Oh, Harvie boy, you shouldn't bet, especially when you bet so foolishly. Rena's letter is "copied" right here by the types, and now we shall be expecting, one of these days, another letter from Rena's brother.
Keokuk, Iowa.
I am a little girl almost six years and a half old. I think Young People is the nicest paper published. Papa and auntie have read every number to me since the first. My dear mamma is in heaven, and I live at grandpa's with my auntie. Papa comes to see me three times a day, and every Friday he stays all night with me. Young People comes that night, and papa reads it to me. I think Jimmy Brown's stories are so funny. I liked "Lady Rags" so much! Then I thought I would try and help the poor, too. The Christmas number was very nice! After I read my paper I send it out to my grandma in the country; they have no little children there, but they like it ever so much. I have the nicest play-house; it is built out in the yard, is furnished like a big house, and will hold six or eight grown people. I have so many dolls that I can not tell you all about them. Yesterday I felt so badly! I took my newest doll out to walk; it was a gentleman, and I called it Frank, after my papa. I let it fall, and broke its head all to pieces. But papa got me another right away, just like the first. I have a kitty named after Toby Tyler. I do not go to school, but I study at home. I can spell very well, and print, but can not write yet, so my auntie is writing this for me. We read all the letters in Young People, and like them very much. I sometimes see the names of those who send money for the Young People's Cot; if I knew how to send it, I would send some also. I am getting a collection of picture cards. I have over four hundred now. Will you please publish this, for I have never seen a letter from Keokuk.
Lulu W.
We are glad you have a kind auntie and a dear loving father and grandma, since God has taken your mamma to live in the home above. About sending money to Young People's Cot, it is very simple. You need merely write a little letter, inclose your money, and address it to Miss E. Augusta Fanshawe, 43 New Street, New York city. This lady is Treasurer of the Cot Fund, and she will duly acknowledge all the money received by her, whether the amount be large or small.
How nice it was that your papa was able to buy a new head for his namesake so soon! Now if we should fall and break our heads, we could not get new ones so easily.
Charlotte, North Carolina.
I have a black-and-tan dog; his name is Bismarck—for short, Bis. I think he is beautiful—short, stubby, bandy-legged, and very fat, and wobbles when he runs. Papa got him for a pure-blooded rat terrier, but I do not think him very pure. Will B. and Willie S. caught a mouse and put it in a dry-goods box, and put Bis in with the mouse. The mouse ran all over Bis, and Bis would not touch it. So one held Bis's mouth open, and the other caught the mouse with the tongs and put it into Bis's mouth. Bis caught the mouse in his teeth, but was careful not to hurt it. It is dinner-time now, and I will close my letter.