SOCIETY OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS. 247 ] 



And the names of the ruby-cheeked seedlings we knew ; 



To shape and to flavor were fitting and true. r 



E'en the catalogue names it is pleasant to hear ! 



Which glibly the pediller pours into your ear. 



There "s the famous " Fameuse,'^ — she 's Canadian, you know, — -: 



In a bright crimson vest wraps her bosom of snow; "I 



The "Roman Stem" every-day, plain and humdrum, 



And the " Maiden's Blush," tender and juicy ( yum, yum ! ) 



The acid old spinster, the " Belleflower Yellow,''' \ 



Looks down with contempt on that kindly old fellow, • 



The '' Rainbo," and warns him to keep proper distance, ; 



While "Jonathan " laughs at her threats of resistance. 



Eespectable " Baldioin" gets red in the face, i 



But swears by Pomona's whole catalogued race ' 



That naught but sweet cider he smells of or touches. 



But leaves " iSops of Wine " to the " Oldenberg Duchess." 



DUMPLING NO. IH. 



THE TREE AGENT. ■ 



Yes, 'tis music to list to the tree-peddler's lingo, ' 

 And yet, if Beelzebub needs him, by jingo, 



I'll warrant his cheek, and so every man will, " 

 To make old Be — elzy a capital anvil. 

 That tree-agent cheeky, with samples entrancing, 



I dreamt that I saw him on nothing a' dancing; i 



His dear little order-book, nailed to his breast, ' j 



This legend bore: " Peddlers must give us a rest." < 

 In Peter's strange vision there came down a sheetful 



Of queer-looking creatures, a nondescript street-full ; i 



But in mine there was only a peddling defaulter i 



Let down from a tree by a retributive halter. ,! 



j 



DUMPLING NO. lY. ] 



THE ORCHARD. 



The old-fashioned orchard in memory dear. 



Its bloom is the glory of all the round year; ! 



There lover may loiter with innocent lass, ■ 



And no one shall startle with, -'Keep off the Grass ! " ^ 



There the oriole flashes in black and bright gold, 1 



While cat-bird and blue-jay with jealousy scold, < 



And well you may know, by the clubs in its top. 



What tree bears the earliest, toothsomest crop. 



Her tent in the l)ranches the canker-worm pitches, — •! 



A tent-maker skillful who never drops stitches, — < 



Her children uncounted squirm forth from the nest ': 



To gorge on green leafage and never to rest ' 



Till the farmer's old musket invites them to stop, 



Or the woodpecker gobbles them into his crop. '] 



VViien the sun of October paints leafage and apple * 



With russet and crimson and brindle and dapple, I 



And, mixing fresh tints on a calm evening sky, ■< 



Puts a flush on the " Fulton " and stripes on the " Spy," 1 



1 



