The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-22
a VISIT TO
FATHER
CHRI STAAS

(uristnlas. 10 tell the truth, Waitei
coula only write straight strokes as
yet. but he set them side by side very
evenly and neatly. All the while he
was writing. Walter argued with him.
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 t'Oh. II only might go into that
storehouse of things" he thought, and
rlapped his hands with joy.
"E ought to have written 1t 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
Iy. and come back to papa and mann
ma, who would not yet be bome.'
These were the reflections that
worked in Walters brain. for he was
not stupid boy.
He had not finished his page OF
strokes. when two little angels, one
-dark-haired and one fair. who were
looking through the window-perhaps
noting what toys were to be delivered
at that house. silently came in and
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 tc Father Christ
mas. who is the King of the Toys now
and forever.
After mounting thousands OF white
steps, Walter found himself in the
presence Of Father Christmas The
old man had white. pointed hood on
his head. His face was serious and
mis- 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:
IT 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
ever the world this very night But
will allow MY messenger boys to take
you into thd forests of Christmas
trees. You hay help them to cut
down or pull lup 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 waltdA ,ent with the fair an
gel, not dariI look back at Father
Christmas, WI oke to him so grave
iy. nor at th$ "te 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.
NThey 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 -pons and armor are
forged. SwordT lust be tempered and
-breastplates III mered out. To say
nothing of thel p'tings of cannon and
the making (flead soldiers. Our
smiths and on chemists are very
clever"
.In the thid they make boats.
barges and sailing boats and steam
ships. The enfineer angel who man
ages the business knows all the latest
improvements. He himself has in
vented a subuarine vessel that can
be propelled alout for six months be-
low the surfact without stopping"
The vast xonst OF snow and pine
trees stretchedas far as the eye could
see, The Iishtof the moon and stars
enlightened the pretty snow, which
Kent on falling. The straight trees
stood as motioless as wooden sol
diers.
Now. let us { to the WORKSHOPS
No.'yss, 'yes rs our business 'sy $ 70 :
y dress and beautia some chriselnas
trees. We will d at here SO as "
lose no time. 'ostriders come
straight down IA heaven win
sleighs loaded wild little toys, and we
ta Snly ssa have s,sote to tie with GIT 'w'n'
And yet" sail, walter, very imid-
ly. there are CSristmas trees IA 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 immediste-
ly after the Sunday before December
20. They go in sets of threes. One
sSarries Lantern. the second the toys
and the third the tree covered with
tapers. We shall soon be out of the
forests, my little Walter. and are with.
in two flights 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 went
into the second paradise.