James Whitcomb Riley

“ Ma up, an' say, "Fer mercy-sake!—
He hain't hurt none!" An' nen he said,—
[62]
"You youngsters h'ist up-stairs to bed!—
Here! kiss yer Ma 'Good-night,' an' me,—
We'll he'p old Santy fix the Tree—
An' all yer whistles, horns an' drums
I'll he'p you toot when morning comes!"
It's long while 'fore we go to sleep,—
'Cause down-stairs, all-time somepin' keep
A-kindo' scufflin' roun' the floors—
An' openin' doors, an' shettin' doors—
An' could hear Trip a-whinin', too,
Like he don't know ist what to do ”

“ A Defective Santa Claus JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY With Pictures by
C. M. RELYEA
and
WILL VAWTER INDIANAPOLIS
THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
[vi]
Copyright 1904
James Whitcomb Riley
December
PRESS OF
BRAUNWORTH & CO.
BOOKBINDERS AND PRINTERS
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
[vii]
DEDICATION
To
HEWITT HANSON HOWLAND
WITH HALEST CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
AND FRATERNAL
Little Boy! Halloo!—halloo!
Can't you hear me calling you?—
Little Boy that used to be,
Come in here and play with me. ”

“ An' blaze streaked roun' his waist an' higher
Wite up his old white beard an' th'oat!—
[58]
Nen Uncle grabs th' old overcoat
An' flops it over Santy's head,
An' swing the door wide back an' said,
"Come out, old man!—an' quick about
It!—I've ist got to put you out!"
An' out he sprawled him in the snow—
"Now roll!" he says—"Hi-roll-ee-O!"—
An' Santy, sputter'n' "Ouch! Gee-whiz!"
Ist roll an' roll fer all they is! ”