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ClUEER AND
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A JJfANUAL F01l TEAOlfEll8

HELEN 1\1. CLEVELAND
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AUTHOR OF "BEGINNEitS' ItEADERS, I, II, III," AND
"VIVID SCENES IN AMERICAN HISTORY"

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TIIE J\1ACl\1ILLAN COlVIPANY
LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LTD.

1899
All 1·ights 1·eserved

!J.J N t YERS I T Y

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f I"'l~l 1 I~RS lTRO~f QUEER AND
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OT1IER F0LI(
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A MA.NUAL FOR TEACHEBS

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HELEN M. CLEVELAND
,, .
AUTHOR OF "BEGlNN KltS ' ltl~ADERS, I, II, JIT," AND

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"VIVID SCENES IN AMEltlCAN HISTUlt Y"

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THE MACMILLAN COlVIPANY
LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LTD.

1899
All rights 1·eserved

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or- Ul\U\ HOMA
LIBRAHY

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PREFACE

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COPY1ll<1TI1.•

1899,

Bv '1'111£ MAGJ\llLLAN GOMPANY.

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OuR schools oftell neglect tlie practical subj ect of
letter writing, and ma,uy young people finish their
school training without acquirin g ability to compose
a letter which will meet the simplest demands of
either business oi· of soci<tl life . The teaching of
penmanship and grammar should . be accompanied
by somethiu g tu inspire expression.
Every good
t eacher knows this and spends many an hour which
can be ill spared in the search for n1aterial which
will spur pupils to expression.
The purpose of L etters from, Queer and Other Folk
is to
material. It is

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NorilloolJ

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J . S. Cushing & Co. - Berwick & Smith
Norwood Maas. U.S.A.

with marked success by the author. The letters
lmve been rnmle both interesting aml suggestive of
answers, so t hat the dulleH t pupil can eas ily find a
met prac.t1ca aim of
subj ect for his r eply .
is> w fitrnisb drill for letter wr ia1g. The
power of written exp ression will be developed by
this drill.
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PREFACE

The senm; consists of a Manual for Tea,chers anJ
two Pupils' Books for higher anJ lower grades. All
letters which are inwthe Pupils' Books are also in
the ManunJ, which in. wlJition contains "Busy Work
for All GraJes," anJ suggestions and directiom;
with each lesson. At the head of each letter in the
Pllpils' Books is a list of wonls which are to be used
in the reply. Ea.ch Pupils' Book contains also lists
of synonyms.
The co rrelated Natural History, while sulJonlinate
to the main purpose of the books, presents a course
sufficiently varied to arouse deep interest in that

CON'l'EN'l'tl
TO ACCOl\lPANY BOOK T OF LETTERS FROM

QUEER FOLK
PA GP:

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i\la.terial to develop a11 Idea of Parng raphiug
Drill

Oil

vocauulary

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Drill on Syu011yms

IO

A rrangi ug a Letter
Social Letters to be a usw ered (N atural llisto ry, etc.)

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branch.
. Socia.I Notes to be an swered
From Social L etters the · pupil passes to Business
lntrodudiou to Business Cor res pumle uce
L etters, which are also designed to a.rouse his power Busin ess Letters to be answe red
of expression by suggesti11g subj ects on which he
sha11 base his replies.

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CONSTANT BUSY WORK FOR ALL GR.\J)J~S

Capitalization

107

l'u 11 ct uatiou
Directing Envelopes

118

Answers for Teach ers .

128

122

TO ACCOMPANY HOOK n OF' LETTERS FROM
QFEElt FOLK
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Social Letters to be m1swered
Informal Notes .

201
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CONTENTS

PA Gr

Formal Social Correspondence

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Busi ness L etters to be answererl

21~

T o <lraw out Busin ess Letters

23?

T e legranrn .

236

Advertisements
Bills

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R eceipts

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A MANUAL FOR TEACHERS
TO

ACCOl\lPANY BOOK I
OF

THE

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PUPILS'

SER IES

rrEACl-IER'S .MANUAL
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~O DEVELOP AN

I

IDE A OF PARAGRAPHING

PLAN FOl{ RECITATION

short lette rs are det:>ig ued for dictation exercises.
here are no in correct forms in the pupil's books. His
f.inu and eye must be saturate<l with t he correct before
fhe incon ect is put before him for criticism . Actual
xperiment in different grammar grades - esvecially tl1e
ower ones- showed t he fo llowing mode of conducting a
sson, on arra11gement and parag ra,pl1i11 g, to be most
ractical: l. Direct the pupils to open their books to D ictation
~xercise I.
L et them study the paragraphs in this
3 tter.
Call attention to the place for t he heading, the
lutation, the superscription, the subscription, and th e
gnature. Teach the pupil to put the first word of each
w paragraph about one and a quar ter inches from t he
argrn. L et the paragraphs be read aloud separately.
U . Question about ca,pita.l lette rs, What words in the h eauiu g begin with capitals?
vVhat words in t he salutation?
How does every new sentence begin?
How does every n ew paragraph begin ?
Sometimes do you find more t han one sentence 111 a
ragraph?
. TH ESE

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TO D.EVELOI' AN IDEA OF l'ARAGltAPHING

5

Call on some pupil to tell where he finds periods.
giving glimpses of the imperfect to arouse appreciation of the perCall on another to tell where commas are placed.
. . fee t,, this book f~llows some of t!ie greatest educators of tl_iis allcl
llJ After careful study of all parts of the exerc1. other lands. It is well to be cautious, however. 1 would g1 ve but
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. tl
L t 011 e pupil re a gli mpse, and that glimpse should be of something so bad in
with the eye begm to train 18 ecir.
e
' arrangement that the orderly sense of the child must be shocked
the heading, another the salutation, still another the fir when he compares with the perfect copy in his hand, and I would
paragraph, the next one the secoucl paragraph, etc.
·have a p~rfect copy. in. his h~nd.
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faculty
ancl
after
the
atte
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In
tlus
course
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entirely
at
the
teacher
's
opt.1011
wh ether
o a wa \.en ns cn i < c
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the child sees t.he i11correct form or not. There are no incorrect
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:fixec care u y on ie corr forms in his book, and oral dictati on
· can be used instead of the
t1011 o tie pup1 laS een
form, copy the incorrect letter on the ~lack board (f:j mcorrect ~opy on th~ .bhtckboanl. . Pr:wtically, bett.er res~1lts have
incorrect copy here with paragraphs, capital letters, a been o?tamed by wntmg the exercrne 011 the board rn the mcorrect
,
form g1 ven.
punctuation marks left out).
V. Next, with their books open and their eyes on t k
DICTAT ION EXERC ISE I
correct letter, lead the class to criticise the incorrect fol

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TO DEVELOP .A N IDEA OF PARAGRAPHING

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COlUi ECT FOl{M

. VI. After they are familiar with the correct form a ·
have become critical of the imperfect one, let the pup
close their books arnl write the exercise which is on ti EAR BOYS AND

LAND Olf THE SPECK-FOLK,

Dec. 6, 1899.

Gnu_,s, -

board, conectly.
. · Don't you want to get acqua.inted with me?
is to get the proper form 1111'
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Tlie t eac l1 er ' s obJ'ect
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.~ am Little Horns, and I live m the Land of
the mind of the cluld and make lurn critical of the 1
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d pee {- ~ o L
b d f orm is ma e
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P roper · therefore the worse the a
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I
am
gomg
to
write
you a .great deal about
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appear, tie
e er.
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VU. Make a new paragraph when there is a d1st1 ur couutry, and I hope you will answer all my
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change of thought.
VIII. If the teacher objects to her pupils seeing
incorrect form, use oral dictation instead of writing
the board.
NoTE. -Among best educators the old iclea that a child sh
never see the imperfect seems to be considered extreme now.

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etters.
Please do not write to me until you know
ow to paragraph your letters neatly, for Speckolk cannot read letters which are all mixed up.
· See if you can copy this letter and get all
aragr::iphs in their proper places.

G

TO DEVELOP AN IDEA OJ!' l:' A Li AG TtAPHIN G

1'0 DEVELOP AN IDEA Oli' PARAGRAPHING

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I am half afraid that some of you will Wl'it · :: 1:ir 0;~ 11. work. I urge teach ers to train them to do
it as it is written on the LoarLl.
us.
t is the only way they can form a style of their
OWJL

Yours sincerely,

Study _the correct form with open books. Close books
and reqmre the pupils to write cor1·ectly e "tl
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1 ier
rom
.1~tat10n or from m correct copy on the board. If rou
1. Pupils study correct form in their books.
\\ nte the _?ad form on the board, ridicule it. Mal:e a
2. Close books, take paper, and correct incorrect fon plrty lesson out of it. n will make a bright recitation.
on the board. Teach er tlictate if she wishes.
3. ·when pupils finish let them ope11 their books an
land of speck folk dee 7 ioog
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my
compare tlteu own work with correct form there.
11en s you did very well ves t ·d ear__ yonng
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er ay most of
Teachers read from unparagraphed letters to avm )O.u_ 1.a .t 1e paragraphs in the right places and
betraying by accent where a new paragraph begins.
th~it IS important to day please look out for
LtTTLE HORNS.

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y,0~1r l:<:iragrap_hs b~1t i waut you to take s Jecial
c~ue ab_out penods mterrogation points exclla1na
1011 point
a · I
_. c t ts an capita letters do you know that
land of speck folk dee G 1809 dear boys an·
0
girl s dont you want to get acquainted with me
boston yesterday and crawled into
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am little horns and i live in the land of spec ~ ~!m:\ sc 100 to _see how well you were cor1
fol k i am going to write you a great deal abonbec ,~ gth lat dictat10n exercise on the board i
our country <md i hope yon will answer all m~ ar
. e teacher s~y that is very well boys i
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letters please do not write to me until you kno as P..~cis~~ _to hear 1 ~ and i crawled back home
how to paragraph your letters neatly for spec ~II ~ / 1s letter 1 ·would invite you all to
folk cannot read letters which are all mixed n : t anc, 0 speck folk but you are such aiants
see if you can copy this letter and get all par'
ou~ lcountry would not hold one of you
graphs in their proper places i am half afra] t ict~ .t~l la}ve broken my pen yours a:ffectiouthat some of you wi11 write it as it is written e Y 1 e 10 rns .
the boaru yours sincerely little horns.
IN CORJtECT FOTtM

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DICTATION EXERCISE Ill
DICTATION EXERCISE II

If the children are curious about the "Land of S
k
pt:lc The correct form of these Di cta tion E xercises is olk," talk with them about it.
the pupil's book. It is part of their uiscipline to corr · Same plan of recitation,-pup1·1 s study correet form
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TO Dl~VELOl' AN IDEA OF J:'ARAGl~APHlNG

DRILL ON VOCABULARY

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l0 ioo ts a ew
] scratche s f.01,mmg
m1sspelled
words
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no ma rn a letter and ·l 11
b
illLO tl
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s l?U c not e sent out
ie wor c as one be IJat1e t
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n ~1'th
. t 1Iese exer.· . su;; youn.g fnends get superscnpt10n su bscri )1
land of speck folk dee 8 189D clear tomm]· twn headrng and signature in the Jro , 1
instead of writing to a11 the boys rmd g irls t / when you can do that neatly 'mJ pe.~ ~ache
·1 I· w1'11 wnte
· t o yon lt
· rna,·lms me 1utppy t r·~ well
c:
pmcLgiap
cay
.. :you WI'11 get a real letter from
.
,
know that you boys are interested in the lan · affect10nately little horns.
me yoms
of speck folk after a while i am sure that yo
will write ·me some interesting and amnsing le
DICTATION EXERCISE v
ters i want to show these letters all round ou . Do not hurry this work. If the
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pup1 1s ai1 to do 1t
c1ty so you must· not ma rn m1sta ms mff t iern
· 1 · a1rly well, let them try again' 'an d k eep on until. thei.1·
your ]ast exercise yon wrote yours a ect1onat , work is satisfactory.
put ly on tommy and sa.y yours affectionate!
and yours sincerely 1lOL yours affectionate an :. . I1and of. speck folk dee 10 1899 my dear susie
~] iav~ Y181 ted several schools for boys so i
yours sincere and oblige little horns.
;on~ it I had better crawl around to the everett
sc
wo and see what the girls were doing i went
DICTATION EXERCISE IV
over the desks so quietly tl t
d 'd
.
Concentrate the attention of your class on order , me and i sa
la you I
not notice
w some very neat looking
.ttl
arrangement of paragraphs.
and mary mad
.
papers you
l d.
e a 1I e ~111stake you put your
land of speck folk dee g 1889 my clear youn
mg over the .salutat10n on the left side it
10 1
f~·iends yo~1 are. doing very well on these d~ct
~ ~ have been in. the right hand corner do
t10n exermses i know that they are a htt .[.0 m Jest. to get headmg superscription subscri )1
stnpjd and that you would rat.her write a .re ~ 11 . allffngh.t and the:r: write 1ne some fine Iette~s
letter but i <lo not care to receive a Jetter fro yums a ect10nately little horns.
you until you can write it in proper fonu i a, ,
DRILL ON VOCABULARY
visiting all the schools anc1 will know when y
are prep:.trecl to ·write me a neat letter all the ho, Unfamiliar words in each letter have be
.
and girb in america shonld know how to wri l t t 118
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en pie1me1 out
letters that will be a credit to them and to th . le pu a t head of that letter in the pupil's books.

in their own books, - as soon as familiar with it, ancl'.
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havrng copied it, close books, and let them either coned:,.
the incorrect form from the blackboard or from oral
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d1ctat1on.

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As these words occ UI. m
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they will

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DIULL ON SYNONYMS

DRILL ON SYNONYMS

11

naturally constitute part of the pupil's vocabulary i1
,IV. ~et the pupils read both sentences aloud. J.Jead
replyi ng.
j. t hem t~ see that two whos are awkward. Let them look
He must know their meaning and know how to spel~ over tlns set. of words and see if they can find any which
words if he would use them intelligently, therefore thi cai~ be use.d rn place of who. 'l'hey will tell you that and
drill on vocabulary is the most essential part of ever wlu~h ar~ m the same set.
that that is
· use d m
· place of the names of
.
·Explam
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lesson on letter-writing.
Spelling will take care of itself, somewhat, if the wore · persons as wel.l as things, and which is used in place of
. eye. Allow lmn
. to use lns
. le the names of <animal s an cl tl ungs.
·
are kept under the pupil's
ter-book - words and subj ect-matter - for a dictionar
vVith this knowledge, they will be able to correct the
Spend time on the meaning.
' second sentence to make it read:_

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Let some pupil name a word, then talk about it an
I saw the girl that ran after the woman who spoke to me.
use it in sentences until it sta nds for somethin g in hi
V. V\Trite: mind. Take up the next word in the same rnanne
until you complete the list.
That is the horse that ran away with papa.

DRILL ON SYNONYMS AND INTERCHANGEABLE \iVOitDS
A few synony ms in common use have been put in tl ·

Lead the pupils to substitute so tlle sent ence will
reacl : That is the horse which ran away with papa.

pupils' books. These synonyms are arranged in set ..• Considerable drill on the use of w 1w,
1
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d what
w 1i ic1i, an
each set being numbered. Special study of these sets~ is very necessary.
each lesson is suggested.
Further suggestions are made
at the h ead of some of
<
I. Require the pupils to open their books to the syn the lessons.
nyms, etc., antl find, for instance, the set "who, whi .,;, VI. vVrite a sentence like the
·
. foll owmg:and that."
Ask for [il went into the wild woods and met a wild animal which
II. Ask for a sentence with who in it.
looked very wild.
sentence with two whos in it.
Ill. vVrite these sentences on the board. Example:
Require the pupils to look over their list of s
.. and find the set with w ilcl in it.
.
ynonyms
I saw a boy who rau after a man.
After they have done this, let them substitute a
I saw the girl who ran after the woman who spoke to m

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ARRANGING A LETTER

ARRANGING A LETTER

13

synon ym where they cau, and the corrected sentenc · tdte& tJVL,e,alu/G&OJ..- aeiV 11ou 6-u{tciU!1,r1 a edy of. ~0n.-&
should reacl: - ·
lw-JiiorJ,,.
1 went into the ivt"lcl woods arnl saw a savage
which looked very jierce.

c/fo{Lo4 in fJorJ.lon. &V-&'l,, 91h&OJ/6J.&d llial anleiV hacl
fo0Ct'.1?,om&11', n1.{;1'Q,8rJ..1 and 91,i,&&nrJ.. unta you 1'v-wl&
{o

BUSY 'iVORK

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/Ji9 fowfol& dictn' t lvnow a, al t&arJ..t 111,1f 11u;i.11i,1;z..a. and foafoa dicin' t.
!Ju1/iafoQ, l&aeli-&1' fv11'&W.

Drill on capitalization, punctuation, directing letter
9afoa rJ..aCd yo-u (Jl1'0l12,/i&d lh& OJ~1f1 6-ii't lcae.li.0'1..arranging the parts of a letter, etc., has been arrange
w.,{ct 1fO% d{dn/ l ,' aU 11ou..- wwl& ~ l1'u&.
under the title of " Busy vVork" on page 107. Kee ·'
J ' d 7'-ii~ eifv& lo' (1,8& tlwOJ,& b-a6-Go(J,.
cf'd t{fv&
the pupils at this busy work constantly. No clay shoul
pass without work on it until the pupil really know Co ilh& lli& ~Lne&Q,Q,&J,.
cf?1' !JoQ,lon only 1'C12,/1,, fowfu,C& lvav-& ?VU/UJ,,NL !Joo1'
something of these things.
~ fa-wft;l& lalc& 1?,a'L& of, l/i.,e,{-u 6-afJ-{&rJ.. tli-MJ14cW&eiV.
cf iiAMdct f,{,k,e, lo v-(,.r1: ,0l yo-u1' wo-nclm~ut lown.
BUSY ·woRK ON ARRANGING A LETTER
J11' !JorJ.,lon w& hav-& 9'Le-al b-%CldU!t-9fJ,, (J,ue/i. eJ.,(J..
The letter below was written by a little girl in answ
Cli & /liiO-t{e £ib-'Ua'L1f, dfal1.i'Uat /i-1Ai,,lo'L1f /?00111,liV, a-nd
to one of the letters in this book. Tell the children
a'Vl-IW'l/~ .
this fact. Require them to copy it until they can arran
Ulc- liav-& tli-e- t20111.'11w?1' anct !Jub-lu tfaute-11'.
every part neatly, and then tell them you hope they w·
!fav-& 11ou..- an11 tau1e- 6-uClctU!'/,9rJ..1 Cl./)t-cl do yoii 90
try and do as well when they begin to write answers ~
{,o. OJ/e-lwot i11' a 0,09 ulwo-tlw1t,Q,& P
Queer-Folk.
ho you &al ()-'Lan98(J..-1 afofju,C&OJ..-, and 9~&0J, P
/JoOJ,lon, 1l1cutJ,. 1
ho you 1naK& 1.jM!/l, !Yi.w.,d and 6-1,itl&1' P
a~it 21/-, I 899.
Hav-& 11oii CfiWrP,&1./Zf rJ,lo'L&\J, and { 0u1,t- (J,lan ctrJ.. P
17111 d&a'l,, £0tte& Hovnk, £ov-Gn9t11 y01f.w,1
cf lov-& yon'{, l&ltuui..- V-&'L,1f mu#i.
6.&0J,t t&UE/UJ, cf &v-&1' 'l,,&a,d.
cfl Q-.&e~ fJ.,O fii11'11/1f lo lhinfv o~ Q;Ul?,h qua

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14

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWElUi:D

SOCIAL LETTEgS TO BE ANSWEltED

15

Although I am not so long as one of your
cyehLshes, I live in a country quite as wonderLETTER
fu l as yours.
Before the pupil writes a reply to J_,ittle Horns, le : '1
It is a, republic, something like the U nitecl
him study the words at the head of each letter.
8tates.
These words are part of the vocabulary wl_1ich he must
vVe have queens, to be sure, but we love and
use in replying. N <:tme them, tell what they mean, and
obey them because they a,re our mothers. They
notice the spelling. Keep the words under his eye.
make no laws. The working people make the
They, with the written text, are his dictionary.
While the pupil is replying, allow him to have his . laws.
vVe have carpen.ters, rnasons, brickmaJrnrs,
book open with Little Horns's letter before him.
Call attention to the questions. Encourage the chil · farmers, soldiers, policemen, and nurses who
dren to reply in their own child language.
are always busy.
Caution about neat arrangement and about making a·
vV e build towns and make wonderful ro::icls
new paragraph every time the pupil starts to tell about ~ with arched roofs that would astonish your
a new thing.
Luilders. We doctor our sick, plant seeds,
To spur the rest Lo do as ·well, have the best arranged
gather harvests, and store the gra,111 m our
and best paragraphed letters put up for show.
gr:tnanes. There are cows which give delicious
After giving the poorer ones a chance to compare
their work with better, let each try to correct his own · milk, and pet animals like your pet clogs and
cats.
work. Give special praise to those who show marked
The Land of Speck-Folk contains three kinds
skill in correcting their work. Do not hurry. Take time. ,_
. of people - the queens, the men, and the
25 LONG A VENUE, LAND OF
\ workers.
Dec. 14, 1899.
There are 1nore babies in my city than there
MY DEAR BoYs AND GmLs,are l)eople in Boston, and they, like the grown
up people, are of three kinds.
I know that you are tired of copying those
The few little princesses are the most 1111dictation exercises, and will be glad to write me ·.
portant babies. They live in larger houses and
a letter in answer to this.
SOU LAL J_,E'l''l'EHS TO BE ANSWERED

31
:>Nur

16

/ /

1,f •

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SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

SOCIAL LETTERS ' TO BE ANSWERED

17

are fed on finer food than the others. All om _ She prepares the baby's food in her own
people watch over them, and nurses care fm · mouth, and sometimes takes the tiny infant to
a warmer house, or out in the sun and ai!.'.
them most tenderly.
Boy babies and princesses have wings, but the
These baby princesses so1ne day wi11 be our
queens, and live in the finest houses that we can · workers can only crawl.
The nurse of a princess is ,very proud, and is
build for them.
The houses of the boy babies are larger than always petting her little cha,rge, even going with
those of the workers, but there are not many her to the gate of the city, licking all dust from
her body, and smoothing her wings Lefore she
of them.
By far the greater number of babies will grow takes her flight into the air.
·It is the last time the nurse will have a chance
into workers, and as soon as they are old enough
to smooth the princess's wings, for when she
to leave the house they go to work.
If all the little princesses should die, the comes back from her flight she will be an acnurses would move some healthy worker babies ' ~ow~eclgecl qu:en, anc~ the wings will drop o~f.
into larger houses and feed them the food they , · Tl11s letter is growrng very long, so I will
wait until next time to tell you the rest about
give to princesses.
\
Under such treatment these common babies Speck-Folk.
I hope yon will like us, and wish to learn
grow up to be queens, and are larger and more
beautiful than the ordinary workers they would something more about us.
have been if they had been brought up in small · / For a spe,ck of a creature like ine, do you not
think I have paragraphed my letter nicely?
houses and fed on common food.
I think also that I have put all the c~i,pital letAll the babies belong to the few queens of
\
. cl
our city, but a queen has so many children she ters in the right place, and my commas, peno s,
never cares for them at all. There are thou- and question marks where they should be.
See if you can do as well.
sands of nurses to do it.
Please clirect your letter as I have written the
Each baby has a little house of its own, which
a<ldress in the hea,cling.
the good nurse cleans and keeps in order.
c

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I

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18

SOCIAL LETTERS TO IlE

ANSWERED

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

I want you to tell me what you think of m, fo ur minutes the words can be named and their meanpeople and country, as well as what yon hav .. ings talked over. Let one name and :.mother tell the
learned that yon never knew before.
meaning, etc.
vVrite about yourself, your city or town, an ' . When you write the incorrect form on the board, conti nne playful ridicule about sending such a looking letter
especially about your school.
·
to Little Horns. Praise neatness. Do not discourage by
Ask any question that you please, and I w1l1 too much criticism. Talk about position of parts of the
try to answer it.
letter and the place of new paragraphs.
Put your full address in the heading of your
·,
letter so that I may know where to direct to you.
, ; ,- ;
,25 LoNG AvENuE, L AND oF SPEcK-FoLn:,
If you feel that you know me pretty well,.
Dec. 15, 1899.
begin your letter " Dear Little Horns." If ym - MY DEAR BoYs AND GIRLS, do not feel acquainted yet, begin "l\1y dear Little
I watched eagerly for your letters and was
Horns."
plc;ised and proud when they came pouring in
The last is the proper way when you want t-0 . · so fast.
Before I begin to tell you more about Speck.be very formal, and the first is correct when you
are writing to people that you know quite well. Folk I will answer some of your questions.
Hoping for many nice, long letters,
Nearly all of you want to know whether we
Affectionately yours,
· have schools in our country.
LI
No, we do not have them. Our nurses teach
L lTTLE .c ORNS.
us <tll we know.
LETTER 11
A boy, n<tmed Tommy, asks whether we phty
.
.
. games or not.
The cluldren are now mterested in Little Horn&
y
T
d
l
One of
Allow them to ask as many questions about her as you
es,. ommy, ~e ~ Pay games.
h ave time to answer.
-. _them is somethmg like your " hide-and-goDo not neglect the words at the head of this letter in _ see k ·"
th e pupil's book. Your pupil cannot write without a ~
Some of the boys inquire whether I was
vocabulary. Keep his vocabulary in his eye. In about , joking when I said that we had cows.
•

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19

.

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20

i l
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3.1.

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

No, boys, it was no joke. 'Ve do have cowa
They are green in color and often pasture on
your inother' s house phwts.
You ask whether my pen is as big as a pin.
I shall not tell you about my pen or how
write these letters. It is a great secret.
The most important questions have been an
swered now, and we will talk about the La,no
of Speck-Folk.
Suppose you could become so sma11 that your
thumb would be a large place to stand on ano
that you should start to visit the Speck-Folk .
Your first glimpse of our people would be at
the city gate.
Our sentinels or policemen are stationed there,
and before you could pass on, these large bhtck
soldiers would demand your business.
If they were satisfied that you were a proper
person to enter the Land of Speck-Folk, the city
gate would be opened and you would find yourself on a broad road and in a great crowd of
Speck-Folk who were beginning their day's
work.
About three millions of people live in rny
city, and this city is only one of innumerable
citjes in the Land of Speck-Folk.
The city itself is quite a distance from the

SOCIAL LETTERS TO IlE ANSWERED

21

ga,tes, (1,nd there are a rn1mher of broa,d roads
tha,t lead to it nutde exactly like the one yo n ;ue
trnvclliug.
You would meet so1dicrs hurrying out to
relieve the guards at the gate ; c::trpeuters
would pass you carrying large pieces of timber;
m::tsons would be seen ro1ling tiny balls of clay;
ma.rket-women would be lrnstening in with fresh
snpp1ies; nurses by the thousand woul\l cniwl
briskly past with babies they were takmg out
into the sun; and once in a wbile you would see
one of our people cairrying a sick or wounded
comrade h01ne on her back.
All would be busy in this great crowd, and
you would be surprised to see these sturdy
cretttures carrying loads several times larger
than themselves.
Indeed, you would be amused as we11 as
interested; for a load so large that it causes
its bearer to topple over is no discouragement.
She rolls about in a comical way until she
reg::tins her feet, and then she staggers and
t.umbles along until her load once more upsets
the plucky little creature.
Once again she
struggles and strains every tiny muscle. to get
righted, and over again she goes, tum~)lmg and
rolling until her load is landed m trmmph.

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22

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23

SOCIAL LETTEB,S TO BE A N S WERED

SOCIAL LETTERS TO 13E A N SWERED ·

When you arrived in the city .the work ol
the masons, the nurses, and the harvesters·
would attract you first.
J\!Iasons would be busy repmrrng cracks in
the grea,t store and other houses, so that all ·
moisture and dampness would be kept out.
Nurses would be cleaning houses and caring for
babies. Food-gatherers would come quickly to .
the storehouses, deposit what they had brought,
and then hasten away for more.
You would be sure to look at the skilful
plastering on the inside of our houses, and ex·
claim at the size of our storerooms.
I see that my letter is growing long, and as
I wi,sh to ask a few question s in this, I will '
w~ite1 another letter to you about Speck-Folk.
, One of the girls spoke about your people
using umbrellas. vVhat are umbrellas?
Another said something about her new dress,
hat, and shoes. \Vill you please tell me about
those things? I never heard of them.
What are bicycles? and will some of the boys
tell me how you play that game caJled base·
ball? Why do you live in houses much too
large for you? vVe like houses just large
enough to crawl into.
It seems to me that it must be very incon·

vcnient to have only two legs. Do you not
find it so?
I know all the three millions of people in
my city. Do you know all the people in yours?
Plea,se write me long letters.
Affectionately your friend,
LITTLE HORNS.
LETTER Ill

As usual, exercise on word s at h ead of the letter for

to-day .
Next teach the use of who, which, what, interchangeably. Set 41 in pupil's books. (See L esson on Synonyms,
Teacher's Manual, page 10.)
Fur example, write on the board as follows : That is the boy who brought the pack age
sent.

I

I

which
that mannna

J,cad the pupils to choose between which and that, and
lend th em to see that they select which because there is
nollie r that in the sentence.
7'/wt is th e boy

Itlwt
I stopped
who

the horse

Iwa,i~t,
nc i

J

ran

away.
lu the same way lead them to select in this sentence,
follo wing the rule not to repeat the same wonl in the
aentence when it can be avoide<l. Also the rule that

.,:f,

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24

SOCIAL LETTERS

·ro

BE ANSWERED

SOCIAL LE'l''fERS TO BE ANSWBREb

25

-

~~~=

"'.

.

-~

:~ -=

Just then your eyes woulJ foJl 011 some poor
bloa,ted looking creatures who seem reacly to
burst, and your astonishment would be incre::tsccl
when the honey gatherers en tercel to cleposit
their honey.
These honey gatherers would go at once to
the poor creatures, and, compelling them to
25 LONG A VENUE, LAND OF SPECK-FOLK,
. already
open their mouths, fTLrt11er extend t l 1e1r
Dec. lG, 18~)9.
burstmg
.
bod'Les b· y pourrng
. ] 1on cy .(rorn t ]ie1r
. own
DEAR Boys AND GIRLS: mouths into the mouths :of the living honey jars .
The poor things become so fo 11 that they
I feel well enough acquainted with you now
not to be so formal, therefore I will leave off the . cannot move and never leave the dark storerooms where they are imprisouecl.
niy in this letter, and I hope you will
your answers.
If your polite guide offered yon a sip of honey
In your supposed journey to the Land o -you would be obliged to take it by putting your
Speck-Folk, I left you admiring our granaries . . . ow11 mouth to the mouth of one o( these queer
You would not be left alone long. If yo jars and sip the honey from its lips. That is
looked distinguished enough, very likely a queen . the way Speck-Folk do it.
I and many Speck-Folk pity these poor
h erself, with a train of attendants about her,
would notice you and send some one to escort martyrs, but we cannot make jars, and we must
you about.
have something to hold our honey.
The large central space is a, kind of gre:.tt
You would certainly be invited into the honey'
vaults, and there you would see the most curious publ ic square, where most of our people spend
honey jars in the world.
. their time.
I imagine you looking about, and I can almost
A little while in the square would show you
hear you say, lia.t there is the Lest of un<lersti::m Jing ::trnong
"Honey jars! I see no honey jars."
our l_)eople.
who refers to persons alone, that to persons, animals, au &
thiugs, aml which to animals an<l things. Daily exerci .
on sy11onyms. (See Lesson on Synonyms.) Be careful.
to have each pupil rea<l. all the words in one sl'1
t beat
as puuncl
strilce

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.

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26

SOCIAL LETTEB,S TO Jm ANSWElUm

SOC!i\ L LETTEES TO BIC ANSIVEltED

27

I

You would notice that the work oJ each ha4 between two 11aLi01 1s uf a11ts, ;u ul, aJtliongh we
been laid out; ead1 knew just wliat was cxpcetedf are the~ n10st JH~acca, bl c pc~opl(~ a1tH>11g un rscln~s,
uf lier.
f wr; arc sturdy !igl1Lcrs.
Une worker would be seen pouring :t
My pc()p1c du n ot gu tu ,,·ar Jur Llic purpusc
from her mouth on the 1vounds of a, conll'adeJ 1Jf steal in g tl1c liabil:s u l' aiwt lier sdtlc~111(;11L, lrnt
another feeding a worker too busy to stop
I allt sorry t(l sa.y suuu~ Speck-J1'u lk (lo.
food. and others licking a.nd petting tired follow.l T he~ assaulti ng an ny adva nce s in ;i column,
workers who had just succeeded in bringing
and the attack is made i11 a Lw ink Ii ng.
great load to the city.
.
.
Tile se11tinels give the . ala.rm to tlwi1' pcuple
Such is the kindly miture of uur people. Wet a.s r1uickly a,s they cau by numi11g to Lhc grca,t
are a cheerful and an ever merry race uf work.erst tu itt<-Lre and tapping the peopl<~ w i Lh their anlf you inquired for our cow-pasture you rnightf tc nnm. 1 8oon thousands cumc puuri ng out of
be shown a few cows tha,t were pastured on the l the city and stand in line tu rccci ve alH1 repel
roots of some tree which had pushed its wayi t.!1c attack of the advancing enemy .
through the ground into our city, but you would .- Sometimes there is a, drea.dfol battle, and the
be told that great herds were pasturing above _baLtlefielJ is strewu with broken auLennm awl
ground on some tree, possibly a long way fromf"ll'gs, but genenLlly it is deciclccl 011c w <L.Y or Lhe
the gate of the city.
-;- othe r in a sl1ort time.
vVe care for our herds diligently, clrnsing awayl
H the enerny gaills tl1e day, t.!t(•y sack t he
every enemy that would destroy them; and we.j::city, a.nd will soon :Lppc:t.I' crnrying in tl1 c ir
even take the eggs underground and protectl mu utlis tlw babies w lwm they arc about to take
them until spring, when we carry them out and< _to their own city to train into slaves.
put them on the spring daisies, where they will : You want to know whether \Ve ha,ve churches
soon beco1ne full-grown and yield us bright, ..or not. I did not know what yoL1 mem1t by
clear drops of milk. You call these cows of_·_churches until one little girl ex phi ncc1 tlmL they
ours "plant lice."
re those buildings with high steeples to which
1 Antenme are the short horns or feelers of an insect.
A fine herd of cows is often a cause

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28

SOCIAL LETTERS TO 13E ANSW BRED

people go in order that they may learn to be
goocl .
vV e do not build churches. Our people are
very good anyway. They keep all the laws and
are very unselfish, so perhaps Speck-Folk do not
need churches so much as human beings.
vVill you tell me what you mean by stores?
Do you maJrn other animals draw you aboui
because yon luwe only two legs?
I clo not know what you mean by "electrics "
and "cars." vVe have nothing in our country
by those names.
vVhat do you ca,ll those great machines thal·
whirl along and carry so many people?
If yon do not use your legs, and ride all thf;
time, are you not afraid yo u will lose the use o
them?
I think it 1s very comical to see you carry an '
umbrella to keep off the rain. I never go out a
all when it rains.
You speak of books and pencils. vVill you tell
1ne what they are, and how they are made?
.IVIany thanks for your letters. Please write a·
long one and answer all my questions.
We a,re the most intelligent cl'eatures in th
world, except your people, - having power I
remember many more people than you.

SOCIAL LE:TTERS TO llE ANSWERED

20

Your letters have been neatly pantgraphed,
and I have been proud to show them all over
the city.
I hear that an old enemy of ours is going to
write to you. She wishes to see if you will not
become more interested in her people than you
are m mme.
I expect one more set of letters, and will you
please answer the follovying questions in therr_i ?
\Vhat do you mean by rich ? One of the girls
wrote that our "ktbies must be very rich to
h ~ive nurses to care for them."
Do you have slaves or people who do all your
work? and if you do, will you get lazy ctncl become use lf~ss?
\Vill you please explain why it is Letter to
wa.1k on two legs tha,n six? vVe do not need
carria.ges and horses to drag us round as you
appear to need them.
\Vhat are clocks and watches, and why do you
sit down around a table when you eat?
Do you like birds and fish? On what kind
o( trees do the flowers in the girls' hats grow?
Let your last letter be long and interesting.
Ever your affectionate friend,
LITTLE HORNS,

~ ~

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30

SOCIAL LETTEUS TO BE ANSWERED
SOCIAL LETTEl.tS TO llE ANSWEHED

LETTE r? rv

31

~ 1 i arnm~1' remai 11 s beside Lhe cr:tcl lP nf hl'.l' lii.Llc
~ s, :tlll l air(.t'l . ti. ]( .·' · I(_.' 'L\.l'
rolu1r·lf unr·
. . it slw l':tf 1·lws 1li1·s in

P•Cq111n'.
·
·I J'llJ1ils
· iu 11;1,1111' Uie 11·ords in 1.llf\
11P
<•f words lu·:1ili11 ,c; 1111 ! l1·tLur i11 J.lw ir l1ooks, :ind Jlten :1fr," :
liri1wi1
Oll(' !110
l ltl; '
.
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"' w
"
•
<1J1nig
u L' L'ac J1 li'unl nut alrca<lrt

lic· r suare

fer~ ds

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Ll11;1 ll.

lllU ti te l'S· e :ll'I',\'. t11eil' c1iildr(:Jl
famili::ir
for
01" l · · t
· wud1
l ·
· a!!z
" abo ut on t I ie11·
· ]J:u: I'"s m1 L'Il f.1tr~.''·· "'"l'C',
' · ' call
•
.
" SL1 1 i·1 1cr ··s lit
tlw words
ti 1rec
used.
I weeks olcl. and, as c:iclJ sp idr;r- ll1 a!l11n :L
lu
st.mly
sets
!5,
6,
7.
t
., 11 1 ,., s ' severa,l lrnrnlrcrl Ii: t iJ ics ha id I ell at
J:'ract1ce o11
b
. .
.! Cl ,L Y le"
. .
synonyms,
tu be f u1l.
repetit10
i
f
l · 1 y showmg Jww awkwa~'i= t Iic sam c ti.me lier· back is hkclv
J
1
'tl 't l o a wore m be same sentence sonnds; an~
Tl e little mother is very patient until the

gc~n-

sy~10nyms,

1

1.

s synonyms before the class, have them select
which will do duty for the r epeated word.
wi

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001

·

F AnwnowER, Dec. 18, 1899.

Mv

DEAR

Gm.Ls

1

AND

Boys -

'

I met Daddy-long-legs the other day, and he
told me about the letters that Little Horns had·
been writing to you.
Daddy is my cousin, and h e urged me to take.
my fairy ~Jen an~ tell the wonders of our family.
. There is notlung very interesting about Daddy
himself. Ile generally lives in a cellar. Mrs.
Dac~dy carries a bundle of eggs in her mouth
until they are hatched into little da ddy-long·
legs, and then she lets h er children look out
for themselves.
Not all spider-mothers are like Mrs. Daddy.
long-legs .
lVIy mother and many a spider- .

•

,

.

•

'

b ·t ]
.
. • I
tiny crawly creatures get too t ]11c ( a ou ier
eyes. Then she takes one of h er claws, and,
scooping off a clawful, she gently p:1ts ther_n
011 some convenient object nea,r until she is
ready to take them once more upon h~r back.
Little Horns may live in a great city containing thousands of homes, ancl roads leading
to it but the little dark earth houses of the
Specl~-Folk are homely com1~ci,red to the fairy
palaces which n1y people ~mlcl .
Our homes are so beautiful tlrnt we cannot
live in 'cities. It would not be safe. All tlie
world would come to admire a city of such
dainty domiciles, and the fr~il ~t~' uctures would
soon be destroyed; so each mch v1clua,l selects a
little nook and there makes a fairy bower.
Before tell you about these beautiful homes,
it may interest you to know how we look.
1

I

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32

SOCIAL LETTEH.S TO BE ANSWERED

SOCIAL LETTEltS TO BE ANSWElmD

33

J\1ost of my family have four pairs of eyes;
In the spinnerets are muscles thait enable the
some of them are night and some of them are
pider to nrnke the silken strea,m a fin est gosamer thread or thick euough to spin a \Va,nn
day eyes.
1
vVe lrnve eight legs and mandibles that are cape for h er baby spiders. These · muscles do
strong enough to give the death blow to any · more. There are tubes containing coloring Jn(l,tenemy much larger tha,n ourselves.
tcr, and :Mrs. Spider can at will uutke her Labies'
The most wonderful thing about us is the
blanket white or colored .
marvellous spinning mannfactory that we carry
Perhaps you think that we young spiders let
about in our small bodies.
our mothe rs do a11 the f:l lJinuiu g . lf you du you
I ca,nnot exphtin t his fn1ly, but a few words
are rnista,ken. The day after we come out of
will show you what wonderful machinery Mother
the cocoon we can send out a drag line, arnl
N atnre ca1~ contrive, and lead you to study
Lcgiu to Lnild.
.
more.
Nobody t each es little spiders how to sp m.
First to be mentioned are the silk glands.
They know how just as t hey know h ow to
These are situated in the lower part of the
breathe, and the webs they nw,ke are very perspider's body, and seem to hold a liquid silk that
feet_ often more perfect tlrnu thusc umlle by
h as, some way, been formed out of the juices of
grown-up spiders.
.
the body. This liquid silk flows into tubes that
vVe h ave fiue fun going on La,ll oon excunnons.
lea,d to the spinn erets.
I wi1l tell vu ii abm1t tl 1v 1n in :11w 1IH ! l' kl.Lcr.
There are six of these spinneret8 , an d from om £
I wisli ~~'()ti ·wo itld L<' ll 111<' wliy g irl s L'<t ll 11~
hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty · ll[tsty, cnLw ly thi 11 gs, c:rnd ;;;crL:<.Llll \dw11 Lltcy
s1Jools on each S}JiuuereL.
· 1
~ tuuc l us.
These Rpoo]s are simply littl e tubes 011 the
\Vhy do h ousckcep0rs take Lha.t Jong l>ri sLly
spinnerets through which the liquid silk pas;:;cs
tl iin O' thcv c::1,ll a, broom ancl de::; troy onr hou8es,
iuto the air.
~ whe~ we ·'b uild in a corner they n evel' use Y
1
Daddy-long-legs t ell s me th:tt Lhcy h a,te us.
Mandibles are horny jaws, in appearance like the bHls of some
hl~ &
. .
Do they, or is it some of D::ullly's tu,lk?
l>

34

SOCIAL LETTERS TO RE ANSWERED

Please tell me whether you are interested in
my letter and wish me to write another one?
Do I paragraph my letter as well as Little
I-Iorns, and do I spell your hard words cor·
rectly?
When you write, ask all the questions that
come into your heads and I will try and answer.
Very truly yours,
vV EE

SrIDERLING.

LETTER V

Train on the words and have the synonyms read. ,
Each pupil reading one set as before. Study sets 8-9 a:i
in "Lesson on Synonyms."
F AnwnowER, Dec. 20, 1899.

MY

DEAR GrRLs AND BoYs, -

A number of you ask why I do not put my
city and state at the head of my letter, an<l
others want to know whether Fairybower is the
name of a place or the name of my special home.
Fairybower is the name of my home, and I
live alone in it. I told you in my last letter
that our people do not build cities like the Speck·
Folk. I belong in no city and no state, therefore cannot put the name of one at the head of
;my letter.

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWEH.ED

35

Sometimes a family of young spiders will renrnin near the mother for a few weeks, but they
soon go ballooning or leave the common home to
build one of their own. Indeed, we young spiders
are obliaed
to do this or our mothers will drive
0
us out, and make us set up a home for ourselves.
"What do you eat?" is the question I found
in many of Iny letters.
For one thing I eat all the Speck-Folk and
other insects I can ti•ap into my snare.
vVe eat our own webs, and when many young
spiders are in a common home they sometimes
<levour one another.
Daddy-long-legs told me that he had seen
cellar spiders drop a line into a milk-pan, and
running down greedily drink the milk.
Da,ddy also told me that he saw a snake
hanging from a spider's snare where it had been
caught and curiously fastened. The head of the
snake was hanging toward the cellar bottom,
and its mouth was entirely closed by a number
of threads that the snaring spider had wound
about it.
Its tail had been tied into a loop through
which a silken cord was run that connected it
above with a ball about the size of a pea. This
ball was made of a green fly covered with green

36

SOCIAL LETTERS TO

J3_E

ANSWEHED

si~k - ~ord, and served as a sort of a pulley or

SOCIAL LETTEH.S TO BE ANSWERED

37

web, and began to hoist her squirming vicw1.ndlc1,ss by means of which this keen cellar
tim. The spider now and then left her work
splder had hauled up his victim.
above to run down the line and bite the nrnuse,
A great number of threads he1d the snake . which writhed and struggled to get away.
and p~lley to the snare above; thus the ball was .
In three hours the mouse was raised so that
kept fi~o1~ unwind~ng, and the snake was held
its four feet barely touched the floor. Three
~ast. 11ns sna~e with the dangling snake below,
hours after its nose was about fon1• inches from
cLlld the spreadmg cords and pulley, looked like
the floor. The next inorning the mouse was
an open urn brella.
found dead, and six inches from the floor.
F~r. several days spiders feasted by suckjng
A meddlesome boy destroyed the web about
the Jlllce of the suspended snake that finally fell
nine o'clock. If he h ad let the spider alone until
from the cords and died.
morning, she would have drawn that mouse up
, This is a strange story but it is true, for ' to her web and enswathed it.
D,1,ddy-long-J egs always tens the truth. Here is
You boys would have to lift an elephant on
another of his stories quite as hard to b 1·
one finger, or carry off a grea,t building, to equal
I
e ieve.
t tells ~f a young living mouse which was
tha,t, for the mouse weighed fifty times more
entangled
in the
snare
of ca spic
. l er by means
· than the spider .
.:
.
c
oJ threads w h1ch the cunning spider had wound
I know you are wonderjng what I me::m t by
about the mouse's tail.
enswathment, so I will exphin our method of
. l\1any peo~11e besides Daddy saw this, and it
ensnaring such animals as we need for food.
IS worth tellrng fully.
We spiuers have the power of throwing ont
.It was a cellar spider who did the daring
jets of swathing silk with great rapidity, and in
tlung. She was und er a tall office desk when
large quantities. When a foolish insect becomes
~he s~w the mouse, and fastened a drag line to
ensnared in a spider's web, vvoe to it. She imits tail · After
ace
1.
1
·
tl
·
mediately throws out a blanket of thick, white
.
omp is ung 11s she ran up
the underSJde of the desk, which was about three
silk , and wraps her victim up in it. The poor
feet from the 11oor, to where she had s1Jun a large
thing can never escape from the silken, rnummy-

38

SOCIAL LETTEHS TO 13E ANSWERED

SOCIAL LE'l'TERS TO BE ANSWERED

like cape, and is ready now for my Lady Spider's
table.

'. )

If she is hungry, she will take the swathed
insect to her house, and suck the juices of its
~ody until it is nothing but a dry skin. If she
is not hungry, she will hang her victim up until
she feels inclined to eat.
\.Yhen on ballooning -excursions I have seen
wolf spiders catch fish and snare birds.
So
s~iders entrap :-ind eat snakes, mice, fish, and
bird~, as well as insects.
This letter is all about eating, and our manner of getting food. I do not apologize, because
we are provided with wonderful snares for entr~pping food, and the way we use these traps
will show you that our people are intellio'ent and
5
physic<Llly very powerful.
\,Ye can go a long time without food, but we
must have water. We drink directly with our
m~~1ths o~· nse our feet for cups as we please.
I ~ere is no place in this Jetter for questions,
so. w11I7ou please tell me all about spiders and
spiders webs that you have notieed, and tell me
how you like iny letter.
Yours truly,

vV EE

\'

J

8PIDERLING.

30

LETTER VI

In synonyms, stlllly sets 10-11. Drill on th~ vocabulary as before. From this time on I would requue each
· woru in the columns at the head of the letters to be used
in a written sentence. Let the pu pi 1 do this sentence
nnd word work before he begins to st1Hly the letter with
a view to replying. Continue t eachiu g your pupils to

paragraph.
FA1RvBowE1t, Dec. 21, 1899.
GIRLS,-

A number of boys apologi7,e for dirty thumbmarks on their letters arnl :::;ay," I washed my hands before I started, but
stopped to play marbles or hdl m1cl did not
have time to wash them again before school
I.
ucgan. "
Now these boys are gentlemen. Any boy
who regrets a thing enough to apologize is a
gentleman, and such boys should look like gen"tlc men in their schoolrooms.
Honor bright, boys, do yon think that playing marbles or ball is sufficient exc use for dirLy
hands?
I am not going to scold, but I am a dainty
crc:iture, and I like clean letters to come to my
beautiful home.

.J

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4
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40

SOCIAL LETTEH.S TO BE ANSWERED

Now do not say, "I wonder why that dirty
spider talks to me about clean hands."
I am aware that m<tny people who know
little about spiders think of us as unclean.
This is strange, for we not only keep our bodies
very clean, but we are also tidy housekeepers.
There may be ·a very few exceptions, but they
are rare.
After eating, digging, or doing anything that
soils my body, I not only bathe but I comb and
bnrnh as much as any dude or belle.
.My toilet articles are always handy, and they
are kept in excellent order.
There a,re brushes att[LcheLl to 1ny legs which
will remove every particle of dust. In my
mouth I hold a soapy fluid tlrnt does the washing.
If you wish to know how I look when I make
1ny toilet, just watch your cat as she makes hers.
I have more legs than Pussy, and I can rub
one against the other and use the comb of one
to brush the others till they are all clean. It
t akes time for me to bathe, and I do it faithfully, so I have a right to object to dirty hands.
The least untidiness about my house disturbs
me.
vVhen I have finished eating I throw the
bones and parts that cannot be eaten over the

L

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANS\VERED

41

top of my house to the gro~1nd, and if dirty
le:wes or any objectionable thmgs atta,cl1 themselves to n1y snare I work until I get them off.
This housecleaning often tears my snare, lJut
I can inend it quickly, so that does not ~rn1tt~r.
If you ever visit Fairybower, you will tlnnk
that I ought to be a good h?usekeeper, and
keep a house so lovely in perfect order.
.M.y home is not a cobweb. vVhen Y.OU come
to see me you will find a large, be~ut1fl.tl web
spreacl Out , but unless I am catchmg msects
you will not see me.
.
.
.
The web is spun near a tall wire fence, over
which a tree throws long branches. If you look
c1ose] y, you w1·ll .see ca silk thread that • extends
from the n1iddle part of the web np into the
. .
leaves of the tree.
It will not take yon long to guess that tlu~ is
a bridge, and it leads from the web to Fairybower.
you will not find it easy to discover my home
among these leafy surroundings, for this home
itself is made of leaves. Several of the1n are
cleverly sewed together, and when upholstered
with soft white silk they inake a home worthy
of the nanrn I have given mine.
In one corner of a curled-up leaf hangs my

- d

42

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SOCIAL LETTEltS TO BE ANSWEHED

.

43

pccial drill. Have th ese special lessons daily now someswinging couch of silk; and lace curtains of my
•·hat as follows: Ask a pupil for a set of synonyms
own weaving are drawn before the door.
annoy
This house, the bridge, and the silken snare
After he has given it write annoy on the
&S
tease
make up my whole domain. It is a delicrhto
vex
ful one to walk about. I run down the bridge boanl ancl ask for words which mean the same. \ Vhen
and stroll out on the snare where I swing at these have Leen given write, That boy will not only vex
ease and wait until I trap some unwary insect, the cat but will also vex nianmia. Lead them to see that
or perhaps I spin a new web, and gathering up either annoy or tease can be used interchangeably with
' oue of the vexes. Study sets 12-13.
all fragments of the old one I dine on them.
This is my home. Many spider-homes are
F AIRYBOWER, Dec. 22, 1899.
similar, while others are different as possible.
DEAR BOYS AND GIRLS, \Vhen you write again will you tell me why
Spid ers are at home anywhere, in chinks of
you have al ways called spiders dirty ?
Do you not think that we are neat and busy walls, in cracks of stones, in corners of rooms, in
housekeepers ? I will tell you about other spider· hushes, in cellar windows, in trees, in grass, and
· even under water.
homes in my next letter.
Sometimes, indeed, spiders build in the midst
Ask any questions you like and about any
of some great city of the Speck-Folk, and safe
kind of spider.
inside these cities their snares catch every poor
Please tell me all you know about insects, anJ
. little ant that ventures within range.
animals which live among trees and bushes.
Trap-door spiders build the most wonderful
Affectionately your friend,
houses of all our people.
EE SPIDERLING.
\Vhen they are baLies they begin to burrow a
hole in the ground. Their movements are babyLETTER VII
.i h but there is no hesitation. The little archiThe pupils have run over their list of synonyms, almost
ects know just what to do.
daily reading sets of them orally. In addition to tlns
\Vithout instruction the baby spider turns out
claily reading there have been a few lessons giving more

w

,....

SOCIAL LETTE!tS TO i3E A NSWEiiED

44

SOCIAL LETTERS TO DE ANSWEH,ED

45

a perfect cylinder, from six to ten feet long, lines they are all 1nade of silk. Somet~mes ~h: outit with silk, and to this nest constructs a trap- . si<le is daubed with mud and sometimes it is not.
door so marvellously skilful that it would tax the
Baby spiders know how to spin and build a
wit of many men.
home a1most as soon as they leave the cradle.
The way I saw one baby spider make a trap· ·
At first they cling together and look like a
door was like this: she spun a fine network over · b:tll of wiggling things. In a very short time
the entrance of her underground home, and over . one of them, more daring th~n the rest, will
that she carried moist pellets of earth which she
throw out a line from her spinnerets. A gentle
breeze raises the baby and carries her along on
spread on in a layer.
her first ballooning excursion.
.
On the other side the same was done, and other
layers were added until the whole hardened. This · ·. Very likely the litt1e thing has had the for~­
could be opened or shut at will, for one part was . ~ thought to throw out another line and attach it
fastened to the nest by fine strong threads.
to something. If she has, no matter how far
Some spiders spin a silken tube under a leaf · · the wind carries her she will have had her fun,
' . and can come back over the bridge she has spun
and have a trap-line or a bridge that leads to
their snare not far away.
.. 011 her way.
Others roll one leaf up and sew the ends · · In this manner spiders bridge streams of
together.
These also live a little away from
water.
They throw out a line that the wind
their snare.
<lraws out and carries until it becomes entangled
on a tree, or some object the other side of the
These leafy tents are by far the most common
kind of house adopted by our people, but a crack in
streain, and as soon as the line is thus fastened
a stone, lined with silk, or a chink in a brick wall,
the little bridge builder dravvs it tight, and
also lined with downy stuff, will serve as well.
going back over spins other lines. Generally
I have spoken already of the babies' cradles.
her work is not completed until she makes a full
They may be found hanging almost anywhere · web between the banks.
near the mother's nest, and these cradles differ
After a young spider has left the brood it
as the little mothers who made them differ, but
builds a home of its own.

If-

·HI

"'\">" ,

SOClAl, LE1'TERS TO BE ANSWERED

~•

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.

46

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

..

'

...

l

-

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SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

47

. In a .short time all little spiderlings hare
I am glad that so many of you have been
either cbed or set up housekeepincr for thel)lo - out looking for spider-webs, and delighted to
~elves. Sad to say that out of ma~y hundredi ', know that some of your mothers will allow
rn a brood but few of the delicate babies lire. webs to remain in the cellar for you to study.
The wind kills many, insects seek them for food,
If there are more intelligent babies in the
and they eat one another, so it is only the strou
ur1iverse than the spiderlings, I wish you would
ones that can survive.
show me where to find them. Tell me all about
The mother does not think of her children
your web hunting, and what you think about
after she ceases to care for them, and if she - our home.
met one unprotected she would devour it wit-0
Do you know our spider gallants are the best
dancers in the world? Some of their da,nces are
as much relish as she would an ant.
You must not blame her. Remember sh , , so funny they make even solemn Daddy-long-legs
made a beautiful cradle for us, and guarded it as
laugh.
Please tell me about your dances. Do you
long as it was her duty to do so.
I am only a baby who has barely shed her- stand on your heads and lift your feet when you
baby clothes, but you see that I have built
dance?
·vvhat do you think of spiders by this time?
lovely home, and am taking quite good care of;
Are we not intelligent?
myself.
Lovers will come to woo me soon. Perhaps ,No doubt you think us savage, and we are.
three or four will come and build snares near- . I have been obliged to tell the truth.
my own, and when I run down my bridge and . ,
I shall expect one more long letter from you.
?ut on my web all four will send telegrams -ask·>~ - Be good to Daddy-long-legs, for he has helped
mg me to marry them.
- · me with these letters.
I shall ~ake my time about telegraphing back~ :·
This is my last letter. Good-by, dear boys
1
and girls.
'Ihese suitors must dance and fight for lll\! ,v
amusement before I choose the one I wish ~ Your affectionate friend,
marry.
WEE SPIDERLING.

48

SOCIAL LETTERS TO

rm

ANSWElmD

LETTER VIII

Continue work on vocabulary, on syi1onyms, and teach
the pupil to look over his lists of words when h e wants
one to use, or when he wishes to spell it.
In synonyms, study sets 16-17.
26

RosE

A VENUE, ArIA,
Dec. 24, 1899.

MY DEAR BOY S AND GIRLS, -

All kinds of queer people seem to be writing
letters to the boys and girls of America.
Few of them have more wonders to relate
than this humble citizen of Apia, so I will try
my luck at winning your good-will.
The city of Apia never contained more than
sixty thousand inhabitants. vVhen most thickly
populated it does not compare in numbers with
the land of the Speck-Folk, but it is far more
beautiful.
Fairybower, with its silken bridges leading to
a beautiful snare, is charming, but the skill required to sew a few leaves together is not equal
to the intelligence demanded to build one of the
beautiful wax homes of Apia.
Apia, as every bright boy and girl has already
guessed, means Bee-land.
Our government is similar to, but not altogether like, the government of the Speck-Folk.

SOClAL LETTEl\,S TO .13.E ANSWEl'tED

. The chief population, like the population of our
tiny friends, consists of females, who fill every
ollice in the state from lowest to high est save
one, that of queen. The masculine population
in a city of sixty thousa,nd seldom exceeds four
hundred. They do nothin g but eat, sleep, and
ha nu in attenchmce on the queen. A more
0
'
effeminate set of danglers never existed.
Think of it, you boys and girls, who live in
land where men alone lmckle on the sword
nd go forth to work and fight, these men of
Apia are the only members of the community
not allowed to carry arms. If he be attacked,
n Apian must be defended by a female or die.
Each worker and the queen has a sword so
. harp that monster animals fear its thrust.
' . However, the idle existence of these young
lonllings is brief. The queens of Apia are not
!'C ntle. They have even been called a species of
f urnle Bluebeard, and they deserve the name.
· By the end of July the co mmand goes forth
- that every useless member of the community
~ must die, and masculine idlers and females too
olu to work are killed without mercy.
I am old now, ancl look so like a witch that
. they call me one. I must die soon, as well as
he lazy young lords. My long life in Apia
E

f

..

'(

4\J

50

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

26 RosE AvENUE, APIA,
has given me much information about the nation
Dec. 25, 1899.
which I want the great world to know. I will
write it to you if you wish me to do so.
M¥ DEAR BOYS AND GIRLS, Please answer my letter, and tell me whether
Your letters pleased this poor old Bee-\Vitch
you are interested or not.
' 'ery much. I am delighted that you want to
Do not be afraid to write to a witch. I am' know all about Apia and its people.
only a bee-witch, but I can tell you more won·
Unlike Speck-Folk we have , but one qt~een.
derful things than you have yet learned in your She is brought up in a p<1lace, and fed on d1ffe~­
letters .
ent food from the rest. The real name of tlus
.Begi~ your letter, .My dear Witch, or My dear food is not elixir, but royal jelly.
lVIiss Witch, or any way you choose.
The queen is the l~rgest .. and hand.somest
This story is one about government, so I will
ember of the community. Iler body is long
tell you what to write when you answer my let·
and eleaant, with a glossy gold-ringed coat and
ter. Tell me about your government about the
gauzy :ings. She is armed with a sting.
United States government, the gov:rnment of
The 1nales come next in size, but they are
the state in which you Ii ve, and the government 101111 <:tnd awkward . They have no stings, and
of the town or city in which you reside.
'as I said do nothing all their lives but eat.
Tell me how you like the Apians.
The patient, skilful workers are the smallest
in size, but are the most important members of
Very sincerely yours,
our eommunity. They combine all the €xcel1enWITCH.
, cies which properly belong to a bee with almost
human qualities.
LETTER IX
The worker has been called the" nun" among
insects, " a sister of charity " among her felContinue work on vocabulary, on synonyms, and con.
stantly direct the children to the list of words in their
·lows.
.
, She is builder, harvester, policeman, soldier,
books for spelling. Explain meanings. In synonyms,
study sets 18-19.
~wusekeeper, or nurse as her task is assigned.

.
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51

52

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

She makes the laws, guards the queen, cares.
for the young, provides food for the commu·
nity, lays out streets, manufactures wax erects
houses, and protects the city from assaulti~g foes. :.
As the oldest inhabitant of Apia I well remember the founding of our city.
Thirty thousand of us had left the old city
with. a queen, and we hung together by the legs
makmg wax to build a new Apia.
I hear some of you laugh as if you did not
believe that thirty thousand Apians could hang ;
together by the legs. I..1et me hasten to tell you
that I am not in fun.
It is quite true that thirty thousand of our
people can hang together in a bunch, and they ,
can hang in such a ·way that each one may dis- ·
entangle herself, and leave the bunch at her
pleasure.
To go on with the story, ~ve hung there until
word was brought by a searcher that the sit.e :
for a new city had been found, ' and in my next ·,
letter I will tell you how we took possession of .··
the city and built.
. _'Vill you ten me when you write how many
d1fferent parts there are to a house? Of what
material do your people build, and let me know ·
whether your builders are men or women.

v ,

u,.,. ~ ·- -- - - - - -- - -- - - - --

sociAt LETTERS TO

Bl~ ANS'\Vl~llED

53

How long does it take to build a house, and
re they hard to build ?
Tell 1ne anything about building that is interesting, and when I answer you~ letters I .wi:l try
to make the story of the builclmg of Apia mteresting to you.
Ask me any questions you , wish, and write
long, nice letters.
Very sincerely your friend,

V{ ITCH.
LETTER X

Continue work on words. Let such work precede each
lesson.
Keep reading each paragraph aloud until the child
understands what a paragraph is. Keep telling the
children to make a new paragraph when they tell about
'something diff ereut.
Children naturally make short paragraphs, hence
these letters are in that style.
In synonyms, study sets 20-21.
Where the heading is long put the date below, where
it is short the present social fad is one line.
26 llosE A VENUE, APIA,
Dec. 26, 1899.

BoYs AND GrRLS, Thanks for your nice, long letters. I have
learned much about ways of building.

54

SOCIAL LETTEH.S TO BE ANSWEHED

SOCIAL LETTEH.S TO BE ANSWERED

5.5

At first we thought of emigrating to a hollow . operations until she had emptied eight similar
tree and of builc.ling there, but a better place . pockets, and exhausted her supply of wax.
was provided.
Another took her place, plastering what wax
\~Te soon found ourselves in what people call
be had crammed into her pockets on the ceiling
hives, and after the first surprise we looked about in a similar manner, and then another, and auto see if the qneen were safe, and then began to other, until a broad partition of rough wax hung
plan our city.
fron1 the ceiling.
Many of us were presently hanging together
The wax was ready now to fasl{ion into homes,
nd head-nurse Aunt Coddle, with a crowd of
as we had hung on the tree outside.
A company of trusty old aunts, after looking
ssistants, set to work to do her special part.
about, flew off to a horse-chestnut tree for projJ.
She flew to the wax as soon as the last plasolis, a sticky substance which we use to stop
ercr had finished her work, and began to bite it
up cracks. Others 1-Yent for honey which would and move her head about in it until she made a
be needed to feed the queen, and the lazy roundish hollow. Having begun this she passed
dudes strutted about and did nothing, as is their to another and started a new house, while a
custom.
•cond good nurse took up the work of the first
Apparently all was confusion except about tho at. Lhe point where Aunt Coddle had left off.
queen, who was closely guarded and surrounded
Other nurses were making similar rounded
by her usual crowd of attentive escorts.
pn,ces on the other side, and working this way,
Presently old Aunt Fury separated herseli
iue by side and back to back, the beautiful sixfr01n the group of hanging emigrants, and crossly
. ided houses, that are the pride of Apia, w.ere
pushing her neighbors out of the way flew in a
fashioned.
circling manner to the ceiling.
Kwh worker had her allotted task, knew exactly how to do the work assigned, and was so
Once in a comfortable position there she pulled
some wax from a small pocket in her body, and
cager to accomplish much that before the day
moistening it fastened it in a broad strip on tho
wa,s over four thousand of these houses were
ceiling. This pocket emptied, she repeated her · built.

I

s.

56

sociAL LETTE[{S 'l;O BE ANSWERED

57

"'Vhere do you get the wax?" I hear you ask · It would arnuse you to watch a citizen of
and it is an interesting question.
· Apia storing honey in our honey cells. She
'\Vhen Aunt Fury had :finished plastering her tands daintily on the edge of the wax storeeight pocketfuls of wax on the ceiling, she im· house, and opening her mouth pours the honey out.
\Vhat do you think of our house-builders?
mediately flew out of the hive, and the other~
I am surprised to learn from yqur letters that
who were helping her make the waJls of wax
did the same.
men do all the hard work in your country, and
She flew for honey, and when she took the J am not surprised that you think we have
sweet drop from the flower she could do one o{ !wonderful women in Apia.
A great ma,ny of you say that we nlust be
two things . She could swallow the honey so it
would go into her honey-bag, just below her rich to have nurses for our ba,bies.
throat, or she could swallow it so it would go
Do none but rich people have nurses for their
into her stomach.
children with you?
If Aunt Fury wished to bring the honey home
This is a queer world, and I think you giants
to store or feed the queen, she would put it into re a queer people. Of course there is nothing
her honey-bag. If she thought more wax would · queer about the people of Apia. vVe are only
be needed, she would swallow it so that the Jrnnderful.
The next letter will tell about the babies of
honey would go into the real stomach, and then
she would return, and hang by the legs with the ~pia.
others who had done the same, until the honey
Tell 1ne whether each one of your baby
they had eaten oozed out of their body in the brothers and sisters has a whole house to him' self or not. Do they cry, and are they cross?
form of wax.
It takes about twenty-four hours to make wax Who takes care of them if you have no nurses
from honey in this way, and it is the most ex· · to do it?
hausting work that our laborers perform.
. \Vhat makes you so queer? 'Vhy are yon
The wax is ca,refu11y scraped off the body, and uot more like the Apians? Shall I send you
stored in the little pockets, to use as yon have seen. ~me honey?

.1

58

SOCIAL LETTEl~S TO BE ANSWERED

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

59

homes of wax, considerably larger than
hose occupied by the worker babies.
Still later in the season the whole city began
. o buzz with excitement, for the command went
WITCH.
forth that royal palaces must be prepared for
LETTER XI
_ the baby princesses.
Continue drill on words pertaining to the lesson
Our people set to work, and. or{ the corner of
to-day - on meanings, use, and form as before.
lhe streets where li.ght and air were plenty they
In synonyms, study sets 21-22.
trccted six grand cylindrica,l or thimble-shaped
26 RosE A VENUE, APIA,
pilaces, each of which weighed one hundred
Dec. 27, 1809. · times more than a worker cell.
DEAR Boys AND GrnLs, As soon as the little princesses were lodged
their splendid nurseries the whole city became
It was not long before the
:interested in them. The people searched far and
orderly streets of Apia were bounded by
upon row of sma11 but beautiful homes.
. ear for the rich nectar that vvas to be mixed
iq1pollen and fed to them.
In a short time thousands of helpless
. Lab
belonging to the queen, were growmg up . The best nurses in Apia were in constant attheir cosey homes, and our great army of ki : ndance, and guards protected the houses of
. iese royal infants from all accident and harm.
nurses had their hands more thctn fu11 caring
Do not, however, imagine that these babies
the tiny things.
ere different from the others. They were just
The first babies were destined to be work
mmon grubs at first like the worker babies,
and during the fall and winter occupied
t the rich jelly foods and the great houses
whole attention of the hives.
"th plenty of air soon changed them into
Early in the spring Nurse Coddle announ
ger and different creatures, until finally they
that it was time to build some houses for
alked out of the royal nurseries large and
boy babies, and the people set to work a
made, not thousands, but several hundrell, •

I like you boys and girls, and enjoy your 1
ters. Write me a long one next time.
Affectionately yours,

.

•

60

(

SOClAL LE1111EltS 'l'O DE ANSWERED

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

61

Any worker baby put into a large palace and. -them have you had? What caused them, and
fed on royal jelly instead of plain bee-bread \\'ere many of your people killed?
would come out a queen.
Ask any question you please.
This is a thing which surprises your peopl
Affectionately yours,
They wonder at our having foods which will
WITCH.
change a little bee child into a worker or a..
queen as they will.
LETTER XII ,,
vVorker babies are fed on plain bee-bread.
Continue vocabulary exercise as before. In synonyms,
which is made mostly of pollen. The peop ,. 1: Ul~Y sets 22-~3.
.
.
· bags or ponel1es, a null1<'. " ,Same attention
brinO' it to t}1e ci.ty m
to paragraphmg
and arrangement.
.
.
0
·
}
t
b
f
d
·
A
.
,
Talk
with
the
pupils
about
the
letter.
ber of w 1nc 1 are o e oun 111 every pmn
26 RosE A VENUE, APrA,
hind legs.
Dec. 28, 1899.
It is quite amusing to see a dusty creat ·
GIRLS,come rushing in stuffed out with these gr
bags of pollen, and, dumping it into a sto « I see that most of you are very much interroom with a kicking motion, fly away [; '... c tccl in the baby inhabitants of Apia, so I conmore.
,clucle that you have baby brothers and sisters of
The nurses mix it with honey and
your own at home.
I am glad you ask so many questions, and to
paste. They feed and portion it out
children in the nurseries.
. bow that I am glad I will answer them the first
Just so much of this paste is put in t-0 • "thing.
No, our babies are not very pretty, but so far
worker's cell, just so much into a boy's, and
AlS I have noticed neither are yours when they
generous supply into a princess's. Our nun
know the exact amount to give to each.
. • , are very young.
. The nurses do not take the babies of Apia out
The next letter will be about a fight.
·... into the sun and air. There is not the same
you people have wars ? Please tell me al
your wars, if you do have them.
~; need as among the Speck-Folk, because we have

62

SOCIAL LETl'EHS 1'0 BE ANSWERED

ai~rangements by which our city is ventilated

I
(

.

~=
·c...

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SOCIAL LETl'EHS TO BE ANSWERED

63

cra.<lled in them. All but one of those unfortuwith fresh air. Neither are they moved frou~ ate infants are doomed to destruction, but this
house to house as <:Lmong the Speck-Folk. Our ne, still an interesting grub, is destined to all
whole city is warm, and one house is as
l.be honors that Apia can bestow.
fortable as another.
Left in her small six-sided nursery, and fed
Yes, we seal each honey cell up when
on plain bee bread, she would have been a
full.
homely little worker. In tl~e royal nursery
Sidewalks? No, we do not have sidewalks,'* &
hat is being built for her, and fed on royal jelly,
cause we do not need them. Our people do nut the will grow larger, her colors wi11 be brighter,
walk on the ground. They walk on the sides
n<l as queen she will be a very different crea?f the houses or fly through the streets, so there lure from the laborer she would have been .
IS plenty of room.
In about ten days of careful feeding and nurs" Suppose the queen should die and thero . J ng she comes out of her royal nursery a queen,
were no baby princesses, who would be queen ?0
n<l is hail ed with every sign oE joy by our
~ou ask .. ~ am glad you thought of that qui;;i;. · people, who h ave hung around her cradle with
t10.n, for it is the very subject about which I am . great anxiety.
go mg to tell you now.
It is not difficult for Apians to supply themYou know. that royal jelly changes a littl
clves with a queen.
:vorker grub mto a princess, so all there is to <lo
The baby selected must be a worker baby, for
is to take one of the worker babies and fee<l it
no males ever rule in Apia.
and. house it like a queen to make a queen of it..
If there were no worker babies in the city, our
.If the queen shonld die before palaces for th · , · people would make no effort to manufacture a
prmcesses had been erected, the workers would
queen.
begin at once. and make havoc in our orderly .
They would simply lie clown and die. The
c~ty. Attackmg a number of well-made six- ;· nation would become extinct, for Apians cannot
sided wax nurseries they woulcl pull down
exist without a queen:
the walls regardless of the poor ·worker babies
Vv ell, well, here I am almost to the end of this

64

SOCIAL LE'l"l'EHS 'l'O Bl<: ANSWEl{.ED

letter, and not one word about the fight
throne.
vVe go to war like the Speck-Folk, fight duels.
and I suppose yon will think that we are very
bad people when I add that many of us learn to
steal.
I was interested in your wars, and I will tell about a fight for our throne in my next letter.
Affectionately your friend,
WITCH.
LETTER XIII

"

Ir

fl

Precede each lesson by an exercise on the vocabulary,
especially the words heading the letters in the pupils'
books. In synonyms, study sets 24-25.
Have a short, bright talk with the pupils about the
letter. Give them some hints about our governm ent,
about national officials, about state officials, antl about
city or town officials.

l

26 RosE A VENUE, APrA,

Dec. 29, 1899.
DEAR

Boys

AND GIRLS, -

'Vhen a royal princess was expected to come
out of the palace and stand before us all a
queen the whole city was in turmoil. People
were flying about as if they had lost their
senses. The old queen, usually gentle and who

SOCIAL LE'l"l'EHS TO BE ANSWEHED

never used her sting, became at first restless
and then savage as a tiger.
She was determined to murder her coming rival,
' and guards were stationed in thick ranks about
t.he palace to protect the new queen from her fury.
Again and again she darted through our files
of soldiers, and the people wete obliged to hold
her back, using every force but one, and that
was the sting.
Apians may lay violent hands upon their
queen, they may even starve her until she obeys
their will, but they never sting her. The sacred
Lody of royalty is ever protected from such
indignity as that.
'Vhen the anger of the queen became so
violent that it was almost impossible to restrain
, her, Nurse Fury called a council in the square
and said: "People of Apia, a new queen is about to be
born to us, and from appearances in the other
royal nurseries six others, right bonnie queens,
will soon issue from their palaces. You all
know but one queen can rule in Apia, and
the question inust be settled, what shall we do
with these young ones? "
Nurse Fury paused for a reply, and the shrill
of the queen called out : ]!'

.,
.. ~L~

65

66

SOCIAL LETTEltS TO JJE ANS W EltElJ

" Let ine kill them ! "
The good nurse shook her wise old head.
"No, your l\1ajesty, we cannot all ow you to
kill them, for Apia is overcrowded with people.
vVe regret to part with you, but some one mrn;t
lead out a colony of twenty thousand emig rant:-;,
and who so fitted to direct the building of :\
new city as yourself?"
"Vv e follow our queen, we follow our qneen,"
buzzed twenty thousand Apians, who proceeded
to surround the queen.
" You had Letter hang up there an d begin
making wax for your new city," bluntly advised
Nurse Fury, who looked a little disapproviugly
at the young adventurers that were so anxious
to leave Apia, and found a city of their own.
They immediat ely took her practical advice,
and a bunch of them soon was hanging by the
legs, busy making wax for the new city.
Th e old queen did not reply, but darted again
toward the paJace of the coming queen, determined to kill her rival the moment she ap·
pea red.
Once more the people firmly held her back,
and N nrse Coddle, who had always been fond o[
the queen, soothed and coaxed her :Majesty to
submit. "The new queen was throwing off her

1:

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

67

baby languor, and would soon issue fron1 the
pahce. vVould it not be better for the old queen
\O say a word of farewell, and go before the
youn g one appeared ? "
" you too, Nurse Coddle ! my nurse, n1y old
friend ! " moaned the queen.
"your dignity, dear queen, remember your
di\!nity" urged the nurse.
b
.
81ie
The ' queen did remember h er ci·ign1ty.
kuew that further resistance was useless, and
biduing h er people an affecting far ewell she
prepared to depart.
Her new followers ranged themselves around
her, and her old ~ubj ects fo rm ed in respectful
lines to bid their queen good-by ·
Nurse Coddle led the e1nigrants, and the flying procession with the queen at last left the old
city forever.
.
They had hardly flown out of the city gate
before a cry was heard from the palace? " She is c01ning. H ere she is. Long hve the
new queen of Apia!"
.
For two days our city was quiet. We petted
our young queen and went about our work as
usual.
The third day sbe becan1e restless, and then
furious, as her inother had been before her.

68

l. I
f\ I

She knew that another queen was about to
appear in Apia.
"I will stab her to death," exclaimed this
jealous young queen.
She was not allowed to do her bloody work,
for there were yet too many people in the city.
This queen also must lead out a colony of
emigrants when her younger" sister became old
enough to be queen of Apia. ·
The same exciting times were seen- in- .thc
city. The young queen rushed at the palace of
her sister with murder in her heart. She was
restrained by the people until, wearied with the
conflict, she too yielded to the will of the
workers and departed with twenty thousand
more of our people.
Her younger sister was declared queen of
Apia, and as forty thousand people had now
emigrated it was thought best not to send out
any inore, so when the third princess surprised
us by cmning out of her palace two days before
she was expected, the workers did not hinder
our latest queen from attacking her.
There was a terrible :fight. The rival queens
grappled hand to hand and chest to chest. LegR ·
were torn off, the bodies were mangled, aud
strength was put to the stint of its endurance.

~:

·c

""•
·IAll"

SOCfAL Ll<JTTERS TO BE ANSWEftED

--------~

SOCIAL LETTE tis TO :UE ANSWERED

69

The workers watched the cornbatants sharply
to see that both queens were not killed at once.
They expected that the elder sister, being the
stronger, would come off victor, and their expectations proved true, for she soon fixed her
terrible dart into the new-born queen, and the
poor young thing fell dead without another
strugg1e.
Our royal lady was not satisfied with this
victory. She rushed to the three palaces where
slept three inore royal princesses, and tearing
open an entrance she finished her terrible work
by murdering the unconscious children in their
cradles.
;,,-The workers not only consented to this, but
· hid this work of their queen as soon as possible
by carrying away the dead and burying them
O\lt of sight.
· \This was the fight for the throne of Apia, but
I H~ve not been able. to .tell you ?ne-half. the
excitement and confus10n it caused in our city.
vVill . you please tell ine whether your people
ever have such fights, and explain how you elect
a president ?
What is a mayor? What is a governor, and
how many governors are there in the United
States?

70

SOCIAL LETTEI{S TO BE ANSWERED

Tell me about your senators and congressmen
also your judges and other officials.
I shall be much interested.
Very sincerely yours,
vVITCII.
LETTER XIV

Before studying the letter require the pupils to go
over the list of words which heads it. In synonyms,
study sets 26-27.
Encourage the pupils to ask questions about wasps,
and persuade them to observe the habits of insects.

p APERTOWN, Dec. 30, 1899.

MY

DEAR Boys AND GIRLs,-

y ou often see me and think that I
~pian, but I am quite different, as you
if you examine closely.
My body is larger, my waist is more
a~d when at rest my wings are folded
wise.

am an
will see
slender
length-'

At rest, however, is a condition in which you .
seldom find me, for I am a restless fellow and
go tearing about with a fierce air which makes
everybody afraid of me.
I might be called the tiger among insects, on
account of the dread I excite.

CJ :
·c
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SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

71

It amuses me to see, not only sinall creatures
like myself, but giants like your people, run
away when I go growling by, for I ain not half
so fierce as I seem.
I have a powerful poisoned dagger, one thrust
of which will deal the death-blow to a person of
my own size, or cause a great boy to scream
with pain. I can worry a dog, a cow, or a horse
to madness, and the big creatures are powerless
to fight me. My rough ziz-zz-ziz will scatter a
crowd quicker than the growl of a cross dog.
· My dagger hurts. I know it, and the world
knows it, but the world in general does not
know the secret I am about to tell you.
The secret is this. 1\!Iy savageness is half put
on. I do not raise my dagger unless I am thoroughly provoked, and when treated humanely I
·" am inclined to be both affectionate and companionable.
\ ,By this time you all know who I am, and ~re
doubt saying, "Well, if that cross old tlnef,
1
~ wasp, isn't writing a letter to us."
I do steal, but I am no sneaking thief. I
plunder boldly out on the road, and only rob my
neighbors of such sweets as they do not need,
and which are necessary to my family.
Excuse me for spea,king of it, but your people

ib

72

SOCiAL LETTEHS TO BE ANSWERED

do the same. vVhen they can get it they take
every particle of honey that the Apians store
away.
I like honey, but nature did not furnish me
with an organ which will dive deep into a flower
and take its one precious drop. It must be a
hollow dish from which I sup my sweets, and so
I have concluded that the good Creator intenued
Apians to gather honey for n1e.
I get it without much of a fight, because I am
a match for any three Apians, and am brave
enough to face the whole city or dare it to
combat.
Life is short in Papertown, so we do not store
honey.
The first autumn chills the whole community,
and from the boldest insects that rove -vve becon1e the tamest.
Life has begun to languish, and the last leaves
of autumn fall upon a city of the dead. One
brief season sees the beginning and end of life
with most of the inhabitants of Papertown, but
winter does not find us quite extinct.
Five or six mothers out of a total population
of thirty thousand people will crawl into some
crevice to sleep away the long winter and awake
in spring to found a new Papertown .

..,

f30CIAL LET1'EllS TO BE ANSWERED

73

I have been accused of stealing my home as
well as rny dainties.
The report is common that when I fin~ a
place to my liking I walk in and take possess10~
with not so much ceremony as," By your leave,
to the former owner.
If this be true, then I am an impudent person
imleed, and as I an1 frank in confessing iny
faults I will acknowledge that some of the
report is true, but oi1 the whole it gives a false
impression of me, bold thief as I am.
\Vere I seeking in early spring for a place to
fonnd a paper town the hole of any small burrowing animal would be the object of my sear?h.
Do not however, imagine that I would dnve
out a faU:ily of field n1ice. The hole I wish to
, find is a deserted home, and why not I as well
as another take possession of such a place ?
I wish you would write and tell me whe th er
you ever saw one of our paper cities.
Tell me also how you make paper.
Do your people chew wood in their mouths to
make it?
In my next letter I will explain fully how
one of our towns is built, and where we get the
paper to build it.
I an1 pretty sure that my people were the

74

SOCIAL LETTEUS '.l'O BE ANSWERED

first paper makers, and probably taught
to manufacture it centuries ago .
I hope you will like me well enough to an·
swer nly letter, although I know that I
a favorite with boys and girls.
Very truly yours,
OLD GROWLS.
LETTER XV

Before studying the letter require the pupils
over the list of words which heads it. In synonyms.
study sets 28-29.
Conversation about the h abits of insects, especially
about their work, will rise in connection with study of
the meanings of words. 11'or example, solitary wasps
can be talked over in connection with the ·word solitary.
P APEn"rowN, Dec. 31, 1899.
DEAR BOYS AND GIRLS, -

The paper town which I promised to describe
to you is underground, and all my immecliat
family like to build there, but near relations o(
ours construct paper towns that are ingenio11sly
suspended from the branches of trees, while
other cousins build single mud houses again ·L
the walls of buildings or burrow nests in the
sand.

SOCIAL LETTERS TO l3E ANSvVERED

75

Those of us who build towns are called social
wasps, and the ones who prefer to make one
· house and rear one family are styled solitary.
Climate has much to do with the size of our
towns.
Here, where one-half the year is so cold that
our people cannot live in it, one of our villages
. , contains about thirty thousand people and is
fro m six to ten inches in diameter ; but in tropical regions the warmth of the climate prolongs
life, and paper towns there become great cities,
ix feet in diameter. There cities contain many
times thirty thousand inhabitants, anJ in num. bers approach the thronged cities of the SpeckFolk.
, The longer period of life in warm countries
makes some changes in the n1ode of living.
One of the most important is the custom of
building storehouses and storing honey in them.
.. The quantity stored is not so large as tha,t of
our Apian neighbors, for our object is simply to
upply the needs of our young, not to have full
storehouses to boctst about.
The first thing a f oundress wasp does after
selecting a site for her city is to make the size
nd shape she wishes, and to clean it thoroughly.
In digging and tearing off fibres of wood she

- _..
SOCIAL LETTEl{,S TO BE ANSWERED

76

77

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

uses her mandibles - powerful little instrument
which correspond in usefulness to the human ·
hand.
In shape Papertown is like the worlclg1obe - and is covered with 1ayer on layer r ~
paper before a single house is built.
The principal business of our peop1e is papcrmaking, and the founders of this underground
city must begin to 1nake paper as soon as th
place is fully dug out and cleaned.
" I-low does a tiny creature like myself mak
paper ? " you ask.
If you ever watched us closely, you haY
seen us biting old rails or posts, and the piec
of wood which we bite off are taken into our
paper mills and there n1anufactured into
paper.
These mills are near at hand, for they are, in
short, our 1nouths, and the process of tran
forming wood into paper pulp is no other than
the old, old process of chewing.
\Vhen the wood has been chewed sufficiently
the pu1p is spread in a thin layer over the wall
of the underground city. There it soon <lri
and becomes a thin, gray paper.
This layer is no sooner dried than pulp to
1nake another is n1ade, and so on until

layers thoroughly protect this coming town from
cold and moisture.
.
For one sma11 creature to make sufficient
paper to build a city is a gigantic t~sk.
After the outer covering is finished the
mother wasp begins to n1ake small, beautiful
paper houses, in each of which will ~oon be
growing a tiny child wasp. These bab1~s now
t.ake all the mother's time, and they receive the
best of care.
The founder does nbt finish the town. She
builds houses enough to accommodate her coming fami1y, and as soon as they are gr:own they
must take their turn at manufacturmg paper
and building homes.
The second generation greatly enlarge the
·town. There are soon many pretty paper
ti'ouses in which are tiny eggs, and many busy
nurses and mothers caring for fast-growing
infants.
In a few weeks these babies, under tenderest
care, have become full grown, and they immediate1y set to work to further enlarge the town.
This goes on until cold weather stops ~ll
activity, and turns the vigorous and bu~y in. habitants of Papertown into numb and lifeless
creatures.

d

78

r.

l.

~u

Vt

: t

,

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

Y ~u think of us as fierce little specimens of ]if
and it may seem strange to yon to learn that we ~
i:iake the_ most affectionate mothers in the world. , ·
So great is the devotion of one of our mothers to ·
her young that she will fight for her children .
aJter legs and wings have been severed from
~ier body, and she has showed sjgns of not yield· .
mg after her head and trunk were no lonaer one.
Like the Speck-Folk and Apians v:e hare
three kinds of people in P::ipertown, the males,
the females, and the workers.
There are no queens. Our 1nothers, as yo11
see, know how to work when there are no
workers to perform the necessary tasks, and the
male population of the town is not made up of
~uch ~azy, craven creatures as disgrace the 8 cx
111 Apia and among the Speck-Folk.
.
They do not manufacture and build. The
. workers at.tend to such important affairs, but they
are well-disposed indivichrnls, and try to make
themselves useful. They assist in cleaning house '
.
'
sometnnes they take part in caring for the youiw,
0
and they generally dispose of the dead.
Like the us~less young men of Apia they a.ro unarmed, and if the female population of Papertown should set out to kill them after the
manner of the Apians their powerful daggers

SOCIAL LETTERS TO UE ANSWEltED

79

would make short work of it, but no such
slaughter takes place.
Our brothers are short-lived creatures anyway.
They do the best they can. Our workers do
not look upon them as useless burdens, and the.y
are allowed to live out their little span and die
natural deaths.
.
I was much interested in· the accounts of your
large paper inills, and surprised to learn that
they make paper. of rags a,s well as wood.
'Ne make all our paper of wood or bark. It
is gener::illy of a gray color. .
.
No I do not think. we are intelligent enough
to build paper n1ills. Our jaws are very strong,
~tnd our mouths are quite large enough to manufacture what paper we need.
Generally we do not write letters. The l_etters that I am writing to you are the first wlucl~
have ever been written by an inhabitant of
Papertown.
I would rather not tell whether we made the
paper on which 1 write or not.
.
I ain glad that you ask so m::iny quest10ns.
\Vhen you answer this letter ask_ some more a~d
I will answer in my next. I intend to wnte
one n10 re letter. -Very sincerely yours,
OLD GROWLS.

80

SOCIAL LETTE

,
RS 10 BE ANSWE1mn

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

81

LETTER XVI

hags in their hind legs into which they stnf£
pollen to carry home. vVe have no such bags
to hold pollen so we do not gather it.
Our babies, therefore, are not fed on the same
food as the infants of Apia. vVith us, children
. · begin life by eating worms, caterpillars, and the
Praise those w110 look after the. .
.
11
.
sharply~ or e 1
own nustakes most
like, which the mother catches and paralyzes
'
xc iange papers and call f . .
the conections observed.
o1 I eports aLout
with her sting.
'
u
In their paralyzed state, while yet alive, they
. are put into the tiny houses arnl the miteP APER1·owN, Sept. l, l900.
. children suck their food at will.
DEAR Boys AND GrRLs, Enough food is generally put into each house
I am glad that you think
to supply the infant until it is full grown.
Yo u 11ave read my letters. better of me si11ce
A cha,nge takes place in the food as soon as
No, John I ha
t
live Tl
'
c ve no
many more weeks to
the baby is full grown. She no sooner comes
but .week~e t first frost will probably encl my life ' . out of the paper house, a young lady, tlrnn she
T
.
o me are as yearn to you.
'
turns from animal food and seeks the juices of
you ask how Papertown is governed
fruits, sugar, or honey. Our people are not conThe workers and the mothers
.
decide what li
to be done.
fined to a diet of these things, and if it is impossible to get what they enjoy best they can live on
On the whole we are an
affectionate and
a great variety of animal and vegetable food.
orderly community, and get
along
with
few
laws.
The story is told of a London merchant who
lost over one hundred dollars' worth of sugar in
"Do the babies eat 11
many of
.
. c po en and honey clew?,,
one season from thieving wasps.
ask the ql~~~~o~~.qmre, and I am glad that you
There must have been a large colony to steal
so much, and they must have been very indusYou remember that the A .
pmns have little
trious in carrying it away.
Before begiuuing to stud the
of wonls which 11ead, .t I y
letter go over the Ji t
Question the cl st1 . n_ synonyms, study sets 30-31.
ass 0 test its know1 da f
.
matter, and call fo.1 . t
e oe o the s11bJect1
<
nus a ms af te1· tl18
·
rected their Ov\rn work.
' pupils have cor-

G

.

82

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

83

.
" ma. d as a
mine, and talk about bemg,
\Ve love candy as well as you do, boys and
hornet." To be honest, they are not the most
girls. Any candy manufacturer will tell you
that. We visit his place of business in brbre ' amiable things in the world. A yellow-j~cket
numbers, and, if not prevented, we eat our fill · will fi;ht for what he esteems his rights with a
and give further proof of our liking by carry in " vim tl~at nothing but death can conquer, but if
all the candy we can home to our children.
let alone h e harms no one.
This is the 1ast letter I shall write to you, but
l\fy cousins who build single mud houses are
I expect you to answer this one.
skilled masons. Each house is sluiped to the
\Vhen you answer, please tell me whether you
min~ of its builder, and has a door, generally at. ·
the top.
ever hunted for a paper city.
Inside the house there are several chambers ,·, . Late in the fa,ll when chestnuts are ripe it is
in which the young are reared, and in a store- , perfectly safe to go near one if you come across
room may be found the living worms or insect
it among the bushes.
.
.
.
If it is entirely uninhabited, take it, for it will
that furnish food for them.
This house is plastered against the walls of
never be used again.
Good housekeepers that we are we never cle~n
barns, under eaves, or in any quiet place where ·
the builder thinks it will not be disturbed.
.~ out an old city to inhabit. vVe prefer to build
Othe~ sand wasps dig a hole in the ground, . '( a new one.
Tell me about any excursions that you have
a~1d their manner of digging is amusing. They
Ia.te1y taken into the woods. I am a wild crealnck the sand backward with their hind legs.
ture, and shall enjoy hearing about it.
Hornets usually build a paper town like tho
one described, but they are apt to build it in low
Very truly yours,
bushes hanging from a bough.
OLD GROWLS.
They are fine builders. Each home is a,
LETTER XVII
beauty, and resembles the wax houses of Apia ·
in shape.
.
Before studying the letter go over the list of words
I am aware that you do not love these cousins
which heads it. In synonyms, study sets 32-33.

84

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSvVERED

Talk about the fly; arouse curiosity in regard to it&
tongue and the speed with which it flies. Tell them to
connt the legs of a fl
I d tl
.
,
.
Y·
..1ea
iem to ans>ver Quick
vVmgs letter m a playful mood.

EYERYWHEirn,

l\1 Y

Jan. 2, 1900.

DEAR Boys AND GrRLs, -

I am a little afraid to write to you because I
know that you are not very friendly to me.
_Daddy-long-legs, who is a near relation of
mine, sa~s t.hat you will never answer my letter
because I tickle your noses, buzz in your ea,r
:Vake ~ou out of sound sleep, insist on stealing
food right out of your mouths and do oth er
tormenting things.
'
AU this is done for fun. It is great sport to
dart away from. your big hand as it tries to slap
me. Slap me, mdeed ! You will find it best to
catch me first.

It is not often that you can either catch or
slap me. You know that I am able to travel
fast, but I doubt if you can guess how fast.
It w_ould be lazy work for me to go as fast a
the swiftest runner in the world. Your bicycl~
are what I call slow machines, and the fastest
~rotter that ever raced would be left way behind
if I were racing with him.
Your railroad

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANS"\VERED

85

ngin es are the only earthly things with which
I condescend to measure speed, and I find no
difficulty in keeping up with the most rc1ipid of

them.
Now do you see why it is useless to strike at
, me ?
I can almost hear you saying, "Oh ! a fly. I
have seen thousands of flies, and there is noth. ing wonderful about them."
You may have seen thousands of us, but you
" never saw one of us run out his tongue or you
• would not say that.
If you catch me and squeeze iny sides, I shall
be obliged to rnn out my tongue, and then you
will be astonished, for instead of the dainty
. ]ittle red tongue that you expect to see, a great
hooked affair will come out as large as the rest
of my body.
Indeed, they call it a trunk instead of a
Lo11gue, probably because they think a tongue
that occupies the whole body of an animal is
enLi tled to a more dignified name.
Your wise men noticed that when I ate fruit
I cut the skin, and for a long tiine it puzzled
these gentlemen to know how I did it. They
examined my mouth for teeth, and all they could
find was an excellent apparatus for sucking, but

86

socrAL LETTERS ·ro BE ANSWER81J

soctAL LET'r.IU~S TO BE ANSWEH.ED

87

one shrewd man kept looking until he di sco\·· , legs, and anything that you notice which has
not been talked about?
ered something, and that s01nething was a knifo
One thing more. Have you noticed that I
snugly encased in a sheath in my mouth.
walk up the side of a wall or a window-p<-1ne as
vVith this knife I not only cut fruit, but the
skin of animals, and if you will let me try it 011 · { easily as I walk on the floor . Can you do that.?
Could vou do it if you had six legs ? It is
your face I will show you that it is sh(l,rp.
called ;;lfalking against gravit.y. \Vill you tell
.My cutting fruit skin was not the only thinrr
which puzzled these gentlemen. They could
me how I do it ?
not see how it was possible for me to suck thiek
Yours truly,
syrup, and even hard lumps of solid sugar which
QUICK WING.
your teeth can hardly bite.
That secret was found out after a long time.
LETTER XVIII
They saw a drop of clear liquid on my lips.
Go over the words and synonyms as before. In
This liquid had great power of penetrating every
sy nonyms, study sets 36-37.
part of a solid substance which could be <lis·
Make the beauty of the mosquito your theme and
solved, and then they made some experiments
then the marvellous proboscis which it uses to get its
and found that I thinned my syrup before I . · food.
Get your class into sportive spirit about the taste of
sucked it, and I made a syrup of my sugar bethe boy who chewed gum. Lead them to a little raillery
fore eating it.
with "Fairy Cannibal."
vVhen you write, tell me whether you now
think that I am such a commonplace thing.
OVERHEAD, Jan. 4, 1900.
I wish you would forgive ine for tormenting
My DEAR BOYS AND GIRLS, you as I do. It is not safe for me to write that
I am not going to see all sorts of creatures
I will never do it again, for I am such a fun·
writing letters to you and not attempt to tell
loving creature that I am <:tfraid of breaking a.
promise of tlrn t kind.
you a little about our people.
I am sitting on the ceiling over the bed of a
Can you tell me something about our eyes,

88

SOCIAL LETTERS 1' 0 DE ANSWEH.ED

~·osy-cheekecl boy.

vVhen he goes to sleep I
mtend to eat a small part of him. .
I imagine that he will not be quite to m
taste for he smells of spruce gum, and I sa
him chewing it, so I suppose my dinner will
highly fl avored with that disagreeable stuff.
Do not be afra.id of harm to the boy. I am
such a tiny ca,nnibal that he will never miss th
portion of him that I intend to devour, ancl the
wound I make will be so small that he will no
know that he is wounded unless I am compelled
to poison him. If I must do that, a small reJ
bunch will appear.
If you did not consider me a mortal foe, ) ou
would say that I am an extremely beautiful
little creature, and you would say the truth. I
am beautiful.
J\1y wings are as fairylike as anything in the
universe, and my legs ar.e delicate fibrous thin r!'S
that seein to be well arranged to go with th
wings. These two are my chief beauties.
The most wonderful thing about me, and the
thing that will interest you most, is my mouth .
The beaklike appendage in front of my hea<l
contains the mouth organs. This is calleu a
proboscis, and is a cylindrical tube coverc<l
with fine feathery scales. At the end of tho
~.
I

!l

· -~----

SOCIAL LETTEH-S TO llE A NS WEHED

89

tube are my lips, which when closed resemble a
knob.
This proboscis is what I thrust into your
check when I am after a m eal of nice warm
blood, and in sheaths inside the proboscis I
ha.ve six sharp instr~1ments with which to bore.
These instruments are much too fine for you
to see with the naked eye.
Do you want to know just how I go to work?
Here is the process. · \Vhen iny victim is fairly
quiet I drop softly down upon him, and thrusting my proboscis into the fl esh, press my tiny
lips close against his cheek. The proboscis has
macle a trough, but the six sharp little lancets
must do some boring, and other instruments
must draw the blood so it can be sucked by the
lips that are still closely pressed against the soft
flesh. This sucking and boring goes on until my
meal is completed, or my victim makes a fuss .
If he n1akes a fuss, I have my revenge, for I
pour a tiny drop of poison into the wound, and
next day he has a big, swelled mosquito bite .
They generally do make a fuss and spoil my
fine dinner so they generally get the poison. If
it were not for this poison, the wound is so small
it would never be noticed.
You 1nay not believe this when you remem-

90

SOCIAL LET'l'ERS TO BE ANSWEHED

ber that there were six lancets used in uorin
but you must also think how extremely fine and
delicate are these instruments of torture.
I am not going to write another letter, and
you will not care for a long letter from one you
call a pest.
I expect letters full of scoldings in answer
this.
I wish you would look one thing up in your
big books, and answer it in your next letter.
How do I buzz ?
How do you enjoy my buzzing? I-Iave you
words to tell me ?
Yours when I am hungry,

SOCIAL LETTEHS TO 13E ANSWERED

91

Perhaps you think that it is a great claim fo.r
c to assert that I am the one supremely beautiul insect among so many. ·I would hesitate to
so if my loveliness were not acknowledged by

all.
· The color in iny wings is 1narvel1ous. It canot be matched in the glow of fire, in the flash
f gems, or in the tinting of flowers. It stands
bove all other color work of God on earth, and
remains the puzzle and admiration of art.
.
On the wing I am a thing of grace, and tlns,
, dded to iny wonderful coloring, will lead you to
. cknowledge that my claims to beauty are cor-

rect.

I know that I was intended to be one of the
ornaments of the world, and I am proud to
LETTER XIX
C,xhibit my beauty.
Go over words and synonyms as before. In synony m
I was not alwa.ys beautiful. I know what it
study sets 38-39.
· to be an ugly grub, and as much of my letter
Talk about the caterpillar; lead your pupil s t
·.is to ue [tbout this homely period of my life you
describe some butterfly which each has observetl, and
11not a,ccuse me of vanity.
try and impress them with its wonderful beauty.
I came out of a tiny shell about a year ago,
UPPER Arn, Jan. 5, 1900.
an<l the first thing that I rem.ember was that I
DEAR Boys AND GrRLs,,. was hungry and could find nothing to eat but an
You have received letters from the tiger o[
gg-she11.
the insect world, and now the beauty is mint.led
The Speck-Folk have nurses to feed such
to drop a line.
mall babes, but no kind mother came near me.
TI-IE FAIRY CANNIBAL

92

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

SOCIAL LETTEHS TO llE ANSWEmm

I realized i~1 a very short time that althotwh
ha.d come mto a world full of enemies I ~l
shift for myself from babyhood.
However, if no earthly parent protected m
Y?ung years, the Great Father of all had >
vided a protector. The tree on which I
born became a sort of a mother to me I .
found that I could assume the color of ~he b~~~
or take on the appearance of a twiO' and ~11 11
5
protect myseIf. wl ien an enemy approach
'
The tender leaves were to my taste, and I soon
knew then~ to be my proper nourishment.
W ouldn .t you like the power of making yourself look like the branch of a tree or a leaf? I
have done such things all my life, so they do
not seem strange to me · I will tell you 110w I
arrange my body to look like a little twig.
you remember that I told you I had power ft>
m~lrn my body th~ color of the bark. After
this was done I JJushed my b d
.
. .
o Y so it sto
s;1a1ght out from the tree makjng an anO'le witl
t 1e branch precisely as a tiny twiO' maJ~s on •~
;.l;en I humped my head down so it would loo .
i rn a knot, and few eyes in this world are slmr1•
enoug~ to se~ that I was not part of the tree.
.Dt~rmg this caterpillar part of my life th
principal occupation was eating.

!r

93

1Vhen I was twelve days o1d I began to feel
ry uncomfortable. I had eaten so much and
wn so fast that my old skin was much too .
· arrht, and I wiggled and worked and stopped
ting until my old skin cracked over my head,
and I was able to work out of it.
A brancl-new skin had grown under the old,
nd in this :fine new dress I began life anew.
n 1is is ca1led the :first moult.
It was possible for .m e to ea,t more now because my new skin would stretch, and I improved the opportunity.
About a week after the first n10u1t the new
kin had become too tight, ancl I prepared to
cast this off cLS I had cast the other.
Ten days after this second moult, came my
·last and third moult as a worm. \Vhen this
kin left me I knew that my baby days of eating were over, and the time ha,d come for a
long deathlike sleep, in which there would be
no eating and no life. I must prepare for it.
It was impossible to sleep that long sleep on
· the tree, for just now I was a t ender unprotected

thing.
As soon as I felt the great change coming I
began to make ready for it. I gathered little
pellets of earth, and spinning them together in

. ·I
94

FiOClAL LE'.J'Tli;H.S 1'0

B 1£ ANS WEI-1.ED

SOCIAL LETTERS TO IlE ANSWEH,ED

95

webs of silk made a cose . 1
my last skin . .
. y wme, and when I fol
.
commg off I cr 1 cl
my silken cot.
aw e out of it into

This ton gue was as long as my body, and I
could coil and uncoil it. There was nobody to
I was no Jon (J'er a
" tell me how to use this strange tongue, but I
know and flew straight to the tl1ing that is next
else, and th at so~ tl c. worm. I was somethin
your people ta
1e 11111~ else has been called l>y
in beauty to myself, and that is the flower.
In
- c pupa, w i1ch means an inf=ti IJt
I thrust my long tongue deep into the dainty
my round cottao'e I 1" ·c
•
dish that h eld whc:tt Mother N atnre had premy body ch'tn - .
fa
sept several mon th.
c
g m (}' rom a , 1·
winged c . t
:s
c1 aw mg worm to a
pared for rne, and the sweet honey dew was
.
1 ea ure of the air.
refreshing.
Life can1e back in fa
.
I had found my food, and was delighted with
and I was soon hirny tl " ng:ud tl1robs one day,
n r·
'
ll'OWlJl <Y off the 1 t
J ·
the dishes on which it was served. Life, I now
n ith my eyes I cut tlu
o
. as son.
ma,de up my mind, W cLS to be a long , gay holiof my home and
.
ough th e silken ·walls
.f
c
came out one of tl
(l;Ly, and the world I h ad come to see was sweet
ti ;11 tb ings in the world.
ie most lJo:rn.
and sunny.
The exertions of gett.
,
mg
out
of
1
·
This is my history from babyhood. I have
tlien o ut of my l __
d .
my s nn and
wme 1ia tJred
I
found that all days are not sunny, and although
1ess1y a bout for a l :1
- me so lay list- c W 11 e. .M3r T •
I know th at I am a delight to the world I find
be very sma11 l t tl
'' mgs seemed to
'
:JU
iey
were
mere]
, strange enemies.
f o1ded, waiting for tl . .
· Y very much
ie
Jmces
of
the
b
J
To protect myself from these enemies I find
t I1roug h th e warm
. ..
oeiy to flow
This
vems and expand th e111
it necessary to resort to trickery.
soon took place. It d .d
· ·
About all this you shall hear in my next letter.
for me to g'•tl1
t
er S l'engtl
cl rl . not take long
Please ask any question you please. I shall
flig ht. I wanted to
~1 ~n lft 1:1y wings iu
be delighted to answer them . vV rite me a long,
had come, and I w tse~ us w~rld m to which I
\VI
I
an e somethmg to eat
long letter, and tell me all that you have noticed
ien was a c·tt , ·11
.
<Lbout my people.
good strong J·aws cbe1tp1 ar I h ad two t eeth and
c
'
u
now
my
sole
.
t
f or eating seemed t b
Yours ever affectionately,
ms rurnent
o e a tongue.
CtJ

GAY

vV1NGs.

..

98

SUClAL LE'l"J'EH,S TO BE ANSWEH.ED

SOCIAL LETTEH,S TO BE ANSWEHED

The upper portion of my fore wing is showy
having a deep bluish ground with a band o{ .
orange across it. In contrast to this brillian
upper surface is the under portion, which resem·
bles the color of dead leaves.
\Vhen an enemy comes along I slip dow n
among the dead leaves, fold my wings over
back so the bright side of the wings and th
rest of my body ai·e out of sight. Niy irregularly folded wiugs resemLle a withered leaf :o
closely that those who come to make a feast of
me pass me by unnoticed.
It is also great sport to turn into a walki11g
leaf. In this case I arrange my wings so they
look like a leaf with veins running through, an<l
then I flatten out rny body and legs so they will
carry out the deception. \Vhen resting on a.
plant I look exactly like a leaf.
I have a friend they ccdl the "walking stick"
who not only makes itself look like a small
stick, but arranges its legs in an uneven way to
better imitate the unevenness of a twig.
This is about the trickiest fellow among our
people, for by means of little projections on hi.
body, something like the quills on a porcupine,
my friend " \V alking Stick " can make himself
look exactly like creeping moss.
v

'

99

I have some very brillia,nt cousins who are
not agreeable to the taste and are not sought
for ::is a food. It is very common for other
butterflies to imitate the beautiful color and
.
appeara.nce of these handsome cousins.
This taking on the appeanlince of somethmg
else is very properly called mimicry.
The most striking examples of mimicking are
those I have described. There are others, and
your teacher will tell you where to learn about
them.

Our object in dressing up in others' clothes or
mimicking is to protect ourselves from enemies.
If you ever dressed up in any one else's
clothes, please tell me about it.
I-lave you ever mimicked other people's ways?
. Is it necessary for you to do these things in
order to protect yourselves against enemies?
Please write me long letters, and tell me all
about human mimicry.
Very sincerely yours,
GAY vVrNGS.

100

SOCIAL NOTES TO BE ANSWEirnD

SOCIAL NOTES TO BE ANSvVERED
Children do not send out formal invitations now.
Drill them in saying what they wish in a bri ght informal
way.
Continue vocabulary study.
44-45.

101

SOCIAL NOTES TO BE ANSW EH.ED

Refer them to the. notes given as models. Let them
give short notes orally at first. Then require written
answers.
lVri:te a p leasant note to some playniate, To take tea with you ;
·To go skating with you;
To go dri ving with you; etc.

In synonyms, study sets

DEAH JonN,~Models

vVill and I are going fishin g Saturday. If
you care to, and can join us, bring what you
need for the excursion to my house at eleven
o'clock sharp and we shall have a fine day at
the pond.
Yours as ever,
28

GEORGE .

f or note : -

ToM, Can you go skating to-morrow at three?
you can, meet ine at the 2.39 train.
Yours as ever,

DEAR

If

WILL.

vVednesday Eighth.

FIFTEENTH STREET,

J a n. 7, 1900.

DEAR NANNIE, DEAR G uEN, -

Come over a little while :Monday evening. A
few of the boys and girls will be here. I shall
expect you about eight o'clock.
Sincerely yours,
MARGARET SINCLAIR.

68

FOREST

A YENUE, DENVER, COLORADO.
Saturday N in eteenth.

Mamma says I nrny invite you to drive with
me in Franklin Park to-morrow. If no word
comes saying th at you cannot go, I will call for
you at t en o'clock.
Affectionately yours,
NELL.

Thursday Ninth.

102

BUSrNESS CORRESPONDENcg

IN'I'RODUC'l'ION TO BUSINESS
COI~RESPONDENCE

All you can expect the pupil to get from copying these
letters is neat anangement and a habit of going straight
to the point in a letter.
Copy until these things come to be a habit.

25
PRES.

wl\L

MANN

BROWNSON,

8'r., SPRINGFIELD, l\L\ss.,
Jan. 8, 1900.

BUSINESS CORRESPON:bJtNCE

. ansi
. , vers to these quest-ions : Direct the pnpa to write
What does vVilliam T. Blal~e mean. ~y terms ?
Where is the heading ?f .tlu~ letter .
Where is the superscnpt1011 .
Where is the body of the letter ?
. t"ion ?.
Where is the subscnp
Where is the signature ?
letters copied unt1.1 every part is placed
Have t liese
.
. lace
instinctively by the pupi~ in its proper p
.

Albany Business College,
Albany, N.Y.
-

CoLuMnus, 01uo, Jan. 9' 1900.
I

DEAR S1R,-

\Vill you please send me your terms and
course of study ?
I am a graduate of Springfield }Iigh School- ·
English course - am seventeen years of age an<l
have spent four of my vacations in the Agawan
Bank, where I picked up a little knowledge of
business.
I .write a fair hand, know English well enough
to write a letter, and have a little knowledge of
bookkeeping.

Under these circumstances, how long would it
take me to finish your course and fit for o1Iice
work?
Very truly yours,
1VILLIAl\I

'•

T.

103

BLAKE.

M1t.

A.

s. BRYNES,
Appleton, Wis.

DEAR SIR,. of l a d'mg for soap
· b 1·n. and bill
Enclose d is
, shipped this mornmg.
\Ve have charged the samples, shipped to our
salesman at :Milwaukee for you on the twentyt d from
fourth of last month.
as
been
preven
l
l
l
t
\Ve regret t la ie le,
.
oue before
. 't'mg your section and callmg on y
VJSl
this.
-~
we are much p1ease d tl1cat you disHowever,
.
f our Heady Soap yourself,
~ r customers will
covered the quality o
and hope the sale among yoL~
warrant frequent orders by mail.

104

BUSINESS co1urnSl:'ONl>ENUI~

l~USJNESS co1:. 1 rnsJ'ONl>ENC1~

. If ou~· :-~ction , iu ch<:trging the agent's smnpl
is unsatisfactory, please advise.
Thanking you for favors received, we are,

Yours very truly,
READY SOAP

Co.

Per A.

Direct pupils to 'Write answers.

Copy this letter over and over aga1'11
un t'l
i
you get
every part neatly in its place.

Jlfalce the pnpils write' answers.
What do they mean by net ?
What is a Rugby ball?
What is a base-ball ?
Why do you suppose Johnson and Jones thought the

letter of Mr. H. J. Barnes not clear?
DUANE ST., NEW YORK

Jan. 10, 1900.

MR. H. J.

Our bats cost, according to the quality of
wood, from $ 4 to $12 per dozen.
M:trbles, at wholesale, will cost you from $ 1
t-0 $ 3 per bushel.
\Ve shall take pleasure in giving your order
careful and prompt attention.
Hoping for orders soon, we are,
Very truly yours, .
Jon~SON AND JONES .

vVhat is a bill ?
. What is a bi11 of ladinao·?
\i~lrnt do the Heady Soap Co. mean by shipped 7
v\ hat does Per A mean ?

85

105

'
LETTER XXI

BARNES

' St.,
85 \V ashington

Vocabulary study.

In synonyms, study sets 42-43.

Boston, Mass.

LONGTOWN,

DEAR Sn~,-

Your order of the 18th is not quite clear to
us, and . tha,~ we may ship just whait you want
we detail prices for your convenience.
vVe make Rugby balls at prices varyinO' from
$1.50 to $ 6, and base and other balls fi~m 25
cents to $1.50 net.

MASTER JOHNNY
DEAR

B.

Jan. 11, 1900.

JONES,

Sru,-

W e hear that you have extraordinary luck in
selling papers and wish to call your attent~on
to the Longtown Chronicle as an easy-sellmg
paper.

106

BUSINESS COH.RESPONDENCE

For the next ten days we wi11 give you on ~
half the profit instead of your usua,l terms uf
one-ejghth. Tlrnt means one ceut for every
paper you sell.
No other paper will do as well by you.
I-loping that the offer will tempt you,
Very truly yours,

CONSTANT BUSY WORK :FOH. ALL GRADES

107

CONSTANrr BUSY WORK :B'OR ALL GRADES
LESSON

DICTATION

EXERCISE ON

I
CAPITAL LETTERS

L et the pupils write a sentence containing the name
of, [Answers on page 128.J

LONGTOWN

Cn RONICI... E Co.

I. Answer the Longtown Chronicle Uo. T ell th em
that their paper is so little knowu it would_ uot pay
you to attempt to sell it on the street, even at tli c
liberal rates they offer. Thank them politely for t heir
compliments regarding your skill in selling papers, also
for their specia,ll y liberal terms. Exp ress regret that
you cannot do what they wish, etc. ·write a very polite
l etter declinin g t he offer.
II. ·write a favorable answer to the letter. 'l'ell the
J_,ongtown Chronicle Co. that you are very grateful for
their compliments, and their liberal offer, and you will
try and see about selling their paper. Make full arrangements for retuming unsold numbers.

A marble found in Italy;
a glass made in Venice ;
a cheese made in Switze rbnd;
:~ kinll of a telephone invented by Bell;
a sable found in Ru ssia ;
a coffee which comes from Java;
oranges that come from Florida;
a wine that comes from California;
a tea that comes from J <:tpan;
potatoes that are fri ed according to the French
manner of frying ;
a style of writing like l\1ilton's;
a. farmer of Canada;
the language of England ;
a. ship belonging to the Dutch; ··
a screen made in J ap<tn ;
a fla,g of Germ any;
. I)
. ;
a gown mac1e m
. ans
pain tin gs by ltalia,n artists ;

A MANUAL FOR TEACHERS
TO

ACCO MP ANY BOOK II
OF

THE PUPILS' SERIES

DRILL ON VOCABULARY
Follow the plan for vocabillary drill on page 9.
'l'he teacher in these upper grades may get time for
· additional words which she can add as the need of knowing them arises.

DIULL ON SYNONYMS
Follow the suggestions for clrill on synonyms given on
page 10, Teacher's Manual.
If the need for other synonyms arises, the dictionary
,will supply the needed synonyms, and the same plan of
teaching may be followed.

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANS vVERED
LETTER

With open books let the pupils read silently the letter to be answered. Talk with tl1em about it, and try and
arouse interest in Little Roars. If they do not paragraph
well, let them take a few of the pa,ragraph exereises in
the front of this book. Tell them to paragraph when
they say something entirely different about an object.
Teach them the meanings of the words at the head of
each letter in their books. Call on one pupil for a word,
another for its meaning, etc. This vocabulary work will
135

136

80CIA1, LETTEltS 'fO UE ANSWERED

137

. TO BE AN
.t SWELrnD
SOCIAL LETTERS

not t ake loner
't IS
. so unportant
· bl ca11d 1
·
omitted.
it sl1011l Ll never
II In synonym
·
. · s, st udy sets 46- L!7 :> . . , .
· (See Lesson
S
' I upil s Hool· N
l\fanual.) Allo W tl' 0len ynonyms,
pa!2"e
'l
~ 10' 'I'. P :1C'll • t':
and their eyes ou the r.:~rs to have their hooks OJ
wnte.
to be answered while th
I

We are one of the most playful families in the

orld.
~ty brothers and sisters are all the same age.
When very small infants we were pretty, woolly,
lrizzled, playful little things about the size of a
e11t, and so perfectly harmless that it would be
hard to imagine any one of us developing into

the terrible king of the forest.
We had a hard time cutting our teeth because
. \hey are very big teeth to cnt. My sister was
:1'1Y father's name . ' 01.
so ill that she di<id. Many of our infants die
go1ncr
. · you a 1is.
d Roars
'? to wnte
' · II- e wa.
when teeth begin to come, and that time is the
huntmg to do and c~nl~ letter, but ha,d mu ·h
brought me down b tl u .not get time, so h
beginning of trouble in several ways.
Our mother now began to leave us for honrs
writing for the famhy 1e River-of-Ink, an<l l am
at a time, and went off hunting with my father.
I a1n tl1 ree years old
··
Not a drop of milk would she give us before she
they call you a boy . '. 1They call me a cul) a
T .
01 g1r
• •
went, and we were crazy with hunger when she
lus father of mi
. .
ture . I-I e sleeps very
ne little
is a sober
and father returned bringing small pieces of
H
i
' morose crcn,.
fresh meat which they pnt before us. They
ouse, because the gaffib Ir n our home, Lair
118
told us that we were no longer babies, aud that
cluldren annoy h'
o mg and playing of I.
th
· a bad father
im. DoH not . t h mk,
·
·
f a t h e is
however
we inust eat tbis or starve.
It did not take us long to learn to like this
un, .but he supplies ~s e_will not stand our
meat, and when we were about four months old
delicious food.
with an abundance uf
onr mother allowed us to roam with her to the
.My mother is ver diff .
of. the most savage ~f . eient. Although one
edge of tbe thicket.
1
with lier young famil ci eatures
When we were about six months old our
.
' sl1e w1. 1 frolic
sport.
y as if she enjoyed the
parents moved to another lair, and from this
BY THE RIVER-OF

DEAR BOYS
.
AND GIRLS -

-

NK,

Jan. 13,

moo.

1

138
.

SOCIAL LETTEP.S
• TO BE AN
· .r SWERED

11ne on
·
',
t
' until we left
we were al
our father
At tl c ways on the move.
ie age of eight m th
.
d
ren were nothin er but b
s, when you chi\.
s rong enough to 0attack a ies , I was 1arge and
t
education
had b egun.
a sheep or a go·it
A
' · "lly

obi~

t the ao-e of . l
grown, with ~'t long:~~ 1t l~ears, I shall be full
My fat}
. a SI)l ane
c
1er lS
d"dike my ro ya1 f athcr'
at
all n1 rn the small en
..
.
t. 1·a looki ng creature, not
in. caaes
im1 t ones
o . r~I e measures
~· yo u see capt1Y.
ip of ta"l
· mane drao-sen JCet
f·mm lieacl to
J ' i i1s
.
t
when he throws bacl l . o on the ground, and
sound
us tgre'Lt
.
comes forth cthat
' 1iea d to roar a
Afncan forest call " d
he Bushmen of ti
t ern'b le in it, C · 1 a or tlrnn c1er. His . . ie
.
n
s power. No
.
'OlCe "
l rn that.
Every heart . captive lion ever roars
tBhe awful sound
ttliel for est tremble:;
ushmen 'w l10 hve
. in 'tl sf 1rouah
· rle
o tl·ie Jim1
of
lion by bis roar ie orest, know

~he

he

crash~n

a;

th~ m~mj

;~hungry, angry, or.pl~~=r can tell whether

egan learnina t ,
~ ·
teeth, and now Io co I oar soon after I cut rn ,
father
an roar almost as lo u d as
}
M himself .
y m.other taua11t
about huntin o·
o.
me almost all I 1
rnow
.
"' except what I I
nee in a while if I
earned myself.
ny father saw that
· I was
0

ving a hard time trying to get a sheep or a
ot, he woulU come and help me, bnt the moent I tried to pJa.y with hirn anU pull his inane

ewould shake ine off and

go away.
He is very fond of my mother, selUom leaving
her except to get rid of the nonsense of the
. jOUngsters. When he bunts h e wants her with
him, anU always treats her very politely.
She starts out of the lair first auU roars. He
follows and as soon as she stops roaring he
. begins. When he panses for Ureath my mother
roars again, and so they alternate, first one roaring and then the other, bot not together. Like
• polite creature father allows motlier to roar to
her heart's content before he opens his mouth.
When they come to the spot where they expect to find their supper, both stop. My mother
stays outsiUe the cattle-pen and father boldly
leaps the high wall, anU soon returns, leaping it
again with- what do yon think in his mouth 1

- It
a large
heifer.
would be har<l to find a human being more
of a gentleman to his wife than this savage
father of mine. He does not touch a mouthful
until her hunger is fully satisfied, but he stands
on guard and watches her with great pleasure
while she eats what he has provided.

140

SOCIAL LETTERS 110 BE
i

ANSWEJrnv

. My mother's affection for h , .
Is not so O'reat
1.
e1 shaggy liusba
·1
o c as us for 1
l.
unt1 death, while sl 1
1er. ie is fait.bh
t. f
le las such . t
Ion or strength tl t 1
In ense admi
desert him if a t ia s le would not hesitM-0
.
s ronO'er
hu b I
5
h 1mself.
s · anc should pr b
This will give
you some idea f
D o your parents
o · our life.
D ·d
move often '?
I you have a 1 I .
.
tune tt.
Can your fatl c: ,1arc
.
cu mg your teeth
1 .
. .
1e1 Jump a 1 . 1
•
1e1fer in llls mouth?
ng l wall with
.
I-Ia ve you ever se~n 1·
D
wns in caO'e ?
o you know that tl
c: c s.
t
c:
my are
ures compared t 1·
.
poor, weak c.rca1xr ·1
IOns 111 the f
n I 1 your motl , 1 .
orest ?
O'
D o you get yourierin1 et you
t foo ~ut of her si rrh ?
y
l'l
c ou o an
?
o
ou Ice a picture of tl t
ver. \Voulcln't
bank of the river
la rogue sitting on th
writing
to
?
aw f u1 creature.
you· He is an

°

yours affectionately,
LITTLE

Ro Ans.

LETTER II

1'h

.
.
e most Important t11ina
1umse1f in any 1a1wuao·e . o to one w110 would express
something to l1im. o o is a vocabulary which n1 ca~3

SOUIAL LETTEH,S TO BE ANSWERED

~

141

Never neglect words, their forms and meanings in
hing written expression.
~dcl to those words given here and encourage your
pils to ask for a new word when they need one.
BY THE H ,1vER-OF-lNK,

Jan. 14, 1900.

AND GIRLS,-

Thank you for your nice long letters.
. read them n1any times.

I have

It seems to me that you are very poor jumpers.
You ought to see me leap. I always spring for
1ny prey when I am hunting, and rny muscles
are so strong and flexible that I seldom miss my
mark. If I do, I am so ashamed that I do not
pring at the same animal twice, I slink off with
my head down and my tail drooping.
It is mere play for me to spring over a very high
wall, and I can jump it easily with a sheep or a
goat in 1ny mouth. vVhen I am a little older, a
1
heifer will not be too much for my strength.
l"da,ny of you ask where my lair is. I thought
I told you it is not in the forest, but among the
high bushes and tall grass of more open pla,ins.
, It is far from the abode of man, for all my
})Cople have learned to dread your terrible shot.
I hardly see how you live on the small
amount you eat.

soUlAL LETTEl{,S TO BE A.NSWEH,ED

142

SOCIAL

LETT~H.S

143

TO DE ANSWJH-;,ED

clawed and pushed in frantic efforts to get at
I was br011ght up to be
.
dear master he loved, so earnest and loud
dress. A11 1io
·d
very neat about in
.
ns, an most 11 ·1d
.
exquisitely neat M
a. w1 ammaJs, a . in his rapture that all about were frightenec\.
( ·
Y coat
1· 1
The officer put his hand through the bar and
and n1y n1ane is 1 t .
is s ic c an<l shin
Will
. <ep m excellent order
• . [tly stroked the great beast, who calmed down
you please rememb . tl .
.
men who have
t.
. er us, and tell th instantly uncler his touch.
(
cap ive hons . f
The offtcer hau a ha,rd time getting away.
c::iges, that no r
' lllltl onl. smellin
1011 can be 1
p ace ?
ien, iy in such o. Hubert mo:i,ned and roarecl every time he at·
l
tempted to go, and could not be made to nnderNow, my clear girls we . .
sta,nd that he woulc1 cotne again.
creatures as yo tl . i'
are not such fier
c
u 1111 c vVl
I tell this to show that lions are capable of
and cared for by
i·. . 1en caught you n
tr
man, 10ns show g · t ff .
iany a man ]l...," l - .
I ea a ect1011.
uccp affection.
l\
t
·
'-"') s ept w1tl
Althou gh the Rogue will try to tell you
chamber and s·to .·
l a ame lion i11 hi
'
r1es are told 1
.
.
bered old friends f . 1
~ iere hons remcm· about the beauty of our forest home, I am going
A
. .
or a ong time
to say a word also.
.
Bnt1sh army officer b .
,.
Perhaps if you realize how beautiful it is you
in Africa
Aft
l
rought up a lion-cub
.
erwarc the r
will not l et men capture us and take us away to
zoOlogical garden in Paris. wn was sold to a.
live in a uirty' stu-ffy cage.
Several years later the
Poor boys and girls, bow I pity yon for being
the lion cages in tl . '
gentleman went to
obliged to live shut up in little wooden or brick
for that was t] i·11s ,garden. At first "Hubert"
c ,
ie wn s n
<l. cl
'
Pretty soon he se
dame, .1 not notice him.
boxes in a dirty city.
f
·1·
eme to snrff tl
.
I wish you could set out with me some rnoon_ann rnr scent had
ie air as if a
light night as I go to the forest to lnmt. Ever after
officer's uniform a colmle -- then he looked at th
~ nc ie became e t .
1
there woL1ld be a grand picture in your minds of
vous and excited F"
x I eme y ner· imally th
1
<lark, arching boughs of forest trees, with here
' e gent eman said
" -Iubert" and tl
I
•
'
'
ie great beast
·u . '
and there straggling moonbelHIIS throwing shad·
roar, spranO' toward tl b
' w1 1 a, Joyful
f .
"
ie ars of hi
.'
ows that 8eem to chase each other like elves.
orce that shook tl ie w l101e gallery
s cage
with
~
· FI
- ere 1ic

~1e

144

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWEimD

If you could see all this and live in it as I
your head would be more full of fairies than ..
is now, and the world would be a far grand
place to you.
Do you not think it is cruel to take an
creature from a home like this and put it in
cage with nothing to see and no place to roam
Is it strange that caged lions snarl at U
gaping crm-vds who stare so insolently at th em •
vVhy do people call it sport to kill a nobt
animal?
You are not so high-minded as we in th i
respect. \¥ e kill for two reasons only, one is in
self-defence, and the other for food.
Corne to my den for a visit. It is under a
wide-spreading bush, near a great rock on tlio
side of a mountain .
I will take you hunting in the forest ju.
above, and show you how to jump.
I never expect to see my father and motli er
again, for I am three years old now, and w 1
have all left them for a lair of our own.
Is it true that you are nothing but Labi •.
when you are three years old?
All my education is :finished now. Is yours?
How are you educated? Does your mother
or your father teach you ?

' <'TTEH.S TO BE
~cu L L D

ANSWERED

145

f
to
take
care
o
1d enougl1
.
·when yon a,re o
et your food? Do you
do you g learn to hunt, and are
Yourselves how
? Do you
1
killitasweco.
you very neat?
l tter and tell ine how you
vV rite ine a long e
like me.
Affectionately yours,
G

. LITTLE . RoARS.

LETTER Ill

"
ds at
the l1ead of t11e letter
a1k
over
the
wor
c
Read~c1 t
.
in the pupils' books.
49-50. Require the pupils
study sets .
In synonyms,
. . t erchangeably.
in
sentences
lil
to use t 1iem
t of parts of tl1e letter. CauR equire neat arrangemen . narao-raph every time they
·1 t make a new r' o
tion the pup1 s o
. 11
change the thought dec1c~erc y~)irect slips the size of the
FolL1 the letters neat )t· lave real envelopes.
1
foluecl letter i· f you canno

BY

•l{-OF-lNK,
THE RlvE

Jan
15 ' 1900.
< •

AND BoYs,DEAl\ GIRLS
. .
d of 1ny father am
It is lucky that I instea

writing these ~et~ersd.
d would use such long
h.
.
d gn1fie an
I-le is so 1
t
derstand
un.
ld no un ,
words that you cou. t. ger than forty of your
This lion father is s ron
L

socIAL LETTERS TO UE ANSWERED

146

SOCIAL LETTERS TO llE" AN
.r ff\\' ERED

I have seen antelopes dining with father and

I t 0 1 you that l
f· a tl iers.
·
;n
!us
mouth, dand
jum , ie could carry a l1cif t
it,· but I did not t e11 yo
. p cttlstockade while L1om
. ,
six"£feet hicrl
:::, i, and that f·u tl iat . this s'toc 1rnde w·
rn1 .er as. easily
· and safel
c
c.t rnr JU
· wilh hi
'
.mpe d it
l
c rn1r
' . tl
.
c - y as a cat. ]Umps
.
urcr II
1 f v1 l a piece of meat i '
le frequent} b,
n her Jaws .
·
1
Y
reaks
tl
wit 1 one stroke of his ie back-bone of a zel1 n
do the
. same ·
paw, and my 1r1otlicr can.
1-Iis appetit
· enormous A
bones
is
.
an d all,ewill
be t
.
whole zel1n
n1aht
rri1
ea
en
by
1
.
. a si1wle
.
, "'
,
J. iere is a star
. . um m
. y m. f the
}whof quarrelled '"1'tl·
" l 1llS
1 · forest of <~., IUll
rnr or breakfast.
w1 e, nlled her, and ate

l~

No f doubt he could have eat
that
or breakfast but 'f tl c en as much as
must
have
b een a' prett
' I
ie story b
•,
It .
e true, he
is not ofte11 tl mt a ry mean sort of a l.1011
and .such ,anone as I h 1011 eats a. bio
· tlier lion
. .
a low kind
about would
o L.
a u1an ,.v1w will
. murdera wn - aLout equal

~01~s1dered

o~ve tl~ld

bt~

wns attack all
.
.
phants and I·lunoceros
.
ammals
,
b for food except
clc
so food to them as the' a l nothing tastes
. n the daytime
' n e ope.
fbair]y peaceful a1~de:~~1. ml yl fat~ier, Old Roars. i8
easts.
'" e with Jess powerful'

~t

147

quit~

mother without a thought of fear.
Jlowever, a lion's dinner-table is a most dangerous place to come as a guest. If his majesty's
mood should change the guest n1ight be served

up Sometimes
for dessert. when h e feels only l1ali savage,
ancl jackals and h yenas attem]'t to brea,kfast
with him, my father bites off their feet, and this
inust be a playful h abit of other lions, for hyenas
and jackals maiined in this way are often met
with
intall
tl1e form
forest.of a man naturally awes a Ii.on,
The
"''d ii he is neith er hungry nor enraged, lie will,
in the daytime, often trot off at the sigl1t of him.
Let a lion once get a taste of huinan blood,
a,nd 1nan henceforth becon1es his prey.
He goes to the village for food instead of
roaming the forest. Here he enters homes at
night, and pulling a native from his bed with
one of his great paws, will bound away like
lightning.
Such lions are called man-eaters . .My father is
now a rnan-eater.
Man-eaters are always old lions, and soon
meet death, for hundreds of men hunt this
dreaded enemy until h e is killed.

148
SOCIAL LETTERS TO IlE ANSWERED
SOC!AL LETTEHS TO HE ANSWEllED

Wlien lie is roaming at night a lion is a very
different animal from the one to be met in il1c
dayfone. He is a fearless creature, consciou
that nothing in the forest bnt the elephant cau
match him in strength.
His courage and daring are wonderful. He ha.
been known to face a hundrnd men and stand at
bay, until a bullet pierced his brain or heart.
The report that he is cowardly is not true.
In the daytime, when in the wood, he may lie
indifferent and appear cowardly, but attack his
family, arouse his rage, and you will encounter
a creature who can dare and fight so long as
one breath remains.
This is a long Jetter, but I have not told you
all I wish to about lions.
How much can you eat ?
1-Iow much can your father eat?
I-Iow large are your teeth?
Is your mother a good jumper ?
Have you ever been in an African jungle?
~iVhat is your idea of a jungle ?
Are you too old to play when you are three
years old? I am, and I shall soon be dignified
like my father.
Affectionately your friend,
LITTLE

RoAns.

149

LETTER IV

.
.
cabularies alHl synony ms . Special
General review of vo
l heau of this letter.
study of the vocabulary ~t t ief . ·y bright talks. Keep
'f. ·d ·ubJects 01 ver
l
.
k s always appeal to tie
'l'his lesson ai or s s
.
f
fun
Mon
ey
up the spint o
·.
f
lmor
in
a
cluld.
sense o 1n
BY '!'HE RIVER-OF•-INir '

Jan. 16, 1900.

BOYS AND GIRLS, -

Mv DEAR
at my people in cages, or
When you look
to consider us
.· J er, you seem 1. .
J. oke on
't] an organ-gnn
l t Of funny 1l um a nkind
. _a i vmg
aw1sor
humanity.
t of our grotesque
1 on accoun
We amuse yot
1 .
so I th ink you
. .
t human Jemgs, ,
resemblance o
f rnon key life m our
. t
ted to know o
.
will be m
eres
f
.
ts
of
hot
countnes.
]
the dense ores
t
natural iome,
.
. d asked you no
R
·
has written an · '
Little 1. oarsby the poor, c1·eatures you see m
to judge wns
hould not judge us
,1 I ask that you s
. £
cages,
anu
c
b
,
.
"h,r unfortumites o . our
nimble creatures y s11m
l

.

race.
l tl forest but instead of
l .p' through or on
\Ve live all arounc le
tl trees we s u
f
walking under le
'tually live in a land o
top of them '. so we ac
leaves and branches. . d at nicrht we fasten
Wl1811 we .get tire
0

150

SOCIAL LE1'TERS TO " •'

vE ANSWERED

branches together, cover them
.
_over with lea.Ye,
mosses, and twiO's tl
o ' ius mainnO'
1 f
mock bed tl1 c""' t IS
. Very
o a ea y ham.
·
tected.
cosey and well proSo far as climbinO' D'Oes
ness itself com1Jn.redo o. tl ' you boys are c1umsi~
w1 1 me
I not only run up the talle. t
.
swiftness but I
f
s trees with gre;-i,t
.
'
can go rom one t . t
w1th a speed that
Id
..
ree o another
.M~
wou astomsh you.
y arms are Jong and stronO'
.
self among the b.
<:' · I swmg rny•
1 anc 1ies as easil
fi
swim in water or 1 .• 1
c • y as a ·1sh can
VT
. r
•
a_ ~ll ( can fly ln air.
·v e Jn e m farmhes
Tl
.t
1~ young, like baby
birds, remain in the
a ll either goes a
nbes ' :vI11l e the father of us
way Y himself t
I
at the foot of our t , J.
,
o s eep, or sits
.
· 1ee-1ome to O' ·d
attacks of swift-le .
I
;sna1 us from
animals.
apmg eopards and other wild

Tl1is papa of mine is not a
creature. He is
t
c very I1and some
l\ 1r
no so 11andsome a ·
IV.iamma and all tJ
s my mother.
.
'
c
1e youn crer 111
b ,
f am1Jy,
resemble
.
o .
em ers of our
I suppose onceyou1 peopl~ 111 many things.
too but as 1
upon a tune our father did
18 grows older }
'
'
1· le grows coarse,
cross, and more an l
M
c
c more Ike a beast
y mother and all tI
I ·11
.
get nice things .
l . ie tc JI c ren are obliged to
11m o eat. If we do not

fo:.

SOCIAL LETTEB.S TO BE ANSWERED

151

get them fast enough, he grovv]s, boxes our ears,
or throws sticks at us until we are frightened.
It is not our custo1n to stay in one home.
With babies h eld close to their bosoms the
mothers wander from branch to branch, following the father. The little ones never fall, for
the mother not only holds them tightly, but
t.hcy also cling tightly to the long h air on her
body.
It is a pretty sight to see a monkey child
clinging like this to its mother.
As long as we need special care our mothers
are affectionate and attend to us lovingly.
They take us to the river for a bath, rub our
bodies dry, feed us, pet us, and do many things
that human mothers do; but when we are old
enough to take care of ourselves they pay no
more attention to us.
vVe know this dear mother long after she
seems to have forgotten us, and sometimes it is
pitiful to hear a monkey child cry as a human
child would cry for its mother, and see her pass
without recognizing it at all.
In my next I will tell you about our food,
and about some of my relations.
Do you ever climb trees? Have you four long
arms with which you can swing from tree to tree?

SOCIAL LETTEltS TO B1<j ANSWERED

Do yott like tice and cocoanuts ? \i\Tould yott
like to have a bed among the trees and sleep there.
Please write me a long letter.
Very truly,
Your humble relation,

Jaco.
LETTER V

Vocabulary study as before.
A moral lesson might come in here. Ask the class
why a mischievous child is often playfully called "a
little monkey." Ask them if a monkey looks happy.
Draw out the fact that mischief and happiness uo not
necessarily go together.
Same sportive spirit and special attention to monkey
habits; finally compare with human habits.
BY THE RIVER-01?-INJc,

l\1y

DEAR

Boys

AND

Feb. 2,

moo.

GrRLs, -

Our food is not cooked. \iV e eat leaves allC.l
fruit. We get food from the oil-palm tree, the
melon tree, the lXtlm cabbage, the gray plurn
and wild apple tree. We like nuts, and crack
them with a stone just as you boys crack them.
Generally we simply take what nature provides, but often rob a cane plantation or a rice
field. vVe are not confined to vegetable food,

153

Lut can catch the smaller .animals and rep:i~es.
Yy father can take the stmg out of a scorpion
wit. li great s1u·n . After he has done that he

eats it.
.
·t In
\Ve do not eat food while gathermg 1 •
our cheeks are pockets called pouches. I~1
these we stuff what food we get, and eat it
afterward.
I can put eight large eggs in my pouches, but
I'm not a pretty sight. with my cheeks so puffed

out.
' d
d
We drink by going to the rivers e ge, an
suck water up with our lips.
My father is a great ~ghter.. Savage peo~1:e
of your race who live with us in the woods ~re
terrified at his anger, m1d a fight between lum
d a man is a1)t to end in the man's death.
an
f . 1
When he is angry his eyes flash . unons_Y,
and he looks as savage as a tiger. He p~rnes
blows like a skilful human fighter, and is so
nimble at aetting away that the only way a
man can kin him is to excite his fur~, s.o th~t
he will rush at the gnu and ta,.ke. it .111. his
trying to crunch it 111• lns
pws
mou tll . vrhile
'V
•
l ·
the deadly weapon is discharged, lnllmg um
instantly.
Our people, especially the smaner one s' are
r

154

SOC!i\L LET'tlmB TO _trn ANSWERED

SOCLAL LJ!:T'l'l!:l-tS TO BI!: ANSWEH.ED

mischievous by reputation and in fact. So fonJ
of playing tricks is most any monkey tlmt it i
not safe for a human being to go near a tree
full of them. On this account not much ha
been learned of our habits.
All monkeys with tails make as much use of
them as of their four legs and feet.
It is not uncommon to see a whole tree full
of. them hanging by the tail and playjng game:
with one another. Even when the trees are far
a~art _it is ;ery easy for a monkey suspended by
lus tail to Jump from tree to tree.
vV e love to tease one another, and sometimes
throw cocoanuts as you boys throw snowballs at
your mates.
One of the girls asks if a monkey ever faugli~.
I never heard one laugh. A monkey does all
his
mischief with a grave face. He 0O'rins some.
times, but whether because he is amused or not
I am unable to say, because I never grin myself.
Some of our people enter plantations, not Lecause they want food, but out of pure mischief
and for the fun of destroying all tliey can.
When engaged in such amusement they leaYc
a watch on guard, and at the first signal of
alarm the whole troop scampers off .
.Men hunt us with dogs, but the dogs often

get the worst of it. I have seen. nly fa.the1~
seize a dog by its hind legs, a,nd sw mg the pom
animal round and round until he was stupefied.
Those who are ca,ptured learn to like a1c~­
holic drinks, especially gin and water, but tlus
tuff soon kills them.
Most of us a,re much covere.d with ha,ir.
Some of us have bare fa,ces, anc1 some have
considerable lrnir on their £<-ices.
We differ from human bei11gs chiefly in the
way we like to inove and in our voice ..
vVe have no disposition to walk upnght, and
our chattering iA very unlike lmrna,n speech.
I think you are more beautiful than we, and
I hope s01ne of you boys will be m?re coura,aeous thau your fathers have Leen in studyo

mg us.

Come to our warm. forests, learn our ways,
and we will not hurt you .
Find out where we live, and write me a long
1etter telling all about the people of my race
that yon have known.
.
No more letters frmn the River-of-Ink.
Good-by,

Joco.

156

SOCIAL LETl'EhS 1'0 1·1Ji'.
- ANSWERElJ

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

157

opted children are allowed in these families,
Same plan for recit f .
·
nd no intrnclers are ever admitted.
Talk about it o1· . da wln. Silent reading of th e let •
Sometimes an unruly member is cast out. No
'
1 ea
a oud pa .
Study vocabular and
' c iagrap 11 by paragraph.
other family will take him in so he must wander
and direct enveloypecl~ynonyms. Fold the Jett
,, or s ips.
forever alone. Such an one becomes bad indeed.
In synonyms, study sets 56-58
.,. Jle does all he can to hurt man and beast, often
Have a playful talk about tl
..
_destroying whole villages, and finally is hunted
is in Africa and there is
rn ..R1 ver-o~-Ink. The ri ,.
U. S. A.
a spung of mk in Geoq,ri
by man .
Such a creature is properly called "a rogue,"
Talk about elephants L d
.
those they ha
·
ea the cluldren to descri
ml he well deserves the name. He is the most
ve seen.
Compare the habits of thi
..
.
. ' dangerous of all wild beasts.
other auimals, also with h
s ~nnnal with the haui ts of
I am ashamed to confess it, but I am a Rogue.
t e habits of human beings.
. They turned me out of the family, and now I
By THE RIVE
I
·wander solitary and am continually in such fits
\,
R -OF- NJC, AJ.'nJCA,
of rage that I love to crush out life. I delight
DEAR GIRLS AND B
Jan. 17, 1900.
OYS,t.o destroy anything and trample it underThjnk of a . t
. foot .
weia-hs six . c c~ea ure eleven feet high, tha
If I were let loose in the streets of your city,
lcl o
tons, ls one hundred ancl fifty . .. ,
o ' and you will hav
. .
J e.11
I would kill every one tl~a,t came in my way, but
your mind.
, e a p1cture of rnc in
do not fear. No one will ever lead me captive.
I am sitting by a . · , . .
~
[ shall never leave the wilds of my native
}?incl it.), writing witl: i:e;o~f mk (1 here is. one.
forests. JVIen hunt me in great companies, but
my pen nor m inl b
. g pole, and nc1t.licr
they aim to kill. They do not care to ca-ptnre
I
Y <: ottle ls too large
came from a very nice f
·1
. . .
such a cfangerous beast. They want to ricl the
twenty-five
b
ami y, consJStm cr {
mem ers all related b t.
£ o
forest of such a strange, wild animal.
Our people live in £. T
Y res o blood.
Do not imagine that all my family are like
amr ies or herds and so111
Jla ve as many
1
'
myself. They are inost respectable animals,
'
as a nmdred members. No
LETTER VI

158

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWER.ED

and never use their enormous strength except i
self-defence.
The habits of my people will seem st.rancre
t
0
.
yon, so I wil 1 te1I about a, fow of them.
. 'Ve sleep all <lay and roam about an<l ca.t a
night.
We do this because we dislike the glare of
the sun. No shade is too deep for us, so th
dense fores t is naturally our home.
The strongest and wisest member of our
family is the leader, and this leader is obeyed
and followed by all.
Our manner of sleeping is very different from
yo.urs. 'Ve do not make a bed und er sum ·
tluck-.leavetl tree and fling our huge bodies 011 it..
\Ve sun ply lean up against the side of a gr 'llL
tree or rock, and standing on our broad foe
sh~11ber easily during the hot hours of tlie day.
The tender leaves . of trees are our pri ncipaJ
food, and we gather it as we roam at ni(J'lit.
If I -vvere in captivity, it would tak~ about
fifteen pounds of corn, six hundred pounds of
gr~tss fodder, one pound of buffalo butter, arnl
th~rty pounds of flour made into cakes for lll\'
llaily food.
•
You '~onld laugh to see how I get some kinds
of food into my big mouth.

SOCIAL LETTEl'-S TO DE ANS"\YERED

159

In front of my head I have something called
trunk, and when I eat anything like rice I
;uck the small grains up in my trunk and blow
them into my mouth.
The trunk is a very convenient organ. I
woull1 not exchange it for any organ you possess,
not even your right hand.
.
In my next letter I will tell you al.l about ~·
Please a.nswer me promptly. It lS har.d o
wll you where to clir~ct a letter to a solitary
wa.m1erer who roams continua.lly, but I am sure
·. to pass by Thick-Leaf-Forest, so send your letters there .
Tell rn.e about your right hand. I hear that
great cities are built by hanus. Is it true ?
Do vou run to see them ·w hen any of my race
are lecl c::iptive through your ~tr~cts. in a show?
Tell me whether you think~ it ls nght for man
to capture arnl confine such an.imals a~ elephants.
Do you think we inake an mterestrng part of
a procession ?
.
.
,, .
I hope to receive a long and interesting letter.
Sincerely yours,
A

RoGUE.

160

SOCIAL LETTERS TU n•~

"' A.NSWEHEV

LETTER VII

Same P 1an f or recitation
s
synonyms . Fold
d' ·
tudy vocabulary
.
anc1 irect en v 1
syuonyms, study sets 59-61
e ope ot· slip.
- Uompare the usefulness ~f the ri - .
the usefulness of ar l l ght hand of man wi
S
.
< i e ep iant's trunk
. ee if your class agrne with "~
clauns that his truul .
-_ Rogue" wh r n
hand.
c rs lllore useful thau the J111 m
Such little a.
< i gnments are speciall
..
.
< Y rnterest 111 g to bo)

Bv
DEAR GIRLS

1'1-w

AND

~

R

,

IVER-OF-INK,

J -an. 18, 1!100.

BoYs,-

y our letters R,re v
·
acknowled cre tha; tl ~ryl rnteresting. I mu
0
useful.
le n g it hand of man is v •r ,

I
·I

l\tfy race never build nob1
. .
.
but for aJI tI1at . . 1
e c1t1es with trun ks
- 110 ng it 1
d ·
,
useful as an e1e1Jl1a t' t ian . is so powerful and
•
c n s nmk.
T1:1s trunk, sensitive anJ s , . .
a muon of the n
1
ti ong, is forlll ctl by
and it is ·>tta ·1osed a1t1c upper lip. It is ri11 g d
e le
0 tl
f
• .
muscles, so tlrnt it
b ;~ ace lJy puwerfuJ
body, coiled in i11ostcaan de. ifte.d high above th
•
•
c ny
irect1 on, or 1lrLllg li mp
in front.
C•

A man by the name of Cuv·
.
the mnsc1es of an 1 1
' ier tned to count
e ep iant s trunk, but after

SOCIAL LI£TTEH.S TO BE ANS \V EREV

........,.

161

counting twenty thousand he gave up the task,
nd made up his mind that there were double
that number .
No organ in your body except the brain
equals my trunk in usefulness and power.
\Vith it I smell, taste, touch, suck liquid, take
up food, uproot trees, take a dainty bit of candy
from a child, brush off a fly, catch a man arouncl
the waist and fling him to such a distance tlutt
he is killed, or caress my fellow elephants. I
can wind the end of it around a tiny blade of
grass, or I can almost throttle a great animal
with its wonderful strength.
At the very tip is a kind of thumb which
moves so easily and has sense of touch so
de licate that I can pick up a threa,d with it.
The way I drink will interest you. I suck
up a great quantity of water with my trunk and
then pour it into my mouth <ts yon would pour
it from a pitcher into a pail. All food is carried
to my mouth by the trunk, and the service of
this useful organ is not all told yet.
I never intend to be out of tlie deep shade
aft er nine o'clock in t he morning. I cannot
endure the glare of the hot sun, but if I happen
to get into it I fill iny trunk with water and
:;quirt it over my body to cool it off.
lll

--

1G2

SOCIAL LETTEH.S 'rO BE ANSWERED

SOCIAL LETTERS TU

ll'~
-""

l\1y front teeth are the lar
.
They are=> '''
•
Ile·
.1 t
]
gest
m
world
vc•
-•u US ·CS · I can carry a the
.
] . lJ . •
on rnme, and uproot U' reat .
. . " 1,1 . a. lOfl
l\1y t
b
o
trees with ease
ame rothe1's
. cl e to l •
·
ca1·e ma,
].
with their teetl
'I,l
.
co .sue 1 work
1.
iey dig UI) '1 l
great stones with tl
c nc carry <Lw ay
v

163

ANS\VEltED

IBID .

.t ear]v
· AfTica,
.·
J '
111
la,rcrc
.L
murdered f ,
o
n um ucrs of us a I
.
01 our tusks
.
bc::tutiful
ivory.
· · Tl iey yield

Genera11y an elephant has two t 1
.
E a,ch of m y t US 1rn weiO'hS
tl us rn. }
pounds but small , l l o . . uee nmd rc<l
'
ei e ep iants'
· l
we1g 1 n.mch Jes. .
I know one eacl f l
1 0
'
w 10se tusl
· 1
seventy-five pounds.
rn we1g is only
l\1any of yml unacrme
·
.
that I
ellow
because
I cam oso ] argec l t am a clnmsvJ
f
mistake to think tl t
N< . ' Ju you make a.
·
ia ·
Je1ther 1
. I am . iorse
is so sure-footecl ctS
1. b. nor mule
places. I
.
.
.
in c un m o· stce1>
can sprmg n1mbl .f
o
not only scam1Jer ab t . ly I necessary an1l
ou wit 1 ease b t I
an d turn with ,
. .
u
whcl•l
·1
gre<Lt rap1d1ty
" .
.
spin aroun d
]l rn. a ..])ivot '' •some
say.
I can run as .r.1.as·t. as a horse but I
s rnffie a.lonO'
'
generally
l
',
;::,·
Ihere are no joints in rn
learn to dance for 11 tl _Y knees, but I coul<l
. l
a
iat, and m }r . 1 .
qu1c c and stroncr
tl
t
JS so
o
rn every tl1111
· 1ynng
· dC canimltl

nows enough Lo keep aW8·Y from my huge,
pilln,r-like legs.
My step is heavy, hut like the step oI most
ther animals it is noiseless. One of you boys
ma,kes 1nore noise when you move tha,n a whole

herd of ele1Jhants.
Like nrnny human beings I often intoxicate
myself. I ]earne<l to <lrink the juice of the
wn-gci-nii fruit when I was young. , I have seen
whole herds intoxicate themselves with it, and
terrible drunken fights f9llow.
I did not have affectionate parents. vVhen I
was a inere baby my mother ran away and 1eft
me. All I could do was to follow somebody
e1se's mother. As soon as danger appeared this
mother also ran away fro1n h er children. In
this way I changed mothers very often. I
entirely forgot rny own, and no doubt she forgot me. Anyway, no one said a word in my
favor when they c::ist me out of the family.
Elephants are nervous and often cowardly.
I have seen an enornious old tusker fly screaming from so small an animal as a hare.
I know a 1nan by smell, and can tell in the
same way whether he is an African or European. I get his "wind" they say.
A man is a queer little creature to me. He

164

SOCIAL LETTEUS TO HE A N SWERED

moves along in such an odd way on his two
small, spindle legs, and has such a singula,r ollor
about him.
I wonder if you are a sort of a bird. If you
are, why do you not have wings and fly?
You cannot have much strength. I have c11 01··
rnous strength, and I do all the mischief I can
with it, but most elephauts arc very peaceful.
In hen,ls, they never disturb other animal.
except in self-defence, and never destroy injured
or feeble members of their own families .
I would rather be a Rogue than a coward or a.
captive.
In Asia, where elephants are smaller, whole
herds are captured and kept by the na.ti re
princes for lrnnting the lion and the tiger.
These elephants have a keeper called a 11in,·
hout. They soo_n learn to talk with this maJ10ut
by secret signs, which both understand.
In hunts and battles an elephant is often
wounded, but our wonnds heal quickly. How·
ever, for animals of our size we are rather delicate, and do not stand much ill-treatment or
change of climate.
Are bad boys sent out of your families?
Do they grow up to be bad men and wander
over the earth all alone ?

·
· -., A NSWER E D
SOCIAL LETTEi{S TO Uh

Are peopl e wlio

1G5

rve in families alwa,ys happy
1

and good ?
.
d t of his family, wi11
If a bacl man is turne. o:1
·1 take him in?
any other f ami Y
.
d fl 7 ? All other
Why don't you have wings an ) .
two-legged animals d~. ? I do I can swim a
Do Yoll love to. swun. .
l . ~, --d under wat er
long time and swnn with my iea
at that.

?

D
have a trunk·
.
o you .
1 t 11 ine about these thmgs.
e
.
·f
· te
Please write-11anc
not
be
so
wicked
l
you
wn
l
Perhaps I sia
me nice letters.

Sincerely yours,

A RoauE.
LETTER VIII

. .
K ee careless pupils u.t
Same plan of rec1tat1011.
p
ets 62-64.
vV ·k " In synonyms, study s
work on " Busy o1 .
.
ld Yellow Spot was.
vho savage o
Let the class guess '
y 11 ·w Spot's letter am1
·oom for e o
. .
Tell them there was no r .
.
. write for hnn.
1
Old Roars made us sor~ .
. t
)icture in the minds
t' spirit· crea e a I
Stir up a spor ive
' 1 1 t sitting nnder a tree
of this huge e ep 1an .
of _t1.1e classh
Speak of the black river' etc.
wntmg tot em.

1G6

SOCIAL LETTEB.S TO BE ANSWERIW

167

SOCIAL LETTERS TO l3E ANSWERED

BY THE RIVEl-t-OF-INK,

DEAR GIRLS AND

Jan. 19,

moo.

Boys _

'

,. I thought I ha.d written my last letter to you.
The pole I used for a pen has been thrown a,wa)'
and I ca1~not write so well with the new one. '
The R1 ver-of-Ink was forty miles a·wa,y when
your letters ca.me begging me to tell what I
have
I seen in the forest
.
. at njo'ht
:s ' cand I Irn<.l qm'le
a ~nt ~o find wlnte birch bark for a letter.
o~1 see ~hat I have taken considerable trouble
to w1~1t~ tlus letter, and I hope as yon think of
m.e s1ttmg under a great tree on a bank of tho
H1~e r-o~-Ink that you will appreciate it, and
wnte nice lon g replies.
.
.
1 arn 1
You may believe it or not , bl1t the Junge
forest are full of these letters to you.
I saw ?Id Roars himself, ivhittling out a pen,
and
huntmg for the River-of-Inlr
"'r
'll sure 1j
, _
.
"'·
i ou
get a letter from the kmg of the forest.
Savage old Yellow Spot, with whom I have
had many a fight, wa,nted to borrow one of m
teeth. for a pen, but I told him mine were
s1_d-Iiciently pointed. He had better pull one of
Ins own.
Then he wanted me to bring a trunk full of
ink to his den. It was wicked I know, but I said,

nr~

"You n1ay have what is in my trunk i:ow,"
ancl I squirted it all over his very neat Inc.le ..
Yor:. should h ave seen him gl are and set his
teeth at n1e ; but I must stop this fooling and
bec:rin to write facts.
l1'acts are things you must believe whether
. you want to or not. In n1y other letter are
fac ts, and the rest of this letter ·will be made of
facts .
You may believe the. first part of this as you
choose.
The boys who think tlrnt much is to be seen
in a great forest at night are right.
.
One remarka,ble thing of the woods at tlns
time is the stillness. So profound and far-reachincr is this unearth1y quiet at inidnight that it
se~rns to be wrapped around the universe. The
trees stand ta.11, and sombre, and silent, the stars
overhead are 1noving swiftly but without a
sound the birds and smaller animals are asleep,
n.nd ;.e night rovers, touchec1 with the spirit of
stillness, tread stealthily.
Unless they are in rage the cr:1ckling of twigs
is :111 that betrays the movements of night-rovi11g anin1als.
The lonely noises tha,t brea,k this vast stillness are fmv. A gurglin g brook or a rushing

168

SOCIAL r~ETTERS TO BE ANSvVERED

waterfall opposes the great silence with a li tLJe
music; the roar of fighting lions, the snarl of
quarrelling tigers, the trumpeting of elephan t.
the death cry of some beasts of prey arc all
that startle the still wild wood from its eternal
quiet.

If I did not have a purpose in my niO'ht
ro\··
0
ings, I might have more fun to report, but my
purpose is to get a little supper. It is fun to
eat, but not to write about it.
vVith trunk uplifted I smell as I go, and when
there is foliage to my notion I tear it from the
tree with great rapidity and eat it.
Occasionally I knock down families of mon·
~mys wl~o have made a cosey nest in the tree Ly
interlacing branches, but I seldom get a clrnnco
to hurt these nimble creatures. They can run
very ~ast over the tops of trees and cling to
an~thrng, - even my tail, - and dodge so
qmckly that I can neither kick them nor reach
them with my trunk.
I also disturb many birds by knocking down
their nests. The mother bird tries hard to saye
her family, and her mate who is either roosting
beside her or in a tree near with friends also
risks his life for his family.
I never had such a devoted father and mother

SOCIAL LETTERS TO l3E ANSWERED

169

as these little insignificant birds seem to have.

I wonder why ?

.

0£ course I have ha,d inany a fight 111 th~se
nicrht ra1nbles. 1\!Iy body is scarred all over with
0
wounds received in combat.
.
Nothing so terrible roams the forest as a solitary elephant. The claw of every beast and the
· agams
· t n1e . I must
ha,nd of every man is
, ficrht.
0
" With whom Jo I {1ght?" you ask.
I fight lions, tigers, other elephants, anll_ great
parties of men who have set out to rul the
country of such a dangerous anin~al as I. .
Although a lazy cowaru at tunes, a hon at
bay is a magnificent creature to look upo~1.
His whole attitude is full of proud daring and
cool bravery. Old Roars will t ell yot~ all about
this, and no doubt many other fine tl11_ngs a.bout
himself, but I really do admire his lnngslnp at
such tirnes.
.
I tell you he can leap and so can lus i~ate.
Many a pair have sprung at me because I srnffed
a.t their miserable little cubs.
.
A tiger is more of a sne~lc I believe he is
stronger than a lion, but he is not such a splendid fellow.
My most da,ring adventures have been with

170

SOCiAL LETTERS TO 13E ANSWERED

hunting pa,rties, but these have been more in tho
open fields than in the forest.
You know I'm fond of rice, and can eat qui te
a field of it in a night. It seems to maJrn men
angry to have me eat tl1is and spoil the rico
fields, so they dig pitfalls for me, and mounted
on elephants and horses a hundred men will
someti1nes set out to capture this sly Old Rogue.
Many of these men are fine shots and if their
.
'
h~tle balls hit me at the base of my trunk, belund my ear, or in my eye, I am a dead elephant.
You should see me at such times. lYiy trunk
is lifted high above my head, my tail is also up
and I trumpet as loud and as shrilly as I can.
l\1en quail when I rush a,t them, horses recoil,
and other elephants become nervous.
·
I know that whichever way I turn I shall
find an enemy. Not a friend have I in all the
universe . I fight alone, and alone I must die.
Horsemen and men mounted on elephant s
surround me. Shot is poured into my thir,k
hide. In pain and rage I toss and trample and
kick. ·vv oe to animal or man who comes too
ne~r to me at such a time.
In every pa.rt)'
wluch sets out to kill me some one rides to Ii is
death.
The last tj1ne I escaped by tossing several

SOCIAL LETTERS 'fO BE ANSWERED

17i

horses with their riders senseless, while I plunged
into a deep strea1n and swam. swiftly awa,y,
. g as far as I coulc1 from the scent
of _•mlen
gom c c
•
and horses. They hunted me until dayhg it,
and then gave it up.
I wish I could make you understand more of
the beauty of the forest at night. It is pleasant
to live directly under the stars and the Inoon,
listen to the splash of mountain streams, and
breathe the pure air·
How can you endure to live in those boxes

.
you call houses ?
It isn't every day that a nlonster rogue like
me sits down by a river of ink to write you a
letter. I think it is a little hard that your
teachers inake ine stick so close to facts.
I know 1nore about the people of the woods
than your wisest inen, and would like to tell
,,
you some stories, but I dare not.
They would say, " These are not facts: Perhaps some of the stories would not be qu1te tru.e,
1
but then they would be very interesting. I w 1l
stop now, or your wise teachers will not allow
you to answer this letter.
.
\Vhat do you 1nean by saying you p~1t your
clothes in a trunk when you go on a Journey,
. ? I
and get some one to take it to the tram ·

172

SOCIAL LETTEH.S TO BE ANSWEHED

. also take my trunk when I go on a journey,
but I have no clothes except what I wear, and I
carry my own trunk.
Why isn't your trunk fastened to you, and are
you too lazy to carry it yourself? Write an<l
tell me.
·
Good-by, good-by,
A ROGUE.
LETTER IX

The same order of conducting the lesson.
Silent study of this letter.
As much talk about it as the teacher has time for.
Study words at the head of the letter in the pu1)il 's
books.
In synonyms, study sets 51- 52.
Make a lesson of correct folding.

R~quire, if po~sible, paper the proper size and shape for
a social letter, with real envelopes to match.
Di1:ect the envelopes. If real envelopes are impossible,
use slips cut the proper shape. ICeep careless pupils at
1:.ork 0 11) "Busy vVork." (See J)ages 107-128, Teacher's
1\J_anua.
1
CLIFF EYRIE,

DEAR

Boys

AND

Jan. 21, 1900.

GrnLs, _

. My home is no fa,irybower. I would not live
1~1 a waxen palace, neither do I care for a satinlmed cot.

SOCIAL LETTEL{S TO BE

ANSWEl~ED

173

You must come to the rude hut of a savage
if you ca,re to visit me.
You would have some fun getting there, for
my rough home is far up on a craggy height
where human foot seldom treads.
My wife and I love to dwell on these lonely
heights. vVe have lived in this same place for
nearly eighty years, and are as nluch attached
to our rude home as the Indian to his wigwam
or any wild man to his hut.
This home is simply made. It consists of a
few rough sticks and twigs placed against the
shelter of a tall cliff.
Here we have reared our family, year after
year, here we have come to rest after a wild
hunt in roaring tempests, and here, when
wounded in a fight, I have :flown to be nursed
back to health.
My wife and I are much together. In all
my rough pursuits I find no better comrade.
Since I coaxed her from her parents she has
been the sole companion of my bold and lonely
life. I want no other friend, and there will be
no separation until death shall part us.
So much do I enjoy the company of this dear
companion that I often urge her to cover up the
eggs and go with me far above the clouds.

174

SOCIAL LETTERS TO llE ANSWERED

Du not think, however, that madame is willing to go where she cannot watch her hoine.
The home is not out of sight when she is soaring a mile above it.
You have heard of eagles' eyes. Our eyes are
eagle eyes, and the distance we can see is vcrv
great. \Vhen a mile above them, we look duw 1;,
through cloud and sunshine, through rosy mist or
clear sweet air, and see two or three precious eggs.
I do not be~ong to a sociable family. l\[y
brothers and sisters are scattered all over tlic
w01~lc1, and I not only pass them by without
sayrng so n1uch as "How do you do?" but I
also pass many of my own children in the
same manner.
My wife and I are content with each other's
society and wish for no other.
So long as the children are young we care for
them n~ost tenderly. I work hard to supply
them with all the food they can eat, and their
good mother teaches and watches over tl 1ern
with an affection that would not shame a human
mother.
Indeed she pets the pillowy little things so
much that they become very babyish and will
not leave the Eyrie. I am ob]i0'ed
to use my
0
authority and push them out of the nest.

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

175

Of course I do this because I know they must
learn to fly and get used to the rough life which
is before them.
They come back to the Eyrie for some time
after they have been driven out of the nest, and
their mother and I continue to feed them and
ca.re for them until they go off to make homes
for themselves.
I am over eighty years old now, and they call
me bald, but I am not bald. My head is covered
with thick white feathers.
I expect to live until I am a hundred years
old.
Travelling is my pleasure, and I do it in lordly
style. I mount to i1nmense heights and then cast
my eagle eye over the round earth beneath. One
day I see the icy regions of the poles and another
the green palms and fruits of hotter climes,
and I feel equally well in both.
Rivers, lofty mountains, and mid-ocean lashed
with furious storms are all within range of my
eye, and it is a few thousand miles to me.
Sometimes I wing my way to ice-bound shores
of Arctic regions. Again I sail over hot zones,
and rest for a time an1id the eternal snows of
some topmost peak of the llimalayas or Andes
mountains.

~ia-----_.... -.

176

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

In these excursions I do not avoid the
pests. Sure of outstripping the wildest thn
ever tossed on the ocean, I sail right through
the most furious storm.
Conscious of my great strength I love to
measure it with the fiercest things in na.tu r ~
Nothing daunts me. I have courage to fac
anything on · this earth but one, and that ·
man.
Your people have said many things about m
Some of them in praise of my daring life and
others against me.
Tl.1e fi~~est name I have been called is "King
of Buds, and the worst is "Burly Ruffian."
Perhaps I deserve both. vVe will discuss that
question in my next letter.
Your people have taken me for your nation's.
emblem. :Niy statue crowns your public buildin gs, my picture ornaments your public uocu·
ments, so you should be interested in my lif .
Please write me a long letter and tell 111
whether you would like to fly to such heigh ts
as I soar.
Would you enjoy iny power of swift and ea. y
movement? Are you interested to know a little
about my journeys, and would yon chanO'e
your
0
rail cars for a pair of wings like mine?

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

177

Diel you ever visit the Arctic r~gions? .I-Ia~e
JOU ever been on top or a mountain five in1les in
eio-ht? Can yon see a mile away?
0
•
Please answer these questions.
If you have ever taken any journeys, tell me
about them and describe the way you travelled.
Your sincere friend,
OLD BALDIIEAD.
LETTER X

Same plan as in previous letters. Allo~ the pupils
to have their books open -while they wnte. Do not
·y Be particular about arrangement,
negl ect vocab u1a1 .
.
I
. onyms study sets
{oluing, and paragraplnng.
n syn
'
Talk about the eagle. Lead the class to tell ~ld Baldheacl about our attempt to invent flying machmes, ~nd
to visit Cliff Eyrie when the tune
. .
have t l1em p1om1se
.
comes that human ·beings journey through the au. Keep

53-55.

up the sportive spirit.

CLH'F EYI{IE,

Jan. 22, 1900.

DEAR BoYs AND G1nLs, -

I address this letter to both boys and girls,
·
t
I
t fi·om girls are not
although the 1et ers
ge
complimentary. One girl says that I an1 "horrid," and another is sure that I ain a " Burl!
Ruffian" if I chase iny children out of their
warm, comfortable home.
N

178

SOCIAL LETTER8 TO

SOCIAL LETTEHS TO BE ANSWERED

Boys do not write me such letters. Th •
seem to admire my bravery. All of them sa.
they wish they had wirigs like mine, so th y
could travel through both earth and air.
From these letters I conclude tluLt boys and
girls among your people are brought up in t~
very different way.
I have had a, great many girls in my family
but they are brought up in exactly the sa.mo
manner as the boys. When they are old enough
I chase them out of the Eyrie and make them
fly off for food with their brothers. I neYer
want any girls about me who are afraid to do
what their brothers try.
You must not think from this that I am a
cruel father. I risk my life many a time to get
food for my family.
vVhen we can get it, we like fish better than
any other food, but young pigs, lambs, binls,
and many other small animals are carried away
and eaten by us.
This is my way of hunting.
'Vhen soaring at great height I look down to
see where food can best he obtained, and then
swift as a thunderbolt I swoop down and clutch
the object of my search in powerful talons. A
moment later I am ready to lift my great wings,
1

,

DE ANSWERED

17U

.
victim into the air bear it to
and rising with n1y
he Eyrie.
lf b . t crenerally plunder
I CcLn fish for n1yse ' u to ·ed a toothsome
ho has ca,p ur
aonw fish-1iaw l~ w
t l while the fishF
bove I wa c1
tl water and brings up
dainty.
rom .a
hn,wk plunges into ie
. ~ to considerable
l
he has risen
his prey. VY ien
l im with all 1ny strengtl~.
hcio'ht, I descend upon l
t £ ny reach but it
,
o
.
t fiy OU 0 1
'
Of course he tries o
i.
•
and the fish
.
,
A short cnasmg c
is of little use.
"fl
is my chance.
ien
h. mouth.
drops from is
, , the speed of the
·ft
that outruns
.
With a swi ness
d t l it in mid au
lown an ca c i
fa1lincr fish I go l
'
"
o.
h tl water .
before it tone es ie 11 d "a robber, a tyrant,
This is why I am ca e
"
hl~w~mw.
ff
a I'l·tffian ' ancl a 11 ol ·d about n1Y c"arr·ying o
you ha,ve a
ie.ar
b
done so seldom
Tlns
has
een
l
.
human babms.
. .
11 the world t 1at
stones in a
that there are f ew
ca,n be proved., .
he Golden Eagle, killec: a
Nly near rela,tive, t .
d has earned
.
the Lake of 1(1llarney' an
c
man on
·
off children in the .Alps. k
about my size.
nt to now
which is about as
Many of you wa . l
crth
I'm
forty
111c
ies,
In l eno
o le grow.
large as any of our pef p l f , days but feel so
'
I can go w1"thOlit ooc . or

180

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWEl{ED
SOCIAL LETTEltS TO BE ANSWE.R ED

hungry ·when I do ~et a chance to make a g
m eal that I eat unt1l my skin feels tight.
. I am sorry that you gentle little girls <lo
like the ways of this bald eagle.

Re~d ab~u~ 1:11-e. In the sky I am one of ti
statehest of hvmg objects.
I canno~ be gentle, my life is too fu11 of 'Ohstant conflict. I am glad to have written Lo you.
Your sincere friend

'

0 LD

BALDIIEA D.

LETTER XI

In synonyms, study sets 7 4- 76.

A

VVAYSIDE I NN, JAP AN,

J an. 25,

moo.

DEAR F1mn,-

Father and I arrived in Yokohama a week
~go, and came into the country to get some
idea of old .Japanese ways.

.I tell you it is worth crossing three thousand
miles of land and eight or nine of oce::tn to see
Japan.

~,he .s:enery is be.autiful, and the people and
their c1t1es and their towns are all v
. t
t.
ery m c~
es -mg. I wish I could tell you about it, but
am not able to give yo n even a d"
·1
f
.
1·
un ic ea o
t us land of flowers and delight.

r
..

181

should have seen us when we came to
1s mn. They m ade a regu1ar procession out
my modest fath er and his humble son .
Don't imagine a procession of carriages. Oh,
! Father was borne at tlrn head in a boxlike
. thing they call a norrnion, behind him your
. umble servant was carried in a vehicle which
dillered only in being a little smaller and in
i11g carried by lighter runners. Next came
he servant we picked up in San Francisco (a
Japanese). He was in a small bamboo arrange,
tncnt, and also borne on the shoulders of two
men. After us filed a string of porters, -·- a dozen
more or less, - each with on e of the bundles,
loxes, or trunks which made up our baggage.
Do not imagine, however, that this was all
the show . 1\1:y father's official position entitled
him to the honor of an escort, so several J apucse officials rode each side, and funny looking
')itt]e officers they were, with two swords, one
, dangling at each side.
How is that for a parade, Fred? Can you
imagine it?
\Ve did not care to stop in Tokio at an Englisl1
hotel. vVe came out into the country to a real
Ja panese inn of the old style, and our re ception
here was as queer as the mode of transportation.

..
182

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANswj~1mi>

SOClAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

183

The inn is a low, wide building, one story i
Some one was good enough to let them know
height, with a roof that stretches quite a, d'
tha t we were hungry, and then there w<:ts more
tance beyond the walls, and it is SLUTOlllHled b fun.
flower gardens and a few fine trees. It \\'Out
Do not get a picture of a table surrounded by
not be much of a hotel in A1nerica, Lu t y '_chairs, with those waiter girls behind them, into
know everything is smaller in Japan than an ·· your mind. "Thy, Freel, there isn't a large table
·where else. They have enough sky to go ruun in this establishment.
here, but most other things look as i( t.h \..
They whirl ed a little table, about the size of a
footstoo1, into the n1ick1le oE the romn, put nrnts
would need stretching to make a sufficiency.
Inside the inn we found a series of low, largi around it, and we sat do.wn on the floor . .
Then those waiter girls began to feed my
rooms, one beyond the other, separated by screen •
They are quite elegant. The walls are cover <I . father. It was very funny. One brought a
with pa1e-pink-tinted, flowered silk, which · cup of tea, and kneeling held it to his lips. ?n
very pretty.
the other side another knelt with suga,r, wlule
As soon as the runners set my father down in in a moinent still another appeared with an egg
front of the place a little smiling lan<llonl and .. a.II prepared to eat, and dropping on her knee::;
a black-toothed landlady appeared. They wcmt wainted to feed it to him as a nurse feeds a
through many funny motions, even prostrating baiby. Three were kneeling a~out hin: now,
themselves so their noses touched the floor.
and it seemed to take away his appetite, for
When the little landlord and his wife had • he would not let the girl feed him the egg.
saluted, half a dozen waiter girls appeared and He took it from her with great dignity, and
began to wait on us. I felt like a baby, an<l I waved the tea girl and the sugar girl away. I
gu ess father felt like one somehow, too. These . con1d not keep from laughing.
girls took everything from our hands, placed mat
Pretty soon they let father eat his own way,
for us, wiped our shoes, brushed our clothe , · and began to attend to me. Now I was sureven had the audacity to smooth my hair, and rounded by chattering, kneeling girls, a11 ho]dI vvas afraid they would try to wash my face.
ing food to my mouth. I liked the fun, and let

!,
I

I

184

SOCIAL LETTERS

'ro

BE ANS\VERED

185

SOCIAL LETTEri s TO BE ANSWERED

them feed me · I took a b1'te of. egg f rom 01
anc~ when I had. swallowed that sippecl th
wluch the
. tea, 'gll'l held to my lr'ps . Soup, r 1.
and finally sweetmeats followed.
Th:se w.aiter girls are pretty, red-check
laughmg little creatures with beautiful wlii
teeth. Only married women Llack their t ct
as our landlady's are blacked.
Japanese waiter girls must be pretty and tho
m~st be good . Nobody dares to be rude to th m,
for .the l~w pr~tects them, and nobody miu<ls tli it"
actmg like clnldren.
\Vhen we were through eating tlley <lir111ot b'O
away. Tbey took up my cap and lau crliccl au
chatte~ abont it, they fin ge red my coat, ~mt th ii
hands in my pockets, and looked my cloth es or
ge~erall~. Y~u should have heard them la.ugh. ·
wlule d01ng tlns. .My clothes amused them v lj
much.
Father h~s had enough of it, and I guess w
shall move mto the city to-morrow.
If I 1rnve t.nne, I will
· write
· from thcrQ .
European vvays are fast taking the place of th .
~u ee1> ~lcl, Japanese customs, and our ad ventu1
rn tlns rnn will not be repeated in the city
shall be in a fine hotel there.
.
vVrite me a long letter and let me know whtU,
l

going on in the United States. You have no
!a how a nice, long, newsy letter from home
· ers one when he is wandering in a land so
, nge as this, so tell me everything.
Your sincere friend,
ARTHUR

M.

:MooRE.

Direct to
PERIAL

HoTEL, 'fo1no,

JAPAN.

LETTER XII

In synonyms, study sets 77-79.
IMPERIAL

1-IoTEL, 'To100, Jan. 26, 1900.

FRED,-

Much obliged for the long letter I found at
lhe Imperial :Hotel in Tokio. It was the first
ews frmn home, a,nd when the clerk handed it

out I hurrahed for you.
The Imperial is a very fine hotel. Everything
·: comfortable and served as it would be in New

·York.
Father is delighted to sit once more at a
able. lie has had enough of o1c1-tirne Japanese inns and kneeling waiter girls.
The hotel is near enough to the Mikado's
pleasure grounds for us to see the stron.g wall

186

SOCIAL LE1'TE rts TO IlE ANS ,VEHEO
SOCiA:L LETTERS TO IlE ANSWERED

187

or walls - for there are two - surround in , •
.. Instead, we are drawn about in a t~vo-whreeled
We can even see over the walls in to park
affair which looks like a bjg baby c~rnag.e. They
g~rd.ens, lakes and moats,
fine e11011gh
d1gmfy t!ie grandest palace 0£ the gr 1at . 11 it a jinriksha. I cannot tell in wlu.ch ~ feli i.Hv feels the worst.
It is joggle-joggle in either
monarch 111 the world.
T
taSe.
.
here are two principal moats (a moat y
One feels bewildered in this city,
as i"f l1e
lmo_w 1s. a deep artificial canal surrounJing
hardly knew whether he found l11mself
fort1ficat10nJ. The wall surrounding the out• where or was stalking about m a dream. Japan
moat is ve1·y tl uc
· Ic anc1 o£ so 1·1cI masonry. Qui ·. <:L new work to an A men. ·can, - ca . world upside
1
18
a. distctnce beyond the first rnoctt seems to Le :&•'- . d .
,1 Tokio beats all cities I ever saw for
O\vn, -- anu
~ ·
mner moat with another thick wall fol!owin ~ oddness.
.
its course. Between these moats are garde
Every man here, however poor, has bis o_wn
grottos, and groves of beautiful trees.
house; therefore the city is rn"de np ?f miles
. and miles of little houses, some of wluch look
Inside the inner moat are the Sjlecial par
and pleasure-gardens of the Emperor, and iu like girls' doll palaces. Great tenement blocks
the midst of them is his palace. The outsiJe oC · are unknown.
. .
the palace
J apanese in its style, but th J'
Living in this way, you see a nulhoi;
a
say the ms1de is finished in European fashion.
half of ]Jeople will make a spread-out city.' and
You see his small majesty is well guan] •d
such is Tokio. It is like a vast country village
and . does not lack for beautiful surrournliug..
which wanders on and on into what seems endWhen he goes out he has a fine carria<'e
less space.
drawn by beautiful horses and wears a 1111iSidewalks are, of course, not necessary m a
city where there are no street _cars and so few
form similar in style to onr army officers.
In the city none of those queer little oflicer.
horses that it creates a sensat10n when one is
with two swords are seen, and we are not carried
seen on the streets.
in a box on the shoulders of men as we were iu
People walk in the middle of the street, and
the hill country.
pedestrians have full possession except for the

an

so~e-

~

_loo~rn

an~

188

SOCIAL LETTEHS TO BE ANSWERED
SOCIAL LETTEHS TO BE ANS"WERED

189

jinrikshas. These are drawn by coolies, and r
coolie nnlSt keep his eyes open iu a, cro\~d
thoroughfare to make a way. On sorne str
ordinary jinriksirns are not allowed.
walk if you would see these streets.
On the whole, Tokio is a clean city, ancl
people themselves bathe several times a day i
the hottest of water.

k on as our old cat would be to have a crowd
~ on her domestic arrangements.
Later in the day everybody seems to be on the
. eet carrying a fan and an umbre1~a.
.
.
The children are the prettiest httle mites I
. er saw. 1~11e y bubble over with laughter.d
Boys never ·f1ight here ' oairls never quarrel,
. l'an
t 1
they
say
babies
never
cry.
N
ea~·ly
every
I t e
vVe went out for an early walk yesterdny, nn .
tied to her back,
every house we passed was open. Ope11 h
. ff. 11ias a baby brother or sister
.
. .
tl
id she romps and pla1s without not1cmg ie
d~es n~t mean that a narrow door is slight!
urden .
.
·
1·
aJar. The front of each small house is sort of
A lady in the hotel s(tys she would .like to . nss
sliding screen, which when folded back slton ·
everything in the house.
, he tots but if she did the pretty httle thmgs
'
know what to ID(l,ke of- I·t . P eop le
In some houses the father or mother had -. would not
. m
. J apan, 11either do they shake
hands.
ever 1nss
.
.
opened the home to air, while in plain sight th
On the street there is much salutmg, and
rest of the family were sleeping. Du nut irn.
kes a great deal of time. A_ .man would n~ver
a.gine they were sleeping in beds. They we
t clown town in New York i£ be were oLhged
sunply curled. up on mats on the floor, wit
some of their day clothes over them and a r U to salute all his acquaintances as they do here.
They put their hands on their kne~s and bend
under their heads. In other houses dre ... in
torward as far as their backbones will let them.
was going on. Little girls were dressing th
lThis they do again and agam,. ancl tll e more
.
baby, or a young lady was making her toil
Limes a man bends the more pnde he takes in
before a metal mirror. Some families wer
his politeness. Salutations are not confined to
breakfast, eating rice with chopsticks or dri nkone c1ass. Gentlemen ' I)Orters, and slaves all
ing tea out of tiny cups. All were about tli ir
salute.
1
daily tasks as unconcerned that the public could
There are many pleasure-grounds and par rn

i:

1

•

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWEH.ED

190

191

SOCIAL LETTEl-tS TO llE~ ANSWEl.Um

here, and the hills about , .
"tl ail e snnply a sncce. :i r
of parks and g rove,
s, wi l akes an l
·
, f. .
c grnttos an
d a,mty teahouses t re
t esh the }Jl
' owers are ct,ll b
easurc-scek r
t 11
'
' a out. No I
.
•
o be brightc11cc1 with tl . .
io1~e is too poo
gardens are ft 11 f l Lem. Public aml privat
.
.l
o t iem TJ fl
mterest me most , tl
.
.rn owers whi h
.
are 1e lotus bl
,
ponds are covered with . , os~oms. Small
ones. The
either pmk or whit '
.
y are, you know
,
most Japanese.
' a sacred flower to
71

°

A little way out of tl
.t
family tombs p
1 le c1 y there are rmrs o{
. ..
.
eop e are buried .
. .
m a s1ttm ,
pos1t1on here so tl t
.
'
le ombs and t
b
uprwht. .Man
om stones ar
c y peop1e are at tl
. o.
s1npprng the spirits 0 f tl .
iese tombs wor.
f
'
ieu ancest
mg or recent <lead Tl
ors or mouruthey can be hear·ccl a. 1 iey howl so loud tl1at
watch awhile yo , c ong way off, but if y·ou
m sympath
·11 ·
soon turn their
. c y w1 che, for thev
.
mournmg da ·
J
f
a
stranger
refuse
t
.Y
mto
a
holiday.
I
s o worslnIJ l
ie spirit of tl t
' w ia,t they ca.11
18 ombs the
1tl
t.
na ives think ill
uck will follow him. '
I we n t into
·
a Japanese 1
It vvas a pretty l
wuse the other chy.
pretty verandas b1ome~ even beautiful, with
c
a out it but I
iome
with
less
f
. '
never saw a
1 .
urniture
Tl
c11airs, no tables
b cl .
iere were 110
' no e steads, no bureaus , no

ches, and no n1any other things. All the
pie seem to nse are mats, screens, fans,
le charcoal stoves, and a few dishes. The
1\s were of beautiful lacquerec1 wood hung
ith flowcrcu silk drapings. vVe took off our
. es on the veranda and went into the house in
r stocking feet. No one puts a dirty shoe on a
panese mat. It wonld be as bad to do that in
Japan as it would be to walk in to a New York
use ancl put your feet on the chairs or sofas.
hese mats are the Jap's chairs and beds.
Father was invited to dine with an official
st night, but he had to decline, and to-day
hey sent him his dinner in boxes.
This letter is getting so long that I cannot
ell about the 111agnifrcent forests, with trees
- one hunc1reu feet in height, wl1ich we saw as
we carne here. These gigantic forests are one
. of the beauties of Japan. There is no space to
describe the ten1ples anrl pagodas which dot the
hills, and_ I am sorry to leave them out.
I a,m going about to see the shops to-n1orrow.
Shop signs are artistic here, real ornan1ents to
the city, as they should be everywhere.
"'vV rite nie a, long <Lnswe1'.
Sincerely your friend,
ARTHUR M. MooRE·

192

SOCIAL LETTEH.S TU HE ANt> WEREV
SOCIAL LETTERS TO llE ANSWE.RED
LETTER XIII
vVASHINGTON,

DEAR GrRI.s AND

D.C., 1'11anksgivi11g Day, 1 99.

BoYs, -

Did you think Uncle Sam was going to s
by and see other Queer Bolk writing and u
send a line to you himself ?
AU of you have seen pictures of me, rin

know that I am tall amJ skinny, and alw11y
smiling.
To-day I am in especially gay moo<l, aucl l
am dressed finely. I have on my best Llu
and white striped trousers, my red coat, and
my blue starred vest. It is Thanksgiving Day
and I always dress in my best stars and stri1
on that day.

.I
I

f

1
'

I

Thanksgiving Day is a busy one with Duel
Sam. You know I must eat tons of mince and
pumpkin pies in addition to other good things.
You are having fine fun to-day visiting your
grandmother or staying at home to receive a.JI
your aunts and cousins, but you are not 1rnvin "
such a grand time as the people who celebrated
one of the first Thanksgivings in this country.
That Thanksgiving Day was celebrated two
hundred seventy five years ago in a li ttle
·settlement of log huts.

193

.
tlernent rolled the broad
On one si~e of tlns ;e~ t surrounded the other
Atlantic, wlule dense o1 es s
.
. tl . wild rude settlethree sides.
:· The people who lived mTl·ns wer~ large, fairt sa vaO'es.
iey
·
ment were no
co
1
d peo1)le serious
.
1 . t 1 ·nned b ne-eye
'
cl
haired, w n e-s n
'
.
These people ha
in both dress and manner. .
frail little ship,
f . f over the sea in a. c
•
come r?rn ar
hard winter which had JUSt
and durmg the long cl .
h·1rdship which a
l
l d su:ffere every . c
• • •
d
ended t my ia
.
. fl' ct
c1v1hze
011
cold bleak wilderness can m l
people.
I am talking now, and
You know of whom
. .. "
t
l
"
and
"
Pilgruns.
g
uess "Plymou l
.
. . d
e1)t forest-bound
. l1 t Tlns wm -sw '
old PlymYou are ng
f 1 · huts was f ar famed
(.
settlement o og.
folk the still more
outli, an d these fair but so1emn
famous Pilgrims.
.
as l)"'St and deeply
f 1 mter W e· c• '
The first aw u w
ts the Pilgrims
bundan t 1iarves
f
grateful or a
G d and make a
to
0
reso1ve d to g ive .thanks
.
feast to show their JOY· , tl11·dy ruddy-faced
. · f thers were s
'
The Pilgrim a
. t. e ·:tnd they set
1. 1
at t 1llS llil ' c
young Eng is nnen
'ld turkey or fish
out in companies to hunt w1
in Guests
the bay.were bid
. cl en to this feast, and these
0

194

SOCIAL LETTEHS TO BE ANSWEHED
SOCIAL LE'TTERS TO BE A N SWERED

195

guests were so delighted with the invitation.
.
l
1 ed wonderful skill in shoottlrn,t they came as soon as the sun arose, on
b, es ran races and
:ongs. T my s ww
'
and young rav
hundred of them, with their great chief Ma ·
· ' pm
g arrows~
. t h e p·]
soit at their head.
itched
quoits with
1 g rim fathers with the
vVhether tbe fair young Pilgrim rnotliers . ..
pected company to breakfast I do not know, bu~
I am sure there was a smiling welcome for th
dark-skinned visitors.

glee of children.
t
d for supper
.
f
was only s oppe
'
aten the Indians
, This Set vage un
as that was ec
.
and as soon
'ld
lances with flammg
. rushed into still w1 er c . t ' f this forest
loreh es t o add to the beau Y· o

Good old Elder Brewster had a funny looking
crowd to face in the meeting-house a little later.
For the first time in their wild lives b1a11 k •t l
Indians were listening to prayers and psalm
and a sermon.
After meeting, stewing and baking greatly
interested the savages. Both squaws and IJr:t\' •
hung about the Puritan housekeepers to watch
the cooking, and when at last it was set Lefo •
them under the great forest trees, the wild m n
frankly said it was so good they vvoul<.1 ca~
enough to last a week.

No mean dinner was eaten on that fiI.. t
Thanksgiving Day. There was wild turkey
fish, ga,me, vegeta,bles, and fruit.
\Vhen they had eaten t11eir fill the Indian
rose with a whoop and began to entertain tlw.ir
lwsts. They danced wild fantastic dm1 cc:
swinging clubs and leaping and crooning dance

festival.
. .
ted their visitors
I suppose the P1~gnms exptel c d. d not. The
1
th· t 1110'ht but iey L

~d~:n;o~~;ed
~ngli~h
~dookitng l~Io) v~~~ls:h:I1 tl~~~
d tl
days an a e

staye . iree.
' l e The Pilgrim mothers
: good thmgs in the p ac . 11 i1e'rer O'O bnt the
1 ·
ests wou c
'
0 '
thought
t
ieir
gu
~
.
·
d
d
looking
at the fairl . 1 d they starte , an
ll
tHrc ay
ad
fed
him
so
we
d
1g matrons w110 1l e .
'l
.
face
yom
. - Massasoit grunte d on t this. "compliment, "1 ie
· ·t 1 . es them best.
Great Spin ov '
~
· · _a half
. Tlns
. encl e d the first
rhanksg1vmg
·
.
d half civilized fe stival.
savage an
G. 1
d boys we are a 11 very 1)roud of thed
·hved
~ no JJ] Y d,JL
, c.l heliJecl to foun ·
. - ir. s an Tl
P11grnns.
iey 1 b t you must he] p me keep
u
this great, free lane'

. it great ttnd good.
.

.
how much your
I wish you could realize
Uncle Sam expects of you.

196

SOCIAL LETTEBS TO BE ANSWEBED

SOCIAL LETTERS TO JIE ANS\\' E IU~D

197

A g~eat man once said, "Eternal vigila.nc
LETTER XIV
the price of freedom ." This means t!t;tt th
Inspire both a playful and a, thoughtful mood when
can be no free land unless all citizens watch for
this letter from Uncle Sam is read. Call out clescriptions
the bad and try to stamp it out.
of the costume in which he is commonly pictured.
Republic after republic has been overthrown ,
Talk abou t \Vashington, Lincoln, Dewey, and Grant.
by bad n~ en who fooled the people.
·
Find out why each chil<l admires a11y or all of these
. Now listen, children. Uncle Sam is not t.1Jk·
heroes, and lead him to write it to Uncl e Sam.
Impress upon the children the n eecl of good citizens in
mg nonse.nse when he. tells you that this rcp11bli
this country, and lead them to promise Uncle Sam that
cannot live unless its citizens are ill telli1rcnt
they will be men an<l women on wh om he can rely.
enou.gh not to be fool ed by men who wouJJ u;~
public. office for their own selfish ends:
W AS I-IINGTON, D.C., ·Feb. 22, 1899.
"\V nte ~ne a long letter, dear girls and boys
and pronuse to gro
. w up t o be men nncl wom eu'
DEAR GIRLS AND Boys, on wl~orn Uncle Sam can rely. Tell me that
My mail ca111e in tons in answer to the
you will study history and understand our crov·
Thanksgiving letter. Your replies were all
ernment,
so bad men cannot fool y 0 11 · I:_i.i el pb me
t
·
bright, affectionate, and well written . I am
o. give every man, woman, and child in this
proud of my great fa111ily.
mighty
. lJlic the "life. ' liberty, car1d ]ia ppt·.
,, repu
"vVho inakes my clothes, and why don't they
ness w 1u ch our .forefathers so Ion oa ca(J'o
. <l
o dee] a1c
fit better ? "
eac1l one should have.
My clothes are a11 home-rn.ade. I never send
I feel sure you will pr0111ise all I ask. I
to P aris or London t ailors to be fitted. You
know that out of my schools will come men and
' must not look at the fit . It is the stars and
":omen as brave and true as came from the
stripes that should take your eye. Uncle Sam
little log schoolhouses of a century ago.
is very rich, girls, but h e h ates to be accused
Affectionately yours,
of vanity, so h e dresses simply and patri0

uNCLE

SAllf.

oticall y.

i98

SOCIAL tETTERS TO .i3 E A N S"W El1ED

I see you all like birthda
. .
.
be legal holidays.
ys, especially if

soCIAI,

LETTERS

·ro

nE ANSWERED

199

have denounced that sail into Nianila Bay as

maddest folly.
Boys, Dewey knew that he was rushing into
Your petition that I mak
, .
a legal holiclay
· t
e Dewey
s b1rLhcfa.
the jaws of death. No one knew it better. He
c
m erests m
. ..
am afraid tl .
. e ve1y much, Lut I ' also knew how tiny was his chance, but neither
ns generat1011 ·n l
·
Santa Ola
d
· wi
rnve to wai ·.
he nor his brave men faltere(l for a moment.
us an others
indulgent to m f ·1 accuse me of being
Can you guess why?
are right.
y ann y, and I am afraid th 1
"Because they are brave," you say. Yes, that
. is true, but it is not all the truth. The whole
One boy
tl11at lie wishes
·
andwrites
D
\Vashin otou -· , truth is that they were brave anc1 they were preLincoln
' .
ewey 1ad a do
b.
. b
'
Of course vou all
l zen irthcbys apiece.
pared. Dewey was ready to take his one little
be a VT lJ · . . c guess trnt tliat b oy will nc\'er : :- opportunity, and, sweeping the great obstacles
'v as un gton a Lin l
will find a Iittl '
d con, or a Dewey. JI ·: :, aside, win glory for hi1nself and his country.
. .
e wor of fol . l tt
.
d1ct10nary wl·nc
. l1 descnbes
.
n e ers in tho ,. Years of patient toil and study were behind the
l·
with l.
um. It begin
victory at Nianila, and it is the man who is ready
to seize one little chance against many odds wl10
I would like to make D
_, .
ewe;y s birthday al t,rnl
holiday. He .
does such inighty work for his country.
Is a son after U 1 S ,
Instead of petitioning for a,n idle day, I hope
heart and I
t
nc e • am s own
'
wan you to l
l
you will celebra,te Dewey's birthday at your
f
earn 1ow rn11ch h
changed the h. t
is ory o the v ·1l tl . '
.
desks. Find out what made him so great. Our
mornmO' when 11 . ·1 l
iVOl c
lcLt Sundny
.
o
e sa1 ec so boldl .
.
.
hero himself would tell you to celebrate it thus.
Bay. There were d tl
. y rnto l\I an1lni
neath his shi1Js tl ~a 1-traps in the \vater l .
He would tell you to work and wait and make
' rn1e were fort . ]
.
yourself fit for any opportunity which will come
shot and shell on all . l
f
s ieac y to h:ul
of life did the ,
sic es 0 him. \Vhat clian
to you.
re seem to be am"d II 1
I inust have lnore \¥ ashingtons and more
ous surroundings 'I'h l c I a t iese peril·
·
e c ianceR of ,
Lincolns and inore Deweys, and they are now
dd
.
success were
so very few and tl
ie
o
s
so
a
f
l
l
'
that ninety ·
cw u anc so m a tP-'
in my schools.
-nme people ou t of a hundred would
.1

200

INFORMAL NOTES

SOCIAL LETTERS TO BE ANSWERED

201

. much like
I incoln lookecl very
.
Uncle Sam's heart goes out as t enderl y to h.
They say
.
how true that is,
t
I do not 1znow
brave soldiers and sailors as it does to their corn·
.
. ble to make a se
Uncle Setm .
l
.t is as imposs1
manders. I need men of the stamp of those wbo
but I do lznow l . , . l
it is out of U nc e
.
t of Linco n as
stood behind Dewey's guns as much as I need
l . always the same
marble image ou
. bronze ie is c
Deweys.
·1111.
In stone ~r.
l
y human to everyhomely'
kindly
Lmco
n,
ver
It is not rjght to feel too proud, but when I '
think of my soldiers and sa.ilors I cannot help
body.
in reply to this. One
it. They have made the name American stand
vV rite ine three letters
Lincoln's, and
'
b.
thday
one
on
'
on \V ashington s ir
for far more than brutal courage. It stands for
supreme bravery, but it stands for humanity
these great men,
one on Dewey's.
chivalry, and generosity as well. No knights of
r Tell me all yo.u know abou:cl like to be if it
and tell me wluch you won
old ever excelled my boys in all qualities that
were in your power to choose.
make a manly man.
This is my last letter·
In the Spanish wa,r our foes hated me. They
God bless you all.
detested the name of America, but they coul<l
not help loving and admiring the noble AmeriAff ectionatel Y yours,
can youth they met on the battle-field of SanUNCLE SAM.
tiago. They carried no hate for the American
soldiers home to Spain.
Get a stiff bronze or marble fi gure which you
INFORMAL NO'rES
call \.Vashington out of your minds. Put in its
LESSON I
place a tall, broad-shouldered, ruddy-faced Loy
who could run faster, leap higher, and ride an<l
.
his note with care, and then
Let
the
pup1ls
read
~
Tn· 'f ·ed themselves, asking
shoot better th an any boy you know. Thi.
. f
l note to vv im l
attempt an m orma
·t . date. Vocabulary,
stalwart boy was gentle and chivalrous t9 his
. at
two o'clock on acer am
her to d nve
c
beautiful moth er, and is far nearer the man
synonyms, etc.
· In synonyms, st u dy sets 80-82 ·
Washing ton than the marble image in your mind.
_J

202

-

INI<'OHMAL NOTES

203

TN.FOH.MAL NOTES
DEAR .MARION, -

I will be ready at three sharp, and thank the
wd - one and all - for remembering.

Your kind invitation to drive
afternoon came IiI~ e
at tli re th
Yours truly,
f B .
-. a messaO'e from tl T
o
lrsf). "\Vlrnt little bird told
I ie ..:u
VVILL E. WILSON.
longing for such a, drive?
you t mt .I w
I shaIJ, of course be I 1" 1
when you drive
Jt'
ce ig tted to accl' j> t.. :u1
LESSON III
up o our door y
·11 ·
lnnuble serv·111t - .t .
- on w1 f111d \' ur
Lead the pupils to imagine th ey are all Uncle Johns.
c
W<Ll 111 (}' on tl
t
.
gloved, and full of theo - le s eps, l1 at CJ'U\\'ru~I
ust write an acceptance, th en write a uecli11a,tion.
'1'1 1 .
expected ple;1s11re
bpress kind wishes, hopes for a pl easant Llay, etc.
1an cmg you __ t
·
.
thouaht
'
mos 1ieartdy fur t IH · kin
In synonyms, study sets SG-88.
0

'

Lovingly yours,
40 Twr;;1,w1·u ST1rn1•;1'_
The tifth.

LRSSON

,,

1VI NIFIU.:D.

II

Let the pupils read tl .
.
l!S note with
.
1
eac 1 wnte one to \V'Il
rc::ue, a111 1 th ti
1
1 E""
• I\-1lsou
·
t'
.
111
s1rntmg party. Drill
'
' v1 mg 1um to joiu ,
In
_
on 'ocabulary.
synonyms, study sets 83-85.

EAR UNCLE JonN, -

I graduate from the Penn School on June 24.
'" Exercises begin at eleven o'clock.
Will you come, and make happy
Your affectionate nephew,
JOHN

LESSON

E.

SrLLl\lAN.

IV

Lead the pupils to write an invitation to an irnagi-

aary entertainment in their school, after the manner of
DEAR I-IARHY, -

Of course I will O'O
f
0 .
You never knew me f
~·e ·ur:;e an invitation to
m the shape it is now ? skate wlrnn the ice \\'It

Dorothy.
JOHN , -

The graduating exercises of Mrs . P-'s School
, for Girls will be on the twelfth, at two o'clock.

204

! shalI

INFORMAL N01'ES

FOB.MAL SOCIAL conH.E81'0NDENCE

be happier if my dear uncle

vV ill you come ?

ls

FOHJ\l[AL SOCIAL COH,RESl'ONDENCE

Lovingly yours,

INVITATION I

DO HOTH\~.

Tenth.

LESSON

v

Again, have them pretelld to h ·u 1
r eply to Dor -J
.
.
e
nc e J ohns,
ot iy, o1 to then· own letters
In synonyms, study sets 89 90 n1 .
'

I.JESSON

'

tJ

•

VI

. Let the pupils imagine the
. F. .
.
mvitation to G .
.Y are i eds, and wn t
I
eo1ge to go boatmg.
n synonyms, stuJy sets 92 93 94

' '

.

DEAR FRED,-

The reason I d'd
·t
1
not appear at the ban.tin
par y was because I thumped m l <l .
savage ma nu er.
Y iea, lU
The wits were all
1
d
ionr, an my face is
Glad you all 1 d
for me.
rn

I

knocked Ol1t of
me for ·
a sight yet.
f
un' and sorry you waited

Yours regretfully,

I

Sixth.

205

GEOHGE.

below is in the pupil's hook in script,
!:d correct in every particuhr.
Require the pupils to r ead the invitation from their
n books, and that they may see the importance of
' ving eve1·y part in the ri ght place call on one to read
: 'e first line and te1l what words begin with capital
·
Another should r ead tlie second and state if he
ds any capital letters Lherc, a ncl so on until they read
· line by line. Fix iu iuiml the place of each word or
rase, and toll where cap ital letters and puu ctuation
arks go. This reading lin e by line brings them directly
l> arrangement, which is so important in formal invita'ons.
When they know the lesson, req11 ire all books closed,
iUld either put this in conect forrn on t l1e board to be
rrectly written, or dictate. Wl1 en th o test of what
ihey can do is finished let them open their books and
.f report as they find mistakes.

mr and mrs j william 1andis requeHt th e honor

· of your prese nce at t he m a, 1Ti;1,gc re remony of
U1eir daughter rnarion and mr h rlwdcs h<t111ilton
.on thursda,y march the twenty fo urth eighteen
hundred ancl ninety uin e at lictlf after twelve
oclock lutl1 eran churd1 eclenburg penna,.

206

F OH.1\[A L SOCI A L COR I1ES P ONIJENCE
.F O RMAL SO CIAL

207

C OH.R ES J'O ~ DE:S C E

If yon write the incorrect form for t he card on the
INVITATION II

R ead lin e by line as before
JJf.rs. John Preston JJ1- ·t
. . . As k where ./ wlae CJi
o1 on is wntten.
l
honor of voitr
. ,
' w 1ere req1u•l'J
•
.J
pi esence etc
Q t'
.
ues 1011 abou t capi
letter s, pun ctnation, etc'.

rel put over it "Card t o II."
After th ey h ave written allow them. to open their
ks and correct their work.
_Praise neat arran gement, put it up for show, and ask

, ihe unsuccessful ones to try again.

weduesdays after september first

L ead
. t,e at te nt10n
. on arrnn
ment
fo.th e. . pupils to .concent Ia.
'
t a u angement is extre
1 1111
. .
invitation.
me Y porta,n t Ill a for
. _T~rny ar e supposed to know how to wr· . it is m their letter books.
ite it exactly
Either write the form bel
rected anc1 arranged . d. - ow o~1 the bom·d to he ""
' or ictate wlule the pupils writ..<!.

judge and rnrs john 1. t 0
honor of your presenJ: ~t :~ mort~~~ regucRt ti! .
daughter margaret r)h ·1r t e marl iage of their
dra ke wednesday i111 I~ o i;nr percy cochran
•
'
<
eighteen
hundred
a dOt'llll1
. o0' JU ne seventee nth
n mnety nine t l lf
seven oclock in ro . 1 - 1
a rn pa.
inarion verrnont ya, oa c presbyterian chu rch

CARD TO 11

. Give th e pupils paper laro·e enono. .
t1011 properl y writtA
t ~ . . uh to hold th e lll \'l t •
, n ou as it is rn t h ei .
, b
also h a ve room for tl
d
.
. 1 O\·\ 11 ooks, aud
Let tl
le car which accompanies it
iem rule a card th e size of tl
.'
books, and after stntly \\' u:t e t_
-,1ie "at h - " ief _one lll thl'ir
correctin g the incorrectformh . , . o.1·1~~ ormnl~, either
Have t he phrases on the -,e~le .o~ w11 t-1.n g from <l1ctation.
MIC s i eacl line by line.

INVITATION Ill

Study the invitation line by lin e as it is in th e pupils'
book by calling one after 'another to react Stntly capital
letters and punctuation.
On th e blank line t each the pupils to write the name
of some one they wish to invite.
-w hen they correct their work, playfully ask how
many made mist ak es, and what th ey are. Dictate, or
write on the board wit h out arran gement as it is written

below.

mrs febulon honore brown requests the honor
of ........ presence at the 11utrriage of their
daughter josephine to 111r maurice lyn1an ransom
on tuesday ev ening march twenty seventh at
eight oclock at trinity chapel west twenty fifth
stl'eet
CARD TO Ill

L et the pupil notice that the card and invitation go
togeth er and require him to pl l'tn so he can rule for both
on a large sheet of paper. 1:-fav e the phrases on the card

208

I

FOHJIJAL SOCIAL
CORBESPONDJ
..!i1
"N CE
·

read line by 1'
.
uie, note ar .
uation etc
n·
langement capit 1' .
'·
1ctate or 'V . 't
'
a 1zat1011 J>u n
bel ow ' All
'
• 11 e 011 tl b .
'
.
ow pupils to conect tJ ..ie oard as i11 form
.
ieu owu work.

recept10n from 1 lf
604 broadway ca 1da . past eight until
men
INVITATION IV

Study line b 1'
punctuation. 1viien1~e a·s1· before, noting capitals
d
letters ai
. ann iar with an
. ' ' an
. . ' ld punctuat10n eitl
1·
angement, capi t.'ll
In incorrect form .
'
1er c ictate or Write . b
given hern.
on oard
1

m~ and rnrs c11arles h b.

.

_narnctge. of their dauahte. l a_d f?rd announ ce 01 0
Jam es wrnthrop small I ann1e coleman to lll r
!:~~~th eighteen hm;dr~~ ~ll~'3da;>' october the
c 1 avenue cleveland ohi~ mnety niue 24 0
CARO TO IV

Study line b 1·
.
1 tt
Y Ille as Ill · · .
e ers, punctuat·
inv1tat10ns
1011 and a ,
'
Let tl
· '
nangement
.
le pupils rule a
·
the1r books, on tlie
card the size
better still h
same paper with th
tJ
' ave paper and
·d . . e
iey may write
ca1 s the nght
.

av:.t home Wednesday
Tell the

t·
no rng C:l.JJi' ~ '
L<.U

209

role cards the size of the one in their books, or, better yet,
let them cnt slips of paper that size and write either
on the ruled cards or on the slips, arranging, capitaJizill g,
and punctnating as in t heir books. Dictate, or write
incorrect form for correction.

mrs wil1iam antlel'Son grayson luncheon tnesclay february eighth two oclock 125 walnut st
phila.
INVITATION Vl. - Tea Card

Tell the pupils that invitations to teas and luncheons
are generally by card arranged as in their books.
S]Jecial chill on anangerne nt, capitalization, and punctuation. Require the pupil s to cut slips the size of the
cards in their books, or rule cards that size and shape.
Let them correct their own work even in the matter of
measuring the cards.

mrs william grayson t ea tuesday february
eighth four until six. 12G waJuut street.

of the

.
. .
one in
IHv1tation or
size
1' . '

INVITATION Vll. -D inner Card

Oil W ll Cl!

december first 240

.

euc1u1

INVITATION V _

.
. luncheon Card
pupils that invitations t
y cards as arranged in tl .. b o teas and luncheons
ieu ooks L
·
et the pupils

are b

FORl\fAL SOCIAL CORRESPONDENCE

Ask for descriptions of this dinner invitation. Require size, shape of the card, the matter on each li 11e
etc. Tell them to pnt a elate 011 the blank line of the'
first, and explain that it is in better taste to send au
invitation lik e the second.
The same careful study 0£ arrangement, punctuation,
capitalization, etc.
p

210

FORMAL SOCIAL CORR

ESPONDENCE

mr james m morcr"n , .
1 equests tl
J
•
· '
your com1Jany at 1:st"
le P easnre of
c
n111ner ___
,
f orty second street IJhil·' 1 1 -l - ~-----------229 east
c"l e p ua
Anothei· fo 1•1n

mr
-_ 1·ames m morg·tn ,
your co1111Jany "t ·c] . I eq nef:ts the pleasure of
•
c"
c Inner
1
Jtme thirtieth at · 1 t
wee n esc1c-1,y eveniwr
second street phi1a~~11;hiaoclock 229 east forty

BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE

211

It is but a fad. If you leave out a,ny punctuation marks
it is best to leave out all.

Study for arrangement, etc.

you are invited to attend the commencement
exercises of wessex college on wednesday june
the eighth at half past ten oclock eighteen hundred and ninety nine
INVITATION X

Same drill as before. ·w rite as such invitations are
written in the pupils' books.
INVITATION VIII

The same drill o
n arranaement
.
0
on punctuation.
·
' on capita,] letters, and
Let the pupils continue to rea .
own books.
d line by line from tlieir
Question about the 1
·
P ace of each J ·
quire the pupils to w ··t
..
me, and finally re.
11 e e1tlter fro
r - .
an mcorrect form o1 tl b
m c ietat1011 or from
1
ie oard as below.

mr and mrs john w t
pleasure of your c -- es on moore request the
]Ulm thirtieth eigl1t omplany Wednesday eve11incr
. I
. een mndred
J
•
ei
a t .e1g Jt oc1ock 582'- ,
ano nmety lli11e
plua
u \\, oouland avenue philadelINVITATION IX

This invitation is written in the
. ' .
any punctuation marks at all.
pupils books without
It . was copied from· eall
in vi. ta ti on i':eu
- t o t1t f rom a
pro1r,n11ent college, and the
stat10ner is one of tl
fas luonable in the country.
ie most

mr and mrs john a longman reqnest the
presence of your coinpany tliursda,y october fifth
at a fancy dress ball at eight oclock 965 fifth
avenue
BUSINESS COHRES:PONDENCE
"Writing to Little Ifoars, etc., has been fun for the
pupils, but the dull detn.ils of business transactions especially pretended ones - are not so interesting.
Severe criticism will be necessary now to get neat
arrangement and ca.re in details. It is not well to have
this criticism a,irned at original work, for nothiJJ g must
discourage the irnpil when he tries to create. To give
the teacher an oppo rtunity to criticise freely aml drill i11
neat arrangerneut, a few short lette rs have been put i11
for double use.
Use f-irst as L1ictatio11 exercises and wlte11 so used
require cibsofote neatness in arrnngemellt.
After the pupil can write the letters neatly from dictation, let him answer them .

212
13 USINESS LETTERS TO BE ANsw El{ ED
Bm:\lNESS LE'l'TEL-tS TO 1m ANSWEH,ED

BUSINESS LE'fTERS 1'0 BE ANSvVERED

25

J>nt tJiis Jetter to double use. Irirst study for a di ctation exercise for form nnd arrnugernent, aud then require
an original r eply. He very critical of slovenly arraJJgcment in the dictation exercises, but not too critical of
tlte orig inal rep ly . The oue is for arrangement, t11 e
otl1er for free OXJlreF;s iu11.
Say to the pu piJs: "Suppose you are Harris & Belew
and are writing to H1·ooks, Jones & Co.
1

I. ' I>0Jitelytel1 tltern thatyouthink it time to r eceive
pay for the four boxes of sample shoes left by your
age11t.
"Express the hope that this firm will continue to
favor yo u with their orders, and promise to i,nake prices
as low as possible.

S"y

that you were not aware Mr. Saunders left the goods
against their wishes.
"Tell them to ship directly back to .You, and promise to
do what you can to make business active by advertising.
l\fake your whole letter so polite in tone that you will

retain your customer."

Also have the l etter of Brooks, Jones & Co. studied
for a dictation exercise. 13e sever e when the pupil fails
in neat anangernent of parts.
In synonyms, study sets 95, 96, 97.

Oum,

Jan. 27, 1900.

LETTER XV

II. " liepl11 to tilis letter of Bi·oolcs, Jones & Co.

MATN oT
0 ., CLKVELAND ,

213

I-I.ARRIS

&

BELEW,

, for four
lrrtwn
on
us
h
·ure note tlutt you [LV~ c '
· l by your
vv of samples le f t, agam st our w1s 1,
boxes
GENTLEMEN, -

agents in January.
. l
1 sec] <tn<1 we hope
. · 1 w1t1enco. ,, ,<
The i11 voice . rn , }"le~ct dlI'eC
.
t. . . 'LS tu shi1rnu:mt.
lOllS 'for early <tncl nnp :c1 . tl , 1- yon. your man
vV e 1)refor to slnp chrecf J . Jo bL1-s1.11ess that is
Saunders has a way of orcnw
o
·
not to ou~ mind.
, ·isin r freely in the local
Other fums are adveit . g
··t" e for the
make
bnsmess
ac
Iv
Papers, and to
.
11 . ] , lJe put on the
reta,ilers t l1ese s l1oes shou c a so .
.
e such way.
l
market in som
- be ~aking up, and we wpe
1 . fr 11
Business seems to
to send you large orclers t u s a .
Yours very truly,
IlR001rn, JONES

& Co.

Per C.
LETTER XVI

. . - tl h ::i:bi t of arr an glll
· g· a Jetter
To get the pupils mto ie I
thl use this as a lesso_11
b . SS forms WOl
.• b
according to usme
. .
· t The tendency oi oys
. l
l then d1cta,te I .
1 t f
to be studiec' anc
. . . all over the s iee o
to spraw 1 a business superscn pt10n

I
B USl NESS L ET'l'1i;RS TO

21.f

rm

ANSWEl:~ED

215

BU SI N E SS LBTT EHS TO BE A NS W E HEU

pape r may
be l'chtecked
in these
. ex rreises ..
form.
In all
.
,.
cr1cta t1011
.. . .
••
c lC at1011 exercise
se verely. Do not :t· .
s c11tic1se careless work
en ic1se attempt t
. .
.
much. It is a1)t t i·
s a on gmal work .
o c isconrage.
·
Say to the pupil s : "Suppose that
th e T affan Thread Co.
you are a11 age nt for
"vVrite a c1aun
·
against the B 3z; 0
damarre cl wl · 1
· c · R. R. for gooda
o
n e 1 you sent to J:>otte . ~ B
"State wh.<at tl Le gootls we1·e r c rown.

The outside boxes are still cla.rn.p fr om. this
•king, and the 1'.'apcr boxes insir1e ,ire ruined.
lt was impossible for water t o get near the
eitl1er of our st,orehouses or cars, so
readily comprehend tha,t careful inestigation must prove careless exposure by
me of our en1ployees before the c1ai1n can be
1lowec1.

Yours truly,

" St·ate how they were
1.
.
outside antl insitle boxes. pac rnd, spealnn g of Loth th

"St·a t·e m
· what the tl am age seems t
amount of damage you claim."
o consist, a.ml tho
In synony ms, stmly sets 98, 99, 100.

vVAS HIN GT ON , D· C., March 8, 1899.
TAFFAN THRE A D

Co.,

:Mobile, Alabama.
GENTLE MEN,-

Your claim will receive earl

.

I have examined the
.Y attent10n.
consignment of thread
of Potter & B, .
JIOW n, and find it d . ,
orty
per
cent
b t 1
amcl.ged full y
f· f
., 11 w rnther the B & 0 ·
.
m ault or not is tl

.
.
. R.R. is
Tl
1€ question.
- ie boxes in which it
well made and it
t l was packed were uot
'
was a rnn from tl
·11
pouring rain with no covermg
. to protect
ie 1111 it.::3 lll a

J. I.

BIDWELL.

LETTER XVII

For the sake of neatness in arrangement I would still
put these sh ort letters to double use. I woulcl continue
to use them as clict ation exercises, which can be criti.ciseu sharply without cliscouraging, and I woull1 require
·original answers to bring out the power of expression.
Say to the pupils: " Suppose y ou are l{.ev. A. C.
Clark, anu you want to get up a party to go to Chicago.
Write for r at es, bringing in the following details, and
others that you wish.
" Ask for r at es for a p arty of t en.
"Stat e that y ou hope that more will join the "Party,
but th ey m ay join the l ast minute, ancl ask what arrangements can be m acl e for them..
"Inquire about b erths in the sleeper. Ask for r eclucec1
rates a.ml good accornrn oc1at1ons. He minute as t o the
number of berths, whether they sh all be upper or lower,

•

.~

216

.BUSINESS LE1'TEHS TO

BE ANSWEH.ED

whether the party can all be
ancl about meals ,, t
accommodated i 11
, e c.
In synonyms, study sets 101 102 10"
'

'

·

N y N H ~' . . ., . ., (\'., H. R.H. ,
March 21, 18!:.19.

A C C
·

l\fy
I

J

I
r1

1

f'

It

·

LARK,

DEAR

Sin,_

Enclosed please find te .
from Boston to Cl .
n. tickets at clergy ra~
11ca.!lo
via
G1·a11cl
1,run I
Tl
. _,
c
1e regular price 0 f
\.
our double berth
$ 12·80 · nn r e make It. $8 50
t
:fi Is
· t -c I ass Pullman C<Lr will
· b o your part y·. . \
and berths as yo
e at your service,
c
u request.
If. others, slwu Ic1 JOm
· · your }Jart
Y at short
not1ce arr(l,nO'enJ t
'
<
o
en s can be . d b
I shall be pleased to do wl:ct e y telegn~m.
you a comfortable
at I c~n to g1\·e
will be s , d
and pleasant tnp. .McaJ
er ve en route.
I m~i1 a map and time-table.
Hopmg you will have a large }Jarty I
r

,

am,

Very truly yours,

A. S. .MAH:SII.
LETTER XVIII

tnr

217

the dictation exercises, but not so sharply in the origi-

0.

BOSTON 0IPFICE

REv

BUSINESS LETTERS TO ilE A NSW EH.ED

Use as a dictation first
1 J
replies. Criticise la.ck of . .
t ien require ori gfoaJ
nea anangemeut very shaqiJy

Say to the pupils: "Suppose you are James R.
itehell.
I. "·write and order, through Mr. R eed, of Dodd,
well & Co., a quantity of the Bruce Silver Polish
~ retail in your store.
IL " ·write Dodd, Swell & Co. a letter telling them
at you are glad they substituted ~Housekeeper's
. Comfort,' that this last gives entire satisfaction to your
customers, and thank the gentlemen for the reduction in
price.
"Close your letter by promising to give them future
. orders, and express the hope that there will be no
advance on the introductory price."
In synonyms, study sets 104, 105, 106.
345

DUANE STREET, NEW YORK CITY,

Jan. 18, 1899.
JAMES

H.

MITCHELL, ESQ.,

DEAR 81R,-

we

thank you for your order given to our
Mr. Reed, but have taken the liberty to make a
change which we hope will be to your profit
· and our credit.
The Bruce Silver Poli~h. "\TfLS g1rnranteed to us
but does not give sati~ht~ti~r{; . (Lnd · we do not
carry it in stock.
lJ N I VF F? S I T Y ()F

() ~< I

AH n

1'>11 A

.

218

BUSINESS LETTERS TO

I

1

I
I

BUSINESS LETTEHS TO DE ANS'\VERED

219

In its place we ventur t
"Express the hope that he will take back the machine
of "H
l
e o send a, dozen box
ouse rneper' s Cornfo 1't " I
.
give you a perfect one, or refund the mouey."
'
which is $1 r-.o
tie net price of In synonyms, stucly sets 107, 108, 109.
·.
·o I)er box
. . · 1~o you w
·
tlJe spec1al
price of $l 40
e put it at .
The ] . f ·
: - ' and ask for a trial.
125 VANDERBnT AvE., BROOKLYN, N. Y.,
sa es o this pohsh have been lar _,
.
Dec. 8, 1900.
seems to give })erfect s t • f .
c ge, a11<l 1t
W
a is act1011 .
e tnrnt you approve of ou
.
r act10n and wiJl find ready ] f
DEAR MADAME, sa e or the goods
I-I .
. ~ Your complaint about the Basil , Sewing _M:=toping to continue business
with you, we . ine is at hand. In reply, we desire to say
are,
~at we are ready to live up to our guarantee.
Very truly yours,
' · It is ten years since we began handling these
Dovn, SWELL & Co.,
achines, and they have given universal satisPer C.
ction.
Occasionally some little imperfection may
LETTER XIX
_ ~ ea.use complaint. If it is serious, we order the
.machine to be reshipped to the manufacturer,
Put this letter to doubl
for a dictation exercise a e 1u:~ as befo:·e - first study
~ut often there is some slight hitch- it may be
reply.
nc len requue an orii;in.n.J
a matter of oiling-which a skilful workman
Say to the pupils: "Su ose
can find in a few moments.
Marsh.
PP
you are Mrs. L. L.
-. Our agent will call on you as soon as possible
" ·write to J s s
·
.
· · mead and com 1 ·
oo find out the trouble.
machme you bought of him
p am about the sewin
Do not ship to us until he has examined the
"s tate that he guaranteed
. i't
"Say that you have tried t .
machine.
.
Hoping this will prove satisfactory, we are,
"Tell him tli;-i,t tl1 -· t.1- d o use it but could not.
L

I

llE ANSWERED

•

~ ' !I e-1
snarl tl
·
not rnn easily, an'd ;t~1t>r~- 'i~ 1..: I < s, 1e ma.chm~ <.l
general movement.
- ack of evenness iu the

,

'l!

,,

-··

..
.. .
. ..

·'.

~
•

~

..

o, .. .
~

•

.

Very truly yours,

J.

s.

SMEAD.

221
220

FmST SET OF 1,ETTE11S TO HE STUDIED

.Fl. . RST SEr'I' 01!" LETTERS TO BE STUD IED

TO
_.., OF LETTERS
FIRS'r Sl'"r
LETTER xx

l\J" 8Tl um

obliged to trollble you for information
ecting his character as well as the condition

'111

.
his business, and his circumstances fwan1
I. \i\Tha,t do
. ie o lowmg (piestion s.
"I
you mean by tl f 011 .
Y.
ence deali
fi
.
ie
uw111g word
H rf'f ,,.. 'an you vouch for him in these particulars to
circumstances,
part:<'ul
,
'opportumty, vouch'!
extent of ad vising me to open an account
Let the pupils answer ti

f

imm~diate, :~~anc:aiicially,

twoIImonths,,
. ' D avis
. vVhat does(AMr
. mean by "wants goods
R
.
·
ns. Two months' creclit)
9

~

t him on the terms he desires 1

. ffe is in a hurry to have his order filled, and

See that
,
letters
wi th
eqmrethethe pupils
to stu d Y these
.
areI absolutely .famT
. _ the busin
1 iar. with
transactions Yand
before they ' attempt
<
rnvereplies
some idea
D w l;af tl ' ey wi sh to .

he proves to be the right kinc1 of man I am

ious to oblige him.
· Under these .__,·circrnnstances an immediate reply
'
exercises.
.
'IThanking
greatly oblige
both.
ters as dictation
. .
. Co o no t. use these
long 1
you inus auvance
for the favor, and
concise replies.
ncen iate elfort on ·I
In synonyms, study sets 110 111 11
2
Tlus ends our list f
. '
'
.
at pleasure.
o synonyms. The teacher cnn a

ping opportunity will permit me to return it.
Yours truly,
W. C. DAVIS.
LETTER XXI

24

DuANE STREET,

Feb. 4,

MR.

NEw YonK,

moo.

A. 1\1oom-IEAD
Chicago, Ill.
'

JOHN

DEAR

sI R , -

:Mr.y our
Alf ,name
1 C has been g1. ven me as refcrcm b .
rec
· Ba,rnes of
·
goods on two months.
your city, who Wllll

I have never had d eai·mgs

Let the pupils answer the following questions.
I. vVhat clo the following worcls mean, "responsible,
. ·-sightedness, prudence, substantial, community, hesi-

. te, r etain, profitable.''?
II. vVhat does Mr. Moorheacl mean by "yours of
eb. 4," also by " to open an account with him," ancl by
UI. iiequire the pupil to write a reply of this sort.

FIRST SET OF LETTERS TO UE STUDIED

222

Fll~ST

SET OF LETTER s ,ro BE STUIHlm

3045 MICHIGAN A VE.,
-;i

] eb. 7,

J\fR.

223 .

moo.

w. c.

DAVIS
. y o1· 1
24 Dwme 'Street,, New

c
D EAR Sm,In reply to yours of Fehr
J\1r. Alfred c B)· .
. . nary 4, coneern in
·
rLI nes, it give
to say that I 11
s me great pl ca: u
iave n1own M. B
yean:i and
·d
.
r. arnc~s fur
.._, . -cons1 er lnm a mo .
.
business man.
st iesponstblc yout
He is clear-headed and h
.
and far-siO'hted
onest, wlnlc pnul n
•
• t:i
,
ness are chara t .. , .
. .
business dealin(J'
c e1 ist1c of 111111 Ill
- .

vs.

I-Ii:cs trade is in a substan .
.
farmmg community l . l tial b.ut slow-paym
.
' W llC l exr)la
]·
ms 1 11s re J11
or time It ·
·
is already lar(J'e
, .
f
under his
able
111
b
'
anu
m crca. in
.
anagement.
·
J\1y information in re a1·d
.
·
g
to lns capital is 11
such that I c
an give exact fig . , b
he has I)]enty of ca1)1'ta1 for l·~ues,
·ut I am sn
I
ld
ns busmcss
·- .
wou not hesitate to
him myself
open an accoHnt. wi
on any terms he d esires
.
H ·
opmg profitable and pleasant .
result to both

'

A.

Require the i1upils to answer the following questions.
I. vVhat does Mr. Moorhead mea,n by "good stock" ?
II. What does he mean by " in regan1 to his means" ?
Another answer to the same letter.

1\.eq_uire original

reply in same strain as this letter.

3045

MrcHIGAN

AvE.,

CHICAGO, ILL.,

Feb. 7, 1900.
_M:R.

w. c. DAVIS,

24 Duane Street, New York.

In reply to yours of February 4, I will give
.s precise information as I can concerning Mr.
Barnes.
He is of good stock, the son of a man respected both in business and civil life.
The son appears to have inuch of his father's
energy. He is agreeable in manner, and has
excellent habits. .
In regard to his means I have no information
which is accurate, but I think his capital is
small for the business he ha,s undertaken. His
trade is fa,ir, and in my own opinion will grow
under his management.
To suin up, there is undoubtedly an element

Very truly yours,
JOHN

LETTER XXll

cllICA(;O, ILi..

MooRIIF.AD.

224

FTr:ST "'' 1' OJ•' .LETTEus 1'0 BJO S1'UDfEIJ

225

SECON D S ET 01<' LETTEltS TO BE<' STUDIED

'

1
I

'

I

of risk in opening a credit account, wi i/1 liilJI,
. . ht and left. No one
However, ta king all things in tu cu11side""ti011,
is trying for c~ed1t ng 't f r they distrust
l·
11 ar<Lnt 1 , o
.
his good habits, his energy, and my desire to
knows um w1 o
b t aJso his havmg
help this likeable young man, I woul<l 11ut l1esi- t only his <Lbi1ity to pay, u
d · to do so
·
tate to grant him fairly liberal terms myself.
honest esire
. 1 . to do with him.
l
.
t have not nng
What I would do myself in this case is of
advise youtha,t
o I am o bli(J'ed
IRegretting
to
answer
t 1us,
o
course modified by a personal feeling of goodwill. I do not care to take tl1e respousiliility of
Very truly yours,
advising another to do so.
J onN A. MoonIIEAD.
Yours very truly,
J orrN A. Moon11EAD.
LETTER xx111
Mr.Require
Barnes.all 01·iginaJ reply wliich has no gootl wo1·tl for

3045

MR.

vv. C. DAVIS,

MICHIGAN

A VE.,

CHICAGO,

hL.,

Feb. 7, 1900.

24 Duane Street, New York.
DEAR S1R,-

In reply to yours of recent date, I reg ret to
say that I ca.nnot endorse Mr. Barnes eitl1er in
character, habits, or financial standing.
He had no autl1ority to use my name, a uJ hi.
impertinence in Uoing so is typical uf liis unscrupulous condnct generally.
He has dashed into business with no money,

LETTERS

ro

r

BE STUDIED

LETTER XXIV (With Its Set of

Letters)

.

't e on good paper, busmess
Require the pupils to wrC1
lt models, but do not
.ze, an d to fold neatly.
onsu

itate too closely.

d a retail

110les ale merchant, an
· < othing writes t o open
I. Suppose you a're a w
whom you 1n1ow n
l!erch an t. «"bout
•
aeredi t account.
.
L

W: te a Jetter of inqmry.
of Partrid ge &
.
II.11 vVnte
a COi'dial endorsement
Jones.
III. vVrite a moderate entlorsement of Partridge &
. a i.ep1y denoun crng
t> & Jones.
. P 'ctl·tridae
IV Wnte
.

. nnuet.s·t·111cl the business lll han
See. that the pupils
before they reply.
L

Q

U

226

SECOND SET OF

SECOND SET OF LETTEH.S TO BE ST U DIED

MALDEN, KAN.,

MEssns. BAnTLET, NoYES

Jan. 29,

moo.

& Co.,

New York.
GENTLEMEN,-

'
- E STUUiED
LETTERS 'IO l3

227

.
d · c1 vised
c01nn1unity' an c1
substantial farming
•
.c ices a,rnl terms .
. .r
to wnte ·1or pr ,
·11 consic1cr it ior
S
,
l t you w1
,
It is our hope t 1a
·t1 us in this entert
ooperate Wl il
our interes~ o c
liberal t erms you c<:Hl
. .
and give the most

=--~nse,

. In .June .w.e bought a sm~ll ~rocery lrnsi1wsa _~f£orc1.
,,. ' S \Vil ey &, Cl<nk a,ncl tlie
rn this thnvrn g town~ and rn 8eptemher :ul dl!d ~ '''l e re.for to Mes::il· · ( 1 • 11,Ll l " nf your ('it y,
Tl 1 \"1\' (' ,() \ \ I ' ,J
[
a l1<Lnl w<Lre tl e p;u'L 11H-'. 11 L.
= ~letro p o\i \ ;u 1 _:in\ '· • f t ir :-: wli;d. we :1:-;k < 1
11
· ·l \\'i l\ \'11;1\Jk \l ;-\
T ra<lc has br:e n br i:-;k , a .11d <:n:l':yLl 1i 1lg i:-; f;1\1 11 · \\·hu are :\\n;;1(\y ll< l il1~
. .
, \p\'Jll:-i \\ 1\ l\. . I
al d t~ t u :rn inct' \•:1 :-;e Jar ll\.:'.Y\J
l11l <lllr li r:-;L <':1k11 l.1 ·
\·ult th:t:L i:-;, µ,i\'tnµ, ' ·
' · .. li•• \'\'
•1
·
'
, 1n 1-;. \J H 'S~ '-' ,.
._
c<
ll
.
[
II
1·
.
"
.
·<c.:\1e1<
ll1
S
1
tiuns . uu exce L; llt, 111 · acL, a.re :1 cu1H 1t1til i· to \iuihl H\> :1. \\ »
.,
,
1
t ha t ·w e lrnve cl ctcn n i11cd tu 1Jrn1wlt uut :-- l ill
Aw:1oi.Li11g :u1 ":nh l l \> .) '
fu1'!ltl L rtllll J:ty i1 1 ;t ~l11ck lJf dry g1J1J1b i1 11Iit •··
VL~l'} ll' ll\ } \Ii\\\':".;.
di;tl (' I\·.
1).\ t:Tt:llll:l''. '~.Ju~\·~:->.
1

Tl1l' <·1itirL' t. 1·;1il1· <11' 1111' \·ilh.'..2.\: \\·ill In: 11 11:-·.,
a11Ll tlie Lratlc ul' a 1: 1 r,i_;1 ~ farn 1i1 1,12,· c1J11111111 i 1i ;_\
<1 lJ\J tll , ii' IH) c: 111 gd, tenn s Ll1:1L \\· ill 1• n:1lil 1· 11:-. 1 ..
u11d< · 1-~Pl l rival cu111·1 •rn;-; i11 111 ·i• •lil 11 >1·i1w iu w1 1~.
One other J'ador besides pricP, ent.P,rs in to thi~
(l

i iii

I'

il

1:

1 \):l

(', I' 11

:-\nv

\ \ ·1··.'_' · 1· 1-.

Fc\J. I,

\'.lilll.

,)

m a ttc r of c.'lt ching the flol1al' of Lh c fa n11 cr ~
Great care must be made in catering to th::
lH.~c cls uf. such a, I.arming community a::> our::> . I•
is a rich community, not at all willing to tak
poor goods selected without taste.
lVIr. Boynton, of Boynton & Clark of your
city, informs us that he has entire confidcn
Jn your ability to select stock which will sell in

"'
i>' \

=

Tl \

-.- -1>"-L'
0 · ';\

i ~ :--.:-i

-

\i''-'

, -;

L

("{

1

\

'1 L<.1.."
' 1' I '-~ :

1' Sn:s, '
n
'
l ) E.1.
-.. , . , 1{,Lt•-"' fru tll i ;U.•
1
--•t1nl'
· , l :::in u1ucr e:-s 6 · ,
_, "
\V c rec0n ec
for t ('1n L
M 1den Kansas, .(L::iling·
., _
.
tridge & Jones, a . ' t 0 pening an account .
"

.I

·th a view o
.
·
and iw1ces, wi
f these new firms beggmg
There are so many o
. bliged to make
that we are o
.
ard to their means,
for s·uecial terms
.t
•
t nly in reg
rigid inquiry' no o

"'

..

'),)8

._._

ohUu.N D SET OF

Jn~ Sl'UlJlEl>

LETTEltS TO

8ECOND Sl<;'J_' OF LETTEitS TO BE STUDIED

but about the character and I
who constitute them
rnbits of tltc men
·
These g,en tl emen refer
t
_ .. 0 you, and our des ire
to encouraae 11
o
a en terpl'lsmg· '"t .1 .r.
us to ho1Je th·tt
I e aJ 11nus leads
c
you can sn,y
. . tl ung
·
them.
c
some
good uf
It is important that 'i\' 1
.
more or less }Jrecise . t le iave mforma.tion
as o .t ie cliar·
t1. · ·
an d financial. co1lC··I l' t·1011
,er, nuil1tv
of Jl c .a,c
1
J
open an account.
a w1t l whorn we

country merchant's business. Their success is
lready ass ured. The trade of the surrounding
jarming community is coming to them rapidly,
\nd they know how to holcl and increase it.
f The habits of both gentlemen are excellent.
}v e consider them good customers, worthy of all
the encouragement we can give them.
Yours very truly,

vV ILEY &

Regretting the necessity of troubJ"
mg you,
Yours truly,
BARTLET, NoYEs

229

195

& Co.

6TH

A VENUE,

CLARK.

NEW

y

ORK,

Feb. 4, 1\:100.

}Jer G.

MESSRS. PARTRIDGE
560

BROADWAY

.M
ESSRS. BARTLET, NOYES

D EAn

Su~s,

_

'

&

NE\V
•

Feb. 2, 1900

co.,

.

& JONES,

:Malden, Kansas.

y 01{}{
'

It gives us great pl easure to b b
your letter of the 1st . .
e a J~ to answer
a1~swe red.
mst. as you wrnh it to be
'¥hen we o1Jen ed
"- J.
·
an ac;count w 1·tl p
·
'--Xi
Ull eH of l\1- l ·l , _ IT
l
artr1d1 re
'
<L C e11 , \..<Lll S'·lS
f
o
l\lr. Partrid 0ire alHJ · l\l , •Jc · ' we -ound that Lut1 1
1 · • uues wer
·
]'
men, who had been well t .. . . . . e 1Ve young
i,uned 111 the detail of

. GENTLEMEN' -

Your favor of January 29th has received
most careful attention, and we hope will end in
~ pleasant business relations.
• Prudence demands that we make rigid inquiry
· 1 concerning firms heretofore unknown to us, and
information gained from the gentlemen to whom
you refer is so entirely satisfactory that we
assure you of our hearty cooperation in your
undertaking, and be assured that the enclosed
terms are our most liberal.

~I

I ll

230

SECOND SET OF LETTEHS TO BE STUDIED
OHIG INAL ·w01uc l<'OH. PUPILS

231

'Ve cc:dl a note four months from d:tte of
shipment liberal terms, but a desire to eucollt'ORIGIN AL _vVORK FOR l?UPILS
age a new and enterprising firm leads us to
.d
ttina tanaled np in 200 or
stretch our favor to the farthest limit.
The teacher must avm ~e
<:> •
~ •
it will lie
. these lmsmess tianscwt1ons
If you order $600 worth of goods immediate ly, 011 names,
tl e business in hand
so m
.
t Select as many names as 1
we will allow three per cent. discount on tlrn eqmres,
. o , and' write them on the boar d f or. the class as a
whole and take your note at five months from
date of shipment.
.
hole to use. .
.
this Let each pupil sign his
One exception applies tol t .1 a factor in the business
In addition to this our expert will be allowed own name where he pretenc s o )e <
•
to study the special needs of your community '.lransaction.
LESSON VII
and select stock for you without commission.
Say to the pupils: "Suppose ym1 expect to
l · open
croodsa
vVe put this expert at your service, now fe el<
,. to a wholesale grocer, a c ry <:>
•
ing sure that in the future you wi11 appreciate country store, w11te
. 1 t tellina them of your
<:>
•
his experience as well as see the difference be- nierchant, an d a hard ·w are. mert c ian
t
favorable
terms.
Give
c
l ·t k"ng trymg o ge
er a i '
.
d home for refertw een the expense of trave11ing and the sliglit " proposed unc
k ·' name near yom suppose
some ban er s
.
. M . B 1 h B. Maxwell. Be
per cen t. we charge for his services.
ence. Sllppose his name is r. \,a p
Please accept our congratulations on your
polite and direct."
promising venture. You may rely on our aid
LESSON VIII
to the full extent of our ability.
_ . - one from
" -W rite three more letters,
1 t the l wholesale
one from
Herewith is enclosed our price-list for siich
-} tlr "'OOds mere 1an ' anc
grocer, one from t ie
Y <:> .
Mr lfal _!Jh B. Max well
goods as your trade will demand.
the hardware merchant, as 1nng
.

t

j_

about yourself."

Very truly yours,
BAHTLET,

LESSON

N OYEs & Co.
c

IX

M Maxwell _ one to the
"\¥rite three repli:s :~~mdry i~oo~s rner~hant, and one
wholesale grocer, one o
to the hard vvare merchant."
LESSON

x

"Write three more letters this time to yourself, - one

232

'l'O UH.AW UU'l' HUSINI<:SS LE'f'l'JWS

233

ORIGINAL WOltK FOR PUPILS

from _the grocer, one from the dry goOlls merchant, and
one from the hardware merchant. State terms and prices
and have polite form."

the la,st three vaca,tions ha, ve been office boy in
the Third N ationaJ Bank.
Very truly yours,
I-lARRY

c.

SMART.

LETTER XXV

TO DRA"\"¥ OUT BUSINESS LET'fERS

I. Write three similar letters applyi ng for positions.
II. Suppose you are Mr. George C. Hunt, reply to this
letter favorably. Ask the candidate to call.
III. ·write an uufavorable reply.
1045
MR. GEORGE

c.

P Arm:, CHICAGO,
Jan. 31, 1900.

CHESTER

grams.

HUNT,

Chicago, Ill.
DEAR

This corres-pondence between the groc0r ::i,nd the dealer,
A. H. Smith, will call for five letters aml four telegrmns.
lf rnore of the same a.re neeclecl, let t h e pupils make
out outlines for other cones pondents in other lines of
tra<l.e. Require four or five letters, <~ml as many tele-

SrR,-

I read your advertisement in to-day's Tinies
for an ?ffice b?y, and I hope I may be able to say
sometlnng which will lead you to choose me.
I am fourteen years of age and live with my
mother at 1045 Chester Pa,rk. My father is dead.
I graduated at the Murray Hill grammar
s€hool last June at the head of the class, and
am now in the high school until I can find
some work to do.
My teachers, Mr. John Hobson and James C.
Roun~s , will .tell you what kind of a boy I am.
Besides gomg to school I have sold papers
enough to buy all my own clothes, and during

f

LESSON

XI

vV rite a business letter to Mr. A. H. Smith, of 1161

Fifth Avenue, New York City.
St~Lte yom financial standing by r eferring to some
banker, or to Bradstreet or Dun, to convince Mr. Smith
that you will be a desirable customer, and then tell bim
that yon intend to start in the grocery bnsiness and wish
to open an account with him.. Ask what h e will J.o aliout

l[ special
prices, etc.
Sign the name Amos Barker as your own name.

l
\

LESSON

XII

\i\Trite a reply from. Mr. A. H . Smith as a wholesale
clealer in groceries. State that yo u are pleasecl with the
references, and wish to ret::i,in the writer - Amos Barker
was signed - as a customer, ::tml that. you will try and
make prices satisfactory.

234

TO DltA W OUT HUSIN l~SS LETTEltS

TO DH.AW OUT B USrN ES8 LETTlmS

235

Express the hope tha,t the new lmsin es:::; wil1 he su
LESSON XV
cessful, and will result in large orders to you as well ~ ·write a letter of fault-finding to :Mr. A. H. Smith.
profit to Amos ~arker.
Let the letter be polite, but ask him to rectify the folLESSON XIII
lowin g mistakes : Reply to Mr. Smith and order : _
I. The quality of the XX flour is not what was
barrels XX flour ·
orclered.
'
boxes of Llried fruit, five varieties;
II. Some of the dried fruit was not of the kind
pounds of fine salt in sma,ll bags;
onlered.
'l'
he
s~tlt w::ts in l::trge, aml you ordered. :::;mall b~tgs.
cans of tomatoes ;
TII.
bottles of mustard.
lV. 350 i11ste::td of 000 cans of tom~ttoes were sent.
'
white were sent
2 hhds. of molasses·
v. 15 bbls. of brown sugar, am119 ofThe
'
white sugar
34
_ bbls. of sugar -10 brown an<l 24-. w1-11"t.e,.
instead of quantity on1ered.
1;1~0 boxes - half Clifton, half Regal-Baking Po\\'ller
was imvure.
2.JO pounds of common soda crackc·rs ;
VI. 20 boxes of red instead of black pepper were sent.
20 chests of tea, 4 varieties. Find out varieties;
VIL The baking powder was of poor quality, etc.
34 bag· s of co ff ee, 2 vaneties.
· ·
·l!, md
.
·
out varieties o
Let the pupils think of other things which might be
coffee;
, wrong in the order.
20 boxes of black pepper.
/';:
'
LESSON XVI
uO
boxes of starch ;
65 boxes of washing soap, 3 varieties;
V\Trite a reply to the retail grocer.
400 small bottles of bluing and other things to stock a
I. General excuse and statement that Mr. Smith will
small country grocery store.
1
hasten to rectify errors.
Ship the following order promptly.
TI. He offers to take the flour back, and to save extra
Make out an itemized bill.
freight charges asks you to ship it to the mills

25
16
1000
300
200

LESSON

from which it carne.

XIV

III. He directs you to send the dried fruit back to

~;rite

an answer to the last let.ter to the retailer.
.lhank the writer for the order.
Say that the goods were sh ipped 011 such a date
the onler directed.

~

lj

Cutter, Holmes & Co., from whom it was bought.
IV. Return the salt to him and he will have it put
into

sm~Lll

bags.

-------~·- ~--

236

TELEGHAM8

1

237

TELEG RAl\1S

V. He directs you to return the 50 extra cans of j
·~
LESSON XIX
t omat oes.
·
'te ten telegrams on subjects
VI. Offers to settle about the sug::u· by lowering the Say to the pup1·1.s: ""'1'Tr·1
n
~
not more than ten words."
price.
5hat interest you, m
VII. Retnrn the pepper and he will chauge.
LESSON XX
VIII. Return the baking powder, and he will send purc>. I
IX. He ho~es this will prove satisfactory, aiul asks l Say to the pu~ils: "Write ten telegraphic despatches
for furilher custom.
~about a visit to New York.
" .I:-lotel accommodations.
Settle the correspondence by writing two telegram s \ " Berth in a sleeper.
l
and the replies of Mr. Smith.
" Three men you wish to see on business.
.
'''
The telegrams may refer to some small errors 11ot ye t
"'rhrce persons you wish to meet at the stat10n.
Smith
to
hurry
the
shipcorrected, or may request ]\fr.
"To a friend on whom you will .call.
"
" One to your family about commg home.
ment of some special article.

i
l

LESSON

TELEGiiAMS

.

Say to the pupils :

XXI

"vV rite ten

about a railroad accident

Require the pupils to read the telegrams in their own :you are supposecl to ~e in.
books, then direct them to write as instructed.
"One to your fannly.
.
.
" Three to people you expected t~ see on busmess.
LESSO.N XVII
.
" One about railroad. accornmodat10ns.
" ·Four to people you wish to meet on the rou~e.
Say to the pupils: "V\T rite a telegram to your fatl1f1r,
~1
"One about a carriage meeting you at the tram."
saying that you will arrive in Boston. Give the d:ttr,

I

4

hour, train, and station at which he may expect you, auu
ask him to meet you. Do this in ten words or less."
LESSON

XVIII

Say to the pupils: "Write a telegram in as few words :i.~
possible, telling a friend that you will spend the Christmas
vacation with him. State the day, hom, train, anll station
at which they may expect to meet you."

LESSON

xxn

Say to the pupils: "vV rite three t.elegr.ams, su~posing
yon have been clelayecl on the road. by accident. Iell" Cause of accident.
"How you are situated.
"When yo u think you will be able to resume your
journey."

238

ADVElU'lSE!\IENTS

J_;ESSON

XXIII

Il

Writ~ adverti sement f~r the following, and as many
other tlun gs as you can thmk of: -

Say to the pupils: "Write three telegrams to your
aunt about some boots·you have ordered for her."
LESSON

A book-keeper.
A lost dog.
A purse you have founrl.
A situation as errand boy.
A house to yom mind.

XXIV

Say to the pupils: "Suppose you are away at school.
write three t elegra.llls about coming home."
L ESSON

XXV

Say to the pupils: "Telegraph to tli ree friends, aml
tell on what train you will arrive."

239

B1LLS

l

BILLS
LESSON

XXVIII

·D ES MOINES, lowA,

XXVI
Say to the pupils: "Telegraph to a fri end whom you
expect to meet that evening and cannot on account of
business."
LESSON

G.

vv.

Feb. 1,

NARR.

Bought of Nnvrs &

MORTON.

LESSON

XXVII

Require the pupils to read the advertisements in their
own books, and t ell them to write others as directed.
For a position, WANTED, - A compan ion for an elderly la<ly.
Must be educated and refined; references exchanged.
"L." Transcript.
vVAN TED, -By a boy of fifteen a chance to learn
office work.
High school graduate, good references.
J. L. Sinclair, 158 Manchester Ave.

90
11

$ 66

3 office desks @ $ 22.30
" chairs@ $UH
2 rugs @ $ 8.80
3 inkstands @ 50c.
4 letter files @ 32c.

4

<)
•)

ADVERTISEMENTS

moo.

7
l
1

$ 81

GO
-

50
28
39

- -- -

I

RecPivccl payment,

NrMS &

MORTON.

Let the pupils copy this receipted bill. Make out
t en hills si1niht.r. R.eqnire the pupil s to pretend business
transactions with a fellow-pupil, and to get the one with
whom they are supposed to transact business to sig11 the
Lill s made out. Ttule the p~~per as it is ruled in Nims &
Morton's bill.

240

DILLS

XXIX

LESSON

241

H.IJ:CEIPTS

bills rnade ont.

11.ule the paper as it is ruled in the

Let the pupils rule their paper as it is rnled in the' bill of Mr. Lamb.
Nims·& Morton bill, and make out JYI:r. John Larkins's ,
bill as the bill of G. vV. Nash was made out.

Miss Esther Fletcher made a cloak for Miss
.Mr. John Larkin bought of Dodd & Co. 2. Elizabeth Ah but. She fHn1if.d1ed the following
volumes of Shakespeare at $1.03 per volumP ;i rna.terial: 5 yCtnls of silk lining a,t $ 0.70; fancy
of Scott at $0. 93; a Bible for $2.50; a set uf hooks and eyes, $0.7 5; 5 yards of fur. trimming,
'Va,shingtou Irving's books for $7 .50; a copy of $3.UU ; bm,id, thre<Ld, etc., $0.40; cost of makLongfellow's poems for $1.69; 2 copies of \Vhit- ing, $15.00.
tier's poems at $1.0G per copy.
Let pupils make ont a receipted· bill. Rule the
LESSON

paper as in the Lamb bill above.

XXX
NEw Yo1n\:, .Feb. 2, lflOO.

Mn. L. L.

Bought of
5

2z
7
40

B.ECEIPTS

LAMB,

JOHNSON

LEssoN

& STONE.

yds. cloth @ 75c.
yds. lining @ lGc.
spools thread @ 1Oc.
yds. white linen @ lOc.

$ ~J

7!)

40

xxxn

Let these be stnclied as the pupils studied their invitations for dictation exercises, then dictate.

iO

-cl-/~-~

Received pa?fment,
JOHNSON

&

STONE.

PHILADEJ,PJ-IIA,

I) A., May (-), 1899.

$10.

Rece1ved from A. T. Atwood Ten Dollars, for
r·ent to elate.

A. B.

JANNES.

Let pupils copy this receipted bill. l\fake ont ten
LESSON XXXIII
bills similar. B.equire the [JHpils tn pretend business
transactions with a fellow-pnpil, and to get the one with
VVrite ten receipts t!11t :>. 1 ·c~ i"o 1-)P, gi ve n for imaginary
whom they are supposed to transact busi~iess to sign the \ sums of money owe~l tb Ym~. e·ru·J..y tfie models.
lt

' '.- '

2-±2

J

RECEll'TS

BosToN, .Jun e l8,

$ 100.

A HISTORY READER
FO R ELEME NTA RY S CH O()L S.

l~!.19 .

Received of l\tfrs. L . L. YVa ne One Hundred
Dollars, for dress.
.Mus. G. A . \VA LLACE .

ARRANGED WITH SPECIAL _REFERENCE TO HOLIDAYS,
Hea d

By MRS. L. L. W. WILSON, Ph.D.,
ef B zologicn l D epartmellt, Normal School .for Gi rls , Plt ila d elp!tia .

20 cents.
Part I. September, October, November, December
20 cents .
Part II. January, February
20 cents.
Part III. March, April
20 cents.
Part IV. May, June .
60 cents.
Complete in one volume
Part V. Selected from the above, and containing Arbor Day,
20 cents .
Bird Day, Decoration Day , Flag Day

Th e author has a ppli ed the same m eth od to this history of th e United
States as sh e h as used with such great suc cess in her Na ture Study in
Elementa ry Sc hools. Th e Reade r is arran ged with spec ial reference to
holid ays . It is very full y illustrated with ah out on e hundred cuts. Th e
fr ontispi ece a ncl the sec tion de voted to Flag Day are illustrated in color.
Th e type is large a nd plain. Th e a pt illustrati ons, simpl e lang uage,
many easy and beautiful selections of verse, rend er this an id eal hi story
fo r yo ung children. T he history of th e United Sta tes becomes in Mrs.
Wilson's ha nds just a simple deli g htful story which will co mp el the
child to associate eac h happy season of the year with its appro priate
events in th e country's story. A note worthy feature of th is Read er is
that it includ es a simple and succin ct acco unt of the war with Spain,
with portraits of all th e chief actors in the campaig n.

NATURE STUDY
FOR E L EJl!fEN T A R Y SCH OOLS.

By MRS. L. L. W. WILSON, Ph.D., Philadelphia Normal School.
IN TWO VOLU MES.

Vol. I. Reader, 35c. net.

Vol. II. Teachers' Manual, 9oc. net.

" T he book h as a freshn ess th at sprin gs from th e ri ch ex pe ri ence of a teacher wh o
has enlisted hea rt a nd brain in th e wo rk of introduc in g childre n to the vas t do main
of n ature .
"The choice of m aterial shows a wise selection, a nd the prese nt ation is, as it
ge nera ll y sho11l cl be, from the sta nd point of pun ction.
" T he Header whi ch th e auth o r h as p re pa red as a co mp ani on b ook is co mposed
of my th s, sto ri es , a n<l poems , whi ch a rc s u gges ted by va ri ous nat urn l ph e nome na.
"The selec tions arc good, and in .ge ne re1 \ th e re nditi o n is ex ce ll ent.
,
" For this pa rti cu la r a spect of N ature S tud y th e book leaves but little to be
desired .
"The cons ide rable array of m ate rial whi ch th ese boo k s p rov ide from both the
sc ientifi c and th e lite rary side will m ake th em valu abl e for an y teac her in the p ublic
sc hools , w hil e the auth or's e:nnes tn ess of pu rpose , stro ng ly ma nifes t th ro ughout the
work, will p rove to be a la stin g source of in spira ti on ." ·-· Sciena.

,,

.

•,

THE M A CMILLAN COM P ANY,
66 FIFTH A VENUE, NEW YORK.

