wards took a master's degree in biology in 1885. She studied also at Leipsic, Geneva, and the Sorbonne, making a specialty of mathematics and mathematical astronomy. She has served in various capacities at the Burnham School, Northampton, Massachusetts. Miss Gill is not only a broadly equipped educator, but a humanitarian as well. At the breaking out of the recent Spanish-American war, she went to Cuba under the auspices of the Red Cross Society, and did good service in executive work connected with the nurses' B auxiliary. Since the close of the war, she has been for two years in charge of the work of the Cuban Orphan Society in Cuba. Many leading women's colleges have men still at the head who are doing noble and effective service. But the best results, it is probable, are obtained under the superintendence and direction of cultured women of insight and sympathy, especially trained for the work of leaders in educational enterprises for women. LETTERS FROM "LILLIPUT" INTRODUCTION. ROTHER had been very ill, and was trying to gain strength in the Adirondacks. The young man and his baby sister found write, dictated to a member of her family letters which in every case the amanuensis reproduced verbatim, often with the aid of shorthand. Only extracts may here be pub lished. Very soon after the last letter We had a funny little block for cheese. We had some really boiled chestnuts, though the picnic didn't like chestnuts. I thought I would tell you a story instead of a letter. "LILLIPUT." Once there was a little girl. She had nothing to do. She was sick of dolls and many toys, but she would play dolls; and this is what she did. She took pillow, and bedding, and her two chubby hands, and washed them with dress, and petticoat, and flannel petticoat. Then the next day she ironed them with her young flatiron and clothes-line,(oh, don't say "clothes-line"!)I mean then hung them up on her little clothes-line. The next day she dressed them; makes them new clothes the was sent away, "Lilliput " had gone out of next day; plays they're sick the next day. the sight of her friends. Next day she made some cake, and next day, I'm sad to say, she went to church, and they had a stomach-ache. Three little wee-wees sat in a row. And one with a sailor-cap ("I'm going to be ran away. They was once two little girls - Birdie and 66 Katherine. They were very happy because their Papa and Mama had come home from a long visit. One day they went down in the kitchen, and there was Maria baking cookies. Cried Birdie and Katherine: May we, Maria, bake some, too-some teeny-weens, you know?" Then they both scampered for their rolling-pins. They began to make them as hard as they could. Then, of course, tea was ready. Ting-a-ling! went the bell. Thought the little children: "How nice it would be to have beefsteak and pumpkin pie!" Then the little girls went to bed and slept till the next morning, heartily happily, I ought to say. Dear Buddie, good-by. Oh, see the apples, high in the trees; And not be afraid that they don't belong to us. That comes with brown eyes and golden hair, Like the crickets in the glen. Bright they sparkle, little things, Eyes they are, and shine like kings. In the mother's bosom with delight. It is a very pleasant day, only it was raining this morning. But now it has clear offed and the sun may shine a little brighter, though nearly it's past time to go to church. Play it was! Dolly wears a cloak for a dress, and a necktie around her waist for a sash. But I, with a clean gingham apron on, sit writing to you. Dolly had a black spot on her face, and she had to be washed her face washed and put in a window to dry. Meanwhile, I played with a doll's pillow, dressed up and tied onto Minerva's body, dressed nicely was my favorite. Please make some kisses when you write, and fix them beneath the paper. Fix them at the bottom of the paper, it means, you know. Make them have grinning faces, and tongues that stick 'way out, like those funny pictures you used to make for me. I think a good deal of fun, and how I wish you were here to be here for Christmas! O, how I'd like to have you play a dance for me! sky is gray, and mebbe it may rain. Good-by, from your little friend, From you little sister, rather. The I couldn't write to you on the train, because there wasn't a scrap of paper in the house. I was on the train when I remem bered I said, as I went, I wanted something to put into my bag. Then I was sitting in the cars, and Miss W I handed me a shragged old bundle. I opened it, and in it sat a pretty little doll. It was rag, but I didn't care. It had nice little clothes on. I was very much pleased, just as you would be if you were a little child like me. This afternoon I went out for a walk with Mama, but I didn't go in, and stayed out with Mamie. Your loving little friend, Buddie's sister, ["Lilliput" was looking at pictures in the Youth's Companion.] NOVEMBER She I'll write you a story, and give you a kiss. Dear me! What was the child to do? had no use of her hands and feet. Her name was Bertha Kenworthy. She had no use of anything. She could not play, nor hold even a rattle in her hands. Bertha did nothing but laugh, and coo, and smile every minute, and hardly had a chance to cry when she was hurt, for the smile crept right over again. By and by she learned to creep, and then she could feel a little of her was useful to her play. When she grew older, she also knew how to walk by people's hands, and as she grew older, on to six, did nothing but talk baby talk all day. Her clean white dress was dirty every day. Either chocolate ice-cream was spilled over it, or her cup of milk had run down it, and so she did not have any of it. She lived with her Aunt. She was born with her Mama, but her Mama had a little boy, so she couldn't take care of the baby, and she gave it to her Aunt. and she had to go with her Aunt, to see her. When she grew older her Mama grew sick, That time she was seven years old, and quite She spelt her name so large for her age. but her Aunt taught her in such a funny way funny. She'd never been taught to school, that I never knew what she meant if she recited it to me. It sounded like German or French, but it was really some of the alphabet. choo!" the cars said as they jig-a-de-jiggled Then she went a-startin'. "Choo, choo, along, and "Ding, dong!" the bell rang, and last of all the whistle blew, "Foo!" At last they reached her Father's house. How greeted they were to find their little daughter safe at hand! Brother and Papa and Mama all kiss her. She was glad, too, and so was Mama to see her dear old friend again - Aunty. And, last of all, a great big kiss from Papa, and Jane Maria, who had taken care of her all the time, was glad to see her little tot back again, though she had taken care of her all the time her Mama was sick. Dear Buddie (this is continued), dear Buddie, and in the next letter she will be a young lady. I hope you are getting on very well. How is the Adirondacks? Is it happy for you? It's been a pleasant day all the day, but I thought it was raining and dreary, too, this morning. Hope you will return safely to our home next spring, and how I wish to see you! NOVEMBER 20. I went up to the church where you used to crawl down when you were a little boy under the seats and look around. Now I will write the rest of the story of Bertha Kenworthy. In the quiet town where she lived it was very pleasant. Now she was a young lady and she had a Thanksgiving party once in her life. The Thanksgiving party was held on Thursday evening, a little while from her own birthday in October days, when the golden leaves fell upon the ground. There was a great pile of leaves gathered for the Thanksgiving party, covered thick with white snowflakes. 66 It was At ten o'clock they gathered. real quite late; it was not very late, but she had never wakened up quite so early. Bertha was delighted with her new trial. She wore her fine red and white checked silk waist. She looked very fine, her blue eyes sparkling in the electric lights themselves (Don't put themselves" in), her black silk skirt and her pretty black hair waving in the wind as she skipped along over the ground, to the next neighboring house. Stood side by side, Bertha's and the next house. And then her rosy lips chattering with whom she played and cared for and loved dearly. Gathering her heart together, she felt very kindly and amused. They had ice-cream and cake, chicken and venison. Delighted with her travel, bright Bertha Kenworthy. And her rally and fun was done. Bertha crept into her bed. with the dinner, 'cause Mr. and Mrs. John- Now this is the next story. Hurrah for the puppet show! Listen while the merry tells! Do you think there will be time enough for Hark! Do you hear such a merry laughter, Such a merry tinkle, laughter? The puppets being gathered up. SWING, BABY SWEET. Won't you come and swing with me, Birdie? Swing, swing, baby, swing! Fear not of falling. While the birdies rock to sleep you must rock in dozing. Think, the dolly rocks and swings like you rock in cradle. Swinging sweetly, rocking you up and down. That's the end of that story. ANOTHER KIND OF A SWING. The sun has risen behind the hills. Dark no longer, surely. Hark! did you hear that bird singing in the apple-boughs? Surely, they have beat the morning drum. Dress quickly! Join your allies. They are calling, Playmate! Playmate!" They have called Bobolink, come join us. to bobolink in the grass, Listen! Hark! Among the breezes! Some are startled, some are sad! Some are happy, some are bad! Listen! Quiet! Hark! the bulrush! There's our playmate's golden curls. No more breezes join their allies. Bobolink, hush your chattering. She is safe and with a sneer. Hush! The swinging dolls appear. Now, my darling, join your allies. They have called you, there you hark, and then a chatter. [Direction to amanuensis: are. Dancing, singing with the sunflowers. Listen, You must have that very soft and low, you know.] CHIP-PE-WEE. This is a story. We call him Chip-pe-wee 'cause he was so small, and round, and furry. He was not a Busy I hope you be, 'cause then it won't pretty bird, or either handsome. One day a tiny brown take your DEAR MR. BUDDIE: NOVEMBER 24. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were going to have Thanksgiving dinner in a hurry. They was no chance to stop, but the maid had to hurry bird appeared at the window. "Sh!" we said. "We don't like birds that tease in summer. But he squeaked and showed us the thick, heavy snow on the ground. "It was in April," he seemed to say, "and they's no way with that heavy blanket." We knew what he said, and he said politely: "If I'll sing a pretty song, will you?" We nodded our heads and said, "Yes, dear little birdie, you are." Chip-pe-wee was our friend ever afterwards. I can't tell this story any more, I dare. A ELEKANT KIND OF A SWING. It was a elekant kind of a swing. Swing, swing, swing! (This is a verse.) There's nothing so nice as a swing! Screaming frights Make only delights. Just think! Birds are listening! NOVEMBER This afternoon is Sunday. It's very delightful, but I can not go out. This afternoon I dressed up. I put on Mama's skirt and her old plaid waist; waltzed up and down stairs. Mr. Tommy was called to a wonderful tea in the shoemaker's shop - man that made shoes, you know. Tommy accepted it in great joy, though he was willing to go for one day.-O, I meant to say he loved his Papa and Mama very dearly and he was willing to go for one day. There he stood, with coffee boiling on his little gas stove, with a big white cup and saucer on the table, as big as the coffee pot's stove, at least. Then the Harrison* leaves crackers out of their a pink prune. I wrote a letter to Santa Claus the other day. I told him I would like a dollie who dresses in baby style. Too, I would like a little dollie's bed in the set of furniture I would like. I would like a little go-cart; don't you know, these half like a baby carriage. I would like a little doll's bureau, a pair of mittens, one big, lovely paper doll, and that's all. "All right," said Tommy. Granny accepted him gave him a tiny cup and saucer. Well, good-by, Mr. Shoemaker," said Tommy, "I must go home now.' Good-by. Your loving little friend. JANUARY 29. How are you? I write here on a sofa in Miss G's room, with a great heavy afghan over me. morning. morning. Miss G- is going to take my picture asleep to send you. I must tell a story. I went to church this OUR FRIENDS THAT CANNOT TALK. These [shown in a magazine picture] are our friends that cannot talk, and belong in the eighteenth volume in the right hand poplar's dictionary. The friends had not eyes, or mouth, or nose, but dressed in finest warm brown silk, and dwelt in a brown shell house, near a large barn, where Mr. Spinley's children often picked them and liked to eat the kernels from inside. Now guess these pretty friends of mine. Guess them. The sweet beechnuts! 66 And so I must say good-by" to this story, and maybe find another one that will suit you better. This is Katie, taking her bath; Here is Jack and Mary, playing at blocks; This is Nellie, going for a walk; This is Helen, going to church; And here comes our Bertha, learning her lessons; This is our Tommy - he sings in the choir; This is our Ralphy, talking and waiting for dinner. And last of all are Anna. Then comes sweet Lilian, dressed in a frock, Here comes Rita, scowling in dismay; Her's Alice and Mary, and Sarah and Lute, FEBRUARY 22. There's been a great big snowstorm. Once it was seven below Zero in the afternoon. We are very comfortable in the house. This afternoon we waxed maple sugar, and Mamie had the stomach-ache, and me, too. The fire is going and I'm very hot. I'm lying on the lounge to write this letter, in Miss G's room. I went down town on the sled and got my sleeve all full of snow once or twice, and had to stop to take off my mittens to shake it out. This morning we had a tea-party. Nobody but Emily and I were in the house, and only the dolls and Emily came. Pug was there; Bun, Polly Wogg, Dinah Wogg, and Mamie Lucy Wogg, and Martha Lilian Wogg, and Annalena Wogg. It was in Aunt M's room, by the fireplace, with the stool with the pillow on it for a table. I and Annalena sat on a pillow at one end, and Bunnie and Mamie Lucy sat on a pillow. Bun had a sheet, I forgot to say, and didn't have part of the pillow. Poll and Pug had a blanket, Dinah and Martha Lilian had a fine pillow, and we ate crackers, apple, popcorn. We had the pop-corn for dessert. Dear Buddie, come home quick and hear the "Just-So Stories of Kipling. They're very, very, very funny-about the whale, and the camel, and the rhinoceros. HOW DOLLY CAN DO BETTER THAN CHILDREN CAN. "Gladys," said her Mother, "you must study your lesson." Said Gladys: "I can't tell it from B, but Dolly can. She can from Z up to A, of the 1, 2, 3. And, Dolly,' then she said, turning her twisted head, "Dolly, come and do it." Dolly shook her curls and said: "Yes, Mama, I do it.' Then she took her to her little desk, and planted her on a chair, and, putting a pin within her hand, she did her lessons well, with Kipling marks in everything. The Kipling marks are just little things like this. [Quotation marks.] I thought Buddie would know that. But pretty soon the Mama said: "Are your lessons done?' And then she came and had the curls combed with many tears and snarls, but after a while the deed was done, and Dolly, once relieved, was dressed in tiny white frock and set upon the pillows, while she had to do her lessons over again on the slate. the slate. And Dolly then was 'vited for bread and milk to eat. O, but alas! alas! What is our maid a-weeping so in tears? But Dolly's head is cracked in two, but what will worse be happening? Good-by, dear Buddie. *The colored maid. FEBRUARY It has been raining this morning, and cleared off this afternoon. We have a club. It is a very nice one. I will tell you now about it. We have eight people. Miss G is one, myself is two, Lilian [a cousin] is three, Mamie is four, Annalena is five (she's my doll, you know). Miss P- is six, Auntie -'s seven, Aunt M's eight. We have a lovely, lovely time about it, 'cause it is a missionary club. I have thirteen cents in my mite box; Mamie hasn't any. Last Sunday we had a meeting that was just beautiful. We voted for President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. That left three members of the club. Annalena* has not joined yet. This Sunday she sat up and sang with us as well as I could. "Bringing in the Sheaves" she sang. Sitting on the stool, she sat in front of us. You know, I'm going to earn pennies by dusting Miss G's chairs. I'll read you this story now: FAIRY BUBBLE. house, when he heard a little noise within his room, One night a man was dreaming in a corner of his where he hastened to destroy it. But when he went, he felt nothing in the dark. But Fairy Bubble, of Holland, went straight back to her Holland home, in the Land of Flop-Doodle-Do, where witches dance all night with a skip and a bump and a jump. On the way a scattering bubble she threw, like shining diamonds, and looked like icicles as they dashed. And now and then the sun it flashed, and melted it Or perhaps the wind had blown it to a farther away. part away. With feathered hat, and gown, and pink silk sash, and brown as nuts her pretty hair, with braided queues flowed down her back-pretty Holland Fairy Bubble. But when the sunlight touched the diamond, her gown threw back, and rosy cheek turned white and pale. O, pretty Fairy Bubble! And so good-by, my Fairy Bubble, and I hope to meet you again. Good-by, dear Buddie. Your loving little sister. JUNE-. The birds have laid six eggs, and it's awful funny, because the papa bird cleans house. There are lots of roses. I've got a bush, and they's a big bed of Aunty's-red, white, and pink, and pink-and-white ones. Miss G- took one to a poor old organWoman. Today is Children's Day. I've been, this morning, to Miss G's church; tonight I'm going to my own church. Now I'll tell you a story. (Aside): It seems kind of silly, my letters do. It seems sort o' babyish, the words do, and not good *A large rag doll. |