Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1904-12-16
a VISIT TO
FATHER


One Christmas Eve. while his par
ents were out dining with friends. n''
tie Walter began letter to Fathe'
Christmas. To tell the truth. "alle'
could only write straight strokes DIS
yet, but he set them side by side very
evenly and neatly. All the WINE lie
was writing, Walter argued with hlh'
self that Father Christmas "ouio pe
able to read the exact meaning ne haa
In mind.
What Walter wanted VAS to WISH
the place where all Christmas toys are
kept. ooh, if only might go into 'hat
storehouse Of things" he thought. ana
capped his hands With joy.
Il ought to have written + yester'
day, for he must be awt,l)ly busy TO-
day But he can manage so man?
things at once. What trouble coulo
my visit give him? l would not stay
long: I would look round very quick
~, and come back to papa ana nam
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
struh es, when two little angels, one
dark.hared and one fair, who were
looking through the Window-~-perhaps
noting what toys were TO be dellNerSn
AZ that house, silently came in and
carried him oft
.\wav went Walter, up through
space. The broNnharet angel went
Or his way, but the fair on" took Wal
ser to be introduce 10 FH'hcr Christ
mas, who is the kins OF The Toys now
AMI forever.
After mounting thousands OF white
steps, Walter found himself in the
p.rsence of Father Christmas. The
old man had white. pointed hood on
his head His fac" VAS serious and
his Leard long and S.lvrry. Behind
nm a Wide staircase led UP, up. ana
other stairs, too. lc,! up to Al i'm immense
cathedral, as white a. milk.
Father Christmas iouh"h hard al the
little traveller and said 10 him
# hay, read !trir letter. canuot
allow You to go into that building,
hich Is in my CHARGE. But can tell
YOU this: It is full to the dome with
toys which shall send as presents all
over the world this very night. But
viii allow my messenger boys to take
YOU into the forests Of Christmas
trees. You may help them to cut
down or pull up the fir trees, and then
tie little toys and cnlored tapers
to the ranches They will sew wings
to your shoulders that You may be
able to fly, TO, little ones:
And Waiter went with the fair an
~sl. not daring TO look back at Father
Christmas, who spoke to him SO grave.
". nor at the white cathedral whore
We're such heaps and heaps OF toys.
And where shall we lind the things
We are to fasten on to the branches
Of the Christmas trees9" Walter asked
Of his gentle companion.
They Will be brought 10 us from all
parts of the workshops where they are
mace"
How many are there?'
''Threa. In the frat dolls are made
and then dressed, from head to foot.
In the SECOND weapons and armor are
forged. Swords must be tempered and
DreaStplates hammered cut. TO say
nuthlDg Of the castings Of cannon and
he making Of lead soldiers. Our
smiths AMI our chemists are very
clever
In the third they make boats
harSes and sailing boats and steam
ships. The engineer angel who man
ayes the business knows all the latest
improvements. He himself has in.
vented submarine vessel that eau
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 couln
see. The light of the moon and stars
frightened the pretty snow, which
kept Oh falling. The straight trees
stood as motion1ess as wooden sol
diers.
Now, let MS go to the workshops. .
said Walter, eagerly.
Not just yet. 1t Is business to
dress and beautify SOL Christmas
trees We will do that lerc. 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
IS. there ere CHRISTMAS, tyees in tue
houses before Christmas Day"
a few days before, yes replied
Tic fair angel. But they have all
b, en- provided by US. In fact, there is
9 troop especially employed in that
o"rvicr They set to work Immediate
y after ~, Sunday before December