Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1905 — THE UP-TO-DATE SANTA CLAUS. [ARTICLE]

THE UP-TO-DATE SANTA CLAUS.

Once more it was iristmas and old Santa Claus, With his white whiskers dangling around his fat Jaws, Gave his engine a start, and then, laden with zeal And with gifts, started off in his automobile. He flirted past corners and whizzed up the laues, He ran over dogs aud he smashed into trains; He came with a zipp and he passed like a flash; Hg scared people’s teams’and knocked buggies to smash; He ran over chickens and knocked chimneys down. And spread consternation all over the town. The odor of gasoline floated behind Where he hurried as if on the wings of the wind; He crippled old people and stayed not to see How badly they fared or learn whom they might be. The children who watched for his coming he crushed Beuiath his broad tires, as onward he rushed! He scattered his gift* while he sped through the night, Content to permit them to fall where they might. The wrecks and the sorrow and suffering showed The course that he took with his glittering load, And, having gone home with his glad duties done, He murmured: “I guess I’ve the records all won; When they see where I’ve passed I don’t think that they’ll wait Very long to admit that I’m right up-to-date!” —L. E. Kiser, in Chicago Record-Herald.