A Northeast Storm. 



raindrops should fall in a very disagree- 

 able manner is not apparent. Their single pur- 

 pose is to reach the ground, we presume, but, 

 as in many another case where the operations 

 of Nature are concerned, do we not presume 

 too much? Whether or not, northeast rain- 

 drops are as different from those of a summer 

 shower as sand from swan's-down. To-day a 

 northeast storm prevails, and to study its peculi- 

 arities is a serious undertaking, as every at- 

 tractive feature of merely falling water has been 

 eliminated. In short, we are brought face to 

 face with tragedy, and I would, influenced 

 wholly by my own taste, that there was less of 

 it in the world, in our lives, and in literature. 

 Especially do I dislike to be brought face to 

 face with death and disaster when I settle down 

 before the cheerful fire on the andirons and 

 open a new book. There is more than suf- 

 162 



