"Why, my wife got me a new silk dress and fur boa, my daughter bestowed a fine pair of No. 6 kid gloves, and each of my sons contributed a pair of skates and a sled. There is nothing like having Santa Claus remember you well, is there?" answered Neighbor Smith. They had both been there so often that they went off behind the barn and took something to bring the sunshine in. Evil Prophets. The doleful prophets sadly say That the world is going wrong; But out yonder blooms the May With its flowers and song. The moaning brothers come and say That the world is as dark as night; But out yonder shines the day With its laughing light. O, brothers, don't you worry so! Let us bravely march along; The roses blossom where we go Across the fields of song! A New Year's Resolution. I'm a New Year's Resolution: I'm as good as good can be, And the world will lose its follies If 'twill only follow me! I was sired by good intentions, I was nursed with loving care, Fully armed, like great Minerva, From my birth to do and dare. I'm a New Year's Resolution: You can see me robed in white Where the fortunes of the future Men and nations come to write; You have met my kith and kindred As you struggled in the strife, And you gave them love and praises All along the ways of life. I'm a New Year's Resolution: I'm as good as good can be, And the fates predict my goodness Soon will prove the death of me; But you'll honor me while living, And if I should pass away You will bury me in blossoms In remembrance of today. I'm a New Year's Resolution: Treat me kindly as you can; For I'm growing weak each moment, Starved to death by cruel man; Soon I'll sleep among my fathers,-- What a countless host they make! Who in childhood went to slaughter For a good intention's sake! Little Sermons. One lapse from sunshine makes the whole world sin. If you want to pluck nose-gays, you must wander in the sunshine to find the flowers. The Devil would rather tackle a a good man in a discouraged mood than a hardened criminal with Hope singing in his heart. A Hard World. "Ah done tole yuh, Mose, howebber yuh fix it up, dat dis hyar am a mighty hahd wohld we lib in?" said one colored brother to another. "How am dat, Sambo?" "Why, we am allus habin' ouah troubles. No soonah am de Santa Claus bills paid, den de legislachuh come erlong en stay foh sixty whole days!" and he shook his head and refused to be comforted. A Quartette of Don'ts. Don't sleep too much. Remember what happened to Adam when he tried an experiment of that kind. Don't talk too mean about the Devil. There is no telling how soon he may have the chance to roast you to a turn.