The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-12

man tndt autumn SOluen -
brief and urge him forth to revel in the
glorious pageant. Now, indeed, all COM
monplace labor appears idleness; and loiter-
ing dreamily down October's enchanted
ways seems the only correct and commend
able activity. When October. like gypsy
bold, picks the berries in the lane" all sorts
and conditions Of men who roam are BROTH
ers. Sun-worship is in the air. ME Phoe-
bus loves" and like the old Scot-the un-
speakably admirable old Scot-we would
fare out early in the morning and doff our
bonnets to the beauty of the world.
Though frost has laid its fiery finger" on
field and garden, on hedgerow and forest.
there is no genuine grief in glorious October
all is rich. widespread rejoicing over the
abundant harvest of the closing year. The
spirit of spring. In sooth still sings down
all the lanes and up the hisides. June
albeit shadowy reminiscent June-lingers
yet In the red clover blossom by the roads
edge, and the one late sweet wild rose
mingled with the bright red haws of au-
tumn. The old rail fence along Farmer
Johns meadow Is hidden and entirely lost
under lavish summer growth. In its place
stands deep high thicket hedge; green
brier's purple berries mingled with the rud
dy leaves and stems of the blackberry-the
wild grapevine has EMPOWERED the yellow
sassafras-while sumach and pokeberry
rival each other in a splendid color
show of crimson and gold. Fall
wild suniowers tower among the
young trees and bushes, and every stake
and rider is a trellis for the tropical riot
of gorgeous October vines. Down the wind
ing, rocky lane to Florence Greenes woods
lin the painted splendor of autumns
pride"-the zestful summers labor of
transformation still further surprises and
charms the vagabond's eye. Twigs have
become bushes and bushes have climbed
into trees since last golden-sandaled Octo-
Der passed this way. Behind the old fence
young forest has grown-vigorous. 1.-the
oaks and maples-elms, too--hickories and
sycamores. Surely man, who bewails the
fallen monarchs OF the forest. pauses not
often enough to note and register these
myriads of beautiful tree-princes coming
on.
q AT the woods edge, in the winding garden
along the creek side still summer fingers.
Amid autumn's bright and lovely blossoms
tokens of earlier times of joy are SEEN Be-
side the velvet-eyed Michaelmas daisy the
dandelion blooms and little blue "self-hear'
>
not yet passed on. New lichens are on the
rocks and Jewel weed bangles buoyantly
on its queer Japanese stem. Through the
creek-bed is Sheppy's favorite highway; he
noses inquisitively into every hollow in the
banks and drinks deeply of every pool
along the stream. Mans rules of health are
not for dogs, evidently. Sheppy quaffs
copiously and bathes frequently when he
L..
the forbidden indulgence. Sycamore young
lings love the creek-bed, too, and they
mottle with live and beautiful shadows the
sunny murmuring creek. OF the work-a-
day world-behind the hills or beyond the
hills-only one token comes across these
far woodland paths on this radiant October
morning. Down the long, shaded hillside
a man leads by rope stubbornly resist
ing cow; she likes not the idea Of going to
town, either. and plants her feet, with
wrathful losses of her head and loud rebel
lious jangling of her bell High in the blue
a majestic buzZard fioats-.'the stateliest of
airy things"-and blithe small chickadee
chatters and bustles in a tree companion
ably near. White-throats song has not yet
been heard-one knows not always where to
keep tryst with that divine. ethereal voice.
even beautiful October would not quite be
October without the local flavor of the noisy
crow.
In and out of October's wild flower beds
of the fields and waysides-white aster and
purple ageratum, goldenrod and iron weed
butterflies of every color and degree are
fitting their brief, bright day; honey bees
and humble bees are yet greedily at toll
|
rings the inspiring requiem of the cheerful
cricket. Near fallen oak along the
streamside, a rabbit jumps out in startled
flight, discovering himself before he was
discovered, and flashes away up the HILL
pursued by Sheppy. uttering despairing
yelps of rage and apprehension. Twinkling
cotton-tail gets safely to cover: and, after
a long interval, Sheppy sneaks back to
drown his disappointment in the sun
fecked stream. Further along the wood
an old weather beaten tortoise is encoun-
tered. taking leisurely an October tour:
but he retires to his she'll when Sheppy
courts intimacy, and leaves us to envy
his rude but easy withdrawal to a state
of solitude.
Hints of "October's bright blue day" are
everywhere; apples lie dropped on the
! NOOu phlns are the fallen
leaves; squirrels fling hickory nuts at your
feet. and wild grapes hang over the old
ram fence For bounteous October In In
dian phrase. the travellers moon" doth
shine; and, truly, under October's hospita-
BILE open roof the true vagabond or even
the tanner imitation gypsy. may fare well
as he wanders.
Through the narrow red gate of the old
soldiers cottage. along his slab walk
across the pear orchard and the Jim field
and over bars We must go 10 reach our
MONDAY rest. The rings out loud and
clear on Farmer Johns domain; for, on a
! broad. open space, deep covered with chips.
the winter woodpile is steadily growing.
From the forest and from the orchards
now, wood is being hauled to be cut and
heaped in the shed; big logs and gnarled
roots for the picturesque open fire. and
small cut wood for the kitchen stove
Fare we well. summer is the Michael
mas daisy's message to the closing year:
but in life as in nature joy and solace may
be garnered Ito make this earth. our
heritage. a cheerful and a changeful page
Naw Albany Oct &