Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-06-05

spread out far and wide. Many little
plants grew near it that were not fitted
to endure much sunshine, and the kind
old oak sheltered them, and they grew
and blossoned, and seemed to enjoy
life. Tie children who lived in the
farmhouse liked a cool, shady place to
play in: So they brought berich and
placed it under the tree, and many a
pleasant hour they sat there readin.
and crocheting, and indulsing in pleas.
ant chat: One of the litibs Of the
tree projected out, and the children
coaxed their father to tie rope to it
and make them swing: So the old
tree stood year after year, imparting
shade and ccolress and blessing to all
who sought rest dndef its branches.
'.One SUMMER the tree was laden
with acorns. The acorns were of nc
use to any one while they remained cii
the tree, and they had nothing to dc
but to grow little SO they had plen-
ty of leisure. One ACORN watched the
flowers that we're growing SO beautifully
near the grand old tree, and the child
rem who played so merriiy under its
protecting shade, for MANY days, and
one morning it spoke thus '.this old
tree is very foolish to take so much
pains for these silly little flowers and
those noisy children. Neither the
flowers nor the children care for the
tree, except for the shade it gives them:
IT 1 am ever plantedj | will not trou-
bic myself to grow so much. It is all
nonsense time thrown away
"While it was thus speaking the faith
er of the children came along with an
ak on his shoulder: He stopped at
the tree aud looking at it, said, Yes,
this will do. | have not time to 90
into the woods, but I will cut down
this old tree, and when it is dry it will
be good 6rewood.' So he chopped
Justify at the trunk of the tree, and it
soon fell with great crash.
The acorn dropped off as it fell.
When it had got over the bruise occa-
stoned by the fall, it said, After so
many years Of usefulness tire tree is
cnt down. 1t is just as I said. The
world is ungrateful. just Wait till (
am planted and see if l will be such a
great fool as that old tree While it
was thus talking, little boy came
along and, STOPPING, picked it up and
put it in his pocket, The next day he
planted it.
1.-The acorn lay in the ground awhile
thinking, Il am not going to push my
head UP into the world-it is too much
trouble But it soon became tired of
it's dark prison and concluded to push
up little shoot to see what was going
on in the world above. SO up it went
till it was about foot high. Then it
stopped growing. The roots tried in
vain to sink deeper into the ground and
drink in the nourishment that would
make it tree. The little shoot re-
membered what it thought when it was
only an acorn, aud it said, No. I will
not grow. No ungratcful children
shall play under my branches, and no
thankless flowers shall be refreshed by
me. I intend to stay just SO high
''And 80 it did. But large pine
tree near who heard tt muttering,
shook itself with laughter, and said,
oh, no ! YOU wor't grow Who do
you think VIII be the loser? l find It
delicious to spread out my roots and
drink in the sap, and enlarge my branch
es and then, too, | have such fine
view Of the world ard can see SO far.
1t is glorious thing to live and to
grow that poor little shoot will lose
all this happiness. Of course 7 shall
be cut down. sone day, but while l 30
live, intend to make the most of my
existence and to be all [ can.
Ellen sat and thought for some min
utes after her mother had finished the
fable. She was a good, kind-hearted
girl, and always ready to acknowledge
when she had done wrong At las1
she said, "Do you know, mother what
your story reminds me OFF, "No,'
answered her mother, what il it,
"Why, Of dear old Aunt Patience and
poor Mr. Knowles. Aunt Patience is
30 good and so ki1rd. Il seems as #
she loved everything and everybody III
the world, ond we children always like
to 90 there, because SHE: is so happy
and 80 glad to see u.s.. But poor old
Mr.. Knowles ! Dear me !! We all
get out Of the way When we See him
coming He is SO cross and surly and
always looks as if he longcd to bite us.
Do you suppose Aunt Patience has
ever had much trouble?' Yes Ellen,
she has had many very great trls's, but
she has always loved everybody ar]
tried to help them, and that makes her
so full Of sunshine. But Mr.. Knowles
poor man? has never loved any one or
tried to benefit anyhbdy, so now no one
loves him. Eyes, r.other, | see,'f
said Ellen, II believe [ will spread out
nv roots and drink in the sap, and dc
all the good T can, for have no desire
to be poor mean shrub when | an
old
Our Free L.Hch.'