FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 257 



I noticed a curious effect, such as might 

 easily have given rise to a wholly false im 

 pression. The rain had not been falling 

 more than five minutes, when behold the 

 brown and newly seeded field was sprinkled 

 over with spires of green grass from two to 

 four inches in height. It seemed like the 

 marvellous tricks of the Oriental conjurors, 

 -.vho are said to plant a seed, develop a tree, 

 and produce the fruit while you wait. 



Now I have no doubt that this grass had 

 sprung up from the overturned sod, and 

 that it was all standing in the field ere the 

 rain began, but coated over with a fine 

 powder of dust, which the falling drops 

 washed away, leaving the field, though 

 sparsely, in verdure clad. Thus often the 

 senses deceive us, and false testimony may 

 unwittingly be given by the best-inten- 

 tioned. 



It is pleasant to see the blue once more, 

 pleasant to catch a glimpse of the distant 

 hills, even if here and there we observe that 

 the finger of autumn has already touched 

 the trees and left a blush of crimson or a 

 golden glow upon them ; pleasant also is it 

 this evening to see the friendly moon and 

 stars once more lending their light to cheer 

 the night hours. 

 s 



