Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-29
A Little Girls Visit to Kentucky.

"A Little Girls Visit to Kentucky.
l have been visiting for quite a while in
Cincinnati. and am now staying at a dear
little country place snugly nestled among
the green hills and charming wales of old
Kentucky.
Each morning, as the rising sun sends
its slanting rays into my bed room win
dow, I am awakened by the merry song of
the birds and locusts. and at night the
crickets keep up lively tune until I am
lulled to rest.
I am writing this letter on an old log
lying on the bank of pretty little creek
which runs through the farm. From my
elevated position / can see 1t winding In
and out among grove of sycamores. inter-
spersed here and there with an occasional
oak, walnut. maple or cedar.
Over toward the west, forming an ex-
qufsite background, lies range of pictur-
esque hills, along whose sides here and
there see SasSafraS or other tree begin
ming to clothe itself in the autumnal garb
OF red and gold contrasting highly with
the bright green of the maple or sycamore
or the dark green of the cedar. Over my
head in the treetops fits the catbird, with
Its lovely plumage of blue and gray CLINT
Ing in the sun, while near me buzzes a
humble bee darling among the wild flowers,
which are still plentiful although the sum-
mer Is far advanced. Co.,.
Over in the orchard the fruit trees hang
pears. plums and apples. In the cornf1elds
the tall stalks are swaying in the late sum-
mer breezes, but they will not sway long,
for they are soon to be cut. The oatfield
is now bare and empty. 1t was but yes
terday the oats, cut and bound into
sheaves. were hauled to the barn, and in
the afternoon the threshers came, and for
the first time I saw threshing DONE The
oats, still bound into Sheaves, were thrown
on sort of moving platform and conveyed
rlQ ri nf hn oNhiv hot I,o
threshing. After the oats are separated
from the straw they fall through pipe, at
the mouth of which sacks are placed to
catch them, and the straw is carried by
means of long pipe to the hay loft, where
1t is stacked. 1t is astonishing how quickly
1t is done, 200 bushels being threshed in
about three-quarters of an hour.
A large black crow has just gone flying
by, calling Cav, cav" to his mate. and
family from the woods on the hillside /
hear the answering cry.
There are so many ideal spots here I
scarcely know which is my favorite. Across
the creek. at the top Of the slope, stands
majestic maple, whose branches (now
don't be shocked) afford a most inviting
place to rest and indulge in sweet day
dreams Further down, just where the
creek makes pretty turn. stands a grand
old oak, under whose branches protection
from the hot rays can be found on the
warmest days. It is always cool and de-
nghtful there, with the clear, murmuring
creek at your feet and the warbling birds
overhead. Up on the hillside a large clump
of rocks. If once you succeed in scrambling
to the top, offer most comfortable rest
ing place. But, although affording a
splendid view of the surrounding country.
these are only desirable in the evening, for,
being unprotected from the sun, are only
pleasant after the sun has taken its de-
parture and sunk to rest behind the distant
hills.
have been out all morning collecting
botanical specimens. and have succeeded in
collecting quite curious and interesting
lot.
Some Iocusts in a tree across the creek
are keeping up lively tune They will
soon sing farewell song for me, for, much
as hate to leave all these beauties of ma
ture, l shall soon have to bid them good
bye and have only the pleasant recollec-
ton. which will linger in my memory for
many day to remind me of the delightful
hours spent among them. ESMERALDA.