The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-01-05
Che Mantle Of immortality

that has happened since the world be-
gan or mankind was created.
we have followed the life of Claus
from the time he was found a helpless
infant by the Wood Nymph Necile
and reared to manhood in the great
Forest of Burzee, and we know how
he began to make toys for children and
how, with the assistance and good will
| OF the immortals, he was able to dis
| tribute them to the little ones through
out the world.
For many years he carried on this
| noble work, for the simple, hardwork
ing life he led gave him perfect health
and strength. And doubtless a man
can live longer in the beautiful Laugh
Ing Valley, where there are no cares
| and everything is peaceful and merry,
than in any other part of the world.
But when many years had rolled
| away Santa Claus grew old The
long beard of golden brown that once
covered his cheeks and chin gradually
became gray and finally turned to pure
white. His hair was white, too, and
there were wrinkles at the corners Of
his eyes, which showed plainly when
he laughed. He had never been a very
tall man, and now he became fat and
waddled very much like a duck when
he walked. But in spite Of these
| things he remained as lively as ever
and was just as jolly and gay, and his
kind eyes sparkled as brightly as they
did that first day when he came to the
Laughing Valley.
Yet time Is sure to come when
every mortal who has grown old and
lived his life is required to leave this
world for another, so it is no wonder
that, after Santa Claus had driven his
reindeer on many and many Christ
| mas Eve, those stanch friends finally
whispered among themselves that they
had probably drawn his sledge for the
| last time.
Then all the Forest of Burzee be-
came sad, and all the Laughing Valley
was hushed, for every living thing that
had known Claus had used to loved
him and to brighten at the sound of
his footsteps or the notes of his merry
| whistle.
No doubt the old mans strength was
at last exhausted, for he made no more
toys, but lay on his bed as in a dream
The Nymph Necile. she who had
| reared him and been his foster mother
| was still youthful and strong and
beautiful, and it seemed to her but
short time since this aged, gray beard
ed man had lain in her arms and smil-
| ed on her with his innocent baby lips.
In this is shown the difference be-
tween mortals and immortals.
1t was fortunate that the great Ak
came to the Forest at that time. Necile
sought him with troubled eyes and
told him of the fate that threatened
their friend Claus.
At once the Master became grave
and he leaned upon his ak and stroked
his grizzled beard thoughtfully for
many minutes. Then suddenly he stood
up straight and poised his powerful
head with firm resolve and stretched
out his great right arm as If determin-
ed on doing some mighty deed, for a
thought had come to him so grand in
! its conception that all the world might
we'll bow before the Master Woods
man and honor his name forever!
It is well known that when the great
Ak once undertakes to do thing he
never hesitates an instant. Now he
summoned his feetest messengers and
sent them in a fash to many parts of
the earth. And when they were gone
he turned to the anxious Necile and
comforted her, saying:
BE Of good heart, my child; our
friend still lives. And now run to
your Queen and tell her that I have
| summoned a council of all the immor-
tails of the world to meet with me-
here in Burzee this night If they
| obey and harken unto my words, Claus
will drive his reindeer for countless
ages yet to Gomez
At midnight there was a wondrous
scene in the ancient Forest of Bur-
zee, where for the first time in many
| centuries the rulers Of the immortals
who inhabit the earth were gathered
together.
| There was the Queen Of the Water
Sprites, whose beautiful form was as
clear as crystal, but continually drip
| ped water on the bank Of moss where
| she sat- And beside her was the King
Of the Sleep Fays, who carried a wand
from the end Of which a fine dust fell
| all around, so that no mortal could
keep awake long enough to see him,
| as mortal eyes were sure to close in
sleep as soon as the dust filled them.
And next to him sat the Gnome King,
whose people inhabit all that region
under the carth's surface, where they
guard the precious metals and the
jewel stones that lie buried in rock and
ore. AT his right hand stood the King
of the Sound Imps, who had wings on
his feet, for his people are swift to
carry all sounds that are made. When
! they are busy they carry the sounds
but short distances, for there are many
Of them, but sometimes they speed
with the sounds to places miles and
miles away from where they are made,
The King of the Sound Imps had an
/