Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-04-14
CHAPTER XI.
FOLLOWING THE TRAIL.

mound and strolIed along the noun
tain trail; on their way a bed of
ladies slipper of most delicate pink
gladdened the eyes of the campers.
How | would like to have some
of these growing in our little flower
bed in Albany" said hardwood.
But" said Hunter John, that
flower 'ud be HON sick, n pine away
out O. tn woods; it's home hes alus
ben in tn woods, n afore you
could git t. your garden with it, tn
Ieetle creetur 'ud be droopin' its
fairy head, n tn pink blush faded
from her cheek"
i think so, too" said hardwood,
there they are at home with faces
aglow with sweet life and ANNA,
ton"
What bird is that. Hunter
john" asked Marktree. as the
sweet, clear notes of a bird, high
perched, was warbled through the
dense foliage: "Te-te-te-te-te-te-te tie.
sweet, sweet, sweet, sir"
oh, that's the leetle wood.
robin" answered he; he's invitin'
pinkade-te-te-te-te-te, N tellin' her
tbs sweet, sweet, sweet sir; OF
mebbe he's jes' come from pinkade's
tea, te,te-te-te-te', rej'icin' twas
so Observation-Disclosures or more'r
likely pinkade is his mate in the
nest, N it's her he's singin' is sc
'sweet-sweet-sir.' +"
"Harkp said hardwood, is thai
a bird?" And soft and clear came {
faint melody borne upon the gentle
zephyrs of June woods. They start
ed on with silent tread, the trees
flowers and birds seemed hardening
and soon the sweet, tender strains
of children singing charmed thei
ears, and drawing nearer still, they
heard these words:
Let's away to the woodland where tn,
wild flowers bloom,
Where violets and lady. slippers are nov
in sweetest bloom,
And the thrushes are singing their song
| in sweetest tune,
And the woods and brooks are ringing
it is June! 1t is June"
The campers listened enchanted
I've heerd lots O. singin', heerC
'em sing down t tn vile in meetin'
n at huskin's, but | never did heal
angel singin' afore", said Hunte
John.
" IT'S indeed almost angelic,
agreed hardwood.
The campers approached to wher,
there looked to be an opening in thu
near distance. through the thicl
foliage, and just caught sight of tn
sweet little singers, sitting on
knoll where the bridle-path opened
into forest glade. They were ar
ranging bouquets and weaving ;
wreath of wild flowers, having OF
little pink pinafores and sun-bonnets
AS they saw the campers approach
ing they jumped up, startled, bu
looked pleased to see the strangers
They were beautiful children, witt
full, round faces, red cheeks, sky
blue eyes, and faxen hair waving
airily over their shoulders.
Is this the place where Docto
HopewelI came yesterday" aske,
hardwood.
Yes, sir" replied the oldest girl
How is your little sister," aske
he.
Almost WE'LL" said she. A shor
distance away, in the midst of
small clearing, was a log house
snugly built. 1t was lovely spot
level and green, with tender, luxur
ant grass growing thick among tn
stumps. There was a cow and
small flock Of sheep feeding clos
by, and a man was hoeing on a piec
of new land in the edge of the wood
and another younger man was a
work pulling stumps with yoke Q
oxen.
With your permission, little CIR
we would like to follow you to tn
house and meet your parents" sal
hardwood.
Papa and mama will be glad