Chapter II: Part 2

Then the jackal and the dog proposed to go and ask a great big beast, who lived in the jungle, and was like a tiger. But the cat said, "I can not go near a tiger, or anything like one." So then they said, "When we come near the beast you can remain behind, and we will go on and speak to him." So they ran into the jungle, where there was a tiger who had been lying on the ground with a great thorn sticking in his foot. When his aunt, the cat, saw him, she scampered off, for she was dreadfully frightened.

The thorn had given the tiger great pain; for a long while he could get no one to take it out, so had lain there for days. At last he had seen a man passing by, to whom he called and said, "Take out this thorn, and I promise I won't eat you." But the man refused through fear, saying, "No, I won't, for you will eat me." Three times the tiger had promised not to eat him; so at last the man took out the thorn. Then the tiger sprang up and said, "Now I will eat you, for I am very hungry." "Oh, no, no!" said the man. "What a liar you are! You promised not to eat me if I would take the thorn out of your foot, and now that I have done so you say you will eat me." And they began to fight, and the man said, "If you won't eat me, I will bring you a cow and a goat." But the tiger refused, saying, "No, I won't eat them; I will eat you."

At this moment the jackal and the dog came up. And the jackal asked, "What is the matter? why are you fighting?" So then the man told him why they were fighting; and the jackal said to the tiger, "I will tell you a good way of eating the man. Go and fetch a big bag." So the tiger went and fetched the bag, and brought it to the jackal. Then the jackal said, "Get inside the bag and leave its mouth open, and I'll throw the man in to you." So the tiger got inside the bag, and the jackal, the dog, and the man quickly tied it up as tight as they could. Then they began to beat the tiger with all their might until at last they killed him. Then the man went home, and the jackal went home, and the dog went home.

THE MERRY WIND.

BY MRS. M. E. SANGSTER.

The merry wind came racing
Adown the hills one day,
In gleeful frolic chasing
The rustling leaves away.
In clouds of red and yellow,
He whirled the leaves along,
And then the jolly fellow
He sang a cheery song.

The merry wind was weary
At last of fun and play;
His voice grew faint and eerie,
And softly died away.
Far off a crow was calling,
And in the mellow sun
The painted leaves kept falling
And fading, one by one.

A DANGEROUS PLAYTHING.

BY CHARLES LEDYARD NORTON.

Ever since Meg laid her hand on a moderately warm stove, when she was learning to walk, she has been very much afraid of fire, and no one in the house is in the least anxious about her playing with matches, for she could not be hired to do such a thing at any price. Indeed, it was thought a very remarkable event when, having reached the advanced age of seven years, she consented to take one of the long tapers made for the purpose and light the gas in hall and sitting-room.

Her mother was glad to have her do this, thinking that it would make her careful, and at the same time teach her not to be overtimid. And so it did, but not in the way mamma expected; for one evening, as Meg carried her taper under the portière, what should she do but set the fringe on fire!

Seeing that Meg had all her life been in mortal dread of just such an accident, it was very brave in her, without an instant's hesitation, to brush the fire out with her two little hands. She did not even scream, but she was very pale and "trembly" when she went to mamma in the library, and showing her besmirched hands, said, "It's all over, mamma, but I 'most set the house on fire." Sure enough, the fringe, scorched for a distance of two or three feet, proved that it was a narrow escape.[2]

[2] This incident is strictly true, and Meg, now some five years older, is among the regular readers of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE.

Upon the whole, it would be well if all young people were as much afraid of fire and of matches--the cause of fire--as Meg was. Many a family has had to run for their lives out into the dark night because some heedless youngster saw fit to take this dreadful creature, fire, for a playmate.

Our artist actually witnessed the incident which he has so cleverly drawn. The flames had seized on the lower stairways and stories of the house, so that escape was impossible for the mother and child on the fourth floor. No ladder could be procured, so one of the most active of the firemen climbed from one window to another, by the help of sashes and blind fixtures, until he reached the frightened pair. Others followed him, stationing themselves in the lower windows. A mattress was brought out, and held by a score of strong arms under the windows.

Baby must go first, though mamma could hardly bear to have him leave her arms; and perhaps the fireman had to be a little rough before he made her loose her hold. It was simple enough to deal with him, however, and he scarcely had time to squall and kick, so deftly was he passed down, first to the man standing in the window below, then to the one who sat on the sill, and finally dropped into the mattress.

Mamma was more difficult to manage, because she was bigger and heavier. But, on the other hand, she could help a little by holding on to the sills, and letting go when she was told. So at last she too was steadily lowered from hand to hand until she reached the mattress and the ground.

If these men had been a little less brave and skillful than they were, there might have been a sad tale to tell as the result of a boy's thoughtless experiment with a match. Sad enough a fire always is, however, for those who lose or suffer by it, and in all large cities the Fire Department is very carefully equipped and organized.

The old-fashioned hand-engines, such as are shown in the illustration, with a row of men at the brakes on either side, are all out of use now, and are seldom seen save in villages and small towns. There even they are fast giving way to chemical engines, and before many years the old piano machines will be almost forgotten. Nevertheless, they did good service in their day, and were manned by as daring a set of fellows as ever ran to a fire, or broke each other's heads in a street fight. Thousands of them served bravely on both sides in the war of the rebellion, but when those that were left of them went home, steamers--the small cut shows the first one that did duty in New York--had come in and crowded out the old "machines." Volunteers were no longer wanted.

Very different affairs were fires in those days from what they are now. Then the first shout of "fire!" set loose a very bedlam of noises. Bells rang, every one who was in the street yelled "fire!" and the whole population rushed madly toward the place where it was supposed to be. It is a wonder that anything was ever done amidst such a scene of confusion; but in reality fires were wonderfully well managed.

How different is everything now in all the large cities! In New York, for instance, there are several fires every day, but most people learn of them through the newspapers. Not an alarm-bell is rung. Very rarely is the cry of "fire!" heard.

You are sitting quietly at home, perhaps. Suddenly you hear the sharp stroke of a peculiarly toned gong. Then there is a thunder of wheels, a clatter of galloping hoofs, and you rush to the window in time to see a vision of gleaming brass, flying sparks, dark figures clinging to the swaying engine, and a pair of noble horses straining every nerve. Perhaps that may be all you know of a great fire until the next day.

Should you take a car, and follow anywhere from one to ten miles to the burning building, you will find an immense, quiet crowd, kept out of harm's way by a strong force of police, while in the cleared space before the building the tireless steamers are at work, each of them throwing two or three steady streams of water into the heart of the fire.

Meg's papa told her all about this, and how seldom it is that a fire nowadays has a chance to make much headway; but her visit to an engine-house was the most comforting. There she saw the splendid horses, and the engine in perfect order, with the wood under the boiler ready to light; and the man on duty explained how the stroke of the alarm-bell unhitched the horses, if they were in their stalls, and how the handsome creatures knew just where to go to be "hitched up," and how eager they were for their race to the fire.

Just as he was quietly showing them all this, a succession of ear-piercing clangs were heard. Meg's papa knew what it meant, and catching his little girl up in his arms, hurried with her into an out-of-the-way corner. The still, well-ordered engine-house was instantly alive with energy. The horses snorted with excitement, as they backed out of their stalls and trotted into place. Hurried footsteps were heard overhead and on the stairs, and in a moment several men were springing to their stations. One turned on the steam and lighted the fire; others made fast the few buckles required to attach the harness. The driver was in his seat, the whip cracked, and away went the already smoking engine at a tearing pace.

Meg trembled like a leaf when it was all over, and her father was afraid that she would be more nervously timid than ever. But to his surprise she said to him as they walked home, "Papa, now I've seen how everything is done, I shall never be afraid any more."

And just after she said so they met the engine on its way back, for the fire was already out.

NURSERY RHYMES.--_Continued_.

Ring-a-ring-a-roses,
A pocket full of posies;
Hush! hush! hush! hush!
We're all tumbled down.

* * * * *

Little maid, little maid,
Whither goest thou?
Down in the meadow
To milk my cow.

* * * * *

Seesaw--Jack in the hedge,
Which is the way to London Bridge?

* * * * *

As I was going up Pippin Hill,
Pippin Hill was dirty;
There I met a pretty lass,
And she dropped me a courtesy.

* * * * *

Goosey, goosey, gander,
Where shall I wander?
Up stairs and down stairs,
And in my lady's chamber.

* * * * *

As Tommy Snooks and Bessie Brooks
Were walking out one Sunday;
Says Tommy Snooks to Bessie Brooks,
"To-morrow--will be Monday."

* * * * *

Georgie Peorgie, pudding and pie,
Kissed the girls and made them cry:
When the girls came out to play,
Georgie Peorgie ran away.

* * * * *

My mother and your mother
Went over the way;
Said my mother to your mother,
"It's a chop-a-nose day."

* * * * *

Tom, Tom, the piper's son,
Learned to play when he was young.
And with his pipe made such a noise,
That he pleased all the girls and boys.

Now that the leaves are falling, and the wind is whistling round the eaves and roaring down the chimneys, we must think of pleasant things to do in-doors. Who likes to toss a bean-bag back and forth? We know of no exercise so simple, so easy, and so well calculated to develop the muscles of the arms and chest as this pretty, graceful game of throwing the bean-bag. Take some strong calico from your mother's piece-bag, and make a square case of any size you please, sewing it all up except one little space, into which you must pour your beans. Having done this, sew up that corner tightly, and your bag will be made. Two or three bean-bags will be necessary if there are several young people to enjoy the frolic. A good time for this special game is the last half-hour before dusk, and if you can coax mamma and auntie to join you, all the better.

Jack-stones are favorites with many children. Little silk bags filled with rice are sometimes substituted for stones in this game. They make a sweet and musical _swishing_ sound as they are thrown up and caught.

The little girls who have china dolls might make very cunning pen-wipers by taking eight pieces of gay flannel or merino--from mother's piece-bag again--cutting them into a circular shape, and folding twice, stitch them around Miss Dolly, who will then look precisely like a fairy in fluted petticoats.

* * * * *

PRESCOTT, ONTARIO, CANADA.

You have asked the children to tell of their amusements, so we send
you a game called "Genteel Lady." You must have a number of twisted
papers made to represent horns. For each mistake that a player may
make, a horn is stuck in the hair. The game begins by one of the
party saying to her neighbor on the right hand, "Good-morning,
genteel lady, always genteel. I, a genteel lady always, come from
that genteel lady always genteel" (pointing to the person on her
left hand) "to tell you that she has an eagle with a golden beak."
This is repeated by the next girl, who must add something to the
last phrase, but must keep strictly to the formal introduction. It
is quite likely that she will make a mistake, and if she does, she
is immediately to receive a horn. After this she will be called
"the one-horned lady, always one-horned," until she shall receive
another horn, when she will be called "the two-horned," etc. Each
person who repeats what has been last said without making a mistake
must add something--as silver claws, diamond eyes, raven plumage,
or whatever else she chooses--to the description of the eagle. At
the end the horns, which are regarded as forfeits, are all
ransomed.

We like the stories in YOUNG PEOPLE very much indeed.

FANNIE and ANNIE.

* * * * *

NEW YORK CITY.

I have written before to your paper, and shall be very much
disappointed if this goes into that dreadful waste-basket into
which my first letter must have gone, for I have heard nothing from
it. I have taken YOUNG PEOPLE for nearly a year, and think it is a
splendid paper. I spent my vacation this summer at Hempstead, Long
Island. I caught several turtles. I visited Garden City, and saw
the cathedral and other noted buildings. I am very fond of animals.
I have a black cat named Ned. I had a greyhound named Golden, but
he died in a fit while I was away this summer. I have also a
gold-fish. I read the account of President Garfield's boyhood in
YOUNG PEOPLE. I hope we boys will profit by his example.

ALBERT W. T.

* * * * *

The following letter will show country boys how a city boy of ten, who had spent all his life in a large hotel, enjoyed his first visit to a village where he could play in the fields, and enjoy the society of other boys in out-of-door sports. He sent an account of his experience to his parents, who have kindly allowed us to print it in Our Post-office Box.

PLAINFIELD, ILLINOIS.

DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,--I am having lots of fun with Harry F.,
Lester S., Willie R., and Clint H. at recess. These are the boys
who go to school. At recess we play lasso, and tree-tag, and pussy
in the corner. Papa, I rode Kit day before yesterday night in the
dark to Plainfield, and yesterday I rode her to Plainfield and all
around Robert's house. I went out in the corn field to see Robert
husk corn. Then when I went home to uncle's, he wanted me to go and
get the cows; but I could only find the calves, though I looked all
over for them; then I drove the calves, and uncle and I went to
look for the cows, but he went afoot, and I went on horseback; and
I saw one in the corn, and I went there, and I saw four cows, and I
drove them home all alone, and I was so busy I did not shut the
bars, and uncle wanted me to go back alone and shut the bars. Dear
father, I appreciate the popper and corn, and two days ago I popped
a panful, and the boys and I ate it out in the yard, and had a good
time. To-day I popped a panful, and Wallace and I ate a little of
it, and saved the rest, and I have got it now popped. Dear papa, I
learned to husk corn to-day, and yesterday I helped uncle churn to
make butter. Oh, mamma, there are lots of girls go to school over
here, and have a lot of fun. I can ride terribly fast on Kit. I
borrow Mr. McClellan's saddle and bridle. Oh, mamma, the seat of my
pants is nearly all torn off, and I have no others. I wish I could
get them fixed. Can you tell me how I can, mamma? The boys think a
great deal of me--I know they do. Oh, papa, I guess I will get fat
pretty soon, because I eat about ten sweet-potatoes, a lot of
chicken, and toast at every meal. If I stay much longer, I will
want some more money--about fifty cents.

Very truly, your son,
WALLACE.

* * * * *

LONDON, ENGLAND.

I have often thought I should like to write to the readers of
HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE. I live in London, England. HARPER'S YOUNG
PEOPLE is given to us by a very kind American gentleman who lives
in London. I have two sisters, named Eleanor and Maud, and three
brothers, named Francis, Charles, and Edward. We all thought that
"Toby Tyler" was delightful. I am in the Telegraph School in
London; I expect some day when I get into an office I shall send
telegrams to America; I do not think I like any English magazine so
well as HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE. I am very fond of reading the
letters in the Post-office Box. I was very sorry to hear of the sad
death of President Garfield, and the day that he was buried I went
to hear the bells of St. Paul's Cathedral ring. They ring only when
great people die. They were muffled, and sounded so very solemn! It
seemed as if one of our own great men had died. I never remember
anything like it. It seemed as if every one was in mourning.

MARION H.

* * * * *

BELOIT, WISCONSIN.

I want to tell YOUNG PEOPLE what a nice trip we had on Lake
Michigan this summer. There were papa, mamma, my sister, my two
aunts, my uncle, and myself. At first we went on the cars to
Racine; then we went on board the _Muskegan_. At first I did not
know what to think of finding myself on such a large steamboat. We
went to Milwaukee, then to Sheboygan, Jacksonport, Escanaba, and up
to Green Bay. We had fair weather all the time, and that made it
delightful. At most of the places we got off the boat, and rambled
about. There was another little girl on the boat just about my
sister's age. We had lots of fun playing doll and telling stories
and riddles. One evening papa, that other little girl, whose name
is Mabel, and myself, were on deck, and began telling stories and
riddles. There were some little bits of boys and girls there who
had some knit horse-reins, and liked to have us drive them. We went
up on the hurricane-deck, and looked upon the water. We came home
well pleased with our trip.

S. BELLE C. (aged 9).

* * * * *

KELLOGGSVILLE, OHIO.

I am a little girl twelve years old. I have got a little dog named
Trip; I have a little harness, and I drive him. I have a little
squirrel named Chickery. I and two of my friends went chestnutting,
and got six nuts apiece. I have a little sister named Leva. Maybe I
will take HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE next year. My little friend takes
it, and I like it very much. I hope I may see my letter printed.

GRACIE H.

* * * * *

KELLOGGSVILLE, OHIO.

I, too, am twelve years old. I take YOUNG PEOPLE, and I like "Toby
Tyler" and "Tim and Tip" the best. I have a little bird named
Billy, and a doll named Jennie. I have not any brothers or sisters,
but a dear little Cousin Ralph. I go to school, and study reading,
arithmetic, geography, and spelling.

KATIE M.

* * * * *

RUSH CITY, MINNESOTA.

I am ten years old, and I have a little pony, and her name is
Topsy. My papa says she is buckskin-color, but I think she is
golden. And I had two pet rabbits, one black and one white, and
papa had a puppy bird dog that broke loose and ate them both up,
and I could not find them. One day I went out-doors and found their
ears. We had a wild canary's nest in a maple-tree in our yard, and
mamma got one of the birds, and it sings more than our tame one. I
attend school, and study geography, arithmetic, Fourth Reader,
grammar, spelling, and writing. I am the youngest in all my
classes, but still keep a little ahead. I like the stories in YOUNG
PEOPLE very much.

ANNA L. P.

* * * * *

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

I have written to you once before; but not having seen my letter
published, I thought I would try again. Papa has taken YOUNG PEOPLE
for my brother Harry and me since the first number came out. We
take turns about reading it first. Harry has it first one week, and
I get it first the next week. Papa made that rule because we both
wanted it at once. We were so anxious to read about poor Toby
Tyler! Papa read to us out of the paper about the boat that is
called for him. We have two cats. The older one will not let us pet
her at all, but the other is very gentle. We once had a cat that
used to get on grandma's shoulder and take off her glasses, and she
used to mind two little guinea-pigs we had. If she thought they got
too far from the house, she would chase them back; and when papa
brought them home she thought they were kittens, for she used to
cuddle them up to her; and if they got frightened, they would run
and get under her. When cold weather came, we sent them to the
Zoological Garden, as we had no place to keep them, and grandma
said the gray cat ought to have gone to take care of them. Mamma
says she sees only one defect in YOUNG PEOPLE; that is, the date is
not conspicuous enough. I am afraid I am making my letter too long.
I would like to write more. On Sunday, the 23d of October, I will
be eleven years old.

ANNIE R. H.

As the date is always in the same place, and you know where to look for it, it does not need to be very conspicuous for bright young eyes like yours.

* * * * *

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

Frank and I are two little boys who live in Louisville. We take
your paper, and like it so much! I don't know which I like best,
"Tim and Tip" or "Talking Leaves"; but Frank likes to read the
letters from the boys and girls, and we want to tell them about our
squirrels. We have had them about six months. They live in a large
tin cage with a wheel, and they are so gentle they will eat from
our hands, and come out of their house when we call "Bunny." We
feed them ourselves, and they know us. I hope you will put this
letter in your Box.

MASON.

* * * * *

I live in the country about three miles from Scottsville, New York.
I have for pets one dog named Sport, four cats--their names are
Jim, Prince, Tramp, and Hayes--one cow named Snowball, one calf
named Strawberry, and one pony named Nellie. I am staying at my
grandma's for my health. My grandpa owns a large farm, and keeps
horses, cows, and other animals. I would like to exchange 100
postmarks (no duplicates, and some rare), for thirty foreign
stamps, or forty-five picture-cards (no duplicates). One stone from
New York, for one foreign stamp. Please write before sending.

FLORENCE POPE, Scottsville, Monroe Co., N. Y.

* * * * *

COMMUNITY, NEW YORK.

I wrote to YOUNG PEOPLE a long time ago, but have never seen the
letter in print, so I will try again.

I like HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE very much indeed, and I think "Tim and
Tip" is just splendid. I hope to take this paper another year.

I have a kitty, and when I go to the shed to feed her, she will
jump up on a stone that serves as a table, and wait patiently for
what I have to give her. My little friend Beatrice, two years old,
is very fond of this kitty, and will come out and say,
"Good-morning, kitty," and "Good-by, kitty," of her own accord.

It is fair-day at Oneida, and, if pleasant, Miss Nellie Thurston
will make a balloon ascension this afternoon at 4 o'clock.

I am nine years old, and have a sister Christine six years old.

GERTRUDE H.

* * * * *

I live on the banks of the Ohio River, opposite Constance, Boone
County, Kentucky. Just opposite our house is the mouth of the
little creek which separates Boone County from Kenton County,
Kentucky. I have a little black dog named Moses, and a cat named
Mrs. Nellie de Garmo Taliaferro. My father's office is in
Cincinnati. He brings me the YOUNG PEOPLE every Wednesday, and I go
to the dépôt to meet him. My name is Bennie E. H., and I shall be
nine years old the 20th of October.

We hope you had a happy birthday.

* * * * *

PEORIA, KANSAS.

I have three brothers and one sister, and myself am eleven years
old. I have a great big doll, and her name is Mollie; and a cunning
little one, and her name is Jessie. I let my little brothers play
with them. My papa is the postmaster. My sister is fourteen years
old. She would like to exchange flower seeds with some of the
girls, and she has four different kinds.

EVA W. BATEMAN.

* * * * *

SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

We wanted mamma to write and tell you about our dog Gip. When he is
out-doors and wants to come in, he goes to the front door and rings
the bell. I wonder if any of the other children who take YOUNG
PEOPLE have such a smart dog. We have a little goat that came here
last week, and it follows us all over.

GEORGIE and BESSIE S.

* * * * *

LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

My uncle has taken YOUNG PEOPLE for his "brood of little folks," as
he calls his nephews and nieces, since the first number. The brood
are my cousins Willie and Grace, my sister Florence, and
myself--all of whom are old enough to read--also my two sisters and
brother, Mattie, Hattie, and Clarence, who are too young yet to
read, but who like very much to look at the pictures, and to whom
we read the stories. I have never seen a letter in YOUNG PEOPLE
from any of its many readers in Lynn, so I thought I would write
one. My uncle has two fine yellow cats, striped like tigers. Their
names are Toby Tyler and Jimmy Brown. Every morning Toby goes to
the door that opens on the stairway leading to my uncle's room, and
mews and rattles the latch until some one opens the door and lets
him run up to the apartment. As soon as Toby gets there he jumps up
on the bed, and wakes my uncle up by pawing him in the face; and
one morning he sat down on my uncle's face. I am twelve years old.

IDA MAY C.

* * * * *

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

We have two little kittens, the very prettiest kittens I ever saw.
We have been rowing a great many times this summer, and I have
learned to row and to swim.

SIDNEY W. A.

We wish all the boys, and the girls too, would learn to swim, if they live near the water. Swimming is easily learned, and once learned, is never forgotten.

* * * * *

C. Y. P. R. U.

The first story which I shall relate in outline to the readers of this column was written a quarter of a century ago by Dr. John Brown, of Edinburgh. A physician with a large practice, he has found time for literary pursuits, and his occasional essays, collected into two volumes of _Spare Hours_, have been the delight of a host of thoughtful and cultivated people. As in the sketches I shall give you now and then I must study brevity, I hope those who may have time and opportunity will go from me to the original story-writers, and read for themselves.

RAB AND HIS FRIENDS.

Rab was a huge mastiff, "old, gray, brindled, as big as a little Highland bull," fierce, kind-hearted, and faithful. He belonged to a carrier, or what we would call an expressman--a thin, impatient, dark-haired little man, to whom Rab was entirely submissive. Dr. Brown being fond of dogs, had formed quite a friendship with this one, which dated back to the doctor's boyhood, when, seeing Rab attacked by a savage little bull-terrier, which was madly trying to fight whatever came in its way, he stepped up to Rab and cut the muzzle which prevented the great creature from defending himself. Six years after this, when the doctor was a young medical student, there came a procession to the hospital one afternoon in October. In at the large gate walked Rab, with "that great and easy saunter of his. He looked as if taking general possession of the place, like the Duke of Wellington entering a subdued city, satiated with victory and peace." After him came the old white mare Jess, drawing the carrier's cart, in which Ailee, the carrier's wife, was seated, her husband not driving, but walking at the mare's head, and leading her carefully along.

There is no _genre_ sketch in the English language which is finer than the description of Ailee Noble and her husband James. His plaid was about her. His big coat was carefully tucked around her feet. She had a sweet pale face, with silvery hair, and dark gray eyes, "eyes full of suffering, and full of the overcoming of it." He had a swarthy, weather-beaten countenance, shrewd and keen. She was like a delicate snow-drop in her unworldliness and purity. She was the victim of a dreadful malady, a cancer in her breast, and only the surgeon's knife could cure it. In those days--nearly sixty years ago--chloroform was unknown as a blessed relief from pain. Ailee was put to bed for that night, and the faithful husband and dog watched by her side. The dog reminded Dr. Brown, oddly enough, in his size and dignity, of a famous Baptist preacher, Andrew Fuller, with his look of sombre command, as "of thunder asleep, but ready." Next day the operation was performed. The beautiful old woman bore it with perfect patience and silence; and when it was over, the surrounding students, though accustomed to see people suffer, wept like children. The husband "happed" her up, and carried her to her room again, Rab following.

"I'll hae nane o' yer strynge nurse bodies for Ailee, Maister John," said James. "I'll be her nurse, an' I'll gang aboot on my stockin' soles as canny as pussy."

For several days she seemed to do well under his kind care. Then she grew worse, wandered in her mind, thought she had in her arms her "wee Mysie, forty years and mair" in heaven; at last came to herself, said "James," and with a long loving look for him, a glance for the kind young doctor, and one for Rab, then another satisfied gaze into her husband's face, she shut her eyes, and fell asleep in death.

There is little more to tell. Poor James did not long survive his wife. By the fall of the first snow, the two were in the same grave. Rab was taken by the carrier who succeeded to the business, but he would not eat, he would not leave the stable where old Jess was kept, nor would he let his new master come near him. At last that master had to kill him.

"I was laith to mak awa wi' th' auld dowg," said this man, "but I could doe naething else."

And says our author: "I believed him. Fit end for Rab. His teeth and his friends gone, why should he keep the peace and be civil?"

* * * * *

Marie G. Hamblin proposes that the boys and girls who read YOUNG PEOPLE shall emulate Secretary Blaine, and learn to repeat in their order the names of the sovereigns of England, and the dates of their respective coronations. She suggests that all who do so shall send their names, accompanied by the signatures of their parents or teachers, to the Postmistress, that the Editor of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE and Dr. Vincent may know that they are trying to acquire useful knowledge. The Postmistress approves of the plan, and gives the remainder of 1881 as the time in which all who wish may endeavor to thus exercise their memories. The names of the diligent students will be duly printed in this column.

* * * * *

Many persons erroneously think that a letter if left unsealed will be sent by the Post-office Department for one cent. They write their letter, leave it open, and affix a one-cent stamp to the envelope. In all such cases the recipient is compelled to pay the additional postage. And while this may not be an affair of great importance to an individual who receives an occasional letter, it involves a large expenditure when, as in the case of Harper & Brothers, letters are received by the thousands weekly.

Full letter postage is at the rate of three cents per every half ounce in America. Letters to Europe cost five cents per half ounce. Little readers will please remember this, and remind their elders, if they forget it.

* * * * *

AUTUMN PICTURES FOR THE COMMON-PLACE-BOOK.

Along the river's summer walk
The withered tufts of asters nod,
And trembles on its arid stalk
The hoar plume of the golden-rod.
And on a ground of sombre fir
And azure-studded juniper
The silver-birch its buds of purple shows,
And scarlet berries tell where bloomed the sweet wild rose.

--JOHN G. WHITTIER.

The ash her purple drops forgivingly
And sadly, breaking not the general hush;
The maple swamps glow like a sunset sea,
Each leaf a ripple with its separate flush;
All round the wood's edge creeps the skirting blaze
Of bushes low, as when on cloudy days
Ere the rain falls the cautious farmer burns his brush.

--JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.

What School of Design can vie with the autumn colors? The leaves
are not dipped in one dye, as at the dye-house, but they are dyed
in light of various degrees of strength, and left to set and dry
there.--HENRY D. THOREAU.

The melancholy days are come, the saddest of the year,
Of wailing winds, and naked woods, and meadows brown and sere.
Heaped in the hollows of the grove the autumn leaves lie dead;
They rustle to the eddying gust, and to the rabbit's tread.

--WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.

* * * * *

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

DEAR POSTMISTRESS,--Will you admit an old lady into your pleasant
circle? I wish to say a word or two about the poor cat Augusta C.
dislikes so much. Probably one reason why most people like dogs
better than cats is that dogs like people best, and cats like
places best. A dog will follow his owner to new places, but usually
a cat will stay at the old place, even if she is the only thing
left, unless she is blinded and carried away by force, and then she
will be frightened and confused for several days, though all her
old friends may be with her. But a dog only wants his old friends
with him, and he will stay almost anywhere. Cats are very
interesting, though they are not quite so loving. I have a cat
which a few years ago swallowed something which "stuck in her
throat," and the poor creature was badly troubled by it for a long
time. She could not lap either milk or water, and I was afraid she
would die. I tried to feed her with a spoon, as I have often fed
lambs, but did not succeed very well; her teeth were too sharp. As
I sat watching poor Katherine's efforts one day to drink a saucer
of warm milk which I had given her, I thought of trying to feed her
with a bottle. I put the milk into one which would hold a small
tea-cupful, and took her in my lap to feed her. Well, she and I
"made a mess" of it the first time. But after one or two trials
more, I succeeded in teaching her to drink from the bottle without
spilling the milk. Every time I thought she ought to be fed--which
was morning and night--I would get the bottle ready, and say,
"Katherine, do you want your milk?" If she was in a sound sleep,
she would spring up and mew in reply, and stand up on her hind-legs
like a rabbit. Then I would stoop down to her and hold out my left
hand, and she would lean her "elbows" on it, and put her paws on
the "shoulders" of the bottle, I holding it in my right hand, and
tipping it as she drank the milk, until she had taken the whole.
She would frequently mew for more, and follow me around until I
would give her another drink, when she would lick her chops, wash
her face, and lie down for a nap.

When drinking she would sit on her haunches, straight up, and put
her little paws around the bottle in the most comical way
imaginable. One could not keep from laughing to see her. If I
attempted to take it away before she was done, she would run her
nails out and hold on with quite a grip. I fed her in this way for
more than six weeks; and it was such a funny sight that the
neighbors would come in and ask me to feed her, and friends from
quite a distance would ask after my cat, and beg to see her eat. I
fed her longer than was necessary on this account, for she
recovered from the trouble after a while, and is as well now as
ever she was, only she is getting old. I sometimes tempt her with
the bottle now, just to see if she remembers her old
accomplishment. But Katherine is a very wise cat. She would use the
bottle when it was "prescribed" for her. When it was no longer
necessary, she seemed to prefer the natural way of drinking.

AUNT MARY.

* * * * *

We place before the C. Y. P. R. U. this week a variety of instructive and entertaining articles. The sketch of Charlotte Corday, from the pen of one of our most able American historians, will recall the lesson taught by the terrible French Revolution; a "Dangerous Plaything" will show the boys and girls what strong measures are taken in our large cities to check the ravages made by fire; and "Lawn Tennis" will give them an idea of another new device in the way of an out-door game for developing weak muscles and cultivating health and strength. As for the article on our second page, entitled "Luck," we trust that it is going to do a great deal toward inducing our young readers to cast that stupid word out of their vocabulary.

* * * * *

PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

TWO HOUR-GLASS PUZZLES.

1.--1. A dictionary. 2. Part of a shilling. 3. A girl's name. 4. A letter. 5. An animal. 6. An atom. 7. Transit. Centrals read downward spell the name of a partly civilized people.

2.--1. A mean parasite. 2. A precious gem. 3. To yell. 4. A letter. 5. An interrogation. 6. To form the texture. 7. A peculiar appearance of the eye. Centrals read downward spell the name of a monster of the Northern seas.

DAMON AND PYTHIAS.

* * * * *

No. 2.

NUMERICAL ENIGMA.

My whole is a familiar adage.
My 1, 2, 3, 9, 13 is the home of a minister.
My 14, 20, 2, 7 must never be retained.
My 19, 11, 9, 18, 13 has brought thousands to poverty.
My 21, 20, 9, 13 is the pride of the garden.
My 16, 17, 20, 9, 18 is a terror to the silly.
My 8, 20, 16 is a faithful friend.

SUSAN NIPPER.

* * * * *

No. 3.

EASY HALF-SQUARE.

1. A city of the United States. 2. A body of water. 3. Beheld. 4. To brown. 5. A preposition. 6. A letter.

WILL A. METTE.

* * * * *

No. 4.

AN EASY DIAMOND.

1. A letter. 2. A Spanish coin. 3. A morose man. 4. A puzzle. 5. Part of a ship. 6. A rod. 7. A letter.

R. O. BERT.

* * * * *

No. 5.

A DIFFICULT DIAMOND.

1. A letter. 2. An animal. 3. Prongs. 4. Girths. 5. A genus of plants. 6. One of the osseous fishes. 7. Opinion. 8. To perch. 9. A letter.

MILTIADES.

* * * * *

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 104.

No. 1.

C H A S S E U R
L A S H E R S
A S P I R E
S P E R E
H I R E
I N S
N G
G

No. 2.

Kite, hue, habitual, chest, jot. The house that Jack built.

No. 3.

Shut the door.

No. 4.

Sleepless.

* * * * *

Correct answers to puzzles have been received from Mamie G. Henderson, Ray W. Osborne, George Sylvester, C. S. F.

* * * * *

[_For Exchanges, see third page of cover._]

THE PERFORMING ELEPHANT.

BY SAMUEL McSPEDON.

This is a very simple and funny little toy which any boy or girl can make without a great deal of time or trouble. You must trace Fig. 1 on a piece of white or black paper, but black is better. After cutting it out, paste it on a piece of white card-board. Now cut out the round holes, which are meant for eyes, and the four square holes A, B, C, and D. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 must be traced on a piece of stiff card-board, and cut out. The lower piece (_a_), which represents the trunk, is put through hole A of Fig. 1. Now put Figs. 3 and 4 through the holes C and D; then run a thread through the little round holes of Figs. 2, 3, and 4, overlapping Figs. 3 and 4 behind Fig. 2, and knotting the threads so as to form a pivot. Now put _b_ through hole B, and pass it through the little hole near the upper edge of the card, as shown in Fig. 5.

Pull the trunk down as far as you can, and mark with your pen through the eye-holes two little round dots for eyeballs, as shown in Fig. 2. Then mark out the lines of the head, back, etc., with a little white paint.

Now by pulling _b_ up and pushing it down, we have an elephant like Fig. 5, which will move his tail, trunk, ears, and eyes as naturally as any elephant which has been born and brought up in the circus.

* * * * *

=Leaf Photographs=.--A very pretty amusement, especially for those who have just completed the study of botany, is the taking of leaf photographs. One very simple process is this: At any druggist's get an ounce of bichromate of potassium. Put this into a pint bottle of water. When the solution becomes saturated--that is, the water has dissolved as much as it will--pour off some of the clear liquid into a shallow dish; on this float a piece of ordinary writing-paper until it is thoroughly wet. Let it become dry in the dark. It should be of a bright yellow. On this put the leaf; under it a piece of black soft cloth and several sheets of newspapers. Put these between two pieces of glass, and with spring clothes-pins fasten them together. Expose to a bright sun, placing the leaf so that the rays will fall upon it as nearly perpendicular as possible. In a few moments it will begin to turn brown; but it requires from half an hour to several hours to produce a perfect print. When it has become dark enough, take it from the frame and put it in clear water, which must be changed every few minutes until the yellow part becomes white.