OORE'S  RURAL  NEW-YORKER. 
47§ 
GAMBLES  m  AH  OLD  eEAVEYAED. 
Dear  RritAb:— 
“  Of  comfort  no  man  speak  j 
Let's  talk  of  Kraves,  of  wonns,  and  opltaphe." 
And  particularly  of  epitaphs.  And  ilrstly  I  want 
to  enter  a  protest.  In  the  name  of  respect  and  pro¬ 
priety,  against  the  people  horcahouts  for  the  want 
of  proper  care  and  attention  to  the  grave-yards. 
Here  Is  one,— tho  most  neglected,— that  In  this 
Centenary  year  at  least  shouUl,  by  Its  age,  he  en¬ 
titled  to  sufllclent  attention  to  cause  the  elder 
trees,  whortleheri’y  bushes  and  blackberry  vines 
to  be  kept  out  and  tho  weeds  and  grass  cut  siit- 
flcleutly  often  to  render  access  to  the  graves  prac¬ 
ticable,  In  which  only  a  few  lots  arc  kept  with 
care,  attesUng  the  foot  that  those  hurled  therein 
have  left  behind  some  rcilative  or  friend  to  whom 
their  memory  is  dear.  And  these  exceptloas  only 
serve  to  make  the  neglect  of  the  rcmaluder  more 
apparent.  This,  too,  In  a  community  Including 
many  who  seem  to  bellevo  It  possible  for  the  spir¬ 
its  of  the  dopnrlctl  to  visit  and  communicate  with 
them  relative  to  rnundano  allalra.  It  la  not  pre- 
posteroius  to  suppose  they  would  hesitate  to  make 
a  row  about  this  insult  to  their  memories,  if  they 
had  the  power  and  opportunity. 
In  another  yard  or  ccinotoiy,  as  I  tlnd  they  are 
all  called  now,  which  Is  of  more  recent  dedication 
and  more  pretentious,  the  same  general  neg¬ 
lect  obtains,  but  not  to  tho  .same  oxtont,  while  tho 
fact  th.at  It  la  owned  by  a  corporate  company,  of 
which  each  lot  owner  Is  a  member,  and  that  there 
Is  money  lying  Idle  in  the  trooaury,  only  awaiting 
proper  direction  for  expcndllunN  to  put  and  ket'p 
the  whole  grounds  In  gomVcondftUni,  scorns  to  llx 
the  blame  more  directly,  and  to  hold  up  tJie  oulcere 
of  the  company  ax  the  i)erHOn»  toward  whom  the 
Unger  of  scorn  shoiild  be  prdnted.  I  might  have 
omitted  all  this  but  from  the  fact  that  I  know 
other  rural  communltlcasln  la  tlie  same  direction, 
and  Indulgu  a  hope  that  their  attention  may  bo 
called  to  the  error  oi  their  ways. 
Individually,  1  don't  believe  In  grave -yards, 
funerals,  mourning  costumes,  or  any  of  the  fivali- 
lonable  services  or  ceremonies  attendant  on  that 
change  whhih  we  cull  Death.  But  Ibis  Is  not  a 
place  for  an  es.say  on  the  subject. 
At  the  risk  of  scratched  hands  and  torn  clothes, 
I  recently  force*!  my  way  through  theobstmclloiia 
to  some  of  the  old  htsad-sUmes  with  whicli  1  wias 
familiar  long  ago.  Some  of  them  have  fallen  on 
the  ground,  aud  are  nearly  covered  with  tho  ue- 
cumulated  remains  of  the  grass  and  weeds  that 
grew  above  them  years  ago;  Home  aiu  brokoii  In 
half,  and  others,  still  standing,  axo  so  far  from 
perpendicular  as  to  give  no  promise  of  retaining 
their  position  through  tho  frosts  of  another  winter. 
Near  one  corner  of  the  yard  la  a  plain,  red  free- 
stone,  about  two  toet  sffuare  and  two  Inclfos  In 
thickness,  which  boars  the  following  legend : 
Here  lies  y« 
Body  of  LnoE  tho 
DaughO'  of  Sorgni 
Isaac  Skinner  who 
Died  KebT  y«  '/isn' , 
1739-10  aged  18  year  „ 
this  was  the  first  Perso 
that  was  Burled  Here 
The  custom  of  pulling  both  the  old  and  new 
year  for  a  date  uuMl  March  was  continued  tn  Now 
England  until  long  after  the  time  above  named. 
Many  of  l^ho  stones  bear,  beside  the  name  and 
age  of  the  person  lor  whom  they  were  erected,  a 
few  linos  of  counsel,  admonition  or  advice ;  some 
of  whom,  from  their  frequency,  seem  to  have  been 
quite  popular— as  these ; 
'•  BohoM  and  sec  as  you  pass  by, 
A*  yon  are  now  sO  oaoc  was  I, 
As  I  am  now  so  must  you  be, 
Prepare,  for  death  aud  follow  me." 
It  Is  said  soino  wicked  follow  once  wrote  under 
this  Inscription : 
"  To  follow  you  I  am  not  content, 
Until  I  know  wluoh  way  y*>u  went." 
"  AftUetious  sore  lonif  time  I  bore, 
Physicians  wore  in  vain— 
Till  God  did  please  to  g-lve  me  ease 
And  take  away  my  pain." 
“  i'flends  ami  physicians  *x)uld  not  save 
My  luorfiU  body  from  the  yrave, 
Nor  can  till*  <(lay  eondne  U  here 
■\Vlion  Christ  shall  call  uie  to  appear." 
The  following,  although  inscilbed  with  no  re¬ 
gard  to  orthography  or  measure,  was  evidently 
selected  by  one  of  higher  poetic  feeling : 
“  Life's  a  Joiirnijy !  Ufan  the  nigtred  path  with  hope 
and  fearWlernsfe  travola on;  but  eer  his  Journey  h^f 
is  o’er  ^rim  death  like  villain  in  the  dark  Jets  fly  his 
*iuiverin(< dart;  the Iravellor  falls." 
“  Death  is  a  debt  to  naturo  due, 
■Which  I  have  paid  and  bo  must  you." 
and  many  others  common  elsewhere. 
Others  bear  the  evidence  of  originality  in  their 
composition  or  arrangejnent— as  these : 
"Na  I’ll  rapine  at  death  no  more, 
Hut  with  a  cheerful  (/a»p  tcagn 
•  To  the  cold  dungeon  of  the  yroimd 
These  dying,  withering  limbs  of  mine.” 
"  My  flesh  shall  slumber  in  the  ground 
TUI  tho  last  trumpet's  Joyful  sound. 
Then  burst  the  chaini  of  sweet  surprise 
And  in  my  Haviour’s  huage  rise.” 
"  Ah  fleil  forever  from  my  view, 
Thou  partner  of  my  soul  adieu.” 
"  Farewell  my  friends  who  are  alive. 
Who  vlBlt  my  abode ; 
I  wish  you  nil  to  live  in  love 
And  make  your  pca«je  with  GckI." 
"  WTif  n  I  was  young  1  did  die : 
Why  not  you  as  well  as  I  ?" 
"  In  youthful  bloom  death  laid  me  down, 
Here  to  await  the  trumpet  sound ; 
Repent,  rei>ent  now  you  have  time. 
For  I  was  taken  in  my  prime." 
Cease,  fricmls,  to  mourn  your  tender  parents’  fate, 
But  think  of  death  Ijeforc  it  is  too  late." 
"  In  blooming  youth  death  <»llcd  on  mo 
To  leave  my  friends  and  family ; 
At  bis  comra.and  I  then  must  go, 
Aud  bid  UiUeu  to  all  below.'” 
The  epitaph  of  Hezkkiau  Goodwin,  a.  M.,  and 
Minister  of  t  he  Gospel,  aged  27  yeai-s,  was,  as  cer¬ 
tified  on  his  head-stone,  composed  by  himself  on 
his  doath-beCi,  as  follows : 
"  How  Bliort,  flow  pvccjirious.  how  uncertain  is  life ! 
How  auiek  tb*;  transition  from  time  to  eternity.  A 
Breath,  a  Gaspo,  a  groan  &  lo,  we're  scon  no  more. 
And  yet  on  this  point,  oh  alarming  thought,  on  this 
slender  point  awlngs  a  vast  Eternity.” 
We  do  not  see  precisely  where  the  point  is  to 
which  reference  is  made -whether  it  is  Lite,  a 
Breath,  a  (7a.Hpe  or  a  groan— but  perhaps  It  Is  as 
clear  as  (^ould  be  expected.  Possibly  death-beds 
art)  not  the  be.sl  places  on  which  to  compose  epi¬ 
taphs. 
It  Is  fairly  inferable  that  tho  Widow  Sajiantha 
<looK  had  a  talent  for  epitaphs.  Mr.  Pinnky  Cook 
was  presumably  her  husband,  as  his  grave  is  be¬ 
side  hers,  ajid  a  stouo  adJ.accnL  mark.s  tho  resting 
place  of  a  son  of  Pinnky  and  Samantha  Cook,  but 
on  throe  others,  which  i  havo  always  been  told 
were  lascrlhed  hy  hor  dirocUon,  the  record  Ls, 
"  Daughter  of  Widow  Sa.mantua  Cook,"  and  gives 
no  clow  to  tho  personality  or  the  maio  progenitor. 
Nor  docs  that  for  herself  Inform  us  of  whom  she 
WAS  widow. 
On  one  of  these  stones— that  of  Mrs.  Amia 
Meacham— Is  a  condensed  biography,  thu.s: 
“  Hixtocu  yoAra  I  lived,  a  uiaid, 
Two  ytioTM  1  was  a  wife. 
Five  honra  J  woa  a  mother, 
Aud  HU  I  lost  my  life. 
My  ho^(^  hi;»  by  me,  as  you,  sec. 
To  Show  no  age  from  Death  Is  free.” 
The  next  stone  says  of  iliuA  cook  : 
“  One  day  In  liealth  I  did  nppvav. 
Tho  next  a  cori>*''  for  Uia  bier." 
Samantha’S  la  equally  brief : 
“  Friends  aud  brothers  bco  where  1  lie. 
Remember  you  are  burn  to  die.” 
This  for  the  husband  is  more  elaborate,  as  Is 
eminently  proper ; 
“  Wliat  Hudden  terror  death  doth  bring ! 
It  takea  tho  I’eftaant  and  tlie  King: 
Then  projiiiro  boatJi  one  and  all 
For  to  be  ritady  when  God  duth  call.” 
The  Stone  for  a  young  lady  of  24  years  bears  tills 
couplet : 
“  Sloop  safe,  sweet  bahe,  till  .leanB  cornea 
And  raUnK  all  from  Bleeping  tombs.” 
It  is  seldom  that  more  information  relative  to 
different  persons  Is  condensed  In  tho  same  space 
than  in  Uils: 
"  In  memory  of  Mrs.  Elehaoktu  Newiikuuy,  Relict 
of  Capt.  Itogi'.r  Newberry,  who  died  in  Uic  Cuban  Ex¬ 
pedition,  A.  D.  1741,  In  the  35  year  of  hU  age.  Eldeat 
daughter  of  the  Hon.  Uog<T  Woloott,  Esepr,  oometlme 
Oioverdor  of  tho  (.Jolony  of  Connecticut.  Site  died  the 
t>  day  of  .Inly,  A.  l>.  1775.  in  the  7e  year  of  her  ago.” 
I  wish  It  were  pos.slblc  to  transfer  to  your  col¬ 
umns  specimens  of  the  handiwork  of  the  artist 
whose  designs  ornament  some  of  these  head¬ 
stones.  I  doubt  It  anything  equal  in  absurdity 
has  ever  been  cut.  The  hieroglyphics  of  Egypt, 
although  aomcLhiiCs  uncouth,  have  a  meaning, 
but  If  any  sense  pertalneth  to  these,  It  is  past  the 
llndltig  out  of  the  present  gcuorallon-  Their  un- 
coutluioBS  haunts  me  while  I  write,  and  1  am  In¬ 
clined  to  think  It  was  the  remembrance  of  them, 
more  than  the  fear  of  guosw,  that  used  to  impel 
us  boys  to  keep  our  courage  up  by  whistling  when 
passing  at  night. 
If  there  was  more  originality  In  monumcnUil  In¬ 
scriptions,  they  might  give  valuitble  assistance  to 
the  historian  who  shall  endeavor  to  set  forth  tho 
Progress  of  Religious  Ideas  In  New  England.  It 
IS  somewhat  notlcable  that  even  la  the  days  when 
almost  the  entire  community  jirofeased  to  believe 
in  the  everlasting  torment  of  all  save  tho  elect,— 
“  the  chosen  seed  of  Israel’s  race, condlilou  after 
death  was  seldom  referred  to  on  tomb-stoues. 
Perhaps  It  is  true,  what  a  good  orthodox  lady 
ohee  remarked  to  a  Baptist  friend  of  mine,  while 
alt  a  buriaJ,  "  We  are  all  Unlversallsts  at  funer¬ 
als.”  I-,  A.  B. 
Bloomlleld,  Conn. 
- - 
WHAT  IK  A  BACHELOR? 
Adam  with  a  choice  of  Eves, 
A  mule  that  shirks  his  regular  load. 
A  wild  goose  In  the  air,  hissed  at  by  tame  geese 
In  the  farm-yard. 
A  wise  child,  who  declines  to  buy  sugar  candy 
by  the  hundred  weight. 
WHAT  IS  LANGUAGE  ? 
GOLD  leaf  to  blazon  knowledge  or  cover  Igno¬ 
rance. 
A  servant  who  too  often  Is  master. 
A  laige  Issue  of  notes,  sometimes  on  a  small 
basis  of  capital. 
A  chain  which  unites  men,  yet  keeps  them  dis¬ 
united. 
Ilraliiiig  for  t|c  loimg. 
MOTH-ER  MOUS-EY’S  LECT-URE. 
JlY  clear  lit-tio  mice, 
You're  old  e-uouKb  now 
To  KOt  your  own  Hv-ing 
If  I  tell  you  how. 
Tho  tinicH  art*  no  hard, 
That  I  need  all  the  bits 
I  lincl  for  iny-Hiilf — 
You  must  live  by  your  wits. 
Do  yon  son  that  square  door  f 
Aud  the  nice  tuH»ted  checso 
Ou  tho  ond  of  that  wire  ? 
Keep  a-way  from  it,  ideaae. 
Last  nvon-lng  your  auut, 
And  your  youiur  cous-ins  four, 
Saw  that  cho<:■fl*^  and  went  in 
Thrmitth  the  wldo-o-pon  door. 
I  watohod  a  long  time, 
But  tlipy  nev-er  came  out ; 
For  this  is  the  trap 
That  you've  all  heard  about. 
Now  prlfk  up  your  cars 
Ancl  hoar  whnt  1  iiny : 
Never  t:iHtu  of  u  thing 
That  la  left  hi  your  way. 
But  when,  Kiiug-ly  hid, 
You  And  a  rich  cake. 
Or  a  nicr,  ciream-y  cheese, 
Then  a  good  diumc  r  make. 
So  will  your  daya  pass, 
tVlth-out  ii  mis-hup, 
Aud  you'U  live  to  old  age 
In  Hplte  of  the  trap. 
- - - 
LETTERS  FROM  BOYS  AND  GIRLS. 
A  Pretty  Parlor  Amusement. 
Rural  Cousins  A  clever  llttln  trick  occurs  to 
mo  which  a  year  or  so  ago  I  enjoyed  greatly  per¬ 
petrating  upon  .sorne  of  my  young  frlcnd-s,  and  I 
doubt  not  you  will  enjoy  It  too  unless  they  chance 
to  know  It  already.  Try  first  your  pupa.  Ask 
him  for  live  cents;  then  produce  live  cents  your¬ 
self.  If  uot  the  possessor  of  so  largo  an  amount., 
one  cent  each  will  ans'wer. 
“  Now,  papa,”  you  say,  **  If  you  answer  to  tho 
lirat  question  I  ask  ‘  No,’  both  pennies  are  mine. 
If  you  aiLwer  ‘Yes,’  both  pennies  aro  your.4. 
Will  you  agroo  to  tliat?  1  assure  you  there  Is  no 
cah'h.” 
Your  papa  will  of  course  agree  to  so  fair  a  prop- 
osltlon— anybody  would. 
“  You  agree,  do  you,  papa  V” 
Papa  answers  that  he  does. 
“  Now,”  you  say,  as  If  the  thought  suddenly  oc¬ 
curred  to  you,—"  Jiut  luive  you  not  neon  this  irictc 
hofont,  pn-ija  ?” 
'In  hineiocu  Instances  out  of  twenty  the  ansiver 
win  bo  No  J  1 
Both  ponolps  or  live  cents  are  yours. 
What  do  you  think  of  this  trick,  Rural  cousins  7 
—Job  Stkelk.  _ 
Thanks  for  the  Extra  Column. 
Dear  Editor:— As  I  was  reading  your  paper 
to-night.  I  saw  the  notice  saying  wo  (tho  young 
folks)  could  havo  one  more  coluiuii  In  tho  Kukau 
Ahdaa  I  was  so  pleased  with  it,  i  could  not  help 
sitting  down  to  write  a  letter  of  thanks  tor  it.  I 
have  written  two  letters  t*j  j'ou  before,  but  .1.4  I 
saiv  only  the  first  In  prim  I  suppose  tliat  Undo 
Truk  did  not  receive  the  other.  As  there  aro  a 
good  many  new  Cousins,  1  aupposo  1  will  havo  to 
tell  my  ng«  and  resldenee  over  again.  I  am  twelve 
yeara  old,  and  1  live  not  far  from  the  village  of 
Amsterdam,  In  tho  Mohawk  VuUoy.  I  have  one 
slRtAT  and  two  brothoni  younger  than  m.yNeir.  l 
attended  a  Centennial  I’lcnlo  about  two  weeks 
ago,  near  the  Scholtarle  Creek.  10  was  on  the 
farm  of  my  great-grandfather,  and  there  w.as 
only  one  aunt  living  there  (out  of  a  large  fnmlly), 
aud  she  was  ninety-three  years  old.  o  dear!  I 
come  near  forgetting  it,  1.  e.,  to  thank  you  for 
your  kindness  to  us  iliilo  lolks.— Romi’ing  Minnie, 
Ainsuriknii,  .V.  F. 
A  Ftrebrond  Among  Us. 
Y'OUNU  Ladies  and  Gentlemen;— I  will  not  say 
Cousins,  for  I  fear  that  when  you  have  i-ead  this 
you  will  not  be  willing  to  admit  mo  as  a  t!ou,sln— 
Homo  of  you  at  least.  But  1  have  been  wanting 
to  speak  for  &0  long  that  now  I  must  have  my  say. 
First,  I  would  say  tliat  I  think  CTiiric  is  a  perfi'Ct 
gentleman,  and  he  ought  to  win  tho  adml ration 
ol  all  the  ladles.  Second.  1  doict  at  all  agree  with 
Young  Aimsr  about  piecing  qullt^i.  (me  don’t 
regret  the  tlkie  one  spends  in  cutting  cloth  in 
plfaiea  to  make  rulllea,  knife  plaiting,  etO.,  and  1 
think  piecing  quilts  Is  the  best  invention  ever 
made.  Of  couree  people  have  a  right  to  their  own 
opinion,  of  which  l  am  very  glad.  Third,  Young 
Editor,  I  think  you  are  very  accominodutliig  In¬ 
deed.  How  much  did  Y.  A. give  you  for  takUig  up 
on  lien  Hide?  You  can  hold  your  own  with  her 
easily,  you  agree. so  nicely,  school  giki.  la  very 
stmslble,  aud  she  hiiH  my  regards.  Perhaii.s  you 
would  like  to  havo  mo  doserlbu  myself,  to  see 
what  sort  of  a  girl  I  am.  Well,  r  ciui  do  It.  so 
here  goes;  I  am  about  live  feet  tall ;  havo  ikirk 
hair,  oycH  and  complexion ;  am  In  my  teens,  and 
will  be  for  several  years  to  come.  Let  roe  hear 
your  opinions— you  cannot  frighten  mo  by  any 
of  your  words.  Excuse  this  lengthy  scolding. 
Now  Is  your  time,  Y.  A.  and  Y.  K.— Belle  E.  F., 
Maoleii'ood  Gtm,  Ills. 
[Will  my  spirited  young  friends  brook  this 
taunt?  No,  never!  If  Young  Editor  Is  made  of 
the  true  stuff  he  will  re.spond  with  a  "leader” 
that  will  dp.flne  his  position  In  vigorous  Anglo. 
Saxon.— Uncle  Tkuk.i 
A  Typo  In  the  Field. 
How  do  you  do,  cousins?  I  know  some  of  you 
aro  ready  to  ejaculate,  "  Well!— where  did  you 
come  from?"  lean  easily  answer  yotu  Inqidry. 
I  live  In  Illinois,  south  of  Chicago,  on  a  fann  of 
about  400  acres.  I  am  a  prlntxtr  by  trade,  but  am 
rusticating  at  preaent.  1  think  It  Is  a  Jolly  life 
for  those  who  chooso  toniakcli  ao.  Uncle  has 
taken  the  Kvral  for  over  18  years,  lie  takes  la 
papers,  of  which  1  think  the  Rural  Is  the  best,  us 
It  has.  an  interesting  column  for  everyViody.  1 
watch  the  Young  Folks’  column  with  interesU 
Our  Y’oung  Editorial  Cousin  gives  ua  quite  a  Bplcy 
little  article,  but  I  don't  exactly  agree  with  him. 
He  "  caii’l  see  the  use  of  cutting  up  oalleo  Just  for 
tho  pleasure  of  sewing  It  up  again,”  but  lot  me 
ask,  why  do  you  distribute  your  "  lorm"  of  typo 
after  you  havo  had  the  trouble  of  setting  It  up  ? 
Why  simply  for  this— you  want  to  show  your 
patrons  something  new  from  old  material.  Don’t 
try  to  discourage  tJio  girls  from  learning  to  sew, 
for  It  may  some  day  prove  bouellclal  Ui  somebody 
ItiiotY.  R.  Ho  goes  on  to  say  the  girls  "need 
not  think  they  can  preach  doconim.  If  they  try 
wo  will  make  a  noLse  aud  not  llstcm  to  them.” 
Now  I  say  that  ir  our  manners  are  not  what  they 
ahoidd  he,  who  la  more  quallllcd  txi  give  a  reproof 
than  the  fair  hpx  7 
I,  llko  Y'oung  Artist,  am  "  In  my  teens.”  I  should 
like  to  coiTosponil  with  Y,  A.  If  agreeable,  as  I 
havo  also  a  natural  taste  for  drawing  aud  think  I 
could  give  Jier  some  valuable  iuformatlou  on  that 
subject.— Young  Pkintkb. 
From  a  Florlculturlat. 
Dear  Rural  Cousins:— I  always  read  tho  let¬ 
ters  from  boys  and  girls,  and  noted  tlio  one  about 
writing  and  tolling  of  our  dowers.  I  love  dowers 
ever  so  inuoh,  and  1  llko  to  read  about  them.  1 
have  a  real  nice  Botany  which  i  study  every 
spring.  1  havo  .an  Oleander  which  la  In  bloom, 
and  1  think  the  dowers  arc  luiudHOiue.  Such  a 
delicate  perfume  aud  beautiful  color!  'I’hon  I 
have  some  Morriing  Glories;  they  havo  blue  and 
pink,  white  and  pink,  and  whlto  dowers  on  them. 
Ono  or  two  vinos  havo  dark  purple  dowers  with 
bright  crimson  edges.  These  aro  the  prettiest,  I 
think.  Mother  has  a  I'ortulaca  wlileh  has  crim¬ 
son  dowers  on  ono  side  and  pluJ;  and  crimson 
striped  ou  tho  other.  Isn’t  that  strange?  Of 
running  hou.8c  plants  we  havo  only  two,  a  Wan¬ 
dering  .lew  and  a  Madeira  vino.  The  former  grow 
lluoly,  ancl  had  beautiful,  glossy  green  leaves.  J 
thought  ever  so  much  of  It.  But  all  at  mice  the 
loaves  grew  whitish,  and  ono  day  mother  found 
some  ants  and  little  blaok  bugs  In  tlio  soil  It  wuh 
In.  .She  cut  It  almost  all  otr,  changed  tho  soli  arM 
put  It  out  of  doora.  1 1, 18  now  growing  nloc'ly.  The 
Madeira  vino  wo  trained  over  the  window,  and  It 
grew  uluely.  But  one  day  there  came  a  great 
wind  (they  are  common  hero  In  .lersey)  and  broke 
It  off  down  almost  to  the  roots.  I  felt  almost  soil 
enough  Ig  cry  over  It.  I  had  lots  of  dower  seeds, 
but  had  no  place  lo  pLanl  them.  Tho  hena  scratch¬ 
ed  up  almo.At  all  my  Elowerliig  Beans,  and  ale  up 
nearly  all  my  Morning  Glories  at  dr-st;  they  re¬ 
covered  though,  and  grow  real  fast.  They  aro  as 
high  now  as  tho  string  goes.  The  liens  tipped 
over  my  pan  of  I’ortulaeas  aud  broke  them  all  up. 
I  am  twelve  years  old,  weigh  122  pounds  and  am 
live  foot,  blx  and  a-hult  Inches  high.— Cora  A.  L., 
North  vUudaiut,  .V. ./. 
One  More  Recruit. 
Dear  Uncles  :— I  was  Jmst  reading  over  tlio  let¬ 
ters  from  the  girls  and  lioys.  It  raudo  mo  think  1 
could  wrlw  loo.  I  havo  mado  several  attempls, 
hut  did  not  succeed.  1  live  ou  a  farm  In  Nt.  Law¬ 
rence  Co.,  about  four  miles  from  tho  Nt.  Lawrence 
Klver.  I  am  thirteen  years  old,  and  milk  from 
six  to  eight  co'.VB  twice  a  diiy.  1  go  to  school, 
summer  and  winter.  Wo  keep  Hoventy - 1 hroe 
cows,  ono  Short-llorn  calf,  six  horses,  one  colt, 
fourteen  hogs,  fourteen  pigs,  one  dog,  three  cats, 
and  1  don’t  know  how  many  kittens.  Wo  do  iho 
most  of  our  work  by  inaohLnery ;  use  a  hay  loader, 
hoi-se  fork,  mowing  machine ;  churn  with  a  sweep 
p<jwer,  and  u-se  a  churn  that  holds  luoro  than  ilio 
gallons.  Wo  arc  having  a  dreadful  drought  In 
tills  seellou,  and  gi'as.sUopporH  are  very  thick  aud 
destructive.  Somo  of  our  neighbors  are  cutting 
their  grain  green  on.  account  of  them,  and  aro  not 
going  to  thresh  at  uU.  I  lliluk  this  will  do  for  my 
llrst  attempt.— A.  .1.  I).,  ifassma,  A'.  F. 
tl  think  a.  .1. 1).  should  feel  encouraged  to  con- 
tliiuo.  For  a  ttrat  attempt  his  letter  Is  a  success, 
combining  as  It  does  news  and  clear  Htatements. 
—Uncle  True.1  _  _ 
Early  Snow. 
Dear  Uncles  :— Ah  j'ou  were  so  kind  as  to  pub- 
II. sh  my  llrst  letter,  I  thought  I  would  wrlto  again. 
I  had  begun  to  despair  of  ever  seeing  it  In  print, 
but  ou  opening  the  Rural  of  April  15,  lo!  It  met 
my  gaze.  Whereupon  l  took  heart  and  have  ven¬ 
tured  to  throw  myself  for  n  second  lime  upon  your 
mercy.  1  wish  “Young  Naiurallst”  would  write 
again,  also  Mlsa  “Dew-Drop.”  “Dew-Drop,” 
make  your  tongue  wag  to  tlio  best  of  your  ability  ' 
I  and  If  “  Young  floch.,"  the  saucy  fellow,  says  any- 
I  thing  about  It  (your  tongue)  1  will  come  to  your 
I  aid  and  Imlp  defeat  him.  Falhor  saya  that  per¬ 
haps  “  Young  Bach."  Is  only  ircosurliig  iqi  all  you 
have  said  lo  him  girls,  and  that  by-and-by  ho  will 
bring  matters  to  a  grand  climax  and  wrlt^i  a  letter 
that  Will  send  us  all  down  Uito  tho  valley  of  hu¬ 
miliation,  But  I  do  uot  think  he  Is  capable  of  It, 
any  way.— .Snow  Diior,  Norfolk  Co,,  Va, 
From  Ulster  Co.,  N.  Y. 
[  Dear  Friends  :— J  have  been  reading  with  a 
’  great  deal  of  Interest  your  letters  for  the  past  few 
