The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-12-25
SeIett poetrp.
SANTA CLAUS IN DISGUISE.


Old anita Claus, once on a cold winter night
In h castle 70 strong the far Northern Light
Sat iusing and thoughtfuly nodding his head.
Givt lg no heed 10 the hours as they sped.
Grea heaps of rare presents were scattered around
Bon hons. tin horses, and irumpets that sound
Baby dolls playihings for girls and for boys
An endless variety ofall the new toys
In one corner stood most queerlooking sleigh.
Which Santa Claus used when he Iouneyed away.
With the tiniest ponies that ever were seen,
Both well trained to travelling Ser houseops ween
such museum of wonders and playthlngs SO nice
Twas enough to drive OF cen the blues in trioc
And any mere mortal. II granted a sight
OF treasures 80 charming, had cried with delight
But shls quaint little man sat wlstniiy there.
And plainly enough had some trouble or care;
For he stroked his long beard and nodded his head
And these were exactly the words that he said
May be dropped in the stockings OF bad little boys.
Or of girls who are selfish or peevish or proud,
Who mock at old age with infrmity bowed9
ut is wrong to pplenlsh the stockings ofthese.
And hang ll Of presents their green Christmas trees
ftheirhcarts but grow harder the more they receive
And the SORROWS ofothers ncer cause them to greve
Then Rrayely again he sirokcd his white beard
But soon DER his mouth played a smile quaint and
weird.
His little eyes ,winkled far back ia his head.
And his wrinkled face beaned with the light which
they she'd
Il have IT," exclaimed he I'm go in Disguise
Aud sec for myself where the true merit lies
In the dress OF beggar m 60 10 the CITY,
And all the good children will surely show PITY
Then donning the raggedest clothes to be found,
And degning for this time b walk on the ground,
He lief. all behind him. the ponies and sleigh,
And toward the great city went trudging his way.
The journey was long aud twas noon the next day
When first he appeared midst the children at play
Tired and footsore, and haggard Of men,
With garments all iattered not fit TO be seen
With his long flowing beard, reaching mos, to the
J ground,
And a creaky old voice Of the funniest sound.
He seemed to the mischieyous urchins NJ cause
For boisierous mirth and derisiye applause
Wherever he weut,hrough the streets Of the town,
crowd OF rude children now hunted him down.
Jecring and hootng, though asked but for bread,
And pelting him often with pebbles instead
Pert little misses slammed doors in his face
Who always at Christmas experienced his grace,
And many refused him place at their hearth
Whom he'd favored each year since the day OF their
birth.
Yet not so did all for some took him In
And fed him and clothed him, and said twas a sin
Ihata harmless old man. tho he looked like gnome,
should suffer for want of kind friends and home.
Old Santa Claus noted the actions of each,
And said to himself, NOW lesson I'll teach"
So when in the midst Of a crowd ON the street
He whisted three times for his ponies 20 feet
Then suddenly came there the ponies and sleigh,
And Santa Claus mounting. rode quickly away,
Shouting loudly to ALL as he gan to ascend
mo bad child again shall be Santa Causs friend.