Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-25
CHRISTMAS IS SO NEAR.

Christmas is so near
That it brings little children good
cheer.
It Is now eight by tho kitchen clock,
and up Mary and Bob hop.
They wash their blue little eyes SO
clean
That mother, sister. daddy and
brother say not speck can be
seen.
Now Mary has put on her little dress
in which the color IS green,
And now she has brushed and combcd
her hair and not a tanglc
either can be seen.
And now little Mary has put on her
little stockings and shoes.
And sho. has danced down In tho din
ing-room to eat and hear the
news.
There site mother. father sister and
brother getting ready to eat.
And little Bob has put on his clothes
and. he is ut Mary's feet.
Little Bob has washed his face and
combed his hair and put on his
stockings and shoes.
And he, too. has danced down with
Mary to see II Santa has
left him any news.
Mary sits by mother and Bob sits by
big brother.
Bob asks mother, did Santa leave me
Yes. he told me not to tell you, but
tomorrow you will sec."
Mary's sweet little childish voice
spoke up and said. Did he
leave any for me?"
This Is what mother said: mo sir
rec"
This answer mado little Mary sad.
But before this time tomorrow little
Mary will be glad.
Little Mary and Bob had ate their
breakfast and were out at their
play.
When they heard the dinner bell
ringing. and they thought 1T
was Santa coming their way.
They happily sat down and ate,
For they wanted to play out of doors
again before 1t got too late.
They soon ate.
And they ran out and played on tho
barn gate.
1T was now near night,
And they came In the house like they
were in fright.
Supper was ready. and they had n
mince pie;
The children liked this so that It
nearly made them cry.
Daddy told them after they ate sup
per they had better go to bed.
For Santa might hear little voices
anu carry the tops u olHct
little girls and boys instead.
Father, dear, Santa don't come until
after IL o'clock. and that's an
other day,
That is what little Mary said;
Rob said. Daddy. let Mary and fix
our stockings and Christmas
tree before we go to bed"
Their father said, you may stay up
ana your Christmas tree fix.
For it is now by my watch only&.
1 mean YOU all may sit up until 0;
"Ah, Ah." replied Bob and Mary,
that's just fine"
So they ran In the living-room where
mother and brother sit,
And they both replied. "Oh. what
big Christmas tree brother got
for you and me-" and they near
~ had n ft
First thoy hung their stockings by
the fire so bright,
For they knew dear Old Santa would
be sure and visit them through
the long night.
Now mother had the tinsel ready for
them to trim the tree;
They danced for JOY. for they said,
ooh, how lovely IL will be-"
Now they had finished thc tree. and 1t
was ten to nine.
And father. out OF the kitchen hol-
lowed 1t Is you alls bed time.
So they kissed mother. sister. daddy
and brother goodnight;
Mother told Mary and Bob to not let
the cold wind bite.
Their little feet tripped so soft going
up stairs.
Mother whispered to brother they
sounded like the feet OF the soft
white bears.
1,bov tnply nff thci, rlothos
And before they got in bed they peep
cd out of doors.
Little Bob had undrcssed. too, and
he ran in the hall and peeped
down stairs,
While littlc Mary was saying her
prayers.
Bob comes and says his, too.
While Mary jumps in bed SO cold that
sho said boo-hoo.
Bob jumps In his lttlo bed and
tumblcs on his head.
1t was now nine by Mary's little
clock.
And Mary's big sister comes up ana
turns the light out and left
them In the dark.
Mary and Bob were soon asleep.
dreaming of dancing dolls and good
things to cat. The long and dreary
night had past, and good old Christ
mas morning had come at last. Up
hops Mary and Bob In n silvery
laugh, Bob laughs and tells Mary.
maybe Santa has left me doll with
q golden stan" Mary has dressed.
washed and combed her hair and put
on he stockings and shoes, and now
Mary was ready to go down stairs
to her Christmas news.
Bob has put on his new suit OF
clothes. and he also has washed his