The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-12-22

Inc German Legend or KISS hrin-
gle.
BY ESTHER SINGLETON.
Young Christopher was greatly dis
satisfied with his home. He was an i'm
aginative lad, entirely out Of tune with
his surroundings. He lived in little
wooden cottage, curiously carved, that
gave him some delight when the sha-
dows of night deepened and drew dark
forms and shapes under the long roof
which sloped nearly to the ground.
1t was not pleasant to return from a
land of dreams to the hard facts Of life
and to plait and weave the long, green
willow-wands into the basket at his I'M
cle's command and to hear the scolding
tongue Of his aunt busy with her
household duties. Yet she always had
time for hinging a sharp word or blow
at Kriss. as he was called, and he. TAX
ing them with Indifference, criticised
her silently. At such times swish the
broom would fly past his ear, or a
coarse, red hand would ruff1e roughly
his hair and a strident voice demand
What are you doing with your wool
gathering wits?" And Kriss would be
told to mind his work, or in the next
world he would find himself in the
choice company of thieves and murder
ers. How could he love her when she
was so different to the gentle ladies in
the far-away dreams?
Finally he determined that he would
run away and seek a life for himself.
But the day never came until he had
completed his fifteenth, birthday, which
was uncelebrated. It was upon a
Christmas eve that he decided to
break away. His aunt had been I'M
usually ill-tempered and as his mind
was sure the proper time had arrived
for his step into the world, not even
the cold of approaching night discour-
aged him.
Kriss was not altogether free Of
blame for he had been a discordant
note in the household. He was neither
cheerful nor amiable, nor unselfish, but
then he had never shown the way to-
wards a loving and grateful dispose
ton. He had become sullen and hard
ened through no fault of his own and
he cared for nothing now but to find
if possible, happiness for himself and
to realize the visions of beauty that
had SO often grown in his mind, appar-
emily without seed. AS he crept stealth
lily into the street the twilight was
throwing her grey draperies around the
little German village with its masses
of low red roofs and it's square Minis
ter-tower where glared the clock that
always seemed to keep its big, red
eyes on every child in every house.
How many voices were there-sweet
ones, too, unlike any he had ever
heard! The wind blew off his cap by
way of a joke, and. touching him with
lev fingers said: "Comei Come! ]
Come, Kriss! There is warmth in the
forest and much joy. Gomez The !
pine boughs hummed huskily yet soft
ly: "Come, Kriss, Come! 1t is true,
the Wind knows. Come! Comet"
The Wind, not contented, began to
whistle and dance, and push the won
dering boy along, which was useless
and absurd, for he did not intend to
resist the many voices charming him
into the wood with their softly muir
INJURED invitations.
III.
As Kriss passed into the forest he
felt, although he could not see, the
mysterious spirits. The only being he
was acquainted with was the moon, of
whom he was afraid yet he was CRATE
full for her golden light that sifted in
the dark forked branches of
the Cedars and the siIvery fronds of
the Firs. The Wind sang and danced,
the Trees beat and swayed, and down
came the whirling Snow, dropping SO
care upon the flake beneath as if it
feared to burden that with its feathery
weight.
1--WE are dressing you beautifully,
darlings." Kriss heard the Snowf1akes