PEOPLE. Unless you have been a little country girl ten years old,
like me, you can not imagine what pleasure it gives me, or how
eagerly I run to meet brother Bertram when he brings the mail on
Thursdays. Bertie, who is twelve years old, goes to school, while I
have to stay at home and help to take care of a baby brother and
sister (twins) so sweet and cunning that I wish you could see them.
The little boy is named after grandpa, and the girl after uncle
Jesse B., by adding an i to Jesse. Papa told me I must not use many
capital I's if I wrote you a letter; but how else can I tell you
that I ride six miles on horseback once a week, to take a music
lesson, on a dear old horse (we call her Kate) so faithful and true
that I am sure Toby Tyler and the boys would be delighted to have
her in their circus, but I can't spare her? Papa is a farmer, and
we make pets of colts and calves and lambs and pigs, but I do not
give as much attention to them as I do to books and the babies. I
have a little sister Dora, four years old, who came running in one
evening and said, "Mamma, the gipperwills are singing, and it is
time to go barefooted." She had been told that when the
whippoorwills sing there is no danger of catching cold. My home is
on a high location, overlooking a beautiful valley--a landscape
that never fails to please all who look upon it. Here, if I can not
go to school. I try to learn, and be happy and busy and helpful to
mamma.
GERTRUDE ELIZABETH W.
What fun it must be to take care of twins! Do they look very much alike,
and how old are they? You ought to have said more about them, dear.
Although you can not attend school, you are learning a great many
pleasant things at home, as your letter shows. The I's are not too
numerous. I shall think of Bertie carrying YOUNG PEOPLE home from the
office on Thursdays, and fancy my little correspondent flying down the
garden walk to meet him as he stops at the gate.
* * * * *
SPRINGFIELD, KENTUCKY.
My home is in Springfield. I have been wanting to write a letter
for the YOUNG PEOPLE since I first took it, which was last January,
but I was timid about doing it. My papa gave the paper to me as a
New-Year's gift, and I have had more than a dollar and a half's
worth of pleasure from it already. I have seen so much about "Toby
Tyler" in the letters, but have never seen anything about him in
the numbers, and my mamma reads everything in them to me; so please
tell me where to find him. I am seven and a half years old; have
never been to school, but am taught at home; will start in a week
or two. I am the only child, and mamma says she will be too lonely
without me; but I tell her she must let me learn and be a smart
little girl. I have a lot of pets: a beautiful Esquimau dog just
one year younger than I, a canary-bird, and a lot of the prettiest
little chickens; but my kitten has run away, or has been killed. He
was such a pet, because he was so smart, and performed so many
tricks. I am going to have a pony as soon as I learn to ride. I
have the money, given to me by my uncle; he gave me one hundred
dollars six months ago, and I loaned it to papa at ten per cent.
interest. I have written 'most too long a letter, but please
publish it if you can.
CARRIE S.
The story of "Toby Tyler" was begun in No. 58, Vol. II., of HARPER'S
YOUNG PEOPLE. The same Toby is the hero of "Mr. Stubbs's Brother"; but
if you are very anxious to read all the adventures of a little boy who
was once so foolish as to run away from his kind uncle Daniel and travel
with a circus, you must send for _Toby Tyler_, which the Messrs. Harper
publish in a very pretty little book by itself. The price is $1. I hope
you will enjoy school, and surprise mamma by learning very fast. When
the pony is bought, you must write again, and tell me his name, and all
about your charming rides.
* * * * *
WOODSIDE (NEAR LINCOLNTON), NORTH CAROLINA.
MY DEAR "YOUNG PEOPLE,"--It has been quite a while since I have
written a letter to you all. I had books and papers enough, thanks
to your kind help, and so I have not had any need to call upon your
generosity again. Our school, you will be glad to know, still keeps
on in a very encouraging way. I had only a few dollars sent for the
building, and had almost despaired of ever getting one, when one
day I received a letter from a very kind gentleman, who wrote that
if we were willing to give the land to the diocese, and build a
chapel, he could raise us money to do it. You may be sure we were
only too glad to do so, and he did his part very soon. We have the
building framed, all the lumber is ready, and the carpenter
promises that he will soon have it done. We have the windows, sent
by the same kind gentleman, of colored and ground glass, and the
rector in Lincolnton will give our school one service each month.
The people have no preaching now except from preachers of their own
race, who are often very ignorant men. We hope this will be a great
help in educating the children and their parents, and making them
good and happy. I will tell you about it when church begins. Your
friend,
MRS. RICHARDSON.
* * * * *
KAU, HAWAII, SANDWICH ISLANDS.
I like "Toby Tyler" and "Talking Leaves" the best of all the
stories. I have a pet rooster; his name is Whitehead, because when
little he had a white spot on the top of his head. He is so tame
that my little sister can take him by the tail and drive him all
around the yard like a dog, and he will not try to get away; and
when we have a bunch of bananas on the veranda hanging up over the
railing, he will fly up on the railing and pull the bananas off the
bunch, and drop them down for the hens that are on the ground below
him. I have a handsome parrot; he is yellow, green, blue, red, and
black. His name is Dandy, but he calls himself Polly.
We live about twenty-five miles from the volcano Kilauea, and every
night when I go to bed I look out of the window of my bedroom, and
can see the light of it, sometimes bright and sometimes faint.
MAY L. H.
Tell your sister to take hold of the rooster's tail very gently. He is
very kind to pick bananas for the hens. Charlotte's letter, which came
with yours, will appear in a future number.
* * * * *
TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK.
I am ten years old, and hope you will put my piece of poetry in the
poets' corner:
THE VIOLET.
It gently lifts its little head,
And looks up to the sun;
It hears the birds a-twittering,
And knows that spring has come.
It lives in quiet little nooks,
Where the sunbeams come and play;
It hears the crickets' cheerful chirp,
And sees them day by day.
And so this lovely little flower
Shows that spring has come;
But soon will wilt and fade away,
And then spring will be done.
MARGARET PRALL G.
* * * * *
MCCAINSVILLE, NEW JERSEY.
I enjoy reading your stories very much indeed, especially those
written by Jimmy Brown. There is a robin and a chippy-bird building
their nests on the honeysuckle vine that is climbing up our piazza.
The nests are about two feet apart. My brother Fred has about
twenty-two pigeons. They are so tame that they come in front of the
kitchen and pick up the crumbs of bread.
LIZZIE S. S.
* * * * *
NORWICH, CONNECTICUT.
I am a boy eight years old, and I can read and write a little, but
my aunt Daisy is writing this for me, because I do not form the
letters plainly yet. I must tell you about a pet pony I have. His
nose is pure white, while all the rest of him is jet black. I call
him Gip, and he will eat sugar, bananas, and cookies. He is very
small and cunning, and I ride him sometimes, with my papa holding
the bridle. Some time I hope I can ride him all alone. Besides Gip,
I have a canary called Funny, a dog which I have named Yum-yum, a
rabbit which we call Toodles, and a big Maltese cat called Thomas
Didymus. Don't you think I have a good many pets? I go to school
with my sister every day, and as it is a long distance from my
home, I always carry our lunch in a little basket, and we eat it at
recess. My little sister is only seven years old, and she can make
real pretty poetry. This is a little poem that she made all alone,
and we think it is very good. Will you please print it?
NELSON G.
MY KITTY.
How cunning does my Kitty play
With a spool, or a long string, all day!
She capers round in a pretty way,
As much as if she would say,
"Give me some milk, and let me drink
From a pan, all bright and gay,
And please, dear mistress, don't say nay.
Or surely I will run away,
And with you no longer stay.
Give me some milk, and let me drink."
Your pets have very droll names, Nelson, especially the doggie. Thank
you for your nice letter, and for little sister's jingle, which is very
well done for a girl who is only seven.
* * * * *
The children who are studying geography may hold up both hands. Shall I
count them? No wonder you laugh. A Postmistress would be very clever
indeed who could count the forest of hands which are waving gleefully in
the air at this moment. What I hope is that every one of you will read
this rhymed alphabet of countries; and if you do, and I hear that you
like it, perhaps I'll be able to find another one for you some day in a
corner of our box:
GEOGRAPHICAL ALPHABET FOR CHILDREN.
_A_ stands for _America_, our free, happy land,
And likewise _Arabia_, shrouded in sand;
While _B_ stands for _Belgium_, and mighty _Brazil_,
Which such a big place on the atlas does fill.
For _C_ we have _China_, and _Corsica_ too,
Where the Emperor Napoleon from infancy grew;
And _D_ is for _Denmark_, a brave little land,
Which gave birth to Andersen, charming and bland.
Next _E_ stands for _England_, a wonderful power,
And also for _Egypt_, where Pyramids tower;
And _F_ is for fertile and beautiful _France_,
The land of all chivalry, song, and romance.
For _G_ we have _Germany_, _Greenland_, and _Greece_,
Whose praises the poets to sing will ne'er cease;
While _H_ goes with _Holland_, a country most quaint,
Where they know how to fight, and they know how to paint.
For _I_ we find _India_, colossal, immense.
And _Ireland_, confused by its rows and its rents.
While _J_ goes with _Java_, and distant _Japan_,
Where for less than a penny they make you a fan.
_Kamtchatka_, I think, will do well for the _K_,
But it's awfully cold there, all travellers say;
While _L_'s for _Liberia_, owned by the blacks,
Who work in the fields till the sun burns their backs.
_M_ stands for _Morocco_ and far _Mozambique_,
Where the breezes are hot on the maiden's brown cheek.
For _N_, let me see, there's _Norway_, I'm sure,
Whose peasants come here a good place to secure.
And _O_ with _Ohio_ can go very well,
And its future of promise no dreamer can tell.
We have _Poland_ and _Persia_ and _Peru_ for _P_,
And big _Patagonia_, wild as can be,
While _Queensland_'s the best I can find for the _Q_,
And is famous for swans which are coal black in hue.
For _R_ there is _Russia_, the mighty and vast,
With a history stretching away to the past;
And _S_ is for _Sweden_, and _Sicily_ fair,
Where Mount Etna with lava oft darkens the air;
While _T_ stands for _Turkey_ and _Tunis_, you see;
And _U_ is for _Uruguay_, plain as can be.
For _V_, _Venezuela_, with forests and vales,
Will do very well; and the _W_ is _Wales_.
Near Japan there is _Ximo_, a beautiful isle,
Where Nature in all her green splendor doth smile;
While for _Y_ _Yucatan_ does most nicely exist,
And both _Zealand_ and _Zante_ can end the long list.
VOL AU VENT.
* * * * *
WARWICK, NEW YORK.
I am a little girl twelve years old. I attend a very pleasant
school not far from home, and have a good teacher. We read your
paper at school. We take sixteen numbers for one class. I think
Jimmy Brown's stories are the funniest. We read one paper through
in a week; and I am so glad when the first of the week comes, so
that we can have a new one. I enjoy reading the letters in your
paper very much; but I have never seen one from Warwick yet, so I
thought I would write one. I live on a farm not far from the
village, and it is a very pleasant place. Our school yard is very
large, and down at the lower end there is a creek, and there are
some very large trees on the bank, and we eat our dinner there in
the summer.
CARRIE B.
* * * * *
STOCKPORT, NEW YORK.
I send to you a queer dandelion. My little sister May picked it in
our yard yesterday. There is another growing on the same plant like
it. Please let me know if this is often met with; also, what you
think of it.
ROBBIE V. R. R.
We do not often find nine dandelions on one stem, but still they are
sometimes found growing in clusters like the specimen Robbie sent. The
Postmistress thinks them very curious when grouped in this way, and is
glad to have looked at these.
* * * * *
NEW YORK CITY.
I am a little boy eleven years old, and I live in the great city of
New York. I took your paper by the advice of a friend, and love it
very much indeed.
I have a great many pets--a goat, two rabbits, three canary-birds,
and a Maltese kitten; but, better than all, there is my little
sister Elsie, who only came four months ago.
We are soon going into the country, and I expect to have a splendid
time playing in a little brook that runs through a field at the
back of the house. I hope all the boys and girls who write to Our
Post-office Box will have a pleasant vacation.
WILLARD R.
* * * * *
C. Y. P. R. U.
A HINDOO BRIDE.--No doubt the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE are pleased when
they have an opportunity to look at the pretty wedding presents of a
bride. A Bombay paper has lately printed an interesting description of
the dowry of a young lady of Surat. She was the daughter of a native
gentleman of high rank. According to custom, her outfit was sent before
her to the house of the bridegroom. The long procession was led by a
number of elephants, horses, and carriages. These were followed by a
number of female servants, all in snow-white clothes, each bearing in
her hands a covered tray. About fifty youths followed with rose-water
decanters of silver on silver salvers. Then came five hundred coolies,
some with magnificent bedsteads, with curtains, pillows, etc., others
with swings, benches, boxes, cupboards of various designs, sofas,
chairs, tables, and, in short, all the paraphernalia of a modern house.
These were followed by seventy-five women, each carrying a tray of
sweetmeats. One hundred men with cooking utensils brought up the rear.
Some of these men carried on their heads basket-loads of lamps, wall
shades, chandeliers, etc.
* * * * *
HILDA L.--Cloth cases, postage paid, for binding Vols. I. and II. of
YOUNG PEOPLE, will be sent to your home in England, on application to
Messrs. Harper & Brothers, for the sum of two shillings each.
* * * * *
Little Rosy Redcheek said unto a Clover,
"Flower, why were you made?
I was made for mother--
She hasn't any other;
But you were made for no one, I'm afraid."
Then the Clover softly unto Redcheek whispered,
"Pluck me ere you go."
Redcheek, little dreaming,
Pulled, and ran off screaming,
"Oh; you naughty, naughty flower, to sting me so!"
"Foolish one!" the startled bee buzzed crossly--
"Foolish not to see
That I make my honey
While the day is sunny;
That the pretty little clover lives for me."
* * * * *
MRS. I. B. R.--Thanks for your kindness in sending the composition of
your gifted little pupil. The Postmistress has read it with interest,
and thinks it shows real talent on the part of its youthful writer, as
well as a habit of attention, which proves her teacher's faithful care.
It is too long to be printed in Our Post-office Box.
* * * * *
A PRETTY PANEL PICTURE.--A very graceful and beautiful panel picture may
be painted on a common slate. Paint the background in some neutral tint,
or else have one shaded in color; those from dark brown to very light
are effective. Use burnt umber and white. Be very careful indeed to
shade gradually and evenly. Flowers may be grouped very prettily for
panel pictures. A bunch of mountain-ash berries, a cluster of wheat
heads and field daisies, a few sprays of wild roses, or a dainty little
handful of buttercups, with grasses and clover, are any of them
appropriate for a panel. The frames may be gilded, silvered, left in the
color of the wood, or painted in a contrasting tint.
* * * * *
We would call the attention of the C. Y. P. R. U. this week to Miss
Sarah Cooper's article on the "Portuguese Man-of-War," to the account of
"A Wonderful Lake," and to "Wrens and their Nests," by Eesung Eyliss.
The boys will not fail to be interested in what Sherwood Ryse has to say
about Base-Ball.
* * * * *
PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.
No. 1.
NUMERICAL ENIGMA.
I am composed of 15 letters, and am the name of a mountain in New
England.
My 9, 3, 5 is a cabin.
My 6, 2, 15, 5 is often said by naughty boys.
My 12, 3, 4 is a weapon.
My 1, 10, 8, 13 is a fog.
My 1, 10, 15, 5 is a plant.
My 12, 14, 7, 13 is an animal.
My 11, 2, 3, 15 is a part of speech.
ROGER D.
* * * * *
No. 2.
DOUBLE ACROSTIC.
1. A sceptre with three prongs. 2. A vegetable. 3. A pretty name for a
girl. 4. Power. 5. Nothing. 6. Obscurely. 7. A box. 8. To hinder. 9. An
iron bar. Primals and finals are the names of three favorites of
HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE.
CHIPS.
* * * * *
No. 3.
HIDDEN BIRDS.
1. Hanc rows fast down the Fox River.
2. Where is Rob? In the garden, I suppose.
3. It rains now; birds are at home in their nests.
4. Carrie's wand was very pretty.
5. Oh, pshaw, Kitty, do not be so silly!
JOSEPHINE.
* * * * *
No. 4.
AN EASY WORD SQUARE.
1. To scream. 2. A giant. 3. A bird. 4. A fast.
* * * * *
No. 5.
TWO ENIGMAS.
1.
In beer, not in malt.
In vinegar, not in salt.
In young, not in old.
In plait, not in fold.
In ligament, not in band.
My whole an Eastern land.
2.
In forest, not in field.
In breastplate, not in shield.
In English, not in Dutch.
In little, not in much.
In inn, not in hotel.
In scream, not in yell.
In blacksmith, not in miller.
My whole a pointed pillar.
MAURICE E. W.
* * * * *
ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 134.
No. 1.
1. Because it is the beginning of June. 2. A, because it makes _her
hear_. 3. When it cannot bear you. 4. When it is a sky-light. 5. Because
both are prized for their flour (flower). 6. Because it is of little use
until it is broken.
No. 2.
Wind-lass.
No. 3.
M E
H O T E V E
M O R A L E V E N T
T A N E N D
L T
P T
N O T T O P
P O W E R T O N I C
T E N P I T
R C
No. 4.
S H A F T C R A N E
H O N O R R A V E N
A N K L E A V E R T
F O L D S N E R V E
T R E S S E N T E R
* * * * *
Correct answers to puzzles have been received from Frank Lomas, Emil S.
Hirsh, H. E. Johnston, Jun., Florence Evans, Louise Best, Amy
Vanderveer, John K. Thomas, C. L. T., Rose and Lily, "I. Scycle," Amy
Kahn, Edward Haines, Gertie Childs, Blanche P. Heywood, Roger Derby,
Willie Jones, Mary H. Hobart, William A. Lewis, Florence Cox, and Elsie
M. D.
* * * * *
[_For Exchanges, see 2d and 3d pages of cover._]
[Illustration]
JUST OUT OF BED.
Six small maidens here you see.
Just as sweet as sweet can be;
Smiling, pouting, white, and red--
Little girls just out of bed.
When the birdies sought the nest,
Went these little ones to rest;
And they've wakened glad and gay
With the singing-birds to-day.
Would you like their names to guess?
Blanche and Dorothy and Bess,
Lottie, Lulu, Winifred:
Here they are, just out of bed.
* * * * *
"A BIRD IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH."
This saying originated from the following circumstance: Will Somers, the
celebrated jester to Henry VIII., happening to call at my Lord Surrey's,
whom he had often, by a well-timed jest, saved from the displeasure of
his royal master, and who consequently was always glad to see him, was
on this occasion ushered into the aviary, where he found my lord amusing
himself with his birds. Somers happened to admire the plumage of a
kingfisher.
"By my lady," said Surrey, "my prince of wits, I will give it you."
Will skipped about with delight, and swore by the great Harry he was a
most noble gentleman. Away went Will with his kingfisher, telling all
his acquaintance whom he met that his friend Surrey had just presented
him with it.
Now it so happened that my Lord Northampton, who had seen this bird the
day previous, arrived at my Lord Surrey's just as Will Somers had left,
with the intention of asking it of Surrey for a present to a lady
friend. Great was his chagrin on finding the bird gone. Surrey, however,
consoled him with saying that "he knew Somers would restore it him if he
(Surrey) promised him two another day."
Away went a messenger to the prince of wits, whom he found in raptures
with his bird, and to whom he delivered his lord's message. Great was
Will's surprise, but he was not to be bamboozled by even the monarch
himself.
"Sirrah," says he, "tell your master that I am obliged for his liberal
offer of two for one, but that I prefer one bird in the hand to two in
the bush."
Hence originated this oft-repeated saying.
* * * * *
PARLOR MAGIC.
THE FLYING DIME.
This trick must be frequently practiced before it is produced in public.
Borrow two colored silk handkerchiefs from the company, and have three
dimes in your hand, but only show two, keeping the other one firmly
fixed against the first joint of the second and third fingers. You must
also have a fine needle and thread stuck inside the cuff of your coat.
Then take one of the handkerchiefs and put in both dimes, but pretend
that only one is in the handkerchief; then put the handkerchief into a
hat, leaving one corner hanging out. Now hold the third dime (which the
spectators imagine is the second), and ask one of the company to lay the
second handkerchief over it. You then ask him to hold the dime tight
between his finger and thumb, whilst you twist up the handkerchief.
While doing so, with both hands concealed under the handkerchief, you
pass a few stitches under the dime, and replace the needle.
This being done, spread one corner of the handkerchief over the hand of
the person who is still holding the dime, and taking hold of another
corner, tell him to drop the dime when you have counted three. At the
word "three" he lets go the dime, and you whisk the handkerchief into
the air, when the dime appears to have vanished, but is really held in
the handkerchief. You then tell the astonished individual to draw the
other handkerchief out of the hat by the corner that is hanging out. The
two dimes are heard to fall into the hat, and every one is persuaded
that you have conjured one of the dimes out of a person's hand and sent
it into the hat.
ANOTHER METHOD.
Perhaps the spectators may ask to see it again, or demand to mark the
dime. In this case, vary it as follows:
Ask some one, the most incredulous of the party, for instance, to mark a
dime of his own and give it to you. Take the same handkerchief, and give
him the dime to hold that is already inclosed in it, as in the last
trick, dropping the marked dime into the palm of your hand. Twist it up
as before, and then leave it entirely in his hands. Direct him to place
it on a table, and cover it with a basin or saucer. Ask him to give you
a cup or tumbler, and hold it under the table beneath the place where
the saucer is. Then tell him to knock three times on the saucer, and at
the third knock let the marked dime fall into the tumbler. Hand the
tumbler, and while he is examining the dime to see if it is the same one
that he marked, take up the saucer and shake out the handkerchief that
is lying under it, as in the last trick. You must then return the
handkerchief, and while you pretend to be searching for the marks draw
out the thread that held the dime, and drop the coin into the palm of
your hand, taking care to rub between your finger and thumb the spot
where the threads have been in order to eradicate the marks. This
variation seldom fails to confuse the company.
You must remember to keep talking the whole time, and always try to make
a joke, or otherwise to distract the attention of the audience, while
you are executing the necessary changes.
[Illustration: AN UNBIDDEN GUEST.]
End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, June 13, 1882, by Various