36 PEPACTON 



erally up or down a hill, it is the easiest of all paths 

 to travel: we forget our fatigue when going to the 

 spring, and we have lost it when we turn to come 

 away. See with what alacrity the laborer hastens 

 along it, all sweaty from the fields; see the boy or 

 girl running with pitcher or pail; see the welcome 

 shade of the spreading tree that presides over its 

 marvelous birth! 



In the woods or on the mountain-side, follow the 

 path and you are pretty sure to find a spring; all 

 creatures are going that way night and day, and 

 they make a path. 



A spring is always a vital point in the landscape; 

 it is indeed the eye of the fields, and how often, 

 too, it has a noble eyebrow in the shape of an over- 

 hanging bank or ledge ! Or else its site is marked 

 by some tree which the pioneer has wisely left 

 standing, and which sheds a coolness and freshness 

 that make the water more sweet. In the shade of 

 this tree the harvesters sit and eat their lunch, and 

 look out upon the quivering air of the fields. Here 

 the Sunday saunterer stops and lounges with his 

 book, and bathes his hands and face in the cool 

 fountain. Hither the strawberry-girl comes with 

 her basket and pauses a moment in the green shade. 

 The plowman leaves his plow, and in long strides 

 approaches the life-renewing spot, while his team, 

 that cannot follow, look wistfully after him. Here 

 the cattle love to pass the heat of the day, and 

 hither come the birds to wash themselves and make 

 their toilets. 



