RUTH.--He is the man, who, every Christmas, buys as many toys as he can
carry, and gives them to good children. Here he comes.

(_Enter_ UNCLE PETER, _comically dressed, and covered from head to foot
with all sorts of toys, he is followed by boys and girls. He dances and
sings to music._)


UNCLE PETER'S SONG.

"Christmas comes but once a year, once a year, once a year! So
follow me, my children dear, children dear, children dear: So
follow me, my children dear, on Christmas Eve so joyful!"

(_After dancing, he takes_ EMILY _and_ MARY _by the hand, and runs off
with them, followed by the rest._)


As this is Emily's first play, and she is only nine years old, I hope
the critics will not be too severe upon it. If well performed, it will
be found, I think, far more amusing in the acting than in the reading.




BABY'S PINK THUMBS.


The snow had quite covered the ground,
The wind whistled fiercely and chill,