OCT. 34 
CORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
0R3I 
JMiqs' flaijtflolto. 
LOVE’S AFTERNOON. 
Nay, nay, yon need not speak, love. 
Of graces that have flown : 
'Twere vain. I think, to snck, love, 
For more than now you own. 
Sou say your glance was brighter 
In the hopeful days of spring— 
That your weary step was lighter 
Ere the early birds took wing. 
It may be, love, it may be. 
But we do not waste a tear 
On spring violets when the ruby 
Of the rich June rose U here; 
And richer than June roses 
Is the golden harvest-field. 
Where the later sun discloses 
But a part of what’s concealed. 
You tell me you were fairer 
In the days from trouble free. 
What time sad lines were rarer 
On your thoughtful face to see— 
That your Up know quicker thrilling 
To the touch born of the South, 
As it came with unite appealing 
To lay tribute on your mouth. 
Well, grant It is the truth, love. 
That fondness makes me blind, 
While I question if your youth, love, 
Showed charms I fall to And; 
Yet never did the morning, 
In all its conscious pride, 
Wear half the bright adorning 
Of the glorious sunset-tide. 
You say the sweetest Juices 
Of your heart have nil been spilled : 
By Its lee*, then, for iire-usea, 
Is my own supremely filled. 
What if purple bloom and yellow 
Have gone out in wasted wine, 
Still, wo know the fruit most mellow 
Is that longest on tbo vine. 
[ Marii E. Itodye, in Lippincott’u. 
IN THE OLD CrAKKET. 
BY BEIlltY. 
It Is a real, old-fashioned rainy day, and, to ! ^ 
quietly while away a few hours, I proceed to , j 
investigate and pry into the curiosities of an- ( 
tiquit.y, household utensils and wearing ap- fl 
parcl. There sits a pair of grandmother's brass- ; 
mounted ’andirons, with a huge pair of longs 
and shovel to match. And there, suspended, is j 
a brass warming pan; also a tin foot-stove. In ^ 
yonder corner is the flax spinning wheel. What j 
is tills crooked tiling in this rafter ? I guess It's- f 
a sickle, O dear, hero is one of grandma’s ; 
scoop-shovel straw bonnots, and an old “ gown" 
culled chintz, worth a dollar per yard in t.ln>so 
days. Yes, and the old wooden clock with its ( 
weights hanging to tho floor. There is an old f 
bedstead whose posts reach from floor to cell¬ 
ing. Here Is a box containing dishes of curious 
forms and figures. 
Ah, here is jtu old blue cheat that is my prop¬ 
erty—careful ly tied up in different parcels with 
ribbon Is letters from correspondents of our 
youthful days. First, 1 will open a package of 
valentines from “the girl I left behind me." 
The first one she sent me was written by her 
father at her request, she being but live years 
years of ago. Soon after, however, we were 
able to pen our own valentines. But 1 wus 
soon obliged to remove to the “ Far West,” 
among the wild animals and Indians; still for 
several years those highly-prized little love- 
tokens came annually. But they finally ceased 
altogether. Why? Because she got married. 
Well, here Is a parcel of letters from my 
sweetheart that were penned while we were 
‘•sparking." Among them is an answer to an 
apology of mine; yes, I remember the time 
when I was obliged to get down on my knees 
and ask her forgiveness tor some misdemeanor. 
Here is another package from a lady, an old 
schoolmate who reside* In a foreign land. She 
wants to know who Is married and dead. Here 
are some from my truant brother, who abrupt¬ 
ly left home when a lad to seek his fortune 
among strangers. How he repented'. how 
homesick and how anxious he la to receive 
“ Jotters from home.” Here are a few from 
mother, when I was absent. Qh, what good, 
long ones, and filled with kind admonitions 
and advice that none but a mother can give. 
Ah ! here la a large bundle from a boy school¬ 
mate whom we parted with ever-so-long ago. 
Alas J he has “crossed the river," but his 
memory I will ever hold dear. My old school¬ 
mates, where are they? “Echo answers. 
Where 1" Some are occupying high positions 
In business life; nearly every profession is rep¬ 
resented. Quite a number have gone 'o their 
long home. Reading these old letters takes us 
hack to our school days, when we, armed and 
equipped with Webster s Elementary Speller, 
the EngllBh Reader, Daholl’n Arithmetic, and a 
handful of goose-quirt* — yes, trudging two 
miles through the snow to the old log school 
house whose henchea were made of rough pine, 
whose chinking was loose, and we shivering 
with cold, Yes, and didn’t we used to Btaud 
by the side of Mary Jank In the spelling class 
and manage to keep there ? 
Twelve o’clock— dinner time! What a treat. 
I have had perusing those old letters. Consign 
them to the flames? No, Sir, never! 
--- 
Count all fault-finding that does no good, a 
sin. Practice the grace and virtue of praise.— 
ilrft. Stowe, 
A KIND GREETING FROM KANSAS. ( 
[lx looking over the contents of our pigeon '• 
holes tho other day, we found the following : 
kind missive, which ought to have beer, pub¬ 
lished months ago :1 
Dear Rural: Your presence makes one 
household at. least happy this year. I could not 
do without you ; could HOT. keep house without 
your valuable recipes, or amuse my brothers 
and sisters those long evenings without your 
puzzler. You will not find my name on your 
subscription books. I being only one of the 
“wimmen folks,” but Tam a constant reader. 
When my careless other half throws Ills hat 
on tho floor, his gloves, on tho table, and his 
j coat on tho bed, f very gently remind him that 
I have “ a place for everything," and that every¬ 
thing should he in its place. Ho only smiles a 
provoking smile, with u sort of “ help-yoursolf- 
if-you-can" air; and if 1 did not have you so 
close, instead of biting my lips and looking 
over you for something new, I'm afraid I should 
scold severely. 
All honor to your standing upon your merits 
alone and offering no premiums to your indi¬ 
vidual subscribers. They who are not willing 
to pay two dollars and fifty cents per annum 
for you, do not deserve to read any of your good 
things. A Farmer’s Wife. 
Stannard, Kansas, March 15,1871. 
-♦♦♦-- 
“POPS” OF THE QUESTION. 
There are three offers of marriage in a new 
hook called “ Uncle John,” which are certain¬ 
ly models in their way: 
Laura and Lexley, “Mr. Bexley,” sho said, 
perfectly calm and composed, “am I to under¬ 
stand that you are asking mo to beyourwife?" 
“1 know 1 might as well expect an angel to J 
come down from heaven and marry mo, but 
that Is my desire," ho answered, unconsciously 
borrowing from the baptismal servico his ener¬ 
getic affirmative. “ 1 ought to give you a frank 
and hearty * Yes.’ I will, too, on certain con¬ 
ditions.” 
Annie Dennison and Percy Mortiim-r. “If l 
thought It possible you could value an) thing I 
can give, I would offer you ail I have In the 
* world, encumbered only with myself. Miss 
J Dennison, will you accept It?" “ No,” whifi- 
‘ pored Annie, rising from her seat, to take his 
" arm, In a perfectly friendly manner and guide 
him back to the ball-room. 
Horace Maxwell and Annie Dennison; the 
a latter as a sister of mercy in carrying food, tea, 
rl &o„ to tho poor, and Horace Is trying to induce 
1 her to lot him carry the basket.-" Miss Donnl- 
* son,” he faltered, “Annie, my own darling, 
* may i carry your basket all my life?” “If 
you'll put all your eggs In it, yes," answered 
° Annie, boldly; and coinmlng suddenly on a 
* crossing sweeper, the only living soul to bo 
, seen, a solemn silence Intervened. 
iouirg. 
BRIGHT AND EARLY. 
HaLLOO, halloo! calls Farmer Jo, 
A pleasant day Is breaking; 
The sky is lirlglit with morning light, 
’Tis time the hoys lire waking. 
Helgh-ho, heigh-ho! to Farmer Jo, 
Cry all the boys a-boundlng; 
All up at work, none knows to shirk. 
Long ere the horn Is sounding. 
Morning and noon—how very soon 
The day of labor passes; 
Whether ’tis sow, or plow, or hoe. 
Or haying 'monc the grasses. 
Work well began is one-half done. 
Is an oft-repeated saying; 
An early start is no small part 
Of any game we’re playinu. 
[!. IF. Sanborn, in Young America. 
■-;-- 
LETTERS FROM BOYS AND GIRLS. 
A SENSATION AT LEBANON. 
Among the guests at Lebanon Springs is a 
wealthy bachelor, whose bank account Is much 
better than his orthography, A party of guests 
were playing a game whore n ball made of a 
handkerchief is thrown from one to another 
with the salutation of "hero comes a ship 
laden with"— ; each successive receiver being 
obliged to name a commodity for cargo, begin¬ 
ning with tlio letters of the alphabet In turn. 
When the handkerchief alighted at the letter 
K In the bachelor’s lap, he shouted “ K rock¬ 
ery,” which excited a smile and the game hasti¬ 
ly proceeded, when it was found that tbo word 
was really given in good faith, and not a> a 
a joke. The rogulehnoss of a young lady, how¬ 
ever, caused the flying messenger to alight in 
his lap a second time at the letter S, whereat 
the receiver shouted " 8!niuinion ” so trium¬ 
phantly, that somehow or other there was so 
much laughing that, it was thought best to try 
another game. 
-♦-»--*- 
A DARNING MACHINE. 
Anna S. D„ the Boston correspondent of the 
N. Y. Graphic, thus alludes to the invention of 
% machine which will dispense with one of 
worrtan's occupationsOne wouldn't think 
that In Now England a darning machine was 
specially needed, but a man numed Hosraer 
has invented one. If matters are allowed to go 
on at this rate without Presidential Interfer¬ 
ence what will become of us. The men have 
learned to wear studs and laugh to scorn the 
irate washerwomen who used to turn a pretty 
penny by sewing on the buttons they deliber¬ 
ately pulled off, and now our last stronghold, 
the stocking basket, is remorselessly attackod! 
What are we to do ? You wretched masculines 
were unbearably impudent before this, but If 
you can darh your own stockings there will be 
no living with you. We are inclined to “darn" 
that Mr. Hosmcr.” 
--- 
Missing tub Baby.—As the cars were mov¬ 
ing away from Terre Haute the other day, a 
pretty young woman came from the ladies’ oar, 
and rushing Into the smoking car, frantically 
appealed to everybody to stop the train. Hatch¬ 
ing sight of t he conductor, she exclaimed, pite¬ 
ously, “Mr. Conductor, do please stop the 
train; I’ve left ray baby.” The train Was 
stopped and the baby recovered, amidst the 
hearlv cheers of the people on the platform 
and tbo passengers; and while the young 
mother laugned and cried and hugged her little 
one, she tried to explain how the baby was 
I such a new one that sue hadn't got used to it. 
Hints for Young Naturalists. w 
It is with pleasure 1 see so many young per- a 
sons engaged in preparing collections of birds’ si 
eggs, &c„ and I trust they will pardon mo if I e 
offer to them, through your valuable paper, a <- 
few practical hints. What 1 have to say 13 
founded on my own experience, is something 
every collector learns sooner or later, and limine 
is designed for those who have not as yet had o 
much experience. I trust, however, all will t 
road It, and should 1 state any erroneous views t 
I desire to seo a friendly criticism. In collect- s 
iug never allow your specimens to remain an I 
hour before being taken care of. If they are v 
eggs, your first care should be to carefully and v 
thoroughly blow them. It will only take a 1 
short time; but If neglected, It is apt to bo for- n 
gotten till too Into. 1 
Remember that, no matter how carefully pre¬ 
pared your specimens maybe, they are of no 
practical use to yourself or any one elso till 
fully authenticated. No trouble should be ’ 
spared till every specimen is beyond a doubt 
authenticated and Identified. Your reputation 
depends upon tho authenticity of your eggs, 
and for that, If nothing else, have no doubts in 
regard to their identity. 
Too much care eannpt bo used in obtaining 
data of everything In your collection. Whether 
collected by yourself or obtained In exchange, 
learn where and when collected. Either pro¬ 
cure tho nest or ascertain the measurement of 
It, and where and how it was placed. Do not 
omit a single particular which cun bo of any 
possible use. 
Ho-v'ng procured your collection and proporly I 
labeled It, you must have a place to keep It. In I 
tills let your cure be to have everything well 
and strongly made; after that, if you have the 
means, you may adorn your case, but let utility 
be the first care—beauty the last.—II. F. J., 
Rochester , 2Y. I r ._ 
From an Illinois Ctrl. 
DearMr. Editor:— Feelingverymuch elated 
at seeing my former letter published, I thought 
i would attempt the task of writing another. I 
suppose I must follow suit and say something 
about Di 5 W-T>ROP. She has eailed forth all the 
Rural, cousins' envy because she said she was 
prettier and smarter than any of them. Now, 
we are not sure of that, because there may be 
a great many of us just as smart as her, and as 
for boauty, wo cannot always Judge by a de¬ 
scription of oneself whether he or she is beau- 
, tlfulornot. For Instance, I might say I have 
black eyes, black hair, dark complexion and 
rosy cheeks;- who knows but that I may be 
! rn ore beauiirul than Dew-Drop? But I must 
not criticise her too closely, for, to tell the 
, truth, I like her very much, and would he glad 
. to hear from her again through the Rural. I 
wonder how she can refrain from writing when 
every week there arc so many anxious eyes 
peering over the columns of the Rural, look¬ 
ing in vain for something from Dew-Drop?— 
Leta W„ Hampton Valley, Alton, 111. 
smith, but have not decided which. I like 
trapping very much. Muskrats, woodchucks, 
skunks ami racoons are very numerous around 
here, but I do not havo much time to trap. I 
can capture muskrats, skunks, opossums and 
minks very well, hut, for sonic reason or other, 
1 cannot take a woodchuck. Will some of your 
boy readers who know howto catch them write 
a letter to the RURAL and toll how ? Now, Mr. 
Editor, if this is worthy attention and space, 
please print it and you will greatly oblige 
Trapper, Swamp Creek Hill, Buckeye- Stale. 
From a Seneca Falla Boy. 
Dear Mr. Editor:- My father has taken 
your valuable paper lor a number of years, and 
we all like it very much. I am a hoy fourteen 
years of ago, ami I see so many boys and girls 
are writing In your paper I thought 1 would 
try and seo what u letter l could write. Last 
winter I could sit down and road about fur 
bearing animals ail day, I liked to read about 
the heaver, bear and wild-cat tho most, and I 
wish you would continue to write about them 
and their habits. 1 have a nice little yacht 
about a foot long. I have got It nit painted 
aud done now and it, sails vory nicely. 1 wish 
when seme of the hoys write they would tell 
about their little boats and what fun they had 
sailing them. I think l havo written about 
enough for the first letter, so I will stop. 
Charlie F. IT., Seneca Calls, N. Y. 
From a Now York Boy. 
Dear Mr. EditorI am ahoy fifteen years 
old. 1 live on a farm, and have been reading 
tlic boys'and girls’letters in your paper, so I 
thought 1 would write one. I attended a select 
school the past winter and liked It very much, 
i have a cousin who lives In town and likes It 
very well. Do comes to see me very often, and 
we have lots or lun with my pet dog, “ Rooky.” 
1 usod to have lnttfof ducks, but I have not got 
any now. If you think this letter worth pub¬ 
lishing I will write again.—F rank L. S., Smith 
Westcrlo, N. Y. _ __ 
FORGTVE, not with a sorrowing heart, but 
with a strengthened love of better things.— 
Lowell. _________ 
PROBLEM.— No. 14 . 
Seven times the radius of the circle circum¬ 
scribing the polygon ABODE, is equal to five 
times tho side AB; BO is equal to AB plus 
seven rods; tho diagonal AC is 54 1-5 rods ill 
length, and the diagonals BD and BE 50 rods 
each. Required, the sides of the polygon. 
From a Southern New York Boy. 
Dear Mr. Editor :-I have read your paper 
for some time and like it very mueh. 1 enjoy 
reading the letters from the llttlo folks. I am 
twelve years old and live on a. farm in Allegany 
Co., N- Y. My home, which is a humble one, is 
pleasantly situated on the sunny aide of a hill 
and Is nearly surrounded with fruit trees, 
which look very nicely twice a year—first, when 
they are 1J blossom, and again when the fruit 
is ripe. I go to school two terms In a year, en¬ 
joy it finely, and the rest of the year work on 
the farm, whtch I also enjoy. 1 have got some 
little chickens that aro between two and three 
weeks old; tbey.l.ave grown nicely. Our folks 
say I must knit them some socks; but as I 
don't know much about knitting, perhaps Rose 
or Ida, or some of your lady correspondents, 
will knit some for me on shares, 1 will furnish 
the wool, for I have two nice sheep.— Free 
Heart. 
From a Young Buckeye Trapper. 
Dear Mr. Editor I thought I would try 
and seo whether I could write a letter worthy 
of your attention. I am a boy and live in the 
northern part of Ohio. I am at present work¬ 
ing on a farm. I like farming very well. The 
man 1 work for takes the Rural. I like it very 
much. I intend to bo either a farmer or black- 
Scaio of figure, 30 rods to the Inch. 
Oneida Castle, N. Y. B. F. Burleson. 
Answer in two weeks. 
-*t-»-- 
CROSS-WORD ENIGMA.—No. 9. 
My first is in Iceland, but not in Japan, 
My second Is In leather, but not in tan ; 
My third Is In Holland, but not In Peru, 
My fourth is in buckle, hut not. In shoe ; 
My fifth is in Austria, but not In Brazil, 
My sixth Is In mountain, hut not In hill; 
My seventh is in Prussia, but not in Algiers, 
My eighth Is In squirrel, hut not in deers ; 
My ninth Is in Dublin, but not in Now York, 
My tenth is in sparrow, but not in stork ; 
My eleventh is in Glasgow, but not In Quebec, 
My twelfth is in cabin, but not in deck ; 
My thirteenth Is In Stockholm, but. not In Lu¬ 
cerne, 
My fourteenth is in furnace, but not in burn ; 
On the shore of my whole many thousands have 
met. 
And there have learned truths they will never 
forget. Roselia. 
Dewittville, N. Y. 
X*?f~ Answer in two weeks. 
ANAGRAM.-No. 4. 
Epleop vligni ni asgls uhsoos odulhs otn 
rtwoh tesson. d. w. N. 
Answer in two weeks. 
-♦♦♦-- 
PUZZLER ANSWERS.—Ocl. 17. 
Problem No. 13.— fl3.70fKtt831 
C! j 20.29978117 I Hods 
Sides.) go 33403152 \ Koas - 
[40.655368-18 J 
_. , j 21.970025851 R . 
Diagonals, -j 53,02397405 f Rod8 - 
