1
CHRISTMAS TALES AND
CHRISTMAS VERSE


CHRISTMAS
TALES AND
CHRISTMAS
4* ♦ 4*

BY
EVGENE FIELD
ILLVSTRATIONS BY FLORENCE STORER


NEW VORK
CHARLES SCRIBNERS SONS

MCMXII
Copyright, 1912, by
Charles Scribner's Sons
Published October, 1912

Why do the bells of Christmas ring?
Why do little children sing?
Once a lovely shining star,
Seen by shepherds, from afar,
Gently moved until its light
Made a manger's cradle bright.
There a darling baby lay,
Pillowed soft upon the hay;
And its mother sung and smiled:
"This is Christ, the holy Child!"
Therefore bells for Christmas ring,
Therefore little children sing.

251R69
CONTENTS
Page
Dedication . . . . , v
Christmas Hymn 3
The Symbol and the Saint ... 5
Christmas Eve . . . . .21
Joel's Talk with Santa Claus ... 23
The Three Kings of Cologne . . 39
The Coming of the Prince ... 41
Chrystmasse of Olde .... 60
The Mouse and the Moonbeam . . 62
Christmas Morning .... 83
Mistress Merciless 86
Bethlehem-Town . . e . .105
The First Christmas Tree 107
Star of the East . . . . .118
FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS
IN COLORS
The angels came through the forest to where the little tree
stood, and gathering around it, they touched it with
their hands • Frontispiece
Facing Page
For he was so generous that he gave away all these pretty
things as fast as he made them 12
So Barbara fell asleep 54
"But why shouldn't I be merry?" asked the little mauve
mouse. "To-morrow is Christmas, and this is Christ-
mas eve" 64
"'What sound was that?' cried Dimas, for he was exceed-
ing fearful" 78
The strange allegory of the lame boy's speech filled her with
awe 90
But, with her babe upon her knee,
Naught recked that Mother of the tree 106
To seek that manger out and lay
Our gifts before the child—
To bring our hearts and offer them
Unto our King in Bethlehem! 118
IN BLACK-AND-WHITE
Sing, O my heart! Page
Sing thou in rapture this dear morn
Whereon the blessed Prince is born! 2
ILL USTRA TIONS
Page
Oh, hush thee, little Dear-my-Soul,
And close thine eyes in dreaming 20
"This must he the house where the prince will stop,"
thought Barbara 46
Share thou this holy time with me,
The universal hymn of love 84
"Nestle down close, fold your hands, and shut your dear
eyes!" 101
"They are killing me!" cried the tree . ... 115
CHRISTMAS
TALES AND
CHRISTMAS
VERSE ♦ ♦ ♦


Sing, Christmas bells!
Say to the earth this is the morn
Whereon our Savior-King is born;
Sing to all men, — the bond, the free,
The rich, the poor, the high, the low,
The little child that sports in glee,
The aged folk that tottering go, —
Proclaim the morn
That Christ is born,
That saveth them and saveth me!
Sing, angel host!
Sing of the star that God has placed
Above the manger in the East;
Sing of the glories of the night,
The virgin's sweet humility,
The Babe with kingly robes bedight, —
Sing to all men where'er they be
This Christmas morn;
For Christ is born,
That saveth them and saveth me!
[J]
CHRISTMAS HYMN
Sing, sons of earth!
0 ransomed seed of Adam, sing!
God liveth, and we have a king!
The curse is gone, the bond are free —
By Bethlehem's star that brightly beamed,
By all the heavenly signs that be,
We know that Israel is redeemed;
That on this morn
The Christ is born
That saveth you and saveth me!
Sing, O my heart!
Sing thou in rapture this dear morn
Whereon the blessed Prince is born!
And as thy songs shall be of love,
So let my deeds be charity, —
By the dear Lord that reigns above,
By Him that died upon the tree,
By this fair morn
Whereon is born
The Christ that saveth all and me!

[4]
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
ONCE upon a time a young man made
ready for a voyage. His name was
Norss; broad were his shoulders, his
cheeks were ruddy, his hair was fair and long,
his body betokened strength, and good-nature
shone from his blue eyes and lurked about the
corners of his mouth.
"Where are you going?" asked his neigh-
bor Jans, the forge-master.
"I am going sailing for a wife," said Norss.
4 4 For a wife, indeed!" cried Jans. "And
why go you to seek her in foreign lands? Are
not our maidens good enough and fair enough,
that you must need search for a wife elsewhere?
For shame, Norss! for shame!"
But Norss said: "A spirit came to me in
my dreams last night and said, 'Launch the
[5]
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
boat and set sail to-morrow. Have no fear;
for I will guide you to the bride that awaits
you.' Then, standing there, all white and
beautiful, the spirit held forth a symbol — such
as I had never before seen — in the figure of
a cross, and the spirit said: 4 By this symbol
shall she be known to you.'"
"If this be so, you must need go," said
Jans. 44 But are you well victualled? Come
to my cabin, and let me give you venison and
bear's meat."
Norss shook his head. 44 The spirit will
provide," said he. 441 have no fear, and I shall
take no care, trusting in the spirit."
So Norss pushed his boat down the beach
into the sea, and leaped into the boat, and
unfurled the sail to the wind. Jans stood won-
dering on the beach, and watched the boat
speed out of sight.
On, on, many days on sailed Norss — so
many leagues that he thought he must have
compassed the earth. In all this time he
knew no hunger nor thirst; it was as the spirit
had told him in his dream — no cares nor
dangers beset him. By day the dolphins and
the other creatures of the sea gambolled about
[6\
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
his boat; by night a beauteous Star seemed
to direct his course; and when he slept and
dreamed, he saw ever the spirit clad in white,
and holding forth to him the symbol in the
similitude of a cross.
At last he came to a strange country — a
country so very different from his own that he
could scarcely trust his senses. Instead of the
rugged mountains of the North, he saw a gen-
tle landscape of velvety green; the trees were
not pines and firs, but cypresses, cedars, and
palms; instead of the cold, crisp air of his
native land, he scented the perfumed zephyrs
of the Orient; and the wind that filled the sail
of his boat and smote his tanned cheeks was
heavy and hot with the odor of cinnamon and
spices. The waters were calm and blue —
very different from the white and angry waves
of Norss's native fiord.
As if guided by an unseen hand, the boat
pointed straight for the beach of this strangely
beautiful land; and ere its prow cleaved the
shallower waters, Norss saw a maiden stand-
ing on the shore, shading her eyes with her
right hand, and gazing intently at him. She
was the most beautiful maiden he had ever
[7]
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
looked upon. As Norss was fair, so was this
maiden dark; her black hair fell loosely about her
shoulders in charming contrast with the white
raiment in which her slender, graceful form was

clad. Around her neck she wore a golden chain,
and therefrom was suspended a small symbol,
which Norss did not immediately recognize.
"Hast thou come sailing out of the North
into the East?" asked the maiden.
"Yes," said Norss.
"And thou art Norss?" she asked.
441 am Norss; and I come seeking my
bride," he answered.
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
"1 am she," said the maiden. '' My name
is Faia. An angel came to me in my dreams
last night, and the angel said: 'Stand upon
the beach to-day, and Norss shall come out of
the North to bear thee home a bride.' So,
coming here, I found thee sailing to our shore."
Remembering then the spirit's words, Norss
said: "What symbol have you, Faia, that I may
know how truly you have spoken?"
"No symbol have I but this," said Faia,
holding out the symbol that was attached to
the golden chain about her neck. Norss
looked upon it, and lo! it was the symbol of
his dreams, — a tiny wooden cross.
Then Norss clasped Faia in his arms and
kissed her, and entering into the boat they
sailed away into the North. In all their voy-
age neither care nor danger beset them; for
as it had been told to them in their dreams,
so it came to pass. By day the dolphins and
the other creatures of the sea gambolled about
them; by night the winds and the waves sang
them to sleep; and, strangely enough, the Star
which before had led Norss into the East, now
shone bright and beautiful in the Northern sky!
When Norss and his bride reached their
[9]
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
home, Jans, the forge-master, and the other
neighbors made great joy, and all said that
Faia was more beautiful than any other
maiden in the land. So merry was Jans that
he built a huge fire in his forge, and the flames
thereof filled the whole Northern sky with
rays of light that danced up, up, up to the
Star, singing glad songs the while. So Norss
and Faia were wed, and they went to live in
the cabin in the fir grove.
To these two was born in good time a son,
whom they named Claus. On the night that
he was born wondrous things came to pass.
To the cabin in the fir grove came all the
quaint, weird spirits,— the fairies, the elves,
the trolls, the pixies, the fadas, the crions,
the goblins, the kobolds, the moss-people, the
gnomes, the dwarfs, the water-sprites, the
courils, the bogles, the brownies, the nixies,
the trows, the stille-volk, — all came to the
cabin in the fir grove, and capered about and
sang the strange, beautiful songs of the Mist-
Land. And the flames of old Jans's forge leaped
up higher than ever into the Northern sky,
carrying the joyous tidings to the Star, and
full of music was that happy night.
[10]
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
Even in infancy Claus did marvellous
things. With his baby hands he wrought into
pretty figures the willows that were given him
to play with. As he grew older, he fashioned,
with the knife old Jans had made for him,
many curious toys, — carts, horses, dogs, lambs,
houses, trees, cats, and birds, all of wood and
very like to nature. His mother taught him
how to make dolls too,—dolls of every kind,
condition, temper, and color; proud dolls,
homely dolls, boy dolls, lady dolls, wax dolls,
rubber dolls, paper dolls, worsted dolls, rag
dolls, — dolls of every description and without
end. So Claus became at once quite as pop-
ular with the little girls as with the little boys
of his native village; for he was so generous
that he gave away all these pretty things as fast
as he made them.
Claus seemed to know by instinct every
language. As he grew older he would ramble
off into the woods and talk with the trees, the
rocks, and the beasts of the greenwood; or
he would sit on the cliffs overlooking the fiord,
and listen to the stories that the waves of the
sea loved to tell him; then, too, he knew the
haunts of the elves and the stille-volk, and
[//]
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
many a pretty tale he learned from these lit-
tle people. When night came, old Jans told
him the quaint legends of the North, and his
mother sang to him the lullabies she had
heard when a little child herself in the far-
distant East. And every night his mother
held out to him the symbol in the similitude
of the cross, and bade him kiss it ere he went
to sleep.
So Claus grew to manhood, increasing each
day in knowledge and in wisdom. His works
increased too; and his liberality dispensed
everywhere the beauteous things which his
fancy conceived and his skill executed. Jans,
being now a very old man, and having no son
of his own, gave to Claus his forge and work-
shop, and taught him those secret arts which
he in youth had learned from cunning mas-
ters. Right joyous now was Claus; and many,
many times the Northern sky glowed with
the flames that danced singing from the forge
while Claus moulded his pretty toys. Every
color of the rainbow were these flames; for
they reflected the bright colors of the beau-
teous things strewn round that wonderful
workshop. Just as of old he had dispensed to
[12]

THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
all children alike the homelier toys of his youth,
so now he gave to all children alike these more
beautiful and more curious gifts. So little
children everywhere loved Claus, because he
gave them pretty toys, and their parents loved
him because he made their little ones so happy.
But now Norss and Faia were come to old
age. After long years of love and happiness,
they knew that death could not be far distant.
And one day Faia said to Norss: "Neither you
nor I, dear love, fear death; but if we could
choose, would we not choose to live always
in this our son Claus, who has been so sweet
a joy to us?"
44 Ay, ay," said Norss; "but how is that
possible?"
"We shall see," said Faia.
That night Norss dreamed that a spirit
came to him, and that the spirit said to him:
44 Norss, thou shalt surely live forever in thy
son Claus, if thou wilt but acknowledge the
symbol."
Then when the morning was come Norss
told his dream to Faia, his wife; and Faia said:
44 The same dream had I,— an angel ap-
pearing to me and speaking these very words."
1'3]
4
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
"But what of the symbol?" cried Norss.
"1 have it here, about my neck," said Faia.
So saying, Faia drew from her bosom the
symbol of wood, — a tiny cross suspended
about her neck by the golden chain. And as
she stood there holding the symbol out to
Norss, he — he thought of the time when first
he saw her on the far-distant Orient shore,
standing beneath the Star in all her maidenly
glory, shading her beauteous eyes with one
hand, and with the other clasping the cross, —
the holy talisman of her faith.
"Faia, Faia!" cried Norss, "it is the same,
— the same you wore when I fetched you a
bride from the East!"
"It is the same," said Faia, "yet see how
my kisses and my prayers have worn it away;
for many, many times in these years, dear
Norss, have I pressed it to my lips and
breathed your name upon it. See now — see
what a beauteous light its shadow makes upon
your aged face!"
The sunbeams, indeed, streaming through
the window at that moment, cast the shadow
of the symbol on old Norss's brow. Norss felt
a glorious warmth suffuse him, his heart leaped
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
with joy, and he stretched out his arms and
fell about Faia's neck, and kissed the symbol
and acknowledged it. Then likewise did Faia;
and suddenly the place was filled with a won-
drous brightness and with strange music, and
never thereafter were Norss and Faia beholden
of men.
Until late that night Claus toiled at his
forge; for it was a busy season with him, and
he had many, many curious and beauteous
things to make for the little children in the
country round about. The colored flames
leaped singing from his forge, so that the
Northern sky seemed to be lighted by a thou-
sand rainbows; but above all this voiceful glory
beamed the Star, bright, beautiful, serene.
Coming late to the cabin in the fir grove,
Claus wondered that no sign of his father or
of his mother was to be seen. 44 Father —
mother!" he cried, but he received no answer.
Just then the Star cast its golden gleam through
the latticed window, and this strange, holy
light fell and rested upon the symbol of the
cross that lay upon the floor. Seeing it, Claus
stooped and picked it up, and kissing it rev-
erently, he cried: 44 Dear talisman, be thou
U5]
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
my inspiration evermore; and wheresoever thy
blessed influence is felt, there also let my works
be known henceforth forever!"
No sooner had he said these words than
Claus felt the gift of immortality bestowed
upon him; and in that moment, too, there
came to him a knowledge that his parents'
prayer had been answered, and that Norss and
Faia would live in him through all time.
And lo! to that place and in that hour
came all the people of Mist-Land and of
Dream-Land to declare allegiance to him: yes,
the elves, the fairies, the pixies, — all came
to Claus, prepared to do his bidding. Joyously
they capered about him, and merrily they
sang.'
"Now haste ye all," cried Claus, — "haste
ye all to your homes and bring to my workshop
the best ye have. Search, little hill-people,
deep in the bowels of the earth for finest gold
and choicest jewels; fetch me, O mermaids,
from the bottom of the sea the treasures hid^
den there, — the shells of rainbow tints, the
smooth, bright pebbles, and the strange ocean
flowers; go, pixies, and other water-sprites,
to your secret lakes, and bring me pearls!
[16]
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
Speed! speed you all! for many pretty things
have we to make for the little ones of earth
we love!"
But to the kobolds and the brownies Claus

said: ''Fly to every house on earth where the
cross is known; loiter unseen in the corners,
and watch and hear the children through the
day. Keep a strict account of good and bad,
and every night bring back to me the names
i of good and bad that I may know them."
The kobolds and the brownies laughed glee-
fully, and sped away on noiseless wings; and
so, too, did the other fairies and elves.
[ 17 1
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
There came also to Glaus the beasts of
the forest and the birds of the air, and bade
him be their master. And up danced the Four
Winds, and they said: "May we not serve you,
too?"
The Snow King came stealing along in his
feathery chariot. "Oho!" he cried, "I shall
speed over all the world and tell them you are
coming. In town and country, on the moun-
tain-tops and in the valleys, — wheresoever the
cross is raised, — there will I herald your ap-
proach, and thither will I strew you a pathway
of feathery white. Oho! oho!" So, singing
softly, the Snow King stole upon his way.
But of all the beasts that begged to do him
service, Claus liked the reindeer best. "You
shall go with me in my travels; for henceforth
I shall bear my treasures not only to the chil-
dren of the North, but to the children in every
land whither the Star points me and where
the cross is lifted up!" So said Claus to the
reindeer, and the reindeer neighed joyously
and stamped their hoofs impatiently, as though
they longed to start immediately.
Oh, many, many times has Claus whirled
away from his far Northern home in his sledge
[18]
THE SYMBOL AND THE SAINT
drawn by the reindeer, and thousands upon
thousands of beautiful gifts — all of his own
making — has he borne to the children of every
land; for he loves them all alike, and they all
alike love him, I trow. So truly do they love
him that they call him Santa Claus, and I am
sure that he must be a saint; for he has lived
these many hundred years, and we, who know
that he was born of Faith and Love, believe
that he will live forever.

\T9\

CHRISTMAS EVE
Oh, hush thee, little Dear-my-Soul,
The evening shades are falling,—
Hush thee, my dear, dost thou not hear
The voice of the Master calling?
Deep lies the snow upon the earth,
But all the sky is ringing
With joyous song, and all night long
The stars shall dance, with singing.
Oh, hush thee, little Dear-my-Soul,
And close thine eyes in dreaming,
And angels fair shall lead thee where
The singing stars are beaming.
[21]
CHRISTMAS EVE
A shepherd calls his little lambs,
And he longeth to caress them;
He bids them rest upon his breast,
That his tender love may bless them.
So, hush thee, little Dear-my-Soul,
Whilst evening shades are falling,
And above the song of the heavenly throng
Thou shalt hear the Master calling.

[22]
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA GLAUS
ONE Christmas eve Joel Baker was in a
most unhappy mood. He was lone-
some and miserable; the chimes mak-
ing merry Christmas music outside disturbed
rather than soothed him, the jingle of the
sleigh-bells fretted him, and the shrill whis-
tling of the wind around the corners of the
house and up and down the chimney seemed
to grate harshly on his ears.
"Humph," said Joel, wearily, "Christmas
is nothin' to me; there was a time when it
meant a great deal, but that was long ago —
fifty years is a long stretch to look back over.
There is nothin' in Christmas now, nothin'
for me at least; it is so long since Santa Claus
remembered me that I venture to say he has
forgotten that there ever was such a person as
Joel Baker in all the world. It used to be dif-
ferent; Santa Claus used to think a great deal
[23}
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
of me when I was a boy. Ah! Christmas now-
adays ain't what it was in the good old time
— no, not what it used to be."
As Joel was absorbed in his distressing
thoughts he became aware very suddenly that
somebody was entering or trying to enter the
room. First came a draught of cold air, then a
scraping, grating sound, then a strange shuf-
fling, and then, — yes, then, all at once, Joel
saw a pair of fat legs and a still fatter body
dangle down the chimney, followed presently
by a long white beard, above which appeared
a jolly red nose and two bright twinkling eyes,
while over the head and forehead was drawn
a fur cap, white with snowflakes.
"Ha, ha," chuckled the fat, jolly stranger,
emerging from the chimney and standing well
to one side of the hearth-stone; "ha, ha, they
don't have the big, wide chimneys they used
to build, but they can't keep Santa Claus out
— no, they can't keep Santa Claus out! Ha,
ha, ha. Though the chimney were no bigger
than a gas pipe, Santa Claus would slide down
it!"
It didn't require a second glance to assure
Joel that the new-comer was indeed Santa
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
Claus. Joel knew the good old saint — oh,
yes — and he had seen him once before, and,
although that was when Joel was a little boy,
he had never forgotten how Santa Claus looked.

Nor had Santa Claus forgotten Joel, al-
though Joel thought he had; for now Santa
Claus looked kindly at Joel and smiled and
said: "Merry Christmas to you, Joel!"
\*S\
»
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
"Thank you, old Santa Claus," replied
Joel, " but I don't believe it's going to be a very
merry Christmas. It's been so long since I've
had a merry Christmas that I don't believe
I'd know how to act if I had one."
"Let's see," said Santa Claus, "it must
be going on fifty years since I saw you last —
yes, you were eight years old the last time I
slipped down the chimney of the old home-
stead and filled your stocking. Do you re-
member it?"
4' I remember it well," answered Joel. "I
had made up my mind to lie awake and see
Santa Claus; I had heard tell of you, but I'd
never seen you, and Brother Otis and I con-
cluded we'd lie awake and watch for you to
come."
Santa Claus shook his head reproachfully.
"That was very wrong," said he, "for I'm
so scarey that if I'd known you boys were
awake I'd never have come down the chimney
at all, and then you'd have had no presents."
"But Otis couldn't keep awake," explained
Joel. "We talked about every thin' we could
think of, till father called out to us that if we
didn't stop talking he'd have to send one of us
[26]
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
up into the attic to sleep with the hired man.
So in less than five minutes Otis was sound
asleep and no pinching could wake him up.
But J was bound to see Santa Claus and I don't
believe anything would've put me to sleep. I
heard the big clock in the sitting-room strike
eleven, and I had begun wonderin' if you never
were going to come, when all of a sudden I
heard the tinkle of the bells around your rein-
deers' necks. Then I heard the reindeers
prancin' on the roof and the sound of your
sleigh-runners cuttin' through the crust and
slippin' over the shingles. I was kind o' scared
and I covered my head up with the sheet and
quilts — only I left a little hole so I could peek
out and see what was goin' on. As soon as I
saw you I got over bein' scared — for you were
jolly and smilin' like, and you chuckled as you
went around to each stockin' and filled it up."
44 Yes, I can remember the night," said Santa
Claus. 44 I brought you a sled, didn't I?"
44 Yes, and you brought Otis one, too,"
replied Joel. 44 Mine was red and had 4 Yan-
kee Doodle' painted in black letters on the
side; Otis's was black and had 4 Snow Queen'
in gilt letters."
U7\
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
"1 remember those sleds distinctly," said
Santa Claus, "for I made them specially for
you boys."
"You set the sleds up against the wall,"
continued Joel, "and then you filled the
stockin's."
"There were six of 'em, as I recollect?"
said Santa Claus.
"Let me see," queried Joel. "There was
mine, and Otis's, and Elvira's, and Thankful's,
and Susan Prickett's — Susan was our help,
you know. No, there were only five, and, as
I remember, they were the biggest we could
beg or borrer of Aunt Dorcas, who weighed
nigh unto two hundred pounds. Otis and I
didn't like Susan Prickett, and we were hopin'
you'd put a cold potato in her stockin'."
"But Susan was a good girl," remonstrated
Santa Claus. "You know I put cold potatoes
only in the stockin's of boys and girls who are
bad and don't believe in Santa Claus."
"At any rate," said Joel, "you filled all
the stockin's with candy and pop-corn and
nuts and raisins, and I can remember you said
you were afraid you'd run out of pop-corn balls
before you got around. Then you left each
[28]
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
of us a book. Elvira got the best one, which
was 4 The Garland of Frien'ship,' and had poems
in it about the bleeding of hearts, and so forth.
Father wasn't expectin' anything, but you left
him a new pair of mittens, and mother got
a new fur boa to wear to meetin'."
44 Of course," said Santa Claus, 441 never
forgot father and mother."
44 Well, it was as much as I could do to lay
still," continued Joel, 44 for I'd been longin'
for a sled, an' the sight of that red sled with
4 Yankee Doodle' painted on it jest made me
wild. But, somehow or other, I began to get
powerful sleepy all at once, and I couldn't keep
my eyes open. The next thing I knew Otis
was nudgin' me in the ribs. 4 Git up, Joel,' says
he; 4 it's Chris'mas an' Santa Claus has been
here.' 4 Merry Chris'mas! Merry Chris'mas!'
we cried as we tumbled out o' bed. Then
Elvira an' Thankful came in, not more 'n half
dressed, and Susan came in, too, an' we just
made Rome howl with 4 Merry Chris'mas!
Merry Chris'mas!' to each other. 4 Ef you chil-
dren don't make less noise in there,' cried
father, 4 I'll hev to send you all back to bed.'
The idea of askin' boys an' girls to keep quiet
JOEL S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
on Chris'mas mornin' when they've got new
sleds an' 4 Garlands of Frien'ship'!"
Santa Claus chuckled; his rosy cheeks fairly
beamed joy.
44 Otis an' I didn't want any breakfast,"
said Joel. 44 We made up our minds that a
stockin'ful of candy and pop-corn and raisins
would stay us for a while. I do believe there
wasn't buckwheat cakes enough in the town-
ship to keep us indoors that mornin'; buck-
wheat cakes don't size up much 'longside of a
red sled with 4 Yankee Doodle' painted onto it
and a black sled named 4 Snow Queen.' We
didn't care how cold it was — so much the
better for slidin' downhill! All the boys had
new sleds — Lafe Dawson, Bill Holbrook, Gum
Adams, Rube Playford, Leander Merrick, Ezra
Purple — all on 'em had new sleds excep' Martin
Peavey, and he said he calculated Santa Claus
had skipped him this year 'cause his father
had broke his leg haulin' logs from the Pelham
woods and had been kep' in-doors six weeks.
But Martin had his oV sled, and he didn't hev
to ask any odds of any of us, neither."
441 brought Martin a sled the next Christ-
mas," said Santa Claus.
[jo]
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
"Like as not — but did you ever slide down-
hill, Santa Claus? I don't mean such hills
as they hev out here in this new country, but
one of them old-fashioned New England hills
that was made 'specially for boys to slide down,
full of bumpers an' thank-ye-marms, and about
ten times longer comin' up than it is goin'
down! The wind blew in our faces and almos'
took our breath away. 4 Merry Chris'mas to
ye, little boys!' it seemed to say, and it untied
our mufflers an' whirled the snow in our faces,
jist as if it was a boy, too, an' wanted to play
with us. An ol' crow came flappin' over us
from the cornfield beyond the meadow. He
said: 4 Caw, caw,' when he saw my new sled
— I s'pose he'd never seen a red one before.
Otis had a hard time with his sled — the black
one — an' he wondered why it wouldn't go as
fast as mine would. 'Hev you scraped the paint
off'n the runners?' asked Wralsey Goodnow.
'Course I hev,' said Otis; 'broke my own knife
an' Lute Ingraham's a-doin' it, but it don't
seem to make no dif'rence — the darned oV
thing won't go!' Then, what did Simon Buzzell
say but that, like's not, it was because Otis's
sled's name was 'Snow Queen.' 'Never did see
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
a girl sled that was worth a cent, anyway,' sez
Simon. Well, now, that jest about broke Otis
up in business. 4 It ain't a girl sled,' sez he,
4 and its name ain't 64 Snow Queen"! I'm
a-goin' to.call it 44Dan'l Webster," or 44 Ol'ver
Optic," or 44 Sheriff Robbins," or after some
other big man!' An' the boys plagued him
so much about that pesky girl sled that he
scratched off the name, an', as I remember,
it did go better after that!
44 About the only thing," continued Joel,
44 that marred the harmony of the occasion,
as the editor of the Hampshire County Phoe-
nix used to say, was the ashes that Deacon
Morris Frisbie sprinkled out in front of his
house. He said he wasn't going to have folks
breakin' their necks jest on account of a lot
of frivolous boys that was goin' to the gallows
as fas' as they could! Oh, how we hated him!
and we'd have snowballed him, too, if we hadn't
been afraid of the constable that lived next
door. But the ashes didn't bother us much,
and every time we slid side-saddle we'd give the
ashes a kick, and that sort of scattered 'em."
The bare thought of this made Santa Claus
laugh.
[32]
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
"Goin' on about nine o'clock," said Joel,
"the girls come along — Sister Elvira an' Thank-

ful, Prudence Tucker, Belle Yocum, Sophrone
Holbrook, Sis Hubbard, an' Marthy Sawyer.
Marthy's brother Increase wanted her to ride
on his sled, but Marthy allowed that a red sled
Iss]
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
was her choice every time. 61 don't see how
I'm goin' to hold on/ said Marthy. 6 Seems as
if I would hev my hands full keepin' my things
from blowin' away.' 6 Don't worry about your-
self, Marthy,' sez I, 4 for if you'll look after your
things, I kind o' calc'late I'll manage not to
lose you on the way.' Dear Marthy — seems
as if I could see you now, with your tangled
hair a-blowin' in the wind, your eyes all bright
and sparklin', an' your cheeks as red as apples.
Seems, too, as if I could hear you laughin' an'
callin', jist as you did as I toiled up the old
New England hill that Chris'mas mornin' —
a-callin': 'Joel, Joel, Joel — ain't ye ever com-
in', Joel?' But the hill is long and steep, Mar-
thy, an Joel ain't the boy he used to be; he's
old, an' gray, an' feeble, but there's love an'
faith in his heart, an' they kind o' keep him
totterin' tow'rd the voice he hears a-callin':
'Joel, Joel, Joel!'"
"I know — I see it all," murmured Santa
Claus very softly.
"Oh, that was so long ago," sighed Joel; "so
very long ago! And I've had no Chris'mas since
— only once, when our little one — Marthy's an'
mine — you remember him, Santa Claus?"
[34\
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
44 Yes," said Santa Claus, "a toddling lit-
tle boy with blue eyes —"
"Like his mother," interrupted Joel; "an'
he was like her, too — so gentle an' lovin', only
we called him Joel, for that was my father's
name and it kind o' run in the fam'ly. He
wa'n't more'n three years old when you came
with your Chris'mas presents for him, Santa
Claus. We had told him about you, and he
used to go to the chimney every night and
make a little prayer about what he wanted
you to bring him. And you brought 'em, too—a
stick-horse, an' a picture-book, an' some blocks,
an' a drum — they're on the shelf in the closet
there, and his little Chris'mas stockin' with 'em
—I've saved 'em all, an' I've taken 'em down an'
held 'em in my hands, oh, so many times!"
"But when I came again," said Santa
Claus
"His little bed was empty, an' I was alone.
It killed his mother — Marthy was so tender-
hearted; she kind o' drooped an' pined after
that. So now they've been asleep side by side
in the buryin'-ground these thirty years.
"That's why I'm so sad-like whenever Chris'-
mas comes," said Joel, after a pause. "The
[35\
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
tWilkin' of long ago makes me bitter almost.
It's so different now from what it used to be."
"No, Joel, oh, no," said Santa Claus. "Tis
the same world, and human nature is the
same and always will be. But Christmas is
for the little folks, and you, who are old and
grizzled now, must know it and love it only
through the gladness it brings the little ones."
"True," groaned Joel; "but how may I
know and feel this gladness when I have no little
stocking hanging in my chimney corner—no child
to please me with his prattle? See, I am alone."
"No, you're not alone, Joel," said Santa
Claus. "There are children in this great city
who would love and bless you for your good-
ness if you but touched their hearts. Make
them happy, Joel; send by me this night some
gift to the little boy in the old house yonder
— he is poor and sick; a simple toy will fill his
Christmas with gladness."
"His little sister, too — take her some pres-
ents," said Joel; "make them happy for me,
Santa Claus — you are right — make them
happy for me."
How sweetly Joel slept! When he awoke,
the sunlight streamed in through the window
{36]
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
and seemed to bid him a merry Christmas.
How contented and happy Joel felt! It must
have been the talk with Santa Claus that did
it all; he had never known a sweeter sense of
peace. A little girl came out of the house over
the way. She had a new doll in her arms, and
she sang a merry little song and she laughed
with joy as she skipped along the street. Ay,
and at the window sat the little sick boy, and
the toy Santa Claus left him seemed to have
brought him strength and health, for his eyes
sparkled and his cheeks glowed, and it was
plain to see his heart was full of happiness.
And, oh! how the chimes did ring out,
and how joyfully they sang their Christmas
carol that morning! They sang of Bethlehem
and the manger and the Babe; they sang of
love and charity, till all the Christmas air
seemed full of angel voices.
Carol of the Christmas morn —
Carol of the Christ-child born —
Carol to the listening sky
Till it echoes back again
"Glory be to God on high,
Peace on earth, good will tow'rd men!"
[37]
JOEL'S TALK WITH SANTA CLAUS
So all this music — the carol of the chimes,
the sound of children's voices, the smile of
the poor little boy over the way — all this sweet
music crept into Joel's heart that Christmas
morning; yes, and with these sweet, holy in-
fluences came others so subtile and divine that
in its silent communion with them, Joel's
heart cried out amen and amen to the glory
of the Christmas time.

THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE
From out Cologne there came three kings
To worship Jesus Christ, their King.
To Him they sought fine herbs they brought,
And many a beauteous golden thing;
They brought their gifts to Bethlehem town,
And in that manger set them down.
Then spake the first king, and he said:
"O Child, most heavenly, bright, and fair!
I bring this crown to Bethlehem town
For Thee, and only Thee, to wear;
So give a heavenly crown to me
When I shall come at last to Thee!"
[39]
THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE
The second, then. 441 bring Thee here
This royal robe, O Child!" he cried;
44 Of silk 'tis spun, and such an one
There is not in the world beside;
So in the day of doom requite
Me with a heavenly robe of white!"
The third king gave his gift, and quoth:
44 Spikenard and myrrh to Thee I bring,
And with these twain would I most fain
Anoint the body of my King;
So may their incense sometime rise
To plead for me in yonder skies!"
Thus spake the three kings of Cologne,
That gave their gifts, and went their way;
And now kneel I in prayer hard by
The cradle of the Child to-day;
Nor crown, nor robe, nor spice I bring
As offering unto Christ, my King.
Yet have I brought a gift the Child
May not despise, however small;
For here I lay my heart to-day,
And it is full of love to all.
Take Thou the poor but loyal thing,
My only tribute, Christ, my King!
[40]
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
I

HIRR-R-R! whirr-r-r! whirr-r-r!"
said the wind, and it tore through
the streets of the city that Christ-
mas eve, turning umbrellas inside out, driving
the snow in fitful gusts before it, creaking the
rusty signs and shutters, and playing every kind
of rude prank it could think of.
46 How cold your breath is to-night!" said
Barbara, with a shiver, as she drew her tattered
little shawl the closer around her benumbed body.
44 Whirr-r-r! whirr-r-r! whirr-r-r!" an-
swered the wind; 44 but why are you out in this
storm? You should be at home by the warm
fire."
441 have no home," said Barbara; and then
she sighed bitterly, and something like a tiny
pearl came in the corner of one of her sad blue
eyes.
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
But the wind did not hear her answer, for
it had hurried up the street to throw a hand-
ful of snow in the face of an old man who was
struggling along with a huge basket of good
things on each arm.
44 Why are you not at the cathedral? " asked
a snowflake, as it alighted on Barbara's shoul-
der. 44 I heard grand music, and saw beautiful
lights there as I floated down from the sky a
moment ago."
44What are they doing at the cathedral?"
inquired Barbara.
44Why, haven't you heard?" exclaimed the
snowflake. 441 supposed everybody knew that
the prince was coming to-morrow."
44 Surely enough; this is Christmas eve,"
said Barbara, 44 and the prince will come to-
morrow."
Barbara remembered that her mother had
told her about the prince, how beautiful and
good and kind and gentle he was, and how he
loved the little children; but her mother was
dead now, and there was none to tell Barbara
of the prince and his coming, — none but the
little snowflake.
441 should like to see the prince," said Bar-
\42\
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
bara, 44 for I have heard he was very beautiful
and good."
44 That he is," said the snowflake. 44 I have
never seen him, but I heard the pines and the
firs singing about him as I floated over the for-
est to-night."
44 Whirr-r-r! whirr-r-r!" cried the wind, re-
turning boisterously to where Barbara stood.
44 I've been looking for you everywhere, little
snowflake! So come with me."
And without any further ado, the wind
seized upon the snowflake and hurried it along
the street and led it a merry dance through the
icy air of the winter night.
Barbara trudged on through the snow and
looked in at the bright things in the shop win-
dows. The glitter of the lights and the sparkle
of the vast array of beautiful Christmas toys
quite dazzled her. A strange mingling of ad-
miration, regret, and envy filled the poor little
creature's heart.
44 Much as I may yearn to have them, it
cannot be," she said to herself, 44 yet I may
feast my eyes upon them."
44 Go away from here!" said a harsh voice.
44 How can the rich people see all my fine things
[43]
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
if you stand before the window? Be off with
you, you miserable little beggar!"
It was the shopkeeper, and he gave Bar-

bara a savage box on the ear that sent her reel-
ing into the deeper snowdrifts of the gutter.
Presently she came to a large house where
there seemed to be much mirth and festivity.
The shutters were thrown open, and through
the windows Barbara could see a beautiful
Christmas-tree in the centre of a spacious room
[44]
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
— a beautiful Christmas-tree ablaze with red
and green lights, and heavy with toys and stars
and glass balls and other beautiful things that
children love. There was a merry throng
around the tree, and the children were smil-
ing and gleeful, and all in that house seemed
content and happy. Barbara heard them sing-
ing, and their song was about the prince who
was to come on the morrow.
"This must be the house where the prince
will stop," thought Barbara. "How I would
like to see his face and hear his voice! — yet
what would he care for me, a 'miserable little
beggar'?"
So Barbara crept on through the storm,
shivering and disconsolate, yet thinking of the
prince.
''Where are you going?" she asked of the
wind as it overtook her.
"To the cathedral," laughed the wind.
"The great people are flocking there, and I will
have a merry time amongst them, ha, ha, ha!"
And with laughter the wind whirled away
and chased the snow toward the cathedral.
"It is there, then, that the prince will
come," thought Barbara. "It is a beautiful
[45\

"This must be the house where the prince
will stop," thought Barbara.
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
place, and the people will pay him homage
there. Perhaps I shall see him if I go there."
So she went to the cathedral. Many folk
were there in their richest apparel, and the
organ rolled out its grand music, and the peo-
ple sang wondrous songs, and the priests made
eloquent prayers; and the music, and the songs,
and the prayers were all about the prince and
his expected coming. The throng that swept
in and out of the great edifice talked always of
the prince, the prince, the prince, until Bar-
bara really loved him very much, for all the
gentle words she heard the people say of him.
"Please, can I go and sit inside? " inquired
Barbara of the sexton.
44 No!" said the sexton gruffly, for this was
an important occasion with the sexton, and he
had no idea of wasting words on a beggar child.
44 But I will be very good and quiet," pleaded
Barbara. 44 Please may I not see the prince?"
441 have said no, and I mean it," retorted
the sexton. 44 What have you for the prince, or
what cares the prince for you? Out with you,
and don't be blocking up the door-way!" So
the sexton gave Barbara an angry push, and
the child fell half-way down the icy steps of
\47\
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
the cathedral. She began to cry. Some great
people were entering the cathedral at the time,
and they laughed to see her falling.
44 Have you seen the prince?" inquired a
snowflake, alighting on Barbara's cheek. It was
the same little snowflake that had clung to her
shawl an hour ago, when the wind came gallop-
ing along on his boisterous search.
"Ah, no!" sighed Barbara in tears; "but
what cares the prince for me?"
"Do not speak so bitterly," said the little
snowflake. "Go to the forest and you shall see
him, for the prince always comes through the
forest to the city."
Despite the cold, and her bruises, and her
tears, Barbara smiled. In the forest she could
behold the prince coming on his way; and he
would not see her, for she would hide among
the trees and vines.
"Whirr-r-r, whirr-r-r!" It was the mis-
chievous, romping wind once more; and it
fluttered Barbara's tattered shawl, and set her
hair to streaming in every direction, and swept
the snowflake from her cheek and sent it spin-
ning through the air.
Barbara trudged toward the forest. When
[48]
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
she came to the city gate the watchman
stopped her, and held his big lantern in her
face, and asked her who she was and where
she was going.
441 am Barbara, and I am going into the
forest," said she boldly.
44Into the forest? " cried the watchman,44and
in this storm? No, child; you will perish!"
44 But I am going to see the prince," said
Barbara. 44 They will not let me watch for
him in the church, nor in any of their pleasant
homes, so I am going into the forest."
The watchman smiled sadly. He was a
kindly man; he thought of his own little girl
at home.
44 No, you must not go to the forest," said
he, 44 for you would perish with the cold."
But Barbara would not stay. She avoided
the watchman's grasp and ran as fast as ever
she could through the city gate.
44 Come back, come back!" cried the watch-
man; 44you will perish in the forest!"
But Barbara would not heed his cry. The
falling snow did not stay her, nor did the cut-
ting blast. She thought only of the prince,
and she ran straightway to the forest.
I 49]
II
44 What do you see up there, O pine-tree?"
asked a little vine in the forest. 44 You lift
your head among the clouds to-night, and
you tremble strangely as if you saw wondrous
sights."
441 see only the distant hill-tops and the
dark clouds/' answered the pine-tree. 44And
the wind sings of the snow-king to-night;
to all my questionings he says, 4 Snow, snow,
snow/ till I am wearied with his refrain."
44 But the prince will surely come to-mor-
row?" inquired the tiny snowdrop that nestled
close to the vine.
44 Oh, yes," said the vine. 441 heard the
country folks talking about it as they went
through the forest to-day, and they said that
the prince would surely come on the morrow."
44 What are you little folks down there talk-
ing about?" asked the pine-tree.
[So]
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
44 We are talking about the prince," said
the vine.
44 Yes, he is to come on the morrow/' said
the pine-tree, 44 but not until the day dawns,
and it is still all dark in the east."
44 Yes," said the fir-tree, 44 the east is black,
and only the wind and the snow issue from
it."
44 Keep your head out of my way!" cried
the pine-tree to the fir; 44 with your constant
bobbing around I can hardly see at all."
44 Take that for your bad manners," re-
torted the fir, slapping the pine-tree savagely
with one of her longest branches.
The pine-tree would put up with no such
treatment, so he hurled his largest cone at the
fir; and for a moment or two it looked as if
there were going to be a serious commotion in
the forest.
44 Hush!" cried the vine in a startled tone;
44 there is some one coming through the forest."
The pine-tree and the fir stopped quarrel-
ling, and the snowdrop nestled closer to the
vine, while the vine hugged the pine-tree very
tightly. All were greatly alarmed.
44 Nonsense!" said the pine-tree, in a tone
[5/]
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
of assumed bravery. 44 No one would venture
into the forest at such an hour."
44 Indeed! and why not?" cried a child's
voice. "Will you not let me watch with you
for the coming of the prince?"
44Will you not chop me down?" inquired
the pine-tree gruffly.
44 Will you not tear me from my tree?"
asked the vine.
44Will you not pluck my blossoms?" plain-
tively piped the snowdrop.
44 No, of course not," said Barbara; 441 have
come only to watch with you for the prince."
Then Barbara told them who she was, and
how cruelly she had been treated in the city,
and how she longed to see the prince, who was
to come on the morrow. And as she talked,
the forest and all therein felt a great compas-
sion for her.
44 Lie at my feet," said the pine-tree, 44 and
I will protect you."
44 Nestle close to me, and I will chafe your
temples and body and limbs till they are warm,"
said the vine.
44 Let me rest upon your cheek, and I will
sing you my little songs," said the snowdrop.
[52]
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
And Barbara felt very grateful for all these
homely kindnesses. She rested in the velvety
snow at the foot of the pine-tree, and the vine
chafed her body and limbs, and the little flower
sang sweet songs to her.
"Whirr-r-r, whirr-r-r!" There was that
noisy wind again, but this time it was gentler
than it had been in the city.
"Here you are, my little Barbara," said the
wind, in kindly tones. "I have brought you
the little snowflake. I am glad you came away
from the city, for the people are proud and
haughty there; oh, but I will have my fun with
them!"
Then, having dropped the little snowflake
on Barbara's cheek, the wind whisked off to
the city again. And we can imagine that it
played rare pranks with the proud, haughty
folk on its return; for the wind, as you know,
is no respecter of persons.
44 Dear Barbara," said the snowflake, "I
will watch with thee for the coming of the
prince."
And Barbara was glad, for she loved the
little snowflake, that was so pure and innocent
and gentle.
[53]
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
"Tell us, O pine-tree," cried the vine,
"what do you see in the east? Has the prince
yet entered the forest?"
"The east is full of black clouds," said the
pine-tree, "and the winds that hurry to the
hill-tops sing of the snow."
"But the city is full of brightness," said
the fir. "I can see the lights in the cathedral,
and I can hear wondrous music about the
prince and his coming."
"Yes, they are singing of the prince in the
cathedral," said Barbara sadly.
"But we shall see him first," whispered the
vine reassuringly.
"Yes, the prince will come through the for-
est," said the little snowdrop gleefully.
"Fear not, dear Barbara, we shall behold
the prince in all his glory," cried the snowflake.
Then all at once there was a strange hub-
bub in the forest; for it was midnight, and the
spirits came from their hiding-places to prowl
about and to disport themselves. Barbara be-
held them all in great wonder and trepidation,
for she had never before seen the spirits of the
forest, although she had often heard of them.
It was a marvellous sight.
\54\

THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
"Fear nothing," whispered the vine to Bar-
bara,—44 fear nothing, for they dare not touch
you."
The antics of the wood-spirits continued
but an hour; for then a cock crowed, and im-
mediately thereat, with a wondrous scurrying,
the elves and the gnomes and the other gro-
tesque spirits sought their abiding-places in the
caves and in the hollow trunks and under the
loose bark of the trees. And then it was very
quiet once more in the forest.
44 It is very cold," said Barbara. 44 My hands
and feet are like ice."
Then the pine-tree and the fir shook down
the snow from their broad boughs, and the
snow fell upon Barbara and covered her like a
white mantle.
44 You will be warm now," said the vine,
kissing Barbara's forehead. And Barbara smiled.
Then the snowdrop sang a lullaby about
the moss that loved the violet. And Bar-
bara said, 441 am going to sleep; will you
wake me when the prince comes through the
forest?"
And they said they * would. So Barbara
fell asleep.
[55]
Ill
4 4 The bells in the city are ringing merrily,"
said the fir, 44 and the music in the cathedral
is louder and more beautiful than before. Can
it be that the prince has already come into the
city?"
44 No," cried the pine-tree, 44 look to the east
and see the Christmas day a-dawning! The
prince is coming, and his pathway is through
the forest!"
The storm had ceased. Snow lay upon all
the earth. The hills, the forest, the city, and
the meadows were white with the robe the
storm-king had thrown over them. Content
with his wondrous work, the storm-king him-
self had fled to his far Northern home before
the dawn of the Christmas day. Everything was
bright and sparkling and beautiful. And most
beautiful was the great hymn of praise the
forest sang that Christmas morning, — the
pine-trees and the firs and the vines and the
snow-flowers that sang of the prince and of his
promised coming.
"Wake up, little one," cried the vine, 44 for
the prince is coming!"
[56]
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
But Barbara slept; she did not hear the vine's
soft calling nor the lofty music of the forest.

A little snow-bird flew down from the fir-
tree's bough and perched upon the vine, and
carolled in Barbara's ear of the Christmas
morning and of the coming of the prince. But
[57]
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
Barbara slept; she did not hear the carol of
the bird.
"Alas!" sighed the vine, "Barbara will not
awaken, and the prince is coming."
Then the vine and the snowdrop wept,
and the pine-tree and the fir were very sad.
The prince came through the forest clad
in royal raiment and wearing a golden crown.
Angels came with him, and the forest sang a
great hymn unto the prince, such a hymn as
had never before been heard on earth. The
prince came to the sleeping child and smiled
upon her and called her by name.
"Barbara, my little one," said the prince,
"awaken, and come with me."
Then Barbara opened her eyes and beheld
the prince. And it seemed as if a new life had
come to her, for there was warmth in her
body and a flush upon her cheeks and a light
in her eyes that were divine. And she was
clothed no longer in rags, but in white flow-
ing raiment; and upon the soft brown hair
there was a crown like those which angels
wear. And as Barbara arose and went to
the prince, the little snowflake fell from her
cheek upon her bosom, and forthwith became
[58]
THE COMING OF THE PRINCE
a pearl more precious than all other jewels
upon earth.
And the prince took Barbara in his arms
and blessed her, and turning round about,
returned with the little child unto his home,
while the forest and the sky and the angels
sang a wondrous song.
The city waited for the prince, but he did
not come. None knew of the glory of the for-
est that Christmas morning, nor of the new life
that came to little Barbara.
Come thou, dear Prince, oh, come to us this
holy Christmas time! Come to the busy marts
of earth, the quiet homes, the noisy streets, the
humble lanes; come to us all, and with thy love
touch every human heart, that we may know
that love, and in its blessed peace bear charity
to all mankind!
[59]
CHRYSTMASSE OF OLDE
God rest you, Chrysten gentil men,
Wherever you may be, —
God rest you all in fielde or hall,
Or on ye stormy sea;
For on this morn oure Chryst is born
That saveth you and me.
Last night ye shepherds in ye east
Saw many a wondrous thing;
Ye sky last night flamed passing bright
Whiles that ye stars did sing,
And angels came to bless ye name
Of Jesus Chryst, oure Kyng.
[60]
God rest you, Chrysten gentil men,
Faring where'er you may;
In noblesse court do thou no sport,
In tournament no playe,
In paynim lands hold thou thy hands
From bloudy works this daye.
But thinking on ye gentil Lord
That died upon ye tree,
Let troublings cease and deeds of peace
Abound in Chrystantie;
For on this morn ye Chryst is born
That saveth you and me.
[6r]

THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
WHILST you were sleeping, little Dear-
my-Soul, strange things happened;
but that I saw and heard them, I
should never have believed them. The clock
stood, of course, in the corner, a moonbeam
floated idly on the floor, and a little mauve
mouse came from the hole in the chimney cor-
ner and frisked and scampered in the light of
the moonbeam upon the floor. The little mauve
mouse was particularly merry; sometimes she
danced upon two legs and sometimes upon
four legs, but always very daintily and always
very merrily.
[62]

The strange allegory of the lame boy's speech filled
her with awe.
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
"Ah, me!" sighed the old clock, "how dif-
ferent mice are nowadays from the mice we
used to have in the good old times! Now there
was your grandma, Mistress Velvetpaw, and
there was your grandpa, Master Sniffwhisker,
— how grave and dignified they were! Many
a night have I seen them dancing upon the
carpet below me, but always the stately min-
uet and never that crazy frisking which you
are executing now, to my surprise — yes, and
to my horror, too."
"But why shouldn't I be merry?" asked
the little mauve mouse. "To-morrow is Christ-
mas, and this is Christmas eve."
"So it is," said the old clock. "I had
really forgotten all about it. But, tell me, what
is Christmas to you, little Miss Mauve Mouse?"
"A great deal to me! " cried the little mauve
mouse. "I have been very good a very long
time: I have not used any bad words, nor
have I gnawed any holes, nor have I stolen any
canary seed, nor have I worried my mother
by running behind the flour-barrel where that
horrid trap is set. In fact, I have been so good
that I'm very sure Santa Claus will bring me
something very pretty."
[63]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
This seemed to amuse the old clock might-
ily; in fact, the old clock fell to laughing so
heartily that in an unguarded moment she
struck twelve instead of ten, which was exceed-
ingly careless and therefore to be reprehended.
44 Why, you silly little mauve mouse," said
the old clock, 44 you don't believe in Santa Claus,
do you?"
44 Of course I do/' answered the little mauve
mouse. 44 Believe in Santa Claus? Why
shouldn't I? Didn't Santa Claus bring me a
beautiful butter-cracker last Christmas, and
a lovely gingersnap, and a delicious rind of
cheese, and — and — lots of things? I should
be very ungrateful if I did not believe in Santa
Claus, and I certainly shall not disbelieve in
him at the very moment when I am expecting
him to arrive with a bundle of goodies for me.
441 once had a little sister," continued the
little mauve mouse, 44 who did not believe in
Santa Claus, and the very thought of the fate
that befell her makes my blood run cold and
my whiskers stand on end. She died before
I was born, but my mother has told me all about
her. Perhaps you never saw her; her name
was Squeaknibble, and she was in stature one
[64]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
of those long, low, rangy mice that are sel-
dom found in well-stocked pantries. Mother
says that Squeaknibble took after our ancestors
who came from New England, where the ma-
lignant ingenuity of the people and the ferocity
of the cats rendered life precarious indeed.
Squeaknibble seemed to inherit many ances-
tral traits, the most conspicuous of which was
a disposition to sneer at some of the most re-
spected dogmas in mousedom. From her very
infancy she doubted, for example, the widely
accepted theory that the moon was composed
of green cheese; and this heresy was the first
intimation her parents had of the sceptical turn
of her mind. Of course, her parents were
vastly annoyed, for their maturer natures saw
that this youthful scepticism portended serious,
if not fatal, consequences. Yet all in vain did
the sagacious couple reason and plead with
their headstrong and heretical child.
"For a long time Squeaknibble would not
believe that there was any such archfiend as a
cat; but she came to be convinced to the con-
trary one memorable night, on which occa-
sion she lost two inches of her beautiful tail,
and received so terrible a fright that for fully
[65]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
an hour afterward her little heart beat so vio-
lently as to lift her off her feet and bump her
head against the top of our domestic hole.
The cat that deprived my sister of so large a per-
centage of her vertebral colophon was the same
brindled ogress that nowadays steals ever and
anon into this room, crouches treacherously
behind the sofa, and feigns to be asleep, hoping,
forsooth, that some of us, heedless of her hated
presence, will venture within reach of her dia-
bolical claws. So enraged was this ferocious
monster at the escape of my sister that she
ground her fangs viciously together, and vowed
to take no pleasure in life until she held in her
devouring jaws the innocent little mouse which
belonged to the mangled bit of tail she even
then clutched in her remorseless claws."
"Yes," said the old clock, "now that you
recall the incident, I recollect it well. I was
here then, in this very corner, and I remember
that I laughed at the cat and chided her for
her awkwardness. My reproaches irritated her;
she told me that a clock's duty was to run it-
self down, not to be depreciating the merits
of others! Yes, I recall the time; that cat's
tongue is fully as sharp as her claws."
[66]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
"Be that as it may," said the little mauve
mouse, 4'it is a matter of history, and there-
fore beyond dispute, that from that very mo-
ment the cat pined for Squeaknibble's life; it
seemed as if that one little two-inch taste of
Squeaknibble's tail had filled the cat with a
consuming passion, or appetite, for the rest of
Squeaknibble. So the cat waited and watched
and hunted and schemed and devised and did
everything possible for a cat — a cruel cat — to
do in order to gain her murderous ends. One
night — one fatal Christmas eve — our mother
had undressed the children for bed, and was
urging upon them to go to sleep earlier than
usual, since she fully expected that Santa Claus
would bring each of them something very pal-
atable and nice before morning. Thereupon
the little dears whisked their cunning tails,
pricked up their beautiful ears, and began tell-
ing one another what they hoped Santa Claus
would bring. One asked for a slice of Roque-
fort, another for Neufchatel, another for Sap
Sago, and a fourth for Edam; one expressed a
preference for de Brie, while another hoped to
get Parmesan; one clamored for imperial blue
Stilton, and another craved the fragrant boon of
[67]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
Caprera. There were fourteen little ones then,
and consequently there were diverse opinions
as to the kind of gift which Santa Claus should
best bring; still, there was, as you can readily
understand, an enthusiastic unanimity upon
this point, namely, that the gift should be
cheese of some brand or other.
44 4 My dears,' said our mother, 4 what mat-
ters it whether the boon which Santa Claus
brings be royal English cheddar or fromage
de Bricquebec, Vermont sage, or Herkimer
County skim-milk? We should be content with
whatsoever Santa Claus bestows, so long as it
be cheese, disjoined from all traps whatso-
ever, unmixed with Paris green, and free from
glass, strychnine, and other harmful ingredi-
ents. As for myself, I shall be satisfied with a
cut of nice, fresh Western reserve; for truly I
recognize in no other viand or edible half the
fragrance or half the gustfulness to be met
with in one of these pale but aromatic domestic
products. So run away to your dreams now,
that Santa Claus may find you sleeping.'
44 The children obeyed, — all but Squeak-
nibble. 4 Let the others think what they please,'
said she, 4 but J don't believe in Santa Claus.
[68]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
I'm not going to bed, either. I'm going to
creep out of this dark hole and have a quiet
romp, all by myself, in the moonlight.' Oh,
what a vain, foolish, wicked little mouse was
Squeaknibble! But I will not reproach the
dead; her punishment came all too swiftly.
Now listen: who do you suppose overheard her
talking so disrespectfully of Santa Claus?"
"Why, Santa Claus himself," said the old
clock.
"Oh, no," answered the little mauve mouse.
"It was that wicked, murderous cat J Just as
Satan lurks and lies in wait for bad children,
so does the cruel cat lurk and lie in wait for
naughty little mice. And you can depend upon
it that, when that awful cat heard Squeaknib-
ble speak so disrespectfully of Santa Claus, her
wicked eyes glowed with joy, her sharp teeth
watered, and her bristling fur emitted electric
sparks as big as marrowfat peas. Then what
did that blood-thirsty monster do but scuttle
as fast as she could into Dear-my-Soul's room,
leap up into Dear-my-Soul's crib, and walk off
with the pretty little white muff which Dear-
my-Soul used to wear when she went for a visit
to the little girl in the next block! What upon
[69]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
earth did the horrid old cat want with Dear-
my-Soul's pretty little white muff? Ah, the
duplicity, the diabolical ingenuity of that cat!
Listen.
44 In the first place," resumed the little
mauve mouse, after a pause that testified elo-
quently to the depth of her emotion, — 44 in the
first place, that wretched cat dressed herself
up in that pretty little white muff, by which
you are to understand that she crawled through
the muff just so far as to leave her four cruel
legs at liberty."
44 Yes, I understand," said the old clock.
44 Then she put on the boy doll's fur cap,"
said the little mauve mouse, 44 and when she
was arrayed in the boy doll's fur cap and Dear-
my-Soul's pretty little white muff, of course
she didn't look like a cruel cat at all. But
whom did she look like?"
44 Like the boy doll," suggested the old
clock.
44 No, no!" cried the little mauve mouse.
44 Like Dear-my-Soul?" asked the old clock.
44 How stupid you are!" exclaimed the little
mauve mouse. 44 Why, she looked like Santa
Claus, of course!"
[70]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
44 Oh, yes; I see," said the old clock. 44 Now
I begin to be interested; go on."
"Alas!" sighed the little mauve mouse,
44 not much remains to be told; but there is
more of my story left than there was of Squeak -
nibble when that horrid cat crawled out of
that miserable disguise. You are to understand
that, contrary to her sagacious mother's injunc-
tion, and in notorious derision of the mooted
coming of Santa Claus, Squeaknibble issued
from the friendly hole in the chimney corner,
and gambolled about over this very carpet,
and, I dare say, in this very moonlight."
441 do not know," said the moonbeam
faintly. 441 am so very old, and I have seen so
many things — I do not know."
44 Right merrily was Squeaknibble gambol-
ling," continued the little mauve mouse, 44 and
she had just turned a double back somersault
without the use of what remained of her tail,
when, all of a sudden, she beheld, looming up
like a monster ghost, a figure all in white fur!
Oh, how frightened she was, and how her little
heart did beat! 4 Purr, purr-r-r,' said the ghost
in white fur. 4 Oh, please don't hurt me!'
pleaded Squeaknibble. 4 No; I'll not hurt you/
[7^]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
said the ghost in white fur; 'I'm Santa Claus,
and I've brought you a beautiful piece of savory
old cheese, you dear little mousie, you.' Poor
Squeaknibble was deceived; a sceptic all her
life, she was at last befooled by the most pal-
pable and most fatal of frauds. 6 How good
of you!' said Squeaknibble. 41 didn't believe
there was a Santa Claus, and —' but before
she could say more she was seized by two sharp,
cruel claws that conveyed her crushed body to
the murderous mouth of mousedom's most
malignant foe. I can dwell no longer upon
this harrowing scene. Suffice it to say that
ere the morrow's sun rose like a big yellow Her-
kimer County cheese upon the spot where that
tragedy had been enacted, poor Squeaknibble
passed to that bourn whence two inches of her
beautiful tail had preceded her by the space
of three weeks to a day. As for Santa Claus,
when he came that Christmas eve, bringing
morceaux de Brie and of Stilton for the other
little mice, he heard with sorrow of Squeak-
nibble's fate; and ere he departed he said that
in all his experience he had never known of a
mouse or of a child that had prospered after once
saying that he didn't believe in Santa Claus."
\72\
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
44 Well, that is a remarkable story," said
the old clock. 44 But if you believe in Santa
Claus, why aren't you in bed?"
44 That's where I shall be presently," an-
swered the little mauve mouse, 44 but I must
have my scamper, you know. It is very pleas-
ant, I assure you, to frolic in the light of the
moon; only I cannot understand why you are
always so cold and so solemn and so still, you
pale, pretty little moonbeam."
44 Indeed, I do not know that I am so," said
the moonbeam. 44 But I am very old, and I
have travelled many, many leagues, and I have
seen wondrous things. Sometimes I toss upon
the ocean, sometimes I fall upon a slumber-
ing flower, sometimes I rest upon a dead child's
face. I see the fairies at their play, and I hear
mothers singing lullabies. Last night I swept
across the frozen bosom of a river, A woman's
face looked up at me; it was the picture of eter-
nal rest. 4 She is sleeping,' said the frozen
river. 41 rock her to and fro, and sing to her.
Pass gently by, O moonbeam; pass gently by,,
lest you awaken her.'"
44 How strangely you talk," said the old
clock. 44 Now, I'll warrant me that, if you
I 73]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
wanted to, you could tell many a pretty and
wonderful story. You must know many a
Christmas tale; pray, tell us one to wear
away this night of Christmas watching."
"1 know but one," said the moonbeam.
"I have told it over and over again, in every
land and in every home; yet I do not weary of
it. It is very simple. Should you like to hear
it?"
"Indeed we should," said the old clock;
"but before you begin, let me strike twelve;
for I shouldn't want to interrupt you."
When the old clock had performed this
duty with somewhat more than usual alacrity,
the moonbeam began its story:
"Upon a time — so long ago that I can't
tell how long ago it was — I fell upon a hill-
side. It was in a far distant country; this I
know, because, although it was the Christ-
mas time, it was not in that country as it is
wont to be in countries to the north. Hither
the snow-king never came; flowers bloomed
all the year, and at all times the lambs found
pleasant pasturage on the hill-sides. The night
wind was balmy, and there was a fragrance of
cedar in its breath. There were violets on the
\74\
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
hill-side, and I fell amongst them and lay there.
I kissed them, and they awakened. 'Ah, is it
you, little moonbeam?' they said, and they
nestled in the grass which the lambs had left
uncropped.
"A shepherd lay upon a broad stone on
the hill-side; above him spread an olive-tree,
old, ragged, and gloomy; but now it swayed
its rusty branches majestically in the shift-
ing air of night. The shepherd's name was
Benoni. Wearied with long watching, he
had fallen asleep; his crook had slipped from
his hand. Upon the hill-side, too, slept the
shepherd's flock. I had counted them again
and again; I had stolen across their gentle faces
and brought them pleasant dreams of green
pastures and of cool water-brooks. I had
kissed old Benoni, too, as he lay slumbering
there; and in his dreams he seemed to see
Israel's King come upon earth, and in his
dreams he murmured the promised Messiah's
name.
"6 Ah, is it you, little moonbeam?' quoth
the violets. 'You have come in good time.
Nestle here with us, and see wonderful things
come to pass.'
[75]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
44 4 What are these wonderful things of
which you speak?' I asked.
44 4 We heard the old olive-tree telling of
them to-night/ said the violets, 4 Do not go
to sleep, little violets/ said the old olive-tree,
4 for this is Christmas night, and the Master
shall walk upon the hill-side in the glory of the
midnight hour.' So we waited and watched;
one by one the lambs fell asleep; one by one
the stars peeped out; the shepherd nodded
and crooned, and crooned and nodded, and at
last he, too, went fast asleep, and his crook
slipped from his keeping. Then we called to
the old olive-tree yonder, asking how soon the
midnight hour would come; but all the old
olive-tree answered was 4 Presently, presently,'
and finally we, too, fell asleep, wearied by our
long watching, and lulled by the rocking and
swaying of the old olive-tree in the breezes
of the night.
4 4 4 But who is this Master?' I asked.
44 4A child, a little child,' they answered.
4 He is called the little Master by the others.
He comes here often, and plays among the
flowers of the hill-side. Sometimes the lambs,
gambolling too carelessly, have crushed and
[76]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
bruised us so that we lie bleeding and are like
to die; but the little Master heals our wounds
and refreshes us once again.'
441 marvelled much to hear these things.
'The midnight hour is at hand/ said I, 6 and
I will abide with you to see this little Master
of whom you speak.' So we nestled among
the verdure of the hill-side, and sang songs one
to another.
44 4 Come away!' called the night wind; 41
know a beauteous sea not far hence, upon whose
bosom you shall float, float, float away out into
the mists and clouds, if you will come with me.'
44 But I hid under the violets and amid the
tall grass, that the night wind might not woo me
with its pleading. 4 Ho, there, old olive-tree!'
cried the violets; 4 do you see the little Master
coming? Is not the midnight hour at hand?'
44 4 1 can see the town yonder,' said the old
olive-tree. 4A star beams bright over Bethle-
hem, the iron gates swing open, and the little
Master comes.'
44 Two children came to the hill-side. The
one, older than his comrade, was Dimas, the
son of Benoni. He was rugged and sinewy,
and over his brown shoulders was flung a goat-
\77\
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
skin; a leathern cap did not confine his long,
dark curly hair. The other child was he whom
they called the little Master; about his slender
form clung raiment white as snow, and around
his face of heavenly innocence fell curls of
golden yellow. So beautiful a child I had not
seen before, nor have I ever since seen such
as he. And as they came together to the hill-
side, there seemed to glow about the little Mas-
ter's head a soft white light, as if the moon
had sent its tenderest, fairest beams to kiss
those golden curls.
"4 What sound was that?' cried Dimas, for
he was exceeding fearful.
"i Have no fear, Dimas,' said the little Mas-
ter. 6 Give me thy hand, and I will lead thee.'
"Presently they came to the rock whereon
Benoni, the shepherd, lay; and they stood un-
der the old olive-tree, and the old olive-tree
swayed no longer in the night wind, but bent
its branches reverently in the presence of the
little Master. It seemed as if the wind, too,
stayed in its shifting course just then; for sud-
denly there was a solemn hush, and you could
hear no noise, except that in his dreams Benoni
spoke the Messiah's name.
[78]

THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
"4 Thy father sleeps,' said the little Master,
'and it is well that it is so; for that I love thee
Dimas, and that thou shalt walk with me in
my Father's kingdom, I would show thee the
glories of my birthright.'
"Then all at once sweet music filled the
air, and light, greater than the light of day,
illumined the sky and fell upon all that hill-
side. The heavens opened, and angels, singing
joyous songs, walked to the earth. More won-
drous still, the stars, falling from their places
in the sky, clustered upon the old olive-tree,
and swung hither and thither like colored lan-
terns. The flowers of the hill-side all awakened,
and they, too, danced and sang. The angels,
coming hither, hung gold and silver and jewels
and precious stones upon the old olive, where
swung the stars; so that the glory of that
sight, though I might live forever, I shall never
see again. When Dimas heard and saw these
things he fell upon his knees, and catching
the hem of the little Master's garment, he
kissed it.
"i Greater joy than this shall be thine,
Dimas,' said the little Master; 4 but first must
all things be fulfilled.'
\79\
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
"All through that Christmas night did
the angels come and go with their sweet an-
thems; all through that Christmas night did
the stars dance and sing; and when it came my
time to steal away, the hill-side was still beauti-
ful with the glory and the music of heaven."
"Well, is that all?" asked the old clock.
"No," said the moonbeam; "but I am
nearly done. The years went on. Sometimes
I tossed upon the ocean's bosom, sometimes I
scampered o'er a battle-field, sometimes I lay
upon a dead child's face. I heard the voices
of Darkness and mothers' lullabies and sick
men's prayers — and so the years went on.
"I fell one night upon a hard and furrowed
face. It was of ghostly pallor. A thief was
dying on the cross, and this was his wretched
face. About the cross stood men with staves
and swords and spears, but none paid heed
unto the thief. Somewhat beyond this cross
another was lifted up, and upon it was stretched
a human body my light fell not upon. But I
heard a voice that somewhere I had heard be-
fore, — though where I did not know, — and
this voice blessed those that railed and jeered
and shamefully entreated. And suddenly the
[So]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
voice called 4 Dimas, Dimas!' and the thief upon
whose hardened face I rested made answer.
44 Then I saw that it was Dimas; yet to this
wicked criminal there remained but little of
the shepherd child whom I had seen in all his
innocence upon the hill-side. Long years of
sinful life had seared their marks into his face;
yet now, at the sound of that familiar voice,
somewhat of the old-time boyish look came
back, and in the yearning of the anguished eyes
I seemed to see the shepherd's son again.
"'The Master!' cried Dimas, and he
stretched forth his neck that he might see him
that spake.
4 4 4 O Dimas, how art thou changed!' cried
the Master, yet there was in his voice no tone
of rebuke save that which cometh of love.
44 Then Dimas wept, and in that hour he
forgot his pain. And the Master's consoling
voice and the Master's presence there wrought
in the dying criminal such a new spirit, that
when at last his head fell upon his bosom, and
the men about the cross said that he was dead,
it seemed as if I shined not upon a felon's face,
but upon the face of the gentle shepherd lad,
the son of Benoni.
[Si]
THE MOUSE AND THE MOONBEAM
4 4And shining on that dead and peaceful
face, I bethought me of the little Master's
words that he had spoken under the old olive-
tree upon the hill-side: 4 Your eyes behold the
promised glory now, O Dimas,' I whispered,
4 for with the Master you walk in Paradise.'"
Ah, little Dear-my-Soul, you know — you
know whereof the moonbeam spake. The shep-
herd's bones are dust, the flocks are scattered,
the old olive-tree is gone, the flowers of the hill-
side are withered, and none knoweth where
the grave of Dimas is made. But last night,
again, there shined a star over Bethlehem,
and the angels descended from the sky to earth,
and the stars sang together in glory. And the
bells, — hear them, little Dear-my-Soul, how
sweetly they are ringing, — the bells bear us
the good tidings of great joy this Christmas
morning, that our Christ is born, and that with
him he bringeth peace on earth and good-will
toward men.
[82]
CHRISTMAS MORNING
The angel host that sped last night,
Bearing the wondrous news afar,
Came in their ever-glorious flight
Unto a slumbering little star.
"Awake and sing, O star!" they cried.
"Awake and glorify the morn!
Herald the tidings far and wide —
He that shall lead His flock is born!"
The little star awoke and sung
As only stars in rapture may,
And presently where church bells hung
The joyous tidings found their wayc
[Sj]

CHRISTMAS MORNING
44 Awake, O bells! 't is Christmas morn —
Awake and let thy music tell
To all mankind that now is born
What Shepherd loves His lambkins well!"
Then rang the bells as fled the night
O'er dreaming land and drowsing deep,
And coming with the morning light,
They called, my child, to you asleep.
Sweetly and tenderly they spoke,
And lingering round your little bed,
Their music pleaded till you woke,
And this is what their music said:
"Awake and sing! 't is Christmas morn,
Whereon all earth salutes her King!
In Bethlehem is the Shepherd born.
Awake, O little lamb, and sing!"
So, dear my child, kneel at my feet,
And with those voices from above
Share thou this holy time with me,
The universal hymn of love.
December 25, 1890.
MISTRESS MERCILESS
HIS is to tell of our little Mistress Mer-
ciless, who for a season abided with us,
^ but is now and forever gone from us
unto the far-off land of Ever-Plaisance. The
tale is soon told; for it were not seemly to speak
all the things that are in one's heart when
one hath to say of a much-beloved child, whose
life here hath been shortened so that, in God's
wisdom and kindness, her life shall be longer
in that garden that bloometh far away.
You shall know that all did call her Mis-
tress Merciless; but her mercilessness was of

[86]
MISTRESS MERCILESS
a sweet, persuasive kind: for with the beauty
of her face and the music of her voice and the
exceeding sweetness of her virtues was she wont
to slay all hearts; and this she did unwittingly,
for she was a little child. And so it was in love
that we did call her Mistress Merciless, just as
it was in love that she did lord it over all our
hearts.
Upon a time walked she in a full fair gar-
den, and there went with her an handmaiden
that we did call in merry wise the Queen of
Sheba; for this handmaiden was in sooth no
queen at all, but a sorry and ill-favored wench;
but she was assotted upon our little Mistress
Merciless and served her diligently, and for that
good reason was vastly beholden of us all. Yet,
in a jest, we called her the Queen of Sheba;
and I make a venture that she looked exceeding
fair in the eyes of our little Mistress Merciless:
for the eyes of children look not upon the faces
but into the hearts and souls of others. Whilst
these two walked in the full fair garden at that
time they came presently unto an arbor where-
in there was a rustic seat, which was called the
Siege of Restfulness; and hereupon sate a little
sick boy that, from his birth, had been lame,
[87]
MISTRESS MERCILESS
so that he could not play and make merry with
other children, but was wont to come every day
into this full fair garden and content himself
with the companionship of the flowers. And,
though he was a little lame boy, he never trod
upon those flowers; and even had he done so,
methinks the pressure of those crippled feet
had been a caress, for the little lame boy was
filled with the spirit of love and tenderness.
As the tiniest, whitest, shrinking flower exhaleth
the most precious perfume, so in and from this
little lame boy's life there came a grace that
was hallowing in its beauty.
Since they never before had seen him, they
asked him his name; and he answered them
that of those at home he was called Master
Sweetheart, a name he could not understand:
for surely, being a cripple, he must be a very
sorry sweetheart; yet, that he was a sweet-
heart unto his mother at least he had no
doubt, for she did love to hold him in her lap
and call him by that name; and many times
when she did so he saw that tears were in her
eyes, — a proof, she told him when he asked,
that Master Sweetheart was her sweetheart be-
fore all others upon earth.
[88]
MISTRESS MERCILESS
It befell that our little Mistress Merciless
and Master Sweetheart became fast friends,
and the Queen Gf Sheba was handmaiden to
them both; for the simple, loyal creature had
not a mind above the artless prattle of child-
hood, and the strange allegory of the lame boy's
speech filled her with awe, even as the innocent
lisping of our little Mistress Merciless delighted
her heart and came within the comprehension
of her limited understanding. So each day,
when it was fair, these three came into the full
fair garden, and rambled there together; and
when they were weary they entered into the
arbor and sate together upon the Siege of Rest-
fulness. Wit ye well there was not a flower or
a tree or a shrub or a bird in all that full fair
garden which they did not know and love, and
in very sooth every flower and tree and shrub
and bird therein did know and love them.
When they entered into the arbor, and
sate together upon the Siege of Restfulness,
it was Master Sweetheart's wont to tell them
of the land of Ever-Plaisance, for it was a con-
ceit of his that he journeyed each day nearer
and nearer to that land, and that his journey
thitherward was nearly done. How came he
[89]
MISTRESS MERCILESS
to know of that land I cannot say, for I do not
know; but I am fain to believe that, as he said,
the exceeding fair angels told him thereof when
by night, as he lay sleeping, they came sing-
ing and with caresses to his bedside.
I speak now of a holy thing, therefore I
speak truth when I say that while little chil-
dren lie sleeping in their beds at night it pleas-
eth God to send His exceeding fair angels with
singing and caresses to bear messages of His
love unto those little sleeping children. And
I have seen those exceeding fair angels bend
with folded wings over the little cradles and the
little beds, and kiss those little sleeping children
and whisper God's messages of love to them,
and I knew that those messages were full of
sweet tidings; for, even though they slept,
the little children smiled. This have I seen,
and there is none who loveth little children
that will deny the truth of this thing which
I have now solemnly declared.
Of that land of Ever-Plaisance was our
little Mistress Merciless ever fain to hear tell.
But when she beset the rest of us to speak
thereof we knew not what to say other than
to confirm such reports as Master Sweetheart
[90]
MISTRESS MERCILESS
had already made. For when it cometh to
knowing of that far-off land, — ah me, who
knoweth more than the veriest little child?
And oftentimes within the bosom of a little,
helpless, fading one there bloometh a wisdom
which sages cannot comprehend. So when she
asked us we were wont to bid her go to Master
Sweetheart, for he knew the truth and spake it.
It is now to tell of an adventure which on
a time befell in that full fair garden of which
you have heard me speak. In this garden
lived many birds of surpassing beauty and most
rapturous song, and among them was one that
they called Joyous, for that he did ever carol
forth so joyously, it mattered not what the
day soever might be. This bird Joyous had
his home in the top of an exceeding high tree,
hard by the pleasant arbor, and here did he use
to sit at such times as the little people came
into that arbor, and then would he sing to them
such songs as befitted that quiet spot, and
them that came thereto. But there was a full
evil cat that dwelt near by, and this cruel beast
found no pleasure in the music that Joyous
did make continually; nay, that music filled
this full evil cat with a wicked thirst for the
[9/]
MISTRESS MERCILESS
blood of that singing innocent, and she had no
peace for the malice that was within her seek-
ing to devise a means whereby she might com-
prehend the bird Joyous to her murderous
intent. Now you must know that it was the
wont of our little Mistress Merciless and of
Master Sweetheart to feed the birds in that fair
garden with such crumbs as they were suffered
to bring with them into the arbor, and at such
times would those birds fly down with grate-
ful twitterings and eat of those crumbs upon
the greensward round about the arbor. Wit
ye well, it was a merry sight to see those twit-
tering birds making feast upon the good things
which those children brought, and our little
Mistress Merciless and little Master Sweet-
heart had sweet satisfaction therein. But, on
a day, whilst thus those twittering birds made
great feasting, lo! on a sudden did that full
evil cat whereof I have spoken steal softly from
a thicket, and with one hideous bound make
her way into the very midst of those birds and
seize upon that bird Joyous, that was wont to
sing so merrily from the tree hard by the arbor.
Oh, there was a mighty din and a fearful flut-
tering, and the rest flew swiftly away, but Joy-
[9*]
1

MISTRESS MERCILESS
ous could not do so, because the full evil cat
held him in her cruel fangs and claws. And
I make no doubt that Joyous would speedily
have met his death, but that with a wrath-
ful cry did our little Mistress Merciless hasten

to his rescue. And our little Mistress bela-
bored that full evil cat with Master Sweet-
heart's crutch, untjl that cruel beast let loose
her hold upon the fluttering bird and was full
glad to escape with her aching bones into the
thicket again. So it was that Joyous was re-
covered from death; but even then might it
[93]
MISTRESS MERCILESS
have fared ill with him, had they not taken
him up and dressed his wounds and cared for
him until duly he was well again. And then
they released him to do his plaisance, and he
returned to his home in the tree hard by the
arbor and there he sung unto those children
more sweetly than ever before; for his heart
was full of gratitude to our little Mistress
Merciless and Master Sweetheart.
Now, of the dolls that she had in goodly
number, that one which was named Beauti-
ful did our little Mistress Merciless love best.
Know well that the doll Beautiful had come
not from oversea, and was neither of wax nor
of china; but she was right ingeniously con-
structed of a bed-key that was made of wood,
and unto the top of this bed-key had the Queen
of Sheba superadded a head with a fair face,
and upon the body and the arms of the key
had she hung passing noble raiment. Unto
this doll Beautiful was our little Mistress Merci-
less vastly beholden, and she did use to have
the doll Beautiful lie by her side at night whilst
she slept, and whithersoever during the day
she went, there also would she take the doll
Beautiful, too. Much sorrow and lamentation,
[94]
MISTRESS MERCILESS
therefore, made our little Mistress Merciless
when on an evil day the doll Beautiful by chance
fell into the fish-pond, and was not rescued
therefrom until one of her beauteous eyes had
been devoured of the envious water; so that
ever thereafter the doll Beautiful had but one
eye, and that, forsooth, was grievously faded.
And on another evil day came a monster ribald
dog pup and seized upon the doll Beautiful
whilst she reposed in the arbor, and bore her
away, and romped boisterously with her upon
the sward, and tore off her black-thread hair,
and sought to destroy her wholly, which surely
he would have done but for the Queen of Sheba,
who made haste to rescue the doll Beautiful,
and chastise that monster ribald dog pup.
Therefore, as you can understand, the time
was right busily spent. The full fair garden,
with its flowers and the singing birds and the
gracious arbor and the Siege of Restfulness,
found favor with those children, and amid
these joyous scenes did Master Sweetheart
have to tell each day of that far-off land of
Ever-Plaisance, whither he said he was going.
And one day, when the sun shone very bright,
and the full fair garden joyed in the music of
[95]
MISTRESS MERCILESS
those birds, Master Sweetheart did not come,
and they missed the little lame boy and won-
dered where he was. And as he never came
again they thought at last that of a surety he
had departed into that country whereof he
loved to tell. Which thing filled our little Mis-
tress Merciless with wonder and inquiry; and
I think she was lonely ever after that, — lonely
for IVJaSter Sweetheart.
^ I am thinking now of her and of him; for
this is the Christmas season, — the time when
it is most meet to think of the children and
other sweet and holy things. There is snow
everywhere, snow and cold. The garden is des-
olate and voiceless: the flowers are gone, the
trees are ghosts, the birds have departed. It
is winter out there, and it is winter, too, in this
heart of mine. Yet in this Christmas season
I think of them, and it pleaseth me — God
forbid that I offend with much speaking — it
pleaseth me to tell of the little things they did
and loved. And you shall understand it all if,
perchance, this sacred Christmas time a little
Mistress Merciless of your own, or a little Mas-
ter Sweetheart, clingeth to your knee and sanc-
tifieth your hearth-stone.

[96]
MISTRESS MERCILESS
When of an evening all the joy of day was
done, would our little Mistress Merciless fall
aweary; and then her eyelids would grow ex-
ceeding heavy and her little tired hands were
fain to fold. At such a time it was my wont
to beguile her weariness with little tales of
faery, or with the gentle play that sleepy chil-
dren like. Much was her fancy taken with
what I told her of the train that every night
whirleth away to Shut-Eye Town, bearing unto
that beauteous country sleepy little girls and
boys. Nor would she be content until I told
her thereof, — yes, every night whilst I robed
her in her cap and gown would she demand
of me that tale of Shut-Eye Town, and the
wonderful train that was to bear her thither.
Then would I say in this wise:
At Bedtime-ville there is a train of cars
that waiteth for you, my sweet, — for you and
for other little ones that would go to quiet,
slumbrous Shut-Eye Town.
But make no haste; there is room for all.
Each hath a tiny car that is snug and warm,
and when the train starteth each car swingeth
soothingly this way and that way, this way and
that way, through all the journey of the night.
\97\
MISTRESS MERCILESS
Your little gown is white and soft; your
little cap will hold those pretty curls so fast
that they cannot get away. Here is a curl
that peepeth out to see what is going to hap-
pen. Hush, little curl! make no noise; we
will let you peep out at the wonderful sights,
but you must not tell the others about it; let
them sleep, snuggled close together.
The locomotive is ready to start. Carl you
not hear it?
'' Shug-chug! Shug-chug! Shug-chug!''
That is what the locomotive is saying, all to
itself. It knoweth how pleasant a journey it
is about to make.
'' Shug-chug! Shug-chug! Shug-chug!''
Oh, many a time hath it proudly swept
over prairie and hill, over river and plain,
through sleeping gardens and drowsy cities,
swiftly and quietly, bearing the little ones to the
far, pleasant valley where lieth Shut-Eye Town.
'' Shug-chug! Shug-chug! Shug-chug!"
So sayeth the locomotive to itself at the
station in Bedtime-ville; for it knoweth how
fair and far a journey is before it.
Then a bell soundeth. Surely my little one
heareth the bell!
MISTRESS MERCILESS
"Ting-long! Ting-a-long! Ting-long!"
So soundeth the bell, and it seemeth to
invite you to sleep and dreams.
"Ting-long! Ting-a-long! Ting-long!"
How sweetly ringeth and calleth that bell.
"To sleep — to dreams, O little lambs!"
it seemeth to call. "Nestle down close, fold
your hands, and shut your dear eyes! We are
off and away to Shut-Eye Town! Ting-long!
Ting-a-long! Ting-long! To sleep — to dreams,
O little cosset lambs!"
And now the conductor calleth out in
turn. "All aboard!" he calleth. "All aboard
for Shut-Eye Town!" he calleth in a kindly
tone.
But, hark ye, dear-my-soul, make thou
no haste; there is room for all. Here is a cosey
little car for you. How like your cradle it is,
for it is snug and warm, and it rocketh this
way and that way, this way and that way, all
night long, and its pillows caress you ten-
derly. So step into the pretty nest, and in it
speed to Shut-Eye Town.
"Toot! Toot!"
That is the whistle. It soundeth twice,
but it must sound again before the train can
I 99] :::VrlV:i
MISTRESS MERCILESS
start. Now you have nestled down, and your
dear hands are folded; let your two eyes be
folded, too, my sweet; for in a moment you
shall be rocked away, and away, away into the
golden mists of Balow!
"Ting-long! Ting-a-long! Ting-long!"
44 All aboard!"
44 Toot! Toot! Toot!"
And so my little golden apple is off and
away for Shut-Eye Town!
Slowly moveth the train, yet faster by de-
grees. Your hands are folded, my beloved,
and your dear eyes they are closed; and yet you
see the beauteous sights that skirt the journey
through the mists of Balow. And it is rock-
away, rockaway, rockaway, that your speeding
cradle goes, — rockaway, rockaway, rockaway,
through the golden glories that lie in the path
that leadeth to Shut-Eye Town.
44 Toot! Toot!"
So crieth the whistle, and it is 44 down-
brakes/' for here we are at Ginkville, and every
little one knoweth that pleasant waking-place,
where mother with her gentle hands holdeth
the gracious cup to her sleepy darling's lips.
44 Ting-long! Ting-a-long! Ting-long!" and
:•/: :: [ ioo ]

MISTRESS MERCILESS
off is the train again. And swifter and swifter
it speedeth, — oh, I am sure no other train
speedeth half so swiftly! The sights my dear
one sees! I cannot tell of them — one must
see those beauteous sights to know how won-
derful they are!
44 Shug-chug! Shug-chug! Shug-chug!"
On and on and on the locomotive proudly
whirleth the train.
4 4 Ting-long! Ting-a-long! Ting-long!''
The bell calleth anon, but fainter and ever-
more fainter; and fainter and fainter groweth
that other calling —44 Toot! Toot! Toot!" —
till finally I know that in that Shut-Eye Town
afar my dear one dreameth the dreams of
Balow.
This was the bedtime tale which I was
wont to tell our little Mistress Merciless, and
at its end I looked upon her face to see it
calm and beautiful in sleep.
Then was I wont to kneel beside her little
bed and fold my two hands, — thus, — and
let my heart call to the host invisible: 44 O
guardian angels of this little child, hold her
in thy keeping from all the perils of darkness
and the night! O sovereign Shepherd, cherish
[ I<>2\
MISTRESS MERCILESS
Thy little lamb and mine, and, Holy Mother,
fold her to thy bosom and thy love! But give
her back to me, — when morning cometh, re-
store ye unto me my little one!"
But once she came not back. She had
spoken much of Master Sweetheart and of that
land of Ever-Plaisance whither he had gone.
And she was not afeard to make the journey
alone; so once upon a time when our little
Mistress Merciless bade us good-by, and went
away forever, we knew that it were better so;
for she was lonely here, and without her that
far-distant country whither she journeyed were
not content. Though our hearts were like to
break for love of her, we knew that it were
better so.
The tale is told, for it were not seemly to
speak all the things that are in one's heart
when one hath to say of a much-beloved child
whose life here hath been shortened so that,
in God's wisdom and kindness, her life shall
be longer in that garden that bloometh far
away.
About me are scattered the toys she loved,
and the doll Beautiful hath come down all-
battered and grim,—yet, oh! so very precious
[ro3\
MISTRESS MERCILESS
to me, from those distant years; yonder fareth
the Queen of Sheba in her service as hand-
maiden unto me and mine, — gaunt and dole-
ful-eyed, yet stanch and sturdy as of old. The
garden lieth under the Christmas snow, — the
garden where ghosts of trees wave their arms
and moan over the graves of flowers; the once
gracious arbor is crippled now with the infirm-
ities of age, the Siege of Restfulness fast sink-
eth into decay, and long, oh! long ago did that
bird Joyous carol forth his last sweet song in
the garden that was once so passing fair.
And amid it all, — this heartache and the
loneliness which the years have brought, —
cometh my Christmas gift to-day: the solace
of a vision of that country whither she — our
little Mistress Merciless — hath gone; a glimpse
of that far-off land of Ever-Plaisance.
[104]
BETHLEHEM-TOWN
As I was going to Bethlehem-town,
Upon the earth I cast me down
All underneath a little tree
That whispered in this wise to me:
"Oh, I shall stand on Calvary
And bear what burthen saveth thee!"
As up I fared to Bethlehem-town,
I met a shepherd coming down,
And thus he quoth: "A wondrous sight
Hath spread before mine eyes this night,
An angel host most fair to see,
That sung full sweetly of a tree
That shall uplift on Calvary
What burthen saveth you and me!"
i'os]
BE THLEHEM- TO WN
And as I gat to Bethlehem-town,
Lo! wise men came that bore a crown.
"Is there," cried I, "in Bethlehem
A King shall wear this diadem?"
"Good sooth," they quoth, "and it is He
That shall be lifted on the tree
And freely shed on Calvary
What blood redeemeth us and thee!"
Unto a Child in Bethlehem-town
The wise men came and brought the crown;
And while the infant smiling slept,
Upon their knees they fell and wept;
But, with her babe upon her knee,
Naught recked that Mother of the tree,
That should uplift on Calvary
What burthen saveth all and me.
Again I walk in Bethlehem-town
And think on Him that wears the crown.
I may not kiss His feet again,
Nor worship Him as did I then;
My King hath died upon the tree,
And hath outpoured on Calvary
What blood redeemeth you and me!
[106}

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
ONCE upon a time the forest was in a
great commotion. Early in the evening
the wise old cedars had shaken their
heads ominously and predicted strange things.
They had lived in the forest many, many years;
but never had they seen such marvellous sights
as were to be seen now in the sky, and upon the
hills, and in the distant village.
"Pray tell us what you see," pleaded a
little vine; "we who are not as tall as you can
behold none of these wonderful things. De-
scribe them to us, that we may enjoy them
with you."
[107]
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
"I am filled with such amazement/' said
one of the cedars, "that I can hardly speak.
The whole sky seems to be aflame, and the stars
appear to be dancing among the clouds; angels
walk down from heaven to the earth, and enter
the village or talk with the shepherds upon
the hills."
The vine listened in mute astonishment.
Such things never before had happened. The
vine trembled with excitement. Its nearest
neighbor was a tiny tree, so small it scarcely
ever was noticed; yet it was a very beautiful
little tree, and the vines and ferns and mosses
and other humble residents of the forest loved
it dearly.
"How I should like to see the angels!"
sighed the little tree, "and how I should like
to see the stars dancing among the clouds! It
must be very beautiful."
As the vine and the little tree talked of
these things, the cedars watched with increas-
ing interest the wonderful scenes over and be-
yond the confines of the forest. Presently they
thought they heard music, and they were not
mistaken, for soon the whole air was full of the
sweetest harmonies ever heard upon earth.
[108]
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
44 What beautiful music!" cried the little
tree. "I wonder whence it comes."
44 The angels are singing," said a cedar;
44 for none but angels could make such sweet
music."
44 But the stars are singing, too," said
another cedar; 44 yes, and the shepherds on the
hills join in the song, and what a strangely
glorious song it is!"
The trees listened to the singing, but they
did not understand its meaning: it seemed to
be an anthem, and it was of a Child that had
been born; but further than this they did not
understand. The strange and glorious song
continued all the night; and all that night the
angels walked to and fro, and the shepherd -
folk talked with the angels, and the stars danced
and carolled in high heaven. And it was nearly
morning when the cedars cried out, 44 They
are coming to the forest! the angels are com-
ing to the forest!" And, surely enough, this
was true. The vine and the little tree were
very terrified, and they begged their older and
stronger neighbors to protect them from harm.
But the cedars were too busy with their own
fears to pay any heed to the faint pleadings
[io9]
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
of the humble vine and the little tree. The
angels came into the forest, singing the same
glorious anthem about the Child, and the stars
sang in chorus with them, until every part of
the woods rang with echoes of that wondrous
song. There was nothing in the appearance of
this angel host to inspire fear; they were clad
all in white, and there were crowns upon their
fair heads, and golden harps in their hands;
love, hope, charity, compassion, and joy beamed
from their beautiful faces, and their presence
seemed to fill the forest with a divine peace.
The angels came through the forest to where
the little tree stood, and gathering around it,
they touched it with their hands, and kissed
its little branches, and sang even more sweetly
than before. And their song was about the
Child, the Child, the Child that had been born.
Then the stars came down from the skies and
danced and hung upon the branches of the tree,
and they, too, sang that song, — the song of
the Child. And all the other trees and the
vines and the ferns and the mosses beheld in
wonder; nor could they understand why all
these things were being done, and why this
exceeding honor should be shown the little tree.
[no]
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
When the morning came the angels left
the forest, — all but one angel, who remained
behind and lingered near the little tree. Then
a cedar asked: "Why do you tarry with us,

holy angel?" And the angel answered: "I stay
to guard this little tree, for it is sacred, and
no harm shall come to it."
The little tree felt quite relieved by this
assurance, and it held up its head more con-
fidently than ever before. And how it thrived
and grew, and waxed in strength and beauty!
The cedars said they never had seen the like.
[///]
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
The sun seemed to lavish its choicest rays upon
the little tree, heaven dropped its sweetest
dew upon it, and the winds never came to the
forest that they did not forget their rude man-
ners and linger to kiss the little tree and sing
it their prettiest songs. No danger ever men-
aced it, no harm threatened; for the angel
never slept, — through the day and through
the night the angel watched the little tree and
protected it from all evil. Oftentimes the trees
talked with the angel; but of course they un-
derstood little of what he said, for he spoke
always of the Child who was to become the
Master; and always when thus he talked, he
caressed the little tree, and stroked its branches
and leaves, and moistened them with his tears.
It all was so very strange that none in the for-
est could understand.
So the years passed, the angel watching
his blooming charge. Sometimes the beasts
strayed toward the little tree and threatened
to devour its tender foliage; sometimes the
woodman came with his axe, intent upon hew-
ing down the straight and comely thing; some-
times the hot, consuming breath of drought
swept from the south, and sought to blight the
[112]
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
forest and all its verdure: the angel kept them
from the little tree. Serene and beautiful it
grew, until now it was no longer a little tree,
but the pride and glory of the forest.
One day the tree heard some one com-
ing through the forest. Hitherto the angel had
hastened to its side when men approached;
but now the angel strode away and stood under
the cedars yonder.
'i Dear angel,'' cried the tree, 6i can you
not hear the footsteps of some one approach-
ing? Why do you leave me?"
"Have no fear," said the angel; "for He
who comes is the Master."
The Master came to the tree and beheld
it. He placed His hands upon its smooth
trunk and branches, and the tree was thrilled
with a strange and glorious delight. Then He
stooped and kissed the tree, and then He turned
and went away.
Many times after that the Master came to
the forest, and when He came it always was to
where the tree stood. Many times He rested
beneath the tree and enjoyed the shade of its
foliage, and listened to the music of the wind
as it swept through the rustling leaves. Many
["3]
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
times He slept there, and the tree watched
over Him, and the forest was still, and all its
voices were hushed. And the angel hovered
near like a faithful sentinel.
Ever and anon men came with the Master
to the forest, and sat with Him in the shade
of the tree, and talked with Him of matters
whiph the tree never could understand; only
it heard that the talk was of love and charity
and gentleness, and it saw that the Master
was beloved and venerated by the others. It
heard them tell of the Master's goodness and
humility, — how He had healed the sick and
raised the dead and bestowed inestimable bless-
ings wherever He walked. And the tree loved
the Master for His beauty and His goodness;
and when He came to the forest it was full of
joy, but when He came not it was sad. And
the other trees of the forest joined in its happi-
ness and its sorrow, for they, too, loved the
Master. And the angel always hovered near.
The Master came one night alone into
the forest, and His face was pale with anguish
and wet with tears, and He fell upon His knees
and prayed. The tree heard Him, and all the
forest was still, as if it were standing in the
\"4\

"They are killing me!" cried the tree.
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
presence of death. And when the morning
came, lo! the angel had gone.
Then there was a great confusion in the
forest. There was a sound of rude voices, and
a clashing of swords and staves. Strange men
appeared, uttering loud oaths and cruel
threats, and the tree was filled with terror.
It called aloud for the angel, but the angel
came not.
"Alas/' cried the vine, "they have come
to destroy the tree, the pride and glory of the
forest!"
The forest was sorely agitated, but it was
in vain. The strange men plied their axes
with cruel vigor, and the tree was hewn to the
ground. Its beautiful branches were cut away
and cast aside, and its soft, thick foliage was
strewn to the tenderer mercies of the winds.
"They are killing me!" cried the tree;
"why is not the angel here to protect me?"
But no one heard the piteous cry, — none
but the other trees of the forest; and they
wept, and the little vine wept too.
Then the cruel men dragged the despoiled
and hewn tree from the forest, and the forest
saw that beauteous thing no more.
[116]
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
But the night wind that swept down from
the City of the Great King that night to ruffle
the bosom of distant Galilee, tarried in the for-
est awhile to say that it had seen that day a
cross upraised on Calvary, — the tree on which
was stretched the body of the dying Master.

l"7\
STAR OF THE EAST
Star of the East, that long ago
Brought wise men on their way
Where, angels singing to and fro,
The Child of Bethlehem lay —
Above that Syrian hill afar
Thou shinest out to-night, O Star!
[usy
To seek that manger out and lay
Our gifts before the child—
To bring our hearts and offer them
Unto our King in Bethlehem!
STAR OF THE EAST
Star of the East, the night were drear
But for the tender grace
That with thy glory comes to cheer
Earth's loneliest, darkest place;
For by that charity we see
Where there is hope for all and me.
Star of the East! show us the way
In wisdom undefiled
To seek that manger out and lay
Our gifts before the child —
To bring our hearts and offer them
Unto our King in Bethlehem!

UNIV. OF MICHIGAN,
MAR 28 1913

"1

TWO WEEK BOOK
DO NOT RETURN BOOKS ON SUNDAY
DATE DUE
DEC 13

MAR 2 2 md
3
St
DEC 21 1953
DEC 19 1955
JAN 3 195$