly hearth tn time for the celebration of the gladdest and groatest festi- val of the year — Christmas, the anniversary of the birth of ‘Christ, when the Christkindli, the Christ child walks on earth. The Christkindli And lo, as we look pensively down the narrow village street, there ap- proaches a sleigh, drawn by six magnificent reindeer. Its occupants, a radlant angel — the Christkindli ~~ {8 the poetic successor of folly old Santa Claus wHo in many parts of Switzerland and not so long ago, used to be halled as the gencrous donor of all Yuletids gifts. On Clristkindi's sleigh there are Christmas trees of every size, decorated with the many glittering things which are so fascinating to young hearts, and heavily laden with rosy apples, oranges, nuts and fragrant cookies. A truly appetizing and mensible array! There are packages too of tantalizing shape and with the ald of her helpers Christkindli distributes trees and gifts in her own fairy-ltke way. Christmas trees everywhere, not & ho is forgotten and before the youngsters are allowed to play with their ®bys the whole family gathers around the tree and sings some carols; heartfelt, foyous offerings to God for his sublime gift to humans, In many a home the story of tie nativity i3 read from the voluminous old family Bible and the actual origin of the Christmas tree may even be brought up for discussion by some college-bred member, for no matter how isolated a Swiss village is, there is not one inhabl. tant who does not regard education as the greatest asset in modern life, ‘When Christmas Was First Observed History indicates that it was only in the year 354 A. D. that the Ro- man bishop Liberius designated De- combar 25 as the birthday of Christ. On this day was observed the Ro- man feast of Saturn, when candles were not only used for {llumination purposes, but they were also ex- changed as gifts in token of cheer- fuiness and good-will. The Jews too were accustomed to burn candles at that time, which happened to be their Feast of Dedication and ft is thus not improbable that thou- sands of candles wers burning throughout Palestine when Chriat was born. Our present day custom of burning candies on the Christ- mas tree is therefore of very an- cient origin and the Greek Catho- lies actually call Christmas “The Feast of Lights." There is a pretty legend which relates that the history of the Christmas tree dates back to the ninth century, when a certain St Winitred went to preach Christian- ity to the people in Scandinavia and northern Germany. FEve these people were gathered round a hugs oak to offer a hu- man sacrifice, aceording to Druid rites, but St. Winfried hewed down the great tree and as it feil there appeared In its place a tall young Winfried saw it he fir. When 8t said to tne people: “Here {8 a new trée, unatained by bisod. See how {t points to the aky! Call it the tres of the Christ Child. Taka it up and castle of your chief. Hencaforth yon shall not go Into tha shadows of the forest to hold your feasts with secret rites of shame. You shall hold them within the walls of your own home with ceremonies that speak the message of peace and good-will to when there shall not be a home in the north whersin on the birthday of Christ the whole family will net ory of thim day and mory of this day and to the glory of good.” Sinee the passing of those days the custom of the Christmas tree has found its way into the remotest coraers of the earth. Its signif- cance and purpose have been crys- tallized in Christian minds and hearts and yet, there sémehow re- mains here and tehre the observance of cartain Christmas wseason, Christmas Customs Tt is Christmas Eve and after the last candle has fllckered out on the tree soma of the simple peasant folk in the sequestered Swiss moun- tain vales set out to observe cus- toms which have been handed down to them by many generations of an- cestors. Grandmother hastens to the cellar for the most perfect speci- men of an onion. This ahe outs into half, peels off twelve lavers, oné end In d4ue rotation she fills the same with salt. On the following A marvelous One Christmas | carry ith to the | A day {s coming to the glory quaint customs in the Biblo and the first Pealm which strikes his eye contains In stanzas the number of years he s yet given to live, f It mother wishes to safeguprd her chickens from all anlmals of | proy, she. will now proceed to the | ehicken«coop and cllp the wings of the fowls before mldnight, but she must be careful not to go within hearing distance of the stable where the cattle are housed, for the hour from 11 p. m. to midnight on Ohristmas Evo is the sacred time | when dumb beasts are able to con- verse together and disaster is pre- dicted for the inquisitive who takes it upon himself to listen. The head of the house too has hia dutles; all day he has been busy shoveling snow and tying bands of straw arognd the trunks ot the trees in the orchard; with lantern In hand he now makes a last round of. inspection, for the trees thus equipped in Christmas week ére supposed to yleld an unusudlly plentiful erop next year. Christmas Eve is moreover that time of the year when romance relgns on earth and while the older members of the family are busily occupled in thelr own way, an un- married son or daughter of the house will probably elip out into the clear winter's night and while the church bells are calling to mid- night mass sho or he will drink three sips from cach of nine dif- ferent fountaing — an easy task in this land of numerous public springs. After completing this cur- lous rite, the supreme moment in the life of the young person con- cerned is at hand, for it the spell! works, the future mata will surely be standing at the church door and A& regular courtship s usually be-| gun. With the majority of the| younger contingent of the congrega- tion attending this nocturnal mass, it 1s, of course, quita Jikely that the truly chosen one just “happens” te stand at the door. As everybody of the village is acquainted with the custom, it is readily surmised by those walting for the service to start that their still missing unmarried friends must be “visiting the foun- tains” prior to thelr arrival at church. Tdeal Time for Lovers And is not the Swiss winter season an ideal time for lovers? TFollow that trailing party! An endless row of sleds zig-zagging their way to some. poilnt where one of those typically good Swiss inns will pro- vide a tempting dinner and dance music as well! Either can be en- joyed outdoors, for the season of white in the mountains is ons long period of sunny days where the noon temperature, in spite of ice and snow, lures to open-air pienics and the carefully maintained Bwiss they, of courss, learn skating, skh-Ing customs still linger fn our enlight-| and tobagganing when mere bables. New Year Is visiting the pgasants of regions. almost daily, for the Swiss are en- thusiastic pfayers of thelr national weelk the card game “Jass” and 1t I8 not an |customs in these uncommon sight to see three geng erations emerge from the samc | home, all equipped with skl all bodnd on the same errand—a “kaf- boring house, In justice hardworking Bwiss peasant be it sald, however, that after the holldays the card partles are ro placed by knitting and spinning bees. A special kind of bread s baked at this tima of the known as “New Year's bread its extra ingredients include milk, butter, eggs and ralsins. Thut avery housewife is ambitious to exccl her neighbor in the quality of hoer product is only natural and humay! 7Almost every community has now its own amateur theatrical guild which presents plays of the tragic and comic varlety with an earnest ness which never falls to impress the audience, New Year's Day Is their gala performance day ahd they do not have to Invent any advertising schemes to fil the houso to capacity! New Year's Eve New Year's Eve, llke all over the world, is given to general merrymak- ing and when the muititude of won droualy tuneful church bells an- nounce the beginning of a new year to the women alto year, and in glorious, soul-stirring chorus, re- | rounding throughout the land, bon- | fires will flare up on the mountain | helghts And young men wiil thresbing on some speclally structed wooden platforms above their village—a strange invecation for a good harvest to come. Mem- bers of the local singing soclety, and there s one to be found in the tinfest village, will now go from house to house “caroling” and offer- ing New Year wishes. On the first day of the year many a farmer will first of all consult the sky; should it be red it is con- e —————e— of head or chestare more easily treated externally with— start cor Banish Pimples By .Ulin[ Cuticura Soap to Cleanse Ointment to Heal Sheetrock. the building stands. You just nail it to the paper, paint, panels. Company. Reg U8 Pat.OF, morning the family is able to pre- | pare an advance weather chart, for the peelings which contain damp falt indicate the rainy months and the peelings with dry salt stand, of course, for the fair months. And it any member of the fam- lly e courageous enough to con- sult the oraclo as to the length of time which is yet allotted to him on earth, he will presently take the FOR LESS MONEY you can build, remodel, repair WITH SHEETROCK 'OU get a better result at lower cost when you make your walls and ceilings with Sheetrock is low in first cost. Sheetrock is in- expensive to erect. Sheetrock costs nothing at all to maintain. Sheetrock lasts as long as Do you know what Sheetrock is? Gypsum highest grade—cast in sheets, all ready for use, proof. Non-warping. Tight-jointed. Permanent. Sheetrock takes any decoration, Use it with Textone, The Sheetrock Decorator, or wall Made only by .the United States Gypsum Ask your lumber or building material dealer for a sample and prices. UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY 205 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois SHEETROCK Vnr'uchmomhr\flhnynriorame: THE Fireproof ‘VALLBOARD joists or studding. Fire- lened age! The week between Christmas and | pomembers that they are relles of AMONE Leljefs dating back to mountain | jgnorance Card partics are arranged | yonerally prevalent among the aver- age people, M tive of when 1 were of Co to 1he memb moto One wonders and then' times res and superstition While some persons d the observance of Much days “rather as nese T Rotary Club Meeting T. Yamamoto, & representa- f the Tokio Chamber of Com and the mmerce of Japan, will speak Noew Bri ary club ers tomorrow, Mr Yama vill discuss “American-Japa clutions. ™ ‘SOLID MAHOGANY “PRISCILLA” SEWING CABINET $10.00 These practical little sew- ing cabinets are so handy— they can be easily carried from room to room. A Quiet Solid Mahog- any Soli- taire Handy Little Tables $11.25 In walnut or mahog- any. A phone con- cealed under a tele- phone doll makes a pretty decoration. Drop Leaf S Cart $25 In finish. aver bus Abundance of Pretty Stools $5.40 In tapestry and velours. EFFECTIVE GROUPING That “homey atmosphere”— cheer. Doesn’t this little grouping ap- inviting living room peal to you? abled war vet ago roports the proceeds of the day ans several wecks to be approximately $550 Federated Chambers | nationul headquarters of abled war veterans to be expended i hilitating | tor legislation favorable to the gerv- | D rpum—————————————— feeklatsch” and Jass at some neigh- |’ THE CHAIR IS $65 Upholstered in taupe mohair. forwarded to | the dis- I'his money will be tion, rehu in campaigns | bonds. furnishing | soldiers A 'Cil_v Has $900 Balance Bonds issued for street work have been paid off and .he city finds it self with a balance of $900 in the sinking fund created to retire thes Under the existing charter it will B e e T L L L GIFTS THAT LAST PIECE of well-chosen furniture is the one gift that is sure to bring delight not only on Christmas Day but will serve as a living, lasting reminder of Friendship's ties—will continue to delight and to render helpful service through the days and vears that follow Christmas. For better selections—and your profit—ive urge you to do your Christmas shopping now. Make up your mind to complete your holiday buying by the middle of December. Theén you can comfortably sit back and wateh others in the last-hour scramble. We have never shown a finer array of ideal gift-pieces. |this money to another sinking fund, In Street Bond Fund London 1e loss ap a baby's rat- has been reported to Scotland Yurd, The baby had the rattle dur- ing a taxicab drive with its parents nd the toy was missed afterward, Ihe best sleuths of the “yard" are hunt for it. on the BURTON A. WHITE Resident Salesman 16 BLACK ROCK AVE. Phone 1499-3 A NEW ASSORTMENT OF FINE MAHOGANY TILT TOP TABLES All sizes—most reasonably priced. A “REAL GIFT” FOR THE GATELEG TABLE IS §21 Measures 35x48 inches. In beau- tiful mahogany YOUR OWN HOME MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK POTTERY BASE LAMP $26 with loyely silk shade POLYCHROME SMOKING STAND $2.95 M Game $9 Table erving mahogany A step for the v house- Special Mohair Davenport $135 Quality con- struction. Gor- geous taupe mohair. C. C. FULLER CO. 40-56 FORD STREET shopper. VISIT THE GIFT AISLE DISTINCTIVE merchandise the goal of every holiday We have arranged a special Gift Aisle consisting of the smaller pieces of Furniture and Novelties to beautify home corners; merchandise that has the touch of individuality. By shopping now, before the pres- sure of an advancing holiday season makes hurried selection necessary, you will be assured of gifts of outstanding character. 4 | Hi{gw i i POLYCHROME MANTEL OR BUFFET MIRROR This model only $15. 45 inches ong—3 panel—mitered plate glass. A large assortment of fancy mir- rors. “FOR HIM” A SMOKING STAND You will be delighted with the new models—and the prices. HARTFORD $63 An excellent variety of all kinds of pretty house desks. “ALMCO” BRIDGE LAMP $26.75 Polychrome base— georgette and silk shades. America's most beautiful lamps, is Christmas Special Solid Mahogany “Martha Washing- ton” Sewing Cabinets—$19.75. Full size—invisible hinges. A Girl’'s Most Cherished Possession A CEDAR CHEST This model in walnut finish which measures 48 inches is only $30. Fine, Walnut High-leg Cedar Chest 845—large size, lined with Tennessee Cl“iflr. 44 in. Natural Cedar Chests $24.75. You always find us just a “lit- cedar chests, P tle lower™ c A GOOD PLACE TO TRADE FRANK SOPER’S “PRETTY NIFTY REVUE” —— WITH FRANK SOPER, MADELINE BUCKLEY, BOBS ACKERMAN AND 20 OTHERS—CHORUS OF PRETTY NIFTY GIRLIES