Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-20

BETSEY GREEN'S PRESENT..

Twas the night before Christmss-a cold, stormy
night.
The wind blew gale over meadow and lawn.
And the snow had been drifting and cloudine The
sight WV
Of the travelling public since early th.. morn.
Ihe houses were dark, for the hour was late.
And the good village people all sleeping like
With visions of Christmas cheer haunting each
pate
In the shape of plum-puddings, roast beef and
Hot forums of fps, pies of apple and mince,
LUCK cnlckens, and turkeys, and old mother
Cranberries, marmalades, jellies, and ounce.
And the time -honored runlet of sweet snnle,
With other home daintes which gsrnish the rs.
ton
OF yeomen at Christmas time throughout the m.
ton.
In the telegraph Office down by the old church
ngna Grs.,. was still burning. for Miss Betsey
The lady in charge, had been left in the lurch
by her nelghbors, for Betsey was stngy and
l am sorry to say; her delight was to hoard;
Her only ambition the gaining of pelf.
And to lay by part of the price of her board
She was renting gsrrst and boarding herself
she had counted on getting ride to and fro
From the house IS occasion might offer, but
She was caught in the storm and blockaded BY
u cannot attempt to walk home anyhow"
She mad said to herself after gettin goodnight;
Nv th the snow foot deep and the wind in
l should certainly be in horrible plight
IL got there alive-what q terrible bore!
In TINS dreary old room my Wig lis must keen"
~ 30, not caring to venture abroad in the storm.
nor yet IN telegraph Office to sleep,
BefQav a bv fho G-a ox.l 49,
And here she remained, till the old village CLOCK
four, =
When, what could have caused her 90 sudden .
shock
1t could be nothing less than q knock st the
A knock at the door, sudden, loud, and empbat;c.
Made Miss Betsey wish she had gone 10 he.
attic. w.
As she tried from the window his features To ran
Inc door quickly opened, and straighway ap.
From out Of the darkness little old man.
win Jolly round face and and long curling
And bright twinkling eye. fun of mischief and
1t was this Betsey saw ss she sat down the
She held in her hand while preparing to run.
But the elhn intruder was no commeu tramp:
Va .no costhest iurs were the garments he wore,
VI the sver-gray foxskin the cloak At his bach
And ike some village pedler or postman of yore
lie bore ON his shoulder q huge leather sack
Quite as large as a mailbag-but here NAV psuse.
For all are acquainted with old Santa Claus.
~.
merry Christmas, to you, Betsey Green!" said
the elf;
"The RENDERS were taking . wee bite of bav
So thought I'd step in and be warming myself
By your fret lacks some hours of dsy
What clustering night it has been to be sure!
My work is all done, I've filed every stocking.
And now III 90 home and take something to cure,
lhis psa n1ase coid IN my head-pray excuse me for
hope that my coming has caused you no fright -
Here Betsey made answer, mo, am not afraid,
Though its something unusual at this time of night
For gsdders to trouble lonely old maid
But to tell you the TRUTH was filed with surprise
door " NY
And you knocked could hardly believe my OWE
eyes,
For I'm sure that you never have called here be.
thought that perhaps-yes, candidly own
That ct first hopes that your errand might be-
But there Santa Claus any fool mightha known
That ms yo"r sawky old pack contained nothing for
Come, come Bstsey Greenel" said old Santa,
Fairly shaking with laughter and ill-suppres.ed
mHth;
when in weather like this old Saint Nichola.
rides,
Think how tempting the sight of warm glowing
hearth
lis fearful cold night out-my ears are quite
numb;
With the frost and the tempest my fuger. are blue
But Betsey, cheer up there, and don't look 50
Pray how do you know have nothing for Won
Come, tell me your wishes-whst is it YOU lack f'
And, as Betsey, bewildered, was looking around
Old Santa went down in the depths of his sack
And drew from the bottom gem of soInder.
Now its really the truth, although some wouldn't
think it,P
Said ,s Santa Clause, wiPing the brass with hi.
"But | make, nay own self, every notion and
That carry around here on Christmas Eve.
But TINS telegraph instrument puzzled me sadly
WIN all Its machinery, COILS and quirks
DO went 10 the city. and bought one Of Brad
Come set it a-going and see how it works.
never knew much about this teegraphing
Here he ratified away with the armature bright
But hold on minute and never mind Laughing.
just see if old Nicholas knows how to write
And then IN the plainest Of Morse he began:
Merry Christmas. Miss Betsy! You'll find in
Of your old overshoe there handsome new fan.
AND next year when l come will bring you q
AS he turned with bow, Betssy stood in his path,
-, her features distorted with frenzy and ire,
The picture of both disappointment and wrath.
With her cheeks all afame and her eyes flash
ing fire.
~ oure brute, and mean stingy thing, San.
ta Clausp'
Irled the rate old maid in 4 passionate tone;
YES, heartless old wretch and YOU thought
that because
/ WAS onlv q
iou could play off you jokes in high feather and
glee.
lou were hoping to steal something here, III be
How dare you insult lone woman like me-
You know very well that can't read by sound
your sneers I"
Here Betsy subsidized and burst into tears.
Poor Santa with this unexpected tirads
The benevolent elf was quite taken absckt
He stared first at the fire, and then at the maid.
Then he said to himself, as he shouldered his