1 2 Preface. 



never loathsome ; it is only the unhealthy 

 human being that is excited to nausea and 

 disgust, as the dictionary puts it, by Nature, 

 whatsoever the form she takes or work she 

 performs. To slur certain phases of natural 

 operations over is simply to be a coward, and 

 no author but should care infinitely more about 

 himself than about his readers. The author is 

 not his brother's keeper to such an extent that 

 he must neglect himself. 



This is a tempting subject, but I forbear. 

 My little day has been spent with few people, 

 and usually with none at all. Possibly I am 

 all wrong, certainly I do not care ; but will 

 remain happy until I can no longer see a sun- 

 set or hear a song-sparrow. 



It may interest the reader to know that the 

 accompanying illustrations were all taken by or 

 for the author, and are points of view at his 

 own home, or just over the boundary, on the 

 lands of his neighbors. 



C. C. A. 



THREE BEECHES, June 2, 1898. 



