In HARPER'S MAGAZINE for June, 1873, page 181, it is stated that Betsy Griscom, who was employed to make the first national standard of the United States, suggested that a five-pointed star be used, and showed how a paper could be folded so that the star could be produced by a single cut of the scissors. Can you tell me how it was done?
Do any of our young readers know Betsy Griscom's secret? Let us see who will send the neatest method for making a five-pointed star with one cut of the scissors.
I am a reader of YOUNG PEOPLE. It is a grand paper for boys. Can any one tell me where I can get a few silk-worms? I am anxious to make some silk, and see the worms work.
In HARPER'S MAGAZINE for April, 1870, there is an interesting illustrated paper on silk-worms, which will give you much information. No doubt some of our young readers can tell you where you can obtain worms. You will find it easy to take care of them, but a little difficult to make the silk thread, unless you know how to spin, which is not probable. An old lady in a New England country town once had a desire for silk-worms. She procured a number, which she fed on the leaves of a mulberry-tree which grew in her yard. As during her youth she had been taught to spin, she unwound her cocoons, and made beautiful silk thread, with which she knitted elegant silk stockings as gifts to her friends. If you are successful in procuring worms, observe their habits carefully, and write about them to the Post-office Box of YOUNG PEOPLE.
I am a little Southern boy. I have three brothers younger than myself. I am afraid we are not always as good as we should be. Last fall Ben and I ran away, and went with some negroes to pick cotton. When we came home at noon we found mamma crying because she thought we had been stolen, and papa hunting for us. When mamma got through with us we decided not to run away any more. We hunt hickory-nuts and chestnuts in the fall.
The two following letters are from very youthful readers, who print their communications with a pencil:
I thought I would write to you. My brother has a snapping-turtle, and a white rabbit with brownish spots on it, and my brother and I have three kittens. I like YOUNG PEOPLE very much, and I like the story of "The Moral Pirates."