The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1919-12-20

"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 eve Of ST. Mich
0ias, subsequently, transferred to Christmas day.
Hence the association of Christmas with Santa
CLAUS and American corruption Of the Dutch
forTn' San Nicoiaas,' the custom being brought
to 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 rich merchant who was Christian.
he lived near the border Of heather land. One
DAY his only son was stolen by some wicked
neighbOrs, who sold him to q heather king. The
boy was handsome so the king made him the
royal cup-bearer
It happened that the king was giving a great
banquet. And as the boy was presenting the cup
full of wine he suddenly remembered that It was
= the Feast Of st. Nicholas, and that his family
father mother, and sisterS-were happily cele-
brating the day. Thinking about this the boy
burst into tears.
why do you cry?' asked the king angrily.
= DO you not see that your tears are falling into
my cup and spelling my wine?"
This Is the Feast Of st. Nicholas" answered
the boy, sobbfng, sand every one at home is eat
ing and is merryl And, alas am not therel"
Great may be your st. Nicholas" replied the
king scornfully, 'but he cannot save You from my
handm
Scarcely had the king spoken these words when
violent whrlwind tore around outside the palace
and fash of lightning Illuminated the hall, and
loud thunder r0ared. And, 10! ST. Nicholas HIM
self, dressed in his bishops robes and wearing his
mitre, stood before the throne. He caught the boy
by the locks, and flying with him through the dome
nP ftnh pl 81 IL. h
In few minutes he set him down in the midst of
his astonished family, who were keeping the feast
Of the good st. Nicholas.
The Terrified Robbers.
After st. Nicholas was dead he still cared IN
help people. Once there was man who would
not become a Christian. He heard how MANY kind
things st. 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 anvtbino
gone, III beat you WE'LL" So saying. he went
away.
He had not been gone long when robbers broke
into the house and stole all the treasures and
carried them on to their den. The man came
back and saw what had happened. He was filed
with fury. He took whip and beat and backed
the image without mercy.
That very night st. Nicholas himself annearad
to the robbers. He showed them his bnsaa ona
bleeding FORM and commanded them to restoro
the treasure they had stolen They were terrified
and gathering together all the stuff. carried y
back to its owner. They told him what had ham
pened, and he was so astonished that he inmndi.
atey became a Christian.
The Boy and the Cup.
Once there was rich man who had M CON +o
be heir to his wealth. He made VOW 10 81
Nicholas that If a son were born to him he Womb