THE JOLLY DOG'S PRACTICAL JOKE.

'Twas near dinner-time, and the pudding was hot, Nelly, her cheeks all aglow (The master liked icy-cold pudding), ran out, And popped the dish into the snow. For though on that morn smiling April was born, A snow-heap that March left behind, When he hastened away, in a dark corner lay Of the garden, blown there by the wind. Singing merrily, back to the kitchen went Nell, When a jolly dog came up the lane. "Aha! something good!" and he stopped and he sniffed, Looked around, cocked his ears, sniffed again. Then, the gate being open, he boldly walked in, Going straight to the snowy spot where The dish sat a-cooling—three great gulps he gave, And a pudding no longer was there. Down the stoop flew the maid. "I must now take it in, For I'm sure by this time it is cool." Said the dog, running off, "Pray don't trouble yourself; I have taken it in—April-fool!"

Chattanooga, Tennessee.

I wonder if the readers of Young People know how delightful the climate and surroundings of Chattanooga are. Near the base of Lookout Mountain, which has grown historical since the war, the views in all directions are magnificent, that from the point on the mountain being the grandest, where one can see places in seven different States. Chattanooga is an Indian word, meaning eagle's nest.

Paul Dwight Moross.

Traverse City, Michigan.

I live in a lonesome country, but it is very beautiful in the summer. We have nice lakes and woods, and all kinds of birds. There is a little bird which builds such a queer nest. It is like a hanging cup, and so small you scarcely notice it. There are five white eggs, with black spots on the ends, in it. The bird is blackish color, with a round white spot in the middle of each wing. There is a bird here called grosbeak. It is very handsome, and a splendid singer. You can hear its clear note in the morning above all the rest. My sister Julia found a nest, and took out a male bird. It had hardly any feathers. She brought it up on bread and milk, and it was so tame it would sit on her finger; but one morning it flew away, and never came back. Perhaps some of the readers of Young People have tamed the little yellow-birds. Julia tamed one, and it was a great pet. I have a pet dove named Philip. He will follow me about in the woods. When he misses me, he hunts till he finds me. When we are eating dinner, if the door is open, I often hear a pat-pat on the step, and in comes Philip, nodding his head from side to side, and lights on my shoulder, for me to give him his dinner. He is now two years old. I will send you his portrait. I think Bertie Brown drew a first-rate picture.

Allie Voorhees.

Traverse City, Michigan.

The first hepaticas (liverwort) that I saw this year were picked the first day of March. Has any one living in the same latitude found them earlier? The arbutus is nearly in bloom. When we were out in the woods the other day we saw a beautiful gray fox.

Mabel Bates.

College Grove, Tennessee, March 1, 1880.

I send you a violet, and also the earliest wild flower of this section, Erigenia, or "daughter of the early spring" [a species of groundsel]. We have had crocuses and daffodils ever since Christmas. I have lots of pets. We have nine cats. One is fourteen years old. And we have a shepherd dog that has a great deal of sense. I have three white hens—one top-knot, one plain, and one with pantalets. I have a chicken grave-yard, and we have funerals. The red and blue birds, wrens, jays, and woodpeckers, staid with us all winter. I found a nest of hatched partridge eggs, and the large ends were all picked round even, and opened like box-tops. We live in the woods, and I see many pretty things.

Anna Rucker.

I am twelve years old. I live on the border of a large lake in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Though so far north, our winters are often mild and pleasant. Father says it is because we are not far from the sea. I have been ill with acute rheumatism for six months past, and the weekly visits of Young People are a great comfort and pleasure to me, as I am mostly confined to the house. I found some willow "pussies" three days ago (March 4), and I send a few, to let you see what New Brunswick can do in this way.

W. Scott Butler, Jun.

Bethany, Missouri.

I see so many little folks writing to you, I thought I would write too. I am eight years old, and I live where the sun goes down. I never saw a railroad in my life, and never went to school. Mamma teaches us at home. I have a cream-colored pony, and sister Grace has a pet lamb. She had to get a baby's nursing-bottle to raise the lamb with, and it is just too funny to see her feed it. It sucks away at the bottle as hard as ever it can, and wags its little tail ever so fast. We have learned nearly all we know from Harper's Magazine and the Bazar and Weekly, for papa and mamma have taken them all our lives. We could not do without the pictures. I wish you could see our stacks and heaps of the Monthly and the papers. When we want a good old time, we get them all out, and they are as good as new. We think there never was such a splendid paper as Young People. My sister Grace wanted to write to you too, but mamma said one nuisance was enough at a time.

Nellie Blackburn.

Crookston, Minnesota.

I borrowed Harper's Young People of one of my neighbors, and I like it so much I intend to take it as soon as I can earn money enough to pay for it. I am a cripple boy. I have no feet. One was cut off below and one above the knee, and when I move round I have to go on my hands. I want a pair of Newfoundland dogs for a team, but I can not find where I can get them. I knit a pair of mittens, and sold them to help pay for Young People, and now I am mending grain bags to earn the rest of the money. I am fond of reading, and feel lonesome without books and papers.

Elmer R. Blanchard.

Salt Lake, Utah Territory.

Father wants me to tell you that he made me a telescope of sheet-iron as you described in the first number of Young People, and although my object-glass is only one and one-quarter inches in diameter, we can plainly see Jupiter's four moons. Jupiter itself appears as big as a nickel five-cent piece. We can also see the rings of Saturn. But when we look at anything on the earth, it is turned upside down. This glass gives us a great deal of pleasure.

Olaf Thomassen.

Terryville, Connecticut.

My uncle caught two young gray squirrels in the woods, and brought them home in a cage. We gave them walnuts and chestnuts, but they were so cross they bit each other's tails, which when they were little looked more like rats' tails than squirrels'. When we let them out of the cage, they soon learned to go into my uncle's pockets after nuts. Then they would sit on his head or shoulder and eat them. When we gave them more than they could eat, they would hide them on the ground, and cover them with leaves and dry grass. They did it so neatly that even when we saw where they put them, we would have to hunt a long time to find them. When it came warm weather, they went back to the woods. What do squirrels live on in summer before the nuts are ripe?

Angie B. Baldwin.

Squirrels eat all kinds of berries, the tender twigs and bark of certain trees, and grain. Corn fields are feasting grounds for them, as the fresh tender stalks are as delicious food as the fully formed kernels.

Clarksville, Nebraska.

I want to tell you about a ride I had the other day with papa and mamma. We drove out about four miles from here, to a prairie-dog town, where we saw hundreds of these little animals playing about in the sunshine. The prairie-dogs are very curious little creatures. They dig their holes, throwing out the earth so as to make quite a mound. They look very cunning from a distance, standing on their hind-legs. Some were near their holes, ready to jump in as soon as we drove near. Others, which were a good way off from their homes, scampered back as fast as they could. Their town covered about a section of land, so you can see they have quite a large city.

Paul Beardsley.

Brooklyn, New York.

Last spring we had a pretty pair of canaries, and we raised five little birds. They were dear little things, and before we gave any of them away it was great fun to watch them play together. One was very light yellow, nearly white, another was dark yellow, two were spotted with green, and one was all very dark green. The green one was the prettiest of all, but it always fought for the best place in the cage, and pecked at all the others; but if they fought, they always made up after it. The yellow one was very tame, and would come right to our hands to eat. The lightest one died, and the others we gave away, but we were very sorry to part with them.

Froggie.

The following was written in big printed letters:

If you put Froggie's letter in your paper, I hope you will put mine in. I can't write as he can, because I am only five years old. I like your paper very much. Froggie reads it to me, and I read the pictures myself. I like that picture of the pussy.

Froggie's Little Brother.

Reading, Pennsylvania.

We were very glad to see that story of Colonel Gregg in No. 19, for he was one of our ancestors. We have a parrot from the Isle of Pines, which seems to be a very smart bird. I would like to know if there is any particular way by which we can teach it to talk.

David M. Gregg.

Kansas.

I live on the prairie between the Arkansas and Smoky Hill rivers. My nearest playmate is a mile and a half away, and I am very glad when Young People comes. Can you tell me who has been considered the most famous man in the world?

Lulu A. G.

There have been so many "famous men," that it would be difficult to place any one among them at the head of the list.

I am ten years old, and I live in Dickinson County, Kansas. We have three dogs—Queen, Cetchum, and Custer—and we have use for them all. Pa uses Queen to hunt prairie-chickens with, and Queen and Cetchum hunt rabbits by themselves. We have gray rabbits and jack rabbits. The jack rabbits are very large, and have long ears. Pa says they are very much like the English hare. We have a great many peaches and grapes and water-melons, and there are bad men and boys that sometimes steal them. In the summer I tie Queen in the peach orchard every night. If she hears anything, she barks very loud, and then Custer runs to help her. If any man is there, he is sure to be bitten. Custer is an English bull-dog, and a great fighter. He can whip a wolf. We have a great many wolves here, and they are so bold that if we did not keep dogs, they would come round the house in the daytime, and steal young pigs and lambs and chickens.

Sidney B. Pray.

Taylorsville, Texas.

I like Young People very much. It gives a great deal of instruction. I live on the banks of the San Gabriel River, which has some very large fish in it. I read all the letters in the Post-office Box. I liked Gertrude Balch's letter very much, and I like to draw the "Wiggles."

J. L. Paxton.

Fairfield (Stone P. O.), Pickens County, Alabama.

I would like very much to exchange some of our native flower seeds for flower seeds of other localities with any of the "Young People."

Mamie Jones.

Galt, California.

Will any little girl press me some specimens of Eastern flowers? If she will, I will press her some of our floral beauties here in California, and send them to her.

Genevieve.

If Genevieve will send her full address, no doubt some little girl in the Eastern States will be glad to exchange pressed flowers with her.

New Brighton.

Can you tell me the longest word in the English language?

K. Post.

Valetudinarianism is a long word. Can any correspondent find a longer one?

Buffalo Paper-Mill, North Carolina.

Would you kindly give a description of the animal called drill. I would like to know the country of its nativity, and any other information in regard to it. I have tried to find something about it, and have failed.

William Liddy.

The drill (Papio leucophæus) is a large baboon, and one of the ugliest of its family. It has a heavy thick body covered with coarse grayish-brown hair, a large head with a hideous black face, stout clumsy legs, and a short stubbed tail. It lives in the woods and rocky regions along the west coast of Africa. In Guinea it is so abundant as to be a terror to man and beast, as its ferocity and strength render it a dangerous foe. Great herds of the drill, when driven by hunger, sometimes attack the negro villages, and have been known to kill women and children. Specimens of this savage creature have been captured and placed in zoological gardens in France and England, but all efforts to tame it have been in vain.

Rebecca H.—Your puzzle was not noticed, because you failed to send the answer. Meanwhile, one with the same solution has been received, and has already been printed. It is, therefore, too late to make any use of yours, which was very pretty, and neatly constructed.

C. B. F.—Grinnell Land is within the arctic circle, and is not claimed by any nation.

S. H. M.—The letters in the corners of English postage stamps indicate the year when the stamp was printed.

J. M. T.—Full directions for boat-building would occupy too much space in our Post-office Box, but if you go to any good boat-builder, he will no doubt give you the desired information.

F. S.—The custom of Easter eggs is very ancient, and it is not known when it first arose. There are many pretty legends in regard to it, but all are without foundation.

Favors are acknowledged from Allie B. W., Hermann H. Davis, Emily W. Berry, Mamie W. Howe, Florence C., Minnie Shepard, Henry B. Teal, J. D. Burroughs, Charles H. MacHenry, Fannie Wright, Ella Warren, George B. Wendell, Lily Jones, Edith, Fannie C. Shuford, Stella and Fannie, W. K. Grier, Mira K. Abbott, George Russell, J. A. P., Josie B., Eddie Hunter, Daisy Brainard, F. W. Fenner, Harry Robertson, Willie Hughes, "Silly," Vinie Summy, Herbert Meacham, Willie H. C., Willie Ellis, "Subscriber," Lizzie L., Arthur Brumbach, Arthur E. T., Arthur Walcott, "Little Agnes," Frankie Pratt, Louis C. S., G. R. A., Bessie Saunders.

Correct answers to puzzles are received from Eddie D. Raymond, Marion E. Norcross, Birdie A. R., Robbie Reynolds, Harry Van A., S. G. Rosenbaum, Alfie Welden, R. W. Dawson, William and Mary L., H. K. P., Louise Nichols, A. H. Ellard, Angie Baldwin, Fannie Reeves, Alfred Opdyke, Alma, Stella B., Sarah Zelnicker, "North Star," Istalina Beach, Minnie Williams, Paul Beardsley, C. B. Howard, B. L. Townsend, Florence Stilwell, S. Birdie D., Daisy, Walter Crull, G. C. MacIntosh, G. Vasa Edwards, Cass Shelby, Alex and Lewis Mack, Mabel H. B., L. Fobes.

PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

ENIGMA.

My first is in left, but not in came. My second is in fire, but not in flame. My third is in flour, but not in lard. My fourth is in soft, but not in hard. My fifth is in blue, but not in pink. My sixth is in water, but not in ink. My seventh is in wren, but not in bird. My whole is a game of which you have heard. Margaret.

No. 2.

DOUBLE ACROSTIC.

To wither. A proper name. A house of entertainment. Something every city is full of. Annually. Answer—Two flowers.

M. L.

No. 3.

WORD SQUARE.

First, crystallized vapor. Second, an appellation. Third, a foreboding. Fourth, a part of the verb to go.

Stella.

No. 4.

NUMERICAL CHARADE.

I am composed of 13 letters. My 10, 8, 4, 7 is a manner of walking. My 3, 6, 5, 2, 1 is a fruit. My 10, 12, 11, 13, 9 is a color. My whole is a common Latin phrase. Also the name of a flowering plant. W. F. B.

No. 5.

DIAMOND PUZZLE.

A vowel. An insect. A violent passion. A useful plant. A consonant.

H. N. T.

No. 6.

ENIGMA.

My first is in wrong, but not in right. My second is in nymph, but not in sprite. My third is in Willie, but not in Ann. My fourth is in tin, but not in can. My fifth is in tinkle, but not in bell. My sixth is in ill, but not in well. My seventh is in see, but not in look. My eighth is in read, but not in book. My whole is the name of a poet. F. W.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN NO. 19.

No. 1.

Constantinople.

No. 2.

ReaM

AdieU

PreacheR

HaggaI

AlcohoL

EarL

LaredO

Raphael, Murillo.

No. 3.

Bread.

No. 4.

WARM

AREA

REAL

MALE

No. 5.

Trifles often lead to serious results.

No. 6.

S

UTE

STORK

ERA

K

Charade on page 248—Offend.

THE SOAPBOXTICON.

We have received numerous letters from correspondents about the Soapboxticon. Some report great success in making it, while others have been unable to make it work right. To the unsuccessful ones we would say that you probably do not remove your lens box far enough from the muslin screen, your outer box not being quite long enough. In this case, you can move the lens box out of the other box as far back as you please. The lens we use is about two and a half inches in diameter, but the size is of little consequence. The main conditions are to keep the light well to one side, that no direct rays pass through the lens to illuminate the screen, and to concentrate as bright a light as possible on the picture, and on that alone. There should be no other light in the room when the experiment is tried, and the picture should be very clear and distinct. Two double convex lenses placed one at each end of a tube of card-board will act better than one lens alone.