“ He then took hold of his hair, and pulling out crackers by the dozen from his head, tied them up into neat parcels, and threw them into the stocking. As fast as he pulled them off, new crackers appeared, and hung down over his ears and forehead. “This accounts for the noise we hear on Christmas,” said Charles; “I never knew who made all the crackers!” and he had to hold his sides for laughing, the old man looked so droll.
When the old gentleman stooped over the light to put a new supply in the stocking, an unusual number exploded, and the little pony giving a start up the chimney, disappeared. ”

“ Eighty-five youngsters have I called on the last hour. Hark! St. Michael’s sounds loud down the chimney. One, two. I shall have a tough job, from two o’clock till daylight, popping down the chimneys from the Battery to the High bridge. I wonder what this chap would like for a Christmas present,” continued he, eying the stocking; then putting his arms akimbo, he began to consider. Charles’s heart beat. “Good Mr. Nicholas,” said he to himself, “if you could only give me that pony.” But he kept quite still, for he saw the old man put his hands into his tremendous pockets. ”

“ One Christmas eve, little Charles Estabrook hung his stocking carefully by the chimney corner, and, after saying his prayers, got into bed, and soon fell asleep. Charles was a good little boy; he was fond of horses, and took pleasure in feeding them and attending to their wants. On the day previous, a traveller came along; his horse was thirsty; so little Charles got a pail, filled it with water, and gave the horse to drink, for which the traveller rewarded him by giving him a shilling. ”