HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE.
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These jolly young people are Hessian,
Who say, "Let us have a procession;
And if 'Dress makes the man,'
Let us do what we can
To make a most pleasing impression."
[THROWING A LIGHT.]
BY E. M.
I am little, but powerful for both good and evil; in fact, I am one of the moving powers of the earth. Thousands of me can be contained in a small space, but I alone, of all my race, was famous and deserving of remembrance in history. I need a great deal of space to make even one of me; and as for history remembering me, I fulfill my purpose; my boundaries are torn down, no one would know I had ever existed, and indeed I am no loss. I can be replaced at the cost of a cent, some of me are worth many dollars, yet I require the outlay of time and strength rather than money. I was unique, a man both feared and loved, credited with being a trifle thrifty, yet one who did noble work, and my name is known wherever the English language is spoken. My master could not force me to comply with his wishes. I am nothing but dull earth, metal, or part of a bird; have no wishes, thoughts, or desires; yet a child or an invalid even can through means of me exert tremendous power.
I make or mar men's lives; I can't make or mar anything; I am only used as a sort of store-house; my precepts have weight to this day. I can be made to express anything—precepts worth remembering, and sayings that should never have had utterance. I am square or long, broad or narrow, pointed or dull; the bigger I am, the better; the smaller I am, the finer. I was of medium size, and used myself a great deal. I could not possibly use myself; am only a means, not an instrument; am neither means nor instrument—only exist. I died, and was regretted; yet can not die, not being animate. I was generally praised, though a late brilliant historian made very savage remarks about me; yet but for me that same brilliant historian would not have been. He probably never saw any of me in his life, yet I was his constant companion. Yellow, white, bronze, made of gold, silver, metal, and earth, yet I was, after all, a famous man, and the world's benefactor.
The Barrel Trap.—This most ingenious device possesses great advantages in its capabilities of securing an almost unlimited number of rats in quick succession. It also takes care of itself, requires no re-baiting or setting after once put in working order, and is sure death to its prisoners. A water-tight barrel is the first thing required. Into this pour water to the depth of a foot. Next dampen a piece of very thick paper, and stretch it over the top of the barrel, tying it securely below the upper hoops. When the paper dries, it will become thoroughly flat and tightened. Its surface should then be strewn with bits of cheese, etc., and the barrel so placed that the rats may jump upon it from some neighboring surface. As soon as the bait is gone, a fresh supply should be spread on the paper, and the same operation repeated for several days, until the rats get accustomed to visit the place for their regular rations fearlessly and without suspicion. The bait should again be spread as before, and a few pieces of the cheese should be attached to the paper with gum. It is a good plan to smear parts of the paper with gum-arabic, sprinkling the bait upon it. When dry, cut a cross in the middle of the paper, and leave the barrel to take care of itself and the rats. The first one comes along, spies the tempting morsels, and with his accustomed confidence jumps upon the paper. He suddenly finds himself in the water at the bottom of the barrel, and the paper above has closed, and is ready to practice its deception on the next comer. There is not long to wait. A second victim soon tumbles in to keep company with the first. A third and a fourth soon follow, and a dozen or more are sometimes thus entrapped in a very short space of time. It is a most excellent and simple trap. By some it is considered an improvement to place in the bottom of the barrel a large stone, which shall project above the water sufficiently to offer a foot-hold for one rat. The first victim, of course, takes possession of this retreat, and on the precipitate arrival of the second, a contest ensues for its occupancy. The hubbub which follows is said to attract all the rats in the neighborhood to the spot, and many are thus captured.
[CHARADE.]
My first is as bad as my second,
My second's as bad as can be;
My whole is the most famous sailor
That ever sailed over the sea.
When Johnnie's father asked him how he liked the new horse, he replied. "Oh, papa, he's real tame in front, but awful wild behind!" (He didn't see the boys behind the fence.)
VANITY.