The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-03-27
'WOODMAN SPARE THAT
TREE"


One OF the most beautiful and sffec-
ting songs that we know Of, is "Wood>
man spare that Tree Il was written
BY Col. George P Morris, the editor of
the New York Mirror, and lie founded
upon the following interesting occur.
renee:
There was family of opulence resi-.
ding in the country, not a great distance
from New York. II consisted ofthe
parents and large number Of sons and
daughters, all united together by those
golden ties which no one but parent.
brother. a sister, or a daughter can
feel. They possessed every thing req.
uisile TO insure happiness-lheir homo
wssan earthly paradiss--iheipS hearts
the seat Of ardent love for one another,
and of generous, noble friendship for
others. There seemed nothing wan.
ting to perfect this little community.
Their pecuuiary circumstances were
such, that they could indulge freely in
the luxury Of administering comfort and
happiness to the poverty stricken and
miserable. The naked were clothed,
and the hungry were fed, not with that
ostentation which exacts the admiration
Of the world, but with that kindness
and satisfaction, which is the charac.
terisllc Of q noble soul. Their acts Of
generosity were performed tor the sat-
isfaction Of dong good. And when
they had alleviated the distress of one
who was almost crushed by the heavy
hand Of poverty, they experienced that
jubilee within tho heart which nene but
the truly generous can feel.
Their intercourse with one another
was also Of the happiest kind, 1t was
the desire Of each member Of The family
10 contribute to the happiness Of all 9th
ers in preference 10 their own. Sister
ly, brolherly, and parental affection, FL
led all their bosoms 10 overhowing
But this little paradise wac not long
to last. The generosity Of the old gen.
tleman impelled him 10 assist his friends
by way of endorsement, and their fall
ures swept away every tarlhing Of his
earthly riches. The deprivlug him OF
his noble farm. his lovely cottage, and
the beautiful verdure and lofty trees that
surrounded il, was the i'll reward of his
dlsinserested friendship. And 10 be
compelled 10 give up all these-to sur-
render those majestic trees under whose
shade he had passed 30 many, pleasant
hours with his excellent family -and un
der whose protection as it were, his
children had been reared, was q hardship
which the philosophy of few men could
endure. Little circumstances IN the
history of his children had endeared ev-
cry tree, aud indeed every shrub to his
heart. But they must all be Abandoned;
and this happy community, which was
linked together by the strongest ties of
the human heart, must be torn asunder,
and scattered 10 the four winds Of heay-
en-.
This misfortune dispersed them i,
different directions. Some went to re-
side with friends, and others to see
their fortunes in different chimes; but tn
destroyer Of life soon swept away, on,
by one, the whole family but the youl
gest con. He vent to the south, and BY
industry and perseverance, gained for
tune. He then returned 10 his old home,
Determined to possess himself of lhe
"hOmt ot his childhood,' bu, it was 50
situated that he could not. He gazed
'ong'nRly upon the green grass beneath
their shades as he was wont 10 do in
Ooyhood; but there were no brothers
there indu| ging in their boyish sports,
nor sisters 10 sweeten tho scene with
their pure feelings, gushing forth in in
nocent, rapturous Laughter; no mother to
watch them with Tear Of pleasure in her
eye, no father whose
Knee they climbed, the enviouS kiss 10 share.
And he turned with q melancholy hear,
aud left The spot. Aud though his visi,
can hardly be said TO have given him
pleasure, he determined 10 make a pe-
fiodIcal pilgrimage 10 this hallowed
place. . ..
He took lodgings in New York, and
visited the sacred grounds periodically.
AT one time when he was on his way.
he called upon Coz. Morris to accom-
pany him. The Colonel complied with
his request; and when they arrived with
in sight ofthe trees that surrounded the
old cottage, they saw a woodman STAN
ding near the roofs of the noblest and
most venerable one, sharpening his axe.
The stranger pa, spnre to his horse, rode
swiftly up 10 the woodnan, and accos-
ted him thus:
What arc you going TO do!'
I q intend to Cut down this tree, ,'repIied
tho woodmaD.
What for?'
y want il for fire. ood.'