Grants Pass daily courier., December 24, 1921, Image 7

Second
Section
AMOf'IATED
VOL. XII., N». TR.
GKANTN PAM. JOHEPHINE (XJI'NTY, OREGON
PRESS H EK VICK.
HtTIKDAY, DEI EVII'Elt M. 1031.
W HOLE NIMBER
HRISTMÀS
GREKN <'lirl»tiu»x.
« fat graveyard I"
sighed Mr». Drake
wistfully.
(tiling
acrvss the shriv-
»led Held» to the lit­
tle cemetery on the
hillside. where two
•onx and u daugh­
ter were reefing
under the brooding
“I never
pines.
did like a green
Chrlsltuux,"
»he
added.
puckering
her forehead.
kPsliuw! t'hrlat-
niua la no better
than any other
day. Lucy?* re­
turned the colonel teatlly. watching
the effect of hla won)» through the
overhanging curtain of hla bushy eye­
brow».
“But It doesn’t aeetn at nil like
Christmas, Henry, If you dont uiuke
prexenta," faltered Illa wife. “ I can't
make It aeein right that Norn anil the
children are not to be with it*. Ihm't
you think we should let bygone» be
bygone» and telephone them to come
over?" she added timidly.
“Hllence !" thundered her husband,
hla face aa white aa Ida hair from the
pent-up wrath of bin feeling«. "Nora
made her bed. now let her lie In It.
Hhe'x no daughter of mine to marry
a good tor-nothing »camp of an artist
without a penny Io hla name. A» to
the children, they're aa dead to me it»
those up on the Idllalde yonder!"
From her corner by the fireplace
Vesta eyed her fntlier nervously, a«
»lie atroked the fur of Nebuchadnea-
xar. Nora'» pet-cat. I haw changed lie
w-aa, and what had brought It all
about? There wa* no real reason that
»lie could aee. except her father'«
atubbornueaa. Don was not a had aort.
and he had made Norn n good bun­
band. providing wetl for her ami the
children. Then there wax John Deu­
ton. It waa Just such a night ax thia
that he had driven him from the
houxe.
The young mun had made some
laughing remark about their differ­
ence» In politic» to which the colonel
had taken exception. Hot of temper
and bitter of tongue, he had dlxpoxed
of the matter promptly. John had
naked Venin to decide whether she
would be ruled by love or fear. She
wax but twenty, ami to her tlllnl duly
wan u fotlxlt. There was no altermi-
live, ahe told him. She hud never
answered one of hla letter», und In
time they had ceased to come. He
had forgotten, of course, and It wnx
a» well for both, aa her duty lay to
her parentx, now entirely alone.
Veata'x finger» trembled ua »he em­
broidered the luxt dainty forget-me-
not on the little pink flannel for Nie
ra'x neweat baby, the one they had
never seen.
The fire wax getting low, and «he
ro»e and poked the coal« until they
glowed with new life, then heaped the
andiron« with hickory logx. In a few
momenta the faint odor of pungent
wood began to filter through Hie room,
and a» It did so Vesta'« courage rose.
"We must hang up our atocklnga tie
night, dear«," »lie begun.softly. "I.et's
just play we are little children again.
I'm sure Santa Claus 1» coming this
way. Let 0« he Joyful together this
y*H. at least, for life 1« so uncertain,
yoh know. Won't you play I'm your
little girl this Chrl«tmns, Daddy?" she
ended pleadingly.
“Don't be a fool. Vesta,” retorted
her father sharply. “If you're ever
going to be u woman you should show I
some sign« of It lit thirty. All this i
tulk about Clirlxtmiix 1» nonsense. . . . I
nonsense, I tell you. I declare rm
Kick of people »|a,mllng their last
cent to make a show this time of the
year, and making a hid for presents In |
exchange for their own."
“Hut the Joy of giving "
"Haw oht Joe Bean today," hr went
on, waving her remark» n»ldr. “And
what do you »uppoae lie had the nerve
to »ay? ,lu»t this, 'I'm bringing you a
nice fat turkey tonight, colonel,' ««
much a» to *uy. 'Won't you have my !
present ready for me Io take buck
when I call?" Tlie «mart old codger!"
"What did you say, fullier? I hops
you didn't hurt hlx feelings. Joe 1»
well meaning, and love» to do for oth­
er»." excused Mr». Drake
“Ytut know the name of the place
that 1« pavrd with good Intention» of
just such fools'" »nup|»-d the colonel. '
kniH-klng the »»he» from hl» pipe and
filling It with fresh tobnwo. “Zoundsf
how I hate the word Christina»!"
"Tlie Christ Child'« birthday, dad- '
dyI" reproached Vesta boldly, heat»
AM»?
w
Ing on more lugs. “The Christinas
spirit never turrlea where there 1« no
welcome!"
“Ktop that drivel about Christmas!" I
Commanded the colonel, sharply j
bunging hla cane on the hearth, or
I'll . . . leave the house this III- j
»taut. . .
Ito you hear me?" He j
ended with an Impotent thump of his
faithful stick.
Vesta rose slowly, and bravely toss- ,
Ing Imck her liend, crossed tlie rtsirn
and flung open the door.
"Gluil to see you, Ml»» Vesta, and a
merry Christmas." greeted old Joe i
Reau cheerily. "Told your father to- :
day I'd bring you over u turkey for
tlie great feast. Knew your« had all ,
died off this year, mid Ihoi'clil It ;
juV'j
would help to tell you It's Christmas." j
—— — -
he chuckled with smiling lip"» that his
-L • T □
..... •■■■■-•■ i—could not conceal.
«
"Merry Christmas to you. Joe!" re­
turned Vesta. "Come right in." she I
added with a covert glance In the ill- j
rectlon of Iter father, who wax sitting '
very erect In hlx Sleepy Hollow chair.
Mrs. Drake rose and came forward, |
hands outstretched nervously.
“It wax very kind of you to remem­
ber us, Joe." »he hogau. taking the |
turkey. "Why, what a nice fat fellow I
he tar’ she added appreciatively.
"Corn-fed!" chuckled the old man.
“Fattened him oti purpose for you," i
he answered Ingratiatingly.
VI II II
The colonel nodded Indifferently.
"Oh, don't 4y thank you. It's noth- i
Ing at all." deprecated Joe.
"I wasn't going to. Bean, so save
your breath. I'm not keen about either
giving or taking. Every man for lilm-
self, you know. Thut'a my motto. It's
a—"
But the Insistent sound of tlie
knocking again drowned the colonel'»
words.
Vextu was linking the fire to hide
her embarrassment. Her mother went
to tlie door.
"How dy. Aunt I.ucyI" greeted a
fresh, boyish voice.
“Well, of all things, if It Isn't Phil
Drake!" cried she In a muffled voice
between the bear hug lie proffered
•This 1« n surprise, my boy.
We
thought you were still In France."
“Just got back, and no place ever
looked quite so good to me. My train
was delayed down the line, owing to
a wreck ... no, no one hurt, but
everybody'« held up for Christmas. I
just thought I'd spend mine with my
Cranford relation, so I took Shank’s
inure over here. Howdy, uncle, mid n
merry Christmas I Vesta, you're a
brick to keep the home tires burning
for a fellow," he nddded, giving her u
kiss on either cheek.
"I see you got some decorations,"
said Vesta proudly, eyeing Illa croix de
guerre, “and a full-fledged lieutenant
nt that."
"Oh, that*» nothing—"
"Most of ux are back for the holi­
days.*' smiled the young lieutenant
Impplly. “I'm disappointed, of course,
that I couldn't get home for the great
day, for my Inst one was spent in the
trenches, mid mother was hanking oil
this one; hut I wired her I'd he there
between now and tomorrow night If I
had to hike all the way. Hope you've
got a turkey and all the fixings!"
“We surely have!" smiled Vesta,
"and you shall have the Hou's share.
You've Joe Benn to thank fur that.
Come, shake hands with my cousin
Phil, Joe Benn.”
"Proud to meet an hoiicst-to-good-
ties« soldier," mumbled the old man,
ambling forward, mean 11 me fumbling
with Ids whisker«.
“Sorry I didn't
have a boy myself—”
"Zounds!" muttered the colonel;
President Hurtling speaking nt William and Mary college, Williamsburg, Vu., Just utter liuvlng received the hon­
"wishing he hud a hoy to bo killed off orary degree of doctor of lows.
(Continued on P.iro Nino)
appy"faLce j
/ncre overaddy'keardv£re Jlear
nd vx joyous hearts * ar e e beating
V7
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CAROLS AS PART OF
THE CHRISTMAS
SERVICE.
------------------ —
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rule is bai\isheà.
^^ireVermore it seems
h all ihe Vtbrld is brighter
jor dverql°W °rC?kristmas ¡
President Harding at William and Mary College
,
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IlKISTMAS 1« of aU the festival»
the most generally otwerved in
the western world. It is the uni­
versal holiday of t'hrlstemlom, and
tlie general phases of It» oiiaervancv
are iu their exsetitldls x'uillar in all
cvunt/lea. It 1» a sort of common
ground on which we all meet for, at
least, one day In the year.
In its religious aspect the festival
1» a remembrance of the Clirlxtir.n
fuitb—the gift of <••»! to the world of
a divine Savior. Out of that central
and dominant idea, no doubt, grew tin
the practice of »ejecting Christmas,
above nil other seasons, a« the time
for friends to bestow gifts upon «me
another, ami. for all who can. to ex­
tend charity to those in need.
Alth< ugh not so old as the rellg'oua
feature, the domestic and swiiil fea­
tures of the festival date hack to very
early times, at any rate, to times that
are early in our history.
For centuries Christmas ha« been
pre-eminently a season <rf home gath­
ering, when absent ones return ami
the family circle is unw more com­
pleted. or as nearly completed as the
changes and chances of life make pos­
sible.^ With home-coming was associ­
ated good cheer, anti so Christmas
came to lie a season of feasting und
merrymaking.
In England during the Middle ages,
and for many generntiiHix after tlie
Middle ages hud f-loM-d. the Christ­
mas season, which included at least
a whole week, and liturgically 40 days,
was given over to merrymaking of
various kinds, some of which have
gone the way of many of the customs
of our forefather*. For instance, there
waa tlie bringing of the Yule-log to
be lighted on the fireplace on Christ­
mas eve with much ceremony and re­
joicing. We have no Yule-log for there
are but few fireplaces now. Th# name
of the log recalls another mane for
Christmas, which was anciently called
und is still known ax Yule-tide or
Yule-time.
Christmas.
The origin of Christmas or Christ's-
mass, so called with reference to the
last words of the chief religious serv-
ice of tlie nay according to ancient
ritunl, “Ite mlssa (or massa) e»t.” is
to lie found in the second chapter of
St. Lnke’s Gospel. It» oiiservance Is
not a development, having existed from
the earliest day« of Christianity. In
fact, in many respects there has been
devolution instead of evolution In the
manner of its celebration.
Using Old Stockings.
It Is interesting to know and eco-
i nomlcal to follow the many little odds
anil ends that cun be made out of old
I stockings, silk or lisle. So often they
are thrown away because of endless
holes und runs—not good, you think,
for anything—hut If this kind Is xaved
until a falyl.v g<»»l pile lias been ac-
■umulated one can start a very fine
Ilk mg rug. Tlie more numerous the
••»ett er the rug.
HE origin of the Christmas carol
1» uncertain. It is probably as
old as Christianity.
Indeed,
Bishop Taylor In hla “Great Exemplar"
remarks that the first carol I» the
hymn of the angels to the shepherds
lu the plains of Bethlehem:
“Glory to God In the highest, and
on earth peace, good will toward men."
In the Fifteenth century carols were
widely used throughout Europe. In
fact, the first pieces printed by the
very first printers were carols. In one
of the oldest collections appears “The
Boar’s Head." which used to be sung
as that old dl«h was carried to the
table during the Christmas revelry:
Th* Boar s Head In hands I bring
With garlands gay and birds singing;
I pray you all to help me sing
•Xgul eatls In convivio!"
"The Boar'» Head” represents one
of the convivial carols or "Jolie chan­
sons," which had their place at th»
feasts, dances and other gay festivi­
ties of the ChrtHtmas season.
In Shakespeare's time hands of
Itinerant singers used to wander about
tlie streets and make their carulry a
pretext for getting money.
During the Eighteenth century carol-
ry declined greatly, and many of th»
quaint old customs which had marked
Christmas festival.« tor centuries be­
came obsolete.
Carolry still exists In parts of Eng­
land.
In Wales It has been preserved to
a still greater extent, while Ireland,
too, has her Christmas caroling In
time-honored style. France has Its
“Jineta,” and In Italy Chrl«tmas earois
have been sung since the time of St.
Francis of Assisi, who discovered the
power of sacred song in the ver­
nacular.
In churches all over the world many
of the delightful old carols are now a
part of the Christmas service.
Good Reason, Teo.
At Christmas the children of a cer­
tain provincial school tried to collect
money by going from house to houxe
singing carol» and snatches of hymn«.
Many complaints reached the rector's
ears of bands of youngsters scamper­
ing through the first verse of “While
Shepherds Watched," and then vlo
lently ringing the doorliell. So he In­
stituted Inquiries on the next occasion
lie visited the school.
“Why is It." he asked, “that, instead
of singing the hymn In a reverent
way. you »camper through one verse
and then ring tlie b»4I?"
Silence reigned for a short time.
Then a shrill voice from a small boy
at the back of the room was heard in
explanation:
“Please, air. it'» 'cause they always
lets the dog loose at the second verse."
- Charity In the Heart.
Tlx the season for kindling the fire
of hospitalitly In the hall, the genial
Are of charity In the heart.—Washing­
ton Irving.
Under the
Bough
E WHO have scorned each other,
Or injured friend ur brother.
In thia fast-fadln< year;
Ye who by word or deed.
Have made a kind heart bleed»
Come gather here.
Let sinned against and sinning
Forget t'nelr strife's beginning.
And join in friendship now;
Be links no longer broken.
Be sweet forgiveness spoken.
Under the holly bough.
Ye who have loved each other,
Meter and friend and brother.
In this fast-fading year,
Mother and sire and child.
Young man and maiden mild.
Come, gather here.
And let your hearts grow fonder,
As memory shall ponder
Each past unbroken vow;
Old loves and younger wooing
Are sweet In the renewing,
Under the holly bough.
Te who have nourished sadness.
Estranged from hope and gladness^
In this fast-fading year;
Ye with o’er-burdened mind
Made aliens from your kInd-
Co me, gather hero.
Lot not the useless sorrow
Pursue your night and morrow,
If e’er you hoped, hope now—
Take heart, uncloud your faces.
And join In our embraces,
Under the holly bc«gh.
- Chart— Mackag.