This is a fac-simile of a dainty note that I received one afternoon last month. As I looked at the wee, plump cook, in her cap and apron, tossing a ball in a frying-pan in the upper corner of the invitation, and the tiny cook merrily footing a jig in the lower corner, and then spied along the bottom the guests and musicians running for the special midnight train, I wondered whether these little Jersey maids were going to prepare us a wonderful supper, dance while it was baking, boiling, and cooling, invite us to partake of it, and then vanish, leaving us to scurry home like belated fairies fearing the dawn. "TWO EGGS, WELL BEATEN, ONE CUP SUGAR—" A few days afterward I was being borne rapidly along toward Morristown in the train, now flying past loveliest stretches of woodland, catching glimpses of brown pools and flashes of silver brooks, and anon past meadows golden with buttercups, and fields snowed under by daisies: and was there ever so pretty a sight? Yes, in the dressing-room of the hall where the five-and-forty "young maidens," white capped and robed like daisies—or, no, they made me think of doves—were cooing and preening their white feathers—beg pardon, their white ribbons—for their ball: that was a prettier sight. Among the hundreds of pretty girls who attended the ball we knew our cooking maidens by their caps, and a sign, for each one wore a tiny griddle or a frying-pan or a toasting-fork fastened to her dress, and besides that a great ball of red and white roses hanging from her belt. "DON'T LET IT BURN." This was their first ball, and how do you think the young maiden cooks trimmed their ball-room? With bunches of roses and radishes, leeks and lilies, and all sorts of homely herbs twisted and twined around pots and kettles, griddles and saucepans, all full-sized, and shining new from the tin shops. Now don't laugh: it was very pretty and proper too that these utensils should be raised to their ancient dignity. Why, once upon a time, very long ago, of course, cooking utensils were made of bronze and silver and gold, and Kings and Queens delighted to cook their own meals, and professional cooks rode in carriages, as I hope these young cooks may—or do. What I wish to tell is how this association originated, and something about other cooking clubs. Well, about five years ago, a dozen school-girls put their wise young heads together for a grave consultation. I will not tell you what solemn things were said on this occasion, but they decided that it was the duty of every girl to know how to cook, especially such things as Éclairs, puffs, tarts, and jellies, so necessary to the happiness of every well-ordered household; and also, because learning to peel potatoes, prepare vegetables and meats, and to dress salads—all important things, too, in a household—would, be very dull and dry work, it was moved and carried that, after eating supper, they should always have music, dancing, charades, or tableaux to cheer them up. The first meeting was held at the home of one of their number; the lady of the house and Dinah the cook amiably giving up the kitchen and the dining-room, with their treasures, for the purpose. LAYING THE CLOTH. It was a pleasant sight to see a dozen young girls in snowy caps and aprons, note-book and pencil in hand, with a grave expression on their rosy countenances as they seated themselves to listen to their acknowledged leader, who was to announce the orders of the day. I am not going to tell you much about their disappointments. I will only say they were determined to master one of the most important duties in life for girls—so they all said. At first too many girls would "put their fingers in the pie" at a time, so to speak; consequently the "meringues" would not froth properly, the "croquettes" would fall apart, and the biscuits resemble dough. But they had the dancing to encourage them, added to the thought of duty; so they persevered, until at last one might peep into one of the loveliest dining-rooms, now their head-quarters, and really feel tempted by the goodly array of dishes. The head cook not long since declared to me that she could peel potatoes, prepare vegetables and salads, and—But there, I can not give a list of all her culinary accomplishments; it would be too long. From a small club of school-girls the affair has assumed the dignity of an association numbering nearly fifty young ladies. But what has all this to do with the ball? you may ask. WASHING DISHES. The ball was the crowning event of the association's long existence of five years; in fact, it was a sort of culinary Commencement, and the graduates now commence life as Maidens of Arts—culinary arts, of course. They have made their courtesy to the world, and now retire. Early in September or October a new Maidens' Association will spring up; but, as these dignified ladies of eighteen patronizingly declare, they will only be little girls—beginners. What a wonderful advantage it is to be so elderly and dignified! Similar societies exist in various parts of the country: among others may be mentioned the Boston Saturday Morning Cooking Club, which has won considerable fame by its culinary exploits; the Young Maidens' Cooking Association of Savannah, Georgia; the Philadelphia Cooking Club; the New York; and a number in the West. Indeed, wherever those famous lady cooks Miss Juliet Corson, Miss Parloa, and Miss Dodds have travelled, giving their interesting lectures, cooking clubs have sprung up like flowers in their wake. I wonder, with all their knowledge, whether any of these coming cooks will ever equal that famous Roman master of his art who could serve at table a whole pig, one-half of which was boiled, and the other roasted, and stuffed with spiced birds, eggs, and delicious nuts?
Woodside, near Lincolnton, North Carolina. I have been thinking that some of the readers of Young People would like to hear about Uncle Pete, and perhaps to help my sister M—— and myself in the little school which we began with Pete's eight children for the first pupils. Four years ago we moved back to the old farm which had been my father's. The place is now worked by tenants. One of them is a colored man, who was once our slave, and has never left us a single day. He used to be a good servant, and in the years since he has been free he is still the same honest, faithful man. In the sickness and troubles we have had he has been the kindest of friends, always doing everything he can for us. When we came back we found a great deal to do, and many things very much run down, and Uncle Pete was our best helper. There is no school here for colored children to attend, so we asked him to send his little flock to us on Sunday afternoons. The little things came gladly, and learned so well that we told them they might invite any other children who wished to learn to come with them. In a month our school numbered twenty-seven pupils. Among them they have only six ABC primers, and two New Testaments. They are very anxious to learn to read and write. If we had the money, we would like to build a little school-house, where M—— would teach these little folks three times a week, except in the season when they are busy in the cotton field, and every Sunday as well. We could then take a great many more, who are now sent away for want of room. We will gladly give the land, all the timber needed, and the use of our wagon and team, and Pete with the other fathers will give labor; but some money is necessary too, and we have none. We would now be very glad to receive books, even old and worn ones, reward cards, papers, and slates, as well as copies of the Testament. If we had a small instrument, M——would teach them to sing. Any gifts of money or books which may be sent to me will be acknowledged promptly and thankfully. Who wants to help Pete's little Ida, and her friends?
Mrs. Alice Richardson. We have no doubt that many of you will look about the house to see what school-books and cards you have finished using, and what story-books and Testaments you can send to these ladies, who are trying to make the little dark-eyed children on the farm happier and better. Very likely some of you will deny yourselves a treat of some kind, or save money from candies or toys, that you may lend a hand to Uncle Pete in building a little school-house. And if some of you help to buy the little cabinet organ, why, if you listen very hard, you may hear the sweet voices singing, if not with your ears, in your hearts.
Winnipeg, Manitoba. I was seven years old on Christmas-day. I can not write well yet, but mamma is writing this for me. I have two sisters, Isabel and Constance, and I have three cousins here, so that we have great fun when we play together. We have drives very often out on the lovely green prairies. Mamma reads us the stories in Young People, and we are so delighted with them all. We were very sorry when Mr. Stubbs died, and my sister and I hope Toby got some other pet in his place. I go to school every day. We had games in the Park on the 24th of May. Papa and mamma took us to see them. The funniest was the fat man's race.
Ethel Wynne.
Indianapolis, Indiana. Last fall papa bought a pig, which we called Mattie. This spring she had eight little pigs, and they all died but one. Mattie was sick, and could not take care of it, so we kept it up stairs, and fed it from a bottle. One night it got out of its basket, and ran all over the room, squealing, until I got up and gave it some milk. I put it in the basket, covered it up with its blanket, and thought it would stay there for the rest of the night; but I had hardly crept into bed, and was just falling asleep, when I heard it squealing again. I said to my sister, "I believe that pig is out again"; and so he was. He did not want to go back in the basket, and we had a great deal of trouble. Mamma and papa both had to get up to feed him before morning.
Harriet S. P.S.—The above letter has been lying some time in one of my books, but I think I will send it. After I wrote it the pig died, and we buried him in the garden.
Bedford Station, Westchester Co., N.Y., June 17, 1881. Will some of the readers of Harper's Young People help me to obtain (alive) some of the caterpillars of the Cecropia, Polypheme, Luna, and Promethea moths? They are found from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The eggs of the first of these are found in the Southern States in May, and in the Northern States in June, are kidney-shaped and white, and are found on the leaves of apple, cherry, and wild plum trees. The caterpillar measures from three to four inches in length, is light green, with red warts or knobs with black hairs on them. It is about the size of a woman's middle finger. The caterpillar of the second variety is found on oak, elm, and lime trees in July and August. Its body is blue-green, with orange and purple warts, its head and feet black. The caterpillar of the third variety is much like the second, but is found on walnut and hickory trees. The caterpillar of the fourth variety feeds on sassafras-trees. It is large, like the others, bluish-green, except the head, feet, and tail, which are yellow. There are sometimes small wart-like spots on it, either red or blue. I want the cocoons, the caterpillars, and the eggs. The caterpillars can be sent safely by mail, I think, in a perforated box, with some of the proper leaves inclosed with them, unless the distance is too great.
Mrs. L. Luquer.
Havana, Illinois. We had an evergreen bell for Christmas, and this spring we hung it out in the porch, when some little birds came, made a nest in it, laid eggs, and hatched out little birds. We could stand in the porch and watch the mother bird bring worms to feed her little ones. I am six years old.
Jewell A. They were "cute" little birds, to choose so cozy a place for housekeeping.
Bridgeton, New Jersey. I have just the sweetest little sister, who likes me to play on the piano while she runs around in a circle or dances. But she will dance to only one tune, and if I play any other she sits down on the corner of the sofa, and waits for me to get through.
Hattie L.S.
Marysville, California. I am eleven years old, and my brother and I take Young People, and like it very much. I think Jimmy Brown is a very funny boy. I liked "Susie Kingman's Decision" and "Mildred's Bargain" very much. Please, Mr. Harper, tell Jimmy Brown to relate another of his sad experiences soon.
Annie B.
Pueblo, Colorado. My brothers and sisters and I like to read Young People. I think Jimmy Brown's monkey must have been a remarkable one.
Robert C.W.
Chicago, Illinois. My sister and I take Young People, and we like it very much. At school one Friday two girls, my sister and myself, read "Susie Kingman's Decision," and our teacher thought it very good. We began Young People with No. 31, but as my cousin had all the numbers from the first, I read the stories in them. We have made out many of the puzzles, but have never sent any. I enjoy the letters in the Post-office Box.
E. and L.B.
Springfield, Missouri. I can hardly wait till my grandma, who lives in Titusville, Pennsylvania, sends me my Young People. I am nine years old, and my sister Mattie is seven. We have a darling little canary-bird. It can sing very sweetly. We have taught it to eat from our mouths. Its name is Billy. We think a great deal of our pet.
Clintie B.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have taken Young People ever since the paper was published, and I can hardly wait for Tuesday morning to come I am so anxious to get it. I think that "Toby Tyler" and the "Daisy Cot" are the prettiest of all the stories. Next week I am going to the country to spend the summer at my grandpa's, and I expect to have a very nice time there. They have horses and cows and chickens and guinea-fowls. I go down to the pasture lot every evening, and the cows come to me and I feed them. Last winter I went to school for the first time. I studied quite hard, and I took the second prize. It was a dear little silver fan. I am almost eight years old, and I hope to take Young People until I grow to be a woman.
Jennie P.M.
Cincinnati, Ohio. I am eleven years old. I have been confined to my bed five weeks to-day. I was out hunting, and was climbing over a fence, and as I was handing the gun over, it slipped out of my hands, and off went Mister Gun! It made a hole in my leg, and one in my arm. It was a pinfire gun. I hope the boys who read this will not handle guns or pistols until they are old enough to take care of them. I will not be able to walk, even with a crutch, for six weeks. I do not know what I would do without Harper's Young People. "The Cruise of the 'Ghost'" is splendid. I liked "Toby Tyler." I am making a collection of shells, coins, and stamps. We have four little kittens, and my sister calls the mother cat Mamma Lillie or Muver Lillie. My father and mother carried me to the window this morning at three o'clock, and I saw the comet.
J.T.M. We too hope that the boys who read this letter will heed its warning, and let fire-arms, and even toy pistols, alone. They are dangerous playthings. Boys who go on hunting excursions should be accompanied by their fathers or elder brothers; but while we do not condemn hunting altogether, we think there are many safer ways of finding out-door pleasures, without taking the lives of innocent animals, or periling your own.
Seabright, New Jersey. Before the idea was mentioned in Young People a society had been started in New York to collect all sorts of things, such as preserved sea-weed, dried grass, iron, gold, and other ores—in fact, everything except postage stamps. We hold meetings in the fall, at which all the collections are placed in the society's cabinet, to be lent for a while. I am the secretary, and will be happy to give full particulars to any one who may write to me inclosing a three-cent stamp. No girls are admitted, nor any persons residing out of New York State for over three months at a time.
John R. Blake,
Secretary N.Y. Chapter C, Agassiz Association. Although you appear to have anticipated our Young People's Natural History Society, we will be pleased to have you become a branch of it, if you wish to do so. Your rule with regard to girls seems to us rather arbitrary. Girls make good working members of such societies, and their presence adds much animation to the meetings.
It may perhaps be interesting for your readers to know with how much pleasure Harper's Young People is welcomed in far-away countries such as Holland, and how even a Dutch girl is interested in its pretty stories and engravings. I await its arrival as eagerly as any American boy or girl, and the Post-office Box is one of its greatest attractions. Perhaps some of your readers would like to have photographs representing views from Holland. I will send them in exchange for any American pictures. If correspondents have a special desire for views from particular places of Holland, they will please state it in their letters, and I will try to satisfy their demands.
E. Molewater,
Villa Duna, Scheveningen, Holland.
The following exchanges are offered by correspondents: Postmarks from Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, for postmarks from any other State, or for Indian relics.
Eugene Hunter, Wauseon, Ohio.
Indian arrow-heads, lead ore, and mica, for half-cents and large copper cents of all dates.
W.F. Woolard, Fairfield, Ill.
Specimen of rock and earth from the State of Ohio, for the same from any other State.
Calvin K. Riernan,
Care of B.F. Seigley, Melmore, Ohio.
George S. Meredith, Oakland, Cal.
Periwinkles, small mussel shells, and petrifications, for foreign stamps.
Frank Stivers,
Liberty, Union Co., Ind.
Indian tomahawks, for curiosities of any kind. No foreign stamps wanted.
Dellie H. Porter,
Russellville, Logan Co., Ky.
Soil from New Jersey, for minerals, fossils, or anything good for a museum.
Ashbel Green, Jun.,
Box 62, Englewood, N.J.
Sixteen foreign postage stamps, for silver or gold ore.
F. Mehl,
1527 Mount Vernon St., Philadelphia, Penn.
Stamps, postmarks, butterflies, or moss, for sea-shells, or any curiosity suitable for a museum.
Frank Ford,
Middlefield, Geauga Co., Ohio.
Belgian and French, for stamps from Russia, Norway, Turkey, Sweden, Italy, Spain, and Greece. No duplicates.
Arnold Layman,
411 South Fourth St., Terre Haute, Ind.
Two good books, for a young spaniel puppy.
Moss P. Fuller,
Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N.Y.
Cryolite from Greenland, pure limestone from Crystal Cave, Bucks Co., Penn., stamps, postmarks, and coins, for Indian relics, curiosities of all kinds, and old United States cents and half-cents.
Frank H. Earp,
1825 Green St., Philadelphia, Penn.
I will give the following collection of minerals for a good Indian bow and arrows, or for a foot-power scroll-saw, or a good printing-press: Agates (carnelian), agates (moss), asbestos, chalcedony, claystone (concretions), copper ore, copper pyrites, cryolite, crystals (quartz), feldspar, flint, fossil wood, fluor-spar, galena, gypsum, granite, garnet, Iceland-spar, Mammoth Cave (formations), marble, mica (quartz), pebble, satin-spar, shale-fused rock (rare), jasperized wood, sandstone formations, iron pyrites, petrified moss; also six shells from Sandwich Islands, three shells from Feejee Islands, four shells from Bermuda Islands, six petrified shells, a trilobite, a piece of mussel chalk (Austria), and some other curiosities. Correspondents please write before sending anything.
C.H. Leadbetter, Jun.,
Box 787, Hamilton, Ohio.
Quartz crystals, iron ore, and flint, for sea curiosities, or stamps from Iceland, Greenland, any country in Africa except Egypt, Argentine Republic, and Central America.
Charles Lansing,
Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N.Y.
Offers invited for a pair of base-ball shoes, size No. 6, very little worn.
Thatcher T.P. Luquer,
Bedford Station, Westchester Co., N.Y.
Stamps from Asia, Africa, South America, Gold Coast, Gambia, Mexico, etc., also Chinese coins, copper ore, beautiful art cards, and cards with my name, for department stamps, or any besides European; foreign coins, good ocean curiosities, or cards, in any even exchange. Indian arrow-heads for twelve stamps, or anything named above.
Lock Box 88, Little Falls, N.Y.
Two-cent blue and red United States internal revenue stamps, for foreign stamps and curiosities. Correspondents will please send postal, stating what they have to exchange, and the number of stamps they wish. If the exchange is agreeable, we will forward ours immediately.
H. Soper and G. Harman,
Room 35, 16 Court St., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Thirty foreign stamps, for five pieces of Indian or Mound Builders' pottery—good specimens.
Box 35, Atwater, Ohio.
Soil from Pennsylvania and water from the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, for soil and water from any other State and river.
Katie E. Smith,
2130 Sharswood St., Philadelphia, Penn.
Sand from Lake Ontario, for different sorts of woods. An ounce for each kind.
Robert Beach, Albion, Orleans Co., N.Y.
Three hundred postmarks, all different, for one good font of type weighing not less than two pounds.
R.F. Sheddan, Craigsville, Orange Co., N.Y.
Stamps or postmarks, for stamps. Those from Mexico, Cuba, Peru, and Iceland especially desired.
Harry W. Denison, Godfrey, Madison Co., Ill.
Ten postmarks, for the 7 or 90 cent stamp of any United States department except the Interior; or stamps, for stamps; and stamps, for curiosities. No duplicates.
John R. Blake,
Peninsula House, Seabright, N.J.
One of Scott's stamp albums, containing one hundred and forty rare stamps, some unused, for a pair of roller skates, in good condition, or a miniature yacht or schooner not less than twenty-two inches long, with a mast and bowsprit.
Charles E. Develin,
2039 Camac St., Philadelphia, Penn.
Stuffed humming-birds, for good specimens of gold, silver, zinc, tin, lead, and copper ore, or petrified ferns, Indian pottery, amethysts, stalactites, and stalagmites. Please write and arrange exchange first.
George L. Osgood, Jun.,
2 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, Mass.
Shells, pebbles, and coral from the Atlantic Ocean, for foreign stamps; or stamps, for stamps.
Fred Houston,
Monmouth Beach, Atlanticville P.O., N.J.
One setting of pure breed golden Polish hens' eggs, for stamps.
P.O. Box 258,
Gouverneur, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y.
Pressed ferns, for foreign stamps.
Etta Miller, Westport, Mendocino Co., Cal.
Ocean shells, for flower seeds or foreign stamps. A specimen of copper ore, for foreign stamps.
W.D. Miller, Westport, Mendocino Co., Cal.
A piece of petrified wood, a piece of flint, and spear and arrow heads, for foreign stamps.
Ralph Clay, Jamestown, Va.
A stamp from Bavaria, Austria, Germany, France, England, Italy, Belgium, or Canada, for the same from Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, Greece, Spain, Cuba, Egypt, or Russia.
Noah T. Coleman,
Cor. Gifford and Niagara Sts., Syracuse, N.Y.
Old issues of United States stamps especially desired for a triangular Cape Colony or an 8-cent registered Canada stamp; five stamps of Italy, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Bavaria, or a Luxemburg and four other kinds, for any South American stamp.
Fred H. Wilson,
P.O. Box 1975, Joliet, Illinois. [For other exchanges, see third page of cover.]
Until September 1, exchangers will address A. Eddie Conover to the care of Mrs. Brainerd, Harrison, Westchester Co., N.Y.
Annie C. Smith, Binghamton, N.Y., and Harry C., Bergen Point, N.J., withdraw their names from our exchange list.
Adele R.—Read answer to N.B.A.S.
Mary H.—Write again to Susie F., who perhaps failed to receive your letter. Tell her what you have told us, and ask her to explain her delay.
Mary S.—We felt very sad when we read in your letter that your dear sisters Helen and Sophie Scouller had both been taken away by death. Your home must be very lonely without them. You will always love the paper for little Helen's sake, and it is a very sweet thought of your mamma to go on taking it in her name, so that whenever it comes you will be "reminded of dear little Helen in heaven."
Joseph W. Hawkins died suddenly on June 20. His brother requests that no more letters be sent to his address on the exchange list.
Lottie G.N.—Centipeds and Tarantulas.—The tarantula, or wolf-spider, is a hunter, running over the ground with great swiftness. It makes no web, but hides in holes in the earth, and in crevices, which it lines with its silk. Its poison is active, but it confines its ravages to insects on which it preys, and seldom attacks man. This poor spider has been very much maligned.—Centipeds inhabit the tropics. They are yellow, brown, or rusty red, and are extremely venomous. They are often the length of a man's little finger, but are flattened like tape. They bite by means of a strong forceps placed horizontally at their mouth, nearly as large as the hooked thorns on a blackberry bramble, causing fever, pain, and inflammation. They creep into gloves and pipes, and are a source of great annoyance to people in India. The English centiped is something like a glow-worm, emitting a phosphorescent light. These creatures possess from fifty-one to fifty-five pairs of legs.
"Admiring Friend."—John G. Whittier resides in Amesbury, Mass.; Thomas Nast, in Morristown, N.J.; John G. Saxe, in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Mrs. Dinah Mulock Craik, in London, Eng.
L.G.C.—It would be a very difficult thing, and almost an impossibility, for a boy to build a boat like the Whitewing.
E.A.A.—Full directions for making a canvas canoe were given in Harper's Young People No. 26, Vol. I.
N.B.A.S.—Perhaps your tardy correspondent is waiting to receive a new supply of the articles he has offered in exchange. We can only advise you to be patient, and if you do not hear from him soon, to write again, requesting the favor of a reply at least, and the return of your own articles, if he can not fulfill his part of the contract. We believe the invention of which you inquire has not been put to any practical use.
Robert.—You can get a very good nickel-case watch at a price varying from $6 to $10.
H.S.P.—The Boys' Illustrated News, London, Eng., is edited by Captain Mayne Reid. A reply to your other question was given in Post-office Box No. 88.
M.D.—The address you request is 113 West Fifty-sixth Street, New York city.
J.S., R.C., and Others.—Your best course would be to write for the information you desire, to the Superintendent of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., inclosing a stamped envelope for his reply. Appointments to the Naval Academy are made by members of Congress for their respective districts.
Young Trapper.—We think it would be a pity to make war on the sparrows, which are no doubt pugnacious, but which were brought to our country for a good purpose. Before they came, our city streets were in the summer a terror to ladies by reason of the worms which fell from the trees at every step. In Central Park orioles and robins hold their own, without trouble from the sparrows. Please give up your idea of a snare. The Taxidermist's Manual, published by the American News Company, New York, will tell you all about stuffing birds, etc. Price $1.
Correct answers to puzzles have been received from John and Alice Southworth, T.M. Armstrong, "School-Boy," "Phil I. Pene," Thaddeus Kosciosko, T.M. Armstrong, "D.E. Cember," J.W. and D.A. Slattery, Bessie H. Moore, A.E. Hance, Jesse D. Burns, "Damon and Pythias," J.J. Bellman, Frank Lomas, and Ella Hosford.
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