The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-12-30

evenly and neatly. All the while he
was writing, Walter argued with aim
self that Father Christmas would be
able to read the exact meaning he had
IN mind.
What Walter wanted was to visit
the place where all Christmas toys are
kept. ooh, if only l might go into that
s%torehouse Of things" he thought, and
clapped his hands with joy.
Il ought to have written it yester-
day, for he must be awfully busy to-
day. But he can manage SO many
things at once. What trouble could
my visit give him? l would not stay
long; l would look round very quick
ly, and come back to papa and man.
ma, who would not yet be home"
These were the reflections that
worked in Walters brain, for he was
not a stupid boy.
He had not finished his page Of
strokes, when two little angels, n
dark-haired and one fair, who were
looking through the windOw--perhaps
noting what toys were to be delivered
az tLQt houoOy oIlSliNIy SollS IA oAa
carried him off.
Away went Walter, up through
space. The brown-haired angel went
on his way, but the fair one took Wal
ter to be introduced to Father Christ
mas, who is the King of the Toys 10Y
and forever.
After mounting thousands Of white
| cf0nc yNo1fnr fn,1nI hirncn1f in tho
presence of Father Christmas. The
old man had a white, pointed hood on
his head. His face was serious and
his beard long and silvery. Behind
him a wide staircase led up, up, and
other stairs, too, led up to an immense
cathedral, as white as milk.
Father Christmas looked hard at the
little traveller and said to him:
Il have read your letter. cannot
allow you to go into that building,
which is in my charge. But can tell
you this: 1t is full to the dome with
toys which / shall send as presents all
over the world this very night. But
will allow my messenger boys to take
you into the forests of Christmas
lieCS. lOu may uolp tutA w tut
down or pull up the fir trees, and then
tie little toys and colored tapers
to the branches. They will sew wings
to your shoulders that you may be
able to fly. Go, little ones!"
And Walter went with the fair an
gel, not daring to look back at Father
Christmas, who spoke to him so grave
ly, nor at the white cathedral where
were such heaps and heaps of toys.
"And where shall we find the things
we are to fasten on to the branches
of the Christmas trees?" Walter asked
Of his gentle companion.
They will be brought to us from all
parts of the workshops where they are
made"
How many are there?'
Three. In the first dolls are made
and then dressed from head to foot.
In the second weapons and armor are
forged. Swords must be tempered and
breastplates hammered out. To say
nothing of the castings of canno and
the making of lead soldiers. Our
smiths and our chemists are very
clever"
In the third they make boats,
| barges and sailing boats and steam
ships. The engineer angel who a
| ages the business knows all the latest
improvements. He himself has in
vented a submarine vessel that can
be propelled about for six months be-
| low the surface without stopping"
The vast forest of snow and pine
trees stretched as far as the eye could
see. The light of the moon and stars
frightened the pretty snow, which
kept on falling. The straight trees
stood as motionless as wooden sol
diers.
Now, let us go to the workshops"
said Walter, eagerly.
Not just yet. 1t is our business to
dress and %beautify some Christmas
trees. We will do that here, SO as to
lose no time. Postriders come
straight down from heaven with
sleighs loaded with little toys, and we
only have to tie them with gilt twine
to the strong branches"
"And yet" said Walter, very timid-
ly, there are Christmas trees in the
houses before Christmas Day"
"a few days before, yes" replied
the fair angel. But they have all
been provided by us. In fact, there is
a troop especially employed in that
service. They set to work immediate
ly after, the Sunday before December
IS. They go in sets Of threes. One
carries a lantern, the second the toys
and the third the tree covered with
tapers. We shall 500 be out Of the
forests, my little Walter, and are with
in two FIGHTS of the workshops for
toys. We will begin with the manu-
factory of dolls. You will see heaps
of pretty creatures"
The little angel and Walter vent
into the second paradise.
Heaps of little ladies and gentle
men lay on the tables and on the
floor; in the corners were piles Aof
legs. arms. bodies and heads. Sculp-