Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-11-11

ghostly in its veil Of silvery mist, that, ss
Tom Cross leisurely padded his light bi rch
across its sleeping face, was gradually lifted
as il in graceful acknowledgment Of this
early visit on the part Of its old friend,
whose troubled brow gradually cleare as
point after point, long familiar to his eyes,
came into view, and from the thicket the
birds, thrifty little householders, beg an to
bestir themselves and send forth a social
greeting to their friends and neighbo rs-a
greeting so familiar to the young boa tman
that he broke into q cherry, answ ering
whistle, laughing aloud as his tiny friends,
evidently entering into the Joke Of the
thing" replied with a burst OF so ng that
filed the fresh. sweet morning air with
melody, and fell upon his ear with that
familiar, fond significance that only those
who are perfectly en- rapport with Nature
IN her most gracious moods can really
understand and enjoy.
AHA, Monsieur sly pate :" he cried, as a
sleek, shining head. with two black beady
eyes appeared above the water, evidently
swimming for the canoe. AFTER your break
fast, eh?" and taking a cracker from his
pocket he scattered il in crumbs in the bot
tom Of the birch, and resting his paddle,
"@itNe 81" Pssfttt INC appEoALn Oh
his curious guest, who was none other than
large musk-rat, who approached as fear
lessly as If the light craft had been his own
private castle upon the opposite bank, and,
climbing over the side began leisurely to
pick up the crumbs that Tom had scattered
FOR him.
1t was curious to see with what an air of
friendly good-feIlowship the stout back
woodsman and the defenceless little animal
regarded each other.
Slyly trustful. the small creature made no
objection TO the gentle stroking Of his COM
panion's hand; indeed, he even fingered
moment after breakfast. as If to show his
entire confidence in the Others good will.
and when he at last disappeared over the
side Of the boat with a regre,ful 'ker-
bunk" Tom promptly replied with grave
good morning" as if in answer TO a part
ing salutation intended for his ear alone.
As the morning frightened, and the sweet
mountain breeze. fragrant with the breath
Of pine and fern swept down to meet him,
touching his barred forehead with a caressiug
tenderness soft as a mothers kiss. or play
fully ruiiing his dark curls yet damp with
the early mists, the better. the real nature
Of the man expanded and frightened as in
recognition of their kindred 10 him who,
shut out from the love Of human kindred,
found his heart filed TO overfowing with an
eAultant tenderness that words are power
less TO describe. He. man,-"A little lower
than the angels, with dominion over the
beasts OF the field. the birds of the air, and
the fishes of the sea"-ruler, king and
brother
Every nerve in his body responded to
that blessed influence, and he was no poet,
no philosopher, this rude, untutored woods
man; but there in the silent forest, with
only the tall, solemn pines towering above
his head. and the mossy sod. set thick wit
dewy harbells at his feet, he knet and laid
his dark cheek tenderly, reverently, upon
the lap OF his real mother. while the rustling
pines seemed to whisper a tender benedic-
lion upon the head that Nature har.@lf had
honored with the crown of sonship
That afternoon the strange pair that had
been seven days wonder at kneo LEFT,
silent and mysterious IS the last. and life
at the lake flowed on as placidly as before
while nobody dreamed that in the favorite
guide whose boat and services we're in even
greater demand than ever before, they saw
one who had refused princely fortune
among men that he might reign loved and
loving Adam in his own unclaimed forest
realm. where, in grandeur unmarried by
pride, Nature joyfully poured her richest
treasures into the lap of him who owned
and felt her great universal motherhood -
I Potter's american Monthly.