[to be continued.]
"I AM THE LAD THAT FOLLOWS THE PLOUGH."
BY MARY A. BARR.
I am the lad that follows the plough—
Robin and Thrush just whistle for me—
In a hickory suit that's pretty well worn
I go to the field at early morn,
I help to scatter the golden corn—
Robin and Thrush just whistle for me.
Out in the meadows and woods and lanes—
Robin and Thrush just whistle for me—
I watch the sheep and the lambs at play;
When the grass is high I toss the hay;
There isn't a boy in the world so gay—
Robin and Thrush just whistle for me.
I go with father to shear the sheep—
Robin and Thrush just whistle for me—
I fodder the cattle, the mangers fill,
I drive a team, I go to the mill,
I milk the cows with a right good will—
Robin and Thrush just whistle for me.
I help the peaches and plums to save—
Robin and Thrush just whistle for me—
For I am the boy can climb a tree;
There isn't an apple too high for me,
There isn't a nut that I can't see—
Robin and Thrush just whistle for me.
When I am a man I'll own a farm—
Robin and Thrush just whistle for me—
Horses and sheep and many a cow,
Stacks of wheat, and a barley mow;
I'll be a farmer and follow the plough:
Robin and Thrush shall whistle for me.
'Tis better to stand in the golden corn—
Robin and Thrush just whistle for me—
To toss the hay on the breezy lea,
To pluck the fruit on the orchard tree,
Than roam about on the restless sea:
So, sailor-boy, I'll follow the plough.
'Tis better to hear the wild birds sing,
Robin and Thrush on the apple bough—
'Tis better to have a farm and a wife,
And lead a busy, peaceable life,
Than march to the noisy drum and fife:
So, soldier-boy, I'll follow the plough.
New York City.
In Harper's Young People No. 12 I read about some curious South American spiders that kill birds, and the other day I read in an English paper an account by Mr. Frank Buckland of an enormous spider which is kept in a glass case in the London Zoological Gardens, and I thought the little readers of Young People might be interested to know about it. This spider, says Mr. Buckland, came from South America. He is about as large as a common house-sparrow with its wings folded, and when he spreads his legs he is a terrible-looking fellow. The whole of his body is covered with dark red-brown hair. He eats cockroaches, and spins threads to catch them. He will also kill and suck the blood of young mice when they are given to him. Such a gigantic creature could very easily capture and kill humming-birds. On page 648 you will find a picture of this terrible bird-eating spider.
It is evident that Shakspeare knew of the great strength of certain spiders. In Measure for Measure the Duke says:
"How may likeness, made in crimes,
Making practice on the times,
Draw with idle spiders' strings
Most pond'rous and substantial things!"
These large spiders are very common in Cuba, as well as in South America, and are probably found in all tropical countries. In Cuba lives the big hairy tarantula. Its home is a hole in the ground, and boys often amuse themselves by running pieces of sweet-flag in the hole. The tarantula is fond of sucking the juice of this plant, and will immediately fasten itself to the root, when the boys pull it out and examine the curious creature. There is in Cuba a large flat-bodied spider that lives in trees, and wages terrible warfare on young birds. It is a very common sight in Cuban forests to see these creatures, their long legs grasping a young bird which they have entangled in their strong web, as a devil-fish grasps its prey, and busily engaged in sucking the blood of their helpless victim.
R. R.
San Antonio, Texas.
We had two mocking-birds, but we were tired of them, and let them fly away. At night they came back for something to eat, so mamma left the cages out, and the next day they went in their cages again.
I am eleven years old. I like Young People very much.
Maud T.
Moline, Illinois.
I live on the Mississippi River, which is over a mile wide here. I am thirteen years old, and a reader of Young People. I think "The Moral Pirates" is the best story of all.
Two of my companions, Frank and Rob, had read the story; so we made up our minds that instead of cruising we would camp out for a week. Frank's father owned a large row-boat, which he said we might take, and I took my tent and dog. We laid in enough provisions to last a month.
So after a good deal of trouble we got started. We landed about three miles from here, on the other side of the river. It was a splendid place to camp. The ground was sandy, and was hemmed in by trees. The first night passed well enough. The next morning Frank and I rowed across the river for milk. As we were nearing camp on our way back, a large steamboat nearly ran us down. The swell nearly capsized us, and as it was, we got pretty wet.
We concluded that we could not stand that sort of thing, and made up our minds to start for home the next day, where we arrived to be well laughed at.
Ed.
Chicago, Illinois.
In Harper's Magazine for June, 1873, page 181, it is stated that Betsy Griscom, who was employed to make the first national standard of the United States, suggested that a five-pointed star be used, and showed how a paper could be folded so that the star could be produced by a single cut of the scissors. Can you tell me how it was done?
William H. O.
Do any of our young readers know Betsy Griscom's secret? Let us see who will send the neatest method for making a five-pointed star with one cut of the scissors.
Baltimore, Maryland.
I am a reader of Young People. It is a grand paper for boys. Can any one tell me where I can get a few silk-worms? I am anxious to make some silk, and see the worms work.
Clarence L.
In Harper's Magazine for April, 1870, there is an interesting illustrated paper on silk-worms, which will give you much information. No doubt some of our young readers can tell you where you can obtain worms. You will find it easy to take care of them, but a little difficult to make the silk thread, unless you know how to spin, which is not probable. An old lady in a New England country town once had a desire for silk-worms. She procured a number, which she fed on the leaves of a mulberry-tree which grew in her yard. As during her youth she had been taught to spin, she unwound her cocoons, and made beautiful silk thread, with which she knitted elegant silk stockings as gifts to her friends. If you are successful in procuring worms, observe their habits carefully, and write about them to the Post-office Box of Young People.
Cusseta, Alabama.
I am a little Southern boy. I have three brothers younger than myself. I am afraid we are not always as good as we should be. Last fall Ben and I ran away, and went with some negroes to pick cotton. When we came home at noon we found mamma crying because she thought we had been stolen, and papa hunting for us. When mamma got through with us we decided not to run away any more. We hunt hickory-nuts and chestnuts in the fall.
Success to Young People!
George B.
The two following letters are from very youthful readers, who print their communications with a pencil:
Pearl Creek, New York.
I thought I would write to you. My brother has a snapping-turtle, and a white rabbit with brownish spots on it, and my brother and I have three kittens. I like Young People very much, and I like the story of "The Moral Pirates."
Edith M. P.
Atlanta, Georgia.
I am five years old. I can not read yet, but I get my sister to read the stories in Young People. I like them better than any I ever heard. My letter is getting 'most too long.
Ellen H.
Jersey City Heights, New Jersey.
A short time ago, fresh from the country, I was walking along Cortlandt Street, New York city, when I dimly heard the familiar "Bob White" whistled. "Papa, there's a quail," I exclaimed. "Nonsense," replied papa, laughing; "your imagination is lively." "But," I answered, "I really heard one." "They don't have quails in the city," said papa; "perhaps some boy or man is imitating the bird." I said no more until right at our elbow the shrill notes "Bob White" startled us both. Papa stopped, exclaiming, "That is a quail, surely." We looked about us, but could see no cage. "That is strange," said papa. Then we looked closer, and saw in a wire inclosure, extended from a cellar window to the sidewalk, an unused basin of an old fountain, filled with plants, while half concealed beneath the foliage were two plump birds, one of which extended his little head and saluted us with familiar notes again. A little crowd soon gathered, and listened with pleasure to the sweet notes of these feathered beauties, which here in the very centre of the business activities and bustle of the metropolis recalled recollections of woods and rural delights.
Eddie A. L.
Harpersfield, Ohio.
I am a lame boy. I have hip-disease. One limb is shorter than the other, and I use crutches or a cane. I mean to be a doctor, and make hip-disease a specialty. Grandpa has promised me a nice carriage and harness, and my uncle says he will give me a nice horse when I grow up and get to be a doctor. I am eleven years old now. I must tell you how much I like Young People, especially the beautiful pictures.
Freddie G. C.
Marengo, Iowa.
I like Young People very much. I have a great many dolls, and I feel very sorry for poor Jane, who fell in the water, but more sorry for her dear mamma, Fanny. I am glad that Dora and Bessie rescued Jane. I should like to know whether they ever found her curls when the tide went down.
Jessie Lee R.
Eagle Grove, Iowa.
I like Young People better than any other paper we take. I am twelve years old. I have been to school three terms without being absent or tardy once. I would like to be a school-teacher when I am old enough.
I tried Edith L.'s recipe for cream-candy, and I thought it very nice.
There are a great many wild flowers here, both in the woods and on the prairies.
My brothers have been busy harvesting, but they always find time to read Young People.
Mary E. P.
Niagara Falls, New York.
I am so much interested to read of the pets that are often written about in the Post-office Box that I thought the other children might feel the same interest in mine. I have two kittens—a white one named Julius Cæsar, and a gray one named Spitz, because it spits at everybody who comes near it. I also have three little chickens named Bud, Blossom, and Cherry. They have no mother, and I am bringing them up by hand. They run after me every time I go near their box, and sometimes they seem to think Julius Cæsar is their mother, and they try to cuddle in his fur.
Carl E. T.
Houston, Texas.
My papa takes Young People for me, and I am so happy when it comes. Every Saturday, when papa gets off from the street car, I run out to meet him, and I say, "Papa, have you got Harper's Young People?"
I have a pet pigeon with a red breast, a pussy, and a little brown calf. I had two beautiful chickens, but they died. I am seven years old.
Lottie S.
Mona Lake, Michigan.
My home is at Allegan, but now we are staying at this beautiful lake. It is only a station on the Grand Haven Railroad, and nobody lives here except the station-master and one or two others, besides those who are camping out. Most of the people live in tents, but we live in a house.
I think Mona Lake is a beautiful place. There are picnics here almost every day. The chief attractions are boating, fishing, bathing, and the well of mineral water, which is said to be very fine. The lake itself is about seven miles long, and where we live it is about a quarter of a mile wide. It was named after my sister Mona, who was named after Castle Mona, in the Isle of Man. Papa has the American flag on a flag-staff on our house, and the Manx flag, with the three legs, on a pole set in the ground.
Pickerel, bass, cat-fish, sunfish, and perch are caught here. Pa caught a cat-fish that weighed fifteen pounds.
There are two camps here now. They are called "Kat-fish Kamp" and "Camp Toodle La." The last one is named after a song they sing here a good deal. It begins,
"Gentleman frog lived in the spring,
Toodle la! toodle la!"
Eddie S. C. M.
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
I have taken Young People from the first number, and I like it very much. I think the Post-office Box is splendid. I have read the letter from Jennie Anderson, and should like to hear more about her home in India.
We have three canaries, and one of them is almost as old as I am. I am fourteen.
Emma K. G.
New Orleans, Louisiana.
I have four dolls. Their names are Bertha, Fanny, Juliette, and Rosy. Bertha has beautiful black hair, and Fanny has golden hair.
I, too, go very often to Spanish Fort. We had a little canary. It was a beautiful singer. But one day my aunt left the door open when she cleaned the cage, and it flew away, and never has been found. I am ten years old, and I have been to England, France, and Germany.
Louisa D.
I would like to exchange postage stamps with any correspondent of Young People.
Willie H. Scherzer,
523 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
I am collecting different kinds of seeds, and I would like to exchange with any correspondents of your valuable paper. I have verbenas, forget-me-nots, four-o'clocks (red, white, and yellow), cypress, tropæolum, and other kinds.
C. D. K.,
490 Fifth Street, Louisville, Kentucky.
I will exchange postage stamps with any foreign readers of Young People. I have several rare stamps.
E. M. Van Cleve,
Hillsborough, Highland County, Ohio.
Harper's Young People is a splendid paper. I would advise every one to take it.
I would like to exchange birds' eggs with some correspondent. To any one sending me ten eggs I will send ten in return.
J. F. Wells,
Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada.
A Constant Reader.—During early colonial times both Indians and negroes were held as slaves in Massachusetts, and advertisements of negroes for sale were common in the Boston News Letter and other publications of the day. Ship-loads of fresh importations of negroes were constantly arriving from the African coast. Meanwhile the feeling against slavery was steadily gaining ground, and much public discussion on the subject took place. The exact date of the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts is a disputed point, but it is generally conceded to have legally taken place at the time of the adoption of the State Constitution in 1780, although advertisements of slave property for sale appear in the newspapers of a later date. In 1788 the Legislature of Massachusetts passed an act to prevent the slave-trade, inflicting a heavy fine upon any citizen of the commonwealth who should import, transport, buy, or sell any of the inhabitants of Africa as slaves, or fit out vessels to be employed in the traffic.
Public feeling was for a long time hostile to the negro race, and during the early part of the present century "blacks" were repeatedly warned to depart out of the commonwealth, the pretext being to avoid the increase of a pauper population, "which threatened to become both injurious and burdensome."
C. S. M.—About what animal do you desire to know the habits? You left your sentence unfinished.
Alice P.—Turtles prefer bits of meat and insects to bread-crumbs. If you read former numbers of Our Post-office Box carefully, you will find directions for feeding all kinds of turtles.
Camille B.—The poem by your little sick friend is very pretty, but we can not make room for it.
Pearl A. H.—Your story is very pretty, but comes too late for publication.—You must send to the address of the advertiser for the catalogue you wish.
J. L. Toppin.—Directions for building a canvas canoe were given in Young People No. 26. There is an interesting paper entitled "The Cruising Canoe and its Outfit" in Harper's Magazine for August, 1880, which will also give you much useful information.
Favors are acknowledged from Charles G. R., William Mullen, "Mars," Edwin J. Prindle, W. Clarence J., Louis H., John R. Glen, Nellie, Mary and Cora Wright, Katie and K. T., Etta G. D., Fannie E. C., T. Ellis, Susie A. M., Camilla A. M., Louise S., Mary Hartwell, Ivy Hamilton.
Correct answers to puzzles are received from "Evening Star," Samuel R. Hayter, K. T. W., F. B. W., Nettie and Lottie Marshall, Camille Benson, Charles L. Hupf, "Buttercup," Eddie A. Leet, Mary E. N., Gracie Kelley, John Brooke, Willie Hargest, Clara Jaquith, T. J. Anderson, Minnie H. Ingham, M. P. Martin, W. S. Dodge, Mattie P., Etta M. Gilbreath, Wilfrid H. Warner, Edward L. Hunt, "Western Star," Charles Stewart.
PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.
No. 1.
ENIGMA.
My first is in vein, but not in hand.
My second is in waist, but not in band.
My third is in queer, but not in funny.
My fourth is in sugar, but not in honey.
My fifth is in train, but not in car.
My sixth is in moon, but not in star.
My seventh is in wheat, but not in rye.
My eighth is in cunning, but not in sly.
A tribe am I whose home is found
Where snow lies deep on the frozen ground.
W. G.