AUGUST MOODS AND CONTRASTS 



tain a generous supply of luscious cream for 

 which this particular dairy was, and is still, fa- 

 mous. 



How refreshing is even the thought of that 

 walk! Down below at the mountain's base the 

 beautiful lake rippled and danced, and now and 

 then from some occupant of a boat speeding over 

 the sparkling waters a greeting was wafted to us 

 travellers on the highway. But apart from this 

 we saw no one, and only at certain outlook points 

 did we catch glimpses of distant dwellings. Yet 

 for all this we were not lonely, nor were we alone 

 indeed; for friendly wayside trees caressed us as 

 we passed, golden-rods and asters greeted us fa- 

 miliarly, delicate ferns looked out approvingly 

 from their cool, moist haunts, strands of the beau- 

 tiful prince's pine crept to the forest's edge and 

 welcomed us right royally, while from scarlet pig- 

 eon-berries and other little floral folk of the wood 

 came friendly glances and salutes; and suddenly, 

 with a loud, urgent cawing, an imperious " wait 

 for me," a glossy crow came sailing over the tree- 

 tops and alighted on the little boy's hat. 



Everyone at the settlement knew and loved 

 Corny, as this sable intimate was named. 

 Through an accident in his babyhood he came into 



[21] 



