brook; all these were sources of pleasure and amusement. To a few, the
world out side the valley, the numerous conjectures as to the people who
inhabited it, gave food for thought.

At eventide the sun is setting, throwing a golden glow over the valley,
from a cottage near is heard the cradle song of some happy mother
lulling her child to sleep; in the distance can be heard the tinkling
cow bell, and on the purple hill side the sheep have lain down to rest.
The sun has gone down a little lower and the shadows of the mountains
have lengthened until they stretch almost across the valley; the sounds
of life have almost ceased; the child is asleep and the lullaby ended;
the tinkling of the bells is scarcely heard; the birds have gone to
their nests, and up from the valley has risen a white mist that has
hidden and completely covered the last sign of life. Surely a beautiful
covering for such a valley, a fitting mantle for so pure a people.

* * * * *

The morning broke dull and cloudy over the last happy day of the
peaceful valley.

A stranger from the outer world, about which they had speculated so
much, appeared in their midst. Seeking a number of young men he soon
engaged them in earnest conversation, arousing their curiosity by
telling them of the strange and wonderful things which transpired in the
world beyond the mountains; telling them of the wonderful discoveries of
science; the fame of many brilliant men and women, telling them of the
advantages of communication with the outer world, of the uselessness and
folly of spending their lives in so simple a manner, ridiculing their
simplicity, telling them that the mere youths of his country could teach