whiskers as white as snow, and enveloped in furs from head to foot.
Around his neck, around his waist, over his shoulders, down his back,
and even on the top of his head, were presents and toys of every
description. Behind him he dragged a beautiful sled, which was loaded
with some articles too bulky to be carried around his person. Every
pocket was full; and as he passed through the rooms, he threw sugar
plums and mottoes, nuts and raisins, on all sides, causing a great
scrambling and screaming and laughing among the children.

Then he began to disengage the presents, which were pinned about him,
and tied to the buttons of his coat; and as he did so, he looked at the
label, and threw it at the one for whom it was intended. It would be
hard for one who was not there to imagine the lively scene which was now
presented in the great parlors at Brook Farm; the presents flying round
in all directions; the children dodging, and diving, and catching, while
shouts and screams of laughter made the house ring.

"But who is he?--who can he be?" was the question which each asked of
the other a great many times during this merry scene. Mr. Wharton and
Mr. Ellison, "Aunt Fanny's" husband, were both in the room, and they
were sure there was no other gentleman in the house.

Just then Robert screamed, "Oh, I know now! It's cousin Tom! He throws
left-handed!" And now the effort was made to pull off the mask, but
Santa Claus avoided them with great dexterity, still continuing his
business of distributing the presents.

At the feet of Agnes he placed a work-box, much handsomer than that
which Lewie had destroyed; at Emily's, a writing-desk, and some valuable
books; and when his sled was emptied, he drew the sled, and left it with