M. Louise N.
I think the three little sisters have a merry life. I hope they will study botany, and learn to what classes of plants the beautiful wild flowers they gather belong.
Oswego, New York.
I live in Oswego, which is on Lake Ontario, and in summer I go fishing on the Oswego River, and catch lots of fish. My papa has a yacht and row-boats, and is teaching me to row. I have a stamp album with over two thousand stamps. Last summer I went to the Thousand Islands, and had a lovely time. We reached Cape Vincent about six o'clock; there took a steamer to Alexandria Bay. The islands were beautifully illuminated. I went to the Indian camp, and saw them make canoes and baskets. I have two canary-birds, and a dog named Fritz. I have a large garden, with all kinds of flowers. I liked "Toby Tyler" and "Tim and Tip," and am glad Mr. Otis is going to write another story. I have been to New York twice, and like to ride on the elevated railroad.
L. W. M.
I do not wonder you enjoy riding on the elevated railroad. Sometimes, as I sit in one of the cars, and am whisked along so fast past the windows and over the roofs, I think of the old fairy stories. The enchanted carpet used to transport its owner from place to place in a moment; and these railroads, so high in the air, are very much like enchanted carpets in their effect; only the power which moves them is steam, and we might never have known the wonderful things steam can do if a bright-eyed boy named James Watt had not long ago sat and watched the spout of his mother's tea-kettle.
South Scitgate, Rhode Island.
I am a little girl nine years old. I live with my grandpa and grandma in the country. They are over seventy years old. I try and help grandma about the house. My papa and mamma live in Providence, which is thirteen miles from here. My papa is a photographer. I had a great many pretty things Christmas, but I think the most of my doll. Her name is Flossie. She has very light hair, and her eyes will shut. She is dressed in baby clothes, like a real live baby. I have six other dolls, but they are old ones. I had a canary-bird named Topsy, but the cat killed it one day. I put it in a box, and buried it in the yard. I have a stone at the head of the grave, and I keep it decorated with flowers.
Mamma has come out to see me, and is writing this letter for me. I can write some, but I live a mile from school, and only go in the summer. I have no brothers or sisters, so I have to get along with pets. I have two bantam hens; they lay little eggs, and I eat them all. Grandpa has a large farm, and we have hens, geese, cows, and a horse named Dan. I have been out to-day, and got a large bunch of trailing arbutus for mamma to take to the city with her. Mamma has sent me Harper's Young People over a year. I think "Toby Tyler," "Tim and Tip," and "Cruise of the 'Ghost'" are splendid, but the letters in Our Post-office Box from the little boys and girls I do love so much! I don't see many from Rhode Island, and I do hope our dear Postmistress will publish mine. I hope it is not too long. Good-by.