THE LARGEST, BEST .AM) CHEAPEST 
noon Tommy caught fifteen sqirreis m tins 
manner. He would wait any length ol tune 
when put down in a place and told to stay 
there. 
One day he brought a rat and laid at the 
feet of Mr. Edgerly, who took out his knife 
and skinned it. Pussy surveyed the opera¬ 
tion with intense interest, and seemed highly 
pleased at it. Mr. Edgerly said, “Go get 
another,” and the cat went oil' and returned 
at intervals during the day with three more, 
which were duly skinned under feline super¬ 
intendence. Mr. Edgerly told the cat. that 
lie would skin all the rata he could catch; 
and henceforth pussy made it his sole occu¬ 
pation to catch the rodents and see their 
hides removed. The skins of the rats were 
fastened on the barn at the distance of a few 
feet from the ground. Thirty-seven trophies 
were in time displayed on the barn. 
One day Ibis feline nimrod brought in a 
rat and laid it at Mr. Edgerly’s feet, lie 
was busy at the time and could not gratily 
the animal with the usual skinning opera¬ 
tion. The cat laid it at his feet three suc¬ 
cessive times, and was finally repulsed in 
such a manner that Tommy went oil' with 
his back and tail up in the peculiar stiff gait 
From that 
xmxot 
Office, .Vo. 135 B no fin V. 
$2,000,000 oo 
3.900,282 30 
100,837 48 
SHAKSPEARE ILLUSTRATED 
Cash Capital 
Assets, 1st Jan 
Liabilities . 
THE GREAT NATIONAL WEEKLY 
THE ANGEL’S BOOK 
One morning I was playing 
With JoSTE and PHIL, 
Till darkness bad gathered 
All over the hill. 
We parted repeating— 
“Good-night for a year; 
Before our next meeting. 
Another la hero!” 
ABSTRACT OF THE 
THIRTY-FIRST SEHI-INYI \L STATEMENT, 
Showing the condition of the. Company on the 1st 
day of .January, MB. 
ASSETS. 
Cash, Balance in Bank.. — $ 145,795 43 
Bonds and Mortgages, being first lien on 
Real Estate. 1,178,965 00 
Loans on Stocks, payable on demand. 409,662 00 
Cnlied States Storks (market value).. 1,404,743 oO 
Stale and Municipal Stocks and Bonds 
(market value).,. ItJa’nSe ™ 
Bank Stocks (market value)...... 148.9/6 00 
Interest due On 1st January, 1869. .18,nw li 
Balance in the hands of Agents and in 
course of transmission.,— 95,619 20 
Bill* Receivable (for Premiums on Inland 
Risks. Ae.). 14,000 91 
inner Property. MisccilanuoDS Items . .. 66,157 85 
Premiums due and uncollected on Poli- 
rlos Issued at Office, .t... . R.8i3 40 
Steamer Magnet and Wreel: ing Apparatus 35,o36 81 
Government Stamps on hand. Ht QQ 
Total.*3,966,282 3C 
LIABILITIES. 
Claims for Losses outstanding on 1st Jan. 
1809 *104,097 4r 
l)ue Stockholders for unpaid Dividends.. 2,740 (X 
VOL. XX, TOR 1869, 
Enlarged, Hrautifltd find Improved 
And late, just as slumber 
Was closing my eyes, 
1 thought a bright angel 
Came down from t he skies, 
And in his arms folded, 
I clearly could sen 
A volume for JosuS, 
For PHIL, ami for mo. 
Three beautiful volumes, 
All seeming alike; 
And calmly he waited 
Till midnight should strike. 
1 asked him, " Kind angel, 
Allow mo to look, 
Though for a moment, 
Within iny own book 1 .” 
“Ah, child !" he made answer, 
“ No one in this clinic 
Can see to decipher 
A volume of Time! 
All closed are its pages, 
Their number unknown. 
Save to Him who appointed 
The bpok as thine own. 
“ ’Tis page by page only, 
Yon ever will see 
What in it is written, 
Though written for thee. 
The hour is striking, 
Here, take it with care; 
And. child, never Open 
One page without prayer.” 
CHARLES J. MARTIN, President 
A. F. Willm Ain u. V. Pres. D. A. Hlald,2<1 
.1. H. Washburn. Secretary. 
GF.O.M.Lyon, Ass'tSec. T. B. GKEi.N t;.2d / 
which enraged animals have, 
day not a rat would he catch, though other 
small game continued to suffer as ol' old. 
But now comes the wonderfiil part ot the 
tale. On the night of the day in which lie 
became so mortally offended, Tommy went 
out to the barn and tore down the hides of 
the thirty-seven victims, to show his resent¬ 
ment of the insult. Such u case rarely is 
heard of, and so we record it for our readers, 
young and old. Though he would keep all 
his old habits, such as skating (for he would 
slide in the best manner he was able, on the 
ice, whenever the boys went), he never again 
was known to catch a rat to the day ol his 
death, which happened in a few months after 
by being caught in a fox trap .—New Hamp¬ 
shire Paper. 
On, mv prophetic soul, my uncle! 
GLIMPSES OF GENIUS 
The Sunday Question—“ How did you like the 
sermon, dear?" 
To Artists on Wood—Suggestions for a cut: 
Sticking piaster. 
Why i- a clever school-hoy like a detective? 
Because he's quick at appro})*union. 
Ir brevity is the soul of wot, what a vast 
amount of i’un there is in the tail of a fashiona¬ 
ble coat. 
“ Voir seem to walk more erect than usual, my 
dear sir.” “Yes, 1 have been straightened by 
circumstances." 
“ What is vour lino of business?” asked a po¬ 
lice magist rate of a dramatic-looking individual. 
“Clothes line," iw the response. 
The difference between Eugenie and the. de¬ 
throned Queen of Spain is, tlmt one is a belle on 
a throne and the other Is-a-bolle off. 
“ T SAY. Jim, What mechanical work did you do 
flrst asked one darkey of anot her. "Why, cut 
teeth, ob course,” replied the other instant ly. 
A young lady who was reading a novel, was 
asked by a gentleman how she liked the style. 
“The style Hie style!” was the answer; “oh, 
sir. I've not come to that yet,” 
He gave me the volume. 
And hasted away; 
I found, when 1 took it, 
Each page was a day. 
The first page this morning 
1 opened with prayer, 
And l could discover 
God’s blessing was there! 
We now offer to the Trade a new line of goods, 
bearing tlie above Trade-mark. These are made of 
the best materials, tempered and finished with all 
possible care, and are in every respect superior to 
imported Cutlery. 
All of our 
tichooldoii Visitor, 
WORTH BETTER THAN SHOW, 
RURAL FOUR-YEAR OLDS 
GABVINB AND SLICING KNIVES 
so stamped are warranted perfect in temper and 
durability of edge. 
CAUTION.—Since the success of our new Patent 
all Steel Silver-plated Knife was established, a num¬ 
ber of Imitations have appeared in the market, all 
of which are infringements upon our Patent-rights 
and cannot he relied upon, ne sure that your goods 
bear the Trade-mark of 
“What exquisite perfume,” he cried; 
“ bring me, I pray you, the flower which so 
delights my sense. See you yon stately 
stalk, bearing on its shaft those gorgeous 
lilies, whose snowy petals arc veined with 
blood-red lines and with violet shade; that 
is undoubtedly Hie plant I seek.” 
They brought him the curious lily of 
Africa. 
“ Its odor is nauseating,” he said; “ but 
bring me that flower of a hue so much 
deeper and richer than even the beautiful 
roses of nay own fair land. 
“ See bow it glows like a flame! — surely a 
rich odor should distil from that regal plant” 
It was a dahlia, and its scent was even less 
agreeable than that of the lily. 
“ Can it be, then, the large white blossoms 
clustered on yonder bush or the blue cups on 
the neighboring shrub ?" he asked. 
No, the snowball and campanula proved 
alike scentless. Various plants yielded their 
odorless buds or broad-spreading petals for 
his inspection. But he found not what he 
sought. 
“ Surely it must be that golden ball,” he 
said; “ for so showy a bloom should at least 
charm the nostril as well as the eye.” 
“ Faugh! ” It was a marigold. 
Ai length they placed in his hand a wee 
brown blossom. 
“ So unpretending a thing as this cannot be 
that for which 1 seek,” exclaimed the prince, 
with a vexed air — “ this appears to be noth¬ 
ing belter than a weed.” 
He cautiously lifted it to liis face. 
“Is it possible?” he cried. “ Is it really 
this unobtrusive brown weed which gives 
forth so precious an odor ? Why, it hangs 
over the whole garden, and comes fanning in 
Z3T Editors wishing the RURAL will receives it for 
lj869, without sending their papers in exchange, in return 
for publishing the above brief prospectus before 
April 1st, directing attention thereto, anU sending a 
marked copy to our New York Office. 
ILLUSTRATED REBUS-No 
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS 
Sets of 27.49 and 73 pieces, in Rosewood and Silver 
Cases, for 
rp II E T> O n E BlliL K 
IS THE BEST AXIi HANDSOMEST PRESENT 
that eon he made. 
Two volumes. Muslin,. .• • • • -• ■ 
Two volumes, Turkey Mnrneeo...WOO apd ?!-•> 
CASSELL., VETTER ,te GALVI N. .‘(96 Broadway, XA 
TlOR THROAT DISEASES AND ai 
for sale by all dealers. 
Olllee, 83 Beckman St., N. Y 
r linn* ol the chest, "Bmldir, hrnnehinl JYocflO,” 
or Cough Lnseitg' s. (ire of great value. la t.ottghs. 
Irritation of Hie Throat, earned by cold, or Unusual 
Exertion of the vocal organs, In speaking in public, 
or singing, they produce the most beneficial results. 
The Troche* have proved their efficacy. 
Jai America, have as many patients as Dr. Wol¬ 
cott, 118 Chatham Square N. V., where all can test, 
free of cost. Wi.leotiV Annjiiu.atok. fur catarrh, 
or Wolcott’* VAIN Vaunt for the immediate removal 
of all pain, and certain curb of diseases. Buy none 
unless in white wrappers.__ Ara-.t 
M issouki lanbs for sale,— 
Missouri Lands are very ten lie ano situ¬ 
ated in the heart ol the Union, they famish an ex- . 
traordinary opportunity forth© people of the worth- 
prn States to acuuire C-nenp. health''ll ami produc¬ 
tive farms. This t an m ver occur again, so nwu’ihe- 
great center or population. . 
North Missouri contain* about 25,000 sauam 
miles, or SrXTl t:\ Million ACin *, as desirable ua 
anvin the MIsslsHinpi Valley. Through ihl* gardeu 
Of Missouri, thb 1 Un n i tiM. it hr. JofiKPU kail- 
bo AD extends, and till It* lands lie near n» track and 
numerous (Duttons. The climate, an temperate arid 
healthful,find a virgin K'll so capable■ of Producing 
almost, every kind ol vegetation llllUN .' '“'fr rildl 
from Win cold and ideal:. North to settle on our rich 
prairies, ALL ARK INVITED. Let the Industrious 
enterprising, rich and poor, eome and prosper. I hey 
should come nt once and preoccupy this splendid 
° Citu’i LARS, giving full and valuable particulars, 
are supplied grotisio all wishing to eouie themselves 
or to Circulate to induce others to come also. 
A SECTIONAL Map showing the exact location of 
all our railroads lauds is sold at thirty <'cuts. 
Address OKO. h. IIAK HIS, 
i/.ind ConinkiHafouer, 
llannihai and St. Joseph Railroad Co., 
Hannibal, Missouri. 
Answer iu two weeks, 
Edgefield, 8. C. 
C. O. D.wa’tIuVes.C . O. 1). 
“I' 1 T.' lify('r h■ 11l‘ ' fail Plate, IS size, steel bal- 
ane.e.7 jewels, 2 or. Silver ease. : •••••••**> 
"Mat. Ijlflin,'' full plule. 18 sire, expansion bal- 
mire, 2 or. Silver case.. . -o e>J 
Either of the above in 3 or. case, 82 additional. 
Either of the above in 1 or. ease, ?4 .i0 additional. 
With tlie privilege ol examinin'-' in the hands of 
the Express Agent before DuMlic Watch. 
Successors to M. K. Chapman & Co 
No. 47 Liberty St., Now York. 
CHARADE.-No. 5 
G i E N I! I N E 
* WALTHAM WATCHES, 
IN SOLID GOLD AND SILVER CASES ONLY, 
.it ICilremtfp Loir Vrices. 
Silver Hunting Watches .. . . 
Gold Hunting Watches, 18 carat < ares . £0 
Gold Hunting Watches. Ladies’ Size. 70 
Every milch warranted t>U special corHfieate from 
the American Watrh Companu. We n ill : end these 
Watches by Express tu any place, with bill to collect 
on delivery, ana girt thi purclMvet t he privilege to open 
the package and examine the trot, ), b.-U: paying, and 
•mv Watch that does not Kit 1 Nt action may be 
exchanged or the money-Will he rcfundfC. Everyone 
ivi rpnflpstcd to write for our DcBcUotl vi; I rice-I^ist, 
Whk^explain^ tbedittcrent kind- y. it!> prices of cuuJh. 
Pleas) state that |a/B *uWi,D i a /O'mv L’n* l " ' er ' 
Address in lull, HOW A ICR iV l (k, 
Jewtdeis and hilxnrsuiiths. 
No, 619 Broadwgv. N. Y. 
fa fa irdEMNCFOR PHOKIT ” ami 
It PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE.” 
BY PETEK HENDERSON. 
The former detailing the modes of Market Gar¬ 
dening; the latter descriptive of the methods of 
Commercial Floriculture as practiced in the vicinity 
of New York .Mailed past-paid tor H.oO ouch. 
Our Iliustratert catalogue of Seeds rind Imple¬ 
ments together with that of NEWond HARE PLANTS, 
are now ready, and both will he mailed on receipt of 
25 c., or sent with cither Of the above hooks without 
charge. HENDERSON A FLEMING. 
Seedsmen, Market Gardeners and florists. 
ITT Nassau St., New York. 
Green nouses, Bergen City, -V. ,T._ 
ERRV BOX 12 S HAL LOOK A 
Colby’s Patents, improved. The best and cheap¬ 
est box in use: neat, strong and well ventilated. 
Put together without tacks. Pint and quart sua ; 
also a ucw style of Berry Basket, vary neat. 1 each 
Baskets, Grid* Boxes, Crates, &<•., so. 
At ilie Factories of the Rochester t.raneamd Berry 
Box Co.. Rochester, N. Y., and Benton Harbor Mich- 
Address _ H. N. PECK A CO. 
Circulars sent freo. ■*” “• 
T vau aiii.i: farm fok^ale. 
iV T«o mites west of Batavia village, 16a acres, 
productive soil, durable water, good buildings, good 
fences, choice fruit in abundance, 30 acre* timber, ~- 
acres wheat. 80 acres timothy meadow. Convenient 
ANAGRAM.-No. 4, 
Ebveeli ton kace gancicsu guntoe, 
Sa toms keaw leepop od; 
Tub listl ebevile tahttrosy grown, 
Hiwch goutli tno to eb uret. 
Enon, Pa. A> D ' 
^“Answer in two weeks. 
HE RECENTLY IMPROVED MACHINE, 
with Counter or Index attached, is a complete 
itteG Address, inclosing sDuup.^r^Ur^ula. and 
fc ' 17C State 8t., Rochester, N. Y. 
An Odd Disposition.—Jamie II-was 
less than four years, when one sunny day liis 
persistent meddling with the tools induced 
the old gentleman to cuff his ears lightly. 
Jamie stepped back, locked his hands behind 
him, and, after two or three minutes silence, 
said very gravelyIf’ou do dat’gin I’ll 
take de sun down and pul ’ou up in de hole.” 
Astronomical,—Frank M-liad just 
begun to talk. His lather showed him the 
full moon one bright night, and a few nights 
thereafter her ladyship’s face waned with 
age. " Moon broke,” said Frank, stretching 
his little hand up and looking iu his father’s 
face. 
A precocious youngster astonished his 
mother tlie other day by asking if lie lmd 
any children. “ What put that in yonr 
head?” she asked. “Why, did’ut you read 
this morning about children’s children?” 
was the answer. 
PUZZLER ANSWERS 
Li Mbti. unonA.i-w Iftiti iasm Mih fl* v Y 
F YON El', 1.0FFSTKIN, Sup t, 13,, N 135W 2Dth Bt., JS. r. 
Steel Engravings produced by an improved process 
at c,ne-tbird the usual rates. Portraits, Country 
Beats, Circulars, Teproduct^nBofEngrayinKS^ De¬ 
signs Ac JNO. VINCJCM HIGGINS, 
- h ' gole Agent. NO.656 Broadway, New \ork. 
T\I I* I. o M A S F ok I’BIZES 
Plain and In colors. Samples sent on application. 
Address THE MAJOR A KNAPP ENGRAVING, 
MANUF’G A LITHOGRAPH COMPANY,71 Broad¬ 
way, New York. 
T tlllUTY YEARt*’ EX PERI KN t’K AND 
all modern improvements w ( Brlrtt Machine^, 
Machinery AI*d Castings Of all kinds,. for t.u 
•Subscribe for 
Miscellaneous Enigma No. 3. -- 
the Enlarged Edition of Moore’s Rural New 
Yorker. „ ^_ 
A SAGACIOUS CAT, 
Last year Charles Edgerly of Mere¬ 
dith, owned a cat which was a regular hunt¬ 
er. He would often go off and bring in 
rabbits. If any of the family went berrying, 
Tommy would go too and devote his ener¬ 
gies to wild game. If lie became separated 
from the party he would climb a tree and 
ascertain tlie direction to head himself to 
find them, lie could catch birds on trees, 
and the boys of the family, knowing the 
propensity of squirrels to take to fences and 
stone walls when in danger, would put him 
on a wall and alarm the game. One aller- 
Take away three lines so as to leave three per¬ 
fect squares. 
Question No. 1.—Another. 
Charade No. 3.—Character. 
Anagram No.3.— 
Think naught a trifle, though it small appeals; 
Samis make the mountains, moments make the 
veurs; 
Anil trifles life. Your care to trifles give. 
Else voci may die ere you have learned to live. 
