Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume], December 25, 1906, Image 2

About Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916

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VOL.. 2 NO. 19,
The' Courier Junior
Published by
THE COURIER PAINTING CO,
OTTUMWA, iOWA.
MATILDA DEVEREAUX.
f-DITOB.
A FEW CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS.
Dear Juniors: The beautiful Christ
mas season is with us again. The
Christmas spirit is everywhere. Holly,
mistletoe and the Christmas tree are
to be found in nearly every home. In
the midst of these beautiful surround
ings we must remember the true sig
nificance of Christmas, love' one an
other. This was God's message to us
when the choir of heavenly angels
sang out, "Peace on earth, good will to
men." And the humble wondering
shepherds followed the heavenly voices
and went over the hills to Bethlehem,
and there in a stable they found the
little child who had brought the great
est riches and the greatest joy as a
gift to earth for evermore. Then the
shepherds bowed the knee and adored
the tiny babe. A beautiful little poem
called "In the Kingdom of a Child,"
Bays:
"When Jesus came to Bethlehem,
All in the rose of dawn,
The music quivered like a flame
From heaven's own glory drawn
And sky and earth were blended in
AA
symphony of love
1
Sfv
'3
What time there came to Mary's arms
The Child from heaven above.:
"The little Christ-child was so sweet
Had you been there, or I,
We would have kissed those tiny feet,
Have bushed that Baby's cry
We might have knelt and offered gifts,
Our gold, our spice, our myrrh
We might have wreathed the manger
with
Our cedar, pine, and fir."
The Juniors in their stories tell
many beautiful legends about Christ
mas. We feel that the Courier Juniors
know full well the true significance of
Christmas Most of them have shown
It by joining the "Christmas Stocking
club." We feel very proud of the Ju
niors. They show such an excellent
spirit of Christian charity. They will
make many little hearts happy this
Christmas by their offerings to the
Christmas Stocking club. We wish
the Juniors a very merry, merry Christ
mas. May all the blessings of the sea
son b6 their portion.
THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING CLUB.
The Christmas Stocking club is go
ing to fulfill dur fondest expectations.
In case some of the Juniors failed to
read the Santa Claus letters last week,
we will publish the club rules today.
Please remember that Santa Claus
will call at the Courier Junior office
on Christmas eve for the stockings
and divide them into two lots, one lot
for the Open Door Mission on Mill
.street and'the other for the Salvation
Army barracks on West Main street.
Te belong to this club you must fix
-up a regular Christmas stocking and
'bring it to the Courier Junior. Don't
forget to put the remaining stocking in
the Christmas stocking. You can. fill
both stockmgs if you want to.
The big prize this week is awarded
to Lillian Consodine. This little girl de
serves the prize, according to all the
rules of the contest. Lillian's paper
Is neat and the writing excellent, be
sides her story is very pretty.
Helen Deacon, Helen Rowe and Alice
E. Lea are also entitled to prizes for
their excellent work. We will send
each one of these lettle girls a picture
of "Teddy G" and "Teddy B."
We Will send out the souvenirs for
the Christmas Stocking club next week
and will also publish the roll of honor.
CHRISTMAS IN FOREIGN LANDS.
In most of the civilized countries
around the world, every boy and girl
.celebrates Christmas. The familiar and
home-like customs are very Similar in
English-speaking lands, but in other
^countries there is much that is strange
gtjto those who are used to a New World
•Christmas.
Perhaps, if an American boy were to
.'spend Christmas away from the dear
jJ .borne festivities, he might best enjoy
the Russian celebration. There is one
feature of the Christmas observance in
Mi? the czar's domain which is apt to
strike one very favorably and that is
the great length of the holiday season.
Christmastide covers two whole weeks,
and for fourteen days, from December
24 until January 8, there is one long
line of holidays. For a fortnight, books
and pencils are laid aside, and the
school room doors are closed. Neither
do people work. Everybody has a long
memorable, happy holiday. The streets
are very bright and gay, and the store
windows are bewilderingly beautiful
"with holiday goods, though it is to be
feared that this year if present con
ditions maintain, there will be little
Joy or celebration in the Little Father's
empire and little cause for rejoicing
on the part of his poor oppressed peo
ple.
In the large Russian cities, the
Christmas sunshine glows radiantly on
the snow-covered streets and buildings.
The air is crisp, cold and Invigorating.
The happy crowd's pass along the thor
oughfares dressed in fur coats and
caps, snow boots and sheep skins, and
in the national gala attire of the vari
ous /aces—the Tartars, Circassians,
Armenians and Russians.
The streets present the appearance
of a qreat international fair, for there
are brilliant displays, side shows and
booths.
The Gostinoi Door is the great ba
zaar of St. Petersburg. At Christmas
time, it resembles the interior of a
dense forest. Thousands of Christmas
trees are brought here every year to
go into the homes of the people. It is
good to record that there is not a home
so poor in Russia,but that the chil-
"j M*\
dren may have the happiness of a
Christmas tree. If for some reason
there Is no tree at home for the chil
dren there is certain to be one at the
school or association. The favorite
decorations seen in the humbler homes
are bright paper flowers, rainbow-hued
glass beads, and goodies.
In Russia the pleasure of the Christ
mas tree Is not limited to one or two
evenings. The glowing tree shines
out brilliantly every night during the
two weeks, and each night there is a
party for old or young. In the city
the resplendent trees give great en
joyment to the eager Russian children.
BUt the most wonderful sight is seen
in the country on the large estates,
when a tree Is decorated and lighted
just as it stands in the center of a bit
of woods. The scene is very impres
sive. The village children who are in
vited guests, gather about wild with
delight, to. get the presents and dain
ties from the wonderful, sparkling,
outstretched branches of the tree.
In Germany, too, therfe is no hol
iday on the calendar so great as Christ
mas. And it is the children's festival,
also. Christmas in Germany is very
much like Christmas in America.
Many of our Christmas. customs came
from there. Germany gave us the
Christmas tree, and it is the center of
all the Christmas doings for the Ger
man children.
It is the chief pleasure of the Ger
man fathers and mothers to prepare
the Christmas tree. This is usually
done in a room closed to the children.
There is great mystery about it all.
Everyone in the house has his secrets
for weeks before Christmas Eve. The
days pass slowly, but finally Christmas
Eve arrives. At 6 o'clock the climax
of excitement is reached. The father
rings the bell, the doors of the
long-saaled-up Christmas room fly open
and there stands the entrancing tree
in all its majesty,.. The children are
admitted Into what seems to them like
Paradise. They find not only the won
derful tree, resplendent with tinsel
lights, candles and gifts, but also a ta
ble spread for each of them and they
hurry to see whether their hopes and
wishes have been realized.
In some parts of .Germany, Scandin
avia and Holland, the custom obtains
for all the children to say a prayer
to Krlss Kringle at the chimney cor
ner on Christmas Eve, asking him to
fill their stockings for Christmas morn
ing. They confide in him as to what
they would like. Kris Kringle [Christ
Kindlein) is the German Santa Claus,
who is supposed to come down the
chimney for all good children.
The .American boy would probably
feel very much at home in either Rus
sia, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Swed
en 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 the holi
day very different from ours.
This is especially true of Italy. Ital
ian children do not' hang up their
stockings at Christmas, or have a
Christmas tree. On Christmas morn
ing 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 the 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 im
ages of animals.
The children of the Sunday schools
of the evangelical churches in Italy
sometimes 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 usually of the three na
tional colors of Italy: red, white and
green. The family festival of Christ
mas Eve is the chief delight of the
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 be
ing capon and pangallo, a sort of nut
and fruit cake.
Very few American boys and girls
would care to spend the Christmas
holidays in France, where no one pays
much attention to Christmas and
where no presents are exchanged. The
children who have no "home withy a
little 'h'" In France and who are be
ing reared in the convents, often have
some beautiful Christmas ceremonies,
the spirit of which might well be intro
duced into other lands. For weeks be
fore Christmas, the convent children
begin to prepare for the convent cele
bration. The criD with the Christ
Child is the chief center of attraction,
and the reward for good behavior is
the privilege of helping to 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 rcceive their
Christmas boxes on Christmas eve, the
first gift taken from these, is placed in
the basket for the poor. After the sol
emn midnight mass on Christmas Eve,
which all the children attend, they are
sometimes given something to eat and
then they all return to bed to sleep
till lrtte on Christmas morning.
There is no tree and no hanging up
of stockings for the native Cuban chil
dren 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 chimneys. There is a midnight
feast on Christmas eve, but children
have n0 part in it. The pleasures of
Christmas gifts are reserved till
"King's Day," January 6. This day is
celebrated in commemoration 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 chil­
Vfrytr** Jrr
dren hang up their stockings and
place their shoes when they go to bed
the night before—Jane A. Stewart, in
the Pilgrim.
JUNIOR STORIES.
CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY.
In Germany they call him St. Nich
olas.
Three weeks before Christmas they
begin to save their money for Christ
mas.
There is always one room which the
children are not allowed to enter un
til father gives a signal.
The signal is that fether comes out
and says that St. Nicholas has been
there and trimmed the tree with gild
ed nuts and apples and it is shining
with lighted candles.
Then the children rush in and get
the presents that are given them.
They call their land the land of the
"Christmas Tree," because the first
Christmas was observed there.
The children are always 'good for
fear of a rod for their back.
Even when there are no children
they always have a Christmas tree,
for three or four days. St. Nicholas
always rides a shining white horse.
In Germany they put the Christmas
tree in the window so every body can
see it.
The people in Germany are very
*e
LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS
41
Dear Santa Clous:—I want, a large
Christmas tree and a dress and a pair
of shoes and stockings for my cousin.
He is too little to write, and I want a
stove and a picture book and peanuts,
candy and nuts.
Yours,
Helen Rodgers.
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Dear Santa Claus:
Well, as it is nearly time for your
bells to jingle, I will write and tell you
what 1 want for Xmas. I want a pair
of skates, a doll and a bracelet.
I have one sister and one brotlier. My
sister wants a bracelet, too. I am a
girl ten years of age. I live in Eldon.
My name is
Hazel Bolding.
Dear Santa. Claus:
I thought I would write you a letter
to tell you what I want for Christmas.
I want a horn, some candy, peanuts, or
anges, and an air gun. My sister is go
ing to send in a "Christinas Story," and
I hope she will win the prize. I am 7
years old. I will close.
Yours truly,
Willie McCoy, age 7,
R. F. D. No. 1,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
I would like to join the "Christmas
Stocking club." If this Is published I
will write again next week.
Dear Santa Claus:
Please bring me a pop gun and a
train and a horn and that is all.
Your friend,
Ralph Will, age 8,
R. F. D. No. 1.
Ottumwa, Iowa.
P. S.—Please bring Harold and Ever
ett something nice.
Dear Sant£v Claus:—I want a pop
gun and a horn. Will you please bring
them?
Your friend,
Frank Will, age 6,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
P. S.—I wish you would bring Har
old and Everett some nice toys.
Dear Mr. Santa Claus:
I am a little boy six years old and I
want you to bring me a few things for
Christmas. I will send you a list of
the things:
Teddy bear, magic lantern, sled,
drum, printing press, fire patrol, some
books and candy and nuts.
Please, Santa Claus, don't forget
where I live.
Donald Glew,
119 Iowa Avenue,.
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Dear Santa Claus:—Will you kindly
bring me what you think is best?
Yours truly,
Edith Parkinson, age 8,
226 Walnut Avenue,
Ottumwa, iowa.
D'^ar Santa Claus:
I I'm a little b-jv living on East Sec
ond street. My name Is Mack Vaugh
an I am years old and I think I am
a very good little child, as I say my
prayers every night and morning. But
when my mamma gets angry with me
she says, "Oh, you naugthy boy" then
V.jc'- \r,V?+'
OTTUMWA IOWA DEOEMBEN 25. 1906.
kind to the poor, people. Some of the
oldest inhabitants have not remember
ed of ever seeing a rod in their stock
ing.
Your Junior, Belle Rush, age 9.
1216 North Wapello street, Ottumwa.
CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY.
In Germany you will find the Christ
mas tree everywhere. If the family
cannot afford a whole tree, there will
sure be a branch of one hung with a
few simple little gifts. On the very
top of the tree there is an image of
the Christ Child, and other images be
low. After the candles are lighted the
family gather around and slng the
Christmas hymn.'
CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE.
In France at Christmas time you
will find everywhere images of Mary
and Joseph, and. the Babe with the
cattle feeding near, Christ in a manger.
These images are decorated with flow
ers and lighted candles are burned be
fore them. The children hang up their
stockings like us. In France the
Christmas carols are called noels.
CHRISTMAS IN HOLLAND.
In Holland they do not hang up
their sto'ckings as we do, on Christ
mas eve. Instead, the little Dutch
girls and boys put their wooden shoes
dear Santa, I hope you will overlook
my little pranks, for I am just a very
little boy and I know you will not pass
my stocking by. I want a sled, patrol,
loop-the- loop, Humpty-Dumpty cir
cus and anything else you like, and
oblige.
1
Your little friend.
Mack Vaughan,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Dear Santa Claus:
I thought I would write you a letter
to let you know what I want for Christ
mas. I want candy, peanuts, oranges,
and a big doll. My sister is writing
this for me. I cried for her to. I will
close.
Yours truly,
Fanny McCoy, age 4,
R. F. D. No. 1,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Dear Snnta Claus: will write you
a letter to let you know what I want
for Christmas. I want a sled and a pair
of skates. As my letter is getting long,
I will close.
Yours truly,
Tom Pumroy, age 8,
R. F. D. No. 2,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Dear Santa Claus:
I will write you a few lines to tell
you what I want for Christmas. I want
a doll and a set of dishes and a stove
that I can cook on.
I was eleven years old on
Decern oer 20. I would like to
have many more things, but I think
that what I have named is enough. I
will close.
Yours truly,
Irene Pumroy,,
R. F. D. No. 2,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Dear Santa Claus:—I thought that
I would write you a fe\v lines to tell
you what I want for Christmas. I want
the Courier Junior to send this to San
ta Clans. I wish -a story book and
some candy and huts. Santa Claus was
good to me last Christmas. I thank
him for what he brought me last
Christmas and I want some pretty
things that you are willing to bring to
me. I am 9 years old.
I wish for the Courier. My address Is
Hedrlck, Iowa, R. F. D. No. o. I have
one brother and one sister. My broth
er's name is Lawrence and my sister's
name is Marie. I will close for this
time.
Yours truly.
Roy Davis.
Dear Santa Claus:
I thank you for what y*u brought me
lact Christmas. I think you were very
kind. I have two little brothers. They
would like to have something for
Christmas. I would like to have a
warm pair of mittens and a ring if you
are willing to bring them. I will close.
Yours very truly.
Maria Davis, age 10,
Hedrick, Iowa.
Dear Editor:
I want to write a few lines to Santa
C'aus to let him know what I would
like best for Xmas. so I thought he
would be sure to get it if I sent it to
the Courier office. I am a little boy 6
years old. I go to the Agasslz school
and am In the third room. I must hur
ry and tell Santa Claus what I want or
my letter will be too Ion#. I wnrjt a set
of tools, for niv papa Is a carpenter
and I Wtyit .to be one. too a pair of
ivn
in the chimney place, and the good
saint puts some little present in every
shoe—unless its owner has been very
naughty that year. Then the naughty
one flnds an empty shoe or a little
whip in his shoe Christmas morning.
Louise Briggs, age 12 years.
Ottumwa, Iowa.
LITTLE TOM A CHRISTMAS
STORY.
Once upon a time there was a little
boy whose name was Tom. He lived
with his aunt in a tall old house In a
city. He was seven years old, and his
father and mother were dead. His
aunt was very cross to him. She was
very touchy. She would give Mttle
Tom dry bread to eat, of whioh there
was never 'enough not more than
once a year did she speak a kind word
to him. But little Tom loved this
woman because he had no one else to
love.
Everybody knew that the woman
owned a house and had a stocking full
of gold under her bed and so she did
not dare to send him to school for the
poor.. There was a schoolmaster
who wanted to teach Tom for almost
nothing and so little Jean went and
the schoolmaster began to get mad
because Jean brought so little amount
of money and was dressed so poorly,
and so the boy was punished very
often. Christmas came rolling by and
over shoes and a lot of candy ana some
oranges. I will not ask for too much,
for he has so many little ones'to satis
fy. I will take all he leaves me and
thank him very much. Please, Santa,
don't forgot my grandpa and' grand
ma, as they don't live in Ottumwa. I
will close and wish the Courier Junior
a merry Xmas.
I remain, as ever, jtour little friend,
Frederick Carl,
308 South Davis St.,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Dear Santa Claus:—•
I thought I would write to'yotii I am
a little boy 6 years old. I would like to
have for Christmas a pencil box and
some slate, pencils and some candy and
oranges. I go to Liberty school. I am
in the second reader. My teacher's
name is Louise Herman. I have one
mile to walk' to school.
Good-bye, dear Santa.
Philio Moser, Jr.,
R. F. D. No. 1,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Dear Santa. Claus:—
I want a Bible, a train"that will run
on a track, and a jack-in-a-box. San
ta Claus, where do you live? I've heard
you live in Labrador, do you? If you
do, send me word. I cannot send a
stocking to the editor and I am sorry
Oh. I wajit a horn before I close. Santa,
do you IrVe at the North Pole? I wish
I could write long letters, like the other
Juniors. Well, as I cannot think of any
presents, I will close.'
Your friend.
(/i
Alden Doud.
Douds-Leando, Iowa.
Dear Santa Claus:—
I thought I would write to you. I am
a little girl 8 years old. Please bring
me for Christmas a pair of fine shoes,
some handkerchiefs, some pencils and
a pencil box and two tablets—one for
mjr little brother: some candy and nuts
-and oranges. I go to Liberty school.
am in the second reader. My teacher
name is Louise Herman. I have one
mile to walk to school.
Good-bye, d*ar Santa.
Louise Moser,
R. F. D. No. 1,
ii Douds-Leando, Iowa.
Mr. Santa Claus:—
Dear Santa Claus:—I will write to
you and tell you what I want for
Christmas. I would like to have just
one more doll baby, a doll buggy and
some candy, nuts and fruits. I
would like to have a book of Lulu and
Leander. I want the doll to go to sleep
and have fjlue eyes and brown hair. I
will go to sleep early so you can come
down the chimney and not have to
wait until I get to sleep. I will close
as my letter is getting long.
Yours truly,
Hazel Clark, age 12,
West Division Street,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
Dear Santa Claus:
My name is Reginald Vaughan. I am
a little boy 9 years old. I say my
prayers night and morning, and I go
to mass every Sunday that I am well.
But I have to miss a great deal of
school. Dear Santa, I'hope you will re
member my stockings and bring me a
car and a horn, and a fire wagon and a
set of soldiers and oblige your little
friend,
Reginald Vaughan,
,. Ottumwa, Iowa.
?.
4
W^S3.
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,ir
by. The night before Christmas there
was to be slngiqg in the church, and
the schoolmaster was to bring all his
boys and come and have a happy time
looking at the candles and to listen to
the sweet music.
The winter was very cold and roads
rough, and there was very much snow
on the ground. All the boys came
with with their fur caps on and heavy
overcoats. But Tom came with his
summer clothes on and was almost
frozen. So they went to church and
the boys made much fun of little Tom.
It was a very fine churcsh. The sing
ing was going on, the boys talked in
low tones, they were talking about
what they were going to do tomorrow.
The children talked of what Santa
Claus would bring them and the eyeB
of the little boys danced with joy. At
last the singing stopped and the
Christmas muslo was ended. Now as
little Tom passed out he saw a little
child sitting on the step. He was
asleep. He was thinly dressed and
his feet were oold. So Tom gave the
boy his shoes and he went on home
and told his aunt and, Bhe was mad
She made him go to bed and in the
morning he went down and found all
the chimney full of presents and she
was always kind after that
Llllie Holland, Ottumwa, ta.'
R. R. No. 4.
CHRISTMAS IN HOLLAND.
The people who live in Holland are
called Dutch. The greatest holiday
the Dutch have is Santa Claus' day.
It Is on December 6. All the stores
are made pretty on that day. Santa
Claus is in the windows. He Is dress
ed in red with white fur, and rides a
large horse. The streets are crowded
with boys and girls to see all this, and
they have Santa Claus cakes, and gin
gerbread made like chairs and tables
and fishes and horses and many other
things. At night Santa Claus rides on
the roofs of houses, and drops nice
things down the chimney for good
children. The boys and girls leave
their shoes near the fireplace for the
things to drop in. Rut they do not
find many toys in their shoes, for San
ta Claus likes better to give them
cakeB and mopey.
Edith Mierage, 12, Ottumwa.
R. F. D. No. 6.
LITTLE PAUL—A CHRISTMA8
STORY.
There was once a little boy whose
name was Paul. Paul lived with his
aunt, who was very cross and angry
to him. His aunt would uke to send
him to the school for the poor,- but she
dared too for she had a great deal of
gold. There was a schoolmaster near
his home who offered to teach him
for a small sum of money. The school
master was very unkind to Paul be
cause he dressed so poorly. One
night there was to be singing in the
church, and the schoolmaster and his
schoolboys were to be there. Little
Paul went, but he wasn't dressed as
warm as the other boys. Wnile the
people were singing the little boys
were telling vnat Santa Claus was'
going to bring them, but little Paul
kept still for he knew his selfish old
aunt wouldn't get him anything.
Wnen the singing was over the school
master and his schoolboys marched
out just as they hau come In. Whfen
little Paul went out there was a little
barefooted boy sound asleep, Bitting
on the steps. Paul took one of his
wooden shoes off and laid it down by
his side. Paul hobbled home on one
foot, not thinking of deceiving his an
gry aunt. When he got home she
gave him a hard slap and sent him to
bed she told him if he found anything
in hib other shoe it would be a switch
to whip him with. Paul did not sleef)
a bit that night. The next mor/iing
when the other boys got up they found
nothing but long switches in their
stockings, and little Paul found many
n:o toys and bags of c_-.ndy.
Maggie McCoy, age 13.
R. R. No. 4. Ottumwa, la.
Dear Junior Family: v-'P
I am going to write a little letter.
Well, I'm going to write a song that
is called Christmas Carol. The pitch
is G-sol. It Is the prettiest song I have
heard in many years. Well, I hope
that some of the Juniors will write
Christmas songs and Christmas poetry.
It would be very nice for the Juniors
to read the stories and letters. I am
going to write to Ruth Hudgens of Col
ony, Oklahoma. We are preparing for
Sunday school ana public school for
Christmas entertainments to see San
ta Claus. Well, I have nothing more
to tell.
Esther Garrison age 11.
Eldon.
THE PRIZE WINNERS.
THE MAGI.
Some time after the birth of Christ,
Melcher, Caspar and Balthasar, three
kings from the east, come to Jerusa
lem asking where they "might find the
new born King, for they had seen the
wonderfpl star in the east that had
led the shepherds to the stable where
Christ was born, and had come to
adore him. When King Herod heard
this he, as well as all the people of
Jerusalem, were much troubled.
Then he called all the chief priests
and doctors of the law and asked them
where Christ was born. They told
him "in Bethlehem." He then called
for the three wise men and told them
to go and adore the Christ Child, and
then come and tell him (Herod) where
he was so that he (Herod) might go
and adore him.
After they had left Jerusalem the
wonderful star appeared and went be
fore them until it stood over where
the child was.
On entering the stable they found
the Saviour, and kneeeling down,
adored Him. They then offered Him
gifts' of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
In the night God warned the kings
Ois,"
NOTICE.
AO letter^ for «H» depaita&n muu
be addressed:
"Coafier Junior,1•
FOE THE CILlIiDBEN.
In a dream not to return to Herod, be
cause he meditated mischief to tfi»
Saviour. 'Xhey therefore returned by
another way to their own country. That
is why they are called the Magi or
Wise Men from the East.
Lillian Consodine, Ottumwa, Iowa.
134 Janney street.
Age 12. jpg
CHRISTMAS IN HOLAiND,
It is believed that the name St. Nich
olas originally came from Holland
When St. Nicholas comes he is dress
ed in a very fine costume, trimmed
with beads, gems and gold: Decem
ber
S,
is When he visits the earth.
Early on the morning of the 6th he
distributes his candies, toys and treas
ures. For the bad' children he brings
a birch rod, and for the good ones con
fections. N
Early in the morning the children
prepare for a joyous day. In the ev
ening the children go to a grand paiv
lor, dressed in their best. In comes
St. Nicholas, and then the children
sing, "Welcome, St. Nicholas, Wel
come!" Alter the song was finished
Nicholas spoke, "Children, I greet
you all, ye have all been good chil
dren since I was here last fall."
The parents were busy spreading
white linen on the floor. When he
had finished his talk, a shower of su
gar plums flew from his bag. Each
child filled their chubby hands £hd
ran to show what they had.
They looked 'up' to see what else. St.
Nicholas was doing, but he had van
ished. He was nowhere eo be seen.
Doors of the nouse were flung open,
chairs and tables were moved to'
search for him.
The children then put their wooden
shoes on a table, covered with white
linen. In each shoe was put a bunch
of hay for good St. Nlch's horse. The
door to the room was locked and the
key put in the mother's room.
In Holland the little birds have a
Christmas, too. Ije children put a
sheaf of wheat on a post, and the
birds come an4 have a good meal.
On Christmas day the most enjoya
ble sport for the Dutch children is
the skating race on the canal. All tha
family goes to see who shall win.
Each child holds to the coat which is
In front of him and glides along.
Another enjoyment ,of the day is
tie ice boats. They go along on the
canal, sailed by the wind. These boats
are crowded with merry children, who
sing a song In honor of St. Nicholas,
as they sail along.
Helen Deacon, age 13.
522 East Second. St
THE STORY OF PIGCOLA.
Piccola was the name of a poor lit'
tie girl who lived in Italy.
She had never heard of a Christmas
present until some Amerisan children
came to Italy,
They told her all about Santa Claus,
Christmas, and how they hang up their
stockings on Christmas eve.
They told her to hang up her stock
ing on Christmas eve, and when she
was ready to hang it up she remem
bered that she had no stockings. She
was very unhappy until she trought of
her little wooden shoe, so she placed
it by the side of the fire and .was soon
asleep.
In the morning she got up with the
moonlight. What do you think She
found?
A little chimney swallow with a bro
ken wing was in her shoe.
She was BO happy that she kissed
the shoe, she kissed the bird and she
even threw kisses up the chimney.
There was not a happier girl that
aorning in Italy.
Helen Rowe, aged 8.
1
Ottumwa.
...-V,
THE BIRTH OF JESU8.
There was once a man an.l woman,
who were on their way to Bethlehem.
When they entered the. town the
man, whose name was Joseph, went to
the inn to pee if they could get lodg
ing. But the inn was full,. The own
er of the inn said he had a stable in
which the shepherds some times stay
ed and that he could use that.
Then Joseph and Mary, for that was
ter name, ws'nt into (h'jir dwelling.
Now when r'ght came behold a son
was born unto them. TL13 child's
name was Jesus.
Now the angels of'God had appear*
e.I unto some wise m?n or magi and
told them of the Christ child. They
wore then anxious to see him.
Tliey then started '.or Bethlehem.
Soon fhe star appeared to guide them.
The angels bad said a f.tar would ap
pear in the east to guide .tliem. On
their way to Bethlehem they stopped
to tell Herod "of the birth of Jesus who
was king of the Jews.
Then Herod told them to seek tha
Christ child and when they had found
h:m to come and tell him so he might
also worship the king of the Jews.'
Then the wise'men started again on
their journey. When they reached
the babe they fell down and worship
ped him and offered unto him gifts.
But when they were ready to return
to their own country God warned
them not to return to Herod but to re
turn home another way.
When Herod heard this he was an
gry and said all the children two
years or under should be killed.
Now God warned Joseph of this and
said to take the young child and hia
mother and flee into Egypt. So Jo
seph did as he was.bado. When the
children were killed Christ was not
for he was safe in the land of Egypt.
When King Herod died and his SOT
ruled God told Joseph to take his fam
ily and go back to Bethlehem. So
they started but when he heard Her
od's son ruled he was afraid and
turned and entered Nazafeth whei'6
Christ spent tne rest of his boyhood
as a carpenter. So he is called tha
Nazarene.
Alice E. Lea, Albia, Iowa.
P. 0. Box 650. Age 11 years.