The Commonplace 33 



ideal guide was " Gramp," as James Buckham 

 knew him (" Country Life in America ") : 



"What a man to fish and camp, 

 What a hand to hunt and tramp 

 Up and down the woods, was Gramp ! 



" How he led me, high and low, 



Plunging through the brush and snow! 

 Boy-like, how I loved to go! 



* Oh, the sweet days that we spent 

 In the forest's pure content! 

 Oh, the long, still miles we went! 



" Keen-eyed Gramp ! How well he knew 

 Where the biggest berries grew, 

 Where the witch-like woodcock flew! 



" Learned was he in all the lore 

 Of the wood-wise men of yore 

 Subtle knowledge, taught no more. 



"Ah, a happy boy was I, 

 Loving God's free woods and sky, 

 With dear Gramp to teach me why! " 



The weather. 



That which is first worth knowing is that 

 which is nearest at hand. The nearest at hand, 



