214: IN THE DAYS OF AUDUBON 



Dogs are there, but the elk and the fawns do not seem 

 to fear them. 



One of the dogs comes to meet us in a friendly way; 

 and, strangely enough, the fawns follow him, as out of 

 curiosity. 



Majestic oaks are here, and elms, and a musical wood- 

 pecker is drumming with the singing of robins and orioles 

 and larks. Why should not he drum when the orchestra 

 in the trees needs this harmonious tree drum for nature's 

 true poetry? 



Nature is lovely here, for everything is in harmony. 

 Here the bees hum, yonder sings the river. 



A servant stands in an open door. 



" Is Mr. Audubon in? " we ask. 



" He is in his rooms with his plates. Would you like 

 to see him? " 



The tone of the voice reveals a man, and there was 

 something in the servant's voice that caught the spirit of 

 the place. The great trees, the singing birds, the animals 

 in the grounds, and the serving-man all seemed to have the 

 spirit of Audubon. There was harmony in all. 



We enter. The naturalist hears our feet, and comes 

 to meet us. He is thin, with an heroic head. He extends 

 his hand. 



" We have come from the city to call on you out of 

 respect for all that you have done for our country," says 

 our speaker. 



