Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-24
Our Social Circle.
Autobiography Of An Oak.

"A woodman stood before lofty oak,
viewing with satisfaction its giant dimensions.
"Ah !" said he 81 will fell thy gigantic
frame to the earth, and thou shalt be fash
Toned into timbers for some noble ship"
d" Man" replied the oak tarry moment L
pray thee, that | may give thee some account
,of my life that thou mayest be proGted there
by" So the woodman tarricd and the oak
thus began.
My first recollections are of bright sun
beam which fell lovingly upon my head. At
that time was half concealed by withered
aeaves and fresh grass but after few
struggles succeeded in rising above them
and Oh, how fair and beautiful were allthings
around me. Tiny flowers bloomed at my
feet, insects fitted about me humming their
drowsy songs, and far up among the green
boughs of the surrounding trees, wild birds
carolcd their hymns of praise At night the
sweet dew fell softly upon me, and during
the day the sunlight cheered and strengthen
ed me. Occasionally gentle showers and
balmy breezes refreshed my growing frame,
and supposed that life would be one contin-
ued round of pleasure. But alas was
doomed to disappointment. One 3ultry
noon the, heavens gathered blackness, and the
portentuous clouds seemed like grim giants
of despair. The leaves were motionless upon
their branches, the insect throngs were dumb,
the little songster's notes were hushed and
profound silence reigned around. But soon
the lightnings flashed tearfully and the solemn
stlness,was broken by the thunder's awful
roar. The rain poured in torrents, and the
forest trees bent like reeds before the sweep
ing wind. For a few moments 1 was filed
with CONSERVATION and felt that I must newt
ably perish. But the fearful storm was not
of long continuance, and soon ventured to
raise my head which the rain and wind had
bowed to tbs earth. The clouds soon disper-
sed and the sun shone out more brilliantly
than before, causing the beautiful rain drops
to glitter like diamonds on every bough and
tiny blade of grass. In few days l. re-
covered entirely from the shock, and indeed
/ felt that it had been great benefit to me,
for. Iwas stronger and grew more rapidly than
before. have since learned that storms are
necessary for the full development pr the sys-
TEN, and have had great reason to thank
my Creator for the dark clouds that have
often hung about me. For several succeeding
weeks every thing went on smoothly as heart
could wish, and began to think that danger
would never again beset my path. Alas
what are hopes but shadows. One morning
a bright-eyed, curly-headed little boy came
to play in shady nook near by, and no SOON
er had espied me, then he ran with all his
might and seized me with both hands, and
commenced twisting my delicate frame most
numerically felt that death was my por-
ton, but Tor some unknown reason he dess-
ted, and my life was again providentially
spared. At length summer gave place to
autumn, and autumn to winter, but every
thing was SO nicely adapted to my wants that
suffered very little by the change. Spring
came again with its gentle showers and in.
vigorating air, and l was soon making rapid
Advancement. Thus year after year passed
away, each with its burden of joy and sor-
row, and at length became taller and more
comely than any of my neighbors. The birc
built its nest among my boughs, and the gen.
tie breeze softly lulIed the little birdlings tc
rest in their leafy home. The storm and the
whirlwind passed by in their fury but they
only served to strengthen my Frame All
gazed upon me with admiration and | was
called the monarch of the forest The little
boy who in my infancy came so near running
me, grew up to be man, and for many years
he daily passed beneath my boughs, but at
length his step began to falter and then saw
him no more. His children and grandchil.
dren played increasingly in my giant shade,
and then in their turn passed away. And
thus generation after generation went tc
the silent land, but still my strength was un.
abated and my glory unmarried. Sometimes
ruin seemed inevitable, but the kind hand Of
Providence shielded and sustained me, and
now stand perfected in strength, ready tc
obey thy mandate. Thus far nave I been
enabled to accomplish that for which | was
created and God forbid that l should now
refuse to yield myself sacrifice for the
benefit of eany Of His creatures.
" That life is long that fe's great end p'
Ivnr. IL N,,,mp