the Japanese almanacs are very funny to read. It is for
these reasons that the people do not injure the hare, for fear of
hindering the good influence of the moon.

[Illustration]

The hare is considered above all others the faithful animal, and in the
story which the picture tells he is comforting his master.

It would seem very queer to you, my readers, to see tame hares running
about the house instead of your pet dogs and cats? But this is what the
little Japanese see.

[Illustration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX.]

MEREDITH, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

I thought some of the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE would like to hear
about a young robin my papa found under a cherry-tree near the
house. He thought I could raise him, and take him back to New York
for a pet. But after I had kept him two days in my room, he would
chirp so mournfully when he heard the other birds singing merrily
outside that it made me feel so sorry, I took him and put him on a
branch of the tree. Oh, I wish you could have seen him flap his
wings with delight. Then the old birds came, so glad to greet him.
And how glad I was then that I had given him his freedom!

ALBERTO A. DAL M.

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MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

I am a subscriber to YOUNG PEOPLE, and am much pleased with it. It
is the only pet I have.

I live near the Alleghany College, and I like to see the students
drilling. On Commencement afternoon they had a regular sham
battle. The military is composed of four companies, all under the
command of Major H----. The Major ordered out two companies for
the sham battle. One company he sent around the base of a hill,
and up through a ravine. The other company turned the cannon
round, and made the attacking party surrender as they came out in
sight.

WILLIE V.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI.

I caught some turtles, which I keep in a tub. I feed them on meat,
bread, and carrots. Last summer I hatched out two land turtles.
Now I have fifteen turtles' eggs, and I think they will hatch. We
found a land turtle that had July 3, 1776, carved on its back. I
hope "The Moral Pirates" will catch some turtles. I am nine years
old.

C. G. R.

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WELLSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA.

I was up in the woods a few d