seen Santa Claus himself.

Mr. Peterkin lighted the gas. The box was addressed to Elizabeth
Eliza. It was from the lady from Philadelphia! She had gathered a
hint from Elizabeth Eliza's letters that there was to be a
Christmas-tree, and had filled this box with all that would be
needed.

It was opened directly. There was every kind of gilt hanging-thing,
from gilt pea-pods to butterflies on springs. There were shining
flags and lanterns, and birdcages, and nests with birds sitting on
them, baskets of fruit, gilt apples and bunches of grapes, and, at
the bottom of the whole, a large box of candles and a box of
Philadelphia bonbons!

Elizabeth Eliza and Solomon John could scarcely keep from
screaming. The little boys and the small cousins knocked on the
folding-doors to ask what was the matter.

Hastily Mr. Peterkin and the rest took out the things and hung
them on the tree, and put on the candles.

When all was done, it looked so well that Mr. Peterkin exclaimed:­
"Let us light the candles now, and send to invite all the neighbors
to-night, and have the tree on Christmas Eve!"

And so it was that the Peterkins had their Christmas-tree the day
before, and on Christmas night could go and visit their neighbors.

MRS. PETERKIN'S TEA-PARTY. TWAS important to have a