and bring all the greens you and they can carry. Put some on your own back, and hurry." For once he forgot the teachings of his ancestors, and the scientists, and, lifting his feet out of the fourteenth century, he started off at a regular nineteenth-century pace. He returned at sunset, looking like a veritable Indian Santa Claus, who had exchanged his reindeer for burros, en route. The tips of their ears and their little feet were all that could be seen above and below two animated loads of greens, while in the rear came Kanote, with an immense load on his back. He was puffing and blowing as if he thought the steam engine the most appropriate symbol of nineteenth century progress, which he, for the time being, was representing, there being nothing more lucrative on the other line in sight. He evidently feared we were lacking in appreciation of his efforts, and his respirations became positively sepulchral. We assured him that we thought he would last a good while yet, and asked him if he thought he could stop dying long enough to drink some hot coffee and have some lunch; which diversion was not lost upon him, if the sarcasm was. A ticket to the Christmas tree completely cured the asthmatic attack with which he was threatened. The large east room had just been whitewashed, and when decorated with bright pictures, Chinese lanterns, ropes, and bunches of evergreens, it made a very attractive reception room. We issued tickets, two to each family which had children in school, so that we could avoid a crush. We provided for eighty guests and forty school children. The school room had the tree as its chief decoration, and around the room over the low blackboards were ropes of evergreen and the bright pictures which came in the Christmas boxes. The big open shelves at the back of the room were concealed by our fine flag, the gift of the Earnest Mission Band, of Brooklyn, New York. Sprays and bunches of evergreen were in every appropriate place. The strings which tied them were concealed by the gay paper poppies which we found in one Christmas box. It really seemed as if every trifling want was met by those wonderful boxes, and as if the people who packed them had some magic by which they found out just what we needed. They came from McComb, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Kansas City, Missouri; Orange, New Jersey, and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The organ stood midway between the trees, and over it, festooned from the ceiling, was a rope of evergreen. Beneath its central fastening hung a large silver star, and under the other fastenings at each side of the star hung two of the prettiest dolls. In the space made by the loops were Chinese lanterns. The top of the organ was covered with stuffed cotton animals of various kinds, giving it the appearance of a musical Noah's ark. The school was seated in two divisions of twenty on each side of the room, so that they had their view of the trees entirely unobstructed. Between the two divisions was placed a long table covered with a white cloth. It had a border of candy bags in the shape of little stockings well filled. In the center of the table was a great pyramid of the little pink cakes, flanked by a big pile of doughnuts and another stick of candy, three sticks in a bunch, tied with narrow ribbons. Everything looked fresh and pretty, especially the children, with their bright, expectant faces. We rallied all forces, and gave them all their bath and clean clothing that afternoon, so they were at their best in every respect. Our rooms are furnished with chairs and tables, instead of desks, so it was an easy matter to clear these out and utilize every inch of space. Our visitors sat on the floor, but as they were quite accustomed to this in their homes it did not seem to cause them any embarrassment, and it was the only way in which we could accommodate them. Three of our oldest girls, in bright new dresses, had charge of the refreshment table. They were very proud of the responsibility, and we were very proud of them. Their bright, intelligent faces and pleasant manners were a striking contrast to those of their own people upon whom they waited. Tsiunetsa's father acted as door-keeper and received the tickets. I had left the decoration of the little entry entirely to his taste. With the advice and assistance of the largest boy, he completely covered the ceiling with green branches, from which he suspended a great many fragments of discarded paper chain. He then tacked branches to the wall indiscriminately, and when he had used up all the material he could find he called me to admire his handiwork. The place looked as if struck by chain lightning; but with his faithful daughter watching my face for the first signs of unfavorable criticism I could not but praise his efforts. When I gave them a Chinese lantern to hang in the center of the verdant chaos they were delighted. In the evening when he undertook to light the aforesaid lantern I heard him indulging in a few Spanish expletives, but as they were intended to express depreciation of his own ability as a decorator and janitor we forgave him. The Indians did not wait to be summoned by the bell. They were on hand before we teachers could hurry to the house and change our dresses, but we left them to the tender mercies of the door-keepers and hurrying over we unpacked some of what Daisy calls our "back East" dresses. The children had never seen them and our appearance was only surpassed in their estimation by that of the Christmas trees. The trader and his son had returned from Gallup the day before, bringing Santa Claus with them, so soon after we went to the school house there was a loud rap on the front door and old Santa walked in. Some wee little boys, whose legs would carry them into the hall every two minutes, went back to the east room in a hurry when they saw him. He was rather startling. He had on great long deerskin leggings, and so much white wooly hair around his big fur cap, that he looked like a mountain sheep. Somebody-not an Indianremarked that he was "All wool and a yard wide,” and that described him pretty well. He entered the school room and took his seat near the organ. Then we opened the door and the school filed in and was seated. The children had received so many cautions about their behavior from their parents that for a few minutes they were much subdued; but a clear view of the tree which had just been lighted soon loosened their tongues. We then allowed all the grown people who could find standing room to come in. We told them that we would sing a few Christmas songs and then stop while they came up in line, looked at the trees, passed around the table and received their gift of cakes and candy. Then they were to pass out to the east room again and let another division in, so that all would see the trees and hear the children sing. They carried out this plan very nicely and all seemed much pleased. After all were served and the singing was over, the presents were distributed. The children shook hands with Santa Claus in rather a gingerly manner, especially the small ones who are so accustomed to hearing of "Bug-a-boos" at home that they are always on the look out for one. The grown people and older children laughed heartily as if old Santa Claus reminded them of some one they knew. While they were smiling and hand shaking, something rubbed against the window sash, and there were the horns of Santa's reindeer in plain sight. They were shaking their bells at a great rate, and old Kanote's voice could be heard trying to keep them quiet. This fully satisfied the little folks as to Santa's identity, and after the old gentleman had cautioned them all to be good. children and come to school every day, he wished us all a Happy New Year," and went out to see to the reindeer himself. 46 What was on the tree? There were dolls, tea-sets, stuffed animals, marbles, pocket-books, balls, harmonicas, trumpets, and many other things. The six bread makers, who also do so much of the hard work of the school, each had a pretty red hood. These were sent by a kind lady in New York, and if she could see how nice the girls look in them she would feel repaid for the trouble. Here are some of the songs the children sang: Holy Night." "Glory to God in the Highest." "Hosanna we Sing." "Ring out the Bells for Christmas." "Down through the Chimney." "We are Marching on with Shield and Banner Bright." When the trees were completely stripped and it was time to close we sung "Bless the Lord, O my Soul.” Thus closed the pleasantest Christmas celebration we have ever had in Zuni. Both parents and children were much more appreciative than we ever knew them to be before, and in looking back over the busy years that have fled since we celebrated our first Christmas in Zuni we could see a decided growth. Brought up as these children are in homes where they are scolded for a trifling accident, and laughed at for telling a clumsy lie, where the only sin is in being found out, it is no wonder that they are at first puzzled by our standards of right and wrong, and then easily discouraged in their attempts to reach them. But some of them are making the attempt, and we have this for their encouragement and ours: "The feet of the humblest may walk in the field, Where the feet of the holiest have trod; This, this is the marvel to mortals revealed When the silvery trumpets of Christmas have pealed, Yours in His work, ZUNI. N. M., Christmas, 1893. MARY E. DISSETTE. IOWA'S DROUTH-1894. BY REV. W. AVERY RICHARDS, MERRILL, IOWA. O rain! No rain! A wide-spread drouth and de rth Fainteth of thirst! The gaping earth Crieth for drink, like him on burning sand |