Chapter II: Part 2

Gussie was everywhere, and at a signal from her, six of the larger girls took their places on the lawn, facing the house, and ready to have a "fan drill." This was a surprise to Vinnie Dean and her mother, who sat beside Mrs. Turner on the porch, and for the time being the lawn tennis court was abandoned.

The six girls were in white; three of them had red fans, three blue. Gussie acted as Captain, and her fan was of both colors, her dress being also red and blue. The orders were given so nicely and obeyed with such precision that even Tad was surprised. He had no idea that girls could be so smart, or had so much knowledge of military affairs.

As they stood in line each girl held her fan closed at her side.

"Carry fans!" said Captain Gus. The fans were brought to the shoulder.

"Present fans!" They were struck on the left hand with a unanimous sound.

"Open fans!" They were spread with a rush.

"Rest fans!" They were closed with a snap, and returned to the right side. Then there were the "bashful flutter," "angry flutter," "scornful flutter," and a variety of other movements not set down in any military tactics.

The audience were delighted, and for some time after the drill the snapping and fluttering of fans continued.

When Tad blew the whistle there was a general start, for it was an afternoon of surprises.

In single file the company marched back to "The Deanery," where they were received by Vinnie's mother, and regaled with cakes, bonbons, and ice-cream. At the close of the repast each girl and boy was presented with a German bonbon containing a paper cap or mantle, some of which were very becoming to their wearers.

As it began to grow dark preparations were made for a general breaking up, which Tad prevented by calling his recruits together, and marching them back to his own house, where they found the lawn illuminated with colored lamps, and looking "just like fairy-land." Then they danced and sang and played games until they were tired, and by nine o'clock the party was over.

Vinnie thanked Tad and Gussie, who thanked her in return, all three declaring they had had a "perfectly lovely," "splendid," and "magnificent" time; and it was such a co-operative affair that to this day Vinnie is in doubt whether it was her birthday party or Gussie's. It was such a funny thing to borrow a lawn! But Tad and Gussie thought it an excellent arrangement, and told Vinnie that whenever she gave a birthday party they should expect to do their part of the entertaining, and Vinnie begins to think that, after all, she must have been born under a lucky star even if it was in the dog-days; for it is the luckiest thing in the world to have friends who are willing and ready to put themselves out in order to do us a favor.

HALICORA, THE MERMAID.

BY E. MULLER.

Little Halicora Cetacea lived in the Mediterranean Sea, near the south coast of Italy. She went to Miss Delphina's school, with other nice little mermaids, and learned how to knit sea-weed lace, and how to do up her hair becomingly, and many other useful things. Miss Delphina had a good deal of trouble with her pupils, for sometimes they were very full of mischief. They used to bring oysters to school in their pockets, and eat them slyly, and some of the pupils had a perfect passion for pink and purple jelly-fish, though Miss Delphina always forbade them to eat sweetmeats; and others used to bring their pet sea-horses with them, and play with them in class, which kept Miss Delphina always scolding. The merboys, too, gave her trouble, for they hid among the rocks, and threw sting-rays and sea-eggs at the mermaids, making them jump and shriek and drop stitches. Then Miss Delphina would unchain Cephalopterus, and set him at the boys. Cephalopterus was a large devil-fish, which Miss Delphina kept as a watch-dog, and when he laid hold of a merboy, that boy was sorry. But merboys were not the only troubles that Miss Delphina had; there were great rude dolphins and porpoises and sharks and sword-fish, and other sea creatures, and, worse yet, there were land creatures too, which came to annoy her. One day, while the knitting class was at work, there suddenly descended an awful monster right before them. It was a diver in a diving suit, with a long air-pipe leading from the top of his head to the surface of the water, and any creature quite so ugly not even the oldest mermaid, not even Miss Delphina, had ever seen. Every mermaid shrieked, dropped her knitting, and hid behind the rocks. The diver was looking for a place to lay a submarine cable; he walked about, getting his feet entangled in the knitting-work, mixing up every one's ball, and pulling out rows and rows of stitches. This was too much. Miss Delphina called to the oldest and bravest mermaids to come to the rescue, and told Halicora to unchain Cephalopterus. Then they all rushed at the diver, Halicora with the devil-fish first. The diver only gave one look; that was enough; he gave such a pull at his air cord that his friends up in the boat thought he was dying, and hauled him up in a twinkling, and the mermaids never saw him again. Halicora was the brightest and prettiest of all Miss Delphina's mermaids, and after she showed herself to be so quick and brave in setting Cephalopterus at the diver, Miss Delphina said she might go up on land to bring down the offerings from the fishermen. These offerings were fruit and flowers left on the shore for the mermaids, because the fishermen believed they would send them good luck in fishing, and a safe return from their voyages, if presents were given them; so every week a large basketful was left on the shore, and some of the older mermaids usually went up just at dawn and brought it down.

On the shore lived a very good fisherman named Pietro Monaldi, whose little boy, Leonardo, used to gather the fruit and flowers, and leave them for the mermaids. Leonardo had always longed to see a mermaid, though his father said they were invisible, and he had often watched on the shore at dawn, but had never been able to catch a glimpse of one until Halicora came up. Perhaps Halicora had forgotten that she was to seize the basket and instantly plunge into the water, or perhaps she felt too curious to be quite obedient. At any rate, when she saw a nice black-eyed boy peeping from behind a rock, she did not hurry away, but said: "Good-morning. Is this the offering I am to take?"

Leonardo came from behind the rock, and bowing politely, said, "Yes; and I am 'Nardo Monaldi, at your service."

"And is it you who brings us these nice things?" asked Halicora.

"It is," answered 'Nardo. "And I beg you will take care of my dear father, who is now out fishing."

Halicora thought she had never seen such a handsome, well-behaved boy. She was sure he would never hide and throw things at his cousins the way her cousins, Manatus and Rytinus Cetacea, threw sting-rays at the mermaids.

"Tell me your father's name, and he shall be taken care of," she said.

By the time 'Nardo had told her his father's name, and the names of several other good fishermen who lived near, Halicora saw the sun rising; so she said good-by, promising to come again. When she went home she wrote notes to all her relations, the Cetaceans and the Sirenidians, telling them to be particularly careful of Pietro Monaldi, as he was a good man and a friend of hers; and as Halicora was dearly loved by every one, all her relations promised to look out for Pietro Monaldi, and send him plenty of fish. After that, Halicora and 'Nardo became very well acquainted, and told each other a great deal about the land and sea, and Halicora became quite certain that no merboy ever could be so pleasant and good as 'Nardo. One beautiful morning she told him there was going to be a fearful storm, and that his father ought not to go out in his boat.

"I will tell him you have told me," said 'Nardo.

"No, no; if you even tell him you have seen me, I can never come again," said Halicora, for she had warned him when they first met not to speak of her.

So 'Nardo only told his father that there would be a terrible storm--that the wind and waves had whispered it to him. But his father laughed at him for a silly dreaming boy, and went out in his boat with the other fishermen. The storm came, a terrible storm, just as Halicora had said, and the fishing-boat was wrecked, and all the men in it were drowned, except 'Nardo's father. Halicora had helped him to swim, had lifted him out of the waves, and brought him a piece of the wrecked boat to hold upon. Pietro thought the piece of board came by a lucky accident; but Halicora was holding it, and she brought him safely to land just at dawn. 'Nardo was on the shore, waiting in great anxiety for the boat to come back. When he saw Halicora helping his father, he forgot her warning, and exclaimed: "Thanks, dear Halicora! See, father, the good mermaid has helped you."

But his father saw nothing--only those who are young and truly good can see the mermaids; so Pietro only saw the waves and the piece of wood which he had floated upon. But he was very glad and thankful that he was saved, and so was 'Nardo.

The next day 'Nardo carried a large basketful of the finest fruit he could find, and waited on the shore for Halicora. As soon as she came he exclaimed, "Dear Halicora, how good you are!"

"You are good too, 'Nardo,"; said Halicora; "and I am sorry I must leave you."

"Oh, Halicora, why must you leave me?" asked 'Nardo.

"Because you spoke my name aloud," said Halicora. "My father heard you, and he says there can be no friendship between land and sea people; and so I must go up to the Arctic Sea, among the ice and polar bears, to stay with my aunt Rytina Borealis until I forget you."

Then she said good-by, and went down into the water, and 'Nardo never saw her again. He often goes to the shore, hoping she may have come back; but though the other mermaids come and take the offering, Halicora has never returned, and so 'Nardo knows that she has not forgotten him.

Now that vacation is over, we shall expect to hear from our girls and boys about their school affairs. Let us know which of you have been promoted, and tell us how you like the new teachers, the new scholars, and the new studies. We are sure you mean to take hold of school work heartily after having had the splendid summer holidays. What do you do mornings and evenings to help mother? What do you mean to be when you shall be grown up? Some of you are sorry that your letters are not published in Our Post-office Box. It is impossible to publish all, because we have such a crowd of correspondents; but we try to select the letters which will be most entertaining to everybody, and if you will remember this, and when you are writing tell us something interesting that has happened in your home, or something droll that your pets have done, or some bright thing that the little ones have said, you will very likely see your letter in print.

* * * * *

HAVANA, CUBA.

I am studying English, with an American lady, and as she does not
wish me to read Spanish, I read only English books and papers. I
like your paper better than any book. I have in New York three
friends, who are the nieces of my teacher. Here too I have many
friends, and some of them, like myself, are studying English.

We have a pair of very pretty rabbits. They are white and brown.
They are called Bunny and Funny, and are very tame.

I wish very much indeed to visit New York, and I mean to beg papa
to let me go next year with my teacher.

The story that I like best of all that I have read in YOUNG PEOPLE
was "Aunt Ruth's Temptation."

This is the rainy season, and we have rain every day. We are very
desirous to see the dry weather come back.

We have a large farm in the country, and there we have a fine
croquet ground, where we play very often. We speak only English in
the school-room and with our teacher.

SIRENA C.

* * * * *

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

We have a very droll pet, but if you were to guess all day long,
you would never find out what it is. It is nothing less than a tame
woodchuck. He is quite pretty, and will follow those he fancies all
over the house, running up to any one who taps upon the floor, that
being our way of calling him. I am sorry to add that he is often
very mischievous, and sometimes gets into trouble in his anxiety to
see what is going on. One day we found him floundering in a kettle
of grease, in which he had fallen while trying to keep his balance
on its edge and discover its contents at the same time. I derive
much pleasure from Our Post-office Box, and thought I would like to
become one of its correspondents.

WALDO L.

* * * * *

OMEGA, LOUISIANA.

I live very far down South, on a beautiful river-bank in the
country. Perhaps some of you will pity me, but I would not like to
exchange my quiet country home for one in the busy city. I have a
black pony as gentle as he can be, and every day at four o'clock I
saddle him, and off go Billie and I to the Post-office, a distance
of two and a half miles.

My mamma is an invalid, and I help her all I can to clear up the
dishes, sweep, and attend to the little chickens. Our nearest
neighbor is only at the distance of a few minutes' walk, so I often
run up there to play with the children.

M. L. U.

* * * * *

DANVILLE, ILLINOIS.

I was quite interested in Mary W. H.'s letter about her dog Prince.
I have a dog of the same name. He is only a year and a half old,
but he knows a great many tricks. He can walk on his hind-legs, sit
on his haunches, speak, give his right or left paw, shake hands,
crawl like a baby, and turn a somersault. He is very cute. A man
shot him in the hind-leg one night, but it is not broken, and will
soon be well.

We girls have organized a society lately, which we have called "The
Dainty Finger Cooking Club." I am secretary, and every member has
chosen a nom de plume for herself.

BERTHA L.

We hope the Dainty Fingers will become very skillful.

* * * * *

NEW YORK CITY.

We have come all the way from Queensland, Australia, and are
travelling around the world. Our home is in Rockhampton, which we
left about four years ago. Since then we have lived in Brisbane,
Sydney, and Auckland; then we crossed the Pacific to California,
visiting Honolulu on our way. We spent some time in San Francisco,
and then crossed the great American continent, and arrived in New
York a few months ago. On our way over we stopped at Salt Lake
City, Chicago, Detroit, Niagara, and other places. We saw Indians,
Mormons, bears, buffaloes, California lions, coyotes, antelopes,
etc. We crossed the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains. On the
Sierra Nevada we saw snow for the first time in our lives, and we
did not know what to make of it at first. My little sister said it
was soap-suds, and my little brother thought it was cream pie.

After a while we are going to Boston, and will then cross the
Atlantic to Ireland, go from there to England, thence to Paris and
Berlin, and finally we will return to our old home in Australia by
way of the Suez Canal. By that time we shall have been pretty well
around the world--don't you think so? We have a jolly family: papa,
mamma, auntie, four sisters, and three brothers. One brother, three
years old, is named Sydney Francis, but we call him Captain Cook,
and another, Arthur Cecil, we call Nipper. We lost one dear little
girl soon after we came here; poor little Mabel took diphtheria and
died. We have a little American baby to take home with us. Her name
is Marion Ruby, and she is three months old. If you would like me
to write to you from Ireland or England, please let me know. We are
always going to take HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, even after we are again
at home in Australia.

OLYMPIA R. B. C.

Yes, we will be glad to hear again from you. Such a journey as you are taking must be very delightful, and very instructive too. It is the pleasantest way of studying geography and political economy we ever heard of.

* * * * *

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

I am not sure, but I think I shall like Mr. Otis's new story even
better than I did "Toby Tyler." I do hope he will not kill Tip, as
he did Mr. Stubbs. I have no pets. Was that robin which Mr. Otis
once wrote about a real bird?

WALTER M. G.

Yes, the robin was a real bird.

* * * * *

LONDON, ENGLAND.

I am a little American boy living in England, and am nine years
old. A lady sends YOUNG PEOPLE to a friend of mine, and he gives it
to me. I enjoy reading it very much, and after I have finished a
number I give it to some of my English friends to read. I have been
very ill, and my mamma took me to a farm half a mile from the sea.
The Coast-guards live on the beach to prevent smugglers from
landing there.

LOUIS THOMAS M.

* * * * *

ALLEGHANY CITY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Don't you want to hear about our little kitten? She can spring from
the third-story window to the roof when she wants to chase the
birds, and she stands on a chair by the window and plays with the
flies.

AGNES U. J.

* * * * *

MARENGO, IOWA.

Our four cats are named Spot, Nig, Toby, and Tyler. Our dog's name
is Vet. A long while ago I had two cats which were called Moody and
Sankey. They are dead. I would like to exchange pieces of silk for
sea-moss.

LINNIE ALVERSON.

* * * * *

NEWBURGH, NEW YORK.

I suppose everybody has heard of Stony Point, which General Anthony
Wayne took by storm at midnight on the 15th of July, 1779. Two
years ago they had a centennial celebration on the spot. I have
been visiting during a part of my vacation at my uncle's farm at
Stony Point. In ploughing he has found cannon-balls, stone axes,
and soldiers' buttons. I myself found a cannon-ball, and prize it
highly. I helped with the farm-work, hoeing corn and cabbages, and
taking hold heartily of whatever was going on. I went in bathing,
and learned to swim a little, though I am not yet an expert
swimmer. My father, who is, has saved several lives. My
Sunday-school teacher lately took her class to West Point. We saw
Custer's monument, went through the library, staid until evening,
and saw the dress parade. I think it is splendid to see the
officers go forward to salute the commanding officer.

Thinking I would like to earn some money, I have undertaken a paper
route, and have lately been delivering two hundred papers a day.
School begins the first Monday in September.

ALBERT J. B.

* * * * *

ISLE ST. GEORGE, OHIO.

I live on a little island in Lake Erie. It is real pleasant here. I
have the very nicest kitten you ever saw. He is nestling on my lap
and purring contentedly while I write. His name is Jetty. We have a
dear little white pony named Billy. I had a pet chicken, but it
died. I wish Jimmy Brown would relate more of his ups and downs.

EMMA G.

* * * * *

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

I think Toby Tyler was a very original little boy, and it was too
bad to end his experiences so soon. I would like to hear of his
life at Uncle Dan'l's. You have no idea how glad I would be to see
his little, innocent, wistful face in the paper again. I wish to
tell you that I have received a letter from one of your
correspondents in Europe. It was not written with a view to
exchanges, but was such a letter as one school-girl would write to
another. The correspondence is certainly interesting, as neither of
us has friends in the other's country.

I wrote to you last winter for certain information, which you very
kindly gave me. Allow me to thank you for it. It was quite
satisfactory. I often wonder who it is that answers all the
questions of the YOUNG PEOPLE's friends. What piles of letters they
must read! And, dear me! don't their heads ever ache? If you don't
think my curiosity impertinent, perhaps you wouldn't mind telling
me about them.

LILIAN P.

The Editor's head never aches after reading such letters as yours, Miss Lilian, nor after answering the questions which inquisitive young people send to Our Post-office Box. But as for telling you any more, that would be out of the question.

* * * * *

WOODSIDE, NEAR LINCOLNTON, NORTH CAROLINA.

DEAR FRIENDS,--Again I write, almost fearing you will grow tired of
my many letters and the space I occupy in your Post-office Box, but
I wish very much to thank you for many more little packages that
you have sent since I last wrote. They have come from: Mrs. E.
Janes, Oshkosh, Wis.; Miss Isabel Chambers, Fifty-second Street,
Lancaster Avenue, West Philadelphia, Penn.; Miss Edna Van Note,
Lebanon, Ohio; Mrs. Rebekah Snyder, Parton, Ill.; Maggie and Eliza
Bell, Sabbath Rest, Penn.; Russia Lubeck, Auburn, Cal.; Maude
Buckner, Covington, Ky.; Charles Thompson; Misses Anna and Louisa
Favre, Ontario, Iowa; Miss Miriam Oliver, Milwaukee, Wis.; Miss
Isabel Oakley, Terre Haute, Ind.; Miss Beckington, Des Moines,
Iowa; George F. Curwen, Villa Neva, Penn.; Miss S. Wilson, Honeoye,
N. Y.; Mrs. R. E. Ormsley, Emmetsburg, Iowa; Miss Lena Turch, Alma,
Mich.

Our school has grown since I wrote first, and now numbers
thirty-seven. There are several more that want to come. Our
dining-room is full; they use all the chairs, with all from the
lower floor of the house that can easily be carried out. We will
have a bench made for their use, and until it gets cold can put
some on that on the long gallery between the house and dining-room.
They sing "By cool Siloam's shady rill" very nicely indeed, and are
learning "Onward, Christian Soldiers." We need an instrument very
much, and when we get one we will teach them twice a month, if not
oftener, on Saturday afternoons.

While we were away, Pete's older children grew up very wild. We
feared we could not reach them, but we are very glad that now the
oldest son has come to Sunday-school. There is one more, off on the
railroad; but as Fayette has come, he will follow when he comes
home. Fayette does not know his letters, but comes in the evening
during the week to my little son; so he will soon get up with the
others. I do not know how to thank you for your kind and generous
help. Without it we could not have taught these children, much as
we desired to do so. I think they too are very grateful to you all.

We are keeping back the best books and prettiest cards, for we
want, if we can, to make a feast and have a tree for them at
Christmas, and make them all supremely happy for one day. They have
never seen a Christmas tree, and have never had any Christmas
presents, except Pete's children, who always have a gift from us. I
am not sure that we can do it, but hope we can. Truly your grateful
friend,

MRS. RICHARDSON.

* * * * *

SYKESVILLE, NEW JERSEY.

In No. 93 of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE Mr. Eggleston says the baby
elephant cracks pea-nuts with its feet, and that it did not learn
this from the grown-up elephants, "for they eat nuts without
cracking them." This is a mistake, for I have seen the large
elephants at the Zoological Garden in Philadelphia crack nuts with
their feet, as Mr. Eggleston says the baby elephant did.

SAMUEL B.

Perhaps the elephants you saw learned their cute way of cracking nuts when they were baby elephants, and never forgot it.

* * * * *

CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

I have seen a good many letters in the Post-office Box, but none
from Carlisle. We live about half a mile from the Indian school, so
I thought I would tell you about it. The boys all wear blue
uniforms, and the girls bright dresses and ribbons. They make many
useful articles, and also moccasins and bows and arrows, which they
sell very cheaply. I am twelve years old.

A. DUNCAN Y.

* * * * *

BOWMANSVILLE, NEW YORK.

My mamma takes you for us, dear YOUNG PEOPLE, and we like you so
much! I am going to send this, my first letter, to you. I am eight
years old. I have one brother and three little sisters. We have
nice times watching cows in papa's orchards. Our Sunday-school had
a picnic at Buffalo Park last week; rowed on the lake, and saw the
swans. We are Disciples, like our poor President. Our district is
building the nicest school-house in the country. We think your
stories all splendid, and could not do without you.

ALICE Y. B.

* * * * *

LOGAN'S FERRY, PENNSYLVANIA.

My home is on the banks of the Alleghany River, and on the farm on
which my great-grandfather lived when these woods were the home of
the savage Indians. When my grandfather was a little boy, his
mother used to take him, with her other children, into Fort Pitt,
now Pittsburgh, for safety. I have two little sisters, one five
years and the other four months old. I had a nice old dog named
Shep. He died. Then we had none until my aunt came from Tennessee,
and brought a cunning little dog with her. She thinks a great deal
of him, for one night, when she was all alone, her house took fire
and burned down, and Prince, who was sleeping in her room, barked
and barked, and jumped on her bed, to awaken her. But for him she
might have been burned with the house. He is in my care, and is
faithful and obedient.

I would like very much to see Mrs. Richardson's school, and old
Pete.

HUGH L. S., Jun.

Prince was a very good watch-dog, and you ought to be proud of him. Fidelity and obedience are splendid qualities in a dog's character, and in a boy's too.

* * * * *

The following exchanges are offered by correspondents:

Red scallop shells, Indian money from Buzzard's Bay, and stones
from the Bay of Fundy, for a stone from any Territory.

LAWRENCE BROOKS,
7 Arlington St., Boston, Mass.

* * * * *

Postmarks, for anything suitable for a museum; or thirty-five
postmarks, for an Indian arrow-head.

ARTHUR R. WILLYOUNG,
147 Park St., Detroit, Mich.

* * * * *

Rare coins, postmarks, and rare stamps, especially from South and
Central America, China, etc., for other rare stamps, foreign and
U. S. Higher values of the 1869 issue of U. S. America especially
desired.

SIDNEY ARENHEIM,
127 East Sixty-ninth St., New York City.

* * * * *

A set of Paraguay stamps, for the 24, 30, and 90 cent issue of
U. S. stamps for 1869. One Paraguay stamp, for any one of those. A
Nova Scotia and an Egypt official stamp, for the 7 or 90 cent War
Department, or any stamp from the Executive Department.

ARTHUR COPP,
4 Washington Avenue, Madison, Wis.

* * * * *

A very beautiful topaz Stone from Pike's Peak, for coins and
curiosities.

HARRY WALLACE,
Winterset, Madison Co., Iowa.

* * * * *

An autograph note of nine lines signed with the initials of
Longfellow, one of seven lines signed with the initials of J. R.
Lowell, one of nine lines signed O. W. Holmes, one of thirteen
lines signed R. W. Emerson, and a signature of Louis Agassiz, for a
signed note or document of Abraham Lincoln or John Brown; or any
one of them, for a signed note or document of U. S. Grant, General
Sherman, General Sheridan, General Thomas, or Admiral Farragut.

RICHARD NORTON, Ashfield, Mass.

* * * * *

Postmarks, for postmarks. Minerals, for red and brown hematite and
black magnetic iron ores, tin and nickel ores and cinnabar,
sea-shells (rare only), ocean curiosities, especially a
horseshoe-crab and a sea-horse. Send postal to arrange exchange.

WALTER S. STILLMAN,
C. B. Natural History Club,
Box 966, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

* * * * *

A specimen of genuine lava from Vesuvius, for an Indian arrow-head,
or Indian relics of any kind.

JOHN S. WOODRUFF,
310 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

* * * * *

Stones from New York, Vermont, or Massachusetts, for stones from
any State or Territory except New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

JENNIE J. EDWARDS,
Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N. Y.

* * * * *

A Cape of Good Hope or New Zealand stamp, for an Indian arrow-head.

EDWARD WENDEHACK, Jun.,
465 Third Avenue, New York City.

* * * * *

Two pieces of iron ore, for the same of any other kind of ore;
twenty Canadian stamps, for two Mexican agates.

JOHN KELLET,
Whitby, Ontario, Canada West.

* * * * *

Coins and postage stamps from Turkey, Austria, Russia, and Italy,
for their value in the same from other countries.

ROGER SYDNEY,
Station C, San Francisco, Cal.

* * * * *

Eight postmarks, for an African or Brazilian stamp.

WALTER DEVELIN,
2039 Camac St., Philadelphia, Penn.

* * * * *

Minerals and curiosities, granite, marble in the rough, mica, gold,
lead, and silver ores, all in the same stone, for other minerals.
Iron ore especially wanted. The wing of a flying-fish, caught by
myself in the Gulf of Mexico, is also offered.

W. M. VAN DER WEYDE,
236 Duffield St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

* * * * *

Stamps from Mauritius, Falkland, Marquesas Islands, Moluccas,
Caroline Islands, Spitzbergen, Persia, and Tripoli, for stamps from
Turkey, Austria, Portugal, South America, Central America,
Heligoland, Feejee Islands, Germany, Sandwich Islands, Denmark,
Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, Cape of Good Hope. Rare stamps
required.

CHARLES STERLING, Station C, San Francisco.

* * * * *

Peruvian stamps, for U. S. revenues, and postage stamps from China,
Prince Edward Island, and Cape of Good Hope.

F. H. LOHSE,
Box 466, New York City.

* * * * *

Stones of public buildings and soil of Pennsylvania and New Jersey,
for arrow-heads and postmarks of North Carolina, Ohio, and
Pennsylvania.

HARRY M. GLOVER,
1922 South Tenth St., Philadelphia, Penn.

* * * * *

A piece of elm under which Logan, the celebrated Indian chief, made
a treaty with the whites, and shells from islands around Australia,
for Indian and other curiosities, type, games, etc. Type especially
wanted.

JOHN S. DUFFY,
Circleville, Pickaway Co., Ohio.

* * * * *

Berries, and cotton in the pod from Cuba, coffee seeds and leaves,
and botanic specimens for a museum, for genuine Indian relics. Send
postal in advance.

JOSEPH H. FARGIS,
246 East Thirty-fourth St., New York City.

* * * * *

A box containing eleven different curiosities, for three African,
Asiatic, or Australian stamps. A U. S. dime of 1853, for gold ore.

A. A. BEEBE, Box 102, Nahant, Mass.

* * * * *

Stamps, for stamps from Cape of Good Hope, Holland, Spain, and
Russia.

JAMES HESLETINE,
1710 Geary St., San Francisco, Cal.

* * * * *

One hundred postmarks, all different, including some foreign ones,
for rare foreign coins of any country except England.

C. E. DEVELIN,
2039 Camac St., Philadelphia, Penn.

* * * * *

A magic lantern, with slides, for a printing-press and type.

F. J. HILL, Jun.,
122 South Fifth St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

* * * * *

Carbonate ores, containing lead, silver, and other minerals, naming
the different mines from which they come, for Indian relics and
curiosities suitable for a cabinet. Fifty foreign stamps, for a
genuine Indian tomahawk. Write before sending articles.

JEROME T. GARDNER,
1324 Tenth Avenue, East Oakland, Cal.

* * * * *

Forty stamps, for Indian relics. Please write to arrange exchange.

SAMUEL SINCLAIR,
Box 59, Winooski, Chittenden Co., Vt.

* * * * *

Fine specimens of iron pyrites, for any curiosities except stamps.

ARTHUR COWDIN,
Delphos, Allen Co., Ohio.

* * * * *

Three foreign postage stamps, for one from Turkey.

S. J. WEISS, care of J. Kearney,
32 Park Place, New York City.

* * * * *

Foreign and old U. S. stamps, for stamps from Asia and Africa.

JESSIE NEWTON,
Fayville, Worcester Co., Mass.

* * * * *

Fifty mixed Canadian stamps, for a piece of red coral; twenty-five,
for a piece of petrified hickory wood.

JOHN A. JOHNSTON, Whitby, Ontario, Can.

* * * * *

Norwegian, French, Danish, and old and rare U. S. stamps, for any
South American stamps. Stamp for stamp.

HAROLD CHANNING,
Care of Wilkes Roper, Princeton, Mass.

* * * * *

Postmarks from all parts of the world, and very rare foreign
stamps, including two varieties of Grenada, for minerals, ores, and
Indian curiosities. Several fine garnets, for Iceland spar or gold
or silver ore.

F. W. ROE,
108 West 133d St., New York City.

* * * * *

One hundred postmarks, for an 1856 nickel cent or U. S. copper
cents of 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1809, and 1811.

ONY PURDY,
205 Prince St., New York City.

* * * * *

Shells from the West Indies, silk for quilts, buttons with shanks,
and a set of fancy gilt cards, for curiosities. Please label
specimens.

NINA WATTS,
Box 138, Station A, New York City.

* * * * *

A 1, 2, and 3 cent Norwegian, a 1 and 2 cent Japanese, and a 5-cent
Canadian, for an Indian arrow-head.

J. A. HARRIS, Box 10, Attleborough, Mass.

* * * * *

Foreign stamps and U. S. postmarks, for stamps from Hamburg, Gold
Coast, Egypt, Japan, China, Hong-Kong, Straits Settlements, Prince
Edward and Virgin Islands.

W. F. G.,
324 East Fifty-fifth St., New York City.

* * * * *

A genuine bracket-saw and outfit, with thirty-five patterns and
thirteen saw-blades, to any one sending me the best offer of any
kind of curiosity. Also rare postmarks, for foreign postage stamps
and coins. A microscope especially desired.

FRANK NELSON, Monmouth, Warren Co., Ill.

* * * * *

Rare foreign stamps, for the same from Brazil, Ceylon, Argentine
Republic, Hong-Kong, Japan, etc.

W. E. OIKRU, 112 Henry St., New York City.

* * * * *

A telephone that will work two miles, for a photographer's camera
like one advertised, in YOUNG PEOPLE.

H. HAIGHT,
240 Washington St., Hoboken.

[_For other exchanges, see third page of cover._]

* * * * *

A. S. D.--Wood's _Illustrated Natural History_, Ingersoll's _Friends worth Knowing_, Wolf's _Wild Animals_, and Jaeger's _North American Insects_ are all excellent works on the subjects they treat. These books are published by Harper & Brothers, and are illustrated.

* * * * *

N. ENG F.--We can hardly blame you for feeling dissatisfied with your present position. A boy of sixteen, who is well and strong, and who has acquired a common-school education, ought to do better than remain in an office at $2 a week, with no prospect of advancement. You might learn a trade. You might, if your parents gave their consent, go West and engage in farming. You might enter a business house at the bottom, and work your way up. Whatever you do, thoroughness, honesty, and diligence are necessary to success. So is self-denial, and a steady effort to do your best every day.

* * * * *

LEWIE B.--Directions for making a steam-engine and boiler were given in No. 49, Vol. I.

* * * * *

Correct answers to puzzles have been received from H. Denny Paxton, "Queen Bess," Flavel S. Mines, Rose B., "Miss Ouri," _Marion E. Norcross_, _George Sylvester_, "Will O. Tree," Little Tommie, Frank Lomas, G. Volckhausen, "Wiggins and Spriggins," Paxton, Lizzie Cramer, _Frank S. Davis_, Emily Fane, C. T., John W. Ward, O. A. A., Jacob Marks, "North Star," Leo Marks, James Watson, Jemima Beeston, Emma Roehm.

* * * * *

PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

CHARADES.

My second, though stationary, carries my first, and my whole is an indispensable article in the kitchen.

My first is the cause of my second, and my second is a defense against my first. My whole is part of a lady's toilet.

ELEANOR.

* * * * *

No. 2.

TWO ENIGMAS.

My first is in pool, but not in spring.
My second is in toll, but not in ring.
My third is in cat, but not in dog.
My fourth is in mouse, and not, in frog.
My fifth is in sun, and not in moon.
My sixth is in rabbit, not in 'coon.
My whole sings in a mournful way
The livelong hot midsummer day.

GEORGE E. W.

Pray who can guess my name?
My first is in Susan, and not in Nell.
My second is in Inez, and not in Belle.
My third is in Rosa, and not in Nan.
My fourth is in Ellen, and not in Fan.
My fifth is in Nora, and not in Bettie.
My sixth is in Anna, and not in Hettie.
My whole might be worked in the sampler's frame.

S. C.

* * * * *

No. 3.

TWO DIAMONDS.

1.--1. A consonant. 2. A strong drink. 3. A sweet substance. 4. A girl's name. 5. A consonant.

2.--1. In river. 2. A metal. 3. A kind of serpent. 4. A trap. 5. In river.

DAMON AND PYTHIAS.

* * * * *

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN No. 95.

No. 1.

R E G A L C E A S E
E L I D E E A S E L
G I V E N A S I D E
A D E P T S E D A N
L E N T O E L E N A

A C I D
C O D E
I D L E
D E E P

No. 2.

L eopar D
A ntelop E
M oos E
B adge R

No. 3.

Preach, reach, each. Cheat, heat, eat.

No. 4.

Obelisk.

* * * * *

Throwing a Light, on page 720--Crane.

TEDDY, PET, AND DOT.

Teddy so big, and Dot so small,
And Pet half way between,
Ran when they heard dear mamma's call;
And the sly tall grass
They had to pass
Hid them from being seen.

Teddy so big, and Dot so small,
And Pet of middling size,
They climbed Miss Spankem's garden wall,
And--ping, pang, ping!--
The jolliest swing
Hung right before their eyes.

Cried Teddy, with his cap a-twirl:
"It's ours, for--don't you see?--
Miss Spankem's got no boy nor girl.
So jump in, Pet;
Dot, don't you fret--
I'll swing you, after me."

As Teddy pushed, as Pet she clung,
And Dot sat on the wall,
The sly old swing, as it swing, swang, swung,
Knocked Ted about,
And spilled Pet out,
Giving them both a fall.

PARLOR MAGIC.

THE MIRACULOUS APPLE.

To divide an apple into several parts without breaking the rind: Pass a needle and thread under the rind of the apple, which is easily done by putting the needle in again at the same hole it came out of; and so passing on until you have gone round the apple. Then take both ends of the thread in your hands, and draw it out, by which means the apple will be divided into two parts. In the same manner you may divide it into as many parts as you please, and yet the rind will remain entire. Present the apple to any one to peel, and it will immediately fall to pieces.

THE OMELET COOKED IN A HAT.

State that you are about to cook an omelet; then you break four eggs in a hat, place the hat for a short time over the flame of a candle, and shortly after produce an omelet completely cooked and quite hot. Some persons will be credulous enough to believe that by the help of certain ingredients you have been enabled to cook the omelet without fire; but the secret of the trick is that the omelet had been previously cooked and placed in the hat, but could not be seen, because the operator, when breaking the eggs, placed it too high for the spectators to observe the contents. The eggs were empty ones, the contents having been previously extracted by being sucked through a small aperture; but to prevent the company from suspecting this, the operator should, as if by accident, let a full egg fall on the table, the breaking of which induces a belief that the others are also full.

THE INK AND FISH TRICK.

This is really a first-rate delusion. You bring before the spectators a glass vase full of ink. You dip a ladle into it, and pour out some of the ink upon a plate, in order to convince the audience that the substance in the vase is really ink. You then throw a handkerchief over the vase, and instantly withdraw it, when the vase is found to be filled with pure water, in which a couple of gold-fish are swimming.

This apparent impossibility is performed as follows: To the interior of the vessel is fitted a black silk lining, which adheres closely to the sides when pressed by the water, and which is withdrawn inside the handkerchief during the performance of the trick. The ladle has a hollow handle, with an opening into the bowl; in the handle is a spoonful or so of ink, which runs into the bowl when it is held downward during the act of dipping it into the vase.

THE LAST ROWS OF SUMMER.