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Show "TWAS th night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not p creature was stirring not even a mouse; 1 1. tv,v1tuU , "t The stockings were hung by the chimney with tare WrA' Vf 'WJ- In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; RBRWi -S The children were nestled all snug in their beds jJlfjfi 9xjf K While visions of sugar-plums danced through their heads; I If And Mamma In her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, w??J(k tyN- V Had ust settled our brains for a long winter's nap, p TCav ? When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, :: I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Vr" Away to the window I flew like a flash, K?ElL- '55 Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. ''r-i 4? The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow brC' " (Sr Gave a lustre of mid-day to objects below . . . '$?? -Tp; Si. A- CUHEN what to my wondering eyes should appear, V But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer, 'fmTijS With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew In a moment it must be St. Nick. w&?uwr , More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, mi? t ' And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: w-s "Now, Dasherl now, Dancerl now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Cometl on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen V j To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Wt ; Now dash away! dash away! dash away, all!" JjlfXCL -'' 't';',, As dfV ,eave$ that before the wild hurricane fly, tr Y - When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; 'j;s"W W miyt';? So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, v$&&7 ? y Wl,h ,ho $,eigh fuU of ,oys' and St Nicho,a$ too . . jgga r""P' n A ND the,1 In ,wink,in9' 1 herd on the roof - " I ",' . ' 1 The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. "j ftiPi'i'J J "V'1, A A$ ' trew m my bead, and was turning around, l -Zt 1 '$yv Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. '4w --& was dresset " !n 'ur' rom n$ bead to his foot, j ITH 'l rvV And c',hcs were " tarnished with ashes and soot; p j - ftjff A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, V fej fy.l And e looked like a pedler just opening his pack. p-- L '& jvYj His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! V, p- IM . vy f; His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! g fS W ""yrwprrbA, H'$ droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, . (7V 11 "' 1 ,ne heard on his chin was as white as the snow; ' nJliJl j The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, 1 i I ' X'(.XT'i . And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath ... ' TCr v 'SJr XTVVi'f f ZJE had a broad face and a little round belly 1 1 :biu rr Uj That shook when he ,au9hed' ,ike a bowI fuU of ie,,y 'V'lf?' iiJjL e was cnuby and plwmp, a right Jolly old elf, L.,.. j J fjl '2 And ' 'aujjhed when I saw him in spite of myself; "'" vsPMgMv - wink of his eye and a twist of his head "Y 1 .NaPl' r "' Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; ' tlSt-n ft " "' He sPce no a word, but went straight to his work, 'J&Ji. v " And fi"ed a" the s,ockm9s' ,nen turned with a Jerk "77V fU'h "ffy And 'aym9 f"n9er aside of his nose. V 'Ws-VrSt YffiJr And 9ivm9 a nod UP ,he chimney he " j &'i0jom, He sPran9 to hh sleigh, to his team j whistle, j'gvjY P And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. &s'n tk ' neard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, ''0V "HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD riiGHTI" j3 " :f ;-. r By Dr. Clement C. Woore |