1809.] 
A M ERIC AN A CERIC U LTUR.IST 
65 
“OUR YOUNG FOLKS” 
A. W JTJ'VEIN'ILE Mi AG-A & I !N E . 
This Magazine lias won golden opinions from its many thousands of readers, who have awaited with eager interest each successive number since the first made its appearance, four years 
ngo. Its Stories, Sketches of Travel and Adventure, Poems, and Articles on Historical, Biographical, or Scientific Subjects, have been furnished by the ablest and most popular writers in 
America and England; and its Illustrations have come from the most skillful artists in the country. The efforts made by the Conductors of “ OUR YOUNG FOLKS” to produce for 
youthful readers a Magazine at once instructive and entertaining, by a wide variety of excellent reading from writers whose names are a passport to the affections of all boys and girls, and 
to the confidence of older and more cautious readers, have been successful in a remarkable degree. The Press lias praised the Magazine in the highest terms as “ the Best Juvenile Maga¬ 
zine ever produced in any Land or Language.” The wisest Educators of the country have commended it as a most valuable auxiliary to the teacher and parent in the instruction of youth. 
The most distinguished Clergymen, of all denominations, have spoken of it as an excellent Magazine for the family, and some have commended it as eminently suited to add to the interest 
and practical benefit of Sunday-schools. . 
But the strongest and the best testimony to its attractiveness comes FROM THE HEADERS OF “OUR YOUNG FOLKS.” 
Madison, December 2d, 1868. 
I have taken “Our Young Folks” eversince the first num¬ 
ber made Its appearance, and I would sooner go without my 
dinner every day than lose a single number; it is meat, 
drink, and lodging for me. -. 
Fond du Lac, Wis., May 13th, 18G8. 
To the Editor of “ Our Young Folks”: 
I am a member of a class in school which uses your Maga¬ 
zine for a reading book, and we have taken so much pleasure 
in our reading exercise that we determined to write and tell 
you how much we enjoy it. You cannot think how tired we 
used to be of the political speeches and all sorts of dry reading 
in our old readers. We dragged along in them for the first 
two or three terms of our school, until our teacher asked us 
how we would like to have “Our Young Folks” to read in. 
We all thought we should like it very much, and decided to 
have it; and now, after a term's trial, we are prepared to 
say that we are much pleased and really thank you. \\ e 
look forward with real pleasure to the time of our reading 
class now, and we can hardly wait for the new numbers to 
reach us. Yours, gratefully, for the whole class,-. 
Coldwater, Mien., Oct. 12,1868. 
I wanted so many new books and tools this year. I thought 
I would try and get along without “ Our Young Folks” ; but 
I can’t do it. I am lame, and cannot go off aiid play with 
the other boys; so I must have my old friend again.-. 
Faribault, Minx., Sept. 21. ISGS^, 
My little hoy took your incomparable Magazine for two 
years. But this year I was not able to get it for him at the 
beginning of the year; at this late day I can get it. 1 think 
your Magazine the best that I have seen, and hope to send 
for it earlier another year. --• 
Hermann', Mo., Nov. 29, ISOS. 
* * * Mv brother lias given me the first and second volumes 
of “ Our'Young Folks.'” I like these so well that I want to 
own them all, and have tried to earn money enough to pay 
for them. I have found it a hard job, ns money is not as 
plenty as work ; but I have succeeded now, ami I mean to 
Keep on taking “Our Young Folks” as long as it is publish¬ 
ed, which I hope will be for a long time.-. 
Painted Post, N. Y., Nov. 2-1,1SG8. 
We find your excellent Magazine indispensable in our 
family. -• 
Toledo, Ohio. Nov. IS, 1SC8. 
Dear Sir:— I wish to renew my subscription for “ Our 
Young Folks" for 18G9. My little brother is perfectly de¬ 
lighted with it, and his delight is shared by the whole fami¬ 
ly. *** Yours, most respectfully, -. 
Utica, N. Y„ Dec. 7,1SCS. 
Messrs. Fields, Osgood & Co.; 
My little son has been a subscriber to your excellent Maga¬ 
zine ever since the first number was issued ; and lie would 
as soon think of going to bed without his supper as of being 
deprived of the pleasure the Magazine affords him. * * * 
Bloomington, III., Dec. 1,1S6S. 
*** We enjoy “ Our Young Folks” so much we feel as 
though we could not get along nicely without it. Many a 
lonely and sick hour has been passed pleasantly by its help, 
and I think it improves all the time.-. 
Albany, Dec. 23,1SG8. 
Messrs. Fields & Osgood.— I send $8, the pay for five 
copies of “Our Young Folks” for 18G9. I like your Magazine 
first rate and I have got four of my chums to take It with 
me tins year. I think I shall like The Story of a Bad Boy, 
because I think it is going to be the story of a real boy, and 
that is what I want. I suppose I am a sort of bad hoy ; 
somehow I can’t help getting into mischief sometimes, but I 
don’t mean to be a very bad boy. I hope we shall have more 
of William Henry’s letters. I know a boy just like him. Com¬ 
mence with the January number. Yours truly,-. 
The following extract from a letter of the Chicago Tribune 
includes additional testimony to the popularity of the maga¬ 
zine among its readers: 
“ It is very interesting to step in, of a morning, to the pub¬ 
lishing house of Fields, Osgood & Co., to see what the mail 
has brought them from the patrons of a single one of their 
periodicals — ‘ Our Young Folks.’ This juvenile magazine 
lias achieved a most substantial success. Its present circula¬ 
tion is fifty thousand copies, and the rate of increase was 
nevermore rapid than now. The prospectus for the new 
year, with its promise of papers of juvenile science by Mrs. 
Agassiz, practical instruction by Edward E. Hale, adventur¬ 
ous biography by Mr. Parton, and so forth, and the specimen 
number issued for January, with the beginning of Mr. T. B. 
Aldrich's wonderfully taking ‘ Story of a Bad Boy,’ have 
given the present impetus to subscriptions. But I began to 
speak of the examination of the morning mail. This brings, 
at this time of year, an average of 500 letters daily to this 
department of the store—a pile very formidable on the desk, 
and requiring several hours of steady labor to attend to. 
The children themselves write most of the letters: and it is 
exceedingly curious to see the quaint epistolary methods, 
and the odd phraseology, which these young folks pick up 
in their early essays at business correspondence. A re¬ 
markably large portion of them come from the Northwest; 
almost every town in Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, 
Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan is represented in one morning’s 
mail. One enthusiastic youngster in Madison, who has had 
every number from the beginning, says he would rather go 
without ins dinner any day than miss a number, and that lie 
values it as ‘ meat, drink, and lodging’; a little girl in Peo¬ 
ria, more circumspect in her language, says ‘many a lonely 
and sick hour lias been passed pleasantly by its help,’ and ‘ I 
think it improves all the time’; while the next letter is lrom 
a boy in Dubuque, who does not mince bis words, even with 
pen and ink, but says, ‘ I think it is a bully magazine.’ Real¬ 
ly, the little monthly deserves all the kind things said of it 
by its friends, old and young; and it3 growing popularity, 
while it steadily adheres to its plan of developing a taste lor 
the very best literature, is one of the most gratifying signs 
of the time, so far as the rising generation is concerned. 
The leading Serial Story for “OUR YOUNG FOLKS ” for 
18G9 is 
“ TIIE STORY OP A BAD BOY.” 
BY T. B. ALDRICH. 
To indicate its general character, and its great superiority 
to ordinary stories for youthful readers, the Introductory 
Chapter is given: 
This is the story of a bad boy. Well, not such a very bad, 
but a pretty bad boy ; and I ought to know, for I am, or 
rather I was, that boy myself. 
Lest the title should mislead the reader, I hasten to assure 
him here that I have no dark confessions to make. I call 
my story the story of a bad boy, partly to distinguish my¬ 
self from those faultless young gentlemen who generally fig¬ 
ure in narratives of this kind, and partly because I really 
was not a cherub. I may truthfully say I was an amiable, 
impulsive lad, blessed with fine digestive powers, and no 
hypocrite. I didn’t want to be an angel and with the angels 
stand; I did n't think the missionary tracts presented to me 
by the Rev. Wibird Hawkins were half so nice as Robinson 
Crusoe; and I didn’t send my little pocket money to the 
natives of the Fcjee Islands, but spent It royally in pepper¬ 
mint-drops and taffy candy. In short, I was a real human 
hoy, such as you may meet anywhere in New England, and 
no more like the impossible boy in a story-book than a sound 
orange is like one that lias been sucked dry. But let us be¬ 
gin at the beginning. 
Whenever a new scholar came to our school I used to con¬ 
front him at recess with the following words: “ My name’s 
Tom Bailey ; wliat’s your name?” If the name struck me 
favorably, I shook bands with the new pupil cordially; but 
if it did n’t I would turn on my liecl, for I was particu¬ 
lar on tliis point. Such names as Higgins, Wiggins, and 
Spriggins, were deadly affronts toinyqar; while Langdon, 
Wallace, Blake, and the like, were passwords to my confi¬ 
dence and esteem. 
Ah me ! some of those dear fellows arc rather elderly boys 
by this time, — lawyers, merchants, sea-captains, soldiers, 
authors, what not ? Phil Adams (a special good name that 
Adams) is consul at Shanghai, where I picture him to myself 
with liis head closely shaved,—he never had too much hair, 
—and a long pigtail hanging behind. He is married, I bear, 
and I hope be and she that was Miss Wang Wang are very 
happy together, sitting cross-legged over their diminutive 
cups of tea in a sky-blue tower hung with hells. It is so I 
think of him ; to me he is henceforth a jeweled mandarin, 
talking nothing hut broken China. Whitcomb is a judge, 
sedate and wise, with spectacles balanced on the bridge of 
that remarkable nose which, in former clays, was so plenti¬ 
fully sprinkled .with freckles that the boys christened him 
Pepper Whitcomb. Just to think of little Pepper Whitcomb 
being a judge ! What would lie do to me now, I wonder, if I 
were to sing out “ Pepper!” some day in court? Fred Lang- 
don is in California, in the native-wine business,—lie used to 
make the best licorice-water I ever tasted ! Hinny Wallace 
sleeps in the Old South Burying-ground; and Jack Harris, 
too, is dead,—Harris, who commanded nsboys, of old, in the 
famous snow-ball battles of Slatter's Hill. Was it yesterday 
I saw liim at the head of his regiment on its way to join the 
shattered Army of the Potomac? Not yesterday, hut five 
years ago. It was at the battle of the Seven Pines. Gallant 
jack Harris, that never drew rein until he had dashed into 
the Rebel battery! So they found him—lying across the 
enemy’s guns. 
Howwehaveparted, and.wandered, and married, and died! 
I wonder what lias become of alt the hoys who went to the 
Temple Grammar School at Rivermouth when I was a 
youngster ? 
“All, all are gone,the old familiar faces!” 
It is with no ungentle hand I summon them back, for a 
moment, from that Past which has closed upon them and 
upon me. How pleasantly they live again in my memory! 
Happy, magical Past, in whose fairy atmosphere even Con- 
wav, mine ancient foe, stands forth transfigured, with a sort 
of dreamy glory encircling his bright red hair! 
With the old school formula I commence these sketches 
of my boyhood. My name is Tom Bailey ; what is yours, 
gentle reader ? I take for granted it is neither Wiggins nor 
Spriggins. and that we shall get on famously together in tile 
pages of this magazine, and be capital friends forever. 
Lynn, Mass., .Tan. 6.1S69. 
Messrs. Fields & Osgood.—Dear Sir ; I write to say, is 
“ The Story of a Bad Boy ” a real true story, or only made 
up? It begins bully, anyhow. I want to know where is 
Rivermouth? I can’t find it on the map anywheres. My 
brother says Mr. Trowbridge’s “Glass Making” is good. 
He says Mr. Trowbridge is a regular blower, lie’s only jok¬ 
ing. Y ours, -. 
Worcester, Jan. 4,18G9. 
Gentlemen:— Our teacher proposes to use “OurYoung 
Folks” as a reading book during this year. We think it will 
be quite nice to have something fresh and interestingto read, 
instead of the same old selections which we know by heart. 
How much will it cost to have twelve copies of “Our Young 
Folks” sent? Will they he any cheaper than if each hoy 
should subscribe by himself? Please answer soon. 
I remain yours, -—-. 
Good as “ OUR YOUNG FOLKS ” lias heretofore been, 
its value for the present year will be greatly increased by 
the prominence given to practical and instructive features'; 
to Biography, History .Industrial Subjects, Scientific Articles 
of a popular yet thoroughly reliable character, Gardening, 
Declamations and Dialogues. Special attention is invited to 
the following outline of the leading features of 
« 0UII fone F©LI£S ” for 188®. 
THE STOEY OF A BAD BOY, 
BY T. B ALDRICH, 
will be the leading:Serial Story in “OUR YOUNG FOLKS” 
for the year 1S60, and promises to be one of the brightest ami 
most entertaining stories ever written for youthful readers. 
GARDENING- FOR GIRLS. 
A highly interesting and important story, written by the 
Author of “Six Hundred Dollars a Year,” and intended to 
convey hints to young girls as to a useful disposal of their 
lime, and to give valuable assistance in the Study of Botany, 
.serving the purpose for them which was answered for boys 
in the admirable serial, “ Farming for Boys.” 
HOW TO DO IT. 
Edward Everett Hale will contribute various papers, 
written for the practical instruction of grown-up boys and 
girls, and of our young men and women, in the methods of 
life. They will include suggestions as to the way—How to 
Talk ; How to Head; How to Write; How to Travel; How 
to Act in Society; and IIow to Work. \, 
THE WORLD WE LIVE ON. 
Mrs. AGASsrz will give a scries of papers, explaining in a 
familiar way many of the phenomena observed in the world 
about us. She will give an account of the coal deposits, and 
explain the way in which the coral insects construct islands 
in llie ocean. She will also explain how and why earth¬ 
quakes occur, and describe some of the more noted ones. 
THE GREAT NAVIGATORS, VOYA¬ 
GERS, AND DISCOVERERS. 
Mr. James Parton will contribute a number of Bio¬ 
graphical Sketches, taking as his subjects the lives of some 
of the most eminent navigators and discoverers. These will 
include Prince Henry of Portugal, Diaz, Vasco da Gama, 
Magellan, Columbus, John and Sebastian Cabot, Champlain, 
Hudson, and others, 
DIALOGUES. 
Mn. Epes Sargent will furnish a number of new Dia¬ 
logues, adapted to School Exhibitions and Private Repre¬ 
sentations. 
AMERICAN HISTORY 
will be presented in articles by Mr. J. II. A. Bone. 
HUMAN BEES. 
Mp.. Trowbridge will describe some of the more import¬ 
ant and interesting brandies of human industry, such as 
Glass-Making, Coal-Mining, Ship-Building. 
NATURE AND OUT-DOOR LIFE 
will be the subject of articles by the author of “ The Seven 
Little Sisters,” to which others will be added by Mr. Charles 
J. Foster, and by Mn. W. F. G. Shanks, who will furnish 
papers upon the Fire-Damp, Wrecks and Wrecking, etc. 
DECLAMATIONS. 
Declamations of an entirely fresh character will be fur¬ 
nished by Rev. Elijah Kellog, author of “ Spartacus,” 
and “ Icilius.” 
fry- TERMS :_$2.00, in advance; 3 copies, $5.00; 5 copies, $8.00; 10 copies, $15.00, ancl $1.50 for eacli additional copy. 
N. B.—A copy of “ O LTR YOUNG FOLKS " for 1SG9 will he sent gratis to any person who will act as agent and raise a club for the Magazine. 
Specimen Copy, Premium List, Circulars, etc., sent upon application. SW The “Atlantic” and “ Our Young Folks ” sent to one address for $5.00 per annum. 
FIELDS, OSGOOD & GO., Publishers, (Successors to Ticknor & Fields,) 124 Tremont Street, Boston. 
