Page 34 - Giv'er Miramichi Magazine - Christmas-Winter Giver 2024

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Author: L. Frank Baum Source: Public Domain

The Life and Adventures of Santa them a marvel that so goodly a man as
Claus is a 1902 children's book, written Claus devoted his time to making them
by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by happy. And those who knew him were,
Mary Cowles Clark. you may be sure, very happy indeed.
This enchanting tale centers The sad faces of the poor and abused
around Claus, a human child grew bright for once; the cripple smiled
discovered in the mystical Forest of
Burzee and adopted by the wood- despite his misfortune; the ailing ones
nymph Necile. He grows up among hushed their moans and the grieved
Fairies, Gnomes, and other immortals ones their cries when their merry friend
and eventually builds a house in the came nigh to comfort them.
nearby Laughing Valley and embarks Only at the beautiful palace of the
on a mission to bring joy to children Lord of Lerd and at the frowning castle
everywhere. The following is Chapter 2 of the Baron Braun was Claus refused
of the book. admittance. There were children at both
places; but the servants at the palace
Chapter 2. How Claus Made the shut the door in the young stranger's
First Toy face, and the fierce Baron threatened to
Truly our Claus had wisdom, for his hang him from an iron hook on the
good fortune but strengthened his parents, while they regarded the young castle walls. Whereupon Claus sighed
resolve to befriend the little ones of his man with some scorn for loving and went back to the poorer dwellings
own race. He knew his plan was children more than their elders, were where he was welcome.
approved by the immortals, else they content that the girls and boys had After a time the winter drew near.
would not have favored him so greatly. found a playfellow who seemed willing The flowers lived out their lives and
So he began at once to make to amuse them. faded and disappeared; the beetles
acquaintance with mankind. He walked So the children romped and played burrowed far into the warm earth; the
through the Valley to the plain beyond, games with Claus, and the boys rode butterflies deserted the meadows; and
and crossed the plain in many directions upon his shoulders, and the girls nestled the voice of the brook grew hoarse, as
to reach the abodes of men. These stood in his strong arms, and the babies clung if it had taken cold.
singly or in groups of dwellings called fondly to his knees. Wherever the One day snowflakes filled all the air
villages, and in nearly all the houses, young man chanced to be, the sound of in the Laughing Valley, dancing
whether big or little, Claus found childish laughter followed him; and to boisterously toward the earth and
children. understand this better you must know clothing in pure white raiment the roof
The youngsters soon came to know that children were much neglected in of Claus's dwelling.
his merry, laughing face and the kind those days and received little attention At night Jack Frost rapped at the
glance of his bright eyes; and the from their parents, so that it became to door.

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