SANTA GLAUS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1440, 24 December 1886, Page 2

SANTA GLAUS.

By THE EdITOK. How restless the darlings have been to-night; I put them to bed at seven ; But they chattered for hours, all wakeful and bright, And Johnny held out till eleven. Maggie and Mimmie were silent first; And Tom was the next to sleep ; And Johnny at last has followed the rest; And lies in a slumber deep. The tear li’tlo heads on the pillows white, Look so pretty and peaceful now; With cheeks like peaches, and hair as bright As gold round each fair smooth brow. Why wakened my little birds so long ? Let the fireplace tell the cause— For there stand four little pairs of shoes, All waiting for Santa Claus. And lo I at the head of each tiny crib, Is a sock or a stocking white, Hung out in a faith that wavoreth not In the fairy that comes to-night. And in fond belief if they waked till twelve— The dear little trusting things,— Thai the fairy herself they should surely see Flit in on her shining wings. Flit in all laden with precious gifts, The dear heart-wishes of all; A doll and a cradle for Maggie and Mim, And for Tommy a bat and ball. While Johnny as firmly believed as the rest That the fairy would bring him a ki f e, With a tail of silver full three yards long, That would soar till ’twas out of sight. And they waited so long that the heavy lids Closed down with a weight like lead ; But little they think as they sweetly sleep, That the fairy stands by their bed. But there she is, and that loving heart Knows every wish that’s theirs, And ev’ry sorrow and ev’ry joy With her own wes darlings shares. And lo 1 with a wondrous prescience now, She has guessed at their fancies all; And she’s brought the doll and the cradle, too, The kite, and the bat and ball. And two little necklaces she has brought For her two little fair-haired girls— For tiny Maggie, of beads of blue, For Mimmie a string of pearls. For Tommy, a beautiful box of paints, For Johnny, a fine now knife; Oh 1 surely that Santa Glaus must be The sweetest fairy in life. And there’s someone else with a loving lace, That helps in her bounty, too, And more hands than hers are busy to-night With eaob little sock and shoe; Filling them up with goodies and sweets, And almonds and raisins, too. And now with a kiss for each warm, sweet face, The fairies have gone away, With a smile as they think of the joyous shout, That will usher in Christmas Day.