Now is there not some poetry here? That yoke of brindle-oxen standing under the dripping eaves chewing their cud; can you not see gladness in their broad faces? There is old Line-back, the cow that fifteen years ago used to have the same corner. I wonder if she recognizes me? She is graver than the other cows; red and black, around her butt; the tuft of wool on her horns shows that she retains her old spirit, and does not allow the dainty sheep that crowd around us, to pick out the most savory portions of her hay, without asserting her rights of priority. There, flocking in the hay-loft door, over the cow-house, are the cackling multitude which we heard awhile ago. They were probably instigated to their clamor by the 'cut-cut-ca-da-cut' of some young hen who had laid the first egg of the season. The rest replying, no doubt, that they severally had done the same at some spring-time anterior, but now for the first time thought of mentioning so trifling a circumstance. Peter sagely opines that they are holding a tea party! Let us drop into the 'grain-barn' and see what Hans' little brothers are raising such a children's noise about. There goes Jim from the highest scaffold into the straw at the bottom of the 'deep bay.' Billy is just preparing to jump too; and Sid, a little more lazy, is but half up the upper ladder. Sid sees us, and without saying a word, begins to climb down again. This draws Billy's attention, and crying 'Hans has come home! Hans has come!' springs off, half smothering poor Jim in his descent. There, now, Peter, after seeing me kiss my brothers, don't accuse me of possessing a cold heart, merely because I don't happen to love the women. What is a woman, but flesh and blood after all? Do you think those black, flashing eyes and rosy cheeks and swelling bosom, and those warm lips which breathe soft deceit the while you press them, are any thing more than 'common clay?' I have seen many lovely ones, yet as Byron hath it: 'Maidens, like moths, are ever caught by glare, And Mammon wins his way where seraphs might despair.'