"long Afore I Knowed."

This delicious gein of the Hoosier poet is hero presented, with due apologies to Judge, which first printed it: Jes' a little bit o' feller- I remember still- Ust to almobt ory fer Christinas, Uke a youngster will. Fourth o' July's nothin' to it !- New Year's ain't a smcll ! - Easter Sunday- Circus day- jes' all dead in the shell! Lordy, though ! at night, you know, to set around and hear The old folts work the story off about the sledge and deer. And "Santy" skootin' round the roof, all wrapped In f ur and fuzz- Long aforo I knowed who "Santy Claus"' wuz! Ust to wait, and set up later a week ertwo ahead: CouMn't hardly keep awake, ner wouldn't go to bed: Kittle stewin' on the flre, and Mother settin' near Darnin' soeks aud rocküV in the skreefcy rocking cheer: Pap gap', and wonder where it wuz the money went, And quar'l with nis frosted heels, and spill nis liniment: And we a-dreamin' sleigh bells irhen the clock 'ud whir and bnzz - Long aforo I knowed who "Santy Claus" wuz! Siïe the flreplace, and flgger how "Old Santy" could Manase to come down the chimbly, Uke they sald he would: Wisht that I could hide and see him- wondered what he'd say Ef he ketched a feller layW fer him thatawaysf But I bet on him, and lüed him, same as ef fie had Turned to pat me on the back and say, "Look a here, iny lad: Here's my pack- jes' he'p yourse'l Uke all good boys does!" Long afore I knowed who "Santa Claus" wuz. Wisht that yarn wuz true about him as it 'peared tobe - Truth made out o' lies Uke that-un's good enough fer me Wisht I still wuz so confldm' I could jes' go wild Over hangin' up my stockin's Uke tho Uttle child Climbin' in my lap to-night, and beggin' me to teil 'Bout them reindeers, and "Old Santy" that she loves so well : l'm half sorry for this Uttle-girl-sweetheart of his- Loog afore She knows who "Santy Claus" ial