My father and mother are in Italy, rejoicing in
sunshine and flowers. I have no pets to tell you about. We live in
a little village of red brick houses, and it is very pretty here.
I thank you for making the paper larger than it was at first. It
is lovely now.

MILDRED C. (12 years).

* * * * *

Mary B. L., a little six-year-old girl, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
sends the following in big capitals: "A fox went around where he knew
there were some chickens. When he got there, he said,'Come down, and I
will show you something more beautiful than you ever saw.' 'You talk
very nice, but I can not trust you,' said a hen, 'so we can not come
down.'"

* * * * *

Daisy W., of Rochester, New York, reports having made a cake by Puss
Hunter's recipe, and it was very nice.

* * * * *

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

We have two pet gold-fish which are turning black. Can any one
tell me what is the trouble with them?

VIRGIE C.

* * * * *

OGDENSBURG, NEW YORK.

I am ten years old, and study geography, and I would like to know
why Rhode Island is so called, when it is not an island. I live on
the St. Lawrence River. Last winter more than two thousand teams
crossed on the ice, and this season not even a man could cross on
foot.

ABNER C. P.

The first settlement of Rhode Island was made on the island where
Newport is now situated, and which contains about fifty square miles.
The Indian name of the island was Aquetneck. There are various stories
in regard to the origin of the present name, but the one generally
accepted is that it was bestowed on account of a supposed resemblance to
the Isle of Rhodes. The State was afterward named from the island.

* * * * *

H. W. SINGER.--Your question is answered in Post-office Box, YOUNG
PEOPLE No. 7.

* * * * *

SALLIE R. E.--Read the answer to F. S. in Post-office Box, YOUNG PEOPLE
No. 22.

* * * * *

J. H. KNOX.--March is considered the proper season.

* * * * *

BESSIE C.--The best way to prevent your bird from eating its eggs is to
put its food in the cage at night, so that when the breakfast hour
arrives there will be something fresh and tempting to distract its