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20 



^be fragrant IRote »ooft 



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7 



soul-trying winter on the lonely and inhospitable shores of a 

 new world. Picture then the surprise and joy of the first 

 member of that worn little band to find the tiny and daring 

 blossoms and we well may know that ever after they looked 

 longingly and lovingly for them spring by spring, nor 

 looked any man far in vain. ^\ 



\\i /' 



"And all about the softeiiing air vn*^^ 



Of newborn sweetness tells 

 And the ungathered May-flowers wear 

 The tints of ocean shells." 



But even in so favoured a spot as our wild wood one 

 cannot count too much on finding the shy arbutus, always 

 seeking the protection of the sombre pines, — that fast dis- 

 appearing type of a sombre people long supplanted. Having 

 served to hearten the weary Pilgrims on their barren way, 

 arbutus would now be nearly as hard to find in many of its 

 former haunts as a genuine Piuitan father in sugar-loaf hat, 

 long be-tailed coat, solemn hosen and square-toed rustic 

 shoes. Cheer up however, for if May-flowers do not always 

 come where we would wish them, we shall have many another 

 favourite to woo us into contentment. And so we have 

 wandered through the underbrush and bramble, Over fallen 

 logs and crazy bridges, past bog and marsh and under the 

 green gothic arches builded by no man's hand but such as 

 must awe every man with a soul, until at last we have 

 happened upon a sunny nook protected from every wind that 



/)'. 



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