By-and-by, when the little boy's
Manhood came round,
The whole world an unanswered
Conundrum he found.
And he can no more answer it now, I declare,
Than he could the old lady with lavender hair,
Who used to sit opposite to him.

[Illustration: THE WEE BOY IN CHURCH.--DRAWN BY C. A. NORTHAM.]

[Illustration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX.]

SMITH'S HILL, CALIFORNIA.

I live on the east branch of Feather River, in California. I go to
school in a school-house made of logs. The scholars are all
Germans and Indians. Swallows generally come here in February, but
this year we did not see any till the 9th of March. I saw a
picture of the snow-flower in YOUNG PEOPLE No. 7. It grows on the
hills near my home, and blooms in June. Lupin and larkspur and
many other flowers also grow here. I am seven years old.

LOU R. K.

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DOWNIEVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

I am twelve years old, and I live in the Sierra Nevada Mountains,
about four thousand feet above the sea-level, with my aunt and
uncle. The snow is two feet and a half deep (April 11), and I can
not look for willow "pussies" myself, but this afternoon my uncle
was out over the snow, and he found some, which I send you. These
are the first I have ever seen. A few days ago there was a flock
of robins in our back yard, and they went skipping and hopping
about quite happy. I have a pigeon, and his name is Bob. When I
hold out my hand to him with wheat in it, he will come and eat,
and when he has eaten all the wheat, he will turn around and fight
me. Can you tell me why the 1st of April is called All-fools' Day?

MARY A. R.

The origin of April-fools' Day is unknown. If you have YOUNG PEOPLE No.
18, read the answer to Zella T., in the Post-office Box.

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COLFAX, CALIFORNIA.

My uncle subscribed to YOUNG PEOPLE for a New-Year's present to
me, and I do not believe he could have found a paper I would have
liked better if he had hunted all over the United States. But I
can not enjoy it alone, so when I get all through reading it, I
send it to a little friend. I only moved to California eight
months ago. I have twenty-two real dolls, and every one has a
change of under-clothing and several dresses. I have one hundred
and ten paper