Passing over the intermediate years, of which,
indeed, I know no more than the man in the moon,
I come to the period when, being twenty-four, and
the term of his apprenticeship almost out, he fell
desperately in love with the daughter of his worthy
master, who was a burgomaster of forty years
standing. In those unprecocious times, the boys
did not grow to be men and the girls women, so
soon as they do now. It would have been considered
highly indecent for the former to think of falling
in love before they were out of their time, or
the latter to set up for young women before they
knew how to be anything else. But as soon as
the worthy Nicholas arrived at the age of twenty-four,
being, as I said, within a year of the expiration
of his time, he thought to himself that Katrinchee,
or Catharine, as the English call it, was a
clever, notable little soul, and eminently calculated
to make him a good wife. This was the main
point in the times of which I am speaking, when
people actually married without first running mad
either for love or money.

Katrinchee was the toast of all the young bakers
of Amsterdam, and honest Nicholas had as many
rivals as there were loaves of bread in that renowned
city. But he was as gallant a little Dutchman
as ever smoked his way through the world
pipe foremost, and did not despair of getting the
better of his rivals, especially as he was a great
favourite with the burgomaster, as, indeed, his conduct
merited. Instead of going the vulgar way to

[figure description] Page 018.[end figure description]

work, and sighing and whining out romance in her
ear, he cunningly, being doubtless inspired by
Cupid himself, proceeded to insinuate his passion,
and make it known by degrees, to the pretty little
Katrinchee, who was as plump as a partridge, and
had eyes of the colour of a clear sky.

First did he bake a cake in the shape of a heart
pierced half through by a toasting fork, the which
he presented her smoking hot, which she received
with a blush and did eat, to the great encouragement
of the worthy Nicholas. A month after, for
he did not wish to alarm the delicacy of the pretty
Katrinchee, he did bake another cake in the shape
of two hearts, entwined prettily with a true lover's
knot. This, too, she received with a blush, and
did eat with marvellous content. After the expiration
of a like period, he did contrive another cake
in the shape of a letter, on which he had ingeniously
engraven the following couplet:—


“Wer diesen glauben wöhlt hat die vernanft verschworen,
Dem denken abgesaght sein eigentham verlohren.”
The meaning of which, if the reader doth not comprehend,
I do hereby earnestly advise him to set
about studying the Dutch language forthwith, that
he may properly appreciate its hidden beauties.

Little Katrinchee read this poesy with a sigh,
and rewarded the good Nicholas with a look which,
as he afterward affirmed, would have heated an
oven.

Thus did the sly youth gradually advance

[figure description] Page 019.[end figure description]

himself in the good graces of the little damsel, until at
length he ventured a downright declaration, in the
shape of a cake made in the exact likeness of a
little Dutch Cupid. The acceptance of this was
conclusive, and was followed by permission to address
the matter to the decision of the worthy burgomaster,
whose name I regret hath not come
down to the present time.

The good man consulted his pipe, and after six
months' hard smoking, came to the conclusion that
the thing was feasible. Nicholas was a wellbehaved,
industrious lad, and the burgomaster justly
concluded that the possession of virtuous and industrious
habits without houses and lands, was
better than houses and lands without them. So he
gave his consent like an honest and ever to be
respected magistrate.

The news of the intended marriage spoiled all
the bread baked in Amsterdam that day. The
young bakers were so put out that they forgot to
put yeast in their bread, and it was all heavy. But
the hearts of the good Nicholas and his bride were
as light as a feather notwithstanding, and when
they were married it was truly said there was not
a handsomer couple in all Amsterdam.

They lived together happily many years, and
nothing was wanting to their felicity but a family
of little chubby boys and girls. But it was ordained
that he never should be blessed with any
offspring, seeing that he was predestined to be the
patron and benefactor of the children of others, not

[figure description] Page 020.[end figure description]

of his own. In good time, and in the fullness of
years, the burgomaster died, leaving his fortune
and his business to Nicholas, who had ever been a
kind husband to his daughter, and a dutiful son to
himself. Rich and liberal, it was one of the chief
pleasures of the good Nicholas to distribute his
cakes, of which he baked the best in all Amsterdam,
to the children of the neighbourhood, who
came every morning, and sometimes in the evening;
and Nicholas felt his heart warm within his bosom
when he saw how they ate and laughed, and were
as happy, ay, and happier, too, than so many little
kings. The children all loved him, and so did their
fathers and mothers, so that in process of time he
was made a burgomaster, like his father-in-law
before him.

Not only did he entertain the jolly little folk of
the city in the manner heretofore described, but
his home was open to all travellers and sojourners
who had no other home, as well as those who came
recommended from afar off. In particular the
good pilgrims of the church, who went about
preaching and propagating the true faith, by the
which I mean the doctrines of the illustrious reformers
in all time past.

The good Nicholas had, in the latter part of his
life, embraced these doctrines with great peril to
himself, for sore were the persecutions they underwent
in those days who departed from the crying
abominations of the ancient church; and had it not
been for the good name he had established in the

[figure description] Page 021.[end figure description]

city of Amsterdam, among all classes, high and
low, rich and poor, he might, peradventure, have
suffered at the stake. But he escaped, as it were,
by a miracle, and lived to see the truth triumph at
last even throughout all the land.

But before this came to pass his faithful and
affectionate helpmate had been taken from him by
death, sorely to his grief; and he would have stood
alone in the world had it not been for the little
children, now grown up to be men and women,
who remembered his former kindness, and did all
they could to console him—for such is ever the
reward of kindness to our fellow-creatures.

One night as he was sitting disconsolate at home,
thinking of poor Katrinchee, and wishing that
either she was with him or he with her, he heard a
distant uproar in the street, which seemed approaching
nearer and nearer. He was about to
rise and go to the door to see what was the occasion,
when suddenly it was pushed open with some
violence, and a man rushed past him with very
little ceremony. He seemed in a great hurry, for
he panted for breath, and it was some time before
he could say,

“I beseech thee to shut the door and hide me,
for my life is in danger.”

Nicholas, who never refused to do a good-natured
act, did as he was desired, so far as shutting and
barring the door. He then asked,

“What hath endangered thy life, and who art
thou, friend, that thou art thus afraid?”

[figure description] Page 022.[end figure description]

“Ask me not now, I beseech thee, Nicholas—”

“Thou knowest my name then?” said the other,
interrupting him.

“I do—everybody knows thee, and thy kindness
of heart. But ask me nothing now—only hide me
for the present, and when the danger is past I will
tell thee all.”

“Thou art no murderer or fugitive from justice?”

“No, on my faith. I am sinned against, but I
never injured but one man, and I was sorry for
that. But hark, I hear them coming—wilt thou
or wilt thou not protect me?”

“I will,” said the good Nicholas, who saw in
the dignified air and open countenance of the stranger
something that inspired both confidence and
awe. Accordingly he hastily led him into a remote
apartment, where he secreted him in a closet,
the door of which could not be distinguished, and
in which he kept his money and valuables, for he
said to himself, I will trust this man, he does not
look as if he would abuse my confidence.

“Take this key and lock thyself in, that thou
mayst be able to get out in case they take me
away.”

Presently there was heard a great hallooing and
banging at the outward door, with a cry of “Open!
open!” and Nicholas went to the door and opened it.
A flood of people rushed in helter-skelter, demanding
the body of an arch heretic, who, they said, had
been seen to take refuge in the house. But with

[figure description] Page 023.[end figure description]

all their rage and eagerness, they begged his excuse
for this unceremonious proceeding, for Nicholas
was beloved and respected by all, though he
was a heretic himself.

“He's here—we saw him enter!” they cried.

“If he is here, find him,” quoth Nicholas, quietly.

“I will not say he is not here, neither would I betray
him if he were.”

The interlopers then proceeded to search all
parts of the house, except the secret closet, which
escaped their attention. When they had done this,
one of them said.

“We have heard of thy having a secret place in
thy house where thy money and papers are secured.
Open it to us—we swear not to molest or take
away aught that is thine.”

The good Nicholas was confounded at this
demand, and stood for a moment not knowing
what to say or what to do. The stranger in the
closet heard it too; but he was a stout-hearted man,
and trusted in the Lord.

“Where is thy strong closet?” cried one of the
fiercest and most forward of the intruders. “We
must and will find it.”

“Well, then, find it,” quoth Nicholas, quietly.

They inspected the room narrowly, and knocked
against the walls in hopes the hollow sound would
betray the secret of the place. But they were
disappointed, for the door was so thick that it returned
no hollow sound.

[figure description] Page 024.[end figure description]

They now began to be impatient, and savage
withal, and the ferocious leader exclaimed,

“Let us take this fellow then. One heretic is
as good as another—as bad I mean.”

“Seize him!” cried one.

“Away with him!” cried another.

“To the stake!” cried a third.

They forgot the ancient kindness of the good
man; for bigotry and over-heated zeal remember
not benefits, and pay no respect to the obligations
of gratitude. The good Nicholas was violently
seized, his hands tied behind him, and he was
about to be carried away a sacrifice to the demon
of religious discord, when the door of the closet
flew open, and the stranger came forth with a step
so firm, a look so lofty and inspired, that the rabble
quailed, and were silent before him.

“Unbind this man,” said he, in a voice of authority,
“and bind me in his stead.”

Not a man stirred. They seemed spell bound,
and stood looking at each other in silent embarrassment.

“Unbind this man, I say!”

Still they remained, as it were, petrified with
awe and astonishment.

“Well, then, I shall do it myself,” and he proceeded
to release the good Nicholas from his bonds,
while the interlopers remained silent and motionless.

“Mistaken men!” then said he, looking at them
with pity, mingled with indignation, “you believe

[figure description] Page 025.[end figure description]

yourselves fulfilling the duties of your faith when
you chase those who differ from you about the
world, as if they were wild beasts, and drag them
to the stake, like malefactors who have committed
the worst crimes against society. You think that
the blood of human victims is the most acceptable
offering to your Maker, and worse than the ignorant
pagans, who made martyrs of the blessed
saints, sacrifice them on the altar of a religion
which is all charity, meekness, and forgiveness.
But I see you are ashamed of yourselves. Go,
and do so no more.”

The spirit of intolerance quailed before the majesty
of truth and genius. The poor deluded men,
whose passions had been stimulated by mistaken
notions of religious duty, bowed their heads and
departed, rebuked and ashamed.

“Who art thou?” asked Nicholas, when they
were gone.

“Thou shalt soon know,” replied the stranger.
“In the mean time listen to me. I must be gone
before the fiend, which I have, perhaps, only laid
for a few moments, again awakens in the bosoms
of these deluded men, or some others like them
get on the scent of their prey, and track their victim
hither. Listen to me, Nicholas, kind and good
Nicholas. Thou wouldst have endangered thy
own life for the safety of a stranger—one who had
no claim on thee save that of hospitality—nay, not
even that, for I was not thy guest by invitation, but
intrusion. Blessed be thee and thine, thy house,

[figure description] Page 026.[end figure description]

thy memory when thou art dead, and thy lot hereafter.
Thou art worthy to know who I am.”

He then disclosed to him a name with which
the world hath since rung, from clime to clime,
from country to country. A name incorporated inseparably
with the interests of truth and the progress
of learning.

“Tell it not in Gath—proclaim it not in the
streets of Askalon,” continued he, “for it is a name
which carries with it the sentence of death in this
yet benighted city. Interests of the deepest nature—
interests vitally connected with the progress of
truth—the temporal and eternal happiness of millions
living, of millions yet unborn, brought me
hither. The business I came upon is in part performed;
but it is now known to some that I am, or
have been in the city, who will never rest till they
run me down and tear me in pieces. Farewell,
and look for thy reward, if not here, hereafter—for,
sure as thou livest and breathest, a good action,
done with a pure and honest motive, is twice
blessed—once to the doer and once to him to whom
it is done.”

The good Nicholas would have knelt to the
mighty genius that stood before him, but he prevented
him.

“I am no graven image, nor art thou an idolater
that thou shouldst kneel to me. Farewell! Let
me have thy prayers, for the prayers of a good man
are indeed blessings.”

Saying this, the illustrious stranger departed in

[figure description] Page 027.[end figure description]

haste, and Nicholas never saw him more for a long
time. But he said to himself,

“Blessed is my house, for it hath sheltered the
bright light of the universe.”

From that time forward, he devoted himself to
the good cause of the reformation with heart and
soul. His house was ever the refuge of the persecuted;
his purse the never-failing resource of
the distressed; and many were the victims of
bigotry and intolerance whom his influence and
entreaties saved from the stake and the torture.
He lived a blessing to all within the sphere of his
influence, and was blessed in living to see the faith
which he loved and cherished at length triumph
over the efforts of power, the arts of intrigue, and
the fire of bigotry.

Neither did he forget or neglect the customary
offices of kindness and good will to the little children
of the city, who continued still to come and
share his goodly cakes, which he gave with the
smile and the open hand of kind and unaffected
benignity. It must have been delightful to see the
aged patriarch sitting at his door, while the little
boys and girls gathered together from all parts to
share his smiles, to be patted on the head, and
kissed, and laden with his bounties.

Every Newyear's day especially, being his birthday,
as it came round, was a festival, not only to
all the children, but to all that chose to come and
see him. It seemed that he grew younger instead
of older on each return of the season; for he

[figure description] Page 028.[end figure description]

received every one with smiles, and even his enemies
were welcome to his good cheer. He had
not the heart to hate anybody on the day which
he had consecrated to innocent gayety, liberal hospitality,
and universal benevolence. In process of
time, his example spread among the whole city, and
from thence through the country, until every village
and town, nay, every house, adopted the good
custom of setting apart the first day of the year to
be gay and happy, to exchange visits, and shake
hands with friends and to forgive enemies.

Thus the good Nicholas lived, blessing all and
blessed by all, until he arrived at a happy old age.
When he had reached fourscore years, he was sitting
by himself late in the evening of the first of
January, old style, which is the only true and genuine
era after all—the new style being a pestilent
popish innovation—he was sitting, I say, alone, the
visiters having all departed, laden with gifts and
good wishes. A knock was heard at the door,
which always opened of itself, like the heart of its
owner, not only on Newyear's day, but every day
in the year.

A stately figure entered and sat down by him,
after shaking his hand right heartily. The good
Nicholas was now old, and his eyesight had somewhat
failed him, particularly at night.

“Thou art welcome,” quoth the old man.

“I know it,” replied the other, “every one is
welcome to the house of the good Nicholas, not

[figure description] Page 029.[end figure description]

only on this, but every other day. I have heard of
thee in my travels.”

“Thou knowest my name—may I not know
thine?”

The stranger whispered a name in his ear, which
made the heart of the good Nicholas leap in his
bosom.

“Dost thou remember the adventure of the
closet?” said the stranger.

“Yea—blessed be the day and the hour,” said
the old man.

And now they had a long conversation, which
pertained to high matters, not according with the
nature of my story, and therefore I pass them by,
more especially as I do not exactly know what
they were.

“I almost fear to ask thee,” at length said Nicholas;
“but thou wilt partake of my cheer, on this
the day of my birth. I shall not live to see another.”

Old people are often prophetic on the duration
of their lives.

“Assuredly,” replied the other, “for it is neither
beneath my character nor calling to share the good
man's feast, and to be happy when I can.”

So they sat down together and talked of old
times, and how much better the new times were
than the old, inasmuch as the truth had triumphed,
and they could now enjoy their consciences in
peace.

The illustrious visiter staid all night; and the

[figure description] Page 030.[end figure description]

next morning, as he was about to depart, the aged
Nicholas said to him,

“Farewell—I shall never see thee again. Thou
art going a long journey, thou sayst, but I am
about venturing on one yet longer.”

“Well, be it so,” said the other. “But those
who remain behind will bless thy name and thy
memory. The little children will love thee, and
so long as thy countrymen cherish their ancient
customs, thou wilt not be forgotten.”

They parted, and the prediction of the good
Nicholas was fulfilled. He fell asleep in the arms
of death, who called him so softly, and received
him so gently in his embrace, that though his
family knew he slept, they little thought it was for
ever.

When this news went abroad into the city, you
might see the worthy burgomasters and citizens
knocking the ashes out of their pipes, and putting
them quietly by in their buttonholes; and the good
housewives, ever and anon lifting their clean white
aprons to their eyes, that they might see to thread
their needles or find the stitches, as they sat knitting
their stockings. The shops and schools were
all shut the day he was buried; and it was remarked
that the men neglected their usual amusements,
and the little children had no heart to play.

When the whole city had gathered together at
the side of his grave, there suddenly appeared
among them a remarkable and goodly-looking man,

[figure description] Page 031.[end figure description]

of most reverent demeanour. Every one bowed
their bodies, in respectful devotion, for they knew
the man, and what they owed him. All was silent
as the grave, just about to receive the body of
Nicholas, when he I have just spoken of lifted his
head, and said as follows:—

“The good man just about to enter the narrow
house never defrauded his neighbour, never shut
his door on the stranger, never did an unkind action,
nor ever refused a kind one either to friend or
foe. His heart was all goodness, his faith all purity,
his morals all blameless, yea, all praiseworthy.
Such a man deserves the highest title that can be
bestowed on man. Join me then, my friends, old
and young—men, women, and children, in blessing
his memory as the good Saint Nicholas; for I
know no better title to such a distinction than pure
faith, inflexible integrity, and active benevolence.”
Thus spake the great reformer, John Calvin.

The whole assembled multitude, with one voice
and one heart, cried out, “Long live the blessed
memory of the good St. Nicholas!” as they piously
consigned him to the bosom of his mother
earth.

Thus did he come to be called St. Nicholas;
and the people, not content with this, as it were by
a mutual sympathy, and without coming to any
understanding on the subject, have ever since set
apart the birthday of the good man, for the exercise
of hospitality to men, and gifts to little children.
From the Old World they carried the

[figure description] Page 032.[end figure description]

custom to the New, where their posterity still hold it
in reverence, and where I hope it will long continue
to flourish, in spite of the cold heartless forms, unmeaning
ceremonies, and upstart pretensions of
certain vulgar people, who don't know any better,
and therefore ought to be pitied for their ignorance,
rather than contemned for their presumption.