The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-18

new hat for Princess Alice, n new pair of kid slippers for Ethel Grace, and love of silk sash for Baby Nell. Oh. was about to forget my dolls." Those presents will help out immense Iy," said Dick You see, it's hard to find gifts for animals. They don't wear | clothes"
 "No, but they eat." said Dolly. And that helps out lot.'
 'Yes, we'll put sugar on the tree for the horses and bears and celery tops for | the giraffe. He'll never know they did | not grow on tall African trees," said Dick.
 And bit of bread for the sheep and cows" suggested Dolly. 'They maynt eat bread-when they are in the pasture, but when in the zoo they must eat what ever is given them. And bread is the. staff of life. so they shouldn't complain of it.
 "Oh, they'll not find fault" said Dick They'll be so happy to have Christmas tree.'
 And we must get some raw meat for the lion and tiger and leopard" said Dol ly. "They eat only meat"
 "I'll coax cook to cut few bits off the steak" said Dick. "I heard her order steak for dinner tonight. She'll give me enough to put on the tree for the lion. tiger and leopard
 On the following day-which was the time for dressing the Christmas tree for the zoo-Dolly and Dick had every thing in readiness. And by 2 o'clock in the afternoon they had the tree dressed for display. Now, let's wait an hour before holding the Christmas party" suggested Dick To which Dolly agreed. They were bit tired, and would feel more in the mood for the party after an hours rest ing In the living-room with their mother
 'Ill leave the door to the zoo ajar," said Dick us he and Dolly were leaving the place. linen, if any of the animals attack the tree, we shall hear the noise. and come q1ickly to the trees relief"
 And 1t was that door ajar which caused the tragedy, for tragedy there came. It was this way: Roger, Dicks little dog. was roaming about the house, doubtless hunting for something to do, when he saw the playroom door njar. So into the open. ing he thrust his nose and being dog, his olfactory nerve was very acute, and he sniffed twice. Raw beef," said Roger mentally. Then through the half open door he went very fast, and straightway approached the Christmas tree. He ate the meat first, then wound up with the bread and cake-for Dolly had hung a nice slice of cake there for each of her dollies. So Roger made Christmas din her from off the Christmas tree.
 It was not till after Roger had entirely demolished the tree in the zoo-and had gotten the animals tumbled about in con fusion-that Dick and Dolly came in. Roger (wise. but mischievous fellowD had made his escape, and no sign of his hay ing been there was visible unless the absence of edibles would give one a hint of him. But Dick and Dolly, viewing the wreck. at once came to the conclusion that the animals of the zoo had resentel their effort at making them like real human beings by introducing human pleasures and pastfmes into the zoo. and had made wild raid on the tree during. their absence. Indeed. old Hero stood so near to the fallen tree for Roger had pulled the little tree over while helping himself to the bits of food) and his glassy eyes held such a vicious. but victorious