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11. How the First Stockings Were Hung by the Chimneys
When you remember that no child, until Santa Claus began his travels, had
ever known the pleasure of possessing a toy, you will understand how joy
crept into the homes of those who had been favored with a visit from the good
man, and how they talked of him day by day in loving tones and were honestly
grateful for his kindly deeds. It is true that great warriors and mighty kings
and clever scholars of that day were often spoken of by the people; but no one
of them was so greatly beloved as Santa Claus, because none other was so
unselfish as to devote himself to making others happy. For a generous deed
lives longer than a great battle or a king's decree of a scholar's essay, because
it spreads and leaves its mark on all nature and endures through many
generations.
The bargain made with the Knook Prince changed the plans of Claus for all
future time; for, being able to use the reindeer on but one night of each year,
he decided to devote all the other days to the manufacture of playthings, and
on Christmas Eve to carry them to the children of the world.
But a year's work would, he knew, result in a vast accumulation of toys, so he
resolved to build a new sledge that would be larger and stronger and better-
fitted for swift travel than the old and clumsy one.
His first act was to visit the Gnome King, with whom he made a bargain to
exchange three drums, a trumpet and two dolls for a pair of fine steel runners,
curled beautifully at the ends. For the Gnome King had children of his own,
who, living in the hollows under the earth, in mines and caverns, needed
something to amuse them.
In three days the steel runners were ready, and when Claus brought the
playthings to the Gnome King, his Majesty was so greatly pleased with them
that he presented Claus with a string of sweet-toned sleigh-bells, in addition
to the runners.
"
These will please Glossie and Flossie," said Claus, as he jingled the bells and
listened to their merry sound. "But I should have two strings of bells, one for
each deer."
"
Bring me another trumpet and a toy cat," replied the King, "and you shall
have a second string of bells like the first."
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