Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-01-15
0he family Cirtle.
How the Windmill and the POpIar-Trec
Fell Out.


Fell Out.
-'QuarrelcrS seldom grow fat" Do You
fancy the drowsy Windmill has no secrets
I'll tell YOU how Windmill once knew
fell out with a Poplar-trcc that it had for
near neighbor-how they argued and mis-
called each other and how they We're
brought to agree again like very broth
rem.
\ great storm WAS coming. The sun
had gone down with more than his ordi-
nary brightness, and left strips of golden
light that looked like streamcre stretching
far across the sky. because the clouds
would lift up and bring great purple bars
over them, and then vanish away again.
Every one knew that Il storm wa, coming.
The Fir-trees looked ut the Oaks, and nod
ded their heads slowly. and whispered and
the birds tWittercd and drew their heads
under their wings, but could not sleep:
the streams looked up at the clouds, and
murmured to themselves: and tn" cattle
in the fields covered together under the
trees Is though they, poor unrcl~oning
creatures. guessed thr meaning of all the
whispering and ominouS head->hahng that
was going on. The wind rose and came
in sudden gusts, each one stronger than
the last; the branches of the Poplar (Which
was not 50 young ~ it had been. and per
hapS had got touch of rheumatism in it,
joints creakcd ~ they swung. and the
timbers of the Windmill, not 50 firm A. they
once We're did the same. And this crcak-
ing-the first that either had been guilty Of
was the whole cause oft the quarrel.
You grouty old thing, said the Poplar
tree, what for do YOU make such unearth-
ly noises2 | believe it Is all to spite me.
who have kept the cold winds OIL You for
all these years, knowing. a. you do. how
delicate my ear i. never did expect
much gratitude from You, but such gross
abuse did not expect. Pray stop it, and
let lis live in peace, for II quarrel, ~ sure
as am here, if this goes on. Gou can
quarrel as soon as You like, said the Wind
mill. " our impertinencc i more dete~-
table than Your conceit, Why, YOU began
it, Didn't hear You shrieking out for
help half an hour ago? And now Nou
want to put on fine airs, and lay the blame
on me" That's like YOU, rctortrd the
Poplar; = You fancy Yon are independent
because YOU 90 on grinding in Your stupid.
proSaic way. whether the wind i low or
high; but tell You. YOU can't afford to
quarrel with me. If YOU do. it will be the
worse for YOU Well. never heard
such an assurance" replied the Windmill
If the wind and agree, its little need
care for YOU. Well see. said the Pop
lar. The wind has never been favorahv
known for steadinesS in friendship more
than in some other things; and perhaps
you Windmills would have found that out
long before this but for the shelter YOU
get from others without the least consider
alton" And here he tossed his head. turn
ed away, began to sulk, and would not ut
ter another word.
Come now said the Windmill in a
conciliating style, - didn't mean to vcN
you. Say what YOU would like and III
do it if cam only the wind is rather too
much for me, and can't stop the creaking
all to once; | only wish could" Bat the
Poplar wouldn't heed the polite words. and
at this the Windmill, thoroughly ncttlcd,
commenced to speak to itself in this strain:
Very good, Mr.. Poplar, but people
cant have it their own way in this world
And 50 you'll quarrel. Be it 50, slant
knuckle down to YOU; You are older than
| am. and should have better manners
And here the Windmill abruptly broke OFF,
for Il fresh gust of wind Just then struck
his sails and made them shake and shver.
Bless me. but this IS a gale said he,
and his timbers strained and crcaked again
as he said it.
The wind veered round Il little and the
Poplar was able to bend over toward an
Elm that grew close beside Did YOU
ever hear such abuse?" it whispered to the
Elm, who was always glad to speak fair to
any one he had to do with "You cant
expect any other from him. He's Il ma
chine, put together by hammer and screw.
and fancies on that account that he's self
made: :" and here both Poplar and Elm
broke out in a loud laugh that surprised
the birds, and the sheep that lay shivering
in the field, notwithstanding that it was
soon lost again in the loud blast. . But
We can punish him and save ourselves at
the same time and the Elm looked know
ingly and quizzingly at the Poplar. Can
we, though? tell me how, and I'll do all |
can" Well, if You bend close over to-
ward me and keep there awhile, the whole
force of the wind will take his sails and
tear them. That's the advantage of not
being self-made. We trees can Weld a
point, too, when it suits us. There. Give
me YOUR hand on it, and hold firm
The Poplar threw all the strength of his
will into the effort. determined not to shield
the Windmill any longer, if he could help
it; and as his tip touched the Elm a thrill
of Joy shot through every fiber. He'll
rue his ingratitude.' said the Poplar
- That he will, and more said the Elm,
with Il sweet silvery voice. We'll see
who'll rue," retorted the Windmill whom
neither expected to hear them. \ quick
listener would have said that the words
came between his. teeth, if he had had any
Plotters never yet made much of it in
long rum added he. mischievously
Plotters, do you hear him?" Missed the
Elm tree into the Poplar's ear. That's
a compliment to you and ME, to be sure.
Hold firm here's a blast will tame him;
md as he spoke the wind dashed past and
shook the sails so that they broke off with
great noise and fell. and were carried
away and rested not till they were near