A JUNE DAY CHAT 



Later than that country people would hardly be 

 abroad. 



" You would never shut us out from your 

 cheery home-lights," said a farmer neighbor on 

 his way to a remote field across the lake, " did 

 you but know what beacons they may be to poor, 

 belated, storm-tossed fellows rowing home in the 

 darkness. And even on fine evenings it does 

 us good to see their pleasant gleam. Indeed, it 

 seems to me that the sight of a home-light can 

 never come amiss." 



From that time until, at the approach of win- 

 ter, we closed the old house and turned our faces 

 cityward, our evening lights were allowed to 

 stream out through the broad windows for the 

 benefit of anyone to whom they might serve as 

 guides or carry a heartening message. 



A beautiful ceremony is taking place over yon- 

 der in the little open place visible between the 

 tree-trunks. The bumble-bee is performing the 

 marriage-rites of the red clover blossoms. With- 

 out his humble ministrations the plant would 

 never come to fruition. A most conclusive proof 

 of this fact is cited by Mr. Hamilton Gibson in 

 " My Studio Neighbors." Many years ago the 

 grangers of Australia determined to introduce 



