21 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS

	BABOUSCKA. If you were a Russian Child you would not watch to see Santa Klaus come down the chimney; but you would stand by the windows to catch a peep at poor Babouscka as she hurries by. Who is Babouscka ? Is she Santa Klaus’ wife ? No, indeed. She is only a poor little crooked wrinkled old woman, who comes at Christmas time into everybody’s house, who peeps into the cradle, turns back every coverlid, drops a tear on the baby’s white pillow and goes away very,very sorrowful.
WHO IS BABOUSCKA ? Babouscka: A Russian Christmas Story, and Other Stories (1899)	Only on Christmas Eve will she come upstairs into the nursery and give each little one a present. You must not think she leaves handsome gifts. She has her old apron filled with candy and cheap toys and all the children love her dearly.
The peace egg and a Christmas mumming play (ca. 1896) Ewing, Juliana Horatia Gatty, 1841-1885