394 
THE RURAL WEW-YOBIRER, 
. 45 
acting- in good faith with mo, we can make a little 
fortune in a few months, as I have Bole control of the 
drawings. 
Let me hear from you at once, as I must make a 
preparation and leave here soon to be present at the 
drawing. Send all communications by express to 
yours very truly, 
William Holmkm, 
tM Broadway, New York City. 
There 1b no ofllco at 699 Broadway, occupied by 
William Holmes, and Superintendent Haggerty 
of Post-Onico Station a says:—" I have stopped 
75,000 of those swindling letters within the past 
few years.” 
BRIC-A-BRAC. 
BY C. H. IS. R. 
It has long been thought that New York Is 
more fertile in rascals, who perpetrate nefarious 
schemes at the expense of the country, than any 
other spot on this hemisphere; but the reve¬ 
lations of the doings of one Robb, In another col¬ 
umn gives Cincinnati an unenviable prominence 
In fraud. Whether Kobb Is the legitimate name, 
or an atlas, It Is an exceptional Instance In which 
the name and the depraved instincts of the indi¬ 
vidual appropriately correspond. 
Thk most ludicrous epitaph I ever met with Is 
to be found at Pewsey In Bedfordshire. It runs In 
this wise 
“ Here lie* the body of 
Lady O'Looney, 
Great niece of Burke, commonly 
Called the Sublime. 
She. wan 
Bland, pawlounte, and deeply religious; 
Also she painted in water-colors, 
Aud sent, several pictures to the Exhibition. 
She was first cousin to Lady Jones, 
And of such Is the kingdom of Heaven.” 
Thk following traits of a good farmer are what 
chiefly distinguish the.husbandmen who read this 
Bric-a-brac : •' no lmprovoth his land to a double 
value by his good husbandry. Some grounds that 
wept with water or frowned with thorns, by 
draining the one and clearing the other, he 
maketh both to laugh and sing with corn.” 
It 1h usual to give an Intellectual Frenchman 
credit for line powers of observation, and a neat 
cplgramattc trick of speech when generalizing on 
the peculiarities of hts neighbors. Voi.taikk's 
canaux, canatUe, c anariU us descriptive of tbe 
manners and customs of the Dutch, is quite un¬ 
surpassed for condensed and pungent luforma- 
tlon ; and Giuzot, speaking of the characteristics 
ot European nationalities, sayH.- ” In England, 
the development of society has been more exten¬ 
sive and more glorious than that of humanity. 
Among the Qcnnans, [Intellectual development 
baa always surpassed [aud left behind social de¬ 
velopment ; the human spirit has prospered more 
than the human condition. In Italy, neither In¬ 
tellectual nor political capacity bus perished, but 
It wants that whlchlt has always wanted, faith— 
the faith In truth. It 13 from without taat Italy 
Is weighed down and Impeded. As for Spain, she 
has remained Isolated In Europe, receiving from 
It as little as she has contributed to It. In Franco 
the Intellectual and social development have 
never failed each other ; here society and man 
have always progressed and Improved.” 
It was excellent advice that Ctiari.ks Lamb 
gave to Bernard Barton, when that poet, 
dialing on bis stool at the Woodbrldgc Bank, 
proposed to throw up hts appointment aud take 
to literature for a livelihood. “ Keep to your 
bank, and the bank will keep you. Trust not to 
the public; you may hang, starve, drown your¬ 
self, for anything that worthy personage cares, 
I bless every star that Providence, not seeing 
good to make me independent, has seen It next 
good to settle mo upon the stable foundation of 
Leadenhall. (Lamb was In tbe India House.) Sit 
down, good B. B„ In the banklug-ofllce. What ! 
la there not from six to eleven P. M., six days in 
the week; and Is there not all Sunday ? . . , 
Henceforth 1 retract all my fond complaints of 
mercantile employment—look upon them as lov¬ 
er's quarrels. 1 was but half In earnest. Wel¬ 
come, dead limber ot u desk that gives me life!’ 
Thk amelioration Of the condition of man as a 
married animal, may he said to date rrotn the 
present century, wnlle old chronicles and dia¬ 
ries contain no flagrant and outspoken denuncia¬ 
tions of Che tyranny to which the poor tcllow 
was subjected, still those who have the clever¬ 
ness to read between the lines, or who cultivate a 
patient knack of putting two aud two together, 
may draw very fruitful conclusions from tlielr 
reading. The propensity to grow rull beards may 
surely be attributed to a desire to transfer the air 
tendons of the frantic wife's digits from the top 
of the head to a more convenient locality, that 
shall be in range of the mouth of the persecuted. 
The havoc made among heads, brought Into 
prominence tbe skill of the wig-maker whose 
considerate duty It was to conceal the ravages 
made by a too energetic spouse. I find in an old 
paper (date 1724,) the following announcement 
which tolls its own story " Joseph Plckeaver, 
Peruke Maker, who formerly liv'd at the Black 
Lyon tn Copper Alley, Is now remov'd under 
Tom’s CofTee-House,—wnere all Gentlemen my be 
furnish'd with all sorts of Perukes, as Full-Bot¬ 
toms, Tyes, Full-Bobs, Mlulsters'-Bobs, Naturalls, 
Half-Naturalls, Grecian-Fly es, curley-Koys, Alry- 
Lavants, Qu-Perukes, and Bagg-Wlggs. He Is 
also furnish'd with all sorts of Hair from the only 
noted Hair-Merchants In Euglaud and Ireland. 
Buying at the best and cheapest Hand, Gentle¬ 
men may be furnish’d as reasonable and fashion¬ 
able as In London.” 
pairing for % fjottru), 
A MISUNDERSTANDING. 
A hungry owl on a belfry tower 
Hat blinking- grave at tbe rising sun: 
" It’s a shame,” be said, “ at this early hour, 
For the sun to get up. and nothing done— 
Watching all night. 
And never a bite. 
A Thomas cat on that break of day, 
Hungry as ever a cat could he, 
Prowling around in a gingerly way, 
Came to tbe foot of that toll hullfree— 
Prowling all night, 
But never a bite. 
“ What's that up there on the top of the house ! 
It looks like a bird,” said the Thomas cat, 
“ Something below moves like a mouse,” 
Said the owl. " It's breakfast; hurrah for that. 
Waiting all night, 
But never a bile." 
“ i'll go for that bird," said the Tom cat, soft : 
“I'm after that mouse,” said the owl, “ down 
there." 
The owl went down and the cat aloft, 
Aud they met half-way on the. belfry stair— 
Waiting all night, 
Now surely a bite. 
As both were blind in that morning sun. 
Neither the other could plainly see; 
" Pst, pst,” hissed the eat. “ Kihoot” Baid the owl, 
As they clawed for eaeh other quite savagelce, 
And with all their might, 
Tried each other to bite. 
Frantic aud fierce vas the conflict, too. 
Fearful the scratches aud hoots of pain. 
Till the owl to a lofty beam suddenly flew, 
Leaving the Tom oat scratching in vain— 
A terrible fight, 
But both got a bite. 
" This seems," said the owl, “ some horrid mis¬ 
take 
" You misunderstood,” said the cat, with a frown ; 
*' Let's both an apology formally make.” 
Then tho owl he went up, and the Tom cat went 
down— 
Each got a bite. 
But the kind wasn’t right. 
Transcript. 
--- 
MR. BROWN’S NARROW ESCAPE. 
BY PAUL HANSON. 
A heavy shower had driven the haymakers on 
Mr. Burton’s farm to the barn for shelter. While 
they were waiting, anil watching the storm, Mr. 
Brown, a neighboring fanner who had been 
caught in the shower, drove Into the barn through 
the open door to avail himself of the friendly shel¬ 
ter. As he shook himself to get rid of the super¬ 
fluous water, some of the young men noticed a 
scar on one ot ids shoulders, close to the neck, 
which they had never before observed. 
“ Why, Mr. Brown,” said one of tuem, “ how' 
did you get that mark ?" 
“ That Is the reminder of my Ashing voyage. 
When I was a boy I thought 1 would be smart and 
run away to sea; so I enlisted on a schooner 
bound for the Banks of Newfoundland, and one 
day out there, when wo were having a tremen¬ 
dous gale of wind, some part of the upper rigging 
broke away, and a splinter struck me Just there, 
and sent me almost senseless overboard Into the 
raging, and nearly loo-cokl water. Some ol the 
inch Instantly threw a rope alter me, and 1 had 
barely sense aud activity enough left to catch It 
and get It around me, and 1 was hauled on board 
again. If I had missed the llrst time, I should 
have drifted out of reach, aud it would have been 
scanely possible tor tho crew to pick me up again 
In the storm." 
" That, was a close call,” said one. “ I should 
say that escape was narrow enough," said an¬ 
other. 
“ Yes,” said Mr. Brown ; " and cured me of the 
sea; hut 1 had another escape some years af¬ 
terward, as narrow as that." 
“ Please toll us how that, was.” 
“ Well, 1 will tell you. Some of you may know 
that I was left an orphan at fifteen. At eighteen 
1 was as strong as most men, and I took my 
affairs Into my own hands as though I had been a 
man. l used to work very hard most of the year. 
The wlntors 1 spent way up the river In the pine 
woods, which were then extensive In that region. 
In the early summer I would come back here, 
and w ork aL cutting hemlock Umber, and peeling 
the bark for tanning. Then followed haying, 
which was a long, hard job, with our scythes and 
hand-rakes, and every good worker could And 
plenty to do. All these binds of work were hard 
and laborious, and commanded high wages ac¬ 
cording to our notions in those days. Bat In the 
spring, aud again In the fall I used to t&ke a vaca¬ 
tion, and spent It in having “ a good time,” as I 
called It. I never got to drinking very largely, 
but sailing parties, dancing parUes, livery teams, 
and a general disregard of expense used up *1. the 
vacation the money I had received for my hard 
work, so that after two or three years of such 
doings, 1 had nothing to show for tuy labor, ex¬ 
cept tbe reputation of being a flue, generous fel¬ 
low. But when I was just twenty-one l bad 
come from the pinery with my winter’s wages In 
my pocket, and. It may be, a little more thoughts 
fulness than common, when 1 met a queer old fel¬ 
low of my acquaintance. 
He called out, “ So, my boy, you’re a man, they 
toll me. And Is that pocket-full or money going 
after the rest, you’ve had ? suppose you should 
be sick, who would take care of you ? What do 
you say to charity, for a young fellow of your 
Inches ? ” 
He drove off, and of course I said to myself that 
It was none of his business, and I would thank 
him to mind his own affairs, and all that sort of 
thing. But his talk stuck In my mind, and T 
think had more to do than I owned to myself, 
with a change I made that spring. Instead of 
spending my money as 1 had done, 1 bought a 
team and wagon, and engaged In freighting for 
one of the tanneries. That, same fall I was taken 
sick sure enough, and had a violent run of fever, 
which left me after many weeks, weak and worn 
down, but alive and likely to get well. 
When 1 was able to look around me, I found 
that by selling my team and wagon, 1 was Just 
able to pay off the bills caused by my sickness, 
leaving me with barely a light supply of clothing, 
and strength to work enough to pay ray board, so 
that 1 was hot obliged to go In debt. 
Then It came over me that If 1 had gone on In 
my old way, my sickness would have made me a 
i. ubllc charge; and If I had died, 1 would have 
had a pauper’s burial. Yes, Just then Jonas 
Brown had a narrow escape from becoming a 
pauper. 
I toll you I was thankful that, I had escaped 
a nd then I resolved that If ever I came so near 
that spot again, It would not be because I fooled 
away my money In a w ay that did neither myself 
nor an one else any real good. No strong young 
man has any right to risk becoming a public bur¬ 
den in that, way. But the shower is over, and I 
will be moving along.” Some of the young men 
cast meaning glances at each other as the pros¬ 
perous farmer drrve away. 
Kankakee Co., Illinois. 
—-♦ ♦-- 
LETTERS FROM BOYS AND GIRLS. 
Uncle True :—In the Rural of Aug. 4th, 3. G. 
asks the meaning of “ Mlspuh.” If she means 
‘‘.Mlzpah” the meaning ot that Is, “The Lord 
watch between me and thee, when we are absent 
one from another,” and you will And It In Genesis, 
thlrty-flrst chapter and rorty-nlnth verse. I 
should like to ask Jessie where her “Organ-at- 
Ilome ” Is published, and what the price of It Isv 
I think from her description of It, that I should 
like to get one. l have a New England organ and 
like It better than any other kind. I use “ Home 
circle No. 1" Maybe c. L. K. Lewis has con¬ 
vinced you that, croquet Is no game at, all, but he 
has not convinced me yet.— Leone. 
% fuller. 
ILLUSTRATED CHARADE. 
StT~ Answer In two weeks. 
CHARADE. 
M v flrst Is a tree 
< me may frequently see, 
Which for hardness of wood Is far-famed. 
My next will well suit, 
’Tlsa very nice fruit, 
Which our old Saxon ancestors named. 
My whole Is much sought, 
And Is eagerly bought. 
In England in honor of one of their kings. 
And ’Its shown as a sign, 
Of that Power Dlviue, 
Which help to the afflicted bl'lhgs. 
23?~ Answer in two weeks. May. 
-*♦«- 
MYTHOLOGICAL DIAMOND. 
1. The heal of a prince. 2. Belonging to thee, 
s. Pure, clean, unmingled. 4 . Childish. 5. To 
behave 111. 6. A poet. 7. Irreligious. 8. Ulti¬ 
mately. 9. Immersion. 10. A retreat. 11. The 
end of mass. Centrals, read downward and across, 
name a native of Athens, one of the bust poets of 
the old comedy, contemporary of Aristophanes. 
iir Answer In two weeks. Eureka. 
-- 
CROSS-WORD ENIGMA. 
Mv first Is In Jay but not in wren, 
My second is in duck but uot in hen ; 
My third Is In January but not in May, 
My fourth is In speak but not In say. 
tsr Answer In two weeks. Little One. 
-*-♦-*- 
PUZZLER ANSWERS.-Dec. 1. 
Ii.iusthated ItEBUB. —llush-a-iy Baby on the 
Tree Top. 
Decapitations.— 1, Like, lko: 2, Glass, Lass; 3, 
Sown, Own; 4. Brins, Ulna: 5, Fall, All: 6, Tape, 
Ape ; 7, Story, Tory ; 8, There, Here; 9, Spine, Pine ; 
10, Spike. Pike; II, Farm, Arm; 12, Lyes, Yes; 13, 
Part, Art: 11, Slate, Late: Want, Ant. 
Pyramid Puzzle.— 
i 
ADA 
IDEAS 
LOVABLE 
HAMPSHIIiE 
Word-square enigma.— 
ROSA 
OPAL 
SALT 
ALTO 
iaWnrtjj HUalihtg, 
THE SONG OF PATIENCE. 
There was a son or I tried in vain to si tar ! 
It seemed as though I no’er should learn the ring 
Of the sweet melody; though oft again 
I sought, with tears, to sing that sweet refrain. 
I longed to strike the chords In harmony, 
Aud pour a song which should fall soothingly 
On lonely, troubled hearts, and lull their fears 
To rest, lint all tn vain ! not, burning tears 
Fell from my weary eyes, as, sorely vexed. 
My disappointed heart at lust confessed 
My voice might never breathe that song of rest. 
I heard of other voices, raising high 
The same sweet song, that t so wearily 
Had striven to learn for many a long, long year; 
I listened eagerly, that on mine ear 
Might fall the gracious echoes, sweet and low. 
And fondly dreamed that I could quickly know 
And imiuntate their tone ; and gazed upon 
Tho words till blinding tears did hide them one 
By one from view: and yet, when l essayed 
To strike the measure, oh ! how soon I laid 
My harp in sad despair, upon the ground, 
And felt that never, from its slumbering sound, 
The song of patience I might, sweetly wake! 
To earthly masters I iny harp did take. 
Imploring them to teach me, but In vain; 
Others might raise the fnll melodious strain, 
Till angels bent with listening ears again; 
My yearning voice forever hushed must be, 
That blessed song might ne’er be sung by me. 
O weary soul! didst thou not see One near ? 
Did uot his footsteps fall upon thine ear ? 
Did not bis shadow, gently passing o’er. 
In silent tenderness, thy tear-stained floor, 
Kaisc thee from that dull, sorrowful despair? 
He lowly bonds, aud takes thy harp from where 
In sad impatience It wo* often flung. 
And, tuning it with skilful lingers, sung 
The song I craved to learn. Oh ! dear, dear soul, 
Did e’er such melody across thee roll ! 
It was a tone that, never had Its birth 
In this poor, troubled. Bin-marred, weary earth, 
I turned to him, with streaming, earnest eyes, 
Iniploriug him to bid my voice arise 
In that rich harmony. He gently smiled, 
And whispered soft ” Follow me, my child, 
And thou shalt. learn to sing the song below, 
Which angels In my mansions ne’er may know." 
I followed him, wiping my tears away. 
Clasping my silent harp, but lo ! the way 
Straight in a flaming, augry fire ho led, 
Where red-forked tongues shot high above my 
head, 
Devouring far and wide. Deep anguish tilled 
My soul. I would have fled, but through me 
thrilled 
His loving voice,—" Sing on, my child, and raise 
Thy harp’s full melody, u’en in the blaze; 
Those stubborn fingers will with soft power wake 
Chords which this schorohing glow can only maker; 
The blessed words will sink with deep-graved 
power, 
And thy best teacher be thiB fiery hour!" 
I raised my voice, though heartstrings nearly 
broke. 
With scorched and trembling fingers, slowly woke 
The song I longed to learn ! and, ’midst the pain, 
I felt I could, though feebly, raise the strain. 
And now I pass along tho world’s highway, 
Where restless, woe-worn hearts in darkness stray: 
O that 1 might, though poor and weak my tone, 
Comfort some lost one, wandering alone. 
And sing my song of patience, till the light 
Breaks on his darkly clouded, heavy night. 
The dny grows late, the shadows longer fall, 
Soon will the voice from Zion’s palace call, 
And songs and harps will soon their chaos swell 
Around the glassy sta, where God doth dwell, 
And songs of patience, which wo sang below, 
In tones of deep, glad lore away shall flow ’ 
-»» ♦ 
GOLDEN MAXIMS, 
Dec. 15.—The Bible contains the seeds of all 
truths really valuable to immortal beings. 
Dec. 16.—Whoever can act faith In the precious 
promises contained In the sacred volume, will 
And so much sweetness In It that he will have 
but little relish left for other books.— livmatne. 
Dec. 17—The joy of the Spirit Is a delicate, 
sacred deposit, and must be kept in a pure casket; 
an unholy breath will dim its lustre and fade Its 
freshness.— Cecil. 
Dec. 18.—To hear, to understand, and to bring 
forth f ruit,, are the three grand evidences of a 
genuine believer.—Dr. A. rlaru. 
Deo. 19,—The Bible In a family, is like an arsen¬ 
al filled with arms, whloh keep It In perfect 
safety, 
Dec. 2 o—The Intercession of Christ is as a wall 
of lire around his people ; they are kept as by an 
1 mpregnable garrison,— Ilervey. 
Deo, 21.—The blessings of grace would be 
cheaply procured at the cost of the material uni¬ 
verse.— li, Treffry, Jun. 
-♦♦♦- 
Well may grace be called the Divine nature, 
for as God brings light out of darkness, comfort 
out of sorrow, riches out of poverty, and glory 
out of shame, so does grace brlug day out of 
flight, and sweet out ot bitter, and plenty out of 
poverty, and glory our, of shame, it turns coun¬ 
ters Into gold, pebbles Into pearls, sickness Into 
health, weakness Into strength, and want Into 
abundance; having nothing, and yet possessing 
all things. 
The picture of a dear friend Is not to be thrust 
Into a corner, but placed In some conspicuous 
part of the house; so our graces are the very 
Image of Christ; they are hls picture, and there¬ 
fore to be held forth to open view. 
