ed and polished; and, when
the blade is furnished with a handle, the ax is ready for
sale.--Yours truly,

"THE DOCTOR."

* * * * *

The following is sent to us as written, without help, by a little girl
nine years old.

THE HISTORY OF A CAT.

I am the family cat. I am not so very pretty, but they all like me
very much. I have a pretty baby-kitten, and I have a daughter named
Tortoise-shell. She is a pretty and good cat. She also has a
baby-kitten prettier than mine. Mine has such big eyes that its
little face does not look as cunning as my daughter's baby-kitten's
face. My mistress is very good to me sometimes, but sometimes she
pulls my tail and makes me mad, and I scratch her and then she slaps
me back; but when she is good to me, and pets me, and gives me cake,
then I purr to her.

Once my mistress' brother had a dog given to him. This dog's name
was "Captain." I did not like him one bit.

My mistress' brother's friend tried to set the dog on me, but he
would not come near me; so the boy let him alone.

When my mistress went to get my daughter's baby-kitten, Captain went
with her. My mistress did not know that Captain went into the room
with her. Tortoise-shell was tending her kitten, but, as soon as she
saw the dog, she jumped up and scratched his nose good for him. He
did not stay very long. He was given to my mistress' brother on
Saturday. The next day, which was Sunday, my mistress and the rest
of the family were at church; the dog got out, I don't know how, but
when my mistress came home from church she looked all about, but
could not find him anywhere. She was very sorry, but I was not sorry
one bit; I was glad. So now we've come to the end.

G.M.M.

* * * * *

Oswego, N. Y.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Please will you tell me where I can find
directions how to build a boat?--Yours respectfully,

HARRY MEAD.

Midland, 1878.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I wish that you would tell me how to make a yatch
I have a schooner but she gets beat bad and I should like to know
how to make a yatch that will beat them all I think one about 30
inches will be long enough.--I remain your constant Reader,

G.B.J.

In ST. NICHOLAS for July, 1875 (Vol. II.), Harry will find full
directions how to make