Twas a few days days before Christmas,

When all through the house,

Not a creature was ready, not even a mouse,

There were no stockings by the chimney so bare,

And no thoughts that Santa would ever be there.

**********

The children were outside, not snug in their beds,

No visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

Mamma lost her ‘kerchief, and I also in my cap,

Our brains were not ready for a long winter’s nap.

**********

Then out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

So I sprang to the window to see what was the matter.

Gazing out through the window I saw in a flash,

The spirit of Austin, Princess, that is a fact.

TO BE CONTINUED?