New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-12-11


for idle sports and pastlmes.
Fooled in this attempt the Champion tried to nveigle
the Traveller from the Odd Room; but the Traveller EN-
phatiCally declined golf
If YOU will allow me-" he said to the girl Il shall
stay here for little while and watch you work 1t is
long time since have seen Christmas tree painted
as they say in the Northern lands from which Christmas
trees come.
THE Champion, with difficulty swallowing the temp
tation say that he supposed the Traveller had not
Christmas tree since he child, strobe out OF
the Odd Room into the more even part OF the house
with the air of superior being whom golf was the
and only low Neither Brown Eyes the Traveller
seemed to notice his departure; which was pity tor
the Champion thought 1t impressive.
The girl went on with her work tor awhile IN silence;
neatly Increasing the glory of her tree with wonderful
estoOns of lny gold and silver with flowers and flags
and fantastic p1aythings The Traveller watched her
intently
4 am glad you like Christmas trees the girl said
after awhile when she began to find the silence which
first she had welcomed begin to grow embarrassing
Il think they are beautiful Symbols he said ear
nesty. u think that almost the only thing tor which
England has any to be grateful to the House OF
Hanover is that fourth Williams Queen Adelaide
the first to introduce Chrisas trees INTO Engapd
Ewes WHY | should have thought that they had
Christmas trees in medieval winters as they had May
poles in medieval summers.
"is crvstazed fairy tale, enchanted parable l1v-
ing dream 1t of the few alegories that are not
dull l wonder if there will be a toy for me on your
Christmas tree?
The girl turned eagerly toward him, with kindness
smiling her eyes Indeed there shall be- she prom
ised What do you think you would like Here IS a
harlequin and there IS trumpet, and yonder is blue
bird"
Each of those appeals said the Traveller gravey:
The harlequin typical of the eternal panton1rne OF
life and the trumpet quick with brave messages for
brave men, and the buebirdO Heaven and Earth,
whittier might not one fly the back of bluebird?
To the Fortunate Islands, to the Land East of the Sun
West of the Moon to town, to COCkayne,
anywhere But l will have none of them
What will YOU have, then, said the girl a little du-
biousv He had entered into the spirit of her wh111ls
but she hoped he not laughing in his heart though
his face was augherless. Il don quite know what 20
pick upon as likely present for YOU Her eyes roved
as she spoke the bewdeng population OF the tree
MAY tell you fairy story? said the raveler sud
denly. This is Chr1s1astlde TINS IS a clrlstas rltt
and he pointed the and surely 1t IS the season
oh please do said the girl enthusiastically She
made as if sit in order to listen; but the traveller
Please go on with your pretty work he pleaded:
ITO see YOU so employed will help me in the telling OF
nv tale which is of the oldest IN the world ana
vet it is always new.
Brown Eyes extracted Japanese doll from the box
al her side and while she adjusting the little
Nousrne to a branch the Traveller began his story.
THERE lived long ago in Norway, in the days OF
L good King AIagnus. a man that had wandered
much upon the surface of the world and seen many
countries and Kingdoms and conversed with many
kinds Of men, He did this for pleasure rather than tor
gain for his spirit yearned for wisdom and with the
Years his wisdom such it grew and ne was puI1eo
with pride and thought that he knew all things but
one night he dreamed dream, and IN that dream ne
wandered in a wood. and open space III that WOOD
beside q running stream he came upon young girl
dancing bv herself The girl was tar. with a fairness
,,c as he had never dreamed Of and IN moment ms
ewes and his heart and his BRAIN were washed clean ana
he 1a1- hat he had no wisdom and wealth OF all his
1rande-in0s and that there was nothing IN the vide
world he cared for but this maid and her love He