Turn in the little seed, dry and brown, 6. Work with a plan or without a plan, And your ends shall be shaped all true; 7. Down and up till life shall close, Turn in the wild, white winter snows, 8. Work, and the sun your work will share, For Nature, she worketh everywhere, ALICE CARY. XIII. FLORIDA PINES 1. Come with me to visit the pine woods, where we shall escape the glare of the sun on this white sand. We may enter by any one of the numerous paths that lead anywhere and nowhere. 2. We pass many trees, but do not realize that we are actually in the pine woods until we find ourselves surrounded on every side by lofty trees, whose upreached finger tips seem to touch the tender blue of the overarching sky. 3. These trees never grow in groups, but rise singly to a great height. When we have accepted this sparseness of growth as a characteristic feature, we begin to like it. It gives a length of view and a sense of freedom which we find delightful. 4. The entire absence of undergrowth, the swaying branches, sixty, seventy, even eighty feet above us, and the fine vistas, all together make these woods seem like a room of noble proportions. 5. This spacious drawing-room of Mother Nature's has the swaying pine branches for its ceiling, with often a wide opening to let the blue of the sky shine through. Its carpet is of brown pine needles and is so deep and so soft that our footsteps make no sound upon it. 6. There is something human about the pines themselves. Often they seem suddenly to cease their conversation and to ask each other, "Who is this intruder, and does she think to be admitted to our secrets?" 7. Then they resume their low-toned speaking among themselves; but I cannot make out their meaning. It is something glad and uplifting, I know. But they are reserved folk and speak freely only to their intimates. I can only guess their mysterious secrets by the changing vibrations of their voices. 8. Sometimes they seem to whisper together of the sea. Sometimes I catch the sound of a far-off organ tone echoing through the aisles of a vast cathedral. Sometimes a hymn of glad thanksgiving comes to my waiting ear. Sometimes it is but the subtle sense of life upreaching to a higher life. 9. Whatever their mood, it is always in harmony with the great, throbbing heart of Nature, and so it always brings peace and rest. - MARY E. TRUMBULL. XIV. NEVER GIVE UP 1. Never give up! It is wiser and better 2. Never give up! or the burden may sink you; And in all trials or troubles, bethink you, The watchword of life must be, “Never give up!" 3. Never give up! There are chances and changes Helping the hopeful a hundred to one; And, through the chaos, high Wisdom arranges 4. Never give up! for the wisest is boldest, Knowing that Providence mingles the cup; And of all maxims, the best, as the oldest, Is the true watchword of "Never give up!" 5. Never give up! Though the grapeshot may rattle, Or the full thundercloud over you burst, Stand like a rock, and the storm and the battle worst. 6. Never give up! If adversity presses, Providence wisely has mingled the cup; - TUPPER. XV. KING SOLOMON'S BLACKSMITH I. And it came to pass when Solomon, the son of David, had finished the Temple of Jerusalem, that he called together the officers who were over the work, the master builders, the cunning workmen in silver and gold, and in wood and brass and stone, in purple and crimson and blue. 2. And he said unto them, "Sit ye down at my table; I have prepared a feast to honor all my |