THE CHRISTMAS CAROL. IT is Christmas morning, bright, clear, and cold. A class of little girls have assembled with their teacher in an old country church in England. They are singing joyous carols; and their faces look so sweet and happy, that I am sure they must be singing with their hearts as well as their voices. Even the youngest, though she cannot yet read or sing, sits cuddled against her sister, her small hands folded on her lap, quietly listening. The pleased look on her face tells us that she loves to hear the others sing. I think she will remember some of the sweet words, and will very likely try to sing them when she is at home. Behind the group of children may be seen a table monument. There are many of these in old English churches. The figure on the top, carved in stone, probably resembles some knight or warrior, in memory of whom the monument was placed here long, long ago. [Illustration] After the service, we can fancy the children having a merry time,--such as we hope every child in our own land, as well as in Old England, may have, this very next Christmas, which is so near at hand. JANE OLIVER. HOW THE SHEEP WERE SAVED. MANY years ago a farmer, living in the county of Somerset, England, on rising one morning early in December, found that the weather had grown bitterly cold. Looking out of the window, he saw that it had been snowing fast through the night. Such a storm, indeed, had not been known for a long, long time. The wind was blowing hard, and the snow was still falling steadily. Now, the farmer had a great many sheep, and had not yet housed them for the winter. They were out on the hills in the open air, without any shelter. "My poor sheep!" exclaimed the farmer. "They will be buried in the snow. They will perish with the cold." He dressed as quickly as possible, called all his men, and his good dog Watch, and started out. It was slow work getting through the snow-drifts. Poor Watch was almost buried sometimes. But the men helped him out, and on he ran again, leaping after them like the good faithful dog he was. At last they came to the place where the sheep had been left. Not one could be seen; but in a corner of the field there was a huge pile of snow, about which Watch began to scratch and howl. By this they knew that the sheep were all huddled under the snow. The men set to work with their shovels; but for some time no sound came from the sheep. It was so cold that some of the men got discouraged, and wanted to give up the search, and go home. "Go, if you choose," said the farmer; "but I shall stay and dig till I find my sheep." This made the men feel ashamed, and they picked up their shovels and went to work again. "Wait a bit," said the farmer: "let me listen."