Chapter 3

"Ow!" sobbed Blossom, "that hurt."

"Never mind," said Puck, comfortingly, "things never go right the first time; it'll be better by-and-by."

Then they went and they went, till they came to a great big pond. "This is a horrid world," sighed Blossom. "Hope we've dot to the end of it now. Hope we'll soon det back to our dood old egg."

"But let's go see how it is over there first," said Puck. "Ducky, ducky, come and carry us across."

"Ow! but then my little white frock will det all dirty," said Blossom.

"What does that matter?" answered Puck; "we shall see how it is over there." Over there was very much the same as it was over here. The duck ducked them finely.

"So you'll know how it is down here too," he said.

Dripping, they stood upon the shore.

"Ow! ow!" sobbed Blossom, looking very miserable indeed; "if it doesn't det better soon, I don't want to see anything more at all, I don't."

"Of course it'll get better," said Puck; "the sun'll dry us." The sun looked out condescendingly from the clouds for a moment, and then disappeared. "Come, Blossom," said Puck, "who cares for the old sun! Just as though there wasn't fire anywhere but up there! There's some down here too. I know where it lives--down there in that little house."

Yes, down there in that little house.

"In the ashes, inside the stove," said the cat, who was looking after things while the cook was away.

"It's asleep," said Puck. "Wait; I'll soon wake it up." So he blew and he blew, but it would not wake up at all. The sparks looked out at him with grim and wrathful eyes, while Puck blew more and more madly on.

At last it did wake up. It sprang out of the stove, wild and raging; it grew bigger and bigger; the children fled, the fire behind them--Blossom ahead, terrified, shrieking, screaming.

The fire had caught Puck, had wrapped him round in a great sheet of flame!

But Blossom cried, and cried, and cried, so bitterly that the fire was all put out, and there was nothing left but a great black smoke.

Then Puck gathered together all there was left of him, and they went sorrowfully on their way to find their egg.

Ah me! it was broken in two, and gone. But the nest was still hanging on the tree. In great haste they climbed in, never venturing to leave it again, and if they are not dead, they are sitting there still.

THE END.

SOUTH WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT.

We live near the Connecticut River, and when I am out of school I hunt ducks and musk-rats. I like to ride horseback when I can get a horse, which is not often, but I can row on the river. I have two kittens to play with. One of them climbs up on father's back when he is eating, and when he takes a bite Kitty will try to get half of it. We live near woods, and in the summer we ramble in them, and in the autumn we gather nuts. The land here is mostly cultivated for tobacco, and on the tobacco lots and on the river-bank we find a number of Indian relics. One of the boys here found a store of arrow-heads. There were about one hundred together. I am eleven years old.

B. D. ARCHER.

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FORT CUSTER, MONTANA TERRITORY.

I am ten years old. My papa is captain in the army. I have never been to school, and can not write quite as nice a letter as some other little girls of my age. I have a big brother who is thirteen, and a sister two years and four months. My brother's name is Willie. Last year he went off to school. Nannie, my sister, says very funny things. Sometimes she will come running in, and say, "I am so hunky dory I don't know what to do; want sonton to neat." Can any little girl tell what this means? I read a letter from an army girl who is older than I. I looked in the register to see if her papa's name was there, and I found it. My papa is in the Eleventh Infantry, and maybe Grace Henton and I will meet some day. I hope she will see my letter.

ETTA M. GILBREATH.

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MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

I like YOUNG PEOPLE a great deal. Papa gets it, and puts a pin in and cuts it, and we look at it till dinner is ready. When I go to bed, mamma reads it to me, and lays it on the little table, so I can look at the pictures before I get up in the morning. On George Washington's Birthday night I went to the barn to get Sallie, my cat. I found her in an old barrel, and was going to tip it over, when I heard something squealing a little squeal. There were two little kittens there. Mamma named them George and Martha Washington. I shall be six in May. I told all this to mamma, and my name is

JOHN.

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HARTFORD, OHIO.

Yesterday was Easter, and I and my little brother had twelve dozen eggs hid. For dinner we decorated some with decalcomanie pictures, and they were very pretty. I have thirteen little chickens, and a pet hen which I call Nellie Gray. My canary is named Hettie. Some of the young correspondents write of spring flowers, but I have not found any yet.

MAUDE K.

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BISMARCK, DAKOTA TERRITORY.

We have plenty of Indians here, although there are not so many as there were five years ago. They come now mostly in scouting parties. The party is often as large as Custer's cavalry that was here in 1877. Are there many of the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE who are fond of house-plants? I would like to hear what kinds they have, and how they take care of them.

M. R. L.

We think, judging from their letters, that a large number of the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE are fond of those beautiful household ornaments. Mary L. S. wrote a short time since from Arkansas: "My house-plants are my 'pets,' and I assure you I derive as much pleasure from them as if they were animated." No doubt many others have the same feeling.

* * * * *

Clara Jaquith, in answer to Madison Cooper's question in YOUNG PEOPLE No. 21, says: "Somar Griffin, of Ohio, is a very old man. I do not know his exact age, but he is about one hundred and fifteen years old. He lost an arm about forty years ago by the falling of a tree."

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BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

The other day a gentleman took dinner with my father, and told us the following story: "A few years ago I spent several weeks with a friend who owned a sheep ranch near San Antonio, Texas. I had a very pleasant time hunting and fishing. One day my friend saw a large wild-cat trying to get into a sheep corral. He seized his rifle, and fired at the beast, and it ran off, pursued by the dogs. That night, when we were all asleep in the tent, I was awakened by a warm breath on my face. On opening my eyes I saw in the dim fire-light the form of a large animal. I was very much frightened, but I had sufficient presence of mind to close my eyes and keep still. Suddenly the animal left me; and turning my head slightly, I saw that it had gone to the other side of the tent, and was eating some of our stores. Very carefully I arose, and crept outside the tent, where was a pile of wood. Seizing a heavy stick, I returned softly, and creeping up behind the beast, dealt it a tremendous blow on the head with my club, which stunned it, and I soon beat it to death. My companions were awakened by the noise; and when we replenished the fire and examined the beast, we found it to be an immense wild-cat. It had a bullet-wound in its shoulder, and was no doubt the same one my friend had shot at in the morning."

J. BURNET R.

* * * * *

MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

I am so interested in the pets which other children write about that I thought I would tell about Peggy, my gray kitten. She plays marbles with me; and when I spin my top, she makes believe it is a mouse, and you ought to see her go for it. When the kitchen door is shut, and she wants to come in, she springs up to the latch, holds on with three paws, and presses the latch down with the other paw, and so walks in. I could tell ever so many funny things she does, but I am afraid my letter would be too long.

HARRY A. (10 years).

* * * * *

FORT ASSINIBOINE, MONTANA TERRITORY.

The Indians I wrote you about have lived in their tepees all winter during the very, very cold weather--too cold for me to go coasting. It was often 49° below zero. These Indians have a large number of ugly dogs, and sometimes they hitch them to their travois. The names of the Indians here are Pegans, Gros Ventre, Crow, Assiniboines, Bloods, and Crees. The Sioux and Nez Percés do not come very near to us, as they are afraid our soldiers will fight them. They sent a knife and a pipe to make peace with the soldiers. All the Indians here are very poor, and are killing their dogs and horses to eat, as the buffalo have all gone away.

BERTIE BROWN.

* * * * *

WEST BERN, NEW YORK.

I am eleven years old. I liked the music which was published in YOUNG PEOPLE very much. My papa, who is teaching me music, taught me to sing the sailor boy's song in No. 19. We had snow fall day before yesterday to a depth of eight inches, and now (March 29) the sleighs are passing on the road, although the spring birds are hopping about on the trees in the orchard.

EUDORA S.

* * * * *

PINEY POINT, MARYLAND.

I live in the country, and have two sisters and one brother. We are all very much interested in the story, "Across the Ocean; or, a Boy's First Voyage." The United States training-ship _Saratoga_ was lying in the Potomac River opposite our house last week. About two hundred and fifty young men were on board, and they were firing cannons almost all day. My cousin was on this ship a few years ago, and he said the rules were very strict. The _Saratoga_ is a very large boat, and the sailors on board are both large and small boys.

J. E. M.

* * * * *

FRIOTOWN, TEXAS.

I am eight years old, and I live in Southwest Texas, which some people think a very wild country. I came from Georgia. I have never seen any Indians here, but I can look out the window and see wild rabbits running, and I can hear mocking-birds sing. There is a very odd bird here called chaparral. I went fishing last week on the Frio River, and I saw some turtles sunning themselves, and ever so many buffalo-fish swimming in the clear water. Mamma reads YOUNG PEOPLE to me every evening.

ALFRED H. C.

* * * * *

PINE RIVER, WISCONSIN.

We are so glad when Saturday comes, for then papa brings YOUNG PEOPLE. We each have a doll and a little wheelbarrow. We fill our wheelbarrows with sand, and wheel them round. We bring in wood sometimes. We want Santa Claus to come. We have some new hats, and are not going to wear hoods any more. We want to wear pants and not dresses, but mamma won't let us. Papa writes this, because we can't write yet, but we have read our primer through.

CHARLIE (6 years) and FRANKIE (4 years).

* * * * *

EAST WATERTOWN, NEW YORK.

I like the story "Across the Ocean" very much. I have two cats, and a dog named Tip, and a canary named Ned. I am trying to study architecture, and I have made a plan of a house and a church. I like architecture very much, and mean to know all about it when I am a man. I was ten years old the 2d of April. I came pretty near being an April-Fool, didn't I? I have written this letter all by myself, for grandma does not know I am writing.

FRANK T. W.

* * * * *

INGLEWOOD, CHISWICK, LONDON.

It was my birthday yesterday, and my brother gave me YOUNG PEOPLE for a present. My father and mother are in Italy, rejoicing in sunshine and flowers. I have no pets to tell you about. We live in a little village of red brick houses, and it is very pretty here. I thank you for making the paper larger than it was at first. It is lovely now.

MILDRED C. (12 years).

* * * * *

Mary B. L., a little six-year-old girl, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sends the following in big capitals: "A fox went around where he knew there were some chickens. When he got there, he said,'Come down, and I will show you something more beautiful than you ever saw.' 'You talk very nice, but I can not trust you,' said a hen, 'so we can not come down.'"

* * * * *

Daisy W., of Rochester, New York, reports having made a cake by Puss Hunter's recipe, and it was very nice.

* * * * *

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

We have two pet gold-fish which are turning black. Can any one tell me what is the trouble with them?

VIRGIE C.

* * * * *

OGDENSBURG, NEW YORK.

I am ten years old, and study geography, and I would like to know why Rhode Island is so called, when it is not an island. I live on the St. Lawrence River. Last winter more than two thousand teams crossed on the ice, and this season not even a man could cross on foot.

ABNER C. P.

The first settlement of Rhode Island was made on the island where Newport is now situated, and which contains about fifty square miles. The Indian name of the island was Aquetneck. There are various stories in regard to the origin of the present name, but the one generally accepted is that it was bestowed on account of a supposed resemblance to the Isle of Rhodes. The State was afterward named from the island.

* * * * *

H. W. SINGER.--Your question is answered in Post-office Box, YOUNG PEOPLE No. 7.

* * * * *

SALLIE R. E.--Read the answer to F. S. in Post-office Box, YOUNG PEOPLE No. 22.

* * * * *

J. H. KNOX.--March is considered the proper season.

* * * * *

BESSIE C.--The best way to prevent your bird from eating its eggs is to put its food in the cage at night, so that when the breakfast hour arrives there will be something fresh and tempting to distract its attention. If it still persists in this troublesome habit, we fear there is no remedy for it.

* * * * *

C. S.--Your inquiry about coloring Easter-eggs came too late to be answered for this season, but you can practice now, so that by next Easter you will be able to color eggs "nicely." The best way is to purchase the coloring matter, as it comes in little packages already prepared, and with full directions for use. The way you propose would also be very pretty.

* * * * *

WINNIE R.--Keyed musical instruments similar in form to the piano were in use several hundred years ago. The virginal, shaped like an old-fashioned square piano, was a favorite instrument at the time of Queen Elizabeth of England, and by some authorities is supposed to have been named in honor of the Virgin Queen, as she was called. The harpsichord, much in use during the last century, was shaped almost exactly like a modern grand piano. The honor of having invented the hammer which plays upon the strings of the piano now in use is claimed by several nations, but the credit is probably due to Italy, although the first pianos are said to have been made in Germany, probably in the city of Freyburg. The piano was first called the hammer-harpsichord, afterward by the Italian name forte-piano, as it could give both loud and soft tones, while the harpsichord produced only loud ones. The name was changed later to piano-forte. Pianos are first mentioned as being in use about the middle of the eighteenth century.

* * * * *

Idella G. S., Edward L. H., and some other young readers in the far South inquire what are the willow "pussies" which Northern children gathered with so much glee in the earliest days of spring. They are the blossoms of the common low willow which grows in great abundance at the North, and as they are the first signs that winter is passing away, are always heartily welcomed. The buds form in the autumn on the brown twigs, and with the first warm spring sun, long before anything green has started, they swell, and burst open the brown scaly covering, disclosing a soft, downy white ament, or blossom, resembling the toe of a white kitty. This resemblance is perhaps the reason why children call these early flowers "pussies."

* * * * *

A. ENGEL.--Directions for feeding mocking-birds are given in Post-office Box of YOUNG PEOPLE No. 13.

* * * * *

LOUIE T.--Your rabbit-hutch should be in a dry place, and should have two apartments. The sleeping-room should be boarded in, only you must have a door which you can open to clean it and supply it with fresh straw. The other apartment should have grated sides, and there is where the food should be placed. You must feed your rabbits regularly two or three times a day. They should have oats or bran for dry food, and carrot tops, cabbage leaves, and fresh clover frequently. If you have a yard, let them run in the grass an hour or more every day during warm weather.

* * * * *

K. Post's request in YOUNG PEOPLE No. 22 for long English words, has been answered by Bertha F. H., H. P., Hattie N., Thomas J. F., Albert H. E., Kent K., Emily J. M., Fanny S., Bertie C., H. H. M., Edith C., Willie H. H., Herbert N. T., G. A. Page, and others. To print all the words sent would occupy too much space. We give only a few of the longest. Supervacaneousness, unconstitutionality, interchangeableness, incomprehensibleness, anticonstitutionalist, disproportionableness. _Smile_s and _beleaguered_ have also been suggested, as one has a mile, the other a league, between the beginning and the end.

* * * * *

Favors are acknowledged from B. E. Mace, C. Hastings, Fred Burgess, William Winslow, A. H. Patterson, S. Brown, Jun., Lizzie C., Francis B., Olive Russell, I. H. M., John Moody, "Mark Marcy," Eddie S. P., Henry S. P., Henry K., Willie Trott, Alvan G. W., Anna Wierum, Herbie E. L., Lizzie M., Edwin Wilson, Addie Anderson, Lester O. B., Julius Weller, Royal, Effie Barker, Fanny Sumner, Altia Austin, Annie Carrier, D. J. Reinhart, Metz Hayes, Florence R. H., George Wing.

* * * * *

Correct answers to puzzles are received from Philip Cruger, T. H., George Kyte, Maude K., Laura B. W., F. Ozias, "Sunbeam," Leon M. F., Fanny S., Sallie Ely, George S. V., W. F. Bruns, E. B. Cooper, A. H. Ellard, "North Star," John Collins, Lillie MacCrea, Lily B., Annie C., Charles Slattery, Hattie Norris, M. K. S., S. G. Rosenbaum, H. L. B., H. K. Pryer, B. L. Townsend, Robert Davidson, M. O., Frank Paine, C. B. Howard, Allen Smith, George Schilling, Albert Hegeman.

* * * * *

PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

NUMERICAL CHARADE.

I am composed of 8 letters. My 4, 2, 6 is a boy's name. My 1, 2, 7, 6 is a metal. My 8, 3, 5, 1 is to stain. My whole was an ancient king.

A. H. E. (13 years).

* * * * *

No. 2.

ENIGMA.

My first is in hate, but not in love. My second is in robin, but not in dove. My third is in throw, but not in shove. My fourth is in stare, but not in look. My fifth is in line, but not in hook. My sixth is in straight, but not in crook. My seventh is in village, but not in town. My whole is a fairy of much renown.

E. S. C. M.

* * * * *

No. 3.

DIAMOND PUZZLE.

In blast. A girl's name. A reptile. To pinch. In blast.

A. L. B.

* * * * *

No. 4.

WORD SQUARE.

First, a multitude. Second, a musical instrument. Third, to ascend. Fourth, a portion of time.

BIRDIE.

* * * * *

No. 5.

NUMERICAL CHARADE.

My whole is a South American river of 9 letters. My 5, 3, 7 is a period of time. My 6, 2, 8, 4 is a portion of the earth. My 9, 1, 7, 8, 4 is to correct.

K. L.

* * * * *

No. 6.

DOUBLE ACROSTIC.

A marsh. A tumult. Enormous. A State of the Union. To spread over. A rope used for a special purpose. Surrounded by water. To assent. Answer--Two trees.

RIP VAN WINKLE.

* * * * *

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN NO. 22.

No. 1.

Fifteen.

No. 2.

D roo P A nn A I n N S treet S Y earl Y

Daisy, Pansy.

No. 3.

S N O W N A M E O M E N W E N T

No. 4.

Noli me tangere.

No. 5.

A A N T A N G E R T E A R

No. 6.

Whittier.

* * * * *

Charade on page 296--Caterpillar.

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Address HARPER & BROTHERS, Franklin Square, N. Y.

CANDY

Send one, two, three, or five dollars for a sample box, by express, of the best Candies in America, put up elegantly and strictly pure. Refers to all Chicago. Address

C. F. GUNTHER, Confectioner, 78 MADISON STREET, CHICAGO.

FINE TROUT TACKLE.

We offer a fine 3 Joint Fly Rod, 15 yard Brass Reel, 100 ft. Linen Line, 3 Flies, 3 Hooks to gut, & Leader, complete, by express for $5.00; by mail, postpaid, $5.50; sample Flies by mail, postpaid, 10c. each; per doz., $1.00; complete Catalogue Free.

=PECK & SNYDER=, Manufacturers, 124 and 126 Nassau St., N. Y.

FISHING OUTFITS.

CATALOGUE FREE.

R. SIMPSON, 132 Nassau Street, N. Y.

=100= _Scrap Pictures_, 10c.; 100 _Transfer Pictures_, 10c.; 12 _Floral Embossed Cards_, 10c.; 10 _Perforated Mottoes_, 10c.; 4 _Chromo Mottoes_, l0c.; 4 _Fine_ 6x8 _Chromos_, 10c.; 1 _Floral-Surprise_, 10c.; 2 _Oil Pictures_, 9x12, 10c.; 2 _Reproductions_, 9x12, 10c.; 4 _Flower Panels_, 10c.; 2 _Stereo Views_, 10c.; 1 _Perfumed Sachet_, 10c.; 1 _Lithograph_, 12x16, 10c.; 25 _Birthday Cards_, 10c. ALL for $1.00, postpaid. Stamps taken.

J. W. FRIZZELL, Baltimore, Md.

Old Books for Young Readers.

* * * * *

Arabian Nights' Entertainments.

The Thousand and One Nights; or, The Arabian Nights' Entertainments. Translated and Arranged for Family Reading, with Explanatory Notes, by E. W. LANE. 600 Illustrations by Harvey. 2 vols., 12mo, Cloth, $3.50.

Robinson Crusoe.

The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner. By DANIEL DEFOE. With a Biographical Account of Defoe. Illustrated by Adams. Complete Edition. 12mo, Cloth, $1.50.

The Swiss Family Robinson.

The Swiss Family Robinson; or, Adventures of a Father and Mother and Four Sons on a Desert Island. Illustrated. 2 vols., 18mo, Cloth, $1.50.

The Swiss Family Robinson--Continued: being a Sequel to the Foregoing. 2 vols., 18mo, Cloth, $1.50.

Sandford and Merton.

The History of Sandford and Merton. By THOMAS DAY. 18mo, Half Bound, 75 cents.

* * * * *

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._

CHILDREN'S

PICTURE-BOOKS.

Square 4to, about 300 pages each, beautifully printed on Tinted Paper, embellished with many Illustrations, bound in Cloth, $1.50 per volume.

The Children's Picture-Book of Sagacity of Animals.

With Sixty Illustrations by HARRISON WEIR.

The Children's Bible Picture-Book.

With Eighty Illustrations, from Designs by STEINLE, OVERBECK, VEIT, SCHNORR, &c.

The Children's Picture Fable-Book.

Containing One Hundred and Sixty Fables. With Sixty Illustrations by HARRISON WEIR.

The Children's Picture-Book of Birds.

With Sixty-one Illustrations by W. HARVEY.

The Children's Picture-Book of Quadrupeds and other Mammalia.

With Sixty-one Illustrations by W. HARVEY.

* * * * *

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._

* * * * *

=A Wonderful Clock.=--The most astonishing thing ever heard of in the way of a time-piece is a clock described by a Hindoo Rajah as belonging to a native Prince of Upper India, and jealously guarded as the rarest treasure of his luxurious palace. In front of the clock's disk was a gong, swung upon poles, and near it was a pile of artificial human limbs. The pile was made up of the full number of parts of twelve perfect bodies, but all lay heaped together in seeming confusion. Whenever the hands of the clock indicated the hour of one, out from the pile crawled just the number of parts needed to form the frame of one man, part joining itself to part with quick metallic click; and when completed, the figure sprang up, seized a mallet, and walking up to the gong, struck one blow that sent the sound pealing through every room and corridor of that stately palace. This, done, he returned to the pile, and fell to pieces again. When two o'clock came, two men arose and did likewise; and so through all the hours, the number of figures being the same as the number of the hour, till at noon and midnight the entire heap sprang up, and marching to the gong, struck one after another each his blow, and then fell to pieces.

THE PENGUIN PUZZLE.

With two straight cuts of the scissors change this fish into an absurd penguin catching a herring.

CHARADE.

An Emperor kneels in sore dismay, For his enemy cometh apace. In this hour of need to whom shall he pray? From which of his gods seek grace? To his father's God, the One, the Alone, He cried, and the answer burst On his wondering eyes: a marvel shone, Pledge of hope and help from the God unknown, And that answering sign was my _first_.

Some voyagers weary of wooden walls Are treading the land once more. The father around him his children calls, Their God, who had saved, to adore. Seven angels all hasten God's answer to bring, Of His promise the seal and the sign; Arrayed is each one as the child of a King; Together they rival the flowers of spring, And together my _second_ they shine.

King Henry hath crossed over into France With his lords and his nobles gay. He would teach the Frenchman quite a new dance, And bid him the piper to pay. Such his design; but the end who can tell? Who the fortunes of battle control? One thing I aver, and none will demur: If King Henry succeeds, 'twill be by the deeds Of his soldiers, who carry my _whole_.

* * * * *

=An Ancient Castle.=--The Czarowitz recently visited, with King Oscar II., the famous old castle of Gripshon, in Sweden. The old keeper showed the Czarowitz a heap of straw, and told him that his father, the present Czar, had used it as his bed in the year 1838. Alexander in that year accompanied his father, Czar Nicholas, to Sweden, and it was during their visit to the castle that that severe parent insisted upon making his son sleep on straw. It is popularly believed in Russia that the stern Nicholas never allowed his son and heir to sleep upon any more comfortable bed.

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, April 20, 1880, by Various