CHAPTER I.

If you don't know Aunt Ruth, I can scarcely expect you to understand just how lovely she is: the most unselfish, good-humored of women. She is not very tall, but there seems to me something queen-like in her manner. She is very pretty, but the charm of her face is its sweetness. When she smiles, her eyes grow very tender; when she is serious, a look comes into them of a peace I can not describe.

Aunt Ruth lives in a big old-fashioned house in the country, at which her many nieces and nephews are always welcome, and all the country people adore her. Though there is so much of what papa calls _personality_ about her, yet she never seems to be thinking of herself, i and one day when the girls and I were clustering about her in her own sitting-room, I exclaimed: "Aunt Ruth, do you ever think about _yourself_ for one moment? You seem just made for other people."

Now a sudden strange look came into Aunt Ruth's face. It was not pain exactly, but of some recollection that seemed to grieve her for a moment even as she smiled. I know Aunt Ruth thinks me rather the spoiled child of her little circle of nieces, and when she looked at me and smiled, and said, "Why, Kitty dear, we can make ourselves what we like, with help," I felt a little conscience-stricken. I supposed I was lazy and selfish; but how could Aunt Ruth know what it was to take care of three little brothers and sisters; get up early in the morning to study; stay in-doors, lovely June weather, sewing and patching and mending? Everything came easily to Aunt Ruth that was for other people. Perhaps she read my thoughts in my face. Her own brightened, and she said, pleasantly: "Girls, I wonder if you would like to hear a story--a chapter out of my own experience. I have often thought of telling it to you."

Aunt Ruth's story-telling is as famous as her gentle charity; and we were soon in comfortable attitudes, listening. The story had a peculiar charm, because it was about her early girlhood, and as she is only our aunt by marriage, we knew less of her young days than of the older life so happily associated with our own.

* * * * *

Now, to begin with (said Aunt Ruth), you know that my father was a country doctor. We lived in C----, a pretty town not far from Albany, and when I was nine years old my mother died. There were three children younger than I--one a mere baby--and we were all left to the care of my step-sister Winifred. You know her now, girls; and can you fancy what she was at fourteen, when she assumed the charge of our sad little household? A sweet, motherly little body, with so many loving, gentle ways that it seemed strange she was only our step-sister. But we never thought of her as such. Gradually she stepped into the _mother_ place left vacant, and by the time I was nearly fourteen, and Winny in her nineteenth year, it had come to seem natural that she should direct and govern, pet and humor, us all, as if she was really our mother. But admirable as was Winny's household management, her care for us all, her orderly ways, and tenderness for our wants, there was one mistake in her system: she completely spoiled me, and from being inclined to indolence, I grew selfish and exacting. It seemed to me in those days perfectly right that Winny should have the work and I the play; that if a new material was bought for Winny's dress, and I liked it, it should be made up for me; that I should go away for change of air now and then, while Winny staid at home; that I should go out to tea as often as I was invited, and Winny have to hesitate over every invitation. In fact, it never seemed to occur to me to question my right in all sorts of things of which my selfishness deprived her. Winny loved me so devotedly, that if she saw my faults she tried to cover them up. Mrs. Judson, the minister's wife--your grandmother, Fanny--used to come over to our house a great deal, and I remember hearing her scold Winny for spoiling me. "Never mind, Mrs. Judson," Winny would say, with her sweet little laugh, "Ruth will be a big girl one of these days, and then she'll take her share of disciplining."

One fall, soon after my fourteenth birthday, I remember that papa began to talk about Winny's looking pale and thin. She certainly did not look well, but she maintained that she felt quite herself. It was a warm autumn, and Winny said that the cold weather would do her good. Papa, like the rest of us, I think, always took what Winny said without analyzing it; and so, when Mrs. Judson came over to see if Winny could go down to her mother's for a few days' change of air, I recall his saying, "Oh, it's all right, Mrs. Judson; I've given her some quinine, and she says she is very well."

It was two or three days after this that, at tea-time, papa came in with a letter in his hand, which he read aloud. It was from a cousin of ours in New York, a Mrs. Ludlow, and she wrote to invite either Winny or me to spend a fortnight with her. There was to be a wedding anniversary party; several young people were to be in the house, and she said she knew it would be a pleasant gathering. Now I am ashamed to say that it never for an instant occurred to me that I should not be the one to go. Papa read the letter, and then looked at Winny, who was sitting at the tea table, I recollect, with a small brother on either side of her. I can see the home picture now: our comfortable tea table; the pretty, cheerful room; the window at Winny's back, showing our bit of lawn and cedar-trees; the cozy gleams of fire-light; and Winny's face, just a trifle paler and thinner than its wont, but the dark eyes as lovingly watchful of us all as ever.

"Well, lassie," papa said, looking at her fondly, "you'll have to go, I think. Just what you need. Dear me!"--and he looked again at the letter--"so it's Mary Ludlow's twentieth wedding-day. They have a fine house down there. You'll see something of New York society."

Winny's face glowed. "Oh, thank you, papa," she exclaimed; "I shall be so glad," and then her eyes fell upon me. I know just how I must have looked--vexed, disappointed, and chagrined; indeed, the tears were nearly in my eyes.

"It will be a good chance for Ruth to learn housekeeping," papa went on. "Let us see if you can do as well as the lassie," he added. He had a fashion of calling Winny that, because of her Scotch ancestry. He laughed, and went away without noticing either my down-hearted look, or the change that had come into Winny's face. Singular though it may seem, it never occurred to me that it was Winny's _right_ to go, and my duty to help her. I had grown accustomed to receiving all and giving nothing. Winny said nothing more about the visit just then. We passed our usual hour in the parlor before the children's bed-time rather quietly. It was Winny's custom to go up every night to the nursery, see the children undressed, hear their prayers, and perhaps talk to them a little before they went to sleep. Sometimes--when I felt like it, that is--I assisted at this little tender office, but I usually did so when I had some of my own concerns to discuss with Winny.

To-night I followed her up to the nursery, and sat down in the window, looking very haughty and self-restrained, while Winny put Joe to bed, talked Annie into a peaceful frame of mind, and made sleep less repulsive to Dick, whose theory was that beds were wicked tortures invented by grown people expressly to aggravate boys. While Winny went from one tiny bed to another, I sat thinking what a fine thing it would be to tell the girls at school I was going to the Ludlows'. I should certainly have a new dress, and perhaps my hat retrimmed. There was to be a party, so I must take my white muslin and kid slippers. Gradually my mind was not only absorbed by these delights, but by the feeling that Winifred would actually be robbing me of my own were she to accept Cousin Mary's invitation.

The children were at last in bed. Dick, in spite of his theories, was snoring loudly; Joe was declaring from the depths of the clothes that he never, _never_ meant to be good again, because the cook had taken away his marbles; Annie was asleep in her little cot, a picture of pretty dimpled babyhood; and Winny was looking, if a little tired, at least glad that in spite of naughtiness, not one had gone to bed without kissing and hugging her fondly. Even Joe supplemented his terrible resolve with, "I'll just be good _sometimes_ for you, Winny, but I'll _always_ be bad _all_ the rest of the time." His voice reached a kind of a wail. It was a sepulchral voice for a little boy. "I'll be bad--very bad--and perhaps I'll be _hung_--"

Winny was down on her knees at Joe's side.

"Yes, I will," he persisted, in a louder but more melancholy key. "I will go off where there are wild beasts, pottermusses, and lizards--I will."

"Winny," I exclaimed, sharply, "how can you put up with that naughty boy? Joe," I continued, looking at him severely, "let Winny alone, and go to sleep this _minute_. I want to talk to her."

"Oh, you do, miss, do you?" Joseph returned, with round eyes fixed on me over the sheet. "I'll never be good for _you_, Miss Greedy, I can tell you _that_."

But in a few moments Joe's curly head had drooped, and he was fast asleep. Winny turned to me the gentle sisterly look I knew so well.

"Ruth dear," she said, sitting down, "I've been thinking it over, and it _seems_ to me"--Winny's eyebrows drew together, she clasped her hands closely--"you had better go to Cousin Mary's. I don't think I can: leave home just now"--Winny was a little flurried--"so we will get you ready nicely, and you shall go."

I was ready enough then to hug Winny, and tell her she was a darling, but during the days that followed I forgot the sacrifice she had made. She easily made papa see that it was I who should go. "Joe is not well," she pleaded, "and he never does anything for Ruth; he must be taken care of." One such excuse after another was made, greatly to my delight, and the only drawback to my satisfaction was Mrs. Judson's disapproving air. She came over more than usual, and several times remarked upon the injustice of this arrangement. "Why, Winny is quite a young lady," she said once to me, "and really ought to see something." But it was always Winny who silenced her, and prevented papa's discussing the question further.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

PINAFORE RHYMES.--(_Concluded_.)

Fly away, you naughty bee, With your ugly sting, Buzzing round my sister's head, Such a little thing!

If you hurt her, naughty bee, With your ugly sting, I will catch you in my apron, And pull off every wing.

* * * * *

What are you staring at, idle Fritz? The baby alone is lying. What if she is? She won't be a bit The worse for a little crying.

* * * * *

Four pretty lilies, just as white as snow, Just out of reach in the water grow; Four little children standing on the shore-- Four little children want the lilies four.

"White little lilies," cry the children four, "Little white lilies, can't you come ashore?" White little lilies answer not a word, Though they nestle softly, just as if they heard.

Four little lilies staid right where they were; Four little children couldn't make them stir.

* * * * *

Potato-booby, I want you to say If I shall be smart at school to-day? You shake your head, and now I know Down to the foot of the class I'll go. I'll be kept in school till supper's cold, And mother will fret and father scold. I won't get anything fit to eat, And a lively whipping, too, for a treat.

* * * * *

Now we blow kisses To all our friends, For now our Pinafore Concert ends. But if we have pleased you, Only say,

And perhaps we will come Some other day. So take down the curtain, And fold it away; We will put on our hats, And out to play.

We wish to say to the boys and girls who are sending requests for exchange to the Post-office Box that they must never expect to see their offer printed in YOUNG PEOPLE the week after it is sent. This is impossible. We know it takes more patience than boys usually possess to wait three or four weeks, or even longer, as many of you do, before your offer appears, but there are so many of you that the delay is unavoidable. We have received a large number of letters recently from boys and girls wishing to exchange only to a certain date, when they would leave home for the country. Those letters we have been unable to print, as they could not possibly appear in time to suit the convenience of the exchangers.

We hope our correspondents will notice this explanation, and endeavor to wait with more patience for the appearance of their letters of exchange.

* * * * *

COURTLAND, NEW YORK.

I thought I would write to ask the readers of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE if they remember the story of "Coachy," in No. 50 of Vol. I. Well, I am little Bessie Rathbun, but that is not all my name. I am eleven years old. I want all the little readers to know that "Coachy" was a real true story. I am at the farm now. Our farm is called Locust Hill, and is just a little bit over a mile from the village. I have lots of "Coachy" hens now, but none that I love quite as well as my pet that Mr. Beck killed.

I have a little kitten that has spots all over it like freckles, so I call it Toby Tyler. I have lots of other pets that I will write about some other time.

BESSIE RATHBUN H.

* * * * *

LAKE EUTIS, FLORIDA.

I live on the banks of a beautiful lake in Florida. I go in bathing, and I have a boat of my own, and go out boating and fishing, and catch lots of fish. Sometimes we catch a turtle. There are lots of land turtles here, but the people call them gophers, and the real gophers they call salamanders. They look like a rat. They dig holes in the ground with their fore-feet, and they bite off the roots of the orange-trees. That kills the trees. There are lots of oranges and pine-apples growing here. We never have any snow, and we hardly ever see ice. The land is very sandy. It is almost all covered with woods, and there is a lot of moss.

I went out alligator-hunting with a man. He shot eight times at one alligator without hitting him. I am nine years old.

CHARLIE K. S.

* * * * *

WESTPORT, CALIFORNIA.

My papa has a saw-mill on the Pacific coast, and you ought to see the large redwood trees they cut down here to saw up into lumber. Papa's lumber landing is about half a mile from our house. It is on a large rock out in the Pacific Ocean, about two hundred and seventy-five feet from the mainland. The lumber is carried to the rock on a suspension-bridge, and vessels come and take it to San Francisco and other ports.

We have a great many different kinds of lovely ferns here. I am eight years old.

ETTA M.

* * * * *

SCHOOLCRAFT, MICHIGAN.

That little boy who was anxious for a new crop of rattlesnakes ought to come out here. Last summer we killed six, three of which were in our orchard. I came very near stepping on one, and another struck my shoe.

At school one day one of the girls heard a buzzing in the ventilator, and put her hand down to find what it was, and there lay a big rattlesnake. It crawled away, but at noon the teacher put a piece of bread and butter in the ventilator, and it came up after it, and the boys killed it.

MARY S.

* * * * *

GREENWOOD, COLORADO.

I take YOUNG PEOPLE, and I like it very much. I have a kind of a pet. It is only a cow, but I can ride on her. I live on a farm, but I wish I could live in the city. There is no fun in the country but running foot-races, and I have never seen a circus since I can remember.

ROBERT C. W.

If our little friend could have his wish fulfilled, and exchange his beautiful country home for a city residence, we are sure that the experience of a few weeks would entirely cure him of his delusion. Thousands of young men and boys flock from the country into our great cities every year, in the hope of making money, and having a good time at the theatres, circuses, and other places of amusement. And what do they find? They may make higher wages, but their living costs them more; and instead of a healthful country home, they are compelled to live in some close, stuffy boarding-house, to work from early morning until late at night, perhaps, in shop or store, until the fresh country color is bleached out of their cheeks, and their faces wear a tired, jaded look. The very amusements of the city, unless a boy is discreet and steady, are a source of great danger. It is far better to play ball, or run foot-races in the country, than to spend the evening in a billiard saloon, where boys are too apt to learn to drink and gamble, and to use low and profane language; and our young friend need not consider his life wasted if he should never see a circus. There are hundreds of boys in New York who would gladly give up the excitements and amusements of city life if they could exchange the counter and the boarding-house for the greater freedom and healthier life of the country. There is a society in this city which every year sends large numbers of boys and girls to country homes, and we believe that none of them wants to come back. Let Master Robert take this lesson to heart, and learn to be happy in the healthful work and sports to be found in his native fields.

There is no reason why country life should be dull. In every village a club of young people can be found to play base-ball, cricket, croquet, lawn tennis, or practice archery--a most healthful and delightful kind of sport. In almost every German village there is a bowling-alley, simply constructed, where young people of both sexes meet on evenings or on holidays, and enjoy themselves a great deal more than city young folks do in billiard saloons and bowling-alleys hot with gas-lights, and reeking with the fumes of intoxicating drinks. If Master Robert will join with the boys and girls of his acquaintance in getting up a club or society for such amusements as these, he will soon find that country life is very far from being dull.

* * * * *

I do not wish to exchange any more woods. I will now exchange rare foreign stamps, for any foreign coins except those of China and Japan.

FRED L. PARCHER, Maryville, Nodaway Co., Mo.

* * * * *

Correspondents will please take notice that my stock of shells is exhausted. I will exchange stamps, minerals, or postmarks, for stamps, minerals, sea-shells, Indian relics, or other curiosities. Correspondents will please label specimens.

A. EDDIE CONOVER, JUN., 50 West One-hundred-and-twenty-sixth St., New York City.

* * * * *

I will print the name of any reader of YOUNG PEOPLE on twenty-five pretty cards, for any nice specimens, Indian or Mound Builders' relics, ocean curiosities, coins, etc. My stock of rare stamps is almost exhausted, but I can still exchange common stamps.

I have received many nice things in answer to my other letter, and although my collection is not so large as that of some of the boys and girls who write to YOUNG PEOPLE, still it is a source of great amusement and pleasure to me. My brother is in Europe this summer, and when he returns he will bring me many nice things for my collection.

SAMUEL CARPENTER, JUN., Oswego, Kan.

* * * * *

I have no more oil-sand to exchange, but will send to those who wrote to me. I will now exchange specimens of white spar and quartz, and a rock and soil from West Virginia, for four foreign or old United States coins. I particularly desire some copper cents and half-cents coined previous to 1830.

WILLIE B. PRICKITT, Volcano, Wood Co., W. Va.

* * * * *

My stock of sharks' teeth is exhausted. I will now exchange earth or stone from New Jersey, iron ore, stones from Nevada and Leadville, sandstone, and some other minerals, for stamps from Lubeck, South Australia, or Baden.

LOUIS W. MULLIKIN, Room 37, Hackettstown Institute, Hackettstown, N. J.

* * * * *

I wish to inform correspondents that my stock of South American stamps is exhausted. I will now exchange postmarks, and pieces of an idol found in an Inca Indian grave, for insects. Butterflies, moths, and a burying-beetle especially desired.

RICHARD B. KIPP, 13 Grant St., Newark, N. J.

* * * * *

PARSONS, KANSAS.

I wish to notify correspondents that my stock of curiosities for exchange is exhausted. If any have sent me specimens, and have received no answer, I wish they would inform me.

JENNIE HARRINGTON.

* * * * *

I have no more minerals to exchange for silk scraps. I have a collection of from sixty to eighty different kinds of rare bugs, which I will exchange for something of equal interest. Correspondents will please write what they will give.

FLAVEL S. MINKS, Kirkwood, St. Louis Co., Mo.

* * * * *

Since my request was printed in YOUNG PEOPLE I have added nearly two hundred new varieties to my collection. I will now offer the following exchanges: Twenty-two postage stamps and ten postmarks, for one genuine and perfect Indian arrow-head; thirty postmarks and two postage stamps, for a nice specimen of any kind of ore; three foreign stamps, for one foreign copper coin; two foreign stamps and ten postmarks, for one stamp from South or Central America, Mexico, China, or any African country.

C. L. HOLLINGSHEAD, 72 Grant Place, Chicago, Ill.

* * * * *

I have only five arrow-heads left, and I will give them for the seven stamps which form the set of Alsace and Lorraine; or for the same set I will give two Italian and three French stamps, and one from each of the following countries: Canada, Spain, Finland, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Queensland, and the Netherlands.

CARTER COLQUITT, Wilcox Place, Sand Hills (near Augusta), Ga.

* * * * *

E. C. P., Winona, Minn., desires to inform correspondents that he has arranged an exchange for his stamp collection with a boy in St. Louis, and accordingly withdraws his name from our exchange list.

* * * * *

Exchangers will please take notice that the address of Carl Wagner is changed from Atlanta, Ga., to 1136 Twelfth St. N. W., Washington, D. C.

* * * * *

Wroton M. Kenny, Pineville, Mo., and G. E. Standish, Columbus, Ohio, withdraw their names from our exchange list.

* * * * *

The following exchanges are offered by correspondents:

Horned frogs, tarantulas, centipeds, or snakes, dried, for any kind of curiosities. Pressed flowers or leaves, for the same.

HERBERT J. ANGUS, Corsicano, Navarro Co., Texas.

* * * * *

Two very rare English revenue stamps, used in 1765, for stamps from the Agricultural, Justice, State, Executive, or Interior Department of the United States.

CARRIE B. ALTON, P. O. Box 139, Haddonfield, N. J.

* * * * *

Curious stones, for ocean shells or curiosities.

GRACIE C. ALDRICH, West Milton, Miami Co., Ohio.

* * * * *

Forty-eight foreign stamps, for two nickel eagle cents of 1856.

ROBERT ANDREWS, 298 Spring St., New York City.

* * * * *

A large variety of rare postage stamps, for rare seeds and bulbs.

FRED A. C. ARCHER, Rutherford, N. J.

* * * * *

Fifty foreign stamps, and some Louisiana moss, for some object of equal interest.

MARY ANDERSON, 771 Magazine St., New Orleans, La.

* * * * *

Stamps from Denmark, Austria, and other foreign countries, for South and Central American, African, Asiatic, and other rare stamps.

FRED W. ADAMS, Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio.

* * * * *

Curiosities. Correspondents will please send only within one week from date of this number of YOUNG PEOPLE.

OTTO BARNETT, Glencoe, Cook Co., Ill.

* * * * *

A very superior compound microscope (Orange Judd's teacher's microscope), with camera attached, for one hundred good specimens of Florida or California ferns, or sea-weeds from the Pacific coast. Sea-weeds must be well mounted.

P. O. Box 241, Shelbyville, Ky.

* * * * *

Foreign postage stamps, for ores, Indian relics, coins, minerals, shells, and curiosities.

GEORGE M. BRENNAN, 148 East Thirtieth St., New York City.

* * * * *

A pair of roller skates, for Paraguay, Cashmere, or United States department stamps, or for old United States or English coins.

H. BUFFUM, 4 Lloyd St., Providence, R. I.

* * * * *

An English florin, for some rare shells of different colors, or pretty curiosities.

MILLIE BURNET, 16 Chestnut St., Newark, N. J.

* * * * *

Postage stamps, for sea-shells.

EDWARD G. BOGERT, Flushing, Queens Co., N. Y.

* * * * *

Twenty-five different foreign stamps, and several internal revenue stamps, for stamps from Turkey, China, Japan, Arabia, Sandwich or Ionian Islands, Natal, or South America.

HELEN A. BROWNELL, Elmhurst, Du Page Co., Ill.

* * * * *

Rare United States and foreign stamps from Natal, Straits Settlements, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Buenos Ayres, Ecuador, United States of Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Sandwich Islands, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, for other rare foreign stamps, or for very rare United States postage or department stamps.

F. W. BROWN, care of T. Clark, 519 East One-hundred-and-nineteenth St., New York City.

* * * * *

A stamp from Greece, for one from Paraguay.

CHARLES BEARDSLEY, JUN., 214 Fourth St S. E., Washington, D. C.

* * * * *

A large assortment of good minerals, petrifactions, ocean curiosities, and relics, for a printing-press in good order, with ink, type, and general outfit. Correspondents will please write for list of specimens before sending press.

HARRY R. BARTLETT and BROTHER, P. O. Box 8, Greensburg, Green Co., Ky.

* * * * *

Five-cent Cuban stamps, issue of 1881, and other foreign postage stamps, for foreign stamps.

B. R. T. COLLINS, P. O. Box 62, Fryeburg, Me.

* * * * *

Pressed flowers, leaves, ferns, and mosses of Vermont, for sea-shells or sea-weed.

M. E. CUTTS, BARRE, Washington Co., Vt.

* * * * *

Ten foreign, United States, or department stamps, for any mineral or other curiosity.

WILLIAM E. CHASE, Franklin, Essex Co., N. J.

* * * * *

Foreign postage stamps, for a foreign coin, an Indian relic, or shells.

CLARA CAMPMAN, 146 East Seventy-first St., New York City.

* * * * *

Stones and Spanish iron ore, for ores, minerals, relics, and curiosities.

WILLIAM T. CRANE, 124 Washington St., Hoboken, N. J.

* * * * *

Gypsum, red chalk, or Texas soil, for Indian relics, Florida shells, specimens from the Mammoth Cave, or small ocean curiosities.

RAYMOND L. CAROTHERS, Giddings, Lee Co., Texas.

* * * * *

White coral, for foreign stamps and foreign postal cards. No French or German desired.

VERNON CHESLEIGH, 14 Carmine St., New York City.

* * * * *

Foreign stamps, for Indian relics, ocean curiosities, and all kinds of minerals, or anything interesting for a collection. All varieties of ore desired, especially gold ore.

CLAUDE V. MARTINEAU, Care of Vernon Chesleigh, 14 Carmine St., New York City.

* * * * *

Arrow-heads, for any kinds of ore. English stamps, for sea-shells or coral. Curiosities, for anything interesting for a museum.

CHARLES H. CARR, 41 Elm St., Covington, Ky.

* * * * *

One hundred postmarks (no duplicates), for any one of the following United States stamps: 90-cent, issue of 1851-'60, 1861, 1869; 24-cent, 1851-'60, 1869; 30-cent, 1869; 5-cent and 10-cent, 1847.

HALLETT CHAPMAN, P. O. Box 543, Flushing, Queens Co., N. Y.

* * * * *

An English stamp, for a leaf from any of the trees mentioned in the article entitled "Historical Trees of the United States," in HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 83. Exchangers please write before sending exchange.

WILLARD B. DUNNEGAN, Bolivar, Polk Co., Mo.

* * * * *

Old issues of United States postage stamps, and stamps from Cuba, Japan, and Europe, for stamps from Asia and Africa.

GEORGE D. DIBBELL, P. O. Box 166, Bound Brook, Somerset Co., N. J.

* * * * *

Twenty postmarks, for an African and a Peruvian stamp.

WALTER DEVELIN, 2039 Lambert St., Philadelphia, Penn.

* * * * *

Indian arrow-heads, for rare postage stamps (no duplicates). Stamps from Mexico, South America, and Africa especially desired.

HARRY FURNISS, Alcorn University, Rodney, Miss.

* * * * *

A stone from Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts, or a stone from Lake Champlain, for the same from any other place.

JENNIE J. EDWARDS, Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N. Y.

* * * * *

Five stamps, for one from Iceland, Egypt, or Turkey. Ten stamps, for one from Shanghai. Foreign stamps, for others.

J. NELSON ELLIOT, 11 Abingdon Square, New York City.

* * * * *

Chinese coins, red-cedar wood, or copper ore from Lake Michigan, for Indian arrow-heads, and soil from any State except New York.

HERMAN F. FICKE, 26 Bergen St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

* * * * *

Curiosities from Bermuda, grain from the banks of the Nile, and rare stamps from Egypt, Peru, Chili, Brazil, United States of Colombia, Mexico, Belgium, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Japan, and other countries, for good curiosities. Please send a description of the articles you have to exchange before sending package.

B. P. CRAIG, 297 Fourth St., Jersey City, N. J.

* * * * *

"Columbia County diamonds," for other minerals, or for ocean curiosities.

EDWIN H. ENT, Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Penn.

* * * * *

Rare stamps, for autographs of noted people. Correspondents wishing to exchange will please state what autograph they will give, and what stamps they are most desirous of having in return.

MARY FRENCH, 336 Harvard St., Cambridge, Mass.

* * * * *

Sets of stamps from Greece, Brazil, Bermuda, Netherlands, Spain, Saxony, Heligoland, and other countries, for minerals and foreign coins.

H. B. ADRIANCE, P. O. Box 37, Williamstown, Mass.

* * * * *

Flint, and foreign and United States stamps, for coral, shells, Indian relics, minerals, or anything suitable for a museum.

GUY A. BRYANT, Princeton, Bureau Co., Ill.

[_For other exchanges, see third page of cover._]

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LITTLE MAMIE.--Flying-squirrels are found in many localities in the United States. They are beautiful little creatures, about as large as a small chipmunk, with soft tawny fur above, and white below. They can not fly like birds, for their "wings" are only a kind of fur-covered skin stretching from the hind to the fore feet, which enables them to sail in the air in a downward direction. When they pass from tree to tree they spring, at the same time spreading their feet, and the extended skin acts as a sail, enabling them to go a great distance. They can climb up tree trunks, and scamper about among the foliage as gracefully and easily as other kinds of squirrels, but they have no power to fly upward, except when propelled by the force of an upward spring, or when going down they turn suddenly in the air, and the force with which they are going enables them to maintain an upward angle for a short distance. The flying-squirrel builds its nest in decayed holes in old trees. It is very easily tamed, and makes the prettiest pet imaginable. It lives happy in a cage, with an occasional hour of liberty, in which it will fly and scamper all over the room, and hide in its master's pocket for a nap when tired out; and it will eat all kinds of nuts, bits of bread and cake, apples, and corn or any seeds. Never try to keep one flying-squirrel alone, for it is the most sociable little creature in the world, and needs a companion to play with in its cage. If it is happy, and feels at home, it will build itself a cunning little nest of woollen ravellings, or any other soft material. We remember a very funny surprise and disappointment which once befell a pair of pet flying-squirrels. A lady visitor was sitting near their cage, when she felt a little tug at her shawl. She looked around, and there were two little squirrels, their cheeks puffed out with the woollen fringe which they had pulled through the wires of their cage, and which they were vainly striving to carry away to their nest. The little boy who owned them thought a pair of scissors would make everything right; but the lady had no desire to ruin her shawl just to please two squirrels, and she pulled the fringe away from them. You never saw such amazed little creatures. They peered through the wires of their cage in blank astonishment. Their tender-hearted little owner soon brought a handful of woollen scraps filched from his mother's piece-bag, and the squirrels contentedly scampered off with them to their nest.

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SUSAN S.--Enigmas for publication in our puzzle department must not only have an acceptable solution, but must be in rhyme.

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MISS H., AND OTHERS.--We can not give addresses in the Post-office Box except of those correspondents who desire to exchange.

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SIMON C., AND MANY OTHERS.--Your puzzles are very neat, and we thank you for your attention; but puzzles requiring diagrams are not, as a rule, available for the Post-office Box, as they occupy too much space.

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WILLIAM S.--Both of your stamps belong to the issue of 1869.

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E. H. L.--The amusing game you kindly send us was given in YOUNG PEOPLE, Vol. I., page 296, under the title of "Misfits."

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HAROLD W. H., AND OTHERS.--The introductory paragraph to the Post-office Box of YOUNG PEOPLE for March 1, 1881, explains why your requests for exchange are not printed.

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FRANK H.--The address of your exchange correspondent was given in the Post-office Box of No. 83.

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LIBBIE MEYERS.--Your kind intention shall be faithfully carried into execution.

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Correct answers to puzzles have been received from J. D. Brown, Jemima Beeston, F. T. Calder, Maggie Dutro, Lily F., William B. Hadley, "Lord Glenalvan"; Florence Millard, Bobbie Noble, "North Star," Augusta Low Parke, "Pepper," "_Queen Bess_," Daniel A. Slatery, Charlie Trimble. "Unknown," Annie Volckhausen, R. H. Washburne, "X. L. C. R."

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PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

ENIGMA.

In bugle, not in horn. In aurora, not in morn. In railroad, not in sleeper. In woodbine, not in creeper. In apples, not in cherries. In plums, but not in berries. In equator, not in pole. In mouse, but not in mole. In mingle, not in blend. In favorite, not in friend. In girdle, not in belt. In Norman, not in Celt. A river I, upon whose banks of old Lived many a warrior chivalrous and bold; And massive ancient towers still frown on me As I rush onward to the restless sea.

OWLET.

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No. 2.

DROP-LETTER PUZZLES.

Two familiar proverbs:

1. --e--e--s--t--i--t--e--o--h--r--f--n--e--t--o--. 2. --o--h--n--v--n--u--e--n--t--i--g--o--.

BOLUS.

A quotation from Scott:

3. C--m--o--e--o--e--l--t--i--r--c--s--a--l--l-- F--o--i--s--i--m--a--e--s--o--n--s--.

HENRY.

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No. 3.

PI.

A verse from a poem by an American poet:

Eb ilstl, dsa atrhe, nda secae inpenrgi; Nbdehi eth uslcdo si hte usn siltl gishnin; Yth teaf si hte mocnom tefa fo lal, Niot cahe feil moes nira stum lafl, Eosm yasd tums eb kdra dna ryraed.

METTIE.

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No. 4.

FOUR EASY SQUARES.

1.--1. A mineral. 2. A sickness. 3. Shapeless. 4. An animal.

GOODY TWO-SHOES.

2.--1. A famous mountain. 2. Afterward. 3. Cleanly. 4. Certain insects.

SCHOOL-BOY.

3.--1. A coin. 2. An image. 3. A family of plants. 4. Otherwise.

ALBERT.

4.--1. A word often fitly applied to school-girls. 2. Across. 3. To measure. 4. Spoils.

FLORENCE.

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ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 84.

No. 1.

Across.--1. Kite. 2. Mica. 3. Pine. 4. Long. 5. Left. 6. Lion. 7. Shad. 8. Chub. 9. Bees. 10. Pear.

Zigzags.--Kingfisher.

No. 2.

Strawberry.

No. 3.

1. Hornpipe. 2. Necklace.

No. 4.

E l M L im A E ave S P or T H al O A d D N er O T exa N

Elephant, Mastodon.

HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE.

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HARPER & BROTHERS, Franklin Square, N. Y.

TRAPS.

[From W. H. Gibson's _Camp Life in the Woods, and the Tricks of Trapping_. Harper & Brothers. _In Press._]

MOUSE-TRAPS.

Very effective traps may be set up in a few minutes by the use of a few bowls. There are two methods commonly employed. One consists of the bowl and a knife-blade. An ordinary table-knife is used, and a piece of cheese is firmly forced on to the end of the blade; the bowl is then balanced on the edge, allowing the bait to project about an inch and a half beneath the bowl. The odor of cheese will attract a mouse almost anywhere, and he soon finds his way to the tempting morsel in this case. A very slight nibble is sufficient to tilt the blade, and the bowl falls over its prisoner.

In the second method, a thimble is used in place of the knife. The cheese is forced into its interior, and the open end of the thimble inserted far beneath the bowl, allowing about half its length to project outward.

The mouse is thus obliged to pass under the bowl in order to reach the bait, and in his efforts to grasp the morsel the thimble is dislodged, and the captive secured beneath the vessel. Where a small thimble is used, it becomes necessary to place a bit of pasteboard or flat chip beneath it, in order to raise it sufficiently to afford an easy passage for the mouse. Both of these devices are said to work excellently.

FLY-TRAP.

Take a tumbler, and half fill it with strong soap-suds. Cut a circle of stiff paper which will exactly fit into the top of the glass. In the centre of the paper cut a hole half an inch in diameter; or, better still, a slice of bread may be placed on the glass. Smear one side of the disk with molasses, and insert it in the tumbler with this side downward. Swarms of flies soon surround it, and one by one find their way downward-through the hole. Once below the paper, and their doom is sealed. For a short time the molasses absorbs their attention, and they, in turn, absorb the molasses.

In their efforts to escape they one by one precipitate themselves into the soap-suds below, where they speedily perish. The tumbler is soon half filled with the dead insects; and where a number of the traps are set in a single room, the apartment is soon rid of the pests.

LAWN TENNIS.

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, June 28, 1881, by Various