The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-12-15

giving FSLI To HIS happy leelluSS anu
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
lgneous 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 it Of
smoke from his fire, he had to run
out a 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
nave punched a hole in the star. HoT-
ever, the pole had been cut off quite
a distance down. There were beauti-
ful 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
tall torch made of the body of a
salmon frozen hard, with flaming bail
OF pitch where the head ought to be.
L believe I shall have to sandpaper
this corner he said, 'thoughtfully. "It
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
vyat 10 h. -, >cI, on
the journey. And the sleigh needs
fresh coat of paint, too. Bless that
old sleigh, how it does last! Seems as
II it never would wear out! Beats
anything I 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 a guest
come putting along the snowy path,
and he waited to greet him. The new
conner was thin and pale, with piercing,
hal1-lnsane eyes, and a mouth that
tWltched 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
races SO as not to recognize him when
tney meet. But Santa Claus loved the
North Wind like a 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,"
l GOMEZ answered the North Wind,
hoarsely, lover fields of snow and long
precipices of ice, at whose foot the
glacier hangs and never a drop drips
out. I 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
ly. Yes, and when sometimes the
cavern resounded with strange noises
and the lamp swayed in it's long chain,
we have said one to the other, ct 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 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 other thing 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 a 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 a Yer
mont maple last spring. Such a load
of things as Santa always brings back
after the holiday journey! Eth, but the
Otd SlelSn comes nome as tull as t
goes, I tell him.
So chattering, she gave the North
Wind the place of honor at her right
hand and poured him de-mouthed
beaker of ale; while old Santa Claus
stood (for he is but a short mani to
carve the saddle Of venison, and neap
the choicest morsels on the plate of the
guest. AS they Toasted he asked Of
the latter, What have you seen on
your way hither?'' ~
"Oh," answered the North Wind
with his cheeks putting out as he spoke
like those Of one used to blow a trum-
pet, II have seen ship frozen in the
sea of ice. The fire has gone out in
her furnaces, and the men lie cold
in their hammocks. Only one stirred
as in dream, and he is but a cabin
boy. I blew my loudest notes in the
cordage, but the spirit of music did
not smile upon his mouth. Yet it was
still red! I know not why he did not
awake; but carry no food in my port
manteau, and gave him long kiss,
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