Harper's Young People, August 10, 1880 Part 7

WAs.h.i.+NG THE BABIES' FACES.

THE GREEDY LITTLE MOUSE.

BY E. C.

Tottie and Lillie were twins, with the same wide-open blue eyes, the same rosy dimples, and bright yellow hair. One day, when they were seated at the little table in the nursery eating their dinner--for they were too young yet to dine with mamma--Tottie thought she saw a little black bead s.h.i.+ning in a hole by the closet door. No, it could not be a bead, for it popped in and out. Presently out came a little pointed nose, with long stiff whiskers, two little round ears, and two bright black--not beads, but eyes. The children sat very still, and thought they had never seen anything quite so pretty as the little plump body and long graceful tail whisking rapidly and noiselessly, while the little creature peered cautiously about. Lillie threw gently a little piece of bread, but terrified little mousie thought it was surely intended to kill her, and flew back to her stronghold in the closet.

Tottie now put a little piece of bread quite close to the hole, and they sat motionless for it to re-appear. They had not long to wait; the bread was too sweet a morsel for mousie to resist, and they soon had the great pleasure of seeing her first nibble a little, and finally drag it into the hole. Lillie said, "Oh, don't you know, Tottie, mousie is the mother, and she has a lot of little children in her house, and that is going to be their dinner: let's give her some every day." And so they did, until mousie grew so tame and so wise she seemed to know the dinner hour as well as they, and would come nearer and nearer, and run in and out under the table picking up the crumbs; but she was ever a little distrustful.

If any one made an effort to catch her, or made ever so little noise, off she flew to her hole, and would wait, and peep out for some time, before she became re-a.s.sured. But when every one was fast asleep in bed, then she became more brave; but with all her fine feeding, Mrs. Mouse could not overcome her nature, and, I grieve to add, she was a _thief_.

She would rummage in pockets for cake and goodies, and climb to the highest shelf if she smelt any dainty, and so, alas! fell a victim to her greedy propensities.

Nurse had put a bowl of liquid starch, on the shelf in the closet, and mousie, thinking she had a fine treat, scaled the side, and reaching over for the dainty, lost her balance, and tumbled in. The fluid was too heavy and the sides too steep and slippery for her to escape; so, after vain endeavors, she sank exhausted to the bottom.

The next day, and the next pa.s.sed, and no mousie came at the usual hour.

Tottie said she "_knew_ the old black cat had caught her." Lillie said she "_knew_ the children were sick." So she threw little bits down the hole for her. But when nurse went for her forgotten starch, the truth was revealed. Poor mousie was dead. Many tears fell; and although the children had many toys, nothing was equal to that sly, active, bright-eyed, live little play-fellow.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX.]

GROESBEECK, TEXAS.

I am twelve years old, and am a constant reader of YOUNG PEOPLE. I think the story of "The Moral Pirates" is the best of all.

I am a member of the "Groesbeeck Cornet Band," considered the best band in the State for practice. I play second B flat cornet. I live not far from the railroad, and I have a little engine of my own that runs by steam. I was born in London, England.

SAM RISIEN, Jun.

VANDALIA, ILLINOIS.

I have taken YOUNG PEOPLE from the first number, and papa says he will have it bound for me if I keep it nice. Lots of times, when papa brings it home, and dinner is just ready, I go without my dinner to read it.

I have three little ducks for my pets. They are real greedy when I feed them, and they fly upon my shoulders to get the first bite.

I am making a little cook-book, and would like any recipe from the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE.

I am much obliged to Etta D. for naming her Paris doll after me, although I don't suppose she knew she did it.

ROSA BELL H., Staten Island.

Dotty Seaman is my sister, but I am two years younger than she is, and I can not write very well yet, so she is writing this letter for me. I must tell you about my pets. I have a blue-bird that bites very hard when I try to catch him. He is very wild, but I hope he will get tame. My little sister Lucy has a pet lamb named Will. It was very cross the other day. We have a bay horse named Sue, and I ride round from the door sometimes. It is great fun. I like YOUNG PEOPLE very much, and I love to make Wiggles.

WILLIE I. S.

NORTH ANDOVER, Ma.s.sACHUSETTS.

I have noticed that several correspondents of Our Post-office Box inquire how to preserve eggs. Eggs should always be blown, for if they are not, they gradually change their color, becoming darker than is natural. Besides losing the delicacy of the tints, they are also easily broken, while if blown, they can be dropped quite a distance without being injured.

In order to blow them, make two holes on the same side, a little distance apart. The holes should be very small. Boys often make them twice as large as necessary. It is better to make them both on the same side, as that side can be placed down in the case, and the egg looks neater.

HARRY W. C.

TAYLORSVILLE, TEXAS.

I love to read the letters in the Post-office Box very much, and I like the story of "The Moral Pirates." Do you know whether Frank Austin, the hero of "Across the Ocean," is living yet?

JOSEPH L. P.

Yes, Frank Austin is living, and often comes into the office of YOUNG PEOPLE.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

I am nearly thirteen years old. I have taken YOUNG PEOPLE from the beginning, and I think it is the nicest paper published.

I have a collection of postage stamps, and am saving money to buy a stamp alb.u.m. My father has taken HARPER'S WEEKLY and MONTHLY ever since I can remember. I wish YOUNG PEOPLE much success.

Can you tell me why some correspondents sign fancy names to their letters?

CHARLES C. M.

You probably know that many great authors sign a _nom de plume_ to their writings, and some little authors like to do the same. Our young correspondents, with but few exceptions, send us their real names, even when they desire the publication of a fict.i.tious one, and it would please us better if they would always do so.

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.