In five seconds John had on his hat, and was running down the street to Mr. Grover’s.  He came back with the microscope in about half an hour, and was full of joy at the change.  A merry Christmas it was then for all the children!

UNCLE CHARLES.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  Baby’s quiet family]

BABY’S QUIET FAMILY.

    Whenever I walk
      With my children three,
    I laugh and I talk
      For the whole family.

    There’s Ruth (her arm’s broken!)
      And Jane and Annette,
    They never have spoken
      Or laughed even, yet;

    But I know when they’re glad,—­
      Mothers always can tell,—­
    And I’m sad when they’re sad,
      For I love them so well!

    Whenever we walk,
      Though they’re still as can be,
    I can easily talk
      Quite enough for the three.

W.G.

BABY AND THE BIRD.

[Illustration:  BABY AND THE BIRD.]

Baby is looking out of the window.  Jane is holding him up so that he will not fall out.  What does he see that makes him jump up and down with joy?

He sees a dear little bird.  It has come for its daily meal of seed and crumbs.  It is not afraid of baby?  Why should it be?  How could any bird be afraid of such a dear child?

When the bird has had its dinner, I think it will sing.

A.B.C.

[Illustration:  Chapter header]

A NEW YEAR’S DIALOGUE.

HARRY.

    Loud from the north the wild wind blows;
      It sweeps the blue sky clear,
    And parts, amid the drifting snows,
      The path of the New Year;
    The glad New Year that always brings
    So many bright delightful things,
      Gay holidays and merry plays,
    And loving wishes from our friends. 
      A “Happy New Year” let us make,
    And keep it “happy” till it ends. 
      By trying every day to see
      What good, good children we can be.

KATE.

    Last year, when any thing went wrong,
    I used to fret the whole day long,
    And sometimes sob and cry aloud,
    Dark-looking as a thunder-cloud;
    But, even in a gloomy place,
    I now must keep a sunny face;
    For, all this year, I mean to see
    How bright and cheerful I can be.

MARY.

    Last year, the flitting butterfly
    Was not so idle as was I;
    I liked my sports and frolic well,
    But would not learn to read and spell: 
    Now I must change my ways at once,
    Or I shall surely be a dunce. 
    This glad New Year that has begun,
    Must leave me wiser when ’tis done.

JAMES.