ABOVE HER ABODE MRS. SANTA CLAUS RODE (2)

A Christmas Mix-Up


One bright Christmas Eve, years ago, I believe,

Santa felt feverish all day.

He was sick in his bed with a cold in his head,

And couldn't go out in his sleigh.

Mrs. Santa came in with a comforting grin.

"Now, just you rest cozy, my dear!

Yes, Santy, it's late, but don't worry your pate.

l'll deliver the presents this year!"

The good lady fled to the sled in the shed,

And patting the shoulder of Blitzen,

She mounted the seat, well‑polished and neat

That Santa Claus usually sits in.

Then off and away went the little red sleigh!

Swiftly and surely it rose,

As above her abode Mrs. Santa Claus rode,

Cleaving the clouds with her nose.

Bursting with pride, she continued to ride,

Till carried by sure‑footed hoof,

She at last settled down in a faraway town,

And nimbly stepped out on a roof.

But alas and alack!  When she opened her pack

Full of Santa's bright playthings and games,

She found she'd mislaid the list he had made—

His list of addresses and names.

Well, Christmas, that year, was a mix-up, I hear.

The folks who liked puppies got kittens.

Babies looked wise wearing jackets and ties.

While their daddies got bootees and mittens!

A zoo‑keeper got a geranium pot,

Quite useless, but charmingly painted.

While his gift, a bear, was delivered somewhere

To a nervous old lady who fainted.

But just about dawn when her gifts were all gone

Mrs. Santa flew home through the sky,

And she thought, knowing not of the havoc she'd wrought:

"What a blessing to Santa am I!"

When Christmas was past, and Santa, at last

Was belatedly reading his mail,

He discovered with shame that the gist of the same

Was an angry  or sorrowful wail.

"Dear Santy," (I quote from one brief little note),

"Thanks for the dress with the frill,

And thanks for the doll and the pink parasol—

But don’t bother with me next year . . . Bill."

Santa, no dunce, understanding at once

What had happened, ran out of the house,

Determined to fix up the terrible mix-up

Caused by his blundering spouse.

With his list in his hand he flew over the land,

And never a moment he rested

Till each girl and boy had gotten the toy

Which had been so politely requested.

Then homeward he went, well pleased and content,

And he gave Mrs. Santa three kisses,

But the muddle she made when she offered her aid,

He tactfully kept from the missus!

That lady, forsooth, unaware of the truth,

Was happy, and quite satisfied.

She was full of good cheer that lasted all year,

Because of her Christmas ride.