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

poor babies were miserable and un-
happy, for their parents We're ignorant
people who neglected them sadly.
Claus resolved to visit these children
before he returned home, and during
his ride he picked up the bushy top
OF pine, tree which the wind had
broken off and placed it in his sledge.
1t was nearly morning when the deer
stopped before the lonely tent of skins
where the poor children lay asleep.
Claus at once planted the bit Of pine
tree in the sand and stuck many can
dies on the branches. Then he hung
some Of his prettiest toys on the tree,
as we'll as several bags Of candies. 1t
did not take long to do all this, for
Santa Claus works quickly, and when
all was ready he lighted the candles,
and, thrusting his head in at the open
ing Of the tent, he shouted:
merry Christmas, little ones.'
With that he leaped into his sledge
and was out of sight before the chill
dren, rubbing the sleep from their eyes,
could come out to see who had called
them.
You can imagine the wonder and Joy
of those little ones. who had never in
their lives known real pleasure be-
fore, when they saw the tree, sparkling
with lights that shone brilliant in the
gray dawn and hung with toys enough
to make them happy for years to come!
They joined hands and danced around
the tree, shouting and laughing. until
they were obliged to pause for breath.
And their parents also came out to
look and wonder, and thereafter had
more respect and consideration for
their children, since Santa Claus had
honored them with such beautiful
gifts.
The idea Of the Christmas tree pleas
ed Claus, and so the following year he
carried many Of them in his sledge
and set them up in the homes of poor
people who seldom saw trees and plac-
ed candles and toys on the branches.
OF course he could not carry enough
trees in one load for all who wanted
them, but in some homes the fathers
were able to get trees and have them
all ready for Santa Claus when he ar
rived, and these the good Claus always
decorated as prettily as possible and
hung with toys enough for all the
children who came to see the tree
lighted.
These novel ideas and the generous
manner in which they were carried
out made the children long for that
one night in the year when their
friend Santa Claus Should visit them,
and as such anticipation is very pleas
ant and comforting the little ones
cleaned much happiness by wondering
next arrived.
Perhaps you remember that stern
Baron Braun who once drove Claus
from his castle and forbade him to
visit his children? Well, many years
afterward. when the old Baron was
dead and his son ruled in his place, the
new Baron Braun came to the house
Of Claus with his train of knights and
pages and henchmen and, dismounting
from his charger, barred his head hum
bly, before the friend Of children.
my father did not know your good
ness and WORTH" he said, land there
fore threatened to hang you from the
castle walls, but have children of my
own, who long for visit from Santa
Claus, and I have come to beg that
you will favor them hereafter as you
do other children"
Claus was pleased with this speech,
for Castle Braun was the only place
he had never visited, and he gladly
promised to bring presents to the
Baron's children the next Christmas
Eve
The Baron went away contented,
and Claus kept his promise faithfully.
Thus did this man, through very
goodness, conquer the hearts of all,
and it is no wonder he was ever merry
and gay, for there was no home in the
wide world where he was not well
coined more royalty than any king.