the baby, and she ”and the big boys would help gather the crop. All who could work were kept as busy as bees. The harvest was every- body’s business. It was pleasant out in the field, and we all had a hap- py time. It was amusing to hear the grasshoppers; on a warm spring day they would make a grating, crackling sound by rubbing their legs together, or rubbing their wings on their hips; the sound could be heard a long distance; when a great many of them got to playing these peculiar harps at the same time, it made an interesting concert. We often found birds’ nests, and young birds, and rabbits. We frequent- ly had lunch out in the field and had as enjoyable a time as at a pic-

nic. Home and Community Festivals

In such a big family birthday celebrations came often and at all

seasons. Thanksgiving day was also a happy time. Christmas day was the great home and community feast day; no boy or girl would ever forget that glad time in the home. All the members of the fam- ily gathered home for the Christmas, and when several cousins joined us’in the festivities, we made a lively time. It took a long table, and that had to be set more than once to serve the crowd. Mother sat at the head of the table and father at one corner. He did the carving, and she put On the vegetables and other supplies; she knew what ap- petites we had and each one’s capacity. A goose, or a turkey soon dis- appeared. But we had plenty geese, and we had rabbits and partridge to add to the abundance, and give it a tasty flavour. After dinner we would go for a tramp and a hunt in the woods, and come back with

more game and keen appetites for supper.

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

"There’s a carpet of snow on the hillside,

A jingle of hells on the air. There’s a cheery rGod bless you good neighbour’,

A feeling of joy everywhere.

"There’s a shower of spar/es up the chimney,

A stocking or two on the shelf, And a feeling that somewhere about you

Is hiding a good-natured elf.” 43