The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-12-24
THE FIR TREE.

wished so much to be tall like its COM
pnnions, the pines and frs which grew
around it. The sun shown and the
soft air fluttercd its leaves, and the lit
tie peasant children passed by prattling
merrily, but the fir tree needed them
not. AS it grew it complained, ooh,
how l wish were as tall as the other
trees. then l would spread out my
branches on every side and my top would
overlook the wide world, | should have
the birds building their nests on my
boughs, and when the wind blew
should bow with stately dignity like my
tall companions" Two winters passed.
In the autumn, rs usual, the woodcut-
tiers came and cut down several Of the
tallest trees, and the young fir tree,
which was now grown to its full height,
shuddered as the noble trees fell to the
earth with a crash. After the branches
were Topped off, the trunks looked so
slender and bare that they could scarcely
be recognized. Then they were placed
upon wagons and drawn by horses out of
the forest. "Wherc were they going?
What would become of them2" The
young fir tree wished very much to know.
So in the spring, when the swallows and
the storks came, it asked: do you
know where those trees were taken9
Did you meet them?"
The swallows knew nothing; but the
stork, after little reflection, nodded his
head and said: eyes, think | do. l
met several new ships when l flew from
Egypt, and they had fine masts that
smelt like fir. think these must have
been the trees; | assure you they were
stately, very stately"
ooh, how wish / were tall enough to
go on the sea, said the fir tree. "What
is this sea and what does II look like?"
ut would take too much time to ex-
plain" said the stork, flying quickly
away.
Rejoice in thy YOUTH" said the sun
beam; "rejoice in thy fresh growth and
the young life that is in thee"
And the wind kissed the tree and the
dew watered it with tears, but the fir
tree regarded them not.
Christmas time drew near and many
young trees were cut down, some even
smaller and younger than the fir tree,
who enjoyed neither rest nor peace with
longing to leave its forest home. These
young trees, which were chosen for their
beauty, kept their branches and were
also laid on wagons drawn by horses out
of the forest.
"Where are they going2" asked the
fir tree. "They are not taller than l am;
indeed one is much less; and why are
the branches not cut Off? Where are
they going?"
1--WE know, we know" sang the spar
rows. 1--WE have looked in at the win
dows of the houses in the town, and we
know what is done with them. They
are dressed up in the most splendid man
ner. We have seen them standing in
the middle of warm room, and adorned
with ali sorts of beautiful things-honey
cakes, gilded apples, playthings, and
many hundreds of wax tapers."
'And them" asked the fir tree, trem.
bling through all its branches, "and then
what happens?"
I'VE did not see any more" said the
sparrows; "but this was enough for us. !"
II wonder whether anything so bril-
liant will ever happen to me" thought
the fir tree.
Rejoice with u.s." said the air and the
sunlight. ENJOY thine own brightness
in fresh air.
But the tree would not rejoice, though
it grew taller every day, and winter and
summer its dark green foliage might be
seen in the forest, while passcrs by
would say. "What beautiful treep'
A short time before Christmas the dis
contented fir tree was the first to fall.
AS the AK cut through the stem and d.
vided.the pith the tree fell with groan
to the earth, conscious of pain and faint
ness, and forgetting all its anticipations
of happiness, in sorrow at leaving its
home in the forest. II knew that il
should never again see its dear old COM
panions, the trees, nor the little bushes
and many colored flowers that had grown
by its side; perhaps not even the birds
Neither was the journey at all pleasant.
The tree first recovered itself while be-
ing unpacked in the courtyard of house,
with several other Trees and it heard a
man say, 1--WE only want one, and this
is the prettiest."
Then came two servants in grand
livery and carried the fir tree into large
and beautiful apartment On the walls
hing picures, and near the great stove
stood great china vases, with lions on the
lids There were rocking chairs, silken
sofas, large tables, covered with pictures,
books and playthings, worth great deal
of money--at least the children said so.
Then the fir tree was placed in a large
tub, full of sand; but green baize hung
all round it, so that no one could see it
was tub and it stood on a very hand
some carpet. How the fir tree trembled!
"What was going TO happen to him now?"
Some young ladies came, and the SER
wants helped them to adorn the tree. On
one branch they hung little bags cut out
of colored paper, and each bag was filed
with sweatmeats; from other branches
hung gilded apples and walnuts, as If
they had grown there's and above, and
all round, were hundreds of red, blue
and white tapers which were fastened
on the branches, Dolls, exactly like real
babies, were placed under the green
leaves-the tree had never seen such
things beforehand at the very top was
fastened glittering star, made of tinsel.
Oh, 1t was very beautiful.
At last the tapers were lighted, and
then what a glistening blaze Of light the
tree presented And now the folding
doors were thrown open, and troop OF
children rushed in as if they intended to
upset the tree; they were followed more
slowly by their elders. For moment
the little ones stood silent with astonish-
ment, and then they shouted for Joy till
the room rang, and they danced merrily
round the tree, while one present after
another was taken from it.
what are they doing? What will
happen nextP thought the fir. At last
the candles burnt down TO the branches
ana We're put out. Then the children
received permission to plumber the tree
Oh, how they rushed upon ii till the
n. 4 -