PREPARING FOR WINTER QUARTERS. 231 



that will develop into other leaves, as large, 

 green, and beautiful as were ever those now 

 dropping away. Why should they not fall ? 

 Their work is done. They have reached their 

 perfection. So far from assuming the sombre 

 leaden hue of death before they change into 

 other forms, they blush with joy, they crown 

 themselves with gold, as if exulting over fin- 

 ished achievement. They are invested in the 

 royal purple of victors, rather than the sad- 

 colored hues of the vanquished. 



But how about these frosted flowers that are 

 in such sad contrast with their appearance a 

 week ago ? Even here death is more seeming 

 than real. The frost did not fall till innu- 

 merable seeds were ripened, and this plant 

 that looks so forlorn and dying, has a sturdy 

 root, that, like a true, but unobtrusive friend, 

 will see it through the " tight times " of frozen 

 ground and icy nights. 



