A CHRISTMAS CURSE.

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 27 (Supplement)

A CHRISTMAS CURSE.

The beginning of the terrible dancing mania which once raged through Europe is generally dated from the years when the “black death” began to wane. It is said to have begun with a Christmas Day curse. Peasants of Bernberg are said to have disturbed the services on that day far back in 1027 by dancing and brawlings. Thereupon the priest declared that they should dance and scream for a whole year without ceasing. According to tradition the curse was effective, but the victims suffered ever afterwards from a trembling of the limbs, and the disease spread. The story was believed for nearly five hundred years. The dancing mania was ascribed to super-

‘‘Look here, now, Harold,” said father to his little son, who was naughty, “if you don’t say your prayers you won’t go to heaven.” “I don’t want to go to heaven,” sobbed the boy, “I want to go with you and mother."

“Hexagon Simnis,” teacher said to a coloured pupil who had just been whispering end was looking very innocent, “do you know what deceit is?” “Yassum,” was the reply. “When Ah leans over an' hears somethin’ rip, Ah knows dat's de seat.”