Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-12-20


sleepy lids with rosy little fists, and
looked around in astonishment.
"Hap' said the good st. Nicholas; "this
is indeed a strange story Tor you to tell,
friend Bluster. HO, there, ,MerrythOught!
send for Mrs. Christmas, my hOusekeep-
er. The child may be frightened at our
grim faces. But what pretty little
dear it Isl" said Claus. in the kindest
tones, putting out his big fat hand to
caress her. To Boreas surprise Flax
Flower did not shrink from his salute,
but with bright smile bounded into the
old mans arms and kissed him.
Turning away with pang of jealousy,
Boreas muttered, "She wouldn't kiss me-,
but no matter. That settles it. She's
in the right place. and I'll leave her.
Farewell, Claus; I'm off. No, no; I've
no time for eating and drinking Fro
zen Nose will be laundering at my ab-
sence already There's storm brewing
even now; L feel it in my bones" So
saying he he tramped noiselessly out of
the apartment, nearly knocking over
1eshy dame in ruffied cap and whitest
apron, and who bore in her hands huge
mince pie in which was stuck sprig Of
mistletoe.
ii.
"COme, mother, cease thy spinning. and
look at the lovely tree that Olaf has
brought thee; it stands as straight as
himself in the best room. Surely thou
wilt deck it to please him."
"Ah, Fritzl how can II" said the for
ester's wife, rising from her wheel, with
sad but sweet smile, in obedience to
her husban's wishes.
But there is surely no reason for
longer indulging thy grief. Our child is
too happy in heaven to wish her return
to earth, and whatever the good God
sends of pleasure or innocent mirth we
shonld take with thankfulness. Look at
the tree; it is the very image of Olaf 5
own strong youth. Make it pretty to
night, and lie will be glad. A good
friend is he for two lonely beings like
us to possess.
You are right, Fritz" said the wife,
wiping tear from her eyes. For Olaf's
sake l will dress the tree and bake
cake" So saying, she tidied up her best
parlor, and took from a brass-bOund
chest the gay ribbons and trinkets which
had not been used since the Christmas
eve her little one last spent on earth.
Very lonely and sad would these two
people have been but for Olaf, the son
of the nearest neighbor. 1t was he
whose clear ringing voice might be
heard when returning from his work,
and Fritz said that it made labor light
but to hear him. 1t was he. too, who,
when Fritz had been lamed by the fall
of a tree, had borne him home on his
strong youxg shoulders; so it was no
wonder that the good wife was grateful
to him. Often ut evening he made their
tireside bright with his songs and merry
stories, and now it was but just that
they should shake off their sorrow for
his sake so the good wife drew out her
spotless board, and kneaded spice-cakes,
aud spread her best damask, and set out
the fine china.
"Ah, if l had my little onel' murmur-
ed the good woman. But God knows
best" she quickly added, as she remem
bered many blessings.
Here comes Olaf r' shouted Fritz
from below. "Come quickly, lest be
think thee tardy"
"Yes, yes, come. l see him." was her
reply. "But what is that ne carries?-
something he has picked up ON the
way?"
"a Christmas gift for thee" was the
merry answer from Olaf s ringing voice,
as he laid a strange bundle in her arms.
III.
Little Flax-Flower had been with St.
Nicholas a whole long week. In that
time she had been in every nook and
corner of his dwelling. She had seen
all his elves and dwarfs at work manu-
60 l. tnu fn no fnnnh
in the world. She had watched the dolls
dress makers; she had ridden the toy
horses; she had blown the brass bugles
and beaten the drums until Mrs. Christ
mas had to put cotton in her ears.
Now all this was very delightful, and
made Santa Claus laugh long and loud. |
He would not have cared if she had
brought the house down on his ears, so
long as she had bright smile and kiss
for him. But when Boreas Bluster stop
ped to see how his young ward was get
ting en-, he shook his head gravely, and
told Mrs. Christmas he feared she was |
spelling Flax-Flowsr. But Mrs. Christ
mas laughed just in the same manner
that Santa Claus had done, and declared
that the child must have all she wanted. |
Unfortunately Flax-Flower went into
the kitchen one day, and finding all the
cooks bHsily making sugar plums, helped |
herself so largely to taffp that she was
made very ILL., she ate, besides, quite a |
meHagerie of lemen-candy elephants,
camels, and kangarOus, which disagreed |
with themselves and with her; SO that |
her head ached, and she had to be put to
bed, with a hot-water bottle and mus
tard draught for companions. This hap |
/ .ened Just as Boreas mad stopped in to
inquire about his pet, and he shook his
head gravely when Mrs. Christmas rela-
ted the incident. But Santa Claus only |
laughed till the air seemed full of mer-
riment.
"Ah, my dear Claus, see you have
too easy and gentle nature to deal
with wilful little mortals in an every
day way; besides, you have to think OF
so many that it units you for the care
of single one," said Boreas, in his least
gruff manner. IL shall have to find an
other home for Flower"
"Well," replied St. Nicholas, 81 confess
can refnse nothing to a good child. /
Children to me are like so many empty |
stockings-made to be filled. But L
have had some doubts about keeping
Flax Flower. Mrs. Christmas and | are
afraid it will make the others jealous; it
is that, and not the stuffing down loli-
pops, that makes me think you are right.
Now her feast-day comes soon-I mean
Mrs. Christmas day" said Santa Claus,
with a nod-"and if you will just give
my sleigh lift. think l can tuck in
Flake and carry her to some people |
people who will appreciate
her; yes, and even cross in wholesome
way, seeing that's what you approve Of
Here Santa pretended to be very gruff
himself, but BOreas saw through it. He
knew that st. Nicholas, on the whole,
believed that Flake would be better off
without so much amusement and with
out so many temptations to do nothing
hat ,,l,u oil dav lnnu and this yyaS the |