Chapter II: Part 2

A sound like that of some one shouting was plainly heard. They all stopped to listen. The shout was repeated, and was not far off.

"It's my boy! It's Charley's voice!" cried Goodwin. "He must be alive," and he rushed in the direction of the sound.

At the foot of the hill before spoken of, in Goodwin's pasture, there was a large ledge of rocks. Toward that the party hastened.

"Charley! Charley! where are you?" shouted the pioneer.

"Here I am," replied the little fellow--"down here in the rock. I can't get up."

Several of the party had already mounted the ledge, and they now saw what was the matter. There was a crevice or crack running through the rock from top to bottom, all the way from a foot to a foot and a half in width. Into this fissure the boy had fallen, and as the sides were steep and smooth, he could not possibly climb out. A hazel withe was cut, and one end given him, and he was speedily drawn to the surface.

"How came you in there, Charley?" asked his father.

"I fell in," answered the boy. "I was out there under that maple when the panther jumped on to Tige. I ran to the top of this rock, and stumbling, fell down in there. The panther came several times and tried to reach me, but he couldn't. Oh, I'm so tired and hungry!"

"We'll be at home soon," said his father. "Your mother will be looking for you."

They hastened toward the cabin with eager footsteps, and soon met the other party, who were returning from a fruitless search for boy or panther. Just then the report of a gun was heard at the settlement.

"What does that mean?" asked a brawny pioneer.

"I don't know," answered Goodwin. "Something must be the matter."

The party hastened their steps to a run.

* * * * *

At the close of the long afternoon, Dolly Goodwin, a girl of about sixteen, had gone out to do the milking. The cows had not been turned to pasture that day, but had been kept in an inclosure near the barn, shut in by a stone wall eight feet high.

Her mother had objected to Dolly's doing this. "Father will be at home soon," she said, "and there will be time enough then."

But Dolly, who was a busy little body, insisted. "If you are afraid for me, I will take my gun. You won't have to worry then. The cows really ought to be milked, for it's almost dark. Besides, Brindle and Loo like me."

The girl took down a small, pretty musket from its place over the deer antlers; it was her own, purchased the year before from her own savings.

The yard seemed a safe, cozy place, and Dolly felt like smiling at her mother's fears as she sat down on a stool and began milking one of the gentle, mild-eyed animals that were complacently chewing their cuds. She had one of the pails about filled, when there was a sudden disturbance among the horned inmates of the inclosure.

Dolly rose to her feet and gazed around, grasping her musket in both hands. We can see how she looked--a thin slip of a girl, with bare feet and ankles, a gown of linsey-woolsey, her gingham bonnet thrown back from her curls, and hanging to her neck by its fastened strings. The red in her cheeks and the flash in her eye made her look very charming.

Her quick eye soon caught a glance of a lithe, cat-like animal creeping stealthily along the high stone wall. Its glaring eyes, the long undulating tail, and the tawny-colored hide told well enough the character of the intruder. She knew it was a panther.

Dolly's heart rose into her throat, and for a moment, as she said afterward, she thought she should run as poor Brindle had done. But she was a pioneer girl, strong and healthy, and her nerves were soon under control. She raised her weapon to her shoulder, and levelled it full at the tawny breast of the crouching panther.

Her aim was taken instantly. She saw the greenish eyes glitter, and the long tail lash the wall excitedly. The next moment the savage beast sprang toward her. At the same moment her finger pressed the trigger.

She knew no more until she heard the baying of hounds and the loud cries of the returning hunters. Her father opened the heavy wooden gate, and came in where she was leaning half faint against the wall.

"I am all right now, father," said Dolly, in reply to his anxious interrogation, "but I was kind of sick like a while ago."

She still looked very pale.

"The girl has beat the hull of us!" cried a rough pioneer. "It's the very beast we were arter. See, there's the marks of the hounds' teeth. Well, it's saved us a journey to-morrow; that's a comfort. But you beat the dickens, Dolly, you do."

They all crowded around, offering congratulations, and for weeks afterward her exploit was the talk of the neighborhood.

The panther proved on measurement to be one of the largest of its kind; lacking only an inch of being seven feet in length, including its tail. The State bounty was forty dollars. This sum, with what she realized from its skin, made Dolly quite a rich young lady for those times.

ROBIN GOODFELLOW.

BY ELLA RODMAN CHURCH.

"Once upon a time, a great while agoe," begins a strange fairy tale that was written in the days of bad spelling, "there was wont to walke many harmlesse spirits called fayries, dancing in brave order in fayry rings on greene hills with sweete musicke (sometimes invisible), in divers shapes; and many mad prankes would they play."

It was at this time that a mischievous imp, named Robin Goodfellow, who was half fairy and half human being, was going about from place to place, sometimes doing good-natured things, but often bent only on mischief.

All sorts of queer stories were told of him; and when anything happened that people couldn't understand, they were sure to say, "It's some trick of Robin Goodfellow's." When he was only six years old, the neighbors complained of him to his mother for tormenting their very lives out whenever her back was turned. Finally he was threatened with a whipping, and to escape this punishment Robin ran away.

After travelling a long distance from home he met a tailor, who engaged him as an apprentice. For a time he behaved himself very well. But finally his love of mischief got the better of him, and he was at his old tricks again.

One day his master had a gown to make for a woman, and it must be finished that night; they both sat up late to work on it, and by twelve o'clock it was finished all but putting in the sleeves. The tailor was very sleepy, and said that he would go to bed. He told Robin to "whip on the sleeves," and then follow him. Robin said that he would, and as soon as his master had disappeared, he hung up the gown and whipped it most severely with the sleeves.

When the tailor came down in the morning, he found him still busy at this work, and asked him what he was doing.

"What you bade me," was the reply--"whipping on the sleeves."

"You rogue!" exclaimed his master: "I meant that you should have set them on quickly and slightly."

"I wish you had said so," rejoined Robin, "for then I need not have lost all this sleep."

The tailor was obliged to finish the work himself; but before he could get through, the woman came for her gown, and scolded because it was not ready. Hoping to soften her wrath by offering her some refreshment, Robin's master told him to bring the remnants they left yesterday. The tailor had reference to some cold meat; but the mischievous apprentice brought down the remnants of cloth left of the gown, which the tailor had intended to keep. The man turned pale; but the woman declared that she liked this breakfast better than the other, and sent Robin to get some wine. He never came back.

One day Robin had made a long journey, when he became so tired that he sat down by the road and fell asleep. Here he had a wonderful dream, in which troops of fairies danced about him to the sound of sweet music. Among them was King Oberon, who laid a scroll beside him, which was there when he awoke. On the scroll it was written that he was the Fairy King's son, that every wish of his should be granted, that he should have the power of turning himself into any shape he pleased, and that one day he should be taken to Fairy-land--on condition that he played tricks only on those who deserved them:

"But love then those that honest be,
And help them in necessity.
Doe thus, and all the world shall know
The pranks of Robin Goodfellow."

On reading this document, Robin was much delighted, and began at once to try his power. As he was tired, he wished himself a horse, and found himself leaping and curvetting as nimbly as though he had just come out of the best of stables. Then he tried being a dog, then a tree, and at last he was quite satisfied that he could do or be anything he pleased.

After this his pranks were worse than ever, but he obeyed his father's instructions, and harmed only vicious and idle and cross-grained people.

One day in crossing a field he met a rude fellow, to whom he said: "Friend, what is a clock?"--the style then of asking the time.

But the other chose to reply, churlishly, "I owe thee not so much service, but because thou shalt think thyself beholden to me, know that it is the same time of the day as it was yesterday at this time."

Then Robin resolved to amuse himself with this man, who was going further on to catch a horse that was at grass; and he turned himself into a bird to watch him. The horse was wild, and ran away over hedge and ditch, and the man after him as well, as he could. Presently Robin thought of taking the shape of the horse, and came near enough to let the churl get on his back. Then he stumbled, and hurled his rider to the ground. Robin allowed him to mount again, but only to throw him off in the middle of a large pond. Then, in the shape of a fish, he swam ashore, and laughed maliciously, "Ho, ho, hoh," leaving the poor man half drowned. It is to be hoped that this lesson in manners did the clown good.

Robin had more amiable moments; and often at night he would visit farmers' houses and help the maids to break hemp, to bolt, to dress flax, to spin, and do other work, for he was "excellent in everything."

Night was his favorite time for jokes, and he would sometimes walk abroad with a broom on his shoulder, and cry, "Chimney-sweep!" But when any one called him, he ran away laughing, "Ho, ho, hoh." Sometimes he would pretend to be a beggar in distress, and beg most pitifully; but when they came to give him alms, he would cheat them in the same way. Then again he would sing at a door after the fashion of wandering minstrels, and when people came to pay him, there was nothing left of his song but "Ho, ho, hoh."

King Oberon sometimes called his son to Fairy-land on nightly visits. He was summoned, to dance in the fairies' ring, by a shrill, sweet pipe, blown by little Tom Thumb, the order having been given,

"Whene'er you heare my piper blow,
From thy bed see thou goe."

At last he was taken to dwell there altogether, and the world was rid of the pranks of Robin Goodfellow.

A KETTLE-HOLDER.

BY MRS. T. W. DEWING.

Kettle-holders are things that must be in every household, and there is nothing that ingenious little fingers can spend their time upon to a better advantage in the days when they are too young to undertake more elaborate and difficult fancy-work. Here is a design that can be easily worked, and will be sure to please mamma if it is only carefully put together, and all the stitches neatly taken.

Cut the four leaves of the clover, from grayish-green cloth or flannel, and baste them on a ground of pink cloth, as shown in the design. Sew them fast with a fine button-hole stitch. Make the ribs of the leaves, the stem, the little white triangular-shaped marking in the centre of the upper edge of the leaf, and the white crescent on the lower part of the leaf, also the four little white stems that join the four leaves together, in chain stitch of white saddler's silk.

Let the border be of pink silk several shades paler than the pink ground. Sew it to the main part by over-handing it neatly on the wrong side. Work the horseshoes in the corners in chain stitch with gray saddler's silk. Represent the nails by gold beads, which must be tightly sewed on. Line the back with green flannel, turning in the edges, and hemming it very neatly. The lining at the back should always be a little--a very little--smaller and tighter than the front, or, as the holder is constantly bent, the lining becomes loose and baggy.

THE PRISONER AT THE BAR.

"Stand up at the bar," cried the Justice severe.
"And what you can say I will patiently hear;
But you have been brought here so often before
That I fear it will be the old story once more.

"Stop! You needn't repeat that you couldn't find work.
For I know you quite well for a tramp and a shirk;
You sneak round the farm-houses begging for bread,
And will rob even those by whose hands you are fed.

"For a stout hearty fellow like you it's a shame
To take the alms due to the sick or the lame;
But to steal from the kind ones who pity your case,
I must punish severely a meanness so base."

"Well, your Honor, I've nothing to say, for I see
That nothing will change your opinion of me;
I suppose you will tell me, as often before,
That I must be sent to the tread-mill once more."

"You take the words out of my mouth," said the Judge;
"You are sentenced a month on the tread-mill to trudge;
And when your tramp's over, perhaps you will feel
That it's better to work at the plough than the wheel.

"For good honest labor will bring its reward,
While the way of the idle and vicious is hard;
And 'tis better in youth to this precept to hold
Than have to confess it when hardened and old."

I wonder if all the young people are as glad as I am that June has come again? You know the poet says:

"What is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days.
When heaven tries the earth if it be in tune,
And softly above it her warm ear lays."

Some of you are studying hard in these bright hours, so that you may be ready for examination. I hope you have been so faithful all the term that you will not need what some students call cramming to make you successful now. Others of my boys and girls are busy with their roses and honeysuckles. My thanks to the dear little hands that have gathered wild flowers for me.

You must tell us about your summer pleasures, children, and if anybody meets with an adventure, remember that Our Post-office Box would like to hear about it.

* * * * *

NEW YORK CITY.

I am a little girl nearly seven years old. We have no live pets in
the city, but my little sister Anna and I have fourteen dolls. I am
thankful to say they are very healthy; none of them have had the
mumps or _cook_ing-cough, as my little sister calls it. In the
summer we all go to Long Island. There we have a pony, two cows,
one calf, two cats, a kitten, and some chickens. We have great fun
bathing. I am writing this myself, and if you think it is nice
enough to print, I shall be the proudest little girl in New York
city.

HELEN B.

* * * * *

HENRY COUNTY, VIRGINIA.

I've been a reader of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE quite two years, but
have seen no letter as yet from here, therefore I'll write at least
one from this mountainous part of the State. My country home is in
sight of the Blue Ridge, and one can get a distinct, grand view of
some of its peaks a mile from our home. No one of your little girl
subscribers enjoys the Post-office Box more than myself. In fact,
both big and little folks here appreciate and read most of Harper's
publications. I wish everybody who lives in low flat countries
could at least visit our mountains, and our State's
greatest, curiosity, the Natural Bridge, in Rockbridge County; it is
worth a trip to Virginia just to see that wonderful work of nature.
But I must not write too long a letter, for fear you'll not find
space to publish it; so I'll close by stating that I'm the youngest
of twelve children. With best wishes for our dear kind
Postmistress,

MAGGIE S.

The Postmistress returns heartily the love of all the dear girls and boys who send her their pleasant messages. She has visited your lovely mountain land, Maggie, and it is her opinion that you can not praise its beauty too highly.

* * * * *

KING GEORGE COUNTY, VIRGINIA.

I am ten years old. I have one brother and three sisters. I have a
cow and a calf. We have a play store; we make wooden dollies and
many other things to sell. We have a dog and a cat. The dog's name
is Trip, and the cat's Tiger. There is a little bird that comes
down by the door, and we give him crumbs; he is real tame. I used
to have a pet rooster, but papa sold him. He would fly up on my
shoulder, and when he saw any one with a pan he would fly in it. I
will tell you about a squirrel that lives in a very large hollow
hickory-tree back of our house. He is so cunning! He comes out on
the side of the tree and chatters at us, and the dog and cat try to
catch him, but he is too sharp for that. He comes and steals
walnuts from our store-house, and carries some to his tree. We have
two small mules; I love to ride on their backs.

EMMA F. B.

* * * * *

DURBIN, DAKOTA TERRITORY.

I am a little boy thirteen years old, and I live on my father's
farm, one-half mile from Durbin, in the celebrated Red River
Valley, about six miles from the world-renowned Dalrymple Farms.
Our house stands on the high beautiful banks of the Maple River.

Two months ago my sister and two brothers and myself were taken
sick with diphtheria. I haven't been able to walk since. My little
brother Allie died. I want to tell you what the sweet little boy
said when he was sick--he did not like to take his medicine; and
mamma said to him, "Allie, take it to please mamma," and then he
took it; and a little while after mamma heard him say, in his
sleep, "I will take it to please mamma." The last time he took his
wine he said to papa, "Papa, I will never take it again." He was
five years old, and could read and spell, and count up to one
hundred without missing, and we never tried to teach him; he
learned it all himself from hearing us. I have taken YOUNG PEOPLE
from the first number. I could not live without it.

Please print this, as I am unable to walk, and have little to amuse
me.

LYNN C. M.

What a sweet memory you have of the dear patient little brother, who was so ready to please his mamma, even when in pain!

I hope, as the summer days bring their pleasures, you will grow strong again, and be able not only to walk, but to run and jump as boys like to.

* * * * *

There will be a general clapping of hands when the Cot report is read this month. Here is a letter, which everybody will enjoy, from a friend who has the Cot on her mind all the time:

I am certain a great many of our young readers, when they see the
Cot acknowledgments, will exclaim, "My! how did we get so much
money all at once?" I don't wonder at your surprise; I am sure I was
surprised when I heard the good news. Well, that $550 which you see
put down as the result of a fair is what did the work. Sometimes in
reading our fund column I have wondered why so few names from New
York city appeared among our contributors; the greater part of the
work before has been done in the East, West, or South. But now New
York city has stepped up bravely to the front, and is worthy of
great praise. Four little girls living here, namely, Madeline
Satterlee, Helen Manice, Gertrude Parsons, and Mamie W. Aldrich,
formed a club in Lent, and worked for this fair, and earnest
workers they must have been. The fair was held April 22, in the
Sunday-school room of Zion Church, Thirty-eighth Street, New York,
which was kindly lent for the purpose. Of course I was at the fair,
and a very pretty one it was. I only wish more people could have
known about it, and have been there to encourage these little girls
in their good work. Very busy they all looked, waiting on the
tables. They had a fish pond and a large red grab-bag, both of
which took in quite a sum of money; and I am sure these little
workers must have felt very proud, and well repaid for any
self-denial they had practiced, when they handed in to our
treasurer the large sum you see acknowledged to-day. Now don't you
think it would be a good plan if all the boys and girls who are
well-wishers of our Fund--and I am sure they are many--would work
hard this summer, while away in the country, or at home, and try
and make the amount up to $1500? That would be just half the amount
needed, and how fast we could go on next winter! You would have to
raise $345.56, and that is not such a large sum among a great many.
Some, like these four little New York girls, could hold a fair or
festival at some of the summer resorts; others could pick and sell
berries. There are many ways in which the little hands and feet
could earn the pennies for our fund. Do not be disheartened at
small results, but remember that every effort you make, if in
earnest, helps both yourselves and the Cot fund.

I wonder if some of you are not curious to know where your money
goes while waiting for the rest of the $3000. If any of you have
ever gone in the Sixth Avenue cars, New York, past Waverley Place,
you may have observed a large building on the southwest corner,
with "Greenwich Bank" upon it in large letters; our treasurer wants
me to tell you that she puts your money there; and, if I am not
mistaken, some of these days you will see in our acknowledgment,
"Interest from Greenwich Bank," which means that the bank pays you
so much money for leaving your money with it. If you will ask your
papas, I am sure they will tell you that it could not be in a
better place. So you see what a good treasurer we have to take care
of our money.

In saying good-by I must add that I think you have all done very
well so far in our good work. The year will not be up until next
month, and we have passed "the place in the mountains where we can
look back and see one-third of our journey accomplished."

So to our helpers,
Great and small,
Thanks we send
For one and all.

AUNT EDNA.
NEW YORK, _June_, 1882.

* * * * *

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

As this is one of the large cities in the Union, I thought if no
one else would sustain its credit I would. On the 5th of May we had
a big hail-storm. In 1872 we had a hall-storm when the hail was
about the size of a hazel-nut; but in this one the smallest stones
I saw were that size. Most of them, however, were about the size of
walnuts. I saw quite a number as large as a section of an egg, and
one or two almost as large as my fist. Now I am afraid you will
think that I have exaggerated, but it is true. I have heard a
number of persons, including a very old lady, say that they have
seen a number of stones frozen together, but never before such
large single ones. The storm lasted for a full half-hour, hailing
constantly. A great deal of damage was done to churches and public
buildings especially. Branches of trees, bushes, and vines were cut
off as smoothly as if done with a knife. One man went out to the
gutter to pick up an extra large hail-stone, when another one hit
him so forcibly on the back of the neck that he fell down on his
hands and knees. I would have sent you one of the stones, but as
such things can not be telegraphed, I could not do so.

MALCOLM P.

* * * * *

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK.

I have written one letter before, and have not seen it in the
paper, so I thought I would write again. I am taking HARPER'S YOUNG
PEOPLE for the third year. I like "Toby Tyler" very much, and "Mr.
Stubbs's Brother" still better. I saw some real prairie-dogs not
long ago. They don't look bigger than a good-sized rat. I am nine
years old, but have only been at school a year, as I have always
been sick. I am in the second grade, and study arithmetic, reading,
language, and spelling. Shall be promoted next term.

I have a little brother named Frankie. He is seven years old. Mamma
and he and I live with grandpa, as our papa is dead. Frankie has a
cat which had four kittens. They are all sorts of colors. I wish I
could send you their pictures. They live in my old baby carriage. I
made a little tent, not big enough to get under, that I could take
down and put up as many times as I had a mind to, and to-day I
broke it. Jumbo, that you have told us about, is coming here in
August. I hope I shall see him. When I do, I'll write and tell you
what I think of him. I just love him now. I can't think of any
more. Good-by.

EDDIE F.

Those little kittens are well off. Living in a baby carriage! Think of such luxury! Do they have an afghan over them when they are chilly?

It is fun to make a tent large enough to accommodate two or three boys. I think, if I were there, I could help you make one with two or three poles, and a couple of old shawls or table-covers. Suppose you ask mamma to help you do this?

* * * * *

FOREST, TEXAS.

I am a little girl twelve years old, and live in the country. I
have a kind uncle who sends me YOUNG PEOPLE. We have had plenty of
strawberries this spring. I go to school, and am in Coins and
Currency, and at play-time I have fine times playing croquet. We
have a mocking-bird building in the garden. It sings all day. We
had a fish-fry not long ago, and had as many fish as we wanted. It
has been a very rainy season. I have a great many pretty flowers;
the gladiolus is opening now. I am so glad when HARPER'S YOUNG
PEOPLE comes. I like the story of "Talking Leaves" better than any
other one.

NINA M.

We planted our gladiolus bulbs the morning that Nina's letter arrived; but the season is earlier in her Southern home than it is with us. Have you magnolia-trees and pomegranate-bushes in your garden, Nina? How charming it must be to hear the songs of the mocking-bird all day long!

* * * * *

NORWICH, CONNECTICUT.

I must tell you about my pet which my uncle Frank brought me from
California. It was a dear little horned toad. It was very
affectionate, and had a soft yellow breast and two horns, one on
each side of its head. I kept it in a big box of sand, and uncle
called it Cutey, it was so cute. One day it was very cold, and
Cutey shivered so I covered him up in the box, and put him on the
register; then I went off, and forgot my poor little toad. When I
came back my toad was dead, and I cried very hard, for I felt
naughty to have forgotten my pet. I have some more pets, and some
time I will tell you about them; but I am afraid this is too long.

SUSIE.

What a pity it was, dear, that you forgot your pet! No wonder you cried. I am sure you will never again forget one of the little creatures, which are dependent on you for their comfort.

* * * * *

BRISTOL, ENGLAND.

I have a very kind cousin who lives in Brooklyn, and sends me YOUNG
PEOPLE. I am eight years old. I am very fond of reading the letters
of children so many miles away from each other, and of hearing
about their pets. I have a green parrot, but he is very spiteful.
We have a gray cat, and if we stay upstairs beyond our time in the
morning, she comes up and sits outside the door, and keeps mewing
until I come out and speak to her. I have two sisters, one five,
the other three. I have been learning to play the piano eighteen
months; also my sister Lillie. We play several duets, and many
pieces. I have to practice every evening, and then I have a good
read from YOUNG PEOPLE. I like "The Cruise of the 'Ghost,'" "Tim
and Tip," and "All-hallow Eve" very much indeed, and I am very much
interested in "The Talking Leaves." My papa I have not seen in
nearly four years. He is out in China. He was wrecked last July. He
was chief officer of the _Anne S. Hall_, of Boston, which was lost
in a typhoon. All hands were saved in a boat. I shall be very glad
when I see him. I have been two years at school. I went to a
pic-nic party to Lea Woods. We went through Nightingale Valley, and
were really tired when we got to the top. The woods looked lovely
with bluebells and violets. The primroses seemed to be all picked.

PERCY T.

Well, Percy, I wish I were so near that I could tell whether you and your little sister keep time in your duets. You must practice very diligently, so that your music will delight your papa when he comes home again. How much you must love him, all the more fondly because he was in such peril on the ocean! I hope he will reach his children in safety.

Nightingale Valley is a beautiful name for a wood.

* * * * *

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

I want to tell you about our cat, whose name is Miss Moll; my
little brother named her, and he is three years old. Miss Moll
trots all over the house, and when she wants to go out, she stands
by the door and mews. When she wants to come in, she scratches at
the door. She will lie down on her back, and play with any one's
hand, although she is a middle-aged cat.

We also have a dog, but he does not amount to much, except that he
is a good watch-dog, and he belonged to my brother, who is now
dead.

I go to the public school, where I received a prize for writing and
composition. (They don't give prizes as a general thing.) This is
my first letter.

GRACE I. T.

I am glad you were the fortunate little winner of a prize.

* * * * *

FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND.

As I have seen no letter from here, I thought I would write, and
maybe you would publish it. I am a little girl eleven years old. I
live in the country near Frederick city. I have a dear little
brother; his name is Charley. He is a little naughty sometimes,
though. Charley has three dogs--their names are Sport, Jack, and
Butty--and he has a very pretty Alderney calf, also ducks and
chickens. He is very kind to them. My aunt Kate gave me YOUNG
PEOPLE for a Christmas gift. I like it very much. I have twelve
little cousins; we go to school together, and have very nice times.
I send my love to you, Mrs. Postmistress, and to all the little
girls and boys.

E. K. H.

* * * * *

Exchanges are inserted without charge, but they must be brief. First name what you have, and then state what you wish in return. Give your address plainly, and in full, town, county, and State. Please write with black ink.

* * * * *

C. Y. P. R. U.

THE RAINBOW.--When the summer shower is passing away, and while the thunder is still rolling among the hills, we have often seen the rainbow. Every one admires the beautiful arch which spans the sky. It is caused by the striking of the sun's rays upon the drops of water as they fall from the clouds. These rays are twice refracted and once reflected as they meet the transparent drops. If you look in the dictionary, you will find that refracted means bent suddenly, and reflected means thrown back. The colors of the rainbow are seven in number, and appear in the following order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The tints are most vivid when the background of clouds is darkest and the drops of rain fall closest. The continual falling of the rain while the sun shines produces a new rainbow every moment; and a curious thing is that as each spectator sees it from a particular point of view, strictly speaking no two persons see precisely the same rainbow. A peculiar sacredness is attached to our thoughts of the rainbow on account of the mention made of it in Genesis, when, after the deluge, Noah saw its arch in the sky. How glad he must have been to view the sun once more! Then God said, "I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth." The story of the rainbow, as the Bible tells it, is to be found in Genesis, ninth chapter, from the eighth to the seventeenth verses.

* * * * *

HATTIE C.--You are needlessly distressed at what you call your lack of conversational powers. It is true that some people have the gift of talking with ease, and that they are not embarrassed in the presence of others. But any person of ordinary intelligence may learn to talk brightly and pleasingly by simply taking pains to learn how. In the first place, try to forget yourself. Do not fancy when you open your lips that the lady opposite you on the sofa, or your neighbor at the dinner table, is criticising or making fun of you. Well-bred and kindly mannered people never do so. Have, in the second place, an idea of what you wish to say. In the third and last place, be sure to tell your story or give your opinion in the simplest language you can command. Never use slang. To be a good listener is as great an accomplishment as to be a bright talker. A young lady who listens intelligently, and with sympathy in her looks, giving now and then a brief reply or a turn to the talk, but not trying to lead it, or to be at all conspicuous, is sure of being popular. Find out what your friends are interested in, and help them to talk on their special subjects. Do not worry about the impression you are making when in society, but let your great aim be to make the place where you are as cheerful as possible.

* * * * *

We would call the attention of the C. Y. P. R. U. this week to Mr. Charles Barnard's article, "Wave and Sand," and to "The Boyhood of William Chambers." The girls will be pleased with Mrs. Dewing's pretty and artistic design for "A Kettle-Holder."

* * * * *

YOUNG PEOPLE'S COT.

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

Henry and John Goeltz, $2; Kerfoot W. Daly, Gibsonton, $1; Mamie
Tilton, Fort Riley, Kan., $1; Easter gifts from Charles Frederick
Fletcher, $1, Theodora Carter, $1, Maud Metcalf, 75c., Ruth
Metcalf, 75c., and Mary Aiken Metcalf, 50c., Auburndale, Mass.,
total, $4; Dora's Easter Offering, New York, $1; Lucy, Frank, and
Willie Green, Upper Alton, Ill., 25c.; "Little Margaret," June 4,
In Memoriam, $100; Teddie and Willie McVickar, New York, $20; Ethel
Hurst, New York, 75c.; Virgie McLain, Nassau, N. P., $1.25; Annie
and Edith Van Kuran, Clinton, Iowa, 50c.; Lena Matthews, Olean,
N. Y., $1: Oliver T. Clough, Junction, Iowa, $1; In Memoriam,
Herbert Stockwell Day, $50; Ethel Ransom, 25c.; Elise Hurst, New
York, 25c.; Teddie McVickar, New York, 25c.; Lulu Lyon, $1; Frank
M. Hartshorn, in memory of two little brothers, $1; Emily Chauncey,
30c.; Isabelle Lacey, $10; Teddie McVickar, New York, 50c.;
proceeds of a fair held in Zion Church Chapel, Madison Avenue, New
York, April 22, the Lenten work of a club of four little
girls--Helen Manice, Madeline Satterlee, Gertrude Parsons, and
Mamie W. Aldrich--New York, $550; total, $747.30; previously
acknowledged, $406.84; grand total, May 15, 1882, $1154.14.

E. AUGUSTA FANSHAWE, Treasurer, 43 New St.

* * * * *

CLINTON, IOWA.

We saved fifty cents out of our pocket-money for the Cot, and we
hope it will help a little toward the support of some poor child.

ANNIE and EDITH VAN KURAN.

* * * * *

I have saved these two dollars with my brother. My brother saved
fifty cents, and I saved one dollar and fifty cents. My brother is
seven years old, and I am fourteen. I sent these few pictures
because I think they will please the little ones. My brother and I
will try to send two more dollars.

HENRY and JOHN GOELTZ.

* * * * *

I send you $1 I earned myself feeding chickens and getting up early
in the morning. Mamma said I might do whatever I chose with it. I
am not a very big boy.

KERFOOT W. DALY.

* * * * *

UPPER ALTON, ILLINOIS.

I have been intending to write to YOUNG PEOPLE for some time. We
all like it so very much. I am so glad Mr. Otis has begun another
story about Toby Tyler. I know it will be splendid. My brother
Frank and I send twenty cents for Young People's Cot, and hope the
Cot will prosper. I am so sorry the trailing arbutus does not grow
here. I have never seen it. But we do have lots of other lovely
wild flowers. We have white, blue, and yellow violets and bluebells
all growing in our yard. I wish I could see the boys and girls that
write to Our Post-office Box. I wish I was able to give some of our
flowers to the poor sick children in the hospitals.

LUCY L. GREEN.

P. S.--My brother Willie adds a nickel to our contribution.

L. L. G.

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NASSAU, NEW PROVIDENCE, BAHAMAS.

Inclosed you will find $1.25 for Young People's Cot. Once before I
sent you 35 cents. I had a beautiful parrot which died, and to
console me papa gave me $5, so I now send $1.25 out of it.

VIRGIE MCLAIN.

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SCHUYLER, NEBRASKA.

We have taken HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE for only a month, but papa sent
and got us all from the January number down. We felt sorry for the
homeless little children, and so we sent them some papers. We have
been saving them up from 1879. There are five of us children, and I
am the next to the oldest. We live in Schuyler, Colfax County,
Nebraska. We have a good many pets, but I will have to wait until
next time to tell you about them. I will have to close now, as it
is about time for school. Good-by.

MATTIE CLARKSON.

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OLEAN, NEW YORK.

I am a little girl nine years old. I send you a dollar for Young
People's Cot, which I earned by helping my mamma. The only pet I
have is a little baby brother. I have got the mumps on both sides.
I go to school, and study geography, grammar, spelling, reading,
writing, drawing, and arithmetic. I must close. Good-by. From

LENA MATTHEWS.

* * * * *

PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

BEHEADINGS.

1. Here is a group of boys. Behead the name of No. 1, and you have an ancient vessel; of No. 2, and you have something unpleasant; of No. 3, and you have a nickname; of No. 4, and you see a vehicle; of No. 5, and you have a useful article of furniture; of No. 6, and you have an organ of the human body; of No. 7, a beautiful bird; of No. 8, a disfigurement.

2. Here are four pretty girls, with very sweet names. Behead the first name, and you have what the robin did to the cherries; the second, and you have the name of the earliest martyr; the third, and you have what bees and butterflies are in summer; the fourth, and you have an exciting chase.

SAM WELLER, JUN.

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No. 2.

ENIGMA.

My first is in apple, but not in prune.
My second in May, but not in June.
My third in seek, but not in find.
My fourth in cross, but not in kind.
My fifth in mice, but not in rat.
My sixth in cape, and also in cap.
My seventh in chair, but not in stool.
My whole is a country you'll learn of in school.

A BOY OF TEN.

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No. 3.

TWO DIAMONDS.

1.--1. A letter. 2. A domestic pet. 3. A city in France. 4. A metal. 5. A letter.

2.--1. A letter. 2. A nickname. 3. A heavenly wanderer. 4. Human beings. 5. A letter.

EUREKA.

* * * * *

No. 4.

NUMERICAL ENIGMA.

My whole is a noted battle-field, and I contain 11 letters.
My 1, 2, 6, 4 means to speak familiarly.
My 7, 3, 10 is a horse.
My 1, 8, 9, 5 is a water-fowl.
My 11, 2, 6 is an exclamation.

EMPIRE CITY.

* * * * *

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 133.

No. 1.

L U N A R R A S P
U S A G E A C M E
N A S A L S M U T
A G A T E P E T S
R E L E T

F I G V A N
I C E A C E
G E T N E T

No. 2.

F irin G
I odid E
C heru B
H awai I
E ndin G
L oung E

No. 3.

S
D I C E D
D U E I D E A S A R T
D U C K S S C E P T I C D R O O P
E K E E A T E R T O E
S S I R P
C

T B E
T I P T E A E N D
T I G E R B E T S Y E N D O W
P E T A S P D O T
R Y W

No. 4.

Excelsior.

* * * * *

Answer to Enigma on page 134--Handcuff.

* * * * *

Correct answers to puzzles have been sent by "Eureka," Annetta D. Jackson, Pansy V. R., "I. Scycle," Harold S. Chambers, Florence, Mabel, and Annie Knight, Douglas Fay, Alex Ketchum, John B. Todd, Alice Bolton, Emma Grace, Fanny and Fleda Cary, Viola, S. T. C.

* * * * *

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

* * * * *

GAS BALLOONS.

Small gas balloons are made of thin sheet India rubber, or gutta percha, or tissue-paper; larger ones are made of oiled silk. Cut gores of the material to be used, sufficient in number when fastened together, the sides of each gore overlapping the gore fastened to it, to form a globe of the desired size, with pear-shaped ends. Join the gores together so as to make them completely air-tight. When the heavier materials are used, they should be sewn together, and then covered with glue or thin varnish. At the lower end of the balloon insert a tube, and tie all the narrow tips of the gores firmly round it. Cover all with a solution made of India rubber dissolved in naphtha and turpentine, and over the balloon place a net bag that has been previously made of the proper size and shape.

The gas with which the balloon is to be filled is made in the following manner: Put a pound of granulated zinc or iron filings into two quarts of water in a stone jar, and add gradually a pint of sulphuric acid. Have a tube of glass or metal run through the bung with which the jar is corked, and after taking the materials out-of-doors, fill the balloon by connecting this tube with the tube already placed at its mouth. When the balloon is filled, tie its neck very tightly, and it will rise into the air. Common coal gas may be used when it can be obtained. A small car made of some light material may be attached to the netting which goes over the balloon.

* * * * *

A BALLOON ADVENTURE.

An exciting balloon adventure was that of Mr. Pendarves Vivian, an English member of Parliament. With two skilled aeronauts he recently made an ascent from Southwest London, the start being delayed by unfavorable weather until 10 P.M.

They found themselves in a strong current, which in ten minutes had placed them over North London, the lights below presenting a fairy scene of indescribable beauty. Though over 1000 feet high, street cries were distinctly audible. Ascending rapidly to 8000 feet, in an hour they found themselves passing at a tremendous rate over a flat country suitable for descending, and they resolved to come down. Gas was let out, and grappling-irons dropped, when there was a sharp check and violent jerks, and suddenly they commenced soaring upward at a frightful pace.

The rope of the grappling-irons had broken. The danger of so helpless a position, especially at night, was instantly apparent, and shortly afterward a renewed descent was made, hoping to run the balloon against some branches of trees. When this was done, one got out, and the two, relieved of his weight, were carried upward with extreme velocity to a height of three miles.

Half stunned by the shock, some time elapsed before the adventurous occupants of the balloon again attempted to descend, when, to their horror, they heard the roaring of the sea immediately below them. Fortunately they landed upon the beach, and not in the water. They were eventually rescued unhurt; but Mr. Vivian's experience convinces him that ballooning can never be of practical utility as a means of travelling.

* * * * *

MAGICAL MUSIC.

This is a game in which music is made to take a prominent part. On one of the company volunteering to leave the room, some particular article agreed upon is hidden. On being recalled, the person, ignorant of the hiding-place, must commence a diligent search, taking the piano as his guide. The loud tones will mean that he is very near the object of his search, and the soft tones that he is far from it. Another method of playing the same game is for the person who has been out of the room to try to discover on his return what the remainder of the company desire him to do. It may be to pick up something from the floor, to take off his coat, to look at himself in the glass, or anything else as absurd. The only clew afforded him of solving the riddle must be the loud or soft tones of the music.

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, June 6, 1882, by Various