Nobody is compelled to tell his or her age. We have lately seen an
allusion to the retaining of family names, to which you refer, in a
story of Virginia life. Books of travel are not only interesting, but
very instructive. They help you to a clearer comprehension of your
history and geography, and give you a sort of picture-gallery of the
world you live in. The other day we were reading about Dean Stanley's
childhood, and we found that his mother was in the habit of studying
with her children. She would select a period, and then group around it
all the pleasant and entertaining facts she could find, studying not
only its history, but looking into the homes of the people who lived at
the time, and making study like a panorama.
* * * * *
Hardly had the number of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE containing the stories of
Kate Shelley and Charlie White gone to press, when we received the
following letter, written by a boy in Minnesota to his uncle in New
York. That the letter was not intended to be printed makes it all the
more valuable. Willie Sammis (who is only twelve years old) writes about
his every-day affairs; and then, between an account of his school life
and a complaint about the wet weather, he tells us that he _saved a
boy's life_. Like all true heroes, Willie is modest. You will remember
what the old man says who tells the story of Charlie White's bravery:
"And this, I think, is the children's way; _they_ never mind praise
or gain."
No; but praise will be freely bestowed, for such brave deeds are not so
common that we can regard them without enthusiasm; and as for gain, the
unselfish spirit that prompts such actions is in itself a possession
beyond all price.
With these few words of introduction, to which we must add our thanks to
Willie's uncle for kindly placing the letter at our disposal, we will
let the young hero speak for himself: