67 



ever, for sending their children abroad in large numbers and 

 gives them means for traveling long distances. In this way many 



are sure to find congenial 

 places for a life of prosperity. 

 I have no fear that maples will 

 ever become extinct. Some 

 years I send out so many chil- 

 dren that if one in every thou- 

 sand becomes a tree, my family 

 will be a large one. 



" Do you see the big thistle 

 in yonder fence corner ? The 

 children are now mature and 

 ready to travel miles and miles 

 in a balloon, and will settle 

 down into some quiet nook 

 and become plants. The 

 farmer, who calls them weeds, 

 has been fio^htino^ them for a 

 lifetime; but, although he is 

 able to keep them from mak- 

 ing serious encroachments upon his crops, the thistle will always be 

 with him. It is abundantly able to take care of itself. Were it not 

 for the sharp needles on the leaf, a red cow might have swallowed 

 them lono^ as^o. 



" See those dark clouds forming in the west — wool sacks they 

 are called. Hark ! Did I hear thunder? If a red cow fears being 

 struck by lightning, she had better hasten to the bars at the end of 

 the pasture and call to be put into the barn. I hope we shall have 

 a shower. If even some crumbs from it should fall this way, it 

 would be a comfort to me." 



459 



40. — The maple tree. 



