The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-12-22
ANOTHER VISIT OF ST. NICHOLAS.

Twas the day before Christmas, and all through
the school
A spirit of mischief pervaded the air,
And the master at last stamped his foot in de-
He thumped on his desk. and he said. "Girls and
Come to order at once. won't have so much
Attend to your lessons, and understand clearly,
The next one who speaks shall be punished se-
verely."
Until, with a chuckle suppressed to choke.
please. SIR" said the voice of the tiniest
"To-morrow is Christmas. and I've got to
The pupils looked scared, and the master looked
He glanced at the birch rod that hung at his
back;
But as he arose and was turning around.
Down the chimney st. Nicholas came with a
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his
foot,
And his clothes were all covered with ashes and
Merry Christmas, my children" he said, with
Then he turned to the MASTER and-what do you
He looked at him queerly. "My dear sir" he
"You may, &C, to your home, and III stay here
Take your SOat st. from the peg and your hat from
The rest of to-day will teach school myself"
The master departed. st. Nicholas took
His seat at the desk and he opened book.
"Hoot, toot ~ he exclaimed. "What nonsense
is this?
I'll teach you some lessons worth learning.
And nothing to-day in this school may be
But shall with the spirit of Christmas be
fraught
Put away ali your books and just listen to me-"
The children right gladly obeyed his decree,
And attentively sat, while St. Nicholas lore
The botany class he found easy to please
By a simple analysis of Chrstmas-trees
Their species and habits, their culture and use,
OF the red holly-berry and white mistletoe
He gave description and told how they grow.
The history class learned that once on time,
Long, long years ago, in q far distant cline,
There dawned on this earth the first Christmas
And this class was we'll pleased to discover that
Had no long string of difficult dates to remem-
They need learn only one,-25th of December;
The astronomy class was told ofa star
That appeared long years since, in country
Then St. Nicholas said. "Children dear. if you
Wen now sing some carols and catches and
glees."
The geography class then this queer teacher
told
Of his far-away home at the North Pole SO cold.
He described it, and then the obliging old chap
Turned around to the blackboard and drew
them map,
To show them the route which he travels each
With his miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein
deer.
The classes in science were then taught to know
The wonderful value of ice, frost and snow;
And st. Nicholas chuckled while wisely diating
On the process of snowballing, coasting or ska
The geometry pupils were sent to the board,
And by diagrams made with crayon and cord,
Were taught to inscribe with an accurate eye
Component triangles in q circle Of pie.
A lecture on natural history then
The teacher announced as he laid down his pen;
Description and tales of the noble reindeer.
Ornithology followed. in we'll chosen words
Which made clear to them all the principal
birds,
The handsomest birds, and the birds of most
use,
without doubt are the turkey, the duck and
Physiology next, and the children learned why
1t is best not to eat too much candy or pie.
Last of all came the class in industrial arts.
And by numerous diagrams, sketches and charts
st. Nick to the children who round him were
focking,
Demonstrated the best way to hang up stock
ing.
"Now lessons are over" st. Nicholas said,
"Skurry home, eat your suppers and hop into
For until you are all wrapped in slumber pro-
cannot start out on my annual round"
He sprang To his sleigh and he reached for his
whip;
The children ran home with hop and a skip,
But they heard him exclaim, ere he drove out
of sight,
Merry Christmas to all 1 will drop in to-
Carolyn Wells, in Yauth's Companion.