438 
RURAL HOURS. 
and that they find it far more delightful to pull treasure after 
treasure from the stocking than to take them in a matter-of-fact 
way from the hands of their respected parents. 
Some people use harsh language toward our old friend ; they 
call him an impostor, and even accuse him of being, under false 
colors, an enemy of the little folk ; they saj"- he misleads them. 
Not he, indeed ; he is just as far from desiring to deceive his little 
friends as Mother Goose, or the historian of Jack the Giant-killer, 
and little Red Riding Hood ; such an idea never enters his head. 
Moreover, if he tried it, he would fail. Children are not so easily 
deceived as you think for ; in all simple matters, all that comes 
within their own sphere of judgment, the little creatures have a 
remarkable instinct which guides them witli the nicest tact in 
deciding upon the true and the false. Tliey know, for instance, 
who loves them, and who only makes believe ; they understand 
fully that this friend must be respected and obeyed, while that 
one can be trifled with all day long ; they feel they can trust A 
with the whole confidence of their loving little hearts, and B 
is an individual of Avhom they have a very indifferent opinion, 
though they do not choose, perhaps, to express it in words. As 
for Santa Claus, they understand him well enough ; they feel his 
kindness and they respect his reproofs, for these are always made 
with justice ; they know he is a very great friend of children, and 
chief counsellor of papas and mammas ; they are perfectly sure 
he will come to-night, and that their stockings will be filled by 
him. Tom is a little afraid he will bring a new birch twig with 
him, and Bessie has some fears of a great bitter pill to cure her 
of crying ; still, they would not have him stay away for the 
world, and they go to sleep to dream of him. But at this very 
