girl assumes to know more than her mother 
about hor company and her dresB, the rebellion 
has broken out, and unless it is put. down, the 
ruin of domestic peace, and very likely of hap¬ 
piness and hope, follows naturally. Whon I 
hear a boy speaking of his father as'* the old 
man,” or “tho governor,” I know there is a 
screw loose, and the hoy has taken a long step 
toward tho bad. And the girl who pouts when 
reproved by bor mother, and Jerks off her bon¬ 
net in a pet, when restrained from going abroad, 
has already mutinied against, tho Jaw of heaven, 
and entered the road that, leads to a gulf from 
which there is no return. 
LOVE, HOPE AND HAPPINESS 
AN INQUIRY 
BY MIGXON. 
Are Love and Hope alike spring flowers, 
Benei th s sunny sky ? 
Ero comes the Summer’s sweetest hours, 
To droop and fade aud die. 
Is Happlnoss a Blissful dream, 
To quickly come and go ?— 
Too bright to keep, alike n beam 
Of sunlight on tho snow! 
ts Life a sad and dreary thing 7 
If so, how came It thus? 
Is not the heart, the soul, a spring 
Of Love, Hope, Happiness. 
O, loved one, lo^ed one, are they true, 
The words you are saying— 1 * I’m nothing to you?” 
That another has taken my place in your heart? 
That you've come but to say, “Farewell,” and 
part ? 
Dost, remember the dell where tho violets grew. 
Where each promised the other to be “ tender and 
true?”— 
How wo lingered long by the babbling stream, 
Forgetful of all save Love’s young dream ? 
early spring to scatter a “ pinch" of seeds, and 
to train a rose bush by the porch, that shall 
spring up and bo a feast to the eyes and a Joy 
to the heart during the long summer days? 
Then when one steps out from tho steaming 
kitchen, for n breath of pure, fresh air, and to 
see JAMES or Harry busy in the Qeld. there are 
plenty of glossy green leaves, perchance a half- 
blown rose, fairly alive with the most exquisite 
fragrance, to be snipped off instanter and drop¬ 
ped into a tumbler of frn.-di water as one passes 
through the dining room on her way to the 
kitchen, to “ turn the pic In the oven it Is 
supposed that, a pitcher of water and glasses 
arc ever to be found upon the dining table. 
Only a minute Is necessary to arrange the rose 
buds and leaves; or perchance It- may bo a few 
sprays of sweet-scented petunias—they will 
almost fall into " line" of themselves, for they 
are not to he crowded. An elabornt© bouquet 
is quite as uncalled for ns an elaborate dinner 
dress. Simple, graceful, yet beautiful, is what 
is desired. 
And often little flve-ycar-old Jennie can bo 
called upon to attend l.o this department of 
the domestic economy, if tho mother cannot 
allow herself a single breath of fresh air, nor a. 
moment, wherein to exhibit her natural skill 
and taste In so simple a decoration. 
“Is It, appreciated by tho family? Does it 
elevate the soul ? Does it soften and refine 
rough natures?” 
The younger members of the family, at least, 
are pretty apt. to appreciate anything that Is 
beautiful and graceful. Tho fresh, bright flow¬ 
ers are noticed and commented upon, thereby 
suggesting a pleasant and Instructive theme 
for conversation ; for whatever tends towards 
a true knowledge of the beautiful lit Nature, 
and a love for the creation of the Infinite, must, 
In some degree, elevate tho mind and develop 
our better nature. “ Docs it soften and rellue 
rough natures?" is a question for Time to an¬ 
swer. There Is no doubt that these little things 
go much further In toning down the jagged 
edges than most of us are aware of. It 1s the 
constant dropping, often for long years, of tho 
trickling rivulet that wears away the rook. 
And these voiceless flowers may speak for days, 
months, and even years, ere some natures will 
be willing to acknowledge their Influence. 
And your trembling Up. and fust-OllIng eye, 
How you strove to conceal, a* you snld “ Good-by V 
But you promised to return ere Winter’s breath 
Hold fust the earth In an Icy death. 
HARK ! hark! O my children, hark! 
When tho sky ha* lost its blue 
What do the rtnrs sing, in the dark l 
“ We must sparkle, sparkle, through.” 
What do leaves Bay in the storm, 
Tossed, In wlilsperlugheaps, together? 
Wo can keep t he violets warm 
’Till they wake In fairer weather." 
What do happy birdies -ay, 
Flitting through tho gloomy wood? 
We must sing the gloom away— 
Sun or shadow, God Is good.” 
[Mrs. Dodge, In St. Nicholas for Jan 
But the wpcJjo passed on, nnd Summer lias fled, 
And the stream whore wo parted ts frozen nnd 
dead; 
And you answer roe not; but your paling cheek 
Tells full well the talc you cannot speak. 
But when by my coffined form you stand. 
And touch with your own my pale, cold hand 
You’ll kiss my dead lips, that unswereth not. 
And bitterly me tho wrong you’ve wrought. 
THE TWO HIGHLANDERS 
AN INTERESTING PRESENT 
DRESS OF SMALL GIRLS IN WINTER, 
The San Francisco Morning Call, of Dee. 5t.h, 
saysCol. A. Steinberg, tho secret agent of tho 
Government, who returned last Wednesday 
from the Navigator Islands, brought with him 
a number of curious birdB intended aa a pres¬ 
ent to Miss Nelli© Grant, daughter of tho Pres¬ 
ident. The collection consists of four doves, 
having the plutnago of tho body green and thnt 
of tho head red, and three largo birds which 
arc considered sacred by the natives. No per¬ 
son save the chiefs of tribes are permitted to 
catch and keep them. They are somewhat 
larger than the common pigeon, nnd of a dark 
gray color. Thoy have boon So trained thnt 
BY MRS. W- C. G 
FARMER BOYS. 
Much improvement in the dress of girls has 
been made in the past few years. Th© old and 
time-honored custom of leaving the nock and 
arms bare, even in winter, t hough perhaps add¬ 
ing grace and beauty, and serving to display 
tho finely molded and dimpled arms and nock, 
has succumbed to the innovations brought 
about by greater int elligence and a better un¬ 
derstanding of hygienic laws. Mothers seent 
at last to have learned that th© tender Infant, 
or the little girl old enough to run about into 
cold rooms, or through an open door into tho 
street, noods protection from cold and sudden 
changes as well as herself. And wo may thank 
capricious Fashion for having adopted high 
necks and long sleeves. The benefits of this 
change are greatly apparent In the diminishing 
of diphtheria, croup, scarlet, fever mid other kin¬ 
dred maladies to which children are subject 
from taking sudden and violent colds. Many 
a dear little one whoso bed la now with the 
sleepera in the “Silent City," might be fill¬ 
ing tho house with music and the mother's 
heart with gladness, had it. not been for insuf¬ 
ficiency of protection from changes of tho 
weather. 
Yet there is still room for Improvement. 1 
see many children whose lower limbs are quite 
too much exposed for health or comfort. It is 
not infrequent to meet little girls with dresses 
up to the knee and but one pair of perhaps 
cambric drawers open at the bottom, and thin, 
cotton stockings. Any (frown permit, or boy, 
would freeze if clad thus. No wonder that so 
many w hen t hey arrive at tho age of woman¬ 
hood, have no constitutions, nnd are good for 
little but fashionable invalids, whose chief 
business through life Is to supply the doctor 
with good fees. Every child should wear a pair 
of under-drawers made of Canton flannel (or, 
better still, of wool,) buttoned on to a waist or 
the chemise, cut as small as the leg at the bot¬ 
tom and left open a little way and extending 
down under the stocking to the top of the high 
shoe; over these a pair, cut moderately full, 
buttoning just below the knee. The band is 
pretty finished with a narrow ruffle or a bit of 
embroidery. I know many think they do not 
look as well as when made open at the bottom, 
but they are certainly much more comfortable 
and sensible. And what careful, loving mother 
will not more regard the health than the looks 
of her dear ones? 
A very nice way for the every-day dress of 
little ones, from three to six years of age, is to 
have the dress and pants of the same material 
—some plaid or stripe. If of cotton, some pretty 
gingham, or even a ttne chock or striped print, 
look well- Then, with warm stockings and 
shoes which will defy dampness, the mother 
need not be afraid to let her little girl have 
exercise in the open air iu any mild day, and 
feel assured that she will grow up stronger and 
healthier than if kept dressed like a doll and 
in the parlor, for fear of soiling her fine clothes. 
A pair of knit woolen leggings, drawn high over 
the knee, give additional warmth and comfort, 
and with proper wraps and a pair of warm mit¬ 
tens, the litt le girl may defy the cold and exer¬ 
cise with her sled or skates with as much im¬ 
punity as her tough, rosy brother. 
BY PROF. M. M. BALDWIN 
Mr. Editor Having spent all my life thus 
far on a farm or in the school-room, either as 
a pupil or a toaeher, I would like to have a talk 
with your readers, especially the farmer-boys. 
And as they are absent just now, I hope to bo 
excused If I do all the talking- Tho first Agri¬ 
cultural paper I ever saw was the Plough Boy, 
by Solomon South wick. I remember that I 
was greatly delighted with it, and I now see 
that it led me to love farm life and to honor the 
farmer's calling; and I believe that all good 
Agricultural papers have this effect upon the 
community. The next, paper of the kind was 
the Cultivator, by Jesse Buel, bearing thnt ex¬ 
cellent motto,(“Cultlvo the soil and. the mind," 
the noblest and most important occupation 
among men. During some years of teaching— 
and T have had many farmer-boys among my 
pupils—T have endeavored to lead all to acquire 
industrious habits; promptness In the dis¬ 
charge of every duty; to be sincere, honest and 
persevering; to love knowledge; to honor man- 
ual labor, whether on the farm or In tho shop 
or elsewhere; and to despise Idleness, Ignor¬ 
ance nnd drunkenness. 
Next came Moore's Rural New-Yorker, 
the best of all. Being acquainted with Mr. M., 
and knowing his ability, business tact and per¬ 
severance, bis all-absorbing interest In the 
improvement of Agriculture, and his special 
adaptodneaa to the work in hand. I felt assured 
that he would give to the people Just such a 
paper as they would need In all their homes. 
And I havo not been disappointed. This coun¬ 
try owes Mr. Mooke a deep debt of gratitude 
for his eminent services. 
I fear, Mr. Editor, that there are farmer-boys 
who do not duly estimate their calling. Some¬ 
times, when visiting them at their work, they 
have soomed desirous of making apoLogies. 
Said they“Pretty dirty work;" “Tiresome 
business;" “Sweaty times;” “Look pretty 
shabby;" “Didn't mean to be a farmer;” and 
other like expressions. Now, then, my young 
friends, no apology Is due. Let idle, lazy, shift¬ 
less, vicious vagabonds apologize, an© “ for¬ 
sake their waysbut never let the Industrious, 
honest and virtuous apologize. Lot them feel 
that useful labor ennobles them, no matter 
how threadbare or patched their garments may 
be, or how begrimed with dust and sweat may 
be their hands and faces. 
But, foarlng lest my talk may be too long and 
so wearisome, I cease. 
Groton, N. Y., Dec., 1873. 
ILLUSTRATED REBUS.-No. 1 
WELL DONE, WENDELL! 
Several good things were said by Wendell 
Phillips in his speech delivered at the Women 
Suffragists’ celebration of “The Boston Tea 
Party," even If he did talk against a specie 
basis. Said he“ The representative of Ben¬ 
jamin Fronklln to-day is not the man who puts 
up lightning rods. He is a Morse inventing tho 
telegraph, a Cyrus Field hiding It In the ocean, 
and a Whipple giving us a map of the moon. 
Tho Hannah Moore of t-o-da|r is not writing 
essays on education ; she is going from Boston 
to St. Louis every night, working for the ballot 
in the hands of woman. The Copernicus of 
to-day is not the man measuring the distance 
to the sun or weighing It with a greater accura¬ 
cy. He is the illustrious scholar who has Just 
left us at Cambridge, to whom Nature revealed 
herself in a now language, and who has taught 
us how the worlds themselves were made. 
And thus we are to read the duty of history, 
which is to pick out the lesson and inspiration 
of a hundred years ago, not, putting our foot 
down actually in their track, but doing what 
they would have done had they stood here 
to-day.” _ 
Answer In two weeks, 
CROSS-WORD ENIGMA.-No. 1 
Blue Plckorol-weed doth hide my 1, 
White Water Lily 2; 
No Willow, Mallow but doth shun 
My 3 and 4 to rue. 
Blue Flags and Boneset harbor 5, 
Tho bowing Bulrush, 6; 
The soldier Cat-tails kept alive 
By 7, and 8 doth fix 
Upon my whole, a dear, dear stream, 
What time it dreams its summer dream, 
Its Duckmeat mantle, Sol to screen 
From keeping lily-pads between. 
Rockford, Ill. Fourtee 
S39" Answer in two weeks. 
MISCELLANEOUS ENIGMA.—No. 1 
I am composed of 27 letters; 
My 2, 22, 4 Is a domestic fowl. 
My 13,19, 15 is a tool used by shoemakers. 
My 5,23, 12, 24, 27, 3, 7 is a near relative. 
My 14,9,10 Is what some farmers do in spring. 
My 1, 0, 8,21 Is disliked by some people. 
My 24,26, 16 Is a part of the body. 
My 20,11, 7 is essential to health. 
My 18,17,25 Is a useful article. 
My whole is a proverb. Ella M. Mason. 
538?” Answer in two week. 
ITEMS FOR LADIES 
AMERICAN WONDERS 
A blonde woman is considered a fright in 
Russia. 
A Vicksburg girl went crazy because her 
father wouldn’t let her appear in the “ Black 
Crook.” 
A Virginia husband opened his wife’s let¬ 
ters to see who was writing to her, and he was 
sent to prison for ten years. 
Never keop anything from your better half. 
—Brooklyn Aryu*. Quilp says he never has, 
and that is the reason he is bo poor. 
Illinois has elected ten female superinten¬ 
dents of schools; but nine of them were en¬ 
gaged to be married Christmas, and will resign. 
Miss Clarissa Petit of Logansport, Ind., 
wears a $800 gold watch on the strength of be¬ 
ing the most popular lady In the city, accord¬ 
ing to ballot. 
Mrs. Scott - Siddonr sold flowers at the 
Springfield Bazaar the other night, and made 
all the youths In town forget there was suck a 
thing as a panic. 
“ Grandma, why don’t you keep a servant 
any longer?" “Well, you see, child, I’m get¬ 
ting old now, and can’t take oare of one, as I 
used to, you know.” 
The greatest cataract in the world hi the 
Falls of Niagara. The greatest cave is the 
Mammoth Cave of Kentucky. The greatest 
river in the world la tho Mississippi, 4,100 miles 
long. Tho largest valley In the world Is the 
valley of the Mississippi. The largest lake in 
the world is Lake Superior, which la truly an 
inland sea, being 430 miles long and 1,000 feet 
deep. The longest railroad in the world is the 
Pacific Railroad, which is over 3,000 miles in 
length. The greatest natural bridge In the 
world Is the natural bridge over Cedar Creek in 
Virginia. The greatest mass of solid iron in 
the world is the great iron mountain in Mis¬ 
souri. The largest deposits of authraolte coal 
in the world are in Pennsylvania. 
ANAGRAMS OF CITIES.-No. 1 
1. Rug in bed. 
2. Open change. 
3. Plain laws. 
4. Doom it oven. 
5. Our Ben says e. 
6. Pet ran inpor o, 
7. Tan gloves. 
8. I do a plain sin, 
9. Late morn. 
10. I love u s ft) ill. 
237“ Answer in two weeks. 
DECORATIONS AGAIN 
BY MAY MAPLE, 
In a recent Rural New-Yorkeb, Miss (or 
Mrs.) “Esther Allen” asks:—“H ow many 
farmers’ wiveB there are who decorate their 
tables habitually with flowers and fruit?” 
Now, Mr. Rural, don’t think I have been 
taking the census, for such is not tho case. I 
have not made an effort to accomplish such a 
feat. I am quite sure it would be a serious 
affair, notwithstanding “Esther Allen’s” 
doubt. I fear she is one of those farmer's 
wives who stay at home from year's end to 
year’s end, seldom if ever leaving her own 
WORD-SQUARE.-No. 1 
H0NGR TO PARENTS, 
1. A ruler; 2, an animal; 3, inclosed space 
4, to lead. x. y. z. 
'iST' Answer in two weeks. 
Parents, many of them, have ceased to com¬ 
mand their households after them. Children 
at a very early age cease to honor their parents. 
Boys are young men, girls are young ladies, 
before they are into their teens. And when a 
boy sots up to judge for himself as to bis hours 
and habits, in spite of his father’s wishes, aoda 
PROBLEM.—No. 1 
Find the sides of three rationed right-angle 
tri ang les having equal areas. 8. G. Cagwin. 
fSf" Answer In two weeks. 
