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Page 40
Claus was pleased with this speech, for Castle Braun was the only
place he had never visited, and he gladly promised to bring presents
to the Baron's children the next Christmas Eve.
The Baron went away contented, and Claus kept his promise faithfully.
Thus did this man, through very goodness, conquer the hearts of all;
and it is no wonder he was ever merry and gay, for there was no home
in the wide world where he was not welcomed more royally than any king.
OLD AGE
1. The Mantle of Immortality
And now we come to a turning-point in the career of Santa Claus, and
it is my duty to relate the most remarkable that has happened since
the world began or mankind was created.
We have followed the life of Claus from the time he was found a
helpless infant by the Wood-Nymph Necile and reared to manhood in the
great Forest of Burzee. And we know how he began to make toys for
children and how, with the assistance and goodwill of the immortals,
he was able to distribute them to the little ones throughout the world.
For many years he carried on this noble work; for the simple,
hard-working life he led gave him perfect health and strength.
And doubtless a man can live longer in the beautiful Laughing Valley,
where there are no cares and everything is peaceful and merry,
than in any other part of the world.
But when many years had rolled away Santa Claus grew old. The long
beard of golden brown that once covered his cheeks and chin gradually
became gray, and finally turned to pure white. His hair was white,
too, and there were wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, which showed
plainly when he laughed. He had never been a very tall man, and now
he became fat, and waddled very much like a duck when he walked. But
in spite of these things he remained as lively as ever, and was just
as jolly and gay, and his kind eyes sparkled as brightly as they did
that first day when he came to the Laughing Valley.
Yet a time is sure to come when every mortal who has grown old and
lived his life is required to leave this world for another; so it is
no wonder that, after Santa Claus had driven his reindeer on many and
many a Christmas Eve, those stanch friends finally whispered among
themselves that they had probably drawn his sledge for the last time.
Then all the Forest of Burzee became sad and all the Laughing Valley
was hushed; for every living thing that had known Claus had used to
love him and to brighten at the sound of his footsteps or the notes of
his merry whistle.
No doubt the old man's strength was at last exhausted, for he made no
more toys, but lay on his bed as in a dream.
The Nymph Necile, she who had reared him and been his foster-mother,
was still youthful and strong and beautiful, and it seemed to her but
a short time since this aged, gray-bearded man had lain in her arms
and smiled on her with his innocent, baby lips.
In this is shown the difference between mortals and immortals.
It was fortunate that the great Ak came to the Forest at this time.
Necile sought him with troubled eyes and told him of the fate that
threatened their friend Claus.
At once the Master became grave, and he leaned upon his ax and stroked
his grizzled beard thoughtfully for many minutes. Then suddenly he
stood up straight, and poised his powerful head with firm resolve, and
stretched out his great right arm as if determined on doing some
mighty deed. For a thought had come to him so grand in its conception
that all the world might well bow before the Master Woodsman and honor
his name forever!
It is well known that when the great Ak once undertakes to do a
thing he never hesitates an instant. Now he summoned his fleetest
messengers, and sent them in a flash to many parts of the earth.
And when they were gone he turned to the anxious Necile and
comforted her, saying:
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