The Nursery, January 1881, Vol. XXIX A Monthly Magazine for Youngest Readers

WHAT a glad noise there was that Christmas morning! The children had got up early to look in their stockings. John's were not quite large enough to hold all of his gifts. It is rather hard to crowd a sword, a gun, and a rocking-horse all into one stocking.

Mary had a fine new doll. Harry had a box, and, on taking off the cover, up sprang a wise-looking little man, with a cap on his head. Jessy had a doll, and a very pretty one it was too. Tommy had a what-do-you-call-it. Why did he look up the chimney? I think it was to see if there was any sign of Santa Claus.

John mounted his horse, waved his sword, and held up his gun. But very soon he began to get tired of them all. The thought came into his head that he was more than eight years old. "What do I want of these toys?" said he. "Why was I so silly as to choose them, when aunt Susan would have given me a microscope?" And John laid down his sword and gun, feeling quite above such childish things.

When aunt Susan came, she saw that John did not seem as glad over his presents as the rest of the children did over theirs. "What is the matter, John?" she asked. "Why are you not playing with your toys?"

"Aunt Susan," said John, "I wish I had taken the microscope. Is it too late?"

"No, John. I thought you might repent your choice, so I said to Mr. Grover, who keeps the toy-shop, 'I think I shall want to change the microscope: can I do so?' He said, 'Yes.' His shop will be open till eleven o'clock. So run round and get the microscope, and tell him to send to-morrow and take back the toys."

In five seconds John had on his hat, and was running down the street to Mr. Grover's. He came back with the microscope in about half an hour, and was full of joy at the change. A merry Christmas it was then for all the children!

UNCLE CHARLES.

BABY'S QUIET FAMILY.

WHENEVER I walk With my children three, I laugh and I talk For the whole family.

There's Ruth (her arm's broken!) And Jane and Annette, They never have spoken Or laughed even, yet;

But I know when they're glad,-- Mothers always can tell,-- And I'm sad when they're sad, For I love them so well!

Whenever we walk, Though they're still as can be, I can easily talk Quite enough for the three.

W. G.

BABY AND THE BIRD.

BABY is looking out of the window. Jane is holding him up so that he will not fall out. What does he see that makes him jump up and down with joy?

He sees a dear little bird. It has come for its daily meal of seed and crumbs. It is not afraid of baby? Why should it be? How could any bird be afraid of such a dear child?

When the bird has had its dinner, I think it will sing.

A. B. C.

A NEW YEAR'S DIALOGUE.

HARRY.

LOUD from the north the wild wind blows; It sweeps the blue sky clear, And parts, amid the drifting snows, The path of the New Year; The glad New Year that always brings So many bright delightful things, Gay holidays and merry plays, And loving wishes from our friends. A "Happy New Year" let us make, And keep it "happy" till it ends, By trying every day to see What good, good children we can be.

KATE.

Last year, when any thing went wrong, I used to fret the whole day long, And sometimes sob and cry aloud, Dark-looking as a thunder-cloud; But, even in a gloomy place, I now must keep a sunny face; For, all this year, I mean to see How bright and cheerful I can be.

MARY.

Last year, the flitting butterfly Was not so idle as was I; I liked my sports and frolic well, But would not learn to read and spell: Now I must change my ways at once, Or I shall surely be a dunce. This glad New Year that has begun, Must leave me wiser when 'tis done.

JAMES.

Last year, my temper was so quick, My angry words came fast and thick, And brother Tom I'd scold and strike When he did what I did not like. I am so sorry! Loving words Are sweeter than the song of birds; And, all this year, I mean to see If I a gentle child can be.

ALL. (Four or more.)

The past is past; the year is new: We will be patient, brave, and true; When we are bidden, quick to mind; Unselfish, courteous, and kind; And try in every place to see What good, good children we can be.

MARIAN DOUGLAS.

THE SHEEP FOLLOW THE SHEPHERD.

THE tenth chapter of St. John says, "He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. He goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers."

But may it not be the form or dress of the shepherd that the sheep know, and follow him? To test this, a traveller, who had put the question, once exchanged dresses with a shepherd, and went amongst the sheep.

The traveller in the shepherd's dress called the sheep, and tried to lead them; but "they knew not his voice," and did not move. But when the shepherd called them, though he was in the traveller's dress, they ran at once to him, thus proving that it was the voice that led them.

I have a dog that will sometimes bark at me when I put on an overcoat which he has not seen me wear before. But, the moment he hears my voice, he seems ashamed of not having known me, and will whine, as if he would say, "Pardon me, good master. It was very stupid in me not to know you. It was your coat I did not know. I will try to be wiser the next time."

DORA BURNSIDE.

"A FRIEND IN NEED."

HENRY lived in the great city of London. He was known as "the boy at the crossing." He used to sweep one of the crossings in Oxford Street. In wet weather these crossings are very muddy. Now and then some one would give him a penny for his work.

He did not make much in a day; but what he got was a great help to his mother. That thought kept him daily at his work. One day he saw a little girl trying to lead her little brother across the street. The carts and the horses made her afraid, and she ran back timidly.