"0ur class has gone through a good many hardships, and has had a lotof trouble with that palm-tree and other things, and we think weought to be rewarded. So, if it is all the same to you, I think wewill crack the nut on Christmas Day and we all will eat it."

"I never imagined," cried Captain Covajos, as he sat, on thatChristmas Day, surrounded by his son's family and the First Class inLong Division, the eyes of the whole party sparkling with ecstasy asthey tasted the peerless fruit of the Fragile Palm, "that Christmasbefore last could be so joyfully celebrated over again."

PRINCE HASSAK'S MARCH.