"Yes, sir, I have been offered large sums for Hector, but there isn't money enough to buy him."
A Capital Guessing Contest.
Here is something to set the Table guessing. All articles mentioned grow, and all are of the same general character, hence the expression in the last verse, "numerous family." The questions are, What general family is it? and what are each of the forty-three things indicated by the numbers? No prizes are offered in this contest, and you are not asked to send answers. The latter will be published in two weeks. The Table will have a prize-puzzle contest very soon.
Our pedigree is old and long.
Starred with familiar names;
Our family is popular,
And much of worth it claims.
'Tis needless to discriminate
Where all such merit claim;
We'll just describe our characters,
And you can guess each name.
I am the oldest one of all, (1)
And I, the silliest; (2)
I help to play a pleasant game, (3)
While I am just "non est." (4)
I drive a carriage, as you see; (5)
I sit upon the seat; (6)
I'm just a summer visitor; (7)
I exercise the feet. (8)
I furnish you a light at night, (9)
And I am very slow; (10)
But I am of a royal line, (11)
And we are white as snow. (12-13)
I cover o'er the cottage roof,
Supply you with a bed; (14)
We furnish men two kinds of drink; (15-16)
We're looked upon with dread. (17-18)
We bear the names of animals, (19-20)
And we have wings to fly; (21-22-23)
My home is in a swampy place, (24)
And I live in the sky. (25)
I beautify the landscape wide
In early morning hours; (26)
And I adorn the maiden fair,
Mayhap in bridal bowers. (27)
I wear the color of the sky, (28)
And I'm of Afric hue; (29)
I'm an unwelcome visitor,
Though very useful too. (30)
I oft have crowned the victor's brow; (31)
We always block the way; (32-33)
I always keep you in suspense, (34)
And I make winter gay. (35)
Called for a migratory bird,
I'm very sour, you see; (36)
While I am just the opposite,
And sweet as I can be. (37)
We bring good cheer at Christmas-time; (38-39)
We keep the household neat; (40-41)
And I, who try your temper some,
Am really very sweet. (42)
Of all our numerous family
We've mentioned just a few,
But call attention to one more,
The last—'tis simply you. (43)
Miss A. C. Banning.
Newport, R. I.
This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.