=Christmas Stories.=

By LETTIE STERLING.

(These stories may be said and done in concert, or each little child may give one verse by himself.

_a_. Hands held straight up so tips of fingers point toward ceiling.

_b_. Touch palm of hand with thumb, bring it back quickly.

_c, d, e, f_. Repeat _b_ with 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th fingers.

_g_. Double the hand up.

_h_. Place the doubled-up hand on the back of the other.

_i_. Lift thumb and hold it up.

_j_. Lift 1st finger.

_k_. Lift 2d finger.

_l_. Lift 3d finger.

_m_. Lift 4th finger.

_n_. Hold hands in a listless way, with tips of fingers pointing toward floor for two first lines, and let the fingers gently swing. Near the close of the verse make the fingers still and rigid and hold them close together.

_o_. Have hands doubled up and held so that the child's eyes can look down upon the palm or the hand and see the nails of the four fingers--thumb out of sight.

_p_. Let fingers fly up quickly

_q_. Hold left hand as in _a_. Use the index finger of the right hand as a match, scratching it on the palm of the left hand and lighting the tips of each finger as if the fingers were candles.

_r_. Make a circle of a thumb and index finger of the right hand and slip it on and off each finger on the left hand.

_s_. Bunch fingers of left hand together so they can all touch the tips of the thumb and form an opening for the window.

_t_. Bring the fingers of the right hand near and let them be boys and girls peeping in.

_u_. Double up hands, but instead of having thumb inside, let it stand straight up to be a tower.

_v_. Snap the fingers of one hand, then of the other.

_w_. Point far away with index finger.

_x_. Point toward an imaginary star.

_y_. Hold up the three middle fingers.)

Chimneys standing in a row, _(a)_ Down each one will Santa go.

He goes down one, comes back alive, _(b)_ And then tries two, _(c)_ three, _(d)_ four, _(e)_ and five. _(f)_

Santa has a wondrous pack, _(g)_ This he carries on his back; _(h)_ From it he takes candies, _(i)_ drums, _(j)_ Dolls, _(k)_ books, _(l)_ trumpets, _(m)_ when he comes.

Near the chimney stockings swing, What to them will Santa bring?

All of them I'm sure he'll fill, Make them round and stiff and still. _(n)_

Morning kisses curly heads Lying snugly in their beds, _(o)_ O how quickly they hop out, _(p)_ Seizing stockings with a shout!

On the hemlock and the pine, Light the candles, make them shine; _(q)_ String the rows of corn so white _(r)_ 'Mong the gifts and tinsels bright.

Storemen's windows all look gay, 'Cause it's near to Christmas day. _(s)_ Come and look in, girls and boys, _(t)_ Get a peep at Christmas joys.

In high towers out of sight Great bells ring with all their might; _(u)_ Hear one, then another chime, _(v)_ Telling it is Christmas time.

In the distance, look afar, _(w)_ With their eyes upon the star, _(x)_ Come on camels wise men three, _(y)_ They the Christmas King shall see.

=Christmas Pictures.=

(This set of pictures is suggested by Mrs. Kate Douglas Wiggin's story of "The Birds' Christmas Carol," published by Houghton, Mifflin & Company, Boston, Ma.s.s. Each picture should be preceded by descriptions from the book; these are indicated by the number of the page in the volume.

DIRECTIONS.--A good reader must be chosen, who can bring out the light and shade in the story--one who can make the listeners feel the pathos of Carol's brief, helpful existence and the contrasting homely humor of "the Ruggleses in the rear." A reading-desk and lamp must stand below the platform, and the audience-room be left in darkness. The reader will give the signal for the opening and closing of the curtains, pausing long enough for a full recognition of the scene. As a repet.i.tion of a tableau is often more successful than its initial effort, the performers should be on the alert, prepared to give a second view.

The characters in the story call for six young people to represent Mr. Bird, Mrs. Bird, the Grandmother, Physician, Mrs. Ruggles, and Uncle Jack, and fourteen children to take the parts of Donald, Hugh, Paul, Carol, Sarah Maud, Peoria, Cornelius, Elly, Kitty, Peter, Clem, Larry, Susan, and the boy singer.

The first hymn, "Carol, Brothers, Carol," is to be sung behind the curtains, just before they are drawn for the second picture. A harp, violin, and triangle would a.s.sist the piano in making an orchestral effect. A solo voice supplies the closing air, "My Ain Countree." The piano may be played very softly whenever the reader pauses and the tableaux are shown.

It is important that the arrangements for each scene be made in absolute quietness, with systematic forethought, else the attention of the listeners will be distracted from the reading.

If a Christmas tree for the entire school is to close the entertainment, it should be in readiness at the rear of the platform, concealed by a curtain. In the sixth picture the tree appears, to ill.u.s.trate the story, and remains lighted through the evening.)

FIRST PICTURE.

"They were consulting about it in the nursery." (Page 1 in "The Birds'

Christmas Carol.")

In this scene the children's belongings are scattered about: small chairs, a cradle, toys, and picture-books. Mr. Bird stands in the center of the platform holding a large doll dressed in infant's robes.

Grandma is seated near, and Uncle Jack, Donald, Paul, and Hugh are discussing a name for the baby. The Christmas hymn is heard after the curtains are drawn and before the

SECOND PICTURE.

"A famous physician had visited them." (Page 12.)