lor^folto. 
BEAUTIFUL GRANDMAMMA. 
Grandmamma Bits In her quaint arm chair, 
Never was lady more sweet and fair; 
Her gray loCKs ripple like silver shells. 
And her own brow Its story tells 
Of gentle life and peaecfnl even, 
A trust in God and a hope in heaven. 
Little girl Mary sits rocking away 
In her own low seat, lttco some winsome fay; 
Two doll babies her kisses share, 
And another one lavs hy the side of her ohalr; 
May Is fair as the morning dew, 
Cheeks of roses of ribbons of blue. 
*‘ Say, grandmamma," says the pretty elf, 
“ Tell me a story about yourself; 
When you were little what did you play? 
Was you good or naughty the whole long day ? 
Was it hundreds and hundreds of years ago ? 
And what makes your soft hair as white as snow ? 
“ Did you have a mamma to hug and kiss ? 
Aud n dolly like this, and this, and this ? 
Did you have a pussy like my little Kate? 
Did you go to bed when the clock struck eight? 
Did you have long curls and beads like mine? 
And a new situ apron and ribbons fine ? 
Grandmamma smiled at the little maid, 
And, laying aside her knitting, she said : 
“ Go to my desk, nod n red box you’ll see ; 
Carefully lift It, and bring It to me." 
So May pul her dollies away and ran, 
Saying, “ I'll be careful as ever I can." 
Then grandmamma opened the box, and lo! 
A beautiful child with throat like snow, 
Lips Just tinted like pink shells rare. 
Eyes of hazel and golden hair, 
Hands all dimpled, and teeth like pearls— 
FaireMt and sweetest of little girls. 
** Oh! who Is It ?” cried winsome May, 
“How I wish she were here to-day I 
Wouldn’t 1 love her like everything! 
Wouldn’t I with her frolic and sing! 
Say, dear grandmamma, who can she bo?” 
“ Darling,” said grandmamma," that child was me.” 
May looked long at tho dimpled grace. 
And then at, the aalnt-Uke, fair old face: 
•*How funny!” she cried, with a smile and a kiss, 
To have such a dear little grandma as this!" 
" Still,” she added with a smiling zest. 
“ 1 thiuk, dear grandma, 1 like you best-" 
go May climbed on the silken knee. 
And grandmamma told her history ; 
What plays she played, what toys she had, 
How at times she was naughty, or good or sad; 
•' But the best thing you did,” said May, “ don’t you 
see 1 
Was to grow a beautiful grandma for me.” 
■ ■ *■¥* ■ -- 
THINK A MOMENT. 
Wait, mother! Stop there, even though your 
hand bo raised to descend upon tho 1 ttle cul¬ 
prit, Loose your hold, and watch the look of 
astonish meut upon his little face, as be won¬ 
ders why you did not Btrike. You see lie has 
become accustomed to it. Ho knows Just how 
it will feel, and at this very moment hard, bit¬ 
ter, obstlnato thoughts are trying to make their 
way into bis heart—the heart that, though way¬ 
ward, is brimful of kiudneos, respect and affec¬ 
tion. Wickedness can find au entrance there 
only by displacing one of these. Surely, a 
mother’s hand would not aid In this! You 
were tired, nervous, provoked, and when his 
misdemeanor roused your wrath, you found it 
much easier to let it burst out than to wait for 
it to cool. 
Search your hearts, think a moment, then 
honestly confess that you felt ull this just now 
aa you Held him ready to administer punish¬ 
ment, Wait until you have rested a little, then 
quietly, seriously talk with your boy. If tho 
offense be such as to require punishment let it 
be given, but not that kind upon which you 
bad decided. The modes of punishment are as 
numerous and varied as the ways of sinning. 
Certainly, for every misbehavior there can be a 
correction without resorting to boatiog. It 
takes more time and ever so much more pa¬ 
tience to plan out these other modes, yet there 
is not a true mother living but would give both 
to meke of her boy a rospectful, obedient son. 
There are hundreds of mothers thinking they 
are doing their duty toward the lad, in trying 
the “slipper" method, and when they get a 
little older, handing them over to father, who 
administers a taste of the birch or strap. Come 
with me a moment and I will show you how 
the dose is taking effect. I saw him steal out 
while you were busy, a short time ago, glad to 
get away without being observed. Wo have not 
far to go; only around the corner hero where 
you see those little “ street Arabs.” Von start 
at my words. 
No, he did not make their acquaintance until 
lately, but he had an Idea that he was abused, 
and like older people, wanted sympathy. Come 
closer. They are too busy to notice us. Now 
listen, if you can, though they are all talking 
together, and only now and then Is a word dis¬ 
tinguishable. “Clear out I" “Mean!" “Run 
away!" “Wouldn’t stan’it!” These you hear, 
plentifully interspersed with oaths. But when 
the cigar is taken from the lips of the next 
speaker all lsquht. “I got too much for her, 
so she handed me over to the * ole man,’ but I 
shan't stan’ it much lougerYour grasp on 
my arm Is like a vise! You can hardly believe 
that disrespectful language comes from the 
lips of your son. But see! It has suddenly 
oocurred to him that he may be missed, and 
hard as it is for you to stir, you mwt step back 
into the shadow as he passes. “Good night, 
boys; I must be glttln', or tho ‘ole man ' will 
be out after mo,” comes iu a hard, careless 
voice that sounds strangely out of place from 
those youthful lips. You didn’t know he 
smoked? 0, yes; he has done that for a long 
time secretly, is now learning to chew, and can 
swear equal to his companions. It wns a hard, 
sudden blow, and for a moment you are almost 
ready to relinquish all hope. No, not that, 
while there is yet anyther way. 
There Is a kind of Incongruity in kneeling 
and craving God’s mercy upon the bov who 
lies up stairs sobbing, with the bitter thoughts 
you caused, which are anything but holy. In¬ 
stead, take him where there is no eye but, that 
of the All-seeing, where no other presence in¬ 
trudes, and in the true eloquenco of your 
woman's heart plead with him. Show him 
that he is not “too much" for your love and 
forbearance. Even though you fail sometimes, 
and his good resolutions are broken, if you 
have succeeded iu teaching him to try, you 
have placed btm upon the path that will at last 
lead him to victory. Do nut give up hoping. 
Stick to the gentler method, and, wttli God’s 
help, 1 Know you will succeed. There is no 
such thing upon tho face of tlio earth as a real 
“hopeless case" In regard to mankind. 
C. S. Tell Peikoe. 
■-*-*•*-—— 
HOME BODIES. 
BY MAY MAPLE. 
I uklong to the class known as " home bod¬ 
ies," writes Mrs. A„ who Is a woman of rare 
culture, and who always has the reading of tho 
first English and American authors at tier com¬ 
mand. She baa superior conversational pow¬ 
ers, that make her suciety particularly desira¬ 
ble te those who are intellectually inclined. 
Now aud then she expresses her thoughts in a 
pretty decided way through tho local paper; 
showing that, though she may be a “ home 
body,” yet she can bo Interested In some things 
outside the domestic circle. 
Now wo are quite disposed to quarrel with 
the estimable lady, for tho not iuoonsidorate 
sin of always remaining within her own domi¬ 
cil. We have not the least doubt but that she 
has a certain amount of duties to perform that 
are imperative, especially as she keeps but oue 
servant. But to remain year alter year within 
the four walla of home, we solelmly aver, is m 
woman’s duty. Particularly that one who is 
gifted with GOD'S rare and precious gift, Gen¬ 
ius, and who has had the opportunity of search¬ 
ing after wisdom and getting understanding. 
It is hiding one’s “ Jight under a buthul." To 
be sum her neighbors may uot be very cougen- 
ial, for nature has not beon lavish to all with 
gifts of pearls and precious stones, and educa¬ 
tion may have boon denied them ; yet thero are 
but. few Individuals who would not Improve 
vastly In a short apace of time by coming in 
contact with a cultivated mind. A fresh im¬ 
petus is given for a further search after the 
knowledge that adds grace, beauty and worth 
to the speaker, and makes tho works of nature 
and art more attractive. 
How easy It would be for Mrs. A. to direct 
scores, yea hundreds of minds In the matter of 
reading what Is worthy the attention of tho 
young and aspiring, as she leads her own little 
brood. If she would deign to bestow upon her 
neighbors the light of her countenance, and In 
her gentle, unobtrusive way givo an occasional 
review of some favorite author, that would at 
once attract attention; wo should find more 
histories, biographies and works of so'euce, in 
place of dime novels and low trashy literature, 
iu the homes of the common people, if the 
“homebodies" would he less exclusive. 
-» ♦ » - - - 
A BRUSSELS LOVE STORY. 
Thebe is a pretty love story told in connec¬ 
tion with the introduction of the manufacture 
of line lace Into Brussels. A poor young girl, 
named Gertrude, was dying for love of a young 
man whose wealth precluded all hopes of mar¬ 
riage. One night, as she sat weeping, a lady 
entered ber cottage and, without saying a word, 
placed la her lap a cushion, with its bobbins 
Ailed with thread. The lady then, with perfect 
silence, showed her bow to work the bobblus, 
and how to make all sorts of delicate patterns 
and complicated stitches. As daylight ap¬ 
proached, tbe maiden had learned the art, and 
the mysterious visitross disappeared. The price 
of the maiden’s lace booh made her rich on ac¬ 
count of its valuable patterns, and she was able 
to marry tbe object of her love. Many years 
after, while Jiving iu luxury, with her numer¬ 
ous family about her, Bhe was startled by tho 
mysterious lady entering her comfortable house 
—this time not silent, but looking stern. She 
said:—“Here you enjoy peace and comfort, 
while without are famine and trouble. I belli¬ 
ed you ; you have not helped your neighbors. 
The angels weep for yeu, and turn away their 
faces.” So the next day Gertrude went forth 
with her cushion and bobbiu in her hand, and 
going from cottage to cottage, she offered to 
teach the art Bhe had so mysteriously learned. 
So they all became rich, and their country also. 
-» « » — 
KNOW THYSELF, 
ONE bowing to me I’d seen long ago, 
Said I, Who art ? he said, I do not kno w; 
1 said, I know thee, I. said he, know you ; 
But he that knows himacif, I never knew, 
leading far thi[ gating. 
GOING UP. 
L'p and up the haby boos. 
Dp to papa’s shoulder. 
Now sho clings to papa’s nose— 
Now. becoming bolder, 
How slle ellogft her arms, and crows ! 
Do you think the darllDg knows 
How strong the arms that hold her ? 
Up and up the babr goes. 
Taller, wiser, older; 
As the calyx holds the rose 
Childish years enfold her; 
By-anc’-by they shall unolose 
From the woman and the rose 
Theu, O Father, hold her! 
On the bights of womanhood, 
Hold her, Heavenly Father; 
Lest, forgetting what Is good, 
Sho bo carried rather 
Down with folly’s multitude 
Into error's mazy wood 
Where tho shadows gather. 
Up aud up the baby goes; 
Heavenly Father, give her 
Heart to fool tor others’ woes, 
Hands of helping over ; 
Let her bloom, whon life shall close, 
Like a white, Immortal rose 
By tho crystal rtvor. 
-»♦ «. . - 
LETTERS FROM BOYS AND GIRLS. 
From an Indiana Ctrl. 
Mu. Editor I am n reader of your pupor 
and am much Interested In the Roys’ and Girls’ 
column. Having never seen any letters from 
this part, I havo thought of writing sovoral 
times; however, this Is my first attempt, I 
think Cousin Johnnie’s letters very interesting. 
I too wondor how old Dew Drop U. Doubt¬ 
less she is a very smart young lady—certainly Is 
of that opinion herself. I don’t quite agree 
with Gertie about quilts. I havo piecod three, 
and don't think I wasted any time, either; but 
I like fancy work much better than plain sow¬ 
ing. Mamma is «u Invalid uad 1 did not attond 
school tin's winter, but did tho work at homo. 
I can do all kluds of house work, and people 
that havo eaton my bread say it is good, and in 
general call me a good. cook. 1 never went, to 
school until I was nine years old—was taught at 
home. I have attended about (1 voyeurs, I havo 
not studied Latin as yet, but Intend to the en¬ 
suing summer. I have bceu studying French. 
I am very foud of tuuslo and have a sykndvl 
piano. T have no pets, bat once had a beautiful 
little canary bird which the oat caught and 
killed. 1 have a very pretty flower garden every 
summer. I had some bouse plant.*, but most of 
them froze last winter, J think (from what 1 
have read) that Florida must be a beautiful 
place to live In, though I do not think. I should 
like to change vXy home for one there. Wo live 
on a largo farm about two miles from town and 
our place Is said, by those that sec 1 , to be the* 
prettiest iu tho County. 1 hope to see a letter 
from Young America, soon; also that, Dew 
Drop will not forget her promise to write ns 
about her Christmas balls. I have never at¬ 
tended a ball. I think l had better stop, as 1 
don't want Young Bal’H to have a very bad 
opinion of me. Papa, has taken your paper for 
agroat many yoars,andasthls la the Urst letter 
I havo written, I should like very much to see 
it In print. From your young friend— Daisy, 
La Grange Co., Ind. 
Not from a Young Cirl. 
Dear Rural:— We have taken the Rural 
New-Yorker In our family for nearly twenty 
years. We thiuk it a very interesting paper and 
should be lost without it. 1 read the children's 
letters, and they sometimes carry my mind 
back to ruy childhood. I havo passed my three 
score years, but scenes of my childhood come 
back to my mind as vivid as though they oc¬ 
curred but yesterday. J can see my father's 
family gathered around tho old-fashioned 
round table, and In winter evenings by tbe large 
fireplace. It all seemed cheerful and pleasant. 
I remember every spot about the place; the 
orchard and meadow, not “tho deep-tangled 
wlldwood,” but the pleasant sap bush where 
my father aod brothers used to make sugar in 
the Bpriug of thoyear. Then everything seemed 
joyous that spring had com* again; but since 
that time mauy springs have come aud gone, 
and my father's family have nearly all gone, 
too. The old house stands there the same, but 
strange faces are at tho window, strange feet 
cross the sill. I can sec the large butternut 
tree that stood in the corner of the meadow, 
the little brook that ran down past tho house, 
and the little brown school house that stood 
under the hill. There is a school house stands 
there now—a new one in place of the old. It Is 
sunshine and rain the same now as then, but 
everything else seems to change.— Esther, 
Albany Co., -V. F. 
From Cousin Maud of Maple Grove. 
Dear Cousins All: — I have been reading 
the dear Rural, and in tho No. for Oct. IT find 
some interesting letters from our Young Folks. 
I think Lulu L. is quite smart. 1 would like 
to have a chat with her. 1 hope Young Stu¬ 
dent will havo success. I am glad to read an¬ 
other of Sampson’s letters; they are quite In¬ 
teresting. 1 also wish, with Pet, that our dear 
Cousin JonNNLE would have her likeness put in 
the Rural for us all. There was a request for 
Mr. Moore’s picture In the paper, last year, but 
wo did uot see It. So perhaps If we are all good 
children, lie will send it to us this time. I think 
Cousin Johnnie's letters are very interesting; 
they give us such good advice, correct all our 
mistakes, aud tell us how to do. 1 wrote a let¬ 
ter some time ago and told about my pots.bed- 
qu Its, &o., but did not see It In any of the Ru¬ 
ral?!, and It will make my letter too long this 
time—and then perhaps it may bo thrown luto 
the waste basket.— Cousin Maud, Moyle Grom, 
n . r._ 
From a Western Reserve (Ohio) Boy, 
Mr. Editor :—I like to read tho Boys'and 
Girls’ letters, so I thought I would write one; 
it Is my first. L am eleven years old. My father 
has taken the Rural New-Yorker ever since 
l can remember, aud we aro all anxious to sec 
It first. My brother (nine years old) and I have 
been breaking a yoke of steers and can drive 
them quite well, ir this finds a place In your 
paper I will try and do better next time.— 
Charley H. Q., Madison, Lake Go., 0. 
From a Virginia Ctrl. 
Mr. Editor;—As you kindly publish so many 
of the letters from the boys and girls of tbe 
country, I thought that 1 would try and toll 
you how much I think of the Rural. Wo think 
so much of it that wo arc going to mall you a 
postal ordor of $$.65 for another year. I hope 
that Cousin Johnnie and the rest or the cousins 
will continue to write to it. Young Baoh thinks 
tho women's tongues wagn great deal. I think 
his has not kept still very long; don’t you think 
so, cousins? Did any of you road about “ Aunt 
Betsy’s Christmas Trip to New York Town ? * 
What a time she had thero seeing the sights and 
Mr. Nickelus’ big house! Mr. Editor, I wish 
you a Merry Christmas aud a Happy Now Year. 
—Lillie 8. B., Norfolk, Yn., Dec., 1871. [The 
above letter tvujs mislaid or it would have been 
published before.— Ed. 
From a Little Ohio Boy. 
Mr. Editor:— l am but a little boy seven 
years old. I go to school and read in tho Fourth 
Reader. I study arithmetic and read and spell. 
My pa is a farmer. I havo a big brother and two 
little sisters. 1 like to ride horseback. We 
have two horses; their names aro “ Jenny" and 
“ Plug.” We call one “ Plug” because she is so 
lazy. Pa takes the Rural New-Yorker. I 
like to read the Boys’ and Girls’ lottersln It and 
thought l would like to write one. Please print 
this and make a little boy glad.— Ralph P. W., 
Ottawa Co., O. _ 
From a Southern New York Ctrl. 
Gear Rural :—I am a girl nine years old and 
live on a farm two miles from Friendship. We 
take tho Rural and like it very much. I read 
tho Girls' §nd Boys' letters and will answer the 
question Eddie D. asked. Solomon reigned 
£0 years iittd lived 01 years. I havo never soon 
any letters fropi Friendshlif. If 1 should see 
this lfc.prflit 1 maji poBaibly write again.— Lil¬ 
lie A. l+iffwnitshlp, Alkyany Co., N. Y. 
®he fuller. 
HIDDEN BIRDS.—No. 1. 
1. Come, friend Mac., away with us to Rook- 
away. 
2. Up, up, lover mine. 
3. Before you beg, retrench expenses. 
4. The show consisted of one cur, ass, owl, 
aud two monkeys. 
o. I bisected the problem and found the error. 
0. The almond Is ofttiines a bitter nut. 
7. If It must be he or I, O lot me bear the pun¬ 
ishment ! 
8. The horse tiroko his martingale. 
0. Turning the saw with the buzz, buzz, buzz, 
arduous labor thou wilt find. 
10. Were you ever under Table Rock? 
11. You must really eee tho old klug fish ere 
you leave Honolulu. 
12. The ica-covered lassos pro-yielded to tho 
heat, and the buffalo got off. 
13. Catch that pig! Eon, do be quick. 
14. We bung the tea kettle on a crane over 
the camp fire. 
15. Iu the mountains of Alconda we were at¬ 
tacked by brigands. 
16. Custom titles the nobility of Eugland. 
iST~ Answer in two weeks. l. o. 
-«46-- 
MISCELLANEOUS ENIGMA,—No. 3. 
I am composed of 14 letters : 
My 9.13, 4.3 part of tho human body. 
My 8,10,12 a very useful animal. 
My 0,11,13,3 what people ought not to do. 
My 2,12,1, 11 to kill. 
My 7, 6, (5 nickname for a girl. 
My wt.ole is the author's name. 
Answer In two weeks. E. G. F. 
PUZZLER ANSWERS.-July 24. 
Geographical Enigma No. l.—“ The sever¬ 
est punishment of an injury is the conscience 
of having done it at all.” 
Cross-Word Enigma No. 2.—Washington. 
Diamond Puzzle No. 2.— 
A 
USE 
APPLE 
ADVANCE 
ASPARAGUS 
ARRANGE 
HAGUE 
HUB 
8 
