They built a fort upon the shore,
With merry heedless din.
They never spied the evening tide
Was rolling, rolling in.
They made it firm and fast without,
They made it firm within.
But evermore along the shore
The tide was rolling in.
Without a fear they slept that night,
But when they went next day,
They found no sign, no stone, no line—
The fort was washed away.
'Tis ever so, my little men; you'll find it, one and all,
That forts, not only those of sand, are very apt to fall.
But if they fall, why, let them fall; away with doubt and dread,
And build again with might and main a better fort instead.
Sanbornton, New Hampshire.
My dear Postmistress,—I was so glad to see your kind answer to my letter in the C. Y. P. R. U. Perhaps you don't remember me, but I am the girl who was reading so many exciting novels, and you kindly suggested more solid and less exciting reading. Mamma said the same things you did, and disliked to have me read so many love stories, but I was so fond of them. Now I am not reading any of them. The only novel I have read for ever so long is one, by Auerbach, called Edelweiss, and it is a lovely book, I think, and so does mamma, but really I don't care so much about reading when here in the country as I did in Worcester, for there are so many other things to take my attention.
We are at the old homestead, where papa used to live when he was a little boy, and there are such lovely walks and drives all about here. A few days ago I ascended my first mountain. Papa and I drove to the first pair of "bars" on the mountain-road, and tied the horse there, and then we climbed the mountain (Mount Atkinson). It was a long hard climb, but the view when we reached the top paid for all our trouble. We could see blue Lake Winnipiseogee in the distance, and on our left was Mount Lafayette, with little Victory Mountain, close beside it. Further east was Chicorowa, Passaconoway, off in the east the Unconoonocks, and then came Monadnock, and even our Worcester mountain, Wachusett, besides a great many others whose names I can not remember.
After we had staid on the summit some time enjoying the beautiful view, we came down, found Leonard (the horse), and drove home. It was a beautiful ride, and we appreciated it after our toil. This afternoon I shall take Leonard, and drive over to the post-office, about two miles away. When it is too warm to walk or ride, I lie in the hammock and read. Isn't Butcher and Lang's translation of the Odyssey beautiful? But I must close this long letter.
We children have our dear Young People forwarded to us here, and we enjoy it so much.
I was very much interested in the beautiful picture and interesting account of St. Elizabeth in the last Young People. I had heard the legend of St. Elizabeth and the Roses before, and think it is a charming story. I never saw a paper with such beautiful pictures in it as Harper's Young People has; and I especially like W. A. Rogers's pictures, because he illustrated dear "Toby Tyler." But, dear Postmistress, I must stop, and I really think I like oth er things besides novels a great deal better than I used to.
Olive R.
It is very pleasant, indeed, to receive such a letter as this, and to find that one's advice has been so willingly taken. You were well repaid, dear, for your trouble in climbing the mountain. Yes, you may send your exchange again.
N. R. and L. D. M.—When you and your friend are walking together, it is polite for both to lift your hats to a lady with whom only one is acquainted. If you meet a lady with whom you are only slightly acquainted, you should wait for her to bow first. In performing an introduction, name the lady first, in this way. "Miss ——, may I present Mr. ——?"
As for the causes of the war between Egypt and England, it would take a far more learned personage than the Postmistress to make it plain to you. The principal cause seems to be that through the Suez Canal lies the highway to England's immense possessions in India, and England can not afford to let Egypt shut up or barricade this path. You and other young gentlemen who are interested in this war should read the daily and weekly newspapers carefully, and listen to the conversation of intelligent men who have studied the question.