The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-12-31

One snowy day little boy named Fred.
with bright, blue eses, red cheeks and curly head,
vas hopping around the room among his toys,
His new boots making 81 lots Of Jolly noise"
aud be was singing: "Christnas soon viii come,
And Santa Claus viii bring ball or drum"
His kind old nurse smiled at his childish glee,
and taking him upon her aprOned knee.
Said. "a Let me tell you, Freddy. what I've hear
II any child viii watch, without a word,
Aud catch St. Nick at work on Christmas day,
hes bound TO take them riding on his Sleigh.
Tho blue eyes danced with wonder and delight
As Freddy questioned 4" win he come tonight -
And being answered " IN o day or two"
De trotted OF 70 think what be should do;
Aud nurse glad Of the quiet, dozsd again,
On"itting Of the mischief set IN train.
On Christmas eve the stockings ell we're hung
around the chimney; Christmas hymns Were sung;
and then tho little ones were tucked IN bed,
ana went to sleeP--ali but the monkey Fred;
ais eyes were open wide, and watchful kept
Uniil quite certain that his brother slept.
Then slipping from his bed, by slow degrees
he gained the hearthrug; crashing On his knees,
ana putting on his clothes i'm silent haste
Bis skatins-cap upon his head he placed,
and stretched himself close to the chimney wide,
To watch for saRia Claus, and claim ride.
Tue time passed on, and soon Fred was aware
OF jinRliuR sieigl-bels So the upper air:
Then close behind him old Kriss seemed 10 stand,
Filling the stockings with liberal hand
Fred laughed with Joy, and merrily be cried
I've caught you, Kriss; now let me have ride :"
No sooner said than done; they seemed to rise,
and found upon the roof. meath starry akiea,
sleigh packed full OF toys, and drawn by deer,
Who pianeed and paved to see a stra5ger near.
Is Now jump in Fred. and bundle ~ your knees, -
Said Santa C.aus, 81 unless you want TO freeze"
Strange sights Feed upon that Christmas ride Z
AZ some he laughed, at some he almost cried;
Toe rich mans home was pleasant te behold.
Stored well with every comfort bought by gold;
And Santa Claus while there seemed growing hot
In hunting something that those boys had not
Each warm sock allied. Christmas tree was aecked,
Old Santa Claus saying: " Soon twill ali be
wrecked
With corslo sorrow; then away they sped
T. where tie wind was bowling round a she'd
Aud snow was drifting in the shaking door;
Fred neer had seen such wretchedness before.
Within, fve children huddIed in a heap.
with tear-stained faces shivered in their sleep;
n ; stockings hung upon the chimney nail
40 tree was there but in broken pail
A spTay Of ivy bore note which said:
" Dear sanie Claus, please bring US ali some
breadw
tear in KISS eye found resting-place,
And Freddy 3 fist crept very near his face,
Till, reused to action by this scene Of woe
He whspered to his leader, soft and low:
" Give them the toys and candy meant for me,
And let US dress them mp Christmas tree"
Then Santa Claus gave him loving look.
And from the sleigh brought top, and ball, aRd
And heapod the table with q goodly load
OF Christmas cheer; the ruddy apples gowed,
turkey plump upheld a huge mince-Pie,
And IN the fireplace wood was piled up high.
Treas JOY was great to see the pleasant sight,
He gave shout: when suddenly twas night
He vas at home, aud lying on the 9Oor,
And nurse was coming in the open do3ri
He sPraug IN bed aud held his frightened BREATH
While nurse said "Chndl you'll surely catch youI
DEATH
No word from Fred OF all that he had seen
Only mamma the wond'rous tail could CLEAN
And when he said q Please let me give toy
and candy to the Widow JenkinH' boys"
She gave consent; while to herself ahe sighed
q 'rWere well If ali with Santa Claus could ride