"Deeraredeer,"saidhe,"andnothingbutdeer。Weretheyhorsesitwouldberighttoharnessthemlikehorses。Butnooneharnessesdeerbecausetheyarefree,wildcreatures,owingnoserviceofanysorttomankind。ItwoulddegrademydeertolaborforClaus,whoisonlyamaninspiteofthefriendshiplavishedonhimbytheimmortals。"
"Youhaveheard,"saidthePrincetoAk。"ThereistruthinwhatWillsays。"
"CallGlossieandFlossie,"returnedtheMaster。
ThedeerwerebroughttotheconferenceandAkaskedthemiftheyobjectedtodrawingthesledgeforClaus。
"No,indeed!"repliedGlossie;"weenjoyedthetripverymuch。"
"Andwetriedtogethomebydaybreak,"addedFlossie,"butwereunfortunatelyaminutetoolate。"
"Aminutelostatdaybreakdoesn’tmatter,"saidAk。"Youareforgivenforthatdelay。"
"Provideditdoesnothappenagain,"saidthePrinceoftheKnooks,sternly。
"Andwillyoupermitthemtomakeanotherjourneywithme?"askedClaus,eagerly。
ThePrincereflectedwhilehegazedatWill,whowasscowling,andattheMasterWoodsman,whowassmiling。
Thenhestoodupandaddressedthecompanyasfollows:
"SinceyouallurgemetograntthefavorIwillpermitthedeertogowithClausonceeveryyear,onChristmasEve,providedtheyalwaysreturntotheForestbydaybreak。Hemayselectanynumberhepleases,uptoten,todrawhissledge,andthoseshallbeknownamongusasReindeer,todistinguishthemfromtheothers。AndtheyshallbatheinthePoolofNares,andeatthecasaandgrawleandmarbonplantsandshallbeundertheespecialprotectionoftheFairyQueen。
Andnowceasescowling,WillKnook,formywordsshallbeobeyed!"
Hehobbledquicklyawaythroughthetrees,toavoidthethanksofClausandtheapprovaloftheotherimmortals,andWill,lookingascrossasever,followedhim。
ButAkwassatisfied,knowingthathecouldrelyonthepromiseofthePrince,howevergrudginglygiven;andGlossieandFlossieranhome,kickinguptheirheelsdelightedlyateverystep。
"WhenisChristmasEve?"ClausaskedtheMaster。
"Inabouttendays,"hereplied。
"ThenIcannotusethedeerthisyear,"saidClaus,thoughtfully,"forIshallnothavetimeenoughtomakemysackfuloftoys。"
"TheshrewdPrinceforesawthat,"respondedAk,"andthereforenamedChristmasEveasthedayyoumightusethedeer,knowingitwouldcauseyoutoloseanentireyear。"
"IfIonlyhadthetoystheAwgwasstolefromme,"saidClaus,sadly,"Icouldeasilyfillmysackforthechildren。"
"Wherearethey?"askedtheMaster。
"Idonotknow,"repliedClaus,"butthewickedAwgwasprobablyhidtheminthemountains。"
AkturnedtotheFairyQueen。
"Canyoufindthem?"heasked。
"Iwilltry,"shereplied,brightly。
ThenClauswentbacktotheLaughingValley,toworkashardashecould,andabandofFairiesimmediatelyflewtothemountainthathadbeenhauntedbytheAwgwasandbeganasearchforthestolentoys。
TheFairies,aswewellknow,possesswonderfulpowers;butthecunningAwgwashadhiddenthetoysinadeepcaveandcoveredtheopeningwithrocks,sonoonecouldlookin。Thereforeallsearchforthemissingplaythingsprovedinvainforseveraldays,andClaus,whosatathomewaitingfornewsfromtheFairies,almostdespairedofgettingthetoysbeforeChristmasEve。
Heworkedhardeverymoment,butittookconsiderabletimetocarveoutandtoshapeeachtoyandtopaintitproperly,sothatonthemorningbeforeChristmasEveonlyhalfofonesmallshelfabovethewindowwasfilledwithplaythingsreadyforthechildren。
ButonthismorningtheFairieswhoweresearchinginthemountainshadanewthought。Theyjoinedhandsandmovedinastraightlinethroughtherocksthatformedthemountain,beginningatthetopmostpeakandworkingdownward,sothatnospotcouldbemissedbytheirbrighteyes。AndatlasttheydiscoveredthecavewherethetoyshadbeenheapedupbythewickedAwgwas。
Itdidnottakethemlongtoburstopenthemouthofthecave,andtheneachoneseizedasmanytoysashecouldcarryandtheyallflewtoClausandlaidthetreasurebeforehim。
Thegoodmanwasrejoicedtoreceive,justinthenickoftime,suchastoreofplaythingswithwhichtoloadhissledge,andhesentwordtoGlossieandFlossietobereadyforthejourneyatnightfall。
Withallhisotherlaborshehadmanagedtofindtime,sincethelasttrip,torepairtheharnessandtostrengthenhissledge,sothatwhenthedeercametohimattwilighthehadnodifficultyinharnessingthem。
"Wemustgoinanotherdirectionto—night,"hetoldthem,"whereweshallfindchildrenIhaveneveryetvisited。Andwemusttravelfastandworkquickly,formysackisfulloftoysandrunningoverthebrim!"
So,justasthemoonarose,theydashedoutoftheLaughingValleyandacrosstheplainandoverthehillstothesouth。Theairwassharpandfrostyandthestarlighttouchedthesnowflakesandmadethemglitterlikecountlessdiamonds。Thereindeerleapedonwardwithstrong,steadybounds,andClaus’heartwassolightandmerrythathelaughedandsangwhilethewindwhistledpasthisears:
"Withaho,ho,ho!
Andaha,ha,ha!
Andaho,ho!ha,ha,hee!
NowawaywegoO’erthefrozensnow,Asmerryaswecanbe!"
JackFrostheardhimandcameracingupwithhisnippers,butwhenhesawitwasClaushelaughedandturnedawayagain。
Themotherowlsheardhimashepassednearawoodandstucktheirheadsoutofthehollowplacesinthetree—trunks;butwhentheysawwhoitwastheywhisperedtotheowletsnestlingnearthemthatitwasonlySantaClauscarryingtoystothechildren。Itisstrangehowmuchthosemotherowlsknow。
Clausstoppedatsomeofthescatteredfarmhousesandclimbeddownthechimneystoleavepresentsforthebabies。Soonafterhereachedavillageandworkedmerrilyforanhourdistributingplaythingsamongthesleepinglittleones。Thenawayagainhewent,signinghisjoyouscarol:
"NowawaywegoO’erthegleamingsnow,Whilethedeerrunswiftandfree!
FortogirlsandboysWecarrythetoysThatwillfilltheirheartswithglee!"
Thedeerlikedthesoundofhisdeepbassvoiceandkepttimetothesongwiththeirhoofbeatsonthehardsnow;butsoontheystoppedatanotherchimneyandSantaClaus,withsparklingeyesandfacebrushedredbythewind,climbeddownitssmokysidesandleftapresentforeverychildthehousecontained。
Itwasamerry,happynight。Swiftlythedeerran,andbusilytheirdriverworkedtoscatterhisgiftsamongthesleepingchildren。
Butthesackwasemptyatlast,andthesledgeheadedhomeward;andnowagaintheracewithdaybreakbegan。GlossieandFlossiehadnomindtoberebukedasecondtimefortardiness,sotheyfledwithaswiftnessthatenabledthemtopassthegaleonwhichtheFrostKingrode,andsoonbroughtthemtotheLaughingValley。
ItistruewhenClausreleasedhissteedsfromtheirharnesstheeasternskywasstreakedwithgray,butGlossieandFlossieweredeepintheForestbeforedayfairlybroke。
Clauswassoweariedwithhisnight’sworkthathethrewhimselfuponhisbedandfellintoadeepslumber,andwhileheslepttheChristmassunappearedintheskyandshoneuponhundredsofhappyhomeswherethesoundofchildishlaughterproclaimedthatSantaClaushadmadethemavisit。
Godblesshim!ItwashisfirstChristmasEve,andforhundredsofyearssincethenhehasnoblyfulfilledhismissiontobringhappinesstotheheartsoflittlechildren。
11。HowtheFirstStockingsWereHungbytheChimneysWhenyourememberthatnochild,untilSantaClausbeganhistravels,hadeverknownthepleasureofpossessingatoy,youwillunderstandhowjoycreptintothehomesofthosewhohadbeenfavoredwithavisitfromthegoodman,andhowtheytalkedofhimdaybydayinlovingtonesandwerehonestlygratefulforhiskindlydeeds。Itistruethatgreatwarriorsandmightykingsandcleverscholarsofthatdaywereoftenspokenofbythepeople;butnooneofthemwassogreatlybelovedasSantaClaus,becausenoneotherwassounselfishastodevotehimselftomakingothershappy。Foragenerousdeedliveslongerthanagreatbattleoraking’sdecreeofascholar’sessay,becauseitspreadsandleavesitsmarkonallnatureandenduresthroughmanygenerations。
ThebargainmadewiththeKnookPrincechangedtheplansofClausforallfuturetime;for,beingabletousethereindeeronbutonenightofeachyear,hedecidedtodevotealltheotherdaystothemanufactureofplaythings,andonChristmasEvetocarrythemtothechildrenoftheworld。
Butayear’sworkwould,heknew,resultinavastaccumulationoftoys,soheresolvedtobuildanewsledgethatwouldbelargerandstrongerandbetter—fittedforswifttravelthantheoldandclumsyone。
HisfirstactwastovisittheGnomeKing,withwhomhemadeabargaintoexchangethreedrums,atrumpetandtwodollsforapairoffinesteelrunners,curledbeautifullyattheends。FortheGnomeKinghadchildrenofhisown,who,livinginthehollowsundertheearth,inminesandcaverns,neededsomethingtoamusethem。
Inthreedaysthesteelrunnerswereready,andwhenClausbroughttheplaythingstotheGnomeKing,hisMajestywassogreatlypleasedwiththemthathepresentedClauswithastringofsweet—tonedsleigh—bells,inadditiontotherunners。
"ThesewillpleaseGlossieandFlossie,"saidClaus,ashejingledthebellsandlistenedtotheirmerrysound。"ButIshouldhavetwostringsofbells,oneforeachdeer。"
"Bringmeanothertrumpetandatoycat,"repliedtheKing,"andyoushallhaveasecondstringofbellslikethefirst。"
"Itisabargain!"criedClaus,andhewenthomeagainforthetoys。
Thenewsledgewascarefullybuilt,theKnooksbringingplentyofstrongbutthinboardstouseinitsconstruction。Clausmadeahigh,roundingdash—boardtokeepoffthesnowcastbehindbythefleethoofsofthedeer;andhemadehighsidestotheplatformsothatmanytoyscouldbecarried,andfinallyhemountedthesledgeupontheslendersteelrunnersmadebytheGnomeKing。
Itwascertainlyahandsomesledge,andbigandroomy。Clauspainteditinbrightcolors,althoughnoonewaslikelytoseeitduringhismidnightjourneys,andwhenallwasfinishedhesentforGlossieandFlossietocomeandlookatit。
Thedeeradmiredthesledge,butgravelydeclareditwastoobigandheavyforthemtodraw。
"Wemightpullitoverthesnow,tobesure,"saidGlossie;"butwewouldnotpullitfastenoughtoenableustovisitthefar—awaycitiesandvillagesandreturntotheForestbydaybreak。"
"ThenImustaddtwomoredeertomyteam,"declaredClaus,afteramoment’sthought。
"TheKnookPrinceallowedyouasmanyasten。Whynotusethemall?"
askedFlossie。"Thenwecouldspeedlikethelightningandleaptothehighestroofswithease。"
"Ateamoftenreindeer!"criedClaus,delightedly。"Thatwillbesplendid。PleasereturntotheForestatonceandselecteightotherdeeraslikeyourselvesaspossible。Andyoumustalleatofthecasaplant,tobecomestrong,andofthegrawleplant,tobecomefleetoffoot,andofthemarbonplant,thatyoumaylivelongtoaccompanymeonmyjourneys。LikewiseitwillbewellforyoutobatheinthePoolofNares,whichthelovelyQueenZurlinedeclareswillrenderyourarelybeautiful。ShouldyouperformthesedutiesfaithfullythereisnodoubtthatonnextChristmasEvemytenreindeerwillbethemostpowerfulandbeautifulsteedstheworldhaseverseen!"
SoGlossieandFlossiewenttotheForesttochoosetheirmates,andClausbegantoconsiderthequestionofaharnessforthemall。
IntheendhecalleduponPeterKnookforassistance,forPeter’sheartisaskindashisbodyiscrooked,andheisremarkablyshrewd,aswell。AndPeteragreedtofurnishstripsoftoughleatherfortheharness。
Thisleatherwascutfromtheskinsoflionsthathadreachedsuchanadvancedagethattheydiednaturally,andononesidewastawnyhairwhiletheothersidewascuredtothesoftnessofvelvetbythedeftKnooks。WhenClausreceivedthesestripsofleatherhesewedthemneatlyintoaharnessforthetenreindeer,anditprovedstrongandserviceableandlastedhimformanyyears。
Theharnessandsledgewerepreparedatoddtimes,forClausdevotedmostofhisdaystothemakingoftoys。Thesewerenowmuchbetterthanthefirstoneshadbeen,fortheimmortalsoftencametohishousetowatchhimworkandtooffersuggestions。ItwasNecile’sideatomakesomeofthedollssay"papa"and"mama。"ItwasathoughtoftheKnookstoputasqueakinsidethelambs,sothatwhenachildsqueezedthemtheywouldsay"baa—a—a—a!"AndtheFairyQueenadvisedClaustoputwhistlesinthebirds,sotheycouldbemadetosing,andwheelsonthehorses,sochildrencoulddrawthemaround。
ManyanimalsperishedintheForest,fromonecauseoranother,andtheirfurwasbroughttoClausthathemightcoverwithitthesmallimagesofbeastshemadeforplaythings。AmerryRylsuggestedthatClausmakeadonkeywithanoddinghead,whichhedid,andafterwardfoundthatitamusedthelittleonesimmensely。Andsothetoysgrewinbeautyandattractivenesseveryday,untiltheywerethewonderofeventheimmortals。
WhenanotherChristmasEvedrewneartherewasamonsterloadofbeautifulgiftsforthechildrenreadytobeloadeduponthebigsledge。Clausfilledthreesackstothebrim,andtuckedeverycornerofthesledge—boxfulloftoysbesides。
Then,attwilight,thetenreindeerappearedandFlossieintroducedthemalltoClaus。TheywereRacerandPacer,RecklessandSpeckless,FearlessandPeerless,andReadyandSteady,who,withGlossieandFlossie,madeupthetenwhohavetraversedtheworldthesehundredsofyearswiththeirgenerousmaster。Theywereallexceedinglybeautiful,withslenderlimbs,spreadingantlers,velvetydarkeyesandsmoothcoatsoffawncolorspottedwithwhite。
Clauslovedthematonce,andhaslovedthemeversince,fortheyareloyalfriendsandhaverenderedhimpricelessservice。
Thenewharnessfittedthemnicelyandsoontheywereallfastenedtothesledgebytwos,withGlossieandFlossieinthelead。Theseworethestringsofsleigh—bells,andweresodelightedwiththemusictheymadethattheykeptprancingupanddowntomakethebellsring。
Clausnowseatedhimselfinthesledge,drewawarmrobeoverhiskneesandhisfurcapoverhisears,andcrackedhislongwhipasasignaltostart。
Instantlythetenleapedforwardandwereawaylikethewind,whilejollyClauslaughedgleefullytoseethemrunandshoutedasonginhisbig,heartyvoice:
"Withaho,ho,ho!
Andaha,ha,ha!
Andaho,ho,ha,ha,hee!
NowawaywegoO’erthefrozensnow,Asmerryaswecanbe!
TherearemanyjoysInourloadoftoys,Asmanyachildwillknow;
We’llscatterthemwideOnourwildnightrideO’erthecrispandsparklingsnow!"
NowitwasonthissameChristmasEvethatlittleMargotandherbrotherDickandhercousinsNedandSara,whowerevisitingatMargot’shouse,cameinfrommakingasnowman,withtheirclothesdamp,theirmittensdrippingandtheirshoesandstockingswetthroughandthrough。Theywerenotscolded,forMargot’smotherknewthesnowwasmelting,buttheyweresentearlytobedthattheirclothesmightbehungoverchairstodry。Theshoeswereplacedontheredtilesofthehearth,wheretheheatfromthehotemberswouldstrikethem,andthestockingswerecarefullyhunginarowbythechimney,directlyoverthefireplace。ThatwasthereasonSantaClausnoticedthemwhenhecamedownthechimneythatnightandallthehouseholdwerefastasleep。Hewasinatremendoushurryandseeingthestockingsallbelongedtochildrenhequicklystuffedhistoysintothemanddashedupthechimneyagain,appearingontheroofsosuddenlythatthereindeerwereastonishedathisagility。
"Iwishtheywouldallhanguptheirstockings,"hethought,ashedrovetothenextchimney。"ItwouldsavemealotoftimeandI
couldthenvisitmorechildrenbeforedaybreak。"
WhenMargotandDickandNedandSarajumpedoutofbednextmorningandrandownstairstogettheirstockingsfromthefireplacetheywerefilledwithdelighttofindthetoysfromSantaClausinsidethem。Inface,Ithinktheyfoundmorepresentsintheirstockingsthananyotherchildrenofthatcityhadreceived,forSantaClauswasinahurryanddidnotstoptocountthetoys。
Ofcoursetheytoldalltheirlittlefriendsaboutit,andofcourseeveryoneofthemdecidedtohanghisownstockingsbythefireplacethenextChristmasEve。EvenBessieBlithesome,whomadeavisittothatcitywithherfather,thegreatLordofLerd,heardthestoryfromthechildrenandhungherownprettystockingsbythechimneywhenshereturnedhomeatChristmastime。
OnhisnexttripSantaClausfoundsomanystockingshungupinanticipationofhisvisitthathecouldfilltheminajiffyandbeawayagaininhalfthetimerequiredtohuntthechildrenupandplacethetoysbytheirbedsides。
Thecustomgrewyearafteryear,andhasalwaysbeenagreathelptoSantaClaus。And,withsomanychildrentovisit,hesurelyneedsallthehelpweareabletogivehim。
12。TheFirstChristmasTreeClaushadalwayskepthispromisetotheKnooksbyreturningtotheLaughingValleybydaybreak,butonlytheswiftnessofhisreindeerhasenabledhimtodothis,forhetravelsoveralltheworld。
Helovedhisworkandhelovedthebrisknightrideonhissledgeandthegaytinkleofthesleigh—bells。OnthatfirsttripwiththetenreindeeronlyGlossieandFlossieworebells;buteachyearthereafterforeightyearsClauscarriedpresentstothechildrenoftheGnomeKing,andthatgood—naturedmonarchgavehiminreturnastringofbellsateachvisit,sothatfinallyeveryoneofthetendeerwassupplied,andyoumayimaginewhatamerrytunethebellsplayedasthesledgespedoverthesnow。
Thechildren’sstockingsweresolongthatitrequiredagreatmanytoystofillthem,andsoonClausfoundtherewereotherthingsbesidestoysthatchildrenlove。SohesentsomeoftheFairies,whowerealwayshisgoodfriends,intotheTropics,fromwhencetheyreturnedwithgreatbagsfulloforangesandbananaswhichtheyhadpluckedfromthetrees。AndotherFairiesflewtothewonderfulValleyofPhunnyland,wheredeliciouscandiesandbonbonsgrowthicklyonthebushes,andreturnedladenwithmanyboxesofsweetmeatsforthelittleones。ThesethingsSantaClaus,oneachChristmasEve,placedinthelongstockings,togetherwithhistoys,andthechildrenweregladtogetthem,youmaybesure。
Therearealsowarmcountrieswherethereisnosnowinwinter,butClausandhisreindeervisitedthemaswellasthecolderclimes,fortherewerelittlewheelsinsidetherunnersofhissledgewhichpermittedittorunassmoothlyoverbaregroundasonthesnow。AndthechildrenwholivedinthewarmcountrieslearnedtoknowthenameofSantaClausaswellasthosewholivednearertotheLaughingValley。
Once,justasthereindeerwerereadytostartontheiryearlytrip,aFairycametoClausandtoldhimofthreelittlechildrenwholivedbeneatharudetentofskinsonabroadplainwheretherewerenotreeswhatever。Thesepoorbabiesweremiserableandunhappy,fortheirparentswereignorantpeoplewhoneglectedthemsadly。Clausresolvedtovisitthesechildrenbeforehereturnedhome,andduringhisridehepickedupthebushytopofapinetreewhichthewindhadbrokenoffandplaceditinhissledge。
Itwasnearlymorningwhenthedeerstoppedbeforethelonelytentofskinswherethepoorchildrenlayasleep。Clausatonceplantedthebitofpinetreeinthesandandstuckmanycandlesonthebranches。
Thenhehungsomeofhisprettiesttoysonthetree,aswellasseveralbagsofcandies。Itdidnottakelongtodoallthis,forSantaClausworksquickly,andwhenallwasreadyhelightedthecandlesand,thrustinghisheadinattheopeningofthetent,heshouted:
"MerryChristmas,littleones!"
Withthatheleapedintohissledgeandwasoutofsightbeforethechildren,rubbingthesleepfromtheireyes,couldcomeouttoseewhohadcalledthem。
Youcanimaginethewonderandjoyofthoselittleones,whohadneverintheirlivesknownarealpleasurebefore,whentheysawthetree,sparklingwithlightsthatshonebrilliantinthegraydawnandhungwithtoysenoughtomakethemhappyforyearstocome!Theyjoinedhandsanddancedaroundthetree,shoutingandlaughing,untiltheywereobligedtopauseforbreath。Andtheirparents,also,cameouttolookandwonder,andthereafterhadmorerespectandconsiderationfortheirchildren,sinceSantaClaushadhonoredthemwithsuchbeautifulgifts。
TheideaoftheChristmastreepleasedClaus,andsothefollowingyearhecarriedmanyoftheminhissledgeandsetthemupinthehomesofpoorpeoplewhoseldomsawtrees,andplacedcandlesandtoysonthebranches。Ofcoursehecouldnotcarryenoughtreesinoneloadofallwhowantedthem,butinsomehomesthefatherswereabletogettreesandhavethemallreadyforSantaClauswhenhearrived;andthesethegoodClausalwaysdecoratedasprettilyaspossibleandhungwithtoysenoughforallthechildrenwhocametoseethetreelighted。
ThesenovelideasandthegenerousmannerinwhichtheywerecarriedoutmadethechildrenlongforthatonenightintheyearwhentheirfriendSantaClausshouldvisitthem,andassuchanticipationisverypleasantandcomfortingthelittleonesgleanedmuchhappinessbywonderingwhatwouldhappenwhenSantaClausnextarrived。
PerhapsyourememberthatsternBaronBraunwhooncedroveClausfromhiscastleandforbadehimtovisithischildren?Well,manyyearsafterward,whentheoldBaronwasdeadandhissonruledinhisplace,thenewBaronBrauncametothehouseofClauswithhistrainofknightsandpagesandhenchmenand,dismountingfromhischarger,baredhisheadhumblybeforethefriendofchildren。
"Myfatherdidnotknowyourgoodnessandworth,"hesaid,"andthereforethreatenedtohangyoufromthecastlewalls。ButIhavechildrenofmyown,wholongforavisitfromSantaClaus,andIhavecometobegthatyouwillfavorthemhereafterasyoudootherchildren。"
Clauswaspleasedwiththisspeech,forCastleBraunwastheonlyplacehehadnevervisited,andhegladlypromisedtobringpresentstotheBaron’schildrenthenextChristmasEve。
TheBaronwentawaycontented,andClauskepthispromisefaithfully。
Thusdidthisman,throughverygoodness,conquertheheartsofall;
anditisnowonderhewasevermerryandgay,fortherewasnohomeinthewideworldwherehewasnotwelcomedmoreroyallythananyking。
OLDAGE
1。TheMantleofImmortalityAndnowwecometoaturning—pointinthecareerofSantaClaus,anditismydutytorelatethemostremarkablethathashappenedsincetheworldbeganormankindwascreated。
WehavefollowedthelifeofClausfromthetimehewasfoundahelplessinfantbytheWood—NymphNecileandrearedtomanhoodinthegreatForestofBurzee。Andweknowhowhebegantomaketoysforchildrenandhow,withtheassistanceandgoodwilloftheimmortals,hewasabletodistributethemtothelittleonesthroughouttheworld。
Formanyyearshecarriedonthisnoblework;forthesimple,hard—workinglifeheledgavehimperfecthealthandstrength。
AnddoubtlessamancanlivelongerinthebeautifulLaughingValley,wheretherearenocaresandeverythingispeacefulandmerry,thaninanyotherpartoftheworld。
ButwhenmanyyearshadrolledawaySantaClausgrewold。Thelongbeardofgoldenbrownthatoncecoveredhischeeksandchingraduallybecamegray,andfinallyturnedtopurewhite。Hishairwaswhite,too,andtherewerewrinklesatthecornersofhiseyes,whichshowedplainlywhenhelaughed。Hehadneverbeenaverytallman,andnowhebecamefat,andwaddledverymuchlikeaduckwhenhewalked。Butinspiteofthesethingsheremainedaslivelyasever,andwasjustasjollyandgay,andhiskindeyessparkledasbrightlyastheydidthatfirstdaywhenhecametotheLaughingValley。
Yetatimeissuretocomewheneverymortalwhohasgrownoldandlivedhislifeisrequiredtoleavethisworldforanother;soitisnowonderthat,afterSantaClaushaddrivenhisreindeeronmanyandmanyaChristmasEve,thosestanchfriendsfinallywhisperedamongthemselvesthattheyhadprobablydrawnhissledgeforthelasttime。
ThenalltheForestofBurzeebecamesadandalltheLaughingValleywashushed;foreverylivingthingthathadknownClaushadusedtolovehimandtobrightenatthesoundofhisfootstepsorthenotesofhismerrywhistle。
Nodoubttheoldman’sstrengthwasatlastexhausted,forhemadenomoretoys,butlayonhisbedasinadream。
TheNymphNecile,shewhohadrearedhimandbeenhisfoster—mother,wasstillyouthfulandstrongandbeautiful,anditseemedtoherbutashorttimesincethisaged,gray—beardedmanhadlaininherarmsandsmiledonherwithhisinnocent,babylips。
Inthisisshownthedifferencebetweenmortalsandimmortals。
ItwasfortunatethatthegreatAkcametotheForestatthistime。
NecilesoughthimwithtroubledeyesandtoldhimofthefatethatthreatenedtheirfriendClaus。
AtoncetheMasterbecamegrave,andheleaneduponhisaxandstrokedhisgrizzledbeardthoughtfullyformanyminutes。Thensuddenlyhestoodupstraight,andpoisedhispowerfulheadwithfirmresolve,andstretchedouthisgreatrightarmasifdeterminedondoingsomemightydeed。ForathoughthadcometohimsograndinitsconceptionthatalltheworldmightwellbowbeforetheMasterWoodsmanandhonorhisnameforever!
ItiswellknownthatwhenthegreatAkonceundertakestodoathingheneverhesitatesaninstant。Nowhesummonedhisfleetestmessengers,andsenttheminaflashtomanypartsoftheearth。
AndwhentheyweregoneheturnedtotheanxiousNecileandcomfortedher,saying:
"Beofgoodheart,mychild;ourfriendstilllives。AndnowruntoyourQueenandtellherthatIhavesummonedacouncilofalltheimmortalsoftheworldtomeetwithmehereinBurzeethisnight。Iftheyobey,andharkenuntomywords,Clauswilldrivehisreindeerforcountlessagesyettocome。"
AtmidnighttherewasawondroussceneintheancientForestofBurzee,whereforthefirsttimeinmanycenturiestherulersoftheimmortalswhoinhabittheearthweregatheredtogether。
TherewastheQueenoftheWaterSprites,whosebeautifulformwasasclearascrystalbutcontinuallydrippedwateronthebankofmosswhereshesat。AndbesideherwastheKingoftheSleepFays,whocarriedawandfromtheendofwhichafinedustfellallaround,sothatnomortalcouldkeepawakelongenoughtoseehim,asmortaleyesweresuretocloseinsleepassoonasthedustfilledthem。AndnexttohimsattheGnomeKing,whosepeopleinhabitallthatregionundertheearth’ssurface,wheretheyguardthepreciousmetalsandthejewelstonesthatlieburiedinrockandore。AthisrighthandstoodtheKingoftheSoundImps,whohadwingsonhisfeet,forhispeopleareswifttocarryallsoundsthataremade。Whentheyarebusytheycarrythesoundsbutshortdistances,fortherearemanyofthem;butsometimestheyspeedwiththesoundstoplacesmilesandmilesawayfromwheretheyaremade。TheKingoftheSoundImpshadananxiousandcarewornface,formostpeoplehavenoconsiderationforhisImpsand,especiallytheboysandgirls,makeagreatmanyunnecessarysoundswhichtheImpsareobligedtocarrywhentheymightbebetteremployed。
ThenextinthecircleofimmortalswastheKingoftheWindDemons,slenderofframe,restlessanduneasyatbeingconfinedtooneplaceforevenanhour。Onceinawhilehewouldleavehisplaceandcirclearoundtheglade,andeachtimehedidthistheFairyQueenwasobligedtountangletheflowinglocksofhergoldenhairandtuckthembackofherpinkears。Butshedidnotcomplain,foritwasnotoftenthattheKingoftheWindDemonscameintotheheartoftheForest。AftertheFairyQueen,whosehomeyouknowwasinoldBurzee,cametheKingoftheLightElves,withhistwoPrinces,FlashandTwilight,athisback。HeneverwentanywherewithouthisPrinces,fortheyweresomischievousthathedarednotletthemwanderalone。
PrinceFlashborealightning—boltinhisrighthandandahornofgunpowderinhisleft,andhisbrighteyesrovedconstantlyaround,asifhelongedtousehisblindingflashes。PrinceTwilightheldagreatsnufferinonehandandabigblackcloakintheother,anditiswellknownthatunlessTwilightiscarefullywatchedthesnuffersorthecloakwillthroweverythingintodarkness,andDarknessisthegreatestenemytheKingoftheLightElveshas。
InadditiontotheimmortalsIhavenamedweretheKingoftheKnooks,whohadcomefromhishomeinthejunglesofIndia;andtheKingoftheRyls,wholivedamongthegayflowersandlusciousfruitsofValencia。
SweetQueenZurlineoftheWood—Nymphscompletedthecircleofimmortals。
ButinthecenterofthecirclesatthreeotherswhopossessedpowerssogreatthatalltheKingsandQueensshowedthemreverence。
ThesewereAk,theMasterWoodsmanoftheWorld,whorulestheforestsandtheorchardsandthegroves;andKern,theMasterHusbandmanoftheWorld,whorulesthegrainfieldsandthemeadowsandthegardens;
andBo,theMasterMarineroftheWorld,whorulestheseasandallthecraftthatfloatthereon。Andallotherimmortalsaremoreorlesssubjecttothesethree。
WhenallhadassembledtheMasterWoodsmanoftheWorldstooduptoaddressthem,sincehehimselfhadsummonedthemtothecouncil。
VeryclearlyhetoldthemthestoryofClaus,beginningatthetimewhenasababehehadbeenadoptedachildoftheForest,andtellingofhisnobleandgenerousnatureandhislife—longlaborstomakechildrenhappy。
"Andnow,"saidAk,"whenhehadwontheloveofalltheworld,theSpiritofDeathishoveringoverhim。Ofallmenwhohaveinhabitedtheearthnoneothersowelldeservesimmortality,forsuchalifecannotbesparedsolongastherearechildrenofmankindtomisshimandtogrieveoverhisloss。Weimmortalsaretheservantsoftheworld,andtoservetheworldwewerepermittedintheBeginningtoexist。
ButwhatoneofusismoreworthyofimmortalitythanthismanClaus,whososweetlyministerstothelittlechildren?"
Hepausedandglancedaroundthecircle,tofindeveryimmortallisteningtohimeagerlyandnoddingapproval。FinallytheKingoftheWindDemons,whohadbeenwhistlingsoftlytohimself,criedout:
"Whatisyourdesire,OAk?"
"TobestowuponClaustheMantleofImmortality!"saidAk,boldly。
Thatthisdemandwaswhollyunexpectedwasprovedbytheimmortalsspringingtotheirfeetandlookingintoeachother’sfacewithdismayandthenuponAkwithwonder。Foritwasagravematter,thispartingwiththeMantleofImmortality。
TheQueenoftheWaterSpritesspokeinherlow,clearvoice,andthewordssoundedlikeraindropssplashinguponawindow—pane。
"InalltheworldthereisbutoneMantleofImmortality,"shesaid。
TheKingoftheSoundFaysadded:
"IthasexistedsincetheBeginning,andnomortalhaseverdaredtoclaimit。"
AndtheMasterMarineroftheWorldaroseandstretchedhislimbs,saying:
"Onlybythevoteofeveryimmortalcanitbebestoweduponamortal。"
"Iknowallthis,"answeredAk,quietly。"ButtheMantleexists,andifitwascreated,asyousay,intheBeginning,itwasbecausetheSupremeMasterknewthatsomedayitwouldberequired。Untilnownomortalhasdeservedit,butwhoamongyoudaresdenythatthegoodClausdeservesit?Willyounotallvotetobestowituponhim?"
Theyweresilent,stilllookingupononeanotherquestioningly。
"OfwhatuseistheMantleofImmortalityunlessitisworn?"demandedAk。"Whatwillitprofitanyoneofustoallowittoremaininitslonelyshrineforalltimetocome?"
"Enough!"criedtheGnomeKing,abruptly。"Wewillvoteonthematter,yesorno。Formypart,Isayyes!"
"AndI!"saidtheFairyQueen,promptly,andAkrewardedherwithasmile。
"MypeopleinBurzeetellmetheyhavelearnedtolovehim;thereforeIvotetogiveClaustheMantle,"saidtheKingoftheRyls。
"HeisalreadyacomradeoftheKnooks,"announcedtheancientKingofthatband。"Lethimhaveimmortality!"
"Lethimhaveit——lethimhaveit!"sighedtheKingoftheWindDemons。
"Whynot?"askedtheKingoftheSleepFays。"Heneverdisturbstheslumbersmypeopleallowhumanity。LetthegoodClausbeimmortal!"
"Idonotobject,"saidtheKingoftheSoundImps。
"NorI,"murmuredtheQueenoftheWaterSprites。
"IfClausdoesnotreceivetheMantleitisclearnoneothercaneverclaimit,"remarkedtheKingoftheLightElves,"soletushavedonewiththethingforalltime。"
"TheWood—Nymphswerefirsttoadopthim,"saidQueenZurline。"OfcourseIshallvotetomakehimimmortal。"
AknowturnedtotheMasterHusbandmanoftheWorld,whohelduphisrightarmandsaid"Yes!"
AndtheMasterMarineroftheWorlddidlikewise,afterwhichAk,withsparklingeyesandsmilingface,criedout:
"Ithankyou,fellowimmortals!Forallhavevoted’yes,’andsotoourdearClausshallfalltheoneMantleofImmortalitythatitisinourpowertobestow!"
"Letusfetchitatonce,"saidtheFayKing;"I’minahurry。"
Theybowedassent,andinstantlytheForestgladewasdeserted。Butinaplacemidwaybetweentheearthandtheskywassuspendedagleamingcryptofgoldandplatinum,aglowwithsoftlightsshedfromthefacetsofcountlessgems。WithinahighdomehungthepreciousMantleofImmortality,andeachimmortalplacedahandonthehemofthesplendidRobeandsaid,aswithonevoice:
"WebestowthisMantleuponClaus,whoiscalledthePatronSaintofChildren!"
AtthistheMantlecameawayfromitsloftycrypt,andtheycarriedittothehouseintheLaughingValley。
TheSpiritofDeathwascrouchingveryneartothebedsideofClaus,andastheimmortalsapproachedshesprangupandmotionedthembackwithanangrygesture。ButwhenhereyesfellupontheMantletheyboresheshrankawaywithalowmoanofdisappointmentandquittedthathouseforever。
SoftlyandsilentlytheimmortalBanddroppeduponClausthepreciousMantle,anditclosedabouthimandsankintotheoutlinesofhisbodyanddisappearedfromview。Itbecameapartofhisbeing,andneithermortalnorimmortalmightevertakeitfromhim。
ThentheKingsandQueenswhohadwroughtthisgreatdeeddispersedtotheirvarioushomes,andallwerewellcontentedthattheyhadaddedanotherimmortaltotheirBand。
AndClausslepton,theredbloodofeverlastinglifecoursingswiftlythroughhisveins;andonhisbrowwasatinydropofwaterthathadfallenfromtheever—meltinggownoftheQueenoftheWaterSprites,andoverhislipshoveredatenderkissthathadbeenleftbythesweetNymphNecile。Forshehadstoleninwhentheothersweregonetogazewithraptureupontheimmortalformofherfosterson。
2。WhentheWorldGrewOldThenextmorning,whenSantaClausopenedhiseyesandgazedaroundthefamiliarroom,whichhehadfearedhemightneverseeagain,hewasastonishedtofindhisoldstrengthrenewedandtofeeltheredbloodofperfecthealthcoursingthroughhisveins。Hesprangfromhisbedandstoodwherethebrightsunshinecameinthroughhiswindowandfloodedhimwithitsmerry,dancingrays。Hedidnotthenunderstandwhathadhappenedtorestoretohimthevigorofyouth,butinspiteofthefactthathisbeardremainedthecolorofsnowandthatwrinklesstilllingeredinthecornersofhisbrighteyes,oldSantaClausfeltasbriskandmerryasaboyofsixteen,andwassoonwhistlingcontentedlyashebusiedhimselffashioningnewtoys。
ThenAkcametohimandtoldoftheMantleofImmortalityandhowClaushadwonitthroughhisloveforlittlechildren。
ItmadeoldSantalookgraveforamomenttothinkhehadbeensofavored;butitalsomadehimgladtorealizethatnowheneedneverfearbeingpartedfromhisdearones。Atoncehebeganpreparationsformakingaremarkableassortmentofprettyandamusingplaythings,andinlargerquantitiesthaneverbefore;fornowthathemightalwaysdevotehimselftothisworkhedecidedthatnochildintheworld,poororrich,shouldhereaftergowithoutaChristmasgiftifhecouldmanagetosupplyit。
TheworldwasnewinthedayswhendearoldSantaClausfirstbegantoy—makingandwon,byhislovingdeeds,theMantleofImmortality。
Andthetaskofsupplyingcheeringwords,sympathyandprettyplaythingstoalltheyoungofhisracedidnotseemadifficultundertakingatall。Buteveryyearmoreandmorechildrenwerebornintotheworld,andthese,whentheygrewup,beganspreadingslowlyoverallthefaceoftheearth,seekingnewhomes;sothatSantaClausfoundeachyearthathisjourneysmustextendfartherandfartherfromtheLaughingValley,andthatthepacksoftoysmustbemadelargerandeverlarger。
Soatlengthhetookcounselwithhisfellowimmortalshowhisworkmightkeeppacewiththeincreasingnumberofchildrenthatnonemightbeneglected。Andtheimmortalsweresogreatlyinterestedinhislaborsthattheygladlyrenderedhimtheirassistance。AkgavehimhismanKilter,"thesilentandswift。"AndtheKnookPrincegavehimPeter,whowasmorecrookedandlesssurlythananyofhisbrothers。
AndtheRylPrincegavehimNuter,thesweetesttemperedRyleverknown。AndtheFairyQueengavehimWisk,thattiny,mischievousbutlovableFairywhoknowstodayalmostasmanychildrenasdoesSantaClaushimself。
Withthesepeopletohelpmakethetoysandtokeephishouseinorderandtolookafterthesledgeandtheharness,SantaClausfounditmucheasiertopreparehisyearlyloadofgifts,andhisdaysbegantofollowoneanothersmoothlyandpleasantly。
Yetafterafewgenerationshisworrieswererenewed,foritwasremarkablehowthenumberofpeoplecontinuedtogrow,andhowmanymorechildrentherewereeveryyeartobeserved。Whenthepeoplefilledallthecitiesandlandsofonecountrytheywanderedintoanotherpartoftheworld;andthemencutdownthetreesinmanyofthegreatforeststhathadbeenruledbyAk,andwiththewoodtheybuiltnewcities,andwheretheforestshadbeenwerefieldsofgrainandherdsofbrowsingcattle。
YoumightthinktheMasterWoodsmanwouldrebelatthelossofhisforests;butnotso。ThewisdomofAkwasmightyandfarseeing。
"Theworldwasmadeformen,"saidhetoSantaClaus,"andIhavebutguardedtheforestsuntilmenneededthemfortheiruse。Iamgladmystrongtreescanfurnishshelterformen’sweakbodies,andwarmthemthroughthecoldwinters。ButIhopetheywillnotcutdownallthetrees,formankindneedstheshelterofthewoodsinsummerasmuchasthewarmthofblazinglogsinwinter。And,howevercrowdedtheworldmaygrow,IdonotthinkmenwillevercometoBurzee,nortotheGreatBlackForest,nortothewoodedwildernessofBraz;unlesstheyseektheirshadesforpleasureandnottodestroytheirgianttrees。"
Byandbypeoplemadeshipsfromthetree—trunksandcrossedoveroceansandbuiltcitiesinfarlands;buttheoceansmadelittledifferencetothejourneysofSantaClaus。Hisreindeerspedoverthewatersasswiftlyasoverland,andhissledgeheadedfromeasttowestandfollowedinthewakeofthesun。SothatastheearthrolledslowlyoverSantaClaushadalloftwenty—fourhourstoencircleiteachChristmasEve,andthespeedyreindeerenjoyedthesewonderfuljourneysmoreandmore。
Soyearafteryear,andgenerationaftergeneration,andcenturyaftercentury,theworldgrewolderandthepeoplebecamemorenumerousandthelaborsofSantaClaussteadilyincreased。Thefameofhisgooddeedsspreadtoeveryhouseholdwherechildrendwelt。Andallthelittleoneslovedhimdearly;andthefathersandmothershonoredhimforthehappinesshehadgiventhemwhentheytoowereyoung;andtheagedgrandsiresandgranddamesrememberedhimwithtendergratitudeandblessedhisname。
3。TheDeputiesofSantaClausHowever,therewasoneevilfollowinginthepathofcivilizationthatcausedSantaClausavastamountoftroublebeforehediscoveredawaytoovercomeit。But,fortunately,itwasthelasttrialhewasforcedtoundergo。
OneChristmasEve,whenhisreindeerhadleapedtothetopofanewbuilding,SantaClauswassurprisedtofindthatthechimneyhadbeenbuiltmuchsmallerthanusual。Buthehadnotimetothinkaboutitjustthen,sohedrewinhisbreathandmadehimselfassmallaspossibleandsliddownthechimney。
"Ioughttobeatthebottombythistime,"hethought,ashecontinuedtoslipdownward;butnofireplaceofanysortmethisview,andbyandbyhereachedtheveryendofthechimney,whichwasinthecellar。
"Thisisodd!"hereflected,muchpuzzledbythisexperience。"Ifthereisnofireplace,whatonearthisthechimneygoodfor?"
Thenhebegantoclimboutagain,andfoundithardwork——thespacebeingsosmall。Andonhiswayuphenoticedathin,roundpipestickingthroughthesideofthechimney,butcouldnotguesswhatitwasfor。
Finallyhereachedtheroofandsaidtothereindeer:
"Therewasnoneedofmygoingdownthatchimney,forIcouldfindnofireplacethroughwhichtoenterthehouse。IfearthechildrenwholivetheremustgowithoutplaythingsthisChristmas。"
Thenhedroveon,butsooncametoanothernewhousewithasmallchimney。ThiscausedSantaClaustoshakehisheaddoubtfully,buthetriedthechimney,nevertheless,andfounditexactlyliketheother。
Moreover,henearlystuckfastinthenarrowflueandtorehisjackettryingtogetoutagain;so,althoughhecametoseveralsuchchimneysthatnight,hedidnotventuretodescendanymoreofthem。
"Whatintheworldarepeoplethinkingof,tobuildsuchuselesschimneys?"heexclaimed。"InalltheyearsIhavetraveledwithmyreindeerIhaveneverseenthelikebefore。"
Trueenough;butSantaClaushadnotthendiscoveredthatstoveshadbeeninventedandwerefastcomingintouse。Whenhedidfinditouthewonderedhowthebuildersofthosehousescouldhavesolittleconsiderationforhim,whentheyknewverywellitwashiscustomtoclimbdownchimneysandenterhousesbywayofthefireplaces。
Perhapsthemenwhobuiltthosehouseshadoutgrowntheirownlovefortoys,andwereindifferentwhetherSantaClauscalledontheirchildrenornot。Whatevertheexplanationmightbe,thepoorchildrenwereforcedtobeartheburdenofgriefanddisappointment。
ThefollowingyearSantaClausfoundmoreandmoreofthenew—fashionedchimneysthathadnofireplaces,andthenextyearstillmore。Thethirdyear,sonumeroushadthenarrowchimneysbecome,heevenhadafewtoysleftinhissledgethathewasunabletogiveaway,becausehecouldnotgettothechildren。
Thematterhadnowbecomesoseriousthatitworriedthegoodmangreatly,andhedecidedtotalkitoverwithKilterandPeterandNuterandWisk。
Kilteralreadyknewsomethingaboutit,forithadbeenhisdutytorunaroundtoallthehouses,justbeforeChristmas,andgatherupthenotesandletterstoSantaClausthatthechildrenhadwritten,tellingwhattheywishedputintheirstockingsorhungontheirChristmastrees。ButKilterwasasilentfellow,andseldomspokeofwhathesawinthecitiesandvillages。Theotherswereveryindignant。
"Thosepeopleactasiftheydonotwishtheirchildrentobemadehappy!"saidsensiblePeter,inavexedtone。"Theideaofshuttingoutsuchagenerousfriendtotheirlittleones!"
"Butitismyintentiontomakechildrenhappywhethertheirparentswishitornot,"returnedSantaClaus。"Yearsago,whenIfirstbeganmakingtoys,childrenwereevenmoreneglectedbytheirparentsthantheyarenow;soIhavelearnedtopaynoattentiontothoughtlessorselfishparents,buttoconsideronlythelongingsofchildhood。"
"Youareright,mymaster,"saidNuter,theRyl;"manychildrenwouldlackafriendifyoudidnotconsiderthem,andtrytomakethemhappy。"
"Then,"declaredthelaughingWisk,"wemustabandonanythoughtofusingthesenew—fashionedchimneys,butbecomeburglars,andbreakintothehousessomeotherway。"
"Whatway?"askedSantaClaus。
"Why,wallsofbrickandwoodandplasterarenothingtoFairies。
IcaneasilypassthroughthemwheneverIwish,andsocanPeterandNuterandKilter。Isitnotso,comrades?"
"IoftenpassthroughthewallswhenIgatheruptheletters,"saidKilter,andthatwasalongspeechforhim,andsosurprisedPeterandNuterthattheirbigroundeyesnearlypoppedoutoftheirheads。
"Therefore,"continuedtheFairy,"youmayaswelltakeuswithyouonyournextjourney,andwhenwecometooneofthosehouseswithstovesinsteadoffireplaceswewilldistributethetoystothechildrenwithouttheneedofusingachimney。"
"Thatseemstomeagoodplan,"repliedSantaClaus,wellpleasedathavingsolvedtheproblem。"Wewilltryitnextyear。"
ThatwashowtheFairy,thePixie,theKnookandtheRylallrodeinthesledgewiththeirmasterthefollowingChristmasEve;andtheyhadnotroubleatallinenteringthenew—fashionedhousesandleavingtoysforthechildrenthatlivedinthem。
AndtheirdeftservicesnotonlyrelievedSantaClausofmuchlabor,butenabledhimtocompletehisownworkmorequicklythanusual,sothatthemerrypartyfoundthemselvesathomewithanemptysledgeafullhourbeforedaybreak。
TheonlydrawbacktothejourneywasthatthemischievousWiskpersistedinticklingthereindeerwithalongfeather,toseethemjump;andSantaClausfounditnecessarytowatchhimeveryminuteandtotweakhislongearsonceortwicetomakehimbehavehimself。
But,takenalltogether,thetripwasagreatsuccess,andtothisdaythefourlittlefolkalwaysaccompanySantaClausonhisyearlyrideandhelphiminthedistributionofhisgifts。
Buttheindifferenceofparents,whichhadsoannoyedthegoodSaint,didnotcontinueverylong,andSantaClaussoonfoundtheywerereallyanxiousheshouldvisittheirhomesonChristmasEveandleavepresentsfortheirchildren。
So,tolightenhistask,whichwasfastbecomingverydifficultindeed,oldSantadecidedtoasktheparentstoassisthim。
"GetyourChristmastreesallreadyformycoming,"hesaidtothem;
"andthenIshallbeabletoleavethepresentswithoutlossoftime,andyoucanputthemonthetreeswhenIamgone。"
Andtoothershesaid:"Seethatthechildren’sstockingsarehungupinreadinessformycoming,andthenIcanfillthemasquickasawink。"
Andoften,whenparentswerekindandgood—natured,SantaClauswouldsimplyflingdownhispackageofgiftsandleavethefathersandmotherstofillthestockingsafterhehaddartedawayinhissledge。
"Iwillmakealllovingparentsmydeputies!"criedthejollyoldfellow,"andtheyshallhelpmedomywork。ForinthiswayIshallsavemanypreciousminutesandfewchildrenneedbeneglectedforlackoftimetovisitthem。"
Besidescarryingaroundthebigpacksinhisswift—flyingsledgeoldSantabegantosendgreatheapsoftoystothetoy—shops,sothatifparentswantedlargersuppliesfortheirchildrentheycouldeasilygetthem;andifanychildrenwere,bychance,missedbySantaClausonhisyearlyrounds,theycouldgotothetoy—shopsandgetenoughtomakethemhappyandcontented。Forthelovingfriendofthelittleonesdecidedthatnochild,ifhecouldhelpit,shouldlongfortoysinvain。Andthetoy—shopsalsoprovedconvenientwheneverachildfellill,andneededanewtoytoamuseit;andsometimes,onbirthdays,thefathersandmothersgotothetoy—shopsandgetprettygiftsfortheirchildreninhonorofthehappyevent。
Perhapsyouwillnowunderstandhow,inspiteofthebignessoftheworld,SantaClausisabletosupplyallthechildrenwithbeautifulgifts。Tobesure,theoldgentlemanisrarelyseeninthesedays;
butitisnotbecausehetriestokeepoutofsight,Iassureyou。
SantaClausisthesamelovingfriendofchildrenthatintheolddaysusedtoplayandrompwiththembythehour;andIknowhewouldlovetodothesamenow,ifhehadthetime。But,yousee,heissobusyalltheyearmakingtoys,andsohurriedonthatonenightwhenhevisitsourhomeswithhispacks,thathecomesandgoesamonguslikeaflash;anditisalmostimpossibletocatchaglimpseofhim。
And,althoughtherearemillionsandmillionsmorechildrenintheworldthanthereusedtobe,SantaClaushasneverbeenknowntocomplainoftheirincreasingnumbers。
"Themorethemerrier!"hecries,withhisjollylaugh;andtheonlydifferencetohimisthefactthathislittleworkmenhavetomaketheirbusyfingersflyfastereveryyeartosatisfythedemandsofsomanylittleones。
"Inallthisworldthereisnothingsobeautifulasahappychild,"
saysgoodoldSantaClaus;andifhehadhiswaythechildrenwouldallbebeautiful,forallwouldbehappy。