Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-12-24

CHn,sr1As-Ths re is slinost an unanimous ants;fa-
tim OF ~ dul Chrstmss" G,cTy creature comfort
hib usually contributes % festive enjoyment at this
season il scarce and high the Toy stores arc al"ost
bare and nearly every article appropriate for Christ
ma present is held at prices which only the
rich are able to pay The condition of the country, the
aenee Of so nAuy loved ones from home, and the ru
merOus cases Of sickness and suffering are also adverse
TO the sonvival enjoyment incident this holiday but
despite these drawbacks. there will be many re-
aratons of the gsdsome experience which constitutes
tae measures Of Christmas. 1t Is the common remark
every year. at this PERIOD that the ensuing Christmas
viii be "iulI' one yet everybody partakes more or
lass of the envenng Influences of the OCCASION and 50
It will be this Christmas. We do not believe that Santa
cl,s will fail to visit this latitude tonight some have
expected He nav have ghtened his load so as to 'rdn
~. blockade" and escape the accursel Yankees more
easily but We are sure he viii come to bring something
to the little one. and believing We annex, for the
entertainment OF our juvenile readers the familiar lines
Of DR.. {. C. Moore, .etp,ive of Senta Claus visit
was the night before Christmas when, all hrO' the
house,
Not a crea ule was stirring not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung BY the chimney with care,
In hopes that st. Nicholas soon would DC there
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions Of suglr-plums danced through Their
heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchef, and in my cap,
Had settled our brains for long winters nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such ciatter,
sprang from my bed to see what was the matter;
Away TO the window few like a flash,
Tore open the shutters aud threw up the sash.
The moon en- the breast Of the new fallen snow
Gave the lusire of hid day TO objects below;
When what 90 nv wondering eyas should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With little old driver so lively and quick
knew in d moment IL mus: be s.. Nick
More rapid than esgles his courSers they came,
Aud be whised and shouted and called item by
name
Now Dasheri nag, PanCerl now, Pranesrl now,
Vixen
On Comet! on, Cupid on, Dunder and BliEsnl
To the top Of the porch! TO the top Of tie walt
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all =
A. the leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle mount TO the sky,
So up 10 the hOu,etOp the courStrs they flew,
With the sleigh uIl OF TOYS and s.. Nicholas too
And then, in a thinking, heard on the roof
rhe praucng aud paving Of each little hoof
As drew 10 my head, Sad ysS tnri.iEs around,
Down the chimney 81 Nicholas came Siih bound
tie va, drrs I'D AZ in fur froE his head 10 bis foot
And hs clothe, we've all t,Fnshsi with ashes and SCOT
A bundle Of TOYS he ksd dung on his bscs
Aud h. looked IKE peilar Just opening his pack
Ills eyes-hON they tNinAled h's ullpie no" meEtS
His checks like roses, his nose Ike cherry
Ills iroll little mouth was drawn up ike bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white the snow
The stump II pipe he held tight in his teeth,
Aud the smoke !, sncrcic9 his head like awreath.
lie had broad face, and a little ro4ud kelly.
That shook when he laughed Ike bowl full OF Jelly.
be vas chubby snd plump; right Jolly old eli
ifd laughed, when ! saw him, IN spite Of my eli.
A wink Of his eye and ~ tst OF his head
S5on s-ve 0eto know bad nothing 10 dread
lie spoke not ! wcld -: y.'' strait to his work,
lud II led al the ,tocAiHgs--tSen ngnci u,E jerl,
And having hi. dugcr aside Of his nose
Aui giving a nod up tie chimney he rose
lie snsang % al, sleigh To hi, ;eam gave a whistle
Aud away thew ali H,S, Ike The d0wU OF thistle,
But heard him ,TcIaim, a. he dtoge out OF sight
"HASFI CESISrSAs 70 All, AS9 10 AT 4 coon SIdHr"