_Messenger (entering)_: The East Wind says his health demands A little snow or rain.

_1897_: Well, well, just tell the storm clouds To send us rain or snow.

_(Snowflakes begin to fall, seen through a window,--cotton or bits of paper_) Well done! Now are you ready Upon your way to go?

For some one must be bidding Knight Rupert come this way, To give the German children Their presents, Christmas day.

And then there's old Babousca-- In Russia she'll be found; Kriss Kringle and St. Nicholas, They, too, must both be round.

_Heralds_: We know where each one liveth, Full soon they shall appear.

We go to do your bidding.

Farewell, farewell, Old Year.

(_Exit Heralds. Enter Fairies_)

_1897_: Bless me! what little people!

_(Speaks to first one_.) Why, who are you, my dear?

I ne'er before have seen you.

What are you doing here?

_Fairies_: Oh, we are little fairies From out the ether blue.

Here is a Christmas posy We are bringing unto you.

And the initial letters Will a starry chaplet make.

Each trusts you will receive it, And wear it for her sake.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CHRISTMAS]

_First Fairy (pointing to first leaf in chaplet)_: This is for Cypress.

_Second Fairy_: And this for Holly.

_Third Fairy_: And this for Rose of Jericho.

_Fourth Fairy_: And this for Ivy.

_Fifth Fairy_: And this for Speedwell.

_Sixth Fairy_: And this for Thyme.

_Seventh Fairy_: And this for Mistletoe.

_Eighth Fairy_: And this for the quivering Aspen.

_Ninth Fairy_: And this for Star of Bethlehem.

(_They place chaplet upon the head of 1897._)

_1897_: Here's thanks, my little people, For this your posy sweet; Your loving thought has surely Made my happiness complete.

(_Enter Kriss Kringle, Santa Claus, Prince Rupert_, and _Babousca._)

Why here is old Kriss Kringle; And Santa's coming, too; Knight Rupert and Babousca, I welcome both of you.

And from the frozen Northland, I see a-riding down The cheery old St. Nicholas, Clad in his friar's gown.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

(_Enter St. Nicholas._)

(_Enter children, singing. They march around the stage, and finally stop in front of 1897 and the others._)

See how the children, so happy and gay, Come marching together this glad Christmas day.

_Children_: With hands on our heads, while the bells sweetly chime, All blithely we're keeping the glad Christmas time.

Marching and singing, so gayly we go, Turning and winding in lines to and fro.

Clap all together, and sing, sing away, So merrily keeping this glad Christmas day.

_1897_: Oh, children, little children, You're welcome here alway; I'm glad to see you coming To keep our Christmas day.

(_Bells outside._) Oh, children, little children, Why do the joy-bells chime?

(_Singing heard outside. The following words, to the tune of "Ring, Ye Happy Christmas Bells."_)

Carol, O ye children all, With no thought of sadness; Welcome in the Christmas time With your songs of gladness.

_Chorus_--Sing, O sing, Bells all ring, Let us now be merry, Let us welcome Christmas day With our songs so cheery.

_1897_: Hark, how the winds are blowing, What music do they bring.

_Children_: You hear the little children Their Christmas carols sing.

_1897_: O children, little children, What light is that afar?

_Children_: 'Tis shining from the heavens, A glorious Christmas star.

_1897_: O children, little children, What means its glorious rays?

And why is Christmas better Than many other days?

_Children_: Oh, don't you know the story Of the first Christmas time?

Then listen, we will tell it, While the bells so sweetly chime.

_First child_: We count the years by hundreds Since that first Christmas day.

When in a lowly manger The little Christ-child lay.

_Second child_: That night some shepherds tending Their flocks upon the hill, Heard heavenly voices singing, "Peace, peace! On earth, good will."

_Third child_: All bright as noon-tide splendor.

A light about them shone, While louder sang the angels, "A Saviour hath been born!"

_Fourth child_: And then a sudden darkness-- The voices died away, The wondering shepherds hurried To where the young Child lay.

_Fifth child_: Their flocks were all untended, While filled with love and awe, They bent above the manger And the Baby Jesus saw.

_Sixth child_: Then, too, the wise men watching Beheld a star that shone, In the blue heavens above them To tell that Christ was born.

_Seventh child_: And with their camels laden With spices and gold.

They came from eastern countries The young King to behold.

_Eighth child_: The star still went before them, And pointing out the way, It shone upon the stable Where the Babe of Bethlehem lay

_Ninth child_: And then, all lowly bending, They worshipped the young King, And gave him from their treasures Full many an offering.

_Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Kriss Kringle, etc.:_ O children we have numbered Long centuries since then, But we see at every Christmas That little Child again.