hem heartily for the
way in which they had made amends for Albert's bad steering.

UNCLE CHARLES.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

WHO IS IT?

SURELY a step on the carpet I hear,
Some quiet mouse that is creeping so near.
Two little feet mount the rung of my chair:
True as I live, there is somebody there!
Ten lily fingers are over my eyes,
Trying to take me by sudden surprise;
Then a voice, calling in merriest glee,
"Who is it? Tell me, and you may go free."

"Who is it? Leave me a moment to guess.
Some one who loves me?" The voice answers, "Yes."
"Some one who's fairer to me than the flowers,
Brighter to me than the sunshiny hours?
Darling, whose white little hands make me blind
Unto all things that are dark and unkind;
Sunshine and blossoms, and diamond and pearl,--
Papa's own dear little, sweet little girl!"

GEORGE COOPER.

[Illustration]

A LETTER TO SANTA CLAUS.

THE little boy who got his aunt to write this letter for him wishes to
have it appear in "The Nursery," so that Santa Claus may be sure to read
it. When it is _printed_, the little boy says he can read it himself.
Here is the letter:--

DEAR MR. SANTA CLAUS,--Please, sir, could you
not bring me a team of goats next Christmas? I
do want them so much! Other little boys no
bigger than I am have a pair of goats to play
with.

When I ask my mother to get me a pair, she says
she will see, but thinks I shall have to wait a
little while. Now, dear Mr. Santa Claus, I do
not feel as if I _could_ wait.

Besides, ma's "little while" seems like a great
while to me, and when I get older I shall have
to go to school; but now I could play almost
all the time with my little goats, if I had
them. Oh, dear! I wish I had them now! I can
hardly wait till Christmas.

I will be very kind to them, and give them
plenty to eat, and a good warm bed at night.
Brother Charley says he will get me a wagon, if
you, good Mr. Santa Claus, will give me the
goats.

Folks say, that, although you are an old man,
you love little children; especially litt