University of Virginia Library

TOMMY AS SANTA CLAUS.

Just before the child happens in some way or other to lose the sweet and winsome Santa Claus superstition, he is a wonderfully interesting study, in his combination of the actual and the legendary. The Santa Claus story is one that the world will not willingly let die.

Whether the enterprising little fellow represented as indulging in the following reflections, knows the whole truth, in Santa Claus lore, or a part of it, or none of it, may be left to the imagination of the reader—who probably can remember at about what time he himself (or she herself) learned the real state of such matters. Of course we all wish it were true.

Ef I was only Santa Claus
A Christmas eve all through,
On your tin-type I'd show you what
A five-year old could do!
They say that boys is smarter now,
Than former fav'rite sons—
I ruther judge that that perhaps
Depends upon the ones:
But anyway I think I know
How dif'rent it would be,
Ef I was only Santa Claus,
An' Santa Claus was me!
I wouldn't have no deers nor sleds—
Them's happened long enough:
I'd build an air-ship big an' deep
To carry lots of stuff;
An' Jack could run one—so he says—
An' he's the one ter know—
An' then at nine p. m. I'd up
An' yell out “Let her go!”
An' we could take ten times as much
As if we had a sled,
An' use a wireless telegraph,
An' order goods ahead.
No chimney-stunts for mine! I'd have
To go along with me,
A good converted burglar, that
Could pick the locks, you see:
An' then I'd crawl up to the kids,
An' use my new flash light,
An' look their faces o'er an' see
What gifts would hit 'em right;
An' then I'd wish that I could watch
An' see their wake-up joys,
An' give 'bout twice as much to girls
As what I would to boys;
An' I don't b'lieve I'd call upon
The richest chil'ren first;
I'd go among the tots I thought
Was needin' me the worst.
I'd say these gilt-edged kids has pops
To buy their Chris'mas stuff,
Though I'll leave somethin' to piece out,
If they don't git enough;
But most of all the traps shall go
In stockins coarse, I'd say:
I'd bust 'em all! an' leave more socks
To start 'em in next day.
Then there's some folks, I've heard, so old
That kids again they be:
They'd all git somethin' took to 'em,
If Santa Claus was me.
I'd make 'em think of good old times
When friends that they had got,
Would give 'em things no matter if
'Twas Chris'mas day or not.
I'd sure have somethin' they would need
Ol'-fashioned, but first-rate:
'Twould be a good chance to close out
Things not quite up to date.
An' then I'd go to him himself:
An' wake him up, an' say,
“Dear Santa Claus you've made more bright
Full many a Christmas day!
I've brought a present here I hope
You'll take from me all right;
It's just a kiss—like I give Pop
When he comes home at night.
An' I shall pray, when I get back,
That you will prosp'rous be,
An' buy an airship of your own,
An' always send for me.”