Part 4

I have been wishing to write to you for some time, but as my oldest brother had written, mamma said it would be better for me to wait awhile. Friday was my birthday; I was seven years old. Brother is almost nine, and we have a fat little brother just five. Our baby sister is almost two years old, and she is so cute and sweet! We all like the paper very much indeed, and think the pictures beautiful. We have an aunt eight years old, two little cousins, and brother Willie and myself who take it, so we have a nice time talking about the pieces when we are all together. Our papa has a new hay-press. We love to watch them bale the hay. I think we boys who live in the country have fine times, there is so much to see and to do, and we have so much nice fruit. Mamma says it would be better to live in the city in winter, so that we could go to school. As it is, she teaches us at home. There are so many of us to play together that we do not care much for pets. Our dog Tip is one year old now. He was named for Tip in YOUNG PEOPLE. He is a real smart dog, although he is so small. He wants to go with us wherever we go, but mamma wants him to stay at home, so now whenever the "Jersey" is hitched up he hides himself under the back seat so that we will not notice him. We have a great many things I would love to tell you about, but I have not time now. My little brother Charlie will want to write before long.

LUDDIE M. B.

* * * * *

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

I am a little girl eleven years old, and have taken HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE from the first number. I am just recovering from a severe attack of diphtheria, which has left me with both limbs paralyzed. I have a little sister five years old, and her name is Mamie. We have no pets except a little canary-bird whose name is Dickey; he is the sweetest little fellow you ever saw. If you wake him up in the night he will get very angry, and spread out his wings, and open his mouth wide at you. Has the dear Postmistress ever read the "Elsie Series"? I have, and think they are very interesting. Good-by, dear YOUNG PEOPLE.

JESSIE S.

I hope, dear Jessie, that you will in time recover your strength, and be able to walk again. I hope that YOUNG PEOPLE helps to amuse you and pass the time that might be weary without it.

* * * * *

HUNTINGTON, LONG ISLAND.

I am ten years old, and have taken HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE ever since the first number came out. I have every one except No. 142, and that papa left in the ferry-boat. In winter we live in Brooklyn, but in summer we come to my grandpa's farm. It is very pleasant here; it is thirty-six miles from Brooklyn. I have two sisters and one brother, all younger than myself. One of my sisters is a baby, and I am her godmother. She is so cunning! We had four squirrels, but my brother's and baby sister's died, and I gave mine to brother, so that I have no pets now. We have four cats. The largest one is Solomon Isaac Moses Levy Marcus Antonio, the next is Lizzie, the next is Fannie Smith, and the fourth is Jumbo Peter.

AIMEE H.

Did you not have a headache, dear, after giving Puss No. 1 that remarkable name? I hope you do not forget to set every day the very best example you can to the little one whose godmother you are.

* * * * *

HOOD RIVER, OREGON.

I have never seen a letter in the Post-office Box from this place, so I thought I would write. I have taken HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE since November, and like to read it very much. We are spending our vacation here, but our home is in Portland, Oregon. We are only about fifteen miles from Mount Hood, and we can also see Mount Adams very plainly from here. Most of our trees are pine, but there are a great many oaks too. We have lots of fun swinging on their long branches. My brother and another man killed a rattlesnake with six rattles the other day. We eat out-of-doors, in a dining-room made of small pine-trees and boughs. We have a horse whose name is Silly. There are five girls in our family and two boys. My baby brother is three months old, and we think he is the dearest baby in the world. He laughs right out loud sometimes. I have been trying to learn something else besides what I find in my books at school, but all that I have yet learned to do well is to darn stockings and make biscuits.

DORA D. E.

If you can make good biscuits, light and sweet, and darn stockings well, you are quite a little housekeeper already.

* * * * *

GALLIPOLIS, OHIO.

I have not been taking YOUNG PEOPLE very long. But my father bought a few copies when he was at Richmond, Virginia, about two or three months ago, and I liked them so much that he gave me a subscription for a birthday present. I have not many pets, but my grandmother, who lives next door to us, has a fountain about eighteen feet round, and she has some gold-fish. They are the largest that were ever seen in this city. They are about ten or twelve inches long, and they will jump out of the water for something to eat if you hold it in your fingers. They have two little ones, which appeared in the spring. At first they were quite dark, very nearly black, and then they turned a pale yellow on their sides, and finally became a golden color. The four fish came all the way from Cincinnati in a quart bucket, and now you could not get one of them into a bucket so small. They lived all through the cold winter, and many and many a morning the thermometer was down below zero, and the fountain was frozen over. They would not eat our food through the winter, and they must have lived on insects or on air.

EDWARD S. A., JUN.

* * * * *

SILVERTON, COLORADO.

As I have not seen a letter from the Gem of the Rockies, as our pretty town is called, I thought I would write one. While I am writing, it is snowing quite hard, this last day of August. When I got up this morning, as soon as the fog had disappeared, the mountains looked beautiful. I have a nice pair of snow-shoes all ready for winter. It is great fun snow-shoeing for my sister and I. I have a big sister, who is helping me to make clothes for my doll. Her name is Saidie. I am a little girl eleven years old. I am always so delighted when I see papa coming home with my HARPER'S. Much love to the dear Postmistress.

FLORENCE F.

Snow in August, Florence! No wonder you need snow-shoes for winter at that rate.

* * * * *

The apples, O! the apples, O! See they come tumbling Down below. Climb the ladder, And shake the tree! One for baby, And one for me, And one for Dick, Who climbs the tree And shakes the apples, And that makes three.

The apples, O! the apples, O! Into the basket See them go. Pippins and Baldwins All in a row; One for baby, And one for me, And one for Dick, Who climbs the tree And shakes the apples, And that makes three.

* * * * *

HOW THEY MAKE INDIGO.

BY A. E. T.

There are some amusing features connected with the process of making the very useful article we call indigo. You all know that it is a plant. The leaves, which are green, are first placed under heavy pressure, and then steeped from ten to fifteen hours in immense vats, so large that they contain 2000 cubic feet of water. In very hot weather this water swells until the surface becomes a frothing liquid, and should a match be applied, it would cause a loud report, and the flames would leap from vat to vat, like the will-o'-wisp flitting over marshes. These vats are filled from immense reservoirs, into which the water has been previously pumped. They have a time-keeper, who is called "gunta-paree"; he watches the process closely, and at the proper moment lets the steeped liquor run into another vessel, called the beating vat. And now comes the funniest part of it. They put a gang of coolies into the vats, each one having a long stick with a disk at the end. The coolies immediately plant themselves in two rows, facing each other; then they commence throwing up the liquor, which, meeting in mid-air, the two jets fall confusedly together. This they continue until the excitement grows intense. Such a screeching and yelling, with splashing of water and beating of sticks, until their naked bodies fairly glisten with the blue liquor. Oh, how they twist and contort themselves, until they look like imps or queer blue demons!

To see eight or ten vats full of these frightful creatures will unnerve a stranger, but to the planter it is a pleasant sight. As the blue deepens the coolie's exertions increase. Every muscle is strained, his head is thrown back, his chest expanded, and his long black hair drips with the white foam, still he keeps up the measured beat, and his cries pierce the morning air. Such scenes as I have described continue for about three hours, after which the coolies are exhausted, and require rest.

* * * * *

Although the following curious puzzle, kindly sent by our correspondent E. L. W., is not new, it may amuse many of our little readers who have never seen it before. Those who are successful in discovering the answers will have their names included among the solvers of puzzles in No. 154:

BISHOP OF OXFORD'S PUZZLE.

I have a trunk with-- 1. Two lids. 2. Two caps. 3. Two musical instruments. 4. Two established measures. 5. A great number of things a carpenter can not dispense with. 6. I have always about me a couple of good fish. 7. A great number of smaller ones. 8. Two lofty trees. 9. Fine flowers. 10. The fruit of an indigenous plant. 11. Two playful animals. 12. A number of smaller and less tame breed. 13. A fine stag. 14. A great number of whips without handles. 15. Some weapons of warfare. 16. A number of weather-cocks. 17. The steps of a hotel. 18. The House of Commons on the eve of a division. 19. Two students, and a number of Spanish grandees to wait upon them. 20. A wooden box. 21. Two fine buildings. 22. The product of a camphor and caoutchouc tree. 23. Two beautiful phenomena. 24. A piece of money. 25. An article used by Titian. 26. A kind of boat in which balls are held. 27. An article used crossing rivers. 28. A fine pair of blades without handles. 20. Part of a carpenter's implement. 30. A letter finished off with bows. 31. Secure fastenings for the whole. All these are in the human body.

* * * * *

Exchangers are requested to state definitely what they wish, as well as what they have to exchange. Do not say that you have certain articles for "offers," but name the things you prefer to receive, whether coins, books, stamps, or curiosities.

* * * * *

C. Y. P. R. U.

Many of the boys and girls who read this column have derived a great deal of pleasure and profit too from the stories and histories of Jacob Abbott. His "Rollo Books" and "Franconia Stories" contain a great deal of information about every-day things, and his graver works are as entertaining as stories, so that any C. Y. who wishes to be both amused and instructed is always perfectly safe in choosing from the library a volume by Jacob Abbott.

I wanted, however, to tell you of something else about this good man which may give you a helpful hint this autumn, when you have play to manage as well as work. Even in the best-behaved and happiest group of young people, little quarrels arise if each wants his or her own way, and if there is no rule by which to decide questions of whose right or whose turn it is. Mr. Abbott loved children so dearly that he took a great deal of trouble to give them a really good time when they were visiting him. His biographer says: "His summers were enlivened always by the visits of the families of one or more of his sons, the grandchildren filling the house with their welcome noise, and his heart and life with the pleasure of doing more good than ever."

He took an interest in everything they did, and in all their plays. In one room there was a large boat-swing, and that there might never be any contention with regard to its use, he wrote in a bold hand on a large sheet of paper and posted up the following:

GENERAL ORDER.

This rocking-boat was made for girls; girls, accordingly, have preference over boys in the use of it. Whenever, therefore, any girls come into the swing-room, any boys that may be in the boat must leave it at once, to give the girls the opportunity to occupy it. If they do not occupy it, the boys may return; if, on the other hand, they do occupy it, no boy must get into it or touch it, except by invitation from the oldest girl in the boat, who is the queen; and while they remain in the boat, or by the side of it, they must be entirely under the direction of the queen or her delegates. It is supposed that every gentlemanly boy will readily and cordially comply with this rule; but should there be any infraction of it, the case is to be immediately reported at headquarters.

The later years of Mr. Abbott's life were spent at Farmington, Maine. Here, at his pleasant home called Fewacres, many things were arranged for the enjoyment of the young. His tools for gardening were always kept in complete order, and he made a number of curious little play-wagons to lighten the labor of bringing in wood. When these were not in use they were lent to the village children, who were made quite welcome to the pretty grounds.

The walks and avenues at Fewacres had names given them by their owner in memory of happy days spent there by himself and friends. "The Great Terrace," "The Zigzag," "The Long Level," "The Coos Road," "Little Mite o' Blue," "The Fan Elm," "Willie's Seat," "The Picnic Ground," and "The Barberry Hedge" were some of these.

When Mr. Abbott had finished reading his weekly illustrated papers, they were carefully stitched into strong brown paper covers, and passed from hand to hand among his humbler neighbors or the men who worked for him. His principle through life was to make everybody near him as happy as he possibly could.

* * * * *

We would call the attention of the C. Y. P. R. U. to "The Story of a Great Mammoth," as told by Elizabeth Abercrombie, and to Mr. Arthur Lindsley's account of the ways and habits of that charming little inhabitant of the bird-world so fancifully called "El Bucle de Esmeralda y Oro."

* * * * *

PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

ENIGMA.

My first is in Thames, but not in Rhine. My second in Po, but not in Tyne. My third is in Hebrew, but not in Greek. My fourth is in river, but not in creek. My fifth is in think, but not in thought. My sixth is in expect, but not in sought. My whole is a puzzle most profound; In fable and story quite renowned.

WALTER W.

* * * * *

No. 2.

PROGRESSIVE HALE-SQUARE.

1. A letter. 2. Father. 3. Part of a gun. 4. To palpitate.

* * * * *

No. 3.

HIDDEN RIVERS.

1. Fred is to have a pony. 2. Is Pettengil a good fellow? 3. I know of one use for slates. 4. I say a zoology class will be nice. 5. Is this sweeter honey than yours? 6. I do not know. 7. This heat will crack Etta's vase. 8. See the sheep, Ollie. 9. Go range the forests wide. 10. We have had unanimity to-day. 11. He always uses whole nails. 12. O Bill, return quickly. 13. You should see the mob I left. 14. I am not in a mood for it. 15. John could win a race. 16. I went, but lo! I return. 17. I sent Seth Ames to tell you. 18. That is my pet choral. 19. I'll see that I berate him well. 20. He is both obedient and industrious. 21. The garden's made I rather think. 22. How can you rally your forces? 23. How can I let Margaret go? 24. What quantities of lint and dust! 25. Is Adelbert coming home? 26. I should call that flinty, shouldn't you?

W. L. G.

* * * * *

No. 4.

NUMERICAL ENIGMA.

I am composed of 10 letters. My 1, 5, 6 is warm. My 7, 5, 9, 10 is used on a ship. My 3, 8, 6 is a chance. My 9, 5, 6 is a cooking utensil. My 9, 8, 7, 6 is a harbor. My 1, 5, 9, 2 is a quality. My 6, 7, 4, 9 is to stumble. My 3, 10, 9, 2, 7 is a dreadfully afflicted person. My 1, 8, 9 is to leap. My whole is a beautiful flower.

S. K. M.

* * * * *

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 147.

No. 1.

N I G H T F I F E I D L E R I D O L G L A D E F O I L H E D G E E L L A T R E E S

O G R E W I N D G H I N I D E A R I N D N E A R E N D S D A R E

* * * * *

No. 2.

W or M A lkal I T el L E the L R at S

No. 3.

P G L E A A R E P E A C H G R E E N A C E E E L H N

I I V I N N A D D L E T I N C U R I D I O M V E N U S N U T D O T T U B R M S

No. 4.

Light-house.

* * * * *

The answer to the Rebus on page 704 of No. 148 is "Which is the tallest of these six boys in pairs?"

* * * * *

Correct answers to puzzles have been received from William Chester, Mamie and Mattie Knox, Arthur Payson, Tom Fales, "Eureka," Harry Johnston, Emma Shaffer, "Jer Z. Man," Fay, Helen M., Flo. Hanington, Mary Hanington, Charlie Schilling, "Hoppergrass," Edith Wilcox, Augusta Low Parke, "Old Putnam's Pet," Tucker Ward, Frank Best, L. F. C. P., Mark Hamilton, Edith Cragg, Bertie Cook, "Ed. U. Cation," and Frank Lomas.

* * * * *

[_For Exchanges, see 2d and 3d pages of cover._]

* * * * *

OLD NIPPER AND THE COBBLER.

BY RUTH LAMB.

Old Nipper was, for a time, my grandfather's dog, an accomplished mastiff, and rather too good a watch-dog, for he sometimes got his owner into trouble. Leave him in the house with the injunction, "Look out, Nipper, and don't stir," and the dwelling was as safe as if guarded by a detachment of policemen.

One individual was so ill advised as to persist in entering the house when Nipper objected, and he recrossed the threshold minus a large piece of garment and a smaller piece of leg. This affair resulted in so much unpleasantness that there were serious deliberations as to what must be done with Nipper. He was evidently too good a watch-dog for a town residence, but would be invaluable at a certain lone farm-house inhabited by a friend who knew his good qualities. In time Nipper grew reconciled to the change, and attached to his new owner's family.

In my grandfather's time there were many simple domestic institutions which are now things of the past. Amongst these were itinerant cobblers--not shoe-makers, but shoe-menders--who used to travel from place to place with their tools on their backs.

Some little time after Nipper was settled in his country home, old Isaac Firth, an itinerant cobbler known to all the country-side, made his appearance at the kitchen door of the farm. The dog was sole housekeeper, and was stretched full length just within the threshold.

Nipper and Isaac Firth were old acquaintances, so the old dog welcomed the cobbler with a wag of his tail, and permitted him to enter. The day was warm. A walk of half a dozen miles in the hot sun had disposed Isaac for a rest; so he unstrapped his kit and sat down, expecting to see the mistress or a servant at any minute.

But time passed on, and Isaac, being thirsty as well as tired, looked round for something drinkable. He took up a mug, and was going to the pump for some water, when an ominous growl from Nipper compelled him to put down the article.

"So I mustn't touch anything left in your care, old fellow," said he. "All right. This is my own, anyway, and I may as well go on to another place and be earning something in the mean while." Thus saying, he strapped up his kit of tools, and was about to lift it to his back, when Nipper gave another low growl, and looked so dangerous that he was fain to desist. Nipper's look had become a glare. It was contrary to that worthy animal's principles to allow anything to be taken _out_ of the house so long as he guarded it. You might bring _in_ what you liked, but once across the threshold, it must stay, and you too, until the return of the domestic authorities.

Isaac tried patting, soft words, all the blandishments he could think of, which were kindly received. But a movement toward the kit, and all was changed.

How stout Mr. Hatton laughed when he returned and found the cobbler afraid to stir, and Nipper on guard! He patted the old dog, declared he would not part with him for his weight in gold, and then he made up to old Isaac by immediate hospitality for the long two hours of dreary waiting.

The cobbler always enjoyed telling the story, though it was against himself, and often had to answer inquiries about Nipper's health.

* * * * *

THE GREAT PEACH PUZZLE.[3]

[3] From _New Games for Parlor and Lawn_. By GEORGE B. BARTLETT. New York: Harper & Brothers. (_In Press._)

Jack, Tom, and Ned sold peaches on the same day at precisely the same rate, and each received the same amount of money; but Tom sold three times and Ned five times as many as Jack. The reason of this was that peaches rose immensely in the course of the day, and Jack had kept the larger portion of his until the afternoon. As each boy sold at the same morning and afternoon market values, the puzzle is to find out what those rates were, how much money each boy received, and how many peaches each boy sold.

* * * * *