Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 December 1889 — THE OWLS' CHRISTMAS. [ARTICLE]

THE OWLS' CHRISTMAS.

BY LURA LEE.

fhere was an old owl, and he lived in a tree, A Christmas tree, if you please; Lnd seven small owlets his children were, Nimble and merry as bees; 3ut very complaining and gruff were they Che day that came just before Christmas Day, For not a gift, if you please. ’Huh”’ Ind “Hal” and Humph!” they growled; “A nice state of things, if you please: ilot-a present nor a bit of fun, While father snoozes at ease. ’apa, wake up! What of Christmas Day! lan’t we go out and tave a play Under the Christmas trees!” father he blinked, but he chuckled outright. Then got out his pocket-knife keen, Ind whittled seven pairs of tiny skates, The tiniest ever seen. With holly leaves he tied them secure, knd rolled up seven tippeis of snow soft and pure. And put them on, if you please. ?e gave each for a cane an icicle long, And took them all adown to the lake; Where the ice was smooth, and glassy, aad strong— No danger that it would break— Ind said, “You can skate, and run, and dance, And tumble, play tag, and stumble, and pranoe. All day and all night, if you please.” 5o that was their Christmas. Snug in bed, And awfully tired that night. Issie owlets slept, and never woke up Till Morning, but woke in affright What do you think! The tree was ent down Without waking an owl and town, And set up In a house, if you please. There it was lighted and trimmed and bedecked, And the nest at the top of the tree;. . ?reaents below and a merry crowd Laughing ana romping with glee, Ind there Mr. Owl and his family were kept, \nd petted and fed till the children slept, Chen out to the home grove they all were swept. And that was their Christmas Day.