The Worthington advance., 1886-09-02
THE WILLOW AND ELM.

AAOAO "OAO 0V44O SAOV0 'VuAVA kAV"
in field. 1t 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 by the hedges, and along
side the little stream. Those which
grew by the hedges we're elm trees,
and those which grew alongside = the
stream were mostly willows; that
dipped their supple bougbs right into
the river. An elm tree which grew on
one of the cross hedges struck up. a
sort of friendship with the nearest will
low tree.
"You must find it very cold down
there by the waters edge" said he.
"Yes," it answered, lit is cold at
times, but | can bear it very we'll. l
am used 10 it, you know
''Used to it-well-yes, said the
elm; "but you are SO pale that should
think you can 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 are slender, and your roots,
l should thinS; are much the same in
thickness.
'That is true" said the willow, but
l shall hold on as we'll as 1 can, and l
find that can give way to the wind,
and l think that helps me-"
Give way to the wind! No! no! my
little friend, grow strong and hold up
your head against it, that is the best
way. Look ut my strong limbs, and
my roots are just as strong; you can
sec the twists and knots which thew
make for yards all around me-
''They are large,' said the willow.
But I try to keep firm hold by making
my thin roots 60 down US deep as l
CAM
"That is not the best way" said: the
elm; II don't do that. I lay my
roots far and wide. You will find it
best 10 spread your roots, so that you
may be supported by as much ground
as possible .
II see," said the willow; ''but am
afraid never could grow like that. !
ain only little willow and cannot do
what grand, tall trees like you can do;
you are so strong that you need fear
nothing: but must tremblo at every
breeze.
"Oh, of course said the elm tree,
loftily.
October came in. and as the strong
wind rushed down the valley he whis.
pered to the willow tree: II am come
out at last, and have great and good
work before me-"
''Good!'' said the willow tree.
''Great work am sure you have to do.
but l did not know that it was good.''
''Oh, yes, more good than you think.
1 clear the air and test the trees. You
need not fear, little willow tree. YOU
are tough enough, but l 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
fiercer blasts. The poor little willow
tree was soon stripped of leaves. and
tossed her bare boughs and twigs
about as the wind wept over her; but
she always bent her head to the storm.
But the elm tree was full of prid il
laughed to see the poor little willow
as she stopped and DO we'd and swaved
her long supple arms in obedience to
the wind. But as the wind rose it be.
gan to grow angry, for the strong wind
made the great elm branches creak
uneasily.
II cannot think what the wind wants
by blowing so hard" he said testify.
What further complaint he would
have made was cut short by a sharp
crack. and then one of the grand old
branches of the proud elm tree wen'
crashing down upon the ground below.
The willow was sorry to see the fine
branch 20, and would have spoken
some kind word to the elm, but the
noise of the wind drowned every 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
SsAu OuO aLAOuS lucAu, duU uCttr le1t
them alone for moment.
The poor farmer was to be seen
struggling against the wind and max.
ing his way to the shelter of his house,
but it was dangerous work, for the
great branches wero falling in all di-
rections, and even the earth. which
covered tho roots of the trees, was
lifted up, as though the trees them.
selves wero going to topple over. The
rain had been falling and was driven
in his face. and as he came close to
the hedge where the tall 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 tho hedge. He could not
look up, so 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
Il wild, shrieking rush made by the
wind, and in a moment the towering
elm tree shuddcred and fell, crushing
the hedge, tearing up the soil and scat:
tering the earth in all directions. Tc
avoid the falling tree the farmer dashed
forward: He was partially successful
he avoided the main trunk, but one Of
the long branches grazcd 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 as lost; he could not get down
his feet, and it was impossible to swim.
Away tho stream rushed. needless o1
his life. He knew that there was fall
in the water a little further on, and he
knew that even if he escaped being
suffocated or drowned before, he would
then be dashed to pieces. a =.
He gave himself up as lost. But
what was this? Some gentle, plant
arms seemed cropping in the stream