woolly head,
"Come, boy, clear the road; what a figure you are!"
Came the ready reply, "_I'se George Washington_, sah!
But I didn't know nuffin about my birfday
'Till a feller jist tole me. Oh, golly! it's gay!"

Just then a policeman--of course it was mean--
Removed young George Washington far from the scene.

[Illustration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX]

SOUTH GROVELAND, MASSACHUSETTS.

I have been gathering a cabinet of curiosities since I was nine
years old (I am now fourteen), and I have stones and shells and
pieces of wood from a great many of the States, from the arctic
regions, from South America, Oceanica, and Europe--more than two
hundred in all. Among the rest is a Proteus (_Menobranchus
maculatus_) taken from the Winooski River by Thompson, once State
Geologist of Vermont. I would like to know if any other of your
correspondents has got a Proteus, and also if any has a cabinet.

EDWIN A. H.

* * * * *

MELROSE, MASSACHUSETTS, _January 25_.

I found some willow "pussies" yesterday. I hope I have found them
first.

A. L. H.

Yes, you have found them first. It is very remarkable to find them at
all in January in the locality where you live, but as the buds set in
the autumn, the singularly mild weather of January has made them swell
and burst thus early in the season. Thank you for so promptly reporting
these first signs that spring is near. Now let us see when the "pussies"
will appear in other sections of the country.

* * * * *

DOVER, NEW JERSEY.

I was five years old the 21st of January, and I had such a happy
birthday. In the morning when I got up I found at the foot of my
crib six books of natural history full of pictures for little
folks, a piano, a box of colors, and two dancing bears, one black
and one brown. And when I went down to the dining-room, on my tray
was a beautiful cup and saucer, and on the cup, in gold letters, "A
Gift." And in my chair was a box with twenty-five things in it from
my auntie Lou; and in the afternoon I had a tea party. I wish all
little boys and girls had such happy birthdays. To-day I am sick,
and I tell mamma just what to say, and she is writing it for me.

LOUIS C. VOGT.

* * * * *

STERLING, KANSAS.

I have taken YOUNG PEOPLE