New York City.
I thank you for answering my letter in No. 98. You said I ought to go on a farm, and that is just the thing I wish to do. My father would not oppose it, but my mother will not consent. It is not money I want so much at present, as my parents could let me go and work for nothing a couple of years for the sake of learning, but it is the future that I am thinking about. I have never looked so much at the future as I have in the last two months. It is strange, I have often thought. I sit an hour at a time. I am thinking now. I think I see a farm-house; I am sitting by the door; my hair is white, and I am very old; children are clustering around my knees. It is a nice picture, and I wonder if it will ever come true. I hope it will. I would like to work on a farm very much; I think it so free. I like flowers, and our yard is very nice, full of them. I would like to be a florist if I could not be a farmer.
N. Eng. F.
There is not much profit in day-dreams, and while you are making romantic pictures of the future, you might better be employed in studying or using to good advantage the present. A bright active boy has a good many miles to go before he becomes a white-haired man. Farming is not easy work. The farmer who means to succeed must rise early, toil hard, content himself with small gains, and lead anything rather than a luxurious life. You will be wise to be guided by your mother in the choice of a profession or an occupation.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
I have never written to any magazine before, so I thought I would write and tell you how I like all the young people's letters. I think I like "Mildred's Bargain" best of any of the stories. I want to tell you about my pony Kitty. (Is not that a pretty name?) And also my dog Baby Belle. Well, when I come home from riding I put Baby Belle on Kitty, and she rides all over the yard, and you can not think how funny it looks.
G. C. S.
Tenafly, New Jersey.