258 MY FARM. 



and remark that the Weigelia has not borne thus far ; 

 it is a Chinese shrub, and little understood as yet. 



" Is it possible Chinese ! so far ; it seems to 

 thrive." And it does. 



And you stroll with him upon the hill ; though 

 you cannot but see that his mind is warping back to 

 * laryngal affections,' or ' half-of-one-per-cent. off.' 



A lucky interruption appears, in the shape of a 

 fine Devon cow. You venture to call his attention to 

 her, and ask if she is not a fine animal ? 



" Admirable ! " and with a kind interest, he asks 

 if she isn't a short-horn ? 



" Not a Short-horn," you reply ; and in way of 

 apology for his error, remark that she has broken off 

 one of her horns in the fence. 



At which he says, " Ah, I see now ; but re- 

 sembles the Short-horns, doesn't she ? " 



" Yes " you return, mildly " a little ; her legs 

 are like ; and I think she carries her tail a good deal 

 in the Short-horn way." 



At which he is himself again, and is prepared for 

 a new farm venture. It comes presently, as a fine 

 brood of Bremen geese waddle into sight. 



" Muscovies ? " 



" No, not ducks geese Bremen geese, but re- 

 semble the Muscovies ; " (as unlike as they are to sea 

 fowl ; bxit shall not a host keep his guest in good 

 humor ?) 



