The Monte Vista journal., 1897-12-18
GOOD ST. NICHOLAS
(By Mary Diefendorf.l


proaches there is often present in our
thoughts the vision of the guardian
spirit Of the season. At the time when
the name of st. Nicholas. or the more
familiar nickname, Santa Claus, is SO
often upon our lips. 1t is surely fitting
that we should spend few minutes in
the study Of that well-beloved saint,
and Of the traditions In which he holds
80 prominent a place.
The birthplace of the subject of our
sketch was the city of Patava, in Asia
Minor. There he was made abbot, and
won renown by his religious devotion.
He afterward became Archbishop Of
Myra. At the latter place, in course
of time he died, and was duly buried.
In May, 1887, his remains were carried
by some pious Italians to Bari. on the
Adriatic coast. There they now rest
in the splendid church that bears bis
name.
Every year q pilgrimage Is made 70
his shrine by the people for miles
around. No one seeking food on that
occasion is refused 1t by the priests.
while shelter is given to as many a.
The edince will hold.
On st. Nicholas Day. Dec. 6, there
Is great celebration. Early in the
morning the sailors. who. as we'll as
maidens and children. claim to be
under the peculiar protection OF the
saint. take his image from the priests
and parade with It through the town.
Then they sail away with It. returning
and bringing II back at nightfall amid
the general illumination of the city.
Now. this same pious bishop, who
beams 30 family upon our vision
through the vistas Of the past. yelled
in dim, religious light" II to US Of
he present day. perhaps. the most be-
loved saint on the calendar. More
over. to all Americans he should BE-
peculiarly dear. and invested with
great historic interest as the guardian
genius Of our metropolis.
In that wonderful book, "Knicker-
bocker's History Of New York." that
work % quaint In humor and rich in
the perpetuation o. old traditions, We
dnd many edifyIng references to our
hero. The Dutch ship. the Goede
vrouw. 20 runs the story, came over
from Holland three or four years after
the return Of Hudson. bringing settlers
for the new world. who located n
Communipaw. At the bow OF the good
ly vessel stood an image OF 81. Nicho-
las. smoking long-stemmed pipe and
wearing . broad d-brimmed hat. To his
guiding care all attributed their pros.
porous voyage. In due time . prophet
among them dreamed . dream, which
vas that 81. Nicholas appeared and d.
rected him to seek another abiding
place. Thereupon Heer Van Kortland,
the dreamer, and selected band Of
men went In search Of another habita.
lion. and were stranded on Manhat.
tan island. There. after RECALLING them
selves on oysters. they rested q little
time. Meanwhile the dreamer drea med
again. Again 81. Nicholas appeared.
and sitting down at the foot OF q tree.
smoked his pipe. And ~ the smoke
rose. II spread over n vust extent OF
territory. and resolved itself into
many peculiar shapes. as Of spires and
steeples. after which II finally cleared
AWAY. And when St. Nicholas had
smoked his pipe. he twisted Il in his
hatband. and laying his finger beside
his nose. gave tho astonished Van
Kortland . very significant look: then
mounting his wagon. he returned over
the tree-tops and disappeared.
And Van Kortiand awoke from his
sleep greatly instructed: and he reused
his companions and related to them
his dream and Interpreted Il that Il
was the will Of 81. Nicholas that they
should settle down and build . city
here" That spot was Bowling Green.
Now. when these voyagers had re.
turned to their homes and related this
incident. all ''the people lifted up their
voices and blssssd the good 81. Nicho-
las"
Amer these thrifty folk had become
settled In their new abode. they con.
structed = fort. and within the fort
they built the Arst church erected In
the future city Of New York. Il vas
made Of stone. and named after u.
Nicholas. who. ~ irving tells us. in.
medintsiy adopted New Amsterdam a.
bis special charge. and became It's u.
tslar guardian.
The people Of New Amsterdam swors
by 81. Nicholas when they had auy
swearing to do. They blessed him
when they we're happy. thanked him
when they were favored. committed
| tUctt Nuya8bo& auU o0V9uk VtUuuu VI
his guiding and protecting care. went
to the Geld Of war singing his grea,
sons and fought their conflicts sho.t.
Ing. st. Nicholas and the Nanhat-
toes" % thsir battle cry.
Interesting - the history of tbs
grave bishop Of Myra may prove
and intsrwovsa - bis memory
must ever b With the tfadi-
tions Of The city os which he aftsrward
became the tntslsry saint. II II no,
Of either Of these msaifsstatious that
the children like best 20 thlak. Il II
a. master Of the ceremonies Of Christ.
mastids that he appears snvsIoped Ia
the most fascinatinE giauor.
Dayard Taylor tells ~ that on 'ons
occasion. wh.n he was In Germany
about December !. . fair was held ID
the town he was WAITING. q which faii
many toys were sxhtbitsd. And q
NlcAolas, ID eounleefeit pesesAtnsAt
vas svssywhsss 70 b assa. oa Aan,
Of ~ littls booths were also "buallsl
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