Cañon City record., 1904-12-29

possessing such lovely playthings as he
gave them had no wish to obey the Evil
thoughts the Awgwas tried to thrust
into their minds.
| Therefore, one year when the wicked
tribe was to elect a new King. they
chose an Awgwn who proposed to de
stroy claus and take him away from
| the children.
There are. as you know, fewer
naughty children in the world since
Claus came to the Laughing Valley
and began to make his toys said the
new King, as he squatted upon a rock
and looked around at the scowlInc
faces Of his people. "Why, Bessie
| Blithesome has not stamped her foot
once this month. nor has Mayrie's
/ brother slapped his sisters face or
thrown the puppy into the rain barrel.
Little Weekum took his bath last night
without screaming or struggling, be-
cause his mother had promised he
should take his toy cat TO bed with
him. Such condition of affairs Is
awful for any Awgwa to think of, and
the only way we can direct the naughty
actions OF children is TO take this per
son Claus away from them"
Good, Goodi' cried the big Awgwas
in a chorus. and they clapped their
hands to applaud the speech of the
King.
But what shall we do with himf'
asked one of the creatures.
~ have plan" replied the wicked
King. and what his plan was you will
soon discover.
That night Claus went TO bed feeling
very happy, for he had completed no
less than four pretty toys during the
day, and they were sure. he thought.
to make four little children happy.
But while he slept the band OF invIs-
ible Awgwas surrounded his bed. bound
him with stout cords. and then fiew
away with him to the middle OF dark
forest In faroff Ethop, where they laid
him down and left him. :.
When morning came Claus foGnd
himself thousands of miles from any
human being, Il prisoner In wild jun
gle OF an unknown land.
From the limb OF a tree above his
head swayed huge python. one OF
those reptiles that are able to crush a
man oohNe AZ tiiSh toaio. N ANW
yards away crouched a savage panther.
Its glaring red eyes fixed full on the
helpless Claus. One Of those mon
strous spotted spiders whose sting Is
death crept steaIthfiy toward him over
the matted leaves, which shriveled and
turned black at Its very touch.
But Claus had been reareu In Burzee
and was not afraid.
Come to me. ye KNOCKS OF the For
estr' he cried. and gave the low, pecul-
far whistle that the KNOCKS know.
The panther, which was about to
spring upon its victim. turned and
slunk away. The python swung itself
Into the tree and disappeared among
the leaves. The spider stopped short
in Its advance and hid beneath q rot
ting log.
Claus had no time to notice them.
for he was surrounded by 4 band Of
harsh featured Knooks. more crooked
he had ever seen.
"who are you that call on usf' de-
manded one. in a grufr voice.
''The friend Of your brothers In Bur
zee answered Claus. II have been
brought here by my enemies. the Avg
! was, and left to perish miserably. Yet
now implore your help to release me
and to send me home again"
"Have you the signT asked another.
"Yes,' said Claus.
They cut his bonds and with his free
arms he made the secret sign Of the
KNOCKS.
Instantly they assisted him to stand
upon his feet. and they brought him
food and drink to strengthen him.
"Our brothers Of Burzee make queer
friends" grumbled an ancient KNOCK
whose flowing beard was pure white.
"But he who knows our secret sign and
signnl is entitled to our help. whoever
he may be. Close your eyes. stranger.
and we will conduct you to your bone.
Where shall we seek ftr'
"'Tis In the Laughing Valley" an
swsred Claus. shutting hia eyes.
There In but one Laughing Valley in
the known world. NO we cannot 20
astray," remarked the KNOCK.
As he spoke the sound OF his voice
seemed t6 Sic away. no Claus opened
his eyes to see what caused the change.
To his nstonishment he found himself
seated OH the bench by his own door,
with the laughing Valley spread out
beforc him. Tint day lie visited the
Wood Nymphs and related his ndven-
turc to Queen Zurlinc and NeciIe.
"The Awswns have become your en-
smieA," said the lovely Queen thought
fully, 80 we must do all we can to
protect you from their power"
at was c0wardly TO bind him While
~ slsp<~ ssmarksd ssd1s. with indis-