Children of Christmas, and Others

Babushka sits before the fire Upon a winter's night; The driving winds heap up the snow, Her hut is snug and tight; The howling winds,--they only make Babushka's more bright!

Light is the sleep of the old, for they know How brief are their few remaining days; But when hearts are young, sleep lingers long, And too sweet to leave are the dreamful ways.

It yet may be seen in the town of Soleure, To show how the skill of the birds began At the point where human skill fell short; For they used what was waste in the hands of man.

_Cradle Song_ _How Many_ _Her Christmas Present_ _A Christmas Spy_ _Refreshments for Santa Claus_ _How the Christmas Tree was brought to Nome_ _Holly and Mistletoe_ _The Firebra...

Up, up the chimney go the sparks apace; Up, up, to vanish in the gusty sky. The black cat--look! he leaves his wonted place, And hark! he speaks: "_Then, king of cats am I!_" An...