Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-12-29
ST. Nicholas.

All of our young readers, and probably
most of our oder ones, will be pleased to
learn the origin of the mysterious being
known as Santa Claus;
ST. Nicholas lived over l400 years ago in
the city Of Pstsra. in Asia Minor. tie is
said to have been from the first wonder
fully sanity child. and when he became
man, though he was but simple citizen, ho
rose, through his active piety, TO be Bishop
Of Myra. Wonderful stories are related Of
his good deeds, and some OF them are cum-
memorated 10 this day in the various
churches of Europe.
\ wealthy gentleman IN ASA, the story
runs. sent his two sons TO Athens to be edu-
Gated. He charged the boys ct parting u
stop at Myra On their way and pay their
respects to his reverence, the bishop. The
/ boys reached tire city at night, and took
4 lodgings in an inn, intending to make the
promised call in the morning.
! Now the landlord was very wicked
man, and when he saw the boys rich stIrs
| Ut baggage be resolved tl rob and murder
them. 81 when the poor boys were asleep,
ne crept up TO their room and despatched
them, and, to conceal his terrible deed. he
cut up their bodies and packed then IN u
sell the whole to some ship in the AdrntIc.
| Now good ST. Nicholas that night saw It
all in a dream, and in the morning he put
on his pontifcal robes (for he was now an
archbishop, and, with his crozier III al,
hand, went IN holy Indignation u the Iun.
The landlord was greatly frig ghtensi ~nen
/ be saw the archbishop, and, on hing ae-
/ cused, tell upon his knees and confessed hl-
crime.
ST. Nicholas next went To the tab IN all
I his pontifcsls. and he passed hI- hands
| over the boys, who at once hopped up olt
of the picked, pork alive and whole Tia
happy fellows began to sing praises to D.
| Nicholas. but he, good soul. would not listen
to it. He told them 10 worship none but
God. The boys, a. once recovering their
possessions, went on their way rejoicing.
| and ST. Nicholas was regarded a the spe-
cial protector OF boys and students from
that hour.
Most OF the old pictures represent three
boys in the pickling-tub, all with uplftsi
hands, praying good D.. NiclolaS. We
suspect that three boys IN the tub Instead
OF two better suited the fancy of tine oli
artist, 1t dld not make great deal ot dIi-
ference in point of fact. and it certainly
made better picture.
but how came St. Nicholas 10 be the
patron Of Christmas gifts and the particular
| saint Of the Christmas holiday?
| After St. Nicholas was made archbishop
| of Myra, he became very rich, and because
be despised money for his own sake. hs
spent good portion of his time in giving
away his money to Others, and Ia such a
way that none should know from whom 1t
came Ii CHANGED that there was b very
poor noblenan in Myra, who had three
, thaf fhaxy III
have no marriage portion. st. Nicholas.
considerate soul, felt pity for them, and enc
moonlight night he took purse, round a. u
ball With gold, and, throwing 1t into the
open window at the feet of the eldest
daugh hter, he hid himself from view. The
eldest daughter could now marry. WHAT
q good saint 81. Nicholas WAS, and what II
pity he died so long ago. Alter while be.
the Saint. visited the nooleman's premises
again, and did the mysterious kindness 10
| the second daughter The Eobleman no"
| began to keep watch at night. In oiuer 10
| discover whence his sudden good fortune
/ Games As good st. Nicholas was ABOUT 10
throw another rounded purse at the ieet oi
the third daughter, he was dise Isereu oy
the grateful father. who threw himself at
His feet saving: 10 ST. Nicholas. servant
| Of God. why seek to hide thyself"'
Sc. Nicholas made the nobleman promise
never to tell the discovery he had made
but the secret escaped in some unaccOunt-
able way and alter St. Nicholas died, the
nuns Of the converts in the East used to
initiate him on certain holidays in making
secret gifts to their friends. They used To
put silk stockings at the door of the a5bess
ut night, and label them with a paper in-
voking tneaaid of good st. Nicholas. In the
morning the stocking would be found full
Of presents.
In time, as you know, children began to
initiate this custom, especially al Christ
mas.
St. Nicholas used usually to be honored
in the old English churches by the election
of boy bishop, whom the whole church
were accustomed to obey for a short time.
because ST. Nicholas was the patron Of
boys. He is still honored with grand
festival at Bari on the Adriatic. is the pat
ron saint OF Russia. and Of the mariners on
the great winter seas, and his name is borne
By the Russian ezsrs. He is also the patton
saint of New Yoik city, which, YOU know.
was settled by the Dutch. and Of all saints
he Is most reverenced in Holland. But there
the young folks do him honor on St. Mich
olas' day, which comes on the 9th Of Nov
smbsf. keeping Il vsry much a. We do the
Christmas holidAys.