The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1896-12-26
HOW FATHER CHRISTMAS WIS
BORN IN THE FAlRIES' WOOD.
The German Legend of l<r,. ,xringle.

The German Legend of Kris I<ringle
Young Christopher was greatly dis
satisfied with his home. He was an
imaginative lad. entirely out of tune
with his surroundings. He lived in Il
/ little wooden cottage, curiously carved,
that gave him some delight when the
shadows 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 baskets at his
uncle's command. and to hear the
sculding tongue of his aunt busy with
her household duties,
Finally he determined that he would
run away and seek IL life for himself
but the day never came until he had
completed his fifteenth birthday. which
was uncelcbratci. 1t was upon !,
Christmas eve that he decided to break
away.
Down the deserted road he passed,
on and up the hill. where he turned to
bid farewell to the only home he had
ever known. and betook his way into
the dark forest that seemed to call
him into its depths.
How many voices We're 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
icy fingers, said: Gene! Come! Come,
Kris! There is warmth in the forest
and much JOY. Come" The Pine
boughs hummed husllily, yet softly:
Come. Kris, come! 1t is true: the
Wind knows. Come Conner
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 stood afraid; yet he was
grateful for her golden light that sifted
in through the dark forked branches Of
the Cedars and the silvery fronds of
the Firs. The Wind sang and danced,
the Trees beat and swayed. and down
came the whirling Snow, dropping so
softly and gently. and lodging with
care upon the flake beneath, as if it
feared to burden that with it's feathely
weight.
I'VE are dressing you beautifully,
darlings. Kris heard the Snowflakes
say to the Cedars, "for Queen Holda's
Revels. You we are robing in ermine,
and you shall have white velvet; you
shall simmer i'll satin from top to the
lowest branch, and when the Moon-GOd
sees you he will smile and you will
sparkle in his glance like diamonds.
Oh. how funny you will look with a
powdered wig"
The Wind-Spirit blew a blast upon
her silver trumpet, resulting in great
lull Of snow falling.
Kris stood still, wondering what
would occur next. when a young Tree
about his own height, vain of her beau
ty and patronizing in her manner. said:
'Sit by me, Kris" and he obeyed. still
watching and listening to the voices *
the mysterious spirits Of the Winter
Night. which had gradually become Wis
ible. busily preparing for the celebra
tion of their Christmas feast.
".
Strange to say. lie was not cold,
though resting on the velvety snow;
nor was he llomesick. A gay process
sion entertained him, issuing out of the
black hollow of Il great oak that gilt
tered in it's armOr of ice. First came
the children of the Winter-Wind, all
tiercc-eycd and sharp of feature.
dressed in tunics of white and gray
and flowing mantles. Then followed
the Snow Children, in their glistening
garments of white and flower-shaped
crystal crowns, and after them. Holda
herself. Queen of Earth and Woods.
Queen of Snow and of Christmastide.
How lovely she was in her gown Of
emerald velvet with big bunch of
snowdrops at her breast, and a crown
Of oak leaves, like Il Dryad. Her flax
pearls, her eyes were blue as summer
rivers. her lips red as pomegranites.
her arms and neck white as the falling
fakes. that, touching her, turned into
showers of creamy roses.
rTOIu tue QUIET SIuc VI Iuc lOicSl tuC
Moon-GOd sped lightly to her and,
kissing her on the lips led her to the
dance.
When Queen Holda called Christie.
pher he scrambled to his feet and
kneclcd before her.
".
'Why have you come hither?" she
asked. AS he was speechless the Trees
and Snowtlakes said in their soft
cbc'"-~. "Thc Wind brought him. and
babe him join the joy of Chrlstmastide
and cried Come, come, GOMEZ"
"Unless you come selfishly," she
asked, what have you brought to us?
The birds give their voicesy the flow
ers their perfume, the trees their shell
ter the Wind his music, the Snow
Children their service, the Seasons
their beauties and their bounties, and
to grant all wishes. What do you
bring to the Christmas Revels3,'
Christopher hung his head. He. fell
to her feet, and, kissing her dress with
Az r. A. ia