OUT-OF-TOWN PLACES 



And Patrick grubs away with a great deal 

 of misdirected energy— slicing off, in the heat 

 of his endeavor two or three of Mrs. Lack- 

 land's choicest rocket larkspurs; whereupon 

 that lady comes down upon him with some 

 zeal. 



"Larkspur! and that 's a larkspur, is it, 

 m'am (scratching his head reflectingly) ? and, 

 begorra, I niver once thought 't was a lark- 

 spur. Pity, pity ; and so it was, indade, a lark- 

 spur? Well, well, but it 's lucky it wa'n't a 

 rose-bush, m'am," 



And yet the good-natured blunder-head in 

 the shape of a gardener is far more endurable, 

 to one thoroughly interested in country life, 

 than the surly fellow who, if he gives you 

 early vegetables, resents a suggestion, and who 

 will take a pride in making any particular 

 scheme of the proprietor miscarry by a studied 

 neglect of its details. 



Upon the whole, I should lay down as 

 sound advice for any one who, like Lackland, 

 is beginning to establish for himself a home in 

 the country that shall be completely enjoyable, 

 the following rules with respect to the pursuit 

 and employment of a gardener : 



First, if your notion of country enjoyment 

 is limited by thought of a good place where 



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