The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-23
SPRINGS MAGIC
WAND AT WORK
Some Rural Musings by a Lover and
Observer of Nature.
SOME THINGS HEARD AND SEEN.
Farm Employments Not the Prosy
Things Many suppose Them 10 BE.
Nusic and Poetry Even in the
Tinklc of the Cow Bell.

CHRISTIE. VA, April 1j.-Special-Of
lato the rural denizen has gotten good
taste Of spring which is now so far as
tho calendar is concerned. well advanced
in recent journeys l have seen nature az
much better advantage under warm suns
and c.oudless skies, while birds and ami
mails and insects seemed so pleased at
tho coming Of the balmy weather. Nor
were the busy scenes. ON farms and IN
gardens. whore our farmers were 30 bwsy
with their labors an undressing sight.
A long continued untavOra0le spell Of
weather had retarded efforts that the
balmy weather makes il possible to speed
as they I'm high spirits drive on the team
THEY ARE NOT DULL.
Farm work, farm empioyments and ITS
fun routine amlQ nature expanding
beauties are not tho dull, prosy things
that same imagine them 10 be- In the
quiet evening hour. there is poetry I'm the
notes OF the cOwbelIs that may be- heard
as the faithful animals with fun udders
return h0mewards as the merry whistle
Of the COW boy as an accompaniment IL
heard as the lengthcnlng shadows tell
that night is close by. How m0rry and
cheerful are the birds and insects under
the balmy suns that warm into lifo the
seeds. the birds and the grass Common
place objects seem 10 don brighter dress
IA spring thrown its wonderful charm or
all sides and truly man ought 10 be hap
pier and purer from such royal sur
rOundings can a finer tonic be sought
than these rural morning airs that seem
10 send IMMIGRATION through tho whole
system as tho lungs fully inhale the
fresh drafts?
HAIL HALIFAX
Halifax Mills and streams and frosts
and fields I salute You as the aids 10
Dame Nature. I'm giving ne such riches
in health and tonic airs. Ia, ha, as the
boyish feelings again steal over ne as
take IN the spring time scenes. What n
memories of the time when the barefootea
rural boy waded BOO mud holes and
streams DO come back IT. IS all natural
to-day IN rural parts. Tho barefootcd
rural boy with bronzcd cheek and blush
ing maiden mOdestly is not marring or
natures beautiful spring scene and II be-
's be IS here to stay and one might as
well recognize tho hero as not.
FARMYARD SCENES.
How busy the scenes is around the
average farm house as the noisy focks
Of chickens come trooping up 90 be fed
or anon they run t0 the wel-knOWn call
Of the mother hen 10 get the temptins
edible her industrious feet has unearthed
Was ever such morther'y watchtuinoss
and interest MS She shows in every mo-
ton she makes in her brood surpassedf
THE gontle. quiet COWS and risky horses
lend variety To- the picture of the rural
farm which under spring haImN sun-
shine seems TO luXuritc and rejoice ana
man. the proprietor can if be VIII eaten
the coutagion OF vcrnal joy and happi-
ness.
THEIR SPRING TIME DRESS.
The swelling buds arc beginning 10
adorn with their dress Of green the
woods and the more forward blossoms
are out noted some of the latter
lately which with :ho evergreen pines
gave variety 20 the appearance Of the
woods bordering ON tho -0ad along which
travelled. How eager the eye is to
feast upon these early reminders or
springs advent and delightful is the
sensation 0f inha.ing the odofs or carry
flowers and blossoms These reminder
Of the Heavenly Fathers care over ana
love for His creations are indeed user.
and beautiful Tor Ills creatures 10 think
upon and n denied them how mHch
drearier the world would BE-
NATURES MUSIC.
In spring I love 20 hear mo music OF
the streams as they go plrlns ATOMS
grassy banks falling down preaplces
gliding smoothly over even surfaces.
Laughing IN the sunshine and -"eepin+
under the shade Of over hanging hranch-
% The blue OF those spring skies
seems tenderer 700 as IL crer.ooks such
la1nv scenes rs s0rns magic wand ma.
evoked while even commonplace ruro'
employment under such spe" seen"
Transformed.
Turning over The sod and putting do me
seed for the future crop and the inter
estlne work OF gardening al seem 20 oe
touched uron by tho mage ~ me Ve.n.'
season employments so near Ie..ie' ="
nature as rural work. are oolhd 'o p'
interesting and poetic. fn' gun. o' ~,
sunlight falling on busy teams iH me
fields. makes a. pretty sceae "iAr iei.
ING trees and cleaning MP ne" e'o"nl-
where numerous ares send 10 volumes
or smoke. consrire 10 mako rufN pee
ture that is recalled with pleasure