hile too often
both the carriers and their packs were lost. Slow as the old way was,
however, the snow sometimes makes the new way even slower. In spite of
miles and miles of snow-sheds and snow-fences, and ever so many steam
snow-plows, the railroad is blocked now and then until a way can be dug
through huge heaps of drift. Thus, sometimes, whole days are lost on the
steam road, when a man might be speeding and coasting on his queer
foot-gear, over the snow-crust like the wind, to reach the destination
perhaps a week ahead of the snorting snowed-up monster. However, year by
year, as sheds and fences and other preventions are multiplied, railroad
delays caused by snow become fewer and fewer.

* * * * *

Georgetown, D. C.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I was so much pleased with the little figure of a nun
in the November number, that I made eight like it. I have been taking
the ST. NICHOLAS ever since it came out, and think it gets nicer every
time it is published. I am not quite seven years old, but I composed all
of this letter.

JOHN WM. MITCHELL.

* * * * *

MY VERY DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: We really don't know what we should do
without you. We took the "Young Folks" for a great many years, and have
taken you ever since you were first established.

We went, a short time ago, to see a man who swallowed swords for a
profession. Now, can any of our ST. NICHOLAS friends tell us whether he
really swallowed them or not, and explain how it is done?--Your loving
friends and devoted readers,

FANNIE CHANDLER,
MARY WHITE.

* * * * *

Painesville, Ohio.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: My children learn the names of English kings and
queens, the books of the Old Testament in their order, and other matters
of importance to remember, through having found and committed to memory
certain rhymes containing them. I have seen several embodying the books
of the New Testament, but they all have been too difficult or long for
children to learn. I inclose an easy one, written for my own children
which may prove useful to your large family of young folks.

W.

BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.

In the New Testament we find
Matthew and Mark leading,
With St. Luke and St. John
The books next succeeding.
Acts and Romans have place
Before Corinthians and Galatians;
In them we can trace
Good news for all nations.
Eph