60 THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FARM. 



vision that two thoughts cannot simultaneously occupy 

 the same box : the one always kicks the other out. So 

 if you ever get sorrowful, just bethink youi-self that 

 there are lots worse off than you at that minute, 

 and that there are thousands may-be who would be 

 glad to step into your shoes, with all their pinching 

 points. 



Didn't an industrious farmer near this, the other day, 

 lose two out of a valuable team by drowning ? He had 

 sent them to w^ork some land on the oppo'site side of 

 the swollen stream ; and at dinner-time, being left to 

 themselves, the whole lot unhappily attempted to stem 

 the stream, with their harness on, being attracted by 

 the sight of their stable on the other bank ? And 

 didn't a neighbour of his, last week, lose a horse, 

 harness, cart and all, overbalanced into the same wild 

 river 'i 



And has not the terrific plague been, as yet, kept 

 fenced a dozen miles away from our homesteads ? And 

 are not the ewes producing fine lambs, and, many, 

 couples, on abundant keep, and, as yet, without loss of 

 parent or offspring ? And haven't we found a beautiful 

 bright spring just a foot below the surface, where we 

 had not suspected its existence, and which only requires 

 a pipe laid down to lead it to a point of great service 

 in the steaming-house ? And haven't I got a chatter- 

 box along-side, who would never allow one to be dull, 

 if one wished ? At this moment he has the paws of 

 the skye-terrier upon his knees, looking so repentant 

 with her melancholy eyes, while he inquires as to a 

 visit made here this morning by a son of hers, which 

 we had given to a neighbour. 



" Now, didn't her invite Photo to come here to-day ? 



