Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-06
CHAPTER VIII.
The First Journey With the Reindeer

Those were happy days for Claus when
he carried his accumulation OF Toys TO 'ne
children who had awaited them so long
During his Imprisonment in the Naley
he had been so Industrious that all MS
shelves were filled with playthings, and
after quickly supplying the little ones nv
ing near by he saw he must now extend MS
travels to wider fields.
Remembering the time when he had jour
reyed with AK through all the world ne
knew children were everywhere, ana he
louged to make as many as possible happy
with his gifts.
So he loaded a great sack with all kinds
of toys. slung it upon his back that ne
might carry it more easily, and started on
on a longer trip than he had yet under
taken. .
Wherever he showed his merry face, in
hamlet or in farmhouse, he received a
cordial welcome. for his fame had spread
into far lands. At each village the chill
dren swarmed about him, following his
footsteps wherever he went; and the wom-
en- thanked him gratefully for the joy he
brought their little ones; and .tea men
looked upon him curiously that he should
devote his time to such a queer occupation
as toy-making. But every one smiled on
him and gave him kindly words and Claus
felt amply repaid for his long journey.
When the sack was empty he went back
more filled 1t to the brim. This time he
followed another road, into different part
of the country, and carried happiness to
many children who never before had owned
a toy or guessed that such a delightful
plaything existed.
After a third journey, so far away that
Claus was many days walking the dis
lance, the store Of toys became exhausted
and without delay he set about making
q fresh supply.
From seeing so many children and study
ing their tastes he had acquired several
new ideas about toys.
The dollies were he had found, the most
delightful of all playthings for babies and
little girls. and often those who could not
say dolly would call for doll in their
! sweet baby talk. So Claus resolved to
make many dolls. of all sizes, and to dress
| them in bright-colored clothing. The older
boys-and even some of the girls-loved the
images of animals, so he still made cats
and elephants and horses. And many of
the little fellows had musical natures,
: and longed for drums and cymbals and
whistles and horns. So he made number
of top drums, with tiny sticks to beat
them with and he made whistles from
the willow trees. and horns from the bog
reeds, and cymbalS from bits of beaten
metal.
! All this kept him busily at work and be-
fore he realized it the winter season came,
with deeper SHOWS than usual, and he knew
he could not leave the Valley with his
heavy pack. Moreover, the next trip would
: take him farther from home than ever
before. and Jack Frost was mischevous
enough to nip his nose and ears if he
undertook the long journey while the
Frost King reigned. The Frost King was
Jacks father and never reproved him for
his pranks.
So Claus remained at his work bench; but
- he whistled and sang as merrily ever
for he would allow no disappointment to
sour his temper or make him unhappy.
One bright morning he looked from his
window and saw two of the deer he had
/ known in the Forest walking toward his
house.
Claus was surprised; not that the friend
, ly deer should visit him, but that they
I walked on the surface of the snow as easily