I like all the stories in ST. NICHOLAS, but my favorite is "Little Lord Fauntleroy," who seems to be a second Paul Dombey, with his quaint, old-fashioned sayings. I hope he will not die shut up in the gloomy castle, with his cross old grandfather, away from the companionship of "Dearest." With best wishes for the welfare of your delightful magazine, I remain, Your devoted reader, MARGUERITE H. * * * * * THE TWO TOADS. TWO TOADS went out to take a walk, And being old friends they had a long talk. Said one to the other, "A leaf I see. Will you be so kind as to bring it to me?" "Of course!" said the other. "Let's build us a house, And have for a pony a little gray mouse." "Yes," said the other, "and a carriage too, Of a nice red tulip, which I'll bring to you." They built them the carriage and harnessed the mouse, And drove to the mill-pond to build them a house. They built them a house very near to the mill, And if they're not dead, they are living there still. MABEL WILDER (9 years old). * * * * * We print this little letter just as it came to us. ESCANABA, MICH. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I like you very much. since we have been taking you we got some ginney pigs they are quite cute. GENIE A. LONGLEY (aged eight). * * * * * A young friend sends us this drawing, which he calls: [Illustration: A FOURTH OF JULY TRAGEDY.] * * * * * SOUTH FRONT ST., HARRISBURG, PA. EDITOR ST. NICHOLAS: I thought that perhaps the following-description of a sort of kaleidoscope would be of service to your magazine, for the entertainment of your young readers, on a rainy evening: Have the room brilliantly lighted, then raise the lid of a square piano just as if for a player, but, instead of resting it on the surface of the piano itself, let it rest upon two or three large books placed on the top of the piano, so as to form at the front, where the hinges are, an angle of sixty degrees. Cover the open side of the triangle thus formed with a thick cover, which should extend also over the crack caused by the hinges of the lid. Thus you will have a hollow, triangular prism, the length of the piano, open at both ends. Polish well with a silk duster the inside of one end of this triangular prism; hold pieces of crazy patchwork, or long pieces of silk ribbon,--the more variegated and brilliant the colors the better,--in a large hanging bunch, and shake gently about two inches in front of the polished end toward the angle of the front, while the spectator looks through the opposite end of the kaleidoscope. A watch, chain, or looking-glass among the ribbons makes a pleasing variety.