* * * * *

=A Letter from Santa Claus.=

By WILLIAM HOWARD.

(A little girl is seated with her slate and pencil.  A postman’s whistle is heard, and she exclaims, “There is the letter-man!” She runs to the door and returns with a large envelope, made of white wrapping-paper sealed with red wax, which she tears open, announces it is written by Santa Claus to the pupils of the school, and then reads it aloud.  In the last verse the names of the children present are to be substituted for the printed ones.)

    Merry Christmas! little children,
      From my home so far away
    Send I loving Christmas greetings
      To you on your holiday.

    You may watch and wait till midnight,
      Looking at the falling snow,
    But be sure you won’t discover
      When I come or when I go.

    For I come when all is silent,
      Not a breath will then be heard,
    And I softly through the chimney
      Enter, saying not a word.

    Quickly to the stockings step I,
      And I place in every one
    Something for the Christmas frolic,
      Something for the Christmas fun.

    Hark! my reindeer out the window,
      Prance and shake a warning note;
    Santa Claus will speed away then,
      Wrapping close his cap and coat.

    Your surprise, when comes the morning,
      Gladness which your bright eyes tell,
    Grateful, merry, happy children,
      Pleases Santa Claus full well.

    Willie, Alice, Harry, Mary,
      Christmas greetings now I send. 
    Cora, Freddie, Sadie, Johnnie,
      Don’t forget Santa Claus, your friend.

* * * * *

=The Christmas We Like.=

By ELLA M. POWERS.

    (A recitation for two primary children.)

  First pupil:
    Just a little stocking,
      Very small indeed. 
    Hang it by the chimney,
      Santa Claus will heed.

    Then on Christmas morning
      I will run and see
    All the lovely presents
      He has left for me.

  Second pupil:
    I never think that Christmas
      Is quite so full of joy,
    Unless I find a poor child
      And give her a nice toy.

    For don’t you know at Christmas
      We must be happy then,
    And love to do for others
      As Christ did to all men.

* * * * *

=Saint Nick.=

By M.N.B.

    (For the youngest pupil to recite.)

  When cold the winds blow,
  And comes the white snow,
  Then look out for good Saint Nick. 
  He comes in a sleigh
  From miles, miles away,
  And vanishes very quick.

* * * * *

=Merry, Merry Christmas.=