206 THE FRIENDSHIP OF NATURE 



of fermentation. The amber fluid as 

 yet feels no pulsing in its veins, and 

 merely cloys the stomach; but give it 

 time and it will turn the drinker's 

 temper and fog his brain quicker than 

 all the wiles of Veuve Cliquot. The 

 sugar-maple drops its leaves with a 

 staccato sound, and the stream and 

 wind and bees intone a part song, the 

 last verse of the orchard melody that 

 they began in May. Drink a health to 

 autumn, a health to all seasons, to all 

 weathers, if we may but keep our 

 hearts young and remember our Earth- 

 mother ! 



A few John o' Dreams days, no signs, 

 no forebodings, then the steel-white 

 sky looks forbidding. Warm noon 

 cools suddenly; no wind, a hush over 

 the lowlands and up creeps a dense, 

 tangible coldness. By the mill house. 



