(Begin snowballing with the cotton, throwing balls into
  audience and at each other.)

* * * * *

=Christmas Stockings.=

By A.S.  WEBBER.

(Six small girls and boys are needed for speaking, and any even number of larger girls for singing.  A boy leads each division of the march, immediately followed by those who speak.

An equal number enter from opposite sides as far back as possible, pass in front to sides, back half-way, form two lines across front, having the six who speak in front (alternating boy and girl), and the larger pupils back of them sing as they enter and until they are placed the chorus of “Birdies’ Ball,” beginning “Tra la la la la.”  When in position all sing the following two verses, air, “Birdies’ Ball.”  When chorus is reached, let them keep time by resting weight on right foot on first count, and at same time swinging left foot over right, touch toe to floor, dipping body slightly on third count, foot back in place on first count of next measure.  Rest weight on left foot and swing right foot over left, touching right toe on third count, foot back in place on first count of next measure, etc.)

  Santa Claus on Christmas eve,
    Means to give a gift to all,
  Each a stocking we will hang,
    Stockings big and stockings small.

  Chorus.—­Tra la la la, etc.

  Santa Claus on Christmas eve
    Comes with reindeer swift as air,
  Early all must be in bed,
    Leaving only stockings there.

  Chorus.—­Tra la la la, etc.

    (A girl comes one step forward, bows, and speaks.)

  I mean to hang on Christmas eve
    A stocking of this size (measures),
  Because I want a doll so big,
    That sleeps and shuts its eyes. 
  To crowd it in a stocking small
    Would surely not be wise.

    (Pupil steps back in place and all sing the chorus, keeping
    time as before.)

  2d Pupil.—­My stocking is the one I’ll hang,
    I know ’twill hold quite well,
  About a hundred marbles more
    Than’s owned by Tommy Bell. 
  Of course I want some candy, too,
    But the marbles are what tell.

    (Steps back, and chorus is repeated as before.)

  3d Pupil.—­I mean to beg a stocking small
    Of little sister Clare,
  Because I want some things so small
    They’ll scarce be found e’en there. 
  I want a ring that has a stone,
    And a pretty pin to wear.

    (Chorus repeated as before.)

  4th Pupil.—­I’ve measured all the stockings round,
    And think I’ll hang up two,
  Because I want a pair of skates,—­
    One stocking will not do. 
  Of course I want some sweets and things
    To last the whole week through.