chair.

Very soon all the rest got up, and went up stairs in the parlor. But
what was that in the middle of the room? It seemed to be a large table
covered all over with a cloth. What could it be? Willy said, "Grandma,
that table looks as if something was on it;" and little Sarah said,
"Grandma, I guess Santa Claus has been here."

"Yes, dear children," said their Grandma, "Santa Claus has been here,
and this time he looked very much like your Grandpa. He will be up soon,
and then we will see what is on the table."

Oh how the children did wish to peep! They could not look at any thing
else; they danced and jumped round the table, and were in a great hurry
for their Grandpa. In a few minutes he came into the room, and all the
children ran up to him and said, "Dear Grandpa, do let us see what you
have got on the table."

He smiled, and went to the table and took the cloth off. The children
were so astonished that they could not say a single word; the table was
covered with beautiful things, and under it was something that looked
like a little red-brick house.

"Well," said their kind Grandpa, "my dear children, you did not think
you were going to be treated to such a fine show as this; you may go up
to the table, and see if you can find out who they are for." The
children gathered round the table, and Willy took from the top a fine
brig with all her sails set, and colors flying. His eyes sparkled when
he saw written on a slip of paper which lay on the deck, these words;
"For my dear Willy." The children clapped their hands, and nothing was
heard, but "How beautiful!" "What a fine ship!" "It is a brig of war,"
said Willy: "only look at the little brass guns on her deck! thank you,
dear Grandpa; it will shoot all the enemies of America! What is the name
of my ship?"

"Her name is painted on her stern," said his Grandpa. Willy looked and
saw that she was called the "Louisa." He blushed, and looked very funny,
and the other children laughed, for Willy knew a very pretty little
girl, whose name was Louisa, and he liked her very much; and that was
what made them laugh when they heard the name.

After they had all admired the brig, they went back to the table, and
there were two beautiful books, full of engravings or pictures, one for
Bella and one for Mary; and next to these was a large wax doll for Carry
and another for Fanny. Carry's doll was dressed in blue satin, with a
white satin hat and a lace veil, and Fanny's