Nevada national., 1859-12-24
CHRISTMAS.

CHRISTMAS.
The gleesome, merrie Christmas times are
at hand. Tomorrow Is The anniversary Of
timehcnored festival-a day on which
'sNo fairy takes, nor witch hath power TO charm,
So halowed and 50 precious is the time"
We like the good old ways OF "merrie
England In the observance of this day. and
rejoice that the stern opposition to the Eng
lish pastimes, introduced into this country
by the Puritans has now pretty much worn
away.
Christmas, Of all other days. Is THE holy
day for children. Where is the heart that
does not beat with quicker and warmer
pulse at the siggt of the happy faces Gu
Christmas morn, as they hastily gather and
display the rich treasures OF sweet meats and
toys with which good old st. NicholaUs has
filled their stockings duri ng the night
And then, to. who would undeceive their
little innocent minds, by explaining to them
the harmless ruse employed in placing those
Joy producing treasures within their reach.
There is custom in Germany, of ancient
date, whether the origin Of the Santa Claus
Idea or NOT we have no authority by us to
decide, but IL is practiced as follows -
The presents made by the parents n the
children of any immediate neighborhood are
always sent to some person, who appears in
the streets on Christmas morning, dressed in
high buskns, white robe. mask, an enor-
nous aaxen wig and known among the chill
dren as "Krecht Rupert He goes from
hodse TO house, where after heing received
with great pomp aud reverence by the pa
rents, he calls up the children and bestows
the intended gifts upon them. according to
the character which the parents give of
each child.
For the benefit Of the little folks we give
the following poetic description Of one Of
Santa Claus visits, once upon u time, to
come of his little friends.
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through
the house,
Not a creature string not mouse.
The stockings hung oy the chimney with care,
In hopes that st. Nicholas would be there.
The children nestled all snug their beds,
While visions OF sugar pums danced thro their heads
And mamma in her 'kerchef and in my cap.
Had just nestled brains for long winters nap,
When out in the lawn there such a clattsr
sprang from my bed to what was the matter;
Away to the window few like fash.
Tore open the shutters aud threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast Of the fallen snow,
Gave the lustre Of midday 10 objects below;
When, what to my wondering eyOs should appear,
But miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With little old driver, SO lively and quick.
knew In a moment IL must be 81. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
And he whispered and shouted and called them by
name:
''Now lasher nancer now Prancer, nov Vixen
en- Comet. on Cupid On Dunder Blixen
To the top of the porch to the top of the wall
Now dash away. dash away, dash away all F"
A. the leaves before the wild hurricane fy.
When they meet with abstacle mount to tn e sky,
so. up "a the house-top the coursers they dew,
With slay full of tnys-and 1t Nicholas too
And then in twinkng heard on the roof
Tue praneing aud paving Of each little hoof.
70 drew in my head and turning around,
Down the chimney 81. Nicholas with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foet
And his clothes all covered with ashes and soot
bundle Of toys he had flung on his back
And be looked like pedlar, jast opening his pack;
His eyes, ho- they twnkled his dimples how merry
His cheeks we're like roses his nose like cherry
His droll little mouth was drawn up like bow,
And the beard on his chin white : the
The stump Of pipe he held tight in his teeth,
Aud the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath,
lie had broad face and little round belly,
That shook when he Laughed like bowl full of jelly
lie was chubby and plbmp right jolly OLD elf,
AndI laughed, when saw him in spite OF myself.
wink Of his eyes and twist Of his head,
Soon gave me to know had nothing to dread.
lie spoke not word, but went strait to his work,
And hed all the stockings--thsn turned with jerk
And laying his finger aside Of his nose,
And giving nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh TO his team gave whistle,
and away they all new ike the down of a thistle.
But heard him exelaim ere he drove out Of sight
"HERgY CHRISTMAS ALL AND To ALL Coon NiGmr"