New York City.
Among the eager little ones who look anxiously for the coming of Harper's Young People is a brown-eyed little boy, three years old, named Carlos—called Carlie, for short. He knows all his letters, and recites some of the Mother Goose Melodies, and frequently makes funny speeches, sometimes to the great discomfort of his parents. While at the depot at Lockport waiting for a train, a very fleshy lady, weighing not less than two hundred and fifty pounds, came in, and very unfortunately seated herself next to Master Carlie and his mamma. He had been very naughty, and now wanted to make up with mamma. He said, "Please kiss me, won't you, mamma?" "No, no; I am displeased with you," replied she. He teased until she finally kissed him. But the kiss lacked warmth, and did not satisfy him, so he pleaded, "Kiss me again, mamma; give me a big kiss—one as big as—as that big fat lady," pointing his finger at her. Everybody present laughed heartily, except the "big fat lady," who failed to see the joke.
Another time he had been unusually trying all day long, and mamma was quite out of patience, and asked, "Carlie, why don't you be good? When papa comes home and I tell how you have behaved, it will make him have a pain in his heart." He looked up from his play, and said very seriously, "What makes you tell him, then?" His aunt, a very dignified, middle-aged lady, came to visit us, and of course all Carlie's accomplishments had to be shown off—the chief one being turning summersaults. After one or two failures, over he went and hurt himself against the bed. He rose rubbing his back, and looking very earnestly at his aunt, said, "Aunt Lydia, does it hurt your back when you turn summersaults?" He took it for granted she turned summersaults every day of her life, like himself. He occasionally tries to make rhymes (regardless of measure, however). One day he said, "One, two, three, a flea bit me;" and another time, in saying his letters, came to Y, said, "Y, y, y, what a smart boy am I." Every week mamma reads Harper's Young People to him, all the stories and letters, poetry, etc.; but that does not satisfy if I omit the advertisements, so they are read too. He is a queer little fellow.
"Mrs. California."
Gustavus W. S.—The editor would think it unfair to other exchangers to do what you propose.
Thanks to the little friends who have found arbutus, and sent it to us. The little boxes fairly smiled at us when opened, and the sweet shy perfume of the flowers was like a kiss from Spring herself.
Irene.—Messrs. Harper & Brothers have recently published a practical little volume entitled Money-Making for Ladies, by Ella Rodman Church. It gives many excellent suggestions to girls who, like yourself, are anxious to find some pleasant way of adding to their incomes.