Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1919-12-23

"a legend of his surreptitious bestowal of dow
ries upon the three daughters of an impoverished
citizen is said to have originated the old custom
of giving presents in secret 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 Ncolaas,' the custom being brought
to America by the early Dutch colonists."
Many wonder tales 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 stolen by some wicked
neighbors who sold him to heather king. The
boy was handsome, so the king made him the
royal cup-bearer.
1t happened that the king was giving 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 sobbing land every one at home is eat
ing and is merry! And, alas ! am not therew
"Great may be your st. Nicholas" replied the
king scornfully, "but he cannot save you from my
handw
Scarcely had the king spoken these words when
a violent whirwind tore around outside the palace,
and a flash of lightning Illuminated the hall, and
loud thunder roared. 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
of the hall, whired him rapidly through the air.
In a 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 to
help people. Once there was man who would
not become 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 1 return, find anything
gone, I'll beat you well I" 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 off to their den. The man came
back and saw what had happened. He was filled
with fury He took 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 it
back to its owner. They told him what had hap
pened and he was astonished that he mmedi-
atey became Christian.
The Boy and the Cup.
Once there was rich man who had no son to
be heir to his wealth. He made vow to St
Nicholas that if a were born to him he would