Christmas Out of Doors. 



THAT bird is a bit of a philosopher that can 

 stretch out its Christmas to three full months, 

 and have the memory of it gladden all the rest 

 of the year ; that can get in its holiday a full 

 month before we do ours, and keep it up for a 

 good two months after our one little day. We 

 have such a bird, a wren, cousin to the little chap 

 that used to build in boxes, even in city yards. 



Cheerfully, cheerfully, cJieerfully ! Hear its 

 Christmas salutation, and who thinks of the 

 dismal weather, even if snow be fathoms deep ? 

 See to it, see to it, see to it ! Who can resist 

 attending to such a command and keeping a 

 merry countenance, even if there is no turkey 

 for dinner? That wren's music will soften the 

 hardest crust, and change what is very like a 

 fast to a feast. 



No holly or mistletoe, but why feel slighted ? 

 Here is black alder with as bright a berry, the 



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