Delta chief., 1885-04-29
ARBOR DAY.
Tree Planting Festivities in Town and
(,Onntry.


overhead and under foot, not too warm or too
cool, but one of those calm. dreamy days that
incline us to think of quiet shady retreats,
by the side of some murmuring stream, with
books or lines, to pass the time almost uncon-
scious of the glitter and glare of the outside
world. This feeling was SO general in the
community that but few outside of those con.
nected with the schools took any interest in
the proceedings, the majority either passing
the day in the sylvan dells of our squswberry
thickets, or else retiring to their places OF
business stood ready to deal out soap and 9th.
er washing compounds to their needy custom.
ers.
The school children and few adults gath.
cred at the Methodist church at o'clock to
take part in and hear the exercises that had
been arranged by the teachers. The pro-
gramme was well selected, the majority of
the pieces being appropriate to the occasion,
and were all well rendered.
The programme was as follows;
Greeting Song, by the school.
Invocation.
Song, "Spring." by the school.
Defamation, Little Beginners" by Rosie
Hunt.
"The Swallow and l." by Amelia Jensen
and Ollie Carmichael.
Song, (Which is Best"
"Come Again." song by the school.
"The Workers." song by primary school.
Recitation, "Aiarch Winds" Daisey Hunt.
"Nelle's Letter." by Lille Bailey.
Recitation, "A Little Girls Fancies," by
class.
"The Singers Invitation" by the school,
Recitation, "The Young Soldier" by Rip
ley Adams.
"New Moon, )" by sylvia Hntington.
Recitation, "The Voice of Spring." Mollie
vandeYenter.
Recitation, "The Voice of the Tree" by
May Mathers.
Recitation, "The Tree" by May Bosse.
Song, Laughing Glee," by the school.
Recitation, 1.-The Brave Old Oak" Nellie
Stephens.
Recitation, "A Forest Hymn" Ella Blair.
Defamation by Willie Mathers.
"The Planting OF the Apple Tree" by Miss
Carrie Breese.
Poem, written for the occasion, by Rev. L.
c. Alley, entitled
ONLY TREE.
Only tree will we plant to-day,
To mark milestone our onward way,
And under its branches outrageous and fair,
Refuge wen find from the suns red glare.
Only tree! My stranger friend.
We pray your kindly aid to lend;
Plant deep its roots in virgin mould,
And reap reward, richer than gold.
Only tree, unnoticed, forgot,
Growing higher and needing mott
Now reaching up, now spreading out,
Throwing its shadows round about.
weary child from the suns fierce heat
Sought refuge for his weary feet,
And flung him down beneath the tree,
Praising its planter with merry glee.
A pilgrim, worn, is passing by.
His heart is sad, he wants to die;
The trees broad shade gives sweetest rest.
He thanks the planter with grateful breast.
Only tree we plant to-day;
Doubters may ask "wiil its planting pay?'
Could they but feel its silent work,
No such doubt in their hearts would lurk.
Only tree we plant today;
"God bless them, tho in their graves they be,
Who planted for us this beautiful hee."
National Hymn, "America," by the audi
ence.
After the exercises had been concluded
bountiful repast was spread for the children,
which was well relished by the little ones.
After lunch the schools repaired to the
grounds and planted few trees, and with
three cheers for Arbor Day, and three cheers
for the Delta schools the exercises came to a
close, long to be remembered by the children.
The ranchmen throughout the county gen.
orally observed the day by planting trees on
the roadsides and around their houses.
w. o. Stephens planted fifty-three trees
along the west line of his ranch.
The one hundred and fifty trees ordered by
the school board failed to come to h and, but
will be set out when they arrive.
We are in receipt of neatly printed book,
with the compliments of s. X. Hooper, Gen
eral Passenger Agent of the ID. & Il. G.. II. r.,
entitled the "Crest of the Continent" by
Ernest Ingersoll, printed by the Lakeside
Press, Chicago. AS its title indicates, the
book treats of Colorado, its scenery and re-
sources, and is written in the authors happiest
vein. 1t is true and graphic account of Wis.
its made to the various points Of interest in
the State, and is just the work to give your
eastern friends an accurate knowledge of the