SANTA CLAUS came here last night On his flight. Down the chimney-top he flew: He had lots of work to do, Well he knew. So he heaped the stockings high, Said "Good-by." Now, of toys he had no lack: They were carried on his back, In a sack. What did little Flora find?-- Flora kind. Why, a doll with golden hair, Candies, and a tiny chair, I declare! What did bright-eyed Georgie get?-- Mamma's pet. Can't you guess? A tiny gun; But you see it's only one Made for fun. Here's what lazy Joseph found, Looking round. It was shocking! In his stocking, There was nothing, you must know, But a big hole at the toe! Lazy Joe! GEORGE COOPER. BECKY. A TRUE STORY. AFTER I had finished reading "The Nursery" to my little Willy to-night, he said, "Please, mamma, now tell me the story about the cat you had when you were a little girl; then I will go to bed." When I had told him the story, as I have told it a great many times before, he said, "Mamma, why don't you send that story to 'The Nursery,' so that some other little boy can hear it too?" "Why, Willie!" said I: "do you think it is enough of a story to put in print?" "Of course I do!" said he. "I like it; and I ought to know what little boys like. Now, promise me to send it; and then I will go to bed." So I promised. And now that my little boy has said his prayers, and is nicely tucked in bed, I will write out the story, hoping it will amuse some other little Willy as much as it does mine. Here it is, just as I tell it to him:-- When I was quite young, I had a cat to which I gave the name of Becky. I know nothing of her very early history, for she was a sober pussy when she was given to me; but she soon became a great pet in the family, and seemed very fond of us all, particularly of my father. [Illustration] She always showed great delight when he came home after a long absence. She would put her paws on his shoulders, and rub his face, and purr in a most contented manner. She would never eat a mouse until she had first carried it to him; and after he had stroked her, and called her a good pussy, she would go away quite happy.