S We have a game of letters Which we're going to show to you, And each will name his letter As he holds it up to view.

I have an S--a crooked S, It stands for sugar sweet.

A And here's an A for apple pie.

M And M for good mince meat.

T T stands for turkey, fat and brown, We have on Christmas day.

S And here is S for Santa Claus, And also for his sleigh.

I I stands for icicles and ice,

R And R for reindeer gay.

H H stands for home and happiness,

C And C for Christmas day.

Y And next in line comes letter Y; It stands for youth and you; We couldn't do without it, It's in the New Year, too.

R I have an R, it stands for Right, And I will hold it high;

R And mine I'll place beside it, For R also have I.

E I like the letter E the best, For what is Earth without it?

And Everything begins with E-- Does anybody doubt it?

M I hold in hand a great big M, It suits me to a T; M stands for mother, money, too, And, yes, it stands for me.

(_All now stand close together and hold their letters at the same height. Then the following lines may be given in concert or spoken by the leader [S] alone_.)

Now if you read our letters down From left hand to the right, You'll find a Christmas greeting For one and all to-night.

Then beginning at the the left, each child may name his letter--

M-E-R-R-Y C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S.

(_Exit_.)

=Under the Christmas Tree.=

A DOLLYDRAMA.

BY ARTHUR GUITERMAN.

TIME: Christmas Eve. CHARACTERS: _Arabella_, a heartless French doll; _Koko_, a melodramatic j.a.panese doll; _Jackski-in-the-Boxovitch,_ the Muscovite Mystery. SCENES: The children's room. A Christmas tree, properly decorated, L. A box or hamper with a hinged cover, large enough to contain _Jack_, center. An entrance, R. _Arabella_ is costumed as a lady doll should be. _Koko_ is attired in j.a.panese style, either old or modern military, and wears a sword. _Jack_ should have abundant black hair and beard and should be provided with a gilded club. When the curtain rises, _Arabella_ is discovered seated under the Christmas tree, eating comfits. The action should be stiff-jointed and doll-like throughout.

_Arabella (rising)_: Oh, marvelous is Nature! Only see How bounteous the spreading Christmas tree That bears upon its branches sugar-plums, With candy canes and baskets, b.a.l.l.s and drums And trumpets, whistles, candles, pop-corn strings, And countless kinds of gilt and tinsel things!

Beneath its shade I'll sit me down a while And read, an idle moment to beguile, These tender letters penned by suitors three Who seek my hand--What _can_ they see in me?

(_Seating herself, she takes out three letters, opening one_.) That sailor doll! He talks of foreign lands And sings; but I can't bear his tarry hands!

Besides, 'tis rash to trust these roving men.

(_Tearing the letter_.) So, Bobbie Shafto, go to sea again.

(_She opens another letter_.) Poor Koko! How that soldier boy does tease!

To tell the truth, I like that j.a.panese: But, no! 'twould never do. I can't afford To wed a doll with nothing but a sword.

(_She sighs, folds the letter, and opens the third_.) A crest! The Marquis!--Yes, he's dull, alas!

But think!--the Marchioness of Carabas!

(_Rising, she marches majestically_ R. _Koko enters hurriedly. He throws himself at her feet and seizes her hand_.)

_Koko_: Hail, Arabella. (_She draws away_.) Nay, be not so nice!

Though I said "Hail!" yet do not turn to ice.

That chilly manner fairly makes one freeze.

Behold me down upon my j.a.pan knees!

He bends to thee who never knelt before!

Thou art my all.

_Arabella (aside)_: Oh, sawdust! What a bore!

_Koko_: One word from thee would lift me to the skies.

Pray speak that word!

_Arabella_: I'll try to, sir. Arise!

_Koko_: Nay, mock me not! You know the word I mean.

_Arabella_: Oh, Captain Koko! please don't make a scene.

_Koko_: What! Do you spurn me?

_Arabella (soothingly)_: Now, I wouldn't care To put it that way. Captain, don't despair!

That German doll would make a model wife.

But, frankly, I don't fancy army life.

_Koko_: Ha! scorned! I know what brings it to this pa.s.s.

That stupid Marquis--he of Carabas.

False girl, beware! You'll find, ere years have rolled, That honest steel is better far than gold.

Farewell! (_Exit tragically_.)

_Arabella_: Good-by! Drop in some night for tea.

(_She stands_ L. _of box, musing_.) I wonder what an "honest steal" can be!

Perhaps he'll soon return to make it clear.

I hope he does; it's awful lonely here.

(_Jack springs up in the box, holding his gilded club in his right hand. With his left he seizes Arabella by the hair_.)