THE RURAL WEW-YORKER. 
SEPT 49 
Dr. Hexamer, Dr. Farly, Mr. Hoag, Mr. T. 
S. Hubbard tbe originator of the Niagara 
Grape, Mr. Chas. Green, of the Fruit Grower, 
Mr. P. C. Reynolds, of the American Rural 
Horae, Mr. H. If. Hendricks, of the Tribune, 
and J. S. Woodward, of The Rural New- 
Yorker, all from New York. From New 
Jersey there are Messrs. Wm. Parry, J. S. 
Collins, J. T. Lovett, and J. B. Rogers. New 
England has W. C. Strong, J. W. Manning, J. 
B. Moore, Robt, Manning, P. M. Augur and B. 
G. Smith. Ohio has N. Ohmer, G. W. Camp¬ 
bell, J. J. Harrison and W. R. Lazenby. 
Pennsylvania has A. W. Harrison and H. M. 
Engle. Michigan has a large delegation, 
among whom are T. T. Lyon, H. Fralic, E. H. 
Scott, C. W. Garfield, Walter Philips, C. T. 
Rosencranz aud Dr. W. J Beal. Nebraska 
hasC. E. Bessey; Texas. T. V. Munson; tbe Dis¬ 
trict of Columbia, W. Saunders; Georgia, A. 
J.Toon and Dr. Saul Hape: ludiana, C. M. 
Hobbs: Iowa, J. L. Budd; Minnesota, 
Peter M. Gideon; Missouri, L. A. Goodman; 
Virginia, H. L. Lyman. 
Tbe President, Hon. M. P. Wilder, extended 
a hearty invitation for the Society to hold its 
next biennial session in Boston, and the invi¬ 
tation was accepted by a rising vote, which 
was almost unanimous. 
On the recommendation of the committee 
appointed for that purpose, the following 
officers were elected : President, Marshall P. 
Wilder, of Massachusetts; First Vice Presi¬ 
dent, Patrick Barry, of New York; Secretary, 
Chas. W. Garfield, of Michigan; Treasurer, 
Benjamin G. Smith, of Massachusetts, with a 
full list of vice presidents, one from each State. 
The Society w ith great unanimity passed a 
resolution of thanks to Dr. Beal for his ser¬ 
vices as Secretary of the Society during the 
last two years. This resolution was no more 
than aju8t recognition of honest and efficient 
service. The Treasurer’s report showed the 
Society m a very healthy financial condition, 
having over $ 1,000 on hand previous to the 
commencement of this meeting. The interest 
now manifested aud the promise of tbe much 
larger attendance to be here later, make it cer¬ 
tain that this will be the most profitable meet¬ 
ing ever held. 
From several parts of the country come 
complaints of swindles in roofing material, 
and, of course, the guileless granger is the 
principal victim. This swindle invariably re¬ 
quires a brace of rascals to work it properly. 
The first represents to the innocent farmer 
that be is the agent of a New York, Chicago, 
or Little Peddlington Company, that is fam¬ 
ous the world over for the pre-eminent excel¬ 
lence of the roofing it makes. He will send 
the farmer a lot of fire-proof paint, etc., “free 
gratis, for nothing,” as the sight of his barn 
covered with such an admirable coating will 
be the best sort of advertisement, for others 
will be certain to give liberal orders for 
what has given such satisfaction to so prom¬ 
inent and shrewd a neighbor,” etc., etc., 
etc. The victim generously accepts the 
offer, and innocently signs his name to 
an agreement to pay freight on tbe goods 
and use them according to directions, 
aud the glib-tongued agent smilingly departs. 
After a little while rascal No. 2 comes along, 
often in the character of a lawyer from a 
neighboring town. No humbug about hjml 
He is merely a business man, who wants to 
get through his duty in the shortest possible 
time! He produces the paper signed by tbe 
farmer for rascal No. 1, and which turns out 
to be, not an agreement to accept a valuable 
present, but an order for 100 to 200 gallons of 
high-priced roofing material, which is ready 
for delivery at the depot, and for which pay¬ 
ment is to be made at once, according to 
agreement. Victim protests he never order¬ 
ed the stuff ; is angry, indignant, loud-voiceu, 
and profane. Rascal No. 2 is calm and stern; 
knows uothing as to how the order was secur¬ 
ed, but insists on payment, and threatens law- 
suit. Finally he concedes tbe ca* e is a hard 
one, and sympathetically agrees to compio- 
mise the matter by accepting a good round 
sum or a short-time note from the granger, 
and shipping the stuff elsewhere. Of course 
there are several variations in the mode of 
playing this game, but from the above par¬ 
ticulars there ought to be little difficulty in 
escaping tbe.Jmacbinatious of both rascals, 
especially if .there is a nice savage bulldog on 
the premises. 
To Several Inquirers:— Ob, w hat a sat¬ 
isfaction it would be if an answer to a partic¬ 
ular question put by one, would serve as an 
answer to similar - questions put by others, and 
bold good for at least a month or two! But 
this is a world of disappointment—as the 
dupeB of shysters know, alas! too well—and 
the Eye-Opener dispairs of that kind of satis¬ 
faction. How frequently has the subject of 
ear-drums been discussed here, and yet in¬ 
quiries about them are constantly comiug in 
from parties who very plainly have either 
never read what we have said about them, or 
have totally forgotten it. Ear-drums are not 
altogether humbugs, because they really and 
truly do give some assistance to some people; 
but although we have made numerous inquir¬ 
ies about them, we have never heard of acuse 
in which they have been of any material 
assistance to those w - bo want assistance 
most—the deaf. We have beard of several 
cases where they have helped those “hard of 
hearing”—though we have never personally 
known such a case—but those who are deaf 
enough to need an ear-trumpet, are not helped 
a bit by them, so far as we have been able to 
learn..About three months ago wo warned our 
friends against having any dealings with tbe 
Hudson Manufacturing Company of this city, 
which advertises for ladies to knit, crochet, and 
do fancy work, by which #5 to #10 per week 
can be easily made at home, in city or coun¬ 
try, as the concern will buy back all goods, 
the materials for which have been purchased 
from it. The “Company,” which in its cir¬ 
culars boasts of its extensive facilities for 
selling goods, etc , is, so far as we can find 
out, represented by a couple of disreputable 
yoirag mew with dirty, murky headquarters 
in a small room that would rent for about 
$2.50 a week. Tbe H. M’f’g Co. is very evi¬ 
dently a concern to be left severely alone. 
The Foreign Art and Loan Company of 
Cincinnati, Ohio, is a fraud....TheLouisiana 
Lottery is the biggest fraud of the bind in the 
United States. Its existence is a burning dis¬ 
grace to the State which it owns. Theircon- 
nection with it is a foul blot on the reputations 
of the prominent men who, for a litoral bribe 
in the shape of a salary for which little or no 
work is required, aid it in its dishonest 
efforts to swindle the public.. 
We do not recommend the United States Med¬ 
icine Co., nor Joseph A. Hall, nor L. Brown, 
all of this city, and all advertising in country 
papers and through circulars distributed by 
the U. S. mail .T. Gardner, Cincinnati, 
Ohio, should be avoided. We lm ve denounced 
his four per cent loan os a swindle over and 
over again; and we see no reason for altering 
our opinion, although several religious papers 
advertise for the fellow.The Boston 
“Kensington Art Co. is a “work-at-home” 
fraud. 
“Confidence” sharpers are extremely busy 
just now in country pla r es, and especially in 
market towns, and wherever farmers mostly 
assemble with money in their pockets. Not a 
week passes without bringing us accounts of 
swindles perpetrated on farmers by these droll 
rascals in all parts of the country. This is a 
word of warning-—but it is hardly'needed with 
Rural readers. 
•J'tlisjcellanmtjc 
CATALOGUES, ETC., RECEIVED. 
Volume I. of the Duroc Jersey Swine 
Record is just from the press at Springfield, 
Ills. In the history of the breed, given in 
in this work, the Duroc-Jersey hog is said to 
be “the old-fashioned Berkshire, with the old- 
time qualities which made that breed so fam¬ 
ous.” It is said atso that the breeders of the 
different families have agreed npon a com¬ 
mon standard of characteristics to represent 
their breed, aud that “this standard is the 
type,as nearly as may be,of the old Berkshire,” 
This is certainly a good base from which to 
work. 
James Vick.— An interesting illustrated 
catalogue of hyacinths, tulips, crocruses, nar¬ 
cissus, crown imperials, anemones, snow¬ 
drops, ranunculuses, paranies, lilies, etc. to¬ 
gether with a list of desirable winter-flowering 
and ornamental parlor plants. Instructions 
are given as to making lawns; as to seeds best 
sown in the Autumn, planting beds of bulbs, 
flowers in the houses, etc. 
Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y. 
A descriptive catalogue of select roses, with a 
colored plate of the new rose Marshall P. 
Wilder. Directions are given for planting 
and the different classes of roses are briefly 
described. Free. 
Louis Roesch, Fredonia, N. Y.—Trade 
pricelist of grape vines, small fruit plants, 
etc. This list offers an excellent assortment of 
grapes and the best of small fruits. Prices 
are given by the 100 and 1,000. 
F. E. McAllister. 22 Dey Street, N. Y. 
—An illustrated catalogue of bulbs and seeds. 
Friesias, tulips, hyacinths, narcissus and many 
others. Catalogue free. 
Vilmoiun.Andrieux & Co., Paris, France. 
—Wholesale catalogues of bulbs, seeds for fall 
sowing, strawberries, wheats, etc. 
foe Women. 
CONDUCTED BY MJSL RAY CLARK. 
PLUCK AND PRAYER. 
There wa’nt auy use o’ fretting. 
An’ I toM Obft llati so. 
For of we couldn’t bold on to things. 
We’d Just got to let ’em go. 
There were tots of folks thnt’d suiter, 
Along With llie rest Of us. 
An’ it didn’t seem to be wu'th our while 
To make such a dreflle fuss. 
To be sure, the barn was 'most empty. 
An’ corn an' porlaters scarce, 
An’ not much of anythin)? plenty an' cheap 
But water—an’ applesass. 
But then as I to’d Oliadtah — 
It wa’nt any use to groan. 
For flesh an' blood couldn’t stan’ It; an’ he 
Was nothing but skin on 1 bone. 
But laws! of you'd only heerd him, 
At any hour of the ult?ht. 
A-praying out In that closet there, 
’Twould have set you crazy quite. 
I patched the kneps of those trousers 
With cloth that was noways tlilu, 
But It seemed as ef the pieces wore out 
As fast as I sot ’em In. 
To me he said mtglity little 
Of the thorny way we trod. 
But at least a dozen times a day 
He talked It over with God. 
Down on his knees In that closet 
The most or his time was passed; 
For Obadtnh knew how to pray 
Much better than how to fast. 
But I am that way centralry 
That ef thing* don't go Jess right, 
I feel like rollin’ my sleeves up high 
An’ giftin’ ready to light. 
An’ the giants 1 slew that Whiter 
I ain’t going to talk about; 
Au’ I didn’t complain to God, 
Though 1 think that he found it out. 
With the point or a cambric needle 
I druv the wolf from the door, 
For 1 knew thnt we needn't starve to death 
Or be lazy because we were poor. 
An' Obadlah he wondered, 
And kep’ niepatchln’ bis knees, 
An' thought It strange how the meal held out, 
An' stranger we didn’t freeze. 
But I said to myself lu whispers. 
“God knows where His gifts descend; 
An’ ’tlsu’t nlwnys thnt faith gits down 
As far ns the linger ends." 
An’ I wouldu’t. have no one reckon 
My Obadiab a shirk. 
For some, vou kuow. have the gift, to pray, 
And others the gift to work. 
JOSEPHINE rOIXARD. 
•»»» -- - — 
A KENTUCKY FAIR. 
The first day of our Fair white ladies and 
childreu are admitted free; so that what has 
usually been an unattractive day is fast be¬ 
coming the most popular. Each lady feels 
she must recognize the privilege by taking 
some exhibits to add to the attraction of 
“Floral Hall.” 
Among the premiums this year was a barrel 
of flour offered for tbe best loaf of bread. 
Forty-four loaves wers exhibited, also 23 places 
of biscuit and cakes of every variety. One 
loaf was a cocoanut cake, and bad the icing 
tinted rose color with the grated cocoanut 
over it, looking so soft, fleecy aud delicious. 
Then there were garden productions; lfi kiuds 
of vegetables prettily arranged—the lowly on¬ 
ion and carrot in a new character as ornaments. 
Our county has suffered from drouth, yet 
large melons, fine apples, pears—no peaches— 
and luscious grapes were displayed lu defiance 
of it. 
Serving rather unwillingly as judge of em¬ 
broideries, it gave me opportunity for inspect¬ 
ing beautiful works of art. Kensington, Ar- 
rascene,chenille,linen, etc., all being represent¬ 
ed as table scarfs.lambrequins,sofa pillows,etc. 
Beautiful crocheted lace, elaborate patterns 
as perfectly done os machiue work. Now and 
then among tbe specimens was evidence that 
talent was lacking. For example: calla lilies 
looked like pudding bags, and cat tails more 
like clothes brushes, than the thing attempt¬ 
ed to be represented. Some fine object draw¬ 
ings were there with painting of every style 
in crayon, oil and water-colors—the same 
blight girl I told you of a yeur ago, carrying 
off some half dozen premiums. 
There were enough qailts—silk and worsted 
—com forte, etc., to tone down an Arctic Win¬ 
ter. After rendering our decision upon the 
merits of all articles in this department we 
walked over to the amphitheater aud looked 
down on the “girl baby show.” The little one 
on whose arm the blue ribbon fluttered seemed 
all unconscious of its glory. The betting 
crowd (the disgrace of our fair) called out: 
“Bring that baby here,” and in obedience to 
their calls the baby was carried to that part 
of the ring. Hats were taken off to the little 
one, who gazed wonderlngly up into their 
faces;—a striking picture of innocence and 
crime. 
The little toy riders, under 10 years, excited 
much comment, and of course, many thought 
the wrong toy had won the handsome bridle 
given as premium. Two men acted upon a 
trapeze, standing on their heads, etc., with 
other contortions of body—not a pleasant sight 
tome: it lowers the standard of exhibitions. 
In the ring of handsome turnouts as many 
ribtons—red and gold—fluttered from the 
petted mares as graced the belles on the prom- 
euade. “Floral Hall” was not open until the 
second day to tbe public. We were talking to 
one of the “directors,” and asked him “why 
the premiums in the Indies’ department were 
not larger?” “O,” he says, “they are big 
enough: you’d make them things anywav. and 
it don’t cost nothing to show them, and you 
get your two dollars clear. When a man that 
exhibits a calf feeds it with $10 worth of 
corn, has it rubbed by hand an hour, morn¬ 
ing and evening; thou brings it here to get 
only a five dollar premium, don’t get no pay 
for tbe work or corn either.” (A good farm¬ 
er. but uses very bad grammar.) 
One of the ways of enjoying the Fair is to 
find a comfortable seat on the promenade and 
watch the crowds walk round and round. The 
country girls dress more elaborately than 
their town sisters, and one girl sought distinc¬ 
tion in a bright scarlet dress trimmpd with 
white lace, the costume finished with a red 
hat ami veil. The greater number, however, 
wore white, or a preity lawn that can be re¬ 
claim ed by being laundried; but an nnwash- 
able dress is past redemption when the heat 
and dust have done their work. 
The cattle-show was the best we ever had. 
Several herds of Short-born, Holstein, and 
the little Jersey were all in fine condition, 
sleek and gloss}’. Tbe horses were very hand¬ 
some: almost every ring being full. Sheep 
of every breed were here in all their meekness. 
The hoes are shown in pens, and never admit¬ 
ted to the riDg. 
The crowd increases with each day until the 
last, when it is a jam; no pleasure in going 
about then, as it is difficult to make your way 
through. Everybody goes on a rush; horses 
are driven in their fastest gait; aud many 
vehicles driven very swiftly are passing and 
repassing; yet not an accident. After the 
Fair everybody is fagged out, and several 
days are devoted to “resting up.” But the 
next year we begin on tbe first day aud go 
through the same fatigue. A farmer said 
that in 25 years he bad onlvmissed two days. 
This shows’ t hat “Our Fair” is of great social 
value, bringing together once a year all the 
county, and though we get weary and tired, 
ofteu resolving ‘‘not to go next time,” yet as 
the year rolls by, hringing “fair time” again, 
we find ourselves looking forward to it with 
much of real pleasure, and ourselves among 
the crowd. m s. s. 
-» * » 
DOMESTIG HAPPINESS vs. DOMESTIC 
UNHAPPINESS. 
It is said that one marriage out of every 
ten results either in a separation or in abso- 
The worst features 
about dangerous 
soaps is the damage 
done before their in¬ 
jurious effects are de¬ 
tected. The injury 
done to clothing by 
the use of poor soap 
is often greater than 
the actual wear. 
Professor Cornwall, 
of Princeton College, 
says, the Ivory Soap 
is pure. His state¬ 
ment should be suffi¬ 
cient guarantee for 
you to have only the 
Ivory Soap used in 
your family. 
Free of charge. A full size cake of Ivory Soap 
will he Heat to any one who can not get it of their 
grocer, ff six two-cent stamps, to pay postage, are 
sent to Proctor & Gamble, Uincinuati. i’leaso 
utenUoa ’his paper. 
