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This newspaper page contains 10 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Washington Evening Journal
Location
Washington, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1909
Page
5
A comic 19th century vignette follows Jake Jarley and his wife Nancy as they vow peace and reform for the coming year. Their quarrel erupts, accusations fly, and a profane outburst ends with Nancy calling Jake a sinful brute. The piece observes how resolutions quickly crumble.
The article traces the origin of bells in Christian worship from Paulinus of Nola around 400 A D to the Campania bell makers, nicknamed campanile. It explains bells’ believed powers to ward off evil, calm sufferers, and exorcise devils, linking their use to ringing out the old year and ushering in the new at midnight.
A red nosed tramp speaks to a farmer’s wife on New Year’s muzzle end. She calls to Tige the dog and the pair disappear into the distance leaving the scene.
A San Francisco Chronicle piece notes Quaaltagh customs on the last night of the old year. Young parties recite songs for longevity and plenty, fear a “tooth of a flea” omen, and enter homes on New Year’s Day with consequences blamed for the year’s mishaps. Ashes and footprints predict deaths or additions to the household in the Isle of Man tradition.
The article notes New Year as the national pay day in China when debts must be settled or bankruptcy may follow. Creditors may raid debtors’ homes if settlements fail, prompting families to compromise to protect clan reputation. Pawn brokers see crowds seeking to redeem clothes and pawns before the new year and charge high government-protected interest.
On New Year’s Eve in Yorkshire and other English regions people with blackened faces and decorations tour houses carrying brooms and offer to sweep out the old year. They are usually rewarded with crescent cakes or butter and eggs.
A diary style verse recalls a father’s New Year vow to quit smoking and drinking. The narrator describes the family reaction, from the mother’s relief to the father’s grim mood and a harsh punishment of the narrator, ending with hope he stays sober this year.
In a winter eve tale, Dr John Deane shelters a stranger named Frederick Watson after a fall. The guest reveals shared past betrayals, seeking exposure, but Deane recalls his renunciation of revenge and renews friendship. Watson visits later, and the cottage gains a rumored fortune via reconciled ties.
A columnist recalls unexpected warmth between two neighbors after years of curt greetings. On Christmas morning they reconnect, share a tense first meeting, then dine together and reminisce about shared youth. Gurley’s generosity contrasts with initial reserve, ending with plans to welcome the new year together.
A dramatic verse in the Detroit Free Press laments a New Year divorce from a beloved pipe. The speaker confesses love for the pipe yet says a rival woman in the case governs his heart and demands separation.
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