died. So he took
it good-naturedly, after all.

[Illustration]

THE JOLLY DOG'S PRACTICAL JOKE.

'Twas near dinner-time, and the pudding was hot,
Nelly, her cheeks all aglow
(The master liked icy-cold pudding), ran out,
And popped the dish into the snow.

For though on that morn smiling April was born,
A snow-heap that March left behind,
When he hastened away, in a dark corner lay
Of the garden, blown there by the wind.

Singing merrily, back to the kitchen went Nell,
When a jolly dog came up the lane.
"Aha! something good!" and he stopped and he sniffed,
Looked around, cocked his ears, sniffed again.

Then, the gate being open, he boldly walked in,
Going straight to the snowy spot where
The dish sat a-cooling--three great gulps he gave,
And a pudding no longer was there.

Down the stoop flew the maid. "I must now take it in,
For I'm sure by this time it is cool."
Said the dog, running off, "Pray don't trouble yourself;
_I_ have taken it in--April-fool!"

[Illustration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX.]

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

I wonder if the readers of YOUNG PEOPLE know how delightful the
climate and surroundings of Chattanooga are. Near the base of
Lookout Mountain, which has grown historical since the war, the
views in all directions are magnificent, that from the point on
the mountain being the grandest, where one can see places in seven
different States. Chattanooga is an Indian word, meaning eagle's
nest.

PAUL DWIGHT MOROSS.

* * * * *

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN.

I live in a lonesome country, but it is very beautiful in the
summer. We have nice lakes and woods, and all kinds of birds.
There is a little bird which builds such a queer nest. It is like
a hanging cup, and so small you scarcely notice it. There are five
white eggs, with black spots on the ends, in it. The bird is
blackish color, with a round white spot in the middle of each
wing. There is a bird here called grosbeak. It is very handsome,
and a splendid singer. You can hear its clear note in the morning
above all the rest. My sister Julia found a nest, and took out a
male bird. It had hardly any feathers. She brought it up on bread
and milk, and it was so tame it would sit on her finger; but one
morning it flew away, and never came bac