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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 1913)
PACT OAK TAX JOTONAL, SALEM, O&EOOlf, 8ATOSOAT, DECEMBEU 20, 1918. oiMUiiiiunniiiiintntiilttllttliinHtiiniiii h i i t i i i i i f ' ' iz.z.zzzz. '. '. . . " " t T - MTTmMmtMmnM? tttntnntuM Celeb rating the Day Anciently and Now PAOS TEH FMl ITT ' V .ft' I' , i;;.'.Yi.....'.... I. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.A.AAAAAAAA.AA..A.....1.1..1A..A1.... A CHRISTMAS MESSMXAT NIGHT By ALICE E. ALLEN. Copyright 1813, by American Press Asso ciation. I T seemed to Ruth as she Dow foi the dozenth time to bor telephone that dreary afternoon of the dn; before Christmas that she had friends In the grim old city of which he had never known until then true friends, even if they were bumble und too poor to do niore than telephone their good wishes. This special message was from Eutb's proprietor. Could be call thut evening? limb's "Of course not, Mr. Mayne," was firm. Could be take her out, then a dinner somewhere, the theater? Just this once, for Christ mas' sake? tilth's refusals as trans mitted by the telephone were all firm and relentless. But as she emtio away and snt down In bur chair by the win flow her eyes were wistful. "It will never do for the proprietor to call upon bis steuoKrapher," she aid, with a sorry little smllo. "To be tire, there was a time" when he was her father's clork-"but times have changed," Perhaps born mho It was Christmas ve, when memories, no mutter how well behaved nt other times and sea sons, will walk abroad; perhaps be cause other things-such as love, Joy, peace and good will were thronging heaven and earth below; perhaps only because Iluth was tired and perplex BIB BKFUSALS WK11K FIHH AND ItKIilNT liKHH. d and lonely whutuvor tho rensou lltlng there In bor little window, looking dowu upon the street, with Us throng of gay, good nnturud, shoppers, Ituth did what she had sternly forbid den herself to do she want back over the years which hail mailo such changes In ber life. There was her father's business disgrace, the loss of every thing, followed by bis death. Then came her own beginning in business. In spite of herself, Ituth smiled to think of what her old friends would say could they know what a cnpuble little business woman necessity bnd made of ber. Hut not one of them all knew where she was. Net one had traced tier to this great city t lint Is, except Jock. Jack? As soon as Ituth admit ted that name Into her thoughts, It dominated all elso. it brought back Its owner strong, manly, Insistent one of the won't-lake-no-for nn answer kind Ituth found herself wondering almost that Jack bad taken her no as dual Apparently be tin tt. It had surely been a strong as she could umlie IL Ami he hud gone n way and had not come back With the nuiny friends who hud rung up to ask how she was and to say "Merry Christmas" there had beeu Iio Jai'k-Jack of the strong face, the loyal heart, the tender eyes and voice How had she ever let htm go? "Home time you will want mo, Ituth," be hud mii HI Above the rush and roar of the great city Ituth heard the words gain Jusl as she bud beard them ur nry day und every night slurp Jack had gone away. "I could urge you now. but I want you of your own free will, dear Anil you will eouie some day. I do not even in-eil to i,k a promise I know. What Is ours dues mine to in If we wait I ci n wall " That was three years Br At first Ituth bad half ekpixled hi return Hut he never i n me And he never sent her A word Ituth wns tired of wuleh tug the iiihIIs now And her proud III tie bend told ber eager little heart thut It was not fair to call Jack back Just because life was burd and lonely and almost unlH-arable sometimes. So she tolled awny until toll became work work that she enjoyed Hue had her little rooms by bcrwif, her books, her J. Vi ) V.:. -- r IKY pictures, enough to eat and wear. What more need any one ask? Noth ingexcept at Christmas. At Christ mas, to a woman, love is a necessity. That night, in the middle of the darkest hour, Ruth sat up straight In bed. She was absolutely sure that tbe telephone bell ovor bor desk bad Just romj. . AJJ. was gtin, so, after a.niln uoj of waiting, she toy flown again, laughing to herself. The telephone had been so busy all day bringing her messages that she had beard It In her dreams. It could not really have rung. After a little she drowsed off, only to bear its shrill Jingle again and again. It no longer wakened her. But In her dream she went to the tele phone, took down the receiver and lis tened. Out of tbe darkness and dis tance a voice spoke Jack's voice. "Merry Christmas" was its only mes. sago. Rut ho strong and clear were the words that when Ituth finally awoke to n sunny Christmas morn ing, she still tingled to their memory. Perhaps, when one first awakes, the heart has more control over one than tho head. Anyhow, when Ituth sat up and looked out of her window at the already busy streets far below her, her heart was doing the talking. "Jack Is waiting for you some where," It snld. "And he belongs to you. Why not claim your own?" Aftor a minute Huth's heart spoke again. "What If you are poor? What If he Is not rich? Can't two work to gether better than apart? Why not give Juck n 'Christians gift? Tbe only one he wants?" Ruth did not give ber head time to arguo with her heart. As soon as sho was dressed she was at the telephone giving Jack's business number. After she hud waited what seemed a long, long time bor head did remind her. "Why, of eotirso." she Bald slowly, "he will be up country todity." She was Just about to bung up tho receiver. "Watt a minute," cried her heart Ilearts do know things, especially at Christmas. And then "Hullo!" said a big, hearty voice out of tho distance. Oh, Jack!" cried Ruth. "Is it you, really you?" Yes, Ruth," Bald tbe voice. "Who clue? You wanted" To wish you a merry ChrUtmas, Jack," Ruth fullered. 'Thanks. That all?" "Yes," said Ituth, listening to hor bead. Then: "No not qnlto. I I want ed to hear your voice; that's all." "Is It?" asked the volco Ilutb wanted to hear. "You see, Jack," Ruth hurried on, "1 dreamed about you last night I I thought you called me up, and and It was only a dream." "I came so near It," said the voice, "that I stood hero by my phono for an hour. Rut It wns late, and well, Ruth, I wanted you to cnl me up this time." "You're not In the country?" "Not yet We go tonight" "We?" "Mother and I. Sho's spending part of Christmas In tho city, Rut we mist the snow and tbe slulghbolls and tb borne folks." "It sounds lovoly," cried Ruth, "and. so Chrlstmasy. Give your mother nij love, Jack, and wish tier the merriest Christmas." "Sho'll he glad to hear from you, smiNo m huh unu window. Ituth; we've been talking of you. Any tiling else?" "No." "Hure. dear?" Ruth's eyes were so full of tears that us she said afterward, she couldn't see to talk. "Sure, dear?" asked the voice again. "Tlml's nil," she said bravely, "only -are you well?" "Perfectly. And you?" "Oh. yes! Wasn't It strange 1 heard the Ih-II when you didn't really ring up in hi nltl'l. Juck?" "No," sulii jin k firmly "Your heart heard mine, little (ilrl If only yon would listen to It oftener " "I ciiu'l always hear It." lauuhod Ituth "My head Is such a good talker." "Time's up," said a strange roles somewhere ti'JL "!!!?""" .""'"'-T. II i ii i j i mil .hi. ..... i . "... ;:.".7TT.i) iiiniii V --y 7. 1 " M""":' ' IM'""''"'m j,1"!' ; ' W'Y-' (I'll n ' ; ' suit v i " r-f-;7iifiiiiif i.-vrtv.- W-.fcH., t: ' ,' ' 'j ;.::;:. v - ' . '- .v- - - i "Goodby, Juck. denrl" cried Ruth Rut there was no unswer. The next minute she again took down the receiver. "Get 3KIKI again; quick!" she said. "Hollo."' said Jack's voice. "Is that you, Jack?" "Of course. Something you forgot dear?" "No; I didn't forget I wouldn't say it but I must Don't look nt mo, Juck, "I'VS UKKN IlKiDV, ALWAYS, JACK." but listen. I'm listening to my heart now. There Is something I want Jack." "Yes." "It's a big something. Guess. No; don't guess. Walt It's you." Ituth hung up the receiver and run to the chnlr by the window quite the other side of the room. It wns not quite a minute when the telephone bell rang shrilly. "In this Miss llaieu?" said the oper ator's voice. "Yes," said Ituth. "Message wusu't finished wait" "Hello!" came Jack's voice, big. strong, vibrant with happiness. "That you. Ituth?" "Yes." "Coming." snld the voice, "mothet and I. to take you up "tale with us Ciin you lie ready in nn hour?" "Yes." said Ituth "I've been rend always. Juck " What came nest must have surprised even (hut long suffering, much eiulur lug wire. Sure It Is that limit's checks (IiiiimhI like red holly berries. And even before she ran to put hei clothes In her suit case, to do tier hair ami to put on ber one khI trnvn, from nlvove her Issikcase she took a aprls of scarlet holly. With a red rlhlmn she tle1 It over the telephone. "If ever anything dtoerved a merry Christmas," she cried, "you do!" 7 .' fvf .'V A J y 7' ? r j Quotations to Go With Christmas Gifts I A PRETTY und orlglnnl touch may be given n Christmas gift by ac companying It with a dainty card on which are written the recipient's mime and some apt quotation of an appropriate nature A few selected quotations suitable for dltTcreut gifts may be of Interest l-'or a postal eui',1 album: iCIml mrxi'Uk.'t'K thin puss from land to ISIIll. - t.olllUelloW l-'or n set of honUs by a well known author; The chief Klo-y of evo'-v people arises from Us authors l)r JnnuiMin Tor a stniill afternoon leu caddy: Tru, tluni seft, thou iOar. suae und ven eriUUo liquid -i.'oUry CniOi-r l-'or a useful purse: The hest frtcml nre In the purse. Oor man Proverb P.uppy the man who, void of cares and st rll . ' In llurn or In leiiilii rn purio retains A splendid shllliiiK -John Philips. With a puck of cards: The cunts tient nil the players, be they never no skllirul. Ktnenon With a pair of gloves: Oh, that 1 n-i-re a glove upon that hand) Itomeo nnd Juliet With a silver handglass: The lienel, like a mirror, should reflect all otocets without being sullied by any. -CohfuelUB Willi a "lour o(T" calendar: The lomreM tiny muil have an end. ItHltnn Proverb A Christmas gift of a ring for a dan ce or wife: to let our love emlleKs prove .ml pure as gold forever. -Hubert llerrlrk. Kor the Inst baby: Much Ii she worth, nnd even mors Is nisde of li'r-V K. Ilmley With an umbrella: The year, meet part diiformeil with drl ping nilrie I'nwper With a cooklsiok: The Insle or the kitchen Is batter than the smell. Old Proverb. With an electric torch lump: To a great night a great Imnthorn. Old Proverb With a needlivnso: Who hath need of a hundred syes. Old Proverb With a photograph: Generally ntuela feedrtb. the dlsposltlan of spirit which It nndeth.-l!acou. CHRISTMAS IN MEXICO A RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL CHRISTMAS 'celebrations In Mexico differ greatly from ours and usual ly lust for several days. Bright lanterns suspended in the ulr proclaim the glad tidings of the holidays, and eVery Mexican Jncul,' no matter how humble, puts out Its beacon to light the steps of the Suviour should be per chance appear. The story of the birth of the Redeemer Is annually portrayed in all Mexican ' towns and in a sym bolic lunguugo which the most Igno rant can readily understand. Tbe performance Is given by (If teen players, consisting of Joseph and Mary and the Infant Jesus, two archangels, Lucifer and three of bis minions and a number of shepherds. The costumes nre adapted to the Mexican conception of the characters and are novel In the extreme All of the costumes are got up tastefully, and. while a strict con formance with the requirements of the tlrs t century might rob Joseph of his sombrero, still it la doubtful If the lesson which It Is desired to Instill In the mlmls of tlte people would be as effective If all the minor details of the curly Jewish fashions were followed. The scene of the lny opelis nenr Pethlehem. where the shepherds nre tending their Hocks, by a host of angels apiiearing and telling them of the birth of the Suviour and Inviting them to fol low to where he lies. They follow the star which lends them to the stable, In the manger of which the Infant rests in the arms of Mary and Joseph. While rejoicing. Lucifer, armed with two swords, appears and attempts to de stroy the child Jesus, but Is repulsed by two angels, who keep watch over him. Not to be outdone, Lucifer sum mons three nrchdomons, who tight with the angels for tbe course of half an runir, resulting In the dual overthrow of the evil one and his emissaries and the placing of the feet of tbe angels upon their necks Then the shepherds break out Into rejoicing, and. while a portion of them sing the praises of the Redeemer who Is horu unto them, others chant In a harmonious strain the goodness and mercy of God This feature, accompa nied by music on the harp and violin, la kept up until a Inte hour each night until the holidays are over. One must understand the Mexican people and their devoutness and In tense religious feeling to fully appre- , elate how strongly the presentation of t the shepherds affects their mlmls. Spot's Friend By ELDON SPEAKE (Copyright, 1913, by American Press Asso ciation. EAR Mr. Santa, I don't know you. And maybe It's just as well. For, beln's you never done nothin' tor me. I ain't quite so 'frald to tell What It Is that I'd llko to have you do Just as quickly as ever you can. And maybe Bonie day I can pay you back If I ever grow up to a man. A dog catcher came here last week and took My puppy away somewhere, And I am so lame that 1 can't go look And get him away from there. And even If I could go where he's at I haven't no dollar to pay. And If you will kindly advance me that I'll try and return It soma day. mm. "SPOT THAT'S HIS NAM&" You know, my papa he went and died And left lust my mamma and me And Spot that's his name and we cried and cried, For we missed htm a lot we three. And mamma she works, and we got along, And Spot he stayed home with me And never went out for I'm not very strong, And I have to have some one, you see. The dog man that took him away he said He'd keep him ten days in the pound. And after that time poor Spot'll be dead And three days from now Spot'll be drowned. So please, Mr. Santo, If you can spars A dollar to set Spot free. Please take It and give to the man up there And send home my puppy to me. And please, Mr. Santa, If you haven't cot No dollar to spend thut way, I wish that at least you would go see Spot And tell him we'll meet some day. And if you don't mind that he's not very clean, And If there's nobody to see, I wish you'd just klnda he'll know what you mean Just give him a pat for me. HOW TO SPEND CHRISTMAS. Forget Yourself For the Day and Try to Make Others Happy. K DAY off, i few remembrances from relatives and friends and a good dinner Is that all that Christmas means to you? Sure ly you are going to make It an occasion for more than usual re joicing this year, a real old fash ioned Christmas. Surely you are going to be fnore liberal In spirit than ever before nnd scatter mer riment on nil sides, tlnve you been a little selllsb, have you de voted so much time to enjoying yourself that you have forgotten other folks? Those you huve forgotten are good folks, uren't they, the best folks in the world? And you are Jusl golnfto show them how ap preciative you nre You don't like this modern wuv of turning uea, out ( iiriMUUis line i occn slon for iradinit 'im es. fninglng k'ltls mi are truing to see all Hie friends yuu run nu that day anil siiaue haii.ls with as many; pat th. mii mi the back and tell them how iilad yon nre to be with them And to those you cannot see yuu are uulng to write cheery, wuriu hearted letters and tell them you waul to from them oftener. Isn't thin aov you feel about the greatest of all birthdays? PLUM PUDDING AND MINCE PIE CHRISTMAS NECESSARIES rium pudding and mince pie are mi nor but necessary accotnpanlmcuts t Christmas day. and strangely enough the former was long ago accepted as typical of the riches and spices brought by the three wise men to the child In the manger, while tho Christmas pie wns held In abhorrence by all members of strict puritanical bodies, who be lieved: All plums the prophets' sons deny. And splee broths ar too hot; Treason's In the December pie Aud death within the pot A iilSSIitSfc y On Christmas eve the bells were rung; On Christmas eve the mass was sung. That only night in all the year Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear. Tha damsel donned her kirtle sheen; The hall was dressed with holly green. Forth to the wood did merry men go To gather In the mistletoe. Then opened wide the baron's hall , To vassal, tenant serf and all Power laid his rod of rule aside. And Ceremony doffed his pride. The heir, with roses In his shoes. That night might village partner choose. 0 sang Sir Walter Scott of the glories of Christmas eve and of Christmas Itself. And the world yields to him tbe palm for the- best practical description of tbe sea son's dear delights. Christmas with us is a day of giving and receiving, of good cheer and good feeling, and essentially it is one of re ligious significance. Hence it will sound strange to many to be told that a number of our Christmas customs come down to us from pagan times. Yet such is thiVact Truces of some heathen rites are found in England as well as here, and tbe cause of their survival lies deeper than theology.. When the mother country, so called, was converted to Christianity the priests found ber people wedded to many old customs. Not all of these were what they would have had them, but they had a practical work to per form and went nt it in a practical way. The more revolting of these customs they properly uprooted altogether; the better of them they preserved, only in grafting the rites of the church upon, them. Thus it came about that festivities which had their origin in the old Ro man Saturnalia and had come into use among the drulds survived In the grim mythology of the Saxons and nre a portion of our inheritance today. Conspicuous nmong these nre the burn ing of the Yule log and the banging; of the mistletoe bough. Among all peoples who celebrate the day at all it has nlways been a day for eating and drinking, for singing and dancing nnd merriment of nil klntrs. In deed, tills has been the criticism of the church against the manner of observ ancethat Its spiritual meaning was too often forgotten In the general tide of worldly cheer. In England Its observance Is univer sal. The cbroulclers tell lis that In Cheshire no servants would work on this day, even though their failure to do so resulted in their discharge. The richest families were compelled either to do their own cooking on Christmas or ent what had been prepared beforehand, while dancing and merriment reigned. And the games that were plnycrl number nearly legion, the most of them, though, on Christmas eve. Uun 5 THBSTBEKTS IN MANY PtACKS WEIIE PILLED WITH MUMMK1I8. nlng in sacks, ducking for apples, Jumping nt cukes suspended by a string nnd trying to catch them be tween the teeth, drinking hurd cider mixed with egg nnd spices, nnd a score of others these clulmed and still claim In Devonshire the time of old and young, the children themselves, being allowed on this one night to sit up until the midnight bell tolls. What lias been aptly called "a beau tiful phase In popular superstition," it very old belief, was that ull the pow ers of evil lay dormant and harmless on Christmas day Tho cock crowed through the live long night to drive all evil spirit away: the bees sung in their winter hives; the rattle, half human at nil times, became wholly so nt mldnMit and talked like human beings. Ilre.id that was baked the night be- f"'''' cll,l8"n,1 culd not possibly be vine iiioiuy ine streets in mnnv plaiin were filled with niunitners In fantastic uni-h. Indeed, there were mummers In the days when Saturnalia reigned over evert the Uouiiin emperors, but they were not necessarily of the Christmas time The love for masquerade is al most ns old as (lie human race Itself. Uut as to the day Itself, It was then, as It Is now, a very merry dny, wltb good fellowship bubbling even from hearts where theological nonbcllcf dwelt-a dny sacred to the family, to the eating of roast turkey and crnn berry inure or roast beef nnd plum pudding and walnuts and tbe drluklng of beer, nle and wine. It has changed to some extent since the old day. but It Is still tbe happiest dny of all the yenr at least where the shadow of misfortune does not cloud the sky. Many a man works ovcrtimo because his wife needs tho nionev. Governor Johnson of California says the progressive party is In a "crisis."" And Boosevelt 10,000 miles away.