ig FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 



brief time the whole sky was shrouded ; 

 we took our places on the front porch to 

 inhale the freshening breeze and watch the 

 oncoming of the anticipated torrents, some 

 what awed, as most are, by the outburst 

 of heaven s artillery ; but not one solitary 

 moistening drop did the storm vouchsafe 

 us. The clouds gradually thinned and parted 

 in the west ; with the coming night the stars 

 again looked out upon the lower world, and 

 the torrid earth radiated its burning heat 

 into the night air. 



This morning the sun again stares down 

 upon the parched fields, and the mercury 

 again climbs slowly and steadily toward 

 the centennial mark. While walking along 

 the dusty road, and crossing the open fields, 

 the heat seemed almost to burn into the 

 brain and cause it to sizzle. The long sharp 

 rattle of the common locust marks the day 

 with its characteristic note. Hut here, sit 

 ting upon the bank at the border and in the 

 shade of my wood which masks the low 

 cliff, a pleasant breeze soothes my bare 

 brow and revives the spirit of life within 

 me. 



I wonder whether I can picture the scene ? 

 Behind me the wind awakens a soothing 

 murmur among the trees, through which 



