have plenty of skating here, and fifty ponies to ride.

Another boy is writing a letter to you too. We live 200
miles from Helena and we have to go in a stage or wait till
the river opens.

We only have to go to school in the morning, and we play all
the rest of the day.

Yours truly,

S. F. P.

* * * * *

BROOKLYN, N. Y., 1886.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I thought that I would send you a letter
at last. I will tell you about our washwoman and me. I have
something the matter with my knee, and so I have to stay in
the house. Well, our washwoman and I were having some fun. I
was at the back parlor window, and the washwoman was down in
the back yard hanging up the clothes, and I got a snow-ball
and threw it at her, and you ought to have seen her! She
looked up and down and could not see anybody, and after a
while she saw me, and then, the way she looked! She said: "I
will give it to you!"

Yours truly,

FRANK T.

* * * * *

EVERETT, MASS.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have taken you for a year and I could
not do without you. Every month you gladden our home with
your beautiful pictures, interesting stories, and pretty
bits of poetry.

I think "Little Lord Fauntleroy" is a splendid story. I must
not forget to mention the "Brownies." What busy little
workers they are! I have one pet, a beautiful linnet. Her
name is Daisy. She is a very sweet singer.

I remain, your constant reader,

MAY F.

* * * * *

KINGSTON, INDIANA.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I do not see many letters from Indiana in
your Letter-box. I would not do without you for ten dollars
a year.

I like your Natural History. I have several books on Natural
History.

Last year I wanted you so badly that Papa said I must earn
the money myself. I had enough, lacking fifty cents. We had
an oyster supper here, and papa gave me fifty cents to
spend; so I did without oyst