2O Clear Skies and Cloudy. 



up the joys of a winter camp-fire ? I do not 

 mean a blazing roar of consuming logs and a 

 crowd about it, from such defend me, but in 

 some sheltered nook to kindle a few gathered 

 twigs, and, absorbing all the heat, come in 

 closest contact with Nature in the days of frosti- 

 ness. 



I could see through the thick ice that the 

 brook was flowing still, and if it could wait in 

 patience for the coming of spring why not I ? 

 To-day it looked through icy windows and was 

 content, while I was free. The leaping flames 

 crackled merrily and the sand beneath them 

 began to flow. I had made the spot a little 

 tropic for the time, and how quickly word was 

 passed and my neighbors came to see ! There 

 was the hum of a town's activity down every 

 twiggy avenue, and the airy lines of travel, long 

 deserted, were alive again, as the snow-birds 

 and tree-sparrows came trooping hither, and all 

 because a weary pedestrian had built a little 

 fire and was resting himself. It is well that 

 birds do not carry thermometers or study the 

 paths of storms, and, man-like, anticipate all 

 possible discomforts. The mercury sank to 



