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Entered according to Act of Congress, in June, 1867, by J. W. Burke & Cos., in tbe Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the So. District of Georgia. Yol. I. Written for Burke’s Weekly. THE CHRISTMAS TREE. BY CLARA LE CLERC. ERRY Christmas, Grand ma • erl T Christmas, dear Grandma!” chorus ed six young voices, as Grandma Marston open 'HifS et * Re nurser y door an( * ste PP e d InMl within the room. f® “ Avery ff happy Christ mas, my darlings!” replied the old lady, as she placed a lov ing kiss upon each pure brow, and ex tended her arms to wards the baby, which gave a glad cry as it sprang into them. “0, Grandma, we are so anxious to see our Tree. When shall we see it?” exclaim ed Walter, a manly boy of eleven. “Yes, when shall we see it?” chimed in the twin brothers, Gus and Fred. “All in good time, dear children ; wait until breakfast is over, and then we shall all go to the sitting-room and see the ‘ Tree.’ ” “ What do you reckon old St. Nicholas brought mes" asked little Addie. “Ah! my dear, how does Grandma know ? Let us wait and see. Come, there is the breakfast bell; let us go im mediately,” and leading the way, with baby Leila in her arms, Grandma passed into the cheerful dining room, followed by the merry troop of children. Every voice was hushed, every bright e ye cast down, and little hands clasped as MACON, GrA., DECEMBER 28, 1867. Grandma pronounced a simple blessing over their food. “Xow, Grandma, shall I pour out the coffee for you?” asked Maggie. “Yes, my dear, I think I'll keep baby Leila on my lap this morning, and let you play ‘mistress of ceremonies.’ ” With a sweet smile, Sister Maggie serv ed the coffee in her quaint, old-lady fash ion, and her little brothers and sister looked on with amused smiles. “ Grandma, I think sister Maggie would make the nicest old lady in the world!” called out Gus from his side of the table. “I do too!” echoed his twin brother, Fred. “ Well, Grandma, I think it’s very nice. I wish I could wait on the table, like sis ter Maggie,” said little Addie, a beautiful brown-eyed child of five. “I hope that I may have just such a wife!” exclaimed master Louis, a bright little fellow of seven. “ Ha! ha!” What a merry laugh went round the table at his expense, and baby Leila clapped her hands and echoed ’dia! with a merry little chuckle. Thus the morning repast was enlivened with funny little sayings and merry child ish laughter. Hot one word concerning the ChristmasTree —the wonderful Christ mas Tree!—for Grandma had early taught them lessons of patience and self-control, and therefore they did not murmur, but passed the time in merry jests and joyous laughter. “How, Grandma, for the Tree!” was the simultaneous cry as they arose from the table. Upon a side table beneath the window were refreshments for visitors, a decanter of choice old Madeira, a silver basket filled with large golden oranges, and a silver waiter filled with hot-house grapes, fruit cake, and delicate sponge cake. Upon the wall, to the right of the ta ble, hung the portrait of a young and beautiful lady— Grandma Marston in her youth. But the Christmas Tree! Was there ever such a beautiful tree as this? Gus and Fred, Walter and Louis danced and clapped their hands, and little Addie gazed upon it with speechless admiration. “ Ook, ook! putty Tismas Tee!” shout ed baby Leila, while the gentle Maggie IST o. 26 “Yes, dear chil dren, now for the Tree. I think you have stood the test well.” And, with baby Leila still in her arms, Grandma crossed the hall, and opened the door of the pleasant si 11 ing-ro om. A glowing fire burned in the grate. The little French clock on the mantle ticked loudly, “Merry Christ mas ! merry Christ mas !”