again to Our Post-office Box. She thinks it may be a case of PXP=P
(see YOUNG PEOPLE No. 73), for this is my third letter, and I
haven't seen any in print yet. I am almost nine years old. I am
very much interested in Toby Tyler. I hope he will get home all
right, and that his uncle will give him all he can eat. I read
YOUNG PEOPLE out loud to mamma and grandma. I have a little sister
Georgie.
PET W.
* * * * *
NEAR PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.
I wrote a long time ago to Our Post-office Box, but my letter
wasn't printed; but mamma always says, "If at first you don't
succeed, try, try again." If we lived in some distant place I could
write a more interesting letter, although our hills are never
without interest.
Three of us children can read "Toby Tyler," and when we saw the
picture of him running away with his monkey, we all gave a shout.
We hope Mr. Otis will keep on writing about Toby Tyler until he
gets to be a man, so we will know all about him. I am glad he got
away, because he is not a bad boy; but he might grow up to be one
if he staid with the circus.
MARY P.
* * * * *
I will exchange some madrone berries, a piece of manzanita wood and
bark, and a few sugar-pine nuts, for ocean curiosities.
The manzanita is a shrub. It sometimes grows to the height of ten
or twelve feet, but is generally about five feet high. It has
small pink and white blossoms, and the berries, when ripe, are
very sweet, like sugar. The bark is very thin, and is red. The
wood is red when dry.
The madrone is a tree. It has small white blossoms, and in the
autumn it has bright red berries. It is an evergreen.
ELVA C. WHEELER,
Grant's Pass, Jackson Co., Oregon.
* * * * *
I am a little Dutch girl, and an orphan. I live with my
grandmother, who is very kind to me. I am a cousin to the little
Lockman girls, who wrote to YOUNG PEOPLE from Muskoka, and who lost
their brother last winter. They are here on a visit. They were very
glad to come, after living there in the backwoods so long.
I am making a silk quilt, and I would like to exchange pieces with
any of the little girls who take YOUNG PEOPLE.
ANNIE SHUPE,
Mohawk, Brant Co., Ontario, Canada.
* * * * *
We wish to tell the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE about a pet we have in
our house, and they must guess what it is. Our pet is quite large.
It has four legs, but it can not walk. It affords us a great deal
of pleasure, and occupies a great deal of our time, although it
sometimes gets badly out of order--so bad that we have to send for
a man, who only attends to such patients as our pet, to come and
put it right again.
Please, Mr. Editor, don't tell any one, but our pet is our -i-n-.
We will exchange a stone from Iowa, for one from any other State.
IRIS AND MYRTLE BROCKWAY,
Concord, Hancock Co., Iowa.
* * * * *
Some time ago I received a letter containing four stamps from a boy
who wished gold ore in return. I have lost his address, and wish he
would be so kind as to send it to me again.
DWIGHT MARFIELD,
Circleville, Pickaway Co., Ohio.
So many boys and girls are in trouble on account of losing addresses
that we would advise them to procure a small blank-book, and write down
names, addresses, and what has been sent by that particular
correspondent. This entry should be made as soon as the letter is
received. When it is answered, make a little mark against it with a blue
pencil, which will show you that it has been duly noticed. A little care
of this kind will save you a great deal of trouble, and assist you in
forming methodical habits, which will be of service to you when you are
men and women, and have more important business to attend to. Here is a
letter from another correspondent whose affairs are evidently in
confusion:
All children who have written or sent boxes to me, and have
received no answer, will please write again.
DELLIE PORTER, Russellville, Logan Co., Ky.
* * * * *
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.
I regret to say that sickness has caused me to delay answering many
postals for the exchange of curiosities. I am now sending off what
I have, and as I will go to Hot Springs again this summer, I will
get what I can for my new friends.
W. H. HOWLAND.
* * * * *
As my supply of amethyst is exhausted, I can not make any more
exchanges. I have received a little box of stamps, which I will
return if the sender will forward me his or her address.
HARLOW C. CLARKE, Hastings, Minn.
* * * * *
The following exchanges are offered by correspondents:
Florida moss and Indiana postmarks, for foreign coins or Indian
arrow-heads.
CHARLIE BEEMER,
P. O. Box 395, Muncie, Delaware Co., Ind.
* * * * *
Twenty-five postmarks, for three foreign stamps.
FRANK F. BUTZON,
Watseka, Iroquois Co., Ill.
* * * * *
Five postmarks for every foreign stamp, European excepted.
H. D. BATES,
Care of R. B. Bates, Racine, Wis.
* * * * *
An ounce of soil from Indiana, for the same from any other State.
HARRY D. BAUGH,
718 Walnut Street, Evansville, Ind.
* * * * *
Seven New England postmarks (no duplicates), for 2-1/2 p. claret
and 4 p. blue Dominica stamps, of the issue of 1880.
JOHN R. BLAKE,
26 West Nineteenth Street, New York City.
* * * * *
Stamps from England, France, Greece, Denmark, and the Netherlands,
for Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Turkish, or South American
stamps. Almanacs over one hundred years old, for ocean curiosities
or rare stamps.
JOHN L. BENITZ,
Uniontown, Fayette Co., Penn.
* * * * *
Coins, boxwood, and shells, for coins and curiosities.
HERBERT CARR,
P. O. Box 1112, Brockton, Mass.
* * * * *
Pieces of Hell Gate rock blown up by General Newton's little girl,
two years of age, shells from Fire Island, and postmarks, for
Indian curiosities, specimens of wood, and minerals.
MAUD M. CHAMBERS, Astoria, L. I., N. Y.
* * * * *
Minerals, for minerals, ocean curiosities, or Indian relics.
JAMES D. KEYES,
926 Ninth Street, Des Moines, Iowa.
* * * * *
Zinc or iron ore, some other minerals, or some South American
postage stamps, for curiosities, especially from the ocean.
R. B. KIPP,
13 Grant Street, Newark, N. J.
* * * * *
Minerals, coins, stamps, postmarks, and curiosities.
IRVIN P. KNIPE & BRO., P. O. Box 219,
Morristown, Montgomery Co., Penn.
* * * * *
A collection of three hundred stamps from more than fifty different
countries, for a good velocipede. Each stamp is on the centre of a
white card.
JOHN LAWRENCE,
40 Washington Square, New York City.
* * * * *
A stone from New York State, for one from any other State except
Ohio and Pennsylvania.
C. N. LORD, Smithville, Jefferson County, N. Y.
* * * * *
Foreign stamps and coins, for United States Department and Central
and South American stamps.
JOHN W. LENNOX,
275 Navy Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
* * * * *
An old issue three-cent stamp for a common fifteen-cent. Eight
United States stamps and two foreign, for seven War Department
stamps.
J. H. MONROE,
P. O. Box 208, Guilford, New Haven Co., Conn.
* * * * *
Five postmarks, for one foreign stamp. Three postmarks, for one
United States stamp, old issue. Two United States internal revenue
stamps, for one foreign stamp. A one-cent War Department stamp, for
any other official stamp.
LUTHER AND FRANK MOHR,
Mohrsville, Berks Co., Penn.
* * * * *
Crystals, and hot-house flower cuttings, for sea-shells.
SCHELE DE VERE MCCONNELL,
Center, Cherokee Co., Ala.
* * * * *
Four different postmarks, for one foreign stamp.
SAMUEL K. SMITH,
Mohrsville, Berks Co., Penn.
* * * * *
Four postmarks for each, foreign stamp. Only present issues
desired.
J. W. SIDDALL, JUN.,
213 South Fifth Street, Philadelphia, Penn.
* * * * *
Postmarks, for stamps.
G. R. SIDDALL,
3958 Myrtle Street, Philadelphia, Penn.
* * * * *
Five foreign stamps, for one United States Department stamp. Fifty
foreign stamps, for a two-dollar or five-dollar State Department.
One hundred foreign stamps, for a ten-dollar or twenty-dollar State
Department.
CHARLIE E. STURGISS,
Marietta, Ohio.
* * * * *
Butterflies.
CHARLOTTE WOOD,
Care of J. J. Wood & Co., Columbus, Ohio.
* * * * *
Zinc ore, for foreign postage stamps.
MARY WHITE,
132 East Forty-fifth Street, New York City.
* * * * *
One French or English stamp, for every ten common United States
stamps.
JULIE WICKHAM,
338 Lexington Avenue, New York City.
* * * * *
A few War and Treasury Department stamps, for stamps from China,
Spain, Egypt, and the Argentine Republic.
WILLIE WALKER,
1011 M Street, Northwest, Washington, D. C.
[_For other exchanges, see third page of cover._]
* * * * *
ROBERT C. K.--Your specimen is a piece of bark of the white birch.
* * * * *
EVELYN A. AND ELISABETH DE YONGE.--Your pretty wiggles had so very far
to travel--one all the way from Oregon, and the other across the sea
from Holland--that they arrived too late for insertion. A very graceful
lily introducing the wiggle, drawn by Theodora B, a little invalid girl
of ten years, was also too late in making its appearance.
* * * * *
NEWTON C.--Directions for the care of rabbits have already been given in
YOUNG PEOPLE, in the Post-office Box of Nos. 25, 31, and 54.
* * * * *
ALICE M. AND A. L. D.--Roller skates may be bought or ordered at any
hardware store, or at any place where common skates are sold. The price
varies according to the finish of the skate, but none of them are
expensive. They can only be used on a smooth surface like city
pavements, or a well-made floor.
* * * * *
LISE B.--There is no prettier way of celebrating the festival of May-day
than the old-fashioned English custom of raising a May-pole covered with
wreaths of flowers and green sprays, and choosing a Queen for the day.
In ancient times every village in England observed the May-day pageant.
A sort of bower or arbor was built on the green where the May-pole was
raised, covered all over with flowers, and there the young girl who had
been chosen Queen sat in great state, a wreath of flowers for a crown,
and looked on while her subjects danced and played. It must have been
rather tiresome to sit there and do nothing but look on, while the
others were enjoying themselves with pleasant games, but it was thought
to be a great honor to be chosen Queen, even for a day, especially as it
was always the prettiest girl in the village who was selected.
As we have no Kings or Queens in this country, you might modify the
festival, and when your father takes you and the other little girls out
for your May-day picnic, you can leave out the Queen. Some of the boys
in your party can easily raise a May-pole in some green spot, and you
can decorate it with wreaths and flowers, just as the boys and girls of
England did in the olden time. It will be a very pretty sight, and you
can have your picnic spread around it on the soft grass.
A very pretty effect is sometimes made by tying stout cords to the top
of the pole before it is raised, and covering them with vines, wreaths,
and flowers. Afterward these cords are stretched out on all sides, and
securely fastened to pegs driven into the ground, thus forming a sort of
bower.
If you are fond of archery, you can imitate another old English May-day
custom by playing the game of Robin Hood. The game is too elaborate to
be followed exactly, but you can have bows and arrows and targets, and
by dividing into two parties you can have very pleasant sport in trying
your skill. In England the best archer represented Robin Hood, and the
second best Will Stukely, both renowned men in the old ballads for their
skill in the use of the bow. Then there was Friar Tuck and Maid Marian,
and other characters, about whom you have read in the Robin Hood
legends, who took part in the game; but it would take too much space to
describe them all here, and you can get along just as well without them.
All May-day sports of the olden time were celebrated out-of-doors, and
all had the same general character. Grown people as well as the young
joined in the merry-making, and the whole day was given up to rejoicing
that the reign of winter was over, and the season of soft airs and
beautiful flowers had come again.
* * * * *
We have received a large number of puzzles on topics suited to the
Easter holiday, some of which were excellent, but they all, without
exception, arrived too late for insertion at the proper season. We
accordingly acknowledge them with thanks, and with regrets that we can
not print them.
* * * * *
Z. G. S.--Your stamps of different colors are different issues, the rose
being that of 1868, and the blue of some years previous. If your
stamp-book is large, and allows spaces for these different issues, it is
interesting to keep both.
* * * * *
E. M. W.--Try the recipe for mucilage given in the Post-office Box of
YOUNG PEOPLE No. 68. Spread it first on your stamp, and allow it to dry;
then wet it slightly, and paste the stamp in your book. The leaves
wrinkle because you use too much paste, and wet the paper more than is
necessary.
* * * * *
MURRAY R. U.--Any change you desire will be made, but you must send your
old as well as your new address, and both must be very distinctly
written.
* * * * *
JESSIE A.--Read the answer to Adele M. in the Post-office Box of
HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 36, Vol. I.
* * * * *
ALICE C.--The little foreign girl you inquire about would, we are sure,
prefer leaves pressed and varnished, so as to preserve their color.
* * * * *
E. B. A.--Many thanks for your favor, but as it is not new, we can not
print it.
* * * * *
MAY AND JUNE.--1 and 2, French Republic; 3, German; 4, Sandwich Islands;
5, German (Bavarian). These stamps are all very common, and can be
bought in New York city for a few cents.
* * * * *
NED NEMO.--The address of the editor of the little paper has been
changed, and we do not know the new one.
* * * * *
BELLE AND CARRIE N.--There are so many dialogues and charades that it is
difficult to select for you. It would be good practice for you to follow
the example of Ida B. D., whose letter you will find in the Post-office
Box of No. 63; that is, choose some story you all like, and arrange your
own dialogue. If you have any brothers who could take part, a very
pretty play might be made of "Mildred's Bargain."
* * * * *
A CONSTANT READER, TENNESSEE.--1. Music copied by hand pays letter
postage. 2. Interesting as a curiosity; we do not know its market value.
3. Yes, if genuine. 4. No.
* * * * *
WILLIE F. C., ANNIE L. W., AND OTHERS.--You will find by referring to
_The Life and Career of Major John André_, by Winthrop Sargent
(published by Ticknor & Fields, Boston), that on page 312 it is stated
that on the day preceding André's capture "seven young men, including
Paulding, had agreed to waylay the road in quest of spoil, three of
whom--Isaac Van Wart, David Williams, and John Paulding--kept the
ambush, while four watched from a hill-top lest the light-horse should
come on them unawares." Then, if you turn to page 315, you will find
that when André prayed them to lead him to an American post, they set
forth toward their comrades on the hill, Paulding leading the horse on
which the captive was mounted. As the parties drew together, the guide
informed Yerks, the chief man of the remaining four, of their capture.
* * * * *
Correct answers to puzzles have been received from Claude S. Burr,
Bessie Bolton, Maud M. Chambers, Clara E. Commons, J. I. Crane, R. O.
Chester, Alice C. Hammond, Charles W. Hanner, L. A. Jones, Howard B.
Lent, Beth D. L., "L. U. Stral," Percy McDermott, G. Massa, George M.
McClure, Bessie H. Moore, C. H. Nichols, "Pepper," Torrance Parker,
C. A. Q., Percy Ryan, Herbert M. Rogers, "Sir Finly," Gilbert P.
Salters. John and Alice S., "Starry Flag," John W. Stout, W. I. Trotter,
"Will a Mette."
* * * * *
PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.
No. 1.
ENIGMA.
First in meat, not in bone.
Second in pebble, not in stone.
Third in meal, not in corn.
Fourth in stem, not in thorn.
Fifth in girl, not in boy.
Sixth in hoop, not in toy.
Seventh in paper, not in book.
Eighth in turn, not in crook.
Ninth in youth, not in change.
The whole a noted mountain range.
EUGENE S.
* * * * *
No. 2.
PYRAMID.
Across.--Fifty. A wager. Kindness. A sailor. Down.--One thousand. A note
in music. An obstruction. A boy's name. A weight. A note in music. A
letter.
PEPPER.
* * * * *
No. 3.
NUMERICAL CHARADES.
1. I am a familiar proverb composed of 20 letters.
My 16, 6, 8, 11 is a bird.
My 1, 19, 6, 7, 20 is a man's name.
My 2, 18, 4 is not old.
My 9, 8, 5 is an unruly crowd.
My 10, 17, 13, 3, 14 is refreshing.
My 11, 1, 15, 14 is an insect.
My 12 is a vowel.
G. D. L.
2. I am composed of 10 letters, and am an ancient British Prince who
bravely opposed the Romans for nine years, but was at last defeated,
and carried captive to Rome.
My 1, 2, 3 is a vehicle.
My 4 is a vowel.
My 5, 7, 8, 6, 9, 10 is a plant.
F. B. W.
3. I am composed of 7 letters, and I once caused the death of a
celebrated Greek.
My 1, 2, 3 is to confine.
My 4, 5, 6, 7 is to fasten.
ANNIE B.
4. I am a city in Europe composed of 10 letters.
My 6, 2, 3 is a dance.
My 1, 7, 10 is a tin vessel.
My 6, 4, 5 is in every farm-yard.
My 3, 9, 8 is often used by shoemakers.
DAMON AND PYTHIAS.
* * * * *
ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 75.
No. 1.
Across.--1. Nail. 2. Nest 3. Yawn. 4. Love. 5. Lone. 6. Ague. 7. Lane.
8. Sate. 9. Many. 10. Lord. Zigzags.--New England.
No. 2.
O N T A R I O
N O I S E S
T I M I D
A S I A
R E D
I S
O
No. 3.
Z U N I
U R E S
N E V A
I S A R
No. 4.
E ccentri C
M ement O
E ntertai N
R hetori C
S tucc O
O sca R
N aia D
Emerson, Concord.
No. 5.
Panther.
HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE.
SINGLE COPIES, 4 cents; ONE SUBSCRIPTION, one year, $1.50; FIVE
SUBSCRIPTIONS, one year, $7.00--_payable in advance, postage free_.
The Volumes of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE commence with the first Number in
November of each year.
Subscriptions may begin with any Number. When no time is specified, it
will be understood that the subscriber desires to commence with the
Number issued after the receipt of the order.
Remittances should be made by POST-OFFICE MONEY-ORDER OR DRAFT, to avoid
risk of loss.
HARPER & BROTHERS,
Franklin Square, N. Y.
[Illustration: MAKING WILLOW WHISTLES.]
MIRTHFUL MAGIC.
BY G. B. BARTLETT.
MIND-READING.
This curious trick, like most good ones, is very simple in plan,
although some skill is required to perform it well. After a few learned
remarks on the occult science of mind-reading, the performer requests
each person in the room to write a word or short sentence on a slip of
paper, and to place it in a hat which stands on the table. He then takes
his seat behind the hat, and draws out one of the papers, and presses it
against his forehead, covering it from view with the fingers of each
hand, which touch each other. After anxious thought, he reads it, and
proceeds to draw and read aloud each slip in turn, laying each one on
the table behind the hat, until all have been taken out, when they are
handed together to the company for examination.
This trick, when well performed, causes the greatest surprise and
astonishment, and its manner of performance was for a long time kept
secret. It consists in inventing a word for the first slip, and glancing
at its true contents when laid on the table behind the hat. The words on
the first paper are read for the second, which is glanced at also, and
its contents read for the third, and so on until the last one has been
placed on the forehead, in removing which it is concealed in the hand
and dropped into a side pocket, or mixed with the rest, which are seldom
examined carefully enough to discover its absence or that of the
contents of the first slip.
This very easy and effective trick may be of use in showing the young
how easy it is for seeming impossibilities to be performed, and thus to
put them on their guard against being too easily deceived by the
evidence of their own senses, or trusting too much to the skill of
pretenders who promise to foretell future events, of which neither they
nor their hearers can have the least knowledge.
[Illustration]
IS HE ON THE STREET OR IN A SKATING RINK?
THAT IS WHAT THIS OLD GENTLEMAN WILL WANT TO KNOW IN ANOTHER SECOND.
End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, April 26, 1881, by Various