European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 23, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                I u As the night before Christmas when All through the House not a creature was stirring not even a mouse the stockings were Hung by the Chimney with care. In Hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there the children were nestled All snug in their Beds. While visions of sugar plums danced in their Heads and Mamma in her kerchief and i in my Cap had just settled our brains for a Long Winter s Nap when out on the Lawn there arose such a Clatter i sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window i flew like a Flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the Sash. Cryl he Moon on the breast of the new fallen Snow gave the Lustre of mid Day to objects below when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a miniature Sleigh and eight tiny Reindeer with a Little old Driver so Lively and Quick i knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came and he whistled and shouted and called them by name of Dasher now. Dancer now prancer and Vixen on Comet on cupid on Donder and Blitzen to the top of the porch to the top of the Wall now dash away dash away dash away All s dry leaves that before the wild Hurricane Fly. When they meet an obstacle mount to the sky so up to the Housetop the cursors they flew with a Sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too. 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. E 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 peddle just opening his pack. Is eyes How they twinkled his dimples How merry his Cheeks were like roses his nose like a Cherry Sis Susan Harris his droll Little Mouth was drawn up like a Bow. And the Beard on his Chin was As White As the Snow the stump of a pipe he held tight in his Teeth and the smoke it encircled his head like a Wreath he had a Broad face and a Little round belly that Shook when he laughed like a bowl full of Jelly. He was Chubby and plump a right Jolly old Elf and i laughed when i saw him in spite of myself a Wink of his Eye and a twist of his head. Soon gave me to know i had nothing to dread e spoke not a word but went straight to his work and fill d All the stockings and then turned with a Jerk and laying his Finger aside of his nose and giving a nod up the Chimney he Rose he sprang to his Sleigh to the team he gave a whistle and away they All flew like the Down of a Thistle. But i heard him exclaim Ere he drove out of sight to Happy Christmas to att and to Atta Gooding fit Clement c. Moore 1862 saturday december 23, 1989 the stars and stripes Page 13