[Ill.u.s.tration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX.]
We do not print all letters received, as some are too long, and others simply ask a question, to which we give an answer. Here is a pretty letter which needs no comments:
I am a little boy eleven years old, and have been living in South Carolina, but last summer I got hurt while playing with the boys, and have been sick ever since. I have not walked for five months.
My parents have brought me to Salem, Ma.s.sachusetts, where I could have good doctor"s care. My cousin, who lives in New York, very kindly sends me _Harper"s Young People_, and I want to tell you how much I enjoy it. I am very lonely lying still all the time, but the boys come to see me, and one of them has two rabbits for me when I am able to take care of them. I wish all the little boys and girls could have your paper, it is so nice.
HORACE F. HUTCHINSON.
"FRED," of Montclair, New Jersey, writes:
I have a handsome yellow cat named Goldy. My cousins Howard and Charlie have a cat named Blacky, and a dog named Jack. Papa reads us _Harper"s Young People_ every Sunday, and I like it very much.
Here are some very pleasant words from J. E. Woodbridge, Duluth, Minnesota:
I wish to tell you how I like your paper. I do really like it. I wish you would put boys" pieces in the paper for speaking in school. I live in Duluth, on the sh.o.r.e of a very big lake--the biggest in the world, I think. I am seven years old. I have a little yellow dog, and he grins when he is pleased.
JAMES LONG.--The examinations for admission to the school-ship _St.
Mary"s_ are easily pa.s.sed by any school-boy of moderate ability, but it is indispensable that the applicant be physically sound, and of good moral character. Neither money nor influence is needed to gain admission, and the expense on entering is confined to the cost of outfit and uniform. You can make fuller inquiries of David R. Wetmore, Esq., chairman of the Committee on Nautical School, of the New York City Board of Education, or on board the _St. Mary"s_, which is now in winter-quarters at the foot of East Twenty-third Street, New York city.
C. D. F.--The measurement of gla.s.ses for "Boy"s Telescope" refers to the focus, not to the size of gla.s.s. Any reliable optician will supply you with the lenses.
AGNES P.--Your answers to puzzles are correct. We do not know the address of Lulu W., but will print it if she will send it to us.
"LOUISE," Dubuque.--Your account of Sir Rowland Hill is correct, and very neatly written, but as it is almost the same as those we have already printed, we do not give it.
"MAX."--Your numerical charade is very good, but contains too many repet.i.tions of the same letter to be perfect; therefore we do not print it.
Answers sent by R. Dunlop Foster, Chicago, to mathematical puzzles are correct, with the exception of No. 2, which is not carried back to the original amount possessed by the poor old man when the water-spirit made his first offer.
M. A. C., Rochester, writes: I have commenced taking your little paper, and I write now to tell you that I am delighted with it. I read it to my brothers and sisters, who are very much interested in the story of "The Brave Swiss Boy."
J. E. B., another bright little girl, gives us a scolding, which we hope she will retract before long.
H. A. T.--We can not give any puzzles not accompanied by full name and address of the sender, as well as the answers.
The following communication from a youthful reader in Washington, D. C., will be of interest to young bicyclists in other cities:
Here in the City of Magnificent Distances, where many of the streets are 100 feet wide and the avenues 160, the speed of the bicycle surpa.s.ses even that of the horse.
Many of the streets are "concrete," and a run over them is sure to be attended with boundless pleasure, and often a race.
There are about thirty bicyclists in the city, twenty of whom have formed a club. To see them, with their blue caps and leather leggings, six abreast, coming down the Avenue with their arms folded, causes many an equestrian to spur up his horse in vain.
Through the surrounding villages it is a common occurrence to see eight or ten bicyclists pa.s.s, especially on public holidays.
Many riders have a small bell attached to the handle, which is rung as an alarm to pedestrians, for the approach of the bicycle is as devoid of noise as that of the tiger. In the evening a lantern also is hung on the axle of the driving-wheel between the spokes, and the noiseless and rapid approach of such a red light might suggest to a stranger thoughts of the infernal regions.
In conclusion, I will say that bicycling is the most exhilarating and invigorating pastime for boys ever yet discovered.
N. L. C.
THE CAT SHOW.
A THANKSGIVING EPISODE.
BY MRS. W. J. HAYS, AUTHOR OF "THE PRINCESS IDLEWAYS."
"Yes, next month comes that old, everlasting Thanksgiving-day. I wonder why we have to spend more than half of it at the dinner table!"
"Suppose we don"t? Let us strike out on a new lead."
"What can we do? Grandmother"s pumpkin pies must be eaten, and grandfather"s great turkey must be carved."
"Well, Charlie, I like originality."
"What is that, Sue?--anything in the candy shop?"
"You dreadful boy! You are just too--"