Leaves," by Mr. George
Houghton, published by Estes & Lauriat, will help you to some verses
suitable to be writen (sic) in autograph albums.

* * * * *

Mobile, Ala.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: The "that" question in your recent numbers brings
to mind some "thats" I had when I went to school long years ago, and
which some of your young grammarians may never have seen. I would like
to have them, especially C.P.S., of Chicago, parse them.

E.S.F.

Now that is a word which may often be joined,
For that that may be doubled is clear to the mind,
And that that that is right, is as plain to the view
As that that that that we use is rightly used too;
And that that that that that line has in it, is right,
And accords with good grammar, is plain in our sight.

* * * * *

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I want to tell you about my aunt Hattie. She is
only nine years older than I am, being twenty-one, and seems more like
a sister than an aunt. When she was about fifteen she was thrown from
her pony and hurt her spine, so that she hasn't taken a step since.

But in spite of her great suffering she is the brightest, happiest
one in the house, brimful and running over with fun and spirits.
Papa calls her our sunbeam, and no one can grumble when they see how
patiently and cheerfully she bears her pain. Her bright face and merry
laugh will cure the worst case of "blues." She wants me to tell you
how much she enjoys ST. NICHOLAS. It is a great comfort to her, and
helps to pass away many an hour of pain and loneliness when I am at
school and mamma is busy. She says she doesn't know what she could do
without it.

Auntie says you must make allowance for what I say of her as I am a
partial judge; but she _is_ the dearest, best auntie in the world, and
I'm not the only one who thinks so. Everybody loves her, and I shall
be satisfied if I ever learn to be half as good and patient and
unselfish as she is. I don't see how she can be so good and patient
and happy when she has to lie still year after year and suffer so
much, I should get cross and fret about it, for I can't bear to be
sick a day. But she never thinks of her own troubles, but is so afraid
she will make us care or trouble. When the pain is very bad she likes
to hear music or poetry. It soothes her better than anything else.
Whittier's poem on "Patience," is a favorite with her, and so is Mrs.
Browning's "Sleep."--E