published in YOUNG PEOPLE's Post-office Box, I must write something
new and interesting. As I have read or had read to me by mamma all
the letters since YOUNG PEOPLE started, and do not remember having
heard anything about railroads, I will tell you about them. Papa
works in a railroad office, and often takes me with him on trips
out on the road, and into the shops and yards, and has taught me
the difference between a journal and an axle, a truss-rod or
hog-chain and a stay-chain, and other parts of a car. I have seen
an engine in the shops all taken apart, the wheels all out from
under it, and all the bright Russia iron stripped off the boiler,
which left it a dull, rusty-looking piece of hollow iron, for they
take out the front end and flue sheets and flues, and you can see
clear through back to the fire-box, and all cold; so unlike an
engine when fired up and full of steam, coupled to a train, ready
to pull it out when the conductor says, "All aboard!" I would like
to tell you about a ride I took on an engine at night, but I am
afraid I have made my letter too long now. I am eight years old,
and mamma helped me to spell the hard words.
RE.
Write again, little bright-eyed Re, and tell us about your ride. We
would like to hear from you.
* * * * *
Little Johnny Jump-up,
Under the trees,
Laughing in the sunshine,
Nodding to the breeze.
Little Johnny Jump-up,
Some folks call him Pansy;
Johnny doesn't care a bit--
Follow out your fancy.
Poor little Daisy, with ruffles and tucks,
Has to sit still, lest she spoil her fine dress.
Dear little Rose, in a calico gown,
And a checked gingham pinafore, plaided and brown,
Is the happier girlie, I guess.
"I can paint pictures," says sweet little Nell;
"I study music," says darling Estelle;
"I ride my pony," cries dear little Lou.
Here's our wee Margie, and what can she do?
Bless her, the good little sister at home:
"I take care of baby and brother Jerome."
When you think you are hungry.
And are not quite sure,
Then candy or cake, dears,
The hunger will cure.
But when you've been playing,
We'll say by the brook,
And fishing with pins, dears,
Instead of a hook,
Then good bread and butter,
A generous slice;
For boys and for girls, dears,
There's nothing so nice.
* * * * *
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.
I am a little girl nine years old. I have a little pet kitten. The
mother and she played beautifully together, until two great dogs
came in the yard, and she ran to protect her kitten; but instead of
killing the kitten, they killed the mother. This is all I am going
to write to-day.
NELLY M. F.
Indeed, dear Nelly, I am very sorry for the fate of your poor cat. Could
nobody save her from her enemies? She had the true mother spirit. Even a
timid bird will grow brave, and fight to defend its fledglings if they
are attacked.
* * * * *
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.
We have a little farm three miles from San Antonio, and we borrow a
little donkey, or burro, as the Mexicans call it, to go out there;
and you would be amused to see us. Mamma bought us a saddle, and
the good old man who loans us the burro has a little dog-cart.
Sometimes we use the saddle, and sometimes the cart, and away we
go. It would remind you of Punchinello and his horse and black cat
on his way to Paris. When the little donkey concludes to go fast,
and when he wants to go slow, we are very much at his mercy, for he
does as he pleases. We go out to the farm, and swim, and hunt eggs
for papa, and gather wild flowers to bring mamma; and, dear
Postmistress, we caught three little mocking-birds, and have them
in a cage. We would send them to you if we could; and if we go to
New York, as we think we will, we will bring them to you. Mamma
told us we were very naughty indeed to take the little birdies, and
asked us how we would like to be kidnapped and carried from home.
Then we were very sorry we had taken them, and wanted to carry them
back; but she said it was too late then; that the poor mother had
probably gone away when she found her babies stolen. So we promised
mamma not to take a bird again, and we will keep our word, for when
we took them we did not think a mother bird would grieve as our
mamma would if we were stolen. The mocking-birds sing any song, and
if they hear any one play on the piano, they will whistle the same
tune; and one used to call like the little chickens, and papa
hunted everywhere, thinking some little chick had lost its mother,
when what should he see but a mocking-bird on the gate, making the
same noise a little chick does when its mother is out of sight!
Our farms look fine now; everywhere in Texas crops are good, and
the people rejoice in the hopes of a heavy cotton and corn crop. On
our little farm the tenant last year planted three acres of oats,
that he sold out there for ninety dollars, and this spring very
early the volunteer oats (as papa calls them) came up in place of
the ones planted last year, and the man sold them as they stood in
the ground for thirty-one dollars, and then, after they were cut,
he planted corn and pumpkins on the same land, and we now have a
fine crop. Mamma thinks it is a pity that more poor people do not
come here and farm. Sometimes she tells us of the poor in New York
and other cities, and we wish they were here in our warm climate,
where, if we are not very rich, we are not often so very poor. But
we are not satisfied here, as the doctors tell mamma this climate
is too warm for her, and as soon as she can she must go North to
live.
I must tell you about our two little brothers, Josie and Edward.
Mamma was very ill, and the doctor said all must be quiet; so she
asked Joe and Edward if they would go and board. The poor little
fellows' eyes filled with tears, and almost in the same breath they
said: "We don't want to go, mamma; but if doctor says it will make
you well, we will _try to go_. But, mamma, we will get _so hungry_
to see you!" Now wasn't that good for little six and four year old
boys? Mamma is almost well now, and we are so glad!
Dear Postmistress, you are tired out, and we will say
good-afternoon for the present.
GEORGE and STERLING F.
I am never tired of reading my children's letters, whether they are long
or short, and I remember that my San Antonio boys sent me a very nice
letter some time ago. I too am sorry that George and Sterling took the
poor birdies from the nest. I am sure they will never again rob a mother
bird of her brood. Boys do wrong from want of thought many a time, when
they mean to do right, if they would only stop and consider what they
are doing. Please do not bring the mocking-birds to me, little friends,
though I hope very much that you will come yourselves. The little birds
I take care of, although I do everything I can to keep them strong and
well, always die, and I have now decided that it is pleasanter to hear
about the pets my correspondents have than to be grieving over my own.
But accept my thanks for your kind intention.
* * * * *
ON THE RIVER, NEAR ASHVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA.
On the top of the Black Dome, not very far from here, the high-bush
blackberry grows without any thorns. It is called the thornless
blackberry, and is wonderful. But as this Dome--Michell's Peak--is
the highest land this side of the Mississippi, the berries ripen a
month or two later than ours on the river. We gather them by great
basketfuls, juicy, lovely berries, that nearly spoil common ones. A
great gardener up here said he long ago bought some Lawtons at $1 a
plant, but soon pulled them up by the roots, they had so little
flavor. He was used to the mountain berries.
But there is one complaint, and it makes trouble. Some people pick
other's fruit just as if it was theirs, and the owners don't like
it. If everybody only knew the meaning of two little words, _mine_
and _thine_, there'd be peace, they say. One day, when we were
getting large blackberries at Jack's Patch, a famous place, a troop
of colored people climbed over the fence.
"Whose place is this?" asked the leader, coming up with a pair of
large buckets.
When we told him, he quickly took off his hat, and said, bowing
very humbly. "Can I have a _few_ blackberries, missis?"
Behind him came a party of his people--some were children--bringing
empty tin cans and baskets of all sizes and queer shapes. When we
answered, "We are only boarders ourselves, and strangers," he
seemed pleased.
"Your pardon," he said; "I thought you was _owners_ of the place,"
and he turned away with all speed into the high blackberry bushes,
where all the cans and baskets and buckets were filled to go to the
Ashville market.
S. G.
This little incident, sent us by a lady who reads Our Post-office Box,
will please the merry troops of Northern children who are going these
bright afternoons to gather blackberries. What fun it is to set off,
just after the mid-day dinner, with pails and baskets, to pick enough
ripe, luscious berries for tea! Some of you, perhaps, pick berries and
sell them to friends who wish to make blackberry jam, or who have no
children of their own to send on such delightful expeditions. But I am
sure you do not imitate the conduct of those poor people of whom S. G.
tells, who were so ready to take what did not belong to them.
* * * * *
We should be glad if G. F. Weller, who was successful with Wiggle 25,
and Ben Darrow, Warnie B. Purdy, Churchill Hungerford, and W. J. H., who
were successful with Wiggle 26, would each send us his or her address.
* * * * *
MOUNT VERNON, OHIO.
DEAR LITTLE EXCHANGERS,--I have been sick, and could not attend to
your letters. I have only answered four, but will reply to more,
and will return all contributions that I don't use. I did not
expect to hear from so many of you when I wrote for the exchange,
and can not supply you all, as I have over sixty letters, but I
will return all your cards in good order. I have taken HARPER'S
YOUNG PEOPLE for four years. Every year I like it better. I hope
some of you will see this letter, if Mr. Harper is kind enough to
print it, and then you will know that I don't intend to cheat, for
I like all the children who take YOUNG PEOPLE.
CARRIE STONE.
* * * * *
C. Y. P. R. U.
HOW POTTERY IS MADE.--In looking over some old papers I came across this
essay, and thought it might interest the Postmistress:
The various kinds of clay used in making pottery are found in
nearly all the countries of the globe. There is a particular kind
found at Amboy, New Jersey, of a grayish-white color, so caused by
the presence of iron.
The first process, after being taken from the ground, is kneading
it until it resembles bread in the sponge. After this process, it
is thrown upon a slab, where it is taken by a second workman, who
places it upon a circular board made to revolve by a wheel
underneath it, worked by a treadle.
The second process is the designing of articles, which requires a
great deal of skill and patience. After being turned, patted, and
hollowed out by the workman, the clay is ready for baking, after
sometimes being ornamented with figures cut in the pottery while
wet, and painted with blue or some other color.
The baking of pottery is very slow, and requires great care. The
articles to be baked are placed on several wire shelves, and when
the oven is full, the door is bricked up to make it air-tight.
Below this oven are two sets of arches; in the lower of which a
fire is made, which increases in heat gradually.
After twenty-four hours a second fire is made in the upper arches,
of still greater heat, which is kept up for twenty-four hours more.
At the end of fifty hours the door is partially removed, and the
ware taken out by means of long, slender sticks, and examined to
see if it is thoroughly done.
The glazing process was discovered by accident. A workman in a
pottery in Germany, some time in the Middle Ages, to spite his
employer, threw salt on some ware which was baking, but, to his
amazement, found a beautiful glaze on the pottery instead of the
ruin he had desired.
C. S. C., C.Y.
* * * * *
We would call the attention of the C. Y. P. R. U. this week to Mr. C. W.
Fisher's sketch of "The First Grenadier of France," and to "Millie's
Nile-Bird Hat," by Mr. Arthur Lindsley. Dr. Van Giesen's article on
"Advice to Boys" contains a number of suggestions that our readers will
do well to make themselves familiar with before setting out on
adventurous boating and bathing expeditions. Who will try and work out
Mr. A. W. Roberts's suggestions in regard to "Rustic Adornments for Lawn
and Garden"? If any of you do so, and are successful, the Postmistress
would be glad to have you write to her about it.
* * * * *
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:
Amy L. Lamprey, 50c.; Arthur Day, Clive Day, Willie Boyle, Harry
Kellogg, Willie Kellogg, Louie Butler, and Mabel W., from Hartford,
Conn., $13; Children's Sunday-school offering in memory of a little
boy who was sick, H. H. H., G. H. McD., F. O. S., T. W. M., C. L.,
L. C. G., and C. A. W., Troy, N. Y., $8; Harry Johnston, Lausanne,
Switzerland, $10; total, $31.50; previously acknowledged, $1170.35;
grand total, July 15, $1201.85.
E. AUGUSTA FANSHAWE, Treasurer, 43 New St.
CHILDREN: I want to ask you all, those of you who have never taken an
interest in Young People's Cot, and those of you who, by your earnings,
savings, and contributions, have already helped us, if you will not set
to work in earnest, and let us see how soon we can have our Cot endowed.
You know it will not be "our very own" until we can give three thousand
dollars to the hospital, and the money that we already have is waiting
in the savings-bank until we can collect the whole amount. During these
lovely summer days, when you are well and strong, and enjoying the
delights of the country, playing in the green fields, gathering flowers,
or off at the sea-shore watching the great waves as they roll in one
after the other, please think of the poor little sick children, and
think of the Cot, in which I hope every reader of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE
will have a share. We want that little Cot to be a resting-place for
many a poor sick child, where each one, in its turn, will have the best
of care and attention from the kind sisters and doctors, and be sent
home quite well and happy. It is just about a year since you first heard
of Young People's Cot. We have done very well in the past year, but let
us try and do even better in the coming one. You know we must never
stand still, but always improve as each year passes. I want each one of
you to take a personal interest in that little Cot, and to feel that you
have done something toward making the life of some poor sick child
brighter, that you have helped to bring some sunshine into a sorrowful
little life. Let each one of us do what we can, for the dear sake of one
who loved little children when He was here upon earth.
E. A. FANSHAWE.
* * * * *
PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.
No. 1.
COMPOUND DOUBLE ACROSTIC.
1. Part of an animal. 2. A river in Italy. 3. To raise. 4. A reptile.
Primals--A stag. Finals--A stream. Connected--A city in New England.
FRANK MCF.
* * * * *
No. 2.
FOUR EASY WORD SQUARES.
1.--1. Spoke. 2. A part in music. 3. A fact. 4. A roof.
2.--1. A boy's name. 2. Atmosphere. 3. Attempt.
CHARLES R. F.
3.--1. A night-bird. 2. A river in England. 3. A verb.
4.--1. A utensil. 2. Custom. 3. An insect.
EFFIE.
* * * * *
No. 3.
A DIAMOND.
1. A letter. 2. An animal. 3. A letter. 4. To gain. 5. A letter.
P. D. SARAH.
* * * * *
No. 4.
TWO ENIGMAS.
1.
First in toad, not in snake.
Second in hoe, not in rake.
Third in boat, not in ship.
Fourth in boy, not in snip.
Fifth in tooth, not in jaw.
Sixth in crusty, not in claw.
Seventh in Charles, not in James.
Eighth in river, not in Thames.
Ninth in reef, not in sail.
Whole the name of a beautiful tale.
E. S. H.
2.
First in tight, not in slack.
Second in coach, not in hack.
Third in whist, not in card.
Fourth in easy, not in hard.
Fifth in run, not in walk.
Sixth in crayon, not in chalk.
Seventh in fun, not in play.
Eighth in bird, not in jay.
Ninth in able, not in weak.
Tenth in Hebrew, not in Greek.
Eleventh in Venus, not in star.
Twelfth in rail, not in bar.
Whole a tower very high
Which people thought would touch the sky.
R. B. B.
* * * * *
ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 141.
No. 1.
H i S
O a K
S h E
P ea T
I saa C
T hrough H
A r E
L es S
Hospital Sketches.
No. 2.
Christopher Columbus.
No. 3.
C A R A T M A P L E
A G I L E A R R O W
R I F L E P R O V E
A L L O T L O V E R
T E E T H E W E R S
No. 4.
Asia.
No. 5.
C O W
O N E
W E N
No. 6.
Sweet-william. Mouse-tail.
No. 7.
A watch.
* * * * *
Correct answers to puzzles were received from Amy Seibert, Lottie Cross,
Jarvis Tyler, Lucy Tilden, Jack Titus, "Peggotty," Eliza G. Holmes,
Eddie S. Hequembourg, Richard Lawrence, Charlie and Willie Lloyd,
"Martha," Allie E. Cressingham, Anna J. Davison, B. J. Lantz, Clarence
Chipman, Helen, Arthur A. Beebe, Frank Lomas, Louis Jochem, David
Heineman, Sydney Heineman, Frank H. Powell, Edwin P. Holt, Mary Smith,
"Sunshade," Lucy L. T., DuBois Freeman, "Eureka," P. D. Sarah, "Tommy
Tucker," "Blazes," T. C. L., "Daisy Deane," Lizzie G. Powell, Robin
Dyke, Charlie Cox, Harry Johnston, Jacob D. Jais, Eva Clarendon,
Margaret Nichols, Louise Raynor, Philip Remsen, "Flying Eagle," and Ada
Sykes.
* * * * *
[_For Exchanges, see 2d and 3d pages of cover._]
[Illustration: SOME ANSWERS TO WIGGLE No. 27, OUR ARTIST'S IDEA, AND NEW
WIGGLE, No. 28.]
End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, August 1, 1882, by Various