Something new about Christmas?
Why, what were half so sweet
As the old, old way of keeping
The day our glad hearts greet?
The old, old chimes are dearest;
The old, old songs are best;
It's the old, old gladness welling
Within each joyous breast.
Then my little lad said slyly,
"Remember, if that's true,
That your old, old way, mamma dear,
Was to give me something new."

Alice W. Rollins.


[Christmas Time.]

By M.N.B.

(An introductory recitation for a Christmas program.)

Christmas time for boys and girls
Is a happy day,
For we go to grandmamma's
And eat and sing and play.
Grandma does not say to us—
"Stop that horrid noise,"
'Cause she understands we can't,
When we're "only boys."
And she lets the girls play house,
In the garret old,
And when they strew things around,
Grandma doesn't scold.
But we ought to pick them up,
Even on Christmas day,
For we shouldn't make kind friends
Trouble with our play.
Yes, we love the Christmas time
Best of all the year,
We have waited for it long,
Now, at last, it's here.

[Christmas Wishes.]

By C. PHILLIPS.