The Cairo bulletin., 1905-01-03
Chapter Fifteenth
fs'sUHOSE were happy days for Claus
Va when he carried his accumula-

been so Industrious that all his shelves
were filed with playthings, and after
quickly supplying the little ones living
near by he saw he must now extend
his travels to wider fields.
Remembering the time when he had
journeyed with Ak through all the
world, he knew children everywhere,
and he longed to make as many as pos
sible happy with his gifts.
SO he loaded great sack with all
kinds Of toys, sIung it upon his back
that lie might carry it more easily. and
started off on longer trip than he had
Yet undertaken,
Wherever lie showed his merry face.
in hamlet or in farmhouse. he received
Il cordial welcome, for his fame had
spread into far lands. At each village
the children swarmed about him. fol-
lowing his footsteps wherever he went,
ana the women thanked him gratefully
for the joy he brought their little ones
and the men looked upon him curiously
that he should devote his time 10 such
q queer occupation ms toymaking. But
every one smiled on him and gave him
kindly words and Claus felt amply re-
paid for his long journey
When the sack was empty he went
back agaln'eto the Laughing Valley
Aaand once more filled il to the brm.
HtThis time lie followed another road.
into different part of the country.
and carried happiness to many children
who never before had owned toy or
guessed that such a delightful play
thing existed.
After a third journey, so far away
that Claus was many days walking the
distance. the store of toys became ex-
hausted and without delay he set about
making fresh supply.
From seeing so many children and
studying their tastes he had acquired
several new ideas about toys.
Tie dollies were, he had found, the
most delightful of all playthings for
babies and little girls, and often those
who could not say dolly" would call
for 'doll' in their sweet baby talk.
So Claus resolved 10 make many dolls
of all sizes ana TO dress them in bright
coored clothing The older boys and
even some of the girls loved the i'm
ages of animals. so he still made cats
and elephants and horses, And many
of the little fellows had musical ma
lures and longed for drums and Gym
balls and whistles and horns. SO he
made number of toy drums, with tiny
sticks to beat them with and he made
whistles from the willow trees and
horns from the bog reeds and cymbals
from bits of beaten metal
All this kept him busly at work. and
before he realized ii the winter season
came. with deeper SHOWS than usual
and he knew he could not leave the
Valley with his heavy pack Moreover
the next trip would take him farther
from home than ever before and Jack
Frost was mischievous enough to nip
his nose and ears if he undertook the
long journey while the Frost King
reigned. The Frost King was Jacks
father and never reproved him for his
FRANKS.
SO Clans remained at his workbench,
but he whistled and sang as merrily
as ever, for he would allow no disap-
polntment TO sour his temper or make
him unhappy
Owe bright morning he looked from
his window and saw two of the deer
he had known i'm the Forest walking
toward his house
Claus was surprised. not that the
friendly deer should visit him. but that
they walked on the surface of the snow
rs easily as If IL were solid ground,
Notwithstanding the fact that through
out the Valley the snow lay many feet
deep. He had walked out Of his house
day or two before and had sunk to
his armpits in drift.
So when the deer came near he open
ed The door and called to them:
Good morning. Flossie! Tell me
how you are able to walk on the snow
so easily"
at is frozen hard" answered Flossie.
''The Frost King has breathed on II"
said Giossie, coming up. -and the sur
face is now as solid as ice"
perhaps" remarked Claus Thought
fully. Il might now carry my pack OF
TOYS to tic children"
rs it a lang journey" asked Flossie. !
Yes. Il will take me many days. for
the pack is heavy" answered Cl7sIs.
''Thcn the snow would melt before
Won could get back" said the deer.
You must wait until spring Claus" i
Claus sighed Had yonr hert
feet" said he Il could make the jour
ney in a day"
But you have not. returned .Glossie.
looking at mis- own slender legs WITH
pride.
Perhaps l could ride upon yopr
back" Claus ventured TO remark after
pause.
-Ob. no, our backs are not strong
eanitzh To bear -vour weight" said