Part 4

Well, you have made me feel a strong desire to go to quaint old Nantucket. Don't you think the good home cooking must have tasted very delicious to hungry sailors who had been used to sea fare during long and tedious voyages? And how happy must dear little girls have been when, climbing to the lookout, they saw in the distance their fathers' ships coming in! How they must have hurried down to tell mother, and what a joyful troop must have been at the wharf to welcome the bronzed and bearded man when once more he set foot on his native land!

* * * * *

BRICK CHURCH, NEW JERSEY.

I am eleven years of age, and have been receiving HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE as a present for nearly two years. I think it is one of the nicest Christmas presents I ever had given to me, and I enjoy the stories, puzzles, and Post-office Box very much. As school opened last Monday, I thought I would wind up my holidays by sending you fifty cents of my own for Young People's Cot, and hope it may help a little to do some poor sick child good.

I had a real good time during vacation, and among other things, my brothers and sisters and I (there are six of us all--steps and stairs, mamma says) made a collection of caterpillars, putting them in boxes with covers of glass, so that we could watch them. We fed them with cabbage leaves and turnip-tops. Did you know some caterpillars were cannibals? We caught some very pretty green ones with black stripes and yellow horns, and they soon attached themselves to the side of the box by two threads, and after a day or so their skins came off, and they turned into cocoons. It was just after they hung themselves up that the other caterpillars attacked them, and kept them company until they had eaten them all up. Wasn't it awful?

We have lots of butterflies now, but I scarcely think so much of them since I know how they behaved in their youth. But my uncle Jim says they are regenerated, and I suppose that takes the bad out.

Hoping, dear Postmistress, that you had a pleasant time this summer. I am your little friend,

EFFIE W. R.

You were well employed in watching the caterpillars. That is the best way to study natural history, not depending on books only, but taking notice for yourself of the ways and habits of insects and birds.

* * * * *

SHELTON, NEBRASKA.

I thought that I must write to you because all the other little girls and boys do. I take HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE and _The Pansy_, and like them both. I have a pet pig, and I call her Peggy. She is an orphan; I raised her on a bottle. I once had a pet kitty. I would put a shawl around her and rock her, and she would go to sleep. Papa has a horse that I can ride. I can ride sideways on a gallop without a saddle. My home is on a farm with my papa and mamma, and I am their only child. We had a hail-storm here in July which destroyed the wheat for many miles around. I attended the Grand Army Reunion at Grand Island, Nebraska.

LOUIE L.

Take care that the horse does not run away with you one of these merry days when you are riding without a saddle.

* * * * *

DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

I thought I would write and tell you about my baby brother; he is seven months old. I have a pet hen and a little kitten. My brother had a little rabbit a short time ago, but it ran away and got lost. I like HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE; we have had it every week since it came out, but I would like it better if you would write more about girls.

CLARA B. K.

If you will look carefully over the last few numbers, Clara, you will find some very pretty stories and poems which are about girls. And we have some very delightful things all ready for our bright girls this autumn.

* * * * *

GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT.

I thought I would tell you about some historical reminiscences for which this place is noted. Not quite a mile out of the village is the place where brave General Putnam rode down what is now called "Put's Hill," and escaped from the British soldiers under General Tryon; and General Putnam's old stone house is still standing here, and is occupied.

We have no pets, but papa has a very valuable bull-terrier named Leo, which is so very gentle that my dear little sister Helen, who is only five years old, has only to speak to him to make him drop a bone, no matter how choice it may be. He never attempts to growl at us when he is eating, as some dogs do. We got him as a pup, when he was two weeks old, and as he was so young, he was sent back to his mother until he was six weeks old. Then we have two of the nicest, gentlest horses that ever were; their names are Charlie and Fannie. We have had them ten years, and we can do anything with them. They are unhitched in the main part of the stable, and they are allowed to go where they will, but they always go in the right stalls. There are four stalls, two day stalls and two night stalls. I have a collection of picture cards, and my brother Gershom and I have a splendid album of stamps. We have quite a large family--twelve in all--and necessarily never lack company.

I should think that the Postmistress would be very busy with all the letters from young people. I am my parents' sixth child and second son, and I am fourteen years old.

FRED L. S.

* * * * *

FORT CONCHO, TEXAS.

My papa is an officer in the army. We live at Fort Concho. I take HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, and get the _St. Nicholas_ from our post library. I suppose you have heard of the great flood we had here. I went to the river every day with papa, and saw a great many things floating down the stream. Mamma saw a big rat on a small piece of wood sailing along, and looking quite comical. I saw hundreds of sheep and pieces of furniture and a piano leg rushing on. But all that did not make me feel so bad as the little girl who lost her mamma and sister. She stood on the bank and saw them float away on the house roof. They were brought back dead.

If you publish this, I will write again, and tell you about my good times pecan-nutting and Indian-pony-riding, etc. I am ten years old.

RUTH W. P.

It was, indeed, heart-rending for that poor little girl to see her dear mother and sister carried to death before her eyes. I hope you will write again, little Ruth.

* * * * *

YOUNG PEOPLE'S COT.

We are very glad to see that the interest of our dear little readers in Young People's Cot does not decline. The letters which we publish in connection with the treasurer's report show that the children are learning how pleasant it is to work for others.

* * * * *

Contributions received for Young People's Cot, in Holy Innocent's Ward, St. Mary's Free Hospital for Children, 407 West Thirty-fourth Street:

L. Benedict, Jun., New York, $5; Charles, David, Ernest, Wilfred, and Robert Bliss, Kent, Iowa, $5; proceeds of a fair held by Ned and Lulu Rawson, Port Richmond, S. I., $1.77; from Harry, Clarence, Todie, James, and little Florrie, in memoriam of their dear uncle, $1; Susie and Robbie Orton, Darlington, Wis., $4.50: Fannie, Emma, Eddie, Mamie, and Bessie Pearson, $1; "The Willing Workers," Minnie and Mattie Lloyd and Daisy Mason, L'Anse, Mich., $5.25; Fanny G., 6c.; Ernest L. Scott, Kinsman, Ohio, $1; Roy, Aileen, Dicky, and George Guppy, Oakland, Cal., $1; fines for using words "horrid" and "awful," 27c.; Richard P. Appleton, Boonton, N. J., 25c.; total, $26.10; amount previously acknowledged, $1232.05; grand total, September 12, $1258.15.

E. AUGUSTA FANSHAWE, Treasurer, 43 New St.

* * * * *

SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

We are five little children, and we live in the country. We feel so sorry for the little sick children in the city that we want to send to the Cot some money which we earned by picking blackberries and apples for mamma. We would like very much to send more, but we have no more at present. We will try to save some, and send some again soon. We sent once before; perhaps you remember it. We like the article in YOUNG PEOPLE about Egypt very much. When papa was a young man he was a sailor, and has been to Alexandria, in Egypt, and stood under Pompey's Pillar, and saw the two Needles which have been removed, the one having been sent to England and the other to America. That is why the article interested us so much.

FANNIE, EMMA, EDDIE, MAMIE, and BESSIE PEARSON.

* * * * *

L'ANSE, MICHIGAN.

I am eleven years old. My papa takes HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE for me. I have had it from the first number, and love it very much. I always look forward with pleasure to the day that brings it. "Mr. Stubbs's Brother" is a splendid story, and I am sorry it is ended. Last winter some little girls and myself formed a society, which we named the Willing Workers. We had four meetings at our house, made dolls' clothes, and sold them. Mamma looked over the work, and showed us how to do it right. This summer we had a lawn party, and altogether we made $5.25, which we want sent to Young People's Cot. Please send it for us. I hope my letter is not too long for Our Post-office Box. The names of the little girls of the society are Minnie and Mattie Lloyd and

DAISY MASON.

* * * * *

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

Please accept the inclosed contribution of one dollar that Roy, Aileen, Dickie, and George have saved by selling rags, bags, and bottles, and accept our many wishes that the necessary $3000 will soon be contributed. Very truly yours,

MRS. A. R. GUPPY.

* * * * *

KINSMAN, OHIO.

I am a little boy five years old. I send you one dollar from my savings-bank for Young People's Cot. I had a little rabbit, but the cat killed it one night. I have a little blue-eyed sister two years old. Mamma was going to give her a bath one day, and got the water all ready, and went after the brush and sponge, and she got in the tub with her clothes on, and sat right down in the water. Her name is Nellie. I can not write, so I got my papa to write this.

ERNEST L. SCOTT.

* * * * *

DARLINGTON, WISCONSIN.

Please find inclosed draft of $4.50 from Susie and Robbie Orton. The most of the money was earned by them in doing such little things as children can if they will to help. They know what it is to be sick and have the tenderest of care, with a pleasant room, and a soft, nice bed to lie in, and everything to make them comfortable, and they feel they would like to help in making some poor little child, who may not be so highly favored as they are, more comfortable. Their mamma,

MRS. P. A. ORTON.

* * * * *

NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT.

My little friend who lives next door to me and myself have been trying to think of some way to earn some money for Young People's Cot. So we have had a fair, and made most of the things ourselves, but we had a little assistance from our friends. A very kind lady who lives near us sent us a beautiful basket of flowers, which we made into bouquets. We have just five dollars, which we are going to send. We had a very nice tent out in our yard, which our mothers fixed for us. It was made of red, white, and blue cloth, and had flags around the edge, and lanterns hung on it, though we did not light them, because we did not have the fair in the evening. We had candy, lemonade, fruit, and flowers, besides all our fancy things. We had it two afternoons, and sold nearly all our things. We thought we had pretty good success, besides a great deal of pleasure. I found a dandelion to-day, and I thought that was quite late for it. I hope this is not too long to print, because we should like very much to see it in the paper.

LOUISE H. A. and BEATRICE W.

I am glad to hear that you had so successful a fair, and hope next month to see your names in the list of contributors to the fund.

* * * * *

PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

THREE ENIGMAS.

1.

First in urn, not in vase. Second in man, not in face. Third in bell, not in tongue. Fourth in ring, not in song. Fifth in even, not in smooth. Sixth in lessen, not in soothe. Seventh in lady, also in girl. Eighth in antelope, not in squirrel. Whole a thing that John and Jane Never use when it does not rain.

MOTHER BUNCH.

2.

First in Charlie, not in Fred. Second in Albert, not in Ned. Third in tick, not in clock. Fourth in boat, not in dock. Fifth in maize, not in corn. Sixth in shave, not in shorn. Seventh in ruin, not in waste. Eighth in rash, also in haste. Ninth in son, not in daughter. Whole is used on the water.

ALFRED B. (aged 8).

3.

First in break, not in mend. Second in bow, not in bend. Third in hash, not in meat. Fourth in cold, not in heat. Fifth in ice, hot in snow. Sixth in abuse, not in blow. Seventh in fish, not in fowl. Eighth in kill, not in howl. Ninth in fail, not in try. Whole a mountain in Australia.

HOPPERGRASS.

* * * * *

No. 2.

NUMERICAL ENIGMA.

My 1, 2, 3 is to join. My 4, 5 is a preposition. My 6, 7, 8 is a trap. My 15, 16, 9, 18, 11, 13 is abuse. My 19, 14, 10, 12 is a defeat. My 17, 18, 19, 20 is an important body of men. My whole contains 20 letters, and is a familiar proverbial expression.

V. O. T.

* * * * *

No. 3.

WORD SQUARE.

1. Not old. 2. A proprietor. 3. A relative. 4. A girl's name. 5. A pair of matched horses.

EDITH M. L.

* * * * *

No. 4.

OCTAGON.

1. A kind of food. 2. Beaten. 3. A variety of thistle. 4. To untwist. 5. A buffoon. 6. The receiver of a gift. 7. A prefix.

J. M. ILES and C. M. EYERS.

* * * * *

No. 5.

THREE EASY DIAMONDS.

1.--1. An aspirate. 2. To marry. 3. A girl's name. 4. Moisture. 5. A letter.

EDITH M. L.

2.--1. A letter. 2. A pronoun. 3. An animal. 4. Not young. 5. A letter.

EUREKA.

3.--1. A letter. 2. A receptacle. 3. A fierce animal. 4. A snare. 5. A letter.

DAVID H.

* * * * *

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 149.

No. 1.

Spur-royal.

No. 2.

P-as-time-s. G-over-no-r. C-harm-ing. B-as-soon-s. F-all-ing. T-he-or-y. P-rose-cut-e.

No. 3.

Syracuse. Italy. Greenland.

No. 4.

S A T U B E L M S U G A R A L B U M B A T M U D R M

A A P E A P R O N E O N N

No. 5

F-able. F-act. H-all. C-ask. P-eel. P-inch.

* * * * *

Correct answers to puzzles have been received from P. Embury, Jun., Alice White, Maggie Ford, Peter Lent, John T. D., Effie R., Phebe McBeath, Maggie Dean, Carrie C. Howard, Alice W., Gertrude Ford, "Fuss and Feathers," William Armstrong, Charles Haynes, Theodore Hardy, Jack Truman, A. M. Bloomingdale, Charlie De Gangue, "Eureka," Fanny Still, and T. B. D.

* * * * *

[_For Exchanges, see 3d page of cover._]

A GOOD SHOOTER.

BY A. W. ROBERTS.

For shooting tin-foil pellets, small stones, etc., one of the simplest and most powerful of easily made toys is shown in the accompanying drawing.

The barrel of the gun consists of a piece of green elder from four to six inches in length, from which the pith has been carefully removed. In this empty pith chamber we have an excellent "smooth bore," into which the piston (P) works. At one end of the piston is a knob, the purpose of which is to prevent the piston from passing into the gun. Over this knob passes a rubber band (E) half an inch in width, which fits in a slot cut into the top of the knob for the purpose of keeping the elastic in its place. The ends of the band are fastened on the outside of the barrel of the shooter with strong black thread as shown at T.

When using this shooter the piston is drawn back to nearly its full length, and the load follows it. By letting go of the piston the load is discharged with all the force produced by the sudden contraction of the elastic band. By discarding the elastic band, and using wet pellets of paper, and compressed air as a propelling force, a very good air or pop gun is the result.

* * * * *

MUSICAL ANIMALS.

Dogs and other animals are variously affected by musical sounds; some manifesting dislike, others enjoyment, when within hearing of music. I knew one dog that, when requested to sing, would stand on his hind-legs and go on whining and howling for almost any length of time, and while the performance was attended to he manifested great enthusiasm. But he also enjoyed real music very much, and showed signs of pleasure when the piano was played, getting as near to it as possible. Occasionally, however, he would take a part without being invited, much to the discomfiture of a singer, who would wonder where the extraordinary accompaniment came from. I have a lively recollection of his volunteering assistance when we were singing a hymn one Sunday evening, and of the way in which it was brought to an abrupt conclusion by the sight of our doggie on his hind-legs, and the sound of his whines ringing out above every human voice.

A black cat belonging to a friend, in whose house I was a guest some years ago, had a strong dislike to music in every shape, but especially to singing. Having noticed this peculiarity, I am afraid I teased poor pussy a good deal by my endeavors to produce a manifestation of her feelings with regard to vocal music, and when she was stretched comfortably by the fire I used to begin to sing, taking care to shut the door first. Puss would jump up, rush to it, and finding the means of egress cut off, would run wildly round the room, as if in distress, until I ceased. Not to irritate the creature too much, I generally made my vocal performance a very short one.

On an exceptional occasion I thought I would try the cat's powers of endurance a little longer, and went on singing, when, after vainly trying to escape, the creature sprang at me, placed one paw across my mouth, and clung to my dress and neck with the rest of her claws in such a fashion that I was only too glad to cease my song, and so pacify the desperate animal.

When pussy's claws were disengaged I was not a little relieved, and I need hardly say that this was the last time I ventured to experiment on the cat's patience. My friend was also much alarmed, and I have no doubt thought, as I too did, that I had escaped almost better than I deserved, under the circumstances, for I had only a few scratches.

A pug-dog, the pet of a lady in this neighborhood, has a favorite tune which he distinguishes from all others. Nugget is a musical animal, and has a way of putting in occasional notes of his own when his mistress plays the piano. But when she commences his tune, Nugget becomes greatly excited. He first capers up and down the room, and then, running to the side of the player, he stands on his hind-legs and accompanies the music in a style peculiar to himself and most amusing in its effect on the listeners.

Nugget's mistress or any other performer may play the piano by the hour, and the dog manifests only an ordinary amount of interest. But no matter how suddenly his tune may be introduced, Nugget shows his appreciation of it by going through the performance already described.

The lady attributes the dog's fondness for the tune to the fact that when he was a puppy her little niece used to play it upon the piano, singing only the word "Nugget" again and again to the music. As, however, the pug recognizes the tune itself, when simply played, from all others, it is quite evident that he has a musical ear, and is not in any way guided by words.

* * * * *

ENIGMA.

Even when I am a whole I am only a portion, And often my price is a wicked extortion; Sometimes you can buy me without any trouble, You'll perhaps try again, and find me worth double; My value, however, can change in an hour-- In fact I'm like April, all sunshine and shower; To depend upon me, then, I should not advise, Still, people run after me, foolish and wise. I may make a man rich if I deign to get up; I go down, and he often drains poverty's cup; My interests frequently lie under-ground, But others have I all about and around. And now I shall leave you my title to guess, Yet in saying farewell I would this fact impress: Remember the clew which I gave at the start-- Even when I am whole I am only _a part_.

F. J. M.

* * * * *

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, October 3, 1882, by Various