That reminds me of the address: I wonder if there is any way in which I can get you to remember it? Winter Park, Orange Co., Florida. This, until further notice. Now please do not send your letters to Boston, nor to Cincinnati, nor to Chautauqua, nor anywhere else but to Winter Park. Understand? Of course when you want to subscribe for The Pansy, or order books, or transact any business which would naturally belong to the Publishers, you send to Boston, as usual. But for the “P. S. Department,” or “Around the Family Lamp,” or when you want a badge, or want to ask me any question, remember the Winter Park address. For anything pertaining to the new department, “All Along the Line,” address the Editor, R. M. Alden, at Winter Park, also. Who will be the first to give us some games for our Christmas number?
Lovingly,
Pansy.
Gracie from Canada. Indeed, your letter was not too long. I enjoyed every word. You must have been a very industrious Pansy to get so many premiums. I knew a boy who used to trouble his mother very much by being late to breakfast. One morning when he came down to the dining-room half an hour after time, he found the table dishes all cleared away, and there was no breakfast for that boy until next morning. I don’t think he was late again for nearly two weeks. I am glad you are going to break yourself of that careless habit without any such help.
Mary Edith from Ohio. It is very easy to be cross, and brave to try to overcome the habit. I hope your badge will help you.
Ray Spencer from Turkey in Asia. We are very glad to welcome you. One who “tries to do things right the first time,” is a great comfort to his friends, and will be likely to grow into a good and wise man. It is a pleasure to have a letter from your far-away home. The Pansies would all be glad to hear something about the people of Turkey. Can’t you write us a little letter for the magazine?
Arthur from Iowa. You are right, my boy. What is generally meant by “talking back” does harm instead of good. The Bible says “a soft answer turneth away wrath.” But the trouble is, when people are saying things on purpose to vex us it is very hard to think of anything “soft” to say, or to be willing to say it if we could think of it. The One who has promised to “keep the door of our lips,” is the only Source of real help.
Harry from Ohio. Yes, indeed, a boy six years old may have a badge. I am sorry you did not tell us the name of the habit you were going to get rid of; but so long as you know its name, and are pledged against it, we will trust you.
Virginia from Louisiana. I hope you don’t think we put the letters of our Blossoms into the waste basket! I am always glad when I receive a pledge against “teasing.” I think it one of the most troublesome habits we have to deal with. So easy to form, so ready to grow, so hard to get rid of. Yet it can be conquered.
Fred from Illinois. I once knew a beautiful black-eyed boy who used to tell his mother he saw seventy-two cats down in the back yard, when he meant that he saw three. His mother used to laugh, and think such stories were amusing, so Eddie kept telling them, until, when he was nine years old, people said of him: “You cannot believe a word that boy says.” And yet I don’t think Eddie meant to tell what was false; he had simply formed a bad habit, and let it grow. I am glad to receive your pledge.