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1905.] shall always continue to do so, although, to my sorrow, I have only a little less than a year before I am too old to be a member.

Thanking you again, I am, sincerely yours,

I ought ta have acknowledged before the beautiful badge which you sent me, but illness prevented my writing until now. I don't think I was ever so surprised in my life as when I saw my name, with the words “Gold Badge.” opposite it, in the September magazine; ar so delighted as when the precious badge itself arrived. I shall prize it all my life, not only for its own worth, but for the encouragement it has given me; and I shall always think gratefully of as having been the first to help me.

Hoping I shall always deserve your approval, I remain, sincerely yours,


 * I hope you will acknowledge that thanks are better late than never, especially when they come from down deep in the heart I presume you receive so many letters of gratitude that they mean little to you, but nevertheless no one so delighted as I to win a gold badge could neglect thanking you without a very troubled conscience. It is so beautiful that really I am afraid I have become a little vain, for I am not the least modest when people admire it. However, that is not my fault, but yours!

My school work is very absorbing or I would have time ta compete oftener. These are my studies and I enjoy them very much; Cicero, plane geometry, and advanced German.

Wishing you the best of success until magazines are no more.

I am always, your friend, admirer, and lover, (age 15).


 * You have been so good to me, and I feel toward you as to an old fiend, so I am sitting down to have a nice little talk with you, and to thank you.

At first you encouraged me in my work, and placed my name on the Honor Roll. I was, that first time, very pleased and jubilant. But imagine my feelings later when, not without same persistent endeavor, I was awarded the Silver Badge. And last, and best, you have placed in my hands that bit of gold and blue that means so much to the St. Nicholas Leaguer.

So, you see, although I live so far from that great metropolis, New York, in a town on the wide prairies, in this great wheat country, the Golden West, still, because I have touched hands with you, when you placed my prizes in my eager palms, and because you have of so much pleasure and benefit to me, I feel that really in my heart I am as near you as any of your readers.

And although I am a loyal and patriotic Canadian, still I am sure you will find a place for me in your big heart, that embraces so many boys and girls the world over, and that you will regard me as one of your ardent admirers, who will ever be,

Your most sincere friend,


 * My beautiful badge came the other day, and I spent so much of my time looking at it that I did not have time to prepare my lessons. When the came with my name, and “Gold Badge” in italics under it, I proceeded to become  what my less fortunate friends called “luny,” and may I often have such good cause for lunacy.

I celebrated the winning of my silver badge by coasting on my sled all day—and this time, when I won still greater honor, I played several games of croquet with a friend and was so excited that I lost every one of them. I am sure all the croquet-lovers of the League will realize my extreme joy.

Hoping for many, many years of prosperity for the League, when my name and work can no longer appear on its pages, I remain,

Your prize-winner (age 13).}}

Other welcome letters have been received from Margaret Sargent, Mary H. Dunton, Maud Dudley Shackelford, Clinton H. Smith, Consuelo Müller, Virginia Hoit, Virginia Mayfield, H. Ernest Bell, Edmund R Brown, Benjamia L. Miller, Helen L. Scobey, Jack Johnstone, Erwin Janowitz, Ruth Greenock Lyon, Morris Gilbert Bishop, Florence Alvarez, J. I. Tiemann, Winifred H. Littell, Dorothy Grace Gibson, Alice Garland, and Helen F. Bell.

St. Nicholas League awards gold and silver badges each month for the best poems, stories, drawings, photographs, puzzles, and puzzle-answers. Also cash prizes of five dollars each to gold-badge winners who shall again win first place. The last provision does not apply to “Wild Animal Photograph” prize-winners.

Competition No. 64 will close January 20 (for foreign members January 25). The awards will be announced and prize contributions published in for.

Verse. To contain not more than twenty-four lines. Title: to contain the word “Rest.”

Prose. Article or story of not more than four hundred words. Title: “The Story of a Cat.” Must be true.

Photograph. Any size, interior or exterior, mounted or unmounted; no blue prints or negatives. Subject, “Trees in Winter.”

Drawing. India ink, very black writing-ink, or wash (not color), interior or exterior, Two subjects, “Study from Animal Life” and a Heading or Tailpiece for April.

Puzzle. Any sort, but must be accompanied by the answer in full.

Puzzle-answers. Best, neatest, and most complete set of answers to puzzles in this issue of.

Wild Animal or Bird Photograph. To encourage the pursuing of game with a camera instead of a gun. For the best photograph of a wild animal or bird taken in its natural home: First Prize, five dollars and League gold badge, Second Prize, three dollars and League gold badge. Third Prize, League gold badge.

reader of, whether a subscriber or not, is entitled to League membership, and a League badge and leaflet, which will be sent on application.

Every contribution, of whatever kind, must bear the name, age, and address of the sender, and be indorsed as “original” by parent, teacher, or guardian, who must be convinced beyond doubt that the contribution is not copied, but wholly the work and idea of the sender. If prose, the number of words should also be added. These things must not be on a separate sheet, but on the contribution itself—if a manuscript, on the upper margin; if a picture, on the margin or back. Write or draw on one side of the paper only. A contributor may send but one contribution a month—not one of each kind, but one only. Address all communications:

The St. Nicholas League, Union Square, New York.