C. Y. P. R. U.
A Boy's Grievance.—A boy of fourteen complains to us that his mother treats him as if he were a baby. He says she forbids his going to a certain safe and pleasant lake, to bathe or swim, and that she will not consent to his taking trips into the country with two friends of his own age, who are splendid fellows.
No doubt it seems to this lad that his mother is a little bit unreasonable. But she may have a strong feeling of terror about the deep waters of the lake which he thinks so safe, and if, as I judge from his note, he is really a kind and manly boy, he would prefer to go without the pleasure of swimming rather than make his mother anxious or uneasy about him.
Ladies are sometimes more timid than there is any need to be about places and things which boys and men consider entirely free from danger. Yet a gentleman always prefers to yield his own wishes rather than to let his mother or sister suffer from alarm.
As for the out-of-town trips, the mother's objection might be removed if the boys would get some older friend to go with them. It is always well to take the advice of mothers with regard to friends. Boys think they can choose wisely for themselves, but they are not able, as older persons are, to see just what companions are best for them. I do not think you would complain of home restraints if you remembered how much the dear mother has done for you all your life. No love is so unselfish as a mother's, and we can not prize it too highly.
Glens Falls, New York.
We live only nine miles from Lake George, where we go in the summer. There are many places of historical interest there. French Point, where we went last summer, used to be the camping-place of the French and Indians. I have an arrow-head from there, and a friend a spear-head. Opposite French Point, is Black Mountain, the highest mountain on the lake. Farther down is Sabbath-day Point, and Rogers's Slide, where the Rogers's Rock Hotel is. There you can take a carriage and go to Fort Ticonderoga. I have seen the oven and under-ground passage. Mamma has an old-fashioned cup with the fort on it. Recently, while digging for the foundation of a paper mill in the village, they found a cannon-ball and several other things. I almost feel acquainted with the Postmistress and the children that write to Young People.
Jessie L.
West Haven, Connecticut.
I enjoy reading your nice stories very much indeed, especially the stories written by Mr. Otis. My sister Bessie and I have five hens and one rooster. Dora is my hen. Year before last I was sick a little while. That same year Dora had some little chickens. Specky killed some, the other hens killed one, and the cats killed all the rest except two. One day papa carried me out to see them; only two came out. I supposed the others were in the coop. The first time I went to feed them I was taking out their usual amount of food, when my sister asked me what I was getting so much for. I did not know until then that there were only two left. I was nine years old last 22d of February. I have never written before, so please print this.
Mary E. C.
You poor darling! It was too bad so many chicks were killed.
St. Marys, Ontario, Canada.
I am a little boy seven years old. I do not go to school, but study at home. I can write a little, and read very well, and I read all about Jumbo, and I want to tell the little people a funny story about him. My auntie was in England, and when in the Zoological Gardens one day she saw Jumbo carrying many happy children about on his back. After a time she sat down on a bench with a lady, and had a biscuit in her hand. They had their faces close down over a book, to learn all about where to go. Presently it grew dark before them, and my auntie felt something strange touching her hand, and looking up, there stood Jumbo helping himself to the biscuit in her hand without any ceremony. My auntie says Jumbo had the bench all to himself without any delay. I like Harper's Young People so much! and watch for it every week.
Reggie R.
That was very "cute" in Jumbo.
Brooklyn, New York.
I am a little girl nine years old. I have taken Harper's Young People since last January. I like it very much, and always look forward to Tuesday with pleasure, for that is the day I receive it. Most little girls tell about their pets, but I have none, because I have lived all my life in hotels. I am more fond of my books than anything else. I have one that I should think many little girls would like to have; it is The History of the Bible Made Simple for Children, with three hundred beautiful pictures, and I like it ever so much.
Madeleine W.
Louisville, Ohio.
I am an Ohio boy fourteen years of age. On my last birthday my parents gave me a dollar and a half, and told me to make good use of it. I did so by subscribing for Harper's Young People. I find now that I could not have made a better use of it. My father is a physician, and I intend to be one also. I go to school every day, and in a few years expect to go to college.
I will now tell you of some of my pets. First of all are my dogs, of which I have two. The one I call Dash is a water-spaniel, brown in color, with a white breast, which I call his shirt bosom. The other one is a Gordon setter, whose name is Duke. He is two and a half feet high, and from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail he measures four and a half feet. He is my pony in the winter season, and enjoys hauling me as well as I enjoy being hauled. I often take both dogs to the creek. They are very good swimmers. I have one brother ten years old, and a sister eight. My brother says he will be a druggist. I the doctor, and he the druggist; won't that be nice? My father has a drug store, and I act as clerk for him during vacation. When we ask sister what she will be, she says she will be a mamma. I have a great many other pets besides my dogs, but will not write about them this time.
J. C. E. S.
We would call the attention of the C. Y. P. R. U. this week to the article on the "Steam-Engine," and to an interesting account by Eesung Eyliss of some little inhabitants of the feathered world, given under the title "Do Birds Know Their Old Homes?" Then Sherwood Ryse has some good advice to give the boys on the treatment of "Rabbits as Pets."
PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.
No. 1.
FOUR WORD SQUARES.
1.—1. Pertaining to the moon. 2. Custom. 3. Pertaining to the nose. 4. A precious stone. 5. To lease again.
Empire City.
2.—1. To scratch. 2. The top. 3. A kind of fungus. 4. Things which children like.
3.—1. A fruit. 2. To frost. 3. To obtain.
4.—1. The front. 2. A unit. 3. Clear profit.
Museum.