118 



THE YOU>"G FLORIST. 



breath of air was stirring : the birds lately so 

 noisy were silent in the shade : and all was still, 

 save the chirping of the grasshopper and crick- 

 et, or the singing of the locust, and the occa- 

 sional ominous note of the tree toad on the tree 

 above. Xo clouds intercepted the powerful 

 noon-day sun ; only a few white fleecy ones 

 were seen slowly moving in the far distant 

 west. 



As they lay reposing after dinner on their 

 outer garments, a low distant sound of thun- 

 der was heard. The farmer was immediately 

 on his feet, and, looking anxiously to the west, 

 directed their attention to a white cloud at a 

 great distance, towering like a mighty moun- 

 tain, with its summit clothed with eternal 

 snow ; another distant peal brought all his 

 workmen upon their feet, and without any 

 urging they were quickly and nimbly at work, 

 and soon the hay that was readv for the barn 



