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

gy and snowy brows which over
hung them, and whose white beard
!. fell in a flowing mass upon bis
breast. What could be seen of bis
face bore a kind expression.
"Ho. ho' old Blusterl' he cried in
a clear and merry voice, drawing up
and around bin thesheep-skin man
tie which was beside him, what
new freak is this of yours to enter
our peaceful dwelling? Methoughl
you were so sworn to do the Storm
Kings bidding that no power other
than his rough sway could compel
your presence. Come you on your
own account or on his ? Be it either,
you are free to partake of bounty
Ho, there, Merry-thoughtl heaye on
more logs, and heat the poker, that
we may thrust it fixing into our
tankards It's always bitter cold
when Boreas is abroad"
The dwarf skipped quickly to his
task, assisted by a dozen others, and
Boress, unstrapping his bundle,
drew little Flower ,stlll sleeping
from the furs.
Mine Is strange errand, good
Claus-so strange, that | hardly
know myself to be myself. Rough
and stormy as am ever, childs
misery has made me for once gentle
You know my mad career, my furi-
Gus passions, and that they indeed
are the strength of Storm Kings
realm. Too we'll l knew that |
should be but the sport of mocking
derision if | appealed to his mercy
in behalf of this child. Mercy, did
| say? He knows none. Death
alone could have met this little crea-
ture, whoes cries have aroused with
in me the deepest feelings | have
ever known. To be honest, have
not always been the fierce being |
appear. Many and many a time,
unknown to you, | have followed
you on your errands of love and
pity, and watched with admiration
the course you have pursued. This
has induced me now TO come and
ask your favor for my treasure.
Wake, little Flax Flower, wake 7"
ne continued, gently kissing the
child 5 eyes, who, so stirred, rubbed
her sleepy lids with rosy little fists,
and looked around in astonishment.
"Ha p said the good st Nicholas;
''this is indeed a strange story for
you to tell, friend Bluster. Ho,
there, Merrythought send for Mrs.
Christmas, my housekeeper. The
child may be frightened at our
grim faces. But what pretty lit
tie dear it Isl" said Claus, in the
kindest tones, putting out his big
fat hand to caress her. To Boreas's
surprise Flax-Flower did not shrink
from his salute, but with a bright
smile bounded into the old mans
arms and kissed him.
Turning away with pang of ieal-
ousy, Boreas muttered, "She
wouldn't kiss me ; but no matter.
That settles it. She's in the right
place, and III leave her. Farewell,
Claus I'p off. No, no I've no
time for eating and drinking. Fro
zen Nose will be laundering at my
absence already. There's a storm
brewing even now | feel it in my
bones" So saying he tranped
noisily out of the apartment, near
lv knocking over a fieshy dame in
ruffled cap and whitest apron, whose
rosay cheeks were like winter ap-
piles, and who bore in her hand a
huge mince pie in which was stuck
a sprig of mistletoe.
"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, Fritz how can ?" said the
forester's wife. rising from her wheel
with sad bul sweet smile, IN obe-
dience to her husbands 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 should take with
thankfulness. Look az the tree; it
is the very image of OlaPs own strong
youth. A good friend is he for two
lonely beings like us to pos
sess."
"You are right. Fritz" said the
wife, wiping a tear from her ewes.
"For Olat's sake | will dress the tree
and bake a cake" So saying, she
tidied up her best parlor, and took
from braiss-bound chest the CAV
ribbons and trinkets which had not
been ussd 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 their nearest neighbor
1t was he whose clear ringing voice
might be heard in the forest 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 tree, had borne him home
on his strong young shoulders so
it was no wonder that the good wife
was grateful to him. Often at even
ing 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
the spotless board, and kneaded
spice cakes, and spread her best
damask, and set out the fine chi
ma.
"Ah, if had my little one !" muir
INJURED the good woman. "But
God knows best" she quickly ad-
ded, as she remembered many bles
sings.
Here comes Olafl' shouted Fritz
from below. Come quickly lest he
think thee tardy."
"Yes, yes, come. | see him,
was her reply. But what is that
he carries ?-something he has pick
ed up on the way?
"A Christmas gift for the" was