Since then a great world-conflict, for an old sweet freedom's sake
With a mighty shock convulsive, has made all Europe shake
Has erased the German borders from a continent's wide map,
Has restored the Rhineland cities to France's rightful lap-
But high above its thunders, with a melody that thrills
That fit of laughter lingers, like an echo in the hills.

"Twas there began a friendship which has lasted until now,
Which will last, if not forever, till the frost is on my brow
And, if Mr. Hays will let me, whene'er I get the blues,
I'll mind me of his helpmeet, whose laughter shook the pews
So, even in December, and through all life's wintry ways,
I'll hear the birds of summer when I think of Mrs. Hays.

TO PIEDMONT CONTINENTAL CHAPTER D. A. R.
"Your band is few but true and tried
Your leader frank and bold"-

All Georgians feel a patriot's pride
Whene'er her name is told.

She knows old Georgia-vale and crag-
Like Derry* knows his books

And all who love your State's proud flag
Must love your Regent Brooks.

HAZEL GREEN.

[To friends of my sojourn in California: Mrs. Dora B. Crease, of Bakersfield, Calif., and her sister, Miss Snowden, of Mississippi.]

"Tis not the veil that autumn throws

O'er nature's woodland scene,

That makes fond thought at evening's close
Stray back to Hazel Green.

Ten thousand nooks have subtler wiles

To catch the artist's eye

And valleys weave far gaudier smiles
Neath many an ambient sky.

*Prof. Joseph T. Derry.

Yet soulful beauties rich and rare
Enfold this hallowed spot
Till every pulsing wave of air
Whispers, "forget-me-not."

Nor holds Yosemite's embrace,
Her cataracts between,

One glory-glint whose rainbow-race
Can vie with Hazel Green.

Why is it that this woodland gem
Is with such emeralds set
Fit for an empire's diadem ?--

"Twas here-'twas here we met.

What incense to perfume the day
Is locked in one sweet flower?
What memories to last for aye

Oft bloom in one bright hour?

Time cannot wean my heart away
From this enchanted scene

Nor heaven refuse to let me stray
Earthward to Hazel Green.

SPOTSWOOD HALL.

[This colonial home, from every point of the compass, overlooks an area miles in extent. It was named for Alexander Spotswood, the colonial governor of Virginia, who founded the Knights of the Golden Horse-shoe. Spotswood Hall is located on Peachtree Heights Road, seven miles from Atlanta, on one of the highest points of land south of the Blue Ridge mountains.]

Where, upon a golden summit, evening's latest sunbeams fall, Leaving darkness far below it, gleams and glistens Spotswood Hall.

Spotswood Hall that, like an eagle, born to scoff at prison-bars,
Looks to cloud-land for an eyrie, there to nest among the stars.

How majestic, in the moon-light, loom its pillared portals fair,
Till a flood of memories classic pulses on the evening air.

Till we look once more on Athens; for, in whiteness like to this,
Must have shone Minerva's temple, on the old Acropolis.

Type of him whose name was Spotswood, founder of a line of knights Whose isignia was a horse-shoe, champion of Virginia's rights.

Hotspur of the Old Dominion, bred to battle, it was he
Who, upon a grand ideal, fed a budding chivalry.

Though he saw the morning brighten on the broad Atlantic's breast Still his dreams were of the mountains which were walled against the west.

Though by shallow critics hounded, though by obstacles delayed,
Ever, on those distant summits, his imperial fancies played.

Till the dream became a vision, and above the Blue Ridge heights, Like a beacon, streamed the banner of the Golden Horse-shoe Knights.*

He it was who found the Valley-first his prophet's eye to see That green casket which was destined to enshrine the dust of Lee;

In whose storied lap a Stonewall, all his matchless marchings done, For the great white chieftain's coming, was to wait at Lexington.

But, on fancy's wing, I wander; now I range to hill-tops near, And from Spotswood dreaming yonder turn to muse on Spotswood here.

Here, in sylvan shades embowered, Spotswood Hall proud memory keeps

Of an unforgotten Spotswood who in far Virginia sleeps.

Here the golden horse-shoe's glitter, o'er the mansion's breezy door, Tells of prancing steeds whose gallop echoes on the hills no more. It was on this famous expedition that horse-shoes were used for the first time in the old Dominion. At the ocean front, where the tide-water stretches and the alluvial bottoms gave spongy character to the soil, there was no need of these safeguards. But on the uplands, in contact with flinty rocks, the spirited animals soon began to limp, and it was in this connection that the device of the horse-shoe, as a means of protection to the animals, was adopted. There was a blacksmith among the troopers who well understood the art. After returning home from his conquest of the mountains, Governor Spotswood presented each of his followers with a golden horse-shoe, studded with jewels. On the one side was inscribed: "The Tremontine Order," while on the other, was lettered the motto of the expedition: "Sic juvat transcendere montes." With formal ceremonies at Williamsburg each recipient of this insignia was admitted into the newly established order. See Knights of the Horse-shoe, by William A. Carruthers. The horse-shoe was introduced into England at the time of the Conquest and it probably originated among the Arabs.