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9. "Santa Claus!"
Claus thought that none of the children would ever know where the toys came
from which they found by their bedsides when they wakened the following
morning. But kindly deeds are sure to bring fame, and fame has many wings
to carry its tidings into far lands; so for miles and miles in every direction
people were talking of Claus and his wonderful gifts to children. The sweet
generousness of his work caused a few selfish folk to sneer, but even these
were forced to admit their respect for a man so gentle-natured that he loved to
devote his life to pleasing the helpless little ones of his race.
Therefore the inhabitants of every city and village had been eagerly watching
the coming of Claus, and remarkable stories of his beautiful playthings were
told the children to keep them patient and contented.
When, on the morning following the first trip of Claus with his deer, the little
ones came running to their parents with the pretty toys they had found, and
asked from whence they came, they was but one reply to the question.
"
The good Claus must have been here, my darlings; for his are the only toys in
all the world!"
"
But how did he get in?" asked the children.
At this the fathers shook their heads, being themselves unable to understand
how Claus had gained admittance to their homes; but the mothers, watching
the glad faces of their dear ones, whispered that the good Claus was no mortal
man but assuredly a Saint, and they piously blessed his name for the
happiness he had bestowed upon their children.
"
A Saint," said one, with bowed head, "has no need to unlock doors if it
pleases him to enter our homes."
And, afterward, when a child was naughty or disobedient, its mother would
say:
"
You must pray to the good Santa Claus for forgiveness. He does not like
naughty children, and, unless you repent, he will bring you no more pretty
toys."
But Santa Claus himself would not have approved this speech. He brought
toys to the children because they were little and helpless, and because he
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