squirrels often played about her without the slightest fear.

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One evening, at the close of a hot summer day, the child came into the forest, intending to stay only a few moments to bid the trees and flowers goodnight." She had never been in the forest at that time before, and everything seemed strange. She had not gone far, however, when she heard a voice in the breeze saying to her, "I am the Spirit of the Pine tree; come, little playmate, to the gathering of the flowers and leaves and grass." The child followed as if she were in a dream.

When she reached the Pine tree, there was the most wonderful sight she had ever dreamed of. Gathered around the little tree were fairies, elves, and flower-spirits. They were all having such a merry time that for a moment she stood, unseen, watching them.

While she was standing thus, a tiny fairy in a gown of violet petals saw her, and at once all the merry party came and took her to a beautiful little throne under the Pine tree and bade her sit upon it. Then suddenly a hush fell upon them all, and the Spirit of the Pine was heard saying, "This child shall evermore be queen of the trees and flowers. She shall never be lonesome again, for fairies, elves, and sprites shall always be ready to do her slightest bidding. Her every wish shall be granted, and the trees of the forest shall always be her dearest friends."

When the Voice had finished speaking, all the fairies danced around the child and crowned her with a crown of violets, and put into her hand a golden sceptre with a tiny glittering star on the end. And after this the child was never lonely again.

BEAUTY

Beautiful faces are those that wear-
It matters little if dark or fair—
Whole-souled honesty printed there.

Beautiful hands are those that do
Work that is earnest, brave, and true,
Moment by moment the long day through.

Beautiful feet are those that go

On kindly errands to and fro—

Down humblest ways, if God wills it so.

A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS

CLEMENT C. MOORE

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced through their
heads;

And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap—
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprung from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash;
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave a luster of midday to objects below;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted and called them by

name:

"Now, Dasher! now Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!—
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall,
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So, up to the housetop the coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys-and St. Nicholas, too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound;
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and
soot:

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes, how they twinkled! his dimples, how

merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face, and a little round belly
That shook, when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump-a right jolly old elf;
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings: then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere they drove out of sight, 'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

66

A dispute once arose between the North Wind and the Sun as to which was the stronger of the two. Seeing a traveler on his way, they agreed to try which could the sooner get his cloak off him. The North Wind began, and sent a furious blast, which, at the onset, nearly tore the cloak from its fastenings; but the traveler, seizing the garment with a firm grip, held it round his body so tightly that the Wind spent his remaining force in vain. The Sun, dispelling the clouds that had gathered, then darted his most sultry beams on the traveler's head. Growing faint with the heat, the man flung off his cloak and ran for protection to the nearest shade.

MORAL: Kindness effects more than severity.