chuck machinist
Well-known Member
Twas the night before Xmas and all thru the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The tractors were all nestled in the shed, while visions of spring plowing danced in their heads. And Chris Saeli in her kerchief, and John Saeli in his cap, had just settled down for a long winters nap. When out on the lawn there rose such a clatter. I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter . Away to the window I flew like a flash. Tore opened the shutters and threw up the sash! The moon on the breast of a new-fallen snow, gave luster of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes did appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight Case tractors ,with a little old driver so lively and quick.
I knew in a moment , it must be Jon frm Minnesota! More rapid than Eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled and shouted, and he called them by name!
On 1030, now 411, now DC-4, and VAC, on 530, on 430, on SC, and Spirit of Seventy Six! To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall, now drive away drive away, Dash away all! As dry leaves that before the wild hurricanes fly, when they meet with an obstacle ,mount from the sky. So up to the house-top the coursers they flew. With a sleigh full of Case stuff, and Jon frm Minnesota too! And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each rear tire. As I drew in my head and was turning around, through the front door he came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur from his head to his feet. And his clothes were all tarnished with Diesel fuel. A bundle of toy tractors, he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. His eyes how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, His nose like a cherry. His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was Flambeau Red as a DC-3. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face, and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowel full of jelly! He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and he laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work. And filled the stockings with Case toys and spare parts. He then turned with a jerk, and laying his finger aside his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;. 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, ere he drove out of sight--Happy Christmas to all ,and to all a good night! And that is how I remember it ! Chuck Machinist
I knew in a moment , it must be Jon frm Minnesota! More rapid than Eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled and shouted, and he called them by name!
On 1030, now 411, now DC-4, and VAC, on 530, on 430, on SC, and Spirit of Seventy Six! To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall, now drive away drive away, Dash away all! As dry leaves that before the wild hurricanes fly, when they meet with an obstacle ,mount from the sky. So up to the house-top the coursers they flew. With a sleigh full of Case stuff, and Jon frm Minnesota too! And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each rear tire. As I drew in my head and was turning around, through the front door he came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur from his head to his feet. And his clothes were all tarnished with Diesel fuel. A bundle of toy tractors, he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. His eyes how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, His nose like a cherry. His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was Flambeau Red as a DC-3. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face, and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowel full of jelly! He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and he laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work. And filled the stockings with Case toys and spare parts. He then turned with a jerk, and laying his finger aside his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;. 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, ere he drove out of sight--Happy Christmas to all ,and to all a good night! And that is how I remember it ! Chuck Machinist
