t,
prepared to do his duty; but what should he do, instead of making his
speech, "this jolly Old Saint--" but first fly up to Mrs. Pepper, and
say--"Oh, mammy how did you do it?"

"It's Ben!" screamed Phronsie; but the little Old Saint didn't hear,
for he and Polly took hold of hands, and pranced around that tree while
everybody laughed till they cried to see them go!

And then it all came out!

"Order!" said Parson Henderson in his deepest tones; and then he put
into Santa Claus' hands a letter, which he requested him to read.
And the jolly Old Saint, although he was very old, didn't need any
spectacles, but piped out in Ben's loudest tones:

"Dear Friends--A Merry Christmas to you all! And that you'll have a good
time, and enjoy it all as much as I've enjoyed my good times at your
house, is the wish of your friend,

"JASPER ELYOT KING"

"Hurrah for Jappy!" cried Santa Claus, pulling his beard; and "Hurrah
for Jasper!" went all around the room; and this ended in three good
cheers--Phronsie coming in too late with her little crow--which was just
as well, however!

"Do your duty now, Santa Claus!" commanded Dr. Fisher as master of
ceremonies; and everything was as still as a mouse!

And the first thing she knew, a lovely brass cage, with a dear little
bird with two astonished black eyes dropped down into Polly's hands. The
card on it said: "For Miss Polly Pepper, to give her music everyday in
the year."

"Mammy," said Polly; and then she did the queerest thing of the whole!
she just burst into tears! "I never thought I should have a bird for my
very own!"

"Hulloa!" said Santa Claus, "I've got something myself!"

"Santa Claus' clothes are too old," laughed Dr. Fisher, holding up a
stout, warm suit that a boy about as big as Ben would delight in.

And then that wonderful tree just rained down all manner of lovely
fruit. Gifts came flying thick and fast, till the air seemed full, and
each one was greeted with a shout of glee, as it was put into the
hands of its owner. A shawl flew down on Mrs. Pepper's shoulders; and
a work-basket tumbled on Polly's head; and tops and balls and fishing
poles, sent Joel and David into a corner with howls of delight!

But the climax was reached when a large wax doll in a very gay pink silk
dress, was put into Phronsie's hands, and Dr. Fisher, stooping down,
read in loud tones: "FOR PHRONSIE, FROM ONE WHO ENJOYED HER GINGERBREAD
BOY."

After that, nobody had anything to say