teboard box.

Old Mrs. Grant had not forgotten to add her gift, which was a pair of
warm mittens, done up with a nice, knit comforter from Mary Jerrold
Monsey.

Altogether it was a great success, and everybody felt very happy.

CHAPTER XI.

THE HEART AND HAND.

"Why don't you open your stocking, papa?" inquired Bertie, when he saw
the gentleman about to leave his chamber.

"I'll leave that to mamma," he said laughing.

"But really, Lawrence," she answered, "you might see for yourself.
You'll regret it if you don't."

"Oh, of course, Cecilia, and spoil your joke!" He hesitated a moment
but catching a glimpse of Bertie's anxious face, he turned back
suddenly, and took down the stocking from the hook.

Putting his hand cautiously into the top, as if he were afraid of
being bitten, at which the children shouted with laughter, he pulled
forth a nicely rolled package, the outside of which he most carefully
examined with his fingers.

"Very fine!" he exclaimed, with a quick glance at his wife. "It is a
doughnut, I presume."

"Doughnuts are not to be despised when they are given to express
affection," she answered, gravely.

"Well," he said, laying the package on his knees, "I'll see what else
there is. I may find a solitary raisin enveloped in a pound or two of
paper."

"Oh, papa, you're too funny!" shouted Bertie.

"Quick, Lawrence, the bell will ring for breakfast presently."

He drew cautiously from the stocking a small box, tied and sealed
with wax.

"All very grand," he began, with a shrug of the shoulders, when his
wife caught it from his hands.

"Open the other, first," she said.

He tore off the paper, and presently came to a note addressed to
"Lawrence Curtis, Esq." in a beautifully neat hand. Opening it
cautiously, he glanced at the bottom, and saw the names of his entire
class, when his countenance changed at once.

"Really," he said, "I had no idea of this," reading aloud, "'Will our
dear teacher please accept the enclosed slippers as a trifling token
of our gratitude?'

"They are beautiful! very tasteful; exactly what I wanted! I must have
them made up at once. Oh! here is the cash for that purpose! Well, my
friends, I'm very grateful. Now I'm encouraged to try again," taking
up the box, and quizzically glancing into the blushing face before
him.

It contained a watch-chain of exquisite workmanship, manufactured of
hair and gold, attached to which was an ornament in the shape