How they did laugh, and what a merry time they had I Jack had come the night before, after they had gone to bed. It wVss mamma who thought of making a Christmas surprise out of him. She did not wrap him up until just before Ned and Mamie got down, and papa had watched to see that they did not get in until all was ready. L A. FRANCE THREE YEARS OLD. THE LITTLE MOTHER. OH, hush, my baby, hushaby I" Croons Ethel, in the sunset glow. Close to her dimpled shoulder pressed, She soothes her dolly into rest, Soft rocking to and fro. The restless little feet are still; Grave now, and sweet, the laughing eyes All motherly in look and tone She sits and rocks and sings alone, While red the daylight dies. "Oh, hushaby, my baby, hush!" She draws a sleepy little sigh; On Dolly's cheek of faded red Low drops the sunny, tired head, - "Oh, hush, oh, hushaby!" The song is ended in a dream; Across her face the sunbeams creep, While Dolly's eyes wide open stare The little mother, unaware, Has sung herself to sleep I MARGARET JOHNSON.