The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

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The best toy garages for 14 year olds under 50 dollarsLife 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 itwhen I was a child. She sang of the big tree-trunks, standing closetogether, with their roots intertwining below the earth and theirbranches intertwining above it; of their rough coating of bark andqueer, gnarled limbs; of the bushy foliage that roofed the entireforest, save where the sunbeams found a path through which to touch theground in little spots and to cast weird and curious shadows over themosses, the lichens and the drifts of dried leaves.

The Forest of Burzee is mighty and grand and awesome to those who stealbeneath its shade. Coming from the sunlit meadows into its mazes itseems at first gloomy, then pleasant, and afterward filled withnever-ending delights.

For hundreds of years it has flourished in all its magnificence, thesilence 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 thebeginning with Fairies, Knooks, Ryls and Nymphs. As long as the Foreststands it will be a home, a refuge and a playground to these sweetimmortals, 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 itmentioned, there lived within the great Forest of Burzee a wood-nymphnamed Necile. She was closely related to the mighty Queen Zurline, andher home was beneath the shade of a widespreading oak. Once everyyear, on Budding Day, when the trees put forth their new buds, Necileheld the Golden Chalice of Ak to the lips of the Queen, who dranktherefrom to the prosperity of the Forest. So you see she was a nymphof some importance, and, moreover, it is said she was highly regardedbecause of her beauty and grace.

When she was created she could not have told; Queen Zurline could nothave told; the great Ak himself could not have told. It was long agowhen the world was new and nymphs were needed to guard the forests andto minister to the wants of the young trees. Then, on some day notremembered, Necile sprang into being; radiant, lovely, straight andslim as the sapling she was created to guard.

Her hair was the color that lines a chestnut-bur; her eyes were blue inthe sunlight and purple in the shade; her cheeks bloomed with the faintpink that edges the clouds at sunset; her lips were full red, poutingand sweet. For costume she adopted oak-leaf green; all the wood-nymphsdress in that color and know no other so desirable. Her dainty feetwere sandal-clad, while her head remained bare of covering other thanher silken tresses.

Necile's duties were few and simple. She kept hurtful weeds fromgrowing beneath her trees and sapping the earth-food required by hercharges. She frightened away the Gadgols, who took evil delight inflying against the tree-trunks and wounding them so that they droopedand died from the poisonous contact. In dry seasons she carried waterfrom the brooks and pools and moistened the roots of her thirstydependents.

That was in the beginning. The weeds had now learned to avoid theforests where wood-nymphs dwelt; the loathsome Gadgols no longer daredcome nigh; the trees had become old and sturdy and could bear thedrought better than when fresh-sprouted. So Necile's duties werelessened, and time grew laggard, while succeeding years became moretiresome and uneventful than the nymph's joyous spirit loved.

Truly the forest-dwellers did not lack amusement. Each full moon theydanced in the Royal Circle of the Queen. There were also the Feast ofNuts, the Jubilee of Autumn Tintings, the solemn ceremony of LeafShedding and the revelry of Budding Day. But these periods ofenjoyment were far apart, and left many weary hours between.

That a wood-nymph should grow discontented was not thought of byNecile'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 hadno patience with her condition, and longed to do something of realinterest and to pass her days in ways hitherto undreamed of by forestnymphs. The Law of the Forest alone restrained her from going forth insearch of adventure.

While this mood lay heavy upon pretty Necile it chanced that the greatAk visited the Forest of Burzee and allowed the wood-nymphs as wastheir wont—to lie at his feet and listen to the words of wisdom thatfell from his lips. Ak is the Master Woodsman of the world; he seeseverything, and knows more than the sons of men.

That night he held the Queen's hand, for he loved the nymphs as afather loves his children; and Necile lay at his feet with many of hersisters 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 thesorrow and misery that fall to the lot of those poor mortals whoinhabit the open spaces of the earth. They are not of our race, it istrue, yet compassion well befits beings so fairly favored as ourselves.Often as I pass by the dwelling of some suffering mortal I am temptedto stop and banish the poor thing's misery. Yet suffering, inmoderation, is the natural lot of mortals, and it is not our place tointerfere with the laws of Nature."

"Nevertheless," said the fair Queen, nodding her golden head at theMaster Woodsman, "it would not be a vain guess that Ak has oftenassisted these hapless mortals."

Ak smiled.

"Sometimes," he replied, "when they are very young—'children,' themortals call them—I have stopped to rescue them from misery. The menand women I dare not interfere with; they must bear the burdens Naturehas imposed upon them. But the helpless infants, the innocent childrenof men, have a right to be happy until they become full-grown and ableto bear the trials of humanity. So I feel I am justified in assistingthem. Not long ago—a year, maybe—I found four poor children huddledin a wooden hut, slowly freezing to death. Their parents had gone to aneighboring village for food, and had left a fire to warm their littleones while they were absent. But a storm arose and drifted the snow intheir path, so they were long on the road. Meantime the fire went outand 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 breatheupon it until the fire blazed again and warmed the little room wherethe children lay. Then they ceased shivering and fell asleep untiltheir 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 awhisper: "I, too, am glad!"

"And this very night," continued Ak, "as I came to the edge of Burzee Iheard a feeble cry, which I judged came from a human infant. I lookedabout me and found, close to the forest, a helpless babe, lying quitenaked upon the grasses and wailing piteously. Not far away, screenedby the forest, crouched Shiegra, the lioness, intent upon devouring theinfant 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 commandedShiegra to lie close to the babe, and to give it her milk to quiet itshunger. And I told her to send word throughout the forest, to allbeasts and reptiles, that the child should not be harmed."

"I am glad you did thus," said the good Queen again, in a tone ofrelief; 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 shereached the edge of mighty Burzee, when she paused to gaze curiouslyabout her. Never until now had she ventured so far, for the Law of theForest had placed the nymphs in its inmost depths.

Necile knew she was breaking the Law, but the thought did not givepause to her dainty feet. She had decided to see with her own eyesthis infant Ak had told of, for she had never yet beheld a child ofman. All the immortals are full-grown; there are no children amongthem. Peering through the trees Necile saw the child lying on thegrass. But now it was sweetly sleeping, having been comforted by themilk drawn from Shiegra. It was not old enough to know what perilmeans; if it did not feel hunger it was content.

Softly the nymph stole to the side of the babe and knelt upon thesward, her long robe of rose leaf color spreading about her like agossamer cloud. Her lovely countenance expressed curiosity andsurprise, but, most of all, a tender, womanly pity. The babe wasnewborn, chubby and pink. It was entirely helpless. While the nymphgazed the infant opened its eyes, smiled upon her, and stretched outtwo dimpled arms. In another instant Necile had caught it to herbreast and was hurrying with it through the forest paths.

3. The Adoption

The Master Woodsman suddenly rose, with knitted brows. "There is astrange presence in the Forest," he declared. Then the Queen and hernymphs turned and saw standing before them Necile, with the sleepinginfant clasped tightly in her arms and a defiant look in her deep blueeyes.

And thus for a moment they remained, the nymphs filled with surpriseand consternation, but the brow of the Master Woodsman graduallyclearing as he gazed intently upon the beautiful immortal who hadwilfully broken the Law. Then the great Ak, to the wonder of all, laidhis hand softly on Necile's flowing locks and kissed her on her fairforehead.

"For the first time within my knowledge," said he, gently, "a nymph hasdefied 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 fallingon her knees in supplication.

"Here, in the Forest of Burzee, where the human race has never yetpenetrated?" questioned Ak.

"Here, in the Forest of Burzee," replied the nymph, boldly. "It is myhome, 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 theMaster 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 bidsme care for the babe he himself has saved from death, who in all theworld dare oppose me?" Queen Zurline, who had listened intently tothis conversation, clapped her pretty hands gleefully at the nymph'sanswer.

"You are fairly trapped, O Ak!" she exclaimed, laughing. "Now, I prayyou, give heed to Necile's petition."

The Woodsman, as was his habit when in thought, stroked his grizzledbeard slowly. Then he said:

"She shall keep the babe, and I will give it my protection. But I warnyou all that as this is the first time I have relaxed the Law, so shallit be the last time. Never more, to the end of the World, shall amortal be adopted by an immortal. Otherwise would we abandon our happyexistence for one of trouble and anxiety. Good night, my nymphs!"

Then Ak was gone from their midst, and Necile hurried away to her bowerto 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 herlap, with expressions of curiosity and delight. Nor were they wantingin praises for the great Ak's kindness in allowing Necile to keep thebabe and to care for it. Even the Queen came to peer into the innocentchildish 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 aname, you know."

"Let him be called Claus," answered Necile, "for that means 'a littleone.'"

"Rather let him be called Neclaus,"** returned the Queen, "for thatwill mean 'Necile's little one.'"

The nymphs clapped their hands in delight, and Neclaus became theinfant's name, although Necile loved best to call him Claus, and inafterdays many of her sisters followed her example.

Necile gathered the softest moss in all the forest for Claus to lieupon, and she made his bed in her own bower. Of food the infant had nolack. The nymphs searched the forest for bell-udders, which grow uponthe 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 supportthe little stranger, while Shiegra, the lioness, often crept stealthilyinto Necile's bower and purred softly as she lay beside the babe andfed it.

So the little one flourished and grew big and sturdy day by day, whileNecile taught him to speak and to walk and to play.

His thoughts and words were sweet and gentle, for the nymphs knew noevil and their hearts were pure and loving. He became the pet of theforest, 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 ofBurzee had adopted a human infant, and that the act had been sanctionedby the great Ak. Therefore many of them came to visit the littlestranger, looking upon him with much interest. First the Ryls, who arefirst cousins to the wood-nymphs, although so differently formed. Forthe Ryls are required to watch over the flowers and plants, as thenymphs watch over the forest trees. They search the wide world for thefood required by the roots of the flowering plants, while the brilliantcolors possessed by the full-blown flowers are due to the dyes placedin the soil by the Ryls, which are drawn through the little veins inthe roots and the body of the plants, as they reach maturity. The Rylsare a busy people, for their flowers bloom and fade continually, butthey are merry and light-hearted and are very popular with the otherimmortals.

Next came the Knooks, whose duty it is to watch over the beasts of theworld, both gentle and wild. The Knooks have a hard time of it, sincemany of the beasts are ungovernable and rebel against restraint. Butthey know how to manage them, after all, and you will find that certainlaws of the Knooks are obeyed by even the most ferocious animals.Their anxieties make the Knooks look old and worn and crooked, andtheir natures are a bit rough from associating with wild creaturescontinually; yet they are most useful to humanity and to the world ingeneral, as their laws are the only laws the forest beasts recognizeexcept those of the Master Woodsman.

Then there were the Fairies, the guardians of mankind, who were muchinterested in the adoption of Claus because their own laws forbade themto become familiar with their human charges. There are instances onrecord where the Fairies have shown themselves to human beings, andhave even conversed with them; but they are supposed to guard the livesof mankind unseen and unknown, and if they favor some people more thanothers it is because these have won such distinction fairly, as theFairies are very just and impartial. But the idea of adopting a childof men had never occurred to them because it was in every way opposedto their laws; so their curiosity was intense to behold the littlestranger adopted by Necile and her sister nymphs.

Claus looked upon the immortals who thronged around him with fearlesseyes and smiling lips. He rode laughingly upon the shoulders of themerry Ryls; he mischievously pulled the gray beards of the low-browedKnooks; he rested his curly head confidently upon the dainty bosom ofthe 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 lawsintimately. No forest flower was trampled beneath his feet, lest thefriendly Ryls should be grieved. He never interfered with the beastsof the forest, lest his friends the Knooks should become angry. TheFairies he loved dearly, but, knowing nothing of mankind, he could notunderstand that he was the only one of his race admitted to friendlyintercourse 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 noidea 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 landsas St. Nicolas. But, of course, Neclaus is his right name, andClaus the nickname given him by his adopted mother, the fair nymphNecile.

5. The Master Woodsman

Years pass swiftly in Burzee, for the nymphs have no need to regardtime in any way. Even centuries make no change in the daintycreatures; ever and ever they remain the same, immortal and unchanging.

Claus, however, being mortal, grew to manhood day by day. Necile wasdisturbed, presently, to find him too big to lie in her lap, and he hada desire for other food than milk. His stout legs carried him far intoBurzee's heart, where he gathered supplies of nuts and berries, as wellas several sweet and wholesome roots, which suited his stomach betterthan the belludders. He sought Necile's bower less frequently, tillfinally it became his custom to return thither only to sleep.

The nymph, who had come to love him dearly, was puzzled to comprehendthe changed nature of her charge, and unconsciously altered her ownmode of life to conform to his whims. She followed him readily throughthe forest paths, as did many of her sister nymphs, explaining as theywalked all the mysteries of the gigantic wood and the habits and natureof the living things which dwelt beneath its shade.

The language of the beasts became clear to little Claus; but he nevercould 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'sglossy coat while the creature snarled and bared its teeth menacingly.The growls and snarls were not for Claus, he well knew, so what didthey matter?

He could sing the songs of the bees, recite the poetry of thewood-flowers and relate the history of every blinking owl in Burzee.He helped the Ryls to feed their plants and the Knooks to keep orderamong the animals. The little immortals regarded him as a privilegedperson, being especially protected by Queen Zurline and her nymphs andfavored by the great Ak himself.

One day the Master Woodsman came back to the forest of Burzee. He hadvisited, in turn, all his forests throughout the world, and they weremany and broad.

Not until he entered the glade where the Queen and her nymphs wereassembled to greet him did Ak remember the child he had permittedNecile to adopt. Then he found, sitting familiarly in the circle oflovely 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 ofrelief as he marked their placid depths and read the youth's brave andinnocent heart. Nevertheless, as Ak sat beside the fair Queen, and thegolden chalice, filled with rare nectar, passed from lip to lip, theMaster Woodsman was strangely silent and reserved, and stroked hisbeard 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 shallaccompany me on my journey through the world."

The venture pleased Claus, who knew well the honor of being companionof the Master Woodsman of the world. But Necile wept for the firsttime in her life, and clung to the boy's neck as if she could not bearto let him go. The nymph who had mothered this sturdy youth was stillas dainty, as charming and beautiful as when she had dared to face Akwith the babe clasped to her breast; nor was her love less great. Akbeheld the two clinging together, seemingly as brother and sister toone another, and again he wore his thoughtful look.

6. Claus Discovers Humanity

Taking Claus to a small clearing in the forest, the Master said: "Placeyour hand upon my girdle and hold fast while we journey through theair; for now shall we encircle the world and look upon many of thehaunts of those men from whom you are descended."

These words caused Claus to marvel, for until now he had thoughthimself the only one of his kind upon the earth; yet in silence hegrasped firmly the girdle of the great Ak, his astonishment forbiddingspeech.

Then the vast forest of Burzee seemed to fall away from their feet, andthe youth found himself passing swiftly through the air at a greatheight.

Ere long there were spires beneath them, while buildings of many shapesand 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 allmankind, though seeing clearly yourself. To release your grasp will beto separate yourself forever from me and your home in Burzee."

One of the first laws of the Forest is obedience, and Claus had nothought of disobeying the Master's wish. He clung fast to the girdleand 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, nowfound 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 andreckless faces, pleasant faces, anxious faces and kindly faces, allmingled in puzzling disorder. Some worked at tedious tasks; somestrutted in impudent conceit; some were thoughtful and grave whileothers seemed happy and content. Men of many natures were there, aseverywhere, 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, werepropped upon cushions and fed with sugar-plums. Yet the children ofthe 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, followingthe youth's thoughts. "'Tis during these years of innocent pleasurethat 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 theMaster. "The difference in the wealth of the parents determines thelot of the child. Some are carefully tended and clothed in silks anddainty 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 mankindovertakes them, and they find they must struggle and worry, work andfret, to gain the wealth that is so dear to the hearts of men. Suchthings are unknown in the Forest where you were reared." Claus wassilent 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 hehad 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 tomanhood 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 foryou as a mother seems now like a sister to you; by and by, when yougrow old and gray, she will seem like a daughter. Yet another briefspan 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," answeredAk. "But while life lasts everything on earth has its use. The wiseseek ways to be helpful to the world, for the helpful ones are sure tolive again."

Much of this Claus failed to understand fully, but a longing seized himto become helpful to his fellows, and he remained grave and thoughtfulwhile they resumed their journey.

They visited many dwellings of men in many parts of the world, watchingfarmers toil in the fields, warriors dash into cruel fray, andmerchants exchange their goods for bits of white and yellow metal. Andeverywhere the eyes of Claus sought out the children in love and pity,for the thought of his own helpless babyhood was strong within him andhe yearned to give help to the innocent little ones of his race even ashe had been succored by the kindly nymph.

Day by day the Master Woodsman and his pupil traversed the earth, Akspeaking but seldom to the youth who clung steadfastly to his girdle,but guiding him into all places where he might become familiar with thelives of human beings.

And at last they returned to the grand old Forest of Burzee, where theMaster set Claus down within the circle of nymphs, among whom thepretty Necile anxiously awaited him.

The brow of the great Ak was now calm and peaceful; but the brow ofClaus had become lined with deep thought. Necile sighed at the changein her foster-son, who until now had been ever joyous and smiling, andthe thought came to her that never again would the life of the boy bethe 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 fairlips 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. Onceonly his eyes passed around the familiar circle of nymphs, every one ofwhom he remembered as a loving comrade; but tears came unbidden to dimhis sight, so he gazed thereafter steadfastly at the Master.

"I have been ignorant," said he, simply, "until the great Ak in hiskindness taught me who and what I am. You, who live so sweetly in yourforest bowers, ever fair and youthful and innocent, are no fit comradesfor a son of humanity. For I have looked upon man, finding him doomedto 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, insome way, than he found it. I am of the race of men, and man's lot ismy lot. For your tender care of the poor, forsaken babe you adopted,as well as for your loving comradeship during my boyhood, my heart willever overflow with gratitude. My foster-mother," here he stopped andkissed Necile's white forehead, "I shall love and cherish while lifelasts. But I must leave you, to take my part in the endless struggleto 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 tryto make them happy," he answered. "Since your own tender care of ababe brought to me happiness and strength, it is just and right that Idevote my life to the pleasure of other babes. Thus will the memory ofthe loving nymph Necile be planted within the hearts of thousands of myrace for many years to come, and her kindly act be recounted in songand in story while the world shall last. Have I spoken well, O Master?"

"You have spoken well," returned Ak, and rising to his feet hecontinued: "Yet one thing must not be forgotten. Having been adoptedas the child of the Forest, and the playfellow of the nymphs, you havegained a distinction which forever separates you from your kind.Therefore, when you go forth into the world of men you shall retain theprotection of the Forest, and the powers you now enjoy will remain withyou to assist you in your labors. In any need you may call upon theNymphs, the Ryls, the Knooks and the Fairies, and they will serve yougladly. I, the Master Woodsman of the World, have said it, and my Wordis the Law!"

Claus looked upon Ak with grateful eyes.

"This will make me mighty among men," he replied. "Protected by thesekind 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 willgive 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 saidnothing. She only folded Claus in her arms and kissed him tenderly.

"The world is big," continued the boy, turning again to his loyalfriends, "but men are everywhere. I shall begin my work near myfriends, so that if I meet with misfortune I can come to the Forest forcounsel or help."

With that he gave them all a loving look and turned away. There was noneed to say good by, by for him the sweet, wild life of the Forest wasover. He went forth bravely to meet his doom—the doom of the race ofman—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 LaughingValley of Hohaho. On each side were rolling green hills, and a brookwandered midway between them to wind afar off beyond the valley. Athis back was the grim Forest; at the far end of the valley a broadplain. The eyes of the young man, which had until now reflected hisgrave thoughts, became brighter as he stood silent, looking out uponthe Laughing Valley. Then on a sudden his eyes twinkled, as stars doon a still night, and grew merry and wide.

For at his feet the cowslips and daisies smiled on him in friendlyregard; the breeze whistled gaily as it passed by and fluttered thelocks on his forehead; the brook laughed joyously as it leaped over thepebbles and swept around the green curves of its banks; the bees sangsweet songs as they flew from dandelion to daffodil; the beetleschirruped happily in the long grass, and the sunbeams glintedpleasantly over all the scene.

"Here," cried Claus, stretching out his arms as if to embrace theValley, "will I make my home!"

That was many, many years ago. It has been his home ever since. It ishis home now.

MANHOOD

1. The Laughing Valley

When Claus came the Valley was empty save for the grass, the brook, thewildflowers, the bees and the butterflies. If he would make his homehere and live after the fashion of men he must have a house. Thispuzzled him at first, but while he stood smiling in the sunshine hesuddenly found beside him old Nelko, the servant of the MasterWoodsman. Nelko bore an ax, strong and broad, with blade that gleamedlike burnished silver. This he placed in the young man's hand, thendisappeared without a word.

Claus understood, and turning to the Forest's edge he selected a numberof 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 whoguarded the Forest had taught him that a live tree is sacred, being acreated thing endowed with feeling. But with the dead and fallen treesit was different. They had fulfilled their destiny, as active membersof the Forest community, and now it was fitting that their remainsshould minister to the needs of man.

The ax bit deep into the logs at every stroke. It seemed to have aforce of its own, and Claus had but to swing and guide it.

When shadows began creeping over the green hills to lie in the Valleyovernight, the young man had chopped many logs into equal lengths andproper shapes for building a house such as he had seen the poorerclasses of men inhabit. Then, resolving to await another day before hetried to fit the logs together, Claus ate some of the sweet roots hewell knew how to find, drank deeply from the laughing brook, and laydown 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 wondrousValley the Spirit of Happiness crept into his heart and drove out allterror and care and misgivings. Never more would the face of Claus beclouded with anxieties; never more would the trials of life weigh himdown 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, haddirected his steps when he wandered away from Burzee to seek a home inthe great world?

Certain it is that while the moon peered over the hilltop and floodedwith its soft beams the body of the sleeping stranger, the LaughingValley was filled with the queer, crooked shapes of the friendlyKnooks. These people spoke no words, but worked with skill andswiftness. The logs Claus had trimmed with his bright ax were carriedto a spot beside the brook and fitted one upon another, and during thenight 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 theweb of sleep from his eyelids and looked around. The house met hisgaze.

"I must thank the Knooks for this," said he, gratefully. Then hewalked to his dwelling and entered at the doorway. A large room facedhim, 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 thewall and a stool set near a small stand. On the bed were many layersof dried moss brought from the Forest.

"Indeed, it is a palace!" exclaimed the smiling Claus. "I must thankthe good Knooks again, for their knowledge of man's needs as well asfor their labors in my behalf."

He left his new home with a glad feeling that he was not quite alone inthe 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 downon the bank to laugh at the mischievous gambols of the ripples as theypushed one another against rocks or crowded desperately to see whichshould first reach the turn beyond. And as they raced away he listenedto 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 theirlittle 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 asthey nodded gracefully on their stems. But another strain caught hisear 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 thingshere. The Laughing Valley is a valley of peace and good-will."

He passed the day talking with the ants and beetles and exchangingjokes with the light-hearted butterflies. And at night he lay on hisbed of soft moss and slept soundly.

Then came the Fairies, merry but noiseless, bringing skillets and potsand dishes and pans and all the tools necessary to prepare food and tocomfort a mortal. With these they filled cupboard and fireplace,finally placing a stout suit of wool clothing on the stool by thebedside.

When Claus awoke he rubbed his eyes again, and laughed, and spoke aloudhis thanks to the Fairies and the Master Woodsman who had sent them.With eager joy he examined all his new possessions, wondering what somemight be used for. But, in the days when he had clung to the girdle ofthe great Ak and visited the cities of men, his eyes had been quick tonote all the manners and customs of the race to which he belonged; sohe guessed from the gifts brought by the Fairies that the Masterexpected 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 earthin furrows would be to destroy hundreds of pretty, helpless flowers, aswell as thousands of the tender blades of grass. And this he could notbear to do.

Therefore he stretched out his arms and uttered a peculiar whistle hehad 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 theground 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 manyyears. I shall love you, also, when we have become friends. To me thelaws of the Ryls, whether those of the Forest or of the field, aresacred. I have never wilfully destroyed one of the flowers you tend socarefully; but I must plant grain to use for food during the coldwinter, and how am I to do this without killing the little creaturesthat 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. Thereis better work for you in life than to labor for food, and though, notbeing of the Forest, Ak has no command over us, nevertheless are weglad to favor one he loves. Live, therefore, to do the good work youare resolved to undertake. We, the Field Ryls, will attend to yourfood supplies."

After this speech the Ryls were no longer to be seen, and Claus drovefrom his mind the thought of tilling the earth.

When next he wandered back to his dwelling a bowl of fresh milk stoodupon the table; bread was in the cupboard and sweet honey filled a dishbeside it. A pretty basket of rosy apples and new-plucked grapes wasalso awaiting him. He called out "Thanks, my friends!" to theinvisible Ryls, and straightway began to eat of the food.

Thereafter, when hungry, he had but to look into the cupboard to findgoodly supplies brought by the kindly Ryls. And the Knooks cut andstacked much wood for his fireplace. And the Fairies brought him warmblankets and clothing.

So began his life in the Laughing Valley, with the favor and friendshipof 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 hisresolve to befriend the little ones of his own race. He knew his planwas approved by the immortals, else they would not have favored him sogreatly.

So he began at once to make acquaintance with mankind. He walkedthrough the Valley to the plain beyond, and crossed the plain in manydirections to reach the abodes of men. These stood singly or in groupsof dwellings called villages, and in nearly all the houses, whether bigor little, Claus found children.

The youngsters soon came to know his merry, laughing face and the kindglance of his bright eyes; and the parents, while they regarded theyoung man with some scorn for loving children more than their elders,were content that the girls and boys had found a playfellow who seemedwilling to amuse them.

So the children romped and played games with Claus, and the boys rodeupon his shoulders, and the girls nestled in his strong arms, and thebabies clung fondly to his knees. Wherever the young man chanced tobe, the sound of childish laughter followed him; and to understand thisbetter you must know that children were much neglected in those daysand received little attention from their parents, so that it became tothem a marvel that so goodly a man as Claus devoted his time to makingthem happy. And those who knew him were, you may be sure, very happyindeed. The sad faces of the poor and abused grew bright for once; thecripple smiled despite his misfortune; the ailing ones hushed theirmoans and the grieved ones their cries when their merry friend camenigh to comfort them.

Only at the beautiful palace of the Lord of Lerd and at the frowningcastle of the Baron Braun was Claus refused admittance. There werechildren at both places; but the servants at the palace shut the doorin the young stranger's face, and the fierce Baron threatened to hanghim from an iron hook on the castle walls. Whereupon Claus sighed andwent 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; thebeetles burrowed far into the warm earth; the butterflies deserted themeadows; and the voice of the brook grew hoarse, as if it had takencold.

One day snowflakes filled all the air in the Laughing Valley, dancingboisterously toward the earth and clothing in pure white raiment theroof 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 likedthe 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 andtoes 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 onesare 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 childthis 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 thenearest village.

Claus threw a log on the fire, which burned up brightly. Beside thehearth sat Blinkie, a big cat given him by Peter the Knook. Her fur wassoft and glossy, and she purred never-ending songs of contentment.

"I shall not see the children again soon," said Claus to the cat, whokindly paused in her song to listen. "The winter is upon us, the snowwill be deep for many days, and I shall be unable to play with mylittle friends."

The cat raised a paw and stroked her nose thoughtfully, but made noreply. So long as the fire burned and Claus sat in his easy chair bythe hearth she did not mind the weather.

So passed many days and many long evenings. The cupboard was alwaysfull, but Claus became weary with having nothing to do more than tofeed 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 hissharp 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 thestick. Puss sat up on her haunches and watched him, listening at thesame time to her master's merry whistle, which she loved to hear evenmore than her own purring songs.

Claus glanced at puss and then at the stick he was whittling, untilpresently the wood began to have a shape, and the shape was like thehead of a cat, with two ears sticking upward.

Claus stopped whistling to laugh, and then both he and the cat lookedat the wooden image in some surprise. Then he carved out the eyes andthe nose, and rounded the lower part of the head so that it rested upona neck.

Puss hardly knew what to make of it now, and sat up stiffly, as ifwatching with some suspicion what would come next.

Claus knew. The head gave him an idea. He plied his knife carefullyand with skill, forming slowly the body of the cat, which he made tosit upon its haunches as the real cat did, with her tail wound aroundher two front legs.

The work cost him much time, but the evening was long and he hadnothing better to do. Finally he gave a loud and delighted laugh atthe result of his labors and placed the wooden cat, now completed, uponthe hearth opposite the real one.

Puss thereupon glared at her image, raised her hair in anger, anduttered 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 andsmell of it intelligently: Eyes and nose told her the creature waswood, in spite of its natural appearance; so puss resumed her seat andher purring, but as she neatly washed her face with her padded paw shecast more than one admiring glance at her clever master. Perhaps shefelt the same satisfaction we feel when we look upon good photographsof ourselves.

The cat's master was himself pleased with his handiwork, withoutknowing exactly why. Indeed, he had great cause to congratulatehimself that night, and all the children throughout the world shouldhave 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 whitespread and pillows of downy flakes drifted before the dwelling whereClaus sat feeding the blaze of the fire. The brook gurgled on beneatha heavy sheet of ice and all living plants and insects nestled close toMother Earth to keep warm. The face of the moon was hid by darkclouds, and the wind, delighting in the wintry sport, pushed andwhirled the snowflakes in so many directions that they could get nochance to fall to the ground.

Claus heard the wind whistling and shrieking in its play and thankedthe good Knooks again for his comfortable shelter. Blinkie washed herface 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 toycats should.

Suddenly Claus heard a noise that sounded different from the voice ofthe wind. It was more like a wail of suffering and despair.

He stood up and listened, but the wind, growing boisterous, shook thedoor and rattled the windows to distract his attention. He waiteduntil the wind was tired and then, still listening, he heard once morethe shrill cry of distress.

Quickly he drew on his coat, pulled his cap over his eyes and openedthe door. The wind dashed in and scattered the embers over the hearth,at the same time blowing Blinkie's fur so furiously that she creptunder the table to escape. Then the door was closed and Claus wasoutside, peering anxiously into the darkness.

The wind laughed and scolded and tried to push him over, but he stoodfirm. The helpless flakes stumbled against his eyes and dimmed hissight, 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 himunawares and he stumbled and fell across a snowdrift. His hand plungedinto the drift and touched something that was not snow. This he seizedand, pulling it gently toward him, found it to be a child. The nextmoment 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 hediscovered it to be Weekum, a little boy who lived in a house beyondthe Valley.

Claus wrapped a warm blanket around the little one and rubbed the frostfrom its limbs. Before long the child opened his eyes and, seeingwhere he was, smiled happily. Then Claus warmed milk and fed it to theboy slowly, while the cat looked on with sober curiosity. Finally thelittle one curled up in his friend's arms and sighed and fell asleep,and Claus, filled with gladness that he had found the wanderer, heldhim closely while he slumbered.

The wind, finding no more mischief to do, climbed the hill and swept ontoward the north. This gave the weary snowflakes time to settle downto earth, and the Valley became still again.

The boy, having slept well in the arms of his friend, opened his eyesand sat up. Then, as a child will, he looked around the room and sawall 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 thatone." Claus placed the toy in his arms, and the boy held it lovinglyand 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," answeredWeekum.

"Were you frightened?"

"It was cold," said Weekum, "and the snow got in my eyes, so I couldnot see. Then I kept on till I fell in the snow, without knowing whereI 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, andyou must sleep until morning, when I will carry you back to yourmother."

"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 blanketsaround him; and presently the little one fell asleep with the woodentoy in his arms.

When morning came the sun claimed the Laughing Valley and flooded itwith his rays; so Claus prepared to take the lost child back to itsmother.

"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 couldgive pleasure to the child. So he wrapped the boy and the wooden catin a warm cloak, perching the bundle upon his own broad shoulders, andthen he tramped through the snow and the drifts of the Valley andacross 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 andthanked Claus many times for his kind act. So he carried a warm andhappy heart back to his home in the Valley.

That night he said to puss: "I believe the children will love thewooden cats almost as well as the real ones, and they can't hurt themby 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 whittlingit out the Yellow Ryl came in to make him a visit, and so pleased washe with the man's skill that he ran away and brought several of hisfellows.

There sat the Red Ryl, the Black Ryl, the Green Ryl, the Blue Ryl andthe Yellow Ryl in a circle on the floor, while Claus whittled andwhistled and the wooden cat grew into shape.

"If it could be made the same color as the real cat, no one would knowthe 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 tulipswith," cried the Red Ryl; "and then you can make the cat's lips andtongue red."

"I will bring some of the green that I color my grasses and leaveswith," said the Green Ryl; "and then you can color the cat's eyesgreen."

"They will need a bit of yellow, also," remarked the Yellow Ryl; "Imust fetch some of the yellow that I use to color my buttercups andgoldenrods with."

"The real cat is black," said the Black Ryl; "I will bring some of theblack that I use to color the eyes of my pansies with, and then you canpaint your wooden cat black."

"I see you have a blue ribbon around Blinkie's neck," added the BlueRyl. "I will get some of the color that I use to paint the bluebellsand forget-me-nots with, and then you can carve a wooden ribbon on thetoy cat's neck and paint it blue."

So the Ryls disappeared, and by the time Claus had finished carving outthe 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 toycat just the right color, and when the work was done the Ryls declaredit 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 thetoy, and that she might not seem to approve the imitation cat shewalked 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 andtramped through the snow, across the Valley and the plain, until hecame to a village. There, in a poor hut near the walls of thebeautiful palace of the Lord of Lerd, a little girl lay upon a wretchedcot, moaning with pain.

Claus approached the child and kissed her and comforted her, and thenhe drew the toy cat from beneath his coat, where he had hidden it, andplaced it in her arms.

Ah, how well he felt himself repaid for his labor and his long walkwhen he saw the little one's eyes grow bright with pleasure! Shehugged 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 hebeen 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 theForest she had often come to visit him at Necile's bower. After Claushad gone to live in the Laughing Valley Shiegra became lonely and illat 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 werebeginning to fall out, while the hairs that tipped her ears and tailhad changed from tawny-yellow to white.

Claus found her lying on his hearth, and he put his arms around theneck of the lioness and hugged her lovingly. The cat had retired intoa far corner. She did not care to associate with Shiegra.

Claus told his old friend about the cats he had made, and how muchpleasure they had given Weekum and the sick girl. Shiegra did not knowmuch about children; indeed, if she met a child she could scarcely betrusted 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 youshould make cats, which are very unimportant animals. Suppose, nowthat I am here, you make the image of a lioness, the Queen of allbeasts. Then, indeed, your children will be happy—and safe at thesame time!"

Claus thought this was a good suggestion. So he got a piece of woodand sharpened his knife, while Shiegra crouched upon the hearth at hisfeet. With much care he carved the head in the likeness of thelioness, even to the two fierce teeth that curved over her lower lipand 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 toall who are not my friends."

Claus now carved out the body, with Shiegra's long tail trailing behindit. The image of the crouching lioness was very life-like.

"It pleases me," said Shiegra, yawning and stretching her bodygracefully. "Now I will watch while you paint."

He brought the paints the Ryls had given him from the cupboard andcolored the image to resemble the real Shiegra.

The lioness placed her big, padded paws upon the edge of the table andraised herself while she carefully examined the toy that was herlikeness.

"You are indeed skillful!" she said, proudly. "The children will likethat better than cats, I'm sure."

Then snarling at Blinkie, who arched her back in terror and whinedfearfully, 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 withjoyous excitement. The brook was so happy at being free once againthat it gurgled more boisterously than ever and dashed so recklesslyagainst the rocks that it sent showers of spray high in the air. Thegrass thrust its sharp little blades upward through the mat of deadstalks where it had hidden from the snow, but the flowers were yet tootimid to show themselves, although the Ryls were busy feeding theirroots. The sun was in remarkably good humor, and sent his rays dancingmerrily throughout the Valley.

Claus was eating his dinner one day when he heard a timid knock on hisdoor.

"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 girlholding 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 bothchildren in his arms and kissed them. "You are very welcome, and youhave 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 notyet learned to speak many words, nodded his head and exclaimed like anecho: "Tat!"

"Oh, you want my toy cats, do you?" returned Claus, greatly pleased todiscover that his creations were so popular with children.

The little visitors nodded eagerly.

"Unfortunately," he continued, "I have but one cat now ready, for Icarried two to children in the town yesterday. And the one I haveshall be given to your brother, Mayrie, because he is the smaller; andthe next one I make shall be for you."

The boy's face was bright with smiles as he took the precious toy Clausheld out to him; but little Mayrie covered her face with her arm andbegan to sob grievously.

"I—I—I wants a t—t—tat now!" she wailed.

Her disappointment made Claus feel miserable for a moment. Then hesuddenly remembered Shiegra.

"Don't cry, darling!" he said, soothingly; "I have a toy much nicerthan a cat, and you shall have that."

He went to the cupboard and drew out the image of the lioness, which heplaced on the table before Mayrie.

The girl raised her arm and gave one glance at the fierce teeth andglaring eyes of the beast, and then, uttering a terrified scream, sherushed 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 thechildren, 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 assuredthem many times that the beast had been locked in the cupboard.

"Yet why were you frightened at seeing it?" he asked. "It is only atoy to play with!"

"It's bad!" said Mayrie, decidedly, "an'—an'—just horrid, an' not abit nice, like tats!"

"Perhaps you are right," returned Claus, thoughtfully. "But if youwill 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'swords; and afterward they had the joy of watching Claus carve out a catfrom a bit of wood and paint it in natural colors. It did not take himlong to do this, for he had become skillful with his knife by thistime, and Mayrie loved her toy the more dearly because she had seen itmade.

After his little visitors had trotted away on their journey homewardClaus sat long in deep thought. And he then decided that such fiercecreatures as his friend the lioness would never do as models from whichto fashion his toys.

"There must be nothing to frighten the dear babies," he reflected; "andwhile I know Shiegra well, and am not afraid of her, it is but naturalthat children should look upon her image with terror. Hereafter I willchoose such mild-mannered animals as squirrels and rabbits and deer andlambkins from which to carve my toys, for then the little ones willlove rather than fear them."

He began his work that very day, and before bedtime had made a woodenrabbit and a lamb. They were not quite so lifelike as the cats hadbeen, because they were formed from memory, while Blinkie had sat verystill for Claus to look at while he worked.

But the new toys pleased the children nevertheless, and the fame ofClaus' playthings quickly spread to every cottage on plain and invillage. He always carried his gifts to the sick or crippled children,but those who were strong enough walked to the house in the Valley toask for them, so a little path was soon worn from the plain to the doorof the toy-maker's cottage.

First came the children who had been playmates of Claus, before hebegan to make toys. These, you may be sure, were well supplied. Thenchildren who lived farther away heard of the wonderful images and madejourneys 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 wasquite happy in knowing the pleasure he gave to so many of the dearchildren. His friends the immortals were pleased with his success andsupported him bravely.

The Knooks selected for him clear pieces of soft wood, that his knifemight not be blunted in cutting them; the Ryls kept him supplied withpaints of all colors and brushes fashioned from the tips of timothygrasses; the Fairies discovered that the workman needed saws andchisels and hammers and nails, as well as knives, and brought him agoodly array of such tools.

Claus soon turned his living room into a most wonderful workshop. Hebuilt a bench before the window, and arranged his tools and paints sothat he could reach everything as he sat on his stool. And as hefinished toy after toy to delight the hearts of little children hefound himself growing so gay and happy that he could not refrain fromsinging and laughing and whistling all the day long.

"It's because I live in the Laughing Valley, where everything elselaughs!" 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 hebusily carved the head and horns of a toy deer, he looked up anddiscovered a glittering cavalcade of horsemen approaching through theValley.

When they drew nearer he saw that the band consisted of a score ofmen-at-arms, clad in bright armor and bearing in their hands spears andbattle-axes. In front of these rode little Bessie Blithesome, thepretty daughter of that proud Lord of Lerd who had once driven Clausfrom his palace. Her palfrey was pure white, its bridle was coveredwith glittering gems, and its saddle draped with cloth of gold, richlybroidered. The soldiers were sent to protect her from harm while shejourneyed.

Claus was surprised, but he continued to whittle and to sing until thecavalcade drew up before him. Then the little girl leaned over theneck 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 besideher. But he was puzzled how to answer her request.

"You are a rich lord's daughter," said he, "and have all that youdesire."

"Except toys," added Bessie. "There are no toys in all the world butyours."

"And I make them for the poor children, who have nothing else to amusethem," continued Claus.

"Do poor children love to play with toys more than rich ones?" askedBessie.

"I suppose not," said Claus, thoughtfully.

"Am I to blame because my father is a lord? Must I be denied thepretty toys I long for because other children are poorer than I?" sheinquired earnestly.

"I'm afraid you must, dear," he answered; "for the poor have nothingelse with which to amuse themselves. You have your pony to ride, yourservants to wait on you, and every comfort that money can procure."

"But I want toys!" cried Bessie, wiping away the tears that forcedthemselves into her eyes. "If I can not have them, I shall be veryunhappy."

Claus was troubled, for her grief recalled to him the thought that hisdesire was to make all children happy, without regard to theircondition in life. Yet, while so many poor children were clamoring forhis 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 arepromised to others. But the next shall be yours, since your heart solongs for it. Come to me again in two days and it shall be ready foryou."

Bessie gave a cry of delight, and leaning over her pony's neck shekissed Claus prettily upon his forehead. Then, calling to hermen-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," hethought, "I shall not have a spare moment in the whole year! But is itright I should give to the rich? Surely I must go to Necile and talkwith her about this matter."

So when he had finished the toy deer, which was very like a deer he hadknown in the Forest glades, he walked into Burzee and made his way tothe bower of the beautiful Nymph Necile, who had been his foster mother.

She greeted him tenderly and lovingly, listening with interest to hisstory 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 tome that one child is like another child, since they are all made of thesame clay, and that riches are like a gown, which may be put on ortaken away, leaving the child unchanged. But the Fairies are guardiansof mankind, and know mortal children better than I. Let us call theFairy Queen."

This was done, and the Queen of the Fairies sat beside them and heardClaus relate his reasons for thinking the rich children could get alongwithout his toys, and also what the Nymph had said.

"Necile is right," declared the Queen; "for, whether it be rich orpoor, a child's longings for pretty playthings are but natural. RichBessie's heart may suffer as much grief as poor Mayrie's; she can bejust as lonely and discontented, and just as gay and happy. I think,friend Claus, it is your duty to make all little ones glad, whetherthey chance to live in palaces or in cottages."

"Your words are wise, fair Queen," replied Claus, "and my heart tellsme they are as just as they are wise. Hereafter all children may claimmy 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 andtook a piece of moist clay in his hands while he thought what sort oftoy he should make for Bessie Blithesome. He did not notice that hisfingers were working the clay into shape until, glancing downward, hefound he had unconsciously formed a head that bore a slight resemblanceto the Nymph Necile!

At once he became interested. Gathering more of the clay from the bankhe carried it to his house. Then, with the aid of his knife and a bitof 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 andcovered the body with a gown of oakleaves, while the two feet stickingout at the bottom of the gown were clad in sandals.

But the clay was soft, and Claus found he must handle it gently toavoid ruining his pretty work.

"Perhaps the rays of the sun will draw out the moisture and cause theclay to become hard," he thought. So he laid the image on a flat boardand placed it in the glare of the sun.

This done, he went to his bench and began painting the toy deer, andsoon he became so interested in the work that he forgot all about theclay nymph. But next morning, happening to notice it as it lay on theboard, he found the sun had baked it to the hardness of stone, and itwas 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 Claushimself was charmed with the new toy. Of course it was not nearly solovely as the real Necile; but, considering the material of which itwas made, Claus thought it was very beautiful.

When Bessie, riding upon her white palfrey, came to his dwelling nextday, Claus presented her with the new toy. The little girl's eyes werebrighter than ever as she examined the pretty image, and she loved itat 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, sohe 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 itby, 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. Thankyou very much, Claus; your gift has made me happier than I have everbeen before!"

Then she rode away, hugging the toy in her arms, and Claus, seeing herdelight, thought he would make another dolly, better and more naturalthan the first.

He brought more clay from the brook, and remembering that Bessie hadcalled the dolly her baby he resolved to form this one into a baby'simage. That was no difficult task to the clever workman, and soon thebaby 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 BessieBlithesome herself.

This was not so easy, for he found he could not make the silken robe ofthe lord's daughter out of the common clay. So he called the Fairiesto his aid, and asked them to bring him colored silks with which tomake a real dress for the clay image. The Fairies set off at once ontheir errand, and before nightfall they returned with a generous supplyof silks and laces and golden threads.

Claus now became impatient to complete his new dolly, and instead ofwaiting for the next day's sun he placed the clay image upon his hearthand covered it over with glowing coals. By morning, when he drew thedolly from the ashes, it had baked as hard as if it had lain a full dayin the hot sun.

Now our Claus became a dressmaker as well as a toymaker. He cut thelavender silk, and neaty sewed it into a beautiful gown that justfitted the new dolly. And he put a lace collar around its neck andpink silk shoes on its feet. The natural color of baked clay is alight 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 rosycheeks.

It was really a beautiful thing to look upon, and sure to bring joy tosome childish heart. While Claus was admiring it he heard a knock athis door, and little Mayrie entered. Her face was sad and her eyes redwith continued weeping.

"Why, what has grieved you, my dear?" asked Claus, taking the child inhis 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 dwoppedhim 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 newdolly, instead of a cat?"

Mayrie looked at the silk-robed dolly and her eyes grew big withastonishment.

"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 facedimpled 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 ofcreatures which caused our good Claus so much trouble and nearlysucceeded in robbing the children of the world of their earliest andbest friend.

I do not like to mention the Awgwas, but they are a part of thishistory, and can not be ignored. They were neither mortals norimmortals, but stood midway between those classes of beings. TheAwgwas were invisible to ordinary people, but not to immortals. Theycould pass swiftly through the air from one part of the world toanother, and had the power of influencing the minds of human beings todo their wicked will.

They were of gigantic stature and had coarse, scowling countenanceswhich showed plainly their hatred of all mankind. They possessed noconsciences whatever and delighted only in evil deeds.

Their homes were in rocky, mountainous places, from whence they salliedforth to accomplish their wicked purposes.

The one of their number that could think of the most horrible deed forthem to do was always elected the King Awgwa, and all the race obeyedhis orders. Sometimes these creatures lived to become a hundred yearsold, but usually they fought so fiercely among themselves that manywere destroyed in combat, and when they died that was the end of them.Mortals were powerless to harm them and the immortals shuddered whenthe Awgwas were mentioned, and always avoided them. So they flourishedfor many years unopposed and accomplished much evil.

I am glad to assure you that these vile creatures have long sinceperished and passed from earth; but in the days when Claus was makinghis first toys they were a numerous and powerful tribe.

One of the principal sports of the Awgwas was to inspire angry passionsin the hearts of little children, so that they quarreled and foughtwith one another. They would tempt boys to eat of unripe fruit, andthen delight in the pain they suffered; they urged little girls todisobey their parents, and then would laugh when the children werepunished. I do not know what causes a child to be naughty in thesedays, but when the Awgwas were on earth naughty children were usuallyunder their influence.

Now, when Claus began to make children happy he kept them out of thepower of the Awgwas; for children possessing such lovely playthings ashe gave them had no wish to obey the evil thoughts the Awgwas tried tothrust into their minds.

Therefore, one year when the wicked tribe was to elect a new King, theychose an Awgwa who proposed to destroy Claus and take him away from thechildren.

"There are, as you know, fewer naughty children in the world sinceClaus came to the Laughing Valley and began to make his toys," said thenew King, as he squatted upon a rock and looked around at the scowlingfaces of his people. "Why, Bessie Blithesome has not stamped her footonce this month, nor has Mayrie's brother slapped his sister's face orthrown the puppy into the rain-barrel. Little Weekum took his bathlast night without screaming or struggling, because his mother hadpromised he should take his toy cat to bed with him! Such a conditionof affairs is awful for any Awgwa to think of, and the only way we candirect the naughty actions of children is to take this person Clausaway from them."

"Good! good!" cried the big Awgwas, in a chorus, and they clapped theirhands 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 youwill soon discover.

That night Claus went to bed feeling very happy, for he had completedno less than four pretty toys during the day, and they were sure, hethought, to make four little children happy. But while he slept theband of invisible Awgwas surrounded his bed, bound him with stoutcords, and then flew away with him to the middle of a dark forest infar off Ethop, where they laid him down and left him.

When morning came Claus found himself thousands of miles from any humanbeing, a prisoner in the wild jungle of an unknown land.

From the limb of a tree above his head swayed a huge python, one ofthose reptiles that are able to crush a man's bones in their coils. Afew yards away crouched a savage panther, its glaring red eyes fixedfull on the helpless Claus. One of those monstrous spotted spiderswhose sting is death crept stealthily toward him over the mattedleaves, 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 andslunk away. The python swung itself into the tree and disappearedamong the leaves. The spider stopped short in its advance and hidbeneath a rotting log.

Claus had no time to notice them, for he was surrounded by a band ofharsh-featured Knooks, more crooked and deformed in appearance than anyhe 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 beenbrought 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 ofthe Knooks.

Instantly they assisted him to stand upon his feet, and they broughthim food and drink to strengthen him.

"Our brothers of Burzee make queer friends," grumbled an ancient Knookwhose flowing beard was pure white. "But he who knows our secret signand signal is entitled to our help, whoever he may be. Close youreyes, stranger, and we will conduct you to your home. Where shall weseek 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 goastray," remarked the Knook.

As he spoke the sound of his voice seemed to die away, so Claus openedhis eyes to see what caused the change. To his astonishment he foundhimself seated on the bench by his own door, with the Laughing Valleyspread out before him. That day he visited the Wood-Nymphs and relatedhis 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 theirpower."

"It was cowardly to bind him while he slept," remarked Necile, withindignation.

"The evil ones are ever cowardly," answered Zurline, "but our friend'sslumber shall not be disturbed again."

The Queen herself came to the dwelling of Claus that evening and placedher Seal on every door and window, to keep out the Awgwas. And underthe Seal of Queen Zurline was placed the Seal of the Fairies and theSeal of the Ryls and the Seals of the Knooks, that the charm mightbecome more powerful.

And Claus carried his toys to the children again, and made many more ofthe little ones happy.

You may guess how angry the King Awgwa and his fierce band were when itwas known to them that Claus had escaped from the Forest of Ethop.

They raged madly for a whole week, and then held another meeting amongthe 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 ourown mountains, where he will surely perish."

This was promptly agreed to, and the wicked band set out that night toseize Claus. But they found his dwelling guarded by the Seals of theImmortals 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 heintended to present a toy squirrel to a lame boy, he was suddenly setupon by the Awgwas, who seized him and carried him away to themountains.

There they thrust him within a deep cavern and rolled many huge rocksagainst the entrance to prevent his escape.

Deprived thus of light and food, and with little air to breathe, ourClaus was, indeed, in a pitiful plight. But he spoke the mystic wordsof the Fairies, which always command their friendly aid, and they cameto his rescue and transported him to the Laughing Valley in thetwinkling of an eye.

Thus the Awgwas discovered they might not destroy one who had earnedthe friendship of the immortals; so the evil band sought other means ofkeeping Claus from bringing happiness to children and so making themobedient.

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 snatchedthe toys from his grasp. And the children were no more disappointedthan was Claus when he was obliged to return home disconsolate. Stillhe persevered, and made many toys for his little friends and startedwith them for the villages. And always the Awgwas robbed him as soonas he had left the Valley.

They threw the stolen playthings into one of their lonely caverns, andquite a heap of toys accumulated before Claus became discouraged andgave up all attempts to leave the Valley. Then children began comingto him, since they found he did not go to them; but the wicked Awgwasflew around them and caused their steps to stray and the paths tobecome crooked, so never a little one could find a way into theLaughing Valley.

Lonely days now fell upon Claus, for he was denied the pleasure ofbringing happiness to the children whom he had learned to love. Yet hebore up bravely, for he thought surely the time would come when theAwgwas would abandon their evil designs to injure him.

He devoted all his hours to toy-making, and when one plaything had beencompleted he stood it on a shelf he had built for that purpose. Whenthe shelf became filled with rows of toys he made another one, andfilled that also. So that in time he had many shelves filled with gayand beautiful toys representing horses, dogs, cats, elephants, lambs,rabbits and deer, as well as pretty dolls of all sizes and balls andmarbles of baked clay painted in gay colors.

Often, as he glanced at this array of childish treasures, the heart ofgood old Claus became sad, so greatly did he long to carry the toys tohis children. And at last, because he could bear it no longer, heventured to go to the great Ak, to whom he told the story of hispersecution 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 thewhile with the slow, graceful motion that betokened deep thought. Henodded approvingly when Claus told how the Knooks and Fairies had savedhim from death, and frowned when he heard how the Awgwas had stolen thechildren's toys. At last he said:

"From the beginning I have approved the work you are doing among thechildren of men, and it annoys me that your good deeds should bethwarted by the Awgwas. We immortals have no connection whatever withthe 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 ourprotection."

Claus thanked the Master Woodsman most gratefully and returned to hisValley, while Ak, who never delayed carrying out his promises, at oncetraveled to the mountains of the Awgwas.

There, standing on the bare rocks, he called on the King and his peopleto appear.

Instantly the place was filled with throngs of the scowling Awgwas, andtheir 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. "Weowe no allegiance to you, nor to any immortal!"

"That is true," replied Ak, calmly. "Yet you have ventured tointerfere 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 Kingturned threateningly on the Master Woodsman.

"You are set to rule the forests, but the plains and the valleys areours!" he shouted. "Keep to your own dark woods! We will do as weplease with Claus."

"You shall not harm our friend in any way!" replied Ak.

"Shall we not?" asked the King, impudently. "You will see! Our powersare vastly superior to those of mortals, and fully as great as those ofimmortals."

"It is your conceit that misleads you!" said Ak, sternly. "You are atransient race, passing from life into nothingness. We, who liveforever, pity but despise you. On earth you are scorned by all, and inHeaven you have no place! Even the mortals, after their earth life,enter another existence for all time, and so are your superiors. Howthen dare you, who are neither mortal nor immortal, refuse to obey mywish?"

The Awgwas sprang to their feet with menacing gestures, but their Kingmotioned them back.

"Never before," he cried to Ak, while his voice trembled with rage,"has an immortal declared himself the master of the Awgwas! Nevershall an immortal venture to interfere with our actions again! For wewill avenge your scornful words by killing your friend Claus withinthree days. Nor you, nor all the immortals can save him from ourwrath. We defy your powers! Begone, Master Woodsman of the World! Inthe 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 friendwill be dead."

The Master turned away and came to his Forest of Burzee, where hecalled a meeting of the immortals and told them of the defiance of theAwgwas 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 ofthe Knooks; "we must destroy them."

"Their lives are devoted only to evil deeds," said the Prince of theRyls. "We must destroy them."

"They have no conscience, and endeavor to make all mortals as bad asthemselves," said the Queen of the Fairies. "We must destroy them."

"They have defied the great Ak, and threaten the life of our adoptedson," said beautiful Queen Zurline. "We must destroy them."

The Master Woodsman smiled.

"You speak well," said he. "These Awgwas we know to be a powerfulrace, and they will fight desperately; yet the outcome is certain. Forwe who live can never die, even though conquered by our enemies, whileevery 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 thewicked!"

Thus arose that terrible war between the immortals and the spirits ofevil which is sung of in Fairyland to this very day.

The King Awgwa and his band determined to carry out the threat todestroy Claus. They now hated him for two reasons: he made childrenhappy and was a friend of the Master Woodsman. But since Ak's visitthey had reason to fear the opposition of the immortals, and theydreaded defeat. So the King sent swift messengers to all parts of theworld to summon every evil creature to his aid.

And on the third day after the declaration of war a mighty army was atthe command of the King Awgwa. There were three hundred AsiaticDragons, breathing fire that consumed everything it touched. Thesehated mankind and all good spirits. And there were the three-eyedGiants of Tatary, a host in themselves, who liked nothing better thanto fight. And next came the Black Demons from Patalonia, with greatspreading wings like those of a bat, which swept terror and miserythrough the world as they beat upon the air. And joined to these werethe Goozzle-Goblins, with long talons as sharp as swords, with whichthey clawed the flesh from their foes. Finally, every mountain Awgwain the world had come to participate in the great battle with theimmortals.

The King Awgwa looked around upon this vast army and his heart beathigh with wicked pride, for he believed he would surely triumph overhis gentle enemies, who had never before been known to fight. But theMaster Woodsman had not been idle. None of his people was used towarfare, yet now that they were called upon to face the hosts of evilthey 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 littleimmortals. The Master Woodsman stood first, bearing a gleaming ax thatshone like burnished silver. Next came the Ryls, armed with sharpthorns from bramblebushes. Then the Knooks, bearing the spears theyused when they were forced to prod their savage beasts into submission.The Fairies, dressed in white gauze with rainbow-hued wings, boregolden 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 hisfoes. To be sure the mighty ax of the Woodsman was to be dreaded, butthe sweet-faced Nymphs and pretty Fairies, the gentle Ryls and crookedKnooks were such harmless folk that he almost felt shame at havingcalled such a terrible host to oppose them.

"Since these fools dare fight," he said to the leader of the TataryGiants, "I will overwhelm them with our evil powers!"

To begin the battle he poised a great stone in his left hand and castit full against the sturdy form of the Master Woodsman, who turned itaside with his ax. Then rushed the three-eyed Giants of Tatary uponthe Knooks, and the Goozzle-Goblins upon the Ryls, and thefirebreathing Dragons upon the sweet Fairies. Because the Nymphs wereAk's own people the band of Awgwas sought them out, thinking toovercome them with ease.

But it is the Law that while Evil, unopposed, may accomplish terribledeeds, 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 bythe Master Woodsman of the World cleft the wicked King in twain and ridthe earth of the vilest creature it contained.

Greatly marveled the Tatary Giants when the spears of the little Knookspierced their thick walls of flesh and sent them reeling to the groundwith howls of agony.

Woe came upon the sharp-taloned Goblins when the thorns of the Rylsreached their savage hearts and let their life-blood sprinkle all theplain. And afterward from every drop a thistle grew.

The Dragons paused astonished before the Fairy wands, from whencerushed a power that caused their fiery breaths to flow back onthemselves so that they shriveled away and died.

As for the Awgwas, they had scant time to realize how they weredestroyed, for the ash switches of the Nymphs bore a charm unknown toany Awgwa, and turned their foes into clods of earth at the slightesttouch!

When Ak leaned upon his gleaming ax and turned to look over the fieldof battle he saw the few Giants who were able to run disappearing overthe distant hills on their return to Tatary. The Goblins had perishedevery one, as had the terrible Dragons, while all that remained of thewicked Awgwas was a great number of earthen hillocks dotting the plain.

And now the immortals melted from the Valley like dew at sunrise, toresume their duties in the Forest, while Ak walked slowly andthoughtfully to the house of Claus and entered.

"You have many toys ready for the children," said the Woodsman, "andnow you may carry them across the plain to the dwellings and thevillages 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 andbloodshed. It was not from choice that I told of the Awgwas and theirallies, and of their great battle with the immortals. They were partof 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 oftoys to the children who had awaited them so long. During hisimprisonment in the Valley he had been so industrious that all hisshelves were filled with playthings, and after quickly supplying thelittle ones living near by he saw he must now extend his travels towider fields.

Remembering the time when he had journeyed with Ak through all theworld, he knew children were everywhere, and he longed to make as manyas possible happy with his gifts.

So he loaded a great sack with all kinds of toys, slung it upon hisback that he might carry it more easily, and started off on a longertrip than he had yet undertaken.

Wherever he showed his merry face, in hamlet or in farmhouse, hereceived a cordial welcome, for his fame had spread into far lands. Ateach village the children swarmed about him, following his footstepswherever he went; and the women thanked him gratefully for the joy hebrought their little ones; and the men looked upon him curiously thathe 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 feltamply repaid for his long journey.

When the sack was empty he went back again to the Laughing Valley andonce more filled it to the brim. This time he followed another road,into a different part of the country, and carried happiness to manychildren who never before had owned a toy or guessed that such adelightful plaything existed.

After a third journey, so far away that Claus was many days walking thedistance, the store of toys became exhausted and without delay he setabout making a fresh supply.

From seeing so many children and studying their tastes he had acquiredseveral new ideas about toys.

The dollies were, he had found, the most delightful of all playthingsfor 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 tomake many dolls, of all sizes, and to dress them in bright-coloredclothing. The older boys—and even some of the girls—loved the imagesof animals, so he still made cats and elephants and horses. And manyof the little fellows had musical natures, and longed for drums andcymbals and whistles and horns. So he made a number of toy drums, withtiny sticks to beat them with; and he made whistles from the willowtrees, and horns from the bog-reeds, and cymbals from bits of beatenmetal.

All this kept him busily at work, and before he realized it the winterseason came, with deeper snows than usual, and he knew he could notleave the Valley with his heavy pack. Moreover, the next trip wouldtake him farther from home than every before, and Jack Frost wasmischievous enough to nip his nose and ears if he undertook the longjourney while the Frost King reigned. The Frost King was Jack's fatherand never reproved him for his pranks.

So Claus remained at his work-bench; but he whistled and sang asmerrily as ever, for he would allow no disappointment to sour histemper or make him unhappy.

One bright morning he looked from his window and saw two of the deer hehad known in the Forest walking toward his house.

Claus was surprised; not that the friendly deer should visit him, butthat they walked on the surface of the snow as easily as if it weresolid ground, notwithstanding the fact that throughout the Valley thesnow lay many feet deep. He had walked out of his house a day or twobefore 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 snowso easily."

"It is frozen hard," answered Flossie.

"The Frost King has breathed on it," said Glossie, coming up, "and thesurface is now as solid as ice."

"Perhaps," remarked Claus, thoughtfully, "I might now carry my pack oftoys 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 thejourney in a day."

"But you have not," returned Glossie, looking at his own slender legswith pride.

"Perhaps I could ride upon your back," Claus ventured to remark, aftera pause.

"Oh no; our backs are not strong enough to bear your weight," saidFlossie, decidedly. "But if you had a sledge, and could harness us toit, we might draw you easily, and your pack as well."

"I'll make a sledge!" exclaimed Claus. "Will you agree to draw me if Ido?"

"Well," replied Flossie, "we must first go and ask the Knooks, who areour guardians, for permission; but if they consent, and you can make asledge and harness, we will gladly assist you."

"Then go at once!" cried Claus, eagerly. "I am sure the friendlyKnooks will give their consent, and by the time you are back I shall beready to harness you to my sledge."

Flossie and Glossie, being deer of much intelligence, had long wishedto see the great world, so they gladly ran over the frozen snow to askthe 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 thatturned upward at the front ends, and across these nailed short boards,to make a platform. It was soon completed, but was as rude inappearance as it is possible for a sledge to be.

The harness was more difficult to prepare, but Claus twisted strongcords together and knotted them so they would fit around the necks ofthe deer, in the shape of a collar. From these ran other cords tofasten the deer to the front of the sledge.

Before the work was completed Glossie and Flossie were back from theForest, having been granted permission by Will Knook to make thejourney with Claus provided they would to Burzee by daybreak the nextmorning.

"That is not a very long time," said Flossie; "but we are swift andstrong, and if we get started by this evening we can travel many milesduring the night."

Claus decided to make the attempt, so he hurried on his preparations asfast as possible. After a time he fastened the collars around thenecks of his steeds and harnessed them to his rude sledge. Then heplaced a stool on the little platform, to serve as a seat, and filled asack with his prettiest toys.

"How do you intend to guide us?" asked Glossie. "We have never beenout of the Forest before, except to visit your house, so we shall notknow the way."

Claus thought about that for a moment. Then he brought more cords andfastened two of them to the spreading antlers of each deer, one on theright and the other on the left.

"Those will be my reins," said Claus, "and when I pull them to theright or to the left you must go in that direction. If I do not pullthe reins at all you may go straight ahead."

"Very well," answered Glossie and Flossie; and then they asked: "Areyou ready?"

Claus seated himself upon the stool, placed the sack of toys at hisfeet, and then gathered up the reins.

"All ready!" he shouted; "away we go!"

The deer leaned forward, lifted their slender limbs, and the nextmoment away flew the sledge over the frozen snow. The swiftness of themotion surprised Claus, for in a few strides they were across theValley and gliding over the broad plain beyond.

The day had melted into evening by the time they started; for, swiftlyas Claus had worked, many hours had been consumed in making hispreparations. But the moon shone brightly to light their way, andClaus 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 ofthe world, they were timid about meeting men, and now all the dwellersin 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 thevalleys and across the plains until they reached a village where Claushad never been before.

Here he called on them to stop, and they immediately obeyed. But a newdifficulty now presented itself, for the people had locked their doorswhen they went to bed, and Claus found he could not enter the houses toleave his toys.

"I am afraid, my friends, we have made our journey for nothing," saidhe, "for I shall be obliged to carry my playthings back home againwithout 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 thatvillage, and just before them was a roof only a few feet above thesledge. A broad chimney, which seemed to Glossie big enough to admitClaus, 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 theygave one bound to the roof and landed beside the big chimney.

"Good!" cried Claus, well pleased, and he slung the pack of toys overhis shoulder and got into the chimney.

There was plenty of soot on the bricks, but he did not mind that, andby placing his hands and knees against the sides he crept downwarduntil he had reached the fireplace. Leaping lightly over thesmoldering coals he found himself in a large sitting-room, where a dimlight was burning.

From this room two doorways led into smaller chambers. In one a womanlay 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. Thelittle one smiled, as if it dreamed of the pretty plaything it was tofind on the morrow, and Claus crept softly from the room and entered atthe other doorway.

Here were two boys, fast asleep with their arms around each other'sneck. Claus gazed at them lovingly a moment and then placed upon thebed a drum, two horns and a wooden elephant.

He did not linger, now that his work in this house was done, butclimbed 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 getback to the Forest by daybreak."

Claus made a trip down this chimney also and found five childrensleeping in the house, all of whom were quickly supplied with toys.

When he returned the deer sprang to the next roof, but on descendingthe chimney Claus found no children there at all. That was not oftenthe case in this village, however, so he lost less time than you mightsuppose in visiting the dreary homes where there were no little ones.

When he had climbed down the chimneys of all the houses in thatvillage, and had left a toy for every sleeping child, Claus found thathis great sack was not yet half emptied.

"Onward, friends!" he called to the deer; "we must seek anothervillage."

So away they dashed, although it was long past midnight, and in asurprisingly short time they came to a large city, the largest Claushad ever visited since he began to make toys. But, nothing daunted bythe throng of houses, he set to work at once and his beautiful steedscarried him rapidly from one roof to another, only the highest beingbeyond the leaps of the agile deer.

At last the supply of toys was exhausted and Claus seated himself inthe sledge, with the empty sack at his feet, and turned the heads ofGlossie 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 thatit was so late.

"Good gracious!" exclaimed Glossie; "then we shall not be home bydaybreak, 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 snowthat he could not see the trees as they whirled past. Up hill and downdale, swift as an arrow shot from a bow they dashed, and Claus shut hiseyes to keep the wind out of them and left the deer to find their ownway.

It seemed to him they were plunging through space, but he was not atall afraid. The Knooks were severe masters, and must be obeyed at allhazards, and the gray streak in the sky was growing brighter everymoment.

Finally the sledge came to a sudden stop and Claus, who was takenunawares, tumbled from his seat into a snowdrift. As he picked himselfup 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 themoisture 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, andturning to the edge of Burzee he saw Glossie and Flossie justdisappearing in the Forest.

9. "Santa Claus!"

Claus thought that none of the children would ever know where the toyscame from which they found by their bedsides when they wakened thefollowing morning. But kindly deeds are sure to bring fame, and famehas many wings to carry its tidings into far lands; so for miles andmiles in every direction people were talking of Claus and his wonderfulgifts to children. The sweet generousness of his work caused a fewselfish folk to sneer, but even these were forced to admit theirrespect for a man so gentle-natured that he loved to devote his life topleasing the helpless little ones of his race.

Therefore the inhabitants of every city and village had been eagerlywatching the coming of Claus, and remarkable stories of his beautifulplaythings 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 theyhad found, and asked from whence they came, there was but one reply tothe question.

"The good Claus must have been here, my darlings; for his are the onlytoys in all the world!"

"But how did he get in?" asked the children.

At this the fathers shook their heads, being themselves unable tounderstand how Claus had gained admittance to their homes; but themothers, watching the glad faces of their dear ones, whispered that thegood Claus was no mortal man but assuredly a Saint, and they piouslyblessed his name for the happiness he had bestowed upon their children.

"A Saint," said one, with bowed head, "has no need to unlock doors ifit pleases him to enter our homes."

And, afterward, when a child was naughty or disobedient, its motherwould say:

"You must pray to the good Santa Claus for forgiveness. He does notlike naughty children, and, unless you repent, he will bring you nomore pretty toys."

But Santa Claus himself would not have approved this speech. Hebrought toys to the children because they were little and helpless, andbecause he loved them. He knew that the best of children weresometimes naughty, and that the naughty ones were often good. It isthe way with children, the world over, and he would not have changedtheir natures had he possessed the power to do so.

And that is how our Claus became Santa Claus. It is possible for anyman, by good deeds, to enshrine himself as a Saint in the hearts of thepeople.

10. Christmas Eve

The day that broke as Claus returned from his night ride with Glossieand Flossie brought to him a new trouble. Will Knook, the chiefguardian of the deer, came to him, surly and ill-tempered, to complainthat he had kept Glossie and Flossie beyond daybreak, in opposition tohis 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 asone hour. I shall set the stinging gnats on Glossie and Flossie, andthey 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 andgrowling in his ill-natured way.

For this reason Claus entered the Forest to consult Necile aboutrescuing the good deer from punishment. To his delight he found hisold friend, the Master Woodsman, seated in the circle of Nymphs.

Ak listened to the story of the night journey to the children and ofthe great assistance the deer had been to Claus by drawing his sledgeover the frozen snow.

"I do not wish my friends to be punished if I can save them," said thetoy-maker, when he had finished the relation. "They were only oneminute late, and they ran swifter than a bird flies to get home beforedaybreak."

Ak stroked his beard thoughtfully a moment, and then sent for thePrince of the Knooks, who rules all his people in Burzee, and also forthe Queen of the Fairies and the Prince of the Ryls.

When all had assembled Claus told his story again, at Ak's command, andthen the Master addressed the Prince of the Knooks, saying:

"The good work that Claus is doing among mankind deserves the supportof every honest immortal. Already he is called a Saint in some of thetowns, and before long the name of Santa Claus will be lovingly knownin every home that is blessed with children. Moreover, he is a son ofour 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 deservesour friendship?"

The Prince, crooked and sour of visage as all Knooks are, looked onlyupon the dead leaves at his feet and muttered: "You are the MasterWoodsman of the World!"

Ak smiled, but continued, in soft tones: "It seems that the deer whichare guarded by your people can be of great assistance to Claus, and asthey seem willing to draw his sledge I beg that you will permit him touse their services whenever he pleases."

The Prince did not reply, but tapped the curled point of his sandalwith the tip of his spear, as if in thought.

Then the Fairy Queen spoke to him in this way: "If you consent to Ak'srequest I will see that no harm comes to your deer while they are awayfrom the Forest."

And the Prince of the Ryls added: "For my part I will allow to everydeer that assists Claus the privilege of eating my casa plants, whichgive strength, and my grawle plants, which give fleetness of foot, andmy marbon plants, which give long life."

And the Queen of the Nymphs said: "The deer which draw the sledge ofClaus will be permitted to bathe in the Forest pool of Nares, whichwill give them sleek coats and wonderful beauty."

The Prince of the Knooks, hearing these promises, shifted uneasily onhis seat, for in his heart he hated to refuse a request of his fellowimmortals, although they were asking an unusual favor at his hands, andthe Knooks are unaccustomed to granting favors of any kind. Finally heturned to his servants and said:

"Call Will Knook."

When surly Will came and heard the demands of the immortals heprotested loudly against granting them.

"Deer are deer," said he, "and nothing but deer. Were they horses itwould be right to harness them like horses. But no one harnesses deerbecause they are free, wild creatures, owing no service of any sort tomankind. It would degrade my deer to labor for Claus, who is only aman in spite of the friendship lavished on him by the immortals."

"You have heard," said the Prince to Ak. "There is truth in what Willsays."

"Call Glossie and Flossie," returned the Master.

The deer were brought to the conference and Ak asked them if theyobjected 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 wereunfortunately a minute too late."

"A minute lost at daybreak doesn't matter," said Ak. "You are forgivenfor 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?" askedClaus, eagerly.

The Prince reflected while he gazed at Will, who was scowling, and atthe 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 gowith Claus once every year, on Christmas Eve, provided they alwaysreturn 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 asReindeer, to distinguish them from the others. And they shall bathe inthe Pool of Nares, and eat the casa and grawle and marbon plants andshall be under the especial protection of the Fairy Queen. And nowcease scowling, Will Knook, for my words shall be obeyed!"

He hobbled quickly away through the trees, to avoid the thanks of Clausand the approval of the other immortals, and Will, looking as cross asever, followed him.

But Ak was satisfied, knowing that he could rely on the promise of thePrince, 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, "forI shall not have time enough to make my sackful of toys."

"The shrewd Prince foresaw that," responded Ak, "and therefore namedChristmas Eve as the day you might use the deer, knowing it would causeyou 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 hidthem 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 hecould, and a band of Fairies immediately flew to the mountain that hadbeen haunted by the Awgwas and began a search for the stolen toys.

The Fairies, as we well know, possess wonderful powers; but the cunningAwgwas had hidden the toys in a deep cave and covered the opening withrocks, so no one could look in. Therefore all search for the missingplaythings proved in vain for several days, and Claus, who sat at homewaiting for news from the Fairies, almost despaired of getting the toysbefore Christmas Eve.

He worked hard every moment, but it took considerable time to carve outand to shape each toy and to paint it properly, so that on the morningbefore Christmas Eve only half of one small shelf above the window wasfilled with playthings ready for the children.

But on this morning the Fairies who were searching in the mountains hada new thought. They joined hands and moved in a straight line throughthe rocks that formed the mountain, beginning at the topmost peak andworking 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 upby the wicked Awgwas.

It did not take them long to burst open the mouth of the cave, and theneach one seized as many toys as he could carry and they all flew toClaus and laid the treasure before him.

The good man was rejoiced to receive, just in the nick of time, such astore of playthings with which to load his sledge, and he sent word toGlossie and Flossie to be ready for the journey at nightfall.

With all his other labors he had managed to find time, since the lasttrip, to repair the harness and to strengthen his sledge, so that whenthe deer came to him at twilight he had no difficulty in harnessingthem.

"We must go in another direction to-night," he told them, "where weshall find children I have never yet visited. And we must travel fastand work quickly, for my sack is full of toys and running over thebrim!"

So, just as the moon arose, they dashed out of the Laughing Valley andacross the plain and over the hills to the south. The air was sharpand frosty and the starlight touched the snowflakes and made themglitter like countless diamonds. The reindeer leaped onward withstrong, steady bounds, and Claus' heart was so light and merry that helaughed 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 hesaw it was Claus he laughed and turned away again.

The mother owls heard him as he passed near a wood and stuck theirheads out of the hollow places in the tree-trunks; but when they sawwho it was they whispered to the owlets nestling near them that it wasonly Santa Claus carrying toys to the children. It is strange how muchthose mother owls know.

Claus stopped at some of the scattered farmhouses and climbed down thechimneys to leave presents for the babies. Soon after he reached avillage and worked merrily for an hour distributing playthings amongthe sleeping little ones. Then away again he went, signing his joyouscarol:

       "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 thesong with their hoofbeats on the hard snow; but soon they stopped atanother chimney and Santa Claus, with sparkling eyes and face brushedred by the wind, climbed down its smoky sides and left a present forevery child the house contained.

It was a merry, happy night. Swiftly the deer ran, and busily theirdriver worked to scatter his gifts among the sleeping children.

But the sack was empty at last, and the sledge headed homeward; and nowagain the race with daybreak began. Glossie and Flossie had no mind tobe rebuked a second time for tardiness, so they fled with a swiftnessthat enabled them to pass the gale on which the Frost King rode, andsoon brought them to the Laughing Valley.

It is true when Claus released his steeds from their harness theeastern sky was streaked with gray, but Glossie and Flossie were deepin the Forest before day fairly broke.

Claus was so wearied with his night's work that he threw himself uponhis bed and fell into a deep slumber, and while he slept the Christmassun appeared in the sky and shone upon hundreds of happy homes wherethe sound of childish laughter proclaimed that Santa Claus had madethem a visit.

God bless him! It was his first Christmas Eve, and for hundreds ofyears since then he has nobly fulfilled his mission to bring happinessto 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 understandhow joy crept into the homes of those who had been favored with a visitfrom the good man, and how they talked of him day by day in lovingtones and were honestly grateful for his kindly deeds. It is true thatgreat warriors and mighty kings and clever scholars of that day wereoften spoken of by the people; but no one of them was so greatlybeloved as Santa Claus, because none other was so unselfish as todevote himself to making others happy. For a generous deed liveslonger than a great battle or a king's decree or a scholar's essay,because it spreads and leaves its mark on all nature and enduresthrough many generations.

The bargain made with the Knook Prince changed the plans of Claus forall future time; for, being able to use the reindeer on but one nightof each year, he decided to devote all the other days to themanufacture of playthings, and on Christmas Eve to carry them to thechildren of the world.

But a year's work would, he knew, result in a vast accumulation oftoys, so he resolved to build a new sledge that would be larger andstronger 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 bargainto exchange three drums, a trumpet and two dolls for a pair of finesteel runners, curled beautifully at the ends. For the Gnome King hadchildren of his own, who, living in the hollows under the earth, inmines and caverns, needed something to amuse them.

In three days the steel runners were ready, and when Claus brought theplaythings to the Gnome King, his Majesty was so greatly pleased withthem 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 thebells and listened to their merry sound. "But I should have twostrings of bells, one for each deer."

"Bring me another trumpet and a toy cat," replied the King, "and youshall 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 ofstrong 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 hoofsof the deer; and he made high sides to the platform so that many toyscould be carried, and finally he mounted the sledge upon the slendersteel runners made by the Gnome King.

It was certainly a handsome sledge, and big and roomy. Claus paintedit in bright colors, although no one was likely to see it during hismidnight journeys, and when all was finished he sent for Glossie andFlossie to come and look at it.

The deer admired the sledge, but gravely declared it was too big andheavy for them to draw.

"We might pull it over the snow, to be sure," said Glossie; "but wewould not pull it fast enough to enable us to visit the far-away citiesand villages and return to the Forest by daybreak."

"Then I must add two more deer to my team," declared Claus, after amoment'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 thehighest roofs with ease."

"A team of ten reindeer!" cried Claus, delightedly. "That will besplendid. Please return to the Forest at once and select eight otherdeer as like yourselves as possible. And you must all eat of the casaplant, to become strong, and of the grawle plant, to become fleet offoot, and of the marbon plant, that you may live long to accompany meon my journeys. Likewise it will be well for you to bathe in the Poolof Nares, which the lovely Queen Zurline declares will render yourarely beautiful. Should you perform these duties faithfully there isno doubt that on next Christmas Eve my ten reindeer will be the mostpowerful and beautiful steeds the world has ever seen!"

So Glossie and Flossie went to the Forest to choose their mates, andClaus began to consider the question of a harness for them all.

In the end he called upon Peter Knook for assistance, for Peter's heartis as kind as his body is crooked, and he is remarkably shrewd, aswell. And Peter agreed to furnish strips of tough leather for theharness.

This leather was cut from the skins of lions that had reached such anadvanced age that they died naturally, and on one side was tawny hairwhile the other side was cured to the softness of velvet by the deftKnooks. When Claus received these strips of leather he sewed themneatly into a harness for the ten reindeer, and it proved strong andserviceable and lasted him for many years.

The harness and sledge were prepared at odd times, for Claus devotedmost of his days to the making of toys. These were now much betterthan the first ones had been, for the immortals often came to his houseto watch him work and to offer suggestions. It was Necile's idea tomake some of the dolls say "papa" and "mama." It was a thought of theKnooks to put a squeak inside the lambs, so that when a child squeezedthem they would say "baa-a-a-a!" And the Fairy Queen advised Claus toput whistles in the birds, so they could be made to sing, and wheels onthe horses, so children could draw them around. Many animals perishedin the Forest, from one cause or another, and their fur was brought toClaus that he might cover with it the small images of beasts he madefor playthings. A merry Ryl suggested that Claus make a donkey with anodding head, which he did, and afterward found that it amused thelittle ones immensely. And so the toys grew in beauty andattractiveness every day, until they were the wonder of even theimmortals.

When another Christmas Eve drew near there was a monster load ofbeautiful gifts for the children ready to be loaded upon the bigsledge. Claus filled three sacks to the brim, and tucked every cornerof the sledge-box full of toys besides.

Then, at twilight, the ten reindeer appeared and Flossie introducedthem all to Claus. They were Racer and Pacer, Reckless and Speckless,Fearless and Peerless, and Ready and Steady, who, with Glossie andFlossie, made up the ten who have traversed the world these hundreds ofyears with their generous master. They were all exceedingly beautiful,with slender limbs, spreading antlers, velvety dark eyes and smoothcoats of fawn color spotted with white.

Claus loved them at once, and has loved them ever since, for they areloyal friends and have rendered him priceless service.

The new harness fitted them nicely and soon they were all fastened tothe sledge by twos, with Glossie and Flossie in the lead. These worethe strings of sleigh-bells, and were so delighted with the music theymade 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 kneesand his fur cap over his ears, and cracked his long whip as a signal tostart.

Instantly the ten leaped forward and were away like the wind, whilejolly Claus laughed gleefully to see them run and shouted a song in hisbig, 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 herbrother Dick and her cousins Ned and Sara, who were visiting atMargot's house, came in from making a snow man, with their clothesdamp, their mittens dripping and their shoes and stockings wet throughand through. They were not scolded, for Margot's mother knew the snowwas melting, but they were sent early to bed that their clothes mightbe hung over chairs to dry. The shoes were placed on the red tiles ofthe hearth, where the heat from the hot embers would strike them, andthe stockings were carefully hung in a row by the chimney, directlyover the fireplace. That was the reason Santa Claus noticed them whenhe came down the chimney that night and all the household were fastasleep. He was in a tremendous hurry and seeing the stockings allbelonged to children he quickly stuffed his toys into them and dashedup the chimney again, appearing on the roof so suddenly that thereindeer were astonished at his agility.

"I wish they would all hang up their stockings," he thought, as hedrove to the next chimney. "It would save me a lot of time and I couldthen visit more children before daybreak."

When Margot and Dick and Ned and Sara jumped out of bed next morningand ran downstairs to get their stockings from the fireplace they werefilled with delight to find the toys from Santa Claus inside them. Infact, I think they found more presents in their stockings than anyother children of that city had received, for Santa Claus was in ahurry and did not stop to count the toys.

Of course they told all their little friends about it, and of courseevery one of them decided to hang his own stockings by the fireplacethe next Christmas Eve. Even Bessie Blithesome, who made a visit tothat city with her father, the great Lord of Lerd, heard the story fromthe children and hung her own pretty stockings by the chimney when shereturned home at Christmas time.

On his next trip Santa Claus found so many stockings hung up inanticipation of his visit that he could fill them in a jiffy and beaway again in half the time required to hunt the children up and placethe toys by their bedsides.

The custom grew year after year, and has always been a great help toSanta Claus. And, with so many children to visit, he surely needs allthe help we are able to give him.

12. The First Christmas Tree

Claus had always kept his promise to the Knooks by returning to theLaughing Valley by daybreak, but only the swiftness of his reindeer hasenabled 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 andthe gay tinkle of the sleigh-bells. On that first trip with the tenreindeer only Glossie and Flossie wore bells; but each year thereafterfor eight years Claus carried presents to the children of the GnomeKing, and that good-natured monarch gave him in return a string ofbells at each visit, so that finally every one of the ten deer wassupplied, and you may imagine what a merry tune the bells played as thesledge sped over the snow.

The children's stockings were so long that it required a great manytoys to fill them, and soon Claus found there were other things besidestoys that children love. So he sent some of the Fairies, who werealways his good friends, into the Tropics, from whence they returnedwith great bags full of oranges and bananas which they had plucked fromthe trees. And other Fairies flew to the wonderful Valley ofPhunnyland, where delicious candies and bonbons grow thickly on thebushes, and returned laden with many boxes of sweetmeats for the littleones. These things Santa Claus, on each Christmas Eve, placed in thelong stockings, together with his toys, and the children were glad toget them, you may be sure.

There are also warm countries where there is no snow in winter, butClaus and his reindeer visited them as well as the colder climes, forthere were little wheels inside the runners of his sledge whichpermitted it to run as smoothly over bare ground as on the snow. Andthe children who lived in the warm countries learned to know the nameof 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, aFairy came to Claus and told him of three little children who livedbeneath a rude tent of skins on a broad plain where there were no treeswhatever. These poor babies were miserable and unhappy, for theirparents were ignorant people who neglected them sadly. Claus resolvedto visit these children before he returned home, and during his ride hepicked up the bushy top of a pine tree which the wind had broken offand placed it in his sledge.

It was nearly morning when the deer stopped before the lonely tent ofskins where the poor children lay asleep. Claus at once planted thebit 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 severalbags of candies. It did not take long to do all this, for Santa Clausworks 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 thechildren, rubbing the sleep from their eyes, could come out to see whohad called them.

You can imagine the wonder and joy of those little ones, who had neverin their lives known a real pleasure before, when they saw the tree,sparkling with lights that shone brilliant in the gray dawn and hungwith toys enough to make them happy for years to come! They joinedhands and danced around the tree, shouting and laughing, until theywere obliged to pause for breath. And their parents, also, came out tolook and wonder, and thereafter had more respect and consideration fortheir children, since Santa Claus had honored them with such beautifulgifts.

The idea of the Christmas tree pleased Claus, and so the following yearhe carried many of them in his sledge and set them up in the homes ofpoor people who seldom saw trees, and placed candles and toys on thebranches. Of course he could not carry enough trees in one load of allwho wanted them, but in some homes the fathers were able to get treesand have them all ready for Santa Claus when he arrived; and these thegood Claus always decorated as prettily as possible and hung with toysenough for all the children who came to see the tree lighted.

These novel ideas and the generous manner in which they were carriedout made the children long for that one night in the year when theirfriend Santa Claus should visit them, and as such anticipation is verypleasant and comforting the little ones gleaned much happiness bywondering what would happen when Santa Claus next arrived.

Perhaps you remember that stern Baron Braun who once drove Claus fromhis castle and forbade him to visit his children? Well, many yearsafterward, 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 ofknights and pages and henchmen and, dismounting from his charger, baredhis head humbly before the friend of children.

"My father did not know your goodness and worth," he said, "andtherefore threatened to hang you from the castle walls. But I havechildren of my own, who long for a visit from Santa Claus, and I havecome to beg that you will favor them hereafter as you do otherchildren."

Claus was pleased with this speech, for Castle Braun was the only placehe had never visited, and he gladly promised to bring presents to theBaron'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 inthe 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 itis my duty to relate the most remarkable that has happened since theworld began or mankind was created.

We have followed the life of Claus from the time he was found ahelpless infant by the Wood-Nymph Necile and reared to manhood in thegreat Forest of Burzee. And we know how he began to make toys forchildren and how, with the assistance and goodwill of the immortals, hewas 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. Anddoubtless a man can live longer in the beautiful Laughing Valley, wherethere are no cares and everything is peaceful and merry, than in anyother part of the world.

But when many years had rolled away Santa Claus grew old. The longbeard of golden brown that once covered his cheeks and chin graduallybecame gray, and finally turned to pure white. His hair was white,too, and there were wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, which showedplainly when he laughed. He had never been a very tall man, and now hebecame fat, and waddled very much like a duck when he walked. But inspite of these things he remained as lively as ever, and was just asjolly and gay, and his kind eyes sparkled as brightly as they did thatfirst day when he came to the Laughing Valley.

Yet a time is sure to come when every mortal who has grown old andlived his life is required to leave this world for another; so it is nowonder that, after Santa Claus had driven his reindeer on many and manya Christmas Eve, those stanch friends finally whispered amongthemselves that they had probably drawn his sledge for the last time.

Then all the Forest of Burzee became sad and all the Laughing Valleywas hushed; for every living thing that had known Claus had used tolove him and to brighten at the sound of his footsteps or the notes ofhis merry whistle.

No doubt the old man's strength was at last exhausted, for he made nomore 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 ashort time since this aged, gray-bearded man had lain in her arms andsmiled 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 thatthreatened their friend Claus.

At once the Master became grave, and he leaned upon his ax and strokedhis grizzled beard thoughtfully for many minutes. Then suddenly hestood up straight, and poised his powerful head with firm resolve, andstretched out his great right arm as if determined on doing some mightydeed. For a thought had come to him so grand in its conception thatall the world might well bow before the Master Woodsman and honor hisname forever!

It is well known that when the great Ak once undertakes to do a thinghe never hesitates an instant. Now he summoned his fleetestmessengers, and sent them in a flash to many parts of the earth. Andwhen 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 toyour Queen and tell her that I have summoned a council of all theimmortals of the world to meet with me here in Burzee this night. Ifthey obey, and harken unto my words, Claus will drive his reindeer forcountless 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 immortalswho inhabit the earth were gathered together.

There was the Queen of the Water Sprites, whose beautiful form was asclear as crystal but continually dripped water on the bank of mosswhere she sat. And beside her was the King of the Sleep Fays, whocarried a wand from the end of which a fine dust fell all around, sothat no mortal could keep awake long enough to see him, as mortal eyeswere sure to close in sleep as soon as the dust filled them. And nextto him sat the Gnome King, whose people inhabit all that region underthe earth's surface, where they guard the precious metals and the jewelstones that lie buried in rock and ore. At his right hand stood theKing of the Sound Imps, who had wings on his feet, for his people areswift to carry all sounds that are made. When they are busy they carrythe sounds but short distances, for there are many of them; butsometimes they speed with the sounds to places miles and miles awayfrom where they are made. The King of the Sound Imps had an anxiousand careworn face, for most people have no consideration for his Impsand, especially the boys and girls, make a great many unnecessarysounds which the Imps are obliged to carry when they might be betteremployed.

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 placefor even an hour. Once in a while he would leave his place and circlearound the glade, and each time he did this the Fairy Queen was obligedto untangle the flowing locks of her golden hair and tuck them back ofher pink ears. But she did not complain, for it was not often that theKing of the Wind Demons came into the heart of the Forest. After theFairy Queen, whose home you know was in old Burzee, came the King ofthe Light Elves, with his two Princes, Flash and Twilight, at his back.He never went anywhere without his Princes, for they were somischievous that he dared not let them wander alone.

Prince Flash bore a lightning-bolt in his right hand and a horn ofgunpowder in his left, and his bright eyes roved constantly around, asif he longed to use his blinding flashes. Prince Twilight held a greatsnuffer in one hand and a big black cloak in the other, and it is wellknown that unless Twilight is carefully watched the snuffers or thecloak will throw everything into darkness, and Darkness is the greatestenemy 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 theRyls, who lived among the gay flowers and luscious fruits of Valencia.Sweet Queen Zurline of the Wood-Nymphs completed the circle ofimmortals.

But in the center of the circle sat three others who possessed powersso great that all the Kings and Queens showed them reverence.

These were Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World, who rules the forestsand the orchards and the groves; and Kern, the Master Husbandman of theWorld, who rules the grain fields and the meadows and the gardens; andBo, the Master Mariner of the World, who rules the seas and all thecraft that float thereon. And all other immortals are more or lesssubject to these three.

When all had assembled the Master Woodsman of the World stood up toaddress them, since he himself had summoned them to the council.

Very clearly he told them the story of Claus, beginning at the timewhen as a babe he had been adopted a child of the Forest, and tellingof his noble and generous nature and his life-long labors to makechildren happy.

"And now," said Ak, "when he had won the love of all the world, theSpirit of Death is hovering over him. Of all men who have inhabitedthe earth none other so well deserves immortality, for such a life cannot be spared so long as there are children of mankind to miss him andto 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 immortallistening to him eagerly and nodding approval. Finally the King of theWind 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 immortalsspringing to their feet and looking into each other's face with dismayand then upon Ak with wonder. For it was a grave matter, this partingwith the Mantle of Immortality.

The Queen of the Water Sprites spoke in her low, clear voice, and thewords 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 toclaim 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, andif it was created, as you say, in the Beginning, it was because theSupreme Master knew that some day it would be required. Until now nomortal has deserved it, but who among you dares deny that the goodClaus 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?" demandedAk. "What will it profit any one of us to allow it to remain in itslonely 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 asmile.

"My people in Burzee tell me they have learned to love him; therefore Ivote to give Claus the Mantle," said the King of the Ryls.

"He is already a comrade of the Knooks," announced the ancient King ofthat 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 theslumbers 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 everclaim it," remarked the King of the Light Elves, "so let us have donewith the thing for all time."

"The Wood-Nymphs were first to adopt him," said Queen Zurline. "Ofcourse I shall vote to make him immortal."

Ak now turned to the Master Husbandman of the World, who held up hisright arm and said "Yes!"

And the Master Mariner of the World did likewise, after which Ak, withsparkling eyes and smiling face, cried out:

"I thank you, fellow immortals! For all have voted 'yes,' and so toour dear Claus shall fall the one Mantle of Immortality that it is inour 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 ina place midway between the earth and the sky was suspended a gleamingcrypt of gold and platinum, aglow with soft lights shed from the facetsof countless gems. Within a high dome hung the precious Mantle ofImmortality, and each immortal placed a hand on the hem of the splendidRobe and said, as with one voice:

"We bestow this Mantle upon Claus, who is called the Patron Saint ofChildren!"

At this the Mantle came away from its lofty crypt, and they carried itto 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 backwith an angry gesture. But when her eyes fell upon the Mantle theybore she shrank away with a low moan of disappointment and quitted thathouse forever.

Softly and silently the immortal Band dropped upon Claus the preciousMantle, and it closed about him and sank into the outlines of his bodyand disappeared from view. It became a part of his being, and neithermortal nor immortal might ever take it from him.

Then the Kings and Queens who had wrought this great deed dispersed totheir various homes, and all were well contented that they had addedanother immortal to their Band.

And Claus slept on, the red blood of everlasting life coursing swiftlythrough his veins; and on his brow was a tiny drop of water that hadfallen 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 sweetNymph Necile. For she had stolen in when the others were gone to gazewith 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 thefamiliar room, which he had feared he might never see again, he wasastonished to find his old strength renewed and to feel the red bloodof perfect health coursing through his veins. He sprang from his bedand stood where the bright sunshine came in through his window andflooded him with its merry, dancing rays. He did not then understandwhat had happened to restore to him the vigor of youth, but in spite ofthe fact that his beard remained the color of snow and that wrinklesstill lingered in the corners of his bright eyes, old Santa Claus feltas brisk and merry as a boy of sixteen, and was soon whistlingcontentedly as he busied himself fashioning new toys.

Then Ak came to him and told of the Mantle of Immortality and how Claushad won it through his love for little children.

It made old Santa look grave for a moment to think he had been sofavored; but it also made him glad to realize that now he need neverfear being parted from his dear ones. At once he began preparationsfor making a remarkable assortment of pretty and amusing playthings,and in larger quantities than ever before; for now that he might alwaysdevote himself to this work he decided that no child in the world, pooror rich, should hereafter go without a Christmas gift if he couldmanage to supply it.

The world was new in the days when dear old Santa Claus first begantoy-making and won, by his loving deeds, the Mantle of Immortality.And the task of supplying cheering words, sympathy and prettyplaythings to all the young of his race did not seem a difficultundertaking at all. But every year more and more children were borninto the world, and these, when they grew up, began spreading slowlyover all the face of the earth, seeking new homes; so that Santa Clausfound each year that his journeys must extend farther and farther fromthe Laughing Valley, and that the packs of toys must be made larger andever larger.

So at length he took counsel with his fellow immortals how his workmight keep pace with the increasing number of children that none mightbe neglected. And the immortals were so greatly interested in hislabors that they gladly rendered him their assistance. Ak gave him hisman Kilter, "the silent and swift." And the Knook Prince gave himPeter, who was more crooked and less surly than any of his brothers.And the Ryl Prince gave him Nuter, the sweetest tempered Ryl everknown. And the Fairy Queen gave him Wisk, that tiny, mischievous butlovable Fairy who knows today almost as many children as does SantaClaus himself.

With these people to help make the toys and to keep his house in orderand to look after the sledge and the harness, Santa Claus found it mucheasier to prepare his yearly load of gifts, and his days began tofollow one another smoothly and pleasantly.

Yet after a few generations his worries were renewed, for it wasremarkable how the number of people continued to grow, and how manymore children there were every year to be served. When the peoplefilled all the cities and lands of one country they wandered intoanother part of the world; and the men cut down the trees in many ofthe great forests that had been ruled by Ak, and with the wood theybuilt new cities, and where the forests had been were fields of grainand herds of browsing cattle.

You might think the Master Woodsman would rebel at the loss of hisforests; 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 butguarded the forests until men needed them for their use. I am glad mystrong trees can furnish shelter for men's weak bodies, and warm themthrough the cold winters. But I hope they will not cut down all thetrees, for mankind needs the shelter of the woods in summer as much asthe warmth of blazing logs in winter. And, however crowded the worldmay grow, I do not think men will ever come to Burzee, nor to the GreatBlack Forest, nor to the wooded wilderness of Braz; unless they seektheir shades for pleasure and not to destroy their giant trees."

By and by people made ships from the tree-trunks and crossed overoceans and built cities in far lands; but the oceans made littledifference to the journeys of Santa Claus. His reindeer sped over thewaters as swiftly as over land, and his sledge headed from east to westand followed in the wake of the sun. So that as the earth rolledslowly over Santa Claus had all of twenty-four hours to encircle iteach Christmas Eve, and the speedy reindeer enjoyed these wonderfuljourneys more and more.

So year after year, and generation after generation, and century aftercentury, the world grew older and the people became more numerous andthe labors of Santa Claus steadily increased. The fame of his gooddeeds spread to every household where children dwelt. And all thelittle ones loved him dearly; and the fathers and mothers honored himfor the happiness he had given them when they too were young; and theaged grandsires and granddames remembered him with tender gratitude andblessed his name.

3. The Deputies of Santa Claus

However, there was one evil following in the path of civilization thatcaused Santa Claus a vast amount of trouble before he discovered a wayto overcome it. But, fortunately, it was the last trial he was forcedto undergo.

One Christmas Eve, when his reindeer had leaped to the top of a newbuilding, Santa Claus was surprised to find that the chimney had beenbuilt much smaller than usual. But he had no time to think about itjust then, so he drew in his breath and made himself as small aspossible and slid down the chimney.

"I ought to be at the bottom by this time," he thought, as he continuedto slip downward; but no fireplace of any sort met his view, and by andby he reached the very end of the chimney, which was in the cellar.

"This is odd!" he reflected, much puzzled by this experience. "Ifthere is no fireplace, what on earth is the chimney good for?"

Then he began to climb out again, and found it hard work—the spacebeing so small. And on his way up he noticed a thin, round pipesticking through the side of the chimney, but could not guess what itwas 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 nofireplace through which to enter the house. I fear the children wholive there must go without playthings this Christmas."

Then he drove on, but soon came to another new house with a smallchimney. This caused Santa Claus to shake his head doubtfully, but hetried the chimney, nevertheless, and found it exactly like the other.Moreover, he nearly stuck fast in the narrow flue and tore his jackettrying to get out again; so, although he came to several such chimneysthat night, he did not venture to descend any more of them.

"What in the world are people thinking of, to build such uselesschimneys?" he exclaimed. "In all the years I have traveled with myreindeer I have never seen the like before."

True enough; but Santa Claus had not then discovered that stoves hadbeen invented and were fast coming into use. When he did find it outhe wondered how the builders of those houses could have so littleconsideration for him, when they knew very well it was his custom toclimb down chimneys and enter houses by way of the fireplaces. Perhapsthe men who built those houses had outgrown their own love for toys,and were indifferent whether Santa Claus called on their children ornot. Whatever the explanation might be, the poor children were forcedto bear the burden of grief and disappointment.

The following year Santa Claus found more and more of the new-fashionedchimneys that had no fireplaces, and the next year still more. Thethird year, so numerous had the narrow chimneys become, he even had afew toys left in his sledge that he was unable to give away, because hecould not get to the children.

The matter had now become so serious that it worried the good mangreatly, and he decided to talk it over with Kilter and Peter and Nuterand Wisk.

Kilter already knew something about it, for it had been his duty to runaround to all the houses, just before Christmas, and gather up thenotes and letters to Santa Claus that the children had written, tellingwhat they wished put in their stockings or hung on their Christmastrees. But Kilter was a silent fellow, and seldom spoke of what he sawin the cities and villages. The others were very indignant.

"Those people act as if they do not wish their children to be madehappy!" said sensible Peter, in a vexed tone. "The idea of shuttingout such a generous friend to their little ones!"

"But it is my intention to make children happy whether their parentswish it or not," returned Santa Claus. "Years ago, when I first beganmaking toys, children were even more neglected by their parents thanthey are now; so I have learned to pay no attention to thoughtless orselfish parents, but to consider only the longings of childhood."

"You are right, my master," said Nuter, the Ryl; "many children wouldlack a friend if you did not consider them, and try to make them happy."

"Then," declared the laughing Wisk, "we must abandon any thought ofusing these new-fashioned chimneys, but become burglars, and break intothe houses some other way."

"What way?" asked Santa Claus.

"Why, walls of brick and wood and plaster are nothing to Fairies. Ican easily pass through them whenever I wish, and so can Peter andNuter and Kilter. Is it not so, comrades?"

"I often pass through the walls when I gather up the letters," saidKilter, and that was a long speech for him, and so surprised Peter andNuter that their big round eyes nearly popped out of their heads.

"Therefore," continued the Fairy, "you may as well take us with you onyour next journey, and when we come to one of those houses with stovesinstead of fireplaces we will distribute the toys to the childrenwithout the need of using a chimney."

"That seems to me a good plan," replied Santa Claus, well pleased athaving solved the problem. "We will try it next year."

That was how the Fairy, the Pixie, the Knook and the Ryl all rode inthe sledge with their master the following Christmas Eve; and they hadno trouble at all in entering the new-fashioned houses and leaving toysfor 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, sothat the merry party found themselves at home with an empty sledge afull hour before daybreak.

The only drawback to the journey was that the mischievous Wiskpersisted in tickling the reindeer with a long feather, to see themjump; and Santa Claus found it necessary to watch him every minute andto 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 daythe four little folk always accompany Santa Claus on his yearly rideand 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 reallyanxious he should visit their homes on Christmas Eve and leave presentsfor 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 upin readiness for my coming, and then I can fill them as quick as awink."

And often, when parents were kind and good-natured, Santa Claus wouldsimply fling down his package of gifts and leave the fathers andmothers to fill the stockings after he had darted away in his sledge.

"I will make all loving parents my deputies!" cried the jolly oldfellow, "and they shall help me do my work. For in this way I shallsave many precious minutes and few children need be neglected for lackof time to visit them."

Besides carrying around the big packs in his swift-flying sledge oldSanta began to send great heaps of toys to the toy-shops, so that ifparents wanted larger supplies for their children they could easily getthem; and if any children were, by chance, missed by Santa Claus on hisyearly rounds, they could go to the toy-shops and get enough to makethem happy and contented. For the loving friend of the little onesdecided that no child, if he could help it, should long for toys invain. And the toy-shops also proved convenient whenever a child fellill, and needed a new toy to amuse it; and sometimes, on birthdays, thefathers and mothers go to the toy-shops and get pretty gifts for theirchildren in honor of the happy event.

Perhaps you will now understand how, in spite of the bigness of theworld, Santa Claus is able to supply all the children with beautifulgifts. To be sure, the old gentleman is rarely seen in these days; butit is not because he tries to keep out of sight, I assure you. SantaClaus is the same loving friend of children that in the old days usedto play and romp with them by the hour; and I know he would love to dothe same now, if he had the time. But, you see, he is so busy all theyear making toys, and so hurried on that one night when he visits ourhomes with his packs, that he comes and goes among us like a flash; andit is almost impossible to catch a glimpse of him.

And, although there are millions and millions more children in theworld than there used to be, Santa Claus has never been known tocomplain of their increasing numbers.

"The more the merrier!" he cries, with his jolly laugh; and the onlydifference to him is the fact that his little workmen have to maketheir busy fingers fly faster every year to satisfy the demands of somany 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 allbe beautiful, for all would be happy.

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