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diff --git a/old/lfsta10.txt b/old/lfsta10.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b6d7690..0000000 --- a/old/lfsta10.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3859 +0,0 @@ -*The Project Gutenberg Etext of Life/Adventures of Santa Claus* -#11 in our L. Frank Baum series - - -Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check -the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! - -Please take a look at the important information in this header. -We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an -electronic path open for the next readers. Do not remove this. - - -**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** - -**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** - -*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* - -Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and -further information is included below. We need your donations. - - -The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus - -by L. 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If you - don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are - payable to "Project Gutenberg Association / Illinois - Benedictine College" within the 60 days following each - date you prepare (or were legally required to prepare) - your annual (or equivalent periodic) tax return. - -WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? -The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time, -scanning machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty -free copyright licenses, and every other sort of contribution -you can think of. Money should be paid to "Project Gutenberg -Association / Illinois Benedictine College". - -*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* - - - - - -The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus - -by L. Frank Baum - - - -Contents - -YOUTH -1. Burzee -2. The Child of the Forest -3. The Adoption -4. Claus -5. The Master Woodsman -6. Claus Discovers Humanity -7. Claus Leaves the Forest - -MANHOOD -1. The Laughing Valley -2. How Claus Made the First Toy -3. How the Ryls Colored the Toys -4. How Little Mayrie Became Frightened -5. How Bessie Blithesome Came to the Laughing Valley -6. The Wickedness of the Awgwas -7. The Great Battle Between Good and Evil -8. The First Journey with the Reindeer -9. "Santa Claus!" -10. Christmas Eve -11. How the First Stockings Were Hung by the Chimneys -12. The First Christmas Tree - -OLD AGE -1. The Mantle of Immortality -2. When the World Grew Old -3. The Deputies of Santa Claus - - - - -YOUTH - - - -1. Burzee - - -Have you heard of the great Forest of Burzee? Nurse used to sing of -it when I was a child. She sang of the big tree-trunks, standing -close together, with their roots intertwining below the earth and -their branches intertwining above it; of their rough coating of bark -and queer, gnarled limbs; of the bushy foliage that roofed the entire -forest, save where the sunbeams found a path through which to touch -the ground in little spots and to cast weird and curious shadows over -the mosses, the lichens and the drifts of dried leaves. - -The Forest of Burzee is mighty and grand and awesome to those who -steal beneath its shade. Coming from the sunlit meadows into its -mazes it seems at first gloomy, then pleasant, and afterward filled -with never-ending delights. - -For hundreds of years it has flourished in all its magnificence, the -silence of its inclosure unbroken save by the chirp of busy chipmunks, -the growl of wild beasts and the songs of birds. - -Yet Burzee has its inhabitants--for all this. Nature peopled it in -the beginning with Fairies, Knooks, Ryls and Nymphs. As long as the -Forest stands it will be a home, a refuge and a playground to these -sweet immortals, who revel undisturbed in its depths. - -Civilization has never yet reached Burzee. Will it ever, I wonder? - - - -2. The Child of the Forest - - -Once, so long ago our great-grandfathers could scarcely have heard it -mentioned, there lived within the great Forest of Burzee a wood-nymph -named Necile. She was closely related to the mighty Queen Zurline, -and her home was beneath the shade of a widespreading oak. Once every -year, on Budding Day, when the trees put forth their new buds, Necile -held the Golden Chalice of Ak to the lips of the Queen, who drank -therefrom to the prosperity of the Forest. So you see she was a nymph -of some importance, and, moreover, it is said she was highly regarded -because of her beauty and grace. - -When she was created she could not have told; Queen Zurline could not -have told; the great Ak himself could not have told. It was long ago -when the world was new and nymphs were needed to guard the forests -and to minister to the wants of the young trees. Then, on some day -not remembered, Necile sprang into being; radiant, lovely, straight -and slim as the sapling she was created to guard. - -Her hair was the color that lines a chestnut-bur; her eyes were blue -in the sunlight and purple in the shade; her cheeks bloomed with the -faint pink that edges the clouds at sunset; her lips were full red, -pouting and sweet. For costume she adopted oak-leaf green; all the -wood-nymphs dress in that color and know no other so desirable. Her -dainty feet were sandal-clad, while her head remained bare of covering -other than her silken tresses. - -Necile's duties were few and simple. She kept hurtful weeds from -growing beneath her trees and sapping the earth-food required by her -charges. She frightened away the Gadgols, who took evil delight in -flying against the tree-trunks and wounding them so that they drooped -and died from the poisonous contact. In dry seasons she carried -water from the brooks and pools and moistened the roots of her -thirsty dependents. - -That was in the beginning. The weeds had now learned to avoid the -forests where wood-nymphs dwelt; the loathsome Gadgols no longer dared -come nigh; the trees had become old and sturdy and could bear the -drought better than when fresh-sprouted. So Necile's duties were -lessened, and time grew laggard, while succeeding years became more -tiresome and uneventful than the nymph's joyous spirit loved. - -Truly the forest-dwellers did not lack amusement. Each full moon they -danced in the Royal Circle of the Queen. There were also the Feast of -Nuts, the Jubilee of Autumn Tintings, the solemn ceremony of Leaf -Shedding and the revelry of Budding Day. But these periods of -enjoyment were far apart, and left many weary hours between. - -That a wood-nymph should grow discontented was not thought of by -Necile's sisters. It came upon her only after many years of brooding. -But when once she had settled in her mind that life was irksome she -had no patience with her condition, and longed to do something of real -interest and to pass her days in ways hitherto undreamed of by forest -nymphs. The Law of the Forest alone restrained her from going forth -in search of adventure. - -While this mood lay heavy upon pretty Necile it chanced that the great -Ak visited the Forest of Burzee and allowed the wood-nymphs as was -their wont--to lie at his feet and listen to the words of wisdom that -fell from his lips. Ak is the Master Woodsman of the world; he sees -everything, and knows more than the sons of men. - -That night he held the Queen's hand, for he loved the nymphs as a -father loves his children; and Necile lay at his feet with many of her -sisters and earnestly harkened as he spoke. - -"We live so happily, my fair ones, in our forest glades," said Ak, -stroking his grizzled beard thoughtfully, "that we know nothing of the -sorrow and misery that fall to the lot of those poor mortals who -inhabit the open spaces of the earth. They are not of our race, it is -true, yet compassion well befits beings so fairly favored as -ourselves. Often as I pass by the dwelling of some suffering mortal I -am tempted to stop and banish the poor thing's misery. Yet suffering, -in moderation, is the natural lot of mortals, and it is not our place -to interfere with the laws of Nature." - -"Nevertheless," said the fair Queen, nodding her golden head at the -Master Woodsman, "it would not be a vain guess that Ak has often -assisted these hapless mortals." - -Ak smiled. - -"Sometimes," he replied, "when they are very young--'children,' the -mortals call them--I have stopped to rescue them from misery. The men -and women I dare not interfere with; they must bear the burdens Nature -has imposed upon them. But the helpless infants, the innocent -children of men, have a right to be happy until they become full-grown -and able to bear the trials of humanity. So I feel I am justified in -assisting them. Not long ago--a year, maybe--I found four poor -children huddled in a wooden hut, slowly freezing to death. Their -parents had gone to a neighboring village for food, and had left a -fire to warm their little ones while they were absent. But a storm -arose and drifted the snow in their path, so they were long on the -road. Meantime the fire went out and the frost crept into the bones -of the waiting children." - -"Poor things!" murmured the Queen softly. "What did you do?" - -"I called Nelko, bidding him fetch wood from my forests and breathe -upon it until the fire blazed again and warmed the little room where -the children lay. Then they ceased shivering and fell asleep until -their parents came." - -"I am glad you did thus," said the good Queen, beaming upon the -Master; and Necile, who had eagerly listened to every word, echoed in -a whisper: "I, too, am glad!" - -"And this very night," continued Ak, "as I came to the edge of Burzee I -heard a feeble cry, which I judged came from a human infant. I looked -about me and found, close to the forest, a helpless babe, lying quite -naked upon the grasses and wailing piteously. Not far away, screened -by the forest, crouched Shiegra, the lioness, intent upon devouring -the infant for her evening meal." - -"And what did you do, Ak?" asked the Queen, breathlessly. - -"Not much, being in a hurry to greet my nymphs. But I commanded -Shiegra to lie close to the babe, and to give it her milk to quiet its -hunger. And I told her to send word throughout the forest, to all -beasts and reptiles, that the child should not be harmed." - -"I am glad you did thus," said the good Queen again, in a tone of -relief; but this time Necile did not echo her words, for the nymph, -filled with a strange resolve, had suddenly stolen away from the group. - -Swiftly her lithe form darted through the forest paths until she -reached the edge of mighty Burzee, when she paused to gaze curiously -about her. Never until now had she ventured so far, for the Law of -the Forest had placed the nymphs in its inmost depths. - -Necile knew she was breaking the Law, but the thought did not give -pause to her dainty feet. She had decided to see with her own eyes -this infant Ak had told of, for she had never yet beheld a child of -man. All the immortals are full-grown; there are no children among -them. Peering through the trees Necile saw the child lying on the -grass. But now it was sweetly sleeping, having been comforted by the -milk drawn from Shiegra. It was not old enough to know what peril -means; if it did not feel hunger it was content. - -Softly the nymph stole to the side of the babe and knelt upon the -sward, her long robe of rose leaf color spreading about her like a -gossamer cloud. Her lovely countenance expressed curiosity and -surprise, but, most of all, a tender, womanly pity. The babe was -newborn, chubby and pink. It was entirely helpless. While the nymph -gazed the infant opened its eyes, smiled upon her, and stretched out -two dimpled arms. In another instant Necile had caught it to her -breast and was hurrying with it through the forest paths. - - - -3. The Adoption - - -The Master Woodsman suddenly rose, with knitted brows. "There is a -strange presence in the Forest," he declared. Then the Queen and her -nymphs turned and saw standing before them Necile, with the sleeping -infant clasped tightly in her arms and a defiant look in her deep -blue eyes. - -And thus for a moment they remained, the nymphs filled with surprise -and consternation, but the brow of the Master Woodsman gradually -clearing as he gazed intently upon the beautiful immortal who had -wilfully broken the Law. Then the great Ak, to the wonder of all, -laid his hand softly on Necile's flowing locks and kissed her on her -fair forehead. - -"For the first time within my knowledge," said he, gently, "a nymph -has defied me and my laws; yet in my heart can I find no word of -chiding. What is your desire, Necile?" - -"Let me keep the child!" she answered, beginning to tremble and -falling on her knees in supplication. - -"Here, in the Forest of Burzee, where the human race has never yet -penetrated?" questioned Ak. - -"Here, in the Forest of Burzee," replied the nymph, boldly. "It is my -home, and I am weary for lack of occupation. Let me care for the -babe! See how weak and helpless it is. Surely it can not harm Burzee -nor the Master Woodsman of the World!" - -"But the Law, child, the Law!" cried Ak, sternly. - -"The Law is made by the Master Woodsman," returned Necile; "if he bids -me care for the babe he himself has saved from death, who in all the -world dare oppose me?" Queen Zurline, who had listened intently -to this conversation, clapped her pretty hands gleefully at the -nymph's answer. - -"You are fairly trapped, O Ak!" she exclaimed, laughing. "Now, I pray -you, give heed to Necile's petition." - -The Woodsman, as was his habit when in thought, stroked his grizzled -beard slowly. Then he said: - -"She shall keep the babe, and I will give it my protection. But I -warn you all that as this is the first time I have relaxed the Law, so -shall it be the last time. Never more, to the end of the World, shall -a mortal be adopted by an immortal. Otherwise would we abandon our -happy existence for one of trouble and anxiety. Good night, my nymphs!" - -Then Ak was gone from their midst, and Necile hurried away to her -bower to rejoice over her new-found treasure. - - - -4. Claus - - -Another day found Necile's bower the most popular place in the Forest. -The nymphs clustered around her and the child that lay asleep in her -lap, with expressions of curiosity and delight. Nor were they wanting -in praises for the great Ak's kindness in allowing Necile to keep the -babe and to care for it. Even the Queen came to peer into the -innocent childish face and to hold a helpless, chubby fist in her own -fair hand. - -"What shall we call him, Necile?" she asked, smiling. "He must have a -name, you know." - -"Let him be called Claus," answered Necile, "for that means -'a little one.'" - -"Rather let him be called Neclaus,"** returned the Queen, "for that -will mean 'Necile's little one.'" - -The nymphs clapped their hands in delight, and Neclaus became the -infant's name, although Necile loved best to call him Claus, and in -afterdays many of her sisters followed her example. - -Necile gathered the softest moss in all the forest for Claus to lie -upon, and she made his bed in her own bower. Of food the infant had -no lack. The nymphs searched the forest for bell-udders, which grow -upon the goa-tree and when opened are found to be filled with sweet -milk. And the soft-eyed does willingly gave a share of their milk to -support the little stranger, while Shiegra, the lioness, often crept -stealthily into Necile's bower and purred softly as she lay beside the -babe and fed it. - -So the little one flourished and grew big and sturdy day by day, while -Necile taught him to speak and to walk and to play. - -His thoughts and words were sweet and gentle, for the nymphs knew no -evil and their hearts were pure and loving. He became the pet of the -forest, for Ak's decree had forbidden beast or reptile to molest him, -and he walked fearlessly wherever his will guided him. - -Presently the news reached the other immortals that the nymphs of -Burzee had adopted a human infant, and that the act had been -sanctioned by the great Ak. Therefore many of them came to visit the -little stranger, looking upon him with much interest. First the Ryls, -who are first cousins to the wood-nymphs, although so differently -formed. For the Ryls are required to watch over the flowers and -plants, as the nymphs watch over the forest trees. They search the -wide world for the food required by the roots of the flowering plants, -while the brilliant colors possessed by the full-blown flowers are due -to the dyes placed in the soil by the Ryls, which are drawn through -the little veins in the roots and the body of the plants, as they -reach maturity. The Ryls are a busy people, for their flowers bloom -and fade continually, but they are merry and light-hearted and are -very popular with the other immortals. - -Next came the Knooks, whose duty it is to watch over the beasts of the -world, both gentle and wild. The Knooks have a hard time of it, since -many of the beasts are ungovernable and rebel against restraint. But -they know how to manage them, after all, and you will find that -certain laws of the Knooks are obeyed by even the most ferocious -animals. Their anxieties make the Knooks look old and worn and -crooked, and their natures are a bit rough from associating with wild -creatures continually; yet they are most useful to humanity and to the -world in general, as their laws are the only laws the forest beasts -recognize except those of the Master Woodsman. - -Then there were the Fairies, the guardians of mankind, who were much -interested in the adoption of Claus because their own laws forbade -them to become familiar with their human charges. There are instances -on record where the Fairies have shown themselves to human beings, and -have even conversed with them; but they are supposed to guard the -lives of mankind unseen and unknown, and if they favor some people -more than others it is because these have won such distinction fairly, -as the Fairies are very just and impartial. But the idea of adopting -a child of men had never occurred to them because it was in every way -opposed to their laws; so their curiosity was intense to behold the -little stranger adopted by Necile and her sister nymphs. - -Claus looked upon the immortals who thronged around him with fearless -eyes and smiling lips. He rode laughingly upon the shoulders of the -merry Ryls; he mischievously pulled the gray beards of the low-browed -Knooks; he rested his curly head confidently upon the dainty bosom of -the Fairy Queen herself. And the Ryls loved the sound of his laughter; -the Knooks loved his courage; the Fairies loved his innocence. - -The boy made friends of them all, and learned to know their laws -intimately. No forest flower was trampled beneath his feet, lest the -friendly Ryls should be grieved. He never interfered with the beasts -of the forest, lest his friends the Knooks should become angry. The -Fairies he loved dearly, but, knowing nothing of mankind, he could not -understand that he was the only one of his race admitted to friendly -intercourse with them. - -Indeed, Claus came to consider that he alone, of all the forest -people, had no like nor fellow. To him the forest was the world. -He had no idea that millions of toiling, striving human -creatures existed. - -And he was happy and content. - - -** Some people have spelled this name Nicklaus and others Nicolas, - which is the reason that Santa Claus is still known in some lands - as St. Nicolas. But, of course, Neclaus is his right name, and - Claus the nickname given him by his adopted mother, the fair nymph - Necile. - - - -5. The Master Woodsman - - -Years pass swiftly in Burzee, for the nymphs have no need to regard -time in any way. Even centuries make no change in the dainty creatures; -ever and ever they remain the same, immortal and unchanging. - -Claus, however, being mortal, grew to manhood day by day. Necile was -disturbed, presently, to find him too big to lie in her lap, and he -had a desire for other food than milk. His stout legs carried him far -into Burzee's heart, where he gathered supplies of nuts and berries, -as well as several sweet and wholesome roots, which suited his stomach -better than the belludders. He sought Necile's bower less frequently, -till finally it became his custom to return thither only to sleep. - -The nymph, who had come to love him dearly, was puzzled to comprehend -the changed nature of her charge, and unconsciously altered her own -mode of life to conform to his whims. She followed him readily -through the forest paths, as did many of her sister nymphs, explaining -as they walked all the mysteries of the gigantic wood and the habits -and nature of the living things which dwelt beneath its shade. - -The language of the beasts became clear to little Claus; but he -never could understand their sulky and morose tempers. Only the -squirrels, the mice and the rabbits seemed to possess cheerful and -merry natures; yet would the boy laugh when the panther growled, and -stroke the bear's glossy coat while the creature snarled and bared its -teeth menacingly. The growls and snarls were not for Claus, he well -knew, so what did they matter? - -He could sing the songs of the bees, recite the poetry of the -wood-flowers and relate the history of every blinking owl in Burzee. -He helped the Ryls to feed their plants and the Knooks to keep order -among the animals. The little immortals regarded him as a privileged -person, being especially protected by Queen Zurline and her nymphs and -favored by the great Ak himself. - -One day the Master Woodsman came back to the forest of Burzee. He had -visited, in turn, all his forests throughout the world, and they were -many and broad. - -Not until he entered the glade where the Queen and her nymphs were -assembled to greet him did Ak remember the child he had permitted -Necile to adopt. Then he found, sitting familiarly in the circle of -lovely immortals, a broad-shouldered, stalwart youth, who, when erect, -stood fully as high as the shoulder of the Master himself. - -Ak paused, silent and frowning, to bend his piercing gaze upon Claus. -The clear eyes met his own steadfastly, and the Woodsman gave a sigh -of relief as he marked their placid depths and read the youth's brave -and innocent heart. Nevertheless, as Ak sat beside the fair Queen, and -the golden chalice, filled with rare nectar, passed from lip to lip, -the Master Woodsman was strangely silent and reserved, and stroked his -beard many times with a thoughtful motion. - -With morning he called Claus aside, in kindly fashion, saying: - -"Bid good by, for a time, to Necile and her sisters; for you shall -accompany me on my journey through the world." - -The venture pleased Claus, who knew well the honor of being companion -of the Master Woodsman of the world. But Necile wept for the first -time in her life, and clung to the boy's neck as if she could not bear -to let him go. The nymph who had mothered this sturdy youth was still -as dainty, as charming and beautiful as when she had dared to face Ak -with the babe clasped to her breast; nor was her love less great. Ak -beheld the two clinging together, seemingly as brother and sister to -one another, and again he wore his thoughtful look. - - - -6. Claus Discovers Humanity - - -Taking Claus to a small clearing in the forest, the Master said: -"Place your hand upon my girdle and hold fast while we journey through -the air; for now shall we encircle the world and look upon many of the -haunts of those men from whom you are descended." - -These words caused Claus to marvel, for until now he had thought himself -the only one of his kind upon the earth; yet in silence he grasped firmly -the girdle of the great Ak, his astonishment forbidding speech. - -Then the vast forest of Burzee seemed to fall away from their feet, -and the youth found himself passing swiftly through the air at a -great height. - -Ere long there were spires beneath them, while buildings of many -shapes and colors met their downward view. It was a city of men, and -Ak, pausing to descend, led Claus to its inclosure. Said the Master: - -"So long as you hold fast to my girdle you will remain unseen by all -mankind, though seeing clearly yourself. To release your grasp will -be to separate yourself forever from me and your home in Burzee." - -One of the first laws of the Forest is obedience, and Claus had no -thought of disobeying the Master's wish. He clung fast to the girdle -and remained invisible. - -Thereafter with each moment passed in the city the youth's wonder -grew. He, who had supposed himself created differently from all -others, now found the earth swarming with creatures of his own kind. - -"Indeed," said Ak, "the immortals are few; but the mortals are many." - -Claus looked earnestly upon his fellows. There were sad faces, gay -and reckless faces, pleasant faces, anxious faces and kindly faces, -all mingled in puzzling disorder. Some worked at tedious tasks; some -strutted in impudent conceit; some were thoughtful and grave while -others seemed happy and content. Men of many natures were there, as -everywhere, and Claus found much to please him and much to make him sad. - -But especially he noted the children--first curiously, then eagerly, -then lovingly. Ragged little ones rolled in the dust of the streets, -playing with scraps and pebbles. Other children, gaily dressed, were -propped upon cushions and fed with sugar-plums. Yet the children of -the rich were not happier than those playing with the dust and -pebbles, it seemed to Claus. - -"Childhood is the time of man's greatest content," said Ak, following -the youth's thoughts. "'Tis during these years of innocent pleasure -that the little ones are most free from care." - -"Tell me," said Claus, "why do not all these babies fare alike?" - -"Because they are born in both cottage and palace," returned the -Master. "The difference in the wealth of the parents determines the -lot of the child. Some are carefully tended and clothed in silks and -dainty linen; others are neglected and covered with rags." - -"Yet all seem equally fair and sweet," said Claus, thoughtfully. - -"While they are babes--yes;" agreed Ak. "Their joy is in being alive, -and they do not stop to think. In after years the doom of mankind -overtakes them, and they find they must struggle and worry, work and -fret, to gain the wealth that is so dear to the hearts of men. Such -things are unknown in the Forest where you were reared." Claus was -silent a moment. Then he asked: - -"Why was I reared in the forest, among those who are not of my race?" - -Then Ak, in gentle voice, told him the story of his babyhood: how he -had been abandoned at the forest's edge and left a prey to wild -beasts, and how the loving nymph Necile had rescued him and brought -him to manhood under the protection of the immortals. - -"Yet I am not of them," said Claus, musingly. - -"You are not of them," returned the Woodsman. "The nymph who cared -for you as a mother seems now like a sister to you; by and by, when -you grow old and gray, she will seem like a daughter. Yet another -brief span and you will be but a memory, while she remains Necile." - -"Then why, if man must perish, is he born?" demanded the boy. - -"Everything perishes except the world itself and its keepers," -answered Ak. "But while life lasts everything on earth has its use. -The wise seek ways to be helpful to the world, for the helpful ones -are sure to live again." - -Much of this Claus failed to understand fully, but a longing seized -him to become helpful to his fellows, and he remained grave and -thoughtful while they resumed their journey. - -They visited many dwellings of men in many parts of the world, -watching farmers toil in the fields, warriors dash into cruel fray, -and merchants exchange their goods for bits of white and yellow metal. -And everywhere the eyes of Claus sought out the children in love and -pity, for the thought of his own helpless babyhood was strong within -him and he yearned to give help to the innocent little ones of his -race even as he had been succored by the kindly nymph. - -Day by day the Master Woodsman and his pupil traversed the earth, Ak -speaking but seldom to the youth who clung steadfastly to his girdle, -but guiding him into all places where he might become familiar with -the lives of human beings. - -And at last they returned to the grand old Forest of Burzee, where the -Master set Claus down within the circle of nymphs, among whom the -pretty Necile anxiously awaited him. - -The brow of the great Ak was now calm and peaceful; but the brow of -Claus had become lined with deep thought. Necile sighed at the change -in her foster-son, who until now had been ever joyous and smiling, and -the thought came to her that never again would the life of the boy be -the same as before this eventful journey with the Master. - - - -7. Claus Leaves the Forest - - -When good Queen Zurline had touched the golden chalice with her fair -lips and it had passed around the circle in honor of the travelers' -return, the Master Woodsman of the World, who had not yet spoken, -turned his gaze frankly upon Claus and said: - -"Well?" - -The boy understood, and rose slowly to his feet beside Necile. Once -only his eyes passed around the familiar circle of nymphs, every one -of whom he remembered as a loving comrade; but tears came unbidden to -dim his sight, so he gazed thereafter steadfastly at the Master. - -"I have been ignorant," said he, simply, "until the great Ak in his -kindness taught me who and what I am. You, who live so sweetly in -your forest bowers, ever fair and youthful and innocent, are no fit -comrades for a son of humanity. For I have looked upon man, finding -him doomed to live for a brief space upon earth, to toil for the -things he needs, to fade into old age, and then to pass away as the -leaves in autumn. Yet every man has his mission, which is to leave -the world better, in some way, than he found it. I am of the race of -men, and man's lot is my lot. For your tender care of the poor, -forsaken babe you adopted, as well as for your loving comradeship -during my boyhood, my heart will ever overflow with gratitude. My -foster-mother," here he stopped and kissed Necile's white forehead, "I -shall love and cherish while life lasts. But I must leave you, to -take my part in the endless struggle to which humanity is doomed, and -to live my life in my own way." - -"What will you do?" asked the Queen, gravely. - -"I must devote myself to the care of the children of mankind, and try -to make them happy," he answered. "Since your own tender care of a -babe brought to me happiness and strength, it is just and right that -I devote my life to the pleasure of other babes. Thus will the memory -of the loving nymph Necile be planted within the hearts of thousands -of my race for many years to come, and her kindly act be recounted in song -and in story while the world shall last. Have I spoken well, O Master?" - -"You have spoken well," returned Ak, and rising to his feet he -continued: "Yet one thing must not be forgotten. Having been adopted -as the child of the Forest, and the playfellow of the nymphs, you have -gained a distinction which forever separates you from your kind. -Therefore, when you go forth into the world of men you shall retain -the protection of the Forest, and the powers you now enjoy will remain -with you to assist you in your labors. In any need you may call upon -the Nymphs, the Ryls, the Knooks and the Fairies, and they will serve -you gladly. I, the Master Woodsman of the World, have said it, and my -Word is the Law!" - -Claus looked upon Ak with grateful eyes. - -"This will make me mighty among men," he replied. "Protected by these -kind friends I may be able to make thousands of little children happy. -I will try very hard to do my duty, and I know the Forest people will -give me their sympathy and help." - -"We will!" said the Fairy Queen, earnestly. - -"We will!" cried the merry Ryls, laughing. - -"We will!" shouted the crooked Knooks, scowling. - -"We will!" exclaimed the sweet nymphs, proudly. But Necile said -nothing. She only folded Claus in her arms and kissed him tenderly. - -"The world is big," continued the boy, turning again to his loyal -friends, "but men are everywhere. I shall begin my work near my -friends, so that if I meet with misfortune I can come to the Forest -for counsel or help." - -With that he gave them all a loving look and turned away. There was -no need to say good by, by for him the sweet, wild life of the Forest -was over. He went forth bravely to meet his doom--the doom of the -race of man--the necessity to worry and work. - -But Ak, who knew the boy's heart, was merciful and guided his steps. - - -Coming through Burzee to its eastern edge Claus reached the Laughing -Valley of Hohaho. On each side were rolling green hills, and a brook -wandered midway between them to wind afar off beyond the valley. At -his back was the grim Forest; at the far end of the valley a broad -plain. The eyes of the young man, which had until now reflected his -grave thoughts, became brighter as he stood silent, looking out upon -the Laughing Valley. Then on a sudden his eyes twinkled, as stars do -on a still night, and grew merry and wide. - -For at his feet the cowslips and daisies smiled on him in friendly -regard; the breeze whistled gaily as it passed by and fluttered the -locks on his forehead; the brook laughed joyously as it leaped over -the pebbles and swept around the green curves of its banks; the bees -sang sweet songs as they flew from dandelion to daffodil; the beetles -chirruped happily in the long grass, and the sunbeams glinted -pleasantly over all the scene. - -"Here," cried Claus, stretching out his arms as if to embrace the -Valley, "will I make my home!" - -That was many, many years ago. It has been his home ever since. It -is his home now. - - - - -MANHOOD - - - -1. The Laughing Valley - - -When Claus came the Valley was empty save for the grass, the brook, -the wildflowers, the bees and the butterflies. If he would make his -home here and live after the fashion of men he must have a house. -This puzzled him at first, but while he stood smiling in the sunshine -he suddenly found beside him old Nelko, the servant of the Master -Woodsman. Nelko bore an ax, strong and broad, with blade that gleamed -like burnished silver. This he placed in the young man's hand, then -disappeared without a word. - -Claus understood, and turning to the Forest's edge he selected a -number of fallen tree-trunks, which he began to clear of their dead -branches. He would not cut into a living tree. His life among the -nymphs who guarded the Forest had taught him that a live tree is -sacred, being a created thing endowed with feeling. But with the dead -and fallen trees it was different. They had fulfilled their destiny, -as active members of the Forest community, and now it was fitting that -their remains should minister to the needs of man. - -The ax bit deep into the logs at every stroke. It seemed to have a -force of its own, and Claus had but to swing and guide it. - -When shadows began creeping over the green hills to lie in the Valley -overnight, the young man had chopped many logs into equal lengths and -proper shapes for building a house such as he had seen the poorer -classes of men inhabit. Then, resolving to await another day before -he tried to fit the logs together, Claus ate some of the sweet roots -he well knew how to find, drank deeply from the laughing brook, and -lay down to sleep on the grass, first seeking a spot where no flowers -grew, lest the weight of his body should crush them. - -And while he slumbered and breathed in the perfume of the wondrous -Valley the Spirit of Happiness crept into his heart and drove out all -terror and care and misgivings. Never more would the face of Claus be -clouded with anxieties; never more would the trials of life weigh him -down as with a burden. The Laughing Valley had claimed him for its own. - -Would that we all might live in that delightful place!--but then, -maybe, it would become overcrowded. For ages it had awaited a tenant. -Was it chance that led young Claus to make his home in this happy -vale? Or may we guess that his thoughtful friends, the immortals, had -directed his steps when he wandered away from Burzee to seek a home in -the great world? - -Certain it is that while the moon peered over the hilltop and flooded -with its soft beams the body of the sleeping stranger, the Laughing -Valley was filled with the queer, crooked shapes of the friendly -Knooks. These people spoke no words, but worked with skill and -swiftness. The logs Claus had trimmed with his bright ax were carried -to a spot beside the brook and fitted one upon another, and during the -night a strong and roomy dwelling was built. - -The birds came sweeping into the Valley at daybreak, and their songs, -so seldom heard in the deep wood, aroused the stranger. He rubbed the -web of sleep from his eyelids and looked around. The house met his gaze. - -"I must thank the Knooks for this," said he, gratefully. Then he -walked to his dwelling and entered at the doorway. A large room faced -him, having a fireplace at the end and a table and bench in the -middle. Beside the fireplace was a cupboard. Another doorway was -beyond. Claus entered here, also, and saw a smaller room with a bed -against the wall and a stool set near a small stand. On the bed were -many layers of dried moss brought from the Forest. - -"Indeed, it is a palace!" exclaimed the smiling Claus. "I must thank -the good Knooks again, for their knowledge of man's needs as well as -for their labors in my behalf." - -He left his new home with a glad feeling that he was not quite alone -in the world, although he had chosen to abandon his Forest life. -Friendships are not easily broken, and the immortals are everywhere. - -Upon reaching the brook he drank of the pure water, and then sat down -on the bank to laugh at the mischievous gambols of the ripples as they -pushed one another against rocks or crowded desperately to see which -should first reach the turn beyond. And as they raced away he -listened to the song they sang: - - - "Rushing, pushing, on we go! - Not a wave may gently flow-- - All are too excited. - Ev'ry drop, delighted, - Turns to spray in merry play - As we tumble on our way!" - - -Next Claus searched for roots to eat, while the daffodils turned their -little eyes up to him laughingly and lisped their dainty song: - - -"Blooming fairly, growing rarely, - Never flowerets were so gay! - Perfume breathing, joy bequeathing, - As our colors we display." - - -It made Claus laugh to hear the little things voice their happiness as -they nodded gracefully on their stems. But another strain caught his -ear as the sunbeams fell gently across his face and whispered: - - -"Here is gladness, that our rays - Warm the valley through the days; - Here is happiness, to give - Comfort unto all who live!" - - -"Yes!" cried Claus in answer, "there is happiness and joy in all -things here. The Laughing Valley is a valley of peace and good-will." - -He passed the day talking with the ants and beetles and exchanging -jokes with the light-hearted butterflies. And at night he lay on his -bed of soft moss and slept soundly. - -Then came the Fairies, merry but noiseless, bringing skillets and pots -and dishes and pans and all the tools necessary to prepare food and to -comfort a mortal. With these they filled cupboard and fireplace, -finally placing a stout suit of wool clothing on the stool by the bedside. - -When Claus awoke he rubbed his eyes again, and laughed, and spoke -aloud his thanks to the Fairies and the Master Woodsman who had sent -them. With eager joy he examined all his new possessions, wondering -what some might be used for. But, in the days when he had clung to -the girdle of the great Ak and visited the cities of men, his eyes -had been quick to note all the manners and customs of the race to -which he belonged; so he guessed from the gifts brought by the -Fairies that the Master expected him hereafter to live in the fashion -of his fellow-creatures. - -"Which means that I must plow the earth and plant corn," he reflected; -"so that when winter comes I shall have garnered food in plenty." - -But, as he stood in the grassy Valley, he saw that to turn up the -earth in furrows would be to destroy hundreds of pretty, helpless -flowers, as well as thousands of the tender blades of grass. And this -he could not bear to do. - -Therefore he stretched out his arms and uttered a peculiar whistle he -had learned in the Forest, afterward crying: - -"Ryls of the Field Flowers--come to me!" - -Instantly a dozen of the queer little Ryls were squatting upon the -ground before him, and they nodded to him in cheerful greeting. - -Claus gazed upon them earnestly. - -"Your brothers of the Forest," he said, "I have known and loved many -years. I shall love you, also, when we have become friends. To me -the laws of the Ryls, whether those of the Forest or of the field, are -sacred. I have never wilfully destroyed one of the flowers you tend -so carefully; but I must plant grain to use for food during the cold -winter, and how am I to do this without killing the little creatures -that sing to me so prettily of their fragrant blossoms?" - -The Yellow Ryl, he who tends the buttercups, made answer: - -"Fret not, friend Claus. The great Ak has spoken to us of you. There -is better work for you in life than to labor for food, and though, not -being of the Forest, Ak has no command over us, nevertheless are we -glad to favor one he loves. Live, therefore, to do the good work you -are resolved to undertake. We, the Field Ryls, will attend to your -food supplies." - -After this speech the Ryls were no longer to be seen, and Claus drove -from his mind the thought of tilling the earth. - -When next he wandered back to his dwelling a bowl of fresh milk stood -upon the table; bread was in the cupboard and sweet honey filled a -dish beside it. A pretty basket of rosy apples and new-plucked grapes -was also awaiting him. He called out "Thanks, my friends!" to the -invisible Ryls, and straightway began to eat of the food. - -Thereafter, when hungry, he had but to look into the cupboard to find -goodly supplies brought by the kindly Ryls. And the Knooks cut and -stacked much wood for his fireplace. And the Fairies brought him warm -blankets and clothing. - -So began his life in the Laughing Valley, with the favor and -friendship of the immortals to minister to his every want. - - - -2. How Claus Made the First Toy - - -Truly our Claus had wisdom, for his good fortune but strengthened his -resolve to befriend the little ones of his own race. He knew his plan -was approved by the immortals, else they would not have favored him -so greatly. - -So he began at once to make acquaintance with mankind. He walked -through the Valley to the plain beyond, and crossed the plain in many -directions to reach the abodes of men. These stood singly or in -groups of dwellings called villages, and in nearly all the houses, -whether big or little, Claus found children. - -The youngsters soon came to know his merry, laughing face and the kind -glance of his bright eyes; and the parents, while they regarded the -young man with some scorn for loving children more than their elders, -were content that the girls and boys had found a playfellow who seemed -willing to amuse them. - -So the children romped and played games with Claus, and the boys rode -upon his shoulders, and the girls nestled in his strong arms, and the -babies clung fondly to his knees. Wherever the young man chanced to -be, the sound of childish laughter followed him; and to understand -this better you must know that children were much neglected in those -days and received little attention from their parents, so that it -became to them a marvel that so goodly a man as Claus devoted his time -to making them happy. And those who knew him were, you may be sure, -very happy indeed. The sad faces of the poor and abused grew bright -for once; the cripple smiled despite his misfortune; the ailing ones -hushed their moans and the grieved ones their cries when their merry -friend came nigh to comfort them. - -Only at the beautiful palace of the Lord of Lerd and at the frowning -castle of the Baron Braun was Claus refused admittance. There were -children at both places; but the servants at the palace shut the door -in the young stranger's face, and the fierce Baron threatened to hang -him from an iron hook on the castle walls. Whereupon Claus sighed and -went back to the poorer dwellings where he was welcome. - -After a time the winter drew near. - -The flowers lived out their lives and faded and disappeared; the -beetles burrowed far into the warm earth; the butterflies deserted the -meadows; and the voice of the brook grew hoarse, as if it had taken cold. - -One day snowflakes filled all the air in the Laughing Valley, dancing -boisterously toward the earth and clothing in pure white raiment the -roof of Claus's dwelling. - -At night Jack Frost rapped at the door. - -"Come in!" cried Claus. - -"Come out!" answered Jack, "for you have a fire inside." - -So Claus came out. He had known Jack Frost in the Forest, and liked -the jolly rogue, even while he mistrusted him. - -"There will be rare sport for me to-night, Claus!" shouted the sprite. -"Isn't this glorious weather? I shall nip scores of noses and ears -and toes before daybreak." - -"If you love me, Jack, spare the children," begged Claus. - -"And why?" asked the other, in surprise. - -"They are tender and helpless," answered Claus. - -"But I love to nip the tender ones!" declared Jack. "The older ones -are tough, and tire my fingers." - -"The young ones are weak, and can not fight you," said Claus. - -"True," agreed Jack, thoughtfully. "Well, I will not pinch a child -this night--if I can resist the temptation," he promised. "Good -night, Claus!" - -"Good night." - -The young man went in and closed the door, and Jack Frost ran on to -the nearest village. - -Claus threw a log on the fire, which burned up brightly. Beside the -hearth sat Blinkie, a big cat give him by Peter the Knook. Her fur -was soft and glossy, and she purred never-ending songs of contentment. - -"I shall not see the children again soon," said Claus to the cat, who -kindly paused in her song to listen. "The winter is upon us, the snow -will be deep for many days, and I shall be unable to play with my -little friends." - -The cat raised a paw and stroked her nose thoughtfully, but made no -reply. So long as the fire burned and Claus sat in his easy chair by -the hearth she did not mind the weather. - -So passed many days and many long evenings. The cupboard was always -full, but Claus became weary with having nothing to do more than to -feed the fire from the big wood-pile the Knooks had brought him. - -One evening he picked up a stick of wood and began to cut it with his -sharp knife. He had no thought, at first, except to occupy his time, -and he whistled and sang to the cat as he carved away portions of the -stick. Puss sat up on her haunches and watched him, listening at the -same time to her master's merry whistle, which she loved to hear even -more than her own purring songs. - -Claus glanced at puss and then at the stick he was whittling, until -presently the wood began to have a shape, and the shape was like the -head of a cat, with two ears sticking upward. - -Claus stopped whistling to laugh, and then both he and the cat looked -at the wooden image in some surprise. Then he carved out the eyes and -the nose, and rounded the lower part of the head so that it rested -upon a neck. - -Puss hardly knew what to make of it now, and sat up stiffly, as if -watching with some suspicion what would come next. - -Claus knew. The head gave him an idea. He plied his knife carefully -and with skill, forming slowly the body of the cat, which he made to -sit upon its haunches as the real cat did, with her tail wound around -her two front legs. - -The work cost him much time, but the evening was long and he had -nothing better to do. Finally he gave a loud and delighted laugh at -the result of his labors and placed the wooden cat, now completed, -upon the hearth opposite the real one. - -Puss thereupon glared at her image, raised her hair in anger, and -uttered a defiant mew. The wooden cat paid no attention, and Claus, -much amused, laughed again. - -Then Blinkie advanced toward the wooden image to eye it closely and -smell of it intelligently: Eyes and nose told her the creature was -wood, in spite of its natural appearance; so puss resumed her seat and -her purring, but as she neatly washed her face with her padded paw she -cast more than one admiring glance at her clever master. Perhaps she -felt the same satisfaction we feel when we look upon good photographs -of ourselves. - -The cat's master was himself pleased with his handiwork, without -knowing exactly why. Indeed, he had great cause to congratulate -himself that night, and all the children throughout the world should -have joined him rejoicing. For Claus had made his first toy. - - - -3. How the Ryls Colored the Toys - - -A hush lay on the Laughing Valley now. Snow covered it like a white -spread and pillows of downy flakes drifted before the dwelling where -Claus sat feeding the blaze of the fire. The brook gurgled on beneath -a heavy sheet of ice and all living plants and insects nestled close -to Mother Earth to keep warm. The face of the moon was hid by dark -clouds, and the wind, delighting in the wintry sport, pushed and -whirled the snowflakes in so many directions that they could get no -chance to fall to the ground. - -Claus heard the wind whistling and shrieking in its play and thanked -the good Knooks again for his comfortable shelter. Blinkie washed her -face lazily and stared at the coals with a look of perfect content. -The toy cat sat opposite the real one and gazed straight ahead, as toy -cats should. - -Suddenly Claus heard a noise that sounded different from the voice of -the wind. It was more like a wail of suffering and despair. - -He stood up and listened, but the wind, growing boisterous, shook the -door and rattled the windows to distract his attention. He waited -until the wind was tired and then, still listening, he heard once more -the shrill cry of distress. - -Quickly he drew on his coat, pulled his cap over his eyes and opened -the door. The wind dashed in and scattered the embers over the -hearth, at the same time blowing Blinkie's fur so furiously that she -crept under the table to escape. Then the door was closed and Claus -was outside, peering anxiously into the darkness. - -The wind laughed and scolded and tried to push him over, but he stood -firm. The helpless flakes stumbled against his eyes and dimmed his -sight, but he rubbed them away and looked again. Snow was everywhere, -white and glittering. It covered the earth and filled the air. - -The cry was not repeated. - -Claus turned to go back into the house, but the wind caught him -unawares and he stumbled and fell across a snowdrift. His hand -plunged into the drift and touched something that was not snow. -This he seized and, pulling it gently toward him, found it to be -a child. The next moment he had lifted it in his arms and carried -it into the house. - -The wind followed him through the door, but Claus shut it out quickly. -He laid the rescued child on the hearth, and brushing away the snow he -discovered it to be Weekum, a little boy who lived in a house beyond -the Valley. - -Claus wrapped a warm blanket around the little one and rubbed the -frost from its limbs. Before long the child opened his eyes and, -seeing where he was, smiled happily. Then Claus warmed milk and fed -it to the boy slowly, while the cat looked on with sober curiosity. -Finally the little one curled up in his friend's arms and sighed and -fell asleep, and Claus, filled with gladness that he had found the -wanderer, held him closely while he slumbered. - -The wind, finding no more mischief to do, climbed the hill and swept -on toward the north. This gave the weary snowflakes time to settle -down to earth, and the Valley became still again. - -The boy, having slept well in the arms of his friend, opened his eyes -and sat up. Then, as a child will, he looked around the room and saw -all that it contained. - -"Your cat is a nice cat, Claus," he said, at last. "Let me hold it." - -But puss objected and ran away. - -"The other cat won't run, Claus," continued the boy. "Let me hold -that one." Claus placed the toy in his arms, and the boy held it -lovingly and kissed the tip of its wooden ear. - -"How did you get lost in the storm, Weekum?" asked Claus. - -"I started to walk to my auntie's house and lost my way," answered Weekum. - -"Were you frightened?" - -"It was cold," said Weekum, "and the snow got in my eyes, so I could -not see. Then I kept on till I fell in the snow, without knowing -where I was, and the wind blew the flakes over me and covered me up." - -Claus gently stroked his head, and the boy looked up at him and smiled. - -"I'm all right now," said Weekum. - -"Yes," replied Claus, happily. "Now I will put you in my warm bed, and -you must sleep until morning, when I will carry you back to your mother." - -"May the cat sleep with me?" asked the boy. - -"Yes, if you wish it to," answered Claus. - -"It's a nice cat!" Weekum said, smiling, as Claus tucked the blankets -around him; and presently the little one fell asleep with the wooden -toy in his arms. - -When morning came the sun claimed the Laughing Valley and flooded it -with his rays; so Claus prepared to take the lost child back to its mother. - -"May I keep the cat, Claus?" asked Weekum. "It's nicer than real -cats. It doesn't run away, or scratch or bite. May I keep it?" - -"Yes, indeed," answered Claus, pleased that the toy he had made could -give pleasure to the child. So he wrapped the boy and the wooden cat -in a warm cloak, perching the bundle upon his own broad shoulders, and -then he tramped through the snow and the drifts of the Valley and -across the plain beyond to the poor cottage where Weekum's mother lived. - -"See, mama!" cried the boy, as soon as they entered, "I've got a cat!" - -The good woman wept tears of joy over the rescue of her darling and -thanked Claus many times for his kind act. So he carried a warm and -happy heart back to his home in the Valley. - -That night he said to puss: "I believe the children will love the -wooden cats almost as well as the real ones, and they can't hurt them -by pulling their tails and ears. I'll make another." - -So this was the beginning of his great work. - -The next cat was better made than the first. While Claus sat -whittling it out the Yellow Ryl came in to make him a visit, and so -pleased was he with the man's skill that he ran away and brought -several of his fellows. - -There sat the Red Ryl, the Black Ryl, the Green Ryl, the Blue Ryl and -the Yellow Ryl in a circle on the floor, while Claus whittled and -whistled and the wooden cat grew into shape. - -"If it could be made the same color as the real cat, no one would know -the difference," said the Yellow Ryl, thoughtfully. - -"The little ones, maybe, would not know the difference," replied -Claus, pleased with the idea. - -"I will bring you some of the red that I color my roses and tulips -with," cried the Red Ryl; "and then you can make the cat's lips and -tongue red." - -"I will bring some of the green that I color my grasses and leaves with," -said the Green Ryl; "and then you can color the cat's eyes green." - -"They will need a bit of yellow, also," remarked the Yellow Ryl; "I -must fetch some of the yellow that I use to color my buttercups and -goldenrods with." - -"The real cat is black," said the Black Ryl; "I will bring some of the -black that I use to color the eyes of my pansies with, and then you -can paint your wooden cat black." - -"I see you have a blue ribbon around Blinkie's neck," added the Blue -Ryl. "I will get some of the color that I use to paint the bluebells -and forget-me-nots with, and then you can carve a wooden ribbon on the -toy cat's neck and paint it blue." - -So the Ryls disappeared, and by the time Claus had finished carving -out the form of the cat they were all back with the paints and brushes. - -They made Blinkie sit upon the table, that Claus might paint the toy -cat just the right color, and when the work was done the Ryls declared -it was exactly as good as a live cat. - -"That is, to all appearances," added the Red Ryl. - -Blinkie seemed a little offended by the attention bestowed upon the -toy, and that she might not seem to approve the imitation cat she -walked to the corner of the hearth and sat down with a dignified air. - -But Claus was delighted, and as soon as morning came he started out -and tramped through the snow, across the Valley and the plain, until -he came to a village. There, in a poor hut near the walls of the -beautiful palace of the Lord of Lerd, a little girl lay upon a -wretched cot, moaning with pain. - -Claus approached the child and kissed her and comforted her, and then -he drew the toy cat from beneath his coat, where he had hidden it, and -placed it in her arms. - -Ah, how well he felt himself repaid for his labor and his long walk -when he saw the little one's eyes grow bright with pleasure! She -hugged the kitty tight to her breast, as if it had been a precious -gem, and would not let it go for a single moment. The fever was quieted, -the pain grew less, and she fell into a sweet and refreshing sleep. - -Claus laughed and whistled and sang all the way home. Never had he -been so happy as on that day. - -When he entered his house he found Shiegra, the lioness, awaiting him. -Since his babyhood Shiegra had loved Claus, and while he dwelt in the -Forest she had often come to visit him at Necile's bower. After Claus -had gone to live in the Laughing Valley Shiegra became lonely and ill -at ease, and now she had braved the snow-drifts, which all lions -abhor, to see him once more. Shiegra was getting old and her teeth -were beginning to fall out, while the hairs that tipped her ears and -tail had changed from tawny-yellow to white. - -Claus found her lying on his hearth, and he put his arms around the -neck of the lioness and hugged her lovingly. The cat had retired into -a far corner. She did not care to associate with Shiegra. - -Claus told his old friend about the cats he had made, and how much -pleasure they had given Weekum and the sick girl. Shiegra did not -know much about children; indeed, if she met a child she could -scarcely be trusted not to devour it. But she was interested in -Claus' new labors, and said: - -"These images seem to me very attractive. Yet I can not see why you -should make cats, which are very unimportant animals. Suppose, now -that I am here, you make the image of a lioness, the Queen of all -beasts. Then, indeed, your children will be happy--and safe at the -same time!" - -Claus thought this was a good suggestion. So he got a piece of wood -and sharpened his knife, while Shiegra crouched upon the hearth at his -feet. With much care he carved the head in the likeness of the -lioness, even to the two fierce teeth that curved over her lower lip -and the deep, frowning lines above her wide-open eyes. - -When it was finished he said: - -"You have a terrible look, Shiegra." - -"Then the image is like me," she answered; "for I am indeed terrible -to all who are not my friends." - -Claus now carved out the body, with Shiegra's long tail trailing -behind it. The image of the crouching lioness was very life-like. - -"It pleases me," said Shiegra, yawning and stretching her body -gracefully. "Now I will watch while you paint." - -He brought the paints the Ryls had given him from the cupboard and -colored the image to resemble the real Shiegra. - -The lioness placed her big, padded paws upon the edge of the table -and raised herself while she carefully examined the toy that was -her likeness. - -"You are indeed skillful!" she said, proudly. "The children will like -that better than cats, I'm sure." - -Then snarling at Blinkie, who arched her back in terror and whined -fearfully, she walked away toward her forest home with stately strides. - - - -4. How Little Mayrie Became Frightened - - -The winter was over now, and all the Laughing Valley was filled with -joyous excitement. The brook was so happy at being free once again -that it gurgled more boisterously than ever and dashed so recklessly -against the rocks that it sent showers of spray high in the air. The -grass thrust its sharp little blades upward through the mat of dead -stalks where it had hidden from the snow, but the flowers were yet too -timid to show themselves, although the Ryls were busy feeding their -roots. The sun was in remarkably good humor, and sent his rays -dancing merrily throughout the Valley. - -Claus was eating his dinner one day when he heard a timid knock -on his door. - -"Come in!" he called. - -No one entered, but after a pause came another rapping. - -Claus jumped up and threw open the door. Before him stood a small -girl holding a smaller brother fast by the hand. - -"Is you Tlaus?" she asked, shyly. - -"Indeed I am, my dear!" he answered, with a laugh, as he caught both -children in his arms and kissed them. "You are very welcome, and you -have come just in time to share my dinner." - -He took them to the table and fed them with fresh milk and nut-cakes. -When they had eaten enough he asked: - -"Why have you made this long journey to see me?" - -"I wants a tat!" replied little Mayrie; and her brother, who had not -yet learned to speak many words, nodded his head and exclaimed like an -echo: "Tat!" - -"Oh, you want my toy cats, do you?" returned Claus, greatly pleased to -discover that his creations were so popular with children. - -The little visitors nodded eagerly. - -"Unfortunately," he continued, "I have but one cat now ready, for I -carried two to children in the town yesterday. And the one I have -shall be given to your brother, Mayrie, because he is the smaller; and -the next one I make shall be for you." - -The boy's face was bright with smiles as he took the precious toy -Claus held out to him; but little Mayrie covered her face with her arm -and began to sob grievously. - -"I--I--I wants a t--t--tat now!" she wailed. - -Her disappointment made Claus feel miserable for a moment. Then he -suddenly remembered Shiegra. - -"Don't cry, darling!" he said, soothingly; "I have a toy much nicer -than a cat, and you shall have that." - -He went to the cupboard and drew out the image of the lioness, which -he placed on the table before Mayrie. - -The girl raised her arm and gave one glance at the fierce teeth and -glaring eyes of the beast, and then, uttering a terrified scream, she -rushed from the house. The boy followed her, also screaming lustily, -and even dropping his precious cat in his fear. - -For a moment Claus stood motionless, being puzzled and astonished. -Then he threw Shiegra's image into the cupboard and ran after the -children, calling to them not to be frightened. - -Little Mayrie stopped in her flight and her brother clung to her -skirt; but they both cast fearful glances at the house until Claus had -assured them many times that the beast had been locked in the cupboard. - -"Yet why were you frightened at seeing it?" he asked. "It is only a -toy to play with!" - -"It's bad!" said Mayrie, decidedly, "an'--an'--just horrid, an' not a -bit nice, like tats!" - -"Perhaps you are right," returned Claus, thoughtfully. "But if you -will return with me to the house I will soon make you a pretty cat." - -So they timidly entered the house again, having faith in their -friend's words; and afterward they had the joy of watching Claus carve -out a cat from a bit of wood and paint it in natural colors. It did -not take him long to do this, for he had become skillful with his knife -by this time, and Mayrie loved her toy the more dearly because she had -seen it made. - -After his little visitors had trotted away on their journey homeward -Claus sat long in deep thought. And he then decided that such fierce -creatures as his friend the lioness would never do as models from -which to fashion his toys. - -"There must be nothing to frighten the dear babies," he reflected; -"and while I know Shiegra well, and am not afraid of her, it is but -natural that children should look upon her image with terror. -Hereafter I will choose such mild-mannered animals as squirrels and -rabbits and deer and lambkins from which to carve my toys, for then -the little ones will love rather than fear them." - -He began his work that very day, and before bedtime had made a wooden -rabbit and a lamb. They were not quite so lifelike as the cats had -been, because they were formed from memory, while Blinkie had sat very -still for Claus to look at while he worked. - -But the new toys pleased the children nevertheless, and the fame of -Claus' playthings quickly spread to every cottage on plain and in -village. He always carried his gifts to the sick or crippled -children, but those who were strong enough walked to the house in the -Valley to ask for them, so a little path was soon worn from the plain -to the door of the toy-maker's cottage. - -First came the children who had been playmates of Claus, before he -began to make toys. These, you may be sure, were well supplied. Then -children who lived farther away heard of the wonderful images and made -journeys to the Valley to secure them. All little ones were welcome, -and never a one went away empty-handed. - -This demand for his handiwork kept Claus busily occupied, but he was -quite happy in knowing the pleasure he gave to so many of the dear -children. His friends the immortals were pleased with his success and -supported him bravely. - -The Knooks selected for him clear pieces of soft wood, that his knife -might not be blunted in cutting them; the Ryls kept him supplied with -paints of all colors and brushes fashioned from the tips of timothy -grasses; the Fairies discovered that the workman needed saws and -chisels and hammers and nails, as well as knives, and brought him a -goodly array of such tools. - -Claus soon turned his living room into a most wonderful workshop. He -built a bench before the window, and arranged his tools and paints so -that he could reach everything as he sat on his stool. And as he -finished toy after toy to delight the hearts of little children he -found himself growing so gay and happy that he could not refrain from -singing and laughing and whistling all the day long. - -"It's because I live in the Laughing Valley, where everything else -laughs!" said Claus. - -But that was not the reason. - - - -5. How Bessie Blithesome Came to the Laughing Valley - - -One day, as Claus sat before his door to enjoy the sunshine while -he busily carved the head and horns of a toy deer, he looked up -and discovered a glittering cavalcade of horsemen approaching through -the Valley. - -When they drew nearer he saw that the band consisted of a score of -men-at-arms, clad in bright armor and bearing in their hands spears -and battle-axes. In front of these rode little Bessie Blithesome, the -pretty daughter of that proud Lord of Lerd who had once driven Claus -from his palace. Her palfrey was pure white, its bridle was covered -with glittering gems, and its saddle draped with cloth of gold, -richly broidered. The soldiers were sent to protect her from harm -while she journeyed. - -Claus was surprised, but he continued to whittle and to sing until the -cavalcade drew up before him. Then the little girl leaned over the -neck of her palfrey and said: - -"Please, Mr. Claus, I want a toy!" - -Her voice was so pleading that Claus jumped up at once and stood -beside her. But he was puzzled how to answer her request. - -"You are a rich lord's daughter," said he, "and have all that -you desire." - -"Except toys," added Bessie. "There are no toys in all the world -but yours." - -"And I make them for the poor children, who have nothing else to amuse -them," continued Claus. - -"Do poor children love to play with toys more than rich ones?" -asked Bessie. - -"I suppose not," said Claus, thoughtfully. - -"Am I to blame because my father is a lord? Must I be denied the -pretty toys I long for because other children are poorer than I?" she -inquired earnestly. - -"I'm afraid you must, dear," he answered; "for the poor have nothing -else with which to amuse themselves. You have your pony to ride, your -servants to wait on you, and every comfort that money can procure." - -"But I want toys!" cried Bessie, wiping away the tears that forced -themselves into her eyes. "If I can not have them, I shall be -very unhappy." - -Claus was troubled, for her grief recalled to him the thought that his -desire was to make all children happy, without regard to their -condition in life. Yet, while so many poor children were clamoring -for his toys he could not bear to give one to them to Bessie -Blithesome, who had so much already to make her happy. - -"Listen, my child," said he, gently; "all the toys I am now making are -promised to others. But the next shall be yours, since your heart -so longs for it. Come to me again in two days and it shall be ready -for you." - -Bessie gave a cry of delight, and leaning over her pony's neck she -kissed Claus prettily upon his forehead. Then, calling to her -men-at-arms, she rode gaily away, leaving Claus to resume his work. - -"If I am to supply the rich children as well as the poor ones," he -thought, "I shall not have a spare moment in the whole year! But is -it right I should give to the rich? Surely I must go to Necile and -talk with her about this matter." - -So when he had finished the toy deer, which was very like a deer -he had known in the Forest glades, he walked into Burzee and made -his way to the bower of the beautiful Nymph Necile, who had been -his foster mother. - -She greeted him tenderly and lovingly, listening with interest to his -story of the visit of Bessie Blithesome. - -"And now tell me," said he, "shall I give toys to rich children?" - -"We of the Forest know nothing of riches," she replied. "It seems to -me that one child is like another child, since they are all made of -the same clay, and that riches are like a gown, which may be put on or -taken away, leaving the child unchanged. But the Fairies are -guardians of mankind, and know mortal children better than I. Let us -call the Fairy Queen." - -This was done, and the Queen of the Fairies sat beside them and heard -Claus relate his reasons for thinking the rich children could get -along without his toys, and also what the Nymph had said. - -"Necile is right," declared the Queen; "for, whether it be rich or -poor, a child's longings for pretty playthings are but natural. Rich -Bessie's heart may suffer as much grief as poor Mayrie's; she can be -just as lonely and discontented, and just as gay and happy. I think, -friend Claus, it is your duty to make all little ones glad, whether -they chance to live in palaces or in cottages." - -"Your words are wise, fair Queen," replied Claus, "and my heart tells -me they are as just as they are wise. Hereafter all children may -claim my services." - -Then he bowed before the gracious Fairy and, kissing Necile's red -lips, went back into his Valley. - -At the brook he stopped to drink, and afterward he sat on the bank and -took a piece of moist clay in his hands while he thought what sort of -toy he should make for Bessie Blithesome. He did not notice that his -fingers were working the clay into shape until, glancing downward, he -found he had unconsciously formed a head that bore a slight resemblance -to the Nymph Necile! - -At once he became interested. Gathering more of the clay from the -bank he carried it to his house. Then, with the aid of his knife and -a bit of wood he succeeded in working the clay into the image of a toy -nymph. With skillful strokes he formed long, waving hair on the head -and covered the body with a gown of oakleaves, while the two feet -sticking out at the bottom of the gown were clad in sandals. - -But the clay was soft, and Claus found he must handle it gently to -avoid ruining his pretty work. - -"Perhaps the rays of the sun will draw out the moisture and cause the -clay to become hard," he thought. So he laid the image on a flat -board and placed it in the glare of the sun. - -This done, he went to his bench and began painting the toy deer, and -soon he became so interested in the work that he forgot all about the -clay nymph. But next morning, happening to notice it as it lay on the -board, he found the sun had baked it to the hardness of stone, and it -was strong enough to be safely handled. - -Claus now painted the nymph with great care in the likeness of Necile, -giving it deep-blue eyes, white teeth, rosy lips and ruddy-brown hair. -The gown he colored oak-leaf green, and when the paint was dry Claus -himself was charmed with the new toy. Of course it was not nearly so -lovely as the real Necile; but, considering the material of which it -was made, Claus thought it was very beautiful. - -When Bessie, riding upon her white palfrey, came to his dwelling next -day, Claus presented her with the new toy. The little girl's eyes -were brighter than ever as she examined the pretty image, and she -loved it at once, and held it close to her breast, as a mother does to -her child. - -"What is it called, Claus?" she asked. - -Now Claus knew that Nymphs do not like to be spoken of by mortals, so -he could not tell Bessie it was an image of Necile he had given her. -But as it was a new toy he searched his mind for a new name to call it -by, and the first word he thought of he decided would do very well. - -"It is called a dolly, my dear," he said to Bessie. - -"I shall call the dolly my baby," returned Bessie, kissing it fondly; -"and I shall tend it and care for it just as Nurse cares for me. -Thank you very much, Claus; your gift has made me happier than I have -ever been before!" - -Then she rode away, hugging the toy in her arms, and Claus, seeing her -delight, thought he would make another dolly, better and more natural -than the first. - -He brought more clay from the brook, and remembering that Bessie had -called the dolly her baby he resolved to form this one into a baby's -image. That was no difficult task to the clever workman, and soon the -baby dolly was lying on the board and placed in the sun to dry. Then, -with the clay that was left, he began to make an image of Bessie -Blithesome herself. - -This was not so easy, for he found he could not make the silken robe -of the lord's daughter out of the common clay. So he called the -Fairies to his aid, and asked them to bring him colored silks with -which to make a real dress for the clay image. The Fairies set off at -once on their errand, and before nightfall they returned with a -generous supply of silks and laces and golden threads. - -Claus now became impatient to complete his new dolly, and instead of -waiting for the next day's sun he placed the clay image upon his -hearth and covered it over with glowing coals. By morning, when he -drew the dolly from the ashes, it had baked as hard as if it had lain -a full day in the hot sun. - -Now our Claus became a dressmaker as well as a toymaker. He cut the -lavender silk, and nearly sewed it into a beautiful gown that just -fitted the new dolly. And he put a lace collar around its neck and -pink silk shoes on its feet. The natural color of baked clay is a -light gray, but Claus painted the face to resemble the color of flesh, -and he gave the dolly Bessie's brown eyes and golden hair and rosy cheeks. - -It was really a beautiful thing to look upon, and sure to bring joy to -some childish heart. While Claus was admiring it he heard a knock at -his door, and little Mayrie entered. Her face was sad and her eyes -red with continued weeping. - -"Why, what has grieved you, my dear?" asked Claus, taking the child in -his arms. - -"I've--I've--bwoke my tat!" sobbed Mayrie. - -"How?" he inquired, his eyes twinkling. - -"I--I dwopped him, an' bwoke off him's tail; an'--an'--then I dwopped -him an' bwoke off him's ear! An'--an' now him's all spoilt!" - -Claus laughed. - -"Never mind, Mayrie dear," he said. "How would you like this new -dolly, instead of a cat?" - -Mayrie looked at the silk-robed dolly and her eyes grew big -with astonishment. - -"Oh, Tlaus!" she cried, clapping her small hands together with -rapture; "tan I have 'at boo'ful lady?" - -"Do you like it?" he asked. - -"I love it!" said she. "It's better 'an tats!" - -"Then take it, dear, and be careful not to break it." - -Mayrie took the dolly with a joy that was almost reverent, and her -face dimpled with smiles as she started along the path toward home. - - - -6. The Wickedness of the Awgwas - - -I must now tell you something about the Awgwas, that terrible race of -creatures which caused our good Claus so much trouble and nearly -succeeded in robbing the children of the world of their earliest and -best friend. - -I do not like to mention the Awgwas, but they are a part of this -history, and can not be ignored. They were neither mortals nor -immortals, but stood midway between those classes of beings. The -Awgwas were invisible to ordinary people, but not to immortals. They -could pass swiftly through the air from one part of the world to -another, and had the power of influencing the minds of human beings to -do their wicked will. - -They were of gigantic stature and had coarse, scowling countenances -which showed plainly their hatred of all mankind. They possessed no -consciences whatever and delighted only in evil deeds. - -Their homes were in rocky, mountainous places, from whence they -sallied forth to accomplish their wicked purposes. - -The one of their number that could think of the most horrible deed -for them to do was always elected the King Awgwa, and all the race -obeyed his orders. Sometimes these creatures lived to become a -hundred years old, but usually they fought so fiercely among -themselves that many were destroyed in combat, and when they died that -was the end of them. Mortals were powerless to harm them and the -immortals shuddered when the Awgwas were mentioned, and always avoided -them. So they flourished for many years unopposed and accomplished -much evil. - -I am glad to assure you that these vile creatures have long since -perished and passed from earth; but in the days when Claus was making -his first toys they were a numerous and powerful tribe. - -One of the principal sports of the Awgwas was to inspire angry -passions in the hearts of little children, so that they quarreled and -fought with one another. They would tempt boys to eat of unripe -fruit, and then delight in the pain they suffered; they urged little -girls to disobey their parents, and then would laugh when the children -were punished. I do not know what causes a child to be naughty in -these days, but when the Awgwas were on earth naughty children were -usually under their influence. - -Now, when Claus began to make children happy he kept them out of the -power of the Awgwas; for children possessing such lovely playthings as -he gave them had no wish to obey the evil thoughts the Awgwas tried to -thrust into their minds. - -Therefore, one year when the wicked tribe was to elect a new King, -they chose an Awgwa who proposed to destroy Claus and take him away -from the children. - -"There are, as you know, fewer naughty children in the world since -Claus came to the Laughing Valley and began to make his toys," said -the new King, as he squatted upon a rock and looked around at the -scowling faces of his people. "Why, Bessie Blithesome has not stamped -her foot once this month, nor has Mayrie's brother slapped his -sister's face or thrown the puppy into the rain-barrel. Little Weekum -took his bath last night without screaming or struggling, because his -mother had promised he should take his toy cat to bed with him! Such -a condition of affairs is awful for any Awgwa to think of, and the -only way we can direct the naughty actions of children is to take this -person Claus away from them." - -"Good! good!" cried the big Awgwas, in a chorus, and they clapped -their hands to applaud the speech of the King. - -"But what shall we do with him?" asked one of the creatures. - -"I have a plan," replied the wicked King; and what his plan was you -will soon discover. - -That night Claus went to bed feeling very happy, for he had completed -no less than four pretty toys during the day, and they were sure, he -thought, to make four little children happy. But while he slept the -band of invisible Awgwas surrounded his bed, bound him with stout -cords, and then flew away with him to the middle of a dark forest in -far off Ethop, where they laid him down and left him. - -When morning came Claus found himself thousands of miles from any -human being, a prisoner in the wild jungle of an unknown land. - -From the limb of a tree above his head swayed a huge python, one of -those reptiles that are able to crush a man's bones in their coils. A -few yards away crouched a savage panther, its glaring red eyes fixed -full on the helpless Claus. One of those monstrous spotted spiders -whose sting is death crept stealthily toward him over the matted -leaves, which shriveled and turned black at its very touch. - -But Claus had been reared in Burzee, and was not afraid. - -"Come to me, ye Knooks of the Forest!" he cried, and gave the low, -peculiar whistle that the Knooks know. - -The panther, which was about to spring upon its victim, turned and -slunk away. The python swung itself into the tree and disappeared -among the leaves. The spider stopped short in its advance and hid -beneath a rotting log. - -Claus had no time to notice them, for he was surrounded by a band of -harsh-featured Knooks, more crooked and deformed in appearance than -any he had ever seen. - -"Who are you that call on us?" demanded one, in a gruff voice. - -"The friend of your brothers in Burzee," answered Claus. "I have been -brought here by my enemies, the Awgwas, and left to perish miserably. -Yet now I implore your help to release me and to send me home again." - -"Have you the sign?" asked another. - -"Yes," said Claus. - -They cut his bonds, and with his free arms he made the secret sign of -the Knooks. - -Instantly they assisted him to stand upon his feet, and they brought -him food and drink to strengthen him. - -"Our brothers of Burzee make queer friends," grumbled an ancient Knook -whose flowing beard was pure white. "But he who knows our secret sign -and signal is entitled to our help, whoever he may be. Close your -eyes, stranger, and we will conduct you to your home. Where shall we -seek it?" - -"'Tis in the Laughing Valley," answered Claus, shutting his eyes. - -"There is but one Laughing Valley in the known world, so we can not go -astray," remarked the Knook. - -As he spoke the sound of his voice seemed to die away, so Claus opened -his eyes to see what caused the change. To his astonishment he found -himself seated on the bench by his own door, with the Laughing Valley -spread out before him. That day he visited the Wood-Nymphs and -related his adventure to Queen Zurline and Necile. - -"The Awgwas have become your enemies," said the lovely Queen, -thoughtfully; "so we must do all we can to protect you from -their power." - -"It was cowardly to bind him while he slept," remarked Necile, -with indignation. - -"The evil ones are ever cowardly," answered Zurline, "but our friend's -slumber shall not be disturbed again." - -The Queen herself came to the dwelling of Claus that evening and -placed her Seal on every door and window, to keep out the Awgwas. And -under the Seal of Queen Zurline was placed the Seal of the Fairies and -the Seal of the Ryls and the Seals of the Knooks, that the charm might -become more powerful. - -And Claus carried his toys to the children again, and made many more -of the little ones happy. - -You may guess how angry the King Awgwa and his fierce band were when -it was known to them that Claus had escaped from the Forest of Ethop. - -They raged madly for a whole week, and then held another meeting among -the rocks. - -"It is useless to carry him where the Knooks reign," said the King, -"for he has their protection. So let us cast him into a cave of our -own mountains, where he will surely perish." - -This was promptly agreed to, and the wicked band set out that night to -seize Claus. But they found his dwelling guarded by the Seals of the -Immortals and were obliged to go away baffled and disappointed. - -"Never mind," said the King; "he does not sleep always!" - -Next day, as Claus traveled to the village across the plain, where he -intended to present a toy squirrel to a lame boy, he was suddenly set -upon by the Awgwas, who seized him and carried him away to the mountains. - -There they thrust him within a deep cavern and rolled many huge rocks -against the entrance to prevent his escape. - -Deprived thus of light and food, and with little air to breathe, our -Claus was, indeed, in a pitiful plight. But he spoke the mystic words -of the Fairies, which always command their friendly aid, and they came -to his rescue and transported him to the Laughing Valley in the -twinkling of an eye. - -Thus the Awgwas discovered they might not destroy one who had earned -the friendship of the immortals; so the evil band sought other means -of keeping Claus from bringing happiness to children and so making -them obedient. - -Whenever Claus set out to carry his toys to the little ones an Awgwa, -who had been set to watch his movements, sprang upon him and snatched -the toys from his grasp. And the children were no more disappointed -than was Claus when he was obliged to return home disconsolate. Still -he persevered, and made many toys for his little friends and started -with them for the villages. And always the Awgwas robbed him as soon -as he had left the Valley. - -They threw the stolen playthings into one of their lonely caverns, and -quite a heap of toys accumulated before Claus became discouraged and -gave up all attempts to leave the Valley. Then children began coming -to him, since they found he did not go to them; but the wicked Awgwas -flew around them and caused their steps to stray and the paths to -become crooked, so never a little one could find a way into the -Laughing Valley. - -Lonely days now fell upon Claus, for he was denied the pleasure of -bringing happiness to the children whom he had learned to love. Yet -he bore up bravely, for he thought surely the time would come when the -Awgwas would abandon their evil designs to injure him. - -He devoted all his hours to toy-making, and when one plaything had -been completed he stood it on a shelf he had built for that purpose. -When the shelf became filled with rows of toys he made another one, -and filled that also. So that in time he had many shelves filled with -gay and beautiful toys representing horses, dogs, cats, elephants, -lambs, rabbits and deer, as well as pretty dolls of all sizes and -balls and marbles of baked clay painted in gay colors. - -Often, as he glanced at this array of childish treasures, the heart of -good old Claus became sad, so greatly did he long to carry the toys to -his children. And at last, because he could bear it no longer, -he ventured to go to the great Ak, to whom he told the story of his -persecution by the Awgwas, and begged the Master Woodsman to assist him. - - - -7. The Great Battle Between Good and Evil - - -Ak listened gravely to the recital of Claus, stroking his beard the -while with the slow, graceful motion that betokened deep thought. He -nodded approvingly when Claus told how the Knooks and Fairies had -saved him from death, and frowned when he heard how the Awgwas had -stolen the children's toys. At last he said: - -"From the beginning I have approved the work you are doing among the -children of men, and it annoys me that your good deeds should be -thwarted by the Awgwas. We immortals have no connection whatever with -the evil creatures who have attacked you. Always have we avoided -them, and they, in turn, have hitherto taken care not to cross our -pathway. But in this matter I find they have interfered with one of -our friends, and I will ask them to abandon their persecutions, as you -are under our protection." - -Claus thanked the Master Woodsman most gratefully and returned to his -Valley, while Ak, who never delayed carrying out his promises, at once -traveled to the mountains of the Awgwas. - -There, standing on the bare rocks, he called on the King and his -people to appear. - -Instantly the place was filled with throngs of the scowling Awgwas, -and their King, perching himself on a point of rock, demanded fiercely: - -"Who dares call on us?" - -"It is I, the Master Woodsman of the World," responded Ak. - -"Here are no forests for you to claim," cried the King, angrily. -"We owe no allegiance to you, nor to any immortal!" - -"That is true," replied Ak, calmly. "Yet you have ventured to -interfere with the actions of Claus, who dwells in the Laughing Valley, -and is under our protection." - -Many of the Awgwas began muttering at this speech, and their King -turned threateningly on the Master Woodsman. - -"You are set to rule the forests, but the plains and the valleys are -ours!" he shouted. "Keep to your own dark woods! We will do as we -please with Claus." - -"You shall not harm our friend in any way!" replied Ak. - -"Shall we not?" asked the King, impudently. "You will see! Our -powers are vastly superior to those of mortals, and fully as great as -those of immortals." - -"It is your conceit that misleads you!" said Ak, sternly. "You are a -transient race, passing from life into nothingness. We, who live -forever, pity but despise you. On earth you are scorned by all, and -in Heaven you have no place! Even the mortals, after their earth -life, enter another existence for all time, and so are your superiors. -How then dare you, who are neither mortal nor immortal, refuse to -obey my wish?" - -The Awgwas sprang to their feet with menacing gestures, but their King -motioned them back. - -"Never before," he cried to Ak, while his voice trembled with rage, -"has an immortal declared himself the master of the Awgwas! Never -shall an immortal venture to interfere with our actions again! For we -will avenge your scornful words by killing your friend Claus within -three days. Nor you, nor all the immortals can save him from our -wrath. We defy your powers! Begone, Master Woodsman of the World! -In the country of the Awgwas you have no place." - -"It is war!" declared Ak, with flashing eyes. - -"It is war!" returned the King, savagely. "In three days your friend -will be dead." - -The Master turned away and came to his Forest of Burzee, where he -called a meeting of the immortals and told them of the defiance of the -Awgwas and their purpose to kill Claus within three days. - -The little folk listened to him quietly. - -"What shall we do?" asked Ak. - -"These creatures are of no benefit to the world," said the Prince of -the Knooks; "we must destroy them." - -"Their lives are devoted only to evil deeds," said the Prince of the -Ryls. "We must destroy them." - -"They have no conscience, and endeavor to make all mortals as bad as -themselves," said the Queen of the Fairies. "We must destroy them." - -"They have defied the great Ak, and threaten the life of our adopted -son," said beautiful Queen Zurline. "We must destroy them." - -The Master Woodsman smiled. - -"You speak well," said he. "These Awgwas we know to be a powerful -race, and they will fight desperately; yet the outcome is certain. -For we who live can never die, even though conquered by our enemies, -while every Awgwa who is struck down is one foe the less to oppose us. -Prepare, then, for battle, and let us resolve to show no mercy to -the wicked!" - -Thus arose that terrible war between the immortals and the spirits of -evil which is sung of in Fairyland to this very day. - -The King Awgwa and his band determined to carry out the threat to -destroy Claus. They now hated him for two reasons: he made children -happy and was a friend of the Master Woodsman. But since Ak's visit -they had reason to fear the opposition of the immortals, and they -dreaded defeat. So the King sent swift messengers to all parts of the -world to summon every evil creature to his aid. - -And on the third day after the declaration of war a mighty army was at -the command of the King Awgwa. There were three hundred Asiatic -Dragons, breathing fire that consumed everything it touched. These -hated mankind and all good spirits. And there were the three-eyed -Giants of Tatary, a host in themselves, who liked nothing better than -to fight. And next came the Black Demons from Patalonia, with great -spreading wings like those of a bat, which swept terror and misery -through the world as they beat upon the air. And joined to these were -the Goozzle-Goblins, with long talons as sharp as swords, with which -they clawed the flesh from their foes. Finally, every mountain Awgwa in -the world had come to participate in the great battle with the immortals. - -The King Awgwa looked around upon this vast army and his heart beat -high with wicked pride, for he believed he would surely triumph over -his gentle enemies, who had never before been known to fight. But the -Master Woodsman had not been idle. None of his people was used to -warfare, yet now that they were called upon to face the hosts of evil -they willingly prepared for the fray. - -Ak had commanded them to assemble in the Laughing Valley, where Claus, -ignorant of the terrible battle that was to be waged on his account, -was quietly making his toys. - -Soon the entire Valley, from hill to hill, was filled with the little -immortals. The Master Woodsman stood first, bearing a gleaming ax -that shone like burnished silver. Next came the Ryls, armed with -sharp thorns from bramblebushes. Then the Knooks, bearing the spears -they used when they were forced to prod their savage beasts into -submission. The Fairies, dressed in white gauze with rainbow-hued -wings, bore golden wands, and the Wood-nymphs, in their uniforms of -oak-leaf green, carried switches from ash trees as weapons. - -Loud laughed the Awgwa King when he beheld the size and the arms of -his foes. To be sure the mighty ax of the Woodsman was to be dreaded, -but the sweet-faced Nymphs and pretty Fairies, the gentle Ryls and -crooked Knooks were such harmless folk that he almost felt shame at -having called such a terrible host to oppose them. - -"Since these fools dare fight," he said to the leader of the Tatary -Giants, "I will overwhelm them with our evil powers!" - -To begin the battle he poised a great stone in his left hand and cast -it full against the sturdy form of the Master Woodsman, who turned it -aside with his ax. Then rushed the three-eyed Giants of Tatary upon -the Knooks, and the Goozzle-Goblins upon the Ryls, and the -firebreathing Dragons upon the sweet Fairies. Because the Nymphs were -Ak's own people the band of Awgwas sought them out, thinking to -overcome them with ease. - -But it is the Law that while Evil, unopposed, may accomplish terrible -deeds, the powers of Good can never be overthrown when opposed to -Evil. Well had it been for the King Awgwa had he known the Law! - -His ignorance cost him his existence, for one flash of the ax borne by -the Master Woodsman of the World cleft the wicked King in twain and -rid the earth of the vilest creature it contained. - -Greatly marveled the Tatary Giants when the spears of the little -Knooks pierced their thick walls of flesh and sent them reeling to the -ground with howls of agony. - -Woe came upon the sharp-taloned Goblins when the thorns of the Ryls -reached their savage hearts and let their life-blood sprinkle all the -plain. And afterward from every drop a thistle grew. - -The Dragons paused astonished before the Fairy wands, from whence -rushed a power that caused their fiery breaths to flow back on -themselves so that they shriveled away and died. - -As for the Awgwas, they had scant time to realize how they were -destroyed, for the ash switches of the Nymphs bore a charm unknown -to any Awgwa, and turned their foes into clods of earth at the -slightest touch! - -When Ak leaned upon his gleaming ax and turned to look over the field -of battle he saw the few Giants who were able to run disappearing over -the distant hills on their return to Tatary. The Goblins had perished -every one, as had the terrible Dragons, while all that remained of the -wicked Awgwas was a great number of earthen hillocks dotting the plain. - -And now the immortals melted from the Valley like dew at sunrise, to -resume their duties in the Forest, while Ak walked slowly and -thoughtfully to the house of Claus and entered. - -"You have many toys ready for the children," said the Woodsman, "and -now you may carry them across the plain to the dwellings and the -villages without fear." - -"Will not the Awgwas harm me?" asked Claus, eagerly. - -"The Awgwas," said Ak, "have perished!" - - -Now I will gladly have done with wicked spirits and with fighting and -bloodshed. It was not from choice that I told of the Awgwas and their -allies, and of their great battle with the immortals. They were part -of this history, and could not be avoided. - - - -8. The First Journey with the Reindeer - - -Those were happy days for Claus when he carried his accumulation of -toys to the children who had awaited them so long. During his -imprisonment in the Valley he had been so industrious that all his -shelves were filled with playthings, and after quickly supplying the -little ones living near by he saw he must now extend his travels to -wider fields. - -Remembering the time when he had journeyed with Ak through all the -world, he know children were everywhere, and he longed to make as many -as possible happy with his gifts. - -So he loaded a great sack with all kinds of toys, slung it upon his -back that he might carry it more easily, and started off on a longer -trip than he had yet undertaken. - -Wherever he showed his merry face, in hamlet or in farmhouse, he -received a cordial welcome, for his fame had spread into far lands. -At each village the children swarmed about him, following his -footsteps wherever he went; and the women thanked him gratefully for -the joy he brought their little ones; and the men looked upon him -curiously that he should devote his time to such a queer occupation as -toy-making. But every one smiled on him and gave him kindly words, -and Claus felt amply repaid for his long journey. - -When the sack was empty he went back again to the Laughing Valley and -once more filled it to the brim. This time he followed another road, -into a different part of the country, and carried happiness to many -children who never before had owned a toy or guessed that such a -delightful plaything existed. - -After a third journey, so far away that Claus was many days walking -the distance, the store of toys became exhausted and without delay he -set about making a fresh supply. - -From seeing so many children and studying their tastes he had acquired -several new ideas about toys. - -The dollies were, he had found, the most delightful of all playthings -for babies and little girls, and often those who could not say "dolly" -would call for a "doll" in their sweet baby talk. So Claus resolved -to make many dolls, of all sizes, and to dress them in bright-colored -clothing. The older boys--and even some of the girls--loved the -images of animals, so he still made cats and elephants and horses. -And many of the little fellows had musical natures, and longed for -drums and cymbals and whistles and horns. So he made a number of toy -drums, with tiny sticks to beat them with; and he made whistles from -the willow trees, and horns from the bog-reeds, and cymbals from bits -of beaten metal. - -All this kept him busily at work, and before he realized it the winter -season came, with deeper snows than usual, and he knew he could not -leave the Valley with his heavy pack. Moreover, the next trip would -take him farther from home than every before, and Jack Frost was -mischievous enough to nip his nose and ears if he undertook the long -journey while the Frost King reigned. The Frost King was Jack's -father and never reproved him for his pranks. - -So Claus remained at his work-bench; but he whistled and sang as -merrily as ever, for he would allow no disappointment to sour his -temper or make him unhappy. - -One bright morning he looked from his window and saw two of the deer -he had known in the Forest walking toward his house. - -Claus was surprised; not that the friendly deer should visit him, but -that they walked on the surface of the snow as easily as if it were -solid ground, notwithstanding the fact that throughout the Valley the -snow lay many feet deep. He had walked out of his house a day or two -before and had sunk to his armpits in a drift. - -So when the deer came near he opened the door and called to them: - -"Good morning, Flossie! Tell me how you are able to walk on the snow -so easily." - -"It is frozen hard," answered Flossie. - -"The Frost King has breathed on it," said Glossie, coming up, "and the -surface is now as solid as ice." - -"Perhaps," remarked Claus, thoughtfully, "I might now carry my pack of -toys to the children." - -"Is it a long journey?" asked Flossie. - -"Yes; it will take me many days, for the pack is heavy," answered Claus. - -"Then the snow would melt before you could get back," said the deer. -"You must wait until spring, Claus." - -Claus sighed. "Had I your fleet feet," said he, "I could make the -journey in a day." - -"But you have not," returned Glossie, looking at his own slender legs -with pride. - -"Perhaps I could ride upon your back," Claus ventured to remark, after -a pause. - -"Oh no; our backs are not strong enough to bear your weight," said -Flossie, decidedly. "But if you had a sledge, and could harness us to -it, we might draw you easily, and your pack as well." - -"I'll make a sledge!" exclaimed Claus. "Will you agree to draw me if -I do?" - -"Well," replied Flossie, "we must first go and ask the Knooks, who are -our guardians, for permission; but if they consent, and you can make a -sledge and harness, we will gladly assist you." - -"Then go at once!" cried Claus, eagerly. "I am sure the friendly -Knooks will give their consent, and by the time you are back I shall be -ready to harness you to my sledge." - -Flossie and Glossie, being deer of much intelligence, had long wished -to see the great world, so they gladly ran over the frozen snow to ask -the Knooks if they might carry Claus on his journey. - -Meantime the toy-maker hurriedly began the construction of a sledge, -using material from his wood-pile. He made two long runners that -turned upward at the front ends, and across these nailed short boards, -to make a platform. It was soon completed, but was as rude in -appearance as it is possible for a sledge to be. - -The harness was more difficult to prepare, but Claus twisted strong -cords together and knotted them so they would fit around the necks of -the deer, in the shape of a collar. From these ran other cords to -fasten the deer to the front of the sledge. - -Before the work was completed Glossie and Flossie were back from the -Forest, having been granted permission by Will Knook to make the -journey with Claus provided they would to Burzee by daybreak the -next morning. - -"That is not a very long time," said Flossie; "but we are swift and -strong, and if we get started by this evening we can travel many miles -during the night." - -Claus decided to make the attempt, so he hurried on his preparations -as fast as possible. After a time he fastened the collars around the -necks of his steeds and harnessed them to his rude sledge. Then he -placed a stool on the little platform, to serve as a seat, and filled -a sack with his prettiest toys. - -"How do you intend to guide us?" asked Glossie. "We have never been -out of the Forest before, except to visit your house, so we shall not -know the way." - -Claus thought about that for a moment. Then he brought more cords and -fastened two of them to the spreading antlers of each deer, one on the -right and the other on the left. - -"Those will be my reins," said Claus, "and when I pull them to the -right or to the left you must go in that direction. If I do not pull -the reins at all you may go straight ahead." - -"Very well," answered Glossie and Flossie; and then they asked: "Are -you ready?" - -Claus seated himself upon the stool, placed the sack of toys at his -feet, and then gathered up the reins. - -"All ready!" he shouted; "away we go!" - -The deer leaned forward, lifted their slender limbs, and the next -moment away flew the sledge over the frozen snow. The swiftness of -the motion surprised Claus, for in a few strides they were across the -Valley and gliding over the broad plain beyond. - -The day had melted into evening by the time they started; for, swiftly -as Claus had worked, many hours had been consumed in making his -preparations. But the moon shone brightly to light their way, -and Claus soon decided it was just as pleasant to travel by night -as by day. - -The deer liked it better; for, although they wished to see something -of the world, they were timid about meeting men, and now all the -dwellers in the towns and farmhouses were sound asleep and could not -see them. - -Away and away they sped, on and on over the hills and through the -valleys and across the plains until they reached a village where Claus -had never been before. - -Here he called on them to stop, and they immediately obeyed. But a -new difficulty now presented itself, for the people had locked their -doors when they went to bed, and Claus found he could not enter the -houses to leave his toys. - -"I am afraid, my friends, we have made our journey for nothing," said -he, "for I shall be obliged to carry my playthings back home again -without giving them to the children of this village." - -"What's the matter?" asked Flossie. - -"The doors are locked," answered Claus, "and I can not get in." - -Glossie looked around at the houses. The snow was quite deep in that -village, and just before them was a roof only a few feet above the -sledge. A broad chimney, which seemed to Glossie big enough to admit -Claus, was at the peak of the roof. - -"Why don't you climb down that chimney?" asked Glossie. - -Claus looked at it. - -"That would be easy enough if I were on top of the roof," he answered. - -"Then hold fast and we will take you there," said the deer, and they -gave one bound to the roof and landed beside the big chimney. - -"Good!" cried Claus, well pleased, and he slung the pack of toys over -his shoulder and got into the chimney. - -There was plenty of soot on the bricks, but he did not mind that, and -by placing his hands and knees against the sides he crept downward -until he had reached the fireplace. Leaping lightly over the -smoldering coals he found himself in a large sitting-room, where a dim -light was burning. - -From this room two doorways led into smaller chambers. In one a woman -lay asleep, with a baby beside her in a crib. - -Claus laughed, but he did not laugh aloud for fear of waking the baby. -Then he slipped a big doll from his pack and laid it in the crib. The -little one smiled, as if it dreamed of the pretty plaything it was to -find on the morrow, and Claus crept softly from the room and entered -at the other doorway. - -Here were two boys, fast asleep with their arms around each other's -neck. Claus gazed at them lovingly a moment and then placed upon the -bed a drum, two horns and a wooden elephant. - -He did not linger, now that his work in this house was done, but -climbed the chimney again and seated himself on his sledge. - -"Can you find another chimney?" he asked the reindeer. - -"Easily enough," replied Glossie and Flossie. - -Down to the edge of the roof they raced, and then, without pausing, -leaped through the air to the top of the next building, where a huge, -old-fashioned chimney stood. - -"Don't be so long, this time," called Flossie, "or we shall never get -back to the Forest by daybreak." - -Claus made a trip down this chimney also and found five children -sleeping in the house, all of whom were quickly supplied with toys. - -When he returned the deer sprang to the next roof, but on descending -the chimney Claus found no children there at all. That was not often -the case in this village, however, so he lost less time than you might -suppose in visiting the dreary homes where there were no little ones. - -When he had climbed down the chimneys of all the houses in that -village, and had left a toy for every sleeping child, Claus found that -his great sack was not yet half emptied. - -"Onward, friends!" he called to the deer; "we must seek another village." - -So away they dashed, although it was long past midnight, and in a -surprisingly short time they came to a large city, the largest Claus -had ever visited since he began to make toys. But, nothing daunted by -the throng of houses, he set to work at once and his beautiful steeds -carried him rapidly from one roof to another, only the highest being -beyond the leaps of the agile deer. - -At last the supply of toys was exhausted and Claus seated himself in -the sledge, with the empty sack at his feet, and turned the heads of -Glossie and Flossie toward home. - -Presently Flossie asked: - -"What is that gray streak in the sky?" - -"It is the coming dawn of day," answered Claus, surprised to find that -it was so late. - -"Good gracious!" exclaimed Glossie; "then we shall not be home by -daybreak, and the Knooks will punish us and never let us come again." - -"We must race for the Laughing Valley and make our best speed," -returned Flossie; "so hold fast, friend Claus!" - -Claus held fast and the next moment was flying so swiftly over the -snow that he could not see the trees as they whirled past. Up hill -and down dale, swift as an arrow shot from a bow they dashed, and -Claus shut his eyes to keep the wind out of them and left the deer to -find their own way. - -It seemed to him they were plunging through space, but he was not at -all afraid. The Knooks were severe masters, and must be obeyed at all -hazards, and the gray streak in the sky was growing brighter every moment. - -Finally the sledge came to a sudden stop and Claus, who was taken -unawares, tumbled from his seat into a snowdrift. As he picked -himself up he heard the deer crying: - -"Quick, friend, quick! Cut away our harness!" - -He drew his knife and rapidly severed the cords, and then he wiped -the moisture from his eyes and looked around him. - -The sledge had come to a stop in the Laughing Valley, only a few feet, -he found, from his own door. In the East the day was breaking, and -turning to the edge of Burzee he saw Glossie and Flossie just -disappearing in the Forest. - - - -9. "Santa Claus!" - - -Claus thought that none of the children would ever know where the toys -came from which they found by their bedsides when they wakened the -following morning. But kindly deeds are sure to bring fame, and fame -has many wings to carry its tidings into far lands; so for miles and -miles in every direction people were talking of Claus and his -wonderful gifts to children. The sweet generousness of his work -caused a few selfish folk to sneer, but even these were forced to -admit their respect for a man so gentle-natured that he loved to -devote his life to pleasing the helpless little ones of his race. - -Therefore the inhabitants of every city and village had been eagerly -watching the coming of Claus, and remarkable stories of his beautiful -playthings were told the children to keep them patient and contented. - -When, on the morning following the first trip of Claus with his deer, -the little ones came running to their parents with the pretty toys -they had found, and asked from whence they came, they was but one -reply to the question. - -"The good Claus must have been here, my darlings; for his are the only -toys in all the world!" - -"But how did he get in?" asked the children. - -At this the fathers shook their heads, being themselves unable to -understand how Claus had gained admittance to their homes; but the -mothers, watching the glad faces of their dear ones, whispered that -the good Claus was no mortal man but assuredly a Saint, and they -piously blessed his name for the happiness he had bestowed upon -their children. - -"A Saint," said one, with bowed head, "has no need to unlock doors if -it pleases him to enter our homes." - -And, afterward, when a child was naughty or disobedient, its mother -would say: - -"You must pray to the good Santa Claus for forgiveness. He does not -like naughty children, and, unless you repent, he will bring you no -more pretty toys." - -But Santa Claus himself would not have approved this speech. He -brought toys to the children because they were little and helpless, -and because he loved them. He knew that the best of children were -sometimes naughty, and that the naughty ones were often good. It is -the way with children, the world over, and he would not have changed -their natures had he possessed the power to do so. - -And that is how our Claus became Santa Claus. It is possible for any -man, by good deeds, to enshrine himself as a Saint in the hearts of -the people. - - - -10. Christmas Eve - - -The day that broke as Claus returned from his night ride with Glossie -and Flossie brought to him a new trouble. Will Knook, the chief -guardian of the deer, came to him, surly and ill-tempered, to complain -that he had kept Glossie and Flossie beyond daybreak, in opposition to -his orders. - -"Yet it could not have been very long after daybreak," said Claus. - -"It was one minute after," answered Will Knook, "and that is as bad as -one hour. I shall set the stinging gnats on Glossie and Flossie, and -they will thus suffer terribly for their disobedience." - -"Don't do that!" begged Claus. "It was my fault." - -But Will Knook would listen to no excuses, and went away grumbling and -growling in his ill-natured way. - -For this reason Claus entered the Forest to consult Necile about -rescuing the good deer from punishment. To his delight he found his -old friend, the Master Woodsman, seated in the circle of Nymphs. - -Ak listened to the story of the night journey to the children and of -the great assistance the deer had been to Claus by drawing his sledge -over the frozen snow. - -"I do not wish my friends to be punished if I can save them," said the -toy-maker, when he had finished the relation. "They were only one -minute late, and they ran swifter than a bird flies to get home -before daybreak." - -Ak stroked his beard thoughtfully a moment, and then sent for the -Prince of the Knooks, who rules all his people in Burzee, and also for -the Queen of the Fairies and the Prince of the Ryls. - -When all had assembled Claus told his story again, at Ak's command, -and then the Master addressed the Prince of the Knooks, saying: - -"The good work that Claus is doing among mankind deserves the support -of every honest immortal. Already he is called a Saint in some of the -towns, and before long the name of Santa Claus will be lovingly known -in every home that is blessed with children. Moreover, he is a son of -our Forest, so we owe him our encouragement. You, Ruler of the -Knooks, have known him these many years; am I not right in saying he -deserves our friendship?" - -The Prince, crooked and sour of visage as all Knooks are, looked only -upon the dead leaves at his feet and muttered: "You are the Master -Woodsman of the World!" - -Ak smiled, but continued, in soft tones: "It seems that the deer which -are guarded by your people can be of great assistance to Claus, and as -they seem willing to draw his sledge I beg that you will permit him to -use their services whenever he pleases." - -The Prince did not reply, but tapped the curled point of his sandal -with the tip of his spear, as if in thought. - -Then the Fairy Queen spoke to him in this way: "If you consent to Ak's -request I will see that no harm comes to your deer while they are away -from the Forest." - -And the Prince of the Ryls added: "For my part I will allow to every -deer that assists Claus the privilege of eating my casa plants, which -give strength, and my grawle plants, which give fleetness of foot, and -my marbon plants, which give long life." - -And the Queen of the Nymphs said: "The deer which draw the sledge of -Claus will be permitted to bathe in the Forest pool of Nares, which -will give them sleek coats and wonderful beauty." - -The Prince of the Knooks, hearing these promises, shifted uneasily on -his seat, for in his heart he hated to refuse a request of his fellow -immortals, although they were asking an unusual favor at his hands, -and the Knooks are unaccustomed to granting favors of any kind. -Finally he turned to his servants and said: - -"Call Will Knook." - -When surly Will came and heard the demands of the immortals he -protested loudly against granting them. - -"Deer are deer," said he, "and nothing but deer. Were they horses it -would be right to harness them like horses. But no one harnesses deer -because they are free, wild creatures, owing no service of any sort to -mankind. It would degrade my deer to labor for Claus, who is only a -man in spite of the friendship lavished on him by the immortals." - -"You have heard," said the Prince to Ak. "There is truth in what -Will says." - -"Call Glossie and Flossie," returned the Master. - -The deer were brought to the conference and Ak asked them if they -objected to drawing the sledge for Claus. - -"No, indeed!" replied Glossie; "we enjoyed the trip very much." - -"And we tried to get home by daybreak," added Flossie, "but were -unfortunately a minute too late." - -"A minute lost at daybreak doesn't matter," said Ak. "You are -forgiven for that delay." - -"Provided it does not happen again," said the Prince of the -Knooks, sternly. - -"And will you permit them to make another journey with me?" asked -Claus, eagerly. - -The Prince reflected while he gazed at Will, who was scowling, and at -the Master Woodsman, who was smiling. - -Then he stood up and addressed the company as follows: - -"Since you all urge me to grant the favor I will permit the deer to go -with Claus once every year, on Christmas Eve, provided they always -return to the Forest by daybreak. He may select any number he -pleases, up to ten, to draw his sledge, and those shall be known among -us as Reindeer, to distinguish them from the others. And they shall -bathe in the Pool of Nares, and eat the casa and grawle and marbon -plants and shall be under the especial protection of the Fairy Queen. -And now cease scowling, Will Knook, for my words shall be obeyed!" - -He hobbled quickly away through the trees, to avoid the thanks of -Claus and the approval of the other immortals, and Will, looking as -cross as ever, followed him. - -But Ak was satisfied, knowing that he could rely on the promise of the -Prince, however grudgingly given; and Glossie and Flossie ran home, -kicking up their heels delightedly at every step. - -"When is Christmas Eve?" Claus asked the Master. - -"In about ten days," he replied. - -"Then I can not use the deer this year," said Claus, thoughtfully, -"for I shall not have time enough to make my sackful of toys." - -"The shrewd Prince foresaw that," responded Ak, "and therefore named -Christmas Eve as the day you might use the deer, knowing it would -cause you to lose an entire year." - -"If I only had the toys the Awgwas stole from me," said Claus, sadly, -"I could easily fill my sack for the children." - -"Where are they?" asked the Master. - -"I do not know," replied Claus, "but the wicked Awgwas probably hid -them in the mountains." - -Ak turned to the Fairy Queen. - -"Can you find them?" he asked. - -"I will try," she replied, brightly. - -Then Claus went back to the Laughing Valley, to work as hard as he -could, and a band of Fairies immediately flew to the mountain that had -been haunted by the Awgwas and began a search for the stolen toys. - -The Fairies, as we well know, possess wonderful powers; but the -cunning Awgwas had hidden the toys in a deep cave and covered the -opening with rocks, so no one could look in. Therefore all search for -the missing playthings proved in vain for several days, and Claus, who -sat at home waiting for news from the Fairies, almost despaired of -getting the toys before Christmas Eve. - -He worked hard every moment, but it took considerable time to carve -out and to shape each toy and to paint it properly, so that on the -morning before Christmas Eve only half of one small shelf above the -window was filled with playthings ready for the children. - -But on this morning the Fairies who were searching in the mountains -had a new thought. They joined hands and moved in a straight line -through the rocks that formed the mountain, beginning at the topmost -peak and working downward, so that no spot could be missed by their -bright eyes. And at last they discovered the cave where the toys had -been heaped up by the wicked Awgwas. - -It did not take them long to burst open the mouth of the cave, and -then each one seized as many toys as he could carry and they all flew -to Claus and laid the treasure before him. - -The good man was rejoiced to receive, just in the nick of time, such a -store of playthings with which to load his sledge, and he sent word to -Glossie and Flossie to be ready for the journey at nightfall. - -With all his other labors he had managed to find time, since the last -trip, to repair the harness and to strengthen his sledge, so that when -the deer came to him at twilight he had no difficulty in harnessing them. - -"We must go in another direction to-night," he told them, "where we -shall find children I have never yet visited. And we must travel fast -and work quickly, for my sack is full of toys and running over the brim!" - -So, just as the moon arose, they dashed out of the Laughing Valley and -across the plain and over the hills to the south. The air was sharp -and frosty and the starlight touched the snowflakes and made them -glitter like countless diamonds. The reindeer leaped onward with -strong, steady bounds, and Claus' heart was so light and merry that he -laughed and sang while the wind whistled past his ears: - - - "With a ho, ho, ho! - And a ha, ha, ha! -And a ho, ho! ha, ha, hee! - Now away we go - O'er the frozen snow, -As merry as we can be!" - - -Jack Frost heard him and came racing up with his nippers, but when he -saw it was Claus he laughed and turned away again. - -The mother owls heard him as he passed near a wood and stuck their -heads out of the hollow places in the tree-trunks; but when they saw -who it was they whispered to the owlets nestling near them that it was -only Santa Claus carrying toys to the children. It is strange how -much those mother owls know. - -Claus stopped at some of the scattered farmhouses and climbed down the -chimneys to leave presents for the babies. Soon after he reached a -village and worked merrily for an hour distributing playthings among the -sleeping little ones. Then away again he went, signing his joyous carol: - - - "Now away we go - O'er the gleaming snow, -While the deer run swift and free! - For to girls and boys - We carry the toys -That will fill their hearts with glee!" - - -The deer liked the sound of his deep bass voice and kept time to the -song with their hoofbeats on the hard snow; but soon they stopped at -another chimney and Santa Claus, with sparkling eyes and face brushed -red by the wind, climbed down its smoky sides and left a present for -every child the house contained. - -It was a merry, happy night. Swiftly the deer ran, and busily their -driver worked to scatter his gifts among the sleeping children. - -But the sack was empty at last, and the sledge headed homeward; and -now again the race with daybreak began. Glossie and Flossie had no -mind to be rebuked a second time for tardiness, so they fled with a -swiftness that enabled them to pass the gale on which the Frost King -rode, and soon brought them to the Laughing Valley. - -It is true when Claus released his steeds from their harness the -eastern sky was streaked with gray, but Glossie and Flossie were deep -in the Forest before day fairly broke. - -Claus was so wearied with his night's work that he threw himself upon -his bed and fell into a deep slumber, and while he slept the Christmas -sun appeared in the sky and shone upon hundreds of happy homes where -the sound of childish laughter proclaimed that Santa Claus had made -them a visit. - -God bless him! It was his first Christmas Eve, and for hundreds of -years since then he has nobly fulfilled his mission to bring happiness -to the hearts of little children. - - - -11. How the First Stockings Were Hung by the Chimneys - - -When you remember that no child, until Santa Claus began his travels, -had ever known the pleasure of possessing a toy, you will understand -how joy crept into the homes of those who had been favored with a -visit from the good man, and how they talked of him day by day in -loving tones and were honestly grateful for his kindly deeds. It is -true that great warriors and mighty kings and clever scholars of that -day were often spoken of by the people; but no one of them was so -greatly beloved as Santa Claus, because none other was so unselfish as -to devote himself to making others happy. For a generous deed lives -longer than a great battle or a king's decree of a scholar's essay, -because it spreads and leaves its mark on all nature and endures -through many generations. - -The bargain made with the Knook Prince changed the plans of Claus for -all future time; for, being able to use the reindeer on but one night -of each year, he decided to devote all the other days to the -manufacture of playthings, and on Christmas Eve to carry them to the -children of the world. - -But a year's work would, he knew, result in a vast accumulation of -toys, so he resolved to build a new sledge that would be larger and -stronger and better-fitted for swift travel than the old and clumsy one. - -His first act was to visit the Gnome King, with whom he made a bargain -to exchange three drums, a trumpet and two dolls for a pair of fine -steel runners, curled beautifully at the ends. For the Gnome King had -children of his own, who, living in the hollows under the earth, in -mines and caverns, needed something to amuse them. - -In three days the steel runners were ready, and when Claus brought the -playthings to the Gnome King, his Majesty was so greatly pleased with -them that he presented Claus with a string of sweet-toned -sleigh-bells, in addition to the runners. - -"These will please Glossie and Flossie," said Claus, as he jingled the -bells and listened to their merry sound. "But I should have two -strings of bells, one for each deer." - -"Bring me another trumpet and a toy cat," replied the King, "and you -shall have a second string of bells like the first." - -"It is a bargain!" cried Claus, and he went home again for the toys. - -The new sledge was carefully built, the Knooks bringing plenty of -strong but thin boards to use in its construction. Claus made a high, -rounding dash-board to keep off the snow cast behind by the fleet -hoofs of the deer; and he made high sides to the platform so that many -toys could be carried, and finally he mounted the sledge upon the -slender steel runners made by the Gnome King. - -It was certainly a handsome sledge, and big and roomy. Claus painted -it in bright colors, although no one was likely to see it during his -midnight journeys, and when all was finished he sent for Glossie and -Flossie to come and look at it. - -The deer admired the sledge, but gravely declared it was too big and -heavy for them to draw. - -"We might pull it over the snow, to be sure," said Glossie; "but we -would not pull it fast enough to enable us to visit the far-away -cities and villages and return to the Forest by daybreak." - -"Then I must add two more deer to my team," declared Claus, after a -moment's thought. - -"The Knook Prince allowed you as many as ten. Why not use them all?" -asked Flossie. "Then we could speed like the lightning and leap to -the highest roofs with ease." - -"A team of ten reindeer!" cried Claus, delightedly. "That will be -splendid. Please return to the Forest at once and select eight other -deer as like yourselves as possible. And you must all eat of the casa -plant, to become strong, and of the grawle plant, to become fleet of -foot, and of the marbon plant, that you may live long to accompany me -on my journeys. Likewise it will be well for you to bathe in the Pool -of Nares, which the lovely Queen Zurline declares will render you -rarely beautiful. Should you perform these duties faithfully there is -no doubt that on next Christmas Eve my ten reindeer will be the most -powerful and beautiful steeds the world has ever seen!" - -So Glossie and Flossie went to the Forest to choose their mates, and -Claus began to consider the question of a harness for them all. - -In the end he called upon Peter Knook for assistance, for Peter's -heart is as kind as his body is crooked, and he is remarkably shrewd, -as well. And Peter agreed to furnish strips of tough leather -for the harness. - -This leather was cut from the skins of lions that had reached such an -advanced age that they died naturally, and on one side was tawny hair -while the other side was cured to the softness of velvet by the deft -Knooks. When Claus received these strips of leather he sewed them -neatly into a harness for the ten reindeer, and it proved strong and -serviceable and lasted him for many years. - -The harness and sledge were prepared at odd times, for Claus devoted -most of his days to the making of toys. These were now much better -than the first ones had been, for the immortals often came to his -house to watch him work and to offer suggestions. It was Necile's -idea to make some of the dolls say "papa" and "mama." It was a -thought of the Knooks to put a squeak inside the lambs, so that when a -child squeezed them they would say "baa-a-a-a!" And the Fairy Queen -advised Claus to put whistles in the birds, so they could be made to -sing, and wheels on the horses, so children could draw them around. -Many animals perished in the Forest, from one cause or another, and -their fur was brought to Claus that he might cover with it the small -images of beasts he made for playthings. A merry Ryl suggested that -Claus make a donkey with a nodding head, which he did, and afterward -found that it amused the little ones immensely. And so the toys grew -in beauty and attractiveness every day, until they were the wonder of -even the immortals. - -When another Christmas Eve drew near there was a monster load of -beautiful gifts for the children ready to be loaded upon the big -sledge. Claus filled three sacks to the brim, and tucked every corner -of the sledge-box full of toys besides. - -Then, at twilight, the ten reindeer appeared and Flossie introduced -them all to Claus. They were Racer and Pacer, Reckless and Speckless, -Fearless and Peerless, and Ready and Steady, who, with Glossie and -Flossie, made up the ten who have traversed the world these hundreds -of years with their generous master. They were all exceedingly -beautiful, with slender limbs, spreading antlers, velvety dark eyes -and smooth coats of fawn color spotted with white. - -Claus loved them at once, and has loved them ever since, for they are -loyal friends and have rendered him priceless service. - -The new harness fitted them nicely and soon they were all fastened to -the sledge by twos, with Glossie and Flossie in the lead. These wore -the strings of sleigh-bells, and were so delighted with the music they -made that they kept prancing up and down to make the bells ring. - -Claus now seated himself in the sledge, drew a warm robe over his -knees and his fur cap over his ears, and cracked his long whip as a -signal to start. - -Instantly the ten leaped forward and were away like the wind, while -jolly Claus laughed gleefully to see them run and shouted a song in -his big, hearty voice: - - - "With a ho, ho, ho! - And a ha, ha, ha! -And a ho, ho, ha, ha, hee! - Now away we go - O'er the frozen snow, -As merry as we can be! - - - There are many joys - In our load of toys, -As many a child will know; - We'll scatter them wide - On our wild night ride -O'er the crisp and sparkling snow!" - - -Now it was on this same Christmas Eve that little Margot and her -brother Dick and her cousins Ned and Sara, who were visiting at -Margot's house, came in from making a snow man, with their clothes -damp, their mittens dripping and their shoes and stockings wet through -and through. They were not scolded, for Margot's mother knew the snow -was melting, but they were sent early to bed that their clothes might -be hung over chairs to dry. The shoes were placed on the red tiles of -the hearth, where the heat from the hot embers would strike them, and -the stockings were carefully hung in a row by the chimney, directly -over the fireplace. That was the reason Santa Claus noticed them when -he came down the chimney that night and all the household were fast -asleep. He was in a tremendous hurry and seeing the stockings all -belonged to children he quickly stuffed his toys into them and dashed -up the chimney again, appearing on the roof so suddenly that the -reindeer were astonished at his agility. - -"I wish they would all hang up their stockings," he thought, as he -drove to the next chimney. "It would save me a lot of time and I -could then visit more children before daybreak." - -When Margot and Dick and Ned and Sara jumped out of bed next morning -and ran downstairs to get their stockings from the fireplace they were -filled with delight to find the toys from Santa Claus inside them. In -face, I think they found more presents in their stockings than any -other children of that city had received, for Santa Claus was in a -hurry and did not stop to count the toys. - -Of course they told all their little friends about it, and of course -every one of them decided to hang his own stockings by the fireplace -the next Christmas Eve. Even Bessie Blithesome, who made a visit to -that city with her father, the great Lord of Lerd, heard the story -from the children and hung her own pretty stockings by the chimney -when she returned home at Christmas time. - -On his next trip Santa Claus found so many stockings hung up in -anticipation of his visit that he could fill them in a jiffy and be -away again in half the time required to hunt the children up and place -the toys by their bedsides. - -The custom grew year after year, and has always been a great help to -Santa Claus. And, with so many children to visit, he surely needs all -the help we are able to give him. - - - -12. The First Christmas Tree - - -Claus had always kept his promise to the Knooks by returning to the -Laughing Valley by daybreak, but only the swiftness of his reindeer -has enabled him to do this, for he travels over all the world. - -He loved his work and he loved the brisk night ride on his sledge and -the gay tinkle of the sleigh-bells. On that first trip with the ten -reindeer only Glossie and Flossie wore bells; but each year thereafter -for eight years Claus carried presents to the children of the Gnome -King, and that good-natured monarch gave him in return a string of -bells at each visit, so that finally every one of the ten deer was -supplied, and you may imagine what a merry tune the bells played as -the sledge sped over the snow. - -The children's stockings were so long that it required a great many -toys to fill them, and soon Claus found there were other things -besides toys that children love. So he sent some of the Fairies, who -were always his good friends, into the Tropics, from whence they -returned with great bags full of oranges and bananas which they had -plucked from the trees. And other Fairies flew to the wonderful -Valley of Phunnyland, where delicious candies and bonbons grow thickly -on the bushes, and returned laden with many boxes of sweetmeats for -the little ones. These things Santa Claus, on each Christmas Eve, -placed in the long stockings, together with his toys, and the children -were glad to get them, you may be sure. - -There are also warm countries where there is no snow in winter, but -Claus and his reindeer visited them as well as the colder climes, for -there were little wheels inside the runners of his sledge which -permitted it to run as smoothly over bare ground as on the snow. And -the children who lived in the warm countries learned to know the name -of Santa Claus as well as those who lived nearer to the Laughing Valley. - -Once, just as the reindeer were ready to start on their yearly trip, a -Fairy came to Claus and told him of three little children who lived -beneath a rude tent of skins on a broad plain where there were no -trees whatever. These poor babies were miserable and unhappy, for -their parents were ignorant people who neglected them sadly. Claus -resolved to visit these children before he returned home, and during -his ride he picked up the bushy top of a pine tree which the wind had -broken off and placed it in his sledge. - -It was nearly morning when the deer stopped before the lonely tent of -skins where the poor children lay asleep. Claus at once planted the -bit of pine tree in the sand and stuck many candles on the branches. -Then he hung some of his prettiest toys on the tree, as well as -several bags of candies. It did not take long to do all this, for -Santa Claus works quickly, and when all was ready he lighted the -candles and, thrusting his head in at the opening of the tent, -he shouted: - -"Merry Christmas, little ones!" - -With that he leaped into his sledge and was out of sight before the -children, rubbing the sleep from their eyes, could come out to see who -had called them. - -You can imagine the wonder and joy of those little ones, who had never -in their lives known a real pleasure before, when they saw the tree, -sparkling with lights that shone brilliant in the gray dawn and hung -with toys enough to make them happy for years to come! They joined -hands and danced around the tree, shouting and laughing, until they -were obliged to pause for breath. And their parents, also, came out -to look and wonder, and thereafter had more respect and consideration -for their children, since Santa Claus had honored them with such -beautiful gifts. - -The idea of the Christmas tree pleased Claus, and so the following -year he carried many of them in his sledge and set them up in the -homes of poor people who seldom saw trees, and placed candles and toys -on the branches. Of course he could not carry enough trees in one -load of all who wanted them, but in some homes the fathers were able to -get trees and have them all ready for Santa Claus when he arrived; and -these the good Claus always decorated as prettily as possible and hung -with toys enough for all the children who came to see the tree lighted. - -These novel ideas and the generous manner in which they were carried -out made the children long for that one night in the year when their -friend Santa Claus should visit them, and as such anticipation is very -pleasant and comforting the little ones gleaned much happiness by -wondering what would happen when Santa Claus next arrived. - -Perhaps you remember that stern Baron Braun who once drove Claus from -his castle and forbade him to visit his children? Well, many years -afterward, when the old Baron was dead and his son ruled in his -place, the new Baron Braun came to the house of Claus with his train -of knights and pages and henchmen and, dismounting from his charger, -bared his head humbly before the friend of children. - -"My father did not know your goodness and worth," he said, "and -therefore threatened to hang you from the castle walls. But I have -children of my own, who long for a visit from Santa Claus, and I have -come to beg that you will favor them hereafter as you do other children." - -Claus was pleased with this speech, for Castle Braun was the only -place he had never visited, and he gladly promised to bring presents -to the Baron's children the next Christmas Eve. - -The Baron went away contented, and Claus kept his promise faithfully. - -Thus did this man, through very goodness, conquer the hearts of all; -and it is no wonder he was ever merry and gay, for there was no home -in the wide world where he was not welcomed more royally than any king. - - - - -OLD AGE - - - -1. The Mantle of Immortality - - -And now we come to a turning-point in the career of Santa Claus, and -it is my duty to relate the most remarkable that has happened since -the world began or mankind was created. - -We have followed the life of Claus from the time he was found a -helpless infant by the Wood-Nymph Necile and reared to manhood in the -great Forest of Burzee. And we know how he began to make toys for -children and how, with the assistance and goodwill of the immortals, -he was able to distribute them to the little ones throughout the world. - -For many years he carried on this noble work; for the simple, -hard-working life he led gave him perfect health and strength. -And doubtless a man can live longer in the beautiful Laughing Valley, -where there are no cares and everything is peaceful and merry, -than in any other part of the world. - -But when many years had rolled away Santa Claus grew old. The long -beard of golden brown that once covered his cheeks and chin gradually -became gray, and finally turned to pure white. His hair was white, -too, and there were wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, which showed -plainly when he laughed. He had never been a very tall man, and now -he became fat, and waddled very much like a duck when he walked. But -in spite of these things he remained as lively as ever, and was just -as jolly and gay, and his kind eyes sparkled as brightly as they did -that first day when he came to the Laughing Valley. - -Yet a time is sure to come when every mortal who has grown old and -lived his life is required to leave this world for another; so it is -no wonder that, after Santa Claus had driven his reindeer on many and -many a Christmas Eve, those stanch friends finally whispered among -themselves that they had probably drawn his sledge for the last time. - -Then all the Forest of Burzee became sad and all the Laughing Valley -was hushed; for every living thing that had known Claus had used to -love him and to brighten at the sound of his footsteps or the notes of -his merry whistle. - -No doubt the old man's strength was at last exhausted, for he made no -more toys, but lay on his bed as in a dream. - -The Nymph Necile, she who had reared him and been his foster-mother, -was still youthful and strong and beautiful, and it seemed to her but -a short time since this aged, gray-bearded man had lain in her arms -and smiled on her with his innocent, baby lips. - -In this is shown the difference between mortals and immortals. - -It was fortunate that the great Ak came to the Forest at this time. -Necile sought him with troubled eyes and told him of the fate that -threatened their friend Claus. - -At once the Master became grave, and he leaned upon his ax and stroked -his grizzled beard thoughtfully for many minutes. Then suddenly he -stood up straight, and poised his powerful head with firm resolve, and -stretched out his great right arm as if determined on doing some -mighty deed. For a thought had come to him so grand in its conception -that all the world might well bow before the Master Woodsman and honor -his name forever! - -It is well known that when the great Ak once undertakes to do a -thing he never hesitates an instant. Now he summoned his fleetest -messengers, and sent them in a flash to many parts of the earth. -And when they were gone he turned to the anxious Necile and -comforted her, saying: - -"Be of good heart, my child; our friend still lives. And now run to -your Queen and tell her that I have summoned a council of all the -immortals of the world to meet with me here in Burzee this night. If -they obey, and harken unto my words, Claus will drive his reindeer for -countless ages yet to come." - -At midnight there was a wondrous scene in the ancient Forest of -Burzee, where for the first time in many centuries the rulers of the -immortals who inhabit the earth were gathered together. - -There was the Queen of the Water Sprites, whose beautiful form was as -clear as crystal but continually dripped water on the bank of moss -where she sat. And beside her was the King of the Sleep Fays, who -carried a wand from the end of which a fine dust fell all around, so -that no mortal could keep awake long enough to see him, as mortal eyes -were sure to close in sleep as soon as the dust filled them. And next -to him sat the Gnome King, whose people inhabit all that region under -the earth's surface, where they guard the precious metals and the -jewel stones that lie buried in rock and ore. At his right hand stood -the King of the Sound Imps, who had wings on his feet, for his people -are swift to carry all sounds that are made. When they are busy they -carry the sounds but short distances, for there are many of them; but -sometimes they speed with the sounds to places miles and miles away -from where they are made. The King of the Sound Imps had an anxious -and careworn face, for most people have no consideration for his Imps -and, especially the boys and girls, make a great many unnecessary sounds -which the Imps are obliged to carry when they might be better employed. - -The next in the circle of immortals was the King of the Wind Demons, -slender of frame, restless and uneasy at being confined to one place -for even an hour. Once in a while he would leave his place and circle -around the glade, and each time he did this the Fairy Queen was -obliged to untangle the flowing locks of her golden hair and tuck -them back of her pink ears. But she did not complain, for it was not -often that the King of the Wind Demons came into the heart of the -Forest. After the Fairy Queen, whose home you know was in old Burzee, -came the King of the Light Elves, with his two Princes, Flash and -Twilight, at his back. He never went anywhere without his Princes, -for they were so mischievous that he dared not let them wander alone. - -Prince Flash bore a lightning-bolt in his right hand and a horn of -gunpowder in his left, and his bright eyes roved constantly around, as -if he longed to use his blinding flashes. Prince Twilight held a -great snuffer in one hand and a big black cloak in the other, and it -is well known that unless Twilight is carefully watched the snuffers -or the cloak will throw everything into darkness, and Darkness is the -greatest enemy the King of the Light Elves has. - -In addition to the immortals I have named were the King of the Knooks, -who had come from his home in the jungles of India; and the King of the -Ryls, who lived among the gay flowers and luscious fruits of Valencia. -Sweet Queen Zurline of the Wood-Nymphs completed the circle of immortals. - -But in the center of the circle sat three others who possessed powers -so great that all the Kings and Queens showed them reverence. - -These were Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World, who rules the forests -and the orchards and the groves; and Kern, the Master Husbandman of -the World, who rules the grain fields and the meadows and the gardens; -and Bo, the Master Mariner of the World, who rules the seas and all -the craft that float thereon. And all other immortals are more or -less subject to these three. - -When all had assembled the Master Woodsman of the World stood up to -address them, since he himself had summoned them to the council. - -Very clearly he told them the story of Claus, beginning at the time -when as a babe he had been adopted a child of the Forest, and telling -of his noble and generous nature and his life-long labors to make -children happy. - -"And now," said Ak, "when he had won the love of all the world, the -Spirit of Death is hovering over him. Of all men who have inhabited -the earth none other so well deserves immortality, for such a life can -not be spared so long as there are children of mankind to miss him and -to grieve over his loss. We immortals are the servants of the world, -and to serve the world we were permitted in the Beginning to exist. -But what one of us is more worthy of immortality than this man Claus, -who so sweetly ministers to the little children?" - -He paused and glanced around the circle, to find every immortal -listening to him eagerly and nodding approval. Finally the King of -the Wind Demons, who had been whistling softly to himself, cried out: - -"What is your desire, O Ak?" - -"To bestow upon Claus the Mantle of Immortality!" said Ak, boldly. - -That this demand was wholly unexpected was proved by the immortals -springing to their feet and looking into each other's face with dismay -and then upon Ak with wonder. For it was a grave matter, this parting -with the Mantle of Immortality. - -The Queen of the Water Sprites spoke in her low, clear voice, and the -words sounded like raindrops splashing upon a window-pane. - -"In all the world there is but one Mantle of Immortality," she said. - -The King of the Sound Fays added: - -"It has existed since the Beginning, and no mortal has ever dared to -claim it." - -And the Master Mariner of the World arose and stretched his limbs, saying: - -"Only by the vote of every immortal can it be bestowed upon a mortal." - -"I know all this," answered Ak, quietly. "But the Mantle exists, and -if it was created, as you say, in the Beginning, it was because the -Supreme Master knew that some day it would be required. Until now no -mortal has deserved it, but who among you dares deny that the good -Claus deserves it? Will you not all vote to bestow it upon him?" - -They were silent, still looking upon one another questioningly. - -"Of what use is the Mantle of Immortality unless it is worn?" demanded -Ak. "What will it profit any one of us to allow it to remain in its -lonely shrine for all time to come?" - -"Enough!" cried the Gnome King, abruptly. "We will vote on the -matter, yes or no. For my part, I say yes!" - -"And I!" said the Fairy Queen, promptly, and Ak rewarded her with a smile. - -"My people in Burzee tell me they have learned to love him; therefore -I vote to give Claus the Mantle," said the King of the Ryls. - -"He is already a comrade of the Knooks," announced the ancient King of -that band. "Let him have immortality!" - -"Let him have it--let him have it!" sighed the King of the Wind Demons. - -"Why not?" asked the King of the Sleep Fays. "He never disturbs the -slumbers my people allow humanity. Let the good Claus be immortal!" - -"I do not object," said the King of the Sound Imps. - -"Nor I," murmured the Queen of the Water Sprites. - -"If Claus does not receive the Mantle it is clear none other can ever -claim it," remarked the King of the Light Elves, "so let us have done -with the thing for all time." - -"The Wood-Nymphs were first to adopt him," said Queen Zurline. "Of -course I shall vote to make him immortal." - -Ak now turned to the Master Husbandman of the World, who held up his -right arm and said "Yes!" - -And the Master Mariner of the World did likewise, after which Ak, with -sparkling eyes and smiling face, cried out: - -"I thank you, fellow immortals! For all have voted 'yes,' and so to -our dear Claus shall fall the one Mantle of Immortality that it is in -our power to bestow!" - -"Let us fetch it at once," said the Fay King; "I'm in a hurry." - -They bowed assent, and instantly the Forest glade was deserted. But -in a place midway between the earth and the sky was suspended a -gleaming crypt of gold and platinum, aglow with soft lights shed from -the facets of countless gems. Within a high dome hung the precious -Mantle of Immortality, and each immortal placed a hand on the hem of -the splendid Robe and said, as with one voice: - -"We bestow this Mantle upon Claus, who is called the Patron -Saint of Children!" - -At this the Mantle came away from its lofty crypt, and they carried it -to the house in the Laughing Valley. - -The Spirit of Death was crouching very near to the bedside of Claus, -and as the immortals approached she sprang up and motioned them back -with an angry gesture. But when her eyes fell upon the Mantle they -bore she shrank away with a low moan of disappointment and quitted -that house forever. - -Softly and silently the immortal Band dropped upon Claus the precious -Mantle, and it closed about him and sank into the outlines of his body -and disappeared from view. It became a part of his being, and neither -mortal nor immortal might ever take it from him. - -Then the Kings and Queens who had wrought this great deed dispersed to -their various homes, and all were well contented that they had added -another immortal to their Band. - -And Claus slept on, the red blood of everlasting life coursing swiftly -through his veins; and on his brow was a tiny drop of water that had -fallen from the ever-melting gown of the Queen of the Water Sprites, -and over his lips hovered a tender kiss that had been left by the -sweet Nymph Necile. For she had stolen in when the others were gone -to gaze with rapture upon the immortal form of her foster son. - - - -2. When the World Grew Old - - -The next morning, when Santa Claus opened his eyes and gazed around -the familiar room, which he had feared he might never see again, he -was astonished to find his old strength renewed and to feel the red -blood of perfect health coursing through his veins. He sprang from -his bed and stood where the bright sunshine came in through his window -and flooded him with its merry, dancing rays. He did not then -understand what had happened to restore to him the vigor of youth, but -in spite of the fact that his beard remained the color of snow and -that wrinkles still lingered in the corners of his bright eyes, old -Santa Claus felt as brisk and merry as a boy of sixteen, and was soon -whistling contentedly as he busied himself fashioning new toys. - -Then Ak came to him and told of the Mantle of Immortality and how -Claus had won it through his love for little children. - -It made old Santa look grave for a moment to think he had been so -favored; but it also made him glad to realize that now he need never -fear being parted from his dear ones. At once he began preparations -for making a remarkable assortment of pretty and amusing playthings, -and in larger quantities than ever before; for now that he might -always devote himself to this work he decided that no child in the -world, poor or rich, should hereafter go without a Christmas gift if -he could manage to supply it. - -The world was new in the days when dear old Santa Claus first began -toy-making and won, by his loving deeds, the Mantle of Immortality. -And the task of supplying cheering words, sympathy and pretty -playthings to all the young of his race did not seem a difficult -undertaking at all. But every year more and more children were born -into the world, and these, when they grew up, began spreading slowly -over all the face of the earth, seeking new homes; so that Santa Claus -found each year that his journeys must extend farther and farther from -the Laughing Valley, and that the packs of toys must be made larger -and ever larger. - -So at length he took counsel with his fellow immortals how his work -might keep pace with the increasing number of children that none might -be neglected. And the immortals were so greatly interested in his -labors that they gladly rendered him their assistance. Ak gave him -his man Kilter, "the silent and swift." And the Knook Prince gave him -Peter, who was more crooked and less surly than any of his brothers. -And the Ryl Prince gave him Nuter, the sweetest tempered Ryl ever -known. And the Fairy Queen gave him Wisk, that tiny, mischievous but -lovable Fairy who knows today almost as many children as does Santa -Claus himself. - -With these people to help make the toys and to keep his house in order -and to look after the sledge and the harness, Santa Claus found it -much easier to prepare his yearly load of gifts, and his days began to -follow one another smoothly and pleasantly. - -Yet after a few generations his worries were renewed, for it was -remarkable how the number of people continued to grow, and how many -more children there were every year to be served. When the people -filled all the cities and lands of one country they wandered into -another part of the world; and the men cut down the trees in many of -the great forests that had been ruled by Ak, and with the wood they -built new cities, and where the forests had been were fields of grain -and herds of browsing cattle. - -You might think the Master Woodsman would rebel at the loss of his -forests; but not so. The wisdom of Ak was mighty and farseeing. - -"The world was made for men," said he to Santa Claus, "and I have but -guarded the forests until men needed them for their use. I am glad my -strong trees can furnish shelter for men's weak bodies, and warm them -through the cold winters. But I hope they will not cut down all the -trees, for mankind needs the shelter of the woods in summer as much as -the warmth of blazing logs in winter. And, however crowded the world -may grow, I do not think men will ever come to Burzee, nor to the -Great Black Forest, nor to the wooded wilderness of Braz; unless they -seek their shades for pleasure and not to destroy their giant trees." - -By and by people made ships from the tree-trunks and crossed over -oceans and built cities in far lands; but the oceans made little -difference to the journeys of Santa Claus. His reindeer sped over the -waters as swiftly as over land, and his sledge headed from east to -west and followed in the wake of the sun. So that as the earth rolled -slowly over Santa Claus had all of twenty-four hours to encircle it -each Christmas Eve, and the speedy reindeer enjoyed these wonderful -journeys more and more. - -So year after year, and generation after generation, and century after -century, the world grew older and the people became more numerous and -the labors of Santa Claus steadily increased. The fame of his good -deeds spread to every household where children dwelt. And all the -little ones loved him dearly; and the fathers and mothers honored him -for the happiness he had given them when they too were young; and the -aged grandsires and granddames remembered him with tender gratitude -and blessed his name. - - - -3. The Deputies of Santa Claus - - -However, there was one evil following in the path of civilization that -caused Santa Claus a vast amount of trouble before he discovered a way -to overcome it. But, fortunately, it was the last trial he was forced -to undergo. - -One Christmas Eve, when his reindeer had leaped to the top of a new -building, Santa Claus was surprised to find that the chimney had been -built much smaller than usual. But he had no time to think about it -just then, so he drew in his breath and made himself as small as -possible and slid down the chimney. - -"I ought to be at the bottom by this time," he thought, as he -continued to slip downward; but no fireplace of any sort met his view, -and by and by he reached the very end of the chimney, which was -in the cellar. - -"This is odd!" he reflected, much puzzled by this experience. "If -there is no fireplace, what on earth is the chimney good for?" - -Then he began to climb out again, and found it hard work--the space -being so small. And on his way up he noticed a thin, round pipe -sticking through the side of the chimney, but could not guess what it -was for. - -Finally he reached the roof and said to the reindeer: - -"There was no need of my going down that chimney, for I could find no -fireplace through which to enter the house. I fear the children who -live there must go without playthings this Christmas." - -Then he drove on, but soon came to another new house with a small -chimney. This caused Santa Claus to shake his head doubtfully, but he -tried the chimney, nevertheless, and found it exactly like the other. -Moreover, he nearly stuck fast in the narrow flue and tore his jacket -trying to get out again; so, although he came to several such chimneys -that night, he did not venture to descend any more of them. - -"What in the world are people thinking of, to build such useless -chimneys?" he exclaimed. "In all the years I have traveled with my -reindeer I have never seen the like before." - -True enough; but Santa Claus had not then discovered that stoves had -been invented and were fast coming into use. When he did find it out -he wondered how the builders of those houses could have so little -consideration for him, when they knew very well it was his custom to -climb down chimneys and enter houses by way of the fireplaces. -Perhaps the men who built those houses had outgrown their own love for -toys, and were indifferent whether Santa Claus called on their -children or not. Whatever the explanation might be, the poor children -were forced to bear the burden of grief and disappointment. - -The following year Santa Claus found more and more of the -new-fashioned chimneys that had no fireplaces, and the next year still -more. The third year, so numerous had the narrow chimneys become, he -even had a few toys left in his sledge that he was unable to give -away, because he could not get to the children. - -The matter had now become so serious that it worried the good man -greatly, and he decided to talk it over with Kilter and Peter and -Nuter and Wisk. - -Kilter already knew something about it, for it had been his duty to run -around to all the houses, just before Christmas, and gather up the -notes and letters to Santa Claus that the children had written, -telling what they wished put in their stockings or hung on their -Christmas trees. But Kilter was a silent fellow, and seldom spoke of -what he saw in the cities and villages. The others were very indignant. - -"Those people act as if they do not wish their children to be made -happy!" said sensible Peter, in a vexed tone. "The idea of shutting -out such a generous friend to their little ones!" - -"But it is my intention to make children happy whether their parents -wish it or not," returned Santa Claus. "Years ago, when I first -began making toys, children were even more neglected by their parents -than they are now; so I have learned to pay no attention to thoughtless -or selfish parents, but to consider only the longings of childhood." - -"You are right, my master," said Nuter, the Ryl; "many children would -lack a friend if you did not consider them, and try to make them happy." - -"Then," declared the laughing Wisk, "we must abandon any thought of -using these new-fashioned chimneys, but become burglars, and break -into the houses some other way." - -"What way?" asked Santa Claus. - -"Why, walls of brick and wood and plaster are nothing to Fairies. -I can easily pass through them whenever I wish, and so can Peter -and Nuter and Kilter. Is it not so, comrades?" - -"I often pass through the walls when I gather up the letters," said -Kilter, and that was a long speech for him, and so surprised Peter and -Nuter that their big round eyes nearly popped out of their heads. - -"Therefore," continued the Fairy, "you may as well take us with you on -your next journey, and when we come to one of those houses with stoves -instead of fireplaces we will distribute the toys to the children -without the need of using a chimney." - -"That seems to me a good plan," replied Santa Claus, well pleased at -having solved the problem. "We will try it next year." - -That was how the Fairy, the Pixie, the Knook and the Ryl all rode in -the sledge with their master the following Christmas Eve; and they had -no trouble at all in entering the new-fashioned houses and leaving -toys for the children that lived in them. - -And their deft services not only relieved Santa Claus of much labor, -but enabled him to complete his own work more quickly than usual, so -that the merry party found themselves at home with an empty sledge a -full hour before daybreak. - -The only drawback to the journey was that the mischievous Wisk -persisted in tickling the reindeer with a long feather, to see them -jump; and Santa Claus found it necessary to watch him every minute and -to tweak his long ears once or twice to make him behave himself. - -But, taken all together, the trip was a great success, and to this day -the four little folk always accompany Santa Claus on his yearly ride -and help him in the distribution of his gifts. - -But the indifference of parents, which had so annoyed the good Saint, -did not continue very long, and Santa Claus soon found they were -really anxious he should visit their homes on Christmas Eve and leave -presents for their children. - -So, to lighten his task, which was fast becoming very difficult -indeed, old Santa decided to ask the parents to assist him. - -"Get your Christmas trees all ready for my coming," he said to them; -"and then I shall be able to leave the presents without loss of time, -and you can put them on the trees when I am gone." - -And to others he said: "See that the children's stockings are hung up -in readiness for my coming, and then I can fill them as quick as a wink." - -And often, when parents were kind and good-natured, Santa Claus would -simply fling down his package of gifts and leave the fathers and -mothers to fill the stockings after he had darted away in his sledge. - -"I will make all loving parents my deputies!" cried the jolly old -fellow, "and they shall help me do my work. For in this way I shall -save many precious minutes and few children need be neglected for lack -of time to visit them." - -Besides carrying around the big packs in his swift-flying sledge old -Santa began to send great heaps of toys to the toy-shops, so that if -parents wanted larger supplies for their children they could easily -get them; and if any children were, by chance, missed by Santa Claus -on his yearly rounds, they could go to the toy-shops and get enough to -make them happy and contented. For the loving friend of the little -ones decided that no child, if he could help it, should long for toys -in vain. And the toy-shops also proved convenient whenever a child -fell ill, and needed a new toy to amuse it; and sometimes, on -birthdays, the fathers and mothers go to the toy-shops and get pretty -gifts for their children in honor of the happy event. - -Perhaps you will now understand how, in spite of the bigness of the -world, Santa Claus is able to supply all the children with beautiful -gifts. To be sure, the old gentleman is rarely seen in these days; -but it is not because he tries to keep out of sight, I assure you. -Santa Claus is the same loving friend of children that in the old days -used to play and romp with them by the hour; and I know he would love -to do the same now, if he had the time. But, you see, he is so busy -all the year making toys, and so hurried on that one night when he -visits our homes with his packs, that he comes and goes among us like -a flash; and it is almost impossible to catch a glimpse of him. - -And, although there are millions and millions more children in the -world than there used to be, Santa Claus has never been known to -complain of their increasing numbers. - -"The more the merrier!" he cries, with his jolly laugh; and the only -difference to him is the fact that his little workmen have to make -their busy fingers fly faster every year to satisfy the demands of so -many little ones. - -"In all this world there is nothing so beautiful as a happy child," -says good old Santa Claus; and if he had his way the children would -all be beautiful, for all would be happy. - - - - - -The End of the Project Gutenberg Edit of Life/Adventures of Santa Claus - |