[to be continued.]
WILD BABES OF THE WOOD.—Drawn by Daniel C. Beard.
Yelm, Thurston County, Washington Territory.
I am a little boy not quite seven years old. I can read Young People, and have been a subscriber to it since the nineteenth number. I am delighted with it, and, as I told my papa to-day, wish it were a daily paper. I too like "Toby Tyler" and "Phil's Fairies" best of all the stories, though I am interested in everything in it, especially the Post-office Box. Although I can read Young People quite well, I can not write, so I have got my papa to write this for me.
My home is on the Yelm, the Indian name for a beautiful prairie in Washington Territory. From our house we have a splendid view of the Cascade Range; and of its grand snow peak, Mount Rainier. It is forty miles distant "as the crow flies," yet so clear and pure is the atmosphere (except in our "rainy season") it seems scarcely a third of that distance from the observer looking at it, for the first time. Rainier was no doubt once an active volcano. Several years ago two adventurous travellers climbed to the summit, and spent a night there, having been unable to ascend and return to the base of the mountain in one day. They found an ancient crater, and warmed their benumbed limbs by the small jets of hot vapor they found rising from one side of the crater. Smoke and steam are sometimes seen rising from the summit, and this has occurred quite frequently during the present season. After rising some distance above the summit, the vapor condenses partially sometimes, and forms a great cloud that for a time conceals the summit; at other times the vapor hangs above the mountain-top like an immense inverted bowl or Chinese hat; and again it is blown rapidly away by strong winds. My papa calls Rainier a great, natural barometer, as when it emits vapor that condenses in clouds about its summit it almost surely indicates "falling weather" within two or three days. The Indian name for Rainier is Tach-hōma, the meaning of which I do not know. Some of the Indians are very superstitious about Rainier—will not hunt the mountain sheep far up the snow-line, and think its summit is the abode of an evil spirit.
I would like to inform the little boy in Ohio who boasted of his early chickens, hatched March 28, and Fred D. M., of New York, whose ten chickens were hatched on the 11th of March, that I have a hen that hatched twelve chickens on the 21st of January. I raised them all, and the pullets (Cochins) are now—June 2—almost as large as common hens. The little chicks sometimes scampered over the snow-crust in February when wandering from their home in the wood-shed.
I do not know whether Mr. Editor will think my letter worthy a place in the Post-office Box, but I have derived so much pleasure from what I have each week read there that I felt like attempting something for its columns.
Harry S. V. T.
Colchester, Vermont.
I go to school, and we have an exercise of spelling the school down. We also speak pieces. I have been at school four terms, and have not missed a day. I like Young People very much. I think "Toby Tyler," "Mildred's Bargain," and "Susie Kingman's Decision" all just splendid. I live on a farm a little way from Lake Champlain, and it is very pleasant here. We went boating a few weeks ago. My little cousin, two years old, was up from Burlington, and she thought it a treat to play in the sand and water. I have a little sister who is seven years old, and I am nine.
C. S. F.
Raleigh, North Carolina.
I have one bound volume of Young People with my name on it. The next is to be sister's. We have read almost all the stories, but I have not read any that I liked so well as "Toby Tyler." I want to see the end of "The Cruise of the 'Ghost.'"
I have a little fox. He will eat almost anything, but prefers raw lamb. I love him dearly. He follows me around. I am nine years old.
George H. H.
Brunswick, New York.
I do not take Harper's Young People, but my cousin, who is making a long visit here, does, and I like it very much. I want to tell you about a dog I had last summer. As soon as you began to scold him, he would sit down and look up at you so pitifully, and put first one paw up and then the other, as though he were begging you to stop. His name was Sam, and he was such a good dog! He is dead now. I am eleven years old, and I have a cat that is ten, and looks just like a tiger. I hope you will print this, for I have never seen any of my letters in print. Please tell me if you let others than subscribers write and send "Wiggles."
Daisy.
All little readers, whether they are subscribers or not, may send "Wiggles," and write to the Post-office Box.
Athens, Alabama.
I have never written very many letters, but then I am only eight years old. When my grandfather was in Washington as a Senator, my letters were a source of great amusement to him, and he made a very prompt correspondent. The story of "Toby Tyler" was a fine thing. I was sorry when it ended. I have a lot of pets, and a splendid little garden that I cultivate myself. Tom McClellan, my cousin and constant companion, has gone to the country, and I am lonesome. My pony's name is Ribbon. I have six geese, fifteen chickens, and one pig. My dog is dead. I am your champion friend.
Willie S. P.
Lebanon, Missouri.
I am a little girl eight years old. My sister and I have taken Harper's Young People ever since the eighth number was printed, and we like it very much. Our school closed last week with an exhibition. We had a piece called the "Union Tea Party." Columbia, Uncle Sam, and Brother Jonathan received the States, Territories, and Boys from the West. All were dressed in costume, each wearing a sash with the name of the State upon it, and carrying a flag. Each brought an offering to Mother Columbia. My sister, dressed as a Quaker, was Pennsylvania, and I was Rhode Island, and dressed like a Dutch girl.
The fourteen-year locusts are here, and I wish you could listen to them calling "Phar-a-oh! Phar-a-oh!" It sounds as if a thousand toads were singing all at once.
Papa magnified some of the eggs, and they looked larger than grains of rice. He covered one of his fine trees with mosquito net to keep them from it.
I have caught some locusts, and if any of the readers of Young People want a pair, I will send them, if they will give me something in return from their home. I send the editor a little box with some split twigs and two locusts in it.
Netta Serl.
Crow Agency, Montana Territory.
I have taken Young People ever since it was published. My aunt Georgia sends it to me from my old home in Columbus, Ohio. I like "Toby Tyler" the best of all the stories yet. My papa is the physician here, and when the camp is in, there are about thirty-five hundred Indians here. It was as good as a circus to see the Indians receive their annuities, May 11. On this occasion you might see three Indians riding the same pony; and some chiefs would tell of their brave deeds, such as killing a Sioux, or stealing horses from their enemies. The other day I saw a young bear at the trader's store; one of the Indians had brought him in. The Crows call my papa Ech-bar-rei, which means Doctor. I often play ball with the little Indians. There are six white children at this agency besides myself. We see the mountains covered with snow the year around.
Harry W.
We hope the boys who have no little Indians to play ball with will try not to be envious of Harry.
Danville, Illinois.
I saw in Young People that there is a prospect of a Natural History Society. I am very much in favor of this, and I hope it will succeed. I would like to know if those who do not take Young People can become members. I have a friend who does not take it, but she reads mine whenever she comes to see me, which visit occurs every other evening, I going to see her on other days. If the society is formed, every member should possess a book on natural history; also, if the reports were printed in a special department, it would be very nice.
Gracie B.
Evans' Mills, New York.
I am in favor of having a Natural History Society, not to contain more than one hundred members, none to be admitted under ten or over fifteen. I think there should be no initiation fee, but members should pay ten cents each month for the purpose of buying books. I have a book which treats of animals, birds, insects, and fish.
Madison C., Jun.
Bremen, Indiana.
I am in favor of the Natural History Society proposed in No. 83 of Harper's Young People, but I have no suggestions to make. I will be very glad to hear from others on the subject.
Eddie M. W.
Winona, Minnesota.
I was very much pleased with the letter from the president of the Young Chemists' Club. I am interested in entomology, and I hope that the readers of Young People will organize a Natural History Society. I propose the following plan. Let a number of boys and girls living in the same neighborhood meet together, adopt a constitution, and elect officers. Each society thus formed might send its address to the editor of Harper's Young People, and as he is a very obliging gentleman, I think he would publish them for us.
C. E. P.
Warwick, Pennsylvania.
I think the idea advanced by Charles H. Williamson is a splendid one, and in so widely circulated a publication as Young People, correspondence could be obtained from all parts of the world, and a great deal of useful knowledge might be gained.
E. G. K.
Newark, New Jersey.
Seeing Master Charles H. Williamson's letter with reference to forming a Natural History Society, in No. 83 of Harper's Young People, I beg leave to offer my opinion to him with regard to the same.
I think that it would be a very good thing, and I also think that a great deal of interest would be taken in it. I hope that it will prove successful.
Perry W.
The letters we print in reply to Charles H. Williamson's proposal in Our Post-office Box No. 83, show that his idea meets with general approval. The boys and girls think they will enjoy the study of nature. The summer vacation will give a famous opportunity for using eyes and ears out-of-doors, and so we recommend that the society be organized at once.
Let it be called "The Young People's Natural History Society," having its head bureau of information in Our Post-Office Box.
All boys and girls over ten and under fifteen may be allowed to join it, provided only that they are readers of this paper. The number shall not be limited.
For convenience' sake, we will imagine that the editor of Young People is in the chair. The chair in this case assumes what is called the appointing power. He will appoint Charles H. Williamson, Brooklyn, E. D., N. Y., who was the original mover in the matter, president of the society.
Branches may be formed in any city, town, or village where there are intelligent boys and girls.
No initiation fee shall be charged, and no money shall be paid for any purpose whatever. Owners of books about natural history may take them to the club meetings, which ought to be held once a fortnight, at a designated time and place.
The only officers necessary to a good organization shall be a president and a secretary. It is always a good plan to have as few officers as possible in such societies as these.
It shall be the duty of members to find out all they can about the special department of natural history pursued by their branch. Of course their studies must depend somewhat upon the place where they live, whether inland or by the sea, in a warm or cold climate, etc.
Books are very helpful, but we advise you to try to discover facts through your own observation.
On the first Monday of every month the various secretaries may send reports to Our Post-office Box, telling what they have done. Please tell the name of your president in the first report you send.
If difficulties arise, they will be adjusted by President Williamson; and if any questions are too perplexing for him to settle, he may refer them to the Editor, who will of course remain in the chair.
The following exchanges are offered by correspondents:
A history of Montreal, two colored pictures of the city, and a picture of the American Falls, and a pantograph, with full directions for enlarging pictures, for a foot-power scroll-saw. Please write to arrange exchange.
Clarence Marsh,
392 North La Salle St., Chicago, Ill.
Soil and stones of Ohio, for the same of any other State.
Kittie G. Matchette,
P. O. Box 103, Greenville, Darke Co., Ohio.
Chinese coins, for foreign and United States postage stamps. An ounce of soil from California, for the same from any other State.
E. R. Manzy,
Lock Box 19, Bloomfield, Sonoma Co., Cal.
Rare minerals, books, sea-shells, pressed flowers, and flower seeds, for rare foreign stamps, fossils, old coins, or Indian arrow-heads or pottery. Offers of exchange for a magic lantern solicited.
John McKeever,
212 East 113th St., New York City.
Solid lead ore, for foreign stamps (no duplicates).
Joe S. McKnight,
Care of Pennsylvania Vaccine Company,
Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn.
Foreign and United States stamps and postmarks, for old coins or stamps. Nicaragua stamps especially desired.
George W. McFarland,
121 Stockton St., Trenton, N. J.
Twenty-five foreign stamps, for an Indian arrow-head and a few good United States stamps. Old issues of 2-cent stamps especially desired.
Thomas F. Manahan,
P. O. Box 388, New York City.
Ten foreign stamps, for one foreign coin.
Charles H. Osler,
Mechanicstown, Frederick Co., Md.
Stamps from Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Holland, England, Belgium, and a few other countries, for stamps from other countries than those above named. Please exchange several stamps at a time.
Douglass D. Moore,
Care of Tom Moore,
Livingston, Polk Co., Texas.
A piece of wood from the "Drake" well, the first oil well ever put down, for Indian relics, ocean curiosities, minerals, rare stamps, or anything suitable for a museum.
Frank McFarland,
Titusville, Penn.
Foreign stamps, for old coins.
Robert Noble, 221 North Twelfth St.,
Richmond, Wayne Co., Ind.
Minerals, moss, and flower seeds, for a bracket-saw or an Indian bow and arrows. Please write before sending any package.
C. H. Nichols,
Cumming, Forsyth Co., Ga.
Postmarks, for minerals. Pressed ferns from Illinois, for ocean curiosities.
Winnie Needles and Bertie Ellis,
Nashville, Washington Co., Ill.
Insects, postmarks, foreign stamps, stones from Indiana, small shells from White River, different kinds of woods, and flints from Texas, for foreign coins, sea-shells, and all kinds of curiosities. African, Asiatic, and South and Central American coins especially desired.
Charles E. Oldacre,
P. O. Box 341, Noblesville, Hamilton Co., Ind.
Ten United States postmarks and a rattlesnake rattle, for any kind of ore except gold. Soil from Nebraska, for ocean curiosities.
Lee O'Donnell,
St. Edward, Boone Co., Neb.
Rare stamps, for stamps and coins. Please send list before exchanging.
Henry Maetzel,
49 West Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.
Moss, for sea-shells.
Mary J. Mansfield, Merrill, Powell Co., Ky.
Sand of eight different colors from Minnehaha Falls, put up separately in bottles, for foreign stamps, ocean curiosities, Indian arrow-heads or relics, minerals, woods, or anything pretty and curious.
Burtie W. McCracken,
1016 Western Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn.
I will exchange rare postage stamps, coins, or good books nicely bound, for a genuine Indian bow and arrow, a genuine Indian tomahawk, or Indian relics. Please state, when you send, what you want in return.
C. Hall,
318 West Thirty-third St., New York City.
I will exchange a printing-press and complete outfit, for a magic lantern and slides, or a foot-power fret-saw.
W. T. Demarest,
106 Varick St., New York City.
Spanish and Florida moss, for stones from Europe, Asia, or Africa. A few stones from Lake Erie, to exchange for same from other lakes or rivers; and stones from New York, for same from other States and Territories. A foreign coin, for an American newspaper printed previous to 1830; also old American coins, for others. Please send postal describing coin before sending the coin itself.
H. F. Kerr, 164 State St., Auburn, N. Y.
I will exchange foreign or domestic stamps with any other collector.
Willie A. Rudd,
330 Evergreen Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Twenty-five foreign stamps, for a United States 5-cent newspaper stamp; fifty, for a 10-cent newspaper; 100, for a 25-cent newspaper. No duplicates given.
Edward I. Tibbitts, Sedalia, Mo.
Ocean curiosities and shells from South America, for any curiosities valuable for a museum.
John Tscharner,
P. O. Box 3, Okawville, Washington Co., Ill.
[For other exchanges, see third page of cover.]
Julia F. Ehrman, Lillian E. Adams, and Walter C. Boult withdraw their names from the exchange list.
Constant Reader, and Others.—Asa Gray's Botany, Springer's Forest Life, Browne's Trees of America, Ingersoll's Friends Worth Knowing, and Rennie's works on Natural History (three volumes, on Birds, Elephants, and Quadrupeds), will prove useful to you. These books are published by Harper & Brothers.
Sam D.—Gillespie's work on surveying will probably meet your need.
F. A. L.—Red Ink.—Boil two ounces of Brazil-wood, half an ounce of alum, half an ounce of crystals of tartar, in sixteen ounces of pure water till the water is reduced one-half. Dissolve in the strained liquor half an ounce of gum-arabic, and add one and a half drams of cochineal powder digested in one and a half ounces of alcohol. This will make a beautiful, permanent ink. But if you prefer, you may take this somewhat easier way: Dissolve an ounce of cochineal powder in half a pint of hot water. When cold, add a quart of spirits of hartshorn. Dilute with three ounces of water. Let it stand a few days, and then pour off the clear liquid.
Interested Friend.—Gordon's Electricity and Magnetism, the last edition of Ganot's Physics, Deschand's Physics, and Guthrie's Electricity and Magnetism can be comprehended by the ordinary high-school boy. The school text-books on natural philosophy, as, for instance, Cooley's New Natural Philosophy, give much that is easily understood.
Humpty Dumpty.—The earliest posts for carrying letters between Brussels and Vienna were established in 1516 by Franz, Prince of Thurn und Taxis. His descendants enjoyed the monopoly until 1806, on the dissolution of the German Empire. The present Prince has a palace in Ratisbon, a very ancient city of Bavaria. It is sixty-nine miles north of Munich, on the right bank of the Danube. Its cathedral was founded in 1275, and completed in 1875. The abbey of St. Emmerau, the patron saint of the city, was enlarged by Charlemagne. In the rear of his palace the Prince of Thurn und Taxis can see a monument to Kepler, the astronomer, whose remains lie in the Protestant burial-ground.
E. T.—First Bishop of Liverpool.—The diocese of Liverpool was recently formed mainly out of Chester. Its bishop is the Rev. John Charles Ryle, D.D. He was nominated by Lord Beaconsfield, and was consecrated in 1880. He is known as the author of some excellent books of a devotional tendency, and as a commentator on the Gospels.
Count No Account.—The address for which you inquire was published in the Post-office Box, No. 82, Harper's Young People.