Lester from Ohio. My boy, we are glad that you are not only a subscriber, but a worker. "Teasing" is really a great nuisance. Between you and me, don't you really think so yourself? I asked a boy who is fond of doing disagreeable things "just for fun," whether he really thought he should like to have them done to him, and he opened his eyes wide, and said: "Why, of course not!" Yet it had not seemed to occur to him what a mean spirit he confessed in that very sentence. I am very glad to receive your pledge.
Jennie from Connecticut. I shall want to hear all about the bed-quilt when it is done. I am acquainted with a society of girls who made a beautiful album quilt not long ago. The blocks were of silk, given by the ladies of the church. The young girls did the work, very nicely, and allowed their lady and gentleman friends to write their names in the centre blocks, for ten cents each. The money thus secured they sent toward the support of their little adopted girl in Alaska, and the quilt they sent for a Christmas present to their minister's wife, who was away from home, sick, and lonely. The names on the blocks were those of her friends in whom she was much interested, and many of the pieces of silk were well known to her, and gave her pleasant thoughts of the original givers; so the work was a comfort and a help all around. "Besides," said one of the girls, "we learned to sew beautifully, that winter. Mrs. F. would accept nothing but the very nicest stitches." A great many people "forget" what they ought to remember. I am glad you have left their ranks.
Ray from Colorado. What a rich boy you are to have so much company in your own home! Also, what a good boy you must try to be, when you have so many who will be sure to follow your example. It is a good thing you have taken a pledge not to "speak cross" any more. If the twins should learn such things from you, how sad it would be!
Minnie and Floy from Wisconsin. My dear little friends, it will be a great victory when you learn not to be impatient over anything, and to be pleasant when you feel cross! Oh yes, you can even do such hard things as those. But let me remind you that you will need the help of the Whisper Motto every hour of the day. I am glad the birthday present was a Bible. I think you must both of you study it a little, and try to follow it, else you would hardly have such good reports from school. By the way, I must tell you a story about my Bible. It was given me when I was eight years old. On Sunday, in church, the sermon was long, and I grew very tired, so I thought I would put something on the fly leaf of my new Bible which would be very appropriate, and which would not be wrong to write on Sunday. I worked away at it, and produced in my best style, these lines:
Holy Bible book divine
Preshus treshure thou art mine!
Actually, that was the way I put it! Don't you think my beautiful new Bible might have blushed, if it could express its feelings in that way?
Lizzie from Kansas. So they "bite their finger nails" in Kansas, as well as everywhere else! Before our P. S. was organized I had not the least idea that fingers were so cruelly treated. What a pleasure it is to me to think that so many of them have peace now. We are glad to welcome you to our roll.
Susy from Elyria. There! I forgot to put the "a" in, after Susy. Well, I suppose you are called "Susy Sunbeam." I think that is a lovely name. It shows there must be a good deal of sunshine in your life. I know a young lady whose face is always so bright and happy that her home friends call her "Sunny," and I have often thought she might be proud of the pet name. I am glad you like "Grandpa's Darlings." It is a true book. The dear grandpa was my very own blessed father; and the children, Minie and Grace, were my pet nieces. Grace is now a young lady and lives in the same house with me, and works all day with her pencils and her paints, learning to be an artist. As for Minie, I don't know what she does all the long bright days. She was called years ago, to her Father's palace; for she is the daughter of a great King. We do not hear from her; but we know much about the beautiful home where she lives, and we are all looking forward to going there, some day, to be with her, for the King has promised to send for us—all. More than that, he has invited any one to come who would like to do so. Will you go?
Ella from New York. I do wonder what there is about a piano which should nearly always make young people impatient? Do you suppose the fault is in the instrument? I have sometimes thought that if such is the case, they ought to go out of fashion. But perhaps the little Pansy Badge will be too much for yours. Let me hear how you succeed.
Clara from Iowa. I hope you received the autograph safely, my dear, and that you like the picture. "Cack" is certainly a very original nom de plume. What do you write? I once had a little friend who called on me to ask how she should finish her book! She said she knew how to begin it, and how to make it very long, but it would not end! I think a great many people are troubled in that way. Don't you?