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Billy sat thinking for a few min- utes, then he jumped up and ran to his room and took his little bank from the top bureau drawer and shook out his savings. He had $2.50 and he slipped it into his pocket, hurriedly put on his overcoat and mittens, and, cap in hand, ran back to the sitting- ‘room. “‘Mother," he said, “let’s play Santa Claus! Let’s go to the big toy shop and buy a present for Tom and one for Louise. I have some money of Mother was willing for them to go, so hand in hand, on the day before Christmas went Tom and Little Sis- ter. They did not know the way, so they asked a feathery snowflake which came and lighted saucily on the end of Tom's finger; “Pretty snowflake while you linger 0n the tip of my warm finger, ' Tell me, where’s the Land of Christ- mas 7 ” And it answered, oh, so softly; “Little boy and girl, politely Ask yon tree that shines so brightly If you seek the Land of Christmas.” The children continued their jour- ney, and at last they arrived at the great tree, all shining brightly across the white snow. When the children asked the way to Christmas land, thus the shining tree responded: “Step into my trunk so hollow. Take the Magic Wand, and follow The Shining Path to Christmas Tom could hardly believe that there was anybody in the world without even one toy, so he went home and told Little Sister about it, and to- gether they planned to bring the little boy a toy from the beautiful Land of Christmas. It was Christmas eve and past Billy’s regular bed time, but he linger- ed before the sitting-room fire, talking with Mother about Santa Claus and the many visits that he would have to make. Mother said that Billy had been a good'boy so Santa Claus weuld surely bring him his new traifiv. Once upon a time there was a poor little lame boy who had no toys. Tom knew this was true, for one day, at the little boy’s house, Tom asked him to bring out his toys, and the little boy answered, “I haven’t any toys.” It was Christmas eve and past, Billy’s regular bed time, but he linger: ed before the sitting-room fire, talking with Mother about Santa Claus and the many visits that he would havei to make. been a good'boy so Santa Claus would' surely bring him his new train. ‘ “I hope he got my letter," said Billyl Mother said that Billy hadi as he thought of the happiness that Christmas would bring him. Then he. began to think about his little friends! Tom and Louise, and he felt troubled about them, for they both had said that Santa Claus could not come to them this year. They were his little neighbors and playmates; he liked them and he knew that they ,too, had been good. Billy sat thinking for a few min- utes, then he jumped up and ran to his room'and took his little bank from the top bureau drawer and shook out ' he wrote. my own to spend!" Mother was sur- prised at his plan, but she was glad to join in the fun, so, together they were soon hurrying down the street to the big toy shop. There Billy bought a beautiful doll for Louise and a toy automobile for Tom. On one package “To Louise from Santa Claus,” and on the other, “To Tom from Santa Claus." How hlappy Billy and Mother felt as they went along the street to Louise’s home. There was alight in the kitchen and they could see Louise‘s mother working there, so while Moth- er waited outside, Billy slipped quietly ‘in by the front door. From the sitting- room mantle hung Louise's empty stocking! Billy put the new doll in the top of it and in his hurry to get out before he was discovered, he tipâ€" ped over a chair! “Is that you, Louise ’2" called her mother. But Billy was soon safely outside of the house ‘and heard no more. So they stepped into the hollow Land.” though we speak different tongues, may difief in race, color and creed, yet we are so closely related in thought and motive that our deepest, most vital interests are identical. HRISTMAS is the great occasion when We C are all supposed to renew our allegiance to the Christ. to put the Christ teaching of the brotherhood of man in practice. Christmas ought to be a great heart-mellowing, affection- quickening, friendship-renewing occasion. It is the time of all others when we should realize that we are all brothers; that we are all mem- bers of the same great human family, children of the same great Father-Mother-God. It is the time, if ever. when we should recognize that though oceans and continents divide us, The Land of Christmas strong b. of the t: pulled a} string ha for the children to selert just one toy for their little friend. They skipped about for a long time, examining the toys. Finally, on the {top branch of one of the tallest trees, there hung a box tied with a big red bow. On one side werelprin-ted the words “Magic Lantern." “The very thing!” said Tom; but how could he bring down the box from the top of a tree so tallâ€"for, as you remember, the children were very small; Just then a little breeze whis- pered in Tom's ear: “Little fairies, tell me why I see you sit so stillaud sigh; I will get the box for you!” The" H19 liHln kmgcnn klm" nun n “Papa,” the Jacks-in-the-box were jumping out: and then hiding again, and everything seemed to be saying, “Take me! Take me!” It; was hard! Tom reached up and pulled the bell- rope, and out upon the frosty air rang the sweetest chimes you ever heard. Soon the tiny gates opened and Tom and Little Sister were glad that they were small enough to slip through! And oh, such a beautiful land as it was! Every tree was a Christmas tree all laden with Christ- mas gifts.. The music boxes were playing, the horns were tooting, the dolls were saying “Mamma” and Then Billy rejoined Mother and they went around the corner to Tom’s homeâ€"the tiniest cottage in the neigh- borhood. As he did not car; to risk being discovered at Tom’s he did not attempt to enter, but s-lipped’quietly around the cottage to Tom’s bed-room wind-ow. It was open! Bil-1y was juct The children knew that in the Land of Magic they must obey all the great commands, so they started down the Shining Path, holding their magic wan-d5 high in the air. They journeyed on and on and at last they reached a great wall, and when they looked up they saw beautiful lights which spelled the words “Christmas Land" over the tiny gateway! When the children stepped out of the tree, they were surprised to find themselves grow very small indeed. And this they noticedâ€"if the magic wands were held aloft, the children remained small, but if the wands were lowered, the children grew large again. tmnk, where they found magic wands. Tom chose a silver wand with a star at the end of it, and Little Sister 9. golden one, with a white dove at its end. Then tl' bree tree he ntue breeze blew ir 'eeze and flew into the ‘ee. There he tugged d puffed, until at last still.and sigh; ‘x for you!” bréeze blew into a flew into the top are he tugged and ‘ until at last the 3 and down fell the Mother was sur- In making your Christmas caramels, it is well to remember that a pinch of yeast powder put into caramels after they have begun to boil will make them smoother and more creamy. And all would have gone well, if the lantern had not been a magic lan- tern. for in some way it had taken a picture of Tom, and another of Little Sister. So the next morning the happy little boy sat in his chair opposite the screen which his poor, hard-«wo1‘1\:ingi When ym mother had put up. Together they Just help 3 Watched eagerly for the first picture. And mak‘ And would you believe it, that tell- tale machine showed, first, Tom’s smi1_‘ For blessed ing face, and then Little Sister’s‘ A hand t The chfiil‘ stood near the window, and on the note that was pinned to the stocking Tom read the words: “Dear Santa Claus; If you should happen to have just one toy to spare for me, won’t you please leave me a magic lantern?” Tom softly opened the window and placed the box with ité precious toy on the chair near the empty stocking. Then the children slipped away to their home, where they told Mother their secret. Then they went back along the Shining Path, and' very soon reached the great Shining Tree. Into its holâ€" low trunk they went, and left the magic wands, and as soon as they stepped out into the daylight again, they found themselves as large as ever. They ran on and on, until they finally reached the little boy’s window. The setting sun was painting everyâ€" thing red and orange and gold, and when they peeped in, there lay the poor boy on his little cot, and his empty stocking hung from the back of a chair. about to climb in when Tom’s dog barked and somebody stirred in bed, so Billy put the toy on a chair near the window and ran back to Mother who was waiting on the corner. When they reached their own home they found that Father had finished trimming the beautiful Christmas tree. They all admired it, each one put on a few finishing touches and then Billy hung up his stocking and went upstairs to bed. Mother came and tucked him in snugly for the night and, fanlcying that he could hear the jiggle of bells and the beat of tiny reindeer hoofs, he soon fell asleep. When he awoke in the morning he found Mother bending over him. “Billy,” she said, “I have thought of a Christmas plan almost as nice as youns. How would you like to have our Christmas tree this afternoon and invite-Tom and Louise?” In the afternoon Bil‘ly’s friends ar- rived to enjoy his Christmas tree. W‘hat happy faces they bad! What merry laughter was heard! And no one was happier than Billy, who, dressed like Santa Claus, handed out the gifts. box, red bow and all, into a soft hand of snow. The children were overâ€" joyed when the box containing the magic lantern was safe in their hands! Bi‘llly clapped his hands and shouted, “I would love to invite them, Mather, and may I be Santa Claus?” npled one Let us put away the idea that Christmas is only for children. The real child is in our hearts, be We young or old, and we are blest in proportion as we can give ourselves wholly to Christ- mas and all its symbols. The saying, “Here comes a fool, let us be serious,” is never more witty or true than on this wonderful day of excitement and delight; of unopened packages and the long stocking bulging mightin with gifts. others also. We cannot in his chair opposite the his poor, hard-working Amidst the stress and storms of ] When you'feel worn and weary Just help a brother in the strife And make his path more cheery Better be silent will. '1\vice blessed is the kindly deed- Flowing onward like a river; Blessing those who, feel its need The receiver and the giver. One of the most curious illustrations of the working of intelligence in plants is offered by the mistletoe, whose sticky berry, finding Iodgment on a tree branch, throws out a tiny rootlet, which tries to pierce the bark and thus obtain a foothold. It the bark is too rough, the rootlet swings the berry over to_a fresh spot, and makes an- other trial. In this way such a berry has been known to make five jumps in two nights and three days. On one occasion a number of them were dis- covered by a botanist in the act of vainly journeying along a, telegraph wire, trying to find places to grow. {our ~- Starr kindly twinkling! Mary is watching you, 0, Sweet and Sprightly! A hand to help a brother, And God will bless you, though your friends May leave you, for another. Bring for the dear little man Good things and pleasant; Bring for the dear little man Every sweet berry; Into the garden go Where all is pleasant; Mary will quiet Him, Keeping Him merry. Lullaby, my little love, Star kindly twinkling! Lullaby, my little love, Sun’shin’ing brightly! Lullaby, little one, Close your eyes, my little man, Your tears to cover; Close your eyes, my little man, Heavy with crying; Calm your lips, little one, Where joy should hover; Resting in Mary’s arms, ' Hush all your sighing. Lullaby, my little pearl. Jesu, my darling! Lullaby, my little pearl. Dear Baby sleeping! Lullaby, little one. Jesu, my darling! Mary is holding you, Guarding and keeping Begin 1922 With a Kindly Deed. A Polish Folk Song. Mistletoe Brains. Then first the swarthy Baltasar, Whose glance was like a scimitar, Stood forth before the rest; Although he bore the fragrant myrrh, Christ Jesus turned from him to her And hid within her breast. To Bethlehem beneath the Star The Wise men from the outlands far Came clad in silk and vair; Christ Jesus in His Mother’s hold Stared at the jewels and the gold The three made wondrous fair. Behind him was the youth Gaspar Who held a shining crystal jar, His face was merry and red; Although he bore the frankincense And was of debonair presence Christ Jesus turned His head. For they had brought Him treasure-trove, But had not any little love For one they thought a King; Christ Jesus gave to Mary then His firs-t mild message unto men, Love is the precious thing. The third was haughty Melchior, Dark with the spoil of mart and war, He bore the crusted gold; Christ Jesus gave a cry of pain And looked not on them once again, But nestled in His fold. the one who lends than speak wit} arms of life, A Cam! â€"Duncan Campbell Scott. A good magazine on a good book is a fine Christmas present for the young folks. as well as the grown-ups. University' Women’s Residences. Women students at the University of Toronto have organized to raise funds for a residence building. For many years the pressing necessity for women’s residences at the vainciall University has been apparent. In- creasing numbers of young women from the rural districts, from the vil- lages, towns, and cities of Ontario are coming to this great institution in quest of an education and they must be suitably and comfortably housed near the University. Of the several buildings which the University of To? ronto so badly needs this one is the most urgent and it is to be hoped that the young women will be successful in their endeavor to arouse interest and to secure funds for the accomplish- ment of their purpose. Christmas. How tenderly the Peace-song falls On listening ears toâ€"nightâ€"â€" The song that angels sang of old In clouds of heavenly light. 0 hear the voice, ye sons of men, That speaks from out the glory, And tells the strange and mystic With humble shepherds we would haste The Bethlehem Babe to see, And hail with thankful song‘s again His glad nativity. ’Tis peace and love once more to-night The Christmas bells are ring- mg. That bless-ed, old-time story. ’Tis peace and love to all man-f kind The angel choir is singing. Give me the heai'thstone with the glow that warms the soul within: I choose the gift of kindly smiles, that wealth can never win; The laugh that ripples to the lips from hearts where peace sublime Reigns in the fullness of content to bless the Christmas-time. Jingle of .the sleigh-bélls, Little feet astir, Scarlet of the holly, Green of pine and fir, Gleam or gilt and silver Where thé candles glow Little trees a-gl'itter, Branches bending low! Jingle of ‘the sleigh-bells, Starlight on ’the snow, Stockings by the fireside. Swinging to and fro. Restless heads ardreaming, Loving faces near, Now, as all the children know Christmas-time is here! birthâ€" Christmas-Time.