a
Claus of your promise?"

"Yes, you may," said Robert; "for I am in earnest about it. If Santa
Claus will only bring me a sled, I shall be content."

"And you will bestow his other Christmas-gifts on those who need them
most,--is that the bargain?" asked Uncle Charles.

"Yes, that is it," said Robert.

The little boy went to sleep that night, wondering who Mr. Santa Claus
was, and whether he would heed a hint from Uncle Charles.

Early Christmas morning, Robert woke; and what do you think he saw by
the side of his bed? Well, it was a fine sled, painted red, with thick
iron runners.

Robert could hardly believe his eyes. He jumped out of bed, and dressed
himself. Then, as the morning light grew clearer, he saw other
presents,--a beautiful pair of skates, a rabbit that could hop out of a
box, but was not alive, a bat and ball, a bag of marbles, a fine
pocket-knife, a silver pencil-case, a ship all rigged, a paint-box, and
many more things that I cannot name.

"And all these things are mine!" cried Robert. But he then remembered
his promise to Santa Claus, and sighed. "What a nice pair of skates!"
thought he. "And this knife and this pencil-case,--they are just what I
want. Will Santa Claus ever find it out, I wonder, if I keep them?"

It was only for a moment that the little boy hesitated. Then he put his
hand on his sled, and said, "No! a promise is a promise. Here is what I
asked for. I sent word to Mr. Santa Claus what I would do; and it would
be mean now if I were to break my promise."

I am glad to say that Robert distributed all the presents, except the
sled, among the boys and girls of his acquaintance, whose parents were
too poor to spend money on Christmas-gifts.

Uncle Charles was so much pleased with Robert's conduct, that he bought
the prettiest pair of skates he could find, and put them on Robert's
feet, and told him they were his own.

ALFRED SELWYN.

PIGGY'S VISIT.

MARY stood by the table kneading dough. Annie was washing Dolly's apron.
Bobby was making a pasteboard wagon for Dolly. Clara was rocking the
cradle, which was baby Dan's carriage to the land of Nod. Cook was
paring the "taters," as she called them. Mother sat quietly sewing on
Annie's sack. How still every thing was!

All at once piggy put his nose in at the door with an "Ugh, ugh! May I
come in?"

Mary let some flour fall; Annie hugged Dolly closely, perhaps to keep