£or tljc Ooitng. 
MAY 
^i^jctUaneou^. _ 
QUICK MAILS and FAST EXPRESS 
of one of th( m going to State’s prison, or the 
gallows. 
Muskegon Co., Mich. 
OLDEN TIMES. 
THE YOUNG QUERIST. 
SENEX. 
In the year 1818 I was a thirteen-year old 
boy and not much unlike the other boys of 
the period, in the country where it was xuy 
lot to be cast, among the stones, boulders 
and ledges of the mountainous part of the 
“ wooden nutmeg” State. It is not, how¬ 
ever, so much the country that I shall attempt 
to describe as it is my own self and my sur¬ 
roundings. I had a great fancy for working 
in wood, much more so than I had for agricul¬ 
ture, the business of my father and the one 
that he essayed to teach me. Pei haps my 
fancy for this occupation grew out of the 
fact that a large share of my time was neces¬ 
sarily spent in fitting wood for our capacious 
fire-place with its jambs eight feet apart, 
where it was no uncommon thing to roll in 
a Pepperidge back-log of 18 to ‘34 inches in 
diameter. True, it was not necessary to split 
this wood very fine, but then just think of the 
quantity it took to supply a comfortable fire 
fora very large room with a dozen occupants, 
and a chimney open to the sky, up through 
which Sinbad’s monstrous bird, “ Roc,” 
might fly almost but not quite, without soil¬ 
ing his wings. Whether this necessary chop¬ 
ping of wood was the cause of my penchant- 
tor the working in this raw material, or 
whether it was merely a natural instinct, I 
cannot at this late day, say; but I am sure 
that the plowing and digging among the 
ledges and rocks, (especially when to go to 
work 1 took the old wooden, iron-pointed, 
“bull-plow” on my shoulders, drove the oxen 
before mo to the field, and when in planting 
we had often to carry soil a few steps on the 
hoe, to get enough to cover the hill of corn or 
potatoes), did not give me a taste for agricul¬ 
ture. Then our oxen and horses had to wear 
shoes Summer and Winter, while I in Sum¬ 
mer had to go barefoot, and all we could ex¬ 
pect to raise was a mere minimum quantity of 
product. 
Thus it was that after leaving some dozens 
of toe nails sticking on the ragged edges of 
the rocks, I preferred working in wood. Of 
course this necessitated a different, and to my 
mind a more delicate, sot of tools, though such 
as I had were rude enough. They con¬ 
sisted of, first and foremost, an axe, which of 
course when recently ground possessed some 
degree of sharpness. Next in the order of 
importance was a rusty band-saw never filed; 
following after and completing the kit, were 
a sbaviug-knife, now called a draw shave, 
a nail gimlet, a spike ditto of larger size, a 
tap borer, one or two pod-augers (without 
screw points), a gouge to start the pod-augers 
with, au iron hammer with a battered face, 
a few wrought nails (cut nails not having come 
in fashion,) made by a neighbor (an ex- 
State prisoner) a blunt screw driver with 
“nary” a screw, a pair of shoe pincers and 
a jack-knife occasionally sharpened. With 
this set of tools and without the help of the 
blacksmith I made wheelbarrows, hand sleds 
and carts, ox-bows, or rather calf-bows and 
yokes, axo, fork, and rake handles, rat and 
mouse traps, liesides supplying the household 
with shelves and dressers. As for the calf- 
yokes they were made for use, and the young 
steers were “broke” into business or rather 
pleasure, often before they were a year old: 
and when a little over two years old two pairs 
of them were hitched to the old “bull-plow” 
with me liehind it, and a younger brother be¬ 
side the team to keep it in place, and thus we 
broke up it field of steep side hill. This busi¬ 
ness I did not like so well as that which follows, 
but like the boy after the woodchuck who 
“had to catch him because they were out of 
meat,” I had to do this plowiug. But it was 
not all labor that was perfonned by these 
juvenile oxen, nor were my younger brother 
and myself the only boys who broke steers. 
I remember we boys on Winter moonlight 
evenings, united our forces and paraded the 
streets with seven pairs of these young oxen 
hitched to a sled of my make, and with my pair 
of steer calves on the lead. 
Such was “ Young America” in the times 
of which 1 w rite, and of Buch materials were 
the statesmen, the legislators, the soldiers, 
the manufacturers, the farmers and the la¬ 
borers of the past generation made. I say 
past for most of these of whom 1 speak are 
now gone; and if the succeeding generation is 
more refined in manner, possesses more wealth, 
and makes more show, they never can do 
more good in the world, and it is doubly 
doubtful whether they ever enjoy life as well. 
And what of these young steer-breakers ? 
Why they became men, what the ancient 
Grecian philosopher was hunting for by day¬ 
light with a lantern. I can trace but few of 
their histories except my own, and I am cer¬ 
tainly not a maximum specimen, for one 
went to Congress, as I bear, but I never heard 
Hiram S., asks 1, if phlox should be planted 
very early. 2, Will tuberoses stay in the 
ground, out of doors, all Winter without 
freezing. 3, How shall he treat cactus plants 
and what soil is best for them. 
Ans. —1, You may sow the seeds at once. 
They might w T ell have been started earlier in 
pots in the house. 2, No—they are tender and 
need to be stored in a warm place. 3, A poor 
sandy soil is best. Except when in bud, water 
sparingly. 
Ellmina, Evansburg, Pa., says “We have 
been discussing the question as to which of the 
Webster’s it was w ho was hung. Will you 
please settle the dispute?” 
Ans. —It was Professor Webster of Harvard 
College who killed Dr. Parkman in the former's 
office. 
Dora D., Poland Center, N. Y. 1, How 
many cubic feet of air does a person take in 
at one breath? 2, What is the height of the 
London Tower? 
Ans.— 1, On the average 20 cubic inches are 
taken into and discharged from the lungs with 
each respiratory act, and the total quantity 
of air thus used for respiration in 24 hours is 
not far from 850 cubic feet. 2, The tower of 
London is more noted for being the great 
citadel of England and for its antiquity than 
for its height. We arc informed by one who 
has frequently seen it that its height is not 
more than 100 feet. In fact it is a large castle, 
located on a hill, and instead of a single tow er, 
as might be inferred from the question, there 
are four arising one from each corner of the 
citadel. 
Charlie B., Greensburg, N. J. has a plot of 
ground from which he wishes to raise vegeta¬ 
bles for market, and asks what are the best 
kinds of asparagus. 
Ans. —The French Argenteuil and Conover’s 
Colossal. 
“Rosebud," Wayne , Iowa , wishes to know 
if celery seed two years old will germinate. 
Ans. —Yes ; if good seed, it should germi¬ 
nate when it is four years old. 
LETTERS PROM THE COUSINS. 
Dear Uncle Mark:—I live in a part of 
Nebraska called the “Sand Hills.” We often 
have what are called sand storms. At about 
half past ten o’clock in the morning a black 
cloud shows itself in the northwest, then a 
smoky haze spreads out over the ground, then 
the wind blows the black sand as thick in the 
i ir as snow r and it is worse than snow for the 
sand cuts one’s face and eyes and the eyes of 
the cattle; the sand and wind will go dow n at 
sunset and rise next day at half past ton and 
on the third day same time. Our farm is yet a 
homestead. Webave prairie chickens,rabbits, 
wolves and Sam! Hill cranes in large numbers. 
My work is .herding and watering cattle and 
doing chores. I would like to join your Club. 
My papa takes the Rural. We all like it 
much. John D. Broderick. 
Howard Co., Neb. 
Dear Unole Mark: —I am now 14 years 
old, my brother Daniel lfi. Both of us would 
like to join the Horticultural Club. Papa has 
just built a new bouse and has about one- 
fourth acre fenced in, in front of it. He sent 
an order to a nursery for flowering shrubs and 
evergreens to plant it all over except a small 
sunny plot in front of my bedroom window 
about 16x30 feet which I intend to have for a 
flower garden. My brother and I put a neat 
fence around it and near the little gate, in 
large letters, is written on a board “ Dedica¬ 
ted to Uncle Mark." My playmates wonder 
what that moans as I have told them often 
that all my uncles were dead. Ilopiug you 
may recognize the relationship I claim to exist 
between us I subscribe myself, your affection¬ 
ate niece. Mary C. Hurley. 
Wetzel Co., W. Va. 
[Many thanks for the kind remembrance! I 
wish you much success in cultivating your 
flower-bed and also much enjoyment.—0. M.] 
Uncle Mark: —Please let me say to the 
cousins. When you are planting your flower 
gardens, do not forget to add a few packets 
of everlastings. The cost is but a trifle and 
they help so much to gladden the home in the 
dreary days of Winter. The most desirable 
Everlasting 1 can procure is the Hclichrysum, 
and as i have no success with ornamental 
grasses, I dry our native ones, to arrange 
with them. Rosy Benton. 
I Grundy Co., Iowa. 
New Members of the Club for the Week 
ending April 29. 
Shirley R. Burroughs, Eliza B. Bailev, Min' 
nie M. Chapel, Wm. T. Cooke, Roy Taylor, 
Grace Taj lor, Eddy Taylor, Orville Sims, Ma¬ 
ry Sims, Elliott Lewis, Loretta Brown. 
ENABLE YOU TO PURCHASE 
DRY GOODS 
BY LETTER 
BOOKS, I m U \ 
PRINTS, ■ / XV 
LINENS, ^ 
LININGS, • 
CORSETS, 
HOSIERY, 
PARASOLS, 
BLANKETS, 
woollens, mnn ■ 
HAMBURG8, .1 |] K II A 
LACE GOODS, V W ■■ mm n 
UNDERWEAR, T> 0< 
UPHOLSTERY. ■ DU> 
DRESS GOODS, Witli as m 
LADIES' SUITS, ii 
WHITE GOODS, 
INFANT WEAR, DeS< 
COLORED SILKS, M 
SATINS, VELVETS, MA 
TOILET ARTICLES, SAMPLT 
MISSES’ CLOTHING, executed i 
COLLARS AND CUFFS, despatch. 
Kl UUUUb = 
^ SHAWLS 
DV I ITTTirP RIBBONS 
pY Lfc. I I t-ll FRINGES 
BUTTONS 
—FROM— CARPETS 
COTTONS 
RDAN, MARSH & CO., 
Boston, Mass., U. S. A., 
With as much satisfaction as if you were buy- FANCY GOODS 
ing in person. Send for our BLACK GOODS 
SMALL WARES 
Descriptive Catalogue. ladies'cloaks 
° BOYS’ CLOTHING 
MAILED FREE ON APPLICATION. HANDKERCHIEFS 
SAMPI/ES promptly forwarded. ORDERS DRESS TRIMMINGS 
executed with the most scrupulous caro and GENTS*FURNISHINGS 
JORDAN, MARSH & CO., 
Boston, Mass., U. S. A., 
With as much satisfaction as if you were buy¬ 
ing in person. Send for our 
Descriptive Catalogue, t 
[, s MAILED FREE ON APPLICATION. Jj 
KB, SAMPLES promptly forwarded. ORDERS DR 
LADIES’ UNDERWEAR 
JORDAN, MARSH & CO., Washington and Avon Streets. 
DR. C. W. BENSON’S 
SKIN CURE J ®ubai CAI 
Is Warranted to Cure 
„ ECZEMA, TETTERS, HUMORS, w 
g INFLAMMATION, MILK CRUST, g 
" ALL ROUCH SCALY ERUPTION*, > 
« DISEASES OF HAIR AND SCALP, ^ 
m SCROFULA ULCERS, PIMPLES and g 
R TENDER ITCHINCS on *11 parts of the < 
body. It makes the skin -white, soft and smooth; 
removes tan and freckles, and is tlio BEST toilet 
dressing in THE WORLD. Elegantly put up, two 
bottles in one package, consisting of both internal 
and external treatment. 
All first clasB druggiste have it. Price $1. per package. 
■WANTED a few BRIGHT Masons to 
sell the FinestMASONIC ENGRAV¬ 
ING ever published in tills country. 
For particulate and descriptive circulars, 
apply to the Publishers, 
BRADLEY & COMPANY, 
66 N. 4tb 8b, Philadelphia, Pa. 
s 
OLD 
MADE 
VaSSeS 
ELECTRIC 
Scouring 
POLISH 
Best lathe World, 
ookmg 
Month for 
OJLUy TEACHERS 
915 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
COLUMBIA BICYCLE, 
yvX-ll/Vvbk It is what every boy wants, and 
// \ what every man ought to have. 
Send 3-eent stamp tor catalogue 
I11 and price-list to 
mlpmThe Pope M’fg Co., 
^ 595 Washington St, Boston, Mass. 
New York Riding School 81tli St. near 1th Avenuo. 
«OLl> HI ED All AWARDED 
Jr the Author. A new and great 
# Jk -A Medical Work, warranted the 
n - a best and cheapest. Indispensable 
[BlgBBsl to every man, entitled “ The 8cl 
IT euoe or Life, or Holf-ITnaerva 
Sr tion:’’ bound Ul finest French 
Kfcrv/GTja mushn, embossed, foil gilt, 800 
pp,, contains beautiful steel en- 
JU CdT K gravlngs. 126 prescriptions, prioe 
only $1.26, sent by mall; ill us 
tTttted sample, 6 cents: send now. 
how ffim^ij^faSaSiaK 
4 Hulflnnh MU. Boston. 
Elegant! Elevating! Eiiierliuninu! 
IULIA MCNAIR WRIGHT’S 
J New Book “PRACTICAL LIFE” 
^ A handsome volume, over GOO pi>., discussing Iudi. 
vidual Culture, Etiquette, Business, Love, Marriage, etc. 
ltev.TlM*o.J..(’u>ler,I).0., S&ys: “ tiwi quite delight- 
til tilth it* admirahti- lint y and a hidesorne suggestions. It 
ought to hr in < i erg Aounr.' 1 
The Central Baptist, 8t. Louis, Mo„ says: “it in a 
thoroughly goo-l unit britu/i/ut hunk." 
The Interior, Chicago, Buys: “It strikes us as the solid. 
est tin.! brut from her pen," 
The Pittsburg (liriMittn Advoente gayer “Itsles. 
son* arid to hr taught oral rn forced in f r,-ry household 11 
Clear type, ornstic binding, magnificent jolt ml. 
ored jdatrr. Priees low. Terms liberal. Kales rapid 
Auknts Wakti.h Kvkuvwhk.uk. Send for particulars 
to J. t . .lift'lilt l> V A- CO.. Philadelphia,l‘a 
ILL THE YEAR ROUND, 
and year after year, the standard and beau¬ 
tiful collections of MUSIC published by Oli¬ 
ver Ditson rfl Co. keep their hold on public 
favor, simply by the excellence of their con¬ 
tents. Such books of bound music as 
GEMS OF ENGLISH SONG ($2). NORWAY MUSIC 
ALBUM (*2.50). FRANZ’S ALBUM ($2) BEAUTIES 
OF SACRED SONG ($2). and 91 to 40 others (send for 
lists) contain ft perfectly Immense amount of the 
beat and most popular music, at the lowest price. 
Such standard Operas as 
MIGNoN <«:<}. AIDA ($2). CARMEN ($2), MEF1STOFELE 
($2), KATIN IT/, A (62). MANOI, A OR DAY AND 
NIGHT <*l 50), UF.l.t.S OF CORNELLVILLE ($1.50), 
mid tlu: well known lighter r»nd easier ones (Bend 
for lists), have lu them a large proportion of all the 
popular melodies. 
Such good Temperance Book* ns 
TEMPERANCE LIGHT flgct*,). TEMPERANCE JEW¬ 
ELS 05 els.), and HULL’S TEMPERANCE GLEE 
BOuK (40 cts ). cannot well be Improved upon. 
Such capital Mnnrfnr School and Praise Meeting 
Books ns MAJ-H P OlCK CllOIIt (50 Ct8,( with Gos¬ 
pel Music, Lid IIT .1X1) / //■•(■: (Xi eta.), and BANNER 
ini' VICTORY (A cts.) 
Any Book maij.ku kou Retail Prick. 
OLIVER DITSON & CO., Boston. 
C. H. DITSON A CO., 843 Broadway, New York. 
W ANTED—AGENTS for tho complete and authen¬ 
tic Life of Henry W. LonciviciXOW, by F. H. 
Underwood. Illustrated. The people are ready for 
It. B. B. RUSSELL, 6? Coruhlll, Boston, Hubs. 
1 YOU want to he a Telegraph Operator, send 25 
ctM. l..i the Most Complete Telegraph Instructor 
in (lie world. E. JONES .V TillO., ' itirlnnall, <b 
THE AMERICAN FRUIT DRIER. 
asm I _ Practical, 
^ Portable. 
Correct Prlncl- 
val liable infor¬ 
mation free. 
A .11 lilt It AN AIAN’F CO.. 
Waynesboro, l’a. 
AGENTS! AGENTS! AGENTS! 
GEN. DODGES’ bran’ new hook, just published, entitled 
THIRTY-THREE YEARS AMONG 
OUR WILD INDIANS 
Is tho grandest chance ever offered to you. Introduction by 
GEN. MIEK.llAN. Thin Supcrbttt Illustrated, l-’imt class mid 
Thrilling wnrW ,iut.ell* nil uthQfe 10 to ] , and U (tie fastest sel¬ 
ling bonk ever imhlihlied. Agent-, average IO to VO orders o day. 
C i' 1 TI la thousand in pres-:, first dost AGENTS WANTED. 
J-irrlustrc Territory and F-rtra Terms given. Srnd for circulars 
to A. D. WORTHINGTON .1 CO.. Hartford. Coun. 
Ill ■ n ranted best sold : 40 new, no two alike, Chro 
WAK mo Visiting Cards, name on. 111 nls. Agents 
Vf Mil wanted. L. Jo.nes & Co., Nassau, N. Y. 
D/\ 8AMPLE CARDS, ALL New. name on 10c. Agts 
Outfit *n. P A K I) WOlt KH Birmingham. Ct 
Address, 
A CENTS<rmf| PERIV10NTH MANNINC’S CTflPif Rnnif 
Aremaklng^lUU SELLINC03* |f| ILLUSTRATED O I UDIV'DUUIY 
Becauite every fanner iht.I. it. It is the latest ami must intinplete work ever Issued In America treat lug of Hornes, ^ut- 
tle. Sheep, etc., tht-lr breeds, breeding, (mining, cause, or disease, symptoms, and remedies Over ] ,000 nugen, 400 
illiintrutlon*. Highly endorsed by such eminent authorities as the President,Vice Preshhtnt.and KeoreUry ofVhUHdel|.hla 
College of Veterinary S'uigeons, Hon. J. W- U,osdss and oilur- Farmers, their sous, and iigentM desiringjirofltable work 
should send at onoo far full nartionlars and teriiis. Address lltTItllAKH UUII8., 72# I'oestuut St. 
PERMONTH IJANNINC’S CTflPif Dflfllf 
SELLING lift* lfi ILLUSTRATED O I UUlV'DUUIV 
It Is tho latest anil moat cmiplfte work over Issued In America treat In* of Jlorat*a,^ut- 
cdiiiK, trululng, oauauj of dtse&so. Rymptomn. and rtroedioH, Over 1,000 nu^c*, 400 
should *end at once for full parlloulars and torniM. Address 
i i M nut 
Potato Bug 
Poison. 
LONDON PURPLE. 
TRADE MARK. 
Potato Bug 
Poison., 
ty If nearest dealer has not got U. write to HEMINGWAY’S LON DON PURPLE CO. (Limited), P. O. .Box 
920, No. 90. Water Snutter, New Yore, who wUl send prices *ad teat imonials. 
