What "Old Santa" Overheard

'Tis said old Santa Claus one time Told this joke on himself in rhyme: One Christmas, in the early din That ever leads the morning in, I heard the happy children shout In rapture at the toys turned out Of bulging little socks and shoes-- A joy at which I could but choose To listen enviously, because I'm always just "Old Santa Claus,"-- But ere my rising sigh had got To its first quaver at the thought, It broke in laughter, as I heard A little voice chirp like a bird,--

"Old Santa's mighty good, I know. And awful rich--and he can go Down ever' chimbly anywhere In all the world!--But I don't care, I wouldn't trade with him, and be Old Santa Clause, and him be me, Fer all his toys and things!--and I Know why, and bet you he knows why!-- They wuz no Santa Clause when he Wuz ist a little boy like me!"