It was the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. Then out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. What was the matter? When what to my wondering I should appear, but a wonderful sleigh and eight groovy reindeer with a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. That's gotta be Nick. More rapid than eagles his courses they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name. Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen, to the top of the porch, to the top of the wall, now dash away, dash away, dash away y'all. And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. And I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bow. His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry, his cheeks were like roses, his nose like a jelly. He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk, and laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod up the chimney he rose, there he goes. He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night. Ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!