The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1892-12-24

and among the people of all civilized
lands, it is the one season of the year
marked by reign Of hospitality, merri-
ment and open heartedness. It recalls
to the old the pleasures of youth, and
transports many an absent one back to
his own fireside and quiet home.
In the early annals of New York city,
when it was Nieu Amsterdam and the
sturdy Stuyvesant was commander in
chief; when our now crowded Broadway
was below Wall street and known only
as plain Heere STRAIT; when our business
throttled Maiden lane was T'maagde
paatjc-"The Maiden's Path"-where
the red checked Dutch girls went to
hang their clothes; when the meat mar
ket was on Bowling Green, and the pres
ent City Hall park public pasture out
side the city wall, tho 24th and 25th of
December were dedicated to st. Mich
olas, the patron saint of the colony. It
was his image that constituted the fig
urehead of the ship that brought tho
first Dutch emigrants to this shore. It
was he who gave his name to- the first
church within the walls, and whose ben
isons were most soleInnly invoked in the
hour of trouble by all Dutchmen on land
and sea.
To the Dutch boys and girls st. Mich
olas was q jolly, white bearded, little,
old man, smoking his long stcmmed
pipe, and in their fancies driving
through the air over town and country,
oceans and deserts, sending through
space the sharpest Of whistles to the
wonderful reindeer team that carried
the wonderful sleigh. These little
Knickcrbockers have passed away for
ever, but the children of today still keep
up the devotion of the children OF 1850
for St. Nicholas, only they now call
him Santa Claus. He is tho Same friend,
tho Same little, low built, chubby,
merry, mysterious ancient who loves
children of all ages and all countries.
The manner in which his coming is
celebrated differs according to the habits
and associations Of the people. In the
great cities and tho country towns, for
days and weeks beforehand, the markets
and stores, tho streets and avenues pro-
claim tho approach of tho fete. The
whole community abandons itself to for
aging expeditions. Bundles and baskets
are oycrywhere-on mems shoulders and
in their hands, in wagons and coaches,
filing the aislcs of street cars and trun-
ding through tho highways in wheel
barrows. Women and children, hus.
bands, bachelors and sweethearts strug-
gle beneath their weight. There are
gifts fo- boys and girls, presents for
men and women, and heaps Of presents
for grandfathers and grandmothers.
"Old Scrooge" is there. crowding pater-
familius in his cndeavor to buy tho big
gest turkey and make amends for his
meanness to his bookkeeper during the
year. while matcrfsmilias declares to
herself that her Christmas shall 10 the
handsomest among all tho neighbors.
Now comes Christmas ove-the fairy
timo Of tho little ones. And who shall
describe it2 Tho old mantel, with its
row Of stockings, large and small; the
expectant looks OF the youngsters a.
they linger around the fireplace Won
dering what Santa Claus will bring; the
creeping into bed and listening, while
tho grown folks arc making merry over
their eggnog and mulled cider. for amy
sign Of the coming Of tho old gentleman