Year: 1861

"Bob White, is the wheat ripe?"


No not quite"


Nav but you're mistaken Bob for Just look at the
long even swell Of the yellow pillows which so late
were green as the mantle in which springs earliest
visit was paid. Thus we awake and Sleep and
awake again, and 10, summers golden finger has
retnuched the picture, and master piece springs
forth which fills the beholder with love and graft
tude.


But we're wasting time Bob White, for didn't
send little Harry out to play fighting the Yam
KEGS and lay aside the last -Uercury iii the middle
of the telegraphic dispatches only to gossip with
YOU. Twas from dictate of humanity, Bob-that
feeling which is as becoming to the heart of woman
As is the religion whose Divinity, welded to human
itv, alone raised her from the horrd pit and mry
clay" in whicE she had otherwise remained by
word and a Kissing" But you see | am prone to
wander, Bob, and now for your sake will try
and be concise. Do you know, Bob, that the man
date has gone FORTH (for overheard Sambo receive
his ORDERS and this very day the umbrageOuS forest
in which you have built your home will fall beneath
the unSparing Scythe. 'TS the truth, Bob, and yOu
may rise on those piniOns which you have been so
astdiouSy dressing this hour past rise to the top
of yOnder pine higher than you ever before scared,
Boz and take bird seye view, and for miles around
yoE may see hundreds of acres of wheat, excepting
perhaps at the parsonage Bob whose dominic has
been so busy sowing wheat in his congregation that
he didn't have time to plant much at home. But
lOOk Close, may see the sweeping UlSn
of the swart reaper in every field. Nay rub your
eyes and when re-opened, they may perchance light
a hOrrld Yankee machine which sweeps path
way as 1t passes, and leaves no blade uncut.


Boo White is the wheat ripe?'


NO, not quite"


Still trying to deceive? All, you little plump
breasted, brown-crcSted quaker in what school did
you learn to lib so unouShingv? And do you
think our wise "judgmatical" farmers are going to
defer to your advice, so voluntarily and gliby pro-
claimed from every bush or stump, fencerow
cosy ditch in the ruStling fields? Better look to
your nest and eggs, if so fortunate as to own a
brood of little ones hunt up your better hali'' and
take counsel with her, for in sudden emergency a
woman's wit is worth treble mans wisdom, and if
yOu abide by it, ten to one your exodus will be 4
safe one. And now, goodbye, Bob give my COM
PlmentS to Mrs Bob, and don't neglect my warn
ing


fine smallgrain crap this year." Is the remark OF
a good old-la>hioned friend, as wiping his heated
brow with the red bandanna he leans against the
wall in the true democratic style. And leaving an
other to answer artlcuatvey most devOutly assent
spiritually, fOrbcarng to smile at the quaint phrase
OlOgY for know It's 80 lipScrvIce which falls from
this ChristdlSclple. And oh, have not reason
to thank merciful Providence for the abundant
harvest this wear? When hollow-eyed famine, 18th
all It's peStlental train, staring in the face,
and war with horrid malignity was threatening to
dt>oIlte cOuutry, then lie nterered TO avert the
calamity. Grant that He may be OH our side
in the oher-that He may side with our hosts,
guarding them in the camp, guiding them the
way, and in the hour Of battle when the death
reaper, on hurting wing ruShes forth to destroy
may the power of His Almighty arm turn away the
threatening sword, and so may our hymn Of victory
be undimmed by sigh, unstained by tear, unbro-
ken by a requiem for the soldier dead


And now the day is drawing to close. and as in
this pleasant leisure hour resume my pen-for who
cares to write in the swelterng heat of a summer
day:-who cares to have the ideas which may rise
ever so cool and pure from the sparkling depths o
fancy, bahed i'll perSpiratiOn they reach the eye
which may appreciate them? 1t may do for poll
tcan who Is bent on working his auditory up fol
the patriotic hero who wishes to captain company
for an editor who is medtatng fire eating leader
for minister, whose sermon next Sabbath is to bC
practical One to study when Apollo is at Zenith
But not oVerfond of it at best, give to the
Ing or evening hour, and so | can look up from
my portfolio and the perfect picture of setting
day. Serene and beautiful has been Its hours, an,
III this quiet spot scarce realize that through
the length and breadth of our land they have no
been linked together by the spirit Of peace. Still
and sowmovng as the day has been it yet linger
whilst the fingers of evening bathe its hot brow, ant
swahe it in curtains of dewy shade ere it sinks t.
rest


How much did you cut down to-day, Sam"


- dozen, sab"


"ls the wheat heavy?'


"Bery fine, sab. Think he make bushel t
ebery two shock"


"Koh, my daddy brung me lots o patridg
eggs! "And mine, tool" "And mine, tool"


All, Bob White, II was Just going to say ! toll
you so, but that is such an abomina6le job comfort
sort of consolation, that, whilst ptyng, forbeal