PAGE
THE PINEHURST OUTLOOK
11
tul, just as it is in America. The days
ass slowly, but finally Christmas Eve
urives. At 6 o'clock the climax of ex
citement is reached. The father rings
the bell, the doors of the long-sealed-up
Christmas room fly open, and there
stands the entrancing tree in all its
maiestv. The children are admitted into
v v
what seems to them like Paradise. They
Jind not only the wonderful tree, re
splendent with tinsle lights, candles
and gifts, but also a table spread for
each of them, and they hurry to see
whether their hopes and wishes have
been realized.
In some parts of Germany, Scandian
ii via and Holland, the custom obtains
for all the children to say a prayer to
Kriss Kringle at the chimney corner on
Christmas Eve, asking him to fill their
stockings for Christmas morning. They
confide in him as to what they would
like. Kriss Kringle, Christ Kindlein, is
the German Santa Claus who is sup
posed to come down the chimney with
gifts for all good children.
The American boy would probably feel
very much at home in either Russia, Ger
many, Holland, Denmark, Norway or
Sweden at Christmastide. In these north
countries the customs are very like those
of the homeland. But in the Southern
European nations, where Christmas is
more a religious than a home festival, he
would find a holiday very different from
ours.
This is especially true of Italy. Italian
children do not hang up their stockings
at Christmas or have a Christmas tree.
On Christmas morning they are taken by
their mothers to the churches. There
they are called on to recite hymns of
praise to the Madonna and Child in the
" Presepio," which is a representation of
the stable of Bethlehem where Christ
was born. Within the rocky cavern are
wax images often as large as life of the
Madonna and Child, of Joseph, the
shepherds, and the wise men, and images
of animals.
The children of the Sunday schools of
the Evangelical churches in Italy some
times have trees, however, though there
are not many of them as yet. The
branches are laden with yellow oranges,
with silvered balls, and with strings of
gilt paper. The lighted candles are usu
ally of the three national colors of
Italy : red, white and green. The family
festival of Christmas eve is the chief de
light of Italian children. There are fish,
eels, nuts, cakes, fruit or vegetables for
old and young. On the next day the
Christmas dinner is enjoyed, the chief
dishes being capon and pangallo, a sort
nut-and-fruit cake.
Very few American boys and girls
would care to spend the Chrbtmas holi
days in France where no one pays much
attention to Christmas and where no
presents are exchanged. The children
who have no " home with a little 4 h "' in
Fiance and who are being reared in the
convents, often have some beautiful
Christmas ceremonies, the spirit of which
might well be introduced into other lands.
For weeks before Christmas the convent
children begin to prepare for the convent
celebration. The crib with the Christ
Child is the chief center of attraction,
and the reward of good behavior is the
privilege of helping make the crib. A
gold straw is laid for each kind act and
for each day well spent. The highest
reward of merit is the privilege of laying
the wax figure in the crib. The children
of the poor are always kept in mind by
the convent child. It is the custom to
get ready presents of fruit, necessaries,
clothing, etc., for these "unfortunate
children of God." When the children
receive their Christmas boxes on Christ
mas Eve, the first gift taken from these
is placed in the basket for the poor
Aiier me solemn mianignt mass on
Christmas Eve, which all the children
attend, they are given something to eat ;
and then they all return to bed to sleep
till late on Christmas morning.
There is no tree and no hanging up of
stockings for the native Cuban children
on Christmas Day. Santa Claus would
have a hard time looking for his usual
place to enter the houses, for in Cuba
the houses are built without any chim
neys. There is a midnight feast on
Chrif tmas Eve, but children have no part
in it. The pleasures of Christmas gifts
are reserved till " King's Day," January
6. This day is celebrated in commem
oration of the visit of the Wise Men of
the East who brought their offerings to
the infant Saviour. It is at "King's
Day," and not at Christmas that the
Cuban children hang up their stockings
and place their shoes when they go to
bed the night before.
Conundrums.
When is a beefsteak like an uncommon
plant?
When rare.
Why are staffs of old men like Lent?
Because they are lent on.
When are hunters and stars alike?
When shooting.
When are cattle like fine liquors?
When brandf d.
Whose tongue is it that never speaks?
The wagon's.
Uplifting- the Public.
Tim There goes a man who has done
much to arouse the people.
Bim Great labor agitator, I suppose?
Tim Naw ; alarm clock manufacturer.
CUT-OUT PUZZLE PICTURE.
These linea put together picture a personage
who will soon say goocUbye.
THE HGhliY IM
PIIJEHURST, n. 0.
h. .lift KM .fsTRfeW, .ailttvHr?2i&ate. 'J
I I I 1 II I I t J".
II II
The Holly Inn is one of the most attractive hotels in the South. Since it was
built in 1895, it has been necessary to enlarge it several times to meet the constant
ly increasing demand. The interior is elegant, cheerful and tasteful. No modern
convenience is lacking. There are bath rooms, electric lights, steam heat and open
fireplaces. There is a call bell in every room, and all beds are furnished with best
hair mattresses. An orchestra furnishes fine concerts daily, and also provides for
dancing. The cuisine is unsurpassed. The waitresses are all white girls from the
North. Rooms for billiards and other games are provided in the hotel.
. I. CREAMER, manager.
The Harvard,
PINEHURST, N. C.
Tiisej-iurst Ti.G Tnia recently completed notei is modern in every re
spect, having electric lights, steam heat and several suites with bath and with its
cottage annex and large dining room, accommodates seventy-five guests.
The Cuisine is in charge of a competent chef, and the table service is guaran
teed satisfactory.
F. H. ABBOTT, Manager.
HOTEL TRAYMORE,
Atlantic City, N. J.
Overlooking the Ocean.
Open oil the Year.
TRAYMORE HOTEL, CO.
CIIAS. O. MAltiUJETXE, Manag-er.
. 8. WHITE, Prealdrnt
RICHMOND HOTEL
17 & H STREETS,
Washington, D. C
American Plan. $3.00 per day and upwards.
ttidirnniiarlii" Fortv-five minutes f rom Saratoea Wayiid Inn and Cottages, Laka
Luzerne, New "York. (July to October.)
CLIFFORD M LEWIS, Proprietor.