home.

"I have had the best time I ever had in my life," she answered with a
happy laugh.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE HARP MAN'S BENEFIT.

"Where is my wig?"

"I have lost my banner!"

"Tell Ikey to hurry, he has to go on first. Do you think that chimney
will stand?"

There was such confusion behind the scenes on New Year's eve that
Cousin Helen put her hands over her ears when she came in.

"It is time to begin," she said. "Ikey and Helen are first."

The performers had advertised their entertainment very thoroughly, and
as a result a large and interested audience of young people had
assembled before eight o'clock.

When at length the curtain rose in response to vigorous clapping, it
brought to view a fine stage, on which was a cottage with a window and
door and a lifelike chimney, and everything was covered with
glistening snow. After the audience had had time to admire this scene
sufficiently, a boy and girl entered, dressed in outdoor costume. They
looked sad, and the girl took her handkerchief from her muff and held
it to her eyes. Her companion begged her not to cry, for Father Time
would surely help them. Then he knocked at the door of the cottage. It
opened at once and out came a veritable Father Time, leaning on his
staff. His long white beard, his scythe and hourglass, all proved his
identity. Looking at the children he asked:

"Who is it knocks at my door to-day?
Speak to me quickly, I cannot stay."

The little girl replied:

"Dear Father Time, we've come to you,
Perhaps you'll tell us what to do.
Our teacher says that in the year
Too many holidays appear.
She says we must at least drop one,
And she'd be glad if there were none."

And the boy added:

"It is hard to know what day to choose,
When there isn't one you care to lose."

In great astonishment Father Time exclaimed:

"To drop a holiday! Absurd!
Impossible! Upon my word!
Affairs like this belong to me,
As I'll soon let this teacher see."

He rapped on the ground with his staff and a small page appeared,
wearing a pointed cap and carrying a tin horn. Bowing low before
Father Time, he was instructed to call the Holidays together. He
withdrew and was heard blowing his horn in the distance. Presently
music sounded, and the eight Holidays came marching in, with banners,
singing:

"Joyous Holidays,
Full of gayety,
Bringing happy hours,
Merry days are we