AUGUST MOODS AND CONTRASTS 



is nothing to tell of adventure by the way. We 

 were successful in our quest, and returned when 

 the valleys were purpling and the golden lights 

 lingering on the hill-tops only. The other for- 

 agers had arrived in advance of us I must con- 

 fess that we loitered by the way and the royal 

 feast awaited us. With appetites whetted to the 

 keenest edge we sat down to the savory viands, 

 and I venture to say that never was imperial ban- 

 quet the equal of this mountain repast of our own 

 serving and providing. 



Next came the blissful, dreamy hour in the fire- 

 light glow, and the happy day was ended. 



And now for the link between this August 

 memory and the little scattering of pebbles at the 

 foot of the hemlock yonder. Under those stones 

 of remembrance the beloved little spaniel sleeps, 

 having lived out the measure of her happy life. 

 You know now why a crow flying above the 

 little grave brought the friendly Corny to my 

 thoughts. 



Poor Corny! Fate was less kind to him than 

 to the little dog. One morning, when a party of 

 so-called sportsmen arrived at our settlement, 

 the poor fellow took his last journey. He was on 

 his usual larder-visiting tour, and he turned out 



[23] 



