Atwood Bee, 12 Feb 1904, p. 7

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A } if - key. GUDE.New Year tae ye, Sandy, an' tae the gude Wne an ne vane" "An' mony a ane to yer- self, Jamie, but, man, ye'er gied, the new year's na two meen- wuld." a amie Soutar lived at the extreme end a long, straggling settlement which ' for about three miles through _ wwhat in was a part of Jamie and a the regulation lots of land, ~ oY, more fortutiete than others, some be- to ase one or more lots, th their improvements, from some earlier settler whose courage had failed They had but little experience to hel hem; they. knew Gotune of either a wraft or enate they endured priva- itiens which now would be deemed im- even in the wildest parts of the untry; but they persevered with a cheerfulness, and each year saw ttle clearing at the side of the of corduroy which did duty as a : y grow larger, their log-built jouses more comfortable, and their lot more endurable. But while they were thus engaged in @ fierce struggle, almost for existence, they never forgot the land they had left d them; it was still "home" to em, end semained so to generations of descendan. "y had brought with them the beliefs, the superstitions, em good however objectionable they may 'mppear to us in these days, helped them im no emall. measure to continue the sarc Poe the face of almost insuper- able difficulties. e customs which doubtless helped . @o interrupt the hardship and monotony wof existence, none was looked forward 'to with more lively anticipation or fur- nished a more interesting subject for dis- oussion after the event, than those which centered about the New Year. Work and anxiety and care were for the time forgotten, and they gave them- selves up to the enjoyment of the fes- tive season, perhaps not always too wisely, but with the hardships and dis- couragements of their lot, now but a peomcry, we may well, when we lCok m this part of their expericnce, say th Scotland's poet: Still, it may well be the case fhat these things, "One point must still be greatly dark. The moving, why they do it; 'And just as jJamely can ye mark How far, perhaps, they rue it." The New Year's celebration began the stroke "'o' twal,"' and as mid- mght found Jamie Soutar wishing "a gude New Year" to his next neighbor, ndy ..cDonald, we cannot do better than follow them and gain a picture of the manner in which they celebrated the festive season. Jamie was provided with a substantial bottle of whiskey, anu his good wishes or his neighbor were sealed. by a liberal of it. Thus fortified, Jamie and » who. was similarly munitioned, set out for the house of Dugald MecTav- , their next neighbor. was a Highlander, full of Cel- tic fire, and already partially full of whiskey, when Jamie and Sandy entered the house without the ceremony of knocking-at the door. They were Low- land and very deliberate, but Dugald's welcome was "Heelan' an' hearty," ven before they had crossed the hold. "It's Chamie an' Santy, an' ad fery welcome. Oh, yes, an' it's ta 7/New Year, an' she must pree ta whus- Na, na, she'll no use her pottle, for ahe'll be hafin' need for her, for she will be gaein' tae Tam Anerson, an' Tam, her whuskey's no sae gude but ye'll pe warit- fn' what's petter." And Dugald insisted on supplying the refreshments out of his own store, for, ff he was not altogether as prosperous as some of his neighbors, it was univer- sally admitted that the fault for the Siri part lay in his generous hospi- lity and readiness to help his friends, who, it is needless to say, were many. ut the occasion must be properly oelebrated, and so, accompanied by Du- pald, who had furnished himself with a ouble supply of "usquabae tae mak up for Tam Anerson." as he explained, they {went on their way to the next neighbor, ifwhere much the same greetings were ex- ged, and refreshments partaken of: 'then onward to the next, accompanied im each case by the last, tintil at the end of the settlement they reached "the ' hoose," where dwelt Tam Anerson. fam was not a favorite. He? was --_ of stature, with what his neigh: described as a "weasened" face, and jam eager, restless manner which le some of these same neighbors to com- him to a rat running, hither and hither trying to pick u alue. Tam had lived, up to the last year, in the worst house in the settle- ment, and his miserly instincts not only in the way of doing his neighbors a@ good turn when the opportunity of- iPered, but led kim to keep even his own uly on a very short allowance of the ordinary comforts of life. Four years before this particular New Year a young Englishman. vought the land. #djoining Jam Anerson's farm. He was ppasesse yof some money, but no experience. At «great expense he cleared away the for- est and built a large stone dwelling, -swhich he furnished throughout in a man- that would have been considered eas us even in the Old Country. Two _ tyehrs'later, with his resources exhaust- * 4 something of} tion was now to be looked upon by hi- neighbors as the "bnillie," or the ac knewled head of the settlement, but } bis miserly instincts, through which -he fell ever to the depth of watering the. | whiskey which he offered them, a capi- tal offence in Dugald's eyes, earned for him their contempt and even ill-will. ut New Xear"a leveled all, and at lengih the whole "o' the men folk' of the settlement were gathered in the "big ooze." about five o'clock of the New Year's morning. Tam Anerso™. arraved in his Sunday "blacks," was seated in a capacious-arm- chair when his visitors arrived. On the table before him were some of the de- eanters which, in the days of the unfor- lishman, were filled with cost- ut now contained a modicum "big hoose," @ the occa- eome into possession of the ba had it in mind ta sion tne starting point in the new rela- tions he proposed to establish between himself and his neighbors. R from somewhat unsteadily, for he his chair t had ken during the night of a pri- vate supply of whiskey which contained much less water tnan that provided for his neighbors, he began a set speech which had cost him a great deal of thought. "Ma freens," he began, "it's verra kind ye tae come in to show ye'er respect an' ye'er appreciation o' my poseetion." "Foot, awa wi' ye'er havers," cried Jamie Soutar; "it's the New Year, an' no ye'er poseetion ava that's brocht us. Let's hae a drappie on it." Tam's speech. was cut short, and he proceeded to treat his guests to the di- luted refreshments, which, however, met with sm avor. +--"She'el pe thinkin' it wass a fery eat peety to haf tae drink so fery much watter, for ta Ieetle whiskey tat 'Sass in it,' was Dugald's comment when they had tasted of it, and to take away the ill taste it was unanimously voted that they try some of their own provid ing. Tam made divers attempts to get ofl his speech, but without avail, and with each interruption there was a fresh re- course to tne supply of whiskey. At dine o'clock of that New Year's morn- ing Tam Anerson was seated in his big chair repeating in maudlin sentences the set speech which he had prepared; Du ald McTavish was dancing the "Heelan ing," Sandy McDonald was challenging all and sundry to a/disputation on th: question of predestination, Jamie Souta: was in a corner singing "John Anderson My Jo John," two others were fighting and the rest of them were asleep. us was the advent of the New Year celebrated, and the event for mant Gays afterward recalled with much satis- faction. Sandy and Jamie and Dugald and all their generation have long since pumoe away, ard their children's chil- ren are now in their place. The forest has given way to broad fields, and the log houses to stately dwellings. Again the last hour of the old year approaches Through the windows of the village church the lights shine out, ang within ere the people assembled with bowed head and bended knee, giving thanks for the blessings of the old year, and making eupplications for the new; then, as the bells ring out the tidings that the new ear has come, with grateful thought- for the past and with hope for the fu ture, their voices rise in the grand Dox- ology, "Praise God, from Whom all bless ings flow." Origin of the Names of Countries. The following countries, it is said were originally named by the Phoeni- cians, the greatest commercial people in the world. The names, in the Phoeni- cian language, signified something char- acteristic of the places which they desig- nate. - Europe signifies a country of white complexion, so named because the in- habitants were of a lighter complexion than those of Asia and Africa. Asia signifies between or in the mid- dle, from the fact that the geographers placed it between Europe and Africa, Africa' signifies the land of -corn or ears. It was' celebrated for its abund- ance of corn, and all sorts of grain. Siberia signifies thirsty or dry--very characteristic. pain, a country of rabbits or conies. duty, the little church and the post- wii] not let the American who wanted It was once so infested with these ani- mals that it sued Augusta for an army to destroy them. Italy, a country of pitch, from its vielding great quantities of black pitch. 'alabria, also for the same reason. Gaul, modern France. signifies yellow- haired, as yellow hair characterizes its inhabitants. The English of Caleuonia is a high hill. This was a rugged, mountainous pro vince in Scotland. ibernia:is utmost, or last habitation; for beyond this westward the i ans never extended their voyages. _ Britain, the country of tin, great quan- tities being found on it and adjacent is- lands. The Greeks called it Albion, which signifies in the Phoenician tongue either white or high mountains, from the whiteness of its shores, or the high rocks on the western coast. Corsica signifies a woody place. Sardinia signifies the footsteps of men, which it resembles. , unwholesome marsh on which it stood. Sicily. the country of grapés. Seylla, the whirlpool: of destruction. Aetna signifies a furnace, or dark or smoky.--"Waverley Magazine." Maxims for an Up-to-Date Republic. That government is best that taxes m i To the reformers belong the spoils. Giyé us slavery or give us death. In unions there is rest--from work. No grafter is without cash, except in tis own country. en Tain as a yein cond. aed bie ene | Syracuse, bad savor, so called from. the} _ Phi tf poor treaty that doesn't work ys. ~ Every little country hel . Oona tion is ie tea aie: He who runs may lead. Oupidity is the mother of interven on. Uneasy lies the head that arbitrate: with a world power. Cant is mighty and shall prevail.-- "Life." bed Soom Towns, Out in the street--the otraggling: loose-strung street, where the e red man in a plug hat sa gee pa trod wl cor. time his brick-faced squaw | "in~silent wonderment at u- me woollen underwear marktd down to a dollar, fifty -- the street, with all its untidy newness, and the raw, un- finished edge of things slovenly dis- layed--only he who is initiated into he mysteries of colonial development would trace indications of unusual pros- perity. To the uninitinted it was a straggling line of one-story shacks, be- poe promisingly enough yith a red- ck hotel and trailing off into prairie land. There are no boom towns in Canada-- if you except Dawson City--as we un-: derstand boom towns. There are towns which have sprung into importance in a few years, such as Edmonton and Cal- gary and Regina. But these have had existence of long standing, and have only increased in ratio to the prosperity of the surrounding country. In Canada incorporation is a prize to which every proper town aspires. It is a goal to which the newest village that was ever tacked on to a C.P.R. elevator strives. Consequently, men from the ck places are inveterate liars, though this may be said in their favor, that they believe all they tell. Brag! There is no brag quite like it. "Tf you can find time it will pay you to stop off at Wrinkles. A fine town, essir. I don't suppose there's another esx like Wrinkles in all Canada. We've got as magnificent a church as you've ever seen outside of Montreal; banks, ' court house, post-office, hotel; and we're just installing electric light and a car service." You know Wrinkles. Alas! That the bank, post-office and court house are beneath one humble roof; that the hotel is kept by Hee Chow; that the church is a microscopic barn with a wooden steeple; that the electric light and. car service are un- blushing myths. : Or it is, "You ought not to miss Bear's Head Creek. I don't want to brag about it, but you'll be surprised. Don't leave Canada without seeing it. We've gota newspaper there, too, that will in- terest you. You go. ; It is, indeed, a thriving township, and the newspaper is a fact. The day you arrive there have been big panes in Bear's Head Creek. Behold the front page of the paper. cross four columns,,in black type-- "Local firm gets a thousand-dollar con- tract. Contractor O'Grady, in open com- tition, 6ecures order for erecting new otel. Successful competitor speaks with 'Gazette' man, and expresses confi- dence in the future of Bear's Head Ld Lest it be thought that I am attempt- ing to poke a poor form of fun at these little Londons struggling for recognition, let me say right here that I know no | finer, no more inspiriting sight than is afforded the spectacle of the almost Homeric efforts of the average Canadian township of smaller size to justify its glorious faith in the future. -- "Here," says the man of the new town, "is a spot which by Providence, natural position, by extraordinary conditions, and the proximity to the Canadian Pacifie Railway is destined to Stricken With Bright's Disease, all sHope of Life was Abandoned. oe Her Restoration to Health Causes a Sensation in the Medical World. Doctors Gave Her up, but Dodd's Kidney Pills Cured Her |... Completely. Collingwood, Ont., Jan. 25.--(Spe- cial)--While Canada stands aghast at the terrible inroads Bright's Disease is making on ranks of the bright- est and best of her citizens; while the medical profession stand helpless before the dread destroyer of life, Collingwood has among her citizens one who. knows all its terrors, who has been carried down by it till the portals of death were open to receive her, and who to-day is a strong, healthy, ~ happy woman--a woman ght's Disease in all its hideousness, but who fears it not, because she knows its cure. rs. Thomas Adams is this lady's |, name, and she has now been a resi-' dent of Collingwood for a a half. Burke's Falls, known and highly respected. ; Adams feels it her duty to spread the good news all over Canada, all over the world, that she has found a cure for Bright's Disease, and that that cure is Dodd's Kidney Pills. MRS. ADAMS' STORY. "Yes,'? she said, when interviewed regarding her case, "my friends can tell you how terribly ill I was. My doctor "pronounced it Bright's Dis- ease and Sciatica, but I got no re- lief from anything he gave me. It was Dodd's Kidney Pills that drove away the terrible disease, raised me from my bed of suffering, and made me a well and happy woman. 'Tl was for years troubled with a pain in my back, at times I would ave to keep my . In March, 1900, I got so' 1 with prins in my back and hip tl I was 1 ore help less than an infant, and at times gave up all hope of getting well. I had no power of my back or limbs. "J was for eight months an invalid, and my sufferings during that time were something too terrible for words to describe. My doctor said I had Bright's Disease, but he could do nothing to give- me relief. HOW THE CURE CAME. "It was then a friend of my hus- pand induced >me to try Dodd's Kid- ney Pills. I had no faith in them, for I never expected to get better. But 1 tried them, and I thank God that I did. They brought me re lief almost from the start, and af- ter taking three boxes I was able to do my own work and look after my children. "It is three years since I started using Dodd's Kidney Pills, and I have not had a return of my _ trouble i little oxt of since. When I feel a ' sorts I get a box of Dodd's Kidney Pills, and they drive all the pains away." It is needness to say. Mrs. Adams' friends all use Dodd's Kidney Pills. They find that a remedy that cures Bright's Disease easily disposes of all the carlier stages of Kidney com- be the Chicago of the West. Let.us, the early fathers of the city, prepare the ground for future generations." So the man of the new town sits on the snake-fence, pufling at his pipe, ireaming dreams, peopling the mellow cornfields with phantom millions; erect- ing on this patch a sky-secraper, on that /@ mammoth store, and sacrificing with ;some regret, but withal a stern sense o office shack te"make place for a ten- storied hotel. | And of their faith shall they in a de- ee be justified.. Not all of them shall j be citizens of a new Chicago--a poor jenough ideal, God wot!--but they shall greatly grow. They shall hit higher than they aim, because that is how the }ideal works out; but. in the meantime, their never-ceasing fight to thrust into fame and place the town of their adop- | tion constitutes as fine a display of true patriotism as one may well wish to see. oeni-|--Edgar Wallace in London "Mail." Cold Comfort. Instead of being peevish about it, Can- ada should regard the Alaska boundary decision was cheerful acquiescence. It means several hundred miles less of snow to shovel next winter.--"Star," nsas. More than half the battle in cleaning greasy dishes is in the If it's Sunlight Soap soap you use, it's the best, plaint. Aftermath of a Tragedy. The souvenir-hunting Yankee some: times takes a fancy to queer things and pays well for them. The editor ol "Truth" comments thus upon the latest development of the souvenir craze: "At last. The Government of Servia to buy the furniture of King Alexander's ond Queen Draga's bed and wardrobe rooms at the Belgrade Konak have them, He offered successively 300,000 fr., 400,- 000 fr., and went up to 500,000 fr. King Peter and his Ministers think it would never do to let them be taken over the States, and then possibly over Europe, as a show. This is the first time they have evinced a sense of the shame at- tached to the midnight enterprise which raised Peter to the throne, and Maschin and the Ministers to their present grand situations. But as Queen Nathalie in- | herits all her son's fortune, those who slaughtered him and Drdiewean not pre- | Sent her. bringing Alexandér's personal | goods and chattels to the hammer. hould the American' persevere in his bid of 500,000 fr., he will place the Gov- ernment at Belgrade in an awkward po- sition. They are, as everyone knows, desperately hard up. As Nathalie is on the best terms with the court of Russia, Peter will hardly treat her lawyer cava- lierly, and if the furniture be bewght in by the Government the Queen Dowager will come down on it, for payment. Pet- er doubtless wants it to be destroyed. 'This is of a piece with 'A little water clears us of the deed' of Lady Macbeth." The Lap of Penury. Bri If you want to see misery you should pass 'a Christmas in the slums. Griggs--That's poring. 'I once passed a Christmas with some fellows employed by Russell Sage--The "Cynic." & "the American stage." That certain! i=] Cd 'if. Country correspondents of newspaperi have an bs anh unbreakable babi of sending in stories of the "most cree ices, "the worst storm that would '\do without the word "mos aro @ quriosity that will never be ae, . The "most disastrous" re not have caused over a th ollars' butchery, but tha correspondent has the pgs? h the limit on everything. editor who ais 'the eB. ten he warns the correspondent, but the ° su- perlatives the man who uses ies is a slave to environment, } t the scene to the metropolis, There even the bootblack puts out g @ vaudeville performer was ai vertised as "the eeasloat soubrette o the limit for superlatives. The habit is in full swing. Who shall find a cure? t Champagne and Chewing Gum. Gum has lost prestige. Wax, as it was often called in the elegant vernacu- lar, is no longer furnished in the bes houses. Does the small boy still stri the slippery elm and retain the bark fo a long season's chewing? Are the fea- tures of American life passing from us? Ice water is slightly relaxing its arbi- trary away, but the change is slow, and the tinkle of the ice-pitcher is still the tic feature of the American hotel. ce cream soda seems to hold its own, and ice cream soda and chewing have been the sentimental meeting-~ ground of our youths and maidens. Can it be use we are growing old that we no longer see young boys and girls, epchanging Eup. or chewing in silent sympathy? It/is, however, a wide coum fry, and unnecessary mastication may poy be as frequent as it ever was/ . n the more conspicuous ruts, however, old vices have given way to new. I fewer leading citizens dislocate thelr dental fillings by chewing gum, more them acquire indigestion and gout from elevated standards of diet and drink, Once champagne stood for rare cost and wickedness, It suggested France, chorug girls and gamblers, "A champagne r' was a term too exciting for carer, ess use. America has grown rich, and champagne flows like water in_ heg, towns. She has estopped eating "sinke ers," pie gnd leather steak, and 'keeps her dyspepsia now, by more .ex ensive means, Five minutes for refreshment@ bas given place to ample time to eat tod much, The dentists and the doctors loss little by the change. Imperialism a trade have made us one of the family of nations. We once had our special de- vices for undermining health; now ev year brings us nearer to the proper so" cial methods. We drink tea at five now, and not, as our old maids used to do, with bread, at six. A good many of us eat and drink so much at night that for breakfast we only wish to nibble a¥ trade has increased im: an . The glais. in coffee, tea and champa; id will more than atone for any in hot wet. bread and chewing "Collier's Weekly." Japanese Peculiarities. Japan, The London Chronicle says, is the land of topsy-turvydom--their books begin at what we should call the end, @ Japanese mounts his horse on the right side, and boats are hauled up on the beach stern first. So it is not surprising to hear that the Japanese State railways are to become a joint stock company, thus reversing the process usual in the west. By the mail just to hand it is learnt that the departments of Finance and of Com-_ munications have at last decided on the' plan. of converting the Government rall- ways into a joint undertaking of the Gov- et..ment and the general public. All the existing Government railways and the properties attached to them will be as- sessed, and the Government will hold the shares representing them, while the pub- Moe will be invited to subscribe the cost required for repairs to existing lines, and for the construction of new ones, & Sum estimated at about s-ven millions sterie ing, out of a capital of some twenty- eight millions. It is a novel experiment, and it would require a Japanese te explain the advantages of it, j

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