l he
went back to the barn. He found three "lovely" bones with plenty of meat
on them; these he tied together to another branch of the tree, for
Rover, his big black dog. Under the tree he placed the big wooden bowl,
and filled it well with potato parings, rice, and meat, left from
yesterday's dinner; this was the "full and tempting trough" for
Piggywig. Near this he placed a bowl of milk for Pussy, on one plate the
salt for the pet lamb, and on another the cornmeal for the dear little
chickens. On the top of the tree he tied a basket of nuts; these were
for his pet squirrel; and I had almost forgotten to tell you of the
bunch of carrots tied very low down where soft white Bunny could reach
them.

When all was done, Johnny stood off a little way to look at this
wonderful Christmas-tree. Clapping his hands with delight, he ran to
call papa and mamma and Annie, and they laughed aloud when they saw what
he had done. It was the funniest Christmas-tree they had ever seen. They
were sure the pets would like the presents Johnny had chosen.

Then there was a busy time in the barn. Papa and mamma and Annie helped
about bringing in the animals, and before long, Brownie, White Face,
Spotty, Rover, Piggywig, Pussy, Lambkin, the chickens, the squirrel and
Bunny, the rabbit, had been led each to his own Christmas breakfast on
and under the tree. What a funny sight it was to see them all standing
around looking happy and contented, eating and drinking with such an
appetite!

While watching them Johnny had another thought, and he ran quickly to
the house, and brought out the new trumpet which papa had given him for
Christmas. By this time the animals had all finished their breakfast and
Johnny gave a little toot on his trumpet as a signal that the tree
festival was over. Brownie went, neighing and prancing, to her stall,
White Face walked demurely off with a bellow, which Spotty, the calf,
running at her heels, tried to imitate; the little lamb skipped bleating
away; Piggywig walked off with a grunt; Pussy jumped on the fence with a
mew; the squirrel still sat up in the tree cracking her nuts; Bunny
hopped to her snug little quarters; while Rover, barking loudly, chased
the chickens back to their coop. Such a hubbub of noises! Mamma said it
sounded as if they were trying to say "Merry Christmas to you, Johnny!
Merry Christmas to all."

FOOTNOTE:

[P] From "In the Child's World," by Emilie Poulssen, Milton Bradley Co.,
Publishers