We are very sorry that you and Joe have the whooping-cough. It is one of the few things it is right to be very selfish about. You must be ever so careful not to give any of it away, you know, and that's why you have to stay at home from school. One comfort is that next winter your mamma will say, "I am not afraid of whooping-cough any more, for my boys have had it." At least she will not be afraid of your having it very severely again. Perhaps some of the little correspondents will send you a name for Madame Puss. We think Mouser is as good as any. Is it difficult to set type?
Nachitoches, Louisiana.
I have been going to school ever since the new year began. Our teacher is good; she has twelve scholars. We are doing very well. I read all of the letters in the Post-office Box, and I thought I would write to you. I have a horse and gun, and go hunting very often. The river runs right in front of our house, and the ducks are plentiful. Recently my brother and I went hunting, and brought home a good many ducks. I have three brothers and one sister. She is just learning her letters. I think she is anxious to learn. Our teacher has a little book in which she marks off our lessons. She has a page which she calls the Black List. She has not marked me yet, and I am not going to get on that list. I spent my Christmas holidays at home. Our greatest fun was in popping fire-crackers. The river rises every winter, so we have to use a boat to cross. This is tiresome to little boys who are lazy.
Elisha W. B.
Has that good teacher a Roll of Honor for the well-behaved as well as a Black List for the naughty scholars? We hope so, because we are sure that if she has, your name will appear on that.
Dobbs Ferry, New York.
I am a little girl nearly nine years old. I do not take Harper's Young People, but my grandma does. I have a little sister who was three weeks old yesterday. I hold her very often. She is a real sweet little thing. She is ever so fat. And she can smile, too. I heard that the Editor wants all the little girls to tell about their pets and dolls. I have no pets except two cats, a mother cat and a kitten. The mother's name is Mollie, and the kitten's name is Dot. I have a beautiful doll that I got on Christmas. She has lovely golden curls, and little pink socks, and everything to complete a baby's toilet. We haven't very good coasting, for the snow is so deep. We have in front of our house a great big snow-drift that is higher than a man.
Isabella T. N.