DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I am going to tell you about a game that we play here a good deal. I do not know what it is called. It can be played by any number, though the more the merrier. Each player must have a sheet of paper and a pencil. When all are supplied, each one must write across the top of the sheet a question, taking up as little room on the page as possible, and turning the paper down so as to cover up the writing, as in "Consequences." The paper is then passed to the next neighbor, who is to write a common noun, of any kind, under the question, and turn over in like manner. After the noun has been written, the paper is passed on. Then everybody opens the paper that last came to him, and must answer the question in rhyme, inserting the noun. I will give you an illustration.
Question,--"Do you like pigs?" Common noun,--"Peas." Answer, in rhyme,--
"I love the gentle animals That sport about our home. And all among the peas and corn So happily do roam."
"Ah! little pigs I'll harm you not, Nor e'en disturb your play, But you shall have your own sweet will, And feed upon the best of swill, Through all the livelong day."
Will somebody answer thus this question, that was given to me: "Which was the greatest battle of Alexander the Great?"
DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I send you a puzzle, which I hope you will print:
My first is in your body, Quite useful in its way. My second flows in Italy, And flows by night and day. My third, a thing to cook with, is In every kitchen found. My fourth's a common article, A very simple sound. My fifth folks often get into,-- The careless ones, of course. My whole, a clumsy animal, Is partly named for horse.
_Answer_: Hip-Po-pot-a-mus, hippopotamus.
DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have been taking your book two years. I think it is splendid. Some of the stories are so funny. I go to a private school, and I am in the Fourth Reader. The girls play on one side of the grounds and the boys on the other; the cherry-trees are on our side, and I like it the best. We have lots of fun. I am nine years old. I have two little sisters, Belle and Marion, and a little brother, Bobo. When we get big we may write some stories for your book. We are little now, but everybody was little once.--Your friend,