I have written one letter before, and have not seen it in the paper, so I thought I would write again. I am taking Harper's Young People for the third year. I like "Toby Tyler" very much, and "Mr. Stubbs's Brother" still better. I saw some real prairie-dogs not long ago. They don't look bigger than a good-sized rat. I am nine years old, but have only been at school a year, as I have always been sick. I am in the second grade, and study arithmetic, reading, language, and spelling. Shall be promoted next term.
I have a little brother named Frankie. He is seven years old. Mamma and he and I live with grandpa, as our papa is dead. Frankie has a cat which had four kittens. They are all sorts of colors. I wish I could send you their pictures. They live in my old baby carriage. I made a little tent, not big enough to get under, that I could take down and put up as many times as I had a mind to, and to-day I broke it. Jumbo, that you have told us about, is coming here in August. I hope I shall see him. When I do, I'll write and tell you what I think of him. I just love him now. I can't think of any more. Good-by.
Eddie F.
Those little kittens are well off. Living in a baby carriage! Think of such luxury! Do they have an afghan over them when they are chilly?
It is fun to make a tent large enough to accommodate two or three boys. I think, if I were there, I could help you make one with two or three poles, and a couple of old shawls or table-covers. Suppose you ask mamma to help you do this?
Forest, Texas.
I am a little girl twelve years old, and live in the country. I have a kind uncle who sends me Young People. We have had plenty of strawberries this spring. I go to school, and am in Coins and Currency, and at play-time I have fine times playing croquet. We have a mocking-bird building in the garden. It sings all day. We had a fish-fry not long ago, and had as many fish as we wanted. It has been a very rainy season. I have a great many pretty flowers; the gladiolus is opening now. I am so glad when Harper's Young People comes. I like the story of "Talking Leaves" better than any other one.
Nina M.
We planted our gladiolus bulbs the morning that Nina's letter arrived; but the season is earlier in her Southern home than it is with us. Have you magnolia-trees and pomegranate-bushes in your garden, Nina? How charming it must be to hear the songs of the mocking-bird all day long!