en this old gentleman for a
relative of Santa Claus, for he had the same white hair and whiskers and
wore almost the same sort of glasses. But a second look showed the
Nodding Donkey that this was not any relation of St. Nicholas. Besides,
this toy store was not at all like the workshop of Santa Claus.

The Nodding Donkey was at last on Earth in a toy store, and there, it
was hoped, some one would see him and buy him for some boy or girl for
Christmas.

The toy store was kept by Mr. Horatio Mugg and his two daughters, one
being named Angelina and the other Geraldine.

Mr. Horatio Mugg was the jolliest toy-store man you can imagine! Since
his own two daughters had grown up he seemed to think he must look after
all the other children in his neighborhood. He was always glad to see
the boys and girls in his store. He liked to have them look at the toys,
and sometimes he showed them how steam engines or flying machines
worked.

Of course there were many dolls, big and little--Sawdust Dolls, Bisque
Dolls, Wooden Dolls, some very handsomely dressed, with silk or satin
dresses and white stockings and white kid shoes. And some had the cutest
hats, and some even had gloves, think of that!

And then the animals--Lions and Tigers, and a Striped Zebra, and funny
Monkeys and Goats, Dogs, Spotted Cows and many kinds of Rocking Horses.
And even funny little Mice, that ran all around the floor when they
were wound up.

And then the other toys--trains of cars, fire engines, building blocks,
and oh! so many, many things! It was truly a wonderful place, was that
store. It was a place where you could spend an hour or two and the time
would fly so fast you would scarcely know where it had gone to.

Mr. Mugg knew all about toys, which kind were the best for boys, which
the girls liked the best, and he knew which to put in his window so the
children would stop and press their noses flat against the glass to look
and see the playthings.

"Yes, the Nodding Donkey will be a fine toy for Christmas," said Mr.
Mugg, looking over the tops of his glasses at the new arrival. "This
last box of playthings I received are the best we ever had. Santa Claus
and his men certainly are preparing a fine Christmas this year."

"I think I shall dust off the Donkey," said Geraldine. "He will be much
shinier then, and look better."

"And I must dust the China Cat," said her sister Angelina. "She is so
white that the least speck shows on her. Real white c