Chapter II: Part 2

"Onst I could read writin'. That first mus' be a capertin--that's what they call them big fellers that stands first--a kin' of a Gennyrel with his soljers. Oh! I don' know the capertins--never got acquainted when I went to school; common letters was good enough for me.

"That tall one, that's _l_, an' there's round _o_, then _r_, an' then _i_ with a dot. L-o lo, r-i ri, lori; _m_, _e_, an' then another tall _l_ on the end--that's m-e-l mel, lorimel. Now what's the capertin's name?--lorimel, lorimel; I've heerd that name some'eres. Why, it's her that came that day mother lay a-dyin' an' spoke so soft like; an' the gennelman with her he called her 'lorimel'--no that warn't it--Florimel, Florimel, that's the name!

"Tain't yourn now, Nance. You know where it belongs. You ain't got no right to it now."

And then came other thoughts.

"What's a gold thimble to her? She can buy all she wants--gold thimbles, and gold scissors, and gold needles; and sit in a gold chair, and sew on a gold gown. She hadn't no business leavin' a gold thimble in a rag bag. Them that's careless has to pay for it."

* * * * *

The curtains were drawn in an elegant house on the Avenue. A bright fire burned in the grate, throwing a warm glow on the delicate walls, the beautiful pictures, and the snowy marble statues, and reflecting itself in the long mirrors, seemed, as it sparkled and glowed, the only thing of life in the room; for the young girl who lay back in the luxurious depths of the large chair by the hearth, with her fair hands lying listlessly in her lap, was as white and motionless as the statues around her.

Now and then her lip quivered, and an occasional tear stole from under her long lashes, but she did not look up till a gentleman entered the room. Then she sprang into his arms, and sobbed out, in reply to his question of how she had spent the day,

"I've been perfectly miserable, papa. I've lost my thimble--the thimble Uncle Phil gave me. I'd give everything in the world to see it again."

"Why, my dear little girl, that would hardly be worth while, when you can get another for a few dollars. We'll go to-morrow and buy the prettiest--"

"Ah! papa, you don't understand. All the money in the world can't buy a thimble to take the place of the one Uncle Phil gave me. It was the last thing he ever bought."

"Was it, darling?"

"Yes; and he said that morning, 'Florimel, can you sew pretty well?' and I laughed, and said, 'Of course not, Uncle Phil; what's the need of my sewing?' 'Great need, great need, little niece,' he said. 'Sewing is woman's most womanly work, and though you may never need to sew for yourself, if you knew how, you might teach hundreds of poor girls to sew and clothe themselves and their families.'"

"My little daughter teaching a sewing-school! How funny it would be!"

"So that afternoon we went into Shreve's and selected one, and had my name engraved on it; and that night Uncle Phil was taken ill. So of course I feel badly, papa; don't you see why?"

"Yes, Florimel; but perhaps we shall find this thimble. Have you had Janet search for it?"

"Indeed I have, all day long. I had it yesterday at work on my Kensington, and think Janet must have taken it up among the bits of worsted when she put them into the scrap bag; and Ann sold all the scraps last night to the ragman. Oh dear! I shall never see it again."

"Hif you please, sir," said Jacobs, appearing in the doorway, "there's a vagrant at the basement door. Three times hi've sent 'er away, han' three times she 'as returned, hevery time hasking for Miss Florimel, han' sayin' she _must_ see 'er."

"To see me? At the basement door? How strange!" and Florimel forgot her tears in her eagerness to see what the poor child at the door could want.

Her papa hurried down stairs after her, and saw her face radiant with joy as she held in her hand a gold thimble, while a scantily clothed girl stood beside her awkwardly twisting the corner of her shabby shawl.

"Oh, papa! this girl Nancy found my thimble among some rags, and brought it back to me. Oh, what can I do for her, papa?"

"How did you know whose the thimble was, my child?"

"I warn't sure, sir," faltered Nance, whose honor had outweighed her longing for money and the comfort it would bring, and had brought her through the long city to seek the rightful owner of the thimble--"I warn't _sure_; but I knew her name, for herself an' a gennelman came onst to see mother long ago."

"That was Uncle Phil," said Florimel. "He used often to take me when he went to visit the poor. But how did you know where I lived?"'

"I knew the house, 'cause he told me to come here onst for some soup for mother, an' I came an' got it."

"How is your mother now?"

"She's dead, miss," sobbed Nance.

"And so is Uncle Phil;" and the two girls--the one so fair and beautiful and carefully guarded, the other so pale and pinched and friendless--forgot for a moment all but their sorrow, their longing for the dear dead faces they could never see again.

But Florimel's papa called Janet to see that Nancy was warmed and fed after her long cold walk, and took Florimel into the library to see what they really could do for this poor but honest girl.

Florimel at first insisted upon having her for her own little maid, but her papa convinced her that Nancy was too ignorant for such a position; and they finally decided that the best thing to do for her would be to give her a good home, where she could learn to do all kinds of nice work, and could also go to school.

"Why, papa, I know the very place for Nancy. Nurse Susan lives all alone, now her niece has gone out to service, and Nancy could live with her."

"That is a very bright thought, little daughter. It would be a comfort to Susan to have a young girl with her, and the money we should pay for Nancy's board would lighten her expenses. Let us send now for Nancy, and see if she likes the idea."

Did Nance like the idea?

Did she like to think she need never go back to the bustling, dusty mill; that she need not go again to that miserable tenement-house which she called home, where she shared one tiny room with seven other girls; that she need not know again what it was to battle with hunger and cold? Did she like to feel that she should have a home in the sweet fresh country; that her work should be in a garden, in a dairy, in a neat little cottage; that clothing, food, and the learning to be a good woman would lie within her reach?

LIFE ON BOARD A TRAINING-SHIP.

Training-ships, on board which boys are taught to become first-rate seamen, form an important portion of every navy; and in the accompanying sketches our artist has endeavored to convey correct ideas of the daily life of these boys to those of our readers who live far inland, are not familiar with ships and sailors, and who perhaps have never seen the sea.

The first sketch is one showing the boys undergoing a part of their sail drill, and engaged in furling the mizzen top-gallant-sail and royal. The sails of a man-of-war are furled and stowed with the utmost care and precision, so that the ends of the yard look exactly alike, and sometimes the boys have to do their work over and over again before the critical eye of the officer watching them is satisfied. In storms, when the great ship rolls so that the yard-arms sometimes touch the water, lying out on them and furling sails is very difficult and dangerous work, and it is only on account of the constant drill they have received during fair weather that the boys are able to accomplish the task under these circumstances.

Above all things, on these training-ships the boys are obliged to keep themselves neat and clean. They are expected to bathe frequently, and are always compelled to do so on Sunday. The bath-room, provided with tubs, basins, and a plentiful supply of water, is located in the bows, in the extreme forward part of the ship.

Generally amidships, but sometimes in the stern of the ship, is the school-room; for sailor boys have other things to learn besides the practical sailing of a ship. In this school-room the young sailors spend four or five hours of each day, and are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, history, geography, and grammar.

At noon, or eight bells, as they say on shipboard, the bugles sound the dinner call, and from all parts of the ship the boys tumble down the hatchways to the berth-deck, where is a long row of short tables swung from the ceiling, and where the young sailors eat the bountiful dinner provided for them as only healthy, hearty boys can eat.

The fourth or lowest deck of the ship is called the "orlop deck," and it is here that the boys stow away their muskets and cutlasses after drill. On this deck also the boys receive at four bells, or six o'clock in the evening, the allowance of bread and molasses, or treacle, that composes their regular supper.

Next to the sail drill, perhaps the most important is the gun drill, or practice with the heavy guns. This gun drill is not important merely because the guns are to be used in case of a fight, but because they are also used in the firing of salutes. These salutes must be fired whenever another man-of-war comes into port or a distinguished officer comes on board, on national holidays, and at many other times; therefore it is very important that the boys should be familiar with the great guns. Each gun has its crew, each one of whom has an especial duty to perform. The long cord that the boy in the last picture holds in his hand is called a lanyard; and as he pulls it with a smart jerk, a hammer falls on the breech of the gun, and with a roar that shakes the ship, the great gun is fired.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

I am twelve years old, and go to the Lincoln School. It is so
called because it has a statue of Abraham Lincoln in front of it.
It was built in 1864, has over twelve hundred pupils enrolled, and
I think it is the best school in the city. I have been making vases
out of Farallon eggs to send East to my cousins. The eggs come from
the Farallon Islands, twenty-one miles outside of the Golden Gate.
They are of a blue color, and have marks on them that look like
hieroglyphics. The birds that lay them are a species of gull. I was
born in San Francisco, and have lived here most of my life. Four
years I spent up in the mountains on a farm, or ranch, as they call
it here.

CHARLES W. S.

Farallon, the name of these islands near the entrance to San Francisco Bay, is a Spanish word signifying a small pointed islet in the ocean. The islands, of which there are six, are so called because they consist of rugged towering peaks of granite! A more desolate place could not well be imagined. There is nearly always a fierce wind blowing, and the waves dash wildly into the numerous spouting caves along the rocky coast. There is a light-house here three hundred and sixty feet above the sea, and its keepers are the only human inhabitants of the desolate sea-bound rock; but thousands of sea-lions congregate upon the cliffs, and vast numbers of gulls and wild rabbits make their home there. During the egging season men visit the islands, and gather thousands of eggs for the San Francisco market. A very interesting account of these islands, is given in Mr. Nordhoff's book on _Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands_.

* * * * *

FORT ASSINIBOINE, MONTANA TERRITORY.

I am always glad to see YOUNG PEOPLE come with papa's mail. Out
here in the wilderness we do not often see nice papers; but then we
see what city people never see--plenty of Indians. Many of them are
very poor, and so hungry that they pick bread and scraps of meat
out of the swill barrels to eat--old stuff that the soldiers have
thrown away. I think people should send the poor Indians something
to eat. I send you a picture of some Indians as they look hunting
for food this cold day. I am only nine years old, and can not draw
very good pictures.

BERTIE BROWN.

* * * * *

WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

I have a canary, which is the only live pet I ever had. It was
eight months old the 17th of February. I plant canary-seed, and let
it grow until it is about two inches high, and then I give it to my
canary. It likes to eat it very much.

LOUIE E. WARE.

* * * * *

I live way off in Washington Territory, and thought I would tell
you something about this distant country. We live near the Simcoe
Mountains. They are covered with evergreen pines. We can see the
snow-capped mountains every day in the year--Mounts Jefferson,
Hood, St. Helen's, and Adams. It snows here sometimes in winter,
but the wind comes up from the sea, and takes it away in a few
days. I do not live near any school, but I study and recite my
lessons at home. Six miles away, at the new town of Goldendale,
there is an academy, and they are teaching in it now. I am ten
years old, and was born in this country. Sometimes troops of
Indians come riding past on their spotted ponies. They bring salmon
from the Columbia River, huckleberries from the mountains, and now
and then ponies to sell. I am very fond of reading, and am
delighted with YOUNG PEOPLE. I read every word in it.

GERTRUDE BALCH.

* * * * *

HECKATOO, ARKANSAS.

I am a little girl eight years old. I take YOUNG PEOPLE, and like
it very much. I have a doll named Laura Martin. I live on a cotton
plantation on the Arkansas River, and I can stand on the front
gallery of our house and see all the boats that pass. We have never
been to school, and we have no governess now, so mamma has to teach
us. We have a great many pecan-nut trees here, and there is a pond
near our house with a boat on it, and my sister and I row
sometimes.

CYNTHIA R. SMITH.

* * * * *

UTICA, NEW YORK.

I am six years old. My birthday was the 18th of January, and mamma
gave me a little party. We had a nice time, and sat down to tea all
by ourselves, without any grown people. I have two birdies; they
will put their little heads clear out of the cage, and take seeds
from my mouth. Sometimes they nip my tongue, and one birdie will
fly out right into the cup I keep seed in. I taught them to eat in
that way by not letting them have anything until they would take
it.

BESSIE L. CARTER.

* * * * *

Papa brought me the numbers of YOUNG PEOPLE a few days ago. I had
been waiting anxiously for them, and I was so delighted when he
gave them to me. I have known all about Harpers' publications for a
long time. Mamma says that papa took HARPER'S MAGAZINE long ago,
before the war. I like the stories, letter-box, and puzzles in
YOUNG PEOPLE very much, and I have succeeded in getting answers to
some of the puzzles. My pets are cats and dogs, and I would like to
get a parrot. Alabama was my native place, but now I live in
Maryland.

LIDIE B. DUKE.

* * * * *

RUSSELVILLE, ARKANSAS.

I thought you might like to know about "Dr. Pruitt's boys," so I
concluded to write you a letter. I am Will, aged twelve; then there
are Fred, Edward, and Charley. Papa takes HARPER'S MONTHLY, and
mamma takes the BAZAR, and when YOUNG PEOPLE was advertised papa
proposed that each of us give something and take that too. We four
boys earned just one hundred dollars picking cotton last fall, so
we all contributed. We like the paper very much, and watch for its
coming; and we read everything in it.

WILL E. PRUITT.

* * * * *

GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA.

I am ten years old. My uncle takes YOUNG PEOPLE for me, and I can
hardly wait until it comes. I have got the elephant on his four
legs, and he looks well. I have a little prairie-dog named Jenny.
It lives in a hole in the yard, where I think it must have a good
nest, for I gave it lots of rags last fall to put in the hole. It
comes to the house almost every day to get something to eat, and
seems glad to see us. I have also a little dog named Frisk, only I
sold one-half interest in him yesterday for twenty-five cents to a
doctor who lives next door. He wanted him for his baby to play
with. Can you tell me what kind of a place a junk-shop is?

HARRY K. HEFFLEMAN.

A junk-shop is where old ropes, old anchors, old iron, and cast-off odds and ends of all kinds are kept for sale. There are many such shops to be found in every large city, and if it is a seaport, they are generally located near the waterfront, as a vast quantity of such rubbish is picked up along the wharves. In New York city junk dealers drive wagons round the streets, and buy old stoves or any worn-out household goods.

* * * * *

LONOKE, ARKANSAS.

I found in mamma's front yard, near a brick wall, a little pansy,
which I send you. It bloomed out the 29th of January.

SARAH F. S.

It was fortunate for the little pansy that it was picked and pressed, for Katie Black writes, also from Arkansas: "There was a very pretty snow-storm here on the 2d of February. It began in the morning, and snowed all day."

* * * * *

WARD A. P.--Your puzzle is neatly done, but as we have already published one having the same solution, we can not use it.

* * * * *

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.

Can you tell me what five words in the English language end in
"cion"?

S. R. W.

Can any correspondent answer this question?

* * * * *

J. R. B.--Jupiter will be evening star until March 15, morning star until October 6. Mars will be evening star until October 25. Saturn will be evening star until April 7, morning star until October 18. Venus will be morning star until July 13, evening star the rest of the year.

* * * * *

KATE.--You may write us any interesting things you know about prairie-dogs in Kansas.

* * * * *

"JONATHAN."--You will find brief accounts of the ancient Roman road-builders in any history of Rome, also in _Appleton's Encyclopedia_ under "Roads." _Lemprière's Classical Dictionary_ also contains much information, especially of the Appia Via.

* * * * *

MAE W. T.--"The Youthful Philomathesians" would be a pretty name for your literary society. Philomathesian is a Greek word signifying loving to learn, or lover of knowledge.

* * * * *

WALTER S. DODGE.--The picture on the first page of YOUNG PEOPLE No. 14 is a fac-simile of a pencil drawing reproduced by a photographic process.

* * * * *

Very neat "Wiggles" are received from R. V. R., Hattie Strong, and F. B. Myers, which we regret being unable to publish.

* * * * *

LOUISE S.--You write so prettily that we are sorry your enigma is not good enough to print. Do not be discouraged. Try again, and the next time see if you can not make rhymes.

* * * * *

JOHN F. S.--Persevere with your locomotive-engine drawing, and some day you may be able to put it to good use. Engines and machinery of all kinds are good things for a boy to become familiar with, and if you are really fond of them cultivate your inclination all you can.

* * * * *

Netta Franklin, Freddie C., Emma S., Pussy K., and Robbie V. R. are very youthful correspondents who favor us with letters printed with remarkable neatness. May R. also writes a very legible "Wiggle." When you learn to print, little girl, write again.

* * * * *

Acknowledgments for favors are due to C. Fannie Anderson, William F. B., John T. I., Perceval Hill, Frank Yarington, Angie T. Tenny, Florence G., Istalina Beach, George P. R., Orie Maude, Albert A., Mary Buchanan, Jennie E. Anderson, Myrtle Gilman, Alice M. S., Minta Holman, Mary F. W., Walter Jennings, Locke S., Sue Dawson, Ida S., Annie Black, Freddie L., Minnie Parker, Della L. Grimshaw, Bert Wellman, Eliza E. Crowell, Clarence C. Culver, Ada R., Ida M. C., Mary Landon S., Arthur D. Miller, Eddie Carnes, Bertha B. H., Daisy J. M., Katie Bouck, W. C. B.

* * * * *

Correct answers to puzzles received from Effie K. T., P. S. Heffleman, C. F. Langdon, Louise Swift, Maude K. Smith, E. and M. D., Florence Schaffenburg, H. M. H., J. H. Merrick, Harry E. Sears, Lewis K. Davis, M. Barton, P. Karberg, "the Boys, Bessie, Mamma, and I," Katie W., Harry S., Pussy Kellogg.

* * * * *

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN NO. 14.

The following solution to "A Latin Word Square," on page 155, is from a correspondent in Pennsylvania:

R O M A
O L I M
M I L O
A M O R

The square is made of magic spells
That speak of Horace and of Homer;
The third the glory that was Greece,
The first the grandeur that was _Roma_.

Tales of eating and of drinking,
And of falling roofs upholden,
Call up _Milo_;
_Milo_ backward murmurs _Olim_,
These, all these, were in the olden
Time long ago.

Lo! in yon brilliant window niche
My fourth--how statue-like he stands!
His bow and arrow in his hands,
Ah, _Amor_, from the regions which
Are Holy Lands.

* * * * *

Answer to "Throwing Light," on page 168--"Draught, draft."

* * * * *

We have received numerous answers to the Puzzle Picture on page 168, which are correct with the exception that more beasts are there than any one has yet discovered. A great many little folks have found seven. Only one has found eight. There are nine concealed in the picture, and we give one more week in which to hunt for them before publishing the answer.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE.

HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE will be issued every Tuesday, and may be had at the following rates--_payable in advance, postage free_:

SINGLE COPIES $0.04
ONE SUBSCRIPTION, _one year_ 1.50
FIVE SUBSCRIPTIONS, _one year_ 7.00

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 order.

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

ADVERTISING.

The extent and character of the circulation of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE will render it a first-class medium for advertising. A limited number of approved advertisements will be inserted on two inside pages at 75 cents per line.

Address
HARPER & BROTHERS,
Franklin Square, N. Y.

CANDY

Send one, two, three, or five dollars for a sample box, by express, of the best Candies in America, put up elegantly and strictly pure. Refers to all Chicago. Address

C. F. GUNTHER,
Confectioner,
78 MADISON STREET, CHICAGO.

CHILDREN'S

PICTURE-BOOKS.

Square 4to, about 300 pages each, beautifully printed on Tinted Paper, embellished with many Illustrations, bound in Cloth, $1.50 per volume.

The Children's Picture-Book of Sagacity of Animals.

With Sixty Illustrations by HARRISON WEIR.

The Children's Bible Picture-Book.

With Eighty Illustrations, from Designs by STEINLE, OVERBECK, VEIT,
SCHNORR, &c.

The Children's Picture Fable-Book.

Containing One Hundred and Sixty Fables. With Sixty Illustrations
by HARRISON WEIR.

The Children's Picture-Book of Birds.

With Sixty-one Illustrations by W. HARVEY.

The Children's Picture-Book of Quadrupeds and other Mammalia.

With Sixty-one Illustrations by W. HARVEY.

* * * * *

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._

Old Books for Young Readers.

* * * * *

Arabian Nights' Entertainments.

The Thousand and One Nights; or, The Arabian Nights'
Entertainments. Translated and Arranged for Family Reading, with
Explanatory Notes, by E. W. LANE. 600 Illustrations by Harvey. 2
vols., 12mo, Cloth, $3.50.

Robinson Crusoe.

The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York,
Mariner. By DANIEL DEFOE. With a Biographical Account of Defoe.
Illustrated by Adams. Complete Edition. 12mo, Cloth, $1.50.

The Swiss Family Robinson.

The Swiss Family Robinson; or, Adventures of a Father and Mother
and Four Sons on a Desert Island. Illustrated. 2 vols., 18mo,
Cloth, $1.50.

The Swiss Family Robinson--Continued: being a Sequel to the
Foregoing. 2 vols., 18mo, Cloth, $1.50.

Sandford and Merton.

The History of Sandford and Merton. By THOMAS DAY. 18mo, Half
Bound, 75 cents.

* * * * *

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._

BOOKS FOR YOUNG MEN.

* * * * *

Character.

Character. By SAMUEL SMILES. 12mo, Cloth, $1.00.

It is, in design and execution, more like his "Self-Help" than any of his other works. Mr. Smiles always writes pleasantly, but he writes best when he is telling anecdotes, and using them to enforce a moral that he is too wise to preach about, although he is not afraid to state it plainly. By means of it "Self-Help" at once became a standard book, and "Character" is, in its way, quite as good as "Self-Help." It is a wonderful storehouse of anecdotes and biographical illustrations.--_Examiner_, London.

* * * * *

Self-Help.

Self-Help; with Illustrations of Character, Conduct, and
Perseverance. By SAMUEL SMILES. New Edition, Revised and Enlarged.
12mo, Cloth, $1.00.

The writings of Samuel Smiles are a valuable aid in the education of boys. His style seems to have been constructed entirely for their tastes; his topics are admirably selected, and his mode of communicating excellent lessons of enterprise, truth, and self-reliance might be called insidious and ensnaring if these words did not convey an idea which is only applicable to lessons of an opposite character and tendency taught in the same attractive style. The popularity of this book, "Self-Help," abroad has made it a powerful instrument of good, and many an English boy has risen from its perusal determined that his life will be moulded after that of some of those set before him in this volume. It was written for the youth of another country, but its wealth of instruction has been recognized by its translation into more than one European language, and it is not too much to predict for it a popularity among American boys.--_N. Y. World._

* * * * *

Thrift.

Thrift. By SAMUEL SMILES. 12mo, Cloth, $1.00.

The mechanic, farmer, apprentice, clerk, merchant, and a large circle of readers outside of these classes will find in the volume a wide range of counsel and advice, presented in perspicuous language, and marked throughout by vigorous good sense; and who, while deriving from it useful lessons for the guidance of their personal affairs, will also he imbibing valuable instruction in an important branch of political economy. We wish it could be placed in the hands of all our youth--especially those who expect to be merchants, artisans, or farmers.--_Christian Intelligencer_, N. Y.

In this useful and sensible work, which should be in the hands of all classes of readers, especially of those whose means are slender, the author does for private economy what Smith and Ricardo and Bastiat have done for national economy. * * * The one step which separates civilization from savagery--which renders civilization possible--is labor done in excess of immediate necessity. * * * To inculcate this most necessary and most homely of all virtues, we have met with no better teacher than this book.--_N. Y. World._

* * * * *

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

_Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._

THE FIRE-FLY GAME.

The game of fire-fly is very graceful and amusing for dull days or winter evenings in the house. Out of a piece of Bristol-board (an old playing-card will do) cut a figure in the shape of the annexed diagram. If you have water-colors, and can paint it brightly in red and green or red and yellow stripes, all the better. Lay it flat on the cover of a book so that part of one of the wings projects over the edge; hold the book at a slight angle, pointing toward the ceiling, and then with a pencil or pen-holder give the projecting wing a smart blow, so as to send it flying upward; it will go twirling through the air toward the ceiling, and then return twirling back to the neighborhood of your feet. The game consists in trying to catch it on the cover of the book when it comes back. If you succeed, it counts you ten points; if you fail, you allow the fly to lie where it has fallen. Your adversary now takes his turn, and if he fails to catch his fly, then you see which fly has fallen nearest to a certain line on the floor on which you have previously agreed, and the owner of the nearest fly scores five. Whoever first scores one hundred wins the game.

* * * * *

=A School in Morocco.=--If one, happening to be in the south of Spain some day, should run across the Straits of Gibraltar in a southwesterly direction, he would come to the ancient city of Tangier, in Morocco. Here he would see many curious sights, but none more picturesque than the schools for children, of which there are several. A row of tiny slippers at the door and a hum of childish voices inside prompt the passer-by to look in. He sees a room, empty of furniture, and lit only by the open door. The school-master, a veritable Moses in appearance, is squatted on his haunches in the centre, and around him squat his pupils. Each has his slate before him, and repeats his lesson with monotonous chant, keeping his body moving backward and forward as if he were rowing hard the whole time against stream. The school-master's whip is of sufficient length to reach every boy around him, and now and then, without rising from his seat, he touches one or other up in the same manner as the driver of a mail-coach takes a fly off his leader's ear. The imperturbable gravity of the master, and the comical looks and quaint attire of the boys, form a picture which could not be transferred to canvas.

THE CHICKEN PUZZLE.

Here is an orange. With four cuts of the scissors and the prick of a pin transform it into a chicken.

CHARADE.

My first belongs to an ancient race;
They say his pedigree he can trace
To the time of the ark, and before;
But this I know, though his family tree
Be spread as wide as the sounding sea,
He was _not_ a companion of Noah.

My next in death plays a cruel part,
And yet 'tis dear to a woman's heart,
And sets her pulse beating high.
Of all sizes and shapes, it can fly or bound;
When most 'tis inflated it trails on the ground;
When base, then it soars in the sky.

My whole is extracted from earth and from sea;
Compounded with care, from obstacles free,
'Tis dear to the Yankee, I own.
'Tis famous in song, and famous in story,
And yet 'tis indebted for most of its glory
To the time when 'twas taken alone.