their beds, to receive presents brought them by a
fabulous personage called _Krishkinkle_, who is believed to descend the
chimney with them for all the children who have been good during the
previous year. The word _Krishkinkle_ is a corruption of _Christ-kindlein_,
literally _Christ-infant_, and is understood to be derived from the fact
that a representation of the Infant Saviour in the manger formed part of
the decorations prepared for the children at Christmas.

If the children have not been good during the year previous, instead of
finding sugar-plums and other presents in their stockings on Christmas
morning, they discover therein a birch-rod. This is said to have been
placed there by _Pelsnichol_, or Nicholas with the fur, alluding to the
dress of skins in which he is said to be clad. Some make _Pelsnichol_
identical with _Krishkinkle_, but the more general opinion is that they are
two personages, one the rewarder of the good, the other the punisher of the
bad.

The functions ascribed to Krishkinkle in Pennsylvania are attributed to
Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus in the State of New York, first settled by
the Hollanders. The following poem, written by Clement C. Moore, LL.D., of
New York, describes the performances of St. Nicholas on Christmas Eve, and
is equally applicable to our Krishkinkle:

"_A Visit from St. Nicholas._
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The 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;
And mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash;
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of day to the objects below;
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and call'd them by name,
'Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer! now, Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Dunder