The Black Swans 



why the shovel I do not know. Per- 

 haps some one uses it. I never do. 

 The ash-dump relegates the shovel, 

 I should say, to the limbo of the dino- 

 saurian. Anyhow, I don't want the 

 ashes all removed. 



Each newly lighted fire should be 

 builded always on the memories of the 

 last. 



And now about the swans, our two 

 black swans, that long have made 

 their home, and have contributed in 

 no small degree to the making of the 

 home, at Dumbiedykes. We have 

 never had detailed information as to 

 their remote origin; nor can I say that 

 we have had any special curiosity 

 upon that score. Notwithstanding 

 their unusual character, it has sufficed 

 to know that they came to us with the 

 first building of the fire upon our 

 hearth and still remain to minister 

 unceasingly and most effectually to 

 our peace of mind and bodily comfort; 

 and the darker the day or the colder 

 [8] 



