Evening star., 1961-12-25
EXCLUSIVELY
YOURS
S. Claus Ponders in Rhymes
The Odd Trend Of the Times
By BETTY BEALE


The following from the Bard of Street, George
Abe arrived am happy to say just in time to dspel
thoughts of labor on Christmas Day present herewith
NOSTALIC NOEL
The Christmas rush and-relaxing by the fire
Old Claus kicked off his boots sighed: II must
1T used to be a lot of fun in 1884,
But delivering presents has become dreadful core
He sighed again and thoughtfuy refied his meerschaum
Recalling yuetide memories when youth were ripe
His favore reindeer Bitten came and nuzed at his hand
Yes Btzen said his master that old Washington was
grand
Remember Dupont Circle with its mansions all around
Before built the tunnel all underground?
THE ugly British Embassy with crown above the gate
Instead of what they have todaya glass and cleaning
plate?
The Edison Bradley castle with its chapel and its hall
Where dowagers with gold lorgnettes admired the
Christmas ball?
speed cops the fleeing that raced North
east way
Who ever knew hanson cab do thirteen miles day?
That the time when Senators lovely stoveppe hats
And lived around the Capitol in inexpensive flats
"A quiet game OF poker they considered
And thought that only idiots would rent Georgetown
house
That was the time when Santa Claus meant more
Christmas yelS
And phones Shuffing through the stores and ringing
little bells
And traffic stalled for countless blocks dopes with
aching feet
Screaming for taxiS, packed like rats along sWarmnt
street.
And singers singing carols to extol Polish king,
cKing Wenceus would certainly have hanged them in
u like to think of Christmas when the gift from Cousin
Kate
WAS knitted wooen muffler-not pack of real estate.
When people swept their chmneys out and hung the
family stocking -.
"Ah that was Christmas Blitzen But today it's really
shocking"
Old Santa paused glance about his shelves
And shout Look out! Don't break it! at his hustng,
busing elves.
Then putting at pipe cleared his throat
and said:
Yes yes the Washington used to know is dead.
Its deader than Christmas ush it's vanished like the
Dodo
Today carry burdens that would kill ouasimodo
1T nice bring the in those splendid sparkling
The shaws and FANS the good cigars the box with
chimes
That played old fashioned wazes the tasseed boudoir
lamp,
The shaving mug stamped Henry" with very fancy
stamp,
THE cameos brooches and the charming topaz rings
THE donkey cart the china doa kinds of lovely things
Under Cleveland and Mckinley it was tabby cats and
"And-f the minister approved-a case of Tom & Jerry
Then later came the Teddy bears and Taft opos
"1 remember under Wilson it was canes and orange
blossoms.
To-day choosey items on my modern Christmas list
Are vodka jugs and books that teach reindeer how to
Twist!
Big snazzy planes electric trains used to like the kind
You wound up with simple key. You I'm far behind
Cosmetic gadgetS shooting scent from exotic gun
Dueilng pistols take OF course) marked 1851.
Ashtrays that hold their plastic torpedo boats
That sink at sight of wavelesS seaonly the rudder
floats.
NeeC leotds WIFI Je"eIeu eyes, porcelain oDJeS oarC
Everything that you'll need to stock portable
bar
This and that and the other junk you couldn't cherish
less
"A sable trunk, an Aztec vase Persian motif dress
us it for this fill sleigh and hurry the roofs?
rs it for this slave and and polish your dainty
hoofs!
Old santas shout loudly out elves all turned to
stare
While Btzens fur stffy up-each individual hair
Then tapping out the ashes from his extnguished
pipe
The good saint his faithful friend sharp resoundng
swipe.
His voice kind of Shrek Eyes Bitten this is it,"
One OF the elves dropped crystal another elf
threw fit.
II ask Bitten to beast what We going to do?
If this is the way it is today, what about 1922"