Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-12-08

II am King Wind, let me in!" or to
harass the animals as they stood in
their chilly stables. No wind, but
cold. oh, so cold! The moon was steel
blue as if frost bitten. The stars
blinked with the cold. 1t was 10 be-
low zero, the village folk said, and
that is very cold.
Two travellers trudged the road that
wound up and around the hill. "Swing
your arms, Sigurd," said one, and him
self commenced slapping his armpits.
I'VE will try at the next house" he
continued. "'Tis Christmas eve, and
how can they turn us away on such
night?"
Ahead a farmhouse threw vel
come yellow glare on the snow. The
| travellers hurried on, encouraged. Soon
| they stood under the caves of the lit
| tie house so alone in the snow, and
before the door. Fridthjof pulled the
| old brass knocker down heartily. "Oh,
no, within" he cried. Have you food
and bed for hungry travellers this
| Christmas eve?" They heard bus
| tie and stir inside The door swung
open anS the farmer, huge man with
| big voice, peered out Come fn,'
| he said.
The two stamped the snow off their
| feet and entered. The best hearth
| seats were given them and the farm
er's daughter appeared, bearing a
pitcher of steaming, home brewed ale.
| Along with it came smoked mutton
and goodly piles of fiat brod. Sigurd
and Fridthjof toasted their shins
dreamily content. Behind them the
farmers wife and daughter clattered
diligently with silver dishes and
bountiful Christmas feast
Sigurd looked up in surprise. DO
you eat your Christmas dinner at
night?" he asked. The farmer settled
into his creaking armchair and his
1ovial face became serious. Years
ago." he began. "the goblins, or the
hill people, came down, took posses
sion of my farm and demanded that
turn my place over to them every
Christmas night. Before we go we
must set them a feast with silver
dishes. dared not disobey them, lest
they run off with my horses and ruin
NV crone. 60. you see, have no real
Christmas ever" Then he added,
you cannot stay, for they will kill
you. too"
"Do they come every Christmas?"
asked Sigurd.
Every Christmas"
Sigurd turned to Fridthjof, What
shall we do" he asked get out or
stay?"
stay by all means" asserted
Sigurd.
"As you please, gentlemen" the
farmer exclaimed. MY sleigh is
ready at the door Good night and a
merry Christmas to you"
Left alone, the two guests undressed
and went to bed.
Pretty soon away over the hills
they heard the silvery Jingle of COB
lin sleigh bells Sigurd drew the cur
tains. Nearer and nearer came the
jingling and now they could hear
shouts and hoof beats. Then they
heard them draw up in front OF the
house with a great clatter Of har-
nesses, hoofs and sleigh bells. They
could hear the COLLINS putting their
tiny ponies into the farmers sheds.
Then with a great shout they entered
the house
The two luckless fellows in bed
kept very still and barely breathed.
Noisily the goblins seated themselves
and started to eat with an uproar OF
clattering dishes. working Jaws and
| spirited conversation. Many a mys-
terry of disappearing hay bundles.
sheep or farm tools long discussed
among the village and fisher folk
was explained by boasting variations
of the evil, iabbering gobllns below.
At last Sigurd dared peek over.
twixt the curtains. He saw little
white bearded men with red noses
and elittering eyes. high peaked hats
| and fat bellies, To one end al the
| head OF the table sat the chief, whose
bigger red nose fatter belly. higher
hat and gruffer manner characterized
! him as such. When he beloved forth
his orders for food the others stepped
right lively.
or a sudden the chief cried out
"Wuf. | smell Human" Immediately
tho room became chaos Search was
made everywhere. under chairs, In
! cupboard everywhere.
The chief himself was the most dlli-
gent searcher. and presently he made
straight for the curtains that covered
the beds our travellers lay tense
almost scared 10 death Sigurd
Fripped a shoe coayulsiyely by the
toe when he saw the chief approach
The goblin looked into the lower
berth and then. climbing In "A stool. he
peered into the upper one lie could
/ just manage TO get his nose on the
edge Of the bed and Sigurd brought
hts shoe heel down Ring Blng
awful hard ON that good gohlin's red
tender nose lie let out one tremend.
Gus yell aud bis men dismayed az
fear ia their leader stampeded out Of
| the house Go the Hloigha The chlof
/ followed them