462 
THE RURAL 
NEW-YORKER. 
Rafting for % goiutg. 
WHAT THREE LITTLE KITTENS DID. 
Three little kittens, so downy and soft, 
Were cuddled up by tlie lire, 
And two little children were sleeping: alol't, 
As cosy as heart could desire; 
Dreaming of something ever bo nice, 
Dolls and sugar plums! rats and mice! 
The ni-'lit wore on, and the mistress said, 
" I’m sleepy, I must confess. 
And as kittles and babies are safe in bed. 
I'll go to bed, too. I guess.” 
So she went up stairs just a story liiclier. 
While tile kittens slept by the kitchen-fire. 
” What noise can that be ?’’ the mistress said; 
" Mc-ow! me-ow!V “I'm afraid 
A poor kitty-cat’s fallen out of bed ! 
The nice little nest I made!” 
“Me-ow ! mc-oiv !" “ Dear me ! dear me!” 
I wonder what can tlio matter be! ” 
The mistress paused on an upper stair, 
For what did she see below, 
Bid three little kittens with frightened air. 
Standing up in a row ! 
With six little paws on the step above. 
And no mother cat to caress or love ! 
Through the kitchen door came a clond of smoke ! 
The mistress, in great alarm. 
To a sense of danger straightway awoke; 
Her babies might crane to harm ! 
On the kitchen hearth to her great amaze, 
Was the basket of shavings beginning to blaze ! 
The three little kittens were hugged and kissed, 
And promised many a mouse: 
While their names were put upon honor’s list 
For hadn’t they saved a house t 
And two little children were gathered tight 
To their mother’s heart ero they slept that night. 
Youth's Companion. 
-- 
LETTERS FROM BOYS AND GIRLS. 
How It Is Done. 
Dear Uncle True One of the mountain cous- 
slns calls on Lily La, for Information, about the 
decorations of her Christmas tree; 1 expect that 
means myself, although she did not get the name 
quite right. I am I.ee, Instead of La, but that is 
no matter. 
Have the corn all popped nicely; and by the 
way, did the cousins ever notice how much better 
corn pops on a shining cola day, with the wind 
blowing a hurricane, than It. does In amlld warm 
day ? Make some candy, either of maple or gran¬ 
ulated sugar; the white sugar looks nicest, but 
the maple tastes the best, so 1 generally use It. 
The way I make It Is, to two pounds of sugar, 
pour in one small teacup or good vinegar, and let 
It boll till a drop from the spoon will sink in a lit¬ 
tle ball to the botiom of a cup of cold water. I 
cut out crosses and anehorsand wings from white 
pasteboard, and spread the candy all over the 
surface of one side, then stick the corn in. You 
have to w ork lively, or the candy will get cold, 
a nd It will slick then ; hut you can keep It over. 
I make corn halls in the same way, only do not 
have any paste-board; but put a little flour on my 
hands, and squeeze t he corn and candy together 
In a round ball. They arc just as nice as can be. 
For festoons, we slrlngthe corn with a fine needle 
and white thread, and they look lovely arnoDg 
the dark green branches, as well as the other or¬ 
naments,and one does like to see pretty things on 
one’s Christinas tree. 
I wonder If all the cousins know how to make 
nice candy? I think it is fun to make it, but 
better sport to eat It; and then, we do not get any 
thing In It that Is hurtful or poisonous. If they 
would like, I will get the receipts that grand¬ 
mother had from a Southern lady for making mo¬ 
lasses candy, sugar and cream candy, lemon 
drops, and some other kinds, and It Is real Jolly 
to make them, and pull them too. Now about 
that glove box on brackets. 1 can tell you how 1o 
make the glove box, and the boys can make the 
brackets to set It on. In my letter to Uncle True. 
I said we had glove boxes, and brackets. I expect 
changing that little word from a conjunction, to 
an adverb, ts what they call a typographical er¬ 
ror, yet I think that a nice bracket to set a glove 
box on, would be a very tine arrangement, and I 
Intend to propose to my brothers to make one, 
purposely to use In that manner. I think these 
brothers are the nicest Institutions in the uni¬ 
verse. What girls ever do without brothers, Is a 
hard conundrum for me to puzzle out. They are 
perreet comforts over at our house; the only 
trouble Is, they get to be young men so quickly ! 
Lav Lee. 
Another Wild One. 
Dear Cousins Here Is another wiltl cousin 
who has read the cousins’ letters with a great 
deal of interest and would like to Join the ranks, 
—that is It you do not object. 
I feel like saying some dread/ui things about 
that “ Slayerofconceit,” but suppose I must not. 
I should judge, however, that he Is one of those 
hoys who thinks himself a little wiser thau man¬ 
kind in general, and women In particular. What 
rubbish has crept Into that fellow’s head ! And 
you, “Solomon Sap,” what Is the use of being 
frightened away by little glrlB, for as “ Sam ” 
says, It la a trick of the girls to try to scare a fel¬ 
low. The girls are not so easily scared 1 Now, 
there is “ Rocky Mountain Joe”—who says he can 
sew with a thimble, and do housework equal to 
any girl, and a^ks “ Wild Fern” what she can do 
In the line of out-door work. Come girls, lot us all 
tell. I for one can milk, feed cows, pigs, chick¬ 
ens, horses and calves, and harness and drive a 
horse as well as any boy. I think that “ 33. B.” Is 
wrong about “ whistling girls for Its my belief 
that “whistling girls and hens that crow, 
take their comfort as they go.” Write again, 
“ Adele W,.” your letters are capital, aud will not 
“ Ilawaline” please write as often as she can? 
Dear me, how long this letter Is getting, and how 
mixed up, too, and if it does not find Its way Into 
Uncle True’s basket, you may hear again from 
Wild Cherry. 
Wishes to Say a Word or Two. 
Uncle True and Cousins I should like to put 
in my voleo and say a word or two. To begin 
with 1, for one, will sign “ Mad-cap Molly’s” 
pledge, and hope many more will do the same. 
I have never read “Solomon Sap’s ” or “Slayer- 
of conceit’s" letters, bul I think from the way the 
Cousins write about them, that one needs the 
sap drawn trom his head and the other the con¬ 
ceit from his. 1 should like to ask Katie and 
Susie If the Initials of the club that the boys got 
up In opposition to K. E. C. were not B. Q. C, In¬ 
stead of B. O. C.? I should like to knowhow 
many signers “ Wild Fire ” has secured for his 
pledge. One word to “ Young Cauadlan ”: I 
think your letter was too short if anything, but. I 
see you got all the desired Information. I wish 
to ask “ Yankee Bill ” if Josh Billings ever wrote 
upon the interesting subject of old Bachelors ? 
“Rocky Mountain Joe” wants to know what 
one of the Cousins (“ Wild Fern ") can do in the 
way of outrof-door work ? Well, I am not “ Wild 
Fern,” but I will tell what 1 can do: 1 can catch 
a horse, harness and hitch him to the wagon; 
can take care of cows, and— but I guess r have 
said enough on that subject. I, for one can say 
that I do uot drink any spirituous liquors, nor 
wine, nor use tobacco In any form. I hope the 
Cousins will have a pleasant winter, with plenty 
of snow and good ice. Brown Badger. 
Wls. 
An Earthly Paradise. 
Dear Uncle True and cousins—I am not so 
young but that I have been younger, and not so 
old but that I expect to be older. Liking to talk, 
and thinking you would be glad to hear me when 
you know what 1 have to say, I write to tell you 
that we have a delightful country, in our read¬ 
ing books we are accustomed to find sketches 
from tourists among the Pyrenees, the Appenlnes 
and the Alps, describing the scenery as dellglit- 
tul, entrancing, but I doubt much whether the 
world anywhere presents liner, grander, or more 
delightful scenes tor the pencil of the painter or 
the pen of the writer than can be found among 
our hills and valleys, and you may be glad to 
know that at this season of the year you may 
find here game In profusion, and in summer, if 
familiar with hook and line, you may fill your 
basket with as lino speckled trout as swim, and 
In hunting or Ashing you will breathe as pure air 
and drink as clear spring water as can be found 
on this earth. If you don’t believe It. or do, come 
and see. y. 
Emporium, Pa. 
A Visit to the Indians. 
Dear cousins;— The Indians of the Cattaraugus 
Reservation, which is not far from here, have 
been holding a council and dance the past two 
weeks. Our teacher and twenty of the boys and 
girls went In a sleigh to see them. They were not 
dancing that afternoon, but we had a splendid 
time. I wish Uncle True and all the Cousins 
could have been with us. They were playing a 
game which we did not understand, but they 
laughed and talked a nd seemed to have a great 
deal of fun over It. Some of us boys were not 
satisfied, and went the next day. We saw them 
dance the war and several other dances. 1 have 
not heard from “ Jumping Jack” since he escort¬ 
ed the two young ladles out. 1 am afraid they 
were too much for him. Wheu 1 write again I 
will tell about our school. Sam. 
Collins, N. Y. 
Miss Lottie Returns Thanks. 
Dear Editor:— I had thought of not sending 
another letter to the Rural, as no little girls 
seem to be writing; but. last week, -while reading 
the letters, I was delighted to see my name men¬ 
tioned by a young lady from Toledo, 0„ HDd I 
thought I should certainly write and thank her 
for remembering me so long. When I wrote my 
first letter to the Rural, I was not quite eight 
years old; no w I am nine, and am going to school. 
I have six studies besides Writing, and after my 
lessons I have lots or fun. Would like to toll you 
all about our games end amusements, but 1 can¬ 
not write a very long letter. Again I thank Miss 
E. K. for thinking of me, and hope to hear from 
her soon. You little friend, Lottie King. 
Accepted. 
Dear Rural Cousins— I am anxious to become 
one of the “Cousins.” Will you accept me as 
such ? I live on a farm and enjoy country life 
very much. 
I am a cirl and sixteen years of age. I have 
been to boarding school for a year and a-lialf. 
We have just begun to take the Rural, We 
have never taken a paper In wtileh the boys and 
girls take such an active part as la the Rural. 
Encouraged by these letters I have tried to write 
to you. If I am accepted, perhaps you will hear 
from me again. Gina H. 
Lewlsbui’g, Pa. 
Yearns for Excitement. 
Dear Cousins: —1 have just been reading Car¬ 
rie B. II.’s letter, wishing for something exciting, 
and 1 quite agree with her. But cannot she com¬ 
mence It by telllug the rest of the Cousins (who 
had to stay at home) about her trip! I think it 
would be quite Interesting. Will M. B. P. tell 
about her fancy work—that Is, some of it? Ed. 
E. K. told age and bight, but did not say any¬ 
thing about books. I suppose he did not think 
them of any account. I would like to hear about 
Toledo. Nell 8. 
Merc;-r Co., Pa. 
The Usual Kind. 
Dear Uncle True ano cousins— If you will 
allow me to claim relationship. I have beelfa 
reader or the Rural for some time, and I like it 
very much. 1 am always anxious to read the 
Boys’ and Girls’ Letters. 
I think “ Slayerofconcett” has a pretty hard row 
to hoe; but I Imagine he has conceit enough to 
come out winner. I should have tried to write 
you ore this, but for the thoughts or that terrible 
waste-basket. If this should And its way to the 
Letter Column, I shall try to write you again. 
_ Edwin. 
From Rhode Island. 
Dear Rural Cousins—T want to claim relation¬ 
ship. I like your letters about as well as my 
father does the letters about cows and fruit. I 
hope they will teach him to raise some good pears 
and grapes, because l like them: don’t you? 1 
have a little nower garden, I call my own, but 
my father does the work and I pick the flowers. 
Me says he will get me some new seeds from the 
Rural next year. Lizzie S. Watson. 
A Murphy, but No Ribbon. 
Dear Rural Cousins:—As the Editor was so 
kind as to print, my first letter, I thought I would 
try again. We had a Christmas tree In the church 
and we had a very fine time. I think that per¬ 
haps “Yankee Blll”ts trying to surpass “Josh 
Billings.” I belong to the “ Murphies,-’ but here 
they do not give blue ribbons. Until you hear 
from me again, I remain, Willie W. R. 
“All O. K.” 
Dear Rural Cousins:—' have been watching 
with much interest your letters back and forth, 
and have enjoyed them very much. 1 would like 
to jolu you. I am very much pleased with two or 
three Cousins, and would like to hear oftener from 
them. So, with your kind permission, 1 would 
join you with tills, my Introduction, and remain 
yours, hereafter, “ o. K.” 
Expresses Satisfaction . 
Dear Rusal Cousins : I have been reading the 
letters from the Boys aud Girls with considerable 
Interest. This Is my first attempt at expressing 
my satisfaction and I think l will stop right here. 
X. 
3 
99 
• GEOGRAPHICAL ENIGMA. 
I am composed of 24 letters: 
My 3, 7, o, 12 , lit, o a city of Europe. 
My is, to, 24, 15, o, IT, 22 , r. a city in the United 
States. 
My 23, io, t, fi arc mountains in the Uulted States. 
My 7,14, pj, io one of the United States. 
My 1,15,11,15, o 12 an Island In Europe. 
My hi, c, 20 , io, 23, 19 7 a North American lake. 
My 21 , 22 , 0 , 0, 22 , 24, 2 t, as a river in the United 
States. 
My 13, 7, 23, 23, 22, 0, 24 tl lake. 
My s, 7, 0,19, 0, 4 a gulf near the Pacific Ocean. 
My 10, 7, ll, 4, l a city In Madagascar. 
My whole Is an old saying. 
i3f~ Answer in two weeks. Alice. 
HIDDEN BUILDINGS. 
1. Did you shove Leonard’s chair? 
2 . I advise you to shun evil, lads. 
3. John shot larks for sport. 
4. Yon are a staver, Norman. 
5. It Is a fact, or Youngs would not have told 
me. 
6. Does Mat owe Robert yet ? 
7. Where is that heater, mother? 
s. Give me a stem, please. 
9. Don’t you think Amos queer sometimes? 
10. Died: Menry Seott, aged 90 years. 
ssr Answer In two weeks. s. c. 
■ M «- 
DOUBLE CROSS-WORD ENIGMA. 
My first Is lu cranberry but not. in berry, 
My second Is in pumpkin but not, In cherry; 
My third Is in whortleberry but not In peach, 
My fourth Is In persimmon but not In leech; 
My fifth 1s In crab apple but not In blueberry, 
My sixth Is in watermelon but not In mulberry • 
My seventh Is In tomato but not In soup, 
My whole are two kinds of fruit. 
tsf~ Answer in two weeks. Dr. 
"~ - 
CROSS-WORD ENIGMA. 
My first Is In Jay but not, in martin, 
My second is In lark but noMn robin ; 
My third Is In ostrich but not In sparrow, 
My fourth Is In woodpecker but uot In swallow; 
My fifth la In condor but. not In mavis, 
My sixth Is In lapwing but not In Ibis; 
My seventh Is In pewit but not In bunting, 
My whole (a bird) you’ll find by hunting. 
Answer In two weeks. Floridan. 
4 ♦ » ■ 
PUZZLER ANSWERS.—Feb. 23. 
ENIGMA.— A Cross. 
Miscellaneous Enigma.— Masquerade Bull. 
Cross-word enigma.—L ily 
I 
aftkt| 'Icairiwj 
♦ 
AT REST. 
“ The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are 
the everlasting arms.” 
It is the evening hour, 
And thankfully. 
Father, Thy weary child 
Has come to Thee. 
X lean my aching head 
Upon Thy breast. 
And there, and only there, 
X am at rest. 
Thou knowest all my life ; 
Each petty sin; 
Nothing Is hid from Thee, 
Without, within. 
All that X have or am 
Is wholly Thine; 
So is my soul at peace. 
For thou art mine. 
To-morrow’s dawn may find 
Me here or there— 
It matters little since Thy love 
Is everywhere. 
N. Y. Observer. 
-*-*"♦- 
WORDS. 
“For by thy words thou shaltbe justified, and by 
thy words shalt thou be condemned.”— Matt. xii. 37. 
IIayk you ever thought how Important your 
words are—that every word you speak on earth 
will bo remembered either to justify or to con¬ 
demn you at the great day of j udgment 1 Wo aro 
all apt to speak the thoughts of our hearts, 
whether they be good or bad, and we soon forget 
that which we have said; how differently we 
should speak if wo were always to remember that 
every word Is noted clown In the book of God’s re¬ 
membrance! Solomon, the wise king, knew the 
great Importance or words, and in almost every 
chapter of the Book of Proverbs he speaks of the 
evil wrought by them, and the necessity for 
guarding our lips. Hr.. James, mo, speaking of 
the tongue, says it 13 “a world of Iniquity.” 
Docs it cost you more to speak kindly than It 
does to speak unkindly? How often does your 
brother or slater come to ask you somet hing, and 
Is driven back with the crossword that brings the 
tears to their eyes, when a smile and a kind word 
would have smoothed away the difficulty and 
made them happy. How much happier wo should 
all be if we always spoke kindly axld considerately 
to one another; instead of this, we are too ready 
to find fault with each other, to speak of each 
other's shortcomings, forgetful ot the words, 
“8peak evil of no man,” and so earns more un- 
happlness than I can toll you; and many a sor¬ 
rowful heart has been made more sorrowful, many 
a hai-d trial harder to bear, by unkind words. Try 
to speak kindly now that you are young, and thus 
you may help others, as well as do good. Remem¬ 
ber it has been said, “ Speak of the faults of oth¬ 
ers only In prayerand “ for every fault we find 
In others, find ten In ourselves.” 
We very often speak of the troubles that come 
to us, hut we more often forget to mention the 
blessings we enjoy; and yet If anybody would 
fairly count both troubles and blessings, he 
would find the last to be far the greater number. 
Those persons who are always grumbling, finding 
fault with others and themselves, are not pleas¬ 
ing to God; their words will condemn, not Justify 
them; but thoso who speak much ot God’s mer¬ 
cies, and who accept His dealings with them In a 
right spirit, who seek to cast sunshine on all they 
do by the bright words they say, shall have their 
reward. 
Praying Christians are always holy Christians. 
We often speak of the friends we love; ought we 
not often to speak of God 7 Let us do so In prayer, 
and the words will be blessed to us; for they al¬ 
ways bring a blessing from above. 
If we have anything we value very much on 
eart h, we like to tell other people about it, and 
often talk about It; and so, If we know anything 
of how sweet it Is to love Jesus, we shall be very 
anxious to tell our companions and friends. 
These are some of the words we ought to speak; 
are such words as these often on your Ups? Or 
do you speak unkind, selfish, quarrelsome, and 
idle words 7 Remember, that all such will bring 
you into condemnation. 
There are two very solemn reasons why we 
should be careful about what we say; one Is, that 
God hears every' word and, as I told you before, 
notes It down in ills book, so that nothing is lost. 
We may speak unkindly to others, and they may 
forgive our words, and possibly forget them; but 
God remembers them. We may speak unkindly 
of others, and they may not hear what we say, 
may know nothing of It; but there ts one above 
who does know, and lie will Judge us for It. We 
may say things that are not true now, and no one 
ou this earth may discover our sin; but “lying 
lips are abomination to the Lord,” and assuredly 
the Lord will punish their possessors. Let us re- 
rnnmber, thou, that God hears our words, and let 
us strive t hat He shall hear none but words of 
love; for these too are written clown in His book, 
and those who have such words written against 
their names, God promises shall bo numbered 
amongst his jewels. 
The other reason is, because our lives are so un¬ 
certain that each word we speak may be our last. 
If we knew that before to-morrow came we should 
be speechless, should we not be very careful wbat 
we said to-day 7 We do not know this, but we do 
know that It may be so. Carrie h. 
% 
