For The Children.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2382, 24 December 1908, Page 9 (Supplement)

For The Children.

THE FAIRIES’ CHRISTMAS TOUR.

(.By Jessica.)

Across tho rippling river Fancy, very near tho land of Imagination, and just a stone's throw from tho gates of Dreamland, is situated the beautiful country called Fairyland, which ds ruled over by a-very strong and noble king named Truth, assisted by his sweet-faced wife, Queen Love. .This Fairyland is- a very .pretty a,; u n try; such lovely flowers and fern a and shrubs grow there. 'The gardens are always bright and smiling with blossoming flowers, and in tlio forests the fairies have .made shady pathways. There are also sparkling streams of clear, crystal water, and the green carpet of the fields is flowered with white, starryeyed daisies. It is always summer in tlris land. The fairies love their king and queen very much, for they are kind and good, and rule so wisely. The king is always dressed in a suit of royal blue, with gold facings; lie carries a short sword in a golden sheath, and is attended by three knights called Honor, Duty, and Courage. The Queen wears always a robe of pure, spotless white, with white and red roses in her hair, and at her breast and around her slender waist is clasped a shining silver belt, all sparkling with gems. The three fairy maidens who escort her are also robed in white, and their names are Faith, Hope, and Trust. And when they are holding court (for they hold court in Fairyland just as they do in other kingdoms) the king and queen sit side by side on a -lovely golden throne, with their attendants near; and all their loyal subjects come flocking around. Sometimes they ah join hands and dance »nd sing, and it is such a beautiful sight to see them.

Now, many wonderful and interesting tales could be told of the doings and sayings of these fairies, and the laws and customs of their land; but just at present I want to tell you what they do at Christmas time. IVhen the twilight shadows begin to fall over Fairyland on Christmas Eve, tlio soft music of bells comes rippling from the fairy palace, and tinkle, tinkle, tinkle. the sweet echoes resound through the lliud. The fairies hear and well they know its meaning; and softly through the gathering dusk figures move swiftly toward iho palace. Little wood elves come from haunts in the forest, sun-ny-eyed fairies trip gracefully over tlio daisy-decked grass, until at last they all stand in charming array before tho king and queen. Then the king speaks: “My dear subjects,—lt is Christmas Eve once more, and to-morrow is the -day when everyone should be happy. when everyone should rejoice, because of the One Who was sent so

many years ago to set free from bondage the thousands of folk an that great place called the World. Tonight there are thousands of little children all over the earth waiting the arrival of a long-looked-for and tlirice-welcome guest, our old friend Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, as the little world children call him. He has -to go on such a- long, long journey; and I fear he cannot go alone and unattended. So great is his kindness of heart that it would grieve him much were he forced to leave part- of his load behind, and so disappoint some child-hearths. So make, I command you, a. carriage of Christmas Wishes, yoke thereto the two highest-spirited steeds dn our land —Merriment and excitement — and with Santa Claus we shall ride in state to earth to-niglit.”

A housand busy hands set to work, and soon a lovely carriage, made of srong, white twigs, and (leaves of a tree growing in the palace gardens, stands ready, to which are yoked with white, gleaming harness, two high-standing white horses, impatiently pawing the ground with their feet. Goodwill sits on the driver's seat, holding tho reins, which are also gleaming white, while from the box seat behind Jollity keeps up a constant flow of merry chatter. Santa Claus, wit hthe dignified bearing and customary courtly grace, steps into tho carriage with his many parcels. The king and queen follow, each taking a seat on either side of him, while Peace, Happiness, Joy mid a few other 'fairies also enter.

There is a sweet jingle of bells, a sharp crack of - the whip, and they are off, away to earth to visit and gladden the children. Merrily they howl along in the stilly night. They arc all happy and glad and smiling, for it is Christmas time, and they are on a kind errand; and, like all fairies, and children, too, who do kind deeds for .others, feel a gre’at deal of the pleasure in tlieir own hearts.

No one hears Santa Claus approach. World folk do not 'understand fairy language. If they did hear them talking and laughing they would only say “How sweetly the birds are singing to-night,” or, if they heurd the rumble of carriage wheels, they would exclaim “How loudly the wind is moaning!” But the fairy carriage o'? Christmas Wishes, .with its fairy occupants and. jolly old Santa Claus, the children's

friend comes to earth in. the still hours of the night, when the busy, hustling world-folk . and tired little children are all fast asleep. They stop at the houses where children live, and very often where only grown-up people live, too. Into rooms where tired little sleepers are lying in little white beds, dreaming of all the wonderful things that are coming to them ~Santa Claus comes wih soft footsteps. He sees stockings lying in readiness, and knows just what to put into each one. The fairies, too, glide into each room, and Peace —a white-robed fairy midden with a pale, pure face—kisses the smooth brow of each unconscious sleeper, Happiness smiling her wonderful smile, slips sparkling gems into each little dimpled hands, and Joy and G-ladness —bright-eyed twin sisters —sail with soft, sweet kisses the innocent smiling lips of the sleepers.

And then, when they have, finished their long, long round and havo returned to Fairyland once more, Santa Claus disappears into a cave, and cert;in fairies are set t-o guard the entrance, for there he sleeps for a whole year, until it is again time for him to go his long journey round the world.

When the big, red sun comes peeping up over the hill-tops, all the fairies gather again round the king and queen ,wlio sit on their lovely golden throne, smiling sweetly at all. They join their Imuds and dance round and sing:

A merry band of fames we, Happy as ever fairies can he; Christmas happiness, Christmas fun To all good children under the sun. And all over the world children are smiling and happy because of the pretty gifts Santa, Claus has T brought them: and they never dream that the fairies brought him to earth in tlieir pretty carriage, drawn by two prancing steeds : that but for them they might never-"'have managed to come; nor do they ever dream that the fairies kissed them in their sleep, and that they '.are wishing them a happy, happy Christmas.