THE TALE Of A TAIL.

There was a rat lived in a mill— Heigh oh! says Tidley Pill; If she's not dead, she lives there still— Heigh oh! says Tidley Pill. This rat she had a great long tail— Heigh oh! says Tidley Pill; One day she caught it on a nail— Heigh oh! says Tidley Pill.

She pulled so hard she pulled it out— Heigh oh! says Tidley Pill; And then she turned herself about— Heigh oh! says Tidley Pill. At home I've got a little babee— Heigh oh! says Tidley Pill; I wonder if she will know me— Heigh oh! says Tidley Pill.

Oh, mother! mother! where's your tail?— Heigh oh! says Tidley Pill. Yonder it hangs upon a nail— Heigh oh! says Tidley Pill.

It gives us the greatest pleasure to receive all the pretty favors which come to us by every mail from all parts of the country. Those communications which we think will be of interest to other children we print whenever we can make space for them, and all, without any exception, are carefully read, and their receipt acknowledged. These letters give pleasant, satisfactory glimpses into many homes, and we see the group of eager young faces watching, as they tell us, "for papa to bring our paper." Do not be disappointed, any of you, when you fail to find your pretty letter, which you have written so carefully and neatly, printed in the Post-office Box. We can not print all. If we did, you would have no stories to read, no pictures to look at—nothing but letters; for your busy little brains and fingers would fill the whole paper every week if we did not crowd some of you out. But keep on writing, for we like to hear what stories please you best, and in what subjects you are most interested. In that way there is always a mutual understanding between us, and our acquaintance is more likely to be intimate and lasting. We are also very much interested in what children write about the seasons in different regions of the country, showing how spring advances from Texas up into the far northern State of Oregon. Such letters are always interesting and instructive. One request we would make, that is, always write your signature very distinctly. Often we can not make out even your initials, and your name may be misprinted in our acknowledgments.

Warren, Ohio, March 1, 1880.

The robins and the bluebirds came here about the middle of February, and if it does not get colder, willow "pussies" will be out in a few days. Please tell me what the "wind-flower" is. I do not think, as Bertie Brown does, that people ought to send the Indians something to eat, for mamma had an uncle who lived in Minnesota, and he used to feed them whenever they came, and they killed him and three of his children. So I don't like Indians.

D. J. Myers.

The wind-flower is found in the early spring growing among dry leaves and in sunny nooks by old stone walls, sometimes in open pasture lands where the soil is damp. The blossoms, which are pale pinkish-white, grow on a stem from two to four inches in height. There is only one drooping flower on a stem. This plant is more properly called anemone, from anemos, a Greek word signifying wind. It is interesting to know that it was called anemone by the ancient Romans. Pliny alludes to it, and says it was called wind-flower because it opened its petals only when the wind blew.

Fairfield, Alabama.

My heart is gladdened once a week when papa says, "Daughter, here is your paper." I am far away in the South, but Uncle Sam's mail arrangement is so grand that it finds us all. I was eleven years old last month, and had a nice birthday party. I go to school, and love my teacher very much.

Mamie Jones.

Atlanta, Georgia.

I have lived in the South two years, although I was born in Ohio. There is never any snow here, and I long to get back North on account of winter sports. Atlanta is surrounded by beautiful scenery, and also by many traces of the war, such as intrenchments and breastworks. In answer to Edwin A. H., I will say that I have a cabinet, but have not so many specimens as he. I have minerals and other things from many parts of the far West, collected by myself, and also dried flowers from New Zealand, and a nut from Vancouver Island.

John G. Wilson.

Monmouth, Oregon.

I thought I would drop a line to you, and let you know that I am one of the readers of Young People. I like it very much. I am nine years old. I have a little brother who has some pet rabbits. I left Wales with papa and mamma when I was three years old. Then I could not speak a word of English, but now I don't remember a word of Welsh. We are having lots of snow here this winter.

David Foulkes.

Wrightstown, Pennsylvania.

I live in a very quiet little village. Just across one field from our house stands a house which was Washington's head-quarters at the time of the Revolutionary war. About one-quarter of a mile away there is a tree, more than a century old, under which Washington stood just before he started for Trenton on Christmas-night, 1776. He crossed the Delaware six miles east of this place. Near this village is a barn two hundred years old.

Rose W. Scott.

Erie, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1880.

About five weeks ago a lady in this place found two pansies in bloom in her garden, and last week a man told my papa he saw a large flock of robins in some cherry-trees in his yard. If they were looking for cherries, they were disappointed. Had they come into our yard, they would have seen a large bed of bright yellow crocuses. I am eight years old.

Carrie L. Willard.

Jacksonville, Florida.

In Young People No. 13 Joseph P. writes that he hatched a chicken by putting the egg in ashes. I tried it. I put the egg in a tobacco-box, and put it by the stove. Mamma's servant built a hot fire, and the egg, instead of hatching, baked.

Eddie E. Paddock (8 years).

Petersburg, Indiana.

I am a little girl seven years old, and I live on a farm with my grandpa and grandma. My dear mamma died last December. It was very hard to part with her, but I am not destitute of friends. I have three uncles, who are very kind to me. I have a little canary-bird. He is a beautiful singer, and is company for me. And I have a large dog that plays with me every day. I call him Watch. I can read in the Third Reader, although I never went to school but one week in my life, on account of ill health. I have had the chills for five years—not all the time, but very severe.

Anna Shandy.

Answers to S. R. W.—including, however, no new words—are received from Polly Pleasant, Ethel S. M., Herbert W., Mamie E. F., Maud Chase, F. E. Bacon, B. E. S., Connie, Frank N. Dodd, Carrie S. Levéy, R. W. Dawson, "School-Children," C. B. F.

Salem, North Carolina.

Mamma takes Young People for me, and I like it very much. I made a Soapboxticon to-day, and had trouble with it at first, but now it works nicely. I hope all who try to make one will succeed as well as I did.

A. H. Patterson.

George F. Powers, Willie G. Lee, Frank Shennen, M. Paul Martin, and Fred A. Conklin report trouble with the Soapboxticon, but if they persevere, and carefully follow directions, they will soon have a pretty toy.

Athens, Alabama.

I must tell you how I enjoy Young People. My good uncle Henry takes it for me. I must tell about my pet geese. Their names are Boss and Susan. They are very gentle, and as smart as they can be. I have a puppy named Bang-up. My grandpa named him. I am six years old, and my mamma is writing this for me.

William S. Peebles.

Evans Mills, New York.

Can any one tell me who is the oldest man in the United States?

Madison Cooper.

Who among our young correspondents can answer this question?

Chelton Mills, Pennsylvania.

I have a bird named Cherry, and a dog named Jack; and I have a little sister named Mae, and she is so cute. She has a doll, and she nurses her so sweetly! I am eight years old, and I go to school. We have heard robins and bluebirds singing.

Ellie Carle.

Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

My kitty comes to my room every morning, and jumps upon my bed. His name is Jim. He is a nice kitty, and full of play. He scratches me sometimes awful hard, but I love him all the same. I saw a picture in Young People of a little girl and her kitty.

Elvira F. Irwin.

Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

I have a canary named Frank. He used to bite my nose and fingers when I put them in his cage, but he will not bite them now. I also have a small turtle, whose shell is about two inches long. It came from the Niagara River. It sleeps in winter, excepting when the sun shines on it, and it will not eat. But in summer it eats flies and bits of raw meat.

Florence E. M.

Denver, Colorado.

I have no pets to write about, but I expect to have a Newfoundland dog soon. We live in a new house, and do not need a cat; but when the rats come, we are going to get one. I have thirteen dolls. The largest one has black hair and gray eyes, and her name is Josephine. I am nine years old.

Sadie T.

Waltham, Massachusetts.

I am seven years old. I have no brothers or sisters, but I have a squirrel and a fish. The squirrel was caught after he made his home in the woods, and he was so wild that he would bite if we touched him; but we were so kind to him that he begins to feel better. We let him out now, and he runs round the room, and I can put my hand on him. My fish is the last of three. The other two started to go back to their native river one night, and they fell on the floor and were killed.

Frankie L. Whitney.

John B. M., Nicholas P. G., and Robbie C. write pretty stories of their pet cats, dogs, and foxes, which we regret having no room to print. In answer to Robbie's question, we would say that the bite of a fox is painful, but not dangerous like that of a dog.

Willie R. C.—When you recover from your illness, and can write your "own self," we will print your letter if it is interesting.

Loudon Engle and Harry D.—Pigeons like to eat bird seed, broken corn, or any kind of grain, and enjoy that kind of food much better than bread-crumbs. They need fresh water to drink, and will bathe now and then, like a canary, if they have a bath dish large enough to flutter in.

W. M. L.—There is many a one much older than you who would be glad to know an easy and quick way to make ten dollars. Unfortunately we can not tell you how to accomplish your object.

Meta.—Your poetic idea of beauty is very pretty, and shows much imagination for such a little girl.

Bessie D. L.—Call your bird Rosie, and your kitty Clover. There was once a big Maltese cat named Clover who did many funny tricks, and lived to be very old. If you name your kitty after her, perhaps she will live as long.

Mary B.—Your plan for a picture scrap-book is very good. Try to select some pictures of historical localities and celebrated buildings, and then, when you show your book to your little friends, you will have something interesting to tell them.

Clara M. H.—Your "old bachelor uncle" is very kind to send you Young People, and you will be glad to hear that a large number of other uncles have made their little nieces happy in the same way.

Favors are received from H. M. H., John V. Gould, Alfred D. S., W. E. Liddy, Fannie Spencer, Grace Field, P. S. Heffleman, Alice Maud T., Beatrice W., Margaret Baird, Elva E. Groat, Eugene Lewis, Lucy Cole, May and Josie Minton, Gertie Harrison, Ella E. Ball, George Kohler, Fred Castle, Annie P., H. S. Richardson, "Theo. Glenwood," Horace G. S., C. Reynolds, George P., Addie and Minnie Goodnow, Frank Harris, Frank Fowler, W. H. W., Jessie I. Sturgis, Gordon C., Willie A. Kyh, G. M. Brockway, Arthur Mills, Katty Voorhees, Joseph A. U., May Harvey, C. E. C., Pierre F. C., Bertha Young, E. G. R., Nettie Carleton, Albert A. Bosworth, Mary S. Talbot, Samuel Maurer, Percy L., F. G., Diana S., Oswald, C. W. L., Mattie E. Wilson, F. R. Newton, May H.

Correct answers to puzzles received from Louie E., Mabel Lowell, "Red Light," Bertie Collins, J. Turner, Mamie and Mattie S., Lily and Violet Levéy, Loudon Engle, Georgie H. B., J. Cohen, G. K. Richards, Ernest B. Cooper, Fannie Peirce, Fred Brown, Fred H. T., Johnny W., Kate H. Talbot, Florence E. M., R. F. Losee, Otto M. Rau, Laura Wallis, Hen, A. Brigham, Ralph M. Fay, H. K. Pryer, W. P. D. M., J. M. Rector, George P. G., C. A. M., Peter Slane, Jessie Sansum, Emma Shaffer, J. D. P., Ralph and Blanche S., Walter K., Nena Crommelin, G. E. Edwards, Tillie Mosley.

PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

ENIGMA.

My first is in victim, but not in shoot. My second is in blind, but not in mute. My third is in rot, but not in decay. My fourth is in linger, but not in stay. My fifth is in bear, but not in man. My sixth is in pot, but not in pan. My whole is a beautiful flower. Jennie C. (10 years).

No. 2.

NUMERICAL CHARADE.

I am composed of 21 letters. My 4, 9, 5 is a boy's name. My 7, 17, 3, 1, 2 is white and sparkling. My 10, 11, 13, 20, 15 is a beast. My 19, 14, 18, 8 is not sweet. My 16, 6, 12, 21 grows on pine-trees. My whole is a delight to all boys. Frank C. (12 years).

No. 3.

HIDDEN CITIES.

1. Play till dinner, Rosa; then sit and sew. 2. It either lies on the floor or leans against the wall. 3. The ship came into port on last Friday. 4. We walked over to Aunt Mary's. 5. How that dog ran! Ada could not catch it. 6. Go take a nap, Leslie; you look worn out. 7. The dog is mad; ride away quickly. 8. What made papa rise and dress so early this morning? 9. Why is Hesba sleepy to-day? 10. Be sure you come in December; Linton will be here then. 11. I laid a lily on Sadie's plate.

Fanny P. (12 years).

No. 4.

ENIGMA.

My first is in candle, but not in lamp. My second is in dark, and also in damp. My third is in night, but not in day. My fourth is in bed, but not in lay. My fifth is in alley, but not in street. My whole is something very sweet. Laura B. W.

No. 5.

DOUBLE ACROSTIC.

An ancient nation. A screen. To be silent. A country in Asia. Grain. A noise made by certain animals. Answer—Two rivers in the United States.

Marie D. (12 years).

No. 6.

ENIGMA.

My first is in warm, but not in cold. My second is in deck, but not in hold. My third is in lady, but not in man. My fourth is in meal, but not in bran. My fifth is in nick, but not in batter. My sixth is in din, but not in clatter. My seventh is in fright, but not in scare. My eighth is in stallion, but not in mare. My ninth is in county, but not in State. My tenth is in manner, but not in gait. And in these lines there can be found The name of a general much renowned. C. A. M.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN NO. 18.

No. 1.

Cincinnati.

No. 2.

NantuckeT

AthlonE

SaigoN

HudsoN

VenicE

IllinoiS

LewiS

LouisvillE

EriE

Nashville, Tennessee

No. 3.

Cellar.

No. 4.

BONE

OVAL

NAIL

ELLA

No. 5.

C

ALE

CLEAR

EAR

R

No. 6.

Abraham Lincoln.

Charade on page 232—Brigade.