From the Newark Evening Star, December 14, 1914. By James J. Montague.
When the happy little children, up along the avenue
Hark for Santa Claus’s coming down the yawning chimney flue,
There’ll be other little children, in another part of town
Where the streets are dark and grimy and the houses tumble down,
Looking through the dingy windows toward the snowflake speckled sky,
Wondering if they will see him when he comes careering by.
Ragged, dirty little children, yet as eager for the joys
That will come to countless houses with the Christmas morning toys,
As the vastly happier children who awaken every year
To the news from down the staircase: “Mr. Santa Claus was here!”
Gaunt and pallid little children, oh so pitiful to see,
But as hungry to be happy as all children ought to be.
Such a little would delight them, just a trifling toy or two,
Just one real old-fashioned Christmas that would make their dreams come true.
Tell old Santa Claus about them, show the old man where they live,
Let him leave them all the good things that he likes so well to give,
Then go ‘round on Christmas morning, and you’ll find it’s well worth while;
For the best of all investments is to buy a baby’s smile.
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