Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

284

PIONEER HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY

Those young men and maidens could sing in those days, I tell you,
especially John.
Then on they went, with good will intent, journeying along,
Making the forest ring and echo with their merry song.
When, 0, what was that?
And they stopped and stood and listened to the wolves howling
din.
"Ho, ho," said Tom, "just let 'em come, and I'll give a tune on
my violin."
But the wolves had been listening to their merry songs
And guessed perhaps it must be a genuine St. Nick,
So concluded it would be wise to remain where they were
Down on Willow Creek.
Then on they went those young men and maidens
To the end of their long circuitous route,
Coming back to their homes in the early Christmas morn
Weary no doubt,
But acknowledging they had had a splendid good time.
Leave is all to John in the performance of that cheering act,
And so had all the rest of us
That listened to that merry song in fact.
Part of a letter which came to W. M. Webb, containing interesting facts. The writer's name is not given.
Dexter, Dec. 19, 1886.
Mr. Webb,
Dear Friend,-Your letter was received duly. The questions
that you ask me carries me back to days more than forty years
ago, days that I think of with some pleasure but with many
regrets.
I remember the time, very well, when we as brothers and sisters
went from house to house singing Christmas songs. You know
that is an English custom and, as many of the neighbors were
English, we tho't it would remind them of home.
I shall never forget how alarmed your dear Mother was. She
said, "George, what on earth is to pay?" We soon assured her
there was nothing to fear. In a few minutes they were up and had
a bright fire, and insisting that we should come in. We did and
your Mother treated us to some very nice fried cakes and popcorn.