THE RURAL. 
Hfitiimg far t|r gotiug. 
WHAT CAN I DO 1 
What if the little rain should say, 
“ So small a thing as I 
Can ne’er refresh the thirBty fields. 
I’ll tarry in the sky.” 
What if the shining beam of noon 
Should in its fountain stay, 
Because its single light alone 
Cannot create a day. 
Does not each rain-drop help to form 
The cool refreshing shower? 
And every ray of light to warm 
And beautify the flower ? 
-- . 
MRS. SKIMMERHORN. 
M. E. STONE. 
She was dead sure enough! An old crape vail 
hung on the door-knob, and the undertaker had 
been seen to enter the house—tape measure In 
hand—with a smile on his face which said plain¬ 
ly, “My errand is not, to be In vain this tlrno!'’ 
Poor man! he had been called there often before, 
and his expectations raised by her declaring very 
solemnly, she didn’t think she should live an hour 
longer, and that he’d better go to work on the 
coffin. Nor was his errand In rain, for all that, 
was left of Makinda Sgimmerhorn was laid out In 
the front room, and her husband, Peter Skim¬ 
mer horn, was sitting beside the corpse. 
The deceased had considered herself an invalid 
for over thirty years, though in what her particu¬ 
lar malady consisted physicians could never de¬ 
cide. Some were heretical enough to hint quite 
openly that it was purely imagination. Suffice It 
to say she was an Invalid (?) and not a day passed I 
over her head but that she seemed to fully expect 
to make her exit, It waa always the first thing 
lathe morning, and the last thing at night: “1 
feel that my arthly end Is high, Peter.’’ still, It 
proved to be pretty long In etidlng, after all. So 
long, that when It was known she hud really de¬ 
parted, It filled the whole village with surprise. 
Aud she might have been living yet butrorber 
own act: Airs. Skimmkrhorn had poisoned her¬ 
self. Not that she Intended to commit suicide, 
no indeed; but through some strange mischance 
she had taken a dose from the wrong bottle, and 
gave up the ghost. 
Peter Skimmerhohn bore It remarkably well. 
As he sat by her side In the front room he was 
able to bear up uuder the terrible blow with such 
fortitude that he smiled quite often, and talked 
quite cheerily with the undertaker about the 
coffin, while he held one end of the tape measure 
to gee the exacc length. “ I want a rulr to mid¬ 
dlin’ colfin,” he explained; “not too expensive, 
but one of these ere kind that screw down tight 
—tight I ” he repeated emphatically, for he evi¬ 
dently cherished some inward fears that she 
might conceive the idea of returning to this 
“arthly" sphere again it she were not properly 
confined. 
“ She looks natural," said the undertaker, turn¬ 
ing back the sheet and disclosing to view a screw¬ 
ed-up, vinegar face, which looked for all the world 
as if she were about to wake up and administer a 
good round scolding to some one. Peter shudder¬ 
ed and drew back. “ Very," fie remarked; “but 
I guess you’d better clap down that ere sheet, for 
I’ve heerd tell on aa how air turned ’em black.” 
The undertaker did as he was bid, muttering to 
himself, “ I bet the old ’un took her l" 
That, night Peter Skihmerhorn poked the fire 
briskly, and turned up tfie lamp an Inch higher 
than usual, proceedings which would have filled ' 
the corpse with horror, for Mrs. Skimmkrhorn 
had been very saving and, although an invalid 
her eyesight had remained remarkably keen- ' 
Nothing ever escaped her. “ Turn down that 
light, Petes skimmbrborn,” she would have 
serea rued; “ shut that stove, this instant. You’ll 
die in the poor-house yet.” And he would have 
compiled with trembling haste, for she possessed 
tli ? faculty of making everybody obey her wheth¬ 
er they would or not. 
Oh she was a hard woman ! a scrimping, pinch¬ 
ing, drlvln r woman-as far as others were con¬ 
cerned, wii h a tongue as sharp as an adder’s s 
sung. She could count all the sins of herneJgh- 
bors for miles around, on her fingers. She knew 3 
all their Utile weaknesses and follies better than 
they did themselves. How they loved her ! No 1 
one ever loved Mrs. Skimmkrhorn, not even her 
spouse, who, If rumor Is correct, married her for B 
tiie little sum of hoarded earnings she possessed, 
lie got the worth of Ills bargain, as one generally c 
does, a 
Now she waa dead, really dead. As he sat by A 
his lonely hearth he fell to thinking of the widow 
with the soft voice, and pleasant smile, over the 0 
way. He even went so far as to picture her sit¬ 
ting Jest, opposite In Miranda Skimmeuhorn's 
be.-l chair, o.i, if she could only have known ' 
if she could only have pounced out.at him for such 
vile heresy, and frozen the smile upou his traitor¬ 
ous lips. He was luo’Ung realty happy. For the ^ 
first, time mover tfilrty years he had passed a day 
In peace. No one had lretted or scolded at him 
and he had enjoyed It, as I fear we should la a 
like caso. 
He bore no love for the still form In the other 
room, because she had never bestowed an atom gl 
upon him. she had never said, “dear Peter I 
oveyou." She had never stroked the thin locks 
from his forehead with a tender touch; she had 
never drawn out the easy chair and placed his I ra 
dressing-gown near the fire to warm at night; J 
she had never planned pleasant little surprises In 
the shape of his favorite dishes; she had never 
peeped In the glass to make sure her hair was 
smooth and her collar straight when she heard 
his steps In the hall. No, she had never done one 
of these things which are so little themselves, 
but mean so much. 
She shut her heart to all such foolish feeling. 
Nobody ever expected or looked Tor sympathy 
trom her. The Idea of making others happy nev¬ 
er occurred to her. Lifting burdens from other’s 
backs was supernoiis, her own was heavy enough. 
She went through life nursing her own little 
troubles until they became mountains In her 
sight. She found fault with her neighbor when 
she should have been all sympathy and kindness. 
She continually looked for evil, and passed the 
good by unnoticed. But now she was dead. The 
moonlight streamed In through the shutters and 
shone faintly on the white face as she lay there, 
In her coffin, all alone, In the dead silence of the 
night,. Yes, all alone Airs. .Skimmehhorn for your 
spouse In the outer room Hub his own sweet 
I dreams to dream, and they are not of you. 
The parson, after making a short prayer, turned 
to speak a few words or consolation to the be¬ 
reaved husband, but he saw they were not need¬ 
ed. There sat Peter Skimmehhorn at the head of 
the coffin, smiling aerenly. Alas! he had for¬ 
gotten himself, aud was thinking of the widow 
again. 
Not a soul whispered, “I'm sorry; It’s lonely 
without her. ” Not a tear had been shed. The 
sexton filled up the grave with stones, round¬ 
ed It over with gravel, and went home. 
>alikt{f |UaMitg, 
BIDE A WEE, AND DINNA FRET. 
Is the road very dreary ? 
Patience yet! 
Rest will be sweeter if thou art aweary. 
And after night cometb the morning cheery. 
Then bide a wee. and dinna fret. 
The clouds have silver lining, 
Dou’t forget; 
And though he's hidden, stilt the sun is shining; 
Courage! instead of tears and vain repining, 
Just bide a wee, and dinna fret. 
With toil and cares unending 
Art beset ? 
Bethink thee, how the Btorms from heaven descending 
Snap the still' oak, but Bpare the willow bending. 
And bide a wee, and dinna fret. 
Oriel' sharper sting doth borrow 
From regret; 
But yesterday is gone, sud shall its sorrow 
Unfit us for the present and the morrow 1 
Nay; bide a wee,and dinna fret. 
An over anxious brooding 
Doth beget 
A host of fears and fantasies deluding; 
Then, brother, lest these torments be intruding. 
Just bide a wee, aud dinna fret. 
N. E. <?., in Leisure Hour, 
---— 
THE PRECIOUS STONES IN THE BREAST¬ 
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G. P. D. 
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If yon wonld paint your house with the best, 
PURCHASE only the 
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Manufactured by ECKSTEIN, HILLS & CO., 
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Who make perfectly pure lead only. 
SOLD BY DEALERS GENERALLY. 
The Science of Life: 
OK, SlIbK-l’IlKsERVATlOM. 
Two hundredth crttlon, revised and enlarged, Just 
published. It Is ii standard medical work, the best 
in the English laiuruaeo, written by a pnysleian of 
great experience, to Whom whs awarded a void and 
t , REVERSALS. 
I L Reverse before, and find a volcano. 
. -• A fi 3il , and find a Confederate general, 
j 3. A blow with something sort, and find wicked 
( 4. Lace in the front of a bonnet, and find a blrd- 
. like animal. 
5. A natlvo of Tunis, and find an apartment. 
6. A measure, and find a mode of entrance. 
1 i. To confer a title on one, and find the germ of 
a plant. 
9. A heavy weight, and find a vegetable pro¬ 
duction. 
9. An adverb of denial, and find fashion. 
10. To suppose, and find a reward. 
11. A laundry article, and find a conjunction. 
12 . A river of England, and find a Scotch title 
like “ Ap ” or O’, 
13. To yelp like a puppy, and find to give money. 
14. To pull, and find part of a hospital. 
15. A jewel, and find a lady’s name. 
1C. Not off, and find a negative. 
l'. For shame, and find a preposition. 
18 . A king of Bashan, and find to depart. 
19. To hang down, and find a vapor. 
20. A coal wagon, and find a bazaar. 
21. A sort or rock, and find to sever. 
22 . To hit slightly, and find an Irish nickname. 
23. The apex, and find a kettle. 
24. The margin, and find a hole In the ground. 
t3f ~ Answer In two weeks. Floridan. 
-- 
ENIGMAS. 
1. Why is a door like a walking-stick ? 
2. \\ hy is a carpenter the most disreputable 
person ? 
3. Why is sixteen In an omnibus like a lie? 
4. Why is a grate like a piece of music ? 
5. Why Is a turned lesson like arnabam ? 
c. If you were to decapitate pale, why would 
you resemble Mr. Bass ? 
7. W hy la p like the leader of a conspiracy? 
8. Why should uot a Frenchman describe a 
circle ? 
9. Why is an Inverness cape upon a person like 
a young fowl? 
10. Why is very good handwriting like polite 
literature ? 
Answer In two weeks. Quiz. 
MRLTESE CROSS. 
Tor.—i. a mau’s name. 2 . Obtained. 3 . A con¬ 
sonant. 
Right.—1. One of the senses. 2 . A Scotch river. 
3. A vowel. 
Bottom.—i. Pauses in music. 2 . To place. 3 . 
A vowel. 
Left. l. A poet of old. 2. A turf. 3. A conso¬ 
nant. 
Center,—Top, A man’s name. Right, An an- : 
cleni vessel. Bottom, Two letters forming the ' 
abbreviation of a railroad and a consonant. Left, 1 
Atmospheric. Center, A consonant. 1 
Centrals read downward form a word meaning 1 
outrageous, and across a female teacher. ' 
tsr Answer in two weeks. Little one. 1 
- -H »-- I 
WORD-SQUARE ENIGMA. j 
l. A priest. 2 . A man’s name. 3. Pleasing. 4 . ' 
Understood. £ 
tsr Answer in two weeks. Balto, , 
- t 
PUZZLER ANSWERB.— March 9. < 
-- F 
gfiUm® HAPHICAr ‘ E - vigma -- a » ‘8 not gold that S 
Hidden Build ings.-I, Hovel : 2, Villa - 3 Hotel s 
ulP *q e « : 5 ’ r ' aC m : «> Tower; 7, theater; 8, Tern - 7 
pie; 9, Mosque; 10, Cottage. 1: 
ruut 0IJBLE Cross - wohd Enigma.-A pricot, Cur- J 
Cross-word Enigma.—J ackdaw. 
Precious stones are often referred to in the 
Scriptures. David collected them to ornament. 
- tIie temple; the Queen of Arabia presented such 
to Solomon; while others were brought to him by 
IUram’s ships from Opblr. Royal ornaments 
of this description were set In the crown of the 
Ammonmsh king, which David placed on his own 
I head. Inserted in the hlgh-prlost’s ephod, they 
,- were Inscribed with the names of the twelve 
tribes. 
But the breastplate of Aaron, the fclgh-prlest, 
claims our special notice. It was originally two 
1 spans long and one span broad; but when 
doubled It was square, and was thus worn. It 
. was fastened at the top by rings and chains of 
wreathen gold to the two onyx stones on the 
shoulders, and below by two other rings and a 
lace of blue to two corresponding rings in the 
ephod. The breastplate contained twelve pre- 
* clous stones, upon each of which was engraved 
the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. 
1. The sarMus had Reuben's name, and was 
the sixth in Revelation, a red or reddish stone, 
supposed by some to he the carnellan, much ad¬ 
mired and valued, the finest specimens of which 
come from Arabia. 
2 . The topaz, with Simeon's name, is the ninth 
In the Revelation. Critics say that this Is rather 
the modern chrysolite, a transparent stone, 
beautifully bright, a lustrous green color, often 
found in Egypt or Nubia. 
3. The rrueraid, with Levi’s name, and the 
fourth in the Revelation, its Hebrew word signi¬ 
fying to lighten or glitter. This stone has a grass- 
green color, possessing a double refraction, rare, 
valuable and uncommonly beautiful. Formerly 
It was found only In Upper Egypt, but now also 
In South America. This green color adorned the 
rainbow seen by St. John around the throne of 
God, the beautiful symbol of Dlvlno grace and 
mercy. 
.4 .The ratty, having Judah's name and the 
fourth of Revelation. A dark red color gives it 
the appearance of burning charcoal, whence Its 
other pame, carbuncle, is derived. Next to the 
diamond, It Is the moat costly. 
5. The sapphire, with Dan's name. This Is the 
second In Revelation, it possesses a fine sky- 
blue hue, and Is next lo the diamond and rubv in 
hardness. * 
u. The diamond, with Nnphtall's name, some 
say that the Hebrew word should be translated ; 
0I i y;i L th ? sardonyx, or the nft h in Revelation 
Lame, the same us 
Jacinth, or hyacinth, a valuable stone of a red or 
cinnamon color, with yellow and green shades, 
borne suppose this gem Is the modern opal. 
fl f- T >"'. having Asher's name, borne 
think it to be the chrysoprasus, or the tenth In 
Revelation. It Is most finely variegated, seem¬ 
ingly to represent streams, clouds, flowers, the 
stais, etc., on which account It has ever been 
prized, but It Is of low value among precious 
S*-0 ii 
9. The amethyst, with Issachar’a uarne, the 
twelfth In Revelation. It has a strong blue and 
deep red or violet color. The undents supposed 
that it caused dreams, and that wine drunk from 
an amethystine cup would not intoxicate. 
10. The beryl, with Zobulun's name, supposed j 
to be the chrysolite of i.he ancients, the Seventh j 
in Revelation, it has a pellucid, bluoish-green « 
color, Is found In the East Indies, and ranks 
among the modern topazes. 
11. The onyx, with Joseph’s name, and proba- - 
bly here the beryl, t he eight h In Revelation, it Is 1 
a green or bluelsli precious stone, allied to the J 
emerald. It ornamented the ephod of the high- 
priest* t 
1®« The jasper, having Benjamin’s name; not 
the jasper of the moderns, for in Rev. xxl 11 . it is 
a perfectly transparent stone, of such a brilliant I 
luster that St, Jonn compares it to the glorified J! 
body of the Son of man. A common Jasper, en¬ 
tirely opaque until polished, would not at all 
answer for this holy comparison. 
The precious stones are also Introduced figura¬ 
tively In the .Scriptures. Solomon compares to 
them t.lte gilts which a man bestows, and bv 
which he acquires honors. St, Paul likens the 
Church of Christ and the lire of a Christian to u 
structure composed of go'd, silver, and precious ei 
stones. 1 
Of the lilgh-prlest’s garments, and the precious A 
stones In Ids breastplate, doubtless It may be 
said they were all emblematical of spiritual and - 
holy things, “but of which and In what way,” T 
to adopt the language of Dr. Adam Clarke, “ no 
man can positively say.” “These were all made 1 
for glory and for beauty,” Is the general account ^ 
It pleased the Lord to give of their design. J 
areat experience, to Whom was awarded a void and 
jeweled medal by tb • Nutlonal Medical Association. 
It contains bcautnul and vpry expensive steel plate 
enemy lugs, aud more than to valuable prescriptions 
lor nil forms! of prevailing diseuww, the result of 
ninny years of extensive and successful practice. 
*W paeon, bound In French cloth ; price only fl, sent 
by mall. The London Lancet says:—“No person 
should he without this valuable book. The author 
is u noble benefactor.’’ An illustrated sample sent 
all on receipt of (i cents torn a-take. Address Du. 
" . U. I'A ltKETl, 4 HultincU St, Boston. The author 
may be consulted on all diseases requiring skill and 
experience. 
OTTflPFDPDO fr01u NERVOUS DEBITITV 
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T17 VrtTT 1A, mi or HOME, 
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— TS THE — 
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