HOLIDAY SUPPLEMENT.
'-jr. " .ib-sKi n i -rassj" hsksb. 'tffmJBt. xcmLitu ax;
HA! KARA
barn, tho smoll
of thy coffco Ib
like tho taHto
of wlno to tho
Hilrsty aftor
my long train p
In tho crusty
h n o w," ii n (I
Knrl tho Iron
fountlor throw
off his hugo
Bkln coat and
emptied nt a
gulp tho brimming cup of coffco
hnndod lilm by his ulster Olga. Then
placing a llngor on his Up:
"Var Btllla, my Olgn, I havo nomo
what to toll theo, hut yonder llttlo
pltchor has long cars. So," ho con
tinued, turning to a mlto of a girl
bitting uodatoly near tho blazing fire
place, Intently engaged In thumbing
a wall-worn prlmor book, "thou nrt
studious, mln 1111a Illcka, nu I told
thco to bo. Como hlthor, my llttlo
maid, and show mo thy book."
lie took tho book quickly offered
lilm, and deftly placing In It Hoinothlng
he socrotly drow from IiIh pocket,
thrust It out of sight behind him.
"Dost roinombor, Hwcathonrt, that
1 told , thqo tho rooster pictured on
tho front pngo of thy book would
bring theo something if thou wort
good?"
"Ja, brother Knrl, and so I havo
been good; ask slstor Olga," said tho
child, smiling up Into his face.
"Indeed, yoB," answerod Olga, draw
ing tho llttlo Hlnter closo Into her
nrmo, and giving her a hug and a
kiss. "Thlldu 1b always sweet and
good."
"Well, then, lot us bco what tho
rooster has brought theo, my Thllda."
Oponlng tho book, Karl protended
to bo amazed at something ho saw,
and showing It to Olga, sho raised
lior hands In wollassumod astonish
mont. Thllda, unablo to restrain her
curiosity, suddenly adzed tho book
caroloBBly hold In Knrl's' hugu hand
Just, within her reach, and oponlng
It. uttorcd a shout of delight as sho
drow forth a beautiful wlilto candy
dog, with n pink ribbon round 11b
neck.
"Thank you, good Karl," sho said
simply, pouting up her lino for a
kiss.
"Nay, child, 'tis not mo thou hast
to thnnk, but tho rooster," ho ox
plained, adding: "Now, mln lllla
illcka, thou knowost that tho good Jo
ban In fhr awny from homo, wilt go
Into thy chnmbor 'and pray for thy
rlstor's botrothad? I have that to say
to her which thou muyat not hear.
Good child," ho continued, patting her
head as sho turned obediently to
oboy.
"I havo Bonio news, my Hlster, about
thy Hwoetheart. It Is of somo 1m
portanco, sluco It tolls mo that thy
Johan still Hvoh."
"May tho good God so ordain," said
Olga forvoutly, "and may Ho rostoro
him to my arms."
"Amen," murmured Karl, "but to
tho news. 'Tls now threo dayB hIuco
Johan wont Into tho dark forest to
cut tho ilt'H for tho Jul Tlodon and
returned not as ho should luwo dono
that onnio night. Tho next day wo
found his ax burled deep In a tree
nt thou knowoBt, but till othor trnco
of lil m was loat. Well, to-day wo pen
utrntcd as far as tho gloomy Falun
mines and found his empty wallet.
"Ami mm thou didst follow his
stops In tho snow?" Htammerod Olga.
"Tell mo quickly, Karl, my brothor."
"That Is what wo did not do, Olga,
for tho reason that thoro woro no
fcotprlntH In tho snow, Tho wnllot
could not havo been cast there, by any
ono, for wo tracked a clrclo of a hun
dred yards and found tho snow un
broken. Moreover, a ploco of ore was
laid upon It as If to prevent Its being
blown away, It was placed thoro, but
not by Johan, Olga."
"Thnnk God, ho has found a shelter
thoro, somo miners, porhnps. Ho
may ovon now bo on Ills way to mo,"
said Olga, Jealously. "Go quickly, my
brother, to moot him."
"Do not ralso thy hopes too high,
my Bister, nolthor lot thy heart sink.
Thy Job an Ib allvo, true, but tho hand
that placed Ills wallet whoro It was
found was not thnt of a mortal. Nay
bo not alarmed," ho said, putting
nn arm around her, for tho girl wns
seized with a lit of trembling. "Jio
bravo, my slstor, and all will bo well
If thou wilt bo guldod by mo."
"In anything and ovorythlng, my
brothor," said Olga, olaBplug lier
hands, "My soul for Johnu'u 11' need
bo."
"Not that, kara sostor, not that shall
. be required of thco, but bravory thou
must show, llttlo woman, such brav
ery us fow men dnro show, Thy Jo
ban's return depends upon thco."
"I am ready to faco death hlmsolf,"
slid Olga, "only toll mo what to do."
"Llston, thon. I would do It for thco
mysolf, but thou alone canst tnca tho
ordeal. I bcllovo tno Skogfrau "
"Oh, my God, tho Skogfrau, tho ter
rible forest witch," cried tho terror
stricken maiden, falling on hor knoos
nnd holding up hor hands to honvon.
'Sparo my Johan, oh, heaven!"
"So thlB Is thy bravory," said Karl
stonily. "Hlso from thy knees nnd
r.orv'o thyself for nn onion! that Is
not dllllcult, but rcqulros bravery to
toll thco. Wauldst loso thy Johan for
over? Tho Jul Tleden begins at mid
night, nnd nt that hour thou must
ptand nlouo upon tho spot whoro Jo
hau'8 wallet still lies, and demand a
gift from tho Skogfrau. Sho cannot
refuso thco If thou nro tho first mortal
to domain! It at that hour. 'Tls thy
only hopo, for sho has lured Johan
"Johan, thy betrothed!" shrieked the
can boast,
Into hor powor, ami If thou shalt do
round lilm In tho nnmo of tho Christ
Child sho may not refuse thy request,
tdnco at tills season sho loses hor
power and Ib at tho mercy of mortals,
hut onco only."
"Thou will bo closo IicbUIo mo, my
brothor?" naked Olga, shivering.
"Within Hvo hundred pacoa Ib a
charmed crlclo which nono but thou
may ontor, but I will bo Just boyond
It nnd henr thy cnll for aid Bhould
aught happen requiring It. Thou must
stand alono upon tho spot and sny
threo times, 'Skogfrau, In tho nnmo of
tho Christ Child I demnnd u gift of
thoo.' Throo tlmos. romombor, my
slstor. Sho may nppeur torriblo In
hor wrath and threaten theo and thy
Johan, but foar not, alio will bo powor
loss either to harm thoo or him. Come,
proparo, for tho way Is long and mid-
',rwm miitmnw, .nxiimmmwmm-
night must not pass cro thou are
thoro."
"I3ut Thllda? Wo cannot loavo the
doar child hero alone."
" 'Tls nil arranged with Dnmo Thek
In," explained Karl. "Wo shall toko
tho child thither and sho will Bleep
well. Thlldn, mln Ulia Illcka!" called
Karl to tho child, "como hither. UaBt
prayed for Olga'B Johan, child?"
"Jn, my brothor, and tho good God
tells mo ho shall como homo again."
"Thon so Bhnll It be, my swcot child,
but come, wouldst like to taste Frau
Thokln's seed cakes, eh? I thought
as much. Well, thou Shalt as soon as
I can carry thoo tlilthor. Como, Bwoct
heart; como, Olga."
Though wrapped In tho warmest of
furs, Olga shivered as she Btood alono
hag. "Girl, thou art mad. Get thee
but not Johan. He Is mine, tell thee,
her arm as If to strike, but
amid tho Bllont, gloomy, wintry wasto
of tho for,ofit. Not long had sho wult
od oro distinctly through tho awful
BtlllnoB enmo tho clanging strokes of
midnight which Knrl rung upon tho
bnrrcl of his gun with a hammor to
warn hor of the tlmo. With n clear
but quavering volco tho girl called out
throo times: "Skogfrau, In tho nnmo
of tho Christ Child, I demand a gift of
thoo. Skogfrau, In tho nnmo of tho
Christ Child, I demand a gift of thee.
Skogfrau, In tho nnmo of tho Christ
Child, I donmnd a gift of thco." For a
moment thoro was Intonso Btlonco,
thou camo a rushing sound as of a
tempest approaching, and a rasping
volco spoko to hor:
"Why troubloBt thou mo, mortnj?
Dost thou not know that I can blast
thco with a breath? Speak, what wilt
thou?"
"In the name of tho Christ Child, I
demand a gift of thco," was all that
Olga could utter In hor torror. It wns
n tcrrlblo old bag who stood boforo
her and hor aspect was threatening.
"Somo paltry thing, I wis, n ribbon,
n Jewol. Speak, mortal, whntover it
may bo, 'tis thlno."
Growing boldor, Olga spoke moro
firmly: "Thou hast promised, and In
tho nnmo of tho Christ Child thou
must keep thy promise. 'Tls not a rib
bon, or a Jewol, but my Johan, my be
trothed, I demnnd of theo as thy gift."
"Johan, thy betrothed!" shrieked
the hag. "Girl, thou art mad. Got
theo gone, and nt midnight on tho Jul
Afton I will bring theo n Jewel such
as none- can bonst, but not Johan. Ho
Is mino, I toll theo, mine forever. I
gone, and at midnight on the Jul Afton
mine forever. I will not give him up,"
now Olga feared her not.
will not give lilm up," and sho raised
her arm as If to strlko, but now Olga
fearod hor not.
"In tho name of tho Christ Child I
demand Johnn of thee. Thou hast
promlBod whatovor I might ask, and
I will havo no othor gift from thee."
In vain tho old crono raved and
cursod and begged tho girl to take ull
she possessed, but not tho youth? Sho
toro hor hnlr and beat hor breast and
threatened dtro vongeanco upon tho
girl and hor betrothed, but tho clang
ing of Karl's hammor gavo Olga cour
age to ropoat hor demand: "Glvo mo
my Johnn In the nnmo of tho Christ
Child."
At last, tho hag, Worn out, said
harshly: "Got thoo homo, and at tho
stroko of midnight on tho Jul Afton 1
will bring thco thy Johnn," thon with
a bitter scream sho disappeared, and
Olga fell fainting In tho snow, but tho
faithful Karl revived her and brought
hor safely homo.
"Now, my alstor. thou must proparo
for tho Jul Afton, the eve of tho great
day when tho Christ Child was born.
Do not fear, thy Johan will como at
midnight, as tho torriblo .old hag of
tho forest said. I will help thoo pre
pare tronchos of snow-white lutllsk,
nnd heaps of kott bolnr. Wo must
have a mountain of seed cakes and
keep filled with smoking punch the
hugo bowl thy father loft theo. Wo
must not forget the coffee, kara bos
tor, oceans of It, nor tho snlt pig and
tho baskets of splco bread. Wo shall
havo tho village there, and nil bo
ready to greet Johan with a loud
"skald," for ho will bo sadly In neod
of It. And tho pastor, Olga, ho must
bo there and ho must remain there,
and thou must be randy and willing to
I will bring thee a jewel such as none
and she raised
do as I bid thee. I havo my roasons,
my Bister; tho Skogfrau has boon do
featcd thus far. but sho Is rovongoful,
yot I havo a plan to ond hor powor
ovor Johnn forover. Wilt do as I say,
llttlo ono?"
"Jn, my brother, though It bo to do
again as I did to-night."
"It will not bo bo torriblo, my sis
ter, and when thou hast done it thou
wilt laugh and rojolcc. Now, to bod
with thco, to lay up freshness for tho
morrow. I will watch ovor tho swoot
Thllda and bring hor to thy arms In
tho morning."
Tho Jul Tlodon began with Its mor
rymaklug and foastlng. In ono wook,
on tho Jul Afton, the Christmas Eve,
tho climax would be reached. Thoro
was a squealing in the pons, a squall
ing, cackling nnd quacking In tho
coops. Every ovon was kept at tho
baking point and laden with savory
toothsome viands. Presents woro drag
ged out from their hiding places and
marked with loving mottoes, and tho
names of tho favored recipients. Thero
Was a general scrubbing, cleaning and
dusting, nnd a furbishing up of holi
day garments nnd finery'.
Tho mon drowned themselves la
coffee, punch and branvln nnd shouted
thomsolvos hoarso with oft-repented
"skald." Tho women gossiped and
cooked and cooked nnd gossiped, whllo
tho chubby children crammed tholr
stomachs with unwonted cakes and
oweotmeats unmolested. Everything
was frco for the taking nnd tho priv
ilege of freedom was accorded every
body. Olga throw her doors wldo open to
tho wholo village, promising a won
derful surprise. Many thought sho
was not very conslderato on Johan's
account, thinking sho would bettor bo
going nround with tearful oyes and
loud lamentations, but thoy ato freely
of her good things no'no tho less.
Simple souls, they were not awaro
tiint tho lost Johnn was to bo tho
proat surprise. Of course, ovorybody
nad given him up for lost, and thoy
woro amnzod that Olga should bo tho
norrlost maiden in tho village, and
thnt her homo was to bo tho very
center of tho merrymaking on tho Jul
Afton. Thoi pastor bad been fore
warned by Karl, nnd the good soul
camo prepared to fight tho wicked
troll for tho salvation of Johan and
Olga.
Tho board groaned beneath tho
weight of good chcor, and tho hugo
bowl was kept constantly brimming
vlth steaming punch. There was no
fcrmnl banquotlng, overybody eating
when tho humor seized him, and
drinking whether thirsty or not, be
cause good drink wns thero to bo had'
without tho asking. Tho wholo vil
lage wns thero waiting for tho sur
prise and nerving themselves up to
withstand it by distending their stora
rt'hs. None but Olga, Karl and tho
pastor know what It was to bo, and
even they did not know In what shapo
it would come.
At Inst tho first stroko of midnight.
Olga turned pale, Karl stood at atten
tion and tho good pastor grasped his
holy book firmly in his hand. Tho
Inst" stroko was still ringing In their
ears when a vlolont gust of wind
shook tho houso and tho dragging of
heavy chains over tho roof brought
terror to tho Inmntes. Tho door was
burst open by somo Invisible forco
and a heavy bundlo was hurled In
among tho amazed roysterers. An old
wizened nag appeared In tho doorway
;.nd screamed out above tho confu
sion: "Girl, tako tho gift of tho Christ
Child, but bewaro of my vongeanco.
Shnuldst thou accept any other gift
Loforo thou hast fully nccepted this,
then shall it return to mo and bo mlno
forever."
Johan was quickly restored by co
pious libations of hot punch, and
when ablo to stand on his feet, Karl
put his hand in that of Olga and gavo
tho pastor a slngal. Forthwith, Olga
took Johan for hor husbnnd, and when
tho final words woro spoken, a tern
nest again shook tho houso, heavy
chains wero ngaln dragged across tho
roof, and after shrieks of demoniac
laughter, all wa3 still without.
With tears and laughter, Olga
grasped her brother's hand, and then
threw herself Into tho arms of her
husband, tho gift of tho Christ Child,
forover froo from tho thralls of tho
Skogfrau.
Early Christmas Music.
noth In Gormany and In England in
oldon tlmos tho custom provalled
among young choristers of going
through the streets In bands early on
Christmas morning and singing
Uhristmns hymns and carols for alms
beforo tho houses of tho rich. A
familiar plcturo Is that of Martin
Luther when a boy singing in tho
streets at Christmas dawn. Sovernl
cf tho most familiar German Christ
mas hymns wero harmonized early In
tho seventeenth century by Jacob
Praotorious to melodies composod
about tho mlddlo of tho slxtoonth
century by Luther. Ono of tho great
est mnsters of Gormnn music, Jobnnn
Sebastian Bach, whou a pupil nt tho
choir and grammar school at St.
Mlcliaol's, In Lunoborg. walked tho
streets early C.hrlstmns morning sing
ing these "waits," with his follow
choristers, between whom nnd thoso
of another school tho muBlcnl rivulry
was bo lntonso that tho authorities
woro obliged to map out aoparnto
routes for thorn In order to prevent
tholr meeting and coming to blows.
