diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-0.txt | 2117 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/44652-h.htm | 2395 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_001.jpg | bin | 0 -> 122569 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_002.jpg | bin | 0 -> 70950 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_003.jpg | bin | 0 -> 50020 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_004.jpg | bin | 0 -> 51277 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_005.jpg | bin | 0 -> 8767 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_006.jpg | bin | 0 -> 19794 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_007.jpg | bin | 0 -> 54077 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_008.jpg | bin | 0 -> 69709 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_009.jpg | bin | 0 -> 47500 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_010.jpg | bin | 0 -> 39886 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_011.jpg | bin | 0 -> 60514 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44652-h/images/ill_012.jpg | bin | 0 -> 297754 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-8.txt | 2501 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 46040 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 937211 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/44652-h.htm | 2802 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_001.jpg | bin | 0 -> 122569 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_002.jpg | bin | 0 -> 70950 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_003.jpg | bin | 0 -> 50020 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_004.jpg | bin | 0 -> 51277 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_005.jpg | bin | 0 -> 8767 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_006.jpg | bin | 0 -> 19794 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_007.jpg | bin | 0 -> 54077 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_008.jpg | bin | 0 -> 69709 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_009.jpg | bin | 0 -> 47500 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_010.jpg | bin | 0 -> 39886 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_011.jpg | bin | 0 -> 60514 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652-h/images/ill_012.jpg | bin | 0 -> 297754 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652.txt | 2501 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44652.zip | bin | 0 -> 46019 bytes |
35 files changed, 12332 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/44652-0.txt b/44652-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..753cf1f --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2117 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44652 *** + +[Illustration: HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE +AN ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY.] + + * * * * * + +VOL. II.--NO. 63. PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. PRICE FOUR +CENTS. + +Tuesday, January 11, 1881. Copyright, 1881, by HARPER & BROTHERS. $1.50 +per Year, in Advance. + + * * * * * + + + + +[Illustration: JOHN MILTON AT THE AGE OF TEN.--SEE NEXT PAGE.] + +MILTON. + + +John Milton was a blue-eyed, yellow-haired Saxon boy, the type of the +English race. He was somewhat short, stout, and healthy; his eyes were +bright and sparkling in his youth, before he became blind. But he +inherited weakness of sight from his mother. He was born 1609, in a +pleasant house in Bread Street, London, almost under the shadow of Bow +Bells. It was back in a court. His father, who had made a fortune as a +scrivener, was fond of music, books, and literature, and his son was +carefully educated at St. Paul's School. Milton relates that he +frequently studied in the house in Bread Street until after midnight, +and his head ached and his sight grew dim with these late vigils. He was +then about twelve years old. + +When he was six years old he may have seen Shakespeare and Ben Jonson +pass on their way to the Mermaid Tavern, which was in Bread Street, not +far from his father's house. He was one of the best scholars at St. +Paul's School, and loved study as most boys like play. He was eager to +know how men lived and acted in Greece and Rome, what they thought of, +and what they had discovered. He studied the rise and fall of empires +and republics, and became a republican in the midst of kings and +princes. He was always fond of poetry, and soon began to write fine +verses. One of his earliest pieces is his "Ode on the Nativity." + +His father leased a place in the country, at Horton, near Windsor, and +here Milton wandered when a young man over the smooth-shaven lawns and +beside the pleasant streams, filling his mind with knowledge and +pictures of fine scenery. It is not likely that as a boy he was fond of +fishing or hunting, as we may well fancy Shakespeare was. He never +tilled the soil like Burns and Virgil. He knew nothing of farming. He +went to Cambridge University, the most learned of its scholars. It was +the custom then to whip the students, and Milton's enemies spread the +report that he was flogged for some breach of the rules. He was always +independent. He travelled, came back to defend republicanism in the +civil war, married, kept a school, was Cromwell's Latin secretary after +he became blind, and published some poetry. But when the republic fell +with Cromwell, Milton was proscribed, and in danger of his life. His +enemies would, gladly have put him to death, and "Paradise Lost" might +never have been written. + +Milton hid in obscurity, blind, forgotten, but constantly engaged on his +great poem. He wrote "Paradise Lost" in his old age. He repeated the +verses aloud to his daughters or some friends who came to visit him, and +they wrote them down. It was finished in 1667, and Milton received +twenty-five dollars for the copyright. It was long neglected, until +Addison gave it great fame. Milton died November 8, 1674. + + + + +THE MESSENGER BOYS AT THE CAPITOL. + +BY HARRIET PRESCOTT SPOFFORD. + + +A lad who visits the city of Washington for the first time, and looks +down from the galleries of the House of Representatives or of the Senate +on the busy scene below, will be sure to find his eye attracted by +groups of bright-looking and neatly dressed boys moving hither and +thither about the floor, speaking familiarly with this and that great +man, or amusing themselves on the steps of the Vice-President's or of +the Speaker's platform, and he will perhaps regard these boys with +something like envy--all the more when told that they receive about two +dollars and seventy-five cents a day, during the sessions of Congress, +to pay them for having such a good time. + +Possibly our lad would not regard the picture as so pleasant if he knew +how burdensome are the duties of these boys, and how exceedingly well +they earn the money paid them. There are nearly thirty of them attached +to the House, and half as many to the Senate. Their ages run from nine +years upward, some numbering twice as many summers; and it is not by any +means the oldest who are the brightest and the most favored. They are of +respectable families; some of them are nephews of Members of Congress--a +Member once, indeed, had such questionable taste as to procure the +appointment of his own son; and some of them have been known in +after-years to become Members themselves. The recently chosen Senator +from Maryland is doubtless proud to remember that he himself was once a +page. Although in two or three instances these boys have been elected to +their places, instead of appointed, they are usually appointed by the +Sergeant-at-Arms--of course on the recommendation and through the +influence of the Congressmen--and they are under his control. The old +custom of appointing only orphan boys is no longer adhered to. The boy +who fell over the balustrade, and was made a page by special resolution +of the Senate, is a very exceptional case--probably his favorite song +thereafter was, "Such a getting up stairs I ne'er did see." + +The pages wear no uniform, or regulation clothes, or badges of any sort. +They are required to present themselves for work at nine o'clock in the +morning, although Congress does not meet till twelve, and they are not +dismissed until adjournment for the day takes place. They put the desks +of the Members in order, file for each the bills and papers which are +strewn about in confusion, then go to the Document-rooms and work there, +helping to put affairs in shape; and they present themselves at twelve +in the great chambers of legislation to answer the clapping of the +Members' and Senators' hands, and attend to their countless wants. Now +they are sent hunting for some book that is needed, for some man, now +for a glass of water, now they take messages from one Member to another +at a distance, from one House to the other, and sometimes to ladies in +the gallery; they fetch a cup of tea into the Cloak-room; fetch the hat +and stick out of it; they distribute mail by the armful; they struggle +into sight, behind piles of palm-leaf fans big as they are themselves, +which are soon cooling the hot air, if it be a late session; and during +the nights preceding the close of the session they do not know what +sleep is, but are worn out with running and waiting. Thus it will be +seen that they are on their feet with but very little intermission, +running and tumbling over each other in their eagerness to please; but +they seem happy and good-natured through it all, and when they do sit +down it is on the steps of the presiding officer's desk, where they are +usually tickling or punching or teasing each other as if they had +nothing else to do, and were passing away the time. + +Sometimes during a recess of Congress you may come upon them in a lower +room, assembled in a body, a mimic Senate, one of them in the chair, and +another making a speech, and Mr. Blaine and Mr. Conkling and Mr. Bayard +and the rest are being imitated to the life. It is in some contrast to +these gay rogues that one sees a crippled and dwarfed little hunchback +outside the Hall of Representatives, opening and shutting a door for the +passer in hopes of the coppers or the nickel that may be tossed him, +although he does not beg. At night a little goat carriage comes for him, +and he drives off. + +The pages whom we have described do not leave the Capitol during the +hours of their service, and carry no messages beyond the doors. For +outside work there are three riding pages, who are furnished with +horses, and who go to the various Departments, the Executive Mansion, or +on other of the outside errands of the legislators. And theirs is not +exactly the pleasant horseback riding that looks so attractive, but, on +the contrary, it is hard and weary work, cold in the winter, and burning +under a fierce sun in the summer, leaving them meanwhile as badly off +as John Gilpin. + +Many of these youths are appointed because there is some great need in +their families, or have been some pitiable circumstances in their +history. This curly-headed little fellow is the only support of a mother +and younger brothers and sisters; there is one who takes care of a +paralyzed father, the only relative he has in the world, going home, +after his hard work, to make life as pleasant as he can for him who can +never do any more work; here is another whose little house is kept for +him by a child-sister, who looks for his step at night with solicitude. +Most of them have somebody besides themselves to take a share of their +earnings. + +Beyond their regular pay, there are various perquisites and fees which +swell their income considerably. Thus they may often be seen slipping an +open book, with a bit of blotting-paper, under the nose of some Member +who is sitting at his desk: it is an album for somebody who wants the +signatures of all these statesmen, which the statesmen kindly give, but +which nevertheless are not always easy to obtain, owing to the +difficulty of finding individuals in their seats, as all of the +Congressmen are by no means in constant attendance, many of them being +busy in committee-rooms, or lounging in cloak-rooms, or lunching, or +following the bent of their inclinations in other ways, and seldom +coming in after roll-call, save to hear a heralded speech, or to vote on +measures with which they are already familiar either from the reading of +the daily journal of proceedings, or in the committee-room, or by the +word of mouth of others. For every album that they thus fill with +signatures the boys receive ten dollars from the eager visitor of the +Capitol, and they fill a good many during the year. + +In another way they also sometimes earn an additional penny. For after +any gentleman on the floor has made a particularly strong speech, the +Members on his side of the question are wont to subscribe for the +printing of thousands of copies of the speech, to be sent broadcast into +their districts; the pages therefore go about with subscription papers, +and they are allowed two dollars for every thousand of the speeches that +are taken. + +If the boys of whom we are speaking are very bright, they are apt to be +spoiled, as in such case the Members and Senators take pleasure in +indulging them to some degree. But there are not many, it may be +imagined, who are thus injured. Some of them, indeed, are as careless as +the blowing wind; these have no awe or reverence in their compositions: +the great men with whom they are brought into contact are not great men +to them, but simply folks who send them on errands, and the directions +given them go in one ear and out the other--as we all know never happens +with boys anywhere else. One little chap, dispatched to the +Document-room for the "Fortification Bill," asks for the "Mortification +Bill"; another, sent for the "Census," asks for the "Ascension Bill"; +still another, insisting on the "Compulsive Capacity Bill," and +returning without it, is told that he was sent for nothing of the kind, +but for that on "compulsory pilotage," whereupon he presently comes back +to say that there isn't any bill on "pulsive politics." The same +youngster asked the Document Clerks for the "Bill for the Suppression of +Supreme Literature." A little "compulsive capacity" would have been good +for this urchin, were it to be obtained as easily as was thought by that +gentleman whose daughter lacked capacity, as her teacher said. "Get it, +madam," said he--"get it; she shall want for nothing that money can buy +her." To the same class with these scatter-brained urchins belonged the +little fellow who once brought into the Congressional Library a note +signed by one of the most powerful "Sons of Thunder" in the Senate, and +which we begged the librarian's pardon for reading as it lay a moment on +the desk beside us: "William H. Turner wants _The Headless Horseman; or, +The Scalp-Hunter_. I ask that he may have it under the rules of the +Library." + +But to offset such idle fellows as the reader of _The Headless +Horseman_--who certainly could do no better than hunt for a "scalp," and +a head with it, too--there are other pages who make it their business to +understand their duties thoroughly, and two or three who even go so far +as to read for themselves every bill that is introduced, to follow its +fortunes, to be able to tell the person that asks just where it is in +its progress to passage or defeat, and who can always be relied on by +any Member who has been absent or out of the way to let him know exactly +what has been done and said in the mean time, and how the vote stands on +this question or the other. It would be no wonder if boys of this sort +should be indulged; and there is little danger of spoiling such good +material. These boys are learning the business of legislating, and if +they wish, will, in their turn, come back some day to make the laws. + +But careless or faithful, their bright faces and light ways are a +pleasant sight to see in all the throng of bustling, noisy men; and as +one looks at them slipping about on their countless errands, one feels +as if the boys themselves bore some small part in the work of governing +the country. + + + + +A HERO OF CHIVALRY. + + +Bertrand du Guesclin was born in 1314 at the castle of Motte Broen, near +Rennes, in Brittany. His heroic character showed itself early. As he was +not troubled with lessons (he never learned to read or write), he formed +a company of boys of his own age, and, acting as their general, +practiced them in battle and combat. His mother often clasped her +forehead in alarm when he came home with bruised face and bleeding head. +Even in his seventeenth year he excelled many older knights in strength +and dexterity in the use of arms. But he was ridiculed by the ladies +because he looked so ugly, and rode such a wretched horse. They jeered +at him, saying that he looked more like a donkey-driver than a knight +and nobleman, and that he must have borrowed his steed from a miller. + +Bertrand was indignant, and, as there was another tournament about to +come off, he begged a cousin of his to lend him a steed and armor. Both +were granted, and with a joyful heart he entered the lists, where, in +his strange armor, and with his visor down, no one, not even his own +father, recognized him. A well-known valiant knight opposed him. The +signal was given, they ran at each other with lightning speed, and with +a loud crash their lances broke into splinters in their hands. Bertrand, +however, had struck with such force on his adversary's helmet, that the +latter was thrown from the saddle to a distance of several paces, where +he lay insensible on the sand, and had to be carried out of the lists. + +The young victor returned to his post with a fresh lance, and waited for +fresh opponents. Now his own father ranged himself against him. Bertrand +did not wish to fight against him, but was equally unwilling to make +himself known. So he resolved to lower his lance in his tilt, and to +receive his father's blow on his shield without making a counter-thrust. +He did this so adroitly that he kept firm in his saddle, and, without +tottering, galloped by, and then declared positively that he would not +fight again with that knight. People were surprised, but made no +derisive remarks, for the knight's courage had been sufficiently proved +in the former combat. His father rode out of the lists, and gave place +to other knights. Guesclin laid them in the dust, and was unanimously +declared the winner. + +Every one was eager to know who the champion was, and his father +especially longed for the unravelling of the mystery. + +At length, when the tournament was over, and Bertrand had received his +prize, he rode up to his father, raised his visor, and cried, "Do you +know me now, father?" The old man embraced him with tears of joy, and at +once provided him with a steed and armor. The fame of the young hero now +spread all over France. + +Hitherto Bertrand had only won victories in tournaments, but now the +more serious field of battle was to behold the first exploits of his +sword. Duke Charles of Blois made war on John de Montfort for the +possession of Brittany. Philip the Sixth, King of France, sided with the +former; while, on the other hand, the King of England (Edward the Third) +supported De Montfort. Bertrand had naturally no choice in the matter, +for, like a brave Frenchman, he followed his king wherever he led him. + +At that time the castle of Fougeray was in the hands of the English, and +Bertrand resolved to take it from them, as it was a place of no mean +importance. With this view he disguised himself and sixty companions as +wood-cutters, and divided them into four bands, which approached the +place from different sides. He then fixed on a time when the governor of +the castle and a part of the garrison had gone out on a reconnoitring +expedition, when he made a party of his men hide themselves in the +neighboring wood during the night. At break of day they loaded +themselves with fagots and brushwood, concealed their weapons under +their clothes, and came up to the castle from different directions. +Bertrand, in a white smock, with a heavy load of wood on his back, was +the first to appear before the draw-bridge, which was instantly lowered +for him. He at once threw down his fagot, drew his sword, and transfixed +the warder; then he raised the cry of "Guesclin." At this signal the +rest hastened forward to come to his assistance and take the bridge. As, +however, there were two hundred Englishmen in the castle, the conflict +was very unequal, and a horrid slaughter ensued. An Englishman clove the +skull of one of Bertrand's companions with his battle-axe. Guesclin, in +return, cut him down, and caught up the axe, with which he dealt +slashing blows on every side. So he fought on, and kept the enemy off +the body for a time, until a troop of cavalry of his own side +accidentally arrived in the neighborhood, rescued him from his perilous +situation, and helped to take the place. It was, indeed, high time for +relief to arrive; for, in his combat against tenfold odds, he had +dropped his battle-axe, and his head was so covered with wounds that the +blood was streaming down his face. The conspicuous valor which he here +displayed gained him the reputation of being the boldest and most +dauntless knight of his time. + + + + +[Illustration: SCENE IN AN ITALIAN SCHOOL.] + + + + +[Begun in No. 58 of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, December 7.] + +TOBY TYLER; + +OR, TEN WEEKS WITH A CIRCUS. + +BY JAMES OTIS. + +CHAPTER V. + +THE COUNTERFEIT TEN-CENT PIECE. + + +When the doors of the big tent were opened, and the people began to +crowd in, just as Toby had seen them do at Guilford, Mr. Lord announced +to his young clerk that it was time for him to go into the tent to work. +Then it was that Toby learned for the first time that he had two masters +instead of one, and this knowledge caused him no little uneasiness. If +the other one was anything like Mr. Lord, his lot would be just twice as +bad, and he began to wonder whether he could even stand it one day +longer. + +As the boy passed through the tent on his way to the candy stand, where +he was to really enter upon the duties for which he had run away from +home, he wanted to stop for a moment and speak with the old monkey who +he thought had taken such an interest in him. But when he reached the +cage in which his friend was confined, there was such a crowd around it +that it was impossible for him to get near enough to speak without being +overheard. + +This was such a disappointment to the little fellow that the great tears +came into his eyes, and in another instant would have gone rolling down +his cheeks if his aged friend had not chanced to look toward him. Toby +fancied that the monkey looked at him in the most friendly way, and then +he was certain that he winked one eye. Toby felt that there was no +mistake about that wink, and it seemed as if it was intended to convey +comfort to him in his troubles. He winked back at the monkey in the most +emphatic and grave manner possible, and then went on his way, feeling +wonderfully comforted. + +The work inside the tent was far different and much harder than it was +outside. He was obliged to carry around among the audience trays of +candy, nuts, and lemonade, for sale, and he was also expected to cry +aloud the description of that which he offered. The partner of Mr. Lord, +who had charge of the stand inside the tent, neither showed himself to +be better nor worse than Mr. Lord himself. When Toby first presented +himself for work, he handed him a tray filled with glasses of lemonade, +and told him to go among the audience, crying, "Here's your nice cold +lemonade, only five cents a glass!" + +Toby started to do as he was bidden; but when he tried to repeat the +words in anything like a loud tone of voice, they stuck in his throat, +and he found it next to impossible to utter a sound above a whisper. It +seemed to him that every one in the audience was looking only at him, +and the very sound of his own voice made him afraid. + +He went entirely around the tent once without making a sale, and when he +returned to the stand he was at once convinced that one of his masters +was quite as bad as the other. This one--and he knew that his name was +Jacobs, for he heard some one call him so--very kindly told him that he +would break every bone in his body if he didn't sell something, and Toby +confidently believed that he would carry out his threat. + +It was with a very heavy heart that he started around again in obedience +to Mr. Jacobs's angry command; but this time he did manage to cry out, +in a very thin and very squeaky voice, the words which he had been told +to repeat. + +This time--perhaps owing to his pitiful and imploring look, certainly +not because of the noise he made--he met with very good luck, and sold +every glass of the mixture which Messrs. Lord and Jacobs called +lemonade, and went back to the stand for more. + +He certainly thought he had earned a word of praise, and fully expected +it as he put the empty glasses and money on the stand in front of Mr. +Jacobs. But instead of the kind words, he was greeted with a volley of +curses, and the reason for it was that he had taken in payment for two +of the glasses a lead ten-cent piece. Mr. Jacobs, after scolding poor +little Toby to his heart's content, vowed that the amount should be kept +from his first week's wages, and then handed him back the coin, with +orders to give it to the first man who gave him money to change, under +the penalty of a severe flogging if he failed to do so. + +Poor Toby tried to explain matters by saying, "You see, I don't know +anything about money; I never had more'n a cent at a time, an' you +mustn't expect me to get posted all at once." + +"I'll post you with a stick if you do it again; an' it won't be well for +you if you bring that ten-cent piece back here." + +Now Toby was very well aware that to pass the coin, knowing it to be +bad, would be a crime, and he resolved to take the consequences of which +Mr. Jacobs had intimated, if he could not find the one who had given him +the counterfeit, and persuade him to give him good money in its stead. +He remembered very plainly where he had sold each glass of lemonade, and +he retraced his steps, glancing at each face carefully as he passed. At +last he was confident that he saw the man who had gotten him into such +trouble, and he climbed up the board seats, saying, as he stood in front +of him, and held out the coin: "Mister, this money that you gave me is +bad. Won't you give me another one for it?" + +The man was a rough-looking party who had taken his girl to the circus, +and who did not seem at all disposed to pay any heed to Toby's request. +Therefore he repeated it, and this time more loudly. + +"Get out the way!" said the man, angrily. "How can you expect me to see +the show if you stand right in front of me?" + +"You'll like it better," said Toby, earnestly, "if you give me another +ten-cent piece." + +"Get out, an' don't bother me!" was the angry rejoinder; and the little +fellow began to think that perhaps he would be obliged to "get out" +without getting his money. + +It was becoming a desperate case, for the man was growing angry very +fast, and if Toby did not succeed in getting good money for the bad, he +would have to take the consequences of which Mr. Jacobs had spoken. + +[Illustration: "PLEASE, MISTER, GIVE ME THE MONEY BACK."] + +"Please, mister," he said, imploringly--for his heart began to grow very +heavy, and he was fearing that he should not succeed--"won't you please +give me the money back? You know you gave it to me, an' I'll have to pay +it if you don't." + +The boy's lip was quivering, and those around began to be interested in +the affair, while several in their immediate vicinity gave vent to their +indignation that a man should try to cheat a boy out of ten cents by +giving him counterfeit money. + +The man whom Toby was speaking to was about to dismiss him with an angry +reply, when he saw that those about him were not only interested in the +matter, but were evidently taking sides with the boy against him; and +knowing well that he had given the counterfeit money, he took another +coin from his pocket, and handing it to Toby, said, "I didn't give you +the lead piece; but you're making such a fuss about it that here's ten +cents to make you keep quiet." + +"I'm sure you did give me the money," said Toby, as he took the extended +coin, "an' I'm much obliged to you for takin' it back. I didn't want to +tell you before, 'cause you'd thought I was beggin'; but if you hadn't +given me this, I 'xpect I'd have got an awful whippin', for Mr. Jacobs +said he'd fix me if I didn't get the money for it." + +The man looked sheepish enough as he put the bad money in his pocket, +and Toby's innocently told story caused such a feeling in his behalf +among those who sat near that he not only disposed of his entire stock +then and there, but received from one gentleman twenty-five cents for +himself. He was both proud and happy as he returned to Mr. Jacobs with +empty glasses, and with the money to refund the amount of loss which +would have been caused by the counterfeit. + +But the worthy partner of Mr. Lord's candy business had no words of +encouragement for the boy who was trying so hard to please. + +"Let that make you keep your eyes open," he growled out, sulkily; "an' +if you get caught in that trap again, you won't be let off so easy." + +Poor little Toby! his heart seemed ready to break; but his few hours' +previous experience had taught him that there was but one thing to do, +and that was to work just as hard as possible, trusting to some good +fortune to enable him to get out of the very disagreeable position in +which he had voluntarily placed himself. + +He took the basket of candy which Mr. Jacobs handed him, and trudged +around the circle of seats, selling far more because of the pitifulness +of his face than because of the excellence of his goods; and even this +worked to his disadvantage. Mr. Jacobs was keen enough to see why his +little clerk sold so many goods, and each time that he returned to the +stand he said something to him in an angry tone, which had the effect of +deepening the shadow on the boy's face, and at the same time increasing +trade. + +By the time the performance was over Toby had in his pocket a dollar and +twenty-five cents which had been given him for himself by some of the +kind-hearted in the audience, and he kept his hand almost constantly +upon it, for the money seemed to him like some kind friend who would +help him out of his present difficulties. + +After the audience had dispersed, Mr. Jacobs set Toby at work washing +the glasses, and clearing up generally, and then the boy started toward +the other portion of the store--that watched over by Mr. Lord. Not a +person save the watchmen was in the tent, and as Toby went toward the +door he saw his friend the monkey sitting in one corner of the cage, and +apparently watching his every movement. + +It was as if he had suddenly seen one of the boys from home, and Toby, +uttering an exclamation of delight, ran up to the cage, and put his hand +through the wires. + +The monkey, in the gravest possible manner, took one of the fingers in +his paw, and Toby shook hands with him very earnestly. + +"I was sorry that I couldn't speak to you when I went in this noon," +said Toby, as if making an apology; "but, you see, there were so many +around here to see you that I couldn't get the chance. Did you see me +wink at you?" + +The monkey made no reply, but he twisted his face up in such a funny +little grimace that Toby was quite as well satisfied as if he had +spoken. + +"I wonder if you hain't some relation to Steve Stubbs," Toby continued, +earnestly, "for you look just like him, only he don't have quite so many +whiskers. What I wanted to say was that I'm awful sorry I run away. I +used to think that Uncle Dan'l was bad enough; but he was just a perfect +good Samarathon to what Mr. Lord an' Mr. Jacobs are; an' when Mr. Lord +looks at me with that crooked eye of his, I feel it 'way down in my +boots. Do you know"--and here Toby put his mouth nearer to the monkey's +head, and whispered--"I'd run away from this circus if I could get the +chance; wouldn't you?" + +Just at this point, as if in answer to the question, the monkey stood up +on his hind-paws, and reached out his hand to the boy, who seemed to +think this was his way of being more emphatic in saying "Yes." + +Toby took the paw in his hand, shook it again earnestly, and said, as he +released it: "I was pretty sure you felt just about the same way I did, +Mr. Stubbs, when I passed you this noon. Look here"--and Toby took the +money from his pocket which had been given him--"I got all that this +afternoon, an' I'll try an' stick it out somehow till I get as much as +ten dollars, an' then we'll run away some night, an' go 'way off as far +as--as--as out West, an' we'll stay there, too." + +The monkey, probably tired with remaining in one position so long, +started toward the top of the cage, chattering and screaming, joining +the other monkeys, who had gathered in a little group in one of the +swings. + +"Now see here, Mr. Stubbs," said Toby, in alarm, "you mustn't go to +telling everybody about it, or Mr. Lord will know, an' then we'll be +dished, sure." + +The monkey squatted down in one of the swings, as if he was reproved by +what the boy had said, and Toby, considerably relieved by his silence, +said, as he started toward the door, "That's right--mum's the word; you +keep quiet, an' so will I, an' pretty soon we'll get away from the whole +crowd." + +All the monkeys chattered, and Toby, believing that everything which he +had said had been understood by the animals, went out of the door to +meet his other task-master. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +THE YOUNG TIN-TYPERS. + +PART I. + + +The recitation in Natural Philosophy was just over, and as the class was +leaving the room, Fred Ward whispered to his most particular chum, Jim +Davis: "I say, Jim, I've hit on an immense idea. Suppose that we set up +a photographic gallery. It will be splendid fun." + +"That's so," answered Jim. "Let's talk it over." + +By this time the French class room was reached, and conversation was for +the time suspended; but two o'clock found the boys leaving the +school-grounds, engaged in a grand confab about their new plan. + +"Now those old fellows that invented all this," said Fred, "had to work +hard, because they had nothing to begin with; but as all that we want to +know is down in the books, I don't see why we can't take as good a +picture as the next one, as soon as we can get a camera and some +chemicals. Why, Jim, you can buy the whole rig for five dollars--yes, +you can--camera and all, with a stand to set it on." + +"Oh, nonsense!" answered Jim; "I wouldn't give a cent to work in that +way. Why can't we make the box and mix the baths ourselves? Anybody +could buy the machine and take a picture, but it isn't every fellow can +make his own apparatus. Now in my Philosophy there are some pictures +that show how to put the box together, and we can save money to buy the +lenses, and it will be twice as much fun to do everything ourselves." + +Jim was very handy with tools, and in a few days he constructed as neat +a camera as could be desired for a beginner. It consisted of two boxes, +one of which fitted into the other. The interior of the boxes was +painted black, so that the light through the lenses would be all the +plate could receive. In the front of the larger box, and directly in the +centre, a round hole was cut to receive the tube containing the lenses, +and at the back of the small box were grooves to receive the plate +slide. The making of that slide was the first serious stumbling-block in +the path of these young photographers. + +[Illustration: SLIDE CASE.] + +They searched through their books, and at last found a good diagram +which gave Jim the hints he needed for his work. He first built a frame +which fitted to the slide in the back of his camera box. This frame was +provided with a hinged door at the back, and a sliding door in front. In +order to receive plates of different sizes, Jim also made several plate +frames with larger or smaller openings. The plate frame fitted tightly +inside the slide frame, and was held firm by a spring fastened in the +centre of the hinged door, which pressed against the plate when the door +was shut. Another frame, exactly the same size as the plate frame, had +to be made to hold the ground glass upon which to obtain the focus for +the pictures. When the focus was regulated, the ground glass was to be +carefully withdrawn, and the sensitive plate placed in exactly the same +position. + +Perseverance and school-boy grit having conquered the slide difficulty, +the perplexing question of the lenses came up. Fred's father, who was +watching the boys' undertaking with considerable interest, now came to +the rescue, and presented the young photographers with a fine set of +mounted Dallemeyer lenses with diaphragms, which he bought of a dealer +in photographic apparatus. + +[Illustration: THE CAMERA.] + +The camera being in readiness, Fred and Jim now went to work to mix +their baths. They began with the sensitive bath, but to their +astonishment, when they placed nitrate of silver in ordinary water, a +white cloud instantly formed. The text-book was at once consulted, and +Fred discovered that distilled water must be used. As the boys had no +long-necked retort with which to distill the water, they agreed to +suspend all operations until they could see their teacher on the +following day, and ask his advice. + +The next afternoon, when school was over, the boys marched up to the +door of Professor Drood's class-room, and timidly knocked. "Come in," +said a hearty, kindly voice. Fred, who was the most courageous, went in +first, and clearly stated the case, while Jim stood hesitating in the +doorway. "If you take rain-water, and filter it to remove the dust," +said the Professor, "it will answer your purpose as well as distilled +water." + +The boys thanked him, and were going away, when he called them back. "I +like to see you taking interest in things of this kind," said he, "and +if you will stop, I will give you the whole story as clearly as I can." +Fred and Jim were delighted to listen, and when the Professor told them +to take a pencil and note-book, and write down the proportions in which +the different baths were to be mixed, they were eagerly attentive at +once. + +"The sensitive bath," said the Professor, "is prepared in this manner: +dissolve in two ounces of rain-water one ounce of nitrate of silver in +crystals. Then add two to five grains of iodide of potassium. You must +now add eight ounces of rain-water, and let the mixture stand two hours +to saturate. It must be kept in a dark chamber, where no rays of +sunlight can penetrate. You must always work by the light of a candle, +and it is a good plan to have a screen of yellow paper around the flame, +so that no direct light may fall on your sensitized plate. + +"Before beginning to work, be sure that your plate is clean. Tin plates, +with which you would better work until you become skillful in handling +the baths, are sold in sheets by any dealer in photographic goods, and +when you buy them are often covered with fine dust. Polish them well +with a pad of soft chamois-skin before you proceed farther. Next pour +the collodion on the centre, and cause it to flow evenly by gently +tipping the plate from side to side. Allow the surplus to drip off into +a flask; and as collodion is an expensive article, you would better mix +some gum-arabic and water to about the required thickness, and practice +with that first, that you may not waste the more costly fluid by +failures to spread it evenly on the plate--a very difficult matter for +beginners to accomplish. This collodion is made of alcohol, ether, and +gun-cotton, and sensitized with certain iodides and bromides. It +evaporates if exposed to the air, and must be well corked, and kept in a +cool, dark place, as both lights and heat are injurious to it. A +positive collodion is often sold for ferrotypes, but the negative fluid +gives better results. + +"When the film of collodion has become set, the plate is ready for the +sensitive bath. Place it on a strip of glass bent at the lower end, +which you will buy with your bath dish, and lower it into the bath +quickly; otherwise a line may be noticed on the finished picture, due to +the uneven deposit of silver. The deposit may be hastened by gently +moving the plate in the liquid. After a few seconds lift it out and +examine it. If it is streaked and greasy, it must be put back; but when +it is of a fine opaline tint, free from streaks and flaws, it is ready +to be placed in the camera, which should be already properly focussed +and in position. + +"Now, boys, comes the great trouble--to correctly time the exposure. It +varies from five to forty-five or sixty seconds, according to the light, +the arrangement of your screens, and the condition of the silver bath. + +[Illustration: THE FIRST ATTEMPT--SOMETHING WRONG.] + +"When you think, from the nature of the case, that your plate has been +exposed long enough, close your slide, and return to the dark room, +where you now proceed to develop your picture. You must have already +mixed this developing solution: one fluid part of sulphate of iron, one +and a half fluid parts of acetic acid, and sixteen parts of rain-water. +Do not make too much of this at once, as it quickly becomes spoiled. +When you take the plate from the slide, you will see no alteration in +it, but when you pour on some of your developer, 'as if by magic a +picture appears.' See that the developer flows all over the plate, and +do not allow it to settle on any one place, as this would make a stain +which can not be removed. + +"As soon as the development is complete, wash the plate well with pure +water, using for the purpose a wash bottle, which is simply a large +glass flask having a cork perforated by two tubes, one of which reaches +into the body of the liquid, while the other only passes through the +cork. The short tube is bent over at an angle so that the mouth may be +conveniently placed against it, while the long tube is bent, and drawn +out to a fine jet. On blowing through the short tube, the air in the +bottle becomes compressed, and in expanding drives the liquid through +the jet in a fine steady stream. When the plate has been well washed, it +must be treated with another solution, as this picture is one that would +soon fade, just as you no doubt have seen proofs of photographs do. To +remove the unaltered silver a solution of hyposulphite of soda in water +is used. Cyanide of potassium is also used, because it is much cleaner. + +"But there is no rose without its thorns, and the cyanide makes up for +its cleanliness by being one of the most deadly poisons, and I would +advise boys who are not posted on the fine points of chemical +manipulation to have nothing to do with it. This fixing solution is made +of eight ounces of the hyposulphite and forty of water. Now if this is +made too strong, it will spoil the picture, so it is well to be careful +to have the exact proportions. + +"By-the-way," added the Professor, "if you do use cyanide of potassium, +be very careful not to get any of it into what cuts or bruises you may +have on your hands. Boys always have such ornaments, and if the cyanide +touches a place where the skin is broken, it is liable to mix with the +blood, and make trouble. + +"After your picture is fixed, wash it well and varnish it. Ten parts of +gum-arabic to one hundred parts of water will make a very fair varnish; +but as this has to be dried over a spirit-lamp, it is better to buy the +self-drying varnish which is sold for this purpose. + +"All this sounds very easy and pleasant, but there are more +disappointments in store for you than can be imagined, for in this, as +in many other things, practice is as essential as rules and regulations. +I can only say to you, what should be the motto of every scientific +student, 'Make haste slowly.'" + +The boys thanked the good-natured Professor, who told them, in any +serious difficulty, to come to him again. Then with eager steps they +hastened homeward. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +[Illustration: MIDWINTER.] + + + + +WILD BIRDS IN THE COUNTRY. + + +When Aunt Bertha was younger than she is now she was a little English +girl, and her American nephews and nieces are never tired of hearing +about her English pets. Of her bird pets she tells the young listeners +as follows: + +"When I was alone at home with my parents, I used to amuse myself during +my play-time, which I always spent out-of-doors, by trying to tame the +wild birds. I nailed a little wooden tray against an oak that had twigs +growing out of its trunk for the birds to perch on. It stood just inside +a wood on one side of the drive, but not too much exposed to the view of +the passers-by. Every morning regularly I filled the tray with +bread-crumbs and bird-seed, with a little piece of raw meat now and then +for a great treat. I watched anxiously to see what birds would come +first, and in a few days had the pleasure of finding three tomtits +hopping about my tree, and carrying off the crumbs and seeds. It was +delightful to have these pretty, sprightly little fellows, with their +bright yellow and black breasts and white cheeks, for my visitors, +instead of the rather vulgar-looking sparrows, that are generally only +too eager to secure any food that may be awaiting hungry mouths. The +next birds that came were a pair of chaffinches: the cock never became +very tame, but his little mate was soon a great pet with every one. +After a time I had twelve birds that fed regularly at my box; they were +a pair of tomtits, the chaffinches, a pair of nut-hatches, a pair of +coal-tits, a pair of marsh-titmice, a robin, and a hedge-sparrow. In +the cold weather my birds used to meet me as I came out of the house, +and fly after me to the wood. They were not at all afraid of Carlo, my +large dog, who generally accompanied me, and sat by the tree quite +quietly, expecting his little share of the feast. In the spring the +chaffinches built their nest in an oak-tree within sight of the box, and +when their young ones were hatched, they carried off nice large crumbs +to them. + +"A robin that fed at the box used also to keep us company when we were +out, and hop about on our feet as we sat on the lawn. The dear little +thing came in-doors whenever he found a window open. He was particularly +fond of flying into my mother's bedroom, in which he thought he had +discovered a rival favorite. Day after day he attacked it most fiercely, +but as the rival was his own reflection in the mirror, the poor bird +only got a great many hard knocks against the glass in his efforts to +revenge himself on his fancied enemy. The mirror was sometimes smeared +with his blood." + + + + +[Begun in YOUNG PEOPLE No. 58, December 7.] + +MILDRED'S BARGAIN. + +A Story for Girls. + +BY MRS. JOHN LILLIE. + +CHAPTER V. + + +"Milly," said little Kate, greeting her elder sister one evening about a +week after Miss Jenner's party, "there's a woman waiting to see you in +the parlor." + +Mildred instinctively kept the child back as she made her way into the +room, shutting the door after her with a firm hand. There sat the +peddler, or "Widow Robbins," as she called herself; and, oh! how she +seemed to Milly to take the warmth and life out of the pretty little +room with her air of vulgar obtrusiveness! Milly stood still in the +middle of the room a moment, while Mrs. Robbins spoke. "Called for the +first payment, my dear," she said, jocularly. + +"Certainly," answered Milly, drawing her purse from her pocket; "and," +she continued, "I thought I might as well pay you four weeks in advance. +I have that much to spare." + +She came forward, holding out two crisp bills; but, to her surprise, +"Widow Robbins" motioned her back. "Ah, no, my dear," she said, gravely; +"that wasn't in our agreement. I can't take more'n the fifty cents. Now +give me just that, and I'll sign my name to your paper." + +Milly remonstrated, all in vain, and then, completely disgusted by the +coarse vulgarity of the woman, her loud tone and half-sarcastic laugh, +she produced her "agreement," allowing Mrs. Robbins to sign a receipt +for fifty cents, and take her leave. Poor Milly, though vexed and +puzzled, did not see into the deeper motive of the peddler in this +transaction. By only receiving the half-dollar weekly, Mrs. Robbins +prolonged her power over Milly, well knowing a day _might_ come when +even that sum would not be in Milly's possession to give her. If such a +remote chance ever occurred to Mildred, she dismissed it as too absurd +to contemplate for an instant. The next week passed by quickly enough, +for in her mother's absence Mildred had many home cares added to her +usual ones and the work at the store. One fact relieved her greatly. +"Mr. Tom's" attentions had nearly ceased, and she was allowed to come +and go to her daily work without subjecting herself to any special +insolence from him. Widow Robbins appeared again on the following +Monday, and was promptly paid and dismissed. The same evening Mrs. Lee +returned from her visit, full of exhilaration from the change, and ready +to hear Milly's account of Miss Jenner's party. It cost the girl an +effort not to tell of her new dress; but Mrs. Lee did not observe the +slight confusion in her daughter's manner, being fully entertained by +hearing an account of the fine house. + +Early the next evening Mildred paid a call at the brick house, and +renewed her sociable intercourse with Alice and Roger, who welcomed her +so cordially that Miss Jenner, though in a rather stiff way, asked +Mildred to spend an evening with them once a week. It was a new era in +Milly's life. How she looked forward to those Wednesday evenings, when, +leaving the store at the earliest moment possible, she would hasten +home, make a quick toilette, chatting with her mother the while, and +then go out into the dusky streets, threading her way eagerly to Lane +Street, where lights twinkled in the old-fashioned windows of Miss +Jenner's house, and where she was sure to find a kindly welcome! + +Sometimes the three young people sat in Alice's pretty sitting-room up +stairs, which to Milly's eyes was like an enchanted palace. Although +blind, Alice delighted in feeling soft hangings, luxurious coverings to +her chairs and sofas, and the consciousness that her walls were hung +with pretty pictures. Mildred had inherited from her father an +exquisitely fine taste, and Alice Jenner's surroundings seemed to fill +her with a sense of refinement which made her own dull life easier to +bear when she went away. Gradually Miss Jenner's manner thawed to +Mildred, and before Christmas came around, the young girl had been half +a dozen times invited to the cozy supper table of the good lady, who on +these occasions strove to make Milly feel perfectly at home, while she +contrived to learn all the story of her life from the young girl's lips. +Milly's one penance was Mrs. Robbins's weekly visit, and the +consciousness that up in her bureau drawer, carefully locked and +guarded, was the gray silk dress. By Christmas-time only six dollars had +been paid on it, yet a certain security of the future made Milly feel +sure no disaster could occur. Mrs. Robbins's calls were now all made at +the store, and about the Christmas season "Mr. Tom" inquired, rather +sneeringly, whether "Miss Lee's great-aunt" meant to give them her +custom. Milly answered nothing, yet it aroused her fears, and on one +Tuesday, after the peddler's customary call, she left the store +determined to appoint some different place of meeting. There was +something unusual, Milly thought, about the look of the cottage as she +entered; first a rush, then a confusion of smothered voices. Mildred ran +into the parlor, thence to the kitchen, where she found the children +gathered mysteriously together. + +"Willy's got the bronchitis," exclaimed Kate. "He must have caught it +down at the marshes." + +Mildred asked no further questions, but ran up stairs, tossing aside her +hat, and going cautiously into her mother's room, where Willy lay +suffering intensely. Mrs. Lee was glad to put all the responsible care +into Mildred's hands, and so she devoted nearly all the night to the +care of her little brother, appearing the next day haggard and +heavy-eyed at Mr. Hardman's store. Days passed in hard work at the +store, and nights of broken rest; and then came an evening when, on +Mildred's return home, she was met with the news of her mother's +illness. Poor Mrs. Lee, at no time strong, had succumbed to her anxiety +and hard work, and Milly found her utterly prostrated, the doctor +standing beside her, not able to pronounce on her disease, but looking +so anxious that Milly had difficulty in hiding her tears. Willy was +better, but the new trouble was terrible to contemplate. That night she +wrote hurriedly to her mother's pupils, and the next morning she arose +after a wakeful night with the consciousness that she had six people to +support on five dollars a week. + +Mildred felt too proud to tell Miss Jenner of her troubles. She dreaded +a rebuff besides. Roger was not well, and she knew the brick house was +in some confusion over his illness. It had been a trying season at +Milltown, and few families had escaped; but Mildred thought her +visitation hardest to bear. + +The second day of her mother's illness Mildred came home very early, and +after getting the children to bed, counted over her slender store of +money while she sat in her mother's room, letting faithful Deborah have +a rest. Just three dollars remained of her weekly earnings, and of this +sum fifty cents must be saved for the terrible Widow Robbins. "I know +what I'll do," thought Milly, almost aloud; "I'll see if she won't take +her silk back. I _can't_ spare a penny of my salary." This hope kept +poor Mildred up until the peddler's next visit. It was in the little +cottage parlor, and Mildred falteringly told her of her mother's +illness, and their great need of money. + +"That's neither here nor there," said the woman, shortly. "I can't lose +_my_ bread and butter. You say your dress is stained; that ends my +taking it back; so any week--" The peddler stopped short rather +ominously and glanced around the cottage parlor. It was a very pretty +room. From the wreck of their fortunes Mrs. Lee and Milly had saved +several--to them--priceless household treasures. On the mantel were the +heavy old-fashioned silver candlesticks which Milly remembered all her +life; some fine china was in the cabinet between the windows; the modest +book-shelves were full of valuable volumes; one or two exquisite +engravings hung upon the walls; here and there were a few excellent +pieces of old family furniture. Altogether it was a room which not only +charmed the eye, but showed such signs of "better days" that the few +neighbors who had called upon the Lees held them in high esteem. Mrs. +Robbins's glance was evidently highly satisfactory to herself. + +"Well," she said, pocketing her fifty cents with an air of great +condescension, "I will just wait a bit and see." + +It was after six o'clock, and Milly felt worried and perplexed as she +sat with the children over their simple tea, and then went up to her +mother's sick-room, in which she passed nearly all the night. Deborah +followed her, and beckoning her to the window, said, in a grave whisper, + +"Mildred, my child, who's that queer woman keeps coming here?" + +Milly felt inclined to cry. + +"Oh, Debby," she said, piteously, "don't bother me; it's just a woman +who--has business with me." + +Debby was silenced, but by no means satisfied. She determined to settle +the question for herself. + +Before the next week came around, every penny of Milly's money was +spent, and, more than that, they were heavily in debt to the butcher and +the grocer and the chemist. The best of port-wine was ordered for Mrs. +Lee; the strongest beef tea; the most nourishing jellies; iron and +quinine regularly. Poor Milly used to feel as if she was walking over +fire on her way to and from the store, so harassed had she become, and +she and Deborah bemoaned the state of affairs whenever they were alone. + +"Something _must_ be done, honey!" Deborah said, one wet Tuesday +evening, when Milly stopped in the kitchen to dry her clothes and warm +her feet before going up stairs. "I've next to nothing in the house, and +your mother _must_ have some more port." + +Milly was disconsolately thinking the question over, when she was roused +by Mrs. Robbins's well-known "rat-tat-tat" on the front door. She ran +out, hastily admitting the peddler, who soon perceived the state of +affairs by Milly's expression. The young girl tried to say, calmly, that +she had not the money. + +"Well," said Mrs. Robbins, "I'll hold off a day or two; but just you +read the paper you signed, and you'll see you agree to pay the full +amount if you miss a week--if the dress isn't fit to be took back." + +Mildred read the paper over and again when the woman was gone, and found +herself indeed bound to a very Shylock. "That dress is just like the +pound of flesh," she thought, as she sat in the dim light by her mother. +"Oh, why did I ever buy it; and who cared at Miss Jenner's what I wore!" + +The next week Mrs. Robbins made her appearance at the store on a day +when Mildred's peace of mind was so exhausted by home cares it was all +she could do to serve the most civil of customers. Milly contrived to +see her in the cloak-room, but the peddler refused to subdue her voice. + +"I can have fifty cents stopped out of your pay, and I _will_," she +said, resolutely. "I don't want anything but my rights." + +Mildred had not five cents to offer her. All her most earnest pleading +only induced Mrs. Robbins to defer what she called "proceedings" for +three days. In the mean time she resolved to call upon Miss Jenner. It +was late on the Friday evening before she got a chance to go to the +Brick House, and there the unwelcome news greeted her that Miss Jenner +had fallen a victim to the lung disease prevalent in Milltown. She was +leaving the house full of dejection, when to her horror she beheld the +tall, gaunt figure of Mrs. Robbins striding up the box-path from the +gate. Milly asked her to walk on with her. + +[Illustration: MILDRED AND THE WIDOW ROBBINS.] + +"No," said the woman, "here I am. I've followed you here, and here I +mean to have my say. Before next Tuesday I demand my money--twenty-two +dollars--or you shall hear from me in a way you least expect." + +It was nearly dark, but Milly could see the wicked expression on the +woman's face. She was faint and tired, and bitterly disappointed at not +seeing Miss Jenner, but she could not let the peddler see what she felt. + +"Very well," she answered, in a constrained voice, "I can try; but how I +am going to get twenty-two dollars is more than I can imagine. Oh, that +wretched gray silk dress!" she added. "If only it had not been spoiled +that first evening!" + +Mrs. Robbins walked out of the gate by her side, and down the road some +little distance, threatening Milly all the time as to what she _could_ +do, and what she _would_ do. Left alone, Milly hurried home, knowing +that she must before morning devise some means of raising the money. +Mrs. Robbins had said she would "look in" during the morning at the +store, and already Milly felt sure she had betrayed her secret to "Mr. +Tom." + +"Milly," Debby said, in a mournful tone, "I've been thinking we _must_ +part with something. Your mother's sinking for what we've no money to +pay for. I've seen you all in better days, lovey, and I'm as fond of +everything in the house as you are, but I see no way out of it. In fact, +I saw a man to-day--he's only waiting for your word--and he'll look over +the things in the parlor to-morrow." + +A lump rose and filled Milly's throat. Oh, if she were not burdened with +this miserable private debt, how easy it would seem even to ask a loan +from old Mr. Hardman! But no, the home necessities were by no means all. + +"Yes, yes, Debby," exclaimed Mildred, with a sudden rush of tears; "it +must be done--it must be done." + +When Milly returned the next evening from the store, the once cozy +parlor looked desolate enough. The heavy furniture was nearly all gone, +and the children clustered about her with an eager account of the man +who had carried the sofa and chairs and best table away in his cart. + +"Never mind," said Mildred, trying to be cheerful. "We must sit in the +dining-room. Besides, dears, think how ill mamma is." + +"Only forty dollars," whispered Deborah, "and I've paid out thirty of +it." + +So she could not even borrow part of that sum for her debt. Milly turned +away, and went into her mother's room, feeling faint, heart and body, +and there tried to find some consolation in reading aloud their usual +evening chapter; but all the time a sense of her own folly oppressed +her. Suffering from necessity she could have borne, but not that which +her own sin had brought upon her. + +Poor Mildred! she knelt at her mother's side, humbly praying, almost +aloud. On the next day she knew she must "settle" with the dreaded Widow +Robbins. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +THE TWO BEARS. + +BY FRANK BELLEW. + + +The snow was on the ground--the lovely white snow, the peaceful snow, +which covered the country landscape with billows of alabaster. In the +distance the feathery woods made a purple fringe between the earth and +sky, while in the foreground a crinkled rail fence ran irregularly along +the side of the country road, and near it stood a splotch of red and +black, the only marked color in the whole landscape. The red and black +was crying bitterly, for the red and black represented a little girl +with a scarlet hood, and crimson stockings, and a bundle of books. She +was on her way to school, and in great grief. + +While she still stood by the fence, sobbing, a black object appeared +over the brow of the hill, and slowly moved toward the foreground, +until, pausing in front of the weeping child, it stood, as jolly, as +genial, as comfortable an old gentleman as ever wore broadcloth. + +"Why, what is the matter, little one?" he asked, in a kindly voice. + +The child looked up into the pleasant face and answered: + +"They are always worrying me at home; they are always taking my things, +and when I ask for them they get mad, and if I take any of their things, +they come and take them away, and then if I don't like it, they tell +mother; and oh! I declare it's too mean for anything. It wasn't her +doll, anyway, for Cousin May left it behind, and she didn't give it to +anybody, and she'd had it all day; and then she took my sun-shade, and +broke the hook off, and because I asked her for it she got mad and +wanted the doll, and it wasn't her doll, and then mother made me give it +up, and I think it's real mean--that's just what I think it is." + +"Well, well, well, that was too bad. I think it _was_ real mean myself," +said the old gentleman. "But I tell you what you should do--you should +keep two bears, as I do, and then you would be happy all the time." + +"Two bears?" ejaculated the little girl, opening her large round blue +eyes. + +"Yes, two bears. We have two bears up at my house, and they make us so +happy!" + +"Don't they bite?" + +"Oh no, they don't bite a mite." + +"But they growl, don't they?" + +"Oh, no, no; they don't growl either. But if you like to come home with +me, I will show them to you." + +In an instant the little girl's hand was in that of the old gentleman, +and they were trotting along the road side by side. There was something +so kind and gentle and yet so jovial in his manner that it never entered +her head to be afraid of him. After turning down one road and up +another, and walking about a mile altogether, they at last came to a +long low house, with large windows, which were filled with bright +flowers, and draped with red curtains, and in every window hung a +bird-cage with some strange or beautiful bird. + +A number of children came running out of the house, crying, "Oh, papa! +papa! here's papa!" as they gathered round him, clinging to his arms. + +"Children," he said, "I have brought a little stranger to visit you. I +do not know her name, but I am sure you will be kind to her, and show +her the two bears, which I have promised she should see." + +They entered a large, comfortable sitting-room, hung round with pictures +and bird-cages; in the centre was a long table covered with books, and +on each side of the fire-place, in a big easy-chair, sat a great rough +bear; one was brown, and the other was black. + +The old gentleman led the little girl up to the brown bear, and said, +"Brown Bear, here is a little girl who is very miserable. I have told +her that you and Black Bear have made us all so happy, and that perhaps +you can help her to be happy too." + +Brown Bear gave a good-humored sort of sniff, and put his big paw gently +on the head of the little stranger. + +"What is your name, child?" asked the gentleman: "you have not told me +that yet." + +"Frances Louisa Caroline Bounce, but they call me Fanny. What a nice +bear! Will he be angry if I feel his fur?" + +"No, indeed, not even though you rub it the wrong way." + +After she was introduced to both bears, she played with the children, +Carry and Sarah, George and Philip, and then they all went into another +room to dinner. On their way, however, Philip, who had a long switch, +with which he had been amusing himself, persisted in tickling the back +of his sister Sarah's ear with it, until she grew out of patience, and, +turning round, told him, rather sharply, to stop; but Philip, who was +only in fun, seemed somewhat nettled at being scolded, and was just on +the point of repeating the offense, when Black Bear, who was walking +behind, put his paw gently on his shoulder, while at the same moment +Brown Bear took Sarah by the arm and led her into the dining-room. +Philip threw away his switch, both burst into a merry laugh, and sat +down to the table with smiling faces. During the dinner both bears kept +walking round the table, looking so kind and gentle that they seemed to +put every one in good-humor. When Carry upset a tumbler of water over +Sarah's frock, Brown Bear immediately picked it up, while Carry begged +pardon, and Sarah laughed. When George was going to tell some little +tale _out of school_ about Philip, Black Bear put his big paw in front +of his mouth, and George stopped at once. + +[Illustration: THE CHILDREN AND THEIR BEARS.] + +After dinner they all went out into the snow to have some coasting down +a hill close to the house. Both the boys had sleds, but Philip's was a +bright new one, while George's was old and rather clumsy. Philip had +been saving up his money for some time to buy this treasure, and was +very proud of it; therefore when George seized his new sled and ran off +with it, he called after him with some anger to bring it back, and not +to use it; but George had reached the top of the hill, and had just +planted the sled, ready to start down hill, when Brown Bear came to the +side of the angry Philip, and touched him with his paw. Phil's manner +and voice changed at once, as he called out, "Well, brother George, you +can use my sled, and I'll use yours." But Black Bear had reached the top +of the hill nearly as soon as George, and with his great big paw patted +him on the back, and grunted something in his ear. George took up the +sled very quietly, and carried it back to his brother, saying, "I am +sorry, Phil; here is your sled." + +After that all was fun, tumbles, and laughter, the two bears joining in +it as actively and enjoying it just as much as the children. In fact, +the bears seemed to make the whole party happy. At last it became time +for Frances Louisa Caroline Bounce to go home. She felt sad at the +thought of leaving the bears, and of going to her own home, where there +were no bears at all. + +"Well," said the old gentleman, "how do you like our bears, Fanny?" + +"Oh, I think they are just too splendid for anything. I wish we had a +bear, even if it was only a little one." + +"Well, you can easily have bears. All children can have them if they +like. Perhaps you would be obliged to begin with young ones; but then +they would be sure to grow up if you only took care of them." + +"Oh, dear, dear! is that really so?" cried Fanny, in an ecstasy. + +"Yes, my child, it is really so; every one can have two bears in his or +her house, like mine. But do you know what we call those bears which +make us all so happy? BEAR and FORBEAR." + +"BEAR and FORBEAR!" echoed Fanny. "Oh, I will try to get two of those +bears in our house, and if they are ever so weak and sickly, I will feed +them and nurse them till they grow big and strong like yours." + +Fanny trotted home with the old gentleman, and told her brothers and +sisters everything about the two good-natured bears; and they all agreed +that they would try to raise a pair like them. + +I am happy to add that Fanny and her family have a pair of very +promising young bears, which already afford them a great deal of +happiness, and bid fair in the future to be fine healthy animals. + + + + +[Illustration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX] + + + NEW YORK CITY. + + I am making a steam-engine according to the directions given in + YOUNG PEOPLE No. 49. I have just soldered on the lid, and have made + the hole for the water to be let into the engine. I hope to finish + it soon. I am eight years old. I go to school, and I like YOUNG + PEOPLE very much. I like to read the letters from the children, so + I thought I would send one, and thank the "Professor" for writing + about the steam-engine. + + JOHN A. J. + + * * * * * + + CRESCO, IOWA. + + I have just commenced taking YOUNG PEOPLE, and we all like it very + much. The story of "Paul Grayson" was splendid, but I think "Toby + Tyler" is the best of all. My brother Charlie and I each have an + Indian pony. Charlie's pony has been trained by the Indians to + stand wherever you leave her, without being tied. And if any one is + riding her and falls off, no matter how fast she is going, she will + stop, and not move one step farther until her rider mounts again. + My pony throws me over her head sometimes, but she will not stop + until she gets to the barn. + + ALLIE C. + + * * * * * + + NACOOCHEE, GEORGIA. + + I send an experiment for the chemistry club. To make cyanogen gas + the apparatus necessary is this: one test-tube, a cork, six inches + of glass tube one-quarter of an inch in diameter, an alcohol lamp, + and a round file. Now hold the glass tube over the flame of the + lamp until the glass is soft, when by pulling it apart you will + have two tubes, with one end of each drawn to a fine point. Break + off the point of one, and you will have a tiny jet. Make a hole in + the cork just large enough for the large end of the tube to go + into. Put into the test-tube as much cyanide of mercury as will lie + on the point of a penknife. Fit the cork tightly in the test-tube. + Wave the test-tube over the flame of the lamp for five or ten + minutes, and then apply a lighted match to the jet, when the gas + will burn with a bluish flame. Pour some melted tallow or bees-wax + over the cork to keep the gas from escaping before reaching the + jet. + + JOHN R. G. + + * * * * * + + NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. + + I read the letters in the Post-office Box with so much pleasure! I + have every number of YOUNG PEOPLE. All my young friends that read + it like it very much. We have formed a juvenile club, and I am + president. Reading YOUNG PEOPLE is a part of our programme. + + RANDOLPH H. + + * * * * * + + SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. + + I thought I would write and tell you about our club. It is called + the "Silver Crescent Dramatic Club." We were going to call it + "Golden Crescent," but when the club gets a little richer it is + going to buy some medals for each member to wear; they will be the + shape of a crescent, and if they had to be of gold, they would cost + more than silver ones. We meet once every week, and make by-laws + and suggestions, and vote on them, and we rehearse. We also have a + monthly paper; it is called "The Monthly Crescent." Of course it is + not printed, and we have only one copy. Each member edits it in + turn, and the others send in contributions. Everything has to be + original. The paper is read at every fourth meeting. + + We charge five cents to join the club, and every two months each + member has to pay five cents dues. New members are voted for, and + the majority rules. We have five officers--a president, + vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and stage-manager. I am the + secretary. + + We prepared a grand entertainment for the Christmas holidays. It + was a tragedy in three acts. I arranged it. In the first part of + _Little Women_, by Miss Alcott, they had a play called the + "Witch's Curse." Only the plot was given. I took it and made up + the dialogue, added some more characters, and changed it to make + it turn out differently. It makes a very nice little play. + + IDA B. D. + + * * * * * + + ARGENTA, ILLINOIS. + + I am a little girl ten years old. I think YOUNG PEOPLE is a very + nice paper. My sister and I go to school. We have a very nice + teacher. I like to go very much. We study pieces from YOUNG PEOPLE + to speak in school. My teacher says all little boys and girls ought + to take it. + + MINNIE S. + + * * * * * + + DOWNIEVILLE, CALIFORNIA. + + I thought I would try to describe a trip I took with auntie to a + little town called Eureka. After a short ride we came to the main + trail leading from Downieville to the northern part of Sierra + County. The trail winds in and out, following every curve and bend + of the mountain. In some places it is quite steep, and in others + almost level. How tired I was when we got to Eureka, having been + two hours in the saddle! When we reached the ridge, we heard some + one playing on some instrument, and it sounded so sweet that we + stopped a few minutes to listen to it. + + Uncle tells me that Eureka used to be quite a large place, with + hotels, stores, private houses, a school-house, and a Masonic + Hall; but now it consists of only half a dozen dwellings and the + school-house. + + A little girl has written to YOUNG PEOPLE that she found two peach + blossoms in September, and she wants to know if any other little + girl has found any so late. Now I want to know if any little girl + or boy has ever picked ripe peaches near the 13th of November, as + I have. + + MARY A. R. + + * * * * * + + VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI. + + I have only been taking HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE a short time, but I + think it is a very nice little paper. I saw that one of the little + girls said that she had seen a peach blossom in September. Here we + often have figs in December. + + LILY V. F. + + * * * * * + + BROOKLYN, LONG ISLAND. + + I am eleven years old; but my eyes are not strong, and mamma has + not thought it best to send me to school till this fall, so that I + can not write very well. I would like to tell Reba H. that there + were apple blossoms on our tree in Oil City, Pennsylvania, in + September, 1879. + + WINIFRED C. + + * * * * * + + BATH, NEW HAMPSHIRE. + + I have just finished the embroidery of Fig. 12 in YOUNG PEOPLE No. + 59. I received the paper Tuesday night, and if I had had all the + crewels, I could have finished it on Thursday. But I had to send to + Boston for some of them, and wait nearly four days before they + came. + + The day I began the embroidery mamma went up garret, and found an + old quilt of my grandmother's, all embroidered with the same + stitch. I have done a table-cover in the South Kensington stitch, + but I think the New England stitch is prettier, easier, and takes + less time. + + I did pattern No. 12 on a bureau-cover of Russian crash. I am very + glad you print the articles on embroidery. They are a great help. + I enjoy fancy-work very much, and do a great deal of it. I was + fourteen last July. + + HELEN C. + +This is the first report on embroidery, and, according to promise, the +old embroidery pattern has been sent to the writer. + + * * * * * + + SULLIVAN, INDIANA. + + I am almost eight years old. I do not go to school. I have two + little sisters. My papa prints a newspaper. I take YOUNG PEOPLE, + and I think it is the best paper in the world, except papa's. I get + papa to read it to me, and then I send it to a little boy who has + no money to buy it. + + HARALD C. H. + + * * * * * + + EAST CANAAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE. + + I am only six years old, but I can read all the stories in YOUNG + PEOPLE alone. I have some very playful kittens, and one night they + tipped over the big rocking-chair. I had six white geese, but one + died. + + LESTER O. B. + + * * * * * + + PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY. + + I am ten years old. I have two pretty kittens, exactly alike. They + are yellow and white. The other day I got a pretty dove from the + dove-house, and kept him in a large cage; but I felt sorry for him, + and one day opened the window and let him out. He flew to the top + of the carriage-house, and all of the doves came to meet him and + kept flying around him. I like HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE so much that I + can not wait patiently until it comes. + + WILLIE G. + + * * * * * + + FOSTER BROOK, PENNSYLVANIA. + + I am spending the winter very pleasantly out among the Red Rock + Mountains. Our cottage is in a valley, surrounded by high hills, + which are covered with wintergreen berries from one year's end to + another. During the winter months the berries swell very large, and + they are delicious fruit in the spring. There is a great deal of + iron ore here, and also a great deal of snow. We live in a very + small house, with only four rooms; but, for all that, it is very + cozy. I look forward with much pleasure every week for the coming + of YOUNG PEOPLE. + + M. ADA T. + + * * * * * + + CLANTON, ALABAMA. + + My brother and I take YOUNG PEOPLE, and like it very much. We had a + pet 'coon, which got very thirsty one day, and crawled into our big + glass water-pitcher head first. After helping himself to water, he + turned round in the pitcher, and came out again. Afterward the cat + killed him. + + ST. CLAIR T. + + * * * * * + + BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI. + + My papa takes HARPER'S MAGAZINE, and I take YOUNG PEOPLE, which I + like very much, especially the letters written by the children. I + wish all the boys and girls in the South could get your paper. + + I am eight years old, and go to school. There is a great deal of + cotton shipped from here to New Orleans, and a great deal of + lumber to St. Louis and Chicago. I have two little sisters younger + than I. + + ARCHIE MCM. + + * * * * * + + WINDSOR HEIGHTS, MARYLAND. + + I have taken YOUNG PEOPLE since the story called "Who was Paul + Grayson?" began. My brother and I have for pets a flock of pigeons, + which are quite tame, two pair of rabbits, and two dogs, named + "Duke" and "Terry." Duke will go into the corn-patch, select a soft + ear of corn, and husk and eat it. He sometimes goes to the + blackberry bushes, and holds down a branch with one paw while he + eats the berries. He is also very fond of persimmons. + + JAMES S. + + * * * * * + + MOBERLY, MISSOURI. + + I will send a nice recipe for ice-cream in the winter. Take a + glassful of snow, and put in just enough cream to make it thick, + with some sugar, and just a little extract of vanilla or lemon. My + brother and I have ice-cream all summer, and winter too. I am nine + years old. + + MAGGIE B. + + * * * * * + +Pearl A. Hare, of Lynchburg, Harris County, Texas, accidentally omitted +the little word "for" in her letter published in YOUNG PEOPLE No. 56, +which made her appear to offer birds' eggs and postage stamps for +exchange, when she wished to obtain them in exchange for Texas snail +shells. Our readers will please note the correction. + + * * * * * + + I am a boy eleven years old. I was born in Cairo, Egypt, and came + to America in 1876. I am living on a farm now, and like it very + much. + + I have some Egyptian stamps I would like to exchange for any other + foreign stamps. + + AMBROSE STRANG, Lincoln, Tennessee. + + * * * * * + +The following exchanges are also offered by correspondents: + + Postmarks. + + M. P. RICH, + 50 West Thirty-eighth Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + German postage stamps for any other foreign stamps. + + MAUDE BUCKNER, + 1208 Russell Street, Covington, Ky. + + * * * * * + + Postage stamps and postmarks for foreign postage stamps and coin. + + S. NEW, + 127 East Sixty-ninth Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks for postage stamps. + + THOMAS K. DURHAM, + P. O. Box 735, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks and War Department stamps for stamps and monograms. + + CAMPBELL T. HAMILTON, + Fort Preble, Portland, Maine. + + * * * * * + + Shells for Indian relics, shells, ore, or petrified wood. + + HENRY SCOTT, + 20 Patchen Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks for postmarks and stamps. + + AL. E. BARKER, + P. O. Box 115, Judsonia, White County, Ark. + + * * * * * + + Foreign postage stamps for minerals, fossils, shells, sea-weed, or + birds' eggs. + + LOUIS D. ORRISON, + Care of Abernathy, North, & Orrison, + Kansas City, Missouri. + + * * * * * + + Southern moss for a Chinese coin or any old relic. + + DAISY ROLLINS, + P. O. Box 186, Columbus, Missouri. + + * * * * * + + Twenty-five postmarks for two rare stamps. + + W. W. ELHOSE, + 22 Brill Street, Newark, N. J. + + * * * * * + + Foreign postage stamps or postmarks for all kinds of United States + internal revenue stamps. + + GEORGE WELLS, + P. O. Box 466, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Curiosities, postage stamps, or sea-shells for curiosities. Or + thirty postmarks for five birds' eggs. No duplicates. + + HARRY MADISON, + 206 Stockton Street, San Francisco, California. + + * * * * * + + One hundred postage stamps for ten coins, or for ten birds' eggs. + No duplicates. + + FRANK KNOX, + 2318 Third Avenue, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Minerals, fossils, rare stamps, or monograms for coats of arms, + crests, and monograms. + + A READER OF "YOUNG PEOPLE," + Lock Box 42, + Little Falls, Herkimer County, N. Y. + + * * * * * + + California curiosities, shells, or minerals for old or rare + American coins. + + C. W., JUN., + P. O. Box 2305, San Francisco, California. + + * * * * * + + Foreign stamps for postmarks and postal cards. Postmarks must be + cut square. + + C. S. PETRASCH, + 13 West Thirty-second Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Two fine specimens of Southern fern, or some evening-glory seeds, + for United States postage stamps. + + EMMA BRUFF, + 238 Felicity Street, New Orleans, La. + + * * * * * + + Postage stamps. + + HAWLEY WEBSTER, + 394 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, Long Island. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks. + + LOUIS GIBBS, + Care of J. J. Carter, Titusville, Penn. + + * * * * * + +C. H. L.--The old scrip which you inclose is probably a genuine +five-franc _assignat_, as the paper money was called which was first +issued by the French government in 1790, and afterward by the +Revolutionary authorities. It was based on the security of the public +domain, consisting of the confiscated estates of the Church and wealthy +exiles. The value of these assignats, which were issued to the amount of +45,578,000,000 francs, declined rapidly after the reign of terror. In +the summer of 1793, one franc in silver was worth three francs in paper. +Three years later, one franc in gold was worth three hundred francs in +paper, although the government, in order to check this depreciation, had +passed a law to regulate the price of commodities. + +The inscription on your assignat shows that it was issued in October or +November, 1793, the second year of the French Republic. The lettering in +the corners proclaims death to any one who should dare to counterfeit +the assignat. The _livre_, which name appears on the scrip, was a French +coin about the value of a franc, by which it was superseded in 1795. +Eighty francs were equal in value to eighty-one livres. + +If you examine your assignat carefully you will see to the left the dim +and faded stamp of the figure of Liberty, and if you have a strong +magnifying-glass, you can amuse yourself by trying to make out the +lettering around it. This little scrap of coarse paper, not quite a +hundred years old, may incite you to read the story of the terrible time +of which it is a relic. If you are not old enough to enjoy Carlyle's +_History of the French Revolution_, you will find the scenes vividly +portrayed in Charles Dickens's _Tale of Two Cities_, and Victor Hugo's +novel entitled "'93." + + * * * * * + +HENRY H. T.--Your proposal to found a Natural History Society, composed +of contributors to HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, is hardly practical. The +exchange of specimens, etc., would be dilatory and difficult, as our +contributors are scattered over the whole continent. Local societies of +the kind you mean might be formed to advantage, and the officers of +different associations could correspond with each other, and exchange +views and information. + + * * * * * + +L. M. F. AND L. L. P.--Your plan for a reading and debating club is +excellent, and if well carried out must have good results. You will find +suggestions that may be useful in some remarks appended to a letter from +Violet S. in HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 53, and also in a book called +_Stories of the Sea_, noticed in No. 61. We would advise you not to +waste your time over fourth-rate literature (to which the books you +mention belong), but to select the best authors, whose works will not +only entertain but instruct you. An excellent guide for you would be +William Swinton's _Masterpieces of English Literature_, recently +published by Harper & Brothers. + + * * * * * + +VIOLET S.--Your account of the proceedings of your society is not full +enough. Can you not favor us with a sprightly description of what is +done and said at your meetings, instead of giving the "order of +exercises" merely? + + * * * * * + +JOHN N. H.--Either hickory or sassafras wood is good material for bows. + + * * * * * + +HELEN G.--How to make the "Wiggles" was fully explained at the end of +the Post-office Box in No. 51 of YOUNG PEOPLE. + + * * * * * + +R. T. F.--Amber is not, as you suppose, made from "the sap of a tree in +South Africa," but is a fossil resin from several species of coniferous +or cone-bearing trees of a very remote geological period. More than 800 +species of insects have been found preserved in amber, and leaves of 160 +species of plants. Fine pieces of amber are very highly prized, and are +sometimes worth more than their weight in gold. The largest mass known +is in Berlin, Prussia. It weighs eighteen pounds, and is valued at +$30,000. Amber is extensively used for ornaments, the mouth-pieces of +pipes, etc. You may be able to procure a piece of some manufacturer of +meerschaum pipes. + +The ancients prized amber very highly, and it was an important article +of commerce in early times. From the fact that it is found in large +quantities in the remains of the lake-villages of Switzerland, we know +that it must have been an article of exchange in prehistoric times. + + * * * * * + +FLOY.--If you have any pressed flowers, leaves, or other pretty objects +which can be sent easily by mail, we have no doubt some of our readers +would be glad to send you postage stamps in exchange for them. You can +put your offer in the Post-office Box. + + * * * * * + +JESSE H., JUN.--The English noun envelop, as well as the verb, is +accented on the second syllable. The French form of the word, +_envelope_, has an even accent on the three syllables. Our word is +derived from the French. + + * * * * * + +JEAN C. P.--Please give the name of the county in which the town of +Warren, where you live, is situated. There are several towns of that +name in Ohio, and correspondents will not know where to address you +unless the county is given also. + + * * * * * + +FORD D. LYON.--The controversy about the origin of the phrase, +"Consistency, thou art a jewel," has not been satisfactorily settled. +The saying has been floating about for a great many years, but no one +has been able to find out who started it on its travels. + + * * * * * + +GRACE.--The _ü_ in Olmütz is sounded like the French _u_, very difficult +to catch without the aid of a teacher. You can come very near it by +pronouncing the vowel _o_ and changing to _e_ without altering the +position of the lips. + + * * * * * + +C. G. G.--The time required for the transmission of a signal through the +Atlantic cable varies according to the condition of the batteries. A +dispatch has been sent from New York to London and the answer received +within an hour. + + * * * * * + +JAMES MCK.--No charge is made in the matter about which you ask. + + * * * * * + +SALLIE K., Cincinnati, Ohio.--The name of the street in which you live +is so obscurely written that we can not make it out. Write it very +plainly, and we will print your request. + + * * * * * + +DAISY R.--Send enough to make a pretty wreath. + + * * * * * + +JENNIE S. M.--A very good recipe for butterscotch was given in a letter +from Kittie G. in the Post-office Box of YOUNG PEOPLE No. 37. + + * * * * * + +HENRY C. D.--Glass for windows was made during the Middle Ages in all +European countries. In England glass-painting for windows was practiced +in 1338. Some splendid windows of York Cathedral were painted at that +period by John Thornton, of Coventry. In the fifteenth century English +window-glass was more expensive than any other kind of glass. The +Egyptians made glass at a very early period of their national existence. +Paintings representing glass-blowers making a very large vase show that +nearly 4000 years ago the Egyptians were far advanced in this art. + + * * * * * + +Favors are acknowledged from Garrett Waggener, Bertha Herron, C. C. +Shelley, Jun., Stella Pratt, George W. Taymun, Flora C. B., Mabel White, +Alice Brown, J. W. Menefee, Orrie H. Clark, Shelton H. Hibbs, H. H. J., +S. H. R., W. H. Scherzer, Carrie and Belle N., Albert Woolley, B. D. +Ellis, C. G. Myers, B. Tompkins, E. Fay Stevens, H. McIlvain, Frank A. +Harmony, Annie S. and Bennie C. Duffie, F. H. Kellogg, Everett Jones, +Lewis B. Frazier, Lyman Perley, Sidney J. Carson, Katie Dale, Louis +Mareé, Tamar Love, Thomas Buford, Fredy Leser. + + * * * * * + +Correct answers to puzzles are received from C. H. McB., Hugh Pilcairn, +Thomas Cook, George Dudley Kyte, "Lone Star," Harry and Isobel Jacob. + + * * * * * + +PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS. + +No. 1. + +WORD SQUARES--(_To Owlet_). + +1. First, a piece of ordnance formerly used for blowing up barricades +and other defensive works. Second, a female name. Third, to feel a +sharp, pricking sensation. Fourth, a state in Africa. Fifth, part of a +printing-press. Sixth, having a melancholy appearance. + + ZELOTES. + +2. First, to disturb. Second, to weaken. Third, a Turkish coin. Fourth, +absent without leave. Fifth, to show clearly. Sixth, leased. + + BOLUS. + + * * * * * + +No. 2. + +DIAMOND. + +A letter. A small vessel. A hut. A celebration. A guide. A snare. A +letter. + + WENNIE. + + * * * * * + +No. 3. + +DOUBLE ACROSTIC. + +An ensign. A boy's name. A wonder. Finished. Answer.--Two things to gain +which men often make great sacrifices and devote all their energies. + + LONE STAR. + + * * * * * + +No. 4. + +ENIGMA. + + First in sieve, not in pail. + Second in rum, not in ale. + Third in calf, not in ox. + Fourth in cat, not in fox. + Fifth in rude, not in kind. + Sixth in brain, not in mind. + Seventh in wheat, not in hay. + The whole a savage bird of prey. + + OSCAR. + + * * * * * + +No. 5. + +ACROSTIC. + +Place seven divisions of the United States in such order that, their +initials read downward spell the name of another. + + BOLUS. + + + + +NEW BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS. + + +A book of good songs for children is a household treasure. There is no +prettier sight than to see brothers and sisters gathered around the +piano during a long winter evening, mamma or the eldest sister playing +the accompaniment and leading in the singing, while sweet childish +voices fill the room with melody. _A Book of Rhymes and Tunes_[1] +contains more than a hundred pretty songs suitable for these household +conceits. Some of the melodies are new, others familiar, but all are +re-arranged and written in low keys to suit children's voices. Simple +accompaniments are given, such as can be easily understood by a young +pianist, and many songs have both English and German or French words. +The melodies are exceedingly attractive, and are such as will cultivate +good musical taste in youthful musicians. + + * * * * * + +_Zigzag Journeys in Classic Lands_[2] is a handsomely bound and well +illustrated volume, from which young readers can learn a great many +things about the history, legends, and present appearance of Spain, +Italy, Greece, and some other European countries. This book is written +in a chatty, familiar style, and the information given by the teacher to +the class of boys who are travelling under his care is of the kind to +especially interest boys and girls. + + * * * * * + +The fun and frolic of _Five Little Mice in a Mouse-Trap_,[3] as told by +the Man in the Moon, will be a source of delight to many other little +"mice." Nibble, Brighteyes, Fluff, Puff, and Downy, the baby, are real, +living children. They chase butterflies and bees up and down in the +"mouse-trap" garden, play with dolls and dogs and kittens, and have a +splendid time. Uncle Jack is the best of uncles, and the Man in the Moon +a constant friend. The story of the Mice is beautifully illustrated with +drawings by Kate Greenaway, Addie Ledyard, and others. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] _A Book of Rhymes and Tunes_. Compiled and arranged by MARGARET +PEARMAIN OSGOOD. Translations by LOUISA Y. CRAIGIN. 8vo, pp. 128. +Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co. + +[2] _Zigzag Journeys in Classic Lands; or, Tommy Toby's Trip to Mount +Parnassus_. By HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 318. Boston: +Estes & Lauriat. + +[3] _Five Little Mice in a Mouse-Trap, by the Man in the Moon_. By LAURA +E. RICHARDS. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 228. Boston: Estes & Lauriat. + + + + +HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE. + + +SINGLE COPIES, 4 cents; ONE SUBSCRIPTION, one year, $1.50; FIVE +SUBSCRIPTIONS, one year, $7.00--_payable in advance, postage free_. + +The Volumes of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE commence with the first Number in +November of each year. + +Subscriptions may begin with any Number. When no time is specified, it +will be understood that the subscriber desires to commence with the +Number issued after the receipt of the order. + +Remittances should be made by POST-OFFICE MONEY-ORDER OR DRAFT, to avoid +risk of loss. + +Volume I., containing the first 52 Numbers, handsomely bound in +illuminated cloth, $3.00, postage prepaid: Cover, title-page, and index +for Volume I., 35 cents; postage, 13 cents additional. + + HARPER & BROTHERS, + Franklin Square, N. Y. + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE FATE OF MR. BROWN. + + Mr. Brown, from Boston, + Never was quite pleased; + He visited a country friend, + And fretted, frowned, and teased. + + "The birds sing so loudly," + Such was his complaint; + "The fowls are so noisy-- + Teach them some restraint. + + "A hen should lay eggs + And cackling forego, + And cocks in the morning + More musically crow. + + "But the-world is all wrong, + I'll go back to town;" + _And here the earth opened_, + _And swallowed Mr. Brown_. + + + + +HATTY IN A FRIGHT. + + + As Hatty tripped along the stair + Lightly ran a rat behind her; + Hatty screamed, I do declare, + Till we had to seize and bind her. + + + + +HASTY WIN. + + + A terrible Turk, with a gay turbaned head, + His brow puckered up in a crease, + Bends over a kettle of simmering red.-- + "Fly, Johnny, and call the police. + + "Some mischief he's cooking; just look at him grin: + A prison is what he deserves." + "You goose of a boy, ridiculous Win, + _He is making rose preserves_." + + + + +DOLLY'S ENDING. + + + The night she should have been a bride, + That night my precious dolly--_died_. + In a robe of spangled gold + Hide her from the sunshine bold, + The fleet beauty of a rose + Marking the spot of her repose. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44652 *** diff --git a/44652-h/44652-h.htm b/44652-h/44652-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a90f301 --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/44652-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2395 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881, by Various. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} +.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} +.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%} +hr.full {width: 95%;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 1em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +.figright { + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1em; + margin-bottom: + 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44652 ***</div> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#MILTON">MILTON.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#THE_MESSENGER_BOYS_AT_THE_CAPITOL">THE MESSENGER BOYS AT THE CAPITOL.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#A_HERO_OF_CHIVALRY">A HERO OF CHIVALRY.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#TOBY_TYLER">TOBY TYLER;</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#THE_YOUNG_TIN-TYPERS">THE YOUNG TIN-TYPERS.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#WILD_BIRDS_IN_THE_COUNTRY">WILD BIRDS IN THE COUNTRY.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#MILDREDS_BARGAIN">MILDRED'S BARGAIN.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#THE_TWO_BEARS">THE TWO BEARS.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#OUR_POST_OFFICE_BOX">OUR POST-OFFICE BOX.</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 1000px;"> +<img src="images/ill_001.jpg" width="1000" height="384" alt="Banner: Harper's Young People" /> +</div> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Vol</span>. II.—<span class="smcap">No</span>. 63.</td><td align="center"><span class="smcap">Published by</span> HARPER & BROTHERS, <span class="smcap">New York</span>.</td><td align="right"><span class="smcap">Price Four Cents</span>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Tuesday, January 11, 1881.</td><td align="center">Copyright, 1881, by <span class="smcap">Harper & Brothers</span>.</td><td align="right">$1.50 per Year, in Advance.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 467px;"><a name="MILTON" id="MILTON"></a> +<img src="images/ill_002.jpg" width="467" height="500" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">JOHN MILTON AT THE AGE OF TEN.—<span class="smcap">See next Page</span>.</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> + +<h2>MILTON.</h2> + +<p>John Milton was a blue-eyed, yellow-haired Saxon boy, the type of the +English race. He was somewhat short, stout, and healthy; his eyes were +bright and sparkling in his youth, before he became blind. But he +inherited weakness of sight from his mother. He was born 1609, in a +pleasant house in Bread Street, London, almost under the shadow of Bow +Bells. It was back in a court. His father, who had made a fortune as a +scrivener, was fond of music, books, and literature, and his son was +carefully educated at St. Paul's School. Milton relates that he +frequently studied in the house in Bread Street until after midnight, +and his head ached and his sight grew dim with these late vigils. He was +then about twelve years old.</p> + +<p>When he was six years old he may have seen Shakespeare and Ben Jonson +pass on their way to the Mermaid Tavern, which was in Bread Street, not +far from his father's house. He was one of the best scholars at St. +Paul's School, and loved study as most boys like play. He was eager to +know how men lived and acted in Greece and Rome, what they thought of, +and what they had discovered. He studied the rise and fall of empires +and republics, and became a republican in the midst of kings and +princes. He was always fond of poetry, and soon began to write fine +verses. One of his earliest pieces is his "Ode on the Nativity."</p> + +<p>His father leased a place in the country, at Horton, near Windsor, and +here Milton wandered when a young man over the smooth-shaven lawns and +beside the pleasant streams, filling his mind with knowledge and +pictures of fine scenery. It is not likely that as a boy he was fond of +fishing or hunting, as we may well fancy Shakespeare was. He never +tilled the soil like Burns and Virgil. He knew nothing of farming. He +went to Cambridge University, the most learned of its scholars. It was +the custom then to whip the students, and Milton's enemies spread the +report that he was flogged for some breach of the rules. He was always +independent. He travelled, came back to defend republicanism in the +civil war, married, kept a school, was Cromwell's Latin secretary after +he became blind, and published some poetry. But when the republic fell +with Cromwell, Milton was proscribed, and in danger of his life. His +enemies would, gladly have put him to death, and "Paradise Lost" might +never have been written.</p> + +<p>Milton hid in obscurity, blind, forgotten, but constantly engaged on his +great poem. He wrote "Paradise Lost" in his old age. He repeated the +verses aloud to his daughters or some friends who came to visit him, and +they wrote them down. It was finished in 1667, and Milton received +twenty-five dollars for the copyright. It was long neglected, until +Addison gave it great fame. Milton died November 8, 1674.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="THE_MESSENGER_BOYS_AT_THE_CAPITOL" id="THE_MESSENGER_BOYS_AT_THE_CAPITOL">THE MESSENGER BOYS AT THE CAPITOL.</a></h2> + +<h3>BY HARRIET PRESCOTT SPOFFORD.</h3> + +<p>A lad who visits the city of Washington for the first time, and looks +down from the galleries of the House of Representatives or of the Senate +on the busy scene below, will be sure to find his eye attracted by +groups of bright-looking and neatly dressed boys moving hither and +thither about the floor, speaking familiarly with this and that great +man, or amusing themselves on the steps of the Vice-President's or of +the Speaker's platform, and he will perhaps regard these boys with +something like envy—all the more when told that they receive about two +dollars and seventy-five cents a day, during the sessions of Congress, +to pay them for having such a good time.</p> + +<p>Possibly our lad would not regard the picture as so pleasant if he knew +how burdensome are the duties of these boys, and how exceedingly well +they earn the money paid them. There are nearly thirty of them attached +to the House, and half as many to the Senate. Their ages run from nine +years upward, some numbering twice as many summers; and it is not by any +means the oldest who are the brightest and the most favored. They are of +respectable families; some of them are nephews of Members of Congress—a +Member once, indeed, had such questionable taste as to procure the +appointment of his own son; and some of them have been known in +after-years to become Members themselves. The recently chosen Senator +from Maryland is doubtless proud to remember that he himself was once a +page. Although in two or three instances these boys have been elected to +their places, instead of appointed, they are usually appointed by the +Sergeant-at-Arms—of course on the recommendation and through the +influence of the Congressmen—and they are under his control. The old +custom of appointing only orphan boys is no longer adhered to. The boy +who fell over the balustrade, and was made a page by special resolution +of the Senate, is a very exceptional case—probably his favorite song +thereafter was, "Such a getting up stairs I ne'er did see."</p> + +<p>The pages wear no uniform, or regulation clothes, or badges of any sort. +They are required to present themselves for work at nine o'clock in the +morning, although Congress does not meet till twelve, and they are not +dismissed until adjournment for the day takes place. They put the desks +of the Members in order, file for each the bills and papers which are +strewn about in confusion, then go to the Document-rooms and work there, +helping to put affairs in shape; and they present themselves at twelve +in the great chambers of legislation to answer the clapping of the +Members' and Senators' hands, and attend to their countless wants. Now +they are sent hunting for some book that is needed, for some man, now +for a glass of water, now they take messages from one Member to another +at a distance, from one House to the other, and sometimes to ladies in +the gallery; they fetch a cup of tea into the Cloak-room; fetch the hat +and stick out of it; they distribute mail by the armful; they struggle +into sight, behind piles of palm-leaf fans big as they are themselves, +which are soon cooling the hot air, if it be a late session; and during +the nights preceding the close of the session they do not know what +sleep is, but are worn out with running and waiting. Thus it will be +seen that they are on their feet with but very little intermission, +running and tumbling over each other in their eagerness to please; but +they seem happy and good-natured through it all, and when they do sit +down it is on the steps of the presiding officer's desk, where they are +usually tickling or punching or teasing each other as if they had +nothing else to do, and were passing away the time.</p> + +<p>Sometimes during a recess of Congress you may come upon them in a lower +room, assembled in a body, a mimic Senate, one of them in the chair, and +another making a speech, and Mr. Blaine and Mr. Conkling and Mr. Bayard +and the rest are being imitated to the life. It is in some contrast to +these gay rogues that one sees a crippled and dwarfed little hunchback +outside the Hall of Representatives, opening and shutting a door for the +passer in hopes of the coppers or the nickel that may be tossed him, +although he does not beg. At night a little goat carriage comes for him, +and he drives off.</p> + +<p>The pages whom we have described do not leave the Capitol during the +hours of their service, and carry no messages beyond the doors. For +outside work there are three riding pages, who are furnished with +horses, and who go to the various Departments, the Executive Mansion, or +on other of the outside errands of the legislators. And theirs is not +exactly the pleasant horseback riding that looks so attractive, but, on +the contrary, it is hard and weary work, cold in the winter, and burning +under a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> fierce sun in the summer, leaving them meanwhile as badly off +as John Gilpin.</p> + +<p>Many of these youths are appointed because there is some great need in +their families, or have been some pitiable circumstances in their +history. This curly-headed little fellow is the only support of a mother +and younger brothers and sisters; there is one who takes care of a +paralyzed father, the only relative he has in the world, going home, +after his hard work, to make life as pleasant as he can for him who can +never do any more work; here is another whose little house is kept for +him by a child-sister, who looks for his step at night with solicitude. +Most of them have somebody besides themselves to take a share of their +earnings.</p> + +<p>Beyond their regular pay, there are various perquisites and fees which +swell their income considerably. Thus they may often be seen slipping an +open book, with a bit of blotting-paper, under the nose of some Member +who is sitting at his desk: it is an album for somebody who wants the +signatures of all these statesmen, which the statesmen kindly give, but +which nevertheless are not always easy to obtain, owing to the +difficulty of finding individuals in their seats, as all of the +Congressmen are by no means in constant attendance, many of them being +busy in committee-rooms, or lounging in cloak-rooms, or lunching, or +following the bent of their inclinations in other ways, and seldom +coming in after roll-call, save to hear a heralded speech, or to vote on +measures with which they are already familiar either from the reading of +the daily journal of proceedings, or in the committee-room, or by the +word of mouth of others. For every album that they thus fill with +signatures the boys receive ten dollars from the eager visitor of the +Capitol, and they fill a good many during the year.</p> + +<p>In another way they also sometimes earn an additional penny. For after +any gentleman on the floor has made a particularly strong speech, the +Members on his side of the question are wont to subscribe for the +printing of thousands of copies of the speech, to be sent broadcast into +their districts; the pages therefore go about with subscription papers, +and they are allowed two dollars for every thousand of the speeches that +are taken.</p> + +<p>If the boys of whom we are speaking are very bright, they are apt to be +spoiled, as in such case the Members and Senators take pleasure in +indulging them to some degree. But there are not many, it may be +imagined, who are thus injured. Some of them, indeed, are as careless as +the blowing wind; these have no awe or reverence in their compositions: +the great men with whom they are brought into contact are not great men +to them, but simply folks who send them on errands, and the directions +given them go in one ear and out the other—as we all know never happens +with boys anywhere else. One little chap, dispatched to the +Document-room for the "Fortification Bill," asks for the "Mortification +Bill"; another, sent for the "Census," asks for the "Ascension Bill"; +still another, insisting on the "Compulsive Capacity Bill," and +returning without it, is told that he was sent for nothing of the kind, +but for that on "compulsory pilotage," whereupon he presently comes back +to say that there isn't any bill on "pulsive politics." The same +youngster asked the Document Clerks for the "Bill for the Suppression of +Supreme Literature." A little "compulsive capacity" would have been good +for this urchin, were it to be obtained as easily as was thought by that +gentleman whose daughter lacked capacity, as her teacher said. "Get it, +madam," said he—"get it; she shall want for nothing that money can buy +her." To the same class with these scatter-brained urchins belonged the +little fellow who once brought into the Congressional Library a note +signed by one of the most powerful "Sons of Thunder" in the Senate, and +which we begged the librarian's pardon for reading as it lay a moment on +the desk beside us: "William H. Turner wants <i>The Headless Horseman; or, +The Scalp-Hunter</i>. I ask that he may have it under the rules of the +Library."</p> + +<p>But to offset such idle fellows as the reader of <i>The Headless +Horseman</i>—who certainly could do no better than hunt for a "scalp," and +a head with it, too—there are other pages who make it their business to +understand their duties thoroughly, and two or three who even go so far +as to read for themselves every bill that is introduced, to follow its +fortunes, to be able to tell the person that asks just where it is in +its progress to passage or defeat, and who can always be relied on by +any Member who has been absent or out of the way to let him know exactly +what has been done and said in the mean time, and how the vote stands on +this question or the other. It would be no wonder if boys of this sort +should be indulged; and there is little danger of spoiling such good +material. These boys are learning the business of legislating, and if +they wish, will, in their turn, come back some day to make the laws.</p> + +<p>But careless or faithful, their bright faces and light ways are a +pleasant sight to see in all the throng of bustling, noisy men; and as +one looks at them slipping about on their countless errands, one feels +as if the boys themselves bore some small part in the work of governing +the country.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="A_HERO_OF_CHIVALRY" id="A_HERO_OF_CHIVALRY">A HERO OF CHIVALRY.</a></h2> + +<p>Bertrand du Guesclin was born in 1314 at the castle of Motte Broen, near +Rennes, in Brittany. His heroic character showed itself early. As he was +not troubled with lessons (he never learned to read or write), he formed +a company of boys of his own age, and, acting as their general, +practiced them in battle and combat. His mother often clasped her +forehead in alarm when he came home with bruised face and bleeding head. +Even in his seventeenth year he excelled many older knights in strength +and dexterity in the use of arms. But he was ridiculed by the ladies +because he looked so ugly, and rode such a wretched horse. They jeered +at him, saying that he looked more like a donkey-driver than a knight +and nobleman, and that he must have borrowed his steed from a miller.</p> + +<p>Bertrand was indignant, and, as there was another tournament about to +come off, he begged a cousin of his to lend him a steed and armor. Both +were granted, and with a joyful heart he entered the lists, where, in +his strange armor, and with his visor down, no one, not even his own +father, recognized him. A well-known valiant knight opposed him. The +signal was given, they ran at each other with lightning speed, and with +a loud crash their lances broke into splinters in their hands. Bertrand, +however, had struck with such force on his adversary's helmet, that the +latter was thrown from the saddle to a distance of several paces, where +he lay insensible on the sand, and had to be carried out of the lists.</p> + +<p>The young victor returned to his post with a fresh lance, and waited for +fresh opponents. Now his own father ranged himself against him. Bertrand +did not wish to fight against him, but was equally unwilling to make +himself known. So he resolved to lower his lance in his tilt, and to +receive his father's blow on his shield without making a counter-thrust. +He did this so adroitly that he kept firm in his saddle, and, without +tottering, galloped by, and then declared positively that he would not +fight again with that knight. People were surprised, but made no +derisive remarks, for the knight's courage had been sufficiently proved +in the former combat. His father rode out of the lists, and gave place +to other knights. Guesclin laid them in the dust, and was unanimously +declared the winner.</p> + +<p>Every one was eager to know who the champion was,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> and his father +especially longed for the unravelling of the mystery.</p> + +<p>At length, when the tournament was over, and Bertrand had received his +prize, he rode up to his father, raised his visor, and cried, "Do you +know me now, father?" The old man embraced him with tears of joy, and at +once provided him with a steed and armor. The fame of the young hero now +spread all over France.</p> + +<p>Hitherto Bertrand had only won victories in tournaments, but now the +more serious field of battle was to behold the first exploits of his +sword. Duke Charles of Blois made war on John de Montfort for the +possession of Brittany. Philip the Sixth, King of France, sided with the +former; while, on the other hand, the King of England (Edward the Third) +supported De Montfort. Bertrand had naturally no choice in the matter, +for, like a brave Frenchman, he followed his king wherever he led him.</p> + +<p>At that time the castle of Fougeray was in the hands of the English, and +Bertrand resolved to take it from them, as it was a place of no mean +importance. With this view he disguised himself and sixty companions as +wood-cutters, and divided them into four bands, which approached the +place from different sides. He then fixed on a time when the governor of +the castle and a part of the garrison had gone out on a reconnoitring +expedition, when he made a party of his men hide themselves in the +neighboring wood during the night. At break of day they loaded +themselves with fagots and brushwood, concealed their weapons under +their clothes, and came up to the castle from different directions. +Bertrand, in a white smock, with a heavy load of wood on his back, was +the first to appear before the draw-bridge, which was instantly lowered +for him. He at once threw down his fagot, drew his sword, and transfixed +the warder; then he raised the cry of "Guesclin." At this signal the +rest hastened forward to come to his assistance and take the bridge. As, +however, there were two hundred Englishmen in the castle, the conflict +was very unequal, and a horrid slaughter ensued. An Englishman clove the +skull of one of Bertrand's companions with his battle-axe. Guesclin, in +return, cut him down, and caught up the axe, with which he dealt +slashing blows on every side. So he fought on, and kept the enemy off +the body for a time, until a troop of cavalry of his own side +accidentally arrived in the neighborhood, rescued him from his perilous +situation, and helped to take the place. It was, indeed, high time for +relief to arrive; for, in his combat against tenfold odds, he had +dropped his battle-axe, and his head was so covered with wounds that the +blood was streaming down his face. The conspicuous valor which he here +displayed gained him the reputation of being the boldest and most +dauntless knight of his time.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 297px;"> +<img src="images/ill_003.jpg" width="297" height="500" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">SCENE IN AN ITALIAN SCHOOL.</span> +</div> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h4><a name="TOBY_TYLER" id="TOBY_TYLER">[Begun in No. 58 of <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span>, December 7.]</a></h4> + +<h2>TOBY TYLER;</h2> + +<h3>OR, TEN WEEKS WITH A CIRCUS.</h3> + +<h3>BY JAMES OTIS.</h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Chapter V</span>.</h3> + +<h3>THE COUNTERFEIT TEN-CENT PIECE.</h3> + +<p>When the doors of the big tent were opened, and the people began to +crowd in, just as Toby had seen them do at Guilford, Mr. Lord announced +to his young clerk that it was time for him to go into the tent to work. +Then it was that Toby learned for the first time that he had two masters +instead of one, and this knowledge caused him no little uneasiness. If +the other one was anything like Mr. Lord, his lot would be just twice as +bad, and he began to wonder whether he could even stand it one day +longer.</p> + +<p>As the boy passed through the tent on his way to the candy stand, where +he was to really enter upon the duties for which he had run away from +home, he wanted to stop for a moment and speak with the old monkey who +he thought had taken such an interest in him. But when he reached the +cage in which his friend was confined, there was such a crowd around it +that it was impossible for him to get near enough to speak without being +overheard.</p> + +<p>This was such a disappointment to the little fellow that the great tears +came into his eyes, and in another instant would have gone rolling down +his cheeks if his aged friend had not chanced to look toward him. Toby +fancied that the monkey looked at him in the most friendly way, and then +he was certain that he winked one eye. Toby felt that there was no +mistake about that wink, and it seemed as if it was intended to convey +comfort to him in his troubles. He winked back at the monkey in the most +emphatic and grave manner possible, and then went on his way, feeling +wonderfully comforted.</p> + +<p>The work inside the tent was far different and much harder than it was +outside. He was obliged to carry around among the audience trays of +candy, nuts, and lemonade, for sale, and he was also expected to cry +aloud the description of that which he offered. The partner of Mr. Lord, +who had charge of the stand inside the tent, neither showed himself to +be better nor worse than Mr. Lord himself. When Toby first presented +himself for work, he handed him a tray filled with glasses of lemonade, +and told him to go among the audience, crying, "Here's your nice cold +lemonade, only five cents a glass!"</p> + +<p>Toby started to do as he was bidden; but when he tried to repeat the +words in anything like a loud tone of voice, they stuck in his throat, +and he found it next to impossible to utter a sound above a whisper. It +seemed to him that every one in the audience was looking only at him, +and the very sound of his own voice made him afraid.</p> + +<p>He went entirely around the tent once without making a sale, and when he +returned to the stand he was at once convinced that one of his masters +was quite as bad as the other. This one—and he knew that his name was +Jacobs, for he heard some one call him so—very kindly told him that he +would break every bone in his body if he didn't sell something, and Toby +confidently believed that he would carry out his threat.</p> + +<p>It was with a very heavy heart that he started around again in obedience +to Mr. Jacobs's angry command; but this time he did manage to cry out, +in a very thin and very squeaky voice, the words which he had been told +to repeat.</p> + +<p>This time—perhaps owing to his pitiful and imploring look, certainly +not because of the noise he made—he met<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> with very good luck, and sold +every glass of the mixture which Messrs. Lord and Jacobs called +lemonade, and went back to the stand for more.</p> + +<p>He certainly thought he had earned a word of praise, and fully expected +it as he put the empty glasses and money on the stand in front of Mr. +Jacobs. But instead of the kind words, he was greeted with a volley of +curses, and the reason for it was that he had taken in payment for two +of the glasses a lead ten-cent piece. Mr. Jacobs, after scolding poor +little Toby to his heart's content, vowed that the amount should be kept +from his first week's wages, and then handed him back the coin, with +orders to give it to the first man who gave him money to change, under +the penalty of a severe flogging if he failed to do so.</p> + +<p>Poor Toby tried to explain matters by saying, "You see, I don't know +anything about money; I never had more'n a cent at a time, an' you +mustn't expect me to get posted all at once."</p> + +<p>"I'll post you with a stick if you do it again; an' it won't be well for +you if you bring that ten-cent piece back here."</p> + +<p>Now Toby was very well aware that to pass the coin, knowing it to be +bad, would be a crime, and he resolved to take the consequences of which +Mr. Jacobs had intimated, if he could not find the one who had given him +the counterfeit, and persuade him to give him good money in its stead. +He remembered very plainly where he had sold each glass of lemonade, and +he retraced his steps, glancing at each face carefully as he passed. At +last he was confident that he saw the man who had gotten him into such +trouble, and he climbed up the board seats, saying, as he stood in front +of him, and held out the coin: "Mister, this money that you gave me is +bad. Won't you give me another one for it?"</p> + +<p>The man was a rough-looking party who had taken his girl to the circus, +and who did not seem at all disposed to pay any heed to Toby's request. +Therefore he repeated it, and this time more loudly.</p> + +<p>"Get out the way!" said the man, angrily. "How can you expect me to see +the show if you stand right in front of me?"</p> + +<p>"You'll like it better," said Toby, earnestly, "if you give me another +ten-cent piece."</p> + +<p>"Get out, an' don't bother me!" was the angry rejoinder; and the little +fellow began to think that perhaps he would be obliged to "get out" +without getting his money.</p> + +<p>It was becoming a desperate case, for the man was growing angry very +fast, and if Toby did not succeed in getting good money for the bad, he +would have to take the consequences of which Mr. Jacobs had spoken.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 317px;"> +<img src="images/ill_004.jpg" width="317" height="400" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">"PLEASE, MISTER, GIVE ME THE MONEY BACK."</span> +</div> + +<p>"Please, mister," he said, imploringly—for his heart began to grow very +heavy, and he was fearing that he should not succeed—"won't you please +give me the money back? You know you gave it to me, an' I'll have to pay +it if you don't."</p> + +<p>The boy's lip was quivering, and those around began to be interested in +the affair, while several in their immediate vicinity gave vent to their +indignation that a man should try to cheat a boy out of ten cents by +giving him counterfeit money.</p> + +<p>The man whom Toby was speaking to was about to dismiss him with an angry +reply, when he saw that those about him were not only interested in the +matter, but were evidently taking sides with the boy against him; and +knowing well that he had given the counterfeit money, he took another +coin from his pocket, and handing it to Toby, said, "I didn't give you +the lead piece; but you're making such a fuss about it that here's ten +cents to make you keep quiet."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure you did give me the money," said Toby, as he took the extended +coin, "an' I'm much obliged to you for takin' it back. I didn't want to +tell you before, 'cause you'd thought I was beggin'; but if you hadn't +given me this, I 'xpect I'd have got an awful whippin', for Mr. Jacobs +said he'd fix me if I didn't get the money for it."</p> + +<p>The man looked sheepish enough as he put the bad money in his pocket, +and Toby's innocently told story caused such a feeling in his behalf +among those who sat near that he not only disposed of his entire stock +then and there, but received from one gentleman twenty-five cents for +himself. He was both proud and happy as he returned to Mr. Jacobs with +empty glasses, and with the money to refund the amount of loss which +would have been caused by the counterfeit.</p> + +<p>But the worthy partner of Mr. Lord's candy business had no words of +encouragement for the boy who was trying so hard to please.</p> + +<p>"Let that make you keep your eyes open," he growled out, sulkily; "an' +if you get caught in that trap again, you won't be let off so easy."</p> + +<p>Poor little Toby! his heart seemed ready to break; but his few hours' +previous experience had taught him that there was but one thing to do, +and that was to work just as hard as possible, trusting to some good +fortune to enable him to get out of the very disagreeable position in +which he had voluntarily placed himself.</p> + +<p>He took the basket of candy which Mr. Jacobs handed him, and trudged +around the circle of seats, selling far more because of the pitifulness +of his face than because of the excellence of his goods; and even this +worked to his disadvantage. Mr. Jacobs was keen enough to see why his +little clerk sold so many goods, and each time that he returned to the +stand he said something to him in an angry tone, which had the effect of +deepening the shadow on the boy's face, and at the same time increasing +trade.</p> + +<p>By the time the performance was over Toby had in his pocket a dollar and +twenty-five cents which had been given him for himself by some of the +kind-hearted in the audience, and he kept his hand almost constantly +upon it, for the money seemed to him like some kind friend who would +help him out of his present difficulties.</p> + +<p>After the audience had dispersed, Mr. Jacobs set Toby at work washing +the glasses, and clearing up generally, and then the boy started toward +the other portion of the store—that watched over by Mr. Lord. Not a +person save the watchmen was in the tent, and as Toby went toward the +door he saw his friend the monkey sitting in one corner of the cage, and +apparently watching his every movement.</p> + +<p>It was as if he had suddenly seen one of the boys from home, and Toby, +uttering an exclamation of delight, ran up to the cage, and put his hand +through the wires.</p> + +<p>The monkey, in the gravest possible manner, took one of the fingers in +his paw, and Toby shook hands with him very earnestly.</p> + +<p>"I was sorry that I couldn't speak to you when I went in this noon," +said Toby, as if making an apology; "but, you see, there were so many +around here to see you that I couldn't get the chance. Did you see me +wink at you?"</p> + +<p>The monkey made no reply, but he twisted his face up in such a funny +little grimace that Toby was quite as well satisfied as if he had +spoken.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if you hain't some relation to Steve Stubbs," Toby continued, +earnestly, "for you look just like him, only he don't have quite so many +whiskers. What I wanted to say was that I'm awful sorry I run away. I +used to think that Uncle Dan'l was bad enough; but he was just a perfect +good Samarathon to what Mr. Lord an' Mr. Jacobs are; an' when Mr. Lord +looks at me with that crooked eye of his, I feel it 'way down in my +boots. Do you know"—and here Toby put his mouth nearer to the monkey's +head, and whispered—"I'd run away from this circus if I could get the +chance; wouldn't you?"</p> + +<p>Just at this point, as if in answer to the question, the monkey stood up +on his hind-paws, and reached out his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> hand to the boy, who seemed to +think this was his way of being more emphatic in saying "Yes."</p> + +<p>Toby took the paw in his hand, shook it again earnestly, and said, as he +released it: "I was pretty sure you felt just about the same way I did, +Mr. Stubbs, when I passed you this noon. Look here"—and Toby took the +money from his pocket which had been given him—"I got all that this +afternoon, an' I'll try an' stick it out somehow till I get as much as +ten dollars, an' then we'll run away some night, an' go 'way off as far +as—as—as out West, an' we'll stay there, too."</p> + +<p>The monkey, probably tired with remaining in one position so long, +started toward the top of the cage, chattering and screaming, joining +the other monkeys, who had gathered in a little group in one of the +swings.</p> + +<p>"Now see here, Mr. Stubbs," said Toby, in alarm, "you mustn't go to +telling everybody about it, or Mr. Lord will know, an' then we'll be +dished, sure."</p> + +<p>The monkey squatted down in one of the swings, as if he was reproved by +what the boy had said, and Toby, considerably relieved by his silence, +said, as he started toward the door, "That's right—mum's the word; you +keep quiet, an' so will I, an' pretty soon we'll get away from the whole +crowd."</p> + +<p>All the monkeys chattered, and Toby, believing that everything which he +had said had been understood by the animals, went out of the door to +meet his other task-master.</p> + +<h4>[<span class="smcap">to be continued</span>.]</h4> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="THE_YOUNG_TIN-TYPERS" id="THE_YOUNG_TIN-TYPERS">THE YOUNG TIN-TYPERS.</a></h2> + +<h3>PART I.</h3> + +<p>The recitation in Natural Philosophy was just over, and as the class was +leaving the room, Fred Ward whispered to his most particular chum, Jim +Davis: "I say, Jim, I've hit on an immense idea. Suppose that we set up +a photographic gallery. It will be splendid fun."</p> + +<p>"That's so," answered Jim. "Let's talk it over."</p> + +<p>By this time the French class room was reached, and conversation was for +the time suspended; but two o'clock found the boys leaving the +school-grounds, engaged in a grand confab about their new plan.</p> + +<p>"Now those old fellows that invented all this," said Fred, "had to work +hard, because they had nothing to begin with; but as all that we want to +know is down in the books, I don't see why we can't take as good a +picture as the next one, as soon as we can get a camera and some +chemicals. Why, Jim, you can buy the whole rig for five dollars—yes, +you can—camera and all, with a stand to set it on."</p> + +<p>"Oh, nonsense!" answered Jim; "I wouldn't give a cent to work in that +way. Why can't we make the box and mix the baths ourselves? Anybody +could buy the machine and take a picture, but it isn't every fellow can +make his own apparatus. Now in my Philosophy there are some pictures +that show how to put the box together, and we can save money to buy the +lenses, and it will be twice as much fun to do everything ourselves."</p> + +<p>Jim was very handy with tools, and in a few days he constructed as neat +a camera as could be desired for a beginner. It consisted of two boxes, +one of which fitted into the other. The interior of the boxes was +painted black, so that the light through the lenses would be all the +plate could receive. In the front of the larger box, and directly in the +centre, a round hole was cut to receive the tube containing the lenses, +and at the back of the small box were grooves to receive the plate +slide. The making of that slide was the first serious stumbling-block in +the path of these young photographers.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 162px;"> +<img src="images/ill_005.jpg" width="162" height="300" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">SLIDE CASE.</span> +</div> + +<p>They searched through their books, and at last found a good diagram +which gave Jim the hints he needed for his work. He first built a frame +which fitted to the slide in the back of his camera box. This frame was +provided with a hinged door at the back, and a sliding door in front. In +order to receive plates of different sizes, Jim also made several plate +frames with larger or smaller openings. The plate frame fitted tightly +inside the slide frame, and was held firm by a spring fastened in the +centre of the hinged door, which pressed against the plate when the door +was shut. Another frame, exactly the same size as the plate frame, had +to be made to hold the ground glass upon which to obtain the focus for +the pictures. When the focus was regulated, the ground glass was to be +carefully withdrawn, and the sensitive plate placed in exactly the same +position.</p> + +<p>Perseverance and school-boy grit having conquered the slide difficulty, +the perplexing question of the lenses came up. Fred's father, who was +watching the boys' undertaking with considerable interest, now came to +the rescue, and presented the young photographers with a fine set of +mounted Dallemeyer lenses with diaphragms, which he bought of a dealer +in photographic apparatus.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 268px;"> +<img src="images/ill_006.jpg" width="268" height="300" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">THE CAMERA.</span> +</div> + +<p>The camera being in readiness, Fred and Jim now went to work to mix +their baths. They began with the sensitive bath, but to their +astonishment, when they placed nitrate of silver in ordinary water, a +white cloud instantly formed. The text-book was at once consulted, and +Fred discovered that distilled water must be used. As the boys had no +long-necked retort with which to distill the water, they agreed to +suspend all operations until they could see their teacher on the +following day, and ask his advice.</p> + +<p>The next afternoon, when school was over, the boys marched up to the +door of Professor Drood's class-room, and timidly knocked. "Come in," +said a hearty, kindly voice. Fred, who was the most courageous, went in +first, and clearly stated the case, while Jim stood hesitating in the +doorway. "If you take rain-water, and filter it to remove the dust," +said the Professor, "it will answer your purpose as well as distilled +water."</p> + +<p>The boys thanked him, and were going away, when he called them back. "I +like to see you taking interest in things of this kind," said he, "and +if you will stop, I will give you the whole story as clearly as I can." +Fred and Jim were delighted to listen, and when the Professor told them +to take a pencil and note-book, and write down the proportions in which +the different baths were to be mixed, they were eagerly attentive at +once.</p> + +<p>"The sensitive bath," said the Professor, "is prepared in this manner: +dissolve in two ounces of rain-water one ounce of nitrate of silver in +crystals. Then add two to five grains of iodide of potassium. You must +now add eight ounces of rain-water, and let the mixture stand two hours +to saturate. It must be kept in a dark chamber, where no rays of +sunlight can penetrate. You must always work by the light of a candle, +and it is a good plan to have a screen of yellow paper around the flame, +so that no direct light may fall on your sensitized plate.</p> + +<p>"Before beginning to work, be sure that your plate is clean. Tin plates, +with which you would better work until you become skillful in handling +the baths, are sold in sheets by any dealer in photographic goods, and +when you buy them are often covered with fine dust. Polish them well +with a pad of soft chamois-skin before you proceed farther. Next pour +the collodion on the centre, and cause it to flow evenly by gently +tipping the plate from side to side. Allow the surplus to drip off into +a flask; and as collodion is an expensive article, you would better mix +some gum-arabic and water to about the required thickness, and practice +with that first, that you may not waste the more costly fluid by +failures to spread it evenly on the plate—a very difficult matter for +beginners to accomplish. This collodion is made of alcohol, ether, and +gun-cotton, and sensitized with certain iodides and bromides. It +evaporates if exposed to the air, and must be well corked, and kept in a +cool, dark place, as both lights<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> and heat are injurious to it. A +positive collodion is often sold for ferrotypes, but the negative fluid +gives better results.</p> + +<p>"When the film of collodion has become set, the plate is ready for the +sensitive bath. Place it on a strip of glass bent at the lower end, +which you will buy with your bath dish, and lower it into the bath +quickly; otherwise a line may be noticed on the finished picture, due to +the uneven deposit of silver. The deposit may be hastened by gently +moving the plate in the liquid. After a few seconds lift it out and +examine it. If it is streaked and greasy, it must be put back; but when +it is of a fine opaline tint, free from streaks and flaws, it is ready +to be placed in the camera, which should be already properly focussed +and in position.</p> + +<p>"Now, boys, comes the great trouble—to correctly time the exposure. It +varies from five to forty-five or sixty seconds, according to the light, +the arrangement of your screens, and the condition of the silver bath.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/ill_007.jpg" width="400" height="312" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">THE FIRST ATTEMPT—SOMETHING WRONG.</span> +</div> + +<p>"When you think, from the nature of the case, that your plate has been +exposed long enough, close your slide, and return to the dark room, +where you now proceed to develop your picture. You must have already +mixed this developing solution: one fluid part of sulphate of iron, one +and a half fluid parts of acetic acid, and sixteen parts of rain-water. +Do not make too much of this at once, as it quickly becomes spoiled. +When you take the plate from the slide, you will see no alteration in +it, but when you pour on some of your developer, 'as if by magic a +picture appears.' See that the developer flows all over the plate, and +do not allow it to settle on any one place, as this would make a stain +which can not be removed.</p> + +<p>"As soon as the development is complete, wash the plate well with pure +water, using for the purpose a wash bottle, which is simply a large +glass flask having a cork perforated by two tubes, one of which reaches +into the body of the liquid, while the other only passes through the +cork. The short tube is bent over at an angle so that the mouth may be +conveniently placed against it, while the long tube is bent, and drawn +out to a fine jet. On blowing through the short tube, the air in the +bottle becomes compressed, and in expanding drives the liquid through +the jet in a fine steady stream. When the plate has been well washed, it +must be treated with another solution, as this picture is one that would +soon fade, just as you no doubt have seen proofs of photographs do. To +remove the unaltered silver a solution of hyposulphite of soda in water +is used. Cyanide of potassium is also used, because it is much cleaner.</p> + +<p>"But there is no rose without its thorns, and the cyanide makes up for +its cleanliness by being one of the most deadly poisons, and I would +advise boys who are not posted on the fine points of chemical +manipulation to have nothing to do with it. This fixing solution is made +of eight ounces of the hyposulphite and forty of water. Now if this is +made too strong, it will spoil the picture, so it is well to be careful +to have the exact proportions.</p> + +<p>"By-the-way," added the Professor, "if you do use cyanide of potassium, +be very careful not to get any of it into what cuts or bruises you may +have on your hands. Boys always have such ornaments, and if the cyanide +touches a place where the skin is broken, it is liable to mix with the +blood, and make trouble.</p> + +<p>"After your picture is fixed, wash it well and varnish it. Ten parts of +gum-arabic to one hundred parts of water will make a very fair varnish; +but as this has to be dried over a spirit-lamp, it is better to buy the +self-drying varnish which is sold for this purpose.</p> + +<p>"All this sounds very easy and pleasant, but there are more +disappointments in store for you than can be imagined, for in this, as +in many other things, practice is as essential as rules and regulations. +I can only say to you, what should be the motto of every scientific +student, 'Make haste slowly.'"</p> + +<p>The boys thanked the good-natured Professor, who told them, in any +serious difficulty, to come to him again. Then with eager steps they +hastened homeward.</p> + +<h4>[<span class="smcap">to be continued</span>.]</h4> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 383px;"> +<img src="images/ill_008.jpg" width="383" height="500" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">MIDWINTER.</span> +</div> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="WILD_BIRDS_IN_THE_COUNTRY" id="WILD_BIRDS_IN_THE_COUNTRY">WILD BIRDS IN THE COUNTRY.</a></h2> + +<p>When Aunt Bertha was younger than she is now she was a little English +girl, and her American nephews and nieces are never tired of hearing +about her English pets. Of her bird pets she tells the young listeners +as follows:</p> + +<p>"When I was alone at home with my parents, I used to amuse myself during +my play-time, which I always spent out-of-doors, by trying to tame the +wild birds. I nailed a little wooden tray against an oak that had twigs +growing out of its trunk for the birds to perch on. It stood just inside +a wood on one side of the drive, but not too much exposed to the view of +the passers-by. Every morning regularly I filled the tray with +bread-crumbs and bird-seed, with a little piece of raw meat now and then +for a great treat. I watched anxiously to see what birds would come +first, and in a few days had the pleasure of finding three tomtits +hopping about my tree, and carrying off the crumbs and seeds. It was +delightful to have these pretty, sprightly little fellows, with their +bright yellow and black breasts and white cheeks, for my visitors, +instead of the rather vulgar-looking sparrows, that are generally only +too eager to secure any food that may be awaiting hungry mouths. The +next birds that came were a pair of chaffinches: the cock never became +very tame, but his little mate was soon a great pet with every one. +After a time I had twelve birds that fed regularly at my box; they were +a pair of tomtits, the chaffinches, a pair of nut-hatches, a pair of +coal-tits, a pair of marsh-titmice,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> a robin, and a hedge-sparrow. In +the cold weather my birds used to meet me as I came out of the house, +and fly after me to the wood. They were not at all afraid of Carlo, my +large dog, who generally accompanied me, and sat by the tree quite +quietly, expecting his little share of the feast. In the spring the +chaffinches built their nest in an oak-tree within sight of the box, and +when their young ones were hatched, they carried off nice large crumbs +to them.</p> + +<p>"A robin that fed at the box used also to keep us company when we were +out, and hop about on our feet as we sat on the lawn. The dear little +thing came in-doors whenever he found a window open. He was particularly +fond of flying into my mother's bedroom, in which he thought he had +discovered a rival favorite. Day after day he attacked it most fiercely, +but as the rival was his own reflection in the mirror, the poor bird +only got a great many hard knocks against the glass in his efforts to +revenge himself on his fancied enemy. The mirror was sometimes smeared +with his blood."</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h4><a name="MILDREDS_BARGAIN" id="MILDREDS_BARGAIN">[Begun in <span class="smcap">Young People</span> No. 58, December 7.]</a></h4> + +<h2>MILDRED'S BARGAIN.</h2> + +<h3>A Story for Girls.</h3> + +<h3>BY MRS. JOHN LILLIE.</h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Chapter V</span>.</h3> + +<p>"Milly," said little Kate, greeting her elder sister one evening about a +week after Miss Jenner's party, "there's a woman waiting to see you in +the parlor."</p> + +<p>Mildred instinctively kept the child back as she made her way into the +room, shutting the door after her with a firm hand. There sat the +peddler, or "Widow Robbins," as she called herself; and, oh! how she +seemed to Milly to take the warmth and life out of the pretty little +room with her air of vulgar obtrusiveness! Milly stood still in the +middle of the room a moment, while Mrs. Robbins spoke. "Called for the +first payment, my dear," she said, jocularly.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," answered Milly, drawing her purse from her pocket; "and," +she continued, "I thought I might as well pay you four weeks in advance. +I have that much to spare."</p> + +<p>She came forward, holding out two crisp bills; but, to her surprise, +"Widow Robbins" motioned her back. "Ah, no, my dear," she said, gravely; +"that wasn't in our agreement. I can't take more'n the fifty cents. Now +give me just that, and I'll sign my name to your paper."</p> + +<p>Milly remonstrated, all in vain, and then, completely disgusted by the +coarse vulgarity of the woman, her loud tone and half-sarcastic laugh, +she produced her "agreement," allowing Mrs. Robbins to sign a receipt +for fifty cents, and take her leave. Poor Milly, though vexed and +puzzled, did not see into the deeper motive of the peddler in this +transaction. By only receiving the half-dollar weekly, Mrs. Robbins +prolonged her power over Milly, well knowing a day <i>might</i> come when +even that sum would not be in Milly's possession to give her. If such a +remote chance ever occurred to Mildred, she dismissed it as too absurd +to contemplate for an instant. The next week passed by quickly enough, +for in her mother's absence Mildred had many home cares added to her +usual ones and the work at the store. One fact relieved her greatly. +"Mr. Tom's" attentions had nearly ceased, and she was allowed to come +and go to her daily work without subjecting herself to any special +insolence from him. Widow Robbins appeared again on the following +Monday, and was promptly paid and dismissed. The same evening Mrs. Lee +returned from her visit, full of exhilaration from the change, and ready +to hear Milly's account of Miss Jenner's party. It cost the girl an +effort not to tell of her new dress; but Mrs. Lee did not observe the +slight confusion in her daughter's manner, being fully entertained by +hearing an account of the fine house.</p> + +<p>Early the next evening Mildred paid a call at the brick house, and +renewed her sociable intercourse with Alice and Roger, who welcomed her +so cordially that Miss Jenner, though in a rather stiff way, asked +Mildred to spend an evening with them once a week. It was a new era in +Milly's life. How she looked forward to those Wednesday evenings, when, +leaving the store at the earliest moment possible, she would hasten +home, make a quick toilette, chatting with her mother the while, and +then go out into the dusky streets, threading her way eagerly to Lane +Street, where lights twinkled in the old-fashioned windows of Miss +Jenner's house, and where she was sure to find a kindly welcome!</p> + +<p>Sometimes the three young people sat in Alice's pretty sitting-room up +stairs, which to Milly's eyes was like an enchanted palace. Although +blind, Alice delighted in feeling soft hangings, luxurious coverings to +her chairs and sofas, and the consciousness that her walls were hung +with pretty pictures. Mildred had inherited from her father an +exquisitely fine taste, and Alice Jenner's surroundings seemed to fill +her with a sense of refinement which made her own dull life easier to +bear when she went away. Gradually Miss Jenner's manner thawed to +Mildred, and before Christmas came around, the young girl had been half +a dozen times invited to the cozy supper table of the good lady, who on +these occasions strove to make Milly feel perfectly at home, while she +contrived to learn all the story of her life from the young girl's lips. +Milly's one penance was Mrs. Robbins's weekly visit, and the +consciousness that up in her bureau drawer, carefully locked and +guarded, was the gray silk dress. By Christmas-time only six dollars had +been paid on it, yet a certain security of the future made Milly feel +sure no disaster could occur. Mrs. Robbins's calls were now all made at +the store, and about the Christmas season "Mr. Tom" inquired, rather +sneeringly, whether "Miss Lee's great-aunt" meant to give them her +custom. Milly answered nothing, yet it aroused her fears, and on one +Tuesday, after the peddler's customary call, she left the store +determined to appoint some different place of meeting. There was +something unusual, Milly thought, about the look of the cottage as she +entered; first a rush, then a confusion of smothered voices. Mildred ran +into the parlor, thence to the kitchen, where she found the children +gathered mysteriously together.</p> + +<p>"Willy's got the bronchitis," exclaimed Kate. "He must have caught it +down at the marshes."</p> + +<p>Mildred asked no further questions, but ran up stairs, tossing aside her +hat, and going cautiously into her mother's room, where Willy lay +suffering intensely. Mrs. Lee was glad to put all the responsible care +into Mildred's hands, and so she devoted nearly all the night to the +care of her little brother, appearing the next day haggard and +heavy-eyed at Mr. Hardman's store. Days passed in hard work at the +store, and nights of broken rest; and then came an evening when, on +Mildred's return home, she was met with the news of her mother's +illness. Poor Mrs. Lee, at no time strong, had succumbed to her anxiety +and hard work, and Milly found her utterly prostrated, the doctor +standing beside her, not able to pronounce on her disease, but looking +so anxious that Milly had difficulty in hiding her tears. Willy was +better, but the new trouble was terrible to contemplate. That night she +wrote hurriedly to her mother's pupils, and the next morning she arose +after a wakeful night with the consciousness that she had six people to +support on five dollars a week.</p> + +<p>Mildred felt too proud to tell Miss Jenner of her troubles. She dreaded +a rebuff besides. Roger was not well, and she knew the brick house was +in some confusion over his illness. It had been a trying season at +Milltown, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> few families had escaped; but Mildred thought her +visitation hardest to bear.</p> + +<p>The second day of her mother's illness Mildred came home very early, and +after getting the children to bed, counted over her slender store of +money while she sat in her mother's room, letting faithful Deborah have +a rest. Just three dollars remained of her weekly earnings, and of this +sum fifty cents must be saved for the terrible Widow Robbins. "I know +what I'll do," thought Milly, almost aloud; "I'll see if she won't take +her silk back. I <i>can't</i> spare a penny of my salary." This hope kept +poor Mildred up until the peddler's next visit. It was in the little +cottage parlor, and Mildred falteringly told her of her mother's +illness, and their great need of money.</p> + +<p>"That's neither here nor there," said the woman, shortly. "I can't lose +<i>my</i> bread and butter. You say your dress is stained; that ends my +taking it back; so any week—" The peddler stopped short rather +ominously and glanced around the cottage parlor. It was a very pretty +room. From the wreck of their fortunes Mrs. Lee and Milly had saved +several—to them—priceless household treasures. On the mantel were the +heavy old-fashioned silver candlesticks which Milly remembered all her +life; some fine china was in the cabinet between the windows; the modest +book-shelves were full of valuable volumes; one or two exquisite +engravings hung upon the walls; here and there were a few excellent +pieces of old family furniture. Altogether it was a room which not only +charmed the eye, but showed such signs of "better days" that the few +neighbors who had called upon the Lees held them in high esteem. Mrs. +Robbins's glance was evidently highly satisfactory to herself.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, pocketing her fifty cents with an air of great +condescension, "I will just wait a bit and see."</p> + +<p>It was after six o'clock, and Milly felt worried and perplexed as she +sat with the children over their simple tea, and then went up to her +mother's sick-room, in which she passed nearly all the night. Deborah +followed her, and beckoning her to the window, said, in a grave whisper,</p> + +<p>"Mildred, my child, who's that queer woman keeps coming here?"</p> + +<p>Milly felt inclined to cry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Debby," she said, piteously, "don't bother me; it's just a woman +who—has business with me."</p> + +<p>Debby was silenced, but by no means satisfied. She determined to settle +the question for herself.</p> + +<p>Before the next week came around, every penny of Milly's money was +spent, and, more than that, they were heavily in debt to the butcher and +the grocer and the chemist. The best of port-wine was ordered for Mrs. +Lee; the strongest beef tea; the most nourishing jellies; iron and +quinine regularly. Poor Milly used to feel as if she was walking over +fire on her way to and from the store, so harassed had she become, and +she and Deborah bemoaned the state of affairs whenever they were alone.</p> + +<p>"Something <i>must</i> be done, honey!" Deborah said, one wet Tuesday +evening, when Milly stopped in the kitchen to dry her clothes and warm +her feet before going up stairs. "I've next to nothing in the house, and +your mother <i>must</i> have some more port."</p> + +<p>Milly was disconsolately thinking the question over, when she was roused +by Mrs. Robbins's well-known "rat-tat-tat" on the front door. She ran +out, hastily admitting the peddler, who soon perceived the state of +affairs by Milly's expression. The young girl tried to say, calmly, that +she had not the money.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mrs. Robbins, "I'll hold off a day or two; but just you +read the paper you signed, and you'll see you agree to pay the full +amount if you miss a week—if the dress isn't fit to be took back."</p> + +<p>Mildred read the paper over and again when the woman was gone, and found +herself indeed bound to a very Shylock. "That dress is just like the +pound of flesh," she thought, as she sat in the dim light by her mother. +"Oh, why did I ever buy it; and who cared at Miss Jenner's what I wore!"</p> + +<p>The next week Mrs. Robbins made her appearance at the store on a day +when Mildred's peace of mind was so exhausted by home cares it was all +she could do to serve the most civil of customers. Milly contrived to +see her in the cloak-room, but the peddler refused to subdue her voice.</p> + +<p>"I can have fifty cents stopped out of your pay, and I <i>will</i>," she +said, resolutely. "I don't want anything but my rights."</p> + +<p>Mildred had not five cents to offer her. All her most earnest pleading +only induced Mrs. Robbins to defer what she called "proceedings" for +three days. In the mean time she resolved to call upon Miss Jenner. It +was late on the Friday evening before she got a chance to go to the +Brick House, and there the unwelcome news greeted her that Miss Jenner +had fallen a victim to the lung disease prevalent in Milltown. She was +leaving the house full of dejection, when to her horror she beheld the +tall, gaunt figure of Mrs. Robbins striding up the box-path from the +gate. Milly asked her to walk on with her.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 309px;"> +<img src="images/ill_009.jpg" width="309" height="400" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">MILDRED AND THE WIDOW ROBBINS.</span> +</div> + +<p>"No," said the woman, "here I am. I've followed you here, and here I +mean to have my say. Before next Tuesday I demand my money—twenty-two +dollars—or you shall hear from me in a way you least expect."</p> + +<p>It was nearly dark, but Milly could see the wicked expression on the +woman's face. She was faint and tired, and bitterly disappointed at not +seeing Miss Jenner, but she could not let the peddler see what she felt.</p> + +<p>"Very well," she answered, in a constrained voice, "I can try; but how I +am going to get twenty-two dollars is more than I can imagine. Oh, that +wretched gray silk dress!" she added. "If only it had not been spoiled +that first evening!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Robbins walked out of the gate by her side, and down the road some +little distance, threatening Milly all the time as to what she <i>could</i> +do, and what she <i>would</i> do. Left alone, Milly hurried home, knowing +that she must before morning devise some means of raising the money. +Mrs. Robbins had said she would "look in" during the morning at the +store, and already Milly felt sure she had betrayed her secret to "Mr. +Tom."</p> + +<p>"Milly," Debby said, in a mournful tone, "I've been thinking we <i>must</i> +part with something. Your mother's sinking for what we've no money to +pay for. I've seen you all in better days, lovey, and I'm as fond of +everything in the house as you are, but I see no way out of it. In fact, +I saw a man to-day—he's only waiting for your word—and he'll look over +the things in the parlor to-morrow."</p> + +<p>A lump rose and filled Milly's throat. Oh, if she were not burdened with +this miserable private debt, how easy it would seem even to ask a loan +from old Mr. Hardman! But no, the home necessities were by no means all.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, Debby," exclaimed Mildred, with a sudden rush of tears; "it +must be done—it must be done."</p> + +<p>When Milly returned the next evening from the store, the once cozy +parlor looked desolate enough. The heavy furniture was nearly all gone, +and the children clustered about her with an eager account of the man +who had carried the sofa and chairs and best table away in his cart.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said Mildred, trying to be cheerful. "We must sit in the +dining-room. Besides, dears, think how ill mamma is."</p> + +<p>"Only forty dollars," whispered Deborah, "and I've paid out thirty of +it."</p> + +<p>So she could not even borrow part of that sum for her debt. Milly turned +away, and went into her mother's room, feeling faint, heart and body, +and there tried to find some consolation in reading aloud their usual +evening chapter; but all the time a sense of her own folly oppressed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +her. Suffering from necessity she could have borne, but not that which +her own sin had brought upon her.</p> + +<p>Poor Mildred! she knelt at her mother's side, humbly praying, almost +aloud. On the next day she knew she must "settle" with the dreaded Widow +Robbins.</p> + +<h4>[<span class="smcap">to be continued</span>.]</h4> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="THE_TWO_BEARS" id="THE_TWO_BEARS">THE TWO BEARS.</a></h2> + +<h3>BY FRANK BELLEW.</h3> + +<p>The snow was on the ground—the lovely white snow, the peaceful snow, +which covered the country landscape with billows of alabaster. In the +distance the feathery woods made a purple fringe between the earth and +sky, while in the foreground a crinkled rail fence ran irregularly along +the side of the country road, and near it stood a splotch of red and +black, the only marked color in the whole landscape. The red and black +was crying bitterly, for the red and black represented a little girl +with a scarlet hood, and crimson stockings, and a bundle of books. She +was on her way to school, and in great grief.</p> + +<p>While she still stood by the fence, sobbing, a black object appeared +over the brow of the hill, and slowly moved toward the foreground, +until, pausing in front of the weeping child, it stood, as jolly, as +genial, as comfortable an old gentleman as ever wore broadcloth.</p> + +<p>"Why, what is the matter, little one?" he asked, in a kindly voice.</p> + +<p>The child looked up into the pleasant face and answered:</p> + +<p>"They are always worrying me at home; they are always taking my things, +and when I ask for them they get mad, and if I take any of their things, +they come and take them away, and then if I don't like it, they tell +mother; and oh! I declare it's too mean for anything. It wasn't her +doll, anyway, for Cousin May left it behind, and she didn't give it to +anybody, and she'd had it all day; and then she took my sun-shade, and +broke the hook off, and because I asked her for it she got mad and +wanted the doll, and it wasn't her doll, and then mother made me give it +up, and I think it's real mean—that's just what I think it is."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, well, that was too bad. I think it <i>was</i> real mean myself," +said the old gentleman. "But I tell you what you should do—you should +keep two bears, as I do, and then you would be happy all the time."</p> + +<p>"Two bears?" ejaculated the little girl, opening her large round blue +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes, two bears. We have two bears up at my house, and they make us so +happy!"</p> + +<p>"Don't they bite?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no, they don't bite a mite."</p> + +<p>"But they growl, don't they?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, no; they don't growl either. But if you like to come home with +me, I will show them to you."</p> + +<p>In an instant the little girl's hand was in that of the old gentleman, +and they were trotting along the road side by side. There was something +so kind and gentle and yet so jovial in his manner that it never entered +her head to be afraid of him. After turning down one road and up +another, and walking about a mile altogether, they at last came to a +long low house, with large windows, which were filled with bright +flowers, and draped with red curtains, and in every window hung a +bird-cage with some strange or beautiful bird.</p> + +<p>A number of children came running out of the house, crying, "Oh, papa! +papa! here's papa!" as they gathered round him, clinging to his arms.</p> + +<p>"Children," he said, "I have brought a little stranger to visit you. I +do not know her name, but I am sure you will be kind to her, and show +her the two bears, which I have promised she should see."</p> + +<p>They entered a large, comfortable sitting-room, hung round with pictures +and bird-cages; in the centre was a long table covered with books, and +on each side of the fire-place, in a big easy-chair, sat a great rough +bear; one was brown, and the other was black.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> + +<p>The old gentleman led the little girl up to the brown bear, and said, +"Brown Bear, here is a little girl who is very miserable. I have told +her that you and Black Bear have made us all so happy, and that perhaps +you can help her to be happy too."</p> + +<p>Brown Bear gave a good-humored sort of sniff, and put his big paw gently +on the head of the little stranger.</p> + +<p>"What is your name, child?" asked the gentleman: "you have not told me +that yet."</p> + +<p>"Frances Louisa Caroline Bounce, but they call me Fanny. What a nice +bear! Will he be angry if I feel his fur?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, not even though you rub it the wrong way."</p> + +<p>After she was introduced to both bears, she played with the children, +Carry and Sarah, George and Philip, and then they all went into another +room to dinner. On their way, however, Philip, who had a long switch, +with which he had been amusing himself, persisted in tickling the back +of his sister Sarah's ear with it, until she grew out of patience, and, +turning round, told him, rather sharply, to stop; but Philip, who was +only in fun, seemed somewhat nettled at being scolded, and was just on +the point of repeating the offense, when Black Bear, who was walking +behind, put his paw gently on his shoulder, while at the same moment +Brown Bear took Sarah by the arm and led her into the dining-room. +Philip threw away his switch, both burst into a merry laugh, and sat +down to the table with smiling faces. During the dinner both bears kept +walking round the table, looking so kind and gentle that they seemed to +put every one in good-humor. When Carry upset a tumbler of water over +Sarah's frock, Brown Bear immediately picked it up, while Carry begged +pardon, and Sarah laughed. When George was going to tell some little +tale <i>out of school</i> about Philip, Black Bear put his big paw in front +of his mouth, and George stopped at once.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/ill_010.jpg" width="400" height="358" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">THE CHILDREN AND THEIR BEARS.</span> +</div> + +<p>After dinner they all went out into the snow to have some coasting down +a hill close to the house. Both the boys had sleds, but Philip's was a +bright new one, while George's was old and rather clumsy. Philip had +been saving up his money for some time to buy this treasure, and was +very proud of it; therefore when George seized his new sled and ran off +with it, he called after him with some anger to bring it back, and not +to use it; but George had reached the top of the hill, and had just +planted the sled, ready to start down hill, when Brown Bear came to the +side of the angry Philip, and touched him with his paw. Phil's manner +and voice changed at once, as he called out, "Well, brother George, you +can use my sled, and I'll use yours." But Black Bear had reached the top +of the hill nearly as soon as George, and with his great big paw patted +him on the back, and grunted something in his ear. George took up the +sled very quietly, and carried it back to his brother, saying, "I am +sorry, Phil; here is your sled."</p> + +<p>After that all was fun, tumbles, and laughter, the two bears joining in +it as actively and enjoying it just as much as the children. In fact, +the bears seemed to make the whole party happy. At last it became time +for Frances Louisa Caroline Bounce to go home. She felt sad at the +thought of leaving the bears, and of going to her own home, where there +were no bears at all.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the old gentleman, "how do you like our bears, Fanny?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think they are just too splendid for anything. I wish we had a +bear, even if it was only a little one."</p> + +<p>"Well, you can easily have bears. All children can have them if they +like. Perhaps you would be obliged to begin with young ones; but then +they would be sure to grow up if you only took care of them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, dear! is that really so?" cried Fanny, in an ecstasy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my child, it is really so; every one can have two bears in his or +her house, like mine. But do you know what we call those bears which +make us all so happy? <span class="smcap">Bear</span> and <span class="smcap">Forbear</span>."</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Bear</span> and <span class="smcap">Forbear</span>!" echoed Fanny. "Oh, I will try to get two of those +bears in our house, and if they are ever so weak and sickly, I will feed +them and nurse them till they grow big and strong like yours."</p> + +<p>Fanny trotted home with the old gentleman, and told her brothers and +sisters everything about the two good-natured bears; and they all agreed +that they would try to raise a pair like them.</p> + +<p>I am happy to add that Fanny and her family have a pair of very +promising young bears, which already afford them a great deal of +happiness, and bid fair in the future to be fine healthy animals.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="OUR_POST_OFFICE_BOX" id="OUR_POST_OFFICE_BOX"></a> +<img src="images/ill_011.jpg" width="600" height="264" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">New York City</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am making a steam-engine according to the directions given in +<span class="smcap">Young People</span> No. 49. I have just soldered on the lid, and have made +the hole for the water to be let into the engine. I hope to finish +it soon. I am eight years old. I go to school, and I like <span class="smcap">Young +People</span> very much. I like to read the letters from the children, so +I thought I would send one, and thank the "Professor" for writing +about the steam-engine.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">John A. J</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Cresco, Iowa</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I have just commenced taking <span class="smcap">Young People</span>, and we all like it very +much. The story of "Paul Grayson" was splendid, but I think "Toby +Tyler" is the best of all. My brother Charlie and I each have an +Indian pony. Charlie's pony has been trained by the Indians to +stand wherever you leave her, without being tied. And if any one is +riding her and falls off, no matter how fast she is going, she will +stop, and not move one step farther until her rider mounts again. +My pony throws me over her head sometimes, but she will not stop +until she gets to the barn.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Allie C</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Nacoochee, Georgia</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I send an experiment for the chemistry club. To make cyanogen gas +the apparatus necessary is this: one test-tube, a cork, six inches +of glass tube one-quarter of an inch in diameter, an alcohol lamp, +and a round file. Now hold the glass tube over the flame of the +lamp until the glass is soft, when by pulling it apart you will +have two tubes, with one end of each drawn to a fine point. Break +off the point of one, and you will have a tiny jet. Make a hole in +the cork just large enough for the large end of the tube to go +into. Put into the test-tube as much cyanide of mercury as will lie +on the point of a penknife. Fit the cork tightly in the test-tube. +Wave the test-tube over the flame of the lamp for five or ten +minutes, and then apply a lighted match to the jet, when the gas +will burn with a bluish flame. Pour some melted tallow or bees-wax +over the cork to keep the gas from escaping before reaching the +jet.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">John R. G</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Nashville, Tennessee</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I read the letters in the Post-office Box with so much pleasure! I +have every number of <span class="smcap">Young People</span>. All my young friends that read +it like it very much. We have formed a juvenile club, and I am +president. Reading <span class="smcap">Young People</span> is a part of our programme.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Randolph H</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">San Francisco, California</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I thought I would write and tell you about our club. It is called +the "Silver Crescent Dramatic Club." We were going to call it +"Golden Crescent," but when the club gets a little richer it is +going to buy some medals for each member to wear; they will be the +shape of a crescent, and if they had to be of gold, they would cost +more than silver ones. We meet once every week, and make by-laws +and suggestions, and vote on them, and we rehearse. We also have a +monthly paper; it is called "The Monthly Crescent." Of course it is +not printed, and we have only one copy. Each member edits it in +turn, and the others send in contributions. Everything has to be +original. The paper is read at every fourth meeting.</p> + +<p>We charge five cents to join the club, and every two months each +member has to pay five cents dues. New members are voted for, and +the majority rules. We have five officers—a president, +vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and stage-manager. I am the +secretary.</p> + +<p>We prepared a grand entertainment for the Christmas holidays. It +was a tragedy in three acts. I arranged it. In the first part of +<i>Little Women</i>, by Miss Alcott, they had a play called the +"Witch's Curse." Only the plot was given. I took it and made up +the dialogue, added some more characters, and changed it to make +it turn out differently. It makes a very nice little play.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Ida B. D</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Argenta, Illinois</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am a little girl ten years old. I think <span class="smcap">Young People</span> is a very +nice paper. My sister and I go to school. We have a very nice +teacher. I like to go very much. We study pieces from <span class="smcap">Young People</span> +to speak in school. My teacher says all little boys and girls ought +to take it.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Minnie S</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Downieville, California</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I thought I would try to describe a trip I took with auntie to a +little town called Eureka. After a short ride we came to the main +trail leading from Downieville to the northern part of Sierra +County. The trail winds in and out, following every curve and bend +of the mountain. In some places it is quite steep, and in others +almost level. How tired I was when we got to Eureka, having been +two hours in the saddle! When we reached the ridge, we heard some +one playing on some instrument, and it sounded so sweet that we +stopped a few minutes to listen to it.</p> + +<p>Uncle tells me that Eureka used to be quite a large place, with +hotels, stores, private houses, a school-house, and a Masonic +Hall; but now it consists of only half a dozen dwellings and the +school-house.</p> + +<p>A little girl has written to <span class="smcap">Young People</span> that she found two peach +blossoms in September, and she wants to know if any other little +girl has found any so late. Now I want to know if any little girl +or boy has ever picked ripe peaches near the 13th of November, as +I have.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Mary A. R</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Vicksburg, Mississippi</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I have only been taking <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span> a short time, but I +think it is a very nice little paper. I saw that one of the little +girls said that she had seen a peach blossom in September. Here we +often have figs in December.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Lily V. F</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Brooklyn, Long Island</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am eleven years old; but my eyes are not strong, and mamma has +not thought it best to send me to school till this fall, so that I +can not write very well. I would like to tell Reba H. that there +were apple blossoms on our tree in Oil City, Pennsylvania, in +September, 1879.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Winifred C</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Bath, New Hampshire</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I have just finished the embroidery of Fig. 12 in <span class="smcap">Young People</span> No. +59. I received the paper Tuesday night, and if I had had all the +crewels, I could have finished it on Thursday. But I had to send to +Boston for some of them, and wait nearly four days before they +came.</p> + +<p>The day I began the embroidery mamma went up garret, and found an +old quilt of my grandmother's, all embroidered with the same +stitch. I have done a table-cover in the South Kensington stitch, +but I think the New England stitch is prettier, easier, and takes +less time.</p> + +<p>I did pattern No. 12 on a bureau-cover of Russian crash. I am very +glad you print the articles on embroidery. They are a great help. +I enjoy fancy-work very much, and do a great deal of it. I was +fourteen last July.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Helen C</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>This is the first report on embroidery, and, according to promise, the +old embroidery pattern has been sent to the writer.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Sullivan, Indiana</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am almost eight years old. I do not go to school. I have two +little sisters. My papa prints a newspaper. I take <span class="smcap">Young People</span>, +and I think it is the best paper in the world, except papa's. I get +papa to read it to me, and then I send it to a little boy who has +no money to buy it.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Harald C. H</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">East Canaan, New Hampshire</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am only six years old, but I can read all the stories in <span class="smcap">Young +People</span> alone. I have some very playful kittens, and one night they +tipped over the big rocking-chair. I had six white geese, but one +died.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Lester O. B</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Passaic, New Jersey</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am ten years old. I have two pretty kittens, exactly alike. They +are yellow and white. The other day I got a pretty dove from the +dove-house, and kept him in a large cage; but I felt sorry for him, +and one day opened the window and let him out. He flew to the top +of the carriage-house, and all of the doves came to meet him and +kept flying around him. I like <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span> so much that I +can not wait patiently until it comes.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Willie G</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Foster Brook, Pennsylvania</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am spending the winter very pleasantly out among the Red Rock +Mountains. Our cottage is in a valley, surrounded by high hills, +which are covered with wintergreen berries from one year's end to +another. During the winter months the berries swell very large, and +they are delicious fruit in the spring. There is a great deal of +iron ore here, and also a great deal of snow. We live in a very +small house, with only four rooms; but, for all that, it is very +cozy. I look forward with much pleasure every week for the coming +of <span class="smcap">Young People</span>.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">M. Ada T</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Clanton, Alabama</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>My brother and I take <span class="smcap">Young People</span>, and like it very much. We had a +pet 'coon, which got very thirsty one day, and crawled into our big +glass water-pitcher head first. After helping himself to water, he +turned round in the pitcher, and came out again. Afterward the cat +killed him.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">St. Clair T</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Brookhaven, Mississippi</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>My papa takes <span class="smcap">Harper's Magazine</span>, and I take <span class="smcap">Young People</span>, which I +like very much, especially the letters written by the children. I +wish all the boys and girls in the South could get your paper.</p> + +<p>I am eight years old, and go to school. There is a great deal of +cotton shipped from here to New Orleans, and a great deal of +lumber to St. Louis and Chicago. I have two little sisters younger +than I.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Archie McM</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Windsor Heights, Maryland</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I have taken <span class="smcap">Young People</span> since the story called "Who was Paul +Grayson?" began. My brother and I have for pets a flock of pigeons, +which are quite tame, two pair of rabbits, and two dogs, named +"Duke" and "Terry." Duke will go into the corn-patch, select a soft +ear of corn, and husk and eat it. He sometimes goes to the +blackberry bushes, and holds down a branch with one paw while he +eats the berries. He is also very fond of persimmons.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">James S</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Moberly, Missouri</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I will send a nice recipe for ice-cream in the winter. Take a +glassful of snow, and put in just enough cream to make it thick, +with some sugar, and just a little extract of vanilla or lemon. My +brother and I have ice-cream all summer, and winter too. I am nine +years old.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Maggie B</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Pearl A. Hare, of Lynchburg, Harris County, Texas, accidentally omitted +the little word "for" in her letter published in <span class="smcap">Young People</span> No. 56, +which made her appear to offer birds' eggs and postage stamps for +exchange, when she wished to obtain them in exchange for Texas snail +shells. Our readers will please note the correction.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am a boy eleven years old. I was born in Cairo, Egypt, and came +to America in 1876. I am living on a farm now, and like it very +much.</p> + +<p>I have some Egyptian stamps I would like to exchange for any other +foreign stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Ambrose Strang</span>, Lincoln, Tennessee.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The following exchanges are also offered by correspondents:</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postmarks.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">M. P. Rich</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">50 West Thirty-eighth Street, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>German postage stamps for any other foreign stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Maude Buckner</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">1208 Russell Street, Covington, Ky.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postage stamps and postmarks for foreign postage stamps and coin.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">S. New</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">127 East Sixty-ninth Street, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postmarks for postage stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Thomas K. Durham</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">P. O. Box 735, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postmarks and War Department stamps for stamps and monograms.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Campbell T. Hamilton</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Fort Preble, Portland, Maine.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Shells for Indian relics, shells, ore, or petrified wood.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Henry Scott</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">20 Patchen Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postmarks for postmarks and stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Al. E. Barker</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">P. O. Box 115, Judsonia, White County, Ark.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Foreign postage stamps for minerals, fossils, shells, sea-weed, or +birds' eggs.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Louis D. Orrison</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Care of Abernathy, North, & Orrison,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Kansas City, Missouri.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Southern moss for a Chinese coin or any old relic.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Daisy Rollins</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">P. O. Box 186, Columbus, Missouri.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Twenty-five postmarks for two rare stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">W. W. Elhose</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">22 Brill Street, Newark, N. J.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Foreign postage stamps or postmarks for all kinds of United States +internal revenue stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">George Wells</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">P. O. Box 466, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Curiosities, postage stamps, or sea-shells for curiosities. Or +thirty postmarks for five birds' eggs. No duplicates.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Harry Madison</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">206 Stockton Street, San Francisco, California.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>One hundred postage stamps for ten coins, or for ten birds' eggs. +No duplicates.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Frank Knox</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">2318 Third Avenue, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Minerals, fossils, rare stamps, or monograms for coats of arms, +crests, and monograms.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">A Reader of "Young People</span>,"</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Lock Box 42,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Little Falls, Herkimer County, N. Y.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>California curiosities, shells, or minerals for old or rare +American coins.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">C. W., Jun</span>.,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">P. O. Box 2305, San Francisco, California.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Foreign stamps for postmarks and postal cards. Postmarks must be +cut square.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">C. S. Petrasch</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">13 West Thirty-second Street, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p><blockquote> + +<p>Two fine specimens of Southern fern, or some evening-glory seeds, +for United States postage stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Emma Bruff</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">238 Felicity Street, New Orleans, La.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postage stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Hawley Webster</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">394 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, Long Island.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postmarks.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Louis Gibbs</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Care of J. J. Carter, Titusville, Penn.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">C. H. L</span>.—The old scrip which you inclose is probably a genuine +five-franc <i>assignat</i>, as the paper money was called which was first +issued by the French government in 1790, and afterward by the +Revolutionary authorities. It was based on the security of the public +domain, consisting of the confiscated estates of the Church and wealthy +exiles. The value of these assignats, which were issued to the amount of +45,578,000,000 francs, declined rapidly after the reign of terror. In +the summer of 1793, one franc in silver was worth three francs in paper. +Three years later, one franc in gold was worth three hundred francs in +paper, although the government, in order to check this depreciation, had +passed a law to regulate the price of commodities.</p> + +<p>The inscription on your assignat shows that it was issued in October or +November, 1793, the second year of the French Republic. The lettering in +the corners proclaims death to any one who should dare to counterfeit +the assignat. The <i>livre</i>, which name appears on the scrip, was a French +coin about the value of a franc, by which it was superseded in 1795. +Eighty francs were equal in value to eighty-one livres.</p> + +<p>If you examine your assignat carefully you will see to the left the dim +and faded stamp of the figure of Liberty, and if you have a strong +magnifying-glass, you can amuse yourself by trying to make out the +lettering around it. This little scrap of coarse paper, not quite a +hundred years old, may incite you to read the story of the terrible time +of which it is a relic. If you are not old enough to enjoy Carlyle's +<i>History of the French Revolution</i>, you will find the scenes vividly +portrayed in Charles Dickens's <i>Tale of Two Cities</i>, and Victor Hugo's +novel entitled "'93."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Henry H. T</span>.—Your proposal to found a Natural History Society, composed +of contributors to <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span>, is hardly practical. The +exchange of specimens, etc., would be dilatory and difficult, as our +contributors are scattered over the whole continent. Local societies of +the kind you mean might be formed to advantage, and the officers of +different associations could correspond with each other, and exchange +views and information.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">L. M. F. and L. L. P</span>.—Your plan for a reading and debating club is +excellent, and if well carried out must have good results. You will find +suggestions that may be useful in some remarks appended to a letter from +Violet S. in <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span> No. 53, and also in a book called +<i>Stories of the Sea</i>, noticed in No. 61. We would advise you not to +waste your time over fourth-rate literature (to which the books you +mention belong), but to select the best authors, whose works will not +only entertain but instruct you. An excellent guide for you would be +William Swinton's <i>Masterpieces of English Literature</i>, recently +published by Harper & Brothers.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Violet S</span>.—Your account of the proceedings of your society is not full +enough. Can you not favor us with a sprightly description of what is +done and said at your meetings, instead of giving the "order of +exercises" merely?</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">John N. H</span>.—Either hickory or sassafras wood is good material for bows.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Helen G</span>.—How to make the "Wiggles" was fully explained at the end of +the Post-office Box in No. 51 of <span class="smcap">Young People</span>.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">R. T. F</span>.—Amber is not, as you suppose, made from "the sap of a tree in +South Africa," but is a fossil resin from several species of coniferous +or cone-bearing trees of a very remote geological period. More than 800 +species of insects have been found preserved in amber, and leaves of 160 +species of plants. Fine pieces of amber are very highly prized, and are +sometimes worth more than their weight in gold. The largest mass known +is in Berlin, Prussia. It weighs eighteen pounds, and is valued at +$30,000. Amber is extensively used for ornaments, the mouth-pieces of +pipes, etc. You may be able to procure a piece of some manufacturer of +meerschaum pipes.</p> + +<p>The ancients prized amber very highly, and it was an important article +of commerce in early times. From the fact that it is found in large +quantities in the remains of the lake-villages of Switzerland, we know +that it must have been an article of exchange in prehistoric times.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Floy</span>.—If you have any pressed flowers, leaves, or other pretty objects +which can be sent easily by mail, we have no doubt some of our readers +would be glad to send you postage stamps in exchange for them. You can +put your offer in the Post-office Box.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Jesse H., Jun</span>.—The English noun envelop, as well as the verb, is +accented on the second syllable. The French form of the word, +<i>envelope</i>, has an even accent on the three syllables. Our word is +derived from the French.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Jean C. P</span>.—Please give the name of the county in which the town of +Warren, where you live, is situated. There are several towns of that +name in Ohio, and correspondents will not know where to address you +unless the county is given also.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ford D. Lyon</span>.—The controversy about the origin of the phrase, +"Consistency, thou art a jewel," has not been satisfactorily settled. +The saying has been floating about for a great many years, but no one +has been able to find out who started it on its travels.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Grace</span>.—The <i>ü</i> in Olmütz is sounded like the French <i>u</i>, very difficult +to catch without the aid of a teacher. You can come very near it by +pronouncing the vowel <i>o</i> and changing to <i>e</i> without altering the +position of the lips.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">C. G. G</span>.—The time required for the transmission of a signal through the +Atlantic cable varies according to the condition of the batteries. A +dispatch has been sent from New York to London and the answer received +within an hour.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">James McK</span>.—No charge is made in the matter about which you ask.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sallie K</span>., Cincinnati, Ohio.—The name of the street in which you live +is so obscurely written that we can not make it out. Write it very +plainly, and we will print your request.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy R</span>.—Send enough to make a pretty wreath.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Jennie S. M</span>.—A very good recipe for butterscotch was given in a letter +from Kittie G. in the Post-office Box of <span class="smcap">Young People</span> No. 37.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Henry C. D</span>.—Glass for windows was made during the Middle Ages in all +European countries. In England glass-painting for windows was practiced +in 1338. Some splendid windows of York Cathedral were painted at that +period by John Thornton, of Coventry. In the fifteenth century English +window-glass was more expensive than any other kind of glass. The +Egyptians made glass at a very early period of their national existence. +Paintings representing glass-blowers making a very large vase show that +nearly 4000 years ago the Egyptians were far advanced in this art.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Favors are acknowledged from Garrett Waggener, Bertha Herron, C. C. +Shelley, Jun., Stella Pratt, George W. Taymun, Flora C. B., Mabel White, +Alice Brown, J. W. Menefee, Orrie H. Clark, Shelton H. Hibbs, H. H. J., +S. H. R., W. H. Scherzer, Carrie and Belle N., Albert Woolley, B. D. +Ellis, C. G. Myers, B. Tompkins, E. Fay Stevens, H. McIlvain, Frank A. +Harmony, Annie S. and Bennie C. Duffie, F. H. Kellogg, Everett Jones, +Lewis B. Frazier, Lyman Perley, Sidney J. Carson, Katie Dale, Louis +Mareé, Tamar Love, Thomas Buford, Fredy Leser.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Correct answers to puzzles are received from C. H. McB., Hugh Pilcairn, +Thomas Cook, George Dudley Kyte, "Lone Star," Harry and Isobel Jacob.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<h3>PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.</h3> + +<h3>No. 1.</h3> + +<h3>WORD SQUARES—(<i>To Owlet</i>).</h3> + +<p>1. First, a piece of ordnance formerly used for blowing up barricades +and other defensive works. Second, a female name. Third, to feel a +sharp, pricking sensation. Fourth, a state in Africa. Fifth, part of a +printing-press. Sixth, having a melancholy appearance.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Zelotes</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>2. First, to disturb. Second, to weaken. Third, a Turkish coin. Fourth, +absent without leave. Fifth, to show clearly. Sixth, leased.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Bolus</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<h3>No. 2.</h3> + +<h3>DIAMOND.</h3> + +<p class="center">A letter. A small vessel. A hut. A celebration. A guide. A snare. A +letter.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Wennie</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<h3>No. 3.</h3> + +<h3>DOUBLE ACROSTIC.</h3> + +<p>An ensign. A boy's name. A wonder. Finished. Answer.—Two things to gain +which men often make great sacrifices and devote all their energies.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Lone Star</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<h3>No. 4.</h3> + +<h3>ENIGMA.</h3> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">First in sieve, not in pail.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Second in rum, not in ale.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Third in calf, not in ox.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Fourth in cat, not in fox.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Fifth in rude, not in kind.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Sixth in brain, not in mind.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Seventh in wheat, not in hay.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">The whole a savage bird of prey.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Oscar</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<h3>No. 5.</h3> + +<h3>ACROSTIC.</h3> + +<p>Place seven divisions of the United States in such order that, +their initials read downward spell the name of another.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Bolus</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2>NEW BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS.</h2> + +<p>A book of good songs for children is a household treasure. There is no +prettier sight than to see brothers and sisters gathered around the +piano during a long winter evening, mamma or the eldest sister playing +the accompaniment and leading in the singing, while sweet childish +voices fill the room with melody. <i>A Book of Rhymes and Tunes</i><a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> +contains more than a hundred pretty songs suitable for these household +conceits. Some of the melodies are new, others familiar, but all are +re-arranged and written in low keys to suit children's voices. Simple +accompaniments are given, such as can be easily understood by a young +pianist, and many songs have both English and German or French words. +The melodies are exceedingly attractive, and are such as will cultivate +good musical taste in youthful musicians.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><i>Zigzag Journeys in Classic Lands</i><a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> is a handsomely bound and well +illustrated volume, from which young readers can learn a great many +things about the history, legends, and present appearance of Spain, +Italy, Greece, and some other European countries. This book is written +in a chatty, familiar style, and the information given by the teacher to +the class of boys who are travelling under his care is of the kind to +especially interest boys and girls.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The fun and frolic of <i>Five Little Mice in a Mouse-Trap</i>,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> as told by +the Man in the Moon, will be a source of delight to many other little +"mice." Nibble, Brighteyes, Fluff, Puff, and Downy, the baby, are real, +living children. They chase butterflies and bees up and down in the +"mouse-trap" garden, play with dolls and dogs and kittens, and have a +splendid time. Uncle Jack is the best of uncles, and the Man in the Moon +a constant friend. The story of the Mice is beautifully illustrated with +drawings by Kate Greenaway, Addie Ledyard, and others.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2>HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">Single Copies</span>, 4 cents; <span class="smcap">One Subscription</span>, one year, $1.50; <span class="smcap">Five +Subscriptions</span>, one year, $7.00—<i>payable in advance, postage free</i>.</p> + +<p>The Volumes of <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span> commence with the first Number in +November of each year.</p> + +<p>Subscriptions may begin with any Number. When no time is specified, it +will be understood that the subscriber desires to commence with the +Number issued after the receipt of the order.</p> + +<p>Remittances should be made by <span class="smcap">Post-Office Money-Order or Draft</span>, to avoid +risk of loss.</p> + +<p>Volume I., containing the first 52 Numbers, handsomely bound in +illuminated cloth, $3.00, postage prepaid: Cover, title-page, and index +for Volume I., 35 cents; postage, 13 cents additional.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">HARPER & BROTHERS,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;">Franklin Square, N. Y.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> +<img src="images/ill_012.jpg" width="800" height="1191" alt="" /> +</div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <i>A Book of Rhymes and Tunes</i>. Compiled and arranged by +<span class="smcap">Margaret Pearmain Osgood</span>. Translations by <span class="smcap">Louisa Y. Craigin</span>. 8vo, pp. +128. Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> <i>Zigzag Journeys in Classic Lands; or, Tommy Toby's Trip to +Mount Parnassus</i>. By <span class="smcap">Hezekiah Butterworth</span>. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 318. +Boston: Estes & Lauriat.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> <i>Five Little Mice in a Mouse-Trap, by the Man in the Moon</i>. +By <span class="smcap">Laura E. Richards</span>. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 228. Boston: Estes & +Lauriat.</p></div></div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44652 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_001.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..705071a --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_001.jpg diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_002.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..da62501 --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_002.jpg diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_003.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..83d87a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_003.jpg diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_004.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7ce0ca3 --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_004.jpg diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_005.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b0ff6d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_005.jpg diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_006.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_006.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..72aeca2 --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_006.jpg diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_007.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_007.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5310c42 --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_007.jpg diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_008.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_008.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..11b6dfb --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_008.jpg diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_009.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_009.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5527a59 --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_009.jpg diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_010.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_010.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..592cbfa --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_010.jpg diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_011.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_011.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2df448d --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_011.jpg diff --git a/44652-h/images/ill_012.jpg b/44652-h/images/ill_012.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b21388 --- /dev/null +++ b/44652-h/images/ill_012.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6b596f9 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #44652 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44652) diff --git a/old/44652-8.txt b/old/44652-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1294654 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2501 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881 + An Illustrated Monthly + +Author: Various + +Release Date: January 13, 2014 [EBook #44652] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, JAN 11, 1881 *** + + + + +Produced by Annie R. McGuire + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE +AN ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY.] + + * * * * * + +VOL. II.--NO. 63. PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. PRICE FOUR +CENTS. + +Tuesday, January 11, 1881. Copyright, 1881, by HARPER & BROTHERS. $1.50 +per Year, in Advance. + + * * * * * + + + + +[Illustration: JOHN MILTON AT THE AGE OF TEN.--SEE NEXT PAGE.] + +MILTON. + + +John Milton was a blue-eyed, yellow-haired Saxon boy, the type of the +English race. He was somewhat short, stout, and healthy; his eyes were +bright and sparkling in his youth, before he became blind. But he +inherited weakness of sight from his mother. He was born 1609, in a +pleasant house in Bread Street, London, almost under the shadow of Bow +Bells. It was back in a court. His father, who had made a fortune as a +scrivener, was fond of music, books, and literature, and his son was +carefully educated at St. Paul's School. Milton relates that he +frequently studied in the house in Bread Street until after midnight, +and his head ached and his sight grew dim with these late vigils. He was +then about twelve years old. + +When he was six years old he may have seen Shakespeare and Ben Jonson +pass on their way to the Mermaid Tavern, which was in Bread Street, not +far from his father's house. He was one of the best scholars at St. +Paul's School, and loved study as most boys like play. He was eager to +know how men lived and acted in Greece and Rome, what they thought of, +and what they had discovered. He studied the rise and fall of empires +and republics, and became a republican in the midst of kings and +princes. He was always fond of poetry, and soon began to write fine +verses. One of his earliest pieces is his "Ode on the Nativity." + +His father leased a place in the country, at Horton, near Windsor, and +here Milton wandered when a young man over the smooth-shaven lawns and +beside the pleasant streams, filling his mind with knowledge and +pictures of fine scenery. It is not likely that as a boy he was fond of +fishing or hunting, as we may well fancy Shakespeare was. He never +tilled the soil like Burns and Virgil. He knew nothing of farming. He +went to Cambridge University, the most learned of its scholars. It was +the custom then to whip the students, and Milton's enemies spread the +report that he was flogged for some breach of the rules. He was always +independent. He travelled, came back to defend republicanism in the +civil war, married, kept a school, was Cromwell's Latin secretary after +he became blind, and published some poetry. But when the republic fell +with Cromwell, Milton was proscribed, and in danger of his life. His +enemies would, gladly have put him to death, and "Paradise Lost" might +never have been written. + +Milton hid in obscurity, blind, forgotten, but constantly engaged on his +great poem. He wrote "Paradise Lost" in his old age. He repeated the +verses aloud to his daughters or some friends who came to visit him, and +they wrote them down. It was finished in 1667, and Milton received +twenty-five dollars for the copyright. It was long neglected, until +Addison gave it great fame. Milton died November 8, 1674. + + + + +THE MESSENGER BOYS AT THE CAPITOL. + +BY HARRIET PRESCOTT SPOFFORD. + + +A lad who visits the city of Washington for the first time, and looks +down from the galleries of the House of Representatives or of the Senate +on the busy scene below, will be sure to find his eye attracted by +groups of bright-looking and neatly dressed boys moving hither and +thither about the floor, speaking familiarly with this and that great +man, or amusing themselves on the steps of the Vice-President's or of +the Speaker's platform, and he will perhaps regard these boys with +something like envy--all the more when told that they receive about two +dollars and seventy-five cents a day, during the sessions of Congress, +to pay them for having such a good time. + +Possibly our lad would not regard the picture as so pleasant if he knew +how burdensome are the duties of these boys, and how exceedingly well +they earn the money paid them. There are nearly thirty of them attached +to the House, and half as many to the Senate. Their ages run from nine +years upward, some numbering twice as many summers; and it is not by any +means the oldest who are the brightest and the most favored. They are of +respectable families; some of them are nephews of Members of Congress--a +Member once, indeed, had such questionable taste as to procure the +appointment of his own son; and some of them have been known in +after-years to become Members themselves. The recently chosen Senator +from Maryland is doubtless proud to remember that he himself was once a +page. Although in two or three instances these boys have been elected to +their places, instead of appointed, they are usually appointed by the +Sergeant-at-Arms--of course on the recommendation and through the +influence of the Congressmen--and they are under his control. The old +custom of appointing only orphan boys is no longer adhered to. The boy +who fell over the balustrade, and was made a page by special resolution +of the Senate, is a very exceptional case--probably his favorite song +thereafter was, "Such a getting up stairs I ne'er did see." + +The pages wear no uniform, or regulation clothes, or badges of any sort. +They are required to present themselves for work at nine o'clock in the +morning, although Congress does not meet till twelve, and they are not +dismissed until adjournment for the day takes place. They put the desks +of the Members in order, file for each the bills and papers which are +strewn about in confusion, then go to the Document-rooms and work there, +helping to put affairs in shape; and they present themselves at twelve +in the great chambers of legislation to answer the clapping of the +Members' and Senators' hands, and attend to their countless wants. Now +they are sent hunting for some book that is needed, for some man, now +for a glass of water, now they take messages from one Member to another +at a distance, from one House to the other, and sometimes to ladies in +the gallery; they fetch a cup of tea into the Cloak-room; fetch the hat +and stick out of it; they distribute mail by the armful; they struggle +into sight, behind piles of palm-leaf fans big as they are themselves, +which are soon cooling the hot air, if it be a late session; and during +the nights preceding the close of the session they do not know what +sleep is, but are worn out with running and waiting. Thus it will be +seen that they are on their feet with but very little intermission, +running and tumbling over each other in their eagerness to please; but +they seem happy and good-natured through it all, and when they do sit +down it is on the steps of the presiding officer's desk, where they are +usually tickling or punching or teasing each other as if they had +nothing else to do, and were passing away the time. + +Sometimes during a recess of Congress you may come upon them in a lower +room, assembled in a body, a mimic Senate, one of them in the chair, and +another making a speech, and Mr. Blaine and Mr. Conkling and Mr. Bayard +and the rest are being imitated to the life. It is in some contrast to +these gay rogues that one sees a crippled and dwarfed little hunchback +outside the Hall of Representatives, opening and shutting a door for the +passer in hopes of the coppers or the nickel that may be tossed him, +although he does not beg. At night a little goat carriage comes for him, +and he drives off. + +The pages whom we have described do not leave the Capitol during the +hours of their service, and carry no messages beyond the doors. For +outside work there are three riding pages, who are furnished with +horses, and who go to the various Departments, the Executive Mansion, or +on other of the outside errands of the legislators. And theirs is not +exactly the pleasant horseback riding that looks so attractive, but, on +the contrary, it is hard and weary work, cold in the winter, and burning +under a fierce sun in the summer, leaving them meanwhile as badly off +as John Gilpin. + +Many of these youths are appointed because there is some great need in +their families, or have been some pitiable circumstances in their +history. This curly-headed little fellow is the only support of a mother +and younger brothers and sisters; there is one who takes care of a +paralyzed father, the only relative he has in the world, going home, +after his hard work, to make life as pleasant as he can for him who can +never do any more work; here is another whose little house is kept for +him by a child-sister, who looks for his step at night with solicitude. +Most of them have somebody besides themselves to take a share of their +earnings. + +Beyond their regular pay, there are various perquisites and fees which +swell their income considerably. Thus they may often be seen slipping an +open book, with a bit of blotting-paper, under the nose of some Member +who is sitting at his desk: it is an album for somebody who wants the +signatures of all these statesmen, which the statesmen kindly give, but +which nevertheless are not always easy to obtain, owing to the +difficulty of finding individuals in their seats, as all of the +Congressmen are by no means in constant attendance, many of them being +busy in committee-rooms, or lounging in cloak-rooms, or lunching, or +following the bent of their inclinations in other ways, and seldom +coming in after roll-call, save to hear a heralded speech, or to vote on +measures with which they are already familiar either from the reading of +the daily journal of proceedings, or in the committee-room, or by the +word of mouth of others. For every album that they thus fill with +signatures the boys receive ten dollars from the eager visitor of the +Capitol, and they fill a good many during the year. + +In another way they also sometimes earn an additional penny. For after +any gentleman on the floor has made a particularly strong speech, the +Members on his side of the question are wont to subscribe for the +printing of thousands of copies of the speech, to be sent broadcast into +their districts; the pages therefore go about with subscription papers, +and they are allowed two dollars for every thousand of the speeches that +are taken. + +If the boys of whom we are speaking are very bright, they are apt to be +spoiled, as in such case the Members and Senators take pleasure in +indulging them to some degree. But there are not many, it may be +imagined, who are thus injured. Some of them, indeed, are as careless as +the blowing wind; these have no awe or reverence in their compositions: +the great men with whom they are brought into contact are not great men +to them, but simply folks who send them on errands, and the directions +given them go in one ear and out the other--as we all know never happens +with boys anywhere else. One little chap, dispatched to the +Document-room for the "Fortification Bill," asks for the "Mortification +Bill"; another, sent for the "Census," asks for the "Ascension Bill"; +still another, insisting on the "Compulsive Capacity Bill," and +returning without it, is told that he was sent for nothing of the kind, +but for that on "compulsory pilotage," whereupon he presently comes back +to say that there isn't any bill on "pulsive politics." The same +youngster asked the Document Clerks for the "Bill for the Suppression of +Supreme Literature." A little "compulsive capacity" would have been good +for this urchin, were it to be obtained as easily as was thought by that +gentleman whose daughter lacked capacity, as her teacher said. "Get it, +madam," said he--"get it; she shall want for nothing that money can buy +her." To the same class with these scatter-brained urchins belonged the +little fellow who once brought into the Congressional Library a note +signed by one of the most powerful "Sons of Thunder" in the Senate, and +which we begged the librarian's pardon for reading as it lay a moment on +the desk beside us: "William H. Turner wants _The Headless Horseman; or, +The Scalp-Hunter_. I ask that he may have it under the rules of the +Library." + +But to offset such idle fellows as the reader of _The Headless +Horseman_--who certainly could do no better than hunt for a "scalp," and +a head with it, too--there are other pages who make it their business to +understand their duties thoroughly, and two or three who even go so far +as to read for themselves every bill that is introduced, to follow its +fortunes, to be able to tell the person that asks just where it is in +its progress to passage or defeat, and who can always be relied on by +any Member who has been absent or out of the way to let him know exactly +what has been done and said in the mean time, and how the vote stands on +this question or the other. It would be no wonder if boys of this sort +should be indulged; and there is little danger of spoiling such good +material. These boys are learning the business of legislating, and if +they wish, will, in their turn, come back some day to make the laws. + +But careless or faithful, their bright faces and light ways are a +pleasant sight to see in all the throng of bustling, noisy men; and as +one looks at them slipping about on their countless errands, one feels +as if the boys themselves bore some small part in the work of governing +the country. + + + + +A HERO OF CHIVALRY. + + +Bertrand du Guesclin was born in 1314 at the castle of Motte Broen, near +Rennes, in Brittany. His heroic character showed itself early. As he was +not troubled with lessons (he never learned to read or write), he formed +a company of boys of his own age, and, acting as their general, +practiced them in battle and combat. His mother often clasped her +forehead in alarm when he came home with bruised face and bleeding head. +Even in his seventeenth year he excelled many older knights in strength +and dexterity in the use of arms. But he was ridiculed by the ladies +because he looked so ugly, and rode such a wretched horse. They jeered +at him, saying that he looked more like a donkey-driver than a knight +and nobleman, and that he must have borrowed his steed from a miller. + +Bertrand was indignant, and, as there was another tournament about to +come off, he begged a cousin of his to lend him a steed and armor. Both +were granted, and with a joyful heart he entered the lists, where, in +his strange armor, and with his visor down, no one, not even his own +father, recognized him. A well-known valiant knight opposed him. The +signal was given, they ran at each other with lightning speed, and with +a loud crash their lances broke into splinters in their hands. Bertrand, +however, had struck with such force on his adversary's helmet, that the +latter was thrown from the saddle to a distance of several paces, where +he lay insensible on the sand, and had to be carried out of the lists. + +The young victor returned to his post with a fresh lance, and waited for +fresh opponents. Now his own father ranged himself against him. Bertrand +did not wish to fight against him, but was equally unwilling to make +himself known. So he resolved to lower his lance in his tilt, and to +receive his father's blow on his shield without making a counter-thrust. +He did this so adroitly that he kept firm in his saddle, and, without +tottering, galloped by, and then declared positively that he would not +fight again with that knight. People were surprised, but made no +derisive remarks, for the knight's courage had been sufficiently proved +in the former combat. His father rode out of the lists, and gave place +to other knights. Guesclin laid them in the dust, and was unanimously +declared the winner. + +Every one was eager to know who the champion was, and his father +especially longed for the unravelling of the mystery. + +At length, when the tournament was over, and Bertrand had received his +prize, he rode up to his father, raised his visor, and cried, "Do you +know me now, father?" The old man embraced him with tears of joy, and at +once provided him with a steed and armor. The fame of the young hero now +spread all over France. + +Hitherto Bertrand had only won victories in tournaments, but now the +more serious field of battle was to behold the first exploits of his +sword. Duke Charles of Blois made war on John de Montfort for the +possession of Brittany. Philip the Sixth, King of France, sided with the +former; while, on the other hand, the King of England (Edward the Third) +supported De Montfort. Bertrand had naturally no choice in the matter, +for, like a brave Frenchman, he followed his king wherever he led him. + +At that time the castle of Fougeray was in the hands of the English, and +Bertrand resolved to take it from them, as it was a place of no mean +importance. With this view he disguised himself and sixty companions as +wood-cutters, and divided them into four bands, which approached the +place from different sides. He then fixed on a time when the governor of +the castle and a part of the garrison had gone out on a reconnoitring +expedition, when he made a party of his men hide themselves in the +neighboring wood during the night. At break of day they loaded +themselves with fagots and brushwood, concealed their weapons under +their clothes, and came up to the castle from different directions. +Bertrand, in a white smock, with a heavy load of wood on his back, was +the first to appear before the draw-bridge, which was instantly lowered +for him. He at once threw down his fagot, drew his sword, and transfixed +the warder; then he raised the cry of "Guesclin." At this signal the +rest hastened forward to come to his assistance and take the bridge. As, +however, there were two hundred Englishmen in the castle, the conflict +was very unequal, and a horrid slaughter ensued. An Englishman clove the +skull of one of Bertrand's companions with his battle-axe. Guesclin, in +return, cut him down, and caught up the axe, with which he dealt +slashing blows on every side. So he fought on, and kept the enemy off +the body for a time, until a troop of cavalry of his own side +accidentally arrived in the neighborhood, rescued him from his perilous +situation, and helped to take the place. It was, indeed, high time for +relief to arrive; for, in his combat against tenfold odds, he had +dropped his battle-axe, and his head was so covered with wounds that the +blood was streaming down his face. The conspicuous valor which he here +displayed gained him the reputation of being the boldest and most +dauntless knight of his time. + + + + +[Illustration: SCENE IN AN ITALIAN SCHOOL.] + + + + +[Begun in No. 58 of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, December 7.] + +TOBY TYLER; + +OR, TEN WEEKS WITH A CIRCUS. + +BY JAMES OTIS. + +CHAPTER V. + +THE COUNTERFEIT TEN-CENT PIECE. + + +When the doors of the big tent were opened, and the people began to +crowd in, just as Toby had seen them do at Guilford, Mr. Lord announced +to his young clerk that it was time for him to go into the tent to work. +Then it was that Toby learned for the first time that he had two masters +instead of one, and this knowledge caused him no little uneasiness. If +the other one was anything like Mr. Lord, his lot would be just twice as +bad, and he began to wonder whether he could even stand it one day +longer. + +As the boy passed through the tent on his way to the candy stand, where +he was to really enter upon the duties for which he had run away from +home, he wanted to stop for a moment and speak with the old monkey who +he thought had taken such an interest in him. But when he reached the +cage in which his friend was confined, there was such a crowd around it +that it was impossible for him to get near enough to speak without being +overheard. + +This was such a disappointment to the little fellow that the great tears +came into his eyes, and in another instant would have gone rolling down +his cheeks if his aged friend had not chanced to look toward him. Toby +fancied that the monkey looked at him in the most friendly way, and then +he was certain that he winked one eye. Toby felt that there was no +mistake about that wink, and it seemed as if it was intended to convey +comfort to him in his troubles. He winked back at the monkey in the most +emphatic and grave manner possible, and then went on his way, feeling +wonderfully comforted. + +The work inside the tent was far different and much harder than it was +outside. He was obliged to carry around among the audience trays of +candy, nuts, and lemonade, for sale, and he was also expected to cry +aloud the description of that which he offered. The partner of Mr. Lord, +who had charge of the stand inside the tent, neither showed himself to +be better nor worse than Mr. Lord himself. When Toby first presented +himself for work, he handed him a tray filled with glasses of lemonade, +and told him to go among the audience, crying, "Here's your nice cold +lemonade, only five cents a glass!" + +Toby started to do as he was bidden; but when he tried to repeat the +words in anything like a loud tone of voice, they stuck in his throat, +and he found it next to impossible to utter a sound above a whisper. It +seemed to him that every one in the audience was looking only at him, +and the very sound of his own voice made him afraid. + +He went entirely around the tent once without making a sale, and when he +returned to the stand he was at once convinced that one of his masters +was quite as bad as the other. This one--and he knew that his name was +Jacobs, for he heard some one call him so--very kindly told him that he +would break every bone in his body if he didn't sell something, and Toby +confidently believed that he would carry out his threat. + +It was with a very heavy heart that he started around again in obedience +to Mr. Jacobs's angry command; but this time he did manage to cry out, +in a very thin and very squeaky voice, the words which he had been told +to repeat. + +This time--perhaps owing to his pitiful and imploring look, certainly +not because of the noise he made--he met with very good luck, and sold +every glass of the mixture which Messrs. Lord and Jacobs called +lemonade, and went back to the stand for more. + +He certainly thought he had earned a word of praise, and fully expected +it as he put the empty glasses and money on the stand in front of Mr. +Jacobs. But instead of the kind words, he was greeted with a volley of +curses, and the reason for it was that he had taken in payment for two +of the glasses a lead ten-cent piece. Mr. Jacobs, after scolding poor +little Toby to his heart's content, vowed that the amount should be kept +from his first week's wages, and then handed him back the coin, with +orders to give it to the first man who gave him money to change, under +the penalty of a severe flogging if he failed to do so. + +Poor Toby tried to explain matters by saying, "You see, I don't know +anything about money; I never had more'n a cent at a time, an' you +mustn't expect me to get posted all at once." + +"I'll post you with a stick if you do it again; an' it won't be well for +you if you bring that ten-cent piece back here." + +Now Toby was very well aware that to pass the coin, knowing it to be +bad, would be a crime, and he resolved to take the consequences of which +Mr. Jacobs had intimated, if he could not find the one who had given him +the counterfeit, and persuade him to give him good money in its stead. +He remembered very plainly where he had sold each glass of lemonade, and +he retraced his steps, glancing at each face carefully as he passed. At +last he was confident that he saw the man who had gotten him into such +trouble, and he climbed up the board seats, saying, as he stood in front +of him, and held out the coin: "Mister, this money that you gave me is +bad. Won't you give me another one for it?" + +The man was a rough-looking party who had taken his girl to the circus, +and who did not seem at all disposed to pay any heed to Toby's request. +Therefore he repeated it, and this time more loudly. + +"Get out the way!" said the man, angrily. "How can you expect me to see +the show if you stand right in front of me?" + +"You'll like it better," said Toby, earnestly, "if you give me another +ten-cent piece." + +"Get out, an' don't bother me!" was the angry rejoinder; and the little +fellow began to think that perhaps he would be obliged to "get out" +without getting his money. + +It was becoming a desperate case, for the man was growing angry very +fast, and if Toby did not succeed in getting good money for the bad, he +would have to take the consequences of which Mr. Jacobs had spoken. + +[Illustration: "PLEASE, MISTER, GIVE ME THE MONEY BACK."] + +"Please, mister," he said, imploringly--for his heart began to grow very +heavy, and he was fearing that he should not succeed--"won't you please +give me the money back? You know you gave it to me, an' I'll have to pay +it if you don't." + +The boy's lip was quivering, and those around began to be interested in +the affair, while several in their immediate vicinity gave vent to their +indignation that a man should try to cheat a boy out of ten cents by +giving him counterfeit money. + +The man whom Toby was speaking to was about to dismiss him with an angry +reply, when he saw that those about him were not only interested in the +matter, but were evidently taking sides with the boy against him; and +knowing well that he had given the counterfeit money, he took another +coin from his pocket, and handing it to Toby, said, "I didn't give you +the lead piece; but you're making such a fuss about it that here's ten +cents to make you keep quiet." + +"I'm sure you did give me the money," said Toby, as he took the extended +coin, "an' I'm much obliged to you for takin' it back. I didn't want to +tell you before, 'cause you'd thought I was beggin'; but if you hadn't +given me this, I 'xpect I'd have got an awful whippin', for Mr. Jacobs +said he'd fix me if I didn't get the money for it." + +The man looked sheepish enough as he put the bad money in his pocket, +and Toby's innocently told story caused such a feeling in his behalf +among those who sat near that he not only disposed of his entire stock +then and there, but received from one gentleman twenty-five cents for +himself. He was both proud and happy as he returned to Mr. Jacobs with +empty glasses, and with the money to refund the amount of loss which +would have been caused by the counterfeit. + +But the worthy partner of Mr. Lord's candy business had no words of +encouragement for the boy who was trying so hard to please. + +"Let that make you keep your eyes open," he growled out, sulkily; "an' +if you get caught in that trap again, you won't be let off so easy." + +Poor little Toby! his heart seemed ready to break; but his few hours' +previous experience had taught him that there was but one thing to do, +and that was to work just as hard as possible, trusting to some good +fortune to enable him to get out of the very disagreeable position in +which he had voluntarily placed himself. + +He took the basket of candy which Mr. Jacobs handed him, and trudged +around the circle of seats, selling far more because of the pitifulness +of his face than because of the excellence of his goods; and even this +worked to his disadvantage. Mr. Jacobs was keen enough to see why his +little clerk sold so many goods, and each time that he returned to the +stand he said something to him in an angry tone, which had the effect of +deepening the shadow on the boy's face, and at the same time increasing +trade. + +By the time the performance was over Toby had in his pocket a dollar and +twenty-five cents which had been given him for himself by some of the +kind-hearted in the audience, and he kept his hand almost constantly +upon it, for the money seemed to him like some kind friend who would +help him out of his present difficulties. + +After the audience had dispersed, Mr. Jacobs set Toby at work washing +the glasses, and clearing up generally, and then the boy started toward +the other portion of the store--that watched over by Mr. Lord. Not a +person save the watchmen was in the tent, and as Toby went toward the +door he saw his friend the monkey sitting in one corner of the cage, and +apparently watching his every movement. + +It was as if he had suddenly seen one of the boys from home, and Toby, +uttering an exclamation of delight, ran up to the cage, and put his hand +through the wires. + +The monkey, in the gravest possible manner, took one of the fingers in +his paw, and Toby shook hands with him very earnestly. + +"I was sorry that I couldn't speak to you when I went in this noon," +said Toby, as if making an apology; "but, you see, there were so many +around here to see you that I couldn't get the chance. Did you see me +wink at you?" + +The monkey made no reply, but he twisted his face up in such a funny +little grimace that Toby was quite as well satisfied as if he had +spoken. + +"I wonder if you hain't some relation to Steve Stubbs," Toby continued, +earnestly, "for you look just like him, only he don't have quite so many +whiskers. What I wanted to say was that I'm awful sorry I run away. I +used to think that Uncle Dan'l was bad enough; but he was just a perfect +good Samarathon to what Mr. Lord an' Mr. Jacobs are; an' when Mr. Lord +looks at me with that crooked eye of his, I feel it 'way down in my +boots. Do you know"--and here Toby put his mouth nearer to the monkey's +head, and whispered--"I'd run away from this circus if I could get the +chance; wouldn't you?" + +Just at this point, as if in answer to the question, the monkey stood up +on his hind-paws, and reached out his hand to the boy, who seemed to +think this was his way of being more emphatic in saying "Yes." + +Toby took the paw in his hand, shook it again earnestly, and said, as he +released it: "I was pretty sure you felt just about the same way I did, +Mr. Stubbs, when I passed you this noon. Look here"--and Toby took the +money from his pocket which had been given him--"I got all that this +afternoon, an' I'll try an' stick it out somehow till I get as much as +ten dollars, an' then we'll run away some night, an' go 'way off as far +as--as--as out West, an' we'll stay there, too." + +The monkey, probably tired with remaining in one position so long, +started toward the top of the cage, chattering and screaming, joining +the other monkeys, who had gathered in a little group in one of the +swings. + +"Now see here, Mr. Stubbs," said Toby, in alarm, "you mustn't go to +telling everybody about it, or Mr. Lord will know, an' then we'll be +dished, sure." + +The monkey squatted down in one of the swings, as if he was reproved by +what the boy had said, and Toby, considerably relieved by his silence, +said, as he started toward the door, "That's right--mum's the word; you +keep quiet, an' so will I, an' pretty soon we'll get away from the whole +crowd." + +All the monkeys chattered, and Toby, believing that everything which he +had said had been understood by the animals, went out of the door to +meet his other task-master. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +THE YOUNG TIN-TYPERS. + +PART I. + + +The recitation in Natural Philosophy was just over, and as the class was +leaving the room, Fred Ward whispered to his most particular chum, Jim +Davis: "I say, Jim, I've hit on an immense idea. Suppose that we set up +a photographic gallery. It will be splendid fun." + +"That's so," answered Jim. "Let's talk it over." + +By this time the French class room was reached, and conversation was for +the time suspended; but two o'clock found the boys leaving the +school-grounds, engaged in a grand confab about their new plan. + +"Now those old fellows that invented all this," said Fred, "had to work +hard, because they had nothing to begin with; but as all that we want to +know is down in the books, I don't see why we can't take as good a +picture as the next one, as soon as we can get a camera and some +chemicals. Why, Jim, you can buy the whole rig for five dollars--yes, +you can--camera and all, with a stand to set it on." + +"Oh, nonsense!" answered Jim; "I wouldn't give a cent to work in that +way. Why can't we make the box and mix the baths ourselves? Anybody +could buy the machine and take a picture, but it isn't every fellow can +make his own apparatus. Now in my Philosophy there are some pictures +that show how to put the box together, and we can save money to buy the +lenses, and it will be twice as much fun to do everything ourselves." + +Jim was very handy with tools, and in a few days he constructed as neat +a camera as could be desired for a beginner. It consisted of two boxes, +one of which fitted into the other. The interior of the boxes was +painted black, so that the light through the lenses would be all the +plate could receive. In the front of the larger box, and directly in the +centre, a round hole was cut to receive the tube containing the lenses, +and at the back of the small box were grooves to receive the plate +slide. The making of that slide was the first serious stumbling-block in +the path of these young photographers. + +[Illustration: SLIDE CASE.] + +They searched through their books, and at last found a good diagram +which gave Jim the hints he needed for his work. He first built a frame +which fitted to the slide in the back of his camera box. This frame was +provided with a hinged door at the back, and a sliding door in front. In +order to receive plates of different sizes, Jim also made several plate +frames with larger or smaller openings. The plate frame fitted tightly +inside the slide frame, and was held firm by a spring fastened in the +centre of the hinged door, which pressed against the plate when the door +was shut. Another frame, exactly the same size as the plate frame, had +to be made to hold the ground glass upon which to obtain the focus for +the pictures. When the focus was regulated, the ground glass was to be +carefully withdrawn, and the sensitive plate placed in exactly the same +position. + +Perseverance and school-boy grit having conquered the slide difficulty, +the perplexing question of the lenses came up. Fred's father, who was +watching the boys' undertaking with considerable interest, now came to +the rescue, and presented the young photographers with a fine set of +mounted Dallemeyer lenses with diaphragms, which he bought of a dealer +in photographic apparatus. + +[Illustration: THE CAMERA.] + +The camera being in readiness, Fred and Jim now went to work to mix +their baths. They began with the sensitive bath, but to their +astonishment, when they placed nitrate of silver in ordinary water, a +white cloud instantly formed. The text-book was at once consulted, and +Fred discovered that distilled water must be used. As the boys had no +long-necked retort with which to distill the water, they agreed to +suspend all operations until they could see their teacher on the +following day, and ask his advice. + +The next afternoon, when school was over, the boys marched up to the +door of Professor Drood's class-room, and timidly knocked. "Come in," +said a hearty, kindly voice. Fred, who was the most courageous, went in +first, and clearly stated the case, while Jim stood hesitating in the +doorway. "If you take rain-water, and filter it to remove the dust," +said the Professor, "it will answer your purpose as well as distilled +water." + +The boys thanked him, and were going away, when he called them back. "I +like to see you taking interest in things of this kind," said he, "and +if you will stop, I will give you the whole story as clearly as I can." +Fred and Jim were delighted to listen, and when the Professor told them +to take a pencil and note-book, and write down the proportions in which +the different baths were to be mixed, they were eagerly attentive at +once. + +"The sensitive bath," said the Professor, "is prepared in this manner: +dissolve in two ounces of rain-water one ounce of nitrate of silver in +crystals. Then add two to five grains of iodide of potassium. You must +now add eight ounces of rain-water, and let the mixture stand two hours +to saturate. It must be kept in a dark chamber, where no rays of +sunlight can penetrate. You must always work by the light of a candle, +and it is a good plan to have a screen of yellow paper around the flame, +so that no direct light may fall on your sensitized plate. + +"Before beginning to work, be sure that your plate is clean. Tin plates, +with which you would better work until you become skillful in handling +the baths, are sold in sheets by any dealer in photographic goods, and +when you buy them are often covered with fine dust. Polish them well +with a pad of soft chamois-skin before you proceed farther. Next pour +the collodion on the centre, and cause it to flow evenly by gently +tipping the plate from side to side. Allow the surplus to drip off into +a flask; and as collodion is an expensive article, you would better mix +some gum-arabic and water to about the required thickness, and practice +with that first, that you may not waste the more costly fluid by +failures to spread it evenly on the plate--a very difficult matter for +beginners to accomplish. This collodion is made of alcohol, ether, and +gun-cotton, and sensitized with certain iodides and bromides. It +evaporates if exposed to the air, and must be well corked, and kept in a +cool, dark place, as both lights and heat are injurious to it. A +positive collodion is often sold for ferrotypes, but the negative fluid +gives better results. + +"When the film of collodion has become set, the plate is ready for the +sensitive bath. Place it on a strip of glass bent at the lower end, +which you will buy with your bath dish, and lower it into the bath +quickly; otherwise a line may be noticed on the finished picture, due to +the uneven deposit of silver. The deposit may be hastened by gently +moving the plate in the liquid. After a few seconds lift it out and +examine it. If it is streaked and greasy, it must be put back; but when +it is of a fine opaline tint, free from streaks and flaws, it is ready +to be placed in the camera, which should be already properly focussed +and in position. + +"Now, boys, comes the great trouble--to correctly time the exposure. It +varies from five to forty-five or sixty seconds, according to the light, +the arrangement of your screens, and the condition of the silver bath. + +[Illustration: THE FIRST ATTEMPT--SOMETHING WRONG.] + +"When you think, from the nature of the case, that your plate has been +exposed long enough, close your slide, and return to the dark room, +where you now proceed to develop your picture. You must have already +mixed this developing solution: one fluid part of sulphate of iron, one +and a half fluid parts of acetic acid, and sixteen parts of rain-water. +Do not make too much of this at once, as it quickly becomes spoiled. +When you take the plate from the slide, you will see no alteration in +it, but when you pour on some of your developer, 'as if by magic a +picture appears.' See that the developer flows all over the plate, and +do not allow it to settle on any one place, as this would make a stain +which can not be removed. + +"As soon as the development is complete, wash the plate well with pure +water, using for the purpose a wash bottle, which is simply a large +glass flask having a cork perforated by two tubes, one of which reaches +into the body of the liquid, while the other only passes through the +cork. The short tube is bent over at an angle so that the mouth may be +conveniently placed against it, while the long tube is bent, and drawn +out to a fine jet. On blowing through the short tube, the air in the +bottle becomes compressed, and in expanding drives the liquid through +the jet in a fine steady stream. When the plate has been well washed, it +must be treated with another solution, as this picture is one that would +soon fade, just as you no doubt have seen proofs of photographs do. To +remove the unaltered silver a solution of hyposulphite of soda in water +is used. Cyanide of potassium is also used, because it is much cleaner. + +"But there is no rose without its thorns, and the cyanide makes up for +its cleanliness by being one of the most deadly poisons, and I would +advise boys who are not posted on the fine points of chemical +manipulation to have nothing to do with it. This fixing solution is made +of eight ounces of the hyposulphite and forty of water. Now if this is +made too strong, it will spoil the picture, so it is well to be careful +to have the exact proportions. + +"By-the-way," added the Professor, "if you do use cyanide of potassium, +be very careful not to get any of it into what cuts or bruises you may +have on your hands. Boys always have such ornaments, and if the cyanide +touches a place where the skin is broken, it is liable to mix with the +blood, and make trouble. + +"After your picture is fixed, wash it well and varnish it. Ten parts of +gum-arabic to one hundred parts of water will make a very fair varnish; +but as this has to be dried over a spirit-lamp, it is better to buy the +self-drying varnish which is sold for this purpose. + +"All this sounds very easy and pleasant, but there are more +disappointments in store for you than can be imagined, for in this, as +in many other things, practice is as essential as rules and regulations. +I can only say to you, what should be the motto of every scientific +student, 'Make haste slowly.'" + +The boys thanked the good-natured Professor, who told them, in any +serious difficulty, to come to him again. Then with eager steps they +hastened homeward. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +[Illustration: MIDWINTER.] + + + + +WILD BIRDS IN THE COUNTRY. + + +When Aunt Bertha was younger than she is now she was a little English +girl, and her American nephews and nieces are never tired of hearing +about her English pets. Of her bird pets she tells the young listeners +as follows: + +"When I was alone at home with my parents, I used to amuse myself during +my play-time, which I always spent out-of-doors, by trying to tame the +wild birds. I nailed a little wooden tray against an oak that had twigs +growing out of its trunk for the birds to perch on. It stood just inside +a wood on one side of the drive, but not too much exposed to the view of +the passers-by. Every morning regularly I filled the tray with +bread-crumbs and bird-seed, with a little piece of raw meat now and then +for a great treat. I watched anxiously to see what birds would come +first, and in a few days had the pleasure of finding three tomtits +hopping about my tree, and carrying off the crumbs and seeds. It was +delightful to have these pretty, sprightly little fellows, with their +bright yellow and black breasts and white cheeks, for my visitors, +instead of the rather vulgar-looking sparrows, that are generally only +too eager to secure any food that may be awaiting hungry mouths. The +next birds that came were a pair of chaffinches: the cock never became +very tame, but his little mate was soon a great pet with every one. +After a time I had twelve birds that fed regularly at my box; they were +a pair of tomtits, the chaffinches, a pair of nut-hatches, a pair of +coal-tits, a pair of marsh-titmice, a robin, and a hedge-sparrow. In +the cold weather my birds used to meet me as I came out of the house, +and fly after me to the wood. They were not at all afraid of Carlo, my +large dog, who generally accompanied me, and sat by the tree quite +quietly, expecting his little share of the feast. In the spring the +chaffinches built their nest in an oak-tree within sight of the box, and +when their young ones were hatched, they carried off nice large crumbs +to them. + +"A robin that fed at the box used also to keep us company when we were +out, and hop about on our feet as we sat on the lawn. The dear little +thing came in-doors whenever he found a window open. He was particularly +fond of flying into my mother's bedroom, in which he thought he had +discovered a rival favorite. Day after day he attacked it most fiercely, +but as the rival was his own reflection in the mirror, the poor bird +only got a great many hard knocks against the glass in his efforts to +revenge himself on his fancied enemy. The mirror was sometimes smeared +with his blood." + + + + +[Begun in YOUNG PEOPLE No. 58, December 7.] + +MILDRED'S BARGAIN. + +A Story for Girls. + +BY MRS. JOHN LILLIE. + +CHAPTER V. + + +"Milly," said little Kate, greeting her elder sister one evening about a +week after Miss Jenner's party, "there's a woman waiting to see you in +the parlor." + +Mildred instinctively kept the child back as she made her way into the +room, shutting the door after her with a firm hand. There sat the +peddler, or "Widow Robbins," as she called herself; and, oh! how she +seemed to Milly to take the warmth and life out of the pretty little +room with her air of vulgar obtrusiveness! Milly stood still in the +middle of the room a moment, while Mrs. Robbins spoke. "Called for the +first payment, my dear," she said, jocularly. + +"Certainly," answered Milly, drawing her purse from her pocket; "and," +she continued, "I thought I might as well pay you four weeks in advance. +I have that much to spare." + +She came forward, holding out two crisp bills; but, to her surprise, +"Widow Robbins" motioned her back. "Ah, no, my dear," she said, gravely; +"that wasn't in our agreement. I can't take more'n the fifty cents. Now +give me just that, and I'll sign my name to your paper." + +Milly remonstrated, all in vain, and then, completely disgusted by the +coarse vulgarity of the woman, her loud tone and half-sarcastic laugh, +she produced her "agreement," allowing Mrs. Robbins to sign a receipt +for fifty cents, and take her leave. Poor Milly, though vexed and +puzzled, did not see into the deeper motive of the peddler in this +transaction. By only receiving the half-dollar weekly, Mrs. Robbins +prolonged her power over Milly, well knowing a day _might_ come when +even that sum would not be in Milly's possession to give her. If such a +remote chance ever occurred to Mildred, she dismissed it as too absurd +to contemplate for an instant. The next week passed by quickly enough, +for in her mother's absence Mildred had many home cares added to her +usual ones and the work at the store. One fact relieved her greatly. +"Mr. Tom's" attentions had nearly ceased, and she was allowed to come +and go to her daily work without subjecting herself to any special +insolence from him. Widow Robbins appeared again on the following +Monday, and was promptly paid and dismissed. The same evening Mrs. Lee +returned from her visit, full of exhilaration from the change, and ready +to hear Milly's account of Miss Jenner's party. It cost the girl an +effort not to tell of her new dress; but Mrs. Lee did not observe the +slight confusion in her daughter's manner, being fully entertained by +hearing an account of the fine house. + +Early the next evening Mildred paid a call at the brick house, and +renewed her sociable intercourse with Alice and Roger, who welcomed her +so cordially that Miss Jenner, though in a rather stiff way, asked +Mildred to spend an evening with them once a week. It was a new era in +Milly's life. How she looked forward to those Wednesday evenings, when, +leaving the store at the earliest moment possible, she would hasten +home, make a quick toilette, chatting with her mother the while, and +then go out into the dusky streets, threading her way eagerly to Lane +Street, where lights twinkled in the old-fashioned windows of Miss +Jenner's house, and where she was sure to find a kindly welcome! + +Sometimes the three young people sat in Alice's pretty sitting-room up +stairs, which to Milly's eyes was like an enchanted palace. Although +blind, Alice delighted in feeling soft hangings, luxurious coverings to +her chairs and sofas, and the consciousness that her walls were hung +with pretty pictures. Mildred had inherited from her father an +exquisitely fine taste, and Alice Jenner's surroundings seemed to fill +her with a sense of refinement which made her own dull life easier to +bear when she went away. Gradually Miss Jenner's manner thawed to +Mildred, and before Christmas came around, the young girl had been half +a dozen times invited to the cozy supper table of the good lady, who on +these occasions strove to make Milly feel perfectly at home, while she +contrived to learn all the story of her life from the young girl's lips. +Milly's one penance was Mrs. Robbins's weekly visit, and the +consciousness that up in her bureau drawer, carefully locked and +guarded, was the gray silk dress. By Christmas-time only six dollars had +been paid on it, yet a certain security of the future made Milly feel +sure no disaster could occur. Mrs. Robbins's calls were now all made at +the store, and about the Christmas season "Mr. Tom" inquired, rather +sneeringly, whether "Miss Lee's great-aunt" meant to give them her +custom. Milly answered nothing, yet it aroused her fears, and on one +Tuesday, after the peddler's customary call, she left the store +determined to appoint some different place of meeting. There was +something unusual, Milly thought, about the look of the cottage as she +entered; first a rush, then a confusion of smothered voices. Mildred ran +into the parlor, thence to the kitchen, where she found the children +gathered mysteriously together. + +"Willy's got the bronchitis," exclaimed Kate. "He must have caught it +down at the marshes." + +Mildred asked no further questions, but ran up stairs, tossing aside her +hat, and going cautiously into her mother's room, where Willy lay +suffering intensely. Mrs. Lee was glad to put all the responsible care +into Mildred's hands, and so she devoted nearly all the night to the +care of her little brother, appearing the next day haggard and +heavy-eyed at Mr. Hardman's store. Days passed in hard work at the +store, and nights of broken rest; and then came an evening when, on +Mildred's return home, she was met with the news of her mother's +illness. Poor Mrs. Lee, at no time strong, had succumbed to her anxiety +and hard work, and Milly found her utterly prostrated, the doctor +standing beside her, not able to pronounce on her disease, but looking +so anxious that Milly had difficulty in hiding her tears. Willy was +better, but the new trouble was terrible to contemplate. That night she +wrote hurriedly to her mother's pupils, and the next morning she arose +after a wakeful night with the consciousness that she had six people to +support on five dollars a week. + +Mildred felt too proud to tell Miss Jenner of her troubles. She dreaded +a rebuff besides. Roger was not well, and she knew the brick house was +in some confusion over his illness. It had been a trying season at +Milltown, and few families had escaped; but Mildred thought her +visitation hardest to bear. + +The second day of her mother's illness Mildred came home very early, and +after getting the children to bed, counted over her slender store of +money while she sat in her mother's room, letting faithful Deborah have +a rest. Just three dollars remained of her weekly earnings, and of this +sum fifty cents must be saved for the terrible Widow Robbins. "I know +what I'll do," thought Milly, almost aloud; "I'll see if she won't take +her silk back. I _can't_ spare a penny of my salary." This hope kept +poor Mildred up until the peddler's next visit. It was in the little +cottage parlor, and Mildred falteringly told her of her mother's +illness, and their great need of money. + +"That's neither here nor there," said the woman, shortly. "I can't lose +_my_ bread and butter. You say your dress is stained; that ends my +taking it back; so any week--" The peddler stopped short rather +ominously and glanced around the cottage parlor. It was a very pretty +room. From the wreck of their fortunes Mrs. Lee and Milly had saved +several--to them--priceless household treasures. On the mantel were the +heavy old-fashioned silver candlesticks which Milly remembered all her +life; some fine china was in the cabinet between the windows; the modest +book-shelves were full of valuable volumes; one or two exquisite +engravings hung upon the walls; here and there were a few excellent +pieces of old family furniture. Altogether it was a room which not only +charmed the eye, but showed such signs of "better days" that the few +neighbors who had called upon the Lees held them in high esteem. Mrs. +Robbins's glance was evidently highly satisfactory to herself. + +"Well," she said, pocketing her fifty cents with an air of great +condescension, "I will just wait a bit and see." + +It was after six o'clock, and Milly felt worried and perplexed as she +sat with the children over their simple tea, and then went up to her +mother's sick-room, in which she passed nearly all the night. Deborah +followed her, and beckoning her to the window, said, in a grave whisper, + +"Mildred, my child, who's that queer woman keeps coming here?" + +Milly felt inclined to cry. + +"Oh, Debby," she said, piteously, "don't bother me; it's just a woman +who--has business with me." + +Debby was silenced, but by no means satisfied. She determined to settle +the question for herself. + +Before the next week came around, every penny of Milly's money was +spent, and, more than that, they were heavily in debt to the butcher and +the grocer and the chemist. The best of port-wine was ordered for Mrs. +Lee; the strongest beef tea; the most nourishing jellies; iron and +quinine regularly. Poor Milly used to feel as if she was walking over +fire on her way to and from the store, so harassed had she become, and +she and Deborah bemoaned the state of affairs whenever they were alone. + +"Something _must_ be done, honey!" Deborah said, one wet Tuesday +evening, when Milly stopped in the kitchen to dry her clothes and warm +her feet before going up stairs. "I've next to nothing in the house, and +your mother _must_ have some more port." + +Milly was disconsolately thinking the question over, when she was roused +by Mrs. Robbins's well-known "rat-tat-tat" on the front door. She ran +out, hastily admitting the peddler, who soon perceived the state of +affairs by Milly's expression. The young girl tried to say, calmly, that +she had not the money. + +"Well," said Mrs. Robbins, "I'll hold off a day or two; but just you +read the paper you signed, and you'll see you agree to pay the full +amount if you miss a week--if the dress isn't fit to be took back." + +Mildred read the paper over and again when the woman was gone, and found +herself indeed bound to a very Shylock. "That dress is just like the +pound of flesh," she thought, as she sat in the dim light by her mother. +"Oh, why did I ever buy it; and who cared at Miss Jenner's what I wore!" + +The next week Mrs. Robbins made her appearance at the store on a day +when Mildred's peace of mind was so exhausted by home cares it was all +she could do to serve the most civil of customers. Milly contrived to +see her in the cloak-room, but the peddler refused to subdue her voice. + +"I can have fifty cents stopped out of your pay, and I _will_," she +said, resolutely. "I don't want anything but my rights." + +Mildred had not five cents to offer her. All her most earnest pleading +only induced Mrs. Robbins to defer what she called "proceedings" for +three days. In the mean time she resolved to call upon Miss Jenner. It +was late on the Friday evening before she got a chance to go to the +Brick House, and there the unwelcome news greeted her that Miss Jenner +had fallen a victim to the lung disease prevalent in Milltown. She was +leaving the house full of dejection, when to her horror she beheld the +tall, gaunt figure of Mrs. Robbins striding up the box-path from the +gate. Milly asked her to walk on with her. + +[Illustration: MILDRED AND THE WIDOW ROBBINS.] + +"No," said the woman, "here I am. I've followed you here, and here I +mean to have my say. Before next Tuesday I demand my money--twenty-two +dollars--or you shall hear from me in a way you least expect." + +It was nearly dark, but Milly could see the wicked expression on the +woman's face. She was faint and tired, and bitterly disappointed at not +seeing Miss Jenner, but she could not let the peddler see what she felt. + +"Very well," she answered, in a constrained voice, "I can try; but how I +am going to get twenty-two dollars is more than I can imagine. Oh, that +wretched gray silk dress!" she added. "If only it had not been spoiled +that first evening!" + +Mrs. Robbins walked out of the gate by her side, and down the road some +little distance, threatening Milly all the time as to what she _could_ +do, and what she _would_ do. Left alone, Milly hurried home, knowing +that she must before morning devise some means of raising the money. +Mrs. Robbins had said she would "look in" during the morning at the +store, and already Milly felt sure she had betrayed her secret to "Mr. +Tom." + +"Milly," Debby said, in a mournful tone, "I've been thinking we _must_ +part with something. Your mother's sinking for what we've no money to +pay for. I've seen you all in better days, lovey, and I'm as fond of +everything in the house as you are, but I see no way out of it. In fact, +I saw a man to-day--he's only waiting for your word--and he'll look over +the things in the parlor to-morrow." + +A lump rose and filled Milly's throat. Oh, if she were not burdened with +this miserable private debt, how easy it would seem even to ask a loan +from old Mr. Hardman! But no, the home necessities were by no means all. + +"Yes, yes, Debby," exclaimed Mildred, with a sudden rush of tears; "it +must be done--it must be done." + +When Milly returned the next evening from the store, the once cozy +parlor looked desolate enough. The heavy furniture was nearly all gone, +and the children clustered about her with an eager account of the man +who had carried the sofa and chairs and best table away in his cart. + +"Never mind," said Mildred, trying to be cheerful. "We must sit in the +dining-room. Besides, dears, think how ill mamma is." + +"Only forty dollars," whispered Deborah, "and I've paid out thirty of +it." + +So she could not even borrow part of that sum for her debt. Milly turned +away, and went into her mother's room, feeling faint, heart and body, +and there tried to find some consolation in reading aloud their usual +evening chapter; but all the time a sense of her own folly oppressed +her. Suffering from necessity she could have borne, but not that which +her own sin had brought upon her. + +Poor Mildred! she knelt at her mother's side, humbly praying, almost +aloud. On the next day she knew she must "settle" with the dreaded Widow +Robbins. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +THE TWO BEARS. + +BY FRANK BELLEW. + + +The snow was on the ground--the lovely white snow, the peaceful snow, +which covered the country landscape with billows of alabaster. In the +distance the feathery woods made a purple fringe between the earth and +sky, while in the foreground a crinkled rail fence ran irregularly along +the side of the country road, and near it stood a splotch of red and +black, the only marked color in the whole landscape. The red and black +was crying bitterly, for the red and black represented a little girl +with a scarlet hood, and crimson stockings, and a bundle of books. She +was on her way to school, and in great grief. + +While she still stood by the fence, sobbing, a black object appeared +over the brow of the hill, and slowly moved toward the foreground, +until, pausing in front of the weeping child, it stood, as jolly, as +genial, as comfortable an old gentleman as ever wore broadcloth. + +"Why, what is the matter, little one?" he asked, in a kindly voice. + +The child looked up into the pleasant face and answered: + +"They are always worrying me at home; they are always taking my things, +and when I ask for them they get mad, and if I take any of their things, +they come and take them away, and then if I don't like it, they tell +mother; and oh! I declare it's too mean for anything. It wasn't her +doll, anyway, for Cousin May left it behind, and she didn't give it to +anybody, and she'd had it all day; and then she took my sun-shade, and +broke the hook off, and because I asked her for it she got mad and +wanted the doll, and it wasn't her doll, and then mother made me give it +up, and I think it's real mean--that's just what I think it is." + +"Well, well, well, that was too bad. I think it _was_ real mean myself," +said the old gentleman. "But I tell you what you should do--you should +keep two bears, as I do, and then you would be happy all the time." + +"Two bears?" ejaculated the little girl, opening her large round blue +eyes. + +"Yes, two bears. We have two bears up at my house, and they make us so +happy!" + +"Don't they bite?" + +"Oh no, they don't bite a mite." + +"But they growl, don't they?" + +"Oh, no, no; they don't growl either. But if you like to come home with +me, I will show them to you." + +In an instant the little girl's hand was in that of the old gentleman, +and they were trotting along the road side by side. There was something +so kind and gentle and yet so jovial in his manner that it never entered +her head to be afraid of him. After turning down one road and up +another, and walking about a mile altogether, they at last came to a +long low house, with large windows, which were filled with bright +flowers, and draped with red curtains, and in every window hung a +bird-cage with some strange or beautiful bird. + +A number of children came running out of the house, crying, "Oh, papa! +papa! here's papa!" as they gathered round him, clinging to his arms. + +"Children," he said, "I have brought a little stranger to visit you. I +do not know her name, but I am sure you will be kind to her, and show +her the two bears, which I have promised she should see." + +They entered a large, comfortable sitting-room, hung round with pictures +and bird-cages; in the centre was a long table covered with books, and +on each side of the fire-place, in a big easy-chair, sat a great rough +bear; one was brown, and the other was black. + +The old gentleman led the little girl up to the brown bear, and said, +"Brown Bear, here is a little girl who is very miserable. I have told +her that you and Black Bear have made us all so happy, and that perhaps +you can help her to be happy too." + +Brown Bear gave a good-humored sort of sniff, and put his big paw gently +on the head of the little stranger. + +"What is your name, child?" asked the gentleman: "you have not told me +that yet." + +"Frances Louisa Caroline Bounce, but they call me Fanny. What a nice +bear! Will he be angry if I feel his fur?" + +"No, indeed, not even though you rub it the wrong way." + +After she was introduced to both bears, she played with the children, +Carry and Sarah, George and Philip, and then they all went into another +room to dinner. On their way, however, Philip, who had a long switch, +with which he had been amusing himself, persisted in tickling the back +of his sister Sarah's ear with it, until she grew out of patience, and, +turning round, told him, rather sharply, to stop; but Philip, who was +only in fun, seemed somewhat nettled at being scolded, and was just on +the point of repeating the offense, when Black Bear, who was walking +behind, put his paw gently on his shoulder, while at the same moment +Brown Bear took Sarah by the arm and led her into the dining-room. +Philip threw away his switch, both burst into a merry laugh, and sat +down to the table with smiling faces. During the dinner both bears kept +walking round the table, looking so kind and gentle that they seemed to +put every one in good-humor. When Carry upset a tumbler of water over +Sarah's frock, Brown Bear immediately picked it up, while Carry begged +pardon, and Sarah laughed. When George was going to tell some little +tale _out of school_ about Philip, Black Bear put his big paw in front +of his mouth, and George stopped at once. + +[Illustration: THE CHILDREN AND THEIR BEARS.] + +After dinner they all went out into the snow to have some coasting down +a hill close to the house. Both the boys had sleds, but Philip's was a +bright new one, while George's was old and rather clumsy. Philip had +been saving up his money for some time to buy this treasure, and was +very proud of it; therefore when George seized his new sled and ran off +with it, he called after him with some anger to bring it back, and not +to use it; but George had reached the top of the hill, and had just +planted the sled, ready to start down hill, when Brown Bear came to the +side of the angry Philip, and touched him with his paw. Phil's manner +and voice changed at once, as he called out, "Well, brother George, you +can use my sled, and I'll use yours." But Black Bear had reached the top +of the hill nearly as soon as George, and with his great big paw patted +him on the back, and grunted something in his ear. George took up the +sled very quietly, and carried it back to his brother, saying, "I am +sorry, Phil; here is your sled." + +After that all was fun, tumbles, and laughter, the two bears joining in +it as actively and enjoying it just as much as the children. In fact, +the bears seemed to make the whole party happy. At last it became time +for Frances Louisa Caroline Bounce to go home. She felt sad at the +thought of leaving the bears, and of going to her own home, where there +were no bears at all. + +"Well," said the old gentleman, "how do you like our bears, Fanny?" + +"Oh, I think they are just too splendid for anything. I wish we had a +bear, even if it was only a little one." + +"Well, you can easily have bears. All children can have them if they +like. Perhaps you would be obliged to begin with young ones; but then +they would be sure to grow up if you only took care of them." + +"Oh, dear, dear! is that really so?" cried Fanny, in an ecstasy. + +"Yes, my child, it is really so; every one can have two bears in his or +her house, like mine. But do you know what we call those bears which +make us all so happy? BEAR and FORBEAR." + +"BEAR and FORBEAR!" echoed Fanny. "Oh, I will try to get two of those +bears in our house, and if they are ever so weak and sickly, I will feed +them and nurse them till they grow big and strong like yours." + +Fanny trotted home with the old gentleman, and told her brothers and +sisters everything about the two good-natured bears; and they all agreed +that they would try to raise a pair like them. + +I am happy to add that Fanny and her family have a pair of very +promising young bears, which already afford them a great deal of +happiness, and bid fair in the future to be fine healthy animals. + + + + +[Illustration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX] + + + NEW YORK CITY. + + I am making a steam-engine according to the directions given in + YOUNG PEOPLE No. 49. I have just soldered on the lid, and have made + the hole for the water to be let into the engine. I hope to finish + it soon. I am eight years old. I go to school, and I like YOUNG + PEOPLE very much. I like to read the letters from the children, so + I thought I would send one, and thank the "Professor" for writing + about the steam-engine. + + JOHN A. J. + + * * * * * + + CRESCO, IOWA. + + I have just commenced taking YOUNG PEOPLE, and we all like it very + much. The story of "Paul Grayson" was splendid, but I think "Toby + Tyler" is the best of all. My brother Charlie and I each have an + Indian pony. Charlie's pony has been trained by the Indians to + stand wherever you leave her, without being tied. And if any one is + riding her and falls off, no matter how fast she is going, she will + stop, and not move one step farther until her rider mounts again. + My pony throws me over her head sometimes, but she will not stop + until she gets to the barn. + + ALLIE C. + + * * * * * + + NACOOCHEE, GEORGIA. + + I send an experiment for the chemistry club. To make cyanogen gas + the apparatus necessary is this: one test-tube, a cork, six inches + of glass tube one-quarter of an inch in diameter, an alcohol lamp, + and a round file. Now hold the glass tube over the flame of the + lamp until the glass is soft, when by pulling it apart you will + have two tubes, with one end of each drawn to a fine point. Break + off the point of one, and you will have a tiny jet. Make a hole in + the cork just large enough for the large end of the tube to go + into. Put into the test-tube as much cyanide of mercury as will lie + on the point of a penknife. Fit the cork tightly in the test-tube. + Wave the test-tube over the flame of the lamp for five or ten + minutes, and then apply a lighted match to the jet, when the gas + will burn with a bluish flame. Pour some melted tallow or bees-wax + over the cork to keep the gas from escaping before reaching the + jet. + + JOHN R. G. + + * * * * * + + NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. + + I read the letters in the Post-office Box with so much pleasure! I + have every number of YOUNG PEOPLE. All my young friends that read + it like it very much. We have formed a juvenile club, and I am + president. Reading YOUNG PEOPLE is a part of our programme. + + RANDOLPH H. + + * * * * * + + SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. + + I thought I would write and tell you about our club. It is called + the "Silver Crescent Dramatic Club." We were going to call it + "Golden Crescent," but when the club gets a little richer it is + going to buy some medals for each member to wear; they will be the + shape of a crescent, and if they had to be of gold, they would cost + more than silver ones. We meet once every week, and make by-laws + and suggestions, and vote on them, and we rehearse. We also have a + monthly paper; it is called "The Monthly Crescent." Of course it is + not printed, and we have only one copy. Each member edits it in + turn, and the others send in contributions. Everything has to be + original. The paper is read at every fourth meeting. + + We charge five cents to join the club, and every two months each + member has to pay five cents dues. New members are voted for, and + the majority rules. We have five officers--a president, + vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and stage-manager. I am the + secretary. + + We prepared a grand entertainment for the Christmas holidays. It + was a tragedy in three acts. I arranged it. In the first part of + _Little Women_, by Miss Alcott, they had a play called the + "Witch's Curse." Only the plot was given. I took it and made up + the dialogue, added some more characters, and changed it to make + it turn out differently. It makes a very nice little play. + + IDA B. D. + + * * * * * + + ARGENTA, ILLINOIS. + + I am a little girl ten years old. I think YOUNG PEOPLE is a very + nice paper. My sister and I go to school. We have a very nice + teacher. I like to go very much. We study pieces from YOUNG PEOPLE + to speak in school. My teacher says all little boys and girls ought + to take it. + + MINNIE S. + + * * * * * + + DOWNIEVILLE, CALIFORNIA. + + I thought I would try to describe a trip I took with auntie to a + little town called Eureka. After a short ride we came to the main + trail leading from Downieville to the northern part of Sierra + County. The trail winds in and out, following every curve and bend + of the mountain. In some places it is quite steep, and in others + almost level. How tired I was when we got to Eureka, having been + two hours in the saddle! When we reached the ridge, we heard some + one playing on some instrument, and it sounded so sweet that we + stopped a few minutes to listen to it. + + Uncle tells me that Eureka used to be quite a large place, with + hotels, stores, private houses, a school-house, and a Masonic + Hall; but now it consists of only half a dozen dwellings and the + school-house. + + A little girl has written to YOUNG PEOPLE that she found two peach + blossoms in September, and she wants to know if any other little + girl has found any so late. Now I want to know if any little girl + or boy has ever picked ripe peaches near the 13th of November, as + I have. + + MARY A. R. + + * * * * * + + VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI. + + I have only been taking HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE a short time, but I + think it is a very nice little paper. I saw that one of the little + girls said that she had seen a peach blossom in September. Here we + often have figs in December. + + LILY V. F. + + * * * * * + + BROOKLYN, LONG ISLAND. + + I am eleven years old; but my eyes are not strong, and mamma has + not thought it best to send me to school till this fall, so that I + can not write very well. I would like to tell Reba H. that there + were apple blossoms on our tree in Oil City, Pennsylvania, in + September, 1879. + + WINIFRED C. + + * * * * * + + BATH, NEW HAMPSHIRE. + + I have just finished the embroidery of Fig. 12 in YOUNG PEOPLE No. + 59. I received the paper Tuesday night, and if I had had all the + crewels, I could have finished it on Thursday. But I had to send to + Boston for some of them, and wait nearly four days before they + came. + + The day I began the embroidery mamma went up garret, and found an + old quilt of my grandmother's, all embroidered with the same + stitch. I have done a table-cover in the South Kensington stitch, + but I think the New England stitch is prettier, easier, and takes + less time. + + I did pattern No. 12 on a bureau-cover of Russian crash. I am very + glad you print the articles on embroidery. They are a great help. + I enjoy fancy-work very much, and do a great deal of it. I was + fourteen last July. + + HELEN C. + +This is the first report on embroidery, and, according to promise, the +old embroidery pattern has been sent to the writer. + + * * * * * + + SULLIVAN, INDIANA. + + I am almost eight years old. I do not go to school. I have two + little sisters. My papa prints a newspaper. I take YOUNG PEOPLE, + and I think it is the best paper in the world, except papa's. I get + papa to read it to me, and then I send it to a little boy who has + no money to buy it. + + HARALD C. H. + + * * * * * + + EAST CANAAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE. + + I am only six years old, but I can read all the stories in YOUNG + PEOPLE alone. I have some very playful kittens, and one night they + tipped over the big rocking-chair. I had six white geese, but one + died. + + LESTER O. B. + + * * * * * + + PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY. + + I am ten years old. I have two pretty kittens, exactly alike. They + are yellow and white. The other day I got a pretty dove from the + dove-house, and kept him in a large cage; but I felt sorry for him, + and one day opened the window and let him out. He flew to the top + of the carriage-house, and all of the doves came to meet him and + kept flying around him. I like HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE so much that I + can not wait patiently until it comes. + + WILLIE G. + + * * * * * + + FOSTER BROOK, PENNSYLVANIA. + + I am spending the winter very pleasantly out among the Red Rock + Mountains. Our cottage is in a valley, surrounded by high hills, + which are covered with wintergreen berries from one year's end to + another. During the winter months the berries swell very large, and + they are delicious fruit in the spring. There is a great deal of + iron ore here, and also a great deal of snow. We live in a very + small house, with only four rooms; but, for all that, it is very + cozy. I look forward with much pleasure every week for the coming + of YOUNG PEOPLE. + + M. ADA T. + + * * * * * + + CLANTON, ALABAMA. + + My brother and I take YOUNG PEOPLE, and like it very much. We had a + pet 'coon, which got very thirsty one day, and crawled into our big + glass water-pitcher head first. After helping himself to water, he + turned round in the pitcher, and came out again. Afterward the cat + killed him. + + ST. CLAIR T. + + * * * * * + + BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI. + + My papa takes HARPER'S MAGAZINE, and I take YOUNG PEOPLE, which I + like very much, especially the letters written by the children. I + wish all the boys and girls in the South could get your paper. + + I am eight years old, and go to school. There is a great deal of + cotton shipped from here to New Orleans, and a great deal of + lumber to St. Louis and Chicago. I have two little sisters younger + than I. + + ARCHIE MCM. + + * * * * * + + WINDSOR HEIGHTS, MARYLAND. + + I have taken YOUNG PEOPLE since the story called "Who was Paul + Grayson?" began. My brother and I have for pets a flock of pigeons, + which are quite tame, two pair of rabbits, and two dogs, named + "Duke" and "Terry." Duke will go into the corn-patch, select a soft + ear of corn, and husk and eat it. He sometimes goes to the + blackberry bushes, and holds down a branch with one paw while he + eats the berries. He is also very fond of persimmons. + + JAMES S. + + * * * * * + + MOBERLY, MISSOURI. + + I will send a nice recipe for ice-cream in the winter. Take a + glassful of snow, and put in just enough cream to make it thick, + with some sugar, and just a little extract of vanilla or lemon. My + brother and I have ice-cream all summer, and winter too. I am nine + years old. + + MAGGIE B. + + * * * * * + +Pearl A. Hare, of Lynchburg, Harris County, Texas, accidentally omitted +the little word "for" in her letter published in YOUNG PEOPLE No. 56, +which made her appear to offer birds' eggs and postage stamps for +exchange, when she wished to obtain them in exchange for Texas snail +shells. Our readers will please note the correction. + + * * * * * + + I am a boy eleven years old. I was born in Cairo, Egypt, and came + to America in 1876. I am living on a farm now, and like it very + much. + + I have some Egyptian stamps I would like to exchange for any other + foreign stamps. + + AMBROSE STRANG, Lincoln, Tennessee. + + * * * * * + +The following exchanges are also offered by correspondents: + + Postmarks. + + M. P. RICH, + 50 West Thirty-eighth Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + German postage stamps for any other foreign stamps. + + MAUDE BUCKNER, + 1208 Russell Street, Covington, Ky. + + * * * * * + + Postage stamps and postmarks for foreign postage stamps and coin. + + S. NEW, + 127 East Sixty-ninth Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks for postage stamps. + + THOMAS K. DURHAM, + P. O. Box 735, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks and War Department stamps for stamps and monograms. + + CAMPBELL T. HAMILTON, + Fort Preble, Portland, Maine. + + * * * * * + + Shells for Indian relics, shells, ore, or petrified wood. + + HENRY SCOTT, + 20 Patchen Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks for postmarks and stamps. + + AL. E. BARKER, + P. O. Box 115, Judsonia, White County, Ark. + + * * * * * + + Foreign postage stamps for minerals, fossils, shells, sea-weed, or + birds' eggs. + + LOUIS D. ORRISON, + Care of Abernathy, North, & Orrison, + Kansas City, Missouri. + + * * * * * + + Southern moss for a Chinese coin or any old relic. + + DAISY ROLLINS, + P. O. Box 186, Columbus, Missouri. + + * * * * * + + Twenty-five postmarks for two rare stamps. + + W. W. ELHOSE, + 22 Brill Street, Newark, N. J. + + * * * * * + + Foreign postage stamps or postmarks for all kinds of United States + internal revenue stamps. + + GEORGE WELLS, + P. O. Box 466, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Curiosities, postage stamps, or sea-shells for curiosities. Or + thirty postmarks for five birds' eggs. No duplicates. + + HARRY MADISON, + 206 Stockton Street, San Francisco, California. + + * * * * * + + One hundred postage stamps for ten coins, or for ten birds' eggs. + No duplicates. + + FRANK KNOX, + 2318 Third Avenue, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Minerals, fossils, rare stamps, or monograms for coats of arms, + crests, and monograms. + + A READER OF "YOUNG PEOPLE," + Lock Box 42, + Little Falls, Herkimer County, N. Y. + + * * * * * + + California curiosities, shells, or minerals for old or rare + American coins. + + C. W., JUN., + P. O. Box 2305, San Francisco, California. + + * * * * * + + Foreign stamps for postmarks and postal cards. Postmarks must be + cut square. + + C. S. PETRASCH, + 13 West Thirty-second Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Two fine specimens of Southern fern, or some evening-glory seeds, + for United States postage stamps. + + EMMA BRUFF, + 238 Felicity Street, New Orleans, La. + + * * * * * + + Postage stamps. + + HAWLEY WEBSTER, + 394 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, Long Island. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks. + + LOUIS GIBBS, + Care of J. J. Carter, Titusville, Penn. + + * * * * * + +C. H. L.--The old scrip which you inclose is probably a genuine +five-franc _assignat_, as the paper money was called which was first +issued by the French government in 1790, and afterward by the +Revolutionary authorities. It was based on the security of the public +domain, consisting of the confiscated estates of the Church and wealthy +exiles. The value of these assignats, which were issued to the amount of +45,578,000,000 francs, declined rapidly after the reign of terror. In +the summer of 1793, one franc in silver was worth three francs in paper. +Three years later, one franc in gold was worth three hundred francs in +paper, although the government, in order to check this depreciation, had +passed a law to regulate the price of commodities. + +The inscription on your assignat shows that it was issued in October or +November, 1793, the second year of the French Republic. The lettering in +the corners proclaims death to any one who should dare to counterfeit +the assignat. The _livre_, which name appears on the scrip, was a French +coin about the value of a franc, by which it was superseded in 1795. +Eighty francs were equal in value to eighty-one livres. + +If you examine your assignat carefully you will see to the left the dim +and faded stamp of the figure of Liberty, and if you have a strong +magnifying-glass, you can amuse yourself by trying to make out the +lettering around it. This little scrap of coarse paper, not quite a +hundred years old, may incite you to read the story of the terrible time +of which it is a relic. If you are not old enough to enjoy Carlyle's +_History of the French Revolution_, you will find the scenes vividly +portrayed in Charles Dickens's _Tale of Two Cities_, and Victor Hugo's +novel entitled "'93." + + * * * * * + +HENRY H. T.--Your proposal to found a Natural History Society, composed +of contributors to HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, is hardly practical. The +exchange of specimens, etc., would be dilatory and difficult, as our +contributors are scattered over the whole continent. Local societies of +the kind you mean might be formed to advantage, and the officers of +different associations could correspond with each other, and exchange +views and information. + + * * * * * + +L. M. F. AND L. L. P.--Your plan for a reading and debating club is +excellent, and if well carried out must have good results. You will find +suggestions that may be useful in some remarks appended to a letter from +Violet S. in HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 53, and also in a book called +_Stories of the Sea_, noticed in No. 61. We would advise you not to +waste your time over fourth-rate literature (to which the books you +mention belong), but to select the best authors, whose works will not +only entertain but instruct you. An excellent guide for you would be +William Swinton's _Masterpieces of English Literature_, recently +published by Harper & Brothers. + + * * * * * + +VIOLET S.--Your account of the proceedings of your society is not full +enough. Can you not favor us with a sprightly description of what is +done and said at your meetings, instead of giving the "order of +exercises" merely? + + * * * * * + +JOHN N. H.--Either hickory or sassafras wood is good material for bows. + + * * * * * + +HELEN G.--How to make the "Wiggles" was fully explained at the end of +the Post-office Box in No. 51 of YOUNG PEOPLE. + + * * * * * + +R. T. F.--Amber is not, as you suppose, made from "the sap of a tree in +South Africa," but is a fossil resin from several species of coniferous +or cone-bearing trees of a very remote geological period. More than 800 +species of insects have been found preserved in amber, and leaves of 160 +species of plants. Fine pieces of amber are very highly prized, and are +sometimes worth more than their weight in gold. The largest mass known +is in Berlin, Prussia. It weighs eighteen pounds, and is valued at +$30,000. Amber is extensively used for ornaments, the mouth-pieces of +pipes, etc. You may be able to procure a piece of some manufacturer of +meerschaum pipes. + +The ancients prized amber very highly, and it was an important article +of commerce in early times. From the fact that it is found in large +quantities in the remains of the lake-villages of Switzerland, we know +that it must have been an article of exchange in prehistoric times. + + * * * * * + +FLOY.--If you have any pressed flowers, leaves, or other pretty objects +which can be sent easily by mail, we have no doubt some of our readers +would be glad to send you postage stamps in exchange for them. You can +put your offer in the Post-office Box. + + * * * * * + +JESSE H., JUN.--The English noun envelop, as well as the verb, is +accented on the second syllable. The French form of the word, +_envelope_, has an even accent on the three syllables. Our word is +derived from the French. + + * * * * * + +JEAN C. P.--Please give the name of the county in which the town of +Warren, where you live, is situated. There are several towns of that +name in Ohio, and correspondents will not know where to address you +unless the county is given also. + + * * * * * + +FORD D. LYON.--The controversy about the origin of the phrase, +"Consistency, thou art a jewel," has not been satisfactorily settled. +The saying has been floating about for a great many years, but no one +has been able to find out who started it on its travels. + + * * * * * + +GRACE.--The _ü_ in Olmütz is sounded like the French _u_, very difficult +to catch without the aid of a teacher. You can come very near it by +pronouncing the vowel _o_ and changing to _e_ without altering the +position of the lips. + + * * * * * + +C. G. G.--The time required for the transmission of a signal through the +Atlantic cable varies according to the condition of the batteries. A +dispatch has been sent from New York to London and the answer received +within an hour. + + * * * * * + +JAMES MCK.--No charge is made in the matter about which you ask. + + * * * * * + +SALLIE K., Cincinnati, Ohio.--The name of the street in which you live +is so obscurely written that we can not make it out. Write it very +plainly, and we will print your request. + + * * * * * + +DAISY R.--Send enough to make a pretty wreath. + + * * * * * + +JENNIE S. M.--A very good recipe for butterscotch was given in a letter +from Kittie G. in the Post-office Box of YOUNG PEOPLE No. 37. + + * * * * * + +HENRY C. D.--Glass for windows was made during the Middle Ages in all +European countries. In England glass-painting for windows was practiced +in 1338. Some splendid windows of York Cathedral were painted at that +period by John Thornton, of Coventry. In the fifteenth century English +window-glass was more expensive than any other kind of glass. The +Egyptians made glass at a very early period of their national existence. +Paintings representing glass-blowers making a very large vase show that +nearly 4000 years ago the Egyptians were far advanced in this art. + + * * * * * + +Favors are acknowledged from Garrett Waggener, Bertha Herron, C. C. +Shelley, Jun., Stella Pratt, George W. Taymun, Flora C. B., Mabel White, +Alice Brown, J. W. Menefee, Orrie H. Clark, Shelton H. Hibbs, H. H. J., +S. H. R., W. H. Scherzer, Carrie and Belle N., Albert Woolley, B. D. +Ellis, C. G. Myers, B. Tompkins, E. Fay Stevens, H. McIlvain, Frank A. +Harmony, Annie S. and Bennie C. Duffie, F. H. Kellogg, Everett Jones, +Lewis B. Frazier, Lyman Perley, Sidney J. Carson, Katie Dale, Louis +Mareé, Tamar Love, Thomas Buford, Fredy Leser. + + * * * * * + +Correct answers to puzzles are received from C. H. McB., Hugh Pilcairn, +Thomas Cook, George Dudley Kyte, "Lone Star," Harry and Isobel Jacob. + + * * * * * + +PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS. + +No. 1. + +WORD SQUARES--(_To Owlet_). + +1. First, a piece of ordnance formerly used for blowing up barricades +and other defensive works. Second, a female name. Third, to feel a +sharp, pricking sensation. Fourth, a state in Africa. Fifth, part of a +printing-press. Sixth, having a melancholy appearance. + + ZELOTES. + +2. First, to disturb. Second, to weaken. Third, a Turkish coin. Fourth, +absent without leave. Fifth, to show clearly. Sixth, leased. + + BOLUS. + + * * * * * + +No. 2. + +DIAMOND. + +A letter. A small vessel. A hut. A celebration. A guide. A snare. A +letter. + + WENNIE. + + * * * * * + +No. 3. + +DOUBLE ACROSTIC. + +An ensign. A boy's name. A wonder. Finished. Answer.--Two things to gain +which men often make great sacrifices and devote all their energies. + + LONE STAR. + + * * * * * + +No. 4. + +ENIGMA. + + First in sieve, not in pail. + Second in rum, not in ale. + Third in calf, not in ox. + Fourth in cat, not in fox. + Fifth in rude, not in kind. + Sixth in brain, not in mind. + Seventh in wheat, not in hay. + The whole a savage bird of prey. + + OSCAR. + + * * * * * + +No. 5. + +ACROSTIC. + +Place seven divisions of the United States in such order that, their +initials read downward spell the name of another. + + BOLUS. + + + + +NEW BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS. + + +A book of good songs for children is a household treasure. There is no +prettier sight than to see brothers and sisters gathered around the +piano during a long winter evening, mamma or the eldest sister playing +the accompaniment and leading in the singing, while sweet childish +voices fill the room with melody. _A Book of Rhymes and Tunes_[1] +contains more than a hundred pretty songs suitable for these household +conceits. Some of the melodies are new, others familiar, but all are +re-arranged and written in low keys to suit children's voices. Simple +accompaniments are given, such as can be easily understood by a young +pianist, and many songs have both English and German or French words. +The melodies are exceedingly attractive, and are such as will cultivate +good musical taste in youthful musicians. + + * * * * * + +_Zigzag Journeys in Classic Lands_[2] is a handsomely bound and well +illustrated volume, from which young readers can learn a great many +things about the history, legends, and present appearance of Spain, +Italy, Greece, and some other European countries. This book is written +in a chatty, familiar style, and the information given by the teacher to +the class of boys who are travelling under his care is of the kind to +especially interest boys and girls. + + * * * * * + +The fun and frolic of _Five Little Mice in a Mouse-Trap_,[3] as told by +the Man in the Moon, will be a source of delight to many other little +"mice." Nibble, Brighteyes, Fluff, Puff, and Downy, the baby, are real, +living children. They chase butterflies and bees up and down in the +"mouse-trap" garden, play with dolls and dogs and kittens, and have a +splendid time. Uncle Jack is the best of uncles, and the Man in the Moon +a constant friend. The story of the Mice is beautifully illustrated with +drawings by Kate Greenaway, Addie Ledyard, and others. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] _A Book of Rhymes and Tunes_. Compiled and arranged by MARGARET +PEARMAIN OSGOOD. Translations by LOUISA Y. CRAIGIN. 8vo, pp. 128. +Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co. + +[2] _Zigzag Journeys in Classic Lands; or, Tommy Toby's Trip to Mount +Parnassus_. By HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 318. Boston: +Estes & Lauriat. + +[3] _Five Little Mice in a Mouse-Trap, by the Man in the Moon_. By LAURA +E. RICHARDS. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 228. Boston: Estes & Lauriat. + + + + +HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE. + + +SINGLE COPIES, 4 cents; ONE SUBSCRIPTION, one year, $1.50; FIVE +SUBSCRIPTIONS, one year, $7.00--_payable in advance, postage free_. + +The Volumes of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE commence with the first Number in +November of each year. + +Subscriptions may begin with any Number. When no time is specified, it +will be understood that the subscriber desires to commence with the +Number issued after the receipt of the order. + +Remittances should be made by POST-OFFICE MONEY-ORDER OR DRAFT, to avoid +risk of loss. + +Volume I., containing the first 52 Numbers, handsomely bound in +illuminated cloth, $3.00, postage prepaid: Cover, title-page, and index +for Volume I., 35 cents; postage, 13 cents additional. + + HARPER & BROTHERS, + Franklin Square, N. Y. + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE FATE OF MR. BROWN. + + Mr. Brown, from Boston, + Never was quite pleased; + He visited a country friend, + And fretted, frowned, and teased. + + "The birds sing so loudly," + Such was his complaint; + "The fowls are so noisy-- + Teach them some restraint. + + "A hen should lay eggs + And cackling forego, + And cocks in the morning + More musically crow. + + "But the-world is all wrong, + I'll go back to town;" + _And here the earth opened_, + _And swallowed Mr. Brown_. + + + + +HATTY IN A FRIGHT. + + + As Hatty tripped along the stair + Lightly ran a rat behind her; + Hatty screamed, I do declare, + Till we had to seize and bind her. + + + + +HASTY WIN. + + + A terrible Turk, with a gay turbaned head, + His brow puckered up in a crease, + Bends over a kettle of simmering red.-- + "Fly, Johnny, and call the police. + + "Some mischief he's cooking; just look at him grin: + A prison is what he deserves." + "You goose of a boy, ridiculous Win, + _He is making rose preserves_." + + + + +DOLLY'S ENDING. + + + The night she should have been a bride, + That night my precious dolly--_died_. + In a robe of spangled gold + Hide her from the sunshine bold, + The fleet beauty of a rose + Marking the spot of her repose. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, JAN 11, 1881 *** + +***** This file should be named 44652-8.txt or 44652-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/6/5/44652/ + +Produced by Annie R. McGuire + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at + www.gutenberg.org/license. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 +North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email +contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the +Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/44652-8.zip b/old/44652-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..89fe65b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-8.zip diff --git a/old/44652-h.zip b/old/44652-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e1dc7cc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h.zip diff --git a/old/44652-h/44652-h.htm b/old/44652-h/44652-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8914e68 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/44652-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2802 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881, by Various. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} +.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} +.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%} +hr.full {width: 95%;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 1em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +.figright { + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1em; + margin-bottom: + 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881 + An Illustrated Monthly + +Author: Various + +Release Date: January 13, 2014 [EBook #44652] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, JAN 11, 1881 *** + + + + +Produced by Annie R. McGuire + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#MILTON">MILTON.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#THE_MESSENGER_BOYS_AT_THE_CAPITOL">THE MESSENGER BOYS AT THE CAPITOL.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#A_HERO_OF_CHIVALRY">A HERO OF CHIVALRY.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#TOBY_TYLER">TOBY TYLER;</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#THE_YOUNG_TIN-TYPERS">THE YOUNG TIN-TYPERS.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#WILD_BIRDS_IN_THE_COUNTRY">WILD BIRDS IN THE COUNTRY.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#MILDREDS_BARGAIN">MILDRED'S BARGAIN.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#THE_TWO_BEARS">THE TWO BEARS.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#OUR_POST_OFFICE_BOX">OUR POST-OFFICE BOX.</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 1000px;"> +<img src="images/ill_001.jpg" width="1000" height="384" alt="Banner: Harper's Young People" /> +</div> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Vol</span>. II.—<span class="smcap">No</span>. 63.</td><td align="center"><span class="smcap">Published by</span> HARPER & BROTHERS, <span class="smcap">New York</span>.</td><td align="right"><span class="smcap">Price Four Cents</span>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Tuesday, January 11, 1881.</td><td align="center">Copyright, 1881, by <span class="smcap">Harper & Brothers</span>.</td><td align="right">$1.50 per Year, in Advance.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 467px;"><a name="MILTON" id="MILTON"></a> +<img src="images/ill_002.jpg" width="467" height="500" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">JOHN MILTON AT THE AGE OF TEN.—<span class="smcap">See next Page</span>.</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> + +<h2>MILTON.</h2> + +<p>John Milton was a blue-eyed, yellow-haired Saxon boy, the type of the +English race. He was somewhat short, stout, and healthy; his eyes were +bright and sparkling in his youth, before he became blind. But he +inherited weakness of sight from his mother. He was born 1609, in a +pleasant house in Bread Street, London, almost under the shadow of Bow +Bells. It was back in a court. His father, who had made a fortune as a +scrivener, was fond of music, books, and literature, and his son was +carefully educated at St. Paul's School. Milton relates that he +frequently studied in the house in Bread Street until after midnight, +and his head ached and his sight grew dim with these late vigils. He was +then about twelve years old.</p> + +<p>When he was six years old he may have seen Shakespeare and Ben Jonson +pass on their way to the Mermaid Tavern, which was in Bread Street, not +far from his father's house. He was one of the best scholars at St. +Paul's School, and loved study as most boys like play. He was eager to +know how men lived and acted in Greece and Rome, what they thought of, +and what they had discovered. He studied the rise and fall of empires +and republics, and became a republican in the midst of kings and +princes. He was always fond of poetry, and soon began to write fine +verses. One of his earliest pieces is his "Ode on the Nativity."</p> + +<p>His father leased a place in the country, at Horton, near Windsor, and +here Milton wandered when a young man over the smooth-shaven lawns and +beside the pleasant streams, filling his mind with knowledge and +pictures of fine scenery. It is not likely that as a boy he was fond of +fishing or hunting, as we may well fancy Shakespeare was. He never +tilled the soil like Burns and Virgil. He knew nothing of farming. He +went to Cambridge University, the most learned of its scholars. It was +the custom then to whip the students, and Milton's enemies spread the +report that he was flogged for some breach of the rules. He was always +independent. He travelled, came back to defend republicanism in the +civil war, married, kept a school, was Cromwell's Latin secretary after +he became blind, and published some poetry. But when the republic fell +with Cromwell, Milton was proscribed, and in danger of his life. His +enemies would, gladly have put him to death, and "Paradise Lost" might +never have been written.</p> + +<p>Milton hid in obscurity, blind, forgotten, but constantly engaged on his +great poem. He wrote "Paradise Lost" in his old age. He repeated the +verses aloud to his daughters or some friends who came to visit him, and +they wrote them down. It was finished in 1667, and Milton received +twenty-five dollars for the copyright. It was long neglected, until +Addison gave it great fame. Milton died November 8, 1674.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="THE_MESSENGER_BOYS_AT_THE_CAPITOL" id="THE_MESSENGER_BOYS_AT_THE_CAPITOL">THE MESSENGER BOYS AT THE CAPITOL.</a></h2> + +<h3>BY HARRIET PRESCOTT SPOFFORD.</h3> + +<p>A lad who visits the city of Washington for the first time, and looks +down from the galleries of the House of Representatives or of the Senate +on the busy scene below, will be sure to find his eye attracted by +groups of bright-looking and neatly dressed boys moving hither and +thither about the floor, speaking familiarly with this and that great +man, or amusing themselves on the steps of the Vice-President's or of +the Speaker's platform, and he will perhaps regard these boys with +something like envy—all the more when told that they receive about two +dollars and seventy-five cents a day, during the sessions of Congress, +to pay them for having such a good time.</p> + +<p>Possibly our lad would not regard the picture as so pleasant if he knew +how burdensome are the duties of these boys, and how exceedingly well +they earn the money paid them. There are nearly thirty of them attached +to the House, and half as many to the Senate. Their ages run from nine +years upward, some numbering twice as many summers; and it is not by any +means the oldest who are the brightest and the most favored. They are of +respectable families; some of them are nephews of Members of Congress—a +Member once, indeed, had such questionable taste as to procure the +appointment of his own son; and some of them have been known in +after-years to become Members themselves. The recently chosen Senator +from Maryland is doubtless proud to remember that he himself was once a +page. Although in two or three instances these boys have been elected to +their places, instead of appointed, they are usually appointed by the +Sergeant-at-Arms—of course on the recommendation and through the +influence of the Congressmen—and they are under his control. The old +custom of appointing only orphan boys is no longer adhered to. The boy +who fell over the balustrade, and was made a page by special resolution +of the Senate, is a very exceptional case—probably his favorite song +thereafter was, "Such a getting up stairs I ne'er did see."</p> + +<p>The pages wear no uniform, or regulation clothes, or badges of any sort. +They are required to present themselves for work at nine o'clock in the +morning, although Congress does not meet till twelve, and they are not +dismissed until adjournment for the day takes place. They put the desks +of the Members in order, file for each the bills and papers which are +strewn about in confusion, then go to the Document-rooms and work there, +helping to put affairs in shape; and they present themselves at twelve +in the great chambers of legislation to answer the clapping of the +Members' and Senators' hands, and attend to their countless wants. Now +they are sent hunting for some book that is needed, for some man, now +for a glass of water, now they take messages from one Member to another +at a distance, from one House to the other, and sometimes to ladies in +the gallery; they fetch a cup of tea into the Cloak-room; fetch the hat +and stick out of it; they distribute mail by the armful; they struggle +into sight, behind piles of palm-leaf fans big as they are themselves, +which are soon cooling the hot air, if it be a late session; and during +the nights preceding the close of the session they do not know what +sleep is, but are worn out with running and waiting. Thus it will be +seen that they are on their feet with but very little intermission, +running and tumbling over each other in their eagerness to please; but +they seem happy and good-natured through it all, and when they do sit +down it is on the steps of the presiding officer's desk, where they are +usually tickling or punching or teasing each other as if they had +nothing else to do, and were passing away the time.</p> + +<p>Sometimes during a recess of Congress you may come upon them in a lower +room, assembled in a body, a mimic Senate, one of them in the chair, and +another making a speech, and Mr. Blaine and Mr. Conkling and Mr. Bayard +and the rest are being imitated to the life. It is in some contrast to +these gay rogues that one sees a crippled and dwarfed little hunchback +outside the Hall of Representatives, opening and shutting a door for the +passer in hopes of the coppers or the nickel that may be tossed him, +although he does not beg. At night a little goat carriage comes for him, +and he drives off.</p> + +<p>The pages whom we have described do not leave the Capitol during the +hours of their service, and carry no messages beyond the doors. For +outside work there are three riding pages, who are furnished with +horses, and who go to the various Departments, the Executive Mansion, or +on other of the outside errands of the legislators. And theirs is not +exactly the pleasant horseback riding that looks so attractive, but, on +the contrary, it is hard and weary work, cold in the winter, and burning +under a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> fierce sun in the summer, leaving them meanwhile as badly off +as John Gilpin.</p> + +<p>Many of these youths are appointed because there is some great need in +their families, or have been some pitiable circumstances in their +history. This curly-headed little fellow is the only support of a mother +and younger brothers and sisters; there is one who takes care of a +paralyzed father, the only relative he has in the world, going home, +after his hard work, to make life as pleasant as he can for him who can +never do any more work; here is another whose little house is kept for +him by a child-sister, who looks for his step at night with solicitude. +Most of them have somebody besides themselves to take a share of their +earnings.</p> + +<p>Beyond their regular pay, there are various perquisites and fees which +swell their income considerably. Thus they may often be seen slipping an +open book, with a bit of blotting-paper, under the nose of some Member +who is sitting at his desk: it is an album for somebody who wants the +signatures of all these statesmen, which the statesmen kindly give, but +which nevertheless are not always easy to obtain, owing to the +difficulty of finding individuals in their seats, as all of the +Congressmen are by no means in constant attendance, many of them being +busy in committee-rooms, or lounging in cloak-rooms, or lunching, or +following the bent of their inclinations in other ways, and seldom +coming in after roll-call, save to hear a heralded speech, or to vote on +measures with which they are already familiar either from the reading of +the daily journal of proceedings, or in the committee-room, or by the +word of mouth of others. For every album that they thus fill with +signatures the boys receive ten dollars from the eager visitor of the +Capitol, and they fill a good many during the year.</p> + +<p>In another way they also sometimes earn an additional penny. For after +any gentleman on the floor has made a particularly strong speech, the +Members on his side of the question are wont to subscribe for the +printing of thousands of copies of the speech, to be sent broadcast into +their districts; the pages therefore go about with subscription papers, +and they are allowed two dollars for every thousand of the speeches that +are taken.</p> + +<p>If the boys of whom we are speaking are very bright, they are apt to be +spoiled, as in such case the Members and Senators take pleasure in +indulging them to some degree. But there are not many, it may be +imagined, who are thus injured. Some of them, indeed, are as careless as +the blowing wind; these have no awe or reverence in their compositions: +the great men with whom they are brought into contact are not great men +to them, but simply folks who send them on errands, and the directions +given them go in one ear and out the other—as we all know never happens +with boys anywhere else. One little chap, dispatched to the +Document-room for the "Fortification Bill," asks for the "Mortification +Bill"; another, sent for the "Census," asks for the "Ascension Bill"; +still another, insisting on the "Compulsive Capacity Bill," and +returning without it, is told that he was sent for nothing of the kind, +but for that on "compulsory pilotage," whereupon he presently comes back +to say that there isn't any bill on "pulsive politics." The same +youngster asked the Document Clerks for the "Bill for the Suppression of +Supreme Literature." A little "compulsive capacity" would have been good +for this urchin, were it to be obtained as easily as was thought by that +gentleman whose daughter lacked capacity, as her teacher said. "Get it, +madam," said he—"get it; she shall want for nothing that money can buy +her." To the same class with these scatter-brained urchins belonged the +little fellow who once brought into the Congressional Library a note +signed by one of the most powerful "Sons of Thunder" in the Senate, and +which we begged the librarian's pardon for reading as it lay a moment on +the desk beside us: "William H. Turner wants <i>The Headless Horseman; or, +The Scalp-Hunter</i>. I ask that he may have it under the rules of the +Library."</p> + +<p>But to offset such idle fellows as the reader of <i>The Headless +Horseman</i>—who certainly could do no better than hunt for a "scalp," and +a head with it, too—there are other pages who make it their business to +understand their duties thoroughly, and two or three who even go so far +as to read for themselves every bill that is introduced, to follow its +fortunes, to be able to tell the person that asks just where it is in +its progress to passage or defeat, and who can always be relied on by +any Member who has been absent or out of the way to let him know exactly +what has been done and said in the mean time, and how the vote stands on +this question or the other. It would be no wonder if boys of this sort +should be indulged; and there is little danger of spoiling such good +material. These boys are learning the business of legislating, and if +they wish, will, in their turn, come back some day to make the laws.</p> + +<p>But careless or faithful, their bright faces and light ways are a +pleasant sight to see in all the throng of bustling, noisy men; and as +one looks at them slipping about on their countless errands, one feels +as if the boys themselves bore some small part in the work of governing +the country.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="A_HERO_OF_CHIVALRY" id="A_HERO_OF_CHIVALRY">A HERO OF CHIVALRY.</a></h2> + +<p>Bertrand du Guesclin was born in 1314 at the castle of Motte Broen, near +Rennes, in Brittany. His heroic character showed itself early. As he was +not troubled with lessons (he never learned to read or write), he formed +a company of boys of his own age, and, acting as their general, +practiced them in battle and combat. His mother often clasped her +forehead in alarm when he came home with bruised face and bleeding head. +Even in his seventeenth year he excelled many older knights in strength +and dexterity in the use of arms. But he was ridiculed by the ladies +because he looked so ugly, and rode such a wretched horse. They jeered +at him, saying that he looked more like a donkey-driver than a knight +and nobleman, and that he must have borrowed his steed from a miller.</p> + +<p>Bertrand was indignant, and, as there was another tournament about to +come off, he begged a cousin of his to lend him a steed and armor. Both +were granted, and with a joyful heart he entered the lists, where, in +his strange armor, and with his visor down, no one, not even his own +father, recognized him. A well-known valiant knight opposed him. The +signal was given, they ran at each other with lightning speed, and with +a loud crash their lances broke into splinters in their hands. Bertrand, +however, had struck with such force on his adversary's helmet, that the +latter was thrown from the saddle to a distance of several paces, where +he lay insensible on the sand, and had to be carried out of the lists.</p> + +<p>The young victor returned to his post with a fresh lance, and waited for +fresh opponents. Now his own father ranged himself against him. Bertrand +did not wish to fight against him, but was equally unwilling to make +himself known. So he resolved to lower his lance in his tilt, and to +receive his father's blow on his shield without making a counter-thrust. +He did this so adroitly that he kept firm in his saddle, and, without +tottering, galloped by, and then declared positively that he would not +fight again with that knight. People were surprised, but made no +derisive remarks, for the knight's courage had been sufficiently proved +in the former combat. His father rode out of the lists, and gave place +to other knights. Guesclin laid them in the dust, and was unanimously +declared the winner.</p> + +<p>Every one was eager to know who the champion was,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> and his father +especially longed for the unravelling of the mystery.</p> + +<p>At length, when the tournament was over, and Bertrand had received his +prize, he rode up to his father, raised his visor, and cried, "Do you +know me now, father?" The old man embraced him with tears of joy, and at +once provided him with a steed and armor. The fame of the young hero now +spread all over France.</p> + +<p>Hitherto Bertrand had only won victories in tournaments, but now the +more serious field of battle was to behold the first exploits of his +sword. Duke Charles of Blois made war on John de Montfort for the +possession of Brittany. Philip the Sixth, King of France, sided with the +former; while, on the other hand, the King of England (Edward the Third) +supported De Montfort. Bertrand had naturally no choice in the matter, +for, like a brave Frenchman, he followed his king wherever he led him.</p> + +<p>At that time the castle of Fougeray was in the hands of the English, and +Bertrand resolved to take it from them, as it was a place of no mean +importance. With this view he disguised himself and sixty companions as +wood-cutters, and divided them into four bands, which approached the +place from different sides. He then fixed on a time when the governor of +the castle and a part of the garrison had gone out on a reconnoitring +expedition, when he made a party of his men hide themselves in the +neighboring wood during the night. At break of day they loaded +themselves with fagots and brushwood, concealed their weapons under +their clothes, and came up to the castle from different directions. +Bertrand, in a white smock, with a heavy load of wood on his back, was +the first to appear before the draw-bridge, which was instantly lowered +for him. He at once threw down his fagot, drew his sword, and transfixed +the warder; then he raised the cry of "Guesclin." At this signal the +rest hastened forward to come to his assistance and take the bridge. As, +however, there were two hundred Englishmen in the castle, the conflict +was very unequal, and a horrid slaughter ensued. An Englishman clove the +skull of one of Bertrand's companions with his battle-axe. Guesclin, in +return, cut him down, and caught up the axe, with which he dealt +slashing blows on every side. So he fought on, and kept the enemy off +the body for a time, until a troop of cavalry of his own side +accidentally arrived in the neighborhood, rescued him from his perilous +situation, and helped to take the place. It was, indeed, high time for +relief to arrive; for, in his combat against tenfold odds, he had +dropped his battle-axe, and his head was so covered with wounds that the +blood was streaming down his face. The conspicuous valor which he here +displayed gained him the reputation of being the boldest and most +dauntless knight of his time.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 297px;"> +<img src="images/ill_003.jpg" width="297" height="500" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">SCENE IN AN ITALIAN SCHOOL.</span> +</div> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h4><a name="TOBY_TYLER" id="TOBY_TYLER">[Begun in No. 58 of <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span>, December 7.]</a></h4> + +<h2>TOBY TYLER;</h2> + +<h3>OR, TEN WEEKS WITH A CIRCUS.</h3> + +<h3>BY JAMES OTIS.</h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Chapter V</span>.</h3> + +<h3>THE COUNTERFEIT TEN-CENT PIECE.</h3> + +<p>When the doors of the big tent were opened, and the people began to +crowd in, just as Toby had seen them do at Guilford, Mr. Lord announced +to his young clerk that it was time for him to go into the tent to work. +Then it was that Toby learned for the first time that he had two masters +instead of one, and this knowledge caused him no little uneasiness. If +the other one was anything like Mr. Lord, his lot would be just twice as +bad, and he began to wonder whether he could even stand it one day +longer.</p> + +<p>As the boy passed through the tent on his way to the candy stand, where +he was to really enter upon the duties for which he had run away from +home, he wanted to stop for a moment and speak with the old monkey who +he thought had taken such an interest in him. But when he reached the +cage in which his friend was confined, there was such a crowd around it +that it was impossible for him to get near enough to speak without being +overheard.</p> + +<p>This was such a disappointment to the little fellow that the great tears +came into his eyes, and in another instant would have gone rolling down +his cheeks if his aged friend had not chanced to look toward him. Toby +fancied that the monkey looked at him in the most friendly way, and then +he was certain that he winked one eye. Toby felt that there was no +mistake about that wink, and it seemed as if it was intended to convey +comfort to him in his troubles. He winked back at the monkey in the most +emphatic and grave manner possible, and then went on his way, feeling +wonderfully comforted.</p> + +<p>The work inside the tent was far different and much harder than it was +outside. He was obliged to carry around among the audience trays of +candy, nuts, and lemonade, for sale, and he was also expected to cry +aloud the description of that which he offered. The partner of Mr. Lord, +who had charge of the stand inside the tent, neither showed himself to +be better nor worse than Mr. Lord himself. When Toby first presented +himself for work, he handed him a tray filled with glasses of lemonade, +and told him to go among the audience, crying, "Here's your nice cold +lemonade, only five cents a glass!"</p> + +<p>Toby started to do as he was bidden; but when he tried to repeat the +words in anything like a loud tone of voice, they stuck in his throat, +and he found it next to impossible to utter a sound above a whisper. It +seemed to him that every one in the audience was looking only at him, +and the very sound of his own voice made him afraid.</p> + +<p>He went entirely around the tent once without making a sale, and when he +returned to the stand he was at once convinced that one of his masters +was quite as bad as the other. This one—and he knew that his name was +Jacobs, for he heard some one call him so—very kindly told him that he +would break every bone in his body if he didn't sell something, and Toby +confidently believed that he would carry out his threat.</p> + +<p>It was with a very heavy heart that he started around again in obedience +to Mr. Jacobs's angry command; but this time he did manage to cry out, +in a very thin and very squeaky voice, the words which he had been told +to repeat.</p> + +<p>This time—perhaps owing to his pitiful and imploring look, certainly +not because of the noise he made—he met<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> with very good luck, and sold +every glass of the mixture which Messrs. Lord and Jacobs called +lemonade, and went back to the stand for more.</p> + +<p>He certainly thought he had earned a word of praise, and fully expected +it as he put the empty glasses and money on the stand in front of Mr. +Jacobs. But instead of the kind words, he was greeted with a volley of +curses, and the reason for it was that he had taken in payment for two +of the glasses a lead ten-cent piece. Mr. Jacobs, after scolding poor +little Toby to his heart's content, vowed that the amount should be kept +from his first week's wages, and then handed him back the coin, with +orders to give it to the first man who gave him money to change, under +the penalty of a severe flogging if he failed to do so.</p> + +<p>Poor Toby tried to explain matters by saying, "You see, I don't know +anything about money; I never had more'n a cent at a time, an' you +mustn't expect me to get posted all at once."</p> + +<p>"I'll post you with a stick if you do it again; an' it won't be well for +you if you bring that ten-cent piece back here."</p> + +<p>Now Toby was very well aware that to pass the coin, knowing it to be +bad, would be a crime, and he resolved to take the consequences of which +Mr. Jacobs had intimated, if he could not find the one who had given him +the counterfeit, and persuade him to give him good money in its stead. +He remembered very plainly where he had sold each glass of lemonade, and +he retraced his steps, glancing at each face carefully as he passed. At +last he was confident that he saw the man who had gotten him into such +trouble, and he climbed up the board seats, saying, as he stood in front +of him, and held out the coin: "Mister, this money that you gave me is +bad. Won't you give me another one for it?"</p> + +<p>The man was a rough-looking party who had taken his girl to the circus, +and who did not seem at all disposed to pay any heed to Toby's request. +Therefore he repeated it, and this time more loudly.</p> + +<p>"Get out the way!" said the man, angrily. "How can you expect me to see +the show if you stand right in front of me?"</p> + +<p>"You'll like it better," said Toby, earnestly, "if you give me another +ten-cent piece."</p> + +<p>"Get out, an' don't bother me!" was the angry rejoinder; and the little +fellow began to think that perhaps he would be obliged to "get out" +without getting his money.</p> + +<p>It was becoming a desperate case, for the man was growing angry very +fast, and if Toby did not succeed in getting good money for the bad, he +would have to take the consequences of which Mr. Jacobs had spoken.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 317px;"> +<img src="images/ill_004.jpg" width="317" height="400" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">"PLEASE, MISTER, GIVE ME THE MONEY BACK."</span> +</div> + +<p>"Please, mister," he said, imploringly—for his heart began to grow very +heavy, and he was fearing that he should not succeed—"won't you please +give me the money back? You know you gave it to me, an' I'll have to pay +it if you don't."</p> + +<p>The boy's lip was quivering, and those around began to be interested in +the affair, while several in their immediate vicinity gave vent to their +indignation that a man should try to cheat a boy out of ten cents by +giving him counterfeit money.</p> + +<p>The man whom Toby was speaking to was about to dismiss him with an angry +reply, when he saw that those about him were not only interested in the +matter, but were evidently taking sides with the boy against him; and +knowing well that he had given the counterfeit money, he took another +coin from his pocket, and handing it to Toby, said, "I didn't give you +the lead piece; but you're making such a fuss about it that here's ten +cents to make you keep quiet."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure you did give me the money," said Toby, as he took the extended +coin, "an' I'm much obliged to you for takin' it back. I didn't want to +tell you before, 'cause you'd thought I was beggin'; but if you hadn't +given me this, I 'xpect I'd have got an awful whippin', for Mr. Jacobs +said he'd fix me if I didn't get the money for it."</p> + +<p>The man looked sheepish enough as he put the bad money in his pocket, +and Toby's innocently told story caused such a feeling in his behalf +among those who sat near that he not only disposed of his entire stock +then and there, but received from one gentleman twenty-five cents for +himself. He was both proud and happy as he returned to Mr. Jacobs with +empty glasses, and with the money to refund the amount of loss which +would have been caused by the counterfeit.</p> + +<p>But the worthy partner of Mr. Lord's candy business had no words of +encouragement for the boy who was trying so hard to please.</p> + +<p>"Let that make you keep your eyes open," he growled out, sulkily; "an' +if you get caught in that trap again, you won't be let off so easy."</p> + +<p>Poor little Toby! his heart seemed ready to break; but his few hours' +previous experience had taught him that there was but one thing to do, +and that was to work just as hard as possible, trusting to some good +fortune to enable him to get out of the very disagreeable position in +which he had voluntarily placed himself.</p> + +<p>He took the basket of candy which Mr. Jacobs handed him, and trudged +around the circle of seats, selling far more because of the pitifulness +of his face than because of the excellence of his goods; and even this +worked to his disadvantage. Mr. Jacobs was keen enough to see why his +little clerk sold so many goods, and each time that he returned to the +stand he said something to him in an angry tone, which had the effect of +deepening the shadow on the boy's face, and at the same time increasing +trade.</p> + +<p>By the time the performance was over Toby had in his pocket a dollar and +twenty-five cents which had been given him for himself by some of the +kind-hearted in the audience, and he kept his hand almost constantly +upon it, for the money seemed to him like some kind friend who would +help him out of his present difficulties.</p> + +<p>After the audience had dispersed, Mr. Jacobs set Toby at work washing +the glasses, and clearing up generally, and then the boy started toward +the other portion of the store—that watched over by Mr. Lord. Not a +person save the watchmen was in the tent, and as Toby went toward the +door he saw his friend the monkey sitting in one corner of the cage, and +apparently watching his every movement.</p> + +<p>It was as if he had suddenly seen one of the boys from home, and Toby, +uttering an exclamation of delight, ran up to the cage, and put his hand +through the wires.</p> + +<p>The monkey, in the gravest possible manner, took one of the fingers in +his paw, and Toby shook hands with him very earnestly.</p> + +<p>"I was sorry that I couldn't speak to you when I went in this noon," +said Toby, as if making an apology; "but, you see, there were so many +around here to see you that I couldn't get the chance. Did you see me +wink at you?"</p> + +<p>The monkey made no reply, but he twisted his face up in such a funny +little grimace that Toby was quite as well satisfied as if he had +spoken.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if you hain't some relation to Steve Stubbs," Toby continued, +earnestly, "for you look just like him, only he don't have quite so many +whiskers. What I wanted to say was that I'm awful sorry I run away. I +used to think that Uncle Dan'l was bad enough; but he was just a perfect +good Samarathon to what Mr. Lord an' Mr. Jacobs are; an' when Mr. Lord +looks at me with that crooked eye of his, I feel it 'way down in my +boots. Do you know"—and here Toby put his mouth nearer to the monkey's +head, and whispered—"I'd run away from this circus if I could get the +chance; wouldn't you?"</p> + +<p>Just at this point, as if in answer to the question, the monkey stood up +on his hind-paws, and reached out his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> hand to the boy, who seemed to +think this was his way of being more emphatic in saying "Yes."</p> + +<p>Toby took the paw in his hand, shook it again earnestly, and said, as he +released it: "I was pretty sure you felt just about the same way I did, +Mr. Stubbs, when I passed you this noon. Look here"—and Toby took the +money from his pocket which had been given him—"I got all that this +afternoon, an' I'll try an' stick it out somehow till I get as much as +ten dollars, an' then we'll run away some night, an' go 'way off as far +as—as—as out West, an' we'll stay there, too."</p> + +<p>The monkey, probably tired with remaining in one position so long, +started toward the top of the cage, chattering and screaming, joining +the other monkeys, who had gathered in a little group in one of the +swings.</p> + +<p>"Now see here, Mr. Stubbs," said Toby, in alarm, "you mustn't go to +telling everybody about it, or Mr. Lord will know, an' then we'll be +dished, sure."</p> + +<p>The monkey squatted down in one of the swings, as if he was reproved by +what the boy had said, and Toby, considerably relieved by his silence, +said, as he started toward the door, "That's right—mum's the word; you +keep quiet, an' so will I, an' pretty soon we'll get away from the whole +crowd."</p> + +<p>All the monkeys chattered, and Toby, believing that everything which he +had said had been understood by the animals, went out of the door to +meet his other task-master.</p> + +<h4>[<span class="smcap">to be continued</span>.]</h4> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="THE_YOUNG_TIN-TYPERS" id="THE_YOUNG_TIN-TYPERS">THE YOUNG TIN-TYPERS.</a></h2> + +<h3>PART I.</h3> + +<p>The recitation in Natural Philosophy was just over, and as the class was +leaving the room, Fred Ward whispered to his most particular chum, Jim +Davis: "I say, Jim, I've hit on an immense idea. Suppose that we set up +a photographic gallery. It will be splendid fun."</p> + +<p>"That's so," answered Jim. "Let's talk it over."</p> + +<p>By this time the French class room was reached, and conversation was for +the time suspended; but two o'clock found the boys leaving the +school-grounds, engaged in a grand confab about their new plan.</p> + +<p>"Now those old fellows that invented all this," said Fred, "had to work +hard, because they had nothing to begin with; but as all that we want to +know is down in the books, I don't see why we can't take as good a +picture as the next one, as soon as we can get a camera and some +chemicals. Why, Jim, you can buy the whole rig for five dollars—yes, +you can—camera and all, with a stand to set it on."</p> + +<p>"Oh, nonsense!" answered Jim; "I wouldn't give a cent to work in that +way. Why can't we make the box and mix the baths ourselves? Anybody +could buy the machine and take a picture, but it isn't every fellow can +make his own apparatus. Now in my Philosophy there are some pictures +that show how to put the box together, and we can save money to buy the +lenses, and it will be twice as much fun to do everything ourselves."</p> + +<p>Jim was very handy with tools, and in a few days he constructed as neat +a camera as could be desired for a beginner. It consisted of two boxes, +one of which fitted into the other. The interior of the boxes was +painted black, so that the light through the lenses would be all the +plate could receive. In the front of the larger box, and directly in the +centre, a round hole was cut to receive the tube containing the lenses, +and at the back of the small box were grooves to receive the plate +slide. The making of that slide was the first serious stumbling-block in +the path of these young photographers.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 162px;"> +<img src="images/ill_005.jpg" width="162" height="300" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">SLIDE CASE.</span> +</div> + +<p>They searched through their books, and at last found a good diagram +which gave Jim the hints he needed for his work. He first built a frame +which fitted to the slide in the back of his camera box. This frame was +provided with a hinged door at the back, and a sliding door in front. In +order to receive plates of different sizes, Jim also made several plate +frames with larger or smaller openings. The plate frame fitted tightly +inside the slide frame, and was held firm by a spring fastened in the +centre of the hinged door, which pressed against the plate when the door +was shut. Another frame, exactly the same size as the plate frame, had +to be made to hold the ground glass upon which to obtain the focus for +the pictures. When the focus was regulated, the ground glass was to be +carefully withdrawn, and the sensitive plate placed in exactly the same +position.</p> + +<p>Perseverance and school-boy grit having conquered the slide difficulty, +the perplexing question of the lenses came up. Fred's father, who was +watching the boys' undertaking with considerable interest, now came to +the rescue, and presented the young photographers with a fine set of +mounted Dallemeyer lenses with diaphragms, which he bought of a dealer +in photographic apparatus.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 268px;"> +<img src="images/ill_006.jpg" width="268" height="300" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">THE CAMERA.</span> +</div> + +<p>The camera being in readiness, Fred and Jim now went to work to mix +their baths. They began with the sensitive bath, but to their +astonishment, when they placed nitrate of silver in ordinary water, a +white cloud instantly formed. The text-book was at once consulted, and +Fred discovered that distilled water must be used. As the boys had no +long-necked retort with which to distill the water, they agreed to +suspend all operations until they could see their teacher on the +following day, and ask his advice.</p> + +<p>The next afternoon, when school was over, the boys marched up to the +door of Professor Drood's class-room, and timidly knocked. "Come in," +said a hearty, kindly voice. Fred, who was the most courageous, went in +first, and clearly stated the case, while Jim stood hesitating in the +doorway. "If you take rain-water, and filter it to remove the dust," +said the Professor, "it will answer your purpose as well as distilled +water."</p> + +<p>The boys thanked him, and were going away, when he called them back. "I +like to see you taking interest in things of this kind," said he, "and +if you will stop, I will give you the whole story as clearly as I can." +Fred and Jim were delighted to listen, and when the Professor told them +to take a pencil and note-book, and write down the proportions in which +the different baths were to be mixed, they were eagerly attentive at +once.</p> + +<p>"The sensitive bath," said the Professor, "is prepared in this manner: +dissolve in two ounces of rain-water one ounce of nitrate of silver in +crystals. Then add two to five grains of iodide of potassium. You must +now add eight ounces of rain-water, and let the mixture stand two hours +to saturate. It must be kept in a dark chamber, where no rays of +sunlight can penetrate. You must always work by the light of a candle, +and it is a good plan to have a screen of yellow paper around the flame, +so that no direct light may fall on your sensitized plate.</p> + +<p>"Before beginning to work, be sure that your plate is clean. Tin plates, +with which you would better work until you become skillful in handling +the baths, are sold in sheets by any dealer in photographic goods, and +when you buy them are often covered with fine dust. Polish them well +with a pad of soft chamois-skin before you proceed farther. Next pour +the collodion on the centre, and cause it to flow evenly by gently +tipping the plate from side to side. Allow the surplus to drip off into +a flask; and as collodion is an expensive article, you would better mix +some gum-arabic and water to about the required thickness, and practice +with that first, that you may not waste the more costly fluid by +failures to spread it evenly on the plate—a very difficult matter for +beginners to accomplish. This collodion is made of alcohol, ether, and +gun-cotton, and sensitized with certain iodides and bromides. It +evaporates if exposed to the air, and must be well corked, and kept in a +cool, dark place, as both lights<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> and heat are injurious to it. A +positive collodion is often sold for ferrotypes, but the negative fluid +gives better results.</p> + +<p>"When the film of collodion has become set, the plate is ready for the +sensitive bath. Place it on a strip of glass bent at the lower end, +which you will buy with your bath dish, and lower it into the bath +quickly; otherwise a line may be noticed on the finished picture, due to +the uneven deposit of silver. The deposit may be hastened by gently +moving the plate in the liquid. After a few seconds lift it out and +examine it. If it is streaked and greasy, it must be put back; but when +it is of a fine opaline tint, free from streaks and flaws, it is ready +to be placed in the camera, which should be already properly focussed +and in position.</p> + +<p>"Now, boys, comes the great trouble—to correctly time the exposure. It +varies from five to forty-five or sixty seconds, according to the light, +the arrangement of your screens, and the condition of the silver bath.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/ill_007.jpg" width="400" height="312" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">THE FIRST ATTEMPT—SOMETHING WRONG.</span> +</div> + +<p>"When you think, from the nature of the case, that your plate has been +exposed long enough, close your slide, and return to the dark room, +where you now proceed to develop your picture. You must have already +mixed this developing solution: one fluid part of sulphate of iron, one +and a half fluid parts of acetic acid, and sixteen parts of rain-water. +Do not make too much of this at once, as it quickly becomes spoiled. +When you take the plate from the slide, you will see no alteration in +it, but when you pour on some of your developer, 'as if by magic a +picture appears.' See that the developer flows all over the plate, and +do not allow it to settle on any one place, as this would make a stain +which can not be removed.</p> + +<p>"As soon as the development is complete, wash the plate well with pure +water, using for the purpose a wash bottle, which is simply a large +glass flask having a cork perforated by two tubes, one of which reaches +into the body of the liquid, while the other only passes through the +cork. The short tube is bent over at an angle so that the mouth may be +conveniently placed against it, while the long tube is bent, and drawn +out to a fine jet. On blowing through the short tube, the air in the +bottle becomes compressed, and in expanding drives the liquid through +the jet in a fine steady stream. When the plate has been well washed, it +must be treated with another solution, as this picture is one that would +soon fade, just as you no doubt have seen proofs of photographs do. To +remove the unaltered silver a solution of hyposulphite of soda in water +is used. Cyanide of potassium is also used, because it is much cleaner.</p> + +<p>"But there is no rose without its thorns, and the cyanide makes up for +its cleanliness by being one of the most deadly poisons, and I would +advise boys who are not posted on the fine points of chemical +manipulation to have nothing to do with it. This fixing solution is made +of eight ounces of the hyposulphite and forty of water. Now if this is +made too strong, it will spoil the picture, so it is well to be careful +to have the exact proportions.</p> + +<p>"By-the-way," added the Professor, "if you do use cyanide of potassium, +be very careful not to get any of it into what cuts or bruises you may +have on your hands. Boys always have such ornaments, and if the cyanide +touches a place where the skin is broken, it is liable to mix with the +blood, and make trouble.</p> + +<p>"After your picture is fixed, wash it well and varnish it. Ten parts of +gum-arabic to one hundred parts of water will make a very fair varnish; +but as this has to be dried over a spirit-lamp, it is better to buy the +self-drying varnish which is sold for this purpose.</p> + +<p>"All this sounds very easy and pleasant, but there are more +disappointments in store for you than can be imagined, for in this, as +in many other things, practice is as essential as rules and regulations. +I can only say to you, what should be the motto of every scientific +student, 'Make haste slowly.'"</p> + +<p>The boys thanked the good-natured Professor, who told them, in any +serious difficulty, to come to him again. Then with eager steps they +hastened homeward.</p> + +<h4>[<span class="smcap">to be continued</span>.]</h4> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 383px;"> +<img src="images/ill_008.jpg" width="383" height="500" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">MIDWINTER.</span> +</div> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="WILD_BIRDS_IN_THE_COUNTRY" id="WILD_BIRDS_IN_THE_COUNTRY">WILD BIRDS IN THE COUNTRY.</a></h2> + +<p>When Aunt Bertha was younger than she is now she was a little English +girl, and her American nephews and nieces are never tired of hearing +about her English pets. Of her bird pets she tells the young listeners +as follows:</p> + +<p>"When I was alone at home with my parents, I used to amuse myself during +my play-time, which I always spent out-of-doors, by trying to tame the +wild birds. I nailed a little wooden tray against an oak that had twigs +growing out of its trunk for the birds to perch on. It stood just inside +a wood on one side of the drive, but not too much exposed to the view of +the passers-by. Every morning regularly I filled the tray with +bread-crumbs and bird-seed, with a little piece of raw meat now and then +for a great treat. I watched anxiously to see what birds would come +first, and in a few days had the pleasure of finding three tomtits +hopping about my tree, and carrying off the crumbs and seeds. It was +delightful to have these pretty, sprightly little fellows, with their +bright yellow and black breasts and white cheeks, for my visitors, +instead of the rather vulgar-looking sparrows, that are generally only +too eager to secure any food that may be awaiting hungry mouths. The +next birds that came were a pair of chaffinches: the cock never became +very tame, but his little mate was soon a great pet with every one. +After a time I had twelve birds that fed regularly at my box; they were +a pair of tomtits, the chaffinches, a pair of nut-hatches, a pair of +coal-tits, a pair of marsh-titmice,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> a robin, and a hedge-sparrow. In +the cold weather my birds used to meet me as I came out of the house, +and fly after me to the wood. They were not at all afraid of Carlo, my +large dog, who generally accompanied me, and sat by the tree quite +quietly, expecting his little share of the feast. In the spring the +chaffinches built their nest in an oak-tree within sight of the box, and +when their young ones were hatched, they carried off nice large crumbs +to them.</p> + +<p>"A robin that fed at the box used also to keep us company when we were +out, and hop about on our feet as we sat on the lawn. The dear little +thing came in-doors whenever he found a window open. He was particularly +fond of flying into my mother's bedroom, in which he thought he had +discovered a rival favorite. Day after day he attacked it most fiercely, +but as the rival was his own reflection in the mirror, the poor bird +only got a great many hard knocks against the glass in his efforts to +revenge himself on his fancied enemy. The mirror was sometimes smeared +with his blood."</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h4><a name="MILDREDS_BARGAIN" id="MILDREDS_BARGAIN">[Begun in <span class="smcap">Young People</span> No. 58, December 7.]</a></h4> + +<h2>MILDRED'S BARGAIN.</h2> + +<h3>A Story for Girls.</h3> + +<h3>BY MRS. JOHN LILLIE.</h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Chapter V</span>.</h3> + +<p>"Milly," said little Kate, greeting her elder sister one evening about a +week after Miss Jenner's party, "there's a woman waiting to see you in +the parlor."</p> + +<p>Mildred instinctively kept the child back as she made her way into the +room, shutting the door after her with a firm hand. There sat the +peddler, or "Widow Robbins," as she called herself; and, oh! how she +seemed to Milly to take the warmth and life out of the pretty little +room with her air of vulgar obtrusiveness! Milly stood still in the +middle of the room a moment, while Mrs. Robbins spoke. "Called for the +first payment, my dear," she said, jocularly.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," answered Milly, drawing her purse from her pocket; "and," +she continued, "I thought I might as well pay you four weeks in advance. +I have that much to spare."</p> + +<p>She came forward, holding out two crisp bills; but, to her surprise, +"Widow Robbins" motioned her back. "Ah, no, my dear," she said, gravely; +"that wasn't in our agreement. I can't take more'n the fifty cents. Now +give me just that, and I'll sign my name to your paper."</p> + +<p>Milly remonstrated, all in vain, and then, completely disgusted by the +coarse vulgarity of the woman, her loud tone and half-sarcastic laugh, +she produced her "agreement," allowing Mrs. Robbins to sign a receipt +for fifty cents, and take her leave. Poor Milly, though vexed and +puzzled, did not see into the deeper motive of the peddler in this +transaction. By only receiving the half-dollar weekly, Mrs. Robbins +prolonged her power over Milly, well knowing a day <i>might</i> come when +even that sum would not be in Milly's possession to give her. If such a +remote chance ever occurred to Mildred, she dismissed it as too absurd +to contemplate for an instant. The next week passed by quickly enough, +for in her mother's absence Mildred had many home cares added to her +usual ones and the work at the store. One fact relieved her greatly. +"Mr. Tom's" attentions had nearly ceased, and she was allowed to come +and go to her daily work without subjecting herself to any special +insolence from him. Widow Robbins appeared again on the following +Monday, and was promptly paid and dismissed. The same evening Mrs. Lee +returned from her visit, full of exhilaration from the change, and ready +to hear Milly's account of Miss Jenner's party. It cost the girl an +effort not to tell of her new dress; but Mrs. Lee did not observe the +slight confusion in her daughter's manner, being fully entertained by +hearing an account of the fine house.</p> + +<p>Early the next evening Mildred paid a call at the brick house, and +renewed her sociable intercourse with Alice and Roger, who welcomed her +so cordially that Miss Jenner, though in a rather stiff way, asked +Mildred to spend an evening with them once a week. It was a new era in +Milly's life. How she looked forward to those Wednesday evenings, when, +leaving the store at the earliest moment possible, she would hasten +home, make a quick toilette, chatting with her mother the while, and +then go out into the dusky streets, threading her way eagerly to Lane +Street, where lights twinkled in the old-fashioned windows of Miss +Jenner's house, and where she was sure to find a kindly welcome!</p> + +<p>Sometimes the three young people sat in Alice's pretty sitting-room up +stairs, which to Milly's eyes was like an enchanted palace. Although +blind, Alice delighted in feeling soft hangings, luxurious coverings to +her chairs and sofas, and the consciousness that her walls were hung +with pretty pictures. Mildred had inherited from her father an +exquisitely fine taste, and Alice Jenner's surroundings seemed to fill +her with a sense of refinement which made her own dull life easier to +bear when she went away. Gradually Miss Jenner's manner thawed to +Mildred, and before Christmas came around, the young girl had been half +a dozen times invited to the cozy supper table of the good lady, who on +these occasions strove to make Milly feel perfectly at home, while she +contrived to learn all the story of her life from the young girl's lips. +Milly's one penance was Mrs. Robbins's weekly visit, and the +consciousness that up in her bureau drawer, carefully locked and +guarded, was the gray silk dress. By Christmas-time only six dollars had +been paid on it, yet a certain security of the future made Milly feel +sure no disaster could occur. Mrs. Robbins's calls were now all made at +the store, and about the Christmas season "Mr. Tom" inquired, rather +sneeringly, whether "Miss Lee's great-aunt" meant to give them her +custom. Milly answered nothing, yet it aroused her fears, and on one +Tuesday, after the peddler's customary call, she left the store +determined to appoint some different place of meeting. There was +something unusual, Milly thought, about the look of the cottage as she +entered; first a rush, then a confusion of smothered voices. Mildred ran +into the parlor, thence to the kitchen, where she found the children +gathered mysteriously together.</p> + +<p>"Willy's got the bronchitis," exclaimed Kate. "He must have caught it +down at the marshes."</p> + +<p>Mildred asked no further questions, but ran up stairs, tossing aside her +hat, and going cautiously into her mother's room, where Willy lay +suffering intensely. Mrs. Lee was glad to put all the responsible care +into Mildred's hands, and so she devoted nearly all the night to the +care of her little brother, appearing the next day haggard and +heavy-eyed at Mr. Hardman's store. Days passed in hard work at the +store, and nights of broken rest; and then came an evening when, on +Mildred's return home, she was met with the news of her mother's +illness. Poor Mrs. Lee, at no time strong, had succumbed to her anxiety +and hard work, and Milly found her utterly prostrated, the doctor +standing beside her, not able to pronounce on her disease, but looking +so anxious that Milly had difficulty in hiding her tears. Willy was +better, but the new trouble was terrible to contemplate. That night she +wrote hurriedly to her mother's pupils, and the next morning she arose +after a wakeful night with the consciousness that she had six people to +support on five dollars a week.</p> + +<p>Mildred felt too proud to tell Miss Jenner of her troubles. She dreaded +a rebuff besides. Roger was not well, and she knew the brick house was +in some confusion over his illness. It had been a trying season at +Milltown, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> few families had escaped; but Mildred thought her +visitation hardest to bear.</p> + +<p>The second day of her mother's illness Mildred came home very early, and +after getting the children to bed, counted over her slender store of +money while she sat in her mother's room, letting faithful Deborah have +a rest. Just three dollars remained of her weekly earnings, and of this +sum fifty cents must be saved for the terrible Widow Robbins. "I know +what I'll do," thought Milly, almost aloud; "I'll see if she won't take +her silk back. I <i>can't</i> spare a penny of my salary." This hope kept +poor Mildred up until the peddler's next visit. It was in the little +cottage parlor, and Mildred falteringly told her of her mother's +illness, and their great need of money.</p> + +<p>"That's neither here nor there," said the woman, shortly. "I can't lose +<i>my</i> bread and butter. You say your dress is stained; that ends my +taking it back; so any week—" The peddler stopped short rather +ominously and glanced around the cottage parlor. It was a very pretty +room. From the wreck of their fortunes Mrs. Lee and Milly had saved +several—to them—priceless household treasures. On the mantel were the +heavy old-fashioned silver candlesticks which Milly remembered all her +life; some fine china was in the cabinet between the windows; the modest +book-shelves were full of valuable volumes; one or two exquisite +engravings hung upon the walls; here and there were a few excellent +pieces of old family furniture. Altogether it was a room which not only +charmed the eye, but showed such signs of "better days" that the few +neighbors who had called upon the Lees held them in high esteem. Mrs. +Robbins's glance was evidently highly satisfactory to herself.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, pocketing her fifty cents with an air of great +condescension, "I will just wait a bit and see."</p> + +<p>It was after six o'clock, and Milly felt worried and perplexed as she +sat with the children over their simple tea, and then went up to her +mother's sick-room, in which she passed nearly all the night. Deborah +followed her, and beckoning her to the window, said, in a grave whisper,</p> + +<p>"Mildred, my child, who's that queer woman keeps coming here?"</p> + +<p>Milly felt inclined to cry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Debby," she said, piteously, "don't bother me; it's just a woman +who—has business with me."</p> + +<p>Debby was silenced, but by no means satisfied. She determined to settle +the question for herself.</p> + +<p>Before the next week came around, every penny of Milly's money was +spent, and, more than that, they were heavily in debt to the butcher and +the grocer and the chemist. The best of port-wine was ordered for Mrs. +Lee; the strongest beef tea; the most nourishing jellies; iron and +quinine regularly. Poor Milly used to feel as if she was walking over +fire on her way to and from the store, so harassed had she become, and +she and Deborah bemoaned the state of affairs whenever they were alone.</p> + +<p>"Something <i>must</i> be done, honey!" Deborah said, one wet Tuesday +evening, when Milly stopped in the kitchen to dry her clothes and warm +her feet before going up stairs. "I've next to nothing in the house, and +your mother <i>must</i> have some more port."</p> + +<p>Milly was disconsolately thinking the question over, when she was roused +by Mrs. Robbins's well-known "rat-tat-tat" on the front door. She ran +out, hastily admitting the peddler, who soon perceived the state of +affairs by Milly's expression. The young girl tried to say, calmly, that +she had not the money.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mrs. Robbins, "I'll hold off a day or two; but just you +read the paper you signed, and you'll see you agree to pay the full +amount if you miss a week—if the dress isn't fit to be took back."</p> + +<p>Mildred read the paper over and again when the woman was gone, and found +herself indeed bound to a very Shylock. "That dress is just like the +pound of flesh," she thought, as she sat in the dim light by her mother. +"Oh, why did I ever buy it; and who cared at Miss Jenner's what I wore!"</p> + +<p>The next week Mrs. Robbins made her appearance at the store on a day +when Mildred's peace of mind was so exhausted by home cares it was all +she could do to serve the most civil of customers. Milly contrived to +see her in the cloak-room, but the peddler refused to subdue her voice.</p> + +<p>"I can have fifty cents stopped out of your pay, and I <i>will</i>," she +said, resolutely. "I don't want anything but my rights."</p> + +<p>Mildred had not five cents to offer her. All her most earnest pleading +only induced Mrs. Robbins to defer what she called "proceedings" for +three days. In the mean time she resolved to call upon Miss Jenner. It +was late on the Friday evening before she got a chance to go to the +Brick House, and there the unwelcome news greeted her that Miss Jenner +had fallen a victim to the lung disease prevalent in Milltown. She was +leaving the house full of dejection, when to her horror she beheld the +tall, gaunt figure of Mrs. Robbins striding up the box-path from the +gate. Milly asked her to walk on with her.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 309px;"> +<img src="images/ill_009.jpg" width="309" height="400" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">MILDRED AND THE WIDOW ROBBINS.</span> +</div> + +<p>"No," said the woman, "here I am. I've followed you here, and here I +mean to have my say. Before next Tuesday I demand my money—twenty-two +dollars—or you shall hear from me in a way you least expect."</p> + +<p>It was nearly dark, but Milly could see the wicked expression on the +woman's face. She was faint and tired, and bitterly disappointed at not +seeing Miss Jenner, but she could not let the peddler see what she felt.</p> + +<p>"Very well," she answered, in a constrained voice, "I can try; but how I +am going to get twenty-two dollars is more than I can imagine. Oh, that +wretched gray silk dress!" she added. "If only it had not been spoiled +that first evening!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Robbins walked out of the gate by her side, and down the road some +little distance, threatening Milly all the time as to what she <i>could</i> +do, and what she <i>would</i> do. Left alone, Milly hurried home, knowing +that she must before morning devise some means of raising the money. +Mrs. Robbins had said she would "look in" during the morning at the +store, and already Milly felt sure she had betrayed her secret to "Mr. +Tom."</p> + +<p>"Milly," Debby said, in a mournful tone, "I've been thinking we <i>must</i> +part with something. Your mother's sinking for what we've no money to +pay for. I've seen you all in better days, lovey, and I'm as fond of +everything in the house as you are, but I see no way out of it. In fact, +I saw a man to-day—he's only waiting for your word—and he'll look over +the things in the parlor to-morrow."</p> + +<p>A lump rose and filled Milly's throat. Oh, if she were not burdened with +this miserable private debt, how easy it would seem even to ask a loan +from old Mr. Hardman! But no, the home necessities were by no means all.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, Debby," exclaimed Mildred, with a sudden rush of tears; "it +must be done—it must be done."</p> + +<p>When Milly returned the next evening from the store, the once cozy +parlor looked desolate enough. The heavy furniture was nearly all gone, +and the children clustered about her with an eager account of the man +who had carried the sofa and chairs and best table away in his cart.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said Mildred, trying to be cheerful. "We must sit in the +dining-room. Besides, dears, think how ill mamma is."</p> + +<p>"Only forty dollars," whispered Deborah, "and I've paid out thirty of +it."</p> + +<p>So she could not even borrow part of that sum for her debt. Milly turned +away, and went into her mother's room, feeling faint, heart and body, +and there tried to find some consolation in reading aloud their usual +evening chapter; but all the time a sense of her own folly oppressed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +her. Suffering from necessity she could have borne, but not that which +her own sin had brought upon her.</p> + +<p>Poor Mildred! she knelt at her mother's side, humbly praying, almost +aloud. On the next day she knew she must "settle" with the dreaded Widow +Robbins.</p> + +<h4>[<span class="smcap">to be continued</span>.]</h4> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2><a name="THE_TWO_BEARS" id="THE_TWO_BEARS">THE TWO BEARS.</a></h2> + +<h3>BY FRANK BELLEW.</h3> + +<p>The snow was on the ground—the lovely white snow, the peaceful snow, +which covered the country landscape with billows of alabaster. In the +distance the feathery woods made a purple fringe between the earth and +sky, while in the foreground a crinkled rail fence ran irregularly along +the side of the country road, and near it stood a splotch of red and +black, the only marked color in the whole landscape. The red and black +was crying bitterly, for the red and black represented a little girl +with a scarlet hood, and crimson stockings, and a bundle of books. She +was on her way to school, and in great grief.</p> + +<p>While she still stood by the fence, sobbing, a black object appeared +over the brow of the hill, and slowly moved toward the foreground, +until, pausing in front of the weeping child, it stood, as jolly, as +genial, as comfortable an old gentleman as ever wore broadcloth.</p> + +<p>"Why, what is the matter, little one?" he asked, in a kindly voice.</p> + +<p>The child looked up into the pleasant face and answered:</p> + +<p>"They are always worrying me at home; they are always taking my things, +and when I ask for them they get mad, and if I take any of their things, +they come and take them away, and then if I don't like it, they tell +mother; and oh! I declare it's too mean for anything. It wasn't her +doll, anyway, for Cousin May left it behind, and she didn't give it to +anybody, and she'd had it all day; and then she took my sun-shade, and +broke the hook off, and because I asked her for it she got mad and +wanted the doll, and it wasn't her doll, and then mother made me give it +up, and I think it's real mean—that's just what I think it is."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, well, that was too bad. I think it <i>was</i> real mean myself," +said the old gentleman. "But I tell you what you should do—you should +keep two bears, as I do, and then you would be happy all the time."</p> + +<p>"Two bears?" ejaculated the little girl, opening her large round blue +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes, two bears. We have two bears up at my house, and they make us so +happy!"</p> + +<p>"Don't they bite?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no, they don't bite a mite."</p> + +<p>"But they growl, don't they?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, no; they don't growl either. But if you like to come home with +me, I will show them to you."</p> + +<p>In an instant the little girl's hand was in that of the old gentleman, +and they were trotting along the road side by side. There was something +so kind and gentle and yet so jovial in his manner that it never entered +her head to be afraid of him. After turning down one road and up +another, and walking about a mile altogether, they at last came to a +long low house, with large windows, which were filled with bright +flowers, and draped with red curtains, and in every window hung a +bird-cage with some strange or beautiful bird.</p> + +<p>A number of children came running out of the house, crying, "Oh, papa! +papa! here's papa!" as they gathered round him, clinging to his arms.</p> + +<p>"Children," he said, "I have brought a little stranger to visit you. I +do not know her name, but I am sure you will be kind to her, and show +her the two bears, which I have promised she should see."</p> + +<p>They entered a large, comfortable sitting-room, hung round with pictures +and bird-cages; in the centre was a long table covered with books, and +on each side of the fire-place, in a big easy-chair, sat a great rough +bear; one was brown, and the other was black.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> + +<p>The old gentleman led the little girl up to the brown bear, and said, +"Brown Bear, here is a little girl who is very miserable. I have told +her that you and Black Bear have made us all so happy, and that perhaps +you can help her to be happy too."</p> + +<p>Brown Bear gave a good-humored sort of sniff, and put his big paw gently +on the head of the little stranger.</p> + +<p>"What is your name, child?" asked the gentleman: "you have not told me +that yet."</p> + +<p>"Frances Louisa Caroline Bounce, but they call me Fanny. What a nice +bear! Will he be angry if I feel his fur?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, not even though you rub it the wrong way."</p> + +<p>After she was introduced to both bears, she played with the children, +Carry and Sarah, George and Philip, and then they all went into another +room to dinner. On their way, however, Philip, who had a long switch, +with which he had been amusing himself, persisted in tickling the back +of his sister Sarah's ear with it, until she grew out of patience, and, +turning round, told him, rather sharply, to stop; but Philip, who was +only in fun, seemed somewhat nettled at being scolded, and was just on +the point of repeating the offense, when Black Bear, who was walking +behind, put his paw gently on his shoulder, while at the same moment +Brown Bear took Sarah by the arm and led her into the dining-room. +Philip threw away his switch, both burst into a merry laugh, and sat +down to the table with smiling faces. During the dinner both bears kept +walking round the table, looking so kind and gentle that they seemed to +put every one in good-humor. When Carry upset a tumbler of water over +Sarah's frock, Brown Bear immediately picked it up, while Carry begged +pardon, and Sarah laughed. When George was going to tell some little +tale <i>out of school</i> about Philip, Black Bear put his big paw in front +of his mouth, and George stopped at once.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/ill_010.jpg" width="400" height="358" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">THE CHILDREN AND THEIR BEARS.</span> +</div> + +<p>After dinner they all went out into the snow to have some coasting down +a hill close to the house. Both the boys had sleds, but Philip's was a +bright new one, while George's was old and rather clumsy. Philip had +been saving up his money for some time to buy this treasure, and was +very proud of it; therefore when George seized his new sled and ran off +with it, he called after him with some anger to bring it back, and not +to use it; but George had reached the top of the hill, and had just +planted the sled, ready to start down hill, when Brown Bear came to the +side of the angry Philip, and touched him with his paw. Phil's manner +and voice changed at once, as he called out, "Well, brother George, you +can use my sled, and I'll use yours." But Black Bear had reached the top +of the hill nearly as soon as George, and with his great big paw patted +him on the back, and grunted something in his ear. George took up the +sled very quietly, and carried it back to his brother, saying, "I am +sorry, Phil; here is your sled."</p> + +<p>After that all was fun, tumbles, and laughter, the two bears joining in +it as actively and enjoying it just as much as the children. In fact, +the bears seemed to make the whole party happy. At last it became time +for Frances Louisa Caroline Bounce to go home. She felt sad at the +thought of leaving the bears, and of going to her own home, where there +were no bears at all.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the old gentleman, "how do you like our bears, Fanny?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think they are just too splendid for anything. I wish we had a +bear, even if it was only a little one."</p> + +<p>"Well, you can easily have bears. All children can have them if they +like. Perhaps you would be obliged to begin with young ones; but then +they would be sure to grow up if you only took care of them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, dear! is that really so?" cried Fanny, in an ecstasy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my child, it is really so; every one can have two bears in his or +her house, like mine. But do you know what we call those bears which +make us all so happy? <span class="smcap">Bear</span> and <span class="smcap">Forbear</span>."</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Bear</span> and <span class="smcap">Forbear</span>!" echoed Fanny. "Oh, I will try to get two of those +bears in our house, and if they are ever so weak and sickly, I will feed +them and nurse them till they grow big and strong like yours."</p> + +<p>Fanny trotted home with the old gentleman, and told her brothers and +sisters everything about the two good-natured bears; and they all agreed +that they would try to raise a pair like them.</p> + +<p>I am happy to add that Fanny and her family have a pair of very +promising young bears, which already afford them a great deal of +happiness, and bid fair in the future to be fine healthy animals.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"><a name="OUR_POST_OFFICE_BOX" id="OUR_POST_OFFICE_BOX"></a> +<img src="images/ill_011.jpg" width="600" height="264" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">New York City</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am making a steam-engine according to the directions given in +<span class="smcap">Young People</span> No. 49. I have just soldered on the lid, and have made +the hole for the water to be let into the engine. I hope to finish +it soon. I am eight years old. I go to school, and I like <span class="smcap">Young +People</span> very much. I like to read the letters from the children, so +I thought I would send one, and thank the "Professor" for writing +about the steam-engine.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">John A. J</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Cresco, Iowa</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I have just commenced taking <span class="smcap">Young People</span>, and we all like it very +much. The story of "Paul Grayson" was splendid, but I think "Toby +Tyler" is the best of all. My brother Charlie and I each have an +Indian pony. Charlie's pony has been trained by the Indians to +stand wherever you leave her, without being tied. And if any one is +riding her and falls off, no matter how fast she is going, she will +stop, and not move one step farther until her rider mounts again. +My pony throws me over her head sometimes, but she will not stop +until she gets to the barn.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Allie C</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Nacoochee, Georgia</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I send an experiment for the chemistry club. To make cyanogen gas +the apparatus necessary is this: one test-tube, a cork, six inches +of glass tube one-quarter of an inch in diameter, an alcohol lamp, +and a round file. Now hold the glass tube over the flame of the +lamp until the glass is soft, when by pulling it apart you will +have two tubes, with one end of each drawn to a fine point. Break +off the point of one, and you will have a tiny jet. Make a hole in +the cork just large enough for the large end of the tube to go +into. Put into the test-tube as much cyanide of mercury as will lie +on the point of a penknife. Fit the cork tightly in the test-tube. +Wave the test-tube over the flame of the lamp for five or ten +minutes, and then apply a lighted match to the jet, when the gas +will burn with a bluish flame. Pour some melted tallow or bees-wax +over the cork to keep the gas from escaping before reaching the +jet.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">John R. G</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Nashville, Tennessee</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I read the letters in the Post-office Box with so much pleasure! I +have every number of <span class="smcap">Young People</span>. All my young friends that read +it like it very much. We have formed a juvenile club, and I am +president. Reading <span class="smcap">Young People</span> is a part of our programme.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Randolph H</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">San Francisco, California</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I thought I would write and tell you about our club. It is called +the "Silver Crescent Dramatic Club." We were going to call it +"Golden Crescent," but when the club gets a little richer it is +going to buy some medals for each member to wear; they will be the +shape of a crescent, and if they had to be of gold, they would cost +more than silver ones. We meet once every week, and make by-laws +and suggestions, and vote on them, and we rehearse. We also have a +monthly paper; it is called "The Monthly Crescent." Of course it is +not printed, and we have only one copy. Each member edits it in +turn, and the others send in contributions. Everything has to be +original. The paper is read at every fourth meeting.</p> + +<p>We charge five cents to join the club, and every two months each +member has to pay five cents dues. New members are voted for, and +the majority rules. We have five officers—a president, +vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and stage-manager. I am the +secretary.</p> + +<p>We prepared a grand entertainment for the Christmas holidays. It +was a tragedy in three acts. I arranged it. In the first part of +<i>Little Women</i>, by Miss Alcott, they had a play called the +"Witch's Curse." Only the plot was given. I took it and made up +the dialogue, added some more characters, and changed it to make +it turn out differently. It makes a very nice little play.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Ida B. D</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Argenta, Illinois</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am a little girl ten years old. I think <span class="smcap">Young People</span> is a very +nice paper. My sister and I go to school. We have a very nice +teacher. I like to go very much. We study pieces from <span class="smcap">Young People</span> +to speak in school. My teacher says all little boys and girls ought +to take it.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Minnie S</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Downieville, California</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I thought I would try to describe a trip I took with auntie to a +little town called Eureka. After a short ride we came to the main +trail leading from Downieville to the northern part of Sierra +County. The trail winds in and out, following every curve and bend +of the mountain. In some places it is quite steep, and in others +almost level. How tired I was when we got to Eureka, having been +two hours in the saddle! When we reached the ridge, we heard some +one playing on some instrument, and it sounded so sweet that we +stopped a few minutes to listen to it.</p> + +<p>Uncle tells me that Eureka used to be quite a large place, with +hotels, stores, private houses, a school-house, and a Masonic +Hall; but now it consists of only half a dozen dwellings and the +school-house.</p> + +<p>A little girl has written to <span class="smcap">Young People</span> that she found two peach +blossoms in September, and she wants to know if any other little +girl has found any so late. Now I want to know if any little girl +or boy has ever picked ripe peaches near the 13th of November, as +I have.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Mary A. R</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Vicksburg, Mississippi</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I have only been taking <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span> a short time, but I +think it is a very nice little paper. I saw that one of the little +girls said that she had seen a peach blossom in September. Here we +often have figs in December.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Lily V. F</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Brooklyn, Long Island</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am eleven years old; but my eyes are not strong, and mamma has +not thought it best to send me to school till this fall, so that I +can not write very well. I would like to tell Reba H. that there +were apple blossoms on our tree in Oil City, Pennsylvania, in +September, 1879.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Winifred C</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Bath, New Hampshire</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I have just finished the embroidery of Fig. 12 in <span class="smcap">Young People</span> No. +59. I received the paper Tuesday night, and if I had had all the +crewels, I could have finished it on Thursday. But I had to send to +Boston for some of them, and wait nearly four days before they +came.</p> + +<p>The day I began the embroidery mamma went up garret, and found an +old quilt of my grandmother's, all embroidered with the same +stitch. I have done a table-cover in the South Kensington stitch, +but I think the New England stitch is prettier, easier, and takes +less time.</p> + +<p>I did pattern No. 12 on a bureau-cover of Russian crash. I am very +glad you print the articles on embroidery. They are a great help. +I enjoy fancy-work very much, and do a great deal of it. I was +fourteen last July.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Helen C</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>This is the first report on embroidery, and, according to promise, the +old embroidery pattern has been sent to the writer.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Sullivan, Indiana</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am almost eight years old. I do not go to school. I have two +little sisters. My papa prints a newspaper. I take <span class="smcap">Young People</span>, +and I think it is the best paper in the world, except papa's. I get +papa to read it to me, and then I send it to a little boy who has +no money to buy it.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Harald C. H</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">East Canaan, New Hampshire</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am only six years old, but I can read all the stories in <span class="smcap">Young +People</span> alone. I have some very playful kittens, and one night they +tipped over the big rocking-chair. I had six white geese, but one +died.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Lester O. B</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Passaic, New Jersey</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am ten years old. I have two pretty kittens, exactly alike. They +are yellow and white. The other day I got a pretty dove from the +dove-house, and kept him in a large cage; but I felt sorry for him, +and one day opened the window and let him out. He flew to the top +of the carriage-house, and all of the doves came to meet him and +kept flying around him. I like <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span> so much that I +can not wait patiently until it comes.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Willie G</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Foster Brook, Pennsylvania</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am spending the winter very pleasantly out among the Red Rock +Mountains. Our cottage is in a valley, surrounded by high hills, +which are covered with wintergreen berries from one year's end to +another. During the winter months the berries swell very large, and +they are delicious fruit in the spring. There is a great deal of +iron ore here, and also a great deal of snow. We live in a very +small house, with only four rooms; but, for all that, it is very +cozy. I look forward with much pleasure every week for the coming +of <span class="smcap">Young People</span>.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">M. Ada T</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Clanton, Alabama</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>My brother and I take <span class="smcap">Young People</span>, and like it very much. We had a +pet 'coon, which got very thirsty one day, and crawled into our big +glass water-pitcher head first. After helping himself to water, he +turned round in the pitcher, and came out again. Afterward the cat +killed him.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">St. Clair T</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Brookhaven, Mississippi</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>My papa takes <span class="smcap">Harper's Magazine</span>, and I take <span class="smcap">Young People</span>, which I +like very much, especially the letters written by the children. I +wish all the boys and girls in the South could get your paper.</p> + +<p>I am eight years old, and go to school. There is a great deal of +cotton shipped from here to New Orleans, and a great deal of +lumber to St. Louis and Chicago. I have two little sisters younger +than I.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Archie McM</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Windsor Heights, Maryland</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I have taken <span class="smcap">Young People</span> since the story called "Who was Paul +Grayson?" began. My brother and I have for pets a flock of pigeons, +which are quite tame, two pair of rabbits, and two dogs, named +"Duke" and "Terry." Duke will go into the corn-patch, select a soft +ear of corn, and husk and eat it. He sometimes goes to the +blackberry bushes, and holds down a branch with one paw while he +eats the berries. He is also very fond of persimmons.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">James S</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;"><span class="smcap">Moberly, Missouri</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I will send a nice recipe for ice-cream in the winter. Take a +glassful of snow, and put in just enough cream to make it thick, +with some sugar, and just a little extract of vanilla or lemon. My +brother and I have ice-cream all summer, and winter too. I am nine +years old.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Maggie B</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Pearl A. Hare, of Lynchburg, Harris County, Texas, accidentally omitted +the little word "for" in her letter published in <span class="smcap">Young People</span> No. 56, +which made her appear to offer birds' eggs and postage stamps for +exchange, when she wished to obtain them in exchange for Texas snail +shells. Our readers will please note the correction.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>I am a boy eleven years old. I was born in Cairo, Egypt, and came +to America in 1876. I am living on a farm now, and like it very +much.</p> + +<p>I have some Egyptian stamps I would like to exchange for any other +foreign stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Ambrose Strang</span>, Lincoln, Tennessee.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The following exchanges are also offered by correspondents:</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postmarks.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">M. P. Rich</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">50 West Thirty-eighth Street, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>German postage stamps for any other foreign stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Maude Buckner</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">1208 Russell Street, Covington, Ky.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postage stamps and postmarks for foreign postage stamps and coin.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">S. New</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">127 East Sixty-ninth Street, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postmarks for postage stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Thomas K. Durham</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">P. O. Box 735, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postmarks and War Department stamps for stamps and monograms.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Campbell T. Hamilton</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Fort Preble, Portland, Maine.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Shells for Indian relics, shells, ore, or petrified wood.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Henry Scott</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">20 Patchen Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postmarks for postmarks and stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Al. E. Barker</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">P. O. Box 115, Judsonia, White County, Ark.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Foreign postage stamps for minerals, fossils, shells, sea-weed, or +birds' eggs.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Louis D. Orrison</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Care of Abernathy, North, & Orrison,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Kansas City, Missouri.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Southern moss for a Chinese coin or any old relic.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Daisy Rollins</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">P. O. Box 186, Columbus, Missouri.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Twenty-five postmarks for two rare stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">W. W. Elhose</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">22 Brill Street, Newark, N. J.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Foreign postage stamps or postmarks for all kinds of United States +internal revenue stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">George Wells</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">P. O. Box 466, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Curiosities, postage stamps, or sea-shells for curiosities. Or +thirty postmarks for five birds' eggs. No duplicates.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Harry Madison</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">206 Stockton Street, San Francisco, California.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>One hundred postage stamps for ten coins, or for ten birds' eggs. +No duplicates.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Frank Knox</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">2318 Third Avenue, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Minerals, fossils, rare stamps, or monograms for coats of arms, +crests, and monograms.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">A Reader of "Young People</span>,"</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Lock Box 42,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Little Falls, Herkimer County, N. Y.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>California curiosities, shells, or minerals for old or rare +American coins.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">C. W., Jun</span>.,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">P. O. Box 2305, San Francisco, California.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Foreign stamps for postmarks and postal cards. Postmarks must be +cut square.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">C. S. Petrasch</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">13 West Thirty-second Street, New York City.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p><blockquote> + +<p>Two fine specimens of Southern fern, or some evening-glory seeds, +for United States postage stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Emma Bruff</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">238 Felicity Street, New Orleans, La.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postage stamps.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Hawley Webster</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">394 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, Long Island.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<blockquote> + +<p>Postmarks.</p></blockquote> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Louis Gibbs</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">Care of J. J. Carter, Titusville, Penn.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">C. H. L</span>.—The old scrip which you inclose is probably a genuine +five-franc <i>assignat</i>, as the paper money was called which was first +issued by the French government in 1790, and afterward by the +Revolutionary authorities. It was based on the security of the public +domain, consisting of the confiscated estates of the Church and wealthy +exiles. The value of these assignats, which were issued to the amount of +45,578,000,000 francs, declined rapidly after the reign of terror. In +the summer of 1793, one franc in silver was worth three francs in paper. +Three years later, one franc in gold was worth three hundred francs in +paper, although the government, in order to check this depreciation, had +passed a law to regulate the price of commodities.</p> + +<p>The inscription on your assignat shows that it was issued in October or +November, 1793, the second year of the French Republic. The lettering in +the corners proclaims death to any one who should dare to counterfeit +the assignat. The <i>livre</i>, which name appears on the scrip, was a French +coin about the value of a franc, by which it was superseded in 1795. +Eighty francs were equal in value to eighty-one livres.</p> + +<p>If you examine your assignat carefully you will see to the left the dim +and faded stamp of the figure of Liberty, and if you have a strong +magnifying-glass, you can amuse yourself by trying to make out the +lettering around it. This little scrap of coarse paper, not quite a +hundred years old, may incite you to read the story of the terrible time +of which it is a relic. If you are not old enough to enjoy Carlyle's +<i>History of the French Revolution</i>, you will find the scenes vividly +portrayed in Charles Dickens's <i>Tale of Two Cities</i>, and Victor Hugo's +novel entitled "'93."</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Henry H. T</span>.—Your proposal to found a Natural History Society, composed +of contributors to <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span>, is hardly practical. The +exchange of specimens, etc., would be dilatory and difficult, as our +contributors are scattered over the whole continent. Local societies of +the kind you mean might be formed to advantage, and the officers of +different associations could correspond with each other, and exchange +views and information.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">L. M. F. and L. L. P</span>.—Your plan for a reading and debating club is +excellent, and if well carried out must have good results. You will find +suggestions that may be useful in some remarks appended to a letter from +Violet S. in <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span> No. 53, and also in a book called +<i>Stories of the Sea</i>, noticed in No. 61. We would advise you not to +waste your time over fourth-rate literature (to which the books you +mention belong), but to select the best authors, whose works will not +only entertain but instruct you. An excellent guide for you would be +William Swinton's <i>Masterpieces of English Literature</i>, recently +published by Harper & Brothers.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Violet S</span>.—Your account of the proceedings of your society is not full +enough. Can you not favor us with a sprightly description of what is +done and said at your meetings, instead of giving the "order of +exercises" merely?</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">John N. H</span>.—Either hickory or sassafras wood is good material for bows.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Helen G</span>.—How to make the "Wiggles" was fully explained at the end of +the Post-office Box in No. 51 of <span class="smcap">Young People</span>.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">R. T. F</span>.—Amber is not, as you suppose, made from "the sap of a tree in +South Africa," but is a fossil resin from several species of coniferous +or cone-bearing trees of a very remote geological period. More than 800 +species of insects have been found preserved in amber, and leaves of 160 +species of plants. Fine pieces of amber are very highly prized, and are +sometimes worth more than their weight in gold. The largest mass known +is in Berlin, Prussia. It weighs eighteen pounds, and is valued at +$30,000. Amber is extensively used for ornaments, the mouth-pieces of +pipes, etc. You may be able to procure a piece of some manufacturer of +meerschaum pipes.</p> + +<p>The ancients prized amber very highly, and it was an important article +of commerce in early times. From the fact that it is found in large +quantities in the remains of the lake-villages of Switzerland, we know +that it must have been an article of exchange in prehistoric times.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Floy</span>.—If you have any pressed flowers, leaves, or other pretty objects +which can be sent easily by mail, we have no doubt some of our readers +would be glad to send you postage stamps in exchange for them. You can +put your offer in the Post-office Box.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Jesse H., Jun</span>.—The English noun envelop, as well as the verb, is +accented on the second syllable. The French form of the word, +<i>envelope</i>, has an even accent on the three syllables. Our word is +derived from the French.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Jean C. P</span>.—Please give the name of the county in which the town of +Warren, where you live, is situated. There are several towns of that +name in Ohio, and correspondents will not know where to address you +unless the county is given also.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ford D. Lyon</span>.—The controversy about the origin of the phrase, +"Consistency, thou art a jewel," has not been satisfactorily settled. +The saying has been floating about for a great many years, but no one +has been able to find out who started it on its travels.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Grace</span>.—The <i>ü</i> in Olmütz is sounded like the French <i>u</i>, very difficult +to catch without the aid of a teacher. You can come very near it by +pronouncing the vowel <i>o</i> and changing to <i>e</i> without altering the +position of the lips.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">C. G. G</span>.—The time required for the transmission of a signal through the +Atlantic cable varies according to the condition of the batteries. A +dispatch has been sent from New York to London and the answer received +within an hour.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">James McK</span>.—No charge is made in the matter about which you ask.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sallie K</span>., Cincinnati, Ohio.—The name of the street in which you live +is so obscurely written that we can not make it out. Write it very +plainly, and we will print your request.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daisy R</span>.—Send enough to make a pretty wreath.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Jennie S. M</span>.—A very good recipe for butterscotch was given in a letter +from Kittie G. in the Post-office Box of <span class="smcap">Young People</span> No. 37.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Henry C. D</span>.—Glass for windows was made during the Middle Ages in all +European countries. In England glass-painting for windows was practiced +in 1338. Some splendid windows of York Cathedral were painted at that +period by John Thornton, of Coventry. In the fifteenth century English +window-glass was more expensive than any other kind of glass. The +Egyptians made glass at a very early period of their national existence. +Paintings representing glass-blowers making a very large vase show that +nearly 4000 years ago the Egyptians were far advanced in this art.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Favors are acknowledged from Garrett Waggener, Bertha Herron, C. C. +Shelley, Jun., Stella Pratt, George W. Taymun, Flora C. B., Mabel White, +Alice Brown, J. W. Menefee, Orrie H. Clark, Shelton H. Hibbs, H. H. J., +S. H. R., W. H. Scherzer, Carrie and Belle N., Albert Woolley, B. D. +Ellis, C. G. Myers, B. Tompkins, E. Fay Stevens, H. McIlvain, Frank A. +Harmony, Annie S. and Bennie C. Duffie, F. H. Kellogg, Everett Jones, +Lewis B. Frazier, Lyman Perley, Sidney J. Carson, Katie Dale, Louis +Mareé, Tamar Love, Thomas Buford, Fredy Leser.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>Correct answers to puzzles are received from C. H. McB., Hugh Pilcairn, +Thomas Cook, George Dudley Kyte, "Lone Star," Harry and Isobel Jacob.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<h3>PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.</h3> + +<h3>No. 1.</h3> + +<h3>WORD SQUARES—(<i>To Owlet</i>).</h3> + +<p>1. First, a piece of ordnance formerly used for blowing up barricades +and other defensive works. Second, a female name. Third, to feel a +sharp, pricking sensation. Fourth, a state in Africa. Fifth, part of a +printing-press. Sixth, having a melancholy appearance.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Zelotes</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>2. First, to disturb. Second, to weaken. Third, a Turkish coin. Fourth, +absent without leave. Fifth, to show clearly. Sixth, leased.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Bolus</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<h3>No. 2.</h3> + +<h3>DIAMOND.</h3> + +<p class="center">A letter. A small vessel. A hut. A celebration. A guide. A snare. A +letter.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Wennie</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<h3>No. 3.</h3> + +<h3>DOUBLE ACROSTIC.</h3> + +<p>An ensign. A boy's name. A wonder. Finished. Answer.—Two things to gain +which men often make great sacrifices and devote all their energies.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Lone Star</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<h3>No. 4.</h3> + +<h3>ENIGMA.</h3> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">First in sieve, not in pail.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Second in rum, not in ale.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Third in calf, not in ox.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Fourth in cat, not in fox.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Fifth in rude, not in kind.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Sixth in brain, not in mind.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">Seventh in wheat, not in hay.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 21em;">The whole a savage bird of prey.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Oscar</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<h3>No. 5.</h3> + +<h3>ACROSTIC.</h3> + +<p>Place seven divisions of the United States in such order that, +their initials read downward spell the name of another.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;"><span class="smcap">Bolus</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2>NEW BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS.</h2> + +<p>A book of good songs for children is a household treasure. There is no +prettier sight than to see brothers and sisters gathered around the +piano during a long winter evening, mamma or the eldest sister playing +the accompaniment and leading in the singing, while sweet childish +voices fill the room with melody. <i>A Book of Rhymes and Tunes</i><a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> +contains more than a hundred pretty songs suitable for these household +conceits. Some of the melodies are new, others familiar, but all are +re-arranged and written in low keys to suit children's voices. Simple +accompaniments are given, such as can be easily understood by a young +pianist, and many songs have both English and German or French words. +The melodies are exceedingly attractive, and are such as will cultivate +good musical taste in youthful musicians.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p><i>Zigzag Journeys in Classic Lands</i><a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> is a handsomely bound and well +illustrated volume, from which young readers can learn a great many +things about the history, legends, and present appearance of Spain, +Italy, Greece, and some other European countries. This book is written +in a chatty, familiar style, and the information given by the teacher to +the class of boys who are travelling under his care is of the kind to +especially interest boys and girls.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The fun and frolic of <i>Five Little Mice in a Mouse-Trap</i>,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> as told by +the Man in the Moon, will be a source of delight to many other little +"mice." Nibble, Brighteyes, Fluff, Puff, and Downy, the baby, are real, +living children. They chase butterflies and bees up and down in the +"mouse-trap" garden, play with dolls and dogs and kittens, and have a +splendid time. Uncle Jack is the best of uncles, and the Man in the Moon +a constant friend. The story of the Mice is beautifully illustrated with +drawings by Kate Greenaway, Addie Ledyard, and others.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2>HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE.</h2> + +<p><span class="smcap">Single Copies</span>, 4 cents; <span class="smcap">One Subscription</span>, one year, $1.50; <span class="smcap">Five +Subscriptions</span>, one year, $7.00—<i>payable in advance, postage free</i>.</p> + +<p>The Volumes of <span class="smcap">Harper's Young People</span> commence with the first Number in +November of each year.</p> + +<p>Subscriptions may begin with any Number. When no time is specified, it +will be understood that the subscriber desires to commence with the +Number issued after the receipt of the order.</p> + +<p>Remittances should be made by <span class="smcap">Post-Office Money-Order or Draft</span>, to avoid +risk of loss.</p> + +<p>Volume I., containing the first 52 Numbers, handsomely bound in +illuminated cloth, $3.00, postage prepaid: Cover, title-page, and index +for Volume I., 35 cents; postage, 13 cents additional.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 34em;">HARPER & BROTHERS,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 36em;">Franklin Square, N. Y.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> +<img src="images/ill_012.jpg" width="800" height="1191" alt="" /> +</div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <i>A Book of Rhymes and Tunes</i>. Compiled and arranged by +<span class="smcap">Margaret Pearmain Osgood</span>. Translations by <span class="smcap">Louisa Y. Craigin</span>. 8vo, pp. +128. Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> <i>Zigzag Journeys in Classic Lands; or, Tommy Toby's Trip to +Mount Parnassus</i>. By <span class="smcap">Hezekiah Butterworth</span>. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 318. +Boston: Estes & Lauriat.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> <i>Five Little Mice in a Mouse-Trap, by the Man in the Moon</i>. +By <span class="smcap">Laura E. Richards</span>. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 228. Boston: Estes & +Lauriat.</p></div></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, JAN 11, 1881 *** + +***** This file should be named 44652-h.htm or 44652-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/6/5/44652/ + +Produced by Annie R. McGuire + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at + www.gutenberg.org/license. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 +North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email +contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the +Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_001.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..705071a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_001.jpg diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_002.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..da62501 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_002.jpg diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_003.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..83d87a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_003.jpg diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_004.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7ce0ca3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_004.jpg diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_005.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b0ff6d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_005.jpg diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_006.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_006.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..72aeca2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_006.jpg diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_007.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_007.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5310c42 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_007.jpg diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_008.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_008.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..11b6dfb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_008.jpg diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_009.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_009.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5527a59 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_009.jpg diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_010.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_010.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..592cbfa --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_010.jpg diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_011.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_011.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2df448d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_011.jpg diff --git a/old/44652-h/images/ill_012.jpg b/old/44652-h/images/ill_012.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b21388 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652-h/images/ill_012.jpg diff --git a/old/44652.txt b/old/44652.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..34fa06c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2501 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881 + An Illustrated Monthly + +Author: Various + +Release Date: January 13, 2014 [EBook #44652] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, JAN 11, 1881 *** + + + + +Produced by Annie R. McGuire + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE +AN ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY.] + + * * * * * + +VOL. II.--NO. 63. PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. PRICE FOUR +CENTS. + +Tuesday, January 11, 1881. Copyright, 1881, by HARPER & BROTHERS. $1.50 +per Year, in Advance. + + * * * * * + + + + +[Illustration: JOHN MILTON AT THE AGE OF TEN.--SEE NEXT PAGE.] + +MILTON. + + +John Milton was a blue-eyed, yellow-haired Saxon boy, the type of the +English race. He was somewhat short, stout, and healthy; his eyes were +bright and sparkling in his youth, before he became blind. But he +inherited weakness of sight from his mother. He was born 1609, in a +pleasant house in Bread Street, London, almost under the shadow of Bow +Bells. It was back in a court. His father, who had made a fortune as a +scrivener, was fond of music, books, and literature, and his son was +carefully educated at St. Paul's School. Milton relates that he +frequently studied in the house in Bread Street until after midnight, +and his head ached and his sight grew dim with these late vigils. He was +then about twelve years old. + +When he was six years old he may have seen Shakespeare and Ben Jonson +pass on their way to the Mermaid Tavern, which was in Bread Street, not +far from his father's house. He was one of the best scholars at St. +Paul's School, and loved study as most boys like play. He was eager to +know how men lived and acted in Greece and Rome, what they thought of, +and what they had discovered. He studied the rise and fall of empires +and republics, and became a republican in the midst of kings and +princes. He was always fond of poetry, and soon began to write fine +verses. One of his earliest pieces is his "Ode on the Nativity." + +His father leased a place in the country, at Horton, near Windsor, and +here Milton wandered when a young man over the smooth-shaven lawns and +beside the pleasant streams, filling his mind with knowledge and +pictures of fine scenery. It is not likely that as a boy he was fond of +fishing or hunting, as we may well fancy Shakespeare was. He never +tilled the soil like Burns and Virgil. He knew nothing of farming. He +went to Cambridge University, the most learned of its scholars. It was +the custom then to whip the students, and Milton's enemies spread the +report that he was flogged for some breach of the rules. He was always +independent. He travelled, came back to defend republicanism in the +civil war, married, kept a school, was Cromwell's Latin secretary after +he became blind, and published some poetry. But when the republic fell +with Cromwell, Milton was proscribed, and in danger of his life. His +enemies would, gladly have put him to death, and "Paradise Lost" might +never have been written. + +Milton hid in obscurity, blind, forgotten, but constantly engaged on his +great poem. He wrote "Paradise Lost" in his old age. He repeated the +verses aloud to his daughters or some friends who came to visit him, and +they wrote them down. It was finished in 1667, and Milton received +twenty-five dollars for the copyright. It was long neglected, until +Addison gave it great fame. Milton died November 8, 1674. + + + + +THE MESSENGER BOYS AT THE CAPITOL. + +BY HARRIET PRESCOTT SPOFFORD. + + +A lad who visits the city of Washington for the first time, and looks +down from the galleries of the House of Representatives or of the Senate +on the busy scene below, will be sure to find his eye attracted by +groups of bright-looking and neatly dressed boys moving hither and +thither about the floor, speaking familiarly with this and that great +man, or amusing themselves on the steps of the Vice-President's or of +the Speaker's platform, and he will perhaps regard these boys with +something like envy--all the more when told that they receive about two +dollars and seventy-five cents a day, during the sessions of Congress, +to pay them for having such a good time. + +Possibly our lad would not regard the picture as so pleasant if he knew +how burdensome are the duties of these boys, and how exceedingly well +they earn the money paid them. There are nearly thirty of them attached +to the House, and half as many to the Senate. Their ages run from nine +years upward, some numbering twice as many summers; and it is not by any +means the oldest who are the brightest and the most favored. They are of +respectable families; some of them are nephews of Members of Congress--a +Member once, indeed, had such questionable taste as to procure the +appointment of his own son; and some of them have been known in +after-years to become Members themselves. The recently chosen Senator +from Maryland is doubtless proud to remember that he himself was once a +page. Although in two or three instances these boys have been elected to +their places, instead of appointed, they are usually appointed by the +Sergeant-at-Arms--of course on the recommendation and through the +influence of the Congressmen--and they are under his control. The old +custom of appointing only orphan boys is no longer adhered to. The boy +who fell over the balustrade, and was made a page by special resolution +of the Senate, is a very exceptional case--probably his favorite song +thereafter was, "Such a getting up stairs I ne'er did see." + +The pages wear no uniform, or regulation clothes, or badges of any sort. +They are required to present themselves for work at nine o'clock in the +morning, although Congress does not meet till twelve, and they are not +dismissed until adjournment for the day takes place. They put the desks +of the Members in order, file for each the bills and papers which are +strewn about in confusion, then go to the Document-rooms and work there, +helping to put affairs in shape; and they present themselves at twelve +in the great chambers of legislation to answer the clapping of the +Members' and Senators' hands, and attend to their countless wants. Now +they are sent hunting for some book that is needed, for some man, now +for a glass of water, now they take messages from one Member to another +at a distance, from one House to the other, and sometimes to ladies in +the gallery; they fetch a cup of tea into the Cloak-room; fetch the hat +and stick out of it; they distribute mail by the armful; they struggle +into sight, behind piles of palm-leaf fans big as they are themselves, +which are soon cooling the hot air, if it be a late session; and during +the nights preceding the close of the session they do not know what +sleep is, but are worn out with running and waiting. Thus it will be +seen that they are on their feet with but very little intermission, +running and tumbling over each other in their eagerness to please; but +they seem happy and good-natured through it all, and when they do sit +down it is on the steps of the presiding officer's desk, where they are +usually tickling or punching or teasing each other as if they had +nothing else to do, and were passing away the time. + +Sometimes during a recess of Congress you may come upon them in a lower +room, assembled in a body, a mimic Senate, one of them in the chair, and +another making a speech, and Mr. Blaine and Mr. Conkling and Mr. Bayard +and the rest are being imitated to the life. It is in some contrast to +these gay rogues that one sees a crippled and dwarfed little hunchback +outside the Hall of Representatives, opening and shutting a door for the +passer in hopes of the coppers or the nickel that may be tossed him, +although he does not beg. At night a little goat carriage comes for him, +and he drives off. + +The pages whom we have described do not leave the Capitol during the +hours of their service, and carry no messages beyond the doors. For +outside work there are three riding pages, who are furnished with +horses, and who go to the various Departments, the Executive Mansion, or +on other of the outside errands of the legislators. And theirs is not +exactly the pleasant horseback riding that looks so attractive, but, on +the contrary, it is hard and weary work, cold in the winter, and burning +under a fierce sun in the summer, leaving them meanwhile as badly off +as John Gilpin. + +Many of these youths are appointed because there is some great need in +their families, or have been some pitiable circumstances in their +history. This curly-headed little fellow is the only support of a mother +and younger brothers and sisters; there is one who takes care of a +paralyzed father, the only relative he has in the world, going home, +after his hard work, to make life as pleasant as he can for him who can +never do any more work; here is another whose little house is kept for +him by a child-sister, who looks for his step at night with solicitude. +Most of them have somebody besides themselves to take a share of their +earnings. + +Beyond their regular pay, there are various perquisites and fees which +swell their income considerably. Thus they may often be seen slipping an +open book, with a bit of blotting-paper, under the nose of some Member +who is sitting at his desk: it is an album for somebody who wants the +signatures of all these statesmen, which the statesmen kindly give, but +which nevertheless are not always easy to obtain, owing to the +difficulty of finding individuals in their seats, as all of the +Congressmen are by no means in constant attendance, many of them being +busy in committee-rooms, or lounging in cloak-rooms, or lunching, or +following the bent of their inclinations in other ways, and seldom +coming in after roll-call, save to hear a heralded speech, or to vote on +measures with which they are already familiar either from the reading of +the daily journal of proceedings, or in the committee-room, or by the +word of mouth of others. For every album that they thus fill with +signatures the boys receive ten dollars from the eager visitor of the +Capitol, and they fill a good many during the year. + +In another way they also sometimes earn an additional penny. For after +any gentleman on the floor has made a particularly strong speech, the +Members on his side of the question are wont to subscribe for the +printing of thousands of copies of the speech, to be sent broadcast into +their districts; the pages therefore go about with subscription papers, +and they are allowed two dollars for every thousand of the speeches that +are taken. + +If the boys of whom we are speaking are very bright, they are apt to be +spoiled, as in such case the Members and Senators take pleasure in +indulging them to some degree. But there are not many, it may be +imagined, who are thus injured. Some of them, indeed, are as careless as +the blowing wind; these have no awe or reverence in their compositions: +the great men with whom they are brought into contact are not great men +to them, but simply folks who send them on errands, and the directions +given them go in one ear and out the other--as we all know never happens +with boys anywhere else. One little chap, dispatched to the +Document-room for the "Fortification Bill," asks for the "Mortification +Bill"; another, sent for the "Census," asks for the "Ascension Bill"; +still another, insisting on the "Compulsive Capacity Bill," and +returning without it, is told that he was sent for nothing of the kind, +but for that on "compulsory pilotage," whereupon he presently comes back +to say that there isn't any bill on "pulsive politics." The same +youngster asked the Document Clerks for the "Bill for the Suppression of +Supreme Literature." A little "compulsive capacity" would have been good +for this urchin, were it to be obtained as easily as was thought by that +gentleman whose daughter lacked capacity, as her teacher said. "Get it, +madam," said he--"get it; she shall want for nothing that money can buy +her." To the same class with these scatter-brained urchins belonged the +little fellow who once brought into the Congressional Library a note +signed by one of the most powerful "Sons of Thunder" in the Senate, and +which we begged the librarian's pardon for reading as it lay a moment on +the desk beside us: "William H. Turner wants _The Headless Horseman; or, +The Scalp-Hunter_. I ask that he may have it under the rules of the +Library." + +But to offset such idle fellows as the reader of _The Headless +Horseman_--who certainly could do no better than hunt for a "scalp," and +a head with it, too--there are other pages who make it their business to +understand their duties thoroughly, and two or three who even go so far +as to read for themselves every bill that is introduced, to follow its +fortunes, to be able to tell the person that asks just where it is in +its progress to passage or defeat, and who can always be relied on by +any Member who has been absent or out of the way to let him know exactly +what has been done and said in the mean time, and how the vote stands on +this question or the other. It would be no wonder if boys of this sort +should be indulged; and there is little danger of spoiling such good +material. These boys are learning the business of legislating, and if +they wish, will, in their turn, come back some day to make the laws. + +But careless or faithful, their bright faces and light ways are a +pleasant sight to see in all the throng of bustling, noisy men; and as +one looks at them slipping about on their countless errands, one feels +as if the boys themselves bore some small part in the work of governing +the country. + + + + +A HERO OF CHIVALRY. + + +Bertrand du Guesclin was born in 1314 at the castle of Motte Broen, near +Rennes, in Brittany. His heroic character showed itself early. As he was +not troubled with lessons (he never learned to read or write), he formed +a company of boys of his own age, and, acting as their general, +practiced them in battle and combat. His mother often clasped her +forehead in alarm when he came home with bruised face and bleeding head. +Even in his seventeenth year he excelled many older knights in strength +and dexterity in the use of arms. But he was ridiculed by the ladies +because he looked so ugly, and rode such a wretched horse. They jeered +at him, saying that he looked more like a donkey-driver than a knight +and nobleman, and that he must have borrowed his steed from a miller. + +Bertrand was indignant, and, as there was another tournament about to +come off, he begged a cousin of his to lend him a steed and armor. Both +were granted, and with a joyful heart he entered the lists, where, in +his strange armor, and with his visor down, no one, not even his own +father, recognized him. A well-known valiant knight opposed him. The +signal was given, they ran at each other with lightning speed, and with +a loud crash their lances broke into splinters in their hands. Bertrand, +however, had struck with such force on his adversary's helmet, that the +latter was thrown from the saddle to a distance of several paces, where +he lay insensible on the sand, and had to be carried out of the lists. + +The young victor returned to his post with a fresh lance, and waited for +fresh opponents. Now his own father ranged himself against him. Bertrand +did not wish to fight against him, but was equally unwilling to make +himself known. So he resolved to lower his lance in his tilt, and to +receive his father's blow on his shield without making a counter-thrust. +He did this so adroitly that he kept firm in his saddle, and, without +tottering, galloped by, and then declared positively that he would not +fight again with that knight. People were surprised, but made no +derisive remarks, for the knight's courage had been sufficiently proved +in the former combat. His father rode out of the lists, and gave place +to other knights. Guesclin laid them in the dust, and was unanimously +declared the winner. + +Every one was eager to know who the champion was, and his father +especially longed for the unravelling of the mystery. + +At length, when the tournament was over, and Bertrand had received his +prize, he rode up to his father, raised his visor, and cried, "Do you +know me now, father?" The old man embraced him with tears of joy, and at +once provided him with a steed and armor. The fame of the young hero now +spread all over France. + +Hitherto Bertrand had only won victories in tournaments, but now the +more serious field of battle was to behold the first exploits of his +sword. Duke Charles of Blois made war on John de Montfort for the +possession of Brittany. Philip the Sixth, King of France, sided with the +former; while, on the other hand, the King of England (Edward the Third) +supported De Montfort. Bertrand had naturally no choice in the matter, +for, like a brave Frenchman, he followed his king wherever he led him. + +At that time the castle of Fougeray was in the hands of the English, and +Bertrand resolved to take it from them, as it was a place of no mean +importance. With this view he disguised himself and sixty companions as +wood-cutters, and divided them into four bands, which approached the +place from different sides. He then fixed on a time when the governor of +the castle and a part of the garrison had gone out on a reconnoitring +expedition, when he made a party of his men hide themselves in the +neighboring wood during the night. At break of day they loaded +themselves with fagots and brushwood, concealed their weapons under +their clothes, and came up to the castle from different directions. +Bertrand, in a white smock, with a heavy load of wood on his back, was +the first to appear before the draw-bridge, which was instantly lowered +for him. He at once threw down his fagot, drew his sword, and transfixed +the warder; then he raised the cry of "Guesclin." At this signal the +rest hastened forward to come to his assistance and take the bridge. As, +however, there were two hundred Englishmen in the castle, the conflict +was very unequal, and a horrid slaughter ensued. An Englishman clove the +skull of one of Bertrand's companions with his battle-axe. Guesclin, in +return, cut him down, and caught up the axe, with which he dealt +slashing blows on every side. So he fought on, and kept the enemy off +the body for a time, until a troop of cavalry of his own side +accidentally arrived in the neighborhood, rescued him from his perilous +situation, and helped to take the place. It was, indeed, high time for +relief to arrive; for, in his combat against tenfold odds, he had +dropped his battle-axe, and his head was so covered with wounds that the +blood was streaming down his face. The conspicuous valor which he here +displayed gained him the reputation of being the boldest and most +dauntless knight of his time. + + + + +[Illustration: SCENE IN AN ITALIAN SCHOOL.] + + + + +[Begun in No. 58 of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, December 7.] + +TOBY TYLER; + +OR, TEN WEEKS WITH A CIRCUS. + +BY JAMES OTIS. + +CHAPTER V. + +THE COUNTERFEIT TEN-CENT PIECE. + + +When the doors of the big tent were opened, and the people began to +crowd in, just as Toby had seen them do at Guilford, Mr. Lord announced +to his young clerk that it was time for him to go into the tent to work. +Then it was that Toby learned for the first time that he had two masters +instead of one, and this knowledge caused him no little uneasiness. If +the other one was anything like Mr. Lord, his lot would be just twice as +bad, and he began to wonder whether he could even stand it one day +longer. + +As the boy passed through the tent on his way to the candy stand, where +he was to really enter upon the duties for which he had run away from +home, he wanted to stop for a moment and speak with the old monkey who +he thought had taken such an interest in him. But when he reached the +cage in which his friend was confined, there was such a crowd around it +that it was impossible for him to get near enough to speak without being +overheard. + +This was such a disappointment to the little fellow that the great tears +came into his eyes, and in another instant would have gone rolling down +his cheeks if his aged friend had not chanced to look toward him. Toby +fancied that the monkey looked at him in the most friendly way, and then +he was certain that he winked one eye. Toby felt that there was no +mistake about that wink, and it seemed as if it was intended to convey +comfort to him in his troubles. He winked back at the monkey in the most +emphatic and grave manner possible, and then went on his way, feeling +wonderfully comforted. + +The work inside the tent was far different and much harder than it was +outside. He was obliged to carry around among the audience trays of +candy, nuts, and lemonade, for sale, and he was also expected to cry +aloud the description of that which he offered. The partner of Mr. Lord, +who had charge of the stand inside the tent, neither showed himself to +be better nor worse than Mr. Lord himself. When Toby first presented +himself for work, he handed him a tray filled with glasses of lemonade, +and told him to go among the audience, crying, "Here's your nice cold +lemonade, only five cents a glass!" + +Toby started to do as he was bidden; but when he tried to repeat the +words in anything like a loud tone of voice, they stuck in his throat, +and he found it next to impossible to utter a sound above a whisper. It +seemed to him that every one in the audience was looking only at him, +and the very sound of his own voice made him afraid. + +He went entirely around the tent once without making a sale, and when he +returned to the stand he was at once convinced that one of his masters +was quite as bad as the other. This one--and he knew that his name was +Jacobs, for he heard some one call him so--very kindly told him that he +would break every bone in his body if he didn't sell something, and Toby +confidently believed that he would carry out his threat. + +It was with a very heavy heart that he started around again in obedience +to Mr. Jacobs's angry command; but this time he did manage to cry out, +in a very thin and very squeaky voice, the words which he had been told +to repeat. + +This time--perhaps owing to his pitiful and imploring look, certainly +not because of the noise he made--he met with very good luck, and sold +every glass of the mixture which Messrs. Lord and Jacobs called +lemonade, and went back to the stand for more. + +He certainly thought he had earned a word of praise, and fully expected +it as he put the empty glasses and money on the stand in front of Mr. +Jacobs. But instead of the kind words, he was greeted with a volley of +curses, and the reason for it was that he had taken in payment for two +of the glasses a lead ten-cent piece. Mr. Jacobs, after scolding poor +little Toby to his heart's content, vowed that the amount should be kept +from his first week's wages, and then handed him back the coin, with +orders to give it to the first man who gave him money to change, under +the penalty of a severe flogging if he failed to do so. + +Poor Toby tried to explain matters by saying, "You see, I don't know +anything about money; I never had more'n a cent at a time, an' you +mustn't expect me to get posted all at once." + +"I'll post you with a stick if you do it again; an' it won't be well for +you if you bring that ten-cent piece back here." + +Now Toby was very well aware that to pass the coin, knowing it to be +bad, would be a crime, and he resolved to take the consequences of which +Mr. Jacobs had intimated, if he could not find the one who had given him +the counterfeit, and persuade him to give him good money in its stead. +He remembered very plainly where he had sold each glass of lemonade, and +he retraced his steps, glancing at each face carefully as he passed. At +last he was confident that he saw the man who had gotten him into such +trouble, and he climbed up the board seats, saying, as he stood in front +of him, and held out the coin: "Mister, this money that you gave me is +bad. Won't you give me another one for it?" + +The man was a rough-looking party who had taken his girl to the circus, +and who did not seem at all disposed to pay any heed to Toby's request. +Therefore he repeated it, and this time more loudly. + +"Get out the way!" said the man, angrily. "How can you expect me to see +the show if you stand right in front of me?" + +"You'll like it better," said Toby, earnestly, "if you give me another +ten-cent piece." + +"Get out, an' don't bother me!" was the angry rejoinder; and the little +fellow began to think that perhaps he would be obliged to "get out" +without getting his money. + +It was becoming a desperate case, for the man was growing angry very +fast, and if Toby did not succeed in getting good money for the bad, he +would have to take the consequences of which Mr. Jacobs had spoken. + +[Illustration: "PLEASE, MISTER, GIVE ME THE MONEY BACK."] + +"Please, mister," he said, imploringly--for his heart began to grow very +heavy, and he was fearing that he should not succeed--"won't you please +give me the money back? You know you gave it to me, an' I'll have to pay +it if you don't." + +The boy's lip was quivering, and those around began to be interested in +the affair, while several in their immediate vicinity gave vent to their +indignation that a man should try to cheat a boy out of ten cents by +giving him counterfeit money. + +The man whom Toby was speaking to was about to dismiss him with an angry +reply, when he saw that those about him were not only interested in the +matter, but were evidently taking sides with the boy against him; and +knowing well that he had given the counterfeit money, he took another +coin from his pocket, and handing it to Toby, said, "I didn't give you +the lead piece; but you're making such a fuss about it that here's ten +cents to make you keep quiet." + +"I'm sure you did give me the money," said Toby, as he took the extended +coin, "an' I'm much obliged to you for takin' it back. I didn't want to +tell you before, 'cause you'd thought I was beggin'; but if you hadn't +given me this, I 'xpect I'd have got an awful whippin', for Mr. Jacobs +said he'd fix me if I didn't get the money for it." + +The man looked sheepish enough as he put the bad money in his pocket, +and Toby's innocently told story caused such a feeling in his behalf +among those who sat near that he not only disposed of his entire stock +then and there, but received from one gentleman twenty-five cents for +himself. He was both proud and happy as he returned to Mr. Jacobs with +empty glasses, and with the money to refund the amount of loss which +would have been caused by the counterfeit. + +But the worthy partner of Mr. Lord's candy business had no words of +encouragement for the boy who was trying so hard to please. + +"Let that make you keep your eyes open," he growled out, sulkily; "an' +if you get caught in that trap again, you won't be let off so easy." + +Poor little Toby! his heart seemed ready to break; but his few hours' +previous experience had taught him that there was but one thing to do, +and that was to work just as hard as possible, trusting to some good +fortune to enable him to get out of the very disagreeable position in +which he had voluntarily placed himself. + +He took the basket of candy which Mr. Jacobs handed him, and trudged +around the circle of seats, selling far more because of the pitifulness +of his face than because of the excellence of his goods; and even this +worked to his disadvantage. Mr. Jacobs was keen enough to see why his +little clerk sold so many goods, and each time that he returned to the +stand he said something to him in an angry tone, which had the effect of +deepening the shadow on the boy's face, and at the same time increasing +trade. + +By the time the performance was over Toby had in his pocket a dollar and +twenty-five cents which had been given him for himself by some of the +kind-hearted in the audience, and he kept his hand almost constantly +upon it, for the money seemed to him like some kind friend who would +help him out of his present difficulties. + +After the audience had dispersed, Mr. Jacobs set Toby at work washing +the glasses, and clearing up generally, and then the boy started toward +the other portion of the store--that watched over by Mr. Lord. Not a +person save the watchmen was in the tent, and as Toby went toward the +door he saw his friend the monkey sitting in one corner of the cage, and +apparently watching his every movement. + +It was as if he had suddenly seen one of the boys from home, and Toby, +uttering an exclamation of delight, ran up to the cage, and put his hand +through the wires. + +The monkey, in the gravest possible manner, took one of the fingers in +his paw, and Toby shook hands with him very earnestly. + +"I was sorry that I couldn't speak to you when I went in this noon," +said Toby, as if making an apology; "but, you see, there were so many +around here to see you that I couldn't get the chance. Did you see me +wink at you?" + +The monkey made no reply, but he twisted his face up in such a funny +little grimace that Toby was quite as well satisfied as if he had +spoken. + +"I wonder if you hain't some relation to Steve Stubbs," Toby continued, +earnestly, "for you look just like him, only he don't have quite so many +whiskers. What I wanted to say was that I'm awful sorry I run away. I +used to think that Uncle Dan'l was bad enough; but he was just a perfect +good Samarathon to what Mr. Lord an' Mr. Jacobs are; an' when Mr. Lord +looks at me with that crooked eye of his, I feel it 'way down in my +boots. Do you know"--and here Toby put his mouth nearer to the monkey's +head, and whispered--"I'd run away from this circus if I could get the +chance; wouldn't you?" + +Just at this point, as if in answer to the question, the monkey stood up +on his hind-paws, and reached out his hand to the boy, who seemed to +think this was his way of being more emphatic in saying "Yes." + +Toby took the paw in his hand, shook it again earnestly, and said, as he +released it: "I was pretty sure you felt just about the same way I did, +Mr. Stubbs, when I passed you this noon. Look here"--and Toby took the +money from his pocket which had been given him--"I got all that this +afternoon, an' I'll try an' stick it out somehow till I get as much as +ten dollars, an' then we'll run away some night, an' go 'way off as far +as--as--as out West, an' we'll stay there, too." + +The monkey, probably tired with remaining in one position so long, +started toward the top of the cage, chattering and screaming, joining +the other monkeys, who had gathered in a little group in one of the +swings. + +"Now see here, Mr. Stubbs," said Toby, in alarm, "you mustn't go to +telling everybody about it, or Mr. Lord will know, an' then we'll be +dished, sure." + +The monkey squatted down in one of the swings, as if he was reproved by +what the boy had said, and Toby, considerably relieved by his silence, +said, as he started toward the door, "That's right--mum's the word; you +keep quiet, an' so will I, an' pretty soon we'll get away from the whole +crowd." + +All the monkeys chattered, and Toby, believing that everything which he +had said had been understood by the animals, went out of the door to +meet his other task-master. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +THE YOUNG TIN-TYPERS. + +PART I. + + +The recitation in Natural Philosophy was just over, and as the class was +leaving the room, Fred Ward whispered to his most particular chum, Jim +Davis: "I say, Jim, I've hit on an immense idea. Suppose that we set up +a photographic gallery. It will be splendid fun." + +"That's so," answered Jim. "Let's talk it over." + +By this time the French class room was reached, and conversation was for +the time suspended; but two o'clock found the boys leaving the +school-grounds, engaged in a grand confab about their new plan. + +"Now those old fellows that invented all this," said Fred, "had to work +hard, because they had nothing to begin with; but as all that we want to +know is down in the books, I don't see why we can't take as good a +picture as the next one, as soon as we can get a camera and some +chemicals. Why, Jim, you can buy the whole rig for five dollars--yes, +you can--camera and all, with a stand to set it on." + +"Oh, nonsense!" answered Jim; "I wouldn't give a cent to work in that +way. Why can't we make the box and mix the baths ourselves? Anybody +could buy the machine and take a picture, but it isn't every fellow can +make his own apparatus. Now in my Philosophy there are some pictures +that show how to put the box together, and we can save money to buy the +lenses, and it will be twice as much fun to do everything ourselves." + +Jim was very handy with tools, and in a few days he constructed as neat +a camera as could be desired for a beginner. It consisted of two boxes, +one of which fitted into the other. The interior of the boxes was +painted black, so that the light through the lenses would be all the +plate could receive. In the front of the larger box, and directly in the +centre, a round hole was cut to receive the tube containing the lenses, +and at the back of the small box were grooves to receive the plate +slide. The making of that slide was the first serious stumbling-block in +the path of these young photographers. + +[Illustration: SLIDE CASE.] + +They searched through their books, and at last found a good diagram +which gave Jim the hints he needed for his work. He first built a frame +which fitted to the slide in the back of his camera box. This frame was +provided with a hinged door at the back, and a sliding door in front. In +order to receive plates of different sizes, Jim also made several plate +frames with larger or smaller openings. The plate frame fitted tightly +inside the slide frame, and was held firm by a spring fastened in the +centre of the hinged door, which pressed against the plate when the door +was shut. Another frame, exactly the same size as the plate frame, had +to be made to hold the ground glass upon which to obtain the focus for +the pictures. When the focus was regulated, the ground glass was to be +carefully withdrawn, and the sensitive plate placed in exactly the same +position. + +Perseverance and school-boy grit having conquered the slide difficulty, +the perplexing question of the lenses came up. Fred's father, who was +watching the boys' undertaking with considerable interest, now came to +the rescue, and presented the young photographers with a fine set of +mounted Dallemeyer lenses with diaphragms, which he bought of a dealer +in photographic apparatus. + +[Illustration: THE CAMERA.] + +The camera being in readiness, Fred and Jim now went to work to mix +their baths. They began with the sensitive bath, but to their +astonishment, when they placed nitrate of silver in ordinary water, a +white cloud instantly formed. The text-book was at once consulted, and +Fred discovered that distilled water must be used. As the boys had no +long-necked retort with which to distill the water, they agreed to +suspend all operations until they could see their teacher on the +following day, and ask his advice. + +The next afternoon, when school was over, the boys marched up to the +door of Professor Drood's class-room, and timidly knocked. "Come in," +said a hearty, kindly voice. Fred, who was the most courageous, went in +first, and clearly stated the case, while Jim stood hesitating in the +doorway. "If you take rain-water, and filter it to remove the dust," +said the Professor, "it will answer your purpose as well as distilled +water." + +The boys thanked him, and were going away, when he called them back. "I +like to see you taking interest in things of this kind," said he, "and +if you will stop, I will give you the whole story as clearly as I can." +Fred and Jim were delighted to listen, and when the Professor told them +to take a pencil and note-book, and write down the proportions in which +the different baths were to be mixed, they were eagerly attentive at +once. + +"The sensitive bath," said the Professor, "is prepared in this manner: +dissolve in two ounces of rain-water one ounce of nitrate of silver in +crystals. Then add two to five grains of iodide of potassium. You must +now add eight ounces of rain-water, and let the mixture stand two hours +to saturate. It must be kept in a dark chamber, where no rays of +sunlight can penetrate. You must always work by the light of a candle, +and it is a good plan to have a screen of yellow paper around the flame, +so that no direct light may fall on your sensitized plate. + +"Before beginning to work, be sure that your plate is clean. Tin plates, +with which you would better work until you become skillful in handling +the baths, are sold in sheets by any dealer in photographic goods, and +when you buy them are often covered with fine dust. Polish them well +with a pad of soft chamois-skin before you proceed farther. Next pour +the collodion on the centre, and cause it to flow evenly by gently +tipping the plate from side to side. Allow the surplus to drip off into +a flask; and as collodion is an expensive article, you would better mix +some gum-arabic and water to about the required thickness, and practice +with that first, that you may not waste the more costly fluid by +failures to spread it evenly on the plate--a very difficult matter for +beginners to accomplish. This collodion is made of alcohol, ether, and +gun-cotton, and sensitized with certain iodides and bromides. It +evaporates if exposed to the air, and must be well corked, and kept in a +cool, dark place, as both lights and heat are injurious to it. A +positive collodion is often sold for ferrotypes, but the negative fluid +gives better results. + +"When the film of collodion has become set, the plate is ready for the +sensitive bath. Place it on a strip of glass bent at the lower end, +which you will buy with your bath dish, and lower it into the bath +quickly; otherwise a line may be noticed on the finished picture, due to +the uneven deposit of silver. The deposit may be hastened by gently +moving the plate in the liquid. After a few seconds lift it out and +examine it. If it is streaked and greasy, it must be put back; but when +it is of a fine opaline tint, free from streaks and flaws, it is ready +to be placed in the camera, which should be already properly focussed +and in position. + +"Now, boys, comes the great trouble--to correctly time the exposure. It +varies from five to forty-five or sixty seconds, according to the light, +the arrangement of your screens, and the condition of the silver bath. + +[Illustration: THE FIRST ATTEMPT--SOMETHING WRONG.] + +"When you think, from the nature of the case, that your plate has been +exposed long enough, close your slide, and return to the dark room, +where you now proceed to develop your picture. You must have already +mixed this developing solution: one fluid part of sulphate of iron, one +and a half fluid parts of acetic acid, and sixteen parts of rain-water. +Do not make too much of this at once, as it quickly becomes spoiled. +When you take the plate from the slide, you will see no alteration in +it, but when you pour on some of your developer, 'as if by magic a +picture appears.' See that the developer flows all over the plate, and +do not allow it to settle on any one place, as this would make a stain +which can not be removed. + +"As soon as the development is complete, wash the plate well with pure +water, using for the purpose a wash bottle, which is simply a large +glass flask having a cork perforated by two tubes, one of which reaches +into the body of the liquid, while the other only passes through the +cork. The short tube is bent over at an angle so that the mouth may be +conveniently placed against it, while the long tube is bent, and drawn +out to a fine jet. On blowing through the short tube, the air in the +bottle becomes compressed, and in expanding drives the liquid through +the jet in a fine steady stream. When the plate has been well washed, it +must be treated with another solution, as this picture is one that would +soon fade, just as you no doubt have seen proofs of photographs do. To +remove the unaltered silver a solution of hyposulphite of soda in water +is used. Cyanide of potassium is also used, because it is much cleaner. + +"But there is no rose without its thorns, and the cyanide makes up for +its cleanliness by being one of the most deadly poisons, and I would +advise boys who are not posted on the fine points of chemical +manipulation to have nothing to do with it. This fixing solution is made +of eight ounces of the hyposulphite and forty of water. Now if this is +made too strong, it will spoil the picture, so it is well to be careful +to have the exact proportions. + +"By-the-way," added the Professor, "if you do use cyanide of potassium, +be very careful not to get any of it into what cuts or bruises you may +have on your hands. Boys always have such ornaments, and if the cyanide +touches a place where the skin is broken, it is liable to mix with the +blood, and make trouble. + +"After your picture is fixed, wash it well and varnish it. Ten parts of +gum-arabic to one hundred parts of water will make a very fair varnish; +but as this has to be dried over a spirit-lamp, it is better to buy the +self-drying varnish which is sold for this purpose. + +"All this sounds very easy and pleasant, but there are more +disappointments in store for you than can be imagined, for in this, as +in many other things, practice is as essential as rules and regulations. +I can only say to you, what should be the motto of every scientific +student, 'Make haste slowly.'" + +The boys thanked the good-natured Professor, who told them, in any +serious difficulty, to come to him again. Then with eager steps they +hastened homeward. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +[Illustration: MIDWINTER.] + + + + +WILD BIRDS IN THE COUNTRY. + + +When Aunt Bertha was younger than she is now she was a little English +girl, and her American nephews and nieces are never tired of hearing +about her English pets. Of her bird pets she tells the young listeners +as follows: + +"When I was alone at home with my parents, I used to amuse myself during +my play-time, which I always spent out-of-doors, by trying to tame the +wild birds. I nailed a little wooden tray against an oak that had twigs +growing out of its trunk for the birds to perch on. It stood just inside +a wood on one side of the drive, but not too much exposed to the view of +the passers-by. Every morning regularly I filled the tray with +bread-crumbs and bird-seed, with a little piece of raw meat now and then +for a great treat. I watched anxiously to see what birds would come +first, and in a few days had the pleasure of finding three tomtits +hopping about my tree, and carrying off the crumbs and seeds. It was +delightful to have these pretty, sprightly little fellows, with their +bright yellow and black breasts and white cheeks, for my visitors, +instead of the rather vulgar-looking sparrows, that are generally only +too eager to secure any food that may be awaiting hungry mouths. The +next birds that came were a pair of chaffinches: the cock never became +very tame, but his little mate was soon a great pet with every one. +After a time I had twelve birds that fed regularly at my box; they were +a pair of tomtits, the chaffinches, a pair of nut-hatches, a pair of +coal-tits, a pair of marsh-titmice, a robin, and a hedge-sparrow. In +the cold weather my birds used to meet me as I came out of the house, +and fly after me to the wood. They were not at all afraid of Carlo, my +large dog, who generally accompanied me, and sat by the tree quite +quietly, expecting his little share of the feast. In the spring the +chaffinches built their nest in an oak-tree within sight of the box, and +when their young ones were hatched, they carried off nice large crumbs +to them. + +"A robin that fed at the box used also to keep us company when we were +out, and hop about on our feet as we sat on the lawn. The dear little +thing came in-doors whenever he found a window open. He was particularly +fond of flying into my mother's bedroom, in which he thought he had +discovered a rival favorite. Day after day he attacked it most fiercely, +but as the rival was his own reflection in the mirror, the poor bird +only got a great many hard knocks against the glass in his efforts to +revenge himself on his fancied enemy. The mirror was sometimes smeared +with his blood." + + + + +[Begun in YOUNG PEOPLE No. 58, December 7.] + +MILDRED'S BARGAIN. + +A Story for Girls. + +BY MRS. JOHN LILLIE. + +CHAPTER V. + + +"Milly," said little Kate, greeting her elder sister one evening about a +week after Miss Jenner's party, "there's a woman waiting to see you in +the parlor." + +Mildred instinctively kept the child back as she made her way into the +room, shutting the door after her with a firm hand. There sat the +peddler, or "Widow Robbins," as she called herself; and, oh! how she +seemed to Milly to take the warmth and life out of the pretty little +room with her air of vulgar obtrusiveness! Milly stood still in the +middle of the room a moment, while Mrs. Robbins spoke. "Called for the +first payment, my dear," she said, jocularly. + +"Certainly," answered Milly, drawing her purse from her pocket; "and," +she continued, "I thought I might as well pay you four weeks in advance. +I have that much to spare." + +She came forward, holding out two crisp bills; but, to her surprise, +"Widow Robbins" motioned her back. "Ah, no, my dear," she said, gravely; +"that wasn't in our agreement. I can't take more'n the fifty cents. Now +give me just that, and I'll sign my name to your paper." + +Milly remonstrated, all in vain, and then, completely disgusted by the +coarse vulgarity of the woman, her loud tone and half-sarcastic laugh, +she produced her "agreement," allowing Mrs. Robbins to sign a receipt +for fifty cents, and take her leave. Poor Milly, though vexed and +puzzled, did not see into the deeper motive of the peddler in this +transaction. By only receiving the half-dollar weekly, Mrs. Robbins +prolonged her power over Milly, well knowing a day _might_ come when +even that sum would not be in Milly's possession to give her. If such a +remote chance ever occurred to Mildred, she dismissed it as too absurd +to contemplate for an instant. The next week passed by quickly enough, +for in her mother's absence Mildred had many home cares added to her +usual ones and the work at the store. One fact relieved her greatly. +"Mr. Tom's" attentions had nearly ceased, and she was allowed to come +and go to her daily work without subjecting herself to any special +insolence from him. Widow Robbins appeared again on the following +Monday, and was promptly paid and dismissed. The same evening Mrs. Lee +returned from her visit, full of exhilaration from the change, and ready +to hear Milly's account of Miss Jenner's party. It cost the girl an +effort not to tell of her new dress; but Mrs. Lee did not observe the +slight confusion in her daughter's manner, being fully entertained by +hearing an account of the fine house. + +Early the next evening Mildred paid a call at the brick house, and +renewed her sociable intercourse with Alice and Roger, who welcomed her +so cordially that Miss Jenner, though in a rather stiff way, asked +Mildred to spend an evening with them once a week. It was a new era in +Milly's life. How she looked forward to those Wednesday evenings, when, +leaving the store at the earliest moment possible, she would hasten +home, make a quick toilette, chatting with her mother the while, and +then go out into the dusky streets, threading her way eagerly to Lane +Street, where lights twinkled in the old-fashioned windows of Miss +Jenner's house, and where she was sure to find a kindly welcome! + +Sometimes the three young people sat in Alice's pretty sitting-room up +stairs, which to Milly's eyes was like an enchanted palace. Although +blind, Alice delighted in feeling soft hangings, luxurious coverings to +her chairs and sofas, and the consciousness that her walls were hung +with pretty pictures. Mildred had inherited from her father an +exquisitely fine taste, and Alice Jenner's surroundings seemed to fill +her with a sense of refinement which made her own dull life easier to +bear when she went away. Gradually Miss Jenner's manner thawed to +Mildred, and before Christmas came around, the young girl had been half +a dozen times invited to the cozy supper table of the good lady, who on +these occasions strove to make Milly feel perfectly at home, while she +contrived to learn all the story of her life from the young girl's lips. +Milly's one penance was Mrs. Robbins's weekly visit, and the +consciousness that up in her bureau drawer, carefully locked and +guarded, was the gray silk dress. By Christmas-time only six dollars had +been paid on it, yet a certain security of the future made Milly feel +sure no disaster could occur. Mrs. Robbins's calls were now all made at +the store, and about the Christmas season "Mr. Tom" inquired, rather +sneeringly, whether "Miss Lee's great-aunt" meant to give them her +custom. Milly answered nothing, yet it aroused her fears, and on one +Tuesday, after the peddler's customary call, she left the store +determined to appoint some different place of meeting. There was +something unusual, Milly thought, about the look of the cottage as she +entered; first a rush, then a confusion of smothered voices. Mildred ran +into the parlor, thence to the kitchen, where she found the children +gathered mysteriously together. + +"Willy's got the bronchitis," exclaimed Kate. "He must have caught it +down at the marshes." + +Mildred asked no further questions, but ran up stairs, tossing aside her +hat, and going cautiously into her mother's room, where Willy lay +suffering intensely. Mrs. Lee was glad to put all the responsible care +into Mildred's hands, and so she devoted nearly all the night to the +care of her little brother, appearing the next day haggard and +heavy-eyed at Mr. Hardman's store. Days passed in hard work at the +store, and nights of broken rest; and then came an evening when, on +Mildred's return home, she was met with the news of her mother's +illness. Poor Mrs. Lee, at no time strong, had succumbed to her anxiety +and hard work, and Milly found her utterly prostrated, the doctor +standing beside her, not able to pronounce on her disease, but looking +so anxious that Milly had difficulty in hiding her tears. Willy was +better, but the new trouble was terrible to contemplate. That night she +wrote hurriedly to her mother's pupils, and the next morning she arose +after a wakeful night with the consciousness that she had six people to +support on five dollars a week. + +Mildred felt too proud to tell Miss Jenner of her troubles. She dreaded +a rebuff besides. Roger was not well, and she knew the brick house was +in some confusion over his illness. It had been a trying season at +Milltown, and few families had escaped; but Mildred thought her +visitation hardest to bear. + +The second day of her mother's illness Mildred came home very early, and +after getting the children to bed, counted over her slender store of +money while she sat in her mother's room, letting faithful Deborah have +a rest. Just three dollars remained of her weekly earnings, and of this +sum fifty cents must be saved for the terrible Widow Robbins. "I know +what I'll do," thought Milly, almost aloud; "I'll see if she won't take +her silk back. I _can't_ spare a penny of my salary." This hope kept +poor Mildred up until the peddler's next visit. It was in the little +cottage parlor, and Mildred falteringly told her of her mother's +illness, and their great need of money. + +"That's neither here nor there," said the woman, shortly. "I can't lose +_my_ bread and butter. You say your dress is stained; that ends my +taking it back; so any week--" The peddler stopped short rather +ominously and glanced around the cottage parlor. It was a very pretty +room. From the wreck of their fortunes Mrs. Lee and Milly had saved +several--to them--priceless household treasures. On the mantel were the +heavy old-fashioned silver candlesticks which Milly remembered all her +life; some fine china was in the cabinet between the windows; the modest +book-shelves were full of valuable volumes; one or two exquisite +engravings hung upon the walls; here and there were a few excellent +pieces of old family furniture. Altogether it was a room which not only +charmed the eye, but showed such signs of "better days" that the few +neighbors who had called upon the Lees held them in high esteem. Mrs. +Robbins's glance was evidently highly satisfactory to herself. + +"Well," she said, pocketing her fifty cents with an air of great +condescension, "I will just wait a bit and see." + +It was after six o'clock, and Milly felt worried and perplexed as she +sat with the children over their simple tea, and then went up to her +mother's sick-room, in which she passed nearly all the night. Deborah +followed her, and beckoning her to the window, said, in a grave whisper, + +"Mildred, my child, who's that queer woman keeps coming here?" + +Milly felt inclined to cry. + +"Oh, Debby," she said, piteously, "don't bother me; it's just a woman +who--has business with me." + +Debby was silenced, but by no means satisfied. She determined to settle +the question for herself. + +Before the next week came around, every penny of Milly's money was +spent, and, more than that, they were heavily in debt to the butcher and +the grocer and the chemist. The best of port-wine was ordered for Mrs. +Lee; the strongest beef tea; the most nourishing jellies; iron and +quinine regularly. Poor Milly used to feel as if she was walking over +fire on her way to and from the store, so harassed had she become, and +she and Deborah bemoaned the state of affairs whenever they were alone. + +"Something _must_ be done, honey!" Deborah said, one wet Tuesday +evening, when Milly stopped in the kitchen to dry her clothes and warm +her feet before going up stairs. "I've next to nothing in the house, and +your mother _must_ have some more port." + +Milly was disconsolately thinking the question over, when she was roused +by Mrs. Robbins's well-known "rat-tat-tat" on the front door. She ran +out, hastily admitting the peddler, who soon perceived the state of +affairs by Milly's expression. The young girl tried to say, calmly, that +she had not the money. + +"Well," said Mrs. Robbins, "I'll hold off a day or two; but just you +read the paper you signed, and you'll see you agree to pay the full +amount if you miss a week--if the dress isn't fit to be took back." + +Mildred read the paper over and again when the woman was gone, and found +herself indeed bound to a very Shylock. "That dress is just like the +pound of flesh," she thought, as she sat in the dim light by her mother. +"Oh, why did I ever buy it; and who cared at Miss Jenner's what I wore!" + +The next week Mrs. Robbins made her appearance at the store on a day +when Mildred's peace of mind was so exhausted by home cares it was all +she could do to serve the most civil of customers. Milly contrived to +see her in the cloak-room, but the peddler refused to subdue her voice. + +"I can have fifty cents stopped out of your pay, and I _will_," she +said, resolutely. "I don't want anything but my rights." + +Mildred had not five cents to offer her. All her most earnest pleading +only induced Mrs. Robbins to defer what she called "proceedings" for +three days. In the mean time she resolved to call upon Miss Jenner. It +was late on the Friday evening before she got a chance to go to the +Brick House, and there the unwelcome news greeted her that Miss Jenner +had fallen a victim to the lung disease prevalent in Milltown. She was +leaving the house full of dejection, when to her horror she beheld the +tall, gaunt figure of Mrs. Robbins striding up the box-path from the +gate. Milly asked her to walk on with her. + +[Illustration: MILDRED AND THE WIDOW ROBBINS.] + +"No," said the woman, "here I am. I've followed you here, and here I +mean to have my say. Before next Tuesday I demand my money--twenty-two +dollars--or you shall hear from me in a way you least expect." + +It was nearly dark, but Milly could see the wicked expression on the +woman's face. She was faint and tired, and bitterly disappointed at not +seeing Miss Jenner, but she could not let the peddler see what she felt. + +"Very well," she answered, in a constrained voice, "I can try; but how I +am going to get twenty-two dollars is more than I can imagine. Oh, that +wretched gray silk dress!" she added. "If only it had not been spoiled +that first evening!" + +Mrs. Robbins walked out of the gate by her side, and down the road some +little distance, threatening Milly all the time as to what she _could_ +do, and what she _would_ do. Left alone, Milly hurried home, knowing +that she must before morning devise some means of raising the money. +Mrs. Robbins had said she would "look in" during the morning at the +store, and already Milly felt sure she had betrayed her secret to "Mr. +Tom." + +"Milly," Debby said, in a mournful tone, "I've been thinking we _must_ +part with something. Your mother's sinking for what we've no money to +pay for. I've seen you all in better days, lovey, and I'm as fond of +everything in the house as you are, but I see no way out of it. In fact, +I saw a man to-day--he's only waiting for your word--and he'll look over +the things in the parlor to-morrow." + +A lump rose and filled Milly's throat. Oh, if she were not burdened with +this miserable private debt, how easy it would seem even to ask a loan +from old Mr. Hardman! But no, the home necessities were by no means all. + +"Yes, yes, Debby," exclaimed Mildred, with a sudden rush of tears; "it +must be done--it must be done." + +When Milly returned the next evening from the store, the once cozy +parlor looked desolate enough. The heavy furniture was nearly all gone, +and the children clustered about her with an eager account of the man +who had carried the sofa and chairs and best table away in his cart. + +"Never mind," said Mildred, trying to be cheerful. "We must sit in the +dining-room. Besides, dears, think how ill mamma is." + +"Only forty dollars," whispered Deborah, "and I've paid out thirty of +it." + +So she could not even borrow part of that sum for her debt. Milly turned +away, and went into her mother's room, feeling faint, heart and body, +and there tried to find some consolation in reading aloud their usual +evening chapter; but all the time a sense of her own folly oppressed +her. Suffering from necessity she could have borne, but not that which +her own sin had brought upon her. + +Poor Mildred! she knelt at her mother's side, humbly praying, almost +aloud. On the next day she knew she must "settle" with the dreaded Widow +Robbins. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +THE TWO BEARS. + +BY FRANK BELLEW. + + +The snow was on the ground--the lovely white snow, the peaceful snow, +which covered the country landscape with billows of alabaster. In the +distance the feathery woods made a purple fringe between the earth and +sky, while in the foreground a crinkled rail fence ran irregularly along +the side of the country road, and near it stood a splotch of red and +black, the only marked color in the whole landscape. The red and black +was crying bitterly, for the red and black represented a little girl +with a scarlet hood, and crimson stockings, and a bundle of books. She +was on her way to school, and in great grief. + +While she still stood by the fence, sobbing, a black object appeared +over the brow of the hill, and slowly moved toward the foreground, +until, pausing in front of the weeping child, it stood, as jolly, as +genial, as comfortable an old gentleman as ever wore broadcloth. + +"Why, what is the matter, little one?" he asked, in a kindly voice. + +The child looked up into the pleasant face and answered: + +"They are always worrying me at home; they are always taking my things, +and when I ask for them they get mad, and if I take any of their things, +they come and take them away, and then if I don't like it, they tell +mother; and oh! I declare it's too mean for anything. It wasn't her +doll, anyway, for Cousin May left it behind, and she didn't give it to +anybody, and she'd had it all day; and then she took my sun-shade, and +broke the hook off, and because I asked her for it she got mad and +wanted the doll, and it wasn't her doll, and then mother made me give it +up, and I think it's real mean--that's just what I think it is." + +"Well, well, well, that was too bad. I think it _was_ real mean myself," +said the old gentleman. "But I tell you what you should do--you should +keep two bears, as I do, and then you would be happy all the time." + +"Two bears?" ejaculated the little girl, opening her large round blue +eyes. + +"Yes, two bears. We have two bears up at my house, and they make us so +happy!" + +"Don't they bite?" + +"Oh no, they don't bite a mite." + +"But they growl, don't they?" + +"Oh, no, no; they don't growl either. But if you like to come home with +me, I will show them to you." + +In an instant the little girl's hand was in that of the old gentleman, +and they were trotting along the road side by side. There was something +so kind and gentle and yet so jovial in his manner that it never entered +her head to be afraid of him. After turning down one road and up +another, and walking about a mile altogether, they at last came to a +long low house, with large windows, which were filled with bright +flowers, and draped with red curtains, and in every window hung a +bird-cage with some strange or beautiful bird. + +A number of children came running out of the house, crying, "Oh, papa! +papa! here's papa!" as they gathered round him, clinging to his arms. + +"Children," he said, "I have brought a little stranger to visit you. I +do not know her name, but I am sure you will be kind to her, and show +her the two bears, which I have promised she should see." + +They entered a large, comfortable sitting-room, hung round with pictures +and bird-cages; in the centre was a long table covered with books, and +on each side of the fire-place, in a big easy-chair, sat a great rough +bear; one was brown, and the other was black. + +The old gentleman led the little girl up to the brown bear, and said, +"Brown Bear, here is a little girl who is very miserable. I have told +her that you and Black Bear have made us all so happy, and that perhaps +you can help her to be happy too." + +Brown Bear gave a good-humored sort of sniff, and put his big paw gently +on the head of the little stranger. + +"What is your name, child?" asked the gentleman: "you have not told me +that yet." + +"Frances Louisa Caroline Bounce, but they call me Fanny. What a nice +bear! Will he be angry if I feel his fur?" + +"No, indeed, not even though you rub it the wrong way." + +After she was introduced to both bears, she played with the children, +Carry and Sarah, George and Philip, and then they all went into another +room to dinner. On their way, however, Philip, who had a long switch, +with which he had been amusing himself, persisted in tickling the back +of his sister Sarah's ear with it, until she grew out of patience, and, +turning round, told him, rather sharply, to stop; but Philip, who was +only in fun, seemed somewhat nettled at being scolded, and was just on +the point of repeating the offense, when Black Bear, who was walking +behind, put his paw gently on his shoulder, while at the same moment +Brown Bear took Sarah by the arm and led her into the dining-room. +Philip threw away his switch, both burst into a merry laugh, and sat +down to the table with smiling faces. During the dinner both bears kept +walking round the table, looking so kind and gentle that they seemed to +put every one in good-humor. When Carry upset a tumbler of water over +Sarah's frock, Brown Bear immediately picked it up, while Carry begged +pardon, and Sarah laughed. When George was going to tell some little +tale _out of school_ about Philip, Black Bear put his big paw in front +of his mouth, and George stopped at once. + +[Illustration: THE CHILDREN AND THEIR BEARS.] + +After dinner they all went out into the snow to have some coasting down +a hill close to the house. Both the boys had sleds, but Philip's was a +bright new one, while George's was old and rather clumsy. Philip had +been saving up his money for some time to buy this treasure, and was +very proud of it; therefore when George seized his new sled and ran off +with it, he called after him with some anger to bring it back, and not +to use it; but George had reached the top of the hill, and had just +planted the sled, ready to start down hill, when Brown Bear came to the +side of the angry Philip, and touched him with his paw. Phil's manner +and voice changed at once, as he called out, "Well, brother George, you +can use my sled, and I'll use yours." But Black Bear had reached the top +of the hill nearly as soon as George, and with his great big paw patted +him on the back, and grunted something in his ear. George took up the +sled very quietly, and carried it back to his brother, saying, "I am +sorry, Phil; here is your sled." + +After that all was fun, tumbles, and laughter, the two bears joining in +it as actively and enjoying it just as much as the children. In fact, +the bears seemed to make the whole party happy. At last it became time +for Frances Louisa Caroline Bounce to go home. She felt sad at the +thought of leaving the bears, and of going to her own home, where there +were no bears at all. + +"Well," said the old gentleman, "how do you like our bears, Fanny?" + +"Oh, I think they are just too splendid for anything. I wish we had a +bear, even if it was only a little one." + +"Well, you can easily have bears. All children can have them if they +like. Perhaps you would be obliged to begin with young ones; but then +they would be sure to grow up if you only took care of them." + +"Oh, dear, dear! is that really so?" cried Fanny, in an ecstasy. + +"Yes, my child, it is really so; every one can have two bears in his or +her house, like mine. But do you know what we call those bears which +make us all so happy? BEAR and FORBEAR." + +"BEAR and FORBEAR!" echoed Fanny. "Oh, I will try to get two of those +bears in our house, and if they are ever so weak and sickly, I will feed +them and nurse them till they grow big and strong like yours." + +Fanny trotted home with the old gentleman, and told her brothers and +sisters everything about the two good-natured bears; and they all agreed +that they would try to raise a pair like them. + +I am happy to add that Fanny and her family have a pair of very +promising young bears, which already afford them a great deal of +happiness, and bid fair in the future to be fine healthy animals. + + + + +[Illustration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX] + + + NEW YORK CITY. + + I am making a steam-engine according to the directions given in + YOUNG PEOPLE No. 49. I have just soldered on the lid, and have made + the hole for the water to be let into the engine. I hope to finish + it soon. I am eight years old. I go to school, and I like YOUNG + PEOPLE very much. I like to read the letters from the children, so + I thought I would send one, and thank the "Professor" for writing + about the steam-engine. + + JOHN A. J. + + * * * * * + + CRESCO, IOWA. + + I have just commenced taking YOUNG PEOPLE, and we all like it very + much. The story of "Paul Grayson" was splendid, but I think "Toby + Tyler" is the best of all. My brother Charlie and I each have an + Indian pony. Charlie's pony has been trained by the Indians to + stand wherever you leave her, without being tied. And if any one is + riding her and falls off, no matter how fast she is going, she will + stop, and not move one step farther until her rider mounts again. + My pony throws me over her head sometimes, but she will not stop + until she gets to the barn. + + ALLIE C. + + * * * * * + + NACOOCHEE, GEORGIA. + + I send an experiment for the chemistry club. To make cyanogen gas + the apparatus necessary is this: one test-tube, a cork, six inches + of glass tube one-quarter of an inch in diameter, an alcohol lamp, + and a round file. Now hold the glass tube over the flame of the + lamp until the glass is soft, when by pulling it apart you will + have two tubes, with one end of each drawn to a fine point. Break + off the point of one, and you will have a tiny jet. Make a hole in + the cork just large enough for the large end of the tube to go + into. Put into the test-tube as much cyanide of mercury as will lie + on the point of a penknife. Fit the cork tightly in the test-tube. + Wave the test-tube over the flame of the lamp for five or ten + minutes, and then apply a lighted match to the jet, when the gas + will burn with a bluish flame. Pour some melted tallow or bees-wax + over the cork to keep the gas from escaping before reaching the + jet. + + JOHN R. G. + + * * * * * + + NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. + + I read the letters in the Post-office Box with so much pleasure! I + have every number of YOUNG PEOPLE. All my young friends that read + it like it very much. We have formed a juvenile club, and I am + president. Reading YOUNG PEOPLE is a part of our programme. + + RANDOLPH H. + + * * * * * + + SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. + + I thought I would write and tell you about our club. It is called + the "Silver Crescent Dramatic Club." We were going to call it + "Golden Crescent," but when the club gets a little richer it is + going to buy some medals for each member to wear; they will be the + shape of a crescent, and if they had to be of gold, they would cost + more than silver ones. We meet once every week, and make by-laws + and suggestions, and vote on them, and we rehearse. We also have a + monthly paper; it is called "The Monthly Crescent." Of course it is + not printed, and we have only one copy. Each member edits it in + turn, and the others send in contributions. Everything has to be + original. The paper is read at every fourth meeting. + + We charge five cents to join the club, and every two months each + member has to pay five cents dues. New members are voted for, and + the majority rules. We have five officers--a president, + vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and stage-manager. I am the + secretary. + + We prepared a grand entertainment for the Christmas holidays. It + was a tragedy in three acts. I arranged it. In the first part of + _Little Women_, by Miss Alcott, they had a play called the + "Witch's Curse." Only the plot was given. I took it and made up + the dialogue, added some more characters, and changed it to make + it turn out differently. It makes a very nice little play. + + IDA B. D. + + * * * * * + + ARGENTA, ILLINOIS. + + I am a little girl ten years old. I think YOUNG PEOPLE is a very + nice paper. My sister and I go to school. We have a very nice + teacher. I like to go very much. We study pieces from YOUNG PEOPLE + to speak in school. My teacher says all little boys and girls ought + to take it. + + MINNIE S. + + * * * * * + + DOWNIEVILLE, CALIFORNIA. + + I thought I would try to describe a trip I took with auntie to a + little town called Eureka. After a short ride we came to the main + trail leading from Downieville to the northern part of Sierra + County. The trail winds in and out, following every curve and bend + of the mountain. In some places it is quite steep, and in others + almost level. How tired I was when we got to Eureka, having been + two hours in the saddle! When we reached the ridge, we heard some + one playing on some instrument, and it sounded so sweet that we + stopped a few minutes to listen to it. + + Uncle tells me that Eureka used to be quite a large place, with + hotels, stores, private houses, a school-house, and a Masonic + Hall; but now it consists of only half a dozen dwellings and the + school-house. + + A little girl has written to YOUNG PEOPLE that she found two peach + blossoms in September, and she wants to know if any other little + girl has found any so late. Now I want to know if any little girl + or boy has ever picked ripe peaches near the 13th of November, as + I have. + + MARY A. R. + + * * * * * + + VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI. + + I have only been taking HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE a short time, but I + think it is a very nice little paper. I saw that one of the little + girls said that she had seen a peach blossom in September. Here we + often have figs in December. + + LILY V. F. + + * * * * * + + BROOKLYN, LONG ISLAND. + + I am eleven years old; but my eyes are not strong, and mamma has + not thought it best to send me to school till this fall, so that I + can not write very well. I would like to tell Reba H. that there + were apple blossoms on our tree in Oil City, Pennsylvania, in + September, 1879. + + WINIFRED C. + + * * * * * + + BATH, NEW HAMPSHIRE. + + I have just finished the embroidery of Fig. 12 in YOUNG PEOPLE No. + 59. I received the paper Tuesday night, and if I had had all the + crewels, I could have finished it on Thursday. But I had to send to + Boston for some of them, and wait nearly four days before they + came. + + The day I began the embroidery mamma went up garret, and found an + old quilt of my grandmother's, all embroidered with the same + stitch. I have done a table-cover in the South Kensington stitch, + but I think the New England stitch is prettier, easier, and takes + less time. + + I did pattern No. 12 on a bureau-cover of Russian crash. I am very + glad you print the articles on embroidery. They are a great help. + I enjoy fancy-work very much, and do a great deal of it. I was + fourteen last July. + + HELEN C. + +This is the first report on embroidery, and, according to promise, the +old embroidery pattern has been sent to the writer. + + * * * * * + + SULLIVAN, INDIANA. + + I am almost eight years old. I do not go to school. I have two + little sisters. My papa prints a newspaper. I take YOUNG PEOPLE, + and I think it is the best paper in the world, except papa's. I get + papa to read it to me, and then I send it to a little boy who has + no money to buy it. + + HARALD C. H. + + * * * * * + + EAST CANAAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE. + + I am only six years old, but I can read all the stories in YOUNG + PEOPLE alone. I have some very playful kittens, and one night they + tipped over the big rocking-chair. I had six white geese, but one + died. + + LESTER O. B. + + * * * * * + + PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY. + + I am ten years old. I have two pretty kittens, exactly alike. They + are yellow and white. The other day I got a pretty dove from the + dove-house, and kept him in a large cage; but I felt sorry for him, + and one day opened the window and let him out. He flew to the top + of the carriage-house, and all of the doves came to meet him and + kept flying around him. I like HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE so much that I + can not wait patiently until it comes. + + WILLIE G. + + * * * * * + + FOSTER BROOK, PENNSYLVANIA. + + I am spending the winter very pleasantly out among the Red Rock + Mountains. Our cottage is in a valley, surrounded by high hills, + which are covered with wintergreen berries from one year's end to + another. During the winter months the berries swell very large, and + they are delicious fruit in the spring. There is a great deal of + iron ore here, and also a great deal of snow. We live in a very + small house, with only four rooms; but, for all that, it is very + cozy. I look forward with much pleasure every week for the coming + of YOUNG PEOPLE. + + M. ADA T. + + * * * * * + + CLANTON, ALABAMA. + + My brother and I take YOUNG PEOPLE, and like it very much. We had a + pet 'coon, which got very thirsty one day, and crawled into our big + glass water-pitcher head first. After helping himself to water, he + turned round in the pitcher, and came out again. Afterward the cat + killed him. + + ST. CLAIR T. + + * * * * * + + BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI. + + My papa takes HARPER'S MAGAZINE, and I take YOUNG PEOPLE, which I + like very much, especially the letters written by the children. I + wish all the boys and girls in the South could get your paper. + + I am eight years old, and go to school. There is a great deal of + cotton shipped from here to New Orleans, and a great deal of + lumber to St. Louis and Chicago. I have two little sisters younger + than I. + + ARCHIE MCM. + + * * * * * + + WINDSOR HEIGHTS, MARYLAND. + + I have taken YOUNG PEOPLE since the story called "Who was Paul + Grayson?" began. My brother and I have for pets a flock of pigeons, + which are quite tame, two pair of rabbits, and two dogs, named + "Duke" and "Terry." Duke will go into the corn-patch, select a soft + ear of corn, and husk and eat it. He sometimes goes to the + blackberry bushes, and holds down a branch with one paw while he + eats the berries. He is also very fond of persimmons. + + JAMES S. + + * * * * * + + MOBERLY, MISSOURI. + + I will send a nice recipe for ice-cream in the winter. Take a + glassful of snow, and put in just enough cream to make it thick, + with some sugar, and just a little extract of vanilla or lemon. My + brother and I have ice-cream all summer, and winter too. I am nine + years old. + + MAGGIE B. + + * * * * * + +Pearl A. Hare, of Lynchburg, Harris County, Texas, accidentally omitted +the little word "for" in her letter published in YOUNG PEOPLE No. 56, +which made her appear to offer birds' eggs and postage stamps for +exchange, when she wished to obtain them in exchange for Texas snail +shells. Our readers will please note the correction. + + * * * * * + + I am a boy eleven years old. I was born in Cairo, Egypt, and came + to America in 1876. I am living on a farm now, and like it very + much. + + I have some Egyptian stamps I would like to exchange for any other + foreign stamps. + + AMBROSE STRANG, Lincoln, Tennessee. + + * * * * * + +The following exchanges are also offered by correspondents: + + Postmarks. + + M. P. RICH, + 50 West Thirty-eighth Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + German postage stamps for any other foreign stamps. + + MAUDE BUCKNER, + 1208 Russell Street, Covington, Ky. + + * * * * * + + Postage stamps and postmarks for foreign postage stamps and coin. + + S. NEW, + 127 East Sixty-ninth Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks for postage stamps. + + THOMAS K. DURHAM, + P. O. Box 735, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks and War Department stamps for stamps and monograms. + + CAMPBELL T. HAMILTON, + Fort Preble, Portland, Maine. + + * * * * * + + Shells for Indian relics, shells, ore, or petrified wood. + + HENRY SCOTT, + 20 Patchen Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks for postmarks and stamps. + + AL. E. BARKER, + P. O. Box 115, Judsonia, White County, Ark. + + * * * * * + + Foreign postage stamps for minerals, fossils, shells, sea-weed, or + birds' eggs. + + LOUIS D. ORRISON, + Care of Abernathy, North, & Orrison, + Kansas City, Missouri. + + * * * * * + + Southern moss for a Chinese coin or any old relic. + + DAISY ROLLINS, + P. O. Box 186, Columbus, Missouri. + + * * * * * + + Twenty-five postmarks for two rare stamps. + + W. W. ELHOSE, + 22 Brill Street, Newark, N. J. + + * * * * * + + Foreign postage stamps or postmarks for all kinds of United States + internal revenue stamps. + + GEORGE WELLS, + P. O. Box 466, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Curiosities, postage stamps, or sea-shells for curiosities. Or + thirty postmarks for five birds' eggs. No duplicates. + + HARRY MADISON, + 206 Stockton Street, San Francisco, California. + + * * * * * + + One hundred postage stamps for ten coins, or for ten birds' eggs. + No duplicates. + + FRANK KNOX, + 2318 Third Avenue, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Minerals, fossils, rare stamps, or monograms for coats of arms, + crests, and monograms. + + A READER OF "YOUNG PEOPLE," + Lock Box 42, + Little Falls, Herkimer County, N. Y. + + * * * * * + + California curiosities, shells, or minerals for old or rare + American coins. + + C. W., JUN., + P. O. Box 2305, San Francisco, California. + + * * * * * + + Foreign stamps for postmarks and postal cards. Postmarks must be + cut square. + + C. S. PETRASCH, + 13 West Thirty-second Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Two fine specimens of Southern fern, or some evening-glory seeds, + for United States postage stamps. + + EMMA BRUFF, + 238 Felicity Street, New Orleans, La. + + * * * * * + + Postage stamps. + + HAWLEY WEBSTER, + 394 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, Long Island. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks. + + LOUIS GIBBS, + Care of J. J. Carter, Titusville, Penn. + + * * * * * + +C. H. L.--The old scrip which you inclose is probably a genuine +five-franc _assignat_, as the paper money was called which was first +issued by the French government in 1790, and afterward by the +Revolutionary authorities. It was based on the security of the public +domain, consisting of the confiscated estates of the Church and wealthy +exiles. The value of these assignats, which were issued to the amount of +45,578,000,000 francs, declined rapidly after the reign of terror. In +the summer of 1793, one franc in silver was worth three francs in paper. +Three years later, one franc in gold was worth three hundred francs in +paper, although the government, in order to check this depreciation, had +passed a law to regulate the price of commodities. + +The inscription on your assignat shows that it was issued in October or +November, 1793, the second year of the French Republic. The lettering in +the corners proclaims death to any one who should dare to counterfeit +the assignat. The _livre_, which name appears on the scrip, was a French +coin about the value of a franc, by which it was superseded in 1795. +Eighty francs were equal in value to eighty-one livres. + +If you examine your assignat carefully you will see to the left the dim +and faded stamp of the figure of Liberty, and if you have a strong +magnifying-glass, you can amuse yourself by trying to make out the +lettering around it. This little scrap of coarse paper, not quite a +hundred years old, may incite you to read the story of the terrible time +of which it is a relic. If you are not old enough to enjoy Carlyle's +_History of the French Revolution_, you will find the scenes vividly +portrayed in Charles Dickens's _Tale of Two Cities_, and Victor Hugo's +novel entitled "'93." + + * * * * * + +HENRY H. T.--Your proposal to found a Natural History Society, composed +of contributors to HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, is hardly practical. The +exchange of specimens, etc., would be dilatory and difficult, as our +contributors are scattered over the whole continent. Local societies of +the kind you mean might be formed to advantage, and the officers of +different associations could correspond with each other, and exchange +views and information. + + * * * * * + +L. M. F. AND L. L. P.--Your plan for a reading and debating club is +excellent, and if well carried out must have good results. You will find +suggestions that may be useful in some remarks appended to a letter from +Violet S. in HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 53, and also in a book called +_Stories of the Sea_, noticed in No. 61. We would advise you not to +waste your time over fourth-rate literature (to which the books you +mention belong), but to select the best authors, whose works will not +only entertain but instruct you. An excellent guide for you would be +William Swinton's _Masterpieces of English Literature_, recently +published by Harper & Brothers. + + * * * * * + +VIOLET S.--Your account of the proceedings of your society is not full +enough. Can you not favor us with a sprightly description of what is +done and said at your meetings, instead of giving the "order of +exercises" merely? + + * * * * * + +JOHN N. H.--Either hickory or sassafras wood is good material for bows. + + * * * * * + +HELEN G.--How to make the "Wiggles" was fully explained at the end of +the Post-office Box in No. 51 of YOUNG PEOPLE. + + * * * * * + +R. T. F.--Amber is not, as you suppose, made from "the sap of a tree in +South Africa," but is a fossil resin from several species of coniferous +or cone-bearing trees of a very remote geological period. More than 800 +species of insects have been found preserved in amber, and leaves of 160 +species of plants. Fine pieces of amber are very highly prized, and are +sometimes worth more than their weight in gold. The largest mass known +is in Berlin, Prussia. It weighs eighteen pounds, and is valued at +$30,000. Amber is extensively used for ornaments, the mouth-pieces of +pipes, etc. You may be able to procure a piece of some manufacturer of +meerschaum pipes. + +The ancients prized amber very highly, and it was an important article +of commerce in early times. From the fact that it is found in large +quantities in the remains of the lake-villages of Switzerland, we know +that it must have been an article of exchange in prehistoric times. + + * * * * * + +FLOY.--If you have any pressed flowers, leaves, or other pretty objects +which can be sent easily by mail, we have no doubt some of our readers +would be glad to send you postage stamps in exchange for them. You can +put your offer in the Post-office Box. + + * * * * * + +JESSE H., JUN.--The English noun envelop, as well as the verb, is +accented on the second syllable. The French form of the word, +_envelope_, has an even accent on the three syllables. Our word is +derived from the French. + + * * * * * + +JEAN C. P.--Please give the name of the county in which the town of +Warren, where you live, is situated. There are several towns of that +name in Ohio, and correspondents will not know where to address you +unless the county is given also. + + * * * * * + +FORD D. LYON.--The controversy about the origin of the phrase, +"Consistency, thou art a jewel," has not been satisfactorily settled. +The saying has been floating about for a great many years, but no one +has been able to find out who started it on its travels. + + * * * * * + +GRACE.--The _ue_ in Olmuetz is sounded like the French _u_, very difficult +to catch without the aid of a teacher. You can come very near it by +pronouncing the vowel _o_ and changing to _e_ without altering the +position of the lips. + + * * * * * + +C. G. G.--The time required for the transmission of a signal through the +Atlantic cable varies according to the condition of the batteries. A +dispatch has been sent from New York to London and the answer received +within an hour. + + * * * * * + +JAMES MCK.--No charge is made in the matter about which you ask. + + * * * * * + +SALLIE K., Cincinnati, Ohio.--The name of the street in which you live +is so obscurely written that we can not make it out. Write it very +plainly, and we will print your request. + + * * * * * + +DAISY R.--Send enough to make a pretty wreath. + + * * * * * + +JENNIE S. M.--A very good recipe for butterscotch was given in a letter +from Kittie G. in the Post-office Box of YOUNG PEOPLE No. 37. + + * * * * * + +HENRY C. D.--Glass for windows was made during the Middle Ages in all +European countries. In England glass-painting for windows was practiced +in 1338. Some splendid windows of York Cathedral were painted at that +period by John Thornton, of Coventry. In the fifteenth century English +window-glass was more expensive than any other kind of glass. The +Egyptians made glass at a very early period of their national existence. +Paintings representing glass-blowers making a very large vase show that +nearly 4000 years ago the Egyptians were far advanced in this art. + + * * * * * + +Favors are acknowledged from Garrett Waggener, Bertha Herron, C. C. +Shelley, Jun., Stella Pratt, George W. Taymun, Flora C. B., Mabel White, +Alice Brown, J. W. Menefee, Orrie H. Clark, Shelton H. Hibbs, H. H. J., +S. H. R., W. H. Scherzer, Carrie and Belle N., Albert Woolley, B. D. +Ellis, C. G. Myers, B. Tompkins, E. Fay Stevens, H. McIlvain, Frank A. +Harmony, Annie S. and Bennie C. Duffie, F. H. Kellogg, Everett Jones, +Lewis B. Frazier, Lyman Perley, Sidney J. Carson, Katie Dale, Louis +Maree, Tamar Love, Thomas Buford, Fredy Leser. + + * * * * * + +Correct answers to puzzles are received from C. H. McB., Hugh Pilcairn, +Thomas Cook, George Dudley Kyte, "Lone Star," Harry and Isobel Jacob. + + * * * * * + +PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS. + +No. 1. + +WORD SQUARES--(_To Owlet_). + +1. First, a piece of ordnance formerly used for blowing up barricades +and other defensive works. Second, a female name. Third, to feel a +sharp, pricking sensation. Fourth, a state in Africa. Fifth, part of a +printing-press. Sixth, having a melancholy appearance. + + ZELOTES. + +2. First, to disturb. Second, to weaken. Third, a Turkish coin. Fourth, +absent without leave. Fifth, to show clearly. Sixth, leased. + + BOLUS. + + * * * * * + +No. 2. + +DIAMOND. + +A letter. A small vessel. A hut. A celebration. A guide. A snare. A +letter. + + WENNIE. + + * * * * * + +No. 3. + +DOUBLE ACROSTIC. + +An ensign. A boy's name. A wonder. Finished. Answer.--Two things to gain +which men often make great sacrifices and devote all their energies. + + LONE STAR. + + * * * * * + +No. 4. + +ENIGMA. + + First in sieve, not in pail. + Second in rum, not in ale. + Third in calf, not in ox. + Fourth in cat, not in fox. + Fifth in rude, not in kind. + Sixth in brain, not in mind. + Seventh in wheat, not in hay. + The whole a savage bird of prey. + + OSCAR. + + * * * * * + +No. 5. + +ACROSTIC. + +Place seven divisions of the United States in such order that, their +initials read downward spell the name of another. + + BOLUS. + + + + +NEW BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS. + + +A book of good songs for children is a household treasure. There is no +prettier sight than to see brothers and sisters gathered around the +piano during a long winter evening, mamma or the eldest sister playing +the accompaniment and leading in the singing, while sweet childish +voices fill the room with melody. _A Book of Rhymes and Tunes_[1] +contains more than a hundred pretty songs suitable for these household +conceits. Some of the melodies are new, others familiar, but all are +re-arranged and written in low keys to suit children's voices. Simple +accompaniments are given, such as can be easily understood by a young +pianist, and many songs have both English and German or French words. +The melodies are exceedingly attractive, and are such as will cultivate +good musical taste in youthful musicians. + + * * * * * + +_Zigzag Journeys in Classic Lands_[2] is a handsomely bound and well +illustrated volume, from which young readers can learn a great many +things about the history, legends, and present appearance of Spain, +Italy, Greece, and some other European countries. This book is written +in a chatty, familiar style, and the information given by the teacher to +the class of boys who are travelling under his care is of the kind to +especially interest boys and girls. + + * * * * * + +The fun and frolic of _Five Little Mice in a Mouse-Trap_,[3] as told by +the Man in the Moon, will be a source of delight to many other little +"mice." Nibble, Brighteyes, Fluff, Puff, and Downy, the baby, are real, +living children. They chase butterflies and bees up and down in the +"mouse-trap" garden, play with dolls and dogs and kittens, and have a +splendid time. Uncle Jack is the best of uncles, and the Man in the Moon +a constant friend. The story of the Mice is beautifully illustrated with +drawings by Kate Greenaway, Addie Ledyard, and others. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] _A Book of Rhymes and Tunes_. Compiled and arranged by MARGARET +PEARMAIN OSGOOD. Translations by LOUISA Y. CRAIGIN. 8vo, pp. 128. +Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co. + +[2] _Zigzag Journeys in Classic Lands; or, Tommy Toby's Trip to Mount +Parnassus_. By HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 318. Boston: +Estes & Lauriat. + +[3] _Five Little Mice in a Mouse-Trap, by the Man in the Moon_. By LAURA +E. RICHARDS. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 228. Boston: Estes & Lauriat. + + + + +HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE. + + +SINGLE COPIES, 4 cents; ONE SUBSCRIPTION, one year, $1.50; FIVE +SUBSCRIPTIONS, one year, $7.00--_payable in advance, postage free_. + +The Volumes of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE commence with the first Number in +November of each year. + +Subscriptions may begin with any Number. When no time is specified, it +will be understood that the subscriber desires to commence with the +Number issued after the receipt of the order. + +Remittances should be made by POST-OFFICE MONEY-ORDER OR DRAFT, to avoid +risk of loss. + +Volume I., containing the first 52 Numbers, handsomely bound in +illuminated cloth, $3.00, postage prepaid: Cover, title-page, and index +for Volume I., 35 cents; postage, 13 cents additional. + + HARPER & BROTHERS, + Franklin Square, N. Y. + + + + +[Illustration] + +THE FATE OF MR. BROWN. + + Mr. Brown, from Boston, + Never was quite pleased; + He visited a country friend, + And fretted, frowned, and teased. + + "The birds sing so loudly," + Such was his complaint; + "The fowls are so noisy-- + Teach them some restraint. + + "A hen should lay eggs + And cackling forego, + And cocks in the morning + More musically crow. + + "But the-world is all wrong, + I'll go back to town;" + _And here the earth opened_, + _And swallowed Mr. Brown_. + + + + +HATTY IN A FRIGHT. + + + As Hatty tripped along the stair + Lightly ran a rat behind her; + Hatty screamed, I do declare, + Till we had to seize and bind her. + + + + +HASTY WIN. + + + A terrible Turk, with a gay turbaned head, + His brow puckered up in a crease, + Bends over a kettle of simmering red.-- + "Fly, Johnny, and call the police. + + "Some mischief he's cooking; just look at him grin: + A prison is what he deserves." + "You goose of a boy, ridiculous Win, + _He is making rose preserves_." + + + + +DOLLY'S ENDING. + + + The night she should have been a bride, + That night my precious dolly--_died_. + In a robe of spangled gold + Hide her from the sunshine bold, + The fleet beauty of a rose + Marking the spot of her repose. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, January 11, 1881, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, JAN 11, 1881 *** + +***** This file should be named 44652.txt or 44652.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/6/5/44652/ + +Produced by Annie R. McGuire + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at + www.gutenberg.org/license. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 +North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email +contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the +Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/44652.zip b/old/44652.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2f35214 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44652.zip |
