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Wl 34 Supplement of The Canaalan Statesman, Novemoer 21 How Alcott's "Little Women" Celebrated Jo was the first to wake in the gray dawn of Chri6tmas morning. No stockings hung at the fireplace, and for a moment she felt as much disappointed as she did long ago, when her little sock fell down because it was so crammed with goodies. Then she remembered ber mother's promise, and, slip- ping ber hand under her pil- low, drew out a little crim- son-covered book. She knew it very well, for it was that beautiful old story of the best life ever lived, and Jo felt that it was a true guide- book for any pilgrim going the long journey. She woke Meg with a "Merry Christ- mas," and bade ber see what was under ber pillow. A green-covered book ap- peared, with the same pic- ture inside, and a few words written by their mother, which made their one pres- ent very precious in their eyes. Presently Beth and Amy woke, to rummage and find their little books also - one dove-colored, the other blue; and all sat looking at and talking about them while the east grew rosy with the coming day... "I'm glad mine is blue," said Amy; and then the rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned, and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting. "Where is mother?" asked Meg, as she and Jo ran down to thank her for their gifts, half an bour later. "Goodness only knows. Some poor creeter come a- beggin', and your ma went straight off to see what was needed. There never was such a woman for givin' away vittles and drink, clothes and firin'," replied One Christmas Hannab, who had lived with the family since Meg was born, and was considered by them al more as a friend than a servant. "She will be back soon, I think; so fry your cakes, and have everything ready," said Meg, looking over the pres- ents which were collected in a basket and kept under the sofa, ready to be produced at the proper time. ... Another bang of the street door sent the basket under the sofa, and the girls to the table, eager for break- fast. "Merry Christmas, Mar- mee! Many of them! Thank you for our books; we read some, and mean to every day," they cried, in chorus. "Merry Christmas, little daughters! l'm glad you be- gan at once, and hope you will keep on. But I want to say one word before we sit down. Not far away from here lies a poor woman with a little newborn baby. Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freez- ing, for they have no fire. There is nothing to eat over there; and the oldest boy came to tell me they were suffering hunger and cold. My girls, will you give them your breakfast as a Christ- mas present?" They were all unusually hungry, having waited near- ly an hour, and for a minute no one spoke; only a min- ute, for Jo exclaimed im- petuously, "I'm so glad you came before we began!" "May I go and help carry the things to the poor little children?" asked Beth eagerly. "I shall take the cream and the muffins," added Amy, heroically giving up the articles she most liked. Meg was already cover- ing the buckwheats, and pil- ing the bread into one big plate. "I thought you'd do it," said Mrs. March, smiling as if satisfied. "You shall all go and help me, and when we come back we will have bread and milk for break- fast, and make it up at din- nertime." They were soon ready, and the procession set out. Fortunately it was early, and they went through back streets, so few people saw them, and no one laughed at the queer party. A poor, bare miserable room it was, with broken windows, no fire, ragged bedclothes, a sick mother, wailing baby, and a group of pale, hungry children cud- died under one old quilt, try- ing to keep warm. How the big eyes stared and the blue lips smiled as the girls went in! "Ach, mein Gott! it is good angels come to us!" said the poor woman, cry- ing for joy. "Funny angels in hoods and mittens," said Jo, and set them laughing. In a few minutes if really did seem as if kind spirits had been at work there. Hannah, who had carried wood, made a fire, and stop- ped up the broken panes with old hats and her own cloak. Mrs.March gave the mother tea and gruel, and comforted her with prom- ises of help, while she dressed the little baby as tenderly as if it had been her own. The girls, meantime, spread the table, set the chil- dren round the fire,and fed them like so many hungry birds - laughing, talking, and trying to understand the funny broken English... That was a very happy breakfast, though they didn't get any of it; and when they went away, leav- ing comfort behind, I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christ- mas morning. Christmas Customs from Other Lands Beautiful Christmas tra- ditions reflect the ancestral legacy of many nations. The meaning and joy of this spe- cial holiday survives most fully through these treas- ured ethnic customs. In Sweden, the Christ- mas season begins De- cember 13th, the feast of Saint Lucy, with a festive cake and coffee breakfast. The treat is served by a young girl, dressed to re- semble the young patron - complete with lighted crown. A more complete meal, called a Wilia, is served to break a pre-Christmas fast in French homes. The ban- quet table is decorated with straw and made to resemble a manger, and a vacant place is set in honor of the Christ Child. The Nativity is also re- created in Italian homes where a colorful tableau is set in a place of honor dur- ing the holidays. This "Preasepio" is displayed un- til the feast of the Epi- phany, when the figures of the three Kings are added and small gifts exchanged. In Mexico, such gifts and delicious sweets are con- tained inside a colorful paper ornament called a pinata. Its breaking brings to an end a Christmas Eve celebration of children's parades and paper mache magic. Birds and cattle are re- membered in a special way at Christmastime by Nor- wegian families. A decora- tive outdoor "Christmas tree" is made from a shaft of grain and set outside, so as to feed the feathered friends which remain during the cold, winter season. Also, special fodder is given to cattie through the duration of the holy season. A "Christmas watch" is kept by Danish families with the help of a special, holi- day candle. The candle is divided into 24 days, each representing one day before Christmas. The candle is burned for one hour each evening and is blown out by the youngest child in the family. These, and other interna- tional traditions add so much to the meaning and happiness of Christmas. Such customs remain as constant reminders to all peoples that there is no cele- bration quite as wonderful as that of the birth of Christ. excerpts from "The Christmas Dinner" by Washington Irving The dinner was served up in the great hall, where the squire always held his Christmas banquet. A blaz- ing, crackling fire of logs had been heaped on to warm the spacious apartment, and the flame went sparkling and wreathing up the wide- mouthed chimney . . . We were ushered into this banqueting scene with the sound of minstrelsy, the old harper being seated on a stool beside the fireplace, and twanging his instru- ment with a vast deal more power than melôdy. Never did Christmas board dis- play a more goodly and gra- cious assemblage of counte- nances; those who were not handsome were, at least, happy; and happiness is a rare improver of your hard- favoured visage... The table was literally loaded with good cheer, presented an epitome country abundance, in this season of overflowing lard- ers... When the cloth was re- moved, the butler brought in a huge silver vessel of rare and curious workmanship, which he placed before the squire. Its appearance was hailed with acclamation; be- ing the Wassail Bowl, so re- nowned in the Christmas festivity... The old gentleman's whole countenance beamed with a serene look of in- dwelling delight, as he stirred this mighty bowl. Having raised it to his lips, with a hearty wish of a mer- ry Christmas to all present, he sent it brimming round the board, for every one to follow his example, accord- ing to the primitive style;. ..There was much laugh- ing and rallying as the hon- est emblem of Christmas joviality circulated, and was kissed rather coyly by the ladies. When it reached Master Simon, he raised it in both hands, and with the air of a boon companion struck up an old Wassail chanson. When the Animals Could Talk A charming legend has it that animals were given the gift of speech at midnight during the holy season. Ac- cording to the tradition, the cock would crow, "Christus natus est," (Christ is born) the ox would reply, "Ubi?" (Where?) the lamb would answer, "Bethlehem" and the ass would bray, "Eamus!" ... (let us go!) s . - .et "s,"sE U E~