26 WILD FLOWilKS OF COLORADO. 



Scarcely a week [)asse(l without ni}' spending a day with 

 these dehghtful people. They became my companions on many 

 a prospecting tour. The remembrance of days s[)ent in their 

 society will always remain a bright spot in life's history. 



The saddest one was the day before they were to leave their 

 mountain home. I had started early, having been invited to break- 

 fast with them. The table was to be laid out under the trees, 

 and Rover, who had been informed of my coming, met me far 

 down the canyon and proudly escorted mc to the ladies. 



What a dainty breakfast it was ; but knowing it was the last 

 in this pretty home, it was a sad one. Each one of us smiled 

 and pretended to feel very happy. It was a relief to all when it 

 was over and wc were at work packing u\) the treasures that 

 were to adorn their Vermont home. 



" Now come to the garden," said my young friend, " and 

 help me place in this box my little comi)anions ;" and tenderly 

 removing the asters from the soft earth she placed them in the 

 damp sand to be transplanted to their P^astern home. 



Turning to me she said : "Oh, how I lox^e them. They will 

 be a constant reminder of you and the hapi)y hours spent among 

 these mountains." Since that time they have become my favorite 

 flowers, and when I see them I can see the beautiful tearful eyes 

 saying " Farewell, farewell." 



Our stay at Colorado Sj^rings was a short one. Dick had 

 made calls on all of the old hunters within a mile of the town, the 

 result of which was most discouraging as to game. Not ex'cn a 



