The rains of the winter fell
    In benison on its sod;
  And the smiling fields of the spring looked up,
    A thanksgiving glad, to God;
  And the little children laughed to see
    The wild-flowers star the sod.

* * * * *

  Hark! hark! to the thundrous roar! 
    Like a demon of fable old,
  The fiery steed of the rail hath swept
    Thro’ the ancient mountain-hold. 
  And the green hills shudder to feel his breath—­
    The challenge of New to Old.

FRANCES MARGARET MILNE,
in For Today.

MAY 8.

JOAQUIN MILLER TO THE MONEY GETTER.

  Yes!  I am a dreamer.

* * * * *

  While you seek gold in the earth, why, I
  See gold in the steeps of the starry sky;
  And which do you think has the fairer view
  Of God in heaven—­the dreamer or you?

JOAQUIN MILLER.

MAY 9.

THE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT AT CATALINA.

When you land in the beautiful Bay of Avalon, on Santa Catalina Island, you are met, not by hackmen, but by glass-bottom boatmen:  “Here you are!  Marine Jimmie’s boat, only fifty cents.”  “Take the Cleopatra,” or “Right away now for the Marine Gardens.”  These craft, that look like old-fashioned river side-wheelers are made on the Island, and some range from row-boats with glass bottoms to large side-wheel steamers valued at $3000.  There is a fleet of them, big and little, and they skim over the kelp beds, and have introduced an altogether new variety of entertainment and zoological study combined.

CHARLES FREDERICK HOLDER.
in The Glass Bottom Boat.

MAY 10.

THE HANGING SEA GARDENS AT CATALINA.

The animals of the hanging gardens are not confined to the kelp or the rocks of the bottom.  The blue water where the sunlight enters brings out myriads of delicate forms, poising, drifting, swimming, the veritable gems of the sea; some are red as the ruby; others blue like sapphire; some yellow, white, brown, or emitting vivid flashes of seeming phosphorescent light.  Ocean sapphires they are called; the true gems of the sea, thickly strewn in the deep blue water.  Sweeping by, poised in classic shapes, are the smaller jelly-fishes; crystal vases, so delicate that the rich tone of the ocean can be seen through them, changing to a steely blue.  Some are mere spectres, a tracery of lace; others rich in colors and flaunting long trains.

CHARLES FREDERICK HOLDER,
in Life in the Open.

MAY 11.

BUILDING THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY.