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Page 20
First came the children who had been playmates of Claus, before he
began to make toys. These, you may be sure, were well supplied. Then
children who lived farther away heard of the wonderful images and made
journeys to the Valley to secure them. All little ones were welcome,
and never a one went away empty-handed.
This demand for his handiwork kept Claus busily occupied, but he was
quite happy in knowing the pleasure he gave to so many of the dear
children. His friends the immortals were pleased with his success and
supported him bravely.
The Knooks selected for him clear pieces of soft wood, that his knife
might not be blunted in cutting them; the Ryls kept him supplied with
paints of all colors and brushes fashioned from the tips of timothy
grasses; the Fairies discovered that the workman needed saws and
chisels and hammers and nails, as well as knives, and brought him a
goodly array of such tools.
Claus soon turned his living room into a most wonderful workshop. He
built a bench before the window, and arranged his tools and paints so
that he could reach everything as he sat on his stool. And as he
finished toy after toy to delight the hearts of little children he
found himself growing so gay and happy that he could not refrain from
singing and laughing and whistling all the day long.
"It's because I live in the Laughing Valley, where everything else
laughs!" said Claus.
But that was not the reason.
5. How Bessie Blithesome Came to the Laughing Valley
One day, as Claus sat before his door to enjoy the sunshine while
he busily carved the head and horns of a toy deer, he looked up
and discovered a glittering cavalcade of horsemen approaching through
the Valley.
When they drew nearer he saw that the band consisted of a score of
men-at-arms, clad in bright armor and bearing in their hands spears
and battle-axes. In front of these rode little Bessie Blithesome, the
pretty daughter of that proud Lord of Lerd who had once driven Claus
from his palace. Her palfrey was pure white, its bridle was covered
with glittering gems, and its saddle draped with cloth of gold,
richly broidered. The soldiers were sent to protect her from harm
while she journeyed.
Claus was surprised, but he continued to whittle and to sing until the
cavalcade drew up before him. Then the little girl leaned over the
neck of her palfrey and said:
"Please, Mr. Claus, I want a toy!"
Her voice was so pleading that Claus jumped up at once and stood
beside her. But he was puzzled how to answer her request.
"You are a rich lord's daughter," said he, "and have all that
you desire."
"Except toys," added Bessie. "There are no toys in all the world
but yours."
"And I make them for the poor children, who have nothing else to amuse
them," continued Claus.
"Do poor children love to play with toys more than rich ones?"
asked Bessie.
"I suppose not," said Claus, thoughtfully.
"Am I to blame because my father is a lord? Must I be denied the
pretty toys I long for because other children are poorer than I?" she
inquired earnestly.
"I'm afraid you must, dear," he answered; "for the poor have nothing
else with which to amuse themselves. You have your pony to ride, your
servants to wait on you, and every comfort that money can procure."
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