Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-01

icicles so that they should not be too
hot before they put them into their
mouths, There were other kinds Of
refreshments, too-toads, snakes, spl-
ders and worms-and Christmas tree
they had Of ice crystals
Now the great king arose on his
throne and made fine speech to the
assembled trolls. He told them that
1t would soon be the end Of all light
in the world; that the everlasting
shadows of darkness would creep
over the land, and the trolls would
reign over the whole world. Then
the trolls clapped their hands and
cried: "Hurrah! Hurrah! We shall
rule the world"
The king said: Where is my
brave Waterman whom sent to the
highest top of the mountain to see if
any ray Of light still exists on earth"
The Waterman came and said:
'Your majesty, your power is great.
1t is all dark"
And the king said:
Nov go back to the mountoin top
again.
And after while the king said:
where is my watchman?"
And the Waterman came. But the
king noticed that the Waterman was
trembling and blind The king said:
'My brave Waterman. why do you
tremble so? And what has made yon
hlind?"
And the Waterman answered:
"Your majesty, the clouds are gone,
and a star larger and brighter than
any other star Is shining in the sky.
That is why I tremble, and its light
has blinded my eyes,
Then the king said: what does
it mean? 1t not all light gone from
earth? Is not darkness ruling the
world?'
But all the trolls stood round
about in silence, trembling. and no one
answered.
At last one of them said: "Your
Majesty. at the door stood two chill.
dren from the world. Let us ask
them. Perhaps they may know"
And the king said: Call the chill
dren to me-
Frederick and Lottie were dragged
before the throne of the king, and then
YOU may we'll imagine that they were
frightened. The queen noticed their
fear and said to one of the trolls who
stood near by:
"Give those Door children some dra-
gon blood to drink. They will feel
better and will be able to open their
mouths after being refreshed"
Drink! Drink" called the trolls.
But you may be sure Frederick and
Lottie wanted none of It,
The king said to them: Nov you
are in my kingdom, and 1 have power
over you. l may change you into
snakes. or toads or spiders. But l
will ask you question, and If You
can answer that, you may 60 unhiu-
dered to your own home: What does
1T mean that light rises on the dark
est night of the year when all light
is conquered and darkness and the
trolls rule the world? Way off in the
east is seen a star which shines more
brightly than all the other stars Tell
me. children, what Goes the star
mean?''
And Lottie took courage and an
swered:
1T the Christmas star. which rises
over Bethlehem and shines for the
whole world"
Then the king said: "why does it
shine so?"
And Frederick answered: "Be-
cause tonight babe is born. and he
is the Light of the World. From now
on the DAYS will grow longer and lon
ger. and there will be more and more
light"
Then the king began to tremble on
his throne, and said again:
What is the name of the King of
Light who is born tonight?"
Both children answered:
Jesus Christ"
Hardly were the words spoken when
the whole mountain trembled and
shook. and everything fell together.
But the star sbone into every corner
of the cave, and when the bright light
shone upon them each ugly little
troll shrunk into heap and hardened
into cold. stiff stone.
Both children covered their faces
and dared not look: but they heard
sweet voices from the sky singing:
GLORY to God in the highest.
Peace on earth,
Good will to men"
Then soft feeling. ss of sleep,
stole over them, and they knew moth
ing more.
When they awoke again. they were
overjoyed to find themselves in their
own sweet, white beds. and the air
was filled with delightful sounds. 1t
was the Ginning of bells ringing in
happy Christmas morning. Good
run Thorne-Thompson in Mothers
Magazine.
n9H.ts - Ess:.S.S..1.
JUNIOR RECIPES.