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.
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.