The Cairo bulletin., 1904-12-30


and horns Of toy deer, he looked up
and discovered a glitterlng cavalcade
Of horsemen approaching through the
Valley.
When they drew nearer he saw that
the band consisted of a score of men
alarms. clad in bright armos anc
bearing in their hands spears and bat
tleaxes. In front of these rode little
Bessie Blithesome. the pretty daugh-
tes Of that proud Lord of Lerd who
had once driven Claus from his palace.
Her palfrey was pure white, its bride
was covered with glittering gems, and
its saddle draped with cloth of gold.
richly broidered The soldiers were
sent to protect her from harm while
she journeycd.
Claus was surprised. but he continued
to white and to sing until the cuyal-
cade drew up before him. Then the
little girl leaned over the neck Of her
palfrey ana said:
Please. MI Claus, want toy!
Her voice was so pleading that Claus
jumped up at once aud stood beside
her But he was puzzled how TO an
swer her request.
"Yon are rich lords daughter
said he, "and have ali that you de
sire
Except toys" added Bessie There
are no toys in all the world but yours,
And | make them for the poor chill
dren. who have nothing else to amuse
them" continued Claus.
do poor children love to play with
toys more than rich ones asked Bes-
sic
Il suppose not said Claus thought
fully.
Am | to blame because my father Is
lord? Must | be denied the pretty
toys | long for because other children
are poorer than II" she inquired
earnestly
I'm afraid you must, dear" he an
swered. FOR the poor have nothing
else with which 10 amuse themselves.
You have your pony 10 ride, your serv-
ants 70 wait on you, and every com
IbFt tilNA iuVlc9 tdh R4pN"iN'
But | want toys" cried Bessie. Wip-
ing away the tears that forced them
selves into her eyes. IF | cannot
have them / shall be very unhappy
Claus was troubled. for her grief
recalled TO him the thought that his
desire was to make all children happy
without regard 70 their condition in
life. Yet while so many poor children
were clamorlng for his toys he could
not bear TO give one of them to Bessie
Bnthesome, WIN had SO much already
10 make her happy.
Listen, my child" said he gently;
"all the toys am now making are
promised to others. But the next shall
be yours, since your heart so longs Tor
it. Come to me again in two days anu
it shall be ready for you"
Bessie gave cry of delight, and.
leaning over the pony's neck, she kiss
cd Claus PRETTY upon his forehead.
Then. calling to her men-at-arms. she
rode gayly away, leaving Claus to re-
sumo his work.
"If | am to supply the rich children
rs well as the LDor ones" he thought,
II shall not haze a spare moment in
the Whole yeaH But is it right
should give to tie rich? Surely ! must
go to Necile AMI talk with her about
this matter"
So when be had finished the toy
deer. which was very like deer he
had known in the Forest elades. he
walked into BuI2ee and made his way
10 the bower OF the beautiful Nymph
Needle. who bad been his foster
mother.
She greeted him tenderly and loving
IN. listening with interest to his story
of the visit Of Bessie Blithesome.
"And now tell me-" said he, shall
give toys to rich children"
we Of the Forest know nothing of
riches" she rep.ed. 1T seems to me
that one child Is like another child,
since they are all made of the same
clay. and that riches are like gown,
which may be L,lt on or taken away,
leaving the child unchanged. But the
Fairies are guardians OF mankind and
know mortal children better than |.
Let US call the Fairy Queen
This was done, and the Queen Of the
Fairies sat beside them and heard
Claus relate his reasons for thinking
the rich children could get along with
out his toys, and also what the Nymph
had said
"Necile is right" declared the Queen;
"for whether it be rich or poor.
child's longings fer pretty playthings
are but natural. Rich Bessies heart
may suffer as much grief as poor
Mayrie's; She can be just as lonely and
DISCONTINUED and just as gay and hap
py | think, fri4snd Claus. it is your
duty to make all little ones glad. wheth-
er they chance to live in palaces or in
cottages.'
Your words are wise fair Queen
replied Claus. and nay heart tells me
they are as just as they are wise. Here
after all children may claim my serv-
iceS'