A VISIT TO FORT PICKENS.
I will first tell where Fort Pickens is. It is on Santa Rosa Island. The island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola Bay, and is a large uninhabited island. On the 25th of May the Presbyterian Sabbath-school from Pensacola gave a picnic. We left the wharf for Fort Pickens about half past nine. We had a very nice time going over; we played games and talked all the way over. We arrived at the Fort at about ten or half past ten o'clock. As soon as we had landed, we went right to the Fort, where we staid for about half an hour resting, after which we walked through the Fort. We then went back to where our parasols and baskets were. We got our parasols, and started with a few other girls and boys to walk round the parapets of the forts. A few boys and girls went over to the Gulf to gather shells, but it was so warm that I thought it best to wait until afternoon before I went over to the Gulf. About twelve o'clock we went into one of the large, cool case-mates and danced and decorated our hats with ferns and wild flowers gathered inside the Fort. At one o'clock we had dinner, which we enjoyed very much. We had everything necessary to eat at a picnic. After dinner we spent the time until half past two much the same as in the morning. At half past two a crowd of ladies, gentlemen, and children went over in a sail-boat to Barrancas to visit the light-house. I did not go over with them for fear of getting seasick. After I had seen the boat leave the wharf I went back to the Fort, where I met several girls who were going over to the Gulf. I went with them. When we got over to the Gulf we pulled off our shoes and stockings and went in wading. When tired of that we walked up the beach gathering shells, until we thought it time to go back to the Fort. After a sail on the Gulf we returned to Pensacola, and arrived there about half past six. We were very tired.
Nannie L. W.
Washington, D.C.
I am a little girl six years old. I have no brother nor sister, but have as many as six dolls. Fanny is nearly as old as I am. Her nose is almost flat. I keep Etta dressed all up pretty. Santa Claus has had two big books made with my Harper's Young People. I hope he won't forget to call for them again this year. I have taken them every one. I have a blackboard; I print, and can add and take away. I am in the Second-Reader. Mamma and I are going to Maine next month to stay till it is real cool here. There we go out fishing. We pick blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries. I have four little cousins who go from here. We all have the same grandpa and grandma. We ride on the hay, and dig clams. Papa will go down to bring us home. Every Tuesday night he reads me the stories from Harper's Young People. I like the letters very much, and everything in them. When papa sees a letter from his little girl, he will open his eyes. I have never been to school. I think Toby Tyler is just as nice as any other of my friends. I am wondering if you will have room for this in my Harper's Young People; it is a very long letter.
One of your little girls, Olive E. B.
Thank you, dear, for printing your letter so beautifully.
Hartford, Connecticut.
An amusing game which I have seen played is the following: Take four handkerchiefs and tie them like dolls, to represent four persons; then tie a thread to each, and put them (the threads) over the chandelier, and give each thread to a person, who must try to conceal himself behind a door or something else; and then, while some one plays on the piano, those who have the threads keep them jerking, letting the dolls hang so that they come down to the floor. If well done, it is quite a good representation of dancing.
S.
Lexington, Kentucky.
As I have not seen a letter from Lexington, I thought I would write one. I have two little puppies; one is named Sport, and the other Preston. I have a hen, and she lays eggs. I have a little brother, and he is named Hugh. He has two kittens; one is a Maltese, and one a common cat. I can ride a bicycle, and last year I took the certificate at the fair for good riding.
E. Sayre C.
Waukesha, Wisconsin.
I am twelve years old, and have taken the Young People from the beginning. I like it very much; I can hardly wait a week for it to come, because the continued stories all leave off in such interesting places.
I haven't any pets to tell you about, for they all died. I had five cats, a mother and four little ones, and some one killed the mother, and two little dwarfs, as I called them, had to be drowned, because they could not live without her; then one of the remaining two fell into the well and drowned itself, and the horse stepped on the other one; so that is the fate of my five cats.
My mamma, papa, and little brother have all been to California, and left me here with some friends; they were gone nearly a year, and sometimes I felt very lonesome. My brother is ten years old, and we have a nice big yard to play in. My brother's name is Earle, and we both like "Mr. Stubbs's Brother" very much.
Winnie W.
Admirer.—Newfoundland is pronounced with the accent on the first syllable. I do not know who wrote the exercise in alliteration which you mention. It is clever, but you could no doubt compose an equally excellent one yourself. Whether to use plain or ornamental note-paper is a matter to be decided by your own taste. The exquisite little butterfly painted by yourself in the corner of your sheet is a decided addition to the beauty of your letter. I would not waste such decorations on an envelope, however, as that has to pass through many hands, and is less private than the inclosure.
Violet S.—Your teacher has discovered a very pleasant way of teaching her pupils how to write compositions. Although most schools are now taking their summer recess, I will state her method. She takes ten words from a lesson which the girls have recently studied, and writes them on the blackboard, after which she gives them fifteen minutes with their slates and pencils. At the end of fifteen minutes each is asked for her composition.
The smallest black-and-tan terrier in the world is supposed to belong to a lady in Chicago. It weighs from a pound to a pound and a half. Its skin is like the finest silk, its eyes project like marbles, its legs resemble lead-pencils, and its feet are the most perfect and curious things alive. It reposes in a basket lined with gold and cardinal satin, wears a collar studded with diamonds and emeralds, with "Baby Mine," its pet name, on a gold plate tipped with a gold bell, and is fed from a saucer of Dresden china.
Bettie.—Keep powdered borax on your wash-stand, and use it when washing your hands; it will make them soft and white. Lemon juice is also good to whiten the hands. But the Postmistress does not object to a healthy brown color in summer either on hands or face.