And then, in a twinkling,
I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing
of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head,
and was turning around,
down the chimney St. Nicholas
came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur,
from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished
with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys
he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler
just opening his pack.


CONTINUE