Object Lessons fbom Life. 55 



took with them their natural histories, their botanies and geologies, 

 and some choice books of poetry and general literature, and for 

 two weeks, shut out from the artificial world, and shut in with 

 blessed mother nature, "Who sang to them night and day, the 

 rhymes of the universe," they learned lessons that made them 

 better men and stronger women. They seemed to leave their 

 baptismal names behind them, and to assume pseudonyms sug- 

 gested by some peculiarity of taste or temper. One we called the 

 "Divinity Student." He had a clerical air, and there was just a 

 trace of sermonizing in all his speeches, which were full of apt 

 quotations from scripture. Another was the " Humanitarian" — he 

 had large views, was exceedingly charitable in his opinions of 

 others, looked with sublime forgiveness upon the faults of his 

 fellow-tenters and the failings of men in general — full of sweet 

 philosophies as an egg is of meat, something of a scientist too ; be 

 seemed to see into the very arcana of things, and all objects, 

 animate and inanimate, whispered their divine secrets into his ear. 

 Then there was the " Mother Superior," so called from her matronly 

 ways and beautiful, unconscious manners, and her lovely Madonna 

 face, warmed and glorified by the tenderest and holiest human 

 passsions. Her helpful presence was everywhere, now superin- 

 tending the culinary department, now entertaining the younger 

 ones, and always having an eye to the domestic comfort of the 

 camp. She had besides a literary turn, and was always surprising 

 us with rare bits of wisdom, quaint old legends, and sweet quota- 

 tions from heartsome authors. 



Our evenings, which were cool, we spent around a bright camp- 

 fire, where each took his turn in entertaining the company with 

 song or speech or story. The poet of the occasion wove many 

 of tnese efforts into homely rhyme, and here we will give " The 

 Divinity Student's Tale," which he named "The Wedding Gift," 

 and prefaced it with the following quotation: 



"And Caleb said ' He thai smiteth Kir-jath-Sepher and taketh it, to him 

 will I give Achsah, my daughter to wife.' And Othniel took it, and he gave 

 him Achsah his daughter, to wife. And she said to Caleb, 'Thou hast given 

 me a south-land, give me also springs of water;' and Caleb gave her the 

 upper and the nether springs." 



