THE LITTLE PRIZE BANTAM.
Nine little bantams were pecking at the shell;
One got free too soon, and fell down the well.
Eight little bantams nestled close at night;
A weasel snatched one, and fled out of sight.
Seven little bantams wandered in the lane;
A hawk pounced on one; it ne'er was seen again.
Six little bantams were eating crumbs of bread;
A greedy bantam took too much, and fell down dead.
Five little bantams were playing in the barn;
The horse stepped on one of them, but did the rest no harm.
Four little bantams watched the ducks swim;
One tumbled over the pond's grassy rim.
Three little bantams were in their mother's care;
A rooster pecked one, and then were left a pair.
Two little bantams trod the world together;
Cook killed one of them, and pulled out every feather.
One little bantam, brave in colors rare,
Won the very highest prize at the county fair.
L. G. R., Louisville, Ky.
Chelsea, Massachusetts.
I would like to tell the readers of Young People about a pretty pair of white mice which my father gave me. About a month ago, when I went to feed them, I found a very cunning little one in the nest. He has grown to be almost as large as the big ones. Last Friday I was away all day, and when I came home I went to play with my pets, when I found five more little ones.
The next evening I heard a noise in the kitchen, and when I went to see what it was, I saw my cat with the poor little mother mouse in her mouth. When she saw me coming she started to run, but I caught her by the tail, and got it away from her. Alas! it only lived a few seconds. Oh! I felt dreadfully.
I tried to feed the little ones, but they were so young they could not eat, and they grew so weak that my mother said it would be a mercy to drown them. I felt very sad about this, but I put them in a box, and that in a pail of water, and they were soon out of their misery. I buried them in my garden, under my plum-tree. I have only two left.
My father would not allow me to punish the cat, because he said it was her nature. I have, besides my mice, two cats and a canary. My brother has three rabbits. He has gone this afternoon to get me a turtle.
L. B. G.
Bay Ridge, Long Island.
We have two dogs, and we call them Tip and Becky. We have a Polly, and she is sick. I had a paroquet, but a cruel dog killed it. This is my first letter to any paper, although I am twelve years old.
Jennie B. F.
Newark, New Jersey.
I am a little boy ten years old. I have taken the Young People only three weeks, and I like it very much. "The Cruise of the 'Ghost'" is splendid. I liked it so well that I borrowed the back numbers, and read it all through. I am very sorry that the President was shot, and I want to tell you that he does not forget the boys and girls. I wrote him a letter telling him I was very glad that he was elected, and he in return sent me a handsome photograph of himself. I think all the more of it now, and if he should die, money could not buy it.
Milton W. D.
Verona, Italy.
When I was in Milan I went to the National Exposition, and there I saw how silk was made from the very beginning—a thing which interested me very much. The silk-worm was feeding upon the leaves of the mulberry-tree. Afterward it wound about itself an oval ball of silk, which is called a cocoon. The cocoon was then put into boiling water to kill the worm and find the end of the silk, which was wound off by machinery in large skeins. The natural colors of the cocoons are white, buff, and yellowish-green. The skeins are dyed to make the other colors of silk used. Some of the cocoons were saved until the worm changed into the butterfly, and then the butterfly was put into a lace bag to lay its eggs, which next spring will produce more silk-worms.
I saw ribbons of different colors of silk being made; also saw the manufacture of satins and velvets. All the women and girls who were working at the machines wore the same kind of head-dress; it was composed of silver pins, fastened at the back of the head, and standing out like a fan.
In the evening I went to the Gallery of Victor Emanuel, which is a favorite place for those who wish to promenade. It is several blocks long, and in the shape of a cross, with stores on all sides, and the buildings quite high. Over all is an arched roof of glass, which at night is brilliantly lighted by gas, making it look very pretty. I watched the way they lighted up the dome: a man wound up a little locomotive, which went round on a track with a lighted torch, and in a few minutes the gallery was as bright as day.
Alberto D. W.
Chardon, Ohio.
Young People is given me by my good grandpa. I gave him a pocket-knife which I found. I was five years old in April, and can not yet read, though I know all my letters, can make every one of them with a pencil, and can spell my name.
Both papa and mamma were formerly teachers. They and grandpa read the pretty stories aloud, and I look at the pictures.
My little sister, nearly two years old, has black eyes and curly hair. We play together, feed the chickens, make mud pies, and swing under the apple-tree. We have a steady horse named Betty, and a frisky two-year-old colt; two pussies, Tabby and Topsy; and Topsy has two kitties. Grandpa wants to go to New York, and get acquainted with Harper & Brothers.
Bessie H.
Orphans' Home, Rochester, Beaver County, Penn.
My uncle began sending me your paper last fall, and I like it very much. I am an orphan, and live at the Home in this place. It is a beautiful house, situated on a hill from which we have a very extensive view, seeing ten miles up and down the Ohio River. Last week we had examination in our school, and now we have vacation for two months. We have a large play-ground, several games of croquet, and a swing. I like "Paul Grayson," "Toby Tyler," "Mildred's Bargain," and "The Cruise of the 'Ghost'" best of all your stories. I was thirteen years old the 19th of March last. Can you or any of the readers of Young People inform me how many cities in Egypt spoke the language of Canaan?
Luella M. H.
The language of Canaan was substantially the same as Hebrew. In this sense it was spoken in no Egyptian city. The Phœnician language spoken in Carthage was closely allied to the Hebrew. The Egyptian language itself shows a similar resemblance both to the Phœnician and Hebrew.
Detroit, Michigan.
I am deeply interested in the Young People, and think it is not only a paper from which much pleasure may be derived, but also one from which we can learn a great deal. I do not suppose this will find its way to the Post-office Box, but I shall feel much gratification if it does. I am thirteen years old. I have eight pretty rabbits, which are very cute.
Frank L. W. B.
Victoria, Texas.
If Mrs. Alice Richardson would like some numbers of Young People, she is welcome to some of mine. Jimmy Brown writes funny stories. I like "Toby Tyler," "Mildred's Bargain," "Susie Kingman's Decision," and "Aunt Ruth's Temptation" best of all. I would like to tell the little readers something about our birds. There is a mocking-bird that builds in our honeysuckle every spring. The dear little humming-bird sips the honey of our flowers.
Sadie E. S.
Germantown, New York.
I am twelve years old, and this is my first letter to the Post-office Box. I think "The Cruise of the 'Ghost'" is splendid. My cousins were down from Albany, and we camped out for three or four days. We went fishing, and set our lines one night, and we caught an eel two and one-half feet long. Papa made me a present of a new set of harness. He lets me drive one of our horses, because it is gentle.
E. C. R.
Burlington, Kansas.
I live on a farm. My papa has a sheep ranch. I have a little brother six years old. I am ten myself. I have a pony, and a pet bird that will fight with me. When he wants to fight, he chirps to let me know. It is quite warm here now, with little rain. I think Judith W.'s letter was splendid.
Gracie May B.
Brooklyn, New York.
I have a little silver-fish for one of my pets, and every morning when I change the water I give him a fly. He has become so tame that he will take it out of my fingers, and as the fall is coming, I don't know what I shall feed him with. Will you please tell me what I can give him?
I think the Jimmy Brown stories are splendid. Papa asks me every Tuesday if there is anything by Jimmy, and if there is, he reads it aloud to us.
I am glad that Mr. Otis has written another story for Young People. His stories are so natural, and so very interesting! Can you tell me where Swaffham is? I think it must be in some of the British Possessions, for the postmark is on an English stamp. If you will please answer my questions, I shall be very much obliged.
Mamie E. F.
A prepared fish food is sold at the bird stores. We have given it to gold and silver fish, and they like it. Swaffham is a town of England, in Norfolk. It is situated on a height, and is one of the best-built towns in the county.
Plymouth, New Hampshire.
I am a boy eleven and a half years old, and the son of a Methodist minister. We have a beautiful home at the foot of the White Mountains, on the banks of the Pemigewasset River, about one hundred miles south of Mount Washington, and over one hundred miles north of Boston. I am collecting curiosities. I have already nice specimens of zinc, lead, amethyst, beryl, gypsum, agate, etc., among the minerals, also arrow-head, ivory-nut, Florida moss, etc. I hail the coming of your paper with delight, and long for Tuesday to arrive and bring it.
Fred S. K.
Abilene, Taylor County, Texas.
I am a little girl nine years old, and I live out on the Texas and Pacific Railroad, sixty-five miles from Fort Concha. I often find very lovely butterflies, white with brown-streaked wings. We see beautiful antelopes when we are out riding. Mamma has a phaeton, and a gentle horse called Frank. Josie and Earle (my two baby brothers) and I take long drives with mamma. There are many tarantulas here, resembling large hairy spiders. I have killed several. We sometimes see whole families of prairie-dogs—papa, mamma, and the little ones—on top of the hill, beside their holes, as we pass, and they bark loudly till we are close to them, when they wag their tails, and scamper off into their hiding-places.
We had to go out and fight prairie fire the other day. It came within a dozen rods of our home. We beat it out with coffee sacks.
I wish to exchange Texas moss, soil, and stones, for shells.
Hattie W. McElroy.
Agnes S.—If you have no acquaintances living near any of the historical trees mentioned in the article in No. 83, you might write to the postmaster of the place nearest the tree from which you wish to obtain a leaf, and ask him if his little daughter or sister will kindly procure one for you. A polite note, inclosing a stamped envelope, addressed to yourself, for the reply, will probably receive attention. You must not try this plan, however, until you have inquired among your friends, and ascertained that none of them know anybody to whom they can apply.
C. Whitty.—The specimen you inclosed in your note was sulphate of copper, commonly known as vitriol.
Student.—Short-hand.—Graham's Hand-Book of Standard Phonography is an excellent guide to the art of rapid writing. If you study hard, and follow the ample directions of Mr. Graham, taking every opportunity to practice "short-hand" reporting, you will become an adept. You can order this book through any bookseller, but Mr. Graham has an office at the Bible House, Fourth Avenue, New York.
Aurora J. M. C.—The authors of whom you inquire are not related.
"North Star."—The President of the L. A. W. is Mr. Charles E. Pratt, 597 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts. The badge of the League can only be procured by members.
J. Wilmer Cox.—A 36-inch bicycle will be large enough for you. You had better get a bicycle known as the "Mustang."
John M. Faglon, 25 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, New York, changes his offer for a bicycle from 36 to 40 inches to 42 to 46 inches.
Harry R. H.—Fiske & Co., 98 Fulton Street, or Ben Day, 48 Beekman Street, New York city, will give you the necessary information.
Willie and James Dudley withdraw from our exchange list.
Miss Mary T., W. F., and Others.—The address of Miss Judith Wolff is care of Mr. D. A. De Lima, 68 William Street, New York city.
Washington.—The site of our national capital was selected by General Washington, after whom it was named, and he laid out its general plan. It seemed desirable that the capital of the entire country should not be located in any State, and therefore the District of Columbia was set apart for the purpose of holding it. Your history will tell you that the District is formed of a portion of territory ceded by Maryland and Virginia. The situation was a very convenient one at the time the site of Washington was selected, and it still seems wisely chosen for many reasons, though in the summer season it is subject to malarial influences.
Miss J. F. B.—The answer to the Geographical Puzzle in No. 85 appeared in No. 88.
L. G. R. wishes to beg D. Van Buren's pardon for having sent the wrong stamps. She has just begun collecting stamps, and supposed those she sent were official. She discovered her mistake after having sent her letter. She will try to procure some real official stamps, and will send them if successful.
Leola C. Carter's address is changed from Ashland, Nebraska, to Rosebud Agency, Dakota Territory.
The following is a list of donations received previous to August 4 for the Young People's Cot in St. Mary's Free Hospital for Children, 407 West Thirty-fourth Street, New York city. The next list will be published October 4.
Otis M. Freeman, $3; Willie and Daisy Hinman, Brooklyn, N. Y., 70 cents; V. N. Appleton, Boonton, N. J., 50 cents; Richard P. Appleton, Boonton, N. J., $2; "Our Baby" Appleton, Boonton, N. J., $2; Bonnie T. Roodhouse, Washington, D. C., $1; Edith B. Hanson, Damariscotta, Me., 25 cents; Willie Lanksbury, Rochester, N. Y., 10 cents; Charlotte Jamieson, Alexandria, Va., 10 cents; Elaine Massett, Plainfield, N. J., $1; "Daisy," New York, 25 cents; Helena Carroll Frazier, Rye Beach, N. H., $1; James G. King, New York, 25 cents; Georgie Sherer, Scranton, Penn., 25 cents; Bessie Sherer, Scranton, Penn., 25 cents; Mina and Aggie Hall, Greenfield, Mass., $2; Alexander and Agnes Horsburgh, Christina and Kittie Schmidt, and Hiram H. and Mary P. Bice, Utica, N. Y., $1.50; Bessie Deming, Arlington, Vt., 25 cents; Julia Cracraft, Wheeling, W. Va., $1; Lou ——, Summit, N. J., $1; Edith Worden, Meadville, Penn., $1; Anna and Levi Paxson, Reading, Penn., $1; Carl, New York, $2; John P. Morrow, Cooperstown, N. Y., $1; Louis P. Dains, East Litchfield, Conn., $1; Lillian E. Dains, East Litchfield, Conn., $1; Allie Mitchell, Davenport, Iowa, 20 cents; Daisy Mitchell, Davenport, Iowa, 10 cents; Willie, Josie, and Georgie Chamberlain, Mount Olivet, 60 cents; Charlie W. Munson, Litchfield, Conn., 20 cents; Bessie W. Bolton, $1; Ora J. Kinney, Chebause, Ill., $1; Eva V. C. Morris, Barton-on-Sound, $1; Newbold Morris, Barton-on-Sound, $1; Lena Hutchins, Landaff, N. H., 25 cents; Allie and Lou, Lockport, N. Y., $1; Lussie Benedict, Norwalk, Ohio, $1.25; Grace G. Cordell, Pleasant Hill, 25 cents; Bernard Major, Jun., Petersburg, Va., $1; Lulu M. Noyes, Franklin, N. H., 25 cents; Florence N. Nolan, Plainfield, N. J., $1; Evelyn W. Craft, Portchester, N. Y., 50 cents; Charles Cruger Pyne, Morris Cove, $1; Bertha E. Smith, Philadelphia, Penn., $1; Lewis Balch, Jun., Kingston, R. I., $1; Nellie M. Nelson, Cold Spring, N. Y., 25 cents; H. S. Pernot, Bowling Green, Ohio. 75 cents; Helen M. Prescot, Ticonderoga, N. Y., $1; Mary Leeket, Chicago, Ill., 50 cents; Carl F. Moll, Tunnel City, Wis., 50 cents; Arthur H. Moll, Tunnel City, Wis., 50 cents; Milly R. Noble, Menomonee, Wis., $1; Lottie Noble, Menomonee, Wis., 50 cents; Jennie Noble, Menomonee, Wis., 50 cents; Jimmie Noble, Menomonee, Wis., 3 cents; Connie Rich, Red Wing, Minn., $1. Total, $45.53.
E. A. Fanshawe, Treasurer.
From the many letters received by the Treasurer of the fund for the Young People's Cot in St. Mary's Hospital, the following are published to show how great an interest has been aroused among our readers by this appeal to their sympathy:
Tunnel City, Wisconsin.
We read your letter in Harper's Young People, and wanted to help endow the Young People's Cot right off; so my brother and I went and picked huckleberries and sold them, and we each send you fifty cents to help now. Perhaps we may get more after a while, and then we will send it.
Carl F. M. (age 9 years).
Arthur H. M. (age 7 years).
P.S.—We inclose a one-dollar bill.
Ticonderoga, New York.
I take Harper's Young People. Saw notice of July 26, with reference to Young People's Cot. Inclosed please find my contribution of one dollar for that purpose. I have agreed to go without candy for one month, so that I may send my mite, with the hope that it may do some trifling good at least.
Helen M. P.
Meadville, Pennsylvania.
I only received my little paper last night, and as I always read the little letters, yours was the first I saw. I send you one dollar—all I have of my own. I had saved it to get me a doll; but mamma says perhaps Santa Claus will bring me one if I am good. I cheerfully give this to help endow a cot for the poor little sick children, and hope you will get enough. I think Harper's Young People is splendid. I read it all.
Edith W.
Damariscotta, Maine.
I received my Harper's Young People two hours ago, and I am very much pleased with your plan about the Children's Cot. I am eight years old, and I send twenty-five cents that I have earned myself. I wish it was more. Yours truly,
Edith B. H.
Answers to Railroad Puzzle in No. 91 have been received from Frank A. Reilly, Hattie S. Becker, C. H. Nichols, "Rip Van Winkle," W. S. Beekman, E. H. L. Randolph, Archibald E. Dietz, Edgar P. Earle, Walter W. Norton, F. C. G., F. N. C., and F. P. Prindle, H. N. K., William A. Bird, Jun., Ira B. Keeler.
Correct answers to puzzles have been received from J. B. Senior, George Sylvester, Frank L. Davis, Clara M. Burt, "North Star," Bert B. Basset, "Vi O. Let," Agnes G. Fletcher, "Starry Flag," Frank Lomas, Eddie S. Hequembourg, Mabel Wilson, Howard A. Smith, "Princess Daisie," Susie Howes, Augusta Low Parke, Milton W. Dunn, H. N. Pleis, Fannie L. Dard, "A. U. Gusta," Edward L. Haines, Edward L. Hunt, Bessie W. Bolton, Willie Jackson, "Pansy," "The Chums," Mima Gurnie, Agnes L. Fletcher, "Phil I. Pene," "René," "Will O. Tree," N. G. Yerburg, Emma Roehm, "Dandy," Lizzie C. Carnahan, J. Pendergast.
PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.
No. 1.
NUMERICAL ENIGMA.
| I am composed of 14 letters. I am the name of one who was a great and good man. |
| My 1 and 5 is an exclamation. |
| My 2, 6, 3 is a term used in music. |
| My 4, 13, 8 is the whole. |
| My 11, 12, 9, 10 is hard money. |
| My 11, 12, 3, 14 is a vegetable. |
Princess Daisie.