WHERE the willows kiss the ripples,

As the brook goes murmuring by,

Just behind the old red farm-house,

'Neath the azure summer sky,

With the robins singing round them,

And the merry bees' low hum, -

Jed and Kitty sat together,

Waiting for the cows to come.

Far away behind the mountain

Slowly sank the sun to rest;

Lighting up with beams of glory

Old Monadnock's noble crest;

While from far adown the meadow

Came the tinkle of the bell

That from Brownie's neck hung lightly,

Guiding through each shady dell.

Slower ran the little brooklet,

Hushed the warblers far and near,

Breathed no sound of aught disturbing,

As fair Kitty bent to hear.

Bashful, trembling Jed's confession

Of a love that should endure

Through the storms of woe and sorrow,

Through the joys that should allure.

Deeper grew the burning blushes,

Lower drooped the lashes brown,

As to Jed's strong, manly shoulder

Slowly then her head came down;

Not a word she spoke as fondly

He repeated o'er his vows,

But we knew the thing was settled, -

And just then came up the cows.

WALLINGFORD.