238 EARLY MORNING STUDIES 



The way through which I reached the scene 

 of this interesting window-study was far from 

 charming. There were miles and miles of 

 stumps ; whole townships of dead trees, some 

 barked and ghastly white in the sunshine, 

 some blackened by fire, and acres of them 

 lying in piled-up confusion, as the burning of 

 their roots had made them fall. Everywhere 

 was smoke and smouldering fire ; everywhere 

 among the stumps were glaring piles of raw 

 new lumber into which the vanished trees 

 had been transformed ; everywhere were car- 

 loads of logs, saw-mills, and little new-board 

 towns, looking as if put up overnight. It 

 was pitiful. 



Beyond the smoke and depression of these 

 scenes I found a quiet nook near the shore 

 of the lake, and a room with windows looking 

 into a retired yard with trees and shrubs. 



The first morning in the new quarters 

 I was awakened by the cheerful song of the 

 wren, and greeted my charming neighbor 

 with enthusiasm, for no bird shows more 

 character and individuality than the dull-clad 

 midget we call a wren. He may always be 

 depended upon for originality, for unexpect- 



