WINTER RANCH LIFE.

on the snow, and more snow comes every day, and not so much sunshine. One
night the sky was beautiful. It was green and purple and red, and all sorts of
colors that are pretty.

I like to look at the sky when it begins to be night. After a little a star
peeps out; then it comes clear out. After a little another star comes out, and
then another until all are out, and the sky looks perfectly charming. Then the
moon comes out and shines on the snow, and there are not so many stars. It
seems to be a queer thing that when the moon shines so bright you can’t see so
many stars. And I said so. And one of the gentlemen said, ‘“ Whoop-la!
Sometimes the more light you have the more you can’t see!” And I said,
“Why?” And he only said, “ Whoop-la !”

If you were here you would tell me, wouldn’t you ?

Rag.

JaNuARY 4th.

When the jointed doll came to me, the head was off. I am going to have it
put on again. I have named it Johnny. Do you think Johnny is a pretty
name? Miss: Edith is my best girl. She has bangs and lovely eyes that open
and shut. Mr. Goodman gave her to me for Christmas. My dolls live in the
kitchen in the corner. They never get sick although it is so cold now we can-
not walk on the piazza. Jack Frost walks there, and spends his time making
pretty leaves and flowers and ferns all over the windows. Jack Frost is like
Santa Claus; if you should see him he wouldn’t be there. That’s a queer thing,
but when I said so Mr. Charles said, “ This world is full of queer things.’ And
I said, “ What things?” and he said, “ Well, your spelling for one.” And I
said, “ Yes, when you tell me which way the letters go!” And then I was
afraid I had been impudent. I despise being impudent. It isn’t polite, and
sometimes I have to go to bed for it. And I despise going to bed in the day-
time! But Mr. Charles only said, “Whoop-la! This isa sad world!” And I
said, “ Why?” and he said, “ Sometimes a ray of hope comes to me, and some-
times a(r)ray of questions.” And I asked him to explain. And then mamma
called me, and we made gingerbread nuts. Iam progressing incooking. I have
helped to make tarts, and I have assisted in making cake. I have not improved
my mind much. Mr. Frederick thinks it is because I have not any mind to im-
prove. Mr. Frederick hears my lessons sometimes when I ask him to. I have
been studying out of my geography. I think it is very interesting, but I cannot
remember it. I like to read. I can remember that well enough, but my geog-
raphy I cannot remember. It is harder to get right than spelling. This is
what I do every day: I dust and keep things neat, and I help make beds
and wash dishes. ;

Mr. Charles is a nice boy when he wants to be, but sometimes he leaves his
things around. We very often stumble over his boots.