THE SINKING SHIP. 
The Coming- Rural Fairs. 
“I tell you sir, the ship is sinking,” 
Cried a stripling tall and fair, 
As he stood before the captain 
With his stern and iron air. 
“You know her timbers ail are rotten, 
And her sides are full of breaks, 
That she's long been deemed unworthy 
Such rough voyages to take.” 
Others crowded round the captain 
With their faces wild and white; 
But he only frowned more coldly 
At the frightened, piteous sight. 
“She’s all .right, men!’ shrieked he fiercely, 
“Use the pumps and furl the sail, 
Go to work instead of shrinking, 
We want no such word as ‘fail. ’ 
“Do you think I’ll leave this vessel 
That for years has stemmed the tide? 
Do you think I’ll be forgetful 
Whatever dangers may betide? 
In her time no bonnier craft 
Did sail these waters o’er; 
And the drowning ones she’s rescued 
May be numbered by the score.’’ 
But, sir, can’t you see she’s sinking? 
Don’t you know her day is past? 
She is now corrupt and rotten 
From the keel up to the mast.” 
“Man the life boat,” cried a seaman, 
Springing forward as he spake, 
“For the sake of home and loved ones. 
Quick! the timbers creak and break.” 
Vainly fell the captain’s curses,— 
Each man battled for his life, 
With his thoughts away to landward 
With the children and the wife. 
A few preferred to take their chances 
By the dauntless captain's side, 
Bound to cling to their loved vessel 
Come what would or what betide. 
Another hour—and on the billow's 
Safely rode the life-boat proud, 
While the' dashing spray of ocean 
Formed the captain’s watery shroud. 
Friends of country, home and heaven, 
Cling not to a sinking ship 
Till your chance of rescue's over, 
And you’ve taken your last trip. 
She may’ve been a “grand old vessel,” 
And have freed a fallen race; 
But she’s worn, and broke, and leaking, 
Of former grandeur scarce a trace* 
Hasten to the life boat, seamen, 
Man her quick and all set sail. 
She will land you safe and happy, 
She will weather every gale, 
See! there’s quite a crew aboard her, 
But there’s room for millions—Hark! 
They are singing: “Hallelujah!” 
Hail the Prohibition bark! 
— Velina Caldwell Melville , in ^ e Lever. 
Now that the season for holding Au¬ 
tumnal Agricultural Fairs is drawing nigh, 
it is in order for all engaged in rnral | ur- 
suits, and others interested, to make ar¬ 
rangements to contribute sp- eimens # of 
their taste, skill and industry to at least 
one exhibition. As a rule, those who make 
the earliest and best preparation will be the 
most successful. All who are growing 
fruits, vegetables and grain to exhibit in 
competition should give them the best care 
and culture, not only with a view of secur¬ 
ing premiums, but of receiving credit for 
the superiority of their exhibits—which lat¬ 
ter ought to be more gratifying than any 
money consideration. In this work of pre¬ 
paration for the fair, various members of 
the family can participate. While the men 
look after the samples of the main crops- 
and animals, the women and young people 
should be induced to prepare and exhibit 
articles of merit on their own account. 
Most societies offer special premiums for 
articles of domestic manufacture, and the 
wives and daughters of farmers and vil¬ 
lagers should take pride in displaying the 
best specimens of their skill and handi work. 
And the boys—notably such as have re¬ 
solved to become wide-awake, progressive 
farmers—should be encouraged to contrib¬ 
ute samples of what they have cultivated, 
and the animals they have cared for and 
trained, to the local or most accessible ru¬ 
ral exhibition. The seniors should not only 
permit but stimulate the ambition of the 
juniors in this direction, for a little encour¬ 
agement may have a most salutary and 
lasting influence. 
National, State and Provincial Fairs are 
the most prominent and attract the great¬ 
est attention, usually combining the larg¬ 
est displays and attendance, yet we think; 
the county and other local (town and un¬ 
ion) exhibitions are equally if not more 
useful and important, and they are certain¬ 
ly most accessible to practical ruralists and: 
their families. Easily and cheaply reached,, 
they should, if well conducted, be given; 
the preference. And they should not onljr 
be contributed to by farmers and their fam¬ 
ilies, but also by village and suburban resi- 
