The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 3, 1897, Page 24

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 1897. 7 [l PLANT WORLD e 4 AINERALWORLD 9\"7"“(‘ARNE 72 PFRIENDSHIP* LES_()\A of t'rzs é)\ovféfof {7,/ T the close of one cold wintry day, | % aiter Adam and Eve had been \ AY driven from the Garden of Eden, stood alone, gazing sorrowfully at the snow-clad earth. Tears welled up in her eyesand deep | sighs escaped from her drawn lips s she | lookea in vain for one little flower and strained her listening ears in the hope that she might catch the song of one tiny warbler. Her heart was filled with regrets for the | green fields of her losi paradise where flowers so fragrant ever bloomed, and | here songs iull of praise ever filled the y air. Now it happened that an angel flying pest, on some errand of mercy bent, saw ve as she stood in the blind- 1 paused in his graceiul flight. g by her side Le asked in tones ssion wd ye here, oh, mortal? and tter tears?”’ touched by his sympathy she Deeply poured inio his gentle ears ber tale of | most tender. He caught in his fair right hand a tiny flake of snow as it was eddying past. Parting his beautiful lips he blew upon | freighted with fragrance been wafted irom it a breath so that it might have Arabia’s spicy shores. Then he bade ita flower be, that would | bring consolation to the weary hearts of men wherever it might chance to bloom, in toness her reverently bowed head, but, alas, the angel vision had vanisted, and she was alone! No, not =1l alone, for at her feet lay a beautiful wreath woven of the dainty blos- soms we call snowdrops, Catcbing it up she pressed it to ber heaving breast, and her soul was filled with that peace which paseeth all understanding, and the precious hope oi immoriality which ever since has burned in the hearts of men. ‘Will Becko Heino kindly let me know if ber story of “Santy’s Plum Pudding Or- chara” is an original one? Contributions of puzzles, enigmas, etc., sre always welcome, Your little story is very good, Marie Chesworth, and will be published some time soon. el e et Gringo ans Greager. KATHARINE A. CHANDLER. 1f there te one thing more than another that Californians pride themselves upon 1t is their hospitality. Justletany organ- ization signify its intention of meeting at a town and immediately that town exerts itself to welcome the visitor, and inci- dentally to rival all former receptions the body has enjoyed. Santa Cruz was laboring under the wel- coming excitement, for there the Califor- nia State Teachers’ Association was to hold its annual meeting between Christ- mas and New Year's. At Stockton. the year before, represen- tatives from Santa Cruz had invited the association to their charming home by the sea, in glowing termsdescribing it as “The Jand of eternal sunshine and perpetual bloom.” And now—well, it was an unusual win- ter. (ln Calitornia all inclement weather 1s unusdal) It bhad been raining furi- ously for four weeks, and even now there was no sign of clearing. The rose bushes Wwere covered with buds, but the heart of /%‘Ir\/{fl ‘EN"AENTS”CONSO[ATIOH( o iz his heart was fillea with love | 0 sweet and soft that Eve raised | G NG (" | each had become embittered by the con- | stant nagging of the elements, and had | withered up in despair. | However, the good people were deter- | mined that their hearts and interiors { would be so sunshiny that the Storm | King would reign unnoticed. ; To make arrangements a committee was | appointed, and from it, Miss Nutter, a | teacher of the higsest grammar grade, was chosen to take charze of tue decora- tions, not such an easy task without flow- ers, in California where every one expects a mass of bloom, even in the heart of win- ter. But Miss Nutter had an artistic mind, and willing assistants in her pupils. On Friday, beiore holiday week, she di- vided the older boys into committees to get materials for decorations—one to get redwood. one bamboo, one flowers and one Christmas berries. The last was composed of Bert Edwards, Joe Sales and Will Mackin, tbree chums, who were seldom apart. Will of a very hopeful dispo- sition, seeing great fortunes ahead, and if one scheme failed ready to adopt another. Joe was cautious, but quick-witted, af-| | fectionate and never happier than when | teasing those he liked best. Bert came be- tween, with his quiet, happy ways, | smoothing many a little eruption of temper. As they met together after school Joe asked: “Aren’t you glad she chose us to get the Christmas berries? It's easy | enough to get redwood and bamboo and tlowers, but to get enough Christmas | berries we'll have to skirmish over the | hilis.” “Poof!” scorned Will. *“I know where there are lots of berries—the reddest | and most perfect.” | *Most perfect! And you're ready for graduation,” laughed Joe. | “On, that's nothing to some of your | breaks, old chan; but I don’t care for | grammar now. My mind’s on Christmas | berries.” | *Poor little mind can hold only one | thought!” interrupted Joe; but Will, never heeding him, continued: ‘You | know the hill the other side of the gulch where we found tbat blackberry patch last summer on old man Davis’ ranch? (California boys, with even the best inten- tions, will forget the proper prefix to a man’s name.) and investigate.” “Tll bet we don’t get one,” answered Joe. “I’ll bet those greasers have got them all. You know Jacinto and Pedro Garc a ship them to San Francisco.” ‘Ob, the dickens! 1 suppose, then, we won’t find a decent bunch within ten miles. Those greasers take everything,” and Will’s hopeful face fell so low that Joe laughed and teasingly said: “Not everything, chappy. Wasn't it you that exclaimed last week against the laziness of the greaser and disputed with us on the injustice of the gringo? Now, when they exert themselves a little, you grumble too. It takes a lot to satisfy some people.” “Oh, shut up your joshing. You don’t like them any better than I,” answered Will, not quite amiably. “Look here, fellows, you’re getting on dangerous ground,” chimed in Bert, fear- ing an explosion. “'Let’s get down to busi- ness. Can you fellows go hunting for hsmes to-morrow ahemoonf Iam sure I can.” ““Yes, of course.” “Well, then, let’s start at 1—"" “Hold on! I can’tget off soearly,” put in Joe. *The dear maternal’s got no girl, and I must help do the lunch dishes. Can't leave her with the dishes, and xuth, too, that chiid—" ‘““‘Another Ruth story,” groaned Will; but Bert added: “Don’t mind him. He's only jealous. It's harc luck to be an only child. What's Miss Perpetual Motion’s latest?” vw%"" OF A FOWL ERROR. Let’s go over to-morrow | : d S : H 3 00ee000040 e Sn jowed “Well, you know she has a sterak on of running away. If one’s back is turned & minute she skips. Last night the dear maternal was getting supper and [ went for some wood. Ruth followed me out and when I went into the shed she glided to the front yard, squeezed through the end of the fenceand flew down the street. Then I missed her and had to race down the corner before I caught her. Of course her eyes were dancing and her hair flying and she thought it a fine joke. Going home I told her a harrowing tale of a little girl that slipped through a Lole in the fence, ran on the street, was caught by an eagle and carried to itsnest. Of course before the eaglets hurt her a hunter rescued her and returned ber to her home. Ruth looked anxious and asked, ‘Den did big broder mend . hole i' fence?’ You see all her thoughts are bent on running away. Moral for me—'Don’t leave dear maternal with both work and baby.’” *‘Well, what time can you start?” “About half-past 1. You chaps come for me and when I've finished we'll go. Our house is on the way anyhow.” 8o it was settled. Will was the only son of a successful lawyer and had few chores to intrude on his time. Bert also had few chores, but he was special messenger-boy to three older sisters and his position was no sine- cure.. His father owned the largest dry- goods store in town, and Bert would probably have spent his Saturdays getting an insight into the business, but that his sisters insisted he needed one day for out- door exercise. Joe’s father was an officer on a small steamer that traded along the coast, so Joe was left quite often as sole protector of his mother and baby sister, and a chiv- 4 alrous protector he was. He teased his mother as a companion, called her by any tender nickname his reading or fancy dic- tated, but enveloped her with a devotion that kept all minor cares and duties from her. | At the appointed time Will and Ber arrived and found Joe almost ready. Ina few minutes they started ‘“‘to diskiver the festive berry,” as Joe remarked. A ter an hour’s tramp they reached the desired hillside only to find the glossy trees stripped of their crowning glory. Although they were prepared for this, each boy felt disappointed in his inmost heart. They looked at each other and | burst into a laugh. “What lots of mocked Joe. greasers are ahead of us.” | ““They’re not ahead of us,” replied Will, “for we didn’t plan to get berries till yes- | terday, and likely they've been shipping | them since Thanksgiving. But, | what are we going to do?” “Search for more trees to plunder.’ “But where? Those fellows have been | | all over these hills, I bet, and it's no fun | out in this rain.’ “:Oh, you're neither sugar nor salt, and | if you were that rubber suit would protect you.”’ beautiful berries!"” can tell him why we want the berries, and | you know he is such a botany crank that he knows every bush on his place. Anyway, it would only be polite as we are going to take his berries.” “That's just the thing. at once.”’ “Wish we'd studied botany,” sighed ‘Will. “If we could call off the botanical | name we would win the old man’s heart.” It is to be judged that ‘‘the old man’s heart” wasn’t very hard, for when he had listened to them his eyes twinkled. *“To decorate for the Teachers’ Association! And in all thisrain! Well! Well! Times are changed since I was a boy. You seem | to be friends with your teachers. Now, we'd rather play pranks on them than work for them.” “Our teachers,” began Bert. “Oh, I know the new generation of teachers. Isn’t my daughter one? But let me see. You want Heteromeles arbutifolia. Well, I gave the Garcias leave to pick all they want, but I reckon there’s enough for all.” “But,"” and Will gave the history of their first exploration. “Well, well! So you would have taken them without leave, if you had found them. Hey?” *We didn’t think about ownership, sir,” apologized Bert; *‘we’re so us:d to getting blackoerries there and flowers, too.”” ‘‘Now, ain’t there beautiful flowers here? There’s never a day when there is no flower in bloom. Why, do you believe it, yesterday I found four Ranunculus Cali- fornicus, in spite of all this rain. Let me see. Do you know where the old adobe is? Where Santo Moreles killed Juan Castro? That was before you were born. There is a clump of Heteromeles arbutifolia south of the adobe. I reckon the Garcias wouldn’t go there, because the Mexicans say it is haunted. You boys airaid of ghosts?” [CONCLUDED NEXT SUNDAY.] The Coortyars Family, The Btivers' courtyard fairly gleamed with brightness this Saturday after- noon. The red and gold of the autumnal beeches shone merrily over the wall and waved greetings to the busy, budding chrysanthemums and asters in the tlower-beds below. The sand pile glistened from its crown of castles, school- houses and villages, duz out ana olanned by skilled childish fingers. The ivy danced gayly on the stone wall, glancing coquettishly upward to the one tall oak tree, which threw its tiny acorns, in their rustic cups, on tae heads of the trio of children playing around its feet. Paul and Gerald Stivers, two manly fel- lows, were making the most of their weekly boliday by romping away every Let’s go to him ““Admit, chappy, for once the | say— *How would it do,” interrupted sert, | *for us {0 go to old Davis himselt? We ! little Edna Coblentz, who proved herselfa blithe companion in their sports and a frolicsome lover of fun, like themselves. Edna was indeed a treasure! “Iam glad I have taken her,” thought gentie Mrs. Stivers, while sitting at the window to waich the little ones play. ‘“She will be such a dear friend for my boys!” Edna had had a strange life for one so young; for though only 7 years of age she had been on the stage four long yea: ucl- ing as littl: Eva in *‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Her little bands and feet and voice had earned many a dollar for a delicate, wid- owed mother, whom God, but afew weeks before, had placed in Paradise. Through friends Mrs. Stivers had learned of the child’sdestitution and lone- liness, and with the promptings of a lov- ing mother she had brought the child home and had made room inthe woman's heart and purse for one more. The children played bell, tossing it from one to the otner, standing in the shape of a triangle, until their arms became tired, and they sought fresh occupation in a game with the doll. This, however, was not noisy enough for Paul and Gerald, so Edna suggested a grand game, in which the express-wagon was to be the stage, Paul the conductor to take the fares, peb- bles the tickets, Gerald the horse, the doll and ball passengers, whenever she herself was not one, The back steps and the oak tree were the cities, and the trips between the two were, in fact, remarkable for clatter and chatter. Over the stones they went, bumpety- bump, and twisted in and out the flower- beds until, bang! they reached the post; then back again. Once the horse balked, then reared up and down, and finally refused outright to move, all because he had lost a shoe. What pleasure now! Gerald had to be tied in the blacksmith’s shop, while Panl took a hammer and nailed on a new shoe, and Edna stood before him and “whoaed” and brushed off the imaginary flies with a switch. “Now, Gerald, I’'m throngh!"” shouted Paul at last, “Get up,” cried Edna. *‘Ob, Edna, I don’t want to play this any more,” pleaded the frisky horse, “I think we could have ever so much more fun telling stories.” “Oh, goody, goody, so do I’ she an- swered cheerfully. “All right, say we do,” said Paul, lead- inz the way to the oak tree’s shade, where he threw himself down at full length, and was quickly followed by the others. “I am perfectly willing to talk, Gerald; but I don’t want to tell stories,” began Paul, who was an earnest, practical boy, with a head and shculders that indicated future abihty. “‘I think it would be much nicer to tell what we are going to do.”’ “Yes, Paul, you always know best. So we will do what you want us to do; and | i | | | | ) _‘x\l ) il e Ii”!fll-fl i you please begin,” replied Gerald, who idolized his brother, and with his fair, poetical face made & handsome contrastio the serious Paul. *Well, Gerald and Edna, I think I will be a soldier.” “A soldier? Why, Paul, then you will have to kill some one!” exclaimed the two. *Oh, no, not unless some one does wrone. Iwantto join the army, then I will be ready, whenever I am called upon, i to fight for my country. Yes, just as I heard Major Beck tell papa yesterday that a soldier ought to be willing, at any time, to lay down his life for his God, his coun- try and his home. Whew! wasn’t he mag- niticent?” Paul’s eye’s glowed at the re- membrance o his boyish hero’s flow of patriotic words. “But, Paul, I think I would rather fight dragons!” said Gerald, growing extremely roused. “Dragons ?” “Why, ves; just like mamma is always { reading us about. Iwould love tobe a Maglc Prince, and rescue lovely maidens. I would love to have a horse with a golden bridle, who could dash over any road, no matter how rough it was, or plunge through the deepest streams—" “Why, Gerald, you are ‘romancing,’” said Paul, with a smile at his visionary brother. “No, I am not, Paul; to be a prince.” “But there are no magic princes now, Georald.” “Perhaps there will be when I am a man, thoueh,” said the little dreamer. “Well, if Gerald is a prince, I want to be an angel,” cried Edna.. “Such beauti- ful angels used to carry ‘Little Eva’ up into heaven, and I always thought I would like to be one of them.” Edna ceased, and her sweet face re- flected her baby thoughts of cherub forms surrounded by great white wings show- ered with glittering spangles and flutter- ing over a mass of tulle draperies, *An angel, dear sister?” echoed Paul, gravely. Then Gerald kissed the new sister, and the three jumped up arm in arm and walked into the house, just as Mrs. Stivers was calling, “Supper-time, little ones!” Then the hovseswallowed them up, and the night hours crept along with a sheet I truly would like moment happily, and by getting a quainted with their new friend and sister, of darkness to cover over the house and courtyard. 5 Ten years later Mrs. Stivers stood at the same window, and looked o1t into the same courtyard; yet not the same, for it was empty. There were tears @ joy and tears of sorrow in hereyes; for her mind went back to the days of story-telling, Paul was, indeed, her soldier lad, but not as he then had meant. His father had died five years ago, and, like a true soldier of the cross, Paul had been loyal to his duty, and had taken up his father’s bur- den .where he had laid it down. In the fast-growing town her boy was the be- loved young physician who had held to- gether and increased his dead father’s ) practice. Gerald, the darling areamer, had been laid at rest by the side of his father. He had indeed been a prince—a prince of light—and had fought with, and had con- quered, dragons—the dragons of “the world, the flesh and the devil.” He had been the protector and comrade of his sis- ter—a lovely maiden; had ridden the horse with the golden bridle by “doing his duty in that state of life to which it had pleased God to call him”; for Gerald had of late years been a brave sufferer of rheumatism. The horse was the bed of pain, and the golden bridle was the Chris- tian fortitude that governed his conduct. -Aunt Kitty, dear!”” sang a sweet voice from the doorway, “Paul is coming home now. ‘““Won’t you come here and meet him with me?” “Ah, my Edna!” thought Mrs. Stivers; “yes, she, too, prophesied her future; for who but an angel couid have been my sol- ace and joy in my hours of trial—but her own dear self?’’ Then she turned away, and the court- yard grew gray and misty in the twilight; and I feel sure that someof the dew on the grass the next morning was tears. A.D. F. W"_yc Sa)'('l\gj of @pil- dven. A certain teacher of a class in a Mission Sunday-school has a difficult task impart- ing scraps of religious instruction to her young charges, and oiten amusin: an- swers are unconsciously returned to ques- tions which she asks. On one occasion she asked her pupils: “What do the high priests do?”’ And received the reply: “They burn insects before the people.” But one of the funniest experiences, which well shows the queer ideas which the children receive in their lessons, was given when, after a discussion of ship- wreck which followed a lesson three or | four weeks previously on the well-known story of Jonah and the whale, she hap- vened to ask: looked as though you were going to be drowned, what would you do?” “GERALD HAD TO BE TIED WHILE PAUL NAILED ON A SHOE.” ““I would throw 2 man overboard for the whale to swaliow,” was the reply. An inspector of schools was one day examining a class of village school chil- dren, and he asked them what was meant by a pilgrim. A boy answered, “A man what travels from one place to another.” The inspector, with elaborate patience, hoping to elucidate intelligence, said: “Well, but Iam a man who travels from one place to another. Am I a pilgrim?” ‘Whereupon the boy vrommly exclaimed, “Oh! but plnss. sir, I meant a good man.” “Now, Johnny,” " said Miss Spriggins, the schoalmulress as she poised the gad above the bad hoy’s back for a moment, “I want you to remember that when I whlp you it is not because I enjoy bestow- ing punishment on you but because I honestly desire to do you good."” o3 “Huh!" retorted Johnny Squanch, in the weary tone of a blase man of the worl bat is what comes of a feller's allowin’ a woman to get dead stuck on CTwo éclo('wsl I Here are two squirrels from Gobolink land, They came as you see them, hand in hand. 1t was raining when they started out, S0 8 queer umbrelia they carry about. Thelr tails are extra large, you see, But that concerns neither you nor me, Andas both little squirrels wish to go their way We all will bid them & fond good-day. i C. §r. C. C. ———— ‘Why are good resolutions like a squall- ing baby at church? Because they should always be carried out. “Suppose a big storm arose at sea and it Exchange :?_]P vegenly. EXTRACT FROM A CITY BOY'S LETTER TO HIS COUSIN. Dear Jim: I received the ow! which you sent me and like him first rate, but he is & very queer bird. He sits on his perch in the daytime with his eyes shut, and never stirs. Sometimes I turn him upside dows, but he don’t open his eyes or say any- thing. When the room gets a little dark he opens his eyes wide and sits and stares at me all the time. I don’t think his eyes are right; they are too big. I call him Number 8ix Owl, but he has Number Ten Eyes. I am much obliged for the owl, and send you a splendia parrot. Yours truly, Tox. Dear Tom: I'd like to trade back with you. The parrot is & funny-looking bird, but his claws and bill are too sharp and he is all the time trying to be too familiar with me. When he gets his claws and bill in my hair it makes me holler, and then he swears. So I want to trade back. Yours respectfully, Jix. —Golden Days. Col‘x’\] a)d H(S meéélf“-ofl\t Father Once there was a little boy, His name was Tommy Teddlesum, Of all the boys I ever knew He was the most meddlesome. He twisted, turned and capsized things Whene’er no one was looking; Would put red pepper in the mush Which on the stove was cooking. When bedtime came the folks would search The covers, pillows, ticking, For pins and needles lurked about In slyest corners sticking. He turned the Christmas presents round In » manner really shocking! Little Johnnie’s new tin horn Went into grandma’s stocking. The popgun meant for Sammy He gave to sister Sue; And baby’s woolen jacket All trimmed with pink and blue Filled up the full capacity Of papa’s Christmas sock; While Jack’s cigars to stern Aunt Jane Would surely give a shock. When all was nicely disarranged To Tommy's satisfaction, He softly crept back into bed Awaiting daylight's action. Just then the door swung slowly back With warning, squeaky squeaking, And Tommy heard his father’s shoes Across the floor go creaking. Then while he peeked the Christmas horn Went back to Johnnie's stocking; And Jack’s cigars had no more chance To give Aunt Jane a shocking. ‘The baby’s sackand Sammy’s gun Resumed theirrightful places, And soon of Tommy's promised fun There was no further traces. Then while a feeling of disgust Came over Tommy Teddlesum, Quoth he, “Of all the folks I know, Pa’s surely the most meddlesome.” MARY F. MERRILL. Stockton, Cal. Fond mother—And was my little boy smart at school to-day? Little boy (sadly)—My teacher didn’t say I was, mamma, but he took pains to make me smart later. PorT KENYON, Dec. 24, 1896, Dear Editor: This is my. first letter to Tie CALL. My papa has taken it for several years, 1 like it very wuch. 1go to school in Port Kenyon and am in the fourth grade. My teacher’s nameis Mr. Fike, 1 bave two brothers and three sisters, I hope to see.my letter published. Your friend, ADA DAoN. ALAMEDA, Cal., Dec. 28, 1896. Dear Editor: Iam very mucn interested in the “Childhood’s Realm” and I am glgd when Sunday comes. Ishould like to belong to the C.R.C. I wrotea letter to the Examiner a long time ago, but they never printed it. I hope that you will print this in THE CALL. 1go to the Porter School and I was promoted tothe Fourth. Iam 8 yearsold. Ihave a dog, whose name is Midget, and a white catnamed Halryfoot. Wishing you a hanpy New Year, INEZ PEARL, §COTT. KINGs Crry, Cal., Dec. 29, 1896. Dear Editor: This is my first letter to you and I would like 1o j)in the C. R. C. Ienjoy reading the children’s page very much, but would enjoy it more to.have my name appear init. Ihave been trying to solve the puzzles and got most all of them. I live in San Jose, butam spenaing the vacation with my aunt and uncle, in Kiogs City. My uncle takes THE CALL. Ihave a little brother, Elbert, 4 years old. Wishing you a happy new year, I remain, your new friend, MABEL BROWN, 3 12 years old, MoNTEREY, Cal., Dec. 28, 1896. Dear Editor: Iam alittle girl 10 vears old. I live in Los Gatos, but now I am visiting my grandma in Monterey. My uncle and I had lots of fun on Christmas, more than we ex- vected. I hope by next Sunday I shall belong to the C. R. C. Up in Los Gatos my little sister very much, and especially on Sundays. I go 10 school when I am at home and I am in the fourth grade. Isent three puzzies and hope they will be published. I forgot to (e 1 you my teacher's name. It 1s my Miss Stark- weather. We have n pet horse named Frank, and heis 20 yearsold. I think I shall clos now, as my letter is growing long for the firs one. Your little friend, GLADYS BELL. CRESCENT CITY, Dec. 22, 18! Dear Editor: 1am a littie girl § live with my aunt and uncle, Pete E netsberg, on Fourth street,in Crescent Cit; We havo taken THE CALL for six years. Ilike the Chil. dren’s Page very much. Ihope to see thisin the next Sunday’s paper. MAGGIE MADIGAN. SN FRANCISCO, Dec. 28, 1896 Dear Editor: This is my first letter to Tig CALL. 1 shoula like tosee it published in next Sunday’s Childhood’s Reaim. I like to real the Childhood’s Realm very much. We have taken THE CALL for many vears and I have always tried my best to solve the riddies. Wishing you s happy new yesr I remain your new friend, EMMA DE WIT. ADERA, Dee. 24, 1896. Dear Editor : 1will write to you & fow lines. 1 have not written toyou for a long time. I would like to be a member of the C. K. C. I wish I were in Ban Francisco now. 1 believe they are having a grand time. I am 11 years old and am in the sixth grade. I havea new friend for you, and he is going to write soon. My brother has been taking THE CALL for a long time. We are going to have one week's vacation here. I hope this letter will escapa the waste basket. _ABRANAM PRECIADO. CENTERVILLE, Cal., Dec. 20, 1896, Tear Editor: This is my first lever to Tra CaLL 1 wish very much to see it in print. To-morrow is my niath birthday. Idonot have so very many pres ents, because it is so near Christmas, but get two or three. Ilike to read Childhood’s Realm very much, Ilike to try to make gobolinks sometimes. [ Dhave a little sister named Louise, and she i55 yeazs old. I have three pets, a dog, a cat and alamb. I should like to belong to the C. B. C. very much, and if I see this letter in print 1 will write some poetry or a story to THE Your new friend, BEsSIE T. OVERACK ELK GROVE, Cal, Dec. 28, 1896 Dear Fditor: 1 bave read the Childhood's Realm through every Sunday since papa be- gan taking your paper, which was in Novem- ber. I enjoy it very much. This is my first letter. Ishould Jixe to beiong to the C. R.C. Club, although I do not know what it is. Hoping that this letter will not find its way into the waste basket, I will close. Your cone stant reader, ETHEL Y. HALL. OAKLAND, Cal., Dec. 29, 18! Thisis my first leter to you, I »m 11 years oid. I read the Childnood's Realm .and like it very much. Inclosed you will find a story which I hope you will like, Your new friend, LULU RICHMAN. BLUE CANYoN, Cal,, Dec. 30, 1896. Dear Editress: Letme wish you and all the members ot the Chiluhood’s Realm Club a happy New Year, and I hope they had a merry Christmas. There was no entertaiument of any kin@ in our little town, but several fami- lies had Christmas trees. We bad one at oar house, and all enjoyed themselves. I wasglad to see another letter irom our little friend at the lighthouse, and intend to write to him. A snowstorm has set in up here in the moun- tains, and it 100ks 8s though it would last long enough for the snow to become quite deep, and then we will have lots of fun as scon as the big snowplow gets to work cleaning the tracks. I'll write and explain all about it, ana I hope it will be interesting to those who have neverseen such a sight. I close now, re- maining your little reader, RETHEA WALDA, C. R. C. Dear Editor: |,t: | i Uzl BEHEADINGS. 1. Behead a conveyance and get skill. I1. Behead a pair and get a contest. 1IL. Behead to cut deeply and get a relation, ALICE BELL. ADDITION. IV. Add fifty to part of & circle and gets forest tree. V. Add fifty to a sharp side and get a ridge. VI. Add fifty to edges of & roof and get parts of & plant. VIL In the first you take a ride. The second you caress; The model housewife sweeps with pride, This oft-trodden parlor dress. Selected by A. FISCHEE. HISTORY QUESTIONS. VIIL What prociamation was issued Janu- ary 1,1863? By whom? IX. What took place January 8, 18157 CONUNDRUNS. X. (a) What travels over the water without leaving a shedow? (b) What are we afraid of that cannot hurt us? ExMMA DE WIT. hasadog named Brownle I like THE CaLL Answers for December 27. L (a) Pear. (b) Apple. (¢) Lemon. (d) Peach. IL “Oh!oh!” exclaimed Tommy, “My brain’s in a muss: £ 1 don’t do these sums, Pa will make such a fuss. On, dearf here is something To bother me more! This lesson in French I must read o'er and o'er, 1 wish,” Tommy said, With & smile and a frown, «] could be miles away, From this musty old town,"” I A happy New Year. 1V. Herd—ber. V. Rabbit—rabbl. V1. Clock—lock. VIL The man in the moon. HOPE VlH = = w ®e M go4ps woOH® Answers to Puzzles. Answers to puzzles of December 20 have been received from the following members of the C. R. C.: Bessie O:chard, Jessie Harkin and Clara Orchard. For December 27—Ella R. Hartnell, Alice Bell, Eva M. Bolger, Gretta Cluff, Retha Waldan and Ida Wizhiman. From non-members for December 20—Irenc Wenig. For December 27—Inez P. Scott, Mubel Brown, Julie Madden, Emma de Wit and Lizzie Mathison. Letters Acknowledged. Besides letters published to-dsy pleasant communications have also been received from Velma Shartle, Bessie Orehard (C. R. C.), Irene Wenig, Juliette Driscoll, Clara Ozchard (C. R. C); W. Tibbets, Edith Leany, Julie Madden, pia Lafranchi, Mary H. Peatross, vy Regan, Laura Koleff and W. B. Smith. > ALLe » -