LEAGUE LETTERS AND NOTES.
We regret to say that “A Heading for September“ by Isador Levitt in the September number was a copy from a picture in “Collier’s Weekly” by B. Cory Kilvert. The silver badge was not sent.
In future, the winners of gold or cash prizes will be designated as Honor Members.
Dear St. Nicholas: I and a whole lot of other fellows went camping down on Barnegat Bay for one week. The mosquitos were awful. The night we were there we could n't sleep.
We caught fifty weakfish one day. They are great sport. Some of them were two or three pounds apiece. We all fished light fly-rod, and you can imagine what sport it was.
I remain your loving reader,
Dear St. Nicholas: The June St. Nicholas came several days ago, and I was both pleased and surprised to find my name on the roll of honor in the League. It encouraged me in hoping that my last contribution might be printed, so I want to tell you something about the subject of my study from animal life.
The little chipmunk was rescued from a watery grave. He was found floating down a mill-race.
Poor, wet, cold, scared little beastie! We made him a nice home, with “modern conveniences,” in a large wire bird-cage. For days and days he would have nothing whatever to do with as.
My little sister named him Dan, because he reminded her of “Mrs. Jo‘s” poor prodigal in his prison cell. Our Dan, however, did not serve out his term quietly and patiently, but took every opportunity to escape, always announcing that he was “out” by a loud chirp, or whistle, like a bird‘s note, In one of his escapades, our cat, Elijah, chased him into the fire; his whiskers and tail were singed, and his poor little paws badly burnt. His tail had not grown out entirely when I drew his picture.
One morning last winter, when I went to feed him, Dan was lolling about on the floor of his cage, looking very much like he might be drunk. At first I thought he must be very sick, but when I found him in the same stupor morning after morning, I realized that he was only taking his winter‘s sleep. I guess poor Dan thought he was hibernating under difficulties.
All winter long-we kept him, and he grew very gentle; but when spring cane it seemed cruel to keep him_away from the woods. So one day not long ago, we went to find him a new home. We carried Dan‘s cage with us, and the minute he smelled the woods he was out of his den and rushing wildly around his cage, trying to find a loose bar. We found a nice hollow tree, put in a store of corn, and opened the door of his cage. He sniffed around a minute, stepped cautiously out on the dead leaves, and in the “twinkling of an eye” disappeared in the dark hole of the tree. Though we have visited his home, we have never seen him since. I hope, however, that his family recognized him after his long absence, and welcomed him back to his old happy life in the woods.
Hoping that Dan‘s story may interest some League member, I am,
Your sincere friend,
Dear St. Nicholas: I will cell you about camping on the island of Oahu.
After a ride of about twenty-five miles, both in train and stage, over a very interesting part of the island, I arrived at my destination, which was Wahiaua,
I was greeted by a flock of girls, who were very delighted at my
“A Study.” By Emma Moore,
age 7. coming, and took me away to the gulch, where, seated on trees and
rocks, we talked and ate sugarcane. Finally, after we had talked
and talked,—you know how girls talk, —the dinner-bell rang, and we gladly answered it.
The bowls of poi and raw salmon, fixed with different sorts of vegetables, looked most inviting and were eaten with great relish by a hungry traveler like myself. Then came cocoanut pudding and many other Hawaiian dishes, which were very delicious.
After our feast, or luan, we sang songs and then retired, as our saying was: “Early to bed and early to rise makes one healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
My bed was in a tent under a lahua-tree covered with red blossoms, and sharing it with me were three other girls. I slept on a straw mattress on the ground, with a similar pillow, and one blanket to keep me warm, covered with a mosquito-net. I went to sleep sucking a stick of candy.
I woke before the sun was up, and finding all but one girl slumbering, we dressed, secured a can, and started off to get the milk.
After a hearty breakfast we went for a swim in a fresh-water pool, which to reach one had to nearly roll down a very steep ravine.
After this refreshing bath a trip up the mountains was decided on. The carriage toke us for some distance, but then we had co leave it, and took the rest of the journey on foot.
On the way back we chopped a good deal of sandalwood, the fragrance of which was delightful, and we also saw a flock of pheaants. And this is the way I spent two weeks of my vacation, living among the mountains and enjoying nature to its fullest extent.
PRIZE COMPETITION NO. 62.
The St. Nicholas League awards gold and silver badges each month for the best poems, stories, drawings, photographs, puzzles, and puzzle-answers. Also cash prizes of five dollars each to gold-badge winners who shall again win first place. This does not include “Wild Animal and Bird Photograph” prize-winners.
Competition No. 62 will close November 20 (for foreign members November 25). The
“November.” By Dorothy Longstreet, age 14. awards will be announced and prize contributions published in St. Nicholas for January,
Verse. To contain not more than twenty-four lines. Title: to contain the word “Pleasure."
Prose. Article or story of not more than four hundred words to relate some episode in French history,
Photograph. Any size, interior or exterior, mounted or unmounted; no blue prints or negatives. Subject, “Distance.”
Drawing. India ink, very black writing-ink, or wash (not color), interior or exterior, Two subjects, “A Study from Nature,” and a Heading or Tailpiece for February.
Puzzle. Any sort, but must be accompanied by the answer in full, and must be indorsed.
Puzzle-answers. Best, neatest, and most complete set of answers to puzzles in this issue of St. Nicholas Must be indorsed.
Wild Animal or Bird Photograph. To encourage the pursuing of game with a camera instead of a gun. For the best photograph of a wild animal or bird taken in its natural home: First Prize, five dollars and League gold badge. Second Prize, three dollars and League gold badge. Third Prize, League gold badge.
RULES.
Any reader of St. Nicholas, whether a subscriber or not, is entitled to League membership, and a League badge and leaflet, which will be sent on application.
Every contribution, of whatever kind, must bear the name, age, and address of the sender, and be indorsed as “original” by parent, teacher, or guardian, who must be convinced beyond doubt that the contribution is not copied, but wholly the work and idea of the sender. If prose, the number of words should also be added. These things must not be on a separate sheet, but on the contribution itself—if a manuscript, on the upper margin; if a picture, on the margin or back. Write or draw on one side of the paper only. A contributor may send but one contribution a month—not one of each kind, but one only. Address:
The St. Nicholas League,
Union Square,
New York.
