An ancient Italian legend tells how Good St. Nicholas of Padua first gave
presents on Christmas Eve by throwing purses in at the open windows of
needy people. Purses in those days were knitted of yarn and tied with
strings at the open ends. They were not unlike stockings, except that
they had no feet. People began to hang these long empty purses of yarn on
their window-sills on Christmas Eve, so that St. Nicholas, as he passed
by, could put money into them. When money became scarce the long purses
were filled with presents instead—useful things for the big people, and
books and toys for the children.
In cold countries, where the windows could not be left open, folks hung
their purses near the fireplace, believing that St. Nicholas would come
down the chimney and leave his presents for them. And after the knitted
purses went out of fashion they hung up their stockings, which closely
resembled the old-time purses, so that there would be plenty of room for
the Christmas presents, and old St. Nicholas (Santa Claus), who lived on
through all the ages, would know he had been expected.
That is how the Christmas stocking came to be used, and why it will
be used for many generations to come in thousands of homes on each
succeeding Christmas Eve....
—_L. Frank Baum._
_I’ll Tell You a Story._
I’ll tell you a story
About Jack a Nory—
And now my story’s begun,
I’ll tell you another
About Jack, his brother,
And now my story’s done.
_One, Two, Buckle My Shoe._
One, two,
Buckle my shoe;
Three, four,
Shut the door;
Five, six,
Pick up sticks;
Seven, eight,
Lay them straight;
Nine, ten,
A good fat hen;
Eleven, twelve,
Who will delve?
Thirteen, fourteen,
Maids a-courting;
Fifteen, sixteen,
Maids a-kissing;
Seventeen, eighteen,
Maids a-waiting;
Nineteen, twenty,
My stomach’s empty.
[Illustration]