OUR COUNTRY HOME 



siasm grew as our work progressed, and after the window-boxes 

 were finished we looked about for more worlds to conquer! On 

 the long broken flight of shallow steps at the entrance were four 

 smaller boxes whose swaying fronds of fern had gone the way of 

 all grass. Why should not these be filled too ? No sooner said 

 than done! Off again into the surrounding woods we hastened, 

 returning with more armfuls of loveliness. Each box when com- 

 pleted looked more beautiful than the last, and we surveyed our 

 work with keen satisfaction. 



Later on the rain froze in wonderful pearls up and down the 

 tall stems and on the edge of the brown leaves and seed pods, the 

 sun shone in millions of spectra and the light danced in rainbow 

 colors over the walls of the living-room. One morning in January 

 we awoke to a marvellous spectacle. A fine, soft, wet snow had 

 fallen in the night, and every separate spray in our window-boxes 

 was clothed in its own delicate mantle of purity. 



To a true Nature-lover the month of November has lost its 

 bleak and desolate reputation to become the unfolder of mysteries. 

 The variety of tree-forms is incredible to an ignorant city-bred 

 person, while the contours of the land are a constant surprise the 

 steep hillsides and deep valleys, undisguised by underbrush or 

 snowy mantle: the face of the country has assumed a new aspect. 



Does any one know the real beauty of the sunshine until he has 

 seen it burst through the heavy dark clouds of a November sky, 



illuminating the fields of pale corn stubble, the soft rosy cream of 



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