THE answers to the question, "What did the butcher boy say?" have been ingenious and amusing, but can be arranged into a few general classes: 1. That the butcher boy made up a story to account for the dead bird, without blaming himself. 2. That he frankly confessed and was forgiven. 3. That he shot the bird as a dainty for a sick mother or sister. 4. That the gardener was threatened or bribed. 5. That he asked for the body to have it stuffed, or buried, or to buy a bird like it, to replace the dead one.

The best answer received is from L. R. Gillam, and we are happy to record the names of the young friends who have also sent letters: Frank C. R., Bessie Gardner, Willie M. Vermilye, Amy A. C., John A. Milligan, Mildred Foote, Herbert D. Murray, Louisa E. Emburg, Clara P. Curtiss, Frank H. Hamilton, C. Marion Bush, Marie Buchanan, Clarence and Annis, May, Maggie Schenck, Daisy Thorne, M. R. Chase, E. Runcie, Janet Williams, B. de L., Frank D. W., R. R. Kendall, Cyrus H. Adams, Jr., Francis Beardmore, Ethelinda B. Judson, Grace Patterson, Dottie, and Rowland D. Lanz.

EXPLANATORY NOTES ON "EDWARD ATHOY."

NOTE 5.

"Brake-band."

Coal lies imbedded in the rocks forming hills, and hollows, and flat places,-just like hills, dales, and meadows on the surface. Where a gangway road runs up one of these underground hills and the loaded cars, running down, drag the empty cars up by means of a wire rope, this part of the gangway road is called a 66 plane." The machinery is very simple, consisting of a big wooden cylinder or drum, about which a long wire rope takes a few turns. The loaded cars, to which one end of the rope is fastened, are on the top of the hill, the empty cars are at the bottom, also fastened to the rope. The speed of the cars, as they rush over the plane, is regulated by a flat band of iron clasping the drum, called a "brakeband." The tighter this band is squeezed about the drum, the slower will the drum turn, until it finally stops. The top of the hill is called the "head," and the bottom, the "foot," of the plane.

NOTE 7.

"The rats bes gone, sir."

The old saying, "Rats desert a sinking ship," applies to the mines also. These rodents are very large, and be come very tame-often sitting opposite a miner at lunchtime, and noisily scampering after the bit of meat or cheese he throws to them. When an accident, such as an explosion or a flooding, is about to happen, these animals seem to be aware of the coming danger. Threatened sections of the workings they desert- even going to the surface to secure safety, when necessary.

NOTE 2. "The coal is high"

CHERRY GROVE, Pa.

Seams of coal vary greatly in thickness. In a seam having an average thickness of between six and seven feet, there will occur many portions where it may increase in thickness to eleven or twelve feet. At such places it is called "high coal," and as explosive gases found in coal-mines are lighter than air, these high places, when the coal is removed, become filled with gas, which the aircurrent without some assistance can not dislodge. into such "high places," and make a great commotion in the air by whirling their coats rapidly above their heads. The eddies of air extend into the high places and push the gas down into the main

current.

NOTE 3. "The great fan-wheel."

Men go

A ventilating fan, such as is used in coal-mines, is an enormous wheel, containing paddles, somewhat like the paddle-wheels of a river steamer, and placed over a shaft leading to the mine. The air enters at the center of the fan (at the axle), and is whirled outward by the rapid motion of the many paddles. If a fan is not inclosed, by a wood or an iron covering, it will simply whirl about a great quantity of air. By inclosing it, and having in the inclosure an opening like a chimney, the air is drawn out of the mine, and is forced through the chimney, thus creating an "air-current."

They pump the well now.

Nearly everyone uses natural gas here. A great deal of excitement was caused, in the summer of 1881, by the burning of a flowing well, which flamed nearly a week. B. L. F

WASHINGTON, D. C.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: The public-school authorities of this city, having decided to establish cooking-schools, have employed teachers, and furnished two kitchens in different parts of the city, where the girl pupils may learn the art of cooking. Attendance is not compulsory, only those going who so desire. There are three classes of fifteen each, daily, the lesson lasting two hours. The kitchen where I attend is a moderately large room. A table covered with oil-cloth around which are arranged sixteen chairs is in the center of the room. The shelves of a large dresser are filled with breakfast and dinner plates, knives, forks, and spoons. Cups are hung on little hooks. In the lower part are kept the sugar and flour. Pots and pans are near by. An ice-chest holds the butter, eggs, and milk. A small table, with dish-pan and tray, wash-stand, and cooking-range, where the kettle sings merrily, make this a complete kitchen.

The first duty of the young cooks is to wash their hands and put on their aprons. Then all gather round the table to copy the recipes as given by the teacher. Each pupil has a different portion of the

work to do,- some mixing, some kneading, some baking, and all under the teacher's direction. The old adage, "too many cooks spoil the broth," is here disproved; for although many have a finger in it, the result is delicious bread, biscuits, soup, and cookies, up to this date; with other good things to follow from future lessons. And then we have a jolly time eating what we have cooked.

ONE OF THE COOKS.

SAN DIEGO, CAL. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Seeing so many nice letters in your "Letterbox," I write my letter also.

The only thing that I can remember that is of any interest is Old San Diego, which I lately visited. I saw the two old missionbells (cast in 1802), "Don Juan," and, I believe the other was named, "Pedro." It was cracked, and, when I slapped it with my hand, sounded hoarse and low, but "Don Juan" sounded ringing and sharp. Each has "Ave Maria" in letters, almost erased, on the side. I'm sure, all of the boys who have read "Two Years Before the Mast," would like to see Old San Diego; but instead of galloping across on a broncho, as Mr. Dana did, they might ride over on the electric-motor road.

I have visited Lower California, too, and may pleasantly surprise some of you Eastern people by saying that it is a very pretty country, with fine mountains and bays and valleys. Before I saw it I thought (from the maps I had seen) that it was a desert.

I like Mr. E. W. Ke.nble's pictures, and the expression he puts in his characters is so amusing. Mr. Birch's pictures are beautiful.

The winter out here is most pleasantly devoid of all cold; and a rain, a few days ago, made the grass very green (what grass there was), and in some gardens to-day I saw oranges and flowers growing nicely. Looking from the window, I see the bright sunshine, and there's a perfect mass of green trees, of all descriptions, outside. The bay sparkles away off, too, and it is as pleasant here in January as it is elsewhere in June. And one of the most pleasant features of to-day was the arrival of ST. NICHOLAS. I say, Viva San Nicholas!" and, indeed, "so say we all of us.'

66

Good-bye. A. B.

MEMPHIS, TENN.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: For many years you have been a source of the greatest delight to me, and now I write to thank you and tell of the sunshine you have shed upon many, many hours of my life that would otherwise have been spent in loneliness and gloom. Good, kind Saint that you are, do you ever try to realize what a blessing you are to not only the hearty girls and boys, but also to those who, like myself, spend many days in being taught patience by the angel of pain?

And there are great numbers who owe you heartfelt thanks without knowing it. These are the guests of the Children's Christmas Club of our city; for you must know, dear Saint, that your suggestion to the children of putting some pleasure into the lives of the poor little unfortunates has not been made in vain. One of our wealthiest merchants undertook to help and guide the children, and under his assistance and direction they were enabled on Holy Innocents' Day to give to the little ones a dinner and Christmas-tree such as they had never seen before.

For several days before the feast, clothing and fuel were given to those in want of it; and after dinner a paper sack was given each child, and they were told to fill it with whatever they liked. That it was greatly enjoyed was fully attested by the zeal with which the "three cheers for the president" of the club were given; and that its object was attained was satisfactorily proved by the accounts of numerous cases of relief, not only of the poor children, but also of their parents, in many cases.

I hope my letter is not too long, but on such a subject it is impossible to be brief. And now I must say good-bye, hoping that we shall shortly hear from all parts of the world of the success of the Children's Christmas Club.

NELL N.

RUTLAND, VT.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I think that "A Girls' Military Company," in the January number, was splendid, and I should have felt proud to have been one of those girls. I suppose the reason why I feel so (though a girl is because I have been drilled in nearly the same way, only we drilled with tin pails and milking-stools instead of guns. There were thirty-two girls in the drill. It went under the name of 'Dairy Maids' Drill." We had an excellent drill-master. Our costumes were not like those the girls wore from the design of Lieutenant Hamilton. Ours consisted of blue, buff, pink, and red skirts, which came to within seven inches from the floor, and white waists and black bodices. We gave an entertainment which occupied three evenings; the net proceeds were over three hundred dollars. I must close now, hoping my letter will not be too long and uninteresting for you to print. CASSA.

Your devoted reader,

GREENCASTLE, Ind. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: The university mentioned by Lieutenant W. R. Hamilton, U. S. A., in his article in the January number, concerning "A Girls' Military Company," is De Pauw University. The Ladies' Drill Corps has now one hundred and seven members

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I am a little girl nine years old. An aunt of mine, in California, has sent you to my older sister for ten years. That was a year before I was born. She was six years old then, and we lived in Tennessee.

My brother Ernest's favorite story was "His One Fault." One day while the story was being printed he came in with a new number of ST. NICHOLAS, just as supper was ready, and wanted Mamma to read to him. When she said "wait," he just danced up and down in the dining-room door and said, "O Mamma, I am aching all over to hear it; I can't wait"; and he is a boy who thinks a great deal of his supper. Now, when a number comes with "Brownies' in it, we all shout, we are so glad. I am so glad that "Juan and Juanita got home all right. From your delighted little friend and reader,

INA E. D.

NEW ORLEANS, LA. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: We have welcomed you in our home for many past years, and I hope we will continue to welcome you for many years to come. I like your stories ever so much, and particularly liked "Little Lord Fauntleroy" and "Juan and Juanita." I am very much interested in "Sara Crewe," and every time Papa brings a ST. NICHOLAS home the little children crowd around me and beg me to read "Sara Crewe aloud to them.

I have three sisters and three brothers. We have a pet pigeon, and its name is Midget. Whenever it is offended it struts like a young lord, and makes us all laugh very much. I read the "Letterbox every month, and it affords me much pleasure. To-morrow is my birthday, and I will be thirteen years of age. I like Miss L. M. Alcott's stories very much, and I hope she will contribute some more to the ST. NICHOLAS. I liked the article on "A Girls' Military Company" very much, and I hope that when I am larger I will have a chance to belong to that "Company," or one like it. My letter is too long, so I will stop.

Ever remaining your interested reader,

C. E

OIL CITY, PA.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have taken you for two years, in November, and I think that "Juan and Juanita" is just a lovely story. I have a pet dog, and every time I tell her to say her prayers she will jump up on a chair, put her paws upon the back of the chair, then put her head between her paws, and will not get up until I say "Amen." She is a water-spaniel.

I go to school every day, and am getting along very nicely. I am a little girl twelve years old, and on my birthday I got a lovely bisque doll. Your loving little reader, LILLY L.

QUINCY, ILL.

MY DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Among your stories, like "Three Miles High in a Balloon" very much; I suppose for the reason that I saw a man, last summer, jump from a balloon,- with the aid of a parachute. He made two jumps in this city; the first distance was 4500 feet, the second 7000 feet. The name of the aeronaut is T. S. Baldwin. We young people are very much interested in him, and are proud of him, for this place is his home.

I dearly love your magazine, and hope to have it to read for many years. Your admirer and well-wisher, ELSA C-.

MY DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I am a little French girl, living in America. I have been studying the English language for a very long time. Crossing the ocean, we had a terrible time; the waves were higher than the ship, and I was very much frightened.

I have taken you ever since I have been in America. Hoping that I have not made any mistakes in spelling, I remain your little French reader, CLAIRE.

P. S.-I got the medal for English.

MANSFIELD, OHIO.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I want to tell you of another Christmas Club that to-day has given its first dinner. About four weeks ago, upon a rainy Sunday, a lady was reading over some back numbers of the ST. NICHOLAS to her little girls, and happened upon the account of the first dinner in Portland. Soon she found the older children and their father all listening, and many tears fell before the touching story was told. They all felt they must have a Club here, and the children with one accord said: "We will do without Christmas, if you will put is all into such a dinner." Then a few friends were spoken to, and soon a Club of not more than twenty children was organized, and such effectual work was done, that to-day one hundred and sixty children were fed and sent home with many nice presents. Forty more tickets were issued, but it was too bitter a day for those at a distance to come. kind gentleman gave us the use of the hall, and all responded worthily to the call upon them. After the dinner, paper bags were given them, in which to put their surplus cake, oranges, etc., and the plates were soon bare. Then eleven of the children gave very prettily the little play in the ST. NICHOLAS for November, 1882, interspersed with songs. It was received inost rapturously by the audience. Then Santa Claus came with his pack, and they were dismissed happier than they came. other year will find us thoroughly organized, ready to care for many more, if it is needed. Truly yours,

M. B. H

A

An

LOUISVILLE, KY.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Mamma subscribed for you as a birthday gift when I was twelve years old, but I had taken you when I was only six years old. I think "Donald and Dorothy" was a splendid story; but at present I am much interested with "Sara Crewe," and her queer "supposing" and "pretending" manners and ways.

We have a pet water-spaniel called Leo. He is very young, but we have taught him to sit up, to ask for food, to jump over things, and to carry papers for us.

WE thank the young friends whose names follow, for pleasant letters received from them: Alice B., Edith N. A., May, Emily P., Fannie Mason, Ethel M. Smith, A. Parker, Mabel Hughes, Gilbert H., F. A. C., Freddie E. Hobart, Lloyd McC., Ella D., Edith M. C., Josie, Gwyneth and Winnie, Bertrand F. Bell, A. H., Jeanette C. V., Edith S. Wade, Constance Ruth, E. H. W., Edna, Fanny B. Johnson, Susie K. Zettie, A. H., Percy McDowell, Margaret J. W. and Ethel B. D., Grace Riley, Eleanore P. C., Inez E. Holt, Helena J., May E. R., Elsie S., Ethel Holbrook, Pansy and Daisy, Ethel Doan, H. D. P., Minnie Orcutt, Marie Griswold, Helen Sears, Mary and Alice, Daisy J., Emma H., Mary A. Meigs, Luie Buchanan, Daisy Vivian, Edith Parks, Nancy W., Sophie M. Lee, Guy M., Bessie G. Pomeroy, M. D. and L. F. Libbie, B. Griffin, C. Burt, Laura Howell, Harry A. Austin, C. A., Anita F., R. Wiley, Roy Taylor, Gussie Norcross, M. T., Lida S. Danforth, Florence Adéle N., Flossie Russell, Evangeline Y., Lillian A. Thorpe, Minnie V., F. Adela C., M. E., Sarah and Kate L., Susie J. M., Lena A. C., John J. D., Bessie, A. McK. G, Nellie F. D., Mabel S., Oswald L., Nellie S. C., M. W., Mabel and Elsie, M. Dennison, Daisy Holroyd, Walton L. Oakley, Meta B. Macfarlane, Potter R., W. B. Benjamin, Ethel Fish, and Mary Meigs.

NUMERICAL ENIGMA.

I AM composed of fifty-seven letters, and form two lines of an English poem. The lines are not consecutive. The first line contains twenty-six letters.

My 22-7-14-56-44-33 is the author of the poem from which the two lines referred to are taken. My 5429-53-35-3-25-51 is the biographer alluded to in the quotations. My 30-17-38-49-4-23-11-40 is a figure of speech used in each line. My 415-6-9-1 is what the biographer is called in the first line, and is the name of something that lives both in and on the water. My 35-2-2751-48 is what his hero is called; this lives in the water. My 4-4629-14-41 is the name of a Corsican patriot, and is the person referred to in the second line. My 17-55-436-3 is what he is called in the second line, and which flies in the air. My 31-44-30-37-5-16 is what the biographer is called in the second line, and which also flies in the air. My 32-53-8-23-30-12-53 is what the biographer once compared himself to, as being an interpreter between these two heroes, "joining them, as two great 56-7-45-34-36-47-52-42-28-53." His biography will ever keep 10-20-55-50-13-19-42-38 the name of his hero of the first line, and he will 18-24-47-57 as Prince of Biographers" by all who have an 26-21-39 to the force of minute detail. J. P. B.

CROSS-WORDS: 1. Granting. 2. Counterfeit. 3. Obstructions. 4. Opposed. 5. Gentleness. 6. Contrivance too late. 7. Sound in doctrine. 8. A cipher composed of one or more letters interwoven. 9. To operate against. 10. In truth.

ZIGZAGS: From 1 to 5, one of the months; from 6 to 10, dunces; from 1 to 10, dupes; from 11 to 15, terms; from 16 to 20, value; from 11 to 20, the name of a famous English poet who was born on April 7th.

QUINCUNX.

FRANK SNELLING.

I. ACROSS: 1. A long beam. 2. To spring. 3. Food. 4. A reptile. 5. A festival. DIAGONALS (beginning at the lower left-hand corner): 1. In fray. 2. Recompense. 3. An arrow. 4. The Turkish government. 5. To imitate. 6. In fray.

II. ACROSS: 1. A salver. 2. To increase. 3. Penalty. 4. A colored fluid. 5. The Greek god of war. DIAGONALS: 1. In fray. 2. A tree valued for its timber. 3. To twist together. 4. Grades. 5. A sharp instrument used for hewing timber. 6. In fray.

DYCIE.

AN ANAGRAMMATICAL PUZZLE. FROM one word of thirteen letters every word in the following paragraph may be formed. No letter is used twice in any word unless it occurs as many or more times in the original word, which contains the five vowels of the English alphabet, and which means "the act of reviving."

"Arise, O saint! To Etna run! Rest not in cot nor court, on seat or stone. Instruct! Insist! Use reasons stern! Rouse, scare; scorn sun, star or rain! Souse curate, tenor, crone! Suasion resist, nor count on seniors' snores. Trounce strict censors; strut on in coarse attire; retain no cat; incur not Orient ire.

CHANGES.

CHARLIE S. B

EXAMPLE: Change comrades into vapor. Answer, MATES,

STEAM.

1. Change salty into foreigners. 2. Change wrinkled into a bird. 3. Change a filament into scarcity 4. Change pieces of meat into a vessel for holding coal. 5. Change a kind of plunger into sharp ends. 6. Change a kind of plum into wanderers; again,

into atoms.

F. S. F.