The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-12-26

baking point and laden with savory
toothsome viands. Presents were drag
ged out from their hiding places and
marked with loving notices, aud the
names of the favored recipients. There
was a general scrubbing, cleaning and
busting, and furnishing UP of holt
day garments and finery.
The men drowned themselves in
coffee, punch and branvin and shouted
themselves hoarse with oft-repeated
"skald." The women gossiped and
cooked and cooked and sossiped, while
the chubby children crammed their
stomachs with unwonted cakes and
sweetmeats unmolested. Everything
was free for the taking and the priv
!lege of freedom was accorded every
body.
Olga threw her doors wide open to
the whole village, promising won
derful surprise. Many thought she
was not very considerable on Johan's
account, thinking she would better be
going around with fearful eyes and
loud lamentations, but they ate freely
of her good things none the less.
Simple souls, they were not aware
that the lost Johan was to be the
great surprise. OF course, everybody
mad given him up for lost, and they
we're amazed that Olga should be the
rlerriest maiden in the village, and
that her home was to be the very
oaptor of tho r,orrv1,, limo IN tho TuI
Alton. The pastor had been fore
warned by Karl, and the good soul
came prepared to fight the wicked
troll for the salvation of Johan and
olga.
The board groaned beneath the
weight of good cheer, and the huge
howl was kept constantly trimming
with steaming punch. There was no
fo rmal barqueting, everybody eating
when the humor seized him, and
drinking whether thirsty or not, be-
cause good drink was there to be had
without the asking. The whole viii
lage was there waiting for the sur
prise and Rerving themselves up to
withstand it by distending their stom-
schs. None but Olga, Karl and the
pastor knew what it was to be, and
even they did not know in what shape
il would come.
At last the first stroke of midnight.
Olga turned pale, Karl stood at atten-
ton and the good pastor grasped his
holy book firmly in his hand. The
last stroke was still ringing in their
ears when a violent gust of wind
shook the house and the dragging of
heavy chains over the roof brought
terror to the inmates. The door was
burst open by some invisible force
and a heavy bundle was hurled in
among the amazed roysterers. An old
wizened bag appeared in the doorway
Ind screamed out above the confu-
sion: Girl take the gift of the Christ
Child, but beware Of my vengeance.
Shouldst thou accept any other gift
tefore thou hast fully accepted this,
then shall it return to me and be mine
forever"
Johan was quickly restored by CO.
yfous lbations of hot punch, and
when able to stand on his feet, Karl
put his hand in that Of Olga and gave
the pastor a singal. Forthwith, Olga
took Johan for her husband, and when
the final words were spoken, tenn
pest again shook the house, heavy
chains were again dragged across the
roof. and after shrieks of demoniac
laughter, all was still without.
With tears and laughter, Olga
grasped her brothers hand, and then
threw herself into the arms Of her
husband, the gift of the Christ Child.
forever free from the thralis of the
Skogfrau.