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."

SANTA CLAUS'S LETTER.

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."

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."

"I guess you won't," Jamie said, speaking loudly.

"Why not?" Ted asked.

"Because it'll be as much my sled as yours."

"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 and paper
parcels were piled aro