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people who seldom saw trees, and placed candles and toys on the branches.
Of course he could not carry enough trees in one load of all who wanted them,
but in some homes the fathers were able to get trees and have them all ready
for Santa Claus when he arrived; and these the good Claus always decorated
as prettily as possible and hung with toys enough for all the children who
came to see the tree lighted.
These novel ideas and the generous manner in which they were carried out
made the children long for that one night in the year when their friend Santa
Claus should visit them, and as such anticipation is very pleasant and
comforting the little ones gleaned much happiness by wondering what would
happen when Santa Claus next arrived.
Perhaps you remember that stern Baron Braun who once drove Claus from
his castle and forbade him to visit his children? Well, many years afterward,
when the old Baron was dead and his son ruled in his place, the new Baron
Braun came to the house of Claus with his train of knights and pages and
henchmen and, dismounting from his charger, bared his head humbly before
the friend of children.
"
My father did not know your goodness and worth," he said, "and therefore
threatened to hang you from the castle walls. But I have children of my own,
who long for a visit from Santa Claus, and I have come to beg that you will
favor them hereafter as you do other children."
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.
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