CHAPTER VI.

THE FAIRY'S STORY.

"I promised you a story," said the little voice, close to his ear again.

"Yes, I know you did; can you tell it now?"

"To be sure I can, if I only have time. I did not bring any of my people to-night; they are helping some of the herb elves. It is a little late in the season, and some blossoms have been slow in opening, so that we have to urge them."

"How?" asked Phil.

"By coaxing and persuasion for some of them; others we have to blow upon quite forcibly."

"I am ready for the story when you are," said Phil.

"It is a wild affair, and one that all children might not care to hear; but to you, I fancy, nothing comes amiss."

"No, I like almost everything," said Phil.

"I shall begin just as my grandmother used to. Once upon a time, in the days of enchantment, there was a dreadful old ogre--"

"Do not make him too dreadful, or I shall have bad dreams," interrupted Phil.

The fairy laughed and flapped her little wings. "Now you must not be afraid; it will all come out right in the end. When I said the ogre was dreadful, I meant he was ugly-looking: we fairies like everything beautiful. Shall I go on?"

"Oh yes, and please forgive me for stopping you."

"This ogre was ugly, with a shaggy head, a shaggy beard, and fierce eyes, and he lived all by himself in a great stone castle on the shore of a large lake. His principal pleasure consisted in tormenting everything and everybody he came near; but if he had any preference, it was for boys; to tease and ill-use them had the power of affording him great happiness. Lazy, loitering little fellows were in especial danger, for he would catch them quite easily by throwing over their heads the nets he used in fishing, drag them off to his castle, and keep them in a dungeon until there would be no chance of discovery, and the boys' parents would think them lost forever. Thus he would gain a very useful, active set of laborers for a stone wall he was building, for so afraid were they of his displeasure, and so fearful that they might be starved, since the only food they received was dried and salted fish, that these boys worked like bees in a hive, only it was a sullen, painful sort of working, for they never sang or shouted, whistled or talked, and they were thin and wretched, and more like machines than boys.

"Now in this lake, on the shore of which was the ogre's castle, was an island, where lived a Princess whom the ogre had bewitched, but who had also regained her liberty, and near whom the ogre could never again come; even to land on her island or bathe in the water near would at once change him into a shark.

"This Princess, passing the ogre's castle in her beautiful swan-like sailing-boat, had seen the unhappy little boys at work on the stone wall; her sympathies had been aroused at so sad a sight, and she determined to wait her chance, and do what she could to relieve them. The chance came one day when the ogre had gone on a fishing excursion, from which he would not return till night. He had given the boys their rations of salt fish, and had commanded them in the gruffest tones to be sure and do an unusual amount of work in his absence, or they should all have chains on again; for when they were first caught he always chained them for fear they might try to escape; but they so soon lost all spirit and all desire for freedom that their chains were removed to enable them to work more easily.

"He had no sooner disappeared in his great clumsy craft laden with seines and harpoons, and baskets and jugs, than a whispering began among the boys, a sad sort of sighing and crying, almost like the whispering of wind in the tree-tops, which changed again to looks and glances of surprise as a beautiful vessel with silken sails floated up to the wharf, and a lovely gracious-looking lady clothed in white stepped from the boat, and came rapidly toward them.

"'Boys,' said she, addressing them in a very soft sweet voice, 'I have come to release you from this cruel bondage; will you trust me, and go with me?'

"'Yes, yes,' came from more than a dozen little tongues.

"'Come, then, at once. Drop your work, get into my boat, and we will be off. We have no time to lose, for your cruel master might possibly change his course and overtake us; then we should be in great danger.'

"The boys crowded about her, and with a wild cry followed her to her little vessel, and almost tumbled into it in their delight. It was with some difficulty that she kept them balanced, and prevented their falling out; but once packed, there were so many of them that they could not move. The vessel seemed to start of itself; its sails swelled out and spread themselves like wings, and away they dashed over the rippling waves, which rose and fell, and hurried them on their way. The ogre's castle was quickly left far behind, and the tired boys breathed more freely as it disappeared entirely from their view. In another minute they fell fast asleep, and did not waken till the motion of the boat ceased, and they found themselves gliding into a quiet harbor, fringed on each side with lovely shrubs that dipped their beautiful flowers into the calm water. Then the lady bade them follow her as she stepped from the boat on to the soft grass, and led them past fruits and flowers, and winding walks and fountains, up to the dazzling crystal palace in which she lived. Here the boys were halted while she made them this little speech: 'Boys, this is my home, these are my gardens; for a while you will have to remain here. We may have trouble with the ogre, but I want you to have no trouble among yourselves. Kindness, good-humor, pleasant looks and words, must prevail. There must be no envy, no selfishness, no desire to get the better of each other in any way. I demand obedience; if I receive it, all will be well; if I do not, you will have to suffer the consequence. Now I have said all that I need. These flowers, these fruits, are yours to enjoy in moderation.'

"As she ceased speaking, she clapped her hands, and a troupe of servants appeared. They led the boys to marble baths, where waters gushed and flowed in liquid beauty, and groves of orange-trees made a dense thicket about them. Here each boy was made sweet and clean, and provided with a suit of white clothes. When they emerged from the baths, they saw before them on the lawn tables filled with the most tempting food--roasted meats, broiled birds, pitchers of milk and cream, biscuits and jellies and ices.

"The utmost order prevailed. Starved as the poor boys were, the grace and beauty of their surroundings made them gentle and patient. At each plate was a tiny nose-gay held in the beak of a crystal bird, the body of which was a finger-bowl. Every plate was of exquisite workmanship. Some had birds of gay plumage; some had fierce tigers' heads or shaggy-maned lions; others bore designs of tools or curious instruments; but that which most delighted the boys was a dish of crystal, an exact imitation of the _Swan_--the _Fairy Swan_--in which they had sailed to this lovely island. It was laden with choice fruits. While the boys feasted as they had never before done in their lives, strains of sweet music became audible; and they could also hear the soft splash of the waves on the shore, or the dripping and tinkling of fountains, as the waters sparkled and fell in their marble basins.

"After they had feasted, the boys wandered off in most delightful idleness to all parts of the island. They climbed the trees, which bore blossoms, fruits, and nuts, all at the same time; they fished in the little coves; they waded in the shallow basins; and nothing would have marred their happiness had not one tall boy, with unnaturally strong and keen vision, declared that he saw the ogre's sail coming in the direction of the island.

"This was terrible, and had the effect of bringing all the boys together from their various amusements, just as chickens run from a hovering hawk. Together they crowded for a moment in mute dismay, unable to speak, to even hide, waiting the approach of their cruel foe.

"Nearer came the sail, and now they could all discern it. Its great clumsy shape, its heavy lumbering action, were not to be mistaken.

"What should they do?

"'Run for the Princess,' said one.

"'Too cowardly, that,' said another; and indeed their good abundant meal had begun to put strange courage in their little hearts.

"'Let's meet him, and fight him,' said one.

"'Let's upset his boat,' said another.

"'How?'

"'By pelting him with stones when he comes near enough.'

"'Good!' cried they all; and they began gathering all the bits of rock and pebbles they could find.

"Now came a roar of ogreish rage from the boat as it neared them.

"'I'll have ye again!' screamed the ogre.

"Then began the attack--a volley of small stones, nuts, fruits, anything they had in their pockets.

"One of the ogre's eyes was closed, so certain had been the aim of the tall boy who acted as leader.

"But the boat came nearer, and they were very much afraid the ogre would leap from it, when one of the boys whispered:

"'I'll go out to tempt him. Once get him in the water, and he's a goner. He'll be bewitched.'

"So he off with his jacket, and out he waded, while the others looked on in breathless admiration.

"The ogre looked with his one eye in eager derision; then forgetting his danger, and regarding the boy much as he might do an unwary fish that he would gobble up, he sprang from his boat into the shallow water, preparing not only to snatch the one boy, but to seize them all in a great seine he dragged after him, when suddenly the waves from the centre of the lake began hissing and seething, a tremendous swell set in toward the shore, driving the brave little fellow who had gone out to tempt the enemy completely off his legs, and obliging him to swim to the land, which he had no sooner reached than a great shout from all the boys made him look back, when, lo and behold! there was no ogre, only a great shark, with open jaws and a shining row of teeth, floundering about, and dashing himself in angry transports against the sides of the ogre boat, which he vainly attempted to board. And now could be seen swarms of little fish attacking the great one, darting hither and thither, now at his head, now at his tail, but keeping well away from his open jaws. And the waves began to be colored with the shark's blood. At last, wearied and wounded, with an angry snap of his jaws he dived down, and was seen no more.

"Then the boys gave another loud huzza, when, like a broad flash of sunshine, the lovely Princess came among them.

"'Boys,' said she, 'you have proved yourselves brave youngsters. The ogre can never again trouble you. He will be a shark for three thousand years, and he will not care to stay in these waters, with so many enemies about him. Now when you have regained your good looks and strength, I will take you all home. Here is the key of my sweetmeat closet. Run off, now, and have a good time.'

"The sweetmeat closet was a large inclosure where grew sugar-almond trees, candied pears, candied plums, and where even the bark and twigs of trees and bushes were of chocolate. In the centre was a pond of quivering jelly. Mounds and pyramids of jumbles and iced cakes abounded. They were too tempting to be long looked at without tasting, and the boys helped themselves gladly.

"A long sweet strain from a bugle called them away from this delightful spot, and on a broad smooth field they found bats and balls, ten-pins and velocipedes--in short, everything a boy could want to play with.

"After this they supped in simple fashion, each boy with only a great bowl of bread and milk. Then to more music they were marched to their beds--downy white nests in a great room arched with glass, through which they could see the moon and stars shining, and where the dawn could waken them with its early light.

"Such was their life for two of the most happy weeks of their lives, and never did boys thrive better. They grew fat and rosy; they sang, they danced, they played. Every time the Princess came among them they shouted with glee, and nearly cracked their young throats in doing her honor. But all fine things come to an end some time. Once more they were packed in the _Fairy Swan_, and away they sailed for the land of reality and for home. The Princess gave them each a beautiful portrait of herself, of the island, and of the _Swan_. And each boy promised that whenever he had a chance to perform a kind action he would do it in remembrance of the gentle courtesy of the Princess. And so ends my fairy story. Good-night, Phil."

"Good-night. Oh, how nice it was! I thank you so much!" and sleepy Phil turned to see the little white butterfly wings skimming out of the window, while a long sweet sigh came from his wind harp, sounding like "Good-night--good-night," again.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

CHILDREN AT TEA.

BY S. B.

I am very anxious, children dear, That you should quiet be, And take care to behave quite well While I pour out the tea.

Matilda Jane, I need not scold, For you behave so well; You sit so straight, and try your best To please me, I can tell.

But oh, Belinda, what a sight! See how she sits awry; I can not make that child obey, No matter how I try.

Her hair is always in a furze; Her dress and sash untied; She drops her shoes, turns in her toes, I know not what beside.

But now for once, Belinda dear, I trust you will behave; Not spill the milk, nor spoil your dress-- My trouble try to save.

And then you both shall have a cup Of most delicious tea, A piece of cake, perhaps some jam, And then go out with me.

ST. JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK.

I wish to tell the little readers of the Post-office Box about our pony. He is a dear little fellow, and just like a playful kitten. Sometimes Dexter--the pony--will not go the way you want him to. The other day I was going for Eddie, my brother, and down at our gate Dexter wanted to go one way, and I the other. As he is very hard on the mouth, he turned round to go home again. In doing so he upset the little sleigh, and the box came off, and away went Dexter up the drive and into the carriage-house.

When mamma saw it all through the window, she thought I was hurt, and she sent the man down to the gate. When he got there, all he could see was a heap of buffalo-robes, cushions, seats, and other things, with a pair of legs sticking out from under them. I was not hurt, and as soon as I could get up I went to the house to be brushed off. I am twelve years old.

FREDDIE L. T.

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TROY, NEW YORK.

I can hardly wait until I get YOUNG PEOPLE. I think the story of "Toby Tyler and Mr. Stubbs" is just splendid. One wet day two little friends came to play with me. Bertha was the fat woman, and I was Toby. I wish you could have seen Allie as our Living Skeleton. We found out that Mr. Treat knew what he was talking about when he said it was much easier to get a fat woman than a skeleton. We had great fun playing tableaux.

MORTON B.

* * * * *

The following letter is not written in Chinese, nor in Sanskrit, nor in any other uncommon language, but is simply a "Baby Letter," written by little four-year-old Bertha S., to Our Post-office Box. Bertha's mother writes that the little girl is sure her letter will be printed, and that the circle in the lower left-hand corner is a kiss for the editor. After that, it wouldn't do to disappoint her, would it?

* * * * *

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA.

My father brings me YOUNG PEOPLE every week. I keep my papers in my wall-pocket that grandma gave me Christmas. I got a beautiful doll for a present, too.

Christmas week we had snow here, and we had a fine time sleigh-riding and snow-balling.

I am going to New Orleans with papa and mamma for _mardi gras_.

NELLIE O.

* * * * *

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.

I have already received a sufficient supply of German stamps, and have sent away all my Swedish and Swiss stamps in exchange, and have no more to give.

I will try to answer all the letters I have received, but there are so many it will take me some time.

I think YOUNG PEOPLE is lovely, and I would not like to be without it.

ALICE V. SMITH.

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BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

Mamma takes YOUNG PEOPLE for me, and I like it very much, especially the story of "Toby Tyler." Poor little fellow, I feel so sorry for him!

I have a mud-turtle that I like about as well as Toby did Mr. Stubbs. I brought it from the country last August. Its shell is about as large as a silver half-dollar. We keep it in a glass dish of water, with sand and pretty stones at the bottom, and a piece of quartz for it to sun itself on. It has refused food ever since last October, until yesterday, when we gave it some raw beefsteak, and it ate it greedily. In the summer we feed it on wiggles and flies. I have named it Topsy, and it is very tame. It has slept a good deal of the time this winter.

CARRIE O.

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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

DEAR YOUNG PEOPLE,--The Sacramento River has broken the levee entirely. I am five years old, and mamma has taken me away from school because I am sick, and I have forgotten how to read.

In Sacramento there are lots of flowers. Only one rose-bush is in bloom in the back yard. There are little fingers on the bushes that make them hold to the lattice.

I went down to see the big river with my papa. I stood on a steamboat. I thought the boat was moving, but it was only the big drift and the water passing us. I saw the great, enormous chains that the anchors are fastened to. They made me think of the great, enormous squids that pull down the boats to the bottom of the ocean. That's all. [The above was written by Ottie's mamma from dictation, without change of a word.]

HENRY OSCAR B.

* * * * *

If any of the readers of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE will send me a collection of United States postage stamps, I will send in return a collection of Java postage stamps.

A. VAN HEEL, Samarang, Java.

* * * * *

We were at Avon Springs last summer, and while there we found some petrified shells and other fossils. We dug them from under a stratum of rock five or six feet below the surface of the earth, where they had lain for ages. I will exchange some of them for any kind of ore, sea-shells, or other curiosities.

EMMA HUNT, 59 South Ninth Street, Brooklyn, E. D., N. Y.

* * * * *

I want to tell you what a nice time I had one day in January. It was a very stormy Monday. I went to school; and although it is a very large school, only about one hundred scholars came, and in my room there were only eight. We did not have any classes, but spent the time in guessing words; that is, the letters of a word were given out all mixed up, and we had to guess the word they would spell. One easy one was oobk, which spells book. This is a very nice game.

I will exchange fifteen Connecticut postmarks (no duplicates), for fifteen of any other State except Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Jersey.

WILLIE E. HILL, 32 Pratt Street, Hartford, Conn.

* * * * *

A few days ago we went into a beautiful cave that is on the farm of one of our neighbors, and got a great many nice stalactites and stalagmites. One of the stalactites is almost transparent, and in all of them there are beautiful crystals. We saw some stalagmites over twelve inches high. In one place the roof of the cave is covered with fossil shells. We tried to break some off, but could not get any whole ones.

We have a large collection of curiosities, and would be glad to exchange with any of the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE for relics, minerals, or curiosities of any kind.

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

* * * * *

I am trying to make a scrap quilt, and I would like to have scraps from different parts of the United States. If any little boy or girl will send me a nice package of silk scraps, I will send in return Texas mosses, grasses, forest curiosities, six different kinds of acorns, or snail-shells.

NINON G. HARE, Lynchburg, Harris County, Texas.

* * * * *

I am trying to get a collection of postage stamps. I have a scroll saw, and can make many pretty things. If any one will send me twenty-five foreign stamps, I will send in return two easels I have made.

E. M. WRIGHT, Bremen, Marshall County, Ind.

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I have some postmarks, some silver ore, some shells from Florida, and a pretty stone--I do not know where it came from--which I would like to exchange for coins.

FREDERICK PFANS, 11 Beaver Street, Newark, N. J.

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I have a few Greek newspapers which I would like to exchange for Indian arrow-heads and relics.

CHARLES WARREN, 1577 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

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I live three miles from nine Indian mounds, and I have a great many arrow-heads, and twenty-seven spear-heads. I will exchange a rock from Missouri for one from any other State, and my brother will exchange an Indian stone hatchet for six stone arrow-heads or spear-heads.

WILLIAM REEL, Baden P. O., St. Louis, Mo.

* * * * *

I have just been reading YOUNG PEOPLE. A friend of mine and I take it together. We live near each other, and often go to the beach to gather shells and mosses. In the spring we have a great variety of wild flowers. I would like to exchange pressed wild flowers, sea-mosses, and shells from the Pacific coast for a moss-agate, a bunch of cotton just as it is picked with the seeds in it, or any other curiosity from the Central or Southern States, or the Atlantic coast.

CAROLINE BALDWIN, Santa Cruz, Cal.

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The following exchanges are also offered by correspondents:

German postage stamps, for minerals, fossils, or ores.

P. C. HENNIGHAUSEN, 143 Sharp Street, Baltimore, Md.

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Foreign postage stamps, for Chinese and South American stamps, or for coins.

KEARNY MASON, 2119 Pine Street, St. Louis, Mo.

* * * * *

Twenty-five foreign postage stamps (no duplicates), for ten United States department stamps.

W. W. BRADEN, 445 East One-hundred-and-eighteenth Street, New York City.

* * * * *

Foreign postage stamps, for curiosities.

LEWIS PIERSON, 57 Third Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.

* * * * *

Postage stamps, for minerals. Correspondents are requested to label all specimens.

R. T. ANDREWS, 214 Clermont Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

* * * * *

Cowries, scallops, cockle-shells, Chinese coins, stamps, and postmarks, for quartz crystals, gypsum, hematite, copper, lead, or graphite. Correspondents will please label specimens.

E. V. SHEERAR, Wellsville, Allegany County, N. Y.

* * * * *

Stamps, for minerals, ores, Indian relics, or old and rare American coins.

JOHN E. HODGES, 153 South Paca Street, Baltimore, Md.

* * * * *

Stamps from Egypt, Iceland, Ceylon, St. Helena, Persia, Ecuador, and other foreign countries, for United States stamps.

JOHN L. CASPAR, P. O. Box 8, China Grove, Rowan County, N. C.

* * * * *

Stuffed birds.

HARRY GREENE, 8 Myrtle Street, Boston, Mass.

* * * * *

Two Cape of Good Hope stamps, for two Mexican stamps.

EMMA K. GRIFFIN, Fond du Lac, Wis.

* * * * *

A stone from Massachusetts or New Jersey, for one from any other State except Missouri; soil of New Jersey, for soil of any other State; or specimens of mica, for any kind of ore.

F. L. FOSTER, Fairmount Avenue, Elizabeth, N. J.

* * * * *

Postmarks and stamps, for stamps.

WILLIAM M. WHITFIELD, 235 West Thirty-fourth Street, New York City.

* * * * *

Old issues of United States postage stamps and postmarks, for foreign stamps.

EDITH L. SMITH, Glenburn, Lackawanna County, Penn.

* * * * *

Foreign postage stamps, shells, and other curiosities, for others.

G. H. SMITH, Care of Mr. J. B. Wright, Columbus, Muscogee County, Ga.

* * * * *

Stones from Missouri, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, for stones from any Southern or Western State excepting Georgia, Illinois, Colorado, and Minnesota.

FRED P. HALL, 238 Warren Street, Jersey City, N. J.

* * * * *

Rare Indian relics, for minerals and stamps.

NELLIE SUGDEN, 49 West Fifty-third Street, New York City.

* * * * *

United States and foreign postmarks, for stamps.

SAMUEL J. LUTZ, Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio.

* * * * *

Twenty-five postmarks, for two foreign postage stamps.

FRANK RIGGS, P. O. Box 107, Watseka, Iroquois County, Ill.

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United States revenue stamps and postmarks, for foreign stamps; or a stone from Kentucky, for one from any other State.

HARRY PULLIAM, 275 West Broadway, Louisville, Ky.

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A printing outfit, for a scroll saw or a good printing-press.

FRANK RAWIE, Canton, Stark County, Ohio.

* * * * *

Postage stamps.

STAFFORD R. SOUTHWICK, 131 East Seventy-ninth Street, New York City.

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Foreign postage stamps and foreign and United States revenue stamps, for old United States or rare foreign stamps.

BRYANT WILLARD, Newport Barracks, Newport, Ky.

* * * * *

Fifteen Michigan postmarks and eight of other States, for one Chinese postage stamp.

ARTHUR K. WILLYOUNG, 147 Park Street, Detroit, Mich.

* * * * *

Two specimens of California wood, for every set of twenty-five postmarks.

H. M. H., 60 West Rutland Square, Boston, Mass.

* * * * *

Postage stamps. Swedish and Danish stamps especially desired.

WILLARD FRANCIS, 258 Market Street, San Francisco, Cal.

* * * * *

Asbestos and United States internal revenue stamps, for fossil fern and gold ore.

LYMAN NEWELL, Slater National Bank, Pawtucket, R. I.

* * * * *

Sandwich Island or Canadian stamps, for other foreign stamps.

M. D. AUSTIN, 1199 Main Street, Buffalo, N. Y.

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Stamps of British Guinea, Newfoundland, France, Norway, and Hong-Kong, for stamps of Honduras, Peru, Persia, Brazil, and Mexico.

FRANK H. NICHOLS, 341 East Indiana Street, Chicago, Ill.

* * * * *

Minerals, forest woods, stamps, and sea-shells, for new specimens of the same. Minerals preferred.

CHARLES R. FLETCHER, 144 Cambridge Street, East Cambridge, Mass.

* * * * *

Postmarks and foreign postage stamps.

LILLIE W. HOUSE, 85 Whitney Place, Buffalo, N. Y.

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Postage stamps.

CHARLES UHLER, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Penn.

* * * * *

United States postmarks, for stamps.

EDDIE EARL, P. O. Box 714, Leominster, Mass.

* * * * *

Ocean curiosities, for soil from any State excepting Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

HARRY LEWIS, care of J. W. Barton, Northwest Corner of Front and Market Streets, Philadelphia, Penn.

* * * * *

Stones from the Great Lakes, for foreign postage stamps.

WAT H. T. MAYO, Hague, Westmoreland County, Va.

* * * * *

Ten rare foreign stamps, for ten Brazilian stamps. No duplicates.

IKE HAMMOND and FRED CROSE, Lock Box 152, Greencastle, Putnam Co., Ind.

* * * * *

Old United postage stamps, for foreign stamps, Indian arrow-heads, or other curiosities.

ELBERT E. HURD, Lempster, Sullivan County, N. H.

* * * * *

Foreign stamps, old United States copper one-cent and half-cent coins, for foreign coins, postmarks, and curiosities.

CHARLES GRUNER, 79 Park Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

* * * * *

Soil from Massachusetts, for soil of Ohio.

EVERETT CRANE, Weymouth, Norfolk County, Mass.

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Foreign postage stamps, for minerals and Indian relics.

GARRY B. POST, care of George R. Post, New Britain, Hartford County, Conn.

* * * * *

Minerals, for sea-shells, agates, and curiosities of all kinds; or lichens, moss, pressed ferns and flowers from Illinois, for moss, ferns, and flowers from other States and Canada.

MARY LOWRY, Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Ill.

* * * * *

Spar, fossils, stamps, and postmarks, for ocean curiosities. Thirty varieties of foreign stamps, or twenty stamps and twelve foreign postmarks, for a box of sea-shells and a star-fish.

OSCAR RAUCHFUSS, Golconda, Pope County, Ill.

* * * * *

American copper coins.

ED SWEET, Wellsville, Allegany County, N. Y.

* * * * *

Postage stamps, for stamps, curiosities, and Indian relics.

FRANCIS B. WHEATON, 55 Park Street, Providence, R. I.

* * * * *

Asbestos and mica, for foreign stamps, especially from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland.

WILLIE BOGARDUS, 1455 Lexington Avenue, New York City.

* * * * *

A stone from Illinois, for a stone from any other State or Territory.

BLYTHE HENDERSON, 101 Third Street, Peoria, Ill.

* * * * *

Foreign and United States War Department stamps, for rare and old coins, a ten-cent piece of 1879, stamps, shells, copper or zinc ore, or stones and soil from any State except Wisconsin.

CLARE B. BIRD, Jefferson, Jefferson County, Wis.

* * * * *

United States postage stamps, for the same or foreign stamps.

CLINTON F. HICKS, Pine River, Waushara County, Wis.

* * * * *

Twenty-five rare and old postmarks, for twelve foreign stamps.

BAKER BROS, P. O. Box 5, Comstocks, N. Y.

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Soil of Ohio, for that of any other State.

HARRY LAURIMORE, Lock Box 6, Greenville, Darke County, Ohio.

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CARRIE E.--The book you inquire about is not contained in the "Franklin Square Library." The only answer possible to your other question was given in HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 15, February 10, 1880.

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T. H. P.--The line, "Tall oaks from little acorns grow," occurs in a poem entitled "The School-boy's Address," which is given in old Readers. The following paragraph in reference to the authorship of this poem has been kindly written by Mr. Benson J. Lossing, with whose name the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE are familiar:

"'The School-boy's Address,' in Bingham's _Columbian Orator_, beginning, 'You'd scarce expect one of my age,' was written by David Everett, principal of the New Ipswich (New Hampshire) Academy, in the winter of 1791, previous to his entrance to Dartmouth College. It was written for a favorite pupil, Ephraim Hartwell Farrer, and was spoken at a school exhibition at the academy that same winter.

"At the centennial celebration of the founding of New Ipswich, in 1850, Mr. Farrer, then a white-haired man sixty-six years of age, was called upon to respond to the toast, 'Rev. Stephen Farrer, the first pastor of New Ipswich: The memory of the just is blessed.' Mr. E. H. Farrer was a son of the venerable pastor. When he arose to respond, his first words were,

"'You'd scarce expect one of my age To speak in public on the stage.'

"These words he had spoken just fifty-nine years before."

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ALICE B.--You will find a description of a very simple way to make snow-shoes in a letter from May C. T. in the Post-office Box of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 65. The best snow-shoes are a light frame-work covered with a netting of stout thongs, but these would be difficult for you to obtain, and you could not make them yourself.

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F. S. K.--The poet Longfellow was born in Portland, Maine, on February 27, 1807. He studied at Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Maine, graduating in 1825. Nathaniel Hawthorne, John S. C. Abbott, and some others who afterward became distinguished literary men, were his classmates. After leaving college he spent several years in Europe, and on his return, in 1829, became Professor of Modern Languages at Bowdoin College. In 1835 he again visited Europe, and one year later became Professor of Modern Languages and Literature at Harvard University. He made his home in the historic Cragie House, once Washington's head-quarters, which he soon purchased. Longfellow resigned his position at Harvard in 1854, but still continues to reside in the historic mansion in Cambridge. Honorary degrees have been conferred upon him by the Universities of Oxford and Edinburgh, and his name is dear to the heart of every American.

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I. CHASE.--The letter from your Prince Edward Island correspondent published in the Post-office Box of YOUNG PEOPLE No. 62 probably explains your trouble.

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C. U.--A five-kreutzer German stamp is worth about two cents, United States currency.

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Correct answers to puzzles have been received from Jimmie F. Burns, Lila Baker, A. E. Cressingham, Richard Owen C., C. D. Chipman, W. K. Crithens, R. H. Davidson, Linda and Susie Egbert, Philip S. Gillis, Jesse S. Godine, Carrie and George Hall, Frank H. H., Charles Jefferson, Norman D. Lippincott, William A. Lewis, Andrew E. P., "Red Lion," "Starry Flag," Louis K. Sayre, "L. U. Stral," I. W. Trotter, "The Dawley Boys," Eva J. Turner, Howard J. Van Doren, Bennie C. Woodward, Edith M. Wetmore, J. Anthony Walker, Willie F. Woolard, "Young Solver."

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PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

ENIGMA.

My first in old, but not in new. My second in toll, not in curfew. My third in enemy, not in foe. My fourth in pack, but not in stow. My fifth in quarrel, not in fight. My sixth in heavy, not in light. I am renowned in ancient song For something most absurdly long.

T. H.

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No. 2.

NUMERICAL CHARADES.

1. I am a famous place in the Western part of the United States, composed of 14 letters. My 3, 7, 13, 5 is a twig. My 7, 2, 14 is a trifle. My 5, 2, 11, 8 is a small burrowing animal. My 9, 4, 6, 12 is a curtain. My 1, 10, 5 is a tropical vegetable.

WILLIAM A. L.

2. I am an English bird composed of 8 letters. My 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 is one of the cereals. My 6, 7, 8 is a part of the body.

CARRIE E.

3. I am a flower composed of 6 letters. My 2, 5, 1 is a verb. My 3, 6, 4 is a boy's name.

W. I. T.

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No. 3.

CHARADE.

My first is to be disordered in mind. My second is a letter of the alphabet. My third is an illuminating agent. My fourth is a public conveyance. My whole is found on the map of the Eastern Hemisphere.

WILLIE L. K.

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No. 4.

DOUBLE ACROSTIC.

An East Indian tree. Worthless. The ancient name of a country in Europe. A fish. A river in Germany. Birds belonging to the thrush family. Primals and finals spell the name of a country.

HUGH.

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No. 5.

ENIGMA.

First in mend, not in patch. Second in knob, not in latch. Third in boat, not in raft. Fourth in brig, not in craft. Fifth in sail, not in mast. Sixth in second, not in last. My whole is a Southern city gay, Upon the shore of a lovely bay.

C. P. M.

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ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 68.

No. 1.

D A C T Y L A D O R E C O Z Y T R Y Y E L

No. 2.

C O N T R O V E R S Y I N D E L I B L E O M N I B U S F A V O R D E N B A R T G U A V A G A R N I S H I N V E C T I V E T H O U G H T L E S S

No. 3.

Leadville.

No. 4.

A Valentine.

No. 5.

Mango.

WIGGLES.

On the following page are a few of the best ideas of Wiggle No. 17, given in No. 65. We hope that our young contributors whose Wiggles are omitted will not be greatly disappointed at not seeing their names published, as has been customary. More than five hundred answers to this Wiggle were sent in, and to publish all the names would require more than a column of the Post-office Box space. Therefore the editor has decided that hereafter no names shall be published save those whose Wiggles are used. Three "Wigglers"--Joe Ulmer, Ada Allen, and O. M. W.--hit upon our artist's idea, and sent in correct answers to Wiggle No. 17. If these three will send their full names and addresses to the editor, they will hear of something pleasant from him. Will "B," who gave a correct answer to Wiggle No. 16, also send his or her name and address?

HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE.

SINGLE COPIES, 4 cents; ONE SUBSCRIPTION, one year, $1.50; FIVE SUBSCRIPTIONS, one year, $7.00--_payable in advance, postage free_.

The Volumes of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE commence with the first Number in November of each year.

Subscriptions may begin with any Number. When no time is specified, it will be understood that the subscriber desires to commence with the Number issued after the receipt of the order.

Remittances should be made by POST-OFFICE MONEY-ORDER OR DRAFT, to avoid risk of loss.

HARPER & BROTHERS, Franklin Square, N. Y.

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, March 8, 1881, by Various