Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-12-25

wagons and chariots, and bushels Of
candy which a benefcent Santa Claus
filled when all was still in the
touse"
There are big hearts, too, that
throb with hope and expectation on,
the eve of the anniversary of the
Christ child, and exult with Joy in
unison with the merry chimes, when
they find somewhere, in the morning,
choice gift, upon which the dew Of
a loving friendship still fingers.
Moreover, the hero Of the tale is
the original Santa Claus, the true, the
simon pure. His sled and graceful
reindeer are another matter for
where he lived and practiced his kind
and loving deeds, there was neither
crisp, cracking snow, nor singing
frost The air was always balmy and
the winter time was the summer, so
there were no warm furs, nor yawn-
ing chimneys down which to drive
his team, but, nevertheless, good
Santa Claus lived and breathed;
warm blood flowed in his veins, and
re made the hearts of the young PEG.
PIE glad and jubilant.
The Lord of Lucan was proud and
naughty noble-he was a captain in
the Kings Guards, post of honor
but not Of protit-and he was all the
plouder and laughter because his
wealth was not commensurate with
his rank
To add to the lords embarrass.
ment, he was the father of three
beautiful and accomplished daugh-
tiers, Margarita the Pearl; Roxana,
The Dawn Of Day, and Claudia, the
Lame, That he loved them and re-
earded them each as the apple of his
eye, was evident, from their affection
for him, and his personal economies
to fit them for attendance at a gor-
seous court, where, alas! they were
compelled to go by the Kings COM
mand, their father being one of his
chief officers.
Many silent tear he shed; many
a time his heart was wrung and torn
because of the scornful, envious, jeal-
GUS glances of the naughty danes
and demoiselles, who looked down
upon the three poor girls whose
father could not deck them with
flashing jewels and silken garments,
or hang ropes of pearls and diamonds
around their lovely neclzs. They were
upstarts, most of them, but they Jared
well in this worlds goods, though
they had little beauty and few &C.
complishments.
Fain would the ; nobleman have
lived in peaceful; happy retirement
With his daughters, but giddy luxu-
rious king said NO.; and that was a
law unto them all.
Faith, my Lord Lucan, thou hast
surprisingly, lovely daughters" said
the King one day; "tis time they
sh ould we'd"
Whereat the lord bowed, aye, your
Highness, well know it, but the dow
~ that must go with every lawful
welded wife,. that have l not"
There are many Of my noble lords
who would be proud to mate with
them," continued the King, "honor
them, say, with an alliance"
Wnat, your HlghneSS, wed them
without a dowry?" The noble lord
was surprised, for he knew the law
and the custom that required a dam
sci to bring her husband, not broad
lands, but good, hard gold, or else
remain unwed.
Il said not wed my Lord of Lu-
can; | said alliance Canst thou not
understand" And his Majesty
1rowned.
The Lord of Lucan knew too we'll,
but he knew not what to say, and
stood in deep, painful thought. May
nap he breathed prayer to Heaven
Tho King broke roughly in upon n!s
cogitations.
Il am accustomed to be obeyed. a.
chou we'll knowest. my Lord of Lucan.
wherefore be advised. Within Z