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hang in reach. How lithe and sleek they 

 stand ! wise-looking creatures and meek 

 something humorous withal in the wag of 

 their solemn ears. Evidently corn-gathering 

 is an occasion. Manes are roached, tails 

 banged to a hair even the ears trimmed 

 inside till you see the play of vein and 

 muscle lying just under the clipped, silky 

 skin. They will have no more careful toilet 

 upon Christinas Eve, when all the plantation 

 folk, small and great, will ride behind them 

 to town to make ready for the day. 



How brave the west wind blows ! Speech 

 is drowned over-voiced in the rustle of 

 dry blade and tassel. The load grows as 

 by magic. Twice Jim has tramped it firm 

 in the corners. Yet still it. lies at middle 

 high above the wagon-sides. And the field's 

 round is not once made. At this rate there 

 will be corn and to spare a wide abun- 

 dance presaging plenty, profit, for all who 

 live by the land. To them corn is basilar. 

 It means not merely bread, but meat and 

 milk, and sleek, strong teams ; strength in 

 winter; speed for the plough. A bursting 

 crib is the husbandman's best backer one 

 by whose grace he may look fortune square 

 in the eye, and blench not, if perchance for 

 the minute she frown. 



