Page:The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18.djvu/195

1866.] be reported at length. Suffice it to say, that the departure of the Arrow was deferred for an hour, and when she sailed the state-room in which Hobert had breathed his last was occupied by a lively little lady and two gayly-dressed children, and on the wall from which the fur hat and the saddle-bags had been removed fluttered a variety of rainbow-hued scarfs and ribbons, and in the window where the shadow had been a golden-winged bird was singing in the sunshine.

Some two or three weeks went by, and the farmer who had driven to town when Hobert was about to set out on his long journey, starting so smartly, and making so light of the farewells, drove thither again, and this time his wagon-bed was empty, except for the deep cushion of straw. He drove slowly and with downcast looks; and as he returned, a dozen men met him at the entrance of the village, and at sober pace followed to the meeting-house, the door of which stood wide.

A little low talk as they all gathered round, and then four of them lifted from the wagon the long box it contained, and bore it on their shoulders reverently and tenderly within the open gate, through the wide door, along the solemn aisle and close beneath the pulpit, where they placed it very softly, and then stood back with uncovered heads, while a troop of little girls, who waited, with aprons full of flowers, drew near and emptied them on the ground, so that nothing was to be seen but a great heap of flowers; and beneath them was the body of

ITHIN a green and pleasant land

I own a favorite plantation,

Whose woods and meads, if rudely planned,

Are still, at least, my own creation.

Some genial sun or kindly shower

Has here and there wooed forth a flower,

And touched the fields with expectation.

I know what feeds the soil I till,

What harvest-growth it best produces.

My forests shape themselves at will,

My grapes mature their proper juices.

I know the brambles and the weeds,

But know the fruits and wholesome seeds,—

Of those the hurt, of these the uses.

And working early, working late,

Directing crude and random Nature,

'T is joy to see my small estate

Grow fairer in the slightest feature.

If but a single wild-rose blow,

Or fruit-tree bend with April snow,

That day am I the happiest creature!