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diff --git a/44925-0.txt b/44925-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..99bbdf3 --- /dev/null +++ b/44925-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2264 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44925 *** + +[Illustration: HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE +AN ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY.] + + * * * * * + +VOL. II.--NO. 68. PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. PRICE FOUR +CENTS. + +Tuesday, February 15, 1881. Copyright, 1881, by HARPER & BROTHERS. $1.50 +per Year, in Advance. + + * * * * * + + + + +[Illustration: PERILOUS COASTING.--SEE NEXT PAGE.] + +A RIPPER. + +BY WILLIAM O. STODDARD. + + +"It's nothing on earth but a pair of bobs. We've rigged that kind of +thing lots of times over on our hill. All you need is a couple of sleds +and a plank." + +"Yes, Rod, and when you've done it, they won't steer worth a cent." + +"Yes, they do. Dig your heels in." + +"Stop your sled just so much every time you dig. A rudder's just as bad. +We've tried 'em." + +"So've we, Court Hoffman. I guess there wasn't ever anything much +started on your hill till after we'd showed you how, over on ours." + +"You never showed anybody how to make a ripper like this." + +"Ripper? We'll see about that." + +There they stood looking at Courtland Hoffman's new coasting machine. He +was the undoubted leader of the West Hill coasters, as Rodney Sanderson +was of the East Hill boys. + +The new ripper was a beauty, and had cost some money. It was, as Rod +said, a pair of bobs, with a plank on top to hold them together. There +was room on it for half a dozen boys, and more if they packed, and it +was handsomely finished. The one thing about it that no boy in Cuzco +Centre really believed in, except Court Hoffman, was the steering gear. + +This was a half-wheel, as wide as the sled, mounted on the front bob, on +an axle that went down through the plank; and the idea that when you +turned that wheel the front bob would turn too, and the ripper be +steered by it, was too much for anything. Some of the oldest men in the +village had shaken their heads at that sled, and Squire Sanderson +himself had remarked to Deacon Rogers, "They didn't spile the boys with +any sech nonsense in our day, Deacon." + +Cuzco Centre had two hills, one on each side, and they were tremendous +affairs. The older people believed they were put there so as to have a +valley between them for the village to stand in, but the boys knew +exactly what they were really for, especially in winter, and when the +coasting was good. + +The main street ran through the middle of the valley and the village; +but it failed to make a fair division of things, for the river ran a +crooked parallel with it a short distance eastward. It was the glory of +the East Side boys that the river ran through their ground--fish, +swimming-hole, ponds, skating, old bridge, and all--but it cut off the +lower end of their long coast from the hill road. No sled in Cuzco had +ever reached the bridge, however, so it was just as well; but the West +Side boys told wonderful stories of the distances they had buzzed over +on the half-mile level at the bottom of their hill. That was what Court +Hoffman meant, too, when he said: + +"You wouldn't have room for a ripper on your hill. If you want to see +how one works, you'll have to come over and look on. Give you a ride, +too, if you think you wouldn't be afraid. They go just like lightning." + +Rod Sanderson did not say anything, but he looked up the road toward the +East Hill, and the high, white, snow-covered ridge seemed to say: + +"Look up here. There is as much of me as ever there was. You do your +share, and we'll beat 'em." + +Court Hoffman made two boys happy by letting them drag his ripper home +for him, and Rod Sanderson walked off with an idea in his head. + +"There'll be a moon to-night. Never was better coasting. I'll just try +it on." + +Part of that idea was now lying over in his father's barn-yard, in the +shape of an old weather-beaten, worn-out double-seated sleigh, with a +goose-neck front. It had been a handsome affair in its day, but it had +not had any day to speak of since Rodney could remember. It was drifted +under now, and it took a good hour to get it out, even with the help of +Put Willoughby. + +"Going to make a ripper of it?" said Put, doubtfully. "The runners are +all right, but the box is on it yet, and the seats." + +"We'll put in buffalo robes and blankets, and fix it fine." + +"How on earth'll you steer? There isn't any boy in Cuzco with legs +enough to heel it for a sleigh of that size." + +"I'll show you. I'm going to rig a boom out astern for a rudder. Steer +like a ship." + +"You don't say!" + +Put had a good deal to say, however, when he saw Rod cut a hole in the +back of that sleigh box, and shove through it a long pole with a spike +on the end. + +"Steer? Of course it will. I could steer it myself. Only how on earth'll +we ever get it up to the top of the East Hill?" + +There might have been some difficulty about that, if all the boys on +that side of the main street had not taken the matter in hand. They were +a public-spirited lot, and they were all jealous of Court Hoffman's +town-made, new-fangled, fancy-painted gimcrack. They knew it wouldn't +work, and they said so, and they pulled and pushed at Rod's wonderful +idea that evening until they got it up the hill. Then they all got in, +or tried to, and the old ark looked more like a pyramid of boys than +anything else. + +It was a splendid moon-lit evening, and the West Hill boys were out, +every soul of them, and the best friends Court Hoffman had were half +afraid he wouldn't invite them to ride on his ripper the first time. +Then they were more than half afraid he would, for they all knew Deacon +Rogers had said there was no telling where that thing would go to if it +once got well a-going. + +The valley, and the village, and the river, and the East Hill would be +in the way, to be sure, and that was something; but the hill road was as +slippery as ice, and the new ripper looked more and more like a shark +when Court Hoffman lifted it to show them how bright and smooth the +runner irons were. + +He showed them also how the wheel worked, and declared that he could +steer that ripper all around a house. That was what made Jim Delany ask, + +"Could ye stheer it round a wood-sleigh, wid three yoke of oxen, av ye +met 'em in the sthrate yonder?" + +"I'll show you. Now, boys, who's going with me? Hurrah! The more the +merrier." + +"I'm wid ye," shouted Jim Delany. "It'll be bad luck for any horned +baste we run into." + +One after another the larger boys followed Jim, and Court never stopped +to count. + +"Keep your feet on the foot-rests," he shouted. "Hold on hard. Hold +steady as rocks. We'll be off in a minute. Ready, all? Go, then." + +And go it was, with nearly a mile of sloping road before them, and +beyond that the long glittering reach of the level. + +There was time for a cheer or two, and they gave one, and nearly half of +another; but that second cheer seemed to be cut in two by something. + +Court Hoffman grasped his wheel tiller with all the strength he had in +him, and looked straight ahead. He had ridden on that sort of machine +before, and he knew what was coming the moment she got her speed on. + +But the other boys? + +Dan Varick's grip on Jim Delany would have brought a yell from him if he +had dared to open his mouth. Jim was thinking, too, but he and all the +rest were thinking the same thought. + +"Fences? They're nothing but two black streaks at the side of the road. +Oh dear! we'll go clean through the village. What if we should run into +something!" + +They held on like good fellows, and made that ripper-load of boys as +nearly as possible one solid mass, so that it was easier for Court +Hoffman to steer. Even he, though, was beginning to have his doubts as +to where they would bring up, and whether he could steer safely around +the curve where the road from the West Hill crossed the main street, and +met the road from the East that led over the bridge. + +The speed was awful! No express train ever went faster, and a race-horse +would have been passed as if he were standing still. + +Danger in it? Of course there was, and the lives of all of them depended +upon the nerve and pluck of Court Hoffman, and the skill he might show +in getting around the curve. Yes, and on whether or not there should be +a clear road, or a stray team or cow or human being to run against. + +It was a terrible risk to run, and all the boys left on the hill were +glad they had let somebody else try the first ride on the ripper. + +Before the beginning of that swift, perilous dash, however, Rod +Sanderson and the East Side boys had completed their preparations. Some +of them had to get off and push to get the old sleigh started, and only +one of these managed to get on again. Three more jumped off before the +"whopper," as Rodney called her, had gone ten rods, and it may have been +because they had doubts as to where she would fetch up. + +"She just steers lovely," remarked Put Willoughby, as he noticed how Rod +Sanderson was straining at the long handle of his rudder. + +"She's beginning to go faster!" + +"She's a-gaining!" + +"Don't she go it!" + +"Hurrah--ah--aw--aw!" + +They all joined in that, but at just that moment the old sleigh shoved +her goose-necks over the little roll at the edge of the first really +steep slope of the East Hill road, and she seemed to give a great jump. + +"Rod, where's your rudder?" + +"Gone! I--" + +There was no more to be said. It had been jerked from him, through the +hole he had cut for it, the moment the bent spike caught in an icy +place, and the old sleigh had things in her own hands from that moment. + +She seemed to know it, and to be tickled half to death over the notion +of doing her own running, without a span of horses in front of her. She +was not a ripper, indeed, but she was a whopper, and she had weight +enough on board to give her all the impetus she needed down that hill. + +How she did plunge and slip! and how the loose snow and bits of ice did +fly! Still, she had been over that road many a time, and seemed to know +it like a book now; that is, the ruts were deep, and her runners kept in +them as surely as the wheels of a street car keep in the grooves of the +track. Faster and faster, with nobody to steer, and no earthly chance of +stopping her! There never was such coasting, nor so many boys doing it +on one big sled. + +Rod Sanderson looked out ahead over his crouching load, and the wind cut +by his face as if there had been a hurricane. A team on the bridge! What +if it should come on into the road? What if the old sleigh should take a +notion to go on over the bridge and into the village, or anywhere? + +"Oh dear! she's going faster!" + +The short stretch of level road at the bottom of the East Hill was +reached like a flash, and it was now going by like another flash--a +little slower, to be sure, but with no sign of stopping. + +The driver of the team on the bridge had halted his oxen, and the boys +in the sleigh seemed all at once to feel the same impulse to dodge. They +leaned toward the right, and it may be some of them meant to jump; but +the pressure helped a clog of wood the runners touched at that moment to +turn the "whopper" out of the ruts of the road, and into the well-worn +slide that led down the river-bank. It was her last plunge, and she was +nearly out of breath when she took it, but it was well for those boys +the ice was so thick. It bore them splendidly, sleigh and all, and away +they went, until their ride used itself up, just half way over. Just as +they were all drawing their breath for a grand hurrah, something black +and long shot down from the western bank of the river, and out upon the +very ice that belonged to them. + +"Coming right for us!" + +"Boys! boys! that's Court Hoffman's ripper!" + +Court had done it. He had steered successfully around the curve, partly +because some of his speed had gone when he reached it, and his remaining +impetus had carried him on until he slipped into the gentle declivity +toward the bridge and the river. + +"I say," said Rod Sanderson, as the passengers of the ripper sprang to +their feet, "how far did you have to haul that thing after you got down +hill?" + +"Ran all the way itself." + +"Well, so did our whopper. Steered herself, too, and that's more'n yours +can do." + +"Well, yes, I should say so." + +Court was looking and feeling a little thoughtful. The coasting on the +West Hill was almost too good for his ripper, and he wanted to consider +the matter before he tried it again. + +As for the "whopper," there was no such thing as persuading the East +Hill boys to haul her up the road for another free ride that evening. + + + + +CHATS ABOUT PHILATELY. + +III. + +BY J. J. CASEY. + + +In a previous chat with you I gave a few directions how to start +properly in collecting stamps. You also got an inkling of the vast +extent of Philately. While it embraces but two classes, stamps for +postal purposes and stamps for revenue purposes, it has divided these +two classes into several divisions, each of which has an equal +importance, and each of which claims for itself all that can be given to +it either of time or money. Jack of all trades, and master of none, can +very truly be applied to stamp collecting. One who attempts to collect +all kinds of stamps may, by the expenditure of a very large amount of +money, succeed in accumulating a very great number of stamps; but one +becomes merely an accumulator, and has ceased to be a Philatelist. The +rule among collectors to-day is to take up some special portion of +Philately, and to direct all their efforts to that portion. + +Stamps for postal purposes include government adhesive stamps, local +stamps recognized by several governments, private express stamps and +private post-office stamps once prevalent in this country, stamped +envelopes and stamped newspaper wrappers, postal cards, and proofs and +essays. Stamps for revenue purposes include government adhesive stamps, +municipal stamps, private die stamps of the United States, and proofs +and essays. Here are divisions enough. To attain excellence, or even +good results, in any one division, the others must be given up. One is +just as fruitful of interest as another, but postage stamps of +government issue are the most popular, being the easiest within reach. + +Stamped envelopes and wrappers and postal cards should not be mutilated +by having the design cut out. In the early days of collecting, attention +was generally paid to the design only, which, whether in adhesive stamps +or on envelopes, was trimmed up to the printed portion. The album-makers +were responsible for this mutilation by marking off spaces in their +albums. Collectors foolishly trimmed their stamps to fit into the +prescribed spaces--a course which they have since regretted; for these +trimmed specimens, exceedingly valuable, and oftentimes priceless when +not mutilated, would not now be admitted into any first-class +collection. Even to this day the album-makers virtually compel the +collector to cut the impression out of the envelope, or else have an +album with unsightly pages here and there. But under no consideration +should the envelope or postal card be mutilated. You may say that it is +not practicable to keep the entire envelope in a book. But you do not +keep butterflies or birds' eggs in a book. Keep the envelopes and cards +in a box until you can devise a plan of your own for mounting them. I +have a very excellent plan for mounting envelopes and cards, and one of +these days I may explain it to you. + +Government local stamps are privileges extended to individuals or +localities for postal purposes within limits. The most important of +these are the Russian local stamps. You are aware that Russia has a +large extent of territory; the postal service of the Russian Empire is +not yet adequate enough to cover properly this vast extent, and +accordingly it has extended to all the governments or provinces of +Russia local mail privileges. As a result of this, over a hundred and +ten towns have their special postage stamps. These are the most +interesting of all stamps, from the many historical or emblematical +designs engraved on them. A full collection of these stamps would number +between four and five hundred specimens. + +With these government local stamps must not be confounded what are +sometimes, but erroneously, called "United States locals," but which are +in reality nothing more than private express stamps. Between thirty and +forty years ago, private individuals, and sometimes express companies, +carried letters between various cities, or most usually within the +limits of certain cities or towns. Payment was indicated by stamps. The +Post-office Department soon broke up these concerns, as interfering with +the postal privileges of the government, and none are now in existence +as letter-carrying concerns save a few firms in this city to whom the +privilege is given by one of the old colonial charters, and with which +the government can not interfere. I shall not discuss the admissibility +of these stamps into a collection, although opinion is divided. But I +would advise my young friends to give them a wide berth. Of the hundreds +which are known, you can not possibly get together enough genuine +specimens to fill up a page of your book. To supply the demand there is +no lack of counterfeits, or concoctions, which will be represented to +you as just as good as the stamps themselves. + +But do not fill your albums with these vile forgeries. Many an album +containing many fine stamps has been rendered almost worthless because +page after page was plastered over with forgeries, reprints, and +re-strikes of these private express stamps. + +Among revenue stamps there are two most interesting classes--the +municipal stamps of Italy and the private die or private proprietary +stamps of this country. Revenue stamps are more in number than postage +stamps, and, generally speaking, are more difficult to obtain, because +of the higher values which the stamps represent. But the Italian +municipal and the United States private die stamps will well repay the +efforts of the young collector. + +On one other point I wish to counsel you. Let there be consistency in +your collection. By this I mean, let your stamps be all cancelled or all +uncancelled!! Nothing looks so bad as to see part of a set bright and +clean, and the rest all smudged with cancelling ink. Cancelled stamps +are in the main much cheaper than uncancelled stamps, and the collector +has less difficulty in procuring cancelled specimens than he has in +procuring uncancelled specimens. In fact, one difficulty collectors of +clean stamps have to contend against is that it is almost impossible to +procure clean copies of some of the great rarities. But these will not +trouble you for some time. Bear in mind what I said in a previous paper +about putting in your collection none but perfect specimens. If you are +careless on this point, you may be often imposed upon by many dealers, +who will take particular pains to offer you their worst specimens. + + + + +[Illustration] + +MY FIRST MUFF. + +BY F. C. + + + Here's my little lady, + Dressed with thoughtful care, + Smiling at the sunlight, + Smiling at the air. + + Whither, little lady, + Whither shall we go? + O'er the lofty hill-tops-- + Through the winter's snow? + + Will you with me wander + Through the copses bare, + Where the dead leaves linger?-- + Autumn left them there. + + No, my little lady; + Snows would damp your feet; + Thorns would tear your jacket, + Trimmed with ermine neat. + + I will fetch a carriage, + Drawn by ponies fine, + Lined with silken cushions, + Fit for lady mine. + + We will drive right swiftly + O'er the hill-tops then-- + Drive as quick as lightning + Through the merry glen. + + Then my little lady + Safe from harm will be, + And her rich soft ermine + From sharp thorns be free. + + + + +[Begun in No. 58 of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, December 7.] + +TOBY TYLER; + +OR, TEN WEEKS WITH A CIRCUS. + +BY JAMES OTIS. + +CHAPTER X. + +MR. STUBBS AT A PARTY. + + +Toby was about to say that he did not intend to represent the matter +other than it really was, when a voice from behind the canvas screen +prevented further conversation. + +"Sam-u-el, come an' help me carry these things in." + +Something very like a smile of satisfaction passed over Signor Castro's +face as he heard this, which told him that the time for the feast was +very near at hand, and the snake-charmer, as well as the Albino +Children, seemed quite as much pleased as did the sword-swallower. + +"You will excuse me, ladies and gentlemen," said the skeleton, in an +important tone; "I must help Lilly, and then I shall have the pleasure +of helping you to some of her cooking, which, if I do say it, that +oughtn't, is as good as can be found in this entire country." + +Then he too disappeared behind the canvas screen. + +Left alone, Toby looked at the ladies, and the ladies looked at him, in +perfect silence, while the sword-swallower grimly regarded all, until +Mr. Treat appeared bearing on a platter an immense turkey, as nicely +browned as any Thanksgiving turkey Toby ever saw. Behind him came his +fat wife carrying several dishes, each one of which emitted a most +fragrant odor; and as these were placed upon the table, the spirits of +the sword-swallower seemed to revive, and he smiled pleasantly, while +even the ladies appeared animated by the sight and odor of the good +things which they were to be called upon so soon to pass judgment. + +Several times did Mr. and Mrs. Treat bustle in and out from behind the +screen, and each time they made some addition to that which was upon the +table, until Toby began to fear that they would never finish, and the +sword-swallower seemed unable to restrain his impatience. + +At last the finishing touch had been put to the table, the last dish +placed in position, and then, with a certain kind of grace, which no one +but a man as thin as Mr. Treat could assume, he advanced to the edge of +the platform, and said, + +"Ladies and gentlemen, nothing gives me greater pleasure than to invite +you all, including Mr. Tyler's friend Stubbs, to the bountiful repast +which my Lilly has prepared for--" + +At this point, Mr. Treat's speech--for it certainly seemed as if he had +commenced to make one--was broken off in a most summary manner. His wife +had come up behind him, and, with as much ease as if he had been a +child, lifted him from off the floor, and placed him gently in the chair +at the head of the table. + +"Come right up and get dinner," she said to her guests; "if you had +waited until Samuel had finished his speech, everything on the table +would have been stone-cold." + +The guests proceeded to obey her kindly command, and it is to be +regretted that the sword-swallower had no better manners than to jump on +to the platform with one bound, and seat himself at the table with the +most unseemly haste. The others, and more especially Toby, proceeded in +a leisurely and more dignified manner. + +A seat had been placed by the side of the one intended for Toby for the +accommodation of Mr. Stubbs, who suffered a napkin to be tied under his +chin, and generally behaved in a manner that gladdened the heart of his +young master. + +Mr. Treat cut generous slices from the turkey for each guest, and Mrs. +Treat piled their plates high with all sorts of vegetables, complaining, +after the manner of housewives generally, that the food was not cooked +as she would like to have had it, and declaring that she had had poor +luck with everything that morning, when she firmly believed in her heart +that her table had never looked better. + +After the company had had the edge taken off their appetites, which +effect was produced on the sword-swallower only after he had been helped +three different times, the conversation began by the fat woman asking +Toby how he got along with Mr. Lord. + +Toby could not give a very good account of his employer, but he had the +good sense not to cast a dampener on a party of pleasure by reciting his +own troubles, and he said, evasively, + +"I guess I shall get along pretty well, now that I have got so many +friends." + +Just as he had commenced to speak, the skeleton had put in his mouth a +very large piece of turkey--very much larger in proportion than he was +himself--and when Toby finished speaking, he started to say something +evidently not very complimentary to Mr. Lord. But what it was the +company never knew, for just as he opened his mouth to speak, the meat +went down the wrong way, his face became a bright purple, and it was +quite evident that he was choking. + +Toby was alarmed, and sprang from his chair to assist his friend, +upsetting Mr. Stubbs from his seat, causing him to scamper up the tent +pole, with the napkin still tied around his neck, and to scold in his +most vehement manner. Before Toby could reach the skeleton, however, the +fat woman had darted toward her lean husband, caught him by one arm, and +was pounding his back, by the time Toby got there, so vigorously that +the boy was afraid her enormous hand would go through his +tissue-paper-like frame. + +"I wouldn't," said Toby, in alarm; "you may break him." + +"Don't you get frightened," said Mrs. Treat, turning her husband +completely over, and still continuing the drumming process. "He's often +taken this way; he's such a glutton that he'd try to swallow the turkey +whole if he could get it in his mouth, an' he's so thin that 'most +anything sticks in his throat." + +"I should think you'd break him all up," said Toby, apologetically, as +he resumed his seat at the table; "he don't look as if he could stand +very much of that sort of thing." + +But apparently Mr. Treat could stand very much more than Toby gave him +credit for, because at this juncture he stopped coughing, and his face +was fast assuming its natural hue. + +His attentive wife, seeing that he had ceased struggling, pulled him up +above the chair, and sat him down with a force that threatened to snap +his very head off. + +"There!" she said, as he wheezed a little from the effects of the shock; +"now see if you can behave yourself, an' chew your meat as you ought to. +One of these days when you're alone you'll try that game, and that'll be +the last of you." + +"If he'd try to do one of my tricks long enough, he'd get so that there +wouldn't hardly anything choke him," the sword-swallower ventured to +suggest, mildly, as he wiped a small stream of cranberry-sauce from his +chin, and laid a well-polished turkey bone by the side of his plate. + +"I'd like to see him try it!" said the fat lady, with just a shade of +anger in her voice. Then turning toward her husband she said, +emphatically, "Samuel, don't you ever let me catch you swallowing a +sword!" + +"I won't, my love, I won't; and I will try to chew my meat more," +replied the very thin glutton, in a feeble tone. + +Toby thought that perhaps the skeleton might keep the first part of that +promise, but he was not quite sure about the last. + +It required no little coaxing on the part of both Toby and Mrs. Treat to +induce Mr. Stubbs to come down from his lofty perch; but the task was +accomplished at last, and by the gift of a very large doughnut he was +induced to resume his seat at the table. + +The time had now come when the duties of a host, in his own peculiar way +of viewing them, devolved upon Mr. Treat, and he said, as he pushed his +chair back a short distance from the table, and tried to polish the +front of his vest with his napkin: + +"I don't want this fact lost sight of, because it is an important one. +Every one must remember that we have gathered here to meet and become +better acquainted with the latest and best addition to this circus, Mr. +Toby Tyler." + +Poor Toby! As the company all looked directly at him, and Mrs. Treat +nodded her enormous head energetically, as if to say that she agreed +exactly with her husband, the poor boy's face grew very red, and the +squash pie lost its flavor. + +"Although Mr. Tyler may not be exactly one of us, owing to the fact that +he does not belong to the profession, but is only one of the adjuncts to +it, so to speak," continued the skeleton, in a voice which was fast +being raised to its highest pitch, "we feel proud, after his exploits at +the time of the accident, to have him with us, and gladly welcome him +now, through the medium of this little feast prepared by my Lilly." + +Here the Albino Children nodded their heads in approval, the +sword-swallower gave a little grunt of assent, and thus encouraged, the +skeleton proceeded: + +"I feel, when I say that we like and admire Mr. Tyler, all present will +agree with me, and all would like to hear him say a word for himself." + +The skeleton seemed to have expressed the views of all present +remarkably well, judging from their expressions of pleasure and assent, +and all waited for the honored guest to speak. + +Toby knew that he must say something, but he couldn't think of a single +thing; he tried over and over again to call to his mind something which +he had read as to how people acted and what they said when they were +expected to speak at a dinner table, but his thoughts refused to go back +for him, and the silence was actually becoming painful. Finally, and by +the greatest effort, he managed to say, with a very perceptible stammer, +and while his face was growing very red: + +"I know I ought to say something to pay for this big dinner that you +said was gotten up for me, but I don't know what to say, unless to thank +you for it. You see I hain't big enough to say much, as Uncle Dan'l +says, I don't amount to very much 'cept for eatin', an' I guess he's +right. You're all real good to me, an' when I get to be a man, I'll try +to do as much for you." + +[Illustration: TOBY SITS DOWN ON MR. STUBBS.] + +Toby had arisen to his feet when he began to make his speech, and while +he was speaking, Mr. Stubbs had crawled over into his chair. When he +finished, he sat down again without looking behind him, and of course +sat plump on the monkey. There was a loud outcry from Mr. Stubbs, a +little frightened noise from Toby, an instant's scrambling, and then +boy, monkey, and chair tumbled off the platform, landing on the ground +in an indescribable mass, from which the monkey extricated himself more +quickly than Toby could, and again took refuge on the top of the tent +pole. + +Of course all the guests ran to Toby's assistance; and while the fat +woman poked him all over to see that none of his bones were broken, the +skeleton brushed the dirt from his clothes. + +All this time the monkey screamed, yelled, and danced around on the tent +pole and ropes as if his feelings had received a shock from which he +could never recover. + +"I didn't mean to end it up that way, but it was Mr. Stubbs's fault," +said Toby, as soon as quiet had been restored, and the guests, with the +exception of the monkey, were seated at the table once more. + +"Of course you didn't," said Mrs. Treat, in a kindly tone; "but don't +you feel bad about it one bit, for you ought to thank your lucky stars +that you didn't break any of your bones." + +"I s'pose I had," said Toby, soberly, as he looked back at the scene of +his disaster, and then up at the chattering monkey that had caused all +the trouble. + +Shortly after this, Mr. Stubbs having again been coaxed down from his +lofty position, Toby took his departure, promising to call as often +during the week as he could get away from his exacting employers. + +Just outside the tent he met old Ben, who said, as he showed signs of +indulging in another of his internal laughing spells, + +"Hello! has the skeleton an' his lily of a wife been givin' a blow-out +to you too?" + +"They invited me in there to dinner," said Toby, modestly. + +"Of course they did, of course they did," replied Ben, with a chuckle; +"they carries a cookin'-stove along with 'em, so's they can give these +little spreads whenever we stay over a day in a place. Oh, I've been +there!" + +"And did they ask you to make a speech?" + +"Of course. Did they try it on you?" + +"Yes," said Toby, mournfully, "an' I tumbled off the platform when I got +through." + +"I didn't do exactly that," replied Ben, thoughtfully; "but I s'pose you +got too much steam on, seein' 's how it was likely your first speech. +Now you'd better go into the tent an' try to get a little sleep, 'cause +we've got a long ride to-night over a rough road, an' you won't get +more'n a cat-nap all night." + +"But where are you going?" asked Toby, as he shifted Mr. Stubbs over to +his other shoulder, preparatory to following his friend's advice. + +"I'm goin' to church," said Ben, and then Toby noticed for the first +time that the old driver had made some attempt at dressing up. "I've +been with the circus, man an' boy, for nigh to forty years, an' I allus +go to meetin' once on Sunday. It's somethin' I promised my old mother I +would do, an' I hain't broke my promise yet." + +"Why don't you take me with you?" asked Toby, wistfully, as he thought +of the little church on the hill at home, and wished--oh, so +earnestly!--that he was there then, even at the risk of being thumped on +the head with Uncle Daniel's book. + +"If I'd seen you this mornin', I would," said Ben; "but now you must try +to bottle up some sleep agin to-night, an' next Sunday I'll take you." + +With these words old Ben started off, and Toby proceeded to carry out +his wishes, although he rather doubted the possibility of "bottling up" +any sleep that afternoon. + +He lay down on the top of the wagon, after having put Mr. Stubbs inside +with the others of his tribe, and in a very few moments the boy was +sound asleep, dreaming of a dinner party at which Mr. Stubbs made a +speech, and he scampered up and down the tent pole. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +STANLEY'S GREAT JOURNEY. + +BY WILLIAM L. ALDEN. + + +The great journey of Mr. Henry M. Stanley, in which he crossed the +continent of Africa, was both the longest and the most important journey +that any African traveller has made. Both Dr. Livingstone and Commander +Cameron had already crossed Africa, but they crossed it by a more +southerly and much shorter path than that taken by the American +traveller. They suffered a great deal from fever and weariness and the +terrible heat; but Mr. Stanley, in addition to these miseries, was +compelled to fight his way through tribe after tribe of blood-thirsty +cannibals, and to follow the course of a dangerous river, full of +rapids, in a frail boat. It is almost a miracle that he ever lived to +reach the civilized world; and had he not been as prudent and skillful +as he was brave and persevering, he never would have finished his +journey. + +Mr. Stanley started from Zanzibar--a town on the east coast of +Africa--in November, 1874, with three young Englishmen and three hundred +and fifty-three native Africans. Only a few of these were armed with +rifles, for most of them were porters. In Africa, calico and beads are +used for money, and as a traveller must have plenty of these with him, +he has to employ a great many porters. You will ask why he does not have +horses or oxen to carry his goods. The reason is that there is an insect +in Africa, called the tsetse, the bite of which kills all animals of +burden, so that travellers have to hire natives to carry all their +property on their heads. + +Stanley marched first to Lake Victoria--a lake discovered by Captain +Speke in 1858, and which is one of the sources of the Nile. After +sailing all around this lake in a boat which was made for him in +England, and was built so that it could be taken apart and carried by +the porters, he went to another great lake, discovered by Captain Burton +in 1856, and called Lake Tanganyika. This he also circumnavigated in his +boat, and discovered that it had no outlet. West of Lake Tanganyika Dr. +Livingstone had discovered a great river, which he thought might be the +Congo. Commander Cameron had also seen this river, and both of them +wanted to descend it to its mouth, but they thought it would be +impossible to make their way through the fierce savages who live on its +banks. + +When Stanley reached this great river, two of the young Englishmen that +had started with him, Fred Barton and Edward Pocock, had already died of +the deadly African fever, and so many of his other men had died, or +deserted, or been killed, that he had only one white man, Frank Pocock, +and one hundred and forty-nine natives--some of whom were women--who +were willing to join him in a voyage down the river. He bought a number +of canoes, and with these and his English boat, the _Lady Alice_, began +his voyage. He had to fight almost constant battles with the natives, +and the great river, with its swift current, that swept many of his +canoes over the rapids, was almost as dangerous as the savages. In one +of these rapids poor Frank Pocock was drowned, and when, after suffering +the most terrible hardships, Stanley reached the Portuguese settlement +near the mouth of the Congo, he had only one hundred and fifteen +followers left, and these, like himself, were nearly dead from +starvation, disease, and hardship. + +One day Mr. Stanley was sailing on Lake Victoria in the _Lady Alice_ +with eleven natives, and being out of provisions, and very hungry, they +rowed toward the shore, intending to land and buy food. About two +hundred savages, armed with spears and bows and arrows, gathered to meet +them. Stanley's men called to them, and told them they were friends, and +wanted to buy food. The savages seemed to be peaceful, but as soon as +the boat touched the shore, they seized it, and dragged it twenty yards +up the beach, with Mr. Stanley sitting in it. + +Then they swarmed around him, yelling and flourishing their clubs and +spears. Many of them took aim at Stanley with their arrows; but he told +his men to speak gently to them, and to convince them that they were +friends. They demanded calico and beads, and Stanley gave them all they +asked. Then they seized the boat's oars, and carried them off; but still +the traveller made no resistance. The crowd constantly increased, until +there were at least three hundred of the savages, all armed and painted +for battle. They abused Stanley and his men, telling them they were +cowards, and that they were going to kill them, and twenty times Mr. +Stanley thought his last moment had come. Finally he told one of his men +to go a little distance away from the boat, and to engage the attention +of the savages, while the rest of them should take hold of the boat on +each side, and at the word of command try to launch it. They did so; but +the savages saw the boat moving, and rushed to the water's edge just as +she glided into the lake. The man who had tried to attract the attention +of the wretches while the boat was launched sprang into the water after +her, and a savage was just on the point of spearing him, when Stanley +fired, and saved his follower's life by shooting the spear-man. The men +now climbed into the boat, and tearing up the bottom boards, tried to +paddle with them away from the shore, while Stanley threatened the +savages with his gun, and for a few moments kept them at a distance. +They soon plucked up courage, however, and springing into their canoes, +paddled after the _Lady Alice_. There was no escape except by driving +the enemy back, and Mr. Stanley, with four shots from his elephant +rifle, loaded with explosive balls, sunk two of the canoes, and killed +five men, after which the others retreated, and the _Lady Alice_, after +paddling all night, and driving before a heavy gale all the next day and +all the next night, in imminent peril of sinking, brought her exhausted +crew to an uninhabited island, seventy-six hours after the fight. +Instead of showing a hard-hearted readiness to fire on the poor +Africans, in this, as in all his other fights, Stanley showed the most +wonderful self-control, and only used his rifle when he had to choose +between being killed, together with his men, and firing on his brutal +foes. + +[Illustration: STANLEY ATTACKED BY THE NATIVES.] + +The greater part of Stanley's battles were fought while descending the +Congo. Sometimes the natives came out in canoes and attacked him on the +river, and sometimes they attacked him while he was camping on the +shore. Once fifty-four canoes, carrying at least two thousand men, were +successfully beaten off in a sharp battle. At night the camp had to be +protected by a stockade made of brush-wood; and often the tired +explorer, after paddling all day, had to watch all night to repel the +constant attacks of the enemy. Sometimes, when they were dragging the +canoes through the forest around the rapids, the woods would suddenly be +alive with cannibals who had been lying in ambush. Armed with clubs and +spears and poisoned arrows, they would rush on Stanley and his handful +of men, shouting that they would eat the strangers for dinner. But +whether there were a hundred or a thousand of them, Stanley always +managed to drive them back. It was his cool courage, quite as much as +the rifles of his men, which gave him the victory. Had he not been a man +born to command, he could never have inspired his men with courage to +face such swarms of savages; and had he not been as brave a man as ever +lived, he could never have fought hand to hand with a score of hungry +cannibals all at once, and driven them back in terror of the dauntless +white man. + +Mr. Stanley has furnished a splendid example of what patience, +perseverance, and courage can accomplish in the face of the most +formidable obstacles, and he will always be celebrated as one of the +greatest explorers the world has ever known. + + + + +[Illustration: "PERSEVERANCE."] + + + + +A STRANGE VALENTINE. + +BY KATE McD. R. + + +"When _will_ you be ready to go down street for our valentines, Lilla?" +asked Margie Goold, as she stood listlessly at the window watching the +passers-by. "You said you'd go half an hour ago, and I've been waiting +ever since." + +But Lilla was deep in her arithmetic, and apparently unconscious that +Margie had asked any question, until suddenly she jumped up, and +throwing some papers well covered with figures into the grate, +exclaimed, + +"I would have been ready long ago had it not been for that horrid D." + +"Why, Lilla Goold, you ought to be ashamed to call D. _horrid_," cried +little Fay, indignantly, from her seat on the rug, where she was giving +Fido a lesson in making believe dead. + +"Yes, indeed, you ought," seconded Margie. "Mamma was saying just a day +or two ago that we must respect D., and remember what a faithful nurse +she was to all of us. And you, of all others, to call her names, when +she sat up night after night with you when you were so ill! And anyway +she has only come to bring the clothes home, and will probably go right +away again, as she always does." + +Lilla interrupted Margie's praise of their old nurse by throwing herself +on the sofa and laughing immoderately. + +Margie looked indignant, Fay puzzled, while Fido came quickly to life +and barked vociferously. + +"There! even Fido resents having D. so talked about," cried Margie, +triumphantly. + +"I never meant _Dinah_ at all," laughingly protested Lilla. "She is a +dear old soul. I mean the D in my example, who is digging a ditch with +A, B, and C, and I'm to find out how long it takes them, and then how +much faster D works than A. I get along finely until D appears, and then +I don't know how to go on." + +"Oh," said Margie, in a relieved tone; "but wasn't it strange that just +as you said something about D, old nurse D. came across the street with +the washing, and of course I thought you meant her. Here she comes out +again, and the poor thing can hardly stand, it is so slippery. +Mamma"--as Mrs. Goold entered the room--"why does D. bring the clothes +still? I should think Rosa would offer to come with them, instead of +sending her old aunt out. Why, just see! she can scarcely stand." + +"Rosa does not send her, dearie," said Mrs. Goold, joining her little +girls at the window, "for she told me she thought it dangerous for Dinah +to be out in the winter so unprepared as she is, but that Dinah +_persists_ in coming, no matter what the weather, that she may inquire +_herself_ about 'de chillen.'" + +"Good old D.," said Fay, using the name that Lilla--the first baby--had +given Dinah, and both the others had adopted in their turn. "Why, +mamma," continued the little one, straining her eyes to catch a glimpse +of Dinah's departing figure, "how will she ever get home? There! good! +Rosa has met her. I'm so glad!" + +"D. needs a pair of that new kind of rubbers that we stopped to look at +to-day in Mr. Brooks's store window," said Lilla, putting away her +books, "and then she could get along finely." + +"Let's get her a pair," exclaimed the wide-awake Margie, "when we go for +our valentines. Will you give us the money, mamma? I think the price is +a dollar." + +"I'll give twenty-five cents toward it," answered Mrs. Goold, as she +laid some money on the table, and left the room. + +"Of course mamma means by _that_ that we ought to give the rest. What do +you say to getting the rubbers, instead of valentines for Lou and Jess?" +suggested Margie. + +"Then they won't send us any. They never do, you know, until they get +ours." + +"That's so; and Madge Hammond proposed to-day that all the girls bring +their valentines to school Monday, and we want to have as many as we +possibly can, and here"--spreading them out upon the table as she +spoke--"so far I've got only three." + +Fay's brown eyes were opening wider and wider as she listened. "Papa +gave me a lot of pennies to send a vantaline to Cousin Daisy, but I'd +rather send a rubber vantaline to Dinah." + +"You little darling!" cried Lilla, kissing her, "you're a lesson to us." +Then, turning to Margie: "I guess if baby can give _her_ money, _we_ +can. Let's go right down for the rubbers, and send them in valentine +style, as Fay proposes. Yes, of course Fay shall go too," she added, +noticing the large eyes turned questioningly to hers. + +About an hour later they rushed into the sitting-room, exclaiming, +"We've got them, and they're beauties--lined throughout, and come over +the ankles." + +"How did you know the size?" inquired Mrs. Goold, after she had duly +admired them. + +"The most fortunate thing in the world," answered Margie, "was our +meeting Rosa just as we were going into the store, and after she had +promised not to breathe a syllable to D., we told her the plan, took her +into the store with us, and she selected the rubbers." + +And as Margie paused, Lilla went on: "Rosa says they're just the thing, +and she's coming over to-night to tell us how D. likes them. Mr. Brooks +waited on us himself at first, and looked crosser than a bear. He had +his green glasses on, and stared at us so hard that I was glad when a +gentleman came in to see him, and one of the clerks took his place." + +"And the clerk," put in Margie, "kept telling us that the rubbers were +the latest thing in the market, and I laughed right out at the thought +of D.'s knowing or caring whether they were in style." + +"Then," resumed Lilla, "as we were leaving the store, Mr. Brooks stepped +forward, and said, in the sternest tone, to Rosa--you know she used to +work at his house--'I wish you would wait a few moments, Rosa; I desire +to speak to you;' so we left her there." + +It was a picture not soon to be forgotten that met Mr. Goold's gaze as +he came upon the little group in the cozy sitting-room, lighted only by +the bright coals in the grate. + +"Still talking valentines?" he asked, kissing mamma, and lifting Fay +from her arms to his own. Then sitting down, and putting her on his +knee, he questioned, "Well, how about them?" + +Lilla and Margie then began an account of buying Dinah's rubber shoes, +and when they were brought for his inspection, to their great delight he +dropped a piece of money in each. + +"Now Rosa will have a s'prise too," cried Fay, clapping her hands. + +Supper over, the sleigh came round, and soon the package was left at +Dinah's door, and the children were home again. + +"Now I must try that example once more," announced Lilla, as she bent +over her book. Then, after a few moments' study, "Oh! I see--I have it!" +she cried, triumphantly: "D works just twice as fast as A." + +"D must have worn a pair of stylish rubbers," laughed Margie. "Probably +A couldn't stand as firmly in the ditch." + +While they were laughing at Margie's explanation, Jane came to the door +with some valentines, which excited the usual amount of wonderment. + +"I had no idea we'd get so many," said Lilla, in a satisfied, tone; "I +don't believe Madge can be ahead of us." + +Another knock, and Rosa presented herself with a "Can I come in?" which +showed all her beautiful teeth. The children made a rush for the young +colored girl, and overwhelmed her with questions. + +"Oh, chillen, she _was_ so pleased, and so berry thankful! She wanted to +come right over and show dem to you all, but I 'suaded her to wait till +mornin'." And then Rosa went on to say what a perfect fit the rubbers +were, and how Dinah was singing around, as happy as could be, and in a +hurry for morning, that she might wear them. + +"Does she s'pect who sent 'em?" asked Fay. + +"I's 'fraid she does, honey, 'cause when she went to try dem on, some +money fell out, an' I said: 'Dem careless chillen! I's feared Miss +Goold's bringin' dem up to tink money grows on bushes'; an' Aunt Dinah +said, 'Did dey gib 'em?' so I jest said, 'I'll take de money dar fust, +anyway, an' see,'" and Rosa held up two silver pieces, saying, "Who +lost, I's found?" + +"Why, Rosa, it's your s'prise," explained Fay--"your vantaline," at +which Rosa's astonishment and delight knew no bounds. + +"Altogether it's been the nicest Valentine's Day we've ever had," Lilla +and Margie agreed, as they were getting ready for bed, and Fay said, +drowsily, from her crib, "I shouldn't think you'd care, _now_, if Madge +Hammond"--and then the words came slower and slower, "should +bring--twenty--rubbers--in--a--ditch." + +Jane came into the nursery next morning, saying, "There is a valentine +at each of your plates this morning;" but not another word would she say +about them. + +You may be sure no one was late to breakfast _that_ morning, and I wish +you could have seen how three expectant faces lit up as each spied a +tiny basket of flowers at her plate. + +"When _did_ they come?" "Who _could_ have sent them?" "Will they keep +fresh till Monday?" + +"Wait a minute," said papa, feeling for his pencil. "I must write down +all these questions. Now I'm ready for number four." + +"Don't tease us, papa," pleaded Margie. "Just answer what we've asked +already." + +"Agreed: firstly, they came last night, and mamma thought it best not to +wake you; secondly, Mr. Brooks sent them." + +"Mr. Brooks!" all in chorus. + +"Yes, he's a kind of bear, I heard yesterday," said papa. + +Lilla looked ashamed. + +"Thirdly, they _will_ keep till Monday, if good care is taken." + +"Then we can carry them to school," joyfully exclaimed Lilla. + +"And what do you think of Mr. Brooks now?" asked mamma. + +"Why, I don't know _what_ to think, I'm so surprised. Are you certain +they're from him?" + +"I judge so, from what Rosa told me last night. Mr. Brooks asked her who +you were, and when she told him you were going to send the rubbers as a +valentine to Dinah, he said, 'I believe I'll write down their names: +"One good turn deserves another."' And more than that, Rosa says he is +one of the kindest men she ever knew, and far from being as cross as he +looks." + +"I think," said Lilla, "I shall remember after this lesson to 'judge not +by appearances.'" + +"I guess I'll keep account of all the proverbs about Mr. Brooks," said +Margie, and reaching mischievously for papa's pencil, she wrote: + + "Before you say 'tis chill December, + Know all the signs of mild September." + + + + + Said Blackbird to Miss Yellow-Bird: + "How bright the sun does shine! + And you look sweet. Oh, pray consent + To be my Valentine!" + "I really can't," said Yellow-Bird; + "I don't to you incline; + I am too blonde--indeed, I am-- + To be your Valentine." + + + + +[Begun in HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 66, February 1.] + +PHIL'S FAIRIES. + +BY MRS. W. J. HAYS, + +AUTHOR OF "PRINCESS IDLEWAYS," ETC. + +CHAPTER III. + +PHIL HAS A VISITOR. + + +Phil was alone, as indeed he was always, except on Sundays, or the few +half-holidays that came to Lisa. Once in a while Lisa begged off, or +paid another woman for doing an extra share of work in her place, if +Phil was really too ill for her to leave him. The hot sun was pouring +into the garret room, though a green paper shade made it less blinding, +and Phil was lying back in a rocking-chair, wrapped in a shawl. On a +small table beside him were some loose pictures from a newspaper, a +pencil or two, and an old sketch-book, a pitcher of water, and an empty +plate. + +The boy opened his closed eyes as Joe came in, after knocking, and +looked surprised. + +"Why, Joe, what is the matter?" he asked. "You do not come twice a day +very often." + +"No," said Joe, "nor are you always a-sufferin' as you was this mornin'. +I've come to know how you are, and to bring you _that_," said he, +triumphantly putting the nosegay before the child's eyes. + +The boy nearly snatched the flowers out of Joe's hand in his eagerness +to get them, and putting them to his face, he kissed them in his +delight. + +"Oh, Joe dear, I am so much obliged! Oh, you darling, lovely flowers, +how sweet you are! how delicious you smell! I never saw anything more +beautiful. Where did they come from, Joe?" + +"Ah, you can't guess, I reckon." + +"No, of course not; they are so sweet, so perfect, they take all my pain +away; and I have been nearly smothered with the heat to-day. Just see +how cool they look, as if they had just been picked." + +"It's a pity the one who sent 'em can't hear ye. Shall I bring her in?" + +"Who, Joe--who do you mean?" + +"Joe means me," said a soft voice; "I sent them to you, and I am Miss +Rachel Schuyler, an old friend of Joe's. I want to know you, Phil, and +see if I can not do something for that pain I hear you suffer so much +with. Shall I put the flowers in water, so that they will last a little +longer? Ah, no, you want to hold them, and breathe their sweet +fragrance." + +Miss Schuyler had opened the door so gently, and appeared so entirely at +home, that Phil took her visit quite as a matter of course, and though +astonished, was not at all flurried. He fastened his searching gaze upon +her, over the flowers, which he held close to his lips, and made up his +mind what to say. At last, after deliberating, he said, simply, "I thank +you very much." His thoughts ran this way: "She is a real lady, a kind, +lovely woman; she has on a nice dress--nicer than Lisa's; she has little +hands, and what a soft, pleasant voice! I wonder if my mother looked +like her?" + +Miss Schuyler's thoughts were very pitiful. She was much moved by the +pale little face and brilliant eyes, the pleased, shy expression, the +air of refinement, and the very evident pain and poverty. She could not +say much, and to hide her agitation, took up the sketch-book, saying, +"May I look in this, please?" + +Phil nodded, still over the flowers. + +As the leaves were opened, one after the other, Miss Schuyler became +still more interested. The sketches were simply rude copies of newspaper +pictures, but there was no doubt of the taste and talent that had +directed their pencilling. + +"Have you ever had any teaching, Phil?" she asked. + +"No, ma'am," answered Joe for Phil, thinking he might be bashful. "He +hasn't had no larnin' nor teachin' of anythin'; but it is what he wants, +poor chile, and he often asks me things I can't answer for want of not +knowin' nuthin' myself." + +"And what is this?" said Miss Schuyler, touching the box with violin +strings across it, which was on a chair beside her. + +"Please don't touch it," answered Phil, anxiously; then fearing he had +been rude, added: "It is my harp, and I am so afraid, if it is handled, +that the fairies will never dance on it again. You ought to hear what +lovely music comes out of it when the wind blows." + +Phil spoke as if fairies were his particular friends. Miss Schuyler +looked at him pitifully, thinking him a little light-headed. Joe nodded, +and looked wise, as much as to say, "I told you so." + +Just then Phil's pain came on again, and it was as much as he could do +not to scream; but Miss Rachel saw the pallor of his face, and turning +to Joe, asked: + +"Does he have a doctor? Is anything done for him?" + +"Nuthin', Miss Rachel, that I knows of. I never knew of his havin' a +doctor." + +[Illustration: PHIL AND MISS SCHUYLER.] + +"Poor child!" said Miss Rachel, smoothing his forehead, and fanning him. +Then she tucked a pillow behind him, and did all so gently that Phil +took her hand and kissed it--it eased his pain so to have just these +little things done for him. Then she poured a little of her cordial in a +glass with some water, and he thought he had never tasted anything so +refreshing. She sent Joe after some ice, and spreading her napkins out +on Phil's table, set all her little store of dainties before him, +tempting the child to eat in spite of his pain. + +Phil thought it was all the fairies' doing and not Joe's--poor pleased +Joe--who looked on with a radiant face of delight. Phil would not eat +unless Joe took one of his cakes, so the old fellow munched one to +please him. + +Meanwhile Miss Schuyler gazed at the boy with more and more interest; a +something she could hardly define attracted her. At first it had been +his suffering and poverty, for her heart was tender, and she was always +doing kind deeds; but now as she looked at him she saw in his face a +likeness to some one she had loved, the look of an old and familiar +friend, a look also of thought and ability which only needed fostering +to make of Phil a person of great use in the world--one who might be a +leader rather than a follower in the path of industry and usefulness. +The grateful little kiss on her hand had gone deeply into her heart. +Phil must no longer be left alone: he must have good food and medical +care and fresh air, and Lisa must be consulted as to how these things +should be gained. So while Phil nibbled at the good things, and Joe +chuckled and talked, half to himself and half to Phil, Miss Schuyler +wrote a note to Lisa, asking her to come and see her that evening, if +convenient, explaining how her interest had been aroused in Phil, and +that she wanted to know more about him, and wanted to help him, and was +sure she could make his life more comfortable, and that Lisa must take +her interference kindly, for it was offered in a loving spirit. Then she +folded the note, and gave it to Phil for Lisa, and arranging all his +little comforts about him, bade him good-by. + +Phil thought her face like that of an angel's when she stooped to kiss +him; and after Joe, too, had hobbled off, promising to come again soon +with his violin, he took up his pencil, and tried to sketch Miss +Schuyler. Face after face was drawn, but none to his taste: first the +nose was crooked, then the eyes were too small, then the mouth would be +twisted, and just as Lisa came in, with a tired and flushed face, he +threw his pencil away, and began to sob. + +"Why, my dear Phil," said Lisa, in surprise, "are you so very miserable +to-night?" + +"No, I am not miserable at all," said Phil, between his tears; "that is, +I have had pain enough, but I have had such a lovely visitor!--Joe +brought her--and I wanted to make a little picture of her, so that you +could see what she looked like; and I can not. Oh dear! I wish I could +ever do anything!" + +"Ah, you are tired; drink this nice milk, and you will be better." + +"I have had delicious things to eat, and I saved some for you, Lisa. +Look;" and he showed her the little parcel of cakes Miss Schuyler had +left. "And see the big piece of ice in my glass." + +"Some one has been kind to my boy." + +"Yes; and here is a note for you; and you must dress up, Lisa, when you +go to see our new friend." + +Lisa looked down at her shabby garments; they were all she had, but she +did not tell Phil that her only black silk had been sold long ago. She +read the note, and her face brightened. There seemed a chance of better +things for Phil. + +"I will go to-night, if you can spare me." + +"Not till you have rested, Lisa; and you must drink all that milk your +own self. Did you ever hear of Miss Schuyler?" + +"I don't know," said Lisa, meditating; "the name is not strange to me. +But there used to be so many visitors at your father's house, Phil dear, +that I can not be sure." + +"She is so nice and tender and kind-- Have you had a tiresome day, +Lisa?" added Phil, quickly, fearing Lisa might think herself neglected +in his eager praise of the new friend. + +"Yes, rather; but I can go. So Joe brought her here?" + +"Yes; and see these flowers--yes, you must have some. Put them in your +belt, Lisa." + +"Oh, flowers don't suit my old clothes, child; keep them yourself, dear. +Well, it is a long lane that has no turning," she said, half to herself +and half to Phil. "Perhaps God has sent us Miss Schuyler to do for you +what I have not been able to; but I have tried--he knows I have." + +"And I know it too, dear Lisa," said Phil, pulling her down to him, and +throwing both arms around her. "No one could be kinder, Lisa; and I love +this old garret room, just because it is your home and mine. Now get me +my harp, and when you have put it in the window, you can go; and I will +try not to have any pain, so that you won't have to rub me to-night." + +"Dear child!" was all Lisa could say, as she did what he asked her to +do, and then left him alone. + +[TO BE CONTINUED.] + + + + +THE END OF MY MONKEY. + +BY JIMMY BROWN. + + +I haven't any monkey now, and I don't care what becomes of me. His loss +was an awful blow, and I never expect to recover from it. I am a crushed +boy, and when the grown folks find what their conduct has done to me, +they will wish they had done differently. + +[Illustration] + +It was on a Tuesday that I got the monkey, and by Thursday everybody +began to treat him coldly. It began with my littlest sister. Jocko took +her doll away, and climbed up to the top of the door with it, where he +sat and pulled it to pieces, and tried its clothes on, only they +wouldn't fit him, while sister, who is nothing but a little girl, stood +and howled as if she was being killed. This made mother begin to dislike +the monkey, and she said that if his conduct was such, he couldn't stay +in her house. I call this unkind, for the monkey was invited into the +house, and I've been told we must bear with visitors. + +[Illustration] + +A little while afterward, while mother was talking to Susan on the front +piazza, she heard the sewing-machine up stairs, and said, "Well I never +that cook has the impudence to be sewing on my machine without ever +asking leave." So she ran up stairs, and found that Jocko was working +the machine like mad. He'd taken Sue's nightgown and father's black coat +and a lot of stockings, and shoved them all under the needle, and was +sewing them all together. Mother boxed his ears, and then she and Sue +sat down and worked all the morning trying to unsew the things with the +scissors. + +[Illustration] + +They had to give it up after a while, and the things are sewed together +yet, like a man and wife, which no man can put asunder. All this made my +mother more cool toward the monkey than ever, and I heard her call him a +nasty little beast. + +[Illustration] + +The next day was Sunday, and as Sue was sitting in the hall waiting for +mother to go to church with her, Jocko gets up on her chair, and pulls +the feathers out of her bonnet. He thought he was doing right, for he +had seen the cook pulling the feathers off of the chickens, but Sue +called him dreadful names, and said that when father came home, either +she or that monkey would leave the house. + +[Illustration] + +Father came home early Monday, and seemed quite pleased with the monkey. +He said it was an interesting study, and he told Susan that he hoped +that she would be contented with fewer beaux, now that there was a +monkey constantly in the house. In a little while father caught Jocko +lathering himself with the mucilage brush, and with a kitchen knife all +ready to shave himself. He just laughed at the monkey, and told me to +take good care of him, and not let him hurt himself. Of course I was +dreadfully pleased to find that father liked Jocko, and I knew it was +because he was a man, and had more sense than girls. But I was only +deceiving myself and leaning on a broken weed. That very evening when +father went into his study after supper he found Jocko on his desk. He +had torn all his papers to pieces, except a splendid new map, and that +he was covering with ink, and making believe that he was writing a +President's Message about the Panama Canal. Father was just raging. He +took Jocko by the scruff of the neck, locked him in the closet, and sent +him away by express the next morning to a man in the city, with orders +to sell him. + +[Illustration] + +The express-man afterward told Mr. Travers that the monkey pretty nearly +killed everybody on the train, for he got hold of the signal cord and +pulled it, and the engineer thought it was the conductor, and stopped +the train, and another train just behind it came within an inch of +running into it and smashing it to pieces. Jocko did the same thing +three times before they found out what was the matter, and tied him up +so that he couldn't reach the cord. Oh, he was just beautiful! But I +shall never see him again, and Mr. Travers says that it's all right, and +that I'm monkey enough for one house. That's because Sue has been saying +things against the monkey to him; but never mind. + +First my dog went, and now my monkey has gone. It seems as if everything +that is beautiful must disappear. Very likely I shall go next, and when +I am gone, let them find the dog and the monkey, and bury us together. + + + + +[Illustration] + +OUR POST-OFFICE BOX. + + + ROMA, ON THE RIO GRANDE, TEXAS, + _December_ 31, 1880. + + Early this morning, just as we were all dressed, a great noise was + heard on the stairs; it was Morton, who was shouting, "Oh, papa, + the ground is all over white, and the orange-tree has a great white + cap on its head!" + + We all knew at once that it was snow, which we children had heard + and read so much about, but had never seen. + + We all rushed out, and found the air full of little feathers, and + everything dazzling white. We went wild over it. Papa chased our + two little brothers, washed their faces with snow, and showed them + how to make snow-balls, and after doing so, got pelted by his + boys, and girls too, for that matter, for we all took part. Two + inches of snow had fallen. The air was still and calm. And at last + we thought of the snow crystals we had read about in HARPER'S + YOUNG PEOPLE, and asked papa to show them to us. He got a piece of + black cloth, and we spread it on the top of a box in the yard, and + recognized nearly all of the forms we had seen in the + illustration. Little Northern readers will say, "Why such a fuss + about two inches of snow?" But they must remember we had never + seen it before, and I do not believe they ever saw an orange-tree + loaded with snow, and its golden fruit shining out from a setting + of frosted silver and deep green leaves. I know they never saw + anything so beautiful in their lives. + + But I forgot--I must tell you who I am, or rather who we are. We + are seven sisters and brothers. Our two elder sisters are married, + and have homes of their own. I am the youngest of the girls, and + the two boys are the youngest of the family. My mother is a + Mexican lady, and father is an American from Ohio. He has lived in + this country thirty years. One sister, one brother, and myself + were born in Mexico, and Spanish is our mother-tongue, but we read + and understand YOUNG PEOPLE. + + CLOTILDE C. + + * * * * * + + THYATIRA, MISSISSIPPI. + + I have six goats. Two of them I work in a little wagon. When I can + get some little boys to help me, it is royal fun to drive them. + + I do not go to school, as we have none near by, and I have no one + to go with me. I had three sweet little sisters and one little + brother, but they all died. I would love to tell you a great deal + about them, but this is my first letter to the Post-office Box, + and I am afraid it will be too long, and go into that much-dreaded + waste basket. I will be nine years old the 17th of February. + + It is awfully cold here this winter. + + JACK C. + + * * * * * + + HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY. + + I thought I would write to say how much I like the stories of "Toby + Tyler" and "Mildred's Bargain." They are so nice I can not help + writing to tell you. + + I am glad to hear from so many little girls who have seen blossoms + and fruit as late in the season as I have. + + REBA H. + + * * * * * + + SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN. + + I want to tell the boys and girls what we do away out here in + Sheboygan. This winter has been very cold, and it has been thirty + degrees below zero part of the time. A good deal of snow has + fallen, and yesterday the pupils of my school took a sleigh-ride. + We were in a large sleigh drawn by four horses. We went to + Sheboygan Falls, and on the way we saw farm-houses, forests, and + fields all covered with deep snow. + + Sheboygan is a nice place in summer. It is on the western shore of + Lake Michigan, about sixty miles north of Milwaukee. I am eleven + years old. + + ERWIN B. + + * * * * * + + BRIDGEWATER, NEW YORK. + + My brother takes YOUNG PEOPLE, and we like it ever so much. + + We have the dearest little three-year-old colt. Papa broke him to + the harness last fall, and he seems to enjoy taking us out to + ride. Papa is going to have him trained to the saddle for my use. + + I have to walk three-quarters of a mile to school. The snow has + drifted nearly level with the fences, and now the crust has + formed, so that we enjoy skimming over it. + + MAY R. + + * * * * * + + WASHINGTON, D. C. + + I think YOUNG PEOPLE is just splendid, and only wish it would come + every day. I could never get tired of reading it. Toby Tyler's life + with the circus is delightful. I would like to have such a friend + as "Mr. Stubbs." + + We are having the coldest winter known in this city for years. My + little sister, my brother, and myself have elegant times coasting + down the streets. + + EMMA H. T. + + * * * * * + + GILROY, CALIFORNIA. + + I have received so many answers to my request for exchange, which + was printed in YOUNG PEOPLE, that my stock of duplicate eggs is + exhausted. I will keep the addresses, and in the spring, when I can + get a new supply of eggs, will try to answer all letters which I + can not answer now. + + FANNIE W. ROGERS. + + * * * * * + + Owing to the severe weather, I have been unable to collect enough + arrow-heads to supply all my correspondents, but I will send them + as soon as possible. If those who have offered me coins and other + things in exchange will wait until I can get some more arrow-heads, + which will be before long, I will be very glad. + + ISOBEL L. JACOBS, + Darlington Heights, Prince Edward County, Va. + + * * * * * + + I am very much interested in the Post-office Box. I like YOUNG + PEOPLE very much. + + I live beside the beautiful Geneva Lake, which is a great summer + resort. In warm weather we have great sport fishing, but now it is + all ice-boating and skating. + + We raised five Bramah chickens last summer. They were very tame. + One went to sleep with its head on my aunt's shoulder, and they + were capital pickpockets. They were in such demand that we had to + part with all but one. She is named Pulleta, and is so tame I can + pick her up anywhere. + + I would like to exchange postmarks, for foreign stamps, or shells + from the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic coast. + + HUBERT C. SCOFIELD, + P. O. Box 207, Geneva, Wis. + + * * * * * + + I would like to exchange pieces of bass-wood, red and white oak, + bird's-eye and hard and soft maple, iron-wood, red and yellow + birch, elm, ash, and butternut, for specimens of other kinds of + woods. Correspondents will please mark specimens. + + GEORGE EMPEY, + Hersey, St. Croix County, Wis. + + * * * * * + + I would like to exchange postmarks, for sea-shells. I am nine years + old. + + REYNOLDS WHITE, + 132 East Forty-fifth Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + I will exchange postmarks, for stamps, with any little boy or girl. + I am nine years old. + + PERCY G. LAPEY, + 62 Clinton Street, Buffalo, N. Y. + + * * * * * + + I would like to exchange postage stamps. I have a Swedish, a + Canadian, and a New South Wales stamp, two Italian, some French, + English, and old issues of United States stamps, which I will give + for others. + + A SUBSCRIBER TO "YOUNG PEOPLE," + 141 Fifth Avenue, New York City. + + * * * * * + + I wish to notify correspondents that I do not wish to exchange for + postage stamps any longer, but I will exchange stamps, curiosities, + shells, and minerals, for curiosities, shells, and minerals. + + V. L. KELLOGG, + P. O. Box 411, Emporia, Kansas. + + * * * * * + + I would like to exchange shells and pressed sea-weeds, for other + shells, Lake Superior agates, ore, or other small specimens of + minerals. I would like everything sent me to be clearly marked, and + I, in return, will name and classify the shells. + + MISS MAY HART, + Soquel, Santa Cruz County, Cal. + + * * * * * + + I live only eighteen miles from King's Mountain, where a great + battle of the Revolutionary war was fought. + + I have a little rat terrier I have named Rip Van Winkle, because + he sleeps so much. I would like to exchange birds' eggs with + readers of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE. I am twelve years old. + + WILLIE F. ROBERTSON, Yorkville, S. C. + + * * * * * + + I have a collection of about fifteen hundred stamps, and I have + about five hundred duplicates, which I would like to exchange for + others. Correspondents will please send a list of those they + desire. + + HIRAM H. BICE, + 39 Second Street, Utica, N. Y. + + * * * * * + +The following exchanges are also offered by correspondents: + + Coins or specimens of woods, for Indian relics, curiosities, + fossils, or minerals. + + ALFRED S. KELLOGG, + P. O. Box 103, Westport, Fairfield County, Conn. + + * * * * * + + Postage stamps. + + J. CLARKE BURRELL, + 307 East Eighty-sixth Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Postage stamps, for Indian relics, or anything suitable for a + museum. + + GEORGE LUNHAM, + 147 Skillman Street, Brooklyn, L. I. + + * * * * * + + Foreign postage stamps. + + LIONEL W. CROMPTON, + Care of Mr. Clifton, 104 Sixth St., Hoboken, N. J. + + * * * * * + + Foreign postage stamps, for old issues of United States postage + stamps, or for any Department stamps. + + FRANK BANG, + 271 Avenue B, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks, for stamps. + + JAY HOLLIS GIBSON, + Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. + + * * * * * + + A silver Japanese coin and a piece of prehistoric pottery, for a + genuine Indian bow and arrow. + + DAVID M. GREGG, + 404 Penn Street, Reading, Penn. + + * * * * * + + Ocean curiosities, for a guinea-hen's egg or other eggs; or + twenty-five postmarks, for a Chinese stamp and nine other foreign + stamps. + + HELEN S. LOVEJOY, + 39 Munjoy Street, Portland, Maine. + + * * * * * + + Cotton and rice as they grow, Spanish moss, arrow-heads, Southern + insects, or pressed flowers, for stamps. + + JOHN J. HAWKINS, + Prosperity, S. C. + + * * * * * + + An ancient Spanish coin to exchange for some curiosity. + + THOMAS EWING, + Osceola, Clark County, Iowa. + + * * * * * + + Persian, Japanese, and other stamps, for Turkish or South American + stamps or minerals. + + THEODORE MORRISON, + 3262 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Penn. + + * * * * * + + Teasels, which are pretty for bouquets and decorating, for coins, + curiosities, or minerals. + + J. E. GARBUTT, + Garbutt, Monroe County, N. Y. + + * * * * * + + A stone from Delaware or Pennsylvania, for one from any other + State; or shells, postmarks, or June beetles, for ore of any kind, + or for curiosities. + + S. STINSON, + 1705 Oxford Street, Philadelphia, Penn. + + * * * * * + + Sea-shells or minerals, for minerals. + + JOHN D. BROWN, + P. O. Box 171, Newton Centre, Mass. + + * * * * * + + Pressed sea-weeds from Santa Cruz, on Monterey Bay, for ferns or + sea-weeds from other localities. + + NELLIE HYDE, + 162 Third Street, Oakland, Cal. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks. + + HENRY F. STEELE, + 63 East Fifty-fifth Street, New York City. + + * * * * * + + Soil from Illinois, for that of any other State. + + ARTHUR DAVENPORT, + 34 Ogden Avenue, Chicago, Ill. + + * * * * * + + An Italian stamp, for one of any other foreign country. + + GIORGINO CHAPMAN, + Everett House, Union Square, New York City. + + * * * * * + + A ten-cent United States stamp, War Department stamps, or a Cuban, + Spanish, or Netherlands stamp, for a Brazilian ten-reis. + + FRED MCGAHIE, + 78 Second Place, Brooklyn, L. I. + + * * * * * + + Twenty-five postmarks, for a Japanese, Chinese, or East Indian + stamp, or twelve other foreign stamps. + + ANNIE DRYDEN, + Care of John Dryden, Brooklin, Ontario, Canada. + + * * * * * + + Buttons, or California postmarks, for postage stamps. + + FLOY MOODY, + Care of Charles Moody, + San José, Santa Clara County, Cal. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks and postage stamps, for Indian relics and ocean + curiosities. + + CHARLES B. BARTLETT, + 92 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. + + * * * * * + + Postage stamps, minerals, fossils, coins, ocean curiosities, and + Indian relics. + + S. G. GUERRIER, + Emporia, Kansas. + + * * * * * + + Stamps from Peru, United States official stamps, and others, in + exchange for rare stamps. + + ALLEN R. BAKER, + P. O. Box 1275, Bay City, Mich. + + * * * * * + + Copper ore from the Eli Copper Mines, New Hampshire, specimens of + meteoric rock, and stone from the Hoosac Tunnel, for Indian relics, + ocean curiosities, fossils, or minerals. + + FRED W. GLASIER, + P. O. Box 235, Adams, Berkshire County, Mass. + + * * * * * + + Ocean curiosities, for turtles not more than three inches long, + newts, or lizards. Correspondents will please write before sending + any of these creatures. + + DANIEL D. LEE, 14 Myrtle Street, + Jamaica Plains, Suffolk County, Mass. + + * * * * * + + Postmarks, for postmarks; or twice the number of postmarks, for any + number of postage stamps. + + RALPH D. CLEARWATER, + Care of A. T. Clearwater, Kingston, N. Y. + + * * * * * + +EDMUND S. H., AND R. D. BRITTON.--The disastrous war between Peru and +Chili originated in a dispute about certain privileges to mine copper +and nitrate of soda in the desert region of Atacama, the strip of +sea-coast on the Pacific, belonging to Bolivia, which separates Peru +from Chili. In 1875, the nitrate grounds were ceded by the Bolivian +government to a Peruvian business house, which transferred a portion of +its rights to some Chilian merchants. A heavy export duty was +immediately laid on the nitrate by Bolivia, which step was considered by +the Chilian government as a direct insult to its merchants, and also to +be in contradiction to earlier concessions made by Bolivia to Chili. The +Peruvians, fearing the ruin of their mining interest, took up the cause +of Bolivia, and much secret diplomacy was going on, when suddenly, on +April 6, 1879, Chili made a declaration of war against Peru, and +prepared to support its claims by arms. The naval combat of Iquique took +place in May of the same year, in which both Chili and Peru lost +valuable war vessels. For several months Chili maintained the blockade +of Iquique, and meanwhile the Peruvian iron-clad _Huascar_ was harassing +Chilian ports, until, in October, 1879, she was captured by two Chilian +men-of-war. The Chilian army and the united forces of Peru and Bolivia +met in numerous engagements, but since the capture of the _Huascar_ the +war has been one prolonged success for Chili. After the battle of +Chorillos, on January 14, 1881, in which the Peruvian forces were +completely overthrown, the Chilian armies marched triumphantly into +Lima, on the 17th of the same month. An armistice is now asked for by +the diplomatic body at Lima, and it is to be hoped that this foolish +devastation of a beautiful country will soon come to an end. + + * * * * * + +GRACE H.--You will find simple recipes for cream candy in the +Post-office Boxes of YOUNG PEOPLE Nos. 35 and 38. + + * * * * * + +WILLIE F. W.--It is impossible to trace the superstition concerning +Friday to its source. It exists among many different peoples, each +assigning to it an origin in accordance with the belief of the country. +The Friday superstition is met with even among the Brahmins of India, +who hold it unlucky to begin any enterprise on that day. In ancient +times, thirty-two days in the year were considered unlucky by the +astrologers, and warnings were given against the performance of any work +of importance on those days--an advice which was no doubt strictly +followed by all lazy people. + + * * * * * + +FRED L. C.--Mount Everest is the highest mountain of the earth. It is +situated in the northern part of Nepaul, which is an independent state +of Hindostan, lying between Thibet and British India. Mount Everest is a +part of the eastern range of the Himalayas, and, according to +measurements taken in 1856, has an altitude of 29,002 feet, and +thousands of cattle and sheep and mountain goats are herded on its broad +slopes of pasture-lands. + + * * * * * + +J. N. H.--If your puzzles are suitable for our columns, they will be +accepted. + + * * * * * + +M. I. S.--The double-page pictures in HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE are bound by +being fastened to a narrow strip of paper, which is called a "guard." +Any good book-binder will understand how this should be done. + + * * * * * + +A. J.--The line in question appeared in literature, and was often given +as a quotation, long before the ballad which you mention was printed. + + * * * * * + +LULU DE L.--We can not make room to print your little story. + + * * * * * + +KARL C. W., AND OTHERS.--The answers to all puzzles given in our columns +are printed in full three weeks after the publication of the puzzles. + + * * * * * + +H. D. F.--The directions for tracing a pattern on Russia crash were +given in "Embroidery for Girls, No. 2," in HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE No. 57, +November 30, 1880. + + * * * * * + +H. H. C.--Egypt and China are both supposed to be the oldest countries +in the world, but it is impossible to tell to which the greatest age may +be assigned, as the most learned historians differ upon this point. The +earliest development of civilization was probably in Egypt. Damascus, if +not the first city in the world, was certainly one of the earliest of +consequence. The date of its foundation is unknown, but it was a +flourishing place in the time of Abraham, and is mentioned in the book +of Genesis. + + * * * * * + +MAMIE BROOKE.--If what appears to be sand and dirt will not wash off +from your copper ore, we can not tell you how to clean it, without +seeing the specimen. What you consider dirt may be a coating of +oxide.--Your wiggles were received too late for insertion. + + * * * * * + +CONSTANT READER.--A very good mucilage, similar to that used on postage +stamps, may be made as follows: acetic acid, one part; gum-dextrine, two +parts; water, five parts. Dissolve in a water-bath, which consists of +one vessel within another, like a double glue-pot, so that the mixture +may be evenly heated. When the gum is well dissolved, add one part of +alcohol. + + * * * * * + +FALL RIVER.--Make your camera box of quarter-inch black-walnut; or pine +of the same thickness will do equally well, and will be more easily +worked, and cost less, and if neatly stained will make a pretty box. The +expense of your camera, apart from the lenses (see answer to Fred B. and +Fred W. in Post-office Box of No. 67), will be very small; and if you +are handy with tools, you will have no trouble in the construction, if +you follow the directions and drawings given in HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE +No. 63. Perseverance and ingenuity will have a great deal to do with +your success. + + * * * * * + +CHARLES A. G.--It is not easy to give you advice in a matter which may +affect your whole life, but we venture to suggest the trade of a printer +as one by which a boy of your age, if he be industrious, can earn his +living in a very pleasant manner after he has conquered the difficulties +which meet a beginner in whatever branch of apprenticeship he may +select. + + * * * * * + +WILLIE LLOYD AND M. D. AUSTIN.--Send your full address, and we will +gladly print your requests for exchange. + + * * * * * + +Favors are acknowledged from Addie B. McEwen, Annie H. Rundlett, Mamie +E. S., Charlie Hopper, Charles F. Bailey, Lyman C. S., Ella A., Edward +L. Haines, Albert H. F., J. A. M. and A. W. W., Milard B., M. B. W., +Istalina B., Jamie Craig, Edith M., Eva D. Aldrich, Joseph T. H., +Wilfred J. Wood, George W. Merritt, Howard Coleman, J. D. Pettigrew, +E. G. Robinson, Arthur W. French, H. M. Redlein, E. A. Folsom, Percy T. +Warner, Helena Pierce, Minnie L., George C. Williams, Ferdinand Travis, +Ollie J. McKay, Louie Van A., Lena Burrows, Eudora Bishop, Belle +Wallace, S. J. Coatsworth, E. B. G., Jacob S. Kinsely, Josie L. Stone, +Frank A. Taylor, Gottfried Steenken. + + * * * * * + +Correct answers to puzzles have been sent by Willie F. Robertson, Edwin +Nesmith, Bessie Comstock, Cora R. Price, "Lone Star," Dora Neville +Taylor, J. M. Haydock, Willie Parkhurst, Willie F. Woolard, Percy L. +McDermott, Nellie Brainard, W. I. Trotter, "Jupiter," M. Lila Baker, +"Bolus," Ed I. T., Annie De Pfuhl, James W. Downing, Benno Myers, Karl +C. Wells, Millie C. B., Blanche Jefferson, Frank Lomas, Andrew De Motte, +Fred Wieland, "Starry Flag," Grace A. McE., Jennie and May Ridgway, +Charlie Haight, Grace Montgomery, Fanny B. Squire, Willie M. Hargest. + + * * * * * + +PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS. + +No. 1. + +HALF-SQUARE. + +A poetic foot. To honor. Snug. To endeavor. A pronoun. A letter. + + STARRY FLAG. + + * * * * * + +No. 2. + +HOUR-GLASS PUZZLE. + +A debate. Permanent. A public carriage. Kindness. A home of wild beasts. +In February. Cunning. A fruit. Decoration. An angry speech. Negligent. +Centrals--An emblem of peace. + + DAME DURDEN. + + * * * * * + +No. 3. + +ENIGMA. + + First in carol, not in song. + Second in justice, not in wrong. + Third in save, not in keep. + Fourth in huddle, not in heap. + Fifth in vain, not in proud. + Sixth in still, not in loud. + Seventh in slave, not in master. + Eighth in slow, not in faster. + Ninth in grieve, not in cry. + An enterprising town am I, + And though my site is drear and cold, + Men seek me for my hidden gold. + + E. B. + + * * * * * + +No. 4. + +NUMERICAL CHARADE. + + My whole is composed of 10 letters, and has been received by many + readers of YOUNG PEOPLE. + My 4, 8, 5 is a sin. + My 6, 10, 7 is used by fishermen. + My 2, 1, 9 is the front of an army. + My 3, 9, 7 is an insect. + + G. T. W. + + * * * * * + +No. 5. + +ENIGMA. + + In smart, not in good. + In hat, not in hood. + In plant, not in tree. + In caged, not in free. + In viola, not in flute. + The whole a Southern fruit. + + BOLUS. + + * * * * * + +ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 65. + +No. 1. + +Bombshell. + +No. 2. + + 1. Never too late to mend. + 2. Kalmia. + 3. Fire-place. + +No. 3. + +1. Crane. 2. Owl. 3. Kite. 4. Heron. 5. Wren. 6. Robin. 7. Snow-bird. 8. +Linnet. + + + + +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. + + + + +[Illustration] + +[Illustration] + + Ho! ho! St. Valentine once more + Returns, with all his brilliant store + Of verses sweet and pictures gay; + You pick and choose whate'er you may. + Poor Bobby sees one, bright and fine; + He wants it for his Valentine. + Alas! his pennies all are spent; + For candies and for cakes they went. + What, Bobby! sobs and tears? O fie! + You can do better if you try: + Just write her one, in rhyme and metre, + And she will think it all the sweeter. + + + + +[Illustration] + + Oh! Kitty dear, + See here, see here, + Some one a Valentine has sent + For "Kitty Lee"; + That's you or me-- + How can we tell which one is meant? + + I think 'tis me; + For, don't you see, + By dear young Tommy Dodd 'tis written; + If 'twas for you, + 'Tis surely true, + It would have come from Tommy's kitten. + (And Pussy said, "Me-you!") + + + + +[Illustration] + + Here sits a maiden all forlorn, + Without her Valentine; + She's waited there since early morn-- + The post brought ne'er a line. + + + + +[Illustration] + + Some love short boys, + Some love tall; + This little maiden + Loves them all. + + Whoever passes, + Rain or shine, + She thinks 'tis sure + Her Valentine. + + + + +[Illustration] + + I love my neighbor over the way, + And bless the Saint who makes this day; + In coming years may her love and mine + Date from to-day and my Valentine! + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Harper's Young People, February 15, +1881, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44925 *** |