A voice from out of the northern sky: "On the wings of the limitless winds I fly.

Swifter than thought, over mountain and vale, City and moorland, desert and dale!

From the north to the south, from the east to the west I hasten regardless of slumber or rest; O, nothing you dream of can fly as fast As I on the wings of the windy blast!

"The wondering stars look out to see Who he that flieth so fast may be, And their bright eyes follow my earthward track By the gleam of the jewels I bear in my pack.

For I have treasures for high and for low: Rubies that burn like the sunset glow; Diamond rays for the crowned queen; For the princess, pearls with their silver sheen.

"I enter the castle with noiseless feet-- The air is silent and soft and sweet; And I lavish my beautiful tokens there-- Fairings to make the fair more fair!

I enter the cottage of want and woe-- The candle is dim and the fire burns low; But the sleepers smile in a happy dream As I scatter my gifts by the moon's pale beam.

"There's never a home so low, no doubt.

But I in my flight can find it out; Not a hut so hidden but I can see The shadow cast by the lone roof-tree!

There's never a home so proud and high That I am constrained to pa.s.s it by, Nor a heart so happy it may not be Happier still when blessed by me!

"What is my name? Ah, who can tell, Though in every land 'tis a magic spell?

Men call me that, and they call me this; Yet the different names are the same, I wish!

Gift-bearer to all the world am I, Joy-giver, light-bringer, where'er I fly; But the name I bear in the courts above, My truest and holiest name, is--LOVE!"

JULIA C.R. DORR.

=Father Christmas's Message.=

(This speech may be given at the close of a Christmas entertainment. A white wig and beard, fur coat and gloves are worn, and sleigh-bells are sounded before Father Christmas appears on the platform.)

Here I am again. The close of the year Brings Old Father Christmas with his good cheer I'm cheery myself, and cheery I make All folks who follow advice for my sake.

My advice is the same to all my friends: Give and forgive, and quickly make amends For what you do wrong. Let love be the rule.

Christians, be true at the season of Yule.

Old Father Christmas every one welcomes; I bring peace and happiness to all homes.

Away with the bad. Have nothing but good.

Do what I tell you. If only you would, You'd all live at one in true brotherhood.

I always brighten up all hearts. The spell Of Christmas can all gloomy thoughts dispel.

My friends, right pleased am I to see you here.

How are you all? Pray come again next year.

I hope you've liked the fun we've had to-night; If so, then now applaud with all your might.

J.A. ATKINSON.

=Mr. St. Nicholas.=

By ALICE M. KELLOGG.

(The characters are Old-fashioned Santa Claus, dressed in the traditional costume of fur, white beard, and a Christmas pack; Mr. St. Nicholas, in evening dress with silk hat; Dora, Katie, Maggie, and little Bess; Harry, Charlie, Tom, and John in ordinary school clothes.

The scene opens with a large fireplace arranged at the center of the platform, a dark curtain drawn before the opening to conceal Santa Claus. The accompaniment to "Nancy Lee"

is heard, and the eight children march in, carrying their stockings.)

Oh, Christmas time has come again, Tra la la la, tra la la la; We welcome it with glad refrain, Tra la la la la la.

Of all the happy holidays this year There's none so joyous, none so dear, Then sing we all our song of festive glee, Of Santa Claus and Christmas tree.

_Chorus_.--Oh, ring the bells, the merry Christmas bells, Their music all our pleasure tells. _(Repeat, singing tra la la whenever necessary to give the rhythm. They pause in groups in center, right, and left; some sit, others stand, and change their positions during the dialogue)_

_Harry_: Oh dear, the same old thing again this year, I suppose! "Hang up the baby's stocking, be sure you don't forget."

_Charlie_: _This_ baby's stocking is the biggest bicycle hose I could buy. (_Pins it at one side of the chimney_.) I don't think old Santa could miss it if he tried.

_Dora_: I made mine to suit the occasion, for I hope Santa Claus will fit a zither into it. (_Displays a large, fantastically shaped stocking of striking color, and fastens it beside Charlie's_.)

_Harry_: You ought to take a prize, Dora, for designing the most--ahem!--unexpected-looking stocking. Generous sized, too! Here goes my contribution to the chimney. (_Hangs up a sock_.) It's big enough to hold a coin of gold that will buy me a new bicycle. I don't care for any knick-knacks.

_Katie_: I must confess that I'm rather tired of this old custom of hanging up our stockings on Christmas eve and crawling out of bed in the cold dawn to see what is in them. I wish some one would invent a new way.

_Maggie_: Just what I thought, Katie, last winter, though I never spoke of it. But if you've hung your stocking up, I must have mine there too. (_Goes to chimney_.)

_John_: Well, I refuse to fall in line this year. I'm tired of the whole plan. It seems absurd for an old chap to come tumbling down the fireplace and load up our stockings.

_Tom_: I agree with you, John! What we want is a new-fashioned Christmas. A real, up-to-date Santa Claus, and no more of this children's nonsense.

_Bess_: Not have Santa Claus any more? Isn't he coming to-night?

(_Cries_.)

_John_: Oh yes, he'll remember you if you're a good little girl and stop crying. Dora, help Bess to fasten up her stocking.

(_After the stocking is fixed, Bess faces the audience and recites_.)

_Bess_: I do hope dear old Santa Will come this way to-night, And come here to my stocking, To fill it nice and tight.

I'd like to watch and see him, But I know I must wait Till shines the Christmas sunshine-- I hope he won't be late.

_Tom_: Let Bess have her old-fashioned Santa Claus, but the rest of us vote for something different.

_Harry_: I used to think Santa a pretty jolly old duffer, who made lots of sport for the infants, but I'm ready for a change myself.

_Dora_: Don't count me in to help out your majority; Santa Claus seems to me the kindly spirit of Christmas appearing mysteriously to give us greater pleasure.

_Katie_: Well, I'll side with the boys this time and see if there is any improvement in holiday matters.

_Charlie_: You'll think me a baby to stick to the old style. I won't venture an opinion at all.

_Tom_: Then we are agreed that of Santa Claus we have no need.

_John_: } _Kate_: } Tis what we all concede.

_Harry_: } _Maggie_: }