ys that "The
Life and Times of Sir Philip Sidney" is such a pleasant book that you
cannot help having a good time when you are reading it, and will not
think it is history unless you know beforehand. "Seven Historic Ages,"
by Arthur Gilman, is another attractive book, and if you are like most
smart girls of your age, you will find Prescott's "Ferdinand and
Isabella" as interesting as many story books. It is a history of Spain
in its most prosperous times. It is long, but, once begun, few find it
hard to finish.

* * * * *

Geneva, N.Y.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Please tell "Jack" that apples that are part
sour and part sweet grow in the beautiful State of New York. I have
tasted of such fruit and am sure it is so. Who can tell me more
about this wonderful fruit? And how many have ever eaten such
apples?

Can any one tell me what causes them to grow one side sweet, and
the other sour? Hoping to hear more on this subject, I remain,
yours truly,

ALMA AYLESWORTH.

* * * * *

Mobile, Ala.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I wish to tell you of Fanny, our little mule,
who cannot be forced to work on Sunday. She is gentle, obedient and
faithful on week days, but on Sunday Fanny will not be made to
move.

Don't think us heathen, dear ST. NICHOLAS, for the boys just tried
to make her carry a load of hay as a test, and to tease her, also;
but when papa saw what they were up to, he put a stop to it, and
now Fanny enjoys her Sundays in peace. My little sister says, "she
is a religious mule." Do you think that the mule really knows when
Sunday has come?--Your well-wisher,

ERNESTINE HAMMOND.

* * * * *

KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES.

(_Jack-in-the-Pulpit's Story in the December Number, Straightened
Out_.)

King Alfred the Great, having been driven by the Danes to seek safety
in flight, disguised himself as a peasant, and took refuge in the hut
of a cow-herd, where he was told to watch the baking of some cakes. But
he forgot the cakes and let them burn; and when the herdsman's wife
came in, she gave him a sound scolding for his carelessness.

Charles I. of England was defeated at Marston Moor; and his son,
Charles II., after losing the battle of Worcester, barely escaped
capture, by hiding in the leafy branches of an oak-tree.

Robert Bruce l