The boys and girls of 1897 will laugh when they hear of the contents of our stockings in 1823.

There was a little paper of candy, one of raisins, another, of nuts, a red apple, an _olie-koek_, and a bright silver quarter of a dollar in the toe.

If a child had been guilty of any erratic performances during the year, which was often my case, a long stick would protrude from the stocking; if particularly good, an illustrated catechism or the New Testament would appear, showing that the St.Nicholas of that time held decided views on discipline and ethics.
During the day we would take a drive over the snow-clad hills and valleys in a long red lumber sleigh.

All the children it could hold made the forests echo with their songs and laughter.

The sleigh bells and Peter's fine tenor voice added to the chorus seemed to chant, as we passed, "Merry Christmas" to the farmers' children and to all we met on the highway.
Returning home, we were allowed, as a great Christmas treat, to watch all Peter's preparations for dinner.