Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-12-18
THE HOME OF SANTA.

Teddy climbed upon Grandpa's knee on
Christmas eve, and asked for a story.
They were all comfortably seated around
the great open chimney, where the big logs
were blazing and cracking a. though
they, too. enjoyed adding something TO the
Christmas cheer, and Grandpa told the
following story:
Here in America, we say that santa
Claus brings our gifts on Christmas eve,
or the night before Christmas: but, in the
country where 1 was born, he Is called
Kris Kringle.
"He is "A very old man. but very strong;
his hair and beard are white as snow, and
very long: he wears n great fur coat ana
cap. and a large pair of fur mittens. to
keep him warm. for he must travel so
far and visit so many places, and the
weather is often so cold and wet that peo-
pie do not go out OF their homes. but Kris
Kringie never misses coming on Christmas
eve, no matter how cold or wet 1t may be.
In this country. that Ia, In America.
Santa Claus comes after all the people are
In bed, and climbs down the chimney, or
gets into the house in some other way.
and fills the stockings that are hung OH
the mantel shelf. or near the chimney.
Sometimes the presents are too large TO
put into stockings, then he places them on
a chair or table. or upon the floor, where
little people who have been good can get
them.
But, In that country where l was born.
far across the sea, Kris Kringle comes be
fore people go TO bed. He raps on the
door. and when some one opens IT. he steps
into the room with a great pack on his
back. The pack is full of apples and nuts,
and candy, and all kinds OF presents that
boys and girls like.
There is another man comes with Kris
Kringie, and he asks the children ques-
fiOya and fhaU mlSt all nrnmiSa ia hP
good. or else they will not get a present
If any boy or girl has been naughty, they
must stand back while others In the fam
lily get their presents. This man carries
a big stick and threatens anyone who has
not been good with It.
But, when all the children have been
good. Kris Kringle and his companion
are very pleasant. They throw apples
and nuts on the floor, and the children
have great fun gathering them. Some
times. the children are afraid to go near
Kris Kringle and It is fun TO see them lie
dow at fun length on the floor reaching
as far as they can stretch TO get an APP
pie or a nut that is lying near his feet.
And while they are reaching they are try
ing to watch every movement he makes.
Some children will not even go near
enough to reach with their hands, but will
get a stick and try to draw the fruit
toward them.
when the fruit and nuts and presents
are all given away, Kris Kringle and his
man say goodby, promising to return the
next year If the children are good.
Kris Kringle and Santa Claus are very
much alike, so that Santa must be a rela-
ton Of Kris. Indeed, some people say
that Santa is our old Kris Kringle: that
he followed them over the ocean, and
keeps up his regular visits just as he did
In the old country. Certainly, they are
much alike. Both of them love children
and are always planning to make them
happy at Christmas time. Neither one Is
ever seen except by grown people, and not
very often by anyone.
They are alike. too. in this: they al
ways want boys and girls TO go to bed
and be asleep early on Christmas eve. i
suppose there are so many places to go TO
that they must begin their work early,
or else they will not be able TO finish
before daylight, and some little boy or
girl might be missed. They are very par
ticular about this.
"Danpa," said Teddy at the close of the
story, II links ! do to bed wight away
now"