Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-06

KNOCK, the chief guardian of the deer
came to him, surly and ill-tempered, to
complain that he had kept Glossie and
Flossie beyond daybreak, in opposition to
his orders
Yet it could not have been very long
after daybreak." said Claus.
TT was one minute after" answered VIII
KNOCK land that is as bad as one hour.
shall set the singing gnats on Glossie and
Flossie, and they will suffer terribly for
their disobedience."
Don't do THAR! begged Claus. TT was
my fault
But VIII KNOCK would listen to no ex-
cuses, and went away grumbling and
growing in his II-natured way.
For this reason Claus entered the Forest
to consult Necile about reScuing the good
deer from punishment To his delight he
found his old friend, the Master Woods
| man. seated in the circle of Nymphs.
Ak listened to the story of the night jour-
ney to the children and of the great assist
ance the deer had been to Claus by draw
ing his sledge over the frozen snow.
Il do not wish my friends to be punished
if l can save them, said the toymaker,
when he had finished the relation. They
were only one minute late, and they ran
swifter than bird flies to get home before
daybreak.
Ak stroked his beard thoughtfully a no
ment, and then sent for the Prince of the
Knocks. who rules all his people in Bur-
zee and also for the Queen of the Fairies
and the Prince of the Ryls.
When all had assembled Claus told his
story again, at AXIS command, and then
the Master addressed the Prince of the
Knocks, saying:
1.-The good work that Claus is doing
among mankind deserves the support of
every honest immortal. Already he is call
ed Saint in some Of the towns, and before
long the name Of Santa Claus will be low
with children. Moreover, he is a son of
our Forest, so we owe him encourage
ment. You, Ruler Of the Knocks, have
known him these many years; am / not
right in saying he deserves our friendship
The Prince crooked and sour of visage
as all Knocks are, looked only upon the
| dead leaves at his feet and muttered: You
are the Master WoodSman of the Worldn
Ak smiled, but continued in soft tones:
1T seems that the deer which are guarded
by your people can be of great assistance
| to Claus, and as they seem willing to draw
| his sledge ! beg that you will permit him
| to use their services whenever he pleases.'
! The Prince did not reply, but tapped the
curled point Of his sandal with the tip Of
his spear as If in thought.
Then the Fairy Queen spoke to him in
| this way: 'If you consent to AXIS request
| l will see that no harm comes to your deer
| while they are away from the Forest
And the Prince of the Ryls added: For
nv part I will allow to every deer that as
| sists Claus the privilege of eating my casa
| plants which give strength, and my grawle
plants which give neetn ness OF 1901; BE- ana my
l
| And the Queen of the Nymphs said: THE
! deer which draw the sledge of Claus will
| be permitted to battle in the Forest pool of
| Mares, which will give them sleek coats
| and wonderful beauty
The Prince of the Knocks, hearing these
| promises, shifted uneasily on his seat, for
| in his heart he hated to refuse a request of
| his fellow immortals, although they were
| asking an unusual favor at his hands, and
| the Knocks are unaccpstomed to granting
| favors of any kind. Finally he turned to
| his servants and SAID
| Call Will KNOCK.
| When suriy win came and heard the de-
mands of the imfiortals he protested loud
| ly against granting them
Deer are deer" said he, "and nothing
but deer Were they horses 1t would he
| right to harness them like horses. But re
| one harnesses deer because they are free
! wild creatures owing no service of any
sort to mankind. 1t would degrade my deer
spite of the friendship lavished on him by
You have heard" said the Prince to Ak
There is truth In what Will says
call Glossie and Fiossie," returned the
| Master.
The deer were brought to the conference
and Ak asked them If they objected t.
drawing the sledge for Claus.
mo, indeedr' replied Glossie; I'VE en-
joyed the trip very much
break" added Flossie, ''but were unfortu
nately a minute too late.
| "A minute lost at daybreak doesn't mat
ter" said AK. you are forgiven for tina
delay
Provided it doesn't happen again." sale
the Prince of the Knocks sternly. { sscaF
And will you permit them to ,r,ake..an
other journey with 'ae:' a sskfsdf5 Claus
| eagerly.
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