round, and begged that they might have their usual family dinner on
Thanksgiving-day, she could not find it in her hospitable heart to
refuse, and immediately invitations were sent to her eleven brothers and
sisters, old Father Time and Mother Year, to come with all their
families and celebrate the great American holiday.
Then what a busy time ensued! What a slaughter of unhappy barn-yard
families--turkeys, ducks, and chickens! What a chopping of apples and
boiling of doughnuts! what a picking of raisins and rolling of
pie-crust! until every nook and corner of the immense store-room was
stocked with "savory mince and toothsome pumpkin pies," while so great
was the confusion that even the stolid red-hued servant, Indian Summer,
lost his head, and smoked so continually he always appeared surrounded
by a blue mist, as he piled logs upon the great bonfires in the yard,
until they lighted up the whole country for miles around.
But at length all was ready; the happy day had come, and all the little
Novembers, in their best "bib and tucker," were seated in a row,
awaiting the arrival of their uncles, aunts, and cousins, while their
mother, in russet-brown silk, trimmed with misty lace, looked them over,
straightening Guy Fawkes's collar, tying Thanksgiving's neck ribbon, and
settling a dispute between two little presidential candidates as to
which should sit at the head of the table.
Soon a merry clashing of bells, blowing of horns, and mingling of voices
were heard outside, sleighs and carriages dashed up to the door, and in
came, "just in season," Grandpa Time, with Grandma Year leaning on his
arm, followed by all their children and grandchildren, and were warmly
welcomed by the hostess and her family.
"Oh, how glad I am we could all come to-day!" said Mr. January, in his
crisp, clear tones, throwing off his great fur coat, and rushing to the
blazing fire. "There is nothing like the happy returns of these days."
"Nothing, indeed," simpered Mrs. February, the poetess. "If I had had
time I should have composed some verses for the occasion; but my son
Valentine has brought a sugar heart, with a sweet sentiment on it, to
his cousin Thanksgiving. I, too, have taken the liberty of bringing a
sort of adopted child of mine, young Leap Year, who makes us a visit
every four years."
"He is very welcome, I am sure," said Mrs. November, patting Leap Year
kindly on the head. "And, Sister March, how have you been since we last
met?"
"Oh! we have had the North, South, East, and West Winds all at our
house, and they have kept things breezy, I assure you. But I really
feared we should not get here to-day; for when we came to dress I found
nearly everything we had was lent; so that must account for our shabby
appearance."
[Illustration: MRS. NOVEMBER'S GUESTS.]
"He! he! he!" tittered little April Fool. "What a sell!" And he shook
until the bells on his cap rang; at which his father ceased for a moment
showering kisses on his nieces and nephews, and boxed his ears for his
rudeness.
"Oh, Aunt May! do tell us a story," clamored the younger children, and
dragging her into a corner, she was soon deep in such a moving tale that
they were all melted to tears, especially the little Aprils, who cry
very easily.
Meanwhile, Mrs. June, assisted by her youngest daughter, a "sweet girl
graduate," just from school, was engaged in decking the apartment with
roses and lilies and other fragrant flowers that she had brought from
her extensive gardens and conservatories, until the room was a perfect
bower of sweetness and beauty; while Mr. July draped the walls with
flags and banners, lighted the candles, and showed off the tricks of his
pet eagle, Yankee Doodle, to the great delight of the little ones.
Madam August, who suffers a great deal with the heat, found a seat on a
comfortable sofa, as far from the fire as possible, and waved a huge
feather fan back and forth, while her thirty-one boys and girls, led by
the two oldest, Holiday and Vacation, ran riot through the long rooms,
picking at their aunt June's flowers, and playing all sorts of pranks,
regardless of tumbled hair and torn clothes, while they shouted, "Hurrah
for fun!" and behaved like a pack of wild colts let loose in a green
pasture, until their uncle September called them, together with his own
children, into the library, and persuaded them to read some of the books
with which the shelves were filled, or play quietly with the game of
Authors and the Dissected Maps.
"For," said Mr. September to Mrs. October, "I think Sister August lets
her children romp too much. I always like improving games for mine,
although I have great trouble to make Equinox toe the line as he
should."
"That is because you are a school-master," laughed Mrs. October, shaking
her head, adorned with a wreath of gayly tinted leaves; "but where is my
baby?"
At that moment a cry was heard without, and Indian Summer came running
in to say that little All Hallows had fallen into a tub of water while
trying to catch an apple that was floating on top, and Mrs. October,
rushing off to the kitchen, returned with her youngest in a very wet and
dripping condition, and screaming at the top of his lusty little lungs,
and could only be consoled by a handful of chestnuts, which his nurse,
Miss Frost, cracked open for him.
The little Novembers meanwhile were having a charming time with their
favorite cousins, the Decembers, who were always so gay and jolly, and
had such a delightful papa. He came with his pockets stuffed full of
toys and sugar-plums, which he drew out from time to time, and gave to
his best-loved child, Merry Christmas, to distribute amongst the
children, who gathered eagerly around their little cousin, saying,
"Christmas comes but once a year,
But when she comes she brings good cheer."
At which Merry laughed gayly, and tossed her golden curls, in which were
twined sprays of holly and clusters of brilliant scarlet berries.
At last the great folding-doors were thrown open. Indian Summer
announced that dinner was served, and a long procession of old and young
being quickly formed, led by Mrs. November and her daughter
Thanksgiving, whose birthday it was, they filed into the spacious
dining-room, where stood the long table, groaning beneath its weight of
good things, while four servants ran continually in and out, bringing
more substantials and delicacies to grace the board and please the
appetite. Winter staggered beneath great trenchers of meat and poultry,
pies and puddings; Spring brought the earliest and freshest vegetables;
Summer, the richest creams and ices; while Autumn served the guests with
fruit, and poured the sparkling wine.
[Illustration: AT THE DINNER TABLE.]
All were gay and jolly, and many a joke was cracked as the contents of
each plate and dish melted away like snow before the sun; and the great
fires roared in the wide chimneys as though singing a glad Thanksgiving
song.
New Year drank everybody's health, and wished them "many happy returns
of the day," while Twelfth Night ate so much cake he made himself quite
ill, and had to be put to bed.
Valentine sent mottoes to all the little girls, and praised their bright
eyes and glossy curls. "For," said his mother, "he is a sad flatterer,
and not nearly so truthful, I am sorry to say, as his brother George
Washington, who never told a lie."
At which Grandfather Time gave George a quarter, and said he should
always remember what a good boy he was.
After dinner the fun increased, all trying to do something for the
general amusement. Mrs. March persuaded her son St. Patrick to dance an
Irish jig, which he did to the tune of the "Wearing of the Green," which
his brothers Windy and Gusty blew and whistled on their fingers.
Easter sang a beautiful song, the little Mays "tripped the light
fantastic toe" in a pretty fancy dance, while the Junes sat by so
smiling and sweet it was a pleasure to look at them.
Independence, the fourth child of Mr. July, who is a bold little fellow,
and a fine speaker, gave them an oration he had learned at school; and
the Augusts suggested games of tag and blindman's-buff, which they all
enjoyed heartily.
Mr. September tried to read an instructive story aloud, but was
interrupted by Equinox, April Fool, and little All Hallows, who pinned
streamers to his coat tails, covered him with flour, and would not let
him get through a line; at which Mrs. October hugged her tricksy baby,
and laughed until she cried, and Mr. September retired in disgust.
"That is almost too bad," said Mrs. November, as she shook the popper
vigorously in which the corn was popping and snapping merrily; "but,
Thanksgiving, you must not forget to thank your cousins for all they
have done to honor your birthday."
At which the demure little maiden went round to each one, and returned
her thanks in such a charming way it was quite captivating.
Grandmother Year at last began to nod over her tea-cup in the
chimney-corner.
"It is growing late," said Grandpa Time.
"But we must have a Virginia Reel before we go," said Mr. December.
"Oh yes, yes!" cried all the children.
Merry Christmas played a lively air on the piano, and old and young took
their positions on the polished floor, with grandpa and grandma at the
head.
Midsummer danced with Happy New Year, June's Commencement with August's
Holiday, Leap Year with May Day, and all "went merry as a marriage
bell."
The fun was at its height, when suddenly the clock in the corner struck
twelve. Grandma Year motioned all to stop; and Grandfather Time, bowing
his head, said, softly, "Hark! my children, Thanksgiving-day is ended."
[Illustration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX]
ROUND LAKE, HALIBURTON.
My sister and brother wrote a letter to YOUNG PEOPLE, and I want to
write one too. I am ten years old, and my sister Nettie is seven.
She can read better than I can, but I write the best.
This is a very wild country, and very cold. We have nearly a foot
of snow here, although it is only the 20th of October. We hear the
wolves howl, and we get lots of deer. My brother has quite a
number of horns, which are very pretty to hang on the wall.
We are sixteen miles from the Post-office, and we get our papers
only every two or three weeks. We like YOUNG PEOPLE very much.
Mamma makes out all the puzzles and enigmas, and we love to read
the stories. We are very grateful to the kind gentleman in New
York who sends it to my sister. He comes here every fall with some
other gentlemen to hunt, and that is the only time in the whole
year when we see many people. We have no little girls to play
with, for our nearest neighbor, who lives six miles away, is an
old man seventy years old, who lives all alone. Twelve miles away
there is one more family, but we have to cross three lakes to get
there. They have two little girls. They had three, but the oldest
one went out in a boat about three weeks ago, and was drowned. We
were very sorry to hear of it.
I have a loon's egg, and I can get a gull's eggs, and if Harry F.
Haines, who asked for those eggs, will send me a doll in return, I
will send him the eggs, together with some pretty moss which grows
on the rocks in Muskoka, near where we live.
AGNES R. LOCKMAN, Dorset P. O.,
Muskoka District, Ontario, Canada.
* * * * *
WEBSTER, MASSACHUSETTS.
I have two little sisters. The youngest is not named yet. I go to
school, and am in the Second Reader. I know the table, two and
three, and up to twelve. I enjoy reading YOUNG PEOPLE. Please
excuse this letter, because it is the first time I ever did try to
write with a pen and ink.
MABEL.
* * * * *
PUEBLO, COLORADO.
We had a parrot, and I could take him and hug him, and touch his
black tongue, and do anything I wanted to him. He knew when it was
time for our meals, and would eat with us at the table. He was very
fond of butter. He would walk all around the fence, and would go to
the kitchen door to get in if the sitting-room door was shut. When
Polly Parrot was walking along the floor, pussy would run after
him, and pat his tail, which made Polly angry.
ELEANOR MCG.
* * * * *
WARSAW, INDIANA.
My brother has taken YOUNG PEOPLE ever since it started, and now we
could hardly do without it. I like "Who was Paul Grayson?" best of
all the stories.
We have a juvenile band here, and we can play some very fine
music. We have a drum-major and all, and when we parade we look
something like the picture "Sons of the Brave." The band consists
of fourteen boys, all about the same size and age.
LOGAN H. W.
* * * * *
PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA.
I am seven years old. I have a very pretty rooster. I wish some
little girl would name him for me.
I think the story about Coachy was very pretty. My sister Allie
has a hen like Coachy.
JOHNNY B.
* * * * *
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.
I am a little boy not quite nine years old. I take YOUNG PEOPLE,
and like it a great deal better than any paper I have ever seen. I
have a pair of pigeons, which are very tame. I expect soon to get a
guinea-pig from Charlottetown. I get my paper from Halifax.
F. R. S.
* * * * *
NEW YORK CITY.
I am six and a half years old. I live in Cranberry, New Jersey, but
I am on a visit to my papa now. He has sent me YOUNG PEOPLE ever
since it was published. I have wanted to write to the Post-office
Box for a long time, and I have at last coaxed papa to do so for
me, as I can not write very well yet, although I am fast learning.
I have two dogs at home, one black and tan named Gyp, which papa
says is older than I am, and a hound named Juno. I also have a cat
named Pinkie, who does not love my dogs as well as I do YOUNG
PEOPLE. I save all my papers to send to a hospital, where they
will amuse some poor sick boy or girl.
"PICKIE" VAN H.
* * * * *
BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA.
I read in the Post-office Box a request from Roscoe E. E. for
information about the cotton plant.
I live five miles from Beaufort. Cotton is planted here every
year. If they are in good soil the plants are usually four or five
feet high. Marsh grass, which grows between the salt creeks, is
sometimes used as a fertilizer for "Sea Island" cotton, which is
the only kind raised here. This fertilizer makes it grow broad and
tall. My father had some cotton once that was from six to eight
feet high, and the branches bore from twelve to sixteen pods. It
grew on what we call salt ground.
Cotton is planted in March and April. It begins to blossom about
the 1st of June. The flowers are pale yellow when they first open,
but become reddish after the first day. The picking of cotton is
begun in August, and is continued until the first frost, which
comes about the middle of November.
A. L. H.
* * * * *
WASHINGTON, D. C.
I have been taking YOUNG PEOPLE since it was first published. The
first thing I do on Tuesday morning when I get out of bed is to
look for the letter-carrier, who brings my paper. Then mamma reads
it to me until school-time. And at night when I go to bed she reads
me to sleep with it. I like the stories very much, but the one I
like best is "The Moral Pirates." My papa and mamma like the paper
very much too, and often at night they try to work out the puzzles.
Sometimes they find them out, and sometimes they don't. I can not
read or write yet, but I hope I shall take YOUNG PEOPLE until I am
old enough to read it myself.
H. E. W.
* * * * *
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.
I wish Jimmy Brown would have a story in every number of YOUNG
PEOPLE. Mamma reads to us about that queer Mr. Martin, and laughs
till the tears roll down her cheeks. If the Post-office Box knows
Jimmy, I would like to tell him that I am very sorry for him.
ARTHUR W.
* * * * *
The following verses are from a young correspondent:
MY FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY.
I've grown to be a great, great girl,
I'm eight years old to-day.
Ted says I'm only a baby,
And have too much to say.
Brother Ted don't know everything,
If he _is_ twelve years old;
He thinks he's nearly a man now,
'Cause his watch is real gold.
I'm going to have a party,
We'll have ice-cream and cake;
There is no end to the nice things
My dear mamma did bake.
Then we shall have nice music,
Uncle John is going to play;
He sent me a wreath of flowers,
Just like the Queen of May.
And we shall play all kind of games,
And maybe I'll catch some beaux,
For sister Kate always says that
When to parties _she_ goes.
There goes the bell, some one has come;
No--a large box for me;
Why, it's just the sweetest wax doll
That ever I did see.
J. V.
* * * * *
NEW YORK CITY.
If Georgie G. S., of Dubuque, Iowa, will put a handful of clean
white pebbles and five or six clean sea-shells in her globe, the
gold-fish are more likely to keep healthy. The water should be
changed every day.
VANDERBILT O.
* * * * *
CHAMPION, NEW YORK.
I like YOUNG PEOPLE very much, especially the stories of "The Moral
Pirates," and "Who was Paul Grayson?" I have no pets except a
little dog I call Watch. We have had a snow-storm here (October
24). I am thirteen years old.
WARREN B.
I am eleven years old, and I have fourteen dolls. I have a little
kitten for a pet. I call it Bob Short because it is a rabbit
kitten, and hasn't any tail.
My cousin sent YOUNG PEOPLE to my brother Warren and myself as a
present for two years, and we think she is very kind.
EVA E. B.
* * * * *
PLATTE CITY, MISSOURI.
I wish to notify my little friends that I can not send them any
more samples of crochet trimming. I have no time now to make it, as
I am going to school and taking music lessons. I have received a
great many requests, and I can not possibly get time to crochet
enough to answer them all.
GRACIE MEADS.
* * * * *
I like YOUNG PEOPLE very much. I think it is a very useful paper. I
live on Big Sandy Creek near the railroad, six miles from any
neighbor. There are antelopes, buffaloes, wolves, wild-cats,
rabbits, owls, and eagles here. There are also some splendid
specimens. I have some bullion out of a mine at Leadville, also
some petrified wood, topaz, moss-agate, and other things. I sent
"Wee Tot" some specimens of wild flowers and grasses, and if she
will send me some ocean curiosities I will be much pleased, and
will send her some of my specimens. I will also exchange some of
them with any little girl or boy for ocean curiosities.
CLARA F. R. SWIFT,
Aroya Station, Colorado, K. P. R. R.
* * * * *
I can never thank my grandfather too much for subscribing for this
delightful little paper for me.
Here is a recipe for keeping barberries and mountain ash for
Christmas decorations. Fill a large jar with a strong solution of
salt and water--cooking salt is best. Put the berries in the
brine, and cork it. It need not be air-tight.
I have three hundred and sixty-four postage stamps, and have
exchanged successfully with many of the boys and a few of the
girls. I have now some white moss which came from Muskosh Mills, a
little village on an island in the Muskoka River, which I would
gladly exchange for curiosities from the ocean or the far South.
W. C. V. CHADWICK,
44 St. George Street, Toronto, Canada.
The correspondents you inquire about have probably sent you sufficient
address, and you would better try the experiment of answering them. If
they do not receive the letters, it will not be from any fault of yours.
* * * * *
I would like to exchange foreign and United States postage stamps
and postmarks with any of the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE.
ALFRED C. P. OPDYKE, Hotel Bristol,
Corner Forty-second Street and Fifth Avenue,
New York City.
* * * * *
I would like to exchange minerals for stamps, postmarks, seeds,
shells, stones, or any other thing worth putting in a museum. I
wish to get a collection of flints from every State and from
Canada, and I will send a stone from Virginia in exchange. I will
also exchange postmarks for others. I have some from England,
Canada, and nearly every State.
H. H. TUCKER, Box 75, Richmond, Virginia.
* * * * *
I have a small collection of stamps, and would like to exchange. I
will also exchange a stone from Pennsylvania or from Caen, France,
for others from different States.
ALFRED W. STOCKETT,
P. O. Box 119, Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania.
* * * * *
I am collecting curiosities, and would be happy to exchange with
any correspondent. I have about one hundred and fifty varieties of
birds' eggs. I would be glad to supply any one with a list of the
eggs of Canada.
J. F. WELLS,
Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada.
* * * * *
I would like to exchange postmarks, minerals, fossils, birds' eggs,
or coins with any of the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE for minerals,
fossils, coins, birds' eggs, or shells. I very much desire to
obtain specimens from foreign countries.
FRANK H. LATTIN,
Gaines, Orleans County, New York.
* * * * *
I have a large number of stamps and rare postmarks, and would like
very much to exchange with readers of this paper.
A. W. MORSE, Cheltenham Academy,
P. O. Shoemakertown, Pennsylvania.
* * * * *
I want to tell you about my collection. It consists of an Indian
mortar, an Indian axe and hatchet, a large number of arrow-heads, a
nail from "Old Fort Massac," a French bullet weighing an ounce, and
a piece of a French sword. I have also a fine collection of
minerals, and I would like to exchange some specimens of purple
spar for copper ore, crystallized quartz, or shells.
WILLIE B. MORRIS,
Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Illinois.
* * * * *
I would like to exchange postage stamps for birds' eggs.
Correspondents will please state the kind of eggs they have to
exchange, and the varieties of stamps they wish in return. I have
over one thousand stamps in my collection.
FRANK MADISON, 206 Stockton Street,
San Francisco, California.
* * * * *
We are making a collection of postmarks and stamps, wood, minerals,
pressed leaves and ferns, and the soil of different States and
countries, and will exchange any of these things with other boys or
girls. We will also exchange flower seeds or slips for ocean
curiosities or Indian relics.
MARY, LEWIS, MINNIE,
Care of E. M. Frazier, Lock Box No. 12,
Caldwell, Noble County, Ohio.
* * * * *
I will be very glad to exchange foreign postage stamps with any
readers of YOUNG PEOPLE. Correspondents will please send a list of
their stamps for exchange.
O. L. WELCH,
40 Bank Street, New York City.
* * * * *
I live on the San Jacinto River. My papa has a plantation on the
Trinity. He has a plum orchard, and we go up there and eat plums.
Mamma is going up there to preserve some. I am collecting snail
shells. I have about four hundred.
I would like to exchange birds' eggs or postage stamps with any
little boy or girl. I am nine years old.
PEARL A. HARE,
Lynchburg, Harris County, Texas.
* * * * *
I have stamps from Venezuela and Curaçao I wish to exchange for
others.
CHARLES DE SOLA, care of B. De Sola,
23 William Street, New York City.
* * * * *
I will exchange twenty-five kinds of postmarks from Georgia for
twenty-five kinds from any other State. I will also exchange
foreign stamps for their equivalent value in birds' eggs, shells,
minerals, curiosities of all kinds, or for other stamps.
LOUIS J. BRUMLY,
P. O. Box 126, Athens, Georgia.
* * * * *
I will exchange postmarks and French stamps for any American and
European stamps except English and Canadian. To any one who will
send me ten stamps, all different, I will send by return mail
twenty postmarks.
WILLIE GURNETT,
Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada.
* * * * *
I live near Niagara Falls. I have a white pony. She is very gentle,
and can do a great many tricks. She will lie down and let me get on
her back.
I take YOUNG PEOPLE, and like it so much I can hardly wait from
one week till the next for it. I would like to exchange specimens
of rock from Niagara Falls for shells or sea-weed. I would also
like to exchange coins. I am eleven years of age.
HARRY SYMMES,
The Grove, Drummondville,
Near Niagara Falls, Canada.
* * * * *