The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-12-20
lluetrn.
ANOTHER VISIT OF ST.
NICHOLAS.

Twas the day before Christmas. AMI all throusl
the school
The pnpils were restless and broke every rul';
A spirit of mischief pervaded the air,
And the master at last stamped his foot in despair
HI, tbump ,G OH his desk, and he said, Girls am
boys,
Come to order at orce l won't have so much noi>e
Attend to your lessons, and understand clearly,
The next one who speaks shall he punished severe
ly.'
Appalled, by his threat for time no enc spoke.
Until, with a chuckle suppressed 10 choke,
please sir ;" said the voice of the tnest scholar
Tomorrow is Christmas. and I've got TO holler"
The pupils locked scared, and the master locke
black,
He glar ced at the birch ro that hung at his back
But as he aro,e and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. n ich, las came with b ,un |
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot.
And his clothes were all covered with ashes and SCOT
MERRY Christmas my children" he said, with
wiLk,
Then he turned to the master, and what do yo
Think
He Looked at him queerly. My dear sir, he said
lyon NAV 90 to your home and I'll stay here in
stead.
Take your cCat from the peg and your hat from tn
shelf
The rest of o-tlay will teach school myself"
The master departed. St. Nicholas took
His seat at the &c k and he opened book.
..Hoot toot!" he excla med. What nonsense il
this?
III teach YOU some less ms worth Earning wis.
And nething to-day in this school may be taught,
But shall with the spirit of Christmas te fraught.
Pit away all your books and just listen to me-"
The ch ldren light gladly oheyed his decree,
And atentively sat, while st. Nicholas lore
Maze attractive the studies so st rpid of yore.
The bot ny class he und easy to please
BY a simple analysis of Christmas trees;
Their pecies and habits, their culture and use,
And the relative merits OF he plrck ani spruce.
OF the red holly berry and white mist etoe
lie gave a de<cript'on on amt told how they grow.
The histor, class armed that once OIL time,
Long, ng Years age, III far dis ant CLINE,
There d.wned en- this earth the first Christmas Day
And this cas- we'll pleased 10 discover that the
Had no long string f difficult dates to remember;
They need learn only OF -a5'h of December;
The astronomy cl ass was told Of a star
That appeared lorg years nee, in a cou try Afar.
Then ST. Nc oIss sal, Children dear, f yor
please.
Wen now sing some caros and c,ches and gIees :
The geography class then this queer teacher told
Of his far way me at the North Pole so cod.
lie described it. a: d then the cbliging old chap
Turned ar u,.d to the blackboard and drew them
mar,
To show the Il e route which he travels each year
With his miniature sleigh a, eight tiny re ndeer.
The classes in science were then taught to know
The wonder full value Of Ice, frost and snow;
And ST. Nicholas chucked while wisely dilating
On the process of snowballng, coasting or skating
The geometry pupils we're sent to the board
And by diagrams made with crayon and cord,
Were taught to inscrbe with an accurate eye
Component triangles in circle of pie.
A lecture natural history then
The teacher announced as lie laid down his pen;
And the pupils all listened, delighted to hear
Description and tales of the noble reindeer.
Ornthoogy followed, in wel-chosen words
Which made clear to them all the principal BIRDS
The handsom est birds, and the birds Of most use,
Without doubt are tne turkey, the duck and III
goose.
Ph, siology nj xt, and the children learned Why
1t is best not to eat too much caLdy 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 we're flock
ing,
Demonstrated the best way to hang up stocking
"Now lessons are over" st. Nicholas said,
"Skurry home, eat your sdppers and hop into bed
For until you are all wrapped in slumber profound
cannot start out on my annual round"
He sprang to his sleigh and he reached for his VIII p
The children ran home with hop and skip,
But they heard him exclaim, ere he drove out O
sight,
merry Christmas to all! will drop in o-night
Carolyn Wells, in Touth's Companion