Music of the Wild 



cool ^ylth scarce melted snows, 2Jiiiigent with cat- 

 kin jioUen, tinged with tlie vague, suhtle perfume 

 from unslieatliing leaves, and the l)loom of forest 

 trees, and ans^ver to tlie call of nature. They 

 hasten to the woods as cattle dry-fed for months 

 race through pasture ^\■l)en first released, too crazed 

 with joy to ])egiu grazing at once. If the truth 

 were told, I think tliis love of children for the 

 spring flowers is almost as much cra\'ing for the 

 intoxication of spring air and release from win- 

 ter's bondage as it is appreciation of the blooms. 



^Vhat a shout the child sends uj) who flnds the 

 first flower! The one who secures a dogtooth vio- 

 let is envied as men covet each other's gold. What 

 matters it that the liot, close-grasping little hands 

 will wither the delicate frost blooms hopelessly be- 

 fore they can be presented so lovingly to mother 

 and teacher? The children have had the joy of 

 their outing, the fulfillment of their search, the 

 pleasure of giving the precious gift; and where 

 the earth lies blanketed with flowers until one must 

 look closely to see that it is not yet snow-covered. 

 M'hat they take never will he missed, and the com- 

 ing spring will bring as profuse lilooni as the past. 



Tater in the season, when the cardinal flower, 

 foxfire, cowslip, liellflower. l)luebell, and daisy 

 bloom — floA^ers that are of rarer occurrence and 

 that would be exterminated by such vigorous at- 

 tacks — the children have become accustomed to 



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