The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-12-15

obedience, and Claus had no thought OF
disobeying the Masters wish. He
cll,ng fast to the grdle and remained
Invisible
Thereafter with each moment passed
in the city the youths wonder grew
He who had supposed himself created
differently from all others now found
the earth swarming With creatures OF
his own kind
Indeed said Ak, ''the imlnortals
are few, but the mortals are many"
Claus looked earnestly upon his fell
lows. There were sad faces. gay and
reckless faces. pleasant faces, anxious
faces and kindly faces, all mingled III
| puzZling disorder Some worked at
tedious tasks, some strutted in impu-
dent conceit. some were thoughtful
and grave, while others seemed happy
and content. Men Of many natures
We're there, as everywhere and Class
found much to please him and much
to make him sad
But especially he noted the children
first curiously. then eagerly, then low
ingly. Ragged little ones rolled in the
dust of the streets, playing with scraps
and pebbles. Other children, gayly
dressed, were propped upon. cushions
and fed with sugar plums. Yet the
children OF tile rich were not happier
than those playing with the dust and
pebbles, it seemed to Claus
'Childhood is the time of muns
greatest content" said Ak, following
the youths thoughts. ''Tis during
these years Of innocent pleasure that
the little ones are most free from
care"
Tell me- said Claus. why do rvs
all these babies fare alike?"
Because they are born in both cot
tage and palace" returned the Master:
"The difference in the wealth of the
parents determines the lot of the child
Some are carefully tended and clothed
in silks and dainty linen; others are
neglected and covered with rags"
"Yet all seem equally fair and sweet
said Claus thoughtfulry
"While they are babes, yes agreed
Ak Their JOY is in being alive, and
IL
years the doom of mankind ovcrtakes
them, and they find they must struggle
and worry, work and fret, to- gain the
wealth that is so dear to- the hearts
Of men. Such things are unknown in
the Forest where YOU were reared"
Claus was silent for moment Then
he asked:
"Why was; I reared in the Forest.
among those who are not Of LEY race"
Then Ak, in gentle voice.. told him
the story OF his, babyhood-how he had
been abandoned at the Forests edge
and left Il prey to- wild beasts, and
how the Towing nymph Necile' had res
cued him and brought him to manhood
under the protection of the imEnortaIs.
"Yet I am not of chem" Said Claus
musingly-
"You are not of titem," returned the
Woodsmun. The nymph who cared
for you as a. mother seems EDw like 4
sister to you. BY and by. when you
grow old and gray. she, will seem like
daughter. Yet another brief span
and YOU will be but "a memory. while
she remains Necilee'''
''Then why. if man must perish, is
he born?' demanded the bog
"Eycrything perishes except the
world itself and IT'S keepers answered
Ak But while life. lasts: everything
on earth has its use. The wise seek
ways to be helpful to, The world. for
the helpful ones arc, sure to live
again.
Much Of this Claus, GaileG TO under-
stand fully, tut a longing seized him
to- become helpful to; his fellows. ana
b. remained grave and tfoughtf,ta
while they resumed their Journey
| They visited many dwellings, of nlh1l
| in many parts Of the world. watching
farmers toll in the helds, warriors dash
into cruel fray and merchants. ex-
change their goods Tor bits OF WRITE
and yellow metal. And everywhere
the eyes Of CLANS sought out the chill
dren in love and pity. for the tEsought
Of his own helpless babyhOo1 was
strong Within him. and he yearned to
give help to the innocent little ones OF
his race even as he had been succOred
by the kindly nymph.
Day by day the Master Woodsmag
and his pupil traversed the earth, Al
speaking but seldom to the youth, w.he
chung steadfastly to his girdle, bu
guiding him into all places where h
might become familiar with the live
Of human beings.
And at last they returned to TIL
grand old Forest of Burzee, where tn
Master set Claus down within the cir
Gle Of nymphs, among whom the prett,
Necile anxiously awaited him.
The brow Of the great Ak was nov
calm and peaceful, but the brow o
Claus had become lined with dee
thought Necile sighed at the chang
In her foster son, who until now ha
been ever joyous and smiling, and tn
thought came to her that never agai
would the life Of the boy be the sam
as before this eventful journey,
haC