I visit, I fancy
they will be pleased, whatever I bring.

I must confess, though, that it isn't _all_
guesswork. I know pretty well what my little folks
want. But if you knew the amount of listening at
doors and windows and registers, that I do to find
out all these wants, you'd be astonished.

And now, if I don't hurry off, you'll be waking
up, and catch me here; besides, I've staid a deal
longer than I ought, for I've lots to do before
daylight. But, seeing your mamma's desk and
writing-materials so handy, I really couldn't help
sitting down to write you a letter.

Tell your brother Walter, that as I brought him
presents ten years before you came, he mustn't
expect quite so many now; for he can have no idea
how many little folks I have to provide for. And
if my reindeers weren't the kindest, and
strongest, and fleetest of creatures, we never
could get through the amount of work we have to do
"the night before Christmas."

Wishing you, and your brother, and papa, and
mamma, a "Merry Christmas," I remain, with a heart
full of love, yours,

SANTA CLAUS.

[Illustration]

THE HEDGEHOG.

THE hedgehog is a queer little animal with short limbs. It feeds mostly
on insects. It has its body covered with sharp spines instead of hairs,
and can roll itself up in a ball, and thus show an array of prickles
pointing in every direction.

Slow of foot, this little creature cannot flee from danger; but in the
sharp, hard, and tough prickles of its coat, it has a safeguard better
than the teeth and claws of the wildcat, or the fleetness of the hare.

The hedgehog has powerful muscles beneath the skin of the back; and by
the aid of these, on the slightest alarm, it rolls itself up so as to
have its head and legs hidden in the middle of the ball it thus makes of
itself.

Our dog Snip saw a hedgehog, the other day, for the first time. As soon
as it saw him, the little creature seemed to change from a live thing
into a ball. Snip did not know what to make of it. His curiosity was
much excited. He went up, and looked at it.

If the two could have spoken, I think this would have been their talk:--

_Snip._--"Of all the queer things I ever saw, you are the queerest. What