a row of gnarled apple trees. They into golden and pale green; and the dis- 



showed little promise of spring; but I tant hill was wrapped in a mist of blue, 



knew the beauty which lay mysteriously The oriole's pathetic notes floated over 



hidden in those rugged branches only the meadow, and the rain drops sang to 



awaited the sun's ardent wooing to the dogtooth violet buds, shrouded in 



burst forth a cloud of pink and dewy their mottled waterproof cloaks, while 



loveliness. For, thus far, Old Sol had the dainty spring-beauties were sighing 



proved but a cool and indifferent lover, to think their debut should happen on a 



The buds of the larches and elms were rainy day. 



beginning to timidly venture forth, for a As the day drew on to evening, a 



peep at the world; but the white birches white misty blanket floated down over 



were evidently distrustful of the fair but the fields and forest. The birds and blos- 



fickle Spring, and still rocked their buds soms slept, and every sound was hushed 



in slumber to the breezes' lullabies. save the music of the rain and the 



Spring had cast a soft filmy veil over brooklet's low evening hymn, 



the woodland, here rosy, there merging Jean M. Hutchinson. 



TO THE WOOD THRUSH. 



The breeze comes in at my window, 

 Filled full of the breath of morn. 



Of hay fields wide on this summer tide 

 Of garden and meadow and corn. 



A Wood Thrush atilt in the maples, 

 Tells his joy in a cheery lay; 



A sweet, low voice of the woodland 

 Greets the coming of full orbed day. 



O, gentle soul of the forest, 

 When hot the noon rays fall. 



You sing of the dim, cool shadows, 

 With their peace and rest for all. 



When even comes and long shadows ■ 

 Fall out of the golden west, 



You sing of the land of our longing, 

 Where good is transformed into best. 



Teach us in the glow of the morning. 

 In the glare of bright noon day, 



In the dim of lengthening shadows. 

 To brighten with music the way. 



-James S. Compton. 



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