The new era., 1911-11-16

- We the door as II to say,
II am King Wind. let me inl" or to
harass tho animals as they stood In
their chilly stables. No wind. but
cold. oh, so coldl The moon was steel
blue as II frost bitten. The stars
blinked with tho cold. 4 was 10 hs.
low zero, the village folk said, and
that il very cold.
Two travellers trudged the road that
wound up and around the hill "5v!ug
your arms, siEurd," 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 q
nightH"
Ahead farmhouse threw wei
come yellow glare on the snow. Tho
travellers hurried on, encouraged. Soon
they stood under the caves Of the lit,
tle house 90 alone In the snow, aud
before the door. Fridthjof pulled the
old brass knocker down heartily. "Qh,
no, within" no cried. "Have you food
and bed for hungry travellers this
Christmas ever They heard bus.
tie and stir inside, The door swung
open and the farmer, huge man with
4 big voice, peersd out Come inF
he said.
The two stamped the snow Oh their
feet and entered. The best hearth
seats were given them and the farm
er's daughter appeared, bearing a
pitcher Of steaming. homo brewed ale.
Along with It came smoked mutton
and goodly piles Of fat brod. sigurd
and Fridthjof toasted their shins
drsamily content. Behind them the
farmers wife and daughter clattered
diligently with silver dishes and
bountiful Christmas feast.
Siyurd looked up in surprise. DO
you eat your Christmas dinner at
nisht?" he asked. The farmer settled
into his creaking armchair and his
1ovial face became serious. Years
ago." he began, "the goblins, or tho
hill people, came down. took posses
sion of my farm and demanded that I
turn my place over to them every
Christmas night. Before we go we
must set them a feast with silver
dishes. l dared not disobey them, lest
they run OF with my horses and ruin
nay crops. So, you see, I have no real
Christmas ever" Then he added,
you cannot stay, for they will kin
, you, too"
"Do they come every Christmas7" r"
asked sigurd.
EVERY Christmas"
sigurd turned to Fridthjof. What
shall we d." he asked, "get out or
stay?"
"stay by all means" asserted
sigurd.
"As you please. gentlemen" the
farmer exclaimed. "My sleigh 10
ready at the door. Good night and .
merry Christmas to you"
Left alone. the two guests undressed
and went to bed.
Pretty soon away over the bills
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 thsy
heard them draw up IN front OF tho
house with . great clatter OF har-
nssses, hoofs snd sleigh bells. Thsy
could hsar the goblins putting their
tiny ponies into the farmers sheds,
Then with I great shout they entered
the house.
The two 1uckless fellows IN bed
kept very stf1l and barely bresthsd,
Noisily the goblins seated themselves
and started to eat with an uproar Of
| Gathering dishes, working Jaws and
spirited conversation. Many myS.
terry Of disappearing hay bundles.
shesp or farm tools long discussed
among the village and fisher folk
was explained by boasting narrations
Of the evil, jabbering goblins below.
At last sigurd dared peek over,
twi1t the curtains. He saw little,
white bearded men with red noses
and glittering eyes, high peaked hats
and fat bellies. To one end at 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.
OF a sudden the chief cried out,
"wuf. smell Human" Immediately
the room became chaos. Search was
made everywhere, under chairs, In
upboards-everywher
The chief himself was the most dill
gent searcher, and presently he made
straight for the curtains that covered
the beds. Our travellers lay tense,
almost scared to death. sigurd
sripped shoe convulsively by the
toe when he saw the chief approach.
The goblin looked into the lower
berth and then, climbing in stool, he
pesred into the upper one. He could
Just manage to get his nose on the
edge OF tho bed, and Sigurd brought
his shoe heel down. Bing! Bingl
awful hard on that good goblin's red,
tender nose. He let out one tremend-
Gus yell and his men dismayed at
fear in their leader, stampeded out Of