Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-22
SIEADRCCk: Or, TEEE CfxRISrMAS
PANNIEsSS.
RY FRANK II. STOCKTON.

BY FRANK r. STOCKTON.
There was once gloomy old giant named
Shamrock. His castle was on hill not far from
great city, in which dweit the king of the
country. Everybody knew Shamrock. He was
not dangerous giant. and no one feared him;
but il may also be- said that ne never cared to
do any one the slightest service. About Christ
mas-time Shamrock always seemed more quiet
and melancholy than usual, and more anxious to
be alone. Nothing could ever induce him to re-
main In his castle during the hoIiday-time. He
did not wish to see nor hear the happiness and
gayety of the people. and always went away
day or two before Christmas and did not return
until all the festivities
At the time of this story Christmas was draw
ing near and the King had been thinking a
gre at deal about Shamrock. 1t disturbed him
that any one in his Kingdom. especially the very
LARGEST person in it. should not be cheerful and
happy at the JOYOUS Cbrstmas-time. He there
fore determined TO make grand effort to in
duce Shamrock 10 stay at home and join i'm the
general festivities. IF he does it once he will
do ii always" said the old King to himself. .sHe
hasn't the least idea how happy we are. will
go and see him myself"
The way up the hill TO Shamrucks castle was
very steep and rugged, and the court engi-
neefs made road up to the castle door, and
along this road the sixteen royal piebald horses
easily drew the ROYAL carriage The King went
in to See Shamrock. He had long talk with
him. but it was of no use. The giant would not
consent to remain in the neighbOrtoOd during
Christmas He was not even willing To stay
long enough for any one to wish him merry
Christmas" IF did that, said the grim old
fellow. Il wouldn't go away at all"
Quite disappointed. the King came out and
rode back to his palace. But this monarch did
not give up his plan. He thought that although
he had not succeeded, some other person might !;
and so he ordered proclamation TO be made
that whoever should prevail upon Shamrock to
remain at home until some of the citizens wished
him - Merry Christmas" should be allowed to
give away the Christmas panniers.
The Christmas panners were two great wicker
baskets. filled with valuable presents and given
by the King every Christmas to the most de-
serving person in his domnOns. The panniers
were put on the back of mule, and driven on
Christmas morning to the door of the deserving
person The King proposed this year. as the
greatest prize he could set before any OF his sub
jects to forego his delightful privilege of giving
away the panniers in favor of that person who
should make Shamrock hear. for the first time in
his life, Merry Christmas
This proclamation set all the people in fer
ment. rybody wished to gain the prize,
and everybody began to devise some plan by
which to do it, 1t was now Monday and as
Christmas came on the following Saturday,
there was no time to be lost. All day Tuesday
great people and common people thronged to
the giants castle to try and persuade him to
change his mind about going away at Christ
mas time. Some of these the giant listened to,
some he laughed at and some he told to 90
home. About noon he put up a pacard in
front of his castle. and shut the great door. The
placard read thus:
'Any person coming up here to disturb me
with propositions about Christmas shall be
thrown back to his home, wherever that may
De- SHAMROCK
After this nobody knocked at the giants
door.
About dozen miles from Shamruck's castle
there lived two young giants They had heard
OF the Kings proclamation. They laughed
when they heard Of the placard on Shamruck's
castle. - He can't throw us anywhere" they
said. We are nearly as powerful as he is. If
We want to make him stay at home, all we have
to do is to do it. If he attempts to 90 away we
will just take hold of him. and show him that
two giants are better than one"
The next daythe two young giants met Sham
ruck taking walk by river bank not far from
his castle. They went up to him and spoke to
him very eivilly.
Shamrock they said, ''the King desires
that you will stay at home this Christmas. and
We have undertaken to carry out his wishes.
So you must go back to your castle, and stay
there until Saturday morning"
"SuppOse don't do it ?" said Shamrock.
''Then We will take you back said the
Very well, then, don't do it." remarked
Shamrock.
Upon this. one of the young giants took hold
Of Shamrock by the right shoulder while the
other took him by the left. and they endeavored
to turn him around. If you have ever tried to
twist a lamp-pOst you will know how hard it was
to turn Shamrock around. The two young giants
could not do it. Shamrock let them try for
little while. and then turning suddenly. he took
one of them by his belt and the back of his neck
and hurled him heels over head into the middle
OF the river. He then caught the other fellow
By his collar. The young giant, very much
frightened. seized hold of a small tree to which
he held with all his might and main. Shamrock
paid no attention to this. but gave him such
FORK hat fran ~,
roots. and both it and the giant went splash into
the river.
Shamrock then continued his walk. and the
two young giants came ont of the river and
went home, with their minds firmly made I'D
that they would never again try to make Sham
ruek do anything he did not wish to.
There was little shoemaker i'm the city who
thought he had a very good idea. He went
boldly up TO the castle, and found Shamrock
sitting in his front door.
You needn't throw me back to my home. /
have come only to ask you TO let me make you
pair of new boots. You will want them if you
The giant looked at his boots, which were
very old and worn. 'sYes" he said, Il do want
anew pair. How long will it take you to make
them!"
They can be done Friday night" said the
shoemaker.
THAT won't do" said Shamrock. 'sfor shall
want to wear them at least day, so as to make
them easy before begin my Journey"
night"
AT the appointed time the boots were done,
and each was carried by tour shoemakers I'D to
the giants castle. Shamrock thought they
were very well made boots.
There is a good deal of iron about the heels"
he said.
Yes. replied the shoemaker: ''you won't
want them to wear out very soon, if you are
going to travel in Them"
The giant went into his great hall and put
the boots on; and then the shoemaker told him
to stand up while he and his assistant buckled
the boots around the ankles. While the seven
assistants were buckling the boots very tightly
the willy shoemaker went behind the giant and
putting great screws in plates of iron he had set
In the heels OF the boots, he screwed them
FIRMLY to the oaken floor.
When all this was DONE the shoemaker retired
to some distance, and the giant attempted to
take step.
What Is the matter?-what Ia the NATTER"
ne roared- Il can not move my feet
You needn't try to do it,. said the shoe