Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-12-24
4 RIDE WITH SANTA CLAUS.


One snowy day little boy named Fred,
with bright, blue eyes, red cheeks and curly
Was hopping around the room among his toys,
His new boots making :. lots OF jolly noise,
And he was singing: . Christmas coon win come,
And Santa Claus will bring ball or drum"
u,s Find old nurse smiled at his childish glee.
And taking him upon her aproned knee,
said: Let me tell you. Freddy, what I've heard !;
.Ifany child will watch, without word,
And catch ST. Nick at work on Christmas Day,
He's bound 10 take them riding in his Sleigh"
The blue eyes danced with wonder and delight
As Freddy questioned: Will he come to-nightf ~
And being answered In a day or two
He trotted OF to think what he should do;
And nurse, glad Of the quiet, dozed again,
Unwilling of the mischief set in train.
ON Christmas Eve the stockings all were hung
Around the chimney; Christmas hymns were
And then the little ones were tucked in bed,
And went to sleep-all but the monkey Fred;
His eyes wereppen wide, and watchfn! kept
Until quite certain that his brothers slept.
Then slipping from his bed, by slow degrees
He gained the hearthrug; crawling on his knees,
And putting on his clothes In silent haste,
His skating-cap upon his head he placed,
And stretched himself close to the chimney
To watch for Santa Claus, and claim ride.
The time passed on, and soon Fred was aware
or jingling sleigh-bells in the upper air;
Then close behind him old Kriss seemed to
Filling the stockings with liberal hand;
Fred laughed with JOY, and merrily he cried:
No sooner said than done; they seem to rise,
And found upon the roof, meath starry skies,
sleigh packed full OF toys, and drawn by deer,
who pranced and paved to see a stranger near.
Nov jump in, Fred, and bundle up your
knees,
up1a 10
Strange Fights saw Fred upon that Christmas
At some he laughed, at some he almost cried;
The rich mans home was pleasant to behold,
Stored well with every comfort bought by gold;
And Santa Claus while there seemed growing hot
In hunting something that those boys had notl
Each warm, sock filed, Christmas tree was
decked,
Old Santa Clans saying: "soon twill all be
With comic sorrow; then away they sped
To where the wind was bowling round shed,
And snow was drifting in the shaking door;
Fred ne'er had seen such wretchedness before.
Within, five children huddled in heap
With tear-stained faces, shiyered in their sleep;
No stockings hung upon the chimney nail
No tree was there; but in broken pail
A spray of ivy bore q note which said
Dear Santa Claus, please bring us all some
breadi"
tear in Kriss' eye found resting-place,
And Freddy's fist crcpt very near his face,
Till, reused 10 action by this scene of woe,
He whispered to his leader, soft and low
"Give them the toys and candy meant for me,
And let US dress them up Christmas tree"
Then Santa Claus gave him loving look,
And from the sleigh brought top, and ball, and
book,
And heaped the table with a goodly load
OF Christmas cheer; the ruddy apples glowcd,
turkey plump upheld huge mince pie,
And In the fireplace wood was piled up high.
Fred's JOY was great to see the pleasing sight
He gave shout; when suddenly twas night!
He was at home, and lying on the floor
And nurse coming In the open door!
He sprang in bed and held his frightened breath
While nurse said: "Childl you'll surely catch
your DEATH"
No word spoke Fred of all that he had seen
Only mamma the wond'rous tail could CLEAN;
And when he said: - Please let me give some
toys
And candy to the Widow Jenkins boys"
She gave consent; while to herself she sighed
d" 'Twere well II all with Santa Claus could ride"