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!"