Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-12-24
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The following poem is as familiar
to adult readers of the Gazette az
"Mother Goose's Melodies" but in
accordance with our annual custom,
we reproduce it today. 1t should be
remembered that new generations
are being enthused by the approach
of Christmas, and while this immor-
tai poem is not fresh reading to
many, lis original with myriads who
at, this time are but learning to read.
In some households Christmas
would bas Hamlet minus Hamlet with
out an illustrated copy of the, Visit
of St. Nicholas" 1t is locked upon
as the sine qua non of the holiday
season, and is generally hung upon
the Christmas tree.
We read books every day that
were perused by persons who have
been dead hundreds of years. "The
Night Before Christmas is an epic
which we can read once year with
pleasure
Twas the night before Christmas when
all through the house.
Not a creature was stirring. not even
mouse:
The stockings were hung by the CHM
ney wish care
In hopes that st. Nicholas soon would
bp there
The children were nestled all snug in
their beds
While visions Of sugar plums danced
In their heads.
and Ma in her kerchef and I in my
cap
Had just settled down for long win
ter's nap
When out on the lawn there arose such
a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was
the matter:
Away to the window few like fash
Tore open the shutters and threw up
the sash.
The moon on the breast Of the new
fallen snow
Gave a lustre of midday to objects he-
low.
When. what to my wondering eyes
should appear.
But Il miniature sleigh and eight tiny
reindeer.
With little old driver so lively and
quick
I knew in a moment it must be ST.
Nick.
Nor. rapil than eagles his coursers
they came:
And he whistled and shouted and caiied
them by name:
Now Dasher. now DancerE no"
Frances and Vixen
On Comet. on Cupid. on Dunder ana
Bitter!
70 the top of the porch. to the tor.
Of the wall!
Now. dash away dash away, dasn
away all
As dry leaves that before the wild hur-
ricane ~
When they meet with m obstacle. :
mount 10 the sky.
So up to the house top III" coursers
they few.
With sleigh full Of toys and 81.
Nicholas too.
And then in a twinkling ! heard on
the roof
The pranciag and paving or eaen i''''r
hoof
AZ 7 drew in my head and was turning
around
Noun IN. chimney st. Nicholas came
with n bound.
f,tN
head 10 his foot
And his clothes were all tarnished WIN
ashes and SCOT.
\ bundle of toys he had flung on ms
back
And hc looked like pedler JUST open
ing his pack.
his yves how they swinkled! his
aimplcs how merry.
rI;s cb..ks were like roses. his nose
like a cherry,
His droll little mouth was drawn up
like bow.
And thc beard Of his chin was as white
as the snow.
The stump OF a pipe he held tGh' III
his teeth
And the smoke it encircled his heah
like n wreath.
H.. had n broad face and little ronnu
belly
That shook when he laughed IKE
bowl full Of jelly.
uo WAS chubby and plump ri"h'
Jolly old elf
And T laughed when 7 saw him IN spits
Of myself
wink of his eye and twist or MS
head
soon gave me TO know had nothing
to dread:
n. spoke not n word but went strai%h'
to his work,
And filled all the stockings. then turn
ed with jerk
And laynr his finger aside OF his nose
And giving a nod. up the chimney ne
rose.
uc snran- to his sleigh. to his team
gave whistle
And away they all hew like the down
Of thistle:
put heard him rxclaim, ere ne droV"
out of sight.
merry Christmas to all. to all Gooo