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 THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. 223

dering upon the Nashua river. This is Any historical sketch of the schools «f called the Belvidere School. Nashua would be defective, unlessjt in- Upon the division of the town in 1842 eluded some mention of the Nashua Lit- the districts were somewhat changed; erary Institute. This flourishing school also, again, when the city charter was was established in 1S35, and since 1840 granted in 1853. has been under the immediate manage- By act of the legislature in 1869 the ment of Prof. David Crosby, districts were abolished. This step im- Many of the prominent men of Nashua proved the schools more than any other and the surrounding towns attribute their one thing. success in life to the faithful instruction

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��In 1874 a new High and Grammar of this noble man. Few teachers have

school-house was erected on Spring labored in the cause so many years, or

street, whither the high school was re- proved themselves more worthy, moved in April, 1875.

��THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH.

��BY A. J. HOTT.

'Tis after the uplands and meadows are mown, When song-birds have mated, and builded, and flown, And leaves of the maple drop silently down To carpet the meads with their crimson and brown ; And first the faint hues of the ripening year Do shadow full autumn, crisp, yellow and sere. When beauty seems changing for harvest of worth, The cricket is heard in his song on the hearth.

When oceans recede 'neath the land-blown breeze, O'erladen with fragrance from evergreen trees, And the squirrel's sharp chatter is heard far aboon, The gloom of the wood at the heat-oppressed noon ; While the mischievous jay half-derisively yells, Or plaintively calls to his mate in the dells; When melodies vernal are hushed of their mirth, The cricket's low cadence is heard ou the hearth ;

Bespeaking content 'mid the jarring and strife, A note of repose 'mid the discord of life ; Low murmur of promise to servants of toil, Ere yet they have gathered the fruits of the soil ; A strain to disperse the vexed cares of the day ; Of the largess of years to open the way, Or lull to their slumbers the wearied of earth, — This song of the cricket is heard on the hearth.

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