doors, and are heard coming nearer singing the first verse of “On this Happy Birthday.”  They enter and approach the centre of the platform.  The casement is thrown open and half a dozen children’s heads appear.  There is a clapping of hands till the second verse is begun by the waits.  At the last line the children throw out pennies and candies wrapped in paper.  The singers scramble for them, and then give the third verse of the carol.  The fourth verse may be sung as the boys move away and disappear in the distance.  As a preliminary to this little performance a few words may be said about the old English custom of the waits coming to sing under the windows on Christmas eve.)

* * * * *

=On This Happy Birthday.=

By Mrs. CHARLOTTE B. MERRITT.  Mrs. SARAH L. WARNER.

[Illustration:  sheet music]

  1. 
  On this happy Birthday
   Of our Saviour King,
  Come, dear little children,
   Sweetly let us sing
     Of the Christ Child;
     Of the Christ Child,
     We will glad-ly sing.

  2. 
  Bethlehem’s star is shining,
    Ho-ly is its ray,
  To the world proclaiming
    Christ was born to-day. 
      Of the Christ Child,
      Of the Christ Child,
      We will glad-ly sing.

  3. 
  Wise men came to worship,
    Wise men from a-far,
  Guided by the glo-ry
    Of that ho-ly star. 
      Of the Christ Child,
      Of the Christ Child,
      We will glad-ly sing.

  4. 
  Now He reigns forever. 
    Loving you and me;
  Joyful, let as praise Him
    Round our Christmas tree. 
      To the Christ Child,
      To the Christ Child,
      We our tribute bring.

* * * * *

=A Christmas Party.=

By LIZZIE M. HADLEY.

(CHARACTERS:  1897, a bent and feeble old man with skull-cap and white beard, leaning on a cane.  The number 1897 across his forehead or breast. South Wind, a slender brunette in veil, mantle, and cape of green cheese cloth, cape belted down in the back.  As she enters she flourishes her arms to throw out veil and cape. Messenger, in lettered uniform.  Four Heralds, uniformed somewhat like messenger.  Nine Fairies, very small girls.  Coronets of silver paper.  Flowing robes of cheese cloth with angel sleeves worn over clothing sufficiently warm for the season.  Colors to present the plants whose leaves they carry.  Silver belts, shoe-buckles, and necklaces.  Leaves cut from green paper, and letters from gilt. Kriss Kringle, Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Knight Rupert, and Babousca in appropriate costumes.  Nine Children, in ordinary clothes. North Wind, East Wind, and West Wind in costumes similar to South Wind, but varying in color,—­white for north, blue for east, and red for west.  The Winds