rious majesty in his voice! What kindliness
in his tones!

"Karel van Gleck, I am pleased to greet thee, and thy honored vrouw
Kathrine, and thy son and his good vrouw Annie!

"Children, I greet ye all! Hendrick, Hilda, Broom, Katy, Huygens,
and Lucretia! And thy cousins, Wolfert, Diedrich, Mayken, Voost, and
Katrina! Good children ye have been, in the main, since I last accosted
ye. Diedrich was rude at the Haarlem fair last fall, but he has tried
to atone for it since. Mayken has failed of late in her lessons, and too
many sweets and trifles have gone to her lips, and too few stivers to
her charity box. Diedrich, I trust, will be a polite, manly boy for
the future, and Mayken will endeavor to shine as a student. Let her
remember, too, that economy and thrift are needed in the foundation of
a worthy and generous life. Little Katy has been cruel to the cat more
than once. Saint Nicholas can hear the cat cry when its tail is pulled.
I will forgive her if she will remember from this hour that the smallest
dumb creatures have feelings and must not be abused."

As Katy burst into a frightened cry, the saint graciously remained
silent until she was soothed.

"Master Broom," he resumed, "I warn thee that the boys who are in the
habit of putting snuff upon the foot stove of the schoolmistress may one
day be discovered and receive a flogging--"

Master Broom colored and stared in great astonishment.

"But thou art such an excellent scholar, I shall make thee no further
reproof."

"Thou, Hendrick, didst distinguish thyself in the archery match last
spring, and hit the Doel *{Bull's-eye.} though the bird was swung before
it to unsteady thine eye. I give thee credit for excelling in manly
sport and exercise, though I must not unduly countenance thy boat
racing, since it leaves thee little time for thy proper studies.

"Lucretia and Hilda shall have a blessed sleep tonight. The
consciousness of kindness to the poor, devotion in their souls, and
cheerful, hearty obedience to household rule will render them happy.

"With one and all I avow myself well content. Goodness, industry,
benevolence, and thrift have prevailed in your midst. Therefore, my
blessing upon you--and may the new year find all treading the paths of
obedience, wisdom, and love. Tomorrow you shall find more substantial
proofs that I have been in your midst. Farewell!"

With these words came a great shower of sugarplums, upon a linen sheet
spread out in fro