The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-12-21
THE LITTLE FOLKS.
a Ride with Santa Claus.

a Ride With Santa Claus.
One snowy day little boy named Fred,
With bright, blue eyes, red cheeks and curly
head, rs
Was hopping around the room among his toys,
His new boots making g lots of Jolly noise"
And he was singing: e Christmas soon will come
And Santa Claus will bring ball or drum."
His Kind old nurse smiled at his childish glee,
And taking him upon her aproned knee,
SAD; p" Let me tell you, Freddy, what I've heard;
; III any child watch, without word,
And catch St. Nick at work on Christmas day,
Hes bound to take him riding in his Sleigh"
The blue eyes danced with wonder and delight
As Freddy ques toned: "Will he come tonight"
And being answered In day or two,'
He trotted off 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 sung;
And then the little ones were tucked in bed,
And went to sleep-all but the monkey Fred;
His eyes were open wide, and watchful 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 wide,
To watch for Santa Claus, and claim ride.
The time passed on, and soon Fred was aware
Of jingling sleigh bells in the upper air;
Then close behind him old Kris seemed to stand
Filling the stockings with liberal hand;
Fred laughed with 10y, and merrily he cried:
u I've caught you, Kris now let me have ridew
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 pawned to see stranger near.
O. Now jump in, Fred, and bundle up your knees"
Said Santa Claus, unless you want to freeze"
Gtrarpe SIGHTS sav Fred unon that (,brs+rooe rde
At some he laughed, at some he almost cried;
The rich mans home was pleasant to behold
stored we'll 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 was filled, Christmas tree was
decked,
Old Santa Claus saying e. Soon twill all be
wrecked"
With comic sorrow then away they sped
To where the wind was bowling round she'd
And snow was drifting in the shaking door;
Fred meier had seen such wretchedness befo re.
Within, FIVE children huddled in heap,
With tear-stained faces, shivered in their sleep:
NO stockings hung upon the chimney nail
No tree was there; but in broken pail
epray of ivy>bore note which said
Dear Santa Claus, please bring us all some
bread!"
tear in Kriss eye found resting place,
And Freddy's fist crept very near his face,
Till, reused to action by this scene of VICE.
He whispered to his leader, soft and low:
"GiYe 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,
Aud heaped the table with good]y load
OF Christmas cheer; the ruady apples glowed,
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 lsing on the floor,
And nurse was coming in the open door!
he sprang in bed and held his frightened breath,
While nurse said: "Ohild! you'll surely catch
your DEATH"
No word spoke Fred of all that he had seem
Only mamma the wond'rous tale could glean
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
O. Twere well If all with Santa Claus could ride"