The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-03-28
IN THE WOODS.

[ have said before. that spring was COM
ing, she's come but dear me, what a
time she has been on the way. The roads
must have been Dreadful; that she trav-
eled on, rather think so. But here she
is, and we can't but rejoice at her pres
ence And what do you suppose we are
doing? Why, nothing more or less than
the manufacturing of trimming for innu'
merable family good things, or in palmer
talk, making maple sugar, Isn't 1t nice
though. to be suddenly transplanted from
the little school room where the time
was spent in learning the young idea
how to shoot" to Natures great school
room, where the ideas shoot of their own
accord, or by the order OF some my>'er-
ious power, everything seems bursting
into life As sit watching the ioaming
pans of saccarine fluid, tranquil peace
broods over all. despite the many sounds
which evince the coming change. The
drop, drop of the sap as it falls. seems
to say mournfully that life is passing;
but there are so many sounds in the air
that one gets confused and gives up try
ing to find out what they are saying. ,
The swelling buds and the little blades
Of grass that dare to raise their heads
and look so green, seem to think 1t is all
right and will be better by and bye. Aud
the landscape, take it all in all. there is
not prettier one in the county. Our
camp is situated on the south bank Of a
river, on heavily timbered slope. At
the foot of the hill the river rushes along
bearing on its turbid bosom the fruits of
the lumbermans toll. We cross the
bridge on the ether side is large fat,
running back for some distance, when
the ground again rises and is backed by
grand old trees, with here and there
through the underground peering forth
are some cragged old rocks There, on
the knoll is the Indian burying place of
bygone days. From my seat can discern
the little hillocks which point out the
resting-places Of the former inhabitants
of this beautiful valley, and yonder stands
the Old Home. 1t looks weather beaten
to be sure, and gives ample evidence of
its rough contact with time and storms.
But what DlcDln71cs cling around its rough
and homley surroundings; of scenes of
hardship in bygone days, and Of happier
hours In days Of prosperity but still, in
every hour alike, it was still our home,
and the though is of the good times, the
jokes and merry laughs that have been
cast On the hallowed air around the old
stone hearth of the rugged fire place,
give pleasure to the remembrance Of
hours spent beneath the roof of the old
log home. What glorious thing mem
DRY is,if rightly used that is, if we have
done no wrong to give us unhappy re-
minders of misspent qualities; but when
We live true life, true to ourselves and
to others, having in cur hearts a kind
interest in all who surround US, trying
In all the passing hours Of life to make
someone happier not in big way you
know but don't wait for time to come,
FOR something to turn up. that will let
people know that you are in the world,
but In u thousand little ways try to allie
viate some of the petty trials of every
day life; don't keep all your fund of good
humor and Kindness for occasions away
from home, but show some of it to those
whose place comes first, at home those
who have more than the claim of friend
ship on you.
Yod must not think that I don't ap-
prove of that noble quality of human
nature, on the contrary [ think it is one
OF the most precious boons ever granted
t. this life, and there are many whom |
love and respect most dearly through its
influence. True friendship brings forth
charity and raises mans noble qualities
into their proper sphere it brings him
nearer to the realization of the divine
command. to love his neighbor as him
sell, which is pretty hard to do in many
cases, must say as the world goes at
present. every man for himself is the
order Of The day. and | suppose it always
will be so, and all we can do is to squeeze
as many little acts OF kindness into lie
as we can, taking no credit as to the time
Of our reward. But,dear me, the fire is
most out, and the sap is almost cool in
the pans. and me sitting here dreaming
with my eyes open, so adieu to Natures
mn~e, while | attend to the condensing
OF her precious sweets 10 buuIItIiuily
poured forth. Yet We need not forget in
the pressing duties Of the hour. to learn
-ome noble lessons from the source OF
al our benefits here in the grand old