The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-22
: About ST. Nicholas.

A most cheerful, loving and lovable
saint was Nicholas, writes Edward Hill
dane, in The Monthly illustrator. Pr
Gus tradition has it even when he was a
baby, before he could speak or know
what was spoken TO him, he always fast
ed oS his own accord on Wednesdays
and Fridays. A man who started in
this way could scarcely fail to become a
bishop, and Nicholas became archbish-
Op Of Myra in Asia Minor. He died in
the year 34S, and his bones remained at
Myra until 1907. when they were ro-
moved TO Bari, Italy, where they still
remain.
THE THREE VIRGINS.
St Nicholas was the patron saint of
children, of virgins and of sailors. and
countless stories have come down to us
of his tender and constant protection of
those under his care. One of these le-
gends deals with a certain man who had
three daughters, and whose fortunes
were so reduced that he could give them
no marriage portions and scarcely the
necessities of life. When he was at
last at the point Of desperation, St.
Nicholas heard of his need and, COM
ing to the house at night, threw a purse
of gold in at the window. With this
the father portioned the eldest daugh-
ter. St. Nicholas the next night threw
in a second purse. The father por-
toned the second daughter. and then
watched, and discovered the saint as
he was about to throw in a third purse
on the next night.
MAMMA OF ST. NICHOLAS.
A writer in Chambers Book Of Days"
Interestingly describes the celebratio OF
81. Nicholas day at Bari. where his
bones lie under the crypt of the church
which bears his name. On that day the
town is thronged with pilgrims from
all the country round. When they reach
the church they show their devotion by
walking all around it-if il can be called
walking-on their knees and some OF
them even do il with their foreheads TO
the floor. each being guided by a child.
who leads the pilgrim with handker-
chief OF which he holds 4 corner in his
mouth. Each pilgrim is entitled TO a
meal without cost, and on the special
occasion described over 5000 were fed
Water comes up through the floor OF the
crypt over the grave Of ST. Nicholas.
and this is Supposed 20 have great cura-
tive powers. II is gathered in sponges.
squeezed into bottles and sold 10 the
pilgrims. Ii is called the mamma Of ST
Nicholas.
FILLING STOCKINGS.
The observance of 81. Nicholas day
which connects il with the Christmas
customs Of the present era Is the an
Gent one Of filling shoes with little gifts
which were supposed 10 have been left
there by the saint. Il was also the Gus
tom Of old in certain converts for the
boarders 10 leave each a silk stocking
at the door Of the abbesS on the
eve az St Nicholas. and these they
would find in the morning filled with
sweetmeats or other trifies 10 show that
they were held in remembrance. Both
of these habits are supposed 10 be de- 1
rived from the story Of the three purses
given 10 the three VIKINGS. though the /
question may be suggested whether the |
story was not rather derived from The l
customs. Children were told that s..
Nicholas threw the presents for them
in al the window. and the main point 4
Is clear enough-that he is the same /
person who. as Santa Claus. rides on 4
Christmas eve all over every part Of the /
world where good children live, with |
his sledge and his RENDERS. and comes |
down the chimneys to fill the stockings |
hung up 70 await him with all sorts Of /
things 10 delight childish hearts. spend |
ing all the rest Of the year AT his home. 1
somewhere far up in the arctic circle, 4
making toys and boiling sugar into 4
candy 20 distribute the next Christmas. /