The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-12-24

commands, and do many things
that required show of fierceness,
but in the course of his travels be
often yielded to a kind impulse, and
restrained his fury when to indulge
it would have pleased old Frozen
Nose nightly.
This very day he had met with a
strange adventure, which had been
the occasion of a hasty return to the
palace, and had so stirred his heart
that the whaek he gave Chilblaln
was but the safty-valve to his feelings
"a sort of letting off of steam which
other wise might have exploded and
bust every block of ice in the realm.
In the many furious storms which
had occurred of late Boreas had seen
the destruction of numerous forests,
and had even assisted in laying
waste the country. But one night
an avalanche had buried hamlet
from which only one living soul had
escaped, and that was a young child
"a mere sprig of a girl, with hair
like the fax and eyes like its flowers,
a 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 fin
ally into Frozen Noses own palace
! by the Polar sea.
Never had such thing happened
before. Never had the tones of a
child's voice pierced his dull ears,
any made that big sledge-hamme- OF
a heart positively ache with its
throbs. 1t was new and even dan
gerous feeling; for though he made
young Chilbiains impertinence the
pretext of an outburst, he might
just as readily given a cuff to the
hoary-headed Prime Minister, Sir
Solomon Snow Ball-and then there
would have been a revolution. But
happily for the peace of the Polar
Sea palace, b. b. was satisfied with
Chilblain's howl of rage, and in an
other moment had sunk down into
his favorite arm chair of twisted
walrus tusks. and was lost in the
thought.
| 1t was a curious scene, these three
old men half asleep in their bear
skins, smoking long pipes Of smoul
derihg sea weed. No fire danced on
the hearth, no lamp shed its lustre,
but the moons pale beams cleaned
on the glittering walls and lit the
ice-crystals with its silver rays. b.
BIS thoughts seemed to be of
troublesome nature, for he sighed
heavily, almost creating a whirlwind
and at last, looking cautiously at
his companions, and seeing they
were asleep, he rose and went softly
from the room. In the hall was a
huge pile of furs, among which B.
B. gently pushed until he found the
object OF his search, which, lifting
carefully, he bound about him with
thongs OF reindeer hide. Then pull
ling on MS immense snow SHOES, and
drawing his cap closely about his
ears, ne went out into the night.
B. B. was aware that it would be
impossible for him to keep his little
Flax x-Flower any longer In Frozen
Noses dominions; indeed he had
only hidden her in the hail until he
could decide what course to pursue.
for he knew only too well that Chill
blain, in seeking revenge, would be
sure to discover his secret. and do
all he could to injure sim. Person
ally, he had little to fear, but the
punishment for mortals entering
Frozen Noses realm was death, and
Flax-Flower was mortal.
With the speed for which he was
SO celebrated, Boreas slid over the
ground in a southerly direction,
never stopping until be had come
upon what seemed to be river
which led down to dark forest of
pine trees.
He was now at least three thous-
and miles from the Storm Kings
palace, and could afford to rest.
Wiping his brow, 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 he 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 bv
one fainter and farther away, and
presently a dwarf in the garb of an
Esqulmaux emerged from the dusky
gloom; and bending low, said:
What viii you my master?" F."
would see thy lord, the good
st. Nicholas-the Storm Kings enc
my. Is he at home ? "
He is at home, but he is no
mans enemy. What message shall
| bear him ?"
Tell him that Boreas, of the Fro
zen Noses. awaits him.
The dwarf vanished, and return
ed.
MY lord bids thee enter, but en-
treats thee TO be gentle, and remem-
Der the manners of his court"
That was a needless charge. con-
sidering my errand Never has my
mood been more peaceful. But il
strikes me as passing strange thus
to dictate terms to one of my sta
ton" responded Boreas, proudly.
Pardon" answered the dwarf,
= but we are no stlcklers for cere-
mony, and recognize no rank save
goodness. Follow me if it be thy
wish to enter"
Pushing aside the heavy boughs
on which the snow lay in icy masses
that ratified and clashed like bolts
and bars he uncovered a low arched
opening into what seemed vast
snew-bank. Through this tunnel
he and Boreas made their way to a
broad court which was as airy as a
soap-bubble, round in shape, with
pillars and dome of glass, through
which streamed rays ofalight softer
than sun shine and brighter than
moonbeams.