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

; young child-a mere sprig of girl, with
hair like the fax and eyes like its flow
ers, little, timid, crying child-whom
B. B. had actually taken in his arms
and carried all the way out of the woods,
over the mountains. and finally into
Frozen Noses own palace by the Polar
Sea
Never had such thing happened be
fore. Never had the tones of child's
voice pierced his dull ears, and made
that big sledge-hammer of heart posi-
lively ached with its throbs. 1t was a
new and even dangerous feeling; for
though he made young Chilblain's i'm
pertineDce the pretext of outburst, he
might just as readily have given a cuff
to the hoary-headed Prime Minister, Sir
Solomon Snow-3all-and then there
would have been revolution. But
happily for the peace of the Polar Sea
palace, B. B. was satisfied with Chill
blain's howl of rage, and in another mo-
ment had sunk down into his favorite
armchair of twisted walrus tusks, and
was lost in thought.
1t was curious scene, these three old
men half asleep in their bear skins,
smoking long pipes of smoUldering sea
weed. No fire danced on the hearth. no
lamp shed its luster, but the moon's pale
beams cleaned on the glittering walls
and lit the ice-crystals with its silver
rays. B. BIS thoughts seemed to be of
a troublesome nature, for he sighed
heavily, almost creating a whirlwind, land
at last, looking cautiously at his COM
panions, and seeing they were asleep, he
rose and went softly from the room. In
the hall was a huge pile of furs, among
which BIB. gently pushed until he found
the object of his search, which, lifting
carefully, he bound about him with
thongs of reindeer hide. Then pulling
on his immense snow shoes, and draw
ing his cap closely about his ears, he
went out into the night.
| B. B. was aware that it would be i'm
possible for him to keep his little Flax
Flower any longer in Frozen Noses do
minions indeed, he had only hidden her
in the hall until he could decide what
course to pursue, for he knew only too
well that Chilblain, in seeking revenge.
would be sure to discover his secret, and
do all he could to injure him. Person
ally, he had little to fear, but the pun
ishment for mortals entering Frozen
Noses realm was death, and Flax-Flow-
er was mortal.
With the speed for which he was so
celebrated, B reas slid over the ground
in sOutherly direction, never stopping
until he had come upon what seemed
to be river which led down to dark
forest of pine trees.
He was now at least three thousand
miles from the Storm Kings palace, and
| r-l
and painting still with his recent efforts.
Boreas drew corner of the bundle of
furs away from the face of Flax-Flower.
and looked at the sleeping child. As he
did so thrill of tenderness made him
long to kiss her, but be knew that his
rough caress would chill her with fear.
So, softly wrapping her up again, he
plunged into the pine forest. Stopping
again when in the middle of it, he gave
shrill whistle, which was responded
to by one fainter and farther away, and
presently dwarf in the garb of an Es-
quimau emerged from the dusky gloom,
and bending low, said:
What will you, nv master?"
Il would see thy lord, the good Saint
| Nicholas-the Storm Kings enemy. Is
he at homer"
"He is at home, but he is no mans en-
emy. What message shall bear him =
"Tell him that Boreas, of the Frozen
| Noses, awaits him."
The dwarf vanished, and returned.
MY lord bids the enter, but entreats
thee to be gentle, and remember the
manners of the court"
THAT was a needless charge. consider
ing my elIand. Never has my mood
been more peaceful. But it strikes me
as passidg strange thus to dictate terms
| to one of my station" responded Boreas,
proudly.
Pardon" answered the dwarf, "but
we are no sticklers for ceremony, and
recognize no rank save goodness. Fol
low me if it be thy wish to enter
Pushing aside the heavy bough on
which the snow lay in icy masses that
ratified and clashed like bolts and bars,
| he uncovered low arched opening into
what seemed a vast snow bank. Through
this tunnel he and Boreas made their
way to broad court which was as airy
as soap bubble, round in shape, with
pillars and dome of glass. through which
streamed rays of light softer than sun
shine and brighter than moonbeams.
From this court broad, low stairway
led to another apartment, which was as
| free from any show or splendor as the
kitchen of a farm house, and, indeed, in
its suggestion of homely comfort and
hospitality it was not unlike that
CHEEKY place. A Saxon motto, meaning,
Welcome to those who hunger" was
carved in the wooden frame of the fire.
place. The floor was sanded, the tables
and chairs were oak, blackened by age,
as we're also the timbers of the ceiling,
and cut and carved with curious devices.
On a big settle by the fire sat an old
man, whose twinkling eyes could but
just see through the shaggy and snowy
brows which overhung them, and whose
white beard fell in flowing mass upon
his breast. What could be seen of his
face bore kindly expression.
"Ho, ho, old Bluster!" he cried, in a
clear and merry voice, drawing up and
around him the sheepskin mantle which
was beside him, what new freak is this
of yours to enter our peaceful dwelllngp
Methought you were so sworn to do the
Storm Kings bidding that no power
other than his rough sway could compel
your presence. Come on your own &C
cunt or on his? Be it either, you are
free to partake of our bounty. Ho.
there, Merrythought! heave on more
logs, and heat the poker, that we may
thrust it lizzing into our tankards; It's
always bitter cold when Boreas is
abroad"
The dwarf skipped quickly to his task,
assisted by dozen others, and Boreas.
unstrapping his bundle, drew little Flax
Flower, still sleeping, from the furs.
"Mine is strange errand, Good Claus
so strange, that l hardly know myself
to be myself. Rough and stormy as l
am ever, child's misery has made me
for once gentle. You know my mad
career, my furious passions, and that
they indeed are the strength of Storm
i J. fh.lf