With a twinkle in his eye <br />He'd come gayly walkin' by <br />An' he'd whistle to the children <br /> An' he'd beckon 'em to come, <br />Then he'd chuckle low an' say, <br />'Come along, I'm on my way, <br />An' it's I that need your company <br /> To buy a little gum.' <br /> <br />When his merry call they'd hear, <br />All the children, far an' near, <br />Would come flyin' from the gardens <br /> Like the chickens after wheat; <br />When we'd shake our heads an' say: <br />'No, you mustn't go to-day!' <br />He'd beg to let him have 'em <br /> In a pack about his feet. <br /> <br />Oh, he spoiled 'em, one an' all; <br />There was not a youngster small <br />But was over-fed on candy <br /> An' was stuffed with lollypops, <br />An' I think his greatest joy <br />Was to get some girl or boy <br />An' bring 'em to their parents <br /> All besmeared by chocolate drops. <br /> <br />Now the children's hearts are sore <br />For he comes to them no more, <br />And no more to them he whistles <br /> And no more for them he stops; <br />But in Paradise, I think, <br />With his chuckle and his wink, <br />He is leading little angels <br /> To the heavenly candy shops.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-spoiler/
