(All bow and retire Old Winter following.)

* * * * *

=Santa Claus.=

(Let the first line be given by a small boy as a herald, carrying a trumpet, and dressed in tunic, tights, and velvet cap.  The second line it taken up by Santa Claus, in costume of fur, with white beard and hair.)

  A voice from out of the northern sky: 
  “On the wings of the limitless winds I fly. 
  Swifter than thought, over mountain and vale,
  City and moorland, desert and dale! 
  From the north to the south, from the east to the west
  I hasten regardless of slumber or rest;
  O, nothing you dream of can fly as fast
  As I on the wings of the windy blast!

  “The wondering stars look out to see
  Who he that flieth so fast may be,
  And their bright eyes follow my earthward track
  By the gleam of the jewels I bear in my pack. 
  For I have treasures for high and for low: 
  Rubies that burn like the sunset glow;
  Diamond rays for the crowned queen;
  For the princess, pearls with their silver sheen.

  “I enter the castle with noiseless feet—­
  The air is silent and soft and sweet;
  And I lavish my beautiful tokens there—­
  Fairings to make the fair more fair! 
  I enter the cottage of want and woe—­
  The candle is dim and the fire burns low;
  But the sleepers smile in a happy dream
  As I scatter my gifts by the moon’s pale beam.

  “There’s never a home so low, no doubt. 
  But I in my flight can find it out;
  Not a hut so hidden but I can see
  The shadow cast by the lone roof-tree! 
  There’s never a home so proud and high
  That I am constrained to pass it by,
  Nor a heart so happy it may not be
  Happier still when blessed by me!

  “What is my name?  Ah, who can tell,
  Though in every land ’tis a magic spell? 
  Men call me that, and they call me this;
  Yet the different names are the same, I wish! 
  Gift-bearer to all the world am I,
  Joy-giver, light-bringer, where’er I fly;
  But the name I bear in the courts above,
  My truest and holiest name, is—­LOVE!”

JULIA C.R.  DORR.

* * * * *

=Father Christmas’s Message.=

(This speech may be given at the close of a Christmas entertainment.  A white wig and beard, fur coat and gloves are worn, and sleigh-bells are sounded before Father Christmas appears on the platform.)

  Here I am again.  The close of the year
  Brings Old Father Christmas with his good cheer
  I’m cheery myself, and cheery I make
  All folks who follow advice for my sake. 
  My advice is the same to all my friends: 
  Give and forgive, and quickly make amends
  For what you do wrong.  Let love be the rule. 
  Christians, be true at the season of Yule.