HARDWOOD RECORD 



15 



'Twas the night before Christmas, I walked through the mill, 



Feeling quite lonely, with everything still — 



Clad in my ulster, all buttoned up tight, 



Making my rounds as usual that night. 



The moon it shone bright on a mantle of snow 



Which covered the ground some inches or so. 



On a half sawn log most contentedly sat 



The lumberman's mascot -a coal black cat. 



As I looked at this creature so fat and so slick, 



1 wondered if possibly it wasn't Saint Nick. 



His coat was so black, and his eyes were so yellow. 



He had the appearance of a jolly old fellow; 



He mewed and he purred and stretched out his toes. 



And fondled my hand with the end of his nose. ' 



He curled himself up as round as a cup— 



Stretched out a little and then he got up. 



With wonder 1 gazed, for how could it be — 



The curve of his tail was so different, you sec. 



It had a new twist down close to the spine, 



\\ hich made the sign dollars ($> instead of a nine (9). 



Though not superstitious, you still will agree 



That a matter like this is most curious to see. 



Thinking it over, if you think as nou should, 



\ ou'll conclude it's an omen, that's only for good. 



A regular lip from Old Santa, good soul. 



Through the lumberman's mascot a cat black as coal. 



Whose tail curves around in the form of a 9, 



When times are the brightest; and all will opine, 



In times like the present when banks have the cash 



And talk about failure and going to smash. 



That a tip from Old Santa, a tip that won't fail. 



Disclosed to all lumbermen by the curve of a tail. 



Is a present acceptable, a present just right — 



Merry ^Christmas to all. and to all good night. 



