he prolonged the days of
the broken toys by skilful mending, and so acquired an interest in them
which was still more favourable to their preservation. When his
birthday came round, which was some months after these events, Dot
(assisted by Mamma and Aunt Penelope) had prepared for him a surprise
that was more than equal to any of his own "splendid ideas." The whole
force of the toy cupboard was assembled on the nursery table, to
present Sam with a fine box of joiner's tools as a reward for his
services, Papa kindly acting as spokesman on the occasion.

And certain gaps in the china tea-set, some scars on the dolls' faces,
and a good many new legs, both amongst the furniture and the animals,
are now the only remaining traces of Sam's earthquake.

* * * * *

THREE CHRISTMAS TREES.

This is a story of Three Christmas Trees. The first was a real one, but
the child we are to speak of did not see it. He saw the other two, but
they were not real; they only existed in his fancy. The plot of the
story is very simple; and, as it has been described so early, it is
easy for those who think it stupid to lay the book down in good time.

Probably every child who reads this has seen one Christmas tree or
more; but in the small town of a distant colony with which we have to
do, this could not at one time have been said. Christmas-trees were
then by no means so universal, even in England, as they now are, and in
this little colonial town they were unknown. Unknown, that is, till the
Governor's wife gave her great children's party. At which point we will
begin the story.

The Governor had given a great many parties in his time. He had
entertained big wigs and little wigs, the passing military, and the
local grandees. Everybody who had the remotest claim to attention had
been attended to: the ladies had had their full share of balls and
pleasure parties: only one class of the population had any complaint to
prefer against his hospitality; but the class was a large one--it was
the children. However, he, was a bachelor, and knew little or nothing
about little boys and girls: let us pity rather than blame him. At last
he took to himself a wife; and among the many advantages of this
important step, was a due recognition of the claims of these young
citizens. It was towards happy Christmas-tide that "the Governor's
amiable and admired lady" (as she was styled in the local newspaper)
sent out notes for he