FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. K 



XXXVII. 



LAST night the heavens came down in 

 grateful showers. They were not all that 

 we desired, but they were more than we 

 had had before in many weeks, and we rec 

 ognize the bounty. And so I am sure do 

 tree and vine and herb, if there is any vir 

 tue in the expressions with which they have 

 greeted the morning. The wilted leaves 

 have become again firm and green, the 

 branches and twigs graceful and elastic, 

 the blossoms bright and clear. 



Upon the unwritten domestic calendar 

 the memorandum appears, &quot;About this 

 time look out for young chickens,&quot; and 

 therefore my first visit on my return was 

 to the poultry-yard. And I hope that I 

 was duly thankful when I found one little 

 elliptical fluffy duffer as the net result of 

 two good &quot;clutches&quot; of eggs. And I hope 

 that he or she or &quot;he-sh,&quot; should I say ? 

 feels in a proper degree the responsibility 

 thrown upon &quot;himr &quot; as the sole represen 

 tative of so many promising beginnings, 

 o 



