this season, if for no other reason than this. Vivid 

 streaks of tansy stretch in narrow lines for rods to- 

 gether. Where the road skirts a pond, the eye is 

 refreshed by the pickerel-weed, resting like aureoles 

 above the surface of the water. In the fields 

 beyond is the celestial blue of the chicory — so 

 common a weed, so divine a hue; while every- 

 where a fringe of wild carrot trails in the dust, 

 the lace border of that gorgeous mantle. Such 

 laces and jewels nature provides if you are but 

 rich enough in thought to possess them. 



In the pastures mullein and thistle grow side 

 by side, two pronounced personalities, as differ- 

 ent as it is possible to be, yet nourished by the same 

 soil and under the same conditions. The mullein 

 seems to invite you to take hold of its leaves, 

 while the thistle as plainly says. Hands off! They 

 suggest similar types of people, one bristling and 

 repellent, the other suave and genial. These great 

 flannel leaves of the mullein are caressing and soft 

 to the touch. Contad: with them is agreeable, 

 well nigh soothing. If, perchance, your feelings 

 have been ruffled by a bellicose thistle, address 

 yourself to the tender young leaves of the mullein 

 and you shall feel their soothing effed:. 



74 



