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THE TRAILING ARBUTUS.
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in near neighborhood under the faded covering. Perhaps half these sweet flowers lie closely shrouded in this way under the fallen foliage of the forest. After coming at length to the right ground, this afternoon, we were very successful; they are in full season, and never were finer—large and very fragrant. Several bunches of those we gathered, were growing so prettily, that it seemed a pity to pull them; some showing their fragrant heads among rich mosses, while others were hooded in large withered leaves of the oak, chestnut, and maple. The sun had dropped low while we were busy at our pleasant task, but we lingered a moment to look down upon the village as it lay in the valley below, the picture of cheerful quiet, and upon the lake, with sweet evening tints playing over the water; and then descending the hill at a quick pace, we succeeded in reaching the village before the sun had quite set.

Not a single squirrel-cup was seen on our path to-day, yet they abound in many places.

Wednesday, 26th.—The young plants in the gardens are beginning to show in those beds which were made early; peas, beets, &c., &c. The good people of the village are many of them busy now with their gardens, and pleasant, cheerful work it is. From the time of Adam down, it has always looked well to see man, or woman either, working in a garden. In a village, one sees the task going on regularly in all the little neighborhood, at the same moment. We thought of poor —— ——, who told his worthy mother he should like to live to see them make garden once more in the village—poor fellow, he has been in his grave these five weeks.

Thursday, 21th.—Long, pleasant walk. A humming-bird flew past us, the first we had seen.