Milly, and then she came up to me in the parlor, saying that we were all
to slip up to the attic, where they were rehearsing a little play
intended for a surprise to Cousin Mary and Cousin Henry on their wedding
anniversary. The elder sisters, Kate and Mary, were in it as well, and
we found them in the attic, lighting it up, and putting away some of the
costumes. That attic seemed to me a wonderful place: it extended over
the entire house, and the roof was higher than in most attics, for it
had been built with a view to being a play-room, long ago, when Kate and
Mary Ludlow were small. At one end a temporary stage was erected, and
preparations made for the curtains at either side and in front. All the
final work was to be done the day before the performance. As soon as we
were in the attic, Mr. Ludlow suggested that some part should be found
for me. Kate Ludlow had written the play, and there was a part adapted
specially for each person; but she very good-naturedly told her uncle
(young as he was, he was her uncle) that she would insert something for
me. I was fluttered with delight, and had sufficient confidence in
myself to feel sure it would be an easy matter to perform with credit to
all concerned. The story of the play was a domestic one. Kate introduced
a part for me with Jessie Price--a dialogue between two friends of the
heroine, rather artfully contrived to give me something to do, and at
the same time work out the plot. Jessie acted very badly, so that my
awkwardness showed the less, and I was rather well satisfied with the
prospect, and wildly delighted by the idea of wearing one of Kate's
longest silk gowns, and a white bonnet with a yellow bird in it.
We spent a merry enough hour in the attic, and were summoned there the
next morning and evening. All this time the novelty of town life, the
fascination of the theatricals, the talks with girls like the Prices,
filled me with a sort of intoxication of delight. Sometimes I used to
find Mr. Ludlow watching me very closely; sometimes I half fancied he
looked disapprovingly at some of my manners and my remarks; but I was
too full of self-conceit to think he could really find fault with
anything about me. It was all so delightful: the little councils in the
attic, sometimes about the acting, sometimes about the dresses; then, as
the day approached, the innumerable suggestions for "stage effects." We
were always scampering up there for this and that, and the fact of
concealing our purpose from Cousin Mary lent a new zest to our delight.
Now all this time I could not help feeling what a strong influence Mr.
Ludlow was in the little circle: with all his fun and good-humor, he had
a certain dignity which made people turn to him with a peculiar respect.
If ever I felt abashed, it was when I met his grave kindly glance; if
ever I stopped for an instant's criticism of my silly selfish self, it
was when I thought of what he would think of me. The secret of it was
that with all his love of honest fun and pleasure, he had higher lights:
he was seeking something of which I had never thought; he had a purpose
in his life which dignified it, so that in his lightest moments I felt
that his influence was a strong and serious one. At times he encouraged
me to talk to him, and I was startled one day by overhearing him say to
Kate, "I think you don't do Ruth justice; I believe there is more in her
than that."
I fancied directly that this referred to my acting, and the only result
was an increase of effort when it came my turn to appear at the
rehearsals.
The morning of the eventful day arrived. It had been agreed that we were
to marshal our forces at ten o'clock in the attic, and all help in the
adjustment of curtains, seats, lights, etc. It was a time of intense
fascination. We girls talked and laughed gayly, enjoying everything; and
I can hear now the sound of the hammer as Mr. Ludlow nailed up this and
that; the creaking of the boards as we ran across them before the
druggeting was tacked down; the voices of one and another asking
questions, offering advice, expostulating, criticising: it was a most
enjoyable morning. We had a luncheon sent up to us in the attic, and I
think that was the best of all; it was like a picnic, except that there
were hot dishes, and a servant to run up and down. There was to be a
dance after the play, and a supper; but that luncheon seemed to me a far
more delightful banquet than the one to be spread that evening in the
beautiful dining-room down stairs. Yet in my mind I kept anticipating
the glories of the evening, the dress I was to wear, my speeches, the
whole effect, finally the dance, with a real band of musicians, and the
supper, at which we young people were to have a table all to ourselves.
By three o'clock our luncheon was over, and Kate, who was arranging the
stage for the first scene, found she needed a book which was in the
parlor. She turned to me. "Come, Ruth," she said, a little sharply, "you
are doing nothing. Will you run down and get me that big book on the
parlor table?"
I assented willingly enough, and ran down the four flights of stairs,
scarcely thinking what I was doing, until I reached the parlor. I was
just going into the room, my hand was on the handle of the door, when I
saw through the glass of the front door the postman's figure outside.
Even now I can see the street with its covering of snow, the wide heavy
doorway, the dim hall with the winding staircase at the back, and I can
picture in fancy my own girlish figure standing there, not knowing that
one of the most important moments of my life had come. The postman
dropped a big letter into the box. I went forward, and taking it up, was
pleased to find on it papa's handwriting addressed to me. No one was
about the hall, the parlor into which I hurried was equally desolate,
and I sat down to read my letter before going up with the book Kate
wanted.
[Illustration: RUTH READING HER LETTER.--DRAWN BY E. A. ABBEY.]
I opened my letter with feverish haste, but the first glance dashed my
good spirits. I read the few lines with a sinking heart, and I can
almost see them now hurriedly traced across a bit of paper:
"MY DEAR LITTLE GIRL,--You will know that I feel very sorry to cut
short your visit, but Winny is not well, and Joe is ailing, and I
am afraid you must come home at once. You will get this letter
about three o'clock on Tuesday, and Mr. Barlow is coming up from
New York on the six-o'clock train; so if Cousin Mary will see you
safely to the dépôt, Mr. B. will look out for you.
"In haste, your loving
FATHER."
For a moment I sat still in the big arm-chair, staring at the letter,
not realizing just what it meant. Then I glanced at the clock. Yes, it
was only half past three. There was time to say good-by to them all, and
get down to the dépôt long before six; and as I said this mechanically
to myself, I burst into tears--selfish tears, I regret to say; tears not
for Winny and Joe at home, but for my great disappointment. It was
while I was crying that I began to think it would not really be
_necessary_ for me to go--no one knew of papa's letter; why need I tell
them until tomorrow? Surely twenty-four hours more or less could make no
difference. Winny would be the last person in the world to wish to spoil
my pleasure this way; and then she could not be _very_ ill, or papa
would have said so. There was Hester, our old nurse, always ready to
come up from the village when she was needed. As the temptation to
conceal my letter and disobey papa came upon me, I grew more sharply
conscious of everything around me. The fire burned more brightly, the
ticking of the clock seemed louder, and the snow-flakes fell against the
windows of the long room whiter and softer. Five minutes of selfish
reasoning passed, and then I had begun to see in myself only an injured
and reasoning person. I would wait until the morning.
With this decision, I crushed the letter into my pocket, seized the book
Kate wanted, and hurried out into the hall. But I never shall forget how
like a watched and guilty being I felt. The stairs looked shadowy; I
almost longed for courage to go into the attic, read them all my letter,
and say good-by; but the first sight of the gay little company, the
mimic stage, Milly seated on a ladder sewing curtain-rings, Jessie Price
trailing up and down the "boards" rehearsing her part, Kate and Mary and
Mr. Ludlow arranging candles, dispelled my conscience-pricks; it was too
fascinating to be left.
Milly looked up from her sewing. "Well," she exclaimed, "what has kept
you down stairs so long, Ruth?"
I felt confused, but tried to answer carelessly: "Oh, I was in the
parlor."
Mr. Ludlow turned around suddenly. "Why, was that Ruth's voice?" he
exclaimed.
I felt my cheeks flame, but I laughed, a little defiantly.
"Certainly, sir," I answered. And then Mr. Ludlow looked at me gravely
for a moment, but said no more.
"Here, Ruthie," Kate said, "go and find that other red curtain, will
you, like a dear?"
I was searching for it behind the scenes, when I heard the voices
outside discussing some expected letters. Then Mr. Ludlow called out,
"Ruth, did the postman come while you were down stairs?"
For an instant my heart beat so wildly that I could not speak; but one
idea possessed me: I must not admit to having received papa's letter.
All my moral courage fled, and scarcely knowing what it was that I was
saying, I answered, "No, sir."
There was a silence which it seemed to me I could not endure. Everything
seemed to stand still. I had told my first and last lie, and the words
burned my tongue. I had found the curtain, but I had no power to move.
Finally I roused myself, and rejoined the others. Their voices rose and
fell; they were laughing over some joke of Mr. Ludlow's; but to me
everything was changed.
[TO BE CONTINUED.]
[Illustration: WILD BABES OF THE WOOD.--DRAWN BY DANIEL C. BEARD.]
[Illustration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX.]
YELM, THURSTON COUNTY, WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
I am a little boy not quite seven years old. I can read YOUNG
PEOPLE, and have been a subscriber to it since the nineteenth
number. I am delighted with it, and, as I told my papa to-day, wish
it were a _daily_ paper. I too like "Toby Tyler" and "Phil's
Fairies" best of all the stories, though I am interested in
everything in it, especially the Post-office Box. Although I can
read YOUNG PEOPLE quite well, I can not write, so I have got my
papa to write this for me.
My home is on the Yelm, the Indian name for a beautiful prairie in
Washington Territory. From our house we have a splendid view of
the Cascade Range; and of its grand snow peak, Mount Rainier. It
is forty miles distant "as the crow flies," yet so clear and pure
is the atmosphere (except in our "rainy season") it seems scarcely
a third of that distance from the observer looking at it, for the
first time. Rainier was no doubt once an active volcano. Several
years ago two adventurous travellers climbed to the summit, and
spent a night there, having been unable to ascend and return to
the base of the mountain in one day. They found an ancient crater,
and warmed their benumbed limbs by the small jets of hot vapor
they found rising from one side of the crater. Smoke and steam are
sometimes seen rising from the summit, and this has occurred quite
frequently during the present season. After rising some distance
above the summit, the vapor condenses partially sometimes, and
forms a great cloud that for a time conceals the summit; at other
times the vapor hangs above the mountain-top like an immense
inverted bowl or Chinese hat; and again it is blown rapidly away
by strong winds. My papa calls Rainier a great, natural barometer,
as when it emits vapor that condenses in clouds about its summit
it almost surely indicates "falling weather" within two or three
days. The Indian name for Rainier is Tach-homa, the meaning of
which I do not know. Some of the Indians are very superstitious
about Rainier--will not hunt the mountain sheep far up the
snow-line, and think its summit is the abode of an evil spirit.
I would like to inform the little boy in Ohio who boasted of his
early chickens, hatched March 28, and Fred D. M., of New York,
whose ten chickens were hatched on the 11th of March, that I have
a hen that hatched twelve chickens on the 21st of _January_. I
raised them all, and the pullets (Cochins) are now--June 2--almost
as large as common hens. The little chicks sometimes scampered
over the snow-crust in February when wandering from their home in
the wood-shed.
I do not know whether Mr. Editor will think my letter worthy a
place in the Post-office Box, but I have derived so much pleasure
from what I have each week read there that I felt like attempting
something for its columns.
HARRY S. V. T.
* * * * *
COLCHESTER, VERMONT.
I go to school, and we have an exercise of spelling the school
down. We also speak pieces. I have been at school four terms, and
have not missed a day. I like YOUNG PEOPLE very much. I think "Toby
Tyler," "Mildred's Bargain," and "Susie Kingman's Decision" all
just splendid. I live on a farm a little way from Lake Champlain,
and it is very pleasant here. We went boating a few weeks ago. My
little cousin, two years old, was up from Burlington, and she
thought it a treat to play in the sand and water. I have a little
sister who is seven years old, and I am nine.
C. S. F.
* * * * *
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA.
I have one bound volume of YOUNG PEOPLE with my name on it. The
next is to be sister's. We have read almost all the stories, but I
have not read any that I liked so well as "Toby Tyler." I want to
see the end of "The Cruise of the 'Ghost.'"
I have a little fox. He will eat almost anything, but prefers raw
lamb. I love him dearly. He follows me around. I am nine years
old.
GEORGE H. H.
* * * * *
BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
I do not take HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, but my cousin, who is making a
long visit here, does, and I like it very much. I want to tell you
about a dog I had last summer. As soon as you began to scold him,
he would sit down and look up at you so pitifully, and put first
one paw up and then the other, as though he were begging you to
stop. His name was Sam, and he was such a good dog! He is dead now.
I am eleven years old, and I have a cat that is ten, and looks just
like a tiger. I hope you will print this, for I have never seen any
of my letters in print. Please tell me if you let others than
subscribers write and send "Wiggles."
DAISY.
All little readers, whether they are subscribers or not, may send
"Wiggles," and write to the Post-office Box.
* * * * *
ATHENS, ALABAMA.
I have never written very many letters, but then I am only eight
years old. When my grandfather was in Washington as a Senator, my
letters were a source of great amusement to him, and he made a very
prompt correspondent. The story of "Toby Tyler" was a fine thing. I
was sorry when it ended. I have a lot of pets, and a splendid
little garden that I cultivate myself. Tom McClellan, my cousin and
constant companion, has gone to the country, and I am lonesome. My
pony's name is Ribbon. I have six geese, fifteen chickens, and one
pig. My dog is dead. I am your champion friend.
WILLIE S. P.
* * * * *
LEBANON, MISSOURI.
I am a little girl eight years old. My sister and I have taken
HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE ever since the eighth number was printed, and
we like it very much. Our school closed last week with an
exhibition. We had a piece called the "Union Tea Party." Columbia,
Uncle Sam, and Brother Jonathan received the States, Territories,
and Boys from the West. All were dressed in costume, each wearing a
sash with the name of the State upon it, and carrying a flag. Each
brought an offering to Mother Columbia. My sister, dressed as a
Quaker, was Pennsylvania, and I was Rhode Island, and dressed like
a Dutch girl.
The fourteen-year locusts are here, and I wish you could listen to
them calling "Phar-a-oh! Phar-a-oh!" It sounds as if a thousand
toads were singing all at once.
Papa magnified some of the eggs, and they looked larger than
grains of rice. He covered one of his fine trees with mosquito net
to keep them from it.
I have caught some locusts, and if any of the readers of YOUNG
PEOPLE want a pair, I will send them, if they will give me
something in return from their home. I send the editor a little
box with some split twigs and two locusts in it.
NETTA SERL.
* * * * *
CROW AGENCY, MONTANA TERRITORY.
I have taken YOUNG PEOPLE ever since it was published. My aunt
Georgia sends it to me from my old home in Columbus, Ohio. I like
"Toby Tyler" the best of all the stories yet. My papa is the
physician here, and when the camp is in, there are about
thirty-five hundred Indians here. It was as good as a circus to see
the Indians receive their annuities, May 11. On this occasion you
might see three Indians riding the same pony; and some chiefs would
tell of their brave deeds, such as killing a Sioux, or stealing
horses from their enemies. The other day I saw a young bear at the
trader's store; one of the Indians had brought him in. The Crows
call my papa Ech-bar-rei, which means Doctor. I often play ball
with the little Indians. There are six white children at this
agency besides myself. We see the mountains covered with snow the
year around.
HARRY W.
We hope the boys who have no little Indians to play ball with will try
not to be envious of Harry.
* * * * *
DANVILLE, ILLINOIS.
I saw in YOUNG PEOPLE that there is a prospect of a Natural History
Society. I am very much in favor of this, and I hope it will
succeed. I would like to know if those who do not take YOUNG PEOPLE
can become members. I have a friend who does not take it, but she
reads mine whenever she comes to see me, which visit occurs every
other evening, I going to see her on other days. If the society is
formed, every member should possess a book on natural history;
also, if the reports were printed in a special department, it would
be very nice.
GRACIE B.
* * * * *
EVANS' MILLS, NEW YORK.
I am in favor of having a Natural History Society, not to contain
more than one hundred members, none to be admitted under ten or
over fifteen. I think there should be no initiation fee, but
members should pay ten cents each month for the purpose of buying
books. I have a book which treats of animals, birds, insects, and
fish.
MADISON C., JUN.
* * * * *
BREMEN, INDIANA.
I am in favor of the Natural History Society proposed in No. 83 of
HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, but I have no suggestions to make. I will be
very glad to hear from others on the subject.
EDDIE M. W.
* * * * *
WINONA, MINNESOTA.
I was very much pleased with the letter from the president of the
Young Chemists' Club. I am interested in entomology, and I hope
that the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE will organize a Natural History
Society. I propose the following plan. Let a number of boys and
girls living in the same neighborhood meet together, adopt a
constitution, and elect officers. Each society thus formed might
send its address to the editor of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, and as he
is a very obliging gentleman, I think he would publish them for us.
C. E. P.
* * * * *
WARWICK, PENNSYLVANIA.
I think the idea advanced by Charles H. Williamson is a splendid
one, and in so widely circulated a publication as YOUNG PEOPLE,
correspondence could be obtained from all parts of the world, and a
great deal of useful knowledge might be gained.
E. G. K.
* * * * *
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.
Seeing Master Charles H. Williamson's letter with reference to
forming a Natural History Society, in No. 83 of HARPER'S YOUNG
PEOPLE, I beg leave to offer my opinion to him with regard to the
same.
I think that it would be a very good thing, and I also think that
a great deal of interest would be taken in it. I hope that it will
prove successful.
PERRY W.
The letters we print in reply to Charles H. Williamson's proposal in Our
Post-office Box No. 83, show that his idea meets with general approval.
The boys and girls think they will enjoy the study of nature. The summer
vacation will give a famous opportunity for using eyes and ears
out-of-doors, and so we recommend that the society be organized at once.
Let it be called "The Young People's Natural History Society," having
its head bureau of information in Our Post-Office Box.
All boys and girls over ten and under fifteen may be allowed to join it,
provided only that they are readers of this paper. The number shall not
be limited.
For convenience' sake, we will imagine that the editor of YOUNG PEOPLE
is in the chair. The chair in this case assumes what is called the
appointing power. He will appoint Charles H. Williamson, Brooklyn,
E. D., N. Y., who was the original mover in the matter, president of the
society.
Branches may be formed in any city, town, or village where there are
intelligent boys and girls.
No initiation fee shall be charged, and no money shall be paid for any
purpose whatever. Owners of books about natural history may take them to
the club meetings, which ought to be held once a fortnight, at a
designated time and place.
The only officers necessary to a good organization shall be a president
and a secretary. It is always a good plan to have as few officers as
possible in such societies as these.
It shall be the duty of members to find out all they can about the
special department of natural history pursued by their branch. Of course
their studies must depend somewhat upon the place where they live,
whether inland or by the sea, in a warm or cold climate, etc.
Books are very helpful, but we advise you to try to _discover facts_
through your own observation.
On the first Monday of every month the various secretaries may send
reports to Our Post-office Box, telling what they have done. Please tell
the name of your president in the first report you send.
If difficulties arise, they will be adjusted by President Williamson;
and if any questions are too perplexing for him to settle, he may refer
them to the Editor, who will of course remain in the chair.
* * * * *
The following exchanges are offered by correspondents:
A history of Montreal, two colored pictures of the city, and a
picture of the American Falls, and a pantograph, with full
directions for enlarging pictures, for a foot-power scroll-saw.
Please write to arrange exchange.
CLARENCE MARSH,
392 North La Salle St., Chicago, Ill.
* * * * *
Soil and stones of Ohio, for the same of any other State.
KITTIE G. MATCHETTE,
P. O. Box 103, Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio.
* * * * *
Chinese coins, for foreign and United States postage stamps. An
ounce of soil from California, for the same from any other State.
E. R. MANZY,
Lock Box 19, Bloomfield, Sonoma Co., Cal.
* * * * *
Rare minerals, books, sea-shells, pressed flowers, and flower
seeds, for rare foreign stamps, fossils, old coins, or Indian
arrow-heads or pottery. Offers of exchange for a magic lantern
solicited.
JOHN MCKEEVER,
212 East 113th St., New York City.
* * * * *
Solid lead ore, for foreign stamps (no duplicates).
JOE S. MCKNIGHT,
Care of Pennsylvania Vaccine Company,
Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn.
* * * * *
Foreign and United States stamps and postmarks, for old coins or
stamps. Nicaragua stamps especially desired.
GEORGE W. MCFARLAND,
121 Stockton St., Trenton, N. J.
* * * * *
Twenty-five foreign stamps, for an Indian arrow-head and a few good
United States stamps. Old issues of 2-cent stamps especially
desired.
THOMAS F. MANAHAN,
P. O. Box 388, New York City.
* * * * *
Ten foreign stamps, for one foreign coin.
CHARLES H. OSLER,
Mechanicstown, Frederick Co., Md.
* * * * *
Stamps from Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Holland, England,
Belgium, and a few other countries, for stamps from other countries
than those above named. Please exchange several stamps at a time.
DOUGLASS D. MOORE,
Care of Tom Moore,
Livingston, Polk Co., Texas.
* * * * *
A piece of wood from the "Drake" well, the first oil well ever put
down, for Indian relics, ocean curiosities, minerals, rare stamps,
or anything suitable for a museum.
FRANK MCFARLAND,
Titusville, Penn.
* * * * *
Foreign stamps, for old coins.
ROBERT NOBLE, 221 North Twelfth St.,
Richmond, Wayne Co., Ind.
* * * * *
Minerals, moss, and flower seeds, for a bracket-saw or an Indian
bow and arrows. Please write before sending any package.
C. H. NICHOLS,
Cumming, Forsyth Co., Ga.
* * * * *
Postmarks, for minerals. Pressed ferns from Illinois, for ocean
curiosities.
WINNIE NEEDLES and BERTIE ELLIS,
Nashville, Washington Co., Ill.
* * * * *
Insects, postmarks, foreign stamps, stones from Indiana, small
shells from White River, different kinds of woods, and flints from
Texas, for foreign coins, sea-shells, and all kinds of curiosities.
African, Asiatic, and South and Central American coins especially
desired.
CHARLES E. OLDACRE,
P. O. Box 341, Noblesville, Hamilton Co., Ind.
* * * * *
Ten United States postmarks and a rattlesnake rattle, for any kind
of ore except gold. Soil from Nebraska, for ocean curiosities.
LEE O'DONNELL,
St. Edward, Boone Co., Neb.
* * * * *
Rare stamps, for stamps and coins. Please send list before
exchanging.
HENRY MAETZEL,
49 West Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.
* * * * *
Moss, for sea-shells.
MARY J. MANSFIELD, Merrill, Powell Co., Ky.
* * * * *
Sand of eight different colors from Minnehaha Falls, put up
separately in bottles, for foreign stamps, ocean curiosities,
Indian arrow-heads or relics, minerals, woods, or anything pretty
and curious.
BURTIE W. MCCRACKEN,
1016 Western Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn.
* * * * *
I will exchange rare postage stamps, coins, or good books nicely
bound, for a genuine Indian bow and arrow, a genuine Indian
tomahawk, or Indian relics. Please state, when you send, what you
want in return.
C. HALL,
318 West Thirty-third St., New York City.
* * * * *
I will exchange a printing-press and complete outfit, for a magic
lantern and slides, or a foot-power fret-saw.
W. T. DEMAREST,
106 Varick St., New York City.
* * * * *