'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house . . .

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of Sugarplums danced in their heads. Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winters' nap.

When out on the lawn their arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter . . . And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

So up to the housetop the courses they flew with a sleigh full of toys, and Saint Nicholas, too . . . I drew in my head and was turning around, when down the chimney he came with a bound . . . A bag full of toys he had flung on his back and he looked like a little old peddler just opening his pack.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work. He filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying a finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, er he drove out of sight, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"