PAGE EIGHT ASHLAND DAILY TIDINGS q u a in t old “custom s w h ich 'had m a rk e d Christmas Eue in the Kitchen C opyright. 1921, W o te r n N ew sp ap er Union. By ELEANOR E. KING. rN THE kitchen of an apart­ ment building in the city was seated a large, husky man with a little girl of about seven, on one knee, and a boy of perhaps six, on the other knee. “But grandpa, I don’t see why Santa Claus doesn’t come,’’ said little Doris. "We have waited so long out here In this old kitchen.” At this, Master Fred laboriously climbed down from his grandpa’s knee and ran over to the kitchen door, and then to the window. “Isn't it disgusting, grandpa? I can’t even see him coming.” “Well, you-know,” said grandpa, as Fred climbed back upon his knee, Santa Claus was a little boy oner himself, and he knows how impa­ tient little boys are. He has a hard tim e, though. Every year he has more boys and girls to bring toys to than he had the year before.” “But grandpa,” said Doris, “I neyer knew Santa Claus was ever a little hoy.” “Oh, yes,” asserted grandpa firmly. “Once upon a time a group of fairies were p l a y i n g around in an open place under some trees and they f o u n d a little baby asleep. They took the b a b y to t h e i r queen. The fair­ ies loved the little baby, 60 they begged the queen to let them keep him and take care of him. The queen consented and the little boy ‘Claus’ thrived un­ der the care of the fairies.” “S-h-h I Grand­ pa, I think he’s comraing, interrupted Fred as he again climbed down and ran to the window. “Nothing doing,” he said with much disgust and gave a signal with his arm like the gagm an does when telling a train to Christmas festivals for centuries be­ CAROLS AS PART OF came obsolete. Carolry still exists in parts of Eng­ THE CHRISTMAS land. SERVICE. In Wales it has been preserved to ^********************* a still greater extent, while Ireland, I too, has her Christmas caroling in ^ F H E origin of the Christmas carol time-honored style. France has its KL/ is uncertain. It is probably as “Noels,” and In Italy Christmasf carols old as Christianity. Indeed, have heen sung since the time of St. Bishop Taylor in his “Great Exemplar” Francis of Assisi, who discovered the remarks that the first carol is ¿he power of sacred song in the ver­ hymn of the angels to the shepherds nacular. in the plains of Bethlehem: • In churches all over the world many “Glory to God in the highes’t, and of the delightful old carols are now a on earth peace, good will toward men.” part of the Christmas service. In the Fifteenth century carols were widely, used throughout Europe. In Good Reason, Too. fact, the first pieces printed by the At Christmas the children of a cer­ very first printers were carols. In one tain provincial school tried to collect of the oldest collections appears “The money by going from house to house Boar's Head,” which used to be sung singing carols and snatches of hymns. as that old dish was carried to the Many complaints reached the rector’s table during the Christmas revelry: ears of bands of youngsters scamper- , ing through the first verse of “While The Boar's Head in hands I bring Shepherds Watched,” and then vio W ith garlands gay and birds singing; lently ringing the doorbell. So he in­ I pray you all to help me sing “Qui estls in convlviol” stituted ihquiries on the next occasion he visited the school. “The Boar’s Head” represents one “Why is it," he asked, “that, instead of the convivial carols or “jolle chan­ of singing the hymn in a reverent sons,” which had their place at the way, you scamper through one verse feasts, dances and other gay festivi­ and then ring tlie bell?” ties of the Christmas season. Silence reigned for a short time. In Shakespeare’s time bands of Then a shrill voice from a small boy Itinerant singers used to wander about at the back of the room was heard in the streets and make their carolry a explanation: pretext for getting money. “Please, sir, it’s ’cause they always During the Eighteenth century carol- lets the dog loose at the second verse.” ry_decllned_greatly, and many of the —z? Saturday, Decem ber 3 , 1021 n r 'STsn TListn;- nnn-yrsT ,' over $3oo,- la lie beard dr T ilzzy'^ ldte 'v'T’SKPrk ' 000 in aid of the soldiers. and slinging a pack over his back for The fine old Colonial mansion (the the delight of the little ones in the i Craigle house) in Cambridge, Mass., neighborhood. ! (now widely known as the home of General Washington was truly th» Henry W. Longfellow), was the place “Father of His Country,” and we have where Washington spent his first a very good Idea of the sort of holiday Christmas as commander of the Rev­ spirit in which he observed tlie “glad O ONE has told us much about olutionary army in 1775. Mrs. Wash­ ’ when our republic was George Washington’s Christ­ ington was there with him (as she was • !n hrlstmastide Its Infancy. mases. But from tlie record later at Valiev Forge), and there was No one In all our bright history as | of his life we learn how he spent some some pleasure in the midst of the . a nation has handed down a more ra­ i of his Christmas days. ' heavy cares and responsibilities car­ diant Christmas message of hope and It was a very cold Christmastide in ried by the great Washington. faith. ! 1777 at Valley Forge. Snow was on A year later Christmas day found ! the hills. Everything was frozen. And Washington at the head of his 2.400 To Clean Le a th e r F u rn itu re . \\ ashington’s army was in great need brave men making his celebrated Add a little vinegar to tepid water of food, clothing and shelter. crossing of the Delaware river, nine and wash the leather with a clean Instructions of parties of men to go miles above Trenton. The snow and foraging for food are entered in the sleet were blinding, it is recorded, and ' cloth; wipe dry. To^polish apply the following: Whites of two eggs beaten orderly book for that Christmas day the cold was intense. But hearts slightly (not stiff) and mix with two at \ alley Forge, which was anything were brave. j leaspoonfuls of turpentine; rub with but merry for Washington. Wherever he was at Christmastide, lean, dry cloth. Still more desperate were the food M ashington was cheered with the conditions at Morristown, in 1779, thought that the cause of the strug­ C h a rity in the H eart. when Washington reported that his gling colonies would surely win. A 'Tis the season for kindling the fire, army was on half allowance and near few days before Christmas. 1776, he starvation. “We have never expe­ wrote to his older brother, John Au­ of hospitalitiy in the hall, the genial rienced a like extremity at any period gustine Washington: “Between you fire of charity in the heart.—Washlnff- of the war,” declared Washington, and me, our affairs are in a very bad Iton I.“.’ing. pleading that food be sent. situation. . . . However, under a Cream together two cupfuls of soft There was a welcome Christmas full persuasion of the Justice of our sugar and one-cupful of butter. Add present for Washington and his men cause. I cannot entertain an idea that the yolks of five eggs well beaten and at New Windsor in 1780 when a big it will finally sink, though it may re­ a generous flavoring of vanilla. Sift Christmas wagon came with over 2,000 main for some time under a cloud.” two teaspoonfuls of baking powder shirts and other comforts made by Washington must have had some and one-half a teaspoonful of soda Philadelphia women patriots—things very merry Christmases at Mount Ver­ with two cupfuls of flour. Add alter­ needed by the men under Washington, non. There were no children of his nately the well-beaten whites of the who were cheerfully suffering all sorts own with whom Washington could five eggs and the prepared flour with of hardship in order that this country romp. But we can easily Imagine enough more to make a soft dough, m ightj)e J r e e The Philadelphia worn- 1 the^big-hearted general nutting on i Roll thin and cut in small rounds, diamonds or squares. H ard Christmases for G.W ashingt on H w «o. Grandpa obeyed the signal and con­ tinued : “He lived under the care of the fairies until he grew to be quite ■ man. Then the queen ordered her fairy workmen to build ‘Claus’ a hut, as he was a mortal and could not live the way the fairies did, any longer. ’Claus' had lots of time when he got Into his new home and he occupied it by carving things. The fairies had taught him how to whittle and he be­ gan making all sorts of toys. “There was a village some distance from his hut and every time he heard • f a little boy or girl down in the Tillage who was sick, he took them one of his little toys. The children grew to like him ever so much. After » while he became acquainted with •o many children that he found it bard to get around and see them all ■o often. He decided that he would work all year making toys, and then go around and find out which of the children had been good, and leave them presents. “When the fairies heard of this plan they were delighted and gave Santa Claus four reindeer and a •led to help him out. “After . m a n y years of this hard work Santa Claus began to show th at he was grow­ ing o l d . The fairies realized th at Santa Claus w as a mortal and would die, so they—” “Santa Clnus has come,” some ©ne shouted from the front rocm. “ H u r r y and finish, grandpa. W hat did they do?” queried Doris nervously. “They gave Santa Claus everlasting life so that he could make little chil­ dren happy always,” finished grandpa. “Oh, I am so glad,” said both of the kiddies. “Now, to see what Santa brought,” ■aid grandpa, and all three made a Tush for the parlor. M i tl 2- — je -. tí Mid-Winter Fair and Xmas Sale oi Furniture at Reduc­ tio n s of 20 to 40 per cent. Four Big Sates Days, Dec. 7 to Dec. 10th VERY SPECIAL FOR W ED N E S­ DA Y , DECEM BER 7tfu $ 1 .0 0 BROOMS 50c R eg. S eam less Tube S elf B astin g A lum inum R oaster $ 1 .4 9 R eg. $ 5 .5 0 per »loss. Chips and sauoera at special price, en 25c U niversal Food Fiiopiters, I^irge F am ily size. R eg. $3 valu e ” at $ 2 .5 0 Bargain, R egular $ 8 .5 0 AH Cop- per B oilers priced special $ 0 .3 5 W ringers, W ashtnbs, W »‘'h Bds., A lum inum and G ranite W ear a* Rargin P rices. Bed Springs, Link Fabric Coil Doublo Deck Coil Yunt Yum Springs as low a3 $3.85. t-r I t't III I 3 £ i i ' A AXM INSTER RUGS 9 x 1 2 S iz e — E xtra Special — A nother opportunity for the thrifty. E xtra fine quality Ax- m inster rugs for living and din­ ing rooms; very attractive orien­ tal, Chinese and conventional patterns, in tan, blue, gray, rose and beautiful combinations. The sale prica $39.50 AXM INSTER RUGS 0 x 1 2 S ize— E xtra Special — The quality of these rugs is as satisfactory, as is the price S p len d id ly T h ad ean d finished, in a variety of designs and colors — patterns desirable for any loom. Tho salo price $26.85 2nd floor balcony CotionMallresses $5:95 Built up of layers of fluffy, dow­ ny, unbleached genuine cotton linters, and covered with a de­ pendable gracJo of floral a rt tick­ ing. Nothing but new cotton is used for tho filling. A truly re­ m arkable value. $5.95 — oth er m attresses to m eet the m ost luxuriou s ta ste s at special low prices for th is sale. S u ^ n t n l Reductions on Every Piece in the Store During the CHRISTMAS FURNITURE —- i — ^ our Sensible. Serviceable Christmas Presents now. • WILLIAM AND MARY DINING SET Three-Piece Genuine American •Walnut Consisting of Buffet, Extension Table, Six Bed Room Suit Chairs.. Special for this s a le ...........$149.50 Priced at. this sale............................ $89.50 DRESSERS Jacobean Quartered Oak Library Table A number of odd Dressers, a few slightly Carefully selected materials, sturdy construc­ marred in shipping, hardly noticeable, at tion. Low price for this sale....... $’^9 85 real bargains. < Large/election of Library Tables. —100 ROCKING CHAIRS—100 Quartered Sawed, Leather, Fibre Reed, Tap­ Walnut and Quartered Oak Dining Table estry LTpbolstered, Leather Seated With Chairs to match at prices that will m - CHILD ROCKERS terest the thrifty buyers. All K inds--------All Sizes--------- All Prices ...... i' H H H I U ‘ i 1 I ill 11 illJÇ Trr- Swenson & McRae Furniture Cc. à Ashland, Oregon D A Y B E F O R E C H R IS T M A S . Patience—Aren’t you sorry now you didn t do your Christmas shopping early? Patrice—Why, I’m going to. I’m