Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1912-12-24
XMAS OF OF NINETY NINE ~ FIVE
Mary Ella Kitchener HOPES.

My little boy of summers four
Is busy playing on the floor
Making music soft and sweet,
With the tread OF tiny feet
Playthings scattered here and there
All around his mama's chair.
With horse and cart and little horn
He has played since early morn.
Oh what pleasure he does see
With his little cousins three;
Frank, the eldest Of them all,
And the two little ones quite small.
With them he's Spending Christmas
Day,
In Conshohocken, far away.
] know he will not soon forget
How Frank and Charles, the little pet.
Waited long for Christmas Eve.
When Santa Claus would come and
leave
All the pretty little TOYS
That he makes for girls and boys
Christmas came ere a week had
passed
Yes, Christmas Eye was here at last:
Frank and Newlin, Nels and Charlie
Went to bed that night quite early.
Well they knew II they stayed up late,
Old Santa Claus would pass by their
gate,
For little eyes must closed be.
When Santa Claus comes round you
see
The morning came, twas bright and
clear
The gladdest day of all the year.
And patter patter down the stairs
Came all the little feet. four pairs.
Dear Auntie said. Soon we shall see
What Chris has placed upon the tree"
Quickly we got the breakfast DER
Then auntie opened the parlor door
Oh. such sight for little eyes.
They clapped their hands with glad
surprise,
For in the corner stood a tree
That filled their merry hearts with
glee.
There were presents for each and all.
From the oldest to baby small
Il told you so my darling said.
That Chris would come when | went
TO bed
A voice in the chimney then we heard
Not at all like the voice Of a bird.
Gruh and low, a sonorous sound.
AS If 'twere coming from the ground.
"Old Chiss, old Chiss. is that you we
hear?
We all wish YOU a happy New Year"
Frank looked about and there he
found
His hooks and engine. tall and round:
For little Charles Newlin too.
Were horns and carts, not a few.
Then bowling low before our eyes
Was Nelson's moo cow" looking
wise.
From his marvellous list so new
He surprised aunt and uncle too.
For looking carefully around
Two lovely racking chairs we found.
We looked again and 10. we see
A handsome case beneath the tree;
This was for mamma" papa said.
The case was oaken tinged with red.
or all the gifts Chris had in store.
ne did not pass Cousin Norma DER;
What could more acceptable be
Than a brush. silver thimble and
slippers. YOU see
Handkerehiets, TOO, from a friend so
kind,
Norma among her gifts did find.
some friends came in to spend the
day
Pleasantly passed the time awav.
Music and mirth on every side.
Happy and joyous the Christmas tide.
~ NkiAA'A we were fdilfu AZ last.
Most bountiful was the repast:
Sweet-scented flowers filled the room.
With their rich and rare perfume.
The turkey. fruits and cake were fine.
But dinner was served without any
wine
Nuts and candies. and rich mince MES
Gladdened the hearts Of four little !
wise.
We bowed our heads, and grace was
said,
To show that We were glad for bread;
And all the good things we'd I'm store.
Much we had to be thankful for.
Peach and vanilla very fine.
The walters served when we had
dined
After dinner, away TO play.
'Oh, how happy I am today"
One little girl was heard to say.
And now. dear boys and girls who
read.
Think of the poor little ones in need;
For Santa has so much to do.
Some children are forgot. It's true.
If ninety-six you live to see.
A Merry Christmas" may it be.