The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-12-19
Chrlstna ~.

Christmas. .-....-..-.
On Tuesday evening next, the Saviour
came into the world, just 1866 years ago.
The chufchcs-particularly the Catholic
celebrate this event with imposing ccre-
monies. All Christian nations solemnize
it--.as they should and after the solemni-
ties are over, the balance of the day and
night are spent in holiday sports. The
Germans being of a more social character
than any nation, adopted the habit of Civ
ing presents on that day, or the evening
previous rather, attributing the arrival Of
the presents for their children and friends,
to the agency of St. Nicholas, the national
saint of Fadcrlandt. The German custom
took with others and now it is almost uni
versal to surprise one another with pref
ty things on Christmas morning. St.
Nicholas is called Santa Claus by the lit
tie folks and his arrival is anxiously ex-
pectcd on Monday evening next.
Gen. Geo. p. Morris of New York, put
this child-like anxiety for "Old Nick's''
coming, into verse many years ago. 1t is
| below:
Twas the night before Christmas when all thro' the
Not creature was stirring. not even a mouse!
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that st. Nicholas soon would be there:
The children were nestled all snug in their beds.
While visions of -plums danced thro their heads
And mamma in her kerchief and in my cap
Had just settled our brains for long winters nap
N A1.~l 1.tt..
| sprang from my bed to what was the matter.
| Away to the window I new like fash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
| The moon, on the breast Of the new-fallen snow,
Gave lustre Of midday TO objects below;
When, what to my wandering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With little old driver, 80 lively and quick,
| knew in moment it must DO st. Nick.
| More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them b,
name;
"Nor, Da4herl now, Dancerl now. Pranccr' now
| On, Comet on, Cupid! on, Dunder and Blixen!-
To the top Of the porch, to the top of the wall!
| Now, dash away, dash away, dash away allr'
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
So, up to the house-top the coursers they new.
With sleigh full Of toys-and St. Nicholas too.
And then in a twinkling heard on the roof
| The prancing and paving of each little hO0f.
Az I drew in my head and turning around,
Down the chimney st. Nicholas came with bound.
lie was dressed ali in fur from his head to his foot,
SCOT; t
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like pcdlar just opening his packs
Ills eyes how they twinkled, his dmples how merry
His cheeks wero like roses, his nose like cherry;
| His dr0ll little mouth drawn up like bow,
And the beard on his chin as white the snow,
| The stump Of pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his heal like wreath
! He had broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed like bowl full of jelly
lie was chubby and plump-a right jolly old elf;
| And laughed when saw him in spite of myself.
| A wink Of his eye and twist of his head,
| Soon gave me to know had nothing to dread.
lie spoke not word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with jerk
| And laying his finger aside of his nose,
| Aud giving nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprung his Sleigh to his team gave whistle,
| And away they all hew like the down Of thistle:
But heard him exclaim. he drove out of sight
"MERRy CHRISTMAS ALL, AND TO ALL Coop NIGHT !!