MAY 40 
Y ©B54f B, 
YOU KISSED ME. 
BY sins. CARRIE h. CHURCH. 
You kissed me ! My head drooped low on your 
breast. 
With a feeling of shelter and infinite rest, 
While the holy emotion my tongue dared not speak 
Flashed up like it flame from ray heart to my cheek. 
Your arms held me fast —oh! your arras were so 
hold; 
Heart heat against heart in tlieil' passionate hold, 
Your glances soouied drawing ray soul through my 
eyes. 
As the sun draws the mist from the sea to the skies, 
And your lips dun:: to mine till I prayed in my bliss 
nicy might never unclasp from that rapturous kiss 
You kissed me! My heart, and my breath, and ray 
will 
In delirious Joy for the moment stood still i 
l.lfe had forme then no temptation*, no charms, 
No vista of pleasure outside of your arms, 
And wore l this Instant an angel, possessed 
Of the joy and the peace that are given the blest, 
1 would fling my white robes unrepinlngly down, 
And tear from my forehead its beautiful crown 
To nestle once more in the haven of rest, 
With your lips upon mine, and my head on your 
breast. 
You kissed me 1 My soul In a bliss so divine, 
Reeled and swooned — like a foolish man drunken 
with wine, 
And I thought 'twere delicious to dio then, If death 
Would come while my mouth was yet moist with 
your breath; 
’Twere delicious to die if my heart might grow cold 
While your arms wrapped me round in that passion¬ 
ate fold. 
And those are the questions 1 ask, day and night: 
Must my life taste but once such exquisite delight? 
Would you care If your breast were my Bhelter as 
then 7 
And if you were here would you kiss me again? 
Chicago, 1873. 
-- 
THE WINDOWS OF OUR HOUSES. 
Did it ever strike you that the windows of a 
habitation wore as indicative of the inmate’s 
character as are the eyes of the nature of the 
soul behind? Can you view u clean, polished 
glass, guileless of stain or blemish, daintily 
draped with a frost-work of foamy lace, looped 
in graceful folds by skillful fingers,and not feel 
that at least purity and taste dwell therein! 
Home-lovT speaks for Itself in those clustering 
vines and fair exotics on the low broad sill, and 
happinosa is echoed in every noto which qulv- 
ers in the yellow songster’s throat, albeit that 
it floats from between the bins of a tiny glided 
prison. It is hard to believe that were wo per¬ 
mitted to gnze behind t hat casement, neglect 
of household duties, strife and discontent would 
be our reward. 
A little further on, and we find Mrs. Grundy, 
abroad high casement, rigid in Its severe sim¬ 
plicity, void of cornice or bracket, overhung by 
no protecting balcony which would in the least 
obscure the dear old lady's vision ; very proper, 
Very precise, its stiff, dark shades rolled toon 
exact angle, and situated with an unobstructed 
view of every other window down the street. 
We do not cure to come in too close contact, 
and pass rapidly to the opposite side. 
Laughing, wo greet Mrs. Shoddy in an im¬ 
mense bay, all possible angles and curves—no 
lack of cornice or brackets there—and over¬ 
hung by a high balcony that might have served 
for the portal to some ancient castle in the 
architecture of bygone days. Gorgeous satin 
lining the crimson velvet which drops from 
heavy bands of gold, cords and tassels of rain¬ 
bow tints loop and festoon this inagnilicence, 
and over or under all an elaborate lace Is draped 
with an eye to outward appearance, while here 
and there we catch aglimp?e of a lie-fringed, 
be-gymped and be-tosseled lambrequin, wc can¬ 
not repress a smile as we paint a picture for our 
mind’s eye of rooms smothered in upholstery, 
its brilliant coloring reflected on all sides in 
massive mirrors, and poor, Ignorant, good-na¬ 
tured Mrs. SHODDY almost, crushed beneath the 
weight of her heavy moire, point-lace, leathers, 
flowers and diamonds; and in .unison with our 
mental picture, Mrs. FhOPDY's “ establish¬ 
ment” dashes up to the door beside us, dazzling 
our unaccustomed eyes with its gold-plated 
mountings, plum-color and gold livery, the son 
of Erin upon the box making vain efforts to 
balance himself beneath the weight of his im¬ 
mense cockade. Poor Mrs. Shoddy ! Never 
poorer than now, while rolling in wealth, or 
never so deserving of pity '. 
We need not go far to rest our dazed vision. 
See that small cottage just below the hill; every 
casement peers Like the eyesof a laughing child 
from beneath the overhanging vines; only sim¬ 
ple muslin shades the golden sunlight which 
falls in sparkling arrows upon a painted floor. 
Happiness, industry and love—all but wealth— 
dwell there, In perfect contentment, and glanc¬ 
ing down upon it from the brow of yonder hill 
is the window of the aristocrat, with heavy 
plate glass, whose iron railings proclaim, “Thus 
far shalt thou go, arid no farther,” while closed 
inside blinds suggests the sanctity of what lies 
beyond. We shudder at this solitary grandeur, 
id glance to see if heaven's blue light bathes 
window as warmly as Its neighbor. 
icing up. we chance to view a dormer 
a. 
that 
In 
da. 
>f hidden in a" roof, its light cotton 
n ow ha. it and tied in the center with a 
raperycaugn knot; that much surely sug- 
ru y masculine . artments; while the pile of 
gests a bachelor’s ap K 
books upon the sill, the stone inkstand, and 
steel pen scarcely yet dry, then a sealed let ter, 
saying os plainly as words can say, “ A student 
far from home," and wo fancy In that closed 
^pistle loving words to the fond mother and 
sister who wait, firm In faith that their absent 
one is on the high road to fame and fortune. 
That low, brown cabin on a side street, Just 
below, such a sad, pitiful window as it owns.* 
A tattered shawl, half drawn aside, screens the 
interior, while here and there old rugs and bits 
of paper,cobwebs and dust dimming what poor 
remnants of glass remain; the unpalntod sill, 
half-brokon-away supports, a bottlcanfl Cracked 
glass, and every surrounding proclaiming utter 
neglect. “A drunkard's home" is written in 
fiery letters upon every visible spot, and is as 
istinetly noticeable as is the gate to ruin r in- 
cribed upon the immense glittering panes <>;>- 
ositc, with the silver-plated bars and railing 
protecting (but not concealing) the rows of 
sparkling liquors In their cut-glass decanters. 
We need blit one glance there; it brings no 
sweet home picture to our mind but want, ruin 
and desolation; homes laid waste, widows and 
orphans made desolate; it sickens heart and 
soul, Htn1 we gladly turn from the crowded, 
noisy thoroughfare, lined with its office and 
business Windows, and wander out into tlio 
green meadows and cool orchards. 
It needs little study to read tho character of 
yonder low, wide casement; its many-paned. 
sashes glittering in the iimrnirig's light, like the 
broad, good-natured face of a genial host, whoso 
evory feature is radiant with hospitality and 
good cheer; warm worsted curtains, drawn 
closely back, allow the light fire in the grand 
old-fa&hionod fireplace to cast welcoming rays 
far beyond the deep window seat, and suggest 
this cool spring morning, the peace, plenty and 
good cheer of the successful A ru or I call farmer. 
Through tho flowery archways of apple boughs 
in yonder orchard, wo can catch the rays of re¬ 
flected sunlight as they fall upon the Gothic 
window of the villago church, and wo cannot 
help an involuntary wonder if tho prayers of 
those simple villagers will not ascend more 
readily where sweet pines and forest trees are 
the only surroundings, and the carols of wild 
birds mingle with tho choirs* simple chants. 
Ab. yes! to us, at. least., the window is typical 
of the inmate, bet us each and all, then, strive 
that t he easements of our homos, like the win¬ 
dows of tho soul, suggest naught, but refinement,, 
peace, purity and good will within. 
Denver, Col. Mus. P. T. Rushmoue. 
-- 
TO YOUNG MEN ON MARRIAGE. 
Du. Crosby says:—“The true girl has to be 
sought for. She docs not parade herself as 
show-goods. She is not fashionable. Generally 
she Is not rich. But, O 1 what a heart she has 
when you find her! so large, and pure, and 
womanly! When you see it, you wonder if 
those showy things outside wore really women. 
If you gain Iter love, your two thousand are a 
million. She’ll notask you for a carriage or a 
first-class house. She'll wear simple dresses, 
and turn them when necessary, with no vulgar 
iMigniJicat to frown upon her economy. She’ll 
keep everything neat and nice in your sky-par¬ 
lor, anil give you such a welcome when you 
come home, that you'll think your parlor higher 
than ever. She'll entertain true friends on a 
dollar, and astonish you with the now thought, 
how very little happiness depends on money! 
She’ll make you love home (if you don't you’re, 
a brute), and teach you how to pity, while you 
scorn; a poor fashionable society that thinks 
itself rich, and vainly tries to think itself happy. 
Now do not, I pray you. say any more, ‘I can’t 
afford to marry.’ Go, find the true woman, and 
you can! Throw away that cigar, burn up that 
switch cane, be sensible yourself, and seek your 
wife in a sensible way.” 
- 4 -*-*-- 
A NEW AVENUE FOR WOMEN. 
If women must have more avenues of em¬ 
ployment, it is well for them to adopt those 
which will serve to mitigate the sufferings of 
numanity. A lady has just set up In business, 
In Baltimore, os a dentist. What man would 
dread the dentist's chair if the skill that pre¬ 
sides over it is “lovely woman,”and the fingers 
that tenderly feel forthc aching tooth are soft 
and fair? Toothache would cease to be a ca¬ 
lamity under such circumstances; it might, bo, 
even, that men would dosire the pain that they 
might enjoy the remedy, and be found culti¬ 
vating opportunities for resorting to the cure. 
And in this profession, at least, women would 
not have occasion to complain that her rewards 
are less than those of man—for imagine the 
crowds that would assault her doors and strug¬ 
gle for place in her surgery! 
-- 
SUNLIGHT AND HEALTH. 
At the roar end of our parlor it was not very 
dark. I ndeod, we could see to road small news¬ 
paper print at tho least lighted point. At that, 
point we put a bracket against tho wall, and 
transferred to it a plant. from the window. In 
four days it looked sick; in two weeks it was 
yellow; in five weeks it. was apparently dead. 
Another plant was placed on the center-table, 
which was about, half way from the front win¬ 
dows to the position of the first plant. At the 
end of five weeks that had lost Its green, and 
was evidently failing. The girls in onr parlor, 
who were not out more than an hour a day on 
an average, except when they went to places of 
amusement in the evening, were as pale,yellow 
and sickly as tho plants, and we think for the 
same reason—a lack of full, strong light .—Dio 
Lewis. 
Heading far the ||a«itg. 
LITTLE BOY BLUE. 
Under the hay-stack little Boy Bluo ' 
Sleeps with his head on his arm, 
While voices of men and voices of maids 
Are calling him over the farm. 
Sheep in the meadows arc running wild, 
Where poisonous herbage grows. 
Leaving white tufts of downy fleece 
On the thorns of the sweet wild-roso. 
Out in the Bolds where the silken corn 
Its plumed head nods and bows, 
Where golden pumpkins ripen below, 
Trample the white-faced cows. 
But no loud blast on tho shining horn 
Calls buck the straying sheep. 
And the cows tuny wunder in hay or corn, 
While their keeper lies asleep. 
His roguish eyes are tightly shut. 
His Utmplos are all at rest: 
The chubby hand, tucked under his head, 
By one rosy check is pressed. 
Waken him? No. I,cfc down the bars 
And gather the truant sheep, 
Open the barn-yard and drive in the cows, 
But let tho little boy sleep. 
For year after year we can shear the fleece, 
And corn can always be sown. 
But the sleep that visits little Boy Bluo 
Will not come when the years have flown. 
-- 
LETTERS FROM BOYS AND GIRLS. 
My Cat and her Kits and Rats. 
Dear Rural I must tell you about my cat. 
Her name is “ Mrs. Jinks of Madison Square.” 
The “square" is the garret, anil her residence 
is a large box, carpeted and curtained with an 
old quilt; and she has three of the prettiest 
kittens I ever saw. A week ago, my lilllo 
brothers found some young rats in llm bam. 
Wo thought madam would relish somo fresh 
game, so wo pul. the little rats into the box; 
but to our great surprise, Instead of outing 
them, she licked and caressed them, and adopt¬ 
ed them as her own children. Now they have 
grown and fattened and have got their eyes 
open, and aro nforo active than the kits, though 
we think they are younger. One day i brought 
down Mrs. Jinks and her interesting family, to 
show them. Tho kits looked pretty with bluo 
ribbon around their white necks, while pink 
bows set off the glossy dark fur of the baby rats. 
We all thought it so funny to sec t he rats look 
at us so shyly with their round black eyes, and 
then run to hide themselves under their foster- 
sisters. They crawl all over tho cats, t heir long 
tails wiggling around so cunningly. I call my 
kit “ Lillian Leecousin named hers “ Donna 
Estclla,” and Brother Gwyn says his must be 
named for his favorite cousin, “Carrie Finley.” 
Wo call tho three rats “ Flibbertigibbet, " 
“Popsy Wopsy” and “ Palsy Rat.sy.” Now, did 
you over hear before Of a cat nursing rats? I 
thought they were natural enemies, and that a 
cat would pounce on every rnt i( saw. Can any 
of your little readers explain this? If any 
young “ RurallstSi" doubt, my story, I invite 
them to Oakland Farm, Wilkes Co., N. C.— An¬ 
nie M. Finley. 
A Good Place to Hunt. 
I live at Crawford Springs, In Augusta Co., 
Va„ right in tho mountains and at tho foot of 
the highest peak in Virginia, which is called 
Elliott’s Knob. We have several kinds of min¬ 
eral water here—sulphur, limestone, truostone, 
and another spring which has iron, alum and 
sulphur mixed. This is a beautiful part of Vir¬ 
ginia, just OH the border of the beautiful Valley 
of Virginia. I used to Jive in Eastern Virginia, 
but like this part of the State much lletter, ns 
we have so much sport hero in the fall of the 
year, hunting and fishing. I heard my father 
say last fall, that forty-five deer and six bears 
were killed in a mile or two of this place. Most 
evory day some hunters would ride by during 
tho hunting season. One of the bears killed 
just, before Christmas weighed 580 pounds. Wo 
have some wolves, plenty of coons, opossum, 
wild cats, pheasants and other small game. I 
think this is just the place for a hunter to live, 
and I wish old Daniel Boone was living and 
near us— what fun ! would have! f live light 
on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, and iT 
you ever pass through this part of Virginia, 
would be so happy to see you, as you always 
have something nice in your paper for ms little 
folks. It is bed time now, and l will say good 
night!—E dw. P. B., Augusta Co., Va. 
Taming Wild Geese, Ducks, &c. 
Dear Young Kuralists; I.have read in our 
column in the Rural about the nice little pets 
you each have. Nmv I want to tell you what 
Eric and Enr.rxo, little Norwegian boys here 
in Wisconsin, have for their pets. Their brother 
found a wild goose's nest with four young ones 
in it. He brought thon» home, and gave them 
to the boys; they took care of them, and they 
have grown to be large goose. They are as tame 
its any geese, but it does sound queer to hoar 
their “ houk” in the barn-yard. When the wild 
geese are migrating, they often go down to the 
lake and stay all night with a flock, but come 
back again when the flock goes on. 
I tried to raise some wild ducks once. We 
made a little yard for them with water, but 
every five minutes, it seemed to me, they were 
out of that yard and into a puddle in the road. 
And because I wouldn’t let them run wild, and 
do as they pleased, they all died upon their 
backs, with their little feet a-hkhlug. Soon 
after this an Indian brought a tiny wild gosling 
to soil me ; but 1 found that my experience was 
too discouraging to take another helpless wild- 
ling on my hands.—A unt Phkuk. 
Chickens and Books. 
Dear Mr. Editor:—I have got six pullets; 
they were hatched last November; they have 
laid four dozen eggs this spring. They used to 
run to meet mo in the winter when I went to 
feed them, and fly up itt tho basin of corn and 
meal. One morning t hey flew at me and took 
my hat. right off my head. In the winter f read 
“ Youth’s History of the Civil War," and “ His¬ 
tory of the Early Settlors.” This spring 1 have 
road the United Stales' History through, and 
am now reading the “ Life and Voyages of Co¬ 
lumbus.” I like to rend the “Boys'and Girls’ 
Letters” very much.— Ed. G. C., BallSton, N. Y. 
How a Boy Cot a Start. 
Dear Mr. Editor: To start on, I will tell 
you what I did last winter. I fed forty-five 
houd of cattle and milked four cows. Hogs aro 
my choice of all stock, t went to one of my 
uncles; it is ten miles; I walked, and I staid 
all night, and In tho morning 1 bought two pigs 
for #15 and drovo them homo that. day. I have 
six hogs and one horse, and $40. Now I am 
going to tell you how to start. Father gave mo 
a pig, and I kept it till it got to be a hog, and I 
sold it for $10, and then bought more pigs and 
made what I have.— Carey C„ Indiana. 
1 
m 
lie \ 
1122] 
Ler. 
ILLUSTRATED REBUS.-No. 11. 
Z3T" Answer in two weeks. 
-- 
REBUS PRIZES. 
In the Rural New-Yorker, March 15, we 
offered prizes for I lie first, second and third best 
original rebuses received at Bibs ollico on or be¬ 
fore April 15. A largo number have been re¬ 
ceived, embracing very few good ones. All 
were submitted t>> a competent committee out¬ 
side the Rural sanctum, and the prizes have 
been awarded as follows: 
First, prize (RURAL New-Yorker for 1873 and 
“Birth-Day Morning") to Lucius Goss, Bell- 
more, Parke Co., Ind. 
Second prize (Rural New-Yorker from 
January to July 1, 1873, and “Birth-Day Morn¬ 
ing") to Milly Mart, Butler, Ind. 
Third prize (“ Birth-Day Morning”) to Wm. F. 
Wilson, Jefferson, Texas. 
The winners of these prizes will please inform 
us to whom they shall be sent, and they will at 
once be forwarded. 
»♦« 
CROSS-WORD ENIGMA.-No. 9. 
My first Is in ear but not in face, 
My second Ls In you but not in place ; 
My third is in trip but not In dance, 
My four! h is in look but not In glance ; 
My fifth is In speak but not in talk, 
My sixth i» in pier but not in dock ; 
My whole is one of the old countries. 
Answer in two weeks. c. b. h. 
-*•-*■•*-- 
PUZZLER ANSWERS.—April 26. 
Geographical Puzzle No. 2.—1 arose, took 
a Bath, and, being Hungary, told Nancy to set 
the Table. Sim placed upon it. a Platte, a piece 
of Turkey seasoned with Salt, aofbe Salmon, 
Cherry sauce, with Mitk to drink. 1 saw the 
Snow had disappeared, the sky Clear, and 
thought It best to Start. My maid said the sky 
was Black in the North, and she had a Fear 
that t ho day would be Rainy. T then told her 
to bring my Parsley a lid I would Look-out. She 
said it was in The Wash. This put. me in great 
Wrath, when tho saucy maid told me to bold 
my Tongue, that Elizabeth had the misfortune 
to get it. covered with Greece. I then took my 
Benin wrap and Hood and went out, but soon 
saw I was doomed to Disappointment, as there 
were indications of Foul-weather. I took Coun¬ 
cil with Eliza beth, and decided to stay at home. 
Anagram No. 4 — 
Xn the Acadian land, on the shores of the Basin of 
Minas, 
Distant, secluded, still, the little village of 
Grand-p re 
Lay In the fruitful valley. Vast meadows stretched 
to the eastward, 
Giving the village its name, and pasture to flocks 
without number. 
Miscellaneous Enigma No. 7. Fir Edward 
George Bulwer Lytton. 
