The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1893-12-22
ABOUT SANTA CLAUS.
Biography Of the Beloved Saint OF
Childhood.

NuhuhVVus
What
Horns OF elfland family blowing"
does that name awaken
What fragrant memories of the
halcyon days of childhood fit through
the mind with the yuletidcs of long
ago!
According to the strict canon of
saint, he should pay two visits during
the fcstal wcek-flrst on Christmas
eve, rs c0ngratulatory salutatiOn of
the blessful day, then again on New
Years eve, as a parting bcnediction
to the feast.
What hours of hilarious revelry
have been passed by happy children
during this memorable week between
realizing the gifts which the generous
saint has already bestowed and antic-
ipating those he is sure to bring on
New Years eve.
The faith of the Christian may
sometimes glOw faint and waver, but
the trust OF that child over whom
Santa Claus has once waved his
double wand is as the faith that re-
moves mountains.
Like mist on the mountains, like ships on the
sea.
| CO, ,,;, .I,,t Ln a. 40
"Tcrque Quarterque beate !" (thrice
four times blessed) cried Encas of the
heroes who fell in defense OF Troy.
SO Of those on whose memories are
deeply imprinted joyous recollcctions
OF Santa Claus.
1t may be of interest to give brief
biographical sketch of this venerable
saint who has invaded all hearts and
haunted every Imagination.
st. Nicholas, properly called Santa
Claus. was bishop OF Myra in Asia Mi
nor in an early age of the church,
when that now long lost city was un-
der the empire OF the Roman CTs-
ars.
1t is said that on one Christmas
eve as he wandered through the city
at the midnight hour, seeking, like
his divine Master, those whom he
might help, he witnessed an extraOr-
dinary scene. AS he passed the dwell
ling of distinguished nobleman who
bad been reduced to begary he over.
heard startling conversation. The
nobcman was endeavoring to make
his two little orphaned daughters as
tcnderly as he could a terrible com.
munication. He was explaining tC
them that In their total destitution
and his own utter helplessness to re-
lieve them there was nothing left fol
them but life of shame. The good
bishop, horror-stricken at what he
had overheard, hastcncd home ant
filled a purse with gold.
Anxiously careful not to wound thu
susceptiblitles OF the family, he re
turned to the nobleman's house as
secretly as possible. Carefully watch
ing his opportunity, when all were re
tired to rest and everything quiet, Il,
silently opened the window, threw til,
purse on. the floor and fed.
He isssaid to have continued thi
friendly exercise as, opportunity offer
cd until lie had accumulated there
+, sufficient quantity Of gold for the per
mancnt maintenance of the children
AS his secret benefactions bccam,
widespread, the real benefactor of tn
orphans became known, with the AZ
tending circumstances. Hence TIL
r legend OF his midnight visits OI
Christmas eve.
; In the course of years the beloved
bishop OF Myra passed away iron
earth and. became st. Nicholas il
heaven.
With his canonixation the fame 0
his noble deeds flew trumpet tongues
n over the world.
For those who had loved their ben
cfactor and to che children Of til
: church everywhere In sympathy wit
G them II was easy to believe that til
t great heart which had tllrObbcd Will
! on earth with such tender solicitud
i for thA little ones must now in tn
= courts of heaven beat responsive t
every child's prayer.
The divine promise, What thing
soevcr ye desire when ye prays helaev