December 22, 1926
HIGH LIFE
iClll
e-
Page Three
BOY SCOUTS OF CITY
MEND BROKEN TOYS
FOR POOR CHILDREN
All Toys Brought in Are Re
paired, Painted and Deliv
ered to Hospitals
WORK IN STORE WINDOW
‘Toy” Hospital at Huntley-Stockton-
Hill for Past Two Weeks—Feel
That Work is Beneficial
OUR OLD FAMILY SERVANT
ON CHRISTMAS DAY
The Boy Scouts of Greensboro have
operated a “toy hospital” in the show-
window of Huntiey-Stockton-Hill Com
pany for the past two weeks. All the
old broken or discarded toys, which
were taken to the hospital, were mend
ed and painted for the less fortunate.
These mended toys were distributed
to children of Greater Greensboro who
otherwise would have had few Christ
mas toys, and those who worked in the
shop feel that their work has been very
beneficial.
THESE GIRLS!
“Lib, let’s go in Meyer’s and look
around. They always have a lotta cute
things for Christmas presents.”
“Yeah, let’s. But look in their win
dow. Aren’t the things simply gorgeous,
Peggy? Look at those adorable beads.
I sure do wish—■”
“Elizabeth Gaston, come right away
from that window^! The very thing I’m
going to give you for Christmas is in
that window. If we stay here two min
utes more you’ll know what it is.”
“No, I won’t. Please let me go back
and see. I bet it’s those beads. Aw,
Peg, I think you’re mean. You just
wanted to get my curiosity up.”
“Forget it. Let’s look at these
things on the novelty counter. Isn’t
this vanity adorable! It would be just
the thing for Frances Bell.”
“It sure would. I could give one
to Dot, too. Plow much is it?”
“Let’s see—good night, it’s ninety-five
cents. I’m surely not gonna give Pran
ces anything that costs that much. She
loft the price on mine last year, and
it was only fifty cents.”
“Well, I don’t blame you. But Dot
always did give nice presents. Don’t
you remember that she gave me a hand-
painted sachet. I priced them and
they were a dollar. I guess I’ll get one
of these vanities for her. Heck, I sure
do hate to wait for packages!”
“By the way. Lib, do you know
whether Anne is gonna give me any
thing for Christmas? I can’t decide
M'hether to give her anything or not.”
“I was wondering the same thing. I
might could ask her in a real tactful
way if she is going to give you a pres
ent and you could do the same for me.”
“Naw, I reckon we’d better not. We
can fix up an extra for her in case she
does come around—'U handkerchief or
something.”
“Yeah, I guess that would be better.
I think I’ll fix up about three extras,
’cause you never can tell what sur
prises you will get.”
“You sure can’t. Here’s my package
at last. C’mon, let’s go down to Grant’s.
We can get our extras there.”
MieSiam Block.
In Sweden Christmas is celebrated
for several days. The Swedes do not
use evergreens to decorate their homes,
for those are emblematic of snow.
Where they can afford it, they use flow
ers.
“Say, Aunt Betty, Dad wants to see
you in the living room a minute.”
“Yas, Suh, honey, I’se a-coming right
now, jess soon's I piit dis hyah pie in
de stove.”
Slie then puts the pie in the stove,
washes her hands, and goes into the
living room, where Dad and Sis are
sitting on the sofa, before an open
fire, eating fruit, and resting in the
calm after the storm. The storm was
the two little ones making great joy
their toys; they had now gone out in
the yard to play.
“Yas, Suh, Colonel. Hyah I is. Dick
says as how you all wants to see Aunt
Betty, so hyah I is,” this from Aunt
Betty speaking very dignified, as was
her custom when addressing Daddy.
“Yes, Aunt Betty, I sent for jmu,”
said my father. “I guess you know
this is Christmas and as you have done
very well this past year we have bought
you a present.”
“Well, now, Lordy, you know you all
is de bestes white folks I ebber did
work for. You member lass week when
I bunt dem sweet taters, I says right
den, dare goes my Christmas present,
but you sees how hit is, everybody
makes mistakes sometimes, but look ah
hyah, what is you got fur me dis jmar
Cunel?”
Well, it is just a little present Sister
and I decided to get for you, there
it is over there on the table. Hand it
to her, Sister.”
“Good gracious, you don’t mean all
dis big box,” said Aunt Betty as she
unwrapped the box, mumbling bless
ings upon us. Finally she succeeds in
getting the parcel undone and draws
forth a long black coat. See what it
was, the old cook nearly went into fits,
grabbing Sis and hugging her. I guess
she felt like doing the same to Dad
and me.
“You know, honey, I’se gwine to
church dis very night wid dis coat, I’se
gwine to wait till everybody sits down,
jess before the i^arson gits up; I’se
gwine to strut down the isle and take
de front seat so everybodj^ can be sure
and see Aunt Betty wid dis handsome
wrap on.”
“Well Aunt Betty, Dad and I thought
you would like it, and knew you de
served it so we bought it.”
“Y’'as, Suh, I shore ob hit, but look
a here. Lord hab mercy, I’se gwine an
left dem pies inde oben. I hope dey
ain’t already burnt up, lemme see dom
dis minute. I shore do appreciate dis
giff and you will have the bestus
Christmus dinnah you ebah had.”
And away she went to look at the
pies she had left in the oven.
Dick Burkoughs.
ORIGIN OF HOLLY 1$
FROM THE HOLY TREE
OF ANCIENT TIMES
WHY THE CHIMES RANG
Believed Holly Twig Brought
Good Luck—Teutons Deco
rated With Holly
MANY STRANGE CUSTOMS
Called “Holy Tree” Because Often Used
in Churches—Evergreens in Use
to Keep Away Spirits
There are many old tales told about
holly. The word holly was derived
from “holy tree.” Holly was called
the “holy tree,” because it was used
so much in the churches in olden times.
Long years ago it Avas belieAmd that
it you got a small branch of holly that
had been used in the church you would
haA"e a lucky year. The custom of em
ploying holly at Christmas comes from
the old Teutonic practice of having the
house decked with evergreens as a
refuge for the sylvan spirits from the
cold of the AA'inter. In Ruthland it was
deemed unlucky to hang holly before
Christmas Ea'G.
People in certain rural districts of
England belieA^ed that the prickly holly
was the “he” and the non-prickly was
the “she.” They belieA^ed that if non-
prickly holly was brought into their
house the first Christmas after mar
riage the wife would be the boss of
the household, and if prickly holly was
(Continued on Page Six)
EARLY CHRISTMASES
CELEBRATED WITH GIFTS
It is thought that the first Christmas
festival was observed as early as the
third century. The customs of present
giving has probably descended from the
days of paganism, but is looked upon
today by all Christians as symbolic of
the Savier’s love in giving Himself to
the world.
In Spain in the homes of rich and
poor alike, the Bethlehem manger is
found. On a table a rocky hillside is
built, showing the inn, the stable, the
Babe in the manger, Mary, the shep
herds, and even the cattle.
In Wales groups of singers pass
from door to door singing Christmas
carols. Refrains are sung by the peo
ple within. The singers are invited
into the houses and served with Christ
mas dainties.
G. Todd
The story begins:
On his dashing horse, Pazookus
Dashed the dashing Lucas
He who hailed from Mars,
Because;
The men on Mars, on Mars, had
quoth-us,
“Go you, get gone, you both-us.
Away from the planet Mars.”
So said the hero—
“By hookus or by crookus
I’ll ride my horse, Pazookus
Away from the planet Mars.”
And—
So Pazookus, leaAung Lucas,
Picked up the story and took-us
To earth from the planet Mars.
But—
Just one look took Lucas
And he turned his steed Pazookus
Back to his mother Mars.
’Tis true.
Yes, Lucas and Pazookus,
They just up and forsook-us
Went back to the planet Mars.
Outside the gate—
They beat on Mars dooms,
Said, “Admit us once moreus.
We want to come back to Mars.”
Explaining:
“Down there it is Christmas,
Take us back to your isthmus.
Take us back to our mother Mars.”
Further—
“Everyone there was shopping,
Pushin’, croAAMin’, ne^mr stoppin’.
Please let us back to Mars.”
Still—
“We’re sure no one could love us.
They’d push us an’ crowd us an’
shove us.
We Avanta come back to Mars.”
And the story ends:
So Pazookus bearing Lucas
Went back to his OAAm little nookus
And AAmre happy again in Mars.
r.ong ago in a country far,
A story has been told.
Of a church of God so grandly built.
Its altars Avere laid Avith gold.
Christmas chimes of silver tones
Were upon its toAvers tall,
But Avhen last they’d rung at Christ
mas-tide,
Not one could then recall.
’Twas said they AA'ere played by angel
hands.
When great gifts Avereb rought to Him.
Each year they came Avith their AAmrldly
goods.
And Avaited till the light greAV dim.
A Avoman bro'ught her jeAvels rare,
A king his croAA’n laid dOAAUi.
They gave their money, sih'er and gold.
But the bells gave out no sound.
One Christmas morn tAVO little boj-s,
Set out for the church so grand,
“We’A'e so small a gift,” little Pedro
said.
And he clutched his penny tight in his
hand.
When almost to the great church door
An object caught his eye,
’TAvas a Avoman poor, and sick, alone.
Left in the snoAv to die.
Little Pedro AA’rapped her in his coat
And rubbed her poor, cold face.
“Brother,” said he, “you must go alone.
And take Him the gift in my place.”
The organ Avas playing music grand.
The rich bringing presents rare.
When the little boy crept sloAVly up.
And the penny laid dOAvn AA'ith care.
Hark! the Christmas chimes are ring
ing
SAveet as an angel band:
“Peace on earth,” they gladly sing,
“On earth good Avill to man.”
’TAvas Pedro’s service to mankind
That did Avhat Avealth could neAmr do.
And ’tis the only AA’ay Christmas chimes
Can be made to ring for you.
Frances Burch.
RUSSIA CELEBRATES
JANUARY 6 FOR HER
CHRISTMAS TIDE
Many Peculiar Old Customs
and Traditions Still in Use
in Country
TEMPLE BUILT ON NEVA
Orthodox Church Has Many Feasts—-
Dignitaries of Church Take Part in
Celebration of Ancient Holiday
THE ORIGIN OF SANTA CLAUS
About the year three hundred, there
liAmd a small boy in Greece AA^hose name
Avas Nicholas. He Avas a very kind-
hearted little boy and always aa-anted
to help make somebody happy. Nich
olas AAGis the hero of the neighborhood
because all the little boys asked for his
adAuce for all their problems.
Later Nicholas entered a conA^ent and
studied to be a priest. He was Amry
popular in this school and soon became
the favorite of the people.
His birthday AA’as on the sixth of De
cember, but instead of letting people
give him presents he gave them pres
ents. He seemed to be supernatural
because he could heal the sick, make
the blind to see and the deaf to hear,
and could perform many other mir
acles. He soon became a saint—Be-
loA'ed Saint Nicholas, he was called.
After St. Nicholas died, the custom
of giving presents continued and this
festival Avas so near Christmas that the
tAA’o became confounded.
In Germany, this custom is still cele
brated on the sixth of December; the
Dutch Avere particularly fond of this
ides, but St. Nicholas, translated into
Dutch, is Santa Claus.
The Americans liked Santa Claus
better than Saint Nicholas, so every
Christmas Eve Santa Claus comes to
see all good little girls and boys, and
brings them toys and candy.
Catherine Wharton.
Russia is a large and sloAV-moving
body and she has not j'et made up her
mind to submit to the changes made
in the calendar centuries ago. There
fore, the tAventy-fifth of December
comes, according to the calculations of
Julius Caesar, on Avhat the rest of the
AA’orld calls January the sixth. Soon
it AAdll come on January the seventh,
for Russia is steadily losing a feAA^ min
utes every year. She doesn’t mind this
a bit, for they haAm a good time on
Christmas, even if they do have to AAmit
for it.
The Orthodox Church has ordered
many feasts and very little meat is
eaten, so everyone is ready for a big
I feast and lots of fun on Christmas Day.
I They have many peculiar old tradi
tions. In St. Petersburg, Christmas is
kept much as it is Avith us, giAdng pres
ents, lighting gayly-decked trees at
family reunions.
In far country districts, it is the cus
tom to giA'e great celebrations lasting
for several days, in honor of the young
girls. The girls remain several days,
accompanied by a maid, and their par
ents are careful to express their pleas
ure at leaAung their daughters under
the honorable care of the host and
hostess. All the girls call one another
“little playmate,” although they may
have never met before, and all sleep
in one large room.
In the capital, the Christmas cere
monies have, ever since it can be re
membered, ended Avith the solemn bless
ing of the Neva. The river is alAvays
frozen at this time and a little temple
is erected on the ice, adorned AAdth pic
tures of the Saints. The dignitaries
of the Church, headed by the Emperor,
Avind in stately procession OAmr the
ice to the queer little structure. Here
the river is blessed AAUth great pomp
and ceremony. It is a very beautiful
ceremony Avith splendid symbolism and
exquisite prayers.
The popular Avays of celebration may
be abandoned, but the ceremony of the
blessing of the Neva is one that Avill
last as long as the mighty Church en
dures.
SCANDINAVIANS HAVE
VARIED CELEBRATIONS
“What’s the idea of standing there
and paddling yourself?”
“I’m being initiated by a frat at the
1. C. S.”
In ScandinaAua Christmas is cele
brated in different Avays by the different
peoples. A Christmas approaches the
Lapps of the far north go to some vil
lage Avhere there is a church. Christ
mas eve passes unnoticed. The children
of Lapland knoAv no Santa Claus and
no stockings are hung. It seems strange
to us, aaRo think of Santa as coming
from the Frozen North, that children of
those lands should not knoAv him. On
Christmas morning all the Lapps go to
church to hear of the birth of Christ.
This is the only time in his life that
Laplander knoAvs any approach to joy.
The Noi-Avegian children earn their
feast, for all day before Christmas they
are busy tying bunches of oats and corn
on trees and fences for the birds’
Christmas dinner.