The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-12-02
st. Nicholas Day in Germany.

"iOO t1ioVOA ilSpSbn, meme 1eD6 muU-
ter schwester," told me how they cele.
brated st. Nicholas day at her sisters
house, and in great many other Ger
man families; Late in the evening, on
the day before, just about the time
when the children are usually sent to
bed, loud knocking is heard at the
door; the mother, or auntie, goes out to
let the stranger in, and comes running
back, with, 49,
"Ohl children children | what do
you think2 here is st. Nicholas coming
in; the Christ-kind has sent him to ask
about. you all, that he may know wheth-
er to bring you any presents at Christ.
mas or not 2" The children all become
very much excited. Lii tie Hanschen
pulls his apron straight; Karl smooths
down his hair with his hand; little Meta
turns out her toes, as auntie is remind
ing her to do all day long; and as they
are all on tip-toe with expectation, the
door opens and in walks st. Nicholas.
A great big bag hangs by his side; long,
snow white hair falls from under his
bishops cap; and so much long silvery
beard covers his face, that the children
can hardly see anything but his ewes,
These, however, look SO kind and good,
and twinkle SO pleasantly, that little
Hanschen lets go the mothers dress
and ventures step nearer to the new
guest. The latter bows very politely to
mother and auntie, and says that as
Christmas is very near, the Christ kind
has sent him to all the houses of the
village to find out to what children the
Christ-kind must bring presents at
Christmas, when he comes in his little
well-filled wagon.
Then the saint makes very particular
inquiries about each child. "Has Meta
learned to turn her toes when she walks.
better than she did last Christmas %
Metals toes turns wider and wider apart
as he speaks, and auntie says "I think
Meta is trying very hard to learn to
walk graceful little hdy." Meta smiles
with pleasure, and St. Nicholas gives a
nod OF satisfaction. "And does Karl
eat all his soup every day before he asks
for anything else, and never grumble
about anything that is put on his plate p"
Yes, Karl has learned not to be n baby
about his dinneI," says the mother.
"and is getting ready to be a brave
soldier some day, by thanking God for
whatever He gives, and eating it without
ever thinking about it. "Schon?
schon J" says st. Nicholas, which means
" Good good ~ "And has Hanschen
been diligent little boy, and learned
by heart some little Christmas hymns
to sing under the Christmas tree 2' And
little Hanschen, the youngest of them
all, his face as red as fire with excite
ment, and his blue eyes as wide open as
he can stretch them, before the mother
can answer, opens his mouth, end bursts
out just as loud as he can sing, with his
new Christmas hymn:
Holy night silent night
Darkness sll save yon light,
Shining DER the stable where
Watch the worshipug, blessed pair
By tho heavenly child"
"Well done" says st. Nicholas. 81
will ask the Christ-kind on Christmas
day to bring very full wagon to this
house; aud now, to show what very nice
things He is going to bring with Him,
lie has sent you beforehand few speci-
mems of what he will have in His
wagon"
So he opens the big bag that hangs by
LIS sue anu pflngs out apples and nuts,
candy, Christkindchens, and all sorts of
cakes, especially big figures of himself,
and gives some to each one of the de-
lighted children tells them to be as
good as they have been, and, if possible,
better. until Christmas comes, and they
shall have still more beautiful gifts.
Then he shakes hands with the children.
makes low bow to the mother and
auntie, and says he must hurry off, as
he has to visit every house in the village
and inquire about all his children.
Sometimes, instead of st. Nicholas com
ing in person, the father goes to the
door when the knock is heard, and comes
back with great bag of good things,
and tells the children all that st. Nicho-
las asked him, and what he answered
before receiving this foretase of Christ
mas for them.-,S. Nicholas for Decena-
Der.