Preface As grandmothers rummage their piece-bags and bundles in search of gay odds and ends to make gifts with which to fill the little stockings that hand all in a row on Christmas Eve, so I have gathers together some stories, old and new, to amuse the large family that has to rapidly and beautifully grown up about me. I hope that when they pomenade in nightcaps and gowns to rifle the plump stockings, the little dears will utten an 'Oh!' of pleasure, and give a prance of satisfaction, as they pull out this small gift from Aunt Jo's Scrap Bag. Christmas Holidays, 1871-72