Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-22

! speak many words, nodded his head atio
| exclaimed like an echo: Tat?
I 'Oh, you want my toy cats, 90 you
returned Claus, greatly pleased to discover
| that his creations were so popular Win
children.
| The little visitors nodded eagerly,
| "Unfortunately,' he continued, Il nave
| but one cat now ready, for l carried Two
| to children in the town yesterday. Anu
| the one have shall be given to your broth
| er, Mayrie, because he is the smaller; ana
| the next one make shall be for you.
The boys face was bright with smiles
| as he took the precious toy Claus held out
| to him; but little Maybe covered her race
| with her arm and began to sob grievously.
| I'll wants t-t-tat noW! she wall
| ed
| Her disappointment made Claus feel mis-
| cradle for a moment. Then he suddenly
remembered Shiegra.
Don't cry, darling!' he said soothingly;
| az have a toy much nicer than a cat, and
| you shall have that"
| He went to the cupboard and drew out
| the image Of the lioness, which he placed
on the table before Maybe.
The girl raised her arm and gave one
glance at the fierce teeth and glazing eyes
of the beast, and then, uttering terrified
scream, she rushed from the house. me
boy followed her also screaming iustny
and even dropping his precious cat In his
fear.
For moment Claus stood motionless, be-
ing puzzled and astonished. Then he threw
Shiegra's image into the cupboard and ran
after the children, calling to them not to
be frightened.
Little Maybe stopped in her flight ana
her brother chung to her skirt; but they
both cast fearful glances at the house I'M
til Claus had assured them many times
that the beast had been locked in the cup
board.
''Yet why were you frightened at seeing
it?, he asked. 1T is only toy to play
Its badp' said Maybe, decidedly, "an'-
an'-just horrid, an not a bit nice, like
tats!'
thoughtfully. But If you will return with
me to the house 1 will soon make you a
pretty cat"
So they timidly entered the house again,
having faith in their friends words and
afterward they had the joy of watching
Claus carve out cat from a bit Of wood
and paint 1t in natural colors. 1t did not
take him long to do this for he had be-
come skillful with his knife by this time;
and Maybe loved her toy the more dearly
because she had seen 1t made.
After his little visitors had trotted away
on their journey homeward Claus sat long
in deep thought And he then decided that
such fierce creatures as his friend the lion
ess would never do as models from which
to fashion his toys
There must be nothing to frighten the
dear babies," he reflected land while l
know Shiegra well and not afraid of
her it is but natural that children should
look upon ner image with terror. f1eTedI-
ter I will choose such mild annered ami
mails as squirrels and rabbits and deer and
lambkins from which to carve my toys, for
then the little ones will love rather than
fear them"
He began his work that very day, and
before bedtime had made a wooden rabbit
and a lamb. They were not quite so life
like as the cats had been because they
were formed from memory, while Blinkie
had sat very still for Claus to look at while
he worked.
But the new toys pleased the children,
nevertheless. and the fame of Claus play
things quickly spread to every cottage on
plain and in village. He always carried his
gifts to the sick or crippled children, but
those who were strong enough walked to
the house in the valley to ask for them, so
little path was soon worn from the plain
to the door Of the toymaker's cottage.
First came the children who had been
playmates Of Claus before he began to
make toys. These, you may be sure, were
well supplied. Then children who lived far
Their away heard Of the wonderful images
and made Journeys to the valley to secure
them. All little ones were welcome, and
never a one went away empty handed.
This demand for his handiwork kept
Claus busily occupied, but he was quite
happy in knowing the pleasure he gave to
SO many Of the dear children. His friends
the immortals were pleased with his sue
cess and supported him bravely.
The Knocks selected for him clear pieces
Of soft wood, that his knife might not be
blunted in cutting them; the Ryls kept him
supplied with paints Of all colors and
brushes fashioned from the tips of timothy
grasses: the Fairies discovered that the