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diff --git a/59644-0.txt b/59644-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4fbee6f --- /dev/null +++ b/59644-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2158 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 59644 *** + + + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE.] + + * * * * * + +VOL. III.--NO. 154. PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. PRICE FOUR +CENTS. + +Tuesday October 10, 1882. Copyright, 1882, by HARPER & BROTHERS. $1.50 +per Year, in Advance. + + * * * * * + + + + +[Illustration: "SHE'S HEADING RIGHT UP STREAM."] + +A VERY NEW COW. + +BY WILLIAM O. STODDARD. + + +"Father," exclaimed Katy Chittenden, the moment the buggy stopped in +front of the gate, "Bun Gates and Rube Hollenhouser were here this +morning just after you went away, and they said all our cows were in Mr. +Gates's pasture lot." + +Deacon Chittenden and his wife and his son William were all in the +buggy, and the seat did not look uncomfortably full either. All three of +them answered Katy in the same breath, with, + +"How did they get in?" + +"Oh, I don't know. They didn't say. Rube didn't say anything. It was +Bun. He wanted me to tell you." + +"It's all that new cow's doings," groaned her father, and the news +seemed to make him slow in getting out of the buggy. + +"Bun Gates and Rube Hollenhouser are the roughest pair of fellows," +began William, but his father checked him. + +"They drive my cows for me half the time, William. They drove 'em up to +the lot this morning. I'd never have trusted you with that new cow." + +It was a serious matter, and it had been on Katy Chittenden's mind all +the morning. She had formed an extraordinary idea concerning the "new +cow" for which her father had paid so much. So costly a creature, with +such horns, and so dreadfully brindled, and that kicked the milk-pail at +least three feet, was to be regarded with awe. + +Dinner was hardly over before the Deacon solemnly remarked: "William, +put on your apron. I will put on mine. You take the axe and I will carry +the maul and some nails. We must fix that fence." + +The day was warm, and it was a good walk, over the bridge, along past +the wagon shop, and away up the hill road to the bars that let down into +the pasture lot. It was only twenty yards from these to the bars that +led into Mr. Gates's lot, and Mr. Hollenhouser pastured his cows there +also. + +The bars were all up, and the fence looked all right as far as they +could see. + +"We must follow it up," said the Deacon. "The break is further on." + +It was a large, roomy pasture, and so was that of Mr. Gates at the side +of it, but it was because they were both very long, for they were not +very wide. They reached up and over the hill, away to the cross-roads on +the upper level, so that there was a great deal of fence between them. + +It was good fence, too, and in perfect order, but for all that, before +they reached the top of the slope, William suddenly exclaimed: + +"Father, there are Mr. Gates's cows in our lot. Both of them." + +"I declare! So they are. And there are both of Mr. Hollenhouser's beyond +them. There must be a bad gap somewhere." + +"Wonder where our cows are?" + +"It's a wonder. I haven't seen one of them, and that new cow--" + +He stopped there, as if he did not wish to say anything against her just +then; but the mystery was getting deeper. There was no hole in the +fence, nor any sign of his own cattle until they had nearly reached the +cross-roads at the upper end of the pasture. + +"There they are, father. All three of 'em. In the corner." + +"Yes, my son. I see them. But how did they get there? They're in Mr. +Gates's lot." + +"Guess he or Mr. Hollenhouser's been up here and fixed the fence before +we got home. Rube and Bun would have told them, sure." + +"Of course they would. I never thought of that. I should have asked them +about it before we came. I can't understand it exactly now." + +There certainly was a mystery about it, and one that only Rube and Bun +could have explained. + +Early that morning the Deacon had roused himself out of bed, so as not +to miss Rube and Bun when they let out their cows. He would not have +trusted his new cow with any other boys in that neighborhood. They were +up good and early too, and were just fairly out in the road, with two +cows apiece, when Deacon Chittenden came along, and Bun's first remark +was, + +"That's his new cow. Hasn't she got a pair of horns, though!" + +"She's a brindle. Wonder if she's a good milker?" + +However that might be, they were quickly informed that she was an animal +of uncommon value, and that they could have the privilege of driving her +that morning. + +"All right," said Bun. "She'll go right along with ours. We'll turn her +into the lot for you." + +The Deacon explained that he had a trip to make which would keep him +away until dinner-time, and hurried away. + +The new cow must have kept an eye on him, for she behaved very well +until he was out of sight. Even a cow might feel more orderly for +looking at Deacon Chittenden. This one, moreover, might have done very +well after he disappeared, and gone along under good influences, if it +had not been for Watch Hollenhouser. + +That dog was always doing more than anybody asked of him. The other cows +were so well used to having him bark at them, from their own yard gates +down to the bridge over the creek, that if he had not been there they +would have missed him. + +It was all a matter of course, therefore, with Rube's cows and Bun's and +the old two of Deacon Chittenden's; but Watch was as new to the new cow +as she was to him. + +The distance to the creek was made in safety, a rod or so at a time, and +then the little drove had all its seven noses in the water at once. It +was only for a moment, indeed, and it was a good deal a matter of +custom. All the cows of Prome Centre preferred to take a drink and wade +across in warm weather. The creek was very wide there, and so it was +very shallow, and half the teams from both ways drove right through. + +The six cows that were used to it were quickly on their way over, and +Watch had already crossed the bridge, and stood now on the opposite +shore waiting for them, with his bark in full operation. + +"Rube," suddenly exclaimed Bun, "there goes the Deacon's new cow!" + +"Yes, sir, and she's heading right up stream." + +"You stand here, Rube, and pelt her if she tries to come ashore on this +side. I'll run for old Harms's boat and head her off. The water's too +cold yet for wading." + +Bun Gates could do a thing about as quickly as some people could say +they were going to do it, and in half a minute more he was shoving an +old narrow-built punt of a boat after the slow but very wrong-headed +wading of the new cow. She had the whole length of the creek before her +when she started, but now Bun Gates and his boat were ahead of her in no +time, and Bun's troubles were just ahead of him. + +The cow seemed determined to dodge past that boat. The water ran very +fast, and it was so shallow that even the punt ran aground every two +minutes. It was by no means easy to push a boat in a swift current and +drive a new cow at the same time. + +"Run right against her," shouted Rube. "She'll have to turn then." + +Bun did so, and the cow did turn down stream. It looked as if the battle +were half won, but the water was nearly three feet deep a little below. +Right there the cow slipped and floundered, and the punt received so +sudden a shove at one end from her, just as Bun gave it a sharp push at +the other end, that it also "turned." It turned so nearly over that the +best thing Bun could do was to jump. After that he did not care so much +whether he was in the boat or out of it, but he could drive the cow +better. He had a good deal of driving to do, but he got her out at last +on the right side of the creek. + +"Is the water cold?" asked Rube. + +"Awful cold. But I guess I'll keep that cow warm the rest of the way to +the pasture." + +He pulled the boat ashore, and then Rube helped him, and so did Watch, +but it looked as if an unruly temper was spreading from Deacon +Chittenden's costly brindle all around among the other cows. + +They did very well, but it was harder work than common, especially for +Watch, until they got within a few rods of the two sets of bars of the +pasture lots. + +"Rube," said Bun, "I'll run ahead and let down the Deacon's bars and +ours. Don't you let that new cow get away from you." + +The bars were down in a twinkling, and beyond them were acres and acres +of tempting green grass. Surely no cow in her senses would prefer the +dusty road to all that hill-side of breakfast. + +Still, it might have occurred to Rube and Bun that cows could have +preferences. Their own, indeed, had always marched on into the right lot +without a blunder, and so had the Deacon's old ones. Even the new cow +might now have been rightly guided if it had not been for her disturbed +state of mind. So might all the rest but for the "worry" they were in. +As it was, however, Watch had no sooner made his last dash at the head +of the brindle than she made her last rush at him, and when she was met +by Bun Gates and a long stick, she wheeled sharply to the right. There +was the open gap before her. All the bars were down, and on she went +into Mr. Gates's pasture at a gallop that was full of angry +head-shaking. Both of Deacon Chittenden's orderly and sedate old cows +followed as if she had called them. + +"There they go!" shouted Rube. "Run in, Bun, and drive 'em out." + +It would have been better if he had attended only to his other cattle, +for Watch saw at once how badly things were going, and charged upon his +old acquaintances in the road as if the confusion were driving him +crazy. + +The storm of bark he raised was enough to have made any cow nervous at +any time, and those four were already "so worried." Well, in ever so few +seconds Mr. Hollenhouser's cows and Mr. Gates's, all four of them, were +scampering up the hill-side in Deacon Chittenden's lot. All Bun Gates +could do over there beyond the partition fence only served to make the +Deacon's new prize and the two others scatter in three different +directions. + +"What'll we do now?" shouted Rube. + +"Put up the bars and go home," responded Bun, at the top of his voice. +"I want to get some breakfast, and dry myself. We'll swap grass with +Deacon Chittenden to-day." + +That seemed fair; but after they had been to breakfast it looked like a +duty to leave word at Deacon Chittenden's where his cows were, and Bun +Gates did it. Rube did not see but what the news was told correctly, and +so Katy Chittenden's forenoon was just spoiled for her, and her father +and brother spent their afternoon looking for a gap that was not in the +pasture fence. + +Even when the Deacon on his way home stopped to ask Mr. Gates about it, +all he learned was that Bun had complained that the new cow drove him +all around the creek in a boat, and upset him. + +"But that does not account for her being in your lot." + +"Yes," said Mr. Gates; "a cow that would do that would take down a fence +and let the other cows through, and then put it up after them." + +It was a great mystery, and when Rube and Bun came along from school +that afternoon there was Katy Chittenden at the gate, and Bill +Chittenden was in the yard, and the Deacon was on the stoop, and Mrs. +Chittenden was at the window. + +"Katy," asked Bun, "did you tell your father what I told you?" + +"Yes; and he and William have been up there all the afternoon mending +the pasture." + +"Audubon," exclaimed the Deacon, "how did those cows get mixed?" + +"No, sir," said Bun; "the cows ain't mixed, it's the lots." + +"How did they get in?" + +"Through the bars. It's all that new cow. She tipped me into the creek, +and Watch Hollenhouser can't but just bark; but we can get 'em all right +when we go for 'em." + +The Deacon looked puzzled even after that explanation, and so did Katy +and the rest; but it was soon made plain to them, and, after all, as +Rube Hollenhouser remarked, "It's only trading grass for one day." + + + + +CLIMBING PLANTS. + +BY MRS. S. B. HERRICK. + + +Have you never wondered, when you looked at a tangle of grape-vine or +morning-glory stems, how they came to twist themselves together so? +Perhaps you had some sort of a notion that they got tangled up as a +bunch of silk or a skein of worsted lying loose might do. Examine any +vine which you can find growing near you, and see how different the +tangle is from a snarl of thread, there is a regular twist, the branches +coiling in the same direction. In some plants the turn is from right to +left, in others from left to right. + +There must, of course, be some reason for this, and we can best find it +out by taking a young plant, a seedling, and watching what it does from +the start. + +It would be very natural to think that plants moved only as stones do, +because something pulled or pushed them; but this would not be a true +conclusion. Every plant that we know much about is firmly fastened by +its root in the ground; the movements of its leaves and flowers seem +only caused by the blowing of the wind or the beating of the rain. But +though plants are anchored fast to the earth, they are all the while +moving as they grow. + +[Illustration: Fig. 1.--THE BEAN. FIRST LEAVES IN DIFFERENT STAGES.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 2.--MOVEMENT OF ROOT OF BLACK BEAN. + +A, Position at nine o'clock. + +B, Position half an hour later.] + +Take some seed--beans will do--and after soaking them, plant them in the +ground about two inches deep. In a week or ten days you will see the +earth cracked all about. This is not because the growing plant acts like +a wedge and splits the earth open, but because in growing the first +little leaves move round and round, boring their way out of the ground +very much as a corkscrew works its way into a cork. The first leaves of +most plants--a bean, for instance--do not come straight up out of the +seed; but when the seed coat bursts from the swelling of the inner part +a little arch projects, which raises itself up. This arch is the stem, +and after a while the leaves are pulled out of the sheath, and the arch +widens out, and finally straightens up. You have often seen a man who +had a heavy weight to lift bow himself over and receive the weight, and +then lift it by straightening himself, as the stem does to lift the +leaves (Fig. 1, first leaves). The root burrows into the earth in very +much the same way as the stem revolves, by going around and around as it +grows (Fig. 2). Take a morning-glory vine, and let it lie without any +wire or trellis to catch hold of. After a while you will find the stems +and tendrils coiled round each other in a tight twist (Fig. 3); you +could not begin to twist them so tightly yourself without breaking the +stem. + +[Illustration: Fig. 3.--MORNING-GLORIES.] + +The tips of all growing plants, like the first leaves that pierce the +ground, move around; they are forever weaving their magic circles in the +air; they take many hours sometimes to make a single turn, but they are +as regular as the hands of a clock, and never forget and go backward. I +have been watching some wistaria branches lately, and have been very +much interested to see the new shoots, as they grew rapidly in the soft +warm air, taking a slow turn around the wire placed to support them very +much as you might wrap your arm about a swing rope to take a better +hold. If there is a post or a wire near, you do not have to give your +vines the twist they need to climb; they do their own twisting as they +grow, and always in this quiet, deliberate way. + +[Illustration: Fig. 4.--VIRGINIA CREEPER.] + +[Illustration: Fig. 5.--PADS THROUGH THE MICROSCOPE.] + +You have no doubt noticed that a Virginia creeper does not need a wire +to climb by; it grows beautifully up any wall which has little +unevennesses. Now look, if you can get hold of a new shoot, what the +creeper has to help it along. It sends out tendrils that branch into +many ends, and each one of these ends swells and becomes a sort of +sticky pad, which glues itself to the wall (Fig. 4). These little pads, +when they find no wall to fasten themselves upon, remain small, and +finally wither away. Those on the vine in Fig. 4, which was trailing +from a vine, are so, some small and some quite gone; but look at the +pads in Fig. 5, which were detached from a painted board, and see how +they look through the microscope. Very much like a boy's India rubber +sucker, are not they? Some of these have the paint from the board still +sticking fast on them. Others are all sparkling with the dried mucilage, +which makes them look as if they had been sprinkled with sugar. + +These little many-armed suckers give the plant a firm hold, while its +head waves around until it touches some surface again, and again the +pads lay hold for another upward stretch. + +There must be some curious arrangement by which plants, that can not +_feel_ and _will_ as animals do, can move. They have no brains to think +with, no nerves to feel with; it is strange to believe that they really +do move with a reason. Mr. Darwin has examined the subject so closely +that he has taken nearly six hundred good-sized pages to tell all he has +found out about it. His ways of finding out are many. One method is +this: he takes a small stiff bristle and glues it on the growing part of +a shoot. By watching this shoot and comparing it with other shoots which +had no bristle attached, he could not detect any difference in the +movements. Above the little branch with the bristle attached he placed a +piece of glass that had been smoked, so that the bristle, as it moved +with the movement of the tip, would travel over the glass. He did not +need to stand by and watch the branch; he could go away and attend to +anything he chose, and when he came back there on the glass was a +history of the travels the shoot had made, written by itself. He managed +to hang up a sprouting bean or pea so that the root recorded its own +movements in the same way. There were other ways which he used, all of +them being ingenious, and requiring the greatest attention to get a +correct map of their movements. He found that every plant in growing +moved around as well as upward, but that some moved far more than +others; the ones that grew tall and slender and needed support would +send out shoots that swayed round in bigger and bigger circles until +they could reach something to sustain themselves by, or else they would +fall in helpless heaps on the ground. + +Mr. Darwin was not a man to be satisfied with finding that a thing is +so. He never rested until he found just how it came about. I do not mean +to say that he was the only man who studied these things, for there were +many others who did; but he wrote about what he had studied in such a +clear and simple and interesting way that anybody could understand him, +and so people who don't pretend to be very wise in such matters read Mr. +Darwin's account and nobody's else, and are apt to forget, though he is +always careful to mention their names and what they have done, that any +one else deserves any of the credit. + +[Illustration: Fig. 6.--DIAGRAM OF STRAIGHT AND CURVED STEMS. + +_a_, Stretched cells; _b_, crowded cells.] + +By closely studying the little cells of which the leaf or stem is made +up, he found that when, for any reason, a plant needed to turn in a +certain direction, the water in the stem rushed from the inner to the +outer part of the curve, making the cells on the inner side of the stem +a little smaller and those on the outer a little larger than usual. +After a while the stretching of the outer cells makes them grow and stay +larger (see in the figure how it must be, Fig. 6), and so the curve +remains. You can not straighten a stem curved in this way without +breaking it. + +Every movement of stems and leaves comes from the movement of the water +that fills their cells. But besides the water, there is something else +just as important, and that is the sun. The water is only a servant, +which obeys the light as its master. Many flowers turn their bright +faces always to the light. They follow the sun as he moves through the +heavens all the day long from his rising to his setting. This comes from +the effect the sun has on the water in the stem, and not because the +flower is beginning to "take notice," as the baby's bright eyes do of a +lamp when it is moved about a room, though it does remind one of it. + +The movement of climbing plants is only one of many curious movements +that are made by stems and roots and leaves and flowers, though the +cause is the same in all cases. + + + + +PLAYING CIRCUS. + +BY JIMMY BROWN. + + +The circus came through our town three weeks ago, and me and Tom +McGinnis went to it. We didn't go together, for I went with father, and +Tom helped the circus men water the horses, and they let him in for +nothing. Father said that circuses were dreadfully demoralizing, unless +they were mixed with wild animals, and that the reason why he took me to +this particular circus was that there were elephants in it, and the +elephant is a Scripture animal, Jimmy, and it can not help but improve +your mind to see him. I agreed with father. If my mind had to be +improved, I thought going to the circus would be a good way to do it. + +We had just an elegant time. I rode on the elephant, but it wasn't much +fun, for they wouldn't let me drive him. The trapeze was better than +anything else, though the Central African Chariot Races and the Queen of +the Arena, who rode on one foot, were gorgeous. The trapeze performances +were done by the Patagonian Brothers, and you'd think every minute they +were going to break their necks. Father said it was a most revolting +sight and do sit down and keep still Jimmy or I can't see what's going +on. I think father had a pretty good time, and improved his mind a good +deal, for he was just as nice as he could be, and gave me a whole pint +of pea-nuts. + +Mr. Travers says that the Patagonian Brothers live on their trapezes, +and never come down to the ground except when a performance is going to +begin. They hook their legs around it at night, and sleep hanging with +their heads down, just like the bats, and they take their meals and +study their lessons sitting on the bar, without anything to lean +against. I don't believe it; for how could they get their food brought +up to them? and it's ridiculous to suppose that they have to study +lessons. It grieves me very much to say so, but I am beginning to think +that Mr. Travers doesn't always tell the truth. What did he mean by +telling Sue the other night that he loved cats, and that her cat was +perfectly beautiful, and then when she went into the other room he slung +the cat out of the window, clear over into the asparagus bed, and said +get out you brute? We can not be too careful about always telling the +truth, and never doing anything wrong. + +Tom and I talked about the circus all the next day, and we agreed we'd +have a circus of our own, and travel all over the country, and make +heaps of money. We said we wouldn't let any of the other boys belong to +it, but we would do everything ourselves, except the elephants. So we +began to practice in Mr. McGinnis's barn every afternoon after school. I +was the Queen of the Arena, and dressed up in one of Sue's skirts, and +won't she be mad when she finds that I cut the bottom off of it!--only I +certainly meant to get her a new one with the very first money I made. I +wore an old umbrella under the skirt, which made it stick out +beautifully, and I know I should have looked splendid standing on Mr. +McGinnis's old horse, only he was so slippery that I couldn't stand on +him without falling off and sticking all the umbrella ribs into me. + +Tom and I were the Madagascar Brothers, and we were going to do +everything that the Patagonian Brothers did. We practiced standing on +each other's head hours at a time, and I did it pretty well, only Tom he +slipped once when he was standing on my head, and sat down on it so hard +that I don't much believe that my hair will ever grow any more. + +The barn floor was most too hard to practice on, so last Saturday Tom +said we'd go into the parlor, where there was a soft carpet, and we'd +put some pillows on the floor besides. All Tom's folks had gone out, and +there wasn't anybody in the house except the girl in the kitchen. So we +went into the parlor, and put about a dozen pillows and a feather-bed on +the floor. It was elegant fun turning somersaults backward from the top +of the table; but I say it ought to be spelled summersets, though Sue +says the other way is right. + +We tried balancing things on our feet while we laid on our backs on the +floor. Tom balanced the musical box for ever so long before it fell; but +I don't think it was hurt much, for nothing except two or three little +wheels were smashed. And I balanced the water pitcher, and I shouldn't +have broken it if Tom hadn't spoken to me at the wrong minute. + +[Illustration: THE TRAPEZE PERFORMANCE.] + +We were getting tired, when I thought how nice it would be to do the +trapeze performance on the chandeliers. There was one in the front +parlor and one in the back parlor, and I meant to swing on one of them, +and let go and catch the other. I swung beautifully on the front-parlor +chandelier, when, just as I was going to let go of it, down it came with +an awful crash, and that parlor was just filled with broken glass, and +the gas began to smell dreadfully. + +As it was about supper-time, and Tom's folks were expected home, I +thought I would say good-by to Tom, and not practice any more that day. +So we shut the parlor doors, and I went home, wondering what would +become of Tom, and whether I had done altogether right in practicing +with him in his parlor. There was an awful smell of gas in the house +that night, and when Mr. McGinnis opened the parlor door he found what +was the matter. He found the cat too. She was lying on the floor, just +as dead as she could be. + +I'm going to see Mr. McGinnis to-day and tell him I broke the +chandelier. I suppose he will tell father, and then I shall wish that +everybody had never been born; but I did break that chandelier, though I +didn't mean to, and I've got to tell about it. + + + + +CHILDREN'S CHURCH. + +BY E. M. TRAQUAIR. + + + The church-bells for service are ringing, + The parents gone forth on their way, + And here on the door-step are sitting + Three golden-haired children at play. + + The darlings, untiring and restless, + Are still for the service too small; + But yet they would fain be as pious + As parents and uncles and all. + + So each from a hymn-book is singing-- + 'Tis held upside down, it is true; + Their sweet roguish voices are ringing + As if every number they knew. + + But what they are singing they know not; + Each sings in a different tone. + Sing on, little children; your voices + Will reach to the Heavenly Throne; + + For yonder your angels are standing, + Who sing to the Father of all; + He loves best the sound of His praises + From children, though ever so small. + + Sing on! How the birds in the garden + Are vying with you in your song, + As, hopping among the young branches, + They twitter on all the day long! + + Sing on! For in faith ye are singing, + And that is enough in God's sight: + A heart like the dove's, pure and guileless, + Wings early to heaven its flight. + + Sing ever! We elders sing also; + We read, and the words understand; + Yet oft, too, alas! we are holding + Our books upside down in the hand. + + Sing ever! We sing, as is fitting, + From notes written carefully down; + But ah! from the strife of the brethren + How often has harmony flown! + + Sing on! From our lofty cathedrals + What melodies glorious we hear! + What are they?--a sweet childish lisping, + A breath in the Mighty One's ear. + + + + +BITS OF ADVICE. + +BY AUNT MARJORIE PRECEPT. + +HOW TO MANAGE THE LITTLE ONES. + + +"I wouldn't mind being left to take care of the little ones," said +Fannie the other day, "if they would only mind me. But when mamma is +away they think they may do as they please, and they behave like little +witches." + +"Mollie manages the nursery splendidly," said Kittie; "the children are +quite angelic under her, but I have not her magic. I seem to stir up the +naughtiness, and the more I tell them to be good, the worse they act." + +Now, Fannie and Kittie and other worried elder sisters, let me tell you +the trouble with your management. When you can find the key to a problem +in arithmetic, the rest is easy work. + +I think I can whisper in your ear the name of a certain key to your home +problem, when the small brothers and sisters say, as they sometimes do, +"You are not my mamma, you are only Fannie; I want to make a noise, and +you must not bother me." + +The key is a word of four letters--TACT. It is a golden key, and is +warranted to fit any lock. You can not get along very well in life +without it. I am very sure that Mollie possesses this shining key. + +You remember what a time you had with Willie, who was determined to have +Rosie's French doll as the passenger in his train of cars. Those cars +rush around the parlor at so rapid a rate that everything must get out +of their way or be crushed. Rosie was in great distress lest her pet's +head should be broken, but Willie shouted, blew his whistle, and started +his train just as usual. You snatched the doll away, and put her in the +closet, high out of reach of both children, saying, "When you two can +play without quarrelling, you shall have the doll again, and not until +then." Of course Willie stamped his feet, and Rosie screamed, and there +was a tempest. + +You might have managed your little folks, had you only known how, so +that they would have been as obedient as well-trained soldiers, and as +peaceable as two doves in a nest. + +I would have said, in your place: "Oh, Willie, what a nice train of cars +you have there, and what a good conductor you are! Is Cécile your +passenger? Oh no, I see she is not dressed for a journey. She has on an +evening dress. Here is Laura"--producing an older and less important +doll--"and she really needs a change of air. I'll slip on her Ulster in +a second, and she will be all ready. She's pining for the country. Here, +Rosie, you may take care of Cécile." + +Both children would have been satisfied had you spoken to them in this +way, and the hour would not have been spoiled by crying and fretting. + +In managing little ones, when you are not possessed of any real +authority, you must use a great deal of judgment. Humor the children by +entering into their plays. They "make believe" a great deal. You must +"make believe" too. + +Many wee people can be led along by gentle words and merry looks, when +they can not be driven without very great trouble. If Susie has a +handsome book which you fear she will spoil, do not hurt her +self-respect by taking it suddenly from her, but bring a scrap-book, and +divert her attention to that. Then she will resign the other very +pleasantly. + +Elder sisters and brothers should never be above coaxing the little +ones. + + + + +THE CRUISE OF THE CANOE CLUB.[1] + +[1] Begun in No. 146, HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE. + +BY W. L. ALDEN, + +AUTHOR OF "THE MORAL PIRATES," "THE CRUISE OF THE 'GHOST,'" ETC., ETC. + + +CHAPTER IX. + +It was an easy matter to help Joe out of the old well. He had fallen +into it while running after the wild-cat, but a heap of decayed leaves +at the bottom broke the fall, and saved him from any serious injury. +Nevertheless, he must have been a little stunned at first, for he made +no outcry for some time, and it was his first call for help that was +heard by Charley. + +The boys returned to their canoes, and as it was not yet midnight, +prepared to resume the sleep from which they had been so unceremoniously +awakened. They had little fear that the wild-cat would pay them another +visit, for it had undoubtedly been badly frightened. Still, it was not +pleasant to think that there was a wild beast within a few rods of them, +and the thought kept the canoeists awake for a long time. + +The wild-cat did not pay them a second visit, and when they awoke the +next morning they were half inclined to think that their night's +adventure had been only a dream. There were, however, the marks made by +its claws on the varnished deck of Joe's canoe, and Joe's clothing was +torn and stained by his fall. With the daylight they became very +courageous, and decided that they had never been in the least afraid of +the animal. The so-called wild-cat of Canada, which is really a lynx, +is, however, a fierce and vicious animal, and is sometimes more than a +match for an unarmed man. + +There was a strong west wind blowing when the fleet started, and Chambly +Basin was covered with white-caps. As the canoes were sailing in the +trough of the sea, they took in considerable water while skirting the +east shore of the Basin, but once in the narrow river, they found the +water perfectly smooth. This day the fleet made better progress than on +any previous day. Nothing could be more delightful than the scenery, and +the quaint little French towns along the river, every one of which was +named after some saint, were very interesting. The boys landed at one of +them, and got their dinner at a little tavern where no one spoke +English, and where Charley, who had studied French at Annapolis, won the +admiration of his comrades by the success with which he ordered the +dinner. + +[Illustration: SAILING DOWN THE RICHELIEU RIVER.] + +With the exception of the hour spent at dinner, the canoeists sailed, +from six o'clock in the morning until seven at night, at the rate of +nearly six miles an hour. The clocks of Sorel, the town at the mouth of +the Richelieu, were striking six as the canoes glided into the broad St. +Lawrence, and steered for a group of islands distant about a mile from +the south shore. It was while crossing the St. Lawrence that they first +made the acquaintance of screw-steamers, and learned how dangerous they +are to the careless canoeist. A big steamship, on her way to Montreal, +came up the river so noiselessly that the boys did not notice her until +they heard her hoarse whistle warning them to keep out of her way. A +paddle-wheel steamer can be heard while she is a long way off, but +screw-steamers glide along so stealthily that the English canoeists, who +constantly meet them on the Mersey, the Clyde, and the lower Thames, +have nicknamed them "sudden death." + +Cramped and tired were the canoeists when they reached the nearest +island and went ashore to prepare a camp, but they were proud of having +sailed sixty miles in one day. As they sat around the fire after supper, +Harry said: + +"Boys, we've had experience enough by this time to test our different +rigs. Let's talk about them a little." + +"All right," said Joe. "I want it understood, however, that my lateen is +by all odds the best rig in the fleet." + +"Charley," remarked Tom, "you said the other day that you liked Joe's +rig better than any other. Do you think so still?" + +"Of course I do," answered Charley. "Joe's sails set flatter than any +lug-sail; he can set them and take them in quicker than we can handle +ours, and as they are triangular he has the most of his canvas at the +foot of the sail instead of at the head. But they're going to spill him +before the cruise is over, or I'm mistaken." + +"In what way?" asked Joe. + +"You are going to get yourself into a scrape some day by trying to take +in your sail when you are running before a stiff breeze. If you try to +get the sail down without coming up into the wind it will get overboard, +and either you will lose it or it will capsize you; you tried it +yesterday when a squall came up, and you very nearly came to grief." + +"But you can say the same about any other rig," exclaimed Joe. + +"Of course you can't very well get any sail down while the wind is in +it; but Tom can take in his sharpie-sail without much danger even when +he's running directly before the wind, and Harry and I can let go our +halyards and get our lugs down, after a fashion, if it is necessary. +Still, your lateen is the best cruising rig I've ever seen, though for +racing Harry's big, square-headed balance-lug is better." + +"You may say what you will," said Tom, "but give me my sharpie-sails. +They set as flat as a board, and I can handle them easily enough to suit +me." + +"The trouble with your rig," said Charley, "is that you have a mast +nearly fifteen feet high. Now, when Joe takes in his mainsail, he has +only two feet of mast left standing." + +"How do you like your own rig?" asked Harry. + +"Oh, it is good enough. I'm not sure that it isn't better than either +yours or Tom's; but it certainly isn't as handy as Joe's lateen." + +"Now that you've settled that I've the best rig," said Joe, "you'd +better admit that I've the best canoe, and then turn in for the night. +After the work we've done to-day, and the fun we had last night, I'm +sleepy." + +"Do you call sitting still in a canoe hard work?" inquired Tom. + +"Is falling down a well your idea of fun?" asked Harry. + +"It's too soon," said Charley, "to decide who has the best canoe. We'll +find that out by the time the cruise is over." + +The island where the boys camped during their first night on the St. +Lawrence was situated at the head of Lake St. Peter. This lake is simply +an expansion of the St. Lawrence, and though it is thirty miles long, +and about ten miles wide at its widest part, it is so shallow that +steamboats can only pass through it by following an artificial channel +dredged out by the government at a vast expense. Its shores are lined +with a thick growth of reeds, which extend in many places fully a mile +into the lake, and are absolutely impassable, except where streams +flowing into the lake have kept channels open through the reeds. + +On leaving the island in the morning the canoeists paddled down the +lake, for there was not a breath of wind. The sun was intensely hot, and +the heat reflected from the surface of the water and the varnished decks +of the canoes assisted in making the boys feel as if they were roasting +before a fire. Toward noon the heat became really intolerable, and the +Commodore gave the order to paddle over to the north shore in search of +shade. + +It was disappointing to find instead of a shady shore an impenetrable +barrier of reeds. After resting a little while in the canoes, the boys +started to skirt the reeds, in hope of finding an opening; and the sun, +apparently taking pity on them, went under a cloud, so that they paddled +a mile or two in comparative comfort. + +The friendly cloud was followed before long by a mass of thick black +clouds coming up from the south. Soon the thunder was heard in the +distance, and it dawned upon the tired boys that they were about to have +a thunder-storm without any opportunity of obtaining shelter. + +They paddled steadily on, looking in vain for a path through the reeds, +and making up their minds to a good wetting. They found, however, that +the rain did not come alone. With it came a fierce gust of wind, which +quickly raised white-caps on the lake. Instead of dying out as soon as +the rain fell, the wind blew harder and harder, and in the course of +half an hour there was a heavy sea running. + +The wind and sea coming from the south, while the canoes were steering +east, placed the boys in a very dangerous position. The seas struck the +canoes on the side and broke over them, and in spite of the aprons, +which to some extent protected the cockpits of all except the +_Twilight_, the water found its way below. It was soon no longer +possible to continue in the trough of the sea, and the canoes were +compelled to turn their bows to the wind and sea, the boys paddling just +sufficiently to keep themselves from drifting back into the reeds. + +The _Sunshine_ and the _Midnight_ behaved admirably, taking very little +water over their decks. The _Twilight_ "slapped" heavily, and threw +showers of spray over herself, while the _Dawn_ showed a tendency to +dive bodily into the seas, and several times the whole of her forward +of the cockpit was under the water. + +"What had we better do?" asked Harry, who, although Commodore, had the +good sense always to consult Charley in matters of seamanship. + +"It's going to blow hard, and we can't sit here and paddle against it +all day without getting exhausted." + +"But how are we going to help ourselves?" continued Harry. + +"Your canoe and mine," replied Charley, "can live out the gale well +enough under sail. If we set our main-sails close-reefed, and keep the +canoes close to the wind, we shall be all right. It's the two other +canoes that I'm troubled about." + +"My canoe suits me well enough," said Joe, "so long as she keeps on the +top of the water, but she seems to have made up her mind to dive under +it." + +"Mine would be all right if I could stop paddling long enough to bail +her out, but I can't," remarked Tom. "She's nearly half full of water +now." + +"We can't leave the other fellows," said Harry, "so what's the use of +our talking about getting sail on our canoes?" + +"It's just possible that Tom's canoe would live under sail," resumed +Charley; "but it's certain that Joe's won't. What do you think about +those reeds, Tom? Can you get your canoe into them?" + +"Of course I can, and that's what we'd better all do," exclaimed Tom. +"The reeds will break the force of the seas, and we can stay among them +till the wind goes down." + +"Suppose you try it," suggested Charley, "and let us see how far you can +get into the reeds? I think they're going to help us out of a very bad +scrape." + +Tom did not dare to turn his canoe around, so he backed water, and went +at the reeds stern first. They parted readily, and his canoe penetrated +without much difficulty some half-dozen yards into the reeds, where the +water was almost quiet. Unfortunately he shipped one heavy sea just as +he entered the reeds, which filled his canoe so full that another such +sea would certainly have sunk her, had she not been provided with the +bladders bought at Chambly. + +Joe followed Tom's example, but the _Dawn_ perversely stuck in the reeds +just as she was entering them, and sea after sea broke over her before +Joe could drive her far enough into the reeds to be protected by them. + +Joe and Tom were now perfectly safe, though miserably wet; but as the +rain had ceased, there was nothing to prevent them from getting dry +clothes out of their water-proof bags, and putting them on as soon as +they could bail the water out of their canoes. Harry and Charley, seeing +their comrades in safety, made haste to get up sail, and to stand out +into the lake, partly because they did not want to run the risk of being +swamped when entering the reeds, and partly because they wanted the +excitement of sailing in a gale of wind. + +When the masts were stepped, the sails hoisted, and the sheets trimmed, +the two canoes, sailing close to the wind, began to creep away from the +reeds. They behaved wonderfully well. The boys had to watch them +closely, and to lean out to windward from time to time to hold them +right side up. The rudders were occasionally thrown out of the water, +but the boys took the precaution to steer with their paddles. The +excitement of sailing was so great that Charley and Harry forgot all +about the time, and sailed on for hours. Suddenly they discovered that +it was three o'clock, that they had had no lunch, and that the two +canoeists who had sought refuge in the reeds had absolutely nothing to +eat with them. Filled with pity, they resolved to return to them without +a moment's delay. It was then that it occurred to them that in order to +sail back they must turn their canoes around, bringing them while so +doing in the trough of the sea. Could they possibly do this without +being swamped? The question was a serious one, for they were fully four +miles from the shore, and the wind and sea were as high as ever. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +[Illustration: "BESIEGED."] + + + + +THE STEAMBOAT.--ROBERT FULTON. + + +Robert Fulton, the inventor of steamboats, was born on a farm in +Pennsylvania. His parents were Irish Protestants--a strong, laborious +race. Robert was a delicate, handsome boy, with a fine forehead and +brilliant eyes. Almost as a child he became a mechanic, inventing +machines and lingering around workshops. He was thought dull at school, +and made slow progress in the usual studies. But he was always +inventing. + +One day, when Robert was about nine years old, he came late to school, +and when his teacher reproved him, produced a new lead-pencil which he +had been making while playing truant. The boys were all anxious to have +one of Fulton's pencils--they were better than any they had seen. In his +school days he made rockets to celebrate the Fourth of July, and in +1778, in the midst of the war, set them off in his native town. About +this time he made an air-gun and a boat moved by wheels. He had a strong +taste for drawing. His mother, who was now a widow and poor, wanted his +help. + +Fulton was only seventeen, but he went up to Philadelphia, made money, +became acquainted with Dr. Franklin, and when he was twenty-one came +back to his mother with his earnings, and bought her a farm. Here she +lived happily for some years, watching and enjoying the rising +prosperity of her son. The deed by which Fulton at twenty-one gave the +farm to his mother is still preserved. + +There are persons living who might have seen the first steamboat that +sailed on the Hudson. Many remember when the famous _De Witt Clinton_ +and _North America_ were thought the wonders of navigation; when they +sailed over the tranquil river at the rate of sixteen miles an hour, and +left behind them thick clouds of black smoke that hung over the +landscape for miles. The _North America_ was long the pride of the river +navigation, the swiftest vessel in the world. The Hudson has always been +the favorite scene of steam navigation and enterprise. It is the +birth-place of the steamboat. + +Here, in 1807, Robert Fulton, on board of the _Clermont_, his first +vessel, sailed in a day and a half from New York to Albany. He stopped +for a few hours at Clermont, and then in four more finished his voyage. +It was the signal for an entire change in the whole art of navigation. +From that time the steamboat has been slowly advancing, its size has +increased to immense proportions, its engines have become animated +giants, and Fulton's little vessel of one hundred and sixty tons is +converted into the _Furnessia_, the _Alaska_, and the _Great Eastern_. + +Fulton, a fair, delicate, thoughtful young man, had gone to England, to +France, had become acquainted with many eminent inventors, and had +already planned a steamboat. He was the first to make one successful. He +came back to New York, and, aided by his friend Livingston, in 1806 +began to build his boat. It was only a small vessel, rudely built; in it +he placed an engine made by James Watt, the English inventor; the +paddle-wheels he planned himself, and the imperfect machinery. It seems +now a very easy thing to build a steamboat, but it was then thought +impossible. Men called the boat Fulton's Folly. Hardly any one supposed +that a new era in navigation was about to begin, and that Fulton's +machine would at last cover the world with its discoveries. At last the +boat was finished. + +The fires were lighted, the boilers hissed, the crank turned, the wheels +began to move, and the _Clermont_ made its way, at about five miles an +hour, from Charles Brown's dock-yard on the East River to Jersey City. +Once she stopped, and men cried, "There, it has failed!" But it was only +because Fulton was anxious to alter some part of his machine. The great +voyage was successful. The steamer reached Jersey City, and Fulton's +victory was won. + +Soon the Hudson began to abound with Fulton's steamboats, the wonders of +the world. There was the famous _Paragon_, a vessel of the enormous size +of three hundred tons. One built for the Czar was called the _Emperor of +Russia_. A ferry-boat ran from New York to Jersey City. In the midst of +the war with England Fulton built the first war steamer. It was two +thousand tons burden, a fine shot-proof vessel, and sailed at the rate +of three miles an hour as far as Sandy Hook. Its size seemed immense, +its power irresistible, and it was told with alarm in London that Fulton +and New York had produced the most dangerous of warlike machines. +America now abounded in steamboats, but they were only slowly adopted in +Europe. London, Carlyle relates, was long without them. + +The fair, pale, delicate inventor did not live long to enjoy his +success. His lungs were always weak. He was always at work. His patents +were infringed, and his invention only involved him in endless lawsuits. +At last he caught cold crossing the Hudson on a chill February day, and +died 1815, a good son, an inventor who has been useful to every one. He +has founded nations, and opened the distant seas to trade. + + + + +THE MAGIC SACK. + +BY HENRY HATTON, MAGICIAN AND VENTRILOQUIST. + + +Yes, boys, real Simon-pure "magic." Just such tricks as you have seen +the "magician" do; just such tricks as some of you may have seen your +humble servant do. Many of these you can do yourselves--when you know +how; others require more practice than you ought to give to such +nonsense, and others again are too expensive. But there are some that +any boy--or girl, for that matter--can do with little rehearsing and at +slight expense. The magic sack trick, which I had the honor of +introducing to America in 1873, is as clever as it is simple. + +A muslin sack large enough to contain a boy of fourteen is handed out +for examination, and after the audience are satisfied that the seams are +not only secure and perfect, but that its only opening is at the mouth, +the performer's assistant gets inside. The sack is gathered over his +head, and the mouth tied fast with a silk handkerchief, and then with a +tape, the knots of the latter being not only sealed in any way that +seems best to the audience, but the ends, which are left long, given to +some one to hold. + +A screen is now placed between the audience and the boy in the sack, the +ends of the tape passing either over the top of the screen or through +holes in its side. + +It would seem impossible for the person thus securely enveloped to get +out of the sack without cutting or untying the tape and handkerchief; +and yet, O mystery of mysteries! in a few seconds the screen is thrown +open, and the late occupant of the sack walks out, while the sack is +found still tied up, the knots not tampered with, and the seals +unbroken. + +Surprising as this appears, there are needed but three requisites for +its successful accomplishment: first, an assistant upon whose secrecy +and faithfulness the young conjurer can rely, for he will require his +help in very many tricks; second, _two_ sacks, exactly alike, made of +very light material, so that they will fold into small compass; and +third, unlimited impudence, assurance, or whatever you may be pleased to +call it. + +When about to exhibit the trick, the performer comes forward, holding a +silk handkerchief in one hand, and sack No. 1 in the other. The +assistant, who is to be tied up, has the duplicate, or sack No. 2, +concealed about him, say, inside his vest, or in some such suitable +place. + +As soon as he gets fairly into No. 1, he whips out the duplicate, and +puts the mouth of it inside the mouth of No. 1. The exhibitor, who is +fumbling about as if to gather No. 1 over the assistant's head, seizes +No. 2, and drawing out about nine inches of it, at once wraps the silk +handkerchief over the two so as to cover the point where they meet. +This he does deliberately, as an appearance of haste would give rise to +suspicion among the audience. As it is now impossible for any one to +distinguish between the parts of the two sacks, the exhibitor turns to +his audience with the remark: "I have now tied up the mouth of the sack +in such a way as to make it next to impossible for the young man to get +out. But to make assurance doubly sure, I should like one of the +audience to tie it again; this time with a piece of tape." As he says +this, he produces the tape and ties it once around _the part between the +handkerchief and the mouth of No. 2_. The person selected from the +audience then draws the knots tight, seals them, and retains the ends of +the tape in his hand. + +When the screen is placed in position--for home exhibition a +clothes-horse with a sheet over it makes an excellent substitute for a +screen--the assistant gently pulls on the mouth of No. 1, which is +readily drawn out from under the handkerchief, and steps out, leaving +the tape and handkerchief still closely wound around No. 2. It takes but +a second to fold up No. 1, conceal it, and then to walk out from behind +the screen to receive the applause of the audience. + +This brief, but I trust clear, description can give but little idea of +the effect produced by this really surprising trick. I first saw it +exhibited by a performer calling himself Le Duc, at Stockholm, Sweden, +some twenty-five years ago, and at that time, though I knew considerable +about magic, I was completely mystified. + + + + +"THEIR GIRL." + +A STORY IN THREE CHAPTERS. + +BY JAMES OTIS, + +AUTHOR OF "TOBY TYLER," "TIM AND TIP," "MR. STUBBS'S BROTHER," ETC. + + +II. + +Business, so far as Johnny and Jimmy were concerned, was almost entirely +neglected for two weeks after Katy was carried to the hospital. If they +sold any papers, it was only sufficient to pay Mother Brown for their +board, and nearly all their time was spent in remaining where they could +look at the gloomy walls of the building in which Katy yet remained. + +Some of their friends in the newspaper business had attempted to make +sport of them for spending so much of their time simply looking at the +walls of a hospital; but the light in Johnny's eyes had warned them to +stop, and Jimmy had said, quietly, "We stay round here 'cause it would +make Katy feel good if she knew it." + +Fully repaid for the long hours of watching by the knowledge that their +being there would please their friend if she could know it, the two +remained day after day, and far into each night, until the time came +when they were actually startled by the news that in another week, if +nothing happened to her, Katy would leave the hospital. + +This good news came to them so suddenly that they were almost as +stupefied as they had been when the accident happened; but when they did +fully realize all the happiness contained in that announcement, they +gave vent to their joy in such extravagant antics that the old porter, +who chanced to see them, declared it to be his solemn belief that they +were "a couple of ijuts." + +"Now what'll we do to show Katy how glad we are?" asked Johnny, when, +breathless from the severe exercise, they seated themselves on the +curb-stone to talk the matter over. "We've got to do somethin', you +know, an' what shall it be?" + +Jimmy rubbed his chin vigorously, as if to call forth his most brilliant +ideas, and after an unusually long pause, replied, "I'll tell you jest +what we'll do: we'll scurry 'round an' get money enough to buy her one +of the stunnin'est dresses we can find, an' we'll carry it up to her the +day before she comes out." + +It certainly seemed as if that idea was an inspiration, and Johnny was +so anxious to carry it into execution that he urged his friend along, on +the way down town to purchase a stock of papers, at the most furious +rate of speed. + +They were not just certain how much money would be required to carry out +their plan, but when they had gotten together a fund of two dollars and +sixty cents, they were certain they could purchase almost any dress that +was displayed in the shop windows, and have enough left not only to buy +bracelets, but anything else in the jewelry line that they might chance +to fancy. + +[Illustration: THE BOYS TRYING TO SELECT A DRESS FOR KATY.] + +During one entire forenoon they went from one to another of the largest +stores in the city, peering in at the windows at the ready-made dresses +displayed, and not quite able to make up their minds which to choose. +The greater number of the garments appeared to be too large, while none +of them were quite bright enough in colors to suit them exactly. + +"I'll tell you what it is," said Jimmy, after he had rubbed his chin +harder than usual in front of a delicate party dress of pink and white +silk with an enormous train, and had decided that it was not brilliant +enough in color to please them, "we'd better go to Bob Spratt's mother, +an' get her to come out with us to buy it. She'd know best what Katy'd +like." + +"I'm afraid that's what we'll have to do," said Johnny, with a sigh, +fully convinced of the hopelessness of their succeeding unaided in their +task. "I don't see how folks get along that have to buy more'n one dress +a year; it must take 'em 'bout all their time pickin' 'em out." + +"I s'pose they get kinder used to it, an' know jest what they want," +said Jimmy, with an air of wisdom; and then, with just a shade of envy +toward those particularly fortunate people who know exactly what to +purchase, the newspaper merchant walked resolutely away from the +party-dress which he was convinced was not beautiful enough for Katy to +wear while selling pins on the street. + +Mrs. Spratt was found, according to her way of expressing it, at her old +established place of business, on the corner of Vesey Street, where she +drove a flourishing trade in jackknives, candy, and other such necessary +articles. + +Never before had either of them doubted Mrs. Spratt's wisdom and +superior judgment; but when she boldly declared that a silk dress could +not be purchased for two dollars and sixty cents, they began to have +suspicions that she was not the wise woman they had always believed her +to be. Those suspicions became a certainty when she added that even if +they could afford to buy such dresses as they had seen, they would not +be suitable for Katy to wear while plying her trade on the street. + +It was not until after they had withdrawn to a convenient distance, and +there discussed the question of Mrs. Spratt's mental condition for fully +ten minutes, that they finally decided to ask her just what she thought +would be suitable for a dress for Katy, and within their means. + +Even if Mrs. Spratt was not altogether right in her mind, and even if +she did have ridiculous ideas regarding color, she spoke just as if she +believed what she said when she told the boys that they could buy some +pretty, plain material, sufficient for a dress for Katy, for about a +dollar and a quarter, while with another dollar they could hire Mrs. +Isaacs to make it for them in the latest style. + +Several more strictly private consultations between the partners were +necessary before they could make up their minds to trust to Mrs. +Spratt's taste and honesty in buying the dress, and then they placed the +entire matter in her hands, she generously offering to purchase the +goods that very afternoon, providing they would care for her stand while +she was away. + +The boys had plenty of time in which to discuss the matter in all its +bearings while Mrs. Spratt was attending to the important business. It +was with deep sorrow that they admitted to each other that if the dress +was to cost two dollars and a quarter, it would be almost impossible +for them to buy any very large bracelets with the remaining thirty-five +cents. + +It was a disappointment that caused Jimmy to rub his chin until it was +very red; but he bore up under the sorrow like a philosopher, his active +mind presenting another plan that seemed quite as brilliant as the +first. + +"Johnny!" he cried, as he started up suddenly, at great danger of +overturning Mrs. Spratt's rather frail "old established place of +business." + +"Wot?" asked Master Davis, moodily, for the impossibility of buying the +bracelets weighed heavily on his mind. + +"Why can't we earn a little more money, an' the day Katy comes out of +the hospital, take her somewheres for a good time, jest like reg'lar +folks do?" + +"Cricky!" exclaimed Johnny; and by that expressive word Jimmy knew that +he was impressed with the idea. + +"I know a feller what carries 'round nuts an' candy on one of the Coney +Island boats, an' jest as likely as not he could fix it for us so we +could go down for half price. How Katy's eyes would stick out when she +got down there! Why, she'd jest roll over in the sand, she'd be so +tickled." + +"Then good-by dress," said Johnny, feeling actually relieved that he had +been able to find some fault with Jimmy's plan, for he was almost +jealous of his partner's active brain. + +"Well, of course I don't mean that she would really roll over if she had +the dress on," said Jimmy, quickly, conscious that he had colored his +picture a trifle too high, "but I mean she'd feel good enough to do it." + +"When could we find that feller on the steamboat?" asked Johnny, anxious +to settle all the details of this very brilliant scheme at once. + +"I guess we'd see him if we went down on the pier an' waited till his +boat come in." + +"Then we'll go jest as soon as Mrs. Spratt comes back." + +Johnny was not hindered very long by the absence of the owner of the +stand, for in a few moments afterward she returned, flushed and heated +by her unusual exertion, but wearing a triumphant look. + +"I bought it," she said, as she tried unsuccessfully to fan herself with +one of her largest combs, "an' I thought I'd save time by carryin' it +right over to Mrs. Isaacs. But I brought a piece to show you what it is +like," she added, quickly, as she saw a look of disappointment come over +the boys' faces. + +The goods was not exactly what they would have chosen, for it seemed +much too sober in color, and not "shiny enough," as Jimmy said; but it +was a soft, rather thin piece of blue material, which would make a very +becoming dress for "their girl." + +"I got it for twelve cents a yard," said Mrs. Spratt, in a tone of +triumph, "an' I made the man throw in as much as ten inches extra, which +will give her a good dress pattern. Then I bought the buttons an' the +trimmings for twenty cents more, an' Mrs. Isaacs will find the thread, +an' make it for a dollar. It'll be as handsome a dress as you could get +anywhere for two dollars an' forty cents, an' a good deal better than +Katy ever had before." + +Mrs. Isaacs had promised to have the garment ready the day before Katy +was to come from the hospital, and this most important business having +been attended to, the boys started out in search of their friend the +employé on the Coney Island boat. + +The steamer which Ikey Moses graced with his presence and particularly +valuable services was not at the pier when the boys arrived there; but +what did two or three hours of waiting amount to when such an end was to +be gained? Absolutely nothing, so they thought, as they loitered around +the dock until, two hours later, the steamer arrived. + +Ikey was on board, and in particularly good humor, having made twenty +cents extra that day on a private speculation in sassafras bark. And +being intrusted with his friends' secret, after he had solemnly crossed +his throat never to divulge it, he made of the question of getting +tickets at half price a very simple matter. In fact, he was quite +certain he could get tickets for nothing, and he promised to use all his +great influence in their behalf, providing they would pay him ten cents +in case he was successful. + +As may be imagined, the boys readily agreed to do this, and Johnny even +generously promised that in case Ikey succeeded, they would give him all +their custom on the passage. This latter consideration was not a weighty +one with Master Moses, for, since his employer was the only one who had +eatables to sell on the boat, and since he was the only clerk, the boys +would be obliged to deal with him or go hungry. + +All the details having thus been arranged, it only remained for the boys +to work industriously to procure the necessary funds. + +Business was not remarkably good during the four days that intervened +before Katy's time in the hospital had expired; but they made enough to +pay Mother Brown for their board, and then have a cash capital of one +dollar on hand. + +Ikey had succeeded in getting for them free passes, and they had paid +him the amount agreed upon. The dress had been finished, and on the +evening before Katy was to leave the hospital they carried it up to be +sent in to her, in order, as Jimmy said, "that they might jest knock her +eye out before she was stunned by the idea of the excursion." + +"Tell her Jim an' John sent it in to her," said the latter, as he handed +the bundle to the porter, "an' that we want her to be all ready when we +come up here for her at nine o'clock to-morrow mornin'." + +"That'll fix her," said Jimmy, triumphantly, as they left the hospital; +and during the remainder of that evening they enjoyed in anticipation +the royal time they were to have next day when they took "their girl" on +her first excursion. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +[Illustration] + + With gun upon his shoulder, Sir Beetle hunting goes, + There is nothing in the larder, for a dreadful wind arose; + It blew their cottage over, and the rain began to beat, + They couldn't find their overshoes, or anything to eat. + But Mrs. Beetle's thankful that after such a storm + She has still a silk umbrella, and a fire to keep her warm. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + + Back from the forest we're bringing our sheaves-- + Armfuls of posies and bright Autumn leaves; + Happy are we, though the chill wind may blow, + The herald of Winter in garments of snow. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + + Oh, what a host of playmates has little Johnny Grey! + He says that Puss and Rover know everything we say; + And that the birds and squirrels always understand; + So he's talking to the beetle that is crawling on his hand. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + + Mamma must work the long, long day, + While I have lessons to learn and say; + But Baby Blue Eyes, so bright and gay, + Has nothing to do but laugh and play, + Till the Sand Man works his wonderful charms, + When he goes to sleep in somebody's arms. + + + + +[Illustration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX.] + + +Many of you will be very glad to hear again from Mrs. Richardson, whose +work among the poor people at Lincolnton has interested you very much. +For the information of new subscribers we will state that this lady has, +for several years, been trying to make the lives of the colored people +around her brighter and happier. + +She began by teaching the children of Uncle Pete, her faithful friend +and servant, and once her slave. At present she is giving religious and +other instruction to a great many children and young people, and through +her self-denying efforts a little chapel has been built, where they +worship on Sundays. + +The little readers of YOUNG PEOPLE have assisted Mrs. Richardson by +sending books, toys, and cast-off clothing to her for the use of her +protégées: + + WOODSIDE (NEAR LINCOLNTON), NORTH CAROLINA. + + MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--I have not written to you very often + lately. The Post-office Box is always so full of interesting + letters that I felt that it would be an imposition in me to take up + space in it very often. Then, too, there has been nothing very + interesting to tell you. The chapel is up (not yet finished, but + covered), the floor laid, windows in (they look so pretty!), and + the pews made; we can use it, though the door and a good deal of + work is yet to be done. The chapel stands in a grove of pines and + weeping-oaks. The branches of these oaks droop almost to the + ground, and are very graceful and pretty, besides making delightful + horses for the children to ride. You all, I guess, know just how + far to creep up the limb, and then spring to make it go, and ride + delightfully among the branches. + + I know you will be glad to know that the school has gone on + regularly and well since it first began. The scholars have all + improved very much; those who were learning their letters last + summer are now using Second Readers. A great number of them are + reading in the Testament--very poor reading in many cases, spelling + many words, but still we find, with the explanations we give them + as we go on, that going through the Gospels they understand a great + deal of it. We feel that it must do them good. When they came they + did not know anything of prayer; only three knew "Now I lay me." + Now they all know that and the Lord's Prayer, almost all the Creed, + and the Ten Commandments. + + Did I write you--no, I know I have not, for it was only a few weeks + ago--that some kind, very kind, persons sent me an organ? I wish + they could know and see the pleasure it gives us all. The scholars + seem so delighted to sing that last Sunday we let them try chanting + a psalm we had been reading, and they learned it very quickly. Then + we tried the Creed and the Lord's Prayer to a tune in the choral + service; that they did beautifully, all of them, even the tiny + children, and all of them (over sixty) singing as with one voice, + they naturally made a swell on the Amen that was truly beautiful. + They were so happy singing these things over and over with the + hymns they know, saying always, "Please, ma'am, one time more!" + "Abide with me" they sing very well. "Jerusalem the Golden" is a + great favorite too. When we thought we must stop, they begged so + just to sing everything over once more that we did it, and found + when we came home that we had been three hours at Sunday-school and + singing. Two boys, or men, carry the little organ up there, and + back again when we are done. We hope to have the door and lock this + week. + + I would like very much to have a few primers, and also some readers + and copy-books and pencils; there are many of them so anxious to + learn to write. A few slates were sent--most of them broken a good + deal in coming--but their copies and writing get rubbed out, so + they do not get on very well with them. + + Oh, I do so wish you could be here and see how happy they are in + Sunday-school, and in the singing after! My husband says they won't + be any happier in paradise than they were last Sunday afternoon. + Their black faces were filled with ecstasy, and we were almost as + happy, seeing them so delighted. There are three children to be + baptized next Sunday, when we will have service and a sermon after + Sunday-school. + + I find they are counting the weeks already to Christmas. There are + some little ones and babies the mothers have to bring, so we shall + have to give them something. Presents for seventy! We will do all + we can, but can not make a tree for so many unless we have help. + Remember, in sending, that things you would not care for will + delight them. Clothes you would think worn out will please them, + and make them warm and comfortable; ribbons, etc., too much soiled + for you to use will please them as well as new; shawls, no matter + if old and faded, anything warm, will be of great service; quilt + patches, needles, and thread--in fact, anything and everything will + be of use in making a tree for them. They all are very, very fond + of candy. + + One lady will give me some paper to help make cornucopias; that is + all the help I know of yet for Christmas. Christmas is yet a long + time off to you young people, but when one grows older the weeks + just fly away, and Christmas always comes before we get ready for + it. We are going to begin the 1st of November practicing the carols + for Christmas, and hope they will all have as happy a day as they + did last year. + + With a heart full of love to you all for the help you have so + kindly given me before, and hoping, as the years roll on, I may see + some of your dear faces, I am, now and always, gratefully and truly + your friend, + + MRS. RICHARDSON. + + * * * * * + + What does the brook say, flashing its feet + Under the lilies' blue brimming bowls, + Brightening the shades with its tender song, + Cheering all drooping and sorrowful souls? + It says not, "Be merry," but deep in the wood + Rings back, "Little maiden, be good, be good." + + What does the wind say, pushing slow sails + Over the great troubled path of the sea; + Whirling the mill on the breezy height, + Shaking the fruit from the orchard tree? + It breathes not "Be happy," but sings loud and long, + "O bright little maiden, be strong, be strong." + + What says the river, gliding along + To its home on far-off Ocean's breast; + Fretted by rushes, hindered by bars, + Ever weary, but singing of rest? + It says not, "Be bright," but in whisperings grave, + "Dear little maiden, be patient, be brave." + + What do the stars say, keeping their watch + Over the slumbers the long lone night, + Never closing their bonnie bright eyes, + Though great storms blind them, and tempests fright? + They say not, "Be splendid," but write on the blue, + In clear silver letters, "Maiden, be true." + + * * * * * + +What a rainy time we have had, to be sure, children! I thought about my +little correspondents as the floods fell day after day, and I wondered +how those who have long, long walks to school contrived to get there +when the bridges were down, and the great trees were torn up by the +roots, and the paths, usually dry, were all covered with water. + +Some years ago a friend of mine, waking up one morning, was saluted by +her cook with the news that the kitchen floor was so wet that she could +not prepare the breakfast. The water came over the poor woman's rubber +shoes. My friend thought she could manage to boil a cup of coffee and +make toast by the fire in the parlor; but later in the day Joe and +Frank, her sons, found it great fun to march about the wet kitchen on +stilts. They made the fire in the range, and, under Mary's directions, +produced omelet, broiled steak, and other things, so that the family did +not starve during the rainy day. + +If any of you have met with adventures during the freshet, I shall +expect to hear all about them. + + * * * * * + + LINCOLN, NEBRASKA. + + School begins next week, and I would like to tell you about my + first vacation. In June I went to Indiana to visit my cousins. When + I came home I crossed the Mississippi and Missouri rivers for the + fourteenth time. In two weeks papa and mamma and I started for + Denver. We left Lincoln at noon, and the next morning I saw the + mountains for the first time. How strange to see snow in July! We + spent a few days in Denver, and then such a wild ride as we had + through the mountains to Georgetown, where I can't tell you half of + the fun I had. I fed the fish, and had a lovely row on Green Lake. + I went one-third of a mile into the Colorado Mine in a little car, + then down a shaft 250 feet, in a bucket with a miner, to see the + men at work; but I did not buy a mine like the other little + "tenderfoot" I read about in HARPER'S. But it was the most fun to + ride on a burro. There were ten children and seven burros, and we + had a fine ride on the mountain, and then had our pictures taken. + The cutest picture was a burro with four children on his back. + + We went to Central over a queer railroad that runs almost up to the + town at the foot of the mountain, then makes a loop and runs back a + mile on the side of the mountain over the tops of the houses, then + turns again and runs into the town--oh, ever so high up! And we + went to the Bobtail Mine, and into the mill where they crush the + ore and wash the gold out of it. It was very interesting. I had a + nice play with a little new friend, Ethel S., whose papa owns lots + of mines. + + And now I must tell you about our going up Pike's Peak. We left + Manitou at seven in the morning on horses, and such a wild, + beautiful ride I never had before. We had to go on a narrow path + just wide enough for a horse to go, very carefully winding around + the mountain-side, and we could hardly ever see to the top, and not + to the bottom, it was so far down. The bright little creek that + came splashing down through the rocks made the sweetest music that + mamma ever heard. The flowers, too, were very bright. When we were + near the top, papa let me pass him, and I was the first to get + there. Then we had coffee made from the snow-bank near the house. + But the going down! So tired we were, we were fit to fall. + + And now I am too tired to tell you about the Garden of the Gods, + the Cave of the Winds, and the Denver Exposition. I am eight years + old. + + JOY W. + + P. S.--It is twelve miles to the top of Pike's Peak. + +I really felt, little Joy, as I read your letter, that some time or +other I too must climb those great mountains, and venture into those +mines, and maybe even ride on a burro, as, you did. But very likely the +burro would not care about carrying even a lady like me, unless, +perhaps, I could find the little fellow that had four on his back at +once. And what would become of the Post-office Box while I was climbing +the steep mountains? For the present I suppose I must be content to view +the snow-clad peaks through your bright eyes. Thanks, dear child, for +the lovely pressed flowers so prettily arranged. + + * * * * * + +HOW KID GLOVES ARE MADE. + + "Oh, mamma, see how it is raining!" said little Lottie; "and it + looks so dark, too, all around, that I fear it will keep on all the + afternoon." + + "And then we can't go for the new kid gloves you promised us," + chimed in Helen. "Won't that be too bad?" + + And the two little sisters--Helen, eleven years of age, and Lottie, + nine--were quite disposed to pout and feel very ill-humored at the + prospect of a rainy Saturday afternoon, and the consequent + postponement of their anticipated walk for the purpose of + purchasing two pairs of new kid gloves. + + Mamma smiled at them. "Now, little folks, although you take so much + pleasure in having and wearing kid gloves, I am sure you do not + often think how many nice and careful operations these gloves have + to go through, and how many hands are employed in their + manufacture, before they can be put in the stores for sale. If you + will sit down contentedly by me, with your cork-work or knitting, I + will tell you, while I sew, much that is interesting about kid + gloves, so that we can make this disappointment of a rainy + afternoon as instructive and profitable as possible. + + "Well, to begin, then, the materials used in making a kid glove are + either the skins of kids from six weeks to three months old, or the + skins of the little lambs of about the same age; but those of the + kid make the finest glove, while for a cheaper and of course poorer + article the skins of sheep even quite full grown are used. The + first thing to be done with the skins freshly stripped from the + animal is called 'towing'--to get the hair or wool off; the best + and easiest way is to put the skins in a mixture of lime-water, + very strong, where they must remain for some time, after which they + are taken out and placed in running water, to remove all the lime, + and then with a blunt kind of scraper the hair is carefully + removed. This last process has to be repeated two or three times, + until every hair, and every particle of flesh which may stick to + the fleshy side of the skin, is removed. Then the skins are placed + in a mixture (or the 'pudding,' as it is sometimes called) of yolks + of fresh eggs, well beaten, with fine white flour, alum, salt, and + carefully filtered water, and are left in this compound for some + weeks, or about thirty or forty days, until they absorb or take up + as much of this mixture as they can contain. When the skins are + taken from this bath they are white and very elastic and soft, and + are now ready for the dyer. + + "The dyeing of kid gloves requires very skillful workers, and a + very fine eye for the making of all the different and varied shades + of color. The coloring matter is put on each and every skin + separately with a brush, each needing from one to four applications + of the dye, according to the shade desired. But the light or + so-called evening gloves do not need quite so much care, as + frequently two hundred or more skins can be put into the vat of + dye, which will soak through every particle of the skin. Then they + are well dried in a large room or space, where the heat must be at + least 180 degrees of our ordinary thermometer. + + "And now the cutter begins his task of cutting the skins into + square pieces of a certain size, which must be done very carefully, + as all gloves have to be cut with the grain of the skin, to run + from the head downward, and a great deal of the skin would, of + course, be wasted if any but very skillful hands were employed. One + fine skin will generally cut about three or four gloves, according + to the size required, and often large sheep-skins turn out nine or + ten gloves, but of a much poorer quality. After the squares are cut + they are put up in packages of from six to twelve pairs of gloves, + and by the use of a sharp punch and a very heavy press are cut out + in all the different-shaped pieces required for the entire glove, + usually from about twenty to twenty-three pieces. Then comes the + sewing, which for all the best gloves is done entirely by hand, and + requires the best of needlewomen, as over six thousand stitches are + needed to sew a pair of ordinary-sized ladies' gloves. + + "Within a short time a machine has been put in use for sewing + gloves, but even with this, which can only be used satisfactorily + on low-grade gloves, not over a dozen pairs can be sewed in a day. + Then putting on the buttons or hooks, dressing, and packing or + assorting in numbers, colors, and sizes, passes the gloves through + many more hands, until at last, after careful inspection of a + skilled foreman, they are placed on sale, and forwarded to their + many destinations." + + "Thank you, dear mamma, thank you," cried both the children in a + breath. "But where does all this take place?" + + "Principally," answered mamma, "in France, Germany, and Italy, + although some nice but heavy gloves come also from England; and + here in our own country we are now beginning to manufacture some + gloves which compare quite well with the imported, and as we in + America generally succeed in all our undertakings, I think we shall + soon be able to make first-class kid gloves." + + M. E. M. + + * * * * * + +The two following letters are from a little sister and brother, +Americans, who are studying music and French in beautiful Paris: + + PARIS, FRANCE. + + We are always so glad to get HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE. Papa sends it + to my largest brother. I have a little brother with long curls. + Sometimes he is taken for a girl, but he don't mind it. We have a + picture of Mozart with long curls. We have five canaries. We had + more, but sent three to papa, and we all sent a kiss by them to + papa. They were so tame they would eat sugar out of my mouth. I + have a big dollie; I call her Daisy; she is very lovely, and can + put her arm around my neck. We go to school here in Paris, and like + it very much, but not so much as I liked my school in Germany. I + wore the blue ribbon for six months last session in school for + getting the highest mark in music. We have vacation now. My large + brother got a prize in drawing. He liked the piece in HARPER'S + YOUNG PEOPLE about Michael Angelo. We go out in the country with + him sometimes when he goes to paint, and we play while he is + sketching. We went to St. Cloud a few days ago, and had a nice + time. We go to Park Monceaux nearly every day with the girl and + play, but it is not so nice as in the country. I like to read the + letters written by the little girls that live in the country. I can + not write a very good English letter, but I hope you will print it. + I can write French, and some German. I am coming back to America + next year, and will be glad to go to school again, but I suppose I + will have to study very hard. My cousin Blanche went home to + America last month in the big steamer _Servia_. + + ANNIE L. D. + + * * * * * + + PARIS, FRANCE. + + I send you a little Wiggle picture. I like the story of "Mr. + Stubbs's Brother" very much. My little mother bird died after she + had laid a little nest full of eggs three times, but only six of + the little birdies lived. We buried our little birdie in Park + Monceaux. I think she died because she was sorry we sent her three + little birdies to papa. When my school closed I got a prize in + arithmetic and conduct; it was a nice story-book. My sister read it + to me. She can read French better than I, but I understand all the + little story. I have a little violin, but I can't play much yet. I + am tired now, as I have written a letter to my big brother to-day. + + ROBBIE LEE D. + + * * * * * + + BUFFALO, NEW YORK. + + I am a little boy four years old. My name is Clifford, but when any + one calls me, they say Chippy. I have two brothers and a sister + Bessie. We have a mamma kitty that is ours, and she has a family of + six kittycats. She takes five of them away every evening, and + leaves one there. We don't know where she goes to, but she comes + back to get ready to go again. She pays no attention to the one she + leaves. We are all good little boys, I and my brothers; never play + in the dirt to get ourselves dirty, and yet we are never clean. We + try awfully hard. Do you know why? We play circus in the barn. + There are no horses there. We jump over the barrels and in the + barrels, pull on a long rope, and do lots of tricks. Our grandma + made us a clown's suit. She took white cloth, and cut out big + flowers and animals out of some more cloth, then took some flour + and water and pasted and sewed them all on the white cloth. It + covers us over; and we have a big cap just like it. We have a + circus, when the people will come; the people are Clinton and Emma + and Winnie. My mamma sent me to Sunday-school to-day, but I did not + get my Golden Text. All the other children said theirs, but I know + a nice one that my auntie sent me in a little letter, "Little + children, love one another." I like to say that every time; then I + don't have to learn another. Please hurry up and put this into a + little paper, so I can see how it looks. My mamma is writing this + for me; but I can write, but nobody can read it, so I guess you + couldn't, for I make little lines all over, and then put little + round marks all over. I knew you wanted to hear from me, because I + wanted to write to you; and mamma reads the little letters to me + out of your nice paper every Sunday afternoon. + + CHIPPY H. + +I know another little man about your age whose name is Clifford, and +what do you think they call him? Tupper. He gave himself this name when +he was learning to talk. Chippy is a very pretty pet name for a boy. I +would like to go to your circus, but, dear, if I were your Sunday-school +teacher, I think I would coax such a big and clever boy as you to learn +the Golden Text every week. Don't you think you can do so if you try? + + * * * * * + +A dear child who lives in Titusville, Pennsylvania, incloses a verse +which she made up herself about her dog Bruno. Here it is: + + One Sunday morn the sky was blue, + August the first, in Eighty-two, + A little dog, both round and fat, + Was brought to us, small as a rat. + Old mother Gyp, so proud and wise, + Smiled upon it with loving eyes. + The dog is mine; I named it Bruno; + But mother said to name it Uno. + I said, "Oh no," and got my ball. + The dog is mine; and that is all. + + MINNIE J. B. + + * * * * * + +Here is another bit of rhyme from a little girl whose home is in +Berryville, but who forgot to tell her State. Her verse is so droll that +we will excuse her for that, however: + + Johnny Gray went astray; + It was on a summer's day; + He went so far, he met a car. + And in it was his own papa. + Papa jumped out, and John did pout, + Because he wished to go for trout. + This is the end, you may depend, + Of Johnny Gray, who went astray + Upon a lovely summer's day. + + LIZZIE S. S. + + * * * * * + + WESTPORT, CALIFORNIA. + + I have not written in a long time, because I wrote you two letters + once before, and did not see either of them in the Post-office Box, + and I thought I would wait a good while, and then perhaps you would + have room for me. I like all the little letters so much! Especially + I like to hear of all the pets each one has. It seems that I have + had bad luck with all my pets. I had a pretty pony (her name was + Daisy), and papa had me a nice saddle made to order in San + Francisco, and I was very fond of horseback riding; but one night + my dear Daisy was taken out of the field and stolen, and I never + expect to see her more. The next pet I had was a pretty + canary-bird, a present from my brother, with a new cage. I named + him Dicky. One morning I was cleaning the cage, and he flew away + just as I was putting the top on it. Oh, how badly I felt! But one + of my school-mates caught me a wild bird, and I had it in the cage + for some time; but it did not sing, and so I let it go. + + I have no playmates near me, and I am often very lonesome. How I + should enjoy playing with the dear little girls who write to you! I + have one brother older than I am; he is away at school. It is + called the Boys' Home School, in San Mateo, twenty miles from San + Francisco. My brother is twelve years of age, and reads in the + Fifth Reader. I am nine, and read in the Fourth Reader. I am + piecing up a bed quilt for my bed, and hope to finish it before I + am ten years old, which will be in January. The name of it is + Lincoln's Platform. + + ETTA M. + + * * * * * + + SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN. + + I wrote a letter to YOUNG PEOPLE some time ago, and it wasn't + printed, so I thought I would try again. I go to school now, and + study reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic, geography, and + spelling! I picked raspberries for papa this summer for two cents a + quart, and blackberries for one and a half cents a quart, and got + two dollars and ninety-two cents for all. We live on the bank of + Lake Michigan. My two cousins from Iowa are here now; they are the + only cousins I have. We have had a nice time. We make houses on the + beach in the sand, and go in bathing. We had four cats, and + yesterday morning we found one of them dead. My sister felt very + badly about it; she cried like everything. We think the kitten had + fits. I like the story of the "Cruise of the Canoe Club." + + MYRTA R. + +You were a very industrious girl to earn so much money. It was a great +pity about the poor kitty. You see that Etta M., like yourself, has +written before, and has had to wait a good while before finding her +niche in the Post-office Box. + +No little letter-writer must feel discouraged at delay in the +publication of a letter. Even if we can not print a letter, we are glad +to read it, and many loving thoughts are sent away to dear boys and +girls whose words are read only by the Post-mistress. + + * * * * * + + MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY. + + I have taken your nice paper since the first number, and have never + written to you yet. I rode on the locomotive of an express train + for the first time the other day. It was splendid, but I got shaken + up a good deal. I sat three seats ahead of President Garfield in + church at Long Branch the Sunday before he was shot. He looked like + such a good man it was a shame he was shot. There is an old house + here which General Washington had as his head-quarters during the + winter of 1780-81. I have been through it a great many times, and + my father (who is a clergyman) showed me the room which an old lady + parishioner of his, who has been dead over twenty years, had when + General Washington was occupying the house. She was his + housekeeper, and papa was told about his life here. I would like to + have known her; would not you? I am afraid my letter is too long. + + ALEXANDER R. + +I have been in Washington's Head-quarters at Morristown, and felt, when +there, how much we owe as a nation to that great and good man, "first in +war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." + + * * * * * + +PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS. + +No. 1. + +THREE DIAMONDS--(_To Count No Account_). + +1.--1. A consonant. 2. A large cask. 3. Purport. 4. An insane person. 5. +Celebrated. 6. Freed. 7. A letter. + + EUREKA. + +2.--1. A letter. 2. Pulp. 3. Furnished with panes. 4. A porter. 5. +Small. 6. A point. 7. A letter. + + JUNEBUG. + +3.--1. A letter. 2. To bite. 3. One of the African race. 4. Penurious. +5. To chatter. 6. Mineral in the crude state. 7. A letter. + + JUNEBUG. + + * * * * * + +No. 2. + +THREE EASY WORD SQUARES (_To Christine and Gretchen_). + + 1.--1. More than one. 2. Married. 3. A poem. + 2.--1. Not old. 2. A sheep. 3. A protuberance. + 3.--1. A covering. 2. Fear. 3. A number. + + WALTER P. K. + + * * * * * + +No. 3. + +NUMERICAL ENIGMA. + + I am composed of 8 letters. + My 3, 4, 5, is a creature without a friend. + My 5, 2, 7 is a favorite game with boys and girls. + My 3, 8, 7, 1 is made into paper. + My 7, 6, 2, 5 knows how to climb. + My whole is a famous watering-place. + + CHARLES DE G. + + * * * * * + +ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 151. + +No. 1. + +Sphynx. + +No. 2. + + P + P A + P A N + P A N T + +No. 3. + +Edisto. Gila. Neuse. Yazoo. Rhone. Don. Racket. Po. Orange. Duna. Lena. +Obi. Mobile. Amos. Dwina. Loire. Thames. Pitchora. Tiber. Indus. +Madeira. Pearl. Ural. Nile. Flint. Elbe. Intysh. + + +No. 4. + +Hot, rope, lot, pot, port, hope, trip, leper, hop. Heliotrope. + + * * * * * + +Answer to Bishop of Oxford's Puzzle--1. Eyelids. 2. Knee-caps. 3. Drums +(of the ears). 4. Feet. 5. Nails. 6. Soles (of the feet). 7. Mussels +(muscles). 8. Palms. 9. Tulips (two lips). 10. Ears (of corn). 11. +Calves. 12. Hairs (hares). 13. Hart (heart). 14. Lashes. 15. Arms. 16. +Vanes (veins). 17. In(n)step. 18. Ayes and Noes (eyes and nose). 19. Two +pupils and ten dons. 20. Chest. 21. Temples. 22. Gum. 23. Iris (the +rainbow). 24. Crown. 25. Palette (palate). 26. Scull (skull). 27. +Bridge. 28. Shoulder-blades. 29. Teeth (of a saw). 30. Elbows. 31. +Locks. + + * * * * * + +The answer to the Great Peach Puzzle on page 752 of No. 151 is as +follows: The morning rate was 7 peaches for 1 cent; the afternoon, 3 +cents for 1 peach: each boy received 10 cents. Jack sold 7 peaches for 1 +cent and 3 peaches at 3 cents each--10 cents; Tom sold 28 peaches at 7 +for 1 cent and 2 peaches at 3 cents each--10 cents; Ned sold 49 peaches +at 7 for 1 cent and 1 peach at 3 cents--10 cents. + + * * * * * + +Correct answers to puzzles have been received from Walter P. Knight, +Harry Johnston, Effie May, Edith Ames, John Jackson, Elsie Hopgood, +Charles Mark Ellis, "Junebug," Jessie P. and Mamie Hull, M. W. A., +Hammond Tubman, Tiny Rhodes, Bertie Walters, Susan Chase, William Van +Duser, Oliver Thompson, Benny Close, Frederick Lansing, Andrew Ward, +"Fuss and Feathers," Alice Fleming, Amy Leslie, "Fanchon," "Little +Buttercup," "Eureka," Flo Hanington, May Hanington, Grace P. Ford, Robin +Dyke, A. L. Taylor, and Alonzo L. Gibbs. + + * * * * * + +[_For Exchanges, see 2d and 3d pages of cover._] + + + + +[Illustration: "I WONDER IF THE BLOOD WILL RUN?"] + + * * * * * + +THE GAME OF HISTORIC CHARACTERS. + +BY C. W. FISHER. + +The game known by the above title is somewhat uncommon, and has afforded +so much enjoyment to children of an older growth that it can not fail to +entertain our young friends. + +It is a round-table game, and may be played by any number of persons. A +watch, slate, and pencil are all the materials required. + +One of the players, who is called the leader, selects the name of some +historical personage, and writes upon the slate several of the letters +forming it, in the order in which they occur. + +The slate is then passed to the next player, who is allowed two minutes +to form some idea of the name chosen, and to write a single letter +either before or after those already upon the slate. If the letter so +added be the right one, the leader announces it correct, and the slate +is passed to No. 3. If, on the contrary, it is wrong, he calls it a +miss, passing the slate, as before, to the following player, but at the +same time placing to No. 2's credit, or rather discredit, in his score, +a mark to indicate the failure. + +No. 3, who has had the advantage of studying the word during No. 2's +allotted time, now takes his turn, scoring or missing, as the case may +be; and so on around the table, only the misses being marked. + +The leader is of course the judge of the correctness of the additions, +and must act as time-keeper and scorer as well. Capitals are never used, +and the period with which the word ends is regarded as a letter, with +the difference, however, that all subsequent additions must be prefixed. + +Suppose, for example, that the leader, having in his mind Sir Walter +Raleigh, writes upon his slate the letters _eig_. No. 2, at the end of +his time, finds no clew to the word, takes a miss, and No. 3 tries his +hand. A happy thought strikes him: he adds an _l_, which is pronounced +correct; and No. 4 finds himself confronted with _leig_, and with a +thought perhaps of Lord Burleigh, boldly prefixes an _r_. His brilliancy +is rewarded with a demerit mark, and so the game goes on, until, when +the letters have grown to _aleigh_, the period is added, and almost any +one can easily guess the rest. The game is won by the player who at the +end of the sitting has the cleanest score. When one word has been +discovered, the second player becomes the leader, and after him the +others in turn. + +No letters should be added at random even should they prove correct, and +any player having reason to suspect that this has been done may demand +the word of the person preceding him. If the latter can give any +historic name in which the letters occur as then written upon the slate, +even if it is not the leader's word, the person so calling is counted a +miss, and the player giving the name chooses anew. If, on the other +hand, he fail to do so, the miss is scored against his account, and the +game proceeds as before. + +As it frequently happens that the same series of letters is to be found +in several or many words, one is very apt to get off the track, and the +results are confusing and amusing. The want of capitals also makes even +a completed word look so strange that all of a party have been +confounded by it until the leader, in his turn, added the lacking +period, and the disgust of his companions may be easily imagined. The +game may be pleasantly varied by using noted names in poetry or fiction, +authors, and the like, but it is well to confine it, during one sitting +at least, to a particular class. + +All disputes--and there will be many--as to whether a name can properly +be called historical or not, and similar questions, must be decided by a +majority of the players. + +The game gives excellent opportunity for the exercise of observation and +quickness, and leads to discussions and researches which prove as +instructive as they are entertaining. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + +GREEDY JERRY. + + + "Chowder? Why, bless your kindly heart, there's nothing so delicious; + 'Twould keep the very wildest cat from being cross or vicious. + Of all things you could offer us at morning, noon, or night, ma'am, + There isn't any other dish would give us such delight, ma'am." + Thus to his mistress Tom did speak, then raised his sweet voice louder: + "Jerry, you most ungrateful cat, come thank the dame for chowder." + + But greedy Jerry, full of glee, would never mind his brother; + He sucked his spoon, and danced about on one foot and the other; + He grinned and gasped and giggled out, and couldn't wait a minute, + He wanted so to seize the dish, and get at what was in it; + Which made his brother rage and rave, while, better bred and prouder, + He bowed and scraped, and blandly smiled, and thanked the dame for + chowder. + + Alas for evil-doers all, on two feet or on four feet, + Or even if, like centipedes, they've twice as many more feet! + No sooner were they left alone than, without judge or jury, + Tom flew at greedy Jerry's throat, and beat him like a fury. + Then, while the blows and caterwauls came ringing loud and louder, + Oh, didn't greedy Jerry wish he'd thanked the dame for chowder! + + M. E. B. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, October 10, 1882, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 59644 *** |