THE ALERT EYE. 21 



and has souorht rather to understate than overstate 

 where there was room for doubt. If at any time 

 he has ventured to advance a theory, he has 

 guarded against thrusting it forward as an estab- 

 lished fact. 



One word more. On a bright day of early 

 spring I was walking along a country road with a 

 number of friends, among them a somewhat crusty 

 and gruff-spoken old farmer. There were bobolink 

 concerts in the clover fields to right and left. 

 These delightful vocalists would dart up from the 

 grass, burst into an ecstasy of song that made the 

 air quiver, circle about in graceful flight, and then 

 airily descend, sending back a parting shaft of 

 melody after they had sunk into the sea of fragrant 

 clover. How could a Hrd lover repress his excite- 

 ment ! I called attention to the bird songs, asking 

 the company to pause a moment and listen. 



" Have you ever heard richer melody ? " I in- 

 quired. 



" Well, what's the use of it, anyhow ? " broke 

 out the farmer, who, it seems, was a thorough- 

 going utilitarian. 



This was too much. I turned upon him and 

 delivered him a homily on the spot. If he soon 

 foro-ets it, it will be no fault of mine. Why has 



