a turkey
Lura's Uncle Roy is in Japan. He used to take Christmas dinner at Lura's home. Now he could only write her papa to say a box of gifts had been sent, and one was for his little girl.
The little girl clapped her hands, crying, "Oh, mamma! don't you think it is the chain and locket dear uncle said he would sometime give me?"
"No," replied her papa, reading on. "Your uncle says it is a turkey for one."
"But we do not need turkeys from Japan," remarked the little daughter, soberly.
Her papa smiled, and handed the open letter to her mamma."Read it aloud, every bit," begged Lura, seeing her mamma was smiling, too.
But her mamma folded the letter and said nothing.
live turkey on table
On Christmas eve the box, which had just arrived, was opened, and every one in the house was made glad with a present. Lura's was a papier-mache turkey, nearly as large as the one brought home at the same time by the market-boy.
Next morning, while the fowl in the kitchen was being roasted, Lura placed hers before a window and watched people admire it as they passed. All its imitation feathers, and even more its red wattles, seemed to wish every man and woman, boy and girl, a Merry Christmas.
Lura had not spoken of the jewelry since her uncle's letter was read. It is not nice for one who receives a gift to wish it was different. Lura was not that kind of a child.
When dinner was nearly over, her papa said to her, "My dear,you have had as much of my turkey as you wanted; if you please, I will now try some of yours."
"Mine is what Uncle Roy calls a turkey for one," laughed Lura. She turned in her chair towards where her bird had been strutting on the window-sill, and added, in surprise, "Why, what has become of him?"
At that moment the servant brought in a huge platter. When room had been made for it on the table it was set down in front of Lura's papa, and on the dish was her turkey.
turkey on platter
"Oh, what fun!" gayly exclaimed the child. "Did uncle tell you to pretend to serve it?"
"I have not finished what he directs me to do," her papa said, with a flourish of the carving-knife.
"But, papa—oh, please!" Her hand was on his arm. "You would not spoil my beautiful bird from Japan!
A hidden spring was touched with the point of the knife. Thebreast opened, and disclosed the fowl filled with choice toys and other things. The first taken out was a tiny box; inside was a gold chain and locket; the locket held Uncle Roy's picture.
It was a turkey for one,—for only Uncle Roy's niece. But all the family shared the amusement.
LAVINIA S. GOODWIN.
an object
We are a band of carollers,We march through frost and snow,But care not for the weatherAs on our way we go.At every hall or cottageThat stands upon our way,We stop to give the peopleBest wishes for the day.We pray a merry Christmas,Made bright by Christmas cheer,With peace, and hope, and gladnessAnd all they may hold dear.And for all those that happenTo pass us on our wayWe have a smile, and wish themA merry Christmas-day.
We are a band of carollers,We march through frost and snow,But care not for the weatherAs on our way we go.
We are a band of carollers,
We march through frost and snow,
But care not for the weather
As on our way we go.
At every hall or cottageThat stands upon our way,We stop to give the peopleBest wishes for the day.
At every hall or cottage
That stands upon our way,
We stop to give the people
Best wishes for the day.
We pray a merry Christmas,Made bright by Christmas cheer,With peace, and hope, and gladnessAnd all they may hold dear.
We pray a merry Christmas,
Made bright by Christmas cheer,
With peace, and hope, and gladness
And all they may hold dear.
And for all those that happenTo pass us on our wayWe have a smile, and wish themA merry Christmas-day.
And for all those that happen
To pass us on our way
We have a smile, and wish them
A merry Christmas-day.
L. A. FRANCE
CHRISTMAS CAROLLERSCHRISTMAS CAROLLERS
letter 'I'
t was Christmas Eve and the frost fairies were busy getting ready for Christmas Day. First of all they spread the loveliest white snow carpet over the rough, bare ground; then they hung the bushes and trees with icicles that flashed like diamonds in the moonlight. Later on, they planned to draw beautiful frost pictures on the window panes, to surprise the little children in the morning.
The stars shone brightly and the moon sent floods of light in every nook and corner. How could any one think of sleeping when there was such a glory outside!
Jessie and Fred had gone to bed very early so they might be the first to shout "Merry Christmas!" but their eyes would not stay shut.
"Oh dear! it must be 'most morning," said Fred; "let us creep softly down stairs and maybe we'll catch Santa Claus before he rides off."
Hand in hand they tiptoed to the dining-room and peeped out the big window;—surely, surely, that was something climbing up the roof of cousin Nellie's house; it must be old Santa. Fred gave a chuckle of delight; to be sure the reindeer were very queer looking objects, and the sleigh such a funny shape, but the children were satisfied.
The old fir tree, whose high branches almost touched the roof, knew all about those shadows, but it was so old no one could ever understand a word of the many tales it told.
"There's something scratching on the door," whispered Jessie; but it was only a mouse, who had sniffed the delightful odors of the Christmas goodies and was trying his best to find a way into the pantry and test them with his sharp teeth.
"Come," said Jessie, "we'll turn to icicles if we stay here much, longer"; so up-stairs they quickly scampered.
Papa had been to town on an errand, so it was quite late when he came home. As he was hunting in his pockets for his key, he heard a pitiful cry, and looking down he saw a big, white cat carrying a tiny kitten in her mouth.
"Poor thing," said papa, "you shall come inside till morning."
Santa Claus had been there with the nicest wagon for Fred and a warm, seal-skin cap that lay right in the middle of it. When papa left the room, puss and her kitty were curled up comfortably on the rug singing their sleepy song.
The sun was shining brightly in the dining-room window when Jessie and Fred made their appearance; then Fred just laughed with delight, for right in the crown of his new cap lay the cutest white kitten, with big, blue eyes and wee pink nose, while standins close by as if to guard her darling from danger, was good old mother puss.
cat and kittens
"I never had a live Christmas present before," said Fred, "now I know Santa Claus read the letter I threw up the chimney because I told him to bring me a kitten and here it is."
woman throwing snowball
Papa smiled and looked at mamma, and then everybody said "Merry Christmas" at once.
OLIVER HERFOLD.
"Tell us a story, nursie; please do", begged two little golden-haired girls, as they snuggled on the soft rug before the fire. "Did you ever have just what you wished for at Christmas, when you were a little girl?"
"Yes, I did once. I was the oldest, and had two brothers and three little sisters. We did not have a beautiful home like this. We lived in a little cottage. It was pretty, though, in the summer time, when the roses and pinks were in bloom. My father was dead, and mother worked for the rich people around the village. There was plenty to do about holiday times.
"It was the day before Christmas. Mother was at the house of a very rich and kind lady. She was going to have a grand party in the evening.
"Mother told me, when she went away, to mind the children, and perhaps I might have a nice Christmas present. I knew we should have plenty of candy and cake, and other nice things, from Mrs. Reid's. We often had pretty clothes, too, that Mamie and Robbie Reid had outgrown.
"I had been wishing for a muff; but I knew Mother could not afford to buy me one. It was hard enough even to get shoes for us all. I thought I should have to be satisfied with mittens.
"It was quite dark, and we all sat around the fire. I had rocked Tilly to sleep and put her to bed. Willie and Joe were playing cat's-cradle. The rest of us were making believe we were rich and could have all we wanted for Christmas.
story telling time
"All at once there was a heavy step on the porch, and a knock at the door. I opened it, with Margie and Amy clinging to my dress. A boy shoved a big box into the room and shouted, 'A merry Christmas to you!' He then ran out at the gate.
"The box had all our names on the cover, and the children were wild to see what was inside.
looking out the door
"'Wait till mother comes,' I said; and pretty soon we heard her at the gate, She seemed surprised, and said Santa Claus had remembered us early.
"Mother advised us to go to bed and wait until morning to see our presents. It was pretty hard; but we had some oranges and candy, and I put the boys to bed. Margie and I wondered and guessed what was in the box; but at last we fell asleep.
"You may be sure we were up early in the morning. There were dolls and toys for the little ones, with hoods and mittens, and for me a lovely squirrel muff, lined with blue, with a soft little boa for my neck. I was a happy girl that Christmas, I can tell you.
"And now, my dears, you must go to bed, or Santa Claus will not be able to find your stockings."
"Oh! I hope I shall have what I want to-morrow!" said Gracie.
"And I, too," echoed Helen. "And your story was very nice, nursie."
"Good-night, and call us early in the morning."
flowers
Christmas was coming. Jamie and Ted had already begun to write long letters to Santa Claus. But one thing was rather queer: both boys asked him for the same things.
Each little letter ended with,—"Just like Brother's."
child with dolls
They agreed to ask for only one sled. They would rather ride together. Now was not this very sweet and loving?
One night, after they had gone to bed, Jamie said, "Ted, if Santa Claus brings us skates, Jim can teach us how to use them."
"Oh, yes; and if we get fur mittens it will be such fun to make a fort."
"And a snow-man," Jamie answered.
Ted went oh: "I'll always ride the sled down a hill, and you can ride it up."
boys sledding
"I guess you won't," Jamie said, speaking loudly.
"Why not?" Ted asked.
"Because it'll be as much my sled as yours."
out of bed
"Yes, of course," Ted replied; "but I chose it first."
"You are a selfish boy!" said Jamie.
"Well, then, so are you!"
"I don't care. I won't sleep with you. I'll ask mamma if I can't have the first pick; I'm the biggest," roared Jamie, bounding out of bed.
"You're a big, cross cry baby," Ted shouted, jumping out after his brother.
Away ran Jamie to mamma, with Ted at his heels. Both were angry. Both talked at once.
Mamma was grieved. Her dear little boys had never been so unkind to each other before. She kissed their hot faces and stroked their pretty hair. She told them how their naughty words hurt her. She showed them how displeased God was to see two little brothers quarrel.
That night they went to sleep in each other's arms, full of love and forgiveness.
Christmas morning came at last. Very early the boys crept out of bed, just to "feel" their stockings.
Papa heard them, and, remembering that he was once a boy lighted the gas.
Each little red stocking was full from toe to top. Boxes andpaper parcels were piled around them. Such shouting! Such a good time! It seemed as if all their letters had been answered.
Suddenly Jamie cried, "O Ted, here's a letter!"
They put their little heads together, and with papa's help spelled this out:—
"My dear Boys,—No sled this year. It quarrelled so I was afraid to bring it. I dropped it off the load about a week ago. Get ready for it next year. Merry Christmas! SANTA CLAUS."
"My dear Boys,—No sled this year. It quarrelled so I was afraid to bring it. I dropped it off the load about a week ago. Get ready for it next year. Merry Christmas! SANTA CLAUS."
poor children
On Christmas day there is a great feast in Dublin. This, you know, is the chief city of Ireland. The feast is made for the children. There are in that city a great many little ones who are veryvery poor. There are kind people there, also, who look after these poor children. They have what they call "ragged schools," where many of them are taught to read, and to sew, and other useful things.
Dr. Nelaton is a famous minister in Dublin, and every year he, with other good people, gets up this great feast for the children. About eight hundred of them came last year. Some of these were only half-clad, and all were very ragged. They were seated at long, narrow tables, which were covered with a white cloth, The children from the ragged schools wore aprons in bright colors, to hide their rags. Each school had a color of its own. These aprons were only lent them for the day, and the children felt very fine in them. But there were two long rows without any aprons. These were little ones who had been picked up along the streets. Each ragged scholar had permission to bring all the children he could find. And, oh, how ragged and dirty these two rows were!
feasting
But they brightened up, just like the children with aprons, when they saw the feast. A huge mug of steaming tea and an immense bun to each child! Rarely did they have such a treat as this. And how they did eat! Each child had all he wanted. It would have done you good to see their poor, pinched faces beam with delight.During the meal a large throng of orphan children in the gallery sung some sweet songs. Then, after the feast, there were small gifts, and little speeches and prayers, and more songs. The little ragged ones seemed like new beings in this atmosphere of love. Such a glad day as that Christmas was a rare event in their sad lives. Children who live in happy homes know little about the sufferings of the poor. Perhaps, if they knew more, such little ones would try harder, by gifts and kind acts, to carry sunshine to sorrowful hearts.
receiving gifts
emblem
playing children
sleepy children