108 CHRONICLES OF A CLAY FARM. 



Havino- delivered himself of this reflection with 



o 



that deliberate and abstracted utterance betokening 

 more thought than syllables, he gradually fell into a 

 posture the head upon the hand and the elbow on 

 the chair-arm which indicates that state of mind- 

 deriving its name from the cloven-footed race who 

 patiently swallow things twice over, dining at one 

 hour and chewing at another, yclept Ruminating. 



' And so, my poor old Farm, I must now bid you 

 farewell. I who have taken your part through good 

 and ill report, know the course of every drain and 

 could find blindfold every weeping outflow that has 

 wrought so fair a change in your once untoward 

 look, and ill name : earth's tears of penitence and 

 Promise ! I who have taught you by anxious toil 

 through many a long dull day that serene and smil- 

 ing look you wear this lovely morning, which even 

 in your plain face betokens something good at heart. 

 Well ! may he who wins deserve, as many a sad 

 heart has said, after all its watchful care, in cases 

 not altogether dissimilar. Now let us see something 

 of the suitors ! ' 



This last remark seemed to have reference to the 

 heap of letters * marked 1 to 14,' but before the 



