346 
E BU BAL 
-YOBME 
Rafting for tfrt |onug. 
L 
“ME, TOO.” 
- t< 
•' Wk’m. seek for flowerH in the woods*” h 
I heard a mother say. C» 
“ For tu their shady solitudes rt 
My children love to play. y 
Come, Willie, call the other boys, e 
Ere falls the evening clew f j 
And then another little voice. 
Soft pleading, eatd, "Me. too!” 
ft 
Ob! childish heart, that could not bear ri 
ller name should be forgot; q 
Oh ! childish love that longed to share 
With all the common lot; 
Such tone should ne’er be heard in vain* 
So tremulous und true; t) 
A link in that sweet household chain, o 
She claimed her right, “ Me, too!’’ 11 
a 
Jlul not alone in childhood's years 
The heart gives out this cry; 
'Tis heard amid the nilclll tears d 
Of life's deep agony; 1 
The lonely soul, athirst for love, b 
Will cry as infants do; t 
Aud lift—all other tones above— c 
Its passionate " Me, too ! ” g 
Formed by one baud, we live and die. 
Before one throne we kneel; b 
The longings or humanity ^ t 
Send up one deep appeal, a 
Our nature’s tendrils intertwine, v 
Fed by one common dew; 
None seek in solitude to piuc, 
Each heart-throb say a." Me, too! ” 
Ood teach us then to rank to stand, |( 
Firm as 1-rave spirits should; 
Joined heart to heart and hand to hand 
In holy brotherhood; ^ 
And casting off the ice of pride 
Wear warm hearts, mild and true, 
Nor from the weakest turn aside 
Who feebly cries, “ Mo, too!” 
[Ohio State Journal. 
■---* i 
LETTERS FROM BOYS AND GIRLS. t 
_ t 
That Proclamation. 
Dear Uncfb Tree T think (hat your “ Procla- , 
mat,ion” will certainly break the bonds of embar- , 
rassment and timidity, that have heretofore . 
kept our “ Cousins" so silent. And now that we 
are an emancipated race, I think we should 
“Light, our lamps of genius,’’ and by their light 
try to contribute something as entertaining as 
possible, for the “ Young Folks Column.” Wish¬ 
ing to become a competitor in this grand, Inno¬ 
cent, lottery scheme, T have carefully read the 
“Proclamation" from beginning to end. First 
was an original short story, l never was good at 
writing stories, so that was laid aside. Next an 
essay on Turkey aud the Turks. 1 might write 
about turkey-buzzard or a turkey-gobbler, but 
Turkey and the Turks—never! Ab, here! how 
would number three do ? A prize offered to the 
one who will amusingly describe the feelings of 
“ The ilrst man who was asked to Bwallow an 
oyster.” Judging of his feelings by my own, in 
iny first and only attempt, Hear my narrative 
would be tearful, as the aqueous fluid rises spon¬ 
taneously when my thoughts revert to that inci¬ 
dent, so that, should I make the attempt, I should 
Ilrst have to secure my paper against an Inunda¬ 
tion, and as that, would be quite difficult, I shall 
have to look farther. 
Eureka! 1 have found It! “An engraving lav¬ 
ished on those who will write letters on subjects 
not previously discussed In the Rural," My topic 
is "contentment,” and shall be an account of a 
visit 1 made not long since to a family where dis¬ 
content, Is frowned at, und when lie presumes to 
cross their threshold Is not allowed to sit down; 
but Is hastily dismissed With cold civilities, and 
without an Invitation to call again. We started 
early one morning from that dlrt-be-grlmcd city 
Pittsburg, and wishing to enjoy the trip and ad¬ 
mire nature, went aboard the steamer “Andes” 
and were soon far down the river, passing lovely 
hills, and picturesque-looking ravines. Now, we 
arc passing A very quiet, village, which, to a 
chance passer-by, would scarcely be noticed, but 
to us, It, Is a place worthy of careful Inspection; 
for here it was thatourioved mother playedwhen 
a fair-htilred child. There Is t-he big hill where 
she used to climb to go to school, and maybe on 
that clay-bank she took her first lesson in the 
culinary department, In which she Is now so 
skilled, by making the lovllest of mud pies. 
Once again I gaze intently on those hills, us 
though to pierce them, and see beyond where 
the father, when a boy, chased the rabbit and 
squirrel. Hut while 1 have been writing, we have 
been making our way down the river, have passed 
that, lovely historical spot known as Blenerhasset 
I 9 land, and are now at our place of landing, where 
wo are met by our irlends with a carriage, and 
after a pleasant drive over the hills, we at last 
come in sight of i.hat contented home, of which I 
have previously spoken. 
The house Is no palat ial residence, with long 
corridors and lofty gables; but a very unassuming 
villa, built In the Gothic style, with a large ve¬ 
randa in front,. The grounds are not extensive— 
perhapu three-quarters of an acre, with a neat 
summer-house, a beautiful rockery, and many 
lovely flowers therein. We were met by five 
smiling girls, aud alter a hearty greeting, passed 
into (he cool rooms of this pleasantly situated 
home. After partaking of a bountiful repast, we 
took a walk with the lady of the house to see her 
flowers, while the girls did the evening work; and 
the many ripples of laughter that came floating 
on the evening breeze, proved that they were 
working with hearty good wilL And now : 
" The day 1* done and slowly from the scene, 
The utoopiuir sun up-g#thcr» lain spent shafts. 
And puts them back into his golden quiver.” 
And as we sit to the waning light, those chat¬ 
tering girls tell us of the nice school taught at 
home by the eldest, who has had the benefit of a 
collegiate education, and of the nice entertain¬ 
ments which they get up for the enjoyment of 
their parents and their own benefit, at which they 
each write essays and read selections from their 
ravorlte authors, and also have colloquies of their 
own composition; not omitting music—ror they 
are all lovers of harmony. Then they all enjoy 
reading, and very nice times they have. Either 
one reads aloud to t he rest,, or each reads a book 
and then they discuss Its good and bad qualltea 
together, one who has been blessed with artistic 
talent,, loves to reproduce the beautuui flowers 
on canvas or slate, so that they have the pure to¬ 
ll uence which the flowers breathe, continually 
around them. But the reason of their content¬ 
ment is not because they have so much, for. In¬ 
deed,there are agreat, many things that they know 
they cannot get, through lack of moans. But they 
have been taught that discontentment Is a 
noxious weed of rapid growth and easy of 
cultivation, so that when they find them¬ 
selves getting dissatisfied with their lot, they 
hastily dispel the thought, aud Ultuk how much 
better off (.hey are than thousands or God’s crea¬ 
tures who have to beg their dally bread. After 
an affectionate adieu we turned our steps home¬ 
ward, not without a sigh of regret that— 
“ Pleasures arc like popples spread, 
You «kv.e the flower the bloom is shed.” 
But then 
” Long, long be my heart by suoh memories filled. 
Like the vase In which roses have once been distilled; 
You may break, you may ruin the vase if you will. 
But the scent of the roses will cling to it still.” 
Felicity, Ohio. Kay. 
Dear Fnci.k Truk:— I received the reward you 
so generously sent me, a few days ago, and feel 
that I can hardly express my gratitude for such 
a handsome present. I know that my feeble at¬ 
tempt did not deserve so much attention But as 
my first effort was so graciously rewarded, 1 will 
not be discouraged, but annoy you with another 
of my poems, and l wish to toll you that, it. will 
be a sufficient reward to know It Is acceptable, 
and see It occupy the most humble place In your 
worthy paper.—». o. 0. 
the winter wiu come at last. 
The glorious days of summer 
Have vanished now away; 
The days when the happy birds sang 
And all the world seemed gay. 
The sunny days, when the flower bloomed 
In upland, field, and glen ; 
Their beauty Don hath given. 
To cheer the hearts of men. 
The days in the sunny meadows 
Wher> we raked the fresh green hay, 
where we gathered In the harvest 
And stored it iu barns away; 
The days when the bright red clover 
Waved to the breeze of mom, 
Which brought, us its sweet perfume 
As it swept through the rustling corn. 
But why should we mourn for those pleasures, 
They are. vanished now and passed; 
And we must all, sooner or later. 
Come to the winter at last. 
And 80 it is with seasons of life, 
From youth to riper years; 
Although they may be of sunshine, 
Although they may be of teara. 
It is Just the same with the peasant, 
It ia Just the same with tho king; 
And each of the different seasons 
Their varied changes bring. 
Then let every one be fruitful— 
The spring time, tho summer, the fall; 
So we may bo ready to answer 
When we hear the Master's call. 
Yes. 1 hope we’ll he fit for His reaping 
When the angel of death shall come; 
And the Lord will tenderly call us 
All into His heavenly home. 
[By Bessie. 
Nly ! How you all Jumped! 
Did I Bcare you 7 I dare say 1 did, for my en¬ 
trance was rather sudden. Tbnnk you, Young 
Bach, but please keep your seat, and you also, 
Solomon Sac. Fair Play and Wild Bosk, do not 
crowd yourself on that sofa to make room for me, 
for I’m golug over to the bay-window, among the 
plants and birds, to take that cosy seat between 
Uncle Truk and Uncle Mark. 
Now Cousins, grave and gay, I have a proposi¬ 
tion to make; and that is, that we unitedly give 
a vote of thanks to Uncle True for his liberal 
offer Just made, and also one to both Uncles for 
favors to us—past, present, and future. A few 
words to you, girls, and then nu revolt' : 
We all know the great amount, of good the Mur- 
fht Temperance Movement is doing, and If we 
choose, we can luorease It a thousand-fold. There 
Is not a woman or girl In this free America, but 
has influence with some one of the sterner sex. 
How many of you girls win join with me to say¬ 
ing, “ We will not give our society to any young 
man who drinks, smokes, chews, swears, or gam¬ 
bles, after we find we have no influence to Induce 
him to abandon the disgusting vices?” 
I know the goodly, kind Uncles will draw up a 
pledge to that effect, and allow space for It to the 
dear, old Rural, which finds Its way Into so many 
American homes; and that every girl Into whose 
hands It may fall will sign her name to It, and In¬ 
duce her friends to do the same. Then send the 
names for publication, so that we may know who 
and how many belong to the “ Do-and-Dare" So¬ 
ciety ; and when the list 18 printed please. Uncles, 
let my name be among them. Methlnks I see 
some of our masculine friends take the cigar from 
t heir lips, stroke l-helr downy moustache and say, 
“Some strong-minded old maid, i'll warrant." 
Allow me, sir, to assure you that, firstly, ills no 
disgrace to be an “ old maid(secondly, I am still 
to my teens, and shall be for years to come; and 
thirdly, 1 am not strong-minded, tor th< re is no 
greater wildcat than— Madcap Mollik, Brookside 
Farm, Liv. Co., N. F. 
After Them Again. 
Dear Uncle True 1 presume that, there are 
some very egotistical and selfsufficient persons, 
(such as Adcle W., Connecticut Girl, Young 
Orator and others) who think that because of my 
long silence, they have completely annihilated 
me: but not so. Seeing the the very liberal In¬ 
ducements offered by Uncle True to the CouMns; 
aud knowing the zeal with whle.i Young America 
would rush to the tray, I concluded to step back 
and give the “ young ideas" a chance to “ shoot.” 
1 And how they cit'd shoot /” Whew! It was fear¬ 
ful. But now that the excitement is over I 
modestly Intrude my conceited? (so you say) 
self among you, und respectfully ask, where Is 
Queen Adele and Connecticut Girl? I would 
like very much to hear from them, they have 
such a peculiar way of mixing their ideas that It 
Is an inst ructive and amusing pastime to read 
and digest their literary productions. “ Bivalve ” 
on Osysters, was staving: and In fact all the 
competitors ror the prizes i thought did well. 
Jumping Jack's letter was splendiferous, but if 
Jack himself Is as flat as the Jumping Jacks of 
rny boyhood days, he Is truly a “,/taf.” Inclosed 
you will flnd a sketch ot my dog Hnlp, he Is a very 
knowing dog.— Slaykropconckit. 
Dear Rural cousin: I have not seen any letters 
from tho boys and girls lately in the Rural, so 1 
will try aud be the first to start one, If the Editor 
will publish this. It is now autumn, and the 
trees are once more being deprived of ( heir once 
green leaves, and the apples, pears, peaches, and 
nuts are being harvested by the ever busy farm¬ 
ers. Will some of ( be cousins please to write and 
lutorm us bow they pass the time away, these 
long evenings which have already begun here, 
but longer evenings and colder days w ill soon be 
here when— 
November comefi, aud then the breezes. 
Howl among the loftleBt treeses, 
Then the boy w ith ragged trousers, 
Shivers homeward driving cowses. 
Ivy’s Rest, N. Y. Ivy. 
% Wfr. 
DIAMOND PUZZLE. 
- r- 
If you would flnd this diamond square, 
For first put down ote-fourth of hare; 
Then for my second bring to sight 
The Instrument with which you write. 
My third will be a bird, I trow, 
And next a name, which you all know. 
In fifth a color you will see, 
And sixth a hutnuu limb will be. 
For last put down one-sixth of street, 
Which makes ohr diamond quite complete. 
The centrals, If you read aright, 
A Christian name will bring to sight. 
837” Answer In two weeks. - J. w. 
- 
NUMBERED CHARADE. 
I am composed of 7 letters: 
My 3, 2, 5, 4 a part of a tree. 
My 7, z, r> a beverage. 
My 4, 3,2, 6 an Insect. 
My l, 6,3,2 a package. 
My 6, 3,2 a liquor. 
My fi, 5, 3. ? an auction. 
My 6, 2, 5 the ocean. 
My 4, 5, 6, 7 quickness. 
My 5, 1, 2, 3 a man’s name. 
My 3, 5,6, 7 nnts. 
My whole is a town to Ireland. 
837“ Answer to two weeks. May. 
HIDDEN COINS. 
1 . One often finds much natural talent among 
the uneducated. 
2. You are wanting a doll. Aren’t you ashamed 
to be so childish ? 
3. How long have you lived In the Isle of Man, 
Nannie 7 
4 . With respect to Nash & Co., he considers 
them most satisfactory business folks. 
6 . What street Is St. Paul’s Church to ? • 
6. Your conduct Is really most Inexcusable. 
fir Answer to two weeks. p. b. 
DIAGONAL PUZZLE. 
1. A consonant. 2. A pronoun. 3. To possess. 
Primals and diagonals form numbers. 
Sir Answer In two weeks. Little One. 
PUZZLER ANSWERS.-Nov. 10. 
Numbered Charade.— Hastings. 
Buried Jewels.— 1, Pearl; 2, Ruby; 3, Coral. 
TO-DAY. 
Lo! here bath beeu dawning 
, Another blue day: 
Think, wilt thou let it 
Slip useless away ? 
Out of eternity 
This new day is born; 
Into eternity' * 
At night Will return. 
Behold it aforetime 
No eye ever did: 
And soon it forever 
From all eyes is hid. 
Here hath been dawning 
Another blue day; 
Think, wilt thou let it 
Slip UReiens away ? [Carlyle. 
. --- 
THE INWARD PEACE. 
Peace aud grace comprehend all temporal and 
spiritual blessings, and therefore are to bo the 
subject of our dally prayers. Peace Is used In 
Scripture for all earthly blessings, because it. is 
the mother and nurse of them all ; It. Is the most 
comprehensive benefit on earth, and the type of 
heaven, god is the Author of pcaoe and tho 
Lover Of concord, llo keeps us In peace, and 
loves us when we live in peace together; lie 
makes us to have peace from without, and de¬ 
lights when we have concord within. . . Peace 
or conscience cannot be to the wicked; for •• there 
Is no peace, salt)) my God, to the wicked,” since 
It Is tho fruit of holy purposes and good works. 
Let us, then, pray unto Him, that by making us 
truly holy He will give unto us that peace which 
the world cannot give; for the peace of con¬ 
science cannot be bought with nil the world’s 
riches, nor given by the greatest mortal prince. 
It is a girt that makes tho poorest, and most mis¬ 
erable person to be happy to his low estate, and 
none but God can.give it; and, if we be hla “ ser¬ 
vants,” lie will notd'ny It unto us; . . .for 
when we Lisle the fruit und find the comfort and 
happiness of holiness and obedience, If, will con¬ 
firm our purposes of persevering ; yea, none who 
hath tasted of the ra vishing delights or this in¬ 
ward and Divine peace will ever part with It for 
the beast-like pleasures of sin.—Yew llaukbook 
of Illustration. 
—-*-*♦-- 
THE PHYSICAL BENEFIT OF SUNDAY. 
Sunday Is God’s special present to the working¬ 
man, and one of 1U chief objects Is to prolong 
his life and preserve efficient his working tone. 
In the vital system it works like a compensation 
pond ; it replenishes the spirit,, the elasticit y and 
vigor which the last six days have drained away, 
and supplies the force which Isio fill the six days 
succeeding; and In the economy of existence It 
answers the same purpose aa to t he economy of 
income is answered by a savings bank. The fru¬ 
gal man who puts away an amount to-day and 
another sum next month, and who In a quiet 
way is putting by Ills stated sum from lime to 
time, when he grows old and Trull gets not only 
the same rnony back again, but a good deal 
more besides. And the conscientious man, who 
husbands one day ot bis existence every week— 
who Instead of allowing Sunday to bo trampled 
and torn in the hurry and scramble of life, treas¬ 
ures it, up—the Lord of Sunday keeps it for him, 
and In length of days and hale of age gives it 
back with usury. The saviugs bank of human 
existence is the weekly Sunday. 
GOLDEN MAXIMS. 
Nov. 13. It Is great gain to suffer the loss of all 
things, that we may learn to depend on Jesus 
alone.— Dr. Krurn maehrr, 
Nov. 19. The authority of Christ, alone Is to be 
regarded In everything purely religious, as be Is 
the only judge to whom mankiud are account¬ 
able.—,?. Briltlhury. 
Nov. 20. Those are the best Christians who are 
more careful to reform themselves than to cen¬ 
sure others—Du. Fuller. 
Nov. 21. The mercy of God never enters the 
door ot hell, but it reaches to the very threshold; 
none, then, need despair on this side the grave. 
Nov. 22. I reverence a young man, because he 
may be useful when 1 am dust.— Wesley. 
Nov. 23. The criminal neglect of one religious 
opportunity, will, most probably, indispose and 
unfit for the next.—NoW. 
Nov. 24. The man who Is satisfied with himself, 
Is beyond the hope of Improvement: there Is the 
clay of earth, without the fire of heaven. 
--♦♦♦-- 
Important Truth.— This, namely, that the 
misery or human llte Is made up ot large masses, 
each separated from the other by certain inter¬ 
vals. One year, the death of a child: years after, 
a fullure In trade; after another lo nger or shorter 
1 interval, a daughter may have married unhap¬ 
pily ; to all but the singularly fortunate, the In¬ 
tegral parts that compose the sum total of the 
unhappiness of a man's lllo are easily counted 
and distinctly remembered. The happiness of 
life, on the contrary, is made up of minute frac¬ 
tions—the little, soon-forgotten charities of a 
kiss, a smile, a kind look, a heart-felt compli¬ 
ment In the disguise of a playful raillery, and the 
countless other Infinitesimals of pleasant thought 
and feeling.— Coleridye. 
