The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-01-05
Qnr Nonna aoMs.
NLLTLADES GETS THE BEST OF SAN
II NLANS

OF course" said Mltiades Peterkin Paul,
On the day before Christmas, i've no doubt al
1t is Santa Claus who, every Christmas Eve
The presents and candy and all the nice things
Which lind in my stocking; and, doubtless, It's
true
That he drives six fleet reindeer and comes down
the flue,
But l should like to see him! Perhaps, too,
might,
If sat up and kept sharp lookout tonight
But that never would do" explained John Hen
ry Jack;
e He would turn straight around. and would
never come back.
For, you see the old gentlemen's taken whim
That not one OF you children shall catch sight OF
him.
II he came to the house and found one single eve
Remained open, he'd whip up and gallop straight
. Nevertheless, thought Miltiades Peterkin Paul
l think 1 shall see him tonight. after all
So that night, after bedtime, when in the house
Was quite still young Miltiades Peterkin Paul
Softly stepped from his bedroom, and, stealthily
creeping
Past the door where his father and mother were
sleeping,
Stole down to the sitting-room, where, you must
know.
He had hung by the mantel an hour ago
Both his new scarlet stockings. 81 o! hon'
Now we'll see, Mr.. Santa Claus, what we shall
seen'
Then, from where he had hidden it. under the
carpet,
He drew out steel trap mot really so sharp it
Gould do serious harm); and with sang .frOtd
He set it, and placed it deep down in his stocking
So that Santa Claus, when he inserted his fist,
Would lind himself caught and held fast by the
Therer' said little Miltiades Peterkin Paul
" If that doesn't tx him I'll eat it-that's air.
Then little Miltiades Peterkin Paul
Having made these arrangements crept back
through the hall,
And up into bed again. Now, then" he thought
III Just lie still and wait till the old fellows
caught.
Then I'll hurry downstairs in an instant and free
Ho! no! no! Wen soon know if body may see
He will find in my sock, when he puts his hand
in it,
A warm grip that will not let him loose in min.
ute!
:. But be careful, Miltiades Peterkin Paul"
He presently added. 1T won't do to fall
Fast asleep at your post Yet he hardly had
When he sank back in slumber. Then silence
unbroken
Reigned supreme for an hour in Farmer GRAY
dwelling.
At the end of that time such an unearthly yelling
And bowling broke in on the stiffness of night
That the whole household woke in panic OF
fright!
Ohio cried Niltiades Peterkin Paul
As he started upright " the old fellow can bawl
Why, at this rate he'll wake the whole house
from its napl
I'll go down and release him at once from the
trap"
So he bounced out of bed and ran down in jiffy;
Then, arrived at the threshold, he stopped short
as if he
We're struck by a thunderbolt! Well, too. he
might,
For he certainly saw an astonishing sight
1t was not Santa Claus Gas before this you all
May have guessed) that Miltiades Peterkin Paul
Beheld-but his grandfather dancing about,
And calling for some one to come help him out.
"Oho' cried our hero. beginning to see
At length who old Santa Claus really must be,
" Was it you, after all, had hand in it, pray?"
" L should think that it 1cdS!" answered Grand
father Gray.
John RroWnjohn in Wide 4aCake.