The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-12-24
made Santa clause laugh long and


she had brought the house down on
his ears, so long as she had a bright
smile and kiss for him. But
when Boreas Bluster stopped To see
now his young ward was getting on,
be shook his head gravely, and told
Mrs. Christmas be feared she was
spelling Flax-Fiower. But Mrs.
Christmas laughed just in the same
manner that Santa Claus had done,
and declared the child must have
all she wanted.
Unfortunately Flax-Flower went
into the kitchen one day, and fnd-
ing all the cooks busily making su.
gar plums, helped herself so largely
to taffy that she was made very Ill
she ate, besides, quite menagerie of
lemon-candy elephants, camels, and
kangaroos, which disagreed with
themselves and with her so thrt her
head ached, and she had to be put
to bed, with hot-water bottle and a
mustard draught for companions
This happened just as Boreas had
stopped in to inquire about his pet,
and he shook his head gravely when
Mrs. Christmas related the incident.
But Santa Claus snly laughed till
the air seemed full of merriment.
''Ah, my dear Clause, | see you
have too easy and gentle nature to
deal with willful little mortals in an
every day way besides you have to
think of so many that it units you
for the care OF a single one" said
Boreas, IN his least gruff manner.
Il shall have to find another home
for Flax-Elower."
We'll, replied st. Nicholas, Il
confess | can refuse nothing to a
good child. Children to me are all
like so many empty stockings-made
to be filled. But | have had come
doubts about keeping Flax Flower
Mrs. Christmas and | are afraid il
will make the Others jealous, it is
that, and not the stufiing down lol-
hpops, that makes me think YOU are
right. Now her feast day comes
soon-I mean Mrs. Chris.mas's day
said Santa Claus, with a nod-"and
if you will just give my sleigh a lift,
| think / can tuck in Flake and car
~ her to some people who will APP
preciate her and be kind to her ; yes
and even cross In a 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 without SO many
temptations to do nothing but play
all day long, and this was the way
the matter ended.
Just before Christmas-dav Santa
Claus's sleigh was brought out into
the beautiful court | have described
eight lively young reindeer were har
messed to it, and thousands of toys
were packed in it furs were wrap
ped around Flake, who was not
quite well, and Mrs. Christmas her
self made up a box Of delicacies for
her to eat on the way.
Think of us often, dear child,
she whispered, ''and give my love
to everybody"
The dwarfs gave the sleigh push
from behind, the bells of the har-
ness rang out merry peal, the
reindeers pranced, Santa Claus
snapped his whip, and away they
flew, with Boreas on his snov-shoes.
Now, Flaxie," said Santa Claus
after they had skinned over the
snow with lightning speed for hours,
'before you go to sleep, as | see
you are doing, | want TO speak to
you. want you always to remem-
Der this visit to my house with
pleasure. and tell all the children
you may meet how l love them,
how much j; pleases me to know
that ihey are good, and how it real
ly distresses me when they are not;
tell them, tco, that as long as Mrs.
Christmas lives we will DO all We
can for their happiness, and all We
ask in return is grateful spirit.
Do you think you can remember
all this ?-well, as you say you can,
tell them also to hang up an extra
stocking, whenever there is room
BY the chimney FOR some little waif
that hasn't a stocking to hang up
for himself. Now go to sleep as
soon as you please, and may your
dreams be sweet"
Cuddled down in the comfortable
furs, Flake knew nothing more un-
til she found herself awake and in
the arms of tall young fellow,
whose name was Olaf. and who
carried her into the brightest, mic
est little psrlor. and set her down
in front of a fine Christmas tree,
saying:
''There, Mistress Kindheart, see
what Christmas has brought you.
l found her in the forest, and
great bearded giant told me to bring
her to you"
"Oh, Olaf, it is my little Lena
come back, | do believed" cried the
woman, while tears of Joy ran
down her cheeks
NAY, mother, nay,a said her hus-
band: but she shall take our lost
ones place. Come. little one, tell
US who thou art, and from whence
thou art come"
Then Flake told the story of her
visit to ST. Nicholas, while Olaf,
Fritz, and bis wife listened in amaze
ment.
Much as Flax Flower had enjoy
ed all she had seen and dsne, it
was delightful to be again with
people of her own flesh and blood,
and learn to say tie sweet word
Mother"
That Christmas was merry one,
but no merrier than the many
which came after that, for Flax
Flower became a dutiful daughter
to the kind people who had given
her a home. She and Olaf were
like sister and brother to each 9TH
er, and they known throughout the
for their kindness to
the poor and unfortunate, especially