SEPT 2 
“friend ” Rascal No. 1. You see. all they have 
to do is to show the mouey, to get the prze. 
It seems never to strike the farmer, that the 
“drover” who has lost so much, must be an 
uncommonly curious fellow to be willing to 
wait patiently so long in order to give the 
others an opportunity of bringing about the 
condition which will deprive him of what he 
has lost. Finally Rascal No. 1 gets hold of 
the farmer’s money—just for a moment. To 
accomplish just that has been the object of all 
their scheming, and, of course. Rascals No. 1 
and 2, and the money soon disappear, and the 
farmer is hardly likely to see either of them 
again. Usually No. 1 gets the fanner’s money 
in some quiet place, where No. 2 lias been 
waiting; and if the farmer sticks to it, refus¬ 
ing to trust No. 1 with it, oven for a moment, 
they knock him down and take it, being, of 
course, unwilling to expend so much labor for 
nothing. These rascals hate to be bo filed, and 
the sight of the pile of money for which they 
have been scheming and working, just beyond 
their control, inflames their cupidity to such 
a pitch that, they will hesitate at nothing short 
of murder, to secure it. Keepiug the money 
back is like robbing them of their wages—the 
just reward of their toils—and they are ever 
ready to manifest violent indignation. 
How do the scamps get away ? Usually in 
a buggy or other fast conveyance, leaving the 
victim senseless or bouud hand and foot, un¬ 
less they can give bim the slip. Sometimes 
Rascal No. 2 gets the “ boodle,” and then Ras¬ 
cal No. 1 remaius as a friend to the dupe, and 
while pretending to aid in the pursuit of his 
confederate, delays or misdirects it. Some¬ 
times instead of appealing as the intending 
purchaser of a farm, Rascal No. 1 poses as a 
beuevolent, philauthropio personage about to 
get up a free library somewhere or to supply 
farm libraries ou the most generous terms; 
in fact, he assumes any character under which 
ho tliiuks be can gain the confidence of bis 
would-be victim. In all cases, however, his 
object is to induce the latter to entrust him 
with, or even display before him, a large sura 
of money in such place or under such circum- 
stances as will enable bim or his confederate 
to hold, snatch or seize it by violence, and get 
away with it, and in this he very often suc¬ 
ceeds. Why? Owing chiefly to the greed of 
the victim; because few can realize that they 
are themselves being duped while theii pet 
failings are flattered, and because many have 
tbat peculiar characteristic of a born gull— 
that of being both suspicious and credulous 
in the wrong place. 
Woman's Work. 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY LOUISE TAPLIN. 
CHAT BY THE WAY. 
Why is it that the country girl always longs 
for a taste of city life, while the city maid is 
in love with the country? It is our iuborn 
yearning for the unattainable, we suppose. 
There is always a fascination about city life 
to the uninitiated; wo are apt to think that 
all the opportunities we crave for pleasure and 
social enjoyment will come to us iu the bus¬ 
tling city. But we soon learu that the wilder- , 
ness of bricks and mortar is infinitely more 
lonely than the fields and meadows. A strang¬ 
er who comes to the city is a lonelier hermit 
than St. Simon Stylites on his pillar. 
* * * 
We are sorry that one of our friends strong¬ 
ly condemns the article entitled “ New Busi¬ 
ness, ’ in the Rural of July 28, from a tem¬ 
perance standpoint. She considers the making 
of champagne cider or boiled cider a direct in¬ 
centive to intemperance iu the household. 
But we must remind our critic that the arti¬ 
cle in question spoke of the boiled cider as be¬ 
ing useful for pies and sauce; the writer only 
says casually that it may even be used as a 
beverage. She does not speak as if she expect¬ 
ed it to be regularly used in that form. Nor 
is it likely that the champagne cider would be 
used daily aud hourly. 
# * * 
We think that our friend is a little sweep¬ 
ing in her assertion of the widespread intem¬ 
perance among farmers, due to their use of 
hard cider. We live in a eider-making dis¬ 
trict, but cases of intemperance are very rare 
among the farmers. The writer is a strong 
temperance advocate and a total abstainer, 
so may be considered unprejudiced iu this 
matter. We do not mean by this that hard 
cider is not an intoxicant, for it undoubtedly 
is, and a most objectionable one too, since a 
confirmed drinker takes it more freely than 
he would use other drinks. But a little stock 
of champaigu cider laid by for special occa¬ 
sions, would hardly produce a drunkard. 
* * * 
Of all the heart-wringing questions in the 
world that of intemperance is the greatest, 
since of all vices it entails the greatest amount 
of suffering on others besides the trespasser. 
Small wonder tbat we women find it hard to 
speak calmly of the matter; it means so much 
to us—waiting, suffering, hoping, despairing. 
Perhaps the acme of pathos is reached iu Miss 
Phelps’ story “Jack ”iu the Century for J une. 
Jack is a fisherman, son of a druuken father; 
he is an hereditary drunkard before he reaches 
man’s estate. He abstains—as if abstinence 
were possible to him, born with that heredi¬ 
tary curse—only to slip still lower until the 
waters of Fair harbor close over hirn. It is an 
unutterably saddening story, yet one that im¬ 
presses the reader with its truth. 
Temperance is certainly a social rather 
than a political reform, but cases like poor 
Jack’s are for the phisician rather thau any 
oue else—only we cannot reform the man 
without reforming his ancestors first. 
THE SOCIAL HOUR. 
In a busy household where each member of 
the family has regular and coustaut work 
there is really so little time for social inter¬ 
course that often members of the family 
seem hardly acquainted with one another. 
Mother is busy atone thing, daughters at an¬ 
other. the father and ions are at work outside 
and the younger children at school. The 
meals are apt to be eaten hurriedly and in 
silence, so that the clearing-away may lie ac¬ 
complished as soon as possible. 
Yet meal-time should really be a little fam¬ 
ily festival of relaxation. If duty makes 
breakfast and dinner rather hurried, the 
evening meal should be the social one. The 
pleasantest households are those whore they 
make a practice of lively conversation at 
meals; not argument or discussion, but only 
that which is good-tempered aud amusing. 
It has not only the advantage of social 
pleasure, but is of physical advantage. There 
is small danger of dyspepsia when the meal is 
lightened by pleasant chat aud gentle laugh¬ 
ter. 
We should think, not only of supplying 
well-cooked food, but also subjects for conver¬ 
sation, so that it need not fall into un¬ 
pleasant chaunels. Mere gossip — which 
is apt to become ill-natured, — should 
never be permitted, no r should person¬ 
alities be indulged in. Any bright little story 
or amusing anecdote should be saved up to 
relate at the family table. Add to this a mu¬ 
tual courtesy, aud that family need never fear 
the advent of strangers as requiring company 
manners. The coustaut encouragement of 
social graces iu the household will do so much 
to prevent the awkwardness of children. We 
often see households where the children are 
promptly hustled out of the way when guests 
arrive, and they naturally become bashful 
and doubtful of their manners when iu the 
presence of strangers. We do not believe in 
the forcing process, which makes children con¬ 
fident and over-bold, but if they art so trained 
that they have no company manners they 
may be modest in tbe presence of straugers, 
but never unbecomingly or awkwardly bash¬ 
ful. The social hour at home is the best school 
for the training of good manners, and good 
manners will be a powerful elomout in life. 
Good manners, ou a fouudatiou of good 
morals, will always secure friends, as the old 
proverb says “manners make the man.” 
FOR AND ABOUT WOMEN. 
A • 6. 
Judging from the fuss the papers are mak¬ 
ing about the Philadelphia girl, who married 
her husband because she respected him, one 
would think that women habitually chose some 
one unable to inspire this sentiment. This girl 
was au heiress, u bcuuty.HrnJ naturally a belle. 
Bhe had two suitors, one rich, but wild, 
and credited with having sowu a great crop 
of wild oats; the other “rather good-looking, 
but without a business or a penny.” in spite 
of friends and relatives, she married the lat¬ 
ter, ami when asked why she made the choice 
she did, replied that, she married for character 
and morality; her husband possessed them 
both and she respected him. It was certaiuly 
very fortunate for this young man “ without 
a business or without a penny ” that his wife 
was au heiress, but in view of the fact that 
“ Love flies out of the window when poverty 
conies in at the door,” I would advise poor 
girls, tu make sure of the character and 
morality, by all moans, but to be equally sure 
that their choice shall at least have some 
“business.” Possibly iu the ease above 
quoted there were extenuating circumstances, 
but 1 for one, could not respect an idle man, 
and a man who possesses much character will 
seldom be without a business or profession. 
We do not attueh enough importance to 
the physical culture of our girls. It is said 
that no crooked spines, hollow chests aud 
round shoulders are seen iu Hindostan. The 
Jliiuloo girls are noted for their graceful aud 
exquisite forms. From childhood they are 
accustomed to carry burdens on their heads. 
The water for the family use is brought in 
earthen jars poised on the head. This 
strengthens the muscles of the back, throwing 
the chest forward and the shoulders back¬ 
ward. 
A physician thinks that this exercise of 
carrying weights on the head might be intro¬ 
duced into boarding schools and families, su¬ 
perseding much of the present machinery of 
dumb-bells, back-boards, etc. Iu this case the 
best exercise would be with jars of water, 
teaching the pupil the practice of carrying it as 
the women of Hindostan, aud southern Spain 
and Italy do, without touching it with tbe 
hands. Tbe acquisition of this art gives a 
graceful, erect and elastic gait. 
A writer in the Contemporary Review 
thinks a wife ought to know how to make a 
shilling go as far as possible, because very 
few men have this knowledge, or the patience 
to use it if they happen to possess it. Then 
follows a thrilling picture of the disgraceful 
bankruptcies, that are caused by extravagant 
wives, or at least by wives without sufficient 
“firmness to restrain their lavish husbands.” 
He further intimates tbat a “woman’s one 
thought should be to take care of the pennies, 
in order that her husband may have the 
pounds for his lawful needs and lawful plea¬ 
sures.” Undoubtedly, especially among the 
wealthy classes, extravagance can often be 
laid at the door of the wife, but I defy the 
most frugal wife to avert bankruptcy by re¬ 
straining her husband in his expenditures. 
Her own. or those of the household (where 
such restraint does not interfere with her hus¬ 
band’s comfort or pleasure,) she may run on 
as economical a plan as possible, but let her 
urge the smoking of fewer expensive cigars, 
or the giviug up of the habit altogether, or 
suggest that water is a cheaper drink than 
champague, and see if her sermons do not 
have as much effect as did St, Anthony’s to 
the fishes. 
There is no denying, however, tbat wives 
ought to know enough about their husbaud’s 
business to ascertain theii’ exact and legiti¬ 
mate income, and that as far as practicable 
they should insist upon living within that 
income. 
GOLDEN GRAINS. 
Faithfulness is a higher attainment than 
mere success; and, unlike success, it is within 
the reach of every man. 
Enjoy the littles of every day. The great 
favors of fortune come to but few, and those 
that have them tell us that the quiet, homely 
joys, which are within the reach of us all, are 
infinitely the best. Then let us not cast them 
away, but treasure every sunbeam, and get all 
the light and warmth from it that the blessing 
holds..... 
The first ingredient in conversation is truth, 
the second good sense, the third good humor 
aud tbe fourth wit. .... 
If a man be gracious to strangers, it shows 
he is a citizen of the world, aud that his heart 
is no island cut off from other lauds, but a 
continent tbat joins them... 
Every individual should bear in mind that 
he is sent into the world to act a part in it, 
and though oue may have a more splendid 
and another a more obscure part unsigned to 
bim, yet the actor of each is equally responsi¬ 
ble. 
For the best results there needs be the 
longest waiting. The true harvest is the long¬ 
est iu being reached. The failures come first, 
the successes last. . 
The world will not come to the church to 
be saved; the church must go to it. “ Go ye 
into all the world, and preach the gospel to 
every creature”.... 
Shed all meanness away from your life, as 
good seeds and kernels shed their shells wbeu 
they are ready to spring forth again into a 
new life. If we do this the old embers of oth 
er years will glow agaiu iu the new fires of 
Christmas morning. 
How much more can we do this year than 
we did last to make the world happier aud 
better. .. 
Anger as an expression of personal selfish¬ 
ness is one thing, and auger as a strong dis¬ 
pleasure with evil, with meanness, base¬ 
ness, irreverence, cowardice, cruelty, and 
stupid indifference to suffering quite an¬ 
other aud a different thing. Auger of the 
latter sort is a Christian virtue. 
Ik we would tliink of the little we know 
rather than the much, we would have fewer 
egotists and more students.. 
“Blessed confidence of childhood—religion 
itself has no profoundor lesson—no more elo¬ 
quent attestation of the first cause,”. 
There are nettles everywhere, but smooth 
green grasses are more common still. The 
blue of heaven i*i larger than the cloud . 
CONDUCTED BY MRS. AGNES E. M. CARMAN. 
Tei.i. your children why you do not attend 
the agricultural fair, if yours happens to be 
one of the horse-racing, lager beer pool-selling 
kinds. Bad influences are neverso insidious 
as when dressed up in the garments of some 
sort of respectability. 
Look at the cartoon on our first page this 
week. Will you not help the Rural in its 
warfare agaiust these features of many fail’s 
which, while they may beguile, will corrupt 
your sous and daughters? 
What sort of Domestic Economy do you call 
it when you take your families to the agri- 
cvHvrnl fair and allow them to spend a con¬ 
siderable part of their time watching horse¬ 
races, games of chance aud listening to the 
loose language of those who have too often 
visited the beer stands. 
Whose fault is it if seven-eighths of the at¬ 
tractions of the average agricultural fair are 
given up to disreputable entertainments, while 
but one-oightb remains to give it an air of re¬ 
spectability? 
SOME COUNTRY NOTES. 
MARY WAGER-FISHER. 
I wonder if it is the “fault of the woman,” 
as usual, that mou at work in the country so 
generally wear white cotton shirts in lieu of 
woolen in some color, as blue, red or gray? I 
have noticed that nearly every mail that An¬ 
aximander has had about the homestead for 
tbe last few months has come to his work ar¬ 
rayed in a white shirt aud often with a 
starched, or intended to he starched, “bosom:” 
and I dare say that Eastern Pennsylvania 
workmen are not peculiar in their patronage 
of this most unsuitable—ami when measured 
by the standard of beauty—most uupictur- 
esque of shirts. It is evidently an adherence 
to a sentiment, as in point of fact the wooleu 
shirt has everything iu its favor—is really 
cooler, absorbs the perspiration, is not clammy 
like a wet cotton garment, and prevents sud¬ 
den chill, which is a very important matter in 
warm weather, when it is so difficult to keep 
from catching cold and dying from sudden 
ills—when everybody at times wishes, with 
Sidney Smith, that he could sit iu hisskeleton 
aud let the wiuil blow through. 
If the doctrine of that famous and rich Rus¬ 
sian noblemun, Count Tolstoi, could be put in¬ 
to practice—that it is every man’s duty to 
wash his own shirt and mend his owu clothes 
—think of the reform that would be accom¬ 
plished iu behalf of women who can never 
enjoy that most efficient of washing machines, 
a steam laundry, or u professional mender. 
Blit, seriously, to think of farmeriues over 
wash-tfibs and irouing-boards in hot weather 
wearing out their lives in behalf of the white- 
shirt tyrauny ! It would be comical, if it were 
not so pitiful. 
When I told Anaxamander that Patrick 
should make his own bed and care for his own 
room; that ho worked fewer hours than Brid¬ 
get. and wlieu I sent the laddie from the 
breakfast table to put his bed to air because 
he neglected to do so before leaving his room, 
tbe head of the house groaned outwardly aud 
declared tbat men are on their "last legs,” 
that even now they are little more than 
money-making machines for women; that 
men have no leisure for the nobler pursuits of 
life; that even iu the great State of Pennsyl¬ 
vania the legislature has been “bamboozled” 
into giving married women the right to their 
own earnings; and that men from taking 
care of their own rooms, putting their own 
beds to air, washing and meuding their own 
woolen shirts, will at this rate, by the end of 
the century, have to wash the kitchen dishes as 
well, and even descend to the ignomouy of 
blacking their own boots out ou the wood-pile 
or in the coal-bin to “save making a dirt iu 
the house” instead of on the pretty plush- 
bottomed chair or edge of t he sofa which is now 
the preferred rest! Evidently the year of 
jubilee is coming for women, for did not some 
man make known iu the It. N.-Y,, that in 
his neighborhood where women help is scarce, 
that in his family a man had boeu hired to 
help with the house-cleaning? 
And if the health of the American women 
continues to decay in the future as it has in 
the past, iu the 20th century men will uot 
ouly have to help with the house-cleaning, but 
When Baby was sick, we gave herCastorla 
When she was a Child, she cried for Castorla, 
When she became Miss, she clung to Castorla. 
When she had Children, sin gave them Castorla. 
