OLD FATHER CHKISTMAS'S BALL, to make poor little Eva learn her lessons Te was really very unkind of everybody each day. How can little girls learn to read and write if all the time they think of something else? And this is how it was with Eva, She could not read because instead of reading May has a nice doll," she road "Eva is going to a fancy tall," and when she came to jer writing lesson that seemed harder still, for her naughty pen reondd keep on writing '*ball" and *danco" and everything that was not in her copybook but was in her funny little head. Of course this sort of business could not Hince' Each day did mamma and Miss Hyde 0 on, because Eva would grow up a
may: "Now iva, if you do not read and write nicely, as you did before you heard of this ball, we cannot let you' go," and each day did poor Eva get into worse dis-Greaming about it one night, and she was race. Why, Miss Hyde even heard her
saying in her sleep, 'I shall be very pleased or "Iam sorry, but Iam already engaged for this dance." Now when Mamma heard of this she determined upon a Noughter and help her to do her sewing Jlan which she hoped would quiet her little
and reading and writing each day without Heian and S. ¢.'X quite so much excitement, so the next So listen when he calls mneming when Eva, woke up and bad Those with whom he will dance to-night. Gressed and gone down to her break-And dear old Father Christmas looked fast, she found there a fine surprise in so happy too as he shook hands with all store for her, but it was very hard is ithe friends, for not one but could reed to make up her mind as to whether she his verse. Poor old man, he got. so tired liked it or not, and it took great deal of that he had to sit down while all the little thinking about indeed. Now this is how girls wrote down their names on his card it came about. After wishing her Papa and for a dance and the "word" he told them Mamma "Good morning," she commenced beside it. Eva's word was "House" and as usual about the ball, and asked her she was quite puzzled to understand the Papa if the ladies who were giving this "treat" to their little friends had yet meaning of it. Anyway she thought she had better not ask, but wait and see. Now decided upon the date?" Yes, they have," the music begins and each by turn has her said Papa, and if you will keep quite qui dance with Santa Claus; but first he asks and still, T will try to tell you all about it. to see their wee bit of sewing and Eva In the first place, Eva, you know that shows him, when her turn comes, her Santa Claus visits, about this time of year, pocket; and he tells her he is very pleased the parents of all little boys and girls who indeed with all that his little friends have have been good. And in visiting this city, he came to hear about the forthcoming ball. done for him,
It suddenly occurred to him how much he They get so tired, for they get many dances besides the "grand" one witl himself should like to join, that is, if the Father Christmas, and just as the ' dust-'Mammas and Papas did not think him foo man" is coming around to the very little old; of course, we were delighted at his folks they hear a chime of silvery bells, plan and knew you all would be too, He which drives the dustman off in a hurry, asked us to decide for the 20th of Dec. and holds them all in breathless suspense as that is the only free evening he has, so as they see an enormous Christmas tree we have. You have therefore nearly four wheeled into the room by three strong weeks to do what he desires. Santa Claus men, The tree is 0 large and so beauti-first wishes each one on entering to be able fully lit up that it takes them a long time to to read wonderful verse which they will see find their tongue, which had gone to sleep immediately opposite to them, on the wall. if they had not. Now does good old Santo On reading this in a clear voice, they will be allowed to come in and shake hands Claus call out each name, beginning with letter "A" and then "B" and so on until he with Father Christmas! He will then calls out for all the little girls whose u° ame ask every little girl to put her name Degins with '*B." Eva promptly answer ys to down upon his card, and any word besides this amongst three other of her fr' ends. that he may ask them to. Last of all each The first, Ethel, has a tea set of bY ye and little girl must show him some tiny piece of white, for against her name is tke word her dress that she has sewn all herself." "set." Efi, who is second, has &* beautiful Now, Eva, think this over. It is not a hard doll's perambulator, and she had f ound that task if you only give your mind to it; and such a hard word to spell. Last comes Eva You know how disappointed we, should all in her fairy dress of white wi th her curls be were you unable to from mere entangled in her wand, she is in such idleness." "After a time Eva had quite a hurry to get to Father Eh yistmas; and decided to do all that Santa Claus wished, hardly" knows how to than' " him as he and accordingly the very next day she hands, or should say, tells 4 man to help commenced her reading with a will; she him carry a** Doll's House.' "Qh darling asked Miss Hyde to set her a copy of her Santa Claus, is that why \t House meant name, and all words that she fancied Santa on your card!" "Yes, Eva and in all my life Claus might ask her to write on his card.
Tdo not think I ever fe' it happier than I As for her work, she was never tired of do now, when, with my yin hand I can sewing now, and each day did she bring out give you all the thinge, it has given me so her work basket and hemming for hal much pleasure to make,'for you, You see, hour's work. I think Eva my dear little friend' 5, that when I creep it now, for she is fully determi down the chimney or, Christmas Kve T can.
on with lessons until the 20th of only kiss you, T ary not there when you December. awake in the mor jug, therefore T cannot One day just before the wonderful ball sev your pleased J little faces as I can now. night, Eva's dress came home. How did T hope we may a? meet again and wish I Eva turn and twist this about to find some-were young like you, that I might dance thing to sew! and not until the following with every little child this Christinas tide. day when the mail came in bringing many Christmas presents for Eva, amongst which Now Annie, B beatrice, Ethel, Eva, Gladys and all of you ¢ come and give me a good hug was a beautiful little handkerchief, did she and kiss ere "I go, for many homes are find out that that thoughtless tailor had waiting form 5, and T must take birds, dolls, forgotten a "pocket!" Of course she set wheelbarrow' 5, rocking horses and all sorts to work at once and made one and put it in with Miss Hyde's help. Now I sup of things t 4 other little boys, and gla Timust tell you what Eva's dress was' ike. who have not had our nice to enjoy. But what puzzles me most is, how am I to Well, after thinking of many characters, Mrs. get down the chimney with all these large Wood at last decided that her little daughter things thr st I've been asked to bring. And should appear as Eva in "Uncle Tom's how shal T ever yet them into their stock-Cabin and for this she had a very pretty ings? As you have stayed up so late, Tittle dress of white silk, with many stars can yor; not tell me?" upon it and one very large one for her hair. Eva was so pleased with it and tried so hard to please not only Santa Claus but her kind parents too.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.