the mountain itself as well as by the cliff, that
but little direct sunshine is received,and that only
in midsummer. Until then it is only necessary
to throw aside a few blocks of sto ie in order to
reach the ice, but as the season advances it retreats
further and further until late summer when it is
generally so deep that it is inarcessable except by
a great deal of labor. But its presence is shown
by the low temperature of the rocks and the sur
rounding air. Bending low in any of these ice
holes one’s breath quickly becomes visible, as on
a winter’s day in the frosty air. No ice could be
seen at the date of my last visit, August 28th, but
old residents in the vicinity are quite positive
that in some years ice has been taken out during
the entire season, although it was necessary to dig
deep for it during August and September.
While a large part of this talus is completely
bare, there are portions of it which support a poor
growth of the ordinary trees and shrubs of the
vicinity. But near its base are found, particular
ly, our Mountain Ash (Pyrus Americana). Canoe
Birch (Betula Papytacea) and Ribes prostratum,
none of which are common elsewhere in the
neighborhood, except at occasional points at
greater elevation. Of humbler plants, Heuchera
pubescens and the before mentioned Linnaea
borealis are the most conspicuous, the latter, in
great profusion and of marked vigor, spreading
w : dely under the adjacent pines and hemlocks,
where it seems perfectly at home. One can
scarcely imagine a more perfect example of a
high northern flora localized on a few square rods,
because of favorable temperature conditions.
As if to give emphasis to this little boreal
colony among the rocks, there is found scarce
two hundred yards away, a narrow intervale bord
eringthe stream, which here makes another abrupt
turn. Upon this alluvial bottom grow a score or
more of vigorous Papaws (Asiminia triloba),
with trunks six, eight and ten inches in diameter.
Their lustrous dark green and pendant leaves mark
them at a distance as distinct from any other na
tive tree, and suggest a grove of Horse Chestnuts.
THE FREE LANCE.
They must have been here a long time, for they
seem perfectly established, fruit readily, and young
trees are not uncommon. One such clump,
strangely placed high and dry on the border of
the dusty pike a short distance away, seems quite
successful in its struggle for existence. Professor
Porter, of Lafayette college, long ago told me that
the Papaw followed the Juniata, and was found
at the mouth of Spruce Creek. I know of no
others to the north, and infer that these mark the
furthest point for this species in the mountain
districts.
A grove of stately white pines completes the
attractions of this unique place, which is a favor
ite picnicing ground for the neighborhood. In
the early summer such parties frequently make
ice cream on the spot, using the ice taken out of
the holes among the rocks.
As a first requisite to the forming of a valid
contract, there must be a meeting of minds of the
parties thereto. An offer can be revoked before
its acceptance, but after the acceptance the offer
becomes a promise. The time of acceptance of
THE RETURN.
To my childhoods home again I came,
It was as yet the same old home,
The breezes and songs were still the same,
All else was oliangod slneel did roam.
As of old the waves rushed o’er the stones,
The deer sprang from the forests track,
From far off sounded tho curlew’s tones,
The sea refleeted the mountains back.
Thore was the place,'.Where In former days
The mother met usat the gate,
Hut now I saw there strange men and ways,
How sad, how sad then seemed my fate 1
It seemed, that a voloe from out the waves
cried. "Go, and always this place shun I
Those whom thou hast loved are In their graves,
And never to this place return !”
(From the German ofLingq.)
POPULAR TALKS ON LA IV.
When is a contract by Correspondence Complete,