Page 80—Santa Claus Land
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Little Nellie's Visit From Santa Claus Santa Claus is coming to-night, papa; Please let me sit up and see him, mamma; Loaded with presents, I'm sure he'll be. He'll have something nice for you and for me. "Mamma, do find something fresh and quite new, For dear old Santa Claus, when he comes through, I'll give it myself; I'll keep wide awake; I know he'll be glad my present to take. "Now all go to bed as quick as you please, I'll wait for him," said the bright little tease, "He surely will ring, no doubt about that, I'll bid him come in and then have a chat." Soon came a quick step on the piazza floor, Just then a loud ring was heard at the door. The little miss rose with dignified air, Quick ushered him in, and set him a chair. All covered o'er with little bells tinkling, Shaking and laughing, twisting and wriggling, A funny old man, with little eyes blinking, Looking at Nellie, what was he thinking? Not a word did he say—tired of waiting, Nellie arose, her little heart quaking, Held out her present, courage most failing, "Santa Claus, take this"—now she is smiling. "His furry old hand, twisting and trembling, Took the sweet gift—"You dear little darling," Uttered quite softly, tenderly kissing, The bright little face, ne'er a bit shrinking. Lots of presents quickly bestowing, Thanking her kindly—he must be going, Shaking and laughing, his little bells jingling, Down the steps, hastening off in a twinkling. Brave little lady! all are now saying, Santa Claus truly! bright eyes are asking; See her dear papa, secretly laughing At her true faith in Santa Claus' coming. Yes! she believes it, ever so truly, Dear precious darling! rob her not surely, Of childhood's sweet faith, now in its glory, While she's relating her own simple story. Mrs. C. E. Wilbur |
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Christmas Stockings 'Tis Christmas day, And little May Peeps from her bed in the morning grey. She looks around, But not a sound Breaks on the quietness profound. So, heaving sighs, She shuts her eyes, And hard to go to sleep she tries. But sleep has fled That little bed. And weary moves the curly head, Until the light (Oh, welcome sight!) Has banished every trace of night. Then out of bed, With hurried tread, She runs to waken brother Fred; For oh, what joys, In the shape of toys, Does Christmas bring to girls and boys! Fred gives a groan, Or a sleepy moan, And mutters, "Do let me alone!" But bonnie May Will not have nay; She whispers, "It is Christmas day!" Oh, magic sound! For Fred turns round, And in a trice is on the ground. "Our stockings, where?" "They're on that chair." "Oh, what has Santa Claus put there?" May laughs with glee, The sight to see, Of stockings filled from toe to knee With parcels queer, That stick out here, Before, behind, in front and rear. "Oh, Fred! a dolly! I'll call her Molly." "Why, may, a penknife here; how jolly!" "A necktie blue! A paintbox too!" "Oh, Fred, a pair of kid gloves new!" "May, here's a gun! Won't we have fun, Playing at soldiers!—You'll be one." "Now that is all. No; here's a ball; Just hold it, or these things will fall." "What's in the toe, May, do you know? Biscuits and figs!—I told you so." "I think," said May, That Christmas day Should come at least every second day." And so say we; But then you see That Santa Claus would tired be. And all his toys And Christmas joys Would vanish then from girls and boys. From "The Prize" |
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Hang Up Baby's Stocking Hang up the baby's stocking: Be sure you don't forget: The dear little dimpled darling Has never seen Christmas yet. But I told him all about it, And he opened his big blue eyes; I'm sure he understood it, He looked so funny and wise. Ah, what a tiny stocking; It doesn't take so much to hold Such little toes as baby's Safe from the frost and cold. But then, for the baby's Christmas It never will do at all; For Santa Claus wouldn't be looking For anything half so small. I know what will do for baby; I've thought of a first-rate plan; I'll borrow a stocking of grandma— The longest that I ever can. And you shall hang it by mine, mother, Right here in the corner—so; And write a letter for baby. And fasten it on the toe. "Old Santa Claus, this is a stocking Hung up for our baby dear; You never have seen our darling, He has not been with us a year, "But he is a beautiful baby; And now, before you go, Please cram this stocking with presents, From the top of it down to the toe. "Put in a baby's rattle, Also a coral ring, A bright new ribbon for his waist; Some beads hung on a string "And mind a coloured ball please, And a tiny pair of shoes; You'll see from this little stocking, The size you have to choose." |
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Santa Claus A health to good old Santa Claus, And to his reindeer bold, Whose hoofs are shod with elder-down, Whose horns are tipped with gold. Ho comes from utmost fairyland Across the wintry snows; He makes the fir-tree and the spruce To blossom like the rose. Over the quaint old gables, Over the windy ridge, By turret wall and chimney tall, He guided his fairy sledge; He steals upon the slumbers Of little rose-lipped girls, And lays his waxen dollies down Beside their golden curls. He scatters blessings on his way, And sugar-coated plums; He robs the sluggard from his rest With trumpets, guns, and drums. Small feet, before the dawn of day, Are marching to and fro, Drums beat to arms through all the house, And penny trumpets blow. A health to brave old Santa Claus, And to his reindeer bold, Whose hoofs are shod with elder-down, Whose horns are tipped with gold. S. H. Whitman |
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