On

final landing at Plymouth Rock. On Friday, February 22, George Washington, the father of American freedom, was born. On Friday, June 16, Bunker Hill was seized and fortified. On Friday, October 7, 1777, the surrender of Saratoga was made by the British. Friday, September 22, 1780, the treason of Arnold was laid bare, and this saved us from destruction. On Friday, October 19, 1781, occurred the surrender at Yorktown, the crowning glory of the American arms; and on Friday, June 7, 1776, the motion in Congress was made by Richard Henry Lee, that the United States colonies were, and of right ought to be, free and independent.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I send you for the "Letter-Box" some story riddles. The point is to find out what stories or personages in story-books the verses refer to.

Recall the story, if you can,

About a lonely shipwrecked man;
A gentle savage he reclaims,

Master and man, who'll name their names?

A man who climbed the mountain steep,
With fairies tippling, fell asleep,
And dozed away life's hopes and fears,
About the space of twenty years.

That king and his fair queen, who sent
A man to seek a continent,-
Their names and his now tell who can,
And from what port he sailed,-this man.
Who laid his cloak before a queen,
To keep her dainty slippers clean?
A courtier and a man of pride,

Tell now his name and how he died.

In Athens, not the modern " Hub,"

A surly man dwelt in a tub;
With lantern lit, he sought by day
One honest soul: his name please say.

We play this game on long evenings, each person making a verse and handing it to the next neighbor. Then a judge is chosen, and whoever fails to answer correctly the verse given to him, pays a forfeit.-Yours truly, J. D. L.

Cincinnati, Ohio.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Let me tell you a funny thing about my little sister Rosie. She found an egg one day in the grass by the pond. So she carried it in her little white apron up to the house and into the parlor. She was dressed all in white, for it was late in the day, and Papa was expected home soon. No one was in the parlor but Brother Tom.

you

you

"Tom," said Rosie, holding her apron fast, "how does hennies get the tsickses out of zey eggses?" "Why, they sit on them, of course! Don't remember how went with me to see old Gray-speckle and put water in her dish?" "Did n't she do nuffin but sit on ze eggses, an' dwink wawa?" asked Rosie, anxiously.

"Why, of course not!" and off went Tom, whistling.

Rosie thought a little while, with her head on one side. Then she took the afghan from the sofa, and put it on the floor, where she arranged a "nes'," on which she placed the egg. Next, she brought a glass of water, from the hall table, and set it down by the "nes""; then she gently sat down on the egg.

There was a soft "squelch," smothered by the afghan! Rosie took a sip of water.

"Ze sell 's broke," said she, cheerfully; "I wunner how soon ze tsick 'll say 'Tseep, tseep.'

Five minutes passed,-ten minutes; Rosie took another sip of water, and her sweet little face looked troubled, as she felt herself settling down on the "nes'."

"Fwaid zere is n't woom for ze tsick to bweave," said she. "Miss Rosie! Down on the floor in your clean dress; get up this minute, you naughty child!" called nurse, coming into the parlor. She was a person of power, for she had been Mamma's nurse, too; but Rosie rebelled.

"Nursey, I tan't det up; I'se hatsin' a tsick."

Rosie was pulled up by a strong hand, and shown a dreadful yellow stain on the pretty white dress.

Just then Papa's step was heard in the hall.

Rosie broke away, and, in one minute, was sobbing on her father's

neck, and telling her pitiful story.

"I was a hen, Papa, an' Nursey pulled me off my nes' 'fore ze lit'l' tsick tould say, Tseep! tseep!

"You'd better set her down, sir, or she 'll egg your coat. And I dressed her not an hour ago; and just look at her Ma's new afghan!"

Now came Mamma.

"Never mind, Nursey," she said, when she had heard all the story: "I do not believe she meant to be naughty."

"Well, come along, you tiresome midget, and be made tidy," said Nursey, laughing, and Rosie (with a wistful look at the "nes"") was carried off.-Yours truly,

ALFA.

Of course, Russell Fraser's three methods undertaking to solve H. C. Howland's algebraic problem are incorrect. They slipped into the September "Letter-Box" through an oversight, and were not found out until it was too late to have an alteration made. Letters have been received from everywhere calling attention to the oversight; and here is a list of the writers' names:

J. M. S.-J. F. Maynard-Honorable Richard Watson-Paul H. Applebach-Rebecca L. Lodge-J. W. J.-Charley T. JamiesonAimee-N. H. Strong-O. C. T.-A. N. Swibbor-Willie S. Burns, Jr.-Edward T. Ward-Algernon Bray-D. C.-Miss Julia Wilsor -M. D. C.-W. B. Dix-G. E. K.-William Rennyson-Vermifuge-J. Benson Akers-Sarah J. Russ-Harry B. Walter-James Blunt S. Lincoln, Jr.-P. E. M.-C. E. N.-R. C. Taylor, Jr.H. H. Saxe-High School Boy-W. R. Howland-C. G. Rockwood, Jr.-May H.-Charles Groenendyke-C. G. BlatchelerElmer Durggins-Miss May Townsend-R. H. Howard-A. G. H. M. R.-Sturley-Fanny M. Hyde-Alice Gregory-O. E. D.S. K.-An old subscriber-Pupil in R. Academy-Old ReaderSinclair Oliver-"x+y+z"-R. H. W.-Ella B.

H. C. Howland's problem cannot be solved by simple algebraic processes, and the solutions here given will not be understood at all by little folk, and are printed solely to satisfy those grown-up readers of the "Letter-Box" who are interested in such abstruse things. The following is what an expert says about the problem:

"The equations (x2+y=7 cannot, I believe, be reduced by (y+x=11 artifice, as many of their class may be, to the solution of equations of the 2nd degree. They really involve equations of the 4th degree in x and y. These equations are found at once by ordinary elimination and may readily be solved by well-known methods. The algebraic solution of the problem shows that only one pair of the values of x and y is expressed in commensurable numbers. This remarkable pair may most readily be found by simple inspection. But if one likes roundabout work he can proceed thus:

"Adding the two equations, and increasing each member of the result by 1⁄2, we have

x2 + x + 4 + y2 + y + = 18%, therefore (x + 1⁄2)2 + (y + 1⁄2)2=74=22+12

=

"This equation is satisfied if (x + 1⁄2)2 : 25 and (y + 1⁄2)2 = ±2 that is if x=2 and y = 3, which values also satisfy the original equations.

"There are four real values of x (two of them positive and two negative) which will satisfy the equations,-and four corresponding real values of y, two positive and two negative.

"This may clearly be seen by the accompanying geometrical solution of the problem which follows the method of Analytical Geometry. The employment of curves to solve such equations is allowed by the principle that every relation between the x and the y of an equation is the relation between the co-ordinates of some assignable curve.

Baltimore, Md.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Will you please ask the readers of the "Letter-Box" to tell me how to break a dog from killing chickens? G. B.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Could you tell me how to bleach ferns, so that I could make a bouquet of them with skeleton leaves? Please tell me in the "Letter-Box."-I remain your constant reader, MILLIE J. RUSSELL.

Ferns that are to be bleached should be gathered in the country in summer, and prepared very soon after picking. But if you can find now some that are still vigorous, and not too old,-say in a fernery or conservatory,- you may bleach them whole, without making them into skeletons, by following these instructions:

Place the ferns, stems downward, in a glass jar containing two quarts of soft water,-rain water is the best,-in which a large tablespoonful of chloride of lime and a few drops of vinegar have been thoroughly mixed. Cover the jar, and set it in a warm place. Watch the ferns closely, and as each one whitens, carefully remove it and lay it in a dish of lukewarm water. When all are bleached, let them remain in the dish for several hours, changing the water often. Then spread them, one by one, upon sheets of blotting-paper, curving them as you like, and straightening out the little points with a pin. Place each sheetful between two other blotting-sheets, and then lay all beneath heavy books or weights until the ferns are perfectly dry. If any should stick to the paper, press your thumb-nail on the back of the sheet and the ferns will drop off. If you find the stems too brittle to use, you can make imitation ones by painting fine dry twigs with white oil-color, and gumming them on.

You will then have the ferns just as they grew, but white instead of green. If, however, you wish first to make them into skeletons before bleaching them and putting them into the bouquet, you will find in the "Letter-Box" for July, 1875, full directions for doing this, and, besides, for covering leaves with sparkling crystals.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN THE AUGUST NUMBER were received too late for mention last month from Florence L. Turrill-L. and K. Post-Winnie"-Jno. V. L. Pierson-Wm. McKay-Edward Vultee-Will E. Nichols-"Riddlers "-Morris Hutchinson-Bessie and Her Cousin-Fannie Densmore-Rita S. McIlvaine—“ Topsy -B. Cushman-" Dick Deadeye"-"Unknown"; and James Buchanan Johnston, who answered all the July puzzles correctly.

In the following list the numerals denote the number of puzzles solved:

Answers to Puzzles in the September Number were received before September 20 from Dycie Warden, 18, all-" Jim Crow," 7-W. W. Oglesbee, 2-Matie H. Chase, 5-Millie Van Kleech, 4-Rufus B. Clark, 2-John H. M. Wells, 1-D. S. Shauts, 11-Julia W. Boyd, 2-F. S. Smith, 8-Bessie Campbell, 8-James Buchanan Johnston, 18, all-Ella F. Dargue, 2-Jennie S. Ward, 2-Harry C. Crosby, 3 -J. Maurice Thompson, 6-Roberta Thornton, 3-Bessie Alexander, 2-Leddie C. Lander, 1-Julia Grice, 4-Annie E Plumb, 5 -A. W. Stockett, 6-"Old Judge" and Senate, 8-Edith L. Granger, 1-Minnie Baker, 2-Lloyd M. Scott, 8-A. T. Burnes, 2"Guesser," 17-Fannie W. Hunt, 3-E. W. R., 1-Annie G. Baker, 8-E. B. Clark, 5-Perry Beattie, 2-B. S. and W. T., 7-Bella Wehl, 3-Ida Maud Angell, 3-Sallie W. Peck and Family, 6"Scrub and Irish," 6-Mary L. Otis, 17-Mattie Olmstead, 8John V. L. Pierson, 7-Kitty C. Atwater, 13-Carrol L. Mancy, 13 -Bessie Hard, 7-Morris Hutchinson. 8-Lizzie H. D. St. Vrain, 9 -Margaret J. Gemmill, 5-Julia Crofton, 3-Susie Sipe and Mamie Gordon, 13-Kenneth B. Emerson, 2-Nellie C. Emerson, 8-"No Name,' 3-"Six Cousins," 17-B. E. L. T., 6-Lizzie R. Howland, 4-W. H. Rowe, 9-Annie Raynes, 3-Millie W. Thompson, 9-Lillie Burling, 4-Kate, Alice and Richard Stockton, 10-Stanley King, 4-Mollie B. Platt, 1-Georgie and Carlton Woodruff, 1"Riddlers " 9-C. F. Lipman, 7-J. A. G. M. E. T., 1-“ 7, 8, 9,' I-Will E. Nichols, 5-Florence Wilcox, 9-Jennie Mondschein, 1 Betsy Mondschein, 1-O. C. Turner, 16-L. W. S., 1-"Winnie," 13-Elsie K. Alexander, 1-Wm. McKay, 7-Allen T. Treadway, 13 "Oriole," 3-Georgia Harlan, 11-"Three Guessers," 13-Edward Vultee, 13-Snibbuggledyboozledom, 9-Alfred Keppelmann, 7— Jessie Van Buren, 13-Lulu Mather and Brother, 7-Herbert James Tiley, 10-Arnold Guyot Cameron, 3.

EASY ACROSTIC ENIGMA.

FOR LITTLE PUZZLERS.

THE answer, composed of two words and spelled with eleven letters, names an autumn festival. The initials of the words defined. taken in the order of the numbering, spell the answer

3.

1. My 1, 2, 3, 5 is a swift animal. 2. My 2, 4, 5, 3 is to state. My 3, 5, 6, 7 is repose. 4. My 4, 5, 6, 7 is a garment 5. My 5. 2, 6, 7 is a point of the compass. 6. My 6, 7, 2, 3 is a bright thing far 7. My 7, 2, 3, 5 is a weed that sometimes grows among wheat. 8. My 8, 9, 6, 7 is an army. 9. My 9, 2, 3, 6 are used in rowboats. 10. My 10, 11, 5, 7 is fit and proper. 11. My 11, 4, 5. 3 is always.

off.

GILBERT FORREST.

In this puzzle, the letters forming the Perpendicular, except its middle letter, are used three times; once in the whole word, once as the final of a short word made from the first portion of the whole word, and again as the initial of another short word made with the initial and the remainder of the whole word. Thus, if the whole word were "reDan," the letter D would be used in the center of the whole word, at the end of a short word, "reD." and at the beginning of another short word, "Dan." In the following statement of the puzzle, the whole word is numbered 1; the first short word 2; and the second short word 3.

Perpendicular, a character named in the title of one of Shakespeare's plays. Horizontals: I. 1 Was entertained; 2. distant; 3. a color; II. 1. A negative prefix; 2. opposed to consent; 3. a city of ancient Egypt. III. A part of me, but not of you or I. IV. I. Came together; 2. the person you ought to know best; 3. a Latin word showing union. V. 1. A disagreeable expression; 2. back or backward; 3. to possess.

E. D. and L. H.

66

more, or add the sound of the syllable "er." To form the superlative, add to the sound of the positive the sound of the letters "st' or "est." Example: Behold; learning; farthest down. Answer; Lo, lore, lowest.

1. Lively; a kind of shark. 2. A large body of water; dry; done. 3. One; anger; chilled. 4. A natural phenomenon common in wet weather; a pile of débris at the foot of a glacier. 5. A keen observer; a tower; seasoned 6. A name of a girl; to provide meals. 7. A garment; a skip. 8. A gulf; unclad; to sew. 9. A poet; to flow; a stake. 10. An insect; a beverage; an animal. 11. An instrument of ancient war; a nuisance; brag. 12. A domestic animal; a vessel; accustomed.

A THANKSGIVING DINNER.

WE once attempted, in a quiet way,
To make a dinner on Thanksgiving Day,

But (cannibal idea for Christian feast!)

Had for a dish "the Sick Man of the East" (1). Could he be thus disposed of by digestion,

N. T. M.

Soon Russia's Czar would end the Eastern Question.

A son of Noah (2) for our dinner came,
Wearing the crown of the Nemean game (3).

We had the vegetable (4) Raleigh brought
To England from the far-off land he'd sought.
Another kind (5) which General Marion gave
To British guest, the sole food of that brave,
In war's alarm, a hundred years gone by,
When patriots had heart to starve and die.
The chaff of naughty boys (6); the "staff of life" (7);
Some small amusement (8); many a man and wife (9);
The Paynim foe (10), of the Crusaders bold,

But from his name one syllable withhold.

A printer's treasures (11)-one, the pump's relation;

The other, scorn of greenback circulation.

A product of the dairy (12), closer pressed

Than e'er was babe to loving mother's breast.

There were some sweetmeats (13) which a rhyming lay

Says queenly fingers made one summer's day.

The fruit (14) that caused the fall of Mother Eve;

Some martial men (15), whose armor hard we leave;

Their ammunition (16) in sweet clusters dried;

And what a cold is like to be beside (17).

A very familiar adage,

EASY GERMAN BEHEADINGS.

THE words read across; 1. Base. 2 Outdo. 3. Satisfaction. 4. A geometrical figure. 5. Blundered. 6. Farming implements. 7. An Central Perpendicular, the same as 4.

insect.

DIFFICULT CLASSICAL ENIGMA.

I AM composed of thirty-eight letters.

GUESSER.

My 19, 33, 4, 10 was an attendant of Juno. My 31, 29, 35, 29 was the goddess of health. My 21, 28, 15, 9, 1, 32 was one of the muses. My 20, 21, 13, 3, 27, 2 was the god of fire, and patron of all artists in iron and metal. My 5, 37, 36, 12, 16, 29 was one of the Eolian isles. My 10, 15, 23, 34, 28, 38 was a race of demi-gods. My 17, 18, 8, 33, 25, 9, 15, 22 one of hills of Rome. My 14, 8, 24, 6, 27 was the mother of Tiberius. My 30, 15, 11, 21, 10 was a famous robber, son of Vulcan, who stole some of Hercules' cattle. My 7, 8, 26, 38 was a Roman emperor. My whole is a Latin proverb, to the effect that in our eagerness to escape one danger, we are likely to fall into a greater.