River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-09-02
THE WILLOW AND ELM,

There were some trees which grew
in field. l. was a nice square field,
with a thick hedge on three sides of it.,
but the fourth side was bounded by a
bright, pleasant stream. The trees
grew close Dy the hedges, and along
side the little stream. Those which
grew by the hedges were elm trees.
and those which grew alongside the
stream We're mostly willows. that
dipped their supple bougbs right into
the river. An elm tree which grew on
one of the cross hedges struck up s
sort of friendship with the nearest will
low tree
You must find it verv cold down
there by the waters edge" said he.
Yes" it answered. lit IS cold at
times, but 1 can bear it very well. |
am used 10 it, you know"
Used it-well-yes, said the
elm; ''br YOU are so pale that should
think you eau hardly imagine that any
amount of use will make you strong
enough To stand the wind. The
October winds will soon begin, and
YOU cannot have very strong roots;
your arms ere slender, and your roots.
| should think. are much the same in
thicKncsS.
That Is true, said the willow. but
| shall hold on as well rs ! can, and |
lind that / can give way TO the wind.
and | think that HELMS mo -
Give way TO the wind, Mo- no. my
little friend, yrow strong and hold up
your head against it. that is the best
way. Look at my strong limbs. and
my roots are Just as strong; you can
see the twists and knots which they
make for yards all around me.
They are large, said the willow.
But / try to keep firm hold by making
my thin roots go down as deep IS
can.
That j. not the best way" said. the
elm, Il don't do that | lay my
-oots far AID wide. You will find il
best to spread your roots. so that you
may Toe supported by As much ground
a possible.
Il see. = said the willow; but | am
afraid | never could grow like that
d
what grand. tall trees like YOU can do;
You are so strong tins YOU need fear
nothing. but | must tremble at every
breeze.
''Oh, of course said the elm tree,
loftily.
October came in. and As the strong
wind rushed down the valley he wills
percd e. the willow tree: II am come
out At last. and have CREST and good
work before me.
"Good,'' said the willow tree.
Great work 1 am sure you have TO DO.
but | did not know that il was good.
'-Oh, YES, more good than you think.
/ clear the air and test he trees. You
need not fear, little willow tree. YOU
are tough enough. but ! expect some
Of the fine fellows in the field will have
trouble
Then the wind rushed away. and
from day to day he grew stronger. and
came roaring down the valley with
iicrcer blasts. The poor little willow
tree was soon stripped of leaves, aud
tossed her bare bOughs and twigs
about a the wind wept over her; but
she always bent her head to The storm.
But the elm tree was full of prid : it
laughed TO see the poor little willow
a she stopped and bowed and swaved
her long supple arms in obedience to
the wind. But as the wind rose il be
gan to grow angry. for the strong wind
made the great elm branches creak
uneasily.
Il cannot think what the wind wants
BY blowing 80 hard ne said testify.
What further complaint he would
have made was cut snort by a sharp
crack. and then one of the grand old
branches of the proud elm tree went
crashing down upon the ground below.
The willow was sorry TO see me fine
branch 90. and would have spoken
some kind word TO the elm, bit the
noise of the wind drowned ever voice.
And, indeed. every tree and bush was
kept too busy to talk, for the wind
rushed through their branches. tossing
them about and racing round and in
and out among them, and never left
them alone for 4 moment.
The poor farmer was 10 be seen
struggling against the wind AMI max
inc his way 10 the shelter of his house,
but il was dangerous work. for the
great branches were failing in all di-
rections, and even the earth. which
covered the roots OF the trees, was
lifted up, as though the trees them
selves were going to topple over. The
rain had been falling aud was driven
IN his face. and as he came close TO
the hedge where the tail elm tree grew
and not far from the lowly willow, he
SAW that the stream was flowing fast
and full like an angry, swollen river
The wind and rain and the spray
swept from the surface of the
stream all blinded him. He kept his
head down and tried TO keep under the
shelter of the hedge. He could not
look up. 50 he did not see the tall elm
tree was beginning to rock from its
very roots: but he did see that the
ground where its shallow roots grew
was being lifted. Presently there was
a Wild shrie6ing rush made by the
wind. and i'm a moment the towering
elm tree shuddcTed and fell. crushing
the hedge, tearing up the soil and scat
teriug he earth IN all directions. To
avoid the falling tree the farmer dashed
forward. lie vas partially successful;
he avoided the main trunk, but one OF
. the long branches grazed him IN Its
fall and swept him into the turbid and
, swollen stream. The strong stream
. carried him off his feet, and bore him
. swiftly on amid broken branches and
! thick clustering LEAKAGE. He gave him.
! self up IS lost; he could not get down
his feet. and it was impossible To swim.
: Away the stream rushed. needless OF
his life. He knew that there was a fall
in the water 3 little further on. and he
knew that even if he escaped being
suffocated or drowned before, he would
then be dashed topieces.
He gave himself up as lost. But
what was this? Some gentle, plant
srms seemed cropping in the stream
aud gFSsping him IN their flexible en-
brace. He was stayed. He sliced
firm hold of these welcome arms. and
found thai had been carried bv the
stream against the oyerhanging willow
tree. and that the tough and plan.
branches had rescued him from dread
ed and all but inevitable death. He
climbed out Of the water, holding on
TIGHT by the willow rods. They bore
his weight bravely; he stepped on land
and saw the huge trunk and broken
branches Of the fallen elm tree. Hi:
farmer eve could Lot help gauging its
worth. Not near so much wood there
as thought, = he said; mot mneh uss
in these tall shallOW-rOOted fellow.