Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-08
CHAPTER VI.
Claus Discovers Humanity

Iaklng Claus to a small clearing In the
| forest the Master said: place your hand
upon my girdle and hold fast while we
Journey through tie air; for now shall We
encircle the world and look upon many of
the haunts Of those men from whom you
are descended"
These words caused Claus to marvel, for
until now he had thought himself the only
one Of his kind upon the earth: yet in
silence he grasped firmly the girdle of the
great Ak, his establishment forbidding
speech.
Then the vast forest of Burzee seemed
to fall away from their feet, an the youth
found himself passing swiftly through the
air at great height
Ere long there were spires beneath them
while buildings of many shapes and colors
met their downward view. 1t was a city
Of men, and Ak, pausing to descend, led
Claus to its Enclosure. Said the Master:
SO long as you hold fast to my girdle
you will remain unseen by all mankind,
though seeing clearly yourself. To release
your grasp will be to separate yourself for
ever from me and your home In Burzee."
obedience, and Claus had no thought of dis
obeyng the Masters wish. He chung fast
to the girdle and remained invisible.
Thereafter with each moment passed in
had supposed himself created differently
from all others, now found the earth
swarming with creatures of his own kind.
Indeed" said Ak, the immortals are
few; but the mortals are many"
Claus looked earnestly upon his fellows.
There were sad faces, gay and reckless
faces, pleasant faces, anxious faces and
kindly faces all mingled in puzzling dis
order Some worked al tedious tasks; some
strutted in impudent conceit; some were
thoughtful and grave, while others seemed
happy and content. Men of many natures
were there, as everywhere, and Claus found
much to please him and much to make him
sad.
But especially he noted the children-frst
curiously, then eagerly, then lovingly.
Ragged little ones rolled in the dust of the
streets, playing with scraps and pebbles:
Other children, gaily dressed, were propped
upon cushions and fed with sugar plums.
Yet the children of the rich were not hap
pier than those playing with the dust and
pebbles, it seemed to Claus.
childhood is the time of mans greatest
content" said Ak, following the youths
thoughts "'Tis during these years of in
nocent pleasure that the little ones are
most free from care"
Tell me-" said Claus, why do not all
these babies fare alike?"
Because they are born in both cottage
and palace" returned the Master. The
difference in the wealth of the parents de-
termines the lot Of the child Some are
carefully tended and clothed in silks and
dainty linen; others are neglected and COW
cred with rags"
yet all seem equally fair and sweet
said Claus, thoughtfully.
while they are babes-yes;" agreed Ak
Their joy is in being alive, and they do
not stop to think. In after years the doom
of mankind overtakes them, and they find
they must struggle and worry, work and
fret, to gain the wealth that is so dear to
the hearts of men. Such things are I'M
known in the forest where you were
reared" Claus was silent moment. Then
he asked:
"Why was I reared in the forest among
those who are not of my racer"
Then Ak, in gentle voice, told him the
story Of his babyhood: how he had been
abandoned at the forests edge and left a
prey to wild beasts, and how the loving
nymph Necile had rescued him and brought
him to manhood under the protection of
the immortals.
yet 1 am not of them said Claus, mus
ingly.
You are not of them" returned the
Woodsman. They nymph who cared for
you as a mother seems now like a sister to
you; by and by, when you grow old and
gray, she will seem like a daughter. Yet