The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1898-12-15

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MIN liz I'D the handle OF q
tie inside the cave. Being in a mighty
good humor, once in a while he would
stop and rub his hands together. thus
giving vert to his happy feelings and
also helping to keep HIM warm. This
was rendered the more necessary by
the situation Of the cave, which had
been followed out ages before by some
igneous agency. exactly at the foot OF
the north pole. Santa Claus had utiliz-
ed this fact when he had taken pos
session Of the cave; for, to rid 1t OF
smoke from his fire, he had to run
out long length Of stovepipe. anu
bind it by bands Of sheet-iron to the
pole itself.
Although it was not quite noontime,
1t was as dark as night, and the sky
was full of bright stars, one Of which,
the Polar star. stood directly over the
north pole; SO that if the pole had
reached further up it must certainly
have punched hole in the star. How
ever, the pole had been cut off quite
a distance down. There were beauti-
full CLEANS OF aurora borealis in the
SKY, but they did not give Santa Claus
light enough for his work. so he had
fixed an iron cup in the icy ledge OF
the cavern and in the cup he had stuck
a tall torch made Of the body of a
salmon frozen hard, with flaming bail
OF pitch where the head ought to be.
Il believe shall have to sandpaper
this corner" he said. thoughtfully. 1T
doesn't come smooth, although I've
whitfield on it ever so long. I can't
spare much more time for it, with all
the other things there are to make. and
the reindeer yet to be sharp-shod or
the journey. And the sleigh needs a
fresh coat of paint, too. Bless that
old sleigh, how it does last! Seems as
If it never would wear out! Beats
/ anything ever heard OFF,
Santa, come in to dinner" called
Mrs. Claus, in fresh voice.
Santa Claus turned at the welcome
summons; but just then he saw guest
come putting along the snowy path,
and he waited to greet him. The new
conner was thin and pale, with piercing,
haif-insane eyes, and a mouth that
twitched constantly. Men shuddered
always to meet his glances, and he was
invited guest in no house. The Eski-
mos who inhabit those dreary plains
and hills never let him crawl through
the long, tunnel-like entrances of their
snow-built homes. and draw their
heavy fur hoods closely around their
faces so as not to recognize him when
they meet. But Santa Claus loved the
North Wind like brother, and sang
out, Hail, friend, and we'll met! The
] good wife has drawn the ale; come in
and see what is smoking on the table"
II COME" answered the North Wind.
hoarsely. lover fields of snow and long
! precipices of ice, at whose foot the
glacier hangs and never drop drips
out. l have rustled the tops of the
! frs far to the south, and my breath
has chung to the spars Of the ship IN
the frozen sea-"
But your welcome has ever remained
here" answered Santa Claus, cordial
~. eyes, and when sometimes the
cavern resounded with strange noises
and the lamp swayed in its long chain,
we have said one to the other, 1T is
perchance the North Wind that is
here?"
Thus conversing they approached
the cave and entered it together. The
cave was very large, with walls and
ceiling of solid rock. overlaid on the
outside with mosaic of ice and snow;
the ceiling had been adorned by nature
with gems and bits of mica, and these
sparkled in the light of big lamp
with a sea-moss wick dipped into a
reservoir of whales oil. AS for the
walls, they were studded all over with
tusks, and horns, and pegs and shelves,
and every otherthing upon which any
thing could be hung or laid or support
ed, and many of these receptacles al
ready held toys, sweetmeats. strings OF
! gilded walnut shells or serviceable gar
ments.
| Mrs. Claus held out her hand at
sight of her visitor. Nov sit you
down." said she, for she is notable
housewife; there is ale with the froth
ready for the lip. here is the venison
that three days ago was afoot. and
here is the platter Of smoking cakes
with the sap that dripped from Yer
mont maple last spring. Such load
of things as Santa always brings back
after the holiday journey! Eth, but the
old sleigh comes home as full as t
! goes, T tell him."
| So chattering, she gave the North
Wind the place Of honor at her right
hand ard poured him wide-mouthed
beaker of ale; while old Santa Claus
stood for he is but short MANI to
carve the saddle Of venison, and neap
the choicest morsels on the plate OF the
| guest. AS they Toasted he asked cf
A. yof4or ssUhat have yOu seen on