4 TRAMPS WITH AN ENTHUSIAST. 



of the cottage farthest from the life that went 

 on in it, from the kitchen and dairy, from the 

 sight of barns and henhouses. It was, conse- 

 quently, as solitary as it could be, and yet retain 

 a slight hold upon humanity. It was connected 

 with the family and farm life by two doors, 

 which I could shut at will, and be alone with 

 nature, and especially with the beloved birds. 



From my window I looked upon a wide view 

 over the road and the green fields, and across 

 the river to a lovely range of the Green Moun- 

 tains, with one of the highest j^eaks in the State 

 as a crown. Close at hand was a bank, the 

 beginning of a mountain spur. It was covered 

 from the road up with clumps of fresh green 

 ferns and a few young trees, — a maple or two, 

 half a dozen graceful young hemlocks, and 

 others. 



The top of the bank, about as high as my 

 window, was thick with daisy buds, which I had 

 caught that day beginning to open their eyes, 

 sleepily, one lash at a time ; and on looking 

 closely I saw ranks of them still asleep, each 

 yellow eye carefully covered with its snow-white 

 fringes. When the blossoms were fully opened, 

 a few days later, my point of view — on a level 

 — made even 



" The daisy's frill a wondrous newness wear ; " 



for I saw only the edges of the flower faces 



