only nine years old, and can not draw
very good pictures.

BERTIE BROWN.

[Illustration: INDIANS HUNTING FOR FOOD.--DRAWN BY BERTIE BROWN.]

* * * * *

WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

I have a canary, which is the only live pet I ever had. It was
eight months old the 17th of February. I plant canary-seed, and let
it grow until it is about two inches high, and then I give it to my
canary. It likes to eat it very much.

LOUIE E. WARE.

* * * * *

I live way off in Washington Territory, and thought I would tell
you something about this distant country. We live near the Simcoe
Mountains. They are covered with evergreen pines. We can see the
snow-capped mountains every day in the year--Mounts Jefferson,
Hood, St. Helen's, and Adams. It snows here sometimes in winter,
but the wind comes up from the sea, and takes it away in a few
days. I do not live near any school, but I study and recite my
lessons at home. Six miles away, at the new town of Goldendale,
there is an academy, and they are teaching in it now. I am ten
years old, and was born in this country. Sometimes troops of
Indians come riding past on their spotted ponies. They bring salmon
from the Columbia River, huckleberries from the mountains, and now
and then ponies to sell. I am very fond of reading, and am
delighted with YOUNG PEOPLE. I read every word in it.

GERTRUDE BALCH.

* * * * *

HECKATOO, ARKANSAS.

I am a little girl eight years old. I take YOUNG PEOPLE, and like
it very much. I have a doll named Laura Martin. I live on a cotton
plantation on the Arkansas River, and I can stand on the front
gallery of our house and see all the boats that pass. We have never
been to school, and we have no governess now, so mamma has to teach
us. We have a great many pecan-nut trees here, and there is a pond
near our house with a boat on it, and my sister and I row
sometimes.

CYNTHIA R. SMITH.

* * * * *

UTICA, NEW YORK.

I am six years old. My birthday was the 18th of January, and mamma
gave me a little party. We had a nice time, and sat down to tea all
by ourselves, without any grown people. I have two birdies; they
will put their little heads clear out of the cage,