Various

“ It's fun to get sunburned, and have a brand-new skin at the end of a week to attend church in. It's fun to step into a bumble-bees' nest, and have the bees chase you until you are only too glad to take refuge in the water, where they can't find you out. ”

“ Old gentlemen with high-bred noses came and peered at them through big spectacles. Young ladies talked of their families, and—oh, horrors!—said they would like to dissect them. Old ladies smiled on them pleasantly, and one, a grandmother, actually shed tears, and said, "I haven't seen their like in fifty years." ”

“ When a man dwelling in the Drowned Lands of Canonoque, Canada, is capable of accumulating a small fortune by catching frogs for the New York market, surely some of our young people who are now spending their vacations near the shores of our lakes, rivers, and ponds ought also to make considerable pocket-money, if not as large a fortune as that of Pat Bowman, of the Drowned Lands, who follows up the frogs from early spring until late in the fall. ”

“ From time to time in our great circle of readers, dear children, some drop from the ranks. Little Mary will never be forgotten in her earthly home, and those who loved her here will hope to meet her again where there is no death. ”

“ The principal trouble seems to be the difficulty of obtaining natural food in sufficient quantities to prevent the old frogs from devouring their young, which they will do on all occasions. Again, the young frog, from the tadpole stage up to the perfect frog, is surrounded by enemies night and day—aquatic birds, turtles, lizards, snakes, leeches, insects, fish, water-rats, and, worst of all, his own relations. ”

“ The pea-nut is the fruit of a plant common in warm countries. It is sometimes called the ground-pea and ground or earth nut, and in the Southern States the goober or goober-nut. Still another name for it is pindal or pindar, and in Western Africa it is called mandubi. The plant is a trailing vine, with small yellow flowers. After the flowers fall, the flower stem grows longer, bends downward, and the pod on the end forces itself into the ground, where it ripens.
Pea-nuts are raised in immense quantities on the west coast of Africa, in South America, and in the Southern United States. ”

“ We live close to the mountains, and have quite a number of birds around our place. Land-shells are as numerous on the mountains as sea-shells are down on the beach. Some time hereafter we may probably visit New York, and then we shall not forget to go and see the editor of Young People, and thank him very much for making such a nice paper for children. ”

“ The frogs are caught without bait, all the tackle used being a rod or pole cut in the woods, to which is fastened a short and stout line. On the end of the line is fastened a broad stout hook. When a frog is discovered, the "froggist" drops the hook under the jaw of the frog, and with a quick jerk Mr. Frog flies up into the air, and is taken from off the hook, and placed in a bag. The frogs think the hook is alive, and snatch at it eagerly. Sometimes a frog, when the hook tickles his nose or passes over one of his ears, will lose his temper, and make a terrible lunge at it. ”

“ A female frog at five years of age will produce over a thousand eggs every year. Out of the thousand eggs not more than twenty-five ever attain over two years' growth, so constant is the warfare of their enemies.
There are two ways of preparing the frogs' legs for market. One is known as the Canadian style (see figure) , which consists of leaving part of the back of the frog attached to the legs; this is done to make weight. The other is the Philadelphia style, wherein the legs are cut off close to the end of the back, or spine, after the legs have been skinned. ”

“ A frog will never bite at anything when under water, as he is afraid to open his large mouth from fear of drowning. A frog kept entirely in the water, with nothing to rest on, will in course of time drown. When the hook is ornamented with a piece of red flannel, the frogs will jump for it several feet. Frogs bite best on warm, sunny days. When fishing for frogs at night, a reflector or bull's-eye is fastened at the bow of the boat. The bright light seems to daze the frogs to an extent that admits of their easy capture.
The frogs, when caught, are placed in cages made of laths or slats ”

“ It really depends upon digestion, which itself depends upon our mode of life. Persons who rise early and go to bed regularly at ten, who take plenty of air and exercise, eat with moderation at regular hours, having their meals at intervals long enough for the digestion of one to be thoroughly accomplished before they begin the next—these persons are sure to digest well, and in consequence have clear, healthy complexions, which will require no other cosmetics but plenty of soft water and good toilet soap. ”

“ I am ten years old, and have never been to school, but study at home. We have a cat that was born with three legs. His name is Trip. The first time Trip ever saw Rover, our dog, he ran right up to him, and ever since he always runs up to Rover when frightened. Once we had a Maltese cat who was very fond of Rover, and Rover was fond of Tom. Once mamma and papa were looking out of the window, and they saw Tom with his tail full of burrs, and Rover pulling them out. ”

“ In Africa and South America they form one of the chief articles of food. Large quantities of them are made into an oil much like olive-oil, and which is used in the same way. It is also used in the manufacture of soap. A bushel of pea-nuts, when pressed cold, will make a gallon of oil. If heat is used, more oil is made, but it is not so good. In Spain, pea-nuts are ground and mixed with chocolate. Pea-nut vines make good food for cattle.
The pea-nut gets its name from the shape of its pod, which is like that of the pea.—Young Folks' Cyclopædia. ”

“ Now it seems to me, as I said before, that the boys have a chance to make considerable pocket-money on frogs' legs. If I was still a boy, I would enter into an agreement with two or three of the largest and best-paying hotels to supply them with legs, fresh caught (remember, that's a big advantage you would have over the New York market) , at just a few cents per pound below the prevailing market prices during the season. There is no reason, when you are out frogging, why you should not capture a few trout also. ”

“ Anyway, you wouldn't have to be shot before folks began to find out that you were doing your level best to keep things straight. Uncle Jack says and does such queer things sometimes that people say he's odd. They tell about his being so wrapped up in our bank that he never had time to hunt up a wife. I notice, though, that when father and mother died, and left me a wee little baby, Uncle Jack found time to bring me up, and give me a good education to boot. Oh, he's as good as gold or government bonds, Uncle Jack is. ”

“ We greatly increased the power of our orchestra by adding twenty-five common toads, which in the breeding season frequent the water, and are very noisy, and also one hundred of the shrill-piping Hylodes, or tree-toads, and two screech-owls, which were kept in separate cages at different parts of the garden, so that all night long they were calling to one another.
At the end of every two weeks one of the four members of the "Great Long Island Frog Company" took to market from two hundred to two hundred and fifty live frogs, for which was received a dollar and a half per hundred. ”

“ The monarch was very much delighted, and as soon as the machines were ready he sent the learned Venetians to head a fresh attack upon the important city of Sa-yan-fu. The banner of Khubla Khan was soon waving above the crushed walls, and the Polos were liberally rewarded with wealth and honors. Marco, who was the Khan's especial favorite, was made a noble of the empire, with a more magnificent palace and a larger retinue than ever. ”

“ I thought I would write and tell you of a nut-cracker which I discovered in the same show that contained the "baby." My father and I were watching a number of the larger elephants hunting for pea-nuts thrown in the straw, when I saw one of them who, if he found a nut, would take it up with his trunk, and rub it against his leg until the shell was cracked, after which he proceeded to eat the kernel. I am glad C. H. Williamson has accepted the presidency of the Natural History Society. I for one am entirely in favor of admitting girls. ”

“ For them, as well as for the complexion, good digestion is equally necessary; more so, for no cosmetic could remove the yellow tinge which biliousness imparts to them, and if some mysterious pencils can supply the insufficient shadow of rare eyelashes, good health alone can give them that brightness which is their principal beauty. Never read in bed or in a reclining attitude; it provokes a tension of the optic nerve very fatiguing to the eyesight. Bathe your eyes daily in salt water; not salt enough, though, to cause a smarting sensation. Nothing is more strengthening ”

“ Mose bathed the wounds, gave Tip such a feast as he had not had for many a day, and when it was done, Tim said to him: "You're awful good, you are; but I'm afraid the Captain will make you sorry for it. He don't seem to like me, an' he may get mad 'cause you've helped me." ”

“ Tim placed the bones in front of Tip, and then kneeling down, he put his arms around the dog's neck as he poured out his woes in his ear, while Tip tried in every way to get at the tempting feast before him.
"I'm the miserablest boy in the world, Tip, an' I don't know what's goin' to become of us. You don't know what a bad, ugly man Captain Pratt is, an' I don't believe I can stay here another day. ”

“ These cages are placed half in the water and half on land; the bottoms of the cages having a slight inclination, to allow the frogs to leave the water when so disposed. After being caged for a few days, they will begin to take food. Their favorite food is young frogs, small live fish, insects, mice, and angle-worms. All of these must have life and motion, or the frogs will not eat them. Many attempts have been made to breed frogs artificially, but so far all have failed. ”

“ A blow on the side of his head that sent him reeling half way across the cabin served as a reply, and it was followed by a volley of oaths that frightened him.'
"What do you mean by asking me what I'll have before you tell me what is ready? Next time you try to wait upon a gentleman, tell him what there is. Bring me some soda-water first."
This was an order that had not been provided for in the lessons given by Mr. Rankin, and Tim stood perfectly still, in frightened ignorance. ”

“ It is estimated by good judges that no less than fifteen hundred-weight of frogs' legs are sent to the New York market every year. New York State, New Hampshire, Maine, Pennsylvania, and the Canadas are the principal sources of supply. There is one dealer who has agents catching and purchasing frogs in all the above-named places. ”

“ We are glad she found so much pleasure in Young People.
New York.
I am only five years old, and my mamma is going to write this letter for me. I think "Toby Tyler" was a "booful" story; but I did cry when Mr. Stubbs got "shotted." And I want you, please, to ask Mr. Otis not to kill Tim's poor little doggie. Tim's the boy in the new story. I have got three little new kittens, and I am going to name them Toby and Tim and Tip.
Amy E. V.
The kitties are Blossie's "chillun." ”

“ Your interest in the article about the baby elephant, and your own observation of the way the baby's big brother managed his pea-nuts, prove that you will be a good member of the society. Some of our boys and girls are, we fear, waiting to be very dignified before they send any letters with regard to what they have seen. ”

“ Two hundred and twenty-five postmarks, of which all are different, and 135 are Michigan, for 150 foreign stamps, all different. Rare, revenue, and common stamps, for bills, minerals, coins, relics, and ores, stamps from Guatemala, Transvaal, Uruguay, and Ionian Isles; three Cuban, two Mexican, or two Danish West Indian stamps, for a 7 or 90 cent War Department stamp or a Chinese stamp; five rare stamps, for a good arrow-head. Please write before sending stamps. Also the numbers of Young People between 52 and 71, for five foreign stamps ”

“ In the figure the dotted line A A shows the Philadelphia style, which always brings the highest price. The legs are packed in half-barrels between layers of crushed ice, and will average from fifty to seventy-five pounds to the half-barrel. The prices paid for frogs' legs vary from twenty to sixty cents per pound, which is governed by the season of the year, the demand, and the supply. At the leading hotels—Delmonico's, for instance—seventy-five cents is the regular price per plate for cooked frogs' legs all the year round. ”