re all very much interested in the story, "Across the Ocean; or,
a Boy's First Voyage." The United States training-ship _Saratoga_
was lying in the Potomac River opposite our house last week. About
two hundred and fifty young men were on board, and they were
firing cannons almost all day. My cousin was on this ship a few
years ago, and he said the rules were very strict. The _Saratoga_
is a very large boat, and the sailors on board are both large and
small boys.

J. E. M.

* * * * *

FRIOTOWN, TEXAS.

I am eight years old, and I live in Southwest Texas, which some
people think a very wild country. I came from Georgia. I have
never seen any Indians here, but I can look out the window and see
wild rabbits running, and I can hear mocking-birds sing. There is
a very odd bird here called chaparral. I went fishing last week on
the Frio River, and I saw some turtles sunning themselves, and
ever so many buffalo-fish swimming in the clear water. Mamma reads
YOUNG PEOPLE to me every evening.

ALFRED H. C.

* * * * *

PINE RIVER, WISCONSIN.

We are so glad when Saturday comes, for then papa brings YOUNG
PEOPLE. We each have a doll and a little wheelbarrow. We fill our
wheelbarrows with sand, and wheel them round. We bring in wood
sometimes. We want Santa Claus to come. We have some new hats, and
are not going to wear hoods any more. We want to wear pants and
not dresses, but mamma won't let us. Papa writes this, because we
can't write yet, but we have read our primer through.

CHARLIE (6 years) and FRANKIE (4 years).

* * * * *

EAST WATERTOWN, NEW YORK.

I like the story "Across the Ocean" very much. I have two cats,
and a dog named Tip, and a canary named Ned. I am trying to study
architecture, and I have made a plan of a house and a church. I
like architecture very much, and mean to know all about it when I
am a man. I was ten years old the 2d of April. I came pretty near
being an April-Fool, didn't I? I have written this letter all by
myself, for grandma does not know I am writing.

FRANK T. W.

* * * * *

INGLEWOOD, CHISWICK, LONDON.

It was my birthday yesterday, and my brother gave me YOUNG PEOPLE
for a present.