The History of a Cat.
I am the family cat. I am not so very pretty, but they all like me very much. I have a pretty baby-kitten, and I have a daughter named Tortoise-shell. She is a pretty and good cat. She also has a baby-kitten prettier than mine. Mine has such big eyes that its little face does not look as cunning as my daughter's baby-kitten's face. My mistress is very good to me sometimes, but sometimes she pulls my tail and makes me mad, and I scratch her and then she slaps me back; but when she is good to me, and pets me, and gives me cake, then I purr to her.
Once my mistress' brother had a dog given to him. This dog's name was "Captain." I did not like him one bit.
My mistress' brother's friend tried to set the dog on me, but he would not come near me; so the boy let him alone.
When my mistress went to get my daughter's baby-kitten, Captain went with her. My mistress did not know that Captain went into the room with her. Tortoise-shell was tending her kitten, but, as soon as she saw the dog, she jumped up and scratched his nose good for him. He did not stay very long. He was given to my mistress' brother on Saturday. The next day, which was Sunday, my mistress and the rest of the family were at church; the dog got out, I don't know how, but when my mistress came home from church she looked all about, but could not find him anywhere. She was very sorry, but I was not sorry one bit; I was glad. So now we've come to the end.
G.M.M.
Oswego, N. Y.
Dear St. Nicholas: Please will you tell me where I can find directions how to build a boat?—Yours respectfully,
Harry Mead.
Midland, 1878.
Dear St. Nicholas: I wish that you would tell me how to make a yatch I have a schooner but she gets beat bad and I should like to know how to make a yatch that will beat them all I think one about 30 inches will be long enough.—I remain your constant Reader,
G.B.J.
In St. Nicholas for July, 1875 (Vol. II.), Harry will find full directions how to make a serviceable boat at a small cost; and G.B.J., whose letter we print verbatim, also may find hints that will enable him to build an all-conquering "yatch."
Milwaukee, Wis.
Dear St. Nicholas: I am going to tell you about a game that we play here a good deal. I do not know what it is called. It can be played by any number, though the more the merrier. Each player must have a sheet of paper and a pencil. When all are supplied, each one must write across the top of the sheet a question, taking up as little room on the page as possible, and turning the paper down so as to cover up the writing, as in "Consequences." The paper is then passed to the next neighbor, who is to write a common noun, of any kind, under the question, and turn over in like manner. After the noun has been written, the paper is passed on. Then everybody opens the paper that last came to him, and must answer the question in rhyme, inserting the noun. I will give you an illustration.
EXAMPLE:
Question,—"Do you like pigs?"
Common noun,—"Peas."
Answer, in rhyme,—"I love the gentle animals
That sport about our home.
And all among the peas and corn
So happily do roam."
"Ah! little pigs I'll harm you not,
Nor e'en disturb your play,
But you shall have your own sweet will,
And feed upon the best of swill,
Through all the livelong day."
Will somebody answer thus this question, that was given to me:
"Which was the greatest battle of Alexander the Great?"
Noun: "Toes."
Yours truly, D.J.
Dear St. Nicholas: I send you a puzzle, which I hope you will print:
My first is in your body,
Quite useful in its way.
My second flows in Italy,
And flows by night and day.
My third, a thing to cook with, is
In every kitchen found.
My fourth's a common article,
A very simple sound.
My fifth folks often get into,—
The careless ones, of course.
My whole, a clumsy animal,
Is partly named for horse.
R.N.P.
Answer: Hip-Po-pot-a-mus, hippopotamus.