These were the "Fossil forest," he avowed,

And seemed of the great fact immensely proud.

9

Not quite so we! Staring, we stood aghast,

Reluctant each his pent-up thoughts to utter ; But famished nature urging a repast,

We turned for comfort to our bread and butter. "What went ye in the desert waste to see?" "Don't you feel rather up a fossil tree?"

PART II.

LAYS OF WONDER-LAND.

(A Real Adventure.)

I

IT happened sixteen years ago—
It seems but yesterday to me;
And still, as back my thoughts I throw,
It sets my heart all in a glow,

That vision in a cherry-tree!

2

For on a lofty branch I saw,

Enthroned amid the sheltering shade, Crowned with a mushroom hat of straw, Looking like one whose will was law,

A most bewildering young maid.

3

Like veritable "Fairy Queen,"

Surrounded by her little court
Of elfin forms, she sate serene ;
So sweet a group I ne'er had seen,
Nor one so ripe for merry sport.