Nation BRIEFINGS

FIRST LADY'S PLEA: Barbara Bush had kind words for the next firstlady - and a touch of goodwill for the press - while waiting for theWhite House Christmas tree to arrive. "She was wonderful, reallynice, and I hope you all treat her like you treated me," Bush saidof Hillary Clinton, who will move into the White House in January."Wait until she makes her mistakes - you wanted until I made mine. Imean, give her a break!" Two weeks ago, as the two women met to tourthe executive mansion, Bush pointed to reporters and advisedClinton: "Avoid this crowd like the plague." 5-15 YRS. FOR N.Y. `LOLITA': Amy Fisher was sentenced to themaximum five to 15 years in prison for shooting the wife …