to the mill runs near our house. The whole length of the flume is
eight miles. We have lots of hens, and we children take care of and
feed them, and so mother lets us sell some of them, and we saved
the money and bought a cow. She had a calf, but she was so wild
that we sold her and got another. She had a pretty little white
calf; it is real tame. We call him David. He has a collar on, and
we put a rope through the collar and lead him anywhere, and he
kicks up his heels, and seems to enjoy the play. We children have
three horses that we can ride whenever we like--Flora, Maud, and
Nellie. Nellie is very small, because she lost her mother when she
was small (a few weeks old), and had to be fed with a bottle, but
she is very gentle now.
FRED N. H.
* * * * *
PUSSY'S STORY.
Of course you all think I am a pussy cat. No wonder, when folks
call me Pussy. But you must know that one cold day in March I was
hatched. Did you ever hear that a pussy was hatched, I'd like to
know?
Laugh away, Sue and Ned, Joe and Tom, Mattie and Artie, Polly and
Fanny! It is all true.
One day my master went out to the barn, and there were a whole
dozen of us, shivering with cold. He brought us into the kitchen
and put us right down by the stove. Everybody came to see us, and
they all said: "Oh, the cunning little chicks! Where has the
naughty mother hen gone?"
Then my mistress ran and brought a box, and lined it with soft wool
and warmed it, and then all of us little brothers and sisters were
crowded into it.
The others slept like good chicks all night, but I just cried and
cried. Even the grandma was kept awake, and said, "That chicken
will not live."
The next morning we were taken out to be fed, but my mistress said,
when she saw me, "Oh, here is one poor little fellow dead.
"No," said grandma; "I think there is a little life in him still."
I tried hard, and made a faint motion of my eyes, and so I was put
back under the stove. As I grew warm I kicked my little feet about,
and then the children screamed, "The chick is alive; it was in a
trance."
So for two days they called me Cat-a-lep-sy. When I began to run
around and eat crumbs, they called me Puss-a-lep. By-and-by they
named me Pussy-willow, when the pussy-willows pushed out their
funny little fuzzy buds.
Do you know I have been a traveller? Yes, indeed. When I was two
weeks old I was carried in a tiny basket over a hundred miles. Two
children had me, and we went in the cars.
When we got to the new home, I was lifted out and set--where do you
suppose? Why, right in the middle of the tea table. I tell you,
things looked nice, I was so hungry.
It is June now, and I have grown so big that my old friends would
not know me. I like the folks here. I eat out of their hands, I
perch on their heads, and hop about after them all day long, and my
name being Pussy, I try to behave as much like a kitten as
possible.
That's all. Good-by.
PUSSY-CHICK ----.
* * * * *
C. Y. P. R. U.
You could not possibly find a prettier bit of verse than this to learn
by heart or to copy in your book of choice quotations, even though you
hunted through great volumes. It is by Lord Houghton (Richard Monckton
Milnes), and we are sure he had some dear child in his mind's eye when
he wrote it:
A fair little girl sat under a tree,
Sewing as long as her eyes could see;
Then smoothed her work, and folded it right,
And said, "Dear work, good-night, good-night."
Such a number of rooks came over her head,
Crying, "Caw, caw," on their way to bed;
She said, as she watched their curious flight,
"Little black things, good-night, good-night."
The horses neighed, and the oxen lowed,
The sheep's "Bleat, bleat," came over the road,
All seeming to say, with a quiet delight,
"Good little girl, good-night, good-night."
She did not say to the sun, "Good-night,"
Though she saw him there, like a ball of light;
For she knew he had God's time to keep
All over the world, and never could sleep.
The tall pink fox-glove bowed his head,
The violet courtesied, and went to bed,
And good little Lucy tied up her hair,
And said, on her knees, her favorite prayer.
And while on her pillow she softly lay,
She knew nothing more till again it was day--
And all things said to the beautiful sun,
"Good-morning, good-morning; our work is begun."
* * * * *
Did you ever wonder where the word etiquette came from? In former times
it was the custom in France on occasions of ceremony, or at fêtes and
festivals, to give each guest a little slip of paper, on which was
written the order of the proceedings, and some rules for the conduct of
the company. Then, if things were properly done, they were said to be
done by _ticket_. After a while the word etiquette, being a convenient
one, was brought into use in English. It is a short word for describing
how to do things in the right way.
* * * * *
There is no charge for the publication of exchanges. Birds' eggs and
fire-arms are prohibited as articles of exchange.
* * * * *
We would call the attention of the C. Y. P. R. U. this week to "Burning
the 'Toro'," by Mrs. Helen S. Conant, and to the conclusion of the
heart-rending story of Wager Island by Mr. James Payn. Then we hope the
boys will all read and profit by the "A Fourth-of-July Warning."
* * * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE'S COT.
Contributions received for Young People's Cot, in Holy Innocent's Ward,
St. Mary's Free Hospital for Children, 407 West Thirty-fourth Street:
Cash, New York, $1.25; Warrie and Edna, Sheridan, Nevada, 30c.;
Emily and Josephine Patterson, Cassel Prairie, $1; Annie Hindley,
Broadalbin, N. Y., $1.50; Clara M. Shank, Dayton, Ohio, 50c.; May,
Fred, Charlotte, and Annie Haley, Kau, Hawaii, Sandwich Islands,
$4; Willie Pier, Richland Centre, Ohio, $1; Fred Russell, Detroit,
Mich., 50c.; Ella H. and Arthur B. Poindexter, Jeffersonville,
Ind., 50c.; Mite Chest in Holy Innocent's Ward, $2.67; Nellie and
Charlie Rowe, New Haven, 75c.; Lulu and Anna Burrows, Melroy, Neb.,
30c.; James A. Nelson, Arbana, Ohio, 30c.; A. Mixia, $1; Richard B.
Morgan, Harrison, Ohio, 10c.; F. W., Gloversville, N. Y., 54c.;
total, $16.21. Previously acknowledged, $1154.14; grand total, June
15, $1170.35.
E. AUGUSTA FANSHAWE, Treasurer, 43 New St.
* * * * *
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.
Please find inclosed seventy-five cents from Nellie and Charlie
Rowe for Young People's Cot. They have saved their pennies for this
purpose instead of spending them for candy and the like.
Respectfully yours,
MRS. JAMES B. ROWE.
* * * * *
The dollar I inclose I saved during Lent, but have neglected
sending before now.
A. MIXIA.
P. S.--It is for the Young People's Cot.
* * * * *
KAU, HAWAII, SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Inclosed please find four dollars, which my young people send to
Young People's Cot. There are four of them, May L. Haley, Fred N.
Haley, Charlotte A. Haley, and Annie S. Haley. Little Annie is only
three years old, and of course is too young to know or care
anything about it, but the others want me to send a dollar for her,
and when she is older, they say they will tell her all about it,
and read the papers to her, and she will be so glad that her name
is on the list, and that some little baby is lying in the Cot that
she helped to pay for. My children talk often of that little Cot
that they feel will belong partly to them. I think it was such a
beautiful idea for the children to each give their mite toward
buying it. It seems to me to be something that they will always
think of with real pleasure; it will be a little warm spot in their
hearts that will do them good, and help to make them think more of
those that are not so well off as themselves. If we did not live so
far away, we would only be too glad to send picture-books, toys,
etc. But we can only send kind wishes, and hope that you will soon
get enough money to pay for the Cot.
MRS. C. E. HALEY.
* * * * *
CASSEL PRAIRIE, WISCONSIN.
We are two little sisters; I am ten years old, and my little sister
will be six years old in July. We live in a nice valley a little
way from the Wisconsin River; it is called the Patterson Valley. We
often climb on the bluffs and pick flowers. We have to walk a mile
and a half to school. We have a very nice lady teacher. I am in the
Fourth Reader. I study reading, writing, arithmetic, and geography.
I also take music-lessons. We like YOUNG PEOPLE very much. Two kind
friends in New York made us a present of it at Christmas for this
year. We send one dollar for Young People's Cot. We like to read
the letters in Our Post-office Box. I hope you will print my letter
in it. My sister and I have four dolls. We have a dog named Dixie.
EMILY C. and JOSEPHINE N. PATTERSON.
* * * * *
Correct answers to puzzles have been sent by Alfred Bruno, "Bo-Peep,"
Clarence Stimson, C. B. K., Ted, Blanche Foster, "Butterfly," Ethel Cox,
"I. Scycle," Lucy A. Moise, Gustav Metz, Arthur A. Beebe, George J.
Fiske, Carrie, Charlie, and Willie Lloyd, May Wilson, Emma L. Gilbert,
Elvira R. U., Florence, Annie, and Mabel Knight, Lottie Lee Buxton,
Clara N. B., Percy M. B., Lizzie P. A., Frank Lomas, "Eureka," Frank
Millspaugh, "Sam Weller, Jun.," Allie C. Little, Bessie W. Spaulding,
R. B. Beals, Ella M. Brotherton, "North Star," Edna S., Eda C. Baldwin,
Cortland F. Bishop, E. G. Holmes, and Lulu Kirtland.
* * * * *
PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.
No. 1.
AN ACROSTIC.
1. An article of food popular in summer. 2. A feminine occupation. 3. A
Dutch cake. 4. A wild flower. 5. Something sweet. 6. A fairy. 7. A
cloud. 8. A mark of beauty. 9. Rest for the weary. 10. A sleeping
potion. 11. A confection. 12. A lofty perch. 13. A planet. 14. A bird.
15. The happiest time of life. Primals spell the name of a favorite
American holiday.
MOTHER BUNCH.
* * * * *
No. 2.
FOUR ENIGMAS.
1.
First in cradle, not in bed.
Second in barn, not in shed.
Third in one, not in ten.
Fourth in quail, not in wren.
Fifth in under, not in over.
Sixth in rover and in clover.
Seventh in top, not in cover.
My whole is considered a charming game,
And the answer to this will be its name.
EDA L. B.
2.
In dog, not in cat.
In mouse, not in rat.
In man, not in boy.
In marble, not in toy.
In ale, not in wine.
In rose-bush, not in vine.
In Kate, not in Jane.
My whole is a brave little land,
Which gave birth to an author charming and bland.
SAM WELLER, JUN.
3.
First in line, not in mark.
Second in dog, not in bark.
Third in clasp, not in ring.
Fourth in queen, not in king.
Fifth in stone, not in fling.
Sixth in time, not in hour.
My whole a tree with a fragrant flower.
4.
First in snow, not in hail.
Second in arrest, not in jail.
Third in drink, not in sot.
Fourth in pan, not in pot.
Fifth in wood, not in tree.
Sixth in bone, not in knee.
Seventh in ear, not in mouth.
Eighth in north, not in south.
Ninth in ripe, not in sweet.
Tenth in tidy, not in neat.
My whole is a thing delicious to eat.
QUEEN CITY OF THE LAKES.
* * * * *
No. 3.
THREE DIAMONDS.
1.--1. A letter. 2. An exclamation. 3. To fascinate. 4. Skill. 5. A
letter.
2.--1. A letter. 2. A serpent. 3. Not old. 4. A girl's name. 5. A
letter.
3.--1. A letter. 2. Quick. 3. A country. 4. A fastening. 5. A letter.
EUREKA.
* * * * *
No. 4.
NUMERICAL ENIGMA.
I am composed of ten letters, and am a city in the United States.
My 3, 5, 10, 7 is a musical act.
My 1, 2, 5, 8 is to tarry.
My 2, 3, 4 is a tree.
My 1, 5, 6, 7 is part of a bird.
My 4, 9, 8 is warm.
ARTHUR A. B.
* * * * *
No. 5.
AN EASY WORD SQUARE.
1. An omen. 2. A Latin pronoun. 3. Joy. 4. Want.
EMMA L. G.
* * * * *
No. 6.
A MORE DIFFICULT SQUARE.
1. An article of luxury. 2. An adjective. 3. Very cold. 4. To ascend. 5.
An additional clause.
EDGAR S.
* * * * *
ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 137.
No. 1.
Mount Washington.
No. 2.
T riden T
I ndig O
M a B
A bilit Y
N augh T
D iml Y
T il L
I mped E
P oke R
No. 3.
Crow. Robin. Snow-birds. Swan. Hawk.
No. 4.
H O W L
O G R E
W R E N
L E N T
No. 5.
Egypt. Obelisk.
* * * * *
[_For Exchanges, see 2d and 3d pages of cover._]
[Illustration]
WONDERFUL FIRE-WORKS.
BY A. W. ROBERTS.
Among the many ingenious devices of the Chinese and Japanese in the way
of Hirayama, or day fire-works, is a huge bomb, which, when fired off,
ascends to a great height and explodes, at the same time releasing
hundreds of highly colored paper figures of both patriotic and comic
designs.
Other varieties of this new Japanese day fire-work set free innumerable
miniature Japanese fans, parasols, and small toys, or produce grotesque
and beautiful designs in colored smoke. I have tried to give you in the
illustration an idea how they look.
[Illustration]
As each one of you boys who are well enough to go about is sure to set
off a certain number of "paper caps" before night comes on this Fourth
of July, 1882, I want to call your attention to a little toy that is not
only most novel and comical, but which will insure you against all
dangers from these explosives. It consists of a clown's head with a
movable jaw. At the top of the head a long string is fastened. A paper
cap is placed in the clown's mouth, and by means of the string the head
is caused to strike the pavement, the concussion causing the cap to
explode. All first-class conscientious dealers in fire-works are
refusing to sell the dangerous and so very often fatal toy cartridge
pistol, for which the clown's head forms such an excellent substitute.
* * * * *
BROTHER JONATHAN.
The origin of this term, as applied to the United States, is as follows:
When General Washington, after being appointed commander of the army of
the Revolutionary war, came to Massachusetts to organize it, and make
preparations for the defense of the country, he found a great want of
ammunition and other means necessary to meet the powerful foe he had to
contend with, and great difficulty to obtain them. If attacked in such
condition, the cause at once might be hopeless.
On one occasion, at that anxious period, a consultation of the officers
and others was held, when it seemed no way could be devised to make such
preparations as were necessary. His Excellency Jonathan Trumbull the
elder was then Governor of the State of Connecticut, on whose judgment
and aid the General placed the greatest reliance, and remarked, "We must
consult Brother Jonathan on the subject."
The General did so, and the Governor was successful in supplying many of
the wants of the army. When difficulties afterward arose, and the army
was spread over the country, it became a by-word, "We must consult
Brother Jonathan." The term Yankee is still applied to a portion, but
Brother Jonathan has now become a designation of the whole country, as
John Bull has for England.
* * * * *
"DUCK."
"Duck" is a game that should be played by a number exceeding three, but
not more than six or eight. Each of the players being provided with a
large pebble or stone about twice the size of a cricket-ball, called a
"duck," one of them, by chance or choice, places his duck on a large
smooth-topped stone fixed in the ground. An offing being marked at eight
or ten yards' distance from the stone, the other players cast their
ducks at it in turn, endeavoring to knock the duck off its place.
Each player, as soon as he has cast his duck, watches for an opportunity
of carrying it back to the offing, so as to cast again. If the player
whose duck is on the stone can touch another after he has taken up his
stone, and before he reaches the offing, provided his own duck remain on
the large stone, then the player so touched is out, and changes places
with the player at the stone. It sometimes happens that three or four of
the players' ducks lie so close together that the player whose duck is
on the stone can stand in a situation to be within reach of all of them;
in this case they can not, without running the risk of being touched,
pick up until one of those who are at the offing is lucky enough to
strike the duck off the large stone; then, before its owner can replace
it, which he must do before he can touch a player, they all take up
their ducks and run to the offing, where, of course, they are safe.
Another way of playing this game is to mount three or four brickbats one
on top of the other, and to try to dislodge the upper one by throwing
the duck at it before the keeper of the castle can touch the thrower.
The player so touched becomes keeper.
[Illustration: CELEBRATING THE FOURTH OF JULY IN THE WOODS.]
End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, July 4, 1882, by Various