188 IN THE MIDDLE COUNTRY. 



their mother addressed them in a similar tone 

 to their own, but the father resigned himself to 

 the inevitable, and fed with dogged persever- 

 ance. 



The apple-tree nest looked in the morning 

 sun of a bright flax color, and two of the young 

 were mounted on the edge, dressing their yellow 

 satin breasts, and gleaming in the sunshine like 

 gold. 



A Baltimore oriole, passing over, seemed to be 

 attracted by a familiar quality of sound, for he 

 came down, alighted about a foot from the nest, 

 and looked with interest upon the charming 

 family scene. The protector of the pretty brood 

 was near, but he kept his seat, and made no 

 objections to the friendly call. Indeed, he flew 

 away while the guest was still there, and having 

 satisfied his curiosity, the Baltimore also de- 

 parted upon his own business. 



When the sun appeared over the tree-tops, 

 he came armed with all his terrors. The breeze 

 dwindled and died ; the very leaves hung life- 

 less on the trees, and though, knowing that 



" Somewhere the wind is blowing, 



Though here where I gasp and sigh 

 Not a breath of air is stirring, 

 Not a cloud in the burning sky," 



the memory might comfort me, it did not in 

 the slightest degree make me comfortable I 



