old all of his gifts. It is rather hard to crowd a sword, a gun, and
a rocking-horse all into one stocking.

Mary had a fine new doll. Harry had a box, and, on taking off the cover,
up sprang a wise-looking little man, with a cap on his head. Jessy had a
doll, and a very pretty one it was too. Tommy had a what-do-you-call-it.
Why did he look up the chimney? I think it was to see if there was any
sign of Santa Claus.

John mounted his horse, waved his sword, and held up his gun. But very
soon he began to get tired of them all. The thought came into his head
that he was more than eight years old. "What do I want of these toys?"
said he. "Why was I so silly as to choose them, when aunt Susan would
have given me a microscope?" And John laid down his sword and gun,
feeling quite above such childish things.

When aunt Susan came, she saw that John did not seem as glad over his
presents as the rest of the children did over theirs. "What is the
matter, John?" she asked. "Why are you not playing with your toys?"

"Aunt Susan," said John, "I wish I had taken the microscope. Is it too
late?"

"No, John. I thought you might repent your choice, so I said to Mr.
Grover, who keeps the toy-shop, 'I think I shall want to change the
microscope: can I do so?' He said, 'Yes.' His shop will be open till
eleven o'clock. So run round and get the microscope, and tell him to
send to-morrow and take back the toys."

In five seconds John had on his hat, and was running down the street to
Mr. Grover's. He came back with the microscope in about half an hour,
and was full of joy at the change. A merry Christmas it was then for all
the children!

UNCLE CHARLES.

* * * * *

[Illustration: Baby's quiet family]

BABY'S QUIET FAMILY.

Whenever I walk
With my children three,
I laugh and I talk
For the whole family.

There's Ruth (her arm's broken!)
And Jane and Annette,
They never have spoken
Or laughed even, yet;

But I know when they're glad,--
Mothers always can tell,--
And I'm sad when they're sad,
For I love them so well!

Whenever we walk,
Though they're still as can be,
I can easily talk
Quite enough for the three.

W.G.

BABY AND THE BIRD.

[Illustration: BABY AND THE BIRD.]

Baby is looking out of the window. Jane is holding him up so that he
will not fall out. What does he see that makes him jump up