I am a teacher in one of the public schools of this city. I take Harper's Young People to school with me, and my pupils enjoy it very much.
I have the oldest children in the building, and they can understand all of the pieces. I read them the articles as a reward for good behavior and well-learned lessons, and let them copy and work out the puzzles.
It would please you to see how anxiously they wait for each new issue, and how happy they are when it comes. * * * Permit me to congratulate you on the success your paper has achieved both here and abroad.
HAVING A GOOD TIME.
"Having a good time," are you?
But, ah! what would mother say
If she knew of the two rogues rummaging
In her bureau drawer to-day?
"Mamma's gone out," is that it?
And nurse is "off duty" too?
And little mice, when the cat is away,
Find mischief enough to do.
Well, little golden-haired burglars,
What do you find for your pains?
Some garments folded so neatly away,
And mamma's jewel-case are your gains.
You look at the jewels before you
With innocent, joyous surprise;
But the jewels I like are your own precious selves,
And like gems are your merry blue eyes.
But hark! I knew nurse would wonder
What mischief you two were about;
"When those children are quiet," I once heard her say,
"Some mischief I'm sure to find out."
Oh, dear little rogues, scamper quickly
Away from temptation and fun;
Leave the jewels and drawer, ere your fingers
Be guilty of harm yet undone.