L. Frank Baum.........................................................................................................................................1

YOUTH ....................................................................................................................................................1

1. Burzee.................................................................................................................................................1

2. The Child of the Forest.......................................................................................................................2

3. The Adoption......................................................................................................................................4

4. Claus...................................................................................................................................................5

5. The Master Woodsman .......................................................................................................................6

6. Claus Discovers Humanity.................................................................................................................7

7. Claus Leaves the Forest......................................................................................................................9

MANHOOD ...........................................................................................................................................10

1. The Laughing Valley........................................................................................................................10

2. How Claus Made the First Toy .........................................................................................................13

3. How the Ryls Colored the Toys ........................................................................................................15

4. How Little Mayrie Became Frightened............................................................................................19

5. How Bessie Blithesome Came to the Laughing Valley ....................................................................21

6. The Wickedness of the Awgwas .......................................................................................................25

7. The Great Battle Between Good and Evil .........................................................................................28

8. The First Journey with the Reindeer .................................................................................................31

9. "Santa Claus!" ...................................................................................................................................36

10. Christmas Eve.................................................................................................................................37

11. How the First Stockings Were Hung by the Chimneys..................................................................40

12. The First Christmas Tree................................................................................................................43

OLD AGE..............................................................................................................................................45

1. The Mantle of Immortality ................................................................................................................45

2. When the World Grew Old ...............................................................................................................49

3. The Deputies of Santa Claus .............................................................................................................50

Have you heard of the great Forest of Burzee? Nurse used to sing of it when I was a child. She sang of the big

treetrunks, standing close together, with their roots intertwining below the earth and their branches

intertwining above it; of their rough coating of bark and queer, gnarled limbs; of the bushy foliage that roofed

the entire forest, save where the sunbeams found a path through which to touch the ground in little spots and

to cast weird and curious shadows over the mosses, the lichens and the drifts of dried leaves.

The Forest of Burzee is mighty and grand and awesome to those who steal beneath its shade. Coming from

the sunlit meadows into its mazes it seems at first gloomy, then pleasant, and afterward filled with

For hundreds of years it has flourished in all its magnificence, the silence of its inclosure unbroken save by

Yet Burzee has its inhabitantsfor all this. Nature peopled it in the beginning with Fairies, Knooks, Ryls and

Nymphs. As long as the Forest stands it will be a home, a refuge and a playground to these sweet immortals,

Once, so long ago our greatgrandfathers could scarcely have heard it mentioned, there lived within the great

Forest of Burzee a woodnymph named Necile. She was closely related to the mighty Queen Zurline, and her

home was beneath the shade of a widespreading oak. Once every year, on Budding Day, when the trees put

forth their new buds, Necile held the Golden Chalice of Ak to the lips of the Queen, who drank therefrom to

the prosperity of the Forest. So you see she was a nymph of some importance, and, moreover, it is said she

When she was created she could not have told; Queen Zurline could not have told; the great Ak himself could

not have told. It was long ago when the world was new and nymphs were needed to guard the forests and to

minister to the wants of the young trees. Then, on some day not remembered, Necile sprang into being;

Her hair was the color that lines a chestnutbur; her eyes were blue in the sunlight and purple in the shade;

her cheeks bloomed with the faint pink that edges the clouds at sunset; her lips were full red, pouting and

sweet. For costume she adopted oakleaf green; all the woodnymphs dress in that color and know no other

so desirable. Her dainty feet were sandalclad, while her head remained bare of covering other than her

Necile's duties were few and simple. She kept hurtful weeds from growing beneath her trees and sapping the

earthfood required by her charges. She frightened away the Gadgols, who took evil delight in flying against

the treetrunks and wounding them so that they drooped and died from the poisonous contact. In dry seasons

she carried water from the brooks and pools and moistened the roots of her thirsty dependents.

That was in the beginning. The weeds had now learned to avoid the forests where woodnymphs dwelt; the

loathsome Gadgols no longer dared come nigh; the trees had become old and sturdy and could bear the

drought better than when freshsprouted. So Necile's duties were lessened, and time grew laggard, while

succeeding years became more tiresome and uneventful than the nymph's joyous spirit loved.

Truly the forestdwellers did not lack amusement. Each full moon they danced in the Royal Circle of the

Queen. There were also the Feast of Nuts, the Jubilee of Autumn Tintings, the solemn ceremony of Leaf

Shedding and the revelry of Budding Day. But these periods of enjoyment were far apart, and left many

That a woodnymph should grow discontented was not thought of by Necile's sisters. It came upon her only

after many years of brooding. But when once she had settled in her mind that life was irksome she had no

patience with her condition, and longed to do something of real interest and to pass her days in ways hitherto

undreamed of by forest nymphs. The Law of the Forest alone restrained her from going forth in search of

While this mood lay heavy upon pretty Necile it chanced that the great Ak visited the Forest of Burzee and

allowed the woodnymphs as was their wontto lie at his feet and listen to the words of wisdom that fell

from his lips. Ak is the Master Woodsman of the world; he sees everything, and knows more than the sons of

That night he held the Queen's hand, for he loved the nymphs as a father loves his children; and Necile lay at

"We live so happily, my fair ones, in our forest glades," said Ak, stroking his grizzled beard thoughtfully,

"that we know nothing of the sorrow and misery that fall to the lot of those poor mortals who inhabit the open

spaces of the earth. They are not of our race, it is true, yet compassion well befits beings so fairly favored as

ourselves. Often as I pass by the dwelling of some suffering mortal I am tempted to stop and banish the poor

thing's misery. Yet suffering, in moderation, is the natural lot of mortals, and it is not our place to interfere

"Nevertheless," said the fair Queen, nodding her golden head at the Master Woodsman, "it would not be a

"Sometimes," he replied, "when they are very young'children,' the mortals call themI have stopped to

rescue them from misery. The men and women I dare not interfere with; they must bear the burdens Nature

has imposed upon them. But the helpless infants, the innocent children of men, have a right to be happy until

they become fullgrown and able to bear the trials of humanity. So I feel I am justified in assisting them. Not

long agoa year, maybeI found four poor children huddled in a wooden hut, slowly freezing to death.

Their parents had gone to a neighboring village for food, and had left a fire to warm their little ones while

they were absent. But a storm arose and drifted the snow in their path, so they were long on the road.

Meantime the fire went out and the frost crept into the bones of the waiting children."

"I called Nelko, bidding him fetch wood from my forests and breathe upon it until the fire blazed again and

warmed the little room where the children lay. Then they ceased shivering and fell asleep until their parents

"I am glad you did thus," said the good Queen, beaming upon the Master; and Necile, who had eagerly

"And this very night," continued Ak, "as I came to the edge of Burzee I heard a feeble cry, which I judged

came from a human infant. I looked about me and found, close to the forest, a helpless babe, lying quite

naked upon the grasses and wailing piteously. Not far away, screened by the forest, crouched Shiegra, the

"Not much, being in a hurry to greet my nymphs. But I commanded Shiegra to lie close to the babe, and to

give it her milk to quiet its hunger. And I told her to send word throughout the forest, to all beasts and

"I am glad you did thus," said the good Queen again, in a tone of relief; but this time Necile did not echo her

words, for the nymph, filled with a strange resolve, had suddenly stolen away from the group.

Swiftly her lithe form darted through the forest paths until she reached the edge of mighty Burzee, when she

paused to gaze curiously about her. Never until now had she ventured so far, for the Law of the Forest had

Necile knew she was breaking the Law, but the thought did not give pause to her dainty feet. She had decided

to see with her own eyes this infant Ak had told of, for she had never yet beheld a child of man. All the

immortals are fullgrown; there are no children among them. Peering through the trees Necile saw the child

lying on the grass. But now it was sweetly sleeping, having been comforted by the milk drawn from Shiegra.

It was not old enough to know what peril means; if it did not feel hunger it was content.

Softly the nymph stole to the side of the babe and knelt upon the sward, her long robe of rose leaf color

spreading about her like a gossamer cloud. Her lovely countenance expressed curiosity and surprise, but,

most of all, a tender, womanly pity. The babe was newborn, chubby and pink. It was entirely helpless. While

the nymph gazed the infant opened its eyes, smiled upon her, and stretched out two dimpled arms. In another

instant Necile had caught it to her breast and was hurrying with it through the forest paths.

The Master Woodsman suddenly rose, with knitted brows. "There is a strange presence in the Forest," he

declared. Then the Queen and her nymphs turned and saw standing before them Necile, with the sleeping

And thus for a moment they remained, the nymphs filled with surprise and consternation, but the brow of the

Master Woodsman gradually clearing as he gazed intently upon the beautiful immortal who had wilfully

broken the Law. Then the great Ak, to the wonder of all, laid his hand softly on Necile's flowing locks and

"For the first time within my knowledge," said he, gently, "a nymph has defied me and my laws; yet in my

"Let me keep the child!" she answered, beginning to tremble and falling on her knees in supplication.

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

"Here, in the Forest of Burzee," replied the nymph, boldly. "It is my home, and I am weary for lack of

occupation. Let me care for the babe! See how weak and helpless it is. Surely it can not harm Burzee nor the

"The Law is made by the Master Woodsman," returned Necile; "if he bids me care for the babe he himself

has saved from death, who in all the world dare oppose me?" Queen Zurline, who had listened intently to this

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

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

"She shall keep the babe, and I will give it my protection. But I warn you all that as this is the first time I

have relaxed the Law, so shall it be the last time. Never more, to the end of the World, shall a mortal be

adopted by an immortal. Otherwise would we abandon our happy existence for one of trouble and anxiety.

Then Ak was gone from their midst, and Necile hurried away to her bower to rejoice over her newfound

Another day found Necile's bower the most popular place in the Forest. The nymphs clustered around her and

the child that lay asleep in her lap, with expressions of curiosity and delight. Nor were they wanting in praises

for the great Ak's kindness in allowing Necile to keep the babe and to care for it. Even the Queen came to

peer into the innocent childish face and to hold a helpless, chubby fist in her own fair hand.

"What shall we call him, Necile?" she asked, smiling. "He must have a name, you know."

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

The nymphs clapped their hands in delight, and Neclaus became the infant's name, although Necile loved best

Necile gathered the softest moss in all the forest for Claus to lie upon, and she made his bed in her own

bower. Of food the infant had no lack. The nymphs searched the forest for belludders, which grow upon the

goatree and when opened are found to be filled with sweet milk. And the softeyed does willingly gave a

share of their milk to support the little stranger, while Shiegra, the lioness, often crept stealthily into Necile's

So the little one flourished and grew big and sturdy day by day, while Necile taught him to speak and to walk

His thoughts and words were sweet and gentle, for the nymphs knew no evil and their hearts were pure and

loving. He became the pet of the forest, for Ak's decree had forbidden beast or reptile to molest him, and he

Presently the news reached the other immortals that the nymphs of Burzee had adopted a human infant, and

that the act had been sanctioned by the great Ak. Therefore many of them came to visit the little stranger,

looking upon him with much interest. First the Ryls, who are first cousins to the woodnymphs, although so

differently formed. For the Ryls are required to watch over the flowers and plants, as the nymphs watch over

the forest trees. They search the wide world for the food required by the roots of the flowering plants, while

the brilliant colors possessed by the fullblown flowers are due to the dyes placed in the soil by the Ryls,

which are drawn through the little veins in the roots and the body of the plants, as they reach maturity. The

Ryls are a busy people, for their flowers bloom and fade continually, but they are merry and lighthearted

Next came the Knooks, whose duty it is to watch over the beasts of the world, both gentle and wild. The

Knooks have a hard time of it, since many of the beasts are ungovernable and rebel against restraint. But they

know how to manage them, after all, and you will find that certain laws of the Knooks are obeyed by even the

most ferocious animals. Their anxieties make the Knooks look old and worn and crooked, and their natures

are a bit rough from associating with wild creatures continually; yet they are most useful to humanity and to

the world in general, as their laws are the only laws the forest beasts recognize except those of the Master

Then there were the Fairies, the guardians of mankind, who were much interested in the adoption of Claus

because their own laws forbade them to become familiar with their human charges. There are instances on

record where the Fairies have shown themselves to human beings, and have even conversed with them; but

they are supposed to guard the lives of mankind unseen and unknown, and if they favor some people more

than others it is because these have won such distinction fairly, as the Fairies are very just and impartial. But

the idea of adopting a child of men had never occurred to them because it was in every way opposed to their

laws; so their curiosity was intense to behold the little stranger adopted by Necile and her sister nymphs.

Claus looked upon the immortals who thronged around him with fearless eyes and smiling lips. He rode

laughingly upon the shoulders of the merry Ryls; he mischievously pulled the gray beards of the lowbrowed

Knooks; he rested his curly head confidently upon the dainty bosom of the Fairy Queen herself. And the Ryls

loved the sound of his laughter; the Knooks loved his courage; the Fairies loved his innocence.

The boy made friends of them all, and learned to know their laws intimately. No forest flower was trampled

beneath his feet, lest the friendly Ryls should be grieved. He never interfered with the beasts of the forest, lest

his friends the Knooks should become angry. The Fairies he loved dearly, but, knowing nothing of mankind,

he could not understand that he was the only one of his race admitted to friendly intercourse with them.

Indeed, Claus came to consider that he alone, of all the forest people, had no like nor fellow. To him the

forest was the world. He had no idea that millions of toiling, striving human creatures existed.

** Some people have spelled this name Nicklaus and others Nicolas, which is the reason that Santa Claus is

still known in some lands as St. Nicolas. But, of course, Neclaus is his right name, and Claus the nickname

Years pass swiftly in Burzee, for the nymphs have no need to regard time in any way. Even centuries make

no change in the dainty creatures; ever and ever they remain the same, immortal and unchanging.

Claus, however, being mortal, grew to manhood day by day. Necile was disturbed, presently, to find him too

big to lie in her lap, and he had a desire for other food than milk. His stout legs carried him far into Burzee's

heart, where he gathered supplies of nuts and berries, as well as several sweet and wholesome roots, which

suited his stomach better than the belludders. He sought Necile's bower less frequently, till finally it became

The nymph, who had come to love him dearly, was puzzled to comprehend the changed nature of her charge,

and unconsciously altered her own mode of life to conform to his whims. She followed him readily through

the forest paths, as did many of her sister nymphs, explaining as they walked all the mysteries of the gigantic

wood and the habits and nature of the living things which dwelt beneath its shade.

The language of the beasts became clear to little Claus; but he never could understand their sulky and morose

tempers. Only the squirrels, the mice and the rabbits seemed to possess cheerful and merry natures; yet would

the boy laugh when the panther growled, and stroke the bear's glossy coat while the creature snarled and

bared its teeth menacingly. The growls and snarls were not for Claus, he well knew, so what did they matter?

He could sing the songs of the bees, recite the poetry of the woodflowers and relate the history of every

blinking owl in Burzee. He helped the Ryls to feed their plants and the Knooks to keep order among the

animals. The little immortals regarded him as a privileged person, being especially protected by Queen

One day the Master Woodsman came back to the forest of Burzee. He had visited, in turn, all his forests

Not until he entered the glade where the Queen and her nymphs were assembled to greet him did Ak

remember the child he had permitted Necile to adopt. Then he found, sitting familiarly in the circle of lovely

immortals, a broadshouldered, stalwart youth, who, when erect, stood fully as high as the shoulder of the

Ak paused, silent and frowning, to bend his piercing gaze upon Claus. The clear eyes met his own steadfastly,

and the Woodsman gave a sigh of relief as he marked their placid depths and read the youth's brave and

innocent heart. Nevertheless, as Ak sat beside the fair Queen, and the golden chalice, filled with rare nectar,

passed from lip to lip, the Master Woodsman was strangely silent and reserved, and stroked his beard many

"Bid good by, for a time, to Necile and her sisters; for you shall accompany me on my journey through the

The venture pleased Claus, who knew well the honor of being companion of the Master Woodsman of the

world. But Necile wept for the first time in her life, and clung to the boy's neck as if she could not bear to let

him go. The nymph who had mothered this sturdy youth was still as dainty, as charming and beautiful as

when she had dared to face Ak with the babe clasped to her breast; nor was her love less great. Ak beheld the

two clinging together, seemingly as brother and sister to one another, and again he wore his thoughtful look.

Taking Claus to a small clearing in the forest, the Master said: "Place your hand upon my girdle and hold fast

while we journey through the air; for now shall we encirle the world and look upon many of the haunts of

These words caused Claus to marvel, for until now he had thought himself the only one of his kind upon the

earth; yet in silence he grasped firmly the girdle of the great Ak, his astonishment forbidding speech.

Then the vast forest of Burzee seemed to fall away from their feet, and the youth found himself passing

Ere long there were spires beneath them, while buildings of many shapes and colors met their downward

view. It was a city of men, and Ak, pausing to descend, led Claus to its inclosure. Said the Master:

"So long as you hold fast to my girdle you will remain unseen by all mankind, though seeing clearly yourself.

To release your grasp will be to separate yourself forever from me and your home in Burzee."

One of the first laws of the Forest is obedience, and Claus had no thought of disobeying the Master's wish. He

Thereafter with each moment passed in the city the youth's wonder grew. He, who had supposed himself

created differently from all others, now found the earth swarming with creatures of his own kind.

Claus looked earnestly upon his fellows. There were sad faces, gay and reckless faces, pleasant faces, anxious

faces and kindly faces, all mingled in puzzling disorder. Some worked at tedious tasks; some strutted in

impudent conceit; some were thoughtful and grave while others seemed happy and content. Men of many

natures were there, as everywhere, and Claus found much to please him and much to make him sad.

But especially he noted the childrenfirst curiously, then eagerly, then lovingly. Ragged little ones rolled in

the dust of the streets, playing with scraps and pebbles. Other children, gaily dressed, were propped upon

cushions and fed with sugarplums. Yet the children of the rich were not happier than those playing with the

"Childhood is the time of man's greatest content," said Ak, following the youth's thoughts. "'Tis during these

"Because they are born in both cottage and palace," returned the Master. "The difference in the wealth of the

parents determines the lot of the child. Some are carefully tended and clothed in silks and dainty linen; others

"While they are babesyes;" agreed Ak. "Their joy is in being alive, and they do not stop to think. In after

years the doom of mankind overtakes them, and they find they must struggle and worry, work and fret, to

gain the wealth that is so dear to the hearts of men. Such things are unknown in the Forest where you were

Then Ak, in gentle voice, told him the story of his babyhood: how he had been abandoned at the forest's edge

and left a prey to wild beasts, and how the loving nymph Necile had rescued him and brought him to

"You are not of them," returned the Woodsman. "The nymph who cared for you as a mother seems now like a

sister to you; by and by, when you grow old and gray, she will seem like a daughter. Yet another brief span

"Everything perishes except the world itself and its keepers," answered Ak. "But while life lasts everything

on earth has its use. The wise seek ways to be helpful to the world, for the helpful ones are sure to live again."

Much of this Claus failed to understand fully, but a longing seized him to become helpful to his fellows, and

They visited many dwellings of men in many parts of the world, watching farmers toil in the fields, warriors

dash into cruel fray, and merchants exchange their goods for bits of white and yellow metal. And everywhere

the eyes of Claus sought out the children in love and pity, for the thought of his own helpless babyhood was

strong within him and he yearned to give help to the innocent little ones of his race even as he had been

Day by day the Master Woodsman and his pupil traversed the earth, Ak speaking but seldom to the youth

who clung steadfastly to his girdle, but guiding him into all places where he might become familiar with the

And at last they returned to the grand old Forest of Burzee, where the Master set Claus down within the circle

The brow of the great Ak was now calm and peaceful; but the brow of Claus had become lined with deep

thought. Necile sighed at the change in her fosterson, who until now had been ever joyous and smiling, and

the thought came to her that never again would the life of the boy be the same as before this eventful journey

When good Queen Zurline had touched the golden chalice with her fair lips and it had passed around the

circle in honor of the travelers' return, the Master Woodsman of the World, who had not yet spoken, turned

The boy understood, and rose slowly to his feet beside Necile. Once only his eyes passed around the familiar

circle of nymphs, every one of whom he remembered as a loving comrade; but tears came unbidden to dim

"I have been ignorant," said he, simply, "until the great Ak in his kindness taught me who and what I am.

You, who live so sweetly in your forest bowers, ever fair and youthful and innocent, are no fit comrades for a

son of humanity. For I have looked upon man, finding him doomed to live for a brief space upon earth, to toil

for the things he needs, to fade into old age, and then to pass away as the leaves in autumn. Yet every man

has his mission, which is to leave the world better, in some way, than he found it. I am of the race of men,

and man's lot is my lot. For your tender care of the poor, forsaken babe you adopted, as well as for your

loving comradeship during my boyhood, my heart will ever overflow with gratitude. My fostermother," here

he stopped and kissed Necile's white forehead, "I shall love and cherish while life lasts. But I must leave you,

to take my part in the endless struggle to which humanity is doomed, and to live my life in my own way."

"I must devote myself to the care of the children of mankind, and try to make them happy," he answered.

"Since your own tender care of a babe brought to me happiness and strength, it is just and right that I devote

my life to the pleasure of other babes. Thus will the memory of the loving nymph Necile be planted within

the hearts of thousands of my race for many years to come, and her kindly act be recounted in song and in

"You have spoken well," returned Ak, and rising to his feet he continued: "Yet one thing must not be

forgotten. Having been adopted as the child of the Forest, and the playfellow of the nymphs, you have gained

a distinction which forever separates you from your kind. Therefore, when you go forth into the world of men

you shall retain the protection of the Forest, and the powers you now enjoy will remain with you to assist you

in your labors. In any need you may call upon the Nymphs, the Ryls, the Knooks and the Fairies, and they

will serve you gladly. I, the Master Woodsman of the World, have said it, and my Word is the Law!"

"This will make me mighty among men," he replied. "Protected by these kind friends I may be able to make

thousands of little children happy. I will try very hard to do my duty, and I know the Forest people will give

"We will!" exclaimed the sweet nymphs, proudly. But Necile said nothing. She only folded Claus in her arms

"The world is big," continued the boy, turning again to his loyal friends, "but men are everywhere. I shall

begin my work near my friends, so that if I meet with misfortune I can come to the Forest for counsel or

With that he gave them all a loving look and turned away. There was no need to say good by, by for him the

sweet, wild life of the Forest was over. He went forth bravely to meet his doomthe doom of the race of

Coming through Burzee to its eastern edge Claus reached the Laughing Valley of Hohaho. On each side were

rolling green hills, and a brook wandered midway between them to wind afar off beyond the valley. At his

back was the grim Forest; at the far end of the valley a broad plain. The eyes of the young man, which had

until now reflected his grave thoughts, became brighter as he stood silent, looking out upon the Laughing

Valley. Then on a sudden his eyes twinkled, as stars do on a still night, and grew merry and wide.

For at his feet the cowslips and daisies smiled on him in friendly regard; the breeze whistled gaily as it passed

by and fluttered the locks on his forehead; the brook laughed joyously as it leaped over the pebbles and swept

around the green curves of its banks; the bees sang sweet songs as they flew from dandelion to daffodil; the

beetles chirruped happily in the long grass, and the sunbeams glinted pleasantly over all the scene.

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

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

When Claus came the Valley was empty save for the grass, the brook, the wildflowers, the bees and the

butterflies. If he would make his home here and live after the fashion of men he must have a house. This

puzzled him at first, but while he stood smiling in the sunshine he suddenly found beside him old Nelko, the

servant of the Master Woodsman. Nelko bore an ax, strong and broad, with blade that gleamed like burnished

silver. This he placed in the young man's hand, then disappeared without a word.

Claus understood, and turning to the Forest's edge he selected a number of fallen treetrunks, which he began

to clear of their dead branches. He would not cut into a living tree. His life among the nymphs who guarded

the Forest had taught him that a live tree is sacred, being a created thing endowed with feeling. But with the

dead and fallen trees it was different. They had fulfilled their destiny, as active members of the Forest

community, and now it was fitting that their remains should minister to the needs of man.

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

When shadows began creeping over the green hills to lie in the Valley overnight, the young man had chopped

many logs into equal lengths and proper shapes for building a house such as he had seen the poorer classes of

men inhabit. Then, resolving to await another day before he tried to fit the logs together, Claus ate some of

the sweet roots he well knew how to find, drank deeply from the laughing brook, and lay down to sleep on

the grass, first seeking a spot where no flowers grew, lest the weight of his body should crush them.

And while he slumbered and breathed in the perfume of the wondrous Valley the Spirit of Happiness crept

into his heart and drove out all terror and care and misgivings. Never more would the face of Claus be

clouded with anxieties; never more would the trials of life weigh him down as with a burden. The Laughing

Would that we all might live in that delightful place!but then, maybe, it would become overcrowded. For

ages it had awaited a tenant. Was it chance that led young Claus to make his home in this happy vale? Or may

we guess that his thoughtful friends, the immortals, had directed his steps when he wandered away from

Certain it is that while the moon peered over the hilltop and flooded with its soft beams the body of the

sleeping stranger, the Laughing Valley was filled with the queer, crooked shapes of the friendly Knooks.

These people spoke no words, but worked with skill and swiftness. The logs Claus had trimmed with his

bright ax were carried to a spot beside the brook and fitted one upon another, and during the night a strong

The birds came sweeping into the Valley at daybreak, and their songs, so seldom heard in the deep wood,

aroused the stranger. He rubbed the web of sleep from his eyelids and looked around. The house met his

"I must thank the Knooks for this," said he, gratefully. Then he walked to his dwelling and entered at the

doorway. A large room faced him, having a fireplace at the end and a table and bench in the middle. Beside

the fireplace was a cupboard. Another doorway was beyond. Claus entered here, also, and saw a smaller room

with a bed against the wall and a stool set near a small stand. On the bed were many layers of dried moss

"Indeed, it is a palace!" exclaimed the smiling Claus. "I must thank the good Knooks again, for their

He left his new home with a glad feeling that he was not quite alone in the world, although he had chosen to

abandon his Forest life. Friendships are not easily broken, and the immortals are everywhere.

Upon reaching the brook he drank of the pure water, and then sat down on the bank to laugh at the

mischievous gambols of the ripples as they pushed one another against rocks or crowded desperately to see

which should first reach the turn beyond. And as they raced away he listened to the song they sang:

"Rushing, pushing, on we go! Not a wave may gently flow All are too excited. Ev'ry drop, delighted,

Next Claus searched for roots to eat, while the daffodils turned their little eyes up to him laughingly and

"Blooming fairly, growing rarely, Never flowerets were so gay! Perfume breathing, joy bequeathing, As our

It made Claus laugh to hear the little things voice their happiness as they nodded gracefully on their stems.

But another strain caught his ear as the sunbeams fell gently across his face and whispered:

"Here is gladness, that our rays Warm the valley through the days; Here is happiness, to give Comfort unto

"Yes!" cried Claus in answer, "there is happiness and joy in all things here. The Laughing Valley is a valley

He passed the day talking with the ants and beetles and exchanging jokes with the lighthearted butterflies.

Then came the Fairies, merry but noiseless, bringing skillets and pots and dishes and pans and all the tools

necessary to prepare food and to comfort a mortal. With these they filled cupboard and fireplace, finally

When Claus awoke he rubbed his eyes again, and laughed, and spoke aloud his thanks to the Fairies and the

Master Woodsman who had sent them. With eager joy he examined all his new possessions, wondering what

some might be used for. But, in the days when he had clung to the girdle of the great Ak and visited the cities

of men, his eyes had been quick to note all the manners and customs of the race to which he belonged; so he

guessed from the gifts brought by the Fairies that the Master expected him hereafter to live in the fashion of

"Which means that I must plow the earth and plant corn," he reflected; "so that when winter comes I shall

But, as he stood in the grassy Valley, he saw that to turn up the earth in furrows would be to destroy hundreds

of pretty, helpless flowers, as well as thousands of the tender blades of grass. And this he could not bear to

Therefore he stretched out his arms and uttered a peculiar whistle he had learned in the Forest, afterward

Instantly a dozen of the queer little Ryls were squatting upon the ground before him, and they nodded to him

"Your brothers of the Forest," he said, "I have known and loved many years. I shall love you, also, when we

have become friends. To me the laws of the Ryls, whether those of the Forest or of the field, are sacred. I

have never wilfully destroyed one of the flowers you tend so carefully; but I must plant grain to use for food

during the cold winter, and how am I to do this without killing the little creatures that sing to me so prettily of

"Fret not, friend Claus. The great Ak has spoken to us of you. There is better work for you in life than to

labor for food, and though, not being of the Forest, Ak has no command over us, nevertheless are we glad to

favor one he loves. Live, therefore, to do the good work you are resolved to undertake. We, the Field Ryls,

After this speech the Ryls were no longer to be seen, and Claus drove from his mind the thought of tilling the

When next he wandered back to his dwelling a bowl of fresh milk stood upon the table; bread was in the

cupboard and sweet honey filled a dish beside it. A pretty basket of rosy apples and newplucked grapes was

also awaiting him. He called out "Thanks, my friends!" to the invisible Ryls, and straightway began to eat of

Thereafter, when hungry, he had but to look into the cupboard to find goodly supplies brought by the kindly

Ryls. And the Knooks cut and stacked much wood for his fireplace. And the Fairies brought him warm

So began his life in the Laughing Valley, with the favor and friendship of the immortals to minister to his

Truly our Claus had wisdom, for his good fortune but strengthened his resolve to befriend the little ones of

his own race. He knew his plan was approved by the immortals, else they would not have favored him so

So he began at once to make acquaintance with mankind. He walked through the Valley to the plain beyond,

and crossed the plain in many directions to reach the abodes of men. These stood singly or in groups of

dwellings called villages, and in nearly all the houses, whether big or little, Claus found children.

The youngsters soon came to know his merry, laughing face and the kind glance of his bright eyes; and the

parents, while they regarded the young man with some scorn for loving children more than their elders, were

content that the girls and boys had found a playfellow who seemed willing to amuse them.

So the children romped and played games with Claus, and the boys rode upon his shoulders, and the girls

nestled in his strong arms, and the babies clung fondly to his knees. Wherever the young man chanced to be,

the sound of childish laughter followed him; and to understand this better you must know that children were

much neglected in those days and received little attention from their parents, so that it became to them a

marvel that so goodly a man as Claus devoted his time to making them happy. And those who knew him

were, you may be sure, very happy indeed. The sad faces of the poor and abused grew bright for once; the

cripple smiled despite his misfortune; the ailing ones hushed their moans and the grieved ones their cries

Only at the beautiful palace of the Lord of Lerd and at the frowning castle of the Baron Braun was Claus

refused admittance. There were children at both places; but the servants at the palace shut the door in the

young stranger's face, and the fierce Baron threatened to hang him from an iron hook on the castle walls.

Whereupon Claus sighed and went back to the poorer dwellings where he was welcome.

The flowers lived out their lives and faded and disappeared; the beetles burrowed far into the warm earth; the

butterflies deserted the meadows; and the voice of the brook grew hoarse, as if it had taken cold.

One day snowflakes filled all the air in the Laughing Valley, dancing boisterously toward the earth and

So Claus came out. He had known Jack Frost in the Forest, and liked the jolly rogue, even while he

"There will be rare sport for me tonight, Claus!" shouted the sprite. "Isn't this glorious weather? I shall nip

"But I love to nip the tender ones!" declared Jack. "The older ones are tough, and tire my fingers."

"True," agreed Jack, thoughtfully. "Well, I will not pinch a child this nightif I can resist the temptation," he

The young man went in and closed the door, and Jack Frost ran on to the nearest village.

Claus threw a log on the fire, which burned up brightly. Beside the hearth sat Blinkie, a big cat give him by

Peter the Knook. Her fur was soft and glossy, and she purred neverending songs of contentment.

"I shall not see the children again soon," said Claus to the cat, who kindly paused in her song to listen. "The

winter is upon us, the snow will be deep for many days, and I shall be unable to play with my little friends."

The cat raised a paw and stroked her nose thoughtfully, but made no reply. So long as the fire burned and

So passed many days and many long evenings. The cupboard was always full, but Claus became weary with

having nothing to do more than to feed the fire from the big woodpile the Knooks had brought him.

One evening he picked up a stick of wood and began to cut it with his sharp knife. He had no thought, at first,

except to occupy his time, and he whistled and sang to the cat as he carved away portions of the stick. Puss

sat up on her haunches and watched him, listening at the same time to her master's merry whistle, which she

Claus glanced at puss and then at the stick he was whittling, until presently the wood began to have a shape,

Claus stopped whistling to laugh, and then both he and the cat looked at the wooden image in some surprise.

Then he carved out the eyes and the nose, and rounded the lower part of the head so that it rested upon a

Puss hardly knew what to make of it now, and sat up stiffly, as if watching with some suspicion what would

Claus knew. The head gave him an idea. He plied his knife carefully and with skill, forming slowly the body

of the cat, which he made to sit upon its haunches as the real cat did, with her tail wound around her two front

The work cost him much time, but the evening was long and he had nothing better to do. Finally he gave a

loud and delighted laugh at the result of his labors and placed the wooden cat, now completed, upon the

Puss thereupon glared at her image, raised her hair in anger, and uttered a defiant mew. The wooden cat paid

Then Blinkie advanced toward the wooden image to eye it closely and smell of it intelligently: Eyes and nose

told her the creature was wood, in spite of its natural appearance; so puss resumed her seat and her purring,

but as she neatly washed her face with her padded paw she cast more than one admiring glance at her clever

master. Perhaps she felt the same satisfaction we feel when we look upon good photographs of ourselves.

The cat's master was himself pleased with his handiwork, without knowing exactly why. Indeed, he had great

cause to congratulate himself that night, and all the children throughout the world should have joined him

A hush lay on the Laughing Valley now. Snow covered it like a white spread and pillows of downy flakes

drifted before the dwelling where Claus sat feeding the blaze of the fire. The brook gurgled on beneath a

heavy sheet of ice and all living plants and insects nestled close to Mother Earth to keep warm. The face of

the moon was hid by dark clouds, and the wind, delighting in the wintry sport, pushed and whirled the

snowflakes in so many directions that they could get no chance to fall to the ground.

Claus heard the wind whistling and shrieking in its play and thanked the good Knooks again for his

comfortable shelter. Blinkie washed her face lazily and stared at the coals with a look of perfect content. The

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

He stood up and listened, but the wind, growing boisterous, shook the door and rattled the windows to

distract his attention. He waited until the wind was tired and then, still listening, he heard once more the shrill

Quickly he drew on his coat, pulled his cap over his eyes and opened the door. The wind dashed in and

scattered the embers over the hearth, at the same time blowing Blinkie's fur so furiously that she crept under

the table to escape. Then the door was closed and Claus was outside, peering anxiously into the darkness.

The wind laughed and scolded and tried to push him over, but he stood firm. The helpless flakes stumbled

against his eyes and dimmed his sight, but he rubbed them away and looked again. Snow was everywhere,

Claus turned to go back into the house, but the wind caught him unawares and he stumbled and fell across a

snowdrift. His hand plunged into the drift and touched something that was not snow. This he seized and,

pulling it gently toward him, found it to be a child. The next moment he had lifted it in his arms and carried it

The wind followed him through the door, but Claus shut it out quickly. He laid the rescued child on the

hearth, and brushing away the snow he discovered it to be Weekum, a little boy who lived in a house beyond

Claus wrapped a warm blanket around the little one and rubbed the frost from its limbs. Before long the child

opened his eyes and, seeing where he was, smiled happily. Then Claus warmed milk and fed it to the boy

slowly, while the cat looked on with sober curiosity. Finally the little one curled up in his friend's arms and

sighed and fell asleep, and Claus, filled with gladness that he had found the wanderer, held him closely while

The wind, finding no more mischief to do, climbed the hill and swept on toward the north. This gave the

weary snowflakes time to settle down to earth, and the Valley became still again.

The boy, having slept well in the arms of his friend, opened his eyes and sat up. Then, as a child will, he

"The other cat won't run, Claus," continued the boy. "Let me hold that one." Claus placed the toy in his arms,

"It was cold," said Weekum, "and the snow got in my eyes, so I could not see. Then I kept on till I fell in the

snow, without knowing where I was, and the wind blew the flakes over me and covered me up."

"Yes," replied Claus, happily. "Now I will put you in my warm bed, and you must sleep until morning, when

"It's a nice cat!" Weekum said, smiling, as Claus tucked the blankets around him; and presently the little one

When morning came the sun claimed the Laughing Valley and flooded it with his rays; so Claus prepared to

"May I keep the cat, Claus?" asked Weekum. "It's nicer than real cats. It doesn't run away, or scratch or bite.

"Yes, indeed," answered Claus, pleased that the toy he had made could give pleasure to the child. So he

wrapped the boy and the wooden cat in a warm cloak, perching the bundle upon his own broad shoulders, and

then he tramped through the snow and the drifts of the Valley and across the plain beyond to the poor cottage

The good woman wept tears of joy over the rescue of her darling and thanked Claus many times for his kind

That night he said to puss: "I believe the children will love the wooden cats almost as well as the real ones,

The next cat was better made than the first. While Claus sat whittling it out the Yellow Ryl came in to make

him a visit, and so pleased was he with the man's skill that he ran away and brought several of his fellows.

There sat the Red Ryl, the Black Ryl, the Green Ryl, the Blue Ryl and the Yellow Ryl in a circle on the floor,

"If it could be made the same color as the real cat, no one would know the difference," said the Yellow Ryl,

"The little ones, maybe, would not know the difference," replied Claus, pleased with the idea.

"I will bring you some of the red that I color my roses and tulips with," cried the Red Ryl; "and then you can

"I will bring some of the green that I color my grasses and leaves with," said the Green Ryl; "and then you

"They will need a bit of yellow, also," remarked the Yellow Ryl; "I must fetch some of the yellow that I use

"The real cat is black," said the Black Ryl; "I will bring some of the black that I use to color the eyes of my

"I see you have a blue ribbon around Blinkie's neck," added the Blue Ryl. "I will get some of the color that I

use to paint the bluebells and forgetmenots with, and then you can carve a wooden ribbon on the toy cat's

So the Ryls disappeared, and by the time Claus had finished carving out the form of the cat they were all back

They made Blinkie sit upon the table, that Claus might paint the toy cat just the right color, and when the

Blinkie seemed a little offended by the attention bestowed upon the toy, and that she might not seem to

approve the imitation cat she walked to the corner of the hearth and sat down with a dignified air.

But Claus was delighted, and as soon as morning came he started out and tramped through the snow, across

the Valley and the plain, until he came to a village. There, in a poor hut near the walls of the beautiful palace

Claus approached the child and kissed her and comforted her, and then he drew the toy cat from beneath his

Ah, how well he felt himself repaid for his labor and his long walk when he saw the little one's eyes grow

bright with pleasure! She hugged the kitty tight to her breast, as if it had been a precious gem, and would not

let it go for a single moment. The fever was quieted, the pain grew less, and she fell into a sweet and

Claus laughed and whistled and sang all the way home. Never had he been so happy as on that day.

When he entered his house he found Shiegra, the lioness, awaiting him. Since his babyhood Shiegra had

loved Claus, and while he dwelt in the Forest she had often come to visit him at Necile's bower. After Claus

had gone to live in the Laughing Valley Shiegra became lonely and ill at ease, and now she had braved the

snowdrifts, which all lions abhor, to see him once more. Shiegra was getting old and her teeth were

beginning to fall out, while the hairs that tipped her ears and tail had changed from tawnyyellow to white.

Claus found her lying on his hearth, and he put his arms around the neck of the lioness and hugged her

lovingly. The cat had retired into a far corner. She did not care to associate with Shiegra.

Claus told his old friend about the cats he had made, and how much pleasure they had given Weekum and the

sick girl. Shiegra did not know much about children; indeed, if she met a child she could scarcely be trusted

"These images seem to me very attractive. Yet I can not see why you should make cats, which are very

unimportant animals. Suppose, now that I am here, you make the image of a lioness, the Queen of all beasts.

Claus thought this was a good suggestion. So he got a piece of wood and sharpened his knife, while Shiegra

crouched upon the hearth at his feet. With much care he carved the head in the likeness of the lioness, even to

the two fierce teeth that curved over her lower lip and the deep, frowning lines above her wideopen eyes.

"Then the image is like me," she answered; "for I am indeed terrible to all who are not my friends."

Claus now carved out the body, with Shiegra's long tail trailing behind it. The image of the crouching lioness

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

He brought the paints the Ryls had given him from the cupboard and colored the image to resemble the real

The lioness placed her big, padded paws upon the edge of the table and raised herself while she carefully

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

Then snarling at Blinkie, who arched her back in terror and whined fearfully, she walked away toward her

The winter was over now, and all the Laughing Valley was filled with joyous excitement. The brook was so

happy at being free once again that it gurgled more boisterously than ever and dashed so recklessly against

the rocks that it sent showers of spray high in the air. The grass thrust its sharp little blades upward through

the mat of dead stalks where it had hidden from the snow, but the flowers were yet too timid to show

themselves, although the Ryls were busy feeding their roots. The sun was in remarkably good humor, and

Claus jumped up and threw open the door. Before him stood a small girl holding a smaller brother fast by the

"Indeed I am, my dear!" he answered, with a laugh, as he caught both children in his arms and kissed them.

He took them to the table and fed them with fresh milk and nutcakes. When they had eaten enough he

"I wants a tat!" replied little Mayrie; and her brother, who had not yet learned to speak many words, nodded

"Oh, you want my toy cats, do you?" returned Claus, greatly pleased to discover that his creations were so

"Unfortunately," he continued, "I have but one cat now ready, for I carried two to children in the town

yesterday. And the one I have shall be given to your brother, Mayrie, because he is the smaller; and the next

The boy's face was bright with smiles as he took the precious toy Claus held out to him; but little Mayrie

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

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

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

The girl raised her arm and gave one glance at the fierce teeth and glaring eyes of the beast, and then, uttering

a terrified scream, she rushed from the house. The boy followed her, also screaming lustily, and even

For a moment Claus stood motionless, being puzzled and astonished. Then he threw Shiegra's image into the

Little Mayrie stopped in her flight and her brother clung to her skirt; but they both cast fearful glances at the

house until Claus had assured them many times that the beast had been locked in the cupboard.

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

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

"Perhaps you are right," returned Claus, thoughtfully. "But if you will return with me to the house I will soon

So they timidly entered the house again, having faith in their friend's words; and afterward they had the joy of

watching Claus carve out a cat from a bit of wood and paint it in natural colors. It did not take him long to do

this, for he had become skillful with his knife by this time, and Mayrie loved her toy the more dearly because

After his little visitors had trotted away on their journey homeward Claus sat long in deep thought. And he

then decided that such fierce creatures as his friend the lioness would never do as models from which to

"There must be nothing to frighten the dear babies," he reflected; "and while I know Shiegra well, and am not

afraid of her, it is but natural that children should look upon her image with terror. Hereafter I will choose

such mildmannered animals as squirrels and rabbits and deer and lambkins from which to carve my toys, for

He began his work that very day, and before bedtime had made a wooden rabbit and a lamb. They were not

quite so lifelike as the cats had been, because they were formed from memory, while Blinkie had sat very still

But the new toys pleased the children nevertheless, and the fame of Claus' playthings quickly spread to every

cottage on plain and in village. He always carried his gifts to the sick or crippled children, but those who

were strong enough walked to the house in the Valley to ask for them, so a little path was soon worn from the

First came the children who had been playmates of Claus, before he began to make toys. These, you may be

sure, were well supplied. Then children who lived farther away heard of the wonderful images and made

journeys to the Valley to secure them. All little ones were welcome, and never a one went away

This demand for his handiwork kept Claus busily occupied, but he was quite happy in knowing the pleasure

he gave to so many of the dear children. His friends the immortals were pleased with his success and

The Knooks selected for him clear pieces of soft wood, that his knife might not be blunted in cutting them;

the Ryls kept him supplied with paints of all colors and brushes fashioned from the tips of timothy grasses;

the Fairies discovered that the workman needed saws and chisels and hammers and nails, as well as knives,

Claus soon turned his living room into a most wonderful workshop. He built a bench before the window, and

arranged his tools and paints so that he could reach everything as he sat on his stool. And as he finished toy

after toy to delight the hearts of little children he found himself growing so gay and happy that he could not

"It's because I live in the Laughing Valley, where everything else laughs!" said Claus.

One day, as Claus sat before his door to enjoy the sunshine while he busily carved the head and horns of a toy

deer, he looked up and discovered a glittering cavalcade of horsemen approaching through the Valley.

When they drew nearer he saw that the band consisted of a score of menatarms, clad in bright armor and

bearing in their hands spears and battleaxes. In front of these rode little Bessie Blithesome, the pretty

daughter of that proud Lord of Lerd who had once driven Claus from his palace. Her palfrey was pure white,

its bridle was covered with glittering gems, and its saddle draped with cloth of gold, richly broidered. The

Claus was surprised, but he continued to whittle and to sing until the cavalcade drew up before him. Then the

Her voice was so pleading that Claus jumped up at once and stood beside her. But he was puzzled how to

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

"Am I to blame because my father is a lord? Must I be denied the pretty toys I long for because other children

"I'm afraid you must, dear," he answered; "for the poor have nothing else with which to amuse themselves.

You have your pony to ride, your servants to wait on you, and every comfort that money can procure."

"But I want toys!" cried Bessie, wiping away the tears that forced themselves into her eyes. "If I can not have

Claus was troubled, for her grief recalled to him the thought that his desire was to make all children happy,

without regard to their condition in life. Yet, while so many poor children were clamoring for his toys he

could not bear to give one to them to Bessie Blithesome, who had so much already to make her happy.

"Listen, my child," said he, gently; "all the toys I am now making are promised to others. But the next shall

be yours, since your heart so longs for it. Come to me again in two days and it shall be ready for you."

Bessie gave a cry of delight, and leaning over her pony's neck she kissed Claus prettily upon his forehead.

Then, calling to her menatarms, she rode gaily away, leaving Claus to resume his work.

"If I am to supply the rich children as well as the poor ones," he thought, "I shall not have a spare moment in

the whole year! But is it right I should give to the rich? Surely I must go to Necile and talk with her about this

So when he had finished the toy deer, which was very like a deer he had known in the Forest glades, he

walked into Burzee and made his way to the bower of the beautiful Nymph Necile, who had been his foster

She greeted him tenderly and lovingly, listening with interest to his story of the visit of Bessie Blithesome.

"We of the Forest know nothing of riches," she replied. "It seems to me that one child is like another child,

since they are all made of the same clay, and that riches are like a gown, which may be put on or taken away,

leaving the child unchanged. But the Fairies are guardians of mankind, and know mortal children better than

This was done, and the Queen of the Fairies sat beside them and heard Claus relate his reasons for thinking

the rich children could get along without his toys, and also what the Nymph had said.

"Necile is right," declared the Queen; "for, whether it be rich or poor, a child's longings for pretty playthings

are but natural. Rich Bessie's heart may suffer as much grief as poor Mayrie's; she can be just as lonely and

discontented, and just as gay and happy. I think, friend Claus, it is your duty to make all little ones glad,

"Your words are wise, fair Queen," replied Claus, "and my heart tells me they are as just as they are wise.

Then he bowed before the gracious Fairy and, kissing Necile's red lips, went back into his Valley.

At the brook he stopped to drink, and afterward he sat on the bank and took a piece of moist clay in his hands

while he thought what sort of toy he should make for Bessie Blithesome. He did not notice that his fingers

were working the clay into shape until, glancing downward, he found he had unconsciously formed a head

At once he became interested. Gathering more of the clay from the bank he carried it to his house. Then, with

the aid of his knife and a bit of wood he succeeded in working the clay into the image of a toy nymph. With

skillful strokes he formed long, waving hair on the head and covered the body with a gown of oakleaves,

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

"Perhaps the rays of the sun will draw out the moisture and cause the clay to become hard," he thought. So he

This done, he went to his bench and began painting the toy deer, and soon he became so interested in the

work that he forgot all about the clay nymph. But next morning, happening to notice it as it lay on the board,

he found the sun had baked it to the hardness of stone, and it was strong enough to be safely handled.

Claus now painted the nymph with great care in the likeness of Necile, giving it deepblue eyes, white teeth,

rosy lips and ruddybrown hair. The gown he colored oakleaf green, and when the paint was dry Claus

himself was charmed with the new toy. Of course it was not nearly so lovely as the real Necile; but,

considering the material of which it was made, Claus thought it was very beautiful.

When Bessie, riding upon her white palfrey, came to his dwelling next day, Claus presented her with the new

toy. The little girl's eyes were brighter than ever as she examined the pretty image, and she loved it at once,

Now Claus knew that Nymphs do not like to be spoken of by mortals, so he could not tell Bessie it was an

image of Necile he had given her. But as it was a new toy he searched his mind for a new name to call it by,

"I shall call the dolly my baby," returned Bessie, kissing it fondly; "and I shall tend it and care for it just as

Nurse cares for me. Thank you very much, Claus; your gift has made me happier than I have ever been

Then she rode away, hugging the toy in her arms, and Claus, seeing her delight, thought he would make

He brought more clay from the brook, and remembering that Bessie had called the dolly her baby he resolved

to form this one into a baby's image. That was no difficult task to the clever workman, and soon the baby

dolly was lying on the board and placed in the sun to dry. Then, with the clay that was left, he began to make

This was not so easy, for he found he could not make the silken robe of the lord's daughter out of the

common clay. So he called the Fairies to his aid, and asked them to bring him colored silks with which to

make a real dress for the clay image. The Fairies set off at once on their errand, and before nightfall they

Claus now became impatient to complete his new dolly, and instead of waiting for the next day's sun he

placed the clay image upon his hearth and covered it over with glowing coals. By morning, when he drew the

dolly from the ashes, it had baked as hard as if it had lain a full day in the hot sun.

Now our Claus became a dressmaker as well as a toymaker. He cut the lavender silk, and nearly sewed it into

a beautiful gown that just fitted the new dolly. And he put a lace collar around its neck and pink silk shoes on

its feet. The natural color of baked clay is a light gray, but Claus painted the face to resemble the color of

flesh, and he gave the dolly Bessie's brown eyes and golden hair and rosy cheeks.

It was really a beautiful thing to look upon, and sure to bring joy to some childish heart. While Claus was

admiring it he heard a knock at his door, and little Mayrie entered. Her face was sad and her eyes red with

"Why, what has grieved you, my dear?" asked Claus, taking the child in his arms.

"II dwopped him, an' bwoke off him's tail; an'an'then I dwopped him an' bwoke off him's ear!

"Never mind, Mayrie dear," he said. "How would you like this new dolly, instead of a cat?"

"Oh, Tlaus!" she cried, clapping her small hands together with rapture; "tan I have 'at boo'ful lady?"

Mayrie took the dolly with a joy that was almost reverent, and her face dimpled with smiles as she started

I must now tell you something about the Awgwas, that terrible race of creatures which caused our good Claus

so much trouble and nearly succeeded in robbing the children of the world of their earliest and best friend.

I do not like to mention the Awgwas, but they are a part of this history, and can not be ignored. They were

neither mortals nor immortals, but stood midway between those classes of beings. The Awgwas were

invisible to ordinary people, but not to immortals. They could pass swiftly through the air from one part of

the world to another, and had the power of influencing the minds of human beings to do their wicked will.

They were of gigantic stature and had coarse, scowling countenances which showed plainly their hatred of all

mankind. They possessed no consciences whatever and delighted only in evil deeds.

Their homes were in rocky, mountainous places, from whence they sallied forth to accomplish their wicked

The one of their number that could think of the most horrible deed for them to do was always elected the

King Awgwa, and all the race obeyed his orders. Sometimes these creatures lived to become a hundred years

old, but usually they fought so fiercely among themselves that many were destroyed in combat, and when

they died that was the end of them. Mortals were powerless to harm them and the immortals shuddered when

the Awgwas were mentioned, and always avoided them. So they flourished for many years unopposed and

I am glad to assure you that these vile creatures have long since perished and passed from earth; but in the

days when Claus was making his first toys they were a numerous and powerful tribe.

One of the principal sports of the Awgwas was to inspire angry passions in the hearts of little children, so that

they quarreled and fought with one another. They would tempt boys to eat of unripe fruit, and then delight in

the pain they suffered; they urged little girls to disobey their parents, and then would laugh when the children

were punished. I do not know what causes a child to be naughty in these days, but when the Awgwas were on

Now, when Claus began to make children happy he kept them out of the power of the Awgwas; for children

possessing such lovely playthings as he gave them had no wish to obey the evil thoughts the Awgwas tried to

Therefore, one year when the wicked tribe was to elect a new King, they chose an Awgwa who proposed to

"There are, as you know, fewer naughty children in the world since Claus came to the Laughing Valley and

began to make his toys," said the new King, as he squatted upon a rock and looked around at the scowling

faces of his people. "Why, Bessie Blithesome has not stamped her foot once this month, nor has Mayrie's

brother slapped his sister's face or thrown the puppy into the rainbarrel. Little Weekum took his bath last

night without screaming or struggling, because his mother had promised he should take his toy cat to bed

with him! Such a condition of affairs is awful for any Awgwa to think of, and the only way we can direct the

"Good! good!" cried the big Awgwas, in a chorus, and they clapped their hands to applaud the speech of the

"I have a plan," replied the wicked King; and what his plan was you will soon discover.

That night Claus went to bed feeling very happy, for he had completed no less than four pretty toys during the

day, and they were sure, he thought, to make four little children happy. But while he slept the band of

invisible Awgwas surrounded his bed, bound him with stout cords, and then flew away with him to the

middle of a dark forest in far off Ethop, where they laid him down and left him.

When morning came Claus found himself thousands of miles from any human being, a prisoner in the wild

From the limb of a tree above his head swayed a huge python, one of those reptiles that are able to crush a

man's bones in their coils. A few yards away crouched a savage panther, its glaring red eyes fixed full on the

helpless Claus. One of those monstrous spotted spiders whose sting is death crept stealthily toward him over

"Come to me, ye Knooks of the Forest!" he cried, and gave the low, peculiar whistle that the Knooks know.

The panther, which was about to spring upon its victim, turned and slunk away. The python swung itself into

the tree and disappeared among the leaves. The spider stopped short in its advance and hid beneath a rotting

Claus had no time to notice them, for he was surrounded by a band of harshfeatured Knooks, more crooked

"The friend of your brothers in Burzee," answered Claus. "I have been brought here by my enemies, the

Awgwas, and left to perish miserably. Yet now I implore your help to release me and to send me home

They cut his bonds, and with his free arms he made the secret sign of the Knooks.

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

"Our brothers of Burzee make queer friends," grumbled an ancient Knook whose flowing beard was pure

white. "But he who knows our secret sign and signal is entitled to our help, whoever he may be. Close your

"There is but one Laughing Valley in the known world, so we can not go astray," remarked the Knook.

As he spoke the sound of his voice seemed to die away, so Claus opened his eyes to see what caused the

change. To his astonishment he found himself seated on the bench by his own door, with the Laughing Valley

spread out before him. That day he visited the WoodNymphs and related his adventure to Queen Zurline

"The Awgwas have become your enemies," said the lovely Queen, thoughtfully; "so we must do all we can to

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

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

The Queen herself came to the dwelling of Claus that evening and placed her Seal on every door and

window, to keep out the Awgwas. And under the Seal of Queen Zurline was placed the Seal of the Fairies

and the Seal of the Ryls and the Seals of the Knooks, that the charm might become more powerful.

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

You may guess how angry the King Awgwa and his fierce band were when it was known to them that Claus

They raged madly for a whole week, and then held another meeting among the rocks.

"It is useless to carry him where the Knooks reign," said the King, "for he has their protection. So let us cast

This was promptly agreed to, and the wicked band set out that night to seize Claus. But they found his

dwelling guarded by the Seals of the Immortals and were obliged to go away baffled and disappointed.

Next day, as Claus traveled to the village across the plain, where he intended to present a toy squirrel to a

lame boy, he was suddenly set upon by the Awgwas, who seized him and carried him away to the mountains.

There they thrust him within a deep cavern and rolled many huge rocks against the entrance to prevent his

Deprived thus of light and food, and with little air to breathe, our Claus was, indeed, in a pitiful plight. But he

spoke the mystic words of the Fairies, which always command their friendly aid, and they came to his rescue

Thus the Awgwas discovered they might not destroy one who had earned the friendship of the immortals; so

the evil band sought other means of keeping Claus from bringing happiness to children and so making them

Whenever Claus set out to carry his toys to the little ones an Awgwa, who had been set to watch his

movements, sprang upon him and snatched the toys from his grasp. And the children were no more

disappointed than was Claus when he was obliged to return home disconsolate. Still he persevered, and made

many toys for his little friends and started with them for the villages. And always the Awgwas robbed him as

They threw the stolen playthings into one of their lonely caverns, and quite a heap of toys accumulated before

Claus became discouraged and gave up all attempts to leave the Valley. Then children began coming to him,

since they found he did not go to them; but the wicked Awgwas flew around them and caused their steps to

stray and the paths to become crooked, so never a little one could find a way into the Laughing Valley.

Lonely days now fell upon Claus, for he was denied the pleasure of bringing happiness to the children whom

he had learned to love. Yet he bore up bravely, for he thought surely the time would come when the Awgwas

He devoted all his hours to toymaking, and when one plaything had been completed he stood it on a shelf he

had built for that purpose. When the shelf became filled with rows of toys he made another one, and filled

that also. So that in time he had many shelves filled with gay and beautiful toys representing horses, dogs,

cats, elephants, lambs, rabbits and deer, as well as pretty dolls of all sizes and balls and marbles of baked clay

Often, as he glanced at this array of childish treasures, the heart of good old Claus became sad, so greatly did

he long to carry the toys to his children. And at last, because he could bear it no longer, he ventured to go to

the great Ak, to whom he told the story of his persecution by the Awgwas, and begged the Master Woodsman

Ak listened gravely to the recital of Claus, stroking his beard the while with the slow, graceful motion that

betokened deep thought. He nodded approvingly when Claus told how the Knooks and Fairies had saved him

from death, and frowned when he heard how the Awgwas had stolen the children's toys. At last he said:

"From the beginning I have approved the work you are doing among the children of men, and it annoys me

that your good deeds should be thwarted by the Awgwas. We immortals have no connection whatever with

them, and they, in turn, have hitherto taken care not to cross our pathway. But in this matter I find they have

interfered with one of our friends, and I will ask them to abandon their persecutions, as you are under our

Claus thanked the Master Woodsman most gratefully and returned to his Valley, while Ak, who never

delayed carrying out his promises, at once traveled to the mountains of the Awgwas.

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

Instantly the place was filled with throngs of the scowling Awgwas, and their King, perching himself on a

"Here are no forests for you to claim," cried the King, angrily. "We owe no allegiance to you, nor to any

"That is true," replied Ak, calmly. "Yet you have ventured to interfere with the actions of Claus, who dwells

Many of the Awgwas began muttering at this speech, and their King turned threateningly on the Master

"You are set to rule the forests, but the plains and the valleys are ours!" he shouted. "Keep to your own dark

"Shall we not?" asked the King, impudently. "You will see! Our powers are vastly superior to those of

"It is your conceit that misleads you!" said Ak, sternly. "You are a transient race, passing from life into

nothingness. We, who live forever, pity but despise you. On earth you are scorned by all, and in Heaven you

have no place! Even the mortals, after their earth life, enter another existence for all time, and so are your

superiors. How then dare you, who are neither mortal nor immortal, refuse to obey my wish?"

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

"Never before," he cried to Ak, while his voice trembled with rage, "has an immortal declared himself the

master of the Awgwas! Never shall an immortal venture to interfere with our actions again! For we will

avenge your scornful words by killing your friend Claus within three days. Nor you, nor all the immortals can

save him from our wrath. We defy your powers! Begone, Master Woodsman of the World! In the country of

"It is war!" returned the King, savagely. "In three days your friend will be dead."

The Master turned away and came to his Forest of Burzee, where he called a meeting of the immortals and

told them of the defiance of the Awgwas and their purpose to kill Claus within three days.

"These creatures are of no benefit to the world," said the Prince of the Knooks; "we must destroy them."

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

"They have no conscience, and endeavor to make all mortals as bad as themselves," said the Queen of the

"They have defied the great Ak, and threaten the life of our adopted son," said beautiful Queen Zurline. "We

"You speak well," said he. "These Awgwas we know to be a powerful race, and they will fight desperately;

yet the outcome is certain. For we who live can never die, even though conquered by our enemies, while

every Awgwa who is struck down is one foe the less to oppose us. Prepare, then, for battle, and let us resolve

Thus arose that terrible war between the immortals and the spirits of evil which is sung of in Fairyland to this

The King Awgwa and his band determined to carry out the threat to destroy Claus. They now hated him for

two reasons: he made children happy and was a friend of the Master Woodsman. But since Ak's visit they had

reason to fear the opposition of the immortals, and they dreaded defeat. So the King sent swift messengers to

And on the third day after the declaration of war a mighty army was at the command of the King Awgwa.

There were three hundred Asiatic Dragons, breathing fire that consumed everything it touched. These hated

mankind and all good spirits. And there were the threeeyed Giants of Tatary, a host in themselves, who

liked nothing better than to fight. And next came the Black Demons from Patalonia, with great spreading

wings like those of a bat, which swept terror and misery through the world as they beat upon the air. And

joined to these were the GoozzleGoblins, with long talons as sharp as swords, with which they clawed the

flesh from their foes. Finally, every mountain Awgwa in the world had come to participate in the great battle

The King Awgwa looked around upon this vast army and his heart beat high with wicked pride, for he

believed he would surely triumph over his gentle enemies, who had never before been known to fight. But the

Master Woodsman had not been idle. None of his people was used to warfare, yet now that they were called

Ak had commanded them to assemble in the Laughing Valley, where Claus, ignorant of the terrible battle that

Soon the entire Valley, from hill to hill, was filled with the little immortals. The Master Woodsman stood

first, bearing a gleaming ax that shone like burnished silver. Next came the Ryls, armed with sharp thorns

from bramblebushes. Then the Knooks, bearing the spears they used when they were forced to prod their

savage beasts into submission. The Fairies, dressed in white gauze with rainbowhued wings, bore golden

wands, and the Woodnymphs, in their uniforms of oakleaf green, carried switches from ash trees as

Loud laughed the Awgwa King when he beheld the size and the arms of his foes. To be sure the mighty ax of

the Woodsman was to be dreaded, but the sweetfaced Nymphs and pretty Fairies, the gentle Ryls and

crooked Knooks were such harmless folk that he almost felt shame at having called such a terrible host to

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

To begin the battle he poised a great stone in his left hand and cast it full against the sturdy form of the

Master Woodsman, who turned it aside with his ax. Then rushed the threeeyed Giants of Tatary upon the

Knooks, and the GoozzleGoblins upon the Ryls, and the firebreathing Dragons upon the sweet Fairies.

Because the Nymphs were Ak's own people the band of Awgwas sought them out, thinking to overcome

But it is the Law that while Evil, unopposed, may accomplish terrible deeds, the powers of Good can never

be overthrown when opposed to Evil. Well had it been for the King Awgwa had he known the Law!

His ignorance cost him his existence, for one flash of the ax borne by the Master Woodsman of the World

cleft the wicked King in twain and rid the earth of the vilest creature it contained.

Greatly marveled the Tatary Giants when the spears of the little Knooks pierced their thick walls of flesh and

Woe came upon the sharptaloned Goblins when the thorns of the Ryls reached their savage hearts and let

their lifeblood sprinkle all the plain. And afterward from every drop a thistle grew.

The Dragons paused astonished before the Fairy wands, from whence rushed a power that caused their fiery

As for the Awgwas, they had scant time to realize how they were destroyed, for the ash switches of the

Nymphs bore a charm unknown to any Awgwa, and turned their foes into clods of earth at the slightest touch!

When Ak leaned upon his gleaming ax and turned to look over the field of battle he saw the few Giants who

were able to run disappearing over the distant hills on their return to Tatary. The Goblins had perished every

one, as had the terrible Dragons, while all that remained of the wicked Awgwas was a great number of

And now the immortals melted from the Valley like dew at sunrise, to resume their duties in the Forest, while

"You have many toys ready for the children," said the Woodsman, "and now you may carry them across the

Now I will gladly have done with wicked spirits and with fighting and bloodshed. It was not from choice that

I told of the Awgwas and their allies, and of their great battle with the immortals. They were part of this

Those were happy days for Claus when he carried his accumulation of toys to the children who had awaited

them so long. During his imprisonment in the Valley he had been so industrious that all his shelves were

filled with playthings, and after quickly supplying the little ones living near by he saw he must now extend

Remembering the time when he had journeyed with Ak through all the world, he know children were

So he loaded a great sack with all kinds of toys, slung it upon his back that he might carry it more easily, and

Wherever he showed his merry face, in hamlet or in farmhouse, he received a cordial welcome, for his fame

had spread into far lands. At each village the children swarmed about him, following his footsteps wherever

he went; and the women thanked him gratefully for the joy he brought their little ones; and the men looked

upon him curiously that he should devote his time to such a queer occupation as toymaking. But every one

smiled on him and gave him kindly words, and Claus felt amply repaid for his long journey.

When the sack was empty he went back again to the Laughing Valley and once more filled it to the brim.

This time he followed another road, into a different part of the country, and carried happiness to many

children who never before had owned a toy or guessed that such a delightful plaything existed.

After a third journey, so far away that Claus was many days walking the distance, the store of toys became

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

The dollies were, he had found, the most delightful of all playthings for babies and little girls, and often those

who could not say "dolly" would call for a "doll" in their sweet baby talk. So Claus resolved to make many

dolls, of all sizes, and to dress them in brightcolored clothing. The older boysand even some of the

girlsloved the images of animals, so he still made cats and elephants and horses. And many of the little

fellows had musical natures, and longed for drums and cymbals and whistles and horns. So he made a

number of toy drums, with tiny sticks to beat them with; and he made whistles from the willow trees, and

All this kept him busily at work, and before he realized it the winter season came, with deeper snows than

usual, and he knew he could not leave the Valley with his heavy pack. Moreover, the next trip would take

him farther from home than every before, and Jack Frost was mischievous enough to nip his nose and ears if

he undertook the long journey while the Frost King reigned. The Frost King was Jack's father and never

So Claus remained at his workbench; but he whistled and sang as merrily as ever, for he would allow no

One bright morning he looked from his window and saw two of the deer he had known in the Forest walking

Claus was surprised; not that the friendly deer should visit him, but that they walked on the surface of the

snow as easily as if it were solid ground, notwithstanding the fact that throughout the Valley the snow lay

many feet deep. He had walked out of his house a day or two before and had sunk to his armpits in a drift.

"Good morning, Flossie! Tell me how you are able to walk on the snow so easily."

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

"Perhaps," remarked Claus, thoughtfully, "I might now carry my pack of toys to the children."

"Then the snow would melt before you could get back," said the deer. "You must wait until spring, Claus."

Claus sighed. "Had I your fleet feet," said he, "I could make the journey in a day."

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

"Oh no; our backs are not strong enough to bear your weight," said Flossie, decidedly. "But if you had a

sledge, and could harness us to it, we might draw you easily, and your pack as well."

"Well," replied Flossie, "we must first go and ask the Knooks, who are our guardians, for permission; but if

they consent, and you can make a sledge and harness, we will gladly assist you."

"Then go at once!" cried Claus, eagerly. "I am sure the friendly Knooks will give their consent, and by the

Flossie and Glossie, being deer of much intelligence, had long wished to see the great world, so they gladly

ran over the frozen snow to ask the Knooks if they might carry Claus on his journey.

Meantime the toymaker hurriedly began the construction of a sledge, using material from his woodpile. He

made two long runners that turned upward at the front ends, and across these nailed short boards, to make a

platform. It was soon completed, but was as rude in appearance as it is possible for a sledge to be.

The harness was more difficult to prepare, but Claus twisted strong cords together and knotted them so they

would fit around the necks of the deer, in the shape of a collar. From these ran other cords to fasten the deer

Before the work was completed Glossie and Flossie were back from the Forest, having been granted

permission by Will Knook to make the journey with Claus provided they would to Burzee by daybreak the

"That is not a very long time," said Flossie; "but we are swift and strong, and if we get started by this evening

Claus decided to make the attempt, so he hurried on his preparations as fast as possible. After a time he

fastened the collars around the necks of his steeds and harnessed them to his rude sledge. Then he placed a

stool on the little platform, to serve as a seat, and filled a sack with his prettiest toys.

"How do you intend to guide us?" asked Glossie. "We have never been out of the Forest before, except to

Claus thought about that for a moment. Then he brought more cords and fastened two of them to the

"Those will be my reins," said Claus, "and when I pull them to the right or to the left you must go in that

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

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

The deer leaned forward, lifted their slender limbs, and the next moment away flew the sledge over the frozen

snow. The swiftness of the motion surprised Claus, for in a few strides they were across the Valley and

The day had melted into evening by the time they started; for, swiftly as Claus had worked, many hours had

been consumed in making his preparations. But the moon shone brightly to light their way, and Claus soon

The deer liked it better; for, although they wished to see something of the world, they were timid about

meeting men, and now all the dwellers in the towns and farmhouses were sound asleep and could not see

Away and away they sped, on and on over the hills and through the valleys and across the plains until they

Here he called on them to stop, and they immediately obeyed. But a new difficulty now presented itself, for

the people had locked their doors when they went to bed, and Claus found he could not enter the houses to

"I am afraid, my friends, we have made our journey for nothing," said he, "for I shall be obliged to carry my

playthings back home again without giving them to the children of this village."

Glossie looked around at the houses. The snow was quite deep in that village, and just before them was a roof

only a few feet above the sledge. A broad chimney, which seemed to Glossie big enough to admit Claus, was

"Then hold fast and we will take you there," said the deer, and they gave one bound to the roof and landed

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

There was plenty of soot on the bricks, but he did not mind that, and by placing his hands and knees against

the sides he crept downward until he had reached the fireplace. Leaping lightly over the smoldering coals he

From this room two doorways led into smaller chambers. In one a woman lay asleep, with a baby beside her

Claus laughed, but he did not laugh aloud for fear of waking the baby. Then he slipped a big doll from his

pack and laid it in the crib. The little one smiled, as if it dreamed of the pretty plaything it was to find on the

Here were two boys, fast asleep with their arms around each other's neck. Claus gazed at them lovingly a

He did not linger, now that his work in this house was done, but climbed the chimney again and seated

Down to the edge of the roof they raced, and then, without pausing, leaped through the air to the top of the

"Don't be so long, this time," called Flossie, "or we shall never get back to the Forest by daybreak."

Claus made a trip down this chimney also and found five children sleeping in the house, all of whom were

When he returned the deer sprang to the next roof, but on descending the chimney Claus found no children

there at all. That was not often the case in this village, however, so he lost less time than you might suppose

When he had climbed down the chimneys of all the houses in that village, and had left a toy for every

So away they dashed, although it was long past midnight, and in a surprisingly short time they came to a

large city, the largest Claus had ever visited since he began to make toys. But, nothing daunted by the throng

of houses, he set to work at once and his beautiful steeds carried him rapidly from one roof to another, only

At last the supply of toys was exhausted and Claus seated himself in the sledge, with the empty sack at his

"It is the coming dawn of day," answered Claus, surprised to find that it was so late.

"Good gracious!" exclaimed Glossie; "then we shall not be home by daybreak, and the Knooks will punish us

"We must race for the Laughing Valley and make our best speed," returned Flossie; "so hold fast, friend

Claus held fast and the next moment was flying so swiftly over the snow that he could not see the trees as

they whirled past. Up hill and down dale, swift as an arrow shot from a bow they dashed, and Claus shut his

It seemed to him they were plunging through space, but he was not at all afraid. The Knooks were severe

masters, and must be obeyed at all hazards, and the gray streak in the sky was growing brighter every

Finally the sledge came to a sudden stop and Claus, who was taken unawares, tumbled from his seat into a

He drew his knife and rapidly severed the cords, and then he wiped the moisture from his eyes and looked

The sledge had come to a stop in the Laughing Valley, only a few feet, he found, from his own door. In the

East the day was breaking, and turning to the edge of Burzee he saw Glossie and Flossie just disappearing in

Claus thought that none of the children would ever know where the toys came from which they found by their

bedsides when they wakened the following morning. But kindly deeds are sure to bring fame, and fame has

many wings to carry its tidings into far lands; so for miles and miles in every direction people were talking of

Claus and his wonderful gifts to children. The sweet generousness of his work caused a few selfish folk to

sneer, but even these were forced to admit their respect for a man so gentlenatured that he loved to devote

Therefore the inhabitants of every city and village had been eagerly watching the coming of Claus, and

remarkable stories of his beautiful playthings were told the children to keep them patient and contented.

When, on the morning following the first trip of Claus with his deer, the little ones came running to their

parents with the pretty toys they had found, and asked from whence they came, they was but one reply to the

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

At this the fathers shook their heads, being themselves unable to understand how Claus had gained

admittance to their homes; but the mothers, watching the glad faces of their dear ones, whispered that the

good Claus was no mortal man but assuredly a Saint, and they piously blessed his name for the happiness he

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

"You must pray to the good Santa Claus for forgiveness. He does not like naughty children, and, unless you

But Santa Claus himself would not have approved this speech. He brought toys to the children because they

were little and helpless, and because he loved them. He knew that the best of children were sometimes

naughty, and that the naughty ones were often good. It is the way with children, the world over, and he would

And that is how our Claus became Santa Claus. It is possible for any man, by good deeds, to enshrine himself

The day that broke as Claus returned from his night ride with Glossie and Flossie brought to him a new

trouble. Will Knook, the chief guardian of the deer, came to him, surly and illtempered, to complain that he

"It was one minute after," answered Will Knook, "and that is as bad as one hour. I shall set the stinging gnats

on Glossie and Flossie, and they will thus suffer terribly for their disobedience."

But Will Knook would listen to no excuses, and went away grumbling and growling in his illnatured way.

For this reason Claus entered the Forest to consult Necile about rescuing the good deer from punishment. To

his delight he found his old friend, the Master Woodsman, seated in the circle of Nymphs.

Ak listened to the story of the night journey to the children and of the great assistance the deer had been to

"I do not wish my friends to be punished if I can save them," said the toymaker, when he had finished the

relation. "They were only one minute late, and they ran swifter than a bird flies to get home before daybreak."

Ak stroked his beard thoughtfully a moment, and then sent for the Prince of the Knooks, who rules all his

people in Burzee, and also for the Queen of the Fairies and the Prince of the Ryls.

When all had assembled Claus told his story again, at Ak's command, and then the Master addressed the

"The good work that Claus is doing among mankind deserves the support of every honest immortal. Already

he is called a Saint in some of the towns, and before long the name of Santa Claus will be lovingly known in

every home that is blessed with children. Moreover, he is a son of our Forest, so we owe him our

encouragement. You, Ruler of the Knooks, have known him these many years; am I not right in saying he

The Prince, crooked and sour of visage as all Knooks are, looked only upon the dead leaves at his feet and

Ak smiled, but continued, in soft tones: "It seems that the deer which are guarded by your people can be of

great assistance to Claus, and as they seem willing to draw his sledge I beg that you will permit him to use

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

Then the Fairy Queen spoke to him in this way: "If you consent to Ak's request I will see that no harm comes

And the Prince of the Ryls added: "For my part I will allow to every deer that assists Claus the privilege of

eating my casa plants, which give strength, and my grawle plants, which give fleetness of foot, and my

And the Queen of the Nymphs said: "The deer which draw the sledge of Claus will be permitted to bathe in

the Forest pool of Nares, which will give them sleek coats and wonderful beauty."

The Prince of the Knooks, hearing these promises, shifted uneasily on his seat, for in his heart he hated to

refuse a request of his fellow immortals, although they were asking an unusual favor at his hands, and the

Knooks are unaccustomed to granting favors of any kind. Finally he turned to his servants and said:

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

"Deer are deer," said he, "and nothing but deer. Were they horses it would be right to harness them like

horses. But no one harnesses deer because they are free, wild creatures, owing no service of any sort to

mankind. It would degrade my deer to labor for Claus, who is only a man in spite of the friendship lavished

The deer were brought to the conference and Ak asked them if they objected to drawing the sledge for Claus.

"And we tried to get home by daybreak," added Flossie, "but were unfortunately a minute too late."

"A minute lost at daybreak doesn't matter," said Ak. "You are forgiven for that delay."

"And will you permit them to make another journey with me?" asked Claus, eagerly.

The Prince reflected while he gazed at Will, who was scowling, and at the Master Woodsman, who was

"Since you all urge me to grant the favor I will permit the deer to go with Claus once every year, on

Christmas Eve, provided they always return to the Forest by daybreak. He may select any number he pleases,

up to ten, to draw his sledge, and those shall be known among us as Reindeer, to distinguish them from the

others. And they shall bathe in the Pool of Nares, and eat the casa and grawle and marbon plants and shall be

under the especial protection of the Fairy Queen. And now cease scowling, Will Knook, for my words shall

He hobbled quickly away through the trees, to avoid the thanks of Claus and the approval of the other

But Ak was satisfied, knowing that he could rely on the promise of the Prince, however grudgingly given;

and Glossie and Flossie ran home, kicking up their heels delightedly at every step.

"Then I can not use the deer this year," said Claus, thoughtfully, "for I shall not have time enough to make

"The shrewd Prince foresaw that," responded Ak, "and therefore named Christmas Eve as the day you might

"If I only had the toys the Awgwas stole from me," said Claus, sadly, "I could easily fill my sack for the

"I do not know," replied Claus, "but the wicked Awgwas probably hid them in the mountains."

Then Claus went back to the Laughing Valley, to work as hard as he could, and a band of Fairies immediately

flew to the mountain that had been haunted by the Awgwas and began a search for the stolen toys.

The Fairies, as we well know, possess wonderful powers; but the cunning Awgwas had hidden the toys in a

deep cave and covered the opening with rocks, so no one could look in. Therefore all search for the missing

playthings proved in vain for several days, and Claus, who sat at home waiting for news from the Fairies,

He worked hard every moment, but it took considerable time to carve out and to shape each toy and to paint it

properly, so that on the morning before Christmas Eve only half of one small shelf above the window was

But on this morning the Fairies who were searching in the mountains had a new thought. They joined hands

and moved in a straight line through the rocks that formed the mountain, beginning at the topmost peak and

working downward, so that no spot could be missed by their bright eyes. And at last they discovered the cave

It did not take them long to burst open the mouth of the cave, and then each one seized as many toys as he

The good man was rejoiced to receive, just in the nick of time, such a store of playthings with which to load

his sledge, and he sent word to Glossie and Flossie to be ready for the journey at nightfall.

With all his other labors he had managed to find time, since the last trip, to repair the harness and to

strengthen his sledge, so that when the deer came to him at twilight he had no difficulty in harnessing them.

"We must go in another direction tonight," he told them, "where we shall find children I have never yet

visited. And we must travel fast and work quickly, for my sack is full of toys and running over the brim!"

So, just as the moon arose, they dashed out of the Laughing Valley and across the plain and over the hills to

the south. The air was sharp and frosty and the starlight touched the snowflakes and made them glitter like

countless diamonds. The reindeer leaped onward with strong, steady bounds, and Claus' heart was so light

"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

Jack Frost heard him and came racing up with his nippers, but when he saw it was Claus he laughed and

The mother owls heard him as he passed near a wood and stuck their heads out of the hollow places in the

treetrunks; but when they saw who it was they whispered to the owlets nestling near them that it was only

Santa Claus carrying toys to the children. It is strange how much those mother owls know.

Claus stopped at some of the scattered farmhouses and climbed down the chimneys to leave presents for the

babies. Soon after he reached a village and worked merrily for an hour distributing playthings among the

"Now away we go O'er the gleaming snow, While the deer run swift and free! For to girls and boys We carry

The deer liked the sound of his deep bass voice and kept time to the song with their hoofbeats on the hard

snow; but soon they stopped at another chimney and Santa Claus, with sparkling eyes and face brushed red

by the wind, climbed down its smoky sides and left a present for every child the house contained.

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

But the sack was empty at last, and the sledge headed homeward; and now again the race with daybreak

began. Glossie and Flossie had no mind to be rebuked a second time for tardiness, so they fled with a

swiftness that enabled them to pass the gale on which the Frost King rode, and soon brought them to the

It is true when Claus released his steeds from their harness the eastern sky was streaked with gray, but

Claus was so wearied with his night's work that he threw himself upon his bed and fell into a deep slumber,

and while he slept the Christmas sun appeared in the sky and shone upon hundreds of happy homes where the

God bless him! It was his first Christmas Eve, and for hundreds of years since then he has nobly fulfilled his

When you remember that no child, until Santa Claus began his travels, had ever known the pleasure of

possessing a toy, you will understand how joy crept into the homes of those who had been favored with a

visit from the good man, and how they talked of him day by day in loving tones and were honestly grateful

for his kindly deeds. It is true that great warriors and mighty kings and clever scholars of that day were often

spoken of by the people; but no one of them was so greatly beloved as Santa Claus, because none other was

so unselfish as to devote himself to making others happy. For a generous deed lives longer than a great battle

or a king's decree of a scholar's essay, because it spreads and leaves its mark on all nature and endures

The bargain made with the Knook Prince changed the plans of Claus for all future time; for, being able to use

the reindeer on but one night of each year, he decided to devote all the other days to the manufacture of

But a year's work would, he knew, result in a vast accumulation of toys, so he resolved to build a new sledge

that would be larger and stronger and betterfitted for swift travel than the old and clumsy one.

His first act was to visit the Gnome King, with whom he made a bargain to exchange three drums, a trumpet

and two dolls for a pair of fine steel runners, curled beautifully at the ends. For the Gnome King had children

of his own, who, living in the hollows under the earth, in mines and caverns, needed something to amuse

In three days the steel runners were ready, and when Claus brought the playthings to the Gnome King, his

Majesty was so greatly pleased with them that he presented Claus with a string of sweettoned sleighbells,

"These will please Glossie and Flossie," said Claus, as he jingled the bells and listened to their merry sound.

"Bring me another trumpet and a toy cat," replied the King, "and you shall have a second string of bells like

The new sledge was carefully built, the Knooks bringing plenty of strong but thin boards to use in its

construction. Claus made a high, rounding dashboard to keep off the snow cast behind by the fleet hoofs of

the deer; and he made high sides to the platform so that many toys could be carried, and finally he mounted

It was certainly a handsome sledge, and big and roomy. Claus painted it in bright colors, although no one was

likely to see it during his midnight journeys, and when all was finished he sent for Glossie and Flossie to

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

"We might pull it over the snow, to be sure," said Glossie; "but we would not pull it fast enough to enable us

"Then I must add two more deer to my team," declared Claus, after a moment's thought.

"The Knook Prince allowed you as many as ten. Why not use them all?" asked Flossie. "Then we could speed

"A team of ten reindeer!" cried Claus, delightedly. "That will be splendid. Please return to the Forest at once

and select eight other deer as like yourselves as possible. And you must all eat of the casa plant, to become

strong, and of the grawle plant, to become fleet of foot, and of the marbon plant, that you may live long to

accompany me on my journeys. Likewise it will be well for you to bathe in the Pool of Nares, which the

lovely Queen Zurline declares will render you rarely beautiful. Should you perform these duties faithfully

there is no doubt that on next Christmas Eve my ten reindeer will be the most powerful and beautiful steeds

So Glossie and Flossie went to the Forest to choose their mates, and Claus began to consider the question of a

In the end he called upon Peter Knook for assistance, for Peter's heart is as kind as his body is crooked, and

he is remarkably shrewd, as well. And Peter agreed to furnish strips of tough leather for the harness.

This leather was cut from the skins of lions that had reached such an advanced age that they died naturally,

and on one side was tawny hair while the other side was cured to the softness of velvet by the deft Knooks.

When Claus received these strips of leather he sewed them neatly into a harness for the ten reindeer, and it

The harness and sledge were prepared at odd times, for Claus devoted most of his days to the making of toys.

These were now much better than the first ones had been, for the immortals often came to his house to watch

him work and to offer suggestions. It was Necile's idea to make some of the dolls say "papa" and "mama." It

was a thought of the Knooks to put a squeak inside the lambs, so that when a child squeezed them they would

say "baaaaa!" And the Fairy Queen advised Claus to put whistles in the birds, so they could be made to

sing, and wheels on the horses, so children could draw them around. Many animals perished in the Forest,

from one cause or another, and their fur was brought to Claus that he might cover with it the small images of

beasts he made for playthings. A merry Ryl suggested that Claus make a donkey with a nodding head, which

he did, and afterward found that it amused the little ones immensely. And so the toys grew in beauty and

When another Christmas Eve drew near there was a monster load of beautiful gifts for the children ready to

be loaded upon the big sledge. Claus filled three sacks to the brim, and tucked every corner of the sledgebox

Then, at twilight, the ten reindeer appeared and Flossie introduced them all to Claus. They were Racer and

Pacer, Reckless and Speckless, Fearless and Peerless, and Ready and Steady, who, with Glossie and Flossie,

made up the ten who have traversed the world these hundreds of years with their generous master. They were

all exceedingly beautiful, with slender limbs, spreading antlers, velvety dark eyes and smooth coats of fawn

Claus loved them at once, and has loved them ever since, for they are loyal friends and have rendered him

The new harness fitted them nicely and soon they were all fastened to the sledge by twos, with Glossie and

Flossie in the lead. These wore the strings of sleighbells, and were so delighted with the music they made

Claus now seated himself in the sledge, drew a warm robe over his knees and his fur cap over his ears, and

Instantly the ten leaped forward and were away like the wind, while jolly Claus laughed gleefully to see them

"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

There are many joys In our load of toys, As many a child will know; We'll scatter them wide On our wild

Now it was on this same Christmas Eve that little Margot and her brother Dick and her cousins Ned and Sara,

who were visiting at Margot's house, came in from making a snow man, with their clothes damp, their

mittens dripping and their shoes and stockings wet through and through. They were not scolded, for Margot's

mother knew the snow was melting, but they were sent early to bed that their clothes might be hung over

chairs to dry. The shoes were placed on the red tiles of the hearth, where the heat from the hot embers would

strike them, and the stockings were carefully hung in a row by the chimney, directly over the fireplace. That

was the reason Santa Claus noticed them when he came down the chimney that night and all the household

were fast asleep. He was in a tremendous hurry and seeing the stockings all belonged to children he quickly

stuffed his toys into them and dashed up the chimney again, appearing on the roof so suddenly that the

"I wish they would all hang up their stockings," he thought, as he drove to the next chimney. "It would save

When Margot and Dick and Ned and Sara jumped out of bed next morning and ran downstairs to get their

stockings from the fireplace they were filled with delight to find the toys from Santa Claus inside them. In

face, I think they found more presents in their stockings than any other children of that city had received, for

Of course they told all their little friends about it, and of course every one of them decided to hang his own

stockings by the fireplace the next Christmas Eve. Even Bessie Blithesome, who made a visit to that city with

her father, the great Lord of Lerd, heard the story from the children and hung her own pretty stockings by the

On his next trip Santa Claus found so many stockings hung up in anticipation of his visit that he could fill

them in a jiffy and be away again in half the time required to hunt the children up and place the toys by their

The custom grew year after year, and has always been a great help to Santa Claus. And, with so many

Claus had always kept his promise to the Knooks by returning to the Laughing Valley by daybreak, but only

the swiftness of his reindeer has enabled him to do this, for he travels over all the world.

He loved his work and he loved the brisk night ride on his sledge and the gay tinkle of the sleighbells. On

that first trip with the ten reindeer only Glossie and Flossie wore bells; but each year thereafter for eight years

Claus carried presents to the children of the Gnome King, and that goodnatured monarch gave him in return

a string of bells at each visit, so that finally every one of the ten deer was supplied, and you may imagine

The children's stockings were so long that it required a great many toys to fill them, and soon Claus found

there were other things besides toys that children love. So he sent some of the Fairies, who were always his

good friends, into the Tropics, from whence they returned with great bags full of oranges and bananas which

they had plucked from the trees. And other Fairies flew to the wonderful Valley of Phunnyland, where

delicious candies and bonbons grow thickly on the bushes, and returned laden with many boxes of

sweetmeats for the little ones. These things Santa Claus, on each Christmas Eve, placed in the long stockings,

together with his toys, and the children were glad to get them, you may be sure.

There are also warm countries where there is no snow in winter, but Claus and his reindeer visited them as

well as the colder climes, for there were little wheels inside the runners of his sledge which permitted it to run

as smoothly over bare ground as on the snow. And the children who lived in the warm countries learned to

know the name of Santa Claus as well as those who lived nearer to the Laughing Valley.

Once, just as the reindeer were ready to start on their yearly trip, a Fairy came to Claus and told him of three

little children who lived beneath a rude tent of skins on a broad plain where there were no trees whatever.

These poor babies were miserable and unhappy, for their parents were ignorant people who neglected them

sadly. Claus resolved to visit these children before he returned home, and during his ride he picked up the

bushy top of a pine tree which the wind had broken off and placed it in his sledge.

It was nearly morning when the deer stopped before the lonely tent of skins where the poor children lay

asleep. Claus at once planted the bit of pine tree in the sand and stuck many candles on the branches. Then he

hung some of his prettiest toys on the tree, as well as several bags of candies. It did not take long to do all

this, for Santa Claus works quickly, and when all was ready he lighted the candles and, thrusting his head in

With that he leaped into his sledge and was out of sight before the children, rubbing the sleep from their eyes,

You can imagine the wonder and joy of those little ones, who had never in their lives known a real pleasure

before, when they saw the tree, sparkling with lights that shone brilliant in the gray dawn and hung with toys

enough to make them happy for years to come! They joined hands and danced around the tree, shouting and

laughing, until they were obliged to pause for breath. And their parents, also, came out to look and wonder,

and thereafter had more respect and consideration for their children, since Santa Claus had honored them with

The idea of the Christmas tree pleased Claus, and so the following year he carried many of them in his sledge

and set them up in the homes of poor people who seldom saw trees, and placed candles and toys on the

branches. Of course he could not carry enough trees in one load of all who wanted them, but in some homes

the fathers were able to get trees and have them all ready for Santa Claus when he arrived; and these the good

Claus always decorated as prettily as possible and hung with toys enough for all the children who came to see

These novel ideas and the generous manner in which they were carried out made the children long for that

one night in the year when their friend Santa Claus should visit them, and as such anticipation is very

pleasant and comforting the little ones gleaned much happiness by wondering what would happen when

Perhaps you remember that stern Baron Braun who once drove Claus from his castle and forbade him to visit

his children? Well, many years afterward, when the old Baron was dead and his son ruled in his place, the

new Baron Braun came to the house of Claus with his train of knights and pages and henchmen and,

dismounting from his charger, bared his head humbly before the friend of children.

"My father did not know your goodness and worth," he said, "and therefore threatened to hang you from the

castle walls. But I have children of my own, who long for a visit from Santa Claus, and I have come to beg

Claus was pleased with this speech, for Castle Braun was the only place he had never visited, and he gladly

Thus did this man, through very goodness, conquer the hearts of all; and it is no wonder he was ever merry

and gay, for there was no home in the wide world where he was not welcomed more royally than any king.

And now we come to a turningpoint in the career of Santa Claus, and it is my duty to relate the most

We have followed the life of Claus from the time he was found a helpless infant by the WoodNymph Necile

and reared to manhood in the great Forest of Burzee. And we know how he began to make toys for children

and how, with the assistance and goodwill of the immortals, he was able to distribute them to the little ones

For many years he carried on this noble work; for the simple, hardworking life he led gave him perfect

health and strength. And doubtless a man can live longer in the beautiful Laughing Valley, where there are no

cares and everything is peaceful and merry, than in any other part of the world.

But when many years had rolled away Santa Claus grew old. The long beard of golden brown that once

covered his cheeks and chin gradually became gray, and finally turned to pure white. His hair was white, too,

and there were wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, which showed plainly when he laughed. He had never been

a very tall man, and now he became fat, and waddled very much like a duck when he walked. But in spite of

these things he remained as lively as ever, and was just as jolly and gay, and his kind eyes sparkled as

Yet a time is sure to come when every mortal who has grown old and lived his life is required to leave this

world for another; so it is no wonder that, after Santa Claus had driven his reindeer on many and many a

Christmas Eve, those stanch friends finally whispered among themselves that they had probably drawn his

Then all the Forest of Burzee became sad and all the Laughing Valley was hushed; for every living thing that

had known Claus had used to love him and to brighten at the sound of his footsteps or the notes of his merry

No doubt the old man's strength was at last exhausted, for he made no more toys, but lay on his bed as in a

The Nymph Necile, she who had reared him and been his fostermother, was still youthful and strong and

beautiful, and it seemed to her but a short time since this aged, graybearded man had lain in her arms and

It was fortunate that the great Ak came to the Forest at this time. Necile sought him with troubled eyes and

At once the Master became grave, and he leaned upon his ax and stroked his grizzled beard thoughtfully for

many minutes. Then suddenly he stood up straight, and poised his powerful head with firm resolve, and

stretched out his great right arm as if determined on doing some mighty deed. For a thought had come to him

so grand in its conception that all the world might well bow before the Master Woodsman and honor his

It is well known that when the great Ak once undertakes to do a thing he never hesitates an instant. Now he

summoned his fleetest messengers, and sent them in a flash to many parts of the earth. And when they were

"Be of good heart, my child; our friend still lives. And now run to your Queen and tell her that I have

summoned a council of all the immortals of the world to meet with me here in Burzee this night. If they obey,

and harken unto my words, Claus will drive his reindeer for countless ages yet to come."

At midnight there was a wondrous scene in the ancient Forest of Burzee, where for the first time in many

centuries the rulers of the immortals who inhabit the earth were gathered together.

There was the Queen of the Water Sprites, whose beautiful form was as clear as crystal but continually

dripped water on the bank of moss where she sat. And beside her was the King of the Sleep Fays, who carried

a wand from the end of which a fine dust fell all around, so that no mortal could keep awake long enough to

see him, as mortal eyes were sure to close in sleep as soon as the dust filled them. And next to him sat the

Gnome King, whose people inhabit all that region under the earth's surface, where they guard the precious

metals and the jewel stones that lie buried in rock and ore. At his right hand stood the King of the Sound

Imps, who had wings on his feet, for his people are swift to carry all sounds that are made. When they are

busy they carry the sounds but short distances, for there are many of them; but sometimes they speed with the

sounds to places miles and miles away from where they are made. The King of the Sound Imps had an

anxious and careworn face, for most people have no consideration for his Imps and, especially the boys and

girls, make a great many unnecessary sounds which the Imps are obliged to carry when they might be better

The next in the circle of immortals was the King of the Wind Demons, slender of frame, restless and uneasy

at being confined to one place for even an hour. Once in a while he would leave his place and circle around

the glade, and each time he did this the Fairy Queen was obliged to untangle the flowing locks of her golden

hair and tuck them back of her pink ears. But she did not complain, for it was not often that the King of the

Wind Demons came into the heart of the Forest. After the Fairy Queen, whose home you know was in old

Burzee, came the King of the Light Elves, with his two Princes, Flash and Twilight, at his back. He never

went anywhere without his Princes, for they were so mischievous that he dared not let them wander alone.

Prince Flash bore a lightningbolt in his right hand and a horn of gunpowder in his left, and his bright eyes

roved constantly around, as if he longed to use his blinding flashes. Prince Twilight held a great snuffer in

one hand and a big black cloak in the other, and it is well known that unless Twilight is carefully watched the

snuffers or the cloak will throw everything into darkness, and Darkness is the greatest enemy the King of the

In addition to the immortals I have named were the King of the Knooks, who had come from his home in the

jungles of India; and the King of the Ryls, who lived among the gay flowers and luscious fruits of Valencia.

But in the center of the circle sat three others who possessed powers so great that all the Kings and Queens

These were Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World, who rules the forests and the orchards and the groves;

and Kern, the Master Husbandman of the World, who rules the grain fields and the meadows and the gardens;

and Bo, the Master Mariner of the World, who rules the seas and all the craft that float thereon. And all other

When all had assembled the Master Woodsman of the World stood up to address them, since he himself had

Very clearly he told them the story of Claus, beginning at the time when as a babe he had been adopted a

child of the Forest, and telling of his noble and generous nature and his lifelong labors to make children

"And now," said Ak, "when he had won the love of all the world, the Spirit of Death is hovering over him. Of

all men who have inhabited the earth none other so well deserves immortality, for such a life can not be

spared so long as there are children of mankind to miss him and to grieve over his loss. We immortals are the

servants of the world, and to serve the world we were permitted in the Beginning to exist. But what one of us

is more worthy of immortality than this man Claus, who so sweetly ministers to the little children?"

He paused and glanced around the circle, to find every immortal listening to him eagerly and nodding

approval. Finally the King of the Wind Demons, who had been whistling softly to himself, cried out:

That this demand was wholly unexpected was proved by the immortals springing to their feet and looking

into each other's face with dismay and then upon Ak with wonder. For it was a grave matter, this parting with

The Queen of the Water Sprites spoke in her low, clear voice, and the words sounded like raindrops splashing

"I know all this," answered Ak, quietly. "But the Mantle exists, and if it was created, as you say, in the

Beginning, it was because the Supreme Master knew that some day it would be required. Until now no mortal

has deserved it, but who among you dares deny that the good Claus deserves it? Will you not all vote to

"Of what use is the Mantle of Immortality unless it is worn?" demanded Ak. "What will it profit any one of

"Enough!" cried the Gnome King, abruptly. "We will vote on the matter, yes or no. For my part, I say yes!"

"My people in Burzee tell me they have learned to love him; therefore I vote to give Claus the Mantle," said

"He is already a comrade of the Knooks," announced the ancient King of that band. "Let him have

"Why not?" asked the King of the Sleep Fays. "He never disturbs the slumbers my people allow humanity.

"If Claus does not receive the Mantle it is clear none other can ever claim it," remarked the King of the Light

"The WoodNymphs were first to adopt him," said Queen Zurline. "Of course I shall vote to make him

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

And the Master Mariner of the World did likewise, after which Ak, with sparkling eyes and smiling face,

"I thank you, fellow immortals! For all have voted 'yes,' and so to our dear Claus shall fall the one Mantle of

They bowed assent, and instantly the Forest glade was deserted. But in a place midway between the earth and

the sky was suspended a gleaming crypt of gold and platinum, aglow with soft lights shed from the facets of

countless gems. Within a high dome hung the precious Mantle of Immortality, and each immortal placed a

At this the Mantle came away from its lofty crypt, and they carried it to the house in the Laughing Valley.

The Spirit of Death was crouching very near to the bedside of Claus, and as the immortals approached she

sprang up and motioned them back with an angry gesture. But when her eyes fell upon the Mantle they bore

she shrank away with a low moan of disappointment and quitted that house forever.

Softly and silently the immortal Band dropped upon Claus the precious Mantle, and it closed about him and

sank into the outlines of his body and disappeared from view. It became a part of his being, and neither

Then the Kings and Queens who had wrought this great deed dispersed to their various homes, and all were

And Claus slept on, the red blood of everlasting life coursing swiftly through his veins; and on his brow was

a tiny drop of water that had fallen from the evermelting gown of the Queen of the Water Sprites, and over

his lips hovered a tender kiss that had been left by the sweet Nymph Necile. For she had stolen in when the

The next morning, when Santa Claus opened his eyes and gazed around the familiar room, which he had

feared he might never see again, he was astonished to find his old strength renewed and to feel the red blood

of perfect health coursing through his veins. He sprang from his bed and stood where the bright sunshine

came in through his window and flooded him with its merry, dancing rays. He did not then understand what

had happened to restore to him the vigor of youth, but in spite of the fact that his beard remained the color of

snow and that wrinkles still lingered in the corners of his bright eyes, old Santa Claus felt as brisk and merry

as a boy of sixteen, and was soon whistling contentedly as he busied himself fashioning new toys.

Then Ak came to him and told of the Mantle of Immortality and how Claus had won it through his love for

It made old Santa look grave for a moment to think he had been so favored; but it also made him glad to

realize that now he need never fear being parted from his dear ones. At once he began preparations for

making a remarkable assortment of pretty and amusing playthings, and in larger quantities than ever before;

for now that he might always devote himself to this work he decided that no child in the world, poor or rich,

The world was new in the days when dear old Santa Claus first began toymaking and won, by his loving

deeds, the Mantle of Immortality. And the task of supplying cheering words, sympathy and pretty playthings

to all the young of his race did not seem a difficult undertaking at all. But every year more and more children

were born into the world, and these, when they grew up, began spreading slowly over all the face of the earth,

seeking new homes; so that Santa Claus found each year that his journeys must extend farther and farther

from the Laughing Valley, and that the packs of toys must be made larger and ever larger.

So at length he took counsel with his fellow immortals how his work might keep pace with the increasing

number of children that none might be neglected. And the immortals were so greatly interested in his labors

that they gladly rendered him their assistance. Ak gave him his man Kilter, "the silent and swift." And the

Knook Prince gave him Peter, who was more crooked and less surly than any of his brothers. And the Ryl

Prince gave him Nuter, the sweetest tempered Ryl ever known. And the Fairy Queen gave him Wisk, that

tiny, mischievous but lovable Fairy who knows today almost as many children as does Santa Claus himself.

With these people to help make the toys and to keep his house in order and to look after the sledge and the

harness, Santa Claus found it much easier to prepare his yearly load of gifts, and his days began to follow one

Yet after a few generations his worries were renewed, for it was remarkable how the number of people

continued to grow, and how many more children there were every year to be served. When the people filled

all the cities and lands of one country they wandered into another part of the world; and the men cut down the

trees in many of the great forests that had been ruled by Ak, and with the wood they built new cities, and

You might think the Master Woodsman would rebel at the loss of his forests; but not so. The wisdom of Ak

"The world was made for men," said he to Santa Claus, "and I have but guarded the forests until men needed

them for their use. I am glad my strong trees can furnish shelter for men's weak bodies, and warm them

through the cold winters. But I hope they will not cut down all the trees, for mankind needs the shelter of the

woods in summer as much as the warmth of blazing logs in winter. And, however crowded the world may

grow, I do not think men will ever come to Burzee, nor to the Great Black Forest, nor to the wooded

wilderness of Braz; unless they seek their shades for pleasure and not to destroy their giant trees."

By and by people made ships from the treetrunks and crossed over oceans and built cities in far lands; but

the oceans made little difference to the journeys of Santa Claus. His reindeer sped over the waters as swiftly

as over land, and his sledge headed from east to west and followed in the wake of the sun. So that as the earth

rolled slowly over Santa Claus had all of twentyfour hours to encircle it each Christmas Eve, and the speedy

So year after year, and generation after generation, and century after century, the world grew older and the

people became more numerous and the labors of Santa Claus steadily increased. The fame of his good deeds

spread to every household where children dwelt. And all the little ones loved him dearly; and the fathers and

mothers honored him for the happiness he had given them when they too were young; and the aged

grandsires and granddames remembered him with tender gratitude and blessed his name.

However, there was one evil following in the path of civilization that caused Santa Claus a vast amount of

trouble before he discovered a way to overcome it. But, fortunately, it was the last trial he was forced to

One Christmas Eve, when his reindeer had leaped to the top of a new building, Santa Claus was surprised to

find that the chimney had been built much smaller than usual. But he had no time to think about it just then,

so he drew in his breath and made himself as small as possible and slid down the chimney.

"I ought to be at the bottom by this time," he thought, as he continued to slip downward; but no fireplace of

any sort met his view, and by and by he reached the very end of the chimney, which was in the cellar.

"This is odd!" he reflected, much puzzled by this experience. "If there is no fireplace, what on earth is the

Then he began to climb out again, and found it hard workthe space being so small. And on his way up he

noticed a thin, round pipe sticking through the side of the chimney, but could not guess what it was for.

"There was no need of my going down that chimney, for I could find no fireplace through which to enter the

house. I fear the children who live there must go without playthings this Christmas."

Then he drove on, but soon came to another new house with a small chimney. This caused Santa Claus to

shake his head doubtfully, but he tried the chimney, nevertheless, and found it exactly like the other.

Moreover, he nearly stuck fast in the narrow flue and tore his jacket trying to get out again; so, although he

came to several such chimneys that night, he did not venture to descend any more of them.

"What in the world are people thinking of, to build such useless chimneys?" he exclaimed. "In all the years I

True enough; but Santa Claus had not then discovered that stoves had been invented and were fast coming

into use. When he did find it out he wondered how the builders of those houses could have so little

consideration for him, when they knew very well it was his custom to climb down chimneys and enter houses

by way of the fireplaces. Perhaps the men who built those houses had outgrown their own love for toys, and

were indifferent whether Santa Claus called on their children or not. Whatever the explanation might be, the

The following year Santa Claus found more and more of the newfashioned chimneys that had no fireplaces,

and the next year still more. The third year, so numerous had the narrow chimneys become, he even had a

few toys left in his sledge that he was unable to give away, because he could not get to the children.

The matter had now become so serious that it worried the good man greatly, and he decided to talk it over

Kilter already knew something about it, for it had been his duty to run around to all the houses, just before

Christmas, and gather up the notes and letters to Santa Claus that the children had written, telling what they

wished put in their stockings or hung on their Christmas trees. But Kilter was a silent fellow, and seldom

spoke of what he saw in the cities and villages. The others were very indignant.

"Those people act as if they do not wish their children to be made happy!" said sensible Peter, in a vexed

"But it is my intention to make children happy whether their parents wish it or not," returned Santa Claus.

"Years ago, when I first began making toys, children were even more neglected by their parents than they are

now; so I have learned to pay no attention to thoughtless or selfish parents, but to consider only the longings

"You are right, my master," said Nuter, the Ryl; "many children would lack a friend if you did not consider

"Then," declared the laughing Wisk, "we must abandon any thought of using these newfashioned chimneys,

"Why, walls of brick and wood and plaster are nothing to Fairies. I can easily pass through them whenever I

"I often pass through the walls when I gather up the letters," said Kilter, and that was a long speech for him,

and so surprised Peter and Nuter that their big round eyes nearly popped out of their heads.

"Therefore," continued the Fairy, "you may as well take us with you on your next journey, and when we

come to one of those houses with stoves instead of fireplaces we will distribute the toys to the children

"That seems to me a good plan," replied Santa Claus, well pleased at having solved the problem. "We will try

That was how the Fairy, the Pixie, the Knook and the Ryl all rode in the sledge with their master the

following Christmas Eve; and they had no trouble at all in entering the newfashioned houses and leaving

And their deft services not only relieved Santa Claus of much labor, but enabled him to complete his own

work more quickly than usual, so that the merry party found themselves at home with an empty sledge a full

The only drawback to the journey was that the mischievous Wisk persisted in tickling the reindeer with a

long feather, to see them jump; and Santa Claus found it necessary to watch him every minute and to tweak

But, taken all together, the trip was a great success, and to this day the four little folk always accompany

But the indifference of parents, which had so annoyed the good Saint, did not continue very long, and Santa

Claus soon found they were really anxious he should visit their homes on Christmas Eve and leave presents

So, to lighten his task, which was fast becoming very difficult indeed, old Santa decided to ask the parents to

"Get your Christmas trees all ready for my coming," he said to them; "and then I shall be able to leave the

presents without loss of time, and you can put them on the trees when I am gone."

And to others he said: "See that the children's stockings are hung up in readiness for my coming, and then I

And often, when parents were kind and goodnatured, Santa Claus would simply fling down his package of

gifts and leave the fathers and mothers to fill the stockings after he had darted away in his sledge.

"I will make all loving parents my deputies!" cried the jolly old fellow, "and they shall help me do my work.

For in this way I shall save many precious minutes and few children need be neglected for lack of time to

Besides carrying around the big packs in his swiftflying sledge old Santa began to send great heaps of toys

to the toyshops, so that if parents wanted larger supplies for their children they could easily get them; and if

any children were, by chance, missed by Santa Claus on his yearly rounds, they could go to the toyshops

and get enough to make them happy and contented. For the loving friend of the little ones decided that no

child, if he could help it, should long for toys in vain. And the toyshops also proved convenient whenever a

child fell ill, and needed a new toy to amuse it; and sometimes, on birthdays, the fathers and mothers go to

the toyshops and get pretty gifts for their children in honor of the happy event.

Perhaps you will now understand how, in spite of the bigness of the world, Santa Claus is able to supply all

the children with beautiful gifts. To be sure, the old gentleman is rarely seen in these days; but it is not

because he tries to keep out of sight, I assure you. Santa Claus is the same loving friend of children that in the

old days used to play and romp with them by the hour; and I know he would love to do the same now, if he

had the time. But, you see, he is so busy all the year making toys, and so hurried on that one night when he

visits our homes with his packs, that he comes and goes among us like a flash; and it is almost impossible to

And, although there are millions and millions more children in the world than there used to be, Santa Claus

"The more the merrier!" he cries, with his jolly laugh; and the only difference to him is the fact that his little

workmen have to make their busy fingers fly faster every year to satisfy the demands of so many little ones.

"In all this world there is nothing so beautiful as a happy child," says good old Santa Claus; and if he had his