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Dorothea Graham Jensen
a book bubble about
A Buss from Lafayette
Teens
Author Insight
Father Christmas etc.
I had trouble deciding what Clara's guess about the old veteran's mistake identity should be. Clement Moore's poem, "A Visit from Santa Nicholas" (sometimes called " 'Twas the night before Christmas") was actually published in 1823, two years before the time of my story. This verse, with its Dutch Sinter Klaas inspiration, eventually had a huge impact on the American concept of Santa. I figured, however, that it might not have been widely known in 1825. Therefore, I just called the jolly old elf "Old Father Christmas" based on an earlier English tradition. (I did this despite the fact that I am so fond of Moore's poem that I model all my Izzy Elf stories on it, anapestic tetrameter and all.) By the way, I learned that Old Sturbridge Village, the living history museum set in the early nineteenth century, uses the name Father Christmas. See my post about this entitled "I Do So Enjoy Being Right (Once in Awhile)" at dorotheajensen.blogspot.com.
Book Excerpt
A Buss from Lafayette
I could see that the most interesting thing about the stranger was not his antiquated clothes, his overly long hair, or his three-cornered hat with its leather flower, but his excitement. He was about the most animated person, especially of his age, that I had ever seen.
I moved closer to the old gentleman. If I had to wait until he was done talking to get what I wanted from Mr. Towne, I might as well listen to what he had to say.
“You will never guess who I was mistook for yesterday!” he exclaimed. His merry eyes looked at each of us listeners in turn.
All of our guesses fell wide of the mark, from Mr. Towne’s boisterous, “President Adams?” to my softly spoken, “Old Father Christmas?”
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