The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-12-22
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walled.
Her disappointment made Claus feel
miserable for a moment. Then he sud-
denly remembered Shiegra
Don't cry, darlingv' he said sooth-
ingly. Il havesa toy much nicer than
q cat and you shall have that
He went to the cupboard and drew
out the image Of the lioness, which he
placed Oh the table before Maybe.
The girl raised her arm and gave one
glance at the fierce teeth and glaring
eyes Of the beast, and then, uttering a
terrified scream, she rushed from the
house. The boy followed her. also
screaming Justify and even dropping
his precious cat in his fear
For moment Claus stood motion-
less, being puzzled and astonished.
Then he threw Shiegra's image into
the cupboard and ran after the chill
dren, calling to them not to be fright
ened
Little Mayrie stopped in her fight
and her brother chung to her skirt, but
they both cast fearful glances at the
house until Claus had assured them
many times that the beast had been
locked in the cupboard
yet why were you frightened at
seeing it," he asked. st is only a toy
to play WITH
cts bad" said Maybe decidedly,
''an'-an'-just horrid. an not a bit
nice, like tats"'
Perhaps you are right" returned
Claus thoughtfully. '.But if you will
return with me to the house I will
soon make you a pretty cat"
So they timidly entered the house
again, having faith in their friends
words and afterward they had the
joy of watching Claus carve out a cat
from bit of wood and paint it in
natural colOrs. 1t did not take him
long to do this, for he had become skill
full with his knife by this time, and
Maybe loved her toy the more dearly
because she had seen it made
After his little visitors had trotted
away on their Journey homeward
Claus sat long in deep thought. And
he then decided that such fierce crea-
| lures as his friend the lioness would
never do as models from which to
fashion his toys.
''There must be nothing to brighten
the dear babies," he reflected; s'and
while know Shiegra well. and am not
| afraid Of her, it is but natural that
children should look upon her image
with terror. Hereafter | will choose
| such mild hammered animals as SPUR
rels and rabbits and deer and lamb
kins from which to carve my toys. for
then the little ones will love rather
than fear Them
He began his work that very day,
and before bedtime had made 4 wood
en- rabbit and lamb. They were not
| quite so lifelike as the cats had been,
because they were formed from mem
| DRY, while Blinkie had sat very still
| for Claus to look at while he worked
But the new toys pleased the chill
dren nevertheless, and the fame of
Claus playthings quickly spread to
every cottage on plain and in village.
He always carried his gifts to the sick
or crippled children. but those who
were strong enough walked to the
house in the Valley to ask for them
so little path was soon worn from
the plain to the door of the toymaker's
| cottage.
First came the children who had
been playmates of Claus before he be;
gan to make toys. These you may be
sure, were well supplied Then chill
dren who lived farther away heard OF
the wonderful images and made jour
neys to the Valley to secure them. All
little ones were welcome, and never
one went away empty handed
This demand for his handiwOrk kept
| Claus busily occupied, but he was
quite happy in knowing the pleasure
he gave to so many Of the dear chill.
dren. His friends the immortals were
pleased with his success and supported
him bravely.
The Knocks selected for him clear
pieces of soft wood, that his knit,
might not be blunted in cutting them