SEPT.2? 
0©B£ ! S BUBAL NEW-YOBKER 
a« 
WITHERED LEAVES. 
BY MART C. BARTLETT. 
In the glorious, golden summer, 
’Neath a spreading, drooping tree. 
Flowed a brooklet to the river. 
Bright nnrt glad and fair to see ; 
And the broad leaves swaying, bonding. 
Almost touching Us bright face. 
Filled the brook with earnest longing 
Them to clasp in fond embrace. 
So above the pebbles springing, 
Lovingly, it wooed them each, 
But the mocking, summer breezes 
Tossed them, ever, out of reach. 
In the chilly, dreary autumn, 
Those bright leave*, grown brown and sere. 
Fluttered to the brooklet’s bosom. 
Trusting that they, still, were dear. 
But the brooklet's breast was frozen,- 
All too late Us love had come,— 
Ar.d It coldly, calmly, lay there, 
Though beneath, its heart made moan. 
Thus we strive. In our bright summer, 
After all that makes life fair, 
Wealth and fame und love and pleasure,— 
All in vain: and in despair. 
We, in autumn, cense our striving,— 
Cease to dream or yearn,—and wait; 
Thou perchance comes what we longed for,— 
Like the withered leave*,—too late! 
'■ Late, too late, the sad heart grieves. 
What Is wealth, with none to share it? 
What a name, with none to bear It ? 
What are joys, to hearts grown old? 
What is love, to hearts grown cold ? 
Naught, alas! but withered leaves!" 
THE OLD HOME. 
BT MAY MAPLE. 
For years I had longed to visit the homo of 
my childhood!—to press my feet onco more 
upon my native turf! How I cnvlod those of 
my frlouds who were able to return to tho old 
roof-troe for family reunions, f know, full 
well, the dear, loved ones eon Id not gather 
about the old hearth, ns In former days for too 
well I remembered that terrible burden, lu the 
form of a mortgage, we all tried so hard to 
“lift,” and yet fulled to meet the dornunds. 
It was a sad day when wo bade adieu to Its 
sacred halU. Hut the world was wide, and an¬ 
other roof kindly spread Its broad wings over us 
and gave us shelter. For two years our family 
al' dwelt within the walls of this adopted home, 
and then there was a quiet gathering of cher¬ 
ished friends, and I stood le'-ldn one who prom¬ 
ised to love and protoot me, and in the preseneo 
of the company ho kissed and called mo “my 
wife;" and then I was whirled away lo another 
home, In a land of strangers. 
For a time the months flew by as on angels' 
wings, for I was not only happy but busy ns the 
swift-winged birds In arranging and rearrang¬ 
ing the bright now furniture about our cozy 
cottage ; in preparing favorite dishes to tempt 
my husband's appetite, that I might bear words 
of loving praise from his lips. Hut this daily 
routine came at las to bo like an oft-told story ; 
and although I did not cease my vigilance In 
performing a single duty, yet. tho perforn ance 
of the dally round ceased to occupy my mind. 
When months lengthened Into ye ti s, I began 
to cast longing eyes to the eastward, and a de¬ 
sire to visit familiar scenes and faces took pos¬ 
session of my mind. I hail an unaccounta¬ 
ble droad of traveling alone, and my husband 
thought it quite Impossible lo leave the farm ; 
—and thus six yours passed away. At last my 
earnest yearnings overcame my cowardice, and 
I returned to tho land of my nativity. After 
visiting my beloved and aged parents, and t he 
members of the family who, like myself, had 
“married and settled down,” I started for the 
old neighborhood, whore some of the happiest 
as well as some of l hc most sorrowful days of 
my life had been passed. 
It was a beautiful morning in the early part 
of September, that I slipped quietly away from 
•iry friends for a walk up tho hill, on the top of 
whose, eminence stood tho dear old cottage. 
On the way I could but note, with a sad heart, 
the changes tho present owner had made in 
the general landscape. The beautiful sheet of 
water known as the “old mill pond.”—where 
“oft in tho stilly night,” and on sunny spring 
days, I had floated up and down in a fairy 
barque, watching tho shining flsh as they swept 
along In little flashes of motion, gathering fra¬ 
grant lilies, and dreaming of human greatness, 
resolving to climb the ladder of fame by doing 
noble doeds and making tho world better for 
my living—had disappeared, and in its place 
was waving grain, plentifully besprinkled with 
rank weeks. The picturesque old mill had been 
pulled down and carried away. I uhnost re¬ 
solved to return to the house of my friend 
without further observation. But no: I must 
goon; sol pushed forward, and at last gained 
the top of the hill. 
The cottage was mossy and brown from the 
beating of pattering rain and scorching sun. 
In all these long years it had been unacquaint¬ 
ed with fresh paint. Tluvpretty, climbing " jas¬ 
mine," t hat U9cd to shade Die poreh, where I 
sat at. close of day and watched the belles and 
beaux as they approached tho house, was torn 
away, admitting tho broad glare of the blazing 
sun. The old flower bods were nowhere visible; 
the fruit trees that every spring, in the years 
long past, I had compared to fair young brides 
as they were robed in pink and white, crowned 
- with wreaths of greater beau I y than ever graced 
a millncr's reception room, were grown crooked 
and thorny by being browsed by herds of cattle 
that had free range about the grounds. The old 
garden fetico was sadly dilapidated, ami seemed 
to be pining for Its former master. 
Tho stately old oaks and maples, beneath 
whose widespread boughs many a pleasant pie- 
nlo party had gathered, to while away a passing 
day In pleasant, chat, song and merry laughter, 
and where wo had swept through the air In the 
ample swing, as swiftly as the bright winged 
birds, had been destroyed by tho woodman’s 
ax; not even the stumps remained as monu¬ 
ments of their beauty and massiveness. While 
I stood gazing at tho place, and bemoaning Its 
utter desolation, a middle-aged, kindly.faced 
woman came out upon the porch and invited 
me in. I gladly accepted her invitation, telling 
her at once that this had been for many years 
my home—how 1 had longed with unutterable 
yearnings to press uiy feel upon native soli 
again, ami bow much 1 desired In visit my own 
old room once more. She kindly led the way 
up the broad staircase and opened the door to 
tho old square-room, which was in “apple pie 
order,” as Indeed was each room about the 
house, A feeling of awe crept over mo as 1 
stepped across the threshold—lor was It not a 
sepulcher of buried memories? r seated my¬ 
self by the window looking eastward. 
Tliis was tho spot inwards which my eyes 
ever turned when I he llrat rays of tho morning 
sun warned me that there was no longer bird 
or bee asleep. It was by t his window my fath¬ 
er’s voice found me aa It wound Us musical 
note up tho wide stairway and through the 
uoor, which was always left “ajar,” that I 
might catch tho llrat sound of his st irring feet: 
“Charlie, I’d like my breakfast soon.” I 
could almost hear his pleasant Intonations us I 
t urned my face towards the door. 
It was here I sat and watched tho silvery 
moon, riding high in the deep blue vault, and 
Counted the moat, brilliant stars, and pointed 
Out familiar constellations to ruy younger sis¬ 
ters, who sometime.-} shared my room. This 
plneo had witnessed all my childish griefs and 
girlish sorrows. Those walls hud listened to 
the dedicate messages tho love-god had sent, 
and witnessed tho filling of many dainty sheets 
of gilt-edged note paper. In answer to Cupid's 
quills. This room had beheld the all-absorb¬ 
ing grtef I felt when he, whom I believed to be 
clothed with honor and perfections beyond 
comparison, proved himself to bo formed of 
tho grossest material, unworthy the name ot 
fraud- much uioro that of lover. IVell it was 
for me that ho had not reached tlifi deep foun. 
laiua of my heart, as 1 for a time believed. 
There was another, away In the distance, all 
unknown, who held l he key to the gates, which 
would open deep and wide when his “ sesame " 
was heard. 
Tho woman at my side talked of house and 
farm, and of the neighborhood, In a social, gos- 
slppy way, and I listened und commented wll h 
her; but my heart was living in the “ long ago." 
When 1 arose to take my departure, a farewell 
dirge swept through the room, not distinguish¬ 
able to other ears than mini;; and a eiirtaiu was 
drawn across tho oast window, that was invisi¬ 
ble to other eye*. 
A ; I passed into the lane where, onco the green 
boughs waved their heavy plumes in seeming 
acknowledgment of my presence, and tho birds 
had caroled sweet anthems, I felt that the soft, 
balmy winds were whispering in my oar: “ This 
is never more thy home. Only the memory pic¬ 
tures, woven and painted so long ago, remain to 
bo cherished in tho deep reCcuaes of thy heart. 
From henceforth the western outlook will bring 
to tbco brighter prospects; experience has been 
thine, from the past thou wilt len.ru lessons of 
contentment. Only the Home, of which now 
and then a glimpse Is caught, when the world 
scorns recoding, and thou almost hoareat tho 
rustle of angels’ wings, will fulillj tho idoal of 
thy childhood’!} home, whore thou didst bask 
in the sunshine of purity and Innocence." 
Not more than an hour had passed since l 
had tolled up tho hill, yet it seemed that years 
bad been added to my experience. Never be¬ 
fore had I so appreciated the great blessing l 
possessed in my noble, kingly husband. To his 
kindness and good taste, In a largo degree, was 
I Indebted for tire pretty grounds and pleasant 
surroundings about our dwelling. I returned to 
receive his joyous welcome, a iuwre contented 
and 1 believe a wiser woman- determined that 
the paintings of my artistic nature should be as 
bright for the western room of my heart, as hud 
been tkoso or the years ngone. 
And when I have taken the Iasi, peep into this 
apartment, and I listen to the last “good-by,” 
may it be mine to walk ’heath the waving 
boughs of the Tree of Life—to press my feet 
upon those street* whose foundations are of } 
amethyst, whose gates are of pearl—where the 
fragrance of flowers rises llko Incense, and 
where the sun will no more be needed to shine 1 
by day, nor tho moon by night, for "the glory . 
of God exocedoth them.” 
Head ini] for tin] fJouinj. 
iESOP IN RHYME, 
Tho Lion and tho Mouse. 
A lion lay a-slooplng, 
A little mouse came creeping 
Around the foresi king; 
Not rocking of Ills danger 
The careless litt le stranger 
Chanced on his ear to spring. 
The lion quickly waking 
Arose, and fiercely shaking 
His lordly mane, looked round : 
Tim trembling lit tie stranger. 
Sore Irlglitcuod at his danger. 
Crept closely to the ground. 
The lion soon espied him 
Crouching low hetdde him, 
And raised his paw to kill ! 
“ Great Hr!" cried mousey, “ spare me ! 
I prithee do not harm me 1 
I only hoar good will. 
“ To die I am not willing,— 
What woulct’at thou gain by killing 
So small a thing us I ?” 
" Well; go, then !" said the lion, 
But let mu ne’er set eye on 
Your carcass, or you die!” 
’Neath nutiiran leaves abiding, 
Our mousey lay a-hlding ; 
’Twus after many days: 
He hoard a frightful roaring,— 
And creeping forth exploring. 
Soon saw in great amaze, 
Neath hunter's tolls entangled, 
Sore compassed and half strangled 
Tho lordly lion lie; 
And mouse, in consternation 
Took In the situation 
With comprehending eyo. 
Then straight began to nibble 
Did naught but nibble, nibble— 
Till every cord was rent. 
Once more the llou standing, 
Displayed his front commanding, 
With pride and pleasure blont. 
LETTEE FKOM THE KING OF SIAM. 
HINTS TO AMERICAN BOYS. 
It is not generally known that among the 
many other interesting incidents in tho life of 
President Andrew Jackson, ho was twico mar¬ 
ried to tho same woman, a former Mrs. Rachel 
Robards, daughter of .Mrs. Donelson, the widow 
of Col. John Donelson, an emigrant from Vir¬ 
ginia to Tennessee, 
Tins week wo have the pleasure of giving 
our young Rurulists an original letter never be¬ 
fore published, written by the young King of 
Siam. At the time ho wrote tho letter he was 
sixteen years old heir to the throne. Tho letter 
is written in English, and tho penmanship l» 
much hotter than the average bandwriting of 
those young Amerlean boys ami girls who write 
for the Rural. This Prince had an English 
teacher, Mrs. A. II. Lku.m ovens, a lady who 
now lives on Staten Island, near the city of 
New York. She was tile English teacher for 
the royal family of Siam, and 1ms written a 
number of interesting and instructive books 
about that far-away country and peculiar peo¬ 
ple. The old King of Siam, now dead, was a 
good English scholar, and we have before us 
letters from him. The Prince’s letter, which 
we reproduce, is written upon a small shoot of 
black-bordered note paper. It was written to 
hla teacher, who was on her way home to En¬ 
gland. Here Is the exact copy: 
itOHK-l‘I.ANTCN<l HOUSE, 
Grand Royal Palace, 
Bangkok, Sept., isgt. 
M kb. A. II. Leondwess My dear teacher: I 
had the pleasure of receiving your letter writ¬ 
ten at Singapore without dale. Informing mo 
of your safe arrival on flic 10th Inst., and in- 
tended departure by t he overland ma.il afcoanior 
on the 21st Inst. It was very gratifying to mo 
to learn of your safe arrival at Singapore, and 
hope to hear of the arrival of yourself and 
Lewis at London nofnre long. 
It was very kind in you to try to find something 
for me,ami | shallwmt with much interest to sue 
what you will be jd.de to procure for me in Lon¬ 
don. T shall esteem anything from you that 
will be useful a • a special token of love and 
friendship; and if the beautiful and ornamen¬ 
tal arc combined with the useful it will be 
prized very highly. But perhaps you will get, 
-ome good book to Instruct ami ornament the 
mind and make me useful; if so it will be ail 
the bettor, 
You will learn from f lie accompanying printed 
notice of the demise of mv clear older brother, 
II. R. H. Kkom Mit.n M yhksuak Hkva velah. 
1 have no doubt you wUl sympathise with mo 
in this sad event. 
Everything at the Royal Palace goes on very 
pleasant ly. My beloved Royal ather Is as busy 
as ovor and the cares of the Kingdom require 
most of Mis Majesty'ft tltue. Thu numerous 
departments require close attention. I am 
trying to learn all * can so as to he able to act 
well my part. The Princes and Princesses at 
the Royal Palace have not forgotten your in¬ 
struction:. und remember .you with pleasure. 
Wishing yourself and Master Lewis much 
happiness and apl.-a -unt in-meeting with your 
dear friends, | remain, dear teacher, your sin¬ 
cere friend and aifeei innate pupil, 
Cuowfa Chulalojigkokn. 
fr the King of Slam makes the man his letter 
indicates and *• tho child la hitherto the man” 
he will prove a wise ruler of his pooplo. A 
boy who prefers “ a good book to luatruct ami 
ornament the mind," to a mere toy or bauble, 
will be likely to become a useful if not noted 
man. We prophesy that the present King of 
Slam, tho writer of the above, letter will be 
beard from, one of these days, as a friend of 
“ Progress ami Improvement ” — as favoring 
measures designed to promote the mental and 
moral elevation of his people. Let American 
boys, who are all sovereigns, and, if they live 
and do what is right, will ere long have the 
highest offices and honors within their reach, 
remember and hoed what tho boy prince of 
Slam wrote to his teacher—ami especially his 
deiuro to learn all he could while a hoy, that ho 
might bo able to act well his part on arriving 
at manhood. 
The Prim e came to Iho throne or Siam on the 
lllli of November, 1868, Just one year and four 
months from the date of the let ter wo publish. 
Last week w o gave n lett er from an Indian 
girl, and now one from ;i Siamese boy. Shall wo 
noxf hoar from a Juvenile Chinaman, Japanese, 
Sandwich Inlander, or who? Please don’t all 
spoak at once, aa our space is limited. 
—-- 
TRADES OF ANIMALS. 
It has been well remarked by a clover author 
that bees are geometricians. Tho colls are so 
constructed aa, with the least quantity of ma¬ 
terial, Jo have the largest size 1 spaces and the 
least possible Interstice*. 
Tho mole Is a moteorologisi. 
The torpedo, the ray and t he electric cel are 
electricians. 
Whole tribes of birds are musicians. 
Tho heaver is an architect, builder and wood¬ 
cutter. Ho cuts down trees, and erects houses 
and dams. 
Tho marmot is a civil engineer. He not only 
builds houses, but constructs aqueducts and 
drains to keep them dry. 
The ant Is a soldier, and maintains a regular 
standing army. 
Wasps are paper manufacturers. 
Caterpillars are silk-spinners. 
The squirrel is a ferryman. With a chip or a 
piece ol'bark fora boat, and his tail for a sail, 
he crosses a stream. 
Dogs, wolves, jackals and many others aro 
hunters. 
Black bears and herons aro flshermen. 
Ants aro day-laborers. 
Monkeys aro rope-dancers. 
-- 
A LESSON IN ENGLISH. 
A Frenchman, while looking at a number of 
vessel*, exclaimed, “See what a flock of ships!” 
Ho was told that a flock Of ships war, called a 
licet, but that a fleet of Bheep was called a. flock. 
To assist him in mastering the intricacies of 
tho English language, ho was told that a flock 
<>f girls was called a bevy, that a bevy of wolves 
is called a pack, but that a pack of cards is 
never called a bevy, though a pack of thieves is 
called a gang, and a gang of angels is called a 
host, whllo a host, of porpoises it> termed a 
slnml. lie was told that a host, of oxen U term¬ 
ed a herd, and a herd of children is called a 
troop, and a troop ol' partridges Is termed a 
oovey, and a covey of beauties is called a galaxy, 
ami u galaxy of rufllan* i.i called a. horde, and a 
horde of rubbish Is called a heap, and a heap of 
bullocks is called a drove, and a drove of black¬ 
guards is called a mob, and a mob of whales is 
called a school, and a school of worship is called 
a congregation, ond a congregation of engineers 
is called a corps, and a corps or robbers lb railed 
a band, and a band of locusts Is called a crowd, 
and a crowd of gentlefolk* la called the Hite. 
Tho last word being French, tho scholar under¬ 
stood it and asked no more. 
tc flutter. 
PROBLEM,—No. 10. 
Tun three straight lint h bisecting the angles 
of a triangle and terminating at the point of in¬ 
tersection, measure respectively in, gu and 20 
rods. Required, tho slzoof the triangle. 
A F—30 rods; 151’- 10 rods; Cl’ 20 rods. 
, . D- F. Burleson. 
HSr Answer in two weeks. 
---- 
CR0S3-W0RD ENIGMA.—No. 6. 
• 
M v first Is In skein but not in silk, 
My secon 1 |$ in water but noL in milk ; 
My thl r d is in noun but not in verb. 
My fourth is in stock but not in herb ; 
My fifth is in sad but not in pity. 
My sixth is In song but not in ditty ; 
My whole is tho name of a very largo city. 
tSsf" Answer in two weeks. w. w. u. f. 
■-- 
PUZZLER AN3WERS. Sept. 13. 
Square-Word Enigma No. 
G O L I) 
OLIO 
L ION 
DONE 
Problem No. 8.— 
23.516856 rods. 
29.801107 “ 
•16.0811647 “ 
Miscellaneous Enigma No. 6 . -Saratoga, 
Lexington, Yorktown. 
