The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-12-18

"A legend Of his surreptitious bestowal of dow
rles upon the three daughters of an impoverished
citizen is said to have originated the old custom
of giving presents in secret on the Of St Mich
olas, subsequently transferred to Christmas day.
Hence the association of Christmas with Santa
Claus and American corruption of the Dutch
form, san Nicoaas' the custom being brought
10 America by the early Dutch colonists."
Many wonder tales are told Of st. Nicholas.
Here are three famous adventures Of the saint:
Rescue of the Stolen Boy.
There was a rich merchant who was n Christian.
He lived near the border OF heatben land. One
day his only stolen by some wicked
neighbours who sold him to a heather king. The
boy was handsome, 50 the king made him the
royal cup-bearer.
1t happened that the king was giving a great
banquet. And ms the boy was presenting the cup
full of wine he suddenly remembered that 1t was
the Feast of St. Nicholas, and that his family
father mother, and slsters-were happily cele-
bratng the day. Thinking about this, the boy
burst into tears.
"Why do you cry2' asked the king angrlly.
"Do you not see that your tears are falling into
my cup ana spelling my wineW
"rhs is the Feast Of st. Nicholas" answered
the boy. sohbing land every one at home is eat
ing and is merry! And, alas am not therel"
Great may be your st. Nicholas replied the
king scOrnfuy, but he cannot save you from my
hand"
Scarcely had the king spoken these words when
a violent whirwlnd tore around outside the palace,
and flash of lightning Illuminated the hail. and
loud thunder roared And 10 st. Nicholas him
self dressed IN his bishops robes, and wearing his
mtre stood before the throne He caught the boy
by the locks and flying with him through the dome
of the hail. whitfield him rapidly through the air
In few minutes he set him down In the midst of
his astonshed family, who were keeping the feast
of the good st. Nicholas.
The Terrified Robbers.
After st. Nicholas was dead, he still cared to
helm people. Once there was man who would
not become a Christian He heard how many kind
things 81. Nicholas did for his followers, so he
stole an image of the saint He placed the
image in the best room of his house. which was
filed with treasures The next morning, before
he left the house he said to the image: Guard
my treasures If. when ] return, find anything
gone, I'll beat you welll' SO saying he went
away.
He had not been gone long when robbers broke
into the house and stole all the treasures, and
cnrried them off to their den. The man came
back and saw what had happened. He was filled
with fury He took a whip and beat and hacked
the image without mercy.
That very night st. Nicholas himself appeared
TO the robbers. He showed them his bruised and
bleeding form. and commanded them to restore
the treasure they had stolen. They were terrified
and gathering together all the stuff, carried II
back to It's owner. They told him what had hap
pened, and he was so nst0nlshed that he lmmedl-
ately became a Christian.
The Boy and the Cup.
Once there was Il rich man who had no son to
be heir to his wealth. He made vow TO ST
Nicholas that If son were born to him he would