THE FIRST SAIL.
Little Jimmie Evereux stood on the pier looking at a white sail-boat with two seats in it, and wondering if his papa would ever come and give him the long-looked-forward-to first ride in it. Jimmie had on his new blue sailor suit, and it was no wonder that passers-by looked with interest at the "blue-eyed laddie," who had waited so patiently for half an hour. But all things come to an end at last, and Jimmie's patience was no exception. After a long look up and down the shore, Jimmie crossed the street and went up the walk toward the pretty cottage where he and his mamma and papa and auntie lived all summer.
Mamma and auntie sat on the piazza, sewing and talking. Said mamma:
"Mrs. Gray has been ill, I hear. I pity her so much! She doesn't seem to enjoy life one bit."
"Oh, I don't know," said auntie. "Perhaps she needs rest. Why not invite her out here for a little while?"
"I'll let her ride in the new boat," said Jimmie, anxious to be good to Mrs. Gray.
"You wouldn't the first time, would you?" said auntie.
"Y—yes," said Jimmie. "Only—well, she isn't here."
"Jimmie," said mamma, "go down to the post-office and see if there's a letter from grandma there."
"I'm afraid papa will come."
"Well, what if he does? You won't be long."
"All right, then," said Jimmie; and away he went.
At the post-office was a letter for auntie, a paper for mamma, his own Harper's Young People, and the Daily News. Jimmie started home gayly; but when he reached the gate, his joy turned to sorrow, for Mrs. Gray sat on the piazza. Papa beckoned to Jimmie, who followed him into the house.
"Jimmie," said papa, "will you give up your sail-boat ride to Mrs. Gray?"
"Oh, papa!" Then, after thinking a minute: "Yes, I will."
"That's my good little boy," said papa; and in a few minutes they were gone.
Jimmie soon forgot his disappointment in laughing over "Mr. Stubbs's Brother," and mamma helped to console him by a little gold dollar from grandma.
A. R. W.
Frank R. writes about his dog Prince, who protects the chickens against cats, and helps his master catch them when they run away. Ernest D. tells about the quartz mines near his home in California. Richard H. has a dog named Flora, a Newfoundland. This splendid animal weighs 100 pounds, and, harnessed to the baby's carriage, draws that little lady about the town. Thomas M. has a calf which is pure white except its ears, nose, and legs above the hoof, which are red. Alice F. must write a longer letter next time. Jimmie R. has five hives of bees, two Italian and three hybrid, and is very successful in getting large quantities of honey. This Jimmie sends his regards to Jimmy Brown. Winifred C. has a good time practicing with her bow and arrows, and riding her gentle horse Ned. Lillie C., L. C. L., Willie B., and a great many more girls and boys are enjoying this vacation very much. The Postmistress sends her love to all her correspondents. She often wonders what this and that one is doing, and the little fishermen, apple-gatherers, bee-keepers, and home-helpers have her good wishes. Write again, little fingers, and don't be discouraged, even though Our Post-office Box does not print your letters.
C. Y. P. R. U.
TWO AUNTIES.
"So that things are done," says Theo, "it does not matter how they are done."
The Postmistress differs with you, Theo. There are kind-hearted people in this world who spoil the effect of their best actions by cross or surly manners. The most beautiful gift will not please you if thrown in your face. Gifts are valued for the love they signify, and so they need loving looks and words to make them welcome. I have seen a family of young people perfectly devoted to an auntie who never did anything for them except tell them stories, show them her curiosities and treasures, and listen to their perplexities; and they were not in the least fond of another auntie, whose money was spent freely for them. She bought them new dresses and bonnets, sent the boys on vacation trips, and often took the girls to see pictures and hear fine music, yet they did not love her.
The aunt who did so much that was kind had a habit of constantly snubbing her nieces and nephews. If they made a mistake, she spoke of it publicly. If a reproof was given, it was in the severest terms. Her face wore a frown most of the time, and she made everybody around her uncomfortable. And so, though her poor heart was hungry for affection, she got only a crumb of it, while the happy, merry, fun-loving auntie had a whole feast.
Many of you are taking piano lessons. If you are in company, and are asked to play, consent without waiting to be coaxed. If you intend to sing your new song, or perform your last piece, you will do so gracefully by beginning at once without persuasion. If you must decline, let it be because you feel that you do not play well enough to give pleasure to the listeners. Do not, of all things, say, with a little toss of the head and pout of the lips, "I can not play on any piano but my own." That is very ungracious as well as ungraceful, and besides, like most impoliteness, it hurts the feelings of others.
When you have a friend to entertain, let nothing that you do for him or her appear to give you trouble. Keep your difficulties out of sight, and let only the pleasant things come to the front. Watch mamma when she has guests, and you will observe that she never makes a fuss, nor seems to be in a flutter, and still she takes care of them, consults their wishes, and forgets nothing which can add to their happiness while under her roof.
You will learn how to do it, whatever it may stand for, by imitating your mother. Don't you think so?
We would call the attention of the C. Y. P. R. U. to the article on "Egyptian History," and to "A River Gets Into Trouble," by Charles Barnard. The boys will be specially interested in an article on "Homing Pigeons," by Mr. C. W. Fisher.
PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.
No. 1.
FIVE EASY DIAMONDS.
1.—1. A letter. 2. Part of a fish. 3. A finger. 4. A point. 5. A letter.
2.—1. A letter. 2. A small cushion. 3. Relating to ships. 4. A boy's name. 5. A letter.
3.—1. A letter. 2. A plug. 3. Savory. 4. A trap. 5. A letter.
4.—1. A letter. 2. To caress. 3. Purport. 4. Fashion. 5. A letter.
Sunshade.
5.—1. A letter. 2. Not young. 3. Glitter. 4. Parched. 5. A letter.
S. X.