Chapter II: Part 2

I hunted and hunted all about there, but it was no use. The faces of Will and George grew as blank as my own as I told them, and we joined the fishing party of a dozen or so boys with a heavy sinking at our hearts, and many doubts as to what might be the outcome of our clever joke on the old Deacon.

Early in the afternoon we saw a spring-wagon working its way along under the willows where we were fishing. Two men were in it, one of whom, a stumpy, freckle-faced Irishman, I recognized as Deacon Dodd's new hired man. The other was a neighbor of ours, and it was not until he had beckoned George and Will and myself a little apart from the other boys that I remembered all of a sudden, with a great addition to the weight on my mind, that he was the deputy-sheriff.

"Yis, sor, thim's the very b'ys," said the Irishman, with a very positive nod of his head at us.

The deputy-sheriff looked puzzled.

"Why, my man," he said, "you don't mean it's _these_ boys you're after?"

"It's jist these same I'm maning--the very wans me own eyes saw shtalin' away the Daacon's calf."

At this we burst out laughing, and gave the deputy-sheriff an account of our frolic of the night before. Mike listened unmoved, simply asking, as we finished:

"But wheriver is the Daacon's baste, thin?"

This we could not answer. The deputy-sheriff whispered with the Irishman, seeming to intercede for us; but Mike only answered, doggedly:

"The Daacon was called away suddint lasht night, and only mesilf to see to things. Them b'ys had the calf--wheriver is the calf?"

His stubborn faithfulness was not to be shaken, and the deputy-sheriff gave up.

"Well, boys, seeing he's so set, I guess you'd better just jump in and go along with me--being such a valuable animal, you see. Of course it won't amount to anything, mere matter of form; only a little talk before Squire Granger."

We were a crest-fallen three as we mounted that spring-wagon, dimly realizing that, spite of the deputy-sheriff's politeness, the plain English of all this was that we were under arrest, and on our way to a magistrate's office. Our worst fears all the morning had been of our being called upon to pay the price of a choice specimen of blooded stock, but an indefinite train of horrible possibilities now seemed to open out before our imaginations.

How our cheeks burned as we found ourselves before the country justice, and perceived the crowd drawn by the excitement of a preliminary examination, and heard the astonishment and horror expressed that we should be the criminals. How our shame and confusion increased as the other members of the picnic, whom we had devoutly hoped would not allow their day's sport to be shortened by our leaving the party so early, quietly filed in, and added their gaze to the others'.

The justice seemed somewhat embarrassed himself. There did not seem to be much of a case, but what little there was was dead against us. The only thing about it was Mike's unwavering testimony to having seen us in the lane driving away the calf. This we could not deny, and all our protestations of its being only a joke were thrown into confusion by his stubbornly repeated question:

"Thin, wheriver is the Daacon's baste?"

The thing began to look less and less like a joke to us as we found it impossible to bring any witnesses for the defense. The justice and the deputy-sheriff whispered solemnly together.

All at once there was a stir in court. Deacon Dodd elbowed his way into our neighborhood, and as he looked us over, his genial face expanded into a laugh that shook the very rafters.

"Well, boys, have you had enough fun?"

We had nothing to say. The justice seemed cheered by the entrance into the case of something lively, and asked the Deacon if he had any evidence to offer. We, the prisoners, were not encouraged, feeling very sure his testimony could not be in our favor. The justice had some trouble in getting things sobered down enough to swear the Deacon properly, but when this was accomplished he was allowed to give his account in his own way, which went something like this:

"Yes, your honor, I felt bad when the boys wanted them pound sweets, for I always do take to giving to boys--used to be a boy myself, you know, and it don't seem so very long ago neither, 'though I don't pretend to be as young as I was once. Well, when I got into my little tool-room in the barn to hang up my scythe, and sat there to cool off a bit, being as the evening was warmish, and them poor chaps, after having tired themselves all out trying to find something nice in the orchard, and couldn't, come to take a rest at the barn door, and says they, 'The Deacon's an old skinflint, and wants to put every cent he can in his pocket.' Likewise wishing every apple on his place would rot and such like--I say, Squire, I could hardly forbear just getting up and going out to them boys and saying, 'Boys, just you go 'n' get every pound sweet on that tree--_don't you leave one_.' But, you see, my wife, Mis' Dodd, had told me how she'd been and promised every individual one of them pound sweets to the hospital; for them poor souls lying there sick found it hard to get anything real relishing, and liked 'em baked. So I couldn't help myself, seeing she'd passed her word for a charity, and would 'a felt hard at me, naturally, if I'd gone back on her.

"But when the boys thought they'd like a little fun with the Jersey calf, I knew they wouldn't do the pretty creatur' any hurt, for I heard 'em saying how they knew I set great store by her. The evening was getting cooler then, so I just took a walk along behind the hedge, they being on t'other side.--You did have a time with her, didn't you, boys?"

What a roar went up from that roomful of listeners!

"'Twas tough; yes, I could see that, a regular tussle to get her along. I'd 'a helped you, for she follows me like a lamb, only I was afraid 'twould spoil your fun if I took hold too. So I just kept along till you tied her up safe and comfortable--"

Here Mike broke in, in total disregard of the proprieties of a court-room:

"But, Daacon, wheriver's the baste _now_? Be the howly poker she's clane gone off the farrum!"

"She's in the northeast corner pasture. I'd been calculating to put her there, to be more in the shade, and the boys gave me just so much help with her, you see. After I'd put her there and got home, I found a letter from my son Isaac, telling how he was sick, and wanted to see me and his mother, Mis' Dodd. So I just hitched up, and without waiting to see Mike, me and her started off to drive over there--better than four miles 'tis--and the calf slipped my mind till I just now got back, and heard tell how Mike here was making a bother with the boys. That's all, your honor."

His honor, I knew, had been dreadfully worried at not having been able to give more dignity to the court, and he now opened his mouth, I suppose to dismiss the proceedings in proper form, but the Deacon gave him no chance at all. I am not prepared to say that we three are not legally under arrest to this day.

"Better go back to your fishing now, boys," he said. "Too bad to have your day broke up so; but Mike meant well, you know."

"Three cheers for Mike!" shouted some one, intent on pushing the fun as far as possible.

"Three cheers for Deacon Dodd!" came next, and when they had been given with a will by the merry crowd, a cry arose:

"Three cheers for the half-grown calf!"

Before they had died away, Mike turned with a most meaning look at us three boys, exclaiming:

"Ivery wan of 'em."

And they gave us a tiger.

A SWAN DESIGN FOR FLAT POCKET PIN-CUSHION.

BY MRS. T. W. DEWING.

Mark very exactly on some thin white material of a polished surface and fine quality outlines of the pincushion and the design. The best way to do this is to make a very careful tracing of the design, and transfer it by means of transfer-paper. Any carelessness in following the design loses all the style it may possess. This done, outline the swan and all the markings of the wing feathers, eyes, etc., with simple stitching in a gray silk so pale as to appear white until contrasted with the brilliant white cloth. Work the part representing water in simple horizontal lines of chain stitch, as shown in the design, with silk of light blue across the lower end of the circle. Work the rest of the background in darning stitch perpendicularly from the top of the circle to the water in a rich deep blue silk, being very careful not to interfere with the outline of the swan or of the water.

Cut two pieces of card-board exactly the size and shape of the circle. Mount the embroidery upon one of them, and cover the other with blue satin. Baste the two circles thus covered together back to back, having laid carefully between them three little circles of flannel a very little smaller than the outer circles. Then overhand the two edges of the pincushion very carefully together.

THE BUILDING OF ST. MARY'S OF THE PEOPLE.

A LEGEND OF CHRISTIAN ROME.

BY E. M. TRAQUAIR.

Entering Rome by what was anciently called the Flaminian Gate, but is now the Porta del Popolo, or People's Gate, the stranger finds himself in a large, beautiful open place called the People's Square. It lies at the foot of the Pincian Hill, called by the ancient Romans, in the language of the time, the Hill of Gardens. If it deserved this name in those days, it does not deserve it less now. The most beautiful gardens in Rome, laid out with lovely flower beds, commodious carriage drives, and shady walks, are on its summit. A military band plays there in the afternoons, and it is the favorite resort of the rank and fashion of modern Rome, from the King downward.

Like much else in Rome, the history of the Pincian Gardens is sad and terrible. The great Mistress of the World, if she was at times rich in virtues, was just as often famed for terrible crimes. These gardens belonged at one time to the famous epicure Lucullus. This man, possessor of enormous wealth, loved good dinners much, but hated the trouble of ordering them as heartily as many a fine lady of the present day. To save himself this trouble, then, he had a number of dining-halls in his house, each arranged in a different manner. His steward was so well trained that he knew to a nicety, on receiving the order as to which hall the supper was to be served in, how it was to be arranged, and what degree of splendor it was to be of. The banquets of Lucullus became proverbial for luxury. It is even told of him that being very fond of a certain sort of eel he had a pond made for them in this garden. Their favorite food being human flesh, the legend tells us that he occasionally ordered a slave to be thrown in to them, to help to make them fat and savory for his table.

After the death of Lucullus, these gardens passed into the hands of a certain patrician named Valerius Asiaticus. This was during the reign of the Emperor Claudius. The Emperor's wicked wife Messalina coveted them for herself, so she got up a false accusation against poor Asiaticus, who seems, on the whole, to have been a very worthy man. But his innocence did not save him. He was condemned to death, and his property given to Messalina. The wretched woman's triumph did not last long, however. Claudius was told of her wicked life, and she was killed by his command on the very place she had obtained for herself by such a horrid crime. Word was brought to the Emperor while he was sitting at table that his wicked wife was dead. He made no reply, and went on quietly eating his supper. They were a queer people, those old heathen Romans.

To return to the People's Square. In the centre is a tall obelisk brought from the Temple of the Sun in Egypt during the reign of Augustus. It was thousands of years old, perhaps, before Rome was built. A beautiful fourfold fountain at its base spouts clear sparkling water from the mouths of four antique lions of basalt. It is the most picturesque square in Rome.

At the left-hand side of the Porta del Popolo, as you enter, stands the ancient Church of St. Mary's of the People, concerning the building of which the following story is told:

When the bloody and cruel Emperor Nero, who had wantonly killed so many people during his short reign, was killed in his turn, he was so execrated by the people that none could be found to give him burial. Then his nurse Eclaga, who still went on loving him, as some gentle souls will do, in spite of his dreadful crimes, buried him, with the help of two other women, compassionate like herself, in a tomb at the foot of the Hill of Gardens. On this tomb, for many years, a wreath of fresh flowers was found every morning, no one knowing who had placed it there. So they watched one night, and just before break of day discovered this poor faithful old woman bringing this loving offering to the memory of him whom she remembered only as the innocent babe she had nursed in her arms.

As time went on, these offerings ceased. Eclaga was dead and gone, and with her had passed away every loving remembrance of the wretched man who was buried at the foot of the Pincian Hill. Horror and loathing were the only sentiments his memory inspired. By-and-by nothing marked the spot where his body lay but a gigantic walnut-tree which had grown out of his grave. It was so large that it overshadowed all the place and covered it with gloom.

This gloom was still further increased by an innumerable quantity of large crows that had taken up their abode in this tree. They darkened the air all around by their flight. The people inhabiting the neighborhood had no rest by night or by day by reason of their hideous, unearthly croaking. Every means tried to drive them away proved vain. They kept their abode on the tree above Nero's tomb, and defied all earthly power to assail them.

Then a great fear fell on all the people, for they thought that it was not with natural crows they had to do, but with demons who were keeping watch over the grave of the wicked Emperor. Then, as there was no help in man, they prayed to God.

Now Paschal the First, who was Bishop of Rome at that time, and a good and holy man, had a strange dream one night. In this dream it was revealed to him that no earthly power could drive away the demon crows, which, if not exorcised, would soon overpower the whole of Rome. The only way to do this effectually was to go forth at early morning, at the head of all his clergy, singing psalms and hymns and praying fervently. Then they were to cut down the tree, and take it out by the roots to the very last fibre of it, and build a church on the spot where it had stood.

Full of joy at this revelation, Paschal summoned his clergy, and told them of his dream. Then he went, as he had been directed, at their head in procession through the city, singing psalms and hymns. Arrived at the spot, they knelt down and prayed fervently. Then they commenced to hew down the tree, the supposed demons all the while uttering wild and unearthly croakings. After the tree was cut down, and every root of it taken up, the crows flew away with a terrible noise.

A beautiful church was then built on the spot; and as the funds for its erection were entirely collected and given by the common people, it received the name of St. Mary's of the People. There are some beautiful marbles in it, and many fine old paintings, some of them by the most famous of the old masters.

Oh, such a bunch of posies!
We found them on our way,
And gathered them for Robin,
Who lies abed all day.
"You'll soon be well, dear laddie,"
The posies sweet will say.

* * * * *

Oh dear, but he's queer, this wonderful snail,
O'er the whole wide world he may travel and sail;
But where'er he may go on the longest track,
He carries his house on his funny back.
What wonder, then, that he likes to roam,
When the comical fellow is always at home.

* * * * *

Wilt thou listen, Jesus dear,
To the prayer that I would say;
Thou didst promise Thou wouldst hear
When the little children pray.
I would like, dear Lord, to be
Patient, gentle, good, and mild,
Ever growing more like Thee,
And as Thou wert when a child.

OUR POST-OFFICE BOX.

Just about this time, dears, your mammas are very busy in looking at the fall fashions. They wish to dress their girls and boys so neatly and comfortably that they shall have no temptation to think too much about their clothes. And then, too, they want you to wear pretty things, because children should look bright and beautiful, just as flowers and birds do.

If you choose, you may ask them to make your own new costumes like some of these pictures. We think, too, the little women who write to the Post-office Box about their doll families, and who have so much on their minds in the way of caring for the Lady Bettys, and Miss Lucys, and Mabels, and Isabels, whom they so dearly love, will be glad to see some dainty fall fashions for dolls. The little girls in the picture are very graceful and sweet.

I wonder if I can help you a little in dressing these same dollies. There are two tall girls nearly in the middle. The one on the right we will call Alice. Her dress is of fine soft cashmere of an olive tint. She has a wide sash of satin a little darker than her gown. Her friend Florence has on a petticoat of Indian red, which is a peculiarly rich dark shade. If mamma will give you a few bits of velvet or velveteen for this petticoat, and also for the shoulder cape, Miss Florence will look very charming. Her over-dress may be of fawn-colored silk.

Shall we call the two little ladies on Alice's right Dotty and Dimple? Dimple has her face this way, and Dotty's is turned aside. We will dress Dimple in lavender and heliotrope, and Dotty shall be a cunning little maiden in two shades of brown.

Now for the others. Don't you wish we could see little Marjorie's blue eyes and rosy cheeks? But we can only guess at them. Our artist has shown us that she knows how to stand up straight, and the way she holds her head is delightful. She is wearing, as you see, a pretty gray check, and she is a very good match for her little sister in that stylish cadet blue, and her cousin Willie in his jaunty suit.

When you shall have succeeded in dressing some of your pets like these pictures, you may write and tell me all about the fun you had in cutting out the clothes and making them fit. Be sure you write about how you contrived the little bonnets and hats. Perhaps you will be trying your skill at dressing dolls for a fair this winter, or in making Christmas presents, and these illustrations may give you some new ideas.

The boys must not feel that they are left out of this pleasure. They may draw these little figures on bits of paper, and then color them beautifully with their paints. Or, if they do so very carefully indeed, they may color the figures as they stand.

* * * * *

FOOCHOW, CHINA.

I was very glad to see my letter printed in one of the February
papers. I do not expect to learn to write Chinese, but I learn to
talk a little from the servants. Our Amah talks "pidgin English."
This is the way she talks, "Amy just now have got too muchee rain,
no can go walkee."

I have a doll that can say Papa and Mamma, but my mamma does not
let me play with it, as it is wax. There are a great many roaches
here, and one bit a piece of my dolly's cheek out when it was put
away in the wardrobe.

Our only pet is a small cat, which is very lazy, and does nothing
but eat and sleep. Sometimes we dress her up in doll's clothes as a
baby. We have a very nice aquarium with gold-fish, shrimp, and one
other kind of fish in it. The gold-fish have double tails. In the
fall we hope to get the aquarium nicely filled with plants and
things.

It is very hot here in the summer, but there is a large island,
called Sharp Peak, in the China Sea, thirty miles from here, where
the missionaries have houses, and go to spend part of the time.
There is a very nice beach, and the bathing is very good. We went
down for two weeks in June, and had a nice time. My brothers and I
found some pretty shells. Please tell me if the lady whom you heard
talk about China has ever been in Foochow. I have 568 stamps in my
album now.

AMY C. J.

Your cat is very accommodating to be willing to wear doll's clothes to please you. Ask mamma to let you play with your wax doll, and then she will not be in danger of making a dinner for roaches or rats. I think the lady I spoke of when replying to your former letter has been in Foochow.

* * * * *

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

All the young people will be writing about their vacations, I
suppose, and so I will write about mine. The most interesting part
will be, I think, about my visit to Nantucket. Nantucket is a very
old town. The houses are all built away from the sea, so when one
is walking through the streets one has no view of the water at all.
The very old houses all have on their roofs what are called
"Lookouts." These are small railed platforms for the people to
stand in and look out for the whaling vessels. When one came in
sight, whoever was on the lookout gave the signal, and then great
preparations were commenced--cooking mostly, I guess, for they
didn't illuminate and send up fire-works in those days.

A splendid view of the town of Nantucket is obtained from the
Unitarian church tower. In this tower is a very old bell, with a
cross on two of its sides, and a Latin inscription under each
cross. This bell was originally intended to form one of twelve
chimes in an ancient Catholic church in Spain, but it was stolen,
and after changing hands several times, it was landed in Nantucket.

Whoever goes to Nantucket must be sure and visit the Old Mill,
which is a great curiosity. There is only one other like it in
America. The curious part about it is that it is so old, and it
never has been changed since it was first built, many, many years
ago. The town-crier is another ancient institution, and with his
bell and tin fish-horn he goes about the streets crying out all the
news. When they wish to have an auction in Nantucket, everybody who
has anything to sell carries it to the corner of some designated
street, and there the things are auctioned off. We did not have
time to go over to Siasconsett, but I mean to if I ever go to
Nantucket again. The next time I write I will tell you about
Plymouth. Good-by.

A. B.

Well, you have made me feel a strong desire to go to quaint old Nantucket. Don't you think the good home cooking must have tasted very delicious to hungry sailors who had been used to sea fare during long and tedious voyages? And how happy must dear little girls have been when, climbing to the lookout, they saw in the distance their fathers' ships coming in! How they must have hurried down to tell mother, and what a joyful troop must have been at the wharf to welcome the bronzed and bearded man when once more he set foot on his native land!

* * * * *

BRICK CHURCH, NEW JERSEY.

I am eleven years of age, and have been receiving HARPER'S YOUNG
PEOPLE as a present for nearly two years. I think it is one of the
nicest Christmas presents I ever had given to me, and I enjoy the
stories, puzzles, and Post-office Box very much. As school opened
last Monday, I thought I would wind up my holidays by sending you
fifty cents of my own for Young People's Cot, and hope it may help
a little to do some poor sick child good.

I had a real good time during vacation, and among other things, my
brothers and sisters and I (there are six of us all--steps and
stairs, mamma says) made a collection of caterpillars, putting them
in boxes with covers of glass, so that we could watch them. We fed
them with cabbage leaves and turnip-tops. Did you know some
caterpillars were cannibals? We caught some very pretty green ones
with black stripes and yellow horns, and they soon attached
themselves to the side of the box by two threads, and after a day
or so their skins came off, and they turned into cocoons. It was
just after they hung themselves up that the other caterpillars
attacked them, and kept them company until they had eaten them all
up. Wasn't it awful?

We have lots of butterflies now, but I scarcely think so much of
them since I know how they behaved in their youth. But my uncle Jim
says they are regenerated, and I suppose that takes the bad out.

Hoping, dear Postmistress, that you had a pleasant time this
summer. I am your little friend,

EFFIE W. R.

You were well employed in watching the caterpillars. That is the best way to study natural history, not depending on books only, but taking notice for yourself of the ways and habits of insects and birds.

* * * * *

SHELTON, NEBRASKA.

I thought that I must write to you because all the other little
girls and boys do. I take HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE and _The Pansy_,
and like them both. I have a pet pig, and I call her Peggy. She is
an orphan; I raised her on a bottle. I once had a pet kitty. I
would put a shawl around her and rock her, and she would go to
sleep. Papa has a horse that I can ride. I can ride sideways on a
gallop without a saddle. My home is on a farm with my papa and
mamma, and I am their only child. We had a hail-storm here in July
which destroyed the wheat for many miles around. I attended the
Grand Army Reunion at Grand Island, Nebraska.

LOUIE L.

Take care that the horse does not run away with you one of these merry days when you are riding without a saddle.

* * * * *

DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

I thought I would write and tell you about my baby brother; he is
seven months old. I have a pet hen and a little kitten. My brother
had a little rabbit a short time ago, but it ran away and got lost.
I like HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE; we have had it every week since it
came out, but I would like it better if you would write more about
girls.

CLARA B. K.

If you will look carefully over the last few numbers, Clara, you will find some very pretty stories and poems which are about girls. And we have some very delightful things all ready for our bright girls this autumn.

* * * * *

GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT.

I thought I would tell you about some historical reminiscences for
which this place is noted. Not quite a mile out of the village is
the place where brave General Putnam rode down what is now called
"Put's Hill," and escaped from the British soldiers under General
Tryon; and General Putnam's old stone house is still standing here,
and is occupied.

We have no pets, but papa has a very valuable bull-terrier named
Leo, which is so very gentle that my dear little sister Helen, who
is only five years old, has only to speak to him to make him drop a
bone, no matter how choice it may be. He never attempts to growl at
us when he is eating, as some dogs do. We got him as a pup, when he
was two weeks old, and as he was so young, he was sent back to his
mother until he was six weeks old. Then we have two of the nicest,
gentlest horses that ever were; their names are Charlie and Fannie.
We have had them ten years, and we can do anything with them. They
are unhitched in the main part of the stable, and they are allowed
to go where they will, but they always go in the right stalls.
There are four stalls, two day stalls and two night stalls. I have
a collection of picture cards, and my brother Gershom and I have a
splendid album of stamps. We have quite a large family--twelve in
all--and necessarily never lack company.

I should think that the Postmistress would be very busy with all
the letters from young people. I am my parents' sixth child and
second son, and I am fourteen years old.

FRED L. S.

* * * * *

FORT CONCHO, TEXAS.

My papa is an officer in the army. We live at Fort Concho. I take
HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, and get the _St. Nicholas_ from our post
library. I suppose you have heard of the great flood we had here. I
went to the river every day with papa, and saw a great many things
floating down the stream. Mamma saw a big rat on a small piece of
wood sailing along, and looking quite comical. I saw hundreds of
sheep and pieces of furniture and a piano leg rushing on. But all
that did not make me feel so bad as the little girl who lost her
mamma and sister. She stood on the bank and saw them float away on
the house roof. They were brought back dead.

If you publish this, I will write again, and tell you about my good
times pecan-nutting and Indian-pony-riding, etc. I am ten years
old.

RUTH W. P.

It was, indeed, heart-rending for that poor little girl to see her dear mother and sister carried to death before her eyes. I hope you will write again, little Ruth.

* * * * *

YOUNG PEOPLE'S COT.

We are very glad to see that the interest of our dear little readers in Young People's Cot does not decline. The letters which we publish in connection with the treasurer's report show that the children are learning how pleasant it is to work for others.

* * * * *

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

L. Benedict, Jun., New York, $5; Charles, David, Ernest, Wilfred,
and Robert Bliss, Kent, Iowa, $5; proceeds of a fair held by Ned
and Lulu Rawson, Port Richmond, S. I., $1.77; from Harry, Clarence,
Todie, James, and little Florrie, in memoriam of their dear uncle,
$1; Susie and Robbie Orton, Darlington, Wis., $4.50: Fannie, Emma,
Eddie, Mamie, and Bessie Pearson, $1; "The Willing Workers," Minnie
and Mattie Lloyd and Daisy Mason, L'Anse, Mich., $5.25; Fanny G.,
6c.; Ernest L. Scott, Kinsman, Ohio, $1; Roy, Aileen, Dicky, and
George Guppy, Oakland, Cal., $1; fines for using words "horrid" and
"awful," 27c.; Richard P. Appleton, Boonton, N. J., 25c.; total,
$26.10; amount previously acknowledged, $1232.05; grand total,
September 12, $1258.15.

E. AUGUSTA FANSHAWE, Treasurer, 43 New St.

* * * * *

SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

We are five little children, and we live in the country. We feel so
sorry for the little sick children in the city that we want to send
to the Cot some money which we earned by picking blackberries and
apples for mamma. We would like very much to send more, but we have
no more at present. We will try to save some, and send some again
soon. We sent once before; perhaps you remember it. We like the
article in YOUNG PEOPLE about Egypt very much. When papa was a
young man he was a sailor, and has been to Alexandria, in Egypt,
and stood under Pompey's Pillar, and saw the two Needles which have
been removed, the one having been sent to England and the other to
America. That is why the article interested us so much.

FANNIE, EMMA, EDDIE, MAMIE,
and BESSIE PEARSON.

* * * * *

L'ANSE, MICHIGAN.

I am eleven years old. My papa takes HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE for me.
I have had it from the first number, and love it very much. I
always look forward with pleasure to the day that brings it. "Mr.
Stubbs's Brother" is a splendid story, and I am sorry it is ended.
Last winter some little girls and myself formed a society, which we
named the Willing Workers. We had four meetings at our house, made
dolls' clothes, and sold them. Mamma looked over the work, and
showed us how to do it right. This summer we had a lawn party, and
altogether we made $5.25, which we want sent to Young People's Cot.
Please send it for us. I hope my letter is not too long for Our
Post-office Box. The names of the little girls of the society are
Minnie and Mattie Lloyd and

DAISY MASON.

* * * * *

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

Please accept the inclosed contribution of one dollar that Roy,
Aileen, Dickie, and George have saved by selling rags, bags, and
bottles, and accept our many wishes that the necessary $3000 will
soon be contributed. Very truly yours,

MRS. A. R. GUPPY.

* * * * *

KINSMAN, OHIO.

I am a little boy five years old. I send you one dollar from my
savings-bank for Young People's Cot. I had a little rabbit, but the
cat killed it one night. I have a little blue-eyed sister two years
old. Mamma was going to give her a bath one day, and got the water
all ready, and went after the brush and sponge, and she got in the
tub with her clothes on, and sat right down in the water. Her name
is Nellie. I can not write, so I got my papa to write this.

ERNEST L. SCOTT.

* * * * *

DARLINGTON, WISCONSIN.

Please find inclosed draft of $4.50 from Susie and Robbie Orton.
The most of the money was earned by them in doing such little
things as children can if they will to help. They know what it is
to be sick and have the tenderest of care, with a pleasant room,
and a soft, nice bed to lie in, and everything to make them
comfortable, and they feel they would like to help in making some
poor little child, who may not be so highly favored as they are,
more comfortable. Their mamma,

MRS. P. A. ORTON.

* * * * *

NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT.

My little friend who lives next door to me and myself have been
trying to think of some way to earn some money for Young People's
Cot. So we have had a fair, and made most of the things ourselves,
but we had a little assistance from our friends. A very kind lady
who lives near us sent us a beautiful basket of flowers, which we
made into bouquets. We have just five dollars, which we are going
to send. We had a very nice tent out in our yard, which our mothers
fixed for us. It was made of red, white, and blue cloth, and had
flags around the edge, and lanterns hung on it, though we did not
light them, because we did not have the fair in the evening. We had
candy, lemonade, fruit, and flowers, besides all our fancy things.
We had it two afternoons, and sold nearly all our things. We
thought we had pretty good success, besides a great deal of
pleasure. I found a dandelion to-day, and I thought that was quite
late for it. I hope this is not too long to print, because we
should like very much to see it in the paper.

LOUISE H. A. and BEATRICE W.

I am glad to hear that you had so successful a fair, and hope next month to see your names in the list of contributors to the fund.

* * * * *

PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

THREE ENIGMAS.

1.

First in urn, not in vase.
Second in man, not in face.
Third in bell, not in tongue.
Fourth in ring, not in song.
Fifth in even, not in smooth.
Sixth in lessen, not in soothe.
Seventh in lady, also in girl.
Eighth in antelope, not in squirrel.
Whole a thing that John and Jane
Never use when it does not rain.

MOTHER BUNCH.

2.

First in Charlie, not in Fred.
Second in Albert, not in Ned.
Third in tick, not in clock.
Fourth in boat, not in dock.
Fifth in maize, not in corn.
Sixth in shave, not in shorn.
Seventh in ruin, not in waste.
Eighth in rash, also in haste.
Ninth in son, not in daughter.
Whole is used on the water.

ALFRED B. (aged 8).

3.

First in break, not in mend.
Second in bow, not in bend.
Third in hash, not in meat.
Fourth in cold, not in heat.
Fifth in ice, hot in snow.
Sixth in abuse, not in blow.
Seventh in fish, not in fowl.
Eighth in kill, not in howl.
Ninth in fail, not in try.
Whole a mountain in Australia.

HOPPERGRASS.

* * * * *

No. 2.

NUMERICAL ENIGMA.

My 1, 2, 3 is to join.
My 4, 5 is a preposition.
My 6, 7, 8 is a trap.
My 15, 16, 9, 18, 11, 13 is abuse.
My 19, 14, 10, 12 is a defeat.
My 17, 18, 19, 20 is an important body of men.
My whole contains 20 letters, and is a familiar proverbial expression.

V. O. T.

* * * * *

No. 3.

WORD SQUARE.

1. Not old. 2. A proprietor. 3. A relative. 4. A girl's name. 5. A pair of matched horses.

EDITH M. L.

* * * * *

No. 4.

OCTAGON.

1. A kind of food. 2. Beaten. 3. A variety of thistle. 4. To untwist. 5. A buffoon. 6. The receiver of a gift. 7. A prefix.

J. M. ILES and C. M. EYERS.

* * * * *

No. 5.

THREE EASY DIAMONDS.

1.--1. An aspirate. 2. To marry. 3. A girl's name. 4. Moisture. 5. A letter.

EDITH M. L.

2.--1. A letter. 2. A pronoun. 3. An animal. 4. Not young. 5. A letter.

EUREKA.

3.--1. A letter. 2. A receptacle. 3. A fierce animal. 4. A snare. 5. A letter.

DAVID H.

* * * * *

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 149.

No. 1.

Spur-royal.

No. 2.

P-as-time-s. G-over-no-r. C-harm-ing. B-as-soon-s. F-all-ing. T-he-or-y. P-rose-cut-e.

No. 3.

Syracuse. Italy. Greenland.

No. 4.

S A
T U B E L M
S U G A R A L B U M
B A T M U D
R M

A
A P E
A P R O N
E O N
N

No. 5

F-able. F-act. H-all. C-ask. P-eel. P-inch.

* * * * *

Correct answers to puzzles have been received from P. Embury, Jun., Alice White, Maggie Ford, Peter Lent, John T. D., Effie R., Phebe McBeath, Maggie Dean, Carrie C. Howard, Alice W., Gertrude Ford, "Fuss and Feathers," William Armstrong, Charles Haynes, Theodore Hardy, Jack Truman, A. M. Bloomingdale, Charlie De Gangue, "Eureka," Fanny Still, and T. B. D.

* * * * *

[_For Exchanges, see 3d page of cover._]

A GOOD SHOOTER.

BY A. W. ROBERTS.

For shooting tin-foil pellets, small stones, etc., one of the simplest and most powerful of easily made toys is shown in the accompanying drawing.

The barrel of the gun consists of a piece of green elder from four to six inches in length, from which the pith has been carefully removed. In this empty pith chamber we have an excellent "smooth bore," into which the piston (P) works. At one end of the piston is a knob, the purpose of which is to prevent the piston from passing into the gun. Over this knob passes a rubber band (E) half an inch in width, which fits in a slot cut into the top of the knob for the purpose of keeping the elastic in its place. The ends of the band are fastened on the outside of the barrel of the shooter with strong black thread as shown at T.

When using this shooter the piston is drawn back to nearly its full length, and the load follows it. By letting go of the piston the load is discharged with all the force produced by the sudden contraction of the elastic band. By discarding the elastic band, and using wet pellets of paper, and compressed air as a propelling force, a very good air or pop gun is the result.

* * * * *

MUSICAL ANIMALS.

Dogs and other animals are variously affected by musical sounds; some manifesting dislike, others enjoyment, when within hearing of music. I knew one dog that, when requested to sing, would stand on his hind-legs and go on whining and howling for almost any length of time, and while the performance was attended to he manifested great enthusiasm. But he also enjoyed real music very much, and showed signs of pleasure when the piano was played, getting as near to it as possible. Occasionally, however, he would take a part without being invited, much to the discomfiture of a singer, who would wonder where the extraordinary accompaniment came from. I have a lively recollection of his volunteering assistance when we were singing a hymn one Sunday evening, and of the way in which it was brought to an abrupt conclusion by the sight of our doggie on his hind-legs, and the sound of his whines ringing out above every human voice.

A black cat belonging to a friend, in whose house I was a guest some years ago, had a strong dislike to music in every shape, but especially to singing. Having noticed this peculiarity, I am afraid I teased poor pussy a good deal by my endeavors to produce a manifestation of her feelings with regard to vocal music, and when she was stretched comfortably by the fire I used to begin to sing, taking care to shut the door first. Puss would jump up, rush to it, and finding the means of egress cut off, would run wildly round the room, as if in distress, until I ceased. Not to irritate the creature too much, I generally made my vocal performance a very short one.

On an exceptional occasion I thought I would try the cat's powers of endurance a little longer, and went on singing, when, after vainly trying to escape, the creature sprang at me, placed one paw across my mouth, and clung to my dress and neck with the rest of her claws in such a fashion that I was only too glad to cease my song, and so pacify the desperate animal.

When pussy's claws were disengaged I was not a little relieved, and I need hardly say that this was the last time I ventured to experiment on the cat's patience. My friend was also much alarmed, and I have no doubt thought, as I too did, that I had escaped almost better than I deserved, under the circumstances, for I had only a few scratches.

A pug-dog, the pet of a lady in this neighborhood, has a favorite tune which he distinguishes from all others. Nugget is a musical animal, and has a way of putting in occasional notes of his own when his mistress plays the piano. But when she commences his tune, Nugget becomes greatly excited. He first capers up and down the room, and then, running to the side of the player, he stands on his hind-legs and accompanies the music in a style peculiar to himself and most amusing in its effect on the listeners.

Nugget's mistress or any other performer may play the piano by the hour, and the dog manifests only an ordinary amount of interest. But no matter how suddenly his tune may be introduced, Nugget shows his appreciation of it by going through the performance already described.

The lady attributes the dog's fondness for the tune to the fact that when he was a puppy her little niece used to play it upon the piano, singing only the word "Nugget" again and again to the music. As, however, the pug recognizes the tune itself, when simply played, from all others, it is quite evident that he has a musical ear, and is not in any way guided by words.

* * * * *

ENIGMA.

Even when I am a whole I am only a portion,
And often my price is a wicked extortion;
Sometimes you can buy me without any trouble,
You'll perhaps try again, and find me worth double;
My value, however, can change in an hour--
In fact I'm like April, all sunshine and shower;
To depend upon me, then, I should not advise,
Still, people run after me, foolish and wise.
I may make a man rich if I deign to get up;
I go down, and he often drains poverty's cup;
My interests frequently lie under-ground,
But others have I all about and around.
And now I shall leave you my title to guess,
Yet in saying farewell I would this fact impress:
Remember the clew which I gave at the start--
Even when I am whole I am only _a part_.

F. J. M.

* * * * *

The conscience-stricken Cat is haunted at her honest Milk by the Ghosts of her dead Victims.]

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Young People, October 3, 1882, by Various