THE FRUIT OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE 



Not cone, nor candle, nor gifts, nor golden star. 



LITTLE balsam-fir tree grew in a 



forest, in a pleasant opening like 



a nursery-room, where other baby 



evergreens were blinking in the 



sunlight, with only here and there 



a mamma-tree holding her parasol over their 



heads. While the older trees exchanged ideas 



about the weather and other important topics, 



the little trees sat in their cozy spot, playing 



they were big trees, and as they grew taller, 



trying to wear cones like their elders. They all 



wore dresses of the real forest color, green, and 



the same little frock did for summer and 



winter. 



*^It seems so odd," said a balsam-fir to a 



birch tree, *Hhat you should take off your dress 



as soon as cold weather comes." 



*^And I have often been surprised," replied 

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