and take seeds
from my mouth. Sometimes they nip my tongue, and one birdie will
fly out right into the cup I keep seed in. I taught them to eat in
that way by not letting them have anything until they would take
it.

BESSIE L. CARTER.

* * * * *

Papa brought me the numbers of YOUNG PEOPLE a few days ago. I had
been waiting anxiously for them, and I was so delighted when he
gave them to me. I have known all about Harpers' publications for a
long time. Mamma says that papa took HARPER'S MAGAZINE long ago,
before the war. I like the stories, letter-box, and puzzles in
YOUNG PEOPLE very much, and I have succeeded in getting answers to
some of the puzzles. My pets are cats and dogs, and I would like to
get a parrot. Alabama was my native place, but now I live in
Maryland.

LIDIE B. DUKE.

* * * * *

RUSSELVILLE, ARKANSAS.

I thought you might like to know about "Dr. Pruitt's boys," so I
concluded to write you a letter. I am Will, aged twelve; then there
are Fred, Edward, and Charley. Papa takes HARPER'S MONTHLY, and
mamma takes the BAZAR, and when YOUNG PEOPLE was advertised papa
proposed that each of us give something and take that too. We four
boys earned just one hundred dollars picking cotton last fall, so
we all contributed. We like the paper very much, and watch for its
coming; and we read everything in it.

WILL E. PRUITT.

* * * * *

GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA.

I am ten years old. My uncle takes YOUNG PEOPLE for me, and I can
hardly wait until it comes. I have got the elephant on his four
legs, and he looks well. I have a little prairie-dog named Jenny.
It lives in a hole in the yard, where I think it must have a good
nest, for I gave it lots of rags last fall to put in the hole. It
comes to the house almost every day to get something to eat, and
seems glad to see us. I have also a little dog named Frisk, only I
sold one-half interest in him yesterday for twenty-five cents to a
doctor who lives next door. He wanted him for his baby to play
with. Can you tell me what kind of a place a junk-shop is?

HARRY K. HEFFLEMAN.

A junk-shop is where old ropes, old anchors, old iron, and cast-off odds
and ends of all kinds are kept for sale. There are many