Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-12-24
HOW FATHER CHRIS TINS WIS
BORN in THE FAIRlEs' WOOD.
The German Legend Of Kri. sKlrsitn.sle

n
Young Christopher was greatly dis
satisfied with his home: He was IN
imaginative lad, entirely out of tune
with his surroundings. He lived in a
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 n
land of dreams to the hard facts of
life. and to plat and weave the long.
green willow wands into baskets at his
uncles command. aud to hear the
scolding tongue of his aunt busy with
her household duties.
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. 1t was upon
Christmas eve that lie decided to break
away.
III.
Down the deserted road he passed,
OH 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 it's 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 joke. and. touching him with
icy fingers, said: Come! Come! Come,
Kris! There is warmth in the forest
and much JOY. Colrev' The Pine
boughs hummed huskily, 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-mur-
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 feathery
weight.
I'VE are dressing you beautifully,
Earrings, kris heard the Snowf1akes
say to the Cedars, for Queen Holda's
hevels. You we are robing in ermine.
ana you shall have white velvet; you
small simmer in 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
powdered wig.'
The Wind-Spirit blew blast upon
her silver trumpet, resulting in great
iul! Of snow falling.
Kris stood still, wondering what
would occur next, when q young Tree
ABOUT his own height, vain Of her beau
yam. y ana patronizing in her manner. said:
sit oy me, Kris" and he obeyed, still.
Matching and listening to the voices Of
l ,ne mysterious spirits of the Winter
n :,lI which had gradually become Wis
Iole' busily preparing for the celebra-
'on OF their Christmas feast.
Nv.
a., strange to say, he was not cold.
.hough resting on the velvety snow;
nor was he homesick. A gay process
S S,on entertained him, issuing out Of the
. pE'ck hollow of a great oak that gilt
.efed III it's armor of ice. First came
s tne children Of the Winter Wind, all
i,,efce-eyed and sharp Of feature.
dressed III tunics Of white and gray
anu lowing mantles. Then followed
.ne Snow Children, in their glistening
garments Of white and f1ower-shaped
s,isslal crowns, and after them, Holda
m neiselt, Queen of Earth and Woods.
8ueeh OF Snow and Of Christmastide.
now lovely she was in her gown of
ellerald velvet with a big bunch of
sso"ar0ps at her breast, and a crown
OF oak leaves, like a Dryad. Her flax
W. na nar was bound with q strand of
r;,,u ler eyes were blue as summer
hlm oa' her lips red as pomegranites,
a az, afms and neck white us the falling
sh t'Aes' that. touching her, turned into
'A n OF creamy roses.
u from the other side of the forest the
i ,iuu;l sped lightly to her and,
H1Sslng her OH the lips led her to the
-, When Queen Holda called Christie
En"r ne scrambled to his feet and
A"'eled before her.
.,,,, v.
why have you come hither?" she
aN1 AS he was speechless the Trees
r,'" r HhoWttnkeS said in their soft
"'''''; "'h" Wind BROUGHT him. and
u" a,e MN Join the JOY of Christmastide
". "i, cried Come, come, comet"
asian udless You come selhshly," she
'T TN" H., what have You brought to us?
rr ~' III, nlrds give their voices, the 1low-
te oS 'aelr perfume, the trees their shell
CLi,n''ane Wind his music, the Snow
,IoIu rem their service. the Seasons
''i w. beauties una their bounties. and
lwi m grant all wishes. Whit do you
~" '''. 10 the Christmas Reyelsa"
to , "u hung his bend. lie fell
,,m ",t ieet. ana. kissing her dress with