Sophia R. (aged seven.)
That was a very ambitious rat, little Sophie. It was just as well the rat babies did not live; they would have been very troublesome pets. Do you ever forget to come home to dinner when you are waiting for the trout to bite? That is what a little friend of mine does sometimes.
Montclair, New Jersey.
I want to tell you about my pets. In the first place, we have two canaries; mine is Dick, and Dandy belongs to my brother Willie. Dicky was bought for me, but Dandy came to us. One Sunday morning papa was reading, and Dicky hung on the piazza. We suddenly heard two canaries singing, and looking to see what was the matter, we saw a strange bird eating Dick's seed. He was willing to be caught, and papa gave him to Willie. Dick and he sing together a great deal now. Dick was once carried down into the cellar in the mouth of Henry, our cat, who laid him on the coal-bin, and was just preparing to eat him when the girl came down and took him up-stairs. We did have a mocking-bird too—his name was Jack—but he died. A horrid cat came in one dark night and frightened poor Jackie to death. Another pet is a dog, whom we call Chaucer. He is five years of age, and we have had him since he was two weeks old.
Effie E. H.
What a good thing the birdie was rescued in time from the clutch of Madame Puss, who can not help being a hunter, as it is her nature.
Pensacola, Florida.
I am a little boy nine years old. I like to read about Mr. Stubbs's Brother, and I watch every week for Young People to come. I have two dear sisters. Mary, aged five, who is in Jacksonville with our grandma, and Ethel, who is the sweetest and the prettiest baby in the State. My papa is the principal of the High School here. I am going to take lessons on the piano from my mamma this summer. It is nice to walk down to our lovely bay, and see it full of ships from all countries.