Christmas Eve

Christmas evet I Bat half dreaming In the fire-light's ruddy glow ; And ruy busv brain was burning With the thoughta of long ago. Oh. the light, and warmth, and glory Circling round a Christinas eve ! Eastern tale or fairy story Never could such magie weave. Children count the days and hours TUI tbc time has come ; Watch them drop like leavcs f rom flowers Till, at last, the Christmas bloom. Well, to-night, thp olil-time feeling Breathed upon in y heart again, While I heard the Boft bells pealmg 11 Peace on earth, good-will to men !" By the niantel-piece I muubored Six small stockings in a row, Wbüe up-stairs their owners slumbered - JuBt a pair for each yon know. With what eager bande they hung them, T rusting to old Santa Clans ; ' Yes," said Robbie, " he will bring them, Ma'Il Eee to it - she's the Boss 1" So I softly eaid, " Old fellow, You had better coine along While the fire-light gleanis so niellow, Whüe the light is not too strong 1" While I waited, lo I a jingle ! Soft and e weet, but nilver clear, Made my very ear-drnins tingle Ab I heard it coming near. Tap, tap, tap, and jingle, jingle ! '■ 'Tis the reindeer on the roof ! Oh, you darling old Krise Krinkle, You are coming here in truth I" " Ha ! ha ! ha !" I heard him stamping " Ha ! ha! ha !"' he laughed again ; n a minute in carne tramping Just the tiniest of men ! Aftcr all his taps and knockings Here his jolly eaintehip stands! Then üe turns to count the stockings, Wliile he blows his rosy hand?. ' That's the way they try to get me ! Sly young rogues ! I know their game ; I wonld, dare say they'd lot me FUI a dozn all the same ! 1 Can't be done, my gay young fellowa, If I Bhould, why bless my eyes I ghould have to get some bellows, Blow things up to twice their size ! ' Ha ! ha ! na i well, time is flytng, Let us see what we can do; Dearie me ! I can't help trying Do the best I can for you." With a look quito keen and elflsh, Harry's stocking down he tootc ; Here's a boy that's rather eelfiph - I can read him like a book. 1 Shall I scant him, just to teach him Santa Claus don'tlike hip ways? No, no I Christm as-time should preach him Sermons for all coming days ; Teach hün only loving lessons - Generous kiudneas and good-will; So, young master, here's my blesaing While I both your stockings flll 1" Bertie'e then he caught, and phook them, Laughed till tears stood in his eyes; " Ha ! ha ! ha ! bef ore l took them I knew how this fellow cries : Cries too often ; my ! how breczy I Spunky, too ! Look out, my boy 1 When you learn to take things easy Santa Claus wül wish you joy." Thcn, of courpe, he canie to Kobbie's, (jrave tUem many a stretch and pull ; " Ha ! ha ! ha ! I have my hobbies - This chap wants his Ktockiuge full, 1 Hifi must be as big as t'other's, I can't scant the little ones ; Share and share alike' for brothers - That's the way my programme runs !' So he etuffed and stuffed caeh stocking Till they looked just fit to burst, While I sat serenely rocking, Fleased and silcnt, as at first. Suddenly I jumped affrighted ! Some one came and pulled my noee ! There I sat, the lamp dim-lightetl, Fire gone out, and I half froze. Some one said that it was shocking," So I hurried off to bed ; Not until I'd filled each Btocking Just as Santa Claus had said ! - Mts. S. M. Wattih, in Christian Union.