Baltimore, Maryland.
I wish to tell the boys and girls that take this beautiful little paper about our sesquicentennial, or the one-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of Baltimore. On Monday, October 11, the procession illustrated the history of Baltimore. In one wagon was an Indian scene, to represent Indian life. In another wagon was a large vessel with men in it in early Spanish costume, to represent Christopher Columbus and his crew. The Corn Exchange had several wagons, two of which were very amusing—one had a large bull in it, and the other a great ugly bear, which walked restlessly around the pole to which it was chained. A florist was represented by a beautiful garden, with trees, flowers, and grass, and right under the tree a funny little monkey was tied. It jumped all about, and looked very cunning, for it was very small.
Among the tableaux was a representation of Neptune drawn in a shell by two dragons in the water. Of course it was not real water, but it looked exactly like waves. At the other end of this wagon was a mermaid, half out of water. It was a very beautiful scene. Every trade was on parade, and some were working in their wagons. The butchers were making sausages, and throwing them to the people, and the bakers threw cakes and biscuit. The procession was ten miles long, and it was five hours passing a given point.
On Tuesday all the different societies, and the public and private school children, were on parade. All the houses and stores and public buildings were decorated with black and orange—the colors of Maryland—and with the American flag. The city looked very bright and beautiful. I am very proud of being a Baltimore girl. I am thirteen years old.
Jessie H. L.
Coopersburg, Kansas.
The first thing I read when my little paper comes is the Post-office Box. I live on a big prairie. I have a pet kitty, and lots of chickens and turkeys.
Adella T.
Bay City, Michigan.