en little chickens, and a
pet hen which I call Nellie Gray. My canary is named Hettie. Some
of the young correspondents write of spring flowers, but I have
not found any yet.

MAUDE K.

* * * * *

BISMARCK, DAKOTA TERRITORY.

We have plenty of Indians here, although there are not so many as
there were five years ago. They come now mostly in scouting
parties. The party is often as large as Custer's cavalry that was
here in 1877. Are there many of the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE who
are fond of house-plants? I would like to hear what kinds they
have, and how they take care of them.

M. R. L.

We think, judging from their letters, that a large number of the readers
of YOUNG PEOPLE are fond of those beautiful household ornaments. Mary
L. S. wrote a short time since from Arkansas: "My house-plants are my
'pets,' and I assure you I derive as much pleasure from them as if they
were animated." No doubt many others have the same feeling.

* * * * *

Clara Jaquith, in answer to Madison Cooper's question in YOUNG PEOPLE
No. 21, says: "Somar Griffin, of Ohio, is a very old man. I do not know
his exact age, but he is about one hundred and fifteen years old. He
lost an arm about forty years ago by the falling of a tree."

* * * * *

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

The other day a gentleman took dinner with my father, and told us
the following story: "A few years ago I spent several weeks with a
friend who owned a sheep ranch near San Antonio, Texas. I had a
very pleasant time hunting and fishing. One day my friend saw a
large wild-cat trying to get into a sheep corral. He seized his
rifle, and fired at the beast, and it ran off, pursued by the
dogs. That night, when we were all asleep in the tent, I was
awakened by a warm breath on my face. On opening my eyes I saw in
the dim fire-light the form of a large animal. I was very much
frightened, but I had sufficient presence of mind to close my eyes
and keep still. Suddenly the animal left me; and turning my head
slightly, I saw that it had gone to the other side of the tent,
and was eating some of our stores. Very carefully I arose, and
crept outside the tent, where was a pile of wood. Seizing a heavy
stick, I returned softly, and creeping up behind the beast, dealt