Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-11-27

shortens its nights. II makes no rude as
sault. There is no charge and shock of
battle. Light and heat move gently through
the air and diffuse their invisible cohorts
that wage battle without blows or voices.
Every week birds appear further North.
Shows disappear. Flowers creep out, buds
swell and trees peep forth with small leaves,
frogs pipe and grass grows. Step by step, the
Equatorial forces crowd back the white le-
gions of the North, that retreat beyond the
lakes, the forests and rivers, till they fold
their banners and camp down around the
crystal battlements of the Pole, which none
ever storm, not even the summer in its
greatest power.
After while summer grows old and in
dulgent Who and what shall dispose of it
Everything loves IL and longs for its stay.
Only in the heavens are there signs of weak
ness. The armies of the sun have work on
hand far to the south. The light and heat
are moved thither and diminish the power
of the northern heavens. By-and- by
spies come stealing down from the north to
search out the condition of the land. In
that dull and chilly day of which we spake
at the beginning one sees little feathery
specks drifting in the air. If we touch
them they disappear. If they fall to the
ground they change to liquid drops. They
are northern spies. They come from the
armies of frost and snow. They are the
skirmish line of that great advance which
shall soon overrun the land Let the birds
take notice and be off The worm has crept
into winter quarters, insects have hidden,
seeds have fallen; therA will not be NOR
sci for the birds ere long and they had bet
ter gol Yes, "the birds must 60" The
squirrels, too, should take warning. Do
they know that the marmot is already rolled
in his hole fast asleep, for three months
nap? Let squirrels, red, grey and black,
examine their stores. If the supply is scant
these nimble little quartermasters had bet
ter hasten. A few more hazelnuts may be
CLEANED. Under the leaves may yet be
found chestnuts. Walnuts have not been
all gathered by the boys. But no time
should be lost. Out early and often, forag.
ing far and wide Let your pouchy cheeks
stand out with fatness Birds ? Yes, a few
sparrows are cleaning yet.
Robins too, and nuthatches, and blue
Jays, and crows-well, these are brave fel
lows that have determined to winter in the
North. Many of them will starve to death
or feed weasels or cats many will freeze
when that cold plunge, following soaking
rain, shall come But you have my besl
wishes, and my advice. Get away from
windy hills, seek out sheltered valleys where
the sun is warmest, abounding in evergreens
| and thickets, within which the wind seldom
comes But to all birds, beasts and insect.
| give warning that the campaign is begun
the snow-hosts are on the way the bands Of
the wind sound from afar-pibroch bands
harsh and shrill Away, everything thai
can fly or creep or dig
Farewell to the long SUMMER Gracious
it has been, and full of beauty. Farewell
to leaf and flower, to orchard and garden, t.
warm hooks among messy rocks, to stridulou
| fields and murmuring woods. to soft rain,
and glowing rainbows, to birds in the morn
ing and birds at night-orisons and vesper
to metaphysic spiders and dry and empt,