^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I li^ 112.8 112.5 «" Itt |||||Z2 14^ 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 16 = 1 6" ► V] <^ /2 "m 'ost' ^;. /^ '^ V Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 iV iV % .V ■1>' \\ ■• 1?- 6^ "i?.^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. ^ Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D D D D D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Ccuverture endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurie et/ou peliiculie I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes gdographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reiiure serrde peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intirieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela itait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmdes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplimentaires; L'institut a microfilm^ ie meilieur exemplaire qu'ii lui a At6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger una modification dans la mithode normals de filmage sont indiquis ci-dessous. |~~| Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Pages restored and/oi Pages restaur6es et/ou pellicui6es I I Pages damaged/ I I Pages restored and/or laminated/ □ Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pi Pages ddcoior^es, tacheties ou piqu6es Pages detached/ LU Pages d6tach6es I I Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Quality inigale de I'impressiort Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel suppldmentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible D Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une peiure, etc., ont dt6 filmies A nouveau de fapon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. T ti T P fi C b tl s o fi s o T si T VI IV d ei b ri r< nr M 10} K This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indiqui ci-dessous. 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X / 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: National Library of Canada L'exemplaire fllmd fut reproduit grfice d la g6n6rosit6 de: Bibllothdque natlonale du Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet6 de l'exemplaire fiimd, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimis sont film6s en commen^ant par le premier plat et en terninant soit par la dernidre page qui compcrtu une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmis en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — »> signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds & des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de I'angle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 s THE IIOTHER OF ST. XIOHOLAS. iSA.NTA (*LAIS}. •i »* ^ 1 a n o V '^ '^/^ 1l^ ^' .a '« .^Mf^ The Mother of St. Nicholas. (HANTA CLAm) A Stoiy of Duty and Peril. BY r !■! GRANT BALFOUIi, Author of -The Fairy s<-hool of Castle Frank. \ TORONTO : THE POOLE PRINTING COMPANY, LIMITED, PUBLISHERS. Entered, according to Act of th. Parliament of Canada Mn .he year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine by A. Balfour CrInt, in the office of the Minister of Agriculture. THE MOTHER C^ ST. NICHOLAS (SANTA CLAUS). C'lIAPTEU I. WATCH IN(i FOR TIIK I'UEV. (lo buck into the third contiiry after Christ, travel east into the famous Mecliterranean Sea, survey the beautiful south-west coast of Asia Minor, and let vour eves rest on th(> eitv ot' Patara. Look at it well. Full of life then, dead and desolate now, the city has wonderful associations in sacred auns were passing by — a picturesque train of noisy, (histy movement on aii unpaved street — while now and again a carriage or a litter ai)peared, Avhose occupants were con^udered eitlie-r arro- gant or effeminate. "'Her carriage must iiave pasj^rd,'' said De- mon iens savagely. " Tt cannot l)e," replie*! Timon civilly; " the hifly, though unfettered by custom, r;:r.'ly takes her carriage; she usually ])asses on foot 8 THE MOTHER OF ST. NICHOLAS. I I shortly after tlio iiiorniiig inoal, and I canio hero to watoli n aiii))le time." " Wo must arrest her to day on some pre text or otlier," muttered Demoniciis. " I sliall dog her steps everywhere, and if I cannot get a good excuse T shall invent one. Tlic bribe," added he with an impatient gesture, " is too tempting for more delay." ' ' Timon, though also grasping, was not heart and soul with Demonicus. "When on the watch alone he had had time to reflect, and his better nature woidd now and again assert it- self, as there stole over his vision a beautiful figure with a noble work in hand. He wanted the prize but was not in hot haste to win it, and while it seemed judicious it also felt agreeable to suggest delay. After a brief silence he remarked — " There is to bo a special gathering of the Christians in the Church of the Triple Arch to-night. The bishop is away at Myra. But Orestes, the shepherd, is to be present, and I promise thee somethinc; will be said that will THE MOTHER OF ST. NICHOLAS. U frive US a plausible backing; bis words are plain, ay even bold as tbe cliffs of ^[oiint Taurus, wbere be dwells. Sbould we not wait till then, Demonicus? " " I sbaU not," answered be, stamping bis beavv, sandalled foot viciously; "it would be our last cbance, and tbe woman migbt not be tbere." " Tbe lady is sure to be," rejoined Timon, " sbe is tbe spirit of tbe wbolo movement." Demonicus paced about reflecting, and bav- ing cooled down, be mumbled, — "I sball see, but I sball miss no cbance before." Timon now steppcfl out and looked along tbe street, tben turning immediately round to bis companion witb a besitating, balf- TopTctful look, be wbispered — • " Sbe is comino;! " Tlie face of Demonicus glowed witb an evil flame, as be went foi^ward quickly to assure liimself. Tbe ladv witb ber attendant, a lib- erated female slave, was seep, approacbing on foot, and botb men retreated iiiio tbe recess anng whiti^ rliifon, and carried lier with great temh^rness out into the cooler welcome air, beside the refreshing spring. *' How deiightfid is rest!" said the dying girl, as she gazed uj) through the oiivr hranclies into the clear blue skv. " 'IMiere is abundance of rest in store, my beloved, even the rest that remaineth for the ])eople of (jod." Biona lay ([luetly, enjoying a measure of ])eace. lier i)et white dove, flying from an overhanging branch, came down beside her; it hopped n])on the ])illow, and with gentle wing softly brushed her ])allid cheek. She turned lier head toward it, and gazing fondly n])on the affectionate creature, forgot her weariness for a time — a little time. Then she began to move her head restlessly, whispering W: J.' " ! i 20 THE MOTHER OF ST. NICHOLAS. HI I 1)1 f :< often and witli yeurning look the word futlior. Tho watchful nttondant changed the \soary one's position, and gave her rest again. This was done as often as it was needed, and the need had no end. Pathcnia prayed earnestly for tho sufferer's recovery or release. Her voice was tlie heart's melody, soft and sooth- ing, if to soothe were possible. Tho father, a big sympathetic man, had by this time reached the bordering olive trees, on his way liome from a brief search for aid. His clothing was very simple and plain: a dark exomis (a short sleeveless frock), and shoes of leather, studded with nails. As was common, ho was bareheaded. He liad a melan- choly foreboding that calamity was near at hand. His oxen stood idle in their stall from early morning. Noticing with surprised re- lief that his child was already out in the grove, with some merciful one reclining by her side, he stole up a little nearer and halted unob- (trved. ''Oh! for rest, rest," his daughter faintly fii » THE MOTHER OF ST. NICHOLAS. i>1 cried; ami the strong man .sho()k witli emotion. " Oh I tliat I miglit hv at roflt!" slit' cried ugain, as if a larit fcehlo effort, *' Init how liard it is, how hardi to Icavrmv little Itrotlic is and mv poor lonely father." (Jreepin^ (loser, Pathema raised Biona's weary head and placed it tenderly in her own bosom. Keeling that the spark of life was l(»w (for \\w little hands were getting e(dy reference to what he knew so well — the spot- [ less, passive lamb. He was now telling the attentive listeners that the lamb would one day become a lion, that all human govern- ments would be broken in nieces, and that Jesus Christ would rule the earth in righteous- ness and peace. " It may be," added he with emphasis, " that that hope-inspiring day is at hand!" Revolutionary doctrine like this the debased Demonicus rejoiced to hear. Like the Jewish pretence before Pilate, it was enough, and the love of lucre spurred him on. He waited not a moment more, but hurried boldly into the church. Accusing Pathema of taking part in sedition, he seized her by the arm and ordered her to rise up and follow him. THE MOTHER OF ST. NICHOLAS. 27 Startled at this interruption, the people looked round, while Orestes stopped and made his way swiftly to Pathenia's aid, think- ing in all simplicity that a robber or a mad- man had entered the church. The gladiator was strong, but the shepherd was stronger, and ere the former could draw his sword he was pinned to the floor as with an oaken hand. The spectacle was like the grappling of pros- trate giants. " Thou art guilty of sedition and violence!" yelled Demonicus. Others of his official order passing by and hearing the noise, came quickly to his aid, the accusation was repeated, ancl the shepherd meekly submitted — he never meant to defy the law. Miriam pleaded for her beloved mistress in tears, but she was rudely thrust aside as too insignificant for arrest. Then were Pathema and Orestes and others led out of the church and into the street. They formed a silent, little company, sur- i I 1 28 THE MOTHEV. OF ST. NICHOLAS. . i rounded and followed by an excited jeering crowd. And as the crowd increased in strength — " Death to the detested Chris- tians!" was the noisy frequent .ry. With bowed head and weary heart, and with her sense of modesty painfully shocked, Pathema passed on with her fellow-Christians to the humiliating place of safe-keeping for the night. Their trial came oif next day, but it was a mockery. Fanatical hate and bribery did their foul work — there was no justice what- ever, and sentence of death was pasvsed ! An appeal was made to Rome. To that great city Pathema and her fellow prisoners were finally transported, and thoro they were imprisoned. Among the poor and sick and dying of Patara and its neighbourhood, was no one more missed and mourned than the compas- sionate maiden who languished and wept in a far away Boman prison — wept, not so much THE MOTHER OF ST. NICHOLAS. 29 for her own wrongs, as for the griefs and pains of others. " Lord, I cry to Thee— Unending night, a mournful robe, Enwraps my form, and veils my sight From flower, and stream, and all I love — IMy bondage break, O God I " If I no more behold ^ly Crito, Lord, on him look down With watchful eye, and send Thy light, Restore his strength, and make him Thine ; Regard my love for him. ■' Biona's tender care Provide for. Lord, and guard from ill ; The father's wound, in pity heal. Remember all the desolate For whom I weep and pray. " My parents, Lord, uphold ; Their grief assuage ; Thy Spirit send And teach of Him who suffered more Than mortal man, to nmsom me From death — the Christ, my strength. " Yet, Lord, how hard to die So soon. Oh ! to behold the sun, To breathe the air, to clasp the flowers. Embrace my 'loved, now loved t^^nfold ; But, Lord, Thy will be done ! " H^ I f i THE MUTIIER OF ST. NICHOLAS. CHAPTER lY. THE AMPHITHEATRE. The ColosseiHu or aiupliitlieatro in lloino was a gigantic, costly building, oval in shape, IGO feet in lieight, 1900 feet in circnmfer- ence, and capable of seating 100,000 specta- tors — a huge egg laid by Imperial power and demoniac love of pleasure. Its external wall rose up in three rows of columns, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, forming 80 arcades or arches in each row, and was capped by a solid wall with Corinthian pilasters and small square win- dows. Thea'e was no roof, shelter from sun or rain being given by a movable awning calk'd the velarium. The higher arcades were adorned with statues and chariots, and admitted light and air. Four of the basement arches at the extremities were the entrances for the great, while the remaining seventy-six were for the common people. Rising from the top of a low wall or balcony that stood on the ground many THE MOTHER OF ST. NICHOLAS. 31 feet inward, was the qradus or slope of seats, which extended lialf-vvay up the liigh sur- rounding shell. The highest seats were a colonnade or portico reserved for women. On the slope under the portico, were the three maeniana or galleries, separated by walls and by landing places for the many staircases. The uppermost gallery, with benches of wood, was for the pullati or common people; the next below, for the popular ia; and the farthest down, of stone or marble and cushioned, for membei*8 of the equestrian order. Below this was the inner wall or balcony (referred to above), called the podium, the place of honour, on which sat the Emperor and his family, senators, chief magistrates, vestal virgins, and distinguished visitors. The Emperor occupied a pavilion, named the suggest us, while the others sat on cushioned chairs or reclined on couches. The podium was about 15 feet from the ground, its edge bordered with metal trel- lis work, and its front faced with marble, to prevent the ascent of wild beasts v/hon f'ight- 32 THE MOTHER OF ST. NICHOLAS. iiiCi i ened or enraged. The arena was the immense space within, being about 281 feet by 176, and it was covered with sand, to keep tlie com- batants from slipping and to absorb their blood. Here some of the martyrs of Jesus poured out their life, to gratify horrible curi- osity, and to satiate the hunger of lions. On a certain day in the latter half of the third century after Christ, and while the pagan lioman empire still held powerful sway, many thousands of people had assembled in the amphitheatre to witness a series of blood-curd- ling sights and combats. Among these sad spectacles was the suffering of a noted Chris- tian from the rugged province of Lycia. Demonicus, the great gladiator of Patara city, had fallen, his left cheek was embedded in the sand, his brawny upper arm lay out limp beside his broken sword, and his life- blood was streaming away. He would indulge in the love of strife and watch the footsteps of the innocent for glittering gold no more. His conqueror, Telassar, a big bearded warrior Tllli MOTHKR OF ST. NICHOLAS. 33 l'n»in IJIi:i(liii, s(orai(len." " Oh father, liow eruel t " exelaimed the hoy in gTeat distress. " Will iiohody fi^ht for her and save her? " " If any man be found bold enough to face the most formidable brute that ever sprang into the arena — that, and that onlv may save her," answered 1'itanus. " J^ut the conditions are hard, so hard that I may say the case is well-nigh hopeless, and the man that would undertake it would either be a fool, impelled bv inordinate greed, or filled with god-like self- sacrifice. Neither shield, nor spear, nor sword — nothing but a bronze dagger is to be al- lowed her defender, should one come forward' and he is to be naked but for a slight girdle around his loins. ) i.; 48 THE MUTIILR OF ST. NICHOLAS. " Is tliero no man compel led to li^lit, oli father? " " No ono, my son. Tlic defence is voluntary. Botli Demonicns and Ttdassar volnteerer," .said the boy, in a trend)lin^' tone, yet with a rin«]^ of ])nrposc in it, " wilt thou permit my absence for a little time? " '^ Certainly, my son: it was in my mouth to bid thee look into the street for a little time; or if thy desire be to speak a word with mother thou may est, but tell my name to the designator (seat-attendant). ' Titanus ' is enough." C^arnion disappeared. THE MOTHliR OF ST. NICHOLAS. 41) ClIArTEU VIII. WAITING FOR THK VICTIM. On tho departuTi of Tharsos, Mjrtls Had turned tiiid said — " Tliy brotliL'r's signal, as thou hast told me, Coryna. Cornel let us go." " It is, but — not yet, dear Myrtis," was the answer in a voice of gentle firmness. " And in the face of thy brother's strong desire thou art waiting to witness tho foul tor- ture and death of a lady refined and good — our fellow-countrywoman tool " "I shall not behold that," replied the maiden with earnest, hopeful light in her dark hazel eyes: " some brave man will appear; but if not, then I shall turn my back or fly when " — She dared not finish, and Myrtis added — " When the lion springs. Oh ! my Coryna, let us go. This is the work of demons." " I cannot, Myrtis, I cannot. I shall know the end sooner here." 50 THE MOTHER OF ST. NICHOLAS. " There can be but one end, my dear. The cruel crafty managers, bribed to get rid of the maiden without more delay, as Tharsos in- formed thee, planned this well. What man with a mere dagger could slay a lion? A naked man too. Coryna, the whole work is contemptible, contemptible! " And the deep blue eyes of Myrtis flashed forth her scorn, as she looked down into the arena and scanned it swiftly round till her attention rested anx- iously at the eastern end. " The Romans love effect," Coryna