“Santa Claus’ Headquarters” (in The Charleston Daily Courier [Charleston, South Carolina] 24 December 1856; p. 3)
SANTA CLAUS’
HEADQUARTERS
—
CHRISTMAS GIFTS,
AND
WEDDING
PRESENTS,
CONSISTING OF
Every Quality, Style and Beauty
OF
ENGLISH, FRENCH
AND
GERMAN TOYS,
AT
MASONIC HALL BAZAAR,
268 and 286 King-street,
AT
At Reduced Prices, [sic]
AND OF
DIRECT IMPORTATION.
—
’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring—not even a mouse:
The stockings with care by the chimney were hung,
In hopes that St. Nick from VAN SANTEN’S would come.
Santa Claus’ headquarters was at VAN SANTEN’S they knew,
For they’d all been around and taking a view.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced through their heads.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter,
When what to my wandering [sic] eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With a lithe little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick;
More rapid than eagles his coursers they come,
And he shouted and hallooed, from VON SANTEN’S I came.
Then up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas, too;
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work;
He filled all the stockings, and was off with a jerk;
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
December 24